Mountain Xpress 12.31.14

OUR 21ST YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 21 NO. 23 DEC. 31–JANUARY 06, 2015

AT WORK:

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2014 in

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NEW BELGIUM’S CONSTRUCTION, HIRING PLANS FOR 2015, P. 26

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contEnts contact us pagE 21

Food deserts in Foodtopia A blend of economics, failed federal programs and changing politics has left many Asheville residents stranded in food deserts — communities lacking resources for affordable, healthy food. Xpress looks at the history and modern reality of food deserts, and talks to locals working to alleviate the problem. coVER DEsign Anna Whitley photogRaph Cindy Kunst

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8 it’s aLL gooD, Right?

Job statistics don’t tell the whole story for local economy

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12 2014’s gREatEst hits The year’s most-viewed stories at mountainx.com

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19 fiRst comEs awaREnEss Mission Health takes aim at bias and disparity in health care

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26 a nEw BELgium upDatE A look ahead into the brewery’s 2015 construction and hiring plans

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30 cuRtain caLL The best of 2014 in local theater

47 nY timEs cRosswoRD

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BY Mountain Xpress aDVERtising copYRight 2014

BY Mountain Xpress aLL Rights REsERVED

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

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caRtoon BY RanDY moLton

Veteran disappointed in local job prospects As a returning veteran and a local born and raised in this community, I am very disappointed in what myself and other veterans face when it is coming to getting hired in our communities.

That is especially true for those [who, like me], are also currently serving in the North Carolina National Guard. What fellow veterans and I have observed is that people will be quick to thank you for your service; however, when it comes to job hiring, our service and sacrifices don’t make a difference (let alone if you have a college degree).

I can’t speak for all the younger veterans, but I would prefer not having to move from this lovely county that I was born and raised in, but in order to provide for my family I will have to eventually move where my skills and experience are

better appreciated by the private sector and local government.

Veterans have experience that you can’t find in just a recent college graduate or someone who has only experienced this area’s environment. I only hope our county government can do more to perhaps encourage local veterans to stay in this region and work in whatever sector they specialize in.

Personally, I have applied to many jobs and occupations here [and in the Asheville area] that are tailored to my experience, education and specialty. No luck.

This is just something to ponder over for the upcoming year. For some, it’s a constant struggle week to week to find a job that will provide for their families and fit the experience and training the military provided.

The next time you are thanking a veteran, maybe thank them with something more than just a handshake and self-fulfilled appreciations.

Brandon Monteith Sylva

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N E W S

It’s all good, right?

Job statistics don’t tell the whole story for local economy

BY camERon huntLEY

cameron.huntley1@gmail.com

On Nov. 21, Gov. Pat McCrory’s office released a statement saying that all of the jobs North Carolina lost during the Great Recession — some 62,000 positions — had been gained back.

Not long after, local unemployment numbers started coming in, showing that Asheville had the lowest unemployment numbers among the North Carolina metro areas at 4.1 percent.

What does all that mean? Perhaps not what you might think. tom tveidt, a 20-year veteran of economic research and owner/founder of Syneva Economics, a local research company, has a wealth of experience with the average person’s misunderstanding of the economy.

“I’ll do these presentations,” says Tveidt, “and at the end, someone will say, ‘How come jobs aren’t growing faster here?’ And there’s an entire book to that answer; unfortunately the media, especially the TV media, just make it seem so simple.”

The same holds true for the 62,000 jobs number. A single stat, says Tveidt, cannot come close to telling the whole story: “The recession was so dramatic; it really changed everything. It’s never going to return to what it was.”

“For example,” he says, “construction jobs are still way down, and that’s where a majority of the losses were. Are those going to come back? Probably not; we’re not going to be in that [construction] boom again. You’re not just replacing what was lost: [The market is] all new. Those people who lost their [construction jobs], they’re not going to get them back. They’ve gone off to do something else.”

A component to these misconceptions, he says, is a too-heavy emphasis on the notion of a “state’s” economy.

“This stuff is a local phenomenon.

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DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

There are 15 metropolitan areas [in North Carolina], and each has its own story. There’s really no ‘state’ economy.

It’s an aggregation of the smaller ones.”

And one of the more misleading statistics on a state level? Unemployment figures, which leave out potentially large groups of people.

“It’s an econometric model,” says heidi Reiber, research director at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce (whose job Tveidt once held). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the national unemployment rate based on a household survey, then tailors the information for each state by adding in unemployment insurance claims and other payroll employment measures, Reiber notes.

“Unemployment numbers are very unreliable,” Tveidt says. “They’re an estimate of an estimate [on the state level]. The way they collect them, it’s a phone survey. In Asheville, it’ll be a couple of calls, probably, and they’re going to extrapolate that out.”

“You’re (by definition) unemployed if you’re actively looking for work and you can’t find it,” he says. “If you say, ‘I gave up a long time ago,’ you don’t count.”

Adds Reiber: “People are classified as unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks, and are currently available for work.”

This means people who don’t factor into unemployment percentages

mountainx.com

JoB sEEKERs: By one measure, unemployment is down in North Carolina, and Asheville’s got one of the lowest rates in the state (4.1 percent). But if you count those who’ve dropped out of the market or are underemployed, the statewide rate is higher than 12 percent. Photo by Bill Rhodes

include those who haven’t looked for work in 32 days or more, those who are injured and unable to work, even if for short periods of time, and people on a company’s payroll in any capacity, even if working a few hours per week or month.

“The [state] survey is so bad,” Tveidt says, “that it’s not statistically valid.”

Indeed, the Raleigh News & Observer’s “Biz Blog” reported Oct. 24 that a quarterly federal measure of the joblessness rate for North Carolina was almost double the monthly joblessness rate released by the state for September. The so-called U6 rate, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, put North Carolina’s unemployment rate at 12.6 percent, versus the 6.7 percent rate released by the state. The U6 measure includes “underemployed”

workers plus people who stop jobhunting because they’re discouraged, according to Biz Blog author John Murawski, who also noted that the U6 is considered “the broadest existing measure of unemployment.”

However, these numbers aren’t broken down into local regions.

Regaining 62,000 jobs also does not account for specific local impacts. The metro areas seeing the largest job gains since the beginning of 2010, according to the N.C Division of Employment Security, are the Charlotte-GastoniaRock Hill area (which includes some parts of South Carolina), and the Raleigh-Cary area (See “Net Job Gains” chart). Other metro areas have had significantly less gains, if they’re gaining at all.

And Asheville? “We’re doing OK here,” Tveidt says. maRKEt REaLitiEs To more fully understand the local employment situation, it helps to see the bigger picture. The three economic indicators for Asheville, notes Tveidt, are health care, tourism and manufacturing.

“The technical term is ‘specialization,’” he says. “So Las Vegas is in entertainment, Silicon Valley’s making chips. We are tourism, manufacturing and health care. If you want to forecast how Asheville’s going to do, you look at those three.”

E NC Metro Areas Net Job Gains 2010 – 2014

Source: North Carolina Division of Employment Security Chart courtesy of Syneva Economics

Health care (officially designated as “health care and social assistance”) is the largest, with 23,760 employees in 2013, according to NCDES. There is no official designation for tourism, but it’s generally included under the category of “leisure and hospitality,” which itself breaks down into “accommodation and food services,” and “arts, entertainment and recreation” in NCDES data.

There were 16,583 such jobs as of 2013 in Asheville.

“Health care’s kind of in a weird place, tourism’s doing really well, and manufacturing, it’s up a little bit, but not huge,” says Tveidt. “We’re kind of relying on the growth that comes out of the tourism and health care side of things right now.”

For decades, employment in the region’s health care sector has grown steadily a few percentage points each year, says Tveidt. Now, however, with the advent of the Affordable Care Act and all it entails, the pace of growth has been disrupted — “and I’m not sure anyone truly knows how that will shake out here,” Tveidt acknowledges.

Manufacturing is smallest of the three, with 10,792 employees as of 2013, and its growth is small. But what manufacturing has that makes it a strong economic indicator — and what the other big industries in Asheville do not have — is a large GDP (gross domestic product).

thE tRouBLE with touRism The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis defines GDP as “the measure of the market value of all final goods and services produced within a metropolitan area in a particular period of time (annually).”

Take manufacturing, for example. “When you think of manufacturing — what do they do? They take a bunch of parts, and they put them together and they charge a whole lot of money for that. The value of what they make is really high,” Tveidt explains.

He brings up Asheville’s budding local beer-brewing industry, which is counted as beverage manufacturing. Even with good wages, the craft-beer industries that make up Asheville’s lifeblood simply do not have the GDP to pull wages up and compensate for Asheville’s high cost of living — the highest in the state, in fact. The largest local industry, health care, seems like it would — but its GDP includes health care support occupations, which have a mean hourly wage of $12.77.

“Health care includes nursing care and nursing homes and that sort of stuff,” says Tveidt.

“The lower wages are probably on [that side].”

The biggest culprit, however, is tourism.

“Tourism breeds low-wage jobs,” says Vicki meath, executive director of Just Economics of Western North Carolina, an Asheville nonprofit.

“One of the problems is that many of the industries that fueled Western North Carolina 30, 40 years ago have generally left and have been replaced by tourism,” Meath says.

Tourism is linked to huge swaths of what Asheville is known for: food, hotels and leisure. It also has a symbiotic relationship to retail.

“Tourism is directly related to retail sales,” Tveidt says. “People come here, and they buy stuff.”

As it turns out, people bought $1.5 billion worth of stuff in 2012, Reiber says. This also led to an additional $800 million in sales from “direct and induced impacts,” she notes. So all told, tourism and its related industries generated $2.3 billion in sales in 2012, as well as about $250 million in tax revenues.

And that’s just a part of it. Asheville’s economy as a whole appears very robust. Its total GDP was some $15.8 billion in 2013, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Yet the GDP per employee — representing what each employee contributes in pure economic terms — lands Asheville dead last in North Carolina.

Syneva calculates Asheville’s average per-employee GDP at $59,622.

By comparison, Durham-Chapel Hill, ranked No. 1, has a per-employee GDP of $104,291.

While local employees in tourismbased industries actually fare better than their counterparts in other areas of the state, according to NCDES figures from 2014, the wages are so low that it doesn’t approach the actual cost of living. That leaves Asheville employees working long and laborious hours doing jobs that don’t have much pure monetary value simply due to the intrinsic nature of the business, and thus naturally tends to push wages down.

This is not to say that tourism is without merit. Jobs connected to tourism do “contribute to the region’s diverse economy,” says Reiber. “Diverse economies function more effectively and weather downturns better.”

But economic durability can’t negate the low wages influenced by low GDP. And there are also few answers for other factors keeping wages low in tourism jobs, such as the skills and education level required for such positions.

“Many [tourism] jobs are entry-level,” says Tveidt. “That’s not to say they

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aren’t labor intensive. They are valuable. But they’re not specialized skills.”

Adds Reiber: “While many of the associated occupations [in tourism] pay below the average wage, this can be tied to factors that include … education requirements for workers.”

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Just Economics recognizes the realities of the local economy and tries to effect change within that framework.

“Profit margins are lower [in tourism industries],” Meath says. “That’s why we work with businesses that try to help them get to a living wage.”

In particular, food-service wages of all types are notoriously low. The average hourly wage for food preparation and serving-related industries, as classified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $9.99 per hour.

This average includes all types of waiters, cooks and first-line supervisors. It’s the lowest wage in the Asheville area.

Using a complex formula based on federal poverty guidelines, Just Economics calculates the living wage for the region as $11.85 per hour without insurance, and $10.35 an hour with insurance. At just over 200 percent of the federal poverty level, the living wage reflects what someone would have to earn to purchase basic necessities without any government assistance.

“I think some people believe that wages are determined by the person running the company,” says Tveidt.

“And obviously there’s some discretion there. But they ask, ‘How come they just don’t pay them more? Are they keeping it all to themselves?’ No, it’s just the composition of our economy. It’s the [economic] value of what they’re making.”

But, says Meath, wages can be increased if a business is determined to reach that goal: “There’s a variety of factors that have helped [area restaurants raise wages]. We’ve had lots of restaurants [start paying living wages], from Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack to Bouchon. If there’s a commitment … we can work through those things and understand the long-term impacts. It might feel like an investment, but the long-term impacts prove better results.”

Since 2007, Just Economics has certified almost 400 organizations that pay a living wage, starting with Asheville city government employees.

“It’s a process,” says Meath. “But we have some savvy, intelligent business owners in this community, and it’s just a matter of trying to talk with them and walk with them, because they understand their business.”

The results, she says, bear out both locally and in studies. “We have the anecdotal evidence locally and the data nationally that shows workers that are paid a higher wage stay longer, and you save money in recruitment, retention, training and development and productivity.

Having someone on the job for two years is more economically beneficial to the employer than having someone who’s been on the job for two weeks.

“You’re looking at these things that are subtleties,” says Meath.

“But when you look back at the end of the year, you see those [savings].” thE paRt-timE woRKfoRcE Another piece of the local economic puzzle that’s not easily represented in statistics is tourism’s impact on the number of hours each employee works per week.

The average weekly wage for a person working in the category of accommodation and food industries was $314 in 2013, according to NCDES. Meanwhile, retail workers averaged $453 per week that same year. What drags this average so low is not just the wages themselves, but the few hours many employees get. “[Asheville] always comes out really low on average weekly wage because we have such a strong tourism industry,” says Tveidt. “And a good portion of that — we can’t be sure how much exactly — but a good portion are part-timers.”

At $10.35 per hour (the Asheville living wage with insurance), someone working 40 hours a week would earn an annual wage of $21,528. At $11.85 per hour (the living wage without insurance), someone working 40 hours a week would earn an annual wage of $24,648 per year.

Yet the average weekly wage for someone in food services ($314) yields only $16,328 annually for a 40-hour week. For retail, the average weekly wage translates into an annual wage of $23,556 for a 40-hour week. And with fewer hours, part-time workers are taking home even less.

These two industries accounted for 30,000 people in Asheville’s workforce, just a shade over 25 percent.

Once more, says Tveidt, “put [these industries] up against

Photo by Jennifer Callahan

Voted top hairstylist in the Mountain Xpress

2013 figures Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Syneva Economics

something like manufacturing. Their employees are going to work 40-50 hours a week.”

“There’s multiple facets to [the parttime wages],” says Meath. “We need support systems that allow people to be able to work. Child care’s a huge barrier for low-income families. Having a more efficient transit system … would expand the amount of time people are available to work. And I think that raising wages in general helps. Imagine if someone is working 30 hours a week at two minimum-wage jobs. So you’re working 60 hours. Now let’s say you make $15 an hour. Now you can work one job for 30 hours and still maintain your lifestyle. You’ve just freed up this other job for someone else to do.” possiBLE changE If Asheville finds success in creating a widespread living wage, says Meath, it will be because of the strong local business community: “The success we’ve had is not with corporations, but with businesses invested in the community. When you live here, and you know the cost of housing is really inconsistent with wages, and you want this community to thrive, you understand living wages differently than if you’re a shareholder in Iowa or wherever.”

But, Meath says: “It’s harder for a small business unless everyone’s doing it.”

And, says Reiber, “organizations face a variety of challenges … while one organization might be able to increase wages, another may not, or it may find it has to compensate in other ways to remain competitive.”

Indeed, one of the biggest pushbacks about raising wages is the prospect that a business might have to cut positions because they cannot afford to pay all employees the higher wage — not to mention the fear of financial losses.

But, says Meath, while employers do sometimes suffer slight initial losses, “every time that happens there’s been a bounce-back. The economy makes up for it. We have employers saying, ‘Yeah, this cost me more money initially, but then I was able to recoup that.’”

The number of jobs, she says, increases as well: “When low- and middle-income people have money in their pockets, it’s circulating in the local economy. Now all of the sudden, you can go to the local pizza shop instead of eating ramen. When that pizza shop has more customers, the owner needs more employees.

We see, in that sense, that raising wages is an economic benefit … workers are consumers. When … we have more consumers, our economy is more sustainable.”

Notes Reiber: “Additional household income provides workers the opportunity to purchase basic needs and beyond, and purchases may serve to boost the economy. As long as a higher wage doesn’t threaten the organization’s ability to sustain itself or compete effectively.”

“We don’t want businesses to make decisions that put them out of business,” Meath says. “That’s certainly not good for the workers — so we’re certainly not in this to say, ‘Do something that’s going to harm your business.’”

So what is Just Economics’ hope for businesses? “Coming to an understanding of what a living wage is, how it’s good for a business and how it’s good for the community. We see the sustainability of living wages; let’s try to walk with you and see if there are any connections we can make in order to help you get there.”

And Meath has some statistics of her own that bear noting: “Half of our kids in public schools in this county are living in families that can’t meet basic needs without public or private assistance, or solutions … like unsafe or doubled-up housing,” says Meath. “When we look at it from that perspective, is $11.85 really that much? Don’t all workers that are working full-time, 52 weeks a year deserve to put a roof over their heads and bread on the table?”

That’s a point also made by patrick mchugh in a Dec. 24 “Progressive Pulse” post for NC Policy Watch, an independent project of the NC Justice Center (a nonprofit anti-poverty organization): “One of the most distressing aspects of the last few years is how many of the middle-class positions lost during the recession were replaced with low-wage employment, part-time work and jobs with few opportunities for career advancement.”

Noting that the economic recovery has done nothing so far to reduce poverty in the state, he concludes, “If we don’t honestly look at what policy changes are needed to ensure that hard work pays, the economic damage of the recession will become a permanent reality for many North Carolinians.”

And nobody wants those kind of statistics. X

mountainx.com

52 South French Broad Ave., Suite 201 Asheville, NC 28801 • 8282544247 dreamstylist@themiddy.com

DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

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by Jake Frankel

jfrankel@mountainx.com

2014’s greatest hits: The year’s most-viewed stories at mountainx.com

3) “hanDcuffED: LocaL BaRtEnDERs DEcRY aBc Law REstRictions” As Asheville undergoes a boom in bars that specialize in cocktails for those with discerning tastes, a growing number of people in the local industry are criticizing legal restrictions on serving mixed beverages. This story explored some of their concerns, from Alcoholic Beverage Control’s rules governing specialty liquors to state laws banning ingredients from being stored or infused in Mason jars.

4) “wiLL tinY homEs BE ashEViLLE’s nExt Big thing?”

onLinE stREam: The most-viewed story on the Xpress website in 2014 reported on a zombie float down the French Broad River. Photo by Cindy Kunst

While not quite as attention-getting as the impending end of the world would’ve been, the “Tube-ocalypse” sucked in a drove of zombie-hungry readers this year: The most-viewed story on mountainx.com in 2014 was “Asheville Tries for Tubing World Record with ‘Zombie Float.’”

Dubbing their event the Tubelcalypse, organizers announced they would try to break the Guinness world record for linked tubers and crush the previous tally of 620 floaters held by Portland, Ore. Plus, Asheville would try to beat its former “Beer City USA” poll nemesis in style, encouraging its legions of participants to dress as zombies.

On a chilly day in late September, 548 zombie-clad participants joined hands as they tubed down the French Broad River through town.

But they were just 87 people shy of the world record mark. Organizers immediately said they would try again next year.

More than just a fun competition, the event aimed to raise funds for a local environmental nonprofit and awareness of the river as a destination for outdoor recreation. After decades of neglect, Asheville’s section of the

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French Broad is in a renaissance as more boaters and floaters flock to its waters and new bars, restaurants and music venues line its banks.

Here’s a look at the rest of the top-10 most-viewed stories of 2014 on the Mountain Xpress website, as measured by Google Analytics.

2) “ViDEo: KRistEn wiig taLKs ashEViLLE on LEttERman” Comedian Kristen Wiig spent much of the summer in Asheville — along with actors Zach Galifianakis and Owen Wilson — filming a bank heist movie called Masterminds. In their off hours, the stars made big local waves as they were regularly spotted out on the town, visiting a range of Asheville restaurants, bars and shops.

