Mountain Xpress 12.11.24

OUR 31ST YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 31 NO. 19 DEC. 11-17, 2024

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 11-17, 2024

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C ONT ENTS

A&C

A&C

WELLNESS FEATURE

NEWS

OPINION

FEATURES 6

OF TIME AND THE RIVER Should the River Arts District be rebuilt?

10 OUT IN THE COLD Buncombe County evictions march on post-Helene

PAGE 13 KEEPING THE FAITH For some religious residents in Western North Carolina, Tropical Storm Helene not only left behind a trail of wreckage but also raised questions tied to their faith.

Religious leaders say that such reactions are normal during a period of crisis. Furthermore, they note, many congregants have leaned into their faith more than ever amid ongoing recovery efforts. On this week’s cover is Senior Pastor Jeff Dowdy of the First Baptist Church Swannanoa.

COVER PHOTO Caleb Johnson COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick

16 MAN OF LETTERS Student documents Christ School history in new book

23 HEALTH ROUNDUP Aromatherapy company to convert former church into a wellness sanctuary

24 EVERGREEN REDEMPTION Tony Bayles turns heartbreak into beauty with memorial structures

26 LIKE A PRAYER Asheville author urges more openness about religious beliefs and practices

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DEC. 11-17, 2024

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OPINION

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

Challenges are crushing small-business owners [Regarding the Dec. 4 Xpress newsletter question: “Is enough being done to repair homes damaged by Helene?”]

Much important focus is being placed on needs of homeowners and unhoused members of our community, but time and again, I feel the challenges and lack of financial support for small local businesses are continually being overlooked or overshadowed five- to tenfold by private/ personal tragedies.

These businesses are not only the lifeblood of our character and economy, these are personal livelihoods of not only the owners but all the employees. Speaking as a small-business owner, the weight an owner inevitably places on themselves for the extended family on their team is creating a weight on the shoulders of many business owners who are candidly trying to figure out how to keep the business and five, 10, 20, 30 … livelihoods of employees, who need food, rent, loans, etc., afloat as well.

The perception might be that business owners should be good to go based on a false belief of prosperity for business owners, but if you talk to most, you will find the stress and pressure is becoming unbearable for many. Something like 60% of small businesses do not make it through something like this. To us, that is a child lost and a large extended family thrown out in the street.

Who has the ear of our elected officials and county staff when these decisions (to request funding) are made?

With such a large grant pool available, why aren’t citizens involved in deciding what funding should be prioritized?

For instance, could this money have been applied toward literacy programs or early childhood education — initiatives that address the root causes of poverty and substance use?

Transparency isn’t a luxury; it’s essential for building trust in our government. I urge our county leaders to include citizens in the decision-making process for grant applications and allocations. By doing so, we can ensure that these finite funds are used in ways that reflect our community’s shared values and long-term goals.

— Jim Fulton Arden

C A R T O O N B Y R AN DY M O L T O N Every business is unique in needs but worth considering.

— Jeff Greiner Adventure Center of Asheville Asheville

Demand transparency in funding decisions As a resident who values community-driven solutions, I am troubled by the lack of transparency surrounding the $150,000 grant from the Dogwood

Health Trust to support the Syringe Service Program and Hepatitis C Bridge program. While public health is an important priority, this significant allocation of funds was introduced under the consent agenda at the Dec. 2 meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Historically, the consent agenda is approved by this board unanimously without any discussion. So, we should expect there to be no open public discussion or clear citizen oversight as a large sum of money is filtered through local government bureaucracy.

Profoundly disappointed in General Assembly Hearing the stories and viewing the images from the tragedy that befell us two months ago still brings me to tears.

So many are still in need; so many in so much pain. Small businesses are staggering under immense rebuilding costs with greatly reduced revenue.

Many will have to shut their doors.

It seems that my concern about the suffering people of Western North Carolina is not shared by the GOPcontrolled N.C. General Assembly.

Last month, General Assembly leadership crafted a bill in the dark and

MY STORY

Sending hugs and healing Healing comes in many different forms. Since the hurricane, we have seen people open their hearts by feeding others, distributing needed resources and praying for those who have been through a very difficult ordeal.

Tropical Storm Helene tried the best of us. She showed us who we are as a community. I am so very sure that we as a people are good, loving souls.

Helene brought the River Arts District closer; downtown businesses worked together; people held one another and upheld the dignity of our land. We, for the most part, were not supported by outside help but by community spirit: locals helping locals.

I distributed food with the Saluda Pantry. When there was extra of anything, I drove it in my red Ford truck to Erwin, Tenn., where they are not getting the publicity Asheville has received. In 4

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Erwin, the Cajun Navy set up a distribution post in a small car dealership. A group of volunteers is currently running the post.

When I arrived with a drop-off, there was a farmer looking for hay, as the grass on his land was washed away. Another man was looking for four rolls of insulation to shore up his tool shed for his family of six to survive the winter. These are not new stories: The people in Swannanoa are living in tents in 30-degree weather, for goodness sake. My point is, love crosses county and state lines. After a season of political separateness, it feels good to be in the midst of one humanity.

Helene was a big storm with a wide berth. It will be a long time until people get their lives back to any resemblance of what was.

I wanted to do something in addition to distributing food and clothing. I wanted

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KIM PURCELL to do something to help heal the trauma that is so prevalent in our community.

As a healer with a background in energy medicine and crystals, I take to the streets with a large bag of hand-held crystals of all sorts. I leave them on park benches and tabletops, and hand them to strangers and tell them, “I hope you are having a good day.” I also randomly distribute bottles and pastilles of Bach

Flower Remedies, a homeopathic formula. The Bach Centre in the United Kingdom graciously donated bottles to my efforts.

It’s a small thing, but my hope is that people will find a shiny amethyst or rose quartz crystal while wandering through town. It’s a message that everything is going to be all right. Someone out there cares to send a message of hope and love to a stranger.

Healing comes in many forms. I am so proud to be a part of this beautiful community. We brought and are bringing our best selves to one another. We are a city of light and openhearted, generous people.

If you find a random crystal next to your cash register, tabletop or park bench, please know someone is sending you a hug and a lot of healing.

— Kim Purcell Saluda Kim Purcell is an intuitive energy healer and mushroom forager who spends her time between Saluda and Mars Hill, dropping crystals in a town near you. X

CARTOON BY BRENT BROWN brought it up for a vote less than three hours later. Though they claimed the bill was a “disaster relief bill,” only 11 pages out of 131 had anything to do with helping WNC. The law included one paragraph stipulating an additional $227 million from the rainy day fund be transferred to the Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Fund. That money is to “remain unspent until appropriated by an act of the General Assembly.”

They are not sending money to folks in need; they are moving it from one fund to another in Raleigh.

The rest of the bill was a massive reshaping of state government to take power away from those state offices won by Democrats (governor, attorney general, state schools superintendent) and giving it to the General Assembly and their designees. I’ve been following politics for a good long while, but I can’t say that I’ve ever seen anything so cynical, mean-spirited and cruel. It was so bad that three Republican House members from Western North Carolina voted against it. Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed it, but you can count on it coming up for a veto override vote in December.

It seems like Republicans in the General Assembly are focused on making life easier for themselves.

Shame on them.

— Cinda Chima Asheville

Help derail cynical power grab of a bill Like so many others here, I have been encouraged to see strong Appalachian grit as our communities came together during rescue and recovery from Helene. Many have a long way to go, but many also were just beginning to find some solace from the physical and psychological damage we experienced.

Politics were set aside, and when the internet cesspool spewed up MAGA lies, the pushback was swift, including even our Republican congressman, Chuck Edwards. Thank you, Chuck!

Perhaps like you, I was bragging to friends across the country that North Carolina did its part in resisting MAGA by voting in Democrats Josh Stein (governor), Jeff Jackson (attorney general), Mo Green (schools), Elaine Marshall (secretary of state), Rachel Hunt (lieutenant governor) and breaking the MAGA supermajority in the legislature!

Those good ole boys in the legislature hated this, and so, in secret, with no input and one hour of notice, the House rammed through Bill 382 as a fat middle finger to North Carolina voters. The bill passed the Senate the next day. Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed it on Nov 26.

It is a 131-page mashup of a bill, cynically named, “Disaster Relief.” I can only guess the disaster referred to was their shellacking by North Carolina voters!

The bill hobbles incoming officeholders, softens the beach for MAGA priorities, exacts revenge, solidifies their hold on North Carolina politics and even rewards themselves better parking, just because they can!

Here is only some of what it does: • Takes control of the courts, gerrymandering a Superior Court judge who has opposed them and packs the court with two new Superior Court judgeships they will control.

• Weakens any restraints on what charter schools may teach the kiddos, praise Jesus!

• Creates their own police force by grabbing control of the Highway Patrol.

This, combined with the recently passed HB 10, which ensures that our sheriffs facilitate the pending immigrant roundups and deportations, is very, very scary. Anyone else hear jackboots coming through our towns?

• Evidently facilitates donations for a political party headquarters? I can only imagine the gold-plated statue that will surely grace the entrance.

• And this being the Deep South, which has made an art of keepin’ the voter down since 1870, half the items

Correction The byline for Smart Bets in our Dec. 4 issue should have been listed as Kay West. X

suppress voting, shortening times to resolve provisional votes, steals powers to control the election boards from Gov. Stein and a dozen other voter suppression tactics.

• And speaking of Josh Stein, they must really hate him, since reducing his power, as payback for him daring to defy them when he was attorney general, seems to be a main focus of the bill.

If you read through the bill, make sure you are sitting down, because nausea will overwhelm you after 40 pages in. The state Senate has already voted along party lines to override Gov. Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 382.

The N.C. House was scheduled to reconvene Dec. 9. Contact your WNC Republican representatives to let them know you will oppose the override of Gov. Cooper’s veto. Time is short to derail this vicious, cynical ploy.

— David Dixon Asheville X

Word of the week sobriquet /sō-bri-kā/

(n.) a descriptive name or epithet; nickname With Christmas right around the corner, it dawned on us that Santa Claus has many sobriquets ­— St. Nick, Kris Kringle and Father Christmas — to name a few. X

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DEC. 11-17, 2024

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OPINION

Of time and the river Should the River Arts District be rebuilt?

BY ZOE RHINE I was a special collections librarian at Pack Memorial Library for over 27 years, and every time we had a flood, and especially after the flood of 2004, I would read information about why it is not a good idea to rebuild on a floodplain. We would put up an exhibit of photographs and newspaper headlines from the 1916 flood — the flood of all floods — where 80 people died. One notable anecdote of that disaster is of Edith Vanderbilt bringing coffee to the river for men who were trying to save people.

About every 20 years, there is a major flooding event in our area.

And everyone knows that buildings and pavement alter an area’s natural drainage and increase the risk of flooding. But every time after a flood, mud gets sucked up and wiped away, buildings repaired, and businesses return.

People would point, dumbfounded, to where walls were marked across the

district by where the water’s height had stood.

When we first look at the effects of Tropical Storm Helene, which was worse than the 1916 flood, we need to recall that artists weren’t always working on the river. It was only 11 years ago, in 2013, that 80-some artists voted to incorporate as the River Arts District Artists Inc., a nonprofit organization that now has over 300 members.

Before the River Arts District, artists were mostly in downtown Asheville, especially on Wall Street — until a 1985 renovation of the street made studio space there too expensive, also causing the Asheville Music Hall to close.

THE BIRTH OF THE RAD Printmaker Porge Buck was the first artist to work in the River Arts District (aka the RAD) when she and her husband, painter Lewis Buck, bought the Williams Seed and Feed

building at 170 Lyman St. in 1987. They were followed by Pattiy Torno in 1989, and then others came, filling the lightfilled industrial buildings, where spaces were large and rents were cheap. After Tropical Storm Helene, Torno felt that this flood had taken a toll on the artists, and she wondered if any would return.

It is estimated that 500 artists were working or selling their art in the River Arts District before Helene and that about 80% of the district was damaged in the storm.

The City of Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority well know the value the artists bring to Asheville. Arts AVL reports that “the RAD generates $1 billion in sales annually, supports 8,500 jobs and is a key part of Buncombe County’s tourism industry and the regional economy.” Will Asheville provide the artists a safe and functional home for creating art and for exhibiting art for the future? As well as perhaps the café owners, antiques dealers (think of the antiques that have been swallowed whole by the Swannanoa River over the decades) and breweries that go along with them so well for locals and tourists alike?

At least two Ashevilleans recently posted a photo on social media of graffiti on a bridge footing in the River Arts District. “We should go uphill,” it said, “with our asphalt and chemicals and cars,” and concluded by saying, “Don’t put your city’s creatives in the firing squad. Clear it.” At last look, both posts had 30-some comments with many good ideas. This is a big issue that people care about. One person imagined a greenway from Black Mountain to Marshall.

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ZOE RHINE A NEW HOME FOR ARTISTS I believe city and county officials, artists, historians, creative builders and thinkers should all join to come up with the best of possibilities. Let us use this time to think of a creative and environmentally sound solution. Let’s look at other cities that have overhauled regulations around development in floodplains, such as nearby Brevard, which adopted stringent flood standards. An added plus is lower flood insurance costs.

It seems to me that the City of Asheville and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (with the owners’ agreement) could buy current buildings on the river and then raze them. Is it possible to save the materials to create a new district on higher ground? Maybe something like the city municipal garages and buildings on South Charlotte Street? Expensive, yes. But think of the glory in the possible outcome.

While I’m not an urban planner, it seems that there may be multiple options worth exploring in the city. Someone suggested the Asheville Mall, with its central location and plenty of parking, would be a good home for artists. Does the city own any more property that was taken during urban renewal? Is the site of the former Stephens-Lee High School available, affectionately called “The Castle on the Hill” because of its commanding view of the city? What about the former Moog Music headquarters on Broadway with its 29,660 square feet? Or the former Balcrank factory on Reems Creek Road that sits on 18 acres and has 68,000 square feet?

Yes, we love our waterfront. And it’s too bad it is not a lake. But let’s try to think of visiting it with newly planted vegetation, a wetland becoming home to new species, a green space that leaves the land as an open, natural place. And let’s find a home for Asheville’s artists that’s affordable, accessible and safe.

Zoe Rhine retired as manager of the Buncombe County Special Collections at Pack Memorial Library after 27 years and currently writes creative nonfiction short stories. X

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 11-17, 2024

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NEWS

Deluged with doubts

Critics say outdated flood maps provide an inaccurate picture of future threats

BY MARK BARRETT markbarrett@charter.net A key tool government and individuals in Buncombe County will have to rely on to decide how to rebuild after Tropical Storm Helene is old and, according to critics, unreliable.

All but a few of the maps intended to show areas in the county most prone to flooding were adopted almost 15 years ago. They have no provision for increased risk of flooding since then caused by climate change or construction of roads, buildings and other hard surfaces, or how much those factors may make flooding still worse in the future.

The maps, produced by the state government for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are the basis for local government ordinances that determine what can and cannot be built on land near creeks and rivers.

These maps determine which homeowners must buy flood insurance and which can legally skip it. They can also play a part in decisions over where it is wise to place buildings and where it is not.

Your middle school science teacher probably taught you that the warmer the air is, the more moisture it can hold – and drop in a rainstorm. But the flood maps don’t account for a warmer climate. Instead, they are based on calculations of rainfall probabilities that in turn “are based on a stagnant climate, so you can infer that they’re not that accurate,” says retired meteorologist Marjorie McGuirk, an Asheville resident who worked in the climate field for decades.

Bigger and badder Floodwaters from Helene apparently knocked over a historical marker in Biltmore Village that commemorates the flood of 1916.

How much stronger or more likely was Helene — which spawned higher flood levels on the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers than the 1916 flood — because of climate change?

Scientists say it is hard to provide precise answers, but three so-called rapid attribution studies give estimates.

• A team of international scientists with World Weather Attribution says rainfall from Helene was about 10% heavier because of climate change. The three-day rainfall total from the storm was about

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LONG AFTER THE STORM: The Swannanoa River flows peacefully just east of the Whitson Avenue bridge in Swannanoa Dec. 1 while evidence of its destructive force during Tropical Storm Helene sits on its banks. Photo by Mark Barrett That uncertainty could play a role in future discussions over whether to toughen restrictions on building in or near floodplains to lessen damage caused by future storms. Those debates will also touch on concerns over private property rights and the area’s shortage of affordable housing: The more land that is subject to tighter rules on building, the higher the demand for remaining buildable tracts is likely to be.

“By not taking climate impacts and other factors into account, communities are using bad flood maps to make even

70% more likely, and “devastating rainfall events” in an area including Western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee will be another 15%-25% more likely if climate change continues, they say.

• Climate scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California wrote that climate change “may have caused as much as 50% more rainfall during Helene in some parts of Georgia and the Carolinas,” though a graphic in their report indicates the effect was less in the Asheville area.

• A group of European scientists affiliated with the Institute Pierre Simon Laplace in France said Helene was “a largely unique event” but that similar hurricanes have become up to 20% wetter. X

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worse decisions about where it’s safe to build,” Rob Moore, director for flood solutions and environmental health at the national Natural Resources Defense Council, wrote earlier this year.

WHERE RULES APPLY With many local residents either out of work, out of their former homes or both because of Helene, meeting the immediate needs the storm created is the main focus of government and local residents nowadays. But, people in the field of disaster management speak of a disaster response cycle that eventually turns to a phase when, as McGuirk puts it, “We look to make it so that the next disaster won’t be a repeat of the previous one.”

Flood plain maps delineate the special flood hazard area — often called, somewhat misleadingly, the 100-year flood plain — where mapmakers calculate there is a 1% chance of flooding in any given year. They also typically show areas where the flooding possibility is 0.2% annually, termed the 500-year flood plain.

Asheville and Buncombe County both require that the lowest inhabitable floor in new structures built in the 100year floodplain be at least 2 feet above the level floodwaters would reach in a 100-year flood. Buildings already in existence when the rules were adopted are grandfathered unless they are

damaged to the point where they have lost half or more of their value. Then, they can’t be rebuilt without complying.

There are no special requirements for buildings in the 500-year floodplain.

People buying a home within the 100-year floodplain must buy flood insurance if their mortgage is backed by the government, as most are.

But, there are serious doubts about the maps’ accuracy, even when they were first published. By one statistical measure, they are considerably less reliable than many calculations used in engineering work. FEMA says a quarter of all insurance claims for flood damage occur outside the 100-year flood plain — even though homeowners in those areas aren’t required to buy flood insurance and often don’t.

David Easterling, a climate scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information’s Asheville office, says drawing accurate flood maps is inherently difficult because rainfall and flood records only go back so far. How confidently can you say a particular level of flooding should happen an average of once every 500 years when there’s less than 500 years of data?

Climate change and property development increase the chances that flood maps underestimate the risk.

The number of housing units alone in Buncombe County increased 14% from

2010 — when the most recent flood maps came out — to 2020.

The NCEI says the temperature of the Gulf of Mexico — a key factor in the intensity of hurricanes — rose about 1.8 degrees from 1970 to 2020, and NASA says the water was unusually warm as Helene gathered strength and headed for Western North Carolina. At least three quick studies agree that climate change made Helene more likely, more intense or both, though they say natural variation in the weather was a larger factor.

“Climate change had an influence on [Helene] and definitely made it worse. How much worse is hard to say,” Easterling says.

He, like many scientists, expects that effect to increase: “If the climate continues heating up … you’re going to have more of these Helene-type events.”

Nathan Pennington, Buncombe County planning director, says the maps at present “do a pretty good job” predicting where flooding will happen, but he adds that it is a challenge for mappers to keep up with climate change: “The problem is we’re starting to see patterns change. We’re starting to see more 500-year events.”

FEMA is looking at adding a forward-looking component to flood maps.

For now, they are based entirely on the past, not what’s expected to happen next. New maps for Buncombe County should be approved in three or four years, Pennington says.

In response to questions from Xpress, FEMA’s public information office said in a statement that its flood maps “are snapshots in time designed to show minimum standards for flood plain management and the highest risk areas for flood insurance. They are not predictions of where it will flood, and they don’t show where it has flooded before.” Owners of property outside the 100-year flood plain should not assume it will never flood, the statement says.

