Mountain Xpress 12.10.14 by Mountain Xpress

O U R 2 1 S T Y E A R O F W E E K LY I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S , A R T S & E V E N T S F O R W E S T E R N N O R T H C A R O L I N A V O L . 2 1 N O . 2 0 D E C . 1 0 - D E C . 1 6 , 2 0 1 4

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Celebrate the season The holidays are upon us. And while five-plus weeks of festivities can feel like a marathon, it’s also over in a flash. So take in a parade, visit a craft fair, sample a Christmas cookie, deck the halls, sing a carol, light a menorah, fire up a Yule log and make merry. covER DEsign Lori Deaton photogRaph Pat Barcas

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10 By thE BaRk Josh Kelly looks to the future of WNC’s forests

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12 monEy matchmakERs Accelerating Appalachia helps nature-based businesses get funding

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24 stRangER than fiction? Distant energy healing resonates in Asheville and beyond

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28 highLighting hungER Ingle’s Giving Tree casts a seasonal light on food needs in WNC

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42 hanDy man — Producer Chris Rosser records solo album

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caRtoon By RanDy moLton

Ogden: Two officers drive false narrative about chief of police It saddens my heart to know that William Anderson, the first African- American chief of police of Asheville, is retiring. How did we get to this point? In my professional opinion, the city leadership has allowed two police officers to continue to drive a false narrative, week after week, through the news media (WLOS-TV and the Asheville Citizen-Times newspaper) without disciplinary action. Racist practices and racism within the Asheville Police Department have consciously and systematically been allowed. This is now the culture and climate of the department, where officers have refused to be held accountable, change and take direction from a leader of color. I am very disappointed in city leaders in Asheville who have allowed the rhetoric and behavior of these two disgruntled lieutenants to cause all of this unnecessary drama with the assistance of outside help. These two officers have been allowed to hold the city hostage, ... as if to dare anyone to take action against them. Based on the recent video charade on WLOS, Asheville police Lt. Bill wilke must be fired. He has lost

all credibility and cannot be trusted to lead in any capacity within the Police Department. As a retired senior noncommissioned officer with 21 years of active Army service, I am appalled at his blatant disrespect for the office of chief of police. His true character is being revealed through the media coverage of his negative attitude toward the chief. Wilke, an Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, has brought discredit upon the Army Reserve officers corps. Lt. mark Byrd, as a leader within the department, should have addressed the radar gun issue once he recognized that there were calibration discrepancies with the guns. That’s what leaders do: They fix the problems. But he and others made it personal and had an ax to grind with the chief. He actions were unprofessional. The city and community also have ignored the following: the Franklin Report (a controversial report on the state of race relations in the Asheville Police Department, submitted in September 2007); the strategic plan recommended by the chief; community policing implemented by the chief; promotional opportunities for all officers implemented by the chief and the chief’s accountability for all officers of the APD.

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caRtoon By BREnt BRown

We want to hear from you

coRREction:

Please send your letters to: Editor, Mountain Xpress, 2 Wall St., Asheville, NC 28801 or by email to letters@mountainx.com.

The correct byline for the “Nourishing a Neighborhood” article in the Dec. 3 issue of Xpress is Dorothy Foltz-Gray.

Finally, as the pastor of Hill Street Baptist Church, I am calling for Lt. Wilke’s and Lt. Byrd’s immediate dismissal from the Asheville Police Department by the city manager’s office. Seemingly, we have gone backward instead of moving forward with racial issues and discrimination. Dr. Keith A. Ogden, pastor, Hill Street Baptist Church Asheville

toon by Brent Brown in the Dec. 3 Mountain Xpress was the last straw in a long line of economic commentary by people who seem to have trouble with the concept of supply and demand. If you missed it, the frame has a stereotypical rich couple noting that Asheville is now listed as the city with the most smart people. The wife adds that her waiter and valet have advanced degrees. In the background, a busboy hopes we can become known as a city where educated people can find higher-wage employment. Things just don’t work that way. Employers hire employees who bring specific skills to a task where there is demand. If those are high-paying jobs that require smart people, smart people figure that out and go there. Saturating a low-demand

Editor’s note: Ogden also is president of Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Asheville & Buncombe County.

Reader says cartoon perpetuates troubling view of supply and demand It takes a lot for me to write a letter to the editor, but the car-

area with unfocused educational credentials only increases the competition for relatively few positions. Asheville is a wonderful place for culture, lifestyle and family. It isn’t the smart place to be if you want to get ahead and don’t have specific skills for available opportunities. It is a matter of priorities, and you need the smarts to recognize that. Skip Helms Asheville

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The Gospel According to Jerry

Sternberg rebuts RiverLink

A recent Mountain Xpress article (“Realizing the Full Value of Our Rivers and Greenspaces,” Sept. 26) by my good friend karen cragnolin, the brilliant visionary and advocate who can proudly take credit for the unbelievable renaissance in the River District and who is a newly minted grandmother of the most beautiful grandchild in the world, cries out for vigorous rebuttal on my part. I can only surmise that Karen could possibly be suffering from a malady of diminished memory endemic to many of us who have “grand” attached to our name. To begin with, as a brilliant writer and renowned author and wordsman, I would never use a metaphor such as Humpty Dumpty to express the issues with river redevelopment, for fear of getting egg on my face. Karen paints me as the only naysayer in RiverLink’s drive to redevelop the river zone. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a longtime investor and developer of many river properties, along with the many other property owners and businesspeople along the riverfront, it was in our best interest to see the area improve and prosper.

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The problem was that the RiverLink movement, primarily spearheaded by elitist outsiders with no financial skin in the game, decided they were going to dictate to those of us who owned property and worked hard to feed our families just what we could do with our property. They started with something they called a “charrette” where people wallowed on the floor and drew pictures and plans overlaid on our property with Ferris wheels, boat landings, parks, bike paths, etc. They received copious television and newspaper press and, frankly, scared hell out of all of the river property owners. They denigrated the many recyclers — including auto wreckers, scrapyards, salvage yards and wastepaper recyclers who had served the community for decades — by calling them, as Karen did in her article, “junkyards” unworthy of existence and unwelcome. They decided they had to go but had no suggestion as to in which other neighborhoods these businesses would be welcome.

The eminent Dr. milton Ready came down from his ivory tower at UNC Asheville to honor us with his snarky remark implying that we were Third Worlders by labeling the area “Bangladesh.” Is it any wonder that they didn’t receive our overwhelming support to put us all out of business? They had no understanding of the riverfront or of the culture of the river-business community and its many employees. The owners came to me in desperation, as I was one of the larger property owners and had some political experience in my first prestigious lobbying organization, where I served as president of the Buncombe County Garbage Haulers. I was anointed president for life of the “River Rats,” representing property owners in the French Broad and Swannanoa basin. We finally began to get some grudging respect both from RiverLink and City Council, and we indeed tried our best to cooperate for the good of all the stakeholders. Among other things, I tried to keep Karen from walking into minefields. I warned her that the Earle Chesterfield feed mill and the cotton mill, which RiverLink coveted, were extremely dangerous buildings. They were right across the street from my office and were offered for sale at, excuse the expression, “fire-sale prices.” If they had been such a good deal, one of us river-property investors would have purchased them. Much like the recently demolished ice-

house on Riverside, the cost of bringing the existing buildings up to code was prohibitive. The most recent owners of the cotton mill had let the fire sprinkler system freeze up in a wooden building, where the wooden floors were soaked with cotton seed oil, and the feed mill had feed and fertilizer dust all over the walls and rafters — a disaster waiting to happen. I disagree with the comfortable conspiracy theory that the great fire that destroyed these buildings was an act of arson. Every night as I drove home from work, I could see a bunch of hippies sitting on the front dock of the feed mill smoking dope and skipping rope and I am convinced that a careless cigarette or joint easily started the huge conflagration that destroyed all of the feed mill and most of the cotton mill. I also remind Karen that the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the Asheville Motor Speedway were costly to RiverLink and the county. I want to emphatically state that I am not a racing fan and have only been to one race in my lifetime, and that was at the speedway. I am cognizant of the fact that auto racing started in these hills and has been an important part of our mountain and Southern culture, providing inexpensive entertainment and thrills for many who found it a compelling part of their lives. I am not unmindful that the noise from the track was a nuisance and that the Biltmore company did not want to entertain guests at its new hotel with this noise. I also acknowledge that it might have been time for the track to be closed, but the cavalier disregard for the fans, many of whom were low-income, is inexcusable. It was done in the dark of night, with Mayor Leni sitnick and other conspirators, and was another example of economic and political bullying of the great unwashed by a certain segment of our community. Maybe things would not have turned out differently, as the track was in financial trouble, but at least a valiant effort should have been made to relocate it. You can bet that if the Art Museum is displaced, the same leadership will find a new home before it is shut down. I warned Karen that this action would cause the defeat

of a major bond issue that was proposed for city and county parks and recreation, and sure enough, people who would have never even bothered to vote turned out in droves in retaliation against RiverLink. This animosity exists in the community to this day. When Karen got $2 million from FEMA to buy up riverfront buildings to improve the flood zone, I was the only one who sold out — yes, the ugly blue building across the street from the cotton mill, and at a belowmarket price. I did my best to try to convince two other property owners who were approached to sell their property and showed them how they could benefit. Due to the ineptness of the acquisition team at the city of Asheville that was responsible for the negotiations, these property owners were spooked, and the city ended up having to return more than half the money Karen’s reference to Jerry’s stinking rendering plant emphasizes her lack of knowledge of the history of river properties. I purchased that property from a national firm after it had been closed down for several years for salvage and a tear-down. I subsequently built a new building on the property, over the objection of karen and Jean webb, which is now a children’s fitness center called Asheville Community Movement. (See my commentary, “Fighting City Hall,” Sept. 11, 2014, Xpress.) I worked with Doug wilson, president of RiverLink, in an attempt to obtain right-of-way donations from the river-property owners to build a greenway along the bank of the French Broad from Amboy Bridge to Broadway. I think this failed for lack of funding. I take pride in the most successful joint effort between Karen and myself, won in a hard-fought battle with Asheville to establish a mixed-use zoning district under the UDO allowing everything from industrial to residential use with the exception of LULUs (large undesirable land uses, such as asphalt plants and meat-packing houses). Without this designation, we would not have the new apartment buildings going up on the Dave Steel property or the New Belgium brewery, and many other smaller developments and remodels in the River Arts District. If Humpty Dumpty did in fact fall while watching the race between the tortoise and the hare, I am sure he will end up in a delicious, off-thewall turtle-rabbit omelet. X

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N E W S

By the bark Josh Kelly looks to the future of WNC’s forests

By ERik pEakE

elevenpeake@yahoo.com

What’s the future of Western North Carolina’s public woodlands, particularly the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests? Public lands biologist Josh kelly has worked with the Asheville-based nonprofit WNC Alliance since 2011, helping determine the answer. And with the U.S. Forest Service updating its plans for Pisgah and Nantahala for the first time in 20 years, the issue is especially timely. As regional news nonprofit Carolina Public Press has reported in its “Forest Lookout” series, the Forest Service has hosted several public meetings and is taking public comment on a draft plan through the end of the year. Xpress talked with Kelly about the plan, his background and passion for forests, and what’s next. From playing in the creeks of Madison County to learning from his father how to identify trees by their bark, the biologist has been dedicated to preserving the natural environment. Mountain Xpress: what’s your role with the wnca, which has merged with two other regional environmental groups and will be taking on a new name — mountaintrue — in January? Josh kelly: I’ve been with WNCA since July 2011, and my role here is public lands biologist. Basically, I promote site-specific, beneficial, ecological restoration to the U.S. Forest Service. I also provide site-specific information on other management activities that the Forest Service might propose — such as logging or road-building that might threaten some important natural areas. can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to work for the nonprofit? National forests were the backdrop of my life. I’m from the Spring

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Creek area of Madison County, and I was aware of WNCA from the time I was 13. I actually volunteered for WNCA back when they had what they called “stream teams.” The part of the work I was most interested in was electro-shocking to count fish — to make sure streams were healthy and had vibrant fish populations. That was right up my alley, because I loved to play in the creek. When my dad moved to Madison County, he became good friends with a logger named J.B. Ramsey, and J.B. talked him into getting a sawmill and taught him the trade of being a logger. So my dad actually cut the trees on our land, built our house, did the homesteading thing and had a home sawmill. Part of that craft is being able to identify trees — to know which trees that you want to use for a certain function. For instance, a lot of the siding that Dad cut was out of hemlock, because [it’s] rot-resistant. Oak, on the other hand, worked as a particularly strong timber. Poplar had its own uses. Dad picked up on that stuff, and he was one of several people who taught me how to identify trees from a pretty young age. So I always had sort of a logger’s method of identifying trees, which is with the bark — because you can identify

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in thE tREEs: “My role [is] to try to steer the [U.S.] Forest Service toward ecological restoration as the way to meet its multiple-use mandate — which includes providing timber, clean water and recreation, among other thing,” says WNC Alliance public land’s biologist Josh Kelly. Photo by Pat Barcas

a tree by its bark in all seasons. And then, of course, I got into botany in college, and that really increased my ability to connect with and identify plants and trees. I went to school for biology at UNC Asheville, focused on plant biology there and had some excellent research opportunities as an undergraduate. I was able to participate in two research trips to Guyana in South America and study their plant-life biodiversity. After college, I got a part-time job with the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition documenting oldgrowth forests — the remnant patches of old-growth forests in the most inaccessible parts of WNC. I worked at that job part time for four years and also worked in wilderness therapy and carpentry — along with whatever other occupations I could cobble together. In 2007, I was offered a position with an organization called Wild Law ... a tandem environmental

law firm and environmental advocacy nonprofit, and they brought me on to provide biological expertise. They were orienting much more toward policy — rather than legal activity — and they wanted me to help influence the direction of [U.S.] Forest Service management. Basically, my role was to try to steer the Forest Service toward ecological restoration as the way to meet its multiple-use mandate — which includes providing timber, clean water and recreation, among other things. I’ve always had a love of forests and a love of exploring the local forest, and I like to know what I’m looking at. So if there’s ever something I’m looking at and I don’t know what it is, I try my best to figure it out. That’s how I came to be where I am. can you summarize the nonprofit’s stance on the u.s. forest service’s proposed plan for the pisgah and nantahala national forests? Our take is that we’re more concerned about the location than we

would Bluff mountain be an example of one of those “special areas?” It would be. Bluff Mountain should fall into the backcountry or potential wilderness area category. It’s a very large, untrammeled area with very wild and natural characteristics. And of course, it’s a place that the local community loves and has fought over in the past — no need to have that fight again. one of the most heated debates in the forest plan seems to be an argument over whether to promote wildlife habitats or to protect oldgrowth areas of the forest. what’s your take on that conundrum? WNCA is for all wildlife, and I think that that debate is a false dichotomy.

There’s so little old growth out there that the Forest Service — and anybody else really — has no business cutting it on public land. That’s part of the public land that meets other benefits, besides logging and besides young forest wildlife habitat. When people talk about wildlife, they tend to think of just the young forest species, but there are hundreds of species of wildlife, and not all of them like young forests. That being said, there is also a real need for young forest habitat. So one of the great challenges of the Forest Plan will be to identify those places where we’re going to be creating young forest habitats without infringing on the old-growth forest or on the backcountry areas. If you look at the 10-year running average on how much timber has been cut on Forest Service land, it’s somewhere around 600 acres per year. The Forest Service has recently been selling a little bit more timber, so maybe that average will increase, but really there’s a lot of room to increase the amount of timber harvest you’re talking about. Even if it went up to 2,000 acres annually, that would still leave 800,000 acres that was never touched in the next 100 years. It would seem to me that there would be plenty of room. what about prescribed burns? We have been supportive of prescribed burns recently. In our earlier history, WNCA was opposed to prescribed burns. But as more and more scientific information has come out about the role of fire, it has become clear to our public lands staff that fire does have a beneficial role to play. Humans have been putting out fires for a long time around here, and that’s really changed the ecology of our area. what direction do you hope to see the nonprofit’s forest component take in the future? Our primary goals are to continue to be a voice for natural forests and to increase the connection between those forests and healthy communities. We also seek to foster greater citizen engagement in our public land management. what are some of the nonprofit’s overarching objectives? We have several program areas. We have our public lands/forest program area; we have our water program area — the goal of which is to improve water quality in the French Broad River Basin and

beyond; we also work quite a bit on energy issues, because we think energy affects all the other areas we work in. We have a land-use program that not only promotes, but also helps to accomplish smart growth in communities and assist communities in planning for the future. We have a civic engagement program that involves making sure that people are voting, and hopefully voting on behalf of the environment. Making sure that environmental leaders are getting onto local boards and commissions — a leadership pipeline program — is crucial. X WNCA (MountainTrue) hosts monthly events, including Forest Keeper outings and Asheville Green Drinks discussions. For more information, visit wnca.org. For more, see Xpress’ interview of the nonprofit’s Forest Keeper, Alex Guest at avl.mx/0kt. Carolina Public Press’ “Forest Lookout” series can be found at carolinapublicpress.org. For more on the U.S. Forest Service’s draft Forest Plan, visit the agency website at http://avl.mx/0co.

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are about the amount of logging that is likely to happen in the forests. With the boundaries drawn the way they are in this draft proposal — with the 700,000 acres laid out there and with very few of the special areas we have nominated for protection with the Forest Service being recognized — I think it sets us up for conflict in the future. If those areas aren’t recognized, someone is going to want to log there eventually. And then we’ll be back where we’ve been for the past 20, 30 years — fighting over individual timber sales. ... That model is counterproductive, and we need to move past it. As an example, the North Carolina National Heritage program has identified more than 100 special natural areas in the forest and has asked the Forest Service to evaluate those areas. Yet the program was told [by the Forest Service], “We don’t have to, so we probably won’t. The planning rule doesn’t require us to look at that, so we probably won’t.” A similar situation has occurred with wilderness inventory — the planning rule requires the Forest Service to go through some particular steps to identify potential Wilderness Areas. We saw the agency’s reluctance to go through that process and follow their own rules. We’ve seen those areas be assigned to emphasize logging without even the completion of the wilderness inventory. And we think [that’s] going to set folks who care about wild areas up for conflict with the Forest Service, when that’s really needless. There’s plenty the Forest Service can do outside of those special areas. There’s half a billion acres of forest that don’t qualify as those special areas. The fact that they’re trying to up the ante to 700,000 acres is very troubling.

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mounting maLt: Riverbend Malt House co-owner Brent Manning, left, expanded his production from less than one ton per batch to four tons while working with Sara Day Evans, right. “Our experience with Accelerating Appalachia was definitely a positive one,” says Manning. “We got tied into an amazing network of people in our area that we, frankly, had no idea were available to us.” Photo by Pat Barcas

Accelerating Appalachia helps nature-based businesses get funding

Last year, Accelerating Appalachia orchestrated the transfer of about $505,000 in investment funds toward sustainable, nature-based ventures in Western North Carolina. This year, the Asheville-based nonprofit — the region’s first social-impact business accelerator — partnered with impact investor Reinventure Capital for 2015 and recently invited businesses to submit funding applications online. Submissions for next year’s funding cycle are due by Thursday, Jan. 15, and although entities world-

wide are eligible to submit plans that benefit other locales, the Accelerating Appalachia management team strongly favors local applicants, says founder sara Day Evans, who launched the organization’s initial application drive in January 2013. “If folks from other regions can contribute to improving the soil, seeds, grains, grasses, water, weather in our region, then we want to bring them here,” she says, noting sustainable food, farming, clean energy, forests, textiles, green building, craft brewing and distilling, integrative medicine and more as targeted 2015 project categories. Year one investments were a success, says Evans. “We helped [businesses] get further down the road to really making a positive social and environmental impact,” she says. “Of the 10 businesses

that graduated [from the first round of funding], five of the 10 received investment anywhere from $10,000 to $300,000. They created 35 good jobs, they retained 52 jobs, they added 12 new farmers to their pipeline, and they added 106 new acres to that pipeline,” says Evans, highlighting key achievements. “We picked good businesses.” Acting as a financial matchmaker, Evans pairs selected companies with investors, based on project category fit and the level of funds sought. It’s a process Evans calls “a pathway to prosperity for naturebased businesses.” She also ensures mentorship and networking opportunities for successful applicants, making Accelerating Appalachia a one-stop shop for business growth. impact invEsting “We support businesses that support people, place and prosperity,” says Evans. This approach to investing goes by a host of names — each a different shade of green. Triple bottom line, nonextractive economies and impact investing, for example, all refer to the marriage of financial gain and sustainability. (See “Sustainability Semantics.”) “All of the investors in this network are impact-focused,” says Evans, whose current financial partners include Prosperity Collective, Reinventure Capital, Big Path Capital, Transform Finance, BALLE, Village Capital, Social Capital Markets and AdvantageWest. For both investors and entrepreneurs interested in sustainable business, this alignment of principles is critical. “We are looking for investment, but we’re not just going to take it from anywhere,” says chad oliphant, co-owner of Smiling Hara Tempeh. “[Accelerating

Appalachia investors] are more concerned [with] not extracting from communities than they are about their bottom line.” Local impact investor Dave wheeler says his personal involvement with Accelerating Appalachia ventures like Candler-based Smokin’ J’s Fiery Foods invokes “a whole new type of satisfaction” beyond the monetary gain. “I highly recommend it,” he says. LEaDing LaDiEs “Research out of Emory [University] says female-run impact enterprises at the early stage are outperforming [their male counterparts] by 15 percent, but they are 40 percent less likely to get funded,” says Reinventure board member kevin Jones, a member of Evans’ financial network. His team of investors currently gives a 10 percent quota bonus to women-led businesses and plans to increase the company’s emphasis on female investments if data continues to validate the gender-based performance gap. Although criticized for implementing that quota, Jones claims the disparity aligns with his fiduciary responsibility to Reinventure’s investors. “We’re picking a group that’s outperforming,” he says. According to Evans, 75 percent of last year’s 100 applicants were women-led businesses, suggesting at least a robust female interest in nature-based entrepreneurship. accELERating appaLachia in 2015 “The results of our last round were pretty surprising — even to us,” says Evans, rattling off Riverbend Malt House, Smokin’ J’s Fiery Foods, Bark House, Appalachian Botanical Alliance “and many more” as success sto-

ries. “We’re really excited about the next crop of businesses.” “That was just the first year, so we’ve got a whole lot to live up to,” says Evans, verbalizing her high hopes for 2015. “We’re getting ready to take it to the next level!” X Visit acceleratingappalachia.org for more information or to begin an application for 2015 funding.

Charles Dickens’

dramatic reading performed by

Jim France

Sustainability semantics Financial gains are not incompatible with sustainability, according to many. The following terms, often used interchangeably, illustrate various shades of the notion of conscious commerce. The phrase triple bottom line — coined by consultant John Elkington in 1994, according to The Economist — says a business should measure and attempt to optimize its human capital and environmental impact in addition to the more traditional monetary measure of success. The alliteratively inclined distill this theory as valuing profit, people and planet. Investopedia calls impact investing “a subset of socially responsible investing ... that actively seeks to make a positive impact — investing, for example, in nonprofits that benefit the community or in clean technology enterprises.” Impact investing aims to “build prosperous economies of healthy and sustainable environments for humans and other living things,” according to Reinventure Capital. nonextractive economies refer to economies that support business growth without depleting natural resources. X

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DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

C O M M U N I T Y

C A L E N D A R

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

Calendar Deadlines In order to qualify for a fREE Listing, an event must benefit or be sponsored by a nonprofit or noncommercial community group. In the spirit of Xpress’ commitment to support the work of grassroots community organizations, we will also list events our staff consider to be of value or interest to the public, including local theater performances and art exhibits even if hosted by a for-profit group or business. All events must cost no more than $40 to attend in order to qualify for free listings, with the one exception of events that benefit nonprofits. Commercial endeavors and promotional events do not qualify for free listings. fREE Listings will be edited by Xpress staff to conform to our style guidelines and length. Free listings appear in the publication covering the date range in which the event occurs. Events may be submitted via EmaiL to calendar@mountainx.com or through our onLinE submission form at mountainx. com/calendar. The deadline for free listings is the Wednesday one week prior to publication at 5 p.m. For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/ calendar. For questions about free listings, call 251-1333, ext. 110. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 251-1333, ext. 320.

AnimAls WnC AgriCulturAl Center 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd., 687-1414, mountainfair.org • FR (12/12) through SU (12/14), 8am-2pm - US Dog Agility Association trials. Free.

Benefits DOnAte fOOD fOr MANNA • HOLIDAY singles miX AnD mingle (pd.) Wednesday, December 17, Holiday Mix and Mingle Event (ages 21+). Starts at 6:30pm at the Cantina in Biltmore village. We are collecting food for MANNA FoodBank at this event. To RSVP or for more info, call (828) 242-2555 or see AVlspeedDating.com

takE a hikE: Hey all you outdoorsy types — are you looking to make a new four-legged friend? Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy will host a hike with Brother Wolf Animal Rescue around the SAHC Community Farm in Alexander on Thursday, Dec. 11. Hikers will be paired with a companion dog from Brother Wolf for the journey. The activity is free and provides much needed attention and exercise for the adoptable pups. Image courtesy of Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. (p.19)

feliz nAtAl 859-8322, tryonarts.org • FR (12/12), 6pm - Tickets to this “Holidays Around the World: Portugal!” music and food event benefit the tryon fine Arts Center. $75. Held at Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon HOLIDAY cONcert fOr cHILDreN fIrst 259-9717, childrenfirstbc.org • SU (12/14), 7-9pm Donations gathered at this “Silver and Gold” holiday concert benefit Children first/Communities in schools. Admission by donation. Held at Biltmore United Methodist Church, 376 Hendersonville Rd. HOLIDAY spIrIt eliADA Benefit 989-4117 • SU (12/14), 4-9pm - Tickets to this performance by Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats, Sankofa Electrofolk and Nex Millen benefit eliada

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

childrens Home. $10 or toy donation. Held at New Mountain, 38 N. French Broad HOMetOwN HOLIDAY JAm XiV hometownholidayjam.net • WE (12/10), 7pm Proceeds from this concert sponsored by Asheville Musicians Coalition benefit Mission children’s Hospital and breast cancer research. $10 + one can of food. Held at Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave. NIA fItNess cHrIstMAs cHeer ceLebrAtION 697-7449, nianow.com • SA (12/13), 10-11:30am - Tickets to this dance and sing-along event benefit the salvation Army’s Christmas Cheer program. $15. Held at Henderson County Athletics and Activity Center, 708 South Grove St., Hendersonville

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west AsHevILLe LIttLe LeAgue’s pAreNts NIgHt Out westashevillelittleleague.com • SA (12/13), 5-9pm - Parents may drop their kids off for this dinner and crafts event, which includes games and a movie with Santa. Proceeds benefit West Asheville little league Baseball. $10 per child. Held at West Asheville Baptist Church, 926 Haywood Rd.

ecONOMIc DeveLOpMeNt COAlitiOn 258-6101, ashevillechamber. org/economic-development • WEDNESDAYS, 9am “1 Million Cups,” coffee and networking event for local entrepreneurs. Free to attend. Held at Mojo Coworking, 60 N. Market St. sCOre COunselOrs tO smAll Business 271-4786, ashevillescore.org

Business & tecHNOLOgY

Registration required. Free. • WE (12/10), 5:30pm - “Advanced Internet Marketing” seminar. Held

AmeriCAn Business WOmen’s AssOCiAtiOn abwaskyhy.com, abwaskyhychapter@gmail.com • TH (12/11), 5:30-7:30pm Monthly dinner meeting and holiday gift exchange. $25 gift. Held at Crowne Plaza Resort, 1 Resort Dr.