On Sept. 3, Wiig spent most of her segment on the Late Show with David Letterman painting a funny picture of the city for a national audience. The Xpress post documented the segment in which she described Asheville as “a little kind of hippie town” where “people who used to follow the Grateful Dead have moved … to die.”

This cover feature tapped into the blogosphere buzz about picturesque miniature dwellings and the cost savings and lifestyle simplification they make possible. Several local builders have started specializing in such structures, hoping to find business success that fits with their environmental values.

Amid the swelling interest, however, the July 15 article also chronicles many remaining hurdles. In addition to financial and legal barriers, mainstream culture continues to trumpet the message that bigger is inherently better. And there still seems to be more people curious about tiny homes than folks willing to actually live in one. Still, if some of the ideas being kicked around this year come to fruition, they could have a substantial local impact.

5) “LaB maY stop hosting concERts inDEfinitELY” A Charlotte metal band made headlines for covering the Lexington Avenue Brewery’s music room with pig blood during a June 22 show, causing major damage. In the wake of that incident, this post reported that the brewery was unlikely to book more concerts in the room.

In the months since, several shows were canceled, and the renovated room has been primarily used as a private event space. The changes didn’t affect the LAB’s main front stage, restaurant and brewery.

6) “goD’s not DEaD” (a REViEw BY KEn hanKE) Xpress movie critic Ken hanke panned this film, calling it “shameless propaganda melodrama.” His critique attracted attention for its declaration that the movie is so “morally dubious” in its portrayal of Christians as a persecuted minority in America that it might give “God a faint wave of nausea.”

together to create food security on a local level. These traditional agricultural systems made food and food production an intimate and inextricable part of daily life. This July 23 article explored how in modern times, those everyday interactions — with the plants, animals and the practice of raising them — are becoming less and less common.

Some local groups are working to counter that trend, holding classes on traditional agriculture, permaculture, wild food and medicinal herbs.

Their goal is to support a resurgence of these principles and an integration of of older “folk systems” into the modern economy.

9) “2014 ELEction REsuLts: BuncomBE goEs BLuE”

caLLing it a night: Brian Turner takes a concession call from Tim Moffitt on election night while his campaign manager, Sagar Sane, observes. Photo by Pat Barcas

7) “ashEViLLE namED ‘amERica’s QuiRKiEst town’ BY travel + leisure Magazine” Since being named the “new freak capital of the U.S.” by Rolling Stone 14 years ago, Asheville has arguably only gotten weirder. And on Sept. 1, this post noted that Travel + Leisure Magazine further burnished the town’s eccentric credentials, naming Asheville the No. 1 “Quirky Town” in America.

“Is it the thinner mountain air or that the locals are standing too close to a vortex? Either way, these North Carolinians are tops for eccentricity thanks to both old and new charms: the vortex-laden terrain, which purports to send off good energy; the Friday night drum circle in downtown’s Pritchard Park; and the seemingly bottomless love of local beer,” the influential travel magazine reported. It went on to recommend that visitors sample the beer-andmoonshine “hop tails” at the Grove Park Inn, “the BRÖÖ shampoo at the Earth Fare shop, or the port cake at Short Street Cakes.”

8) “REViVing foLK agRicuLtuRE in thE moDERn fooD EconomY” Historically, food systems in the Appalachian Mountains relied on tightknit communities working

Despite rightward-streaming state and federal political currents, Buncombe County emerged on election night, Nov. 4, as a small sea of Democratic blue. In several important local races, Democratic candidates toppled Republican incumbents or maintained their positions of power. Republican legislators tim moffitt and nathan Ramsey both fell. Democrats kept control of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.

And todd williams unseated longtime District Attorney Ron moore, whom he defeated in the May Democratic primary election.

The results marked a political pendulum swing from two years ago, when Republicans celebrated historic local gains. And they could have a substantial local impact in the years ahead.

10) “maJoR nEw music VEnuEs, REstauRant pLannED foR ashEViLLE’s RiVERsiDE DRiVE” This Sept. 3 story reported on the transformation of a 7-acre patch of land along the French Broad River from a scrap-metal yard into a major new entertainment, recreation, food and beer hub.

The music venue on the property at 665 Riverside Drive opened to the public a couple of weeks later, hosting the official zombie float after-party. But construction at the site will continue into the new year. A restaurant, two bars, indoor and outdoor performance stages, as well as river access points are all scheduled to open in 2015. The development is one of many that are revitalizing Asheville’s French Broad riverfront. X

Readers weigh in We asked Xpress readers to weigh in via various online outlets and share ideas and thoughts on what they found to be the most interesting or important local issues, events and stories of the year. Here’s a sample of responses: Via mountainx.com: “My biggest question is are we ready for the growth and development that is coming? Do we all know what the RULES are and where the decisions are made? We have been named the best of. Fill in the blank. EVERYTHING. EVEN BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC. Hotels, second homes, retirees, young and old are coming for the quality of life we all love. What is being done to preserve that? And do we agree as a community about how to absorb and benefit by the attention of the rest of the world [but] not lose what we all love?”

— Karen Cragnolin

“I think the biggest local story is the repudiation of the seizure of Asheville’s water by Superior Court Judge Howard Manning, and sponsors Tim Moffitt and Nathan Ramsey’s subsequent loss in November.” — Barry Summers

“I would say the story of the year was the Asheville unit density increase in commercial zones. Second might be the new District Attorney and possible relevance to the Ferguson DA. Then Anderson vs. the 44.” — Alan Ditmore

Via thE ashEViLLE poLitics facEBooK gRoup: “Watching gay marriage sweep the country so much faster than we could have imagined.”

— Iris Lewars

“Democrats swept local offices (and more votes cast for Democrats in Buncombe County) compared to Republican sweep elsewhere.” — Michael McDonough

“…PoltiFact says climate change is the Reader’s Choice issue. MX likes the local angle, but if localities around the world don’t collaborate on climate change mitigation, then it’s bad news. New reality.” — Grant Millin

“Keeping the Buncombe County Commission [Democratic] majority (environmental measures, micro-loans and other investments …). Also New Belgium, greenways and affordable housing. Some small progressive taxation measures. It’s the economy, stupid.”

— Matt Christie

Via thE BuncomBE poLitics facEBooK gRoup:

“The downfall of [Asheville Police] Chief Anderson should be story No. 1. Thank you, brave 44 officers for taking it in the chin to rid us of this embarrassment. I am curious about the new DA. What is the story? And since he is JUST NOW taking office, isn’t whatever story arises about him really a 2015 story?” — Big Al

“Buncombe County’s full out assault on domestic violence. This is a gamechanger for women.” — Holly Jones

mountainx.com

“Chief Anderson resigning under duress. …

APD being called out for filming peaceful political protests…” — Jonathan Robert

“Bothwell.” — Lane Reid

“Gordon Smith ending homelessness, making organic local food affordable for all, making housing in Asheville affordable, and strengthening the middle class.” — Jonathan Wainscott

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C O M M U N I T Y

C A L E N D A R

DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

Calendar Deadlines In order to qualify for a fREE Listing, an event must benefit or be sponsored by a nonprofit or noncommercial community group.

In the spirit of Xpress’ commitment to support the work of grassroots community organizations, we will also list events our staff consider to be of value or interest to the public, including local theater performances and art exhibits even if hosted by a for-profit group or business.

All events must cost no more than $40 to attend in order to qualify for free listings, with the one exception of events that benefit nonprofits.

Commercial endeavors and promotional events do not qualify for free listings. fREE Listings will be edited by Xpress staff to conform to our style guidelines and length.

Free listings appear in the publication covering the date range in which the event occurs.

Events may be submitted via EmaiL to calendar@mountainx.com or through our onLinE submission form at mountainx. com/calendar. The deadline for free listings is the Wednesday one week prior to publication at 5 p.m.

For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/ calendar. For questions about free listings, call 251-1333, ext. 110. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 251-1333, ext. 320.

AnIMALS ReSoLutIon Run 5K 505-3440, bwar.org • TU (1/1), 8am-1pm - Proceeds from this race benefit Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. Race begins at 10am. $22. Meets at Pack Square Park.

BenefItS Box CReeK WILDeRneSS 5K/10K 258-3387 • SA (1/3), 9:00am - Proceeds from this race support building upgrades and educational programming at union Mills Learning Center. $20. Meets at Union Mills Learning Center, 6495 Hudlow Road, Union Mills MASqueRADe fuRBALL 505-3440, bwar.org • WE (12/31), 9pm-1am Tickets to this costumed gala

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a wintER wonDERLanD: Enjoy a beautiful view for a good cause. The Box Creek Wilderness 5/10 K and fun run will pass along the edge of the Box Creek Wilderness, a protected piece of land pieced together through parcels from private donation. Proceeds support the Union Mills Learning Center, a community education center. Photo courtesy of Box Creek Wilderness (p.14)

with live entertainment and a silent auction benefit Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. $75. Held at Celine and Company, 49 Broadway neW YeAR’S DAY PoLAR PLunGe 243-0540, facebook.com/ LakeLureNewYearsDay PolarPlunge • TH (1/1), 10:30am-1pm Proceeds from this ice-water dip will benefit local fire and rescue workers. Registration required. $20. Held at Lake Lure Inn and Spa, 2771 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure PRettY fACeS fILM PReMIeRe 263-4856, shejumps.com • TH (1/8), 6-9pm - Tickets to this screening of Pretty Faces, a documentary about female skiers, benefit SheJumps and Girls on the Run WnC. $15/$12 advance. Held at Millroom, 66 Ashland Ave.

DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

BuSIneSS & teCHnoLoGY

AMeRICAn BuSIneSS WoMen’S ASSoCIAtIon abwaskyhy.com, abwaskyhychapter@gmail.com • TH (1/8), 5:30-7:30pm - “Women and Wealth,” monthly dinner meeting. $25.

Held at Crowne Plaza Resort, 1 Resort Drive ASHevILLe JeWISH BuSIneSS foRuM ashevillejewishbusiness.com, ashevillejewishbusiness@ gmail.com • MO (1/5), 5:30-7:30pm - “How to Maximize Your Networking Experience,” monthly meeting. Free to attend. $13/dinner. Held at Yao, 153 Smoky Park Highway

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CLASSeS, MeetInGS & eventS ASHevILLe GLASS CenteR (pd.) Weekly course offerings in the art of glass blowing.

Day, weekend, and evening offerings. A challenging medium expertly taught by our skilled instructors, one on one or group experiences. ashevilleglass.com, 828-505-7110 BASIC MeDIAtIon SKILLS tRAInInG (pd.) At The Mediation Center. An interactive, hands-on training ideal for anyone looking to improve their conflict resolution skills.

For more info and to register: (828) 251-6089. www.mediatewnc.org ASHevILLe nAtIonAL oRGAnIzAtIon foR WoMen ashevillenow@live.com • SA (1/3), 10am-2pm - 2015

planning session and potluck. Held in private location. Register for details.

the Porter Center at Brevard College, 1 Brevard College Drive, Brevard

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

D&D ADventuReRS LeAGue

ASHevILLe toAStMASteRS CLuB 914-424-7347, ashevilletoastmasters.com • THURSDAYS, 6:15pm Weekly meetings for sharpening public speaking skills. Free.

Held at YMI Cultural Center, 39 South Market St. CoLLeGe founDAtIon of noRtH CARoLInA 866-866-2362, cfnc.org • TH (1/8), 6pm - Financial aid workshop for Transylvania County students. Held in

revtobiaz@gmail.com • WEDNESDAYS, 5:30pm Ongoing fantasy roleplaying campaign for both new and veteran players. Free. Held at The Wyvern’s Tale, 347 Merrimon Ave. toAStMASteRS 978-697-2783 • TUESDAYS, 7-8am - Works on developing public speaking and leadership skills. Free.

Held at Reuter YMCA, 3 Town Center Blvd.

WnC AGRICuLtuRAL CenteR 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, 687-1414, mountainfair.org • SA (1/3) & SU (1/4) - Asheville Gun & Knife Show. Free to attend.

DAnCe StuDIo zAHIYA, DoWntoWn DAnCe CLASSeS (pd.) Monday 6pm Hip Hop Wkt • Tuesday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Intro to Bellydance 7pm Bellydance 2 8pm West African • Wednesday 6pm Bellydance 3 • Thursday 9am Hip Hop Wrkt 4pm Kid’s Dance 6pm Intro to Bellydance 7pm West African • Saturday 9am Hip Hop Wrkt 10:30am Bellydance • Sunday 10am Intro to West African • $13 for 60 minute classes, Hip Hop Wkrt $5.

90 1/2 N. Lexington Avenue. www.studiozahiya.com :: 828.242.7595 SoutHeRn LIGHtS SquARe AnD RounD DAnCe CLuB 697-7732, southernlights.org • SA (1/3), 6pm - New Year Dance. Free. Held at Whitmire Activity Center, 310 Lily Pond Road, Hendersonville

SHADRACK CHRIStMAS WonDeRLAnD 693-9708, shadrackchristmas. com/asheville • Through SU (1/4), 6-10pm Drive-through LED Christmas lights and music show. $20+/vehicle. Held at WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road SWAnnAnoA vALLeY fIne ARtS LeAGue svfalarts.org • TUESDAYS through SUNDAYS until (12/31), 11am3pm - Holiday gift market. Free to attend. Held at Red House Studios and Gallery, 310 W. State St., Black Mountain WInteRfeSt In tHe GoRGe 625-2725, hickorynutchamber.org • Through TH (1/1) - Family activities including holiday lights, chili cook-off, hay rides and pictures with Santa. Contact for schedule. Free to attend. Held in Hickory Nut Gorge.

KIDS eCo ASHevILLe GReen DRInKS ashevillegreendrinks.com • WE (1/7), 7pm - Brent Martin discusses the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Free. Held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place

ASHevILLe ARt MuSeuM 2 N. Pack Square, 253-3227, ashevilleart.org • MO (12/29) through WE (12/31), 1-4pm - Holiday Arts Extravaganza, art camp for grades 1-4. $20 per day.

DeCK tHe tReeS libbafairleigh@gmail.com, facebook.com/montevistahotel • Through WE (12/31) Dollar-votes at this hand-decorated Christmas tree contest benefit Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries. Free to attend. Held at Monte Vista Hotel, 308 W. State St., Black Mountain

KIDS’ ACtIvItIeS At tHe LIBRARIeS buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library Free unless otherwise noted.

• FR (1/2), 4pm - Lego Builders club for ages 6-12.

Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • SA (1/3), 10am - Lego club for ages 5-12. Held at Oakley/ South Asheville Library, 749 Fairview Road • TU (1/6), 4pm - Yoga and stretching for ages 4-9. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • WE (1/7), 3:30pm - Lego club for ages 5-12. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • WEDNESDAYS, 11am - “Bounce ’n Books,” movement-based family story time.

Held at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview

n.C. ARBoRetuM 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, 665-2492, ncarboretum.org • Through SA (1/4), 6-10pm - “Winter Lights,” light show and festivities in the garden.

Admission fees apply.

RoLLInG foR ReADInG 776-0361, bookmobile@bcsemail.org A mobile early literacy program from Buncombe County Public Schools for children ages 3-5 and their parents. Free.

feStIvALS CARL SAnDBuRG HoMe 1928 Little River Road, Flat Rock, 693-4178, nps.gov/carl • TH (1/1) through TU (1/6) Christmas decoration home tour. $5/$3 seniors/free for 15 and younger.

MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS: •10-10:45am - Held at Haw Creek Elementary, 21 Trinity Chapel Road •11:15am-noon - Held at W.D. Williams Elementary, 161 Bee Tree Road, Swannanoa •1:45-2:30pm - Held at Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Road WEDNESDAYS: •12:45-1:30pm - Held at Fairview Elementary, 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS: •9-9:45am - Held at Leicester Elementary, 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester •10:30-11:15am - Held at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester • noon-12:45pm - Held at Johnston Elementary, 230 Johnston Blvd.

•1:15-2pm - Held at Emma Elementary, 37 Brickyard Road SPeLLBounD CHILDRen’S BooKSHoP 50 N. Merrimon Ave., 7087570, spellboundchildrensbookshop.com • SATURDAYS, 11-11:30am Story Time for ages 3-7. Free.

outDooRS YMCA of WnC 210-2265, ymcawnc.org • TH (1/1), 10am - 3-4 mile urban hike. Meets at UNCA campus. Registration required. Free.

SenIoRS ADuLt foRuM At fCC 692-8630, fcchendersonville.org • SU (1/4), 9:15am - “The Emotion Code,” emotional and physical pain workshop. Free. Held at First Congregational UCC of Hendersonville, 1735 5th Ave. W., Hendersonville

SPIRItuALItY ABout tHe tRAnSCenDentAL MeDItAtIon teCHnIque: fRee IntRoDuCtoRY LeCtuRe (pd.) Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation.

Learn about the authentic TM technique. It’s not concentrating, trying to be mindful, or common mantra practice. It’s an effortless, non-religious, evidence-based technique for

mountainx.com

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Send your event listings to calendar@mountainx.com.

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heightened well-being and a spiritually fulfilled life. The only meditation recommended by the American Heart Association.

• Topics: How the major forms of meditation differ—in practice and results; What science says about TM, stress, anxiety and depression; Meditation and brain research; What is Enlightenment? • Thursday, 6:307:30pm, Asheville tM Center, 165 E. Chestnut. 828-254-4350 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, 29 Ravenscroft Dr, Suite 200, (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.

All the pretty faces what: Pretty Faces: The Story of a Skier Girl benefit screening whEn: Thursday, Jan. 8, 6 p.m. whERE: The Millroom, 66 Asheland Ave., Asheville whY: Pretty Faces, a film celebrating women who thrive in the snow, originated with professional big-mountain skier and SheJumps co-founder Lynsey Dyer, whose objective was to give women and girls, young and old, a source of inspiration.

“I wanted to give young girls something positive to look up to … that also shows the elegance, grace, community and style that is unique to women in the mountains,” says Dyer in a press release. That sentiment is echoed

by North Carolina SheJumps ambassador cat wile: “I wanted to find other women who wanted to do outdoorsy things in a charitable way. When I saw that there were no Pretty Faces screenings

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DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

in the Southeast, I reached out to [SheJumps] to put one on. It’s important to get girls active in the outdoors,” Wile says.

The fundraiser event will feature a raffle, with prizes ranging from Asheville Brewery Tours passes to gear and gift certificates from Eagles Nest Outfitters, Mountain Khakis and Patagonia to a season’s worth of board or ski tuning from Asheville Adventure Rentals. Beer and food will also be available for sale from Asheville Brewing Co. Each attendee will receive a free mid-week ski pass from Cataloochee Ski Area, one of the primary event sponsors along with Prestige Subaru and Diamond Brand Outdoors. Funds raised will benefit SheJumps and Girls on the Run of Western North Carolina, with funds used to support each nonprofit’s operational costs.

Tickets to Pretty Faces are available for $12 in advance at pf-asheville. ticketleap.com/ or $15 at the door. For more information, email southeast@ shejumps.org.

— Michael McDonald

mountainx.com

AWAKenInG DeePeSt nAtuRe MeDItAtIon CLASS (pd.) Consciousness teacher and columnist Bill Walz. Healing into life through deepened stillness, presence & wisdom. Meditation, lessons & dialogue in Zen inspired unorthodox enlightenment. Mondays, 6:30-7:30pm - Asheville Friends Meeting House at 227 Edgewood Ave. (off Merrimon). Donation. (828) 258-3241, healing@billwalz.com, www.billwalz.com eCKAnKAR WoRSHIP SeRvICe (pd.) “Live Gracefully in Agreement with Divine Spirit” “The Law of Economy is the divine tension behind all actions and behavior in nature so that no force is ever lost or misspent.