“Maps are updated on a continuous basis” and, “The age of a map does not necessarily reflect its accuracy,” the statement says.

Xpress also emailed questions to the public information office for the N.C. Department of Public Safety on Nov. 22. No response had been received by press time.

THE COST OF SAFETY Early discussions about how to respond to Helene include philosophical differences over how much government should try to reduce the risk of flood damage and uncertainty over how likely flooding is in areas above the 100year flood plain shown on current maps.

Tony McEwen, Carolinas director for advocacy group American Flood Coalition, says he wants FEMA to

RAVAGED: Some furniture is still visible inside Bee Tree Christian Church in Swannanoa Dec. 1. Photo by Mark Barrett improve its mapping, but he adds that even without better maps, it is obvious that local governments need financial and other help to combat flooding.

“Maybe Helene itself is not the new normal, but the fact is that Western North Carolina has had to deal with flooding issues in the past and will have to deal with them going forward,” he says.

He says efforts to make communities more resilient more than pay for themselves in reduced costs when floods occur. “It’s not easy to proactively spend money … but on this, it makes so much sense,” McEwen says.

Lisa Raleigh, executive director of environmental nonprofit RiverLink, points to Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) research indicating that Buncombe County was hit by a flood in 1791 that was higher than the infamous flood of 1916, which claimed about 80 lives. TVA reports from the 1960s chronicle several other floods during the 19th and 20th centuries. And, other floods – notably, two in 2024 that caused major damage across Buncombe County – have followed their publication.

“We’re flood prone,” Raleigh told the local Sierra Club chapter Nov. 6. “We have endless incidents of nuisance to medium flooding events that result in property and habitat damage.”

Raleigh argues, “We need to use Helene as a benchmark.” She doesn’t have specific policy changes in mind but

warns, “We truly must consider making more ‘room for the rivers,’ or we are going to continue to find ourselves in different versions of this disaster.”

Mike Summey, a major owner of rental housing in Buncombe County, is at the opposite end of the spectrum. He says, “Too many people want the government to protect them from everything.”

If everyone drove around in tanks, there would be fewer injuries in traffic accidents, but the cost would be prohibitive, he says.

“Whatever happened to personal responsibility?” Summey asks. “If I want to go down there and build a building in the floodplain and have it wash away, that’s my business,” he says.

McGuirk, the retired meteorologist, disagrees. She notes the broad efforts by government, nonprofits and ordinary people to help residents hit by Helene. That’s on top of ongoing services like police, firefighting and emergency management to keep people safe from a variety of threats, including flooding, whether they put themselves in harm’s way or not.

“Everyone pays when someone is in need of aid,” McGuirk says. “The cost of risk is shared by all.”

BUILDING RESILIENTLY Pennington says it would be “very, very, very hard” for local governments

to plan to combat risks from another Helene but there are options to improve the community’s ability to handle flooding. He says members of the public are moving away from the idea that they should just rebuild whatever the last flood damages.

“The calls I’m getting now are, ‘How do I build back more resiliently?’ That’s different than the calls I’ve gotten after other floods,” he says.

He’s pushing property owners to get insured: “If you live near a watercourse, if you live near a babbling brook, you need flood insurance.”

Keith McDade, head of a new master’s degree program in applied climate studies at Warren Wilson College, says there will have to be “a community conversation” about possible changes in rules affecting flooding. That could include more steps to control stormwater or allowing denser development away from streams in addition to floodplain rules.

“I think it’s nice to hope that [a storm like Helene] won’t happen again, but I think it is prudent to plan for the possibility,” he says. On the other hand, “We have to continue to invest in our affordable housing and maintain affordability.”

Those conversations will impact people like Jason Farr and his family. Before Helene, the Farrs lived in a home on a small rise near the Swannanoa River in East Asheville.

Floodwaters got so high after they evacuated that their former home was not even visible on a neighbor’s drone footage of the storm.

Common sense suggested that the property could flood, but, “I never in a million years thought the water would get over the roof of the house,” he says.

Farr says he and his wife have experienced sticker shock as they look for a permanent new home. He doesn’t know where they will end up but says they have already decided, “It’ll be up a mountain somewhere,” far above the flood plain. X

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NEWS

Out in the cold Buncombe County evictions march on post-Helene

BY GREG PARLIER gparlier@mountainx.com After Tropical Storm Helene, Michael Coates was faced with a choice: Pay rent or buy a generator to power his refrigerator to keep his insulin chilled. He chose his health. Now, he’s been evicted.

Coates, a chef for Stable Cafe on Biltmore Estate before he was furloughed Oct. 14 because of the storm, lived in Shiloh with his wife. He says he’s not sure when he’ll be able to go back to work, even though Biltmore Estate reopened Nov. 2. Biltmore spokesperson Marissa Jamison says the estate has temporarily reduced staffing levels due to challenges from Tropical Storm Helene. It plans to increase staffing levels “as business conditions allow,” she adds.

Nonetheless, Coates’ landlord filed for eviction after he couldn’t pay October rent due to being out of work.

“It’s ridiculous. I mean, to kick somebody out during a natural disaster is low,” Coates says.

After a hearing Nov. 13, a magistrate found Coates owed two months of rent, and the eviction, known as a complaint in summary ejectment, was granted.

Coates told Xpress Nov. 25 that he had to be out of the house by the end of the month. It’s unclear if he was able to find a new place after his eviction, as multiple attempts to reach Coates in December went unanswered.

Coates is one of many whom Pisgah Legal Services, a nonprofit providing legal assistance and advocacy for low-income people in Western North Carolina, has attempted to help since Tropical Storm Helene ravaged the region in late September. Pisgah Legal and several other advocacy groups have been pushing Gov. Roy Cooper for a 90-day eviction moratorium.

“We know that many people are hurting right now. I mean, this includes both landlords and tenants. What we are asking for is time. We need time to advocate for rental assistance, which will support both tenants and landlords. Choosing to proceed as if things are normal is a mistake,” said Jackie Kiger, executive director of Pisgah Legal, at a press conference Nov. 1.

While evictions aren’t technically up compared with October and November 2023, the further we get from the storm date, the higher numbers climb, according to David Bartholemew, homelessness prevention program director for 10

DEC. 11-17, 2024

Pisgah Legal. Since the storm, there have been 388 evictions filed in 10 WNC counties, with a majority of those in Buncombe, he says.

The Buncombe County Courthouse was closed for two weeks after the storm, accounting for some of the delay in filings.

“We haven’t ever experienced something like this in Western North Carolina, but we know from other places that have had hurricanes that without moratoriums, you see evictions start to increase after 60 days,” he says.

Possibly more telling is the demand for Pisgah’s services, which is up 110% since the storm, Bartholomew says. “[There have been] more than double the amount of cases that we normally have for landlord-tenant issues since the storm. We have a huge increase in people calling. Not all those people are facing eviction. Some of them have no running water, poor conditions, those types of issues. Some people are looking to try to get out of their lease when they have lost their job. But a lot of those people are being threatened with notices to vacate and, ultimately, eviction,” he says.

A PLEA FOR A PAUSE In a letter signed by more than 500 elected officials, faith leaders, business leaders, nonprofit representatives and community members of WNC, advocates argue that a moratorium is needed to avoid a deeper economic crisis in the tourism-dependent region. Many businesses were either closed for over a month because of damage to the area’s water system or wiped off the map altogether. The letter was sent Nov. 18 to

SEND HELP: Jen Hampton, chair of the Asheville Food and Beverage United, leads a protest over evictions at the Buncombe County Courthouse on Oct. 16. Photo by Greg Parlier Cooper, N.C. Chief Justice Paul Newby and the N.C. General Assembly.

“Without immediate action, we face not only further displacement but a long-term economic disaster. Our communities’ ability to recover from this unprecedented storm will be severely undermined if we fail to protect our residents from eviction. Displaced tenants will have nowhere to go in a housing market already stretched thin, further straining our already burdened businesses, schools and essential services,” the letter says.

When asked by Xpress if an eviction moratorium was possible before he leaves office in January, Cooper’s office sent a statement.

“We continue to review the need for additional executive action as well as legislation by the General Assembly to support families in Western North

HUMAN RIGHT: Protesters stood outside the Buncombe County Courthouse Oct. 16 to urge lawmakers to enact an eviction moratorium. “Housing is a human right, fight, fight, fight,” they shouted. Photo by Greg Parlier

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Carolina,” writes press secretary Ben Conroy in an email.

In October, Cooper requested $25 million for rental, mortgage and utility assistance in areas affected by Helene, but state lawmakers approved just $1 million for that program, which advocates say isn’t nearly enough.

At a rally Oct. 16 dozens of protesters gathered on a frigid day in front of the Buncombe County Courthouse to draw attention to their fight.

“We need people to be housed, not out on the streets in this kind of weather after such a devastating natural disaster,” said Jen Hampton, chair of the Asheville Food and Beverage United and housing and wages organizer for Just Economics. “We did not have a choice about facing a natural disaster, but we do have a choice about whether we face an economic disaster.”

Another element of evictions that worries advocates is their black mark on people’s records.

“When you file an eviction against a tenant, it creates a permanent legal record that’s available to the public regardless of the outcome of the case.

So background screenings often don’t specify the outcome of the case and can be inaccurate,” Kiger says. “Having that eviction record can generate just a slew of negative consequences for tenants, and it can really limit people’s ability to seek out additional future housing opportunities, which, again, we have lost so many affordable units already, they simply don’t exist.”

While some landlords may be overly rigid, others have their own bills to pay and can’t afford to allow rent to lapse, Bartholemeew acknowledged.

Bryan Holladay, a spokesperson for the Apartment Association of Western North Carolina, which represents landlords of multifamily properties, told The Washington Post that landlords depend on rent to pay property taxes, electricity bills and building maintenance costs.

Holladay did not respond to Xpress’ request for comment by press time but told the Post that Apartment Association members try to work with their tenants by waiving late fees, setting up payment plans and helping them fill out paperwork for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Marcia Mount Shoop, pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Asheville, has been helping renters since the storm began. She says many landlords are working with advocates to help keep struggling tenants housed.

“We do appreciate all the landlords who are working with us and not charging late fees, the ones who are supporting their residents with a reassurance that it’s OK if the rent is late; there are those landlords out here who are joining us in this work,” she said at a briefing at the church Nov. 1. “But

to stay by matching up residents with available homes in their price range.

They’ve also helped connect residents to resources at Grace Covenant without having to travel.

“This is not charity; this is people showing up for each other. We were already a community, but the level of people showing up for strangers is like nothing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Etheridge-Trigg says.

unfortunately, there are also landlords who are intimidating their residents with threats of eviction if they don’t pay the rent on time,” she added.

HELP AVAILABLE Grace Covenant has given out more than $1 million in rent relief since the storm, in addition to operating a supply center.

On a visit to the church in early November, Xpress saw dozens of anxious tenants perusing supplies such as camping gear and waiting to speak with a church representative about receiving rent relief. Many of those coming to the church are ineligible for other sources of aid that require Social Security numbers or proof of income, Mount Shoop says.

“The work we’re doing is supporting the backbone of the workforce of this region’s service economy, the people who work in restaurants washing dishes, the people who clean hotel rooms that tourists stay in,” she noted.

Assistance is also available at Eblen Charities. Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners have allocated $2.5 million to the problem collectively.

Nonetheless, rent assistance is a Band-Aid on the problem, and advo-

SAVING GRACE: The Rev. Marcia Mount Shoop, pastor at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church on Merrimon Avenue, has been leading a grassroots effort to help those facing eviction get rent relief. Photo by Greg Parlier cates argue a moratorium is the only way to avoid a surge in homelessness.

In hard-hit Swannanoa, sisters Beth Trigg and Mary Etheridge-Trigg have been helping anyone who comes looking for resources at Swannanoa Communities Together, a group they formed after the storm to help the community between Asheville and Black Mountain.

Using donations and social media pleas, they’ve helped more than 100 residents avoid evictions or find places

COMPOUNDING FEARS Despite all the grassroots efforts, advocates worry that resources will soon run thin, if they haven’t already, and continue to push for a moratorium.

Antoine Boykin is a barber, physical therapist and volunteer with the Asheville Dream Center, a Christian group that ministers in low-income areas. After the storm, he’s been a part of teams bringing supplies into subsidized housing neighborhoods. People, he says, are scared.

“You talk to these people, they’ve got two or three kids, they don’t have fresh water, and their rent is not paid. But are you going to pay rent or are you going to feed your children? And most people say, ‘I’m going to feed my children because at least that’ll keep them alive.’”

ADVOCATE: Jackie Kiger, executive director of Pisgah Legal Services, says advocates need time to help both tenants and landlords pay their bills during a difficult time.

Photo by Greg Parlier Many people have left the area to find work or affordable rent, he notes, but not everyone can afford that.

“Someone who was living paycheck to paycheck has just been devastated.

People who were experiencing poverty already have been put deeper into poverty, and that cycle of poverty, that’s what we see on the ground at Pisgah Legal Services. Unfortunately, we have seen this before the hurricane, and we’re seeing an increase now because of the impact of that hurricane,” adds Kiger. X

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11

N EWS

BUNCOMBE BEAT

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners makes history with new chair and member A historic Buncombe County Board of Commissioners was sworn in Dec. 2 during its regular meeting. Amanda Edwards claimed her seat as chair, replacing Brownie Newman, who did not seek reelection. Edwards won 60% of the vote over former Sheriff Van Duncan in the Nov. 5 election.

Edwards is the first female chair for Buncombe County in its 232-year history. She began by acknowledging the unprecedented time in which members were taking office.

“I would like to acknowledge that these last nine weeks in Buncombe County have been some of the most challenging in recent Buncombe County history, maybe the worst in Buncombe County history ever,” Edwards told the room.

“Tropical Storm Helene has devastated Buncombe County in a way that we are not likely to ever forget in our lifetime,” she continued. “I want to assure our staff and our residents of Buncombe County that the commission will continue to lead and do the work that is necessary to restore Buncombe County and make it even better than it was before Sept. 27, 2024.”

Another historic representative was sworn in. Jennifer Horton is the first Black woman to be elected commissioner for Buncombe County. Horton was joined by nearly a dozen family members as she took the oath of office.

The sole new member of the board, Horton comes to office with 20 years of experience in health care. When running for office, she positioned mental health advocacy at the forefront of her platform.

Returning Commissioners Terri Wells and Parker Sloan also were sworn in for four-year terms.

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...to 52 local nonprofits that need help more than ever.

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DEC. 11-17, 2024

WIDE SUPPORT: New Buncombe County Commissioner Jennifer Horton is sworn in Dec. 2 surrounded by family members. Photo by Carmela Caruso Commissioner Martin Moore was appointed vice chair after receiving a nomination from Commissioner Al Whitesides and unanimous approval from the other commissioners.

The Board of Commissioners will be short one member until someone is appointed to Edwards’ former District 3 seat.

The Buncombe County Democratic Party will elect a replacement in the next few weeks, although a specific date has not been set, according to party Chair Kathie Kline.

Board of Equalization and Review appointed Commissioners voted to elect five new members to the Board of Equalization and Review. The vote Dec. 2 comes after the entire board resigned in late September, following the firing of Tax Assessor R. Keith Miller over a conflict of interest.

The Board of Commissioners interviewed 10 candidates before the regular meeting. Then members each chose five candidates. Preston Edwards and Randall Barnett were

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on everyone’s list, Glenda Weinert appeared on five, and Katerina Leeger was on four lists.

The board remained deadlocked between Cade Justad-Sandberg and Phil Blake after two rounds of voting for the fifth spot. After a discussion, commissioners chose Blake because he was the only real estate appraiser in the running. Leeger and Edwards are both real estate agents; Barnett is a real estate broker; and Weinert is owner of GCW Consulting Services.

Other candidates considered were Terry Sutton, Debbie Hrncir, Alla Kolomiyets and Kristen Chianese.

The Board of Equalization and Review hears and reviews appeals from property owners in Buncombe County.

Other items of note • Commissioners accepted $10,549 from the State Library for programming, material and equipment as part of grants related to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Dogwood Health Trust will provide $150,000 over two years for the county’s Syringe Service Program, which

provides access to sterile needles, testing and naloxone, the overdose reversal drug. The money will be used in part to hire a peer support case manager and to fund overdose prevention services and harm reduction outreach in the Latinx community by the nonprofit Unete.

• The Family Justice Center (FJC) will receive $500,000 over three years from the Office of Violence Against Women for the continued employment of a trauma-informed legal assistant and two trauma-informed intake specialists, as well as travel and training for FJC staff.

• The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office received a $400,000 grant from the Department of Justice for the county’s co-responder program, a crisis response team that pairs law enforcement with mental health professionals for nonviolent 911 calls related to behavioral health and/or substance abuse issues. Funds will be used for training, medical supplies, two vehicles and the employment of two licensed clinicians.

— Carmela Caruso X

FEA T U RE S

Keeping the faith

Amid despair, local churches find ways to rebuild community and hope

BY BRIONNA DALLARA bdallara@mountainx.com For some religious residents in Western North Carolina, Tropical Storm Helene not only left behind a trail of wreckage but also raised questions tied to their faith.

“And that’s OK,” says Keith Jamison, pastor of Living Waters Tabernacle in Old Fort. “It’s OK to question the ‘why.’ We may not always get the answer that we want. But in all of it, the key to always having hope is knowing who holds every tomorrow.”

The weekend before the storm, Jamison and his wife, Darlene, were surrounded by friends and family to celebrate their son’s baby shower. His aunt and uncle, Evelyn and Daniel Wright, were among the guests.

Jamison had no way of knowing that would be the last time he saw the two alive. The couple were killed in their home in Fairview during the storm.

“That time to me is priceless,” Jamison says. “But our story is just one of many just like it.”

And he has used that experience to help others cope with the unfathomable losses brought on by Helene.

Fortunately, Living Waters remained intact and served as a venue for postflood fellowship.

“When I’m strong, I get to be there for somebody else, and when I’m weak, somebody else will be there for me,” Jamison says. “It makes a difference to be there for one another. Scripture says we’re the body of Christ if we join together, and if one part of the body’s hurt then the whole body’s hurt.”

Jamison isn’t alone in his religious convictions and recovery efforts.

Faith-based organizations from around the country swarmed in after the flood, bringing resources, labor and support wherever they were needed. Jamison calls them “the hands and feet of Christ.”

“Everybody brought good, no matter where they came from, no matter how far they traveled, no matter how great, or how small, I never heard anybody ask, ‘What denomination are you? Who do you love? What color are you?’ None of that,” Jamison says.

“The only thing I heard people say is, ‘What can I do?’ And that’s what we should have been doing for one another all along.”

Still, there are many within his church and other congregations who

SERVICE AFTER THE STORM: In Living Waters Tabernacle’s first service post-Helene, Pastor Keith Jamison played the keys and worshipped alongside the church’s praise team while associate pastor Gary Lavender, right, shared scripture.

Photo courtesy of LWT Praise team continue to grapple with what role their faith plays in making sense of Helene’s incomprehensible destruction.

DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS Jeff Dowdy is senior pastor of First Baptist Church Swannanoa. Although

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH: Faith leaders like Jeff Dowdy, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Swannanoa, worked around the clock to check in with his congregation and transform the church into a hub of resources. Photo by Brionna Dallara

the church stands amid one of the worst-hit areas, it was left unscathed because it had been relocated to higher grounds after the 1916 flood.

Dowdy says it comes as no surprise that the disaster prompted people to question their faith.

“People are searching, trying to figure out their way, and so those conversations have turned into a lot of very spiritual conversations about our faith and what we believe, and why we’re doing what we’re doing,” Dowdy says.

The church set up a counseling center to help people with these questions, and its relief teams often find themselves playing an additional role.

“Many of our disaster relief teams that have gone out and helped in the area have had wonderful conversations with people, helping them to come to some grips of what’s happened,” Dowdy continues.

Those conversations have been far from easy, however.

“I’ve got a couple of members, they’re in their 90s. They lost everything. How do you rebuild when you’re 90-something? What do you do? I don’t know,” Dowdy says.

He recalls another instance of a couple he spoke with who lived high enough to where they were untouched by the water but not by the tragedy unfolding around them.

