Mountain Xpress 09.15.21

OUR 28TH YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 28 NO. 7 SEPT. 15-21, 2021

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Local Bigfoot hunter discusses ongoing quest Pride art project on display at Pack Square Park

C O NT E NT S

FEATURES

SPECIAL INSERT

8 CALLING THE BLUFFS Contested Woodfin election driven by development concerns

11 ‘WHAT YOU DID ON FRIDAY NIGHT’ Asheville Motor Speedway’s legacy endures

16 Q&A WITH JONERIC BRUNER Local Bigfoot hunter shares stories with Xpress

Mountain Xpress’ 27th annual Best of WNC has arrived. This week’s issue features the first half of our 500-plus winners. Be sure to grab next week’s issue as well to discover who else took home firstplace finishes.

COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick

3 LETTERS 3 CARTOON: MOLTON 5 CARTOON: BRENT BROWN

WELLNESS

6 COMMENTARY 20 EMPTY TANKS Mental health falters during pandemic

A&C

FEATURE

NEWS

NEWS

BEST OF WNC 2021

24 YES, WECAN (MAN) Video project spotlights diverse neighborhood

8 NEWS 14 BUNCOMBE BEAT 18 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 20 WELLNESS 22 ARTS & CULTURE 32 CLUBLAND

A&C

38 FREEWILL ASTROLOGY 26 PAINTING THE PAST Local artist honors Black female domestic workers

38 CLASSIFIEDS 39 NY TIMES CROSSWORD

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OPINION

Send your letters to the editor to letters@mountainx.com.

New, consolidated library would better serve community I am writing to voice my support for a new consolidated library/media center [“Reading Rooms: Community Debates Buncombe Library Plan,” Sept.

1, Xpress]. I had previously written to the Buncombe County commissioners saying, “Please do not change a thing about these two precious sites.”

However, I have listened to friends, done some dreaming of my own and as a former school counselor here in the Valley for 23 years, I have changed my mind.

I truly love both the Black Mountain and Swannanoa libraries and use them both. My grandsons adore visiting the one in their neighborhood in Grovemont, and I utilize the one in Black Mountain. However, if I actually “think” about what our community needs, I have to think outside the box and dream. Here is what I would like to see develop: • A beautiful new library at the corner of Old Highway 70 and Lake Eden Road that would be on the bus line for easier access to a larger number of people and also easily accessible via walking for students of Owen Middle and Owen High for after-school and weekend internet and educational activities.

• A facility that would embrace the digital age, as that is where the future lies. Even if broadband internet comes to more rural communities, I question whether everyone has the means to purchase their own devices. If our students do not have access on equal footing as others in the county, then we are not serving them adequately. For children and adults alike who are on the lower socioeconomic end, the library/media center will serve as the main source of access to the world via the web.

• A facility that could house meeting rooms for students working on team projects, for adults hosting book club discussions, for afterschool tutoring sessions, etc.

• A facility with plenty of parking for those who can drive there.

Our current locations are totally landlocked, and parking is extremely limited.

• Perhaps a facility with a coffee/ tea area.

• A facility with a new and adventurous playground area that is accessible to all.

• Renovated facilities at the current Black Mountain and Swannanoa libraries that could be used either as expanded community and/or senior centers.

36,000 SQ. FT.

OF ANTIQUES, UNIQUES & REPURPOSED RARITIES!

C A R T O O N B Y R AN DY M O L T O N After living and working in the Valley since 1990, I have long advocated for our children, youths and families to receive the same quality of services that other districts in our county receive. I have witnessed funds and programs consistently being given to the wealthier Reynolds and Roberson districts while the Owen district has been viewed as “the red-haired stepchild,” even though this is rarely acknowledged publicly.

Our community deserves all that the others have. It is up to each of us to embrace the future, even if it means change. If we choose not to do so in a proactive manner, change will then embrace us — whether or not we have planned for it, and therein, my friends, lies the challenge.

— Kitty R. Kelly Retired school counselor C.D. Owen High and Community High School Black Mountain

Modernize but don’t close branch libraries I wholeheartedly support modernizing the libraries in our county but not at the expense of closing branches [“Reading Rooms: Community Debates Buncombe Library Plan,” Sept. 1, Xpress].

I well remember going to my neighborhood library as a child. My mother was handicapped. She had great difficulty walking, but somehow she managed to walk me to our neighborhood library, and I have many fond memories of story time and reading.

Please keep our small local branches and modernize them for future use!

— Rochelle Kaye Asheville

With libraries (and other projects), start with the people I attended the meeting at the Black Mountain Library and was amazed how many people were quite serious — people of all ages, kids included — about keeping their library, about their needs already being met there just fine [“Reading Rooms: Community Debates Buncombe Library Plan,” Sept.

1, Xpress]. When details were shared about the actual location, its ownership and other options in our small city, the consensus seemed to be that moving to a better location in Black Mountain was acceptable. If there are things that can improve, and we still get to keep our library, then fine.

But these things don’t generally start with the people. The democracy of my dreams puts out a feeler to all its residents about what they want first. If someone in government picks up the idea that a library or any facility is in need of improvement, they don’t treat the situation as if it’s a corporation and they’re a private contractor. They do surveys of the citizens. But governments and agencies that run the use of our money, given to us by bigger governments and amassed from our taxes and fees, work with developers who solicit them with ideas from the Radiant City (see Jane Jacobs) like hookers on the boulevard.

OK, I have an attitude toward developers, unless we the people have engaged them for our projects. What’s going on in this would-be metropolis, y’all? Why are we working from this end, from the top down? The people

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OPI N I ON

Send your letters to the editor to letters@mountainx.com.

need to think up and re-create ways of doing “business” with our legislatures, departments, overseers and other who administrate our assets.

We share resources and risks, and yet we don’t participate. It’s a bad habit. I know we need inroads to participation, and I don’t know where we should start. I’ll just keep suggesting this approach and applauding it when I hear about it until, maybe, a spark will ignite.

Stop building things from the top down! Start with a foundation! The foundation of a district is its people.

Let the people choose; don’t just invite them for their opinions — that is so demoralizing! Let the people choose!

— Arjuna da Silva Black Mountain

Capital of WNC has problems

Tanya Tracy, MPT 828-407-7889 • tanya@flowptandpilates.com 315 Old Haw Creek Road #4, Asheville • flowptandpilates.com

Share your words of wisdom with other women in business What did you wish you knew when you were starting out in business?

For Xpress’ annual Women in Business issue, we’re asking local women to share insights they’ve gained through their work in WNC. Please tell us how you found your career, what challenges you faced along the way and what helpful tips or advice you could share with other women on the same path.

Email your thoughts to

trose@mountainx.com by the end of the day

Friday, Sept. 24

for possible publication in Mountain Xpress.

Aim for 300 words or less, and please include your name, address and phone number.

We can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

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Been homeless past four months in Asheville. Does Asheville have a homeless problem? Yes. Less homeless means less crime. Doubt that will happen. Continue to step around.

Capital of WNC has problems.

Moving out of this mess in 30 days.

Y’all can have it. Going somewhere clean and quiet.

By the way, I’m a college grad. Got a brain. Saving money for a down payment. So, later. You can have this.

Doubt it will change. I’m outta here.

City has a ton of problems. I ain’t gonna be involved. I’ll visit, spend tax dollars. That’ll keep you happy.

Bummer on that. Way it is. Taxes not spent on real issues.

— Craig Sparks Asheville

Arguments against Raytheon plant fall flat How far must one live from Gaffney, S.C., in order to avoid culpability for spelling and grammatical errors committed by Bic pens? 500 yards? A mile?

Or is anybody within the city limits able to be ridiculed for the ink that flows from an errant ballpoint? Gaffney is, as you know, a manufacturing site for the ubiquitous Bic pen brand.

This seems silly because the whole notion of proximate geographical liability is absurd. Having a Raytheon plant in Asheville will not bring culpability to our area for the actions of our politicians and military.

The cost of the podium from which the morally indignant denounce industry suitors is tremendous. The proposed factory is a $650 million investment in Buncombe County, which will provide approximately 800 new jobs. The average annual salary is slated to be roughly

$68,000, significantly higher than the area’s current salary of $45,000. This is a critical municipal tax revenue diversification for a city comically dependent on tourism, overpriced meals and cutesy shops.

There is also no environmental argument that holds water. The plant is going to be built somewhere. Whether it is here or in the Outer Banks, the same state and federal manufacturing and pollutant regulations would apply. The same amount of environmental damage will be wrought. Only a selfish, small-thinking interest would make such a fuss about the thought of local contamination, other areas be damned. If plant pollution is truly the issue at hand, then go and fix that.

Nobody is going to think we are a warmongering city. Step down from the lectern of moral indignation. It is costing Asheville dearly. Accept the change that is coming and the colossal windfall it bestows upon Buncombe County.

— Derek Husar Asheville

Why did property taxes go up so much?

I and many others just got our 2021 property tax bills. The overall tax rate did go down some, but due to my taxable value going up — my total taxes are up 13.76%, and I’m sure theirs also significantly went up.

I think many people like me would like to see a comparison of this year’s budget with last year’s and what are the key items that resulted in such a large increase. Probably worthwhile to do the same for Asheville city also.

It would be nice to be able to bring such an article into the next county meeting.

Thanks for the previous articles.

— Gerard Worster Asheville Editor’s note: We appreciate the feedback. Although we don’t plan to revisit the city or county budget processes, the following two Xpress articles may shed light on the tax situation: “Tax and Spend: Buncombe Floats Higher Property Bills for 2021-22,” published May 5, and “Asheville Projects Higher Taxes for Budget Priorities,” May 19.

Meaningful change can start with alternative education I hope we don’t return to “normal.”

The trappings of what we call “normal” in our current world are part of the causes of the anxiety and lack of trust in our government. Let’s rejuvenate the American dream in Asheville by taking positive action. We can start

CARTOON BY BRENT BROWN by supporting the values of educating children. I predict that in 50 years or so, educators and the public will see today’s approach to schooling as a relic of the past — perhaps as we view a Model T Ford of 1908.

The Aug. 25 Mountain Xpress article, “Changing Classrooms: Buncombe County Schools Enrollment Drops as Nontraditional Options Grow” signals an ongoing trend for meaningful change. Andrea Olson is commendable and hits upon an important aspect of learning in this description in the article: “All look more like play than class.”

Early childhood education offers a better model of learning that honors and develops the whole human, but in later grades, schooling is equipped for an industrial world that no longer exists.

Children are forced into a curriculum that has not fulfilled the American dream for many — preparing children for the workplace and conformity. It is enforced schooling, homework and grading that undermine the intrinsic motivation to learn. Standardized testing fosters shame, cynicism and cheating on many levels, and can develop excessive pride for those who feel superior.

There are alternative programs: home schooling, Montessori, charter schools, among others attempting to meet our children’s needs. But even these schools in a way are hampered by the conventional American way

of life that is presently coming apart at the seams. I don’t need to point to the specifics of political or ideological polarization. Most of us feel it in one form or another regardless of political or ideological beliefs. In any society, complaining and finding fault aren’t enough. Democracy demands us to participate. Our education and political institutions will not transform without we the people changing ourselves.

The purpose of education is the development of personal responsibility and self-direction necessary for the freedom needed for a democracy to function. We must expand the good in the American experience in order to eliminate the bad. Democracy is an expression of “freedom” and demands upfront honesty: the freedom of self-determination, self-criticism, pluralism and equality. We must recognize the gifts of freedom that expresses the “power with,” not dominating “power over” that has invaded our country like a cancer.

Check out these challenging ideas on education, not only for educators, parents and home-schoolers, but for all of us in the democratic spirit of uniting people-power: • Developmental psychologist Peter Gray’s book Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make our Children Happier, MoreSelf Reliant, and Better Students for Life. He draws on evidence from

anthropology, psychology and history that includes the importance of a truly democratic nation.

• Also Google “Sudbury Valley school,” which stresses time and space for children to play and explore, free age-mixing among children and adults, and the immersion in democratic ideals of the free exchange of ideas.

• And Compassionate Conversations: How to Speak & Listen From the Heart

by Gabriel Wilson and Kimberly Loh — a helpful book encouraging us to dialogue with others who have different opinions — not to debate, but to respect and understand each other. They point out that each of us

has limited partial truths that always can be expanded to embrace the big story of what it is to be human.

• Also The Tao of Democracy, by Tom Atlee is helpful. Democracy only works if we the people use it.

— Ed Sacco Asheville

Editor’s note Due to changing health recommendations related to COVID-19, readers are encouraged to check with individual businesses for the latest updates concerning upcoming events.

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OPINION

Enough is enough

those veterans, it could add trillions more. For the current fiscal year alone, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ budget is $240 billion.

Just consider how that money could have been used to directly benefit our fellow citizens. WNC residents need health insurance, education and job training, and our region continues to see rapid growth, putting increasing pressure on a health care system that’s already grappling with the COVID19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic. Our infrastructure is decaying, while efforts to create sustainable, renewable energy seem stalled.

It’s long past time we ended pointless wars

BY BRUCE CARRUTHERS

On Sept. 21, the world observes an International Day of Peace, initiated by the United Nations 40 years ago. This will be the 12th year that Asheville has joined others on the planet in solidarity, hoping that someday, peace may prevail on Earth. Even amid Western North Carolina’s stunning beauty, we can’t help but consider the tragic events in Afghanistan, the pointless sacrifices made by local military personnel and the incalculable suffering inflicted on noncombatants.

By the most conservative estimates, 71,000 civilians have perished in Afghanistan in two decades of war, along with an equivalent number of Afghan military personnel, and there are an estimated 2.5 million Afghan refugees worldwide.

North Carolina ranks high on the list of states with the most military deaths, particularly in proportion to

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the state’s population. But deaths don’t tell the whole story. In the post-9/11 wars, more than 50,000 U.S. military personnel have been officially listed as wounded, and thousands still suffer from the effects of exposure to toxic burn pits, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, sexual trauma, moral injury and other conditions related to serving in a combat zone. Meanwhile, more than 30,000 veterans and active-duty military have taken their own lives since the beginning of the war on terror. Four times as many military personnel and veterans have died by their own hand as have died from combat. Suicides among North Carolina veterans are nearly 40% higher than among civilians.

THE WAR AT HOME

Homelessness is a national problem, but for veterans in our area, it’s especially acute. According to Homeward Bound, a local nonprofit working to end homelessness, 40% of Buncombe County’s homeless folks are veterans, compared with 11% nationwide. Many of them suffer from effects of the militarization of our foreign policy. They’ve served in our endless wars, and they find the adjustment to civilian life overwhelming. In many ways, only fellow veterans can understand the trauma of military service and what the nation’s constant war-making does to the young men and women of Western North Carolina and the country as a whole.

Local veterans are fortunate to have access to the award-winning Charles George VA Medical Center.

In 2018, it served over 47,000 WNC veterans, providing over 300,000 outpatient visits, 8,500 emergency room visits and nearly 1,000 hospital admissions. Those statistics drive home the human cost of our military “adventures.” Veterans have earned the care the Charles George affords them, but how much better would it be if we pursued peace and didn’t ask our citizens to participate in military actions the world over?

According to some accounts, the U.S. has nearly 800 overseas military bases spread across five continents, at an annual cost of $85 billion to $100 billion. Imagine if those resources and the cost of veterans’ care were directed to

MOUNTAINX.COM

BRUCE CARRUTHERS

“Forty percent of Buncombe County’s homeless folks are veterans, compared with 11% nationwide.”

— Bruce Carruthers addressing the very real problems we face both nationally and across North Carolina, including right here. In some Tar Heel counties, child poverty rates are around 40%, and with few exceptions, the rates in WNC counties exceed the national average. Shouldn’t lifting our children from poverty be one of our highest priorities?

SENSELESS WASTE

What have Ashevilleans learned from all this? Do we at last we see the futility and tragedy of war? Our terrible technological instruments of destruction, some of which include parts made here in Buncombe County, have killed tens of thousands of men, women and children, wounded countless more and created millions of refugees. And unless we cease fighting such wars, those numbers will only continue to rise once Pratt & Whitney makes its footprint along the ancient French Broad River.

Meanwhile, thousands of U.S. veterans, many of them our sons and daughters here in Western North Carolina, will suffer from physical and psychological injuries for the rest of their lives.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have each cost at least $2 trillion, and if you factor in the interest charges and the cost of caring for

JUST SAY NO TO PERMANENT WAR

Have we in here in WNC learned anything from our failed wars in the Middle East and our endless military interventions in other nations? Will we and our fellow citizens nationwide finally grasp the limits and failure of military power?

After our debacle in Vietnam, I felt certain that the U.S. had learned its lesson and would henceforth turn to diplomacy instead of war to solve problems. But I was wrong: Within just a few short years, my country was again engaged in pointless and destructive wars that have brought us and the citizens of the countries we’ve invaded and occupied nothing but injury, death and destruction.

Will we learn from the failure in Afghanistan, or will we continue on the same path? This is a central question, both for us and for our children’s and grandchildren’s futures. According to nationalpriorities.org, North Carolina taxpayers are spending $16.23 billion on the military in 2021 alone. Just imagine if that money were directed toward addressing the local impacts of our biggest enemy: global climate change.

I invite you to consider these questions during this year’s International Day of Peace — and to join us in working toward the day when peace will indeed prevail, as the Peace Pole in downtown Asheville’s Elder and Sage Community Garden reminds us in English, Korean, Spanish and Cherokee. We’ll meet via Zoom at noon Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Bruce Carruthers is a Vietnam veteran and retired Veterans Affairs employee. A member of Veterans for Peace Chapter 099, he lives in Waynesville. For more information, visit WNC4Peace’s Facebook page. X

MOUNTAINX.COM

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

7

NEWS

Calling the Bluffs

Contested Woodfin election driven by development concerns

BY DANIEL WALTON dwalton@mountainx.com Elections in Woodfin are normally less contentious affairs. The same six people have sat on the town’s Board of Commissioners — known as the Board of Aldermen until last year — since at least 2011. Only two of the six nonpartisan elections for the board since 2009 have had more candidates than open seats. Mayor Jerry Vehaun hasn’t faced a challenger since first winning office in 2003.

Things are very different this time around.

As Election Day approaches on Tuesday, Nov. 2, eight candidates are vying for three seats on the governing body for the town of roughly 8,000 people to the northwest of Asheville.

Incumbents Jackie Bryson, Debbie Giezentanner and Don Hensley face hopefuls Ellen Brown, Eric Edgerton, Jim McAllister, Linwood Nichols and Hazel Thornton. Of those challengers, only Nichols has previously sought elected office, placing last in the four-person Woodfin board race of 2019.

Asked why this year’s race is so contested, challengers and incumbents alike agree: concerns over development, primarily triggered by a proposed residential project of nearly 1,400 new apartments known as The Bluffs at River Bend. Many residents of both Woodfin and Asheville’s Richmond Hill neighborhood have fiercely opposed the project, which remains under consideration by Woodfin’s Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment and has yet to go before the town commissioners.

“The increased participation this election cycle can be attributed to the disgust most Woodfin residents

POLITICAL SIGN: Eight candidates are competing for three seats on Woodfin’s Board of Commissioners, the most contested race for the town’s governing body in well over a decade. Photo by Thomas Calder feel after watching their town commission prioritize the profits of developers over the well-being of residents for decades,” says Edgerton, who works as an attorney for the city of Asheville. “Our town has become the landing spot for developers who are either unwilling or uninterested in taking the steps needed to ensure their project doesn’t harm the surrounding community.”

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As the town’s vice mayor, Giezentanner similarly flags the role that decisions over land use play in the race. “The election demonstrates the public’s fear that the town of Woodfin is going to be too easy on developers,” she says. “It is important to all Woodfin commissioners to have balanced growth, which keeps taxes low, along with protection of our environment and our small-town way of life.”

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Giezentanner notes that she and her colleagues on the board have already made some moves to manage development. Woodfin hired its first dedicated planning and zoning employee in 2020, she points out, and the town is working to revise the Mountain Village zoning district that applies to the property slated for The Bluffs.

But Woodfin also committed a major zoning misstep earlier this year. On May 18, the town revised its code of development ordinances to

align with the requirements of a new state law, Chapter 160D. However, as reported by the Citizen Times, the revision was found to be invalid in August because Woodfin did not have a comprehensive plan in place, as mandated by the state. Although commissioners had considered such a plan in 2009, according to Town Administrator Eric Hardy, it was never formally adopted.

That oversight, Thornton suggests, casts Woodfin’s current leaders in a very bad light. “No one in town government noticed the lack of a general plan, or if they did, nothing was done about it,” she says. “In the world of municipal government, that is a catastrophe.”

Following the discovery of the oversight, Giezentanner says, someone placed flyers in the mailboxes of Woodfin residents alleging that all town zoning actions since 2009 were illegal. That claim is untrue, she says: North Carolina municipalities did not have to comply with Chapter 160D until July 1 of this year, so the law would not have applied to the town’s prior decisions. But she

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believes the rumors have fueled criticism of the current board.

“I have been trying to reach out to people individually with what I consider to be the correct information,” Giezentanner says. “I believe that it is very difficult to ‘turn the tides’ when there is so much misinformation and negative comments being communicated.”

(Bryson and Hensley, the two other incumbents up for reelection, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Xpress also did not receive comment from candidates Brown, who serves as an alternate on Woodfin’s Planning Board, or Nichols.)

McAllister, a retired sales manager who recently served as campaign treasurer for Democratic U.S. House candidate Moe Davis, says Woodfin’s lack of a comprehensive plan speaks to a broader lack of vision among the town’s leadership. If elected, he hopes to hold public hearings on what the municipality should look like in 10 years and if it should develop a denser town center for commercial purposes.

“Look around at the other towns surrounding Woodfin, and most of them have an identity. And we really don’t,” McAllister says. “I’m afraid if we don’t have that discussion and don’t take some action, we’ll be seeing dozens of proposals for high-rises and mixed uses along the river, and we need to get ahead of that.”

Thornton agrees. She claims that Woodfin’s current zoning designations for The Bluffs as proposed and other areas are irresponsible and “will harm public safety if implemented.” In response, she hopes to strengthen the town’s land use plan and seek extensive public input on the topic.

MORE AT STAKE

Beyond issues of development, Edgerton says, Woodfin’s government should become more transparent, including its Police Department.

Because of the town’s small size, he continues, state law doesn’t require Woodfin to report the racial breakdown of people its police stop or arrest. He says the police should do so voluntarily as a way to build community trust.

And Giezentanner says her focus in her next four-year term would be completing several recreation projects underway in the town. Proposed greenways would link the town with Asheville’s River Arts District and offer a route along Beaverdam Creek, while an expanded Riverside Park would feature an artificial whitewater wave in the French Broad River for paddlers.

Giezentanner adds that the past two years have been challenging for Woodfin, citing the 2019 death of longtime Town Manager Jason Young from cancer, the COVID-19 pandemic and “very difficult times” for law enforcement. But she hopes voters recognize how the “Board of Commissioners and our mayor worked together to solve the day-to-day management problems of our community” in those difficult circumstances.

McAllister argues that Woodfin residents should consider the future more than the past. He’s personally knocking on the doors of 200 potential constituents — more people than voted for any of the incumbent board members in 2017 — to spread his message.

“Woodfin is an amazing little green jewel that really hasn’t been discovered by the rest of the world,” he says. “We need to all stand up together and make sure that we don’t let it be ruined.” X

Cast your vote Municipal general elections for the towns of Weaverville and Woodfin, as well as the Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District, will be held at assigned precinct polling sites on Tuesday, Nov. 2, from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Voters can use the N.C. State Board of Elections voter search tool at avl.mx/6nq to view sample ballots and find their polling place.

The deadline to register to vote on Election Day is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8. Voter registration forms are available online at avl.mx/aef. Completed forms should be mailed to Buncombe County Election Services at P.O. Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802, or delivered in person to 50 Coxe Ave., Asheville.

One-stop registration and early voting are also available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at 50 Coxe Ave. weekdays from Thursday, Oct. 14, through Friday, Oct. 29. On Saturday, Oct. 30, one-stop registration and voting are available 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at 50 Coxe Ave., the Woodfin Community Center at 20 Community Road in Woodfin and the Weaverville Community Center at 60 Lake Shore Drive in Weaverville.

Absentee ballots may be requested online at avl.mx/8ii and will be mailed starting Sunday, Oct. 3. Ballots must be returned by mail to Buncombe County Election Services or in person to 50 Coxe Ave. before 5 p.m. on Election Day. X

NEWS

‘What you did on Friday night’ Asheville Motor Speedway’s legacy endures

BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN earnaudin@mountainx.com For nearly 40 years, local auto racing enthusiasts went down to Amboy Road on Friday nights for an actionpacked evening at “The River.” Built in 1960, the New Asheville Speedway, eventually renamed the Asheville Motor Speedway, was the place to be at the end of the workweek. And even for those who didn’t go, the carrying roar of engines made the track’s presence known across town.

Then, in 1998, the speedway’s 50 acres were sold to the Ashevillebased environmental nonprofit RiverLink. The city of Asheville later transformed the land into Carrier Park, turning the track itself into the “Mellowdrome,” where cyclists and Rollerbladers now take the laps.

More than two decades after the speedway closed, inflicting wounds that still remain sore across parts of the community, Xpress caught up with some of its most passionate supporters to gauge its legacy, as well as the opportunities available to modern racing fans and drivers.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Robert Pressley grew up watching his father, Bob, win seven championships at Asheville Motor Speedway.

He then continued the family legacy with five championships of his own (including a record four consecutive crowns), while his brother, Charley, took home three.

“Richard Petty, David Pearson, Jack Ingram, Bob Pressley, Butch Lindley: All the great race car drivers, they’d say that if you can win at Asheville Speedway, you can win anywhere in the United States,” says Pressley, who now serves on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. “And as I went on to race NASCAR — the Busch series and the Cup series — I found that to be true.”

According to Pressley, the track’s unusual layout made it distinctly challenging. Its back straightaway maintained moisture from the neighboring French Broad River, he recalls, while its front straightaway stayed dry. And unlike Daytona International Speedway, where he says superior motors and aerodynamics are necessary to win,

LOCAL LEGEND: Bob Pressley, right, celebrates in victory lane at the Asheville Motor Speedway, then known as the New Asheville Speedway. Photo courtesy of the Pressley family Asheville was a place where victory required finesse.

“This was the racetrack where the foot and the brain and the car all worked together,” Pressley says. “It wasn’t a wide open [track] and it wasn’t a stop-and-go [track]. It was a momentum [track] where you had to know exactly where you were all the way around, because you run the racetrack in different phases.”

West Asheville native Jan Davis, now the owner of Jan Davis Tire Store, was one of the up to 5,000 people in the stands each week, watching the Pressleys, Ingrams, Bosco Lowe, Dickie Plemmons and other hometown heroes battle on

the track. Though he says tickets were fairly expensive, parents would happily pay for their families to go.

Once there, attendees encountered what Davis calls a rough atmosphere, where Budweiser flowed and the restrooms were “quite the scene.”

“It’s just what you did on Friday night,” says Davis, who later served on Asheville City Council from 200315. “And you had a place that you sat.

There was a certain section, and that was your seats. It was a pretty neat place to be, and for people who liked automotives, that was as close as you could get to real racing.”

In addition to the races’ entertainment value, Davis commends their

blue-collar community togetherness.

He notes that many fans and racers alike worked nearby and lived on State Street or Amboy Road, resulting in a “great cottage industry,” including legendary car builder Banjo Matthews’ shop in nearby Arden. But mostly, he says, driving in Asheville on Fridays and Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturdays was done for the love of the sport.

“The pay window wasn’t that great. People felt like they could make enough to kind of do it from

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N EWS one week to the other, but you really had to go to a number of different tracks and be pretty good to really make any money,” Davis says. “And these were tough guys. It took a lot of muscle strength to work on cars, and they had to work on them themselves. They couldn’t afford to hire a crew.”

END OF AN ERA

While Pressley and Davis witnessed Asheville Motor Speedway at its peak, they likewise observed its demise. In the late 1990s, the Biltmore Co. broke ground on a $31 million hotel on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate. One of Davis’ tire shop employees, an engineer who also helped map out the hotel’s telephone system, was invited to the ceremony.

“He heard the warmup from practice on the late-model cars and said, ‘That will not last,’ because it was just too loud over there where he was,” Davis says. “He knew immediately — he told me when he got back.”

At the same time, speedway owner Roger Gregg was looking to sell the track, claiming he wanted to spend more time in the summers with his

THRILLS AND AGONIES: Racing at the Asheville Motor Speedway yielded a range of results for drivers. Photos courtesy of the Robert Pressley family school-age son and avoid future difficulties with a strengthened city noise ordinance. RiverLink bought the property from Gregg using grant funds and donations, then gifted the property to the city of Asheville in 1998 with the stipulation that the

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land be turned into a park; the Citizen Times reported that the $1.1 million the nonprofit raised included $250,000 from the Biltmore Co. No public discussion or debate occurred prior to the land’s transfer to the city on Oct. 13, 1998, which Davis says led to many hurt feelings and much community anger. A month after the transfer, an organization called Speedway ’99 presented Asheville City Council with over 20,000 signatures on a petition asking for one final year of racing at the speedway, and Council agreed to the request.

Once the track closed, the search began for a replacement venue. At the time, the city still owned the Asheville Regional Airport; NASCAR fan Dave Edwards was the airport’s manager, and enough land was available there to build a new speedway.

In 2007, toward the end of his first term on City Council, Davis whipped up enough votes from his fellow elected officials to approve the plan.

Helping the cause was confidence from Pressley and Ingram that NASCAR would sanction the track — a critical approval for small oval tracks to financially succeed. And Davis made his case more appealing by incorporating plans to plant trees in strategic places, keeping sound levels below 90 decibels to avoid disturbing neighbors in the nearby High Vista community.

“It had merit, and we had the land and the votes on Council,” Davis says. “And then there was a neighborhood uproar when the word got out that we were doing something like that. People from Biltmore Park and all over put flyers out saying that this was going to harm their

neighborhoods and everything, so we started losing members of Council.”

Disappointed but determined to keep racing’s local legacy alive, Davis soon launched a fundraising campaign to build a memorial, and in late September 2010, a monument was dedicated at Carrier Park. The 6-by-8-foot, black-and-white wall resembles a checkered flag and contains pictures from nearly 50 years of area auto racing history.