This principle is the modus operandi of the ECK Masters, who pursue their missions with simplicity and grace. They reverberate to the Music of God. It compels their every impulse and deed. The greatest benefit is gotten from every expenditure of thought and energy, and whoever orders his life around an agreement with the Light and Sound of ECK is assured that every problem has a readymade solution near at hand.”

Experience stories from the heart, creative arts and more, followed by fellowship and a potluck lunch. (Donations accepted).

• Date: Sunday, January 4, 2015, 11am-12 noon, Eckankar Center

of Asheville, 797 Haywood Rd. (lower level), Asheville NC 28806, 828-254-6775. www.eckankar-nc.org oPen HeARt MeDItAtIon (pd.) Experience and deepen the spiritual connection to your heart, the beauty and deep peace of the Divine within you.

Increase your natural joy and gratitude while releasing negative emotions. Love Offering 7-8pm Tuesdays, 5 Covington St. 296-0017 heartsanctuary.org tHe BLue MAnDALA (pd.) Jan 10th- Manifesting Your Intentions Using Sacred Path Vision Boards, 1-4PM payment & pre-registration by Jan 3rd $25; Jan 22nd- Energy Healing, Chakras & The Archangels $12 if preregisted or $15 at the door; Ongoing Events: TuesSat. by appointment Intuitive Readings & Holistic Healing.

The Blue Mandala 1359 Cane Creek Road Fletcher, NC 28732 828-275-2755 www.thebluemandala.com GRACe LutHeRAn CHuRCH 1245 Sixth Ave. W., Hendersonville, 693-4890, gracelutherannc.com • SU (1/4), 3-5pm - “Recharge Your Prayer Life,” prayer workshop. Registration required.

Free.

PARISH of St. euGene 72 Culvern St., 254-5193, steugene.org • 1st FRIDAYS - Taizé service.

Free to attend.

SHAMBHALA MeDItAtIon CenteR 19 Westwood Pl., 200-5120, shambhalaashvl@gmail.com • 1st THURSDAYS, 6-7pm Public group sitting and Dharma reading/discussion. Free.

SPoKen & WRItten WoRD BunCoMBe CountY PuBLIC LIBRARIeS buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library Free unless otherwise noted.

• FR (1/2), 10am-4pm - Used book sale to benefit Friends of Buncombe County Libraries.

Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • SA (1/3), 11am - How to download e-books seminar. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • TU (1/6), 7pm - Jeremy B. Jones discusses his book Bearwallow: A Personal History of a Mountain Homeland. Held at Fairview

Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview • TU (1/6), 7pm - Book club: The Mirrored World by Debra Dean.

Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • TH (1/8), 6:30pm - Book club: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.

Held at East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road • TH (1/8), 1pm - Book club: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Held at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview fLetCHeR LIBRARY 120 Library Road, Fletcher, 687-1218, library.hendersoncountync.org Free unless otherwise noted.

• MONDAYS (1/5) & (1/12), 4:30pm - Read To Virgil the Therapy Dog. Registration required. Free.

• 2nd THURSDAYS, 10:30am Fletcher book club.

• 2nd THURSDAYS, 1:30pm Writers Guild of WNC meeting.

• TH (1/8), 1:30pm - Writers Guild meeting. Free.

MALAPRoP’S BooKStoRe AnD CAfe 55 Haywood St., 254-6734, malaprops.com Free unless otherwise noted.

• SA (1/4), 3pm - “Poetrio” with Lenore McComas Coberly, David T. Manning & Ross White.

• 1st TUESDAYS, 7pm Enneagram relationships workshop.

• TU (1/6), 7pm - Current Events book club: This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein.

• TU (1/6), 7pm - Women in Lively Discussion book club: The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse.

• WE (1/7), 1pm - Autism book club: Autism and the Myth of the Person Alone by Douglas Biklen.

• WE (1/7), 7pm - Malaprop’s book club: The Bartender’s Tale by Ivan Doig. tHoMAS WoLfe SHoRt StoRY BooK CLuB 253-8304, wolfememorial.com • TH (1/8), 5:30-7pm -“Dark in the Forest, Strange as Time.”

Discussion led by David Madden.

Free. Held at Thomas Wolfe Memorial, 52 N. Market St

voLunteeRInG AARP tAxAIDe founDAtIon 505-4373, ijhewitt@aol.com • Through (2/28) - Volunteers needed for preparation of free tax returns at various Buncombe County Libraries.

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cLiché comE to LifE For her Advanced Placement World History class at Magnolia (Texas) West High School in December, Reagan hardin constructed an elaborate diorama of a Middle Ages farm — which her dog ate on the night before it was due. Veterinarian carl southern performed the necessary scopingout on Roscoe, extracting the plastic chicken head, horse body, sheep and pig, along with wire that held the display together. Warned Dr. Southern: “Don’t put anything past your dog. We all say my dog would never eat that, and that’s the main thing he’ll eat.” thE EntREpREnEuRiaL spiRit Meg C Jewelry Gallery of Lexington, Ky., introduced a limited line of Kentucky-centric gold-plated necklaces and earrings in June (recently touted for Christmas!)

— each dangling with genuine Kentucky Fried Chicken bones. All stems were picked clean from KFC wings, washed, dried, sealed with varnish and conductive paint, copper-electroformed and then electroplated with 14k gold. Small-bone necklaces go for $130 (large, $160) and earrings for $200 a pair — and according to meg c, accessorize anything from jeans to a lady’s best little black dress.

“Ethical” fur designer pamela paquin debuted the first of her anticipated line of roadkill furs recently — raccoon neck muffs (“I can literally take two raccoons and put them butt to butt (so they) clasp neck to neck”) that will sell for around $1,000. Raccoons yield “luscious” fur, she said, but her favorite pelt is otter. The Massachusetts woman leaves her card with various New England road crews (“Hi, my name is Pamela. Will you call me when you have roadkill?”) and does business under the name Petite Mort (“little death” in French, but also, she said, a euphemism for a woman’s post-orgasm sensations).

Not too long ago, “generous” job perquisites were, perhaps, health insurance and little more, but Silicon Valley startups now race to outdo each other in dreaming up luxuries to pamper

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workers. A November Wall Street Journal report noted that the photo-sharing service Pinterest offers employee classes in the martial art “muay thai” and in August brought in an “artisanal jam maker” to create after-work cocktails — a far cry from most workplaces, which offer, perhaps, a vending machine downstairs. (Several companies have hired hotel-concierge professionals to come manage their creative addons.) Not every perk is granted, though: Pinterest turned down an employee’s request to install a zip line directly to a neighborhood bar. chutzpah!

Jose manuel marino-najera filed a lawsuit in Tucson, Ariz., in December against the U.S. Border Patrol because a K-9 dog had bitten his arm repeatedly during an arrest.

Marino-Najera, illegally in the U.S., had been found sleeping under a tree near the Mexican border, holding 49 pounds of marijuana. ms. Emerald white, owner of four pit bulls declared “dangerous” by Texas City, Texas, after they mauled a neighbor’s beagle to death, filed a lawsuit in November against the grieving neighbor. White said she had been injured trying to restrain her dogs in the skirmish, which had been facilitated by the neighbor’s failure to fix their common fence. not as stuRDY as thEY usED to BE Some students at Harvard, Columbia and Georgetown law schools demanded in December that professors postpone final exams because those lawyers-in-training were too traumatized by the grand jury decisions in Ferguson, Mo., and New York City, which cost them sleep and made them despair of the legal system’s lack of integrity. (Critics cited by Bloomberg Business Week suggested that lawyers who cannot function at a high level in the face of injustice might fare poorly in the profession.) X

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

W E L L N E S S

First comes awareness Mission Health takes aim at bias and disparity in health care

BY ERiK pEaKE

elevenpeake@yahoo.com

How does a culture combat an entity that cannot be seen? Start with awareness of the issue. “As humans, we all have bias,” says Dr. Rebecca Bernstein of Mission Health.

“It doesn’t make us bad people, but when that bias affects how we make decisions, it can have adverse effects on our patients,” she says.

“We hope to help providers communicate better with patients and be more aware of patients’ perceptions, wishes and fears.”

To build awareness, Mission Health has created a diversity committee, which Bernstein chairs.

“The [committee] goals ... are to educate our employees and care providers in ‘cultural competency,’ to identify and eliminate health care disparities and to partner Mission Health with community events and organizations,” Bernstein says. She also points out the lack of minorities who work in the health care field and suggests that patients prefer to be cared for by providers of the same ethnicity.

Recently, the diversity committee initiated a cultural competency training program and an implicit bias test. “The education is focused on raising awareness: awareness of our own beliefs and how they contribute to decision-making, and the awareness that health care disparities exist,” Bernstein says.

Mission Health offers the cultural competency training course to all of its employees, with the goal of helping them meet the needs of patients who come from diverse backgrounds. “Our course objectives are to explore how personal and cultural beliefs affect our decision-making and how we interact with our patients; to under-

hEaLth sEnsE: Mission Health’s diversity committee, says Dr. Rebecca Bernstein, aims to educate health providers and raise “awareness of our own beliefs and how they contribute to decision-making, and the awareness that health care disparities exist.”

Photo courtesy of Mission Health

stand the nature of assumptions and biases; to raise awareness around the existence of health care disparities; to recognize the right and wrong ways to work with an interpreter; and to begin to use certain communication tools to improve the health care of all patients,” Bernstein says.

The training is one part of a multifaceted effort — Mission’s “Achieve the BIG(GER) Aim” initiative “to get each patient to the desired outcome, first without harm, also without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family,” Bernstein says.

She also points out that disparities in health care are a national, not a regional, problem. “When we talk about all patients and families, we need to be aware that there is [an] overwhelming body of evidence that

shows [the] existence of health care disparities,” Bernstein says, mentioning an Institute of Medicine report — Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care.

Bernstein also explains that the implicit bias test addresses the way that an unconscious bias can affect decision-making. “Unconscious bias is more prominent when we are busy or stressed and can be more likely to affect our decisions if we have to make those decisions quickly,” she says. “Our course addresses the existence of unconscious bias and helps providers be more aware that bias can affect how they treat a patient or decisions they make.”

Mission Health collaborates with other organizations, such as the Minority Medical Mentorship Program, the Western Carolina Mentorship Society and the Asheville Buncombe Institute of Parity Achievement. The underlying goal of all these programs, Bernstein says, is to build a stronger community and to foster a better patient experience.

“We are building partnerships with community organizations with the hopes of improving the health of our communities,” she says.

Recognizing and combating bias in health care is really about helping patients. “Disparities exist in every community,” Bernstein says. “At Mission Health, we look at our outcomes by race and ethnicity. If a disparity is found, we share that with the leadership of the department it affects so that we can think about ways to address the disparity.”

For more information, visit the Institute of Medicine website at avl. mx/0lz. X

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WeLLneSS CReAtIve ReLAxAtIon™ foR KIDS (pd.) Wednesdays 4:15-5:00, @ Black Mountain Yoga Center. Therapeutic yoga for children with special needs. www.becreativeyoga.com. Contact Brandon Hudson to register, 828-230-6081, bbhudson30@gmail.com ASHevILLe CoMMunItY YoGA CenteR 8 Brookdale Road, ashevillecommunityyoga.com • SU (1/4), 4pm - Affordable Care Act information session. Free.

• SUNDAYS (1/4) through (1/25), 5:30-7pm Introduction to Yoga series. $40.

JuBILee CoMMunItY CHuRCH 46 Wall St., 252-5335, jubileecommunity.org • TU (1/6), 7-9pm - New year wisdom and leadership workshop. $10.

ReD CRoSS BLooD DRIveS redcrosswnc.org Appointment and ID required.

• FR (1/2), noon-4:30pm - Appointments & info: 6508000. Held at Lowe’s 2201, 19 McKenna Road, Arden • FR (1/2), 11am-3:30pm - Appointments & info: 1-800-RED-CROSS. Held at Reynolds Fire Department, 235 Charlotte Highway • SU (1/4), noon-4:30pm - Appointments & info: 782-8431. Held at Walmart, 125 Bleachery Blvd • TU (1/6), 11am-3:30pm - Appointments & info: 628-2800. Held at Flesher’s Fairview Health Care, 3016 Cane Creek Road, Fairview

• WE (1/7), 11:30am-4pm - Appointments & info: 259-6908 ext. 146. Held at Black Mountain Neuro Medical Treatment Center, 932 Old U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain tAoISt tAI CHI SoCIetY taoist.org/usa/locations/asheville • WEDNESDAYS, 5:30-7pm - Beginners Tai Chi class. Free. Held at Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way

SuPPoRt GRouPS ADuLt CHILDRen of ALCoHoLICS & DYSfunCtIonAL fAMILIeS For people who grew up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional home. Info: adultchildren. org. Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings.

AL-Anon/ ALAteen fAMILY GRouP A support group for the family and friends of alcoholics. Info: wnc-alanon.org or 800-286-1326.

Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings.

ALCoHoLICS AnonYMouS For a full list of meetings in WNC, call 254-8539 or aancmco.org.

ASHevILLe WoMen foR SoBRIetY 215-536-8026, www.womenforsobriety.org • THURSDAYS, 6:30-8pm – YWCA of Asheville, 185 S. French Broad Ave. ASPeRGeR’S ADuLtS unIteD meetup.com/aspergersadultsunited

To add information about your support group, call 251-1333, ext. 114. Support groups must be free of charge to be listed.

• 2nd & 4th SATURDAYS, 2-4pm - Held at Hyphen, 81 Patton Ave. Occasionally meets additional Saturdays. Contact for details.

ASPeRGeR’S teenS unIteD facebook.com/groups/AspergersTeensUnited • SATURDAYS, 6-9pm – For teens (13-19) and their parents. Meets every 3 weeks starting June 28.

CHRonIC PAIn SuPPoRt deb.casaccia@gmail.com or 989-1555 • 2nd SATURDAYS, 12:30pm – Held in a private home. Contact for directions.

CoDePenDentS AnonYMouS 398-8937 • TUESDAYS, 8pm - Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 1340-A Patton Avenue • WEDNESDAYS, 7-8pm & SATURDAYS, 11am12:15 pm - First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak St. Use back door.

DeBtoRS AnonYMouS debtorsanonymous.org • MONDAYS, 7pm – First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak St., Room 101 DePReSSIon AnD BIPoLAR SuPPoRt ALLIAnCe magneticminds.weebly.com or 367-7660 • WEDNESDAYS, 7pm & SATURDAYS, 4pm – 1316-C Parkwood Road DIABeteS SuPPoRt laura.tolle@msj.org or 213-4788 • 3rd WEDNESDAYS, 3:30pm – Mission Health, 1 Hospital Drive. Room 3-B. eAtInG DISoRDeR SuPPoRt GRouPS Info: thecenternc.weebly.com or 337-4685.

Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings. eLeCtRo-SenSItIvItY SuPPoRt For electrosensitive individuals. For location and info contact hopefulandwired@gmail.com or 255-3350. eMotIonS AnonYMouS For anyone desiring to live a healthier emotional life. Info: 631-434-5294 • TUESDAYS, 7pm – Oak Forest Presbyterian Church, 880 Sandhill Road fooD ADDICtS AnonYMouS 423-6191 or 301-4084 • THURSDAYS, 6pm – Asheville 12-Step Club, 1340A Patton Ave. HeARt of ReCoveRY MeDItAtIon GRouP Teaches how to integrate meditation with any 12-step recovery program. asheville.shambhala.org • TUESDAYS, 6pm - Shambhala Meditation Center, 19 Westwood Place.

HeARt SuPPoRt For individuals living with heart failure. 274-6000.

• 1st TUESDAYS, 2-4pm – Asheville Cardiology Associates, 5 Vanderbilt Drive.

LIvInG WItH CHRonIC PAIn Hosted by American Chronic Pain Association; 776-4809 • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6:30 pm – Swannanoa Library, 101 W. Charleston Ave. MeMoRY LoSS CAReGIveRS For caregivers of those with memory loss or dementia. network@memorycare.org • 2nd TUESDAYS, 9:30am – Highland Farms Retirement Community, 200 Tabernacle Road, Black Mountain Men WoRKInG on LIfe’S ISSueS 273-5334 or 231-8434

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DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

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• TUESDAYS, 6-8pm – Held in a private home. Contact for directions.

MISSIon HeALtH fAMILY GRouP nIGHt For caregivers of children with social health needs or development concerns. 213-9787 • 1st TUESDAYS, 5:30pm – Mission Reuter Children’s Center, 11 Vanderbilt Park Drive. nAR-Anon fAMILY GRouPS For relatives and friends concerned about the addiction or drug problem of a loved one. Info: nar-anon.org. Visit mountainx.com/ support for full listings. nAtIonAL ALLIAnCe on MentAL ILLneSS For people living with mental health issues and their loved ones. Info: namiwnc.org or 505-7353.

Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings. oveRCoMeRS of DoMeStIC vIoLenCe For anyone who is dealing with physical and/or emotional abuse. 665-9499.

• WEDNESDAYS, noon-1pm – First Christian Church, 470 Enka Lake Road, Candler. oveReAteRS AnonYMouS Info: 258-4821. Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings.

ReCoveRInG CouPLeS AnonYMouS For couples where at least one member is recovering from addiction. Info: recoveringcouples.org • MONDAYS, 6pm – Foster Seventh Day Adventists Church, 376 Hendersonville Road.

S-Anon fAMILY GRouPS For those affected by another’s sexaholism.

Four confidential meetings are available weekly in WNC. For dates, times and locations contact wncsanon@gmail.com or 258-5117.

SMARt ReCoveRY Helps individuals gain independence from all types of addictive behavior.

Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings.

StRenGtH In SuRvIvoRSHIP For cancer survivors. Strengthinsurvivorship@ yahoo.com or 808-7673 • 1st & 3rd SATURDAYS, 11am-noon – Mills River Library, 124 Town Drive, Mills River SunRISe PeeR SuPPoRt voLunteeR SeRvICeS facebook.com/Sunriseinasheville • TUESDAYS through THURSDAYS, 1-3pm - Drop-in center offering peer support services for mental health and substance use issues and wellness. Held at Kairos West Community Center, 742 Haywood Road SYLvA GRIef SuPPoRt Hosted by Four Seasons Compassion for Life. melee@fourseasonscfl.org • TUESDAYS, 10:30am - Jackson County Department on Aging, 100 Country Services Park, Sylva unDeReARneRS AnonYMouS underearnersanonymous.org • TUESDAYS, 6pm – First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak St., Room 102 uS too of WnC 338-0290 • 1st TUESDAYS, 7pm - A prostate cancer support forum for men, caregivers and family members. Free. Held at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St.

F O O D

Hidden in plain sight Food deserts in Foodtopia

BY Jonathan ammons

jonathanammons@gmail.com

“Foodtopia,” a term recently trademarked by the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, evokes visions of a happy place, where the produce practically falls from the vine right into the frying pan. There’s no denying the abundance of fresh, farm-to-table food here — indeed, it would be hard to find another Eastern city with more serious chefs per capita. Yet according to multiple studies, for more than 20 percent of the population in the greater Asheville area, getting food is more a struggle than a celebration.

“We can’t really call it Foodtopia when one out of five people can’t get enough to eat,” susan garrett of the Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council told the city’s Housing and Community Development Committee (which consists of City Council members gordon smith, cecil Bothwell and chris pelly) on Oct. 21. North Carolina, she said, was listed as the 10th-hungriest state in the nation in a 2012 report from the Food Research and Action Center, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group working to end hunger in America. The same report listed the Asheville metropolitan statistical area (which includes Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Madison counties) as the ninth-hungriest in the country. Established in 2011, the all-volunteer Food Policy Council focuses on local access and sustainability issues within Buncombe County.