ClAsses, meetings & eVents

at A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd., Candler • SA (12/13), 9am - “Buying and Selling Small Businesses” seminar. Held at A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd., Candler

AbrAHAM/HIcKs: LAw Of AttrACtiOn meeting (pd.) Live with joy! Uplifting, positive group! Understand vibration, and how to manifest in your life. Every Wednesday, 7pm, Free! (828) 274-5444. sINgLe AND LOOKINg fOr sOMetHINg fuN tO stArt tHe HOLIDAY seAsOn? (pd.) Try AVL Speed Dating! • Dec. 17th, Holiday Mix and Mingle Event (ages 21+). Event starts at 6:30pm and takes place at the Cantina in Biltmore village. We are also collecting food for MANNA FoodBank at this event!! To RSVP or for more info, call (828) 242-2555 or see AVlspeedDating.com

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DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

AsHevILLe brOwNs bAcKers cLub 658-4149, ashevillebbw@gmail.com • SUNDAYS - Meets during Cleveland Browns games. Contact for specific times. Held at The Fairview Tavern, 831 Old Fairview Rd. AsHevILLe tOAstmAsters CluB 914-424-7347, ashevilletoastmasters.com • THURSDAYS, 6:15pm Weekly meetings for sharpening public speaking skills. Free. Held at YMI Cultural Center, 39 South Market St. buNcOMbe cOuNtY pubLIc LIbrArIes buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library Free unless otherwise noted. • WE (12/10), 10am - Sew What? social sewing group for all skill levels. Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa • FR (12/12), 2-4pm - Train Day, learn about electric model railroads from National Railway Historical Society members. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Rd., Candler • WE (12/17), 5pm Swannanoa Knitters, casual knitting and needlework group for all skill levels. Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa D&D ADVenturers leAgue revtobiaz@gmail.com • WEDNESDAYS, 5:30pm - Ongoing fantasy roleplaying campaign for both new and veteran players. Free. Held at The Wyvern’s Tale, 347 Merrimon Ave. • SATURDAYS, 12-4pm & 5-9pm - Episodic fantasy roleplaying adventures with persistent characters. Meets every other week. Free. Held at The Wyvern’s Tale, 347 Merrimon Ave. fLetcHer LIbrArY 120 Library Rd., Fletcher, 687-1218, library.hendersoncountync.org • TUESDAYS, 3pm Medium to advanced conversational Spanish class. Free. greeN OppOrtuNItIes 398-4158, greenopportunities.org • TU (12/16), 12:30pm Information session for Kitchen Ready and Built

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

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Environment Job training programs. Free to attend. Registration required. Held at Arthur R. Edington Center, 133 Livingston St. HeNDersONvILLe Wise WOmen 693-1523 • 1st & 3rd WEDNESDAYS, 1:30pm - A safe, supportive group for women “of a certain age.” Free. Held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 Sixth Ave. W., Hendersonville ONtrAcK wNc 50 S. French Broad Ave., 255-5166, ontrackwnc.org Registration required. • TU (12/16), 9-11:30am Post-bankruptcy class. $35. • TH (12/18), 5:30-8pm - “Manage Your Money” series. Free. pIsgAH AstrONOMIcAL reseArcH INstItute 1 PARI Dr., Rosman, 8625554, pari.edu • FR (12/12), 7pm - “An Evening at PARI,” with an astronomical look at the Star of Bethlehem. Reservations required. $20/$15 seniors & military/$10 children under 14. sMOKY MOuNtAIN cHess cLub facebook.com/ SmokyMountainChessClub • THURSDAYS, 1pm Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Free. Held at Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville sMOKY MOuNtAIN KNIttINg guILD smkguild.com • WEDNESDAYS, 1-3pm Knitting classes. Free. Held at Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville tOAstmAsters 978-697-2783 • TUESDAYS, 7-8am Works on developing public speaking and leadership skills. Free. Held at Reuter YMCA, 3 Town Center Blvd.

DAnCe stuDIO ZAHIYA, DOWntOWn DAnCe ClAsses (pd.) Monday 6pm Hip Hop Wkt • Tuesday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Intro to Bellydance 7pm Bellydance 2 8pm West African • Wednesday 6pm Bellydance 3 • Thursday

9am Hip Hop Wrkt 4pm Kid’s Dance 6pm Intro to Bellydance 7pm West African • Saturday 9am Hip Hop Wrkt 10:30am Bellydance • Sunday 10am Intro to West African • $13 for 60 minute classes, Hip Hop Wkrt $5. 90 1/2 N. Lexington Avenue. www.studiozahiya.com :: 828.242.7595

eCO AsHevILLe greeN DrINKs ashevillegreendrinks.com • WE (12/10), 5:30pm United Nations Association WNC chapter presents on Human Rights Day 2014. Free to attend. Held at Green Sage Cafe Downtown, 5 Broadway • WE (12/17), 5:30pm - Habitat for Humanity and Mountain Housing Opportunities discuss affordable green housing. Free to attend. Held at Green Sage Cafe Downtown, 5 Broadway cLeAN eNergY fOr wNc cleanenergyfor.us • TH (12/11), 6-7:30pm Clean energy information session. Free. Held at REI Asheville, 31 Schenck Pkwy. trANsItION AsHevILLe 296-0064, transitionasheville.org • SA (12/13), 1-6pm “Change the Course Asheville,” public planning session for sustainable tactics. Free. Held at LenoirRhyne University, 625 7th Ave NE, Hickory • SA (12/13), 9am-5pm Hemlock sapling planting day. Registration required. Free. Held at Southern Research Station, 200 W.T. Weaver Blvd. westerN NOrtH CArOlinA AlliAnCe 258-8737, wnca.org • TH (12/11), 10am1pm - Tour of Buncombe County Landfill, Curbside Management Recycling & Common Ground Upcycle Emporium to discuss seasonal consumerism. Free. Registration required. Meets at 85 Panther Branch Road. • WE (12/17), 9:30am-5pm - Guided river trip planting trees to prevent erosion. Registration required. Free. Meets at Headwaters Outfitters, 25 Parkway Rd., Rosman

mountainx.com

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

by Carrie Eidson & Michael McDonald

community caLEnDaR

Send your event listings to calendar@mountainx.com.

Fun fundraisers

festiVAls AsHevILLe pArKs AnD reCreAtiOn 259-5800, ashevillenc. gov/Departments/ ParksRecreation.aspx • SA (12/13), 9am & 10:30am - Pancake breakfast with Santa, includes holidaythemed dance workshop and ornament making. Registration required. $8. Held at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St. Blue riDge fOOD Ventures 1461 Sand Hill Rd., Candler, 348-0130, blueridgefoodventures.org • WE (12/10), 9am-7pm - Holiday Marketplace, includes artisan food and natural products. Free to attend.

Photo by Rebekkah LaBlue

Fighting hunger with words

what: Food For Thought: The Slam Against Hunger whEn: Saturday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. whERE: Rainbow Community Auditorium, 60 State St., Asheville why: Inspired by the participation in and support for Food For Thought: The Slam Against Hunger benefit they produced for MANNA FoodBank last year, SOULSPEAK Asheville decided to make the event an annual affair. Students from local area middle and high schools have been working on this event for weeks, volunteering and touring MANNA to better understand the organization’s operations. “It’s thought-provoking to see young people give a voice to the concerns in our community; it’s inspiring to see their commitment to making a difference,” says SOULSPEAK executive director mel kelley. “It was also important for students to learn that

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

some people they know, people they go to school with, are suffering too. Themed poetry slams are the perfect conduit for our mission of helping students develop critical thinking skills, creative writing abilities and public speaking confidence,” which will develop them into more engaged community members. During the event, poets ages 11-21 will speak about hunger in our community by sharing their original poetry. Any student willing to read a poem may do so, but those interested in participating in the slam competition should plan to bring three poems to read — one for each round of competition. Tickets are available on Eventbrite and at the door for $15 per adult and $10 for students and teachers. Proceeds from the event will benefit MANNA FoodBank’s operations. High-protein food donations — such as beans, canned tuna and peanut butter — are also welcome. For more information, contact Mel Kelley at soulspeakavl@ gmail.com. — Michael McDonald X

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cHANuKAH LIve 2014 505-0746, chabadasheville. org • TU (12/16), 4:30-7:30pm Asheville’s largest Hanukkah party includes acrobats, magic, music and more. Free to attend. Held at Crowne Plaza Resort, 1 Resort Dr. cHIMNeY rOcK pArK 1638 Chimney Rock Park Rd, Chimney Rock, 625-4688 • SATURDAYS through (12/13), 11am-2pm - “Santa on the Chimney,” Santa repels down Chimney Rock. Admission fees apply. COOl CrAft HOLIDAY MArKet handmadeinamerica.org • FR (12/12) through SU (12/14) - Includes locallymade crafts, art, food and body care products. Sponsored by HandMade in America and Blue Ridge Food Ventures. Free to attend. Fri.: 5-8pm; Sat.: 10am-6pm; Sun.: noon4pm. Held at Handmade in America, 125 S Lexington Ave #101 DecK tHe trees libbafairleigh@gmail.com, facebook.com/montevistahotel • Through WE (12/31) Dollar-votes at this handdecorated Christmas tree contest benefit Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries. Free to attend. Held at Monte Vista Hotel, 308 West State St., Black Mountain

HeNDersON HIstOrIc preservAtION COmmissiOn 697-3088, hendersonvillehpc.org • SU (12/14), 1-5pm Holiday Tour of Historic Inns and Cookie Caper, self-guided tour with cookies at each of seven inns. Map given with registration. $20. HOLIDAY eveNts IN fLetcHer 687-3985, fletchernc.org • SA (12/13), 10:30am - “The 12 Days of Christmas,” themed holiday parade. Free to attend. Held in downtown Fletcher. HOLIDAY eveNts IN rutHerfOrD 980-2883, experiencerutherford.com • FRIDAYS through SUNDAYS until TH (1/1) - “Hometown Holidays,” includes lights, carriage rides, hay rides and pet photos with Santa Paws. Held in downtown Forest City. JAcKsON cOuNtY fArMers MArKet jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org • SATURDAYS through (12/13), 10am-noon Holiday Bazaar includes local foods, kids activities and live music. Free to attend. Held at The Community Table, 23 Central St., Sylva LAKe JuLIAN pArK 406 Overlook Rd. Ext., Arden, 684-0376 • Through TU (12/23), 6-9pm - Festival of Lights. $5-$25/ vehicle. MONtfOrD HOLIDAY tOur Of HOMes 280-1576, montfordtour.com • SA (12/13), 1-5pm Self-guided historic tour. Proceeds benefit the Montford Neighborhood Association. $20. Tickets & maps at Asheville Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave. n.C. ArBOretum 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, 665-2492, ncarboretum.org • Through SA (1/4), 8am8pm - “Winter Lights,” light show and festivities in the garden. Admission fees apply. NOrtH AsHevILLe tAILgAte MArKet northashevilletailgatemarket.org • SATURDAYS through (12/20), noon-3pm - Holiday

Bazaar includes artisan foods and crafts. Free to attend. Held on the campus of UNCA. sHADrAcK cHrIstMAs WOnDerlAnD 693-9708, shadrackchristmas.com/asheville • Through SU (1/4), 6-10pm - Drive-through LED Christmas lights and music show. $20+/vehicle. Held at WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd. swANNANOA vALLeY fine Arts leAgue svfalarts.org • TUESDAYS through SUNDAYS until (12/31), 11am-3pm - Holiday gift market. Free to attend. Held at Red House Studios and Gallery, 310 W. State St., Black Mountain tHOMAs wOLfe memOriAl 52 N. Market St, 253-8304, wolfememorial.com • SA (12/13), 9am-4:30pm - “Gimcracks Day,” demonstrations of Victorian holiday traditions. Free. WeAVerVille cANDLeLIgHt strOLL visitweaverville.com • FR (12/12), 6-9pm Includes luminaries, music and live holiday entertainment. Free to attend. Held on Main Street, Weaverville. west AsHevILLe HOLIDAY fArMer’s MArKet 545-4516, westashevilletailgatemarket.com • TUESDAYS through (12/23), 2:30-6pm - Includes live music and food. Free to attend. Held at The Mothlight, 701 Haywood Rd. wINterfest IN tHe gOrge 625-2725, hickorynutchamber.org • Through TH (1/1) - Features a variety of family activities including holiday lights, chili cook-off, hay rides and pictures with Santa. Contact for schedule. Free to attend. Held in Hickory Nut Gorge.

fOOD & Beer AsHevILLe vegAN sOcIetY meetup.com/The-AshevilleVegan-Society • 3rd THURSDAYS, 6:30pm Meet-up to share a meal and discuss vegan issues. Free to attend. Held at Whole Foods Market, 4 S. Tunnel Rd.

buNcOMbe cOuNtY pubLIc LIbrArIes buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library • TH (12/11), 5:30pm “Barley. Hops. Asheville.” beer education series. Free. Held at Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Rd.

gArDening HAYwOOD cOuNtY mAster gArDeners tim_mathews@ncsu.edu • WE (12/11), 10am-5pm Holiday greens market, live and bundled greens. Free to attend. Held at Badcock Furniture, 356 N. Main St., Waynesville

gOVernment & pOLItIcs HeNDersON cOuNtY DeMOcrAtIc pArtY 692-6424, myhcdp.com • WE (12/10), 9am Discussion group meeting. Free. Held at Mike’s on Main, 303 N. Main St., Hendersonville • WE (12/17), 11:30am - Senior democrats BYO lunch social. Free. Held at 905 S. Greenville Hwy, Hendersonville uNIteD wAY Of AsHevILLe & buNcOMbe cOuNtY 255-0696, unitedwayabc. org • TH (12/11), 8:30-11am - “Building a Stronger North Carolina – A Call to Action,” state budget overview. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Enka Campus, 1459 Sand Hill Rd., Candler

KIDs AsHevILLe HIstOrY Center 253-9231, smh@wnchistory. org. • SA (12/13), 10:30am - “Crafty Historian,” Christmas ornament activity. $5 Held at SmithMcDowell House Museum, 283 Victoria Rd. fLetcHer LIbrArY 120 Library Rd., Fletcher, 687-1218, library.hendersoncountync.org • WE (12/10), 4pm Ornament making class

for children up to grade 5. Reservations required. Free. KIDs’ ActIvItIes At tHe liBrAries buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library Free unless otherwise noted. • FR (12/12), 4-5pm LEGO Builders Club for ages 6-12. Held at Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain • SA (12/13), 11am Gingerbread house making. Bring bag of candy to contribute. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • WE (12/17), 3:30pm Makers and Shakers Club: Origami box making for grades K-5. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. tOt tIMe At AsHevILLe Art museum 282-253-3227, ashevilleart. org • TU (12/16), 10:30am - Held in the museum’s ArtPLAYce. Admission fees apply. Held at Asheville Art Museum, 2 N. Pack Square

OutDOOrs LAKe JAMes stAte pArK 6883 N.C. Hwy. 126, Nebo, 584-7728 • SA (12/13), 2pm - Rangerled hike searching for winter resident animals. Free. • SA (12/13), 2pm - Rangerled winter hike on Mills Creek Trail. Free. sOutHerN AppALAcHIAN HIgHLANDs cONservANcY 253-0095, appalachian.org • TH (12/11), 10am - 1.5 mile hike with Brother Wolf rescue animals. Location given upon registration. Free. YMcA - wOODfIN Meets at 30 Woodfin St., 505-3990, ymcawnc.org/ centers/woodfin • SA (12/13), 8:45am - Hike to Crab Tree Falls. Free or $5 carpool.

seniOrs ADult fOrum At fCC 692-8630, fcchendersonville.org • SU (12/14), 9:15am

- “Ageless Grace and Neuroplasticity,” brainbody fitness program. Free. Held at First Congregational UCC of Hendersonville, 1735 5th Ave. W., Hendersonville

spIrItuALItY AbOut tHe trAnsCenDentAl MeDItAtION tecHNIque: free INtrODuctOrY leCture (pd.) Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation. Learn about the authentic TM technique. It’s not concentrating, trying to be mindful, or common mantra practice. It’s an effortless, non-religious, evidencebased technique for heightened well-being and a spiritually fulfilled life. The only meditation recommended by the American Heart Association. • Topics: How the major forms of meditation differ—in practice and results; What science says about TM, stress, anxiety and depression; Meditation and brain research; What is Enlightenment? • Thursday, 6:30-7:30pm, Asheville tm Center, 165 E. Chestnut. 828-254-4350 or meditationAsheville.org AsHevILLe cOMpAssIONAte COmmuniCAtiOn Center (pd.) Free practice group. Learn ways to create understanding and clarity in your relationships, work, and community by practicing compassionate communication (nonviolent communication). 252-0538 or www.ashevilleccc.com • 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 5:00-6:00pm. AwAKeNINg Deepest nAture meDitAtiOn ClAss (pd.) Consciousness teacher and columnist Bill Walz. Healing into life through deepened stillness, presence & wisdom. Meditation, lessons & dialogue in Zen inspired unorthodox enlightenment. Mondays, 6:30-7:30pm - Asheville Friends Meeting House at 227 Edgewood Ave. (off Merrimon). Donation. (828) 258-3241, healing@billwalz. com, www.billwalz.com

What’s your

big idea for 2015?

Thinkers and doers sound off 1/7. 12/11 space guarantee.

828-251-1333 • advertise@mountainx.com

ASTONISHING FINDS...

...from Furniture to Collectibles

TAG SALE! SALE DATES

FRIDAY, DEC 12 SATURDAY, DEC 13 9AM - 5PM EACH DAY

Proceeds benefit CarePartners Foundation and CarePartners Hospice

Hospice Thrift Store has special deals every Thurs - Sat

105 Fairview Rd • Below the Screen Door in Biltmore cpestatesales.org for sale times, dates & special offers mountainx.com

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

by Carrie Eidson & Michael McDonald

community caLEnDaR

by Jordan Foltz. Send your spirituality news to jfoltz@mountainx.com.

Send your event listings to calendar@mountainx.com.

AstrO-cOuNseLINg (pd.) Licensed counselor and accredited professional astrologer uses your chart when counseling for additional insight into yourself, your relationships and life directions. Readings also available. Christy Gunther, MA, LPC. (828) 258-3229. cOMMuNItY Hu sONg (pd.) In our fast-paced world, are you looking to find more inner peace? Singing HU can lift you into a higher state of consciousness, so that you can discover, in your own way, who you are and why you’re here. • Date: Sunday, December 14, 2014, 11am to 11:30am, fellowship follows. Eckankar Center of Asheville, 797 Haywood Rd. (lower level), Asheville NC 28806, 828-2546775. (free event). www.eckankar-nc.org crYstAL vIsIONs bOOKs AND eVent Center (pd.) New and Used Metaphysical Books • Music • Crystals • Jewelry • Gifts • Incense • Tarot. Visit our Labyrinth and Garden. 828-687-1193. For events, Intuitive Readers and Vibrational Healing providers: www. crystalvisionsbooks.com HOseA’s MessAge fOr AMerIcA (pd.) is the subject of classes offered at Biltmore Church of Christ, 823 Fairview Street at 9:30 a.m., Sunday. Led by Dr. Gene Rainey, former UNCA professor and County Commission chair. For directions to the church go to www.biltmorecofc.org.

Chanukah Live!

what: The 9th annual openinvitation Chanukuh celebration, sponsored by the Chabad House. This year’s event will feature an acrobat performance, magic show, live music for kids and adults, an open food court, a charity menorah, raffle drawings, inflatables for kids and boutique shopping. whERE: Crown Plaza Expo Center, 1 Resort Drive, Asheville whEn: Tuesday, Dec. 16 4:30-7:30 p.m. why: The purpose of Chanukuh Live! is to “create light,” says Rabbi shaya susskind, Chabad House executive director. “Most of all, visitors will experience joy, warmth and community. ... Jewish adults and children get the opportunity to be proud of and celebrate their heritage; for non-Jews, it is a wonderful cultural experience, as they gain a

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

deeper appreciation of the depth of the Jewish faith and tradition.” Proceeds from sales and raffles will go to individuals in need. “The event is about giving to and receiving from each other,” explains Susskind. “Today, to people of all faiths, the holiday serves as a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness. Chanukuh reminds us that just a little bit of light can defeat an empire of darkness ... and purposeful life and spiritual vitality can overcome destruction. This is a message that I feel we need now more than ever. It’s a universal message calling on all of us to rise to the occasion and be lamplighters — in our homes, in our communities, places of worship and in social and professional circles. If we all add just a little bit of light, the world would be a much brighter place.” X For more info: rabbi@chabadasheville. org or 505-0746

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AsHevILLe tANtrA cIrcLe journeyawake.wordpress.com/events, elainecaban@gmail.com • MONDAYS, 7-9:30pm - Tantra, sexual healing, awakening and intimacy techniques. Contact for location. Admission by donation. fIrst bAptIst cHurcH Of AsHevILLe 5 Oak St., 252-4781, fbca.net • FR (12/12) through SU (12/14), 11am-8pm - Display of Christmas creches from around the world. Free. first COngregAtiOnAl uCC Of HeNDersONvILLe 1735 5th Ave. W., Hendersonville, 6928630, fccendersonville.com • SA (12/13), 10am-2pm - Holiday cookie and book sale to benefit the church. Free to attend. • WE (12/17), 5:30pm - “In the Stillness of Night,” anti-holiday-frazzle service. grAce LutHerAN cHurcH 1245 Sixth Ave. W., Hendersonville, 6934890, gracelutherannc.com • WE (12/17), 6pm - Advent Taizé prayer and healing service and light supper. Free will donation. NewfOuND bAptIst cHurcH 2605 New Leicester Hwy., Leicester, 6833178, newfoundbaptist.com • SA (12/13) and SU (12/14), 6-8pm - Drivethru living Nativity. Free.

spOKeN & wrItteN wOrD AsHevILLe stOrYteLLINg cIrcLe 274-1123, ashevillestorycircle.org • 3rd MONDAYS, 7-9pm - Meets at

Asheville Terrace, 200 Tunnel Road. Free. bLAcK MOuNtAIN ceNter fOr tHe Arts 225 W. State St., Black Mountain, 669-0930, blackmountainarts.org • WE (12/10), 7pm - Doug Orr discusses his book Wayfaring Strangers. Free. buNcOMbe cOuNtY pubLIc LIbrArIes buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/ library Free unless otherwise noted. • TH (12/11), 1pm - Fairview Afternoon Book Club: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. Held at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Rd., Fairview • SA (12/13), 10am - West Asheville Book Club: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. Held at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Rd. • TU (12/16), 7pm - Fairview Evening Book Club: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Held at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Rd., Fairview fLetcHer LIbrArY 120 Library Rd., Fletcher, 687-1218, library. hendersoncountync.org Free unless otherwise noted. • Through (12/10) - Read to Springer the therapy dog. Registration required. • 2nd THURSDAYS, 10:30am - Fletcher book club. • 2nd THURSDAYS, 1:30pm - Writers Guild of WNC meeting. • TH (12/11), 2-4pm - Downloading an ebook to your iPad seminar. Reservations required. metrO Wines 169 Charlotte St., 575-9525, facebook.com/ MetroWinesAsheville • 2nd SATURDAYS, 3-5pm - Open mic night for poets and writers. Free. sYNergY stOrY sLAM avl.mx/0gd, tlester33@gmail.com • WE (12/17), 7:30-9:30pm - Open mic story telling night on the theme, “Holiday Sneer.” Admission by donation. Held at Odditorium, 1045 Haywood Rd.

VOlunteering vOLuNteer wItH tHe LIterAcY cOuNcIL (pd.) Volunteers are needed to tutor adults in reading, writing and English as a Second Language. Tutors receive training and support from certified professionals. Learn more by emailing us:volunteers@ litcouncil.com. AsHevILLe AreA Arts cOuNcIL gALLerY 1 Page Ave., 258-0710, ashevillearts.com • Through (12/21) - Volunteers are needed to work as artist curators for 2015 exhibits. bIg brOtHers bIg sIsters Of wNc 253-1470, bbbswnc.org • WE (12/17), noon - Volunteer information session. Free. Held at United Way of Asheville & Buncombe, 50 S. French Broad Ave.

buNcOMbe cOuNtY pubLIc LIbrArIes buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/ library Free unless otherwise noted. • Through SA (12/13) - Book Giving Tree, donations for disadvantaged children. $10 minimum. Held at Oakley/South Asheville Library, 749 Fairview Rd. cArINg fOr cHILDreN 50 Reddick Rd., 785-1590 • Through FR (12/19) - Gifts needed for children in the foster care system. Contact to be given a wish list from a child. cHILDreN fIrst cIs Of buNcOMbe cOuNtY 259-9717, childrenfirstbc.org • Through FR (12/12) - Sponsor a child during the holidays. Contact for details. • Through SU (12/28) - “Bedtime in a Bag,” drive for bedtime items for children in need. Held at NC Stage, 15 Stage Lane rIverLINK 170 Lyman St., 252-8474 X11 • WE (12/10), 5:30pm - “Who was Wilma Dykeman?” presentation and volunteer information session. Free.

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DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

humoR

Asheville Disclaimer by Tom Scheve

tomscheve@gmail.com

Find local standup comedy info at DisclaimerComedy.com • Twitter @AVLdisclaimer So full of holiday spirit and cheer we’re about to freaking burst

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Asheville teens lure man to armed robbery at their home, remain present for arrest

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Arrested teen: “None of the video games we play contain key information about getaway plans”

Altamont Theatre to close, unable to capitalize on its prime location around corner and down darkened street from Asheville’s successful businesses Grove Park Inn’s gingerbread houses being bought up by developers to be razed, making way for gingerbread hotel boom

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555 Merrimon Ave * 828-424-7868

“Extra duty pay” for Buncombe County Principals

Under fire for receiving up to $1,000 per month in “extra duty pay,” Buncombe County school principals have laid out a list of those extra duties: • Staying on top of boy’s room smoking situation by confiscating cigarettes/bumming smokes. • Perfecting the ability to stop air-guitaring on a dime when office door is opened. • Use of stern look both over bifocals and holding glasses half-closed in hand. • Breathalizing self throughout prom night after repeatedly testing punch. • Pulling up boys’ pants for them. • Outduelling other principals at biannual Educators’ Telling of Tall Tales. • Secretly rendering all visiting locker rooms utterly inhospitable. • Providing extra comfort to mothers of troubled children, by any means necessary. • Keeping tradition of loud, mismatched, plaid golf pants and school-color tie. • Maintaining up-to-date drug lingo in numerous three-ring notebooks. Asheville Disclaimer is parody/satire Contact: tomscheve@gmail.com Contrib. this week: Joe Shelton, Tom Scheve 22

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

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Shop HYPER-local!

