Mountain Xpress, March 24 2010

Page 1

SCANDAL AT CITY HALL p. 12

THE SINGING STARS p. 66

SOULGRASS REBELLION p. 68

MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010

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news 12 scandal at city hall Fraud investigation under way 14 Straight talk Sen. Martin Nesbitt talks about the budget, dodging a second Great Depression and the Sullivan Acts

A free talk by Elise Moore

15 buncombe commissioners Sparring over courthouse renovations

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66 out-of-body abandon The Singing Stars gospel quartet brings the audience in touch with something greater

68 from the islands to the mountains The reggae-funkfusion of Soulgrass Rebellion

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69 gazing into the future The Asheville Area Arts Council hosts its annual gala ball — with a crystal twist

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MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

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70 on his own terms Comedian Joe Zimmerman interviews comedian Bobcat Goldthwait

71 galaxy quest Pluto vs. Eris explores space and mythology

features 5 7 10 11 16 18 20 22 35 46 51 52 53 55 57 58 60 62 64 72 75 76 82 87 93

Letters Cartoon: Molton Cartoon: brent brown Commentary The Buzz WNC news briefs The Biz Business news Outdoors Out and about in WNC the dirt Gardening in WNC edgy mama Parenting from the edge Community Calendar FreeWill Astrology Cartoon: tom tomorrow News of the Weird Conscious party Benefits Asheville Disclaimer GREEN SCENE WNC eco-news Food The main dish on local eats Small Bites Local food news brews news WNC beer briefs soundtrack Local music news smart bets What to do, who to see ClubLand cranky hanke Movie reviews Classifieds NY Times crossword

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letters Mayor’s vote on domesticpartner benefits respected community’s conservatives I read John Yelton’s letter to Mountain Xpress regarding Mayor Terry Bellamy’s vote on samesex domestic-partner benefits and became quite intrigued by the logic behind his comments. I have to agree that in 100, 50 or even 20 years, this will be a non-issue, but that doesn’t necessarily bode well for society as a whole. Claiming Mayor Bellamy’s vote is “immoral” was far and away the most intriguing statement made by Yelton. You see, I wonder what morality is today. There are few determining factors anymore to give us moral guidance. What Yelton considers moral or immoral does not necessarily stack up with the opinions of other people: One man’s meat is another man’s poison. You see, morality has become very subjective in our postmodern world. We no longer have any benchmark left in society to base moral issues on, and we are left with people’s varied opinions. I would love to know what benchmark Yelton uses in determining Bellamy’s morals. You see, Bellamy’s actions have probably found great support from many people within the Asheville community. Certainly, central Asheville is made up of a very liberal and eclectic mix of people; however, greater Asheville, where the bulk of the population resides, is

somewhat more conservative. It seems that their opinions are of little importance to Yelton. Thirty-one states have voted against the issue of gay marriage, and six have forced legislation through the courts. It is a sad day when the opinion of the masses is railroaded by liberal bigots. It seems this liberal bigotry is alive and kicking in the Asheville community. I am thankful that we have a mayor who has the courage to stand by her convictions and not be bullied and harangued into making decisions that fail to address the concerns of the entire population. As I stated above, Yelton is probably correct: In 100, 50 or even 20 years, this will be a nonissue. I dread to see how far society’s morals will have slid to by then and the sort of anarchic world we have produced. — Shaun Duncan Fairview

Same-gender and same-sex are not interchangeable terms In his March 10 Xpress commentary, Jerry Sternberg may confuse some readers with his substitution of the term “same-gender” for “samesex.” With rather doltish sarcasm, he wrote, “I don’t agree with labeling them ‘same-sex partners,’ because we can’t assume that they have sex,” and so he substituted the term same-gender. I’d like to clarify, because his comments may generate misconceptions and misunderstanding. These terms are not interchangeable (nor do they have anything to do with whether or not

Send letters to: Letters to the Editor, Mountain Xpress, P.O. Box 144, Asheville, NC 28802 or by e-mail to letters@mountainx.com. (Include name, address and phone number.)

xpress staff publisher & Editor: Jeff Fobes GENERAL MANAGER: Andy Sutcliffe senior editor: Peter Gregutt MANAGING editor: Jon Elliston A&E editor: Rebecca Sulock ASSOCIATE editor: Margaret Williams Staff writers: David Forbes, Brian Postelle A&E REPORTER & Fashion editor: Alli Marshall editorial assistants: Hanna Rachel Raskin, Tracy Rose Staff photographer: Jonathan Welch Clubland editor & Writer: Aiyanna Sezak-Blatt contributing writers: Jonathan Barnard, Melanie McGee Bianchi, Ursula Gullow, Anne Fitten Glenn, Whitney Shroyer EDIToRIAL INTERN: Gabe Chess PHOTO INTERN: Halima Flynt Production & Design ManaGeR: Andrew Findley Advertising Production manager: Kathy Wadham Production & Design: Carrie Lare, Nathanael Roney calendar editor & supplements coordinator: Mannie Dalton Movie reviewer & Coordinator: Ken Hanke

Food coordinator: Mackensy Lunsford Advertising director: James Fisher advertising manager: John Varner retail Representatives: Russ Keith, Rick Goldstein, Leigh Reynolds, Scott Sessoms WEB MARKETING MANAGER: Marissa Williams Classified Representatives: Arenda Manning, Tim Navaille Information Technologies Manager: Stefan Colosimo webmaster: Jason Shope web DEVELOPER: Patrick Conant Office manager & bookkeeper: Patty Levesque special projects: Sammy Cox ASSISTANT OFFICE MANAGER: Lisa Watters ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT: Arenda Manning, distribution manager: Sammy Cox Assistant distribution manager: Jeff Tallman DIStribution: Mike Crawford, Ronnie Edwards, Ronald Harayda, Adrian Hipps, Joan Jordan, Russ Keith, Marsha McKay, Beth Molaro, Ryan Seymour, Dane Smith, Ed Wharton, Thomas Young

UNFORGETTABLE a couple has sexual relations). According to Merriam-Webster, gender is “the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex,” and sex is defined as “either of the two major forms of individuals that occur in many species and that are distinguished respectively as female or male, especially on the basis of their reproductive organs and structures.” In other words, gender is the identity a person assumes of male, female or intergender variation, while sex is biological. For example, a person born with the biological characteristics (i.e., reproductive organs) of a woman usually identifies herself as female. But there are exceptions: For example, a person may choose a male gender and actually have the biological sex traits of a female and vice-versa. Based on this, a same-gender, opposite-sex couple may be legally married in the state of North Carolina. A man may self-identify as a woman and appear as such, but is permitted to marry his female lover because their reproductive organs are different from one another. — Laura Simmelink Asheville

Probation officers should teach respect by giving it On Dec. 31, 2008, I received my first DWI. I have done my best to go through all the necessary legal steps, but from the beginning of this process, I was misrepresented by my courtappointed lawyer and mistreated by officials at the probation offices. The lawyer showed a lack of concern in my case and in defending his client, and did not properly explain to me state and local laws. As a result, I was charged with a high level of punishment and was given 12 months of supervised probation after receiving a first-time DWI charge with no property or human damage. Just 30 days prior to the completion of my community service, the officers made the community service mandatory in their area while the documents were being transferred. The transference was slowed down two weeks due the inefficient work of the officials. After the case was transferred to Henderson County, [someone] was appointed as my probation officer. Besides being no motivational help and a discouraging supervisor, the officer exhibited unprofessional and, at times, rude behavior toward me. Instead of answering certain questions or concerns regarding the enforced fees and documents lost in their office, I was specifically told it was not “my time and place” to ask questions. I have always attempted to pay my court fees on time. Due to my probation officer’s negligence, I was then charged extra fines for a failure to pay extra fees on time. I was humiliated by my probation officer when I asked her why nobody sent me the appropriate documents on

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For other Molton cartoons, check out our Web page at www.mountainx.com/cartoons time. The officer exhibited unethical conduct towards me when I tried to resolve the dilemma and resume communication by reminding me of my inferior position as a DWI holder. She failed to explain politely why she or another responsible person did not manage to process the documents within a given period of time. Instead, I was told to “pay the fines, no questions asked” if I did not want to remain on the supervised probation for the rest of the year. I was treated disrespectfully and driven to tears. I am not appealing to anyone to reconsider the terms of my punishment — I am asking for an equally respectful relation from the supervising officer. I am hoping that this note will bring more attention to community needs and prevent certain community members from feeling segregated and abandoned, and will, consequently, prevent them from getting second- and thirdtime DWIs. — Oxana Mak Folls Asheville

Council should take the lead on living-wage standards In response to “The Gospel According to Jerry” commentary in Xpress’ March 10 issue, I’d like to shed a little more light on the critical issue of living wages. In 2006, Asheville City Council adopted a policy to pay all city employees a living wage, which, at the time, was $10.86 per hour. This living wage ordinance sets an example for all Asheville employers to take the initiative to raise their wage standards and pay their workers a wage that at least allows them to meet their basic needs. There is growing awareness of the fact that working full time for a minimum wage does not keep a worker above the official poverty line. According to The Working Poor Families Project, 29.6 percent of working families in North Carolina held jobs in occupations paying below the poverty line in 2008. The city’s living wage ordinance is a step in the right direction, although the wage should be

increased to $11.35 per hour to reflect the 2010 living wage. But what about those government jobs that are contracted out to the private sector? If Council does not adopt a living wage ordinance that covers contract employees, then it is effectively outsourcing city labor to businesses with lower wage standards. Regarding Jerry’s complaint about the vinegar in this recipe: In 2006, the Economic Policy Institute conducted an extensive economicimpact study of local living wages and found that “living wage laws have small to moderate effects on municipal budgets.” (You can find the study at www.epi.org/publications/entry/ bp170). A detailed survey of 20 cities found that the actual budgetary effect of living-wage laws had been consistently overestimated by city administrators; actual costs tended to be less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the overall budget. Multiple studies have shown that the bidding for municipal contracts remained competitive or even improved as a result of livingwage ordinances. Studies have also measured significant benefits to both the businesses and the workers affected by living-wage ordinances. Pretty sweet vinegar, if you ask me. It is up to City Council to make the call: Will it lead the business community in combating poverty wages and building a just local economy or continue outsourcing jobs to businesses that perpetuate the problems faced by low-wage workers. The argument for living wages is based on economic logic and moral imperative, and municipal policy should be as well. — Sophia Hatz Volunteer, Just Economics of WNC Asheville

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Skateboard transit is a plus for Asheville I am writing in response to the recent Xpress cover story [March 10] about skateboarding as a “crime” in Asheville. There is a lot to be said here about how ridiculous this is. But one thing I think everyone can agree on is that anyone not

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010

in a car downtown — such as a biker, pedestrian or skater — is doing a lot [to reduce] traffic problems, parking shortages and poor air quality. This is a positive thing. — Diane Hillgrove Asheville

A vote for Patsy Keever is a vote for gender parity in state government Sign Up Now!

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Editors’ note: On March 21, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a health-care reform bill. Rep. Shuler voted against it.

Private insurers are the problem, not the solution, for the health-care crisis The private health-care-insurance companies are the cause of our health-care-insurance problems, not the solution. To really lower and control costs, we need Medicare for all. The public option is the compromise. Although privateenterprise competition works to reduce costs in other fields, it doesn’t work for the health-careinsurance companies because they have no control over health-care costs. They can only add to those costs with their expensive bureaucracy, profit margins and excessive executive compensation. — Fred Flaxman Weaverville

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Tell Shuler: Health-care reform will reduce abortions While Rep. Heath Shuler’s reelection campaign pays for a polling agency to call voters in the 11th District, asking if they would support him if he votes with other supporters of healthcare reform, other principled leaders across the nation are leading the way in forming a healthcare bill that is pro-life, pro-seniors and pro-family. Where is our congressman’s leadership? Shuler says he is pro-life, but as far as I can see, it’s all posturing for reelection. The health-

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March is Women’s History Month. One of the most monumental events in U.S. history was the passage of the 19th Amendment after a 70-year battle for women’s suffrage. Despite women representing 54 percent of the voters in 2008, only 17 percent of the U.S. Congress is made up of women. North Carolina is slightly better: Women hold 39 out of the 120 seats in the state House of Representatives. However, there’s hope we can do better: Today, more talented women volunteer for public service, like Patsy Keever, a Democratic candidate for the state house. Patsy is a Duke graduate, was a teacher for 25 years and a member of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. She understands the environmental concerns of Western North Carolinians and the universal challenges in public education and the economy. She was recently endorsed by the Women’s Campaign Forum, a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to gender parity in government. Women and men should vote for Keever both in the primary in May and in the general election. The perspective and experience of women like Patsy is too important to be ignored. In March, we remember women’s history and struggle, and in May, we can vote for Keever as part of women’s and North Carolina’s future. — Asia James Asheville

care bill that he should vote for this week would not provide any government funding for abortions — and, more proactively, it would support women who need help seeing a doctor in order to get contraceptives and health care for their children. An article in the March 14 Washington Post said it best: Americans have the highest rate of abortion in the world, and not because the British, Japanese and Canadians are better Christians than we are. On the contrary, it is because these countries provide affordable health care for all their citizens. Go to http://data. un.org to read the statistics, which show that, as the Post article put it, “when it comes to abortion rates in the developed world, we’re No. 1.” If a teenage girl in Haywood County finds out she is pregnant, she is much more likely to consider an abortion if she is unable to see a doctor to get prenatal care, counseling and support for her pregnancy, and care for herself and her child after the child is born. How do I know that? I’m no genius — I just know and talk to plenty of young women. What can we do in the 11th District to support life? We can start by having our representative vote for health-care reform — reform that shows we truly value a child’s life, from conception to adulthood. — Mary Alice Lamb Waynesville

MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010

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commentary

A labor of love

Asheville woman helps guide dogs change lives

photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service

by Teresa Jackson I started work at the USDA Forest Service’s Southern Research Station in Asheville last June. Soon after I arrived, I was intrigued to find one of my new co-workers, Libby Bagwell, bringing a dog to work. And the more I learned about how this dedicated woman is helping the visually impaired, the more curious I became. Libby’s been raising guide dogs for the blind for more than a decade. Since last July, she’s been working with her 11th puppy — Mensa, a 10month-old poodle. “I began this incredible journey with my first

a sidewalk, around obstacles, through doors and to an empty chair with hardly a pause.” Puppy raisers take their charges with them everywhere they go — including the workplace — to help them learn impeccable manners, both at home and in public. “I am so thankful that my co-workers and the management at the Forest Service’s Southern Research Station have been so supportive of this endeavor and welcome the pup into our office every day,” Libby notes. “I consider it a welcome privilege to try to prepare a pup for every situation he might encounter in order to equip him for his future work as a guide.” After about 13 months, the dog is returned to

“Each day I’m reminded of the privilege and responsibility I have in making a small contribution to fill a need in someone’s life.” — dog in 1999, and each day I’m reminded of the privilege and responsibility I have in making a small contribution to fill a need in someone’s life,” explains Libby, who’s a property-management specialist at the research station. It begins when a puppy is about 7 weeks old. Guide dogs in training need to be repeatedly exposed to all possible situations, and the exposure must start as early as possible. “Whenever I get a new pup, I realize anew what I’ve forgotten — that the dog really doesn’t know anything,” notes Libby. “I’m grateful to be able to take this undeveloped, fluffy bundle of love and help turn him or her into a life-changing companion for someone who’s visually impaired. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a beautiful adult dog that you’ve trained guide a person down

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part of a successful “team” with its owner (who also receives special training). People with disabilities pay nothing for the dogs or the training, and the nonprofit’s funding comes solely from individual, group and corporate donations and foundation grants. Libby says she finds comfort in knowing that “her” dogs are with wonderful, inspiring people who stay in touch with her. “None of the dogs that I have raised are in WNC; The closest one to me is in Warner Robins, Ga. I try to visit them once a year, but unfortunately finances didn’t allow for that last year, and I really missed it! Thankfully, I have gotten to see all of them and have had several come back to visit me.” After nine months of observing Libby and Mensa together, I am continually amazed and am often reminded of how I interact with my children. Like a mother or father, puppy raisers try to prepare their “children” for the next stage in life and teach them right from wrong, hoping they’ll go on to make a difference in somebody’s life and make the world a better place. To learn more about the Guide Dog Foundation or becoming a volunteer, visit guidedog.org. X Fletcher resident Teresa Jackson is a public-affairs specialist at the Southern Research Station near the UNCA campus.

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the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind for final training. “I say I’m sending them off to college,” Libby reveals. “I no longer cry when I hand the dog back to the trainer. Instead, I smile and say a prayer that this one, too, will become an inseparable companion to some deserving individual and enable them to achieve an even greater level of independence.” Even though I don’t train dogs myself, I can’t help but be impressed by the work Libby and other dedicated volunteers do. They must be prepared to adapt their lifestyle to the 24-hour care and training a puppy requires, but the rewards — and puppy kisses — make the sacrifices worthwhile. The Guide Dog Foundation invests more than $55,000 to breed, train and place each dog as

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Cost/benefit analysis

Police investigation targets alleged fraud by city employees by David Forbes The Asheville Police Department is continuing to investigate allegations of fraud in the city’s Human Resources Department. According to three search warrants made public March 16, some city employees filed bogus reimbursement requests for items they never purchased, or received reimbursement far beyond the actual cost and/or in excess of the legal annual limit for the program. As of March 22, no one named in the warrants had been arrested or charged. District Attorney Ron Moore has announced that the investigation is not currently targeting elected officials. Many city employees — including the mayor and City Council members — have the option of establishing flexible-spending accounts as part of their benefits. They can use these accounts to set aside pretax earnings to pay for certain child-care and medical expenses not covered by health insurance. The city then reimburses the employee for up to $6,000 a year of qualifying expenditures. According to the warrants, however, some employees were either paid in advance for purchases they hadn’t made yet or reimbursed for more than the actual cost of items they did buy. Employees were also allowed to join the plan midyear, in violation of regulations, the warrants indicate. “Council members are eligible for medical insurance with the city. Those who sign up for that insurance are eligible for the flex program,” spokesperson Dawa Hitch told Xpress, adding that federal law bars the city from revealing which elected officials have participated in the program.

Confessions and accusations The fraud probe — which involves the district attorney’s office and the State Bureau of Investigation as well as the APD — actually began in December, the warrants show. The most recent warrant, served March 12, states that Human Resources employees Liz Oldre and Laura Masters had written separate

Trouble, right here in City Hall: The Asheville Police Department served a search warrant in the city building March 12, investigating possible fraud in the Human Resources department. photo by jonathan welch

letters to the police, submitting copies of flexiblespending documents they’d removed from city files because “of fear of retaliation and concern that [Human Resources Director] Lisa Roth and [Assistant Director] Robin Nix would ‘alter’ the documents.” Masters’ letter, the warrant states, “alleged that Lisa Roth did not comply with the flexible-spending plan and open-enrollment/ insurance regulations.” Before the March 12 search, the warrant notes, police interviewed Nix, who told them “It was common practice for employees to be paid ‘up front’ for a year of child-care expenses or dental quotes, where the dental work had not even been completed yet,” and that “Human Resources

management acknowledges that these past practices have allowed employees the opportunity to commit fraudulent acts with the flexible-spending money.” According to the warrant, Nix admitted that she, herself, had on several occasions claimed reimbursement far in excess of the price of an item. In one case, she said she bought a mattress for $2,000, but was “reimbursed” $4,099. Nix also asserted that Oldre had waived the annual flexible-spending limit for some employees. Roth was interviewed as well, the warrant indicates, and she “stated that she has become aware of problems that existed within the flexiblereimbursement program that she had not known about. ... Roth stated that as a result of the reviews that she has done since this matter was discovered, she is fairly confident that others in the city of Asheville may have violated the conditions of the flexible-reimbursement program.” During the March 12 search, police seized information on every employee enrolled in the program from Jan. 1, 2005. to the present. And on March 17, the APD released a statement asserting that “Asheville police and the DA’s office ... reviewed 113 files of employees who received flexible-spending reimbursements of more than $1,000. There was no indication that any of those 113 employees participated in any criminal wrongdoing.” The announcement also indicated that the investigation is ongoing.

Questionable claims The other two warrants detail searches conducted in December and January. The first one, authorizing a search of Masters’ Asheville Savings Bank account, states that both Masters and Oldre may have been involved in fraud and may have exceeded the flexible-spending cap by thousands of dollars, with Masters claiming $7,200 in 2007, $14,760 in 2008 and $14,500 in 2009. Oldre claimed $7,109 in 2009. The other warrant authorized a search of city records related to “questionable claims” Masters allegedly submitted for reimbursement. X David Forbes can be reached at dforbes@mountainx. com or at 251-1333, ext. 137.

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by David Forbes Buncombe County Democrat Martin Nesbitt, the North Carolina Senate’s recently named majority leader, is serving his third term in that body after 11 in the state House. On March 12, Nesbitt was the guest speaker at the Council of Independent Business Owners’ monthly breakfast meeting, where he gave his assessment of the state’s financial situation, among other matters. Afterward, he spoke with Xpress about representing the western region in Raleigh, the Sullivan Acts, and the challenges of pulling North Carolina (and its cities) back from the brink of another Great Depression.

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Mountain Xpress: What are going to be some of the differences for Western North Carolina now that you’re Senate majority leader? Martin Nesbitt: Well, I’m not sure what they will be. We don’t know what the future will bring. We’ve got to, first of all, get the economy of the state moving and get a little prosperity before we worry about just us, because the whole state of North Carolina is in this barrel with us right now. The obvious thing that I will try to do is make sure that all areas of the state are considered when we’re making decisions, and not let the far west and far east be left out because of their distance from Raleigh, and make sure they have a voice. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get some people willing to serve on boards and commissions up here and we can get some people appointed to help set policy in the state, and if we’ve got an issue that’s pressing to us, hopefully I’ll be in a position to make sure it’s heard. Now, in the past, I’ll say we have been able to be heard in most instances. When we had the hurricane up here, we were able to go down there and write a hurricane program for $250 million from the rainy-day fund and bring it back home. So, in emergencies, we’ve always been heard. But on things like the distribu-

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Tight times: Speaking to a CIBO breakfast March 12 about the financial troubles facing the state, Sen. Martin Nesbit, majority leader, reports on efforts to keep financial challenges from sliding over “the brink.” photo by margaret williams

tion of the lottery proceeds, school calendars, those type of things, we were hollering but nobody was listening. Hopefully on those kinds of issues we’ll be able to make sure our voice is heard. You’ve spoken of “the brink” — of how close both the state and the nation were to another Great Depression. Is that still the case? I think we’re back from the brink, but we’re a long way from recovery. When I mentioned we were on the brink, we were losing 5 percent of our revenue stream per month for three months in a row. It was in a free fall. ... That’s over; we’ve stabilized, but the damage is done. I really sense that what we had was a depression of sorts. I think the country is worth 20 percent less than it was before it started, and it’s not going to just come back tomorrow. All of a sudden home prices aren’t going to just jump; stock prices aren’t going to just jump — they’ve come back up pretty substantially — but you’ll see them level out. They won’t get back to where they were for two or three years. We’re going to have to start building our way out of this. We’re going to have to start at a lower point and work our way back up. You’ve heard about the financial situation Asheville’s in, and it’s far from the only

city facing such difficulties. You’ve said there are some things governments have to do — is there any state assistance on the horizon for those situations? The state has its own problems. I didn’t get into those today, but our budget in real terms is probably out of balance 5 percent — a billion dollars, or somewhere in that range. We’ll be able to cover that because we’ve had some good things happen, some stimulus money and those kind of things, but we’re not in a position to help anybody. “Local governments are going to have to do what we do on a regular basis down there: look at their budgets and find places they can cut. We had a depression in this country where we are now worth less than we were, by any measurement. We’re going to have to realize that and accept less for a while until we can build ourselves back out of this. Is there going to be any consideration given to adjusting or repealing the Sullivan Acts? No. None that I know of. We finally got a [state] Supreme Court decision that says they’re appropriate. So I know of no reason you’d want to repeal them. That’s a 70-year argument that’s been settled by the courts.X David Forbes can be reached at dforbes@ mountainx.com or at 251-1333, ext. 137.

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Creighton, Moore butt heads over courthouse renovations by Jake Frankel A sometimes contentious exchange between District Attorney Ron Moore and Assistant County Manager Jon Creighton kicked off the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners’ March 16 meeting. The flap concerned the proposed “life-safety tower” — a planned renovation of the top five floors of the county courthouse. Before the commissioners had even had a chance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, Moore took to the lectern to argue that taxpayer money would be better spent on a new structure rather than on renovating the existing one. “The overwhelming need is to build a building that will house adequately the numbers of people we continue to deal with [in the district courts]. That’s the only thing that will help us,” he declared. Citing the work of the Judicial Facilities Task Force — appointed in 2007 and charged with projecting the system’s needs over the next 20 years — Moore said the planned renovations wouldn’t do the job. “I’ve been told we can get maybe two 75- to 90-space courts. That won’t help the district courts. I need some 150- to 200space courtrooms — at least two. I need a third one that seats probably 100 to 150. That’s the only way.” The DA also voiced frustration that he and other task-force members hadn’t been consulted about the life-safety tower until plans were already in place. “I don’t know if there was a miscommunication somewhere, but none of us were aware that we were moving forward with a plan to build a safety tower first,” he said. “If the question were asked to the committee — ‘If you have 25 million bucks to spend, what would you spend it on?’ — I think the overwhelming consensus would be, ‘Build a building to get as many criminal and other courts out as soon as possible.’” Creighton immediately rose to defend the current plan, citing both safety and budget concerns. To make his case, he read excerpts from a letter by Jim Young of the Sanford, N.C.-based American South General Contractors, whom Creighton said he’d asked to weigh in on the issue. “Maintaining the safety of both the construction workers and the public will be much more difficult if Phase 2 [a new building] is completed first,” wrote Young. “Completing Phase 2 first will result in significant cost increases and a longer construction period.” A main issue cited by Young was that any new building would probably hamper the contractor’s ability to access the existing courthouse via Davidson Street and the annex parking lot. The current plan, he wrote, targets those areas as “vital demolition and construction support space” that could also accommodate two cranes during the tower renovations. “All of a sudden our ability to build the tower in less than a year becomes hampered, because

we’d only have one crane instead of two,” asserted Creighton. “It’s just a matter of dollars and cents — it becomes very difficult to put the life-safety tower on once there’s a building that faces College Street and blocks Davidson.” In response to the heated exchange, Commissioner Carol Peterson asked that the afternoon’s agenda be amended to allow for more discussion of the issue. As the meeting got under way, a resolution authorizing a construction manager to negotiate the project with contractors reignited the debate, this time with several commissioners weighing in. Vice Chair Bill Stanley proposed approving the resolution and instructing the construction manager to draft a plan that would enable the county to build the tower and a new courthouse simultaneously. After Peterson seconded the motion, Commissioner Holly Jones seemed ambivalent, praising the “compromise” proposed by Stanley but expressing doubts about the county’s ability to fund both projects at the same time. “I don’t think any of us want to spend $80 million, which was the price tag of the big thing at the very beginning,” said Jones. But Peterson, acknowledging that “it will take some financing that needs to be worked on,” made an impassioned plea on behalf of renovating the building, recalling a time when she and both her parents all worked in its halls. “That courthouse is the symbol of Buncombe County,” she declared. “I’m extremely supportive of the motion Mr. Stanley has made.” With board Chair David Gantt also enthusiastically supporting the idea, the resolution was eventually approved 4-0 (Commissioner K. Ray Bailey was absent).

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Flying high In other business, Asheville Regional Airport Director Lew Bleiweis announced that the airport will soon offer daily nonstop flights to two additional cities: Dallas/Fort Worth and Tampa. This could have a big impact on the region, he explained, as each additional daily flight pumps approximately $9 million a year into the economy. Other recent airport developments include a new art gallery displaying work by Western North Carolina artists and a planned concession area offering locally produced food and beverages. “Hopefully we’ll have a bar that will feature our local breweries,” said Bleiweis. The plans are part of a $10.5 million renovation of the terminal funded largely by stimulus money. “Out of all the airports that got stimulus grants in the state of North Carolina, Asheville got the most money,” noted Bleiweis. “I love some of the innovative ideas to showcase our region,” said Jones in response to the photos in the PowerPoint presentation. “When you see that dirt, it translates to jobs.” X Freelance writer Jake Frankel lives in Asheville.

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 15

thebuzz

wnc news briefs

Asheville’s chief Postelle, Elliston leaving Xpress financial officer resigns Ben Durant, Asheville’s chief financial officer, is resigning to take a job at Elizabeth City State University, the city announced March 19. The change means Asheville must now conduct a nationwide search for a new budget point person even as it faces a projected $3 million to $5 million deficit in the next fiscal year. After a 12-year stint with the city, Durant is leaving to take a position as vice chancellor of business and finance at ECSU, in his hometown. He’s been a familiar face at City Council meetings recently, keeping elected officials informed about the scope and nature of the budget crunch and repeatedly asserting that the city is at a “financial crossroads” where it can’t afford to rule out such measures as increasing property taxes. At the most recent Council meeting, Durant announced that proposed cuts could bring the budget gap down to $3 million. Durant’s resignation will take effect April 15, and Administrative Services Director Lauren Bradley will take over his role while the city hunts for a permanent replacement. — David Forbes

Away they go: Managing editor Jon Elliston (left) and staff writer Brian Postelle are pursuing other work soon. Elliston plans to write a book expanding on an Xpress investigative project, and Postelle has taken a position as a public-relations specialist with the city of Asheville. staff photos

Longtime Mountain Xpress employees Brian Postelle and Jon Elliston have announced plans to leave the paper. Postelle, who began freelancing for Xpress in 2002 and became a staff writer in 2006, will start a new job next week, serving as a public-relations specialist for the city of Asheville. (Staff writer David Forbes took over Postelle’s former city-government beat shortly before Postelle put his name in the hat for consideration by the city.) “I’m excited about expanding my experience working in Asheville and staying connected with the changes the city will undergo in the future,” said Postelle. “It’s been deeply fulfilling to write for this publication for the past eight years and to be part of an Asheville institution that’s so important to many in the community. Only a handful of people across the country do what this group does, putting an amazing amount of energy into this kind of publication. I know that spirit will continue in the future.” Elliston, who began freelancing for Xpress in 2003 and was hired as news editor in 2005, was subsequently named managing editor. He’ll depart in mid-April and plans

16 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

to devote most of his energies to completing a book based on “Cruel Summer: The Attack on Camp Summerlane,” a four-part series he wrote for Xpress in 2008 that won a North Carolina Press Association award for investigative reporting. “This is a very bittersweet move,” noted Elliston. “I’m so proud of the work we do at Xpress, and grateful for the myriad ways my role here has helped me engage and understand our community. And I can’t imagine a better bunch of colleagues than the ones I’ve worked with here.” As reported in last week’s Xpress, Multimedia Editor Jason Sandford has also left the fold to focus on his popular blog, Ashvegas. As a result, we’ll soon be hiring one or more journalists. “These are major changes in our news staff, which have put us all in high gear,” notes Xpress Publisher Jeff Fobes. “We’re losing some strong news personnel. But Xpress has come through a number of staff changes over the years — and we’ve managed to learn and grow from them.” — Xpress staff

Google in the sky with diamonds

Put it on the card: Martin Dettelbach of Financial Marketing Concepts Inc. stands with Buncombe County Commissioners chair David Gantt to announce the county’s new prescription discount card. photo by Brian Postelle

Buncombe County rolls out new discount drug card Buncombe County residents (and even their pets) are now eligible for bigger discounts on prescription drugs, thanks to a new card issued by the county and the Florida-based Financial Marketing Concepts. The Coast2Coast Rx Card, introduced at a March 16 press conference, is available to all Buncombe County residents. Chief Marketing Officer Martin Dettelbach said cardholders can save an average of nearly 40 percent on prescription drugs at most Buncombe County pharmacies with the card. The actual savings will depend on the prescription, but consumers should see an improvement over the 13 to 35 percent discounts provided by the county’s previous discount card, BuncomeCountyRX. “We urge anybody who has used a discount card in the past to look at our new card,” said David Gantt, who chairs the county Board of Commissioners. “All you have to do is show us that you are a Buncombe County resident, and you can get this card.” The card can be used by the entire family and, Dettelbach confirmed, even for pet meds sold at pharmacies. Although the card itself is free, residents will pay a disbursing fee of $5 to $10

(included in the cost of the prescription) each time they use it, said Dettelbach. That money will be shared by his company and Buncombe county. The more total sales county residents generate, the higher the percentage that will go to Buncombe County. That money, said Gantt, will be reinvested in county health-care programs. And the announcement, he continued, should be welcome news at a time when people are worried about health care and the cost of prescriptions. “We have a problem, you all know, with [the cost of] prescription drugs in the U.S.,” noted Gantt, adding, “We’re not going to wait for the federal [plan].” To provide the benefits, the Florida firm partnered with WellDyneRx, which negotiated the discounts with pharmacies. These businesses (mostly national chains, according to Dettelbach), agreed to lower costs in order to attract more customers. WellDyne, he said, “just drove a harder bargain with the pharmacy chains.” The Coast2Coast Rx card is available at all county offices, libraries and participating pharmacies. To find participating local pharmacies, go to coast2coastrx.com/buncombenc. — Brian Postelle

In the rush to snag Google’s offer to provide superfast, 1-gigabit-per-second Internet connectivity to a small- to medium-sized American town, some communities are temporarily changing their name (Google, Kan., instead of Topeka; Google, N.C., instead of Carrboro). Should Asheville do the same? Mayor Terry Bellamy posed that question as she took the microphone, working the crowd of almost 200 that had gathered to talk Google at a March 18 town-hall meeting in the Asheville Civic Center ballroom. The mayor’s opening remarks were followed by a panel discussion and breakout brainstorming sessions. Admitting that she barely understands all the tech-speak, Bellamy went on to say that 1 gigabit is fast and would transform the town, the county and the region. The warp-speed technology would rev up the area’s economic engine, offer incredible resources to students, entice more high-tech companies to locate here and more, advocates maintain. But with such a glittering prize, it’s hard to keep track of how many towns are in the mix, and it’s going to be real competitive fight, said Dale Carroll, the state’s deputy commerce secretary. But Bellamy turned thumbs down on changing the city’s name to curry Google’s favor. “We’re Asheville,” she said, noting the town’s unique assets, including the National Climatic Data Center. And while many towns are talking about how they’re going to reach new heights with an Internet connection that’s 100 times faster than what’s now available, Bellamy urged turning the idea on its head: “We’re going to take Google to the next level!” City Council member Gordon Smith continued the pep talk, saying Asheville is No. 9 among the top 25 cities in contention — at least in terms of their social-media efforts to promote their case. (Even the number of tweets Xpress text-messaged during the meeting was sufficient to overload TweetDeck, the program we use to get the word out.) Panelist and big-time Twitterer José Ibarra of Applied Solutions Group pitched the educational advantages: 26,000 students in Asheville and Buncombe County would benefit from superfast Internet. “You can give students laptops, but if they don’t have enough bandwidth, they can’t use them,” he remarked. Panelist Hunter Goosman, who owns ERC Broadband, pitched the numbers: Google, he noted, is willing to invest $500 million in whichever community it picks. That kind

of dough will help bring high-speed service directly to homes and businesses — “the last mile” that connects Internet users to major transmission lines. Winning Google’s high-speed infrastructure would be just as transformative to Asheville as the arrival of the railroad was in the 1800s, said panelist Troy Tolle of Digital Chalk. The U.S., he added, has fallen behind the rest of the world in technological innovation and broadband access; initiatives such as Google’s could help turn that trend around, he said, urging, “Let’s make Asheville the innovation capital of the world.” With that in mind, meeting organizers encouraged attendees to get up out of their chairs, move to the poster-size sheets of paper lining the room, and write down their ideas for what Google can do for Asheville and Buncombe County. There were sheets titled “Health Care” and “Technology,” “Music” and “Education,” and more. The audience dispersed, perusing the sheets and picking up markers to have their say. As folks made their marks, Xpress asked one event coordinator whether some recent changes in local Internet speeds — at no extra cost to customers — might indicate that telecommunications companies are taking note of Google’s initiative. “Absolutely,” said Sandy Maxey, a principal at Beta Regional Systems. By spotlighting the current lack of truly high-speed Internet in the United States — and the high cost of what we do get, compared with other industrialized countries, she continued, “Google is making a political statement here.” For her part, Margaret Bennett, a local homeopathic practitioner, remarked, “If we had a Google in the sky, we could provide an encyclopedia of alternative and complementary health care.” She dutifully wrote this suggestion on the health-care boards, joining a host of others who wandered the room and added their ideas — including a group of home-schooled kids and their parents, who noted such benefits as better access to virtual classrooms. As town-hall coordinator Ben Teague explained it, the next step is gathering such ideas and picking the best ones to be part of the final push for Google. The deadline for community applications is March 26. What else would he like to see happen as the clock ticks down? “Tell your friends — and go online and nominate your city yourself.” To nominate Asheville, fill out the form at googleavl.com. — Margaret Williams

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 17

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thebiz Buying time: Concierge services liberate busy Ashevilleans Not enough time on your hands? Two new concierge services have emerged since the beginning of the year to help busy local folks get things done. “Everyone can use a little help,” says Kayce Cheatham, one-half of the Busy Betties concierge service (motto: “It’s Better ’n Doin’ It Yourself!”). The company consults with potential clients to determine what services Busy Betties can best provide, whether it’s shopping or child care or gardening. Cheatham and Celeste Adams launched their business after researching the concierge concept; both had spent time working odd jobs in Asheville’s service industry. “We said, you know, there’s got to be a niche for us. It’s like buying back your time: That’s priceless.” Likewise, Taryn Gentry kicked off Geaux Girl Concierge (motto: “Consider It Done.”) last month after searching for employment in Asheville. Unable to get in the door with a business-development background, she decided to strike out on her own. “I know Asheville is really receptive of entrepreneurs,” she says. “Especially women in business.” Like Cheatham and Adams, Gentry meets with clients to determine their needs. “It can be anything. It’s really tailoring a service around what someone needs.” To learn more, visit thebusybetties.com (989-8785) or geauxgirlconcierge.com (335-9816).

AdvantageWest Economic Summit slated for March 29 AdvantageWest, Western North Carolina’s regional economic-development commission, will host a March 29 panel discussion on WNC’s economic future. “Pathways to a New Economy” will feature guest panelists ranging from N.C. Commerce Secretary J. Keith Crisco to the heads of several corporations based in the state. A 5:30 p.m. reception at the Diana Wortham Theatre will kick off the event. For registration information, go to advantagewest.com or call 687-7234. Attendees can submit questions in advance at advantagewesteconomicsummit@gmail.com.

wnc business notes

Crowne Plaza owner buys Racquet Club Crowne Plaza Tennis & Golf Resort owner Dennis Hulsing announced March 16 that he’d purchased the 36-year-old Asheville Racquet and Fitness Club off Hendersonville Road. Hulsing says he plans to upgrade the facilities, guided by input from members. The club will hold an April 23 open house to explain the planned changes. Hulsing Hotels Inc. also owns the Four Points by Sheraton hotel in downtown Asheville, the adjacent Chop House restaurant, the Clarion Inn near the Asheville Airport and several businesses in other states.

Chamber luncheon spotlights local legislative delegation The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Legislative Luncheon Friday, April 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Country Club of Asheville. The event gives state lawmakers a chance to speak to Chamber members’ concerns. In recent years, state budgetary issues have dominated the discussion. A meet-and-greet for legislators, Chamber members and staff will precede the lunch. For registration information, visit ashevillechamber.org under “Chamber/Events.”

Cape to address Women’s Business Conference Former Asheville City Council member Robin Cape will be the keynote speaker at Mountain BizWorks’ May 27 Women’s Business Conference, the nonprofit has announced. Since her unsuccessful write-in re-election bid last year, Cape has been running a consulting company advising clients on sustainability issues. Mountain BizWorks describes Cape as “a selfproclaimed serial entrepreneur who’s taught piano lessons; designed and woven hand-loomed clothing; sewed and painted kites in her own shop on the beach in Florida; had a calligraphy, graphic-art and sign-painting company in Chapel Hill; sold antiques; made jewelry out of salvaged materials; crocheted and knitted fun and wacky hats; and

Caped crusader: Former Asheville City Council member and current sustainability consultant Robin Cape will headline the Mountain BizWorks Women’s Business Conference in May. designed and sold handmade clothing in Asheville. She owned and operated Preservation Hall Architectural Salvage in Asheville and Weaverville, a green business before green business was cool.” The Women’s Business Conference will be held Thursday, May 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at A-B Tech’s Enka campus. For details, go to mountainbizworks.org. X

Asheville Hardware correction Last week, we reported that downtown business Asheville Hardware moved. We got that right, but missed a key point: The store doesn’t sell nuts and bolts any more: It’s now the only woodworkingsupply store in WNC, and it has on-street parking, not a parking lot. Send your business news and announcements to business@mountainx.com.

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outdoors Extreme goddesses by Susan Hollingsworth Whether you’re navigating Pisgah’s technical single track or plunging over the Green River Narrows’ notorious rapids, don’t be surprised if there’s a ponytail waving out the back of the helmet that passes you. Asheville girls are no joke. Mountain biker Alexis Decosimo and white-water kayaker Adriene Levknecht raise the bar for female adventure athletes — not only locally, but worldwide. Both girls compete at levels that leave even the boys in dust. And both say it was Western North Carolina’s supportive outdoors community and worldclass terrain that have helped them excel. Last year, Adriene seemed to wind up on the podium after every kayak competition she entered. From the Teva Mountain Games to the Freestyle Kayaking World Championships, this young star has been steadily pushing aside the competition. After first-place finishes on the Gauley and Russell Fork rivers, her year was looking pretty good. But it wasn’t till she returned home to her favorite Asheville-area river that she really nailed it, crushing an event that is the benchmark for women’s kayaking. Last November, Adriene became the first female to finish the world’s most extreme kayak competition — the Green River Narrows Race — in less than five minutes. Alexis, too, is quickly rising to the top of her sport. With only three years of biking

Extreme talent: Adriene Levknect recently became the first female to finish the Green Rivers Narrow race in less than five minutes. photo courtesy adriene levknecht

20 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

Leaving others in the dust: With only three years’ experience competing, Alexis Decosimo blasts her opponents and is moving up in the ranks. photo courtesy Alexis Decosimo

experience, Alexis has claimed first place in the US Mountain Bike Sport Division and a top-10 ranking at the Collegiate Nationals. She also helped her Brevard College team take home the gold at the Division II National Championships in Truckee, Calif., last fall. “Alexis has advanced very quickly because she is dedicated and smart,” notes Patricia Pinner, president of Alexis’ Team Prestige Subaru. “She is disciplined and spends the time necessary for training and learning new techniques.” What is it about Asheville that fosters such strength and determination in its female athletes? “The women athletes in this community are incredible role models,” says Alexis. “I look up to every one of them, not only for their talents but the love they have for playing in the woods and getting muddy.” And through the Asheville Women’s Cycling Club, Alexis, in turn, aspires to be a “positive mentor to any woman interested in rolling around in the dirt.” Logging daily training runs on the Green Narrows, Adriene highlights the incredible outdoor playground surrounding Asheville. “People can mold their daily lives around when the river is running,” she explains. And groups such as Girls at Play, spearheaded by Asheville’s own Anna Levesque,

help forge a female kayaking community at the nearby Nantahala Outdoor Center. Asked about her hometown’s wealth of outdoor options, Alexis simply says, “I dream of Pisgah.” Aided by legendary terrain and top-notch mentors, these feisty females also developed extraordinary levels of mental and physical tenacity that quickly set them apart. “It’s hard on women to get past the ‘beatdown’ phase of kayaking,” notes Adriene. She recommends keeping a cool head on your shoulders and finding a group of patient friends who’ll be supportive as you progress. Alexis, meanwhile, advises neophyte outdoorswomen to just “smile and not get frustrated.” Playing outside is all about having fun, she emphasizes, and if you maintain a positive attitude, the skills and comfort on harder trails will follow. Whether it’s the desire to push their own limits or to pass a guy in the next race, these adventure goddesses continue to break the mold. And the next time you’re outdoors, you might hear the shouts and laughter of a female who’s having a blast. So pay attention: You just might learn something. X Traveling freelance writer Susan Hollingsworth is currently living in Asheville so she can enjoy nearby rivers and mountains.

outdoorscalendar Calendar for March 24 - April 1, 2010 Asheville Track Club The club provides information, education, training, social and sporting events for runners and walkers of any age. Please see the group Web site for weekly events and news. Info: www.ashevilletrackclub.org or 253-8781. • Register now for Fit Families. Age-appropriate exercise for kids and their caregivers. Parents and older kids (11+) can join up with ATC’s Beginning Runners, Walkers, or create their own group. Kids ages 4-10 will play fitness games. Meets every Tues. and Thurs. starting May 4 at Carrier Park. Info & registration: kellyallenasheville@gmail.com. Autism Community Center Offers various group activities for youths and adults. Open to anyone, the groups are autism and special needs friendly and are run by creative professionals. One-time trial $20, register online. Info: www.autismcommunitycenter.com or 313-9313. • TUESDAYS, 1-2pm - Hiking groups for adults. Blue Ridge Bicycle Club Encourages safe and responsible recreational bicycling in the WNC area. To find out more about the club and its ongoing advocacy efforts, or to see a complete club calendar, visit www.blueridgebicycleclub.org. • THURSDAYS - Fletcher Blue Sky Road Ride. Departs promptly at 9:15am. Route and meeting place vary. No one will be left behind. E-mail: JohnL9@MorrisBB.net. • SATURDAYS - Gary Arthur Ledges Park Road Ride. Departs in the a.m. from Ledges Park, located 6.5 miles off UNCA exit on I-26. Ride north along the French Broad River to Marshall for coffee, then return via Ivy Hill. Email: jbyrdlaw@charter.net. • SUNDAYS - Folk Art Center Road Ride. Departs in the p.m. from the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is a show-n-go ride, meaning there may not be a ride leader. Info: 713-8504 or billcrownover@bellsouth. net. Canoe Class Held at Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman. All classes are free, but registration is required. All tools necessary for the repair or maintenance of boats will be available. Info: 877-3106 or www.headwatersoutfitters.com. • SU (3/28), 2-4pm - “Skid Plate Installation” with Lec Hobbs. Cover dings or reinforce the stems of your canoe. Carolina Mountain Club CMC fosters the enjoyment of the mountains of WNC and adjoining regions and encourages the conservation of our natural resources, through an extensive schedule of hikes and a program of trail building and maintenance. $20 per year, family memberships $30 per year. Newcomers must call the leader before the hike. Info: www.carolinamtnclub.org. • WE (3/24), 8:30am - Jones Gap Trail/Coldspring Loop. Info: 628-2396.

• SA (3/27), 8:30am & WE (3/31), 8:30am - Sunburst, Green Knob and Haywood Gap Trail. Info: 625-2677 or ccf108@gmail.com. • SU (3/28), 9am - Hickey Fork, Whiteoaks Flats and Pounding Mill. Info: 656-2191 or desraylet@aol.com —12:30pm - Camp High Rock. Info: 885-2152 or tominbrevard@webtv.net. Earth School 10th Annual Dupont 12K Trail Race • SA (3/27), 10am - Dupont 12K Trail Race, a benefit for the Dupont State Forest. Info & registration: http://jusrunning.com (click on “Race Calendars). Fly Casting Class • SA (3/27), 10:30am-1pm - Free fly casting class at Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman. Call to reserve a spot: 877-3106. Paddling Clinic • SA (3/27), 2pm - A cold-water paddling clinic, led by river safety instructor Whitmire, will be held at Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman. Free. Practice using throw ropes and more. To register: 877-3106. Info: www. coldwaterbootcampusa.com. Pisgah Area SORBA Mountain Bike Club Chapter of the Southern Off-Road Biking Association (SORBA) is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving technical off-road biking recreational opportunities through advocacy for quality trail systems. For info on mountain biking in WNC, visit www.pisgahareasorba.org. Group rides, trail info and workdays, events and more. • SA (3/27), 9am-3pm - Richmond Hill Public Trail Work Day. First session: 9am-Noon. Second session: 12:30pm-3pm. Lunch will be provided for full-day participants. Bring sturdy clothes, gloves and water. Run for the Paws 5K • SU (3/28), 1:30pm - The 5K race and one-mile run/ walk (dogs welcome) will be held at Fletcher Park. All proceeds benefit Brother Wolf Animal Rescue animals. A pet and wellness fair will be held after the run. $25. Pick up registration packets from 11am to 1pm. WNC Bike Expo • SA (3/27), 8am-Noon - Local cycling experts will provide info on how to buy and maintain your bike, along with tips on personal training. Plus, mountain and road bike routes will be offered. At the Blue Ridge Conference Hall on the campus of Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock. Free. Info: 694-1779.

MORE OUTDOORS EVENTS ONLINE

Check out the Outdoors Calendar online at www.mountainx.com/events for info on events happening after April 1.

CALENDAR DEADLINE

The deadline for free and paid listings is 5 p.m. WEDNESDAY, one week prior to publication. Questions? Call (828)251-1333, ext. 365

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 21

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Tropic blossoms

Orchid guru Ralph Coffey talks about his favorite flowers by Aiyanna Sezak-Blatt

them.’ Orchids are pretty tough, and there are a number you can grow in the home now.