So how does one of the busiest tourist hubs in the state — a place where you can’t throw a rock without hitting a chef or a farmer — have so many people lacking access to good food or outright going to bed hungry?

According to the U.S. Department of

Agriculture’s Web page, “food deserts” are “urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy and affordable food.

Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, these communities may have no food access or are served only by fast-food restaurants and convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options. The lack of access contributes to a poor diet and can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.”

Even within the Asheville city limits there are food deserts, and they often align with the city’s public housing developments. According to the Asheville Housing Authority, 57 percent of the city’s public housing is located in census tract 9 (south central Asheville), one of the most food-insecure parts of town. From the Hillcrest Apartments, for example, it’s more than a 1.5-mile walk to Earth Fare, the nearest grocery store — not a viable option for residents with limited incomes, no car and no money for gas or a taxi.

fooD fREEDom: Olufemi Lewis helped create the Ujaama Freedom Market as a way to bring nutritious edibles to Asheville’s food deserts.

Photos by Cindy Kunst

To the south, there’s Pisgah View Apartments, perched above Amboy Road River Park. It’s a grueling, 30-minute hike straight uphill to the nearest grocery store — not an easy trek for a single parent to make with kids in tow, let alone for some older folks or anyone in ill health.

And then there’s Lee Walker Heights, the city’s oldest federal housing project, tucked away just south of McCormick Field.

Residents there have two options: a 2-mile walk up South Charlotte Street and through the tunnel to get to Ingles, or a 1 1/2-mile walk south to Katuah Market (like Earth Fare, a fairly upscale grocery store) and another brutal uphill hike home.

mountainx.com

So why not take the bus? Limited schedules make that option time-consuming — and suppose you need food on a Sunday, when the buses don’t run? Plus, how much food can an elderly man or woman, or someone with small children, carry from the store to the bus and then home from the bus stop?

Outside the city limits, things get even worse. Some poor neighborhoods can be as much as 5 miles from any place selling anything other than prepackaged food.

Part of the problem is that many business owners see little promise in opening a grocery store in an area where a lot of the customers will be paying with electronic benefit transfer cards (food stamps). And because public housing residents often don’t have a car, even relatively short distances can pose a considerable challenge.

Economics aside, though, an unfortunate conjunction of racism, failed federal programs and shifting political

continuEs on pagE 22 DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

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In 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed the American Housing Act, which began construction of public housing for poverty-stricken Americans. “The initial idea was to provide housing for poor people who had migrated to the city from the South and the countryside looking for jobs,” says professor Dwight mullen, a political scientist at UNC Asheville who teaches a research course titled “State of Black Asheville.”

But the Korean War put the housing initiative on hold, and locally, it didn’t really kick in until President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty and the Model Cities programs picked up steam.

“It was set up to ‘remove urban blight’ and then replace it with planned communities that were accessible to all incomes, but that’s where it all fell apart,” Mullen explains.

Back then, what’s now known as South Slope was a vibrant African-American neighborhood stretching from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive all the way to Depot Street and on up to Hill Street.

Segregation was still very much the rule, and by the 1950s, these neighborhoods were home to hundreds of black-owned businesses, including restaruants, hotels, hair salons, funeral homes and grocery stores. But the infrastructure was crumbling, and the city hadn’t been doing much about it.

“The late Walter Boland, who was on City Council at the time, was looking at this area and saying, ‘How can we have homes with no indoor plumbing?” says Mullen. “‘How can we have open sewers running through the middle of the city this close to downtown? How do we have services available to all parts of town except this one?’ Their whole intent was to develop a modern infrastructure in an area that dates back to the 1830s.” So the city began a drastic overhaul using federal urban renewal funds, believing that investing in these areas would boost the overall economy.

“They told these folks, ‘Go stay over here for a while, and once we finish upgrading the sewers and power where your businesses and homes are, you can come back, renew your mortgages at lower rates.’” says Mullen. “But that never happened.

“It was all done with really good intent: There were jobs programs, Head Start, child care; the churches were involved. But when you look at the records, halfway through the program, the funds were just diverted to something else, and promises that were made to individuals were just not kept.”

“We can’t really call it Foodtopia when one out of five people can’t get enough to eat.”

— susan gaRREtt, ashEViLLE-BuncomBE fooD poLicY counciL

During the urban renewal component, notes Mullen, “Johnson was president, but Nixon was elected during the part of that legislation where the grants were supposed to actually be issued, and they never were. Nixon’s compromise [with a Democratic House and Senate] became that he could end the city’s programs if they were transformed into grants and aid for infrastructure.” That money, however, went to the state, not the specific projects for which it was originally awarded.

“Those funds,” continues Mullen, “went from the development of communities to things like urban trails, horse trails, I-240 and other infrastructure projects — relocating families because their neighborhoods had been demolished.”

Meanwhile, he explains, public housing “was never seen as being permanent: It was supposed to be transitional ... but the transition never had a chance to occur, because financial institutions weren’t given federally guaranteed loans or supports to give former residents rehab or mortgage money to buy their homes back.

So the private money designed for public housing and subsidized loans never actually materialized.”

In the end, prominent black business owners were left with nothing: a highway where their homes used

to be and a hospital where their businesses once sat. Families who’d just begun to claw their way out of poverty were thrust back into the thick of it. Most of them were moved to public housing — all of it, even then, in what we now call food deserts.

“Here we are, 50 or 60 years later,” notes Mullen, “and we’re running up on the life expectancy of this public housing, because it wasn’t expected to be here that long. So now we either deal with it and continue public housing as it is, or tear it down, relocate, or whatever it is. But this can’t continue.”

melaasheville.com 70 N. LexiNgtoN aveNue 828.225.8880

oasis on whEELs Meanwhile, some public housing residents aren’t content to just sit back and wait for the Housing Authority, the city or some other level of government to step up.

“Public housing was never seen as being permanent: It was supposed to be transitional ... but the transition never had a chance to occur.”

— poLiticaL sciEntist Dwight muLLEn, unc ashEViLLE

“I’ve always wanted to be in the medical health institution, and I am by selling real food,” says community organizer olufemi Lewis, who lives in Hillcrest with her daughter, serenity. Lewis, a co-founder of the Food Policy Council, a graduate of Just Economics Voices program for community organizing and a former public relations coordinator for Blue Ridge Biofuels, is also the founder of Ujamaa Freedom Market, a farm-tofender mobile produce market that specifically sells to public housing residents throughout the city.

It started in 2011, she recalls, when a group of local women were gathered in the office of nicole hinebaugh, program director for the Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation in Asheville, talking about a local mobile convenience store called Da Candy Bus. The owner had been incarcerated multiple times on drug charges. “We were

fooD moVERs: Pictured, from left, inside the Ujaama Freedom Market Bus are Olufemi Lewis, Calvin Allen and Stephanie Freeman.

talking about the type of products that he had on his bus, and we were just talking about how it was affecting the overall health of our community. There was no nutrition in the food whatsoever.” It was chips, candy and assorted sugary, fatty, diabetes-inducing processed foods, Lewis recalls.

“We thought, ‘Why don’t we do a bus with healthy food instead?’

We got online and we Googled mobile markets and saw Fresh Moves out of Chicago,” a project of the nonprofit Food Desert Action that used converted city buses to provide fresh produce to underserved areas.

And then, one day, Lewis went to Da Candy Bus in search of some Lemonheads, which she calls her guilty pleasure, but what she discovered there was not so sweet: Displayed next to the snack foods was a Brillo pad in a bag with a crack pipe. Lewis says she addressed the truck’s proprietor: “I said, ‘What is that? Why you got that hanging up there?’ And he said, ‘Oh baby, you know, you got to serve everybody.’ And I said, ‘There’s children that come up on this bus!’ I looked at him and I said: ‘So you’re cool with perpetuating

what has destroyed black America?

You’re cool with that?” After that experience, Lewis had a mission.

In 2011, the five women applied for a grant to provide startup money, but by the time the funds were awarded, the group had splintered. So they assembled a new team, including Ujamaa’s current manager, calvin allen.

“We had originally intended for it to be run by just four people, but when we got going, we got so inspired that we got more than that involved,” says Lewis. That, however, meant that each person took home a meager $125 per month. And when the money ran out, many of those involved had to pursue work elsewhere, leaving it up to Lewis and Allen.

But getting a new business going typically takes time, and Ujamaa is still in its early stages. Community members are only now getting used to the schedule, she says, and the staff have had to negotiate a steep learning curve.

“The development of Ujaama Freedom Market has been a long and exciting process,” says Hinebaugh, “and ultimately one that can serve as a learning experience not only for

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this organization and the workerowners, but also for other cooperative developers, future workerowners and even funders interested in supporting this type of work. “[The worker-owners] still have a road in front of them of learning and development, but gradually the external support required to claim full responsibility for this business is diminishing.”

Meanwhile, personal problems have made a hard job even harder for Lewis. When she was 20, she was convicted of felony assault and lost custody of her first child.

That was many years ago, but even though she’s now a certified nursing assistant, she says no one will hire her. And since Ujamaa wasn’t profitable, Lewis was also driving a taxi after wrapping up her day’s work there. Recently, however, she reports, there was “a warrant issued for my arrest for nonpayment of child support for my 13-year-old son,” forcing her to step back from the business in order to seek more lucrative work.

“It’s hitting me hard,” she says.

“I can’t do the one thing I want to do: I can’t take care of my community, because it ain’t making money yet.”

“It would be nice to get some kind of grocery store into the Lee Walker Heights development, if there is a way to do it.”

— DaViD nash, ashEViLLE housing authoRitY

area is directed at public housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Residential Assistance Demonstration, for example, aims to revamp existing public housing units and build new ones nationwide, including a number of Asheville projects (see sidebar, “What is RAD?”). Another ambitious proposal, still in the very early planning stage, calls for demolishing and redeveloping Lee Walker Heights as an integrated, mixed-income community at the edge of the blossoming South Slope neighborhood.

So far, however, neither of these plans explicitly addresses the issue of food accessibility.

And when asked if the Housing Authority is making any effort on its own to assess food access in its facilities, Chief Operating Officer David nash says, “Well, kind of.” But what

about the RAD program? Does it include any provisions designed to ensure food security?

“They do have some requirements if you are replacing units in a new location, but they recognize that they are dealing with a lot of places where units are going to be replaced where they sit,” Nash explains. And since many of those units are currently food deserts, essentially, the answer is no.

As for the proposed Lee Walker Heights project, he says, “It would be nice to get some kind of grocery store into that development, if there is a way to do it.”

Meanwhile, food access remains a serious problem in Asheville and environs, and the connections with public housing seem clear. At this writing, however, what’s less evident is who’s in charge of taking tangible steps to address this tangled web of overlapping issues.

And when Garrett (who works as a life coach at Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry) recently addressed the Housing and Community Development Committee, she put it this way: “We’re looking for the city to be more of a driver of these goals. Housing isn’t actually affordable if you cannot get access to healthy food.” X

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In January 2013, City Council unanimously approved a Food Action Plan drawn from a countywide master plan developed by the Food Policy Council, laying the groundwork for a push to tackle the area’s severe hunger issues.

In approving the Asheville plan, City Council had “the full intention of building more policy on this subject, and that has not yet happened,” says Councilman Smith, who’s also a member of the grassroots group. “The Food Policy Council has not had the legs one might have hoped.”

To date, the group, which has mobilized hundreds of volunteers from the community, has focused on organizational issues and on forging partnerships with local government and other groups working on food and sustainability issues.

Thus, no new policy proposals or additions to the action plan have emerged so far.

A large portion of the total government funding aimed at addressing poverty issues in the Asheville

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Reach out for food Below are several churches and organizations that give out food and meals in Buncombe and Henderson counties. For a complete county-by-county list, visit mannafoodbanks.org and click on Food Finder, or call 800-820-1109. You can also contact your local department of social and human services for information. fooD pantRiEs/opEn maRKEts • Arden Missionary Baptist Church, 2568 Hendersonville Road, Arden, 777-0999, Friday, 9-10 a.m.

• Bounty & Soul Open Market, St. James Episcopal Church, 424 W. State Street, Asheville, 450-9463, Tuesdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• The Storehouse of Hendersonville, 627 Seventh Ave., Hendersonville, 692-8300, Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. soup KitchEns/wELcomE taBLEs • Haywood Street Welcome Table, 297 Haywood St., Asheville, 575-2477, three Wednesday seatings for lunch: 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and noon.

• East Asheville Welcome Table, Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 298-7647, Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m.

• Swannanoa Welcome Table, 216 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa, 686-5284, Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

• First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St., Asheville, 252-4781, second, third and fourth Thursdays of the month, noon-1:30 p.m.

• Love’s Kitchen, 312 Fifth Ave., Hendersonville, 693-3493, Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

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pREssing mattERs: Jarrad and Brittony Miller recently opened Peaberry Press Coffee & Smoothie Bar in East Asheville. The shop is named for a type of coffee cherry that contains a single round bean rather than the usual two flattened beans. Photo by Dylan Ireland

pEaBERRY pREss BRings coffEE anD moRE to RiVER RiDgE Coffee shops are few and far between in East Asheville, so Peaberry Press, which opened recently in the River Ridge Business Center, should be a welcome addition to the neighborhood. The small but inviting shop is tucked into a group of businesses on the far northeast end of the River Ridge shopping complex that refer to themselves collectively as River Ridge Health and Wellness.

With neighbors including Ladies Workout Asheville, Bikram Hot Yoga and River Ridge Wellness Spa, owners Jarrad and Brittony miller say they focus on offering not only the eponymous peaberry coffee, espresso, frappés and lattes, but also plenty of health-conscious smoothies and protein shakes.

“We all kind of have a goal in mind for total mind-body health,” says Brittony, who previously

worked as director of operations for Ladies Workout Asheville before launching Peaberry Press.

“We reference each other and recommend each other, and I kind of geared my menu toward the things that they need.”

Coffee by no means falls by the wayside, though. The Millers source their beans from Biltmore Coffee Traders and always feature at least one type of peaberry — a Tanzanian variety is currently available, but it will soon rotate to a Brazilian bean. Jarrad, who worked as a barista at a small coffee shop in Radford, Va., during his college days, brought with him some recipes from his former job, including one for the cold brew they use in their frappés.

Prices run between $1.75 for a 12-ounce coffee and $4.50 for a 16-ounce frappé. Protein shakes are $4.25, and smoothies will set you back $4.95. Baked goods are available from a few local bakeries, including Fairview’s Ruth &

by Gina Smith Ranshaw, as well as gluten-free offerings from Dolci de Maria.

(Brittony says she is experimenting with different items, so the selection could vary from day to day.)

Seating is somewhat limited — a bar along the shop’s front window accommodates some patrons, and there are a few individual chairs available. However, the environment is welcoming and bright.

Jarrad actually built some of the furnishings himself. Also, the shop is kid-friendly — the couple frequently bring their daughters, ages 3 and 1, with them to work.

Brittony mentions many plans for the future, including the addition of an outdoor seating area this summer, as well as the possibility of adding an oatmeal bar and bagels to the menu. She says they also envision staying open later in the evenings during the warm months to stage weekly bluegrass jams in the planned patio space.

Peaberry Press is in the River Ridge Business Center, 802 Fairview Road. It is open 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 3-7 p.m Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday. It is closed Sunday.

772-0438 or peaberrypress.com

food stop plans to close its market and bakery for January. In a press release, Dough’s chef and owner, Brian Ross, says the month of downtime will be used to “refocus on our most important offerings and make some physical changes to the store.” Dough’s schedule of cooking classes, however, will continue throughout the remodeling, and Ross even plans to add some new classes, teachers and types of cuisine. The market and bakery are scheduled to reopen on Monday, Feb. 2.

575-9444 or doughasheville.com ashEViLLE maRDi gRas caJun cooK-off The Asheville Mardi Gras group is gearing up for its annual string of Fat Tuesday-themed events, including the Cajun Cook-off.

Slated to take place this year on Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Mill Room, the competition is open to both professional and amateur chefs.

The winning Cajun dish will be chosen by attendees at the event — contestants need to supply at least 100 tasting-sized portions of their entry. Participation is limited to 20 competitors. ashevillemardigras.org.X

hopEY & co. pLans Expansion at Downtown stoRE The discount grocer Hopey & Co. has announced it will significantly expand the space, offerings and services at its downtown market at 45 S. French Broad Ave. The remodeled store will double in size to around 40,000 square feet and will feature espresso, juice and pizza bars; a café and a butcher shop as well as full-service catering and a bakery. The store also has plans to add a bar with extended late-night hours that will serve beer, wine, liquor and food.

Construction is underway, and a grand opening is anticipated this spring. Hopey & Co. also has another Asheville location on Sweeten Creek Road and one in Black Mountain.

Dough cLosEs foR REmoDELing As Dough prepares to embark on its third year in business, the Merrimon Avenue multipurpose

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fooD WRIteR JonAtHAn AMMonS LetS uS In on HIS fAvoRIte DISH Du JouR. The Firecracker at Chocolate Gems: This has been one of my favorites for years. A slender cone of dark chocolate, pop rocks and cayenne pepper. It’s best given to friends as a surprise, just to watch their faces light up when the pop rocks kick in! A cheap thrill for around $2.

— Jonathan Ammons

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

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New Belgium’s year-end update A look ahead into the brewery’s construction and hiring plans for 2015

Giant brewhouse tanks rolling through the streets of Western North Carolina are nothing new.

Oskar Blues shipped in plenty of large ones to its space in Brevard and Sierra Nevada closed roads from the coast to the mountains bringing its tanks into Mills River.

However, when New Belgium brings in its oversized brewhouse and fermentation vessels, it will be different. It will be the first time brewery equipment changes the silhouette of an Asheville neighborhood. They will be the largest pieces of brewing equipment inside Beer City’s city limits.

“Really, the physical change on the job site has already been significant. … To move from raising the site out of the floodplain to having a footprint and now having the shell of the building in place has been impressive,” says Jay Richardson, New Belgium Asheville’s general manager.

Yet for anyone passing by, Richardson all but says we haven’t seen anything yet.

He says building activity will peak in the next two-three months as the New Belgium team gets ready for the largest pieces of brewing equipment. The 200-hectoliter (5,283 gallon) brewhouse is coming first, from Germany via the port at Wilmington, and it will have some huge components.

The lauter tun — a giant strainer used for separating liquid wort from the grain solids in the mashing process — is roughly 22 feet by 22 feet by 15 feet, for example. Pieces like this will require street closures and special accommodation from the N.C. Department of Tranportation. (New Belgium plans on sharing the exact plans once they’re finalized.)

“The reason these pieces are coming sooner than everything else is that to put them in the brewhouse we have to drop them in through the

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that looks like [but] our collaboration with so many exceptional partners, including the Asheville community, is the key ingredient to us brewing beer [and opening] in Asheville in 2015.” X For details on the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Homecoming Job Fair, visit: web. ashevillechamber.org/events.

New Belgium Asheville by the numbers* 1 million — pounds of rebar in the cellar deck alone

a soLiD founDation: New Belgium’s cellar deck is just about ready for its stainless steel additions. Photo by Michael Oppenheim and courtesy of New Belgium Brewing

top. … We just can’t have a roof on that building until they’re in place,” says Richardson.

Then the roof itself will be eclipsed when the 75-foot fermentation tanks arrive in early March. They’re so large they will be set up outside the brewery walls, towering above the brewery itself. staffing up With all the big pieces in place by spring, late spring and summer will be the time New Belgium looks to staff up more aggressively. Yet Richardson says hiring, just like construction, is a rolling process.

“Now and for the next three months, there will be key positions posted on our website,” he says.

So far, New Belgium has hired about 15 people and is looking to fill positions such as lead electromechanical technician and process automation engineer.