For folks like Pressley, for whom the speedway was practically a second home, the current lack of racing is bittersweet. But he says having the monument, as well as the property in its current state, is better than the alternative.

“We are so fortunate to have that park instead of it being bulldozed down, like a lot of other racetracks were, and housing developments coming into it,” Pressley says. “The history of Asheville Speedway will live there as long as the park, because we can still go down there and see it. It’s still the same little old place; it’s just got a different dress on right now.”

HUDSON HAWKS

Davis and Pressley miss the track, but the two speedway advocates admit that it might have eventually clashed with Asheville’s development boom. Neither is pleased with the means by which the track was shut down, but they say that the emergence of the River Arts District, the transformation of West Asheville and noise ordinance battles very well could have spelled the end for local racing.

SNAPSHOT Davis additionally rues that the speedway closed before the auto racing industry could shift to hybrid or fully electric cars. Though races could now be conducted with minimal noise pollution, there’s no track for them to take place. Even with that advancement, however, Pressley doesn’t think there will ever be another racetrack in Asheville.

“Basically, the only place to put it would be at Mount Pisgah,” Pressley says. “And I don’t think the Forest Service or [Blue Ridge] Parkway is going to let them do that.”

Pressley suggests that partnering with Haywood or Madison county on a track would generate significant revenue for the city. Currently, local racing enthusiasts must travel to Hickory, the Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, the Greenville-Pickens Speedway in upstate South Carolina or the Kingsport Speedway in eastern Tennessee.

Weaverville-based twin brothers Shad and Shane Higgins, their father, Buddy, and friend Chris Worley purchased Tri-County in fall 2019. Buddy was an official at Asheville Motor Speedway for 22 years, and the brothers both competed on the track. Together, they seek to rekindle that excitement on Saturday nights and, according to Shad, are pulling the majority of their fans and drivers from Buncombe, Haywood and Henderson counties.

But challenges remain. “At most of these short tracks, the car count is horrible nowadays. We’ve been luckier than most with a good car count, but it’s still tough,” he says.

“Everybody’s so busy, and the cost of racing has done nothing but increase over the years.”

The Higgins family tries to keep ticket prices low for fans, charging $12 per person ($10 for seniors and members of the military) and offering free admission for children under 12 years old. Shad hopes that making the races accessible will help keep young people interested in the sport, a goal at which he feels many other short tracks are coming up short.

Several gifted racers have emerged from the Asheville area in recent years, including NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Stephen Leicht. Shad describes the grandson of former Asheville Speedway owner Russell “Russ” Leicht Sr. as “a great racer” whose hard work and dedication have earned him success on NASCAR’s second-highest circuit.

Also aiming to reach those ranks is Shad’s nephew Ashton Higgins, who’s making a name for himself in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series on short tracks around the Southeast. To avoid a conflict of interest, Ashton doesn’t race at Tri-County unless it’s with the touring series. But he has the full support of his father, Shane, who’s part of Ashton’s crew. Similar to the commitment seen during the Asheville Speedway’s heyday, the family team works on the car each night at their shop.

“Those guys are dedicated,” Shad says. “They’re there seven days a week, making it happen.” X

GOATSCAPING: A herd of goats continue their landscaping work around Stephens-Lee Recreation Center. The city of Asheville kindly requests that residents do not harass the animals. Photo by Thomas Calder

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BUNCOMBE BEAT

Mixed-use development could come to Ferry Road A 137-acre tract of county-owned property on Ferry Road near Bent Creek is a step closer to development following a Sept. 7 discussion by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Board members reacted favorably to a presentation by Kim Williams, a consultant with Asheville-based Equinox Environmental, regarding plans that would bring a mix of recreational, housing and commercial uses to the land.

Williams presented five scenarios for the site, ranging from a low-density, recreation-focused community to a “small commercial or business park.” While the commissioners did not make a formal commitment to any plan, several board members expressed a desire for denser development focused on housing.

“A big part of me is just like, ‘Leave this place alone. Just build trails and leave it alone,’” said board Chair Brownie Newman. “If we didn’t have an affordable housing crisis, that’s

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A NEW PLAN: Equinox Environmental offered several development concepts for the 137-acre Ferry Road site owned

by Buncombe County. The property has been slated for a number of now-abandoned projects over the past two decades. Graphic courtesy of Buncombe County exactly what I would want to do there, but we do have an affordable housing crisis. ... I want to get as much affordable housing value out of that land that’s going to be converted from natural to developed as possible.”

Commissioners Amanda Edwards and Parker Sloan were particularly supportive of “missing middle” housing on the property. They suggested that such a development pattern, which focuses on small-scale multifamily options like duplexes and fourplexes instead of large apartment buildings, could help residents build wealth through ownership while also increasing density.

That approach would significantly differ from previous proposals for the site, which has had a tangled history of abandoned plans over the past two decades. Options have included a 416unit subdivision with 188 single-family homes, a production facility for Oregon-based Deschutes Brewery and a treatment plant for Henderson County’s sewage.

At their next meeting of Tuesday, Sept. 21, board members are expected

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to vote on authorizing an additional $90,000 for Equinox to conduct community engagement and refine the development plan based on that input.

The consultancy’s work to date has cost the county about $60,000, according to a contract approved March 2.

COVID-19 VACCINE INCENTIVES EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER Buncombe residents over the age of 18 who haven’t yet gotten a COVID-19 vaccination will have extra time to receive $100 along with the shot. Board members unanimously voted to approve $100,000 to extend a vaccine incentive program, currently funded by the state of North Carolina and slated to expire Monday, Sept. 13, for an additional month.

Stacie Saunders, the county’s public health director, said Sept. 7 that 860 people had received their first vaccination and a $100 incentive card since the program’s start Aug. 4. Another 120 people had received a $25 incentive card for providing

transportation to someone getting their vaccine. She noted that vaccination rates had increased twofold since incentives were made available.

As of Sept. 13, 61% of the county’s population was fully vaccinated, exceeding the statewide average of 51%. But commissioners were eager to boost that number even higher, with proposals including vaccine incentives for children 12-18, a monthlong media campaign promoting vaccination and additional outreach at local schools.

And Sloan floated the idea of a resolution that would formally ask Mission Health, Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools — three of the county’s largest employers — to implement vaccination requirements for their workers. (County government employees, with the exception of those under the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, are required to be vaccinated or submit weekly COVID19 tests.) None of Sloan’s colleagues commented directly on his proposal.

— Daniel Walton X

BUNCOMBE BEAT

Dogwood Health Trust releases mid-year report, seeks input on grants Western North Carolina’s largest nonprofit is asking for guidance from the public on its future grant-making to improve the health and well-being of area residents over the next several decades.

During a Sept. 8 virtual meeting, the first of three planned for September, leaders at the Dogwood Health Trust provided an update on regional investments and polled viewers about the goals and priorities that the entity plans to tackle over the next few years. The nonprofit, created from the $1.5 billion sale of Mission Health in February 2019 to HCA Healthcare, is charged with funding programs that advance community wellness throughout 18 WNC counties and the Qualla Boundary, the sovereign territory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Janice Brumit, Dogwood’s board chair, said the nonprofit had made $48 million in investments in 2020, which focused on four priority areas: housing, education, economic opportunity and health and wellness. She added that Dogwood is on track to invest $65 million in those funding categories in 2021.

Among the nonprofit’s most recent investments have been $500,000 for flood relief after Tropical Storm Fred to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and $2 million in support of Homeward Bound of WNC’s purchase and renovation of a Days Inn in Asheville to create permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness.

“These investments are actively helping us build affordable housing, boost educational attainment at

PROGRESS REPORT: Janice Brumit, who chairs the board of the Dogwood Health Trust, said the nonprofit had made $48 million in investments in 2020 and will exceed that number in 2021. Photo courtesy of the Dogwood Health Trust all grade levels from early learning to postsecondary education, address substance abuse disorders, advance the region’s ability to test for and vaccinate against COVID-19, increase economic investments and create new job opportunities and so much more,” Brumit said.

Brumit also pointed to a midyear report, released in August, outlining grant plans for totals of roughly $30 million toward housing, $9 million toward education, $10 million toward creating economic opportunity and diversifying industries in the region and $11 million toward health and

wellness programs by the end of 2021.

The report also shows that Dogwood has committed $5 million annually for five years to address substance use disorders and the opioid crisis in WNC. The nonprofit plans to share its annual report at the end of 2021.

Susan Mims, the trust’s interim CEO, noted that since the beginning of the year, 228 organizations had applied for grants and 148 had grants approved.

She also explained that Dogwood had been chosen in May to lead a pilot program created by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services aimed at delivering nonmedical services for people who qualify for Medicaid, such as nutrition and food assistance, transportation and housing. The program, Healthy Opportunities, will be managed

by Impact Health, a startup entity created by Dogwood specifically for the project.

During the meeting, Mims and other Dogwood leaders asked attendees to rank the nonprofit’s goals in order of priority with interactive surveys. She said those results would be combined with public surveys to be made available for the next few weeks on Dogwood’s website; the trust will release the data and determine its funding goals in the following months.

Mims emphasized the importance of public participation on the priorities and noted that the investments made by the nonprofit are meant to create long-lasting change throughout WNC. “This work takes a long time — generations. But when is the best time to plant a tree? That was 20 years ago,” she said. “The next best time is right now.”

Two more virtual community meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 14, and Monday, Sept. 20, from 4:30 p.m.- 6 p.m. More information and registration details are available at avl.mx/aem.

MOUNTAINX.COM

— Brooke Randle X

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

15

FEA T U RE S

Q&A with Bigfoot hunter Joneric Bruner Like many small Western North Carolina towns, Marion is known for its rolling hills, tightknit community and downtown lined with mom and pop businesses. Unlike other small towns, however, Marion is known for hosting the largest Bigfoot festival in the region.

The WNC Bigfoot Festival had its inaugural event in September 2018 and draws tens of thousands of guests. The festival gathers Bigfoot enthusiasts from around the country to display alleged evidence, ponder the limits of scientific understanding and share folklore about the half-man, half-ape creature that reportedly wanders the WNC forests (among other locations).

At the heart of the local festival are Joneric Bruner and his father, John Bruner, both of Marion, whose shared sense of wonder led to the creation of the festival and their very own Bigfoot investigation team.

While this year’s WNC Bigfoot Festival was postponed until May 2022 due to rising numbers

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NO SMALL FEAT: The WNC Bigfoot Festival draws tens of thousands of Bigfoot enthusiasts from around the country to the town of Marion for Sasquatch-themed activities and local food vendors. This year’s event has been postponed to May 2022 due to the pandemic. Photo by John Sacco and courtesy of the city of Marion of COVID-19 infections throughout WNC, fear not, Bigfoot lovers: Xpress reached out to the junior Bruner to discuss close encounters with the elusive life-form and Bigfoot’s worldwide appeal.

This interview has been condensed for length and edited for clarity.

Tell me how this all started.

When did you first get into Bigfoot?

Well, my dad has been into Bigfoot ever since he was a child back in the 1960s and 1970s. His grandma would always warn them about being way deep into the woods. This was before Marion got very built up.

She never did come right out and say it was Bigfoot or anything, she just called it the Boogerman. It was a couple of years later that he finally put two and two together what she was talking about.

Have either you or your dad experienced a Bigfoot sighting?

It wasn’t a sighting, per se. It was more of an unexplained event out in the woods. What my dad told me was that the place behind his grandma’s house was huge and with nothing around. You could literally walk for miles behind her house. He was out there and he heard what sounded like knocks on trees, like people knocking around.

But he never saw anyone, never saw anything. He hollered, tried to make contact with whatever that

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was, but he never could get any kind of acknowledgment.

What is the group Bigfoot 911?

Bigfoot 911 was started by my dad in 2015, and it is a Bigfoot field research team. It specifically deals with sightings and does research in McDowell County and in WNC. We used to get at least three to four good leads per month, but because of COVID, it’s sort of slowed down in the last year. And my dad just came through cancer, so everything slowed way down there for a while. He’s better now.

We set up game cameras. And if we’re wanting to get a feel for the place, we’ll deploy those game cameras and see what’s going on and what kind of wildlife is in the area.

If we’re going into the woods, we have all sorts of [gear]. We have thermals [thermal imaging], we have night vision. We have all sorts of different techniques that we use to work in the woods.

What’s the best evidence of Bigfoot that y’all have found?

My dad had a rock thrown at him that came straight up from nowhere.

We were heading up this trail and all in a line. Nobody was around, and all the sudden, this huge rock comes out of nowhere and hits Dad right in the chest. It was a big enough rock that an animal couldn’t have done that.

How did the Bigfoot Festival start in Marion?

We have a private group, Bigfoot 911, on Facebook and we had a meet and greet between the group [members]. Back then, our group was about 7,000 people, and we were expecting about maybe 100 people to show up. We ended up getting 500 people.

Then the city approached us in Marion and said, “Hey do you think that you could do a Bigfootthemed festival?”

The first year we did it [in 2018], we were expecting maybe 4,0005,000 people and we ended up having nearly 30,000 come to the event.

Were you surprised at how popular the festival was?

Oh yeah. A couple of weeks before, I had an idea that maybe this thing is gonna be bigger than we think it is, because we were getting all these messages from people that were from way far away. We had a couple of gentlemen who came from Italy just for the festival.

A couple of weeks before, we started being interviewed by all these crazy news outlets. We got interviewed by the BBC; we got interviewed by some TV station in Ireland. I answered a few questions for this news agency in Japan. I bet you we did 100 or more newspaper interviews throughout America, from San Francisco to New York City.

That’s amazing. Why do you think people love Bigfoot so much?

Bigfoot has always been a Pacific Northwest thing. But there’s always been sightings around here. The Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge, has been a hot spot for that sort of activity, but nobody has ever capitalized on it.

This is the first big Bigfoot event on the East Coast. When people see an event and they don’t have to fly to Washington state to go to it, they say, “Let’s do it.”

How would you convince a nonbeliever that Bigfoot is among us?

In my humble opinion, if such things exist, I would say it’s probably an undiscovered type of prehistoric primate that, apparently through the ages, has learned to be extremely elusive. Or there may just not be many. That’s what I would think if I was a hardcore, stone-cold believer.

But to be totally honest with you, I don’t personally believe in Bigfoot.

I’ll just be totally upfront with you.

I like to do it because I get to spend time with my dad and my brothers.

We get out in the woods and we have fun. That’s what I’m in it for.

— Brooke Randle X

ASHEVILLE ARCHIVES

by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com

‘Mansion on the Square’ Residents protest new construction on public land, 1891 In the spring of 1891, local resident E.J. Armstrong presented an ambitious plan to Asheville’s Board of Aldermen.

Armstrong wanted to lay a line of pipes from his home in Chunns Cove to Court Square (today’s Pack Square), in order to sell his property’s spring water at 2 cents a cup.

“The spring furnishes an excellent chalybeate water, which has been much sought for by visitors to the city,” The Weekly Citizen wrote on March 19, 1891.

The proposal, which was approved by the aldermen, “will, no doubt, be a paying one,” the paper continued.

Within two months, Armstrong’s plan evolved to include the construction of “a small wooden pavilion on court square in which to sell his mineral water,” the Asheville Daily Citizen reported on May 9, 1891.

Work began on May 15. That day’s paper asserted that upon the project’s completion, the city would have “a veritable ‘Mansion on the Square.’”

But as construction progressed, it became apparent the structure’s intended size was larger than Armstrong’s initial proposal.

“When the matter of erecting the ‘mansion’ was first talked of, it was supposed that a very small, light and pretty structure would be put up,” the Asheville Daily Citizen wrote on May

GET OFF MY LAWN: Local resident E.J. Armstrong began work on constructing a pavilion on Court Square (today’s Pack Square) in 1891. The initial project was met without resistance; but as the size of the structure became apparent, citizens called for its removal. This photo, circa 1895, was taken on Patton Avenue, looking toward the square. Photo courtesy of Buncombe County Special Collections, Pack Memorial Library 18. “But not so,” the article continued.

“The ‘mansion’ when completed will be large and heavy and sufficiently strong to resist the winds and rains and cyclones of ages to come.”

According to the article, the site of the ongoing construction elicited “unanimous protest against the appro-

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priation of the square.” One resident, J.B. Bostic, called the house “a disgrace,” the paper reported. Another resident, J.N. Morgan, denounced the plans and called on the county to tear the structure down. Meanwhile, Col. V.S. Lusk quipped that if Armstrong could build a pavilion on the square to

Why I support Xpress:

sell water, Lusk should ask permission to erect a law office in another corner.

The most intriguing comment, however, came from Col. W.R. Young, who noted, “It would have been a better act had the board allowed Mr. Hallyburton, the blind man, to remain on the square, but it was a wrong move to allow this house to be located there.” No additional context was provided regarding who Hallyburton was or what became of him.

The community outcry proved effective. In the following day’s paper, the Asheville Daily Citizen reported that “in deference to public opinion, and in their usually manly style,” county commissioners ordered Armstrong to remove the structure.

“Asheville’s only park will not be appropriated to any such as was proposed,” the article continued. “Verily, the cry of the people has been heard — and such things shall not be.”

By June 2, all traces of the structure were gone.

But all was not lost for Armstrong.

On June 30, the paper reported that the entrepreneur had received approval and completed the construction of a new “little mineral water house” in the rear of the courthouse with sales remaining at 2 cents a cup or a nickel for 3.

“Go take a look at the successor of the old ‘mansion on the square,’” the article concluded.

Editor’s note: Peculiarities of spelling and punctuation are preserved from the original documents. Special thanks to Carissa Pfeiffer at Buncombe County Special Collections for the research assistance. X

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR SEPT. 15-23, 2021

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TH (9/16), 6pm, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy Yoga in the Park Outdoor yoga group meets every Saturday and Sunday.

SA (9/18), SU (9/19), 1:30pm, Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd Hip Hop Fitness A lead-and-follow class to increase cardio while dancing.

SU (9/19), 10am, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy Ben's Friends A local meeting of the national support group for people in the hospitality industry struggling with addiction.

MO (9/20), 10am, Free, AB Tech Culinary Arts & Hospitality School, 30 Tech Dr Full Moon Series: Yoga under the Full “Corn” Moon MO (9/20), 7:15pm, $25-35, Chimney Rock State Park, 431 Main St, Chimney Rock Steady Collective Syringe Access Outreach Free naloxone, syringes and educational material on harm reduction.

TU (9/21), 2pm, Firestorm Books & Coffee, 610 Haywood Rd Bereavement Support Group 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month. This group is for those over 21 who have lost an adult loved one and might want to be involved with others who have similar losses. Peer-led and coordinated by a trained and certified facilitator, Will Weintraub. RSVP is required by calling Will at 412-913-0272.

TU (9/21), 6pm, Woodfin YMCA, 40 N. Merrimon Ave, Suite 101

ART Coco Villa’s How to Turn Poison Into a Meal A multisensory exploration into family history and the body as archive, told through video, movement, installation, textiles and participatory installation.

WE (9/15, 22), TH (9/16, 23), FR (9/17), SA (9/18), MO (9/20), TU

18

Andrew Aydin and L. Fury present RUN: Book One The authors discuss their new book. Sponsored by Malaprop's.

TH (9/16), 6pm, Registration required, avl.mx/720

(9/21), 10am, The Elizabeth Holden Gallery, 701 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa Olympics-themed Art Exhibitions Three exhibitions drawn from the Museum’s Collection in conjunction with the 2021 Summer Olympics.

WE (9/15, 22), TH (9/16, 23), FR (9/17), SA (9/18), SU (9/19), MO (9/20), 11am, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square

Notorious HBC (History Book Club) Discussion of A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962 by Alistair Horne. Sponsored by Malaprop's.

TH (9/16), 7pm, Registration required, avl.mx/9s9 Reader Meet Writer with Margaret Renkl Discussion of Renkl's book Graceland, At Last: Notes on Hope and Heartache from the American South. Sponsored by Malaprop's.

TH (9/16), 7pm, Registration required, avl.mx/ack

Art of Emil Holzhauer A selection of work by noted German-American artist, and one-time Asheville resident, Emil Holzhauer (1887-1986).

WE (9/15, 22), TH (9/16, 23), FR (9/17), SA (9/18), MO (9/20), TU (9/21), 12pm, BlackBird Frame & Art, 365 Merrimon Ave Rural Avant-Garde: The Mountain Lake Experience This exhibition showcases a selection of collaborative creative works that emerged from nearly four decades of the Mountain Lake Workshop series, a program sited in rural southwestern Virginia.

WE (9/15, 22), TH (9/16, 23), FR (9/17), SA (9/18), SU (9/19), MO (9/20), Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square Unearthing Our Forgotten Past Exhibit exploring the Spanish occupation of Fort San Juan and the native people who lived in the Joara area of WNC. Sponsored by the Western NC Historical Association.

TH (9/16, 23), FR (9/17), SA (9/18), 10:30am, Smith-McDowell House Museum, 283 Victoria Rd Haec Culti Group Show Opening Featuring artists Kat Knutsen, Kevin Yaun, Frank Lombardo, and Conrado Lopez, the show runs through 11.9.

Light hors d'oeuvres and live music throughout the day. Asheville's Miami Gold performs at 7pm.

SA (9/18), Continuum, 147 Ste C, 1st Ave E, Hendersonville Together/Apart: A year of pent up creativity unleashed A multimedia premiere focusing on inclusion of all sizes, races, ages, and genders. Interpretations about the divide of

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

A MULTISENSORY FEAST: Asheville-based artist Coco Villa’s multimedia exhibit, How to Turn Poison into a Meal, will be on display at Warren Willson College’s The Elizabeth Holden Gallery, now through Oct. 2. The installation, which features works made in the last three years, celebrates the artist’s connection to the women in their family through video, movement, textiles and participation from viewers.

Self-portrait of Villa courtesy of The Elizabeth Holden Gallery social distancing and its impact captured in photo.

MO (9/20), ananda hair studio, 22 Broadway Jefferson Pinder Public Talk & Reception Exhibiting artist will give a public talk regarding his powerful video presentation currently on display, Jefferson Pinder: Selections from the Inertia Cycle, 2003-2014.

The exhibition brings together five videos that examine complex issues of race, ethnicity, and class through grueling physical performances.

The videos are set to sound scores drawn from African, folk, and hip-hop music.

MO (9/20), 5pm, WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Drive, Cullowhee

ART/CRAFT STROLLS & FAIRS Midweek Market Weekly vintage and crafts market.

Interested vendors email fleetwoodsmarket@ gmail.com.

WE (9/15, 22), 4pm, Fleetwood's, 496 Haywood Rd

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2021 Henderson County Open Studio Tour - Light SA (9/18), 10am, The Light Center in Black Mountain, 2196 Hwy 9 South, Black Mountain Art in Autumn Features more than 100 juried artists from across the Southeast from a wide variety of disciplines.

SA (9/18), 10am, Main St Weaverville, 1 South Main St, Weaverville Ooh La La Curiosity Market Showcasing the work of more than a dozen local artists.

SA (9/18), 10am, Pritchard Park, 4 College St

DANCE An Inside Look: Helen Simoneau Danse Behind-the-scenes look featuring excerpts of Delicate Power, a new, currently in-progress work by Helen Simoneau Danse.

SA (9/18), 1pm, Diana Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave Fall Into Dance: An Artistic Harvest The Asheville Ballet presents a gift to the

community of all-original choreography in a variety of styles. Bring a lawn chair.

SA (9/18), SU (9/19), 7:30pm, $10-15, Roger McGuire Green Stage, Pack Square Park Dance Theatre of Harlem The 17-member, multi-ethnic company celebrates half a century of dance, performing repertoire that honors African American culture through the language of ballet. Pre-show discussions at 7pm.

WE (9/22), TH (9/23), 8pm, Henry LaBrun Studio at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave

COMMUNITY MUSIC Masters of Soul Sing and dance along to hits from Gladys Knight and The Pips, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Four Tops, Diana Ross and the Supremes, James Brown and more.

TH (9/16), 7pm, $20-50, Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave

Appalachian Mountain Music A day of Appalachian music, with Pretty Little Goat headlining.

SA (9/18), 11am, Glenville Area Historical Society, Hwy 107, Glenville Autumn Equinox Concert w/Richard Shulman Divinely inspired music on the grand piano in the meditation dome.

SU (9/19), 2:30pm, $25-30, The Light Center in Black Mountain, 2196 Hwy 9 South, Black Mountain Pan Harmonia concert Featuring Kate Steinbeck on flute and John Wickey on harp.

SU (9/19), 3pm, Free$25, First Presbyterian Church Asheville, 40 Church St Asheville Symphony Concert in the Park Featuring popular works

by Copland, Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, John Williams and more, joined by guest vocal soloist Michael Preacely.

SU (9/19), 7pm, Pack Square Park, 121 College St

Writers at Home The Malaprop's Writers at Home reading series features work from UNCA’s Great Smokies Writing Program and The Great Smokies Review.

SU (9/19), 3pm, avl.mx/adt Wiley Cash Launches When Ghosts Come Home Bestselling author and UNC-Asheville Alumni Author-in-Residence will celebrate publication of his new novel. Sponsored by Malaprop's.

TU (9/21), 7pm, UNC-Asheville Sherrill Center, 227 Campus Dr Live Stream: Liane Moriarty presents Apples Never Fall in conversation with Cate Lineberry The authors discuss Moriarty's book. Tickets required. Sponsored by Malaprop's.

WE (9/22), 8pm, $33.75, avl.mx/adv Book Discussion: What the Eyes Don't See Malaprop's bookseller Patricia Furnish discusses the book by Mona Hanna-Attisha. TH (9/23), 7pm, Registration required, avl.mx/adw

THEATER The Magnetic Theatre presents The Sparrow and the Whippoorwill: A Bluegrass Musical Bluegrass musical written by local playwright and musician Tom Godleski.

TH (9/16, 23), FR (9/17), SA (9/18), 7:30 PM, SU (9/19), 4pm, The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change A musical revue celebrating the mating game, with eight cast members playing around 60 different characters.

Directed by Joel Perkin.

Seating will be limited to 50% capacity, and masks will be required of the audience.

TH (9/16, 23), FR (9/17), SA (9/18), SU (9/19), 7:30pm, $25, Tryon Little Theater, 516 S. Trade St, Tryon Free Shakespeare: Macbeth A Montford Park Players production, directed

by Jason Williams.

Outdoors.

FR (9/17), SA (9/18), SU (9/19), 7:30pm, Free, Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The HART Theatre presents the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice comedy.

FR (9/17), SA (9/18), 7:30 PM, SU (9/19), 2pm, $14-34, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville Magnetic in the (Smoky) Park Outdoor variety show every Tuesday. Bring your own chair.

TU (9/21), 7pm, $15-20, Smoky Park Supper Club, 350 Riverside Drive

BENEFITS Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk Hosted by the Asheville Fire Department to benefit Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, honoring the sacrifice of the NY firefighter who lost his life on 9/11.

SA (9/18), 8:30am, Pack's Tavern, 20 S. Spruce St

CLASSES, MEETINGS & EVENTS Beginner/Advanced Clogging and Flatfoot Learn to clog and flatfoot to old-time bluegrass music.

TH (9/16), In His Steps Dance Ministry, 159 Church St MAGMA Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show Indoor and outdoor vendors offering gems, minerals, fossils, artifacts, rocks, meteorites and more.

FR (9/17), Camp Stephens, 263 Clayton Rd, Arden Aurora Studio & Gallery's Fun on Friday Arts/fundraising activity for Asheville visitors. To register, text Lori Greenberg at 828-335-1038.

Suggested donation.

FR (9/17), 2:30pm, $20, The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave

Fridays at the Folk Art Center: Untold Stories of Appalachian Women A Blue Ridge Parkway ranger will share stories of Appalachian War women, enslaved women, midwives and the women of today.

FR (9/17), 6:30pm, Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Parkway Saluda Train Tales Author Garland Goodwin will share tales of the railroad and people of Saluda and Polk County.

FR (9/17), 7pm, Saluda Historic Depot, 32 W. Main St, Saluda Blue Ridge Audubon Birding Field Trip Open to all, but unvaccinated birders must wear a mask.

SA (9/18), 8am, Charles D. Owen Park, 875 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa The Tortured Hand: Antiquated Devices for Strengthening - Or Maiming - the Fingers Dr. Andrew Adams, Director of the School of Music at Western Carolina University, will discuss devices from the 19th and 20th centuries designed to strengthen the hand and fingers, but that could maim them instead.

SA (9/18), 9:30am, Piano Emporium, 828 Hendersonville Rd Asheville Community Theatre Costume Sale The sale will include costumes pulled from ACT’s extensive collection and donated items. In the parking lot, weather permitting. Cards only, no cash.

SA (9/18), 10am, Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St Jackson County Branch of NAACP monthly meeting Features discussion of the Harriet Tubman Sculpture in Sylva. Email jcnaacp54ab@gmail.com to receive instructions to join online.

SA (9/18), 10am Appalachian Dowsers: How to Trust Your Dowsing Lee Barnes, PhD, President of the local Appalachian Chapter of the American Society of Dowsing, will present the September Quarterly Meeting via Zoom, interviewing Sandee Mac, long time dowser.

Mac will discuss current issues regarding medical choices as well as how to raise confidence in dowsing results.

SA (9/18), 1pm, avl.mx/aer Advanced Honeybee Course Three-part course.

Topics include honeybee biology, pests and diseases and nutrition.

SU (9/19), 8:30am, McDowell Technical Community College, 54 College Drive, Marion

Social Contract Bridge Group For more info, contact Stefano 727-481-8103.

MO (9/20), 12:30pm, Free, Senior Opportunity Center, 36 Grove St International Day of Peace A virtual observation celebrating the 40th anniversary. Via Zoom.

TU (9/21), avl.mx/af4 AVL Arts Town Hall The Asheville Area Arts Council will host a virtual Town Hall on implementing health and safety protocols at local live events TU (9/21), 12:pm, avl.mx/af1 FIREWISE Zoom Presentation Learn how to be FIREWISE with NC State Wildfire Mitigation Forester Wesley Sketo.

To register, please email Sarah Oram, at oramsarah@gmail.com by 9/16 (with your name and zip code) and Zoom links will be shared.

Sponsored by Voting Precinct 23.2 in East Asheville.

