Mountain Xpress 12.27.2017

OUR 24TH YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 24 NO. 23 DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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OUR 24TH YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 24 NO. 23 DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

C O NT E NT S C ONTAC T US

PAGE 43 ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT

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WELLNESS FEATURE

FEATURES

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8 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW A month-by-month look at the news, events and more that moved us

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30 DEATH IS NOT A DIRTY WORD End-of-life activists ponder how to die in a death-averse culture

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5 LETTERS 5 CARTOON: MOLTON 34 CALLING BIRDS AND TURTLEDOVES Christmas Bird Count volunteers inform conservation efforts

7 CARTOON: BRENT BROWN 23 ASHEVILLE ARCHIVES 24 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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26 CONSCIOUS PARTY 29 GIVE!LOCAL EVENTS 36 GREENS IN THE BANK New Year’s Day in WNC calls for collards

30 WELLNESS 34 GREEN SCENE 36 FOOD

A&E

42 SMALL BITES 45 NEW YEAR, NEW LISTENING ROOM Ellington Underground kicks off 2018 from the S&W Cafeteria building

43 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 50 SMART BETS 53 CLUBLAND 59 MOVIES

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A&E

60 SCREEN SCENE 46 FIGHT FOR THE WRITE Asheville’s nonwhite literary scene, past and present, Part 2

61 CLASSIFIEDS 62 FREEWILL ASTROLOGY 63 NY TIMES CROSSWORD

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OPINION

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

STA F F PUBLISHER: Jeff Fobes ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER: Susan Hutchinson MANAGING EDITOR: Virginia Daffron A&E EDITOR/WRITER: Alli Marshall FOOD EDITOR/WRITER: Gina Smith NEWS EDITOR/WRITER: Carolyn Morrisroe OPINION EDITOR: Tracy Rose WELLNESS EDITOR/WRITER: Susan Foster STAFF REPORTERS/WRITERS: Able Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Virginia Daffron, David Floyd, Max Hunt, Carolyn Morrisroe

CARTOO N BY RAN D Y M O LT O N

Thanks to commissioners for renewable energy vote A big thank-you to the visionary and courageous members of the Buncombe County [Board of Commissioners] who voted on Dec. 5 in favor of Brownie Newman’s proposal for 100 percent renewable energy for all municipal operations by 2030 and countywide by 2042!

Thanks to all who wrote, who called, who came and spoke. Huge thanks go to the high school and college students who collected over 1,800 signatures among them and spoke so earnestly and compellingly about their commitment to get to this goal. Thanks, Judy Mattox and Ken Brame of the Sierra Club, for helping to empower the students.

Brownie Newman, Jasmine BeachFerrara, Al Whitesides and Ellen Frost voted in favor, and the three Republicans made speeches about how they support the environment before voting no. They just did not believe it would be possible to reach the target. And yet, whole countries are embracing similar goals. With the planned solar farm on the landfill and efficiency measures, we’ll already be at 48 percent — well along toward the goal.

NC WARN has created North Carolina Clean Path 2025, a plan for all of North Carolina to get off fossil fuels in the next 25 years through greatly increasing solar installations on homes and businesses, along with battery storage and energy efficiency. This plan calls for adding 2,000 megawatts of solar power each

year at homes, businesses, schools and other buildings with cost-effective battery storage. The energy saved will save the county (and its residents) money.

Financing options, such as a leasing program, will put solar within reach. For example, under the solar lease model, the government would pay the upfront cost of a system and be repaid by the participant at a flat monthly rate over time.

Sixteen thousand good jobs would be created statewide in the first three years, according to the plan’s author, engineer Bill Powers. Please visit www.ncwarn. org/cp25.

Let’s make it happen!

— Cathy Holt

Asheville

Apartment complex approval highlights need for land-use planning I wanted to follow up regarding the proposed 296-unit Buncombe County apartment complex off of Aiken Road between Woodfin and Weaverville.

Although there was much opposition from neighbors at the Nov. 8 meeting related to safety and traffic, the Board of Adjustment moved ahead Dec. 13 and approved a conditional use permit for Hathaway Developers out of Atlanta to clear-cut the 29-acre forest (which is a bear and deer habitat) to build 296-plus apartments with a pool and clubhouse. [See Xpress Dec. 14 online

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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

post: avl.mx/4h7.] The county’s Board of Adjustment voted 5-0 in approval. This is a residential neighborhood with no commercial or industrial areas nearby, and the impact to Aiken Road and the surrounding intersections will be felt for years to come.

Hathaway did come to the meeting with a traffic study at the request of the BOA at the Nov. 8 meeting. However, after that meeting, our neighborhood raised over $5,000 in less than a week to hire an attorney who formally requested a continuance so we would have an opportunity to review their study. Unfortunately, after many requests, the study was not available to us until the morning of the Dec. 13 meeting, leaving us no time to review or conduct our own traffic study. And the BOA denied our continuance.

Drive down Aiken Road sometime and get a flavor of the road conditions as they are today. Then think what an additional 296-plus apartments squeezed in really would look like. Hathaway wins.

According to the Board of Adjustment, these developments by Hathaway Development, or really any developer, whether from WNC or Atlanta, will be approved over and over and over and over again until our elected officials change the zoning and density ordinances. The ordinances, as they stand today, are written in such a way that any developer can easily take advantage and get approved with guidelines that are shortsighted for today’s standards and sustainability plan.

This apparently is “just the reality of where we are,” according to one BOA member. In their closing remarks, a few BOA members determined the ordinances must be reviewed by the county [Board of Commissioners] and changed to reflect the times and the sustainability plan. Land-use requirements need to be changed. Bottom line. Developers like Hathaway know the current formula like a cake recipe etched to memory and come prepared to check off each item regardless of consequences to the environment or the safety of our citizens. They play a good game, and the BOA eats it up. And why not? There are millions of dollars on the table, and no one seems to have been paying attention. Drive around Buncombe County. We’re at a tipping point.

A few BOA members said out loud they were sorry, their hands are tied and it’s now time for us to go to our elected officials. So, it’s a sad day for those of us who live anywhere along Aiken Road, but maybe our county’s growth and density can be better planned down the road with community input and a [Board of Commissioners] that takes action sooner than later.

— Marilyn Ball

Asheville

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Inconsiderate humans are ruining the bird sanctuary A sanctuary is defined as a place of refuge or safety. Lately, the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary has felt like anything but for birds and other wildlife. Yesterday alone, I saw birds that should be conserving their energy in the colder winter months flushed by a person loudly listening to talk radio on an observation platform, another person playing ukulele in a tree and an unleashed dog splashing through the water. Is this a wildlife sanctuary or a recreation area?

Over the years, I have witnessed countless photo shoots with umbrellas and flashes, and one in which a person was thrashing around with long, flowy ribbons.

When the boardwalk was covered in snow last week, the birds and I had the place to ourselves. I saw a screech owl for the first time there. It was so quiet I could hear the water start to break the icy platforms at the edges of the lake. It felt like a sanctuary for the first time in a long time.

I am asking that people be more considerate. The Asheville area is full of public parks, lakes and recreation areas for people to enjoy. Can we leave this one for the birds and the people who respect them?

— Logan Parker

Jupiter

Read to Succeed volunteers improve kids’ futures The tipping point for many children in our country occurs not when they’re 21 or 24, but when they are 8! If children are not at grade level in reading by the end of third grade, the probability increases that by the time they are teens, they will have dropped out of school and/or fallen into substance abuse, premature pregnancy, juvenile crime, etc. If you don’t believe this, consider the following: State planners are known to use third-grade reading scores to predict the number of future prison beds the state will need 10 years down the road (The Washington Post, July 6, 2004).

The ability to read proficiently is crucially important to a child’s future because the nature of the U.S. economy changed dramatically in the 1990s; skills have become more important than hard work, background or whatever previously had made for a successful life. Research tells us that the skills associated with reading and math now trump ethnicity and poverty as the most powerful predictors of success in life (Tough, 2009). Children who read well tend to finish school, complete college and

compete successfully for good jobs in our high-tech world.

However, unfortunately for some children, this race to the top begins before they ever reach the starting line. In their research, Betty Hart and Todd Risley (1995) found that by age 3, children from high-literacy homes have heard 30 million words and have a vocabulary of 1,000 words, whereas children from lowliteracy homes have heard only 10 million words and have a vocabulary of only 525 words. The language environment in these impoverished homes means these children are greatly disadvantaged when entering kindergarten and their chances of catching up are very slim. The good news is that research also shows that with extra learning opportunities, children’s ability to grasp language can be improved dramatically and they can overcome their early handicap.

Read to Succeed, a local nonprofit literacy program, provides free reading assistance to underachieving children.

We recruit and train volunteer reading coaches and reading buddies to work with children one-on-one during school hours.

Our literacy volunteers use a multisensory phonics approach (Orton-Gillingham) shown to be effective with children from low-literacy homes.

Training occurs over several months for reading coaches and several days for reading buddies and includes practicum sessions with a R2S student. When training is successfully completed, the volunteer continues to work with the student until she or he is at reading level or finished third grade. Each year, about 65 percent of our students reach grade level.

Please join us in helping our students rewrite their futures. Join our next reading coach training, which begins the week of Jan. 15 and consists of 40 hours over the next three months, or the reading buddy training that begins Feb. 7 and lasts for 7.5 hours over three half-days.

For details, please visit our website www.r2sasheville.org or call the R2S office at 828-747-2277. Join our corps of hardworking volunteers who are helping to change children’s life stories every day.

— Catherine Alter

Read To Succeed board chair

Asheville

What does Asheville have to offer the homeless?

[In response to the letter to the editor

by Melissa Nicholson, “What Do Asheville’s Homeless Have to Offer?” Dec. 13, Xpress]: I think it was back in April when my perspective on the relationship between the “housed folks” and “homeless people” of Asheville changed.

C A RT O O N B Y B R E NT B R O W N I was walking downtown at midday.

The sun was warm; people were out. I walked under a bridge where throngs of people had passed. I noticed a person sleeping on the sidewalk. Then I realized he wasn’t sleeping. His legs had been crossed, and he’d fallen over. A trail of urine was going down the sidewalk. I started talking to him. I introduced myself and [said] that I wanted to make sure he was OK. I asked him if he could sit up. He couldn’t. I asked him if he could speak.

His mouth opened, but no words came out. His breathing sounded labored. This is a human being. How long had he been there in a state of crisis while apathetic feet in boots more expensive than they’re worth walked by?

The homeless population are residents of Asheville. And they are often not considered or seen by the “housed people” of Asheville. But they could be. Existing should be enough for each and every person to have access to shelter, healthy food, clean water and opportunity.

[From Nicholson’s letter], I understand that you want to see the homeless offer something instead of begging. You want to see creation and intellectual engagement. But did you think first that basic needs are not being met? And then do you realize that while you’re asking for thoughts on books, that there may not be an organized place for them to collect?

When I went to the library, they asked me

to bring a bill with my name and address on it before I got a card. And is there a place in Asheville for low-income folks to come and create? Why didn’t you think about access to resources?

It’s so easy for us to judge from high above, not realizing the hill we’re standing on is made from the dirt that has another in a ditch. Why are we expecting people to be in some other circumstance without considering the system that fails them? Where’s the rope and toehold? We have the resources. Let’s figure out how to provide them.

— Susanna Dancy

Asheville

Brokenhearted about Duke’s tree-cutting plans How is Duke Energy able to cut all the trees to the ground in my front yard? Some are still small from the last cutting! Duke Energy came by [recently] to “discuss” cutting down all the trees in my front yard “once again.”

About six years ago, my entire front yard of beautiful poplar trees was cut to the ground, though I pleaded for them to trim the tops — or spare a few trees near my driveway. They refused as they have “regulations” to follow. The tree service manager said

the three us would “work something out.” A manager with Asplundh tree service was there as well. Nothing was worked out in favor of saving a single tree except for one that was noted.

[This time around], they wouldn’t spare even the small ones — [they] said they are going to cut everything down to the ground the way they did six years or so ago. I love those trees so much and they give privacy to the house, which isn’t far from the road.

Oh, well — chainsaws will be buzzing today. Brokenhearted — and considering moving. This is too traumatic to go through on a regular basis. And my privacy is gone.

— Lori Miller

Weaverville Editor’s note: Xpress contacted Duke Energy and received the following response from spokesperson Meghan Miles: “Our customers want reliable power — in both good weather and bad. Trees thrive throughout our communities and provide a beautiful

canopy, but they are also the main cause of power outages.

“Duke Energy works to balance aesthetics with our goal to provide safe, reliable power to households and businesses that depend on us. We work to ensure power lines are free of trees, vegetation and other obstructions that could disrupt electric service, and we do much of this work proactively.

“Trees and vegetation that are close to power lines and power equipment must be trimmed or cut down to help prevent power outages. This work is done on a routine basis based on the voltage and type of line, as well as the type of vegetation and its proximity to the line.

“To maintain reliable service and minimize outages, it is important that we maintain trees and vegetation along the lines that deliver electricity to our customers.”

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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2017 YEAR IN REVIEW

January OPINION

FE AT U RE

Short-term rentals debated Jan. 4 — A commentary by accessory dwelling unit owners John Farquhar and Jackson Tierney sparked an avalanche of online comments on shortterm rentals, an issue that continues to generate plenty of discussion in the face of tourism and the shortage of affordable housing. avl.mx/4ep

News and information for a unique community

Restaurant scene booms

FOOD

Jan. 11 — With more than 100 downtown eateries filled to capacity on many nights, we investigated whether Asheville’s restaurant market is oversaturated or still has room to grow. avl.mx/4es

A&E

Artists stand up Jan. 18 — Recognizing in advance that its 15th annual event would take place a week after Trump’s inauguration, the local fringe arts festival sought to “promote a respectful and open and affirming creative space.” avl.mx/4et

Our passion at Mountain Xpress is highlighting what’s important locally, including local government and politics, happenings, the environment, wellness, food, arts and entertainment.

While we remained true to that focus throughout 2017, national issues often shaped local events, and our coverage reflected readers’ engagement with big-picture themes.

From the Women’s March on Asheville attended by thousands the day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January to our report in November on the tactics of emboldened radical protesters, we’ve grappled with the local impact of forces that originate far from home. Stories in our Wellness, Green Scene, Food and Arts and Entertainment sections likewise considered the local ramifications of national conversations on race, climate change, social justice, health care and more.

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

At the same time, we never want to stop showcasing what makes our area unique, from our vibrant arts scene to the nuts and bolts of local government to the colorful personalities found only in Asheville. We balance the increasingly polarized terrain of the national media landscape with stories that appeal to different points of view and empower us all to be more active and engaged participants in our community.

We’re proud to remain a locally owned, independent media company supported by the hundreds of dynamic businesses that advertise in our pages.

And we’re proud to serve this community with a free weekly issue and the best and easiest-to-navigate local news website. Thank you for reading!

MOUNTAINX.COM

NEWS

WELLNESS

NEWS

Jan. 20: Donald Trump sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.

Massive march in Asheville Jan. 21 — Asheville’s Women’s March drew thousands to downtown. Xpress’ online coverage included photo galleries from several local photographers. avl.mx/4gv

Thriving from the start Jan. 25 — A story in the first of our double Wellness issues highlighted efforts to ensure infants receive the attention and affection they need in the first year of life. avl.mx/4eq

Opioid abuse a matter of public health Jan. 25 — As part of our ongoing coverage of the opioid abuse crisis, Xpress showed how county officials, law enforcement personnel and health care providers increasingly are framing addiction as a public health issue rather than a crime. avl.mx/3ip

2018

Wellness Issues Contact us today!

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Publish Jan. 31 & Feb. 7

Y 7, 2017 Y 1 - FEBRUAR 28 FEBRUAR

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OPINION

Feb. 24 — For Asheville residents who depend on public transit for shopping or errands, improved bus service could help alleviate food insecurity. avl.mx/4ey

Coming March 14 & 21

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INDEPE NDENT

city: Invisible e’s Ashevill disa bled y comm unit

54e to eat

Wher for (and drink) St. Patrick’s Day

60kalicious

What Matters to Me?

Blac makes its debut Grey Eagle

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Black students left behind 64

Asheville k Food Truc Showdown

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The ReHappe returns

OF WEEKLY YEAR OUR 23RD

Kids Issues

NEWS

Online, the 2017 stories that received the most views:

1.“Hendersonville Airport can’t identify plane that released smoke over Asheville” avl.mx/4gh 2.“Falling short: What’s causing Asheville’s restaurant labor crisis?” avl.mx/41k 3.“2017 Asheville City Council and mayor primary election guide” avl.mx/456

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BELOVED TREE: Claxton Elementary School fifth-grader Kessie Ragland used paint and buttons on canvas to create this artwork.

CAROLINA N NORTH

Enough to eat

March 15 — The two-part 2017 Kids Issue focused on the theme “What Matters to Me?” We received about 450 entries from students who attend more than 30 local public, charter, private and home schools, along with an after-school arts program. In a heartfelt essay, fifth-grader Oliver Henry Perez wrote, “I am a proud black boy who is confused. I am confused why people with different skin colors don’t have equal rights. Black people have their rights, and white people have their rights, but why are they not equal?” avl.mx/4f2

OF WEEKLY

Kids these days

Taking on toxic waste Feb. 22 — New methods for removing toxic waste are being rolled out at the CTS Superfund site and elsewhere in the Asheville area. Xpress explained how the methods work, what they can do and what remains unknown about the effectiveness of the new “in situ” approaches. avl.mx/4ex

March 8 — “Mozart is just an entry point,” said David Whitehill of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra about the Asheville Amadeus festival, which returned for its second year and a longer run in March. avl.mx/4f1

YEAR OUR 23RD

A&E

Feb. 8 — Housing for those of modest means is in short supply in Asheville.

Xpress looked at steps local government, organizations and individuals are taking to ease the crunch, and whether those measures are equal to the challenge of housing the city’s workforce. avl.mx/4ew

Closing the gap

with P a r t I I ls struggle City schoo vement disparity racial achie

March 22 — The achievement gap between black and white students isn’t unique to Asheville, but it’s worse here than in any other school district in the state. Xpress investigated why that is — and what the Asheville City Schools are doing about it. avl.mx/4f3

Art and social justice

A&E

FOOD

GREEN

NEWS

Affordable housing a hard nut to crack

Amadeus, Amadeus

FOR WESTER & EVENTS NEWS, ARTS

FOR WESTERN ARTS & EVENTS

Beyond edicinhyelife m ing th e he alt

March 1 — Local labor advocates aren’t giving up the fight to keep unions alive. Xpress highlighted the history of unions in WNC, along with new strategies organizers say are aimed at assuring workers a fair piece of the pie. avl.mx/4f0

INDEPENDENT

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d Gramm y-boun play Parque t Courts The Grey Eagle

NEWS

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fees City parkin gup likely to go

NEWS, INDEPENDENT

Feb. 1 — In our second Wellness special issue, a story on the health benefits of plant-based diets generated extensive discussion, with 72ell comness Wcons ments debating the pros andIs sueofpt.2 diets free of animal products. avl.mx/4ev

March Labor down but not out

YEAR OF WEEKLY

Plant-based diets

pt. 2

OUR 23RD

WELLNESS

February

YE AR IN RE VIE W

March 29 — The Arts and Entertainment section’s focus on the intersection of art and social justice included “Mobilization through art.” Local artist Nicole Townsend introduced her one-woman spoken-word show “Existing While Black” in April, with a second installment in November. avl.mx/3jl

FARM & GARDEN Time to get growing March 29 — Our Farm & Garden section sprouted in this issue. Features on agriculture and gardening run weekly throughout the growing season.

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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FEAT U RE

April

May Every year, Xpress compiles a wealth of information to create the definitive guide to the Asheville area’s eating and drinking scene. We print 85,000 copies of our 100-page pocket guide, which includes a listing of readers’ favorites from our Best of WNC poll.

CAROLINA N NORTH FOR WESTER & EVENTS NEWS, ARTS INDEPENDENT OF WEEKLY

Monoculture wars

Weed to succeed

YEAR OUR 23RD

NEWS

April 5 — Buncombe’s five charter schools stand out compared with statewide peers for their community-directed approaches to education. But do all racial groups benefit equally from charters? With the exception of the Francine Delaney New School for Children, Xpress found, not necessarily. avl.mx/4f4

FOOD

Smarter charters

NEWS

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Environmental sustainability was a big focus of our month-long Sustainability Series in April, but it was by no means the only lens we used to examine this critical concept.

Stories in our Food, Wellness, Arts and Entertainment and News sections took on the theme across many topics and disciplines.

Can marijuana combat opioidS?

May 10 — Some say it will never happen, but Xpress took a look at how legal marijuana might play a role in combating opioid abuse and increasing teacher salary supplements. avl.mx/3q3 Th

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FOR WESTER & EVENTS NEWS, ARTS

local

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INDEPE NDENT

May 17 — As part of our Older Americans issue, Xpress presented profiles of four active senior residents who reveal the potential of aging as a gateway to a dynamic stage of life. avl.mx/4f9

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YEAR OUR 23RD

April 12 — Xpress found that progress toward a city composting program has stalled in the face of high costs. avl.mx/4f5

Active aging

Issu

congest c concerns stment Board of Adju in on ville weighs 38 • AsheGMO controversy

14 • Traffi

OF WEEKLY

Costs hamper composting

WELLNESS

April 5 — We checked in on the bold claim that wild nuts could be WNC’s food of the future, reducing the region’s reliance on big agriculture. avl.mx/3kq

erienced li exp Older Celebrating Month Americans

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GREEN

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from Greg Mayer and the Technicians at One Click Fix

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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CAROLINA N NORTH FOR WESTER & EVENTS NEWS, ARTS INDEPENDENT

Light show May 31 — In one of the Opinion section’s most popular pieces, Burnsville resident and naturalist Tal Galton wrote an appreciation for two of our native firefly species: the synchronous firefly and the “Blue Ghost” firefly. avl.mx/4fa

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May 24 — In the cover story for the 2017 Asheville Beer Week issue, writer Edwin Arnaudin explored how the success of Western North Carolina’s craft beer industry is spurring growth in other sectors of the economy. avl.mx/3re

info@oneclickavl.com

GREEN

Happy Holidays

OPINION

YEAR OUR 23RD

April 26 — The imminent retirement of baby boomers could have an outsized impact on Asheville’s many small businesses. Local groups and service providers are encouraging business owners to start planning for their company’s next chapter. avl.mx/4f7

Asheville’s cup runneth over

WEE OF WEEKLY

Tricky transitions

NEWS

May 17 — Supported by a national grant, many of Asheville’s Jewish musicians came together to record Jewish songs of all genres, from traditional folk songs to modern pieces. avl.mx/3qv

- 30, 2017 44 MAY 24 VOL. 23 NO.

April 19 — An annual moviemaking festival asks students to pick a John Newbery Medal winner or Honor book and figure out how to tell the story as a movie in roughly a minute and a half. Asheville’s festival launched in April. avl.mx/4f6

FOOD

A&E

Short but sweet

A&E

Making a joyful noise

When it rains, it pours May 31 — Spending millions to fix stormwater problems is a hard sell.

But a changing climate, aging infrastructure and rapid development mean Asheville’s stormwater woes are likely to get worse before they get better. avl.mx/4fb

Y EA R I N R EVI EW

June

June 1: United States announces plan to withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement

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GREEN

GREEN

June 7 — Over 150 local volunteers aren’t waiting on the scientific establishment to crack the case of honeybee population decline. They’re collecting data to help researchers solve mysteries that could mean life or death for the bees. avl.mx/4fe

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Funky fruit June 14 — Have you ever eaten a paw paw fruit? Boosters say the taste is nothing like its stinky smell. Xpress highlighted efforts to increase interest in the native fruit-bearing tree, which is valuable to pollinators. avl.mx/4ff

June 21 — Xpress reports on every formal meeting of Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. As the city set its property tax rate, issues of policing, transit and affordable housing dominated discussions that saw a big increase in the amount of citizen participation compared to previous years. avl.mx/4fg

CAROLINA N NORTH FOR WESTER ARTS & EVENTS NDENT NEWS, INDEPE WEE YEAR OF WEEKLY

June 28 — With the Fourth of July on the horizon, our cover story tapped Asheville chefs and cookbook writers for tips on crafting the perfect picnic. avl.mx/3re

OUR 23RD

FOOD

Portable pleasures

- JULY 49 JUNE 28 VOL. 23 NO.

4, 2017

NEWS

Talking taxes

A&E

Celebrating the makers June 28 — The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design teamed up with Blue Spiral 1 on the 10th anniversary of the first survey of studio craft in the region. Forging Futures was an exhibition of 24 makers. avl.mx/4fh

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

11

F EATU R E

Gift Cards make a great New Year!

CAROLINA N NORTH FOR WESTER & EVENTS NEWS, ARTS INDEPENDENT YEAR OF WEEKLY

July 5 — Staff writer Max Hunt’s thoughtful and inclusive reporting went beyond polarized positions on the issues surrounding Asheville’s three Confederate monuments. avl.mx/4fj

- JULY 50 JULY 5 VOL. 23 NO.

11, 2017

s 40 Drag King take over Room the Boiler

OUR 23RD

Happy New Year!

down with 32 Cool s DIY ice pop

Monumental controversy

NEWS

C e l e b r a t i n g 14 y e a r s !

