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CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover A challenge to the residency of two Macon County commission candidates was settled by the board of elections, but the episode revealed a fissure in the county’s Republican Party that may take longer to heal. (Page 6) Macon County Commissioner Ron Haven (left) and his son prepare for the Board of Elections hearing.

News Meeting will gauge community feelings about halfway house plans . . . . . . 4 Old Canton school gets a new lease on life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 If you get busted for illegal parking at WCU, plan to pay more . . . . . . . . . . 9 Gloria Steinem tells WCU students that strides have been made . . . . . . . . 10 Plans under way to re-stock deer population in Cherokee . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Jail library advocates work to stock shelves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 DOT explains survey letter faux pas concerning N.C. 107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

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Opinion North Carolina voter law will prove unconstitutional. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Don’t wish away a tough winter, an eternal moment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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A&E Swain County’s Seth Taylor a soaring force in world of bluegrass . . . . . . 20

Outdoors Cycling enthusiasts start new race, team at WCU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

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news

Canton school to be reborn

“A lot of doctors, pilots and professors graduated from that school,” McDowell said.

“The strength of the people there that were able to build that school and graduate is incredible. Back then every person that taught there had their master’s degree.”

DREAM COME TRUE

Once a segregated school in Canton, Reynolds High School was recently purchased by town native William McDowell, who plans on renovating the building and making it into a community center. Garret K. Woodward photo

Smoky Mountain News

March 12-18, 2014

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER William McDowell remembers when segregation was a reality in Canton.

“When I was a kid we weren’t allowed to sit anywhere but the balcony at the Colonial Theatre in downtown,” he said. “You couldn’t eat in certain restaurants and there were black and white drinking fountains — segregation was really enforced.”

Though being an African-American brought about harsh adversity for McDowell growing up in the South during the 1960s, he looks back fondly at his youth spent in his hometown.

“This was really a segregated town, but we all did a lot of great things together,” he said.

“The laws were segregated, but a lot of the people weren’t.”

Now residing on the West Coast, McDowell is currently married to legendary Motown/R&B singer Gladys Knight (best known for her hits “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Midnight Train to Georgia,” and “That’s What Friends Are For.”). And though he’s well vested in the entertainment industry, he’s never forgotten his roots in Haywood County.

“Everybody loves home, no matter where we go,” the 56-year-old said. “A lot of people left [Canton] for opportunities, but this will always be our home.”

And with that love of Western North Carolina in mind, McDowell recently purchased the abandoned Reynolds High School — a boarded up, dilapidated structure in the heart of Canton that once served as an all4 black school for the town. His hope is to trans-

McDowell (right) and his wife, legendary singer Gladys Knight (left), are currently implementing plans to resurrect Reynolds High School. Donated photo form the property into a community center for any and all residents and visitors to use.

“It’ll be a good thing for the interactions in the community,” he said. “People will take more pride in where we are because you’ll be coming to our home. A lot of people don’t know that school is there, and for me, what I want to see is not just the school coming up another level, but also the entire community.”

BACK TO SCHOOL Built in 1930, Reynolds High School is located on the road of the same name. For years, it was a place where pupils played and learned, where families congregated and spent time together.

“It was the beginning of my life,”

Even though he headed West, McDowell had always kept the dream of refurbishing Reynolds in the back of his mind. He told the previous owner of the school that if he was ever interested in selling the property to contact McDowell first. And, for many years, McDowell didn’t hear anything. But, that all changed last year.

“I found out recently that he had passed away and for whatever reason I was home that week and called,” McDowell said. “But, his wife had said they had already put the building up for auction.”

McDowell then went to the auction, made a bid and walked away the new owner of Reynolds for $80,000. His plan is to renovate the structure, which would include a food annex, food bank, education center, computer lab, school museum, picnic area and all new athletic fields, to include a walking track, football field, basketball and tennis courts.

Plans also call for a smaller version of Gladys Knight’s Signature Chicken & Waffles restaurant, which is currently based in Atlanta.

“My plan is for it to look like the original building on the outside, so when people come and see it, it’ll look familiar, but of course it’ll be a lot more modern internally,” he said.

With an estimated cost of around $2.5 million to bring the school to pristine condition, McDowell sees the investment — of his own money and donations from friends — as worthwhile, and not just wishful thinking.

“Whatever it takes to get it off the ground,” he said. “Sometimes you can’t put your dreams on someone else’s head, so for me, my dream is to make it the best possible place for the town that I can make it.”

McDowell’s brother, Randy, who also attended Reynolds, still resides in Canton.

McDowell said. “It was the beginning of where I learned you could be and do anything you wanted to do.”

All those years ago, Reynolds was the societal centerpiece of the African-American neighborhood that surrounded the institution.

“The school itself was the embodiment of the community,” McDowell recalled. “The band marched from school all the way through the neighborhood, and we’d follow them with pots and pans.”

McDowell attended Reynolds until third grade and then was transferred to the nearby “A lot of doctors, pilots and professors Pennsylvania Avenue School when segregation graduated from that school. The in the district ended in strength of the people there that 1965. From there, he graduated from Pisgah were able to build that school and High School. But the graduate is incredible.” memories of Reynolds remain with him, as they — William McDowell have remained with the rest of his family and other neighborhood residents.

Having his old school come back to life is a “My [older] sister was the last class to go surreal sentiment for the 58-year-old. through 11th grade, and the first to graduate “It means a lot, it’s where our roots are, from Pisgah,” he said. “But they were really where our foundation is. The people we are hurt because they wanted to graduate from today started out there, and to have that [Reynolds]. But, with the fact we’ve gotten the building back again means the world to all of building back, all of those people will have us,” Randy said. “It’s been a long time coming. pride in the fact they can now showoff what It’s going to take me awhile to comprehend it they once had.” when I stand there and see it finally open.”

And with the resurrection of the school Randy isn’t the only Canton resident comes the dusting off of not only memories, excited about the school’s rebirth. Alderman but names and faces, many of which who Zeb Smathers said the town would assist went on to have successful careers around the William with whatever he may country and beyond. need in making his dream a physi-

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Community asked for input in prison makeover

Downtown Sylva bakery opens in April

As the owners open the new bakery, City Lights Café will no longer be open for breakfast during the week. The café will continue serving lunch and dinner seven days a week, including breakfast and brunch on the weekends.

For more information, call 678.643.3899 or email bern@citylightscafe.com.

By becoming a Big Sister or Big Brother you can help a child start on the path to success in their life.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Haywood County is in need of men and women (ages 18 and up) to reach out to young people, ages 6 through 15, who are in need of adult attention, guidance and support. The organization is striving to provide the proven positive impact of a mentor at a critical time in children’s lives.

All of the youth and their families who are involved with the local Big Brothers Big Sisters have asked for a one-on-one mentoring relationship. They are waiting for their “Big.” Volunteers share simple activities with their “Little” twice a month, spending several hours together, for a minimum of a year. The relationships between “Bigs” and “Littles” result in positive changes for the youth, such as better grades, improved attitudes and better decision-making skills. And while the youth benefit, adult volunteers often say that they are receiving more from the relationship than the kids.

Individuals interested in volunteering this year should contact Program Coordinator Kip Rollins at 828.356.2148.

renovations for the building. From there, section by section of the school will be transformed into the planned community center.

But, regardless of the timeline of completion, the plans are in motion, and that’s something William is proud to be a part of.

“I wanted it back for the people that had been there for a long time, my grandfather, my mother. I think I did honor to my grandparents. They’ll always be part of that,” he said. “For me, it’s going to be that I didn’t forget about home and the spirit of who I am, no matter where I go. It’s about being able to come back and give back to all of those people and what they did for me.”

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Smoky Mountain News

cal reality. Having the school reopen as a community center will tie a harmonious bow on a troubled era for the community.

“We had our ups and downs like everywhere else [back then], and this gives us the opportunity to preserve something from the fpast and provide something for the future of this community that is much needed,” Smathers said. “What excites me is [William’s] vision, that it’s not just a promise.

We as the Town of Canton will do absolutely everything in our power to help him.”

William is planning to have the landscape of the property cleaned up in preparation for a Fourth of July barbeque and kickoff to the

Big Brothers Big Sisters needed in Haywood

SELECT ITEMS

March 12-18, 2014

A new bakery and bistro is coming to downtown Sylva. The Perk & Pastry Bistro f will offer a wide array of pastries and baked goods, espresso drinks, breakfast, lunch and house-made gourmet grab-and-go items. The new business plans to open in early April.

The new bakery — a venture being launched by City Lights Café owners Bernadette Peters and Pat Thomas — will be located at 506 W. Main Street, the former Main Street Bakery and Annie’s Bakery location. With the loss of Annie’s, followed by the closure of Main Street Bakery, Peters and Thomas feel there is a need in downtown Sylva for a sustainable bakery.

“Having been involved with the Main Street Sylva Association and having started City Lights Café three years ago, we realized that the town needs more restaurants and retailers in order to thrive,” explained Peters.

“The Association formed a committee to recruit key businesses to Sylva and highlight our town. We decided to step up and be a part of that by reopening the bakery.”

The Perk & Pastry will feature plenty of gluten-free and traditional sweet and savory baked goods. A new self-service bar will be added to for convenient in-and-out purchases of coffee, pastries, salads and sandwiches. A full service espresso menu will be available as well as locally made goat cheese, house-made salsas, salads, hummus and soups. Made-toorder breakfast burritos and bagel sandwiches will be offered for breakfast, as well as some of Main Street’s most popular cold sandwiches, paninis and salads.

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Haywood County Senior Resources Center on Elmwood Way in Waynesville. The interactive meeting will cover many aspects of the project, including fundraising.

The vision is for the old prison on Brown Avenue to become a transitional home for recently released inmates, a temporary shelter for homeless people and a second location for Open Door Ministries to serve hot meals to those who need them. Organizers are currently working with Haywood County commissioners, who support the idea, to come up with a lease and a Memorandum of Understanding.

news

The trio of Christian ministries and advocates for the disadvantaged looking to transform the old state prison in Hazelwood into a place of renewal will look to the community to guide its next steps.

“We hope to look at the total community and seek to identify gaps in services to meet basic human needs,” said Patsy Dowling, executive director of Mountain Projects, which is a nonprofit that carries out a host of social service programs.

The groups will meet with interested community members at 4 p.m. March 18 at the

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news

Macon candidate challenges reveal rift between conservative, moderate Republicans

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER ueling challenges over the legitimacy of two Macon County commissioner candidates could have had far-reaching implications for the county’s political landscape and, ultimately, the tone and tenure of the county for years to come.

Both challenges fizzled out after a week of political commotion, but from the shadows of the unfolding drama a power struggle for majority control on the Macon County Board of Commissioners emerged. While both candidates who faced challenges are Republicans, they come from two different ends of the party’s philosophical spectrum.

Commissioner Ron Haven is an unwavering conservative based on his voting record during the past four years in office.

Candidate Gary Shields is a moderate, even describing his political persuasion as “purple” — a hybrid of the red and blue party colors.

Both challenges have been denounced by the other side of the aisle as politically motivated.

“In my opinion, the challenge against Commissioner Ron Haven was politically motivated,” said Don Swanson, an active politico in Macon County and former leader of the conservative Freedom Works group.

The official position of Democrats who filed the challenge against Haven is that they simply want to see the law followed.

“It is not really a political move. It is a measure of right or wrong,” said Corey Duvall, chair of the Macon Democratic Party who compiled the research for Haven’s challenge.

Duvall was suspect of Haven’s claim that his official residence is a small apartment at the Budget Motel that he owns instead of the country club home where the commissioner’s wife and kids live.

Where Haven lives matters, because Macon County commissioner races have geographic districts. Commissioners must live in the district from which they run.

The legal grounds for the challenge against Haven and Shields are the same — specifically whether the address they claim as their official residence is, in fact, their official residence. Or are they cheating on their actual residency in order to run in a district that isn’t really their home?

When it comes to the challenge against Shields, that’s the one that’s politically motivated, Duvall said. He believes the right-wing camp of the Republican Party fired back with a challenge against a moderate member of the party.

“I see this as being the Freedom Works people retaliating against moderate Republicans and Democrats, saying you are not going to take away our one candidate,” Duvall said. “I see the Republican Party com6 pletely splitting.”

Smoky Mountain News

March 12-18, 2014

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At a hearing before the board of elections, Macon County Commissioner Ron Haven (left) and his attorney Orville Coward argued that Haven’s place of residency was at a hotel he owns rather than at the house his family calls home. Becky Johnson photo

A TRICKY TIMELINE

Tale of two challenges Two candidates on the ballot for Macon commissioner faced challenges over their eligibility. Incumbent Ron Haven beat his challenge this week, and the challenge against Gary Shields was then dropped.

Ron Haven is a Republican commissioner who identifies with the conservative wing of the party. He has a conservative record during his four years in office, frequents Freedom Works meetings, owns four motels and rental properties and puts on gun shows around the country.

The challenge against Haven came from a collection of Democrats.

Gary Shields is a Republican commissioner candidate but a self-described moderate. The retired Franklin High School principal publicly backed a school system colleague who was a Democrat in the Macon commissioner race two year ago. Shields’ campaign treasurer is also a Democrat, namely Betty Waldroop, another school system colleague.

The challenge against Shields came from a far-right conservative leader of Freedom Works who has previously criticized moderate members of the Republican Party.

Carla Miller, the chair of the Macon Republican Party, admits there is a rightwing faction of the party, but said that faction does not represent the party as a whole.

Miller specifically cited the Freedom Works group as being outside the mainstream of the local party.

Miller further said she does not support the challenge against Shields — or Haven for that matter — and wants them both to win election.

The challenge against Shields was ultimately dropped Tuesday. The person who filed it, Vic Drummond, was in the audience at Haven’s hearing and saw how it played out — with Haven easily and deftly winning the benefit of the doubt largely on his word alone.

Haven claimed under oath that he sleeps in a small apartment beside his motel more often than he sleeps at the country club home with his wife and kids. And that was what it

took to sail through the challenge and stay on the ballot.

It was certainly a good indication of how the challenge against Shields would have gone, which convinced Drummond to withdraw his challenge Tuesday.

“The hearing demonstrated to me the wide latitude of North Carolina’s election law in determining a candidate’s residency,” Drummond said.

Shields wouldn’t comment on whether he is a victim of backlash due to the challenge against Haven. But Shields, a career educator and retired Franklin High school principal, said he isn’t very politically savvy — perhaps something he needs to work on.

“All this has been good for me. I am not a politician. Now I am waking up to realize there are elements out here I have to be aware of,” Shields said. “I need to get my political house in order and this is making me do it.”

The challenge against Haven was the first one to come down the pike last week. It was filed March 3, the day after the candidate registration period for the election had closed.

The lengthy challenge, rife with research, must have been in the makings for some time.

It could have been brought against Haven before now — challenging not just his candidacy but his status as a sitting commissioner.

But it wasn’t brought forward until election time, and not until after the candidate sign-up period had concluded.

To some, that is evidence of political motivation, with the goal of smearing Haven during a campaign cycle.

But, if successful, challenging Haven prior to the filing deadline would have scrubbed one of the right-wing conservatives from the ballot, with no chance to run another candidate with similar ideological leanings after the deadline had passed.

Had Haven been booted from the ballot, the Republican Party would have chosen who ran in his place. Sure, their chosen replacement may have been of Haven’s same ilk on the conservative spectrum, but the party could just as likely appointed a slightly more moderate candidate for Haven’s vacant spot on the ballot.

TIT FOR TAT

The challenge against Shields came last Thursday, three days after Haven’s. Shields’ supporters claim it was political retaliation, firing back after the challenge to Haven.

S EE CHALLENGES, PAGE 8

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explaining that the hearing simply constituted the Board of Elections’ compliance with the process outlined in North Carolina law.

HAVEN’S TESTIMONY Ron Haven claims his residency at an apartment in the Budget Inn on Palmer Street, which he owns, while his wife and children live in a house on Mill Creek. The Macon County Board of Elections validated that assertion at a March 11 hearing. Holly Kays photo

has been closed for five months for the winter,” he said. “They just open in the summer.”

“People think that summertime’s the only time I live there,” Haven countered on Monday afternoon, “and it’s not.”

Much of Haven’s mail goes to his Mill Creek address, but that’s because his wife doubles as his secretary. It’s no different than any other professional receiving workrelated mail at the office and personal mail at home, he said.

TROUBLE WITH THE LAW Ultimately, it is up to the board of elections to determine what the preponderance of evidence showed: did Haven truly see the Budget Inn as his home? And that can be a subjective question to answer.

Even Don Wright, general counsel for the N.C. State Board of Elections and author of a 20-page paper on residency requirements, isn’t exactly sure what the requirements mean in real life.

“I can’t. And I’m not trying to be funny,” he said when asked to explain them.

He was able to say that in a residency challenge hearing, the burden of proof is on the person who is being challenged to disprove the allegations, rather than on the challenger to prove them.

THE DROPPED CHALLENGE Haven wasn’t the only candidate to be slapped with a residency challenge. A similar complaint was lodged against commissioner candidate Gary Shields, a moderate Republican. It was filed by a far-right conservative, Victor Drummond.

“It’s unusual to have even one complaint,” said Kevin Corbin, county commission chairman. “To have two is extremely unusual.”

But Drummond withdrew his challenge against Shields on Tuesday just hours after sitting in on the hearing and witnessing just how subjective the residency test for candidates is.

Shields does, in fact, have two houses.

And both have his clothes in the closet, his mail in the mailbox and power, and his food

in the cupboards. He pays power and cable bills at both as well.

In summer, you’re more apt to find Shields and his wife at his country club home on Mill Creek, where they can enjoy the backyard pool and golf course next-door.

But during the other eight months of the year, they’re likely to be at their townhouse, Shields said, and that’s the one that he declared as his residency to run in District II. The split living situation came about because when Shields remarried 12 years ago, both he and his new wife owned homes.

So, they decided to keep both and use both.

He claims to have spent the majority of his time at his wife’s Holly Springs home on Lauren Lane ever since.

“That’s where I’m Gary Shields sitting in the living room now,” Shields said, talking on the phone for an interview Sunday night.

But he keeps a hold on the Mill Creek home. He raised his boys there, receives a Franklin Press subscription there twice a week and, until last week, listed his driver’s license address there. In response to last week’s challenge, he headed to the DMV first thing Monday morning to get a new license with the Lauren Lane address. He’d been meaning to do so sooner, he said, but just hadn’t gotten around to it.

And until recently, that address appeared on his voter registration card. He never got around to changing his voter registration data after he got remarried and moved in with new wife, he said.

But a few months ago, when he realized he wanted to run for commissioner in District II, he figured he better change his voting address.

Of course, he still stops by Mill Creek often. When we caught up with him again mid-day Monday, Shields was swinging by his Mill Creek house.

“This time, I’m just walking in the door at Mill Creek,” he said.

News Editor Jeremy Morrison contributed to this report. 7

Smoky Mountain News

Haven was represented at the hearing by Attorney Orville Coward. Coward led a line of questioning that Haven followed, dutifully laying out the history of his residency, travel schedule and family life over the past 10 years.

The big question came when Coward asked Haven to recollect “where you laid your head each night during the year 2013?”

At the hearing, he testified that he spends about 160 nights per year at his Budget Inn apartment and that he keeps clothes, toiletries and cooking supplies there.

As for the rest of the year?

“I spent about 100 nights on the road promoting gun shows and participating in gun shows or other trade show events. I spent about, on the average, about 45 days through the summer traveling with my wife and children. Around Christmas time I spent about two weeks in California.”

That left very few nights spent at his family’s home at Mill Creek Country Club.

“I probably have spent, on the very highend estimate with respect to Mr. Nichols, about 45 nights in Mill Creek,” Haven said.

Though he and his wife are not separated, he testified, they maintain separate residences.

“I’ve lived in town and I have tried to be best of my knowledge to be where I have hands-on contact at all times with my business,” Haven testified. “My wife chooses to live in Mill Creek because she likes the environment better, but I prefer to live in town.”

Haven testified that he first claimed residency at the Budget Inn in 2003, when he lived in a one-room apartment there until purchasing the Franklin Motel in 2009. At that time, he moved to a three-bedroom apartment at the Franklin Motel with his wife and two children, but he divested himself of that motel in 2011 and changed his address back to the Budget Inn. Haven presented current and past voter registration cards, as well as a current driver’s license, to corroborate that story.

The Budget Inn caters specifically to Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, providing a free shuttle and laundry services, so during hiking season in particular, Haven is on call at all hours, he said.

Jen Crossman, a campground owner who came to the hearing in support of Haven, volunteered her testimony to support that point of view.

“You have to be there 24/7 because you never know when a hiker is going to knock on your door,” she said.

Prior to the hearing, however, Nichols said that argument doesn’t hold water for him.

“The motel that he used for his residence

March 12-18, 2014

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER n front of a crowded courtroom Tuesday, the Macon County Board of Elections voted unanimously to dismiss a challenge protesting Commissioner Ron Haven’s legitimacy as a candidate.

The challenge alleged that Haven was not in fact a legal resident of the Franklin voting district.

Haven claims his legal “domicile” is a small efficiency apartment at the Budget Inn — rather than his house in Mill Creek Country Club with his wife and kids.

Haven owns the Budget Inn, and says he prefers to stay there close to his business operations in town, while his wife prefers “the environment” at Mill Creek Country Club.

The brouhaha over where Haven lives — at his motel apartment or house with his family — threatened his candidacy.

Candidates can’t shop around for the district they want to run in, but must actually live in that specific district.

The Budget Inn is in District II, but Mill Creek Country Club isn’t.