TU (9/21), 6pm How Carolina Chickadees Respond to Invasive House Wrens House wrens may pose a threat to native cavity-nesting birds such as Carolina chickadees if house wrens are out-competing other birds for nesting cavities which are already highly coveted and limited. Some preliminary research at Warren Wilson College aims to shed light on how Carolina Chickadee parents respond to this new member of their community. Presented

by Warren Wilson College professor Dr. Olya Milenkaya.

TU (9/21), 7pm, Free, UNC Asheville Reuter Center, 1 University Heights Eco-Grief Circles Seven-week online session will explore grief and sorrow, anxiety and fear, guilt and shame, anger and despair. Sponsored by the Creation Care Alliance.

WE (9/22), 12pm, avl.mx/aey Introduction to Medicare - Understanding the Puzzle The Council on Aging of Buncombe County, in conjunction with the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), is presenting a class that will explain how Medicare works, the enrollment process, how to avoid penalties, and ways to save money. The class is held via Zoom, and is free and open to the public. To register, visit the www.coabc.org or call 828-277-8288.

WE (9/22), 2pm, avl.mx/9hz

Arbor Evenings Stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens and experience the Wild Art outdoor sculpture showcase as live music plays.

TH (9/23), FR (9/24), 5:30pm, Free-$13, NC Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Expand Your Circle: Speed Connecting for Women Entrepreneurs This project, which invites women to network and connect, receives support from NC IDEA. Space is limited. Pre-registration.

TH (9/23), 5:30pm, $10, Focal Point Coworking, 125 South Lexington Ave Ste 101

FARM & GARDEN Journeyperson YearLong Farmer Program The Journeyperson Program is geared for farmers in the Southern Appalachian region who’ve been in business independently for at least 3 years and are ready to take the next step. November start date, year-long program.

Application deadline: September 18.

SA (9/18), avl.mx/ae4 ASAP Farm Tour Returns The 2021 Farm Tour will feature farms in Buncombe, Henderson, and Haywood counties, all located within an hour drive of Asheville. Every year, ASAP introduces new farms on the tour and brings back old favorites, including u-pick farms, vineyards, flower farms, fiber producers, and more.

SU (9/19), 12pm, ASAP's 2020 Farm Tour, Asheville

FOOD & BEER RAD Farmers Market Weekly Wednesday market, year-round.

WE (9/15, 22), 3pm, Pleb Urban Winery, 289 Lyman St Les-ter Farmers Market Every Wednesday through September.

WE (9/15, 22), 3:30pm, Leicester Community Center, 711 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester Flat Rock Farmers Market TH (9/16, 23), 3pm, Flat Rock Farmers Market, 1790 Greenville Hwy, Hendersonville Hendersonville Farmers Market Weekly farmers market.

SA (9/18), 8am, Historic Hendersonville Train Depot, 650 Maple St Jackson Arts Market Weekly event every Saturday through Dec. 18.

SA (9/18), 1pm, 533 W Main St, Sylva, Sylva

Meadow Market at Highland Brewing Every Sunday.

SU (9/19), 12pm, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy Jus' Runnin' Pub Run Rain or shine, all ages and experience levels welcome.

WE (9/15, 22), 6:15pm, Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd

FESTIVALS NC Mountain State Fair Celebrating the people, agriculture, art and tradition of the NC mountain region.

WE (9/15, 22), TH (9/16, 23), FR (9/17), SA (9/18), SU (9/19), Free$10, WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd Heritage Day Celebration of mountain heritage held by the Southern Highland Craft Guild and featuring demonstrations of traditional crafts accompanied by music.

SA (9/18), 10am, Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Parkway 35th Annual Music in the Mountains Honoring dulcimer player Don Pedi. The Owen Family Band and Bandana Rhythm will also perform.

SA (9/18), 5:30pm, Homeplace Beer Company, 321 West Main St, Burnsville

SPIRITUALITY Online Baha’i Devotional Virtual unstructured gathering with prayers, readings, music and conversation. A Zoom link will be sent in advance to those who register.

WE (9/15), 7pm SU (9/19), 10am, avl.mx/a9m

VOLUNTEERING Project Linus The Western North Carolina Chapter of Project Linus is currently seeking volunteers to make children’s blankets.

The chapter creates and donates handmade blankets to children in crisis.

Contact Ellen Knoefel at (828)645-8800, gknoefel@charter.net or Pat Crawford (828)8838746 in Transylvania County.

City of Hendersonville Big Sweep River Clean-Up The city of Hendersonville’s Stormwater Program is hosting the annual event, which will focus efforts on Mud Creek. Registration required for volunteers.

SA (9/18), 10am, Oklawaha Greenway, Berkeley Rd Parking Area (near the bridge over Mud Creek), Hendersonville

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SEPT. 15-21, 2021

19

WELLNESS

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Mental health falters during pandemic

BY JESSICA WAKEMAN jwakeman@mountainx.com Briefly, it seemed like the coronavirus pandemic had turned a corner.

“People were starting to feel a little bit optimistic this summer,” says Ariel Shumaker, an Asheville therapist in private practice, about COVID-19. “And now, it’s not feeling optimistic.”

Fatigue, sadness, anxiety, rage, fear, exhaustion — these are the emotions area behavioral health professionals report their clients are experiencing instead as the pandemic continues. As Shumaker puts it, “There’s a prevailing sense of existential doom that a lot of folks have right now.”

According to an April report by the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation, 1 in 4 U.S. adults said worry or stress related to the coronavirus has had a major impact on their mental health. That proportion rose to nearly 1 in 3 for women, Black adults and adults ages 18-29.

Behavioral health professionals are fielding influxes in interest.

Shumaker says her client waiting list is much longer now than it was prior to 2020 through no effort of her own. “I’m getting constant referrals and I’m not networking or marketing at all,” she says.

“It’s just a lot of people trying to access support.”

Taylor Walker, a therapist in private practice in Asheville and counselor at Warren Wilson College, says she has received roughly twice as many calls from prospective clients than usual. “I’m getting text

messages randomly and I’m doing a lot of 15-minute check-ins with people because the anxiety and the panic is revved up right now, and has been for several months,” Taylor says. “To be honest, I’m not quite sure it died down.”

Fifteen-minute check-ins between sessions are a courtesy provided by most therapists. “I would like to note, none of them are just 15 minutes,” Taylor emphasizes. “They usually turn into 30 minutes.”

And the licensed clinicians who answer the free Vaya Health 24/7 Access to Care Line “are spending a longer time on the phone and dealing with more difficult situations,” says Christine Elliott, the organization’s member services care coordinator. Vaya manages public funding for mental health and substance use services in 22 Western North Carolina counties.

The volume of calls to the care line has been consistent through 2021, following an initial dip in spring and summer 2020. Now, those calling have more severe problems, Ellliot says. The hotline has more frequently been contacting 911 to send help for the caller immediately, as opposed to dispatching its mobile crisis team within a period of hours.

“Whereas before they might have been on the phone for 20 to 30 minutes, sometimes 40 minutes, [now] it’s hourlong conversations,” Elliott says. “Unless it’s an absolute emergency, when they have to send the police out right away.”

HARD TIMES

Even outside of a global pandemic, anxiety disorders and depression disorders affect millions of Americans. And almost everyone experiences situational anxiety or depression at some point, such as when starting a new job or after a breakup. At the moment, the longterm repercussions of pandemic-related mental health struggles aren’t fully known.

One clear effect of the pandemic is heightened anxiety among people with the condition. But many people developed anxiety for the first time during this period as well, says Walker.

Her student clients at Warren Wilson, Walker continues, feel frus20

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

MOUNTAINX.COM

HEAD SPACE: Therapist Elizabeth McCorvey says her clients are exhausted from trying to keep themselves safe. Photo courtesy of McCorvey trated with measures suggested by the school to “strictly adhere to their COVID ‘bubble.’” Socializing has been particularly difficult for freshmen trying to meet people, she says. And Walker’s clients in private practice, many of whom are parents, fear for their children’s safety.

The licensed clinical social workers Xpress spoke with are not able to prescribe medication, but Walker reports that she’s making more referrals to prescribers for her patients. Shumaker adds she has more clients now who are taking the antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

CONCURRENT TRAUMAS

Among people of color, trauma caused by the pandemic happened concurrently with trauma caused by high-profile incidents of racial injustice, including the police murder of George Floyd.

While trauma from racism is always ambient, Shumaker, who is white, recalls that her BIPOC clients reported “a sense of hopelessness” during the summer of 2020 in particular. And Taylor says more people sought her support at that time: “I got a lot more calls from Black and brown people who wanted to see a Black counselor,” she recalls.

Few therapists of color other than her and Elizabeth McCorvey, who practices both privately and at UNC Asheville, serve WNC, Taylor says. She made a lot of referrals to Black counselors in Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham who could see

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Thank you for voting for us again! #1 Chinese restaurant 5 years in a row

Outdoor Dining Full Bar Dine in & take out Delivery through Door Dash & Uber Eats Catering We greatly appreciate your continued support through the difficult times during the pandemic MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

82 Patton Ave. Downtown Asheville 828.505.8688 BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

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Mountain Xpress 27th Annual

ds r a w A X

2021

PART ONE 6 Arts & Entertainment 56 Uniquely Asheville 14 Shopping 64 Small Towns 64 Brevard 24 Personal Services 65 Hendersonville, Flat Rock & Mills River 30 Professional Services 67 Sylva & Cullowhee 40 Kids 68 Waynesville, Maggie Valley & Canton 46 Health & Wellness

Do you hear the train a-comin’?

It’s rolling ’round the bend. And though last year may have felt like Folsom Prison, we’re hoping our 2021 Best of WNC brings that sensation to an end.

Yes, indeed, it’s that time. Whether you’re wearing the conductor’s hat, riding in a passenger car or holding on for dear life to the caboose, let’s all take a collective moment to recognize and celebrate the local

people, places and institutions that earned the top-place finishes in this year’s balloting.

ter honor is earned by those who hold the top seat in a category four or more years in a row.

No small feat: The final 2021 results include over 500 categories. And while we searched far and wide, it turns out there ain’t a train big enough in all of Buncombe County to haul that many winners on a single trip. So we’ll be running Part II in next week’s paper.

We’d like to give a whistle-blast salute to each of you who voted, to the Xpress staff who tallied and judged thousands of ballots and to the businesses that purchased thank-you ads in these pages.

Needless to say, we’ve got a few new sheriffs in town as far as firstplace winners go, as well as some additional Hall of Famers. The lat-

By golly, would you look at that?

The train has arrived. Stay clear of the tracks and be prepared to hold on tight — it’s bound to be a wild ride.

— Thomas Calder X

We have taken great care to ensure the accuracy of the Best of WNC listings, but if you have corrections, questions or suggestions, email us at bestofwnc@mountainx.com, or call 828-251-1333.

Some Best of WNC categories received inadequate votes to allow us to declare first-, second- and third-place winners.

PUBLISHER Jeff Fobes • BALLOT OFFICIALS Able Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Jennifer Castillo, Jeff Fobes, Madeline Forwerk, Andrea Hall, Susan Hutchinson, Olivia Urban • BEST OF WNC SUPPLEMENT DESIGN Scott Southwick • DESIGNERS Eleanor Annand, Scott Southwick, Olivia Urban • LISTINGS EDITORS Able Allen, Jennifer Castillo • PHOTO COORDINATOR Able Allen • WRITERS Able Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Susan Hutchinson, Justin McGuire, Brooke Randle, Tracy Rose, Daniel Walton, Jessica Wakeman, Kay West • AD SALES Sara Brecht, David Furr, Tiffany Wagner • IT & WEB Bowman Kelley, Brandon Tilley • FRONT OFFICE/ ACCOUNTING Able Allen, Jennifer Castillo, Amie Fowler-Tanner • DISTRIBUTION Susan Hutchinson, Cindy Kunst and a fantastic team of devoted drivers • Copyright 2021 by Mountain Xpress • COVER PHOTO Morgan’s Comics photo by Jennifer Castillo • COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick

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Arts & Entertainment LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 1 LEAF FESTIVAL e ax

377 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain 828-686-8742 • theleaf.org

2 LEAF DOWNTOWN AVL d

Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville 828-686-8742 • theleaf.org

3 DOWNTOWN AFTER 5 d

100 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-251-9973 • ashevilledowntown.org

PLACE TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC 1 THE ORANGE PEEL d x

101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-398-1837 • theorangepeel.net

2 THE GREY EAGLE d

185 Clingman Ave., Asheville 828-232-5800 • thegreyeagle.com

3 SALVAGE STATION r

468 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-707-8902 • salvagestation.com

OUTDOOR MUSIC VENUE 1 SALVAGE STATION r

468 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-707-8902 • salvagestation.com

2 THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING s

12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com

PHOTO BY THOMAS CALDER

THE ORANGE PEEL

P

tain a sense of normalcy in the face of COVID-19 lockdowns, voters in the 2021 Best of WNC balloting primarily stuck with the stalwarts of the Arts & Culture scene, though there are a few new winners in the mix. With sisters Leah and Chloe Smith now both part-time Asheville residents, Rising Appalachia officially qualified for and won the Acoustic/ Folk category, while Jude Stuecker sewed her way to the top Fiber Artist spot, and Asheville Ballet

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was lifted to premier Performance Dance Company position.

Amid some playful social media critiques lobbed Xpress’ way for failing to include categories for bassists and pianists/keyboardists (but including other instrumentalists), the new categories honoring players typically found performing in bands were dominated by rockers from Modern Strangers: Courtney Cahill was named No. 1 Drummer/ Percussionist and Troy Crossley secured top Guitarist honors.

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

Congratulations to Rabbit Rabbit for winning Socially Distanced or Digital Event/Series — hopefully a one-and-done category — for its outdoor movies. And welcome to new inductees to the Hall of Fame: Musician’s Workshop (Music Instrument Repair) • LEAF Global Arts (Music-Related Nonprofit) • Grail Moviehouse (Movie Theater) • Asheville Area Arts Council (Nonprofit That Serves the Arts).

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

2948 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-669-0190 • pisgahbrewing.com

SOCIALLY DISTANCED OR DIGITAL EVENT/SERIES

Best Place to Hear Live Music; second place Place to Dance ERHAPS hoping to main-

3 PISGAH BREWING CO. e a

— Edwin Arnaudin X

1 OUTDOOR MOVIES AT RABBIT RABBIT d

75 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-398-1837 • rabbitrabbitavl.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA OBILE-ONLY M o NLINE-ONLY HALL OF FAME x (Winner four years or more in a row)

CONTINUED INTIMATE MUSIC VENUE/ LISTENING ROOM 1 ISIS MUSIC HALL w

743 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-2737 • isisasheville.com

2 5 WALNUT WINE BAR d 5 Walnut St., Asheville 828-253-2593 • 5walnut.com

3 THE ODDITORIUM w

1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • shevilleodditorium.coma

RECORDING STUDIO 1 ECHO MOUNTAIN RECORDING STUDIO d x 14 N. French Broad Ave., Asheville 828-232-4314 • echomountain.net

2 JUICE BOX STUDIO e

Swannanoa • juiceboxstudio.net

3 THE EAGLE ROOM n a

1 Northview Lane, Weaverville 828-399-0424 • theeagleroom.com

OPEN-MIC-NIGHT VENUE 1 THE ODDITORIUM w

1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • shevilleodditorium.coma

2 SLY GROG LOUNGE d

271 Haywood St., Asheville 828-552-3155 • slygroglounge.com

2 THE GREY EAGLE d

185 Clingman Ave., Asheville 828-232-5800 • thegreyeagle.com

3 PULP d

101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-398-1837 • avl.mx/9p6

SINGER-SONGWRITER 1 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES

Asheville • reverbnation.com/lyricfans

2 ASHLEY HEATH (ASHLEY HEATH AND HER HEATHENS) Asheville 828-226-4574 • avl.mx/a7w

3 JANE KRAMER

Asheville • janekramermusic.com

LYRICIST (WRITER) 1 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES x

Asheville • reverbnation.com/lyricfans

2 DAVID ROGERS (MODERN STRANGERS)

Asheville 828-329-2963 • modernstrangers.com

VOCALIST (SINGER) 1 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES

Asheville • reverbnation.com/lyricfans

2 ASHLEY HEATH (ASHLEY HEATH AND HER HEATHENS) Asheville 828-226-4574 • avl.mx/a7w

2 DAVID ROGERS (MODERN STRANGERS)

Asheville 828-329-2963 • modernstrangers.com

3 ANGEL OLSEN

Asheville • angelolsen.com

GUITARIST 1 TROY CROSSLEY (MODERN STRANGERS)

Asheville 828-329-2963 • modernstrangers.com

2 ANDREW SCOTCHIE (ANDREW SCOTCHIE & THE RIVER RATS)

Asheville 828-226-4574 • andrewscotchiemusic.com

PERCUSSIONIST-DRUMMER 1 COURTNEY CAHILL (MODERN STRANGERS)

Asheville 828-329-2963 • modernstrangers.com

2 RIVER GUERGUERIAN d

Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-301-6605 • guerguerian.com

Need to catch a show?

Check out Xpress’ Clubland Listings for live music around town

IN PRINT AND AT

mountainx.com/ clubland MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

7

BEST OF ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ACOUSTIC/FOLK 1 RISING APPALACHIA

Asheville • risingappalachia.com

2 ASHLEY HEATH AND HER HEATHENS Asheville 828-226-4574 • avl.mx/a7w

3 KATE & TROY

Asheville • avl.mx/a8q

AMERICANA/COUNTRY 1 AMANDA ANNE PLATT & THE HONEYCUTTERS x

Asheville 585-765-2083 • honeycutters.com

2 STEEP CANYON RANGERS Asheville • steepcanyon.com

3 ASHLEY HEATH AND HER HEATHENS Asheville 828-226-4574 • avl.mx/a7w

BLUES PHOTO BY SYD WOODWARD, COURTESY OF RISING APPALACHIA

1 ASHLEY HEATH AND HER HEATHENS Asheville 828-226-4574 • avl.mx/a7w

RISING APPALACHIA

2 PEGGY RATUSZ

Best Acoustic/Folk

Asheville reverbnation.com/peggyratusz

FUNK 1 YO MAMA’S BIG FAT BOOTY BAND Asheville • bootyband.com

2 EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS

Asheville 704-358-4777 • empirestrikesbrass.com

3 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES

Asheville • reverbnation.com/lyricfans

HIP-HOP 1 NATURAL BORN LEADERS Asheville 828-423-1547 • avl.mx/a93

2 SPACEMAN JONES & THE MOTHERSHIPS Asheville • avl.mx/7uu

3 FREE RADIO

Asheville • freeradio4all.com

JAZZ 1 FIRECRACKER JAZZ BAND

Asheville 828-628-9169 • firecrackerjazz.com

1 QUEEN BEE AND THE HONEYLOVERS Asheville • queenbeeswing.com

2 ASHEVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA 828-273-9800 • ashevillejazz.org

ROCK 1 ANDREW SCOTCHIE & THE RIVER RATS x

Asheville 828-226-4574 • andrewscotchiemusic.com

2 MODERN STRANGERS

Asheville 828-329-2963 • modernstrangers.com

3 EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS

Asheville 704-358-4777 • empirestrikesbrass.com

OLD-TIME/BLUEGRASS 1 STEEP CANYON RANGERS Asheville • steepcanyon.com

2 BALSAM RANGE

WORLD MUSIC 1 TOUBAB KREWE

Asheville • toubabkrewe.com

2 FREE PLANET RADIO w

202 Virginia Ave., Asheville 828-242-6587 • freeplanetradio.com

336-909-1921 • balsamrange.com

3 THE RESONANT ROGUES

Asheville • theresonantrogues.com

BUSKER/STREET GROUP 1 ABBY THE SPOON LADY x Asheville • spoonlady.com

R&B/SOUL 1 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES x

2 ABBY THE SPOON LADY & CHRIS RODRIGUES

2 RYAN RNB BARBER

3 ALEX TRAVERS

Asheville • reverbnation.com/lyricfans

Asheville • avl.mx/a9e

8

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

Asheville • spoonlady.com

Asheville • alextraversmusic.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

ALL-ROUND FAVORITE BAND 1 STEEP CANYON RANGERS Asheville • steepcanyon.com

2 EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS Asheville 704-358-4777 • empirestrikesbrass.com

3 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES Asheville • reverbnation.com/lyricfans

DJ (NON-RADIO) 1 MARLEY CARROLL (DJ MARLEY) Asheville • marleycarroll.com

2 LIL MEOW MEOW (ANNELISE KOPP) Asheville • womeninvinyl.com

3 KIPPER SCHAUER (DJ KIPPER) Asheville • avl.mx/a8r

x

THE HALL OF FAME ICON The Hall of Fame designation is reserved for winners who have won first place four years in a row (or more), including this year (2018 - 2021)

CONTINUED MUSIC INSTRUMENT REPAIR COMPANY

CRAFT SCHOOL OR PLACE TO LEARN A CRAFT

1 MUSICIAN’S WORKSHOP n x

1 PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFT n ax

2 THE GUITAR WITCH REPAIRS

2 JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL n a

319 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-252-1249 • musiciansworkshop.com

67 Doras Trail, Penland 828-765-2359 • penland.org

Asheville • avl.mx/a75

1 Folk School Road, Brasstown 828-837-2775 • folkschool.org

3 HEYDAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS & REPAIR d 108 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-0402 • heydaymusic.net

PHOTO BY ROBIN DREYER, COURTESY OF PENLAND

MUSIC-RELATED NONPROFIT 1 LEAF GLOBAL ARTS d x

PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFT 1 THE BIG CRAFTY d x

2 ASHEVILLE MUSIC PROFESSIONALS (AMP) Asheville ashevillemusicprofessionals.com

Asheville 828-424-8743 • girlsrockasheville.org

LOCAL ART GALLERY

STUDIO STROLL/ DRIVING TOUR

1 BLUE SPIRAL 1 d x

38 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-251-0202 • bluespiral1.com

1 RIVER ARTS DISTRICT (RAD) STUDIO STROLL r x

Pack Square Park, Asheville thebigcrafty.com

2 CRAFT FAIR OF THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS d

2 MOMENTUM GALLERY d

Asheville 828-552-4723 • riverartsdistrict.com

Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville 828-298-7928 • southernhighlandguild.org

3 GIRLS ROCK ASHEVILLE

340 Victoria Road, Asheville 828-398-7900 • abtech.edu

Best Craft School or Place to Learn a Craft

ARTS/CRAFTS FAIR OR EVENT

19 Eagle St., Asheville 828-686-8742 • theleaf.org

3 A-B TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE d

3 VILLAGE ART AND CRAFT FAIR s

Cathedral of All Souls, 9 Swan St., Asheville 828-274-2831 • avl.mx/54r

2 WEAVERVILLE ART SAFARI n a

52 Broadway, Asheville 828-505-8550 • momentumgallery.com

Weaverville • weavervilleartsafari.com

3 TOE RIVER STUDIO TOUR n a 269 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine 828-765-0520 • toeriverarts.org

3 WOOLWORTH WALK d

25 Haywood St., Asheville 828-254-9234 • woolworthwalk.com

Merci Beaucoup

Y’all

French Fries First place

French

First place Rendezvous

184 New Haw Creek Rd, AVL, NC 28805 (828) 348.0909

Bouchon

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

52 N Lexington Ave, AVL, NC 28801 (828) 350.1140

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

9

BEST OF ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CRAFT-ORIENTED GALLERY 1 SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS CRAFT GUILD e s x

Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 382, Asheville 828-298-7928 930 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-7903 26 Lodge St., Asheville 828-277-6222 • southernhighlandguild.org

METAL ARTIST OR METALWORKER 1 DAVID EARL TOMLINSON (DYNAMIC METAL WORK) Asheville 828-337-3241

2 GROVEWOOD GALLERY n

111 Grovewood Road, Suite 2, Asheville 828-214-7768 • grovewood.com

3 NEW MORNING GALLERY s

7 Boston Way, Asheville 828-274-2831 • newmorninggallerync.com

FIBER ARTIST 1 JUDE STUECKER w

GLASS ARTIST 1 MICHAEL HATCH (CRUCIBLE GLASSWORKS) n a 60 Clarks Chapel Road, Weaverville

828-645-5660 • crucibleglassworks.com

57 Salola St., Asheville 828-215-3388 • judestuecker.com

MURAL ARTIST

2 ASHTON ZAGER

Asheville 214-450-0164 • ashtonzagerfiberart.com

JEWELRY ARTIST/DESIGNER 1 LAUREN MOODY (FOX & BEAUX) d 56 Haywood St., Asheville 828-585-7230 • foxandbeaux.com

2 PAULA DAWKINS FINE JEWELRY d 65 Haywood St., Asheville 828-254-5088 • pauladawkins.com

1 GUS CUTTY x

Asheville • guscutty.com

2 KATHRYN CRAWFORD Asheville • kathryncrawfordart.com

3 IAN WILKINSON Asheville • ianthepainter.com

Thanks for voting us #2 Pharmacy/Drugstore in 2021 • • • • •

Locally owned in West Asheville since 1953 Full Service Pharmacy Accept All Medicare, Medicaid and Most Private Insurance Offer Covid-19/Flu Vaccines Large Selection of Medical Equipment

Open M-F 9am-7pm • Sat 9am-5pm 828-252-2718 bandbpharmacyavl.com 10

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

PHOTOGRAPHER 1 SHEILA MRAZ PHOTOGRAPHY Asheville 828-550-4663 • sheilamraz.com

2 STEPHAN PRUITT PHOTOGRAPHY d 22 S. Pack Square, Suite 302, Asheville 828-712-4669 stephanpruittphotography.com

3 CAROL SPAGS PHOTOGRAPHY Asheville 782-813-4485 • carolspags.com

POTTER/CERAMIC ARTIST 1 ROB AND BETH MANGUM (MANGUM POTTERY) n a

16 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-4929 • mangumpottery.com

2 MELISSA WEISS (MELISSA WEISS POTTERY)

Asheville • melissaweisspottery.com

3 AKIRA SATAKE (AKIRA SATAKE CERAMICS) r 191 Lyman St., Studio 165, Asheville 828-275-7612 • akirasatake.com

CONTINUED

PHOTO BY NEIL JACOBS

MICHAEL HATCH (CRUCIBLE GLASSWORKS) Best Glass Artist

NONPROFIT THAT SERVES THE ARTS

PERFORMANCE DANCE COMPANY

1 ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL x

1 THE ASHEVILLE BALLET n

2 OPEN HEARTS ARTS CENTER d

2 TERPSICORPS THEATRE OF DANCE w

Asheville 828-222-0436 • ashevillearts.com

217 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-8428

3 LEAF GLOBAL ARTS d 19 Eagle St., Asheville 828-686-8742 • theleaf.org

MOVIE THEATER 1 GRAIL MOVIEHOUSE r x

17 Foundy St., Suite 20, Asheville 828-239-9392 • grailmoviehouse.com

2 FINE ARTS THEATRE d

36 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-232-1536 • fineartstheatre.com

3 THE CAROLINA CINEMARK ASHEVILLE s

1640 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-8811 • avl.mx/3n9

THEATER COMPANY 1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE d 35 E. Walnut St., Asheville 828-254-1320 • ashevilletheatre.org

2 NORTH CAROLINA STAGE CO. d 15 Stage Lane, Asheville 828-239-0263 • ncstage.org

3 MONTFORD PARK PLAYERS d

92 Gay St., Asheville 828-254-5146 • montfordparkplayers.org

ACTOR (ANY GENDER) 1 SCOTT TREADWAY s ax Flat Rock 828-329-6360 • avl.mx/a9f

4 Weaverville Highway, Asheville 828-252-4761 • ashevilleballet.com

1501 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-761-1371 • terpsicorps.org

PLACE TO DANCE 1 DANCECLUB ASHEVILLE n

9 Old Burnsville Hill Road, Suite 3, Asheville 828-423-0886 • danceclubasheville.com

2 THE ORANGE PEEL d

101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-398-1837 • theorangepeel.net

3 SCANDALS NIGHTCLUB d

11 Grove St., Asheville 828-505-1612 • scandalsnightclub.com

PLACE TO TAKE DANCE CLASSES OR LESSONS 1 DANCECLUB ASHEVILLE n

9 Old Burnsville Hill Road, Suite 3, Asheville 828-423-0886 • danceclubasheville.com

2 CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO s 38L Rosscraggon Road, Asheville 828-654-7010 • centerstageavl.com

3 ASHEVILLE BALLROOM & DANCE CENTRE s

291 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-274-8320 • ashevilleballroom.net

COMEDY TROUPE OR SERIES 1 LAZOOM d x

76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932 • lazoomtours.com

2 REASONABLY PRICED BABIES Asheville 828-450-2120 • avl.mx/57k

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

11

BEST OF ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LOCAL COMEDY SHOW/ NIGHT/EVENT

TRIVIA NIGHT EMCEE 1 KIPPER SCHAUER (TOTALLY RAD TRIVIA) x

1 OPEN MIC COMEDY FREAKSHOW AT THE ODDITORIUM w

Asheville 828-259-9695 • avl.mx/aa5

1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • ashevilleodditorium.com

2 MITCH FORTUNE (MITCH’S TOTALLY RAD TRIVIA) s

2 LAZOOM d

Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • avl.mx/a92

76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932 • lazoomtours.com

3 ROBERT BENNETT (TOTALLY RAD TRIVIA)

3 ASHEVILLE COMEDY FESTIVAL Asheville ashevillecomedyfestival.com

Asheville 828-280-5437 • avl.mx/a9b

LOCAL AUTHOR

COMEDIAN

1 RON RASH

1 HILLIARY BEGLEY

Cullowhee 212-277-8007 • ronrashwriter.com

Asheville • avl.mx/a8k

2 WILEY CASH

2 MOIRA GOREE THE COMEDIAN

Asheville 541-797-2217 • wileycash.com

Asheville • avl.mx/a8x

Local News • Events • Arts

Know Asheville

3 ALLAN WOLF

Asheville 828-772-7474 • allanwolf.com

LOCAL POET 1 ALLAN WOLF

Asheville 828-772-7474 • allanwolf.com

Specializing in Headshots & Portrait Photography

Thank you so much WNC Voters!

10% OFF your first session!

828-713-4485 • photos@carolspags.com • carolspags.com

You know us in print each week.

PHOTO BY NEIL JACOBS

HILLIARY BEGLEY Best Comedian

Try us online each day.