July

Death and burial come home July 12 — Local mother Catherine Ashe penned a moving commentary about the decision to have a home burial for her infant son, James, who passed away last January. “We had cared for him in life; now we would care for him in death,” she wrote. “It seemed only natural to bring him home to the place he’d known his whole life, to give us time to adjust to losing him, to give his sisters (ages 3 and 5) time to see him, say goodbye and understand that he was gone.” avl.mx/4fk

OPINION

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Dairy renaissance July 12 — Mills River farmer Bradley Johnston developed a more natural product that is unique in the local market. His grass-fed Jersey cows carry a gene that makes their milk more digestible for many people. avl.mx/4fl

Underserved community July 19 — Readers hungry for context about the issues facing marginalized residents gobbled up a deeply researched two-part series that examined food access issues in Asheville’s predominantly black Southside community. avl.mx/3yd

Happy anniversaries

12

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

A&E NEWS

Coming MARCH 14 & 21

July 19 — Over the past year, Xpress highlighted important art and craft anniversaries, such as when the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands celebrated its 70th year. avl.mx/4fm

Translation situation July 26 — Progress toward providing non-English-speaking community members greater access to Asheville-area government services varies by agency, our reporter found. avl.mx/4fn

August

September - 8, 2017 2 AUG. 2 VOL. 24 NO.

8 34

Under cover: How Buncombe’s taxes were set

The combined wisdom of thousands of local residents is gathered in our guide to the winners of the 2017 Best of WNC reader poll.

We print 55,000 copies of the biggest, most exhaustive and most participated-in survey about WNC (short of the U.S. census).

AVL LEAF Downtown is back!

e Catch the wav way & Woodfin Green surges ahead

8

–201 2017 ITIVE IN DEF

E GUID

Blueway

The time had come.

The votes had been cast and counted. Xpress published the winners of our wildly popular “Best of WNC” awards in our Aug. 9 and Aug. 16 issues.

NEWS

OF WEEKLY

INDEPE NDENT

FOR WESTER & EVENTS NEWS, ARTS

CAROLI NA N NORTH

Aug. 2 — At a time when many planned greenway projects stalled due to funding shortfalls, we highlighted the Woodfin Greenway and Blueway’s early fundraising successes. Additional stories in the issues of Aug. 16, 23 and 30 also focused on the key role the French Broad River plays in WNC’s environment and economy. avl.mx/4fs

YEAR OUR 24TH

GREEN

Rapids success

YE AR IN RE VIE W

Pocketbook pincher Sept. 6 — What’s behind Duke Energy’s rate hike request? We crunched the numbers to find out how the utility is justifying its proposal to raise electric bills for residential and commercial customers. avl.mx/4g1

ASHEVILLE ARCHIVES New feature launched

Tending the tiny Aug. 9 — Readers enjoyed “Nurses in Mission’s NICU go above and beyond,” a good-news wellness story that gained thousands of online views.

The piece highlighted the devotion of nurses who go the extra mile in caring for the hospital’s youngest and most fragile patients. avl.mx/4fu

Sept. 6 — Our new history feature made its first appearance in this issue. Drawing on sources from the period, the article highlighted Asheville’s final trolley ride in 1934. avl.mx/43i

WELLNESS

A&E

Aug. 9 — Mariachi bands are popular at WNC quinceañeras, the celebration for the transition from childhood to adulthood for teenage Latinas. “The mariachi interpretation is all about happiness,” said musician Acencion Inestroza. avl.mx/4ft

WELLNESS

Mariachi magic

Clash of the titans Sept. 6 — With Mission Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield locked in a contract dispute, Xpress explored the impact of the impasse on patients and other local health care providers, as well as the likely outcomes. avl.mx/43i

FOOD

GREEN

Aug. 21 — The path of a total solar eclipse passed over parts of WNC, prompting myriad events and their ensuing traffic jams. Xpress’ coverage of the astronomical rarity included this cartoon by local artist Brent Brown.

On Aug. 16, Xpress broke the news that multiple anonymous sources reported former Buncombe County manager Wanda Greene was under investigation by the FBI (avl.mx/411). On Aug. 18, we confirmed that story (avl. mx/41a). Our news team continues to follow developments as they unfold.

Sept. 13 — Xpress alerted local residents to a public comment period for the redevelopment of the contaminated site of the former Beacon manufacturing plant in Swannanoa. Prior to our coverage, public notification of the opportunity to weigh in had been decidedly low-key. avl.mx/4g2

Pride and Joy

Can’t get good help Aug. 23 — One restaurant owner described the search for labor over the past half year as “six months of hell.” All 10 restaurants Xpress contacted for this story on a food service worker shortage complained of the same problem. avl.mx/41k

NA NORTH CAROLI N FOR WESTER & EVENTS NEWS, ARTS

Aug. 30 — Xpress significantly increased our coverage of the local education scene in 2017, including this special back-to-school issue.

FOOD

- SEPT. 5, 2017 6, AUG. 30 VOL. 24 NO.

ant scene age 26 restaur enters golden fiction s contest winner 40 Flash

INDEPE NDENT YEAR OF WEEKLY OUR 24TH

Hitting the books

8

s erson take Denise Patt at on top job Schools Asheville City

9

Sept. 27 — Since taking the title, Ginger Von Snap, Miss Blue Ridge Pride 2016, has raised awareness of underrepresented subdivisions on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, like transgender youths and those who are gender-fluid. avl.mx/3jl

Cider surges

Haywood Road's

NEWS

Shining a light on Beacon plans

Xpress first with Wanda Greene story

A&E

NEWS

NEWS

Eclipse mania strikes WNC

Sept. 27 — Xpress marked the fifth annual CiderFest NC with an update on the local cider industry. New business models and specialty stores are emerging alongside national and state associations, helping established and new producers better educate consumers and grow their brands. avl.mx/45i

g to New pool cominHigh T. C. Roberson

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

13

FEAT U RE

October

November

Accompanying our campaign to raise funds and awareness for worthy nonprofits, this year’s Give!Local guide showcases 37 organizations that make a big difference where we live. We distribute 40,000 copies of this guide in support of the giving project.

Special shoutout to Ingles Markets, which underwrote the printing of this year’s guide!

Oct. 4 — In WNC, craft — from heritage traditions to edge-pushing studio work — is more than just a pastime.

It’s an observance of regional culture, a dedication to the integrity of handmade goods, a link between form and function, and, in the end, a passion.

Xpress highlighted this vital part of the local art scene with a special pullout guide to American Craft Week. avl.mx/4g6

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

14 OCT. 25-31, VOL. 24 NO.

2017

INDEPE NDENT

FOR WESTER & EVENTS NEWS, ARTS

CAROLI NA N NORTH

Facing off Nov. 15 — MCs Larry Williams, aka Po’folk, and Davaion Bristol, aka Spaceman Jones, jousted in a rap battle at New Mountain’s Sol Bar. avl.mx/4gd

Flavorful mix of traditions Nov. 25 — In our Thanksgiving issue, Xpress’ Food section explored Cherokee food traditions on the Qualla Boundary. avl.mx/4ge

The

Animal Issue OF WEEKLY

Oct. 25 — “It’s almost incomprehensible how many insects they actually eat,” said Katherine Caldwell, a biologist with the state Wildlife Resources Commission, of the role of bats in the WNC ecosystem. In addition to bats, our annual animal issue included stories on exotic birds, cats and livestock, as well as a historical account of what surely must have been the first ostriches to live in Asheville. avl.mx/4ga

YEAR OUR 24TH

GREEN

2017

Oct. 18 — Our in-depth look at proposed updates to the city’s 2013 Food Action Plan preceded Asheville City Council’s Nov. 28 decision to revamp the plan. avl.mx/47t

For the love of animals

14

YEAR OUR 24TH

A&E

Food matters

Nov. 15 — Once conservation nonprofits have protected a special piece of land from development, their work has just begun. In our fall nonprofit special issue, we showed how land conservation groups deal with invasive species, pests, the effects of climate change and other threats. avl.mx/4gc

OF WEEKLY

Oct. 18 — Buncombe County’s population grew 7 percent over the past five years, adding new residents and new housing developments throughout the county. Increased traffic had some residents experiencing road rage and speaking out about infrastructure they see as overburdened. avl.mx/4g9

FOOD

FOOD

NEWS

Stuck in traffic

Land at risk

17 NOV. 15-21, VOL. 24 NO.

Movers and shakers

Oct. 11 — Among the articles accompanying our annual focus on women in business, a story highlighting networking opportunities for area women also included tips from local female business leaders for connecting with others in business and life. avl.mx/4g8

CAROLI NA N NORTH

Women ins Busines

Secrets of success

Nov. 8 — Homegrown activists of all stripes are working to effect change among an increasingly divided populace. At times, their controversial tactics receive more attention than the social shifts they advocate. avl.mx/4gb

FOR WESTER & EVENTS NEWS, ARTS

12 OCT. 11-17, VOL. 24 NO. CAROLI NA N NORTH FOR WESTER & EVENTS NEWS, ARTS YEAR OUR 24TH

OF WEEKLY

INDEPE NDENT

NEWS

50

Antifascist in Asheville

INDEPE NDENT

2017

46

Bacon makesr it bette

Nov. 1 — Folks tell us they depend on Xpress’ guide to local elections as the best resource for making voting decisions, and who are we to argue? avl.mx/49j

NEWS

Oct. 11 — In “Place, Race and Poverty: Solutions Start with Valuing Cultural Realities,” Joseph Jamison delved into the issue of food insecurity facing both WNC’s urban minority residents as well as rural whites. “Just like geography, understanding and valuing the unique landscapes of cultural realities is necessary to develop effective solutions that tackle problems as they are and at their origin,” he wrote. avl.mx/4g7

NEWS

OPINION

Keeping it real

s Living with bear in Asheville

2017

Election section

GREEN

A&E

Passion for craft

MOUNTAINX.COM

districts for Yes or no — ncil?

Asheville Cou boost Brewing to nonprofits i Ha unted happen ngs

10 48 50

With more than 400 local independent businesses participating in an incentive program that raises funds for the Asheville City Schools, the Go Local program is a project of the Asheville Grown Business Alliance.

Xpress prints 40,000 copies of this 48-page directory, which helps cardholders find the great rewards associated with the program.

YEA R I N R EVI EW

December Dec. 6 — Among the many retailers featured in our annual specialty shops issue, local businesses specializing in herbs and supplements shared the spotlight. avl.mx/4gf Local retailers say herbal remedies support the immune system and fight inflammation.

Photo by Jack Sorokin

Mission creep?

INDEPE NDENT

FOR WESTER & EVENTS NEWS, ARTS

CAROLI NA N NORTH

Dec. 13 — In a multimonth investigation, Xpress followed Brother Wolf’s plans to relocate to a yet-to-be-built animal sanctuary outside Asheville. Those plans have prompted questions about shifts in the organization’s mission. avl.mx/4gw

YEAR OUR 24TH

OF WEEKLY

NEWS

- 19, 2017 21 DEC. 13 VOL. 24 NO.

WELLNESS

Shop (local) till you drop

FOOD

Slaughter shortfall Dec. 13 — The pre-Thanksgiving closure of the area’s only poultry processing plant took many of WNC’s small farming operations by surprise. Our reporter found that the shutdown raised uncertainty about the future of pastured poultry in WNC. avl.mx/4gy

Dec. 13 and 27 — The first two installments in a three-part series on Asheville and WNC’s nonwhite literary scene explore why authors of color have long been missing from the local canon. avl.mx/4hz

C ER

T I F IE

X

D

S EW N E FAK X PAROD

Y

Laugh in the new year with Xpress’ Humor Issue. On newsstands

by Wednesday, Jan. 3, with all the fake news that puts you in fits!

1 00 %

A&E

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

15

FEAT U RE

Playing favorites

Xpress writers pick top stories of 2017 A mystery in-deed: Who owns Pack Square?

Sept. 15 • avl.mx/4gk “It’s not every day that one stumbles upon a genuine mystery smack dab in the middle of the city, but locating the historic records around Pack Square’s ownership led me down a rabbit hole that revealed much more about Asheville’s development and cultural evolution than I anticipated. I chased this story from the archives of Pack Memorial Library to the high deserts of New Mexico in search of an answer to a seemingly simple question; in the process, I gained a greater appreciation of how complex Asheville’s history truly is (and how complicated real estate law can be).”

— Max Hunt, staff writer X

Changing course: Asheville City Schools take aim at racial disparities March 22 • avl.mx/4f3 “As a parent of a child in the Asheville City Schools and a former substitute teacher in the system, I have plenty of reasons to be interested in what goes on in our city’s classrooms.

Public schools sit at the nexus of virtually every social issue in our society, so how these institutions grapple with a legacy of marginalization of students of color and students with disabilities is profoundly consequential for individual children and our community as a whole.”

“In addition to the main focus of this story, I particularly enjoyed observing Isaac Dickson kindergarten teachers using mindfulness techniques in their classrooms and afterward discussing those approaches with them. Jack Sorokin’s wonderful photography also contributed a lot to the piece.”

— Virginia Daffron, managing editor and writer X

Attitude of gratitude: Asheville residents from around the globe dish about Thanksgiving Nov. 22 • avl.mx/4g “In 2017, my coverage explored everything from local efforts to reduce food waste to the intersection of Asheville’s ceramic arts and restaurant communities. But I’d have to say my favorite story is the Thanksgiving article, ‘Attitude of Gratitude,’ because I was able to meet with local immigrants from all over the world and learn their thoughts about gratitude and American holiday traditions.”

— Gina Smith, Food section editor and writer X

All through the night: Shedding light on Asheville’s third shift

“My article on third-shift workers stands out as a personal favorite. It gave me (and hopefully our readers) a view of the city we might not otherwise have seen.”

— Thomas Calder, staff writer X “I’d rather get dog-bit than get up early,” says Todd McMahan. For the past 17 years, he’s punched in at 11 p.m. Photo by Cindy Kunst DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

Asheville architect Scott Huebner wins prestigious Matsumoto Prize Aug.7 • avl.mx/4gp “My father, Steve Arnaudin, is an architect and long ago instilled in me an appreciation for quality design. Speaking with Scott Huebner and getting a glimpse at his creative process provided a long-awaited opportunity to combine my profession with my dad’s while sidestepping nepotism. I look forward to writing about local architecture more in the coming year.”

— Edwin Arnaudin, staff writer X

Abstract art in human form

Aug. 23 • avl.mx/41p

16

Photographer Jack Sorokin caught a kindergarten student at Isaac Dickson Elementary School in a moment of reflection.

MOUNTAINX.COM

May 31 • avl.mx/4gq “This story looked at the intersection of visual art, performance art, music and storytelling, which came together in the collaborative Kibwe: A Marionette Puppet Performance.”

— Alli Marshall, Arts and Entertainment section editor and writer X

YEA R I N R EVI EW

Power to the pebble: Rock shops embrace Earth’s aesthetic and energy Dec. 6 • avl.mx/4gr “My first job, while still in high school, was as a tour guide at a natural limestone cavern.

Beyond rattling off handy ways to remember the difference between stalactites and stalagmites, I developed a deep love of geology. I still feel a fondness for fluorite and an affection for amethyst, so I was excited to spend time with the proprietors of Asheville’s rock shops to hear what makes the minerals business so special. I wanted to uncover the elements of rock shops that are different from other types of retail — the stories of how parents bring their kids to wonder at the fossils, how energy workers get connected with crystals they find useful, how the owners travel the globe seeking the most striking stones.

“Remarkably, all three interviewees told me they have the best job in the world — a refreshing workplace joy in today’s jaded world.”

— Carolyn Morrisroe, news editor and writer X

Where there’s smoke: How local fire departments keep residents safe in changing times Aug. 9 • avl.mx/4gt “Growing up in the hamlet of Brasstown, I found the local volunteer fire department to be part of the cast of characters that make the community worth living in.

I worked with them for several years. They selflessly offer help to the people who, as my fire chief used to say, were ‘having a really bad day’ — sometimes the worst day of their lives. The fire service is one of the places I learned the value of showing up and pitching in to help.

“I was attracted to writing this story because the nature of the fire service in Buncombe County — with the pressures of high-dollar development — has clearly been changing for some time to a much more professional and qualified service. In general, the shift is positively affecting the quality of service. At the same time, a lot more public money changes hands through these independent, quasi-governmental organizations with very limited oversight or obligation for transparency, which can cause problems.

That issue is outlined in an accompanying story, ‘Focus on the fire family,’ (avl.mx/4gu) about Chief Dennis Presley of Skyland Fire and Rescue retiring amid accusations of nepotism.”

Elegantly Simple Weddings For the couple looking for something more than City Hall, but not quite the Biltmore Estate, we have elegantly simple wedding packages suited uniquely for you. Whether you need services for an elopement, a pop-up wedding at your favorite waterfall, a full-service wedding venue, or any special event, we have different options for your perfect day.

— Able Allen, office manager and staff writer X

The

Sustainability

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

17

YEA R I N R EVI EW

YEA R IN R EV I EW

Xpress by the numbers 3,624

2017

pages

29

1,027 total articles

242 letters to

B U N C O M B E B E AT

Asheville to get another layer of audit oversight

X

the editor

198

commentaries

news stories

104 local political cartoons

62

wellness articles

180 food stories Oct. 10, the day of the Asheville primary elections, saw the highest traffic of the year at mountainx.com.

31

44

farm & garden stories

green scenes

434

arts & entertainment stories

197

movie news items & reviews

On average, Xpress issues were made up of 57.5 percent editorial content and 42.5 percent advertising.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Internal auditor Patricia Rosenberg presents the idea of an audit committee to Asheville City Council on Dec. 19. Photo by Carolyn Morrisroe At a quick, sparsely attended meeting of Asheville City Council on Dec. 19, members unanimously approved the creation of an audit committee. The committee will be charged with reviewing the city’s internal audit reports and financial statements audit and sharing with Council any audit-related recommendations and issues.

Five members will sit on the audit committee: one Council member and four outside members appointed by City Council. Each member must have a minimum of five years of experience in the management of accounting, finance or auditing, and the committee must include at least two certified public accountants or certified internal auditors.

The committee will meet at least four times a year, and members will serve three-year staggered terms.

Mayor Esther Manheimer said the impetus for establishing an audit committee was recent concern about local governments’ fiscal management. “This was a product of the city’s review of its processes and procedures around financial matters given that that’s a very timely conversation right now in our community,” she said. “What we found was that we have good

practices, but we thought that this structure of an audit committee would be an improvement on what we’re doing already.”

Manheimer asked the city’s internal auditor, Patricia Rosenberg, what would be the procedure if someone found something irregular and wanted to report it. Rosenberg said city employees can call a hotline to give reports anonymously.

“Those reports come to me, the internal auditor, as well as Jade Dundas, the assistant city manager. Any reports that come in, we would take to the audit committee,” Rosenberg said. “[The audit committee] just creates more of a pipeline between the internal auditor, the external auditors and Council.”

Council member Julie Mayfield asked if the Council member who serves on the audit committee would be someone who’s on the finance committee or if it should be someone who is specifically not on that committee. Rosenberg said it could be either. City attorney Robin Currin said once the committee is up and running, it can discuss such procedural questions.

Buncombe County set up an audit committee 17 years ago to

CONTINUES ON PAGE 20 18

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

Happy 2018!

Sincerely, The Mountain Xpress Staff MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

19

NEWS BRIEFS oversee the county’s annual audit process. (See “Buncombe County Commission,” Sept. 27, 2000, Xpress) IN OTHER BUSINESS Council heard a report from interim Water Resources Director David Melton on a new program where the city is doing courtesy calls for late water account payments. In the five months that the program has been in operation, it has produced a 40-50 percent reduction in disconnections for nonpayment. “It’s my pleasure tonight to be the bearer of some really good news for once,” Melton said.

The

consent

unanimous

agenda

approval.

received

For

more

information on those items, see the online story, “City Could Create Audit Committee,” Dec. 18, Xpress, avl.mx/4hy.

OFFER EXPIRES 01/08/18

With no public hearings, no proclamations and no public comments, the meeting finished in 15 minutes

2018

Wellness Issues Publish Jan. 31 & Feb 7

Contact us today!

828-251-1333 x 320

advertise@ mountainx.com

20

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

— close to the record in recent memory of 10 minutes, according to City Clerk Maggie Burleson.

— Carolyn Morrisroe X

NW Buncombe subdivision approved At its Dec. 18 meeting, the Buncombe County Planning Board unanimously approved subdividing a parcel of land just outside Weaverville into 69 single-family lots.

Farmbound Holdings is handling the project, known as the Rydele Heights Subdivision, which is near Nichols Hill Drive.

The same parcel was approved for 54 single-family homes in 2007, said Chris Day, senior project manager for Civil Design Concepts. At that time, the primary access to those roads was off Nichols Hill Drive.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 22

MOUNTAINX.COM

by Max Hunt | mhunt@mountainx.com CITY OFFICES CLOSED NEW YEAR’S DAY Asheville city government offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year’s Day. The following is a roundup of services affected by holiday closures.

ART transit service: Holiday schedule will be offered on all bus routes Jan. 1 as part of ART service expansions that begin that day. For more information about all Asheville Redefines Transit routes, call 828253-5691, e-mail iride@ ashevillenc.gov or visit RidetheART.com.

Trash and recycling: The Sanitation Division will be closed Jan. 1; trash and recycling collection will operate TuesdayFriday that week, and pickup will be one day later than normal for all customers.

U.S. Cellular Center: The U.S. Cellular Center box office will be closed on New Year’s Day. Parks & Recreation: All city parks remain open for regular hours during the holidays, including the skate park.

All recreation centers will be closed Jan. 1.

WNC Nature Center will be closed Jan. 1.

ASHEVILLE BUS SERVICE TO EXPAND In 2018, many of city of Asheville ART buses will run later into the evening, and Sunday/holiday service will extend to all routes. On Monday, Jan. 1, eight Asheville Redefines Transit bus routes will add hours to their routes, thanks to additional funding approved by Asheville City Council. Changes starting Jan. 1: • Additional evening hours on the following routes: N, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, W2, W5.

• Additional daily trip at 11 a.m. Monday-

Saturday on Route 170 to Black Mountain.

• Sunday/holiday service on all routes.

More info, bus schedules and service alerts: avl.mx/4h0 or pick up bus schedules at the ART Transit Station, 49 Coxe Ave., downtown.

PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED AT JAN. 9 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Two public hearings are scheduled for the Tuesday, Jan. 9, Asheville City Council meeting.

Council will hold a public hearing to consider the conditional zoning of 153 Smoky Park Highway from highway business district/conditional zoning to commercial expansion district/conditional zoning for the expansion of a multitenant commercial development for Ingles Markets.

Council will also consider an amendment to Chapter 7, Articles II, V, VII, VIII, and XVI of the Code of Ordinances for the purpose of defining different lodging types, adding special requirements for certain lodging types and identifying in which districts they may be located.

A meeting agenda will be released before the meeting at avl.mx/3xb.

COMMITTEE CALLS FOR INPUT ON HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION The city of Asheville’s Blue Ribbon Committee, tasked with developing an Asheville Human Relations Commission, is calling for community input at two meetings on Wednesday, Jan. 10, and Wednesday, Jan. 24. The Jan. 10 meeting will be held 7-8:30 p.m. at the Arthur Edington Center.

A light dinner, child care and Spanish inter-

preters will be available for attendees.

The Jan. 24 meeting will be held 6:30-8 p.m. at the Shiloh Recreation Center. A light dinner, child care and Spanish interpreters will be available for this meeting as well.

Discussions will focus on marginalized communities in Asheville, their needs, and how the new Human Relations Committee can best engage these communities and strengthen relationships citywide.

Recommendations will be reviewed by the committee and integrated into its final report to City Council in February.

Recommendations will also be shared electronically via the committee’s webpage (avl.mx/4hr).

More info: 828-232-4541 or JMatthews@ashevillenc.gov HAYWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE LAUNCHES SECOND CHANCE SCHOLARSHIP The Haywood Community College Foundation announced the establishment of a new Second Chance Scholarship for students.

Funded by two anonymous local donors, the scholarship is open to any full- or part-time students enrolled at HCC, beginning in the spring semester.

The scholarship is focused toward students whose high school credentials may be lacking but who demonstrate a commitment to their education.

More info: avl. mx/4ht, 828-627-4544 or pahardin@haywood. edu X

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

21

N EWS

Asheville OrgAnizing

Discover the Calm Beneath the Clutter

Liz Stroud — Declutter Maven Specializing in organizing & beautifying your home & office Help with downsizing & moving

Special Offer Jan – Mar Schedule 4 hours, get 1 hour free 828.285.2606 • WWW.ASHEVILLEORGANIZING.COM Out of clutter find simplicity — ALBERT EINSTEIN

Antiques, Diamonds, Estate Jewelry, Coins, Coin Collections, Watches, Estates — Highest Prices Paid Period

“Today, we have come back and we are actually proposing 69 lots, and those lots, we’re proposing a brandnew entry point off of a continuation of Country Oak Drive that will go all the way back down and tie in to Aiken [Road],” Day said.

Board member David Rittenberg asked Day to clarify the location of the eastern property line. On the rendering Day brought to the meeting, two lines intersected near the eastern border of the property, creating a very thin parcel shaped like a triangle.