“They were out that night and that morning when all the river was going, and they could just hear people hollering, ‘Help, help,’ and they couldn’t do anything,” Dowdy says. “That goes down to your soul — and they’re struggling. The survivor’s guilt is real. And so some of those things are things we’re going to try to help people to manage through. But some of those emotional realities ... haven’t quite hit us all yet.”

Yet, the strength comes through, he says.

“You think about our volunteers — I was able to do things that first week, as far as just energy level, that I don’t think I was humanly possible to do,” Dowdy says. “I think there was supernatural strength to help make it through those early days. And so I think those are things we can see that God is doing.”

COME TOGETHER Volunteers played a similarly crucial role at Marshall Presbyterian Church, where pews were overturned and its sanctuary was enveloped in mud.

“When the water came in, it completely submerged the street level,

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FEA TU RE S which housed some classrooms, what had been used as classrooms for the church, a food pantry, and just the whole downstairs,” says the church’s clerk of session, Lynne Simpson.

Volunteers were quick to respond.

“People from so many different backgrounds are coming together and not caring about the differences, but focusing on what we have in common and our common needs,” Simpson says.

Jamison notes a similar response in Old Fort.

“I hate that it took a storm of this magnitude to get people’s attention, but I’m thankful that it got people’s attention — to care about one another,” he says. “Life’s not promised, the Scripture even says, ‘Take no thought of tomorrow, because tomorrow will take care of itself.’ But life is just like a vapor, and when you realize how fragile life is and how short life is, I think it makes us better people because we understand the importance of doing the right thing the first time.”

And it is that mentality, local church leaders say, that has continued to propel their congregations forward amid the ongoing recovery.

FAITH IN ACTION At First Baptist, what started as a handful of water bottles brought by Dowdy and his wife, Melody, right after the storm grew into a bustling distribution center.

“We served hot food, we had water, we had charging stations for phones and medical devices. We had a missing-and-found board that we were using to try to identify people.

We started getting in donations,” Dowdy says.

The church also housed between 60 and 100 volunteers a night Dowdy says, referring to the legion of volunteers from Baptists on Mission, a statewide network of 19 ministries.

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as angels in Tyvek suits and military fatigues because their presence was just — it was wonderful,” Simpson says.

LIVING WITH WHAT’S LEFT

DAY OF THE STORM: Water inundated Marshall Presbyterian Church during Tropical Storm Helene. Photo by Howard Seiler Living Waters’ fellowship hall also transformed into a distribution hub.

For four to five weeks after the storm, volunteers worked seven days a week, often starting their days at 6 a.m.

“There were nights that we were there after 11 o’clock at night, loading and unloading trucks and restocking areas,” Jamison says.

Meanwhile, other volunteers from the church participated in searches and rescues or transported machinery to clear debris and fallen trees.

Living Waters collected about $25,000 in donations for a relief fund to give to people who lost everything, Jamison says.

“We’ve had campers that have been donated to us, and we’ve been able to put people in homes. We donated over $13,000 worth of building supplies to

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one of the other churches in the area,” Jamison says.

At First Baptist, volunteers started “rapid rebuilds” to get people out of the cold and back in their homes.

There might only be a sink, a minisplit heating/AC unit, a cabinet and a toilet, but it’s a functional home.

“It’s warm, it’s insulated,” Dowdy says. “I don’t say it’s pretty. It’s not pretty yet, but at least it gets them back in the house, into where it’s warm,” he says.

First Baptist’s distribution center also morphed into a winter clothing and Christmas-gift supply source.

Simpson at Marshall Presbyterian has been amazed by the work of volunteers.

“The presence of the volunteers in the town was and still is incredible.

We referred to them so many times

Now churches are helping people look ahead and come to terms of what will — and won’t — be there. “[It’s] the realization of what will never come back,” Dowdy says. “It’ll be different — maybe better, maybe worse — but it’s not going to come back the way it was. It’s that sense of loss.”

Simpson says she grappled with that loss from the beginning.

“I know I only had just a fleeting thought of ‘Can we survive this?’ That thought did not last long,” Simpson says. “I’m sure that some people in the church wondered how we were going to recover from this, but as a whole, I don’t believe there was any question that we were going to do everything we could to recover, and we received so much outreach from the community and from volunteers.”

The fabric of communities has to be rewoven, and bringing back what once was will be a challenge, Simpson says.

“People coming in can see the devastation, they can’t see what was there prior to the flood. Marshall was a very vibrant community,” Simpson says. “To be dealt this is really hard, but just like the church, they are determined to come back, and if a community can do it, Marshall can do it. It’s going to take a lot of work, but the church definitely wants to be a part of that effort.”

Meanwhile, Jamison says the storm brought several faith-based organizations and community members closer together.

“One congregation ended, and another one started because we just came together,” Jamison says. “This terrible terrible storm, though it was meant to divide and it was meant to conquer, it brought great humanity.” X

Designed for the holidays Downtown businesses compete for people’s choice award in window display contest

NOSTALGIC THROWBACK

BY CAROL KAUFMAN ckaufman828@gmail.com Upon stepping into Delighted in downtown Asheville, Carolyn Ryden’s artistic flair is evident. Since its grand opening in March, her gift shop has become a visual treasure trove, offering delights at every turn.

And now, as a participant in Asheville Downtown Association’s Winter Windows Display Contest, Ryden has created a vibrant holiday scene in her store’s window, including two hot pink reindeer.

“Color is at the core of my personality,” Ryden says with a grin. “As an artist, I’m captivated by colors, patterns, designs and all things whimsical. My goal is to spark joy the moment customers walk through the door, then helping them find something special to take home and brighten their lives.”

Along with being delightful and quirky, nearly everything in the shop is also practical — from books and mugs to doormats, hats, signs and greeting cards.

As a first-time store owner, Ryden made her way to Asheville from California during the COVID-19 pandemic. After having spent seven years working in a California gift shop, she set her sights on finding a downtown location to bring her own vision to life. After scouting sites for 4 1/2 years, her dream became a reality when she discovered an available spot at 63 Haywood St. Unfortunately, just seven months after opening, Ryden, like many other business owners, was forced to close for several weeks due to the impact of Tropical Storm Helene.

“I was counting on Asheville’s ever-popular ‘leaf season’ to boost traffic since summer sales fell short of my expectations,” she says. “I’m especially grateful to be part of this holiday contest and am feeling hopeful it will bring more activity to my shop and all downtown businesses. With more shoppers out and about, I’ve already noticed an increase in foot traffic. Let’s just say I’ve got my fingers crossed.”

BABY STEPS TOWARD NORMALCY Another contender in the Winter Windows Display Contest is Mast General Store on Biltmore Avenue, a downtown staple for over 25 years.

Known for its ever-changing, seasonal-

FINGERS CROSSED: Carolyn Ryden, owner of Delighted, a gift shop on Haywood Street, hopes this year’s Winter Windows Display Contest will attract more customers to visit and purchase holiday gifts downtown. Photo by Carol Kaufman ly inspired window displays, the store’s extensive and creative setups are hard to miss.

“Our staff members are the true designers of our displays,” explains General Manager Joey Fuseler. “A merchandising manager for the company provides the monthly themes, and then our store’s visual merchandiser works with three staff members to guide them through the decorating process.”

He continues, “Once a month, on a Monday, the team gets to work gutting the existing display. The next day, they meticulously dress the windows. We call this process ‘telling stories’ because each window display is more than just about merchandising — it’s about creating a brief narrative, like a scene from a movie.”

He adds with a smile, “All of us store members promise not to peek until the decorators give us the go-ahead. The results always pleasantly surprise us.”

Like many other downtown businesses, Tropical Storm Helene forced Mast’s downtown location to close for three weeks. For Fuseler, who has served as the general manager of the downtown location since 2023, the biggest challenge brought on by the storm was the uncertainty.

“I’ve been with Mast General for 11 years, starting at their Columbia, South Carolina, store,” Fuseler shares. “Helene really threw us for a loop. After reopen-

“Every baby step we take toward normalcy feels like a breath of fresh air, and getting people through our doors with the Winter Windows Display Contest is one of those baby steps.”

ing in mid-November, we still have no idea when things will return to normal.”

He adds that, compared with previous years, holiday traffic is still not where it should be.

“Luckily for us,” he says, “the Asheville Downtown Association, along with the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, have been working around the clock to support downtown stores like ours that were hit hard by revenue loss. These two amazing organizations are spreading the word through their promotions, letting people know that we’re open and ready to welcome you with open arms.

Hayden Plemmons, executive director of the Asheville Downtown Association, shares the reasoning behind reviving this year’s display competition after taking a break last year.

“Our decision was primarily due to the complexity of managing it. We realized we needed to take a break to plan a more impactful event,” she explains.

“Before Helene struck, we had already intended to hold the competition this year. The aftermath of Helene made this program even more meaningful and motivated us to bring it to life.”

A key part of the revamping process involved changing the judging approach.

“Rather than using a panel of judges,” Plemmons explains, “we’re choosing to let downtown shoppers take on the role of selecting the winners, which makes the process more interactive and engaging. Each business that participates receives a decal to place outside their building, plus a QR code for people’s choice awards to make for an easy voting process.”

She continues: “We’d like to think of this as a nostalgic throwback to simpler times, when people bundled up in their winter attire and did their holiday shopping at their local neighborhood stores.”

Similar to Delighted and Mast General Store, other downtown businesses have been busily transforming their storefronts into holiday works of art. Those who are curious can take a stroll downtown and gaze upon a wide assortment of holiday window scenes.

Shoppers have until Tuesday, Dec. 31, to vote for their favorite display.

Winners, including the official judges’ selections, will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 9. X

Shop Small, Win Big To add to the downtown holiday spirit, you can also take part in the Shop Small, Win Big program, which rewards both local shoppers and businesses during the holiday season. Through Sunday, Dec. 22, every in-person purchase of $25 or more at a participating downtown Asheville retailer gives participants a chance to win $500 for themselves and $500 for the business where they shopped. This program is being offered by the Asheville Downtown Association, in partnership with Bank of America.

It’s easy to enter: Shop at any of the 40-plus participating locations, then upload your receipt using the QR code or through the program webpage. Drawings will take place every Monday in December, and winners will be notified within 24 hours.

The following is a mere sampling of participating locations: Pack’s Tavern, Ten Thousand Villages, Woolworth Walk, Charmed Boutique, The Spice & Tea Exchange and Shining Rock Goods. For a full listing, visit avl.mx/ecl, then scroll down to “Participating Locations.” X

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FEA TU RE S

Man of letters

Student documents Christ School history in new book

BY JUSTIN McGUIRE jmcguire@mountainx.com Most high school students don’t spend their free time poring over love letters from the 19th century or teaching themselves how to read cursive.

But Christ School senior Grey Edens is not like most high school students.

Edens recently self-published My Dear Christ School Boys: Celebrating 125 Years of Christ School Through Love, Loss, and Letters. The book traces the story of the Arden school’s 1900 founding by Episcopal clergyman Thomas Wetmore and his wife, Susan Allen Wetmore.

“Thomas Wetmore started his career in Asheville [in the 1890s] helping children and people from families of little means,” says Edens, his enthusiasm for the topic evident.

“Through that, he became really good at fundraising, and that gave him the idea to start Christ School, which originally provided education to children from families of little means.”

He adds: “That’s a lot of what I cover in the second chapter.”

Edens, who is from Charlotte, spent about a year researching and writing the book, which is available through Amazon and in the Christ School bookstore.

“I was pretty much working on it every weekday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., plus I was taking rigorous classes,” he explains. “I’m glad I was able to do it. I’m glad I pulled it off.”

His efforts have been noted at the college preparatory boarding and day school for boys.

“This is the 125th academic year at Christ School, and there has

been a lot of enthusiasm amongst our alumni base here in Asheville and beyond for Grey’s diligence and interest in our history,” says Andrew Pearson, the school’s interim director of communications.

Xpress spoke with Edens about what inspired him to write the book, how he got interested in history and what his plans are.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Xpress: How did the opportunity to write a history of the school come about?

Just out of curiosity, I decided to Google the name of the founder of my school [Thomas Wetmore] and discovered an archive at UNC Chapel Hill where they had about 950 letters between him and his wife [school co-founder Susan Allen Wetmore], as well as other people. The school didn’t know about it, so I put together a trip with myself and a few students and faculty members to go read the letters, and they were just fascinating.

Fascinating is kind of an understatement. I think we were probably the first ones to read the letters since the founders. I thought I had to share something about it.

What was your next step? Did you go to school officials and ask them to give you the green light to write the book?

I wouldn’t really say I asked for permission. I didn’t really think I needed it, but I definitely had a lot of help from teachers on editing it. It was mainly just me, as well as [Christ School English teacher] Dr. Spenser Simrill.

What was the research process like?

I spent most of my time on the third chapter of the book, which is the love

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MAKING HISTORY: “I really love storytelling,” says Christ School senior Grey Edens, who recently published a history of the Arden school.

Photo courtesy of Christ School story between Thomas and Susan Wetmore. And I had to go read all 950 letters to be able to do that. I took photos while I was there [Wilson Special Collections Library in Chapel Hill]. I also had them send me some digital copies. Most of it was on a computer, just reading and transcribing the letters. One thing I will add is that people my age weren’t really taught how to read cursive, so that was definitely a challenge. I used websites [to learn cursive], but I kind of just learned as I went. The cursive people used back then was very different, so I just kind of learned how they wrote.

The letters start about 1870 and end around 1906 when [Thomas Wetmore died from appendicitis]. But really the main correspondences are in the 1890s.

What was the most interesting thing you discovered?

There’s a lot of really amazing stories, but I would say the most interesting thing I found is how much the two founders lost and how difficult their lives were. They had very little, and they sacrificed pretty much everything they had to found the school. They dedicated their lives to it from 1900 until the end of both of their lives.

I’m glad I was able to highlight something that nobody really knew about, Susan Wetmore selling her inherited art. She was born and lived in the largest antebellum building in Buncombe County called Struan, which is on the Christ School property. Her family came from Charleston (S.C.) and used Struan as a summer home, and then lost pretty much everything after the Civil War. But she had a Rembrandt, she had other paintings. She sold her entire family inheritance from this wealthy Charleston family to start the school, and they also went up north and fundraised.

I did a lot of research on Alexander Robertson, the grandfather of Susan Allen Wetmore, who originally settled the property and built Struan. That’s what the first chapter of the book is about, so I condensed that and submitted it to the South Carolina Encyclopedia, and they put it on the website.

What got you interested in researching history?

First, my family history. I found a lot of things in my own family that I thought had to be preserved and weren’t being preserved, and then that kind of opened my eyes to things that needed to be done in my own community and at Christ School. I learned about myself from writing this book and all through this research that I really love storytelling.

What are your plans after you graduate?

I’ve just finished applying to college, so I’m not sure yet where I want to go, but I want to study architectural history and architecture. I’m writing another book about the history of a chapel in South Carolina. It’s a small country chapel on the Cooper River.

What has the reaction been among faculty and other students?

Most people say to me that they thought they knew the story of Christ School, but a lot of facts that they never knew came out of this. People feel like they now know the personalities of the founders of the school — maybe even a little bit too much stuff that they wouldn’t want us to know about — based off those love letters. X

Soul survivor

Historic Biltmore Village church to rebuild after first-time flooding

BY GREG PARLIER gparlier@mountainx.com Biltmore Village is no stranger to flooding. But during major inundations in 2004, 1940 and 1916, water never entered the church that George Vanderbilt built, The Cathedral of All Souls. That changed Sept. 27.

“We got 4 feet of water in all our spaces, which had never happened before. Nobody expected it. It’s unreal,” says the church’s dean, the Very Rev. Sarah Hurlbert. Previously, water had only lapped the top of the sanctuary’s steps during the most severe flooding, she says.

Despite the inundation, both the parish hall and sanctuary, which were built in the 1890s, fared relatively well and have already been cleared of mud and mold by remediation teams.

But other buildings had to be gutted, and the church’s electrical and HVAC systems were destroyed, leaving the 130-year-old buildings without temperature control going into winter, displacing its congregation.

The church’s office, which sits on lower ground across the street, was greatly damaged when floodwaters reached the ceiling of the first floor, leaving Hurlbert unsure of how to rebuild the church office.

“Honestly, there’s a lot of questions. Do we build back in this space?

Do we find another space if we build back? Do we need to have a first story of parking, and then build up the office? And there’s not a business [owner in Biltmore Village] that’s not thinking the same things,” Hurlbert says.

As one of the oldest buildings in Biltmore Village and the last surviving church designed by famed Biltmore Estate architect Richard Morris Hunt, All Souls’ recovery will be key to the village’s rebuild, notes village property owner and preservation architect Robert Griffin.

Griffin, who some call the “heartbeat of Biltmore Village,” serves on the church’s new rebuilding committee and is determined to help the church rebound.

He points out that All Souls is not only the spiritual and symbolic center of the village but the architectural one as well. The village was designed as a fan, with streets running out diagonally from a hinge — All Souls Cathedral.

Property owners look to the church’s leadership in rebuilding to guide their own processes after the most devastating storm to strike an

ALL SOULS: The Very Rev. Sarah Hurlbert, dean of The Cathedral of All Souls, says she’s not sure how the church will rebuild its offices after floodwaters from Tropical Storm Helene rose nearly to the ceiling of its first floor in Biltmore Village. Photo by Greg Parlier area that has seen a lot of damage from storms, Griffin notes.

“The church started immediately on restoration, so they set an example and a pace for the rest of the village to keep up. We’ve got work to do.”

RECORD FLOOD: Before floodwaters from Tropical Storm Helene covered all of Biltmore Village Sept.

27, water had never before entered the sanctuary of The Cathedral of All Souls, the village’s high point.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Hurlbert

QUICK TO ACT Some of the first images anyone saw of Asheville after the rain dissipated on Sept. 27, at least those with internet service, were of the incredible flooding in Biltmore Village.

Once Hurlbert got an idea of the scale of the disaster, she went with her wife, Dee, to stay with friends in Greensboro so they could access internet and cell service to contact the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina and All Souls’ congregation.

“We sent an email survey to everybody to check in. We were calling people. We were, you know, just doing everything we could to get to hear from our parishioners,” she says. It took nearly a month for them to hear from everyone because of cell service or people traveling, but thankfully, Hurlbert says, everyone is safe.

Quickly, the church jumped into remediation mode. Hurlbert solicited the help of BMS Cat, a remediation company with regional offices in Charlotte and Atlanta, to begin cleaning out the church and surveying damage.

Hurlbert acknowledges the church is lucky to have flood insurance and a congregation willing to jump in and help bring it back online, but considering the scale of the flooding,

she wanted to enlist the help of professionals to keep volunteers safe.

One worry was the safety of the church’s archives on the second floor of the office, containing documents, books, binders and ledgers dating back more than 100 years.

“With the standing water in the first floor of the building and no power, just like everywhere else, it was essential that it be removed quickly before any mold growth took hold,” says Nancy Rosebrock, director of conservation and collections at Biltmore Estate.

Even though the Biltmore Estate hasn’t provided direct financial support to the church other than an occasional grant, it sometimes provides staff to help decorate or with restoration projects.

“In the days following the storm, Biltmore’s executive committee wanted to identify community members or community organizations that we might be able to assist, and All Souls was at the top of that list, just given the historic connection,” Rosebrock says.

The estate came to the rescue to save the church’s archives. But perhaps the estate’s most important role

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F E AT UR E S was in saving the church’s 46 quarter-sawn oak pews, Hurlbert says.

FROM SHELTER TO SHELTERED During the 1916 flood, so many homes were washed away that many displaced in the area came to All Souls, the highest point in the village, to sleep on those pews, says Martha Fullington, a church vestry member and retired architectural historian.

In 2024, those same pews, complete with the original cushions that were used as beds in 1916, “got tossed around like dollhouse furniture,” Fullington says.

With the sanctuary full of mud, Hurlbert worried the pews would swell and mold from the moisture and lack of temperature control if they were left there, so she called the estate for help.

Rosebrock says workers found space for the 46 pews and other assorted kneelers and chairs and hauled five or six truckloads worth out of the muck to a safe, dry location formerly used as an event space.