The typical brewery jobs — the ones like brewer, tour guide and so on — will start posting in late spring 2015. “We will participate in the chamber’s Homecoming

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Job Fair [on Wednesday, Jan. 7] though,” says Richardson. “It will be a great chance to meet with folks and tell them the types of positions we’ll have.”

Artists looking to contribute work to the New Belgium space can skip the job fair. New Belgium is planning to open a new portfolio submission page on its website to find all the possible work that aligns with its aesthetic. Look for it in early in the new year at NewBelgium.com/ AshevilleBrewery.

New Belgium is also sprinting toward the finish line on its distribution center in Enka-Candler, which the company takes ownership of in March. Richardson says the bulk of staffing for that facility will take place in spring and summer as well, though key positions will be posted sooner.

As for the big moments, brewing beer in Asheville and opening the Asheville tasting room, christine perich, New Belgium president and chief operating officer, says it will be a rolling process.

“Rather than doing one event, we’ll be doing a series of them,” says Perich. “We’re still defining what

500,000 — minimum number of barrels of beer brewed annually in Asheville at full capacity 42,264 — number of pints brewed per batch on a 200hl system 5,000 — yards of concrete poured on the site in 2014 350 — number of piles driven to stabilize the ground 350 — approximate number of people working on site daily from spring-fall 2015 150 —- approximate number of people working on site daily in January 2015 45 — approximate number of workers New Belgium will hire in Asheville in 2015 30 — number of fermentation and bright tanks the cellar deck is ready to receive 20 — approximate number of workers who will be hired annually through full build-out 9 — silos in the malt silo building that hold between 50 and 100 metric tons each 6 — number of bright beer tanks in the cellar 3 — beer styles initially brewed in Asheville 1 — new East Coast home * Numbers courtesy of New Belgium Brewing

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BuRIAL BeeR Co.: Jazz brunch w/ The Mandelkorn George Project, noon (until food runs out)

oSKAR BLueS: Canuary First Hangover Brunch w/ Jeremy Garrett, David Wax Museum, Larry & Jenny Keel, Travis Book & Sarah Siskind, noon WeDGe: Food truck: Tin Can Pizzeria

fRIDAY ALtAMont: Live music: May Irwin (Americana), 9pm fRenCH BRoAD: Live music: If Birds Could Fly (indie-folk), 6pm HIGHLAnD: Live music: Buncombe Turnpike (bluegrass), 6pm; Food trucks: Cici’s Culinary Tour, Taste & See

HI-WIRe: Bend & Brew Yoga ($15, includes beer tasting), 12:15pm LexInGton Ave (LAB): Live music: Bluegrass brunch; $10 pitchers all day oYSteR HouSe: $5 mimosas & bloody Marys WeDGe: Food truck: El Kimchi (Korean/ Mexican street food); Live music: Vollie McKenzie & Hank Bones (acoustic jazz, swing), 6pm

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fRenCH BRoAD: Live music: Driftin’ Westward (folk), 6pm

ASHevILLe BReWInG: $2.50 Tuesday: $2.50 one-topping jumbo pizza slices & house cans (both locations)

HIGHLAnD: Live music: Invisible III, 6:30pm; Food trucks: Cici’s Culinary Tour, Taste & See oSKAR BLueS: Live music: Calvin Get Down (funk), 6pm; Food: CHUBwagon oYSteR HouSe: $5 mimosas & bloody Marys WeDGe: Food truck: El Kimchi (Korean/Mexican street food) WICKeD WeeD: Bend & Brew Yoga ($15, includes beer tasting), 11am

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‘Room for all the stuff we love’ Jon Stickley Trio hones its sound and finds its audience

BY aLLi maRshaLL

amarshall@mountainx.com

“I was looking for some things to jam along with one day,” says local guitarist Jon stickley. Known for his flatpicking prowess, he usually practiced to a bluegrass playlist.

“But then I started going into some other areas on my iPod, like hip-hop and rock, and I started having more fun playing along with that stuff, but in the same rapid-fire style.” That inspiration of blending the rhythmic, fast-paced techniques of bluegrass with songs from the other end of the musical spectrum led to the formation of Stickley’s eponymous trio.

That band, which performs at Jack of the Wood on Friday, Jan. 2, includes fiddler Lyndsay pruett and percussionist patrick armitage. “The band comes together to create [its] own sound that can get big enough to shake the walls or intimate enough to draw tears,” says the group’s bio.

In fact, the addition of drums was initially an experiment — Stickley’s trio began with a standup bass, traditional in bluegrass outfits. But flatpicking is a fast-paced, technical skill, according to Stickley. Before discovering the work of influential guitarist Tony Rice (a major impact on Stickley’s approach) the musician played drums with Durham-based math-rock band Strunken White. “It

who Jon Stickley Trio whERE Jack of the Wood jackofthewood.com whEn Friday, Jan. 2, 9 p.m. $5

had a lot of similarities to the music we do now,” he says.

The trio’s first drummer was Ryan oslance of Ahleuchatistas. He and Stickley met while both members of Shannon Whiteworth’s band (and they still perform together). When Oslance left for a European tour with Ahleuchatistas, Armitage stepped in.

From Minneapolis, Armitage took lessons from Dave King of jazz trio The Bad Plus. “I feel like they probably struggled in the same way, in the jazz world, that we have in the bluegrass world,” says Stickley.

That’s just one reason why he and his bandmates reached out to King to produce their upcoming record — they’ll begin that project at Echo Mountain Studios in late February.

“I think it’s going to be more ‘us’ than we’ve ever been,” says Stickley.

“We’ve touched on some cool sounds that we really liked over the past three years. We’re going to expand on those ideas that I think are our most original sounds.”

He continues, “It’ll be a combination of arranged, succinct songs that make an impact and other songs that are a bit more touchy-feely — longer, expanded ideas that we can let happen spontaneously. There will be

thREE’s companY: Guitarist Jon Stickley’s musical journey has taken him from math-rock to bluegrass. The lineup of his current trio marries influences ranging from jazz to hip-hop. “We’re really good at fitting the show to the room,” says Stickley.

Photo by Arvind Bhandari

room for all the stuff we love and, hopefully, new stuff, too.”

At least some of Jon Stickley Trio’s eclectic sound can be credited to the band’s environment.

Asheville’s mark, says the guitarist, is “the diversity of ears that are out in the crowd. People are accepting of any weird direction you want to go.” And though he jokes that this is a hippie town, he also points out that Nashville — where he recently spent time doing session work — “has a distinctly different way of communication and self-expression.” Some listeners in Asheville, Stickley says, are actually seeking out those off-the-beaten-path musical forays. At the same time, the trio is working to broaden its audience.

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“We’ve ventured into the jam band scene — we’ve done a lot of shows with Leftover Salmon,” says Stickley.

And, while he holds himself to a bluegrass traditionalist standard as far as the timing and impetus of the music, the band is improvisational, with a combination of arrangements and loose structures. That lends itself to a variety of stages, from late-night, dance-party festival sets to chamberstyle background music for venues like 5 Walnut. Stickley describes the band’s recent New Year’s Eve set — with flatpicking hero and new collaborator Larry Keel — as crunked up and raged out: “We’re really good at fitting the show to the room.”

Still, the guitarist is interested in honing his compositions and remaining loyal to his own creative vision.

His truest sound, he says, comes from “my early morning coffee, solo guitar hangouts with myself.” It’s less about hard-driving bluegrass and more about achieving a pretty melody. Then, “Lyndsay can take a small part and expand it, or write multiple parts around it. And Patrick can add any number of different rhythms or grooves,” says Stickley.

“It’s crazy how big a song gets from just a small thing.” X

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16 different kinds of Grilled Meats, and 35 items on our salad bar

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by Jeff Messer

upstge@yahoo.com

Curtain call The best of 2014 in local theater

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There’s an old saying that goes, “Theater has been failing for thousands of years.” The mid-2000s saw some lean times for the arts, and many theater organizations have struggled to maintain, reinvent and grow new audiences. But 2014 felt like a page had turned for the better on most counts. The arts in general (and theater more specifically) in Asheville and the surrounding region have been experiencing a renaissance. This year brought a large number of quality shows, and attendance appeared to be up in the majority of theaters.

I’ve often said (and stand by the theory) that without a strong theater and arts community here, there would have never been a base for the Beer City culture to take root. I only wish that theater shared the same level of across-the-board support and encouragement. It’s a special thing when a performance, an ensemble or a script can enrapture an audience with a transformative experience, and I’ve picked the five shows that did that for me.

Don’t DREss foR DinnER Don’t Dress For Dinner by N.C. Stage Company was a slice of comedy perfection. The pie-in-the-face farce production was so popular it was held over for an additional week. charlie flyn-mciver and scott treadway led a stellar cast in a riotous romp.

N.C. Stage has earned its status as Asheville’s professional theater. In 2014, it continued its long string of hit shows and hosted a variety of other productions that ranged from A Conversation With Edith Head to the magic and mind reading show Impossibilities. Diversity and quality ruled the year at N.C. Stage. pRomisEs Promises was one of many original productions to grace the stage at Southern Appalachian Repertory

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Theatre during its 40th anniversary season. This Appalachian tale was a collaboration with the Screen Artists Co-op. It was masterfully directed by SAC founder Jon menick and featured a pitchperfect cast of stage and screen talent. SART has made its mission to seek out and produce new works during its long and illustrious run at the Owen Theater on the campus of Mars Hill College. The company faces a new challenge in 2015, as on-campus construction will cut off access to the facility.

SART is going on the road for the year, accepting the challenge of reinvention after four decades of quality theater. tREasuRE isLanD Treasure Island is a classic tale that came to life in a full-force swashbuckling production at Parkway Playhouse in the fading days of summer. The show was a blend of stunts and scenery that made every audience member feel like a giddy 12-year-old kid. Producing Artistic Director andrew gall has built a solid theater community in Burnsville during his 10 years there, finding fun, inventive and unique ways to keep the audience excited and engaged.

Summer 2014 was one of the playhouse’s most successful, according to Gall. A wide array of shows included the tight harmonies of Forever Plaid and the off-the-wall, all-star smash hit of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. taRtuffE Tartuffe sparkled under the summer night sky at the Montford Park Players’ amphitheater. The production was a delightfully devilish teaming between the venerable outdoor Shakespeare company and The Magnetic Theatre. steven samuels directed and starred in the show and surrounded himself with some premier talent. The Montford Park Players are a gem in the Asheville arts scene. And Magnetic Theatre is boldly forging a new space in 2015, when the group will continue to push the envelope of original works.

BuccanEERs anD BuRiED goLD: Treasure Island at Parkway Playhouse had every audience member feeling like a giddy 12-year-old kid.

Photo courtesy of the theater company

nExt faLL My final pick of the year is Different Strokes’ powerful production of Next Fall. It was, quite simply, one of the most moving experiences I’ve had as an audience member. scott Keel’s direction of an ensemble of unmatched professionals left the viewers both moved to tears and profoundly changed by what they’d witnessed. In a stellar season of shows, Different Strokes helped redefine the very purpose of theater in Asheville and set a new standard of quality.

It was tough to narrow this list it to only five shows. Haywood Arts Regional Theatre continued its winning ways with crowd-pleasing productions in Waynesville, as did Flat Rock Playhouse with its strong slate of performances. Even the plucky Hendersonville Little Theatre continued to grow and flourish in 2014.

And Asheville Community Theatre hit grand slams with Spamalot and The Addams Family. At every turn, 2014 brought quality theater throughout WNC, with the promise of bigger, brighter and even better offerings in the new year. X

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DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

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2014 was all about introspection The year 2014 was one of introspection — in the arts, that is. You could argue that self-analysis is a core concept underlining many, if not most, artworks. And you would be right. But this year it seemed to permeate every surface and layer of the arts scene, from paintings and photos to leases and fundraising campaigns.

In the realm of arts institutions, this meant organizational reformation. The Asheville Area Arts Council strategically sold off the last of its property holdings (13 Biltmore Ave.), moved from the River Arts District to a comfortable gallery space in the Grove Arcade and reformatted its finances and programming strategies. The year also saw the return of revamped and re-energized PechaKucha Night, a short-order art-and-design forum.

In September, the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center received a $646,685 grant.

The award enabled the board to embark on a years-in-the-making expansion project, but not before looking into its current holdings, nixing its admission fee and expounding upon its philosophical core. The new gallery will open in January (across the street from its current 55 Broadway location), in a space owned by the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design.

The center itself reopened in its current downtown gallery this past January. It was forcibly converted, via a single budget cut, from a Hendersonville-based UNC Asheville subsidiary to an independent 501(c)3 organization. In the wake of that move, the center and Warren Wilson College collaborated on a landmark duallocation exhibition that brought the quilts of four Gee’s Bend artists to Asheville.

The Asheville Art Museum, meanwhile, renegotiated the terms of both its lease and a $1.5 million Tourism Development Authority grant, and continued fundraising efforts (now in the 12th year) for a $24 million expansion plan.

But in the milieu of artworks and exhibitions, that same introspection routinely placed the indi-

vidual within the greater collective consciousness. Here are a few of the year’s best: thE fREE woRLD In May, the Upstairs [Artspace] in Tryon hosted John D. Monteith: Portraits, a full-circle multimedia exhibition that featured porcelainlike oil renderings of digitally captured portraits beside thousands of other similarly digital, yet troublesome images. It was a piece by Monteith, a Columbia, S.C.-based artist, that arguably offered up the year’s most innovative portrayal of an individual in the social — and specifically digital — landscape.

“The Free World,” a video installation, featured endlessly revolving stills from Monteith’s collection of over 16,000 selfies. They flickered on and off a series of 30 4-by6-inch LCD screens, sucking in fascinated viewers with thousands of blank stares and contorted faces backdropped by living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and the like. Each image was downloaded (or collected) from chatroom profile pictures.

Most were sourced from North and South Carolina residents, captured by webcams and clunky, earlymodel digital cameras. All of them were from the Internet’s glitchy, low-res infancy between 1999 and 2005, which gave the work a dated, archaeological appeal.

That fascination was quickly met with scrutiny and then selfreflection. The piece was a cultural portrait after all, one built from individuals similar to ourselves.

And though viewers were unlikely to be among the 16,000 faces, it was hard not to see yourself in them.

RaLph BuRns: a pERsistEncE of Vision, 1972-2013 Asheville photographer Ralph Burns has always had a means of transforming downtrodden subjects, mundane spaces and the decidedly evil, pagan or nonreligious beings into spiritually opulent figures and landscapes. That fact was never more clear than in this summer’s Asheville Art Museum retrospective, Ralph Burns: A Persistence of

caVE paintings: Detail from Catacombs, which featured 250 paintings of skulls

by Marshall-based artist Francesco Lombardo. Photo by Kyle Sherard

Vision, 1972-2013, curated by J. Richard gruber, Ph.D., director emeritus of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and current board chair of BMCM+AC. The show had over 120 hand-printed photographs that drew a portrait of the human condition from roughly 41 years of work. They depicted a host of cultural and historic icons and examined politics and personalities as they arced through moral codes and commercial trends. Others explored religious practices — free-form and organized, individual and societal. Some were direct, such as those that focused on centuriesold religious practices. Others formed an image of cultural worship of a figure, like Elvis, or a product, like tobacco.

Unlike previous exhibitions of Burns’ work, which often focused on one series at a time, this body of work collectively offered an added benefit so far unseen: a fully rendered portrait of Burns, the photographer and the individual. catacomBs In June, Marshall-based painter francesco Lombardo filled Izzy’s Coffee Den with hundreds of ruminations on one subject: death. The show, Catacombs, featured 250 4-by-5-inch oil paintings of skulls lining the cafe’s walls, each different from the next.

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The pieces began as mere studies.

Lombardo would paint one or two at a time during brief breaks from his large-scale, neo-baroque figure paintings, which make up the bulk of his work. But as these small skeletal sketches began to pile up, so did their psycho-gravitational pull. They began to remind him of the Roman catacombs.

In amassing and exhibiting the works, Lombardo wasn’t focused on a verbatim re-creation of such a space — though, Izzy’s was the perfect atmospheric fit. It was, however, an effort to temporarily add an unfamiliar psychological undercurrent — 250 sets of eyes symmetrically lining the walls — to the cafe’s contemplative state.

Lombardo is by no means a deathmonger. Rather, his work is about death’s impact on one’s direction and decisions.

Much of Lombardo’s own philosophical outlook on his painting draws from the writings of Marcus Aurelius (who embraced his own mortality as a means of freeing himself from its psychological limits) and from Nietzsche’s concept of eternal re-occurrence. The works, he said, simply asked viewers whether they’re living a life that they’d be happy with if condemned to repeat it for eternity. What better way to contemplate the end of another year, right? X

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FBRMPO 2012-2020 TIP Amendments

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by Carrie Eidson & Michael McDonald

French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization will take up for adoption amendments to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) during the January 29, 2014 MPO Board meeting. FBRMPO 20122020 TIP and the full set of proposed amendments may be viewed at www.fbrmpo.org/projects-plans-andprograms/ The proposed TIP amendments are also listed below.

There will be a public comment opportunity during the FBRMPO Board meeting on Thursday, January 29 at 12:30 PM. Interested parties may submit comments in person at the meeting, or in writing starting on Wednesday, December 31st and through 5 PM on Wednesday, January 28 Comments may be submitted to mpo@landofsky.org or by phone (828)251-6622.

TIP Amendments That Require Action TIP No.

Div. (County)

Route

EstiEstimated Fund- mated Location/Description Cost ing Letting (thousands) Source (Constr uction)

Wilma Dykeman Riverway. Alter description to "Wilma Dykeman Riverway from Hill Street/I-240 Interchange to Amboy Road with portions of the road to be re-located. Con- ROW : 4880 Wilma struct on-street park(STP-DA), STP-DA, ROW: U13 Dykeman ing, intersection and 562.5 (TA), TA, FY2015, signal upgrades, 5019 (Buncombe) Riverway 1407.5 Local FY2016 (Asheville) railroad crossing (Local) improvements, bridge reconstruction, sidewalks, streetscape elements, transit amenities, and parallel greenway facilities."

Add Right-of-way for FY 15 and FY 16.

The TIP will satisfy the Program of Projects requirement for the City of Asheville and become the final program of projects unless modified and a final notice is published. FBRMPO meetings are open to people of all ages and abilities. Please let us know 48 hours in advance if you require special meeting accommodation or translation services. It is the policy of the French Broad River MPO to ensure that no person shall, on the ground of race, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other Civil Rights laws and authorities.

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thE coLoR anD thE shapE: Asheville Gallery of Art’s January show, New Kids on the Block, features works by new gallery members Suzanne Nelson, Marion Vidal and Pamela Winkler. All three featured artists are painters who work in a representational style with oils and pastels. (p.35)

ARt vISuAL ARtISt AvAILABLe (pd.) experienced Art Instruction: Drawing / Mark-making / Watercolor Painting; Private, groups, homeschool, all ages.

ArchiScapes: Architectural Portraits, make Excellent Gift Certificates. For more information visit www.mcchesneyart.com.

ARtetuDe GALLeRY 89 Patton Ave., 252-1466, artetudegallery.com • Through WE (12/31), 11am-6pm - Holiday Gift Market, works by various local artists.

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

ASHevILLe CoMMunItY tHeAtRe 35 E. Walnut St., 254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org • ONGOING - Spring Youth Production Class registration open for students age 7-17.

Contact for guidelines.

CALDWeLL ARtS CounCIL

tHe MAGnetIC tHeAtRe

601 College Ave SW, Lenoir, 754-2486 • Through FR (1/30) - Portfolios accepted from local and regional artists for 2016 exhibitions. Contact for guidelines.

themagnetictheatre.org • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS (1/8) through (1/17), 7:30pm - Food and How To Eat It. $21/ $18 advance. Held at BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St.