Stepping into Ralph Coffey’s greenhouse is like being teleported to the Amazonian rain forest. Exotic, bulbous plants with bright blossoms hang from the ceiling, filling every inch of the space. Fans push steamy air around the room, causing the plants to sway gently and fogging the camera lens. A board member and former president of the Western North Carolina Orchid Society, Coffey relies on massive, carnivorous pitcher plants (which resemble curvy green vases suspended from thin, wiry vines) to keep white fly and mite populations in check and help maintain a pesticide-free environment. But with “Swamped with Orchids,” the society’s annual show, fast approaching (see box), Coffey’s thoughts are consumed by orchids. Mountain Xpress: What makes these plants so unique? Ralph Coffey: Orchids are the most diverse plant kingdom in the world. There are more orchid species than any other type of plant, and they grow on every continent except for Antarctica. What’s happened over the last 30 years is a lot of hybridizing, so [there are] a lot of simple easy-to-grow orchids available. Beautiful orchids are sold for $17. These are Phalanopsis (moth orchid): They have long spikes and flat flowers that range from whites to purples to yellows, and they bloom for three to four months. And when they’re not blooming, you treat them just like houseplants. When you say “treat them just like house plants,” what does that mean? It depends on the species. Some you don’t ever let dry out, like the Lady Slippers, and then there are others, like Cattleyas and Dendrobiums, that do like to dry out. The basic thing I always tell people is that if you buy something that’s more exotic,

22 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

How did you get started growing orchids? I had a brother-in-law that gave me a couple of orchids about 25 years ago. I lived fairly close to an orchid nursery, so I used to go out there and follow the owner around and ask questions. Joining the local orchid society is the best way to familiarize yourself with [plant] requirements, and it’s a good way to acquire plants and ask questions.” How many plants do you own? I’ve got over 1,000 orchids. When I moved to Asheville I had about 350. The nature of being a plant geek and collector is that there’s always something to experiment with. I’ve probably got at least 300 different species. What advice would you give first-time orchid owners? Know what you’re getting. I think that’s why orchids have a bad name, because you’ll buy something that’s doomed for failure, because you can’t give it the environment it needs.

Prize-winning red: Coffey’s awardingwinning Cattleya in full blossom. photos by aiyanna sezak-blatt

then it’s important to know what it is, because orchids have certain requirements — light, water, air movement, fertilizer, humidity and repotting — that go into creating the ideal conditions. Are there any myths about orchids that you want to debunk? A lot of people tend to think that orchids are delicate. I notice that in my greenhouse, I’ll be demonstrating and touching the flowers, and I always get this reaction: ‘Oh, I didn’t know you could touch

What’s your favorite species? My favorite type of orchid is the Dendrobium. I have one in the greenhouse that’s about 4 or 5 feet across. It blooms every June and has as

Swamped with Orchids The ninth annual Western North Carolina Orchid Society show happens Saturday, March 27, and Sunday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The North Carolina Arboretum. Admission is free, but parking is $8. For details, go to ncarboretum.org or call 665-2492.

Trees & Conifers Rhodos & Azaleas Perennials Groundcovers Dahlias & Lilies Fruit & Berries Veggie Starts

Teleported to the Amazonian rain forest: There are more than a 1,000 plants (and at least 300 orchid species) in Coffery’s greenhouse. many as 300 to 400 flowers on it at one time. What’s fascinating about orchids also is that in the jungles and temperate zones, they’re still discovering new species daily. One that comes to mind is a type of Phragmipedium discovered in Peru about six or seven years ago. It’s got an 8-inch, orange-red flower, and now that it’s been legally brought (by seed) into the country, hybridizers are using that parent to create a whole new breed of orchids.

To view a photo gallery of Coffey’s greenhouse, go to mountainx.com/gallery. A video of Coffey with his favorite blossoming orchid accompanies the online story at mountainx.com. To learn more about the WNC Orchid Society, go to wncos.org. X Aiyanna Sezak-Blatt can be reached at asezakblatt@ mountainx.com or at 251-1333, ext. 110.

gardeningcalendar Calendar for March 24 - April 1, 2010 Fundamentals of Soil Fertility (pd.) SOW TRUE SEED • Asheville, NC. Open-Pollinated, Heirloom and Organic Vegetable, Herb and Flower Seed. Free catalog. www.sowtrue.com 828 254-0708 With expert Brett Gustafson, Create living soil! (pd.) Learn essential techniques to building amazing & organic garden soil - including composting. Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m., Reems Creek Nursery, 70 Monticello Road, Weaverville,NC, www.reemscreek.com. Free, but please pre-register at 828-645-3937. Buncombe Co. Parks, Greenways & Rec. Events Located at 59 Woodfin Place. Info: 250-4265 or grace. young@buncombecounty.org. • TH (4/1), 9-10am - “Understanding Heirloom Gardening,â€? with Master Gardener Peggy Calenda, who will teach the joys of gardening with vegetables that have a “history.â€? Free, but registration required. Buncombe County Extension Center Events Located at 94 Coxe Ave., Asheville. Info: 255-5522. • MO (3/29), 5:30-7pm & TU (3/30), 10-11:30am “Starting a Vegetable Garden.â€? $5. Registration required. Cultivating a Sense of Place: Naturalist Walks Walks at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville in celebration of the Botanical Garden’s 50th anniversary. All weeks meet in front of the visitor center. Free. Info: 252-5190 or bgardens@bellsouth.net. • SU (3/28), 9-11am - “Botany for Gardenersâ€? with Dr. David Clarke, a botanist in the UNCA Biology Department. Join him for a walk through the Gardens and ponder Honey Locust thorns and Mastodons, Club Moss and coal, Oconee Bells and other subjects. Hendersonville’s Tulip Extravaganza

• TH (4/1) through FR (4/30) - Seventh annual Tulip Extravaganza: Thousands of tulips are expected to blossom throughout downtown Hendersonville. Info: 6976393. Leicester Garden Club • SA (3/27), 1-3pm - The March meeting will be held at Leicester Fire Hall, 2852 N. Leicester Hwy. The program focuses on “Designing A Vegetable Gardenâ€? and “Companion Planting.â€? Please bring seedlings to trade. N.C. Arboretum Events The Arboretum hosts a variety of educational programs. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free with parking fee ($8/vehicle). No parking fees on 1st Tuesdays. Info: 665-2492 or www.ncarboretum.org. • SA & SU (3/27 & 28), 10am-5pm - “Swamped with Orchids,â€? the WNC Orchid Society’s annual show featuring hundreds of orchids, education classes, supply vendors and more. Regional Tailgate Markets • For tailgate listings, visit www.mountainx.com/events and click on “Garden.â€? For more information, including the exact start and end dates of markets, contact the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project: 236-1282 or www.buyappalachian.org.

$"30-*/" $"3*$"563&4 LANBA?P BKN UKQN L=NPU Caricatures for children and adults by Asheville artist Brian Vasilik. Brian has drawn cartoon portraits at the Bele Chere festival, Grove Park Inn and many family and company events.

8*/ " '3&& $"3*$"563& >U FKEJEJC Œ>NE=J R=OEHEG EHHQOPN=PEKJ @AOECJ� KJ '"$&#00,

MORE GARDENING EVENTS ONLINE

Check out the Gardening Calendar online at www.mountainx.com/events for info on events happening after April 1.

CALENDAR DEADLINE

The deadline for free and paid listings is 5 p.m. WEDNESDAY, one week prior to publication. Questions? Call (828)251-1333, ext. 365

Call Today for questions and booking and be sure to visit Carolina Caricatures online to see more samples of Brian’s work.

888 #3*"/7"4*-*, #-0(4105 $0. mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 23

West Asheville Yoga Building Healthy Kids

from Pregnancy...

readysetgo! Eat right, get moving, feel good: The Xpress kids guide

To Mamas with Babies...

To Strong, Focused Children

602 haywood rd. westashevilleyoga.com

It’s been a long winter, eh? Ready to get the kids out and about again? We know. And we’ve got ideas. We’ve got trails, we’ve got shoes, we’ve got a super list of Western North Carolina summer camps — camps we’d bet are some of the best anywhere. These days, it’s not just adults who are getting larger. Thanks to our digital society and living life with longer hours spent in front of a screen, even the kids are gaining weight. In our opening story, Anne Fitten Glenn looks at what local schools are doing to address the problem. We’ve got some great active ideas from writer (and mom) Tracy Rose, and a whole host of area family-friendly hikes put together by Sherri McLendon. Melanie McGee Bianchi catalogs the latest in kids’ hiking and walking shoes, and then there’s the area camp guide, which gets longer every year — more options for area parents and kids. If your camp didn’t make it, please let us know by posting info on mountainx.com. Now get out there and get active! X

photo COurtesy of ywca summer camps

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info@appalachianinstitute.org 24 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • READY, SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • mountainx.com

Pony Rides Riding Lessons

Heavy kids, heavy issues

Can school lunch programs and recess combat the rising size of kids? by Anne Fitten Glenn

Winding

Public-school lunch programs have come a long way from mystery meat and green gelatin squares. In the 21st century, students have more choices, and fresh fruits and vegetables are de rigueur. Even so, running school cafeterias has become a balancing act between increasing healthy options that appeal to picky young taste buds and decreasing costs and waste. “The hardest part of my job is making ends meet economically while still serving the vegetables and fruits that students need to be healthy,” says Beth Palien, child nutrition director for Asheville City Schools.

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Our public-school cafeterias are highly regulated by the Department of Agriculture, and there’s not a lot of nutritional wiggle room within those requirements. For example, the government now requires each meal to contain, at minimum, two ounces of protein, two vegetable or fruit servings (or both equal to 3/4 cup), and eight ounces of milk — plus eight servings per week of grains. Changes on the local level have been straightforward and dramatic. Food fryers were removed from ACS cafeterias a few years back, and all of the milk, even chocolate milk, is now skim or one percent. “I don’t look a whole lot at calories anymore, but I look closely at fat content, and I’m starting to look hard at sodium content,” Palien says. For example, the pizza has low-fat cheese and whole-grain crust. Asheville High used to contract with Papa John’s Pizza, but the school pie was different from the pizza-maker’s regular recipes. It had to comply with the government’s nutritional standards. “The kids don’t even notice the difference,” insists Palien. She also credits parents and students with being more aware of nutrition. No one complained when she changed all the milk to the low-fat variety — although her predecessor in the job wasn’t too popular with students after she removed cheese fries from Asheville High’s menu.

June 13-19, 2010

Camp offers rising 8th & 9th grade students a fun & engaging way to explore a future healthcare career. program FoCuS Character Development: Focuses on personal responsibility, goal setting, team building & choices. Healthcare Careers: Includes learning about college options, CPR certification, learning the education tracks toward different healthcare careers & a visit to Mission.

No money where their mouth is Despite regulating the nutritional content of every morsel that passes kids’ lips, the federal government doesn’t provide enough funding to cover the cost of each meal. For example, the USDA reimburses ACS’ Child Nutrition Services $2.70 for a meal that costs the cafeteria $3.34. And this is for students who qualify for free lunches. The only state aid provided to area schools comes via North Carolina’s Kindergarten Breakfast program, which offers free breakfast to all kindergartners. While Child Nutrition Services operates under the auspices of ACS, they pay their own way. Revenue from the government’s reimbursement programs, paying students, paying adults (teachers and staff) and a la carte sales must cover the costs of food, supplies, salaries, benefits, taxes, equipment, et al. Historically, it hasn’t been enough. ACS supplements the program with local funding. Last year, Child Nutrition Services received $167,275 in local funds. This year, they’re budgeted to receive $100,000. So unless they make extra revenue this year, cuts are in the program’s future. “If it wasn’t for Asheville City Schools giving us extra funding, we’d have to drastically cut staff and meal options,” says Palien. “Thinking about it keeps me up at night.” Currently whole apples are provided instead of apples cut in half, and cafeterias typically offer a cup of vegetables instead of the required 3/4 cup. But that may change if cuts are necessary. “Whole grains and non-processed foods are more expensive,” points out Terri March, coordinator of Healthy Buncombe, a nonprofit that promotes good nutrition and physical activity for kids and adults. She adds that, while area schools do purchase some local produce, it also costs more than similar items from the government’s commodity-foods providers.

Creek

S T A B L E S

Keeping the students fed: Workers in the Asheville High School cafeteria. More and more, school-lunch programs offer healthier alternatives. But will the kids eat them? photo by halima flynt

Some have choices, some don’t Some kids love the school food. “I just tried all the lunches, and I really like the hot dogs. I like all the fruit. There are these oval-shaped mini watermelons in the fruit cocktail that are really good,” says James Van Cleve, first grader at Claxton Elementary. Naturally, there’s always the option to pack lunch from home — except when there’s not enough food at home. Many students depend on schools for the majority of their daily nutrients, benefiting from free and reducedrate food programs. Yet these programs are not completely covered in cost by the government. And significant amounts of food are wasted daily. “Nutritionists have to assess what kids will eat versus what they’ll throw in the trash,” says March. “You can serve all the baby carrots you want, but if they go into the trash, that’s like [tossing away] gold.” Still, the nutritionists keep trying. A USDA-grant sponsored program at Vance and Hall Fletcher Elementary Schools provides a fresh fruit and vegetable cart including less-traditional options like kiwi. “We have two registered dieticians [Palien and Lynette VaughnHensley, child nutrition director with Buncombe County Schools] who are creative and understand nutrition, but they’re strapped by running a failing business,” according to March. “Our schools are doing the best they

mountainx.com • READY,

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SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 25

can with the resources they have. [But] they need more resources, such as parental resources. We need a call to action for parents.”

Burning off all those regulated calories What’s the best part of the school day, after lunch break? “Recess!” exclaims Maris English, second-grader at Isaac Dickson Elementary. “I get to run around and play with my friends.” Many school-age kids agree with her. They love recess. Plus, it’s necessary. The North Carolina State Board of Education requires that K-8 students get a minimum of 30 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity. But are our students getting their daily required exercise? “There’s a big difference between P.E. [class] and physical activity,” says Penny Lewis, physicaleducation instructor at Isaac Dickson Elementary. “I think many students take advantage of recess to be active, but not all. On days when recess is canceled due to bad weather, no one is getting any physical activity.” The physical-activity allotment can include physical education, but most Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools only offer structured P.E. classes once or twice a week. The only requirement for high-school students is one semester of ninth-grade physical education. So, the burden of making sure students get their 30 minutes of daily exercise falls on the shoulders of individual classroom teachers, and its enforcement is up to administrators at each school. This comes on top of state and district directives that try to cram more instructional time into each school day than there are minutes in that day. And, unlike math skills, levels of vigorous exercise can be difficult to measure. One helpful quantifier is BMI (Body Mass Index) — a rough indicator of a person’s percentage of body fat based on age and gender. And our kids’ BMIs reflect some big problems. More than 19 percent of North Carolina’s young people are obese, compared with about 15 percent nationally. Our state currently ranks as the fifth most obese in the nation for kids aged 10-17. In Buncombe County, more than 34 percent of elementary-school kids are obese or overweight, according to the local School Health Advisory Council (all numbers come from data collected in 2008). When the Board of Education instituted the physical-activity requirement, they also directed school districts to set up School Health Advisory

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Eating right, staying active: Above, in the Asheville High School cafeteria. Below, children play at Isaac Dickson Elementary School. above photo by halima flynt, below photo by Anne fitten glenn

Councils to monitor it. Spearheaded by Healthy Buncombe’s Terri March, SHAC has collected the BMI of every elementary student in the Asheville City and Buncombe County schools for five years. The most recent numbers show that more than 18 percent of these kids are defined as obese, while almost 16 percent are classified as overweight. Research suggests that schools can play an important role in addressing childhood obesity through both their nutrition programs and physical activity and education requirements. Teachers are trained in “energizers” — short activities kids can do in classrooms, such as jogging in place, according to Debbie Bryant, health and physical-education coordinator for Buncombe County Schools. The daily 30 minutes can be broken up into 10-minute increments. There’s also a N.C. General Assembly bill that would require daily physical education classes in state elementary schools. However, the bill’s

26 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • READY, SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • mountainx.com

been tabled until next session, and recent cuts to the state’s education funding could make finding resources for the proposed change difficult. “Diseases once only seen in adults, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, are becoming more prevalent in children. We need P.E. five days a week. It would not only benefit our children physically, but academically,” says Lewis. Researchers report that, due to obesity rates, kids today may be the first generation in history whose life expectancies are shorter than their parents. So getting kids moving can extend their lives. Still, “schools can only do so much. We try to work with families and with the community,” says Bryant. “It takes time. We didn’t just become fat overnight.” X Anne Fitten Glenn is a freelance writer and columnist, and can be reached at afjones@bellsouth.net.

Camp Lakey Gap

Cool moves

Engaging bodies and brains outside the box

A residential camp for children with autism Located at Christmount in Black Mountain, NC Camper and staff applications now available online for the 2010 summer season www.christmount.org/camplakeygap elsa.berndt@yahoo.com

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In our Solar-Heated pool!

Pretzel kids: Area programs are getting creative with their activity options for children. photo by jonathan welch

by Tracy Rose Now that we’ve been sprung from our seemingly endless winter, it’s somehow easier to focus on fitness — both physical and mental — when we don’t have to try so hard just to stay warm. The same goes for our kids — who, in their off time, can use a bit of inspiration to keep those bodies going and brains immersed in something more edifying than the Cartoon Network. And so, a slightly offbeat collection of local classes and activities for the younger set:

Treble leaps instead of tutus Asheville has more ballet and tap classes than you can shake a perfectly pointed foot at. But for some good old-fashioned jumping, hopping and stomping — Riverdance style — there’s the Gallagher School of Irish Dance at the Asheville Arts Center (308 Merrimon Ave. and 10 Miller Ave., across from the Skyland Fire Department; 253-4000). “It’s very athletic,” notes school director Heather Taft. Classes are divided by age and skill level, starting with 4-year-olds (and the occasional 3-year-old) all the way up to adults

(ashevilleartscenter.com).

A kinder, gentler karate?

Asheville’s martial-arts classes for kids run the gamut. But the Tao Institute (9 Walnut St. on the second floor, downtown Asheville; 258-1533) is a bit different: It offers nonviolent, noncompetitive Kids Kung Fu (no belts or ranking system) for ages 5-12. The Wednesday-afternoon class includes Qigong, kicking and hand techniques, form training and a short meditation, says the institute’s Laura Paolillo (taoinstitute.org). On 160 rolling acres in Swannanoa, the Kasumi Yama Dojo (95 Old Coggins Place; 398-8017) is launching BudoKids, a six-week program for children ages 7-10 aimed at “reconnecting youth with the vibrant health children are supposed to have,” says instructor Nesta Korine Ainspan. Starting May 16, the Sunday-afternoon sessions will combine nature discovery, ninja games and the BudoFit program for fitness, balance and coordination (ashevilleninjas.com).

Kids are more flexible, anyway Why should adults have the corner on yoga in this yoga-happy town? JaneAnne Tager

M[ Adem A_Zi Jeoi Ef[d - :Woi 7 M[[a <eh Oekh FbWo#ikh[ Ç 9^[Ya M[Xi_j[ \eh IWb[i WdZ ;Whj^ :Wo ;l[dji www.dancingbeartoys.com shop online

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teaches “Pretzel Kids” yoga at the Asheville Yoga Center (239 S. Liberty St., Asheville; 254-0380) for children ages 6 to 12 (youryoga. com) as well as at the downtown YMCA (for YMCA members) and the Woodfin YMCA (for non-YMCA members). The benefits? “It offers kids strength, balance, flexibility and heightened awareness for young minds and bodies,” says Tager. “Plus, it’s just plain fun.” West Asheville Yoga (602 Haywood Road; 350-1167) hosts an ongoing Baby and Beloved class for newborns up to crawlers (accompanied by an adult), while the Growing Together class for crawlers and toddlers will resume in April, says studio owner/director Cat Matlock. Fun Yoga for Little Yogis, a four-week session for the 4-to 11-year-old set, begins a new series of classes starting April 13, where kids pretend to be animals, stretch and play with partners (westashevilleyoga. com).

Because fast-food play areas should only be for road trips Asheville’s Fun Depot (7 Roberts Road, just off Interstate 40 at Exit 51, Asheville; 2772386) has the local market cornered on indoor fun. The highlight is a vast, clean “soft play” area where little kids (50 inches tall or shorter) can slide, crawl through tunnels and bounce for only $3. In the main part, a climbing wall, batting cages and laser tag offer physical fun amid the arcade games, bumper cars and the like (ashevillefamilyentertainment.com). If you want to get those kids rolling, then Tarwheels Skateway (2134 Hwy. 70, Swannanoa; 298-6606) — billed as Asheville’s only roller-skating rink — may be your ticket. The rink is open weekend afternoons, with a varied evening schedule throughout the week (tarwheelsskateway.com).

Way more fun than flash cards

Who knew that arts education could

strengthen critical-thinking skills? Yet it does that and more, according to Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit arts-advocacy group. Asheville artist Ginger Huebner takes that to heart with her Roots + Wings School of Art (Cathedral of All Souls, 3 Angle St. in Biltmore Village, Asheville; 545-4827), which offers four-week-long art sessions for kids ages 3-6 and 7-10 (rootsandwingsarts.com). Classes include painting and printmaking, plus sculpting with clay. In the River Arts District, kids ages 6-12 can “play with clay” at Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts (236 Clingman Ave., Asheville; 285-0210), while teens can learn to use a pottery wheel and hand build with clay during a series of after-school classes (highwaterclays. com). There’s a Saturday class for ages 6 to 12, too. Music, meanwhile, helps foster language development, encourage creativity and build coordination in young children, according to the nonprofit early-childhood educational organization Zero to Three. Beyond that, it’s fun. My 4-year-old son and I dig Asheville Area Music Together classes, which are filled with singing, dancing and general merriment (545-0990; ashevilleareamt.com). Kindermusik (kindermusik.com) also boasts a devoted local following with classes at Asheville Arts Center (253-4000) and other locations. Last, but not least, the traveling Mindbender Mansion exhibit at The Health Adventure (2 S. Pack Square, Asheville; 254-6373) challenges kids’ problem-solving skills with fun brainteasers and group challenges that incorporate math, science and technology. Visitors are invited to join the Mindbender Society by collecting clues and secret passwords as they move through various rooms of the mansion, which naturally includes a parlor, map room and disco room. Disco hopscotch spelling, anyone? The exhibit runs through May 5 (thehealthadventure.org). X

EpoÖu!Xbju!.!Wbddjobuf" Remember, all kindergarteners and rising 6th graders are required to have immunizations before they begin public school.

Buncombe County Department of Health

Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 No appointment needed • Bring your child’s immunization record Come soon for fastest service More info at: www.buncombecounty.org 35 Woodfin Street, Asheville, NC 28 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • READY, SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • mountainx.com

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by Sherri L. McLendon Western North Carolina’s wild byways offer unsurpassed opportunities for family treks — a chance to expand relationships with one another and the environment, with no admission fee required. Hiking can make a profound difference in kids’ lives, says Carolyn Ward, program director for Kids in Parks. Oft-cited statistics reveal that children today are “plugged in” to media for an average of eight hours per day, and one in three children is overweight or obese. With family expendable income declining, the need for fun, cost-effective activities for families has grown. “We’re already in a generation of parents who didn’t go to the woods as kids. If we don’t do something, we’ll end up with lots of folks voting who don’t see value in national parks as natural resources,” Ward points out. Besides the obvious physical benefits, exposure to nature, she claims, decreases ADHD, depression and school-yard bullying, and increases SAT scores, brain activity and growth. Whether parents want to bond on a budget, sustain an active lifestyle or just enjoy an outdoor adventure, these outstanding hikes are accessible, memorable — and free.

Asheville Blue Ridge Parkway, Mile Marker 384: The pilot “TRACK Trail” for Kids on Trails, the

Asheville Visitor’s Center at Mile Marker 384 introduces families to nature. Parents pick up brochures at the trailhead and use these to guide exploration. Preschoolers get a “hide and seek” brochure, while teens to adults can get brochures featuring riddles, activities and clues tiered for age and interest. Kids registering at www.kidsinparks.com receive certificates and prizes. Rangers will loan a TRACK Pack tool kit to budding scientists. Six more “TRACK Trails” open along the Parkway this season, including Frisbee golf at Richmond Hill Disc Golf Course. Loops 1.2 miles. Parkway visitor’s center is located at Mile Marker 384 on the Blue Ridge Parkway off Tunnel Road.

North Douglas Falls Trail: The first leg of the Douglas Falls Trail is an “easy hike … quick, with room to play in the water for kids,” says Chris Neumann, organizer of the Asheville Hiking Meetup Group (www.meetup.com/

Lost in the woods? Not so much… Ideal for upping the ante of wilderness fun for kids, geo-caching and letterboxing are forest-orienting activities that combine of-the-minute technology with old-timey elements of treasure hunting and hideand-seek. See www.geocaching.com and www.letterboxing.com for more info.

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SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 29

asheville-hiking), whose 850 members have executed about 360 hikes over the past two years. “This spot has salamanders, crawdads and pretty wildflowers,� he says. Part of the Pisgah National Forest, this Buncombe County waterfall hike is one mile total. Check trail conditions before hiking. Treasure-hunting opportunities — including trendy geo-caching and letterboxing — abound. Bring a camera. Take Highway 19/23 N to the Barnardsville exit, turn right on Hwy. 197 and make another right on Dillingham Road. Follow Dillingham until it ends on a gravel road, FR 74; then travel about another 8 miles to the trailhead.

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Laurel River Trail: The full length of this in-and-out Madison County hike near Hot

East Lower Catawba Falls: Outside Old Fort, in McDowell County, Lower Catawba Falls is a great place to play in the creek-sized, freeflowing river. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs through the area, and there are four to five miles of nothing but waterfalls. “The trail follows the water the whole way through,� says Neumann. “It’s level, with a payoff at the end: The kids like to climb the rocks.� The three-mile round-trip trail is an old stage coach route, and ruins of early hydroelectric facilities provide visual markers. Stop at the Lower Falls, enjoy a snack and head back. This one’s for the more rugged set; the trail to the upper falls is for experienced climbers

“We’re already in a generation of parents who didn’t go to the woods as kids. If we don’t do something, we’ll end up with lots of folks voting who don’t see value in national parks as natural resources�

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on

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Springs is seven miles, but the exceptionally flat trail along the banks of the river is a cinch. Walk until tired, have a snack before heading back out. This trail includes possible beaver sightings, rushing whitewater, breathtaking rock formations, trout pools, camping spots, ruins of the dead town of Runion, and icicles dripping from the rock face as seasons change. The trailhead is at the intersection of Highways 25/70 and 208.

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South DuPont State Forest: Three breathtaking waterfalls await adventurers on this trail: Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and High Falls. “It’s a great area,� says Neumann, who’s done the hike several times with kids involved. “There are a couple of places to cross the river, and the trails are well marked. It’s a longer hike, but maintained better than many trails.� North Carolina’s newest state park, DuPont lies between Hendersonville and Brevard. Park at Hooker Falls Access Area on Staton Road.

West Sunburst: Taking its name from an old logging town, the area called Sunburst in Haywood County is known for a spectacular waterfall and attendant swimming hole (great for older kids), plus a challenging but family-friendly hike boasting particularly impressive views. The Ivestor Gap Trail, part of the Shining Rock Wilderness, lies between the Parkway and Canton, and its trail leads through hardwood forests, eventually culminating at a rocky ledge featuring the aforementioned vista. Backtrack trail exceeds six miles, so start early, pack a lunch, and prepare to backpack preschoolers. From the Parkway, find the trailhead at USFS 816, off Mile Marker 420. X Sherri L. McLendon is a freelance writer in Weaverville, and can be reached at sherri@ sherrimclendon.com.

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1. Keen Newport H2 Sandal in Moonlight Mauve The budding naturalist and the blossoming fashionista need not part ways when it comes to these hiking sandals, available in a rich bouquet of spring hues. Or maybe she’s a tomboy and would rather be skipping rocks than selecting shoes. In any case, parents are sure to like the Newport H2’s padded toe bed, quick-drying straps and intrepid durability. At REI (31 Schenk Pkwy., in Biltmore Park, Skyland; (828) 687-0918). Infants’, Toddlers’ and Kids’ sizes. Also available in Heliotrope, Opaline Green and Angel Falls Floral.

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2. Keen Newport H2 Sandal in Camo You brought him to his first music festival and found out he’d rather be leaping off fallen logs than getting into the preordained groove. The super-strong, water-resilient, well-padded Newport H2 hiking sandal will help him blaze his own trail all summer long. At REI (31 Schenk Pkwy., in Biltmore Park, Skyland; (828) 687-0918). Infants’, Toddlers’ and Kids’ sizes. Also available in Pinecone and Navy.

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Bulldog Kids Camp is dedicated to providing a memorable experience for every camper in a safe, fun and caring environment. The schedule will include swimming, indoor and outdoor activities and weekly Friday field trips. All programs will be geared towards an exciting array of age and developmentally appropriate activities that aim to capture the interest of each camper and keep it all week long.

Bulldog Adventure Camp is a fantastic opportunity for adolescents to learn new outdoor skills and teamwork in a safe and fun environment. With activities like hiking, biking, paddling and initiative games, campers are sure to have an amazing week this summer. The camp is intentionally structured to develop skills and prepare campers for an overnight camping trip in a local forest.

3. Merrell Kids’ Intercept Hiking Shoe in Gunsmoke This sensible shoe is ready to go before you can shout “Don’t slam the screen door!” Fully loaded with techie features (EVA Air Cushion midsole, one-tug-and-you’re-free enclosure), the lightweight Intercept is made to blaze new trails — albeit with an earth-friendly impact. At Take A Hike Mountain Outfitters (100 Sutton Ave., Black Mountain; (828) 669-0811). Sizes 9-5. 4. Splashers Rain Boot in Gumdrop Wellies are everywhere now, especially in WNC where a surfeit of precipitation has more than compensated for the previous years’ droughts. The forecast calls for a wetter-than-usual spring, so consider the Splashers rain boot. Made in Canada, it’s infinitely sturdier than the big-box-store knockoffs and could weather short hikes as well as in-town puddle stomping. At Take A Hike Mountain Outfitters (100 Sutton Ave., Black Mountain; (828) 669-0811). Sizes 11-3.

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5. Geox Respira Kids’ Sneaker in Multi This great all-around fitness shoe will definitely get noticed on track and field for its swank rather than its stink: Geox made its name with a patented porous material and touts its footwear as “the shoe that breathes.” An Italian import, this spring’s zesty-hued standout suggests a round of cycling or game of soccer under the Tuscan sun — followed, naturally, by a gelato. Andiamo! At Tops For Shoes (27 North Lexington Ave., Asheville; (828) 254-6721). Sizes 9.5-3.

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7. Vans Authentic in Tea Party Calico skateboard shoes are not a crime. The original Vans skate sneaker, now a mind-boggling 44 years old, simply refuses to go out of style — and with a surprise girly twist like this, there’s no good reason why it should. Now that high-profile pros like Marisa Dal Santo and Elissa Steamer have raised the bar for women skateboarders, no kid should be denied the right to shred on street or vert. Ollies are for everyone. At Tops For Shoes (27 North Lexington Ave., Asheville; (828) 254-6721). Sizes 10.5-4.

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Asheville ~ Weaverville ~ Hendersonville 34 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • READY, SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • mountainx.com

edgymama

parenting from the edge by Anne Fitten Glenn

Getting kids into the woods I don’t understand why my kids don’t want to play in the woods. There’s not much forest near our home, but there’s enough for building forts, climbing trees and digging in the dirt. I want to play in the woods, but I’m worried what the neighbors might think if they saw me up a tree behind their home. Though I grew up in Atlanta’s city limits, there were lots of wooded areas in my neighborhood plus a long creek that wound through the trees. My hood gang and I worked those woods and that creek every afternoon during school and all day in the summer and on weekends. Sometimes our parents forced us outside, but most of the time, we were there because we wanted to be there. Plus there wasn’t much else to do. Back then, we didn’t have handheld video games or computers or 24-hour cartoon networks. The only television programming for kids was on Saturday mornings and Sunday nights (remember The Wonderful World of Disney?). When I was inside, I could either play in my room, read or do chores. It was boooooring (except for the reading). I much preferred being outside, shimmying up trees and playing a game my friends and I called “guerilla warfare.” It involved lots of surprise attacks and putting peoParenting Calendar for March 24 - April 1, 2010 Empowered Birthing (pd.) Learn how and when to use movement, relaxation, and massage during labor to provide comfort, shorten labor and gain confidence. Labor Support and Comfort Measures class 7:15-9:30pm Tues. April 6 with Laura Beagle from Empowered Birthing call 231-9337 empoweredbirthing.org Integral Night • WE (3/24), 6-7:30pm - “What’s Integral about Integral Education?” Learn more about integral education. This event is open to the Asheville community. Child care provided. For more info and to RSVP: office@odysseycommunity.org. Events at Spellbound

ple in prisons made of sticks (for years I thought we were playing “gorilla” warfare since that’s what the boys I played with acted like most of the time). So what’s changed since then? Well, there’s all the inside stimulation I mentioned in the form of screens. There are fewer woods and wild spaces in our cities. Parents are more protective. We’re more frightened of potential child predators and of letting our kids out of sight. But what are our kids missing out on as a result? A lot, according to Richard Louv’s bestselling book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. This book made a splash when it was published a few years back. Since then a number of child specialists have written about and addressed our kids’ disconnect from nature. Louv cites a 2002 British study that reported 8-year-olds could identify Pokémon characters far more easily than they could identify things such as an otter, a beetle or an oak tree. That would describe my kids now. They can i.d. an otter, but not that the tree dropping acorns on our roof is an oak. They have, however, memorized the names and attributes of thousands of Pokémon characters.

Why does this matter? Studies have shown that wide gaps between humans and their natural environments can contribute to depression, and to that bugaboo of modern first world culture: obesity. Plus it makes me sad that my kids may have more memories of playing DS games than of climbing trees. E-spouse, in particular, makes an effort to get our kids out camping and hiking, and Asheville’s a great place for that (both Asheville and Brevard were named as top spots to raise an outdoor kid by Backpacker Magazine in 2009), but lots of other kids may not have these opportunities (or the parental pressure). Plus, while it might be a losing battle, I’d like my children to want to play in the woods without us having to make an issue or an event out of it. One local group that’s rising to the challenge of getting kids into the woods is a non-profit called Muddy Sneakers, based in Brevard. Their tagline is “The joy of learning outside.” In 2008, the group started working to get area students in grades five through eight into forested areas near their schools. They’re now in their

Anne Fitten “Edgy Mama” Glenn writes about a number of subjects, including parenting, at www.edgymama.com.

KIDS LOVE

Spellbound Children’s Bookshop is located at 19 Wall St., in downtown Asheville. Info: 232-2228 or spellboundbooks@netzero.com. • SA (3/27), 10:30am & SU (3/28), 3:30pm Kindermusik educator Yvette Odell presents a free workshop for parents with babies 0-18 months. Learn about ways to read to babies and how they interact with books. Musical fun, too.

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Check out the Parenting Calendar online at www.mountainx. com/events for info on events happening after April 1.

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second full school year. The Muddy Sneakers curriculum generally involves full day learning expeditions focused on themes within the North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study. What that means is kids get to spend all day out in the woods on a regular basis, learning about flowers, trees, rocks and bugs and frogs. They’re moving around and playing with dirt instead of electronics. Currently, 13 schools in five WNC school systems are involved, but the goal is to spread the program across the Southern Appalachians, according to executive director Lauren Agrella. There’s already a long waiting list of schools that want to participate, but the organization needs more funding. For more about Muddy Sneakers, visit www.muddysneakers.org. Getting kids back in the woods is a win-win. Connecting them with nature, healthy movement, and the web of life can sustain and nurture them throughout their lives. But enough writing about it. I’m going out to the woods to build a fort. And I hope my kids will want to help. X

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SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 35

Where to send the kids this summer?

From rafting to performing to sporting and more, WNC has more camps than you can shake a glass of bug juice at by Melanie McGee Bianchi Western North Carolina’s abundant summer camps are keeping up with the techie times. Some offer up-to-the-minute instruction in rocketry, robotics, Web design and music production, among other lucrative subjects. But an even stronger trend cresting the ranks of day and overnight programs is the summer adventure camp that emphasizes fresh-air fitness — and takes natural advantage of the area’s scenic wonders. Think whitewater rafting, cliff-side rappelling and primitive camping, blanketed with an ever-increasing level of environmental stewardship. Don’t see your organization’s camp listed here? Go to mountainx.com and add it in the online comments. And be advised that early registration is best, as camps are already filling fast!

Nature, Adventure, Health and Science

Asheville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts administers an ambitious series of programs aimed at rising first- through 12th-graders, including traditional day camps, a Teen Leadership Program, therapeutic sessions for kids with cognitive or developmental delays, a skateboarding camp and a theater camp. An Outdoor Adventure Camp series will highlight nature exploration for all ages, peaking with the Teen Canoe Camp, an overnight odyssey for older kids with primitive camping and a 25mile canoe trip down the New River in northern N.C. Programs run June 14 through Aug. 20; rates vary. For more information, contact Amy Pruett Rickman at (828) 251-4080 or e-mail arickman@ashevillenc.gov.

A free overnight camp sponsored by UNCA, the irresistibly named Bug Camp (for rising sixth- through rising eighth-graders) happens in two sessions spanning June 20-25 and June 27 through July 2. “Activities include collecting, field trips, identifying, curating and experimenting with insects to investigate biological principles,” according to a press statement. Enrollment, contingent on reference from a teacher, is limited to 20 students per session. See facstaff.unca.edu/tforrest/BugCamp.htm for registration forms, or call (828) 232-5150. One place, one name, myriad experiences for both genders: Long-established Camp Pinnacle in Hendersonville — once a girls’ camp that now also offers full sessions for boys — has such a stocked menu of outdoor activities that they’re actually divided into two main categories: Land Sports and Water Sports. A classic overnight camp augmented by “adventure treks” that teach leave-no-trace wilderness ethics, Pinnacle is geared for kids ages 6-15 in sessions lasting 1-4 weeks. Girls’ camp runs June 6 through July 3 and boys’ camp runs July 11-Aug. 7. camppinnacle.com. The local Girl Scout camp is open to the public; all girls entering grades K-12 are welcome. Camp Pisgah for Girls in Brevard, with daycamp and overnight programs, is ACA-accredited and features a yurt option (so Asheville!). For the full lowdown, see girlscoutsp2p.org or call (828) 252-4442. From deep inside the earth to way up in space, The Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum at Pack Place has the geosciences covered for

photo COurtesy of the health adventure

preschoolers through rising fifth-graders. In a variety of week-long sessions running July 5 through Aug. 13, participants will hunt rocks, unearth fossils and discover first-hand where the wild things lurk in WNC. There’s even a girls-only “Science Sisters” camp July 19-23. Find a brochure for this popular day-camp series at colburnmuseum.org or call (828) 2547162. The Health Adventure is a kid-oriented healthand-science museum that offers learning programs year-round. In addition to its regular schedule, the 40-year-old downtown institution — soon to move to Montford — also hosts a seven-week Discover Science Summer Camp series June 21 through Aug. 6, for rising first through rising eighth graders. This year’s high-energy themes include “The Science of Superheroes,” “Sounds Like Fun” (in which kids can play at echolocation) and “Family Robotics Workshop,” where parents join in the action. Info and registration at thehealthadventure.org or (828) 254-6373, ext. 316. (Spaces fill up quickly.) Discovery Camp at the North Carolina Arboretum offers a wealth of nature-intensive day camps as varied as the vast expanse of biodiversity they explore. Programs — including “Curious Critters,” “Gone Buggy,” “Advanced Citizen Science,” “Eco Challenge” and “River Trek”— run June 7 through Aug. 15. Summer activities are geared for preschoolers through 8th graders. For full info, visit ncarboretum. org/education/discovery-camp or call (828) 665-2492.

photo COurtesy of asheville art museum

Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism offers an Earth Sprouts! Summer Camp July 2630 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. “Soulflower Botanical

36 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • READY, SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • mountainx.com

Sanctuary” teaches kids about medicinal plants, farm animals and healing with herbs in a setting that cultivates a love of nature. Each child receives a botanically correct wildflower coloring book and makes an herbal first-aid kit to bring home. Call (828) 350-1221 or e-mail info@ herbsheal.com. An aquatic adventure awaits rising thirdthrough rising eighth-graders who attend RiverLink’s French Broad Summer River Camps, a series of week-long day programs running June 14 through July 16. Environmental education and service learning (including river clean-up and interpretive nature walks) are emphasized in this reasonably priced adventure, but there’s plenty of water recreation too. For more information, e-mail Becca Childress at education@riverlink.org or call (828) 252-8474. Twin camps Green Cove and Mondamin, in lush Tuxedo, N.C., are geared respectively for boys and girls ages 6-17. Noncompetitive mountain sports are the standout here, among them kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and extended wilderness excursions. Sailing and horseback riding are options, too, rounding out an eclectic experience that draws campers from all 50 states and even from other countries. Sessions run May 29 through Aug. 15. mondamin.com and greencove.com Green River Preserve, a pristinely situated, conservation-minded residential camp in breathtaking Cedar Mountain (south of Brevard), assures parents that no kid leaves here with a “nature-deficit disorder.” Immersion in — and respect for — the outdoors is paramount, with 1-, 2- and 3-week sessions designed for rising second- through rising 12th-graders. Highlights include noncompetitive instruction in canoe-

Grand Opening!

Dear Amazing Savi

ngs customers, We are proud to an nounce our third A mazing Savings location in North Carolina--ri ght in downtown Asheville ! The Downtown M arket is the new home for us at 45 South French B road Avenue, with over 6,000 sq uare feet of the sam e offerings you’ve come to love : organic, conventi onal and gourmet groceries, fresh meats and W alnut Creek cheeses, frozen prod ucts, an extensive he alth and beauty selection, or ganic and conventi onal produce, all-new bulk items, and household supp lies – all still 30-50% off standard grocery pr ices. Please join us on March 2 7th for our Grand Opening celebration and chec k out our brand ne w look! As always, we are loca lly family-owned an d operated, and we thank you fo r shopping local fo r your grocery needs. We’re excite d to be the only groc er downtown, and we do hope you’ ll shop here first. Yours, Amazing Savings Fa mily

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SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 37

ing, rock climbing and fly-fishing. Gardening, pottery and creative writing are other popular activities. Camps run early June through early August, plus a three-day Family Camp held Labor Day weekend. At press time, sessions were filling up fast. greenriverpreserve.org An outgrowth of Black Mountain-based residential camps Merri-Mac and Timberlake, local Black Mountain Expeditions has taken teens to the literal ends of the earth in search of the ultimate hiking challenge. French Alps, anyone? Or how about topping a summit in the Bolivian Andes? This year’s series of treks run June 12 through Aug. 6. Sequoia National Park is in view, as well as the N.C. High Country, Wyoming’s Wind River Range and the

Everglades. See blackmountainexpeditions.com or call (828) 669-8766. Another well-seasoned local camp, Brevard’s Rockbrook Camp for Girls goes back so far it even boasts fourth-generation attendees. Open to girls 6-16, Rockbrook is a traditional overnight camp with 3-week sessions that run June 6 through Aug. 12. Rafting, rock climbing, equestrian endeavors, visual art and theater comprise the short list of activities. For full info: www. rockbrookcamp.com A division of USA Raft, Mountain Adventure Guides sponsors a series of 6-day and 12-day overnight Summer Adventure Camps June 13 through Aug. 6, for kids ages 12-17. MAG

camps feature rugged outdoor excursions in a wilderness area straddling the N.C./Tenn. border, including caving, rafting, advanced hiking and outdoor cooking. No cabins here: The young adventurers are expected to make their beds under the stars every night. Gear is included in tuition, and a good attitude must be packed along with bug spray. The program’s motto says it all: “We put the camping back in camp.” See mtnadventureguides.com or call (866) 813-5210. The Swannanoa 4-H Center was the first 4H camp in the state and does the mountains proud with a comprehensive series of day and residential camps running 3, 6 and 10 days for kids 4-16. Specialty programs abound for those

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kids who want to pursue a particular skill (e.g. rock climbing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting or caving). A special week for children of military families is offered free of charge. But the menu also includes lots of all-around traditional fun. Prices vary based on length of camp and interests. Some sessions were already full at press time; check swan4h.com for updates or call 828-686-3196. Other camps sponsored by UNCA include the free Spring into Wellness program June 13-19, an overnight health-careers-themed camp for rising eighth- and ninth-graders co-administered by Mission Hospitals and MAHEC (e-mail Tracie Pouliot at tpouliot@unca.edu, or call (828) 251-6991); a series of day and overnight Volleyball Camps for kids 14-18, held June 11 through Aug. 4 (contact Julie Torbett at jtorbett@unca.edu, (828) 232-5659); and Smoky Mountain Running Camps for those entering 9th grade and above, held July 11-16, July 1823 and July 25-30 (unca.edu/oaci/sumYouth/ sumYouth.html). Wild Weeks Summer Camp at the Western North Carolina Nature Center is, well, wildly popular. This comprehensive series of day camps, designed for kids from age 2 through ninth-graders, comes in week-long segments including “Pioneer Living,” where pre-teens will barter for goods and make cheese from scratch; “Staying Found,” i.e., how not to get lost in the woods; “Earth, Water and Sky,” an eclectic nature-immersion program including on-site river exploration; and “ATBI (All Taxa Biodiversity Index)” Camp, a challenging, hands-on program for serious future naturalists, led by state scientists. (Most programs, including the Pee-Wee Camp for preschoolers, emphasize some interaction with the Nature Center’s resident animals.) Wild Weeks runs June 2 through Aug. 6. wildwnc.org

Arts and Academics Asheville Arts Center, now in two locations, nurtures budding performers year-round, and that means two full months — June 14 to Aug. 13 — of high-wattage summer programs for infants through high-schoolers. Expect everything from the coveted “Rock Band Camp” for teens to a “Tinkerbell’s Fairyland” camp for the preschool set. The returning “Asheville Idol” series (for kids 8 and up) is sure to stay a hit; also new for 2010 is a full stage production of Beauty and the Beast, Jr. (ages 8 and up) and Aladdin Kids! (ages 4-7). A varied menu of musical theater, including “Best of Broadway Camp,” “Irish Dance Camp” and “Triple Threat Camp,” is available — but the full list is extensive, so see ashevilleartscenter.com for dates, rates and the whole lowdown. Asheville Art Museum offers morning, afternoon and all-day programs for rising kindergarteners through rising 12th graders, presented in a true studio environment in the museum’s spacious WNC Art Resource Center. Kids might learn printmaking, cartooning and 3-D art — for a start. Classes include regular visits to AAM’s various galleries. This popular program fills up

J AMES D ANIEL TRADITIONAL PAIN T I N G & D R AW I N G S T U D I O

photo COurtesy of wnc nature center

fast. Info at (828) 253-3227, ext. 122, or e-mail Sharon McRorie at smcrorie@ashevilleart.org. Carolina Day School presents a series of public, week-long day camps for pre-kindergartners through rising 12th-graders, divided by age group into “Quests,” “Explorations” and “Workshops.” Activities are definitely on the cutting-edge side of creative: Consider everything from junior engineering to candy making, fashion to ecology, Web design to stage combat. Swimming and outdoor mountain fun are also a big part of the mix. June 14 through July 30. cdschool.org Budding authors can hone their style at a series of Creative Summer Camps for Young Writers held at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Site down-

town and enhanced this year by an alliance with Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center. Special guests will include cartoonist Jeff Kinzel and local star children’s author/poet Allan Wolf. Day programs begin June 14 and are held in small groups for rising fourth- through rising 10th-graders. Completing their experience, students will share their work at a public reading. Camp is led by a local published author who holds an MFA in Creative Writing. See trueink.com or call Janet Hurley at (828) 215-9002. Spaces are limited.

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Flat Rock Playhouse, The State Theatre of North Carolina, hosts a comprehensive selection of summer-long programs in acting and stagecraft — check out “Clown Skills” and “Aesop’s Fables Camp” — through its YouTheatre divi-

photo COurtesy of n.c. arboretum

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sion, a four-decade-old institution. Morning and day camps are intended for kindergartners through rising ninth-graders, and a technicaltheater mentoring program is offered for rising ninth- through rising 12th-graders (a chance for students to work alongside FRP pros). Check flatrockplayhouse.org for full postings on this year’s themes, dates and rates. (Tuition assistance for qualifying families is available.) Green-minded Gwynn Valley in Brevard gets kids down to earth with an assortment of overnight (1-3 weeks) and day-long programs geared strongly toward traditional crafts and survival skills. Basketry, gourd sculpture, tiedying, leatherwork and candle making are among the artsy offerings. Older kids get to try wilderness training. And all attendees help

photo COurtesy of ywca

40 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • READY, SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • mountainx.com

out on the farm, a vital part of the Gwynn Valley experience (70 percent of the camp’s food is grown on-site). Sessions, running June 11 through Aug. 15, are for kids who’ve finished kindergarten through eighth grade. Info at (828) 885-2900 or at gwynnvalley.com. Offering a unique day-camp experience that includes up-close-and-personal immersion in the most fascinating eras of the past, SmithMcDowell House Museum will host a HandsOn History camp July 26-30 for rising second- through rising fifth-graders. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (828) 253-9231 or e-mail Lisa Whitfield at education@wnchistory.org for registration information.