Staff used warm water, dish detergent, soft-bristle brushes and sponges to clean them up, and Rosebrock says they will hold the pews until the

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First, in addition to seeking donated cars, we are also raising funds to purchase dependable used cars to replace vehicles that community members lost in the flood.

Second, we are providing free repairs for vehicles being used by local organizations for relief and recovery efforts. Keeping these vehicles on the road will ensure that vital support reaches those in need.

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SAVING HISTORY: Sarah Beach, conservation fellow for Biltmore Estate from the Winterthur Museum and the University of Delaware, inspects one of 46 pews the estate saved from floodwaters in The Cathedral of All Souls. The pews had served as beds for displaced survivors during the flood of 1916.

Photo courtesy of Biltmore Estate church gets temperature control and power back.

A RESILIENT CONGREGATION As cleanup work began, All Souls kept meeting, beginning at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Asheville on Oct. 13 and then at St. George’s Episcopal Church in West Asheville starting Dec. 8.

“I’m so grateful for that, and even though it is heartbreaking to be put out of the church, we are able to come together to pray, to worship and to grieve together,” Hurlbert says.

Immediately after the storm, Hurlbert says, it was incredibly important to maintain the connection with other members.

“It was such a joy to be able to see people and just hug your people and know that you’re safe, that we’re going to get through it. And the church is the church, wherever we are. You know, we love our buildings, but the church is not the building.

The church is the people,” she says.

In a way, Hurlbert says this event has really made the about 300-person congregation more tight-knit since members are meeting in one service now instead of being spread out over 10 or so services across the week. Plus, inevitable comparisons with COVID-era shutdowns have Hurlbert reflecting that this disaster has people relying on each other, rather than fearing each other.

“So instead of driving us apart, it’s really bringing the community together, and that’s been wonderful to see.”

Going forward, there is no doubt All Souls will renovate and rebuild what is necessary, Hurlbert says. She hopes to use this as an opportunity to renovate the kitchen to become commercial-grade, allowing All Souls to serve as a host for food-related nonprofits, for example. She says she expects to be back in the sanctuary

by Christmas 2025.

“We want to build back better and more resilient. So we’re trying to take this as an opportunity to invest in future generations here,” Hurlbert says.

Part of that resiliency is moving the electrical system out of the basement, she notes.

For Griffin, All Souls’ rebuild is important to the health and sustainability of Biltmore Village as a whole, and he has no doubt about either.

“Historically, it has always been a church for everybody, and I think of it as something that is a gift to the street.

It’s a gift to the public. And every time people drive by, it’s so beautiful, and it affects their perception of where they are,” Griffin says. X

Upcoming event Biltmore Village is hosting a holiday gathering for friends and family Friday, Dec. 20, at 5:30 p.m. on the Cathedral of All Souls green. The event will feature Christmas carol singalongs, hot chocolate and holiday snacks. All are invited. X

COMMUNITY CALENDAR DEC. 11 - DEC. 19 , 2024

ART

For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 828-251-1333, opt. 1.

Moving Stillness: Mount Rainier An immersive experience that explores the ideas of death and regeneration in nature.

Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday.

Exhibition through Jan. 20, 2025.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

 Online-only events  More info, page 30  More info, page 32-33 WELLNESS Tai Chi for Balance A gentle Tai Chi exercise class to help improve balance, mobility, and quality of life. All ages are welcome.

WE (12/11, 18), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Stge 109 Tai Chi Chih Move towards better health and more happiness with mindful, moving meditation.

WE (12/11), noon, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd Tai Chi Fan This class helps build balance and whole body awareness. All ages and ability levels welcome.

Fans will be provided.

WE (12/11, 18), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Chen Style Tai Chi The original style of Tai Chi known for its continual spiraling movements and great health benefits.

TH (12/12), MO (12/16), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Yoga w/Michele A safe space that gathers every Tuesday and Thursday to feel and heal together in community.

TH (12/12), 11am, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Nia Dance Fitness A sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts and healing arts.

TH (12/12, 19), 9:30am, TU (12/17), 10:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Qigong for Health A part of traditional Chinese medicine that involves using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind and spirit.

FR (12/13), TU (12/17) 9am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Friday Fitness Focuses on strengthening, stretching, and aerobics every Friday.

FR (12/13), 10am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Tai Chi for Adults Improve your movement and flexibility with relaxation techniques each week. Intended for participants ages 40 and over.

FR (12/13), 1:30pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Free Community Acupuncture It will feature 20 minute treatments of healing, stress and pain management, better sleep and more.

SA (12/14), 12:30pm, First Christian Church of Black Mountain, 201 Blue Ridge Rd, Black Mountain Candlelight Restorative Yoga & Reiki Whether you're seeking relaxation, stress relief, or a space to simply be, this candlelit yoga and reiki session will help you find your inner calm and balance.

SA (12/14), 6:30pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd Full Moon Serenity Sound Bath Celebrate the Full Moon by immersing yourself with the healing vibrations of a Sound Bath.

SU (12/15), 9:30am, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way Wild Souls Authentic Movement Class w/ Renee Trudeau An expressive movement class designed to get you unstuck and to enjoy community and connection with like-hearted women.

SU (12/15), 9:30am, Dunn's Rock Community Center, 461 Connestee Rd, Brevard Sunday Morning Meditation Group Gathering for a combination of silent sitting and walking meditation, facilitated by Worth Bodie.

SU (12/15), 10am, Quietude Micro-retreat Center, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Yoga Taco Mosa Donation based yoga with Clare Desmelik.

Bring your mat, a water bottle and an open heart.

SU (12/15), 10am, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

Asheville Nativity Exhibition Browse over 250 Nativity sets from more than seventy countries.

A crèche, often called a Nativity scene, is an artistic representation of the birth of Jesus Christ.

WE (12/11), TH (12/12), FR (12/13), SA (12/14), SU (12/15), 5pm, First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St

HOMEGROWN CELEBRATION: Asheville-based multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter Chris Rosser celebrates the release of his new album, Worrying Boy, at AyurPrana Listening Room on Saturday, Dec. 14. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will also feature music from River Guerguerian, Jake Wolf, Stephanie Winters, Jahidi and more. Photo courtesy of Rosser Prenatal & Postpartum Yoga You'll be guided through gentle poses and breathing exercises to help you connect with your changing body.

SU (12/15), noon, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd Queer Yoga This class is donation-based and centered towards creating an affirming and inclusive space for queer folks SU (12/15), 1:30pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd Strength & Exercise Workout at your own pace in a fun atmosphere in this weekly class for active adults working on overall fitness and strength.

MO (12/16), 9:30am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd Prenatal Yoga A rejuvenating and relaxing yoga session designed specifically for pregnant folks.

MO (12/16), 5:30pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd Power Hour Chair Exercise Build power through fun, upbeat, and gentle chair exercises each Tuesday.

TU (12/17), 10am, Grove St Community Center, 36 Grove St QiGong Downtown An easy to learn series of movements that stimulates and circulates your life force energy.

It is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

TU (12/17), 10am, Asia House Asheville, 119 Coxe Ave Balance, Agility, Strength, Stretch This weekly class for adults focuses on flexibil-

ity, balance, stretching, and strength. Bring your own exercise mat.

TU (12/17), noon, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

a desire to attend.

TH (12/12, 19), 4:30pm, Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 1 Kenilworth Knolls Unit 4

Qigong A gentle form of exercise composed of movement, posture, breathing, and meditation used to promote health and spirituality.

TU (12/17), 1:15pm, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

DANCE

Gentle Yoga for Seniors A yoga class geared to seniors offering gentle stretching and strengthening through accessible yoga poses and modifications.

WE (12/18), 2:30pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Kitten Yoga Bring your yoga mat and recharge your energy while being assaulted by adorable, adoptable kittens.

WE (12/18), 6pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

SUPPORT GROUPS Innerdance: Altered States of Consciousness w/Soundscapes & Energy Work A healing journey into altered states of consciousness as we flow through brain wave states with soundscapes and energy work.

WE (12/11), 5pm, The Horse Shoe Farm, 155 Horse Shoe Farm Rd, Hendersonville Nicotine Anonymous People share their experience, strength and hope to stop using nicotine. You don’t need to be stopped, just have

Latin Night Wednesday w/DJ Mtn Vibez A Latin dance social featuring salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia, and reggaeton with dance lessons for all skill levels.

WE (12/11, 18), 8pm, One World Brewing W, 520 Haywood Rd Zumba Gold A weekly interval-style dance fitness party that combines low- and high-intensity moves.

Burn calories as you move to the rhythm.

WE (12/11, 18), 12pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Zumba Gold A fun dance exercise that concentrates on cardio, flexibility, strength, and balance for older adults.

WE (12/11, 18), FR (12/13), 11am, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd Zumba Gold Weekly Latin-inspired Zumba exercise party.

All levels welcome.

TH (12/12, 19), 11am, Grove St Community Center, 36 Grove St Tap Dance: Beginner Learn the basics through a combination of exercise, music, and incredible fun. Students provide their own tap shoes.

TH (12/12), 11:45am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Line Dancing Groove in for this fun weekly drop-in class.

Try it once and you’ll be hooked.

TH (12/12), noon, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Line Dancing Designed to teach the latest line dances step by step, this weekly class inspires community members to put on their dancing shoes and boogie.

TH (12/12), 1:30pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd Bachata Dance Lesson & Social Live DJ Bachata nights with some Cha Cha, Cumbia, Merengue and Salsa added to the mix.

TH (12/12, 19), 8:30pm, Urban Orchard Cider Co. S Slope, 24 Buxton Ave Zumba Gold & Silverobics Calorie-burning, fun, low-impact class that incorporates dance and fitness for older adults each week.

MO (12/16), 10:30am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd Line Dance: Beginner Some familiarity with line dance steps is helpful, but not necessary in this weekly class with instruction to all styles of contemporary music taught by Denna Yockey.

MO (12/16), noon, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd Contact Improv Dance Explore mindful, unscripted movement in deep connection with others.

MO (12/16), 6pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

The Farm Built on more than a decade’s worth of deep, original archival research, this exhibition will constitute a comprehensive new history of Black Mountain College.

Gallery open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am.

Exhibition through Jan. 11, 2005.

Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St Daily Craft Demonstrations Two artists of different media will explain and demonstrate their craft with informative materials displayed at their booths. These free and educational opportunities are open to the public. Open daily, 10am. Demonstrations run through Dec. 31.

Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Pkwy Ginny Ruffner: Reforestation of the Imagination This exhibition explores an imaginative landscape of plant forms that come to life when activated with augmented reality.

Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday.

Exhibition through Jan. 20, 2025.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Carly Owens Weiss: The Boys Will Get Hungry if They See Fruit An exhibition of new paintings and soft sculptures by multidisciplinary artist Carly Owens Weiss. In this body of work, Owens Weiss wrestles with selfhood and interiority through indirect means.

Gallery open Wednesday through Saturday, 11am.

Exhibition through Dec. 24.

Tracey Morgan Gallery, 22 London Rd Anti Form: Robert Morris’s Earth Projects The suite of lithographic drawings by Robert Morris presents a series of ideas for ten works of art shaped out of earth, atmospheric conditions,

MOUNTAINX.COM

and built environments.

Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am.

Exhibition through May 2025.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Vessels of Merriment This annual exhibition will feature handcrafted drinking vessels by 17 potters from across the country. Visitors will be able to browse anything from wine and whiskey cups to flasks, goblets and more. Gallery open Monday through Sunday, 10am. Exhibition through Dec. 31.

Grovewood Gallery, 111 Grovewood Rd Amanda N. Simons: Forest Feels Forest Feels invites its viewers to participate in two distinct realities of an art museum experience: to observe the work as it is in this moment, and also to change the work by contributing to its evolution. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday.

Exhibition through Jan. 20, 2025.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square The Last Chair of the Forest & the Plastic Bottle Immerse yourself in a poignant virtual reality (VR) short film that delves into environmental consciousness and the delicate balance of nature. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through Jan. 20, 2025.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Forces of Nature: Ceramics from the Hayes Collection Forces of Nature is drawn from the collection of Andrew and Hathia Hayes, demonstrating the different approaches to ceramics in Western North Carolina.Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through March, 2025.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

COMMUNITY MUSIC Eireann's Call This show features the band’s unique and powerful take on Christmas throughout the Celtic world. Songs range from driving rock to the sacred and from rollicking dance tunes to the hilarious TH (12/12), 7pm, Folkmoot Auditorium, 112 Virginia Ave, Waynesville Bill Mattocks Blues Performing real deal Blues from the likes of Robert Johnson, Wille Dixon, Son House, BB King, Howlin’ Wolf, Johnny Winter, and Buddy Guy to name a few.

TH (12/12), 7:30pm,

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COM M U N I TY CA LEN DA R White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Asheville Jazz Orchestra Christmas This concert will feature the AJO vocalist, Wendy Jones, singing all your favorite holiday vocal music made famous by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Judy Garland, and more.

FR (12/13), 8pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Yala Cultural Tour An in-house cultural exchange with Adama Dembele. Yala Cultural Tour includes drumming, dancing, and stories from Ivory Coast.

SA (12/14), noon, LEAF Global Arts, 19 Eagle St Life Celebration for Frank Ryan w/Chalwa Members of Chalwa will play a show to honor the life of Frank Ryan.

SA (12/14), 1pm, One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd Kellin Watson & Friends Kellin Watson is an internationally-touring singer-songwriter, whose award-winning sound blends elements of blues, pop, folk, and soul.

SA (12/14), 7pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 West State St, Black Mountain Album Release w/Chris Rosser Asheville based multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter, Chris Rosser, celebrates the release of his new album, Worrying Boy. This lineup will also feature River Guerguerian, Jake Wolf, Stephanie Winters, Jahidi and more.

SA (12/14), 7:30pm, AyurPrana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Rd Kruger Brothers: In the Holiday Spirit Celebrate the season with the Kruger Brothers’ unique blend of bluegrass, folk, and classical music in this festive holiday concert.

SA (12/14), 7:30pm, Parker Concert Hall at Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard Rock Acadeny A year-round rock band performance class that take bands out of the classrooms and into Asheville’s music scene.

Students learn to perform a wide variety of musical styles and songs of various genres.

SA (12/14), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Amici Four-Hand Holiday The two Dans, pianists Daniel Lau and Daniel Weiser will be performing on a single piano that will showcase a beautiful ballet of

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four hands and twenty fingers that can all be seen clearly on their unique piano camera.

SU (12/15), 2pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Smoky Mountain Brass Band Christmas Concert A traditional British brass band that will be presenting an hour long concert of Christmas themed music.

SU (12/15), 3pm, St. James Episcopal Church, 424 W State St, Black Mountain Asheville Community Band Presents: Sounds of the Season The all-volunteer ensemble will play a selection of spirited sounds of the season, as well as stirring, soaring melodies that speak to Western North Carolina's courage and conviction in the face of devastation.

SU (12/15), 3:30pm, Asheville High School, 419 McDowell St Josh Goforth Goforth is a highly accomplished storyteller and acoustic musician playing close to 20 different instruments.

SU (12/15), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Blue Ridge Ringers: A Winter Journey A Winter Journey showcases the ensemble's versatility and artistry, featuring a mix of holiday favorites, expertly arranged for handbells. Free and open to the public.

MO (12/16), 5pm, Tryon Estates, 617 Laurel Lake Dr, Columbus Acoustic Christmas Concert w/Peggy Ratusz & Friends Peggy “Chanteuse” Ratusz invites you to join her and the stellar line up of musicians she’s assembled, to celebrate the 2024 holiday season.

See p32 WE (12/18), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS Jewelry Making Make a bracelet, necklace, or earrings for yourself or a gift.

Participants may also bring their own materials or jewelry they would like to repair.

WE (12/11), noon, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd Make Your Own Ornament Enjoy a drink and craft your own holiday ornament, perfect for your own tree or as a gift. All the materials you need to craft your own unique holiday ornament

will be provided.

WE (12/11), 5pm, Peri Social House, 406 W State St, Black Mountain

TH (12/12), 7pm, Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St

Introduction to Alcohol Inks Alcohol inks are very fluid, so this will be a great opportunity to surrender control and let go of perfectionism while creating your own abstract piece. Students will take home an 8x10 piece on yupo paper, a bookmark, and a Christmas ornament.

FR (12/13), 10:30am, Red House Gallery, 101 Cherry St, Black Mountain

A Christmas Carol From Ebenezer Scrooge’s office to the Cratchits’ dinner table to those otherworldly excursions through time, courtesy of the prophetic ghosts, you’ll travel every step of the way on Scrooge’s journey to redemption.

TH (12/12), FR (12/13), SA (12/14), SU (12/15), 7:30pm, Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave, Tryon

Cookie Decorating w/ Mrs. Claus Kids and adults alike are invited to unleash their holiday creativity as they decorate festive cookies with icing, sprinkles, and all the trimmings.

All materials will be supplied.

SA (12/14), 10am, Peri Social House, 406 W State St, Black Mountain

LITERARY Dark City Poets Society Open Mic Night Everyone is welcome to share a few poem. Signups to share will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the event.

TU (12/17), 6pm, Oak and Grist Distilling Co., 1556 Grovestone Rd, Black Mountain Pen to Paper Writing Group Share stories of your life with others on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

WE (12/18), 10am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd Asheville StorySLAM: Silver Lining Prepare a five-minute story about the bright side. The upside of your divorce/traffic ticket/ broken leg. One door slams shut and, lo and behold, another swings wide open.

TH (12/19), 7:30pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

THEATER & FILM All is Calm: the Christmas Truce of 1914 An extraordinary tale of camaraderie, music, and peace. The remarkable true story of a spontaneous truce during World War I, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it.

WE (12/11, 18), TH (12/12, 19), 7:30pm, FR (12/13), 2pm, North Carolina Stage Co., 15 Stage Ln BMC Dance: Yoggs Family Newsletter A trio dance created and performed by Taryn Griggs and Chris Yon, with their daughter Bea Yon.

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley As the Bennet family gathers for Christmas at the grand Pemberley estate, Mary Bennet finds herself on an unexpected journey of self-discovery and perhaps even romance when a surprise guest arrives.

TH (12/12), SA (12/14), 7:30pm, SU (12/15), 2pm, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville The Campfireball: Humans vs. Holidays In this battle for the ages, the audience will go toe-to-toe with the ghosts of Christmases past, present, and future in a part game-show, part existential escape room, part group therapy immersive storytelling experience.

TH (12/12), 7:30pm, Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd A Charlie Brown Christmas Musical Extravaganza A heartwarming classic that brings the beloved Peanuts characters to life. Charlie Brown, feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, sets out to find the true meaning of the holiday.

FR (12/13), 7;30pm SA (12/14), 2pm, SU (12/15), 5pm, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville Scuttlebutt A monthly improv comedy show inspired by guest storytellers, audience suggestions and a talented and dynamic cast.

FR (12/13), 9pm, LaZoom Room, 76 Biltmore Ave It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play Frank Capra’s beloved American holiday classic film is reimagined as a live 1940s radio broadcast.

FR (12/13), SA (12/14), 7:30pm, SU (12/15), 2pm, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S Washington St, Hendersonville December Gathering of Harp & Story Martha Geouge Hill, Celtic harper, and Cynthia Geouge Davis, author and storyteller, combine their sisterly stylings of music making and humor in a holiday performance.

SU (12/15), 2pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 West State St, Black Mountain

death care.

WE (12/11), 5:30pm, N Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave

Holiday Reader's Theatre An evening of smallscale and shorter-form play production on book where the actors hold scripts, and the staging is minimal.

SU (12/15), 6pm, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place

Marianne Williamson A transformative evening with bestselling author and spiritual leader Marianne Williamson.

This special event will raise funds for Hurricane recovery efforts, with proceeds benefiting Beloved Asheville.

WE (12/11), 7pm, AyurPrana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Rd

A Highland Holiday: Celtic-Inspired Christmas Classics This festive performance will celebrate the rich Celtic and Britannic influences of beloved Christmas carols and traditional tunes, blending timeless melodies with holiday cheer.

TH (12/12), FR (12/13), SU (12/15), 7:30pm, SA (12/14), MO (12/16), 4pm, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, 44 College St, Mars Hill ELF Free movie night, but donations are us encouraged. Proceeds to benefit IamAVL Music Industry Relief Fund.