Many folks think they’re helping their community by shopping local, but really they’re just padding the duct-tape wallets of Big Indie. This holiday season, buy gifts at the hyper-local level, not at some fat-cat indie mom-and-step-pop operation, complete with its show-offy retail space, a roof, a payroll and all the fixin’s! Folks think they’re helping their neighbors by shopping inside their own ZIP code, but we ask you to shop on the ZIP+4 system. Shopping within your complete 9-digit ZIP code helps out your neighbors, not some strangers a half-mile away. • Last year’s Christmas tree (a little dry), still by the apartment dumpster: $1 • “Any tree is a Christmas tree at Christmas” tree (fresh): $5 (bring axe) • One pint of blood (Type AB): market price, OBO • The shirt right off her back: $3 • Watching her remove the shirt right off her back: $50 • 1/8-oz. glaucoma meds: $40 (neighbor price) • Drops of blood, sweat & tears and hourly toil: $5/hour under the table • A table under which to make tax-free transactions for hourly toil that produces blood, sweat & tears: $10 • Unmagical brownies: $7/pan • Dirt: free if you bring shovel and dirt truck • Your kid’s homework completed by smarter neighbor kid: One hour alone with your computer, no questions asked • The Watchtower religious pamphlet: free with free delivery • Your car maybe-fixed by guys down the street who are always working on different cars in their driveway: price of parts + beer + weed + $40 • Kitten: you will receive $10 for every kitten you take from the Johnsons next door who seriously don’t know what they were thinking when they didn’t get their cat fixed • Stack of old windows: the rest of your neighbors will throw you a party if you get rid of the stack of old windows in that yard across the street • Mattress that looks new when covered with sheet and comforter: $5 • Massage: $20/hour performed by first person you ask at nearest Goodwill store

humoR

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tmi Kansas lawyer Dennis hawver was disbarred in November for his comically bad (24 separate deficiencies) defense of double-murder suspect phillip cheatham in 2005 (which led to a new trial for Cheatham). Hawver had admitted to the jury that his client was a “shooter of people” (a previous manslaughter conviction) who, as an “experience(d)” criminal would never have left that third victim alive with multiple gunshot wounds. A confident Hawver had virtually invited the jury to execute “whoever” the killer was. (At a September hearing to keep his license, he dressed as Thomas Jefferson, banging the lectern and shouting, as reverse psychology, “I am incompetent!” — leading the blog Lowering the Bar to muse that by then, the argument was wholly unnecessary.) Cheatham told the Topeka CapitalJournal that Hawver is “a good dude (but) just in over his head.” namEs in thE nEws Arrested in October for burglary of a Kohl’s department store in Alhambra, Calif.: ms. Josephine crook, 49. Passed away on Oct. 15 in Marietta, Ga.: ms. ida gbye, 81. Arrested in October and charged with stabbing two men in Regina, Saskatchewan: ms. Danielle knife, 24. Charged in Mississauga, Ontario, in October with sexually assaulting three male patients: psychologist Dr. vincent hung Lo. Arrested in November in Gainesville, Fla., on sexual assault charges but then exonerated three days later when accuser Jeremy foster was caught lying: mr. phuc kieu, 58. thE continuing cRisis • The creative class: To spark interest in the new leisure center opening in spring 2015 in Selby in North Yorkshire, England, the management company WLCT sponsored a contest to name the center, with the prize a year’s free membership. On Nov. 5, General Manager paul hirst announced that steve wadsworth was the winner, proclaiming, “Well done to Steve on winning the competition.” The winning entry: “Selby Leisure Centre.”

by Chuck Shepherd

• A German woman who identifies herself only as “Anna Konda” described to Vice Media in October her Female Fight Club in Berlin, now three years old, for women to test themselves in all-out wrestling matches. While some are fetishmotivated dominants, others display no particular sexuality — like Anna herself, who, she admits, simply likes to “crush” men’s and women’s skulls between her massive thighs. Anna says she is a product of East Germany’s clichéd development of tough, muscular female athletes. QuEstionaBLE JuDgmEnts • In October, a mother charged that officials at E.R. Dickson School in Mobile, Ala., first detained her daughter, 5, for pointing a crayon at another student as if it were a gun, and then pressured the girl to sign a paper promising not to kill anyone or commit suicide. “What is suicide, Mommy?” the girl asked when her parents arrived. • In a 2010 incident at Sparkman Middle School near Huntsville, Ala., an administrator coaxed a specialneeds girl, 14, into a boys’ bathroom to “bait” a 16-year-old boy who had previous sexual misconduct issues into committing a prosecutable offense — and then failed to protect the girl. (The girl’s family sued and won a summary judgment, but the school board appealed, and in September 2014 the U.S. Justice Department formally endorsed the family’s lawsuit.) • The West Briton newspaper reported in October that a darts team composed of blind men was ready for its inaugural match at an inn in Grampound, England, sponsored by the St. Austell Bay Rotary Club. The inn’s landlord acknowledged that the game-room door would be closed “just in case” a dart strays off course. (The blind darters would be aided by string attached to the bull’s eye that they could feel for guidance.)

REaD DaiLy Read News of the Weird daily with Chuck Shepherd at www.weirduniverse.net. Send items to weirdnews@earthlink.net or PO Box 18737, Tampa, Fla. 33679.

poLicE REpoRt

Introducing Dana Arrington, Clinical Pharmacist

Twice in September, police in North Kingstown, R.I., reported that women had complained of a motorist who would stop female strangers on the street to tell them jokes about blond women. The jokes were not sexual, but still made the women “uncomfortable.” A high school girl told her mother of a similar episode. Based on a license plate number, police visited the man at home, and he agreed to stop. uncLEaR on thE concEpt • In some developing countries, a sex “strike” organized by women is often the only hopeful tactic for convincing husbands and lovers to take grievances seriously. However, in November, mr. nderitu njoka, head of a Global Men Empowerment Network in Nairobi, Kenya, announced that his organization would commence a “sex boycott” for five days, denying men’s “services” to their wives — to protest “tyrannical” female domination. According to Njoka, hundreds of Kenyan men are physically assaulted by females every year (including at least 100 whose wives vengefully castrate them). (Referring to a notorious U.S. incident, Njoka offered support to the singer Jay z after he was punched by his sister-in-law solange knowles.) • First, do harm: In November, according to the deputy police commissioner in Calcutta, India, a group of student doctors at Nilratan Sarkar Medical College cornered, beat, maimed and eventually killed a man they suspected of rummaging through their belongings and stealing their mobile phones. The incident followed a series of phone and laptop thefts, and some of the enraged medical students slashed the man’s genitals before leaving him to die.

It’s important to understand how your prescription and over-the-counter medications contribute to your health, especially if you have chronic conditions. That’s why The Family Health Centers proudly offers the services of Dana Arrington, Doctor of Pharmacy. Dr. Arrington helps our patients manage their medications and minimize unnecessary costs and side effects. It’s all part of our team-based approach to care.

LEast compEtEnt cRiminaLs Police in Murfreesboro, N.C., announced in November that they had intercepted a shipment of 30 pounds of marijuana that had been loosely packaged and shipped from California by U.S. Mail, and an investigation was underway with arrests expected. Police Chief Darrell Rowe told WTKR-TV that the scent of the packages was so vivid that, even though he had summoned the department’s K-9 unit, “the dog kind of looked at us (as if to say), ‘Do you really need me for this?’”

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To establish as a patient with The Family Health Centers, please call (828) 258-8681

www.fhconline.com When it comes to your health, we’re in this together. DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

W E L L N E S S

Stranger than fiction? Distant energy healing resonates in Asheville and beyond

By nicki glasser

nickirising@gmail.com

“It was painful,” Larry Carlson said about his throbbing tooth. But he was in Long Island, New York, while his favorite Reiki Master, Odilia Forlenza, was in Asheville. What to do? Carlson knew there were alternatives to the surgery being recommended for the infected tooth, so he decided to ask Forlenza to send distant reiki. “Within a couple of days the pain was gone,” he says. “That was a couple of months ago. Everything seems to be 100 percent fine now.” Many practitioners of the healing energy arts — including reiki masters, sound healers and shamanic practitioners — say they can “send” healing energy to a client anywhere in the state, country or world. In fact, the nine practitioners interviewed by Xpress report sending out healing energy to such distant places as Kazakhstan, Syria, Russia, Japan, India, South Africa, Peru, Hong Kong and Singapore — not to mention practically every state in the union. Even practitioners sometimes scratch their heads about how it works. “I was skeptical when I learned it,” admits Forlenza, owner of Asheville’s North Carolina Reiki Training Center. “It’s a little hard for people to wrap their minds around it,” she says. Local sound healer August Worley compares distant healing to radio waves. A former electrical engineering professor, Worley says the idea is not “woo-woo” at all, despite the funny looks people sometimes give him. “If you think of how broadcast radio works, there are two components to it — the carrier frequency and the information,” he explains.

DECEMBER 10 - DECEMBER 16, 2014

SEND AND RECEIVE: “What we call ‘distance healing’ is just a different form of broadcasting specific information to a specific receiver,” says local sound healer August Worley, who’s a former electrical engineering professor. Photo by Andrea Nunn

“The first component is the transmitter frequency, which is sent out from the station with the information. So when you tune your radio to a particular radio station, your radio strips away the carrier, leaving just the information, usually voices and music. What we call ’distance healing’ is just a different form of broadcasting specific information to a specific receiver.” Instead of using electronics, healing energy is sent out with the practitioner’s thoughts, says Worley, and, in turn, the client tunes into it or receives it mentally. “It’s a scientific fact that there are millions of little tiny magnetite crystals in our brains,” Worley explains. Combine this with what we know about crystals vibrating on a certain magnetic frequency, he says, and people can understand how they could be “generating subtle magnetic fields corresponding to our thoughts.”

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Scientists can measure this activity and do so all the time in brain scan studies, he says. Still, doesn’t that mean you have to be in the same room? Bells theorem offers one explanation, says Peter Tamm, a local White Light Radionics practitioner. The theorem “is about nonlocal reality,” he explains. “Bell found that if you separate two biological particles of the same tissue at a distance, whatever you do to particle one automatically affects the state of particle two. It will register the impact.” Tamm uses a Radionics Analyzer machine to measure frequencies found within the physical, emotional and spiritual body of a client; he then treats imbalances with nutritional supplements, along with either a broadcast treatment or homeopathic treatment pills.

Tamm learned about the science of energy from his teacher and radionics developer Katherine Gray, a biochemist, as well as a shaman, clairvoyant and naturopath. “Everything is interconnected; there is no separation, so really time and space are an illusion of human existence,” says Tamm. Oddly enough, he adds, it doesn’t seem to matter if the practitioner has an understanding of the science behind it in order to do it. Jennye Johnson, owner of Heart Vibrations Healing, started sending healing energy to friends and family even before she learned about it or took classes. “I cannot tell you how; I just know that I was doing it and I know that people got better.” She’s always believed in the power of prayer, she explains. Raised in the Methodist tradition, Johnson saw firsthand the effects of prayer. Now a Fletcher-based healing practitioner and clairvoyant, she sees energy in people, animals and places. Johnson compares the way energy travels over distances to the invisible energy circuit between phone lines. Moreover, there is a long history behind it, she says. “Distance healing is ancient. Cultures [such as] the Chinese, Greeks, Egyptians, and Indians were doing it thousands of years ago.” Electromagnetic fields, magnetite in the brain, the illusion of space and time: it is all a little hard to grasp for the non-physicist; even the practitioners do not argue this point. But for someone suffering emotionally, physically or spiritually, perhaps the question that matters the most is: Does it work? “Everything is energy first,” explains Yol Swan, an Asheville intuitive coach who uses shamanic cleansing methods to help her clients. The energy is “where the disease process starts; then it shows up in the physical and emotional.” Many of her clients are empathic and struggling with depression and anxiety. They are labeled with mental illnesses, she says, “and really it is just an energy imbalance.” Swan finds that people’s lives change after treatment. They might get out of toxic relationships, or leave a job they don’t like. “They see

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hopEfuL REsuLts: Acknowledging that she was skeptical of the distant-healing approach, Odilia Forlenza, owner of Asheville’s N.C. Reiki Training Center, says she’s seen “miraculous results” from some applications. Photo by Nicki Glasser

more clearly. We all carry emotional blinders that don’t allow us to see other possibilities and are barriers to us creating what we want,” she says. Healing a tooth infection on Long Island is just one of many dramatic outcomes Forlenza has had using distant reiki, she says. Moreover, she may ask her email list of 125 Reiki healers — all of whom are former students — to help. “I call them my angel healers. If someone is ill, mostly gravely ill, I will send an email out to them asking them to send distance reiki. We’ve had some miraculous results from that — the power of many,” she says. For example, a man who had a massive heart attack and was not expected to survive the afternoon recovered and was released from the hospital after she sent out a request to her group. “The doctors were baffled by it,” she says. kimberly crowe, an Asheville medical intuitive with a long list of modalities in her toolkit, says she once re- enameled someone’s teeth. She laughs as she says, “I didn’t even know if I believed in that one, but it happened and they didn’t have to have dental work.” In another instance, she reports, a client with a hernia and a possible tumor did a session with her; the next day a pre-surgery ultrasound showed both of them gone, and the surgery and biopsy were cancelled.

Worley calls distant healing a specific form of prayer. Rule 101, he says, is that the person receiving the healing has to ask for it. “They have to want to be healed,” he says. “You can’t make anyone heal.” But he adds that even when asked for, outcomes are not guaranteed: “Sometimes what they are going through, this physical reversal, may be a part of their process.” At the end of the day, he says, “You just have to put it out there and know they will get exactly what they asked for and what is right for them.” X

Kimberly Crowe Inner Awakened Mastery innerawakeningmatrix.webs.com odilia Forlenza N.C. Reiki Training Center ncreiki.com Jennye Johnson Heart Vibrations Healing heartvibrationshealing.com Yol swan, souldguidedcoach.com peter tamm, White Light Radionics radionics@charter.net august Worley, Pyadym Sound Healing Instrument, augustara.com

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DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

wELLnEss caLEnDaR

by Carrie Eidson & Michael McDonald

Wellness creAtIve reLAXAtION™ fOr KIDs (pd.) Wednesdays 4:15-5:00, @ Black Mountain Yoga Center. Therapeutic yoga for children with special needs. www.becreativeyoga.com. Contact Brandon Hudson to register, 828-230-6081, bbhudson30@ gmail.com A-b tecH 340 Victoria Rd., 398-7900, abtech.edu • WE (12/10), 11am - Affordable Care Act information session. In Balsam Computer Lab. Free. AsHevILLe cOMMuNItY YOgA ceNter 8 Brookdale Rd., ashevillecommunityyoga.com • TH (12/11), 6-7:30pm - Candlelight restorative yoga. $20. • SA (12/13), 12:30-2:30pm - Women’s yoga and journaling workshop. $20. • SA (12/13), 3-5pm - Nervous system regulation yoga. $20. • SU (12/14), 4:30-6:30pm - Warm winter flow yoga. $20. Asperger’s ADuLts uNIteD meetup.com/AspergersAdultsunited • SA (12/13), 6-10pm - Spectrum-wide holiday party, potluck and entertainment. Free. Held at Connection Point Church, 140 Elk Mountain Rd., Woodfin

COunCil On Aging Of buNcOMbe cOuNtY 277-8288, coabc.org • TU (12/16), 5:30-7pm - Affordable Care Act information session. Free. Held at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Rd. HeALINg frOM cANcer NAturALLY facebook.com/healingcancernaturally • 2nd FRIDAYS, 2-4pm - Information on diet and lifestyle changes for cancer patients. Free. Held at OM Sanctuary, 87 Richmond Hill Dr. HeArtspeAK eMpAtHY cIrcLe heartspeakpeace.com • 3rd TUESDAYS, 7:30-9pm - For practicing and experiencing empathy. Free. Held at 386 Kenilworth Road. reD CrOss BlOOD DriVes redcrosswnc.org Appointment and ID required. • WE (12/10), 10am-2:30pm - Appointments & info: 274-0758, ext. 401. Held at Carolina Day School, 1345 Hendersonville Rd. • TH (12/11), 7:30am-1:30pm - Appointments & info: 233-5301. Held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 Sixth Ave. W., Hendersonville • TH (12/11), 1:30-6pm - Appointments & info: 669-2725, ext. 110. Held at Black Mountain Presbyterian, 117 Montreat Rd., Black Mountain • FR (12/12), 2:30-7pm - Appointments & info: 230-6322. Held at Woodland Hills Baptist Church, 50 Woodland Hills Rd.

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DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

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suppOrt grOups ADuLt cHILDreN Of ALcOHOLIcs & DYsfuNctIONAL fAMILIes For people who grew up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional home. Info: adultchildren.org. Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings. AL-ANON/ ALAteeN fAMILY grOup A support group for the family and friends of alcoholics. Info: wnc-alanon.org or 800286-1326. Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings. ALcOHOLIcs ANONYMOus For a full list of meetings in WNC, call 254-8539 or aancmco.org. AsHevILLe wOMeN fOr sObrIetY 215-536-8026, www.womenforsobriety.org • THURSDAYS, 6:30-8pm – YWCA of Asheville, 185 S. French Broad Ave. Asperger’s ADuLts uNIteD meetup.com/aspergersadultsunited • 2nd & 4th SATURDAYS, 2-4pm - Held at Hyphen, 81 Patton Ave. Occasionally meets additional Saturdays. Contact for details. Asperger’s teeNs uNIteD facebook.com/groups/ AspergersTeensUnited • SATURDAYS, 6-9pm – For teens (13-19) and their parents. Meets every 3 weeks starting June 28. cHrONIc pAIN suppOrt deb.casaccia@gmail.com or 989-1555 • 2nd SATURDAYS, 12:30pm – Held in a private home. Contact for directions. cODepeNDeNts ANONYMOus 398-8937 • TUESDAYS, 8pm - Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 1340-A Patton Avenue • WEDNESDAYS, 7-8pm & SATURDAYS, 11am-12:15 pm - First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak St. Use back door. DebtOrs ANONYMOus debtorsanonymous.org • MONDAYS, 7pm – First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak St., Room 101 DepressION AND bIpOLAr suppOrt ALLIANce magneticminds.weebly.com or 367-7660 • WEDNESDAYS, 7pm & SATURDAYS, 4pm – 1316-C Parkwood Road DIAbetes suppOrt laura.tolle@msj.org or 213-4788 • 3rd WEDNESDAYS, 3:30pm – Mission Health, 1 Hospital Drive. Room 3-B. eAtINg DIsOrDer suppOrt grOups Info: thecenternc.weebly.com or 3374685. Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings. eLectrO-seNsItIvItY suppOrt For electrosensitive individuals. For location and info contact hopefulandwired@ gmail.com or 255-3350. eMOtIONs ANONYMOus For anyone desiring to live a healthier emotional life. Info: 631-434-5294

• TUESDAYS, 7pm – Oak Forest Presbyterian Church, 880 Sandhill Road fOOD ADDIcts ANONYMOus 423-6191 or 301-4084 • THURSDAYS, 6pm – Asheville 12-Step Club, 1340A Patton Ave. HeArt Of recOverY MeDItAtION grOup Teaches how to integrate meditation with any 12-step recovery program. asheville. shambhala.org • TUESDAYS, 6pm - Shambhala Meditation Center, 19 Westwood Place. HeArt suppOrt For individuals living with heart failure. 2746000. • 1st TUESDAYS, 2-4pm – Asheville Cardiology Associates, 5 Vanderbilt Drive. LIvINg wItH cHrONIc pAIN Hosted by American Chronic Pain Association; 776-4809 • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6:30 pm – Swannanoa Library, 101 W. Charleston Ave. MeMOrY LOss cAregIvers For caregivers of those with memory loss or dementia. network@memorycare.org • 2nd TUESDAYS, 9:30am – Highland Farms Retirement Community, 200 Tabernacle Road, Black Mountain MeN wOrKINg ON LIfe’s Issues 273-5334 or 231-8434 • TUESDAYS, 6-8pm – Held in a private home. Contact for directions. MIssION HeALtH fAMILY grOup NIgHt For caregivers of children with social health needs or development concerns. 213-9787 • 1st TUESDAYS, 5:30pm – Mission Reuter Children’s Center, 11 Vanderbilt Park Drive. NAr-ANON fAMILY grOups For relatives and friends concerned about the addiction or drug problem of a loved one. Info: nar-anon.org. Visit mountainx.com/ support for full listings. nAtiOnAl AlliAnCe On mentAl illness For people living with mental health issues and their loved ones. Info: namiwnc.org or 505-7353. Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings. OVerCOmers Of DOmestiC ViOlenCe For anyone who is dealing with physical and/ or emotional abuse. 665-9499. • WEDNESDAYS, noon-1pm – First Christian Church, 470 Enka Lake Road, Candler.

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OvereAters ANONYMOus Info: 258-4821. Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings. recOverINg cOupLes ANONYMOus For couples where at least one member is recovering from addiction. Info: recoveringcouples.org • MONDAYS, 6pm – Foster Seventh Day Adventists Church, 376 Hendersonville Road. s-ANON fAMILY grOups For those affected by another’s sexaholism. Four confidential meetings are available weekly in WNC. For dates, times and locations contact wncsanon@gmail.com or 258-5117.

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DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

F O O D

Highlighting hunger Ingles Giving Tree casts a seasonal light on food needs in WNC

By gERaLDinE h. Dinkins

geraldinedinkins@gmail.com

An 18-foot tree made of nonperishable food items and assorted household products, in a mall decked out in artificial candy canes: It’s as natural a fit as highlighting poverty in a place where commerce reigns and cash registers ring with cheerful abundance. “One of my goals for this season is to draw just a little bit of attention away from that $73 bottle of perfume to the great work that MANNA [FoodBank] and its volunteers do for the hungry this Christmas,” says sally spiegel, an Asheville professional decorator, who returns for the second year as the Ingles Giving Tree’s chief stylist. In that capacity, she will pass on nothing — not toilet paper nor liquid laundry detergent — to make sure this Asheville Mall tradition serves as an eye-catching and wallet-tugging reminder to passing shoppers that in this season of giving, more than 100,000 people in the region still struggle to meet their most basic needs. When the Giving Tree, built out of items donated from Ingles Markets, was lit up the Monday before Thanksgiving, MANNA volunteers were ready to educate mall visitors and accept food and cash donations throughout the holiday season. Raffles for Ingles Markets gift cards help with the cause. Last year, according to Ron freeman, Ingles’ chief financial officer, mall visitors donated $35,000 and 26,000 pounds of food to MANNA. As for Ingles’ perspective, Freeman says, the Giving Tree seems to be the perfect metaphor for the growing need to fight poverty from the roots up. “Hunger is pre-emptive when it comes to improving quality of life,”

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

he says. “If it is not addressed, it is difficult for people to make progress in other areas. There is not a better fit for us to have a positive impact.” MANNA, which serves as a conduit between area donors, growers, producers, wholesalers and food charities, distributed more than 14 million pounds of food in 2013, according to its annual report. More than 2 million pounds of those were donated by Ingles. Building the Giving Tree itself requires little beyond brute strength and a nimble sense of balance, says MANNA volunteer Rudi sommer, who has been in charge of the tree for 17 of its 22 Christmas seasons. “We do it without cranes or lifts; the good news is that you lean inward as you get up in height,” he says with a laugh at the improbability of creating something special out of the mundane, and in a mall of all places. “There is always that moment, when you find yourself perched 14 feet above the ground on a ledge of cans, looking out into the dark mall, and you wonder, ‘How did I get here?’” That may be the question some 107,600 Western North Carolina residents asked themselves as they sought food assistance in 2013, according to research in the Hunger

mountainx.com

tREE tRimming: Dozens of MANNA FoodBank volunteers spent nearly nine hours in late November stacking 10 tons of nonperishable food and household items donated by Ingles Markets into an 18-foot-tall Christmas tree sculpture at the Asheville Mall. The annual effort is to raise awareness for the work of more than 200 food charities in 16 WNC counties. Photo by Pat Barcas

in America” report compiled by Feed America, a nationwide network of food banks. The survey reports that more than half of all families reaching out for sustenance included at least one adult with a paying job, though almost two-thirds subsist on $10,000 or less per year. In all, 38,000 children in the 16 counties that make up WNC could not count on three square meals a day in 2013. “I think it is OK for all of us to be just a little bit uncomfortable as thoughts turn to the holidays,” says Becky upham, MANNA’s director of communications and marketing. “We do get a lot of generosity toward the end of the year, and we feel that our supporters don’t forget about us,” she adds, “but the people we serve have to make tough spending trade-offs in January and February.” While adequate nutrition is a year-round struggle for many,

Upham says that the winter months often fray already lean fixed incomes past the breaking point. “During this time of the year, it quickly becomes a question of food or electricity, or blood pressure medicine,” Upham says. This is especially worrisome for the almost 20,000 seniors who got food assistance in 2013, many of whom are the sole caregivers of school-age children. Food is one of the most vital means of charity, says Lynne michael, a social worker for Homeward Bound, a nonprofit agency dedicated to helping homeless individuals and families. “We all need food to survive,” she says. “Hunger affects us physically and mentally, and in order for each of us to be our best, we need good nutrition.” Michael is part of the Haywood Street Welcome Table, which is one of 211 partner organizations

that rely on MANNA for supplies. Welcome tables, along with open markets, are a more contemporary interpretation of the soup kitchen and food pantry. Several area welcome tables focus on a more inclusionary weekly meal that brings together paying and needy patrons for healthy food cooked by local chefs and their staff. “We get a really varied crowd,” Michael says of Haywood’s Wednesday lunches. “Whether it is the homeless person or the office worker or attorney from down the block, we work to build relationships, and a nutritious, satisfying meal is a good place to start.” X To start a new holiday tradition, consider volunteering against hunger in Western North Carolina. For a complete listing of area organizations, go to mannafoodbank.org and click on Food Finder. To donate food, make a financial donation or give a vehicle for a tax credit, call MANNA at 299-3663.