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SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 41

THE ROCK ACADEMY

In association with the Asheville Music School Presents

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photo COurtesy of camp ruach

John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C., isn’t just a great place for adults to find their roots. Their summer kids’ programs, the Little Folk School (for rising second through rising sixth graders) and Middle Folk School (rising seventh- through rising 12th-graders), aim to teach the next generation about Appalachian culture. Nearly 30 classes in dance and craft are traditionally offered, running sometime in June. Find updates and details at folkschool.org, or call (800)-FOLK-SCH to get on the mailing list. Rainbow Mountain Children’s School in West Asheville administers an outside-the-box series of week-long day camps for rising first through rising eighth graders, including a nature-awareness program using Native American storytelling techniques, a Greek Mythology week, and

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42 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • READY, SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • mountainx.com

camps exploring faeries, Qigong, modern art, vintage dance and algebra (though not necessarily in that order). And that’s just the short list. The fun runs June 7 through Aug. 6, open to RMCS students and non-students alike. E-mail info@rmcs.org or call (828) 258-9264. Roots + Wings School of Art, a new institution for preschoolers, families and adults based at the Cathedral of All Souls at Biltmore Village, will offer three-day art-exploration camps for kids ages 3-12. Sessions run June 21 through July 28 and include instruction in clay, drawing, painting, collage, printmaking and 3-D art. The school was founded by River District artist Ginger Huebner. Classes tend to fill up fast, so call soon: (828) 545-4827 or e-mail info@rootsandwingsarts.com

photo COurtesy of Carolina day school

Transylvania Community Arts Council will host a flexible, affordable Summer Art Camp June 14-18 at the Transylvania Community Arts Center in Brevard, offered mornings or afternoons for kids ages 5-12. Visual art, pottery, dance and music will all be explored. Snack included. See tcarts.org or call (828) 884-2787 for registration info. The Appalachian Institute of Creative Learning is psyched to announce the offerings available at this year’s Summer Enrichment Camp, held at scenic Warren Wilson College for two weeks: July 18-24 and July 25-31. Rising third- through rising 12th- graders are invited to attend either day-camp or overnight sessions. Arts and academics are highlighted. See appalachianinstitute.org or call (800) 951-7442. The First Stage Youth Theatre of Madison County presents its Summer Workshop Camp for area kids 8-18. The series of week-long programs — “by kids and for kids” — culminates in a production and after-play picnic. Workshops run in June and July and emphasize “the skills of discipline, concentration and teamwork so prominent in the theater and in real life.” See firststageyouththeatre.com for details. Tanglewood Youth Theatre, a division of Asheville Community Theatre, hosts many youth-oriented theater programs each year, including its well-known Tanglewood Summer Camp, which boasts a health-and-wellness motif for 2010: “Healthy Play, Healthy Kids.” Themes of music and movement will be high on the marquee, as well as set design and improvisation. Tanglewood is a day camp that runs in 2-week-long sessions July 19 through Aug. 13, targeted to kids 5-17; each series is capped with a performance on ACT’s Main Stage. See ashevilletheatre.org or contact Camp Director Janna Hoekema at summercamp@ashevilletheatre. org. (Camp-information sessions will be held

from 4-6 p.m. on March 26 and June 4.)

Traditional and Spiritual Camp Celo is a scenic, noncompetitive overnight camp near Burnsville that’s operated for more than 50 years. Though not overtly religious in its mission, the program seeks to teach boys and girls the Quaker values of nonviolence, simplicity and environmental awareness. The arts, including performance and traditional crafts, are a major element of the experience, as is animal stewardship and enjoying the nearby South Toe River. Sessions (June 13 through Aug. 14) are designed for kids ages 7-12. A low counselor-to-camper ratio is a hallmark of Camp Celo. campcelo.com Camp Hollymont on Lake Eden in Black Mountain is a Christian residential camp for girls ages 6-15. An expansive list of activities includes sign language, digital photography, modeling, rock climbing, creative writing, and whitewater rafting. Program options include 1, 2 and 3-week sessions, June 13 through Aug. 6. hollymont.com Traditional overnight camps that emphasize visual arts, music, sports and high-octane wilderness adventure in a nondenominational Christian atmosphere, Camp MerriMac for girls 6-16 (merri-mac.com) and Camp Timberlake for boys 7-16 (camptimberlake. com) also boast low camper-to-counselor ratios and special father-son/mother-daughter weekends. Sessions run June to August in programs ranging from 1-5 weeks. Both camps are located in Black Mountain; registration is available online. Camp Rockmont, a Christian residential camp for boys in Black Mountain, is better known locally as the site of the biannual Lake Eden Arts Festival. Like the festival, the camp draws kids from all over. A gorgeous setting is one hallmark, as is an ambitious roster of activities

mountainx.com • READY,

SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 43

that includes disc golf, storytelling and rocketry. Sessions include day-camp options; the overnight programs run six days to a month, June 6 through Aug. 6, for boys 6-16. .rockmont. com. The Jewish Community Center’s 5-star-rated Camp Ruach (Hebrew for “spirit”) combines traditional day-camp activities for boys and girls with cooking, gardening, Israeli dance and instruction in Jewish values and concepts — including environmental stewardship and charitable deeds. The two-week sessions, designed for rising first- through rising eighthgraders, begin June 21 and go through Aug. 13; there’s also a one-week “Mini Camp” Aug. 16-20. Field trips take advantage of the area’s scenic beauty. See jcc-asheville.org for information on a counselor-in-training program for rising ninth- and 10th-graders, and for more details on camp. Camp Ton-a-Wandah for girls is located in a cozy cove in Flat Rock, also home to the Flat Rock Music Festival. Camp runs June 6 through Aug. 6 in 2- and 3-week residential sessions, for girls ages 6-16. The curriculum is particularly eclectic, including rappelling, field trips to Biltmore Estate and the equestrian arts. Find full info at camptonawandah.com.

Mela (may-lah) (noun). A place where kids love to eat! Kids Lunch Buffet $3.95 Kids Menu Kids eat FREE Monday nights! Voted Asheville’s Favorite Restaurant and Best Indian, Mountain Xpress Readers’ Poll Authentic North and South Indian food made from scratch using fresh local ingredients! LuNch BuffET D A I L y: 11:30 AM-2:30PM

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Pretty Camp Wayfarer, a Christian overnight camp for boys and girls in Flat Rock, offers the typical summer-camp experience, including classes in such wide-ranging subjects as “pioneering” and puppetry — plus an emphasis on confidence building. One and 2-week mini sessions are available for kids as young as kindergarten age, while main camp (for firstthrough 10th-graders) runs for six weeks, June 20 through July 29. campwayfarer.com Boasting one of the most affordable — and popular — day-camp programs in the area, the 188-acre, 5-star Eliada Summer Camp offers field trips, golfing, horseback riding, confidence-building exercises, mini-biking and swimming in a heated pool. Activities are geared for kids 5-12. The related Eliada Summer Sports Academy, for kids ages 8-12, features focused instruction in lacrosse, basketball, baseball, soccer, and more. See eliada. org, or call Denise West at (828) 254-5356, ext. 224, to check out summer dates and rates for Summer Camp. E-mail jcarnivale@eliada. org for Sports Academy info. But be quick. Registration is already in process. High Flight Gymnastics’ Summer Day Camp for kids ages 5-13 naturally emphasizes fun physical activity. But storytelling, swimming, field trips, art and “games designed to teach emotional awareness, leadership and life skills” are embedded in the adventure. Camp runs 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and includes an afternoon snack. Special “counselor in training” positions are open for teens 14-16. See highflightgym.com for dates and rates, or call (828) 252-8746. In its 10-week day-camp program running June 7 through Aug. 13, Odyssey Community School in Montford promises “sheer fun and

44 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • READY, SET, GO! A KID ’ S G UIDE • mountainx.com

relaxation” along with soccer, ultimate frisbee, daily swim, and tennis lessons led by Brad Lawrence (who’s coached such stars as Andy Roddick and Venus and Serena Williams). A traditional arts-and-crafts program is distinguished by such unique offerings as didgeridoo-making and playing. Sessions are divided into three age groups (5-6, 7-9, and 10-13), and campers may attend as many sessions as they wish. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and before- and after-camp care is available. New half-day camps for teens were added just before press time. For rates and more information, call (828) 259-3653 or e-mail office@odysseycommunity.org. Emmanuel Lutheran School in Asheville has all the cultural bases covered with its Summer Rocks! 2010 series of day camps running June 14 through Aug. 13. The long, varied list of programs, held on the school’s 8-acre campus, are targeted for rising kindergartners through rising sixth-graders. Highlights include gymnastics, Tae Kwon Do, a Cooking With Kids week and Survivor Week. For older campers, a two-week drama series will culminate with a performance of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown on Asheville Community Theatre’s Main Stage. For details on auditions for the play or for general camp information, see emmanuellutheranschool.org or call (828) 281-8182. Waynesville Parks and Recreation will offer its third annual Summer Camp, a series of week-long day camps that run June 14 through Aug. 18 for rising first through rising sixthgraders. Lots of outdoor sports and educational field trips are highlighted. For rates and registration info, call (828) 456-2030 or e-mail recyouth@townofwaynesville.org. YMCA of Western North Carolina facilitates a comprehensive selection of day-camp programs for kids of all ages running June through August. Y camps are held at locations across the area, including Y branches, and central pick-up and drop-off locations are available for parents’ convenience. Theme programs, including sports, and environmental awareness are emphasized. Offerings include Iddy Biddy Sports Camp, Flag Football Camp, both Mild and Wild Adventure camps and Leadersin-Training Camp. Around for more than 100 years, Y camps are always coveted, so don’t delay in checking out ymcawnc.org and (828) 210-YMCA for registration info, early-bird specials and info on financial assistance. A highlight of the YWCA Summer Day Camp, for kindergartners through 12-year-olds, is working in the facility’s Urban Garden — not to mention swimming in its state-of-the-art, solar-heated pool. Field trips, weekly themes, art and music are also emphasized. Programs, beginning June 14 and ending in August, run 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (or 6 p.m. for an additional fee) and include gardening, science, dance, fitness and other culturally enriching classes. Call CiCi Weston at (828) 254-7206, ext. 111, or e-mail her at cici.weston@ywcaofasheville. org. X

Award-Winning Journalism The North Carolina Press Association has announced the winners of its annual Best Editorial Contest, honoring Mountain Xpress with two awards in our community-newspapers division.

March 30th, 6-8pm RSVP

1st place, Best Multimedia Project,

for “We are Burton Street: The Neighborhood’s Stand Against DOT”

3rd place, Best News Feature Writing, for the editorial staff’s seven-part series, “Worldwide WNC: Locals Going Global”

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828-235-8228 • www.pisgahinn.com Located between milepost 408 & 409, South of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway The Pisgah Inn is authorized to provide services on the Blue Ridge Parkway under a concession contract with the U.S. Department of Interior

mountainx.com • READY,

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calendar

your guide to community events, classes, concerts & galleries

Community Events & Workshops • Social & Shared-Interest Groups • Government & Politics • Seniors & Retirees • Animals • Technology • Business & Careers • Volunteering • Health Programs & Support Groups Calendar C a t e g o r i e s : Helplines • Sports Groups & Activities • Kids • Spirituality • Arts • Spoken & Written Word • Food • Festivals & Gatherings • Music • Theater • Comedy • Film • Dance • Auditions & Call to Artists Calendar for March 24 - April 1, 2010 Unless otherwise stated, events take place in Asheville, and phone numbers are in the 828 area code. Day-by-day calendar is online Want to find out everything that’s happening today — or tomorrow, or any day of the week? Go to www.mountainx. com/events. Weekday Abbreviations: SU = Sunday, MO = Monday, TU = Tuesday, WE = Wednesday, TH = Thursday, FR = Friday, SA = Saturday

Community Events & Workshops AARP Tax-Aide The Tax-Aide Program will offer free tax preparation for seniors and for lowand middle-income tax-

payers through April 15. Electronic filing available. Call the individual location for details on what to bring. Info: www.aarp. org/taxaide. Questions and requests for homebound individuals: 277-8288 or info@coabc.org. • MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS, 1-5pm - Senior Opportunity Center, 36 Grove St. Info: 350-2062. • THURSDAYS, Noon5pm - Weaverville Library, 41 N. Main St. Info: 2506482. • TUESDAYS, 9am-3pm - West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road. Info: 250-4750. • TUESDAYS, 10am-3pm - Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty St. Info: 250-4756. All Hands on Deck • SA (3/27), 2-4pm - The City of Asheville will host a free informational class

Calendar deadlines:

*FREE and PAID listings - Wednesday, 5 p.m. (7 days prior to publication) Can’t find your group’s listing?

Due to the abundance of great things to do in our area, we only have the space in print to focus on timely events. Our print calendar now covers an eight-day range. For a complete directory of all Community Calendar groups and upcoming events, please visit www.mountainx.com/events..

Calendar Information In order to qualify for a free listing, an event must cost no more than $40 to attend and be sponsored by and/or benefit a nonprofit. If an event benefits a business, it’s a paid listing. If you wish to submit an event for Clubland (our free live music listings), please e-mail clubland@mountainx.com. Free Listings To submit a free listing: * Online submission form (best): http://www.mountainx.com/ events/submission * E-mail (second best): calendar@mountainx.com * Fax (next best): (828) 251-1311, Attn: Free Calendar * Mail: Free Calendar, Mountain Xpress, P.O. Box 144, Asheville, NC 28802 * In person: Mountain Xpress, 2 Wall St. (the Miles Building), second floor, downtown Asheville. Please limit your submission to 40 words or less. Questions? Call (828) 251-1333, ext. 365. Paid Listings Paid listings lead the calendar sections in which they are placed, and are marked (pd.). To submit a paid listing, send it to our Classified Department by any of the following methods. Be sure to include your phone number, for billing purposes. * E-mail: marketplace@mountainx.com. * Fax: (828) 251-1311, Attn: Commercial Calendar * Mail: Commercial Calendar, Mountain Xpress, P.O. Box 144, Asheville, NC 28802 * In person: Classified Dept., Mountain Xpress, 2 Wall St. (the Miles Building), Ste. 214, downtown Asheville. Questions? Call our Classified Department at (828) 251-1333, ext. 335.

for the public on things people need to know before building a new deck this summer. At the Public Works Wolcott Building, room A109, 161 S. Charlotte St. Info: 2595967. Art on Transit Bus Graphics Unveiling • SA (3/27), 11am - The City of Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, along with the Public Art Board and the Transit Commission, will host the unveiling of the Art on Transit busses in City/County Plaza. Info: 259-5815 or druggiero@ ashevillenc.gov. Asheville Earth Hour • SA (3/27), 8:30-9:30pm - This global movement asks that participants turn off their lights for one hour. Eighty-eight countries are participating and iconic buildings and landmarks across Europe, Asia and the Americas will stand in darkness. Info: www.earthhour.org. Bringing Clarity to Health Care Reform • SA (3/27), 2-4pm - A newly organized senior group is sponsoring a community meeting on health reform at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3070 Sweeten Creek Road. Local physician Olson Huff and new Mission head Carl Rider will speak. Plus, discussion and Q&A opportunities. Info: 274-1156. Events at Warren Wilson College Info: 298-3325. • TH (4/1), 7:15pm Naomi Tutu, educational coordinator for programs focused on race and gender-based violence at the University of Cape Town, will give a talk on “Striving for Justice: Searching for Common Ground.” Held in Kittredge Theater. Info: mflood@warren-wilson. edu or 771-2002. Public Lectures & Events at UNCA Events are free unless otherwise noted. • FR (3/26), 11:25am - Humanities Lectures: “New Math and New Physics,” with Drs. Samuel Kaplan and

46 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

Jeff Konz in Lipinsky Auditorium —“Contemporary Film,” with Dr. Charles McKnight in the Humanities Lecture Hall. • SA (3/27), 7pm - Phyllis Freed Sollod Memorial Lecture: “Tales of the Great Jewish Mystics,” with Howard Schwartz in the Reuter Center. • MO (3/29), 11:25am - Humanities Lectures: “Persia, Zoroastrianism and Alexander the Great,” with Dr. David Hopes in Lipinsky Auditorium —“Counter-Renaissance and Othello,” with Ann Dunn in the Humanities Lecture Hall —- 7pm - Sam Hill Lecture: “Looking for Religious Appalachia: Mass Culture, Lost Mountains and Vanishing Traditions,” with Dr. Bill J. Leonard in the Reuter Center. • WE (3/31), 7pm “Catching Up or Leading the Way,” with Dr. Yong Zhao in Lipinsky Auditorium. Severe Weather Workshop • SA (4/17), 8am-5:30pm - The workshop, featuring scientific presentations to promote awareness, understanding and preparedness for severe weather, will be held in Robinson Hall, Rm. 125, on the UNCA campus. No prior knowledge of meteorology required. $15. Register by March 30. Info: http://facstaff.unca. edu/ahuang/workshop or 251-6149. WNC Agricultural Center Hosts agricultural events, horse shows and farmrelated competitions. Located at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road. in Fletcher. Info: 687-1414. • SA (3/27) & SU (3/28) - Land of Sky Knife and Gun Show. WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility • TH (3/25), 7pm “Weapons in Space?” Led by professor and investigative journalist Karl Grossman, the discussion will focus on the nation’s plan to “weaponize and dominate space.” Refreshments will be

weeklypicks Events are FREE unless otherwise noted. the Haywood County Arts Council's Gallery 86 at 86 N. Main St., Waynesville, Wednesday, wed Visit March 24, to view the exhibit Spring to the West, which features works by LifeSpan artists.

LifeSpan works to transform the lives of those with developmental disabilities. The show runs through April 6. Info: www.haywoodarts.org. annual F-Word Film Festival, a celebration of images by and about women (but for all thur The audiences), will be held Thursday, March 25, starting at 7 p.m. in UNCA's Humanities Lecture Hall. View screenings of Club Native, about the lives of several Mohawk women, and Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority. Info: 251-6590. All are invited to enjoy wine and cheese at the opening of the Michael Allen Campbell Studio, fri a new studio in the River Arts District (375 Depot St.), on Friday, March 26, from 5 to 8 p.m. Info: 545-6235. sat Saturday, March 27, features Easter egg hunts galore: There will be a community Easter event at McCormick field; the Easter Eggstravaganza will be at Carrier Park; plus, there's the egg hunt and swim at the Zeugner Center. For more info, see listings in the "Kids" and "Festivals & Gatherings" sections of the Community Calendar. through the Botanical Gardens at Asheville and ponder Honey Locust thorns and sun Walk Mastodons, Club Moss and coal, Oconee Bells and more during the "Botany for Gardeners" event with botanist Dr. David Clarke Sunday, March 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. Meet in front of the BGA visitor center. Info: 252-5190. Hear the winner of the "Write the Great American Novel" contest read a chapter of his/her mon work Monday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Black Mountain Library, 105 Dougherty St. Bob Thomas, author of Ben Hogan's Secret, will be the guest speaker at the program. Info: 250-4756. to the Feed & Seed, 3715 Hendersonville Road in Fletcher, for "Will Ray's Mountain tue Head Jam for Bolivia" Tuesday, March 30, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event will showcase local talent, including the ever-popular Sons of Ralph. Donations for children's organizations in Bolivia appreciated. Info: www.feedandseednc.com. served at 6:30pm. Held in the Reuter Center on the UNCA campus. Free. Info: www.wncpsr.org/events.

Social & SharedInterest Groups Create Your Ideal Relationship! (pd.) For individuals and couples who want to improve one or more relationships in their lives. Classes held last Sunday each month, 7pm-9pm. • Learn more! (828) 6450999 or www.meetup. com/CreatingYourIdealRe lationship Asheville Cribbage Club Everyone who would like to play social cribbage is invited. Info: 274-2398. • MONDAYS, 6pm Meets at McAlister’s in the Asheville Mall. Asheville Homeless Network Meetings take place at Firestorm Cafe & Books in downtown Asheville. Info: 552-0505. • THURSDAYS, 2pm - All homeless people and

interested citizens are welcome. Blue Ridge Toastmasters Club Meets once a week to enhance speaking skills both formal and impromptu. Part of an international proven program that takes you through the steps with fun along the way. Network with interesting people of all ages and professions. Info: www. blueridgetm.org or 9264600. • MONDAYS, 12:201:30pm - Meeting. Buncombe County Medical Society Located at 304 Summit St. Info: 274-2267, ext. 313 or www.bcms.org. • TH (3/25), 6-10am - Doctor Day event in the lobby of Mission Hospital. Free breakfast and free lab work. The society will donate $1 to support Project Access for each physician who attends. Financial Therapy Groups • TUESDAYS, 7-8pm - Try out new ways of living and of being, supported by others with

similar circumstances, for the collective wisdom of the group to enlighten all, while lightening the burden of each. $8. Info: www.financialtherapygroups.com. Firestorm Cafe & Books Located at 48 Commerce St., Asheville. Info: 2558115 or www.firestormcafe.com. • WEDNESDAYS, 7-10pm - Firestorm/Blitzkrieg game night (bring a game, if you’d like). Scrabble Club Come play America’s favorite word game SCRABBLE. Info: 2528154. • SUNDAYS, 1-5pm Meets at Books-A-Million in Asheville. We have all the gear; just bring your vocabulary. No dues the first six months. SheTrade • FR (3/26), SA (3/27), 9am-8pm & SU (3/28), Noon-6pm - The women’s boutique consignment event will be held at Four Points by Sheraton in downtown Asheville. To

volunteer or participate: www.shetradewnc.com. TEDxNextGenerationAs heville • 4th THURSDAYS, 6pm - Organizing committee meetings held in West Asheville. Teens and adults are welcome. Info: TEDxNGA@gmail.com or TEDxNGA.com. The Talking Circle Open Share • TUESDAYS, 6:30-8pm - The Talking Circle is a new free and open weekly share: Books/Poetry/ Artwork/Events/Anything. At Montford Books in Asheville. Bring a passion to share. Any and all are welcome. Info: thetalkingcircle@gmail.com. Veterans for Peace The public is invited to the regular business meeting of the WNC Veterans for Peace Chapter 099. The meeting is free and open to the public, and held on the 1st Thursday of each month. Info: 626-2572 or 528-5180. • 1st THURSDAYS, 6:307:30pm - Meeting at VFP099 HQ, 9 Walnut St.,

Music and dancing: Visiting Zimbabwean mbira master Musekiwa Chingodza will perform with Asheville’s Chikomo Marimba percussion band at the Woodfin Community Center on March 26. Info: 777-0922. photo courtesy of christy clavio

Courtyard Gallery (1D), Asheville.

Women Empowerment Group • TH (4/1), 6:15-7:15pm - First group meeting. Do you want to fulfill your dreams for the future? Do you put others ahead of yourself? Are you wanting to make changes in your life? Are you ready to invest in you? Info: 398-8086. Youth Outright • FRIDAYS - Empowering LGBTQ youth in WNC from 14-20 years of age. Weekly evening Youth Group meetings at the Jefferson House, 21 Edwin Place, Asheville.

Government & Politics Be A Local Leader • Through WE (4/7), 5pm - Application deadline for citizens interested in becoming a local leader by serving on the Asheville City Downtown Commission. Info: 2595601 or mburleson@ ashevillenc.gov. LibertyOnTheRocks.org A national nonpartisan social group connecting liberty advocates. • MONDAYS, 7pm - Meets at El Chapala Restaurant off of Merrimon Ave.

Seniors & Retirees

women’s history tour of downtown Asheville. $18. Call to sign up.

Henderson County Senior Softball League The league is always looking for new players, ages 55 and older. Weather permitting, they play year-round. Info: 698-3448 or www. LJRsoftball.com. • TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS - Daytime games at Jackson Park in Hendersonville (AprilOct.) and Leila Patterson Center in Fletcher (Nov.March). Start times may vary with season. Lakeview Senior Center 401 S. Laurel Circle, Black Mountain. Info: 669-8610. • TH (3/25), 11:15am - Van Clan: Take a

Meeting Elder Needs • TH (4/1) through TH (6/3) - A free 10-week educational series offering tips and resources for aging successfully. Presented by experts in financial planning, healthcare planning, caregiver support and community resources. Join one class or all. At CarePartners’ Seymour Auditorium, 68 Sweeten Creek Road. Info & registration: 277-3392. Walk Wise, Drive Smart Aimed at senior citizens, but open to everyone. Walks are canceled in the event of bad weather. Info: 457-6166 or www. walk-wise.org.

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• TH (4/1) - Enjoy an urban walk in Hendersonville.

Animals Asheville Kennel Club Membership is open to everyone interested in purebred dogs and responsible dog ownership. Info: 258-4833 or www.ashevillekennelclub. com. • WEDNESDAYS, 7pm - Breed Handling Classes. Learn how to present your purebred dog in the Show Ring. Meets at the US Army Reserve Center on Louisiana Avenue. Open to the public. Details and map on the website. Buncombe County Animal Services The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Division offers low-cost vaccination clinics. Rabies shots: $10. Combo shots: $15. Microchips: $10. To receive a three-year rabies vaccine, bring the one-year certificate. Please bring restraints for pets. Info: 253-1195. • SA (3/27), 9amNoon - At Superpetz on Brevard Rd. —- 2-4pm - At Tractor Supply on Monticello Rd. ChainFree Asheville A nonprofit, all-volunteer effort dedicated to improving the welfare of dogs living outdoors on chains and in pens in Asheville and Buncombe County. Info: www. chainfreeasheville.org or 450-7736. • SUNDAYS, 11am-3pm - Come help a chained dog experience freedom. No experience necessary. Meets four times a month within Asheville or Buncombe County to build a fence for a chained dog. Mercy For Animals A nonprofit animal advocacy organization dedicated to establishing and defending the rights of all animals. Info: 231-6859 or kaylaw@mercyforanimals.org. • TH (3/25), 7pm “Dispelling the ‘Happy Meat’ Myth,” free presentation by animal advocate Leslie Armstrong at Firestorm Cafe, 48 Commerce St., Asheville. Learn about what really happens to animals before they end up on a plate. Info: 279-2139 or lesliearmstrong@msn. com.

Red Cross Events & Classes Red Cross holds classes in CPR/First Aid for infants, children, and adults; Babysitter Training; Pet First Aid; Bloodborne Pathogens; Swimming & Water Safety; and Lifeguarding. All classes held at chapter headquarters, 100 Edgewood Rd. To register, call 258-3888, ext. 221. Info: www.redcrosswnc.org. • SA (3/27), 9am-Noon Pet First Aid. Participants will receive a Pet First Aid manual. $30. Registration required. WNC Agricultural Center Hosts agricultural events, horse shows and farmrelated competitions. Located at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road. in Fletcher. Info: 687-1414. • FR (3/26) through SU (3/28) - Bull Mania.

Technology Free Mac Computer Classes Classes are held at Charlotte Street Computers, 101 S. Lexington Ave., downtown Asheville. To register: classes@charlottestreetcomputers.com. • MONDAYS, Noon12:45pm - Mac OSX Basics class. • WEDNESDAYS, Noon12:45pm - iMovie class. • FRIDAYS, Noon12:45pm - iPhoto class.

Business & Careers A-B Tech Continuing Ed Classes Classes are free, unless otherwise noted. Info: www.abtech.edu/ce. • MO (3/29), 6-9pm - “Natural Products Business Landscape: an Overview.” Learn about various business strategies in the booming natural products industry. From quality and safety to marketing and exporting, this program will provide the resources to further your back-tonature business idea. Info: http://abtech.edu/ce/ schedule/bio.asp. American Business Women’s Association ABWA brings together businesswomen of diverse occupations to raise funds for local scholarships and enhance the professional and personal lives of its

members. Info: www. abwaskyhy.com. • 1st THURSDAYS, 5:307:45pm - Meeting at the Flat Rock Grille, 1302 Hendersonville Road. Networking begins at 5:30pm and the meeting/dinner begins at 6pm. $5, plus personal menu choice. RSVP: 681-9688. Asheville SCORE Counselors to Small Business If your business could use some help, SCORE is the place to start. Free and confidential. To make an appointment: 271-4786. Our offices are located in the Federal Building, 151 Patton Ave., Rm. 259. Veterans may attend any SCORE seminar at no charge. Info: www.ashevillescore. org. • SA (3/27), 8:30am1pm - “Accounting For Non-Accountants.” This seminar is designed to help you understand the many financial documents that accountants prepare. At the Small Business Center, Rm. 2046, on the A-B Tech Enka Campus. $30 at the door. To register: 6870154. Hospitality Career Fair Hosted by the A-B Tech Hotel and Restaurant Management program in the Magnolia Building on the Asheville campus. Info: 254-1921, ext. 7660 or hospitalitycareerfair@ abtech.edu. • TH (4/1), 9am-Noon - The sixth annual Hospitality Career Fair will showcase hospitality industry careers, create opportunities for hospitality career building and help fulfill the needs of the hospitably job market. Free and open to the public. UNCA Internship & Job Fair • TU (3/30) - Community members and UNCA alumni are invited to join students to learn more about full-time and parttime jobs and professional internships. Free. Info: 251-6515 or www. unca.edu/career. WoodWorks Southeast • TH (4/1), 9am-2:50pm - Free workshop for building design professionals on the topic of building science for commercial wood structures. At the Grove Arcade, Suite 270. Schedule & registration: http://www. woodworks.org/educationTraining/southeast/

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Volunteering Arts in Action Volunteer Recruitment Fair • TH (3/25), 4-7:30pm - All Henderson County residents wanting to make a difference in their community are invited. The event will be held at the Arts Council of Henderson County, 538 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Info: 693-8504. Autism Community Center Offers various group activities for youths and adults. Open to anyone, the groups are autism and special needs friendly and are run by creative professionals. One-time trial $20, register online. Info: www.autismcommunitycenter.com or 313-9313. • THURSDAYS, 4:305:30pm - Volunteering groups for teens. Four Seasons Compassion for Life Volunteer Orientation • SA (3/27), 9am4:30pm - Volunteer orientation in Asheville. Welcoming new volunteers to serve hospice patients in Buncombe and Henderson County to provide patients socialization, supportive presence, errands and/or respite for the caregivers in homes, assisted living/ nursing facilities. Info: 692-6178. Great Asheville-Buncombe Cleanup • TH (4/1) through FR (4/30) - Community-wide cleanup sponsored by Asheville GreenWorks, the local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. To sign up your company or community group, or to participate as an individual, call 254-1776 or e-mail volunteers@ashevillegreenworks.org. Volunteers Needed for Helios Warriors • Helios Warriors is a nonprofit offering integrative health care for veterans. Looking for massage therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors and some Reiki practitioners to volunteer their services. Info: www. helioswarriors.org, info@ helioswarriors.org or 299-0776. Wild South Dedicated to stewarding our national forests, protecting wildlife, preserving cultural heritage sites and inspiring and

empowering communities to enjoy, protect and restore the outdoors. Info: www.wildsouth.org or general@wildsouth. org. • Volunteer with Wild South today. Help protect our forests and wildlife for tomorrow. If not now ... when? WNC AIDS Project Info: www.wncap.org or 252-7489. • Through TH (4/29) - Volunteer as an Ambassador and help collect donations at area restaurants participating in this year’s Dining Out for Life fundraising event. Info: 252-7489.

Health Programs 2 Yummy Vegan Macrobiotic Cooking Classes (pd.) With French Chef Didier Cuzange and Dr. Liliane Papin. • Sundays, 3-6pm, downtown Asheville. • March 28: Quick, Easy, and Healthy • April 11: Sea Vegetables. $40/class, (Only $30 pre-registered, $10 non-refundable deposit). • Information/ registration: 258-1413 or www.kwanyinacupuncture.com Professional Help For Overshoppers/ Overspenders (pd.) • Begins February/ March. Stop the pain of Overshopping/ Overspending • Individual or group format • 10 session group beginning February/March • Discover triggers and what you’re really shopping for • Learn specific tools and strategies to end the shame and pain • Holistic, Mindful and Compassionate approach. Call Denise Kelley, MA, LPC: 231-2107 or emailempowering.solutions@yahoo.com Spring Cleaning Your Body • Detoxification For Better Health (pd.) Do you want: • More energy? • Better digestion? • Clearer skin? • Less pain? • 4 week program of education, food tastings, nutritional supplements and group support. • Wednesdays in April, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Asheville. • Class limited to 10 • Register by March 31. • Registration/ information: Elizabeth Pavka, PhD, LD/N, Wholistic Nutritionist, (828) 252-1406 or epavka@main.nc.us

Art of Intimacy Learn life-changing communication and relationship skills, drawing from the work of Brad Blanton (Radical Honesty), Marshal Rosenberg (Nonviolent Communication), Susan Campbell (Getting Real), John Bradshaw (Homecoming) and others. $60/4-session class. Info: 254-5613 or www. centerforsacredsexuality.org. • WEDNESDAYS, 7:309:30pm - Meeting. Asheville North SeventhDay Adventist Church Located at 364 Broadway, Asheville. Info: 606-6834. • SU (3/28), 11am & 2pm & MO (3/29), 10am - Executive Chef Julio Barillas will conduct a two-day healthy-living seminar that will conclude with a cooking class. Free. • MO (3/29), 7pm - “Creation Health Multimedia Seminar.” Discover eight principles for living life to the fullest as revealed in the Genesis creation story. The seminar will run eight consecutive Mondays. Free. Eating Disorders Individuals are welcome to come to one or all of the support group. Info: 337-4685 or www.thecenternc.org. • WEDNESDAYS, 7-8pm - Support group for adults at T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating, 297 Haywood St. Focus is on positive peer support, coping skills and recovery tools. Led by licensed professionals. Free. Events at Pardee Hospital All programs held at the Pardee Health Education Center in the Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville. Free, but registration and appointments required unless otherwise noted. To register or for info: www.pardeehospital.org or 692-4600. • TH (3/25), 3-4pm - Dealing with chronic pain? Edward Lewis will discuss treatment options. • SA (3/27), 1pm - “N.C. Health Care Power of Attorney Workshop.” Participants will learn to better understand documents and notaries. • TH (4/1), 3-4:30pm - “Balance and Fall Prevention,” with physical therapist Chloe Egan.

Free H1N1 & Seasonal Flu Vaccines • Buncombe County Department of Health is offering H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines to anyone age 6 months or older. Mon.-Fri., 8am4:30pm, no appointment needed. H1N1 vaccine is free; seasonal vaccine is free for those up to age 18. Info: 250-6400. Healthy Lifestyles in Shiloh At the Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Road. Sponsored by Circle of Light Healing Center & Shiloh Community Center. Info: 280-7287. • WEDNESDAYS, 12:30pm - Senior potluck, qigong and lecture. • WEDNESDAYS (through 3/31), 2-4:30pm - “Living Healthy” is a free, interactive workshop designed to help people manage a chronic condition, including pain, fatigue, depression and frustration. Improve and maintain health. To register: 2517438. • THURSDAYS, 6-8pm - “Eat, drink and be merry.” Vegetarian meal, lecture and alternative health treatment. By donation. • MONDAYS, 6-8pm - “Sell yourself in today’s marketplace.” Henderson County Red Cross Red Cross holds classes in CPR and First Aid for infants, children and adults; Standard First Aid in Spanish; Babysitter Training; Pet First Aid. Located at 203 Second Ave. East, Hendersonville. Info: 693-5605. : Blood Drive dates and locations are listed below. Appointment and ID required. • SA (3/27), 7:30amNoon - Calvary Episcopal Church, Hendersonville Hwy. Info: 684-6266. • WE (3/31), 9am1:30pm - American Red Cross/ Hendersonville Opportunity House, 1411 Asheville Hwy. Info: 6935605. Red Cross Events & Classes Red Cross holds classes in CPR/First Aid for infants, children, and adults; Babysitter Training; Pet First Aid; Bloodborne Pathogens; Swimming & Water Safety; and Lifeguarding. All classes held at chapter headquarters, 100 Edgewood Rd. To register, call 258-3888,

ext. 221. Info: www.redcrosswnc.org. : Bloodmobile Drive dates and locations are listed below. Appointment and ID required. • FR (3/26), 11am3:30pm - Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, 290 Macon Ave. Info: 253-0299, ext. 4004. • TH (4/1), 1:305:45pm - Black Mountain Presbyterian, 117 Montreat Road, Black Mountain. Info: 6696729. Spring Mountain Community Center Located at 807 Old Fort Road, Fairview. • MONDAYS, 7pm; WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS, 8:30am - Yoga. Bring a mat and blanket or towel. Improve your breathing, flexibility and stamina. $5-$7 donation per session. Step/Weights Class Free ongoing aerobics class with step, weights, resistance bands and stretches. Offered by Asheville Parks & Recreation to promote Asheville’s cardiovascular health. At Stephens-Lee Center (from S. Charlotte, turn on Max St. and go up the hill). Info: 3502058. • TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 5:306:30pm - Step/Weights Class ending with mat work (stretches, yoga & pilates). All levels. Tai Chi Class • TUESDAYS, 1:30pm At CarePartners Seymour Auditorium, 68 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville. Taught by Shellye Godfrey, Occupational Therapist and Certified Instructor of Tai Chi for Arthritis & Health. $7/ session. Info: 274-6179. Women in Balance • SA (3/27), 1-4pm - Learn about the history and philosophy of Jin Shin Jyutsu, an alternative way to balance hormones, minimize symptoms of menopause and more, with Beth Molaro at the Women’s Wellness & Education Center, 24 Arlington St. $35. Info: 277-4068 or http://eepurl.com/itvK.

Support Groups Adult Children Of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families ACOAs continue “survival” behaviors they had as children, which no longer serve them as

adults. Come learn how to grow in recovery and become the person you are meant to be through this 12-step fellowship. Info: 545-9648. • FRIDAYS, 7-8:30pm Meets at Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. Al-Anon Al-Anon is a support group for the family and friends of alcoholics. More than 33 groups are available in the WNC area. Info: 800-286-1326 or www.wnc-alanon.org. • WEDNESDAYS, 8-9pm - Newcomers meeting and discussion: West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Road, across from Ingles. Enter through parking lot door. Info: 225-0515. • WEDNESDAYS, 12:151:15pm - Step study: First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St. Park in the back of lot between Church and Y. Info: 686-8131. • WEDNESDAYS, 8pm - Al-Anon in West Asheville: Meeting at West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Rd., across from Ingles. Separate Newcomers’ Meeting meets also at 8pm. Info: 258-4799. • THURSDAYS, 7pm - Discussion meeting for parents of children with addictions: West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Road, across from Ingles. Info: 242-6197. • FRIDAYS, 8pm - The Lambda (GLBT) group of Al-Anon is a gay-friendly support group for families and friends of alcoholics, and holds their weekly candlelight meeting at All Souls Cathedral, 3 Angle St. Info: 670-6277 (until 9pm). • FRIDAYS, 12:301:30pm - Discussion meeting: First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St. Park in the back of lot between Church and Y. Info: 6868131. • FRIDAYS, 6:30pm - Discussion meeting for couples only: All Souls Cathedral, 3 Angle St. Info: 676-0485. • SATURDAYS, 10am Al-Anon North: Meeting at Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave. • SATURDAYS, 10am - Saturday Serenity at St Mary’s Episcopal Church on the corner of Charlotte and Macon. Beginners welcome.

• SATURDAYS, Noon - Weaverville discussion meeting at First Baptist Church on N. Main St., next to the library. Enter via side glass doors. • SUNDAYS, 5-6pm - Discussion meeting: West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Road. Info: 281-1566. • MONDAYS, 12-1pm Discussion meeting: First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St. Park in the back of lot between Church and Y. Info: 686-8131. • TUESDAYS, 7pm Discussion meeting: First Congregational United Church of Christ, 20 Oak St. Asheville Radical Mental Health Collective • MONDAYS, 7-9pm - Mutual aid in a world gone mad. Peer support, resources and discussion. At the YWCA, 185 South French Broad Ave. The Collective supports self-determination and choice for mental health and wellness. Everyone is welcome. Info: radmadasheville@theicarusproject.net. Bipolar and Depression Support Group • WEDNESDAYS, 6:308:30pm - Magnetic Minds meets at Mountain House, 225 E. Chestnut St., Asheville. Peer support, empowerment, recovery and advocacy. Info: 3189179. C.L.O.S.E.R. Gay Support Group • TUESDAYS, 7-9pm - Community Liason of Support Education and Reform. Weekly support group for GLBT community. Weekly meetings with varying subject matter, visiting guest speakers and social activities. Meets at the Cathedral of All Souls Episcopal Church meeting room. Info: 776-0109. Cancer Support Group for Caregivers • MONDAYS, 11am-Noon - Meetings at Jubilee, 46 Wall St., Asheville. Emotional support for family members of people experiencing cancer. Facilitated by Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Info: 299-0394. Cancer Support Group for Women • MONDAYS, 1:30-3pm - Meetings at Biltmore United Methodist Church. Emotional support for women experiencing cancer. Facilitated by

“Drifting (Part 2)”: New work by California artist Francis Di Fronzo on display at the Haen Gallery through April. Info: 254-8577. photo courtesy of the haen gallery

Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Info: 299-0394. DivorceCare • WEDNESDAYS (through 4/15), 6:15-7:30pm - A free seminar and support group for people who are separated or divorced. Each week a nationally recognized expert on divorce and recovery topics is heard. Meets at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 201 Mount Carmel Road, Asheville. Essential Tremor Support Group Info: 687-2356 or bchhenze@bellsouth.net. • 1st THURSDAYS, 6-7pm - Meeting at Seymour Auditorium, CarePartners, Sweeten Creek Rd. Narcotics Anonymous A fellowship of recovering addicts that can help those afflicted get clean and stay clean through a 12-step program. The group focuses on recovering from the disease of addiction rather than any particular drug. For WNC NA meeting schedules and info: www.wncana.net. Helpline: (866) 925-2148. • DAILY - Please call for location details. Overcomers Recovery Support Group • TUESDAYS, 7-8pm - A Christian-based 12step recovery program. Provides a spiritual plan of recovery for people struggling with life-controlling problems such as alcohol, drugs, overeating, pornography, codependency, enabling. All are welcome.

Info: rchovey@sos.spcasheville.org. Overeaters Anonymous A fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. This 12-step program welcomes everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. Meetings are one hour unless noted. • THURSDAYS, Noon Asheville: Biltmore United Methodist Church, 376 Hendersonville Rd. (S. 25 at Yorkshire). Info: 2981899. • SATURDAYS, 9:30am - Black Mountain: Carver Parks & Recreation Center, 101 Carver Ave. off Blue Ridge Road. Open relapse and recovery mtg. Info: 686-8131. • MONDAYS, 6:30pm - Hendersonville: Balfour United Meth. Church, 2567 Asheville Hwy. (Hwy. 25). Open mtg. Info: 1-800-580-4761. • MONDAYS, 6pm - Asheville: First Congregational United Church of Christ, 20 Oak St. Open mtg. Info: 2778185. • TUESDAYS, 10:30amNoon - Asheville: Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave. at Ottari. Open BBSS mtg. Info: 280-2213. S-Anon For those affected by someone else’s sexual behavior. Info: 545-4287 or 606-6803.

• WEEKLY - Three meetings are available per week. S-Anon Meetings S-Anon is a 12-step recovery program for partners, family and friends of sexaholics. We share our experience, strength and hope to help solve our common problems. Meetings held weekly in Asheville, Fletcher and Waynesville. Call confidential voice mail for information: 258-5117. • WEEKLY - Meetings. Sexaholics Anonymous SA is a 12-step fellowship of men and women recovering from compulsive patterns of lust, romance, destructive relationships, sexual thoughts or sexual behavior. Call confidential voice mail 681-9250 or e-mail saasheville@gmail. com. Info: www.orgsites. com/nc/saasheville/. • DAILY - Asheville meetings. SMART Recovery • THURSDAYS, 6-7pm - Self-Management and Recovery Training, a free, self-empowering, science-based mutual help group for abstaining from any substance or activity addiction, meets at Grace Episcopal Church on Merrimon Ave. Donations requested. Info: www. smartrecovery.org. Support Groups Sessions are led by Charlene Galvin, a board certified Chaplain. Love

offering. Info: 329-3187 or chargalvin@hotmail.com. • THURSDAYS, 1011:30am - Living with Life Limiting Illness —- 1:303pm - Caregivers Support Group. Workaholic Anonymous (WA) Meetings Feeling rushed? Can’t get it all done? WA slogan: “Slow is beautiful and powerful. I move glacially.” Info: 254-6484. Or try conference call meetings: Get times and numbers at www.workaholicsanonymous.org/page. php?page=_meetings. • TUESDAYS, 5:306:30pm - Asheville WA meeting at First Presbyterian Church, 40 Church St.

Helplines For Xpress’ list of helplines, visit www. mountainx.com/events/ category/helplines.

Sports Groups & Activities Asheville Aikikai Info: www.aikidonc.org or 258-1330. • WEEKLY - Women and men (ages 14 and up) are invited for advanced and beginning practice. Beginners are welcome anytime. $5. At 939 Riverside Drive. • TUESDAY & FRIDAYS, 5:30-6:15pm - Aikido class for children ages 8-14. $5. Asheville Kendo Club

• FRIDAYS, 6-9pm - Dedicated to bringing quality Kendo to the Asheville area. Kendo, the Japanese “Way of the Sword,” develops a person’s mind, posture and spirit through the principles of Japanese fencing. Kendo is not selfdefense. Info: ashevillekendo@gmail.com. Asheville Masters Swimming Competitive, fitness and triathlon swimmers welcome. Info: www.ashevillemasters.com • MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS, 5:45-7:15am - Practice at Asheville School. • TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 5:457:15am & SATURDAYS, 79am - Coached practices at Warren Wilson College. Disc Golf Check the kiosk at Richmond Hill Park for events and nearby tournaments. Info: 680-9626 or www.wncdiscgolf.com. • TUESDAYS, 3pm Doubles at Richmond Hill Park. Random draw for partners. Midnight Basketball at the YMCA • SATURDAYS (through 4/3), 11pm-1am Midnight Basketball for ages 16-20 at the YMCA, 30 Woodfin St. in downtown Asheville. $5. Info: 210-9622. Outdoor Climbing at the YMCA

• SATURDAYS (3/27 through 5/29), Noon-2pm - Outdoor climbing class for ages 6 and up at the YMCA Youth Services Center, 201 Beaverdam Road. Two climbs: $5/$20 family. Info: 253-4706. Pickleball It’s like playing ping pong on a tennis court. For all ages. $1 per session. Paddles and balls are provided. Info: 350-2058. • MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS, 9-11am Meets at Stephens-Lee Rec Center, 30 George Washington Carver St. (take S. Charlotte to Max St.). Sports at UNCA Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public. Info: 251-6459. • WE (3/24), 2pm - UNCA Baseball vs. N.C. Central, at Greenwood Field. $5 —- 2pm - UNCA Women’s Tennis vs. Gardner-Webb at the Crowne Plaza Tennis Center. • TH (3/25), 2pm - UNCA Men’s Tennis vs. GardnerWebb at the Crowne Plaza Tennis Center. • FR (3/26), 3pm - UNCA Men’s Baseball vs. Liberty at Greenwood Field. $5. • SA (3/27), 2pm - UNCA Men’s Baseball vs. Liberty at Greenwood Field. $5. • SU (3/28), 1pm - UNCA Men’s Baseball vs. Liberty at Greenwood Field. $5. • WE (3/31), 2pm UNCA Men’s Baseball vs.

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 49

Furman at Greenwood Field. $5. Tai Chi for Seniors (all welcome) • WEDNESDAYS, Noon - A gentle class for beginners promoting balance, strength, flexibility and calm. Basic practices, no complex movements. Upstairs at the French Broad Co-op, 90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville. $10. Info: 645-9579. Waynesville Parks and Recreation Info: 456-2030 or recoutdoorprograms@townofwaynesville.org. • TH (4/1), 7-9pm - An adult dart league will begin. Held at the Old Armory Recreation Center, 44 Boundary St. $5 per play. Bring darts. Info: 456-9207 or oldarmory@townofwaynesville.org. Women’s Indoor Trainer Sessions • MONDAYS, 6:15pm - Youngblood’s Trainer Sessions. Bring your own trainer; no roller, please. A few indoor trainers will be available for loan/rent ($10). Begin your winter conditioning program. Info: amy@golightlydesigns.com or tdrews@ trainright.com.