Sign up at MountainX.com/Newsletters 12

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

Essential updates.

Original reporting.

Daily at 2 p.m.

Thank You Asheville!

Now Open at

All Three Locations!

BE

ST OF

14

20 WNC

white duck taco shop MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

13

Shopping STORE THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE 1 MAST GENERAL STORE d x

15 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-232-1883 • mastgeneralstore.com

2 L.O.F.T. (LOST OBJECTS FOUND TREASURES) d

53 Broadway, Asheville 828-259-9303 • loftofasheville.com

3 INSTANT KARMA d

36 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-301-8187 • instantkarmaasheville.com

CLOTHING: DRESS-UP/STYLIN’ 1 MINX BOUTIQUE d x

64 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-225-5680 • minxasheville.com

2 ELEMENTALITY e

4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 220, Asheville 828-299-4751 • myelementality.com

CLOTHING: PROFESSIONAL 1 MINX BOUTIQUE d

64 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-225-5680 • minxasheville.com

PHOTO BY JENNIFER CASTILLO

CLOTHING: USED OR VINTAGE (NONPROFIT STORE)

MINX BOUTIQUE

Best Clothing: Dress-Up/Stylin’, Best Clothing: Professional

I

1 GOODWILL w e x F you’re hoping to find that one

shop that most exudes the spirit of Asheville, Best of WNC voters by and large are pointing in unison to any of Mast General Store’s three area locations. And they’re pretty determined, having voted the same way for six years running now.

But if you’re hoping that all your buying experiences connect you with the heart and soul of Asheville, you’re in luck. You’ll not find a better overall guide than the voters’ choices here. For starters, consider these long-running winners: Liberty

14

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

Bicycles (Bike Shop), Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café (Bookstore–New), Octopus Garden Smoke Shop (Head Shop), Harvest Records (Record/CD Store) and Tops for Shoes (Shoe Store), all of which have come in first in their respective categories for the past 11 years.

A shopping habit, once formed, can be hard to break — especially one as convenient as browsing for groceries from the comfort of one’s pajamas, as many of us learned to do during the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, we give a

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

nod to Whole Foods Market, which took first prize in the debut category Local Grocery Delivery or Curbside Pickup.

And for readers who aren’t content to laze about in sleepwear, there’s the Shopping section’s newest Hall of Fame winner: Elementality, qualifying as the best store to buy Asheville-Style Clothes. The boutique also earned second-place honors for both Jewelry Store and Clothing: Dress-Up/Stylin’.

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

— Daniel Walton X

1616 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-298-9023 86 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 910 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-299-3595 • goodwill.org

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA OBILE-ONLY M o NLINE-ONLY HALL OF FAME x (Winner four years or more in a row)

CONTINUED CLOTHING: USED OR VINTAGE (FOR-PROFIT STORE) 1 RECIPROCITY w

732 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-3980 • reciprocityasheville.com

2 HIP REPLACEMENTS d

72 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-255-7573 hipreplacementsclothing.com

3 HONEYPOT d

86 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-225-0304 • honeypotvintage.com

ASHEVILLE-STYLE CLOTHES 1 ELEMENTALITY e x

4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 220, Asheville 828-299-4751 • myelementality.com

SHOE STORE 1 TOPS FOR SHOES d x

27 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-6721 • topsforshoes.com

2 DISCOUNT SHOES w

1263 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-667-0085 discountshoesofasheville.com

3 GB SHOES e

83 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-808-2062 • housershoes.com

JEWELRY STORE 1 SPICER GREENE JEWELERS d 121 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-253-1805 • spicergreene.com

2 ELEMENTALITY e

4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 220, Asheville 828-299-4751 • myelementality.com

3 FOX & BEAUX d

56 Haywood St., Asheville 828-585-7230 • foxandbeaux.com

ALL-ROUND GROCERY STORE

Thank you, Asheville!

We couldn't do what we LOVE without YOU and our amazing TEAM! We truly appreciate all of our amazing customers and your votes for

1st Place: Best Jeweler / Jewelry Artist!

3rd Place: Best Jewelry Store!

1 INGLES MARKETS e n w s x 29 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-253-1528 915 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-1326 669 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-259-9268 • ingles-markets.com

2 PUBLIX SUPER MARKET s n 1830 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-6287 165 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 828-658-1020 • publix.com

3 TRADER JOE’S n

120 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-5078 • traderjoes.com

Lauren Merrell of LM Photography

Book your free custom jewelry consultation online today!

56 Haywood Street, 28801 (828) 585-7230 foxandbeaux.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

15

West Village Market & Deli Thank you for naming us Best Corner Market, again!

Our Deli Continues to Rock On! As a thank you please mention this ad to get 10% off our grab & go items

BEST OF SHOPPING LOCAL GROCERY DELIVERY OR CURBSIDE PICKUP 1 WHOLE FOODS MARKET n e s 70 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-5440 4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-239-9604 1856 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-378-0477 • wholefoodsmarket.com

2 INGLES MARKETS e n w s 29 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-253-1528 915 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-1326 • ingles-markets.com

3 PUBLIX SUPER MARKET s

Excellent, Expanded Selection of Vegan Foods All organic produce, supplements & body care, housewares 771 Haywood Rd., West Asheville • (828) 225-4949 9am to 8pm daily • www.westvillagemarket.com

1 YZ ASIAN MARKET w

22 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-785-1653 • avl.mx/9sn

2 KIM’S ORIENTAL FOOD & GIFTS w 5 Regent Park Blvd., Suite 110, Asheville 828-254-7235

3 FOREIGN AFFAIRS ORIENTAL MARKET e

611A Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-0333 foreignaffairsorientalmarket.com

1830 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-6287 • publix.com

Hot and Cold Grab & Go Deli Bulk & Eco Section

INTERNATIONAL/ SPECIALTY FOOD STORE

BUDGET-FRIENDLY GROCERY STORE 1 ALDI e w s x

480 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 1344 Patton Ave., Asheville 330 Airport Road, Arden 800-325-7894 • avl.mx/a3m

2 HOPEY & CO. s e

45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville 828-255-5228 3018 U.S. 70 W., Suite 1, Black Mountain 828-669-8988 • hopeyandcompany.com

3 TRADER JOE’S n

120 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-5078 • traderjoes.com

CONVENIENCE/ CORNER STORE 1 WEST VILLAGE MARKET & DELI w x 771 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-225-4949 • westvillagemarket.com

2 HOT SPOT d s

79 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-253-0425 1069 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-274-4161 • hotspotcstore.com

3 GAS-UP w

405 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-5589 • avl.mx/6bv

3 MONTFORD CONVENIENCE d 231 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-258-1879 • montforddeli.com

HEALTH FOOD STORE 1 EARTH FARE w

66 Westgate Parkway, Asheville 828-255-2999 • earthfare.com

2 WHOLE FOODS MARKET n e

70 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-5440 4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-239-9604 • wholefoodsmarket.com

3 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP d 90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-255-7650 • frenchbroadfood.coop

NEW FURNITURE STORE 1 TYSON FURNITURE e ax

109 Broadway, Black Mountain 828-669-5000 • tysonfurniture.com

2 PENLAND’S FURNITURE e a

2700 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-686-5561 • penlandsfurniture.com

3 DAVIS HOME FURNITURE s

100 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-785-1452 • davishomefurniture.com

Consistently Voted One of WNC’s Best Italian Restaurants in:

BEST PASTA • BEST ITALIAN Thank you for your support!

SEAFOOD FRESH PASTA

HAND-TOSSED PIZZA VEGAN

Our Customers Are The Best!

VEGETARIAN GLUTEN FREE

27 Broadway St | 828.348.8448 stradaasheville.com | socialloungeasheville.com

16

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

Thank you for voting us

#1 Nursery in WNC

76 Monticello Rd. Weaverville, NC I-26/Exit 18 828-645-3937 www.reemscreek.com

CONTINUED USED FURNITURE STORE (FOR-PROFIT STORE)

ANTIQUE STORE 1 ANTIQUE TOBACCO BARN e x

1 THE REGENERATION STATION s x

75 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-252-7291 • atbarn.com

26 Glendale Ave., Asheville 828-505-1108 • regenerationstation.com

2 THE REGENERATION STATION s

2 SCREEN DOOR s

26 Glendale Ave., Asheville 828-505-1108 • regenerationstation.com

115 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-277-3667 • screendoorasheville.com

3 SCREEN DOOR s

115 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-277-3667 • screendoorasheville.com

USED FURNITURE STORE (NONPROFIT STORE) 1 ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE s n x

PAWN SHOP

31 Meadow Road, Asheville 828-254-6706 61 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 828-484-9432 • ashevillehabitat.org

1 ALAN’S JEWELRY & PAWN w e x

2 WNC BRIDGE FOUNDATION THRIFT STORE & ESTATE SALES ASHEVILLE s 75 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-575-2509 • wncbridge.org

x

BED AND MATTRESS STORE 1 COLTON MATTRESS s x

848 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-299-4445 • coltonmattress.com

2 MATTRESS MAN SUPERSTORES e s 80 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-782-3453 229 Airport Road, Suite 2, Arden 828-827-9797 • mattressmanstores.com

1186 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-248-0501 736 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-490-7787 510 Paint Town Road, Cherokee 833-228-3018 • alanspawn.com

THE HALL OF FAME ICON The Hall of Fame designation is reserved for winners who have won first place four years in a row (or more), including this year (2018 - 2021)

The Regeneration Station thanks you Asheville and beyond! #1 used furniture store #2 antique store

Asheville’s oldest Junk Removal service, since 2010

Come shop our warehouse of uniques, antiques and rarities!

Best of WNC since 2014!

26 Glendale Ave

Over 75 Vendors

• 828.505.1108 • theregenerationstation.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

TheRegenerationStation BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

17

BEST OF SHOPPING

Part Two ARRIVING

PICTURE FRAMER

NEXT WEEK

1 FRUGAL FRAMER d s x

95 Cherry St. N., Asheville 828-258-2435 200 Julian Shoals Drive, Suite 20, Arden 828-687-8533 • frugalframer.com

2 BLACKBIRD FRAME & ART n

365 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-214-3529 • blackbirdframeandartnc.com

3 MICHAELS e

111A River Hills Road, Asheville 828-299-0183 • michaels.com

FLORIST

Eats • Drinks Outdoors Farm, Yard & Garden Work & Business Media • Pets Small Towns Swannanoa & Black Mountain Marshall & Mars Hill Weaverville & Woodfin Hot Springs • Burnsville

18

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

1 FLORA w x

428 Haywood Road, Suite B, Asheville 828-252-8888 • florabotanicalliving.com

2 MERRIMON FLORIST n PHOTO BY THOMAS CALDER

MUSICIAN’S WORKSHOP Best Musical Instrument Store, Best Music Instrument Repair Company

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

329 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-4474 • merrimonflorist.com

3 SHADY GROVE FLOWERS d

65 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-236-1713 • shadygroveflowers.com

CONTINUED BOOKSTORE - NEW 1 MALAPROP’S BOOKSTORE/CAFE d x 55 Haywood St., Asheville 828-254-6734 • malaprops.com

2 BARNES & NOBLE e s

Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Road, Ashevillle 828-296-7335 Biltmore Park Town Square, 33 Town Square Blvd., Suite 100, Asheville 828-687-0681 • barnesandnoble.com

3 FIRESTORM BOOKSTORE CO-OP w 610 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-255-8115 • firestorm.coop

BOOKSTORE - USED 1 MR. K’S USED BOOKS, MUSIC & MORE s x

800 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-299-1145 • mrksusedbooksasheville.com

2 DOWNTOWN BOOKS & NEWS d 67 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-253-8654 • dbnbooks.com

3 BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE & CHAMPAGNE BAR d

Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Suite 101, Asheville 828-252-0020 batteryparkbookexchange.com

Mr. K’s Used Books, MUsic and More

STORE FOR COMICS, COLLECTIBLES AND/ OR GAMES

GIFT SHOP 1 WHIST w x

444 Haywood Road, Suite 102, Asheville 828-252-5557 • whistshop.com

1 MORGAN’S COMICS w

600 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-4003 • morganscomics.com

2 L.O.F.T. (LOST OBJECTS FOUND TREASURES) d

2 THE WYVERN’S TALE n

53 Broadway, Asheville 828-259-9303 • loftofasheville.com

347 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-7887 • thewyvernstaleavl.com

3 COMIC ENVY n

333A Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-252-7600 • comicenvy.com

HEAD SHOP 1 OCTOPUS GARDEN SMOKE SHOP w e d x

RECORD/CD STORE

1062 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-232-6030 1269 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-8880 186 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-254-4980 octopusgardensmokeshops.com

1 HARVEST RECORDS w x

415 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-2999 • harvest-records.com

2 STATIC AGE RECORDS d

110 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-3232 • avl.mx/69r

VAPE SHOP

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE

1 OCTOPUS GARDEN SMOKE SHOP w e d

1 MUSICIAN’S WORKSHOP n x

319 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-252-1249 • musiciansworkshop.com

1062 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-232-6030 1269 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-8880 186 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-254-4980 octopusgardensmokeshops.com

2 HEYDAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS & REPAIR d 108 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-0402 • heydaymusic.net

NEW & USED: Books • Vinyl Records CDs • Comics • Video Games Books on CD • DVDs BUY • SELL • TRADE

Thank You for Voting Us

#1 Used Book Store

9 Years in a Row!

Open Mon. - Sat. 10am-7pm • Sun. 12-6pm 800 Fairview Rd. • Asheville, NC River Ridge Shopping Center • Hwy. 240, exit #8

299-1145 • www.mrksusedbooks.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

19

BEST OF SHOPPING ADULT TOYS, LINGERIE & NAUGHTY THINGS STORE 1 VAVAVOOOM BOUDOIR BOUTIQUE d x

57 Broadway, Asheville 828-254-6329 • vavavooom.com

2 BEDTYME STORIES s a

Thank you voters!!!

2334 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-684-8250 • bedtymestories.com

BIKE SHOP 1 LIBERTY BICYCLES s x

1378 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-2453 • libertybikes.com

Y’all are the best!

We shih Tzu not!

2 MOTION MAKERS BICYCLE SHOP w 878 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-633-2227 36 Allen St., Sylva 828-586-6925 • motionmakers.com

3 THE BICYCLE THRIFT SHOP s

1451 Sweeten Creek Rd 828-274-4155 hotdavl.com

PHOTO BY JENNIFER CASTILLO

MORGAN’S COMICS

Best Store for Comics, Collectibles, and/or Games

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US

#1 FOR 8 YEARS! Celebrate your intimate moments with a carefully curated selection of:

Body-safe adult toys Organic oils & lubricants Sexy lingerie with inclusive sizing Eco-conscious silk, bamboo & cotton apparel INDEPENDENT & LOCALLY WOMAN OWNED SINCE 2008 Located in the heart of Downtown Asheville at

57 Broadway Street

VaVaVooom.com 20

•

828.254.6329

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

89 Thompson St., Unit F, Asheville 828-367-768 • thebicyclethriftshop.com

3 YOUNGBLOOD BICYCLES d

233 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-251-4686 • youngbloodbicycles.com

CONTINUED AUTOMOBILE TIRE STORE

AUTO DEALER NEW AND/OR USED

1 NEWBRIDGE TIRE CENTER n

1 PRESTIGE SUBARU e x

2 JAN DAVIS TIRE STORE d

2 FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA OF ASHEVILLE w

1475 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-255-8005 • newbridgetirecenter.com

209 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-253-5634 • jandavistire.com

3 DISCOUNT TIRE e

105 Bleachery Blvd., Asheville 828-318-0949 • discounttire.com

585 Tunnel Road, Asheville 877-663-2144 • prestigesubaru.com

777 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-585-5825 • ashevilletoyota.com

3 APPLE TREE HONDA s a

242 Underwood Road, Fletcher 828-585-3044 honda.appletreeautomobiles.com

VOTED BEST BIKE SHOP 15+ YEARS

Thank You for Voting Us Best Bike Service & Best Bike Shop!

41 Years Serving the Asheville Cycling Community 1378 Hendersonville Rd. Asheville, NC 28803 828-274-2453 • libertybikes.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

21

22

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

TrinityPharmsHempCo.com

Commemorate your win with an

l a p q u l e a i c i f f o

To purchase, contact advertising@mountainx.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

23

Personal Services SPA 1 THE SPA AT OMNI GROVE PARK INN n x 290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800 • avl.mx/554

2 SENSIBILITIES DAY SPA s

43 Town Square Blvd., Suite 100, Asheville 828-687-8760 • sensibilities-spa.com

3 SHOJI SPA & RETREAT s 96 Avondale Heights, Asheville 828-299-0999 • shojispa.com

HAIR SALON 1 WILLOW’S DREAM d

64 Broadway, Asheville 828-225-5922 • willowsdream.com

2 WINK SALON s

18 Brook St., Suite 103, Asheville 828-277-4070 • ilovewink.com

3 ANANDA HAIR STUDIO d

22 Broadway, Asheville 828-232-1017 • anandahair.com

HAIRSTYLIST OR BARBER 1 AMY GROOMS ROSE (SALON ZHENYA) w

290 Haywood Road, Unit 102, Asheville 828-713-6921 • salonzhenya.com

1 CAITLIN FRINK (SALON DRAGONFLY) d PHOTO BY JENNIFER CASTILLO

AMERICAN NAILS AVL

2 EMILY REXFORD (HEIR ASHEVILLE) w 783 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-412-0682 • heirasheville.com

Best Nail Salon, Best Nail Technician (Thang Chu)

I

N Asheville, we take our selfcare seriously. Hair is considered a work of art, tattoos are etched with elaborate perfection and manicures are delivered with impeccable standards.

It’s no wonder that when it comes to looking and feeling your best, the winners in Xpress’ Best of Personal Services have you covered.

24

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

Competition was so tight that the section saw multiple ties this year: Amy Grooms Rose of Salon Zhenya and Caitlin Frink Cross at Salon Dragonfly deadlocked for the top award for Hairstylist or Barber. And Diamond Thieves and Bella Fine Jewelry and Piercing finished neck and neck for Piercing Studio.

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

The Spa at Omni Grove Park Inn once again scored first for Spa, extending its winning streak to more than a decade. And in newcomer honors, please welcome to this year’s Hall of Fame Misha’s Alterations and Tailoring (Tailor/Alterations) and Bella Fine Jewelry and Piercing (Piercing Studio).

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

115 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-253-3977 • salondragonfly.net

— Brooke Randle X

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA OBILE-ONLY M o NLINE-ONLY HALL OF FAME x (Winner four years or more in a row)

CONTINUED BARBERSHOP 1 THE LOCAL BARBER & TAP d x 84 W. Walnut St., Unit B, Asheville 828-232-7005 • barberandtap.com

2 THE CHOP SHOP BARBER SHOP w s 606 New Leicester Highway, Unit C, Asheville 828-412-5466 534 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-595-9444 • wncbarber.com

3 ASHEVILLE BARBER & BEARD d

Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Suite 107, Asheville 828-281-9659 • avlbarberandbeard.com

Thank You For Voting Me

NUMBER ONE HAIRSTYLIST

NAIL SALON

…Again!

1 AMERICAN NAILS AVL w

1341 Parkwood Road, Suite 104, Asheville 828-255-5525 • americannailsavl.com

2 MAJESTIC NAIL SALON e

Amy Grooms Rose LOCATED AT

273 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-255-8242 • majesticnailsalon.com

Salon Zhenya

3 ANGEL NAIL SPA s

1816 Hendersonville Road, Suite 50, Asheville 828-575-9588 • angelnailspaasheville.com

290 Haywood Rd. Suite 102

THANK YOU WNC for voting us #1 Local Meal Delivery Service

~ Jennie and the Kickback Crew!

amyrose_asheville

Book a new client consultation online amyrose.glossgenius.com

Hot Shaves, Cold Beer Thank You for Voting us Best Barbershop for Five Years Straight!

It’s a real honor Asheville!

Keeping WNC looking’ sharp since 2015 84 West Walnut St, Unit B * 828-232-7005 thelocalbarberandtap barberandtap.com * MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

25

BEST OF PERSONAL SERVICES NAIL TECHNICIAN 1 THANG CHU (AMERICAN NAILS AVL) w

1 BELLA FINE JEWELRY AND PIERCING d x

2 LEAH KRAUSE (CURE NAIL STUDIO AT WILLOW’S DREAM) d

1 DIAMOND THIEVES w

1341 Parkwood Road, Suite 104, Asheville 828-255-5525 • americannailsavl.com

64 Broadway, Asheville 828-225-5922 • willowsdream.com

TATTOO PARLOR

51 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-301-1711 • bellapiercing.com

1060 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-225-3845 • diamondthieves.net

2 MAN’S RUIN TATTOOS & PIERCINGS e 1085 Tunnel Road, Suite 2A, Asheville 828-253-6660 • mansruintattoos.com

3 ZEN INK r

1 ZEN INK r

352 Depot St., Asheville 828-505-4456 • zeninkasheville.com

2 HOT STUFF TATTOO w

416 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-251-6040 • hotstufftattoos.com

3 DIAMOND THIEVES w

1060 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-225-3845 • diamondthieves.net

3 SERPENT & THE RAINBOW TATTOO d 46 Millard Ave., Asheville 828-412-3307 serpentandtherainbowtattoo.com

Share your words of wisdom with other women in business

PIERCING STUDIO

352 Depot St., Asheville 828-505-4456 • zeninkasheville.com

TAILOR/ALTERATIONS 1 MISHA’S ALTERATIONS w x

5 Regent Park Blvd., Unit 106, Asheville 828-350-1176 • avl.mx/a5r

2 SEW & SEW CUSTOM SEWING & ALTERATIONS d 1085 Tunnel Road, Suite 4, Asheville 828-505-2878 • avl.mx/7v7

Thank you to the Mountain Xpress readers for voting

What did you wish you knew when you were starting out in business?

For Xpress’ annual Women in Business issue, we’re asking local women to share insights they’ve gained through their work in WNC. Please tell us how you found your career, what challenges you faced along the way and what helpful tips or advice you could share with other women on the same path.

DIAMOND THIEVES

BODY PIERCING AND TATTOO

one of the Best of WNC for 13 years!

1st Place: Piercing Studio 3rd Place: Tattoo Parlor

Email your thoughts to

trose@mountainx.com by the end of the day

Friday, Sept. 24

for possible publication in Mountain Xpress.

Aim for 300 words or less, and please include your name, address and phone number.

• 13 YEARS IN BUSINESS •

Bring this ad in and get

We can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

26

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

$10 OFF your next piercing or tattoo

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

27

THANK YOU, ASHEVILLE! for voting us

#1 Automotive Repair Shop, Again!

1295 Tunnel Road Asheville, NC 298-3612

Thank you Asheville for voting us one of the

best new restaurants!

The Madness North Asheville West Asheville (Coming Soon) 275 Smokey Park Hwy, 1020 Merrimon Ave, ste 251 ste 106, Asheville, NC Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 505-1345 (828) 418-3166 28

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

Yum Sushi Burrito and Poke

themadnessavl.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

Downtown 45 Asheland Ave Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 505-2277

South Asheville 100 Julian Shoals Dr Arden, NC 28704 (828) 676-3800

thank you and we appreciate the confidence in our firm (and in Katie)

WNC’s #1 Computer Repair for Nineteen Years Straight

2021

Thank you again

Asheville!

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

29

Professional Services ACCOUNTANT/CPA FIRM 1 AUSTIN CPA, PC d x

301 W. Haywood St., Asheville 828-785-1556 • austincpapc.com

2 CHAD STORCK (STORCK CPA, PC) d 8 Magnolia Ave., Suite 200, Asheville 828-505-3791 • storckcpa.com

3 GOULD KILLIAN CPA GROUP, PA d 100 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-258-0363 • gk-cpa.com

PLACE TO GET YOUR TAXES PREPARED 1 AUSTIN CPA, PC d x

301 W. Haywood St., Asheville 828-785-1556 • austincpapc.com

2 H&R BLOCK d w

204 Executive Park, Asheville 828-254-0321 891H Patton Ave., Asheville 828-232-6757 • hrblock.com

FINANCIAL ADVISER 1 CHRISTINA SIMPSON (OPPENHEIMER & CO.) s PHOTO BY JENNIFER CASTILLO

AUSTIN CPA, PC

2 KEVIN PASARILLA (NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT CO.) s

Best Place to Get Your Taxes Prepared, Best Accountant/CPA Firm

“I

F you think it’s expensive

to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

— Red Adair, oil well firefighter Keep Adair’s admonition in mind when you need someone to solve a professional problem. While you may not be looking for heroism and daredevilry, you do want someone with the knowledge and experience to make sure the job gets done right the first time around.

30

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

This year’s Best of WNC offers a guide to the best in the biz for a range of professional services in WNC — from the area’s top real estate agent (The Matt & Molly Team) and law firm (Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer) to plumbers (TP Howard’s Plumbing Co.) and bike repair technicians (Liberty Bicycles).

And in response to requests, we added a category this year for best Insurance Agent. The inaugural honor goes to Chad McKinney.

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

Two winners enter the Hall of Fame this year: Please welcome Bionic Man Painting (House Painters) and Austin CPA (Place to Get Your Taxes Prepared).

So remember, dear readers, it’s fine to honor your inner amateur when you upcycle that nightstand or tie-dye that old T-shirt. But leave the rest to the professionals.

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

10 Brook St. Suite 290, Asheville 828-251-7923 • avl.mx/wordcap4

— Brooke Randle X

4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 350, Asheville 828-210-3806 • kevinpasarilla.nm.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA OBILE-ONLY M o NLINE-ONLY HALL OF FAME x (Winner four years or more in a row)

CONTINUED LAW FIRM 1 GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER, P.A. n s 77 Central Ave., Suite H, Asheville 828-258-0150 2 Town Square Blvd., Suite 340, Asheville 828-258-0150 • grcclaw.com

2 THE VAN WINKLE LAW FIRM d s 11 N. Market St., Asheville 828-258-2991 422 S. Main St., Hendersonville 828-697-6196 • vwlawfirm.com

3 MCGUIRE WOOD & BISSETTE LAW FIRM d

REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY 1 JOHN ROSE (GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER, P.A.) n s

77 Central Ave., Suite H, Asheville 828-258-0150 2 Town Square Blvd., Suite 340, Asheville 828-258-0150 • grcclaw.com

Detailed cleaning with earth friendly products.

We are so thankful to our customers for voting us

2 ZENO LANCASTER (LANCASTER LAW FIRM) d s

#1 seven years in a row!

189 E. Chestnut St., Asheville 828-505-8514 404 S. Main St., Hendersonville 828-505-8514 • lancasterlawfirm.com

3 GREG GOOSMANN (GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER, P.A.) n s 77 Central Ave., Suite H, Asheville 828-258-0150 • grcclaw.com

48 Patton Ave., Asheville

828-254-8800 • mwblawyers.com

FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY 1 KATHERINE E. FISHER (THE VAN WINKLE LAW FIRM) d 11 N. Market St., Asheville

828-258-2991 • vwlawfirm.com

REAL ESTATE AGENT 1 THE MATT & MOLLY TEAM (KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY) d x

86 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-210-1697 • themattandmollyteam.com

2 SONA MERLIN (APPALACHIAN REALTY ASSOCIATES) d 23 Arlington St., Asheville 828-255-7530 • appalachianrealty.com

WNC’s Hall of Fame Cleaning Company 828.505.7320 | greenhomecleaning.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

31

BEST OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Asheville’s Businesses Rely On Us 24/7 Thank you for recognizing One Click Fix in the “Best of” Computer Repair category.

We install and maintain firewalls, manage antivirus protection, and provide the most secure wireless networks in Asheville.

Business owners rely on us for UP TIME! PHOTO BY ABLE ALLEN

BEVERLY-HANKS & ASSOCIATES

info@oneclickfix.com oneclickfix.com | 828-318-8558 438 Montford Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 Responsible Automotive Service & Repair

Thank you for letting us LOVE your vehicle!

Best Real Estate Company

REAL ESTATE COMPANY 1 BEVERLY-HANKS & ASSOCIATES d s n

300 Executive Park, Asheville 828-254-7221 Biltmore Park Town Square, 1 Town Square Blvd., Suite 140, Asheville 828-684-8999 820 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-251-1800 • beverly-hanks.com

2 KELLER WILLIAMS PROFESSIONALS d 86 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-254-7253 kellerwilliamsasheville.com

3 NEST REALTY ASHEVILLE d

339 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-318-8313 • nestrealty.com/asheville

INSURANCE AGENT 1 CHAD MCKINNEY (MCKINNEY INSURANCE) s w n

5 Allen Ave., Asheville 828-684-5020 1390 Sand Hill, Suite 8, Candler 828-252-5560 58 Weaver Village Way, Suite 106, Weaverville 828-645-6400 • mckinneyagency.com

PRINT SHOP

Voted one of the BEST OF WNC for 16 years in a row.

Thank you!

1 HENCO REPROGRAPHICS d n x 54 Broadway, Asheville 828-253-0449 1445 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-552-3671 • hencorepro.com

Call us!

255.2628

organic-mechanic.com • 568 Haywood Rd • West Asheville 32

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

2 828 PRINTING & GRAPHICS o

Asheville 828-216-0955 • 828printingandgraphics.com

3 ALLEGRA MARKETING PRINT MAIL r 88 Roberts St., Asheville 828-348-8332 • allegramarketingprint.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

CELLPHONE SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE WNC MOUNTAINS 1 VERIZON e w

242 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-251-2335 3 S.Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-8889 159 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville 828-668-5811 • verizon.com

2 US CELLULAR w e

1043 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-258-0000 90B S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-6966 • uscellular.com

3 AT&T e

4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 17, Asheville 828-298-1833 • att.com

COMPUTER REPAIR 1 CHARLOTTE STREET COMPUTERS n x

252 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-225-6600 charlottestreetcomputers.com

2 ONECLICKFIX COMPUTER REPAIR n 438 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-318-8558 • oneclickfix.com

3 CHRISTOPHER’S COMPUTERS n

549 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-670-9800 • christopherscomputers.com

#1 Accountant/CPA Thanks for voting us #1 in WNC eight years in a row!

Thanks, Asheville. Be audit you can be!