“It wasn’t clear as to where that property line was, and so this portion of the subdivision, what we’re proposing today, stays out of that area where there was a boundary question,” Day said.

Rittenberg expressed concern about what would happen to the thin parcel of residual undeveloped property if it wasn’t included in the subdivision. Day said he would convey the concern to his client.

The subdivision is just north of a 296-unit apartment development that was approved by the county Board of Adjustment on Dec. 13.

That development has attracted criticism from nearby residents who believe the apartment complex will add to traffic woes along Aiken Road.

Major subdivision requests, those of 11 lots or more, are decided on by the Planning Board and do not need approval from the Board of Commissioners. Having received approval for the 69-lot subdivision, Farmbound Holdings now must comply with the conditions established by the board and acquire any necessary permits. Work on the property would begin in the spring or summer at the earliest.

The subdivision was the only item of business during the Planning Board’s Dec. 18 meeting.

— David Floyd X

MOUNTAIN XPRESS PRESENTS:

2017

Wellness Wellness Issue 2018

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FE AT U RES

ASHEVILLE ARCHIVES

by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com

A cloud of war

Asheville contemplates the new year, 1918

READING INTO THINGS: In December 1917, an unusually large cloud appeared in Asheville’s western sky. An article on the phenomenon featured residents’ speculation over the cloud’s meaning in relation to the Great War. The above image is undated. Photo courtesy of North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war against Germany. In late June, the country’s first infantry landed in France. By the holiday season, shortages of food and coal were in full swing.

(See “Thanksgiving and the Great War, 1917,” Nov. 23, Xpress) On account of the Great War, New Year’s revelry going into 1918 was minimal. In the Dec. 31, 1917, edition of The Asheville Times, the only direct mention of the holiday came courtesy of a New York byline. Its headline read: “Celebration Will Not Be As Lively As Usual.”

As with national and world news, much of the local focus centered on wartime efforts. The New Year’s Eve edition of The Asheville Citizen reported on a Dec. 30 speech delivered by J.C. Pritchard. (See “Pritchard Park replaces the old post office,” Nov. 14, Xpress) The paper described Pritchard’s oration as “one of the strongest patriotic addresses in Asheville since the beginning of the war.”

During his talk, the judge and former senator listed the atrocities carried out by the German government. This included the German U-boat’s sinking

of the Lusitania, a British ocean liner, which resulted in the death of more than 1,100 passengers.

Pritchard also raised the concept of loyalty, noting America’s debt to Marquis de Lafayette, the French military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War. Pritchard was quoted as saying: “So long as there is a Boche [German soldier] on French soil, America’s debt to Lafayette is not entirely paid.”

The article concluded with Pritchard declaring: “The war is our problem. It must be won by American soldiers. Our men are there now and are going over there in great ship-loads. They may stay for years, but before they come home, the war will be won and the cause of humanity will be safe!”

The uncertainty of the war’s duration and the hope for victory preoccupied many Ashevilleans, manifesting in unusual ways. A separate article in that same day’s paper reported on a “gigantic cloud figure [that] dominated the western sky[.]”

In the piece, residents speculated over the apparition’s meaning. This

included an unnamed man who described the cloud as “a great arrow pointing to the earth, which ... touched on the height across the French Broad river.” The man went on to call it a “portent ... set in the heavens for those who could to interpret. It was a black arrow and everyone may read its meaning as he chooses.”

Within the same article, an unnamed woman’s account was also reported. The paper wrote: “According to a woman who saw it, the figure was that of an enormous V, whose point touched the earth, with a perpendicular column rising to the sky, which would fit the conception of the arrow. But the impression made on this lady was that of a long and narrow human head between upraised arms. “‘I think it was a sign set in the sky,’ said this lady, ‘but whether by the powers above or below I do not know. But somehow when I saw it I instantly thought of the German kaiser. Were the arms uplifted in a threat or was the cloud shape a token our chief enemy raises his hands in token of surrender?’

“To appreciate the viewpoint of these observers it must be remembered that no other cloud was in sight; the planet Venus was blazing in unusual splendor because the sky was particularly clear. And the figure was sharply outlined, not a vague form pictured by any out of a mass of clouds. Both observers recognized the arrow shape. Prosaic people will deride any supernatural suggestion in the figure and decry the idea that it was set as a sign in the heavens. They will say that as it showed just beyond the railroad tracks in the river valley that it was formed by the smoke from locomotives which rose in spirals because of unusual atmospheric conditions. However this may be, it is evident that a remarkable cloud figure was visible Saturday evening.”

Editor’s note: Peculiarities of spelling and punctuation are preserved from the original documents. X

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

23

COMMUNITY CALENDAR DEC. 27, 2017 -JAN. 4, 2018

CALENDAR GUIDELINES For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 251-1333, ext. 137. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 251-1333, ext. 320.

=❄ ANIMALS ❄ SARGE’S ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION 828-246-9050, sargeanimals.org • Through SA (1/13) Proceeds from this holiday pet photo contest benefit Sarge's Animal Rescue Foundation.

Information: sargeanimals.org. $15 per entry.

BENEFITS ❄ DECK THE TREES BENEFIT 828-669-8870, themontevistahotel.net/ • Through SU (12/31), 10am-9pm - Proceeds from donations at “80 Years of Christmas,” hand decorated Christmas tree exhibition benefit the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry.

WE (12/20), 6-8:30pm - Awarding of prizes for trees. Free. Held at Monte Vista Hotel, 308 W. State St., Black Mountain ❄ HENDERSONVILLE VISITOR CENTER 201 S. Main St., Hendersonville • Through (1/1) - Proceeds from allweather 45-minute outdoor ice skating sessions benefit the Henderson County America in Bloom Committee. General hours: 11am-7pm.

Special hours: SU (12/24), 11am-3pm. MO (12/25), noon-4pm. SU (12/31), 11am-5pm. MO (1/1), noon-4pm. $8/$5 children under 11.

24

❄ GINGERBREAD HOUSES 800-438-5800 • Through TH (1/4) - Proceeds from parking fees from the 25th Annual Gingerbread Competition exhibition benefit local nonprofits: Children First/Communities in Schools, United Way of Asheville-Buncombe, Meals on Wheels, Homeward Bound, Asheville Museum of Science, Asheville City Schools Foundation and The American Legion Post 70.

Contact for schedule: 888-444-OMNI. Free to attend with $20 parking fee per car. Held at the Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave. RESOLUTION RUN 5K 828-505-3440, bwar.org • MO (1/1), 10am Proceeds from the New Year’s Resolution Run 5K and Inaugural 10 Mile Run, benefit the YMCA of Western North Carolina, iDream Athletes Foundation and Western Carolina Rescue Ministries. $60 10K/$40 5K. Held at East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE 39 South Market St., 828-254-9277, theblockoffbiltmore.com • SU (12/31), 3-5pm - Proceeds from the Special WNC Solidarity New Year’s Eve Concert benefit Homeward Bound. $10.

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

NEW YEAR’S POLAR PLUNGE: Welcome 2018 by jumping in a lake. That’s right, participants in the 10th annual Lake Lure New Year’s Day Polar Plunge are encouraged to shock 2017 out of their system by donning their wackiest apparel and jumping into Lake Lure for fun and a good cause. Proceeds from the event benefit Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber and Hickory Nut Gorge First Responders. Registration for the event begins at 9 a.m., followed by the Dash and Splash one-mile run at 10:30 a.m. The 11 a.m. Plunge-A-War tug-of-war pits two teams against one another, and only the strongest team will stay dry. Lineup for the Polar Plunge will start right before noon, and when the clock strikes 12, participants will start the new year with a splash. The event costs $10 per person for the Dash and Splash, $20 per person for the Polar Plunge or $25 per person for both events. For information or to register, visit hickorynutchamber.org. Photo by Jim Proctor courtesy of Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber (p. 25)

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY FLETCHER AREA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION jim@extraordinarycopywriter.com • 4th THURSDAYS, 11:30-noon - General meeting. Free. Held at YMCA Mission Pardee Health Campus, 2775 Hendersonville Road, Arden FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 2160 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, 828-2733332, floodgallery.org/ • THURSDAYS, 11am5pm - "Jelly at the Flood," co-working event to meet up with like-minded people to exchange help, ideas and advice. Free to attend.

CLASSES, MEETINGS & EVENTS EMPYREAN ARTS CLASSES (PD.) Beginning Aerial Arts on Sundays 2:15pm,

MOUNTAINX.COM

Mondays 6:30pm, Tuesdays 1:00pm.

Beginning Pole on Sundays 3:30pm, Mondays 5:15pm, Thursdays 8:00pm.

Learn more about us at EmpyreanArts.org.

828.782.3321 FOURTH WAY SCHOOL (PD.) Know Thyself - Wisdom Through Action, a Fourth Way School in the tradition of Gurdjieff & Ouspensky teaching practical application of the Work. 720.218.9812 www. wisdomthroughaction.com HOLISTIC FINANCIAL PLANNING (PD.) January 8-9, 2018, 9:00am-5:00pm Burnsville Town Center, 6 South Main Street, Burnsville, NC 28714. Learn how to make financial decisions that support farm & family values and build profit on your farm.

PURPLE CRAYON COMMUNITY ART STUDIO (PD.) Studio and classroom rentals. Open House: 2nd Saturday of Month,

2-4pm. Upcoming workshops: • Let’s Make a T-Shirt Quilt!, 1/6; • Creating Children’s Picture Books, 1/20-1/21; Visualize Your Way to a More Satisfying Life, 1/27 (Free). www.purplecrayonavl.com VILLAGERS... (PD.) ...is an Urban Homestead Supply store offering quality tools, supplies and classes to support healthy lifestyle activities like gardening, food preservation, cooking, herbalism, and more. 278 Haywood Road. www. forvillagers.com ASHEVILLE ASPERGER'S ADULTS AND TEENS UNITED meetup.com/aspergersadultsunited/, wncaspergersunited@gmail. com • Last SATURDAYS, 1-4pm - Spectrum-wide bowling social. $3 per game. Held at Sky Lanes, 1477 Patton Ave.

ASHEVILLE SUBMARINE VETERANS ussashevillebase.com, ecipox@charter.net • 1st TUESDAYS, 6-7pm - Social meeting for U.S. Navy submarine veterans. Free to attend. Held at Ryan's Steakhouse, 1000 Brevard Road LAUREL CHAPTER OF THE EMBROIDERERS' GUILD OF AMERICA 828-686-8298, egacarolinas.org • TH (1/4), 10am General meeting and program to make no-sew fleece blankets to Project Linus. Registration at 9am. Free. Held at Cummings United Methodist Church, 3 Banner Farm Road, Horse Shoe ONTRACK WNC 50 S. French Broad Ave., 828-255-5166, ontrackwnc.org • TH (1/4), 5:30-7pm "Budgeting and Debt," class. Registration required. Free.

TRANZMISSION PRISON PROJECT tranzmissionprisonproject.yolasite.com • Fourth THURSDAYS, 6-9pm - Monthly meeting to prepare packages of books and zines for mailing to prisons across the U.S. Free to attend. Held at Firestorm Cafe and Books, 610 Haywood Road VETERANS FOR PEACE 828-490-1872, VFP099. org • TUESDAYS, 5pm Weekly peace vigil.

Free. Held at Vance Monument, 1 Pack Square

DANCE 6 WEEK COUNTRY TWO-STEP LEVEL 1-2 (PD.) Wednesdays starting January 10, 7-8pm, Asheville Ballroom with Richard and Sue Cicchetti. Contact: 828333-0715, naturalrichard@mac.com. • $75, $65 Early Bird Special

by January 3: www.

DanceForLife.net 6 WEEK NIGHTCLUBTWO CLASS LEVEL 1-2-3 (PD.) Wednesdays starting January 10, 8-9pm, Asheville Ballroom with Lee Starr. Contact: 828-333-0715, naturalrichard@mac.com • $75, $65 Early Bird Special

by January 3: www.

DanceForLife.net EXPERIENCE ECSTATIC DANCE! (PD.) Dance waves hosted

by Asheville Movement Collective. Fun and personal/community transformation. • Fridays, 7pm, Terpsicorps Studios, 1501 Patton Avenue. • Sundays, 8:30am and 10:30am, JCC, 236 Charlotte Street. Sliding scale fee. Information: ashevillemovementcollective.org JANUARY COUNTRY DANCE (PD.) Friday, January 19, 7-10:30pm, Asheville Ballroom. Two-Step Dance lesson 7-8 with Richard and Sue

Cicchetti. Dancing 8-10:30pm. Dance/ Lesson $15, Dance only $10. Contact: 828-3330715, naturalrichard@ mac.com, www.

DanceForLife.net STUDIO ZAHIYA, DOWNTOWN DANCE CLASSES (PD.) Monday 12pm Barre Wkt 5pm Bellydance Drills 6pm Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Bellydance Special Topics 7pm Tribal Fusion Bellydance 8pm Lyrical 8pm Sassy Jazz • Tuesday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 4pm Kids Creative Movement 6pm Intro to Bellydance 7pm Bellydance 2 8pm Advanced Bellydance • Wednesday 5pm Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Bhangra Series 7pm Tap 1 8pm Tap 2 • Thursday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 4pm Kids Hip Hop 5pm Teens Hip Hop 6pm Bellydance Drills 7pm Hip Hop Choreography 8pm West Coast Swing • Friday 9am Hip Hop Wkt • Saturday 9:30am Hip Hop Wkt 10:45 Buti Yoga Wkt • $14 for 60 minute classes, Wkt $8. 90 1/2 N. Lexington Avenue. www.studiozahiya. com :: 828.242.7595

ECO 25TH ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE (PD.) March 9-11, 2018. at UNCA. 150+ practical, affordable, regionallyappropriate workshops on organic growing, homesteading, farming, permaculture. Trade show, seed exchange, special guests.

Organicgrowersschool. org. (828) 214-7833 FARM DREAMS (PD.) February 3, 2018, 10:00am - 4:00pm - Lenoir Rhyne 36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC Farm Dreams a great entrylevel workshop to attend if you are in the exploratory stages of starting a farm and seeking practical infor-

mation on sustainable farming.

FOOD & BEER FLETCHER CHILI COOK-OFF 828-687-0751, fletcherparks.org • Through FR (1/19) Applications accepted for cooks who wish to participate in the Fletcher 17th Annual Chili CookOff on Saturday, Jan. 27, 11:30am2pm. Information: FletcherParks.org or call 828-687-0751.

KIDS BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • WE (1/3), 4pm - After School Book Club: The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett. Free. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • WE (1/3), 4pm - "Art After School," art activities for grades K-5. Free. Held at East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road

MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 828-2546734, malaprops.com • WEDNESDAYS, 10am - Miss Malaprop's Story Time for ages 3-9. Free to attend.

MILLS RIVER LIBRARY 124 Town Center Drive Suite 1. Mills River, 828890-1850, library. hendersoncountync.org

• WE (1/3), 4-5pm "Science on Wheels," kids science activities.

Registration required: 828-890-1850. Free.

OUTDOORS CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK (PD.) Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Lure, trails for all levels of hikers, an Animal Discovery Den and 404-

foot waterfall. Plan your adventure at chimneyrockpark.com ASHEVILLE AMBLERS WALKING CLUB ashevilleamblers.com • MO (1/1), 12:30pm New Year's Day walk.

Free. Held at Asheville Visitors Center, 36 Montford Ave.

CHAMBER OF HICKORY NUT GORGE 828-625-2725, business. hickorynutchamber.org, info@hickorynutchamber. org • MO (1/1), 9am Proceeds from the "New Year’s Day Polar Plunge," event featuring costumed runs and plunges into Lake Lure benefit Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber and Hickory Nut Gorge First Responders. Registration

(828) 299-3000

Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

800 Fairview Rd (at River Ridge Marketplace)

COME SEE US TODAY! Free alignment inspection with any service, just ask.

HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Mention Ad - Get 10% off labor!

FOR OUR EXISTING CUSTOMERS WE ARE NOW WORKING ON YOUR DOMESTIC VEHICLES! CHEVY • FORD • CHRYSLER

FLETCHER LIBRARY 120 Library Road, Fletcher, 828-687-1218, library. hendersoncountync.org • WEDNESDAYS, 10:30am - Family story time. Free.

HANDS ON! A CHILDREN'S GALLERY 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville, 828697-8333 • TU (12/26) through FR (12/29), 10am4pm - "Celebrate New Year’s," activities for children. Admission fees apply.

• TU (1/2), 11-11:30am - Mad Scientists Lab: "Gem & Jewel Goop!" activity for ages 3 and up. Admission fees apply.

• TH (1/4), 10amnoon - "Mini-Makers," activities for ages 3-6.

Admission fees apply.

We Treat You Like Family!

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LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

BRING YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR, AND YOUR ASIAN CAR—TOYOTA, LEXUS, HONDA, ACURA, SUBARU, NO EUROPEAN MODELS MOSTLY AUTOMOTIVE • 253 Biltmore Ave. 828-253-4981 MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

25

C O N S C I O U S PA R T Y

by Edwin Arnaudin | earnaudin@mountainx.com

Jazz-n-Justice

Save at the AFTER Christmas Sale!

The biggest sale in Alan’s history!

40-70% OFF ENTIRE THE

STORE! SALE ENDS 12/31/17

Excludes consignments and select firearms

WEST: 1186 PATTON AVE • 828.254.8681 EAST: 736 TUNNEL RD • 828.299.4440 CHEROKEE: ACROSS FROM CASINO • 828.554.0431 26

www.AlansPawn.com

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

INCLUSIVE TUNES: The Swing Asheville house band welcomes musicians from the community to join them on stage the first Tuesday of each month for the group’s Community Jazz Jam. The next one takes place Jan. 2 at THE BLOCK Off Biltmore and raises funds for the Hawthorn Community Herb Collective. Photo by Brad Nathanson WHAT: An evening of swing dance classes and dances to benefit the Hawthorn Community Herb Collective WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 2, 7 p.m.

WHERE: THE BLOCK Off Biltmore, 39 S. Market St. WHY: Following a successful year of keeping swing dance and music active in the area, Swing Asheville starts off 2018 with its monthly Community Jazz Jam, Tuesday, Jan. 2, at THE BLOCK Off Biltmore.

As with each week’s event, offerings include intermediate (7 p.m.) and beginner (8 p.m.) swing dance classes taught by experienced teachers who rotate each month, followed by a dance with a band 9-11 p.m. To help grow the community of musicians, the first Tuesday of every month is “Jam Night” instead of a regular band.

“The jam allows learning musicians to play with seasoned pros in a friendly, noncompetitive environment. It’s also great for experienced musicians in other styles of music to learn how to play for dancers,” says Annie Erbsen, one of Swing Asheville’s informal organizers. “If we want to keep this music alive, the only way is to encourage people to learn to play this music and support them in any way that we can.”

For the first year or two of the jam, which started in April 2015, a few amateur players showed up each month to play with the house band. Now six to 10 people typically join them on stage, ranging from

complete beginners to professional touring musicians. Sheet music is provided, and all are welcome to participate.

“Not only are a lot of people joining in, but the gender balance is fairly equal, which is uncommon in this style of music,” says Erbsen, who plays guitar and banjo. “If you look at most jazz bands, they are usually mostly made up of men.

Women obviously have just as much musical talent and skill, and so it’s been my goal to see what I could do to even out these numbers.”

Last spring, Erbsen helped form a mostly women’s jazz practice group that calls itself Bad Things, many of whom now join in at the jam. And in addition to summer’s well-attended Blue Ridge Bal, an event focused on balboa, one of the original swing dances, Swing Asheville began teaming with its new home venue to give back to the community each week, calling the collaboration Jazz-n-Justice.

In this partnership, THE BLOCK Off Biltmore donates 10 percent of its bar sales on swing nights to a different nonprofit each month, and Swing Asheville collects donations as well. The nonprofit supported by January’s dances is the Hawthorn Community Herb Collective, a group that aims to make herbal medicine and knowhow accessible in Western North Carolina.

Swing Asheville’s Community Jazz Jam takes place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at THE BLOCK Off Biltmore. Dance is $5 and classes are $10/$8 for Swing Asheville members. www.theblockoffbiltmore.com X

C OMMU N IT Y CA L EN D AR

The Embodiment Center

by Abigail Griffin

Yoga and Wellness for your Whole Self

begins at 9am. Dash and Splash at 10:30am.

Battle of the Bronze at 11am. Lineup for Polar Plunge at noon. $20 Polar Plunge/$10 Dash and Splash/$25 both.

Held at Beach at Lake Lure, 2930 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure CHIMNEY ROCK PARK 1638 Chimney Rock Park Road, Chimney Rock, 828-625-4688 • MO (1/1), 8am - "First Day Hike," hike with Park Superintendent on Chimney Rock Road.

Free. Meet at Old Rock Cafe, 431 Main St, Chimney Rock LAKE JAMES STATE PARK 6883 N.C. Highway 126, Nebo, 828-584-7728 • SA (12/30), 10am "Holidays on the Holly Discovery Trail," rangerled, .75 mile hike. Free.

• SU (12/31), 9am - "Last Chance Bird Hike," ranger-led bird watching walk. Bring binoculars and a field guide. Free.

• MO (1/1), 10am - "First Day Hike," ranger-led, family-friendly hike. Free.

PUBLIC LECTURES TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY LIBRARY 212 S. Gaston St., Brevard, 828-884-3151 • TH (1/4), 6:30pm “Gorges State Park—A Work in Progress—Past, Present & Future,” lecture by Gorges State Park Superintendent Steve Pagano. Free.

SPIRITUALITY ABOUT THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION® TECHNIQUE • FREE INTRODUCTORY TALK (PD.) The authentic TM® technique, rooted in the ancient yoga tradition—for settling mind and body and accessing hidden inner reserves of energy, peace and happiness. Learn how TM® is different from mind-

fulness, watching your breath, common mantra meditation and everything else. Evidencebased: The only meditation technique recommended for heart health by the American Heart Association. NIHsponsored research shows deep revitalizing rest, reduced stress and anxiety, improved brain functioning and heightened well-being.

Thursday, 6:30-7:30pm, Asheville TM Center, 165 E. Chestnut. 828254-4350. TM.org or MeditationAsheville.org ASHEVILLE INSIGHT MEDITATION (PD.) Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation.

Learn how to get a Mindfulness Meditation practice started.

1st & 3rd Mondays.

7pm – 8:30. Asheville Insight Meditation, 175 Weaverville Road, Suite H, ASHEVILLE, NC, (828) 808-4444, www. ashevillemeditation.com.

ASTRO-COUNSELING (PD.) Licensed counselor and accredited professional astrologer uses your chart when counseling for additional insight into yourself, your relationships and life directions.

Readings also available.

Christy Gunther, MA, LPC. (828) 258-3229.

FAMILY MEDITATION (PD.) Children and adult(s) practice mindfulness meditation, discuss principles, and engage in fun games. The 3rd Saturday monthly. 10:30am – 11:30. Asheville Insight Meditation, 175 Weaverville Road, Asheville, 828-808-4444, ashevillemeditation.com.

$99 FOR 30 DAYS NEW LOCAL STUDENT SPECIAL COMING IN JANUARY:

Yoga for Recovery and Resiliency Yoga, both by donation Yoga for Stressful Times Series Calm Abiding Buddhist Meditation Qi Gong Classes Kwan Yin Invocation & Yoga Nidra QOYA Series Restorative Yoga & Poetic Medicine

.

.

SAVE THE DATE February 23-25 Ganesha Puja Ceremony and Japa Mantra Meditation Weekend w/ Rajeshwari

Embody Yoga Asheville.com

120 Coxe Ave, 3rd Floor in back, Downtown AVL, 828.225.1904

FREE PARKING

OPEN HEART MEDITATION (PD.) Now at 70 Woodfin Place, Suite 212.

Tuesdays 7-8pm.

Experience the stillness and beauty of connecting to your heart and the Divine within you.

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

27

by Abigail Griffin

C OMMU N IT Y CA L EN D AR

Suggested $5 donation.

OpenHeartMeditation.com

onspirituality. Register for

SHAMBHALA MEDITATION CENTER (PD.) Thursdays, 7-8:30pm and Sundays, 10-noon • Meditation and community.

By donation. 60 N. Merrimon Ave., #113, (828) 200-5120. asheville.shambhala.org

UR LIGHT CENTER

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ASHEVILLE 40 Church St., 828-253-1431, fpcasheville.org • WEEKDAYS (1/3) through (1/23), 12:30-1:30pm January Series of Calvin College broadcast. Free.

Prayer celebration with silent

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville, 828-6934890, gracelutherannc.com • WE (1/3) & WEDNESDAYS (1/17) through (2/7), 5:457pm - “Anxious for Nothing” adult class regarding spirituality and anxiety. Free.

BAHA’IS OF WNC wncbahai.org • MO (1/1), 11:30am Potluck lunch and discussion

Send your event listings to calendar@mountainx.com

SPOKEN & WRITTEN WORD

location: 828-691-9333. Free.

2196 N.C. Highway 9, Black Mountain, 828-669-6845, urlight.org • SA (12/30), 10am-noon & 2-4pm & SU (12/31), 10amnoon & 8:30pm-midnight prayer and group discussions. $10.