Kids EASTER EGG HUNT (pd.) The McCune Center is having an FREE All Ages EASTER EGG HUNT on Saturday, April 3rd from 1:00-3:00pm. Great Prizes for most eggs found in each age group: 2yrs-8yrs,9yrs-13yrs, 14yrs-adult. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, refreshments for sale, Bake Sale, Free Petting Zoo. Get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny! Fun for All! McCune Center is located at 101 Lions Way, Black Mountain. Call for more

information 828-6698452. Kids Craft Day (pd.) Sun., Mar. 28th, 1 - 3 p.m. Bring the kids to the Arden store to make their own GORP (Good Old Raisins & Peanuts, otherwise known as Trail Mix)! We’ll provide the good old raisins, peanuts, M&M’s and other ingredients and help children make their own blend of GORP while parents and grandparents explore the day camp fair. For more information, contact Gary at geblen@diamondbrand.com Looking for a Day Camp for Your Child or Grandchild? (pd.) A variety of camps, from farming camps to soccer camps, will be represented at Diamond Brand and Frugal Backpacker’s Day Camp Fair. Come talk with representatives who can answer your questions about the variety of day camps in our area. For more information, contact Gary at geblen@diamondbrand.com. New Waldorf Kindergarten (pd.) Enrolling children for this fall. Three-day program (MWF), 9am to 1pm. Call Susanne, 828-252-1924 for more details. Asheville Community Theatre All performances are at 35 East Walnut St. Info & reservations: 254-1320 or www.ashevilletheatre. org. • FR (3/26), 4-6pm ACT’s summer camp info session in the lobby. At The Health Adventure Free first Wed. of every month from 3-5pm. Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10am5pm & Sun., 1-5pm. $8.50 adults/$7.50 students & seniors/$6

kids 2-11. Program info or to RSVP: 254-6373, ext. 324. Info: www.thehealthadventure.org. • THURSDAYS, 10:3011:30am - Preschool Play Date. Interactive fun just for preschoolers led by museum facilitators. Free with admission. • SATURDAYS, 1-2pm - Experiment with science during Super Science Saturdays. Featuring hands-on activities led by museum facilitators, the programs are fun for all ages. Free with admission. Autism Community Center Offers various group activities for youths and adults. Open to anyone, the groups are autism and special needs friendly and are run by creative professionals. One-time trial $20, register online. Info: www.autismcommunitycenter.com or 313-9313. • WEDNESDAYS, 3-4pm - Video game group for youth. • THURSDAYS, 3-4pm - Youth sports group. • FRIDAYS, 3-5:30pm Cooking groups for youth and teens. • MONDAYS, 3-5:30pm - Music groups for youth and teens. • TUESDAYS, 3-5:30pm - Hiking groups for youth and teens. Celebration Singers of Asheville Community children’s chorus for ages 7-14. For audition/performance info: 230-5778 or www. singasheville.org. • THURSDAYS, 6:307:45pm - Children’s chorus rehearsal at First Congregational Church, 20 Oak St., downtown Asheville. Community Easter Event Charlotte Street Computers, with WOXL and the Asheville

Tourists, present their annual Easter event promoting community outreach for Asheville’s public housing community residents. Info: 209-6685. • SA (3/27) - Children will participate in a traditional Easter egg hunt on McCormick field and have their pictures taken with the Easter Bunny. Plus, career and education counselors from A-B Tech and the Asheville Housing Authority will be on hand to provide information and advice to parents. n To sign up to volunteer: nparets@charlottestreetcomputers. Easter Egg Hunt • SA (3/27), 2pm Anointed Word Church is having its Easter Egg Hunt at Kate’s Park in Fletcher. Candy, games, Bible message. Everyone welcome, but games and egg hunt are for ages 212. Info: 242-8781. Egg Hunt and Swim • SA (3/27) - Annual egg hunt and swim at the Zeugner Center, 50 Springside Dr., located behind TC Roberson High. 2pm - Registration —- 2:15pm - The hunt begins, followed by crafts, games and face painting. Free —- 3-5pm - The indoor pool will be open to swimmers for $1. Bring a basket and swim suit. Info: 684-5072. Events at Asheville Dance Revolution Located at 63 Brook St. Events are sponsored by the Cultural Development Group. Info: 277-6777. • SA (3/27), 6:3010pm - Youth Dance Party Revolution. Drop children off for a rockin’ dance party while parents/guardians enjoy an evening out on the town. Age-appropriate music,

• Year-round Lodging & Healing Retreat • Workshop, Events, Wedding Rentals • Certified Wildlife Habitat • Massage & CranioSacral Therapy • Energy Healing & Past Life Regression • Outdoor Hot Tub/Meditation Areas

Reva Tunnell, Owner • 828-683-6633 • 30 Minutes from Asheville www.compassionatexpression.com • compassionate@mindspring.com 50 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

games, refreshments, prizes and fun are all included. $7. Events for Kids at Spellbound Spellbound Children’s Bookshop is located at 19 Wall St., in downtown Asheville. Info: 232-2228 or www.spellboundchildrensbookshop.com. • TUESDAYS, 10:30am - Story time for ages 3-5 —- 3:30pm - Story time for ages 5-7. Hands On! Gallery This children’s gallery is located at 318 North Main St. in Hendersonville. Hours: Tues.-Fri., 10am5pm. Admission is $5, with discounts available on certain days. Info: 697-8333 or www.handsonwnc.org. • TH (4/1) & FR (4/2) - Make an Easter Bonnet for the downtown Hendersonville Easter Bonnet Promenade, which will be held on Saturday at 11am at the the 400 block gazebo in Hendersonville. Haywood County Public Library System The main branch is located at 678 S. Haywood St., Waynesville. The county system includes branches in Canton, Maggie Valley, Fines Creek and Cruso. Info: 452-5169 or www.haywoodlibrary.org. • WEDNESDAYS, 11am - Family story time for children of all ages. Read books, sing songs, learn finger plays and more. N.C. Arboretum Events for Kids Info: 665-2492, jmarchal@ncarboretum. org or www.ncarboretum. org. • Through SU (5/9) - The Scoop on Poop, an interactive zoological exhibit based on the book by science writer Dr. Wayne Lynch, on display at the Baker Exhibit Center. $3 adults/$2 for children ages 5-18. Performances for Young People at Diana Wortham Info & tickets: 257-4544, ext. 307 or www.dwtheatre.com. • WE (3/31), 10am & Noon - School Series: Click Clack Moo, a musical about cows protesting their working conditions, will be performed by Theatreworks U.S.A. Recommended for grades PreK‚Äì4. Resurrection Egg Hunt • SA (3/27), 11am-1pm - Egg hunt at Lake Julian Park shed 2 for kids ages

birth-12. All children must be with an adult. Free prizes, free hot dogs, puppet show. Smith-McDowell House Museum Period rooms grace this antebellum house on the campus of A-B Tech Community College, 283 Victoria Rd., Asheville. Info: 253-9231 or education@wnchistory.org. • SA (3/27), 10:30amNoon - Easter Egg Hunt. There will be games, snacks and songs with Lisa Whitfield. Please bring a basket. $5 kids/ Free for adults.

Spirituality 1 Day Class • Sunday, April 18 • Reiki I (pd.) 8 CE’s for LMT’s. • Also open to the public. $160. • $135, early registration, by April 9. • 50% Deposit. • Hendersonville, NC. • Registration/Information: Cathy Oaks: (828) 2422536. cat@BlastAlive. com www.BlastAlive.com A Barbara Marciniak Channeling Event (pd.) April 9,10 (FridaySaturday). Barbara channels the Pleiadians who share their perspectives about our changing world. Bring your questions! • Lecture/ channeling, Friday, 7pm-10:30pm, $35. • Workshop/channeling, Saturday, 10:30am-6pm, $95. • Cash or money order only. • Ramada River Ridge Hotel, 800 Fairview Road, Asheville. • For reservations/information: (828) 298-6300 or ashevilleclass@ yahoo.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. (828)2583229. Tuesday Afternoons • Study • Meditation • Great Tree Zen Temple (pd.) Study: 3:30pm • Meditation: 5:30pm. 679 Lower Flat Creek Road, Alexander. Love offering. More information: 6452085 or www.greattreetemple.org A Course in Miracles • MONDAYS, 6:308:15pm - A truly loving group of people studying A Course in Miracles

meets at Groce United Methodist Church on Tunnel Road. The group is open to all. Info: 7125472. A Course in Miracles Class/Discussion Group • TUESDAYS, 6:30pm - Meets in N. Hendersonville. Info: 2422536. Actively Eliminating Obstacles to Awakening • Alternate WEDNESDAYS, 7:30pm An interactive, playful and heart-expanding class with spiritual teacher Solomon. Learn to actively release past blocks and more. An original exploration into consciousness. At Lighten Up Yoga, 60 Biltmore Ave. First class free/$10 thereafter. Info: (530) 852-7836 or (866) 573-1870. All Saints Anglican Church Located at 15 McDowell Road, Mills River. The 1928 Book of Common Prayer is used. Info: 8917216. • SUNDAYS, 8:30am - Holy Eucharist —- 9:45am - Christian Education —- 11am - Holy Eucharist. Call for information on other weekly services. Asheville Center for Transcendental Meditation/An Evening of Knowledge Transcend the busy, active mind—effortlessly—for peace, bliss and full awakening of creative intelligence. The most effective, extensively researched meditation. Revitalizes mind/body, relieves worry and anxiety, improves brain functioning. Free Introduction. Info: 254-4350 or www. meditationasheville.org. • WEDNESDAYS, 7:158:15pm - Introductory Talk: Access your deepest intelligence; compare meditation techniques; explore higher states of consciousness and total brain functioning; and learn about Scientific findings on TM’s health benefits. Held at 165 E. Chestnut St. Asheville Meditation Center Classes are held at the Greenlife Community Center, 90 Merrimon Ave., unless otherwise noted. Info: 505-2300 or www.meditateasheville. org. • THURSDAYS, 6:307:30pm - Meditation Circle. Donations accepted. Asheville Sound Healing

• 2nd & 4th SATURDAYS, 6-7pm - Chakra Toning Circle at Skinny Beats Drum Shop, 4 Eagle St. Learn how to tone the chakra sounds for health and well-being. Love offerings accepted. Info: 776-3786 or www. AshevilleSoundHealing. com. Awakening Practices Study the works of Eckhart Tolle and put words into action through meditation and discussion. Info: Trey@QueDox. com. • 2nd & 4th THURSDAYS, 7-9pm - Meets at the EnkaCandler Library meeting room. Buddhist Meditation and Discussion Meets in the space above the French Broad Food Co-op. March’s theme: “Medicine for the Heart.” Suggested donation: $8/$4 students & seniors. Info: 779-5502 or www. meditation-in-northcarolina.org. • WE (3/24), 7:15pm “Letting Go of the Painful Past.” • WE (3/31), 7:15pm “Taking the Medicine.” Cloud Cottage Sangha This branch of the World Community of Mindful Living meets at 219 Old Toll Circle in Black Mountain, to practice seated meditation and mindfulness training. All events by donation. Info: 669-0920, cloudcottage@bellsouth.net or www.cloudcottage.org. • SA (3/27), 10am-4pm - “A Day of Mindfulness,” with Roger Hawkins, a Zen teacher whose Dharma name is Shikan Sensei. Donations accepted. Coalition of Earth Religions Events Info: 230-5069 or www. ceres-wnc.org. • 4th WEDNESDAYS Meeting at the Earth Fare Community Room. Call for details. Compassionate Communication Practice Group Learn ways to create understanding and clarity in your relationships, work, and community by practicing compassionate communication. Group uses a model developed by Marshall Rosenberg in his book Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life. Free. Info: 252-0538 or www. ashevilleccc.com.

freewillastrology ARIES (March 21-April 19) All but one of our planet’s mountain ranges have been mapped: the Gamburtsev Mountains, which are buried under 2.5 miles of ice in Antarctica. Recent efforts to get a read on this craggy landscape, aided by a network of seismic instruments, have revealed some initial details about it, including its role in forming the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. I recommend that you regard the Gamburtsevs as an iconic metaphor in the coming months, Aries. They’ll be an apt symbol for one of your life’s featured themes: the discovery and exploration of a massive unknown territory that has been hidden from view.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

It’s my opinion that everyone has a duty to periodically check in with themselves to make sure they still are who they say they are. Over time, there’s a tendency for all of us to fall into the habit of believing our own hype. We get entranced by the persona we project. We’re tempted to keep capitalizing on our past accomplishments in ways that lull us into complacency and give us unconscious permission to stop growing. You, Taurus, are in no worse danger of doing this than any of the rest of us. But the coming weeks will be an excellent time, astrologically speaking, for you to do an intensive check-in.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

The odds are higher than usual that you’ll encounter a future soul brother or soul sister in the coming weeks. Potential allies are gravitating toward you, even if neither they nor you are aware of it yet. You’re also likely to brush up against a tribe or team you could benefit from knowing more about. That’s why I’m counseling you to be extra open to meeting people you don’t know. Talk to strangers. Ask your friends to introduce you to their friends. And consider the possibility of skipping over the customary social formalities so you can reveal some of the core truths about who you are right from the start.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Sci-fi author Neil Gaiman sometimes invites his readers to get involved in his creative process. While working on the story “Metamorpho,” for example, he Twittered, “Trying to decide if broccoli is funnier than kohlrabi in a list of vegetables.” When a number of fans suggested “rutabaga” instead, he took their suggestion. (Thanks to The New Yorker for that report.) I’d like to borrow Gaiman’s approach, as you’re entering a phase of your astrological cycle when you’ll have maximum power to shape your own destiny. So here’s my question: What accomplishment would you like your horoscope to say you will complete by May 15? Email me at Truthrooster@gmail.com.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

From the 9th to the 15th century, the Khmer

empire thrived in what is now Cambodia. Its rulers were regarded as deities who had privileges that common folk didn’t have — as well as special responsibilities. For example, each god-king was expected, according to custom, to engage in sexual relations with a sacred nine-headed serpent every single night, whether he was in the mood or not. (An actual human being usually served as a proxy for the magic snake.) I suspect you may get an inkling of the god-king’s double-edged situation in the coming week, Leo. On the one hand, you’re likely to be presented with the possibility of experiencing uncommonly interesting pleasure. On the other hand, there may be an obligatory quality to it — a slightly oppressive pressure that is fully blended with the bliss.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

According to the oracular priestess at the ancient Greek shrine of Delphi, whom I consulted in my dream last night, your code phrases for the week are “luminous shadow” and “hidden light.” That was the gist of her entire message; she didn’t provide any more practical clues. But here are some ways I might interpret her prophecy if I were you: What dark place in your life might soon shine forth with a new radiance? Or: What secret beauty is aching to be found? Or: What odd asset have you been concealing for no good reason?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

In my role as moral sentinel, I strongly urge you not to watch “Telephone,” the music video by Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. It epitomizes everything that’s crazy-making about our culture: brilliantly executed, gorgeous to behold, and perversely seductive, even though its subject matter is degrading, demoralizing, and devoid of meaning. In my role as a kick-ass educator, however, I encourage you to watch the video at least once. I think you’d benefit from seeing such an explicit embodiment of the crazy-making pressures you’ll be wise to avoid exposing yourself to in the coming weeks. You can find it at tinyurl. com/ycx6p34 or tinyurl.com/ycvkkdz.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

“Most of the time, life does not talk to you,” writes Robert T. Kiyosaki in his book Rich Dad, Poor Dad. “It just sort of pushes you around. Each push is life saying, ‘Wake up. There’s something I want you to learn.’” Different people respond in different ways, Kiyosaki says. “Some just let life push them around. Others get angry and push back. But they push back against their boss, or their job, or their husband or wife. They do not know it’s life that’s pushing.” I’m here to tell you, Scorpio, that what he says is particularly apropos for you right now. And I hope that you will neither allow yourself to get pushed around nor blame the wrong source for the push. Instead, make yourself available to

learn the lesson that life’s nudging you to pay attention to.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

NASA scientist Richard Gross believes that the recent 8.8 earthquake in Chile was so strong that it shifted the planet’s axis and shortened the length of the day. The amounts were relatively small — three inches and 1.26 microseconds — but it was enough to make “the Earth ring like a bell.” I predict a somewhat comparable seismic shift for you in the coming weeks. The main difference is that yours will not be generated by a painful jolt but rather by a breakthrough that’s half smart and half lucky.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

In a library in Warsaw, there is a 1,000+-page memoir written by my great-great-great-great grandfather, Leon Dembowski, a close advisor to the last king of Poland. Someday I’ll make a pilgrimage over there, photocopy that family heirloom, bring it back to America, and have it translated into English. The task I envision for you in the coming weeks, Capricorn, has a certain resemblance to mine. I think you will have the chance to uncover a wealth of material about where you came from, but it’ll take a lot of footwork and reinterpretation.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

There’s no need for you to get a t-shirt that says, “Oh no, not another learning experience.” According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you are not about to have an embarrassing stumble that could in retrospect be euphemistically referred to as a “learning experience.” On the contrary, the educational events you’ll be communing with will be pretty pleasurable, and will more closely resemble a hop, skip, and a jump than a stumble.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

I’m inclined to prophesy that in the days to come, you may be able to read the minds of people whose actions are critical to your success. I also suspect that you will know exactly what to do in order to banish a minor health problem. I’m even tempted to believe that when you gaze into the mirror you will be more intrigued than you’ve been in a while. Have you ever heard a bird sing a song just for you? Did you ever find a small treasure you assumed was lost forever? Developments like those are in the works. There’s only one catch: To get the most out of this grace period, you will have to summon more faith in yourself than you usually do.

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Windhorse Zen Community Eternal Spring - Waking Up To Our True Nature Saturday, March 27 • 9:45-1:30 pm A workshop on Zen teachings and practice Dharma Teachers: Sunya Kjolhede and Lawson Sachter Early registration and Students - $25.00 $35.00 at the door • Vegetarian lunch included For registration and information call 828-645-8001 or register online at www.windhorsezen.org 580 Panther Branch Road • Alexander, NC 28701 Weaverville area, 20 minutes from downtown Asheville

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• 2nd & 4th THURSDAYS, 5-6:15pm - Practice group for newcomers and experienced practitioners. Events at First United Methodist Church Located at 204 Sixth Ave. W., Hendersonville. Info: 693-4275 or www. hvlfumc.org. • SU (3/28), 8:30am & 10:55am - The Chancel Choir and orchestra will perform “MESSIAH Part II” at both worship services —- 9:30am - SON Praise, a contemporary service, will be held in the Barber Christian Life Center. • WE (3/31) & TH (4/1), 9am-7pm & FR (4/2), 9am-3pm - Prayer Labyrinth: Holy Week Prayer and Meditation in the Barber Christian Life Center. • TH (4/1), 7pm Maundy Worship Service and Communion with Rev. Dan Martin in the Sanctuary. Free Christ Meditation Teleconference Call • TU (3/30), 8-9pm - The Christ Meditation is being offered via teleconference call to anyone who wishes to experience blessings for greater oneness with their Christ presence. To sign up: 338-0042 or www.thechristsoul.com. Hare Krsna Sunday Feast

Meets above the French Broad Food Co-op, 90 Biltmore Ave. Info: www. highthinkingsimpleliving. org or 506-2987. • Select SUNDAYS, 6-8pm - An evening of bhajans, class on the Bhagavad-Gita and a vegetarian feast. Everyone welcome. Refer to the Web site or call for dates. Land of the Sky United Church of Christ Located at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 15 Overbrook Place, in East Asheville. • SUNDAYS, 9:15am - Women-led, justicefocused, family-friendly, and open to all. Worship with Land of the Sky UCC. An unconditional church. Mantras Cafe • 1st THURSDAYS, 6:30-8:30pm - Bring your favorite kirtan mantras, multi-cultural chants and soul-centered music. Open mike. Sign-up 66:30pm. At BoBo Gallery. Free or $3 donation. Mindfulness Meditation Class Explore the miracle of healing into life through deepened stillness and presence. With consciousness teacher and columnist Bill Walz. Info: 258-3241 or www.billwalz.com. • MONDAYS, 7-8pm - Meditation class with

lesson and discussions in contemporary Zen living. At the Asheville Friends Meeting House at 227 Edgewood Ave. (off Merrimon Ave.). Donation. Mother Grove Events Info: 230-5069, info@ mothergroveavl.org or www.mothergroveavl.org. • MONDAYS - Book discussion group, facilitated by Antiga, on the book The Creation of Patriarchy by Gerda Lemer. Info: 285-9927. Mountain Zen Practice Center Exploring the ‘how’ of moment by moment peace, joy and freedom through the practice of Conscious Compassionate Awareness. Info and orientation times: www. mountainzen.org or 4503621. • TUESDAYS, 7-8:30pm - Meditation and discussion. Mystic Gatherings Share in the community of those who are governed both by logic and observing signs around them: gut, spirit, intuition or whatever That is. Bring your stories and experiences. Gatherings are dynamic and diverse and range from topics such as changes in our society to defining moments in

52 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

life and much more. Info: 206-2009. • WEDNESDAYS, 7pm - Meeting. Psychic Development Class • 2nd & 4th WEDNESDAYS, 7-8:30pm - Develop your intuition in a stress-free environment. Everyone will have an opportunity to read and to be read. Love donation accepted. Info: 255-8304. Shambhala Meditation Center of Asheville The center offers free meditation instruction following ancient principles at 19 Westwood Place in W. Asheville. Donations accepted. Info: www.shambhala.org/center/asheville, ShambhalaAshvl@gmail. com or 490-4587. • THURSDAYS, 6-6:45pm & SUNDAYS, 10am-Noon - Public meditation. Sojourner Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) A congregation in formation. The goal is provide a caring, non-threatening environment for the exploration of Christian spirituality. Info: www. sojournerchurch.org. • SUNDAYS, 9:30am - Worship —- 10:30am - Fellowship. Lower floor of Morningside Baptist Church, 14 Mineral Springs Road, Asheville. Sri Sri Sri Shivabalayogi Meditation Group

Receive initiation into Sri Swamiji’s one-hour meditation technique. One-hour of silent meditation followed by Bhajans (devotional singing). Fairview location directions: 2993246. Info: www.shivabalamahayogi.com. • WEDNESDAYS, 7pm “Silent Meditation.” Free. Toning for Peace Lift your voice in free-form to generate well-being and peace for the greater benefit of our ever-evolving planet. $5-$10. Info: 667-2967 or www.toningforpeace.org. • 2nd & 4th SUNDAYS, 1:30-2:45pm - At the Light Center in Black Mountain. Transmission Meditation Group Join in this meditation group for personal and spiritual growth, as well as the healing and transformation of the planet. Info: 318-8547. • SUNDAYS, 2pm Meditation. Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Located at the corner of Charlotte St. & Edwin Pl. Info: 254-6001 or www. uuasheville.org. • SUNDAYS, 9:15am & 11:15am - Services and Children’s Programs. Unity Cafe Looking for a change from the usual Sunday service? Spiritual conversation and sharing, music, meditation, coffee and pastry. Info: 645-0514, 676-6070 or unitycafe.org. • 1st, 3rd & 5th SUNDAYS, 10am-Noon - Greenlife Grocery Community Center, 90 Merrimon Ave. Unity Center Events Celebrate joyful, mindful living in a church with heart. Contemporary music by Lytingale and The Unitic Band. Located at 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd. Info: 6843798, 891-8700 or www. unitync.net. • WE (3/24), 7pm “Music and Meditation Service,” with Rev. Chad O’Shea and Lytingale. Love offering. • SA (3/27), 7:30pm - Tuxedo Junction will perform swing and folk-rock classics. $12 advance/$15 day-of-theshow. • SU (3/28), 9:30-11am - Palm Sunday Service: “Commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of the momentous events of Passion Week.” Love

offering —- 9am-2pm - Nicaraguan Craft Sale. Proceeds benefit Center for Development in Central America’s projects. • WE (3/31), 7pm “Labyrinth Walk,” with Sam Richardson. Walk a 5-path labyrinth and discover the healing, magical power of this ancient energy pattern. Love offering. Waynesville Creative Thought Center Located at 741 S. Haywood St., Waynesville. Info: 456-9697, waynesvilleCTC@aol.com or www.mountainshops. com/ctc. • THURSDAYS, 5:306:30pm - Zumba fitness classes with Ann Parsons. Love offering. • MONDAYS & THURSDAYS, Noon-1pm Qi Gong, Yoga and Pilates with Kim May. Love offering. • TUESDAYS, 2-3:30pm & WEDNESDAYS, 6-7:30pm - Chakra-balancing meditation and oneness blessings with Margie Brockmiller and Donna Webster. Love offering. Windhorse Zen Community Meditation, Dharma talks, private instruction available Tuesday and Thursday evenings, residential training. Teachers: Lawson Sachter and Sunya Kjolhede. Main center: 580 Panther Branch, Alexander. City center: 12 Von Ruck Court. Call for orientation. Info: 6458001 or www.windhorsezen.org. • SUNDAYS, 9:30-11am - Meditation, chanting and a Dharma talk. • TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 7-9pm Meditation and chanting. • FRIDAYS, 5:30-7:15pm - Meditation and chanting at the City Center. Women’s Pagan Chanting/ Meditation Circle • SUNDAYS, 6-8pm - Like to chant but the words don’t fit your Pagan heart? Seeking women interested in creating devotional chants to the Goddess, toning and meditation? Info: 298-8321 or faerie48@hotmail.com. Womyn in Ceremony Co-create a sacred circle of women where we will connect, share, dream and experience inner awarenesses and empowerment. Each Circle “stands alone.” Meets 12 miles NW of Asheville. By donation. Info: www. RitesofPassageCouncil. com/theresa.

• SUNDAYS, 3:45-6pm - Gathering. Xuanfa Dharma Center of Asheville • TUESDAYS, 7pm - Practice followed by a short DVD screening. Free. Call for directions: 255-4741. Zen Center of Asheville A Soto Zen Temple in downtown Asheville offering zazen instruction, weekly lectures and a regular sitting schedule. Info: www.zcasheville.org. • MONDAYS through SATURDAYS - Sittings in the mornings. Also, on Wed. evenings before lecture.

Art Gallery Exhibits & Openings American Folk Art & Framing The gallery at 64 Biltmore Ave. is open daily, representing contemporary selftaught artists and regional pottery. Info: 281-2134 or www.amerifolk.com. • Through TH (4/15) - Work by Amanda Riddle will be on display in the Oui-Oui Gallery. • TH (4/1) through FR (4/23) - Sexy Pottery explores the work of seven of our region’s most acclaimed contemporary potters: Daniel Johnston, Kim Ellington, Michael Kline, Liz Sparks, Kyle Carpenter, Michael Hunt and Naomi Dalglish. Art League of Henderson County The ALHC meets and shows exhibits at the Opportunity House, 1411 Asheville Hwy. (25N) in downtown Hendersonville. Info: 698-7868 or www. artleague.net. • Through FR (4/9) Polyrhythms, an exhibit of mixed-media art by Costanza Knight, will be on display in the Grace Etheredge Room. Art on Depot 250 Depot St., Waynesville. Info: 2460218 or www.artondepot. com. • Through FR (4/30) - An exhibition of paintings by Patrick Schneider will be on display. Arts Council of Henderson County D. Samuel Neill Gallery hours: Tues.-Fri., 1-5pm and Sat., 1-4pm. Located at 538 N. Main St., 2nd Floor, Hendersonville. Info: 693-8504 or www. acofhc.org.

• Through SA (3/27) - The Art of Our Children, an exhibition featuring the work of elementary school children, will be on display. • Through SA (5/1) Mentors & Students will be on display. • Through SA (3/27) The Elementary Students Exhibition will be on display in the Neill Gallery —- Work by Hamadi Ben Saad of Tunisia will be on display in the reception area. Asheville Art Museum Located on Pack Square in downtown Asheville. Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10am5pm and Sun., 1-5pm. Admission: $8/$7 students and seniors/Free for kids under 4. Free first Wednesdays from 3-5pm. Info: 253-3227 or www. ashevilleart.org. • Through SU (7/11) - Nouns: Children’s Book Artists Look at People, Places and Things. • Through SU (5/9) - Lorna Blaine Halper: The Space Between will be on display in Holden Community Gallery. • Through SU (7/18) - Limners to Facebook: Portraiture from the 19th to the 21st Century. Asheville Gallery of Art A co-op gallery representing 29 regional artists located at 16 College St. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10am5pm. Info: 251-5796 or www.ashevillegallery-ofart.com. • Through WE (3/31) - Reflections: Paintings Then and Now, featuring paintings by Cecil Clemons. • TH (4/1) through FR (4/30) - Chasing the Light, featuring pastels by Lorraine Plaxico. Black Mountain Center for the Arts Located in the renovated Old City Hall at 225 West State St. in Black Mountain. Info: 669-0930 or www.blackmountainarts.org. • Through FR (4/23) - Annual Emerging Artists exhibit, featuring work by students in the art classes at BMCA taught by Bob Travers, as well as work by Travers. Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center The center is located at 56 Broadway, and preserves the legacy of the Black Mountain College through permanent collections, educational activities and public programs. Info: 350-8484, bmcmac@bell-

newsoftheweird Lead story War is Hell: The day before British army chef Liam Francis, 26, arrived at his forward operating base in Afghanistan, the Taliban shot down the helicopter ferrying in food rations, and Francis had to make do with the supplies on hand: hundreds of tins of Spam plus assorted seasonings. For six weeks, Francis prepared “sweet-and-sour Spam,” “Spam fritters,” “Spam carbonara,” “Spam stroganoff” and “stir-fried Spam.” He told The Daily Telegraph that he was proud of his work but admitted that “morale improved” when fresh food arrived.

Questionable obsessions

(1) In November, Jim Bartek, 49, of Maple Heights, Ohio, announced that he was ending his streak of 524 consecutive days of listening to the album Nostradamus by the heavymetal group Judas Priest. (2) In February, Hilary Taylor, 63, of Great Yarmouth, England, revealed that she’d inherited 3,000 watering cans from her deceased uncle, Ken Strickland, who kept meticulous records of his holdings.

Leading economic indicators

• Details about Britain’s biggest marijuanaimporting operation emerged after its three managers were convicted in Southwark Crown Court in March. Despite buying real estate, jewelry and expensive cars, the enterprise took in the equivalent of up to $300 million faster than the partners could spend it. An inspector said Scotland Yard found “moldy” cash “rotting away” hidden under floorboards, noting, “It was no good to anybody.” • The Recession’s Over: Among the items on display in February at the Verona Luxury Fair in Italy: a handcrafted billiard table covered in gold sheets; an armchair topped with 20 crocodile skins; a 24-karat-gold racing bike; a boat with a Ferrari engine; a golden coffin (with cell phone); and a diamond-studded, pink chinchilla-fur wedding gown.

Animal parade

• Pigs Livin’ Large: (1) Celebrity farmer Cathy “the Midwest Madoff” Gieseker, sentenced in

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February for her $12 million Ponzi scheme, had bought (among other items) a $900 tanning bed for her “show” pigs. (2) Farmer Chang Chungtou of Yunlin County, Taiwan, drew praise from environmentalists in December for having “toilet”-trained almost all of his 20,000 pigs to use 600 specially rigged plots, which collect and separate urine and feces. Chang’s farm conserves water and facilitates recycling. • Animals With Issues: (1) Ashley Saks’ 2-yearold basset hound, Roxy, was resting comfortably in Jacksonville, Fla., in November after a vet removed, one by one, the 130 nails she’d compulsively swallowed. (2) The polar bear Aisaqvaq produced two cubs in December at Quebec’s Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Felicien. Aisaqvaq had given birth to another the previous December but had eaten it. (3) In November, maritime rescuers were called to ocean waters off the coast of Darwin, Australia, to rescue an adult cow that was dog-paddling around and, according to a seaman, “not in a good mood.” • Natural Selection: (1) Female cane toads are choosy, according to a recent article in Biology Letters. A desirable male is permitted to hop onto the female’s back and start the process, but the female can inflate special sacs in her body, making herself so large that the male slides off before completing insemination. (2) Female short-nosed fruit bats in China’s Guangdong province show their preference for certain males by fellating them, according to an October journal article. Researchers said licked males were able to copulate longer, improving the chances of insemination. (The scientists also confirmed that bats mate while upside-down.)

22nd century already

Later this year, San Diego manufacturer Organovo will begin shipping its $200,000 “bioprinter,” which creates living organs for patients needing transplants. The 3-D device

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sprays extracted cells on top of one other, in pass after pass. The cells fuse together on the bioprinter’s equivalent of a sheet of paper, growing for weeks until an organ substantial enough for research use (and, ultimately, for human transplants) is created. This is faster than growing organs from scratch, which scientists at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine have been doing for several years.

Fine points of the law

If you’re wearing a ski mask, carrying a gun, and walk into a store to rob it but leave after finding no employees there, is that “attempted robbery”? The Joliet, Ill., deputy police chief said yes after Sanjuan Reyes, 22, and two teenagers were arrested in January and charged with attempting to rob the Supermercado Viva Mexico. Two acted as lookouts while the youngest, wearing a ski mask and wielding an air pistol, entered the store. But all the employees were in the backroom, and the three fled emptyhanded.

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Unclear on the concept

In March, the Orlando Sentinel reported, sheriff’s deputies in Kissimmee, Fla., detained an undercover U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who’d aroused residents’ suspicions. The deputies discovered that in order to guard his identity as an ICE agent, the man was posing as an FBI agent.

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Least-competent criminals

(1) Jonathon Smith, 27, was arrested in March in Fairbanks, Alaska, shortly after his release on bail on charges of trying to buy three trucks from local dealers using forged checks. His latest arrest came at Seekins Ford, where police said he was trying to buy yet another pickup truck with a forged check. (2) Falmouth, Mass., police hired John Yarrington as a confidential informant on Feb. 16, setting him up with $100 in marked bills to make a cocaine buy from dealer Cory Noonan, which Yarrington completed. He left the scene but returned less than 10 minutes later, before Noonan could be arrested, and tried to buy more cocaine on his own, police said.

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south.net or www.blackmountaincollege.org. • Through SA (6/12) The Tutelary Years of Ray Johnson (1943-1967). Brevard Gallery Walks A variety of Brevard galleries and art spots open their doors. Info: 884-2787 or www.artsofbrevard.org. • 4th FRIDAYS, 5-9pm - Gallery Walk. Castell Photography A photo-based art gallery located at 2C Wilson Alley, off of Eagle St. in downtown Asheville. Info: 255-1188 or www.castellphotography.com. • Through SA (3/27) - Ooh La La, a collection of fine art nudes and boudoir photographs by Brie Castell. Center For Craft, Creativity and Design Located at the Kellogg Conference Center, 11 Broyles Road. in Hendersonville. Info: 8902050 or www.craftscreativitydesign.org. • Through FR (3/26) - Loren Schwerd’s Mourning Portrait, a series of memorials to the communities of New Orleans devastated by Hurricane Katrina, will be on display. Crimson Laurel Gallery Info: 688-3599 or www. crimsonlaurelgallery.com. • TH (4/1) through WE (6/30) - Containment, a group exhibition of ceramic boxes. Events At Folk Art Center The center is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 382 (just north of the Hwy 70 entrance in East Asheville). Open daily from 9am-6pm. Info: 298-7928 or www.craftguild.org. • Through SU (5/2) - Charles Counts: A Retrospective Exhibition will be on display. Grovewood Gallery Located at 111 Grovewood Road, Asheville. Info: 253-7651 or www.grovewood.com. • Through SU (4/4) - Women in Wood, an exhibit bringing light to the exceptional quality of work being created by women artists working in the medium of wood, both woodturning and constructed wood. Haen Gallery Located at 52 Biltmore Ave., downtown Asheville. Hours: Mon.Fri., 10am-6pm, Sat., 11am-6pm and Sun.,

Noon-5pm. Info: 2548577 or www.thehaengallery.com. • Through FR (4/30) - Inland Empire (Part III), an exhibition of landscape paintings by Francis Di Fronzo. Haywood County Arts Council The HCAC sponsors a variety of art-related events in Waynesville and Haywood County. Unless otherwise noted, showings take place at HCAC’s Gallery 86 (86 North Main St.) in Waynesville. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10am5pm. Info: 452-0593 or www.haywoodarts.org. • Through TU (4/6) - Spring to the West, an exhibit of work by LifeSpan artists. LifeSpan works to transform the lives of those with developmental disabilities. Penland School of Crafts A national center for craft education dedicated to helping people live creative lives. Info: www. penland.org or 765-2359. • TU (3/23) through SU (5/9) - Artist, Educator, Mentor, Rascal: Dolph Smith and Friends. Celebrating book arts instructor Dolph Smith’s years of teaching. • FR (3/26), 7-8:30pm - Reception for Dolph Smith and Friends exhibit. Studio 103 Fine Art Gallery Located at 103 West St., Black Mountain. Info: 357-8327 or www.studio103fineartgallery.com. • FR (3/26), 5-8pm Grand/art opening, featuring Richmond, Va. painter Chris Milk. • FR (3/26) through WE (4/28) - Paintings by Chris Milk will be on display. Transylvania Community Arts Council Located at 349 South Caldwell St. in Brevard. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10am4pm. Info: 884-2787 or www.artsofbrevard.org. • Through MO (3/29) - Mountain quilts made by members of the WNC Quilters Guild - Area 5 will be on display. Upstairs Artspace Contemporary nonprofit gallery at 49 S. Trade St. in Tryon. Hours: Tues.Sat., 11am-5pm and by appointment. Info: 8592828 or www.upstairsartspace.org. • Through SA (4/10) - Looking Back, Walking Forward: Evolution of

Southern Folk Art will be on display. WCU Exhibits Unless otherwise noted, exhibits are held at the Fine Art Museum, Fine & Performing Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University. Hours: Tues.Fri., 10am-4pm & Sat., 1-4pm. Suggested donation: $5 family/$3 person. Info: 227-2553 or www. fineartmuseum.wcu.edu. • WE (3/24), 4-6pm - Opening reception for System + Structure. • WE (3/24) through SA (5/8) - System + Structure, School of Art and Design biennial faculty exhibit. • TH (4/1) through SA (5/8) - Josefina Niggli portrait exhibit. Info: 2272786. Woolworth Walk The gallery is located at 25 Haywood St., in downtown Asheville. Info: 254-9234. • TH (4/1) through TH (4/29) - Motive, paintings by Douglas Lail, will be on display in the F.W. Front Gallery.

More Art Exhibits & Openings Art at Ananda Hair Studio The salon, located at 22 Broadway, hosts rotating art exhibits. Info: 2321017. • Through SU (3/28) Red Moon Rising Studios presents Postmodern Folk, a pottery show by Gabriel Kline. Art at the N.C. Arboretum Works by members of the Asheville Quilt Guild and regional artists are on display daily in The Visitor Education Center. Info: 665-2492 or www. ncarboretum.org. • Through MO (5/31) - On Earth’s Furrowed Brow: The Appalachian Farm in Photographs, an exhibit by Tim Barnwell, will be on display in the Education Center Gallery. Clingman Cafe Located at 242 Clingman Ave. in the River Arts District. • Through WE (3/31) - Three, featuring ceramic sculptors by Adele Macy, Susan Musialowski and Anna Koloseike, will be on display. Grand Bohemian Gallery Located at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Biltmore Village, 11 Boston Way. Info: www. bohemianhotelasheville. com or 505-2949.

54 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

• Through TH (4/15) - An exhibition by Stefano Cecchini, Italian wildlife artists, will be on display. Michael Allen Campbell Studio • FR (3/26), 5-8pm - All are invited to enjoy wine and cheese with the artist at the opening of the studio, Studio 375, 375 Depot St., Asheville’s River Arts District. Opportunity House Events Located at 1411 Asheville Hwy. in Hendersonville. Info: 698-5517 or 6920575. • Through TU (4/6) - Action Image, a photographic exhibition on the musicals produced by Flat Rock Playhouse, will be on display.

Classes, Meetings & Arts-Related Events Adult Drawing Classes • Beginner-Intermediate (pd.) With Artist/Teacher Deborah Tatko. • Extraordinary results guaranteed. • 25 years of success. • 8 week session, Wednesdays, 6:30pm-8:30pm, March 17-May 5. $150. Call (828) 423-6891 or dtatko@charter.net Clay Mosaics (pd.) Art workshop presented by Roots + Wings School of Art. Sat. April 3rd and 17th. 1-5pm. $90 total. Ages 18+. Registration and more information at www.rootsandwingsart.com or call 828-545-4827. Drawing and Painting Classes At The Island Studios (pd.) Ongoing classes and workshops in drawing and painting the figure, portrait, landscape, and more. Classical to Impressionism. Newly renovated studios. (864) 201-9363. www.theislandstudios.com Autism Community Center Offers various group activities for youths and adults. Open to anyone, the groups are autism and special needs friendly and are run by creative professionals. One-time trial $20, register online. Info: www.autismcommunitycenter.com or 313-9313. • WEDNESDAYS, 10:30am-1pm - Arts group for adults. Draw-a-Thon • FR (3/26), 5-11pm & SA (3/27), 9am-7:30pm - Draw from live models. Hosted by the Turchin Center, in collaboration with ASU’s Department of

Art and Art Management Organization, the event is open to artists of all levels and ages. Info: 262-7520. Laurel Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America Holds monthly meetings and smaller groups dedicated to teaching different types of needlework. The chapter is also involved in numerous outreach projects. Guests are always welcome at meetings. Info: 654-9788 or www.egacarolinas.org. • TH (4/1), 9:30am Registration followed by a short business meeting and the program. Abbey Doyle of My Garden of Beadin’ in Hendersonville will teach steps in making a wire beaded pansy. $15. Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League Classes are held at the studio, 999 W. Old Rt. 70, Black Mountain. Info: svfal.info@gmail.com or www.svfal.org. • THURSDAYS, Noon3pm - Experimental Art Group. Experimental learning and sharing water-media techniques and collage. $20 for four sessions or $6/session. • FRIDAYS, 10am-1pm - Open studio for figure drawing. Small fee for model. • MONDAYS, Noon-3pm - Open studio for portrait painting. Small fee for model. The Fine Arts League of the Carolinas Located at 362 Depot St. in the River Arts District. Info: 252-5050 or www. fineartsleague.org. • FR (3/26), 5-8pm - Salon Friday will feature student and faculty artwork. Etchings, anatomical drawings, figure drawings, still-life drawings and paintings, portraits and the work of Vadim Bora’s first sculpture class at the League.

Art/Craft Fairs Boone Handmade Market • SU (3/28), 1-5pm - An indoor art, fashion, jewelry and anything handmade show, featuring more than 30 artists of the High Country, at The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. Info: www. tcva.org.

Spoken & Written Word Attention WNC Mystery Writers

WNC Mysterians critique and discussion group. For serious mystery/suspense/thriller writers. Info: 712-5570 or wncmysterians.org. • TH (3/25), 6pm - Meeting at the West Asheville Library on Haywood Road in the meeting room. Book Club • Last TUESDAYS, 7pm - Meeting at Barnes & Noble in Biltmore Park. The group is currently reading Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Info: 808-9470. Buncombe County Public Libraries LIBRARY ABBRVIATIONS - Each Library event is marked by the following location abbreviations: n BM = Black Mountain Library (105 N. Dougherty St., 250-4756) n EA = East Asheville Library (902 Tunnel Road, 250-4738) n LE = Leicester Library (1561 Alexander Road, 250-6480) n Library storyline: 250KIDS. • MO (3/29), 6:30pm - The winner of the “Write the Great American Novel” essay contest will read a chapter of their work. Bob Thomas, author of Ben Hogan’s Secret, will be guest speaker at the program. BM. • TU (3/30), 6:30pm Library Knitters meet. LE. • TH (4/1), 6:30pm Book Club: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. EA. • TH (4/1) through MO (4/12) - Black Mountain Library Poetry Contest for adults and children ages 8 and older. Call the library for details. BM. Call to Writers • New online lit journal, Blue Lotus Review, now accepting year-round submissions. Info: www. bluelotusreview.com. Carl Sandburg Home Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is located three miles south of Hendersonville off U.S. 25 on Little River Road. Info: 693-4178 or www. nps.gov/carl. • FR (3/26), 7pm - The Carl Sandburg Poetry Contest and Celebration will be held at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse and will feature a reading by guest speaker and poet Christina Lovin.

• SA (3/27), 2-4pm - Writer-in-residence Christina Lovin will lead a poetry workshop. Reservations encouraged. Events at Accent on Books The bookstore is located at 854 Merrimon Ave. Events are free and open to the public. Info: 2526255 or www.accentonbooks.com. • FR (3/26), 6pm Lenten Contemplation Series: Local religious author Katerina Whitley will read and discuss Walking the Way of Sorrows: Stations of the Cross. Light refreshments will be served. Events at Malaprop’s The bookstore and cafe at 55 Haywood St. hosts visiting authors for talks and book signings. Info: 254-6734 or www.malaprops.com. • TH (3/25), 7pm Local photographer and writer Rob Amberg will read from his book The New Road: I-26 and the Footprints of Progress. • FR (3/26), 7pm - Alan Deniro will read from and sign copies of his novel Total Oblivion. • SA (3/27), 7pm - Neal Hutcheson and Gary Carden will present the DVD The Last One. A discussion will follow. • SU (3/28), 3pm - Maureen Healy will read from her book 365 Perfect Things to Say to Your Kids. • TH (4/1), 7pm - David Shields will read from and sign copies of his book RealityHunger: A Manifesto. Events at Spellbound Spellbound Children’s Bookshop is located at 19 Wall St., in downtown Asheville. Info: 232-2228 or spellboundbooks@ netzero.com. • SA (3/27), 3pm Paperback release party for Zane’s Trace by local poet/author Allen Wolf, who will read and discuss his award-winning novel in verse for teens. Interactive presentation and refreshments with signing to follow. • SA (3/27), 10:30am & SU (3/28), 3:30pm - Kindermusik educator Yvette Odell presents a free workshop for parents with babies 0-18 months. Learn about ways to read to babies and how they interact with books. Musical fun, too. FENCE Events

The Foothills Equestrian Nature Center is located in Tryon. Free. Info: 8599021 or www.fence.org. • SU (3/28), 4pm - Armchair Traveler: Take a journey through gardens in Normandy, France with Shields and Frances Flynn of Tryon. Refreshments will be served. Flood Reading Series at the Posana Cafe • FR (3/26), 7-9pm - Ed Falco and Debra Allbery will read at the Posana Cafe. Ed Falco’s recent books include the novels Saint John of the Five Boroughs and Wolf Point. Debra Allbery’s books include Walking Distance and a new collection, Fimbul-Winter, forthcoming in October. Haywood County Public Library System The main branch is located at 678 S. Haywood St., Waynesville. The county system includes branches in Canton, Maggie Valley, Fines Creek and Cruso. Info: 452-5169 or www.haywoodlibrary.org. • WEDNESDAYS, 1:30pm - Ready 4 Learning. A story time designed for 4 and 5-year-olds with a focus on kindergarten readiness. This story time runs Sept.-May. • THURSDAYS, 11am - Movers & Shakers. This story time for active 2 and 3-year-olds incorporates dance, physical activity, songs and ageappropriate books. • TUESDAYS, 11am - Family story time at the Fines Creek Branch Library. We will read books, tell stories, learn songs and finger plays, and do a simple craft. Info: 627-0146. • TUESDAYS, 11:15am - Family story time for children of all ages at the Canton Branch Library. We will read books, listen to songs, and learn finger plays. Info: 648-2924. Kathy Dolan Book Signing Event • SA (3/27), 1-3pm Dolan will be available to sign copies of her inspirational Christian book One Way Walk at Brighter Day Coffee, 102 College Station Dr., Brevard. Info: (888) 361-9473. Spring Literary Festival at WCU • MO (3/22) through TH (3/25) - A diverse panel of authors of various literary genres will be featured as guest speak-

consciousparty

fun fundraisers

who:

Will Ray’s Mountain Jam for Bolivia: Will Ray, Sons of Ralph, and many talented others will ignite the Fletcher Feed & Seed with a variety of exciting music — sometimes bluegrass, sometimes acoustic, sometimes a surprise, say benefit organizers. Admission is FREE. For more information, visit www.feedandseednc. com and www.partnership.appstate.edu/ activities/bolivia.

benefits:

An orphanage, school and children’s library in Cochabamba, Bolivia

where:

Fletcher Feed & Seed 3715 Hendersonville Road Fletcher, NC 28732

when:

Tuesday, March 30 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Benefits Calendar for March 24 - April 1, 2010 Art With a Purpose • FR (3/26), 6-8pm - Mixed-media art exhibit, fundraiser and domestic violence awareness event held at St. Paul’s Ministry Center, located at 32 Rosscraggon Road. Refreshments provided. Proceeds benefit S.O.S. Mission. Info: rchovey@sos.spc-asheville.org. Asheville Area Arts Council AAAC is located at 11 Biltmore Ave. Info: 258-0710 or www.ashevillearts.com. • FR (3/26) - The art council’s gala fundraiser “The Crystal Ball” will be held at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. Call for details. ers. All events are free. Info: www.litfestival.org, madams@wcu.edu or 227-3270. Writers’ Workshop Events WW offers a variety of classes and events for beginning and experienced writers. Info: 254-8111 or www.twwoa.org. • Through FR (4/30) - Poetry Contest. Multiple entries are accepted. Poems should not exceed two pages. $20/$15 members.

Food Autism Community Center Offers various group activities for youths and adults. Open to anyone, the groups are autism and special needs friendly and are run by creative professionals. One-time trial $20, register online. Info:

www.autismcommunitycenter.com or 313-9313. • FRIDAYS, 10:30am1pm - Cooking groups for adults. Waynesville Recreation Center Located at 550 Vance St. in Waynesville. Info: 456-2030 or recyouth@ townofwaynesville.org. • THURSDAYS (3/25 through 5/27), 11am2pm - “Cooking Around the World.” Each class focuses on a different culinary theme and will include programs featuring recipes from Italy, China, Japan and more. $24/$30 nonmembers. Info: recoutdoorprograms@townofwaynesville.org.

Festivals & Gatherings Asheville Twestival

Asheville Community Theatre’s Theatrical Rummage Sale • SA (3/27), 10am-4pm - The sale will be held in ACT’s lobby, and will feature men’s and women’s clothing (dresses, accessories, hats, vests, shirts, skirts), adult and children’s costumes, jewelry, books and scripts, oriental-style rugs. Info: 253-4931. Eblen-Kimmel Charities Info: 255-3066 or www.eblencharities.org. • TH (3/25), 7pm - Andrew Institute for Leadership and Public Service presents “Maxwell on Leadership,” a benefit for Eblen-Kimmel, at Biltmore Baptist Church, Asheville. John Maxwell is an internationally respected leadership expert, speaker and author. Freedom Ball • TH (3/25), 5-11pm The focus at this twestival event will be on education. Family fun time from 56:45pm. At Club 828. Info & tix: www.amiando.com/ Twestival2010_Asheville. html. Black Mountain Recreation & Parks Egg Hunts Free to the community. Info: www.bmrecreation. com. • FR (3/26), 8-8:45pm - “Night Owl Teen Egg Hunt” for youths in grades 6-8. There will be music, games, candy, prizes and more. Bring a flashlight. •SA (3/27), 3pm - The annual Egg Hunt will be held. There will be a hunt for toddlers, kids and adults. Snacks, crafts, games, music and more. Info: 669-2052. Downtown Market Celebration

• FR (3/26) through SU (3/28) - Amazing Savings Grocery will re-open in the Market on Fri. Focal Points, the Market’s new fine arts & antique gallery will have its grand opening on Sat., featuring 18 booths. Plus, live music, food, children’s activities and more. Info: www. downtownmarketasheville. com.

Easter Eggstravaganza Giant inflatables, crafts, face painting, balloon twists, egg hunts and more at Carrier Park, located along the French Broad River on Amboy Road. All children will receive a free Easter goody bag. Plus, take a family photo with the Easter Bunny. Free. Info: 253-3714 or www.ashevillenc.gov.

• TH (4/1), 7pm-Midnight - Crystal Kind and Current Invention will headline the second annual “Freedom Ball: A Fundraiser for N.C. Death Row Exoneree Edward Chapman” at the Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. There will also be a silent auction. $12 at the door. All proceeds will go to Edward Chapman. Junior League of Asheville A local nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the potential of women, improving the community through various projects and promoting volunteerism. Info: www. juniorleagueasheville.org, jlofa@charter.net or 254-5608. • TH (3/25), 6-9pm - Spring Soiree, a party with food, drinks, live music and exclusive shopping in the Spring Market. At Biltmore Park Town Square. • SA (3/27), 2-4pm - Bojangles’ Easter Eggstravaganza. The Mountain Thunder Cloggers will perform. Egg hunts for ages 4-10 will be held at 4pm. Edible Book Festival A panel comprised of local restaurant owners, writers and artists will judge participating books. The top three artists will receive prizes. Everyone in attendance will have an opportunity to rate the pieces. Hosted by Asheville BookWorks, 428 1/2 Haywood Road. Info: 255-8444 or www.ashevillebookworks.com. • TH (4/1) - Second annual Festival. Arrive hungry! Proceeds from this event will fund scholarships for classes at BookWorks for residents of Asheville and surrounding communities.