-George Austin CPA, CVA, Joel Chambers & Jonathan Thompson CPA Action Tax

301 W Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801 | 828-785-1556 | austincpapc.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

33

BEST OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Thanks for voting us

best Green Builder in WNC 5 Ravenscroft Dr. Suite 300, Asheville • 828.252.1841 www.lobobuilders.com

CAR REPAIR 1 XPERTECH CAR CARE e x

1295 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-3612 • xpertechcarcare.com

2 JIMMY’S AUTOMOTIVE n

277 Weaverville Highway, Asheville 828-658-3030 • jimmysauto.com

3 THE ORGANIC MECHANIC s

568 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-232-8120 • shevilleautorepairs.com

BIKE REPAIR 1 LIBERTY BICYCLES s x

1378 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-2453 • libertybikes.com

2 MOTION MAKERS BICYCLE SHOP w 878 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-633-2227 36 Allen St., Sylva 828-586-6925 • motionmakers.com

3 FIND YOUR LINE BICYCLE SHOP w 359 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-585-7289 • findyourline.bike

34

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

GREEN BUILDER 1 LOBO BUILDERS d

5 Ravenscroft Drive, Suite 300, Asheville 828-252-1841 • lobobuilders.com

2 JADE MOUNTAIN BUILDERS r

362 Depot St., Asheville 828-216-3948 • jademountainbuilders.com

3 JAG CONSTRUCTION e

33 Mineral Springs Road, Asheville 828-252-4205 • jaggreen.com

PLUMBING COMPANY 1 T.P. HOWARD’S PLUMBING CO. e ax 90 Number Nine Road, Fairview 828-628-1369 • tphowardsplumbing.com

2 FOUR SEASONS PLUMBING s

30 Bella Way, Asheville 828-216-3894 • callfourseasons.com

3 BLUE PLANET PLUMBING s

1131 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-392-8581 • blueplanetplumbing.com

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRICIAN COMPANY 1 MB HAYNES ELECTRIC w x 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141 • mbhaynes.com

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BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

35

Part Two

You WNC! k n a h T

BEST OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

ARRIVING

NEXT WEEK

HEATING/COOLING COMPANY 1 GENTRY HEATING e ax

100 Buckeye Access Road, Swannanoa 828-581-4045 • gentryservice.com

MOVING COMPANY 1 TWO MEN AND A TRUCK s ax 240 Rutledge Road, Fletcher 828-355-6058 twomenandatruckasheville.com

2 MB HAYNES HEATING & COOLING w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141 • mbhaynes.com

2 ASHEVILLE AREA MOVERS w 500 Pace Lane, Suite 301, Asheville

3 BULLMAN HEATING & AIR n

828-505-6021 • ashevilleareamovers.com

10 Red Roof Lane, Asheville 828-658-2468 • bullmanheating.com

HOUSE PAINTERS PEST CONTROL SERVICE

#1 H a nd y m a n!

Eats • Drinks Outdoors Farm, Yard & Garden Work & Business Media • Pets Small Towns

Small Repair & Maintenance

LeaveItToWeaver.net (828) 301-4725

36

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

Swannanoa & Black Mountain Marshall & Mars Hill Weaverville & Woodfin Hot Springs • Burnsville

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

1 TERMINIX e w n x

232 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-600-7331 396 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-232-1338 3241 Asheville Road, Waynesville 828-456-3729 • trustterminix.com

2 GIBSON PEST CONTROL s

20 Rosscraggon Road, Asheville 888-483-6507 • ww.gibsonpest.com

3 DODSON PEST CONTROL w a 1739 Smokey Park Highway, Candler 844-501-5088 • dodsonbros.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

1 BIONIC MAN PAINTING CO. w x 57 Salola St., Asheville

828-215-7772 • bionicmanpainting.com

x

THE HALL OF FAME ICON The Hall of Fame designation is reserved for winners who have won first place four years in a row (or more), including this year (2018 - 2021)

CONTINUED

PHOTO BY ABLE ALLEN

CHAD MCKINNEY (MCKINNEY INSURANCE) Best Insurance Agent

ROOFING COMPANY 1 JOHN MCCLUNG ROOFING M

Asheville 828-582-4165 • johnmcclungroofing.com

HOME CLEANING SERVICE 1 GREEN HOME CLEANING d x

306 W. Haywood St., Asheville 828-505-7320 • greenhomecleaning.com

2 BALKEN ROOFING e a

101 W. Buckeye Road, Swannanoa 828-662-3027 • balkenroofing.com

3 DLV ROOFING SYSTEMS s a 8 Brandy Branch Road, Mills River 828-654-0212 • dlvroofing.com

HANDY-PERSON 1 BEN WEAVER (LEAVE IT TO WEAVER) n a

270 N. Main St., Suite 1029, Weaverville 828-301-4725 • leaveittoweaver.net

2 GREG HOLDEN (HOMEWORK HANDYMAN) w 43 Vermont Court, Asheville 828-258-1107

DRY CLEANER 1 SWANNANOA CLEANERS d w n x 165 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-253-3691 1356 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-2098 712 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-252-3676 • swannanoacleaners.com

2 ASHEVILLE CLEANERS n

230 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-2364 • ashevillecleaners.com

3 QUICK AS A WINK CLEANERS s 750 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-253-2331

Thank you WNC for voting us BEST in the region for 8 years in a row MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

37

THANKS, ASHEVILLE! for voting me one of the Best!

9 years in a row!

Sona Merlin

Real Estate Broker Appalachian Realty

(828) 216 -7908 www.sonamerlin.com

Thank you to all of our employees who continue to show up and serve our community during a pandemic, as well as WNC for voting us best of WNC 5 years in a row!

We are so grateful for a great team, and great community!

Call 828-628-1369 for all your plumbing needs 38

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Kids SCHOOL (PRE-COLLEGE) 1 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL w

574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264 • rainbowcommunityschool.org

2 ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL e a 2030 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-298-2787 • artspacecharter.org

3 FRANKLIN SCHOOL OF INNOVATION w 21 Innovation Drive, Asheville 828-318-8140 franklinschoolofinnovation.org

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM 1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS s x

800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309 • martialartsasheville.com

2 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL w

574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264 • rainbowcommunityschool.org

3 ASHEVILLE YMCA d

30 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-210-9622 • ymcawnc.org/asheville

PRESCHOOL PHOTO BY ABLE ALLEN

ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM

574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264 • rainbowcommunityschool.org

Best Museum

A

LOOK at this year’s win-

ners in the Kids category feels a lot like heading back to school after a year at home — a chance to celebrate old friends and find some new ones, too.

Immersion in the world of kids also serves as a timely reminder that — no matter our community’s challenges over the past year — children bring us joy and hope for the future.

But back to the best: Top vote-getters this year include Dancing Bear Toys (Toy Store), Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts (Martial Arts 40

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

Program), Asheville Art Museum (Museum) and ABC Pediatrics of Asheville (Pediatric Practice– General Medicine).

Multiple-award winners include Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts, which besides taking the honors for Martial Arts Program, kicked it for After-School Program, Parents Night Out Program and Day Camp.

Likewise, Rainbow Community School rose to the top of the class for School (Pre-College), Preschool and Playground, along with employing Sue Ford (Music Teacher).

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

Two new categories this year, Story Time or Learning Session (online or in-person) and Bakery for Birthday Cakes, spotlighted Buncombe County Public Libraries and Short Street Cakes, respectively.

Please welcome new Hall of Fame winners: WNC Nature Center (Nature Camp) • ArtSpace Charter School (Art Education Program) • Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts (Day Camp). Three cheers for all!

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

1 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL w

— Tracy Rose X

2 SHALOM CHILDREN’S CENTER (ASHEVILLE JCC) n 236 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-253-0701 • jcc-asheville.org

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA OBILE-ONLY M o NLINE-ONLY HALL OF FAME x (Winner four years or more in a row)

CONTINUED CHILD CARE OR DAY CARE SERVICE 1 THE ACADEMY OF ASHEVILLE s

1709 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-277-0062 • theacademyofasheville.com

2 SHALOM CHILDREN’S CENTER (ASHEVILLE JCC) n 236 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-253-0701 • jcc-asheville.org

3 ASHEVILLE YMCA d

30 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-210-9622 • ymcawnc.org/asheville

STORY TIME OR LEARNING SESSION (ONLINE OR IN-PERSON) 1 BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES d n s 67 Haywood St., Asheville 828-250-4700 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-250-4752 749 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-250-4754 • avl.mx/8he

Art Education Program 1st place

ART EDUCATION PROGRAM 1 ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL e ax 2030 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-298-2787 • artspacecharter.org

2 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL w

574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264 • rainbowcommunityschool.org

3 ROOTS + WINGS SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN s

573 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-378-4140 • rootsandwingsarts.com

MUSIC TEACHER 1 SUE FORD (RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL) w x 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264 • rainbowcommunityschool.org

School & Music Teacher Meg Boerner 2nd place

2 MEG BOERNER (ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL) e a 2030 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-298-2787 • artspacecharter.org

DAYTRIP FOR KIDS 1 WNC NATURE CENTER e x 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville 828-259-8080 • wildwnc.org

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE!

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BEST OF KIDS KID-FRIENDLY HIKE 1 CRAGGY PINNACLE e a Milepost 364, Black Mountain 828-775-0976 • avl.mx/a8d

PLACE FOR OUTDOOR FUN 1 WNC NATURE CENTER e

75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville 828-259-8080 • wildwnc.org

2 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM w 2 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM w 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492 • ncarboretum.org

3 CATAWBA FALLS s a

3074 Catawba River Road, Old Fort avl.mx/7uz

OVERNIGHT CAMP 1 CAMP CEDAR CLIFF e

5 Porters Cove Road, Asheville 828-450-3331 • campcedarcliff.org

DAY CAMP 1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS s x

800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309 • martialartsasheville.com

2 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL w

574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264 • rainbowcommunityschool.org

3 CAMP RUACH AT THE ASHEVILLE JCC d

Asheville Jewish Community Center, 236 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-253-0701 • jcc-asheville.org

NATURE CAMP 1 WNC NATURE CENTER e x 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville 828-259-8080 • wildwnc.org

2 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM w 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492 • ncarboretum.org

PLACE FOR INDOOR FUN 1 MOUNTAIN PLAY LODGE s a

3389 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-2120 • mountainplaylodge.com

2 LAUNCH TRAMPOLINE PARK s a

24 Walden Drive, Arden 828-651-0280 • launchtrampolinepark.com

100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492 • ncarboretum.org

PLAYGROUND 1 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL w

574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264 • rainbowcommunityschool.org

2 CARRIER PARK w

220 Amboy Road, Asheville 828-259-5800 • avl.mx/a8b

3 LAKE JULIAN PARK s a 406 Overlook Road, Arden 828-684-0376 • avl.mx/6cd

MUSEUM 1 ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM d 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville 828-253-3227 • ashevilleart.org

2 ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE (AMOS) d 43 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-7162 • ashevillescience.org

3 HANDS ON! CHILDREN’S MUSEUM s a 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-697-8333 • handsonwnc.org

PLACE FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES 1 LAUNCH TRAMPOLINE PARK s a

24 Walden Drive, Arden 828-651-0280 • launchtrampolinepark.com

PLACE TO MAKE ART 1 FIRED UP! CREATIVE LOUNGE d s x 26 Wall St., Asheville 828-253-8181 Blue Ridge Mall, 1800 4 Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville 828-698-9960 • fireduplounge.com

Thanks for voting us the best for people-watching and one of the best kid-friendly pizza joints in Asheville!

You rock!

50 Broadway • 236-9800 mellowmushroom.com/asheville 42

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Martial Arts for Kids and Adults • After School Program • Kids Summer Camp • Kids Night Out

10

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BEST OF KIDS PARENTS NIGHT OUT PROGRAM 1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS s x

800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309 • martialartsasheville.com

LOCAL, NATURAL, NEW, CONSIGNMENT.

812 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-6060 ashevillecommunitymovement.com

1 CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO s

TEAM-SPORTS PROGRAM 1 ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION e 593 Azalea Road E., Asheville 828-299-7277 • abysa.org

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY MOVEMENT r x

2 ASHEVILLE GYMNASTICS e

130 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-575-2238 • ashevillegymnastics.com

2 THE LITTLE GYM OF ASHEVILLE s 10 Crispin Court, Suite 104, Asheville 828-747-2239 • thelittlegym.com

518 Kenilworth Road, Asheville 828-255-8697 418 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-693-4500 • dancingbeartoys.com

2 O.P. TAYLOR’S s

2 Town Square Blvd., Suite 130, Asheville 828-681-1865 16 S. Broad St., Brevard 828-883-2309 • optaylors.com

3 SPARKY’S TOYS & GIFTS w

726 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-2711 • sparkystoyshop.com

BAKERY FOR BIRTHDAY CAKES

KIDS’ CLOTHES

812 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-6060 ashevillecommunitymovement.com

647 Haywood Road West Asheville 253-4747 thelittlestbirds.com

800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309 • martialartsasheville.com

38L Rosscraggon Road, Asheville 828-654-7010 • centerstageavl.com

GYMNASTICS PROGRAM

TOY STORE 1 DANCING BEAR TOYS e s x

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS s x

2 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY MOVEMENT r

DANCE STUDIO

Best selection of wooden toys, cloth diapers, baby carriers, and more!

MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM

1 THE LITTLEST BIRDS w

647 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-253-4747 • thelittlestbirds.com

2 LOLLIPOPS LIMITED s

1950 Hendersonville Road, Suite 9, Asheville 828-654-7771 • lollipopsltd.com

3 CHILDREN’S TRADING POST n

633 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-5432 • childrenstradingpost.com

1 SHORT STREET CAKES w

225 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-4822 • shortstreetcakes.com

PEDIATRIC PRACTICE GENERAL MEDICINE 1 ABC PEDIATRICS OF ASHEVILLE s x 64 Peachtree Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-277-3000 • abcasheville.com

2 MOUNTAIN AREA PEDIATRICS e 500 Centrepark Drive, Asheville 828-254-4337 • mountainareapeds.com

3 BLUE SKY PEDIATRICS ASHEVILLE s 5 Walden Ridge Drive, Asheville 828-687-8709 • blueskypediatrics.com

Thank you for

10 Years as WNC’s

CELE

FAVORITE PET SUPPLY STORES!

10 Years oBfRATING

Business

Specialty Cakes & Pastries

A SWEET Thank You Asheville!

special order pick up and delivery only 828.225.5751 • karen@donatellicakedesigns.com www.KarenDonatelliCakeDesigns.com 44

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

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PattonAvenuePet.com 109 Patton Avenue, Downtown AVL 1392 Patton Avenue, West AVL • 582 Hendersonville Road, South AVL

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

CONTINUED

Part Two ARRIVING

PEDIATRIC PRACTICE - DENTISTRY

NEXT WEEK

1 GREAT BEGINNINGS AND GREAT SMILES PEDIATRIC & ORTHODONTIC DENTAL SPECIALISTS s w x 10B Yorkshire St., Asheville 828-274-9220 10A Yorkshire St., Suite C, Asheville 828-274-8822 37 Crestview Heights, Sylva 828-586-9333 • begreatdental.com

2 BEST BITES DENTAL s

11 Yorkshire St., Asheville 828-274-4744 • drjoshdentistry.com

3 ASHEVILLE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY s 76 Peachtree Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-277-6788 ashevillepediatricdentistry.com

x

THE HALL OF FAME ICON The Hall of Fame designation is reserved for winners who have won first place four years in a row (or more), including this year (2018 - 2021)

PHOTO BY ABLE ALLEN

Eats • Drinks Outdoors Farm, Yard & Garden Work & Business Media • Pets Small Towns

BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Best Story Time or Learning Session (online or in-person)

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

Swannanoa & Black Mountain Marshall & Mars Hill Weaverville & Woodfin Hot Springs • Burnsville

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Health & Wellness PHYSICIAN (GENERAL PRACTICE) 1 MEREDITH POLANSKY (OUR FAMILY DOCTOR) d x 43 Oakland Road, Asheville 828-252-2511 ourfamilydoctorasheville.com

2 MICHAEL WEIZMAN (OUR FAMILY DOCTOR) d 43 Oakland Road, Asheville 828-252-2511 ourfamilydoctorasheville.com

3 ANDREA PRESTON (OUR FAMILY DOCTOR) d 43 Oakland Road, Asheville 828-252-2511 ourfamilydoctorasheville.com

PEDIATRICIAN 1 LAUREN KEELY CARLISLE (FRENCH BROAD PEDIATRICS) n x 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 117, Asheville 828-348-8232 • frenchbroadpeds.com

PHOTO BY ABLE ALLEN

KEITH BLACK (BLACK ORTHODONTICS) Best Orthodontist

W

HETHER you found

yourself sweating out your aggression at the gym or melting into the couch with a CBD gummy more frequently than usual this year, you’re not alone. Both approaches have plenty of wellness-seeking fans. If ever there was a year to embrace wellness, 2021 was it. Coming off a contentious election and still slogging through the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have felt physically and emotionally spent.

Enter the area’s panoply of wellness services and health care pro46

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

viders to help us: The two most hotly contested categories were Dental Practice (Gillespie Dental Associates) and Physician (Dr. Meredith Polansky), with Eye Care Specialist (Asheville Eye Associates) not far behind.

Dr. Colette Stern took first place in the new category for Cosmetic Surgeon — so now we know where to smooth out those wrinkles we’ve gotten from navigating rush hour on Patton Avenue.

One wellness establishment joined the Xpress Hall of Fame this year: For the fourth year in a row,

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

the nonprofit Asheville Community Yoga won readers’ hearts as the best Place to Center Yourself — a worthy pursuit as we go about our busy lives.

We all hope 2022 will bring more health, happiness and peace of mind. Whether with a workout, an acupuncture session or a sun salutation, WNC offers lots of opportunities to practice self-care. Let’s take advantage of them.

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

— Jessica Wakeman X

2 JOHN S. PASCHALL (ABC PEDIATRICS) s

64 Peachtree Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-277-3000 • abcasheville.com

3 J. TYLER WILLIAMS (BLUE SKY PEDIATRICS ASHEVILLE) s 5 Walden Ridge Drive, Asheville 828-687-8709 • blueskypediatrics.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA OBILE-ONLY M o NLINE-ONLY HALL OF FAME x (Winner four years or more in a row)

CONTINUED FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE 1 OUR FAMILY DOCTOR d 43 Oakland Road, Asheville 828-252-2511 ourfamilydoctorasheville.com

2 COMMUNITY FAMILY PRACTICE n

260 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-2444 • communityfamilyonline.com

3 THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS ASHEVILLE d 206 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-8681 • fhconline.com

MATERNITY CARE/SERVICE 1 ASHEVILLE WOMEN’S MEDICAL CENTER d s x

OurFamilyDoctorAsheville.com

143 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-9191 310 Long Shoals Road, Suite 202, Arden 828-687-2955 • ashevillewomens.com

2 WNC BIRTH CENTER [Closed] d 390 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville 828-378-0075 • wncbirthcenter.com

3 BILTMORE OB-GYN s

24 Medical Park Drive, Asheville 828-277-7727 • biltmoreob-gyn.com

WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTER 1 ASHEVILLE WOMEN’S MEDICAL CENTER d s x

143 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-9191 310 Long Shoals Road, Suite 202, Arden 828-687-2955 • ashevillewomens.com

2 LAUREL OB/GYN d

41 Oakland Road, Suite 200, Asheville 828-253-5381 • laurelobgyn.com

3 PLANNED PARENTHOOD: ASHEVILLE HEALTH CENTER d 68 McDowell St., Asheville 828-252-7928 • avl.mx/3va

HOSPITAL

Thank you WNC!

1 ADVENTHEALTH HENDERSONVILLE s a

100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville 855-774-5433 • adventhealth.com

Thanks for voting us to the top!

2 MISSION HOSPITAL d

509 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-213-1111 • missionhealth.org

the best primary care doctors under one roof

3 PARDEE HOSPITAL s a

828.252.2511

800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville 828-696-1000 • pardeehospital.org

JAMES COLVIN

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Holistic Therapy for Individuals & Couples

THANK YOU for your votes ASHEVILLE!

#1 Counselor / Counseling Center Check out video interview & radio podcasts on website!

36 Clayton Street, Asheville, NC 28801 828-424-7941 colvin3@gmail.com • JamesCColvin.com

Celebrating over 40 years of Excellence in Women’s Health Care FIRST PLACE Women’s Health Center (Hall of Fame) FIRST PLACE Maternity Care/Service (Hall of Fame) (828) 258-9191 • www.ashevillewomens.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

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BEST OF HEALTH & WELLNESS PLACE TO GET MEDICAL CARE WHEN UNDEROR UNINSURED 1 MINNIE JONES HEALTH CENTER/ WESTERN CAROLINA COMMUNITY HEALTH d x

URGENT CARE

257 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-285-0622 • wncchs.org

re.imagined

2 RANGE URGENT CARE n e

Simplified.

Transparent.

Respectful.

674 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-412-0327 201 N.C. Highway 9, Black Mountain 828-820-8266 • rangeurgentcare.com

Skip the wait and schedule your appointment online at

COUNSELOR OR COUNSELING CENTER

rangeurgentcare.com

Now serving Leicester

1 JAMES COLVIN MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST (BALANCE U) d 36 Clayton St., Asheville 828-424-7941 • jamesccolvin.com

New location at 349 New Leicester Hwy Asheville • Black Mountain Virtual • House Calls

Local News • Events • Arts

Know Asheville

DENTIST 1 MARK A. KNOLLMAN e

600B Centrepark Drive, Asheville 828-254-5677 • drknollman.com

2 TIM GILLESPIE (GILLESPIE DENTAL ASSOCIATES) d 36 Orange St., Asheville 828-252-9351 • drtimgillespie.com

3 M. SCOTT PEELE (ASHEVILLE DENTAL WELLNESS) s 1087 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-4747 ashevilledentalwellness.com

DENTAL PRACTICE 1 GILLESPIE DENTAL ASSOCIATES d 36 Orange St., Asheville 828-252-9351

2 MARK A. KNOLLMAN e

600B Centrepark Drive, Asheville 828-254-5677 • drknollman.com

3 MARKS FAMILY DENTISTRY n

94 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 101, Asheville 828-255-8447 • northashevilledentist.com

8am-7:30pm Everyday

ORTHODONTIST 1 KEITH BLACK (BLACK ORTHODONTICS) s x 5 Yorkshire St., Suite A, Asheville 828-277-7103 • kblacksmiles.com

2 TIMOTHY SCANLAN (TS ORTHODONTICS) s e

4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 110, Asheville 828-604-9178 2218 Rutherford Road, Suite B, Marion 828-276-4898 • tsorthodontics.com

3 LUKE ROBERTS (BLUE RIDGE ORTHODONTICS) s

1915 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-585-6045 • blueridgeorthodontics.com

EYE CARE SPECIALIST/ SERVICE 1 ASHEVILLE EYE ASSOCIATES s x 8 Medical Park Drive, Asheville 828-490-7831 2001 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-490-7831 2311 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville 828-490-7831 • ashevilleeye.com

2 ENVISION EYECARE n

181 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-254-6757 • myenvisioneyecare.com

3 TUNNEL VISION e

4 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-6500 • tunnelvisionasheville.com

Thank you for voting us

Best of WNC! 48

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50

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Thank you WNC!

Dr. Dan Martin Affordable Chiropractic Care is Our Mission. ✓

Experienced, Professional & Friendly Staff

✓

Convenient Appointments & Hours

1011 Tunnel Rd., Suite 110, Asheville, NC 28805 • 828-333-4447 • www.radiuschiropractic.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

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BEST OF HEALTH & WELLNESS

#1 Acupuncturist

Liz Roseman

#2 Acupuncture Clinic PHOTO BY ABLE ALLEN

DAN MARTIN (RADIUS CHIROPRACTIC) Best Chiropractor

CHIROPRACTOR 1 DAN MARTIN (RADIUS CHIROPRACTIC) e

1011 Tunnel Road, Suite 110, Asheville 828-333-4447 • radiuschiropractic.com

Thank you for allowing me to serve you and for voting me #1 Acupuncturist 8 years in a row (wow!)

2 DEREK KASTEN (ONE LOVE CHIROPRACTIC) n

It’s even more important during this trying time to stay healthy - physically, mentally, and emotionally - and to keep our immune systems up and out of fear/survival mode.

3 JENNIFER SALES SLECHTER (WNC CHIROPRACTIC) s

Specializing in: Women's Health Fertility Struggles Emotional Issues Insomnia Digestive Issues Pain Sustainable Health Acupuncture 828-216-3101 218 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

www.acupuncture-in-asheville.com liz@acupuncture-in-asheville.com 52

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959 Merrimon Ave., Suite 201, Asheville 828-505-1584 • onelovechiropractic.com

2 J. ANYA HARRIS (CRYSTALIGN CHIROPRACTIC) d 218 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-552-3111 • crystalignchiro.com

1998 Hendersonville Road, Suite 12, Asheville 828-687-7779 • wncchiropractic.com

COSMETIC SURGEON 1 COLETTE STERN (STERN PLASTIC SURGERY) d

5 Livingston St., Asheville 828-210-9355 • sternplasticsurgery.com

ACUPUNCTURIST 1 LIZ ROSEMAN (SUSTAINABLE HEALTH ACUPUNCTURE) d x

36 Clayton St., Asheville 828-333-4614 acupuncture-in-asheville.com

2 ASHLEY KUPER (EAST ACUPUNCTURE WELLNESS BOUTIQUE) e a

2296 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-458-4139 • eastacupuncturewb.com

3 LEX KEKLAK (ALCHEMY) n

62 Clayton St., Asheville 828-575-9419 • alchemyasheville.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC 1 ALCHEMY: TEAROOM, APOTHECARY, ACUPUNCTURE d 62 Clayton St., Asheville 828-575-9419 • alchemyasheville.com

2 SUSTAINABLE HEALTH ACUPUNCTURE n

36 Clayton St., Asheville 828-333-4614 acupuncture-in-asheville.com

3 EAST ACUPUNCTURE WELLNESS BOUTIQUE e a

2296 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-458-4139 • eastacupuncturewb.com

ASSISTED-LIVING COMMUNITY 1 GIVENS ESTATES s

2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-274-4800 • givensestates.org

2 DEERFIELD RETIREMENT COMMUNITY s

1617 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-1531 • deerfieldwnc.org

HOSPICE 1 CAREPARTNERS (MISSION HEALTH) s x

68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-255-0231 1266 Asheville Highway, Brevard 828-883-5254 • missionhealth.org

2 FOUR SEASONS COMPASSION FOR LIFE s a

571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock 828-692-6178 • fourseasons.teleioscn.org

CONTINUED MORTUARY/FUNERAL SERVICES 1 GROCE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE w e s x 1401 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-252-3535 856 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-4416 72 Long Shoals Road, Arden 828-687-3530 • grocefuneralhome.com

2 WEST FAMILY FUNERAL SERVICES n a 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-645-3011 westfamilyfuneralservices.com

3 ASHEVILLE AREA ALTERNATIVE FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES r

MASSAGE THERAPIST 1 MICAH HAINES (URBAN EXHALE MASSAGE) d

68 N. Lexington Ave., Suite 207, Asheville 828-301-2113 • urbanexhalemassage.com

2 DARREN CADWELL (REVITALIFE MASSAGE & WELLNESS) d

417 Biltmore Ave., Doctor’s Park Suite 5G2, Asheville 828-777-3882 • revitalifemassagenc.com

3 ZACH COMER (ASHEVILLE MEDICAL MASSAGE) d 2 Doctors Park, Suite D, Asheville 828-776-1392 medicalmassageasheville.com

702 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-258-8274 ashevilleareaalternative.com

PHYSICAL THERAPIST 1 EMERSON TALBOTT (PHYSIO PHYSICAL THERAPY AND WELLNESS) n 660 Merrimon Ave., Suite C, Asheville 828-348-1780 • physiownc.com

2 MIRIAM SALLOUM (THE RUNNER’S MECHANIC) s

1977 Hendersonville Road, Suite 1, Asheville 828-713-0929 • therunnersmechanic.com

GYM OR PLACE TO WORK OUT 1 ASHEVILLE YMCA d x

❤ Thank you again Asheville for voting us ❤

30 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-210-9622 • ymcawnc.org/asheville

#1 ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC

2 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS s

800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309 • martialartsasheville.com

3 REUTER FAMILY BRANCH YMCA s

Biltmore Park Square, 3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville 828-651-9622 • ymcawnc.org

ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO CENTER YOURSELF & BEST ACUPUNCTURIST, LEX KEKLAK 62 Clayton St, Asheville • alchemyasheville.com • 828.575.9419

Thank to the readers for Voting Groce Favorite once again!