Reach out for food Below are several churches and organizations that give out food and meals in Buncombe and Henderson counties. For a complete county-by-county list, visit mannafoodbanks.org and click on Food Finder, or call 800-820-1109. You can also contact your local department of social and human services for information. fooD pantRiEs/opEn maRkEts • Arden Missionary Baptist Church, 2568 Hendersonville Road, Arden, 777-0999, Friday, 9-10 a.m. • Bounty & Soul Open Market, St. James Episcopal Church, 424 W. State Street, Asheville, 450-9463, Tuesdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. • The Storehouse of Hendersonville, 627 Seventh Ave., Hendersonville, 692-8300, Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. soup kitchEns/wELcomE taBLEs • Haywood Street Welcome Table, 297 Haywood St., Asheville, 575-2477, three Wednesday seatings for lunch: 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and noon. • East Asheville Welcome Table, Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 298-7647, Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m. • Swannanoa Welcome Table, 216 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa, 686-5284, Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. • First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St., Asheville, 252-4781, second, third and fourth Thursdays of the month, noon-1:30 p.m. • Love’s Kitchen, 312 Fifth Ave., Hendersonville, 693-3493, Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

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WNC food facts • More than 100,000 people in 16 WNC counties rely on food pantries and soup kitchens for food assistance; 38,000 of them are children. • 14 million pounds of food were distributed by MANNA FoodBank in 2013, the equivalent of two Giving Trees’ worth (or 30,000 meals per day). • 2 million of those pounds were donated by Ingles Markets, with the remainder coming from area growers, producers, wholesalers, trucking companies, grocers, food drives and individual donors. • Collected food was distributed to 107,600 individuals in 16 WNC counties. • 41 percent of the partner agencies rely on unpaid volunteers. • 51 percent of the partner agencies saw an increase in demand from 2012. • 25 percent of the partner agencies saw demand outpace supply in 2013. • 38,000 children received food assistance in 2013, and another 19,000 recipients were 60 or older. • One in five families in WNC identifies as food-insecure or not knowing where the next meal will come from. • 60 percent of those seeking food assistance reported an annual income of $10,000 or less. • 10 percent of families seeking food assistance included at least one full- or part-time student age 18 or older. • One in five families seeking food assistance included a current or former member of the armed forces. • 56 percent of families seeking food assistance included an adult who worked for pay within the preceding year. • 11 percent of families seeking food assistance included seniors taking care of grandchildren. • Of those needing food assistance, 75 percent reported making spending trade-offs, especially during winter months, to buy food instead of paying for utilities, transportation and medical care. Facts are from “Hunger in America, 2014,” a report compiled every four years by Feed America in cooperation with the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. For the complete survey, go to mannafoodbank.org.

mountainx.com

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

fooD

by Lea McLellan

lmclellan@gmail.com

Beyond the chocolate chip Local bakers share their favorite holiday cookies

Move on over, Thanksgiving pies. ’Tis the season for cookies — and local bakers are breaking out their holiday specialties. From classic ginger molasses cookies from Well-Bred Bakery in Asheville and Weaverville to Dough’s bright red holiday French macarons to gluten-free, chocolatedipped biscotti from the Swannanoabased Dolci di Maria, there are plenty of cookies in town that you would be proud to show off at that annual cookie swap. (You don’t have to bake them yourself, right?) Of course, if you are a fan of baking, you could try your hand at the recipes provided by the Asheville Bed and Breakfast Association. This year, local inns are offering a twonight holiday package that includes, among other perks, a gift of holiday cookies provided by the innkeepers. “All our Asheville Bed and Breakfast Association inns make a point of adding personal, home-like touches to the guest experience,” says frank salvo of the 1889 White Gate Inn & Cottage. “Homemade cookies, many coming from passed-down family traditions, are just a natural extension of what we do best.” Some old favorites like the molasses crinkle cookies will likely remind you of the ones your grandma used to make. Others, like Salvo’s thothos, Sicilian Christmas cookies with cocoa, cloves, walnuts and a powderedsugar glaze, might end up being a new addition to your repertoire. While any cookie could arguably find its place in a holiday assortment, Christmas is often a time for bringing out those extra-special recipes that take a little extra effort compared to your typical chocolate chip fare. Many of these once-ayear kind of recipes highlight winter ingredients like pecans, nutmeg and molasses. Others, like sugar and shortbread cookies, get decked out festively with bright reds and greens. One of those more complex cookies is the almond horn, which also happens to be a speciality at Black Mountain Bakery. The almond horn is named for its crescent shape and

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

mountainx.com

siciLian swEEts: Tho-tho Sicilian Christmas cookies spread holiday cheer at

the 1889 White Gate Inn & Cottage. Photo by Hayley Benton

almondy, almost marzipan-like flavor. It is a sweet, light pastry rolled in almonds and handdipped in chocolate. Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, it’s no wonder that this particular cookie, packaged in holiday tins, is Black Mountain Bakery’s big seller through the winter. Serious cookie enthusiasts can taste holiday cookies from Black Mountain Bakery, as well as holiday-themed treats from other Black Mountain purveyors, at Creative Mountain Food Tours’ Sugar Plum Holiday Dessert Tour on Friday, Dec. 19, at 2 p.m. During this walking tour around Black Mountain, participants will sample cookies and more from places like Dobra Tea, Hey Hey Cupcake and the Red Rocker Inn. Asheville bakeries are also readying their holiday treats. Geraldine’s Bakery has been in business for a little over a year and has already won over patrons with its classic take on cakes, scratch-made doughnuts, breads and pastries. Owner and baker fred Dehlow owned a bakery on Long Island for 25 years before opening Geraldine’s on Merrimon Avenue and is looking forward to another holiday season. Customers can buy an assortment of cookies by the pound, including shortbread cookies of various flavors and Christmas-themed colors. Last year, says Dehlow, the big seller was his gingerbread men. The

gingerbread houses were also very popular and will be making a reappearance this season. For people who don’t eat gluten, cookies can be a challenge. sheila horine, branch manager of the Gluten Intolerance Group of Asheville, knows this all too well. “As we all know, wheat flour makes products fluffier and hold together,” says Horine. “Flour substitutes are mostly rice flour-based. Once rice flour is baked in a cookie, it often becomes brittle, and you end up eating crumbs.” To avoid this common gluten-free pitfall, Horine recommends that beginners use a mix. Local companies Ardenne Farms, Dolci di Maria and Moon Rabbit Foods all sell gluten-free baking mixes for cookies and more. “The Ardenne Farms Oatmeal Cookie mix is one of my favorites,” adds Horine. And luckily, with more people (and bakers) becoming aware of alternative diets, finding gluten-free cookies — while challenging — is hardly impossible. With a little research and help from local bakers, everyone can enjoy cookies this holiday season. X For details on the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association’s InnSider’s Holiday Package, visit AshevilleBBAcom or call 877-262-6867. The Sugar Plum Holiday Dessert Tour takes place at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, in downtown Black Mountain. Cost is $35. creativemountainfoodtours. com or 419-0590

Gluten-free Chocolate snowball cookies

Florentine Island shortbread cookies with almond caramel

Karen Koelling

Sweet Biscuit Inn

1 ½ cups gluten-free flour (available from most grocers) 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar ½ cup butter, softened ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 large egg 1 teaspoon peppermint extract ½ cup powdered sugar In a medium-sized bowl, blend flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. Add cocoa and egg. Beat until well-combined. Add peppermint extract. Mix well. Add dry ingredients to butter-cocoa mixture, and mix until dough forms. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Remove dough from refrigerator. Scoop out tablespoon-sized pieces and form into balls. Roll balls in powdered sugar. Place on cookie sheet and bake 13-15 minutes. Cool 1 minute before removing from cookie sheet. Store in air-tight container.

Shortbread: 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons cornstarch 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/3 cup sugar Combine the ingredients above in your food processor bowl. Process with the metal blade of your food processor until the dough comes together. Finish kneading with your hands. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for an hour.

Brevard resident Karen Koelling, a member of the Celiac Support Group of Hendersonville, was diagnosed with celiac disease as an infant and can tolerate no gluten in her diet. She provides her recipe for chocolate snowball cookies as a dessert alternative for the holiday season. “These are delicious and gluten-free,” says Koelling.

Molasses crinkles

Tho-tho cookies (Sicilian Christmas cookies) 1889 White Gate Inn & Cottage Cookies: 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar 4 teaspoons baking powder 1 cup cocoa 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground cloves 1 cup shortening 4 large eggs ½ cup milk 1 ½ cup chopped walnuts

Almond-caramel: 2/3 cup sugar 2 tablespoons honey 7 tablespoons butter 1 cup heavy cream 2 cups slivered almonds 7 ounces bittersweet or dark chocolate Combine sugar, honey, butter and cream in a heavy saucepan; cook for 5 minutes over medium heat. Stir in almonds. Cook for 7 minutes or until the mixtures turns to an amber color. Let stand, uncovered, away from the heat until the shortbread cookie dough is ready. Roll the shortbread dough into balls that are ½-inch in diameter. With your hands, press the balls flat onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. The rim of the cookie might crack a little; that’s OK. Bake cookies in a preheated 375-degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies should be light in color; they are not done yet. With a spoon in one hand and the fingers of your other hand, form an indention in the center of the shortbread cookie and add a heap of almond caramel to the center of the cookie. Return cookies to the oven for about 5 minutes or until the almonds turn dark amber. Place cookies on a baking rack and let cool. Melt chocolate in a saucepan or your microwave oven; drizzle over the cold cookies. Let harden. To store, layer cookies carefully between wax or parchment paper in a cookie tin.

Powdered-sugar glaze: 1 cup sifted powdered sugar 1 ½ tablespoons milk ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Make cookie dough: Combine first six ingredients in bowl; set aside. Beat shortening at medium speed of an electric mixer for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Gradually add eggs and milk, alternating with flour mixture. Mix until smooth. Stir in walnuts. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are done. Make powdered sugar glaze: Combine sugar, milk and vanilla, stirring well. Coat baked cookies with glaze. You may have some glaze left over. 1889 White Gate Inn & Cottage is a member of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association. WhiteGate.net

Sweet Biscuit Inn is a member of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association. SweetBiscuitInn.com

Dry Ridge Inn ¾ cup shortening 1 cup brown sugar 1 large egg, beaten ¼ cup molasses 2¼ cups all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspooon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cloves ¼ cup sugar Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream shortening and sugar in an electric mixer until light andfluffy. Add egg and molasses, beating until blended. Combine flour, salt, baking soda and spices. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the mixture, beating well. Shape dough into balls and roll in ¼ cup sugar. Bake on an ungreased baking sheet for 12-15 minutes. Dry Ridge Inn is a member of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association. DryRidgeInn.com

Sour cream nut drops Applewood Manor Inn 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 large egg ½ cup butter, softened

1 cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup sour cream 1 ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl; set aside. Combine egg, butter, brown sugar, vanilla and sour cream into a blender or food processor. Blend/process for 30 seconds on puree. After 15 seconds, add nuts. Add blended ingredients to dry mix. Drop from teaspoon measuring spoons onto parchmentlined baking sheets. Bake for 10 minutes. Makes approximately 7 dozen. Applewood Manor Inn is a member of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association. ApplewoodManor.com

mountainx.com

DECEMBER 10 - DECEMBER 16, 2014

Annual Ganesha Invocation and Winter Solstice Yoga Nidra

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by Dorothy Foltz-Gray

dfoltzgray@comcast.net

Raising the bar on bar food

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Asheville cocktail spots serve festive eats with the drinks

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DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

So, Asheville chefs have ratcheted up the swish in bar offerings with festive fare, including small-plate dinners. katie Button, executive chef and coowner of upscale Lexington Avenue cocktail spot Nightbell, for instance, is offering oysters on the half shell with a couple of drops of cocktail sauce vinegar infused with the flavors of horseradish and tomato. To that, she adds a mignonette sauce with shallots and tarragon, a classic topping. She’s even offering Brasstown New York strip as a small plate with blood sausage bone marrow bread pudding, smoked potato purée and Swiss chard. “The whole dish feels like something you might love to eat for your holiday dinner, a rich winter dinner,” says Button. Posh bar offerings turn merry at Sovereign Remedies on Market and Walnut as well. Chef James albee will soon be offering cassoulet, a French classic, with Dry Ridge Farm rabbit and duck, white beans, salt pork and a Toulouse-style sausage of coarsely minced pork from the Chop Shop Butchery. “It’s a classic pork sausage that’s not spicy,” says Albee. upscaLE twists on homiER faRE Of course, if dress-up isn’t what you’re playing, several bars are offering more down-to-earth fare, twists on classics that will keep us feeling both seasonally nostalgic and well-fed. Elliott moss is the chef at the popup Thunderbird at MG Road on Wall Street for the next several months until his own barbecue place, Buxton Hall, opens this spring in the South Slope area. At MG Road, he’s serving mussels in ham broth made with heavy pork bone stock, ham bits, potato, lime and cilantro, served with a side of Farm and Sparrow heirloom grits toast for sopping up the hammy juice. “I serve it with mayonnaise made out of schmaltz, or rendered chicken fat, and jalapeño — some pickled, some fresh,” says Moss.

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fREnch twist: At downtown bar Sovereign Remedies, chef James Albee offers cassoulet to hungry revelers. The classic French dish includes white beans and locally sourced pork sausage, rabbit and duck. Photo by Dylan Ireland

He will also be offering fried catfish: “I bread North Carolina catfish in ground cornmeal from Farm and Sparrow and pair it with grits also from Farm and Sparrow.” Even turkey is winging its way onto seasonal bar menus. steven goff, executive chef and co-owner of King James Public House on Charlotte Street, for instance, adds to holiday indulgence with smoked turkey wings and dumplings, and smoked turkey poutine. “I made smoked turkey gumbo for the holidays, and my sous chef said, ‘Let’s try it over fries,’ a nice way to extend the gumbo, which takes three days to make. So, instead of brown gravy, we put turkey gumbo, smoked farm cheese made in-house and chives and radishes over French fries finished with truffle oil.” Traditional poutine — fries covered in brown gravy and topped with cheese curds — originated in the 1950s in Quebec. “Canadians put fat on fat on meat” says Goff. “They do all kinds of crazy foods. But upscale American bars have taken poutines as their own.” Although Jacob sessoms, chef and owner of Imperial Life on College Street, is still editing his December menu, he knows he’ll be offering housemade hot dogs on house-made buns. “What better time than Christmas to sell hot dogs?” he says. “They’re the perfect wintertime holiday food for

late night. Who doesn’t love a hot dog?” True — but don’t expect any ordinary dogs. Count on Sessoms to create a whole new breed. He’s also serving lamb loin tartare with tomatillo-caper-tomato caviar, marinated sandita (Mexican sour cucumber), roasted garlic and anchovy cream. “When people are drinking they crave fatty, salty stuff — and raw meat,” says Sessoms. visions of sugaR pLums Asheville’s tony bars aren’t forgetting our sweet tooths either. Button is adding a version of sweet potato pie to her petit four selections. “It’s a bite-size cupcake shell filled with sweet potato ice cream with cinnamon and nutmeg, coconut sorbet, topped with torched Italian meringue,” says Button. Albee is offering dragées — sugared almonds — dusted with clove and cinnamon. “They’re Christmas classics,” he says. Still, Asheville chefs aren’t insisting that every food be a holiday one. Most of all, they want customers to relax, savor and muse. “When you eat and share small plates, the experience is better,” says Button. “You end up talking about the food and understanding the restaurant and thoroughly enjoying yourselves.”X

mountainx.com

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

fooD

Send your beer news to avlbeerscout@gmail.com or @thomohearn on Twitter.

by Thom O’Hearn

Wild, beastly and just plain hoppy Asheville Brewing, Green Man and Sierra Nevada are spicing up winter with new hoppy offerings If Simcoe, Citra and Cascade all sound familiar, chances are you’re either a brewer or a really, really big fan of IPAs. But while some hops gain household name status — at least in some houses — not all hops are so lucky. Many hops varieties never break past the competition in the commercial breeding programs in the Pacific Northwest (the capital of the world of hops). Still, hops come from plants. And anyone with a garden knows Mother Nature is full of surprises. Such was the case when a new hops variety was discovered in the foothills of Taos, N.M., of all places. “The Neomexicanus hop was a lucky find by a rogue hophead combing the wild landscape, and he’s essentially gifted it to craft beer,” says ken grossman, Sierra Nevada’s founder. The hops have an interesting appearance. Unlike almost all other hops, the cones produce multiple heads. In fact, the hops was originally nicknamed Medusa. The aromas and flavors are almost as unique as the hops itself. Sierra says in addition to citrus, a common hops aroma, Neomexicanus also delivers “vibrant melon [and] apricot.” Fortunately for hops hunters everywhere, Sierra Nevada scored enough of the hops to feature it in its last Harvest series beer of the year. “We’re always looking for new aromas and flavors,” says Grossman. “When they’re unexpected, it’s all the more exciting.” Sierra Nevada’s Harvest Wild Hop IPA is hitting stores now and will be available through January. However, Sierra Nevada isn’t the only brewery going big with hops this month. Green Man specialty brewer mike karnowski decided hops would play the starring role in Green Man’s commemorative batch number 666. Dubbed “The Beast,” the beer will

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file as the beer progressed day by day — sort of like a dish that a chef seasons to taste. I9 IPA is a limited release, with a portion of proceeds going to support Asheville Greenways. Look for it at both Asheville Brewing locations, and cross your fingers for a second batch later this winter. X

moRE BEER nEws

hops gonE wiLD: Sierra Nevada’s new IPA is the first nationally released beer featuring the wild-grown Neomexicanus hops. Photo by Thom O’Hearn

be a triple IPA that weighs in at 11.3 percent ABV. As befitting a beer named The Beast, Karnowski played Iron Maiden to the beer 24 hours a day as it fermented. “I don’t know if the yeast prefer any particular musical style, but the workers at the brewery were definitely losing their minds after listening to Iron Maiden for two weeks straight!” says Karnowski. Perhaps more important to the beer’s development, Karnowski dryhopped it six separate times. “Dry hopping multiple times is a fairly new technique that allows for the hops to have the maximum amount of contact with the beer,” says Karnowski. The Beast features mostly Amarillo, Columbus, Simcoe and Centennial hops, which Karnowski says will lead to a blend of floral, minty, dank, tropical and citrus aromas and flavors. It will debut at the brewery on Friday, Dec. 19, and then remain on tap for a limited time. For those looking for a new IPA that’s less of a, well, beast, Asheville

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Brewing Co. is rounding out the month’s hoppy offerings with one of the area’s first session IPAs. “A session IPA is almost a misnomer,” says Asheville Brewing Co. brewer pete Langheinrich. “Basically you take a beer that’s 5.25 percent ABV or less … and take it over the top with hops.” The combination of big flavor with low ABV is what made the beer style such a perfect match for local bike wheel and hub company Industry 9 (I9), which collaborated with Asheville Brewing on the beer — and a fundraising party for Asheville Greenways to launch it. “A lot of us [at the brewery] ride mountain bikes, and you need a low-alcohol beer when you’re out there,” says Langheinrich. Not to be outdone by Green Man, the Asheville Brewing team dry hopped its beer nine times to play off the I9 company name. Langheinrich says that in addition to the contact time, the process also let the brewers tweak the hops pro-

wedge releases vadim Bora: One of the Wedge’s most popular seasonal brews has returned for the winter. Vadim Bora, which honors a local artist and Wedge regular who passed away in 2011, is a raspberry-infused Russian imperial stout. It’s rich, dark, sweet, complex and only available while it lasts (which is usually until February). new hours at Burial: Burial Beer has fired up its new 10-barrel brew-house. With more beer than ever before, the brewery is expanding taproom hours. It’s now open 4-10 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2-10 p.m. Saturdays and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Sundays will also feature a new jazz brunch, with food from gary sernak (Zambra, Admiral) and Josh Dillard (Zambra, Asheville Pizza and Brewing). Food sales start when the brewery opens at noon and end when the food runs out. X

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weDNesDAY AsHevILLe brewINg: $3.50 all pints at Coxe location; “Whedon Wednesday’s” at Merrimon location freNcH brOAD: $7 growler fills greeN MAN: New brew: Nocturne barrel-aged smoked imperial porter; Food truck: Tin Can Pizzeria LeXINgtON Ave (LAb): $3 pints all day

ONe wOrLD: Live music: Jam Samwich (jam band), 7pm OsKAr bLues: Wednesday night bike ride, 6pm; Beer Run w/ Wild Bill (group run into Pisgah), 6pm

suNDAY ALtAMONt: Live Music: Vinyl night w/ DJ Kilby

OYster HOuse: $2 off growler fills

burIAL: Jazz brunch Sundays, noon (until food runs out)

weDge: Food truck: Root Down (comfort food, Cajun)

greeN MAN: NFL day; Food truck: Cecilia’s Culinary Tour

tHursDAY

HI-wIre: Bend & Brew Yoga ($15, includes beer tasting), 12:15pm

ALtAMONt: Live music: Tyler Childress (folk), 9pm AsHevILLe brewINg: $3.50 pints at Merrimon location greeN MAN: On cask: Oak Leaf Forester; Food truck: Cecilia’s Culinary Tour OsKAr bLues: Live music: Jeff Markham (folk), 6pm sOutHerN AppALAcHIAN: Live music: Big Block Dodge (Americana), 7pm weDge: Food truck: Tin Can Pizzeria

LeXINgtON Ave (LAb): Live music: Bluegrass brunch; $10 pitchers all day OYster HOuse: $5 mimosas & bloody Marys sOutHerN AppALAcHIAN: Live music: Marc Yaxley (classical jazz guitar), 5pm twIN LeAf: Holiday brew: Christmas cookie beer tapping & ugly sweater party, 4pm

plant

weDge: Food truck: El Kimchi (Korean/Mexican street food); Live music: Vollie McKenzie & Hank Bones (acoustic jazz, swing), 6pm

frIDAY ALtAMONt: Live music: Red Honey & Greg Garing Christmas show (rock, honky-tonk), 9:30pm

MONDAY

greeN MAN: On tap: New American lager; Food truck: Little Bee Thai

cAtAwbA: Mixed-Up Mondays: beer infusions

OsKAr bLues: Brevardaversary w/ Darby Wilcox & The Peep Show, Silent Disco w/ DJ Nex Millen, 5-10pm; Food truck: CHUBwagon; New brew: Nib Sip Chub (French Broad chocolate, Brown Bean coffee, Riverbend Malt House) sOutHerN AppALAcHIAN: Live music: Jason DeCristofaro Trio (jazz), 8pm; Food truck: Farm to Fender weDge: Food truck: Melt Your Heart (gourmet grilled cheese)

ALtAMONt: Live music: Old-time jam, 8pm

165 merrimon avenue | 828.258.7500 | www.plantisfood.com

freNcH brOAD: $2.50 pints greeN MAN: On tap: Pink Torpedo Hibiscus Saison OsKAr bLues: Food truck: CHUBwagon, 5pm; Mountain Music Mondays, 6pm OYster HOuse: $3 pint night weDge: Food truck: El Kimchi (Korean/ Mexican street food)

sAturDAY ALtAMONt: Live music: Laura Jane Vincent, Emily Stewart & Baby Teeth (Americana), 9:30pm cAtAwbA: Live music: The Moon & You (folk), 6pm greeN MAN: On tap: Blood of my Enemies; Food truck: Melt Your Heart OsKAr bLues: Live music: Johnny Campbell & The Bluegrass Drifters, 6pm; Food truck: CHUBwagon OYster HOuse: $5 mimosas & bloody Marys sOutHerN AppALAcHIAN: Live music: Howie’s One Night Band (rock, Americana), 8pm weDge: Food truck: El Kimchi (Korean/ Mexican street food) wIcKeD weeD: Bend & Brew Yoga ($15, includes beer tasting), 11am

tuesDAY ALtAMONt: Live music: Open mic w/ Jam Samwich, 8:30pm AsHevILLe brewINg: $2.50 Tuesday: $2.50 one-topping jumbo pizza slices & house cans (both locations) cAtAwbA: $2 off growler fills greeN MAN: On tap: St. Hubbins Belgian strong HI-wIre: $2.50 house pints HIgHLAND: Bend & Brew Yoga ($15, includes beer tasting), 5:30pm OsKAr bLues: Tasty Tuesday: Eggnog Imperial Stout OYster HOuse: Cask night weDge: Food truck: Tin Can Pizzeria

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Celebration time Never shop hungry By toni shERwooD

writing.asheville@gmail.com

“This is one of my favorite events of the year because it’s all about mindfully deciding where to spend holiday dollars,” says Lindsey mudge, communications and operations manager of HandMade in America. She’s talking about the nonprofit organization’s annual Cool Craft Market — an indoor shopping experience featuring more than 40 vendors of crafts

(think jewelry makers, potters, fiber artists and woodworkers) and artisan foods. “Our customers will be putting money back into the local economy and supporting small businesses,” says Mudge. And, “Shoppers can actually meet the person who made the product.” Craft shows are nothing new to Western North Carolina residents and visitors, but the Cool Craft Market — now in its third year — puts a spin on the idea of purchasing gifts and handmade wares from local makers. This market is a partnership between HandMade In America and Blue

fiLLing station: “A lot of functional crafts pair well with locally made food products, like a serving board and a pizza kit,” says Lindsey Mudge. Find both at the Cool Craft Market. Photo courtesy of Babula Pottery

Ridge Food Ventures. Both organizations support small businesses by offering training, information and resources. HandMade focuses on creative entrepreneurs and craft artists, with workshops geared toward developing skills needed to be successful business owners. Blue Ridge Food Ventures helps food and natural product creators bring their ideas to market by providing use of equipment for bottling and packaging, as well as help in product development, navigating government regulations, label design and marketing. Among the food offerings at this year’s Cool Craft Market are BelloLea Artisan Kitchen’s easy pizza-making kits, including gluten-free, low-sodium and whole-wheat crusts. Guava Love Foods will present a selection of unique fruit and butter spreads. Blue Blaze Soda Co.’s signature syrups are sure to impress holiday guests. Many food ven-

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dors will serve samples, so holiday shoppers can satisfy their curiosity and their cravings. Plus, “A lot of functional crafts pair well with locally made food products, like a serving board and a pizza kit,” Mudge says. But the communications and operations manager’s favorite aspect of the Cool Craft Market isn’t for sale. “There’s nothing more inspiring than seeing people do what they love,” she says. X

what The Cool Craft Market whERE HandMade in America handmadeinamerica.org whEn Friday, Dec. 12, 5-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 14, noon-4 p.m.

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Holiday events around WNC By aLLi maRshaLL

amarshall@mountainx.com

Looking to deck the halls, sing a carol, give a gift, take a stroll, see a play, make a craft or pass a wish list on to a man in a red suit? Here’s where to do all of those things. For more: the Community Calendar and mountainx.com.

M Even if you’re not traveling for

the holidays, you can still check in at a number of festive guest houses. The hendersonville historic preservation commission’s holiday tour of historic homes and cookie caper is a self-guided driving tour of seven turn-of-thecentury inns that will, according to a press release, “feed the curiosity and holiday spirit of all who enter.” As for the cookie caper: participate in that by picking up a treat at each stop. Friday, Dec. 14, 1-5 p.m. $20 per person. 697-3088 or lwelter@cityofhendersonville. org for info

M A gimcrack is a knickknack —

a cheap ornament. And, according to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, the Asheville-born novelist “was liberally dowered with bright-painted gimcracks upon Christmas Day, and in his heart he hated those who advocated ‘useful’ gifts.” Celebrate that happy frivolity on thomas wolfe’s gimcracks Day

Bradshaw Call returns for a second year in the one-man play The Santaland Diaries at 35below. Photo courtesy of Asheville Community Theatre

with free, guided tours of old kentucky home throughout the day on Saturday, Dec. 13. Make ornaments in the visitors center and learn about Victorian holiday traditions. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. wolfememorial.com

holiday window decorating isn’t just for downtown Asheville storefronts. This year, the west asheville Business association holds its own contest. “To be eligible, businesses, schools and organizations must be located in

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NMNMNNMNMNMNMNMNMNMNMNMNM West Asheville (west of the French Broad River, inside city limits), and their holiday-decorated windows must be visible from a public street,” according to the event’s rules. Decorations are on display through Sunday, Dec. 14; judges include Gordon Grant, principal of Hall Fletcher Elementary; Hosea Jackson, owner of Haywood Lounge; Heather Brooks, owner of Sky Clean; City Council member Gordon Smith, and Terra Marshall, owner of Beauty Parade Salon. Winners are announced during the shop and Dine west asheville wrap party at Urban Orchard on Saturday, Dec. 13. west-asheville.com

M The montford holiday tour of homes returns for the 19th year. Visit old and new houses in the historic neighborhood during a self-guided tour. “Explore eclectic architecture that has been lovingly restored or carefully constructed to reflect the neighborhood’s historic past,” says a press release. “festive treats and entertainment will be on offer throughout the tour.” Saturday, Dec. 13, 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through Dec. 13 at the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center gift shop. Proceeds benefit the Montford Neighborhood Association. montfordtour.com M

“Where else will you see dubstep ballerinas, Lady Gagachanneling Xmas trees, a stripping Santa and a famous ‘Saturday Night Live’ short that is all about a certain gift in a box?” asks a press release for a Holiday affair. The production, presented by showgirl troupe Christine Garvin and Les Femmes Mystique, features comedy, dancing, the Groovin Roots Jazz Band, DJ Haltron and a PhoHo-Ho-Hotobooth. Held at the grey Eagle on Sunday, Dec. 14, 7-9 p.m. $15 in advance/$20 at the door (5 percent of ticket sales benefit Our VOICE). thegreyeagle.com

Reach wellness enthusiasts in our Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 special issues. advertise@mountainx.com • 828-251-1333 38

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M Design studio shelter collective hosts a holiday popup shop at the center for craft, creativity & Design. “Work will be available for purchase from over 30 designers and creatives from the Asheville area and beyond,” says the flier for the event. Need more incentive? Studio founders Rob Maddox and Karie Reinertson say, “Our goal is to promote conversation

Showgirl troupe Christine Garvin and Les Femmes Mystique present A Holiday Affair at The Grey Eagle. Photo courtesy of the troupe

and support a culture around art, craft, design and curation here in Appalachia and the U.S.” Held Thursday, Dec. 11, 6-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. shelterprotectsyou.com

chanukah Live 2014 lights up crowne plaza Expo center on Tuesday, Dec. 16, the first night of Chanukah. The free celebration includes acrobats, magic and the Billy Jonas Band, along with inflatables, shopping and raffle drawings. “The 12-foot menorah will be constructed of thousands of coins, raised during Chabad’s holiday giving drive, which will then be donated to those in need, within the entire community,” says a press release. 4:30-7:30 p.m. chabadasheville.org

Because holiday music should involve more than the carol of the bells, Ed gerhard and Bill mize are joining forces for their 21st annual christmas guitar concert. The show, held at Jubilee!, is a collection of seasonal favorites along with some of the musicians’ solo pieces. Friday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. $22. Tickets available at Malaprop’s and Jubilee! Info: 252-5335