Greek Orthodox Church’s Luncheon & Bake Sale At the Hellenic Hall of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Ave. Info: 253-3754 or 254-7424. • SU (3/28), 11am-2pm - Holy Trinity’s Ladies Philoptochos Society Palm Sunday Luncheon. Homemade Greek food and pastries. Plus, Greek music and dancing. Bring the family. Take-out beginning at 10:30am. Call to order food and pastries.

Music Sh*t Loads Of Vintage Vinyl! (pd.) All genres! Especially 70’s Jazz: Miles, Trane, McCoy, Ornette, Jarrett, ECM, CTI, Vanguard. Very low prices. Visit us in Brevard, across from the

• FR & SA (3/26 & 27), 10am-8pm & SU (3/28), Noon-5pm - Spring Market, full of collections brought to Asheville by local and national creators. At Biltmore Park Town Square. • SA (3/27), 8am - Spring Into Action 5K Run/Walk, supporting MANNA FoodBank. Bring a food donation to support MANNA FoodBank. At Biltmore Park Town Square —- 8am - Bunny Brunch. Come out and see the Easter Bunny and friends, join the Easter Egg hunt, enjoy brunch and more. At Biltmore Park Town Square. Advanced ticket purchase required. Red Cross Runaway Fashion Show & Brunch • SA (3/27), 11:30am-2pm - This benefit event for the Henderson County Chapter of the American Red Cross will be held at the Hendersonville Country Club. Attendees will receive a gift card. Raffle will include jewelry. To purchase tickets: 693-5605 or www.hcredcross. org. Run for the Paws 5K • SU (3/28), 1:30pm - The 5K race and one-mile run/ walk (dogs welcome) will be held at Fletcher Park. All proceeds benefit Brother Wolf Animal Rescue animals and the no-kill shelter.. A pet and wellness fair will be held after the run. $25. Pick up registration packets from 11am to 1pm. Will Ray’s Mountain Jam for Bolivia • TU (3/30), 7:30-9:30pm - The Fletcher Feed & Seed will ignite in support of the children of Bolivia. Free event showcasing local talent, including Sons of Ralph. Sometimes bluegrass, sometimes acoustic, sometimes a surprise. Donations for children’s organizations in Bolivia appreciated. Info: www.feedandseednc.com.

MORE BENEFITS EVENTS ONLINE

Check out the Benefits Calendar online at www.mountainx.com/events for info on events happening after April 1.

CALENDAR DEADLINE

The deadline for free and paid listings is 5 p.m. WEDNESDAY, one week prior to publication. Questions? Call (828)251-1333, ext. 365

College: Rockin Robin Records African Drumming With Billy Zanski at Skinny Beats Drum Shop, 4 Eagle St., downtown Asheville. Drums provided. No experience necessary. Suggested donation $10 per class. Drop-ins welcome. Info: 768-2826. • WEDNESDAYS, 6-7pm - Beginners. • SUNDAYS, 1-2pm Intermediates —- 2-3pm - Beginners. Asheville Chamber Music Series This series of concerts is held at the Unitarian Universalist Church on the corner of Charlotte St. and Edwin Pl., unless otherwise noted. Tickets at the door/Free for students. Info: 658-2562 or www. main.nc.us/ashevillechambermusic.

• FR (3/26), 8pm - The Borodin Quartet will perform. $40. Autism Community Center Offers various group activities for youths and adults. Open to anyone, the groups are autism and special needs friendly and are run by creative professionals. One-time trial $20, register online. Info: www.autismcommunitycenter.com or 313-9313. • MONDAYS, 1-2pm Music groups for adults. Black Mountain Center for the Arts Musical Events Located at 225 West State St. in Black Mountain. Info: 669-0930 or www. BlackMountainArts.org. • FR (3/26), 7:30pm - Concert by Renae and Jamie Brame. $10 donation at the door. Hendersonville Chamber Music

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 55

Concerts take place at First Congregational Church of Hendersonville. Tickets: $17/show. Students are free. Info: www.hendersonvillechambermusic.org. • SU (3/28), 3pm - The Diverse Quartet (viola, piano, clarinet and contralto) will perform. Land-of-the-Sky Barbershop Chorus For men age 12 and older. Info: www.ashevillebarbershop.com or 768-9303. • TUESDAYS, 7:30pm - Open Rehearsals at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 51 Wilburn Pl. Music and Dance From Zimbabwe • FR (3/26), 7:30pm - Concert at the Woodfin Community Center featuring Mbira master from Zimbabwe Musekiwa Chingodza introducing Asheville’s own Chikomo Marimba. $12 in advance at Skinny Beats Drum Shop/$15 at the door. Info: 777-0922 or wombbaba@hotmail.com. Music at First United Methodist Church Located at 204 Sixth Ave. W., Hendersonville. Info: 693-4275, music@hvlfumc.org or www.hvlfumc. org. • SU (3/28), 8:30am & 10:55am - The Chancel Choir and Orchestra presents “Messiah Part II.” Music at LaRue’s Backdoor • WE (3/24) - Concert by indie/folk band Dark Dark Dark’s. LaRue’s Backdoor is located at 237 Haywood St. Info: 252-1014. For ages 21 and older. Music at UNCA Concerts are held in Lipinsky Auditorium, unless otherwise noted. Tickets & info: 232-5000. • TH (3/25), 4:15pm - Chamber Music Series Lecture featuring the Borodin Quartet in the Reuter Center. Free. • SA (3/27), 7:30pm - The UNCA Big Band will perform a jazz concert. $5/Free for students. Song O’ Sky Chorus (Sweet Adelines International) The chorus is always looking for women 18+ who want to learn how to sing barbershop harmony. Please visit a rehearsal. Info: 1-866-824-9547 or www.songosky.org. • MONDAYS, 6:45pm - Rehearsal at Reed Memorial Baptist Church on Fairview Rd. (enter parking lot on Cedar St.). Guests welcome.

St. Matthias Musical Performances These classical music concerts take place at St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Asheville, 1 Dundee St. (off South Charlotte). Info: 252-0643. • SU (3/28), 3pm Cantaria, the gay Men’s Chorus of Asheville, will perform a concert of Broadway favorites. A free-will offering will be taken for the group and for the restoration of the historic church. Static Age Records 82-A N. Lexington Ave. Info: 254-3232. • TH (4/1), 9:30pm - Indie rockers Tartufi will perform a live show with The Judas Horse and Pilgrim. Info: www. myspace.com/tartufi. The Brevard Philharmonic Performances are held at Brevard College’s Porter Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets & info: 884-4221 or www. BrevardPhilharmonic.org. • SU (3/28), 3pm Marimba Day. Brevard Philharmonic presents guest artist Laura Franklin on marimba. Rosauro, Handel, Tchaikovsky. $25/$5 youth. WNC Agricultural Center Hosts agricultural events, horse shows and farmrelated competitions. Located at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road. in Fletcher. Info: 687-1414. • FR (3/26), 7pm American Idol alum Bucky Covington will perform country music.

Theater Pluto v. Eris: The Trial of Discord • FR & SA (3/26 & 27), 89:30pm - Come see a new play that responds to the conflict over the change in Pluto’s planetary status. Performances benefit Vance Elementary’s NASA program. Cast aged 1374; a play for all ages. At Vance Elementary. $8 suggested donation. Info: www.pluto-v-eris.org. Asheville Puppetry Alliance A nonprofit arts organization bringing quality puppet theater to WNC. Info: 628-9576 or www. ashevillepuppetry.org. • SA (3/27), 11am - The Young Audience Series presents Mountain Marionettes’ Stories From Aunt Nelly’s Mountain Home, a toe-tapping journey through the Blue Ridge Mountains. At Diana Wortham Theatre.

$7. Tickets: 257-4530 or www.dwtheatre.com Autism Community Center Offers various group activities for youths and adults. Open to anyone, the groups are autism and special needs friendly and are run by creative professionals. One-time trial $20, register online. Info: www.autismcommunitycenter.com or 313-9313. • WEDNESDAYS, 4:305:30pm - Theater groups for teens. Flat Rock Playhouse The State Theater of North Carolina is on Hwy. 225, 3 miles south of Hendersonville. Info: 6930731 or www.flatrockplayhouse.org. • WE (3/31) through SU (4/25), 2pm - My Own Song, staring Las Vegas actor Clint Holmes, will be performed. Wed.-Sat., 8pm and Sun., 2pm. $40. Hendersonville Little Theatre Located at the Barn on State St., between Kanuga and Willow Roads in Hendersonville. $14/$8 or $18/$10 for musicals. Info: 692-1082 or www. hendersonvillelittletheatre. org. • FRIDAY & SATURDAYS, 8pm & SUNDAYS, 2pm (through 3/28) - The drama/comedy Visiting Mr. Green will be performed. $14/$8 for young adults and children ages 18 and under. Montford Park Players Unless otherwise noted, performances are free and take place outdoors Fri.Sun. at 7:30 p.m. at Hazel Robinson Amphitheater in Montford. Bring folding chair and umbrella in case of rain. Donations accepted. Info: 254-5146 or www.montfordparkplayers.org. • TH (4/1) through SU (4/11) - Oscar Wilde’s comedy The Importance of Being Earnest will be performed at the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. Performances are held Thur.-Sun. (no performance on Easter). $15/$10 seniors and students. Thursdays are “pay-what-you-can” nights. Tryon Fine Arts Center The gallery is at 34 Melrose Ave. in Tryon. Open Mon.-Fri., 9am-Noon & 1:30-4pm; Sat., 9am1pm. Info: 859-8322 or www.tryonarts.org • FR (3/26), 8pm - Runt of the Litter, a dramatic play starring Bo Eason,

56 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

will be performed. $20/$10 students.

Dance

Comedy

Argentine Tango Dancers of all levels welcome. Info: www.tangoasheville.com. • SUNDAYS (except 1st), 7-10pm - Argentine Tango Practica at North Asheville Recreation Center, 37 E. Larchmont Rd. $5 for members/$6 for nonmembers. Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre Performances are held at BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St., Asheville. Info & tickets: 254-2621. • FR & SA (3/26 & 27), 7:30pm - Hello, Adios, a dance concert featuring ACDT’s Junior Company and dancers from the experimental performance group of the Bellas Artes School in Merida, Mexico. $10. Reservations suggested. Asheville Culture Project A cultural arts community center offering ongoing classes in Capoeira Angola and Samba percussion. Other instructors, groups and organizations are invited to share the space. Info: www.ashevillecultureproject.org. • WEEKLY - Capoeira Angola, an Afro-Brazilian martial art taught and practiced through a game involving dance, music, acrobatics, theater and the Portuguese language. Mondays, 7-9pm, beginners class; Wednesdays, 7-9pm, intermediate class; Fridays, 7-9pm, intermediate class; Saturdays, 10am-Noon, beginners class. $12 (free for first timers on 2nd and 4th Sat.). Info: www.capoeiraasheville.org. Classes at Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre Classes are by donation and on a drop-in basis. Classes are held at the New Studio of Dance, 20 Commerce St. in downtown Asheville. Info: www. acdt.org or 254-2621. • THURSDAY, 7:30-9pm - Wacky Wild Dance/’80s Aerobics: Dress up in outrageous outfits and dance. $5-10 suggested donation. • TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 6-7:30pm - Modern classes. By donation. • MONDAYS, Noon1:30pm - Fusion Flow Yoga: A blend of Hatha, improvisation and meditation. $5-10 suggested donation.

Skyland Performing Arts Center Located at 538 N. Main St. in Hendersonville. Info: 693-0087 or www. BRPAC.org. • SA (3/27), 7:30pm - Comedian Pam Stone. $22. The Feral Chihuahuas Asheville’s premiere sketch comedy troupe can be reached at 280-0107 or feralcomedy@yahoo. com. Tickets & info: www. feralchihuahuas.com. • TH & FR (4/1 & 2), 8pm - April Fool’s Day Comedy Extravaganza, complete with mini off-off Broadway musical, at the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. $10.

Film F-Word Film Festival The annual F-Word Film Festival: A Celebration of Images By and About Women (But for All Audiences) will screen feminist documentaries in UNCA’s Humanities Lecture Hall. Panel discussions with UNCA faculty and students will follow the screenings. Free. Info: 251-6590. • TH (3/25), 7pm - Club Native examines the lives of four Mohawk women deeply impacted by racism and prejudice. Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority explores the political story of Patsy Takemoto Mink, an Asian-American woman who battled racism and sexism. Movies for Healing • SU (3/28), 4-6pm - Screening of Food Inc., which exposes how our nation’s food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the American farmer and the environment. At Westgate Earth Fare. $5. Southern Circuit Tour The nation’s only regional tour of independent filmmakers, providing communities with an interactive way of experiencing independent film. Films will be shown in the theater of A.K. Hinds University Center on the WCU campus. Free. Info: www.southarts.org/southerncircuit or 227-3622. • TH (3/25) - God’s Architects.

Classes at Asheville Dance Revolution Sponsored by The Cultural Development Group. At 63 Brook St. Info: 277-6777 or ashevilledancerevolution@gmail.com. • TUESDAYS, 8-9:15pm - Beginning/Intermediate Adult Jazz. • FRIDAYS, 4-5pm - Boys Dance Combo Class. This is for boys interested in dance. The class touches on all styles of dance for the male dancer —- 67:30pm - African dance with Sarah Yancey featuring live drumming. Open to all. $14. Morris Dancing Learn English traditional Morris dances and become a member of one of three local teams as a dancer or musician. Music instruction provided to experienced musicians. Free. Info: 994-2094 or www.ashevillemorris.us. • MONDAYS, 5:30pm Women’s Garland practice held at Reid Center for Creative Art. Moving Women A collaborative performance and modern dance ensemble. Info: www. movingwomen.org or contact@movingwomen.org. • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS (3/18 through 3/27), 7:30pm - The Trunk Show, a concert of modern dance and movement theatre, will be performed at N.C. Stage Company, 15 Stage Lane. $15/$6 minimum donation on March 18. Skyland Twirlers Western square dancing at the Senior Opportunity Center (not just for seniors), 36 Grove St., near the Federal Building in downtown Asheville. Info: 650-6405. • FR (2/26), 7-9:30pm - ‘50s Sock Hop Dance. A Plus Workshop starts at 7pm, followed by Mainstream and Plus tips, with some line and round dances, from 7:30-9:30pm. $5 for nonmembers. Swing Asheville Info: www.swingasheville.com, 301-7629 or dance@swingasheville. com. • TUESDAYS, 6-7pm Beginner lindy-hop swing lessons. $12/person per week for 4-week series or $10 for members. Join at SwingAsheville.com. No partner necessary. Let your inner dancer out. 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. Classes start

first Tuesday of every month. Zimbabwean Dance Classes • TU (3/23), 7:30-8:30pm & TH (3/25), 7-8pm - Mbira master from Zimbabwe Musekiwa Chingodza will teach traditional Zimbabwean dance classes at Terpsicorps Dance Studio, 129 Roberts St. $15/class. Info: wombbaba@hotmail. com or 777-0922.

Auditions & Call to Artists Birdhouse Auction Call for Submissions • Through SA (5/1) Calling all crafters, artists and bird-lovers. Make a birdhouse, bathouse, bird feeder or yard art for the 8th annual Bountiful Cities Birdhouse Auction. Auctioned donations will help bring locally grown produce to more people. Info: 257-4000. Castell Photography A photo-based art gallery located at 2C Wilson Alley, off of Eagle St. in downtown Asheville. Info: 255-1188 or www.castellphotography.com. • Through TH (4/1) - Call for entries for The Lensless Image, a juried exhibit of pinhole photography or any photographic image created without the use of a lens. $25 entry fee for the first three images, $5 for each additional image. Edible Book Festival A panel comprised of local restaurant owners, writers and artists will judge participating books. The top three artists will receive prizes. Everyone in attendance will have an opportunity to rate the pieces. Hosted by Asheville BookWorks, 428 1/2 Haywood Road. Info: 255-8444 or www.ashevillebookworks.com. • Through TH (4/1) - All entries must integrate text/literary inspirations in a “book-like” form, which must be entirely edible. Please provide a list of ingredients. Books that do not need refrigeration should be delivered on March 30 or 31. Books that need refrigeration should be delivered on April 1, by 1pm. Performances at the Parkway Playhouse The historic Parkway Playhouse is located at 202 Green Mountain Dr. (just north of the downtown square) in Burnsville.

Tickets & info: 682-4285 or www.parkwayplayhouse.com. • SU (3/28), 2pm - Open auditions for the plays and musicals scheduled for the upcoming season will be held at the Mountain Heritage Center in Burnsville, 113 Green Mountain Drive. Musicians for orchestra and band positions, staff for the theatres box office, production office and scene shop are also needed. Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation The Foundation’s mission is to save healthy, adoptable animals in the Haywood County Animal Control facility. Located at 1659 S. Main St., Waynesville. Info: www. sargeandfriends.org or 246-9050. • Through FR (4/16) - Now accepting photographs for Sarge’s fourth annual Pet Photography Contest. Awards ceremony on April 24 at 10am at Bocelli’s Italian Eatery in Waynesville. Entry forms can be found on Sarge’s Web site. Seeking Art of All Sorts • Seeking art of all sorts, music, movie shorts and other multi-media, for Blue Lotus Review, a new online journal for music, art, literature and more. Accepting submissions year-round. Info: www. bluelotusreview.com. Seeking Bands for Montreat’s Battle of the Bands • Through SA (4/3) - Application deadline. Montreat College Music Business now seeking amateur bands. First place: $500, 20 Hours at Perelandra Recording Studio. Second place: $200. The battle will begin April 16 at Anderson Auditorium, Montreat. Info: http://montreatmusicbusiness.com. Tulip Extravaganza Photo Contest • Through (4/26) - Submissions will be accepted for this annual contest. All photographs must be taken in downtown Hendersonville and winners will be announced on April 30. Info: 6976393.

CALENDAR DEADLINE

The deadline for free and paid listings is 5 p.m. WEDNESDAY, one week prior to publication. Questions? Call (828)2511333, ext. 365

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 57

greenscene

environmental news

Not just numbers

CTS neighbors say EPA documents point to agency negligence, coverup by David Forbes In a dramatic March 18 press conference, residents living near the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site leveled charges of incompetence at local, state and federal officials whom they say later tried to cover up their mistakes. “For a long time we’ve been fighting to get the information, to make it less confusing,” noted resident Tate MacQueen, who led the presentation. “At the end of this road, [the actions of officials toward the CTS site] have become quite clear: It’s not confusing what we’re talking about: There was a mistake, and now they’re trying to hide that mistake.” About 50 people gathered at the Bishop Fire Station in Fletcher to call for a full cleanup and an investigation into the actions of government agencies that MacQueen asserts were grossly negligent. Since then, he maintains, they’ve tried to cover up their initial error in not cleaning up the site in the 1990s by calling for more studies rather than proceeding with a swift action. “This was one act of incompetence followed by years of competent actions to cover up their mistake,” charged MacQueen. (See “FailSafe?” July 11, 2007 Xpress.) Although testing began in 1990, no one thought “to walk 75 feet to the Rice property and ask them where they got their water from,” he continued, projecting internal EPA documents on a screen behind him. In 1999, the stream behind the Rices’ home

was found to be highly contaminated, and the EPA has since designated their property — but not the abandoned electroplating plant nearby that’s believed to be the source of the trichloroethylene contamination — a Superfund site. Meanwhile, although the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources (using the EPA’s own data) kept the CTS property on its own list of inactive hazardous sites until the mid-’90s, MacQueen noted, both DENR and Buncombe County eventually allowed the bulk of the property to be developed. In 2002, EPA project manager Don Rigger, who’s now the director of Superfund sites for the entire region, scaled back the area being monitored from 57 acres to 9. The other 48 acres had been sold to a developer — which MacQueen maintains should never have been allowed to happen. “A lot of people throw the word ‘coverup’ around,” he said. “But when there’s been a degree of malfeasance at the local, state and federal levels, it is imperative that it be brought to light so we can move forward, so we can fix what has for so long been broken.”

County also blamed

MacQueen’s presentation also targeted county officials, whom he said were negligent in 1990 when they chose to pass on information about possible contamination to DENR instead of informing residents directly. And in allowing development of the site, the activists maintain, the county also failed to do due

“No is not an option:” Shannon Robinson, who lives near the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site and has faced multiple medical problems, joins activists in calling for a cleanup of the site and investigation of its handling by local, state and federal agencies. Photo by Jonathan Welch

diligence on agency claims that the area was safe. The activists called for an immediate cleanup of contaminated soil from under the abandoned plant, and for the site to be placed on the Superfund list. In addition, they maintained, a barrier should be erected to prevent more ground-water contamination, and municipal water should be provided to every resident who might be affected by spreading groundwater contamination. They also said the state attorney general’s office should investigate DENR’s conduct, and a congressional/criminal investigation should be launched into the conduct of EPA Region IV officials’ handling of the site. The activists (including the Rices themselves) say the Rice property should be removed from the Superfund list, since it’s not the source of the pollution. They also want compensation for both the Rice and Robinson families, who have faced some of the highest levels of contamination and have dealt with numerous medical problems over the years that they believe are linked to the CTS contamination. “These people are not just numbers,” said MacQueen after reading off a long list of cancers, growth defects and surgeries that members of the two families have had to endure.

A threat to public health

In 2002, according to an EPA document quoted by MacQueen, testers found that “the situation poses a threat to public health.”

58 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

Subsequent studies, and attempts to downplay the health threats, are merely ways to skirt the need for a swift cleanup, he maintained. “Pretending this problem can be studied away — that’s an insult to our intelligence,” MacQueen proclaimed. “They have no excuse now: The secret’s out,” he declared, adding that the activists would no longer be seeking information, but action. “‘No’ is not an option here. ... CTS could cut a check for this cleanup today. This is a matter of life and death.” MacQueen also asked audience members to call Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chair David Gantt and urge him to take possession of the site and have the contamination recorded on county deed maps. Neighborhood resident Shannon Robinson, who said she once collapsed in the shower due to toxic fumes, described her family as “medical-bill poor. I couldn’t raise my son for his first seven years,” she noted, due to being constantly in and out of the hospital for surgeries. County health officials attended the press conference, along with staffers from DENR and the offices of Rep. Heath Shuler and Sens. Richard Burr and Kay Hagan. No EPA representative was present. X David Forbes can be reached at dforbes@ mountainx.com or at 251-1333, ext. 137.

Eco Calendar for March 24 - April 1, 2010 Clear Water Contractor Training • SA (3/27) - Regional Clear Water Contractor Training. Several development-related organizations have joined together to provide training for regional contractors on the laws and best practices pertaining to sediment, erosion and stormwater control. $35. Info: www.clearwatercontractors.org or 712-0972. ECO Events The Environmental and Conservation Organization is dedicated to preserving the natural heritage of Henderson County and the mountain region as an effective voice of the environment. Located at 121 Third Ave. W. Hendersonville. Info: 692-0385 or www.ecownc.org. • 4th THURSDAYS, Noon-1:30pm - Board meeting. Visitors are welcome. Environmental Programs at Warren Wilson College Info: 771-2002. • SA (3/27) - Insulate. Learn about serving lowincome homeowners who have requested homerepair assistance to reduce energy bills. • WE (3/31), 6:30-8pm - “Peak Oil and Community Resilience,” a presentation with Laura Lengnick in Ransom Fellowship Hall. Invasive Exotic Plants & Medicinal Uses • SA (3/27), 9:30am-5pm - The WNC Alliance, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Wind Fox Herbal will offer a free workshop on using invasive weeds as medicinal herbs in Zeis Hall, room 014, on the UNCA campus. To sign up: 254-3708. N.C. Arboretum Events The Arboretum hosts a variety of educational programs. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free with parking fee ($8/vehicle). No parking fees on 1st Tuesdays. Info: 665-2492 or www. ncarboretum.org. • TU (3/30), 10:30am-Noon - “Truth about Bird Feeding,” with Simon Thompson. Peak Oil and Community Resilience • FR (3/26), 1pm & 3pm - A discussion focused on the challenges of peak oil with Laura Lengnick, Ph.D. Held at the Riceville Community Center, 2251 Riceville Road. Info: 298-0681. Seeking Earth Day Short Student FIlms • Through SA (4/10) - The Environmental and Conservation Organization is seeking films from students currently attending schools in Henderson County that concern the subject of environmental stewardship. All films must be submitted on DVD to ECO, 121 Third Ave. W. Suite 4, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Sierra Club Members of the WNC Sierra Club Chapter work together to protect the community and the planet. The mission of the Sierra Club, America’s oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, is to explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth. Info: www.nc.sierraclub.org/wenoca or 251-8289. • TH (3/25), 7-9pm - Presenter: Cheryl Fowler, with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. Fowler will speak about the SAHC, which works to conserve the clean water and unique habitat of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. At Unitarian Church, Edwin at Charlotte in Asheville. Wild Birds Unlimited Events Located at 1997 Hendersonville Road, Asheville. Info: 687-9433 or www.asheville.wbu.com. • WE (3/31) - Birding adventure to Polk County. WNC Nature Center

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Located at 75 Gashes Creek Rd. Hours: 10am-5pm daily. Admission: $8/$6 Asheville City residents/$4 kids. Info: 298-5600 or www.wildwnc.org. • TH (3/25), 2-7:30pm - “N.C. Elk Experience in the Smokies,” a presentation on elk ecology and biology. Meet at the Nature Center for a classroom discussion and then travel to Cataloochee Valley. Info: 2985600, ext. 308.

A Mountain getaway in your own Backyard

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Bowled over: WNC blogger and Slow Food Asheville mover-and-shaker Bob Bowles is helping to mastermind Asheville’s second Wine and Food Festival. photo by jonathan welch

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As usual, exciting things are brewing in the local culinary scene. WNC Magazine and parent company GulfStream Communications are partnering with the Asheville Wine & Food Festival to help cultivate an impressive summer showcase of all that WNC has to offer the food-and-wine world. The festival, now in its second year, is taking place on August 14 at the WNC Agricultural Center’s new expo facility. Attendees to last year’s outdoor festival will recall that it was quite warm, to say the least, so the move to an air-conditioned venue is a wise choice. More than 60 wineries and 2,000 attendees are expected to participate.

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60 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

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What should this year’s attendees expect? Loads of regional wineries, chefs and food producers will host wine tastings and gustatory events in a hands-on effort to showcase WNC’s healthy appetite for locally produced flavors. The festival debuted last year as a fundraiser for Slow Food Asheville and RiverLink and was created by Bob Bowles, a founding member and past president of Slow Food Asheville. Bowles currently blogs for WNC Magazine and is understandably excited about the publication’s participation and support of the festival. “WNC is a publication that reaches not just Asheville, but also Hendersonville, Brevard, Cashiers, Sylva — these are all areas which have been coming into culinary vogue,” says

Bowles. “These are the areas that have some of the finest restaurants and country clubs — as well as farms. WNC Magazine has been featuring these areas for a while, and providing a much broader view of where our food is both going to and coming from, and they lend a great deal of credibility and outreach to the event.” Bowles adds that the magazine’s policy of working to be more inclusive of the entire Western North Carolina region is a good match for his views on food. “In Slow Food,” he says, “we try to integrate the farm to the table. We reach out to local farmers; then we bring that food to the table and show family and friends how to keep food traditions in the forefront of our culinary experience.” Whetting appetites for the August Food and Wine Fest will be a series of cooking competitions modeled after the Food Network’s popular Iron Chef series — mystery ingredient and all. The weekly series, beginning in May, is locally focused, with chefs from North Carolina’s 17 westernmost counties using local foods and products. The winning chefs will eventually compete in an Iron Chef-style competition to be held at the festival. Even better? You get to be the judge. The challenges will begin with a kickoff gala event in mid-May where the chefs will be introduced, tentatively to be held in the Haywood Park Hotel’s ballroom. “It will be a nice way to meet the chefs and have some good local food and wine from local wineries,” says Bowles. The challenges themselves will be held at the Flying Frog dining room — a venue that seats more

than 100 people — every following Tuesday night for approximately eight weeks. The chefs will compete in brackets and serve their creations — all utilizing the top-secret mystery ingredient — and the audience will then get to vote on their favorite dish. The twist? The chefs themselves will be kept secret. “The audience will know what chefs are competing, but they will not know which of the six dishes belong to which chef,” says Bowles. “The chefs will not be able to prepare their signature dishes or give their identity away in any manner because we control what the pantry items are.” Each chef, says Bowles, will begin their task early in the morning and be — quite literally — sealed away from the outside world. “They will not be able to contact anyone. They will have no cell phones; they are completely cut off from the world. They are given a pantry list and will be told at that time what the secret ingredient is. Everything is behind-the-scenes.” Bowles adds that, since every challenge is different, most people will find that they will want to attend multiple challenges. “Not just to support their favorite chef, but to see all the different things that the chefs can do.” Xpress will be covering the details of these events as they unfold, so stay tuned for more information. For more info about the festival and the chef challenges, visit www.ashevillewineandfood.com. X Xpress food coordinator Mackensy Lunsford can be reached at food@mountainx.com.

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smallbites

Facelift: Modesto owner Hector Diaz is planning an art-deco redesign of his Grove Arcade restaurant, which is closed until April 1. photos by jonathan welch

by Mackensy Lunsford

Modesto gets a makeover

Modesto, part of the Hector Diaz miniempire, is about to get a huge facelift. Diaz is planning to close his restaurant for renovations (which should be occurring by the time of this paper’s publication) until April 1. When Modesto is re-opened, says Diaz, diners can expect an ode to the art-deco flavor of downtown Asheville. Custom-built booths in the restaurant will be styled to reflect different iconic Asheville buildings — the Miles Building, the City Hall and the S&W Building (currently home to S&W Steak and Wine), to name a few. “Really, it’s going to be very fancy here — it’s going to be beautiful, well done,” says Diaz. “But when you come here to eat, it’s economical. It’s for us, in the community, just to have a nice place to go where everybody can eat, not just the wealthy. You’re going to be able to spend $200 on a bottle of wine if you want, $18 if you want to, too.” The kitchen, currently open to the bar area, will be closed off from the restaurant. That side of Modesto will become a bakery, where Diaz and crew will turn out rustic Italian loaves that are fired in the wood oven, as well as paninis and classic Italian desserts. Xpress had a chance to sample some of that bread, which was yeasty, dense but still tender with a great crust. If Diaz holds true to the perloaf prices that he is predicting, Asheville is in for a real, affordable treat. For more information about Modesto, visit www.modesto.com

62 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

Stay tuned for an Xpress special photo essay after Modesto reopens.

The deep blue

Asheville-dwelling seafood lovers take note — a new source for sustainably caught and raised seafood is coming to 94 Charlotte St. The owners of Hendersonville’s Blue Water Seafood Company are opening a second location in Asheville right next to the City Bakery. Blue Water, says Tracy Griffin, who owns the market with her husband David, will offer a wide array of fresh seafood displayed on ice in large stainless steel bins, enabling customers to inspect the fish closely before purchase. Griffin adds that eight years of running the successful market in Hendersonville has given them both the experience and buying power to offer what she says is the “freshest seafood in WNC.” Griffen says that Blue Water buys all of their seafood straight from the source. “We are actively involved with our N.C. fisherman and vendors to ensure we follow N.C. Sea Grant regulations,” she says. “Our Web site provides educational links to … lists of responsibly raised and caught seafood. We are able to get boat documentation on our East Coast Seafood to provide proof of how and when product was caught. We strive to purchase responsibly caught seafood as well as buy only from Aqua Culture farms that are regulated and inspected. We take great pride in the quality of our product, our sanitation practices and our Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Certification.”

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WNC’s Premier Northern Italian Continental Restaurant • 1/2 Price Appetizers in the Bistro 5p-6:30p • Time honored recipes of Old Italy • Award winning service • Live music (jazz, blues & Standard) • No cover charge • Check out our new music lineup & daily drink specials Rise and shine: Julie and John Stehling’s Early Girl Eatery received a nod for their already famous (in Asheville, at least) breakfast grub in the March issue of Southern Living. Blue Water Seafood will also serve lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the market’s 35-seat dining area. Diners can expect to find home-made gumbos, chowders, lobster rolls, steamed mussels, oysters on the half shell and more. Wine will also be available by the glass and bottle, and five beers will be on tap. A light menu will be served from 6 to 7 p.m., says Griffin. Beyond their wide selection of shellfish and other seafood, Blue Water will also sell Everett Farms Beef and Chicken, East Fork Farms Lamb, High Farms Chicken, and a limited supply of Hickory Nut Gap Products. Griffin adds that, in addition to retail, Blue Water can provide wholesale items to local restaurants and groceries. For more information, visit www.bluewaterseafood.net.

We scream for spring

A sure sign that winter is (finally) over? Forget the daffodils and tulips — West Asheville’s Two Spoons Ice Cream is re-opening for business. The shop known for creative flavors like maple bacon and the brand new Wedge Brewery porter cream, will be celebrating its third year of business with a grand reopening party on Saturday, April 3, from 1 to 7 p.m. Festivities will include balloon bending by the Jolly Balloonsmiths, drawing contests, giveaways and, according to the shop’s press release, “nonannoying kid’s music.” Two Spoons is located at 721 Haywood Road in West Asheville. For more information, visit www.twospoonsicecream.com or call 252-5155.

Southern girl

Asheville’s own beloved Early Girl Eatery was recently mentioned in the March issue of Southern Living, found on newsstands now.

10 N. Market Street • 828-254-4698 w w w. v i n c e n z o s . c o m

The Wall Street eatery was given the nod in an article exploring the best breakfasts to be found throughout the state of North Carolina. Xpress recently caught up with Julie Stehling, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband John, for a reaction. “Of course we are so very flattered to be in Southern Living,” said Stehling, smiling broadly. “There’s been a great response — Southern Living readers come to Asheville… It’s an amazing publication to be in for that reason because it directly affects our business.” Stehling remarked that she is excited for the warm weather and the swell of business that it will likely bring. Early Girl is now serving breakfast all day, seven days a week, and dinner from Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, visit www. earlygirleatery.com.

Cupcakes for cures

A group of Ashevilleans has gathered to organize Asheville’s first cancer-fighting cupcake competition — Cupcakes for Cures. On Saturday, April 10, Asheville’s finest professional, amateur and youth bakers will gather for a competitive face-off to help support the American Cancer Society’s efforts to find cures for cancer. Several categories of cupcakes will be represented, including best savory and best local foods cupcake, as well as Xpress’ personal favorite — best beer cupcake. In addition to the ultimate bragging rights, bakers have the opportunity to win prizes, the likes of which have not been disclosed yet. What’s most important is the cause — and the tasty, tasty cupcakes, of course. To register, reserve event tickets and learn more about the event, visit www.cupcakesforcures.com. X

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mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 63

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What we formerly were referring to as “Spring Beer Festival� has been renamed “Beer City Festival.� The event will be held on Saturday, June 5, in Asheville. It’s being organized by the same folks who bring us Brewgrass (plus a few other key Asheville beer people). Tickets will go on sale Monday, March 29, at all local breweries (including both Asheville Brewing locations), Bruisin’ Ales, and Barley’s Taproom & Pizza, according to organizer Jimi Rentz, who wants locals to get first dibs. Cost will be $35 per ticket, cash only. There will be 3,500 total tickets

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64 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

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sold. The location of the festival will be revealed on Monday, March 29. Check out the Beer City Festival Facebook page.

Local brew canned

Catawba Valley Brewing of Morganton will start canning some of their craft beers this spring. Brewer Scott Pyatt says he researched bottles versus cans and decided to go with cans because of their light weight, high recyclability, and the fact that cans protect beer from light (which can make beers skunky). Pyatt says he’s in the midst of getting label approvals and working out other details, but he expects to see six-packs of Catawba Valley brews at specialty retailers later this spring.

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Greenville, S.C., gets a brew fest

Top of the Hops in Greenville will offer tastes of 130 to 150 brews from 40 to 50 different breweries at its inaugural festival. The event will be held on Saturday, April 10, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Bi-Lo Center. Highland Brewing will represent Asheville (other WNC-crafted brews currently aren’t distributed in Greenville). “We want to offer an eclectic and world-class collection of beers for beer lovers,� says Jay Wilson, one of the festival organizers. “Our goal is for them to be like kids in a candy store.� There will be music by The Jaywalkers and Big Jar of Jamm, food vendors and beer-education seminars. Greenville’s Barley’s Taproom & Pizza and Thomas Creek Brewery are primary sponsors. Top of the Hops is the brainchild of Red Mountain Entertainment, based in Birmingham, Ala. The group is working to organize beer fests around the country in cities where there isn’t already an established beer festival, Wilson says. He notes that Top of the Hops will buy the beer for the festival from the breweries instead of asking for donations. “We’re hoping to help perpetuate the scene by purchasing beer and helping keep these small breweries in business,� Wilson says. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 the day of the festival. VIP tickets are $60 in advance ($65 on festival day) and include early admission and special beer tastings. For more information and tickets, visit www.topofthehopsbeerfest.com/Greenville.

Alcohol consumption can keep women svelte

Staying slim seems to be one of the benefits of drinking a couple glasses of beer or wine a day, but only for women, according to a recent study done at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. The study found that females who drank one to two alcoholic drinks daily were least likely to gain weight. In fact, they were 30-percent less likely to pack on the pounds than women who eschew alcohol completely. The balancing scale of health benefits versus health dangers of alcohol seems to be tipping toward mommy’s little equilibrium enhancer — red wine’s heart-healthy, beer’s good for bone density — now we learn that a couple drinks of either can keep you slender. As always, the key is moderation. More than two drinks a day puts you at higher risk of certain cancers, not to mention an inability to operate dangerous equipment, including cars, knifes, and television remote controls. The researchers followed more that 19,000 normal-sized women, aged 39 and older, for 13 years. Though all the women tended to gain weight over time, teetotalers gained the most, per U.S. News & World Report. Why? That question wasn’t answered, though it could be that women substitute alcohol for other foods, while men add alcohol to their caloric intake. Remember the adage, “Don’t drink your calories�? Women may be better at following that, or at least compensating for the added calories by cutting elsewhere, than men. X

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arts&entertainment Out-of-body abandon

The Singing Stars brings the audience in touch with something greater by Whitney Shroyer If rock ‘n’ roll is the devil’s music, why did it take so much from gospel? The screaming guitars, the whisper-to-a-howl vocals, the wild dance steps, the commitment and passion. If you’re interested in seeing how much the secular and divine have in common, you’ve got to check out one of the longest running and most dynamic gospel quartets still on the scene, the Singing Stars. The Singing Stars have been performing together for more than 40 years, and are known both for a guitar-driven sound (as many as three guitars on stage at any moment) and on-point choreography. The musicians are also snazzy dressers. The quartet, originally based in New York but now largely relocated to the South, packed ‘em in for multiple daily shows at the Apollo theater in its mid-’60s heyday, and continues to perform around 100 shows a year to loyalists of the gospel-quartet style. “I actually wish we could do more shows,� says Sam Williams, guitarist, manager and the member of the current lineup who’s been with the group the longest. “Our kind of music is pretty involved. You don’t just have guys singing; you got guys playing guitar, singing, doing dance steps. It’s better for the show if you keep

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books

Seeing Stars: “You got guys playing guitar, singing, doing dance steps,” says guitarist/ manager Sam Williams. “Our kind of music is pretty involved.” photos by steve mann

out there and do it a lot. It makes the groove work better.” The gospel-quartet show circuit tours to a dwindling-but-devoted group of fans, specializing in heartfelt, soulful and uninhibited music that drives both audience and performer to the kind of out-of-body abandon that puts both in touch with something larger than themselves. A glance at the sponsoring trio of Black Box Studios, Harvest Records and low-power local station WRES shows the event’s cross-demographic appeal. After reaching its commercial peak in the ‘70s, the audience for quartet music dwindled as commercial taste in gospel music moved towards more contemporary and choral sounds. But the quartet scene (a term that seems to have more to do with the style of music presented than the number of performers in an act) still survives on its own unique and enthusiastic circuit, built largely on multi-act package shows with five or six other acts, called “programs.” “It’s kind of like the gospel version of the chittlin’ circuit,” says photographer and copromoter Steve Mann. Mann has been a vocal champion of quartet music for years, bringing many shows to Asheville in the ‘90s and visually documenting programs. Many of his excellent photographs of the Singing Stars can be seen at Harvest Records this month. When asked whether or not he had any qualms about playing a largely secular, “nightclub” venue like the Grey Eagle, Williams expressed no such reservations. “I like playing a bigger room better than a small room, because there’s a whole lot more room to move. Hard to do your steps when people are right up in your face,” Williams says. “But as far as playing in a rock ‘n’ roll room ... back in the ‘60s we used to play on the same bill as rock ‘n’ roll acts and it wasn’t any problem. You’d go up the river with gospel, and down it with rock ‘n’ roll. I don’t see a big divide. You got to see the whole picture. Most songs are about love anyway, and that’s what we need more of in the world.”

“Going to a gospel quartet program can be a lot like watching baseball,” says local filmmaker Chris Bower, who, along with Mann, is doing preliminary work on a documentary about this unique music scene. “You’re waiting for someone to hit a home run. And when the spirit hits, it changes into something beyond a good time. And the Singing Stars always hit it. They go somewhere together and it turns into this freeform trance-jam. They do that every time I’ve seen them.” The lead singer and founder for the Singing Stars was gospel legend Tommy Ellison, known affectionately by quartet aficionados as “the Gospel Superstar.” Before starting the Stars, Ellison was in a number of legendary gospel groups, including the Soul Stirrers with Sam Cooke (Ellison expressed regret when Cooke went secular). Ellison died in 2009, and was too ill to perform with the group for some time prior, but the Singing Stars have continued the tradition. They’ve even brought in singer Billy Hardy, an original member inactive for many years, to fill out the lineup. Whether you’re a believer in the message the Singing Stars share in their music, or if you just believe in music that reaches for something higher by digging deep into the depths of the soul, this show promises to deliver. “They’re just incredible performers and musicians,” says Mann. “It’s just extremely soulful, fun and positive music. Anyone I’ve ever encouraged to come to a show, even if they have reservations at first, are won over by the end and ready for the next one. When you see great quartet music, you can see where rock ‘n’ roll came from. The rock ‘n’ rollers all copped their best moves from gospel acts. The first guy to jump off stage and into the audience was a Dixie Hummingbird.” As Bower says, “They’ll be preaching, but there won’t be a sermon.” X Whitney Shroyer co-hosts the Ms. Sockford pageant in Rockford, Ill., every March.

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 67

arts

X

music

From the islands to the mountains Soulgrass Rebellion warms up the Grey Eagle by Dane Smith

AFTER ALL, YOU DON’T WANT ANYONE TO THINK YOU CHOSE YOUR GLASSES BECAUSE YOUR VISION WAS OFF!

Last month, local reggae, folk and soul fusion outfit Soulgrass Rebellion performed a nine day run in the Virgin Islands, and they had a really, really good time. “I was crying in my truck when we got back,” jokes singer/guitarist Oso Rey. “It was freezing cold and raining.” “Now, when our booking agents ask us where we want to play, we say ‘beach, beach, beach and then also book us at the beach,’” adds guitarist Silas Durocher with a half-serious grin. And while they won’t deny that hanging around the beach and playing music is not exactly working, it was more than just an excuse to vacation in the tropics. Nine consecutive shows for the same crowd in the same place is a recipe for getting stale, and the musicians knew they would have to stretch the limits of their chemistry and potential as performers to keep audiences coming back. And, somewhat to their own surprise, they did. “There were at least three nights where we purposely didn’t do a set list just to see what we could do, where we could go and how we could get ourselves out of situations,” says Rey. “We took chances we’d never take before we were put in a position to have to wing it for nine days straight.” “There was one night in particular where we definitely had our biggest mistakes ever and probably the highest moments I’ve ever had in music,” Durocher says. “Moments where I had no idea my hands could do that, where I had no idea the band could do that, like, ‘What the hell

who:

Soulgrass Rebellion, with special guests

where:

The Grey Eagle

when:

Friday, March 26 (9 p.m. $7. thegreyeagle.com)

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are we even playing?’” But what solidified just how well they had pulled it off, he says, was a compliment from some friends who had been there for all nine shows. “At the end of it they said, ‘We never saw the same show twice.’ And it’s just so fun to have been through all that and then be able to bring it back to the shows here.” This weekend Soulgrass Rebellion will share the island sprit with the rest of us, taking the stage of the Grey Eagle for what promises to be a night of unadulterated feel-goodery and dancing. For them, a gig is more than just showing up to play, it’s an event. “It has to be special,” says Rey matter-offactly. “We really construct a show,” says Durocher.

68 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

Going big: The band recently returned from a stint in the Virgin Islands, where the musicians of the reggae-folk-rock-fusion collective stretched their talents and potential — and came back even stronger and more energetic than ever. photo by jonathan welch

“We don’t just write a set list before the gig. We’ve got big ideas with the guest musicians and the opening bands and the publicity and everything else. It’s all one big creative project for us.” This time around, guests are slated to include percussionist Jonathan Scales, along with openers Bobby Lee Rodgers and local folk favorites Now You See Them. Luckily, notes Durocher, the Grey Eagle has a big stage. “I’m sure we’ll have everybody jump up and sit in with us,” he says. “We love having people up. Our last night in St. Thomas we had all our friends that we met playing down there up on stage for a huge thing. There was a solid 20 people or so onstage.” Whoever ends up onstage and wherever that takes the music, Soulgrass is ready to adapt. The band has come back from the Virgin

Islands with more confidence than ever, eager to share that energy with the hometown crowd. (That crowd, too, has so far been so eager for Soulgrass that the band has sold out every show it’s played.) “It’s just so fun to have been through all that and then be able to bring it back to the shows here,” Durocher says. “We changed a lot down there, and we grew a lot. So I feel like there’s a fairly big difference between our Emerald Lounge show, which was before the trip, and our Grey Eagle show, now after the trip ... in a really good way.” “It was a week-and-a-half of happy accidents,” Rey adds of the trip. “Normally that only happens occasionally.” X Dane Smith can be reached at rocknrolldane@ gmail.com.

arts

X

benefits

Looking into the future

The Asheville Area Arts Council trades colors for crystals at the Crystal Ball

Smooth grooves: Southern Silk Duo will bring its blues and jazz to the event, along with pianist Brian Curtioff and surprise “pop-up” performances throughout the night. photo by bob pazden

by Maggie Cramer The Asheville Area Arts Council’s Crystal Ball picks up where its famous color balls left off. That is, expect a gala affair, this time pared down to one venue and packed with fabulousness, and all for the cause of supporting the local arts community. But if you’d asked Tom Hayes to look into a crystal ball last fall and predict the future of the Asheville Area Arts Council, he likely wouldn’t have seen this month’s event. Hayes assumed his current role as AAAC board chairman in September — after serving as vice chairman — on the heels of a major administrative shakeup. The organization’s executive director and previous chair both stepped away from their positions in August, leaving the small board scrambling to keep the doors open. Planning and orchestrating a public event was the last item on their pressing to-do list. Thanks to a grant from the N.C. Arts Council, which provides long-term organizational assistance for arts professionals, and the help of Sandie Rhodes, an Asheville-based event coordinator, the Crystal Ball moved into sight. In November, the arts council began working with a consultant provided by the grant to re-evaluate their mission and operation. In doing so, they realized their disappointment about not hosting a fundraiser in 2009 — more specifically, not throwing the annual Color Ball, which has been a hit with Ashevilleans for nearly a decade. Prior balls were held over the summer at a trio of venues all decorated in the year’s chosen color. This month’s Crystal Ball has been scaled down to one, the fourth floor of the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Biltmore Village, to offer what Hayes describes as a “more intimate” — yet luxurious and creative at the same time — experience for attendees. Only

175 tickets will be sold. The Grand Bohemian, which has its own art gallery and is decorated with the work of local as well as national and international artists, recently formed a partnership with the AAAC and generously donated the use of their space, tables, glassware and other necessities as an event sponsor. Rhodes settled on the crystal-ball theme after seeing the Bohemian’s ballroom, which boasts numerous crystal chandeliers. But the double meaning of the theme isn’t lost on her. “We’re viewing this as the stepping stone into the future,” she says. Although there’s only one venue, Rhodes decided to keep the Color Ball tradition alive by using three different fourth-floor locales for the event. In addition to the luminous ballroom, event-goers can spend time outdoors on a winter wonderland-themed terrace or in the gold velourdraped salon complete with a zany psychic and tarot-card reader. This fundraiser will also be the council’s first to feature a silent auction with work by local artists, an addition the new board hopes shows the public their commitment to the AAAC’s mission. As they went into the arts community to solicit donations, Hayes and the board members found an outpouring from local artists previously helped by the council. They plan to highlight them at the auction to “reinforce the organization’s deep roots,” Rhodes explains. She reminds that the AAAC is one of the oldest arts councils in the country. Attendees will also have the opportunity to bid on arts experiences, such as a chance to watch an Asheville Ballet performance from the director’s chair or tickets to a N. C. Stage Company show. Board members recently had a “building bridges” lunch with area arts groups, who will be

represented beyond their donated experiences. A dancer with the Asheville Ballet will pop up in the crowd and entertain, along with a vocalist who will perform a song from Asheville Community Theater’s upcoming Little Shop of Horrors, and a few other surprises. Area musicians will be represented, too. Pianist Brad Curtioff will get the evening started, followed by a performance from the jazz-and-blues Southern Silk Duo. Funds raised by the event will go toward the organization’s operating costs, like keeping the lights on at their 11 Biltmore Ave. gallery. In return, the AAAC pledges to stay focused on their future and work advocating for and supporting the local arts community. In addition to helping keep the organization open, Crystal Ball-goers will have the opportunity to direct its future. The council hopes to again host their Color Ball, with a few changes, either in the fall or next year. And, attendees can vote on the next event’s color using a specially crafted original piece of artwork. “We really want it to be a creative, fun night,” Hayes says. “We want to create some goodwill, because we’ve had our difficulties in the past. To me, it’s about showcasing the talent here in town, including that of local chefs and restaurateurs. It’s about us and for us, but it’s also to benefit everybody.”X Maggie Cramer is an Asheville-based freelance writer.

who:

The Crystal Ball

what:

Asheville Area Arts Council’s annual fundraising event

where:

The Grand Bohemian Hotel

when:

Friday, March 26 (7-10 p.m., $65. www.ashevillearts.com. Dress code is classy and attendees are encouraged to have fun with the crystal ball theme)

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arts

X

comedy

On his own terms

Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait is not calling the reality shows back Potter, Shawn Ireland

by Joe Zimmerman

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Hearing Bobcat Goldthwait’s voice on the phone may have come as a surprise to me, if I hadn’t heard from a friend that his real voice is not the same as the voice he made famous in the ‘80s — a voice he refers to as “Grover on crack.” Comedians create personas, which are generally magnifications of their true personality, but for Goldthwait it was different. “The character originally was that I’d go on stage and kind of parody stand-up, and then I became a parody. People only knew me as that character.” In the past several years, Goldthwait is proving that his breadth of talent reaches far beyond that parody. Goldthwait is now performing comedy in his own voice, and he couldn’t be happier. “My whole life changed about 5-6 years ago. I just stopped doing stuff to pay the bills and said, ‘You know what, if I’m gonna have to live a much different lifestyle I’m willing to do that, so that I can just make my living making small movies, and going out on the road doing stand-up. That’s cool with me.” If you haven’t heard much from Goldthwait lately, it isn’t for a lack of productivity or creativity. He has kept himself behind the camera, instead of in front, and he’s having a very successful second career of it. Last year, he wrote and directed the dark comedy World’s Greatest Dad with Robin Williams — a big hit at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. He was also responsible for Sleeping Dogs Lie (Sundance 2006) and Windy City Heat (named best comedy film at the 2009 Montreal Just for Laughs Festival). “I’m having the career that most people have at the beginning of their career. When people first get famous they have more options, and now I have more options.” Goldthwait is making a conscious break from the career he initially created for himself, referring to some of his past movies as “turds.” “I can’t stress enough to people, ‘Hey man, you can take the checks, but you gotta

who:

Bobcat Goldthwait

where:

Funny Business Comedy Club

when:

Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27 (8 and 10:30 p.m. $20. www.ashevillecomedy.com) realize you’re gonna be talking about this for the rest of your life.’ If you’re gonna sell out, be ready to be answering questions about Police Academy 25 years later. (he laughs) ... The amount of energy I’ve spent talking about Police Academy, versus the amount of money I’ve made — it doesn’t weigh out.” As far as being in the limelight, he’s just not interested. “Trust me, every single reality show I’ve gotten a call from. Be it celebrity Big Brother, celebrity Fear Factor, or celebrity Where’s My Pants, or whatever — and I choose

to just not do stuff, I don’t care about just being known ... If I am, I hope it’s on my terms.” Still, whether he wants to be known or not, Comedy Central named him one of the top-100 greatest comedians of all time. Like all great comedians, his comedy has evolved. What you see this week in Asheville will be a lot different that what you saw on TV in the ‘80s and ‘90s. “My material over the years got more and more personal so the voice really didn’t fit. Sure there are always going to be a few folks in the back yelling, ‘Police Academy! But, f--k those people. I have to do what makes me happy.” If there are any fans stuck in the 1980s this weekend, rest assured that Goldthwait will be the last person in the room rattled by a heckle. He’s been a professional comedian since the age of 15, and as a friend of Kurt Cobain he spent a year opening for Nirvana (which may sound like a sweet gig, until you realize that Nirvana fans only want to see Nirvana). “Other comics complain about hecklers, but it’s like, come on, they’re just words. I’ve had M80s going off around me on stage ... I’ve been hit by a teenager.” Goldthwait is seeing stand-up comedy with a fresh perspective. “I did get burned out on it, and now I have a new attack on it. I find myself writing again, and I really thought it was the road I didn’t like, but I think it was actually the persona I didn’t like.” Comedians become famous for an image they’ve created, and audiences show up expecting that image. To think that Goldthwait has been able to successfully break from that image is nothing if not impressive. “I do know there’s a good portion of people coming out to see me with this expectation, and I do address this expectation ... but to just go up there, and be this thing that I was in my early 20s. ... It’s kind of like the guy who was a lot of fun in college, and then when he’s pushing 50 he’s just an asshole. I’ve never used that analogy before, but it’s kind of exactly why, you know, I have to change.” X Joe Zimmerman is an Asheville-based stand-up comedian. Contact him through zimmerman comedy.com.