“If a person doesn’t live in the district they’re in, they ought to run in a district they do live in,” said Charles Charles Nichols Nichols, a registered Democrat in Franklin who filed the complaint against Haven.

Nichols may have affixed his name to the challenge, but it was researched and largely written by Corey Duvall, chair of the Macon Democratic Party.

“I feel like the community feels as though it’s been lied to, which in all honesty, it has,” said Corey Duvall, chairman of the Macon County Democratic Party.

Ultimately, the board of elections believed Haven, however.

“I’m thankful,” Haven said. “Why I was challenged I don’t understand or know, but when you’re an elected official, there’s always someone who’s looking for any fault they can find, and often small things are exaggerated.”

Nichols said there were valid questions over Haven’s actual residency that deserved an answer. The hearing settled those questions to Nichols’ satisfaction, he said, and he does not plan to appeal the decision.

“The main thing I was wanting to get was clarification, and that was provided to me today,” he said, “so I’m satisfied.”

Macon Commissioner Chairman Kevin Corbin said he — and the rest of the commissioners as far as Corbin knows — believe Haven’s side of the story.

“I personally don’t feel like he would intentionally do anything misleading, but when there’s a citizen complaint filed there’s a process with that,” Corbin said Monday,

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Haven convinces board that motel is home

Shields is a Republican, but a moderate one compared to the conservative wing his challenger comes from. Vic Drummond, who filed the challenge against Shields, may be a registered Republican on paper, but he’s so far right his own party won’t always claim him.

“The challenge to Mr. Shields is from a far right-wing side of the party,” said Carla Miller, adding that Drummond does not reflect the views of the party as a whole, she said.

Drummond is the current leader of Macon County’s Freedom Works chapter, a network of far-right conservatives that preach limited government. Drummond said that politics was not behind his challenge to Shields’ candidacy and he simply wanted to “assure the integrity of our election system.”

“I’m a strong believer that all laws must be observed and enforced,” Drummond said.

When asked whether he supports Shields, he didn’t want to say, but said he had donated to candidates other than Shields. As for whom, that won’t come out until first quarter campaign finance reports come due in April.

“I don’t want to get down in the weeds.

Let’s let the challenge stand on its own,” Drummond said.

Drummond said the challenge against Haven alerted him to the issue of residency.

Someone tipped him off that the same statute might be equally thorny for Shields, but Drummond would not say who that was.

“That’s confidential. It doesn’t really matter where the information came from,”

Drummond said. “Some red flags went up and I just had some questions, that’s all.”

WHO HELPED WHO When the challenge against Haven was heard this week, the board of elections forced the challenger, Charles Nichols, to cough up who else was behind the challenge. Haven’s attorney asked during a cross-examination of Nichols whether anyone else helped him and if so who.

Nichols tried to dodge the question — just as Drummond dodged the question of whom else was behind his challenge of Shields when asked by the newspaper.

But Nichols was ordered by Macon County Attorney Chester Jones (who answers to Haven, incidentally) to divulge that he in fact did not author the candidate challenge. The chair of the Macon Democratic Party, Corey Duvall, did the majority of the research for the challenge and wrote most of it, Nichols said. Nichols is a precinct chair in the local party and volunteered to bring it forward.

Murmurs swept through the audience at the hearing when Nichols revealed who actually researched and wrote the challenge.

To Carla Miller, chair of the Macon Republican Party, the involvement of the Democratic Party head is telling.

“I think that is important. It shows the intent of the challenge,” said Miller. “What’s the sincerity of the challenger? Are you just a figurehead?”

Apparently, however, Duvall could not

legally affix his name to the candidate challenge. Party officers cannot wage a candidate challenge. Nichols said he didn’t personally have the skills or capacity to do the level of research that Duvall had done.

THE BREAK DOWN The current board of commissioners has four Republicans. They are often, however, on opposite sides of issues — with two limited-government purists and two moderates.

“I see this as being the Freedom Works people retaliating against moderate Republicans and Democrats, saying you are not going to take away our one candidate.”

— Corey Duvall, chair of the Macon Democratic Party

Ironically, the two moderate Republicans and the Democratic commissioner who holds the fifth seat on the board form their own voting bloc.

The two conservative Republicans are in the minority on the board, casting “no” votes in the face of the progressive policies pushed by the cross-party allegiance of the other three.

“They need other conservatives to vote with them for the good of Macon County,” said Joyce Roberts, a Republican in the Freedom Works vein.

Two new candidates who have entered the commissioner race would bust up that moderate voting bloc, however, and tip the balance in favor of the conservatives.

To Duvall, that would be a catastrophe. But the Democrats, who are in the political minority in Macon County, are mostly relegated to the sidelines watching the tussle play out.

“The Grand Old Party has been taken over. It is not the party people think it is,” Duvall said.

And with the philosophical make-up of the county board at stake, all eyes were on the candidate challenges playing out before the board of elections this week. With just a handful of candidates running, the decision about whether the moderate Shields or the conservative Haven would stay in the race could tip the balance of power in the county.

“The future of Macon County is at stake in this,” Duvall said.

That’s one thing that Duvall and John Martin, a libertarian candidate for commissioner, actually have in common. Martin, who falls in that murky area where the farright conservative wing of the Republican Party bleeds into Libertarian territory, is running for one of the same seats as Haven and Shields.

“I do believe this is a very pivotal election in Macon County,” said Martin.

News Editor Jeremy Morrison contributed to this article.

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March 12-18, 2014

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Students and visitors to the Western Carolina University campus, whether in a car or on roller skates, will soon have a few dollars more of incentive to follow the school’s rules governing vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The WCU Board of Trustees approved an increase for a number of citation fees during its March 7 meeting.

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March 12-18, 2014

“The main purpose for the increase is to foster compliance,” said Trustee Ed Broadwell, chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, just before the board’s unanimous affirmative vote.

The fees have not been increased since 2005.

Much of the money collected via the citations goes to the state to be used within the public education system, while WCU may request to retain up to 20 percent to cover administrative costs.

According to WCU Police Chief Ernie Hudson, the university issued approximately 2,650 citations in 2013. During the 2012-2013 academic year, the total dollar amount of the citations was $132,473.20; of that total, the university retained $26,494.64.

Although WCU does not keep track of the breakdown of citations issued, Hudson said the most frequent offenses cited were parking in an unauthorized area and parking without a permit.

Come July, many violations — such as parking in a reserved space, parking in a no parking zone, parking on the grass and parking in a barricaded area — will see $10 increases, rising from $40 to $50.

There are also bigger jumps. Violations related to skateboarding, roller skating, bicycling, jaywalking, loud music and disobeying a traffic sign or officer will double, going from $25 to $50. Citations for improperly displayed parking permits will increase from $10 to $50, while citations for expired short-term and metered parking will go from $15 to $50.

Other infractions, most in the $100-or-above range, will remain unchanged. It will still be a $100 fee for illegally reproducing a parking permit, or $250 for unlawfully parking in a handicap space.

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Saddle Up Saturdays

Steinem celebrates ‘escaping’

BY M ELANIE THRELKELD MCCONNELL CORRESPONDENT ere is a simple solution for stimulating the economy in this country: give women equal pay for equal work, said author and activist Gloria Steinem, during a recent speech at Western Carolina University.

“If women of all races were paid equally to white men for doing the exact same job, there would be $200 billion more in the economy,” Steinem said during her WCU address. “And those women are not going to put that money in a Swiss bank account. No, they’re going to spend it and stimulate the economy and create more jobs.”

The author spoke as part of WCU’s campus wide interdisciplinary learning theme, “1960s: Take It All In.” “Not only would equal pay be a stimulus, but it also would reduce the tax burden used for safety net programs,” Steinem continued.

“The children who are the poorest and the families most likely to be in need of a safety net are the children of single mothers. If those mothers earned equally, there would be a commensurate reduction in the amount of money spent on social services.”

A Phi Beta Kappa from Smith College in Massachusetts, Steinem, 79, has been a beacon for the women’s movement since the 1960s, bringing to the forefront the issues of domestic violence against women, equal pay for equal work, child abuse, sexism and racism — all issues she continues to champion. The author of several books and the cofounder of Ms. Magazine and New York Magazine, Steinem has spent her life as a writer, lecturer, editor and feminist activist.

Reflecting on the night’s theme, Steinem said the 1960s were about consciousness raising. “The 60s were the beginning of the movements that continue,” she said. “And they began in a way all movements seem to begin, whether it is the Chinese revolution or the civil rights movement in the South, which is people sitting in a circle, getting up the nerve to say what is happening to them that is painful, discovering that they are not alone in this.”

Steinem also told the crowd that equal pay is the “personal path to all kinds of societywide revelations” and should not be seen as only a female issue, but as an issue that affects all of society. She spoke about how workers employed by corporations such as Walmart,

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— Gloria Steinem

Burger King and McDonalds—“who are making money from unequal pay”—get paid so little that many of them use social services meant for the unemployed.

The activist explained how unequal pay also means women rarely catch up with their male counterparts even when they get promoted because the system is based on how much a worker was paid in his or her previous job, rather than what the job is worth.

Another long-time issue for Steinem is domestic violence, what she calls the “source

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“If you declare that half the human race is superior to the other half, which is a lie, you can only maintain it by violence or the threat of violence.”

Award-winning writer and activist Gloria Steinem discussed the women’s movement in the 1960s and today as part of her address at Western Carolina University on Thursday, March 6.

The event, held in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, was connected to WCU’s campuswide interdisciplinary learning theme for 2013-14, “1960s: Take It All In,” in which members of the campus community have been encouraged to reflect on the relevance of the lessons and legacies of the 1960s.

Attendees who heard her speak March 6 at WCU as well as during the 1960s will discuss their impressions of her then and now in a panel discussion at WCU on Wednesday, March 26. The event, which is

of normalization” of all other violence.

“If you declare that half the human race is superior to the other half, which is a lie, you can only maintain it by violence or the threat of violence,” she said. “In this country the form of violence we’re most familiar with is domestic violence. Some men, who through no fault of their’s, have been born into this system and become addicted to the idea of masculinity, [and] feel they are not alive or

S EE STEINEM, PAGE 11

free and open to the public, will begin at 4 p.m. in the A.K. Hinds University Center theater.

Other upcoming “1960s: Take It All In” events in March include a screening of “Blow-Up,” a 1966 film about a photographer who believes he may have taken photographs of a murder, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20; a screening of “Summer of Love,” a look at the highs and lows of the 1960s counter-culture movement, at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27; and a panel discussion about reproductive rights in the 1960s and today at 7 p.m. Monday, March 31. All events are free and open to the public and will be held in the theater of A.K. Hinds University Center.

For more information, contact Amy Cherry, a School of Music faculty member and chair of the “1960s: Take It All In” steering committee, at acherry@wcu.edu or 828.227.3725.

NCCAT works to make learning play Teachers and school administrators looking for a way to make Summer Reading Camp have the same energy as a traditional summer camp can get help at the 2014 North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Literacy Festival.

NCCAT, a national leader in professional development for teachers, is holding its literacy festival in Cullowhee March 24–27.

The event runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. each evening on the organization’s campus, located at 276 NCCAT Drive. The festival is free and open to all area teachers and administrators.

“Each evening we’ll learn a few activities

and use them to teach or reinforce a particular literacy skill,” said NCCAT Lead Fellow Deb Teitelbaum, who will be leading the festival. “For example, we might start by playing sight-word tag with the group.”

The series of activities each night will help educators make the summer reading program more like camp and less like summer school. The program is designed to engage students in the hope that they will better grasp necessary literacy skills.

Read to Achieve, part of the Excellent Schools Act of 2012, requires current third-grade students in North Carolina public schools to pass the new End-ofGrade exam to be promoted. Students who do not pass the exam will be given an option to attend a summer reading camp or repeat the third grade.

Festival participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and shoes for what promises to be a fun and enlightening evening.

For more information about the 2014 literacy festival, visit www.nccat.org, call 828.293.5202, ext. 1103 or email deborah.teitelbaum@nccat.org.

Sarge’s Animal Rescue hosts annual meeting The 2014 Annual Meeting of Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation will be held Thursday, March 20, at the Shelton House Barn, 49 Shelton St., Waynesville.

Refreshments will be served beginning at 6 p.m., with the business meeting and guest speaker running from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The business meeting will include a review of the year — the “State of Sarge’s” — and election of new board members.

The guest speaker will be from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville.

828.246.9050.

STEINEM, CONTINUED FROM 10 real or men unless they dominate.”

Since Sept. 11, 2001, more women have been killed by their husbands or boyfriends than the sum of all Americans killed in the 9/11 attacks and during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Steinem noted.

“I think the paradigm of violence in the home is something we can learn from at this point in our national history,” she said.

Steinem discussed how a woman is “most likely to be murdered” when attempting to flee an abusive environment.

Likewise, she said, the United States is in a similar situation—in a “time of maximum endangerment”—as it rethinks its position on war, economic polarization, racism and marriage equality.

“We have majority opinions that are becoming ever more democratic,” Steinem said. “And we are on the verge of becoming no longer a European/American or white country. You might say we are escaping, we’re about to be free. And that presents two things: One, we have to be very careful … and we have to look after each other. And it also means we’re not going to stop. We too are going to escape. We too are about to be free.”

Finally, the women’s rights stalwart talked about whether women can have it all.

“Nobody can have it all when you do it all,” she said, noting that women will never be able to have it all until men raise children as much as women. “Not only because otherwise women have a double burden of working inside the home and outside the home, but more important, children will not grow up understanding that men can be as loving, as nurturing, as patient, as good at parenting as women are. It’s a lie to say that men cannot raise children, too.”

After a question and answer session, the audience serenaded the activist and author by singing Happy Birthday. Steinem turns 80 on March 25.

March 12-18, 2014

Jackson County Republicans have been busy during the winter season finalizing plans for their 2014 annual county convention, the NCGOP Convention and arranging for offices in Cashiers and Sylva. The annual convention and precinct meetings will be held on Friday, March 21 at the Jackson County Senior Center Heritage Room in Sylva. The 2014 Republican headquarters offices, slated to open on or around April 1, are located in Cashiers, at Laurel Terrace on Highway 64 East, and in Sylva at 58 Sunrise Park. These locations were also used as Republican offices in 2012.

Registration for the county’s fourteen precinct meetings begins at 5 p.m.

Participants will elect precinct officers and select delegates and alternates to attend and speak for Jackson County at the county, district and state conventions. To be eligible, delegates and alternates must live in Jackson County and be registered Republicans Michelle Hicks as of January 31, 2014.

The convention features two speakers.

Michelle Hicks, principal chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, is expected to report on what will be offered at the state NCGOP Convention to be held in June in Cherokee. Nick Tennyson, chief deputy of the North Carolina Department of Transportation and former mayor of Durham, will also be speaking.

Also at the convention, Republican candidate attendees will be available to meet, greet and answer questions. Among the candidates

expected to attend are Jackson County commissioners Jack Debnam (unaffiliated), Doug Cody and Charles Elders. State Senator Jim Davis, U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows and District Judge Donna Forga, all in reelection races, will also attend. Primary race candidates slated to attend are Dodie Allen, Mike Clampitt and Aaron Littlefield for election to District 119 of the state House of Representatives and three candidates for Jackson County sheriff, Jimmy Hudgins, Curtis Lambert and Mary Rock.

Jackson County Republican Party Chair Ralph Slaughter of Cashiers, who will be heading the convention committee, has announced that “Republicans, conservatives, constitutionalists, unaffiliateds, Libertarians and Tea Party members interested in attending the Convention are welcome” Reservations may be made by calling 828.743.6491, or by emailing jacksongop@yahoo.com. Further information may be found on the organization’s website, www.jacksoncountygop.com.

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Jackson County Republicans ready for annual convention

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Whitetails get green light Deer reclaim historic home in Cherokee

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER rom clothing to art to clan names, deer are everywhere in Cherokee culture. But for the past couple of centuries, they’ve been virtually absent from Cherokee land — until now. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is in the initial stages of an effort to reintroduce an important environmental and cultural resource to Western North Carolina.

Late last month, EBCI Fisheries and Wildlife Management released 28 young deer to roam tribal lands, the first in a series of releases planned over three years.

“As we learn more about this area and the ecology of deer in this area, we’ll know more about what this area can support,” said Mike LaVoie, program manager for Fisheries and Wildlife.

About 90 percent of the deer — all but the few fawns released with the group — wear radio collars, and all wear identifying

To some, nurturing the deer population seems like a laughable effort. Not too far north of here, deer are almost a pest species, gulping down gardens and presenting a constant road hazard. Why try to grow a popula-

tags. That equipment will allow scientists from LaVoie’s department — such as Caleb Hickman, the project’s supervisory biologist — to track the animals. By learning which areas they avoid, which they flock to and how predators affect them, Fisheries and Wildlife will be better able to plan the next steps for a successful reintroduction.

“This project is very adaptive,” LaVoie said. “Asking some questions will lead to more questions.”

For now, 10 more deer are awaiting release in the Fish and Wildlife holding pen, and there are plenty more where that came from. The deer are from Morrow Mountain State Park, east of Charlotte. The park’s deer are healthy, but rising populations were beginning to take their toll on the state park’s plant species. Shipping some of the animals over to Cherokee was a win-win for

tion that obviously grows just fine on its own?

In Western North Carolina, however, it hasn’t been that easy.

When Europeans arrived in Cherokee territory, the tribe dove into the deerskin trade, eventually becoming the largest trader of the many Southeastern tribes engaged in trading. This development was a significant turning point in Cherokee history, introducing its members to a more capitalistic mindset and coinciding with a shift from a matriarchal society to a patriarchal one. Between 1699 and 1715, Southeastern tribes were shipping nearly 54,000 skins annually, and deer were nearly extinct in the Southeast by the time the deerskin trade ended in the 1750s.

But unlike many other regions of the Southeast, this area has strong populations of bear and coyote, which most areas with

OBSTACLES FOR GROWTH

deer overpopulation problems lack. Large tracts of national forest and national park land filled with hardwood trees also contribute to the difficulty the deer will encounter. Leaf canopies cover about 85 percent of Cherokee land.

“People often think of deer as living in the forest, but deer often do better when they have a mix of forest and open habitat,” LaVoie said.

The intersection between forest and open fields, called edge, can be one of the most biologically diverse areas of a landscape, and for deer, it’s perfect. They can browse on the leafy plants that abound in the sunlight but turn their white tails to flee for cover amongst the trees as soon as they sense a threat.

However, these kinds of habitats have decreased greatly in public lands over the past 100 years, largely due to fire suppression policies. Forests need disturbance, such as fire or timber harvest, to stay healthy.

Those treatments make way for younger

Smoky Mountain News

March 12-18, 2014

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all parties.

The tribe expects to release between 25 and 50 deer each year for the next three years, enlisting help from the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, the North Carolina State Park System and the National Park Service. Exact numbers of deer released will depend on the results of Fisheries and Wildlife monitoring, but they’ll be predominately female. About 85 percent of this year’s batch are does.

“Most of the does are carrying one and two fawns, so that will grow the deer population faster than importing a bunch of bucks would,” LaVoie said.

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trees and allow for a greater diversity of species, both animal and vegetable, and they’re vital for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. That’s not a reality lost on LaVoie.

“I think just generally there’s as lot of opportunity to manage our forests in a sustainable way,” he said.

So, as Fisheries and Wildlife continues to manage the deer introduction project, they’ll also look to the realm of forest management for clues to creating a more sustainable environment.

CULTURAL RESTORATION Environment is not the only value that LaVoie hopes the deer will help to sustain.

It’s also a cultural project.

“In a way, this is an example of self-deter-

Citizen science Science isn’t necessarily best left to scientists. As they watch the progress of the whitetail deer’s reintegration to Cherokee tribal lands, scientists at the EBCI Fisheries and Wildlife Management Department are looking to the locals for help.

“We’re asking folks to call into our office and report sightings,” said Mike LaVoie, program manager of Fisheries and Wildlife.

The department will use that information to better understand how the deer are grouping and interacting, both with their environment and with one another.

“Monitoring wildlife is often seen as a purely scientific endeavor for experts, but citizen science is an easy way for citizens to be involved,” he said.

To report deer sightings on Cherokee land, call 828.554.6113.

mination,” said Tyler Howe, of the Tribal Historic Preservation Office. “This is something the tribe is doing on their own.

They feel it’s important to them, that cultural commitment to deer.”

Throughout their history, Cherokee wore deerskins, ate venison and used glue made from their hooves. Motifs of the fleet-footed animal were thought to improve the speed of a message’s delivery or the swiftness of an athlete. The tribe even named one of its seven clans after the whitetail deer. Then, when the deerskin trade erupted, the species also became the symbol for change.

“What’s unique about deer in Cherokee history is it’s a symbol of cultural change and also cultural maintenance,” Howe said.

Part of the tribe’s mission in all its environmental management efforts is to restore important cultural elements like the whitetail deer to their traditional place in Cherokee life. Ideally, Lavoie would like to see the herd grow, in balance with its predators and its food source, so that tribal members can once again practice some of their traditional skills, such as hunting.

“That’s years down the line, but we think restoring historically important subsistence foods are important to the tribe’s culture and identity,” he said.

The tribe has seen success in restoring native animals to its lands before, most notably with the 2001 reintroduction of elk.

To the joy of residents and wildlife managers alike, a herd has taken up residence in Cherokee land.

“The tribe has been very supportive of the elk restoration effort,” LaVoie said. “We see elk almost every day in Cherokee these days. Restoring a large native mammal like that is a benefit for wildlife.”

So, as scientists tweak the project around the ungulates’ taste for native plants and role as a food source for bears, culture can never stay far from the environmental motives of their studies.

For Cherokee, identity is intricately tied to the biology of the Southeast,” LaVoie said, “and the more we can educate people on their conservation and restoration, the more it helps to build a sustainable culture here in Cherokee.”

WCU staff and students improve libraries in area jails

Haywood County Detention Center got some new reads last week when Sharon Woodrow (from left) and Kim Garmon, of Haywood County Public Library, and Jill Ellern of WCU’s library system, delivered a donated set of North Carolina law books. Holly Kays photos

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Want to help?

The jail library project is looking for donations of books and of funds to improve libraries in jails across Western North Carolina. In particular, they’re looking for nonfiction books such as GED study guides, textbooks, self-help books, how-to books, law texts and philosophical works.

All contributions must be paperback, as inmates are not allowed hardback books.

To learn more or arrange a donation, contact Liz Gregg of Jackson County Public Library at 828.586.2016 or egregg@fontanalib.org.

Smoky Mountain News

research project centered on library services in WNC jails, which she undertook with Karen Mason, associate professor of criminal justice. The stories of friends who worked as jailers had left them pondering what life would be like if they were incarcerated. As avid readers, they were particularly interested in the prospect of having more time to read.

But the team quickly learned that the typical jail library left much to be desired, and they began working with jail administrators in Jackson, Macon, Haywood, Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties. Over several months, they learned about library services and policies, examined the book collections and looked for ways to help the detention centers provide quality library services.

The latest chapter was a tour of Haywood County Detention Center last week. The group included Haywood County librarians and law enforcement personnel, Cyndy Hughes of the WCU criminal justice program, and Stephanie McGee, one of the students involved in the community service class working on the project. The mission

March 12-18, 2014

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER or most people, the word “jail” stirs up mental images of vertical bars and stark concrete walls, not of rows of books or orange-clad inmates studiously reading them. But bars have, for the most part, turned to Plexiglas and metal doors, and thanks to the collaborative research of librarians and criminal justice faculty at Western Carolina University, an initiative to expand book collections in Western North Carolina jails is gathering steam.

“With inmates having to serve sometimes up to two years in these county jails, they have time on their hands to engage and improve their lives, if given the chance,” said Jill Ellern, the WCU librarian leading the charge.

But it’s not always that easy. Jails often lack the space and money to curate an extensive book collection, and because safety regulations preclude inmates from having hardback books, the titles most in demand are often hard to come by.

The jail libraries are predominately filled with Westerns, romance novels and crime fiction, but inmates are most interested in non-fiction. In one jail library in the region, the most checked-out book is a biology textbook. Self-help for relationships or overcoming addiction, science, law, encyclopedias, philosophy — those titles are scant, partly because they’re hard to find in paperback. Especially when the effort relies heavily on donations.

“We’ve had a lot of community interest in this,” Ellern said. “They can get books, but they’re still not getting the books I’m talking about.”

So, Ellern and company are doing something about it. The initiative developed after she spoke with head librarians as part of a

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Books for the booked

was two-fold: to see the jail first-hand and to They tend to keep their reading to themdeliver a set of North Carolina State Statues selves, but they definitely do read, she said. donated from Jackson County library, tradUnless, of course, their release date is ing the old 1999 books for a 2012 set. drawing near. There’s some superstition Haywood’s library is a good bit bigger surrounding the wisdom of that sort of than others Ellern has seen, the long back enterprise. wall of the room also used for gatherings “If you don’t finish it before you leave, such as church services lined with six-footyou end up coming back to finish it,” Price tall bookcases. But still, the titles predomiexplained. nately denote tales of Western adventure or Library services are important in giving passionate romance, a startling number of inmates something productive to do, area their spines sporting pink or purple paper. jail administrators said, and they noted that And they’re not just for the female inmates, happier inmates contribute to a safer enviwhich are usually a minority compared to ronment. Some also described access to the males. reading materials as a right rather than a “I would say more of the guys read the privilege, noting that the role of jails, unlike romance,” said Terri Price, detention officer prisons, is custody and care, rather than at Haywood County Detention Center. punishment, according to a paper Ellern and Students involved in WCU’s Ripple Effect Mason published about their research. program are helping Ellern’s effort to update However, they also described the enorthe collection. One facet of the service-orimous challenges jails face in providing even ented program, which includes five different rudimentary library services, said Ellern. The community service options, is focused on facilities lack not only funding to purchase developing a list of titles wanted in the materials but also space for books. Several libraries, soliciting funds to buy them and jail libraries consisted of a single movable working with publishers to secure donations book cart, and in one case the collection was or reduced rates. in a locker. In addition, the facilities have lim“We are looking for ways to regularly ited staff available to maintain the collections provide these items to the jails,” said Liz and coordinate library services.

Gregg, assistant county librarian at Jackson So, collaboration will be key to improvCounty Library. “Donations will be greatly ing library facilities in detention centers appreciated to help us provide this valuable region-wide. Ripple Effect students are busy service to the community.” looking for donors and book sponsors, and Because a jail library isn’t a standard colin Haywood County, librarians are throwing lection. The shelves have to be continually around the idea of setting up an account to refreshed with new books, because when the books are used up, they’re used up, ready to be thrown out. Maintaining the libraries wouldn’t be a one-shot deal — it would be an ongoing effort.

Having those titles on hand gives inmates a chance to do something productive with their time, whether it’s studying for the GED, reading self-help books on anger management, relationships or addiction, researching the law or reading the local paper.

“With inmates having to serve “They’re away from the community, and they want to sometimes up to two years in these known what’s happening,” county jails, they have time on their Ellern said of the many requests she’s received for hands to engage and improve their newspaper subscription donations. lives, if given the chance.”

Unlike at a prison, not — Jill Ellern, WCU librarian every inmate of a county jail is guilty. As much as two years can sometimes elapse between arrest and lend books out jail inmates, who number trial, so some people spending time at jail around 125 on the average night. will be pronounced innocent once their day “They’re part of our community,” said in court arrives. So for administrators, it’s a Sharon Woodrow, Haywood County Library fine line between maintaining order and pro- Director. viding opportunities for self-improvement.

And the goal, of course, is to make them Heidi Warren, Haywood County Sheriff ’s even more productively so upon release. By Deputy, didn’t hesitate to say that inmates spending those locked-up hours in a positive would read the books if they were donated, manner, the chance of success following and Price said that even Haywood’s limited their release improves. And that helps everyselection gets a great deal of play. one, said Macon County Jail Administrator “Some of the girls, they’ll read togther if Lt. Steve Stewart. one of them’s not that good a reader,” Price “This has been a tremendous help to us,” said. “I don’t think the guys really do that.” he said, “and especially to the inmates.”

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news

DOT explains N.C. 107 survey letter mystery

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER controversial bypass around Sylva that was supposedly tabled by the highway department last year suddenly and mysteriously seemed to be back on the drawing board last month.

Residents living in the path of the bypass got a letter in the mail announcing that highway surveyors studying the new route may be seen in the air and on the ground in coming weeks.

It seemed like a reversal, since just last year the North Carolina Department of Transportation capitulated to public sentiment and indefinitely pulled the plug on the bypass.

“We had told everyone we would not be working on that project,” said Ed Greene, the head of DOT Division 14, which includes Jackson County. “Really that letter shouldn’t have been sent out. That got everyone upset because they said ‘Hey, you told us you weren’t working on this project.’ There was some confusion there.”

State highway engineers quickly retracted the letter and canceled the work order for the survey of the bypass, once known as the Southern Loop but now dubbed the “connector.”

“There was a misconception from the people that when they got the letter they thought, ‘Oh-oh, the N.C. DOT is tricking us. They are still trying to do the connector,’” said Zahid

“Really, that letter shouldn’t have been sent out. That got everyone upset because they said ‘Hey, you told us you weren’t working on this project.’ There was some confusion there.”

A

— Ed Greene, DOT Division 14 head

A campaign against the bypass argued that a redesign of N.C. 107 was preferable to a cross-county bypass cutting through rural areas. File photo Baloch, the DOT project planning engineer in Raleigh assigned to the project.

That is not the case, Baloch said, and there’s a legitimate and logical explanation.

Three different DOT officials from Sylva to Raleigh all took a stab at the layman’s version of that explanation.

“Let me explain to you what is going on,” Baloch said, starting at the beginning.

The idea of a bypass around Sylva’s main commercial drag of N.C. 107 dates back at least a couple of decades. It was gradually massaged from inception to feasibility, earning a spot on the DOT’s official road project docket.

But a few years ago, DOT studies concluded a bypass alone would not solve the congestion on the commercial drag. Congestion on

N.C. 107 is driven largely by people going and coming from the businesses themselves — Walmart, fast-food joints, the grocery store, banks, gas stations, schools and the like, Baloch said.

So the DOT added a second project to the docket: a redesign of N.C. 107 to improve traffic flow.

An opposition campaign against the bypass had long argued that a redesign of N.C. 107 was preferable to a cross-county bypass cutting through rural areas. Bypass opponents cheered the move, but it wasn’t a complete victory.

The bypass wasn’t struck, but remained on the list as well.

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March 12-18, 2014

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In the meantime, the DOT has used the 2012 rankings as a working document, but since that list was never formally adopted, it created a bookkeeping problem for the N.C. 107 redesign. Road planners like Baloch have to code their work under a specific project number.

Jackson County commissioners gave the redesign of N.C. 107 the maximum score of 100 points, but awarded zero points to the bypass. The bypass was dragged down as a result, and the redesign moved one notch ahead of it.

While their work has been squarely focused on the redesign of N.C. 107 for the past year, technically, it’s all been getting coded under the project number for the bypass.

And that, in turn, explains why the aerial survey crew was going to do a flyover the bypass route instead of just the existing N.C. 107 corridor, Baloch said.

In hindsight, it wasn’t very realistic to think the state would allocate funding for two projects — both the bypass and the N.C. 107 redesign — that tackle congestion along the same commercial artery in a semi-rural county.

“We knew only one project would proceed at one time,” Conforti said.

And if only one would prevail, the ranking process will automatically favor the one with the most bang for its buck.

Building a new highway over virgin countryside is far more expensive. If a redesign of the existing road can accomplish the same goal of moving traffic more smoothly, and at a much smaller cost, that’s the one that would win out, Conforti said.

“I think everybody is on the same page,” Conforti said.

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It’s unclear whether the bypass will ever come off the list for good, or continue to stay parked on the list, muddying the waters.

Every couple of years, the DOT examines its master list of road projects and reranks them. The list serves as a blueprint of what projects it should be working on.

Two years ago, the debate over the bypass hit a critical turning point when the new list came out.

For the first time, the N.C. 107 redesign slightly edged out the bypass in the ranking process. That’s partly because, for the first time, local leaders in Jackson County could weigh in substantively in DOT’s ranking process.

Local leaders were given a bank of points to apply toward their favorite projects. Their scores factored in to the overall rankings.

Jackson County commissioners gave the redesign of N.C. 107 the maximum score of 100 points, but awarded zero points to the

BOOKKEEPING CONUNDRUM

March 12-18, 2014

So how, then, did a letter get sent to property owners in the proposed path of the connector telling them to expect surveyors?

First of all, the so-called survey work that the letter described wasn’t the typical bootson-the-ground variety. This surveying was really more of an aerial photography flyover.

Markers are stuck in the ground periodically for visual point of reference from the air, but actual ground work is limited.

When the aerial survey crews are dispatched to a region, they get a list of all the proposed road projects in that area.

“We say, ‘OK we want this, this, this and this,’” Baloch said. f Baloch’s road design team had technically ordered an aerial survey of N.C. 107 for the planning stages of the redesign.

To the aerial photography guys in Raleigh, it made sense to survey the bypass corridor while they were up here.

“Somebody said, ‘While they are here let them fly the whole thing and we will have it.’

I guess they didn’t get the memo that we aren’t working on the project anymore,” Green said. “Somewhere in the chain of command with the surveyors, they didn’t know we weren’t supposed to be working on that project. That one just slipped through.”

But it’s a tad more nuanced than that.

The real issue is that the bypass — even though it was put on the back burner — was still on the DOT’s list as an active project, at least technically.

“Technically, yes,” Green said.

bypass. The bypass was dragged down as a result, and the redesign moved one notch ahead of it.

But that list was never actually finalized.

“It has been running as a draft,” said John Conforti, who oversees DOT project development in Western North Carolina.

The new 2012 list came out just as new Gov. Pat McCrory’s administration was taking over in Raleigh, and with it, a host of administrative changes were ushered in at the state level — including an overhaul of the DOT and yet another new road ranking formula.

“The connector is out of the question but now we have this new prioritization process coming through. The new administration said, ‘Just wait until the new one comes out,’” Baloch said.

news

Instead of an either-or proposition, both the bypass and redesign were needed, according to the DOT division leader at the time, Joel Setzer.

That changed last year, however. The DOT announced last summer it would table the bypass, known as the connector, and focus on the redesign to improve traffic flow on N.C. 107.

“Now the connector is out of the question,” Baloch said. “No work related to the connector has been done.”

828.654.6499 nursing.wcu.edu 15

Opinion This state’s GOP has violated the Voting Rights Act 16

Smoky Mountain News

BY MARTIN DYCKMAN G UEST COLUMNIST ven authoritarian regimes like Russia’s pretend to respect the right to vote. The contrast with authentic democracies is defined by these factors: the ease or difficulty of actually casting a vote, how honestly it is counted, and whether it even matters.

Democracy in North Carolina is failing miserably on two of them.

First, the Republican majority in Raleigh rigged the voting districts to guarantee their control of the General Assembly even before the people’s votes are cast and counted. The parties are contesting barely half the seats this year. Nearly a third are entirely unopposed.

Next, the regime did everything it could — short of cancelling elections — to allow fewer votes to be cast for the other party.

It did so in ways that flagrantly violate the federal Voting Rights Act. The evidence to convict the General Assembly and Gov. Pat McCrory is contained in the state’s own voter database of regis-

E

Government is always less efficient

To the Editor: I was having an otherwise intelligent conversation with one of my more liberal acquaintances the other day when I was blown away by one of his radical statements. He told me how awful it was that medical insurance companies make a huge profit of 15 percent on their insurance and that government could do it cheaper. I could only assume he has been watching altogether too much television and his favorites programs are about space aliens and finding Bigfoot and that Paris Hilton would make a great president.

In his mind, government is just something up there and he knows only that it exists in Washington and assumes federal employees work for free. He doesn’t comprehend that government is made up of human beings that need to be paid and that their unionized salaries are considerably more than any insurance company pays its employees.

The fact is that the VA is going through turmoil with veterans in some areas who wait months to see a doctor and longer to get the benefits they are entitled to and incompetent managers simply get promoted, all of which gives us a good insight into the future of a government-run single-payer medical system.

Government workers are unionized civil service and cannot be fired for incompetency. My acquaintance all but seems to live on another planet.

In the world of private medical insurance, employees are held responsible for incompetency and can be fired from their jobs.

That so-called outrageous 15 percent profit is what pays the private insurance company employees, and I’ve seen figures that range from 22 percent to 25 percent for a comparable gov-

trations and actual turnout.

In a detailed analysis of the data, professors Daniel A. Smith of the University of Florida and Michael C. Herron of Dartmouth document four ways in which the cunningly titled “Voter Information and Verification Act” (VIVA for short) targets minority voters.

• In four of the five most recent statewide elections, early voters tended to be disproportionately black. In the last two presidential elections, slightly more than half the votes were cast early, but that trend among blacks was even more significant, especially on weekends.

VIVA reduces early voting days from 17 to 10. It purports to maintain the same total number of hours, but allows election boards to cut those also, as nearly a third of the counties already have done for the forthcoming primaries.

• Black voters have also been more likely than whites to take advantage of same-day registration during early voting.

The 2013 law repeals that. Individuals who have not registered by the 25th day before an election are barred from voting.

• Blacks are significantly less likely to have the drivers’ licenses or other specified forms of identification the law

ernment employee to do the same job. The efficiency of business is considerably higher than government and government costs, when all the other benefits are taken into consideration, may run as high as 30 percent more.

This all reminds me of when I was a young man, I volunteered to run a therapeutic hobby program for veterans at a mental hospital in Augusta, Ga. The patients had suffered from the effects of combat during World War II. One in particular had had a lobotomy and did some pretty good work on building model airplanes, but he had the strange habit of drifting off into a conversation about government and referred to it as “you know, them, up there” or “those people up there somewhere.” To him, government was a vague idea of the Land of Oz. Unfortunately, lots of Americans fall into this category and only have a vague notion of what government really is and the reality of the moment escapes them.

If a single-payer system is so great, then why is it collapsing in England and other countries that use it? Somebody has to be paid, and it’s a question of paying more efficient and responsible private insurance company employees or paying less efficient government employees higher wages? That’s all it boils down to. Which do you want?

Bob Wilson Franklin

Elect Robinson to replace Sen. Davis To the Editor: I’m writing as a citizen and resident of Jackson County to voice my support for Ron Robinson for North Carolina State Senate, District 50, the seat currently occupied by Tea Party extremist Jim Davis, R-Franklin.

As a person deeply concerned about the

requires effective with the 2016 election. Although blacks account for only 22 percent of the voter base, they account for at least 31 percent of voters without state-issued photo IDs. • Black voters tend to be younger than white voters, putting a racial spin on the law’s provision waiving current ID requirements only for older voters with expired licenses.

These uncomfortable facts prove that in scheming to suppress votes for Democrats, the GOP bosses devised rules that significantly reduce the present ability of black voters to elect candidates of their choice.

Whether they intended that result is beside the point; the Federal Voting Rights Act still forbids any such effect.

Any fair-minded judge who considers the evidence will be honor-bound to strike down the North Carolina law. VIVA should be called the Voter Intimidation and Vilification Act. (Martin A. Dyckman is a retired journalist who lives in Waynesville and is the author of several books on Florida politics, including Reubin O’D Askew and the Golden Age of Florida Politics; Floridian of His Century: The Courage of Governor LeRoy Collins; and A Most Disorderly Court: Scandal and Reform in the Florida Judiciary.)

LETTERS degradation of our natural environment, I see Robinson as someone I can trust to act responsibly and reasonably in addressing the most important issues of our times. Ron Robinson will use science, not an ideological partisan political agenda, as the basis for the environmental and health policies he supports and proposes when elected.

Ron Robinson will not be controlled by the PAC money of Art Pope’s front groups, the Koch Brothers, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Duke Energy or any of the other corrupting influences that have been muddying the waters of our democratic electoral process in North Carolina in recent years. I would urge all who care about the environment, public health, our educational system and local control of our state government, to vote for Ron Robinson in the Democratic Primary on May 6 and in the General Election on Nov. 4.

Avram Friedman Dillsboro

It’s not really about Obamacare To the Editor: The drumbeat of complaints about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) from the political right wing leave me a bit mystified. The cries of creeping socialism and government takeover of medical care either mark the duplicity of those making such claims or demonstrate a very low opinion of the intelligence of the public they serve.

So why is the ruckus about the ACA blatant hypocrisy? Many of the core ideas in the ACA were in the plan developed by the conservative Heritage Foundation and later applied in Mitt Romney’s health plan in Massachusetts.

A consistent complaint about Obamacare is the mandate to purchase coverage. We live with all kinds of mandates with little complaint. The state mandates that we have liability insurance if we own a car. Haven’t had an accident?

Doesn’t matter. The bank mandates that we have insurance if we borrow money to buy a home or car.

The government mandates that we pay taxes for Social Security and Medicare as well as a host of other government functions.

The most ridiculous complaint is that the program is socialistic. Under socialism, the government would provide the insurance, own the clinics and hospitals and hire the doctors directly. Obamacare has none of this.

We do have programs that feature some of these elements, however. Medicare is a singlepayer plan where the government provides the insurance but doesn’t own the hospitals or hire the doctors. Social Security is a form of insurance that is financed by the government through tax contributions.

Ironically, the closest we have to a socialist type medical system is the Veteran’s Administration, where the government provides the funds, owns the clinics and hospitals and hires the doctors.

So what is all of the fuss about? The actual game has been obvious since Sen. Mitch McConnell pledged to make Barack Obama a one-term president — and failed. It’s about blocking all of the president’s initiatives, even shutting down the government at one point.

If these complaints about Obamacare were based on real conservative principles, the U.S. House of Representatives would be voting to cancel or privatize Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and the Veterans Administration.

Otherwise, the objections about the ACA are simply political posturing.

John Gladden Franklin

Spring beckons, but don’t forget the moment

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Smoky Mountain News

ed to clear the store shelves of milk, bread and batteries, and easy to forget the sweltering heat, crowded roads, the yellow jacket and copperhead hazards of that day we're dreaming of. By denying winter it’s due, we give up those fleeting scenes and feelings only available a few times each year, the subtle changes that happen in what we experience and look at everyday but often fail to see.

These aren't new thoughts. Translations of the ancient Buddhist text describe “an awareness of the present” which roughly translates as “mindfulness” (sati and smirti, if you prefer the Sanskrit) and include this concept as part of the path to enlightenment.

If the old texts of antiquity are not your cup of tea, you might look to the writing of British philosopher (and Episcopalian priest) Alan Watt who moved to California in 1951 and is credited with bringing Eastern religious concepts to the masses of Americans with his book, The Way of Zen in 1957. He developed quite a following in the San Francisco area with his long-running program on Pacifica Radio and taught at a variety of colleges, including Harvard, where he worked to relieve the alienation brought on by Western society and promoted the realization of one’s own spiritual identity.

For a more current view of some of these thoughts, one can turn to bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert and her popular book Eat, Pray, Love, (2006) which chronicles her yearlong world travel in search of bringing these three elements into her life. For those needing more psycho-science (and fewer paragraphs) in their diet, the 2008 article in Psychology Today, “The Art of Now: Six Steps to Living in the Moment” provides suggestions for incorporating mindfulness into your everyday life and it’s use as a therapeutic tool to provide a richer life experience and reminding us that “Mindfulness isn’t a goal, because goals are about the future ….”, and that’s not what today is all about.

Next time you're out shoveling snow in the cold to get to work, defrosting pipes for a shower or sliding around the highways just trying to get home, remember to soak up the beauty, subtleties, and ephemeral moments rushing by in your life that will never pass again and cannot be captured and saved for later. Spring will come again and again, but today is only for these moments now, and the Zen is there. Even in winter.

John Beckman is a builder, farmer and occasional writer who lives in Cullowhee. He can be reached at beckmanmtn@frontier.com.

March 12-18, 2014

BY JOHN B ECKMAN COLUMNIST fter the hard winter of sub-zero temperatures, heavy snows and power outages our region and much of the nation has seen in 2014, I'm pretty sure that there are a lot of people desperately hoping for an early spring. For them, the end of winter — with frozen pipes, cars in ditches, wet muddy clothes and way too much “emergency living” — cannot come soon enough.

It's not just the usual lot of spring-fevered gardeners and farmers chomping to get the first peas and mustards in the ground, or the hikers, birders and climbers looking for a chance to enjoy their hobbies with fewer chances of freezing to death. People in the construction and landscaping/grading business are likewise hoping for a stretch in the weather when the ground is neither frozen solid or too soupy to work, if you can get to the job to start with.

Between travel hassles, high heating costs and cancelled work and school days, there are likely plenty of folks ready to trade in this whole winter mess for daffodils and bluebirds tomorrow. It seems the only ones who are enjoying this season are the skiers, snowboarders, the folks in the snow removal business and a few kids who don't like school and relish the extra time off.

I'm guilty myself of dreaming of the days of not having to move piles of firewood all the time or slog through inches of halffrozen glop to get something accomplished only to guess whether the windy mountain road home will be easily passable or slicker than goose shit on wet grass. I've got seed catalogues stacked up by my chair and must admit to often looking ahead to long sunny days in T-shirts and flip flops picking baskets of cucumbers and fresh tomatoes for a sandwich in the shade.

Sometimes when I catch myself wishing away today for an imagined easier tomorrow, I pause and ask, “Isn’t time moving fast enough without pushing it?” It already seems like another weekend comes along every couple of days for a lot of us. Do we really want the pages of the calendar to come wildly flying off like they do in the old cartoons? Isn't there a rule somewhere that says we're supposed to enjoy and savor each day, indeed every moment, instead of always rushing to the next concern and planning days ahead?

When life moves too fast we miss things.

If we choose to focus on the future with the present moment, then we lose the intricacies an opportunities the moment has in itself, gone forever. It's hard to think this way when your sliding down the driveway head-

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Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 AMMONS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT & DAIRY BAR 1451 Dellwwod Rd., Waynesville.

828.926.0734. Open 7 days a week 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrating over 25 years.

Enjoy world famous hot dogs as well as burgers, seafood, hushpuppies, hot wings and chicken. Be sure to save room for dessert.

The cobbler, pie and cake selections are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts.

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

Brown bagging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available. Call-ahead seating available.

BOGART’S 35 East Main St., Sylva. 828.586.6532.

Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Serving classic American food and drink in a casual environment. Daily lunch and dinner specials. Children’s menu available.

Call for catering quotes. Private room available for large parties. Accepts MC/Visa, Discover and American Express.

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Dinner nightly from 4 p.m.

Closed on Sunday. We specialize in hand-cut, all natural steaks, fresh fish, and other classic American comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. We also feature a great selection of craft beers from local artisan brewers, and of course an extensive selection of small batch bourbons and whiskey. The Barrel is a friendly and casual neighborhood dining experience where our guests enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank.

herb-baked chicken, complemented with an assortment of seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. Lunch is served on the same days from 12 to 2 p.m.

CHEF’S TABLE 30 Church St., Waynesville. 828.452.6210.

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at 5 p.m. “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer. Reservations honored.

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

Winter hours: Sunday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday & Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Join us in our historic location for scratch made soups and daily specials. Breakfast is made to order daily: Gourmet cheddar & scallion biscuits served with bacon, sausage and eggs; smoked trout bagel plate; quiche and fresh fruit parfait. We bake a wide variety of breads daily, specializing in traditional french breads. All of our breads are hand shaped. Lunch: Fresh salads, panini sandwiches. Enjoy outdoor dinning on the deck.

Private room available for meetings.

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more.

Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

BRYSON CITY CORK & BEAN A MOUNTAIN SOCIAL HOUSE 16 Everett St.,Bryson City. 828.488.1934.

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes, specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure not to miss the bold flavors and creative combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day.

Followed by a tempting selection of desserts prepared daily by our chefs and other local bakers. Enjoy craft beers on tap, as well as our full bar and eclectic wine list.

refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

FRANKIE’S ITALIAN TRATTORIA 1037 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley.

828.926.6216 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com FRYDAY’S & SUNDAES 24 & 26 Fry St., Bryson City (Next To The Train Depot). 828.488.5379. Frydays is open; but closed on Wednesdays. Sundaes is open 7 days a week. Fryday’s is known for its Traditional English Beer Battered Fish & Chips, but also has burgers, deep fried dogs, gyro, shrimp, bangers, Chip Butty, chicken, sandwiches & a great kids menu. Price friendly, $3-$10, Everything available to go or call ahead takeout. Sundaes has 24 rotating flavors of Hershey's Ice Cream making them into floats, splits, sundaes, shakes. Private seating inside & out for both locations right across from the train station & pet friendly.

FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St. Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

GUADALUPE CAFÉ 606 W. Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.9877.

Open 7 days a week at 5 p.m. Located in the historic Hooper’s Drugstore, Guadalupe Café is a chef-owned and operated restaurant serving Caribbean inspired fare complimented by a quirky selection of wines and microbrews. Supporting local farmers of organic produce, livestock, hand-crafted cheese, and using sustainably harvested seafood.

HERREN HOUSE 94 East St., Waynesville 828.452.7837.

Lunch: Wednesday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Brunch 11 a. m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy fresh local products, created daily. Join us in our beautiful patio garden. We are your local neighborhood host for special events: business party’s, luncheons, weddings, showers and more. Private parties & catering are available 7 days a week by reservation only.

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Monday Through Friday a.m to 5 p.m. (takeout only 5 to 6 p.m.) Closed Saturday and Sunday. Deli and so much more. We roast our own ham, turkey and roast beef, just like you get on Thanksgiving. Come try our new burger menu with topping choices from around the world.

Enjoy our daily baked goods: cinnamon & sticky buns, cakes, pies and cookies.

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.7179. Reservations recommended.

4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, Cork & Cleaver has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Executive Chef Corey Green prepares innovative and unique Southern fare from local, organic vegetables grown in Western North Carolina. Full bar and wine cellar. www.waynesvilleinn.com.

J. ARTHUR’S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817.

Lunch Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m., dinner nightly starting at 4:30 p.m. World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome.

Take-out menu. Excellent service and hospitality. Reservations appreciated.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view. Join us for plentiful buffet-style dinners on Fridays and Saturdays, and long winter holiday weekends.

Dinner is served from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in winter and includes pot roast, Virginia ham or

COUNTRY VITTLES: FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT 3589 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley.

828.926.1820 Open Daily 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed Tuesday. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many

JUKEBOX JUNCTION U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel.

828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

tasteTHEmountains LOS AMIGOS 366 Russ Ave. in the Bi-Lo Plaza.

828.456.7870. Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Enjoy the lunch prices Monday through Sunday, also enjoy our outdoor patio.

LUCIO'S RESTAURANT 313 Highlands Road, Franklin.

828.369.6670. Serving Macon County since 1984. Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Lunch Wednesday-Friday 11:30 a.m. until.Dinner Wednesday-Saturday 5 p.m. until. Owned and operated by Tanya and Dorothy Gamboni. Serving authentic Italian and continental cuisine including appetizers, pastas, poultry, veal, seafood, steaks and homemade deserts. Selection of wine and beer. Lunch and Dinner menus.

Wednesday and Thursday nights only. 1 appetizer and 2 selected entrées with unlimited salad and Lucio’s famous garlic rolls for $24.95. Winter Special: half-off house wines, Friday and Saturday only. luciosnc.com MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB 1819 Country Club Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Fine and casual fireside dining in welcoming atmosphere. Full bar. Reservations accepted.

MOUNTAIN PERKS ESPRESSO BAR & CAFÉ 9 Depot St., Bryson City. 828.488.9561.

Open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. With music at the Depot. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Life is too short for bad coffee. We feature wonderful breakfast and lunch selections.

Bagels, wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche with a variety of specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. Various desserts.

ORGANIC BEANS COFFEE COMPANY 1110 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.668.2326. Open Monday through Thursday 7a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Happily committed to brewing and serving innovative, uniquely delicious coffees — and making the world a better place.

100% of our coffee is Fair Trade, Shade Grown, and Organic, all slow-roasted to bring out every note of indigenous flavor.

Bakery offerings include cakes, muffins, cookies and more. Each one is made from

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.454.0070. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Breakfast bagels and sandwiches, gourmet coffee, deli sandwiches for lunch with homemade soups, quiches, and desserts. Wide selection of wine and beer. Outdoor and indoor dining.

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 828.926.0201 Bar open Monday thru Saturday; dining room open Tuesday thru Saturday at 5 p.m. Full service restaurant serving steaks, prime rib, seafood and dinner specials.

SOUL INFUSION TEA HOUSE & BISTRO 628 E. Main St. (between Sylva Tire & UPS). 828.586.1717. Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday noon -until.

Scrumptious, natural, fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and desserts. 60+ teas served hot or cold, black, chai, herbal.

Seasonal and rotating draft beers, good selection of wine. Home-Grown Music Network Venue with live music most weekends. Pet friendly and kid ready.

FRIDAY, 3/14 Dylan Riddle SATURDAY, 3/15 Arnold Hill

Café

Deli & So Much More 6147 Hwy 276 S. • Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station)

bbcafenc.com • 828.648.3838 Mon.-Fri. 8-5 • Closed: Sat. & Sun.

Maggie Valley’s

THE WINE BAR 20 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

828.452.6000. Underground cellar for wine and beer, served by the glass all day.

Cheese and tapas served Wednesday through Saturday 4 p.m.-9 p.m. or later. info@classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter.

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito. Each Pizza is hand tossed and made with TLC.

SAINT PATRICKS DAY! BUCHANAN BOYS

Irish Food Specials

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631.0554 83 Asheville Highway

Sylva

Burgers to Salads Southern Favorites & Classics -Local beers now on draft-

Hippest Hangout

117 Main Street, Canton NC

1110 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751

828.492.0618 • SidsOnMain.com

(828) 668-BEAN organicbeanscoffee.com 8 am – 6 pm

MON.-THURS. 11 A.M.-9 P.M. • FRI. & SAT. 11 A.M.-10 P.M. SUNDAY BRUNCH 11 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M.

SPEEDY’S PIZZA 285 Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.3800.

Open seven days a week. Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Family-owned for 30 years. Serving hand-tossed pizza made to order, pasta, subs, gourmet salads, calzones and seafood. Also serving excellent prime rib on Thursdays. Dine in or take out available.

Located across from the Fire Station.

TAP ROOM SPORTS BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Dr. Waynesville 828.456.5988. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Enjoy soups, sandwiches, salads and hearty appetizers along with a full bar menu in our casual, smoke-free neighborhood grill.

MONDAY, MARCH 17

Live Music on the Patio Tues.-Fri. Call to see who’s playing.

Serving Lunch & Dinner

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A million miles away is just down the road.

Smoky Mountain News

NEWFOUND LODGE RESTAURANT 1303 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee (Located on 441 North at entrance to GSMNP).

828.497.4590. Open 7 a.m. daily.

Established in 1946 and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Family style dining for adults and children.

PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Classic Italian dishes, exceptional steaks and seafood (available in full and lighter sizes), thin crust pizza, homemade soups, salads hand tossed at your table. Fine wine and beer selection. Casual atmosphere, dine indoor, outside on the patio or at the bar.

Reservations appreciated.

MUSIC STARTS AT 9 P.M.

March 12-18, 2014

MOONSHINE GRILL 2550 Soco Road, Maggie Valley loacted in the Smoky Falls Lodge. 828.926.7440.

Open Thursday through Saturday, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Cooking up mouth-watering, woodfired Angus steaks, prime rib and scrumptious fresh seafood dishes. The wood-fired grill gives amazing flavor to every meal that comes off of it. Enjoy creative dishes made using moonshine. Stop by and simmer for a while and soak up the atmosphere. The best kept secret in Maggie Valley. themoonshinegrill.com

scratch in Asheville using only the freshest, all natural ingredients available. We are proud to offer gluten-free and vegan options.

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visitnc.com

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Playing the sounds of your dreams

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER He was a toddler with tenacity and talent.

At three years old, Seth Taylor picked up his first guitar.

Seeing musicians on television and hearing them on the radio sparked something inside of the Bryson City native. Once that instrument was in his hands, it was like two magnets connecting, where it would take all your might to pull them apart.

And as the years ticked away and his experience deepened, Taylor began collecting accolades from seemingly every direction, including winning the 2008 guitar competition at Merlefest. But, regardless of the praise, what truly mattered to him was being onstage, making an intimately melodic connection with Guitarist Seth Taylor has been the listener. playing since he was a toddler, While other kids his age were running around and was often onstage with older playgrounds and daymusicians as a kid. Taylor now dreaming about the future, lives in Nashville, touring the Taylor was already headworld with bluegrass group long into his. At age 12, he Dailey & Vincent. Donated photos began performing with local bluegrass outfits. By 15, he was touring with bluegrass/gospel act Pine Mountain Railroad. By 18, he’d already played alongside icons such as Charlie Daniels, Brad Paisley and Marty Raybon, as well as a walk-on appearance with Mountain Heart at the Grand Ole Opry.

That Opry appearance led to an invite by Mountain Heart to be their guitarist. An ensemble he admired for years, Taylor jumped on the opportunity, once again propelling himself further into his destiny. And it’s that constantly moving forward motion that is at the heart of Taylor’s aspirations: keep pushing ahead, keep your eye on the prize, and always be a sponge for any and all musical influences crossing your path.

The Smoky Mountain News recently caught up with Taylor while he was touring with renowned bluegrass group Dailey & Vincent in Switzerland. The 20-year-old spoke of his challenges living and working in Nashville, being the next chapter in Appalachia’s rich music history, and how that once young kid in an oversized cowboy hat and guitar is still keeping the flame lit within his soul.

Smoky Mountain News: How did you get started playing music?

Seth Taylor: I asked for a guitar when I was 2 years old. My parents say I loved watching music videos on CMT, so I asked for a guitar for Christmas, and I’ve been attached to playing ever since. I started taking lessons when I was 5. I’ve always just loved playing. It didn’t necessarily come easy at all, but it’s always been fun to learn and just play.

SMN: When I was mentioning doing a story on you, my publisher said he remembered you playing onstage at the Strawberry Jam, a little kid in a large cowboy hat, just cranking away on a guitar. Where did that confidence come from at such a young age?

ST: Well, I started doing stuff like that so young, and I guess I didn’t realize that wasn’t ‘the norm.’ Back then I was so shy, I

though — so many talented musicians and bands out right now.

SMN: You’re a Swain County native. What does it mean to you to be able to perpetuate Appalachian music and its ever-evolving history?

ST: It’s pretty cool to be from the area where this music came from. I know many musicians y from our area that are so great, and that’s just cool. It’s kind of like keeping a tradition alive, and adding new elements to keep it current.

SMN: How has being a musician in Nashville changed your outlook on the music industry, your aspirations in it or your work ethic?

ST: Being in Nashville and seeing so many people being fired up about music is definitely inspir-

“I’m always wondering what will come next for me, and so far every situation I’ve been in has only led to more great and exiting things.”

— Seth Taylor

ing. You can find a great show to see every night of the week that will blow your mind. I find myself just wanting to play and stay on top of my game the best I can, just because if you don’t, you’ll get overlooked in such a music-heavy town.

SMN: When you’re onstage, firing on all cylinders, what goes through your head?

ST: Well, I’m usually just trying not to mess up. I’m usually thinking about what’s coming next in a song, and how can I play something that will add too, and compliment that. Then, of course, seeing people getting in to the music feels great. would hardly talk, but I would play whenever and wherever I could. It seemed like I was always the youngest person in a jam, but that didn’t really bother me. I was trying to learn from anyone I could, so I just paid a lot of attention to the older people so hopefully I could pick something up from them.

SMN: What’s your musical mission?

ST: That’s a really tough question. I’d say the mission is to be as creative as possible. Doing something musically that hasn’t been done before is definitely a goal. You can try to sound like someone else, but creating something on your own is so much cooler to me.

SMN: What’s it like being an aspiring musician in the 21st century?

ST: It’s definitely a challenge because there are so many great musicians doing the same thing as you. Especially in Nashville, where everyone is there for the same thing it seems like. But, the ones who don’t try to sound like someone else are the ones that end up successful. Its a great time for music

SMN: What’s next for you?

ST: I actually joined bluegrass group Dailey & Vincent in January of this year, so I’m not with Mountain Heart anymore. J I’m currently touring with Dailey & Vincent, and we’re playing Carnegie Hall in June. I also just started working on my first solo album. I’ve been writing a lot with Jim VanCleve [of Mountain Heart], and we just started recording material. So far, I’m having a blast working on it. We’ll have a bunch of special guests, and the music is turning out really cool. I’m really excited to release that at some point this year.

SMN: What advice, or words of wisdom, would you give to young musicians growing up in Southern Appalachia that have the same dreams you do?

ST: Stick with it. If you want to do something in music, or in whatever else, if you work hard and stay focused, it can be done. I’m always wondering what will come next for me, and so far every situation I’ve been in has only led to more great and exiting things.

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arts & entertainment

This must be the place

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

But, it’s only mid-March?

I’m well aware of that, dear readers. Yes, it is mid-March, but 2014 is hitting the ground running with a slew of incredible musical releases. Normally, I would wait until at least early July or the end of the year to mention some notable albums hitting the shelves, your iPod or stereo. And yet, within these last two months, there’s just too much melodic goodness out there to not share with y’all.

Below are a handful of albums to give a listen. Some are from national acts or regional favorites, and a newcomer making a quick name for himself on the scene. All of which keep the fire of creativity and sound burning bright. So, with that said, I hope you immerse yourself in these albums, where you find as much relaxation, empowerment and sonic discovery as I did.

Enjoy.

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

March 22 CLASSROOM AT THE FUN FACTORY FRANKLIN, NC

Humps & The Blackouts will perform at 9 p.m. March 14 at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva and at 10 p.m. March 15 at the Water’n Hole Bar and Grill in Waynesville.

TO REGISTER CALL:

JIM SOTTILE

(FORMER DETECTIVE NYPD)

828-349-0322

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Country music’s legendary “Gentle Giant” Don Williams will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 15, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Acclaimed comedian Gabriel Iglesias will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 22 at Harrah’s Cherokee.

The Winter Pickin’ in the Armory will be at 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, at the Canton Armory.

Bookstore Donna Glee Williams will present her debut novel, Braided Path Friday, March 14 • 6:30 p.m.

—————————————————————————————————————————

Folklorist/storyteller B.J. Jones will introduce his novels: Do Angels Have Big Ears? and the followup, The Glory Door Saturday, March 15 • 2 p.m.

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

EVERY SATURDAY IN MARCH • 4-6 P.M. Tasting Room Happy Hour!

We will have a different weekly special every Saturday for the month. Enjoy a drink (beer, wine, coffee, tea, or natural sodas) and a preferred snack for a discounted rate.

828.452.3848

www.sunburstmarket.com www.facebook.com/sunburstmarket

March 12-18, 2014

what they want to put on the album — honesty, heartache, hard times, with a head up to the heavens knowing that tomorrow is another day, another day.

Key Tracks: “Shit Shots Count,” “When He’s Gone,” “Pauline Hawkins,” “Grand Canyon”

BECK — “MORNING PHASE” A shooting star across a diluted music industry, this album is an awakening of sound, of intent, and of universal proportions from the iconic singer/songwriter. The melodies constantly straddle the line between being awake and asleep, which tends to conjure the question of what conscious or subconscious state we’re actually in when we carry on into our day. The compo-

S EE PLACE, PAGE 22

Smoky Mountain News

Seemingly a Mike Cooley love letter to the world, the Truckers have given the reigns to their sixstring ace cohort on what is (after numerous listens) amounting to the finest record the southern rock outfit has unleashed onto a flawed, yet beautiful world.

Always the lyrical champions of those without a voice or forgotten by society, the band seems to take a more humble, slow-burn road in the selections.

With the founding core of Cooley, Patterson Hood and Brad Morgan comprising a tightly held rock juggernaut, one can keenly pick up on the keyboard tickling of Jay Gonzalez and playful bass strolling of Matt Patton. The tone of the record is seamless, more comfortable, where you’re hearing a band as confident and full of purpose as ever before. Add in a horn section, some sharp guitar licks and a variety of avenues the instruments take, and you quite possibly have the Truckers answer to The Rolling Stones’ sacred “Exile on Main Street.”

You almost get this “licking their wounds, dial it back a notch” feeling, and for good reason. Between sudden lineup changes, unforgiving years on the road, and the passing of their dear roadie/musical brother Craig Lieske (“Grand Canyon”), the group is hitting their stride as a finely aged act that goes into the studio knowing exactly

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3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS — “ENGLISH OCEANS”

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! MONDAY-SATURDAY 10-6 • SUNDAYS 1-5

Mostly Local, Always Sustainable

WWW.PISTOLINSTRUCTORNC.COM

Artist t.e. siewert will hold an encaustic painting demonstration from 1 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 15, at Gallery 86 in Waynesville.

We’ve Moved! 142 N. Main St.

21

Wild Caught

No Pre Order Required Fresh, never frozen U.S. Products Come see what’s on display!

Fresh King & Sockeye Salmon from the Northwest 310 E. Main St. ste.#4 Sylva, Behind Zaxby’s

828-631-GULF 231-52

wide range of firearms and products

Open 6 days a Week. Closed Sunday

NC Concealed Classes

LOBSTER CLAWS: $

6.99 /LB.

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(Est. 3-5 claws/lb.)

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arts & entertainment

Largest Variety of Seafood in WNC!

We offer LEVEL II classes Inside & Outside the Home

PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE!

wnccarry.com

Downtown Clyde • 734-0637

Presenting 20,000

reasons

to get excited

March 12-18, 2014

spring fishing is almost here.

Smoky Mountain News

sition is a modern-day masterpiece, where Beck has plugged into the cosmos, only to bring down the glorious message from above for all to hear.

Key Tracks: “Morning,” “Say Goodbye,” “Blue Moon,” “Waking Light”

AARON LEE TASJAN — “CROOKED RIVER BURNING” The Nashville troubadour is making a much-needed splash up and down the East Coast with his acoustic numbers layered atop a rich rock-n-roll foundation. Tasjan’s words are soaked in spilled whiskey, misunderstood tears and dusty memories. Each number seeps into the cracks of your troubled soul, where names like Paul Simon and James McMurtry come to mind when trying to nail down this record.

Key Tracks: “Don’t Walk Away,” “Drugs and Junk Food,” “Number One”

SLEEPY SUN — “MAUI TEARS”

Cherokee's

22

PLACE, CONTINUED FROM 21

Cast Into Spring

The San Francisco outfit takes psychedelic and hard rock music, then smashes it to pieces with a hammer of dueling guitars and percussion. And emerging from the heavy fog of sound surrounding this band is singer Bret Constantino, whose voice mesmerizes the listener, sending chills down the spines of the curious. One part Dinosaur Jr., one part Black Sabbath, with a pinch of Led Zeppelin and a dash of Jane’s Addiction.

Key Tracks: “The Lane,” “11:32,” “Thielbar,” “Maui Tears”

Tournament

March 28-29 With $20,000 in tagged fish, you’ve got plenty of reason to register and join us.

After all, everything’s a little livelier in spring, including Cherokee trout. It’s just an $11 entry fee—available everywhere Cherokee fishing permits are sold. Then all you have to do is register, catch trout, and redeem the tagged ones for cash at Artist Row on Hwy 441. Open to all ages. FishCherokee.com • 828.554.6110

@SmokyMtnNews

On the beat

• Jesse Stephens and Jacob Jones & Friends will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, in the Community Room of the Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva. The evening will feature an array of bluegrass, gospel and mountain music selections. Free. 828.631.2646.

• Eddie Rose & Highway 40 will be performing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at Bogart’s Restaurant and Tavern in Waynesville.

828.452.1313.

• The Mountain Winds concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, in the Coulter Building at Western Carolina University. Free. www.wcu.edu.

• Pavel Wlosok will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. $10 minimum purchase on food, drink or merchandise. 828.452.6000.

Robin Thicke

Robin Thicke comes to Harrah’s Pop sensation Robin Thicke will perform at 8 p.m. March 14 at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center.

Born in Los Angeles, Thicke taught himself to play piano at the age of 12 and by 16 was writing and producing songs for artists like Brandy, Color Me Badd and Brian McKnight. By the age of 21, he had written and produced songs on over 20 gold and platinum albums for artists including Michael Jackson, Marc Anthony, Pink, Christina Aguilera and others. He’s worldrenowned for his hits “Give It 2 U,” “Lost Without U,” “Magic” and seminal summer 2013 anthem “Blurred Lines.” Tickets are $39.50, $40 and $49.50.

• Dylan Riddle, Humps & The Blackouts, Dustin Martin & The Ramblers, Ethan Morse, and the Liz Nance Trio will be performing at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. Riddle will play March 13 and 22, with Humps & The Blackouts March 14, Martin March 15, Morse March 20 and Nance March 21. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Humps & The Blackouts, DJ SideThree, and Owner of the Sun will hit the stage at the Water’n Hole Bar and Grill in Waynesville.

Humps & The Blackouts will play March 15, with DJ SideThree March 17 and Owner of the Sun March 22. 828.456.4750.

• Ashli Rose, Ginni McAfee, and Steve Whiddon will perform at the Maggie Valley Rendezvous. Rose will play on March 14 and 21, with McAfee March 28 and Whiddon every Thursday. All shows are free.

828.926.0201 or www.maggievalleyhotel.com.

• The “Winter Pickin’ in the Armory” will be at 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, at the Canton Armory.

The event includes mountain music, vintage country, clogging and dancing. Featured performers will be the Smokey Mountain Stompers and Stoney Creek Cloggers, with live music from the Black Mountain Ramblers. The “pickin’” is every first and third Friday of the month. www.cantonnc.com.

ALSO:

• Lightning Bugs and Michael Pilgrim will perform as part of the Haywood County Public Libraries “Sunday Concert Series” on Sunday, March 16. Piano-pop group the Lightning Bug will play at the Canton Public Library, with Pilgrim at the Waynesville Public Library. Both shows start at 3 p.m.

Free. www.haywoodarts.org.

• WCU’s Got Talent featuring Porch 40 will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, March 20, in the UC Central Plaza at Western Carolina University. www.wcu.edu.

• Joe Cruz, Brad Austin, and The Freestylers will play City Lights Café in Sylva. Cruz will perform on March 14, with Austin March 15 and The Freestylers March 22. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. 828.587.2233 or www.citylightscafe.com.

Guitarist Steve Wohlrab will perform unique jazz instrumentals at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 25, in the Coulter Building at Western North Carolina.

Wohlrab is the associate professor of commercial and electronic music in the Western Carolina University School of Music. Performing with Wohlrab will be drummer Dan Gonko, assistant professor of music, bassist Eliot Wadopian, adjunct member of the music faculty, and special guest pianist Pavel Wlosok, associate professor of music.

The concert will focus on compositions from the early jazz-fusion period of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Drawing upon seldom-heard material from artists such as Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny and Keith Jarrett, the group will explore the improvisations and textures associated with the landmark label ECM. The European record company was associated with a style of music that broke down boundaries between genres such as jazz, classical, rock and folk.

Free.

828.227.7242.

• A karaoke contest, singer/songwriter open mic, Amos & The Mixx, and The Twisted Trail Band will play Alley Kats Tavern in Waynesville. The five-week cash prize karaoke contest will be at 7 p.m. March 12, with singer/songwriter open mic March 13, Amos & The Mixx March 14 and The Twisted Trail Band March 15. 828.226.7073.

• A drum circle and raw-mazing potluck will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the United Universalist Fellowship in Franklin.

Bring a dish, as raw as you like, to share. All drummers welcome. 941.894.2898.

• Dylan Riddle, Arnold Hill and the Buchanan Boys will perform at O’Malley’s in Sylva. Riddle plays March 14, with Hill March 15 and the Buchanan Boys March 17. 828.631.0554.

Smoky Mountain News

• Becky Hobbs, Benita Hill and Kacey Jones will perform as part of the Songwriters in the Round series at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Balsam Mountain Inn. $47 per person, which includes a buffet dinner. www.balsammountaininn.net.

WCU music faculty present instrumental jazz concert

March 12-18, 2014

Country music’s legendary “Gentle Giant” Don Williams will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March Donated photo 15, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

A highly acclaimed country music singer and songwriter, Williams has produced 17 number one hits and more than 40 Top Ten singles. He is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and has multiple awards to his claim.

Classic songs such as “Good Ole Boys Like Me,” “Amanda,” and “Tulsa Times” showcase Williams’ unique blend of commanding presence and laidback, easy style.

Williams discovered his love for music at the age of three when he competed in a local talent contest and won first place, an alarm clock. His mother taught him how to play the guitar and as a teenager he played in several different bands and explored various genres. In 1964, Williams joined the Pozo-Seco Singers, a folk-pop group. Columbia Records signed the group and released a series of Top 50 hits and three albums. The group disbanded in 1971 and thus began Williams’ solo career.

Ticket prices start at $35. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

Don Williams will play Franklin on March 15.

arts & entertainment

‘Gentle Giant’ returns to Franklin

The show was originally scheduled for Feb. 25. All tickets purchased for the concert will be honored for the rescheduled date and full refunds are also available through Ticketmaster.

800.745.3000 or www.harrahscherokee.com.

• The Trail Magic No. 7 Release Party will be March 14-15 at Nantahala Brewing Company in Bryson City. The event includes performances by the Liz Nance Trio on March 14 and Soldier’s Heart March 15. Both shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. There will also be brewery events throughout the weekend.

23 www.nantahalabrewing.com.

arts & entertainment

On the wall Watercolor bookmark, baked tater bag workshops A watercolor bookmark and baked tater bag workshop will be offered by the Jackson County Cooperative Extension in Sylva Local artist and instructor Pat Mikula will host a beginner’s water color class from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 20.

Learn the basics of watercolor and create your own tiny masterpiece with a small bookmark project. Cost for the class is $3, with some supplies being made available. Participants can bring their own supplies if they have them.

ECA Sew Easy Girls member Ann Johnson will be offering a sewing class making microwave tater bags and mug rugs from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 21.

The simple tater bag creates a “Just Right” baked potato in your microwave with oven-baked results and no oven to heat up. Pre-cut kits will be available for $4.50. Mug Rugs are neither a coaster nor a placemat; instead it’s a perfectly sized piece of fabric that stands between your cup and your table. Cost for the class is $5.

828.586.4009.

Encaustic painter t.e. siewert will hold a demonstration on March 15 in Waynesville.

Garret K. Woodward photo

Artist t.e. siewert will hold an encaustic painting demonstration from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Gallery 86 on Main Street in Waynesville.

Siewert is one of eight artists participating in the real time demonstrations as part of “Local Flavors,” an exhibition that runs through March 29 at Gallery 86 at the Haywood County Arts Council. The exhibition includes 30 local artists of different mediums whose work is on display during the exhibition.

The artists include: Mark Bettis (oil), Carol Blackwell (3-D assemblage), Joyce Brunsvold (quilt art), Ron Brunsvold (photography), Kristalyn Bunyan (mono print), Craig Burgwardt (oil), Crystal Allen Coates (ceramics), Wendy Cordwell (collage), Nick DePaolo (water color), Christine Dougherty (oil), John Gernandt (furniture), Sylvia Hirschegger (oil), Patrice Kennedy-Murillo (mixed media), Becki Kollat (art books), Steven Lange (mixed media), Melli Mae Lonnemann (clay), Bob Luciene (wood), Betina Morgan (acrylic), Cory Plott (ceramics), Vicky Pinney (cold wax), Bobbie Polizzi (assemblage), Barbara Sammons (photography), Mark Schieferstein (metal), Jere Smith (woodwork), Terry Thompson (jewelry), Tadashi Torii (glass), Corina Pia Torii (visual artist), Melissa Enloe Walter (acrylic painting on gold and silver leaf ) and Constance Williams (encaustic).

J Free. www.haywoodarts.org or www.themahoganyhouse.com.

• The films “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” will be screened at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. “Dallas Buyer’s Club” will be shown on March 14-15, with “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” March 21-22. Screenings are at 7:45 p.m. Friday and 5 and 7:45 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $6 per person, $4 for children. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

ALSO:

March 12-18, 2014

• The film “Finding Hillywood” will be screened at 7:30 p.m. March 18 in the University Center at Western Carolina University. Q&A with the filmmaker Leah Warshawski will follow. Free. www.wcu.edu.

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On the stage

Gabriel Iglesias will hit the stage at Harrah’s Cherokee on March 22.

Acclaimed comedian Gabriel Iglesias will perform at 7:30 p.m., March 22, at Harrah’s Cherokee.

Iglesias has the ability to consistently deliver a uniquely hilarious stand-up comedy experience. His high-octane show is a mixture of storytelling, parodies, characters and sound effects that bring all his personal experiences to life.

The comedian has sold out performances around the globe, including Australia, Europe, the U.K. and Saudi Arabia.

Tickets are $24.50, $34.50 and $54.50.

800.745.3000 or www.harrahscherokee.com.

MET Opera Live in HD in Highlands

Tickets at www.highlandspac.org or 828.526.9047.

The MET Opera Live in HD will be shown at 12:55 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center.

The screening will be of Richard Erye’s new production of “Werther,” starring Jonas Kaufmann and featuring French mezzo-soprano Sophie Koch. The pre-opera discussion lead by Beverly Pittman begins at 12:30 p.m.

• “POE: An Evening of Chills and Thrills” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. March 14-15 and at 3 p.m. March 16 at the HART Theatre in Waynesville. Adapting the works of Edgar Allen Poe, the production features “The Raven,” “The Black Cat” and “The Monkey’s Paw.” 828.456.6322 or www.harttheater.com.

arts & entertainment

Iglesias to bring laughs to Harrah’s

ALSO:

March 12-18, 2014

On the street Maggie Valley Club & Resort wedding show

ding experts. The event is open to all brides and accepts vendors of any type.

828.926.4848 or 828.926.4831.

The inaugural “Wedding Show” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 22, in the Renaissance Room at the Maggie Valley Club & Resort.

Whether planning a traditional wedding or you are a modern bride seeking more of a cutting edge and contemporary affair, discuss your options with elite wed-

• Wendy Dunn will present the second class of French wines from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 21, at Papou’s Wine Shop and Bar in Sylva.

Wine tasting includes a presentation on the wine producing country. 828.586.6300.

ALSO:

Smoky Mountain News

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

27

Wading into a few of my favorite ‘dipper’ books S

Jeff Minick

ome books — novels, certain histories and biographies — deserve full immersion. We dive into them, plummet into their depths, swim through them from first page to last, and return to shore refreshed and satisfied by our explorations.

Then there are the “dipper” books. These are the books — poetry, collections of essays, letters, and stories — into which we dip from time to time. We wade into them, read a few pages at random, find enjoyment or words for contemplation, put them aside, and come back to the shore dry above the knees.

Here are some dipWriter ping books I have perused in the last three weeks. These are all fine reads, but I cheerfully confess not only that I have not read them in their entirety, but that they could sit on my shelves for 10 years and I would still never read them cover to cover.

They bring their pleasures and rewards in small packages.

First up is The Letters of Ernest Hemingway: 1923-1925 (ISBN 978-0-52189734-1). Published by Cambridge University Press, this second volume in the series of Hemingway letters covers the Paris years in which Hemingway begins to come into his own as an artist. Here is a wonderful self-portrait of a young man becoming more and more aware of his powers as a writer. In these years he wrote hundreds of letters, correspondence that reveals a growing pride, a rough sense of humor, and a prickly self-consciousness easily wounded by slights both real and imagined. The Letters of Ernest Hemingway also paints a psychological portrait of Hemingway’s relationship with his mother.

His letters to her, though affectionate in a

way, show none of the ease or humor with which he wrote to friends. We can feel his distance and discomfort with his mother, whom he later claimed to loathe, in every letter to

Been Reading” for the magazine Believer.

Each month, at the top of his essay, Hornby lists “Books Bought” and “Books Read,” and then discusses what he’s read. These are not really book reviews in the formal sense, but are instead reflections on books, on life, and particularly on Hornby’s own life. He writes like a man on fire, and nearly every page brought a smile or laughter. Writing this review, I just opened the book at random and here reproduce the first sentence of a paragraph on page 124 regarding the Bob Dylan autobiography, Chronicles: Volume One: “I’m not a Dylanologist — to me he’s your common-or-garden great artist, prone to the same peaks and troughs as anyone else and with nothing of interest in his trash can. Even so, when I heard about a forthcoming Dylan autobiography, I still found it hard to imagine what it would look like.

Would it have a corny title — My Back Pages, say or The Times, They have A-Changed?”

Unlike the Hemingway book, which I will purchase used or in paperback, Ten Years In A Tub is a keeper. I look forward to many moments of wading pleasure.

Recently I published a collection of my own essays under the title Learning As I Go. (Another The Letters of Ernest Hemingway: 1923-1925 published by dipper book, by the way).

Cambridge University Press, 2013. 604 pages Several readers have expressed puzzlement at the starchy tone her in this collection. and derisive humor of this book. “That Nick Hornby’s Ten Years In The Tub: A doesn’t seem like you,” they say. “Where did it Decade Soaking in Great Books (ISBN 978-1come from?” I generally mumble a reply that 938073-73-1, $26) is a collection of essays on it is a part of me, but their questions did make reading and books from his column “Stuff I’ve me wonder what writers had pointed me in

that direction. There were the letters of Evelyn Waugh, the deadpan British essays of Alice Thomas Ellis, the mordent misanthropic wit of that national treasure, Florence King, the strange John Town in George Garrett’s Poison Pen. But perhaps the greatest influence was Judith Martin, more popularly known as “Miss Manners.”

At my elbow, and at the bottom of my stack of dippers, is her latest book, Miss Manners Minds Your Business (ISBN 978-0-393-08136-7, $26.95). Miss Manners directs this particular volume at etiquette in the workplace. It has little to do with my own work situation, but I have never read Miss Manners for her points on correct behavior, though I certainly agree with her. No — I read Miss Manners for her style, grace, and wicked — oh, so deliciously wicked — sense of humor. Over the years, I have owned several of her books. Indeed, Miss Manners Rescues Civilization sits always within easy reach on my desk. Whenever I have the urge toward the acerbic, whenever I need seek out the pasquinading wit who so rarely appears in public, I have only to read a few pages of Miss Manners and out the sneering little devil comes.

Finally, the excellent Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Synonyms makes for marvelous dipping. Unlike the ordinary thesaurus, this volume compares words having the same meaning while at the same time exploring the nuances of that meaning. Under “Gibberish,” for example, we get a minor dissertation on the differences in these words, which we may regard as having the same meaning but which actually have subtle differences: gibberish (suggests language), mummery (suggests actions uninterrupted by words), hocus-pocus (suggests jugglery), abracadabra (suggests magic).

Great words all. And who knew there was the wonderful word “jugglery”?

Dippers all. And all wonderful.

Bedtime math storytime in Sylva Laura Overdeck’s bestselling book Bedtime Math 2: This Time It’s Personal will be presented during storytime at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Inside this book, families will find more mischief-making math problems, on everything from water slides to overfed pets to underwear. And with three different levels of challenge (wee ones, little kids, and big kids) plus a bonus question, there’s something for everyone. In a world where far too many grownups dislike math or are even afraid of it, Bedtime Math can make numbers fun, and change the world, one Bedtime Math puzzle at a time.

Proceeds from the book fund Bedtime Math’s programming to grow the movement.

828.586.9499.

Sain to present debut young adult book Writer Leanna Sain will read from her debut young adult novel Wish at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

Sain is the author of the historical fiction trilogy which consists of Gate to Nowhere, Return to Nowhere and Magnolia Blossoms, will read from Wish, her first novel for young adults. When the main character in Wish, 17-year-old Maddie McGuire, discovers a list consisting of 23 names — one of them, her mother — all of them dead, she’s convinced it’s more than just a coincidence.

828.456.6000 or www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

28

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

BY JAKE FLANNICK SMN CORRESPONDENT bout a year ago, Patrick O’Neal bought an old, chrome-rimmed Schwinn bicycle. He was just looking for an alternative way to get to class from his off-campus dorm. Now he spends most weekends enduring long periods of what he and other cyclists acknowledge as a kind of physical and mental punishment.

It is a grinding workout routine. The Western Carolina University senior spends his weekends pedaling several dozen mountain miles and speaks with enthusiasm about “putting your body through hell.”

“It’s pretty much my whole life right now,” O’Neal said.

That enthusiasm is perhaps what led the WCU student to head a cycling team at the university. And it will likely be such enthusiasm that carries him in a race in Cullowhee this month that the new team has helped arrange for the first time as part of a regional collegiate cycling conference.

Scheduled for March 22-23, “The Airport Assault” is expected to draw dozens of such cycling teams from universities across the Southeast. They’ll be seeking bragging rights for the overall best times in several races scheduled over a few months each year.

For cyclists like Eric Gatilogo, also a senior and member of the WCU team, the race is seen largely as a measure of endurance.

“There’s going to be a lot of climbing,” he said of the race.

The race will be comprised of three competitions.

Among them are a time trial and a racing circuit, which loops about six miles on Little Savannah Road, off N.C. 107, across a terrain with steady, grueling increases in elevation.

While the WCU team may have a home-field advantage as they train — becoming accustomed to the mountainous terrain — O’Neal knows that out-of-area cyclists will come prepared.

“You can get strong anywhere,” he said.

And the WCU cyclists aren’t just training for the local race. Gatilogo is training with an eye towards a race in Cashiers in May that stretches some 100 miles.

“Getting mileage in right now is coming before speed,” he said of his workout routine.

Cycling has recently emerged as a major theme in Gatilogo’s life. The student threw himself into the sport a

A

Want to know more?

The Western Carolina University Cycling Team will host a regional two-day collegiate road bike race, “The Airport Assault,” on March 22-23 in Cullowhee.

The event kicks off at 9 a.m. March 22 with an individual time trial event starting near WCU’s Health and Human Sciences Building uphill to the Jackson County Airport.

Following the time trial, a road race will begin at 1 p.m.

The course will cover a nine-mile loop starting on Little Savannah Road next to the Health and Human Sciences Building.

At 9 a.m. March 23, an event in which cyclists ride laps on a closed course with fast turns will start on the landing strip of the Jackson County Airport. Spectators are encouraged to park at the Health and Human Sciences Building and take a shuttle to the airport to watch.

The event is free for spectators, and members of the community are invited to attend and cheer on the racers. proneal1@catamount.wcu.edu

WCU cycling team brings regional race to Cullowhee

WCU Cycling Team descending Little Savannah Road in Jackson County last year. WCU photo couple of months ago when he replaced his mountain bike with one built for the road.

He manages to find time between school work, an internship and a job at a nearby market, and now devotes much of each weekend to a training routine that involves long hours and constant recuperation. Increasing the distance of each ride has remained his central focus since joining the team. A couple of weeks ago he logged his longest distanced of 50 miles.

And Gatilogo are not alone in there passion for cycling. The sport has captured an increasing amount of attention

across the country in recent years, evolving from a subculture into a popular recreation. That is especially true in Western North Carolina, where cycling shops and less-traveled roads are abound.

And it is evident at the university, whose environs are considered by many as a cycling haven. Among the wellknown routes are stretches along Cullowhee Mountain and Tilley Creek, as well as a 38-mile trek featuring a 5,000foot elevation climb known as the Ring of Fire.

Earlier this year, the university opened a nearly seven-mile trail, albeit a moun-

tain-biking one, in what is an indication of a marketing strategy meant to underscore the area’s natural splendor. And this upcoming race will coincide with a WCU open house, which could help further refine the image the university is working to project.

The university will be well represented at the race. The WCU team, consisting of about a dozen students, will don tightfitting white and purple uniforms bearing the school mascot and compete with teams from a few dozen universities from throughout the Southeastern Collegiate Cycling Conference.

The WCU cycling team is not new, noted O’Neal, who serves as the group’s president. But the team has seen a renewed interest particularly over the past couple of years, with a majority of it members being freshmen.

Among those who joined the team this year is Andrew Nicholson, a junior who transferred from a community college in the region. He acknowledged the physical benefits of cycling, whose rigors have long remained a source of exhilaration for someone who spent much of his adolescence on a mountain bike.

Nicholson also said he believes the cycling lifestyle has given him a sense of balance. He credits it with helping him improve his academic performance and his well-being. Each time he finishes a long ride there is a sense of renewal.

“You’re probably a better person than you were a day before,” Nicholson said.

Trail runners will scramble, scratch and claw their way to the 5,810-foot summit of Pinnacle Park in Sylva during the annual

Assault on Black Rock trail run held Saturday, March 22.

The seven-mile up-and-back trail race has an elevation gain of 2,770 feet, featuring rocky roadbeds and single-track trail.

The race was created about four years ago by Brian Barwatt, who frequented the trail as a training course for mountaineering trips.

“I always thought it would be a tough

course for a trail run, but wondered if anyone would actually want to do it. So I just decided to give it a shot,” said Barwatt.

Participation in the race is growing. The race has attracted about 65 participants in past years, but will top that this year based on record-breaking advanced registration.

Anyone who completes the course in 101 minutes — dubbed the Blackrock 101 Challenge — will be awarded a custom belt buckle.

Elizabeth Hammer, a Southwestern Community College student from Sylva, created the artwork for the official race T-shirt as part of a contest among students in SCC’s Advertising and Graphic Design Program. Designs were voted on by visitors to the Assault on Black Rock Facebook page and past race participants.

Race proceeds benefit the Community Table, a soup kitchen and food pantry in Sylva.

The pre-registration fee is $25 or $30 on race day. Print out a registration form from www.communitytable.org or register at www.active.com. Race begins at 9 a.m.

828.506.2802 or barwatt@hotmail.com.

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Collegiate bouldering showdown coming to WCU The Cullowhee Rock & Rumble Fest will attract college students from a several state area for a rock climbing and bouldering competition at Western Carolina University on Saturday, March 22.

The sixth annual event will be hosted by the WCU climbing team and Base Camp Cullowhee. It is sanctioned by the USA Climbing Collegiate Climbing Series, but students enrolled at any college or university can participate. Points are awarded for successful sends, with deductions based on the number of falls.

Competition begins at 10 a.m. at the Campus Recreation Center on Base Camp Cullowhee’s climbing wall.

828.227.3633 or www.basecamp.wcu.edu.

Missing link of Benton MacKaye trail solved route of some other existing trails in the area, plus a newly constructed section that should be completed by summer. bmta@frontier.com.

Benton MacKaye Trail member Ernie Engman, a.k.a. “Sgt. Rock”, views a routearound section of the Benton MacKaye longdistance hiking trail now under construction.

Smoky Mountain News

A dicey section of the long-distance Benton MacKaye hiking trail that forced hikers to walk along the side of a narrow highway in Graham County will soon be rerouted off-road as a proper trail should be.

The 300-mile trail, named after the visionary behind the famous Appalachian Trail, traveled along the shoulder of U.S. 129 in the Fontana area for a short distance — namely between Deal’s Gap and Twentymile ranger station, where the trail then took off into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The section of road-walking is being replaced by a new route through Fontana Village Resort property.

“This is the culmination of a nine-year effort to find a permanent solution to the hazard presented by a road walk along Route 129,” said Project Leader Dick Evans.

The new trail configuration will follow the

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outdoors

Reap and share â&#x20AC;&#x201D; what you sow at the Cullowhee garden

in Waynesville.

Jim Janke, a Haywood County Master Gardener, will cover the why and how and starting plants from seeds.

828.356.2507.

Sign up is underway for plots in the Cullowhee Community Garden, an allorganic community garden.

Individual garden plots are free in exchange for donating half of what you grow to local food relief agencies for the needy.

The garden provides the earth, tools, materials, and equipment, while gardeners provide the seeds, plants and labor. Plots are 15-by-30 feet or 15-by-15 feet.

Volunteers are also needed, with workdays held Wednesday afternoons (times vary by season) and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

It is a project of the Jackson County Health Department and the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department. thecullowheecommunitygarden@gmail .com or 828.586.8994.

The art of Japanese flower arrangements

Sprouting seeds demystified

March 12-18, 2014

Get a jump on the spring planting season with a workshop on starting your own seeds indoors from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, March 17, at the Haywood County Library

A talk about Ikebana, a Japanese discipline of formal floral arranging that is both simple and elegant in nature, will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, at Lake Junaluska.

The Tuscola Garden Club will host Lucy Rouse, who took up the hobby of Ikebana in retireAn example of Ikebana ment.

Japanese flower arranging.

There are specific rules and guidelines for creating these beautiful artistic arrangements, an art form developed in ancient times by Buddhist monks as a part of their worship rituals.

Held at the at the Bethea Welcome Center. 828.452.7176.

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Stream biologist Eric Romaniszyn (right) demonstrates how to use a kick net during a water monitoring volunteer training.

Catch stream insects in the name of water quality The volunteer battalion of the Watershed Association of the Tuckaseigee River is looking for new recruits to help monitor water quality in creeks and rivers in Jackson and Swain counties.

Volunteers spend two days a year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; once in the spring and once in the fall â&#x20AC;&#x201D; collecting aquatic insects, which offer valuable insight into the water quality.

Data collected is entered into a statewide water quality record and helps the state identify degraded waterways in need of additional attention.

A training session for new volunteers will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Cherokee.

828.488.8418 or www.watrnc.org.

Fracking documentary to be screened in Sylva A documentary about natural gas â&#x20AC;&#x153;frackingâ&#x20AC;? in America, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gasland Part 2,â&#x20AC;? will be screened in Sylva on Saturday, March 22, at the Jackson County Public Library.

A presentation on fracking will be held at 6:30 p.m. by Clean Water for North Carolina, with the film starting at 7 p.m.

Last year, the N.C. legislature sanctioned a feasibility study on natural gas extraction in the mountains, prompting attention from state and regional environmental groups.

The free screening is being sponsored by The Canary Coalition and www.occupywnc. 828.631.3447 or www.canarycoalition.org.

Rabies forum in Macon County The Macon County Board of Health will host a public forum regarding the continuation of rabies vaccination clinics. The public forum will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at the Macon County Human Services Building. The forum will feature information regarding the spread of rabies, current rabies vaccination clinics, and reporting requirements for animal bites.

WCU professor honored for role in conservation Jim Costa, a biology professor at Western Carolina University and the Director of the Highlands Biological Station, has been nominated for the Roosevelt-Ashe Conservation Awards to be given out by Wild South later this month.

The awards recognize and honor outstanding work to protect wild places and wild things in the South. Nominees hail from five Southern states and exemplify dedication and passion for environmental conservation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes working together with partners

all across our region to provide landscapelevel protection,â&#x20AC;? said Benjamin Colvin, Wild Southâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Development Director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe it is vital to recognize and celebrate the incredible work being done to unite voices for environmental protection, to promote conservation sciJim Costa ence and education, to advocate for wildlife, and to protect cultural heritage on public lands.â&#x20AC;?

Explore the science, ecology and history of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park through the eyes of park rangers during a series of guided all-day outings this spring.

“Experience Your Smokies” gives the public a rare insider’s look at park operations, from tracking elk to scientific research at various locales on the trips on the North Carolina side of the park like Cataloochee Valley, Deep Creek, Oconaluftee, Clingmans Dome, and Purchase Knob.

“We are delighted to be able to offer this unique experience which allows each participant the chance get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” said Acting

Historic Preservation Day in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Smokies announces spring openings With spring around the corner, campgrounds and secondary roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are reopening for the year. The schedule for facilities on the N.C. side of the park is: ■ Scenic roads: Clingmans Dome Road will open on April 1; Heintooga Ridge and Balsam Mountain roads will open on May 23.

■ Campgrounds: Big Creek, Deep Creek, Cataloochee campgrounds will open April 11; Smokemont campground will open May 15; Balsam Mountain campground will open May 23; ■ Horse Camps: Cataloochee will open April 4 and Big Creek on April 11. The Smokemont Riding Stable will open March 22.

■ Picnic areas: Collins Creek picnic area will open on April 4; Big Creek picnic area will open on April 11 and Heintooga picnic area will open on May 23.

World-renowned bat specialist Merlin D. Tuttle will be the featured speaker at the 17th anniversary of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) Conference that will be held March 20-22 at the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Tuttle is founder and president emeritus of Bat Conservation International. The ATBI being conducted in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an effort to inventory all species that exist the park. The park is considered by scientists to be one of the most biodiverse places in North America.

For more information call 865.430.4757 or visit www.dlia.org.

Call today to schedule a free consultation!

March Specials

Surgery: Lipo, buy 2 areas for $1,950 & get the third area free.

Lipo Chin $75 • Breast Augmentation (saline) $2,500 Laser: Photofacial/Pixel combo $250 per area Leg Veins Sclero & Laser $275 per leg with free compression hose C02 Face $400

Filler/Botox Specials: March Madness 3 syringes of Artfill for $1800 Buy any 2 fillers & get Botox at $5 per unit

Weight Loss Specials: B12 & Vitamin D shots for $20 Product Specials: Obagi 30% off in stock only *Leg Vein Treatment at Nebo clinic only

JOHN HAMEL M.D. HICKORY • NEBO • GASTONIA • WAXHAW BRYSON CITY • ASHEVILLE MALL

877-252-5273 | COMPLETELASERCLINIC.COM Class A Office/Professional space, 1850 sq. ft./ Extra Clean Building was a complete renovation and space was first built out for a CPA’s office and an Edward Jones office in 2005. Spaces were occupied by Lifespan & Haywood Co. Insurance Health Clinic and both outgrew their space. Units includes 2 restrooms, kitchenette and mechanical room. There is direct access to an outdoor covered patio area on the creek. The building has excellent onsite parking and is located in Waynesville only 3/10 mile North of the courthouse. Lease includes exterior maintenance, taxes, water and lighted sign.

627 N. Main Street, Suite 2, Waynesville.

Shown by appointment only.

Call Jeff Kuhlman at 828-646-0907.

H u r ry O n l y 1 Unit Left!

March 12-18, 2014

Biodiversity conference to feature bat specialist

231-35

Superintendent Pedro Ramos. “Not only does it give our rangers a chance to share their knowledge about this special place, it also allows our neighbors a chance to share their experiences as we better connect our community.”

The program is supported by the Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountain Association.

Participants attend four outings on Tuesdays between March 25 and May 6, plus Saturday, May 17.

Space is limited to 25. Cost is $50. www.friendsofthesmokies.org/events.html or 828.452.0720.

outdoors

Discover the national park in your own backyard

231-20

Historic window stolen off Smokies cabin 34 individual glass panes, each measuring 4-inches-square. Two of the original 36

SYLVA, NC 3/22/14

glass panes were missing prior to the theft of the window.

Perpetrators may be sentenced up to 6 months in jail and or fined up to $5,000.

Call 865.436.1580 with tips.

9 am • Pinnacle Park • Sylva 7 mile trail race 2700’+ elevation gain All proceeds benefit The Community Table of Sylva Visit us on facebook or email barwatt@hotmail.com for info Logo courtesy of SCC Graphic Design Students

All participants who finish in 101 minutes or less will receive this belt buckle

Smoky Mountain News

An antique window was stolen from an historic cabin in the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“This is a very sad case of vandalism and theft,” said Smokies Chief Ranger Clay Jordan. “The people who did this have stolen a piece of our shared history that can never be replicated.”

Park officials are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for the theft.

The missing window was from the former summer home of a Knoxville glass maker featuring an intricate and unusual design. The entire 4-by-1 foot glass window is missing from the frame, which including

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WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • 2014 Class of the Waynesville Civilian Police Academy, March 13 at the Waynesville Police Department, Main Street, Waynesville. Free. 456.5363, or e-mail Mary Ford, Civilian Police Academy Coordinator at: mjford1978@hotmail.com .

• The 28785/28786 (Waynesville) 1% Subcommittee, 4 p.m. Thursday, March 13, Oak Hill on Love Lane to review the 1% TDA grant applications for 2014/2015.

• Community Bone Marrow Registry Drive, 2 to 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 16, Faith Classroom of First United Methodist Church, 566 S. Haywood St., Waynesville. In honor of Rebecca Atkins Wiley. Must be 18 to 44 years of age. BetheMatch.org or 456.9475.

• The 28785/28786 (Waynesville) 1% Subcommittee, 4 p.m. Monday, March 17, Oak Hill on Love Lane to make recommendations on the 1% TDA grant applications for 2014/2015.

• Haywood County Meals on Wheels needs drivers for these routes: Fridays – Route #4 – Allens Creek; Thursdays and/or Fridays – Route #9 – Beaverdam; Fridays – Route #19 – Cruso; Fridays – Route #21 – Saunook. Immediate need of drivers in the Cruso area.

Jeanne Naber, 356.2442.

• Annual meeting of Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 6 p.m. Thursday, March 20, Shelton House Barn, 49 Shelton St., Waynesville. 246.9050.

• Macon County Board of Health Rabies Public Forum 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25. 349.2437, www.maconnc.org.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • North Carolina Bike Safe, a motorcycle safety seminar, for all business owners, 5:30 p.m. March 20, Maggie Valley Town Hall Pavilion, hosted by the Maggie Valley Police Department. 926.0867.

• Southwestern Community College Job Fair, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, SCC Jackson Campus, Burrell Building, 447 College Drive, Sylva. Snow date, March 27. More than 50 employers from throughout the region. Patty Kirkley, 339.4212; www.southwesterncc.edu • 2014 NCCAT Literacy Festival for teachers and school administrators, 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 24–27, Cullowhee.

Free and open to all area teachers and administrators. www.nccat.org or contact Deb Teitelbaum, 293.5202 ext. 1103 or deborah.teitelbaum@nccat.org. Sign up online at http://bit.ly/1bJpg6X. • Ribbon cutting, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 13, fourth floor, MedWest Haywood..

• Wedding Show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 22, Maggie Valley Club. 926.4848.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • “Caring For Kids Yoga Class,” Mondays, by Feel Well Yoga at UUFF, 89 Sierra Dr., Franklin. 100 percent of all first-time participant donations and 10 percent of all ongoing collections go to KIDS Place. Space limited.

941.894.2898.

BLOOD DRIVES • MedWest Harris Sylva Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, March 13, 68 Hospital Drive, Sylva. www.redcrossblood.org, keyword: Harris or call 800.RedCross.

• Senior Resource Center Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville. 800.REDCROSS, 800.733.2767.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• Franklin Community Blood Drive, 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Thursday, March 20, First Baptist Church of Franklin, 69 Lotla Street, Franklin. www.redcrossblood.org, keyword: Franklin or call 1 800 RedCross.

RECREATION & FITNESS • Adult co-ed volleyball league, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, Waynesville Recreation Center. Open to players age 18 years or older as of April 1, 2014. 456.2030 or email recathletics@townofwaynesville.org • Adult Co-ed Indoor Soccer pickup games, 6 to 8 p.m.

Wednesdays, through March 26, Old Hazelwood Gym, 112 Virginia Ave., Waynesville. Daniel Taylor, 452.6789 or email drtaylor@haywoodnc.net.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • Silver Sneakers New Member Orientation, 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, March 12, Waynesville Recreation Center. 456.2030 or email recprograms@townofwaynesville.org.

KIDS & FAMILIES • Nature Nuts: Bobcats – 9 to 11 a.m. March 12 and March 21, Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, near Brevard in Transylvania County. For 4 to 7 years old.

Free. 877.4423 or sign up online at ncpaws.org/reservations/pisgah/CalendarView.

• Eco Explorers: Casting – 1 to 3 p.m. March 12 and March 21, Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, near Brevard in Transylvania County. For 8-13 years old.

Learn the fundamentals of casting a fly rod. Equipment and materials are provided. 877.4423 or ncpaws.org/reservations/pisgah/CalendarView.

• Youth Swim Refresher Course, 6:25 to 7:15 p.m.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, March 17-19 and 24-26, Reid Gymnasium pool, Western Carolina University. For children 5 and older. The cost is $59.

Certified American Red Cross instructor.227.7397 or go to learn.wcu.edu and select “Conferences and Community Classes.”

• Spring Youth Tennis Lessons in Jackson County, Tuesdays and Saturdays, April 29-May 24, at Mark Watson Park, Sylva. $40. Register at Jackson County Recreation Center. No phone registration.

• Spring Break Camp, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 2125, Waynesville Recreation. For children in kindergarten through sixth grade. 30 spots available. Registration deadline, 5 p.m. Monday, April 7. $90 per person. Save $10 by paying on or before March 30. 456.2030 or email recprogramspecialist@townofwaynesville.org.

Literary (children) • Culture Club: Africa – Kenya and the Sudan, 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

• Mary Ann’s Book Club, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

a.m. Friday, March 14, Jackson County Public Library, 586.2016.

• Children’s Story time: Grizzly Bears, 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva.

586.2016.

• American Girls Club, noon Saturday, March 15, City Lights Bookstore, Sylva. 586.2016.

• Children’s Story time: The Bear Wakes Up, 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 15, Jackson County Public Library, 586.2016.

• Bedtime Math Story time, 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, City Lights Bookstore, Sylva. 586.9499 • Children’s Story time: Rotary Readers, 11 a.m.

Monday, March 17, Jackson County Public Library, 586.2016.

• Homework Help, 3 p.m. Monday, March 17, Jackson County Public Library, 586.2016.

• Children’s Story time: Clouds and Rainbows, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, March 18, Jackson County Public Library, 586.2016.

• Homework Help, 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, Jackson County Public Library, 586.2016.

• Teen Time, 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, Jackson County Public Library, 586.2016.

ECA EVENTS • Extension and Community Association (ECA) groups meet throughout the county at various locations and times each month. NC Cooperative Extension Office, 586.4009. This month’s meetings include: • noon Thursday, March 13 – Yo-Yo’s, Lunch and Learn ECA, noon, Community Service Center Conference Room, Sylva.

• 1 p.m. Monday, March 17 – Sew Easy Girls ECA, Community Service Center Conference Room, Sylva.

• 10 a.m. Thursday, March 20 - ECA Craft Club Workshop – Water Color Bookmark, Community Service Center Conference Center, Sylva.

POLITICAL GROUP EVENTS & LOCAL GOVERNMENT GOP • Macon County Republican Party executive board meeting, 6 p.m. Thursday, March 13, Community Building on Hwy 441 in Franklin.

• Macon County Republican Party 2014 Convention Saturday, March 15, Community Building on Hwy 441 in Franklin. Registration opens at 1 p.m., closes at 1:45 p.m. www.macongop.com.

• Haywood County Republican Party annual Convention and Precinct Meetings, 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15, Canton Armory, 71 Penland St., Canton. www.haywoodncgop.org, 506.0939.

• Jackson County Republican Convention and Precinct meetings, Friday, March 21, Jackson County Senior Center Heritage Room, Sylva.

Others

• Write On! Children’s Creative Writing Group, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 12, JCPL.

• Libertarian Party meeting, 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, Organic Beans, 3676 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

• Lego Club (all ages), 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

• Children’s Story time: What’s Your Favorite Animal? 11

A&E SPECIAL EVENTS • Drum Circle and Raw-Mazing potluck , 5:30 p.m.

Friday, March 14, United Universalist Fellowship of Franklin, 89 Sierra Drive. Bring a dish, as raw as you like, to share. Drummers of all levels welcome. Bring your own drum, or use one of ours. Tamera Nielsen, 941.894.2898.

• Silas McDowell Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution bi-monthly meeting, 5 p.m., Monday, March 17, Broiler Room Restaurant, Franklin. Tom Long, 321.3522, tomeaglenc@aol.com or www.ncssar.org/chapters/Silas.htm.

ART/GALLERY EVENTS & OPENINGS • Pottery from the private collection of Joan Byrd and George Rector will be on display through Friday, May 9, at the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University.

An artist’s talk and reception is set for 5 p.m. Thursday, March 20. 227.3591.

• 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 18 – Needle Felting, Cane Creek ECA, location to be announced.

• Homework Help, 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, JCPL.

• Homework Help, 3 p.m. Thursday, March 13, Jackson County Public Library, 586.2016.

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings

SUPPORT GROUPS • Macon County Cancer Support Group, 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 13, cafeteria of Angel Medical Center, Riverview Street, Franklin.

CLASSES, PROGRAMS & DEMONSTRATIONS • Art classes through Haywood Community College’s Workforce Continuing Education Department in the Creative Arts Building. Registration open for classes up to one week before starting date. Updated class times and dates at www.haywood.edu.

• Teri Siewert will demonstrate her encaustic painting from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Gallery 86, 86 N. Main St., downtown Waynesville. Siewert is exhibiting in the Local Flavors Exhibit that runs through March 29 at Gallery 86.

• Beginners water color class, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursday, March 20, Jackson County Cooperative Extension in Sylva. Instructor Pat Mikula. $3, some supplies will be available or bring your own. Register at 586.4009.

• Baked Tater Bag and Mug Rug Workshop, 1 to 4 p.m.

Friday, March 21, Jackson County Extension Office. $5.

Register at 586.4009.

FILM & SCREEN • Dallas Buyers Club, 7:45 p.m. Friday, March 14 and 5 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Saturday, March 15, The Strand, 38 Main St. Waynesville.www.38main.com.

• Classic 1935 movie, 2 p.m. Friday, March 14, Meeting Room, Macon County Public Library, Franklin. Stars Victor McLaglen, Heather Angel and Preston Foster.

• Live action family movie, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, Marianna Black Library, Bryson City, for dog lovers.

play at the Canton Public Library, with Pilgrim at the Waynesville Public LibraryFree. www.haywoodarts.org.

• Finding Hillywood, 7:30 p.m. March 18, University Center at Western Carolina University. Q&A with the filmmaker Leah Warshawski will follow. Free. www.wcu.edu.

• The Mountain Winds concert, 7:30 p.m. March 18, Coulter Building, Western Carolina University. Free. www.wcu.edu.

FOOD & DRINK • French wines class, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 21, Papou’s Wine Shop and Bar, Sylva. Presented by Wendy Dunn. 586.6300.

• Highlands Chili-Cookoff, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15, Highlands Community Building. Tickets, $20 at the door. Jennifer Cunningham, 526.2112 or visitor@highlandschamber.org.

• Trail Magic Ale™ releases, 6 p.m. Friday, March 14 and noon Saturday, March 15, Nantahala Brewing Tap Room, 61 Depot St., Bryson City. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

LITERARY (ADULTS) • Marie Bartlett, author of Pearl, MD, will read from her historical novel set in Asheville, during the 1880s, at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15, Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville. 456.6000, www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

• Retired national park wildlife biologist Kim DeLozier, author of “Bear in the Back Seat, Saturday, March 15, Sugarlands Visitor Center, Gatlinburg. 888.898.9102, Ext. 222 or 254.

• Release party for Donna Glee Williams’ debut novel, The Braided Path, 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, City Lights Bookstore. 586.9499.

• B.J. Jones presents his novels, Do Angels Have Big Ears and the followup, The Glory Door, at 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 15, City Lights Bookstore, Sylva.

586.9499.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • 6th annual Celtic Concert featuring Bean Sidhe (pronounced Banshee), 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, Smoky Mountain Community Theatre, 134 Main St., Bryson City. Tickets, $6. 488.8227, or Theatre President Toby Allman, 488.8103.

• Jackson County Genealogical Society, 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 13, Community Room, Jackson County Justice Center, featuring bluegrass, gospel and traditional mountain music by Jessie Stephens, Jacob Jones & Friends. 631.2646. Free.

• POE: An Evening of Chills and Thrills” featuring “The Raven” The Black Cat” and “The Monkey’s Paw,” 7:30 p.m. March 14-15, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 16, HART Studio Theater, 250 Pigeon St. Waynesville.

456.6322, www.harttheatrecom.

• Country music legend Don Williams, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 15, Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. Ticket prices start at $35.

GreatMountainMusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• The MET Opera Live in HD, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15, Highlands PAC, 507 Chestnut St., Highlands. Tickets online at highlandspac.org or 526.9047.

• Lightning Bugs and Michael Pilgrim, 3 p.m. Sunday, March 16, Haywood County Public Libraries “Sunday Concert Series.” Piano-pop group the Lightning Bug will

• Jesse Stephens and Jacob Jones & Friends, 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 13, Community Room of the Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva. Free. 631.2646.

• Eddie Rose & Highway 40, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, Bogart’s Restaurant and Tavern, Waynesville. 452.1313.

• Pavel Wlosok, 7 p.m. March 14, The Classic Wineseller, downtown Waynesville. $10 minimum purchase on food, drink or merchandise. 452.6000.

• Ashli Rose. Ginni McAfee, and Steve Whiddon will perform at the Maggie Valley Rendezvous. Rose will play on March 14 and 21, with McAfee, March 28 and Whiddon every Thursday. Free. 926.0201 or www.maggievalleyhotel.com.

• Dylan Riddle, March 13 and March 22; Humps & The Blackouts, March 14; and Dustin Martin & The Ramblers, March 15. Free, 9 p.m., No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. 586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com, 586.2750.

• Paul Cataldo, 7 p.m. March 14, Tipping Point Brewing in Waynesville. Free. 246.9230.

• Joe Cruz, March 14; Brad Austin, March 15; and The Freestylers, March 22. 7 p.m., City Lights Café, Sylva.

587.2233 or www.citylightscafe.com.

• O’Malley’s Pub & Grill in Sylva: Dylan Riddle, March 14; Arnold Hill, March 15; Buchanan Boys, March 17; Caribbean Cowboys, March 21; SmokeRise, March 22; and the Impostors, March 28.

MUSIC JAMS • “Winter Pickin’ in the Armory,” 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, Canton Armory. Mountain music, vintage country, clogging and dancing. The “pickin’” is every first and third Friday of the month. www.cantonnc.com.

DANCE • Monthly Ballroom Dance, 7:30 p.m. dance review, 8 p.m. dance starts, Friday March 21, Angie’s Dance Academy, Clyde. Smart casual dress, free refreshments, admission $10. Ron @734.8726.

Outdoors OUTINGS, HIKES & FIELDTRIPS • Nantahala Hiking Club, easy-to-moderate three-mile hike, 9 a.m. Saturday, March 15, to High Bluff Trail at Tallulah Falls Gorge State Park. $5 entry fee per car.

Meet at 9 a.m. at Smoky Mountain Visitor Center, Otto.

Bring lunch. John Brill, 813.997.5051.

• Lake Junaluska Clean-up/Pick-up Day, 9:30 a.m.

Saturday, March 15, meet at Kern Center lakeside porch (near the pool). Pat Stewart, 452.5312 or Buddy Young, 452.5911.

• Nantahala Hiking Club, moderate-to-strenuous 7.5 mile hike, 9 a.m. Saturday, March 22, Sweat Heifer Trail-Kephart Prong in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Meet at 9 a.m. at Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Keith Patton, 456.8895.

PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS • Backpacking Basics, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, REI Asheville. Free. Registration required, www.rei.com/event/43586/session/86818.

• Hunter Education Certification, 9:30 p.m. March 1820, Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, near Brevard in Transylvania County. 877.4423 or sign up online at ncpaws.org/reservations/pisgah/CalendarView.

• Gasland, Part 2, a documentary about fracking in America, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 22, Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library, Sylva.

Free.

• Bike clinics, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 22 and 29, Colonial Theater, Canton; 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 12, Clyde Elementary School, Clyde. For ages 15 and up. Teenagers must be accompanied by an adult. Must pre-register, 452.6789.

• 17th anniversary of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) Conference, presented by Discover Life in America (DLIA), March 20-22, Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Keynote speaker will be world renowned bat specialist Merlin D. Tuttle, founder and president emeritus of Bat Conservation International.

865.430.4757 or visit www.dlia.org.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials want public input on Environmental Assessment of construction of new concession facilities at Smokemont Riding Stables. Deadline for comments is March 14.

See EA at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/grsm and click

• Great Smoky Mountain National Park needs volunteers to staff the Information Center at Clingmans Dome, from April 1 through Nov. 30. Training, Thursday, March 13, at the Oconaluftee Administration Building north of Cherokee. Contact Florie Takaki at 497.1906 or Florie_Takaki@nps.gov Monday through Friday.

• Experience Your Smokies, a behind-the scenes look at Great Smokies National Park, seeks applicants from the surrounding communities for a program, which runs Tuesdays on the following dates: March 25, April 8, April 29, May 6, and Saturday, May 17. Class size limited to 25 participants. Deadline to apply is March 12. Cost, $50, with funds going to program administration and materials. www.friendsofthesmokies.org/events.html or call 452.0720.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • Bangers and Mash Pre Patty’s Day Rail Jam, 6 p.m.

Friday, March 14, Cataloochee Ski Area, Maggie Valley.

Snowboarding and skiing.

• Indoor triathlon, 9 a.m. Saturday, March 15, Cashiers-Glenville Recreation. Rowing, biking, running. Register at imathlete.com or call 631.2020.

• 4th annual Assault on Black Rock (ABR), 9 a.m.

Saturday, March 22, Jackson County. Register at www.CommunityTable.org, “event calendar.” Brian Barwatt, 506.2802 or barwatt@hotmail.com.

• College of Education and Allied Professions at Western Carolina University 2nd annual golf tournament, 1 p.m. Saturday, March 29, High Vista Country Club, Mills River. 227.3556 or claxton@wcu.edu.

Deadline is Monday, March 17.

• Western Carolina University’s 4th annual Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon and 5K, Saturday, April 5, at WCU. www.halfmarathon.wcu.

Smoky Mountain News

• Songwriters in the Round, Becky Hobbs, Benita Hill and Kacey Jones, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15, Balsam Mountain Inn. 68 7 Springs Drive, Balsam. $47 per person, includes a buffet dinner. 456.9498. www.balsammountaininn.net .

NIGHT LIFE

• Nantahala Hiking Club, easy one-mile hike, Sunday, March 23, Rufus Morgan Trail. Meet at 2 p.m. at Westgate Plaza in Franklin. Jean Hunnicutt, 524.5234.

on “Smokemont Riding Stables EA” link. Or submit to parkplanning.nps.gov/grsm. 865.436.1207.

March 12-18, 2014

• Author Event Leanna Sain will read from Wish, her first novel for young adults, at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 22, Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville.

456.6000.

• WCU’s Got Talent featuring Porch 40, 7 to 11 p.m.

Thursday, March 20, UC Central Plaza, Western Carolina University. www.wcu.edu.

• Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Guided Hike to Snowball Mountain, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 22, near Craggy Gardens picnic area.

Directions sent upon RSVP. Moderate-to-difficult, hike. Anna@Appalachian.org or 253.0095 ext. 205

wnc calendar

Five dogs discover mysterious rings that grant them each a unique super power. 488.3030.

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INSIDE

Now Hiring jobs.bayada.com

828.452.0010 ARTS & CRAFTS

MarketPlace information:

ALLISON CREEK Iron Works & Woodworking. Crafting custom metal & woodwork in rustic, country & lodge designs with reclaimed woods! Design & consultation, Barry Downs 828.524.5763, Franklin NC

The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

AUCTION AUCTION Construction Equipment & Trucks, March 18th, 9 AM, Richmond, VA. Excavators, Dozers, Dumps & More.

Accepting Items Daily thru 3/14.

Motley's Auction & Realty Group, 804.232.3300, www.motleys.com, VAAL#16.

Rates: ■ Free — Residential yard sale ads, lost or found pet ads.

■ Free — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $12 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

■ $12 — If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

HARPER’S AUCTION COMPANY Antiques • Estates • Collectibles Always Accepting Quality Consignments, We Also Provide 3rd Party Consignments.

Just Give Us a Call for an Appointment.

47 Macon Center Dr. Franklin, NC 828.369.6999, Debra Harper NCAL# 9659 NCFL# 9671

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 | classads@smokymountainnews.com

LAKE GASTON Building Lot Auction- Thursday, Mar. 27 at 6pm. Kahill's Restaurant, 1791 N. Mecklenburg Ave., South Hill, VA. 22 waterfront & 5 interior lots. 434.955.0708. www.nichollsauction.com vaaf729 SURPLUS AUCTION Saturday, March 22 @ 10am. 199 South Cherry Rd. Rock Hill, SC. Selling Surplus Vehicles & Equipment from City of Rock Hill. 40 Police Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Garbage Trucks, Zero Turn Mowers, Drug Seizures. Tony Furr. 704.791.8825 ncaf5479/scal2893R. www.ClassicAuctions.com

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, COO

Serving Haywood, Jackson & Surrounding Counties

R

DI

SC OV ER E

ATR

PE

INC.

Offering:

MAJOR-BRAND TIRES FOR CARS, LIGHT & MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS, AND FARM TIRES.

Service truck available for on-site repairs LEE & PATTY ENSLEY, OWNERS

MON-FRI 7:30-5:00 • WAYNESVILLE PLAZA

828-456-5387

231-50

48+/- ACRES (3 TRACTS) On US-460. Forest, VA (Bedford County). Home Sites, Public Utilities. ABSOLUTE AUCTION: Sat, Mar. 22. Terms, photos online: www.countsauction.com.

800.780.2991. VAAF93 WAREHOUSE FACILITY AUCTION, 180,000 Sq. Ft. on 12.5 Acres located in Rocky Mount, NC near I-95. Online Auction Ends MARCH 13th, roof overhauled, www.HouseAuctionCompany.com.

252.729.1162. NCAL#7889

AUCTION 1,130+/- ACRES (17 TRACTS).

5 Riverfront Tracts. Forest, VA (Bedford County). Houses, Operating Farms. ABSOLUTE AUCTION: Sat, April 5. Terms, photos online: www.countsauction.com.

800.780.2991. VAAF93 ABSOLUTE AUCTION Saturday, March 15 @ 10am. 102 Hidden Pastures Dr. Cramerton, NC. Complete Liquidation of the former Cramerton Country Club Clubhouse. Antiques, Catering, Restaurant & Bar Equipment.

Call for more info 704.791.8825 ncaf5479. www.ClassicAuctions.com

BUILDING MATERIALS HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control.

FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1.800.698.9217 DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 SULLIVAN HARDWOOD FLOORS Installation- Finish - Refinish 828.399.1847.

PAINTING JAMISON CUSTOM PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING Interior, exterior, all your pressure washing needs and more.

Specialize in Removal of Carpenter Bees - Log Homes or Siding! Call Now for a Free Estimate at 828.508.9727.

AUTO PARTS DDI BUMPERS ETC. Quality on the Spot Repair & Painting. Don Hendershot 858.646.0871 cell 828.452.4569 office.

CARS - DOMESTIC TOP CASH FOR CARS, Call Now For An Instant Offer. Top Dollar Paid, Any Car/Truck, Any Condition. Running or Not. Free Pick-up/Tow. 1.800.761.9396 SAPA 1984 MUSTANG GT Complete Restomode! Too Much to List. Sacrifice at $13,000.

For more info call 828.226.7461 DONATE YOUR CAR Fast Free Towing 24 Hr. Response Tax Deduction United Breast Cancer Foundation Providing Free Mammograms & Breast Cancer Info 888.759.9782. SAPA DONATE YOUR CAR Fast Free Towing. 24 hr. Response.

Tax Deduction. United Breast Cancer Foundation, Providing Free Mammograms & Breast Cancer Info 855.733.5472 DONATE YOUR CAR, Truck or Boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 800.337.9038.

MOTORCYCLES ‘02 YAMAHA V-STAR 650

Vance & Hines Pipes, Windsheild, New Tires, 13K Miles, Mechanic Owned & Fully Serviced. $3,200.

For more information call 828.246.0480

EMPLOYMENT AIRLINE CAREERS BEGIN HERE Get FAA Approved Maintenance Training Financial Aid For Qualified Students - Housing Available Job Placement Assistance. Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 WWW.FIXJETS.COM. SAPA

R

ARE YOU A COMPASSIONATE Certified nurse assistant looking for part-time hours? BAYADA Home Health Care is currently hiring certified nursing assistants to give reliable and compassionate care to our clients. We have an immediate need for part time CNA's call 828.452.0010 today.

DRIVERS: Are you tough enough to wear Wylie? Regional Drivers Wanted!

Home Weekly! $2,000 Sign-On Bonus! Great Pay & Benefits!

888.336.6820 www.Drive4EWWylie.com

AT BAYADA HOME HEALTH CARE, Our employees are our greatest asset! Come see why we treat our home health aides as the home care heroes they are! To join our team of compassionate caregivers, call 828.452.0010 today.

ATTN: DRIVERS Home Run! Avg $1000 Weekly Recent Grads Welcome CDL-A Req 1.866.287.5153, ad-drivers.com SAPA ATTN: DRIVERS $1000+ Per Week. Exp Pays - up to 50 cpm Free Onsite Doc + Quality Hometime. CDL-A Required. Call 877.258.8782 or go to: www.ad-drivers.com MAST GENERAL STORE Waynesville - Part-time positions available in outdoor/shoe dept.

Positive attitude, passion for exceptional customer service a must! Partial benefits; requires working most weekends.

E-mail application to: melanee@mastgeneralstore.com or apply in person at the store.

No phone calls please!

JOB VACANCY: AWAKE Part-time Case Manager/Victim Services Coordinator for 24-28 hrs. per week, year-round at the AWAKE Children’s Advocacy Center. This is grant-funded and is subject to availability of funds in the future. Qualifications: BS or BA degree in a Human Services field plus 2 years experience in a children’s service field, preferably with child abuse and/or victim advocacy or case management. Applicants must have valid NCDL and a vehicle available for transportation. Job responsibilities include a variety of advocacy services and interventions for child abuse victims and their non-offending family members or caretakers. Applicants must be able to relate positively with AWAKE staff, the Board of Directors, service providers, volunteers and other community members, and provide positive support and advocacy for AWAKE clients. Basic computer skills and good oral and written skills required. Background and reference checks will be conducted on the top applicant. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. Please mail them to AWAKE, Inc. PO Box 755, Sylva, NC 28779. No phone calls or drop-ins please.

MAD BATTER Now located in Downtown Sylva, is looking for friendly faces. Lunch & Dinner servers, line cooks, bartenders & dishwashers. Pick up & drop off application outside of our new location 617 W. Main St., Sylva, N.C. MILAN EXPRESS OTR CDL Class A DRIVERS. Home Weekly, Annual Increases & Bonuses. No Hazmat. Vacation/Paid Holidays. Great Benefits. Visit us at: www.drivemilan.com or give us a call 800.552.2591 x3133 or 3187.

ETTA IS SWEET, QUIET GIRL WHO LOOKS LIKE A MAINE COON MIX. SHE IS CURIOUS AND PLAYFUL BUT ALSO A LITTLE SHY. SHE WOULD BE HAPPIEST IN A HOME WHERE SHE CAN GET LOTS OF 1-ON-1 ATTENTION.

NEEDED IMMEDIATELY: FT worker in Waynesville, for adult female with a TBI diagnosis. The shifts are 12 hr; 3 days/week. Full lifts & transfers are requirements.

You will be trained in all aspects of Personal Care (g-tube feedings, changing, bathing, dressing, etc.).

Employment requirements: HS diploma, telephone, SS card, NCDL, car insurance, TB skin test, direct deposit. All trainings are provided.

Call our office to discuss details: 828.232.0091.

OPEN DECK High Mileage Expedited Fleet.

Clean, predictable freight. Heavy Haul and Specialized also available. Company Trailers AT NO COST. Details at www.dailyrecruiting.com or 1.800.669.6414 OWNER OPERATORS Average $3k/week! Be out up to 14 days, enjoy GUARANTEED home time! Weekly settlements. Pay loaded/unloaded. Class-A CDL & 1yr driving experience. Fleet Owners Welcome. Operate under your own authority or ours! Call Matt 877.398.0657.

DriveforCardinal.com REGIONAL CDL-A DRIVERS Great Career w/weekly hometime!

888.362.8608. For paid training, apply online at AverittCareers.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

Females, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Ann knows real estate!

Ann Eavenson CRS, GRI, E-PRO

ann@mainstreetrealty.net

506-0542 CELL 231-30

101 South Main St. Waynesville

MainStreet Realty

mainstreetrealty.net

Jerry Smith 828-734-8765

jsmith@beverly-hanks.com

MAPLE TREE VETERINARY Hospital is looking for an experienced Technician. Please email resume and references to: kbirthright@mapletreevet.com TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED Up to $7,500.00 Sign-On Bonus!

Top 100 Companies! Great Pay, Home Time and Benefits! Choose the Best Job! Apply at: www.TruckDriverJobOffers.com SAPA

(828) 452-2227

74 N. Main St. • Waynesville

222-40

(828) 452-5809

www.Beverly-Hanks.com Cleaner, Clearer and Healthier water at every tap in your home

FINANCIAL BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

SAPA SIGNATURE FINANCIAL Pays Cash for Owner Financed (private) Mortgage Notes on Residential and Commercial Properties.

Convert Your Monthly Payment in to CASH NOW! Call Today!

1.727.232.2442 - Florida All Others 1.855.844.8771 SAPA

An EcoWater Water System can remove

Lease to Own

Bad Taste & Odors Iron/Rust Sediment/ Silt Bacterias Harmful Chlorine Balance pH

FURNITURE HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240 FURNITURE: Oak Bedroom Set; Oak Dining Table/1 Leaf/ 4 Armchairs; Sofa; Oak Wine Cabinet; Armoire, Hope Chest; File Cabinet ect.; Mountain/Lodge Decor. For more info 828.631.2675

smokymountainnews.com

SHEILA AN AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG MIX, A COMPACT, ATHLETIC POOCH, AS FRIENDLY AS SHE IS CUTE! SHEILA IS VERY SMART AND HAS A LOT OF ENERGY, SO SHE NEEDS A HOME WHERE SHE WILL BE ENGAGED IN STIMULATING ACTIVITY AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING.

NEED MEDICAL OFFICE TRAINEES! Become a Medical Office Assistant at CTI! No Experienced Needed!

Online Training gets you job ready!

HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. Careertechnical.edu/nc.

1.888.512.7122

EMPLOYMENT NURSING CAREERS Begin Here - Get trained in months, not years. Small classes, no waiting list. Financial aid for qualified students. Apply now!

Centura College Norfolk 888.893.3477

March 12-18, 2014

WORKING AS A CERTIFIED Nursing assistant for BAYADA means being treated with the respect and recognition you deserve. Employee recognition awards, training, scholarships, competitive pay, and benefits are available for all employees. We have an immediate need for full time CNA's call 828.452.0010 today.

HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS HOSPITAL Positions now available: Patient Account Representative, Foundation Office & Database Assistant, C.N.A.’s, C.N.A./Unit Clerk, Inpatient Coder, and Medical Records Manager.

Benefits available the first of the month following 60 days of full-time employment. PreEmployment screening required.

Call Human Resources.

828.526.1376, or apply online at: www.highlandscashiershospital. org

EMPLOYMENT

WNC MarketPlace

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE For Carolina Public Press (parttime). The Development Assistant will implement fundraising strategies in support of Carolina Public Press, a non-profit online news service providing WNC with unbiased, in-depth and investigative reporting. Includes leading and assisting with donor-development programs and corporate, small business and organizational sponsorship programs.

Details at: carolinapublicpress.org/careeropportunities

EMPLOYMENT

231-31

EMPLOYMENT

828.452.3995 | americanwatercareinc.com

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

35

WNC MarketPlace

FURNITURE

LAWN AND GARDEN

COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com

SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB. Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

Anti-Slip Floors. American Made.

Installation Included. Call 800.807.7219 for $750 Off.

LAWN & GARDEN

HEAVY EQUIPMENT

LANDSCAPING TREES & SHRUBS For Sale. Including: Maple, Norway & White Spruce, Kousa Dogwood, Boxwood & Arborvitae. Farm Grown Near Franklin. Good Supply & Reasonable Prices. Call Doyle Chambers for more info 828.884.4584.

SAWMILLS From Only $4897.00 - Make & Save Money with your own bandmill. Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com.

Phone:1.800.578.1363, Ext. 300N.

PETS HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962 Equal Housing Opportunity

Prevent Unwanted Litters!

The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10.

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 12 Noon - 6 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT 20 ACRES Only $119/month, $0 Down, Owner Financing, No Credit Checks! Near El Paso, Texas. Beautiful Mountain Views! Money Back Guarantee.

1.866.882.5263 Extension 81. www.SunsetRanches.net SAPA REAL ESTATE AUCTION Dates: 3/8, 3/11, 3/15, 3/18, 3/20.

36 properties- duplexes, houses, building/lot, 30-unit apartment complex. Archdale & High Point, NC. www.hughesauction.com Richie Hughes Auction & Real Estate.

336.847.7472.

NCAL6206/NCRBN202693.

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT MOUTAINS OF NCCharming & affordable 1328sf new log cabin on 1.39 pvt wooded acres. $135,900 hdwd floors, stone fpl, spacious deck, level driveway.

828.286.1666. Call Us Now, Won't Last Long!

HOMES FOR SALE BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor shamrock13@charter.net McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

APT. FOR RENT UNFURNISHED CLEAN UNFURNISHED APRTMNT. For rent in Hazelwood area of Waynesville. 2/BR, 1/BA, refrigerator, stove, washer/dryer, carpet, good views. $650 per moth, security deposit required.

No pets. Move In Ready By April.

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828.

231-29

Great Smokies Storage

www.smokymountainnews.com

March 12-18, 2014

10’x20’

36

92

$

20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

Puzzles can be found on page 38.

These are only the answers.

231-48

COMM. PROP. FOR RENT

COMM. PROP. FOR SALE IN FRANKLIN, NORTH CAROLINA Convenient Location. Two Buildings, Approx. 5,000 sq. ft. of Storage and Offices. 17 Roll-up Doors. A Four Room Office with Bathroom; A Two Room Office with Bathroom Plus Shower; One Large Office with Bathroom.

Ideal for Small Businesses (Plumbing, Electrical, AC/Heat, Salesroom, Etc.) Owners Motivated. 828.342.3170.

LOTS FOR SALE 2.819 ACRE TRACT Building Lot in great location.

Build your 2nd home log cabin here. Large 2-story building near HCC, was a Work Shop.

Reduced - Reduced $64,750 Call 828.627.2342.

GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23

by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x10â&#x20AC;&#x2122; units for $55, 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x20â&#x20AC;&#x2122; units for $160.

Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more info.

MEDICAL

Mieko Thomson

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

Thomson ROKER/R /REALTOR EALTORÂŽÂŽ BBROKER

Cell (828) 226-2298 Cell

mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com www.ncsmokies.com www.ncsmokies.com

2177 Russ Avenue Waynesville NC 28786

SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB. Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

Anti-Slip Floors. American Made.

Installation Included. Call 800.807.7219 for $750 Off.

Beverly Hanks & Associates â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beverly-hanks.com â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

VIAGRA 100mg & CIALIS 20mg!

40 Pills + 4 FREE for only $99. #1 Male Enhancement, Discreet Shipping. Save $500! Buy The Blue Pill! Now 1.800.491.8751 SAPA

ERA Sunburst Realty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; sunburstrealty.com Haywood Properties â&#x20AC;&#x201D; haywoodproperties.com

FOR SALE

â&#x20AC;˘ Steve Cox â&#x20AC;&#x201D; info@haywoodproperties.com

FOR SALE John Deere X300 Riding Mower.

Recommended up to 3.5 acres, 17 Horsepower, Fuel SystemGasoline 3.5 Gallon, Hydrostatic Transmission, 42â&#x20AC;? Mowing Deck.

Price $1,500. For more info call 828.452.2811 WRAP UP YOUR Holiday Shopping with 100 percent guaranteed, delivered-to-the-door Omaha Steaks! Save 67 Percent Plus 4 Free Burgers - Many Gourmet Favorites ONLY $49.99.ORDER Today 1.800.715.2010 Use code â&#x20AC;&#x153;4937 CFWâ&#x20AC;? or visit us at: www.OmahaSteaks.com/holiday33 SAPA

Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com â&#x20AC;˘ Rob Roland â&#x20AC;&#x201D; robrolandrealty.com â&#x20AC;˘ Ron Kwiatkowski â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ronk.kwrealty.com

Your Local Big Green Egg Dealer

Mountain Home Properties â&#x20AC;&#x201D; mountaindream.com â&#x20AC;˘ Sammie Powell â&#x20AC;&#x201D; smokiesproperty.com BEST PRICE EVERYDAY

10-5 M-SAT. 12-4 SUN.

Main Street Realty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; mainstreetrealty.net McGovern Real Estate & Property Management â&#x20AC;˘ Bruce McGovern â&#x20AC;&#x201D; shamrock13.com

231-44

ON DELLWOOD RD. (HWY. 19) AT 20 SWANGER LANE WAYNESVILLE/MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.8778

WANTED TO BUY CASH FOR Unexpired Diabetic Test Strips!

Free Shipping, Friendly Service, BEST prices and 24 hour payment!

Call Mandy at 1.855.578.7477, or visit www.TestStripSearch.com Espanol 1.888.440.4001 SAPA

7DNH 9LUWXDO 7RXU WR DSSUHFLDWH

Preferred Properties â&#x20AC;˘ George Escaravage â&#x20AC;&#x201D; gke333@gmail.com

Prudential Lifestyle Realty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; vistasofwestfield.com Realty World Heritage Realty realtyworldheritage.com â&#x20AC;˘ Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766/

â&#x20AC;˘ Thomas & Christine Mallette realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7767/

VKDPURFN FRP

PERSONAL ARE YOU PREGNANT? A childless married couple seeks to adopt. Will be Hands-On Mom/ Devoted Dad. Financial security.

Expenses PAID. Call/TEXT Jessica & Adam. 1.800.790.5260. (FL Bar #0150789) SAPA

Michelle McElroy â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither â&#x20AC;&#x201D; esither@beverly-hanks.com Jerry Smith â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beverly-hanks.com Billie Green â&#x20AC;&#x201D; bgreen@beverly-hanks.com Pam Braun â&#x20AC;&#x201D; pambraun@beverly-hanks.com

%HDXWLIXOO\ 5HPRGHOHG +RPH LQ &DQWRQ 6T )W %' %$ %UXFH 0F*RYHUQ &HOO &DU *DUDJH /LFHQVHG 5HDO (VWDWH %URNHU 0/6 $FUH VKDPURFN FRP

231-56

Full Service Property Management 828-456-6111 www.selecthomeswnc.com Residential and Commercial Long-Term Rentals

RE/MAX â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Mountain Realty â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Brian K. Noland â&#x20AC;&#x201D; brianknoland.com Connie Dennis â&#x20AC;&#x201D; remax-maggievalleync.com Mark Stevens â&#x20AC;&#x201D; remax-waynesvillenc.com Mieko Thomson â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ncsmokies.com The Morris Team â&#x20AC;&#x201D; maggievalleyproperty.com The Real Team â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the-real-team.com Ron Breese â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ronbreese.com Dan Womack â&#x20AC;&#x201D; womackdan@aol.com Catherine Proben â&#x20AC;&#x201D; cp@catherineproben.com

smokymountainnews.com

CANADA DRUG CENTER Is your choice for safe and affordable medications. Our licensed Canadian mail order pharmacy will provide you with savings of up to 90 percent on all your medication needs. Call Today 1.800.265.0768 for $25.00 off your first prescription and free shipping.

SAPA

MOUNTAIN REALTY

March 12-18, 2014

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT

PELVIC/TRANSVAGINAL MESH? Did you undergo transvaginal placement of mesh for pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence between 2005 and the present? If the mesh caused complications, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Charles H. Johnson Law and speak with female staff members. 1.800.535.5727.

WNC MarketPlace

COLONIAL SQUARE Premium Office Building, 2-Story, 1320 sq. ft. per Floor, Wired for Internet, Plenty of Parking. Reasonable Rates per Building or per Floor. For more info call Camp Wynn at 864.370.0737 or send email: campwynn@colonialgroup.com

MEDICAL

The Sellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agency â&#x20AC;&#x201D; listwithphil.com â&#x20AC;˘ Phil Ferguson â&#x20AC;&#x201D; philferguson@bellsouth.net 231-42

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 37

Super

CROSSWORD

Smoky Mountain News

March 12-18, 2014

FIRST LETTER BEFORE YOU

38

continual funding?

57 Cain, to Adam 69 Torridly hot DOWN 59 Twisted, as humor 70 DJ part 1 Bike “speed” 61 Suppositions ACROSS 71 BBQ fare 2 Large fair 62 Film director Van Sant 1 See a therapist, say 72 The girl 3 Unfreeze 64 Momentous period 8 Harvard’s city 74 Nickelodeon “explor- 4 “Ben- -” 65 Bismarck loc.

17 Sleeping site er” 5 Rescue squad VIP 66 TV’s Estrada 20 Grave robber, e.g.

75 Using base 8 6 Monkey’s kin 67 Analogous to 21 Outfitted and 78 Poem of 17 syllables 7 Factory-made home 68 Lies against equipped 80 Bohr’s study 8 Lynxes, e.g.

69 Rx overseer 22 Summer, to Henri 81 “- takers?”

9 Herr’s cry 73 Live coal 23 Activity of a ghost in a 82 Disguise 10 1988 buyer of Motown 75 Col. North flat?

83 Cite baseball player 11 Whiskey type 76 Pennies, say 25 Zenith competitor Rusty for speeding?

12 Get used up 77 Zesty flavor 26 Seating tier 85 McCain mate Sarah 13 Bitty lead-in 79 - part (role-play) 27 Sci-fi space vehicles 86 Newscaster Huntley 14 Soft & 80 At an angle 28 Crooner Orbison 87 Bern’s land, in French 15 - Xer 82 Dirty Harry’s last 29 Ham-and- - (average 88 Doting too much on a 16 With a side foremost name Joe) goatish god?

17 Actress Candice 83 At that time 31 Bigoted title journalist 94 More clever 18 “And so on and so 84 Figure (out) of film 95 Terrapins on”: Abbr.

85 Essence 33 He played Mowgli in 96 Becomes sickly pale 19 Scarcity 86 Dickens or Darwin “Jungle Book” 97 Drink to 24 E flat, e.g.

88 In storage 35 - -Packard 99 Nebraska’s largest 30 Bonding stuff 89 Abrasive stone stuff 37 Didn’t just talk city 31 Hellenic B’s 90 Keynote speaker, e.g.

40 Develop a potbelly 100 Always, to a son32 Kitchen lure 91 Bird calls faster than? neteer 33 Discovered black gold 92 Jazz’s state 43 Somewhat 101 “Now, where -?”

34 Very little 93 Snooping (around) 45 - -Apple (Ocean Spray 102 Syllable tripled on a 35 Put a spell on 98 One seeing the flavor) dance floor 36 Olympics swords sights?

46 Daisy variety 105 Quipping sort 37 Songwriters’ org.

100 Glamour or Vogue 47 Rivaling actress 106 Oz creator’s cry 38 Task after printing out rival Adams in intelligibility? when he first realized sheets 101 Cautious (of) 50 Sets loose what family he was born 39 Traitor’s act 102 Metropolis in 51 “Big Blue” co. into?

41 Exotic berry in juices Colombia 54 Word of woe 113 Prefix with system 42 It gets tooted 103 Island dance 55 Honda model 114 Hester Prynne of 44 Prima - evidence 104 “So right!”

56 Varieties “The Scarlet Letter,” e.g. 48 “Yes, yes, Pedro!”

107 Lemon or lime drink 57 Take a pic of 115 “Laredo” co-star 49 League VIPs 108 Jean- - Picard 58 - -12 Conference Brand 50 Ten halved 109 Mystifying Mr. Geller 59 Filmy strand 116 Germany’s - Spiegel 51 Rapturous 110 Swift plane 60 Capital of Ukraine 117 Requirement 52 Cabana, e.g.

111 NYC’s Park, for one 62 “Pride - before ...”

118 Keats’ “Ode on a 53 Speed limit abbr.

112 Big name in ball63 Why NASA requires Urn” 56 Square head scarfs points

answers on page 36

PERSONAL WHITE MALE, NON-DRINKER, Looking for a live-in girlfriend for companionship & light housework. Any age, kids okay. 2/BR in a nice neighborhood. For more info call Donnie at 706.335.6496 or write to PO Box 411, ILA, GA 30647.

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Answers on Page 36

Back then WITH

G EORGE E LLISON

A bear hunter for the ages

J

John Baker (Little John) Cable Jr.

Did you ever see the devil, With his pitchfork and ladle, And his old iron shovel, And his old gourd head?

O, I will go to meetin’, And I will go to meetin’, Yes, I will go to meetin’, In an old tin pan.

Other songs followed, with utter irrelevance — mere snatches from “ballets” composed, mainly, by the mountaineers themselves, though some dated back to a longforgotten age when the British ancestors of these Carolina woodsmen were battling with

lance and long-bow.

La-a-ay down, boys, Le’s take a nap: Thar’s goin’ to be trouble In the Cumberland Gap — Following an uneventful day, they head back to the cabin, dog-tired and quiet until Little John gets in the talking mood again: “That pup Coaly chased off atter a wildcat. We held the old dogs together and let him rip. Then Dred started a deer. It was that old buck that everybody’s shot at, and missed, this three year back. I’d believe he’s a hant if ’t wasn’t for his tracks — they’re the biggest I ever seen. He must weigh two hunderd and fifty. But he’s a foxy cuss. Tuk right down the bed o’ Desolation, up the left prong of Roaring Fork, right through the Devil’s Race-path (how a deer can git through thar I don’t see!), crossed at the Meadow Gap, went down Eagle Creek, and by now he’s in the Little Tennessee. That buck, shorely to God, has wings!”

George Ellison wrote the biographical introductions for the reissues of two Appalachian classics: Horace Kephart’s Our Southern Highlanders and James Mooney’s History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees.

In June 2005, a selection of his Back Then columns was published by The History Press in Charleston as Mountain Passages: Natural and Cultural History of Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains. Readers can contact him at P.O. Box 1262, Bryson City, N.C., 28713, or at info@georgeellison.com.

March 12-18, 2014

Artfully uniting extraordinary homes with extraordinary lives.

Old Reelfoot, killing the bear and Coaly, who had jumped unseen up on a log behind the beast.

That’s enough by way of introduction.

It’s early winter of 1906. Little John Cable is sitting with his companions in the old herder’s cabin on the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee, waiting for the next day’s hunt. They’re all excited. Then Kephart riles up Little John by asking if any of his dogs “have got the Plott strain.”

Kephart has heard that “Plott hounds are the best bear dogs in the country.” Little John is not amused. “’Tain’t so,” snorted John. “The Plott curs are the best: that is, half hound, half cur — though what we-uns calls the cur, in this case, raelly comes from a big furrin dog that I don’t rightly know the breed of. Fellers, you can talk as you please about a streak o’ the cur spilin’ a dog; but I know hit ain’t so — not for bear fightin’ in these mountains, whar you cain’t foller up on hossback, but hafter do your own runnin’.”

“What is the reason, John?”

“Waal, hit’s like this: a plumb cur, of course, cain’t foller a cold track — he just runs by sight; and he won’t hang — he quits. But, t’other way, no hound ’ll raelly fight a bear — hit takes a big severe dog to

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Smoky Mountain News

ohn Baker (Little John) Cable Jr. is one of the prominent figures in Horace Kephart’s Our Southern Highlanders (1913; revised and expanded in 1922). He steals the show in Chapter 4 (“A Bear Hunt in the Smokies”), which most everybody — including those who don’t care much for other parts of the book — agrees is a fine piece of writing.

As a side note, it’s not improbable to suppose that Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner read that chapter pretty closely himself in preparation for the writing of his novella The Bear, which was published as “Lion” in Harper’s Magazine (December 1935) and as “The Bear” in the Saturday Evening Post (May 1942) before appearing as part of the novelistic collection titled Go Down, Moses (1942).

In Faulkner’s version, there is a semimythic bear named “Old Ben,” whose foot had been mangled in a trap, and a mighty hunting dog,“Lion,” of mixed heritage. In Kephart’s version, there is a semi-mythic bear named “Old Reelfoot,” who twisted his hind paws when walking, and a noble hunting dog, “Coaly,” of mixed heritage. In both instances, bear and dog die as the result of fights involving humans. Those familiar with Faulkner’s novella will pick up on some of the reverberations in Little John’s rambling discourses below.

Faulkner scholar Tom Mchaney advises me that while there are no copies of Our Southern Highlanders in Faulkner’s personal library, there are multiple copies of the first edition in the library of the University of Mississippi in Oxford, “which Faulkner frequented.”

According to Duane Oliver, author of Hazel Creek From Then Till Now (1989) and himself a native of Hazel Creek, Little John and Dock Jones were “the two best-known hunters” on the watershed “near the turn of the century.” That’s saying something, when the region boasted hunters such as Granville Calhoun, Bill Cope, and Matt Hyde, all of whom were on the bear hunt with Kephart; or rather, he was with them.

Duane was also of the opinion that, “The best chapter in the book is Chapter 4 in which [Kephart] gives an excellent picture of what a bear hunt was like, showing that it was dangerous and exhausting for the hunters and the dogs, as well as clearly showing their bravery, intelligence, and sense of comradeship. From the chapter, one also gains a feeling of how wild and remote the top of the Smokies was at the time.”

Little John was born in 1856 on land his grandfather had purchased, and he lived there for 84 years on the home place. The land stayed in the family until they were

forced out by the Tennessee Valley Athority in the early 1940s to make way for the flooding of the Fontana Lake reservoir. He hunted with a muzzle-loading rifle of his own making. He also made the hunting knives they skinned animals with or fought bears with when need be.

And like many of the old-time hunters he could rare back and talk up a blue streak when he was in the right mood. One of his saddest moments was when the bullet from a powerful 30-30 carbine passed through

do that. Hounds has the best noses, and they’ll run a bear all day and night, and the next day, too; but they won’t never tree — they’re afeared to close in. Now, look at them dogs o’ mine. A cur ain’t got no dewclaws — them dogs has. My dogs can foller ary trail, same’s a hound; but they’ll run right in on the varmint, snappin’ and chawin’ and worryin’ him till he gits so mad you can hear his tushes pop half a mile. He cain’t run away — he haster stop every bit, and fight. Finally he gits so tired and het up that he trees to rest hisself. Then we-uns ketches up and finishes him.”

“But somebody, thinking that dog-talk had gone far enough, produced a bottle of soothing-syrup … Then we discovered that there was musical talent, of a sort, in Little John. He cut a pigeon-wing, twirled around with an imaginary banjo, and sang in a quaint minor:

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