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Asheville Holiday Parade By pat BaRcas

pbarcas@gmail.com

On Saturday, Nov. 22, Asheville’s annual holiday parade made its way through the streets of downtown. The festive lineup included floats, marching bands, majorettes, civic organizations, a visit from Santa and — perhaps an even bigger deal than St. Nick, judging from the number of exclamation points used in related tweets — “American Idol” winner caleb Johnson as parade grand marshal. X A Christmas Carol at HART features a cast of 30 and a nine-piece orchestra. Photo courtesy of the theater company

Following the Saturday, Dec. 13, Marshall Christmas Parade, head over to the historic former Belk’s Department Store building (90 S. Main St.) for the madison county arts council’s annual holiday sale. Vendors fill three floors with paintings, pottery, jewelry, botanicals, books, fiber arts, prints, food and more. “Admission is free, and hot mulled cider and holiday cookies ensure that the building will be abuzz with holiday cheer,” says a press release. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. madisoncountyarts.com

M “When an out-of-work slacker takes a job as an elf in Macy’s Santaland, his hilarious observations of the shoppers and employees are much more naughty than nice,” writes asheville community theatre of santaland Diaries. The one-man play by David Sedaris — now in its 13th year at ACT — is produced by Bradshaw Call and directed by Betsy Puckett. It runs Dec. 11-20, Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. $15. ashevilletheatre.org M

Local musicians Sheila Kay Adams, Joshua Messick and Richard Shulman join for an appalachian holiday at isis Restaurant & music hall. Saturday, Dec. 13, at 8:30 p.m. $15 advance/$20 at the door. isisasheville.com

M Do you find yourself speaking in a British accent, alternately declaring “Bah humbug” and “God bless us, everyone,” and looking over your shoulder for ghosts of Christmases past? No? Then you haven’t yet had your fill of a Christmas Carol. The haywood arts Regional theater stages the Charles Dickens classic with a cast of 30 and a nine-piece orchestra. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 11 and 12, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. $15 adults/$10 seniors/$6 students. harttheatre.com M

the mothlight holds its annual mr. fred’s fair, “a fairly priced sale of artworks collected and sold by the hands that made them.” This year’s vendor lineup includes Julie Armbruster, Gus Cutty, Hannah Dansie, Chris Findley, Drew Findley, Andy Herod, Jason Krekel, Madd Maxx, Victor Palomino, Nathanael Roney, Beth Schaible, Gabriel Shaffer, Dennis Smith, Josh Spiceland and more. The fair runs from 3-7 p.m., followed by an 8 p.m. holiday-themed record-release show by the krektones. Both events are free. themothlight.com X

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A R T S

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Rock ’n’ roll all day Warren Haynes Christmas Jam’s auxilliary events

By BiLL kopp

bill@musoscribe.com

Though it’s in many ways an informal affair, the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam has been growing in a deliberate fashion. Thanks both to concertgoer demand and the long line of musicians wishing to be involved in this fundraiser event, the festival — now in its 26th year — expanded to two nights a few years back and has added extra events downtown. The Christmas Jam by Day presents musical artists — many of whom are local and/or regional sensations — in smaller, more intimate settings. The acoustic jam, hosted by Drivin’ N Cryin’s Kevn Kinney, has been part of the festival since the beginning. A newer, more plugged-in counterpart takes place just down the street at Asheville Music Hall and its downstairs annex, One Stop. Guitarist-vocalist aaron “woody” wood has been a fixture of the Jam by Day for the last several years; usually the organizers contact Wood and ask him to participate. “This year, I

what Warren Haynes Christmas Jam and Jam by Day whERE Various locations around downtown Asheville, see sidebar for venues whEn Christmas Jam is on Saturday, Dec. 13; Jam by Day events run Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13. Tickets and info at xmasjam.com

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kinda reached out to Kevn Kinney through Facebook,” Wood says. “I asked if I could play again this year. I never heard back from him. Next thing I know, it’s in the paper!” Wood is as well-known nationally as he is in his longtime hometown of Asheville; as a member of The Blue Rags, Custard Pie, Sufi Brothers, Hollywood Red and as a solo artist, Wood’s brand of music incorporates Piedmont blues, bluegrass, soul and good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll. For this year’s Jam by Day event, Wood will appear at both Asheville Music Hall and Jack of the Wood. For the latter, he says, “I’ll be playing some newer stuff that I’ve written. The crowd there ... you can hear a pin drop.” Wood’s Asheville Music Hall set is with his pickup band of musical brothers, Trouble. The group

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making Jam: “I think what we do is really in line with what happens on Saturday night, at the main Jam,” says Aaron “Woody” Wood of the Jam by Day events. He’ll perform at both Jack of the Wood and Asheville Music Hall. “Musicians who love to play get together with people they really love to play with.” Photo by S. Bowman

is an ongoing collective of indemand local and regional players who convene for the occasional gig. Trouble also features Jay sanders on bass, keyboardist Ryan Burns, Shane Pruitt on guitar and drummer Frank Bloom. “We go together like red beans and rice,” Wood says. Trouble builds spontaneous jams out of familiar songs. “The best way to hear songs that I really, really love,” Wood says, “is to play ’em.” He likens each song to “a face. Then we start playing, and that’s how we put eyebrows on it.”

Trouble has been together in one form or another for as long as Wood has been playing the Jam by Day. “I think what we do is really in line with what happens on Saturday night at the main Jam,” Wood says. “Musicians who love to play get together with people they really love to play with.” That informal approach encourages players to just hang out and do what comes naturally, with the added features of a huge crowd of fans and fundraising for a good cause. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. The whole event “has a real family type of feel,” says Wood.

Jam by Day lineup asheville music hall and one stop: Music takes place in both venues (One Stop is in the lower level of Asheville Music Hall), and one ticket (available at xmasjam.shop.ticketstoday.com) is good for both venues. Acts include Blue Bop (Bela Fleck Tribute), The Broadcast, Jahman Brahman, Love Canon, Lyric, Marcus King Band, Ed Williams’ RumpelSTEELSkin (featuring Andrew Campanelli, George Gekas and Michael Girardot of The Revivalists) and Trouble. Saturday, Dec. 13, 1-6 p.m. $10. ashevillemusichall.com Jack of the wood: Singer-songwriter Kevn Kinney (Drivin’ N Cryin’) returns to host this jam. Performers include Ray Sisk, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Aaron “Woody” Wood, Laura Reed, Bobby Miller & The Virginia Daredevils, Red Honey, Josh Daniel-Mark Shimick Project, Leigh Glass, David Earl, Jamie Dose & Dorsey Parker, The Pond Brothers, Ian Harrod and Michelle Malone. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13, at noon. $10 at the door or free with VIP pass. The venue also hosts Jam by Day afterparties — on Friday, Dylan LeBlanc headlines with late-night sets by Wild Hands. Zack Joseph Band opens. On Saturday, Jamie Resch and her band headline with late-night sets by Riverbank Ramblers. 8 p.m. nightly, $10. jackofthewood.com satellite gallery: Looking for the perfect souvenir, gift or visual accompaniment to the weekend’s music? The Christmas Jam Art Show is not only aesthetically inspirational, but proceeds from sales benefit the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. Participating artists include Jay Blakesberg, Robbi Cohn, Nate Duval, Stuart Engel, Drew Findley, Justin Helton, Gary Houston, Steve Johannsen, Joshua Marc Levy, AJ Masthay, Allison Murphy, Stewart O’Shields, David Oppenheimer, Dino Perrucci, Jeff Troldahl, John Warner, Michael Weintrob and Jeff Wood. The gallery opens Friday, Dec. 12, at 3 p.m.; Cabinet performs on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. thesatellitegallery.com — B.K. X

The guitarist explains his perspective on the jam aesthetic: “You can get a bunch of musicians together — people who have never played together before, and who might not play together again — and play songs they all know: ‘What key would you like to do this in? A major? OK.’” And in that sense, Wood contends that all of it — no matter what style of music each player comes from — is really folk music: “Because all the folks know that shit, y’know what I mean?” X

PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS AT THE ART STATION Dates: Dec. 15th, 17th and 19th Times: 7am -9:30am and 4pm- 6pm CHANGES: Starting January 4th, ART will provide

Sunday Service New S5 and W5 routes Discontinued Route C Minor Schedule adjustments on routes: N, N1, N2, S1, S2, S3, S4, E1, E2 and 170

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a&E

by Edwin Arnaudin

edwinarnaudin@gmail.com

Handy man Producer Chris Rosser records solo album, A Thousand Hands

When eight years passes between a musician’s albums, it’s natural to wonder what he’s been up to during that time. For Asheville songwriter and multi-instrumentalist chris Rosser, however, it’s almost easier to diagram what he hasn’t been doing. On top of steady solo gigs and collaborations, Rosser has stayed busy with percussionist River guerguerian and bassist Eliot wadopian in their world-fusion band Free Planet Radio. He also went on two tours of China, playing piano, guitar and oud in flutist Rhonda Larson’s band Ventus. And then there’s his day job, produc-

who Chris Rosser with special guests Free Planet Radio whERE Isis Restaurant & Music Hall isisasheville.com whEn Friday, Dec. 12, at 8:30 p.m. $12 advance/$15 day of show

ing projects for others at his Hollow Reed Arts recording studio. In the last year alone, Rosser’s credits include world musicians (Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band), a kirtan singer (kristin Luna Ray), an old-time duo (Zoe and Cloyd), a native American flutist (marina Raye), a Celtic band (Noonday Feast), a storyteller (Andy Offutt Irwin) and a host of singer-songwriters, with more work on tap for 2015. “The expression ‘The cobbler’s children have no shoes’ came to mind often during the last several years,” says Rosser, who’s lived in Asheville since 1995. “I finally had to just book some time for myself on my studio calendar to make it happen.”

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A Thousand Hands, Rosser’s fourth collection of lyrically driven folk, gets a release show on Friday, Dec. 12, at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall. He calls the show a split bill with himself. First up is a set of vocal songs from the new album with Guerguerian and Wadopian backing him up, after which the three return to play as Free Planet Radio. After the trio’s 2008 album, The Unraveling, Rosser worked sporadically on a solo follow-up to his 2006 Hidden Everywhere, usually for a week at a time between his producer/engineer efforts. Of the songs that made it on to A Thousand Hands, some have been around since the beginning of that period. New additions along the way replaced songs that Rosser stopped liking. “One advantage of taking so long to finish is that the weaker songs became more obvious after listening to them for a few years,” Rosser says. “I was just left with the ones I really felt good about.” With the exception of Guerguerian’s drums and harmonies by Rosser’s wife, Lynn, the musician ended up playing all of the instruments on A Thousand Hands. He didn’t originally plan on such a one-man-band approach, but as he got further into the process, it became a creative challenge to see if there was an instrument he could play that would work instead of bringing in someone else. “On the song ‘Anchor Tattoo,’ rather than have River play drum set on it, I ended up tuning the open strings of a guitar to the key of the song and playing it like a hand drum as the percussion track,” Rosser says. “On the same song, I added some backwards electric guitar to take the place of what I originally imagined as cello and violin.” As both artist and producer/ engineer on A Thousand Hands, Rosser constantly shifted between the two distinct perspectives. While his artist side needed to be creative, imaginative and deliver what he calls “true performances,” the producer/engineer side had to evaluate the performance and capture and organize it in a

foR thE REcoRD: Producer and engineer Chris Rosser’s philosophy that “there are no bad ideas,” is a concept borrowed from Daniel Lanois’ work with Brian Eno and U2. “It creates an environment where ideas aren’t going to be shut down before they’re given a fair shot, and often that’ll lead to some of the more interesting things on a record,” he says. Photo by Lynn Morgan Rosser

technical way. “It’s always a balancing act of trying to hear it from both points of view — kind of a left brain/ right brain thing,” Rosser says. By contrast, when he’s producing someone else’s project, Rosser sees himself more as a facilitator for the vision of the artist rather than trying to impose his own aesthetic. Since songs can go in many different directions, his goal is usually to figure out

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what kind of sounds and styles the artist likes and imagines for the album and then try to help them realize it. “I’ll certainly offer lots of ideas and direction, but ultimately it’s not my name on the cover,” Rosser says. “The artist needs to feel like the recording accurately represents who they are and what they want to present to the world.” X

mountainx.com

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

a&E

by Alli Marshall

amarshall@mountainx.com

An evening with Emily Chautauqua performance celebrates beloved poet

“Presentiment is that long shadow on the lawn / Indicative that suns go down,” wrote Emily Dickinson. “The notice to the startled grass / That darkness is about to pass.” The 19th-century poet lived in Massachusetts and was a prolific writer, but fewer than a dozen of her poems were published while she was living. Still, Dickinson’s work continues to resonate. Local actor carol kessler spent a decade depicting the poet in the Chautauqua performance, Emily Dickinson Unplugged. She’ll resurrect the performance for a Sunday, Dec. 14, benefit for local repertory company Pan Harmonia. “I’ve loved her poetry since I was a teenager,” says Kessler. After watching a video clip of Julie Harris performing The Belle of Amherst, the one-woman play based on Dickinson’s life, “I read biographies of her and got so interested in the real Emily.” Kessler adds, “I have come to a decision that she was not like she was portrayed, and that’s why the piece is called ‘unplugged.’ It’s really about getting down to the basics of what Dickinson was about.” She created a Chautauqua — a

what Emily Dickinson Unplugged a benefit for Pan Harmonia whERE The Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village whEn Sunday, Dec. 14, 3 p.m. Wine reception follows in the Owen Library. $20 suggested donation. RSVP: carol@pan-harmonia.org

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

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BEtwEEn thE LinEs: “It’s really about getting down to the basics of what Dickinson was about,” says Carol Kessler of her one-woman show about the poet. Photo courtesy of Kessler

45-minute monologue performed in costume — for the New Mexico Humanities Council when she lived in that state. The piece, culled from Dickinson’s letters, took about a year to create. “She was such an honest poet, but her use of language is phenomenal,” says Kessler. “I just love having her words come out of my mouth.” Since relocating to Asheville in 2009, the actor has performed Emily Dickinson Unplugged once, in a private show. This week’s visit with the poet doesn’t require an invitation, and it includes a flute and guitar opener and a wine reception to round out the evening. The latter seems especially appropriate as Dickinson penned the lines, “I bring an unaccustomed wine / To lips long parching, next to mine, / And summon them to drink.” X

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DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

kyle.sherard@gmail.com

a&E

by Kyle Sherard

Reliquaries and mummified animals at Edge of Asheville Nearly two dozen chameleons, iguanas, frogs, eels, fish and birds make up the central cast of a theatrical exhibition on view through Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Edge of Asheville Gallery & Design Studio. But these are not your average anthropomorphic artworks. Nor are the birds, reptiles and amphibians among the ordinary — or the living. They’re preserved specimens. And each one is adorned with avian and insect appendages, forming fantastical new creatures. “They’re amalgamations,” says Rosman-based artist Leslie samuels. “They’re invented and imagined species.” Samuels’ untitled works (all available for “adoption,” rather than for sale) dangle from the light fixtures as if in midflight. Others blend into or leap out from a row of miniature, earthen dioramas lining the gallery walls. The dioramas fall somewhere between reliquaries and black-box theaters, offering graceful footing to a postmortem existence. A greenish-brown lizard flexes the bright wings of a blue jay in one work, while an adjacent frog wears those of a delicate, blue-green butterfly. Across the room, a 10-inch-long eel flutters the wings of a moth. Those animals that already had wings — the birds — have been embellished with porcupine quills, reptilian tails and insect antennae. Some are perfectly intact, while others are riddled with holes and rips that expose their skeletal underpinnings. Though the work at first sounds like taxidermy, Samuels isn’t a taxidermist. Rather, she makes mummies — a distinction she’s quick to illuminate. “Taxidermy involves preserving only the fur, feathers or skin of an animal,” Samuels says. “I preserve everything just like I found it, organs and all.” Taxidermy halts decay and preserves the animal’s exterior by removing the muscles and internal organs, then filling the remaining

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

void with linen or synthetic stuffing. Mummification, on the other hand, preserves the entire body by ridding it of all moisture. This can happen naturally, as it does in low-humidity environs, or with chemical compounds. Samuels’ method, one of her own design, incorporates both natural and synthetic techniques. She most often uses chemicals in tandem with externally applied cloth and long-term box storage in arid locations such as attics and sheds. The process depends on the specimen, she says. The individual level of decomposition and the environmental surroundings are two of the biggest factors in deciding on drying times and whether to use chemicals. Being in the humid South, as opposed to the parched deserts of California, makes a huge difference, she says: “It usually takes three years before I can open up a box and begin working with a specimen.” Once the mummification process is complete, Samuels begins working on basic posing with her figures. Their vestigial limbs and branches come later. “I work mostly with birds,” the artist says, “but there are also lizards, eels, fish and insects like moths and butterflies.” Some of these are found in the wild, on walks in the woods or through fields. Others are casualties of roadways. Occasionally Samuels will find a wing or a tail — the pilfered scraps from another animal’s meal or the remnants stuck to a car’s grille. These get the same treatment as whole specimens. Still others are from her decades of collecting. A three-horned, threetoed Jackson’s chameleon in this show is over 25 years old. The bulk of Samuels’ subjects, particularly the reptiles, amphibians and fish, have come from pet stores, where they died in captivity. (Most pet shops have return policies specifically tailored to dead and dying pets; Samuels arranges for pickups after the animals expire.) The artist makes note of these grim endings. The

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nEw spEciEs: Artist Leslie Samuels embellishes mummified birds with insect wings and elongated feathers. Photo by Kyle Sherard.

bases of her wall pieces are concrete tablets mimicking what she calls “those faux-exotic, concrete deathbeds” that such pet stores are themselves perched on. She then textures the tablets with soil, rocks, moss and dried mushrooms and positions her creatures within their new environs. “I’ve placed them in imagined environments where I think they’d be free and happy,” Samuels says. They’re emotive, though frozen in time and place, animated yet departed. Individually they’re like actors on the stage. Together, they form a snapshot of an ecological ballet. “Some people love them and clearly others hate them, but I make

these works out of reverence and respect,” Samuels says. “They came to such an indignant death, and I want to do something to amend that end.” X

what Reliquaries and mummified animals by Leslie Samuels whERE Edge of Asheville Gallery & Design Studio, edgeofasheville.com whEn Through Tuesday, Dec. 23

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DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

Send your arts news to ae@mountainx.com

a&E

M S

A S

R S

S T

B S

S T

A&E staff

American Babies

FEATURING ARTISTS

Although Tom Hamilton counted himself among the many men preoccupied with “chicks and partying” during his 20s, the American Babies frontman found himself “digging deeper” for musical and personal inspiration over time. Last year’s resulting effort, a “40-minute existential meltdown” titled Knives and Teeth, addresses heavy topics like mortality, cruelty and frustration, often vacillating between delicate, stringed intricacies and hard-driving rock at a moment’s notice. American Babies’ most recent acoustic album, Stark and Red, on the other hand, sees the band returning to a more stripped-down songwriting process. American Babies share the bill with Asheville bluegrass-inspired quartet The Bread and Butter Band at One Stop on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 10 p.m. $5. ashevillemusichall.com. Photo by Jay Blakesberg

GUEST ARTISTS

SUCH AS:

TATTOOS

AMI JAMES MEGAN MASSACRE TOMMY MONTOYA ROSS NAGLE

STARTING AT

TIM HENDRICKS CHRIS GARVER CHARLIE ROBERTS &

MANY MORE...

37 WALL STREET ASHEVILLE NC 28801 (828)424-7176 LOVEHATETATTOOS.COM LOVEHATEASHEVILLE@GMAIL.COM 48

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

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TAUK Forget hibernating. Instrumental rockers TAUK are making a full-fledged national tour this winter, and Asheville fans have two chances to catch the band live. TAUK, oft-praised for its ability to infuse songs with emotional cues despite the absence of lyrics, plays New Mountain this week before circling back to Asheville as the supporting act for an Umphrey’s McGee performance at the U.S. Cellular Center in February. According to the band’s website, the New York state-based quartet’s latest 10-song album, Collisions, “spans delicate ethereal textures, highly imaginatively funky drumming, labyrinthine arrangements and fiery solos” — certainly the kind of thing one could bear to hear twice. Local jam band Makayan opens for TAUK and headliner Dopapod (dance rock) at New Mountain on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 9 p.m. $12 advance/$15 day of show. newmountainavl.com. Photo by Shutterstar Photography

A&E CALENDAR

by Carrie Eidson & Michael McDonald

• Through TH (1/15) - Applications accepted from WNC artists for the Art in the Park Arts and Community Grant. Contact for guidelines. {Re}HAPPENING rehappening.com • Through MO (12/15) - Applications open for this annual event honoring the legacy of Black Mountain College. All genres and disciplines. Contact for full guidelines. Free. The Magnetic Theatre 372 Depot St., 257-4003 • Through TH (1/1) - Short scripts accepted for consideration in Brief Encounters 2015. Contact for details.

Music

All together now: The Asheville Downtown Association and the Asheville Buskers Collective will host a forum on busking on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at New Mountain Asheville. The forum will discuss potential changes to busking policies. Photo courtesy of Caitlin Byrd. (p.49)

Art VISUAL ARTIST AVAILABLE (pd.) Experienced Art Instruction: Drawing / Mark-making / Watercolor Painting; Private, groups, homeschool, all ages. ArchiScapes: Architectural Portraits, make Excellent Gift Certificates. For more information visit www. mcchesneyart.com. ArtEtude Gallery 89 Patton Ave., 252-1466, artetudegallery.com • Through WE (12/31), 11am-6pm - Holiday Gift Market, works by various local artists. Asheville Area Arts Council Gallery 1 Page Ave., 258-0710, ashevillearts.com • WE (12/10), 5pm - Asheville Art in the Park Grant information session for artists and arts organizations. Free. Registration required by Dec. 9. Asheville Art Museum 2 N. Pack Square, 253-3227, ashevilleart.org • FR (12/12), noon-1pm - Lunchtime Art Break: discussion of Hands, Heart, Mind: Cherokee Artistry. Admission fees apply. Asheville Downtown Association 251-9973, ashevilledowntown.org • TU (12/16), 5:30pm - Busker forum on potential policy changes with Asheville Buskers Collective. Free. Held at New Mountain, 38 N. French Broad Christmas in the Valley Craft Fair 686-7739, facebook.com/holidaycraftsale • SA (12/13), 10am-4pm - Includes works by local artists. Proceeds benefit Owen Middle School. Free to attend. Held at Owen Middle School, 730 Old US Hwy. 70, Swannanoa

Grovewood Gallery 111 Grovewood Rd., 253-7651, grovewood.com • FR (12/12), noon-5pm - Holiday-themed doll making demonstration. Free to attend. Red House Studios and Gallery 310 W. State St., Black Mountain, 699-0351, svfalarts.org • 2nd SATURDAYS - Open studio show and artists reception. Sponsored by the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League. Free to attend. River Arts District Artists riverartsdistrict.com • 2nd SATURDAYS, 10am-6pm - “A Closer Look,” self-guided open studio tour through the River Arts District with artist demonstrations and classes. Free to attend. Transylvania Community Arts Council 884-2787, tcarts.org • TH (12/11), 5-7pm - Holiday kick-off party and art raffle to support the Arts-In-Schools program. Held in private home. Contact for reservations and location. $50. • SA (12/13), 10am-5pm - Holiday tour of artists’ studios throughout Brevard to benefit the TC Arts Council’s youth programs. $20. Tickets and maps available at 12 E. Main St., Brevard.

Auditions & Call to Artists ATTENTION ARTISTS • CRAFTERS (pd.) Space available (2,000 sqft) in downtown Waynesville, that would provide a place to work and sell. Heat, parking. 30 minutes from Asheville. • Individual booths. • Could be co-op. I will develop the space to a plan, if there is interest. (828) 216-6066. Asheville Area Arts Council 258-0710, ashevillearts.com

African Drum Lessons • Skinny Beats Drum Shop (pd.) Sundays 2pm, Wednesdays 6pm. Billy Zanski teaches a fun approach to connecting with your inner rhythm. No experience necessary. Drums provided. $12/class. (828) 768-2826. www.skinnybeatsdrums.com Black Mountain Community Drum Circle 545-0389 • SATURDAYS, 4-6pm - Covers traditional West African rhythms. Free. Held at Carver Community Center, 101 Carver Ave., Black Mountain Blue Ridge Ringers Handbell Ensemble blueridgeringers.tripod.com, blueridgeringers@gmail.com • FR (12/12), 3pm - “Handbells for the Holidays” concert. Free. Held at Henderson County Public Library, 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville Carolina Celi carolinaceili.com • SA (12/14), 2pm - Celtic holiday concert. $12/$10 advance. Held at Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River Center for Spiritual Living Asheville 2 Science Mind Way, 231-7638, cslasheville.org • SA (12/14), 2pm - Amy Steinberg, singer/songwriter. $15. Feed & Seed 3715 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher, 216-3492, feedandseednc.com • TU (12/11), 7pm - Fletcher Community Chorus Winter Concert. Free. Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown 125 S. Main St., Hendersonville, 693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org • THURSDAYS (12/11) through SUNDAYS (12/21), 8pm - Music on the Rock: A Motown Christmas, tribute concert. $24. Fletcher Library 120 Library Rd., Fletcher, 687-1218, library.hendersoncountync.org Free unless otherwise noted. • MO (12/15), 6pm - Fletcher United Methodist Church Memorial Handbell Choir. Free.

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Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra 697-5884, hendersonvillesymphony.org • SA (12/13), 3pm - A Carolina Christmas, with the Greenville Chorale, sacred and seasonal music. $35/$5 students. Held at Blue Ridge Community College, 180 West Campus Dr., Flat Rock Music at UNCA 251-6432, unca.edu • SUNDAYS, 3pm - Brevard Music Center faculty concerts, co-sponsored by OLLI. Free. Held in the Reuter Center. Pan Harmonia 254-7123, pan-harmonia.org • SU (12/14), 3pm - “Emily Dickinson Unplugged,” Chautauqua performance by Carol Kessler. $20. Held at Cathedral of All Souls, 3 Angle St. Pastyme A Cappella 242-6288, pastyme.org • SA (12/13), 4pm - “Music for Winter and Christmas” concert. Free. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N Main St., Weaverville St. Matthias Church 1 Dundee St., 285-0033, stmatthiasepiscopal. com • SU (12/14), 3:30pm - Reynolds-Miller Chorale’s Christmas concert. Free. Trinity Lutheran Church 702 N. Main St., Rutherfordton • SA (12/13) & SU (12/14), 10am-3pm - Shape note singing and pot-luck with The Christian Harmony and The Sacred Harp. Free.