CARoLInA ConCeRt CHoIR 607-351-2585, carolinaconcertchoir.org • Through (1/31) - Open auditions for the 2014 season. Contact to schedule appointment. fuLL CIRCLe ARtS 42-B Third St. NW, Hickory, 322-7545, fullcirclearts.org • TH (1/8) through SA (1/10) - Open submissions of 2D and 3D visual works accepted for Animal Crackers animal-themed exhibit.

Contact for guidelines. Thur. & Fri.: 11am5pm; Sat.: 10am-4pm.

GReAt SMoKIeS WRItInG PRoGRAM 250-2353, agc.unca.edu/gswp • Through FR (1/30) - Submissions accepted for the Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize. Contact for guidelines. $25/$15 NC Writer’s Network members. tHe MAGnetIC tHeAtRe 372 Depot St., 257-4003 • Through TH (1/1) - Short scripts accepted for consideration in Brief Encounters 2015.

Contact for details.

WnC oRCHID SoCIetY wncos.org • Through SA (1/31) - Submissions of artwork incorporating orchids accepted for 2015 WNCOS Annual Orchid Show. Contact for guidelines. Free to submit.

MuSIC BLACK MountAIn CoMMunItY DRuM CIRCLe 545-0389 • SATURDAYS, 4-6pm - Covers traditional West African rhythms. Free. Held at Carver Community Center, 101 Carver Ave., Black Mountain MuSIC At unCA 251-6432, unca.edu • SUNDAYS, 3pm - Brevard Music Center faculty concerts, co-sponsored by OLLI. Free.

Held in the Reuter Center. oM SAnCtuARY 87 Richmond Hill Drive, 252-7313, omsanctuary.org • WE (12/31), 8:30pm-midnight - “Illuminate Your Intentions” New Year’s countdown concert featuring Lizz Wright, River Guerguerian, Chris Rosser and John Vorus. $40/ $35 advance.

tHeAteR ASHevILLe PLAYBACK tHeAtRe 273-0995, ashevilleplayback.org • FR (1/2) & SA (1/3), 8pm - “An Evening on Death & Dying,” improv theater. $10/$5 youth. Held at NC Stage, 15 Stage Lane

gaLLERY DiREctoRY

AMeRICAn foLK ARt AnD fRAMInG 64 Biltmore Ave., 281-2134, amerifolk.com • Through WE (12/31) - Wish List Celebration, exceptional pieces collected throughout the year.

ASHevILLe GALLeRY of ARt 16 College St., 251-5796, ashevillegallery-of-art.com • Through WE (12/31) - The Power of Place, pastels by Everett Schmidt.

• FR (1/2) through SA (1/31) - New Kids on the Block, works by new gallery members.

Introducing Dana Arrington, Clinical Pharmacist

Specialty

SHOP Issue

BenDeR GALLeRY 12 S. Lexington Ave., 505-8341, thebendergallery.com • Through SA (1/31) - Microcosms: Our World in Paperweights, handmade paperweight exhibition.

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

BLACK MountAIn CenteR foR tHe ARtS 225 W. State St., Black Mountain, 669-0930, blackmountainarts.org • Through FR (2/20) - Clay studio exhibit and pottery market.

GRoveWooD GALLeRY 111 Grovewood Road, 253-7651, grovewood.com • Through WE (12/31) - Hops & Crafts, mugs, steins & tankards by regional artist. oDYSSeY CooPeRAtIve ARt GALLeRY 238 Clingman Ave, 285-9700, facebook.com/odysseycoopgallery • ONGOING - Ceramics by Kate Gardner and Denise Baker. tHe GRAnD BoHeMIAn GALLeRY 11 Boston Way, 877-274-1242, bohemianhotelasheville.com • Through WE (12/31) - Near and Far, plein air paintings by Stuart Roper and jewelry by Claudia Herr. tRAnSYLvAnIA CoMMunItY ARtS CounCIL 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard, 884-2787, tcarts.org • WE (1/7) through FR (1/16) - Works by Transylvania Vocational Services clients • WE (1/17) through MO (2/2) - Faces of Freedom, multiple artists’ work on theme of “freedom.” zAPoW! 21 Battery Park Suite 101, 575-2024, zapow.net • ONGOING - She-Pow, mixed media exhibit inspired by women.

To establish as a patient with The Family Health Centers, please call (828) 258-8681 Publishes February 11, 2015

828-251-1333 advertise@mountainx.com mountainx.com

www.fhconline.com When it comes to your health, we’re in this together.

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Laney Jones & the Lively Spirits

Brian Mashburn art exhibit Portentous and meticulously crafted urban landscapes typify painter Brian mashburn’s body of work, which often juxtaposes a calm observer — perhaps iconic of nature or purity — among background rubble. The artist, who has lived and worked in Asheville for more than a decade and garnered increasing national and international attention over the past two years, says his work explores “accumulation and consequence, contrast and depth, narrative and observation.” Mashburn’s latest series of small paintings and sketches will be featured in the F.W. Front Gallery at Woolworth Walk for the duration of January. A meet-and-greet artist reception takes place on Friday, Jan. 2, from 4-6 p.m. woolworthwalk.com. Image of “Kingdom” courtesy of Mashburn

Laney Jones could pull her weight simply performing as the banjoist for Laney Jones & the Lively Spirits, but thankfully she shares her vocal talents with the world as well. Marrying the sprightliness of youth with the tame confidence of an old soul, Jones’ live vocals venture freely from smooth to saucy, with lyrical content spanning broken hearts to whiskey.

Between her formal training sessions in songwriting and bluegrass at Berklee, the ambitious singer — along with bandmates Matthew Tonner (guitar), Curtis Seligson (bass, mandolin, dobro) and Alex Shames (percussion) — has toured major roots festivals and opened for the likes of Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts and more. Jones and company play Jack of the Wood on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 9 p.m. Free, donations encouraged. jackofthewood.com. Photo courtesy of the band

Fred Eaglesmith Most touring artists gather stories and experiences to fuel their writing while on tour, but Fred Eaglesmith also collects used deep fryer oil to power his converted 1990 tour bus. This feisty mentality pervades other aspects of Eaglesmith’s persona, making him the type to hand-draw his concert posters, hook audiences with a comical tale or sleep in a parking lot rather than a five-star hotel after each of his 270 annual gigs.

Tambourine, Eaglesmith’s latest 11-track Latin-steeped rock creation, invokes the spirit of 1966 and attempts to capture the band’s live feel by recording all band members together. “The album is a walk through the garden of rock ’n’ roll,” he says. The Grey Eagle hosts an evening with Eaglesmith on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. $15/$18. thegreyeagle.com. Image by Tweten’s Photography

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Freeway Revival Recently topping the ReverbNation Americana charts for Asheville, Americana/country-blues collective The Freeway Revival writes songs about the Appalachian mountains but spends a lot of time touring outside Western North Carolina. Upcoming dates take the group to the Carolina coast, upstate New York and into the Midwest; last spring the band traveled to L.A. to record Over the Mountain. The nine-track album “features Jorgen Carlsson of Government Mule on bass and Fernando Sanchez on drums,” according to the band’s bio. The songs balance organic, rootsy melodies with a vintage, well-traveled rock feel. The Freeway Revival kicks off its Over the Mountain tour at The Mothlight on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 9 p.m. The Dirty Soul Revival also performs. $5. themothlight.com. Photo courtesy of the band

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C L U B L A N D tALLGARY’S At fouR CoLLeGe Open mic & jam, 7pm

WeDneSDAY, DeCeMBeR 31

tHe MotHLIGHt DJs playing Jeff Lynne, Traveling Wilburys, Tom Petty, George Harrison, Del Shannon, Roy Orbison, ELO & more, 10pm

5 WALnut WIne BAR New Year’s Eve Pre-Party w/ Pleasure Chest (blues, rock, soul), 6pm New Year’s Eve Party w/ Goldie & The Screamers (soul, R&B), 10pm

tHe PHoenIx Jazz night, 8pm New Year’s Eve w/ Andrew Thelston & friends (rock, funk), 10pm

ALtAMont BReWInG CoMPAnY Sirius.B New Year’s party, 9:30pm ASHevILLe MuSIC HALL The Fritz & Zansa (funk, afro-pop), 9pm

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

Ben’S tune-uP Live band karaoke w/ The Diagnostics, 9pm

tHe SoutHeRn Disclaimer Comedy open mic, 9pm

BLACK MountAIn ALe HouSe New Year’s Eve party w/ Buncombe County Boys (folk, bluegrass), 7:30pm

tIGeR MountAIn Sean Dail (classic punk, power-pop, rock), 10pm

BLue KuDzu SAKe CoMPAnY Bill Gerhardt’s Trio South (jazz), 6pm

tIMo’S HouSe Spectrum AVL w/ Dam Good (dance party), 9pm

BLue MountAIn PIzzA & BReW PuB Billy Litz, 7pm

toWn PuMP Open mic w/ Aaron, 9pm

BoILeR RooM Grove House’s “Epic New Year’s Eve Bash”, 8pm

toY BoAt CoMMunItY ARt SPACe NYE Freak-Out w/ DJs from Total Gold, 10pm

BYWAteR Black light ball drop party w/ Secret B-sides & Common Foundation (horns, soul, funk), 9pm DouBLe CRoWn Classic Country w/ DJs Greg Cartwright, David Gay, Brody Hunt, 10pm DuGout New Years Eve w/ Fine Line (classic rock), 9pm funKAtoRIuM News Year’s Eve party w/ Dillon n’ Ashe (power-rock) & Aereo-Plain (newgrass), 6pm

foLKstacK Lightnin’: Marty O’Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra will bring its blues-filled act to Jack of the Wood on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 9 p.m. “This three-man orchestra seamlessly weaves trance-based blues music, harkening back to John Lee Hooker and Howlin’ Wolf, with a drunken minor swing comparable to some of Tom Waits’ darker works,” reads a line from the band’s bio.

GReen RooM CAfe & CoffeeHouSe Evalenia Everidge & Randy Hale (jazz, blues), 6am

IRon HoRSe StAtIon Mark Shane (R&B), 7pm

GReY eAGLe MuSIC HALL & tAveRn Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band (funk) & The Broadcast (rock ’n’ roll), 9pm

ISIS ReStAuRAnt AnD MuSIC HALL NYE w/ Stephaniesid & The Juan Benavides Group (noir-pop, Latin), 9pm

GRInD CAfe Trivia night, 7pm

JACK of tHe WooD PuB Old-time session, 5pm NYE party w/ Jackomo Cajun Country Band & Zydeco Ya Ya, 9pm

GRove HouSe enteRtAInMent CoMPLex New Year’s Eve Bash (3 clubs, party favors, champagne, 5 DJs, dancing), 8pm HIGHLAnD BReWInG CoMPAnY Woody Wood (acoustic rock), 5:30pm

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

off tHe WAGon Christina Chandler, 7pm Piano show, 9pm oLIve oR tWISt Swing dance lessons w/ Bobby Wood, 7:30pm 3 Cool Cats Elegant Evening (rock ’n’ roll), 9pm one StoP DeLI & BAR Phish NYE Simulcast live from Miami, 7pm one WoRLD BReWInG Prohibition Style New Year’s Eve Party w/ DJ Whistleblower (swing, electronica), 9pm

Lex 18 Serpentine Arborvitae & Alex Taub (chanteuse, piano jazz), 6:30pm DJ Cosmo Q (fusion-swing, dance party), 11pm

oRAnGe PeeL RJD2 w/ RBTS WIN & Selector Clefus (electronic, hip-hop, psych), 9pm

MoJo KItCHen & LounGe DJ Molly Parti “Get Over the Hump-day” dance party (funk, soul, hip-hop), 5:30pm MountAIn MoJo CoffeeHouSe Open mic, 6:30pm neW MountAIn New Year’s Eve Masquerade w/ Empire Strikes Brass, Push & Pull, Aligning Minds, Disc-Oh!, KRI, Nex Millen, Hank West & The Smokin’ Hots & more, 9pm nIGHtBeLL ReStAuRAnt & LounGe Dulítel DJ (’80s & ’90s indie, electronic, rock), 9pm noBLe KAvA Open mic w/ Caleb Beissert, 9pm oDDItoRIuM New Year’s Eve Girls Rock benefit show w/ Whamzig, The Englanders, Motley Cure & Sux Pistols (punk), 9pm

vInCenzo’S BIStRo Lenny Petenelli (high-energy piano), 7pm WAteR’n HoLe New Year’s Party w/ Humps & The Blackouts (outlaw country), 9pm WeStvILLe PuB The Honeycutters (Americana, honky-tonk), 9pm

LAzY DIAMonD Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10pm

LoBSteR tRAP Ben Hovey (dub-jazz, trumpet), 7pm

tReSSA’S DoWntoWn JAzz AnD BLueS NYE Bash w/ Asheville All-Stars, 7pm Blues & soul jam w/ Al Coffee & Da Grind, 8:30pm

oSKAR BLueS BReWeRY New Year’s Eve Hootenanny w/ The Larry Keel Experience, Jeff Sipe, Travis Book & Jeremy Garrett, Mike Guggino & The John Stickley Trio (super-group), 7pm PACK’S tAveRn Countdown to 2015 w/ Sound Extreme’s DJ MoTo & DJ Do IT, 9pm PISGAH BReWInG CoMPAnY Phuncle Sam’s New Year’s Eve (jam band), 9:30pm PuRPLe onIon CAfe Fred Whiskin (piano), 5pm NYE Dinner w/ Shana Blake Band, 8pm

WHIte HoRSe BLACK MountAIn BJ Leiderman & surprise guests [SOLD OUT], 8pm WILD WInG CAfe Contagious (rock), 10pm WILD WInG CAfe SoutH Karaoke, 6pm

tHuRSDAY, JAnuARY 1 185 KInG StReet Charles Walker Band (soul, R&B, Motown), 8pm BLue KuDzu SAKe CoMPAnY Trivia night, 8pm DouBLe CRoWn 33 and 1/3 Thursdays w/ DJs Devyn & Oakley, 10pm eLAIne’S DueLInG PIAno BAR Dueling Pianos, 9pm foGGY MountAIn BReWPuB Paper Crowns (folk, Americana), 10pm IRon HoRSe StAtIon Jason York (Americana), 7pm

RooM Ix Latin night w/ DJ Carlos Carmona, 9pm

JACK of tHe WooD PuB Bluegrass jam, 7pm

Root BAR no. 1 DJ Ken Brandenburg (dance, funk), 7pm

LAzY DIAMonD The Replacement Party w/ Dr. Filth, 10pm

SCAnDALS nIGHtCLuB Grove House’s “Epic New Year’s Eve Bash,” 8pm

LoBSteR tRAP Hank Bones (“The man of 1,000 songs”), 7pm

SPRInG CReeK tAveRn DJ Wilderness (masquerade ball), 10pm

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MARKet PLACe Ben Hovey (dub jazz, beats), 7pm

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Dinner Menu till 10pm Late Night Menu till

Tues-Sun

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12am

Full Bar

CLUBLAND

NEW MOUNTAIN Service Industry New Year’s party w/ The Lee Boys (jazz, blues, gospel), 10pm ODDITORIUM E. Normous Trio (rock), 9pm OFF THE WAGON Dueling pianos, 9pm OLIVE OR TWIST West Coast swing lesson w/ Ian & Karen, 7:30pm; Pop the Clutch (beach, jazz, swing), 8:30pm

COMING SOON Wed12/31 NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION WITH: 7:00 PM - BILL BARES TRIO IN THE LOUNGE 9:00 PM - STEPHANIESID

AND THE JUAN BENEVIDES GROUP

Dec 2014

Wed1/7 7:00 PM - RESONANT ROGUES —GO EAST YOUNG BAND :: LOUNGE RESIDENCY

Thu 1/8 OPEN MON-SAT 12PM-8PM EXTENDED HOURS DURING SHOWS FOR TICKET HOLDERS

OPEN AT 5PM FOR SUNDAY SHOWS

WED 12/31

new Year’s Eve with Yo MaMa’s big fat bootY banD & tHE bRoaDCast 9pm • $25/$30

an evening with

fRED EaglEsMitH WED 1/7 tRavEling stEaM sHoW 8pm • $10 sat 1/10 WED 1/14 fRi 1/16 sat 1/17 sun 1/18

an evening with MaC aRnolD & PlatE full o’bluEs 8pm • $15/$18

MElissa fERRiCk 8pm • $15/$17

bulgogi with aMERiCan gonZos 9pm • $8

sunnY lEDfuRD with tHE stuMP Mutts

9pm • $8/$10

katE voEgElE w/ leroy sanchez 8pm • $12/$15

WEDNESDAY

12.31

8:30PM THURSDAY

1.1

ENTIRE VENUE ASHEVILLE NEW YEAR’S EVE MASQUERADE FEATURING EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS W/PUSH PULL THEATRE SERVICE INDUSTRY NYE PARTY

9PM WEDNESDAY

FEATURING THE LEE BOYS SOL BAR

1.7

OSO REY PRESENTS: BRIDGE OVER ASHEVILLE

1.8

SOL BAR FATE JAM PRESENTS:

7PM THURSDAY

7PM FRIDAY

A WEEKLY MASH OF ACOUSTIC & ELECTRONIC MUSIC

JONATHAN BYRD SOL BAR

1.9

JULIA MAREE, GEORGIA ENGLISH

1.9

KAMINANDA ANTANDRA, SACRAL CROWN

1.9

GLEN PHILLIPS

7PM FRIDAY

9PM FRIDAY

7PM TUESDAY

1.13 7PM

ARIELLE VAKNI RIDGE

7:00 PM - AN EVENING WITH DONNA

HUGHES 9:00 PM - AL COFFEE & DA GRIND

“SEND-OFF TO MEMPHIS” FUNDRAISING SHOW

Fri 1/9 7:00 PM - THE CHEEKSTERS: FRIDAY LOUNGE SESSIONS IN JANUARY 9:00 PM - FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY THIS MOUNTAIN, MINORCAN, AND THE HERMIT KINGS

Sat 1/10 7:00 PM - RICHARD SHULMAN IN THE LOUNGE 9:00 PM - TAYLOR MARTIN: CD RELEASE PARTY

THUR 1/15 7:15 PM - AN EVENING WITH DANIKA HOLMES FEATURING JEB HART 9:00 PM - AL COFFEE & DA GRIND “SEND-OFF TO MEMPHIS” FUNDRAISING SHOW

DECEMBER 31, 2014 - JANUARY 6, 2015

THEATRE

ROOM IX College night w/ DJ MoTo, 9pm SCANDALS NIGHTCLUB DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm SCULLY’S “Geeks Who Drink” Trivia, 7pm TALLGARY’S AT FOUR COLLEGE Iggy Radio, 7pm THE SOUTHERN Throwdown Thursday w/ Jim Raves & Nex Millen (DJ, dance party), 10pm TIMO’S HOUSE ’90s Recall w/ Franco (’90s dance, hip-hop, pop), 10pm TRESSA’S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES The Westsound Revue (Motown, soul), 9pm URBAN ORCHARD Stevie Lee Combs (acoustic, Americana), 6:30pm VINCENZO’S BISTRO Ginny McAfee (guitar, vocals), 7pm WXYZ LOUNGE CaroMia (soul, blues), 7:30pm

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2 185 KING STREET Charles Walker Band (R&B, soul, funk, blues), 8pm ALTAMONT BREWING COMPANY May Irwin (Americana), 9pm ATHENA’S CLUB Dave Blair (folk, funk, acoustic), 7pm

BURGER BAR The Rare Burger Band, 8pm

(OF TOAD THE WET SPROCKET)