• SA (12/30), 7-9pm Celebration to welcome 2018 with live piano music

by Richard Shulman. $20/$15 advance.

URBAN DHARMA 77 Walnut St., 828-225-6422, udharmanc.com/ • SU (12/31), 8-10:30pm - "Endings, Beginnings," New Year's Eve Buddhist candlelight service to release and purify any unresolved issues, emotional wranglings, destructive habits, resentments, grudges, and unhappiness. Free.

ONTRACK FOR THE NEW YEAR: Start the new year off right with financial education classes, counseling and support. On Thursday, Jan. 4, 5:30-7 p.m., OnTrack WNC offers “Budgeting and Debt,” the nonprofit group’s first free class of the year. According to OnTrack, a budget plan is one of the best tools for financial empowerment. The class will help participants learn how income, expenses and debt all affect a successful budget and gain tools to create a realistic budget. In addition, the class will discuss the array of options for managing your debt. For more information, visit ontrackwnc.org (p. 24)

BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • TU (1/2), 7pm - EnkaCandler Book Club: March

by John Lewis. Free. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • TU (1/2), 7pm - Weaverville Evening Book Club: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.

Free. Held at Weaverville Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • TH (1/4), 6:30pm - East Asheville Book Club: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. Free. Held at East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 828-2546734, malaprops.com • TH (1/4), 6pm - The New Jim Crow discussion group.

Free to attend.

NEW DIMENSIONS TOASTMASTERS 828-329-4190

• THURSDAYS, noon1pm - General meeting.

Information: 828-329-4190.

Free to attend. Held at Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, 33 Meadow Road NORTH CAROLINA WRITERS' NETWORK ncwriters.org • Through TU (1/30) Submissions accepted for the 2018 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize. See website for full guidelines.

SPORTS BUNCOMBE COUNTY RECREATION SERVICES buncombecounty.org/ Governing/Depts/Parks/ • Through TU (1/16) - Open registration for winter adult league dodgeball.

Registration: dodgeball.buncomberecreation.org. $35.

PACK SQUARE PARK 121 College St. • MO (1/1), 10 am - 5K Run/Walk and 10 Mile Run races through the streets of Downtown Asheville. $27-60.

VOLUNTEERING TUTOR ADULTS IN NEED WITH THE LITERACY COUNCIL (PD.) Spend two hours a week helping an immigrant who wants to learn English or a native English-speaking adult who wants to learn to read.

Visit our website or call us to sign up for volunteer orientation. 828-254-3442. volunteers@litcouncil. com. www.litcouncil.com ❄ N.C. ARBORETUM WINTER LIGHTS 828-665-2492, ncwinterlights. com • Through (12/31) Volunteers needed to help with ticketing, wayfinding, crafts, model train, fire pits and more. Complete three shifts and receive two free tickets to the light festival.

Registration: ncarboretum. org/volunteer. Held at N.C. Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way For more volunteering opportunities visit mountainx. com/volunteering

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Campaign nears $100,000 in its final days With the goal of $100,000 within easy reach by its Dec. 31 ending, this year’s Give!Local campaign is already a huge success, having grown more than 50 percent over last year, counting donations and matching funds, according to Give!Local director Susan Hutchinson.

Those interested in giving during the campaign’s last days can choose any of 37 local nonprofits and give any amount, from $1 on up with one online transaction at givelocalguide.org. The nonprofits are organized according to their areas of focus: community, youth, animals, arts, environment, social justice.

Adding zest to the campaign’s final days, all donors who give between Dec. 19 and the end of the year are being entered to win one of three $50 gift certificates from Zappers Pizza.

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Planning for next year’s Give!Local Numerous nonprofits are already asking about participating in next year’s campaign, according to Give!Local director Susan Hutchinson. The application form for the 2018 program is now available online at avl.mx/4hn For local businesses interested in learning about sponsoring, advertising, donating to or otherwise taking part in next year’s Give!Local campaign, please email givelocal@mountainx.com The Give!Local project is designed to facilitate end-of-year giving, generate new donors and provide publicity for a select group of local nonprofits. “We’ve found we need at least 35 nonprofits to make the project robust, but we need to limit the group to 50 or less to keep the project manageable,” Hutchinson says. “We also make sure we include big, medium and little nonprofits, and that they focus on different sectors, such as the arts, environment, animals or social justice.”

“Naturally, we hope Give!Local will be a huge benefit for the nonprofits, but it should also help the local business community. We love doing Give!Local each year. It fits perfectly with Mountain Xpress’ mission of building community from the grassroots up,” Hutchinson says.

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WELLNESS

DEATH IS NOT A DIRTY WORD End-of-life activists ponder how to die in a death-averse culture

BY MONROE SPIVEY spivey.monroe@gmail.com “Why, you may ask, take on this unpleasant, frightening subject? Why stare into the sun?”

— Irvin D. Yalom, Staring at the Sun: Overcoming the Terror of Death “Are you willing to pretend something for a minute?” asks Greg Lathrop, a local end-of-life activist.

“So, let’s pretend this. March 27 will be your last day here. In this game, we know that you’re going to die March 27. Now, how’s your life? See, it’s a simple perspective shift. Perspective is just a choice. You shift the perspective just that much, and it opens a door. We’re getting somewhere. Now it’s like, ‘I hate my job,’ or ‘I’m in debt up to my eyeballs.’ What would it look like, in these last three months, to live the best three months of your life?

It gives us an opportunity. It’s more than a bucket list. What’s your life’s purpose — why are you even here?”

Lathrop, a registered nurse, holds a certification as a Sacred Passage doula — caring for people who are in the process of dying — and is co-founder of Asheville’s Third Messenger, a community of Ashevillearea death-issue activists that holds community discussions about death at the so-called Death Cafe. He’s also part of a growing national community that works in “the death trade” — people dedicated, he notes, to broaching the conversation of death and dying within a culture that prefers to speak about virtually any other subject.

Lathrop first began that conversation on the heels of his own significant loss. Synchronistically, the death of Lathrop’s wife and the passing of Third Messenger co-founder Said Osio’s daughter propelled the two men to join forces in end-of-life activism. To Asheville locals and tourists alike, Third Messenger’s work may be most visible in what has become a landmark Biltmore Avenue structure.

Ministered to for years by Earl Lee “Happy” Gray (before his passing in October 2016), the “Before I Die” wall poses passers-by one simple question: What have you left undone? Not surprisingly, responses range from

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

THE SACRED ART OF DYING: Third Messenger co-founders Said Osio, left, and Greg Lathrop promote community events such as the popular Death Cafe, a community forum that invites participants to engage in conversation about death and dying. Photo courtesy of Greg Lathrop the mundane to the profound, reflecting our culture’s divisive relationship with the end of life. Yet the wall serves as a catalyst, the beginning of what Third Messenger views as a critical and much-needed conversation. “We cultivate the sacred art of being with dying — we use art to engage the conversation,” says Lathrop.

It is precisely this lack of familiarity with death that engenders the paralyzing fear of the unknown and creates what author and end-of-life activist Stephen Jenkinson, who spoke at Asheville’s Masonic Temple Nov. 6, refers to as a “death-phobic culture.”

Dr. Aditi Sethi-Brown, hospice and palliative care physician at CarePartners, agrees: “Many years ago, there were so many intergenerational families and communities, so death was something that young children were around and saw — life hap-

MOUNTAINX.COM

pened around death.” As a result of an unfortunate marriage of families living farther apart and a highly individualistic culture, Sethi-Brown now frequently encounters many individuals who have virtually no experience with the process she views as an inextricable part of life.

“People come to us, and oftentimes this is their very first experience with death, and there’s so much fear of the unknown,” says Sethi-Brown, who is also is a local musician, whose work includes playing for people transitioning and at Third Messenger events. “Sometimes, family members come to us and say, ‘We don’t want our loved one to know that they’re dying.’ We don’t practice it. There are some traditions around the world that actually have practices around death, meditations around death — just like if you’re birthing, you go to birth classes,

read birth books, but [there’s] nothing to prepare you for death.”

SHINING LIGHT UPON THE SHADOWS “I was 9. That’s the start of it, in my memory.” says Asheville resident Julie Loveless. Beginning in early childhood, Loveless found herself plagued by an inexplicable and inescapable fear of death. One night in particular, Loveless says, “We were at my grandmother’s house. My parents were there, my grandmother, my aunt, and it was time for me to go to bed. I was terrified, because I knew I wasn’t going to wake up the next morning. So I was coming up with all of these tactics to stay up. I had a fever, I had diarrhea, my stomach hurt, I was throwing up, I fell down the stairs — anything I could do to stay up

and be the center of attention.” It was as though she needed to be seen in her terror, Loveless says, validated in her very existence. “I needed somebody to know I was alive.”

Loveless’ childhood fear of death is far from uncommon. Recent studies show that children as young as 5 express substantial “death anxiety.”

The results of one such study indicated that a mature relationship to dying (understanding death as an inevitable biological event) correlated with a decreased fear of death.

Is it any surprise, when many children are now inoculated from the natural rhythms of life, that they fear, rather than revere, that great unknown? The reality is that “we don’t even have a language for dying,” says Lathrop.

Trish Rux, hospice and palliative care nurse and Sacred Passage doula, agrees. In contrast to her upbringing, she says, the majority of individuals she meets have rarely contemplated death. “I was raised without a death phobia,” Rux says. “I remember my father bringing me to a friend’s funeral when I was pretty young and my not really understanding about the casket, and his explaining it to me. He was just a very practical person. Just knowing that death is a part of life — it was an accepted thing.”

In stark contrast, Rux now regularly witnesses individuals who, in their final days, have scarcely given a thought to the inevitability of their own mortality. “Curiously, I’ve had people that in are in their late 80s, and they’ve not thought about their death.

It’s incredible to me — they haven’t thought about what they want, who they want to see. It’s sad for me, and it’s pretty common.”

DANCING WITH DEATH Loveless was 30 when she first received a diagnosis of breast cancer and 37 when it returned with a vengeance. After having been in remission from the cancer for seven years, a persistent lymphedema sent her back to the oncologist for a standard biopsy.

“I’ve never seen it happen that fast,” Loveless says. “He walked in, did the core needle biopsy and left. I got my clothes back on and am sitting down, and he immediately walked back in and said, ‘It looks like disease.’ The way he was talking about it, he made it clear it had metastasized. I don’t think he said the word, ever — it was just understood.”

Yet Loveless is no longer afraid to fall asleep. Now faced with the stark reality of her worst childhood fears,

she finds herself liberated rather than imprisoned. “When I go back to the last time I remember having that really potent fear of death that was crippling, like pulling over to the side of the road and having to breathe into a paper bag, to now — it’s night and day. Before, when something would go wrong and I’d look into the mirror and see a new mark on my skin, I’d think ‘Oh, that might be skin cancer.’

Or, ‘I have a headache — I might have an aneurysm.’ To have those thoughts in my head all the time, to think that way and then to be like ‘Oh my God, I might have cancer — oh wait, I do have cancer.’ I have the worst thing you can have. Nothing else is scary.”

Freed from the fear of dying, Loveless now finds herself preoccupied with living. “[I] wake up in the morning and [think], ‘This may be my last day — how am I going to spend it?’ [Or], this might be my last minute — do I want to spend it brushing my teeth and sitting on the toilet and looking at Facebook? Or, do I want to go make a really yummy smoothie, or do I want to go outside and look at the leaves? So, if you’re thinking that way all the time, you have no idea that it’s even happening until the end of the day and you realize — ‘I didn’t waste my day today.’”

Lathrop questions whether we cheat ourselves of the chance for a more meaningful life if we spend our days running from the inevitability of death.

His answer: “Death is my guru. It becomes a real teacher for how to live.” And Sethi-Brown agrees: “The reality is you don’t know when your time is. Don’t be afraid of having the conversation. The fear of the conversation, the discomfort around it — go there, explore that — and you’ll see, it will change your life.” X

MORE INFO Third Messenger thirdmessenger.com Death Cafe Asheville facebook.com/deathcafeasheville Julie Loveless facebook.com/root.of.life Trish Rux trishrux.com Aditi Sethi-Brown goo.gl/HbWx3V

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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TAOIST TAI CHI SOCIETY taoist.org/usa/locations/asheville • TU (1/2) & TH (1/4), 9:30-11am - Beginner Tai Chi class and information session for the class series.

Free. Held at Asheville Training Center, 261 Asheland Ave., (Town & Mountain Realty Building) • TH (1/4), 6-7:30pm - Beginner Tai Chi class and information session for the class series. Free. Held at Ox

Creek Community Center, 346 Ox Creek Road, Weaverville

SUPPORT GROUPS ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS & DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES adultchildren.org • Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS • For a full list of meetings in WNC, call 254-8539 or aancmco.org ASHEVILLE WOMEN FOR SOBRIETY 215-536-8026, womenforsobriety. org • THURSDAYS, 6:30-8pm – Held at YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave. ASPERGER'S TEENS UNITED facebook.com/groups/ AspergersTeensUnited • For teens (13-19) and their parents. Meets every 3 weeks. Contact for details.

CODEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS 828-242-7127 • FRIDAYS, 5:30pm - Held at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, 556 S. Haywood St., Waynesville • SATURDAYS, 11:15am – Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St. DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE 828-367-7660, depressionbipolarasheville.com • WEDNESDAYS, 7-9pm & SATURDAYS, 4-6pm – Held at

Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance Meeting Place, 1316-C Parkwood Road EATING DISORDERS ANONYMOUS 561-706-3185, eatingdisordersanonymous.org • FRIDAYS, 4:30pm - Eating disorder support group. Held at 12-Step Recovery Club, 370 N. Louisiana Ave. # G4 FOOD ADDICTS ANONYMOUS 8284236191828-242-2173 • SATURDAYS, 11am- Held at Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 22B New Leicester Highway FOUR SEASONS COMPASSION FOR LIFE 828-233-0948, fourseasonscfl.org • THURSDAYS, 12:30pm - Grief support group. Held at SECU Hospice House, 272 Maple St., Franklin GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS 828-483-6175 • Held at Biltmore United Methodist Church, 378 Hendersonville Road GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville, 828-693-4890, gracelutherannc.com • 2nd THURSDAYS, 1-3pm - Seeds of Hope chronic condition support group. Registration required: 828693-4890 ex. 304.

MINDFULNESS AND 12 STEP RECOVERY avl12step@gmail.com • WEDNESDAYS, 7:30-8:45pm Mindfulness meditation practice and 12 step program. Held at Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 22B New Leicester Highway

MY DADDY TAUGHT ME THAT mydaddytaughtmethat.org • MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS, 6-8pm - Men’s discussion group.

Free. Held at My Daddy Taught Me That Meeting Place, 16-A Pisgah View Apartments NARANON nar-anon.org • WEDNESDAYS, 12:30pm - For relatives and friends concerned about the addiction or drug problem of a loved one. Held at First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville, 204 6th Ave. W., Hendersonville OUR VOICE 35 Woodfin St., 828-252-0562, ourvoicenc.org • Ongoing drop-in group for female identified survivors of sexual violence.

OVERCOMERS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 828-665-9499 • WEDNESDAYS, noon-1pm - Held at First Christian Church of Candler, 470 Enka Lake Road, Candler OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS • Regional number: 277-1975. Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings.

REFUGE RECOVERY 828-225-6422, refugerecovery.org • WEDNESDAYS 5:30pm - Held at Heartwood Refuge and Retreat Center, 159 Osceola Road, Hendersonville • THURSDAYS, 7:30pm - Held at Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness, 370 N Louisiana Ave. • TUESDAYS, 7:30pm & SATURDAYS, 6pm - Held at Asheville Insight Meditation, 175 Weaverville Road, Woodfin • FRIDAYS, 7-8:30pm & SUNDAYS, 6-7:30pm - Held at Urban Dharma, 77 Walnut St. SANON 828-258-5117 • 12-step program for those affected by someone else's sexual behavior. Contact 828-258-5117 for a full list of meetings.

SEX ADDICTS ANONYMOUS saa-recovery.org/Meetings/ UnitedStates • MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS, 6pm - Held at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Ave. • SUNDAYS, 7pm - Held at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St. SMART RECOVERY 828-407-0460

• THURSDAYS, 6pm - Held at Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave. • FRIDAYS, 2pm - Held at Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness, 370 N Louisiana Ave, Asheville SUNRISE PEER SUPPORT VOLUNTEER SERVICES facebook.com/Sunriseinasheville • TUESDAYS through THURSDAYS, 1-3pm - Peer support services for mental health, substance abuse and wellness. Held at Kairos West Community Center, 604 Haywood Road T.H.E. CENTER FOR DISORDERED EATING 50 S. French Broad Ave. #250, 828337-4685, thecenternc.org • WEDNESDAYS, 6-7pm – Adult support group, ages 18+.

US TOO OF WNC 828-273-7689, wncprostate@gmail. com • 1st TUESDAYS, 7pm - Prostate cancer support forum for men, caregivers and family. Held at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St.

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

33

GREEN SCENE

CALLING BIRDS AND TURTLEDOVES Christmas Bird Count volunteers inform conservation efforts

BY DANIEL WALTON

of both birds and clean energy for our state,” says Brand. “That will help us all, not just the birds.”

danielwwalton@live.com Like many others during the holidays, the members of Asheville’s Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society have eager eyes for the gifts under their trees.

They’re also looking inside the branches, above the foliage and in the surrounding brush — anywhere the treasure of a hidden bird might be found.

Every Christmas season since 1900, birders across North and South America have braved wintry conditions to participate in the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count. Originating as a conservationminded alternative to traditional holiday bird hunts, the count has evolved into the world’s longest-running community science project. On Monday, Jan. 1, Asheville’s ornithological enthusiasts will contribute their own observations to the Christmas Bird Count’s 118th year.

The effort has taken on added importance in the light of climate change and its impact on bird populations, explains Tom Tribble, president of the Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society and compiler of the chapter’s Christmas Bird

RARE BIRDS

HOLIDAY HABITAT: Kevin Burke captured this image of a rufous hummingbird in Flat Rock.

The birds usually winter in Mexico but have been spotted in Western North Carolina in recent years. Photo courtesy of the Audubon Society Count results. “Audubon uses our data to identify specific birds and make sure there are areas conserved so they can breed,” he says. “It really drives what Audubon is doing to protect birds and the places they need.”

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW Asheville’s count is just one of the 56 scheduled in North Carolina; more than 2,500 are planned across Audubon’s

I SPY: The annual Christmas Bird Count tallies avian species across the Americas and gives a window into changing climate patterns. Photo of a male northern cardinal by Jeanne Tyrer, courtesy of the Audubon Society 34

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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entire reach. At each count, volunteer birders band together to cover a circle 15 miles in diameter, adding up every individual bird they detect with their eyes and ears. Considered as a whole, the circles yield an impressive survey of avian abundance. Last year, a total of 73,153 counters recorded over 56 million birds from 2,636 distinct species.

Scientists have used Christmas Bird Count data to inform more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, the most comprehensive of which is Audubon’s 2014 Birds and Climate Change Report.

Examining 588 North American birds, the study found that 314 species could lose more than 50 percent of their current climate-suitable range by 2080 — with 126 “climate-endangered” species facing the same habitat loss by 2050.

“Every bird has a set of environmental conditions that enable it to thrive, and climate governs it all,” says Tribble. “If the climate changes from what they need, then they’re not as successful breeding, and it doesn’t take much for a species to go into decline.” Familiar birds such as the bald eagle, mallard duck and Eastern whip-poor-will are all classified as climate endangered under the Audubon report.

Given climate change’s widespread threat to bird populations, Audubon has set its sights on broader solutions to complement its habitat conservation efforts. Kim Brand, field organizer at the Boone Mountain office of Audubon North Carolina, notes that promoting a clean energy transition is one of the organization’s main policy goals. “We want to connect the dots and build up supporters

For the participants in Asheville’s Christmas Bird Count, climate change may already be showing its effects through the presence of unexpected visitors to the area. “It happens more and more frequently for birds to show up that shouldn’t be here,” Tribble says. He points to the presence last year of two greater white-fronted geese, which normally spend the winter much farther south in Central America.

Tribble notes that an increase of birders could also underlie the greater frequency of rare species sightings, as he suspects is the case for the rufous hummingbird, native to the West Coast. The tiny bird’s usual winter destination is Mexico, but individuals have been spotted in Asheville and Flat Rock in recent years.

“They’ve probably shown up in the Southeast in the winter for centuries,” Tribble says. “But as knowledge of these winter migrants has become more widespread, more people are leaving feeders up in the winter and seeing more Western hummingbirds.”

Other birds are noticeable for their absence in the winter months. Many duck species, Tribble explains, visit in lower numbers when unseasonably warm weather leaves their lake and pond habitats unfrozen. Audubon predicts that continued warming and changes to precipitation patterns will reduce duck habitat over time.

JOINING THE FLOCK Tribble encourages anyone interested in conservation to contact Audubon and get involved with the Christmas Bird Count. While the day can be long — most volunteers start at daylight and count until the late afternoon — a seasoned birder heads each team, helping newcomers classify the species that they spot. Audubon also offers a free bird guide app, complete with example songs to assist with identification by sound.

“New folks can be really helpful just by keeping their heads up,” adds

Those who take part in the count often find that it becomes another beloved holiday tradition. Volunteers create routines around their patrol routes and swap stories with other birders about memorable sightings from counts past. “It’s the closest thing we have to a birding ritual.

Every year when I do it, I think of my friends in Belize or my dad in Arizona counting birds at his feeder as part of the Christmas Bird Count there,” Brand says.

And, just like for any holiday tradition, Brand notes that birders can find inspiration in unlikely places. “One team I know stops for lunch at McDonald’s every year so they can get house sparrows for their lists, attacking the dumpsters.” X

SINGING IN THE LIGHT OF DAY: Volunteers with the Audubon Society gather information on local birds to paint a larger picture of species’ health and locations. Photo of a red-winged blackbird by Will Stuart, courtesy of the Audubon Society Brand. “Experienced birders tend to focus in narrowly on sparrows or warblers, looking in the bushes, but someone scanning the sky can notice the broad-winged hawk that happens to fly over for one second.”

WHAT 118th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count WHERE Across Buncombe County WHEN Monday, Jan. 1. Email Tom Tribble at tntribble@gmail.com for more information and to volunteer.

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FOOD

GREENS IN THE BANK New Year’s in WNC calls for collards

BY CATHY CLEARY

Black Mountain

cathy@thecookandgarden.com

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What if you really could ensure a prosperous future by eating plenty of leafy green vegetables? I am beginning to think this concept may have come from common-sense reasoning as opposed to superstition.

The cultural tradition of eating lots of collard greens on New Year’s Day harkens back to a time when gardens in the South overflowed with leafy greens in December. People ate greens every day because they were so abundant and sometimes because there wasn’t much else to eat. Poverty in the South was rampant, especially after the Civil War, but folks could fill their bellies as long as they had a patch of soil.

Southern lore has connected the consumption of collard greens and paper money for a long time. The 2014 Serious Eats article “The True Story of Traditional New Year’s Lucky Foods” highlights the old Southern proverb, “Peas for pennies, greens for dollars and cornbread for gold,” noting the similarity of flat collard leaves to paper currency. Making the connection between eating abundantly and prosperity does not seem like too much of a stretch.

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Cultures around the world view greens like money in the bank. Neeraj Kebede, owner and chef of downtown’s Addissae Ethiopian Restaurant, grew up eating gomen, a leafy green similar to kale or collards. Gomen grew in every yard. A common Ethiopian phrase, “If I have nothing to eat, at least I’ll have my kale,” points to the prolific nature of the vegetable and to a feeling of abundance despite poverty.

Kebede uses collards at his restaurant, preparing them much as his grandmother did. She would go out to the yard and cut greens as needed, chop them fine and sauté them in a clay pot perched over a fire with caramelized onion, ginger and garlic topped with salt and a bit of fresh cardamom.

Teddy Pitsiokos, co-owner and farmer at Patchwork Urban Farms,

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FOR A RAINY DAY: Eating collard greens on New Year’s Day is a Southern tradition.

Pickling them is a way to keep the goodness in the pantry throughout the year. Photo

by Katherine Brooks can speak to the prolific nature of this amazing set of vegetables. “I like growing greens in wintertime. Using relatively unsophisticated techniques, we are able to keep producing all winter,” he says. “It requires a lot of extra planning, but most models show winter CSA’s being more profitable in general, if you can do it — it definitely depends on your climate.”

Well, the climate in my backyard must be just right, because I manage to grow spinach, kale, collards, arugula and Swiss chard most of the winter, and believe me when I say my techniques are unsophisticated.

A little row cover and maybe a hoop house covered in plastic afford me leaves for salads, sautés and stews in the cold-weather months.

WILD THINGS Many delicious edibles don’t even need to be planted; they grow wild in shady corners and creep through sidewalk cracks. Chickweed and dandelion pop up in unexpected places, covering entire yards if left untamed.

Suzy Phillips, owner and chef at Gypsy Queen Cuisine, grew up in Lebanon with civil war raging nearby, collecting wild dandelion and purslane. She learned to cook them sitting on her mother’s hip, smelling, watching and tasting.

“You have to get dandelion greens young and tender, then blanch them in hot water, shock them and sauté with onions, garlic pounded into paste, salt and cilantro — finish with a little lemon juice,” she advises. She recalls gathering wild thyme and purslane in the woods and adding them to

the Lebanese bread salad fattoush while picnicking.