Theater 35below 35 E. Walnut St., 254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org Located underneath Asheville Community Theatre. • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS (12/11) until (12/20) - The Santaland Diaries. Thu.: 7:30pm; Fri. & Sat.: 7:30pm & 9:30pm. $15. Anam Cara Theatre 545-3861, anamcaratheatre.com • FR (12/12) & SA (12/13), 8pm - Accordion Time Machine presents Presents. $12/$10 advance. Held at Toy Boat Community Art Space, 101 Fairview Rd. Suite B Asheville Ballet 252-4761, ashevilleballet.com • FR (12/12) through SU (12/14) - The Nutcracker. $25+. Fri.: 7:30pm; Sat.: 2:30pm & 7:30pm; Sun.: 2:30pm. $25+. Held at Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square Asheville Community Theatre 35 E. Walnut St., 254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org • FRIDAYS through SUNDAYS until (12/21) - A Charlie Brown Christmas. Fri. & Sat.: 7:30pm; Sun.: 2:30pm. $12-$22. Ballet Conservatory of Asheville 255-5777, balletconservatoryofasheville.com • WE (12/17) through FR (12/19) - The Nutcracker. Wed.: 6:30pm; Thu.&Fri.:4:30pm & 7:30pm. $15-$28. Held at Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square

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Deft tHeAtre-Arts 550-6564 • WE (12/10), 6:30pm - NutCracker Sweeet, reinterpretation includes drumming, sign language and more. Admission by canned food donation. Held at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St. fLAt rOcK pLAYHOuse 2661 Highway 225, Flat Rock, 693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org • WEDNESDAYS through SUNDAYS through (12/21) - A Christmas Carol. Wed.-Sat.: 8pm; Wed., Thur., Sat. & Sun.: 2pm. $40/$25 students/$10 children. HeNDersONvILLe LIttLe tHeAtre 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville, 692-1082, hendersonvillelittletheater.org • THURSDAYS through SUNDAYS until (12/21) - Little Women. Thur.-Sat.: 7:30pm; Sun.: 2pm. $20/$15 student/$10 children. MONtfOrD pArK pLAYers 254-5146, montfordparkplayers.org • THURSDAYS through SUNDAYS (12/21) - A Christmas Carol. Thur.-Sat.: 7:30pm; Sat. & Sun.: 2:30pm. Encore performances: Sun., Dec. 21Tues., Dec. 23, 7:30pm. $10/$5 children. Held at Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway nC stAge 15 Stage Lane, 239-0263, ncstage.org • WEDNESDAYS through SUNDAYS until (12/14) - Don’t Dress for Dinner. Wed.-Sat.: 7:30pm; Sun.: 2pm. $16-$34. tHe MAgNetIc tHeAtre themagnetictheatre.org • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS until (12/20), 7pm - The 38th Annual Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular. $20. Held at BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St.

gaLLERy DiREctoRy

ALcHeMY fINe Art 25 Rankin Ave., 367-7714, info@alchemyfineart.net • Through SU (12/21) - Works by Angela Cunningham and Anis Crofts. AMerIcAN fOLK Art AND frAMINg 64 Biltmore Ave., 281-2134, amerifolk.com • Through WE (12/31) - Wish List Celebration, exceptional pieces collected throughout the year. Art At MArs HILL mhu.edu • Through FR (12/12) - Meghan Thomas, photography. In the Weizenblatt Gallery. Art At WCu 227-3591, fineartmuseum.wcu.edu • Through FR (1/9) - David Raymond’s Other People’s Pictures and Eric Oglander: Craigslist Mirrors, photography. In the Bardo Arts Center.

AsHevILLe AreA Arts cOuNcIL gALLerY 1 Page Ave., 258-0710, ashevillearts.com • Through FR (1/9) - Odyssey ClayWorks: A Collective Perspective, ceramics. AsHevILLe Art MuseuM 2 N. Pack Square, 253-3227, ashevilleart.org • Through SU (3/15) - What You See Is What You See: American Abstraction After 1950, American Abstract Expressionism. AsHevILLe gALLerY Of Art 16 College St., 251-5796, ashevillegallery-of-art.com • Through WE (12/31) - The Power of Place, pastels by Everett Schmidt. beNDer gALLerY 12 S. Lexington Ave., 505-8341, thebendergallery.com • Through SA (1/31) - Microcosms: Our World in Paperweights, handmade paperweight exhibition. bLAcK MOuNtAIN ceNter fOr tHe Arts 225 W. State St., Black Mountain, 669-0930, blackmountainarts.org • Through FR (2/20) - Clay studio exhibit and pottery market. grOvewOOD gALLerY 111 Grovewood Rd., 253-7651, grovewood.com • Through WE (12/31) - Hops & Crafts, mugs, steins & tankards by regional artist. MIcA fINe cONteMpOrArY crAft 37 N. Mitchell Ave., Bakersville, 688-6422, micagallerync.com • Through TH (1/1) - Wearable art works by Edwin Bringle, Liz Spear, Stacy Lane, Nita Forde and Kathryn Faille. puLp 103 Hilliard Ave., 225-5851 • Through WE (12/31) - Poster art by Joshua Marc Levy. seveN sIsters gALLerY 117 Cherry St., Black Mountain, 669-5107, sevensistersgallery.com • Through SU (1/25) - Paintings and wood etchings by Jim Southerland. tHe grAND bOHeMIAN gALLerY 11 Boston Way, 877-274-1242, bohemianhotelasheville.com • Through WE (12/31) - Expressionist landscapes by Jean Claude Roy. • Through WE (12/31) - Near and Far, plein air paintings by Stuart Roper and jewelry by Claudia Herr. trANsYLvANIA cOMMuNItY Arts COunCil 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard, 884-2787, tcarts.org • Through FR (12/19) - Sacred Spaces, works by three artists. west AsHevILLe LIbrArY 942 Haywood Rd. • Through MO (12/29) - Eyeing the Landscape, photography by Ron MartinAdkins. ZApOw! 21 Battery Park Suite 101, 575-2024, zapow.net • ONGOING - She-Pow, mixed media exhibit inspired by women.

C L U B L A N D greY eAgLe MusIc HALL & tAverN Jessica & David Mayfield (folk-rock, altcountry), 9pm

weDNesDAY, DeceMber 10

JAcK Of tHe wOOD pub Bluegrass jam, 7pm

5 WAlnut Wine BAr Wine tasting w/ Ryan Oslance Duo (jazz), 5pm Juan Benavides Trio (flamenco), 8pm

LObster trAp Hank Bones (“The man of 1,000 songs”), 7pm

beN’s tuNe-up Live band karaoke w/ The Diagnostics, 9pm

MArKet pLAce Ben Hovey (dub jazz, beats), 7pm

bLAcK MOuNtAIN ALe HOuse Buncombe County Boys (folk, bluegrass), 7:30pm

ODDitOrium Hyacinthine, Some Goddamn Fool & Calypso (alt-rock), 9pm

Burger BAr Tom Waits night, 9pm

Off tHe wAgON Dueling pianos, 9pm

bYwAter Soul night w/ DJ Whitney, 8:30pm

OliVe Or tWist West Coast swing lesson w/ Ian & Karen, 7:30pm Pop the Clutch (beach, jazz, swing), 8:30pm

DugOut Karaoke, 9pm

ONe stOp DeLI & bAr Phish ’n’ Chips (Phish covers), 6pm American Babies w/ Bread & Butter Band (rock, roots), 10pm

fOggY MOuNtAIN brewpub Trivia, 8pm grinD CAfe Trivia night, 7pm

OsKAr bLues brewerY Jeff Markham (folk), 6pm

IrON HOrse stAtION Kevin Reese (Americana), 6pm

pAcK’s tAverN Steven Poteat (acoustic jam), 9pm

JAcK Of tHe wOOD pub Old-time session, 5pm LObster trAp Ben Hovey (dub-jazz, trumpet), 7pm MOJO KItcHeN & LOuNge DJ Molly Parti “Get Over the Hump-day” dance party (funk, soul, hip-hop), 5:30pm MOuNtAIN MOJO cOffeeHOuse Open mic, 6:30pm neW mOuntAin Louque (singer-songwriter, folk, reggae), 8pm NObLe KAvA Open mic w/ Caleb Beissert, 9pm ODDitOrium Queer night, 9pm Off tHe wAgON Piano show, 9pm OliVe Or tWist Swing dance lessons w/ Bobby Wood, 7:30pm 3 Cool Cats (vintage rock), 8pm ONe stOp DeLI & bAr Not Over the Hill Yet! w/ Aligning Minds,

To qualify for a free listing, a venue must be predominately dedicated to the performing arts. Bookstores and cafés with regular open mics and musical events are also allowed / To limit confusion, events must be submitted by the venue owner or a representative of that venue / Events must be submitted in written form by e-mail (clubland@mountainx.com), fax, snail mail or hand-delivered to the Clubland Editor Hayley Benton at 2 Wall St., Room 209, Asheville, NC 28801. Events submitted to other staff members are not assured of inclusion in Clubland / Clubs must hold at least TWO events per week to qualify for listing space. Any venue that is inactive in Clubland for one month will be removed / The Clubland Editor reserves the right to edit or exclude events or venues / Deadline is by noon on Monday for that Wednesday’s publication. This is a firm deadline.

oh, BaBy BaBy: “We’ve been a group for 6 years, released 2 full lengths and a boat load of digital tuneage,” says Grant Wallace, drummer of Atlanta-based Baby Baby. “We coined the genre fun-rock because we’re serious about having fun -- and we like rock ‘n’ roll.” Baby Baby will perform at New Mountain on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 8:30 p.m., with Junior Astronomers and Shake It Like A Caveman.

pIsgAH brewINg cOMpANY Red Honey (blues-rock, country), 8pm puLp Slice of Life comedy: “Greensboro Takeover”, 9pm purpLe ONION cAfe Jimmy Landry, 7:30pm reNAIssANce AsHevILLe HOteL Hummingbird Chamber Players, 5pm rOOm iX College night w/ DJ MoTo, 9pm

Rob DaVerb, Manukaru, Endymion Is The Moon, MSTAR & DJ Kutzu (hip-hop, electronic), 10pm

WilD Wing CAfe Karaoke, 9pm

One WOrlD BreWing Jam Samwich (jam band), 7pm

wILD wINg cAfe sOutH Skinny Wednesday w/ J LUKE, 6pm

OrANge peeL Hometown Holiday Jam XIV (benefitting Mission Children’s Hospital & breast cancer research) w/ Mike Barnes & Friends, Marc Keller Band, Joe Lasher Jr., Sons of Ralph & more, 7:30pm

tHursDAY, DeceMber 11

scANDALs NIgHtcLub DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm scuLLY’s “Geeks Who Drink” Trivia, 7pm sOutHerN AppALAcHIAN brewerY Big Block Dodge (Americana), 7pm

185 KINg street The Soul Magnetics (funk, R&B, soul), 8pm

tALLgArY’s cANtINA Iggy Radio, 7pm

rOOm iX Latin night w/ DJ Carlos Carmona, 9pm

5 WAlnut Wine BAr Hank West & The Smokin’ Hots (jazz exotica), 8pm

tALLgArY’s cANtINA Open mic & jam, 7pm

ALtAMONt brewINg cOMpANY Tyler Childress (folk), 9pm

tHe MOtHLIgHt Axxa Abraxas w/ 100 Watt Horse, Aunt Sis, Abe Leonard & Luke Norton (experimental, folk, minimal), 9pm

tHe MOtHLIgHt Generationals w/ Lowell (indie-rock), 9:30pm

AsHevILLe MusIc HALL Haystak & Benihana Kenobi w/ DJ Harry Darnell (hip-hop), 10pm

pIsgAH brewINg cOMpANY Campfire Reverends (blues, Americana), 6pm

tHe pHOeNIX Jazz night, 8pm tHe sOcIAL Ashli Rose (singer-songwriter), 6:30pm Karaoke, 10pm tHe sOutHerN Disclaimer Comedy open mic, 9pm tiger mOuntAin Sean Dail (classic punk, power-pop, rock), 10pm

bLAcK MOuNtAIN ALe HOuse Lyric (acoustic soul), 9pm bLue KuDZu sAKe cOMpANY Trivia night, 8pm cOrK & Keg Lucy Ray & Randal Gary (Americana, country, folk), 8pm

tIMO’s HOuse Spectrum AVL w/ Dam Good (dance party), 9pm

DOuBle CrOWn 33 and 1/3 Thursdays w/ DJs Devyn & Oakley, 10pm

tOwN puMp Open mic w/ Aaron, 9pm

DugOut Erin Mason (singer-songwriter, Americana), 9pm

tressA’s DOWntOWn JAzz AnD Blues Blues & soul jam w/ Al Coffee & Da Grind, 8:30pm

eLAINe’s DueLINg pIANO bAr Dueling Pianos, 9pm

VinCenzO’s BistrO Lenny Petenelli (high-energy piano), 7pm

fOggY MOuNtAIN brewpub Resonant Rogues (folk, jazz), 9pm

mountainx.com

tHe pHOeNIX Bradford Carson Duo (mountain music), 8pm tHe sOcIAL Sharkadelics, 8pm tHe sOutHerN Throwdown Thursday w/ Jim Raves & Nex Millen (DJ, dance party), 10pm tIMO’s HOuse ’90s Recall w/ Franco (’90s dance, hip-hop, pop), 10pm tressA’s DOWntOWn JAzz AnD Blues The Westsound Revue (Motown, soul), 9pm urbAN OrcHArD Stevie Lee Combs (acoustic, Americana), 6:30pm VinCenzO’s BistrO Ginny McAfee (guitar, vocals), 7pm wHIte HOrse bLAcK MOuNtAIN Box & Beer benefit for Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries (bring food items), 6:30pm

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

cLuBLanD

Send your listings to clubland@mountainx.com. cLuB DiREctoRy

frIDAY, DeceMber 12

Clinic NOW Thurs-Sat Call for Appt!

$30 Student Massages

675 Hour Massage Certification Starts April 2015 Discounts Available Register Online: AshevilleMassageSchool.org • 828-252-7377

185 KINg street Fireside Collective (bluegrass), 8pm 5 WAlnut Wine BAr Jon Stickley Trio (jazz-grass), 9pm ALtAMONt brewINg cOMpANY Red Honey & Greg Garing Christmas show (rock, honky-tonk), 9:30pm ALtAMONt tHeAter The Invisible III (improv-funk, jazz fusion) w/ Steelism, 9pm AsHevILLe MusIc HALL Enter the Earth’s 13th Annual Xmas Bash benefit show w/ Empire Strikes Brass, The Blue Dragons & more (funk), 10pm AtHeNA’s cLub Mark Appleford (singer-songwriter, Americana), 7pm Burger BAr Live ragtime, 7pm bYwAter Laura Blackley Trio (folk, country), 8pm ClAssiC Wineseller Dulci Ellenberger (folk, pop), 7pm CluB eleVen On grOVe Class of ’69 Fundraiser (dance party, DJ jam, hip-hop, funk), 9pm cOrK & Keg Resonant Rogues (Balkan, gypsy, old-time), 8:30pm DOuBle CrOWn DJ Greg Cartwright (garage & soul obscurities), 10pm DugOut Brooke McBride Band (country), 9pm eLAINe’s DueLINg pIANO bAr Dueling Pianos, 9pm fOggY MOuNtAIN brewpub Calvin & The Get Downs (funk), 10pm freNcH brOAD brewerY Matt Townsend & The Wonder of the World (Americana, folk-rock), 6pm gOOD stuff Steve Gilbert & The Stand Up Ukelettes, 8pm greY eAgLe MusIc HALL & tAverN Jubilee Riots (formerly Enter the Haggis, folk), 9pm HIgHLAND brewINg cOMpANY Benefit show: Alarm Clock Conspiracy w/ The Lost Gospels (indie-rock), 6pm IrON HOrse stAtION Ben Wilson (Americana), 7pm IsIs restAurANt AND MusIc HALL Larke (jazz), 7pm JAcK Of tHe wOOD pub Christmas Jam By Day, 11am Jam By Day after party w/ Dylan LeBlanc, The Wild Hands & Zach Joseph Band (folk, altcountry), 8pm JerusAlem gArDen Middle Eastern music & bellydancing, 7pm LeX 18 Hot Point Trio (gypsy-jazz, swing), 8:30pm DJ Cosmo Q (electro-Gatsby swing), 11pm MArKet pLAce The Sean Mason Trio (groove, jazz, funk), 7pm neW mOuntAin Veridia (alt-rock, electronic), 9pm Welcome to the Rage w/ Disc-Oh!, DLX, Shuhandz, Invaderslim, Soma, Zeplin & Illanthrophy (dubstep, electronic), 9:15pm

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

mountainx.com

185 king stREEt 877-1850 5 waLnut winE BaR 253-2593 aDam DaLton DistiLLERy 367-6401 aLtamont BREwing company 575-2400 thE aLtamont thEatRE 348-5327 ashEviLLE music haLL 255-7777 athEna’s cLuB 252-2456 BaRLEy’s tap Room 255-0504 BLack mountain aLE housE 669-9090 BLuE mountain pizza 658-8777 BoiLER Room 505-1612 BRoaDway’s 285-0400 thE BywatER 232-6967 coRk anD kEg 254-6453 cREEksiDE taphousE 575-2880 Diana woRtham thEatER 257-4530 DiRty south LoungE 251-1777 DouBLE cRown 575-9060 Dugout 692-9262 ELEvEn on gRovE 505-1612 foggy mountain BREwpuB 254-3008 fREnch BRoaD BREwERy tasting Room 277-0222 gooD stuff 649-9711 gREEn Room cafE 692-6335 gREy EagLE music haLL & tavERn 232-5800 gRovE housE thE gRovE paRk inn (ELainE’s piano BaR/ gREat haLL) 252-2711 highLanD BREwing company 299-3370 isis music haLL 575-2737 Jack of thE wooD 252-5445 LEx 18 582-0293 thE LoBstER tRap 350-0505 mEtRoshERE 258-2027 miLLRoom 555-1212 montE vista hotEL 669-8870 moonLight miLE 335-9316 nativE kitchEn & sociaL puB 581-0480 nightBELL 575-0375 noBLE kava BaR 505-8118 oDDitoRium 575-9299 oLivE oR twist 254-0555 onEfiftyonE 239-0239 onE stop BaR DELi & BaR 255-7777 o.hEnRy’s/tug 254-1891 thE oRangE pEEL 225-5851 oskaR BLuEs BREwERy 883-2337 pack’s tavERn 225-6944 thE phoEnix 877-3232 pisgah BREwing co. 669-0190 puLp 225-5851 puRpLE onion cafE 749-1179 RED stag gRiLL at thE gRanD BohEmian hotEL 505-2949 Root BaR no.1 299-7597 scanDaLs nightcLuB 252-2838 scuLLy’s 251-8880 sLy gRog LoungE 255-8858 smokEy’s aftER DaRk 253-2155 thE sociaL 298-8780 southERn appaLacian BREwERy 684-1235 static agE REcoRDs 254-3232 stRaightaway cafE 669-8856 taLLgaRy’s cantina 232-0809 tigER mountain 407-0666 timo’s housE 575-2886 town pump 357-5075 toy Boat 505-8659 tREasuRE cLuB 298-1400

tREssa’s Downtown Jazz & BLuEs 254-7072 u.s. cELLuLaR cEntER & thomas woLfE auDitoRium 259-5544 vincEnzo’s 254-4698 wEstviLLE puB 225-9782 whitE hoRsE 669-0816 wiLD wing cafE 253-3066 wxyz 232-2838

Off tHe wAgON Dueling pianos, 9pm OliVe Or tWist Westsound (Motown), 8pm ONe stOp DeLI & bAr Free Dead Fridays w/ members of Phuncle Sam (jam), 5pm Mister F w/ Sumilan (jam, electronic, ambient), 10pm OsKAr bLues brewerY Brevardaversary w/ Darby Wilcox & The Peep Show, Silent Disco w/ DJ Nex Millen, 5pm pAcK’s tAverN DJ MoTo (hits, pop, dance), 9pm pIsgAH brewINg cOMpANY Max Gross Weight (rock, hillbilly-jazz), 8pm

ALtAMONt brewINg cOMpANY Laura Jane Vincent, Emily Stewart & Baby Teeth (Americana), 9pm AtHeNA’s cLub Mark Appleford (singer-songwriter, Americana), 7pm bLAcK MOuNtAIN ALe HOuse Andy Buckner (Southern rock), 9pm BOiler rOOm RockTheBells Toys for Tots drive (hip-hop, comedy), 9pm bYwAter Johnny Campbell & The Bluegrass Drifters, 9pm

mountainx.com/classifieds

CAtAWBA BreWing CO. The Moon & You (folk), 6pm

OPEN 7 DAYS

ClAssiC Wineseller Jingle Bell Bash w/ Joe Cruz (holiday singalong), 7pm

SUN-THUR 8AM-MIDNIGHT FRI-SAT 8AM-3AM

cOrK & Keg Pleasure Chest (blues, rock ’n’ roll, soul), 8:30pm DugOut Fine Line (classic rock), 9pm eLAINe’s DueLINg pIANO bAr Dueling Pianos, 9pm

HUGE selection of novelties 30% off.

fOggY MOuNtAIN brewpub Sun Brother & Poet Radio (alt-rock), 10pm

rOOt bAr NO. 1 Unit 50 (rock), 8pm

freNcH brOAD brewerY Damian LeMaster & LeMaster Plan (folk, indie, singer-songwriter), 6pm

scANDALs NIgHtcLub DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm

greeN rOOM cAfe & cOffeeHOuse Lake & Moore (folk, Americana), 6pm

scuLLY’s DJ, 10pm

IrON HOrse stAtION Dave Desmelik (singer-songwriter), 7pm

sOutHerN AppALAcHIAN brewerY Jason DeCristofaro Trio (jazz), 8pm

JAcK Of tHe wOOD pub Christmas Jam By Day, 11am Jam By Day after party w/ Jamie Resch & Her Band, Riverbank Ramblers (indie-folk, altcountry), 8pm

sprINg creeK tAverN Pleasure Chest (blues, rock ’n’ roll, soul), 8pm

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FREE $5 gift card with $25 purchase FREE $10 gift card with $50 purchase FREE $15 gift card with $60 purchase FREE $20 gift card with $80 purchase

JerusAlem gArDen Middle Eastern music & bellydancing, 7pm

GIFT CARDS

tHe ADMIrAL Hip Hop dance party w/ DJ Warf, 11pm

LeX 18 Michael Jefry Stevens Trio (modern jazz), 8pm

XMAS GIFTS

tHe MOtHLIgHt Tin Foil Hat w/ We Roll Like Madmen & Minorcan (experimental, indie-rock), 9:30pm

MArcO’s pIZZerIA Sharon LaMotte Band (jazz), 6pm

tALLgArY’s cANtINA Old School Rock, 9:30pm

tHe pHOeNIX The Bread & Butter Band (bluegrass), 9pm tHe sOcIAL Ben Briley from American Idol, 7pm Get Vocal Karaoke, 9:30pm tiger mOuntAin Soul dance party w/ Cliff, 10pm tOY bOAt cOMMuNItY Art spAce Accordion Time Machine: Presents (holiday play, bring wrapped gift), 7:30pm tressA’s DOWntOWn JAzz AnD Blues The Nightcrawlers, 10pm

MArKet pLAce DJs (funk, R&B), 7pm ODDitOrium David Fenders birthday party, 9pm

OliVe Or tWist 3 Cool Cats (vintage rock), 8pm

60% -75% OFF

pAcK’s tAverN Lyric (funk, rock, soul), 9pm

wHIte HOrse bLAcK MOuNtAIN Asheville Clarinet Quartet, 7:30pm

rOOt bAr NO. 1 Root Bar’s 10 year anniversary party w/ Sweet Claudette & Holy Ghost Tent Revival (Americana), 5pm

5 WAlnut Wine BAr Redleg Husky (folk, Americana), 6pm The Big EZ’s (New Orleans soul), 9pm

Lingerie

OsKAr bLues brewerY Johnny Campbell & The Bluegrass Drifters (bluegrass), 6pm

VinCenzO’s BistrO Steve Whiddon (classic piano), 5:30pm

sAturDAY, DeceMber 13

LADIES Come check out our new raveware outfits

Off tHe wAgON Dueling pianos, 9pm

purpLe ONION cAfe Shane Pruitt Band (blues, jam, soul), 8pm

wILD wINg cAfe sOutH A Social Function (acoustic), 9:30pm

available for

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scANDALs NIgHtcLub DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm

Where Adult Dreams Come True

scuLLY’s DJ, 10pm

2334 Hendersonville Rd.

sOutHerN AppALAcHIAN brewerY Howie’s One Night Band (rock, Americana), 8pm

(S. Asheville/Arden)

www.bedtymestories.net mountainx.com

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

WED • DEC 10 WOODY WOOD 5:30-7:30

12/12 JAM BY DAY AFTER PARTY WITH VERY

10/25 10/25 Sarah Sarah Lee Lee Guthrie Guthrie & Johnny Irion & Johnny Irion w/ Battlefield •• 9pm w/ WARREN Battlefield 9pm $10 $10 12/12 HAYNES PRESENTS CHRISTMAS 10/26 Firecracker Jazz W/ ARTISTS TBA 11 A.M. $10 Band JAM BY DAY 10/26 Firecracker Jazz Band & HALLOWEEN Costume 12/13 WARREN HAYNES PRESENTS CHRISTMAS & HALLOWEEN Costume TBA 11 •A.M. $10 JAM BY DAY W/ Party & Contest Party & ARTISTS Contest • 9pm 9pm $8 $8 12/13 JAM BY DAY AFTER PARTY WITH VERY 10/27 Vinegar Creek • 9pm 10/27GUEST Vinegar Creek 9pmW/FREE FREE SPECIAL JAMIE RESCH AND HER•BAND RIVERBANK RAMBLERS PERFORMING LATE NIGHT$8 SETS 10/28 Mustard Plug • 9pm 810/28 P.M.$10 Mustard Plug • 9pm $8 w/ Tom Banana Pants w/ Crazy Crazy TomBLUEGRASS Banana(ALL-STAR Pants 12/19 CANYON CREEK BLUEGRASS BAND FEATURING MEMBERS OF STEEP 10/29 Singer Songwriters 10/29 Singer Songwriters CANYON RANGERS, TOWN MOUNTAIN, JON STICKLY TRIO •• 7-9pm FREE in the Round 7-9pm theKEELRound ANDin LARRY W/ SAVANNAH SMITHFREE SPECIAL GUEST DYLAN LEBLANC. W/ ZACK JOSEPH BAND OPENING AND LATE NIGHT SETS WITH THE WILD HANDS 8 P.M.$10

w/ Anthony Tripi, Elise Davis

w/ Anthony Tripi, Elise Davis 9 P.M.$10

Send your listings to clubland@mountainx.com.

THURS • DEC 11 CLOSED FOR PRIVATE EVENT FRI • DEC 12 ALARM CLOCK CONSPIRACY W/ THE LOST GOSPELS 6:30-8:30 SAT • DEC 13 OPEN 2 - 5

*CLOSING EARLY FOR PRIVATE EVENT

SUN • DEC 14 OPEN 1-6

Mud •• 9pm Mud Tea Tea 9pm FREE FREE WARREN HAYNES 2014

Open Open Mon-Thurs Mon-Thurs at at 3 3 •• Fri-Sun Fri-Sun at at Noon Noon SUN SUN Celtic Celtic Irish Irish Session Session 5pm 5pm til til ?? MON MON Quizzo! Quizzo! 7-9p 7-9p • • WED WED Old-Time Old-Time 5pm 5pm SINGER SINGER SONGWRITERS SONGWRITERS 1st 1st & & 3rd 3rd TUES TUES THURS THURS Bluegrass Bluegrass Jam Jam 7pm 7pm

95 95 Patton Patton at at Coxe Coxe •• Asheville Asheville 252.5445 • jackofthewood.com 252.5445 • jackofthewood.com

cLuBLanD

LocaL favoRitE: Floating Action’s vocalist and guitarist Seth Kauffman has described the band’s sound as “lo-fi Carolina funk.” And that name certainly applies to the eclectic sound of the Black Mountain indie-rock-ish band. Floating Action takes the stage at The Mothlight on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 9:30 p.m., with Athens indie-rock band White Violet. Open Mon-Thurs 4-8pm, Fri 4-9pm Sat 2-9pm, Sun 1-6pm tALLgArY’s cANtINA Old School Rock, 9:30pm

bLue MOuNtAIN pIZZA & brew pub Erin Kinard, 7pm

tHe ADMIrAL Soul night w/ DJ Dr. Filth, 11pm

Burger BAr Trivia, 7pm

tHe MOtHLIgHt Floating Action w/ White Violet (indie-rock), 9:30pm

bYwAter Movie night, 8pm

tHe pHOeNIX The Zealots (indie, Americana), 9pm tHe sOcIAL Get Vocal Karaoke, 9:30pm tHe strAND @ 38 MAIN Blue Ridge Big Band Sax Wassial & Brass Reflections (big band Christmas), 6pm

THE BANDS RETURN!

tOY bOAt cOMMuNItY Art spAce Accordion Time Machine: Presents (holiday play, bring wrapped gift), 7:30pm

Check out Clubland for other events.