MO (12/16), 6:30pm, The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave

MEETINGS & PROGRAMS IBN Breakfast Club: Mills River Incredible Towns of WNC invites you to WNC's largest free and independent Business Networking group.

Bring a stack of business cards, and if you like, a door prize to add to our drawing at the end of the meeting.

WE (12/11), 8am, Mills River Restaurant, 4467 Boylston Hwy, Mills River Youth Mental Health First Aid For Adults Program designed to teach adults how to help an adolescent who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.

WE (12/11), noon, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave Chloe Moore of Southside Community Farm Chloe will discuss the history of Southside Community Farm, the organization’s current work, and the importance of contemporary initiatives towards food justice. Visit avl.mx/eck to register.

WE (12/11), 1pm, Online What is an End of Life Doula (and Do I Need One)?

Megan Anderson-Kelly of Freyja Healing Arts will lead a free talk about the role of EOL doulas, and how they provide comfort, support, and guidance from diagnosis to after-

Treks Hiking Club for Active Adults A low-impact hiking club offering leisurely-paced hikes for active adults 50 or better. Bring lunch, water, good walking shoes, and dress for the weather.

TH (12/12), 9:30am, Asheville Recreation Park, 65 Gashes Creek Rd IBN Biz Lunch: Brevard & Pisgah Forest Network and have lunch with new and old friends while you promote your business products and services. Bring a big stack of business cards and a friend if you like.

TH (12/12), 11:30am, Hawg Wild Smokehouse & Taproom, 91 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest Hemlock Hike Enjoy a hemlock hike through DuPont State Recreational Forest.

We will pass through hemlock research plots and discuss how we can best protect hemlocks for years to come.

TH (12/12), 1pm, DuPont State Recreational Forest, Entrance: 1400 Staton Rd, Cedar Mountain Bad Art Night Bad Art Night celebrates the beauty of imperfections. Regardless of experience or skill level, join to paint a masterpiece.

FR (12/13), 6:30pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave Ronald Rand’s Art of Transformation World-renowned performer and Goodwill Ambassador Ronald Rand for a transformative and inspiring workshop.

FR (12/13), 7pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way Chinese Tea & Tai Chi Foundations Settle your Qi with Chinese tea while learning the fundementals of Tai Chi to imorive your health. Beginner friendly so all levels are wecome.

SA (12/14), 10:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Introduction to Phytoremediation w/ Marc Williams Learn about the technique and its potential benefits, including carbon sequestration, improved water quality,

aesthetic value, food for wildlife, craft materials.

SA (12/14), 2pm, Asheville Botanical Garden, 151 WT Weaver Blvd Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Black Mountain Learn the history of Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley on this walking tour.

SA (12/14), 2pm, Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, 223 West State St, Black Mountain Sunday Celebration A Sunday celebration for the spiritual community.

SU (12/15), 11am, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way Adult Community Basketball Shoot some hoops or play a pick up game with friends. No pre-registration required.

SU (12/15), 1pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St Coloring w/Cats: Teens & Adults Release your inner child by coloring with us in the cat lounge while you relieve stress and anxiety.

SU (12/15), 2pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd David LaMotte: Why Heroes Don't Change the World This event will feature LaMotte's Tedx video talk followed by a zoom discussion with David LaMotte. Gather in-person or attend by zoom, everyone is welcome.

SU (12/15), 2:30pm, Ethical Humanist Society, 227 Edgewood Rd Family Open Gym Weekly time in the gym reserved for all ages to shoot hoops and play other active games as a family SU (12/15), 4pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St A Full Moon Restorative Flow & Sound Journey A candlelit evening of gentle movement, sound healing, and quiet restoration. A space to soften, breathe, and honor the stillness of winter.

SU (12/15), 5pm, The Restoration Hotel Asheville, 68 Patton Ave Random Acts of Flowers: Floral Arrangements for Those Needing a Smile Random Acts of Flowers improves the emotional health and well-being of individuals in healthcare facilities by delivering recycled flowers, encouragement, and personal moments of kindness.

MO (12/16), 9am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave Kids & Teens Kung Fu Learn fighting skills as well as conflict resolution and mindfulness. First

class is free to see if it's a good fit for you.

TH (12/12, 19), MO (12/16), TU (12/17), 4pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Black Men Monday A local group that has stepped up in the community to advocate for and mentor students through academic intervention. Kids, ages 7 and up, are welcome to join.

MO (12/16), 5:30pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave IBN Biz Lunch: Arden Bring a stack of business cards, and if you like, a door prize to add to our drawing at the end of the meeting.

TU (12/17), 11:30am, Wild Wing Cafe South, 65 Long Shoals Rd, Arden How the Greeks Created the Modern World From the Archaic period through the fall of the Ptolemaic rulers in Egypt, Greek art, culture, philosophy and government influenced the Western world.

TU (12/17), 1pm, Davidson's Fort Historic Park, 140 Bud Hogan Dr, Old Fort EveryDay Strong A program that equips caring adults with training and tools to support the mental health and wellness of children aged 8 to 18.

TU (12/17), 10am, WE (12/18), 5pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave Kung Fu: Baguazhang It is the martial arts style that Airbending from the show Avatar: The Last Airbender was based on.

TU (12/17), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Change Your Palate Cooking Demo This free lunchtime food demonstration is open to all but tailored towards those with type 2 diabetes or hypertension and/or their caretakers.

WE (12/18), noon, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave Mountain Stitchers Gather with other makers while you work on knitting, crocheting, stitching, or other personal fiber projects.

WE (12/18), 1pm, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd Perspectives: David Silver on The Farm BMCM & AC will host David Silver, co-curator of The Farm at Black Mountain College, for a gallery walk-and-talk alongside a book launch and signing event.

WE (12/18), 7pm, Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St

NSA-WNC Meeting Professional keynote speakers, coaches, trainers, facilitators, and consultants who cover a broad range of topics, skills, & knowledge.

TH (12/19), 10am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave IBN Biz Lunch: Canton All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts. Bring a big stack of business cards / flyers and invite your business contacts to attend.

TH (12/19), 11:30am, Southern Porch, 449 Main St, Canton The Foxy Chef: A Night of Vegan Cooking Chefs will take you on a culinary journey, explaining health benefits of nature's herbs and spices. This class is open for anyone and everyone.

TH (12/19), 5:30pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

GAMES & CLUBS Grove Street Card Sharks Play a variety of card games including bid whist, spades, tunk, and more.

WE (12/11, 18), 2pm, Grove St Community Center, 36 Grove St Southside Family Game Night Enjoy popular board and card games with friends, your family or by yourself. Games are provided, but feel free to bring your own share.

FR (12/13), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St Bid Whist Make bids, call trumps, and win tricks. Every Saturday for fun competition with the community.

SA (12/14), 1pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Holiday Bingo Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at festive Holiday Bingo.

Advance registration recommended.

SA (12/14), 1pm, Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St Weekly Sunday Scrabble!

Weekly scrabble play where you’ll be paired with players of your skill level. All scrabble gear provided.

SU (12/15), 1:30pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Bid Whist Group meets weekly with light refreshments and teams formed based on drop-in attendance.

MO (12/16), 5:30pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Ultimate Bid Whist & Spades Bring a partner or come solo for a fun evening of competitive bid whist and spades every Tuesday.

TU (12/17), 6pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Black Cat Tales: Story Time w/Cats A special after-school workshop where families with children age 7 and under can relax and foster a love of reading while also socializing with the cats in the lounge.

FR (12/13), 4pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Jingle Bell Toddler Party An evening featuring jingle bells, reindeer magic, and a snowball toss as well as a gym packed with inflatables, toys, activity stations, and refreshments.

WE (12/18), 10am, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Battle of the Brains Teens divided into teams put their IQs to the test against each other and Robert the AI chatbot.

FR (12/13), 6pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Parks & REC-cess A recreation experience for kids and teens who are homeschooled with a variety of activities.

Advance registration required.

WE (12/18), 1pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Coloring w/Cats: Kiddie Edition Set time for yourself and cuddle with the panthers, meet other cat-lovers, and color a beautiful picture of a cat from our adult coloring books.

SA (12/14), 1:30pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd Kiddie Cat Etiquette Bring your kiddos for a fun and educating workshop where your kids will learn the fundamentals of cat behavior.

SU (12/15), 1pm, $15, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

KID-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS Black Cat Tales: Story Time w/Cats A special after-school workshop where families with children age 7 and under can relax and foster a love of reading while also socializing with the cats in the lounge.

WE (12/11), 4pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd Kids & Teens Kung Fu Learn fighting skills as well as conflict resolution and mindfulness. First class is free to see if it’s a good fit for you.

TH (12/12, 19), MO (12/16), TU (12/17), 4pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Rookie Readers An engaging literacy program designed specifically for toddlers with an aim to foster a love for reading while nurturing creativity through crafts.

MO (12/16), 10am, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St Youth Beginner Climbing A three-week instructional climbing class for beginners. A parent or guardian must attend and be prepared to participate and belay their child.

MO (12/16), 6pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Black Cat Tales: Story Time w/Cats A special after-school workshop where families with children age 7 and under can relax and foster a love of reading while also socialzing with the cats in the lounge.

WE (12/18), 4pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

LOCAL MARKETS Holiday Bulbs & Plants This self-serve farmstand is stocked with lots of amaryllis and paper white bulbs for the holidays. They also have some beautiful 4 inch house plants. Open daily, 9am.

Bloom WNC Flower Farm, 806 North Fork Rd, Black Mountain RAD Farmers Market A vibrant mid-week market with dozens of high-quality artisan food businesses. Fresh vegetables, baked goods, pastured meats, raw honey, ferments, hot sauces, and more.

See p30 WE (12/11, 18), 3pm, AB Tech, 24 Fernihurst Dr Handcrafted Holiday Market Guests can enjoy holiday food, drinks, and music while shopping the market. Santa will also be joining us for those

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MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 11-17, 2024

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C OMMU N IT Y CA L E N D AR wanting a picture.

WE (12/11, 18), TH (12/12, 19), FR (12/13), 9am, Tryon Arts and Crafts School, 373 Harmon Field Rd, Tryon Weaverville Tailgate Market A selection of fresh, locally grown produce, grass fed beef, pork, chicken, rabbit, eggs, cheese, sweet and savory baked goods, artisan bread, body care, eclectic handmade goodies, garden and landscaping plants.

Open year round.

WE (12/11), 3pm, 60 Lake Shore Dr Weaverville Asheville City Market Featuring local food products, including fresh produce, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, and other artisan products.

Every Saturday through December 21.

SA (12/14), 9am, 52 N Market St Holiday Market Come shop and support local WNC craftsman and artisans, you might just check off your holiday gift list. For questions email, sam@ flatrockplayhouse.org.

SA (12/14), SU (12/15), 10am, Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock

Holiday Market Series A holiday market series that features live music, farm fresh offerings, unique gifts, good eats, festive libations and holiday cheer.

SA (12/14), 10am, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Holiday Sale Market This market will feature a different selection of artists each weekend with handcrafted gifts and home decor. Handmade options include ceramic tableware, fine jewelry, hand-woven and dyed apparel, bound journals and etched cards, blown vases and more.

SA (12/14), 10am, Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Pkwy Rebuild RAD: Local Market A local RAD Market every Saturday where visitors can peruse local arts, crafts and other handmade goods. Enjoy a beer or taco from the in-house taqueria while you browse.

SA (12/14), 10am, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave WNC Farmers Market High quality fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, jams, jellies, preserves, sourwood honey, and other farm

fresh items. Open daily 8am, year-round.

WNC Farmers Market, 570 Brevard Rd Junk-O-Rama Browse vintage clothing vendors, local crafters, antiques and more.

SU (12/15), 11am, Fleetwood's, 496 Haywood Rd

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS Holiday Cookie Contest Create cookies that capture the magic of the season in a friendly competition with prizes.

Advance registration required.

WE (12/11), 1pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St Countdown to Christmas Countdown to Christmas with different holiday activities each day including: Holiday cookie exchange, gingerbread house decorating, ornament making, Christmas movies and more.

WE (12/11, 18), TH (12/12, 19), FR (12/13), MO (12/16), TU (12/17), 2pm, Grove St Community Center, 36 Grove St

2024 Recognition Luncheon This special event will recognize outstanding program participants, employers, workforce leaders, workforce development professionals and more.

TH (12/12), 11:30am, WNC Ag Center (Boone Building), 761 Boylston Hwy, Fletcher Late Night Asheville A festive evening of extended shopping hours and holiday cheer. More than 45 participating shops will keep their doors open late, creating a magical atmosphere for holiday shoppers.

TH (12/12), 6pm, Downtown Asheville Toybox's Big Birthday Circus (Day 1) Toybox, America's Favorite Cartoon Witch will feature a variety of short form puppet films all about Toybox.

Funded by the Puppet Slam Network and people like you.

TH (12/12), 7pm, Sly Grog Lounge, 271 Haywood St White & Silver Bells Brunch Snow is falling and the big day is near, so Santa’s bubbly elves are serving brunch. Dress in white and silver bells to

join a party with door prizes, photobooth, and more.

FR (12/13), 10am, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St Merry Main Street Enjoy pure Christmas magic, charming shops, holiday markets, cozy spots to eat and a full street of festive vibes and holiday cheers.

There will be carriage rides, tree lighting and Santa in the park. See p33 FR (12/13), 5:30pm, Downtown Burnsville Holiday Skate Jam Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville transforms into a massive skate rink for one night only.

Enjoy holiday music, festive décor, and an unforgettable night on the floor.

FR (12/13), 6pm, Harrah's Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St Toybox's Big Birthday Circus (Day 2) An evening of short puppet performances by local faves Toybox and Edwin Salas plus special guests: Mr. Pants Marionette Show, Poose The Puppet, Death To Realism with Tyler Nacho and more.

FR (12/13), 7pm, Sly Grog Lounge, 271 Haywood St Enter the Earth's 22nd Xmas Party This annual Christmas party will feature JoJo Hermann of Widespread Panic and Big Chief Juan Pardo who will be joining forces to bring New Orleans Funk and Mardi Gras Indian Culture.

FR (12/13), 9pm, Asheville Music Hall, 31 Patton Ave Breakfast with Santa Enjoy breakfast with the man in red and celebrate the holidays with a morning of fun. Advance registration required.

SA (12/14), 10:30am, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Families Together: Holiday Celebration This holiday celebration brings support and joy to hurricane-affected families therapeutic comfort boxes, free resources, holiday fun and more. This event is expected to hand-out over 900 comfort kits to families in the local area.

SA (12/14), 11am, Hall Fletcher Elementary, 60 Ridgelawn Ave Annual Christmas Market Browse local vendors to shop, hot mulled wine and bonfires to keep you warm. There will also be food specials, holiday beer release and tons of holiday cheer.

SA (12/14), noon, Lookout Brewing Co. 103 S Ridgeway Ave, Black Mountain

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Cold Mountain Christmas Craft Fair & Holiday Concert Enjoy an afternoon holiday shopping, s'mores with Santa, cookie decorating with the Camp Henry elves, a Christmas carol sing-along and holiday concert with The Moon and You. SA (12/14), noon Bishop Johnson Dining Hall, Logan Cir, Canton Davidson's Fort Colonial Christmas The town of Old Fort has been through so much disaster we would like to open our gates and treat the people this Holiday season.

SA (12/14), noon, Davidson's Fort Historic Park, 140 Bud Hogan Dr, Old Fort Holiday Art Market & Blood Drive This holiday art market with live music and a new food truck, Taste of Tampa. Support local for the holidays and donate blood as well.

SA (12/14), noon, The River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St Asheville SantaCon 2024 Celebrate the holiday season with an unforgettable night out. Dress in your most festive Santa attire and join fellow merrymakers as we explore the best bars each boasting cheerful atmosphere.

SA (12/14), 1pm, Urban Orchard Cider Co. S Slope, 24 Buxton Ave Flashback Band’s Rockin Christmas Special A magical concert featuring all the best Christmas songs in rock and roll style. There will be a special meet and gre with Santa and the Grinch.

SA (12/14), 5pm, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200 Toybox's Big Birthday Circus (Day 3) This night features music and fun with Toybox's Band Nightmare of Noise, The Deviled Eggs, Dance Krieg, and other surprise guests.

SA (12/14), 7pm, Sly Grog Lounge, 271 Haywood St When the Holidays Hurt It can be hard to find a quiet place that acknowledges both our collective grief and our personal struggles. This annual service aims to maintain a sense of joy.

SU (12/15), 1:30pm, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place What’s Shaking? Jingle Bell Jam A special holiday music and dance party that will feature face painting, delicious food by Chef Bailey, and sweet treats from Butterpunk.

SU (12/15), 2:15pm, The Mule/Devil's Foot Brewing, 131 Sweeton Creek Rd The Asheville Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker Clara’s magical journey to the Lands of Snow and Sweets featuring the traditional Tchaikovsky score has become a favorite holiday family tradition.

SU (12/15), 2:30pm, Wortham Center For The Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave Toybox's Big Birthday Circus (Day 4) The grand finale will feature magic shows, Burlesque, circus, clowning, comedy, juggling, butoh, and tons of surprises.

SU (12/15), 7pm, Sly Grog Lounge, 271 Haywood St Community Christmas Party An evening of holiday festivities with local friends and breakfast for dinner, so wear your festive Pj's.

MO (12/16), 5pm, Lookout Brewing Co., 103 S Ridgeway Ave, Black Mountain Job Fairs & Hiring Event FEMA is seeking driven and qualified individuals for positions in the recovery offices located in Asheville and Durham.

WE (12/18), 10am, Embassy Suites, 192 Haywood St Historic Johnson Farm Christmas Tours Tour the decorated historic house, visit the Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists, and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. While drop-ins are allowed, those with reservations take priority.

WE (12/18), 10:30am, Historic Johnson Farm, 3346 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville

BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING Jolly Boat Bash Benefit Show for RADA w/Boat Command & Friends The line up features Rebekah Todd, Melissa and McKinney, Reggie Headen, Juan Holladay.

All of the net ticket proceeds will benefit River Arts District Artists.

WE (12/11), 8pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave Southside Volunteer Day Volunteer with RiverLink to maintain the native ecosystem and rain gardens in the Erskine Community.

TH (12/12), 10am, Herb Watts Park, 64 Erskine St A Night For Neal: Benefit Concert w/ Raphael Graves Band A benefit concert for Neal Dillingham, an Air Force Veteran whose mountain home is on the

brink of disaster after Hurricane Helene.

TH (12/12), 6pm, Oklawaha Brewing Co., 147 1st Ave E, Hendersonville Sock it to Me Santa 5k Get in the holiday spirit and come run in this fun and challenging 5k course through downtown Asheville. This is a fundraiser for the Asheville City Schools Band Program.

SA (12/14), 9am, Asheville Middle School, 211 S French Broad Ave Artist ReLEAF Concert w/Derian Blane This concert will both benefit the artists who perform (through the LEAF Local Artist Relief Fund) and help to raise money for the fund.

SA (12/14), 4pm, LEAF Global Arts, 19 Eagle St Together We Rise: A Benefit Concert for BeLoved Asheville This benefit features music from John Cowan, Darrell Scott, Andrea Zonn and Jeff Sipe.

100% of net ticket proceeds will go directly to BeLoved Asheville.

SU (12/15), 7pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave Jerry’s Dead: Benefit for IamAvl’s Music Relief Fund This live show aims to raise money for the Music Relief Fund through IAMAVL. Jerry’s Dead plays all the hits from GD and JGB. MO (12/16), 7pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave The Asheville Monday Night Contra Dance's Benefit & Holiday Waltz Get dressed in your finest holiday attire and enjoy a wonderful evening of waltzing to live music in a holiday and festive setting, while raising funds.

MO (12/16), 8pm, Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St Low-Cost Community Cat Neuter Clinic Binx's Home for Black Cats, House of Black Cat Magic, and Paws Mobile Vet now offer male cat neuters every other Thursday. You must schedule and pay for your appointment prior to showing up.