But not all their greens were foraged. “We grew a lot of our vegetables,” she remembers. “My mom loved to garden.” She recalls prolific and hardy Swiss chard growing through the winter. “Swiss chard and lentil soup was our daily soup, all the time, with potatoes in winter. In the summer we would it eat cold without potatoes.” She maintains the tradition by serving the same soup at her restaurant daily.

ROOT TO STEM While modern American culture tends to view some parts of plants as inedible, other cultural traditions see

those same parts as opportunities to add flavor and texture to a dish.

Often that means eating the tops of plants that might be discarded in this country.

“Daikon leaves, turnip leaves, carrot leaves — in Japanese cooking we try to utilize everything,” explains Khan Kogure, owner of the Japanese izakaya pop-up Charinko. “We blanch them, chop them and mix them into rice or a pickle. Shungiku — the Japanese word for chrysanthemum leaves — make a great salad, and this time of year you might make it with sliced persimmons, grated daikon and grilled duck.”

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Collards with red beans

Photo by Katherine Brooks From The Southern Harvest Cookbook: Recipes Celebrating Four Seasons by Cathy Cleary, to be released from Arcadia Publishing in January Serves six to eight people 10 cups water 2 cups dried red kidney beans 2 teaspoons salt 1 large bunch (1½ pounds) collards 1½ cups diced onion (1 medium)

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1½ teaspoons fresh ground black pepper 2 teaspoons smoked paprika Hot sauce to taste

Combine water, beans and salt in a large pot and bring to a slow simmer. Simmer, covered, one hour. Wash collards well and cut off stems that extend below the leaf.

Slice stems thinly, and coarsely chop remaining leaves. Add collards and remaining ingredients to the pot and simmer covered one more hour or until beans are tender. Check occasionally and add a bit more water if needed to keep the beans covered in liquid. Serve with cornbread or rice to soak up the “potlikker.” Leftovers freeze great.

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F OOD Kogure also points to another prolific leafy plant that is used for flavoring. “We use a lot of shiso. It’s called the ‘king of basil’ and grows really well. It’s kind of weedy, actually, coming back year after year. It’s a great herb. You can use it for sushi and a lot of pickling.”

If you are using wild plants, the “kind of weedy” plants, and the plants that grow well even in the coldest part of the year, you must understand the value of being thrifty. In my mind, abundance and thrift naturally equal prosperity. If prosperity is what you’re

after, looking at these cultural traditions clarifies the reasoning behind eating lots of greens on the first day of the year.

I don’t actually need any more reasons to eat lots of greens. I love them in their abundant diversity, and eat them every day of the year, regardless of my income level. However, if you are interested in being thrifty, collard greens do get marked down in most markets around the second day of January. Buy as many as you can and pickle them to enjoy all year long.X

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From The Southern Harvest Cookbook: Recipes Celebrating Four Seasons by Cathy Cleary, to be released from Arcadia Publishing in January Makes three to four pints 8 cups packed (12 ounces) sliced collard greens 2 cups thinly sliced onion (1 large) 1 cup diced carrot or red pepper (optional) 3 cups water 1½ cups cider vinegar

1 tablespoon mustard seeds 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon coriander seeds ½ teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 3–5 minutes. Pack in sterilized jars and can in a boiling water bath 15 minutes. Jars that have been canned will keep unopened for a year in a cool, dark place.

Alternatively, skip the canning process and keep in the fridge for up to six months.

Put in tacos or sandwiches or chop pickled collards and combine with fresh ginger and hot sauce for a delicious side dish.

DON’T THROW OUT THE PICKLE JUICE! Speaking of being thrifty, I never throw out pickle juice and especially not collard pickle juice. It makes the best salad dressing. I love to drizzle this on vegetables from asparagus to zucchini.

1 cup collard pickle juice ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil

½ cup parsley leaves 2 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled

Blend together in a blender or food processor.

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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by Jonathan Ammons

jonathanammons@gmail.com

COULD BEER CITY KILL FOODTOPIA? Lower margins on Asheville’s craft brews may negatively impact local restaurants product,” says Kyle Beach, general manager of Buxton Hall Barbecue.

“It’s around $8 a pound before it is processed, and that’s not counting labor or the cost of wood. So for us, alcohol is a big part of the profitability model.” Beach says 25 percent of the overall sales for the restaurant are from alcohol, and 60 percent of alcohol sales is from beer.

Traditionally, wine and spirits have been the most consumed beverages at restaurants, so their markup has been more sizable. But as Asheville’s reputation for great beer encourages more diners to order a lower-margined ale or IPA with dinner, restaurants may have to tighten their belts as overall profit margins begin to shrink. If there is a major shift toward diners opting for beer over wine or cocktails, it could put a chokehold on a market already stretched thin by saturation.

BEER MARKET: Like restaurants nationwide, many Asheville eateries depend on profits from bar sales to sustain them. But what happens when more diners are ordering local craft beers with lower profit margins? Art by Katrin Dohse The craft brewing scene began in Asheville with one brewery: Highland Brewing Co. opened in the basement of Barley’s Taproom in 1994, using jury-rigged dairy equipment to make British-inspired beer. At the time, there were only a handful of restaurants and bars downtown, most buildings were boarded up and Budweiser was still the king of the taps.

To say the least, things have changed. With over 60 breweries in the region employing hundreds of people, what started as a niche scene has become a fullblown industry and a key part of Asheville’s economy.

Around the same time the seeds of Beer City were sprouting, the restaurant and bar scenes began a trend of steady growth. The synchronous development created

a service industry economy that the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce says employs almost 30 percent of the city’s population. It’s a two-headed beast with two distinct personalities — breweries are the steady and confident one, and restaurants are more fickle, constantly tossed about by changing food costs and exceedingly narrow margins.

Restaurants run on razor-thin margins, usually around 15 percent before labor and overhead, according to most of the restaurant owners Xpress talked to for this story. So they tend to rely on much more generous alcohol margins — which often dance between 60 and 80 percent — to make their income. “Our food margins are so expensive because pig is our top seller, and it is our most expensive

THE PRICING GAME Here’s a quick look at how those margins work out and how booze is priced in a restaurant. (Note: The following numbers, which were gathered by Xpress from local distributors and restaurants, do not factor in labor or overhead, only cost of goods.)

Take an $8 glass of wine, for example. Since wine goes bad quickly — most restaurants only keep an open bottle for about three days — restaurants traditionally price it at the cost of the bottle. That way, if only one glass is sold in three days, the business at least breaks even. So if a restaurant pays $8 for a bottle of wine and will get five glasses out of it, charging $8 per glass means a $32 profit for each bottle, and $6.40 per glass, but only if customers drink every drop. That is an 80 percent margin at a 400 percent markup.

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F OOD Liquor tends to run a more flexible line. Nicer liquors, like that $32 bottle of Bulleit bourbon, are sold for $10 per pour with a profit of $7.44 per pour. That is a 74 percent margin with a 290 percent markup.

But beer gets trickier because it’s sold in varied packaging — multiple keg sizes, bottles and cans. In their taprooms, most big brewhouses serve from full-sized 15.5-gallon kegs, known as “half-barrels.” But most Asheville restaurants don’t have the space for kegs that size, so they rely on the smaller 5.2-gallon kegs, or “sixth-barrels.” Those can cost a restaurant anywhere from $65 to $90.

A sixth-barrel keg of Green Man IPA, which would contain about 41 pints, costs a restaurant $69.50, or $1.70 per pint, assuming there is no loss or foam. Most Asheville restaurants fix their pint prices at $5, which means $3.30 per pint profit, at a 66 percent margin and a 194 percent markup. That’s just $135 profit per keg, compared with $93 profit for that single bottle of bourbon or $384 profit for a case of wine.

“People get mad if they have to pay $6 for a pint,” says Zoe Dadian, who has managed Cucina 24, Tod’s Tasties and, most recently, the nowshuttered Local Provisions. “We get all this flack about, ‘Why don’t you pay your workers a living wage?’

We’re trying; we’d really like to.

But there are more breweries every single day.”

Asheville restaurants generally try to stick to the national average of a 15-30 percent margin, but many of the businesses Xpress spoke with ride closer to the lower end of that scale. “I don’t know anyone that is running a 30 percent food margin,” observes Sovereign Remedies owner Charlie Hodge.

That means a $15 dish at an average downtown eatery can yield a profit as low as $2.25. If a customer orders an $8 glass of wine with the meal, it brings the total profit for that diner up to $8.65. But if instead she chooses a $5 beer, the restaurant would come away with closer to $5.55. That difference of $3.10 in profit can really add up over the course of a dinner service, let alone over the course of a year.

PAYING FOR A PINT “We are charging $6 for a pint, which is more than most, and even with that, our margin by comparison to wine or a cocktail is so much smaller,” says Rhubarb’s bar manager, Spencer Schultz. Rhubarb tends to sell mostly wine and cocktails, with beer accounting for about 20 percent of its alcohol sales — which is a good thing, says Schultz.

“We couldn’t make the percentages we need to make just on beer,” he points out. He has started urging guests to try bottled sour beers and goses, which he says both tend to pair better with Rhubarb’s food and give the bar a friendlier margin.

“I think the big problem is that Asheville [restaurants have] a fixed beer price, which is $5-$6 a pint more or less, and everyone is breaking their cost control metrics to keep that price point,” says Beach, noting that much of that price suppression comes from brewery tasting rooms that keep pint prices on staples like pale ales and lagers at around the $3-4 mark. In cities like New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and even Charleston, S.C., and Charlotte, beer draft prices for craft beer can reach as high as $8-$10.

“Catawba is one of a slew of tasting rooms that have raised their prices in recent years,” says Catawba Brewing Co. retail operations and marketing specialist Brian Ivey. “As far as comparing our prices to restaurants and bars, we internally

charge our tasting rooms for beer as if they are a bar. So they ‘pay’ the same price for a keg as a local establishment that buys through distribution. This ensures that we understand what it costs to run a tasting room.”

“The problem is that in a lot of those bigger cities that are charging more for beer, you have a higher median income, so they are willing to pay for an $8 beer and still come out just as often,” says Emilios Papanastasiou, who runs Post 70, Post 25 and the East Village Grille.

“But in Asheville you have a lot people still under that living wage ceiling that can barely afford covering rent, so they aren’t going to want to go spend that much for a draft beer.”

East Village Grille has $5 pints with a rotating $4 special and runs weekly beer specials of $4 drafts. “It’s just a sales driver,” says Papanastasiou.

“We take the hit on the alcohol to try to fill the restaurant up on a Monday night.” But that means leaning heavily on already thin food margins.

It may be that Betteridge’s law of headlines applies here: When the headline of an article asks a question, the answer is always no.

Perhaps it’s hyperbole to ask if Beer City could kill Foodtopia — maybe it would be more of a squeeze.

But without some creative adaptation, the steady rise of beer drinkers could throw a wrench into the way restaurants survive, driving up either the cost of food or the cost of booze. X

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SMALL BITES

FOOD

by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com

Dining out on New Year’s Eve What will you choose for your last meal? Of 2017, that is. From small plates to seven-course meals, Asheville restaurants and bars are ringing in the new year on Sunday, Dec. 31, with a smorgasbord of dining possibilities.

THE AC HOTEL ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN The AC Hotel Asheville Downtown will host the Rock & Rye New Year’s Eve Bash at its Capella on 9 rooftop cocktail bar and restaurant. Tickets, which are $40 in advance, $50 at the door, include a welcome cocktail, tapas, a Champagne toast at midnight and entertainment by Asheville’s Anne Coombs and DJ Phantom Pantone.

Guests are encouraged to dress in garb from their favorite time period.

Beverages will range from Prohibitionera cocktails to Capella on 9’s modern concoctions.

The AC Hotel Asheville Downtown is at 10 Broadway. Rock & Rye New Year’s Eve Bash runs 9 p.m.-1 a.m. For tickets, visit avl.mx/4fc.

AMBROZIA BAR & BISTRO Ambrozia will offer a five-course New Year’s Eve dinner featuring baked oysters, 12-grape salad, lobster bisque, seabass and raspberry white chocolate trifle. Cost is $65 per person.

Ambrozia Bar & Bistro’s New Year’s Eve dinner offers seatings at 6 and 8 p.m., 1020 Merrimon Ave. For reservations, call 828-350-3033. For details, visit avl.mx/4g0.

To celebrate New Year’s Eve, THE BLOCK Off Biltmore offers a menu of vegan Caribbean food from Wadadli Dessert Oasis along with live music

by ReggaeInfinity.

THE BLOCK Off Biltmore is at 39 S. Market St. The event runs 8 p.m.- 2 a.m.

For details, visit avl.mx/4fz.

JARGON Jargon will serve a seven-course New Year’s Eve meal featuring dishes such as a charcuterie board for two, New Orleans turtle soup, wild striped sea bass and triple ginger cake.

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

ROUX Roux will get an early start on New Year’s Eve festivities with a New Orleans-style brunch. Menu highlights include seafood and shrimp creole, bananas Foster French toast, shrimp and smoked gouda grits and Southern fried chicken and waffles. The event is $23.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 12 and younger.

New Year’s Eve Jazz Brunch runs 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Roux, 43 Town Square Blvd. For reservations, call 828-2092715. For details, visit avl.mx/4fy.

MIDNIGHT IN MOROCCO AT METRO WINES Metro Wines will partner with Rose’s Garden Shop to create its own version of a Moroccan bazaar and Rick’s Café from the film Casablanca. Tickets are $25.

The event will include fireworks from Marrakech. There will also be sparkling and French red wines, Morocco-inspired foods, cheese and live music.

Midnight in Morocco runs 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Rose’s Garden Shop, 211 Charlotte St. For details, visit avl.mx/4fr.

SOVEREIGN REMEDIES

NIGHTBELL Nightbell will offer a five-course prix fixe menu created by chef Katie Button.

Tickets are $75 per person and come with a welcome cocktail. Menu highlights include seared scallops, sweet potato gnocchi with roasted mushrooms, and braised short ribs. An optional beverage pairing is available for an additional $35 per person. The restaurant will also offer a limited bar menu for walk-ins.

Nightbell is at 32 S. Lexington Ave. The event is open to ages 21 and older. Food will be served until 11 p.m., drinks will be served until midnight. For details, visit avl. mx/4f8.

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Tickets are $75 per person and come with Champagne. Suggested wine pairings, beer and liquor are available at an additional cost.

Jargon is at 715 Haywood Road. Dinner seatings will be 6-9 p.m. and 9 p.m.-midnight. For details, visit avl.mx/4fx.

Pack’s Tavern’s New Year’s Eve countdown celebration, to be held inside its Century Room, will feature food stations serving shrimp cocktail, beef tenderloin, lobster macaroni and cheese, roasted vegetables and desserts. Tickets are $60 per person and include a free glass of Champagne. The evening will also feature performances by A Social Function and DJ Moto.

Pack’s Tavern is at 20 S. Spruce St. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. For nondining guests, there is a $10 entry fee for live performances, with doors opening at 8 p.m.

For details, contact Pack’s Tavern at 828225-6944 or packstavernasheville@gmail. com.

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caramelle, barbecued duck, black bass and banana Boston cream pie. Tickets are $75 per person.

Postero is at 401 N. Main St., Hendersonville. The event runs 5-9:30 p.m. For more information, visit avl. mx/4eu.

FAREWELL 2017: Asheville restaurants will welcome 2018 with parties and special New Year’s Eve dinner menus. Capella on 9, the rooftop bar at the AC Hotel Asheville Downtown, will host a bash featuring tapas and Prohibition-era cocktails. Pictured is Capella on 9 bartender Brittany Blankenship. Photo courtesy of Mandara Hospitality Group POSANA Posana will offer a four-course New Year’s Eve dinner featuring some oneoff creations from executive chef Peter Pollay. Choices range from crab tortellini with smoked artichoke purée, charred lemon-vermouth butter and herb salad to magret duck breast with root vegetable pavé, pickled garden turnips and Luxardo cherry jus to opera cake with espresso gelée, honeycomb candy, hazlenut macaroon and raspberry. The dinner is $75 per person, excluding tax and tip.

Wine pairings are available for an additional $35 per person.

Posana is at 1 Biltmore Ave. Seatings begins at 5 p.m. Reservations for parties of up to eight are available by calling 828-5053969.

POSTERO Postero will host a five-course prix fixe menu featuring dishes such as carawaypickled Kumamoto oysters, sweet potato

Chef Graham House will prepare a seven-course New Year’s Eve meal for guests in Sovereign Remedies’ North Room. Highlights include oysters, roasted vegetable consommé, foie gras, beef and bone, and macaroons. Cost is $200 for parties of two, $400 for parties of four. Wine pairings are available for an additional $25 per guest. After dinner, Sovereign Remedies will offer light bites and live music with a midnight sparkling wine toast.

Sovereign Rememdies is at 29 N. Market St. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. Live music begins at 10 p.m. A $10 entry fee is required for nondiners. For details, visit sovereignremedies.com.

THIRSTY MONK Thirsty Monk South will host its fifth annual New Year’s Eve Keg Drop. The event’s Facebook page says the two-story golden keg “will be lit up and glowing on New Year’s Eve, descending at midnight as we tap a keg of Must Love Coconut IPA and toast to the New Year.”

The New Year’s Eve Keg Drop runs 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m. at Thirsty Monk South at Biltmore Park, 2 Town Square Blvd.

Admission is free. For details, visit avl. mx/4fo. X

A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

’ROUND MIDNIGHT

Where to be when the clock strikes 2018

ting ceremony for the new year and a peace prayer. Then, sing in 2018 with kirtan — devotional chanting — led

by Sangita Devi. The evening, held at Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St., includes ecstatic dance, a tearoom

by Dobra Infusion, cacao and chocolate by Silvermoon, and a co-creative altar and art space. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. $30 advance/$35-$50 sliding scale at the door. brownpapertickets.com/event/3183697 • Be wild: Anyone who’s ever attended a Langhorne Slim show knows the Nashville-based troubadour leaves it all on the stage. Slim’s new album, Lost at last (Vol. 1), is more produced than previous efforts but still places its folky heart on its sleeve. The musicians, with guests Mt. Davidson (Twain), Paul Defiglia (The War Eagles and The Avett Brothers), Casey Jane (The Lostines) and others take the stage at The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., at 9 p.m. $25 advance/$30 day of show. theorangepeel.net

• Be charitable: Rock, soul and funk collective The Travers Brothership, fronted by twin brothers Eric and Kyle Travers, is a fixture at Pisgah Brewing Co., 150 Eastside Drive, Black Mountain. The band plays a regular Sunday jam, so it makes sense that it would take the stage on Sunday, Jan. 31. But that particular show offers something more: It raises funds for Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, features opening act Urban Soil, and Travers Brothership’s Space Captain Porter — a beer made for the local band by Wise Man Brewing Co. in WinstonSalem — will be on tap for the show.

9:30 p.m., $15. pisgahbrewing.com • Be fabulous: “Asheville’s filthiest drag show is back at The Odditorium,” 1045 Haywood Road, says a Facebook invite. Make of that what you will; the show is accompanied by complimentary Champagne.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 44 ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS: While producer/DJ GRiZ performs at U.S. Cellular Center, the Asheville Symphony plays its last concert under the baton of Daniel Meyer next door in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. That New Year’s Eve program includes Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” the first piece Meyer conducted as music director in Asheville. Photo

by Michael Morel

BY ALLI MARSHALL amarshall@mountainx.com “Begin as you mean to go on,” said 19th-century preacher Charles H. Spurgeon. The essence of the quote has evolved from its Baptist origins to something akin to “dress for success,” “fake it till you make it,” and “put your best foot forward.” But it’s not bad advice when choosing where to usher in 2018. With that in mind, here are some suggested philosophical states in which to dwell (with appropriately corresponding entertainment) when the clock strikes midnight.

Events take place on Sunday, Jan. 31. Find more New Year’s Eve happenings in Calendar, Clubland and at mountainx.com.

• Be philharmonic: Asheville Symphony Orchestra brings back its New Year’s Eve Celebration. This year’s concert, at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, 87 Haywood St., is the final performance with the local symphony for conductor Daniel Meyer.

The program includes “Bacchanale” from Samson et Dalila, Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with violinist Isabelle Durrenberger, and “Carmina Burana” performed with three solo vocalists and the full Asheville Symphony Chorus.

7:30 p.m. $24-$74 adults/$11-$55 youths. ashevillesymphony.org • Be a party person: Producer and DJ Grant Kwiecinski, aka GRiZ, performs a two-night run in Asheville. Following on the heels of his GRiZMAS shows, the New Year’s celebration promises to be “ripe with surprises for his dedicated family of funk-loving party people.” A live band set (with guests DJ Craze and The Nth Power) on Saturday, Dec. 30, will be followed by “an unforgettable take on [GRiZ’s] infamous DJ set for night two,” appearances by Ekali and Brasstacks, on Sunday, Dec. 31. Both concerts will be held at U.S. Cellular Center, 87 Haywood St. 7 p.m. $45 per night. ticketmaster.com • Be intentional: Start with a meditational sound-healing bath, add a reflection of the past year, an intention-setMOUNTAINX.COM

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A&E

THREE’S COMPANY: The Digs, pictured, round out a triad of New Year’s Eve music offerings, including Jon Stickley Trio and Josh Phillips & Friends, at Isis Music Hall. Photo by Kristen Marie Greene Sideshow, 9-10:30 p.m., drag show at 11 p.m. $15 for ages 18 and older. ashevilleodditorium.com • Be renewed: Urban Dharma, 77 Walnut St., holds a Candlelight Vigil of Release & Renewal, 8:30-10 p.m.

“Participants are invited to write on small strips of paper any unresolved issues … resentments, grudges, unhappiness that they want to release and purify. These strips will then be offered into a large singing bowl (which will be sounded 108 times to accompany the

108 singing of the Vajrasattva mantra),” explains an invitation. Open to all. Plan to arrive early. Donations accepted. udharmanc.com • Be cross-genre: Perhaps Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Road, billed its final show of the year as, simply, NYE 2017 because the threesome of bands involved cover too many musical styles to name. Jon Stickley Trio, The Digs and Josh Phillips & Friends together traffic in bluegrass, Americana, folk, funk, soul, jazz and R&B. The quotable

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TAVERN

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$10 cover starting at 8:00pm A Social Function in the Century Room and DJ MoTo in the South Bar Drink Specials, $18 Bottles of Bubbly, Three bars!

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

Phillips says his band in particular is “here to knock your socks off, so you can put on new socks in 2018. Hope you washed your feet.” 9 p.m., $20 isisasheville.com • Be funky: Child prodigy-turnedlegendary guitarist Eric Gales headlines the festivities at The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. Opening for the Memphis-born blues-rocker is Marvelous Funkshun, a funk, Southern rock, blues, sacred steel, hip-hop and R&B-inspired collective from WinstonSalem. 9 pm, $20 advance/$25 day of show. thegreyeagle.com • Be part of the send-off: Ben’s Tune Up, 195 Hilliard Ave., will close in January for renovations, so New Year’s Eve serves as a send-off to 2017 and the venue (just temporarily). The original members of Dub Kartel perform at 6 p.m., followed, at 10 p.m., by DJ Oso Rey. Free. benstuneup.com • Be crafty: “It’s Nerdy Stitch Night,” claims Purl’s Yarn Emporium, 10 Wall St. The local business hosts a viewing of the “Doctor Who Christmas Special,” along with food and fellowship. “Bring a project to work with, if you want,” says the invite. 6-8 p.m. purlsyarnemporium.com • Be dancey: Known for his regular “Lose Yourself to Dance” shows, local musician and DJ Marley Carroll ups the ante for an NYE Dance Party at One Stop, 55 College St., 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

By donation. avl.mx/4e5

Includes pre-celebration & buffet, hats & toppers, Countdown to 2018 ticket (does NOT include additional beverages, tax & gratuity)

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WHO KNEW?: View the Christmas special of the BBC sci-fi series “Dr. Who” while working on a knitting project at Purl’s Yarn Emporium. Image courtesy of BBC America

MOUNTAINX.COM

• Be starstruck: B.J. Leiderman, known for his NPR theme music, and his band are currently on sabbatical, but “his alter-ego, BJ the DJ, will be spinning danceable favorites from the sound booth,” says a press release for the White Horse New Year Bash at White Horse Black Mountain, 105-C Montreat Road, Black Mountain.

Marcel Anton and his all-star band will

headline. 9 p.m., $23 advance/$25 at the door. whitehorseblackmountain.com • Be soulful: The big surprise about Lenoir-based blues trio J.J. Hips and the Hideaway is the rusty, world-weary, powerhouse vocal coming from singer-drummer Andrew Fultz. It’s worth a stop at Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria, 42 Biltmore Ave., to catch the band’s free show. 7:30 p.m. barleystaproom.com • Be supersonic: Drawing inspiration from the progressive rock of The Mars Volta and Minus The Bear, Ashevillebased quintet Galena puts a creative spin on those layered sounds with the rich vocals of Melissa Pasciolla. The collective plays in the new year at The Sly Grog Lounge, 271 Haywood St. 10 p.m., free. slygrog.wordpress.com • Be thematic: Three floors, three DJs, three balloon drops could be the tagline for the 36th consecutive New Year’s Eve celebration at The Grove House entertainment complex, 11 Grove St. (which includes Club Eleven On Grove, Scandals Nightclub and the Boiler Room). Festivities include eight holiday-themed areas: “Pirates that Stole Christmas,” “Forest of Silver & Gold,” “Old School Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Santa Saloon,” “Holiday Hall,” “Candy Land” and “Ice Palace.” 8 p.m.-3 a.m. $35 ages 18-20/$30 ages 21 and older. Purchase in advance to save $5. thegrovehouse.com • Be brassy: Global-fusion collective Empire Strikes Brass headlines the NYE Masquerade at New Mountain, 38 French Broad Ave. The party, which includes Supatight and DJ Bowie, will take over all three of the venue’s stages.