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70 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

Authentic Integrat i o n Spiritual Sexualit y Intamacy Series: Codependence, Independence & Interdependence A Workshop and Discussion with DiAnna Ritola, Sex Coach Wednesday, March 24, 2010 @ 7-8:30 PM

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arts

X

theatre

Galaxy quest

Pluto v. Eris explores space, mythology, puppetry and what it means to be a dwarf planet

Puppet regime: Shadow puppets depict Persephone (left), who was kidnapped by her uncle Pluto to be his bride in the Underworld. They’re part of a new local play being staged to benefit the NASA program at Vance Elementary, which had its funding slashed.

by Alli Marshall Local playwright Elizabeth Schell contacted planetary-astronomy professor Michael E. Brown — the scientist who discovered dwarf planet Eris in 2005 — to tell him she’d penned Pluto v. Eris: The Trial of Discord (in Schell’s words, “a theatrical response to the conflict over the change in Pluto’s planetary status and in celebration of the human drive to discover”). The response from Californiabased Brown: “That sounds fabulous; I’d love to read it. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the touring version stopping in Pasadena.” Which is sweet, only a touring version isn’t likely anytime soon. Schell’s play was crafted to benefit the NASA program at Vance Elementary in West Asheville and, while not intended as a children’s play, will debut in that school’s auditorium. But just because Pluto v. Eris is getting a small (not humble: Schell describes the Vance auditorium as “a very dynamic space”; it’s called the “planetorium” for its space theme) start doesn’t mean it’s not a play with big aspirations. Inspired by Pluto’s demotion from planet to dwarf planet in 2006 — and by the public’s anxious response to that change — Schell began work on a production that addresses not only the planetary status but also myths of gods and goddesses. According to the playwright’s summary, “Haumea and Makemake, a Polynesian god and goddess (and also two of the newly discovered dwarf planets), introduce the play and comment on the gods and goddesses ... as they gather for the Council of Celestial Beings. The Council assembles to hear charges against Eris, goddess of Discord, who is accused of treason and general mayhem by Pluto, god of the Underworld.” Eris, the namesake of Brown’s discovery, is “the goddess who brought the apple that was blamed for all the Trojan War trouble,” Schell says. “I started the play around the idea of gods as characters their god identities versus their

planet identities.” Indeed, the bodies of our solar system borrow their monikers from Greek and Roman deities which led Schell to do a good deal of brushing up on mythology. When it came time to reinterpret those myths in a language that made sense with the modern confusion and disappointment surrounding Pluto’s reclassification, Schell decided to use shadow puppets. “I worked with fourth graders in the gifted program,” she says. “They story boarded the myths and figured out how to act them out.” The puppetry was then videoed and will be projected on stage as part of the live performance. There are also two life-size puppets — Bread and Puppet Theater-style papier-mâché heads representing Uranus and Saturn — among the cast of 17 actors (six have performed with Montford Park Players, three are teens) because, says Schell, “The whole puppet layer [relates to] how we create these myths to explain things. Puppetry is control, which made sense with the theme of the play.” But more important than explaining the workings of the universe or investigating the planetary

status of Pluto is funding Vance Elementary’s NASA program. Vance principal Cynthia Sellinger wrote via e-mail that the school became a NASA Explorer School in 2005. “Once a NASA Explorer School, always a NASA Explorer School.” She explains that Vance receives visits from NASA educators, who work with each class and provide in-house staff development for teachers on a twice-yearly basis, and “we are also privy to free staff development throughout the country if chosen to participate. Several of our family nights are dedicated to NASA challenges.” NASA says the program (which is currently no longer accepting new schools) is “designed to bring engaging mathematics, science and technology learning to educators, students and families.” “The NASA program really tries to engage the kids in the process of inquiry,” says Schell, who hopes funds raised by her play will go toward a spring trip for Vance fifth graders to visit the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. But for those who can’t get away to explore the final frontier, Schell’s Pluto v. Eris goes a long way to bringing space — and the spirit of inquiry — home to Asheville. X Alli Marshall can be reached at amarshall@ mountainx.com.

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who:

Reservations call:

Pluto v. Eris: The Trial of Discord

828.281.0710

what:

Play about the change in Pluto’s planetary status; fundraiser for for NASA program at Vance Elementary, geared toward an adult audience.

where: Vance Elementary

planetorium, 98 Sulphur Springs Rd., West Asheville

when:

Friday & Saturday, March 26 & 27 (8 p.m., $8. www.pluto-v-eris.org)

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mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 71

soundtrack

local music reviews

Ivan the Terribles: A straight shot of punk rock

Photo by ilana mignon

by Ilana Mignon Ivan the Terribles is actually not terrible at all. Instead, it’s a good-time, raucous band of maniacs who take the stage with bravado and give a fun, funny and highly entertaining show. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to a good, loud, “God, I-drank-too-much,” stage-diving, “You-slept-with-who?” takeyour-shirt-off-and-dance live show — Ivan the Terribles is it. The band got together about a year ago and recently finished its debut CD, More Guns than People. I caught up with them at Fred’s Parkside (formerly Fred’s Speakeasy), a comfortable joint located on College Street below Fiore’s Restaurant. Lead singer David Clegg is one of those fascinating artistic enigmas who is a kind of quiet, Clark Kent-esque, well-behaved sort of bloke off-stage. He turns into a very different animal once the lights are up. Clegg and bass player Bill Maltba (dressed in medical scrubs) drank continuously throughout the night, which seems to be a theme, or perhaps it’s a ritual of sorts, for the band. Not that it effected their playing much that anyone could tell; it only added to the rock ’n’ roll texture of the Ivan the Terribles experience. The band was actually really tight for most of the set (drummer and hockey player Jason Burke worked his tail off keeping up with the manic tempos of the Terribles). My only complaint was with the sound system and not being able to hear the lyrics to the songs that were being sung, screamed, howled and hurled toward the sparse crowd at Fred’s.

72 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

Sometimes echoes of The Clash show up in the songs, as in the tune, “The Bad Part of Town.” Sometimes weird remnants of Johnny Cash come through, wrapped like mini weenies inside the Ramones, or maybe the Chili Peppers. The band professes influences ranging from Ween to the Tramps, Rancid and Tim Armstrong, but from where I sat, the approach was straight-up punk rock — neat, no ice. Particularly memorable was a very strange, haunting-but-cool song called “Drunkards,” where Clegg whispers the entire first verse: “When I get drunk I get loud and obscene, run around starting and causing scenes.” It rolls with a walking bass line and simple drum, and somehow it works. See Ivan the Terribles in person if you are feeling like a party. Clegg seems bent on self destruction, so you might want to check these dudes out soon. While he is super-talented (he could remember most of the words and chords for the songs after so much vodka), Clegg is also obviously afflicted, disturbed, torn and tortured. If these guys were just posing as rock stars, they did a great job. I buy it. Come on — the show closed with Clegg’s Telecaster being thrown across the stage. The musicians in Ivan the Terribles may go by the motto that they take nothing seriously ... but they are seriously so bleepin’ punk rock. Seriously. Learn more at myspace.com/ivantheterribles. X

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mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 73

gallery The musical duo Rodrigo y Gabriela visited The Orange Peel on March 15. “They played an incredible show,” writes photo intern Halima Flynt. “They were as jazzed as the crowd to be there. Their unique style of music [speedy acoustic guitars] lit up the room.” Here’s a sample of the photos Flynt took from the show. Check out more of her work in the Gallery — along with photos from lots of other community events.

74 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

www.mountainx.com/gallery

smartbets Hello, Adios

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Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre’s Junior Company teams up with dancers from the experimental performance group Jovenes Talentos de Danza Contemporanea de Centro Estatal de Bellas Artes School based in Merida, Mexico, for a crosscultural performance experience. Their upcoming show, Hello, Adios, celebrates the joy of their collaboration, as well as the important relationships forged between the dancers throughout the creative process. Performances are held Friday, March 26 and Saturday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the BeBe Theatre. $10. Info: 254-2621 or www. acdt.org.

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The Anywhere Celebration Congregation Tour We can’t say it better than they do: “Armed with call-and-response chants, hand claps, stomps, slide guitar and the divinely inspired but devil-charged energy of lead singers Meredith DiMenna and Joe Roberto, the Anywhere Celebration Congregation tour puts on a show that’s guaranteed to have the whole crowd speaking in tongues. Dubbed by BUST Magazine as ‘sweet as an angel and edgy as hell,’ Saint Bernadette is well known to Asheville from previous appearances around town with locals like Jar-e, stephaniesid, The Archrivals, Paper Tiger and others.� There you go. Saturday, March 27. Broadway’s. 285-0400.

MB?PCFF?bM -,*7 !CA;L ;L Great Food! Mon.-Sat. 11 am - 2 am • Sun. 2 pm - 2 am • Karaoke Saturdays

Bring your own or choose from ours! Romeo & Juliet • Portofino • JR • Gurka Huppman • Dunhill • Macanudo • Punch

2B? *IA !;<CH Y *?? 1N behind Skyland Fire Dept. Long Shoals - Hendersonville Rd.

Discordian Society The eclectic funk-rock-jazz ensemble celebrates its second album, Primordial Soup, with a CD-release show at Mo Daddy’s, and they’re making an event out of it. There’ll be an art viewing with “The Lady� Annemarie, a pre-show and a late-night set with DJ Lamorte. Dirty South TV will be on hand for a live Web cast of the whole affair. Admission includes free CD and a raffle ticket. Listen at www. thediscordiansociety.net. Saturday, March 27. $10.

Club phone numbers are listed in Clubland in the (828) area code unless otherwise stated; more details at www. mountainx.com/clubland. Send your Smart Bet requests in to ae@mountainx.com for consideration by the Monday the week prior to publication.

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 75

clubland

where to find the clubs • what is playing • listings for venues throughout Western North Carolina C lubland rules

Fri., Mar. 26th Jim Weiders Project Percolater 9pm • $10 Open 4 - 9pm Mon. - Wed. 2pm - until Thurs. - Sat.

•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 Aiyanna Sezak-Blatt 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.

Open jam Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Open mic BoBo Gallery

Ash Devine (folk, experimental) w/ Cailen Campbell & David Brown (“gypsy dance music”) Boiler Room

The Xiphoid Process (metal) w/ ShadoLine Bosco’s Sports Zone

Shag dance

Jack Of The Wood Pub

Tolliver’s Crossing Irish Pub

Bosco’s Sports Zone

Old Time Jam, 6pm

‘80s night

Open mic & jam

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Town Pump

Club 828

Aaron Woody Wood (soul, pop)

Open Mic w/ David Bryan

Twestival Global Asheville

Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and

Soul jazz jam

Courtyard Gallery

Blues

Open mic w/ Barbie Angell

Nine Mile

The Free Flow Band (soul, funk)

Ras Berhane (acoustic, reggae)

Vincenzo’s Bistro

Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge

Steve Whiddon (piano, vocals)

“Hits & Shits” w/ Jamie Hepler

Westville Pub

Red Stag Grill

Jammin’ w/ Funky Max

Bobby Sullivan (blues, rock, standards)

Eleven on Grove

Vortex Cabaret (music, burlesque & more) Emerald Lounge

umelt (rock, progressive) Fairview Tavern

Thu., March 25

Open mic

Nebula (rock, blues, psychedelic) w/ Quest For Fire

Athena’s Club

Fred’s Parkside Pub & Grill

DJ night

Open mic hosted by Jimbo

Scandals Nightclub

Back Room

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

Country dance lessons, 9-10pm Dance, 10pm-Midnight

Secret B-Sides (soul, hip-hop, r&b)

Sparrow (accordion)

Trevor Grassi (accordion)

Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Good Stuff

Tallgary’s College Street Pub

Mark Bumgarner (Americana)

Open mic

BoBo Gallery

Pierce Edens (folk, rock, country) & Erika Jane (club, electro, pop)

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

The Blackbird

Nataraj (sacred world)

Handlebar

The Honeycutters (Americana, country, blues)

Boiler Room

Back Room

Jupiter One (new wave, rock) & Heypenny w/ Kyle Andrews

Amos Lee (folk, blues, soul) w/ Cary Ann Hearst

Open mic

Holland’s Grille

The Hookah Bar

Beacon Pub

Marc Keller (singer/songwriter)

Open mic w/ Shane from Now You See

Wed., March 24

Broadway’s

‘80s Night, 10pm Emerald Lounge

Old Ceremony (indie) French Broad Chocolate Lounge

Open mic

Club 828

Dance & open jam session

Rocket Club

Tyler Lyle (blues, folk) w/ BlueRoserocket (rock, progressive, blues) & Neapolitan Children

Infusions Lounge

Live music

thurSday, MarCh 25

paul lee kupfer folk/BlueS

7i^[l_bb[Èi D[m[ij D[_]^Xeh^eeZ 8Wh

35¢ Wings Mon-Thurs w/purchase of beverage Wed & Fri Karaoke 10pm-2am

Sunday Karaoke 10pm - 2am

$50 cash prize for karaoke winner!

March Madness

We Are the Headquarters for all UFC Fights No Cover for UFC Fights! Full Menu Available Daily until 2am 828-505-3550

144 Biltmore Ave. Asheville, NC M-F 4pm-2am • Sat & Sun 11am-2am

Friday, MarCh 26

rafe holliSter BanD rippin’ newgraSS

Saturday, MarCh 27

tater faMily traveling CirCuS

w/ John howie Jr. & the SweetheartS MOndayS!

$1 Beer • the DewDaBiDeS

wedneSdayS!

open MiC night

SundayS!

8:30 pm w/ David Bryan

$1.50 Beer

Open SundayS nOOn- Midnight MOn. - wed. 3pM - Midnight thurS. - Sat. 3pM - 2aM

828-669-4808

135 Cherry St. BlaCk Mountain, nC

MySpaCe.CoM/townpuMptavernllC

76 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

clubdirectory Complete clubland directory: www.mountainx.com/clubland. Questions or errors? E-mail (clubland@mountainx.com). The 170 La Cantinetta 687-8170 Asheville Ale House 505-3550 Asheville Civic Center & Thomas Wolfe Auditorium 259-5544 Athena’s Club 252-2456 The Back Room 697-6828 Barley’s Tap Room 255-0504 Beacon Pub 686-5943 The Blackbird 669-5556 Blue Mountain Pizza 658-8777 BoBo Gallery 254-3426 Bosco’s Sports Zone 684-1024 Broadway’s 285-0400 Cancun Mexican Grill 505-3951 Club 828 252-2001 Club Hairspray 258-2027 Courtyard Gallery 273-3332 Craggie Brewing Company 254-0360 Curras Dom 253-2111 Desoto Lounge 986-4828 Diana Wortham Theater 257-4530

T O

Dock’s Restaurant 883-4447 The Dripolator 398-0209 Ed Boudreaux’s Bayou BBQ 296-0100 Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar 252-2711 Eleven on Grove 505-1612 Emerald Lounge 232- 4372 Fairview Tavern 277-7117 Feed & Seed + Jamas Acoustic 216-3492 Firestorm Cafe 255-8115 Five Fifty Three 631-3810 Frankie Bones 274-7111 Fred’s Parkside Pub & Grill 281-0920 French Broad Brewery Tasting Room 277-0222 Funny Business Comedy Club 318-8909 The Garage 505-2663 Good Stuff 649-9711 Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern 232-5800 Grove House Eleven on Grove 505-1612 The Grove Park Inn 252-2711

Guadalupe Cafe 586-9877 The Handlebar (864) 233-6173 The Hangar 684-1213 Havana Restaurant 252-1611 Highland Brewing Company 299-3370 Holland’s Grille 298-8780 The Hookah Bar 252-1522 Infusions 665-2161 Iron Horse Station 622-0022 Laurey’s Catering 252-1500 The Lobster Trap 350-0505 Luella’s Bar-B-Que 505-RIBS Mack Kell’s Pub & Grill 253-8805 Magnolia’s Raw Bar 251-5211 Mela 225-8880 Mike’s Tavern 281-3096 Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill 258-1550 New French Bar Courtyard Cafe 225-6445 Never Blue 693-4646 Old Fairview Southern Kitchen 277-7117

Olive Or Twist 254-0555 O’Malley’s On Main 246-0898 The Orange Peel 225-5851 Panther’s Paw 696-0810 Pineapple Jack’s 253-8860 Pisgah Brewing Co. 669-0190 Purple Onion Cafe 749-1179 Rankin Vault 254-4993 Red Stag Grill at the Grand Bohemian Hotel 505-2949 Rendezvous 926-0201 Rock Bottom Sports Bar & Grill 622-0001 Rocket Club 505-2494 Root Bar No.1 299-7597 Ruby’s BBQ Shack 299-3511 Scandals Nightclub 252-2838 Shovelhead Saloon 669-9541 Skyland Performing Arts Center 693-0087 Steak & Wine / Satchel’s Martini Bar 505-3362 Stella Blue 236-2424

The Still 683-5913 Stockade Brew House 645-1300 Straightaway Cafe 669-8856 Switzerland Cafe 765-5289 Tallgary’s College Street Pub 232-0809 Tolliver’s Crossing Irish Pub 505-2129 TGI Friday’s 277-4080 Town Pump 669-4808 Tressa’s Downtown Jazz & Blues 254-7072 Vaso De Vino Wine Bar & Market 254-4698 Vincenzo’s Bistro 254-4698 The Watershed 669-0777 Waynesville Water’n Hole 456-4750 Wedge Brewery 505 2792 Westville Pub 225-9782 White Horse 669-0816 Wild Wing Cafe 253-3066 Xcapades 258-9652

Listen to Bad Ash & entertainment writers

every Sunday on

kitchen open until late 3pm-2am everyday pinball, foosball & a kickass jukebox “It’s bigger than it looks!”

504 Haywood Rd. West Asheville 828-255-1109

S M O K E   O R   N O T   T O   S M O K E

OSO: smoking only • SH:ssmoking call clubspforr specfics • ISS: smoking smoking N o outdoor/patio r t h C ar o lina t a t ehours, law o hi b i t sindoor sm o k section ing• SA: ind o oallowed rs .

This Saturday • Rewind Blue / 9pm

U N P L U G G E D

R O C K I N ’

B L U E S

MEMORY MONDAYS TRIVIA NIGHT 2 FLIGHTS • 8 & 9PM • PRIZES! • TACO TUESDAYS $1.50 TACOS & TECATE WILD WEDNESDAYS 50¢ WINGS KARAOKE W/ RYAN ‘O $1.50 PBR PINTS • TROUBADOUR THURSDAYS OPEN MIC/JAM SESSIONS FISHIN’ FRIDAYS • LIVE MUSIC $5 FISH N’ CHIPS • SAKATINI SATURDAYS $2 SHOTS/SAKATINIS $2 • LIVE MUSIC SINFUL SUNDAYS PHISH FOOD/CHERRY GARCIA PINTS • $1 BEER

The Beacon puts Swanna–Somewhere on the map! Hwy. 70 at Whitson Avenue / Join fb-beaconpubandbistro

THURSDAY 3/25

I]Z OZVadih ALTERNATIVE AMERICANA FRIDAY 3/26

7jcXdbWZ Ijgce^`Z CROWD PLEASIN’ HOME SPUN BLUEGRASS SATURDAY 3/27

GdW^c Gd\Zgh BLUES MAVEN TO THE CORE

FRIDAY 4/2

=^\] L^cYn THE MIGHTY WINDS OF BLUEGRASS SATURDAY 4/3

G7 Bdgg^h ROOTS ROCK & BLUES SINGER / POET RETURNS!

COMING SOON: 4/6 - SINGER SONGWRITER IN THE ROUND 4/9 - FAREWELL DRIFTERS 4/10 - SONS OF RALPH

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 77

Chris Rhodes (r&b, blues, pop), 5:30-10pm

Ras Berhane (reggae)

Boiler Room

Pisgah Brewing Company

Jim Weider’s “ProJECT PERCoLAToR�

The Zealots (rock, alternative)

Grammer School (experimental, indie, rock) w/ Seventh Epic & The Dark Shave

Laurey’s Catering and Gourmet To

Chameleon Soul Food

Fred Whisken (jazz pianist)

Go

Ghost Mountain Rhythm and Blues (soul, blues)

Alexander the Grape w/ Barbara Davis, Laurel Davis & Art Shuster (old-time acoustic music)

Red Stag Grill

Club 828

Robert Thomas (jazz standards, blues)

Blame $ presents “Hip-hop night�

Rendezvous Restaurant & Bar

Eleven on Grove

Mixx (r&b)

Salsa & Mambo Dancing, 10pm-2am Dance Lessons, 10:30pm

Rocket Club

Iron Horse Station

Open mic w/ Yorky Jack Of The Wood Pub

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

DJ night w/ Candice B & Brett Rock Lobster Trap

Emerald Lounge

Le Serpent Rouge (belly dance company) w/ Indigo

Dub Cartel w/ Cosmic Wind & Sound Pimp

Stella Blue

Feed and Seed

The Enemy Lovers (rock, indie) w/ Public Radio

Belly dancing

Screech Owl Serenade (swing, old-school country)

Straightaway CafĂŠ

Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Frankie Bones

Amelia’s Mechanics (Americana) w/ Firefly Revival & Jim Avett

Marc Keller (acoustic, variety)

Tallgary’s College Street Pub

Never Blue

The If You Wannas (indie, rock)

Hank Bones Mack Kell’s Pub & Grill

Marc Keller (acoustic, variety) Mela

Utah Green (lyrical, roots)

Pnuma Trio (electronic, funk, jazz) w/ Break Science feat: Adam Deitch

Tolliver’s Crossing Irish Pub

Funny Business Comedy Club

Live music w/ singer-songwriters

Bobcat Goldthwait (comedy) w/ M. Dickson, 8 & 10:30pm

Town Pump

Garage at Biltmore

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues

Purple Onion Cafe

Peggy Ratusz and Daddy Longlegs (soulful blues)

Leavin’ Tracks (bluegrass)

Vincenzo’s Bistro

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Bobby Sullivan (piano)

Kemistry (Southern rock, covers)

Soulgrass Rebellion (roots, bluegrass) w/ Bobby Lee Rodgers & Now You See Them

Well-Bred Bakery and Cafe

Rocket Club

Handlebar

Ampline (progressive, punk) w/ Daikaiju (rock, psychedelic)

Atlanta Rhthym Section (Southern rock) w/ The Crunch

White Horse

Root Bar No. 1

Highland Brewing Company

Sat., March 27

Utah Green (lyrical, roots)

Cropdusters (fusion, rock)

Athena’s Club

Scandals Nightclub

Holland’s Grille

DJ night

“Exposure� DJ night

Buster (“gritty Texas blues, rock�)

Back Room

TGI Friday’s

Infusions Lounge

Big Daddy Love (Americana, bluegrass, folk)

Open mic

Southern Silk Duo (jazz, blues), 7:30-10:30pm

Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

The 170 La Cantinetta

Iron Horse Station

The Wellhouse Band (roots)

Dave Lagadi (smooth jazz)

Paul Cataldo (Americana, country)

Blue Ridge Dining Room & Wine Bar

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues

Jack Of The Wood Pub

Chris Rhodes (r&b, blues, pop), 5:30-10pm

Peggy Ratusz and Friends (blues)

Buncombe Turnpike (bluegrass, acoustic, folk)

Boiler Room

Vincenzo’s Bistro

Jerusalem Garden

Aaron LaFalce (acoustic guitar, singer/songwriter)

Belly dancing w/ live music

Westville Pub

Live music by local artists

Red Stag Grill

Anne Coombs (jazz, swing) Rock Bottom Sports Bar & Grill

Open Mic Jam Session with

The Wellhouse Band &RIDAY .IGHTS PM

Karaoke

3ATURDAY NIGHT PM

Circus Mutt Rock-n-Roll

Thur., March 25th Firefly Revival w/ Amelia’s Mechanics Fri., March 26th Big Daddy Love Sat., March 27th Dischordian Society CD Release Mon., March 29th Jenny Juice’s Brown Bag Songwriting Competition Tues., March 30th Snake Oil Medicine Show Wed., March 31st Soul Jazz Jam

*OIN 5S ON 3UNDAYS FOR NASCAR

Hosted by Asheville Jazz Allstars • No Cover

-F> $;CLPC?Q 0>

77b Biltmore Ave., Asheville, NC 828-258-1550 • mo.daddys@gmail.com Check out our music online! myspace.com/modaddysbar

(Next to Home Depot)

All shows start at 9:30 pm and are $5 unless otherwise noted

78 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

Melodious Earth (rock, funk)

Rafe Hollister (Southern rock)

Good Stuff

The Sireens (jazz, swing)

Old Razcal’s Location! %VERY 7EDNESDAY PM

The Hookah Bar

Orange Peel

Josh Wilson (bluegrass)

Hosted by Asheville Jazz Allstars • No Cover

Yeller Dog (Southern rock) Temple of Boom w/ Quetzatl, J Mo vs. Spooky Jones & John Ebert

Pineapple Jack’s

Wed., March 24th Soul Jazz Jam

French Broad Brewery Tasting Room

Kevin Scanlon (acoustic, folk)

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

Singer/songwriter showcase

$;CLPC?Q 2;P?LH

Purple Onion Cafe

Amelia White (folk, rock) White Horse

“Great Blue Ridge Talent Search� Zuma Coffee

Thursday night bluegrass jam

Fri., March 26 Athena’s Club

DJ night Back Room

John Howie (country) Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Acoustic Swing Blue Ridge Dining Room & Wine Bar

Lobster Trap

Luella’s Bar-B-Que

Little Friday Band (acoustic rock) Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Big Daddy Love CD release party (Americana, bluegrass) w/ American Gun New French Bar Courtyard Cafe

Aries Birthday Dance Party O’Malley’s On Main

Dave Desmelik (Americana) Olive or Twist

Jazz w/ Bill Gerhardt & Sharon LaMont Orange Peel

Tea Leaf Green (rock, psychedelic) w/ Elmwood Pineapple Jack’s

Demijohn Varmits (“Appalachian dirty shuffle�) Robin Bullock (Celtic guitar)

Malebolgia (metal) w/ Uzzard, The Sign of the Southern Cross, Coathanger Abortion & Doom Syndicate Broadway’s

Saint Bernadette (rock) w/ Joe Roberto & Poverty Craggie Brewing Company

Asheville Vaudeville (performance art, music, puppetry) Diana Wortham Theater

David Holt (folk) w/ The Lightning Bolts Eleven on Grove

Country and line dancing Emerald Lounge

Zach Deputy (funk, acoustic) w/ Josh Blake and the Big Money Fairview Tavern

Circus Mutt (rock)

Feed and Seed

Tru Blue w/ Tom Fisch (singer/songwriter)

Westsound (r&b, blues)

Mon., March 29

The Hookah Bar

Club 828

Bobby Sullivan (blues, rock, standards)

Balkan dance party w/ Mezmer Society & Sugarfoot Serenadors

French Broad Brewery Tasting Room

Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

Brushfire Stankgrass (bluegrass)

Bill Gaither Homecoming Tour

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

Tolliver’s Crossing Irish Pub

Lorraine Conard (Americana, blues)

Live music w/ singer-songwriters

Frankie Bones

Funny Business Comedy Club

Town Pump

Bobcat Goldthwait (comedy) w/ M. Dickson, 8 & 10:30pm

Tater Family Traveling Circus

Garage at Biltmore

The Funk Messengers (funk, dance)

As Sick As Us (metal)

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues

Vincenzo’s Bistro

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Open mic night w/ Aaron LaFalce Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Songwriting Competition w/ Jenny Juice

Handlebar

Peg Twisters (“old-time music w/ a twist”)

Benefit for Haiti feat: Acoustic Syndicate (bluegrass, experimental) w/ Bobby Rodgers Trio

Westville Pub

Tue., March 30

The Looters (blues, funk, jam)

Back Room

White Horse

Carrie Arrowood (piano, singer/songwriter)

Jerusalem Garden

Belly dancing w/ live music Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Paper Bird (folk, soul) w/ Now You See Them Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Discordian Society CD release party (eclectic, progressive, jazz, funk) New French Bar Courtyard Cafe

Woody Wood (rock, soul, pop) & Taylor Marten Nine Mile

Ras Berhane (acoustic, reggae) Olive or Twist

42nd Street Jazz Band Orange Peel

Rebirth Brass Band (funk, jam band) & Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk Purple Onion Cafe

Eliza Lynn (singer/songwriter) Red Stag Grill

Robert Thomas (jazz standards, blues) Rendezvous Restaurant & Bar

Mixx (r&b) Rock Bottom Sports Bar & Grill

Live music Rocket Club

Sirius.B. CD release party (“absurdist, Gypsy, folk, funk, punk”) w/ Bomb’s Away Cabaret (burlesque)

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues

D Mack Vocal jazz session w/ Sharon LaMotte, 7:30pm Vincenzo’s Bistro

Marc Keller & Company (variety)

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo (family concert, hiphop), 2pm Song Circle feat: Mary Ellen Bush, Woody Wood, Juan Holladay & more

Beacon Pub

Sun., March 28

Eleven on Grove

Athena’s Club

DJ night Barley’s Taproom

One Leg Up (Gypsy jazz) Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

John Cook (acoustic) Bosco’s Sports Zone

Shag dance & lessons Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

The Legendary Singing Stars (Christian) Jack Of The Wood Pub

Irish session, 5pm Tom Waits time, late Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Aaron Price (piano) Lobster Trap

Chris Rhodes Luella’s Bar-B-Que

Open mic Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Emerald Lounge

Tuesday Night Funk Jam Feed and Seed

Benefit show: Will Ray’s Mountain Jam feat: Sons of Ralph (bluegrass, Americana) Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Jake Hollifield (blues, ragtime) Lobster Trap

Geoff Weeks

The Hookah Bar

Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge

The Return of Phat Tuesday w/ Selector Cleofus & Thump

“Vinyl at the Vault” w/ Chris Ballard

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues

Acoustic spotlight hosted by Peggy Ratusz & “Big Al” Pearlman Vincenzo’s Bistro

Marc Keller & Company (variety)

Pam Stone (comedian)

Tallgary’s College Street Pub

Blues Jam w/ Mars Fariss

Stella Blue

City Squirrels (“Chinese traditional, regional Mexican, Hawaiian”)

White Horse

Tallgary’s College Street Pub

Westville Pub

Town Pump

Irish session, 6:30pm Open mike w/ Parker Brooks, 8:30pm

Pickin’ at the Pump, open acoustic jam

Wild Wing Cafe

Vincenzo’s Bistro

Bluegrass & clogging

Steve Whiddon (piano, vocals)

I K D : 7O C 7 H $ ( . City SquirrelS

a ll ne W m enu! beSt aPPetizerS in aSheville WeDneSDayS Free Pool Sat. & Sun. ChamPagne brunCh & blooDy mary bar

4 College Street

828.232.0809 tallgaryS.Com

• UFC FIGHTS

ON THE BIG SCREEN! thurSDay, march 25 Free!

amelia White alt Folk roCker

Rocket Club

Dance party w/ DJs Acolyte or Zorro & drag show

Screech Owl Serenade (swing, old-school country)

WeStSounD

King Khan & The Shrines (psychedelic, hardcore) w/ The Fresh & Onlys

Scandals Nightclub

Straightaway Café

I 7J K H : 7O C 7 H $ ( -

• NCAA MARCH MADNESS

Orange Peel

Dance party w/ DJ Stratos & drag show

Ironside (metal) w/ My Undoing & Burnstich

yeller Dog

IN THE SPORTS LOUNGE

Snake Oil Medicine Show (psychobilly, bluegrass)

Scandals Nightclub

Skyland Performing Arts Center

< H ? : 7O C 7 H $ ( ,

Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Orange Peel

Sunday jazz jam

Don’t YOU Deserve a Lap Dance?

Swing & Tango lessons and dance w/ One Leg Up

Extract 17, Andy Pond, Ryan Lassiter, Jay Sanders & Bill Cardine

Rocket Club

oPen miC / oPen Jam

Patrick Fitzsimons (blues, folk)

Hank & Johnny (from Firecracker Jazz Band) Waltz Night

M ; : D ; I : 7O C 7 H $ ( *

The Dewdabides

Chalwa (reggae)

Robin Rogers Band (blues)

1/2 Price bottles of Wine 1/2 Price appetizers 5-8

B?L; CKI?9

Town Pump

Lucero (rock, indie, Southern rock) w/ GLOSSARY

Jack Of The Wood Pub

CLUB & SPORTS LOUNGE

Asheville Jazz Orchestra (swing, jazz)

Watershed

Live music

ASHEVILLE’S UPSCALE ADULT

Rocket Club

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Infusions Lounge

J > K H I : 7O I

Hangar

Live music w/ Tom Coppola (early) & Marc Keller (late)

Well-Bred Bakery and Cafe

College Street Pub

Contra dance

DJ dance party

Good Stuff

JWbb]WhoÉi

Metal Monday feat: guest artists

Wed., March 31

SaturDay, march 27

FEATURED ENTERTAINER OF THE WEEK:

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Brooke Clover Folk World roCk

SaturDay, aPril 3

Cary Fridley & doWn south - tueS. -

Blues Jam Featuring the

Westville All Stars hosted by Mars

- WeD. -

Jammin’

with Funky Max

- Fri. -

Trivia Night with Prizes 9pm

Smoke-Free Pub • Pool & DartS

777 Haywood Road • 225-wPUB (9782)

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 79

Mon. Tues.

Thur.

WING NIGHT 5-11 pm

FAT TuesdAy

all u Can Eat Jambalaya & Blues $2 domestics and $5.50 bombs

TRIVIA NIGHT starts at 9 pm

Club 828

Rocket Club

Open mic w/ Barbie Angell

Dance & open jam session

Fairview Tavern

Back Room

“Super dance party” feat: Adam Strange & Crick Nice DJ

Battle of the Bands

Scandals Nightclub

Beacon Pub

Country dance lessons, 9-10pm Dance, 10pm-Midnight

Open jam Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Open mic Boiler Room

Shadow of the Destroyer (metal) Bosco’s Sports Zone

Shag dance Broadway’s

‘80s Night, 10pm Good Stuff

LIVe MusIc

Fri. Sat.

‘80s KARAoKe

Sun. Sunday Bloody Sunday $4.50 Bloody Marys 733 Haywood Rd. • West Asheville (on the corner of Brevard & Haywood Rd.)

828-505-2129

IRISH PUB

Wed. 3/24

Jupiter One & Heypenny w/ Kyle Andrews 8:30pm

Thurs. 3/25

Pierce Edens & Erika Jane 9pm

Fri. 3/26

Open mic Handlebar

Ingrid Michaelson (pop, alternative) w/ Mat Kearney & Cara Salimando

Lucero w/ Glossary 9pm

sun. 3/28

The Ledgendary Singing Stars 6pm

saT. 4/3

Garage at Biltmore

The Hookah Bar

Aaron Buchanan, Homeless Gospel Choir and Playoff Beard Tolliver’s Crossing Irish Pub

‘80s night Town Pump

I-tegrity (reggae) w/ The Suex Effect, Empty Slate & Five Pound Fire Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

“Freedom Ball & Fundraiser “ feat: Crystal Kind (cosmic reggae) & Current Invention

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues

The Free Flow Band (soul, funk) Vincenzo’s Bistro

Steve Whiddon (piano, vocals)

Infusions Lounge

Live music Iron Horse Station

Westville Pub

Open mic w/ Yorky

Jammin’ w/ Funky Max

Jack Of The Wood Pub

Athena’s Club

Lobster Trap

DJ night

Hank Bones

Old Time Jam, 6pm

Back Room

Mack Kell’s Pub & Grill

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Shortwave Society (electronic soundscapes)

Marc Keller (acoustic, variety)

Aaron Woody Wood (soul, pop)

BoBo Gallery

Mela

Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Garrin Benfield (guitarist, singer/songwriter)

Belly dancing

Soul Jazz Jam w/ Sonia Hendrix (singer)

Bosco’s Sports Zone

Open mic & jam

New French Bar Courtyard Cafe

Nine Mile

Ras Berhane (acoustic, reggae)

Club 828

Katie Grace (acoustic, folk, indie) w/ Minorcan & Nikki Talley

Red Stag Grill

Hip-hop night

Pisgah Brewing Company

Bobby Sullivan (blues, rock, standards)

Courtyard Gallery

Lubriphonic (rock, soul)

Bluegrass Jam, 7pm

club xcapades

CD Release 8pm

MONDAY Mack Kell’s Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues TUESDAY Getaway’s (Eleven on Grove) Hookah Bar Mike’s Side Pocket WEDNESDAY

Mac Leaphart, Danielle Howle w/ Josh Roberts & the Hinges (Americana, soul)

Jack Of The Wood Pub

Skinny Legs & All

I N  T H E  C L U B S

Handlebar

Open Mic w/ David Bryan

Marc Keller (singer/songwriter)

John Cowan Band 9pm

KARAOKE

Open mic hosted by Jimbo

Thu., April 1

Thur. Freedom Ball: Fundraiser for 4/1 Glen E. Chapman 7pm Fri. 4/2

Fred’s Parkside Pub & Grill

Holland’s Grille

Soulgrass Rebellion w/ Bobby Lee Rogers & Now You See Them 9pm

saT. 3/27

Open mic

:gdi^X! :mdi^X4

GORGEOUS WNC Ladies! 3 New Satellite Stages & “Exotic Cage Stage”

Asheville Ale House • Fred’s Parkside Pub & Grill • The Hangar • Infusions O’Malleys on Main • Holland’s Grille Rendezvous THURSDAY Beacon Pub • Cancun Mexican Grill Chasers • Club Hairspray Hookah Bar • Shovelhead Saloon FRIDAY Fairview Tavern • Infusions Mack Kell’s • Shovelhead Saloon Stockade Brew House The 170 La Cantinetta SATURDAY Club Hairspray • Holland’s Grille Infusions • Shovelhead Saloon The Still SUNDAY Asheville Ale House • Bosco’s Sports Zone • Cancun Mexican Grill The Hangar • Getaway’s (Eleven on Grove) Mack Kell’s • Wing Cafe Purple Onion Cafe

Laura Blackley (folk, country) Red Stag Grill

Anne Coombs (jazz, swing) Rocket Club

Hillbillionaires w/ Wood Grain Scandals Nightclub

8db[n! 8VhjVa4 Just Relax in Our Upscale Lounge Area & Take in the Scenery

“Exposure” DJ night Town Pump

Gary Segal & Frank Beeson (Americana) Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues

Peggy Ratusz and Friends (blues) Vincenzo’s Bistro

Aaron LaFalce (acoustic guitar, singer/songwriter)

Great Nightly Drink Specials,

Westville Pub

Pool Tables, & Interactive Games.

Zuma Coffee

Brooke Clover (folk, world, rock) Thursday night bluegrass jam

232-5800 www.thegreyeagle.com 185 Clingman Ave. 80 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

Mon. - Sat. 7pm - 2am • 21 to Enter

Fri., April 2

828-258-9652 99 New Leicester Hwy.

Athena’s Club

(3miles west of Downtown -off Patton Ave.)

DJ night Back Room

Singer/Songwriters in the Round feat: Brian McGee, David Ezell, Marc Higgins & more

Belly dancing w/ live music

Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Lobster Trap

Acoustic Swing

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Time Machine Dance Party Live music by local artists

Blue Ridge Dining Room & Wine Bar

Chris Rhodes (r&b, blues, pop), 5:30-10pm Chameleon Soul Food

Ghost Mountain Rhythm and Blues (soul, blues) Club 828

Agobi Project w/ Zoogma & Silver Machine Eleven on Grove

Salsa & Mambo Dancing, 10pm-2am Dance Lessons, 10:30pm Emerald Lounge

Luella’s Bar-B-Que

Jay Brown (“toe-tappin’ roots) New French Bar Courtyard Cafe

DJ night Olive or Twist

Jazz w/ Bill Gerhardt & Sharon LaMont Orange Peel

Godspell (musical) Pisgah Brewing Company

Larry Keel & Natural Bridge(progressive, bluegrass) w/ Jack Ass Flats Red Stag Grill

Secret Army (punk)

Robert Thomas (jazz standards, blues)

Frankie Bones

Billy McCrackin (acoustic, ambient) Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

John Cowan Band (acoustic, bluegrass) Handlebar

Unknown Hinson (rockabilly, psychobilly) w/ Wiggle Wagons Iron Horse Station

Madison County Arts Council presents Dana & Sue Robinson (bluegrass, folk) Jack Of The Wood Pub

High Windy (bluegrass, acoustic) Jerusalem Garden

Rocket Club

Danielle Howle (acoustic, singer/songwriter) w/ Rorey Carrol Stella Blue

Kenyatta “Culture” Hill (reggae) w/ Yard Squad & Crystal Kind Straightaway Café

Duke Freeman (roots, blues) Tallgary’s College Street Pub

Live music The Hookah Bar

Mindelixir, Panther God w/ Jeswa, Brutal Wizards & ParD

Tolliver’s Crossing Irish Pub

Live music w/ singer-songwriters

Taylor Martin’s Engine (roots) Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Lube Royale (experimental, thrash) w/ MC Frontalot

Skinny Legs & All CD release show (blues, funk, soul)

Scandals Nightclub

Black Lillies (Americana, country) Vincenzo’s Bistro

Handlebar

Stella Blue

Bobby Sullivan (piano)

The Crank County Daredevils (Southern rock) w/ Dirtbag Love Affair

Utah Green (lyrical, roots)

Parmalee (Southern rock) w/ Jonas Sees in Color, Modern Day Slave & This Twilight City

White Horse

Infusions Lounge

Town Pump

Well-Bred Bakery and Cafe

Dance party w/ DJ Stratos & drag show

Straightaway Café

Marina Raye (singer/songwriter)

Live music

Twilite Broadcasters (acoustic, rural harmony)

Sat., April 3

Jack Of The Wood Pub

Tallgary’s College Street Pub

RB Morris (soul, country)

Live music

Athena’s Club

Jerusalem Garden

The Hookah Bar

Belly dancing w/ live music

Dash Vara (progressive, funk)

Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Tolliver’s Crossing Irish Pub

Live music w/ singer-songwriters

Blue Ridge Dining Room & Wine

The Taylor Moore Band (guitar slingers & songwriters) w/ RiYeN RoOtS

Bar

New French Bar Courtyard Cafe

Makia Groove (funk, reggae, fusion)

Woodgrain (progressive, psychedelic) w/ Shorty Can’t Eat Books & Tebbe Davis

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and

RUSKO and Two Fresh w/ Devonwho, Bookworm, Diaba$e & Jables

Nine Mile

The Free Flow Band (soul, funk)

Ras Berhane (acoustic, reggae)

Craggie Brewing Company

Vincenzo’s Bistro

Olive or Twist

DJ night Back Room

WSNB (rock, blues)

Chris Rhodes (r&b, blues, pop), 5:30-10pm Club 828

Carolina Music Band (Gypsy reels) Emerald Lounge

Holy Ghost Tent Revival (indie, roots, thrash) Fairview Tavern

Bad Assets (classic rock) Frankie Bones

Aaron LaFalce (alternative, acoustic) Garage at Biltmore

Town Pump

Blues

42nd Street Jazz Band

Live music w/ Tom Coppola (early) & Marc Keller (late)

Orange Peel

Watershed

Godspell (musical), 1pm & 6:30pm

Boo Ray (Southern rock) & Woody Wood

Purple Onion Cafe

Westville Pub

Bucktown Kickback (roots, bluegrass)

Cary Fridley & Down South (traditional country, blues)

Red Stag Grill

Robert Thomas (jazz standards, blues) Rocket Club

March 2 – March 31. 585 Tunnel Rd. Asheville, nC 28805 • 828-298-9600 • www.pResTigesubARu.Com THE #1 SUBARU DEALER IN THE SOUTHEAST!*

*Based on 2009 Sales Reports from SOA.