TH (12/19), 8am, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd Ashes & Arrows Black Mountain Montessori Benefit w/Amanda Anne Platt We are thrilled to be hosting Ashes & Arrows with Amanda Anne Platt to support the students and staff of Black Mountain Montessori, a beloved school that’s still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact.

TH (12/19), 7pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

HEALTH ROUNDUP

by Lisa Allen | lallen@mountainx.com

Aromatherapy company to convert former church into a wellness sanctuary ADORAtherapy, a mood-boosting aromatherapy company, plans to convert a former church in Woodfin into the brand’s production center, coworking space and community hub for wellness workshops.

Formerly the Elkwood Methodist Church on Elk Mountain Road, ADORAtherapy intends to maintain the building’s stained-glass windows depicting scenes such as Noah’s Ark — “a meaningful symbol of survival,” the company notes in a press release.

Amid its early renovations, ADORAtherapy donated 20 pews and the church’s Baldwin 711 organ to Old Fort United Methodist Church.

“ADORAtherapy’s generous donation of pews to Old Fort United Methodist Church has been a vital step in the community’s recovery from Hurricane Helene’s devastating flooding, which submerged the campus under 14-50 inches of water,” wrote church trustee Bob Smith in an email. “The pews, nearly identical to those lost, will help preserve the 1883 church’s character while modernizing its systems.”

The Elk Mountain Road location will be ADORAtherapy’s third. The company, which makes perfumes and oils for aromatherapy practices, has stores in the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville as well as a storefront in Miami.

Work is expected to be completed by fall 2025.

Bear’s Smokehouse’s nonprofit takes action Linked4Life, the charitable arm of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, has launched a series of initiatives aimed at supporting the mental health needs of the Western North Carolina community.

Recognizing the emotional and psychological toll that Helene has inflicted on residents — especially those in the food and beverage industry as well as artists — the initiatives include: • ART4HOPE Gallery, in partnership with RiseUP for Arts, a Connecticutbased nonprofit: An online gallery showcasing submissions from artists worldwide. Proceeds from sales will directly benefit Asheville artists whose livelihoods have been impacted

by Helene. To date, the gallery has received 90 submissions from over 50 artists.

• HOSPITALITY4HOPE: Linked4Life has raised $28,000 for this initiative

that seeks to provide training, resources and no-cost counseling services for Asheville food and beverage workers in partnership with All Souls Counseling Center. All Souls Counseling is offering both in-person and virtual counseling sessions and has expanded its roster of counselors. For services, call the center at 828-259-3369. For immediate support, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990 or the NC Peer Warmline at 855-733-7762 to speak with a peer support specialist. For HOLIDAYS4HOPE, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, 135 Coxe Ave., will transform into a Winter Wonderland.

Visitors can make donations to Linked4Life, which grants them the opportunity to decorate and hang an ornament with a message of hope in the restaurant. All funds raised will support All Souls Counseling Center in providing free counseling sessions to local food and beverage industry workers. “Now more than ever, our community needs access to mental health support,” said Cheryl Antoncic, founder of Linked4Life and co-owner of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, in a media release. “We are committed to ensuring that everyone impacted by Hurricane Helene receives the help they need to heal and rebuild.”

Pulmonologist joins AdventHealth Dr. Nadeem Inayet has joined AdventHealth Medical Group Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine at Medical Office Building, 50 Hospital Drive, Suite 1-C, Hendersonville. Inayet is board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, critical care medicine and neurocritical care. Inayet received his medical degree from Dow Medical College and completed his internal medicine residency at State University of New York in Brooklyn. He completed his fellowship training in pulmonary medicine from Yale New Haven Health System, with subspecialty fellowship training in undersea and hyperbaric medicine from the University of South Carolina and critical care medicine from Montefiore Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Most recently, Inayet served as a pulmonologist for the Sentara Medical Group in Virginia, where he managed patients in seven different specialty intensive care units.

Mission opens Arden emergency room Mission Hospital’s South Asheville emergency room is now open at 2512 Hendersonville Road in Arden.

A campus of Mission Hospital, the 11,000-square-foot ER is equipped with 11 exam rooms, an on-site laboratory and diagnostic imaging services including CT and X-ray, according to a media release. Board-certified emergency physicians and specially trained nurses will be able to treat many conditions, ranging from broken bones to chest pain to serious infections. The facility is licensed by the State of North Carolina and provides South Asheville residents and visitors another option to be seen and treated 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

On-call specialists and consultation services will be provided by the hospital medical staff, with transfers to an inpatient hospital should a higher level of care be required.

AdventHealth gets permit for 93 beds The State of North Carolina awarded AdventHealth a certificate of need for 26 additional beds for its new hospital in Weaverville. This approval brings the total number of beds to 93, according to a media release.

The new hospital, located on more than 30 acres, will feature state-ofthe-art technology, surgery services, a labor and delivery unit, and an emergency department.

Mark your calendar • Veterans Treatment Court to hold graduation: The Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court, which works to promote public safety through accountability and responsibility, is holding commencement at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 13, on the seventh floor of the Buncombe County Courthouse. “Our graduates have shown incredible commitment to transforming their lives, and this ceremony is a celebration of their strength and determination,” says Kevin Rumley, program director. “Whether you’re familiar with Veterans Treatment Court or hearing about it for the first time, this event

NEW VISION: A mock-up of the former Elkwood Methodist Church on Elk Mountain Road shows renovation plans that the site’s new owner, ADORAtherapy, intends to complete by fall 2025.

Photo courtesy of ADORAtherapy offers a unique opportunity to see how the program fosters community healing and helps veterans reclaim their lives.” For information, contact Cindy Crawford at Cindy.Crawford@ nccourts.org or Rumley at Kevin.

Rumley@Buncombecounty.org.

• 5K to benefit school band programs: The fourth annual Sock It to Me Santa 5K will jingle on this year. The race serves as the biggest fundraiser for Asheville City Schools bands. The festive race will take place at 9 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 14, starting and finishing at Asheville Middle School and running through edges of downtown and the South Slope neighborhood.

Participants who register in advance receive their choice of socks or a shirt.

For information: avl.mx/ebz • Farm offers winter retreats: The Horse Shoe Farm in Hendersonville is offering a slate of two- or three-day winter wellness retreats focused on holistic practices and personal growth.

These “BEtreats,” which run from January through March, embrace the present moment, education and personal growth. For information: avl.mx/ec0 • Comfort event for kids: Hive Mind Therapy, led by Sherree Turcott, in collaboration with National Emergency Child Care Network and Asheville City Schools is hosting a community event on Saturday, Dec. 14 for families affected by Tropical Storm Helene. More than 400 therapeutic comfort boxes and 1,000 giveaways to support children and families in need will be provided. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hall Fletcher Elementary School. Activities will include games, crafts, and music and vendors will have wares from local artisans and small businesses.

Volunteers are needed to help with event setup, cleanup, and activity stations. For information: avl.mx/ecw

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— Lisa Allen X DEC. 11-17, 2024

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ARTS & CULTURE

Evergreen redemption

Tony Bayles turns heartbreak into beauty with memorial structures

BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN earnaudin@mountainx.com The trees talk, and Tony Bayles listens.

Through this strong connection to nature, the Asheville-based multidisciplinary artist and longtime interior designer is turning heartbreak into beauty with memorial structures made from trees damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. And in certain cases, he’s being summoned by the fallen flora themselves.

Such was the case in late October when, while having difficulty sleeping, Bayles had a vision of a tree that told him to come find it at the downtown YMCA. By then, he’d already made multiple installations in Pack Square Park, including a giant altarpiece for the community candlelight vigil on Oct. 22. When he found the evergreen in question on Orchard Street, he realized he’d seen it before.

“Seven years prior when I came to visit [Asheville], the town was really busy that day,” he says. “I just wanted a quiet place, and I went down Charlotte [Street], and I turned down [Orchard] because the traffic was heavy — and there it was. I had my lunch with me, so I sat under that tree.”

But the tree wasn’t finished communicating. Back home an hour later, Bayles sat down to write a tribute to Black Mountain and the damage that town sustained. Instead, he unconsciously wrote “Beaver Lake.” He interpreted it as a message from the fallen tree pointing to where it wanted to go as part of his next memorial structure. A few days later, with help from his team of volunteers, the tree

SECOND LIFE: Tony Bayles works in Pack Square Park on the altarpiece for the city’s Oct. 22 candlelight vigil. Photo courtesy of the artist had been cut, transported and transformed into a 50-foot round piece resembling three birds with wings.

SACRED SPRUCE Fated occurrences in that vein make Bayles feel as if he’s meant to craft these outdoor pieces, which he does free of charge and using his own resources, tapping into his interior design experience and dreaming up site-specific installations in an impressively short amount of time.

The origin of that sense of destiny is the spruce he says he “had a friendship with” in Pack Square Park.

In 2021, Bayles was an organizer for Blue Ridge Pride, which is held at Pack Square Park. He and his team covered

Come to Cam’s place, because

Coffee

with friends tastes so much better!

that particular tree with pieces of clothing from members of the LGBTQ+ community who’d passed away. They also hung teacups from the limbs.

“The message of that was: This is the cup of my life. Drink it in. May you understand and see me, and may you feel confident and comfortable enough to do the same with me so that we can understand each other, walk together, talk and help others to do the same,” he says.

In the aftermath of Helene, Bayles went to Pack Square Park to collect potable water and realized that the spruce had fallen during the storm.

“When I first saw it, I was just heartbroken,” he says. “I just sat there in the park and just cried in my car for like 15 minutes. The magnitude of the storm hit me.”

Over the next week, he decided that he should do something with the tree and returned to the park only to find that repair crews had cut the spruce into chunks and thrown the pieces into a pile.

“It looked like they cleaned around where the base of the root system was, like they were going to grind it up,” Bayles says. “And I was like, ‘Not on today’s watch. That tree is too sacred. We need to honor it.’”

CREATING THE ALTARPIECE

@Camdenscoffeehouse • 40 N Main St, Mars Hill, NC 24

DEC. 11-17, 2024

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He quickly covered the roots with the tree’s limbs, then noticed that the cut segments resembled seats. He

arranged the only six — which he notes is the Hebraic number of humanity — nonragged logs in a semicircle.

“That’s us having a conversation and looking to the tree for guidance,” he recalls.

Bayles then returned the following day with a handsaw to lop off the remaining limbs and built what he calls “the funeral pyre” on the stairs leading to the park’s restrooms. But more work awaited.

The next day, Bayles saw a social media post from Asheville City Council member Maggie Ullman announcing that the city was having a candlelight vigil. He contacted her, offering to build a large altarpiece with the rest of the spruce’s limbs.

Wanting to honor surrounding cities and towns impacted by Helene, he drove to Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Beaver Lake and Hendersonville, collected fallen branches and used them in the giant altarpiece.

These and other memorial structures have elicited strong emotional responses from community members, who’ve texted and emailed him appreciative messages. Some of these folks are local business owners, requesting an installation (e.g., Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co.’s Merrimon Avenue location). And others ask to assist Bayles with future works — help he’s happy to receive.

“I just feel inspired to bring us together around a smile for the holidays,” he says.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/ecm. X

Walk into a Winter Wonderland at Givens Gerber Park!

Join us for our last Lunch & Learn of the year

Thursday, December 19th from 11am-1pm Come enjoy a presentation about Givens Gerber Park: a more affordable rental retirement option (55+) and enjoy lunch on us.

Monthly fees are all-inclusive and based on income.

RSVP required.

CONTACT US TODAY 828.771.2938 | info@GivensGerberPark.org

Beginning Jan. 2, 2025, unincorporated areas of Buncombe County will be serviced by a new trash and recycling pick-up provider.

If you are a current WastePro customer, you must sign up with FCC Environmental to avoid service interruption.

We know it is really tough to add one more thing as we’re going through our disaster recovery response but we encourage you to sign up now so your trash and recycling can be picked up in the new year.

Scan the code with your mobile phone or contact FCC to sign up now to avoid service disruption.

TO SIGN UP & LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES: Website: fccenvironmental.com/ buncombe-county Phone: 828-820-7022 Email: buncombe@fccenvironmental.com MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 11-17, 2024

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AR T S & C UL TU R E

LITERATURE

Like a prayer

Asheville author urges more openness about religious beliefs and practices

BY MINDI MELTZ FRIEDWALD mindimeltz@gmail.com When Asheville author, educator and reverend Vicki Garlock was hired to design a multifaith curriculum at Jubilee! Community in 2008, she figured her academic skills and doctorate in neuroscience and cognitive development would be all she needed.

“I really thought I could sit in my office and I could read about the sacred texts, and then I would know them,” she recalls.

But she soon ran up against a problem: how to teach abstract religious texts to young children. And that problem led her to an interesting question: How do religious communities teach their own children about their traditions?

She decided to find out for herself.

Thus began an educational adventure she’s been enjoying ever since, attending services and holy day celebrations at sacred spaces in Asheville and beyond.

But when COVID-19 shut down businesses and houses of worship, Garlock tried her hand at writing children’s books. Her most recent, ABCs of the World’s Religions, won the International Impact Award last year. Garlock, who is also the founder of World Religions for Kids, says she writes and teaches about religions because it’s fun — and because she believes that by ignoring people’s religious identities, we are missing connections that could strengthen our communities. “[People] might see a hijab at the store, and they just go the other way,” she says. “They might know their neighbors are Jewish, but they don’t know what the proper greeting is so they just ignore it. And what I consistently try to tell people is we kind of tried that with racism, right? Let’s not talk to kids about it, let’s just tell kids, ‘You shouldn’t pay attention to the color of people’s skin.’ It didn’t work out very well! …. We have to figure out a way to talk about this and to bring it up and acknowledge it and honor it.”

Garlock hopes her books will play a small part in teaching people to work across perceived boundaries, making future generations more adept at solving problems together.

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FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: Vicki Garlock, award-winning author of ABCs of the World’s Religions, teaches a first grade class at Francine Delany New School about the Hindu festival of Diwali. Photo by of Kelsey Goss ‘LIVED RELIGION’ IN ASHEVILLE AND BEYOND Raised Lutheran in a small town in Illinois, Garlock attended religion classes six days a week as a child and later enrolled at a Catholic high school. She notes that unlike the Bible, which is told primarily through stories, many other religious texts such as the Quran are written in poetry. So in developing her 2008 Jubilee curriculum, she wondered, “Are kids reading the Vedas?

How does this work? Because my background in cognitive psychology has told me, ‘Wow, these are really abstract and difficult-to-understand texts; they probably don’t make a lot of sense to a 5-year-old.’”

She found that while she could learn about the tenets of a religion from its texts, she had to step into its rituals to experience what she and others in her field call “lived religion.”

In 2014, Garlock began visiting many Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Baháʼí and Wiccan sacred spaces, including Congregation Beth Israel, Great Tree Zen Temple, Chabad-Lubavitch WNC, Mother

Grove Goddess Temple and several African American Baptist churches, among others. She says she continues to regularly visit Sri Somesvara Temple, Urban Dharma, Great Tree Zen Temple and Chabad-Lubavitch WNC. She also visits Sikh and Jain holy spaces outside Asheville.

Garlock notes that people don’t realize how much variety of form exists within every religion. For example, she says, the Islamic Center of Asheville is home to Muslims from Pakistan, the Philippines and several African countries, so the hosts for a specific event determine what kind of food is served. She adds that each synagogue celebrates holidays with slightly different traditions, and every year the Hindu temple celebrates Krishna’s birthday in a different way.

Through her ongoing visits, Garlock has discovered that all religious traditions teach their children in a similar way: By listening to stories and participating as they can, children eventually “get closer” to the sacred texts and come to understand them.

That’s what Garlock did, too. Every community has welcomed her, and she’s learned that making mistakes is

part of the process. She feels honored when people trust her enough to correct her. “I do believe that your intention matters. … When I ask questions, people know I’m asking questions because I’m trying to learn.

“I consider myself a pilgrim,” she says.

make those concepts more accessible to a wide audience. She says the feedback that has most surprised her is from adult readers — who say they learn just as much from the book as their children do.

A BOOK THAT CROSSES BOUNDARIES

Garlock believes people tend to undervalue religion as an aspect of identity and ignore the religious diversity around them. “People are uncomfortable,” she says. “They don’t know how to handle it. And teachers are afraid to talk about religion in schools because there’s not been good education for teachers about what the separation of church and state really means.”

She sees Asheville as a religiously tolerant place overall, despite some incidents. But she notes that if she stopped someone in Ingles and asked what time of year Yom Kippur or Ramadan happens, for example, most people would not know the answer.

“The more ways that we can remember that we’re all in this together, the better off we’ll be. And it’s a very long haul, it’s not going to happen in my lifetime, it’s part of human evolution,” says Garlock.

But she thinks kids are a great place to start. Kids want to talk about religions, she says, and if you ask them what they think about religious stories, they have a lot to say. “We need to give them an opportunity, we need to help them understand,” she points out. “It’s OK to wonder about that stuff.”

In the big picture, she says, all religions are “trying to deal with the problem of being human.” The Asheville area’s recent experience of Tropical Storm Helene, she says, is a perfect example of what religions are for. Some of the oldest rituals we know about, she notes, were created in response to the land getting too much or not enough rain. The flood story in Genesis is not even the oldest; “The Epic of Gilgamesh” is the oldest recorded one, and there are many others from indigenous traditions.

“Right now we are having a quintessentially human experience, which is that humans have always had to figure out how to live with Mother Nature,” she says. “Despite everything we know meteorologically, and despite weather forecasts, we still have these inexplicable, hard-to-understand, devastating things that happen to us.”

At their best, she says, this is what religious traditions, religious stories and spiritual practices are for: to bring people together, not only in times of celebration but in times of crisis. X

In ABCs of the World’s Religions (illustrated by Raman Bhardwaj, an artist based in Greensboro), each letter of the alphabet stands for an element of religion. The left page gives a rhyming couplet, intended for young children, and the right page offers images and prose for slightly older children. For example, “D is for Diwali,” a Hindu festival of lights, and the right-side page shows lights-related holidays from other religions such as Hanukkah and Christmas.

Most religion books for kids, says Garlock, are devotional, intended to guide children to practice a certain religion. Hardly any educate about multiple religions as hers do. She says her books are appropriate for public schools as well as parochial and private schools because they do not attempt to convert but simply present information to encourage understanding.

Garlock assigned several letters to each of the six major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Her book honors both the differences and similarities between them. “For example, you might think that Islam and Hinduism — what do they have in common?” she posits.

“But it turns out they have some really interesting things in common, like everybody takes their shoes off before they enter the sacred space.”

Like many parents, Garlock wanted to offer religion to her own children as a way of coping with life’s challenges. But because not everyone ends up feeling comfortable in their home religion, she preferred to expose them “to a variety of practices and belief systems so they could figure out what resonated with them.”

Her children, now 18 and 24, joined her on visits to sacred spaces, visited temples in other countries when they traveled, and talked about and compared different traditions over the dinner table. “How they incorporate that into their lives as they become adults is really up to them.”

Garlock has also published two other children’s books: We All Have Sacred Spaces and Embracing Peace: Stories from the World’s Faith Traditions. ABCs of the World’s Religions was, for her, a fun way to

WHY TALK ABOUT RELIGIONS?

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ARTS & C U L T U R E

MUSIC

Not just for doing yoga

Asheville native Mary Lattimore brings the harp to experimental music

BY BILL KOPP bill@musoscribe.com Outside of classical and Celtic music, the harp isn’t widely heard.

But in the hands of Asheville native Mary Lattimore, the massive, stringed acoustic instrument has become the centerpiece of a body of work that moves beyond those styles and into indie-experimental regions.

Lattimore will make a holiday season Asheville homecoming with a Friday, Dec. 27, performance at the AyurPrana Listening Room.

Lattimore is carrying on a family tradition. Her mother, Lelia Lattimore, spent decades as a harpist with the Asheville Symphony and is the founding director of the esteemed Blue Ridge Harp Ensemble. “I grew up playing with my mom at the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn,” Lattimore recalls.

She studied with Charlotte Symphony harpist Elizabeth Ross and received conservatory training at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. Lattimore’s early education on the harp immersed her in the world of classical music, but her ambitions took her well beyond that idiom.