9 p.m. $20 advance/$25 day of show. newmountainavl.com X

by Lauren Stepp

lstepp98@gmail.com

NEW YEAR, NEW LISTENING ROOM

12/20: T RIVIA 7-9 PM

Get out of the house y’all!

B RING THE W HOLE F AMILY TO THE T APROOM T HIS W EEK !

H APPY N EW Y EAR !

C LOSING @ 6 PM ON 12/31

Ellington Underground kicks off 2018 from the S&W Cafeteria building

WIDE ANGLE: It’s hard to fit a seven-piece band into a photo, but having more players means more sound for local collective Window Cat. The future-soul outfit shares a bill with Asheville-based rockers The Broadcast at Ellington Underground on New Year’s Eve. Photo by Sarah Kaitlyn Ellington Underground might have just opened in October, but the art deco venue is already proving itself on Asheville’s music scene. On Sunday, Dec. 31, the venue will ring in 2018 with performances from soulful blues group The Broadcast and jazz-funk opener Window Cat. “We could’ve done a bigger, heavier rock band for New Year’s, but we wanted to stay true to our locals,” says accounts buyer Chris Tyrrell.

Authenticity runs deep at Ellington Underground, and not just in the bands it books. The Patton Avenue club is stationed in the basement of S&W Cafeteria, a pre-Depression-era building, designed by architect Douglas Ellington, whose name is also associated with Asheville High School, City Hall and First Baptist Church. Though S&W changed hands over the decades, it came back to the family a little over a year ago when Douglas’ great-nephew Andrew Ellington secured the lower floor.

“He’s a really young dude — a touring musician who has spent time on the road,” Tyrrell says of Andrew. “He saw this as an opportunity to host musicians who come through the area.”

Only in his mid-20s, Andrew has assembled an impressive setup, transforming a concrete box once used for parking into a cutting-edge listening room. Preserving the original art deco style, Ellington Underground balances old and new with lattice wallpaper, black-and-white tile floors, Edison bulbs and exposed beams. There are also old elevator shafts in the building that, during the tail end of Prohibition, allowed liquor to be transported directly from Commerce Street. “The history will give you goose bumps,” promises Tyrrell.

Today, a full-service bar pours out local brews and house cocktails. The signature, The Ellington Underground on Fire, blends rye whiskey, maple syrup, apple cider reduction, ghost pepper tincture and bitters. It’s garnished with an apple twist. Guests can sip their drink in the lounge area — outfitted with modish sectional sofas — or hit the floor.

“It’s like Gatsby meets A Night at the Roxbury in there,” says Tyrrell. “We’re not messing around.”

Heading into 2018, the venue’s staff plans to host big-name bands on Fridays and Saturdays, reserving Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for local

acts. Since opening, the club has hosted the likes of Southern funk rockers Porch 40 and high-energy blues ensemble Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats.

And the New Year’s Eve bash sets the tone for shows to come. “The Broadcast has done New Year’s gigs at The Grey Eagle for the past three or four years, but they really wanted to do their own thing. I gave them a tour and a history lesson, and it was a done deal,” says Tyrrell. “Our opener was one of those awesome local bands I kept getting texts and emails about. It all just fell into place.” X

WHAT The Broadcast and Window Cat WHERE Ellington Underground 56 Patton Ave. ellingtonunderground.com WHEN Sunday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m. $20

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A&E

by Alli Marshall

amarshall@mountainx.com

FIGHT FOR THE WRITE

Asheville’s nonwhite literary scene, past and present, Part 2

PRAISEWORTHY: Programming around author Ann Miller Woodford’s book When All God’s Children Get Together included a traveling exhibit and gospel music program, such as this one in February at the Liberty Baptist Church in Sylva, co-sponsored by the Waynesville Missionary Baptist Association. Photo by Chris Aluka Berry In Part 1 of this series, we looked at a history of discrimination and policies, such as urban renewal, that marginalized the voices of nonwhite writers in Asheville and throughout Appalachia.

Educational institutions — or lack thereof — impacted that suppression of diverse literature, including the Asheville area’s lack of a historically black college or university. And, while efforts are now being made to address diversity in education, there are still shortfalls.

Asheville High School was integrated in 1969 — nearly 50 years ago — but local author, poet and playwright Monica McDaniel says she only remembers having four black teachers when she was a student, and her teenage daughter has only had one.

At the same time, local author Meta Commerse, who recently published The Mending Time, taught for four years at an area community college but found the experience to be difficult. “I was the only woman of color,” she remembers. “It was very isolating, very challenging.”

She continues, “I had some great times overall with my students, but I definitely had, most of the time in my classes, students who pushed back. I taught true history … and they weren’t used to that.”

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LESSON PLANS Commerse had been hired by a well-intentioned department head to teach “in an indigenous voice,” she says, “but I don’t think either of us realized what the cost of that would be.” She had support from a few colleagues “as long as no one else was looking,” she says with a laugh.

Eventually, her health began to suffer as the stress took its toll, and Commerse resigned. She had accepted the job unaware of the all-white environment. Commerse had relocated to Asheville from Chicago, having completed her Master of Fine Arts in writing and was eager to teach but felt locked out of the university system.

“The best I could get was [teaching a workshop] at the Great Smokies Writing Program,” she remembers.

Commerse, who did teach at Great Smokies this year, offers her own workshops through Story Medicine Asheville, “a program including study, indigenous modalities and writing to heal soul wounds,” according to the website.

“We started out so tiny, but with so much hope, and that little program grew,” Commerse says of the initiative she founded. “Right now, the class that’s getting the most attention is ‘Story Medicine for Racial Healing.’”

Perhaps surprising, the attendees are mostly white — “White people who are serious about transformation and are on a path to be whole human beings,” Commerse says. “When I talk to them about my work, they embrace it.” Growing interest and word-ofmouth sharing have meant Commerse has not needed to advertise.

Commerse was raised in the black art movement; her mother was an activist, teacher and writer. “I grew up in a time of unrest and a time of great change,” she says, “but also knowing there are possibilities.” But within that movement, the voices of black men were given prominence while the work of black women still remained in the background, Commerse says.

The author describes a wealth pyramid, as put forward by Howard Zinn, where African-Americans are at the bottom, “and even below them are black women,” Commerse explains. “We know she’s down there, but really she’s holding the rest of [us] up. … And if she really starts talking about her truth, the rest will be embarrassed.”

That leads to her theory about why those voices have not received adequate representation: “If we don’t want to feel [ashamed], we may have to say, ‘Well, one at a time can come, but even then, we may have to have an agreement about how honest you can

be. And you certainly can’t be angry.

If you’re angry, we do not want you in here.’”

It’s a painful double standard on which Commerse shines light through her work and writing — though there are still obstacles.

“I work hard to produce a quality work,” she says. “I know that when I’ve been shut out, it’s less personal than it is systematic.”

of the narrative that was part of my collective narrative.”

THE LUXURY OF BEING AN ARTIST Redmond arrived in Asheville in the ’90s. The slam poetry world “was a place I could fit in, though I consider myself more connected to the West African singing tradition,” she says.

“But no one understood that.”

STORIED PAST Artist and author Ann Woodford, who grew up in Andrews, recalls attending a one-room school for black children that only went to eighth grade. “If you wanted more than that, you had to leave town,” she says. It was part of an unspoken system aimed at keeping area African-Americans in positions as farmhands and domestic help.

But Woodford’s family arranged for her and her sisters to go to Allen High School, a Methodist girls boarding school in Asheville, and from there she went on to college in Ohio. After graduating, Woodford tried to find teaching work in North Carolina. “But nobody would hire me, saying I was overqualified,” she says. “A lot of blacks have gone through that kind of racial problem … if [they] had any education at all.” She served, briefly, as the first African-American teacher in the Cherokee County school system but was only hired as a “special projects” teacher rather than as full-time faculty.

Needing to make more money, Woodford pursued various career paths in California — including marketing her Charlie and Annie Ragg dolls and African Heritage Playing Cards — before returning to Western North Carolina to care for her elderly parents. “My father was a great oral historian,” she says. “He talked about all the people around Cherokee County. … He’d tell me these stories, and I thought, ‘Why isn’t somebody writing all this down?’ So I decided to start writing.”

That seed of an idea led to Woodford’s book When All God’s Children Get Together: A Celebration of the Lives and Music of AfricanAmerican People in Far Western North Carolina. It took her five years to research and two to lay out, and was produced in part through a grant from the Blue Ridge Heritage Area.

“I wanted people to understand we were zeroing in on a region, but it’s the story of many people across the nation,” she says. “Because [his-

As a black poet — even in that era of the Green Door, the champion Asheville slam team and general poetic prominence — Redmond didn’t find an obvious niche. “I had to create space that was not those traditional spaces that kept me from my full voice,” she remembers. “That was my choice.”

Redmond was a first-generation college student in her family, and

CONTINUES ON PAGE 48

TO TELL THE TRUTH: Author and Story Medicine program director Meta Commerse was hired for a time, by a well-intentioned department head, to teach “in an indigenous voice,” at a local college. “I don’t think either of us realized what the cost of that would be,” she says. Photo courtesy of Commerse torically] teaching black people to read and write was illegal, it got to the point of doing oral history, mostly. But when the older people passed away, they took all that with them.”

She continues, “I didn’t want these people to be invisible. I wanted people to know some wonderful people existed here. All of this needed to be written down.”

The late educator and author Victoria Casey-McDonald, who grew up in Cullowhee, was similarly motivated to capture the stories of the rural black communities. She penned The African Americans of Jackson County, Just Over the Hill and Under the Light of Darkness.

As Casey-McDonald and Woodford were inspired by ancestral voices, so too was Glenis Redmond when she first arrived in Asheville. “There was freedom: Do what you want, write what you want,” she says. “But, at the same time, I felt that Asheville was somewhat disconnected from not just the [African-American] literary community, but the [African-American] community as a whole.”

She continues, “That made me look at my roots. I lived in Kenilworth [and] there was a slave cemetery. …

Even though those were not my direct ancestors, they definitely were part MOUNTAINX.COM

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A&E the idea of pursuing a career in the arts “was seen as irresponsible,” she says. While she knew that for herself to feel viable in the world she needed to write, “there’s a luxury to being an artist and a writer,” she says.

But that doesn’t mean the literary path is an easy one, making a supportive community imperative.

Redmond recalls Patricia Johnson, “the other black woman in the poetry scene,” who would make the trip from Virginia to Green Door slams in the

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1990s. She points out, however, that the rest of the region boasts a number of prominent and celebrated AfricanAmerican writers: Nikki Giovani from Knoxville, Tenn., the late Maya Angelou from Winston-Salem, Jaki Shelton Green from Mebane, Randall Kenan from Chapel Hill, Nathaniel Mackey from Durham and many others.

Still, the names of fellow nonwhite artists were not enough to buffer Redmond. She once did a three-week

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HIGHER LEARNING: In the era of segregation, some public schools for African-American children only went to eighth grade. Asheville’s Allen High School, a private boarding school founded in 1887 and accredited in 1924, served “girls of all races who desire an academic curriculum in the liberal arts,” according to a 1968 brochure that included this photo. It was one option for nonwhite students who wished to further their education. Photo courtesy of North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville tour of WNC and learned that the region as a whole was 99.8 percent white. She received hate mail for some of her writings. “I have a lot of mixed feelings about the mountains,” she admits. “In some places, I feel so at home as a creative spirit, but left out in a way.”

In Asheville, she says, “I felt like my volume was turned up, [but] it was turned up because I was like, ‘Does anybody hear me?’ I was loud and lonely and hurting. … I can’t imagine what it was like for those who came before me.”

LOOKING FORWARD Darin Waters, a professor of history at UNC Asheville, had been talking about the subject of black authors with Tamiko Ambrose Murray for “The Waters and Harvey Show,” (a broadcast and podcast Waters hosts with fellow UNCA professor Marcus Harvey). Ambrose Murray, who is a co-director of Asheville Writers in the Schools and Community, was a guest on Waters’ show. “My question for Tamiko was, even with the students she’s working with now, does she see the potential for a prominent writer of color — someone who will stand on par with a Thomas Wolfe as a native son?” says Waters.

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There is hope for that: Young poets such as Devin Jones and Shenita Jackson have honed their skills in programs like Homeword and through mentorships with spoken-word artists such as Dewayne Barton — who founded Hood Huggers International and the Burton Street Peace Garden, among other community initiatives — and Redmond.

Other young writers are finding their voices though Word on the Street/La Voz de los Jovenes, a bilingual online arts and culture magazine and part if AWITSC’s programming, with which Ambrose Murray is also involved. The future is bright — but these burgeoning voices still need the support of the entire Asheville community.

Happily, the possibility today is a real one. But to pursue writing as a career 50 or 100 years ago was a different story. “Anybody can write, but to choose it as a profession? That’s a hard economic choice,” Redmond muses. “I think people were making those choices, no matter what, but it was a harder choice in the mountains.”

She adds, speaking to past, present and future writers, “You have to be tenacious.”

The third part in the series will be published in January. X

A&E CA LEN DA R

by Abigail Griffin

FUNNY BUSINESS: Ari Shaffir, stand-up comedian, podcaster and co-creator of Comedy Central’s “This Is Not Happening,” is set to perform two shows at The Grey Eagle on Friday, Jan. 5, at 7 and 9 p.m. Shaffir describes his comedy as a puppet show — but way filthier and without the puppets. LA Weekly has called Shaffir “a gifted unyielding comic… a real force to be reckoned with.” Tickets to the show are $18 in advance and $21 at the door. For more information or tickets, visit ashevillefunnybusiness.com. Photo of Shaffir courtesy of Funny Business Agency ART/CRAFT STROLLS & FAIRS ❄ TRYON ARTS AND CRAFTS SCHOOL 373 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, 828-859-8323 • Through SU (12/31) Holiday gift show featuring local artisans. Ornament purchases benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. Free to attend.

AUDITIONS & CALL TO ARTISTS ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL 828-258-0710, ashevillearts. com

• Through FR (1/26) Exhibition proposals accepted from Buncombe County artists. See website for full guidelines.

CALDWELL ARTS COUNCIL 601 College Ave SW, Lenoir, 828-754-2486 • Through WE (1/31) Portfolios accepted for 2019 exhibition opportunities.

Information: caldwellarts. com/157-guidelines/.

MUSIC ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 828-254-7046, ashevillesymphony.org

• SU (12/31), 7:30pm - "New Year’s Eve: Orff’s Carmina Burana," concert featuring Carmina Burana by Carl Orff and the Asheville Symphony Chorus. $24 and up. Held at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, 87 Haywood St. HENDERSON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY 905 S. Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, 828-6926424, myhcdp.com • 2nd & 4th WEDNESDAYS, 7pm - "Strings and Things," folk pop music jam. Free.

HENDERSONVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville, 828-692-1082, hendersonvillelittletheater.org

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SMART BETS

A&E

by Edwin Arnaudin | Send your arts news to ae@mountainx.com

Jamie Laval’s Celtic Christmas

Kurtis Blow

Like Linus Van Pelt, Jamie Laval shies from the commercialistic side of the holiday season. To counteract the bad vibes, the Tryon-based fiddler developed his own winter solstice-oriented program of music, dance, poetry and stories. When not in motion, Irish step dance champion Claire Shirey plays Irish fiddle and concertina while soprano Megan McConnell fills in various accompanying parts on guitar and glockenspiel. Multiinstrumentalist and spoken-word artist Rosalind Buda also performs, while Laval plans to take a more active role than usual with his fiddle, working in multiple new arrangements of old Scottish and Irish carols. New this year is Charlotte-based Celtic harpist Christine Vanarsdale, whose deftness with folk music from Brittany (aka Celtic France) fits right in with the ensemble. The show takes place at Asheville Community Theatre on Friday, Dec. 29, at 7:30 p.m. $24-30. ashevilletheatre.org. Photo courtesy of Laval

Hip-hop pioneer Kurtis Blow may not have recorded an album since Father, Son, and Holy Ghost — his 2009 collaboration with his group The Trinity — but he’s been anything but idle in the interim. Boasting a library of over 200 rap songs without profanity (including “The Breaks” and “Basketball”), the licensed preacher started his own ministry called the Hip Hop Church and has been instrumental in the development of the Universal Hip Hop Museum, which plans to open in the Bronx in 2022. For the past four holiday seasons, he’s also rapped the introduction to The Hip-Hop Nutcracker, which mixes break dancing with ballet and urban beats with Tchaikovsky’s original classical score. Already in Charlotte for the show’s Dec. 27-30 run at the Knight Theater, Blow heads to The Grey Eagle to perform Friday, Dec. 29, at 9 p.m. $20/$40 VIP meet-andgreet. thegreyeagle.com. Photo courtesy of the artist

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CERTIFICATIONS & SERVICES OFFERED • Cell Tower Training $1500 + FAA 107 $1850 • Power Line Management training $1500 + FAA 107 $1850 • Real Estate Photography Training $750; group discounts available 50

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• Training for Hobbyists $400 • Job placement assistance available for our students on a first-come, first-served basis • Offering Search & Rescue Flights for pets - $500/half day or 4 hours of flight time

Christmas," music, dance,

• SU (12/31), 4:30pm & 7:30pm - "It's 12 O'Clock Somewhere," 50s to 80s musical revue featuring Valerie Sneade, Edward Loder and the Brad Curtioff Quartet. $35/$25 for ages 25 and under.

musicians and all kinds of performance artists. Sign ups at 6:30pm. Free to attend.

SLY GROG LOUNGE 271 Haywood St, 828-5523155, slygrog.wordpress. com/ • SUNDAYS, 7pm - Openmic for storytellers, poets,

❄ ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE

poetry and stories that hearken back to ancient Celtic celebrations. $24-$30. ❄ NC STAGE COMPANY 15 Stage Lane, 828-239-

THEATER

35 E. Walnut St., 828-2541320, ashevilletheatre.org • FR (12/29), 7:30pm - "Jamie Laval’s Celtic

0263 • WEDNESDAYS through SUNDAYS until (12/30) - All Is Calm - The Christmas Truce of 1914. Wed.-Sat.: 7:30pm. Sun.: 2pm. $16-$34.

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GALLERY DIRECTORY

MOMENTUM GALLERY: Bring in the new year with art, music and momentum.

Momentum Gallery is hosting a live music New Year’s Eve reception for its two newest exhibitions — Andy Farkas’ wood engravings, prints and moku hanga (Japanese watercolor woodcut) as well as a curated group show, Small Works, Big Impact, which showcases paintings, prints and sculptural works by 12 artists. The free, family-friendly event takes place on Sunday, Dec. 31, 5-8 p.m., and includes live music by Byrdie & The Mutts and light refreshments. For more information, visit momentumgallery.com. New Century Portrait by Lawrence Tarpey courtesy of Momentum Gallery ART GALLERY EXHIBITIONS 310 ART 191 Lyman St., #310, 828-7762716, 310art.com • Through SU (12/31) Storytelling: Thought to Image, group exhibition. Reception: Saturday, Oct. 7, 3:30-6pm.

ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL 828-258-0710, ashevillearts.com • Through FR (1/5) - Emerging Ceramicists in Western North Carolina, exhibition. Held at The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave. ASHEVILLE MUSEUM 35 Wall St., 828-785-5722 • Through SU (2/11) - The Embody Project, photography exhibit featuring work by Erica Mueller. Reception: Thursday, Dec. 7, 5-8pm.

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BURRELL CENTER GALLERY 463 Webster Road, Sylva • Through SU (12/31) - Season of Light, exhibtion of works by Teri Leigh Teed.

• Through SU (12/31) December exhibition featuring the ceramic art of Anna Koloseike and Holly De Saillan.

FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 2160 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, 828-273-3332, floodgallery.org/ • Through SU (12/31) Appalachian Photography, exhibition of photographs by William A. Barnhill.

PUSH SKATE SHOP & GALLERY

MORA CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY 9 Walnut St., 828-575-2294, moracollection.com • Through SU (12/31) - Exhibition of jewelry by Molly Dingledine.

ODYSSEY COOPERATIVE ART GALLERY 238 Clingman Ave., 828-2859700, facebook.com/odysseycoopgallery

25 Patton Ave., 828-225-5509, pushtoyproject.com • Through SU (1/7) - The Illustrated Rock Art of N.C., featuring work by Jason Krekel, Lance Wille, Joshua Marc Levy, JT Lucchesi, Matthew Stuart Decker and Drew De Porter.

ZAPOW! 150 Coxe Ave., Suite 101, 828575-2024, zapow.net • Through SU (12/31) - Heroes and Villains, group exhibition.

Contact the galleries for admission hours and fees

CLUBLAND

¡LileyA???’s Arauz Latin ¡Liley Holiday HolidayParty!

Party

Asheville’s AVL’s own American Idol Star!

Benefiting Puerto Rico!

Sat, Dec 30 • 10pm • $10

New Year’s Eve w/ Ras B & ReggaeInfinity!

Dinner & Dancing featuring Wadadli Desert Oasis Dinner $15 @ 8pm Music $10 @10pm

39 S. Market St. theblockoffbiltmore.com A FEW OF MY FAVORITE STRINGS: Since taking up the violin at age 5, Indiana native Sara Caswell has established herself as a force of nature in the world of jazz and chamber music, playing with a diverse set of musicians ranging from Kishi Bashi to Esperanza Spalding and David Krakauer. Whether unleashing a jazz frenzy of melody, or bringing listeners to tears with a soulful solo, Caswell’s music is sure to tug your heartstrings.