BYWATER Porch 40 (funk), 8pm

SOL BAR

MIKE RHODES FELLOWSHIP

CLASSIC WINESELLER Craig Neidlinger (pop, rock, folk), 7pm

FEATURING: RYAN BURNS, ELI CRAMER, CASEY CRAMER & MIKE RHODES

CORK & KEG The Resonant Rogues (gypsy jazz, folk), 8:30pm

UPCOMING: 1/14: OSO REY PRESENTS: BRIDGE OVER ASHEVILLE 1/15: FOUR ON THE FLOOR SERIES 1/15: FATE JAM PRESENTS: NAUGHTY PROFESSOR 1/16: RUMPKE MOUNTAIN BOYS 1/17&18: THE NILE PROJECT

MOUNTAINX.COM

PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Phuncle Sam: “Gratefully Acoustic” (jam band), 4pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Ginny McAfee (country, folk), 8pm

DOUBLE CROWN DJ Greg Cartwright (garage & soul obscurities), 10pm DUGOUT Awake in the Dream (rock), 9pm

743 HAYWOOD RD 828-575-2737 ISISASHEVILLE.COM 38

ONE STOP DELI & BAR Phish ’n’ Chips (Phish covers), 6pm Phish Simulcast live from Miami, 8pm

ELAINE’S DUELING PIANO BAR Dueling Pianos, 9pm

Send your listings to clubland@mountainx.com. cLuB DiREctoRY foGGY MountAIn BReWPuB Ashley Heath (folk), 9pm fRenCH BRoAD BReWeRY If Birds Could Fly (indie-folk), 6pm GooD Stuff Laura Thurston (Americana, folk, singersongwriter), 8pm HIGHLAnD BReWInG CoMPAnY Buncombe Turnpike (bluegrass), 6pm IRon HoRSe StAtIon Ashley Heath (R&B), 7pm JACK of tHe WooD PuB Jon Stickley Trio (jazz, newgrass), 9pm JeRuSALeM GARDen Middle Eastern music & bellydancing, 7pm LAzY DIAMonD Sonic Satan Stew w/ DJ Alien Brain, 10pm Lex 18 Gypsy Guitar Duo (string swing, jazz), 8:30pm DJ Cosmo Q (electro-fusion swing), 11pm MARKet PLACe The Sean Mason Trio (groove, jazz, funk), 7pm oDDItoRIuM Local Metal Punk Show w/ Snake Prophecy & Electric Phantom, 9pm off tHe WAGon Dueling pianos, 9pm oLIve oR tWISt Free Flow (funk, Motown, R&B, soul), 8pm Latin, 11pm one StoP DeLI & BAR Free Dead Fridays w/ members of Phuncle Sam (jam), 5pm Return of the Kings: Chachillie, J Kash, Hunter, DJ Ra Mak, B Free, Major & Mr. 1ne 5ive (hip-hop), 10pm PACK’S tAveRn DJ OCelate (pop, dance, hits), 9pm Root BAR no. 1 Linda Mitchell (blues, jazz), 7pm SCAnDALS nIGHtCLuB DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm SCuLLY’S DJ, 10pm SPRInG CReeK tAveRn Ashley Heath (R&B), 8pm tALLGARY’S At fouR CoLLeGe Fine Line (classic rock), 9:30pm tHe ADMIRAL Hip Hop dance party w/ DJ Warf, 11pm tHe MotHLIGHt Matt Townsend w/ Brittany Tranbaugh (Brown Bag songwriting winner) & Living Dog (singer-songwriters, folk), 9pm tHe SoCIAL Get Vocal Karaoke, 9:30pm tIGeR MountAIn Soul dance party w/ Cliff, 10pm tIMo’S HouSe Subterranean Shakedown, 8pm vInCenzo’S BIStRo Steve Whiddon (classic piano), 5:30pm WHIte HoRSe BLACK MountAIn Sam Burchfield and Band (folk, singer-songwriter), 8pm WILD WInG CAfe SoutH A Social Function (acoustic), 9:30pm WxYz LounGe Ben Hovey (dub-jazz, trumpet), 8:30pm

185 KING STREET 877-1850 5 WALNUT WINE BAR 253-2593 ADAM DALTON DISTILLERY 367-6401 ALTAMONT BREWING COMPANY 575-2400 THE ALTAMONT THEATRE 348-5327 ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL 255-7777 ATHENA’S CLUB 252-2456 BARLEY’S TAP ROOM 255-0504 BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE 669-9090 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA 658-8777 BOILER ROOM 505-1612 BROADWAY’S 285-0400 THE BYWATER 232-6967 CORK AND KEG 254-6453 CREEKSIDE TAPHOUSE 575-2880 DIANA WORTHAM THEATER 257-4530 DIRTY SOUTH LOUNGE 251-1777 DOUBLE CROWN 575-9060 DUGOUT 692-9262 ELEVEN ON GROVE 505-1612 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB 254-3008 FRENCH BROAD BREWERY TASTING ROOM 277-0222 GOOD STUFF 649-9711 GREEN ROOM CAFE 692-6335 GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN 232-5800 THE GROVE PARK INN (ELAINE’S PIANO BAR/ GREAT HALL) 252-2711 HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY 299-3370 ISIS MUSIC HALL 575-2737 JACK OF THE WOOD 252-5445 LEX 18 582-0293 THE LOBSTER TRAP 350-0505 METROSHERE 258-2027 MILLROOM 555-1212 MONTE VISTA HOTEL 669-8870 MOONLIGHT MILE 335-9316 NATIVE KITCHEN & SOCIAL PUB 581-0480 NIGHTBELL 575-0375 NOBLE KAVA BAR 505-8118 ODDITORIUM 575-9299 OLIVE OR TWIST 254-0555 ONEFIFTYONE 239-0239 ONE STOP BAR DELI & BAR 255-7777 O.HENRY’S/TUG 254-1891 THE ORANGE PEEL 225-5851 OSKAR BLUES BREWERY 883-2337 PACK’S TAVERN 225-6944 THE PHOENIX 877-3232 PISGAH BREWING CO. 669-0190 PULP 225-5851 PURPLE ONION CAFE 749-1179 RED STAG GRILL AT THE GRAND BOHEMIAN HOTEL 505-2949 ROOT BAR NO.1 299-7597 SCANDALS NIGHTCLUB 252-2838 SCULLY’S 251-8880 SLY GROG LOUNGE 255-8858 SMOKEY’S AFTER DARK 253-2155 THE SOCIAL 298-8780 SOUTHERN APPALACIAN BREWERY 684-1235 STATIC AGE RECORDS 254-3232 STRAIGHTAWAY CAFE 669-8856 TALLGARY’S CANTINA 232-0809 TIGER MOUNTAIN 407-0666 TIMO’S HOUSE 575-2886 TOWN PUMP 357-5075 TOY BOAT 505-8659 TREASURE CLUB 298-1400 TRESSA’S DOWNTOWN JAZZ & BLUES 254-7072 U.S. CELLULAR CENTER & THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM 259-5544 VINCENZO’S 254-4698 WESTVILLE PUB 225-9782 WHITE HORSE 669-0816 WILD WING CAFE 253-3066 WXYZ 232-2838

TAVERN Downtown on the Park Eclectic Menu • Over 30 Taps • Patio 13 TV’s • Sports Room • 110” Projector Event Space • Shuffleboard • Darts Open 7 Days 11am - Late Night

LIVE MUSIC... never a cover

FRI. 1/2 DJ OCelate

OPEN 7 DAYS

(pop, dance hits)

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

HUGE selection of novelties 30% off.

FREE $5 gift card with $25 purchase FREE $10 gift card with $50 purchase

SAT. 1/3 Lyric (pop, funk, soul)

BE

ST OF

14

20 WNC

20 S. Spruce St. • 225.6944 PacksTavern.com

FREE $15 gift card with $60 purchase FREE $20 gift card with $80 purchase

GIFT CARDS available for

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1/2 JON Sarah STICKLYLee TRIOGuthrie 10/25 9 P.M.$5 & Johnny Irion w/SHANE Battlefield 9pm $10 1/3 PRUITT• BAND 9 P.M.$7 10/26 Firecracker Jazz Band & HALLOWEEN Costume 1/4 MARY O’REILLY & THE OLD SOUL Party & Contest • 9pm $8 ORCHESTRA 9 P.M. FREE (DONATIONSCreek ENCOURAGED) 10/27 Vinegar • 9pm FREE 10/28 Mustard Plug • 9pm $8 1/6 LANEY JONES AND THE LIVELY w/ Crazy Tom Banana Pants SPIRITS 9 P.M. FREESinger (DONATIONS ENCOURAGED) 10/29 Songwriters in the Round • 7-9pm FREE 1/9w/GLADE CITYTripi, ROUNDERS W/ MISTY Anthony Elise Davis MOUNTAIN STRING BAND 9 P.M.$5 Mud Tea • 9pm FREE

2334 Hendersonville Rd.

Open Mon-Thurs at 3 • Fri-Sun at Noon SUN Celtic Irish Session 5pm til ?

MON Quizzo! 7-9p • WED Old-Time 5pm SINGER SONGWRITERS 1st & 3rd TUES THURS Bluegrass Jam 7pm

www.bedtymestories.net

95 Patton at Coxe • Asheville 252.5445 • jackofthewood.com

Where Adult Dreams Come True

(S. Asheville/Arden)

mountainx.com

DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

39

LOVE YOUR LOCAL

WED & SAT

KARAOKE! AT

SAtuRDAY, JAnuARY 3

Smokey’s

ALtAMont BReWInG CoMPAnY Mangas Colorado (Americana), 9:30pm

OPEN 7 Nights-A-Week 4pm-2am

CLASSIC WIneSeLLeR “Mean Mary” James (singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist), 7pm

After Dark

18 Broadway Downtown advertise@mountainx.com

cLuBLanD

253-2155

AtHenA’S CLuB Dave Blair (folk, funk, acoustic), 7pm BLACK MountAIn ALe HouSe The Good Ol’ Boyz feat. Woody Wood (rock), 9pm

CoRK & KeG Don Humphries & Friends (country, bluegrass), 8:30pm DouBLe CRoWn Rock ’n’ Soul w/ DJs Lil Lorruh or Rebecca & Dave, 10pm DuGout Justified Vibe (blues, rock), 9pm eLAIne’S DueLInG PIAno BAR Dueling Pianos, 9pm foGGY MountAIn BReWPuB Calvin & The Get Downs (funk), 10pm fRenCH BRoAD BReWeRY Driftin’ Westward (folk), 6pm HIGHLAnD BReWInG CoMPAnY The Invisible III (improv-funk, jazz fusion), 6:30pm JACK of tHe WooD PuB Shane Pruitt Band (blues, gospel, jam), 9pm JeRuSALeM GARDen Middle Eastern music & bellydancing, 7pm LAzY DIAMonD Unknown Pleasures w/ DJ Greg Cartwright, 10pm Lex 18 HotPoint Trio (gypsy swing string), 8:30pm MARCo’S PIzzeRIA Sharon LaMotte Band (jazz), 6pm MARKet PLACe DJs (funk, R&B), 7pm MILLRooM The Best of Asheville Showcase (stand-up comedy), 8pm neW MountAIn King Dr. Rogers birthday w/ Birds of Paradise (psychedelic, trance), 9pm oDDItoRIuM Zuzu Welsh Band w/ The Dirty Badgers (rock), 9pm off tHe WAGon Dueling pianos, 9pm oLIve oR tWISt 42nd Street (jazz), 8pm Dance party (’80s to present), 11pm one StoP DeLI & BAR Phish NYE Simulcast live from Miami, 7pm oSKAR BLueS BReWeRY Calvin Get Down (funk), 6pm PACK’S tAveRn Lyric (funk, pop, soul), 9pm Root BAR no. 1 Jay Brown (blues, old time), 7pm SCAnDALS nIGHtCLuB DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm SCuLLY’S DJ, 10pm SPRInG CReeK tAveRn Kevin Reese (Americana), 8pm

40

DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

mountainx.com

Send your listings to clubland@mountainx.com.

WED • DEC 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE PREGAME W/ WOODY WOOD AND FRIENDS 5:30 – 7:30

FREE

furniture listings

THURS • JAN 1 CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY FRI • JAN 2 BUNCOMBE TURNPIKE 6:30 – 8:30

Head to our mobile site NOW! mountainx.com/classifieds

SAT • JAN 3 INVISIBLE 3 6:30-8:30 SUN • JAN 4 OPEN 1:00 – 6:00

py p ha ew n r! a ye JOIN US FOR OUR

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION! of a DiffEREnt fEathER: Our neighbors to the north, Southwestern Virginian band If Birds Could Fly will be nesting in Asheville for a show at French Broad Brewery on Friday, Jan. 2, at 6 p.m. “Where many enthusiasts of string-band music play with the period-correct discipline of Civil War re-creationists, this humble quartet offers a refreshing take on Appalachian folk and classic Americana,” reads a passage from the band’s website. “From the soothing guitar melodies to the vocal chills, this act promises to deliver a sound truly from their hearts to those willing to listen.”

Open Mon-Thurs 4-8pm, Fri 4-9pm Sat 2-9pm, Sun 1-6pm

www.32ICEBAR.com Now open M

OPEN EVERY DAY AT

tALLGARY’S At fouR CoLLeGe Mile High (Southern rock), 9:30pm

IRon HoRSe StAtIon Kevin Reese (Americana), 8am

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

ISIS ReStAuRAnt AnD MuSIC HALL Jazz showcase, 6pm

tHe MotHLIGHt The Freeway Revival w/ The Dirty Soul Revival (country, blues, folk), 9pm

JACK of tHe WooD PuB Irish session, 5pm Marty O’Reilly & The Old Soul Orchestra (blues, folk), 9pm

tHe SoCIAL Get Vocal Karaoke, 9:30pm vInCenzo’S BIStRo Steve Whiddon (classic piano), 5:30pm

SunDAY, JAnuARY 4 BLACK MountAIn ALe HouSe Sunday Funday NFL Ticket, 1pm

LAzY DIAMonD Honky Tonk Night w/ DJs, 10pm MoJo KItCHen & LounGe Sunday night swing, 5pm off tHe WAGon Piano show, 9pm oLIve oR tWISt DJ (oldies rock, swing), 8pm

BLue KuDzu SAKe CoMPAnY Karaoke & brunch, 2pm

one StoP DeLI & BAR Bluegrass brunch w/ Woody Wood, 11am Steely Dan Sunday, 9pm

BuRGeR BAR Trivia, 7pm

PouR tAPRooM Open mic, 8pm

DouBLe CRoWn Karaoke w/ Tim O, 9pm

SCAnDALS nIGHtCLuB DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm

foGGY MountAIn BReWPuB Asheville Aces (blues), 10pm

tALLGARY’S At fouR CoLLeGe Jason Brazzel (acoustic), 6pm

Ring in the New Year at The Social!

Ashli Rose 6:30 - 9:30 Get Vocal Karaoke 10:00 $200 Karaoke Contest $50 Costume Contest

Champagne Toast at Midnight!

Biscuits & Gravy at 1am

NO COVER!!

Thanks for your love & support in 2014 www.facebook/thesocialasheville 1078 Tunnel Road | 828-298-8780 mountainx.com

11 am, Sundays at noon North Carolina’s First Cider Pub!

Gift Packages Available Family Owned and Operated

SLINGING CIDER MORNING, NOON & NIGHT See our Facebook Page for Nightly Specials 210 Haywood Road, West Asheville, NC 28806

(828) 774-5151 www.urbanorchardcider.com

DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

41

cLuBLanD

tHe SoCIAL Karaoke, 9:30pm

Tango lessons & practilonga w/ Tango Gypsies, 7pm

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

CoRK & KeG Honky-tonk Jamboree w/ Tom Pittman, 6:30pm

tIMo’S HouSe Asheville Drum ’n’ Bass Collective, 10pm vInCenzo’S BIStRo Steve Whiddon (classic piano), 5:30pm

MonDAY, JAnuARY 5 ALtAMont BReWInG CoMPAnY Old-time jam w/ John Hardy Party, 8pm BLACK MountAIn ALe HouSe Bluegrass Jam, 7:30pm BuRGeR BAR Honky-tonk ladies night, 4pm BYWAteR Open mic w/ Taylor Martin, 9pm CouRtYARD GALLeRY Open mic (music, poetry, comedy, etc.), 8pm DouBLe CRoWn Punk ’n’ roll w/ DJs Dave & Rebecca, 10pm GReY eAGLe MuSIC HALL & tAveRn Contra dance, 7pm JACK of tHe WooD PuB Quizzo, 7pm LAzY DIAMonD Heavy Night w/ DJ Butch, 10pm LexInGton Ave BReWeRY (LAB) Kipper’s “Totally Rad” Trivia night, 8pm oDDItoRIuM Old Flings, Doomster, Lilac Daze, Sundale & Family Bike (rock), 9pm

LAzY DIAMonD Punk ’n’ Roll w/ DJ Leo Delightful, 10pm Lex 18 Andrew J. Fletcher (old-time, stride piano), 7pm LoBSteR tRAP Jay Brown (acoustic-folk, singer-songwriter), 7pm MARCo’S PIzzeRIA Sharon LaMotte Band (jazz), 6:30pm MARKet PLACe The Rat Alley Cats (jazz, Latin, swing), 7pm oDDItoRIuM Odd comedy night, 9pm off tHe WAGon Rock ’n’ roll bingo, 8pm one StoP DeLI & BAR Turntablism Tuesdays (DJs & vinyl), 10pm

oSKAR BLueS BReWeRY Mountain Music Mondays (open jam), 6pm

PouR tAPRooM Frank Zappa night, 8pm

tHe MotHLIGHt Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band w/ Mendocino (art-rock), 9pm

SCuLLY’S Open mic w/ Jeff Anders, 9pm

tHe SoCIAL Kevin Scanlon (folk, old-time), 6pm

tALLGARY’S At fouR CoLLeGe Jam night, 9pm

tIMo’S HouSe Movie night, 7pm

tHe MotHLIGHt Shane Parish Quartet & Michael Libramento (jazz), 9pm

tueSDAY, JAnuARY 6 185 KInG StReet Dinner theater w/ Bobby Miller & The Virginia Daredevil Duo (bluegrass), 8pm ALtAMont BReWInG CoMPAnY Open mic w/ Chris O’Neill, 8pm

tHe SoCIAL Jason Whittaker (acoustic-rock), 6:30pm tIGeR MountAIn Tuesday Tests w/ Chris Ballard (techno, house, experimental, downtempo), 10pm tIMo’S HouSe Music Video night w/ VJ Nex Millen, 10pm tReSSA’S DoWntoWn JAzz AnD BLueS Funk & jazz jam w/ Pauly Juhl, 8:30pm

ASHevILLe MuSIC HALL Tuesday Night Funk Jam, 11pm

uRBAn oRCHARD CaroMia (Americana, soul, blues), 7pm

BLACK MountAIn ALe HouSe Trivia, 7pm

vInCenzo’S BIStRo Steve Whiddon (classic piano), 5:30pm

BuffALo nICKeL Trivia, 7pm

WeStvILLe PuB Blues jam, 10pm

CLuB eLeven on GRove Swing lessons & dance w/ Swing Asheville, 6:30pm

mountainx.com

JACK of tHe WooD PuB Steve Rosenthal, Steve & Carrie Smith (singer-songwriter), 7pm Laney Jones & The Lively Spirits (bluegrass, folk), 9pm

oRAnGe PeeL Halestorm w/ Failure Anthem & A Course of Action (hard rock), 7:30pm

WHIte HoRSe BLACK MountAIn Take Two Jazz, 7:30pm

DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

IRon HoRSe StAtIon Open mic, 6pm

off tHe WAGon Open mic, 8pm

vInCenzo’S BIStRo Steve Whiddon (classic piano), 5:30pm

42

DouBLe CRoWn Punk ’n’ roll w/ DJs Sean & Will, 10pm

WHIte HoRSe BLACK MountAIn Irish sessions & open mic, 6:30pm

M O V I E S C

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by Ken Hanke & Justin Souther

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HHHHH = max rating contact xpressmovies@aol.com

PicK oF thE WEEK

thEatER ListinGs

The Gambler HHHHS

FRiDaY, JanuaRY 2 thuRsDaY, JanuaRY 8 Due to possible scheduling changes, moviegoers may want to confirm showtimes with theaters.