“I moved to Philly in 2005 and got to know a lot of people in bands,” she explains. Some of those people were and remain key figures in the indie and underground rock communities: Kurt Vile and Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs among them.

“They encouraged me to write for bands and to include the harp into the psych-folk music that was happening around Philadelphia,” she says.

“And that led me to playing with Thurston Moore.” Lattimore played on the Sonic Youth guitarist’s third solo release, 2011’s critically lauded Demolished Thoughts.

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Working with Moore helped push Lattimore even further from the rigid world of tightly composed classical music. “Thurston really encouraged me to improvise,” she says.

Her introduction to Moore and other experimental musicians encouraged her to pursue more of her own ideas. “It built up my confidence about writing my own parts, improvising and leaning less on reading music,” she says.

Lattimore released her solo debut, The Withdrawing Room, in 2013. She would follow that with four more albums under her own name, plus three collaborative releases with other indie artists. Most of those projects can be loosely categorized as experimental, but while Lattimore herself has sometimes been pigeonholed as an “experimental musician,” she doesn’t think that label quite gets at what she does. “I don’t know if [my music] is experimental as much as it’s ‘doing whatever I want,’” she says.

That mindset helps explain how an instrument like the Theremin found its way onto her 2018 album, Hundreds of Days, and its 2020 follow-up, New Rain Duets; the latter was named in more than a dozen of that year’s best-of lists in major media outlets, including The New Yorker and NPR Music.

Though she has lived and/or worked extensively in Philadelphia, New York City and — most recently — Los

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Angeles, Lattimore still points to her Asheville upbringing as an influencing factor in her music. “The natural beauty, the creativity and the bohemian nature of our special town allowed me to dream about things that weren’t obvious or conventional,” she says.

She adds that being exposed to so much music as a child led her to live a life in which music is central to both her personal and professional worlds.

“Going to hear the orchestra and having students in our house all the time, the harp felt like a normal part of my childhood,” she says.

Her professional life has included soundtrack work; the evocative quality of Lattimore’s instrumental music makes it ideally suited for use in film.

In fact, one of her earliest professional endeavors was a major role in The Valerie Project, a Philadelphia-based psychedelic folk band that in 2007 created an alternate soundtrack to a 1970 Czech surreal horror film, Valerie and Her Week of Wonders.

More recently, she provided music for a 2021 episode of the Atlas Obscura podcast. “It’s really good for my brain to have someone else’s vision in mind,” she says. “On my own stuff, I get to express how I feel — ‘blah blah blah,’” she says with a laugh. “But with scoring, you’re in service to someone else’s vision, and it’s humbling.”

ETHEREAL AND ENGAGING Lattimore laughs again as she points out that the process often involves some healthy give-and-take. “Someone’s dying [on screen], so you write the perfect thing in your mind for that,” she explains. “Then the director’s like, ‘No, this sounds like a very cheerful music box!’ So you have to rethink it, turn it over and polish it. That’s really fun.”

Sync licensing — the business practice of having one’s music chosen for film, television, advertising and even video games — is often held up as one of the few ways today’s musicians can generate a revenue stream. Lattimore has licensed some of her songs in that manner, placed some of her songs, and says she’d love to get more sync opportunities to help make up for the minuscule revenue that streaming provides.

“As a 44-year-old woman, I’m picturing myself 20 years from now, touring with an 85-pound harp,” she says with a wan smile. “It would be nice to have different avenues [for income].”

STRING THEORY: Harpist and Asheville native Mary Lattimore finds a place for her instrument in the indie scene. Photo by Rachel Cassells In the meantime, Lattimore’s music earns widespread critical acclaim and finds popularity on those minimally remunerative streaming sites: “Oh I Miss Her So,” a 2020 collaboration with Brooklyn chillwave-meets-folk group Holy Hive, has received over 9 million plays on Spotify. Her latest release, 2023’s dark and moody Goodbye, Hotel Arkada, has been well received, too. And in keeping with Lattimore’s penchant for creative collaboration, the album features The Cure’s Lol Tolhurst as one of several featured guest artists.

Another tag that’s sometimes applied to the music of Mary Lattimore is “ambient.” And while there’s an ethereal character to much of her music, it’s more engaging than that label suggests.

Her upcoming Asheville gig at the laid-back AyurPrana Listening Room might further that preconception, but Lattimore says that she hasn’t even decided what she’ll play at that date.

One thing she will do is talk between songs, helping the audience understand what her instrumental pieces are about. “[I do that] so that it doesn’t just seem like ‘spa music,’” she says, laughing again. “Because it’s not just for when you’re doing yoga.” X

WHAT Mary Lattimore with Tashi Dorji and Min Xiao-Fen WHERE Ayurprana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Road, avl.mx/eby WHEN Friday, Dec. 27, 7 p.m. $29.21

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AR T S & C UL TU R E

FOOD ROUNDUP

What’s new in food WNC Tip It Forward grant program supports Asheville’s restaurant and creative workers

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As part of its ongoing efforts to support local restaurants and service industry workers in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) has joined forces with ArtsAVL local arts council and historic real estate specialists GBX Group to launch a new initiative, WNC Tip It Forward.

The program is designed to provide emergency relief grants to those hardest hit in the food service and creative sectors, while also spreading awareness about the scope of the devastation Helene has wreaked in those industries. Due to post-Helene business closures in October, the area’s peak tourism month, plus widespread event cancellations and property damage from the storm, an enormous swath of local workers has lost their livelihoods, creating challenges and uncertainty as winter looms, says AIR Executive Director Meghan Rogers.

“For the restaurant industry and the people who work there, October to December is normally a very busy time,” Rogers explains, noting that income from those months typically helps get restaurant owners and their staff through the slower months of January, February and March. “We know that folks don’t just need to catch up on bills or rent. They need to earn money to sustain themselves through the winter as well.”

Hospitality and food service was one of Buncombe County’s top five industries in 2022, employing nearly 20,000 people, according to the county’s Economic Development, Education and Upward Mobility report. And the sector’s storm recovery, Rogers points out, will not be immediate but will be a very long-term process.

Rogers says Tip It Forward took shape just a few weeks after Helene when she was contacted by an executive from GBX Group. “He said he visited Asheville frequently and loved our restaurant scene and wanted to find a way to help,” she says.

Further discussion revealed that he also is a supporter of the area’s arts and music scenes. “That’s when we decided it would make a lot of sense to also work with ArtsAVL,” says Rogers.

GBX Group provided startup funding for Tip It Forward to offer immediate emergency assistance to those affected. AIR is partnering with ArtsAVL to distribute the grants to

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eligible artists and restaurant workers, and both organizations will use a portion of the funds to support their own ongoing recovery work within their respective industries.

For more information about WNC Tip It Forward and to donate, visit avl.mx/ecx.

Go fish at Regina’s Westside Someone has finally found a cure for the Sunday scaries: Regina’s Westside has launched Regina’s Fish Night, happening every Sunday from 5 p.m. until the fish sell out. The event features whole, fried fish, including catfish, sea bass, snapper and speckled and rainbow trout from North Carolina purveyors Locals Seafood. Brined in seasoned buttermilk and fried with a cornmeal crust, the flavors change weekly and have included Thai- and Mexican-inspired spices. The fish fries will continue at least through the end of the year and possibly into the new year as well.

Regina’s is at 1400 Patton Ave. For updates, visit the restaurant’s Instagram page at avl.mx/ecr.

Cocktails with Kris Kringle Ring in the holiday season 5-8 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 12, with Cocktails with Kris Kringle at Soprana Rooftop Cucina at the Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel. A benefit for local environmental nonprofit Asheville GreenWorks, the event will feature live music, photo ops with Santa, an ornament-making station with Board and Brush Creative Studios, a jewelry trunk pop-up with Honey Koshka, festive bites, raffle prizes and holiday drinks with Cultivated Cocktails. Best of all? It’s free to attend.

Reservations are required.

Soprana Rooftop Cucina is at 192 Haywood St. To learn more, visit avl.mx/ecn..

Adieu to Vivian Popular Appalachia-meets-Europe restaurant Vivian announced on social media on Nov. 26 that it has closed permanently. The eatery began eight years

SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION: Asheville Independent Restaurants Executive Director Meghan Rogers is working with ArtsAVL and historic real estate specialists GBX Group to provide disaster recovery assistance to Asheville’s food service and creative workers. Photo courtesy of Rogers ago as a food truck at Burial Beer Co., founding its brick-and-mortar spot on Depot Street in the River Arts District in 2017. Owners Josiah and Shannon McGaughey noted in their announcement that they were left financially and emotionally depleted in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene. The two thanked their loyal staff and customers for years of happy memories and for building an “incredible community.”

Read the full farewell post on Instagram at avl.mx/ecs.

A RAD new location The River Arts District Farmers Market has found a new home base at 16 Fernihurst Drive on the campus of A-B Tech. Taking place Wednesdays from 3-5:30 p.m., the market offers ample and accessible parking plus an array of locally grown produce, baked goods/desserts, dairy, meats and specialty foods, as well as handmade soaps and seasonal bouquets.

Market attendees are encouraged to enter via Meadow Road, rather than Biltmore Avenue, and follow the signage. Wednesday, Dec. 18, is the last RAD market of the year. It will reopen Wednesday, Jan. 8.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/9ki.

A new home for Abbiocco Pizzeria After temporarily closing due to Tropical Storm Helene, Old Fort-based mobile pizzeria Abbiocco has found a

new place to set up shop. The business announced on social media that chef Glenn Osterberg resumed slinging his wood-fired, seasonally inspired pies on Nov. 30 at Peri Social House, a Black Mountain boutique hotel and bar.

Hours are noon-9 p.m. (or until sold out) Friday and Saturday, noon-8 p.m. (or until sold out) Sunday. As Abbiocco transitions to its new location, Osterberg is also working with Peri Social House to offer catering options for the hotel’s events.

Peri Social House is at 406 W. State St., Black Mountain. Follow Abbiocco on Instagram at avl.mx/eco.

Hot Meals 4 Hope Winter is coming, and with it, Western North Carolina will see the tapering off of emergency relief from World Central Kitchen (WCK) and the American Red Cross. In an effort to address that critical loss, Bear’s Foundation — the charitable arm of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, which has acted as WCK’s headquarters in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene — recently announced Hot Meals 4 Hope, a new initiative to supply winter meals and address longer-term food insecurity for WNC residents most impacted by the disaster.

HotMeals4HOPE aims to raise more than $2 million to provide 360,000 meals between January and March. The initiative’s nonprofit partner, Equal Plates Project, will assist with meal production to meet current and future community needs. Donations will support food purchases and preparation, logistics and a large commercial kitchen to accommodate Equal Plates Project’s work.

For more information and to donate, visit avl.mx/ect.

Feast of the Seven Fishes Gemelli will host the elaborate Feast of the Seven Fishes on Monday, Dec. 23.

An ancient southern Italian Christmas Eve tradition, this year’s meal features two courses of seven types of seafood.

The first course includes a seafood antipasti trio of fritto misto with artichoke hearts, calamari, shrimp and oyster; an arugula salad with blood orange and white anchovy vinaigrette; and spinach and clam arancini. The second course features house-made crab ravioli with garlic and tarragon crema, squid ink frico chip, frisée and trout roe.

The holiday menu is available for $65 per person and will be offered in addition to Gemelli’s usual menu.

Reservations are recommended.

Gemelli is at 70 Westgate Parkway.

For more information and to make reservations, visit avl.mx/bzw.

Female entrepreneurs lend a hand To address the needs of local female entrepreneurs following Tropical Storm Helene, Allison Blake, Ginger Frank, Margit Ragland and Elisa Van Arnam — founders of SoulKu, Poppy Hand-crafted Popcorn and Plum Print, respectively — have created Women Entrepreneurs Asheville Recovery Endeavor (WE ARE), a grant fund designed to assist other area women-owned businesses with storm recovery. The initiative’s goal is to raise $1 million by raffling off 12 weekend get-away baskets. Each themed basket is valued at $3,500 to $6,500 and features products, experiences, meals and hotel stays donated by local businesses, including French Broad Chocolate, Chai Pani, Highland Brewing, Hi-Wire Brewing and many more. Tickets are $20 each.

To learn more and buy raffle tickets, visit avl.mx/ecp.

Grant award for Matcha Nude Asheville tea business Matcha Nude has received a $50,000 grant from NC IDEA, a private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic empowerment in North Carolina. Matcha Nude was among seven businesses across the state to receive the award during the 2024 Ecosystem Summit in Durham in late November.

The grants, along with mentorship and guidance, are intended to propel companies forward and mitigate the risks associated with young startups.

Headquartered in Asheville, Matcha Nude was founded in 2019 by Amelia Lehmann and has been owned since December 2021 by Samm Coffin.

For more information on Matcha Nude, visit avl.mx/ebx.

Waste not Want to help reduce food waste?

Learn how at Food Waste Solutions WNC’s Networking Gathering 5-7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 12, at West End Bakery in West Asheville. The potluck event will feature discussions with local organizations working to feed the community after Tropical Storm Helene, plus information on Food Waste Solutions WNC’s new working groups and the upcoming 2025 Food Waste Solutions Summit.

West End Bakery is at 757 Haywood Road. To learn more, visit avl.mx/970.

— Brook Bolen X

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SMART BETS

by Kay West | kswest55@comcast.net

Merry & Bright Acoustic Christmas Concert She sings the blues, R&B, soul and jazz. On Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m., Peggy Ratusz will apply all those styles to her Merry & Bright Acoustic Christmas Concert at White Horse Black Mountain. In the first half of the special, seasonal show, Ratusz will be joined by acoustic guitarists Kelly Jones and Jonathan Pearlman, pianist Taylor Pierson and violinist/ fiddle player Paul McIntire to perform lesser-known holiday gems and new arrangements of old favorites. For the second part of the concert, Love Bubble — Ratusz’s trio with Hank Bones and Paula Hanke — takes the stage for a set of original holiday songs. To send everyone out brimming with holiday spirit, all the artists will come together for a rockin’ round the Christmas tree, fa-la-la finale. Tickets are pay-what you can with a suggested donation of $25. avl.mx/ece X

Photo courtesy of Ratusz

Come Hell or High Water Studio Tour Plays in Mud is the whimsical name ceramic artist Kelsey Schissel gave the pottery business she founded in 2009 as well as the gallery she opened in West Asheville in 2021. Her Haywood Road space was not damaged by Tropical Storm Helene, but Schissel was moved by the disaster’s impact on Western North Carolina’s closeknit community of artists and decided to help. Collaborating with website designer Jenna Gengler, founder of the Handmade for Help (avl.mx/ecg) online sales platform for WNC artists, she created the Come Hell or High Water WNC Studio Tour. Taking place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14-15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the tour features more than 75 area artists representing seven WNC counties working in mediums including ceramics, woodcraft, fiber arts, sculpture and more. “This event celebrates our creative community and provides us a chance to connect directly with art lovers and supporters,” says participating jewelry maker Susan McDonough.

Artists will receive 100% of the money from sales of their work. The Come Hell or High Water website has links to all participating studios, noting whether they are selling work online, in person or both. A map to studio locations will be available on the website. avl.mx/ecf X

Photo of handwoven, hand-dyed silk scarf by Neal Howard courtesy of the artist

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Acoustic Fire

Photo of Peacock and Hickman courtesy of the musicians Photo courtesy of Burnsville-Yancey County Chamber of Commerce It will be a wonderful life in Yancey County on Friday, Dec. 13, 5:30-8:30 p.m., when Burnsville’s annual Merry Main Street celebration blankets downtown with holiday cheer.

Horse-drawn carriages will take visitors back in time to clip-clop around Town Square, where a live Nativity scene will be stationed and children will sing Christmas carols. At 5:45 p.m, the town will flip the switch to light the square’s Christmas tree.

After the tree lighting, adult carolers will circulate around the festively

Why I support Xpress:

decorated Main Street stores. All shops, restaurants and cafés will be open throughout the merriment, and the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce urges visitors to support the small, independent businesses as they continue to rebuild in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.

Santa will be at Chamber Pocket Park at 106 W. Main St. from 6-8 p.m. accepting wish lists and ready to pose for those priceless holiday pics. Gifts will be distributed in the park to kids from infants to age 18. avl.mx/ech X

For three years, Louly Peacock and Simeon Hickman, founders of music collective Peacock Planet, have been hosting house party fundraisers in their Montford home featuring dozens of local musicians. The events have raised over $21,000 for Asheville nonprofits, including Brother Wolf, BeLoved Asheville, Our VOICE and the River Arts District Foundation. In response to Tropical Storm Helene, the pair launched the Acoustic Fire project, inviting musicians to contribute unplugged versions of songs that relate in some way to the event and its aftermath. The more than 50 submissions will be released as an

album on Bandcamp on Saturday, Dec. 14, for $10 (avl.mx/eci). “We’re a music town, and what better way to express our emotions and thoughts than through the lens of song?” Hickman asks. “We have purposely chosen to highlight the local flavor of Asheville in this response to Helene.” To celebrate the release, Peacock and Hickman will host an Acoustic Fire house party with dinner and drinks at their Pearson Drive home, the Peacock Palace, on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2-6 p.m. Suggested donation is $10-$20 with proceeds going to BeLoved Asheville’s Helene relief efforts. avl.mx/ecd X

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY Bless Your Heart Trivia w/Harmon, 7pm FLEETWOOD'S PSK Karaoke, 9pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Well-Crafted Music w/ Angel Snow & Matt Smith, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Jam, 5pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Bluegrass Jam w/Derek McCoy & Friends, 6pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL The Bassment w/ Dayowulf (house, bass), 10pm SHILOH & GAINES Trivia Wednesdays, 7pm SLY GROG LOUNGE Weird Wednesday Open Jam, 6pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic, 8pm STATIC AGE RECORDS Advance Base, Colin Miller & Corey Parlamento (soft-rock, lo-fi), 9pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7pm LOOKOUT BREWING CO. Music Bingo w/DJ Spence, 6:30pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Isaac Hadden's Thursday Throwdown, 9pm ONE WORLD BREWING 5J Barrow (folk), 8pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm SHAKEY'S Karaoke w/DJ Franco Nino, 9pm SHILOH & GAINES Karaoke Night, 8pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Django & Jenga Jazz Jam, 7pm STATIC AGE LOFT Auto-Tune Karaoke w/ Who Gave This B*tch A Mic, 10pm STATIC AGE RECORDS His His, Claire Whall, Lyle de Vitry & Lavender Blue (lofi, folk, ambient), 8pm THE ORANGE PEEL Sold Out: Tommy Emmanuel (jazz, newage, rock), 8pm

AMERICANA ALBUM PARTY: On Friday, Dec. 13, the 40, 20, 10s play music from their new album, Neon, at One World Brewing West, starting at 6 p.m. Pierce Edens, a friend of the band, will kick off the evening. Photo courtesy of Scott Sturdy

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish Session, 7pm

VOODOO BREWING CO. Music Bingo Thursdays, 7pm

EULOGY BASK w/Nathan James Hall, The Silver Doors & Cliff B. Worsham (psych, Americana, metal), 8pm

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CROW & QUILL Black Sea Beat Society (Balkan, Turkish, folk), 8pm

27 CLUB Tears for the Dying, Feylux & Bruschetta Delorean (dark-wave, dream-pop, synth-rock), 9pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Canon Tyler & The Spare Parts (bluegrass), 6pm

DSSOLVR Hot To Go! Karaoke Night, 8pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm

CORK & KEG The Old Chevrolette Set (country), 8pm CROW & QUILL Firecracker Jazz Band, 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Rhythm Method (soul, blues, R&B), 8pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL • Aaron Woody Wood (Appalachian, soul, Americana), 6pm • Rockstead (rock, reggae), 10pm

ONE WORLD BREWING Scott Hall Duo (jazz, funk), 8pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST • The 40, 20, 10s (Americana), 6pm • Swanny Crowe & The Monk (blues, rock, country), 9:30pm THE GREY EAGLE Chatham County Line w/John Mailander (bluegrass, folk, country), 8pm

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY Garrett T. Capps (spacerock, folk), 8pm