Asheville’s Local, Family-Owned Cremation & Funeral Service Lake Julian 72 Long Shoals Road Arden 828-687-3530

West Asheville 1401 Patton Avenue Asheville 828-252-3535

East Asheville 856 Tunnel Road Asheville 828-299-4416

www.grocefuneralhome.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

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BEST OF HEALTH & WELLNESS FITNESS STUDIO WITH CLASSES

YOGA STUDIO 1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA n x

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS s

8 Brookdale Road, Asheville 828-255-5575 • ashevillecommunityyoga.com

800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309 • martialartsasheville.com

2 HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE s

802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003 • hotyogaasheville.com

2 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s

1636 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-575-2556 • hardexerciseworks.com

3 ASHEVILLE YOGA CENTER n 211 S. Liberty St., Asheville 828-254-0380 • youryoga.com

3 HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE s

802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003 • hotyogaasheville.com

YOGA TEACHER 1 MICHAEL GREENFIELD (ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA) n x

PHYSICAL TRAINER 1 GRIFFIN WHITE (MIND MUSCLE FITNESS) w

11 Ridgeway Ave., Asheville 310-487-7886 • mindmusclefitness.com

SONA PHARMACY + CLINIC

Best Pharmacy/Drugstore; third place Place to Buy Supplements, Vitamins & Herbs

2 HEATHER PARKS (HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE) s

802 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-299-7003 • hotyogaasheville.com

2 JOSEPH SINDT (HARD EXERCISE WORKS) s

1636 Hendersonville Road, Suite 195, Asheville 828-575-2556 • hardexerciseworks.com

3 ZACH COMER (ASHEVILLE MEDICAL MASSAGE) d 2 Doctors Park, Suite D, Asheville 828-776-1392 medicalmassageasheville.com

PHOTO BY ABLE ALLEN

8 Brookdale Road, Suite A, Asheville 828-255-5575 • ashevillecommunityyoga.com

MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO 1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS s x

800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309 • martialartsasheville.com

PHARMACY/DRUGSTORE 1 SONA PHARMACY + CLINIC s 805 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-298-3636 • sonapharmacy.com

2 B&B PHARMACY w

462 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-2718 • bandbpharmacyavl.com

3 CVS PHARMACY n

PLACE TO BUY CBD PRODUCTS 1 FRANNY’S FARMACY n s

211 Merrimon Ave., Suite 111, Asheville 828-505-7105 5 Miller Road, Suite 2, Asheville 828-676-0940 128 Henderson Crossing Plaza, Hendersonville 828-697-7300 • frannysfarmacy.com

2 ASHEVILLE DISPENSARY w

612 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-4350 • cvs.com

919 Haywood Road, Suite 111, Asheville 828-335-2696 • avldispensary.com

PLACE TO BUY SUPPLEMENTS, VITAMINS & HERBS

3 TRINITY PHARMS HEMP CO. e a

112B Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-357-8295 • trinitypharmshempco.com

PLACE TO CENTER YOURSELF

1 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP d

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA n x

2 NATURE’S VITAMINS & HERBS s

2 ALCHEMY: TEAROOM, APOTHECARY, ACUPUNCTURE d

90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-255-7650 • frenchbroadfood.coop

752 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-251-0094 naturesvitaminsandherbs.com

8 Brookdale Road, Asheville 828-255-5575 • ashevillecommunityyoga.com

62 Clayton St., Asheville 828-575-9419 • alchemyasheville.com

3 SONA PHARMACY + CLINIC s 805 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-298-3636 • sonapharmacy.com

3 URBAN EXHALE MASSAGE d

68 N. Lexington Ave., Suite 207, Asheville 828-301-2113 • urbanexhalemassage.com

DARREN C. CADWELL

REVITALIFE MASSAGE & WELLNESS Improving lives, one massage at a time 2021 has been an amazing year for RevitaLife as the business has relocated and the WNC community has once again stepped up to the plate and pushed Darren back up to the top. He is beyond grateful to have received the support displayed by his family, friends and clientele.

RevitaLife will continue to grow, expand our treatment methods, and work even harder to improve lives one massage at a time. We deeply appreciate everyone who has supported us along this journey.

417 Biltmore Ave., Doctors Park, Suite 5G2, Asheville, NC 28801 828-777-3882 • revitalifemassagenc.com 54

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MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

Thank You for voting Franny's Farmacy

Best of WNC 6 years in a row!

We couldn't have done it without you!

Come stop by and say hi to your local budtenders!

We hope to see you soon!

FrannysFarmacy.com | Asheville • South AVL • Hendersonville MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

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Uniquely Asheville NEIGHBORHOOD 1 WEST ASHEVILLE w

2 MONTFORD n Asheville

3 NORTH ASHEVILLE n STREET FOR A STROLL 1 HAYWOOD ROAD w

2 MONTFORD AVENUE d 3 KIMBERLY AVENUE n

LOCAL ASHEVILLE ATTRACTION 1 BILTMORE ESTATE s x 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812 • biltmore.com

2 ASHEVILLE DRUM CIRCLE d

Pritchard Park, 67 Patton Ave., Asheville avl.mx/a3n

3 WNC NATURE CENTER e

75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville 828-259-8080 • wildwnc.org

PHOTO BY GREG BERG, COURTESY OF ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Best Project You’d Like to See Local Government Do, Thing South Asheville Needs, Thing West Asheville Needs; Second place Thing the River Arts District Needs, Thing East Asheville Needs, Thing North Asheville Needs, Thing Downtown Asheville Needs

E

LECTED to represent Western North Carolina in Congress at the tender age of 25, Rep. Madison Cawthorn has branded himself as the vanguard of “a new generation” of conservative leadership. Best of WNC voters are apparently ambivalent. First, they gave the young star the year’s title of Local Villain, while 68-year-old gadfly and former Asheville City Council member Carl Mumpower was kicked to third place, his lowest finish in a decade.

Then, Cawthorn earned second place for Local Politician, just behind Asheville Council member

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Kim Roney, who took the top honor.

But as a sign of our highly polarized times, Cawthorn’s election was named the second-Worst Thing to Happen to Asheville in the Last 12 Months.

That polarization was also evident in voters’ views of the racial justice protests that Asheville experienced in the late spring of 2020. Asheville Black Lives Matter took first place as Activist Group for Civic/Political Action, but nearly an equal number of voters called the movement the Worst Thing to Happen to Asheville in the Last 12 Months — earning it third place in that category.

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

Regardless of politics, voters generally agreed on one thing: Hotels and their developers remain the Biggest Threat to Asheville’s Uniqueness, a position that group has held since 2019.

Finally, we offer hearty congratulations to three new Hall of Fame entrants: the Biltmore Estate (Historic/Interesting Building) • Botanical Gardens at Asheville (Place to Connect With Nature Within Asheville City Limits) • The Odditorium (Place to Take Your Eccentric Friends).

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

— Daniel Walton X

LOCAL CITY TOUR 1 LAZOOM: HEY ASHEVILLE! CITY COMEDY TOUR d x

76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932 • lazoomtours.com

2 LAZOOM: FENDER BENDER BAND & BEER BUS d 76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932 • lazoomtours.com

3 GRAY LINE TROLLEY TOURS d

36 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-251-8687 • graylineasheville.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA OBILE-ONLY M o NLINE-ONLY HALL OF FAME x (Winner four years or more in a row)

CONTINUED PLACE TO TAKE YOUR ECCENTRIC FRIENDS

HISTORIC/INTERESTING BUILDING 1 BILTMORE HOUSE s x

1 THE ODDITORIUM w x

1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812 • biltmore.com

1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • ashevilleodditorium.com

2 GROVE ARCADE d

1 Page Ave., Asheville 828-252-7799 • grovearcade.com

2 ASHEVILLE DRUM CIRCLE d

Pritchard Park, 67 Patton Ave., Asheville avl.mx/a3n

3 JACKSON BUILDING d

22 S. Pack Square, Asheville avl.mx/a8p

2 THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT r Asheville 828-552-4723 • riverartsdistrict.com

VENUE TO BOOK FOR A PARTY OR EVENT

3 LAZOOM d

1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. EVENT CENTER s

76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932 • lazoomtours.com

12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville

2 HAIKU I DO s

PLACE TO PRETEND YOU’RE A TOURIST

26 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-412-3939 • haikuido.com

1 BILTMORE ESTATE s

PLACE TO GET MARRIED

1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812 • biltmore.com

1 BILTMORE ESTATE s

1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812 • biltmore.com

2 DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE

2 HAIKU I DO s

26 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-412-3939 • haikuido.com

3 OMNI GROVE PARK INN n 290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800 • avl.mx/3te

3 FLEETWOOD’S ROCK-N-ROLL WEDDING CHAPEL w

496 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-5525 • fleetwoodschapel.com

PLACE TO CONNECT WITH NATURE WITHIN ASHEVILLE CITY LIMITS

HOTEL 1 OMNI GROVE PARK INN n x

1 BOTANICAL GARDENS n x

290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800 • avl.mx/3te

151 W.T. Weaver Blvd., Asheville 828-252-5190 ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

2 ALOFT ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN d

2 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM w 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492 • ncarboretum.org

3 WNC NATURE CENTER e

75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville 828-259-8080 • wildwnc.org

51 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-232-2838 • avl.mx/5tb

3 GRAND BOHEMIAN HOTEL s

11 Boston Way, Asheville 828-505-2949 • bohemianhotelasheville.com

3 THE FOUNDRY HOTEL d

51 S. Market St., Asheville 828-552-8545 • foundryasheville.com

WRITE FOR

Want to keep your community in the know?

Mountain

Xpress is seeking freelance writers grounded in local happenings to contribute to our news section. Whether you're a development wonk, a politics junkie, an environmental authority or a wellness warrior, warrio we want you to share your expertise with Western North Carolina. Our coverage seeks to understand multiple perspectives, get the details right and help readers take action on the issues that matter to them. Prior experience with news writing, AP style, and photography skills are a all plusses.

Rates start at 12 cents/word, with potential bonuses for more involved stories.

To learn more, send a cover letter, resume and clips/links to writers@mountainx.com.

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

57

BEST OF UNIQUELY ASHEVILLE B&B OR SMALL BOUTIQUE HOTEL 1 THE WINDSOR BOUTIQUE HOTEL d x 36 Broadway, Asheville 844-494-6376 • windsorasheville.com

2 PRINCESS ANNE HOTEL n

301 E. Chestnut St., Asheville 828-258-0986 • princessannehotel.com

HOLIDAY EVENT SUMMER/FALL 1 NC APPLE FESTIVAL s a

318 N. Main St., Suite 15, Hendersonville 828-697-4557 • ncapplefestival.org

HOLIDAY EVENT WINTER/SPRING 1 WINTER LIGHTS AT THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM w

100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492 • ncarboretum.org

LOCAL VILLAIN 1 MADISON CAWTHORN s a

200 N. Grove St., Suite 121, Hendersonville 828-435-7310 • cawthorn.house.gov

2 CHAD NESBITT

Asheville • skylinenewsonline.com

3 CARL MUMPOWER LOCAL POLITICIAN 1 KIM RONEY w

30 Westgate Parkway, Suite 341, Asheville 828-771-6265 • kimroney4asheville.com

2 MADISON CAWTHORN s a

200 N. Grove St., Suite 121, Hendersonville 828-435-7310 • cawthorn.house.gov

3 JASMINE BEACH-FERRARA jasmineforbuncombe.org

NONPROFIT THAT IMPROVES ASHEVILLE 1 BELOVED ASHEVILLE w

1302 Patton Ave., Suite 6386, Asheville 828-571-0766 • belovedasheville.com

2 GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION: THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN n

2 MANNA FOODBANK e

3 CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVENINGS AT BILTMORE ESTATE s

3 ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY s

290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800 • avl.mx/7zx

1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812 • avl.mx/a9q

627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-299-3663 • mannafoodbank.org

33 Meadow Road, Asheville 828-251-5702 • ashevillehabitat.org

BEST PRICES

d • Fre ha

Thank you Asheville!

og wit rd

shop dogs forever

r yo s fo u

ay pas ed

FRIENDLY,

Internet competitive & nearly KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF always lowest in town Take home wine you’ll enjoy

WELL CURATED SELECTION from well known to hard to fif Ind

8

WE’RE LOCAL

Wages, profits and taxes are spent or invested right here

BIG SHOP SELECTION year SMALL SHOP SERVICE

th

in a row!

Free, Close Parking.

169 Charlotte St. • Asheville, NC 28801 • 828.575.9525

METROWINESASHEVILLE.COM 58

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If I Had A Tail It’d Be Waggin’

First Place — Pet-Friendly Bar First Place — Outdoor Place to Take Your Pet First Place — Best Thing to Happen to Your Town in the Last 12 Months — in Regional: Weaverville & Woodfin Third Place — Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors — in Regional: Weaverville & Woodfin

See wagbar.com for entry requirements 320 Merrimon Ave • Weaverville, NC • 828-337-4964

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

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BEST OF UNIQUELY ASHEVILLE NONPROFIT THAT SERVES THE UNDERPRIVILEGED 1 BELOVED ASHEVILLE w

1302 Patton Ave., Suite 6386, Asheville 828-571-0766 • belovedasheville.com

2 MANNA FOODBANK e

627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-299-3663 • mannafoodbank.org

3 HOMEWARD BOUND WNC n

37 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-258-1695 • homewardboundwnc.org

ACTIVIST GROUP FOR CIVIC/POLITICAL ACTION 1 ASHEVILLE BLACK LIVES MATTER 2 BELOVED ASHEVILLE w

PHOTO BY JENNIFER CASTILLO

1302 Patton Ave., Suite 6386, Asheville 828-571-0766 • belovedasheville.com

HAYWOOD ROAD Best Street for a Stroll

LOCAL FUNDRAISING EVENT 1 DINING OUT FOR LIFE/ DINING IN FOR LIFE (WNCAP) s

THING THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT NEEDS

THING NORTH ASHEVILLE NEEDS

554 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-252-7489 • diningoutforlife.com

1 MORE QUALITY RESTAURANTS

BUMPER STICKER OR SLOGAN ABOUT ASHEVILLE 1 KEEP ASHEVILLE WEIRD x

2 ASHEVILLE BLACK LIVES MATTER

2 AFFORDABLE HOUSING 3 SIDEWALKS THING SOUTH ASHEVILLE NEEDS

3 CESSPOOL OF SIN

1 AFFORDABLE HOUSING

THING DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE NEEDS 1 BETTER, MORE, AND/OR FREE PARKING 2 AFFORDABLE HOUSING 3 FEWER TOURISTS

2 MORE QUALITY RESTAURANTS 3 LESS TRAFFIC

1 RESTAURANTS 2 AFFORDABLE HOUSING 3 BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT YOU’D LIKE TO SEE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DO 1 AFFORDABLE HOUSING 2 HELP HOMELESS PEOPLE 3 GREENWAYS WORST THING TO HAPPEN TO ASHEVILLE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

THING EAST ASHEVILLE NEEDS

THING WEST ASHEVILLE NEEDS

1 MORE BARS AND RESTAURANTS

1 AFFORDABLE HOUSING 2 MORE ACCESSIBLE PARKING OPTIONS

2 AFFORDABLE HOUSING 3 SIDEWALKS

3 SIDEWALKS

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ASHEVILLE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS 1 COVID RESTRICTIONS 2 ACTIVISM AGAINST RACISM 3 EXPANSION OF GREENWAYS BIGGEST THREAT TO ASHEVILLE’S UNIQUENESS 1 HOTELS AND DEVELOPERS 2 EXPENSIVE HOUSING 3 TOURISM MONEY FOR CITY NEEDS, SUCH AS STREET AND SIDEWALK REPAIR OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY FOR ASHEVILLE’S UNIQUENESS

1 COVID-19 VIRUS QUARANTINE AND LOCKDOWN

1 STOP OVERBUILDING AND PRESERVE ASHEVILLE’S HISTORY

2 ELECTING MADISON CAWTHORN

2 INVEST IN LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES

3 PROTESTS TURNING VIOLENT

3 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

T hank you for helping us be the best!

As a token of our appreciation

712-B Merrimon Ave, Asheville (828) 285-0515 Mon-Sat 10-6 & Sun 11-4 AshevilleBrewers.com Family Owned Living Wage Certified 60

$ 5 OFF all purcha ses over $ 25 Expires 09/30/21

Thank you for voting Duck Donuts as one of the best in WNC

ASHEVILLE BREWERS SUPPLY The area’s largest selection of ingredients and equipment for making beer, wine, cider and mead Now stocking high grade hemp and cbd oil!

BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

182 Merrimon Ave. • 828- 575-2177 • duckdonuts.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

We want to give a huge thank you to everyone in the community who have supported us over the last 8 years. This last year in particular has left us feeling humbled and grateful for all that we have: A group of hardworking, smart, independent and inspiring employees A beautiful and thriving community filled with many passionate people A business that has weathered the storm thanks to you all.

We wouldn't be here without YOU! We go together like biscuits and gravy First Place (Hall of Fame) — Biscuits Second Place — Brunch Second Place — Breakfast

3 Locations to serve you • 417 Biltmore Ave, #4F | 828-505-3449 733 Haywood Rd | 828-333-5145 • 1994 Hendersonville Rd | 828-585-2055

WWW.BISCUITHEADS.COM MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

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Celebrating 27 Years!

Can’t thank the locals enough for voting us again!

We couldn’t do it without our local support!!

1ST PLACE - SPORTS BAR 3RD PLACE - BARTENDER: JACKSON ZOELLER 3RD PLACE - BAR: LOCAL BEER SELECTION (EXCLUDING BREWERIES)

46 HAYWOOD ST. • MON-SUN 11AM-12AM • (828) 285-0002 • WWW.ASHEVILLEBIERGARDEN.COM 62

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Small Towns . . . BREVARD . . .

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 O.P. TAYLOR’S

16 S. Broad St., Brevard 828-681-1865 • optaylors.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 THE SUNRISE CAFE x

273 N. Broad St., Brevard 828-884-3331 • the-sunrise-cafe.com

2 GRAMMY’S RESTAURANT 20 McClean Road, Brevard 828-862-8353 • avl.mx/a53

LUNCH RESTAURANT

PHOTO COURTESY OF O.P. TAYLOR’S

1 THE SQUARE ROOT x

O.P. TAYLOR’S

Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town, Best Toy Store

S

URE, there are some in our

local community who don’t like tourists. But here’s the thing: In order to avoid them, you have to get out of town, at which point you’re one of them.

Fortunately, Western North Carolina has plenty of nearby small towns that’ll welcome you with your fanny pack and selfie stick.

There are so many options, in fact, that we’ve split the Regional categories into two sections. This week’s issue explores the neighboring communities of Brevard, Flat Rock, Hendersonville, Canton, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Sylva and Cullowhee.

Start off your explorations on the right foot with a strong cup of joe and a pastry. Some of the top winners in this year’s poll for Best Regional Coffee & Sweets include Black Bear Coffee Co. (Hendersonville), Papertown Coffee (Canton) and White Moon (Sylva).

Oh, I’m sorry — I didn’t realize you’re the type of tourist who doesn’t consider it a vacation until you’ve got a little something stronger in your cup. Well, not to worry! As this year’s Best of WNC reveals, there are

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BEST OF WNC - PART ONE

plenty of options to choose from in one of the most popular categories in the Regional section: Best Local Bar/Brewery/Watering Hole. Top winners include Bold Rock Cidery (Hendersonville), Boojum Brewing Taproom (Waynesville) and Oskar Blues Brewery (Brevard).

As you’ll see in the following pages, there are plenty more places to visit during your vacation away from Asheville’s vacationers. Among them are this year’s Hall of Fame newcomers: Pisgah National Forest (Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors–Brevard) • Oskar Blues Brewery (Local Bar/ Brewery/Watering Hole–Brevard) • Carl Sandburg Home (Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors–Hendersonville) • Black Bear Coffee Co. (Coffee & Sweets–Hendersonville) • Lake Junaluska (Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors–Waynesville) • Boojum Brewing Taproom (Lunch Restaurant and Local Bar/Brewery/Watering Hole–Waynesville) • Innovation Brewing (Local Bar/Brewery/ Watering Hole–Sylva).

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

— Thomas Calder X

33 Times Arcade Alley, Brevard 828-884-6171 • squarerootrestaurant.com

2 MAYBERRY’S

30 W. Main St., Brevard 828-862-8646 • mayberrys.co

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 THE SQUARE ROOT x

33 Times Arcade Alley, Brevard 828-884-6171 • squarerootrestaurant.com

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 BLUE RIDGE BAKERY

86 W. Main St., Brevard 828-883-8444 • blueridgebakery.com

2 CUP & SAUCER

36 E. Main St. A, Brevard 828-884-2877 • cupandsaucernc.com

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 OSKAR BLUES BREWERY x

342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard 828-883-2337 • oskarblues.com

2 ECUSTA BREWING

49 Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest 828-966-2337 • ecustabrewing.com

3 BREVARD BREWING CO.

63 E. Main St., Brevard 828-885-2101 • brevard-brewing.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1 185 KING STREET

185 King St., Brevard 828-877-1850 • 185kingst.com

2 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER

349 Andante Lane, Brevard 828-862-2100 • brevardmusic.org

RETAIL STORE 1 D.D. BULLWINKEL’S OUTDOORS 60 E. Main St., Brevard 828-862-4700 • ddbullwinkels.com

ART GALLERY 1 NUMBER 7 ARTS

2 W. Main St., Brevard 828-883-2294 • number7arts.org

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 THE WHITE SQUIRREL FESTIVAL x 26 E. Main St., Brevard 828-884-3278 • whitesquirrelfestival.com

2 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 349 Andante Lane, Brevard 828-862-2100 • brevardmusic.org

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST x 1600 Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest 828-257-4200 • avl.mx/6aw

2 DUPONT STATE FOREST

Staton Road, Cedar Mountain 828-877-6527 dupontstaterecreationalforest.com

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 SHARING HOUSE (TRANSYLVANIA CHRISTIAN MINISTRY) 164 Duckworth Ave., Brevard 828-884-2866 • sharinghouse.org

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK 1 SILVERMONT MANSION

364 E. Main St., Brevard 828-885-2017 • silvermont.org

1 TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY COURTHOUSE 7 E. Main St., Brevard 828-885-3000 • avl.mx/a9k

CONTINUED

HENDERSONVILLE, FLAT ROCK & . . . MILLS RIVER . . .

The Square rooT

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARABELLA

ARABELLA BREAKFAST & BRUNCH Best Breakfast Restaurant

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 MAST GENERAL STORE (HENDERSONVILLE)

527 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-696-1883 • mastgeneralstore.com

2 SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River 828-708-6242 • sierranevada.com

3 TIMBER AXE THROWING

218 Duncan Hill Road, Hendersonville 828-595-9909 • timberaxethrowing.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 ARABELLA BREAKFAST & BRUNCH 536 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-595-2449 arabellabreakfastandbrunch.com

2 HONEY AND SALT

2730 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-676-8322 • honeyandsaltnc.com

3 FIRESIDE RESTAURANT & PANCAKE INN

295 Sugarloaf Road, Hendersonville 828-697-1004 • firesidepancakeinn.com

x

THE HALL OF FAME ICON The Hall of Fame designation is reserved for winners who have won first place four years in a row (or more), including this year (2018 - 2021)

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 FLAT ROCK VILLAGE BAKERY

2710 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-693-1313 235 St. John Road, Fletcher 828-687-7999 • villagebakerync.com

1 HOT DOG WORLD

226 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville 828-697-0374 • hotdogworld.net

2 MOUNTAIN DELI

343 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-693-0093 • mountaindelinc.com

3 WEST FIRST WOOD-FIRED PIZZA 101B First Ave. W., Hendersonville 828-693-1080 • flatrockwoodfired.com

DINNER RESTAURANT

Brevard

1 NEVER BLUE

119 S. Main St., Hendersonville 828-693-4646 • theneverblue.com

2 UMI JAPANESE FINE DINING 633 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-698-8048 • umisushinc.com

3 POSTERO

401 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-595-9676 • postero-hvl.com

First Place - Lunch Restaurant First Place - Dinner Restaurant

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 BLACK BEAR COFFEE CO. x 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-692-6333 • blackbear.coffee

2 APPALACHIAN COFFEE CO.

1628 Fifth Ave. W., Hendersonville 828-595-2200 appalachiancoffeecompany.com

3 MCFARLAN BAKERY

squarerootrestaurant . com o p e n T u e S d ay T h r o u g h S aT u r d ay aT 1 1 : 0 0 a m 3 3 T i m e S a r c a d e a l l e y , B r e va r d , n c 828.884.6171

309 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-693-4256 • mcfarlanbakery.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

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BEST OF SMALL TOWNS

CONGRATS! TO THIS YEAR'S WINNERS

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER

1 BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER

72 School House Road, Mills River 828-595-9940 • boldrock.com

72 School House Road, Mills River 828-595-9940 • boldrock.com

2 MILLS RIVER BREWING CO.

336 Banner Farm Road, Mills River 828-513-5155 • millsriverbrewingco.com

WNC’s largest & best reader survey

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

3 OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

147 First Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-595-9956 • oklawahabrewing.com

3 SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO.

2 FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE

2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-693-0731 • flatrockplayhouse.org

3 SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River 828-708-6242 • sierranevada.com

100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River 828-708-6242 • sierranevada.com

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 CARL SANDBURG HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE x 1800 Little River Road, Flat Rock 828-693-4178 • nps.gov/carl

2 JUMP OFF ROCK

4501 Laurel Park Highway, Laurel Park 828-693-4840 • laurelpark.org/jumpoff

3 THE PARK AT FLAT ROCK

55 Highland Golf Drive, Flat Rock 828-697-8100 • flatrockparkfoundation.org

RETAIL STORE 1 MAST GENERAL STORE (HENDERSONVILLE) x

527 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-696-1883 • mastgeneralstore.com

ART GALLERY 1 ART MOB STUDIOS AND MARKETPLACE

124 Fourth Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-693-4545 • artmobstudios.com/contact

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 NC APPLE FESTIVAL x

318 N. Main St., Suite 15, Hendersonville 828-697-4557 • ncapplefestival.org

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 BLUE RIDGE HUMANE SOCIETY 88 Centipede Lane, Hendersonville 828-692­-2639 • blueridgehumane.org

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK 1 CARL SANDBURG HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE x 1800 Little River Road, Flat Rock 828-693-4178 • nps.gov/carl

2 OLD HENDERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

1 Historic Courthouse Square, Hendersonville 828-697-4809 • avl.mx/a96

Thank you Mountain Xpress readers for voting for us.

We appreciate your support! check our website for menu updates, operating hours & other important info:

 bluemountainpizza.com 

55 N Main Street, Weaverville, NC 28787 • 828-658-8778 66

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CONTINUED MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

SYLVA & . . . CULLOWHEE . . .

1 LAZY HIKER BREWING CO. SYLVA TAPROOM

WNC’s Premiere Fabric Store

617 W. Main St., Sylva 828-349-2337 • lazyhikerbrewing.com

1 THE PAPER MILL LOUNGE AND THEATRE

Thanks for voting us

553 W. Main St., Sylva 828-507-3529 • thepapermill.pub

The #1 Retail Store

RETAIL STORE 1 CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE

3 E. Jackson St., Sylva 828-586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

in Weaverville

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS PHOTO COURTESY OF WHITE MOON

WHITE MOON

Best Lunch Restaurant, Best Coffee & Sweets BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

414 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-9678 40 Depot St., Dillsboro 828-226-0262 • innovation-brewing.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 JACKSON COUNTY HISTORIC COURTHOUSE / PUBLIC LIBRARY x

1 LULU’S ON MAIN x

678 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-8989 • lulusonmain.com

310 Keener St., Sylva 828-586-4055 • avl.mx/a8l

fivemonkeyquilts.com Tuesday-Saturday 11-4

462 W. Main St., Sylva 828-307-2036 • ildainsylva.com

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 WHITE MOON

545 Mill St., Sylva 828-331-0111 • whitemoonnc.com

2 BAXLEY’S CHOCOLATES

546 W. Main St., Sylva 828-631-3379 • baxleyschocolates.com

1 THE COFFEE SHOP

385 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-2013 • avl.mx/a70

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

LUNCH RESTAURANT

606 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-9877 • guadalupecafe.com

Why I support Xpress:

DINNER RESTAURANT

32 N. Main Street Weaverville, NC 28787 828-484-7200

3 ILDA

2 INNOVATION BREWING

545 Mill St., Sylva 828-331-0111 • whitemoonnc.com

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

606 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-9877 • guadalupecafe.com

3 E. Jackson St., Sylva 828-586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

2 WHITE MOON

2110 Fisher Creek Road, Sylva avl.mx/a99

2 GUADALUPE CAFÉ

1 CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE

1 GUADALUPE CAFÉ

1 PINNACLE PARK

1 INNOVATION BREWING x

414 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-9678 40 Depot St., Dilslboro 828-226-0262 732 Centennial Drive, Unit 102A, Cullowhee 828-882-3035 • innovation-brewing.com

2 LAZY HIKER BREWING CO. SYLVA TAPROOM

617 W. Main St., Sylva 828-349-2337 • lazyhikerbrewing.com

“Mountain Xpress is essential to the spirit and culture of Asheville.

Invaluable!!!”

– Geoff Smith

Join Geoff and become a member at SupportMountainX.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

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BEST OF SMALL TOWNS BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

WAYNESVILLE, MAGGIE VALLEY & CANTON

1 MAST GENERAL STORE (WAYNESVILLE)

63 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-452-2101 • mastgeneralstore.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 JOEY’S PANCAKE HOUSE

4309 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828-926-0212 • joeyspancake.com

2 THE BUTTERED BISCUIT

1226 Dellwood Road, Waynesville 828-246-6446 • avl.mx/9wl

3 CLYDE’S RESTAURANT

2107 S. Main St., Waynesville 828-456-9135 • avl.mx/a4a

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 BOOJUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM x 50 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-0350 • boojumbrewing.com

PHOTO BY JOHN HIGHSMITH,COURTESY OF HART

2 J-RO’S BURGERS AND SUBS

HAYWOOD ARTS REGIONAL THEATRE (HART)

90 Main St., Canton 828-492-0015 • jrosburgers.com

3 CLYDE’S RESTAURANT

Best Music/Entertainment Venue

2107 S. Main St., Waynesville 828-456-9135 • avl.mx/a4a

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 THE SWEET ONION RESTAURANT

39 Miller St., Waynesville 828-456-5559 • sweetonionrestaurant.com

2 MAGGIE’S GALLEY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

1374 Sulphur Springs Road, Waynesville 828-456-8945 • maggiesgalley.com

3 SOUTHERN PORCH

117 Main St., Canton 828-492-8006 • southern-porch.com

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 PAPERTOWN COFFEE

119 Main St., Canton 828-492-0993 • papertown.coffee

2 ORCHARD COFFEE

39 Depot St., Waynesville 828-246-9264 • orchardcoffeeroasters.com

3 PANACEA COFFEE CO.

66 Commerce St., Waynesville 828-452-6200 • panaceacoffee.com

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 BOOJUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM x 50 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-0350 • boojumbrewing.com

2 BEARWATERS BREWING CO.

101 Park St., Canton 828-237-4200 4352 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828-944-0009 • bearwatersbrewing.com

3 FROG LEVEL BREWING CO.

56 Commerce St., Waynesville 828-454-5664 • froglevelbrewing.com

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MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1 HAYWOOD ARTS REGIONAL THEATRE (HART) 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville 828-456-6322 • harttheatre.org

RETAIL STORE 1 MAST GENERAL STORE (WAYNESVILLE) x

63 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-452-2101 • mastgeneralstore.com

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 FOLKMOOT USA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL x 112 Virginia Ave., Waynesville 828-452-2997 • folkmoot.org

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 LAKE JUNALUSKA x

91 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska 828-452-2881 • lakejunaluska.com

Local News • Events • Arts

Know Asheville

Thanks to everyone who voted for us First Place in WNC for Lunch First Place in Burnsville for Local Place to Enjoy The Outdoors, Business That Best

Represents the Spirit of Your Town, Music/Entertainment Venue, Coffee & Sweets, Dinner Restaurant, Breakfast Restaurant, Lunch Restaurant, Salad (tie)

Second Place in WNC Restaurant That Gives Back to the Community, Takeout, Best Service, Quick Meal, Best Value

Third Place in WNC for People-Watching Restaurant, Kid-Friendly Restaurant, Local-Food Emphasis (tie)

Best of WNC Winner Four Years in a Row!