DiREctoR: Rupert Wyatt PLaYERs: Mark Wahlberg, Brie Larson, Jessica Lange, John Goodman, Michael Kenneth Williams

Asheville PizzA & Brewing Co. (254-1281) CArmike CinemA 10 (298-4452)

DRama RatED R

CArolinA CinemAs (274-9500) Annie (Pg) 11:30, 2:05, 5:00, 7:35, 10:10

thE stoRY: An English professor with a horrific gambling problem finds himself owing a lot of money to a lot of dangerous people.

Big eyes (Pg-13) 11:25, 1:55, 4:30, 6:55, 9:20 Birdman or (The Unexpected virtue of ignorance) (r) 11:05, 1:50, 4:40, 7:15, 9:55

thE LoWDoWn: While watching a man self-destruct for 100 minutes might not sound like the most fun time one could have at the movies, a smart script and game cast make it worthwhile.

The gambler (r) 12:05, 2:35, 5:05, 7:45, 10:15 The hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies 2D (Pg-13) 11:15, 1:20, 1:55, 4:20, 4:30, 5:15, 7:20, 8:30, 10:20 The homesman (r) 2:15, 7:30 The hunger games: mockingjay -- Part 1 (Pg-13) 1:25, 4:10, 7:05, 10:10

I used to have this half-baked theory that Mark Wahlberg made all of his bad career decisions early on during his Marky Mark years. It was a flimsy idea because it totally ignored movies like Fear (1996) and The Big Hit (1998), but the intentions behind the theory were good — Wahlberg is a good actor.

I’m tempted to say “was a good actor,” because I think this has been lost in a slew of bad decisions — bottoming out with this year’s Transformers: Age of Extinction. I suppose what I’ve learned is that the man can only rise as high as the movie which contains him. Rupert Wyatt’s The Gambler is a film which has assembled the parts to allow Wahlberg’s talents to come through.

The film, at its core, is nothing more than a character study of a man who wants — for a number of complex reasons — to self-

mark Wahlberg in Rupert Wyatt’s stylish remake of The Gambler.

The imitation game (Pg-13) 11:40, 2:10, 4:45, 7:10, 9:45 into the woods (Pg) 11:00, 1:45, 4:25, 7:05, 9:50 night at the museum: secret of the Tomb (Pg) 11:15, 1:30, 3:45, 6:00, 8:15

destruct. Wahlberg plays Jim (a role played by James Caan in Karel Reisz’s 1974 original), a college professor who, despite a good job and affluent upbringing, cannot stop himself from gambling. Not helping things is Jim’s inability to quit when he’s ahead, a habit that continually pushes him toward annihilation. The reasons for this are numerous, from issues with his exorbitantly rich grandfather (George Kennedy) leaving nothing to him in his will to a general dissatisfaction with life itself (that Camus’ The Stranger pops up is no coincidence), though generally this is a portrait of a man struggling with addiction. Regardless, Jim’s reasons have ended in him owing a few unsavory people a whole lot of money, with the consequence

of not paying up obviously violent and dire.

This is what pushes the film forward, as Jim tries to figure out ways of paying off his debt (or not paying it off, since the idea of him having a death wish isn’t out of the question). Part of the problem, conceptually, is buying Wahlberg as a literature professor, which likely brings forth flop sweats in people who remember him playing a science teacher in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening (2008).

Forever haunted by his underwear model days, this ignores past performances in movies like David O. Russell’s I Heart Huckabees (2004) that proved he can deliver this kind of erudite dialogue. This, however, is a much angrier role for Wahlberg in a much nastier film,

mountainx.com

The Theory of everything (Pg-13) 11:35, 4:50 Unbroken (Pg-13) 10:45, 12:15, 3:20, 6:45, 9:40 wild (r) 1:40, 4:10, 7:00, 9:35 The woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (Pg-13) 11:45, 2:00, 4:15, 6:30, 8:45, 10:30 Co-eD CinemA BrevArD (883-2200) night at the museum: secret of the Tomb (Pg) 1:30, 4:00, 6:30 ePiC oF henDersonville (693-1146) Fine ArTs TheATre (232-1536) The imitation game (Pg-13) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, Late Show Fri-Sat 9:30 wild (r) 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, Late Show Fri-Sat 9:40 FlATroCk CinemA (697-2463) The Theory of everything (Pg-13) 3:30, 7:00 regAl BilTmore grAnDe sTADiUm 15 (684-1298) UniTeD ArTisTs BeAUCATCher (298-1234)

DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

43

MOVIES

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44

DECEMBER 31, 2014 - JANUARY 6, 2015

filled with unpleasant gangsters and a never ending feeling of impending doom (which, I might say, does a nice job of creating actual, honest-to-God suspense).

Thankfully, the screenplay’s intelligent and literate, never quite wallowing in its own muck, while the cast — from an excellent John Goodman to Jessica Lange to Michael Kenneth Williams actually being given something to do in a movie — has enough innate charm to keep everything engaging.

At the same time, there are a handful of moments of simple joy, like a scene set to Pulp’s “Common People” (at the very least, the movie has the year’s best soundtrack) that excellently evokes nothing more than being in a good mood, of all things. It’s a small touch among a few small touches that keeps the movie human. While The Gambler inevitably falls short of greatness (or even the occasional feel of “importance” that creeps in through the seams), it’s much better than its critical reception would leave you to believe.

Rated R for language throughout and for some sexuality/nudity.

Playing at Carolina Cinemas, Epic of Hendersonville, Regal Biltmore Grande, UA Beaucatcher. reviewed by Justin Souther

STARTING FRIDAY

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

Arthur HHHS Director: Steve Gordon Players: Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli, John Gielgud, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Jill Eikenberry ROMANTIC COMEDY Rated PG I object to Arthur on the basic principle that the cuddly, lovable alcoholic is a worn-out concept that puts a happy face on something that is neither cuddly, nor happy. It’s a comedic notion that’s older than the movies and had outlived its value long before this movie was made in 1981.

That said, I cannot deny that the film — while overplaying star Dudley Moore’s laugh — has an undeniable charm. I sat down to mostly refresh my memory of it and ended up watching the film straight through. The story is certainly no great shakes — filthy rich, usually drunk playboy Arthur Bach (Moore) is going to be disinherited unless he marries a woman (Jill Eikenberry) he doesn’t love, whereupon he has the added misfortune of falling in love with a slightly larcenous waitress (Liza Minnelli). The question of what’s going to happen is a foregone conclusion. However, bright dialogue and the charm and chemistry of Moore, Minnelli and John Gielgud make it seem much better than it has any right to be. Plus, it’s just such a shimmeringly good looking movie world of a picture that it’s kind of irresistible. The Hendersonville Film Society will show Arthur Sunday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community (behind Epic Cinemas), 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville.

Pack Up Your Troubles HHHH Director: George Marshall, Raymond McCarey Players: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Donald Dillaway, Jackie Lyn Dufton, Mary Carr, James Finlayson COMEDY Rated NR Laurel and Hardy’s second feature film, Pack Up Your Troubles, is much smoother than their first, Pardon Us (1931), though it is often inferior to it. I’m not sure why, since it follows a similar approach. Both films play like three interconnected shorts — and the best of their work was the short film. In this case, we have a fairly standard service comedy joined to an actual war comedy and followed by a comedy-drama about Stan and Ollie trying to find the grandparents of their friend’s daughter, who was orphaned when her father was killed in the war. The father-daughter story is simply threaded into the earlier portions of the film, giving it a shape — something Pardon Us lacked. Stan and Ollie are not-verywilling and (of course) inept recruits in the Army in 1917. The scenes of their conscription and training are funny, if not terribly inspired — though there are some great moments.

The war section is much more accomplished, but the film’s best part is the final section, which puts the boys on more familiar ground that allows their particular style of comedy to flourish. It also affords some amusing plays on gender roles and paints a pointedly unvarnished picture of the Depression. It isn’t their best feature, but I have a hunch it will play better to the more casual viewer than some of their better movies. The Asheville Film Society will screen Pack Up Your Troubles Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m. in Theater Six at The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther.

The Woman In Black 2: Angel Of Death

Supernatural HHHH

History tells us that the first release — barring expansions of limited-run films from last year — of the new year will be a dog. This year we have the sequel to 2012’s The Woman in Black as the first thing out of the gate. The original was a surprisingly good ghost story. So what do they do to follow it up? Get a new director and writer (smooth move), move the setting ahead 40 years to WWII England and presumably offer more spooky shenanigans at Eel Marsh House — now converted to a home for children fleeing the Blitz. Jeremy Irvine (Great Expectations) and Helen McCrory (Hugo) star. Early reviews — all from the UK — are split right down the middle. (PG-13)

Director: Victor Halperin Players: Carole Lombard, Allan Dinehart, Vivienne Osborne, Randolph Scott, H.B. Warner, Beryl Mercer HORROR Rated NR White Zombie (1932) prompted Paramount — still a tentative player in the horror genre at the time — to give Victor and Edward Halperin a one picture deal with the studio. Though lacking a major horror star like they’d had with Bela Lugosi in White Zombie, the arrangement gave them studio backing and access to a cast they otherwise could never have put together on their own. The result was Supernatural — one of the oddest of all classic-era horror films. Its very oddness — and the lack of a name horror star — doomed it to failure then and has kept it in obscurity to this day. It starts off with a bang — even its opening credits are scary — with its story of serial killer Ruth Rogen (Vivienne Osborne) agreeing to give her executed body to scientist Dr. Carl Houston (H.B. Warner) for his experiment on “malignant spirits” — which she sees as a chance, however slim, to have her revenge on Paul Bavian, the phony spiritualist who sold her out to the police. It’s then that plot gets too convoluted for its own good as it ties this — and Paul Bavian — in with heiress Roma Courtney (Carole Lombard), who is grieving over her dead brother. That Ruth Rogen will find her way into Roma Courtney’s body is a given, but getting her there seems overcomplicated.

Nonetheless, the film’s atmosphere is often astonishing, especially when dealing with Bavian’s seedy boarding house and Rogen’s degenerate apartment. It may never become one of the great horror films, but it often gets frighteningly close. The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Supernatural Thursday, Jan. 1, at 8 p.m. in Theater Six at The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther.

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the Pines HHH The Place Beyond Ginger & Rosa HHH

and Powerful HHH Oz the Great G.I. Joe: Retaliation HHH

Evil Dead HHH HHH Olympus Has Fallen

HHH Like Someone in Love The Croods HHH

Identity Thief HHH Admission HHH

42 HHH The Host HHH

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fREEwiLL astRoLogY

by Rob Brezny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Most salamanders reproduce by laying eggs, but the alpine salamander doesn’t. Females of that species give birth to live young after long pregnancies that may last three years. What does this have to do with you? Well, I expect you to experience a metaphorical pregnancy in the coming months. Even if you’re male, you will be gestating a project or creation or inspiration.

And it’s important that you don’t let your incubation period drag on and on and on, as the alpine salamanders do. I suggest you give birth no later than July.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Maybe you have had a dream like this: You’re wandering around a house you live in, and at the end of a long hallway you come to a door you’ve never seen before. How could you have missed it in the past? It must have been there the whole time. You turn the knob, open the door and slip inside. Amazing! The room is full of interesting things that excite your imagination.

What’s more, on the opposite wall there’s another door that leads to further rooms. In fact, you realize there’s an additional section of the house you have never known about or explored. Whether or not you have had a dream like that, Taurus, I’m betting that in 2015, you will experience a symbolically similar series of events in your waking life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The Greek god Zeus had seven wives. Themis, Leto, Eurynome and Hera were among them. Another was his older sister Demeter, and a sixth was his aunt Mnemosyne. Then there was the sea nymph Metis. Unfortunately, he ate Metis — literally devoured her — which effectively ended their marriage. In 2015, Gemini, I encourage you to avoid Zeus’s jumbled, complicated approach to love and intimacy. Favor quality over quantity.

Deepen your focus rather than expanding your options. Most importantly, make sure your romantic adventures never lead to you feeling fragmented or divided against yourself. This is the year you learn more than ever before about what it’s like for all the different parts of you to be united.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Here are three of my top wishes for you in 2105: You will have a clear, precise sense of what’s yours and what’s not yours ... of what’s possible to accomplish and what’s impossible ... of what will be a good influence on you and what won’t be. To help ensure that these wishes come true, refer regularly to the following advice from Cancerian author Elizabeth Gilbert: “You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. That’s a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That’s the only thing you should be trying to control.”

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Author Robert Moss has published 27 books. When he talks about the art of launching and completing big projects, I listen attentively. There’s one piece of advice he offers that would be particularly helpful for you to keep in mind throughout the first half of 2015.

“If we wait until we are fully prepared in order to do something, we may never get it done,” he says. “It’s important to do things before we think we are ready.” Can you handle that, Leo? Are you willing to give up your fantasies about being perfectly qualified and perfectly trained and perfectly primed before you dive in?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The fish known as the coelacanths were thought to have become extinct 66 million years ago. That was when they disappeared from the fossil record. But in 1938, a fisherman in South Africa caught a live coelacanth.

Eventually, whole colonies were discovered in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa and near Indonesia. I foresee a comparable phenomenon happening in your life during the coming months, Virgo. An influence you believed to have disappeared from your life will resurface. Should you welcome and embrace it? Here’s what I think: Only if you’re interested in its potential role in your future, not because of a nostalgic attachment.

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DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Even in normal times, you are a fount of regeneration. Your ever-growing hair and fingernails are visible signs of your nonstop renewal.

A lot of other action happens without your conscious awareness. For example, your taste buds replace themselves every two weeks. You produce 200 billion red blood cells and 10 billion white blood cells every day. Every month the epidermis of your skin is completely replaced, and every 12 months your lungs are composed of a fresh set of cells. In 2015, you will continue to revitalize yourself in all these ways but will also undergo a comparable regeneration of your mind and soul. Here’s my prediction: This will be a year of renaissance, rejuvenation and reinvention.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Nothing brings people closer than business,” said composer Arnold Schoenberg. You could be living proof of that hypothesis in 2015, Libra. Your drive to engage in profitable activities will be at a peak, and so will your knack for making good decisions about profitable activities. If you cash in on these potentials, your social life will flourish. Your web of connections will expand and deepen.

You will generate high levels of camaraderie by collaborating with allies on productive projects.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Deathwatch beetles have a peculiar approach to the mating game. Their seduction technique consists of smacking their heads against a hard object over and over again.

This generates a tapping sound that is apparently sexy to potential partners. I discourage you from similar behaviors as you seek the kind of love you want in 2015. The first rule of romantic engagement is this: Sacrificing or diminishing yourself may seem to work in the short run, but it can’t possibly lead to lasting good. If you want to stir up the best results, treat yourself with tenderness and respect.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707) was a German composer whose organ music is still played today. He was a major influence on a far more famous German composer, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750).

When Bach was a young man, he decided it was crucial for him to experience Buxtehude’s music firsthand. He took a leave of absence from his job and walked over 250 miles to the town where Buxtehude lived. There he received the guidance and inspiration he sought. In 2015, Sagittarius, I’d love to see you summon Bach’s determination as you go in quest of the teaching you want and need.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Sometimes I can feel my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I’m not living,” says a character in Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. If you have ever felt that way, Aquarius, I predict that you will get some relief in 2015. Your bones won’t be straining as much as they have in the past because you will be living at least one of the lives you have wanted to live but haven’t been able to before. How you will handle all the new lightness that will be available?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Erotomania” is a word for the erroneous fantasies people entertain when they imagine that a celebrity is in love with them.

Laughable, right? Just because I have dreams of Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey texting me seductive notes doesn’t mean that she genuinely yearns for my companionship. And yet most of us, including you and me, harbor almost equally outlandish beliefs and misapprehensions about all kinds of things. They may not be as far-fetched as those that arise from erotomania, but they are still out of sync with reality. The good news, Pisces, is that in 2015 you will have the best chance ever to become aware of and shed your delusions — even the long-running, deeply-rooted kinds.

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RetReAtS

Paul Caron

CLASSeS & WoRKSHoPS CLASSeS & WoRKSHoPS

PetS

Furniture Magician neW YeARS ReSoLutIon 5 DAY YoGA Detox & JuICe CLeAnSe Jan 14 – 18, 2015 Prama Wellness Center 828 649 9911 www. pramawellnesscenter.org 3 days of fasting, delicious meals, workshops, health consultations, group support, daily yoga and meditation knowledgeable supportive staff.

• Cabinet Refacing • Furniture Repair • Seat Caning • Antique Restoration • Custom Furniture & Cabinetry (828) 669-4625

• Black Mountain

thE nEw YoRK timEs cRosswoRD puzzLE

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ACROSS 1 Buried treasure site, maybe 5 Eagles’ band?: Abbr.

8 What confirmed bachelors avoid 14 Wet missile 16 Jay ___, onetime Obama press secretary 17 Potato?

18 Benefits 19 “Bewitched” spinoff 21 Take in, as patients 22 Major tanker port 24 Ebb tide?

26 Fled or bled 27 Not quite enough 28 Philanthropist Broad 29 Sci-fi author Stanislaw 30 Most of the symbols on a traditional slot machine 32 Willow shoot 34 Inoculation order?

38 Rotten tomato’s sound 39 Put into law 42 Org. originating the three-point shot 45 Suffix with super 46 Neither his nor hers

48 ___ mag (Maxim

or FHM) 49 “Clean out your desk!”?

52 Goes down 53 Commencement participants, for short 54 Eases 56 Like Superman and Spider-Man 58 1983 sci-fi drama … or a possible title for this puzzle 61 Actress Bynes of “She’s the Man” 62 Letterman’s favorite activity?

63 Took home 64 A, B and C, in D.C. 65 See 50-Down DOWN 1 Suffix with sex 2 Masseuse’s workplace 3 “Pay attention!”

4 Allen who captured Fort Ticonderoga 5 Exile 6 Like the toves in “Jabberwocky” 7 E’en if 8 Signature Obama health measure, for short

edited by Will Shortz

9 Some microphones 10 Major League

1

Baseball news

2

3

4

14

11 Savage 12 Go through again 13 What an anarchist rails

No.1126 5

6

7

8

15

9

10

11

12

13

16

17

18 19

20

21

against, with “the” 22 23 24 25 15 Pal 20 “Give it ___!”

26 27 28 29 22 Toy sound 23 Historical org.

30 31 32 33 25 Director Kazan 34 35 36 37 27 Words of welcome 31 Code letters?

38 39 40 32 One side of Niagara Falls: Abbr.

42 43 44 45 46 47 48 33 Watergate initials 49 50 51 52 35 Tough trek 36 Doo-wop group with the 53 54 55 1963 hit “Remember Then,” with “the” 56 57 58 59 37 Infomercial figure 61 62 40 Cool ___ 41 Scores of Vikings, for 63 64 65 short 42 Warm blanket puzzle by michael s. maurer 43 Old galley 44 Biblical debarkation 50 With 65-Across, 52 Snide comments 59 Music genre point “Not a clue” 55 Humpty Dumpty, e.g.

46 Baby 60 Chicago-toHouston dir.

47 Aquarium fish 51 Midwest tribe 57 Scoundrel

41

60

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DEcEmBER 31, 2014 - JanuaRY 6, 2015

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