27 CLUB Phantasmagoria (post-punk, deathrock, industrial), 9pm ASHEVILLE CLUB Mr Jimmy (blues), 4pm

THE ODD Bold Burlesque Presents: POP, 9pm THE STATION BLACK MOUNTAIN Mr Jimmy (blues), 5pm

CORK & KEG Soul Blue Rocks (soul, blues, R&B), 8pm

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CROW & QUILL Hearts Gone South (country, honky tonk), 9pm

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EULOGY Not So Silent Night: Burial Christmas Party, 8pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • Nobody’s Darling String Band, 4pm • Cast Iron Bluegrass, 8pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Big Fur (Southern-rock, country, bleugrass), 10pm

ONE WORLD BREWING Dan Clare Collective (acoustic), 8pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST • Bald Mountain Boys (Appalachian, bluegrass), 4pm • Doss Church & the Unholy Noise (Americana, indie, post-folk), 8pm SHAKEY'S Underground: Enigma, 10pm SHILOH & GAINES Dark City Kings (garagepunk, indie, bluegrass), 9pm

SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. Peggy Ratusz & The Daddy Long Legs (blues, soul), 2:30pm STATIC AGE RECORDS Halogi, Vras & Hellir (metal, punk), 9pm THE GREY EAGLE Holiday Liquor & Dance Party w/DJ Marley Carroll, 9pm THE ODD Party Foul Drag, 8pm THE ORANGE PEEL The Emo Night Tour, 7pm THIRD ROOM Rabbit in the Moon & The Crystal Method (electronic), 9pm

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 27 CLUB Joy Bomb, True Lilith & Scoby (alt-rock, power-pop, punk), 8pm EULOGY • Mourning Mass Brunch w/Jacob Bruner & Good Hot Fish, 11am • Sumac w/Kowloon Walled City & Trigger Object (metal, noise)), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S Best Ever Karaoke w/KJ Chelsea, 9pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Trivia Night w/Two Bald Guys & A Mic, 6pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Takes All Kinds Open Mic Nights, 7pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 3pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Mashup Mondays w/ JLloyd, 8pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Reedy River String Band (Appalachian, bluegrass, rock), 2pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Mr Jimmy & Friends (blues), 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • The Bluegrass Boys, 12pm • Traditional Irish Music Session, 3:30pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Brightsome Color (multi-genre), 9pm

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ONE WORLD BREWING WEST • Suns of Stars Sunday Residency (bluegrass), 2pm • One Love Sundays w/ Luv Boat (reggae), 7pm S & W MARKET Mr Jimmy (blues), 1pm SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. Sidecar Honey (indie, Americana, rock), 2pm SLY GROG LOUNGE Open Mic w/Mike AndersEn, 6:30pm THE GREY EAGLE Burlesque Brunch, 12pm THIRD ROOM Come Down w/Nicole Miglis, 5pm

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 27 CLUB Monday Night Karaoke w/Ganyemede, 9pm

THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT BREWING CO. Trivia w/Billy, 7pm

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 ARCHETYPE BREWING Trivia Tuesday, 6:30pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm LOOKOUT BREWING CO. Team Trivia Tuesday's, 6:30pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Team Trivia, 7pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST The Grateful Family Band Tuesdays (Grateful Dead tribute), 6pm THE GREY EAGLE Bill Kirchen’s Honky Tonk Holiday Show, 8pm THE ORANGE PEEL the Jesus Lizard w/ Fantømex (rock), 8pm THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT BREWING CO. Americana Music Circle, 7pm

VOODOO BREWING CO. Trivia Tuesday w/ Principal Mike, 7pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Open Mic, 7pm

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY Bless Your Heart Trivia w/Harmon, 7pm FLEETWOOD'S PSK Karaoke, 9pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Well-Crafted Music w/ Tyler Ramsey & Matt Smith, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Jam, 5pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Bluegrass Jam w/Derek McCoy & Friends, 6pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Quinn Sternberg's Mind Beach (jazz, funk), 10pm SHILOH & GAINES Trivia Wednesdays, 7pm SLY GROG LOUNGE Weird Wednesday Open Jam, 6pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic, 8pm STATIC AGE RECORDS Divorce Papers, Thom Nguyen, Violation Ritual & XOR (noisecore, electronic, punk), 9pm

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 CROW & QUILL Momma Molasses (country, swing, folk), 8pm DSSOLVR Hot To Go! Karaoke Night, 8pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm

GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY AND TASTING ROOM Blue Ridge Pride Open Mic Night, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7pm LEVELLER BREWING CO. Open Old Time Jam, 6pm LOOKOUT BREWING CO. Music Bingo w/DJ Spence, 6:30pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Isaac Hadden's Thursday Throwdown, 9pm ONE WORLD BREWING Ryles Monroe (rock, folk, psych), 8pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm SHAKEY'S • Comedy Showcase w/ Hilliary Begley, 8pm • Karaoke w/Franco Nino, 9pm SHILOH & GAINES Karaoke Night, 8pm STATIC AGE LOFT Auto-Tune Karaoke w/ Who Gave This B*tch A Mic, 10pm THE GREY EAGLE Papadosio Presents: Holidosio (jam band, electronica), 7pm THE ODD Free Terraoke Takeover, 6pm THE ORANGE PEEL Futurebirds (Americana, alt-country, indie rock), 8pm THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT BREWING CO. Roots & Blues w/Peggy & Kelly (blues), 6pm THIRD ROOM Papadosio's Holidosio (rock, livetronica, jazz), 7pm VOODOO BREWING CO. Music Bingo Thursdays, 7pm

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F R E E W I L L A S T R O L O G Y BY ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): If you were walking down the street and spied a coin lying on the sidewalk, would you bend down to pick it up? If you’re like most people, you wouldn’t.

It’s too much trouble to exert yourself for an object of such little value. But I advise you to adopt a different attitude during the coming weeks. Just for now, that stray coin might be something like an Umayyad gold dinar minted in the year 723 and worth over $7 million. Please also apply this counsel metaphorically, Aries. In other words, be alert for things of unexpected worth that would require you to expand your expectations or stretch your capacities.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The Taurus writer Randall Jarrell compared poets to people who regularly stand in a meadow during a thunderstorm. If they are struck by the lightning of inspiration five or six times in the course of their careers, they are good poets. If they are hit a dozen times, they are great poets. A similar principle applies in many fields of endeavor. To be excellent at what you do, you must regularly go to where the energy is most electric. You’ve also got to keep working diligently on your skills so that when inspiration comes calling, you have a highly developed ability to capture it in a useful form. I’m bringing this up now, Taurus, because I suspect the coming weeks will bring you a slew of lightning bolts.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): My upcoming novels epitomize the literary genre known as magical realism. In many ways, the stories exhibit reverence for the details of our gritty destinies in the material world. But they are also replete with wondrous events like talking animals, helpful spirits, and nightly dreams that provide radical healing. The characters are both practical and dreamy, earthy and wildly imaginative, well-grounded and alert for miracles. In accordance with your astrological potentials, I invite you to be like those characters in the coming months.

You are primed to be both robustly pragmatic and primed for fairy-tale-style adventures.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In December 1903, the Wright Brothers flew a motorized vehicle through the sky for the first time in human history. It was a very modest achievement, really. On the first try, Orville Wright was in the air for just 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet. On the fourth attempt that day, Wilbur was aloft for 59 seconds and 852 feet. I believe you’re at a comparable stage in the evolution of your own innovation. Don’t minimize your incipient accomplishment. Keep the faith. It may take a while, but your efforts will ultimately lead to a meaningful advancement. (PS: Nine months later, the Wrights flew their vehicle for over five minutes and traveled 2.75 miles.)

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): During the rest of 2024, life’s generosity will stream your way more than usual. You will be on the receiving end of extra magnanimity from people, too. Even the spiritual realms might have extra goodies to bestow on you. How should you respond? My suggestion is to share the inflowing wealth with cheerful creativity. Boost your own generosity and magnanimity. Just assume that the more you give, the more you will get and the more you will have.

(P.S.: Do you know that Emily Dickinson poem with the line “Why Floods be served to us — in Bowls”? I suggest you obtain some big bowls.)

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The term “cognitive dissonance” refers to the agitation we feel while trying to hold conflicting ideas or values in our minds. For example, let’s say you love the music of a particular singer-songwriter, but they have opinions that offend you or they engage in behavior that repels you. Or maybe you share many positions with a certain political candidate, but they also have a few policies you dislike.

Cognitive dissonance doesn’t have to be a bad or debilitating thing. In fact, the ability to harbor conflicting ideas with poise and equanimity is

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DEC. 11-17, 2024

a sign of high intelligence. I suspect this will be one of your superpowers in the coming weeks.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Amazing Grace” is a popular hymn recorded by many pop stars, including Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, and Willie Nelson. Created in 1773, it tells the story of a person who concludes that he has lived an awful life and now wants to repent for his sins and be a better human. The composer, John Newton, was a slave trader who had a religious epiphany during a storm that threatened to sink his ship in the Atlantic Ocean. God told him to reform his evil ways, and he did. I presume that none of you reading this horoscope has ever been as horrible a person as Newton. And yet you and I, like most people, are in regular need of conversion experiences that awaken us to higher truths and more expansive perspectives.

I predict you will have at least three of those transformative illuminations in the coming months. One is available now, if you want it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Thinking outside the box” is an American idiom. It means escaping habitual parameters and traditional formulas so as to imagine fresh perspectives and novel approaches. While it’s an excellent practice, there is also a good alternative. We can sometimes accomplish marvels by staying inside the box and reshaping it from the inside. Another way to imagine this is to work within the system to transform the system — to accept some of the standard perspectives but play and experiment with others. For example, in my horoscope column, I partially adhere to the customs of the well-established genre, but also take radical liberties with it. I recommend this approach for you in 2025.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I don’t recommend burning wood to heat your home.

Such fires generate noxious emissions harmful to human health. But hypothetically speaking, if you had no other way to get warm, I prefer burning ash and beech wood rather than, say, pine and cedar. The former two trees yield far more heat than the latter two, so you need fewer of them. Let’s apply this principle as we meditate on your quest for new metaphorical fuel, Sagittarius. In the coming months, you will be wise to search for resources that provide you with the most efficient and potent energy.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The world’s longest tunnel is over 35 miles long. It’s the Gotthard Base Tunnel in the Swiss Alps. I’m guessing the metaphorical tunnel you’ve been crawling your way through lately, Capricorn, may feel that extensive. But it’s really not. And here’s even better news: Your plodding travels will be finished sooner than you imagine. I expect that the light at the end of the tunnel will be visible any day now. Now here’s the best news: Your slow journey through the semi-darkness will ultimately yield rich benefits no later than your birthday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Would you like to avoid wilting and fading away in January, Aquarius? If so, I recommend that during the coming weeks, you give your best and brightest gifts and express your wildest and most beautiful truths. In the new year, you will need some downtime to recharge and revitalize. But it will be a pleasantly relaxing interlude — not a wan, withered detour — if in the immediate future you unleash your unique genius in its full splendor.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): My treasured Piscean advisor, Letisha, believes it’s a shame so many of us try to motivate ourselves through abusive self-criticism. Are you guilty of that sin? I have done it myself on many occasions. Sadly, it rarely works as a motivational ploy. More often, it demoralizes and deflates. The good news, Pisces, is that you now have extra power and savvy to diminish your reliance on this ineffectual tactic. To launch the transformation, I hope you will engage in a focused campaign of inspiring yourself through self-praise and self-love.

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Phone calls only: (828) 2220192. Ask for Michael.

EMPLOYMENT SALES/ MARKETING

SALES PROFESSIONAL WORK FOR A LOCAL COMPANY THAT HAS COVERED THE ASHEVILLE SCENE FOR OVER 30 YEARS! This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits, in a community-service, locally-owned media outlet.

Ideal candidates are personable, organized, motivated, can follow guidelines as well as think independently.

Necessary skills include clear and professional communications (via phone, email, and in-person meetings), detailed record-keeping, and a drive to close sales.

Outside sales experience is preferred, experience dealing with varied and challenging situations is

helpful. The position largely entails account development and lead generation (including cold-calling), account management, assisting clients with marketing and branding strategies. If you are a high energy, positive, cooperative person looking to join an independent media organization, please send a resume and cover letter (no walk-ins, please) explaining why you are a good fit for Mountain Xpress to: xpressjob@mountainx. com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT HANDY MAN HANDY MAN 40 years experience in the trades, with every skill/tool imaginable for all trades with the exception of HVAC. No job too small. $35 an hour. Carl (828) 551-6000 electricblustudio@gmail.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS 24/7 LOCKSMITH We are there when you need us for home & car lockouts. We'll get you back up and running quickly! Also, key reproductions, lock installs and repairs, vehicle fobs. Call us for your home, commercial and auto locksmith needs! 1-833-2371233 (AAN CAN) AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-844588-6579. (AAN CAN)

50% off. Design plans can be modified! No time limit on delivery. Call 1-888-676-6960, M-F 9am–5pm ET. (AAN CAN)

car insurance. Let us show you how much you can save. Call now for a no obligation quote: 1-866-472-8309. (AAN CAN)

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES In as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available.

Call: 1-877-510-9918. (AAN CAN)

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY The following is a list of unclaimed property currently being held at the Weaverville Police Department. Electronics, personal items, tools, weapons (including firearms) and other miscellaneous items. Anyone with a legitimate claim in the listed property has 30 days from the date of publication to contact the Weaverville Police Department, M-F 9AM- 3PM, 828-645-5700. Items not claimed within 30 days will be disposed of in accordance with North Carolina General Statute.

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as one day. Superior quality bath and shower systems at affordable prices.

Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-402-6997. (AAN CAN) CASH PAID FOR HIGH-END MEN'S SPORT WATCHES Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. These brands only! Call for a quote: 1-855-402-7109 (AAN CAN) GOT AN UNWANTED CAR? Donate it to Patriotic Hearts.

Fast free pick up. All 50 States.

Patriotic Hearts’ programs help veterans find work or start their own business. Call 24/7: 1-855-402-7631. (AAN CAN) NAME CHANGE I ANKUSH S/O RAM KUMAR RESIDENT OF FRESNO CALIFORNIA, WANTS TO CHANGE NAME FROM ANKUSH TO ANKUSH KUMAR FOR ALL FUTURE REFERENCES. NEED NEW WINDOWS? Drafty rooms? Chipped or damaged frames? Need outside noise reduction? New, energy efficient windows may be the answer! Call for a consultation & FREE quote today. 1-877-248-9944. (AAN CAN)

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work.

Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-292-8225 (AAN CAN)

PEST CONTROL Protect your home from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today!

1-833-237-1199. (AAN CAN)

AMERICAN LOG HOMES DEVELOPER LIQUIDATION SALE Log Home kits selling for Balance Owed. Up to

STOP OVERPAYING FOR AUTO INSURANCE A recent survey says that most Americans are overpaying for their

Home Delivery

WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP & RESTORATION A small amount of water can lead to major damage and mold growth in your home. We do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! For a free estimate, call 24/7: 1-888-290-2264.

(AAN CAN) WE BUY VINTAGE GUITARS Looking for 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D'Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos.

These brands only! Call for a quote: 1-855-402-7208 (AAN CAN) YOU MAY QUALIFY For disability benefits if you have are between 52-63 years old and under a doctor’s care for a health condition that prevents you from working for a year or more. Call now!

1-877-247-6750. (AAN CAN)

FOR MUSICIANS MUSICIANS’ BULLETIN WANTED: BANDMATES FOR ROCK/METAL Possible limited practice space. Bass, drums, other. Equipment necessary. Chevelle, Tool, Måneskin, Clutch, Paramore, Pantera, not Ghost. Text Lee W. (828) 335-0930.

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edited by Joel Fagliano

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ACROSS

1 Gobi Desert grazer 4 Green roll 7 Domain suffix that most people can’t register 10 Tailor’s line 13 Bit of fried finger food, casually

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66

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14 Silvery element 17 Band initials missing from their hit song “_vi_ W_man” 18 Possible response to a question that begins “Est-ce que …”

23 Gucci played

by Al Pacino in 2021’s “House 17 of Gucci” 20 24 Hop on board?

26 Shot dropped 24 25 into a glass of beer, in a 28 popular cocktail 33 27 Dress shirt fit option 37 38 28 Site for crafts 29 Band in the Rock & Roll 46 Hall of Fame 34 Spacecraft that 51 52 docked with the Soyuz in 1975 36 Croak 60 61 62 39 African country 41 Sweetened beverage 70 42 Container for sour cream 73 43 Snack brand from the Spanish word for “fried” 19 Northernmost 46 Make go city in North “Vroom!”

America with 47 “Go-o-oal!” over one 50 Object of million people adoration 20 Inspiration for Toblerone’s shape 51 Brazilian jazz subgenre, 21 Channel with informally Steve Kornacki’s election day 53 Bird with a “Big Board” distinctive call 9

10

11

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No. 1106

56 Spinning one’s wheels?

59 Puff pieces?

63 General idea … or a hint to the clue/answer pairings at 14-, 29-, 39-, 41and 53-Across 68 Conversely, in a text 69 Second-smallest of seven 70 Like many granola bars 71 Unit of power 72 Performs brilliantly 73 Dave Bautista’s role in “Guardians of the Galaxy”

DOWN

1 Subjects of quantum mechanics 2 Composer with a namesake horn 3 Foul-smelling prank items 4 Required word count for a freelance article, e.g.

5 Like food you should probably smell before eating

6 Patterned fabric named for a Mideast capital 7 Lay to rest 8 Hip-hop’s Madvillain or Mobb Deep 9 “Yeah, don’t even think about it” 10 Indicators of remaining energy for video game characters 11 Actress Tracee ___ Ross 12 Sullen 15 Avoid ___ (Google Maps option) 16 World’s most populous country as of 2023 22 ___ Baxter, “Poor Things” protagonist 25 Leave undisturbed 30 A-game, so to speak 31 Elaborate hairdo 32 Jewish rite 33 Target 34 Italian wine region 35 Look sullen 37 Middle-of-themonth time 38 Big name in athletic sandals 40 Like Antarctica’s climate

Holiday Gift Cards

TM

The Human Endocannabinoid System

41 Hang out 44 Swearing-in words 45 Drag on the road 48 “My plans aren’t set in stone” 49 “99 Luftballons” singer 51 Liverpudlian or Mancunian 52 “Oh, phew!”

54 ___ Varda, director with an honorary Palme d’Or and Oscar 55 Plot units 56 Major setback

57 Three-syllable letter 58 Something a rock climber might make with one hand 60 In the distance 61 Multitalented Moreno 62 River in which Achilles was dipped 64 “Well, yeah!”

65 ___ Lanka 66 Sweetie 67 Midwesterner’s embarrassed interjection

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS NY TIMES PUZZLE

S A R A N R O S Y E R I C E C H O A E R O A B O N E P U T T H E M T O G E T H E R H A I R W A X A P E I C O N A B N E R W I I G O M E G A S A F R O B E A T J O I N E S T D I A N A I N D U L G E N T C A S E N O L E L S A S G O O S E E G G M A N T R A L Y O N J E S T A B A S E N E O C H U M N F L S A Y I T T H R E E T I M E S N A I L M C A T S O R S O A N D S L E D O N N E T S

TM

The Human Endocannabinoid System

RECREATIONAL CANNABIS CANNABIS WELLNESS

CANNABIS WELLNESS

puzzle by Adam Aaronson

RECREATIONAL CANNABIS

CB1Ave • Downtown CB2 30 Battery Park Asheville • Open 7 days a week The Human Endocannabinoid System CB1 11am-8pm •CB2 WE SHIP NATIONWIDE! SUNFROOT.COM 828.545.7970 @SUNFROOTAVL TM

CB1 receptors are primarily found in the brain, central nervous system and to a lesser extent in other tissues.

CANNABIS WELLNESS

CB2 receptors are mostly in the peripheral organs, especially cells associated with the Immune system.

CB1 receptors are primarily found in the brain, central nervous system and to a lesser extent in other tissues.

CB2 receptors are mostly in the peripheral organs, especially cells associated with the Immune system.

MOUNTAINX.COM

R E C R E A T I O N ADEC. L C11-17, ANN A B I S 39 2024

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DEC. 11-17, 2024

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