Warm up with the Sara Caswell Trio when they swing into West Asheville’s Jargon Restaurant for a 10:30 p.m. show on Saturday, Dec. 30. Photo courtesy of event promoters WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27 185 KING STREET Vinyl Night, 6:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Les Amis (African folk), 8:00PM 550 TAVERN & GRILLE Karaoke, 8:00PM BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Dr. Brown's Team Trivia, 8:30PM BEN'S TUNE UP Jesse Barry & Kelly Jones, 7:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Open mic w/ Mark Bumgarner, 7:00PM CROW & QUILL Black Sea Beat Society (Balkan music), 9:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Western Wednesdays w/ Jessie & The Jinx & DJ Brody Hunt (country), 10:00PM FUNKATORIUM John Hartford Jam w/ Saylor Bros (bluegrass), 6:30PM

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Tyler Childers w/ Blank Range [SOLD OUT], 8:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Woody Wood Wednesdays (rock, soul, funk), 5:30PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Hannah Kaminer & the Heartbreak Highlight Reel, 7:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Open Jam Session, 5:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Cigar Brothers, 6:30PM MG ROAD Salsa Night w/ DJ Mexicano Isaac, 7:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Evil Note Lab, 10:00PM POLANCO RESTAURANT 3 Cool Cats, 8:00PM POST 25 Albi & The Lifters (American swing, French chanson), 7:00PM POUR TAPROOM Music Bingo!, 7:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Get Weird Wednesdays, 8:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Woke Wednesday! w/ youth SLAMMer & open mic (spoken word, poetry, theatre showcase), 7:00PM DJ Phantom Pantone, 10:00PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE The Berlyn Jazz Trio, 9:00PM

ODDITORIUM Risque Wednesday w/ Deb Au Nare (burlesque), 9:00PM

THE PHOENIX & THE FOX Jazz Night w/ Jason DeCristofaro, 7:00PM

OLE SHAKEY'S Sexy Tunes w/ DJs Zeus & Franco, 10:00PM

THE SOUTHERN Disclaimer Comedy Open Mic, 9:00PM

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

53

CLU B LA N D TIMO'S HOUSE Decades w/ Rob Breax (80s & 90s), 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES JJ Kitchen All Star Jam (blues, soul), 9:00PM

Open daily from 4p – 12a

Meet-up Monday- $8 Social House Vodka Martinis Tequila Tuesday- $8 Exotico Margaritas Craft Wednesday- $1 off Local Drafts THURSDAY 28 DEC:

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Jazz Night w/ Roberta Baum & Friends, 7:30PM

COMING SOON wed 12/27

BEN PHAN

7:00PM – 10:00PM

FRIDAY 29 DEC:

7PM–HANNAH KAMINER AND THE HEARTBREAK HIGHLIGHT REEL

3 COOL CATS

7:00PM – 10:00PM

thu 12/28

7PM-GREG RUBY & FRIENDS

SATURDAY 30 DEC:

FREE MASON & THE MADMEN

fri 12/29

8:00PM – 11:00PM

SUNDAY 31 DEC:

7PM-DUNCAN WICKEL sat 12/30

CARPAL TULLAR

7PM–AKIRA SATAKE AND ANYA HINKLE 9PM–DARK WATER RISING

9:00PM – 12:00AM

MONDAY 1 JAN:

RUSS WILSON'S 3RD ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S DAY HANGOVER PARTY

WITH GUEST TONY ELTORA

8:00PM – 11:00PM

sun 12/31

309 COLLEGE ST. | DOWNTOWN | (828) 575-1188

8:30PM-NYE2017: JON STICKLEY TRIO AND THE DIGS WITH JOSH PHILLIPS & FRIENDS

w w w. p i l l a r a v l . c o m

sat 1/6

12/31 sun new year's freak out #12 dance party!

w/ zensofly & djs abu disaaray (total gold), bridal parti burcardi, debbie fred

1/4 1/5 1/6 1/9

thu

the eccentrics

w/ carolina Wray, slugly

fri

7PM-DENNIS WARNER

telic

thu 1/11

7PM-RYANHOOD 8:30PM–ITALIAN NIGHT

coma cinema

w/ pictures of vernon, mineral girls, cheem

Tuesdays and Thursdays- 11:30am Details for all shows can be found at

54

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

WITH MIKE GUGGINO & BARRET SMITH

ISISASHEVILLE.COM

Yoga at the Mothlight

themothlight.com

5:30PM–CAROLINE COTTER AND MICHAEL HOWARD tue 1/9 7:30PM-TUESDAY BLUEGRASS SESSIONS wed 1/10

siyah

w/ chaos among cattle, fractured frames

tue

sun 1/7

7:30PM-GRUT

w/ p.t.p., sk, the novelist, free the optimus sat

7PM–AMICIMUSIC PRESENTS: “MUSIC FROM THE UNDERGROUND” 8:30PM–WOMEN IN MUSIC: A TRIBUTE TO ICONIC FEMALE ARTISTS

DINNER MENU TIL 9:30PM LATE NIGHT MENU TIL 12AM

TUES-SUN 5PM-until 743 HAYWOOD RD 828-575-2737

MOUNTAINX.COM

WILD WING CAFE Jason Wyatt (acoustic), 7:00PM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Phish Live Streaming Party, 7:00PM HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS AIC Improv Jam, 7:30PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Roots & friends open jam (blues, rock, roots), 6:30PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Greg Ruby & friends, 7:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB The Clydes pre-jam, 7:00PM Bluegrass Open Jam Session, 9:00PM

5 WALNUT WINE BAR Pleasure Chest (blues, rock, soul), 8:00PM

LAZY DIAMOND Heavy Night w/ DJ Butch, 10:00PM

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Will Ray & The Space Cooties, 7:30PM

LOBSTER TRAP Hank Bones, 6:30PM

BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Alien Music Club, 9:00PM BEN'S TUNE UP Unihorn, 7:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Patrick Fitzsimons, 7:00PM BYWATER Well Lit Strangers, 6:00PM CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Capellas on 9 w/ Jordan Okrend, 8:00PM CROW & QUILL Carolina Catskins (ragtime jazz), 9:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Sonic Satan Stew w/ DJ Alien Brain, 10:00PM ELLINGTON UNDERGROUND Machinedrum w/ Push/Pull & Bombassic, 10:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Paper Crowns (Americana, rock), 9:00PM FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Anya Hinkle (bluegrass), 6:00PM FUNKATORIUM 5 Year Anniversary Party w/ Brushfire Stankgrass & DJ Marley Carroll, 6:00PM

SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Vinyl Night, 6:30PM THE FAIRVIEW TAVERN Karaoke w/ Jeremy from Old School, 9:00PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE The Burger Kings, 9:00PM THE RIDGE AT NEW MOUNTAIN AVL Jordan James, 8:00PM TIMO'S HOUSE Forward Skateboarding Launch party w/ DJ Atreau & Lionized, 9:00PM TOWN PUMP Chad Ray, 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Jesse Barry & The Jam (blues, dance), 9:00PM

NATIVE KITCHEN & SOCIAL PUB Bean Tree Remedy, 7:00PM

UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Dave Desmelik Songwriter Series, 7:00PM

ODDITORIUM Infernal Coil w/ WVRM, Torch Runner & Shadow of the Destroyer, 9:00PM

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Poetry Night w/ Tracey Schmidt & Friends, 7:30PM

OLE SHAKEY'S Karaoke!, 9:00PM

WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ unplugged w/ Ashley Heath, 8:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Mitch's Totally Rad Trivia, 7:00PM Universal Sigh (rock), 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Brief Awakening (freak folk, faerie rock), 9:00PM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Searra Jade (folk), 6:00PM PULP The Blackout Diaries, 9:00PM PACK'S TAVERN Steve Moseley Duo (acoustic rock), 8:00PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY C2 & the Brothers Reed, 8:00PM POUR TAPROOM Tunes at the Taps, 7:00PM PURPLE ONION CAFE Angela Easterling & Brandon Turner, 7:30PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Chris Jamison, 7:00PM

ZAMBRA Cynthia McDermott, 7:00PM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 185 KING STREET Dangerous Gentlemen w/ Greg Izor, 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Purple (funk, jazz, pop), 9:00PM 550 TAVERN & GRILLE Fine Line (classic, southern rock), 9:00PM ALOFT HOTEL Phantom Pantone (top 40's, dance), 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Funky Friday Jam, 7:30PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL The Goodies! w/ Chuck Lichtenberger (rock 'n' roll), 10:00PM

LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT NO COVER CHARGE! MONDAY

CLOSED MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TUESDAY

MOUNTAIN SHAG

WEDNESDAY KARAOKE (8PM)

THIRSTY THURSDAY ALL DRAFTS $3

FRIDAY

DECEMBER 29

FINE LINE 9PM – 1AM

SUNDAY

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY WITH FLASHBACK (9PM)

FULL MENU — 15 TAPS OPEN WEEKDAYS 4 PM OPEN FOR LUNCH, FRI-SUN NOON Located Next to Clarion Inn — 550 Airport Road Fletcher — 550tavern.com — www.facebook.com/550TavernGrille

WED

27 BEN'S TUNE UP Vinyl Dance Party w/ DJ Kilby, 10:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Acoustic Swing, 7:00PM CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Capellas on 9 w/ DJ Abu Disarray, 9:00PM

FRI

FUNKATORIUM Resonant Rogues, 8:00PM

LOBSTER TRAP Calico Moon, 6:30PM

GINGER'S REVENGE The Realtorz, 7:30PM

NEW MOUNTAIN THEATER/ AMPHITHEATER KOAN Sound w/ HullabaloO, Cut Rugs & Live Animals, 9:00PM

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Kurtis Blow w/ The Northside Gentlemen & Natural Born Leaders, 9:00PM

CORK & KEG One Leg Up (Gypsy jazz, Latin, swing), 8:30PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Virginia Ground (Appalachiaphonic), 7:00PM

CROW & QUILL Episoto Quartet (swing jazz), 9:00PM

ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Duncan Wickel, 7:00PM

DOUBLE CROWN Rock & Soul Obscurities w/ DJ Greg Cartwright, 10:00PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Firecracker Jazz Band (dixieland, jazz), 9:00PM

ELLINGTON UNDERGROUND The Southern Belles & Dr. Bacon, 9:00PM

JARGON The Rick Simerly Trio (jazz), 10:30PM

FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Simon George & friends (funk, jazz), 10:00PM

LAZY DIAMOND Rotating rpm rock 'n' soul DJ, 10:00PM

29 SAT

30

TYLER CHILDERS

W/ BLANK RANGE

OLE SHAKEY'S Acoustic Tunes by the River, 4:00PM

THU

SUN

CASH UNCHAINED: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH

TUE

THE FRED EAGLESMITH SHOW STARRING TIF GINN

THU

THE STRAY BIRDS

9

4 LILLIE MAE

TWO SHOWS

BEN PHAN AND THE SOUL SYMPHONY + ALEXA ROSE

7

W/ MARVELOUS FUNKSHUN

ARI SHAFFIR

SAT

6

MCKAYLA REECE

SUN 31 ERIC GALES

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Dead Friday w/ members of Phuncle Sam, 5:30PM Whiskey Dixie (Southern rock), 10:00PM

5

KURTIS BLOW

ODDITORIUM Scathed w/ Winterbourne & Autarch (punk), 9:00PM

COMEDIAN

FRI

SOLD OUT!

11

W/ ROSS LIVERMORE

Asheville’s longest running live music venue • 185 Clingman Ave TICKETS AVAILABLE AT HARVEST RECORDS & THEGREYEAGLE.COM

ONE WORLD BREWING Saylor Brothers (bluegrass, newgrass), 9:00PM ORANGE PEEL Dropshot w/ The Shrunken Heads, The Mercury Arcs & The Talent, 8:00PM

THIS WEEK AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

THIS WEEK AT THE ONE STOP:

THU 12/28 Universal Sigh - [Rock] FRI 12/29 Whiskey Dixie - [Southern Rock] SAT 12/30 Unofficial GRiZ NYE Pre-Party w/ Robbie Dude Pre Party - [Electro-Funk] UPCOMING SHOWS - ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL:

AN EVENING WITH THE GOODIES WITH CHUCK LICHTENBERGER

2ND ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE BALL IN THE HALL WITH GRASS IS DEAD

NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH DJ MARLEY CARROLL

FRI 12/29 - S HOW 10pm adv. $12 - amH

SUN 12/31 - SHOW 10pm adv. $17 - amH

SUN 12/31 - SHOW 10pm Ca $ H donations - ONE STOP

1/5 1/12 1/13 2/3

Sunny Ledfurd Phuncle Sam Too Many Zooz The Funk Hunters w/ DeFunk (18+)

Tickets available at ashevillemusichall.com @avlmusichall MOUNTAINX.COM

@OneStopAVL

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

55

C LUBLAND OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Clint Roberts (Americana), 6:00PM

12/28 Machinedrum (ninja tune) Push/Pull, Bombassic 12/29 The Southern Belles Dr. Bacon 12/30 TRUTH Detox Unit Soul Candy Murkury 12/31 The Broadcast (rock, soul) Window Cat (jazz rock fusion) 1/4 THEOREM DJ Kutzu + Slow Drip 1/5 Nex Millen 1/11 THEOREM DJ Kutzu + Slow Drip 1/12 VOID In Plain Sight 1/13 Flamingosis Futexture Lavier 1/19 Lee “Scratch” Perry Medisin Hope Massive 1/20 Marley Carroll Brandon Audette Alex Heisley

DOORS AT 9 • SHOW AT 10 Ellington Underground is an intimate music club located downtown in the historic S&W Cafeteria, built in 1929.

56 PATTON AVE. ELLINGTONUNDERGROUND.COM 56

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

PACK'S TAVERN DJ MoTo (dance hits, pop), 9:30PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Colby Deitz Band, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Ryan Adams Tribute Night, 8:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Mike Andersen, Sophia Corinne & Alex Travers w/ Asheville Born Band & Kudzu Burning, 9:00PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE DJ Z, 9:00PM THE RIDGE AT NEW MOUNTAIN AVL Bass Therapy, 8:00PM TIMO'S HOUSE Vinyl Revisions: 2 year Anniversary, 9:00PM TOWN PUMP Zoe Child w/ Becca Smith (rock, folk, Americana), 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Westsound (soul, Motown), 10:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Brother Oliver (psychedelic, folk rock), 8:00PM VIRGOLA Adi The Monk (jazz, blues), 6:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN The Asheville Jazz Orchestra, 8:00PM WILD WING CAFE Rigged (acoustic), 7:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ electric w/ DJ Phantom Pantone, 8:00PM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 185 KING STREET Spalding McIntosh & Company w/ Bradford Carson & Timmy Fisher, 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Random Animals (jam funk), 9:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Jody Carroll [CANCELLED], 7:30PM BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Kevin Williams (Americana), 7:30PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Redleg Husky, 7:00PM CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Capellas on 9 w/ Three Cool Cats, 9:00PM CHESTNUT Jazz Brunch, 11:00AM CROW & QUILL Bette Machete & Jeff Howlet (burlesque, tintype photography), 9:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Pitter Platter, 50s/60s R&B + RnR w/ DJ Big Smidge, 10:00PM ELLINGTON UNDERGROUND TRUTH w/ Detox Unit, Murkury & Soul Candy, 10:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Scoundrels Lounge (rock, jam), 10:00PM FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Corey Hunt Band (country, Americana), 6:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN McKayla Reece, 8:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY io trio (roots, rock, folk), 7:00PM

ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Akira Satake & Anya Hinkle, 7:00PM Dark Water Rising w/ Tony Eltora, 9:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Shane Pruitt Band (gospel, blues, rock 'n' roll), 9:00PM JARGON The Sara Caswell Trio (jazz), 10:30PM LOBSTER TRAP Sean Mason Trio, 6:30PM LOCAL 604 BOTTLE SHOP Machines v.2 Local 604 Bottle Shop (live electronic), 10:00PM MG ROAD Late Night Dance Parties w/ DJ Lil Meow Meow, 10:00PM NATIVE KITCHEN & SOCIAL PUB Posey Trio, 7:30PM ODDITORIUM Asheville After Dark Presents: Perversions (kink event), 9:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Unofficial Griz NYE pre-party w/ Robbie Dude, 5:00PM Free Mason & The Madmen (funk, jazz), 10:00PM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Chris Jamison Duo, 6:00PM PACK'S TAVERN The Groove Shakers (rock 'n roll, bluegrass), 9:30PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Phuncle Sam, 9:00PM PURPLE ONION CAFE Sally and George, 8:00PM

North Carolina’s First Cider Bar Family Owned & Operated Seasonal, craft-made hard ciders and tasting-room delights from local farmers & artisans.

Open at noon Dec. 20th - Jan. 1st December 24th Noon - 8pm December 25th 4pm - 10pm 210 Haywood Road, West Asheville, NC 28806

(828)744-5151

www.urbanorchardcider.com

SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Yoga with Cats w/ Blue Ridge Humane Society, 10:00AM Aaron Burdett, 8:00PM THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM The Getdown w/ GRiZ & DJ Crze and The Nth Power, 7:00PM TIMO'S HOUSE Trap Gods w/ DJ Drew & Phantom Pantone, 9:00PM TOWN PUMP The Michael Martin Band, 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Ryan R&B Barber (r&b, soul), 10:00PM TWISTED LAUREL Phantom Pantone (top 40's, dance), 11:00PM UR LIGHT CENTER Richard Shulman, 7:00PM VIRGOLA Jason Hazinski (jazz, blues), 6:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Andy Buckner, 8:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ live w/ Tom Waits For No Man, 8:00PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Pleasure Chest (blues, rock, soul), 6:00PM Shake It Like a Caveman (rock n' roll), 10:00PM 550 TAVERN & GRILLE New Years Eve w/ Flashback, 9:00PM ALOFT HOTEL DJ Zati (electronic), 9:00PM ARCHETYPE BREWING Post-Brunch Blues w/ Patrick Dodd, Ashley Heath & Joshua Singleton, 3:00PM

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

57

CLU B LA N D

TAVERN

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR 2nd Annual New Year's Eve Potluck & Musician's Jam, 3:00PM

Downtown on the Park Eclectic Menu • Over 30 Taps • Patio 15 TV’s • Sports Room • 110” Projector Event Space • Shuffleboard Open 7 Days 11am - Late Night

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL 2nd Annual New Year's Eve Ball in The Hall w/ The Grass is Dead, 10:00PM

ko Chec ut Pack’s Countdown 1 0 8 party! Ca ll for details! to 2

THU. 12/28

AVENUE M 8th Annual NYE Dance Party, 5:00PM BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA JJ Hips & the Hideaway, 7:30PM BEN'S TUNE UP Ben's New Years Eve Dance Party, 6:00PM

Steve Moseley Duo (acoustic rock)

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Mark Bumgarner, 7:00PM

FRI. 12/29 DJ MoTo

BOILER ROOM New Year's Eve Celebration, 8:00PM

( dance hits, pop)

SAT. 12/30 The Groove Shakers (rock ‘n’ roll, bluegrass)

20 S. Spruce St. • 225.6944 packStavern.com

2018

Wellness Issues

mountainx.com 58

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

NEW MOUNTAIN THEATER/ AMPHITHEATER NYE Masquerade w/ Empire Strikes Brass, Supatight & DJ Bowie, 9:00PM ODDITORIUM Party Foul/Drag New Years Eve (drag, side shows), 9:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Bluegrass Brunch, 10:30AM Marley Carroll NYE Dance Party, 10:00PM

CLUB ELEVEN ON GROVE New Year's Eve Celebration, 8:00PM

ORANGE PEEL Langhorne Slim & The Lost At Last Band w/ special guests, 9:00PM

CORK & KEG New Year's Eve w/ Vollie McKenzie & The Old Chevrolette Set, 8:30PM

OSKAR BLUES BREWERY New Years Eve Hootenanny w/ Jeff Austin Band & Fireside Collective, 7:00PM

DOUBLE CROWN Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM

PACK'S TAVERN New Year's Eve w/ DJ Moto & A Social Function (rock, classic hits, dance), 8:00PM

ELLINGTON UNDERGROUND The Broadcast & Window Cat, 10:00PM FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER True Home Open Mic Night (music, poetry, comedy), 5:00PM

TWISTED LAUREL Phantom Pantone & Guests (top 40's, dance), 11:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY New Year's Eve w/ Take the Wheel (live band honky-tonk karaoke), 9:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN New Years Eve Party w/ The Marcel Anton Band & BJ Leiderman, 9:00PM

MONDAY, JANUARY 1 GOOD STUFF Bingo Wingo Thingo, 6:00PM ODDITORIUM Risque Monday w/ Deb Au Nare (burlesque), 9:00PM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Mountain Music Mondays (open jam), 6:00PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY New Years Tailgate w/ Sam Burchfield & the Scoundrels, 1:30PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE Ghost Pipe Trio, 9:00PM

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2

PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Travers Brothership NYE Charity Bash w/ Urban Soil, 8:30PM

DOUBLE CROWN Groovy Tuesdays (smooth world vinyl), 10:00PM

PURPLE ONION CAFE New Year's Eve Celebration w/ The Get Right Band, 9:00PM

GOOD STUFF Old time-y night, 6:30PM HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Pints & Professors, 7:00PM

FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB New Years Eve Party w/ Ryan RnB Barber, 9:00PM

SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Hustle Souls, 9:00PM

FUNKATORIUM Gypsy Jazz Sunday Brunch, 11:00AM

SCANDALS NIGHTCLUB New Year's Eve Celebration, 8:00PM

GOOD STUFF Open Mic w/ Fox Black & friends, 6:00PM

SLY GROG LOUNGE Sly Grog Open Mic, 7:00PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Chilltones w/ That Afro Guy, 7:00PM

THE FAIRVIEW TAVERN Hallelujah Hilliary's Comedy Revival, 9:00PM

LAZY DIAMOND Rock 'n' Roll Metal Karaoke w/ KJ Paddy-oke, 10:00PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE Select DJ sets, 9:00PM Phantom Pantone & Guests (EDM, dance, hip hop), 10:00PM

ODDITORIUM Open Mic Comedy Night w/ Tom Peters, 9:00PM

HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS A Taste of Soul Brunch, 12:00PM

advertise@

NATIVE KITCHEN & SOCIAL PUB Freewheelin' Mamas, 12:00PM

ONE WORLD BREWING "Steal Your New Years" w/ the Dirty Dead, 9:00PM

GROVE HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX New Year's Eve Celebration, 8:00PM

Contact us today!

828-251-1333 x 320

LOBSTER TRAP Phil Alley, 6:30PM

CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL DJ Z, 9:00PM

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN New Years Eve w/ Eric Gales & Marvelous Funkshun, 9:00PM

Publish Jan. 31 & Feb 7

LAZY DIAMOND NYE Rock n Roll Dance Party w/ DJ Chubberbird & Big Smidge, 10:00PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 1:00PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Jon Stickley Trio & The Digs w/ Josh Phillips & Friends, 8:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Traditional Celtic Jam, 3:00PM New Year's Eve Celebration w/ Sirius.B (Gypsy folk, funk, punk), 9:00PM JARGON Sunday Blunch w/ Mark Guest & Mary Pearson (jazz), 11:00AM

THE MOTHLIGHT New Year's Eve Freakout #12 Dance Party w/ ZenSoFly, DJ Abu Disarray, Bridal Parti Burcardi & Debbie Fred, 10:00PM THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM The Getdown w/ GRiZ & Ekali and Brasstracks, 7:00PM Orff's Carmina Burana w/ Asheville Symphony, 7:30PM TIMO'S HOUSE Step Into '18 w/ Random Movement, TRAC & Mixmaster Doc, 9:00PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Dr. Brown's Team Trivia, 6:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Tuesday night funk jam, 11:00PM POLANCO RESTAURANT Taco Tuesday & Blues w/ Michael Filippone's Blues Review, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Taco and Trivia Tuesday, 6:00PM THE MARKET PLACE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE Rat Alley Cats, 7:00PM

TOWN PUMP Sparkly AF w/ Melodic AF NYE Party, 9:00PM

TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Early Tuesday Jazz & Funk Jam (jazz, funk), 9:00PM

TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Free Flow (funk, soul), 10:00PM

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish jam & open mic, 6:30PM

MOVIES

REVIEWS & LISTINGS

BY SCOTT DOUGLAS, FRANCIS X. FRIEL & JUSTIN SOUTHER

HHHHH = H PICK OF THE WEEK H

Director Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water delivers an unlikely — but undeniably beautiful — love story.

The Shape Of Water HHHHS DIRECTOR: Guillermo del Toro PLAYERS: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, Octavia Spencer SUPERNATURAL ROMANCE RATED R THE STORY: A cleaning woman at a government facility falls in love with an amphibious humanoid creature.

THE LOWDOWN: Maybe the only true fish-out-of-water story ever committed to celluloid, this heart-wrenching love story is also del Toro’s most sincere love letter to cinema — and easily among the best work he’s ever produced.

I think we can all agree that Guillermo del Toro is one of the strangest filmmakers currently working — so when I say that The Shape of Water may well be his odd-

est work to date, you know that it’s going to be weird. But even such an unequivocal statement doesn’t do the fundamental weirdness of this movie justice, and I’m not sure that any statement really could.

Playing along the lines of a Jean-Pierre Jeunet remake of The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Shape of Water is a beautiful love story, both in terms of its sentiment and its visual aesthetic.

The fact that its emotional core is rooted in the most improbable of romances only adds to the tapestry of the bizarre that del Toro has created. It’s like Amelie meets Beauty and the Beast set in Cold War-era Baltimore — which may not sound like the ideal premise for an awards-push prestige picture, but this is 2017, and I can definitely say that stranger things have happened. Splash it ain’t.

The story follows Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins), a cleaning woman at a government research facility leading a simple life of quiet desperation. A mute since childhood, Elisa’s only social outlets seem to be her work friend Zelda (Octavia Spencer) and her neighbor Giles, a marginally employed illustrator and closeted homosexual (Richard Jenkins).

Her days consist of simple routines — from boiling eggs to maturating in the bath, everything moves with a clockwork predictability — until Michael Shannon’s shadowy government agent Strickland shows up with a merman (Doug Jones) in tow. It’s safe to say that things only get stranger from there, and while the narrative may play out in much the way you’d expect, the impression del Toro’s film creates is almost unimaginably peculiar.

Del Toro lays the allegory on thick, with references to Greco-Roman mythology and biblical allusions aplenty — Elisa lives upstairs from a movie theater called the Orpheum, which happens to be playing Henry Koster’s The Story of Ruth; Giles references Tantalus while Strickland delivers a gut-churning rendition of the story of Sampson — but what the writer/director is really going for is Ovid’s Metamorphoses. This is a story about change itself and what it means to be human in a world populated by people who barely warrant such a designation. But at its core, The Shape of Water is a love story and one that will move even those skeptical of their capacity to empathize with an aquatic Fortean anomaly.

Selling a story like this depends heavily on a competent cast, and this ensemble is top-notch — Shannon is at his slimy best, Spencer and Jenkins create impressive depth in relatively modest supporting roles — but Hawkins is absolutely outstanding, upstaging everyone on the screen with her capacity to convey emotional nuance without a sound.

But this is del Toro’s show, and it bears the unmistakable fingerprints of a true auteur. His visual inventiveness is absolutely remarkable from start to finish, and his judicious

MOUNTAINX.COM

M A X R AT I N G Xpress reviews virtually all upcoming movies, with two or three of the most noteworthy appearing in print.

You can find our online reviews at mountainx.com/movies/reviews. This week, they include: FATHER FIGURES JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE THE GREATEST SHOWMAN PITCH PERFECT 3 THE SHAPE OF WATER (PICK OF THE WEEK) DOWNSIZING

utilization of special effects has never been better. If you told me a year ago that a romantic drama about a woman falling in love with a sort of fish thing would be one of the most emotionally moving pictures of the year — as well as one of my favorite — I would’ve asked what you’d been smoking.

But here we are. Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, violence and language.

Now Playing at Carolina Cinemark and Fine Arts Theatre.

REVIEWED BY SCOTT DOUGLAS JSDOUGLAS22@GMAIL.COM

Downsizing

HHHS DIRECTOR: Alexander Payne PLAYERS: Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau, Udo Kier, Laura Dern COMEDY DRAMA RATED R

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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SCREEN SCENE

MOVIES

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THE STORY: A middle-class suburbanite undergoes a radical shrinking procedure intended to reduce his environmental impact while concurrently increasing his wealth.