Thursday Dec. 11th - 8:00-11:00 Sharkadelics

tressA’s DOWntOWn JAzz AnD Blues Ruby Mayfield & The Friendship Train (soul, blues), 10pm

Friday Dec. 12th - 7:00-10:00 Ben Briley from American Idol Saturday Dec. 18th - Ryan Perry Band Christmas Throwdown Wednesday Dec. 31st - NYE Celebration w/ champagne toast

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP!

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

mountainx.com

IsIs restAurANt AND MusIc HALL Jazz showcase, 6pm JAcK Of tHe wOOD pub Irish session, 5pm LeX 18 Jeff Knorr (jazz), 7pm

wAter’N HOLe Dirty Soul Revival (blues, rock, soul), 9pm

millrOOm Service Industry Night: “I Want My MTV Video” (dance party), 9pm

5 WAlnut Wine BAr The Moon & You (cell folk, soul), 7pm

www.facebook/thesocialasheville 1078 Tunnel Road | 828-298-8780 KITCHEN & BAR OPEN TIL 2AM

IrON HOrse stAtION Mark Shane (R&B), 6pm

LObster trAp Tim Marsh (fusion, multi-genre), 6:30pm

suNDAY, DeceMber 14

Thursday Jan. 15th - 8:00 - 11:00 Thicket CD release party

greY eAgLe MusIc HALL & tAverN Les Femmes Mystique: “A Holiday Affair”, 7pm

VinCenzO’s BistrO Steve Whiddon (classic piano), 5:30pm

wHIte HOrse bLAcK MOuNtAIN Chicomo Marimba w/ Aroana Diarra (marimba, West African music), 8pm

Thursday Jan. 8th - 9:00 - 12:00 Rory Kelly

DOuBle CrOWn Karaoke w/ Tim O, 9pm

MOJO KItcHeN & LOuNge Sunday night swing, 5pm neW mOuntAin Asheville Bungalows Holiday Spirit ( Benefiting Eliada Children’s Home), 4pm The Resonant Rogues w/ Hank West & The Smokin’ Hots (Euro-folk, gypsy-jazz, jazz exotica), 8pm

ALtAMONt brewINg cOMpANY Vinyl night w/ DJ Kilby, 9pm

ODDitOrium Hot Mess Monster’s last show, 3pm Variety circus show, 9pm

bLue KuDZu sAKe cOMpANY Karaoke & brunch, 2pm

Off tHe wAgON Piano show, 9pm

OliVe Or tWist DJ (oldies rock, swing), 8pm ONe stOp DeLI & bAr Bluegrass brunch w/ Woody Wood, 11am OrANge peeL Three Spirits: A multimedia performance of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” 4pm

tuesDAY, DeceMber 16

Dinner Menu till 10pm Late Night Menu till

Tues-Sun

5pm–12am

12am

5 WAlnut Wine BAr The John Henrys (ragtime jazz), 8pm

buy $50 of gift cards online & receive a free $10 gift card! (While supplies last)

ALtAMONt brewINg cOMpANY Open mic w/ Jam Samwich, 8pm

scANDALs NIgHtcLub DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm

AsHevILLe MusIc HALL Tuesday Night Funk Jam, 11pm

sOutHerN AppALAcHIAN brewerY Marc Yaxley (classical jazz guitar), 5pm

bLAcK MOuNtAIN ALe HOuse Trivia, 7pm

tALLgArY’s cANtINA Jason Brazzel (acoustic), 6pm

bLue MOuNtAIN pIZZA & brew pub Mark Bumgarner, 7pm

tHe MOtHLIgHt The Krektones Holiday Party (rock, surfrock), 8pm

buffALO NIcKeL Trivia, 7pm

COMING SOON Wed12/10

tHe sOcIAL Karaoke, 9:30pm

CluB eleVen On grOVe Swing lessons & dance w/ Swing Asheville, 6:30pm Tango lessons & practilonga w/ Tango Gypsies, 7pm

tiger mOuntAin Seismic Sunday w/ Matthew Schrader (doom, sludge, drone, psych-metal), 10pm

cOrK & Keg Honky-tonk Jamboree w/ Tom Pittman, 6:30pm

VinCenzO’s BistrO Steve Whiddon (classic piano), 5:30pm

DOuBle CrOWn Punk ’n’ roll w/ DJs Sean & Will, 10pm

wHIte HOrse bLAcK MOuNtAIN Blue Ridge Christmas w/ Sheila Kay Adams & Michael Reno Harrell (storytellers, folk), 3pm

greY eAgLe MusIc HALL & tAverN Ike Willis & Ugly Radio Rebellion (Frank Zappa tribute), 8pm

7:00 PM - LARKE WITH PAMELA JONES: FRIDAY LOUNGE SESSIONS IN DECEMBER

IrON HOrse stAtION Open mic, 6pm

8:30 PM - CHRIS ROSSER CD RELEASE W/ FREE PLANET RADIO

tHe pHOeNIX Eric Congden (Americana, acoustic), 12pm

MONDAY, DeceMber 15 5 WAlnut Wine BAr Lyric (acoustic soul), 8pm ALtAMONt brewINg cOMpANY Old-time jam, 8pm Burger BAr Honky-tonk ladies night, 4pm bYwAter Open mic w/ Taylor Martin, 9pm cOurtYArD gALLerY Open mic (music, poetry, comedy, etc.), 8pm

IsIs restAurANt AND MusIc HALL Bluegrass sessions, 7:30pm LeX 18 Andrew J. Fletcher (old-time stride jazz piano), 7pm LObster trAp Jay Brown (acoustic-folk, singer-songwriter), 7pm MArcO’s pIZZerIA Sharon LaMotte Band (jazz), 6:30pm MArKet pLAce The Rat Alley Cats (jazz, Latin, swing), 7pm

DOuBle CrOWn Punk ’n’ roll w/ DJ Leo Delightful, 10pm

neW mOuntAin Baby Baby, Junior Astronomers, Shake It Like A Caveman (indie, rock, pop), 8:30pm

greY eAgLe MusIc HALL & tAverN Contra dance, 7pm

ODDitOrium Odd comedy night, 9pm

JAcK Of tHe wOOD pub Quizzo, 7pm

Off tHe wAgON Rock ’n’ roll bingo, 8pm

LeXINgtON Ave brewerY (LAb) Kipper’s “Totally Rad” Trivia night, 8pm

scuLLY’s Open mic w/ Jeff Anders, 9pm

LObster trAp Bobby Miller & Friends (bluegrass), 6:30pm

tALLgArY’s cANtINA Jam night, 9pm

ODDitOrium Secret Keeper, Wisdom Teeth, Heavy Hearted, Frontiers & Remembrance (emopunk, post-hardcore), 9pm Off tHe wAgON Open mic, 8pm OsKAr bLues brewerY Mountain Music Mondays (open jam), 6pm tHe sOcIAL Kevin Scanlon (folk, old-time), 6pm tiger mOuntAin Country night w/ John Black (country, honky-tonk, Southern rock), 10pm

tHe sOcIAL Jason Whittaker (acoustic-rock), 6:30pm tiger mOuntAin Tuesday Tests w/ Chris Ballard (techno, house, experimental, downtempo), 10pm

Thur12/11 7:15 PM - IN THE LOUNGE WITH: AARON PRICE 9 PM - CLAIRE LYNCH BAND: HOLIDAY CONCERT

Sat12/13 11 AM - SATURDAY CLASSICAL BRUNCH:

AMICIMUSIC PRESENTS: “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS”

8:30 PM AN APPALACHIAN HOLIDAY WITH SHEILA KAY ADAMS

Wed12/17 7:15 PM - TRIO GUGGINO

Thur12/18 8:30 PM - RUSS WILSON: “HAVE YOURSELF

A SWINGING LITTLE CHRISTMAS” Fri12/19

8:30PM - RUSS WILSON: “HAVE YOURSELF

A SWINGING LITTLE CHRISTMAS” Every Sunday

JAZZ SHOWCASE 6pm - 11pm

Every Tuesday

BLUEGRASS SESSIONS 7:30pm - midnite

SOL BAR OSO REY PRESENTS:

12.10

BRIDGE OVER ASHEVILLE FEATURING LOUQUE

12.11

DOPAPOD W/TAUK & MAKAYAN

12.12

WELCOME TO THE RAGE LOCAL ELECTRONIC SHOWCASE

12.13

8TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY LIQUOR & DANCE PARTY

12.14

RESONATE ROGUES W/ HANK WEST & THE SMOKIN’ HOTS

8PM THURSDAY 8PM FRIDAY

9PM SATURDAY

THEATRE

9PM SUNDAY 7PM SUNDAY

12.14

3PM TUESDAY

RIDGE & SOL BAR

ENTIRE VENUE

THEATRE

SOL BAR ASHEVILLE BUNGALOWS PRESENTS:

HOLIDAY SPIRIT~BENEFIT FOR ELIADA CHILDRENS HOME SOL BAR

12.16

BABY BABY W/JUNIOR ASTRONOMERS & SHAKE IT LIKE A CAVEMAN

12.17

BRIDGE OVER ASHEVILLE FEATURING ROBERT ELLIS

8PM WEDNESDAY

SOL BAR OSO REY PRESENTS

UPCOMING: 12/20: JGBCB 12/31: NEW YEAR’S MASQUERADE 1/1: INDUSTRY NEW YEAR’S W/THE LEE BOYS 1/8: JONATHAN BYRD 1/9: GLEN PHILIPS (OF TOAD THE WET SPROCKET)

westvILLe pub Blues jam, 10pm

wILD wINg cAfe sOutH Trivia, 8:30pm

WEDNESDAY

8PM

VinCenzO’s BistrO Steve Whiddon (classic piano), 5:30pm

WilD Wing CAfe Team trivia, 8:30pm

Dec 2014

Fri12/12

tressA’s DOWntOWn JAzz AnD Blues Funk & jazz jam w/ Pauly Juhl, 8:30pm

wHIte HOrse bLAcK MOuNtAIN Irish sessions & open mic, 6:30pm

32icebar.localgiftcards.com

7:15 PM - SWEET CLAUDETTE HOLIDAY SESSION IN THE LOUNGE

tIMO’s HOuse An Evening w/ Nex Millen & Friends, 10pm

VinCenzO’s BistrO Steve Whiddon (classic piano), 5:30pm

Happy Holidays!

Full Bar

743 HAYWOOD RD 828-575-2737 ISISASHEVILLE.COM mountainx.com

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

weDNesDAY, DeceMber 17 5 WAlnut Wine BAr Wine tasting w/ Eleanor Underhill (Americana), 5pm Juan Benavides Trio (flamenco), 8pm beN’s tuNe-up Live band karaoke w/ The Diagnostics, 9pm bLAcK MOuNtAIN ALe HOuse Buncombe County Boys (folk, bluegrass), 7:30pm bLue MOuNtAIN pIZZA & brew pub Open Mic w/ Mark Bumgarner, 7pm Burger BAr Tom Waits night, 9pm bYwAter Soul night w/ DJ Whitney, 8:30pm crOw & quILL Uncle Shabby’s Singalong Parlour (piano karaoke), 9pm DugOut Karaoke, 9pm grinD CAfe Trivia night, 7pm IrON HOrse stAtION Kevin Reese (Americana), 6pm IsIs restAurANt AND MusIc HALL Trio Guggino (dinner music), 7:15pm JAcK Of tHe wOOD pub Old-time session, 5pm

offer expires 12/31/14

LeX 18 Patrick Lopez (Latin jazz piano), 7pm LObster trAp Ben Hovey (dub-jazz, trumpet), 7pm MOJO KItcHeN & LOuNge DJ Molly Parti “Get Over the Hump-day” dance party (funk, soul, hip-hop), 5:30pm

TAVERN

MOuNtAIN MOJO cOffeeHOuse Open mic, 6:30pm

DOWNTOWN ON THE PARK

neW mOuntAin Robert Ellis (pop, rock), 8pm

PACPK’S GIFT CARDS T S HE

ERFECT

TOCKI NG STUFFER!

OR INFO, OR VISIT T HE WE LL F BSITE TO CA

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THU. 12/11 Steven Poteat

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

wILD wINg cAfe sOutH Skinny Wednesday w/ J LUKE, 6pm

tHursDAY, DeceMber 18 5 WAlnut Wine BAr Hank West & The Smokin’ Hots (jazz exotica), 8pm ALtAMONt brewINg cOMpANY Mark Bumgarner & Darrin Nicholson (bluegrass), 9pm bLAcK MOuNtAIN ALe HOuse David Cody benefit show w/ multiple local artists, 7:30pm Lyric (acoustic soul), 9pm bLue KuDZu sAKe cOMpANY Trivia night, 8pm crOw & quILL Vendetta Creme (holiday vaudeville revue), 9pm DOuBle CrOWn 33 and 1/3 Thursdays w/ DJs Devyn & Oakley, 10pm

IsIs restAurANt AND MusIc HALL Russ Wilson “Have Yourself a Swinging Little Christmas” (holiday variety show), 8:30pm

tHe MOtHLIgHt Onawa w/ Low Index, Wyla (experimental, rock, indie, psych-pop, garage), 8:30pm

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WilD Wing CAfe Karaoke, 9pm

OliVe Or tWist Swing dance lessons w/ Bobby Wood, 7:30pm 3 Cool Cats (vintage rock), 8pm

tALLgArY’s cANtINA Open mic & jam, 7pm

20 S. SPRUCE ST. • 225.6944 PACKSTAVERN.COM

wHIte HOrse bLAcK MOuNtAIN Waltz night, 7pm

freNcH brOAD brewerY Jeff Markham, 6pm

rOOm iX Latin night w/ DJ Carlos Carmona, 9pm

WNC

VinCenzO’s BistrO Lenny Petenelli (high-energy piano), 7pm

Off tHe wAgON Piano show, 9pm

pIsgAH brewINg cOMpANY Laura Blackley Trio (country, folk, soul), 6pm

tressA’s DOWntOWn JAzz AnD Blues Blues & soul jam w/ Al Coffee & Da Grind, 8:30pm

eLAINe’s DueLINg pIANO bAr Dueling Pianos, 9pm

OrANge peeL RL Grime w/ Lunice & Branchez (hip-hop, trap, bass), 9pm

ST OF

tOwN puMp Open mic w/ Aaron, 9pm

ODDitOrium Synergy story slam, 7pm

FRI. 12/12 DJ MoTo

(pop, funk, soul)

tIMO’s HOuse Spectrum AVL w/ Dam Good (dance party), 9pm

DugOut Theater of The Mind (rock), 7pm

(acoustic rock)

SAT. 12/13 Lyric

tiger mOuntAin Sean Dail (classic punk, power-pop, rock), 10pm

NObLe KAvA Open mic w/ Caleb Beissert, 9pm

ONe stOp DeLI & bAr Shaun Peace Band (rock, roots), 10pm

(pop, dance hits)

tHe sOutHerN Disclaimer Comedy open mic, 9pm

JAcK Of tHe wOOD pub Bluegrass jam, 7pm LObster trAp Hank Bones (“The man of 1,000 songs”), 7pm MArKet pLAce Ben Hovey (dub jazz, beats), 7pm neW mOuntAin Studio Zahiya Holiday Showcase (dance performance), 6:30pm ODDitOrium Isaacson & Via (rock), 9pm Off tHe wAgON Dueling pianos, 9pm

tHe pHOeNIX Jazz night, 8pm

OliVe Or tWist West Coast swing lesson w/ Ian & Karen, 7:30pm Pop the Clutch (beach, jazz, swing), 8:30pm

tHe sOcIAL Ashli Rose (singer-songwriter), 6:30pm Karaoke, 10pm

ONe stOp DeLI & bAr Phish ’n’ Chips (Phish covers), 6pm The Jester’s Ball w/ Pericles (electronic), 10pm

OrANge peeL “Over The Railing and Through The Woods” w/ Tom Chalmers, 8pm

DOuBle CrOWn DJ Greg Cartwright (garage & soul obscurities), 10pm

OsKAr bLues brewerY Chris Smith (singer-songwriter), 6pm

DugOut Fine Line (classic rock), 9pm

pAcK’s tAverN Jason Whittaker (acoustic-rock), 9pm

eLAINe’s DueLINg pIANO bAr Dueling Pianos, 9pm

pIsgAH brewINg cOMpANY Porch 40 (blues, funk, jam, rock), 8pm

freNcH brOAD brewerY Letters to Abigail (Americana, bluegrass, country), 6pm

purpLe ONION cAfe Red Honey (rock, blues), 7pm reNAIssANce AsHevILLe HOteL Chris Carpenter (rock), 6:30pm rOOm iX College night w/ DJ MoTo, 9pm scANDALs NIgHtcLub DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm scuLLY’s “Geeks Who Drink” Trivia, 7pm sOutHerN AppALAcHIAN brewerY Carver & Carmody (blues, Americana, folk), 7pm

gOOD stuff Scott Low (folk, singer-songwriter), 8pm greeN rOOM cAfe & cOffeeHOuse Marc Yaxley (Brazilian jazz), 6pm greY eAgLe MusIc HALL & tAverN Byrds of a Feather II (Gram Parsons & Gene Clark tribute), 8pm HIgHLAND brewINg cOMpANY Doc Aquatic (indie, psych), 6:30pm IsIs restAurANt AND MusIc HALL Larke (indie, singer-songwriter), 7pm Russ Wilson “Have Yourself a Swinging Little Christmas” (holiday variety show), 8:30pm

sprINg creeK tAverN Shane’s Gang (R&B, blues, rock), 8pm

JAcK Of tHe wOOD pub Canyon Creek Bluegrass (all-star band, folk, indie, bluegrass), 9pm

tALLgArY’s cANtINA Iggy Radio, 7pm

JerusAlem gArDen Middle Eastern music & bellydancing, 7pm

tHe MOtHLIgHt Burlesque Xmas Spectacular, 9pm

LeX 18 The Byron Hedgepeth Vibes Trio (jazz), 7:30pm

tHe pHOeNIX The Moonshine Babies (Americana), 8pm

LObster trAp Calico Moon (Americana), 6:30pm

tHe sOcIAL Ryan Perry Band, 8pm

MArKet pLAce The Sean Mason Trio (groove, jazz, funk), 7pm

tHe sOutHerN Throwdown Thursday w/ Jim Raves & Nex Millen (DJ, dance party), 10pm

ODDitOrium U.S. Christmas, Bask & (Young) American Landscape (ambient, post-rock), 9pm

tHe strAND @ 38 MAIN Sheila Kay Adams & Michael Reno Harrell (Appalachian Christmas storytelling), 7:30pm

Off tHe wAgON Dueling pianos, 9pm

tIMO’s HOuse ’90s Recall w/ Franco (’90s dance, hip-hop, pop), 10pm

OliVe Or tWist WestSound (Motown), 8pm Latin gala holiday event (Brazilian samba), 11pm

ONe stOp DeLI & bAr Free Dead Fridays w/ members of Phuncle Sam (jam), 5pm Mustacheville’s 1st Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Holiday Party Fundraiser!, 9:30pm OrANge peeL Flosstradamus w/ GTA & Curtis Williams, Two-9 (DJ’s, scratch, hip-hop, electronic), 9pm OsKAr bLues brewerY West End String Band (bluegrass), 6pm pAcK’s tAverN DJ MoTo (pop, dance, hits), 9pm pIsgAH brewINg cOMpANY Rumpke Mountain Boys (bluegrass, jam), 8pm scANDALs NIgHtcLub DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm scuLLY’s DJ, 10pm sOutHerN AppALAcHIAN brewerY Peggy Ratusz Trio (blues, rock), 8pm tALLgArY’s cANtINA Go Dot Figure (folk, rock, alternative), 9:30pm tHe ADMIrAL Hip Hop dance party w/ DJ Warf, 11pm tHe MOtHLIgHt RBTS WIN w/ Stranger Day (electronic, pop, rock, dj, hip-hop), 8:30pm tHe sOcIAL Get Vocal Karaoke, 9:30pm tiger mOuntAin Soul dance party w/ Cliff, 10pm tressA’s DOWntOWn JAzz AnD Blues Lyric (acoustic soul), 10pm VinCenzO’s BistrO Steve Whiddon (classic piano), 5:30pm wILD wINg cAfe sOutH A Social Function (acoustic), 9:30pm

tressA’s DOWntOWn JAzz AnD Blues The Westsound Revue (Motown, soul), 9pm

OPEN MON-SAT 12PM-8PM EXTENDED HOURS DURING SHOWS FOR TICKET HOLDERS

OPEN AT 5PM FOR SUNDAY SHOWS

thu 12/11 fRi 12/12

jessica & david mayfield: sibling Rivalry tour 9pm • $13/$16

jubilee Riots

(formerly enter the haggis) 9pm • $12/$15

joe lasheR jR. & sat 12/13 the whiskey gentRy 8pm • $10 sun les femmes mystique’s 12/14 3rd annual “holiday affair” 7pm • $15/$20

urbAN OrcHArD Stevie Lee Combs (acoustic, Americana), 6:30pm

an evening w/

ike willis & tue ugly Radio Rebellion 12/16 celebrating the music of fRank Zappa 9pm • $12/$15

VinCenzO’s BistrO Ginny McAfee (guitar, vocals), 7pm

frIDAY, DeceMber 19 AsHevILLe MusIc HALL Viva La Hop! w/ Free Radio, Uprock Citizens Brigade, Bubonik Funk, Dillon n’ Ashe, Levee Daze (hip-hop, funk), 10pm

byRds of a featheR ii: fRi a tribute to gRam paRsons & gene claRk 12/19 9pm • $10/$12

AtHeNA’s cLub Mark Appleford (singer-songwriter, Americana), 7pm

sat 12/20

bLue MOuNtAIN pIZZA & brew pub Bob Zullo, 7pm

pleasures of the ultraviolent: live album RecoRding

9pm • $5/$8

Burger BAr Live ragtime, 7pm ClAssiC Wineseller James Hammel (pop, jazz), 7pm cOrK & Keg Red Hot Sugar Babies (jazz), 8:30pm

mountainx.com

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

M O V I E S C

H S

by Ken Hanke & Justin Souther

A &

HHHHH = max rating contact xpressmovies@aol.com

PiCK oF thE WEEK

thEatER ListinGs

The Babadook HHHHS

FRiDay, DECEMBER 12 thuRsDay, DECEMBER 18 Due to possible scheduling changes, moviegoers may want to confirm showtimes with theaters.

DiRECtoR: Jennifer Kent PLayERs: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Hayley McElhinney, Daniel Henshall, Barbara West, Benjamin Winspear, Tim Purcell

Asheville PizzA & Brewing Co. (254-1281) The Book of life (Pg) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00 guardians of the galaxy (Pg-13) 10:00

hoRRoR RatED nR thE stoRy: A single mother and her son are plagued by a mysterious creature known as Mr. Babadook. thE LoWDoWn: An absolutely superb horror film that is actually a good bit more than a horror film. Done in a classical formal style, it may remind you of Kubrick’s The Shining and the best of Polanski’s horrors. See this movie!

Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook is unlike anything else you are likely to see this year. Calling it the best horror picture of the year — though it is — does it a grave disservice, since it is, in fact, one of the best horror films of our relatively young century. It is on the high end of creepiness. This is a movie about which The Exorcist director William Friedkin said, “I’ve never seen a more terrifying film than The Babadook. It will scare the hell out of you as it did me.” Hyperbole? Maybe, but maybe not. The truth is that, yes, it’s one hell of a horror movie, but it’s considerably more than that. It’s a horror film that is an examination of denied grief and denying the dark side that exists in all of us — yet it never forgets that it’s a horror picture. It is not for nothing that it has been picking up awards at fantasy/horror film festivals, but it should be noted that critics and critic groups — who usually look

DECEMBER 10 - DECEMBER 16, 2014

CArmike CinemA 10 (298-4452) CArolinA CinemAs (274-9500)

EssiE Davis and noah WisEMan in Jennifer Kent’s astonishingly effective The Babadook — a classic-styled horror movie and a good deal more.

down on the genre — are singling it out for praise as well. I’ve seen it three times now, and if anything it worked better each time. Unfortunately, a lot of people will avoid it simply because it is a horror film. This is a great mistake. The Babadook is not what you probably think it is. It is not by any means a gore-fest. In fact, it’s not even very bloody. Writer-director Kent eschews those all-too-familiar tropes. Moreover, she has approached the film from a classical stance. There’s no shaky, hand-held camera here. The film is done in a formal style that relies on craftsmanship, sound design and other traditionalist methods. The effects are all practical in nature. There’s no CGI cartoonishness here. It may remind you of classic horror. Its “monster” is, by Kent’s own admission, grounded in the image of Lon Chaney in London After Midnight (1927) — a particularly shrewd choice since that film is lost and the image is all we have. It may remind you of Kubrick’s The Shining (1980) or Polanski’s horrors like Repulsion (1965), Rosemary’s Baby (1969) and The Tenant (1976). There are also intimations of Wes

Mountainx.CoM

Craven’s original A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). But in the end, The Babadook emerges as fresh, original, uniquely its own thing. The story is both straightforward and complex. Amelia (Essie Davis) is a widowed mother living with her young son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman). Samuel’s father was killed in a car crash on the way to the hospital when his son was born. Amelia’s deeply buried grief has slowly turned into resentment of her son — and this resentment is fueled by the fact that Samuel is what is known as a problem child. More, he’s become convinced that there is a monster in their house — one that he’s preparing himself to fight off with homemade weapons that might alarm even the most well-wrapped of mothers, which Amelia clearly is not. Things take a very bad turn when a singularly disturbing popup book called Mister Babadook mysteriously appears. Samuel is soon certain that he is being haunted by this creature. It isn’t long before Amelia is having her own issues with the Babadook — especially when the book magi-

The Babadook (nr) 1:40, 3:50, 6:15, 8:20, 10:20 Big hero 6 2D (Pg) 11:50, 2:15, 4:55, 7:30, 10:35 Birdman or (The Unexpected virtue of ignorance) (r) 11:10, 1:45, 4:20, 6:55, 9:35 exodus: gods and kings 3D (Pg-13) 2:20, 7:25, 10:30 exodus: gods and kings 2D (Pg-13) 11:15, 12:45, 4:00, 5:25, 6:10, 8:30, 9:15, 10:00 gone girl (r) 12:05, 3:10, 6:30 The homesman (r) 11:20, 2:10, 5:00, 7:35, 10:15 horrible Bosses 2 (r) 11:55, 2:25,4:50, 7:15, 9:50 The hunger games: mockingjay — Part 1 (Pg-13) 11:05, 1:50, 4:30, 7:15, 9:15, 10:05 interstellar (Pg-13) 12:00, 3:30, 7:00 nightcrawler (r) 11:40, 4:50, 10:10 Penguins of madagascar 2D (Pg) 12:15, 2:30, 4:50, 7:05 st. vincent (Pg-13) 11:20, 2:00, 7:35 The Theory of everything (Pg-13) 11:15, 1:55, 4:30, 7:10, 9:45

Co-eD CinemA BrevArD (883-2200) The hunger games: mockingjay — Part 1 (Pg-13) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00

ePiC of henDersonville (693-1146) fine ArTs TheATre (232-1536) Birdman or (The Unexpected virtue of ignorance) (r) 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, Late Show Fri-Sat 9:40 The Theory of everything (Pg-13) 1:00. 4:00, 7:00 Late Show Fri-Sat 9:30

flATroCk CinemA (697-2463) The Best of me (Pg-13) Sat, Mon, Wed 4:00, 7:00 one Chance (Pg-13) Fri, Sun, Tue, Thu 4:00, 7:00

regAl BilTmore grAnDe sTADiUm 15 (684-1298) UniTeD ArTisTs BeAUCATCher (298-1234)