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 81

theaterlistings Friday, MARCH 26 - Thursday, APRIL 1

Due to possible last-minute scheduling changes, moviegoers may want to confirm showtimes with theaters. n Asheville Pizza &

Brewing Co. (254-1281) Please call the info line for updated showtimes. Tooth Fairy (PG) 1:00, 4:00 Sherlock Holmes (PG-13) 7:00, 10:00

n Carmike Cinema 10

(298-4452)

Avatar 3D (PG-13) 1:05, 4:05, 7:20 The Bounty Hunter (PG-13) 12:20, 2:50, 5:30, 8:00, Late show 10:30 Fri-Sat only The Crazies (R) 11:50, 1:55, 4:15, 7:10, 9:40 Crazy Heart (R) 11:50, 2:25, 5:00, 7:30, Late show 10:10 Fri-Sat only Green Zone (R) 12:10, 3:10, 5:40, 8:10, Late show 10:35 Fri-Sat only How to Train Your Dragon 3D (PG) 12:00, 12:45, 2:15, 3:00, 4:30, 5:15, 7:00, 7:45, 9:15, 10:00 How to Train Your Dragon 2D (PG) 1:30, 3:45, 6:15, 8:30, Late show 10:45 Fri-Sat only Remember Me (PG-13) 2:05, 4:50, 7:35, Late show 10:20 Fri-Sat only Shutter Island (R) 12:35, 3:35, 6:50, 9:50 Strawberry Shortcake Berry Fest (G) 12:30 Sat and Sun only n Carolina Asheville

Cinema 14 (274-9500)

Alice in Wonderland 2D (PG) 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:45. 10:15 Avatar 2D (PG-13) 12:30, 3:45, 8:10 (Sofa Cinema) The Bounty Hunter (PG-13) 12:05, 2:35, 5:05, 7:35, 10:15 Chloe (R) 12:20, 2:45, 5:05, 7:25, 9:45 Crazy Heart (R) 12:20, 2:55, 5:25, 8:15 The Dark Crystal (PG) Midnight Fri-Sat only Diary of a Wimpy Kid (PG) 12:10, 2:20, 4:30,7:20, 9:35 The Ghost Writer (PG-13) 12:35, 3:45, 7:05, 9:55 (Sofa Cinema) Green Zone (R) 12:05, 2:40, 5:20, 8:20 Hot Tub Time Machine (R) 12:05, 2:35, 4:55, 7:30, 9:50 How to Train Your Dragon 3D (PG) 12:00, 2:20, 4:40, 7:15, 9:40 How to Train Your Dragon 2D (PG) 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:55, 10:15 The Hurt Locker (R) 12:35, 7:30

Remember Me (PG-13) 3:20, 10:10 Repo Men (R) 12:10, 2:45, 5:15, 7:50 Shutter Island (R) 12:35, 3:35, 8:05 (Sofa Cinema) n Cinebarre (665-7776)

Alice in Wonderland 2D (PG) 10:35 (Fri-Sun), 1:25, 4:25, 7:20, 9:55 (Fri-Sun) The Bounty Hunter (PG-13) 10:45 (Fri-Sun), 1:45, 4:45, 7:40, 10:15 (Fri-Sun) Green Zone (R) 10:30 (Fri-Sun), 1:35, 4:20, 7:25, 10:10 (Fri-Sun) Hot Tub Time Machine (R) 11:00 (Fri-Sun), 1:30, 4:50, 7:35, 10:05 (Fri-Sun) How to Train Your Dragon (PG) 10:15 (Fri-Sun), 1:10, 4:30, 7:15, 9:35 (Fri-Sun) n Co-ed Cinema

Brevard (883-2200) Green Zone (R) Fri, Sun, Tue, Thu 1:00, 7:00, Sat, Mon, Tue 4:00 Shutter Island (R) Fri, Sun, Tue, Thu 4:00, Sat, Mon, Wed 1:00, 7:00 n Epic of Hendersonville (6931146) n Fine Arts Theatre (232-1536)

The Ghost Writer (PG-13) 1:20, 4:20, 7:20 A Prophet (R) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00 n Flatrock Cinema

(697-2463)

The Hurt Locker (R) 3:30 Me and Orson Welles (PG-13) 12:30 (Sat, Sun, Wed), 7:00 n Regal Biltmore Grande Stadium 15 (684-1298) n United Artists Beaucatcher (298-1234)

Alice in Wonderland 3D (PG) 1:00, 2:00, 4:00, 5:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:30, 10:30 Alice in Wonderland 2D (PG) 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:00 Diary of a Wimpy Kid (PG) 1:40, 4:50, 7:10, 9:40 Hot Tub Time Machine (R) 1:50, 4:40, 7:50, 10:20 Repo Men (R) 1:10, 4:10, 7:40, 10:15 She’s Out of My League (R) 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, 9:50

For some theaters movie listings were not available at press time. Please contact the theater or check mountainx.com for updated information.

crankyhanke

movie reviews and listings by ken hanke

JJJJJ is the maximum rating

additional reviews by justin souther • contact xpressmovies@aol.com

pickoftheweek The Ghost Writer JJJJJ

Director: Roman Polanski Players: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson Psychological Political Thriller Rated PG-13

The Story: A ghost writer is hired to polish the memoirs of a former British prime minister after the mysterious death of the original writer. The Lowdown: A complete return to form for Roman Polanski — a quietly intense psychological and political thriller that ranks up there with the filmmaker’s great works. Not to be missed. Classicism has returned to the movies this year with Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island and now Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer. Don’t look to these movies for the latest in jittery-cam filmmaking, pointlessly peripatetic editing or amateurish acting being palmed off as realism. These are finely crafted works by filmmakers who appreciate professionalism and aren’t jumping on the latest trend for fear of being perceived as old-fashioned. Instead, they make movies rather than worry about such foolishness — and it pays dividends, since The Ghost Writer and Shutter Island get my vote for the best movies of 2010 so far. The Ghost Writer is the best film Polanski has made in more than 30 years. At age 76, Polanski has made a film that is fully worthy of setting alongside his masterpieces of the 1960s and ‘70s. In fact, The Ghost Writer has much in common with some of those films. Its isolated setting is reminiscent of Cul-de-Sac (1966) — a fact that offers some hint to the shape of the story the film finally pieces together. The film’s examination of political corruption is an extension on a bigger scale of that in Chinatown (1974). The film’s overriding theme of the loss of personal identity — or of your identity being swallowed up by that of another — is straight out of The Tenant (1976). Though The Ghost Writer is a political thriller and not a psychological horror picture like The Tenant, the two films are very much kindred spirits. The Ghost Writer starts with an ominous scene on a ferry at night — one that recalls the moment in Fritz Lang’s The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1932) where cars in traffic have to go around a car that is at a stand-still because its driver has been murdered. In this case, the cars on the ferry have to go around a car because its driver isn’t there. The car owner’s body washes up on a beach and he’s presumed to have drunkenly fallen overboard during the crossing. The man’s death is what sets the plot in motion, since the dead man had been ghost writing the autobiography of former British prime

82 MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 • mountainx.com

Pierce Brosnan and Ewan McGregor in Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer ­— one of the best films of the year to date, and work equal to Polanski’s best. minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), allowing for the introduction of a new ghost writer — a character of so little personal substance that he’s billed simply as “the Ghost” (Ewan McGregor). His job is to infuse some life into the apparently deadly dull manuscript — and to do so in a month. The Ghost almost literally steps into the shoes of his late predecessor at Lang’s isolated and carefully guarded Martha’s Vineyard beach house — an uninviting gray structure of sterile modern design. The inhabitants are scarcely more inviting, consisting of Lang’s seemingly neglected wife, Ruth (Olivia Williams); Lang’s assistant and obvious mistress, Amelia (Kim Cattrall); some taciturn servants; and Lang himself. Lang invariably addresses the Ghost as “man” (explained to him later as what Lang always does when he can’t remember someone’s name), undermining any identity McGregor’s character might have. In an attempt to distance himself from his subject — and, as it turns out, retain some identity — the Ghost doesn’t stay at the house, but rents a room at a local inn where the desk clerk (played by Polanski’s daughter, Morgane) absurdly dresses in colonial-era costume. This arrangement, however, proves untenable when the news breaks that Lang is being charged with war crimes, turning the off-season inn into a media circus and cramming the area with protestors. As a result, the Ghost finds himself lodging at the beach house — in his predecessor’s old room, which hasn’t even been divested of the previous occupant’s clothes and effects. In an attempt to claim the room as his own — or at least to keep his own identity from blurring into

that of the first ghost writer — the Ghost starts emptying the place, and in the process finds a concealed packet of photographs and papers with notes and a phone number. The dates on the photographs and documents don’t match the stories in Lang’s book, and the Ghost becomes curious about what’s really going on, setting out to learn the truth for himself. In so doing, he takes the first step in turning into his predecessor — a process he fights even while it consumes him and determines his fate. The distance between this and Polanski’s character Trelkovsky in The Tenant is not great, with the packet of information and pictures standing in for the Egyptian postcard that helps fuel Trelkovsky’s fantasies. (The Ghost throwing away a pair of bedroom slippers belonging to the first writer may well be a reference to a parallel in The Tenant where it is suggested Trelkovsky emulate the previous tenant by wearing slippers after 10 p.m. to lessen the noise.) The Ghost’s efforts at retaining his own identity come to naught. He finds himself not only driving the dead writer’s car, but following the driving directions programmed into its GPS — directions that lead him too close to the truth and very nearly result in him suffering a similar fate on the ferry. The labyrinthian plot unfolds with the expert precision of a filmmaker who knows exactly what he’s doing and how to do it at every turn. Polanski doles out just as much information as necessary, which leads to that rarest of things: a surprise that actually is a surprise, yet one where all the pieces were there all along. The film is personal and yet works on a broader sense, as well, since Lang is fairly obviously modeled on real-life prime minister Tony Blair. The movie poses the question

startingfriday CHLOE

See review in “Cranky Hanke.”

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

Three years ago, Steve Pink made his directorial debut with the inconsequential, but not actively unpleasant, Accepted. Now he’s back with a high-concept R-rated raunch comedy called Hot Tub Time Machine starring John Cusack, Clark Duke, Craig Robinson and Robb Corddry. For some reason, Chevy Chase and Crispin Glover are also on hand. The premise has four friends who travel back to the 1980s in the time machine of the title. Yes, it’s an obvious attempt to cash in on ‘80s nostalgia — while making fun of the decade in the bargain. It hasn’t been screened for critics, but really this is a suicide mission, going up against How to Train Your Dragon. (R)

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

It’s about time that Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders returned — the writer-director team who gave us Lilo & Stitch (2002) — though this is a somewhat different proposition with its 3-D computer animation and more hands involved in the writing process. Plus, the film is being sold on its 3-D and DreamWorks Animation name, not on the filmmakers. Early word, however, suggests that this story, about a young Viking who turns from would-be dragon slayer to dragon owner, may well be a worthy successor to Lilo & Stitch. Time will tell. But it seems a shoo-in for the movie that finally knocks Alice in Wonderland out of the top spot at the box office. (PG) (and provides a fictional answer) of just why Blair always fell in line with whatever the U.S. government wanted. Polanski’s film is nothing short of a masterpiece by a filmmaker who has returned to the top of his game. For anyone who cares about cinema — and especially for admirers of Polanski — The Ghost Writer belongs at the very top of the must-see list. Rated PG-13 for language, brief nudity/sexuality, some violence and a drug reference. reviewed by Ken Hanke Playing at Fine Arts Theatre.

The Bounty Hunter J

Director: Andy Tennant (Fool’s Gold) Players: Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler, Jason Sudeikis, Christine Baranski, Dorian Missick Charmless Romantic Comedy/Thriller Rated PG-13

The Story: A bounty hunter lands the assignment of bringing in his ex-wife. Fighting and romance ensue. The Lowdown: The stars have no chemistry. The story is dopey. The romance is nonexistent. The comedy is unfunny. The sight gags are lame. Any more questions?

Early review samples: • “ It has winningly Potteresque teen-dragonslayer classes, a queen-bee dragon as grand as Godzilla, and a layer of age-of-terror allegory about the ignorance bred by jingoism.” (Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly) • “Writer-directors Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois (Lilo & Stitch) make funny, touching, sublime entertainment out of it.” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone)

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French filmmaker Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet opens locally this week. This story of a young Arab (Tahar Ramin in a much-praised, awardwinning performance) who becomes a kingpin in a French prison has won awards everywhere, it seems, including at Cannes. The film has garnered a BAFTA for Best Film Not in the English Language and nine César awards in France. That’s pretty impressive. Equally impressive is the 96 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes (104 positive reviews to four negative ones). Whether it can live up to that much praise will be answered this week. (R) Early review samples: • “Jacques Audiard’s film, which lasts two and a half hours, maintains an unflagging urgency, stalling only when the double-dealing grows too dense.” (Anthony Lane, The New Yorker) • “Part prison film, part crime story, part intense personal drama, this all-consuming narrative with the power and drive of a Formula One racer has been something of a phenomenon since it took the grand jury prize at Cannes last year.” (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times)

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Remember that witty banter between William Powell and Myrna Loy in The Thin Man (1934)? Remember the romantic charm of Robert Donat and Madeline Carroll being handcuffed together and forced to share a bed in The 39 Steps (1935)? Remember the rapid-fire bickering that led to the reconciliation of ex-husband Cary Grant and ex-wife Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday (1940)? Well, then re-watch any one of those movies instead of Andy Tennant’s unfunny, uncharming and slightly repulsive The Bounty Hunter. Of course, if you remember those other films, chances are you weren’t planning on seeing this anyway — and if you were planning on seeing The Bounty Hunter, nothing I say is likely to dissuade you. In its very extremely marginal favor, The Bounty Hunter can at least claim that it is neither of last week’s dueling duo of direness, Remember Me and Our Family Wedding. I suppose that’s something. Alas, “something,” in this case, simply means it doesn’t stink quite so much, but is still notably ripe. Jennifer Aniston is Nicole Hurley, a hard-hitting investigative reporter (it’s called suspension of disbelief) who by pursuing a hot lead on a story misses her trial date for one of those silly charges that only make it to court in the movies. Gerard Butler is Milo Boyd, a hard-drinking bounty hunter (and former NYPD cop), who also happens to

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 83

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Tune In to Cranky Hanke’s Movie Reviews

5:30 pm Fridays on Matt Mittan’s Take a Stand.

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be Nicole’s ex-husband. Wouldn’t you know it? Milo gets sent to bring in his ex-wife — and he loves the idea. But do they still really love each other? If you can’t answer that, you need to get out more. Now, if that’s not enough to induce convulsions of laughter, the script by Sarah Thorp (who penned the silly thriller Twisted a few years ago) is filled with complications of both the comedic and action/thriller kind. Nicole is saddled with a love-struck weasel named Stewart (Jason Sudeikis, who appears to be from Saturday Night Live), with whom she ill-advisedly made out at a drunken Christmas party. She also has goons from that hot lead out to kill her. Milo, for his part, has some lowrent kneecapping specialists after him for gambling debts. There’s also a potentially duplicitous best friend of the leads, Bobby (Dorian Messick, Lucky Number Slevin), who expends a lot of energy casting suspicion on himself. The problem isn’t just that none of this festoonery of subplots is interesting or compelling, it’s that they’re in the service of a romance between two of the most charmless characters ever to have a movie built around them. While neither character is remotely likable, Butler — with his nonstop uncouthness, slovenly appearance and seeming lack of rudimentary hygiene — is slightly more repellent than Aniston. The film’s idea of romantic banter is nailed in the opening scene (pointlessly moved from the linear structure of the film to the opening, as if the filmmakers think this is a TV show and need to grab your attention with something supposedly dynamic). Stuck in the trunk of Butler’s car, Aniston lights a flare so the smoke will make him let her out (never mind she’d probably be asphyxiated). When Butler opens the trunk, Aniston punches him in the crotch and runs. That’s about as sophisticated as the movie gets — unless multiple handcuffings count (two resulting in characters carrying bulky objects around). Did no one notice this thing was lying on the floor like a landed fish while they were making the film? Considering the fact that poor Christine Baranski — one of the few highlights of the movie — plays an entire scene with lipstick smeared on her teeth (ever hear of a retake?), I’d say there’s a good chance no one did notice. Rated PG-13 for sexual content, including suggestive comments, language and some violence. reviewed by Ken Hanke Playing at Carmike Cinema 10, Carolina Asheville Cinema 14, Cinebarre, Epic of Hendersonville, Regal Biltmore Grande 15.

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Chloe JJJJ

Director: Atom Egoyan (Ararat) Players: Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Max Thieriot Drama/Thriller

Rated R

The Story: A wife, suspicious of her husband’s fidelity, hires a young prostitute to test his faithfulness. The Lowdown: It’s stylish, well-acted and contains some good performances, but devolves into a not-very-persuasive exploitation thriller. Entertaining, but not the film it starts out to be. Atom Egoyan’s Chloe is a movie with a lot of things going for it. It’s stylishly directed and every inch a rich-looking production. Julianne Moore gives a terrific central performance. Liam Neeson nearly matches her in a performance that is more complex than it seems to be on the surface, when you look at it within the context of the whole film. Amanda Seyfried may not be in their league — her performance is uneven, occasionally on the mark, occasionally almost amateurish — but when she scores, she’s very good indeed. It’s also something of a treat to see a movie shot in Toronto where the city is allowed to play itself, rather than be used as a stand-in for “insert name of big U.S. city here.” While Chloe has so much going for it, the film also has two things working against it. The lesser of these is strictly a question of class-consciousness. The main characters live in such a rarefied upscale world of privilege that it’s hard to work up a great deal of sympathy for their angst: real, imagined or self-created. At least they keep working at their jobs through it all. If this were a Hollywood production, everyone would just stay at home and stew in their misery on an apparently magically conjured income. More troublesome is the film’s plot, however. The premise of Chloe is solid enough. It revolves around gynecologist Catherine Stewart (Moore), a middle-aged woman who has become insecure in her looks and appeal — and who has become increasingly suspicious that husband David (Neeson) is unfaithful. The fact that David’s job as a professor of music has him surrounded by pretty young co-eds (with whom he tends to flirt) only makes her suspicions that much worse — especially after he bails on his birthday party and stays overnight on a conference trip. That he seems to take sex rather casually — letting their son Michael

(Max Thieriot, Kit Kittredge: An American Girl) have girlfriend Anna (Nina Dobrev) sleep over — only fuels the fire. So Catherine resolves to find out what’s going on. To test David’s faithfulness, she hires a prostitute, Chloe (Seyfried), to come on to him and see what happens. OK, so now things are getting a little preposterous, especially since this is a scenario that’s rife with comedic possibilities. (Ferenc Molnar explored it with a jealous husband and a possibly unfaithful wife about 100 years ago in his play The Guardsman.) None too surprisingly, Chloe accomplishes her goal — at first to Catherine’s dismay. But as things progress, Catherine finds herself getting aroused by Chloe’s tales of her trysts with David — as if she’s having a vicarious love life with her own husband. And while this is psychologically interesting, it’s where the story starts going wrong. It’s impossible to discuss the problems with the rest of Chloe without at least flirting with spoilers, so bear that in mind before you read on. The first problem lies in an aspect of the story that stares you in the face: Why on earth should Catherine take what Chloe tells her at face value? Well, she shouldn’t — and we don’t — but she does. This is mostly because in its heart of hearts Chloe is a silly late 1980s or early 1990s psychosexual thriller — a kind of Sapphic variant on Fatal Attraction (1987), with a good dose of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) thrown in for good (or bad) measure. And, yes, it all leads to a melodramatic climax that all the psychological subtext and style in the world can’t overcome. Chloe is enjoyable, but it starts out by promising to be considerably more. Rated R for strong sexual content, including graphic dialogue, nudity and language. reviewed by Ken Hanke Starts Friday at Carolina Asheville Cinema 14.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid JJJJ

Director: Thor Freudenthal (Hotel for Dogs) Players: Zachary Gordon, Robert Capron, Rachael Harris, Steve Zahn, Devon Bostick Family Comedy

Rated PG

The Story: A boy is continuously thwarted in his attempts at gaining popularity in his first year of middle school. The Lowdown: A surprisingly imaginative, often amusing little movie that’s a rarity in the world of kids films.

There’s a part of me that wants to oversell Thor Freudenthal’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid based solely on how low the bar has been set for children’s movies. The thinking behind what gets greenlit in the world of family entertainment always seems to be that kids will watch just about anything: Throw in some fart jokes and it’s money in the bank. There are exceptions. For every Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) that inexplicably makes a fortune, there’s a heap of equally humdrum Tooth Fairys (2009) doing squat. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem to take much to make a children’s movie that will fill up multiplexes. So it’s simply a relief to find a family film that doesn’t feel the need to resort to pandering. This isn’t to say Diary of a Wimpy Kid is some high-class affair devoid of base, lowest-common-denominator humor. It’s still a kids’ movie; the occasional bout of bathroom humor is a prerequisite. But at the same time, it’s mixed in with a clever and often amusing approach that’s more adult, while still retaining its playfulness. Based on Jeff Kinney’s series of illustrated children’s books, the film is told through the diary (though the title character insists it’s a journal) of Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon, The Brothers Bloom). The story arc consists of Greg’s first year of middle school and his constant — and ill-advised — attempts at climbing the social ladder. Whether he’s being thwarted by his slacker brother (Devon Bostick, Saw VI) or his dorky and socially inept best friend (Robert

Capron, Bride Wars), Greg’s middle-school life is a string of bungled high jinks. As a concept, it’s serviceable. But what makes the movie work is more its attitude than anything else. Diary of a Wimpy Kid feels more in tune with — while never being quite as strange as — that odd period of off-the-wall kids’ programming that populated television in the early to mid ’90s, coming off a good bit as spiritual brother to stuff like The Adventures of Pete & Pete or Eerie, Indiana. At the same time, there’s an unexpected undercurrent of pre-teen Woody Allen going on here. There’s something classier about Diary of a Wimpy Kid than the usual family fare, like seventh graders reading Allen Ginsburg. Plus, Greg’s insistence on calling everyone idiots and morons isn’t too far removed from Larry David in Allen’s Whatever Works (2009). Do not, however, think that the film is going to fly right over the head of its target audience. It still holds onto its inherent goofiness; this is, after all, a movie where a moldy piece of cheese is a major plot point. But it’s the film’s ability to skirt its own screwiness with an understated, underlying — and welcome — intelligence that makes Diary of a Wimpy Kid a nice reprieve as far as family films go. Rated PG for some rude humor and language. reviewed by Justin Souther Playing at Carolina Asheville Cinema 14, Epic of Hendersonville, Regal Biltmore Grande 15, United Artists Beaucatcher Cinema 7.

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The Illustrated Man JJJ

Director: Jack Smight (Rabbit, Run) Players: Rod Steiger, Claire Bloom, Robert Drivas, Don Dubbins, Jason Evers Sci-Fi/Fantasy Rated PG Rod Steiger does what he can to anchor this slightly dreary and depressing film version of Ray Bradbury’s The Illustrated Man (1969) from director Jack Smight, who helms the film in much the same flat style he learned doing episodes of The Twilight Zone and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. It’s that and the dated 1969 vision of the future that ultimately scuttles the film as anything more than an interesting curio. The Hendersonville Film Society will show The Illustrated Man at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29, in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community (behind Epic Cinemas), 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville.

Swept Away ... by an Unusual Destiny in the Blue Sea of August JJJJJ

Director: Lina Wertmüller Players: Giancarlo Giannini. Mariangela Melato, Riccardo Salvino, Isa Danieli Comedy/Romance/Drama Rated R It’s always a pleasure to see the unfairly — and incomprehensibly — overlooked work of Lina Wertmüller receive some attention, and Swept Away ... by an Unusual Destiny in the Blue Sea of August (1974) is one of her best films. It’s not quite up to Seven Beauties (1975), but this unofficial — and more politically charged — variation on J.M. Barrie’s The Admirable Crichton doesn’t miss by much. Funny, sexy and with more than a little something on its mind, the film is perhaps — and unfortunately — known today as the original for the disastrous 2002 Guy Ritchie remake starring Madonna. Classic Cinema From Around the World will present Swept Away at 8 p.m. Friday, March 26, at Courtyard Gallery, 9 Walnut St., in downtown Asheville. Info: 273-3332. For Cranky Hanke’s full reviews of these movies, visit www.mountainx.com/movies.

mountainx.com • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 85

nowplaying Alice in Wonderland JJJJJ

Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover Fantasy In this sequel to Alice in Wonderland, the young adult Alice is lured back to the land of her youthful adventures to help defeat the tyrannical Red Queen. A visually striking, emotionally involving, highly Burtonized take on the Alice in Wonderland stories that sometimes soars without quite striking the gong, but is never less than entertaining. Rated PG

Avatar JJJJ

Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez Science Fiction In the future, an ex-Marine inflitrates the indigenous race on the planet Pandora, only to find their simple ways superior to those of civilization as he knows it. An undeniable effects and design extravaganza, Avatar is nonetheless a fairly basic story with a new paint job. Rated PG-13

The Bounty Hunter J

Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler, Jason Sudeikis, Christine Baranski, Dorian Missick Charmless Romantic Comedy/Thriller A bounty hunter lands the assignment of bringing in his ex-wife. Fighting and romance ensue. The stars have no chemistry. The story is dopey. The romance is nonexistent. The comedy is unfunny. The sight gags are lame. Any more questions? Rated PG-13

Chloe JJJJ

Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Max Thieriot Drama/Thriller A wife, suspicious of her husband’s fidelity, hires a young prostitute to test his faithfulness. It’s stylish, well-acted and contains some good performances, but devolves into a not-verypersuasive exploitation thriller. Entertaining, but not the film it starts out to be. Rated R

Crazy Heart JJJJ

Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, Jack Nation Redemption Drama With Country Music A down-on-his-luck alcoholic country singer on the dead-end circuit gets a chance at a comeback and personal redemption. A straightforward redemption drama that’s damaged by an unpersuasive romance, but offers the compensation of a strong lead performance from Jeff Bridges. Rated R

Diary of a Wimpy Kid JJJJ

Zachary Gordon, Robert Capron, Rachael Harris, Steve Zahn, Devon Bostick Family Comedy A boy is continuously thwarted in his attempts at gaining popularity in his first year of middle school. A surprisingly imaginative, often amusing little movie that’s a rarity in the world of kids films. Rated PG

The Ghost Writer JJJJJ

Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson Psychological Political Thriller A ghost writer is hired to polish the memoirs of a former British prime minister after the mysterious death of the original writer. A complete return to form for Roman Polanski—a quietly intense psychological and political thriller that ranks up there with the filmmaker’s great works. Not to be missed. Rated PG-13

Green Zone JJJJ

Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Brendan Gleeson, Khalid Abdalla, Amy Ryan Political Thriller A warrant officer in Iraq in 2003 starts asking questions about the intelligence that keeps leading him to WMD sites where no weapons are found. A mix of fact and fiction, fictionalized fact and factualized fiction that works enough of the time to make for reasonably compelling viewing without feeling essential. Rated R

Our Family Wedding J

Forest Whitaker, America Ferrera, Carlos Mencia, Regina King, Lance Gross, Diana-Maria Riva Culture-Clash Romantic Comedy Feuding fathers threaten to undermine the wedding of their children. There is simply no excuse for the movie’s existence. Rated PG-13

Remember Me J

Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Tate Ellington, Chris Cooper, Lena Olin, Pierce Brosnan Romantic Drama With Pretensions Romance between two damaged characters with parental issues. A largely shapeless romantic drama that attempts to prove Robert Pattinson is a real actor—and doesn’t make much of a case. Rated PG13

Repo Men JJJ

Jude Law, Forest Whitaker, Liev Schreiber, Alice Braga, Carice van Houten Sci-Fi/Action In the future, a repo man in the business of repossessing designer organs from deadbeat patients finds himself on the other end of the repossession game. A well-acted and occasionally stylish sci-fi yarn that’s too derivative to be as thought-provoking as it thinks it is. Rated R

She’s Out of My League JJJ

Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, T.J. Miller, Mike Vogel, Nate Torrence Romantic Comedy A dorky airport security guard suddenly finds himself in a relationship with a woman who he worries is too attractive for him. An often pleasant, occasionally amusing romantic comedy that’s more harmless than good. Rated R

Repo Men JJJ

Director: Miguel Sapochnik Players: Jude Law, Forest Whitaker, Liev Schreiber, Alice Braga, Carice van Houten Sci-Fi/Action

Rated R

The Story: In the future, a repo man in the business of repossessing designer organs from deadbeat patients finds himself on the other end of the repossession game.

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The Lowdown: A well-acted and occasionally stylish sci-fi yarn that’s too derivative to be as thought-provoking as it thinks it is. Despite the gnashing of teeth in certain corners of the Internet before Miguel Sapochnik’s Repo Men was even released, the movie has no relation — besides the basic premise — to Darren Lynn Bousman’s Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008). It has even less to do with Alex Cox’s Repo Man (1984). But don’t let this fool you, this doesn’t mean Repo Men is some bastion of originality. The film is wedged firmly within the tradition of dystopian sci-fi. In the future, designer organs — from kidneys, to hearts, to upgrades in hearing and eyesight — are available to anyone and everyone for a price. However, if a buyer gets behind on his/her payments, the property is repossessed by a repo man, generally in very bloody, surgical, impromptu terms. The film follows one of these repo men, a war vet named Remy (Jude Law). Remy is the best at his job — until an accident leaves him with an artificial heart and piles of bills. The majority of the film involves Remy attempting to escape his former employers — including his best friend and former partner Jake (Forest Whitaker) — and prevent his heart from getting repossessed all Temple of Doom-style. This makes for

Shutter Island JJJJJ

Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max Von Sydow, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer Psychological Neo-Noir Horror A U.S. Marshall and his new partner are sent to a very mysterious maximum-security insane asylum after a patient inexplicably disappears from her room. Martin Scorsese’s psychological thriller is more than a stylish thriller, though it’s certainly stylish and atmospheric. However, it’s a film that may irritate some viewers by refusing to stick to the thriller playbook. Rated R

The Last Station JJJJJ

Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti, Kerry Condon, Anne-Marie Duff Biographical Domestic Farce/Tragedy The story of the last year in the life of the writer Leo Tolstoy—and the battle for the control of his estate. A surprisingly entertaining, beautifully made historical film with large doses of humor and brilliant performances from Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer. Rated R

The White Ribbon JJJJ

Christian Friedel, Ernst Jacobi, Leonie Benesch, Ulrich Tukur, Ursina Lardi Drama Strange and disturbing events permit themselves the luxury of occurring in a small village in rural Germany just before WWI. An unsettling, chilly examination of the effects of a tyrannical patriarchal society. Powerful, but unrelentingly grim. Rated R

a lot of action set pieces, but little else. There’s definitely potential for puckish satire and some kind of greater point, but instead all we get is a vague outcry against credit-card companies as an excuse for wholesale bloodletting. In a lot of ways — some subtle (like the aforementioned power of credit) and some not so (check out the ending) — Repo Men is just a dumbed-down, humorless version of Terry Gilliam’s Brazil (1985). Like the obvious cribbing of the hallway-fight scene from Chan-wook Park’s Oldboy (2003), the comparisons to Brazil could be taken as homage. But the pilfered bits are so obvious and toothless that it’s quite clear that Repo Men’s relation to Brazil is more to derive a “shocking” twist as opposed to being in the service of something more revelatory. Where Brazil, with its sense of humor and flights of fancy, accumulated to create something devastating, here the payoff is just a helping of gratuitous viscera. Nevertheless, this doesn’t keep Repo Men from acting like it’s more significant than it actually is. Some critics have taken exception to the movie’s indulgence in ultraviolence. There’s definitely a sense that Sapochnik finds it all strangely poetic — the scene of vaguely sadomasochistic lovemaking towards the end of the film attests to that. There’s also an underlying homoerotic bent in the way Jake sees Remy, and — without delving into spoilers — I’m convinced you could make a pretty interesting psychological reading of the film’s final act and the way it relates to its own last-minute twist. But that’s a lot of energy to expend on what’s ultimately nothing more than a tarted-up version of the big dumb action flick. Rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, language and some sexuality/nudity. reviewed by Justin Souther Playing at Carolina Asheville Cinema 14, Epic of Hendersonville, Regal Biltmore Grande 15, United Artists Beaucatcher Cinema 7.

Classified Advertising Sales Team:

marketplace

• Tim Navaille: 828-251-1333 ext.111, tnavaille@mountainx.com • Rick Goldstein: 828-251-1333 ext.123, rgoldstein@mountainx.com • Arenda Manning: 828-251-1333 ext. 138, amanning@mountainx.com

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The Green Family Goes Green

The FAQs

realestate

Real EstateSpotlight a paid advertising feature highlighting the best in local real estate

About Green Building

p.88

by Elizabeth Koenig

jobs

This spring, Mr. Green pondered paving his driveway. He loved driving on new, smooth, black asphalt and thought it would be perfect for working on his skateboard tricks. But when he talked to Mrs. Green about it, she stopped him in his roller tracks. “Asphalt is not the best idea, dear. Have you researched permeable paving? We are The Greens. We need to do the best we can for our environment.” “Permeable paving allows water to seep into the pavement, preventing runoff and erosion problems. It also acts as a water filter, sifting out pesticides and other harmful chemicals that water may carry. There are so many beautiful types — if you want a new driveway, we should do pervious!” They settled on porous concrete: With that type of pervious paving, Mr. Green could still practice his skateboarding and they could still have a “green” driveway.

S E C T I O N

p.90

crossword

See Pages 94 & 95

SIZES & RATES FOR EVERY BUDGET!

p.93

home

improvement

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Contact Rick Goldstein at 828-458-9195 or 828-251-1333 ext. 123 • rgoldstein@mountianx.com p.94 Work with a REALTOR® who loves what she does…

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• MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010

87

WEST ASHEVILLE BUNGALOW • 1,050 sq.ft. 2BR, 1BA. Bonus room, large/private lot, new siding/floors, artist studio. Great location. $212,000 (negotiable). Call 828-280-7537.

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$425,000 • SPECIAL HOME Next to Asheville School in private neighborhood. 5BR, 3BA, LR, DR w/fireplace. Lovely sunporch. MLS#459280. Call Kenny Horton: 582-4509. TownandMountainRealty.com 1% BUYER AGENT COMMISSION 1% rebate from Buyer Agent Commission. Search all WNC properties including foreclosures at www.BuncombeRealty.com, view any home within 24 hours, 828-301-2021. 10,000 HOMES • 1 ADDRESS! Search virtually all MLS listings. Visit www.KWBrent.com

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22 ACRE ESTATE ADJOINING PARKWAY • $1,150,000 This home was built with the finest craftsmanship. Cathedral ceilings, custom kitchen, private master suite, decks. Creeks, pond, views, gardens. 15 minutes east of Asheville in the Upper Riceville community, adjoining National Park Service land. MLS#456600. Call Bill Palas, (828) 691-7194. bpalas@bellsouth.net. www.appalachianrealty.com

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EMD <EH L;HO BEM CEDJ>BO F7OC;DJI 7dZ H[c[cX[h # ."&&& JWn 9h[Z_j ;nf_h[i 7fh_b )&" (&'& 9B?D=C7D 7L;DK; BE< JI • 1 & 2 BR Condominiums • Close to downtown • Nine foot ceilings • Energy Star and NC HealthyBuilt Home certified • Private Balconies

Accelerated Real Estate Marketing Group. P.O. Box 399 Marshall, NC, 28753. 828-649-9898 828-273-8822. NCAL 2789 * NCAFL 7879 STONE COTTAGE FOR SALE Fully renovated stone house close to downtown, hospital, city park, and McCormick field. 3BR/2BA with cedar shake front porch and large privacy fence in back yard. Stainless appliances, central heat and air, stone fireplace and hardwood floors. Email or call for Pictures. Benrip@gmail.com $290,000. (828)380-0841.

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PRIME WEST ASHEVILLE LOT • Walk to Haywood or just to the park. 0.23 acres off Davenport Rd. MLS #458548. $56K. cindy@ashevilleproperty.com 828-243-0217, 828-210-3636. www.ashevilleproperty.com I BUY ALL HOMES NO MATTER WHAT CONDITION! I will buy any condition home for CASH. Please call Rob Sargent at 828719-8052. robertmsargent@gmail.com - I Can Help.

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DOWNTOWN KRESS BUILDING Custom Condo in the historic Kress Building. 2 PINs, adjoining spiral staircase. Original maple floors, private balconies, high ceilings. • $525,000, lease/purchase also available for $1800/month. MLS#456097. The Real Estate Center, (828) 255-4663. www.recenter.com

LEXINGTON STATION Downtown high-end condos on Lexington Ave. Hardwood floors, stainless appliances, balconies, fitness center, parking. 3BR penthouse: $525,000 • 1BR: $185,000. • 2BR: $260,000. The Real Estate Center: (828) 255-4663. www.recenter.com

Cleaning

Heating & Cooling CONSERVE ENERGY/MONEY! Home Weatherization. Building Performance Institute Certified Home Energy Auditor. • Infared Thermal Imaging • Blower-door Testing • Gas Safety Inspections • Air-Sealing. (828) 329-0799 or (828) 367-2061. Asheville Energy Audits. MAYBERRY HEATING AND COOLING INC • Service • Repairs • Replacements AC/Heat Pumps • Gas/Oil Furnaces • New Construction/Renovations • Indoor Air Quality Products. (828) 658-9145.

Upholstery UPHOLSTERY AND RESTORATION Quality and friendly custom restoration services for all your upholstery needs. • Auto • Home. Free estimates. (828) 776-8220.

General Services

HIDDEN TREASURES Distinctive, Remodels, and New Construction. • Small projects to Grand! • We’ll help you evaluate, design and transform your home into your Dream Home. • 25 years experience. • Efficient • Affordable • Reliable. 628-9651 or 279-2606. HOME WATER LEAKS A Problem? Excellent leak detection! Lasting correction! Experience! References! Call 828-273-5271.

Handy Man HIRE A HUSBAND Handyman Services. 30 years professional experience. Quality, reliability. References available. Free estimates. $2 million liability insurance. Stephen Houpis, (828) 280-2254. RELIABLE REPAIRS! Quality work! All types maintenance/repair, indoor/outdoor. • Excellent water leak detection/correction! • Wind damaged shingle/roof repair! 38 years experience! Responsible! Honest! Harmonious! References! Call Brad, you’ll be Glad! (828) 273-5271.

Construction MAINTENANCE CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANT NEEDED Have valid NCDL, at least 18yrs, understand basic construction principles, building maintenance knowledge helpful/not required.$9.00 hour/start. Apply in person, call 828-665-4150 between 9am3pm M/F for directions.

Services

Education/ Tutoring HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Graduate in just 4 weeks!! FREE Brochure. Call now. 1-800-532-6546 Ext. 97 www.continentalacademy.com (AAN CAN)

Computer COMPUTER SERVICE AT YOUR DOORSTEP We Come To You! • PC and Mac • Slow computer? We’ll speed it up. • Repairs • Upgrades • Networking • Tutoring. Senior Citizen/Nonprofit Discounts. Call Christopher’s Computers, 828670-9800. Member Better Business Bureau of WNC. christopherscomputers.com

Financial AFFORDABLE TAX FILING I will save you money! • E-filing • Business • Individual. • 20 years professional experience. Muriel Smith, Accountant. Call (828) 252-6500.

Caregivers MOMMY’S HELPER • Nanny with credentials and transportation. Includes academic tutoring. Please call 828-318-5080.

Commercial Listings

Commercial Property COMMERCIAL FOR SALE • Downtown, Coxe Avenue one story building, approximately 1800 sqft, affordable price, reduced, $245,000. • Downtown, brick building w/high ceilings, roll-up doors, concrete floors, reduced, $299,000. • Downtown, Lexington Avenue turn-key coffee bar, reduced, $330,000. • The Real Estate Center, (828) 255-4663. www.recenter.com HENDERSONVILLE. Urban flex space on historic 7th Ave. Live, work. 9,000 sq. ft. for only $405,000. Bank owned. G/M Property Group 828-281-4024,

Commercial For Lease 1 MONTH FREE! (W/12 month lease). River Arts Studios starting at $180/month, includes utilities. Call 250-9700 or e-mail: rega@charterinternet.com 1998 HENDERSONVILLE ROAD Skyland Office Park. 4 office suite, 1020 sqft, $1400/month. Call Tim: (828) 776-0738 or tim @homesourcebuilders.com 2 GREAT LOCATIONS • HENDERSONVILLE ROAD • Class A office space for lease. • Restaurant space for lease. 1514 sqft. (828) 691-0586. 75 SQFT OFFICE Renovated 348 Merrimon Avenue building. Second floor with view of Grove Park Inn. Shared lobby space, kitchenette, and ample parking. $225/month. Call for an appointment: (828) 582-5397. office@trilliumproperties.net ASHEVILLE • ALL POINTS Check out our inventory of commercial property starting at $595-$6000 monthly lease or $295K and up for sale. Paula Cooper, The Real Estate Center, (828) 775-1485. www.recenter.com

Rentals

Rooms For Rent ATTRACTIVE, 2,000 SQ,FT. DOWNTOWN OFFICE • 55 Grove Street. Four offices, break room, large reception area. Below market at $10/ sq. ft. Ample parking nearby. Practical and beautiful. Call (828) 253-9451. DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE: For lease. Retail and office suites, 222 to 2,964 sqft. Very prominent locations. Call G/M Property Group, 828-281-4024. jmenk@gmproperty.com DOWNTOWN Ground-floor retail w/courtyard on Lexington Avenue. Approximately 2982 sqft, hardwood floors, newer building. • Reduced: $1800/month. The Real Estate Center, (828) 255-4663. www.recenter.com LEXINGTON AVENUE Vanilla shell w/loads of character, hardwood floors, exposed beams, 3 bathrooms, large windows, $3,950/month. The Real Estate Center, (828) 255-4663. www.recenter.com MASSAGE OFFICE SHARE • Very nice reception and treatment rooms. Charlotte St., Asheville. Free parking, wheelchair accessible. 828-275-5497. RETAIL • NORTH ASHEVILLE Bright, clean, nearly new space on Merrimon. 1000 sqft, plus 700 sqft storage, $1500/month. (828) 606-5134. ajm.urbangreen@gmail.com RIVER DISTRICT 6,000 sqft shell - artists; flexible uses. Owner will upfit for Class A office. Call G/M Property Group, 828-281-4024. jmenk@gmproperty.com

Business Rentals 2-ROOM SUITE, WEST ASHEVILLE New 2nd floor construction, hi-traffic Haywood Rd and Patton Ave. Big windows, central air/heat, most utilities included, $550/mo. Call 828-712-8290 ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN OFFICE SPACE Historic Miles Building. 2 Wall Street. Large and small suites available. Some have hardwood floors. All have charm, high ceilings and are updated. We are a nonsmoking, friendly working community. For Inquiries: mrsmawest@yahoo.com or 828 242-5456 SPACE FOR RENT — ASHEVILLE NATURAL HEALTH & HOMEOPATHY Appropriate for counselors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, others. Full and part-time offices for rent starting at $125 per month. Reception/web presence/advertising negotiable. Nice building. 12x12 offices in a great location with other successful practitioners. Call 230-7067.

ARDEN • FULLY FURNISHED Private, peaceful, organic house and gardens. Close to everything! • No smoking/drugs. No lease. $395/month. 687-2390.

Apartments For Rent 1 & 2 BEDROOMS • APRIL FREE RENT Starting at $595/Month!* Apartment living in a park-like setting. • Hurry! * Special pricing ends March 31, 2010! * Price based on a 12 month lease. Call 274-4477. EHO. woodsedge.webs.com

2BR, 1.5BA SOUTH • 2 Oakview. Heat pump, dishwasher. $600/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 2BR, 1BA DOWNTOWN • 68 N. French Broad Ave. Views, A/C. $750/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 2BR, 1BA SOUTH • 6 Lakewood. AC, W/D hookups. $650-$675/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 2BR, 1BA • Downtown Weaverville. Great kitchen/laundry room with W/D included. $675/month 828-775-9434. 2BR, 2BA CENTRAL • 130 Aurora. A/C. Great location. $690/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com

1 FREE MONTH! (w/contract). Live, work and play downtown. • Studio: $545/month. Call 254-2229. APM

2BR, 2BA SOUTH • 19 Ravenscroft. Fireplace, patio. $735/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com

1-2BR/1-1.5BA SOUTH, SKYLAND HEIGHTS AC, storage, $495-$525/month. 828-253-1517, www.leslieandassoc.com

2BR/1BA NORTH 501 Beaverdam, $545/month. Mountain Views, Washer/Dryer hookups, 828-253-151. www.leslieandassoc.com

1-3BR, 1BA EAST • 7 Violet Hills. $475-$595/month. A/C, D/W. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com

2BR/1BA NORTH 87 Wild Cherry, $635/month. Good location, Washer/Dryer hookups, 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com

1, 2, 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS From $525$1500. • Huge selection! • Pet friendly. (828) 251-9966. Alpha-Real-Estate.com

2BR/1BA WEST • 217 Bear Creek. $615/month. Central A/C - Heat, deck. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com

1.5BR, 1BA SOUTH • 630 Rose Hill. Patio, carpet floors. $595/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com

2BR/1BA WEST • 45 Florida. $615/month. W/D connections, deck. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com

1BA/STUDIO • 85 Merrimon. Sprint Special! All utilities included. $500/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com

2BR/2BA ARDEN, GLEN BEALE, 2nd Month RENT FREE, AC. $655/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com

1BR, 1BA HENDERSONVILLE • 1225 Highland. Elevator, hardwood floors. $475$575/month. 828-693-8069. www.leslieandassoc.com 1BR, 1BA HENDERSONVILLE • 2010 Laurel Park Highway. Heat included. Hardwood floors. $495-$525. 828-693-8069. www.leslieandassoc.com 1BR, 1BA Hendersonville 827 4th Ave, $650/month. Hardwood Floors, water Included, 828-693-8069. www.leslieandassoc.com 1BR, 1BA NORTH • 83 Edgemont. Sunroom, A/C, hardwood floors. $685/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 1BR,1BA NORTH • 403 Charlotte. Hardwood floors, patio. $795/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 1BR/1BA NORTH • 82 Merrimon. $595/month. Hardwood floors, water included. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 2-3BR, 2BA NORTH • 81 Lakeshore. Porch, coin-operated laundry. $675-$725/month. www.leslieandassoc.com

2BR/2BA NORTH 265 Charlotte, $865/month. Historic, hardwood floors. 828-253-1517, www.leslieandassoc.com 2BR/2BA, ARDEN • 216 Weston, A/C. $725/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 2BR/ 2BA IN CANDLER-PET FRIENDLY!-$850.00 2BR/2BA apartment available in May located in Seasons at Biltmore. Please call 828-454-1098 ext 2814 for details.

CHARMING VICTORIAN • Cumberland Ave. Spacious 1 or 2 BR. Formal L/R and D/R. Hardwood floors throughout. Gas heat. Balcony. $795/month. Year lease, sec. dep., credit check. Elizabeth, 828-253-6800.

3BR, 2BA duplex near Haw Creek. New, modern duplex community next to Bell School, Tunnel Road, East Asheville. Rooms on one level; 1/3 acre lot. Cats or 1 small dog okay. $875/month. Park-like setting, flower beds, huge trees. April 1st. 299-7502.

DOWNTOWN Cozy apartment ground floor, parking, breakfast bar, HDTV, Futon and table, parking, W/D, May 1, $700/month + utilities.

A CLOSE WALK TO DOWNTOWN 1BR apartment, downstairs of single family dwelling. $575/month includes utilities, wireless. Pets welcomed! 251-2739. ACTON WOODS APARTMENTS • Beautiful 2BR, 2BA, loft, $875/month. • 2BR, 2BA, $775. Include gas log fireplace, water, storage. 828-253-0758. Carver Realty AN EXECUTIVE PENTHOUSE SUITE In the historic Grove Arcade, downtown Asheville. 3BR, 4BA, 3 secure parking spaces. • Fireplace, terrace views, full-service amenities. • Walk to everything: shopping, dining, art and entertainment. Must see to appreciate! Call Amber Ammons, Property Manager: (828) 252-7799 extension 305 or to see more: www.tessierassociates.com

BEVERLY TOWNHOUSE • Between downtown and Biltmore village. 2BR, 1BA. Hardwood floors, newly painted, modern lighting and updated kitchen with Corian countertops, washer/dryer. End unit with quiet green and gardening space. $725/month, $350 deposit. Small pets considered. Available immediately AND For Sale: $114,000 . (828) 545-3163. BLACK MOUNTAIN • 2BR, 1BA. Heatpump, central air, W/D connection. Nice area. Only $625/month. 828-252-4334. CENTRAL • 1BR, 1BA. Heat and hot water included. $620/month. 828-253-0758. Carver Realty.

Fine Grading & Site Preparation

Ecological Site Planning & Landscape Design • Excavation & Roads •Water Harvesting/ Management • Stonework • Bridges & Gazebos • Water Features • Renewable Energy Specializing in Bridge & Roadwork P r e c i s i o n @ e a rt h a v e n . o r g

Brandon Greenstein • Paul Caron (828) 664-9127 | 301-7934 Co-Creating Your Natural Landscape

EAST • QUIET APARTMENT Ideal for serious student/professional. • Cozy 1BR: nice kitchen, washer/dryer. Patio. Private parking. •$475/month. References. Lease. • No smokers. • Available now. • (828) 686-0072. EFFICIENCY 289 E. Chestnut. Ground floor units. MOVE IN SPECIAL 2nd month free + 6 month lease. $450/month. 828-350-9400. www.arcagencyasheville.com

ASHEVILLE • WEST 2BR, 1BA, deck, WD connections, off street parking, close to park, walk to Haywood Road. Pets considered. $650/month. Call (828) 279-2936. www.masinvestmentsllc.com

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DOWNTOWN $500/month + utilities. Office with kitchen, 3/4 bath, parking, HDTV, couch, table, flat screen TV, roll top desk, available now. Bernie 828 230-0755. No smoking, no pets.

FREE RENT Sign a lease in March and receive Free Rent at Woodridge Apartments! • 61 Bingham Road, Asheville, off Keith Road. • Dishwasher, WD connections, all appliances. Water, garbage and sewer included! Pet friendly. No application fee, bus service every hour. • 1, 2, 3 and 4BR homes! Section 8 welcomed! Equal Housing Opportunity. Professionally managed by Partnership Property Management. • Call now: (828) 250-0159. GLEN BRIDGE APTS - 1BR. 1BA Arden. Includes water. MOVE IN SPECIAL 2nd month free + 6 month lease. $450/month. 828-350-9400. www.arcagencyasheville.com HENDERSONVILLE • 1BR/1BA. Walking distance to Main St. Includes water. $395/month. 828-252-4334. WNC Rentals HISTORIC MONTFORD • 1BR, formal L/R and D/R, private front porch. Hardwood floors, gas heat. $650/month, water and laundry included. One small pet considered with fee. Year lease, sec. dep., credit check. Elizabeth, 828-253-6800.

NORTH ASHEVILLE • 2BR, 1BA. Central air. Includes water. $625/month. 828-252-4334. WNC Rentals. NORTH ASHEVILLE 2BR, 1BA. Kimberly Ave. area. H/W floors. Includes water/garbage/heat. $795/month. www.arcagencyasheville.com SOUTH • Forestdale. 1-2BR, 1BA. 2nd month rent free. $525-$625/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com STUDIO, 1BA DOWNTOWN • 85 Walnut. Roof access, hardwood floors. $695/month. 828-253-1517. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com UNFURNISHED 1, 2, 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS • Available in West Asheville. Water, garbage included. Washer/dryer connections available. Swimming pool on site. $529 -$649. Call 828-252-9882. rbaker@orionra.com WEST ASHEVILLE 1BR, 1BA. Large unit, top floor. H/W floors, new windows. Includes water/geat/garbage. $650/month. 828-350-9400. www.arcagencyasheville.com WEST • 1BR, 1BA. $550/month. 828-253-0758. Carver Realty.