~

8 West Main Street, Burnsville, NC 28714 828-682-0120 ~ www.appalachianjavaburnsville.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

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Thank You WNC Voters for voting us

#1 Restaurant with a View

We’re Honored to be Voted

Best Vegan Restaurant

• Rooftop Terrace with Blue Ridge Mountain Views • Serving Breakfast, Dinner, Small Plates & Brunch

1st place • Vegan/Vegetarian 2nd place • Green/ Sustainability-Friendly Restaurant

• Flexible Event Space

2nd place • Chef: Jason Sellers 3rd place • Special Diet Options 3rd place • Healthiest Food

15 Page Ave., 4th Floor, Asheville, NC 828-417-6866 • www.hemingwayscuba.com 70

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165 merrimon avenue • (828) 258-7500 plantisfood.com

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patients over telehealth. (McCorvey recommends A Therapist Like Me, a local online directory that allows clients to search for therapists by race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, neurotype and other categories, for people seeking certain characteristics in their mental health provider.)

Financial insecurity underpins much of the mental health problems people are experiencing right now.

Elliott from Vaya Health says many callers to the crisis hotline face housing issues or unemployment and feel hopeless and angry as a result.

People in professions where working from home is impossible, such as hospitality and retail, are particularly struggling, therapists say. Some lost their jobs or had their hours cut back earlier in the pandemic. That previous financial hardship is putting pressure on people to work in situations where they don’t feel entirely safe.

“It’s a choice right now between opening yourself up to possibly getting COVID — and if you’re Black or brown having twice the risk of being hospitalized or dying — or paying the rent or putting food on your table,” says McCorvey. “And that’s an impossible choice.”

The ongoing politicization of vaccines and masks is also compounding stress, McCorvey continues. “It’s not just that people are exhausted from doing their best to stay healthy and safe. They’re also exhausted from feeling frustrated at having different political beliefs from friends, relatives, teachers and faculty,” she says.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND RELAPSES

Anecdotally, behavioral health providers say that substance use has increased during the pandemic.

Data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services confirms that emergency room visits due to medication or drug overdoses are up as well, increasing 22% from 12,163 in 2019 to 14,826 in 2020. (State data tracks with national trends: Overdose deaths from opioids and other drugs rose by about 30% from 2019 to 2020, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation.) In July, Buncombe County Emergency Services reported 6 to 8 deaths monthly from probable overdoses.

Some people do not have access to their usual coping skills due to pandemic-related closures or cancellations. As a result, McCorvey says she has seen some substance use increase. “I would say people are using substances as more of a coping skill now,” she says, as opposed to recreation.

Recovery has also been hard. “A lot of my clients have relapsed,” says Walker, explaining that both drugs and alcohol are issues.

“People are struggling in their relationships with parents, their romantic relationships and friendships, and a lot of folks are feeling really isolated.”

“This has been a horrific year and a half of relapse for everyone,” she continues. X

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SEPT. 15-21, 2021

21

ARTS & CULTURE

Moving pictures

Artists retrace historic route, mount conservation benefit show

BY BILL KOPP bill@musoscribe.com As founder of the nonprofit Preserving a Picturesque America, Scott “Doc” Varn is on a mission to create a modern-day version of a printed project dating from the 19th century.

As part of that effort, he recently embarked upon a hike of the historic Buncombe Turnpike, the 75-mile route built in the 1820s through Western North Carolina used by settlers and livestock drovers. Varn’s organization, aka PAPA, has also arranged a fundraising art sale and exhibition to support its efforts.

Preservation Through Art: Along the French Broad takes place Sept.

16-Oct. 27 at Wedge Foundation’s Cloud Room.

BY FOOT, HORSEBACK AND CANOE

Created during the post-Civil War era, a time when the country was deeply polarized, Picturesque America was a serialized collection of engravings designed to present something upon which everyone could agree: the scenic grandeur of the United States.

Varn sees current-day parallels to that divisive era, and his organization has launched a modern-day take on the original series. Working under the aegis of PAPA, 21st-century artists visit the sites memorialized in Picturesque America and capture on canvas the way the scenes appear today.

Those endeavors aren’t as simple as they might seem. Modern roads, highways and superhighways — not to mention the simple passage of time, deforestation and develop-

STEPPING THROUGH TIME: Scott “Doc” Varn and Mike Wurman of the nonprofit Preserving a Picturesque America emulate drovers traveling the route of the historic Buncombe Turnpike. An art sale and exhibition will support the nonprofit’s conservation mission. Photo by Travis Skinner ment in general — have changed the American landscape in major ways.

So when Varn or one of his artistic colleagues sets out to find the original 1870s artists’ vantage points, it can be quite a challenge.

“We go through the serial, trying to deduce clues,” Varn explains. “We ask, ‘Where might these illustrations

have been done? What route would they have taken?’” To date, PAPA has found quite a few of the 60-plus locations. “For years, I’ve been going to other places with PAPA,” Varn says. “And I kind of left my own backyard on the back burner.”

To correct that oversight, Varn embarked on a trip in May of this

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year. Joined by fellow artist Mike Wurman, he set out to travel the Buncombe Turnpike. The turnpike was a major commerce thoroughfare, used by farmers and drovers alike to transport their harvests and livestock, extending from Tennessee to the South Carolina state line.

The duo did their best to make the trip in the same way that people would have done in the 1800s. For starters, that meant wearing period clothing. “There’s definitely something impeding your progress when you’re in period garb,” Varn says.

“They are not made for hiking.”

The two-week journey began in Chimney Rock, with Varn and Wurman on horseback. According to Varn, the location is where Harry Fenn, the original artist responsible for the earliest Picturesque America illustrations, began.

“Then, we walked,” Varn says. The two followed the path of the old turnpike as it extended through Asheville and along the banks of the French Broad. In places, only the faint-

Commemorate your est hint of the original Buncombe Turnpike remained.

Once they reached Marshall, some 20 miles north downriver from Asheville, the two men had to change their mode of transportation yet again. “We paddled,” Van says. “A friend who’s an Appalachian Trail hiker and river guide got us through the rapids.”

Today, some of the original vantage points used by Picturesque America artists are completely inaccessible by land; in the 1800s, there were ferries to facilitate river crossings at specific points. So the duo’s river guide became their de facto ferry.

The trip was full of such obstacles, but Varn and his fellow artist did what they could to follow the path of the original turnpike. That meant a rare visit to a remote spot between Marshall and Hot Springs.

“That’s probably the most well-preserved place on the entire Buncombe Turnpike,” Varn says with a palpable sense of awe.

There are no current-day roads near that location. But remnants of the well-trodden path from the 1800s are everywhere. “You could still see where the road is cut,” Varn says.

“They would just grab rocks and throw them from side to side just to get them out of the way.”

Past Hot Springs, the old turnpike becomes completely impassable. “We were stuck,” Varn says. “There were no paths anymore. The only way to get around the cliffs was to paddle again.” So the final leg of the journey to Del Rio, Tenn., was via paddling.

JOIN THE PARTY

At accessible vantage points along the way, Varn and Wurman were joined for painting sessions by many of their fellow PAPA artists, whose work will be featured in the art sale and exhibition. The event is PAPA’s primary fundraiser, and proceeds will go toward the nonprofit’s ongoing mission as well as its collaborative conservation efforts with other regional nonprofits.

Asheville landscape painter Christine Enochs has created seven finished pieces for the show. “It’s been a fun and fascinating endeavor,” she says, “especially the paddling and hiking adventures to paint with others on location.”

Working primarily in oil, pastel and charcoal, Asheville artist Mark Henry estimates that he has created 3,000 works of art, and PAPA’s mission inspires him. “Art captures time,” he says. “We need to ensure that these sites are kept as close as possible to their original beauty. Portions of the proceeds of this

win with an

official plaque

To purchase, contact advertising@mountainx.com

IN HIS FOOTSTEPS: “This is the route [artist] Harry Fenn took 150 years ago,” says Scott “Doc” Varn.

“So it’s our route.” Photo by Travis Skinner show will go towards maintenance and cleanup of sites that have been defaced or vandalized.”

Varn says that the hike helped him get deeper into the mindset of the original 19th-century artists, and his memories inform the texts he’s writing for PAPA’s modern-day serial project.

“There’s something about really slowing down and taking it at that pace that makes a big difference,” he says. “We knew we’d have the opportunity to have some incredibly picturesque locations, but we also knew there was going to be a real challenge. I wanted to write about what it’s like to retrace something in the modern era. And there were so many hidden gems.” X

WHAT Preservation Through Art: Along the French Broad art sale and exhibition WHERE Cloud Room at the Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St., Asheville WHEN Artist receptions Sept. 16, Sept. 29, and Oct 13, 6-8 p.m.

“Meet the Artists” Q&As: Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Oct. 20, 6-8 p.m.

MOUNTAINX.COM

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

23

ARTS & C U L T U R E

FILM

Yes, WECAN (Man)

Video project spotlights diverse neighborhood

Wherever JP Chalarca lives, his primary goal is to be active in his community. In Asheville, the commitment to those around him has intersected with his long-held interests in technology, resulting in the WECAN Man video project.

The YouTube channel features profiles of individuals within the history-rich West End Clingman Avenue Neighborhood. Chalarca launched the project shortly after he and his wife, Diane Miller, relocated to the area by way of Tempe, Ariz.

“I decided, ‘You know what? I’m going to use this vehicle to capture these stories of these folks that are here — have them tell their story and upload a new video every couple of weeks focused on your regular neighbors, the artists and some of the businesses that are there,’” Chalarca says.

MEET THE NEIGHBORS

Though he has no previous oral history or audiovisual experience, Chalarca is a longtime fan of the StoryCorps project, which airs on NPR, and the simple power of someone sharing their experiences. He’s also wanted to harness the potential inherent in YouTube but says he never had an angle — until WECAN Man. Using just his phone and an external microphone, Chalarca asks his subjects questions about their lives and work. He also requests that each person nominate an additional resident for the project. The diverse set of interviewees has included Grind AVL General Manager Curtis Langley, artist Julieta Fumberg and longtime Southside resident Roy Harris.

CONVERSATIONAL: Longtime Southside resident Roy Harris, left, is introduced by WECAN Man founder JP Chalarca.

The YouTube video project shares stories of individuals who live and work in the West End Clingman Avenue Neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Chalarca Through both the series and informal talks with neighbors, Chalarca says he has quickly learned the ways in which WECAN was shaped by the Flood of 1916, as well as its ongoing transformation into a destination within Asheville.

“The parade of people that come through Clingman Avenue that are coming from the breweries down to the [River Arts District] galleries is growing,” says Chalarca, who co-owns the BryceAshe business consultancy firm with Miller. “I see folks making that trek on foot every day.”

He adds that several recently approved housing and mixed-use

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projects are likely to change the landscape even more, all of which have contributed to his advocate mindset.

“The neighborhood has its own distinct history,” Chalarca says. “It’s been curiously multiethnic and multicultural for much of its history, and it’s just going to continue changing in very interesting ways as more and more development comes through here.”

TAKING ROOT

Chalarca’s initial goal for WECAN Man is to get 100 subscribers on the YouTube channel, at which point he’ll invest in a higher-quality microphone. He also hopes to eventually monetize the project and reinvest the funds in the neighborhood for various maintenance projects, as well as take the technical aspects of the videos themselves to the next level.

“As the viewership grows and as the content grows, then it’ll probably get a little bit more intricate, and we’ll start playing around with different ideas and with different lighting and camera angles and all of that,” Chalarca says.

The enhanced technical parameters should allow him to better capture such epiphanies as the one he recently experienced with artist James Love, whose show Artificial/ Art Official — which closed Sept. 12

at Pink Dog Creative — explores his professional evolution.

“James had a very recent self-awareness realization about who he wants to be as an artist,” Chalarca says. “And of all people, one of the inspirations that he has was Marilyn Manson, the singer. So that was very eye-opening and interesting for me to go through that process of discovery with him and try to understand what his own ‘aha’ moment was to set him free that way.”

Along with Chalarca’s original interviews, the YouTube channel also features a 2006 documentary about WECAN, written by Althea Mathews, directed by D. Smith and produced by Foo Dogs Film. Chalarca received the film from neighbor Joe Fioccola after Chalarca took over Fioccola’s vacated spot on the city’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee earlier this year.

Impressed by the feature, Chalarca chopped the 45-minute work in three parts and made them the WECAN Man’s initial posts. In turn, he established a fascinating foundation from which to explore the neighborhood’s immense changes over the subsequent years — as well as the ongoing shifts whose impacts have yet to materialize.

To learn more and view the videos, visit avl.mx/ac4.

— Edwin Arnaudin X

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VISUAL ART

Painting the past Local artist honors Black female domestic workers

BY ARNOLD WENGROW a.wengrow@yahoo.com At 85, Asheville artist Connie Bostic maintains a creative pace that younger artists could envy. Almost every year since 1989, she has created major exhibitions of new work.

In each one, she finds fresh perspectives on two recurring and deeply personal concerns: what it means to grow up female in a small North Carolina town; and what it means to be a woman in a male-dominated society. Along with mining her own history, Bostic also often tackles larger social issues within her paintings, including gun violence, domestic abuse, racial injustice and poverty.

In her latest exhibition, Our Story, Bostic returns to her Spindale child-

hood. In 16 paintings, the artist pays tribute to the many local Black women who cared for white children in the first half of the 20th century.

COMMUNITY INPUT

The new series, says Bostic, “was sparked by a snapshot of my sister and me flanking an African American woman standing in front of my grandmother’s wisteria tree. I don’t remember the woman’s name, but I do remember being awestruck by the angle of the pockets on her dress.”

Bostic acknowledges that in the era of Black Lives Matter, a white artist exploring the role of African Americans in subservient roles might be courting controversy. The concern stayed with her throughout the early stages of the series, especially as white

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OUR STORY: A photograph from her childhood inspired artist Connie Bostic to create the untitled oil painting featured. The solo piece ultimately led to her latest exhibit, Our Story, opening Sept. 17 at Pink Dog Gallery. Photograph

by Lindsay West friends continued to share their own photos of these important caregivers.

“Did I have any right to depict these women?” she remembers asking herself. “Was this cultural appropriation?”

Seeking input from the African American community, Bostic invited four friends to individually visit her studio and react to the project: Annette Coleman, a retired banker and community leader; DeWayne Barton, founder of Hood Huggers International; storyteller Roy Harris; and photographer Andrea Clark.

“This was the real world, this is what happened,” Coleman says of Bostic’s paintings.

These Black women, Coleman continues, were often the first teachers these white children had. “They learned valuable lessons from them,” she notes.

Meanwhile, Harris recalls walking into the studio and spotting a familiar face — Tempie Avery, a beloved African American nurse, midwife and former slave of Asheville attorney and state Sen. Nicholas Woodfin. (To learn more, see “Tuesday History: The Half-Known Life of Tempie Avery,” Oct. 17, 2017, Xpress.)

“I’m a storyteller,” Harris says, “I got what [Bostic] was trying to do right away.”

Like Coleman, Harris considers the exhibit a part of the city’s collective history. And when it comes to a community’s past, Harris emphasizes, “My story is your story, your story is their story, and their story is our story.”

UNTITLED WORKS

Unlike previous works, Bostic did not title any of her paintings in Our Story. Instead, each is identified with a number. The artist believes that works without titles require visitors “to think a little more deeply about what it’s about.”

Along with considering each work, Bostic hopes the public contemplates what the collection represents. The Black women featured in the exhibit, the artist notes, were an indelible part of the story of the children they helped raise.

At the same time, “it was our story too,” Bostic says, echoing Harris’ earlier point. “The fact that white people kept these photographs meant something. There is no doubt that these women played an important part in the social fabric of America. They deserve recognition.” X

WHAT Connie Bostic’s Our Story opening reception WHERE Friday, Sept. 17, 6-8 p.m.

The series will remain on exhibit through Sunday, Oct. 17, by appointment. Free.

WHEN Pink Dog Gallery, 348 Depot St. avl.mx/adl

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FOOD ROUNDUP

What’s new in food

When it comes to coffee, Bow Smith prefers regular drip, and he drinks it black. “I am a boring coffee drinker,” he confesses. “But I enjoy making all the experimental fun stuff.”

That’s a good thing, because Smith is also the co-owner — with his College of Charleston Class of 2018 buddy, Holden Curran — of Rowan Coffee, a new downtown coffee shop and café that opened Sept.

4 directly across Broadway from the Center for Craft.

During college, Smith and Curran learned the business working at Black Top Coffee (now Second State), taking weekend trips to Asheville to enjoy the area’s music and outdoor scenes. After graduating, the pair moved to Asheville, and while on COVID-19 furlough from jobs at local coffee shops, they built two mobile coffee carts and began developing their brand with a full espresso menu and some seasonal specials.

In October 2020, Smith and Curran signed the lease on the shotgun space at 66 Broadway and began buildout to their vision of vintage-modern, Old Europe style in dark wood and coffee tones. The store seats about 30 at tables and a bar where guests can watch the baristas at work. With the additional space for storage and prep, they have expanded the menu of signature coffee drinks they popularized with their mobile model.

On the opening menu at Rowan is the Bloody Basil, which Smith describes as “like a cold espresso tonic with some blood-orange juice, fresh basil, basil syrup.” There’s also the New Partner, another cold espresso drink with carrot juice and jasmine-ginger syrup. A full tea menu includes chai and matcha.

The food will be Spanish cold and hot tapas, including the classic Spanish tortilla, charcuterie with Spanish meats and cheeses, croquetas, Spanish meatballs (Martín’s own recipe) and desserts.

Sunday brunch will have additional menu items.

The space, says Ward, is cozy with 40 seats at the bar and tables. “You will get to know your neighbors,” she says with a laugh. “Debra wants you to feel you are leaving Black Mountain and walking into Spain when you come through our door.”

La Tapería will be open ThursdaySaturday 2-10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at 203 W. State St., Black Mountain. avl.mx/ad2

DOUBLE SHOT: Holden Curran, left, and Bow Smith have perked up 66 Broadway with their new Rowan Coffee shop. Photo by Jess Cord Also available are breads and pastries from local bakers, including Waves of Grain and pastry chef Kelsianne Bebout (also of All Souls Pizza). Bebout offers seasonal vegan pastries such as sumac-coriander apple crostatas, pumpkin cardamom doughnuts and banana bread with local pecans, all made with Farm & Sparrow flours and produce from local farmers.

Rowan Coffee is open 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. daily at 66 Broadway. avl.mx/acx

Taps and tapas

Debra Martín invites you to stamp your passport for Spain just 15 miles east of Asheville. The successful businesswoman has opened La Tapería, a wine and tapas bar that brings her 28

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love for the culture and cuisine of Andalusia to Black Mountain.

“This is a passion project for Debra,” says sommelier and General Manager Melissa Ward, former co-owner of Rustic Grape. “She lived and taught in Spain for many years, married into a Spanish family and adapted a lot of recipes from her former mother-in-law.”

Martín purchased and began renovating the building on State Street two years ago, whetting anticipation among Black Mountain residents for a scheduled opening the second weekend of September. Behind the bar are eight wine taps and four for local beer. The wine list is about 70% Spanish; cocktails will also be available as well as a house sangria with alcoholic and nonalcoholic versions.

Beer here

Beer from here and there — including breweries in Colorado, Ohio, Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts, Georgia and New York — will be poured at the third Above the Clouds Festival hosted by Bhramari Brewing Co. at its Lexington Avenue location on Saturday, Sept. 18.

“We are focused on the best offerings from breweries at the top of their game,” says Bhramari’s Allison Simpkins. “Some out-of-town participants will be present on-site and others’ products will be poured at shared stations by our staff.”

The Bhramari kitchen and Rice Wagon food truck will have food for sale, DJ Phantom Pantone will spin the day’s soundtrack and Ink Pusher will do live T-shirt screen printing.

General admission tickets include entry 1-6 p.m., glassware and unlimited samples; VIP tickets admit guests an hour earlier and include a bottle of special release Bhramari barrel-aged stout.

The festival will take place at 101 S. Lexington Ave. For tickets and a complete list of participating breweries, visit avl.mx/ad5.

Brick and Morsel On Sept. 10, barely a year after popping her pop-up and online cookie business out of the oven, Morsel Cookie Co. founder and owner Caroline Dockery opened a storefront in Woodfin. “The store offers a more direct way for the customer to get exactly what they would like rather than ordering a larger quantity online and having to

wait for delivery,” Dockery explains.

The shop will also offer cookie cakes by the slice, PennyCup Coffee Co. coffee and storefront-only exclusive flavors.

Seating in the tiny space will be limited (and depend on COVID updates); online ordering will continue for now, and Morsel will maintain its tent at the East Asheville Tailgate Market through the end of the season.

Morsel Cookie Co. Cookie Shop at 175 Weaverville Highway, Unit D, is open Friday-Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. avl.mx/89s

Flavors of fall

Disregarding the premature arrival of certain famous seasonal beverages, Ginger’s Revenge and Asheville Tea Co. are right on time with their highly anticipated autumn perennials.

Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Drive, celebrates the return of limited-edition Fall Harvest ginger beer made with organic pumpkin, cinnamon basil from Rayburn Farms in Barnardsville and anise hyssop from Stellar Farm & Wine in Mars Hill.

Fall Harvest debuted Sept. 10 in the Riverside Drive tasting room and is available in select breweries, bars and restaurants across the state.

The release of the beer also kicks off the second iteration of Socktoberfest with BeLoved Asheville. Donations of socks, tents, backpacks, Sterno cans, hand warmers, sleeping bags, ski gloves, thermals and flashlights are accepted at the tasting room through the end of October. “The goal of Socktoberfest is to contribute supplies for our unhoused community bracing for a cold Appalachian winter,” says Ginger’s Revenge co-founder Cristina Hall Ackley.

“We’re also accepting monetary donations to help BeLoved Asheville

continue their work to build deeply affordable housing.”

For more information, visit avl.mx/ad6 If a warm beverage is more your cup of tea, Asheville Tea Co. has you covered with the return of fall fave flavor Spiced Apple Butter. Created four years ago as a special at the Valle Country Fair fall festival in Valle Crucis, the blend is an ode to the childhood memories of Asheville Tea Co. founder Jessie Dean and sister Melissa Dean. “Growing up, we went to a festival every year that centered around traditional ways of making apple butter,” recalls Melissa. The tea, with its flavor notes of warm cider, apple pie and brown butter, sold out its first year, so the company has made it a recurring seasonal blend.

Asheville Tea Co. products are sold at local retail locations and online at avl.mx/ad8.

Green acres

Don’t let the early birds get all the passes to the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s annual ASAP Farm Tour. The tour’s stops at 21 farms in Buncombe, Haywood and Henderson counties are all within an hour’s drive of Asheville.

The tour, Saturday-Sunday, Sept.

18-19, is an outdoor event and will follow current state guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Visitors who are not vaccinated should wear a mask and maintain social distancing while on the tour.

Advance passes, which cost $35 per car for both days, are on sale through midnight Sept. 17. After that, passes will be sold at participating farms for $45, depending on availability. For more information and to buy passes, visit avl.mx/9s3.

— Kay West X

Buncombe Partners in Prevention, a collaborative involving Helpmate, Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Our VOICE, and Pisgah Legal Services, has developed a Community Violence Prevention Task Force that meets monthly to discuss community preventive services and programs and other interventions aimed at improving life in Buncombe County. Our goal is to promote healthy relationships where people live, learn, work, play, and worship, ultimately reducing the perpetration of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and child abuse in Buncombe County.

The Violence Prevention Task Force is open to the public and welcomes folks of all experiences. Whether you're a curious community member or involved with a specific organization, we'd love to share in this work with you! Depending on COVID conditions and restrictions, these meetings are hybrid, with the option of attending either in-person or virtually every fourth Wednesday of the month from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm. We encourage you to join us.

These meetings will be simultaneously presented in Spanish, English, and ASL. Please email ptfimplementationteam@gmail.com for the Zoom link or more information.

Estas reuniones se presentarán simultáneamente en español, inglés y ASL. Por favor, envíe un correo electrónico a ptfimplementationteam@gmail.com para obtener el enlace de Zoom o más información.

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ROUNDUP

Around Town

Pride stays visible with Pack Square art project Blue Ridge Pride made the tough choice of canceling all its scheduled Pride events for September due to surging COVID-19 numbers. But one group initiative will still be visible throughout the month.

Cup of Me, an art project installed by about 20 volunteers, consists of colorful strips of clothing hanging from a large conifer tree near the main stage in Pack Square Park.

Teacups dangle from the strips. All items were donated by WNC Bridge Foundation’s thrift stores.

“I wanted to see art and inclusion of art in the overall experience of Pride,” says Tony Bayles, festival director. “I wanted to create a piece that not only connected the LGBTQ+ community, but also connected to the larger community of all of us in this region and beyond. The torn clothing

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felt like a good representation of our past lived experiences, and the idea that at times we need to shed the past experiences to move forward.”

Meanwhile, the teacups symbolize a chance for folks to distill those past lives and spill out knowledge and wisdom, Bayles continues.

Bayles hopes Cup of Me will bring “a smile with childlike curiosity” to the faces of those who visit it, while reinforcing Blue Ridge Pride’s message of inclusion and kindness.

The installation will be in place throughout the month for people who want to see it in person. Blue Ridge Pride also has set up a page on its website that allows people to share their own Cup of Me stories, pictures or videos. Story categories include “shame,” “rebirth,” “community” and “family.”

For more information, visit avl.mx/ad3.

Art in the streets

The Weaverville Business Association will present the 14th annual Art in Autumn Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Main Street. The fine art and craft show will include 112 juried artists from throughout the Southeast in a number of disciplines.

“We have a good creative vibe on Main Street, and folks look forward to seeing what’s new at Art in Autumn each year, as well as seeing new work from returning artists,” says Beth Mangum, a member of the planning committee. “Art in Autumn has been a good fit for the community because it highlights both creative and positive community vibes.”

Justin Rabuck, organizer of Asheville’s Big Crafty arts and crafts bazaar, will be the judge. Best of show, second and third places, and honorable mentions will be awarded.

Featured artists will include Chuck Young and Deana Blanchard from Selena Glass and Metal in Burnsville, Janice Schmidt of Goddess Rags in Weaverville and Marcus Thomas, a Weaverville painter.

The event will also include live music under the awning at Rodney’s Auto Service, 37 N. Main St., beginning at 10:30 a.m. Jazz pianist Mitch Hampton kicks things off and will be followed by Lillian Chase and Travis Stuart (bluegrass, noon), One Leg Up (jazz, 1:30 p.m.) and Steelin’ Time (steel guitar band, 3 p.m.)

MOUNTAINX.COM

BRANCHING OUT: Blue Ridge Pride volunteers hang strips of clothing from a tree in Pack Square Park. The Cup of Me exhibit “invites people to resurrect their past in all its tattered color,” says Tina White, executive director. Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Pride Masks will not be required outdoors, but organizers want visitors to be respectful of artists who ask people to wear them inside their booths. Masks are required indoors.

Additionally, a FEMA pop-up vaccine clinic will be parked in front of Town Hall, 14 S. Main St. “We hope that folks will find something original they can take home and also a positive impression with our town,” Mangum says.

For more information, go to avl.mx/7zg.

Heritage Day returns Janet Wiseman traces her Western North Carolina roots back

seven generations to some of the earliest white settlers of the area.

“I have a lot of pride and interest in the lives of my ancestors and the hardships they endured, the items they made by hand out of necessity,” says Wiseman, education director of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

“The culture that evolved is unique in the world, primarily due to the extreme isolation and rural nature of the Southern Appalachians for so many years.”

That culture will be on display at the 41st annual Heritage Day at the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Folk Art Center on Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The free event, held by the craft guild, features demon-

Chamber hosts family event

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Chamber Family Get-Down by the River at Salvage Station on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 3:30-6:30 p.m.

The free event will feature bouncy houses, kids activities, food from local caterers, beer and nonalcoholic beverages, as well as live music from students of the Rock Academy and a performance

by Mars Hill University’s Bailey Mountain Cloggers.

Also on tap is a reception honoring local COVID-19 humanitarians. “Individuals representing a variety of industries will be recognized for their ‘above and beyond’ approach to helping fellow community members navigate the pandemic,” according to a chamber press release.

For more details, go to avl.mx/ad9.

Pan Harmonious After more than a year away, Pan Harmonia will perform community concerts in Asheville throughout the fall.

The chamber music repertory company gets things started Sunday, Sept. 19, at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 40 Church

The Thomas Wolfe Memorial is inviting students and teachers to participate in the 2021 Telling Our Tales writing competition.

Students are asked to submit a work of fiction inspired by Wolfe’s short story “One of the Girls in Our Party.” The story first appeared in the January 1935 edition of Scribner’s magazine. It is written from the perspective of Miss Blake and highlights her travels across Europe with a bus group.

First-, second- and third-place winners will be chosen from three groups: grades fourth-fifth, sixtheighth and ninth-12th. Submissions may be hand-delivered, postmarked or emailed by 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9.

For more information or to submit an entry, go to avl.mx/81k.

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Experience the joy of dance, classes for all ages

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St. That performance will feature Kate Steinbeck on flute and John Wickey on harp.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Attendees must wear masks and be fully vaccinated.

To reserve a spot, go to avl.mx/adi.

1501 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806 828.761.1277

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strations of traditional crafts such as woodworking, weaving, spinning, dyeing, broom making, stone carving, blacksmithing, soap making and printmaking.

Visitors will have the opportunity to try their own hand at some of the crafts at an activity table.

“It is an event that summons the feelings for me of a family reunion,” Wiseman says.

A music tent will feature bluegrass and gospel artists such as Cary Fridley and Old Time Friends, Split Rail and Buncombe Turnpike.