Community Screenings

AsHevILLe Art MuseuM 2 N. Pack Square, 253-3227, ashevilleart. org • SA (12/13) & SU (12/14), 2pm - The Education of Little Tree. Admission fees apply. pubLIc LIbrArY screeNINgs buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/ library • TH (12/11), 3pm - Four Christmases. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • TH (12/18), 3pm - The Polar Express. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. sOcIAL JustIce fILM NIgHt 254-6001 • FR (12/12), 7pm - Paycheck to Paycheck: The Life & Times of Katrina Gilbert, a documentary about a family in poverty. Admission by donation. Held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place

Interview with The Babadook’s Writer-Director Jennifer Kent Interview by Ken Hanke

This Friday, Dec. 12, a most unusual movie opens at The Carolina. It also has a most unusual name — The Babadook — and it has something else: a 98 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes (97 positive reviews out of 99). I don’t put much credence in the whole business of review aggregation. For a variety of reasons, I think it’s nonsense and one more step in the dumbing down process of film criticism. However, in the case of a horror film — that most disdained of genres — I think such a response merits a look, simply because it’s ... well, unheard of. And I think it also deserves examination because that much unstinting praise ought to rightly raise your skepticism. I admit I approached The Babadook with a lot of skepticism. Three viewings later, I am one of its most ardent admirers. So when the opportunity arose to interview the film’s writer-director, Jennifer Kent, there was no way I was passing it up. I was allotted 20 minutes with her. We talked for nearly 40 minutes. Below is a very edited version of that conversation. The full text will appear online. Mountain Xpress: I have to ask because I’m always shocked when I talk with someone who’s made what can be classed as a horror picture and it turns out they’re not — are you a fan of the genre? Jennifer kent: I am. I watch a lot of it. I watched another film last night — one that will remain nameless. I always hope that they’re going to be good, and this wasn’t. that is one of the penalties of being a fan. I love early horror cinema as well — from Jean Epstein’s The Fall of the House of Usher in the ’20s to Diabolique and Eyes Without a Face. This is stuff I’ll seek out, so, yes, I am a fan. i’m glad to hear it. it’s easier to talk horror with someone who’s a fan of the genre than it is to talk to someone who made a horror film because they knew they could get it made. I think that results in really mediocre films. Someone asked me yesterday why horror films are so looked down on, and I think it’s because there’s such a misunderstanding of the genre. oh, yeah, and i think you’ve made what i call horror-plus, because the Babadook is so much more than a horror film. But it still works as a

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cally incorporates new and more disturbing images that portend murderous events. Ignoring the book’s warning that the more she denies the Babadook, the stronger he becomes, Amelia’s life and sanity go rapidly downhill into a morass of hallucinations (brilliantly depicted on TV) and increasingly unsafe — even threatening — behavior toward her son. It’s as if she’s living out the events of the pop-up book. That’s as much as I’ll say about the plot — except to note that it subverts our expectations at almost every turn. Yes, it’s horror — no mistake — and, yes, it’s intense and disturbing. But it’s not horror as we have come to expect it. As noted, it isn’t gory and has no interest in grossing out the viewer. Rather, it’s horror with something on its mind, and that — along with the impeccable craftsmanship and artistry of the filmmaking — makes all the difference. It makes The Babadook a film you should see. If you’re a quality horror fan, it’s a flat-out must-see. But see it soon, since the Christmas rush all but guarantees it won’t be around long. Not Rated, but contains language, violence, adult themes and disturbing images. Starts Friday at Carolina Cinemas.

contact xpressmovies@aol.com

by Ken Hanke & Justin Souther

moviEs

horror picture — and i think that’s very important. i have to ask before i forget — is mr. Babadook in any way inspired by the image of Lon chaney in London after Midnight? Yeah, absolutely. I will admit that image really impressed itself on me. What I loved about that particular image — and you can also see it in the footage we used of him in the movie on TV from Phantom of the Opera — is that you can see that it’s a person’s face. It’s just a face that’s been distorted — without CGI obviously — but manipulated so that it looks human, but almost not. And [I] think that London After Midnight, shot with his face and his mouth pulled apart like that, is really frightening. what i get is that there are certain horror touchstones — like the shining (the film, not the book) — that are inescapable. i mean you almost have a variation on the baseball bat on the stairs scene, except that it’s a mother and son and not a husband and wife. Yeah, the mother is supposed to be the protector, but here the situation is different. I don’t think it’s a deliberate reference, but when you’re dealing with areas of protection with a small child and that’s kind of exploited as well — along with that fear, “Is my parent going to protect me? Oh, no, they’re not.” — something else is going on. it’s very well done. what i was wanting to say is that although your movie reminds me of other films, it is ultimately its own beast. i don’t feel like i’m watching a pastiche. Well, the reason might be that I can’t help but be influenced because of my love for the horror film — my appreciation of it. But always when the reference stops, we need to make

intERviEw continuED on pagE 61

mountainx.com

DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

by Rob Brezny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Lord Byron (1788-1824) was an English poet who loved animals. In the course of his life, he not only had dogs and cats as pets, but also monkeys, horses, peacocks, geese, a crocodile, a falcon, a crane and a parrot. When he enrolled in Trinity College at age 17, he was upset that the school’s rules forbade students from having pet dogs, which meant he couldn’t bring his adored Newfoundland dog Boatswain. There was no regulation, however, against having a tame bear as a pet. So Byron got one and named it Bruin. I think it’s time for you to find a workaround like that, Aries. Be cunning. Try a gambit or two. Find a loophole. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Whenever I lost one of my baby teeth as a kid, I put it under my pillow before I went to sleep. During the night, the Tooth Fairy sneaked into my room to snatch the tooth, and in its place left me 25 cents. The same crazy thing happened to every kid I knew, although for unknown reasons my friend John always got five dollars for each of his teeth — far more than the rest of us. I see a metaphorically comparable development in your life, Taurus. It probably won’t involve teeth or a visit from the Tooth Fairy. Rather, you will finally be compensated for a loss or deprivation or disappearance that you experienced in the past. I expect the restitution will be generous, too — more like John’s than mine. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Through the scientific magic of grafting, a single tree can be altered to grow several different kinds of fruit at the same time. One type of “fruit salad tree” produces apricots, nectarines, plums and peaches, while another bears grapefruits, lemons, oranges, limes and tangelos. I’m thinking this might be an apt and inspiring symbol for you in the coming months, Gemini. What multiple blooms will you create on your own metaphorical version of a fruit salad tree? CANCER (June 21-July 22): No other structure on the planet is longer than the Great Wall of China, which stretches 3,945 miles. It’s not actually one unbroken span, though. Some sections aren’t connected, and there are redundant branches that are roughly parallel to the main structure. It reminds me of your own personal Great Wall, which is monumental yet permeable, strong in some ways but weak in others, daunting to the casual observer but less so to those who take the time to study it. Now is an excellent time to take inventory of that wall of yours. Is it serving you well? Is it keeping out the influences you don’t want but allowing in the influences you do want? Could it use some renovation? Are you willing to reimagine what its purpose is and how you want it to work for you in the future? LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The Arctic Monkeys are British rockers who have produced five studio albums, which together have sold almost five million copies. Rolling Stone magazine called their first album, released in 2003, the 30th greatest debut of all time. Yet when they first formed in 2002, none of them could play a musical instrument. I see the current era of your life, Leo, as having a similar potential. How might you start from scratch to create something great? VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Alan Turing (1912-1954) was a British mathematician and pioneering computer scientist. After World War II broke out, he got worried that the German army might invade and occupy England as it had done to France. To protect his financial assets, he converted everything he owned into bars of silver, then buried them underground in the countryside north of London. When the war ended, he decided it was safe to dig up his fortune. Unfortunately, he couldn’t recall where he had put it and never did find it. Let’s draw a lesson from his experience, Virgo. It’s fine if you want to stash a treasure or protect a secret or safeguard a resource. That’s probably a sensible thing to do right now. But make sure you remember every detail about why and how you’re doing it.

DECEMBER 10 - DECEMBER 16, 2014

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Harper Lee was born and raised in Alabama. At the age of 23, she relocated to New York City with hopes of becoming a writer. It was a struggle. To support herself, she worked as a ticket agent for airline companies. Finding the time to develop her craft was difficult. Seven years went by. Then one Christmas, two friends gave her a remarkable gift: enough money to quit her job and work on her writing for a year. During that grace period, Lee created the basics for a book that won her a Pulitzer Prize: To Kill a Mockingbird. I don’t foresee anything quite as dramatic for you in the coming months, Sagittarius. But I do suspect you will receive unexpected help that provides you with the slack and spaciousness you need to lay the foundations for a future creation. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Even if you are not formally enrolled in a course of study or a training program, you are nevertheless being schooled. Maybe you’re not fully conscious of what you have been learning. Maybe your teachers are disguised or unwitting. But I assure you that the universe has been dropping some intense new knowledge on you. The coming week will be an excellent time to become more conscious of the lessons you have been absorbing. If you have intuitions about where this educational drama should go next, be proactive about making that happen. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You now have a special ability to detect transformations that are happening below the threshold of everyone else’s awareness. Anything that has been hidden or unknown will reveal itself to your gentle probes. You will also be skilled at communicating your discoveries to people who are important to you. Take full advantage of these superpowers. Don’t underestimate how pivotal a role you can play as a teacher, guide and catalyst. The future success of your collaborative efforts depends on your next moves. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In the ancient Greek epic poem the Odyssey, Odysseus’s wife Penelope describes two kinds of dreams. “Those that pass through the gate of ivory,” she says, are deceptive. But dreams that “come forth through the gate of polished horn” tell the truth. Another ancient text echoes these ideas. In his poem the Aeneid, Virgil says that “true visions” arrive here from the land of dreams through the gate of horn, whereas “deluding lies” cross over through the gate of ivory. Judging from the current astrological omens, Capricorn, I expect you will have interesting and intense dreams flowing through both the gate of ivory and the gate of horn. Will you be able to tell the difference? Trust love. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your chances of going viral are better than usual. It’s a perfect moment to upload a Youtube video of yourself wearing a crown of black roses and a V for Vendetta mask as you ride a unicycle inside a church and sing an up-tempo parody version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” It’s also a favorable time for you to create a buzz for you and your pet causes through less spectacular measures. Promote yourself imaginatively. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): At age 80, author Joan Didion has published five novels, ten works of nonfiction and five screenplays. When she was 27, she wrote, “I have already lost touch with a couple of people I used to be.” That wasn’t a good thing, she added: “We are well-advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. Otherwise they turn up unannounced and surprise us, come hammering on the mind’s door and demand to know who deserted them, who betrayed them, who is going to make amends.” I recommend her counsel to you in the coming months, Pisces. Get reacquainted with the old selves you have outgrown and abandoned.

mountainx.com

MOVIES

by Ken Hanke & Justin Souther

The Homesman HHHHS DIRECTOR: Tommy Lee Jones PLAYERS: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Grace Gummer, Miranda Otto, Sonja Richter, John Lithgow, James Spader, Meryl Streep REVISIONIST WESTERN DRAMA RATED R THE STORY: A self-sufficient frontier woman and the claim-jumper whose life she saves undertake transporting three dangerously unbalanced women back east. THE LOWDOWN: A beautifully made and acted revisionist western — leavened with dark humor — that proves to be one of the year’s most compelling films.

It isn’t perfect, but Tommy Lee Jones’ The Homesman is one of the richest, most personal, most beautiful, most disturbing and ultimately strangest films of the year — a must-see movie that is going to get steamrolled by the onslaught of upcoming Christmas fare. In other words, beat a path to The Homesman on opening weekend. Chances are it isn’t going to be here more than two weeks, tops — yet it’s one of 2014’s best films. Logistics (there are only so many screens) and the Christmas rush to be in theaters on that all important Dec. 25 pretty much guarantee an early demise for both this and the equally estimable The Babadook. Those who saw Jones’ 2005 film The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (his only other theatrical feature) will recognize both a similarity in tone and even plot here. In his first film, Jones played a character who is transporting the body of his friend home to be buried — honoring a promise he made to the man. Here he’s on a not dissimilar journey — charged with helping to transport three mentally unstable women back to Iowa and, presumably, eventually to their families in the east. The Homesman, however, strikes me as far more successful and emotionally complex than The Three Burials. The film has been compared to the Coens’ True Grit (2010) — in large part because of a deep vein of dark humor, and the fact that it’s based on a revisionist western novel — but this is, I think, misleading. The Homesman is a more somber film. (That said, I

have seen the case made that Hilary Swank’s Mary Bee Cuddy could be True Grit’s Mattie Ross grown up — and I have no serious argument with that reading.) The film’s structure is seductive in the way it integrates the elements leading to the film’s central story. It starts by introducing us to 31-yearold Mary Bee Cuddy, a self-made pioneer woman with her own home and spread in the Nebraska Territory. An accomplished and unfortunately forthright woman, she has marriage on her mind and has set her sights on oafish neighboring homesteader Bob Giffen (Evan Jones). But he turns her proposal down flat, calling her bossy and plain (sentiments that will be echoed by another down the road), and stating his intention to go back east to find a wife. The dubious wisdom of his choice is quickly brought home by the mental breakdowns of three such women from the east who cannot cope with the hardships of the Territory, the roughness of their lives and possibly of their husbands. When it is decided that these three — Arabella Sours (Grace Gummer), Theoline Belknap (Miranda Otto), Gro Svendsen (Sonja Richter) — need to be transported back east, it eventually transpires that the task falls upon Cuddy to undertake the trip. Into this mix comes a claim-jumper, whose name almost certainly isn’t George Briggs (Tommy Lee Jones), even though that’s the name he finally gives Cuddy after she rescues him from a singularly gruesome lynching. (He’s been left on his horse with a noose around his neck waiting for the horse to walk away.) Cuddy frees him only after extracting a promise that he’ll do what she tells him — of course, that means help take three women east. It is not something that Briggs is keen on, but the promise — and the prospect of $300 on arrival — binds him to the foolhardy enterprise, which turns out to be every bit as bad as it sounds, and worse. The bulk of the film, of course, follows the trip east — though a large part of it involves the relationship between Cuddy and Briggs, since there’s really no one else around for the most part. (The three women hardly count since they barely speak, if they speak at all, and never in any coherent manner.) The story also takes a couple of strange — and very dark — turns that are best left to the movie to reveal. Let’s just say that while what happens is unexpected, it makes perfect sense in the context of the story and serves to make an already compelling story just that much more absorbing. It is not exactly a pleasant story, but I would call it shattering

rather than depressing (as some have done). And it is not a story without a smattering of hard-earned hope inside all the deprivation and futility depicted. Catch it while you can. Rated R for violence, sexual content, some disturbing behavior and nudity. Starts Friday at Carolina Cinemas.

STARTING FRIDAY

The Babadook See review in “Cranky Hanke.”

Exodus: Gods and Kings It’s no use trying to put a happy face on things here. Ridley Scott’s take on the Moses story isn’t exactly wowing the critics so far. (You know something is off when marketing is using pull-quotes from CBS Radio.) Even before anyone got a look at it, Scott was in bad with some for using box-office-name white actors in the film. The film itself ... well, not everyone hates it, but no one seems to be really in love with it either. In other words, it seems unlikely to replace DeMille’s creaky and campy 1956 The Ten Commandments as the go-to film for Moses. (PG-13)

The Homesman See review in “Cranky Hanke.”

Top Five Few critics have weighed in on Chris Rock’s new film Top Five, but those who have are mostly a lot more enthused about it than about Exodus. In Variety, Scott Foundas has written, “It can be hard for a movie to dwell on the problems of the rich and famous without seeming a touch self-serving, but Rock always keeps things in perspective.” In The New Yorker, Richard Brody noted, “Chris Rock wrote, directed, and stars in this genial, splendidly constructed, occasionally hilarious comic drama with a reflexive twist.” Along with Rock, the film stars Rosario Dawson, Tracy Morgan, Adam Sandler, Gabrielle Union and Whoopi Goldberg. (R)

interview continued from page 59

our own film. You know, the family of people that we collected, we were all aware that we wanted to create something new. I think you have added possibly the first completely non-camp — not that I have anything against camp — iconic horror figure since Freddy Krueger in the first Nightmare on Elm Street. I think there’s a certain feel to that one film that I get out of The Babadook, because you used so many floor effects. So much of this is solid. It’s tangible. It’s real. And there were things in that first Nightmare that were lost as the budgets increased and the effects became more easily achieved. Much the same way, your film can be seen in terms of things that exist. They don’t look cartoonish. Well, every effect in The Babadook is a practical effect. Some people have criticized the roughness of the effects, which is fine, but I don’t think they got what I was on about. I know teenagers are used to lots of CGI, but when people ask me, “If you’d had a huge budget, what would you have done differently?” And the answer is — not a lot actually, because the whole point is that they remain homemade so that they look like they’re happening in front of you. And also because it makes them look like part of the storybook world. We may have gotten better materials and more time to work on them, but ultimately it would have been the same effect. I get your point with the Nightmare films. It becomes about pyrotechnics after a certain point, and that’s a shame because the original is really frightening. The first one is terrifying, and after that nothing really is. In looking back on the history of horror, the best films that are keepers throughout the decade have all been independently produced — almost to a fault. There’s an independent vision running through those films. You know, they’re a little subversive and anarchic, and that’s why the films are what they are. And while we were making this I’d often say that to my producer. Films like Evil Dead and Texas Chainsaw Massacre and countless others like Nightmare on Elm Street have a independent spirit that we need to protect. When people ask me what’s going wrong with horror, I’d say that’s a big part of it. These kind of films can’t be made by committee. It’s impossible.

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

Il Grido HHHH Director: Michelangelo Antonioni Players: Steve Cochran, Alida Valli, Betsy Blair, Gabriella Pallotta, Dorian Gray, Lynn Shaw DRAMA Rated NR As it turned out, Il Grido (1957) marked the end of Michelangelo Antonioni’s neorealist period. When he returned in 1960 with L’Avventura, he had pretty completely transformed himself into the introspective, artier, more impenetrable filmmaker we think of as Antonioni. It is perhaps not surprising since that was the same year that Fellini edged into being the fabulist filmmaker he’d always been edging toward with La Dolce Vita. Whatever the specifics, Il Grido remains a fairly solid neorealist film — only its somewhat peculiar ending suggests anything in the way of a change. It’s a typical international cast affair, starring low-rent Hollywood tough guy Steve Cochran as Aldo, a man for whom happiness — or even contentment — seems an impossibility. When his girlfriend (Alida Valli) tosses him out in favor of another man, Aldo takes their daughter and becomes a wanderer, sifting through his past and searching for a future that leads him only back to where he started. It’s rather grim stuff, and by its very nature it tends to meander, but it’s a good example of Antonioni in neorealist mode. Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Il Grido Friday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. at Phil Mechanic Studios, 109 Roberts St., River Arts District (upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, www.ashevillecourtyard.com

Secret of the Blue Room HHHH Director: Kurt Neumann Players: Lionel Atwill, Gloria Stuart, Paul Lukas, Edward Arnold, Onslow Stevens, William Janney, Robert Barrat HORROR MYSTERY Rated NR Though Kurt Neumann’s Secret of the Blue Room was a hardy — and well-loved — staple of the old Shock Theater TV package, it’s really more of an old dark house mystery than an outright horror film. (That’s only reasonable, I suppose, since it’s partly made on redressed sets from James Whale’s 1932 The Old Dark House.) But it has a solid atmosphere, a creepy story and a terrific cast. Plus, it marks the fourth and final time that the very familiar chunk of Swan Lake was used on the credits of a Universal horror. The whole thing was a remake of a German movie — and it possibly uses exterior shots from that film. Universal must have really liked it since they remade their remake twice — The Missing Guest (1938) and Mystery of the Blue Room (1944). This one is easily the best. It’s a reasonably good mystery — though not one particularly hard to solve if you’ve seen many such mysteries. But that cast — Lionel Atwill, Gloria Stuart, Paul Lukas, Onslow Stevens, Edward Arnold — and the Universal atmosphere make it a treat. The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Secret of the Blue Room Thursday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. in Theater Six at The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther.

The Lemon Drop Kid HHHH Director: Sidney Lanfield Players: Bob Hope, Marilyn Maxwell, Lloyd Nolan, Jane Darwell, William Frawley, Fred Clark COMEDY Rated NR It’s become something of a Christmas staple now, but The Lemon Drop Kid was originally not well-received. Why? Well, it’s a Christmas movie that came out in April — and it was all Bob Hope’s fault. When he saw the finished film — intended for Christmas 1950 — he thought it was weak and needed work. Considering the work it needed included the addition of the song “Silver Bells” and its elaborate production number — directed by Frank Tashlin, as was all the additional footage — Hope’s instincts were sound. Supposedly based on the Damon Runyon story (which had been filmed straight in 1934), it’s really a Bob Hope vehicle with Runyonesque characters and dialogue. Hope plays Sidney Milburn, a racetrack tout professionally known as The Lemon Drop Kid. The story is all about Milburn trying to get the money to repay Moose Moran (Fred Clark) over a bet the Kid accidentally touted him away from. The plan becomes a scheme to collect money for an “old dolls home” — built around Nellie Thursday (Jane Darwell) — that he plans to use to pay off Moran. It’s funny, sentimental and one of Hope’s last really good movies. The Asheville Film Society will screen The Lemon Drop Kid Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m. in Theater Six at The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther. mountainx.com

DECEMBER 10 - DECEMBER 16, 2014

M A R K E T P L A C E REaL

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DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014

pA eXecutIve AssIstANt Admin assistant position available at established Construction management/ real estate development firm. Flexible 30 hour Mon - Fri work week. An excellent opportunity for advancement for the right person. Please send your resume to gchris717@gmail.com

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HuMAN servIces DIrect cAre pOsItIONs WNC Group Homes for Autistic Persons is hiring for Direct Care Positions. • Full-Time on 2nd shift, and Part-Time weekends. Job duties include providing planned instruction to group home residents to maximize independent living skills, and behavioral health. Eligible applicants must have High School Diploma and 2 years related experience, or college degree, and possess a current Driver’s License. Hourly pay rate $10.30-$11.00/ hour. Apply in person at 28 Pisgah View Ave, Asheville or for additional information visit our website: www.wncgrouphomes.org WNC Group Homes is a Drug Free Workplace. DIrect cAre stAff • teAm mAnAger Job/Position Overview: Supervises and acts as role model for all residents in an all girls residential treatment center. Ensures the provision of a physically and emotionally safe environment

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JoBs for all residents enrolled in the program, to adhere to all programmatics, schedules, policies and procedures outlined in employee handbook and Solstice RTC Policy and Procedure manual. Oversees the residential programmatics, schedule, training and supervision of direct care staff. Includes on call duties. • Qualifications: Experience and Education College training in Mental Health preferred; Bachelors degree required. 2+ years working with youth. 1+ years RTC work experience. At least 25 years of age. CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification. Benefits are offered to full-time employees and include health, dental, vision and life insurance as well as holiday pay, vacation and sick leave. • Please send a resume and cover letter to humanresources@ashevilleacademy. com Solstice East is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No phone calls please. LOOKINg fOr DIrect CAre stAff to provide services to persons(s) with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities. Position is in Weaverville. Evidence of high school graduation is required. Apply online at www.turningpointservicesinc.com; specify Asheville as the location. “We are an equal opportunity employer”

teAcHINg/ eDuCAtiOn eXecutIve DIrectOr mOuntAin sun COmmuNItY scHOOL Mountain Sun Community School in Brevard, NC is seeking an Executive Director to represent its mission through leadership of the organization in administrative, business, and educational processes. For more details, email employment@mountainsunschool.org or visit mountainsunschool.org/employmentopportunities substItute teAcHers Hanger Hall is seeking substitute teachers. $12/hour. Hanger Hall is a private, all girls middle school with a fun and dynamic curriculum. To apply, email a cover letter and resume to: employment@ hangerhall.org

Arts/meDiA MuseuM INterNsHIp At bLAcK MOuNtAIN cOLLege MuseuM + Arts ceNter BMCM+AC seeks a parttime Museum Intern to provide staff support in our downtown Asheville gallery spaces. To learn more and apply, visit http://www.blackmountaincollege.org/component/content/ article/45-expansion/371museum-internship or email erin@blackmountaincollege. org.

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cOMputer/ tecHNIcAL

cHArter cOMMuNIcAtIONs HIrINg brOADbAND instAllers Charter Communications, one of the nation’s largest Broadband service providers, is seeking Broadband Installers for their Asheville, NC area. The essential functions of this position are contributing to the company vision of being the industry leader in customer service through quality, commitment, courtesy and teamwork. This person will be responsible for performing basic installations, disconnects and service changes for residential and business customers for cable television, phone, and internet. This is an entry level position. Must have HS Diploma or GED and a valid driver’s license. Interested applicants must complete the online application at ww.charter. com/careers. Charter offers competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package.**Females and Minorities encouraged to apply**

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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUzzLE

ACROSS 1 React to a haymaker 5 “Song of the South” appellation 9 Pair on a yawl 14 Take the edge off 16 Many a Greenlander 17 1964 hit for Manfred Mann 19 Is the first act 20 Perpendicular to vert. 21 It sells, it’s said 22 Home in the sticks? 23 Viagra rival 26 1968 song from the Beatles’ “White Album” 32 ID thief’s target 35 Flick with a duel, maybe 36 Small wonder? 37 1965 hit for the Dixie Cups 39 1954 hit for the Chords 41 What snobs put on 42 Place for high living? 45 Golf club V.I.P. 46 1994 hit for the Crash Test Dummies 50 Introduce to the mix 51 Like a legal deposition 55 “They’re ___ Delicious!” (Alpha-Bits slogan)

58 Ex-president Tyler

sided with it: Abbr. 59 Super 60 1973 song by the Rolling Stones subtitled “Heartbreaker” 65 “Beats me” 66 Hollywood’s Hollywood and Vine do it 67 Dish sometimes served au poivre 68 Swimmer Kristin ___, the first woman to win six gold medals at a single Olympics 69 Amor’s counterpart DOWN 1 Cause of some poisoning 2 Pursue “I do’s” when the parents say don’t? 3 Cary who played Robin Hood 4 Makeshift shelter 5 eBay action 6 Bollywood star Aishwarya ___ 7 Flight board abbr. 8 Feature of one nicknamed “Ginger” 9 Leaf’s central vein 10 Singer DiFranco 11 Beer, slangily 12 Sand castle’s undoing

13 River ferried by

edited by Will Shortz 1

Charon 14 15 15 Pre-DVD format 18 Modern acronym meaning “carpe diem” 17 23 “Cool” guy 19 24 Chemical suffix 25 Hearty slice 22 27 ___ choy (Chinese cabbage) 26 27 28 Vientiane native 29 Surmounting 32 33 34 35 30 Symbol of opportunity 37 38 31 Armory supply, 41 informally 32 Pre-1939 atlas name 46 47 33 Milk option 34 Standard 50 38 Ideologies 39 Alastair of “A 55 56 57 58 Christmas Carol” 40 Tailor’s edge 60 61 42 Medium for much political talk 65 43 U.K. record label 67 44 Watergate inits. 47 Highest peak in N.Z. 48 Soup served at a puzzle by GAReTH bAIN sushi bar 49 Down in the dumps 54 Pillages 55 Introduces to the 52 Equestrian, e.g. mix 53 BP merger partner of 1998 56 Ring event

What’s your

No. 1105 5

16 18 20 23

29 36 39 42

49 51

59 62

66 68

57 Baskin-Robbins order 62 It borders four Great Lakes: Abbr. 59 ___ favor (Spanish “please”) 63 Mel with 511 homers 61 “CSI” test subject 64 To God, in hymns

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DEcEmBER 10 - DEcEmBER 16, 2014