Mobile Homes For Rent 3BR, 2BA WEST ASHEVILLE • Near downtown and on bus line. Nice park, like new. W/D connection. Accepting Section 8. $595/month. 828-252-4334. WNC Rentals.

Condos/ Townhomes For Rent

DOWNTOWN CONDO Top floor unit 2BR, 2BA, views of Mount Pisgah, hardwoods, stainless appliances, granite countertops, jet tub, balcony, fitness center, 2 parking spaces, $1475/month. The Real Estate Center, (828) 255-4663. www.recenter.com LUXURY 2BR, 2BA CONDO • Near Tunnel Rd. on the 4th floor of a new four story building. Close to downtown and Asheville Mall. Elevators, pool with hot tub, exercise room, fireplace, deck with mountain views, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, ceramic/hardwood floors. $1,100/month, includes water and gas. For sale or rent. 828-231-6689. LUXURY DOWNTOWN CONDO Split 2BR/2BA, great kitchen gas fireplace, parking, storage. Next to Pack Library. $1,450. Bright Star Realty 828-301-8033. NORTH ASHEVILLE TOWNHOMES •Special• Off Merrimon. Walking distance to town. 1BR, 1BA. $495/month • 2BR, 1BA $550/month • 3BR, 1BA 525/month. Includes water. 828-252-4334. WNC Rentals. NORTH ASHEVILLE TOWNHOUSE • Walking distance to town. 1BR, 1BA. $495/month - 2BR,1BA $550/month - 3BR, 2BA $625/month. Includes water. 0828-252-4334. WNC Rentals.

Homes For Rent ASHLEY WOODS • Large 3BR, 2.5BA. Lovely corner lot. Fenced back yard. $1875/month. 828-253-0758. Carver Realty 10 MINUTES TO DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE 3BR, 2BA home on large lot. Convenient location, near I-40/I-26. Great condition! $995/month. • Pets allowed. Call APM: (828) 254-2029.

A BIG THANX! “Thanx Xpress! The recent rental ad attracted a steady stream of quality applicants, thanks to your quality publication.” Mark K. • You too can find quality renters by placing an affordable ad in the pages of Mountain Xpress Classified Marketplace: 251-1333.

1ST CALL US! 2, 3 and 4BR homes from $700-2500. • Pet friendly. • Huge selection! (828) 251-9966 Alpha-Real-Estate.com

ARDEN - Bramblewood condo. 2BR, 2BA. $695/month. Nice unit. Sorry, no pets. 828-350-9400. www.arcagencyasheville.com

2BR, 1BA SWANNANOA • 1244 Bee Tree. 12 acres. Hardwood floors. $745/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com

2BR, 1.5BA NORTH • 172 Macon. 2nd month free. Garage. $695/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com

MOVE IN NOW Get April FREE!* 1 and 2 Bedrooms starting at $595/month • Great location • Great prices

Call today: (828) 274-4477 www.woodsedge.webs.com *Must move in by 03/31/10 to get April FREE.

mountainx.com

• MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010

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jobs 2BR, 1BBA WEST • 15 Eliada. Great house, A/C. $935/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 2BR, 2BA NORTH • 27 Spooks Mill Cove. $1075/month. Views, all utilities included. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 2BR, 2BA NORTH • 37 Maxwell. Bonus room, A/C. $970/month. 282-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 3BR, 1BA EAST • 22 Reynolds School. Basement, dishwasher. $850/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 3BR, 2BA NORTH • 6 Westminster. Garage, wraparound porch. $1,285/month. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com 3BR/1.5BA WEST • 28 Covington. $1,095/month. Basement. 828-253-1517. www.leslieandassoc.com A BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN CHALET 7 minutes from downtown Asheville. 1BR w/loft, fully furnished, WD, nice deck. $1300/month. Angela O’Brien: (828) 216-1610. Mountain Vista Properties. A WEST ASHEVILLE RANCHER Great neighborhood! 3-4BR, 2BA. All appliances, eat-in kitchen, large living room. Fenced yard, large back deck. $995/month. 254-6029. ALL AREAS - HOUSES FOR RENT. Browse thousands of rental listings with photos and maps. Advertise your rental home for FREE! Visit: http://www.RealRentals.com (AAN CAN) AMAZING! I have always used Mountain Xpress as advertising for our rental house. I’m amazed each time by the number of responses and the caliber of people it attracts. Thanks, John S. You too can get great results! Call 251-1333. Mountain Xpress Classified Marketplace.

AVAILABLE APRIL • EAST ASHEVILLE Safe neighborhood, Reynolds School District. 3BR, 1.5BA, WD, central AC/heat. Forested back yard, 10’x12’ storage unit, private gated deck. $850/month. • Pets considered. • No smoking. Call (828) 298-1925. BEST TIME IS NOW! Best time to buy, pay less than rent, 1% rebate from Buyer Agent Commission, see www.BuncombeRealty.com, 301-2021.

EAST RIDGE SUBDIVISION 2BR, 2BA. Wonderful unit, like new. Spacious office/bonus room. No pets. $1,150/month. 828-350-9400. www.arcagencyasheville.com

BLACK MOUNTAIN 2BR, 2BA. Nice house in quiet subdivision. $750/month. 828-350-9400. www.arcagencyasheville.com GORGEOUS NEW CONSTRUCTION 3BR, 2.5BA with garage. Great South location. • Lease/purchase options now available. Why rent when you can own! Call (828) 676-0677 for details. www.123newhomenow.com

BUNGALOW • NORTH ASHEVILLE Highly desirable location. 2BR, 1BA. Living, dining, WD, hardwood floors, porch. • Fenced yard, large deck. • Walk to Beaver Lake and Jones Elementary. • Pets considered. • Available May 1. $950/month. Call Jeff: (239) 281-3685. BUNGALOW • WEST ASHEVILLE Walk to everything West Asheville! Quiet street. 3BR, 1BA, hardwood floors, new kitchen appliances, fireplace. Basement w/WD. Large fenced backyard. • Pets considered. $1100/month. 1 year lease. Deposit. • Available now. Call Robert: 230-9412. CANDLER 3BR, 2BA. New unit. $1,100/month. 828-350-9400. www.arcagencyasheville.com

for...

A Roommate? A Car, Truck or SUV? A Music Connection? A Pet? Used Merchandise? Listings for these categories & MUCH more can be found at: MountainX.com

MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 •

HAW CREEK 3BR, 1BA. Large lot, nice area. One pet okay with deposit. $950/month. 828-350-9400. www.arcagencyasheville.com HOUSE FOR RENT 3 bedroom 1 bath house in Black Mountain with attached car port and an unattached 1 car garage. Nice front yard, walking distance to park and grocery store. $685/month and $685/deposit. For more info call 828.335.1629 KENILWORTH 3BR, 2BA house w/possible 4th BR. Hardwood and ceramic tile floors, AC, gas heat, dishwasher, washer/dryer, fenced yard. $1350/month. (828) 255-4663. The Real Estate Center.

CENTRAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES AVAILABLE • Rentals • Rental Management • Sales • Listings. • The City Solution! 828.210.2222. AshevilleCityRealEstate.com

LOOKING

90

EAST ON GOLF COURSE 3BR, 2BA. Brand new home. H/W floors, fireplace, laundry area. $950/month. 828-350-9400. www.arcagencyasheville.com

LEICESTER 2BR, 1BA + office. Lots of land to enjoy the quiet. 15 minutes to Asheville. Pets okay with deposit. $795/month. 828-350-9400. www.arcagencyasheville.com LOG CABIN - RENOVATED EAST ASHEVILLE 1BR/1BA, extra room. Furnished, W/D, dishwasher, Jacuzzi, fenced, convenient to Mall/VA, quiet, friendly neighborhood, small pet considered. $700/month. Fred: 669-7533 NORTH ASHEVILLE TOWNHOMES • Special • Off Merrimon. Walking distance to town. 1BR, 1BA $495/month. 2BR, 1BA $550/month. 3BR, 1BA $625/month. Includes water. 828-252-4334. WNC Rentals. SWANNANOA - 3BR, 2BA. Cherry Blossom Cove subdivision across from ACA. $950 month. 828-350-9400. www.arcagencyasheville.com WEST ASHEVILLE - 3BR, 2BA. Off Haywood Rd. Fenced back yard. Bonus room. Fireplace. One pet with deposit. $925/month.

WONDERFUL HOME 3BR, 2 full BA. Hardwood floors, large carpeted living room, finished basement, garage, heat pump, fenced back yard, large back porch. $1200/month Call 828777-3222.

AWESOME WEST ASHEVILLE APARTMENT Looking for hip, progressive, female roommate (age 23 to 40) to share great West Asheville apartment. 1 minute to Westville Pub, two bedroom, $440.00 monthly, all utilities included, no lease or deposit, huge yard, covered parking, washer/dryer, hardwood floors, lots of windows, charming front porch. Move in anytime between 3/19 and 4/6. Call: (423)923-1806

Vacation Rentals

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Please go to www.mountainx.com for additional listings.

A BEACH HOUSE At Folly. The legendary dog-friendly Rosie’s Ocean View and Kudzu’s Cottage now booking now booking for oyster season! Call (828) 216-7908. www.kudzurose.com

ROOMMATES.COM • Browse hundreds of online listings with photos and maps. Find your roommate with a click of a mouse! Visit www.roommates.com. (AAN CAN)

BEAUTIFUL LOG CABIN Sleeps 5, handicap accessible. Near Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC. (828) 231-4504 or 277-1492. bennie14@bellsouth.net

Short-Term Rentals BUSINESS TRIPS • VACATION • RELOCATING? Convenientlylocated charming 1BR cottage, in historic Asheville neighborhood. • Completely furnished, includes linens, TV, internet. (2 week minimum). norwoodcottage@gmail.com EXECUTIVE SUITE • EXTENDED STAY In the heart of downtown Asheville in the historic Grove Arcade. • Walk to dining, shopping, art and entertainment! Perfect short term 2BR, 2BA, 2 secure parking spaces. • Beautifully furnished with full-service amenities. Stylish and secure. • Contact Property Amber Ammons: (828) 252-7799 extension 305. See more: www.tessierassociates.com

Mobile Home Lots MHP LOT FOR RENT Mobile Home Park has lot available for single wide in Black Mountain, 15 minutes from Asheville. Lot is on city water and sewer. Monthly rent is $180.00. For more information call 828.335.1629

Roommates Arden Furnished room, beautiful/private setting. Organic garden. Chemical-free household. Seeking responsible, clean roommate(s). No pets. $395/month, utilities included. No lease. (828) 687-2390. APPEALING ROOM FOR RENT. $375 Sunny, appealing, furnished room for rent. Includes utilities, wireless internet, cable TV, central H & A, large kitchen, storage. I am respectful and courteous and seeking same. No Smoking. Call (916) 541-7234

mountainx.com

Employment

General $$$HELP WANTED$$$ Extra Income! Assembling CD cases from Home! No Experience Necessary! Call our Live Operators Now! 1-800-405-7619 EXT 2450 http://www.easyworkgreatpay.com (AAN CAN) BE A RAFT GUIDE! USA Raft French Broad, Nolichucky, Watauga and Nantahala Rivers is training whitewater rafting guides. • We’re also hiring Seasoned Guides and Trip Leaders, Photographers, Store Staff and CDL Bus Drivers. 1866-USA-Raft. www.usaraft.net CAB DRIVERS Needed at Blue Bird; call JT 258-8331. Drivers needed at Yellow Cab; call Buster at 253-3311. CDL Drivers If you are a “people person” you could be a great tour guide! Training provided. Full- and part-time positions. Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville- (828) 251-8687 or elaine@graylineasheville.com FIND QUALITY EMPLOYEES FAST! We found more than a dozen highly qualified job applicants in less than a week with just a single classified ad in the Mountain Express. • Chris Dennen, PhD, President of Innovative Healing Inc. • Your business can quickly and affordably find the right employee. Call 251-1333, Mountain Xpress Marketplace! HIRE QUALITY EMPLOYEES “Our employment advertisements with the Mountain Xpress garner far more educated and qualified applicants than any other publication we have used. The difference is visible in the phone calls, applications and resumes.” Howard Stafford, Owner, Princess Anne Hotel. • Thank you, Howard. Your business can benefit by advertising for your next employee in Mountain Xpress Classifieds. Call 251-1333.

Salon/ Spa

Employment Opportunities • Call (828) 225-6122 or visit: biltmore.com LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE / LAWN CARE LABORER 20-30 hours/week. Mainly weed eating. Experienced working commercial lawn care. $8.00 start. Pay negotiable DOE Respond to scott@darbycommunications.co m with phone # and resume.

Skilled Labor/ Trades EXPERIENCED LANDSCAPERS WANTED We are a familyowned and operated company seeking positive individuals who would like to grow with us. We offer a friendly, hardworking environment where customer service is at the core of what we do. Competitive wages. E-mail Dane, dane@frecklefarmdesign.com Freckle Farm FACILITIES MANAGER For 21,000 sqft community center housing childcare, afterschool, camp, pool, adult day, and social/cultural programs. Oversight or performance of maintenance, repair, cleaning, groundskeeping and event setup. Inquire to heather@jcc-asheville.org or in person at 236 Charlotte Street. Full job description at www.jcc-asheville.org • Deadline to apply: Friday, March 26.

Administrative/ Office OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR • Four Circles Recovery Center, a wilderness substance abuse recovery program for young adults, is seeking a Office Administrator to assist in AR/AP processing, payroll, HR training and paperwork, budget management and other office related responsibilities. Requirements: Associates degree in related field with a minimum of 2 years office experience, proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, book keeping experience, flexibility, ability to work as part of a team and time management skills. We offer a competitive salary and great benefit. Please respond via email to jobs@fourcirclesrecovery.com, reference Office Administrator. OFFICE MANAGER Established home improvement company seeks energetic, motivated individual for Office Manager. Answer phones, schedule appointments while multitasking in fast-paced environment. Excellent computer/keyboard skills. Proficient with Excel/Word. Time management skills with effective analytical, written and oral communication required. Great pay/benefits. Fax resume: (828) 654-0446.

BUSY DOWNTOWN SALON • Adorn Salon seeks talented, creative stylist. Must have experience. Work in gorgeous new space. Some clientele preferred. No phone calls please. Bring resume to: 58 College St., Asheville. CHIC SALON IN DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE • On desirable Wall street. An exclusive bumble and bumble salon. Intimate group of creative, friendly stylist in supportive environment. Competitive commission rates for stylist in high walk-in traffic location. Competitive booth rental rates with ideal flexibility. Asheville’s only hair salon to offer davines color with unique cutting edge education. Please email info@eclipseasheville.com or call 828-285-0019 for more details and to set up an interview. UPSCALE SALON • Seeking upbeat stylist with a passion for hair. If you are a Booth Rental Stylist looking for a salon home, look no further than Salon Halo Inc. To inquire please call 828 648-2224.

Sales/ Marketing ATTENTION REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS Asheville 4 Seasons Realty, a local real estate company in West Asheville, is seeking Real Estate Professionals with a commitment to providing the utmost in customer service. • A perfect opportunity for those who have an established track record, and are looking for less red tape and more $$$ in their pocket. • We offer a very competitive compensation program, enabling you to have a better bottom line, in a relaxed atmosphere. • Call Susan or Suzanne, (828) 225-6911 to set up an appointment or email us: info@asheville4seasons.com Feel free to visit our website www.asheville4seasons.com

COOK • PART-TIME For our Retreat Center events. Primarily simple vegetarian cuisine. Must have flexible schedule. $15/hour. Must be experienced, self-motivated, have reliable transportation and references. • Please visit our website for complete job description: www.centerformassage.com/e mployment.html • Resume to director@centerformassage.co m or 530 Upper Flat Creek Road. Weaverville, NC 28787. No calls please. KITCHEN MANAGER AND CHEF EAGLE’S NEST CAMP AND OUTDOOR ACADEMY Established summer camp and small boarding high school program seeks creative, wholefoods kitchen manager in a year round position based in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. To apply: www.enf.org/employment MOUNTAIN X JAMS! As a growing business that relies on the face put forward by our employees, Mountain Xpress Classifieds is where we turn to find them. The volume of highquality applicants replying to our ads can be hard to choose from, and it is always worth our investment. Thanks Mountain X! Rebecca and Charlie, owners, Tomato Jam Cafe.

Hotel/ Hospitality CONCIERGE/FRONT DESK Fulltime, day. Ability to deliver 5 Star service. • Prior hospitality experience required. • $15/hour. To apply in person call (828) 350-8000. The Residences at Biltmore Hotel. EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER • PART-TIME Asheville B&B hiring housekeeper to start in April. Flexible schedule. Work most weekends. Neat appearance, pleasant personality and detailedoriented. Food service a plus and works well with others. Call (828) 232-0345 after 10am. FT/PT MAINTENANCE POSITION FT/PT maintenance position available at Downtown Inn. Apply at 120 Patton Avenue. Flexible hours. Experience required.

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SALES Positions open at MMS Direct, a progressive print and mail facility in Asheville. We’re looking for highly motivated individuals who possess winning personalities with planning and problem solving skills to join our team of professionals. Bachelor degree or professional industry experience preferred; as well as the ability to handle multiple projects in a fast paced environment. Must be self motivated, and proficient with all Microsoft Office programs. Full time positions with benefits package. Email resume to: cindy@mailmanllc.com SALES PROS • Time to get paid what you are worth AND have a life. Call 1-888-700-4916.

Restaurant/ Food APOLLO FLAME • WAITSTAFF Full-time needed. Fast, friendly atmosphere. Apply in person between 2pm-4pm, 485 Hendersonville Road. 274-3582.

HOUSEKEEPING Busy downtown B&B seeking meticulously detail-oriented person for housekeeping. Must have respectable appearance and ability to communicate with guests. Weekend position with possible 1-2 days during the week. Only those with good work ethics who can pass a background check and drug screening need apply. Experience a plus. Email experience and contact info to ladonnapl@yahoo.com.

Medical/ Health Care Access II Care seeks RN Care Manager to work with Medicaid patients in clinic setting. Must be skilled in patient assessment, triage, use of EHR and multi-tasking in highvolume, fast paced environment. Minimum RN or BSN with 2 yr minimum care management, clinic or home health services required. Send resume /cover letter to: hr@accessiicarewnc.org or fax 828-259-3875.

DENTAL ASSISTANT (PARTTIME) High energy dental office. Must have recent experience in all modalities, including x-ray certification. Needs to be a people person and like to work! Email clegrow@sbcglobal.net or call 810-434-9233. EQUINE AND CANINE MASSAGE THERAPY INSTRUCTORS Must have experience, knowledge of anatomy/physiology, techniques and business practices. $30/hour. • Please visit our website for complete job description: http://www.centerformassage.c om/employment.html • Resume with references to director@centerformassage.co m or 530 Upper Flat Creek Road, Weaverville, NC 28787. No calls please.

FAMILIES TOGETHER

LCAS OR PLCAS Seeking LCAS or PLCAS to provide 15 hrs/week at DSS in Transylvania County and run 3 Substance Abuse Groups per week for offenders. Please fax resume to Laura Z. 828-884-9753

employment opportunities.

ResCare HomeCare • is currently seeking Alternative Family Living (AFL) Providers in the Asheville area. If you have room in your heart and home to provide care and support for developmentally disabled individuals, apply in person: 40 North Merrimon Ave., Suite 309, Asheville, NC 28804. For more information, please call 828258-8881. Training, supervision and payment provided for the care you provide. Experience preferred. The McCune Center • An Assisted Living facility has openings for CNAs and Med Techs. Full time, excellent pay and benefits. Apply in person, 84 M-F, or send resume to fcoates@mccunecenter.org, or fax resumes to 828-669-2377. McCune Center,101 Lions Way, Black Mountain.

Human Services

FTI is a local mental health agency providing child, adult, and family centered services in WNC. FTI provides a positive work environment, flexible hours, room for advancement, health benefits, and an innovative culture. Go to www.familiestogether.net for

FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES OF ASHEVILLE is seeking licensed therapists and QMHPs to provide mental health services to children, families and adults. Email csimpson@fpscorp.com

MAKE A DIFFERENCE NC Mentor is looking for foster parents in Western North

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ATTORNEY - PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES • A communitybased non-profit law firm in providing free civil legal assistance to low-income people across 6 near Asheville seeks F/T N.C. licensed attorney to handle domestic violence prevention cases in state district court. Spanish language skills, experience preventing domestic violence, poverty or family law experience would be assets. Send resume, cover letter describing relevant training,work experience by April 15, 2010, to: Carol Rogers, Pisgah Legal Services, PO Box 2276, Asheville, NC 28802. Salary DOE; exc. benefits. EOE:racial minorities, women, elderly, disabled encouraged to apply.

Carolina. Be a hero in your community and open your home to a child in need. We provide training, 24 hour support, internal respite as needed and a generous stipend. Please call Nicole at 828-696-2667 ext 14. Together we can make a difference in our community. Visit our web site at www.nc-mentor.com • Do you know someone who is interested in becoming a therapeutic foster parent?

MERIDIAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Haywood, Jackson County: Clinician Sexual Abuse Intervention Program (SAIP) Must have Masters degree and be licensed or license-eligible. Please contact Diane Paige, diane.paige@meridianbhs.org Jackson, Swain, Macon County Clinician: Assertive Community Treatment Team. Must have master’s degree and be license eligible. Please contact Kristy Whitaker, kristy.whitaker @meridianbhs.org QMHP Assertive Community Treatment Team. Must have mental health degree and two years of experience working with adults with mental illness. Please contact Kristy Whitaker, kristy.whitaker @meridianbhs.org RN Assertive Community Treatment Team: Must have four years of psychiatric nursing experience. Please contact Kristy Whitaker, kristy.whitaker @meridianbhs.org Cherokee, Clay, Graham County Therapist/Team Leader: Child and Family Services. Masters degree and license eligible. Please contact David Hutchinson at david.hutchinson @meridianbhs.org • For further information and to complete an application, visit our website: www.meridianbhs.org MR/DD TECNICIAN Homecare Mgmt of Forest City is recruiting Qualified Field Technicians to work with the Developmentally Disabled Population. postions are located in the Asheville area. Tecnicians must have HS diploma or GED. Children and adult clientele. various hours. For more information call 828-247-1700 or download an application at www.homecaremgmt.org POSITIONS AVAILABLE For Support Team Member and Certified Nursing Assistants to work in a residential setting providing support and care for persons with life challenges. High School Diploma or equivalent and valid drivers license required. Please submit application to: Liberty Corner Enterprises,147 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC, 28801.

PROGRAM MANAGER • Four Circles Recovery Center, a wilderness substance abuse recovery program for young adults, is seeking a Program Manager to deliver clinical care to clients in recovery, schedule and develop a variety of groups, including process, psychoeducational, 12-step and related programming, ropes course facilitation and family workshops. Requirements: Master’s Degree in Human Services, Clinical Licensure, recovery knowledge, dual diagnosis experience, ability to work as part of a team, experience with family work, and experience with group facilitation; Desired: ropes course facilitator experience and experiential education training. We offer a competitive salary, great benefits and training. Please respond via email to jobs@fourcirclesrecovery.com, reference Program Manager.

WILDERNESS THERAPY PROGRAM • Field Staff: Following training, facilitate safety and implement treatment plan designed by group therapist for teens struggling with emotional and behavioral issues. Staff work week on/week off in the woods of North Georgia. • Qualifications: 21 plus, CPR and First Aid certified, experience with backpacking and adolescents, willingness to commit 8 months, WFR recommended. • Benefits: High compensation that increases with staff level, quality mentoring and training in wilderness therapy from a well respected program, full health and dental coverage. • Training: April 16-22 and May 14-20. • Contact: Andy or Tyson, Second Nature Blue Ridge. (706) 212-2037. www.snwp.com

RESPITE PROVIDER NEEDED • One on one habilitation provider needed for weekend respite position with young woman with developmental disabilities and mental illness. Position requires at least 1 year experience with DD population, CPR and First Aid training, Medication Administration, North Carolina Interventions. Training from outside our agency is accepted with proof of certification, otherwise our agency does offer this training as well. The respite would occur in provider’s (your) home Friday -Sunday or Monday am. Seeking responsible person to be an active part of this young woman’s team. Position is fulfilling and rewarding for the right person. Our agency will also be required to inspect your home for safety prior to start of respite services. Applications are available online at rayoflighthomes.com/Home.html.

FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES OF HENDERSONVILLE is seeking QMHPs to provide enhanced services for child and adult consumers. Applicants must have a Bachelors degree in the Human Services field and at least 2 years post-degree experience with the MH population.

SEEKING THERAPISTS • Universal MH/DD/SAS is seeking licensed or provisional licensed therapists to lead intensive inhome teams in Brevard and Forest City. We will also be hiring Qualified Professionals as team members for the Brevard location. Please email resume to plowe@umhs.net or call 828-225-4980 for more information. THE MEDIATION CENTER has immediate part-time openings in the Community Mediation and Changing Together programs. Application deadline is March 26th. Please see www.mediatebuncombe.org/op enings for more information.

FPS of Hendersonville office is also seeking LCSW or LPC (fully licensed or provisionally licensed) to provide therapy to children and their families. Please email resumes to msouder@fpscorp.com

Professional/ Management EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FINANCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY • Responsible for providing Information Technology vision, leadership and advocacy for the development and use of Information Technology in support of the College’s mission, vision and goals. Manages/directs the IT functions including the design, development, maintenance and support of ; 1) administrative systems and computing; 2) academic and research computing; 3) local and wide area network infrastructures; 4) telephony; 5) IT related procurement services; 6) IT related training and user support; 7) IT related security, standards, policies and procedures to fulfill generally accepted industry standards and meet audit requirements. Provides leadership for the development and maintenance of a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan, and serves as Chair of the Technology Resources Advisory Committee. Please visit www.abtech.edu/jobs/ for application and minimum and preferred requirements.

EXPERIENCED PROPERTY MANAGER Property Management company with diverse portfolio looking for a proven leader who is an organized, energetic, experienced Property Manager for Asheville apartment community. Apply at Woods Edge Apartments located at 98 Woodstream Lane, off Sweeten Creek Road, between 2pm5pm, Monday-Friday. • Please bring updated resume with you. No phone calls. EEO. FINANCE TECHNICIAN General Statement of Duties: Performs a variety of responsible technical accounting functions in the Finance Office such as • Maintain Accounts Receivable invoicing and reconciliation • Process purchase invoices and updates in Accounts Payable • Serve as backup for weekly payroll processing • Update and maintain employee HR and program information. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: • Working knowledge of: • Accounting principles and practices • Database accounting software • Excel spreadsheet development and usage • Payroll processing • Laws, general statues, rules and regulations governing accounting tasks. • Ability to: • Communicate effectively in person and by telephone • Be tactful and courteous • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, customers and the general public. • Work successfully in a collaborative team approach. • Perform a variety of fiscal and accounting functions and to change priorities quickly and maintain accuracy level. Desirable Education and Experience • Graduation from a two year college with an Associates degree in accounting • Experience in an automated fiscal and accounting environment, preferably in the nonprofit or public sector • Must possess a valid NC driver’s license; pass drug screen and background checks. Full-time position. • Excellent Benefits. Salary range: $15.78-$17/hour. Send resume and cover letter with work references and phone numbers to: Human Resources Manager, 25 Gaston Street, Asheville NC, 28801. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview. Open until filled. EOE and DFWP.

FIRE SERVICES CONTINUING EDUCATION COORDINATOR • This position coordinates fire service continuing education training classes (con-ed) for firefighters in Buncombe and Madison Counties. Classes include: North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal certification and noncertification classes. Responsible for: scheduling, grading, marketing, coordinating, instructor selection, and community relations. Knowledge of and compliance with: State Board of Community Colleges standards for con-ed; standards of The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and NC Department of Insurance Fire Training Division; College policies, procedures, and practices. Communicates with North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) regarding con-ed course information data. Performs other duties assigned by the department chair and associate dean; Coordinates college fire and rescue activities at the new Buncombe County Public Safety Training Center upon its completion. Please visit www.abtech.edu/jobs/ for application and minimum and preferred requirements. Applications deadline: 4/2/10. Start date: to be determined. LOCAL FOOD AND FARM MARKETING COORDINATOR Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project seeks experienced marketing professional to coordinate and execute promotions for Local Food and Farm Campaign. Application at asapconnections.org.

mountainx.com

Arts/Media REPORTER/EDITOR Are you connected to the WNC community? Do you have a passion for local news? Can you see the big picture and pay attention to the details, too? Xpress is looking for a reporter with editing skills. Ideally, you’ll have multimedia, social-media and web experience. You’ll understand the new media environment and know how to lead citizen-journalism collaboration projects. You’ll be able to wear lots of hats, many at the same time. You’ll have no problem working in a fast-paced environment and meeting deadlines. If you’re this sort of dynamic, skilled individual, please get in touch about joining our team. Send resume, links, multimedia samples etc. to journalist @mountainx.com

Computer/ Technical SOFTWARE ENGINEER FOR SOFTBASE SYSTEMS, INC. • Must have a Master’s degree in Computer Science, certifications in programming languages and related coursework in Web Programming. Send cover letter and resume to: Teresa Turbyfill, 1200 Ridgefield Blvd., Suite 290, Asheville, NC 28806.

We are seeking motivated, outgoing and dynamic professionals to join our teams as Sales Photographers. As a Photographer, your outgoing personality and salesmanship will gain you access to a sales opportunity and a chance to learn a new trade in photography. While experience in digital photography is a plus, it is not mandatory. Customer Service or Retail Sales experience or aptitude is required. We provide the equipment and tools; you are in charge of your own success. Interested applicants apply at www.sharpshooterimaging. com/employment Keyword Search Biltmore or 2010-1391. • MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010

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Teaching/ Education SUMMER DAY CAMP YOUTH MENTOR • $7.75-$8.50/hour. Details online at www.ymcawnc.org SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY ADJUNCT • Part-time clinical instructor (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays) summer semester. DUTIES: Supervise students in classroom, lab and clinical environments. Develop teaching materials, outlines, activities, and handouts for lab and clinical activities. Travel to various clinical sites is required. Develop teaching materials and activities for assigned courses. Provide supervision and instruction for both day and/or evening students as assigned. Provide demonstration of and evaluate return demonstration of assigned surgical technology skills. Maintain professional certification and seek opportunities for professional development. Perform duties as assigned by Program Chair. Please visit our website for application and complete details on minimum and preferred requirements. www.abtech.edu/jobs/ YMCA OF WESTERN NC • Afterschool Program Opportunities $7.25 - $13/hour Please visit our web site for details: www.ymcawnc.org

Jobs Wanted ELDERLY HOME CARE Provided by mature, compassionate, professional female. Have good vehicle for shopping, errands, etc. • Asheville area. Experienced. Live in possible. • Great references. 252-4198.

Career Training EARN $75 - $200/HOUR • Media Makeup Artist Training. Ad, TV, Film, Fashion. One week class. Stable job in weak economy. Details at http://www.AwardMakeUpScho ol.com 310-364-0665. (AAN CAN).

Employment Services **BODYGUARDS WANTED** FREE Training for members. No Experience OK. Excellent $$$. Full & Part Time. Expenses Paid When you Travel. 1-615-228-1701. www.psubodyguards.com (AAN CAN)

BARTENDER TRAINEES No experience necessary. Make up to $40 an hour in wages and tips. Meet new people, work in an exciting atmosphere. Call (877) 568-9534 (AAN CAN)

Bodywork

MYSTERY SHOPPERS. Earn Up To $150 Per Day. Undercover Shoppers Needed to Judge Retail and Dining Establishments. No experience required. Call 1-877-463-7909. (AAN CAN) UNDERCOVER SHOPPERS Get paid to shop. Retail and dining establishments need undercover clients to judge quality and customer service. Earn up to $100/day. Please call 1-800-720-0576.

Business Opportunities ALL CASH VENDING! Be the boss of your own local route with 25 new machines and candy for $9,995. Call today 1-800-920-9563. Multivend, LLC. BO#200003 (AAN CAN) BEST HOME-BASED BUSINESS EVER! It’s fun; it’s simple; it’s lucrative. To hear 3-minute message, call 1-866-257-3105, code 1. BIZ OP • Want to purchase minerals and other oil/gas interest. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201

Announcements ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS in 111 alternative newspapers like this one. Over 6 million circulation every week for $1200. No adult ads. Call Mountain Xpress Classifieds at (828) 251-1333. (AAN CAN) DONATE YOUR CAR! Breast Cancer Research foundation! Most highly rated breast cancer charity in America! Tax Deductible/Fast Free Pick Up. Call - 1-877-464-8203 (AAN CAN) Free Advice! We’ll help you choose a program or degree to get your career and your life on track. Call Collegebound Network Today! 1-877-892-2542. (AAN CAN)

FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICE OF HENDERSONVILLE Offers Comprehensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Services to Include: • DWI Assessments and Classes • • Classes and individual services for Court Ordered Substance Abuse Treatment • • Classes and individual services for anyone seeking treatment to help themselves and learn about addiction and recovery in a safe and supportive environment • We offer prompt assessment and enrollment in our program. Classes during the day or in the evening

For more information call: FPS at 828-697-4187 or Mark “Zim” Stewart at 828-582-9741

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Mind, Body, Spirit

MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010 •

HELP PROMOTE A LOCAL ASHEVILLE COUPLE IN A NATIONAL CONTEST!!! Please take a second to vote for us. We need to be in the top 50 voted! UltimateWeddingContest.com/ entries/39237

**ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE MASSAGE!** Perfect pressure! Caring, intuitive, professional therapist. Tranquil sanctuary just 3 blocks from Greenlife & downtown. Introductory Special for Locals: $35! Open Mon thru Sun. 9am to 8pm by appt. only. Brett Rodgers LMBT #7557. www.vitalitymassage.net (828) 255-4785.

PENIS ENLARGEMENT. FDA Medical Vacuum Pumps. Gain 1-3 inches permanently. Testosterone, Viagra, Cialis. Free Brochures. 619-294-7777 http://www.drjoelkaplan.com (discounts available) (AAN CAN) PREGNANT CONSIDERING ADOPTION? • Talk with caring agency specializing in matching birthmothers with families nationwide • Living expenses paid. Call 24/7 • Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions • 1-866-413-6293. (AAN CAN)

Classes & Workshops EVER WANTED TO LEARN HOW TO BLOW GLASS? Want to learn how to blow glass on a torch? Lampworking/torchwork, pyrex and soft glass. Individual and group instruction available. Email for details ashevilleglassteacher@gmail.co m 828.713.6173 Learn Jewelry Making, Metal Smithing, Enameling Earthspeak Arts Spring classes for 2010 www.earthspeakarts.com MEN’S PERSONAL GROWTH WEEKEND Flat Rock, NC. April 23-25, 2010. This workshop, facilitated by two experienced Gestalt therapists will provide a place to explore personal issues related to male identity and to roles as sons, fathers, husbands, lovers and workers. Tuition $545. Lodging additional. Presented by Appalachian Gestalt Training Institute and the Cincinnatti Gestalt Institute. Information/registration call Paul Diamond: (513) 421-9739 or Jack Sayre: (919) 517- 2526 or visit www.agti.org

#1 AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY CONSCIOUS MASSAGE CENTER We’ve moved: • 1224 Hendersonville Road. Asheville. $29/hour. • 20 Wonderful Therapists to choose from. Therapeutic Massage: • Deep Tissue • Swedish • Sports • Trigger Point. Also offering: • Acupressure • Energy Work • Reflexology. • Save money, call now! 505-7088. www.thecosmicgroove.com $30 MASSAGES EVERYDAY at Center for Massage & Natural Health at our Downtown Therapy Center! Call (828) 252-0058 for your appointment! CARING STRONG HANDS Will relax and rejuvenate you! Kern Stafford, NC LMBT#1358 • (828) 301-8555 • www.avlmassage.com MASSAGE FOR EVERY BODY • Relaxing and therapeutic. Great rates. M/C and Visa accepted. Convenient Asheville location, free parking. Patty O’Sullivan. LMT #7113. 828-275-5497. MASSAGE/MLD Therapeutic Massage. Manual Lymph Drainage. Lymphedema Treatment. $45/hour or sliding scale for financial hardship. 17+ years experience. 828-254-4110. NC License #146. www.uhealth.net SHOJI SPA & LODGE • 7 DAYS A WEEK Looking for the best therapist in town—- or a cheap massage? Soak in your outdoor hot tub; melt in our sauna; then get the massage of your life! 26 massage therapists. 299-0999. www.shojiretreats.com

FioY^_Y PAST • PRESENT • FUTURE FWbc 9WhZ H[WZ[h Questions Answered - Love Problems? Lovers Reunited Guaranteed

Call For 1 FREE Question (828) 215-1832 (828) 216-2663 mountainx.com

Spiritual 2010 • YOUR FUTURE CAN BE BRIGHT! Ask Nina: (828) 253-7472 or email: asknina@excite.com TAROT Answers your life’s essential questions or you don’t pay me. Lil’lei, 828-275-4931.

Natural Alternatives HOLISTIC IRIDOLOGY® Fascinating Iris Analysis with digital imaging, Bio-Chemistry Analysis, Cardiovascular Screening, and Meridian Kinesiology for ‘Total Health Assessment’. Safe, Effective Natural Therapies, Detoxification, • NEW: Vibrational Healing using Quantum Light Lasers! Call Jane Smolnik, ND, Iridologist at (828) 777-JANE (5263) or visit www.UltimateHealing.com SPRING CLEANING YOUR BODY Detoxify for better health! • Do you want: • More energy? • Better digestion? • Clearer skin? • Less pain? • 4 week program of education, food tastings, nutritional supplements and group support. • Wednesdays in April, 6:30pm8:30pm, Asheville. • Class limited to 10 • Register by March 31. • Registration/information: Elizabeth Pavka, PhD, LD/N, Wholistic Nutritionist, (828) 2521406 or epavka@main.nc.us

Established guitar player/singer, Looking to form duet for fun and gigs. If you play an instrument it helps, but not absolute. I can teach you. I play a lot of country folk. Some Jazz. 423-8305. JAZZ GUITARIST Seeks upright bassist to form strong nucleus for eventual jazz group project. Standards, modal jams, originals. cbaybass@yahoo.com

Pet Xchange

Lost Pets A LOST OR FOUND PET? Free service. If you have lost or found a pet in WNC, post your listing here: www.lostpetswnc.org Brevard Area: Lost Sunday, February 14. Pit Bull Terrier, black/brindle male, white on face/chest, no collar, 70 lbs. Very sweet, friendly. • Recent surgery to area around his eyes. Please call: 329-5424. LOST YOUR PET? FOUND A PET? Call Asheville Humane Society, (828) 253-6807, to fill out a missing or found pet report. Visit 72 Lee’s Creek Road, Asheville. www.ashevillehumane.org

Musical Services 24 TRACK ON-LOCATION RECORDING Digital. Highest quality equipment. Reasonable rates. Superb quality and service! Call (828) 442-6211 or (828) 724-1500. www.blantonemusic.com

FIND THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE! Cats, dogs, & other small animals available for adoption at Asheville Humane Society • 72 Lee’s Creek Road • Asheville, NC • (828) 253-6807 www.ashevillehumane.org

ASHEVILLE’S WHITEWATER RECORDING Full service studio services since 1987. • Mastering • Mixing and Recording. • CD/DVD duplication at the best prices. (828) 684-8284 • whitewaterrecording.com JEFF SIPE - DRUM SET • Private or group instruction. 35 touring experience with Phil Lesh, Trey Anastasio, ARU. 828-884-7336. PIANO-GUITAR-DRUMS-BASSMANDOLIN-BANJO-SINGING Learn what you/your child wants to learn. Knowledgeable, flexible, enthusiastic instructor. 828-242-5032. VIDEO AND RECORD YOUR MUSIC Or band to CD, DVD or any internet destination, in our studio or on location. • Affordable and Professional Production. Call (828) 335-9316. VISA/MC. www.amrmediastudio.com

Musicians’ Bulletin BASS AND DRUMS NEEDED For Haywood county based original rock band. Call Jonathan: (828) 452-9180.

Motorcycles/ Scooters

Furniture

MOBILE MOTORCYCLE REPAIR Spring service specials! I’ll come to you. Fast • Reasonable • Convenient. Motorcycles and Scooters. Call Josh (828) 582-5921.

Automotive Services WE’LL FIX IT AUTOMOTIVE • Honda and Acura repair. Half price repair and service. ASE and factory certified. Located in the Weaverville area. Please call 828-275-6063 for appointment.

Autos

Pet Services ASHEVILLE PET SITTERS Dependable, loving care while you’re away. Reasonable rates. Call Sandy Ochsenreiter, (828) 215-7232.

MATTRESSES Pillow-top: queen $250, king $350 • Extra firm: queen $175, king $275 • Full: $150 • Twin: $99. New, in plastic. 828-277-2500.

Medical Supplies DELUXE MASSAGE TABLE Very high quality. Extra options. Like new. Paid over $700, asking $375. Call (828) 215-6744.

Bicycles MOUNTAIN BIKE 26” Giant NRS XTC2, red/black, super light, Shimano shifter, front/rear disc brakes, front Judy shock, Rock Shox mid $225.00 828-335-3522

Sporting Goods

2006 DODGE 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie 5.9 Cummins Diesel, Crew cab, Leather, Heated Seats, low miles, Asking $4800, contact: tsm72ris@msn.com/ 919-2872369. 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA $8000 2003 Tacoma. $8000. 138,000mi. Red truck, sliver topper, regular cab, 4 cylinder, 4WD, 5-speed, well cared for. Collier, 434-426-4317.

Antiques & Collectibles

MR. BOJANGLES Is an orange tabby cat who is searching for a loving home. For more information on the adoption process, call (828) 505-3440 or visit www.bwar.org

FIREPLACE GAS LOGS Natural gas. Good condition. Runs well. Vented unit. (828) 273-5834.

Vehicles For Sale

For Sale

GEORGIA ON MY MIND Georgia is a mixed breed puppy who is searching for a loving home. For more information on the adoption process, call (828) 505-3440 or visit www.bwar.org

Building Supplies

STEEL BUILDINGS • Factory Deals - Save Thousands. 18x21-60x80. Can Erect/Will Deliver. www.utilityking.com. Source#1GU. 866-609-4321.

Pets for Adoption CAN I LIVE WITH YOU? Max is a Shepherd mix who is searching for a loving home. For more information on the adoption process, or call (828) 505-3440 or visit www.bwar.org

Musicians’ Xchange

PET SITTING • I will pet sit your small dog or cat in my home in exchange for your tax deductible contribution to Friends of Pritchard Park. Please contact: mrsmawest@yahoo.com or 828 242-5456.

CLAWFOOT BATHTUB Good shape. All hardware, faucet, drain. Good feet, chrome. $150. Call (828) 273-5834.

Computers GET 2 COMPUTERS FOR PRICE OF ONE! Bad/Credit? NO PROBLEM! Starting at $29.99/week. Up to $3000 credit limit Guaranteed Approval! Call Now! 888-860-2420 (AAN CAN) NEW DELL-HP COMPUTER GUARANTEED Bad Credit? No Problem! FREE Printer Digital Cam & LCD TV Starting at $29.99/week. Up to $3000 credit limit. Call Now-888-860-2419 (AAN CAN)

Electronics FREE 6-Room DISH Network Satellite System! FREE HDDVR! $19.99/mo, 120+ Digital Channels (for 1 year.) Call Now $400 Signup BONUS! 1-877-415-8163 (AAN CAN)

FAR INFRARED SAUNA FOR 5 - $3200 Commercial quality five person far infrared sauna with heavy duty protective cover. Less than 2 years old with very little use, listed for $6795 and $600 for the cover. 85”w x 63”d x 76” h, with 10 solo-carbon heaters. It has its own sound system and lights and is easily disassembled and reassembled . It requires 240v, (2400 watts and 10 amps). Call 828-654-9040 to make an appointment to see the sauna.

Sales

Yard Sales Don’t see what you’re looking for? Please go to www.mountainx.com for additional listings. MULTI FAMILY RUMMAGE SALE Saturday March 27th 8am-2pm Rain or Shine at Evergreen Community Charter School - 50 Bell Road off New Haw Creek. Household items, toys, books, clothing, furniture...

Adult A PERSONAL TOUCH Asheville. Ask about our “Spring Specials! • East Asheville, Incall/outcall. 713-9901. A WOMAN’S TOUCH “We’re all about you!” Keep warm with our “Winter Special”! • Call 275-6291. MEET SEXY SINGLES by phone instantly! Call (828) 239-0006. Use ad code 8282. 18+

SPRING SPECIAL

The New York Times Crossword Edited by Will Shortz No. 0217 Across

27 Fed. agcy. staffed with number crunchers

1 Fifth tire 6 Display strong self-esteem

28 Praise 30 Mallorca, e.g.

11 Onetime “Say it with flowers” sloganeer

31 “___ the dotted line”

1

57 Christopher who directed “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight”

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*Restrictions apply. Please contact us for details

17

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Fusco’s Concierge Service

33 He spent time in a lion’s den 15 Remark that might get you in trouble 35 Ice cream dish

59 Where Verdi’s “Otello” premiered

16 Live

37 Approached

17 “For ___ time, call …”

39 Abbey residents

61 Capitol Hill worker: Abbr.

18 It may have a big mouth 19 State whose quarter depicts mustangs and sagebrush: Abbr.

40 She pined for Narcissus 41 ___ cherry

63 Takes a break

23 Tool with a curved blade 24 Islam, e.g.: Abbr.

S C A D

W E I R

O L A Y

C O M A

Z S E P L F D A A R T G Y O O N N T E L Y H E E N E L O V E L E N L E

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Licensed • Insured • Bonded

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50 ___ whim

3 Mourning of the N.B.A.

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51 Minnesota governor Pawlenty

4 Crucifix

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63

A S V I A S L S A E R G U S

www.fuscosconcierge.com

34

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off their initial house cleaning*

828-279-9770 828-279-9771

30

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D U L L E R

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25 Severely criticizes, 52 Holiday serving with “on” 55 Prefix with center

F A T A H

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48 Hodges of baseball

22 Mai ___

3

45

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45 Pie preference

20 Beef entree

2

60 Quickly

62 Ones who try to put things past you?

42 Stranded motorist’s need

20% DISCOUNT

56 ___-Detoo of “Star Wars”

58 Cryptanalyst’s org.

14 Nail on a branch?

New customers receive a

O M E N

G A T E

E D Y S

G I N Z A

E Q U I P

5 Where King Saul consulted a witch 6 Enmity 7 German border river

Puzzle by Elizabeth A. Long

32 It has four strings, in brief 33 “Shoot!”

8 Maximum

34 “Shoot!”

9 Peaceful demonstration

35 Nassau native

10 Batting game for kids 11 1940 Disney film

36 2,240-pound units 37 Puts in order 38 See 49-Down

41 Harrison, for one 42 Alice B. ___ (Gertrude Stein’s partner) 43 Short, as some plays 44 “___ World” 46 Slangy business suffix

47 Column with a simple capital 49 With 38-Down, recurring phenomenon lasting a few hours 53 Hit the stratosphere 54 Snare, in a way

12 Potter’s pedal

For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. 21 Took home AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. 26 Cries from sties Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puz29 Camus’s “Lettres à zles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). ___ Allemand” Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords. 31 Bank 13 Creation, as of plans

“I found a new roommate and someone who wants my ‘72 Gremlin.”

828-225-5555 Gail Azar RN, LPC

• Child Therapy • EMDR

post your FREE Classifieds on the web at mountainX.com/classifieds

LaVonne Jacobson, LCAS

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MISSY CAT Female/Spayed Domestic Shorthair/Mix. 7 years 1 month I.D. #10027883 HAMILTON Male/Neutered Terrier, Pit Bull/Pointer 1 year 1 month I.D. #9759933 KINSEY Female Domestic Shorthair/Mix 1 year 7 months I.D. #9833756

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Buncombe County Friends For Animals, Inc.

• MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2010

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homeimprovement Place Your Ad on this Page! - Call Rick at 828-251-1333 ext. 123 W I L L B E AT C O M P E T I T O R S B Y 2 0 %

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CONSTRUCTION CONSULTATION • Renovations • Remodeling • Custom Homes

Greg Siegel Construction, llc Lincensed & Insured

828-230-8906

visit us at GregSiegelConstruction.com NC Licensed Residential General Contractor

Small Jobs • Handyman Services • Home Repairs Not Handy? Call Andy!

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ESTIMATES • Trim • Fencing • Decks • Custom Built-Ins • Closet Shelving • Lawn & Garden • Plumbing • Tree Service

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Andy OnCall

®

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L AW N & L A N D S C A P I N G Lawn Maintenance · Annual lawn programs which include mowing, fertilizing, aerating, overseeding and liming

Landscape Maintenance · Landscape installation for new and existing homes · Prune, Mulch and Seasonal Clean-up

14 Years Experience

8282302987

Electrical , Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, and Renewable Energy

have you considered Renewable Energy? Determine a plan to improve your energy efficiency Reduce your utility bills • Increase value of your property Defend against unpredictable energy costs Reduce your carbon foot print

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SOLAR POWER SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS INVESTING IN A PV SOLAR SYSTEM YIELDS IMMEDIATE BENEFITS 1. The system belongs to you and immediately adds value to your property.

Free Estimates Dependable Service & Advice References Available

Serving all of WNC Fully Licensed & Insured License #28016

2. All tax credits and incentives go directly to you. 3. Energy produced by your system will result in savings on your electric bill. 4. Energy produced by your system will increase in value as the price of electricity increase.

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Choose The Leader In Overhead Doors We are the leading provider of residential garage doors and garage door openers, commercial doors, dock equipment, and parts and service in 16 Western North Carolina counties.

Enhance your home’s value and curb appeal, with a quality garage door from High Country Overhead Door line of products. Choose steel, wood, or custom-designed garage door.

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