For many, though, the highlight of the event is the annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition at 2 p.m. A whimmy diddle is an Appalachian mountain toy traditionally made from two sticks of rhododendron. Notches are carved into one stick, and a propeller is attached to the end. Rubbing the notches with the second stick makes the propeller spin.

Masks are required at all time inside the Folk Art Center, located at Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

For more information, visit avl.mx/ad7.

Asheville’s Premier Professional Ballet Academy

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— Justin McGuire X

MOVIE LISTINGS Bruce Steele’s and Edwin Arnaudin’s latest critiques of new films available to view in local theaters and via popular streaming services include: THE CARD COUNTER: Paul Schrader puts an enthralling spin on the well-worn poker sub-genre with help from a terrific lead performance by Oscar Isaac. It’s the second best narrative feature of 2021 thus far, behind The Green Knight. Grade: A-minus. Rated R MALIGNANT: Director James Wan (Insidious; The Conjuring) makes an unimpressive return to horror with this technically sound but unintentionally funny tale of a killer’s mysterious link with a Seattle woman. Grade: D. Rated R

OPEN AND LOVING THE TREEHOUSE ASHEVILLE, NC For bookings, contact Heather at

(703) 217-8078 hlrudzenski@gmail.com or

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX HEALING CIRCLE A mini festival celebrating the change of seasons, to help you find your WORTH, step into your POWER and speak your absolute TRUTH.

Wed., Sept. 22, 2021

•

12pm-10pm

Releasing. Letting go. Accepting.

Finding your worth. Meeting your community.

Creating your peace. Standing in your SELF. Some of the activities include: Art Therapy • Sound Healing Shadow Work • Community Cooking Hammock Hang • Gratitude Circle of Fire

@mirr0ry0urmagic “The entire sum of existence is the magic of being needed by just one person.” ...YOU.

ONLY 6 spaces available!

Find full reviews and local film info at ashevillemovies.com patreon.com/ashevillemovies MOUNTAINX.COM

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CLUBLAND

k

The featured icon indicates which venues or artists require proof of vaccination for upcoming shows. Due to the evolving nature of the matter, the list may not be comprehensive.

Before heading out, please check with all venues for complete information on any vaccine or negative COVID-19 requirements.

For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 12 BONES BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm 185 KING STREET Trivia Night, 7pm 305 LOUNGE & EATERY Mark Fisher (solo acoustic), 1pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY • Beauty Parlor Comedy w/Dave Waite, 7pm • Move On Up: Soul/R&B Night, 9pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic , 8pm BEN'S TUNE UP Big Blue (jam), 8pm BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING Jay Brown (roots), 6pm BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER Trivia Night, 6pm CASCADE LOUNGE Open Bluegrass Jam, 12pm CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE General Themed Trivia Night w/Bingeable, 7pm CORK & CRAFT WINE BAR Albi Podrizki (acoustic), 6pm FBO AT HOMINY CREEK Old Timey Jam by the River (musical collaboration), 6pm HANDLEBAR & GRILL Ladies Night Karaoke, 7pm HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Songwriter Series w/ Matt Smith, 6pm ICONIC KITCHEN & DRINKS Marc Keller (acoustic), 6pm MYSTIC DOME STUDIO Open Jam in the Dome (open mic), 6:30pm OFF THE WAGON All Request Piano Show, 8pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. French Broad Valley Mountain Music Jam, 6pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Anesthesia (psychedelic power trio), 9pm

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ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Latin Night, 6-9:30pm RENDEVOUS Albi Podrizki (jazz), 7pm SALVAGE STATION DJ Logic w/Electro Lust, 6:30pm SILVERADOS Open Mic Night, 7pm SLY GROG LOUNGE Church Girls w/The Smoky Mountain Sirens & The Half that Matters (alt rock, post-punk, pop-punk), 7:30pm SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY Jazz Night w/Jason DeCristofaro, 5:30pm SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Witty Wednesday Trivia, 6:30pm THE 2ND ACT Round Robin Open Mic w/Letters to Abigail, 6pm THE DUGOUT Open Bluegrass Jam w/ The Well Drinkers, 8pm THE GREY EAGLE Jill Andrews (Americana)k 8pm THE ODDITORIUM Odd Fest w/Bumpin' Uglies (EDM dance party), 8pm THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN The B's (jazz, standards), 7pm THE SOCIAL Karaoke w/DJ Lyric, 8pm TRISKELION BREWING CO. TriskaTrivia, 7pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish Music Circle, 7pm

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 131 MAIN Aaron LaFalce (soul, rock, pop), 6pm 185 KING STREET Forest Sun (Americana), 7pm 305 LOUNGE & EATERY Bob Sherill (singer-songwriter), 1pm ASHEVILLE CLUB Mr Jimmy (blues), 5pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Swing Step (jazz, swing), 7:30pm ATTIC SALT THEATRE The SuperHappy Trivia Challenge, 7pm

PET PROJECT: Craggy Blues Band will be among several artists performing at Rockin’ for Rescue at Blue Ghost Brewing Co. in Fletcher Saturday, Sept. 18, 2-9 p.m. The event will raise money for the Asheville Humane Society. Other featured musicians include The Remainders, F2C, My Blue Hoodie Band and Onionfang.

Photo courtesy of Craggy Blues Band BEN'S TUNE UP Offended! Open Mic (comedy), 9:30pm CASCADE LOUNGE Team Trivia, 7:30pm DOWNTOWN HENDERSONVILLE SOUTH MAIN STREET Rhythm & Brews Concert Series w/ Mike & the Moonpies (neotraditional country, Americana), 5:30pm GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM Gluten-Free Comedy (open mic), 6pm

MAD CO. BREW HOUSE Ryan Furstenberg (Americana), 5pm

RENDEZVOUS Gin Mill Pickers (Americana, Piedmont blues, ragtime), 6:30pm

MILLS RIVER BREWING Funky Ass Trio Jam (funk), 6pm

RYE KNOT KITCHEN BREWERY DISTILLERY Chris Flanders (acoustic), 6pm

OFF THE WAGON All Request Piano Show, 8pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Kid Billy (Americana, roots), 8pm

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Wildlife Trivia w/WNC Nature Center, 6pm

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Phursdays w/Gunslinging Parrots (Phish tribute), 9:30pm

ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Will Overman (Americana, folk rock), 7:30pm

PISGAH BREWING COMPANY King Garbage (soul), 6:30pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew & the Boys, 7pm

RENDEVOUS Gin Mill Pickers (folk, blues, Americana), 6:30pm

WHISTLE HOP BREWING CO. Jazz and Wine Night w/ Adi the Monk, 6pm

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Open Mic, 6pm

185 KING STREET Carver Commodore (rock), 8pm

THE FOUNDRY HOTEL The Foundry Collective (jazz, acoustic), 8pm

ALOFT ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN Andrew Thelston (rock), 7pm

THE GREY EAGLE • The High Divers (rock) k 6pm • Mo Lowda & The Humble w/Pink Beds & Little Bird (indie, new wave, Americana) k 9pm THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Rod Sphere (rock), 5:30pm THE ORANGE PEEL Clutch (rock)k 8pm TRISKELION BREWING CO. Open Mic Night, 7pm

ALOFT HOTEL Andrew Thelston (rock, blues, folk), 7pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Everybody Free Dance Party, 10pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Mr Jimmy (blues), 7:30pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL SoDown (dance/ electronic), 10pm

BEN'S TUNE UP DJ Kilby Spinning Vinyl (throwback dance party), 10pm BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Acoustic Swing (acoustic duo), 7pm BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER Gin Mill Pickers (folk, blues, Americana), 6pm BURNTSHIRT VINYARDS CHIMNEY ROCK J. Stephens (singer-songwriter), 5pm CORK & KEG Soul Blue (soul, R&B) k 8pm DIRTY JACK'S The Dirty French Broads (Americana), 8pm DRY FALLS BREWING CO. Billingsley (rock), 7pm FLEETWOOD’S Lavender Blue, Bex, Tombstone Poetry (indie rock), 8pm GETAWAY RIVER BAR Cincinnati Comedy Takeover, 8pm ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Jesse Terry w/Ed Woltil (Americana, indie)k 7pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Resonant Rogues (Appalachian old-time, New Orleans jazz), 7:30pm MAD CO. BREW HOUSE Crystal Fountains (bluegrass), 6pm The Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs (Americana), 6pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Last Full Measure (folk, blues), 8pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL The Runaway Grooms (psychedelic Americana), 7pm PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Floating Action (Southern rock, soul, folk), 6:30pm

POINT LOOKOUT VINEYARDS The Legacy Motown Revue (oldies, soul), 7:30pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL The Grass is Dead (bluegrass, Grateful Dead), 8pm

SAWYER SPRINGS VINEYARD Myron Hyman (classic rock, blues), 2:30pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 5pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE Marceline’s Menagerie (drag), 8:30pm

BLUE GHOST BREWING COMPANY Rockin' for Rescue, 2pm

ST. PAUL MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS IN FLAT ROCK Friday Night Jams w/ Wiregrass (bluegrass), 6pm

BURNTSHIRT VINYARDS CHIMNEY ROCK Letters to Abigail (Americana), 2pm

SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Space Granny (blues, soul, funk), 6pm THE BLACKBIRD RESTAURANT George Terry Trouble Project (rock), 10pm THE DUGOUT Pleasantly Wild (alt rock), 8pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL Hot Club of Asheville (jazz), 8pm THE GREENHOUSE MOTO CAFE Billy Presnell, Mark McDaniel (progressive banjo fusion), 8pm THE GREY EAGLE Charles Wesley Godwin (Americana)k 9pm WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Commodore Fox (rock, dance), 8:30pm

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 185 KING STREET George Fetner and the Strays (soul, R&B), 11pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY • Beauty School Dropouts (comedy), 10pm • Sacrilege: Goth Party, 10pm ASHEVILLE CLUB Kyle Corbett (acoustic), 6:30pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Bandemics ft. Clem Fandango (rock), 7:30pm

DIRTY JACK'S Avant's Attic (jam, rock), 8pm DRY FALLS BREWING CO. David Payne (Americana), 7pm FALLOUT ART SPACE Chilltonic w/Joshua Redmond & Lucky James and the Highrollers, 7pm GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM Nathan Fox, Spencer Thomas (Americana), 4pm ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 The Music of Simon & Garfunkel performed

by Swearingen & Kelli, 7:30pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB The Trusty Hucksters (rag-a-billy, swing), 8pm

SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Scoundrels Lounge (rock, soul), 5pm THE BLACKBIRD RESTAURANT The Prestones (instrumental jazz, pop), 10pm THE DUGOUT The Loudes (punk, folk, rock), 8pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL Jazz Soul Trio, 8pm THE GREENHOUSE MOTO CAFE Karma Dogs Make-AWish Benefit (rock), 7pm THE GREY EAGLE • Mitchel Evan & The Saboteurs (singer/ songwriter)k 6pm • D.R.I. w/Deathwish (indie, rock)k 9pm THE GROCERY Jay Brown (roots), 6:30pm TRISKELION BREWING CO. Pleasantly Wild (alt rock), 2:30pm TURGUA BREWING CO Life Like Water (contemporary folk), 5pm WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT DJ Phantom Phantonew/DJ Strongmagnumopus, 2pm

185 KING STREET Open Electric Jam w/ the King Street House Band ft. Howie Johnson, 6:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. ALR Trio (blues, rock), 8pm

AMERICAN VINYL CO. Computer Science w/ Maya Lucia (pop, punk, surf rock), 7pm

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Awen Family Band (world boogie), 10pm

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Life's a Drag Brunch in Downtown, 11:30am Sunday Dance Party w/ DJ RexxStep, 10pm

SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. Phuncle Sam (Grateful Dead tribute), 2pm

Try us online each day.

Essential updates.

Original reporting.

Daily at 2 p.m.

Sign up at MountainX.com/Newsletters

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

JIMMY'S ON THE RIVER Lucky James (Americana), 7pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA Kaizen (power trio), 7-10pm

You know us in print each week.

ASHEVILLE CLUB Vaden Landers (country blues, honky tonk), 3pm BEN'S TUNE UP Good Vibes Sunday (reggae), 6pm

MOUNTAINX.COM

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

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SEPT. 15-21, 2021

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C LU BL A N D BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING Dark City Kings (rock), 2pm

SWEETEN CREEK BREWING East Coast Dirt-EC3 (jam, rock), 5pm

BURNTSHIRT VINYARDS CHIMNEY ROCK Jason Lyles (pop, rock, folk), 2pm

THE FOUNDRY HOTEL Daniel Shearin (acoustic), 6pm

GETAWAY RIVER BAR Drag Show, 9pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Golden Shoals (Americana), 3pm HOME GROUND COFFEE BAR & DELI Bluegrass Brunch Shindig w/Supper Break, 11:30am ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Russ Wilson & His Famous Orchestra (jazz), 7:30pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Brunch w/ Supper Break, 12pm NOBLE CIDER DOWNTOWN Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 6pm

THE GREENHOUSE MOTO CAFE Chris Wayne (rockabilly), 3pm THE GREY EAGLE • Burlesque Brunchk 12pm • JD Pinkus' Pure Luck Song Swap (Americana, rock)k 5pm Summer Salt w/Covey & Breakup Shoes (Bossa Nova, jazz, pop) k 8pm THE MAGNETIC THEATRE Will Foskey (comedy)k 7:30pm THE ODDITORIUM Weirdo Rippers (post punk, new wave), 5pm THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN Bruce Lang (guitar, vocals), 7pm

OFF THE WAGON All Request Piano Show, 8pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. The Gathering Dark (Americana, folk), 3pm PISGAH BREWING COMPANY The Pisgah Sunday Jam w/Spiro & Nicole (rock, jam, Americana), 6pm RIVERSIDE RHAPSODY BEER CO. Drinkin' & Thinkin' Trivia w/Allie & Alex, 5:30pm STRAIGHTAWAY CAFE Gin Mill Pickers (folk, blues, Americana), 4pm

TRISKELION BREWING CO. Johnnie Blackwell (rock, pop), 3pm TURGUA BREWING CO Katalysst (folk), 4pm WHISTLE HOP BREWING CO. Laura Thurston (Americana, folk), 5pm

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 ARCHETYPE BREWING Trivia Mondays w/Jess, 6:30pm

ASHEVILLE CLUB Freshen Up (comedy, open mic), 7pm HAYWOOD COUNTRY CLUB Open Mic Mondays w/ Taylor Martin, 6:30pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Totally Rad Monday Night Trivia w/Mitch Fortune, 6pm HIGHLAND DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Cheers to Chess!, 5pm LITTLE JUMBO Brian Felix Trio (jazz) k 7pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. It Takes All Kinds Open Mic Night, 7pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Trivia Night, 6pm SILVERADOS Monday Bike Night w/ Contagious (rock), 6pm THE GREY EAGLE Tinder Live w/Lane Moore (comedy)k 8pm THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Mr Jimmy and Friends (blues), 7pm WHISTLE HOP BREWING CO. Lo Wolf (Americana), 6pm

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 185 KING STREET Travis Book & Friends Ft. Robert Greer w/Mike Ashworth and Mike Smith (Americana, bluegrass), 6:30pm

305 LOUNGE & EATERY Bob Sherill (singer-songwriter), 1pm ANTIDOTE The Little Posey Trio (jazz, swing), 6pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Drag Bingo w/ Calcultta, 8pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm GETAWAY RIVER BAR Turntable Tuesday, 10pm HAYWOOD COUNTRY CLUB Grass at the Club (bluegrass), 8pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Team Trivia, 7pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Inside Out Stand-Up Comedy Showcase, 6:30pm THE GREY EAGLE Stephen Day w/Carly Bannister (folk)k 8pm THE PAPER MILL LOUNGE Comedy Night w/ Gregg McGaha, 7pm WHISTLE HOP BREWING CO. Trivia Tuesdays, 6pm

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 12 BONES BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm 185 KING STREET Trivia Night, 7pm

Join us for a day of arts, crafts, music, and more, all in celebration of our Appalachian culture!

Rabun County Civic Center Clayton, Georgia

10 am to 5 pm Admission: $5 Kids 5 & Under: Free

www.foxfire.org/events MOUNTAINX.COM

SEPT. 15-21, 2021

35

BE A PART OF THE

ASHEVILLE GROWN NETWORK SIGN UP NOW AT ASHEVILLEGROWN.COM TO BE INCLUDED IN THE 2022 GO LOCAL DIRECTORY

CLU B LA N D 305 LOUNGE & EATERY Mark Fisher (solo acoustic), 1pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Aquanet: Goth Night, 9pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic , 8pm BEN'S TUNE UP Big Blue (jam), 8pm BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING Jay Brown (roots), 6pm BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER Trivia Night, 6pm CASCADE LOUNGE Open Bluegrass Jam, 12am CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE General Themed Trivia Night, 7pm CITIZEN VINYL Kathryn O’Shea (Americana), 4pm HANDLEBAR & GRILL Ladies Night Karaoke, 7pm HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Songwriter Series w/ Matt Smith, 6pm ICONIC KITCHEN & DRINKS Marc Keller (acoustic), 6pm MYSTIC DOME STUDIO Open Jam in the Dome (open mic), 6:30pm OFF THE WAGON All Request Piano Show, 8pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. French Broad Valley Mountain Music Jam, 6pm

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MOUNTAINX.COM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Anesthesia (psychedelic power trio), 9pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Latin Night, 9pm RABBIT RABBIT Slyvan Esso (electronic pop)k 7pm RENDEVOUS Albi Podrizki (jazz), 7pm SALVAGE STATION Good Vibes Summer Tour 2021: Rebelution and Special Guests, 6pm SILVERADOS Open Mic Night, 7pm SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY Jazz Night w/Jason DeCristofaro, 5:30pm SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Witty Wednesday Trivia, 6:30pm THE 2ND ACT Round Robin Open Mic w/Letters to Abigail, 6pm THE DUGOUT Open Bluegrass Jam w/The Well Drinkers, 8pm THE GREY EAGLE • Vintage Pistol (rock) k 5pm • The Schizophonics (rock)k 8pm THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN The B's (jazz, standards), 7pm THE ORANGE PEEL Son Volt (alt country) k 8pm

THE SOCIAL Karaoke w/DJ Lyric, 8pm TRISKELION BREWING CO. TriskaTrivia, 7pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish Music Circle, 7pm

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 131 MAIN Aaron LaFalce (soul, rock, pop), 6pm 185 KING STREET Josh Daniel (singer-songwriter), 9:30pm 305 LOUNGE & EATERY Bob Sherill (singer-songwriter), 1pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Move On Up: Soul/R&B Night, 9pm ASHEVILLE CLUB Mr Jimmy (blues), 5pm BEN'S TUNE UP Offended! Open Mic (comedy), 9:30pm CASCADE LOUNGE Team Trivia, 7:30pm FLEETWOOD'S Wreckless Eric w/JD Pinkus (punk), 8pm GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM Gluten-Free Comedy (open mic), 6pm ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Dori Freeman w/Kenny Roby (Americana), 7:30pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew & the Boys, 7pm

MILLS RIVER BREWING Funky Ass Trio Jam (funk), 6pm OFF THE WAGON All Request Piano Show, 8pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Phursdays w/Gunslinging Parrots (Phish tribute), 9:30pm PISGAH BREWING COMPANY High Blue Heron (Americana, rock), 6:30pm RENDEVOUS Gin Mill Pickers (folk, blues, Americana), 6:30pm RYE KNOT KITCHEN BREWERY DISTILLERY Chris Flanders (acoustic), 6pm SLY GROG LOUNGE Clementine Was Right & PINKNEY w/Lines Taking Shape (hypnotic post-rock), 8pm SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Open Mic, 6pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL The Foundry Collective (jazz, acoustic), 8pm THE GREENHOUSE MOTO CAFE Marvin King Revue, Jeff Sipe's Kaizen (blues, fusion), 6:30pm THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Rod Sphere (rock), 5:30pm THE ORANGE PEEL Houndmouth (alternative blues)k 8pm TRISKELION BREWING CO. Open Mic Night, 7pm

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FREEWILL ASTROLOGY ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Books are mirrors: You only see in them what you already have inside you,” wrote author Carlos Zafòn Ruiz.

Let’s take that a step further: “Other people are mirrors: You only see in them what you already have inside you.” And even further.

“The whole world is a mirror: You only see in it what you already have inside you.” Have fun playing with these meditations, Aries. The coming weeks will be a fertile time to explore how thoroughly your experiences reflect the activity transpiring in your own brain.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Some spiritual teachers say things like “I am not my body” or “This body is not me.” I don’t understand that.

It’s an insult and disparagement. It’s dismissive of our bodies’ sublime beauty and our bodies’ inspired role in educating our souls. I agree that we are not ONLY our bodies. I agree that a part of us is eternal, not confined to flesh and blood.

But hell yes, I am my body. You are your body. It’s a glorious aspect of who we are. It’s a miraculous creation that has taken millions of years to evolve into the masterpiece it is. So yes, you are your body, and yes, this body is you. I hope you love your body. Are in awe of it. Are pleased to be inside it. If anything is lacking in this department, now is an excellent time to make corrections.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “I know someone who kisses the way a flower opens,” wrote poet Mary Oliver. I’d love for you Geminis to have that experience. The astrological omens suggest it’s more likely than usual to occur sometime soon. Other experiences with a better-thanaverage chance of unfolding in the coming days: allies who speak of intimate subjects in ways that resemble a flower opening; partners who co-create with you in ways that resemble a flower opening; spiritual helpers who offer guidance and help in ways that resemble a flower opening.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “I lie to myself all the time, but I never believe me,” writes Cancerian author S. E. Hinton. Ha! As a Cancerian myself, I confess to the same crime. But I am looking forward to a shift in the coming weeks. I suspect we crabs will be inspired to cut way back on the fibs we try to get away with. You know what that means, right? We’ll be more inclined to trust ourselves, since we’ll be more likely to tell ourselves the truth. Our decisions will be shrewd, and our self-care will be rigorous. Hallelujah!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): My object in this horoscope is to stimulate your imagination in ways nobody else in your life will. You need an influence like me, from outside your inner circle, to administer friendly, playful shocks to jolt you out of habitual ways of thinking. Here we go. 1.

If you were to stow seven parts of your soul in seven objects, what objects would they be? 2.

If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be? 3. If you were a character in a fairy tale or a movie, who would you be? 4.

If you could travel to a place that would teach you what you most need to know, where would it be? 5. If you had a magical animal as your special ally, what animal would it be? 6. If you could sing a song with uncanny healing power for someone you care about, what song would it be? 7. If you could improve your relationship with some part of your body, what would it be?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “There’s nothing wrong with reading a book you love over and over,” writes Virgo author Gail Carson Levine.

Adding to that encouragement, I offer you the following authorizations: There’s nothing wrong with seeking a pleasure you love over and over; or doing a necessary task you love over and over; or performing an energizing ritual you love over and over; or expressing key truths you love over and over. And these permissions will be especially crucial for you to exult in during the coming weeks, dear Virgo: because it’s a time when mindful repetition will be one

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of your strengths and a key to stimulating the deepening experiences you need.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “If I’m a bitch and a fake, is there nobody who will love a bitch and a fake?” Libra author Graham Greene wrote that in his novel The End of the Affair. Here’s my extrapolation: I believe that every one of us, including me, is a bitch and a fake now and then.

We all go through periods when we are not at our best, when we fail to live up to our own high standards. Is it possible that you have recently flirted with such a phase? If so, the cosmos has authorized me to absolve you. You are free you to reclaim your full exquisite beauty. And if you haven’t been a bitch and a fake, congratulations.

It means you have weathered a gnarly storm.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Poet Yves Olade writes, “I’ve started thinking of people as wounds that don’t heal.” To me, that idea is idiotically cynical. Moreover, I think it’s wrong for most of us. The truth is, humans have a natural instinct for healing. They are predisposed to attract experiences that might aid their recovery from difficulties — that might teach them the healing lessons they need. I believe this will be especially true for you in the coming weeks. (P.S.: Dr. Andrew Weil writes, “Any level of biological organization that we examine, from DNA up to the most complex body systems, shows the capacity for self-diagnosis, for removal of damaged structure and for regeneration of new structure.”)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Research suggests that most people think everyone else has more fun than they do. But I’m guessing that only a small percentage of Sagittarians feel that way. You tend to be extra alert for fun, and you have intuitive skill at tracking down fun. In addition, you often take the initiative to precipitate fun. You understand you have a responsibility to generate fun, and you have a talent for generating it. All these capacities will serve you well in the coming weeks. I recommend you raise your mastery of the art and science of having fun to a new level. Be the champion of fun and games for your entire circle.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I’m not engaging in empty flattery when I say that you are unlike anyone else who has ever lived in the history of the world. Your absolute uniqueness is a fundamental fact. Maybe you don’t reflect on this truth very often. Perhaps you feel that it’s not helpful to think about or that it’s irrelevant to your daily decision-making. But I propose that in the next three weeks, you give it a central place in your understanding of your destiny.

Allow it to influence everything you do. Make it a major factor in your decision-making.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Welcome back from the underworld, Aquarius. I hope your time wandering through the maze-like twilight brought you as many fascinating mysteries as confusing questions. I trust you took advantage of the smoky riddles and arresting dilemmas to fortify your soul’s wisdom. I suspect that although your travels may have at times seemed hard to fathom, they have provided you with a superb education that will serve you well in the immediate future.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, the lead character says to a friend, “You filled me with a wild desire to know everything about life.”

Is there a person who might inspire you like that, Pisces? Maybe a person from your past with whom you’ve fallen out of touch? Or is there a person hovering on the outskirts of your life who could stimulate you to have such feelings? Now is a favorable time to seek these influences. I advise you to be bold in your quest to associate with allies who will stimulate your lust for life and teach you crucial lessons.

(P.S.: For extra credit, make abundant use of another theme from Wilde’s book: “The search for beauty is the real secret of life.”)

MOUNTAINX.COM

MARKETPLACE

BY ROB BREZSNY

REAL ESTATE & RENTALS | ROOMMATES | JOBS | SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENTS | CLASSES & WORKSHOPS | MIND, BODY, SPIRIT MUSICIANS’ SERVICES | PETS | AUTOMOTIVE | XCHANGE | ADULT REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ASSISTED LIVING Seven facilities with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths on 20 acres of property.

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person for the position of Office Administrator/Clerical part-time. This is part-time position of 20 to 25 hours per week at $680, depending on workload. Need to be detail-oriented, possess good customer service skills, some cash & items handling skills. Apply Email: angelitadavie@gmail.com

RESTAURANT/ FOOD OPEN HOUSE Holeman & Finch is opening and Hiring all Positions. Email: Manager@holeman-finch-avl.com for more detail.

SODA JERK WANTED AT DOWNTOWN DINER We are hiring at the Soda Fountain! Drop by our location inside Woolworth Walk at 25 Haywood St. in downtown. FT or PT. See you soon!

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THE N EW Y OR K TI M ES C ROSSWORD P UZ Z LE LEGAL NOTICE TO CREDITORS RE: THE ESTATE OF CHARLOTTE JEAN BEACHBOARD Notice to creditors, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Charlotte Jean Beachboard, aka Jean C. Beachboard, deceased late of Buncombe County, North Carolina. The undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned a the address below. This will run six consecutive weeks. If indebted by the mentioned deceased all debts need to be sent to Patricia Ann Beachboard, Executor of the Estate. Please mail all claims owned by Charlotte Jean Beachboard with marked debt and account numbers.

If debts are owed they will be accepted by Patricia Ann Beachboard at 89 Winston Avenue, Asheville, NC 28803.

This is an address change that is current from 25 Harmony Lane, Asheville, NC 28803 (old address). Please be sure and use attention: Patricia Ann Beachboard. Written this day, August 23, 2021.

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edited by Will Shortz | No. 0811

ACROSS

1

1 Prefix with day or night

2

7

8

4 “You can’t possibly mean me?!”

16

17

7 ___ Khan (Muslim title)

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4 10

11

12

13

14

18

23 26

24

27

28

31

29

30

32 33

34 35

36 37

38

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40

41

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46

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57

22 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s alma mater

58

59

60

25 Dude 28 iPad Pro, for one 31 With 48-Down, promotional phrase on some product packages 32 1996 doubleplatinum Beck album

57 It’s $550 for 17-Across/ 8-Down with a hotel on it 58 Directive before “awake” or “woke” 59 “Adorkable” one, maybe 60 20,310 ft., for Denali

DOWN

33 Regulator mechanism, for short

1 Taiwan Strait’s ___ Islands

34 Utter hell, say?

2 “Roger that”

35 N.B.A. great with five championship rings as a player and three as a head coach

3 Result of a damaged hard drive

37 Fix, as loose laces 38 Seemed confused, maybe 46 One told to “Go get ’em!”

47 Provider of a canyon trail ride 49 Appeared poker-faced 55 Whittle (down) 56 Brand with the record for a single car driven the most miles (3+ million and counting)

45

4 One whose porridge was too cold for Goldilocks 5 Pennsylvania petroleum center, once 6 Peeved 8 See 17-Across: Abbr.

9 Paved the way 10 1981’s “Gorky Park” or 2012’s “Gone Girl” 11 Luxury hotel chain 12 “Stuffed” food item at a pub 13 Musician Yoko 14 N.B.A. scoring stat: Abbr.

51

52

53

48

19 Zoned out

24 Footnote abbr.

44

47 50

23 “Mamma ___!”

6

15

49

18 Jan. honoree

5

21

16 Preschooler, say 17 With 8-Down, light blue Monopoly property

9

20

25

15 It’s mostly nitrogen on Earth, but carbon dioxide on Mars

PUZZLE BY JOE DIPIETRO

3

19

8 “Malternative” beverage

|

54

20 Name of 11 pharaohs

41 “___ you for real?”

21 Support column

42 Certain Wall Street takeover, in brief

26 Muppet with a unibrow 27 Effect created by a guitar pedal, informally 29 Magazine highlighting Clio winners 30 It’s been known to chase Wild Turkeys 36 Letter before theta

43 Highly unconventional 44 Large bay window 45 Danish coin 46 Bakers’ amts.

48 See 31-Across 50 Blu-ray forerunner 51 Partner of then

38 Pair of cymbals in a drum kit

52 World Cup cheer

39 Ancient marketplace

53 “Killing ___” (Sandra Oh series)

40 Loser to Truman in 1948

54 Swarm

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS NY TIMES PUZZLE

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