THE LOWDOWN: A largely unobjectionable satire that falls short of living up to the potential of its high-concept conceit and the talent of its creators.

Alexander Payne is one of those vestiges of the independent film renaissance of the ’90s, when small, personal movies with a social message could be produced without a pack of money-hungry studio execs trying to turn everything into a “cinematic universe” replete with sequel potential and endlessly exploitable intellectual properties. Payne’s caustic sensibilities, evinced in the best-known of his early works such as Election and Sideways, marked him as a definitive voice among a generation of filmmakers that has long since sold out. While Payne may have seemed the least likely to have softened with age, Downsizing presents a strong argument that this

FILM TRYON FINE ARTS CENTER 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon, 828-859-

60

8322, tryonarts.org • TU (1/2), 7pm - Leading Ladies Film Series: The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue, film screening. $6.

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

once-vital satirist has succumbed, at least partly, to the Siren’s call of mass-market appeal.

If Downsizing represents Payne at his most defanged, it’s still Payne.

With longtime screenwriting partner Jim Taylor, Payne has crafted a high-concept premise with a distinctly Swiftian bent, a world in which the ills of consumption-driven capitalism can be solved through an irreversible process of miniaturization that reduces its subjects to the size of dolls while proportionately increasing the relative value of their net worth. It’s a setup with endless potential, most of which is squandered by an uncharacteristically meandering script.

Payne and Taylor focus on Paul Safranek (Matt Damon), the latest in their long line of schlubby everyman protagonists. An in-house occupational therapist at Omaha Steaks with a social climber wife, Paul represents the thwarted middle-American suburban ideal, a remnant of a vanishing middle class desperate to eke some meaning out of an inexorably stagnating life. The joke inherent to Payne and Taylor’s idea here is that the only avenue for such a man to achieve his big dreams is to literally dream smaller — and had they followed through on that conceit, this would be a different review.

Instead, the narrative bounces between conceptual and thematic elements that, while not necessarily incongruous, veer more than occasionally into the extraneous. The flashy hucksterism of Neil Patrick Harris and Laura Dern’s real estate sales pitch, the nebulous Eurotrash opportunism of Christoph Waltz and Udo Kier, even the fundamental human decency drowning in vaguely racist caricature that mars Hong Chau’s performance as a Vietnamese dissident-turned-maid — a strong ensemble is needlessly weighed down by the blind alleys that Payne and Taylor tentatively explore only to abandon.

If Downsizing was intended to be Payne’s Modest Proposal, he stopped short of advocating infanticide and cannibalism — both purpose and punchline for Swift. In going broad, Payne and Taylor neglect going deep, and the incisiveness of their social statement suffers as a result. As a satire, it’s acceptably proficient, but it falls far short of the level of invective that the duo mustered 20 years ago with Citizen Ruth. It’s as though they were going for something along the lines of Charlie Kaufman by way of Ernst Lubitsch — but when

MOUNTAINX.COM

by Edwin Arnaudin | edwinarnaudin@gmail.com

INTERGALACTIC: Rock Eblen, left, consults cinematographer Kira Bursky on the set of their film Amy’s Alien. The musical with a sci-fi twist aims to raise awareness of and find solutions to school bullying.

Photo by Jeffrey DeCristofaro For his next project, Asheville-based artist Rock Eblen was planning to release an album of his best songs from over the years. But the persistence of an unfortunate social issue among contemporary youths took him in another direction.

“I was inspired by the success of Broadway musicals like Hamilton, so I started creating all new songs with a storyline,” Eblen says. “I also have nieces and nephews in local schools and want them to feel safe from bullying.”

Called Amy’s Alien, the film centers on the titular young girl (played by Mia Sander), a victim of bullying and subsequent depression. Upon meeting a mysterious young visitor (Ben McIntire) from another planet, Amy is granted the ability to hear people’s thoughts. She comes to understand why people hurt and learns about empathy while making a commitment to spread tolerance and understanding.

“I feel social media and new technology have caused a disconnect among students where they depend more on

their various screens and don’t relate personally — eye to eye — much anymore,” Eblen says. “This is why most schools have implemented bans on smartphones. The kids are just too distracted, and they also use their devices to post pics and comments about each other ... often anonymously and hurtfully.”

The video for the first song was filmed in October. Now Eblen’s Bioflyer Productions is looking to raise $9,500 (half of the film’s total budget) through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign in order to continue shooting the 50-minute film and its nine additional songs.

The writer/director began outlining the screenplay about a year ago and decided to tell the story mostly with music and lyrics. The songs and dialogue continue to be refined as he and his crew cast more characters and develop new scenes of the work in progress.

“There’s a mix of styles, but mostly emphasizing a dance/electronica feel,” Eblen says. “The writing, instrumentation and recording is all done by myself in my home, mostly using Garage Band [recording software]. When it’s time to put down the actors’ vocals and mix down, then we work with Anthony Dorian at Good Flow Productions [in Asheville].”

Local filmmaker Kira Bursky is the cinematographer and editor of Amy’s Alien. Initial casting took place at Asheville School of Film, and more local actors will be added as the production advances.

Eblen plans to share Amy’s Alien at regional school festivals and connect with various educational programs. He and his crew will also maintain a strong online presence. “I want to encourage collaboration more than competition among artists,” Eblen says. “[I] believe deeply that arts and especially film arts can have a transformational quality to open people up and share more feelings.” avl.mx/4gx X

Billy Wilder hung his “How would

Now playing at the Carolina

Lubitsch do it?” sign above his

Cinemark Asheville, Regal Biltmore

desk, I don’t think this is what he meant. Rated R for profanity, sexual content, brief nudity.

Grande Stadium and Epic Theatres of Hendersonville.

REVIEWED BY SCOTT DOUGLAS JSDOUGLAS22@GMAIL.COM

MARKETPLACE STA RTI NG F RI DAY Due to advanced holiday deadlines, additional bookings may be announced after press time. Check with local theaters for listings.

All the Money in the World

Suspense drama based on a true story from director Ridley Scott. According to the studio, “All the Money in the World follows the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer) and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother (Gail Michelle Williams) to convince his billionaire grandfather (Christopher Plummer) to pay the ransom. When Getty Sr. refuses, Gail attempts to sway him as her son’s captors become increasingly volatile and brutal. With her son’s life in the balance, Gail and Getty’s adviser (Mark Wahlberg) become unlikely allies in the race against time that ultimately reveals the true and lasting value of love over money.” Early reviews positive. (R)

S P E CI AL SCREENI NGS There are no special screenings due to the holidays.

The Asheville Film Society screenings will recommence Jan. 2.

KIDS ISSUES 2018

REA L ESTATE | REN TA L S | R O O M M ATES | SER VI C ES JOB S | A N N OU N CEM ENTS | M I ND, BO DY, SPI R I T CL A SSES & WORKSH OPS | M USI C I ANS’ SER VI C ES PETS | A U TOMOTI VE | X C HANG E | ADULT Want to advertise in Marketplace? 828-251-1333 x111 tnavaille@mountainx.com • mountainx.com/classifieds If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember the Russian proverb: “Doveryai, no proveryai,” trust but verify. When answering classified ads, always err on the side of caution. Especially beware of any party asking you to give them financial or identification information. The Mountain Xpress cannot be responsible for ensuring that each advertising client is legitimate. Please report scams to ads@mountainx.com REAL ESTATE HOMES FOR SALE LOG HOME • MARSHALL 2BR, 2BA on 1 wooded acre. Handicap accessible with screened back porch. 36 foot front porch looks over large yard. Hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, open floor plan. Charter available. 25 minutes to Asheville, 15 minutes to Weaverville. $205,000. 828649-1170.

RENTALS HOMES FOR RENT 3BR, 1BA BLACK MOUNTAIN Washer/dryer, fenced private landscaped yard. Pets considered. Hardwood floors, central heat/air. Carport, partially furnished if needed. $1450/month.

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SHORT-TERM RENTALS 15 MINUTES TO ASHEVILLE Guest house, vacation/short term rental in beautiful country setting. • Complete with everything including cable and internet. • $150/day (2-day minimum), $650/week, $1500/ month. Weaverville area. • No pets please. (828) 658-9145. mhcinc58@yahoo.com

EMPLOYMENT GENERAL GREEN OPPORTUNITIES IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING RESUMES FOR A PART-TIME YOUTHBUILD JOB DEVELOPER Green Opportunities is currently accepting resumes for a part-time YouthBuild Job Developer. Please send resumes

and cover letters to apply@ greenopportunities.org.

To view the full description, visit www.greenopportunities.org.

HIRING FOR NAVITAT'S 2018 SALES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM! Spend 2018 working with a group of talented and passionate outdoor enthusiasts!

We are seeking hard-working, customer service-oriented sales team members for the 2018 season. Learn more at www.navitat.com.

LIBERTY TAX SERVICE Parttime tax preparers needed for North Asheville tax preparation service. Experienced tax knowledge skills needed for the upcoming season. Part-time of 20-25 hours per week. Tax update training required. 828-505-2002 jdenny@libertytax.com

NAVITAT CANOPY ADVENTURES - HIRING CANOPY GUIDES Thrill, Educate and Inspire! Spend 2018 working outside in the trees with a world class team! We are seeking enthusiastic and adventurous canopy guides for the 2018 season. Learn more at www.navitat.com.

TROLLEY TOUR GUIDES If you are a "people person," love Asheville, have a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and clean driving record you could be a great Tour Guide. Full-time and seasonal part-time positions available. Training provided.

Contact us today! 828 251-8687.

Info@GrayLineAsheville.com www.GrayLineAsheville.com

Coming MARCH 14 & 21 MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

61

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY ARIES (March 21-April 19): “I need more smart allies, compassionate supporters, ethical role models, and loyal friends, and I need them right now!” writes Joanna K., an Aries reader from Albuquerque, New Mexico. On the other hand, there’s Jacques T., an Aries reader from Montreal. “To my amazement, I actually have much of the support and assistance I need,” he declares.

“What I seem to need more of are constructive critics, fair-minded competitors with integrity, colleagues and loved ones who don’t assume that every little thing I do is perfect, and adversaries who galvanize me to get better.” I’m happy to announce, dear Aries, that in 2018 you will benefit more than usual from the influences that both Joanna and Jacques seek.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the Scots language spoken in Lowland Scotland, a watergaw is a fragmented rainbow that appears between clouds.

A skafer is a faint rainbow that arises behind a mist, presaging the imminent dissipation of the mist. A silk napkin is a splintered rainbow that heralds the arrival of brisk wind and rain. In accordance with the astrological omens, I propose we use these mysterious phenomena as symbols of power for you in 2018. The good fortune that comes your way will sometimes be partially veiled and seemingly incomplete. Don’t compare it to some “perfect” ideal. It’ll be more interesting and inspiring than any perfect ideal.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In 2018, half-buried residues from the past will be resurfacing as influences in your life. Old dreams that you abandoned prematurely are ripe to be re-evaluated in light of what has happened since you last took them seriously. Are these good or bad developments? It will probably depend on your ability to be charitable and expansive as you deal with them. One thing is certain: To move forward into the future, you will have to update your relationships with these residues and dreams.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Poet Diane Ackerman tells us that human tongues, lips and genitals possess neural receptors that are ultra-responsive. Anatomists have given unsexy names to these bliss-generating parts of our bodies: Krause end bulbs, also known as bulboid corpuscles. (Couldn’t they have called them “glimmering rapture hubs” or “magic buttons”?) In any case, these sweet spots enable us to experience surpassing pleasure.

According to my understanding of the astrological omens for 2018, Cancerian, your personal complement of bulboid corpuscles will be even more sensitive than usual. Here’s further good news: Your soul will also have a heightened capacity to receive and register delight.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Mise en place is a French term whose literal translation is “putting in place.” When used by professional chefs in a restaurant kitchen, it refers to the task of gathering and organizing all the ingredients and tools before beginning to cook. I think this is an excellent metaphor for you to emphasize throughout 2018. In every area of your life, thorough preparation will be the key to your success and fulfillment. Make sure you have everything you need before launching any new enterprise or creative effort.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Experimental composer Harry Partch played one-of-a-kind musical instruments that he made from objects like car hubcaps, gourds, aluminum ketchup bottles and nose cones from airplanes. Collage artist Jason Mecier fashions portraits of celebrities using materials like noodles, pills, licorice candy, bacon and lipstick tubes. Given the astrological configurations for 2018, you could flourish by adopting a similar strategy in your own chosen field. Your most interesting successes could come from using things as they’re not “supposed” to be used. You could further your goals by mixing and matching resources in unique ways.

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

BY ROB BREZSNY

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I wish I could make it nice and easy for you. I wish I could proclaim that the forces of darkness are lined up against the forces of light. I’d like to be able to advise you that the opening months of 2018 will bring you a showdown between wrong and right, between ugliness and beauty. But it just ain’t that simple. It’s more like the forces of plaid will be arrayed against the forces of paisley. The showdown will feature two equally flawed and equally appealing sources of intrigue. And so you may inquire, Libra, what is the most honorable role you can play in these matters? Should you lend your support to one side or the other? I advise you to create a third side.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In 2018, your tribe will be extra skilled at opening things that have been shut or sealed for a long time: heavy doors, treasure boxes, rich possibilities, buried secrets, shy eyes, mum mouths, guarded hearts and insular minds. You’ll have a knack for initiating new markets and clearing blocked passageways and staging grand openings. You’ll be more inclined to speak candidly and freely than any other generation of Scorpios in a long time. Getting stuck things unstuck will come naturally. Making yourself available for bighearted fun and games will be your specialty. Given these wonders, maybe you should adopt a new nickname, like Apertura (the Italian word for “opening”), Ouverture (the French word for “opening”), Šiši (Yoruban), Otevírací (Czech), Öffnung (German) or Kufungua (Swahili).

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I predict that the coming months won’t bring you the kinds of opportunities you were imagining and expecting, but will bring you opportunities you haven’t imagined and didn’t expect.

Will you be alert and receptive to these sly divergences from your master plan? If so, by September of 2018 you will have become as smart a gambler as maybe you have ever been. You will be more flexible and adaptable, too, which means you’ll be better able to get what you want without breaking stuff and wreaking whirlwinds.

Congratulations in advance, my daring darling. May your experiments be both visionary and practical.

May your fiery intentions be both steady and fluidic.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Hungarian psychiatrist Thomas Szasz dismissed the idea that a person should be on a quest to “find himself” or “find herself.” “The self is not something that one finds,” he said. Rather, “it is something one creates.”

I think that’s great advice for you in 2018, Capricorn.

There’ll be little value in wandering around in search of fantastic clues about who you were born to be.

Instead you should simply be gung-ho as you shape and craft yourself into the person you want to be.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Is there anything about your attitude or your approach that is a bit immature or unripe? Have you in some way remained an amateur or apprentice when you should or could have become fully professional by now? Are you still a dabbler in a field where you could be a connoisseur or master? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, the coming months will be an excellent time to grow up, climb higher and try harder. I invite you to regard 2018 as the Year of Kicking Your Own Ass. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In 2018, one of your themes will be “secret freedom.” What does that mean? The muse who whispered this clue in my ear did not elaborate further. But based on the astrological aspects, here are several possible interpretations. 1.

You may have to dig deep and be strategic to access resources that have the power to emancipate you.

2. You may be able to discover a rewarding escape and provocative deliverance that have been hidden from you up until now. 3. You shouldn’t brag about the liberations you intend to accomplish until you have accomplished them. 4. The exact nature of the freedom that will be valuable to you might be useless or irrelevant or incomprehensible to other people.

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Pay, advancement and benefits dependent upon experience and performance. Email: becky@musiciansworkshop.com for application.

UNDERWRITING ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE Asheville FM community radio seeks ambitious salesperson to secure, develop and maintain business accounts. Customer service and communication skills.

One year sales or marketing experience. Broadcast media a plus! Commission only. Equal opportunity employer. Send resume to: hiring@ashevillefm. org • Full job description at www.ashevillefm.org

HUMAN SERVICES

Media, SEO and Accessibility .

For more details and to apply: https://abtcc.peopleadmin. com/postings/4673

SERVICES EMS CONTINUING EDUCATION COORDINATOR A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a position EMS Continuing Education Coordinator.

This is a full time position with benefits. For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin.com/ postings/4681

POLICE OFFICER A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a position Police Officer. For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin.com/ postings/4682

CAMPUS POLICE DISPATCH/ COMMUNICATIONS A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a position Campus Police Dispatch/Communications. For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin.com/ postings/4684

PART-TIME, TEMPORARY CLIENT SERVICE REP This position is the initial point of contact for clients interested in having their taxes prepared by OnTrack WNC’s IRS-trained tax preparers. Visit https://ontrackwnc.org for full details.

SALES/ MARKETING

SALES PROFESSIONAL Mountain Xpress has a salaried sales position open. Ideal candidates are personable, well-spoken, motivated, and can present confidently. Necessary skills include clear and professional communications (via phone, email, and in-person meetings), detailed record-keeping, computer skills, and working well in a team environment. The position largely entails, account development and lead generation (including cold-calling), account management, and working to meet or exceed sales goals. If you are a high energy, positive, cooperative person looking to join an independent, community-minded 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

INDUSTRY TRAINER A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a position Industry Trainer, Food, Beverage, and Natural Products. This is a full time position with benefits. For more details and to apply: https:// abtcc.peopleadmin.com/ postings/4660

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For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin.com/ postings/4683 WILDERNESS FIELD INSTRUCTOR Trails Momentum is looking for qualified individuals to lead therapeutic wilderness expeditions/adventures and base camp programming helping troubled young adults. Please send resume and cover letter to transdell@trailsmomentum. com

PROFESSIONAL/ MANAGEMENT OFFICE GREETER A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a position Workforce Office Greeter . For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin. com/postings/4693

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ENTERTAINMENT

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SUPPORTS Children First/Communities In Schools is hiring a Director of Community Supports. This position is responsible for ensuring that individual programs effectively contribute to the achievement of the organization’s mission, supervises Program Coordinators, ensures collaboration, communication and quality in all program and personnel activities. • Go to www.childrenfirstcisbc.org for a full job description and application details.

TEACHING/ EDUCATION

LIBRARY ASSISTANT A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a position Library Assistant.

For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin.com/ postings/4691

SEEKING CONTINUING EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS Do you have workplace skills that are vital to the WNC job market and a passion for sharing your knowledge or providing handson instruction of a skilled trade?

A-B Tech’s Continuing Education Workforce Programs Department is seeking local workforce experts to teach on a part-time basis. You can supplement your income and help area employees advance their skills or land the job of their dreams. • Experts in Skilled Trades, Hospitality Management, Health Occupations, Office Technology, Information Technology, Craft Beverage, Business, and other market sectors are encouraged to apply. A-B Tech offers classes at our Asheville, Madison and South sites, as well as other partnering locations in Buncombe and Madison counties. • For more information, visit: abtcc.peopleadmin.com/ postings/4696

ARTS/MEDIA ACADEMIC ADVISOR A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a position Academic Advisor, Transfer Advising Center. This is a full-time position with benefits. For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin.com/ postings/4692

WOMANSONG EVENT/COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT Womansong of Asheville is seeking applicants for a part-time Event & Communications assistant. Should have strong skills in event planning and communications technology, including website and social media. Application and job description available at www.womansong.org.

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1 Home to Santa’s workshop 5 Popular outdoor clothing brand, with “The” 9 Minnesota N.H.L. team from 1967 to 1993 14 Ruler over Valhalla 15 As dumb as ___ of rocks 16 American of Japanese origin 17 Mandatory: Abbr.

18 Gusto 19 Change for the better 20 Fraternity “T” 21 Dog that needs a muzzle, say 22 Novelist Charles with an appropriate surname 23 Volunteer’s phrase 25 Largest known asteroid 27 Giving over 29 Part of the brainstem 33 How most movies are released after theatrical runs 34 Send off, as an online order 36 Remunerates 37 What Friday has, unlike any other day?

38 Dividing line 41 Subj. for Bill Nye 42 Candlemaking supply 44 Like Christmas sweaters, stereotypically 45 Prefix with party or venous 47 Queen in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” 49 ___ Way (Roman road) 50 Calf-length pants style 52 Iowa’s largest export 53 Language group of central Africa 56 Harsh 58 Anarchist’s aversion 61 Eponymous Dr. Alzheimer 62 Young muchacho 63 New York’s ___ Field 64 Scrabble 1-pointer (but a Words With Friends 2-pointer) 65 Years on the Yucatán 66 In a short while 67 Country hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics 68 Lefties 69 Notre Dame settin

edited by Will Shortz

DOWN

1 Affluent Connecticut town 2 Theaters of antiquity 3 Food restriction before and after surgery, maybe 4 Demise 5 Disconcerting 6 Aid in mischief 7 Sine’s reciprocal, in trig 8 Hand or foot 9 Caught 10 “Pencils down!”

11 Like Edward Lear’s Owl and Pussycat 12 Tear apart 13 U.N.’s location in Manhattan 21 Burglary, in police shorthand 24 Kind of engineer: Abbr.

26 Certain tow job 27 Interstate 5’s locale 28 Listless feeling 30 Bringing up the rear 31 Stretchy sportswear material 32 Resident of China or Japan, but not India or Iran 34 Pea with a thick, rounded pod 35 Chess-playing movie villain

PUZZLE BY TIMOTHY POLIN

39 Bon mot 40 Make fun of 43 Capable of being touched 46 Network with news at the top of each hour

Publish Jan. 31 & Feb 7

48 Revulsion 49 Bridging 51 1986 rock autobiography 53 Area of longtime contention 54 Choir part

55 Pinot ___ 57 Plenty, once 59 Huge amounts 60 Eurus, in Greek mythology 63 One waiting at the airport?

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS NY TIMES PUZZLE

2018

Wellness Issues

No. 1122

ASHEVILLE FM is hiring a GENERAL MANAGER

AshevilleFM FMis hiring seeksa qualified ASHEVILLE GENERAL MANAGER

Underwriting Account Executive Asheville FM (WSFM-LP 103.3), a volunteer-based

grassroots non-profit

community station 103.3), in Asheville, N.C., is seeking grassroots to hire a general Asheville FM radio (WSFM-LP a volunteer-based non-profit manager.radio Formed in 2009, have overN.C., 70 active volunteers sixty is The Underwriting Account Executive community station inwe Asheville, is seeking toproducing hire a (UAE) general local, original and rapidly expanding. manager.

Formedprograms in 2009, we are have over 70 active volunteers sixty responsible for generating revenue forproducing Asheville FM by local, original programs and are rapidly developing andexpanding. furthering relationships with clients The general manager will work in collaboration and cooperation with the ensure continued support for to thehelp organization’s volunteers, membership,toindependent contractors, and board usher in

The ageneral manager work in products collaboration and cooperation with the new era for Ashevillewill FM. broadcast and services.

In this highly visible volunteers, membership, independent contractors, and board to help usher in outside position, this motivated sales representative a new era range for Asheville Salary for this FM. full-time position is $40,000 or more, depending on one to of meet the station’s ambassadors to the education, experience,acts andasability organizational goals and

Contact us today!

828-251-1333 x 320

advertise@ mountainx.com

business community.

This is more, a commission objectives.

Bonuses Friends of Community Radio offers paid time offsales Salary range for this possible. full-time position is $40,000 or depending on opportunity with of growth potential. Please and opportunities for professional development. education, experience, and ability to lots meet organizational goals have and prior Friends sales or of marketing experience.

Any paid time time spentoff in objectives. Bonuses possible.

Community Radio offers APPLICATION broadcast mediaPROCESS is a plus. and opportunities for professional development.

Please view full job description at our website: www.ashevillefm.org APPLICATION PROCESS APPLICATION Send resume and cover PROCESS letter that includes Please where view full job description atjob ourto: website: you learned about this Please view full job description at our website: www.ashevillefm.org www.ashevillefm.org hiring@ashevillefm.org

Send resume and cover includes where you learned Send resume and that cover letter that includes where you learned about this to: about this job to:ashiring@ashevillefm.org Applications will be reviewed received until job the position is filled. hiring@ashevillefm.org Friends of Community Radio, Inc. is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment and Applications will be reviewed asnotreceived untilindividuals the position israce, filled. operations. Friends of Community Radio, Inc. does discriminate against on the basis of color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.

Applications will be reviewed as received until the position is filled.

Asheville FM is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation and an equal opportunity employer. Asheville FM values

racial and cultural diversity, of the environment, labor practices, educationand and Friends of Community Radio, the Inc. well-being is committed to the principle ofequitable equal opportunity in its employment the arts, as Friends well as of social and economic justice.

FM seeks to build relationships like-mindoperations.

Community Radio, Inc. doesAsheville not discriminate against individuals on thewith basis of race, ed regional businesses in order to build partnerships that are culturally transformative. color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.

MOUNTAINX.COM

Paul Caron

Furniture Magician • Cabinet Refacing • Furniture Repair • Seat Caning • Antique Restoration • Custom Furniture & Cabinetry (828) 669-4625

• Black Mountain

DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

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DEC. 27, 2017 - JAN. 2, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM