Mountain Xpress 03.29.23

CULTIVATING A HEMP ECONOMY

Similar to the craft beer industry, local hemp growers and sellers are finding some success by formulating their own products, creating a strong brand and selling directly to consumers. Could the versatility of hemp eventually translate into a greater economic impact for the region? Xpress examined the path of the plant thus far and its prospects for future growth in WNC.

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Asheville needs organized solutions for homeless situation

I am quite familiar with the journalists’ reports that researched, interviewed and collaborated on the downtown crime, homelessness, etc. [See avl.mx/chu, avl.mx/chw and avl.mx/cht.]

They are completely accurate that this phenomenon is not just downtown and not only in Asheville. Living on Burton Street in a fantastic community near the Peace Garden in West Asheville, our corner is a major thoroughfare for car and homeless traffic. I believe — having retired from health care and social services — that there are many complex problems for many of these wayward, saddened and despondent humans.

In addition, there is a real “business” in panhandling in our city. The regular folk who stand at these spots with their cardboard signs negotiate with one another for “their” times on those corners. This is serious business for them, almost like punching a time clock.

So, my thought is that they have a sad life — yes — yet very effective customer base any given day, based upon the attention they give to the Interstate 240 ramp and Haywood Road plus the stoplight at Patton and Florida avenues into the historic Burton Street community in West Asheville. Everyone must be giving help in some form out of their car windows. Money? Food? Drugs? Clothes? I have seen it all.

Many times walking down Burton in front of our home, serious mental illness is observed — torn clothing, nudity, talking and screaming to themselves and twice lighting fires on the sidewalks in our residential area. What can you possibly say to this? The panhandlers have plenty of customers, and the seriously mentally ill are in crisis — more then I have ever seen in my 38 years in social work.

Also —an observation only — in the articles I have read over the last couple of years, the homeless agencies (and there are a lot of them ) rarely ever mention a community mental health system. This is a federal and often state mandate. I am not clear where Asheville/Buncombe County’s mental health system weighs in on this subject — my ignorance. Yet as a reader, there is rarely a mention of the community mental health leaders. I also didn’t notice if they were interviewed or attended the last big business meeting.

Surely, they are at least being invited to meetings. The police cannot, nor can the emergency medical services system, take care of these truly sad and harmed street people. It is my understanding from a neighbor

EMT that they take them to Mission Hospital to be triaged. Really? Many communities have crisis stabilization units, specifically licensed to treat. Often in other states, these are located and managed by the community mental health system.

And lastly, it is blatantly obvious to me that there are many homeless advocates and agencies in such a small city, yet rarely do I read about collaboration and true problem-solving for the social issues among these agencies. This is hard for me to believe, yet the first recommendation from the most recent homeless study done for the city/county was the lack of collaboration [“From Asheville Watchdog: National Consultant Offers ‘Road Map’ to End Homelessness in Asheville … Again,” Feb. 8, Xpress

website]. Are there differing agendas or a fractured approach to services that can sometimes only follow the grant requirements given to an agency?

Sorry to be long-winded, but I do think Asheville has a unique situation — a need for centralized, organized solutions to help these folks.

— Vikki Dibble Asheville

Asheville’s issues stem from poor leadership

It is with great interest, as a recent Asheville transplant, that I read the Asheville Watchdog article published in Mountain Xpress, “More Vagrants, Fewer Cops: Merchants Describe Downtown Asheville’s Descent Into Squalor and Lawlessness” and “Just Say No to Spending Millions on McCormick Field” letter to editor [both March 8, Xpress]. Right on!

“Fewer cops” lines up directly with my observations of the vagrant/ homeless problems in Asheville. Very soon after I moved here, I learned to avoid downtown. A total lack of reasonable parking (thanks to an apparent objective of privatizing every conceivable parking opportunity in town) and the preponderance of vagrants with their attending, negative effects. Such a sad testament for a “tourist destination.” And then there’s the omnipresent Gen Z slackers/beggars on virtually every median and major street corner in suburbia.

But I’m not sure this can be attributed to fewer cops, just ineffective distribution of cops. I’ve never seen a street cop downtown, just patrol cops in vehicles cruising around and wasting gas. No presence on the street, no interaction with the people (good or bad) and certainly no obligation or interest in confronting the vagrants/homeless folks that

Voting Begins April

CARTOON BY RANDY MOLTON

are the subject of this article. Zero enforcement of vagrancy regulations. Because, after all, “Asheville’s progressive.” And that’s why the gravity of the problem persists.

Secondly, but related, is Jerry Hinz’s assessment of the ineffectiveness of local governance (City Council and city manager). Let’s examine the composition of our recently reelected, “progressive” City Council. Ushered in by a measly 56% of registered voters of Asheville (another problem). For what it’s worth, they certainly don’t lack political correctness: One hundred percent female, 43% African American (representing 11% of Asheville’s populace according to the 2020 census). Not a sexist or racist point, mind you, a statistical fact.

I encourage everyone (as I did shortly after moving here) to actually attend a City Council meeting and judge the caliber and effectiveness of this crew. In the meeting I attended, they spent over an hour passing a resolution to rename a city park. Then they hastily proceeded to support a $40 million “affordable housing” bond issue — with virtually no critical debate. Is it any wonder that this same council is supporting the proposed baseball stadium scam?

In my view, the overly tolerant approach to vagrancy and lack of concern relative to soaring bond issues, financed by property taxes,

in Asheville can be traced to poor leadership. We don’t need more cops, just better managed/distributed cops. And the taxpayers damn sure don’t need to spend $56 million to support minor league baseball. Follow the money!

— Harry Williamson Asheville

It’s time to raise teachers’ pay

[Regarding “In Photos: ‘Our Kids Can’t Wait’” March 21, Xpress website, and “Compared to 8 Other Districts, Pay-to-cost-of-living Gap Highest in Asheville,” March 22, Xpress:]

Raise teacher pay! It is embarrassing how low teacher pay is in North Carolina and especially Asheville with the higher cost of living.

— Mary Johnson Asheville

Thanks for wonderful Kids Issues

The time travel articles and drawings by area youths in the two Kids Issues have been amazing [March 8 and 15, Xpress].

Their writings — both prose and poetry — and drawings show great talent. Their visions of the past and

future show wonderful imagination. Their concern for correcting past human mistakes and finding a better way forward are truly inspiring.

Reading these two issues gives me hope for our future. Thank you to all the youths who submitted their work and to the Xpress staff for sharing it.

— Shealy Thompson Asheville

A poor choice for Kids Issue

Is it really necessary to advertise adult toys in a children’s issue [Kids Issue, March 15, Xpress]? (See page 53, ad for Boutique Royale in the summer camps issue.)

What happened to common sense? Have you none?

— Sally Henderson Asheville

Editor’s response: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We intentionally placed the advertisement outside of the children’s content. Though Xpress is a free weekly, it is not free to produce. Over 90% of our revenue comes from businesses that believe in and support our mission. Among the many special issues we publish each year, our annual Kids Issues would not be possible without this generous support.

Probably no need to worry about toxic gas release

Every community would be fortunate to have a public citizen like Cecil Bothwell, primed to enter the fray with timely concerns. But a little more fact-finding is in order in the matter of Silver-Line Plastics’ (no relation) manufacture of polyvinyl chloride plastic pipe [“Ohio Derailment Raises Local Concern,” March 15, Xpress].

PVC is a solid made from vinyl chloride monomer, a gas, which was released in the catastrophic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Yes, VCM gas is an established human carcinogen and, when burned, can form dioxins, also highly toxic substances.

However, small manufacturers of plastics typically start from solid PVC in the form of pellets or powder that they reshape in extrusion machines into commercial products. The solid PVC may arrive in “hopper” cars, recognizable by udderlike chutes along the bottom of the tanker from which the load can be delivered using pneumatics. By contrast, VCM gas is

CARTOON BY BRENT BROWN

The Easter Bunny brouhaha

With Easter just around the corner, I was reminded of another Easter celebration not so many years ago that still makes me laugh.

During the Easter and St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Asheville in 1986, there was a big ruckus about the Easter Bunny. Carolina Costume Co. had numerous characters lined up in the parade when a police officer came up to the Easter Bunny and said it was illegal to wear a mask in public.

At first, I thought it was a joke, but nope, he was serious. My warrioress skills came into play when I was told mask wearing was a subversive activity. I gathered my crew to create a campaign to welcome the Easter Bunny to Asheville.

We started with a spontaneous photo shoot of Keystone Kops handcuffing the Bunny. The Easter Bunny, wearing giant red sunglasses over his mask, showed up around town pretending to hide. The large sign we installed on Broadway said, “Easter Bunny Wants to Hide Eggs, Not His Face.” The Bunny peeked out behind the sign while cars drove by as people slowed down to gander at the shenanigans.

We sent an invitation to the mayor to welcome the Easter Bunny to town. When it received no response, I planned a demonstration in front of City Hall and notified the media. Young Transportation donated an air-conditioned bus to the cause, and we utilized every seat. Numerous friends, along with my crew, costumed up and boarded the buses. When we arrived downtown, there were crowds, media, cameras and police already gathered.

Signs featuring our slogan waved outside the city building. Cameras flashed and videos rolled as we disembarked from the buses. The Easter Bunny in sunglasses wearing a ball and chain was the last to appear. As he peeked out of the bus, cheers from my crew and the crowd beckoned him to come out. The crowd chanted, “Free the Easter Bunny! Free the Easter Bunny!”

Was it sheer embarrassment that impelled the mayor to come out? Along with the police chief, he ended

BORN TO RUN: Asheville’s own Easter Bunny found himself a holiday outlaw back in 1986 when he and his friends were told by police that it was illegal to wear a mask in public.

up giving a brief but grand welcome statement to the media. The law, which was a leftover from an old Ku Klux Klan concern, now contains an exemption for people wearing traditional holiday costumes in season. The issue was dropped, and Asheville’s masked holiday characters were free.

— Valerie Naiman

Asheville

Valerie Naiman opened Asheville’s Carolina Costume Co. in 1980 and a sister business, Acts for Hire, that provided fun character balloon deliveries around town. She’s now an author, and you can catch up with her at valerienaiman.com.

Sustainability Series The Every Week in April!

transported in a chemical tanker car; the caplike ends are slightly convex.

When it comes to comparative toxicity, think of a molecular necklace. As loose beads, the molecules of VCM gas are a serious toxic hazard. But, after polymerization, the solid PVC, in the form of a large necklace, is relatively inert. Residual, unreacted VCM in solid PVC pellets and powders does exist, but at trace levels that are vastly lower than those encountered at East Palestine.

If anyone is actually exposed to unreacted VCM in PVC, it could be employees who have regular contact, say, in the headspace of an unventilated storage area. I hasten to add that suppliers of PVC have been aware of the problem for at least 40 years. There is a competitive advantage to keeping residues of the notorious VCM to a minimum.

The U.S. Department of Transportation placard number for VCM gas is 1086. Shipments of PVC solid pellets do not require a DOT number. I’d be extremely surprised if any 1086 is being delivered locally. Creating solid PVC from VCM gas on-site requires large chemical reactors and specialized facilities. We’d know it and have smelled it a long time ago if VCM gas were being polymerized into PVC anywhere near Asheville.

I first visited Asheville in the summer of 1985 as a representative of the National Toxics Campaign rallying for the Super Drive for Superfund. Our 1986 amendments created the Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxics Release Inventory, today available online to any citizen. I find no evidence of routine VCM emissions at any industrial facilities in Buncombe County.

Yet technical specialists seldom have all the answers. So kudos in advance to any citizen watchdogs, perhaps informed by the details above, who uncover quality evidence to the contrary.

Until then, let’s remember that our blue collar friends and neighbors in the region’s manufacturing sector currently have a lot to worry about. And emergency responders always have a lot to worry about. Bulk quantities of vinyl chloride gas a few miles from downtown Asheville probably isn’t one of them.

— Ken Silver Asheville

Editor’s note: Ken Silver notes that he recently retired from a tenured position on the Environmental Health Sciences faculty of East Tennessee State University’s College of Public Health. He holds several professional certifications, including certified hazardous materials manager and certi-

fied industrial hygienist. He reports no industry conflicts of interest.

With latest mask study, a hope for respect

Sloganeering like “trust the science” has yielded once again — at least in the words of one New York Times columnist — to the tenets of the scientific method, where science is a process of discovery, not a foregone conclusion. The paper announced in an op-ed on Feb. 22, titled “‘Do Something’ Is Not Science,” that the latest Cochrane study out of England about masks seems conclusive: Masks did not make any difference. States that mandated masks had similar outcomes as states that did not. Also, results from randomized control trials in multiple countries showed the same. From his consideration of the evidence, Bret Stephens states that “mask mandates were a fool’s errand from the start.”

Since the Times sang a different song just a few long days ago, I am assuming that they understand the irony of this announcement. Or, perhaps their columnist is just gaslighting his nonmasking readers because he did not apologize. I can’t know his intentions, but, when science becomes a battering ram, the evidence of these past few years seems crystal clear. We are out of scientific territory and in the political realm when rights and dignities are severely trampled in Asheville, and in almost every nation on earth, from fool’s errands.

It turns out that advocates for unencumbered breath for themselves and their children did not want to kill grandma or anyone else, for that matter. All free breathers whom I knew looked at studies on masks which had been done for over 20 years and came to conclusions based on the scientific record. The lead Oxford researcher, Tom Jefferson, states unequivocally that the recent mask studies were “nonrandomized,” “flawed observational studies,” a fact which my friends and I deducted years ago from our research.

Will these past few years of heated debates over personal freedom become more respectful with hindsight after this latest news? I can only pray that it will be so. May all humans who choose to breathe fresh air and not be masked be welcomed anywhere in the public sphere and be treated with dignity in the future. The spirit of science belongs to inquiry, not to dogmatic certainties that prevent our being able to even smile one to another.

— Christiana Dillingham Leicester

VALERIE NAIMAN

Photo courtesy of Valerie Naiman

Cultivating a hemp economy

WNC growers, sellers plant seeds for what they hope is a flowering industry

BY DANIEL WALTON

dwalton@mountainx.com

“What’s great about hemp? There’s 25,000 different uses for it,” says Drew Kitt. He’s come prepared to prove the point: On a glass case at Two Moons CBD and Wellness, the Arden store he founded and co-owns with his wife, Jesse Kitt, he lays out sample after sample of products made using the plant.

There’s a set of shiny brown utensils made from hemp-based plastic. A bag of shelled hemp seeds invites curious eaters to try them as a yogurt or smoothie topping. A tuft of off-white, slightly scratchy hemp fibers sits ready to be woven into fabric for all manner of clothing. Kitt himself wears a hemp-based hat, shirt and sneakers; he connects growers across the globe with hemp seeds for fiber and grain in his other job as director of business development for the International Hemp Exchange.

When North Carolina legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp (defined as varieties of cannabis, the same plant as marijuana, that contain less than 0.3% by dry weight of the intoxicating chemical THC) in 2015, state officials had a similar range of uses in mind. Senate Bill 313 listed hemp products as “including, but not limited to, cloth, cordage, fiber, food, fuel, paint, paper, particleboard, plastics, seed, seed meal and seed oil for consumption.”

The state law didn’t name smokable hemp, tinctures, edible gummies or skin care salves. But once Kitt clears away the samples, those offerings are what dominate his store’s displays. Whether they feature nonpsychoactive

CBD or legal intoxicants such as delta8 THC, the products at Two Moons are all derived from one part of the plant — the flower — and used for wellness or recreation.

That specific segment of the market predominantly is Western North Carolina’s hemp industry, says Margaret Bloomquist. A research associate at NC State University’s Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, she’s been working with local farmers since the state’s first legal hemp was planted in 2017.

“High-quality floral hemp, primarily for cannabinoid extraction,” Bloomquist says, is where those farmers are focusing. A small collection of local processors and makers adds value to the raw product, and retailers like the Kitts provide distribution.

It’s a modest market. Although WNC-specific figures aren’t available, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the total realized value of floral hemp in North Carolina was about $15.5 million in 2021. For the purpose of scale, lodging revenues in Buncombe County alone for the same year exceeded $465 million.

Could the versatility of hemp eventually translate into a greater economic impact for the region? Xpress examined the path of the plant thus far and its prospects for future growth in WNC.

HIGHS AND LOWS

Fewer than 100 North Carolina farmers were licensed to raise hemp for the initial 2017 growing season, according to Marne Coit, a former professor of agricultural law at NC

State who now advises cannabis-sector businesses through Cary-based Coit Consulting LLC. Interest quickly grew, and by the end of 2019, about 1,500 growers had their licenses.

But as of mid-March this year, the number of active North Carolina hemp licenses listed by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service stood at just under 500. Coit says many farmers quit growing the crop after the initial excitement over hemp led to a glut of production far in excess of demand.

“For the first few years of the program here, I would say more than 96% of growers were growing for CBD. In the fall of 2019, there was a glut of hemp on the market, almost all of it grown for CBD. But it wasn’t just happening in North Carolina — it was happening across the country,” Coit explains. “Prices dropped, and we saw processors going out of business.”

WNC followed that trend, says Charles Zink, executive director for the Madison/Buncombe County office of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. In 2019, he recalls driving around rural areas and seeing open fields of hemp. By 2022, operations had scaled back to nine growers in Madison County and 25 in Buncombe, most of them small scale and growing in greenhouses or sheds.

The country produced so much hemp in 2019, says Kitt, that some processors are still using plant material and seed oil from that year in their products. He notes that a little hemp flower goes a long way: Gesturing around his well-stocked shop, he says everything in sight could be made from a plot of hemp about the size of the room itself, maybe 400 square feet.

“It’s less expensive just to go and buy [extracted CBD and other hemp-derived chemicals] than it is to farm,” Kitt says of the inputs for manufacturers. “It’s upside-down.”

CRAFT CANNABIS

Despite these economic headwinds, some local farmers continue to find success with floral hemp. Andrew Wheeler has grown the crop since 2019 at Arrowhead Hemp Farms, a 1-acre operation near Turkey Creek in Leicester. He says farming and marketing the farm’s products is his fulltime job.

As one of the region’s only USDAcertified organic hemp growers, Wheeler says, Arrowhead is able to

GROWING FOLKS: Andrew Wheeler of Arrowhead Hemp Farms stands with his son, River, among the plants at his Leicester operation. Growing a certified organic crop, he says, has helped his farm stay economically viable. Photo courtesy of Wheeler

command higher prices for its full-spectrum CBD oil and associated products. What he can’t sell through his own brand, he offers as raw material on an unbranded, “white-label” basis to other producers who want to brand their own lines as organic. That includes Asheville’s Small Axe Cannabis Co., which focuses on delta-8 products that Arrowhead doesn’t make.

Wheeler says he’s seen other local growers overinvest in hemp, then leave the market when price fluctuations started challenging their bottom line. He says a deliberate, sustainable strategy for growth, a premium-quality product and a passion for hemp’s potential to improve lives have helped Arrowhead stay the course.

“I would do this if there was no market. I really enjoy growing the plant. I really like the feedback from people,” Wheeler says. “It’s been super interesting how it’s opened up a different generation to cannabis that was kind of closed-minded to it before. A large part of our demographic is over 60.”

Kitt says Wheeler’s approach is emblematic of the WNC hemp market. Similar to the craft beer industry that’s also worked in the mountains, Kitt explains, successful local producers make their money by formulating their own products, creating a strong brand and capturing all that value through direct consumer sales.

Yet, there’s a limit to how much locals can succeed beyond their regional boundaries. Kitt pulls out two small vials of CBD oil from behind the counter of his shop. The first, crafted by an Asheville maker, costs $60 for 1,000 milligrams. The second, produced by Oregon-based Lazarus Naturals, costs $40 for 1,500 milligrams — less than half as much on a per-weight basis.

If the Asheville producer tried to expand outside its loyal customer base in WNC, Kitt continues, it would be outgunned by companies like Lazarus. “They grow at scale, they’re vertically integrated, they’re a recognized brand,” he explains. “It’d be like saying Burial [Beer Co.] can compete with Sierra Nevada.”

WEAVING A MARKET

Kitt argues that similar dynamics make it challenging for local producers to break into the more industrial side of the hemp economy. If WNC farmers with modest mountain plots wanted to grow hemp for grain or fiber, they’d be going up against established growers with hundreds of acres on the plains of Montana, the country’s leading hemp producer for both uses.

Bloomquist, the NC State researcher, sees things differently. From an agricultural perspective, she says, hemp is well suited to the region. And

while scientists are still working to breed industrial hemp varieties for the U.S., Chinese cultivars developed for fiber production at similar latitudes have been strong performers in WNC.

“It’s a valid point that we have small land holdings and can’t compete with huge flatland acreages,” acknowledges Bloomquist. “But we have awesome growers, and we really pride ourselves on niche markets, quality over quantity and creative marketing.”

NC State scientists are working to open up potentially lucrative niches, Bloomquist continues, by exploring different ways of processing hemp fiber. One project in collaboration with the university’s Department of Forest Biomaterials seeks to create a hemp-based alternative to the plastic row cover many farmers use for weed control.

To realize that value, however, local farmers need local processing facilities, and North Carolina is lagging on that front. Any current fiber processors in WNC, says Bloomquist, are “small scale and others that are interested in R&D.” The biggest hemp fiber processing plant announced for the state so far is being built by BIOPHIL Natural Fibers in Lumberton, a fourhour drive from Asheville.

“It’s a chicken-and-egg kind of thing,” explains Bloomquist. Companies don’t want to build expensive plants unless they know they’ll have raw materials to process, and farmers don’t want to grow an untested crop unless they know they’ll have a profitable market.

That includes Wheeler. He hasn’t considered growing hemp for fiber, given its uncertain return and the cost of shipping to far-off processors. “We would need localized processing, and then you probably could create a localized economy around it,” he says.

AWAITING MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Not everyone involved in WNC’s hemp economy entered the market with plans to keep growing or selling the crop long term.

“Most people that got into the hemp market early here — I would say upward of 90% — were just putting training wheels on their business in the thought that they were going to be able to add medical or recreational cannabis to their business models once it was legalized in North Carolina,” says Nicolette Baglio. She’s the owner of Asheville hemp-based wellness brand Citizen Bloom Botanics and has closely followed the development of hemp and marijuana legislation at the General Assembly.

North Carolina is now moving closer to legalized medical marijuana. Senate Bill 3, which would approve the plant as treatment for a limited number of

“debilitating medical conditions” such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, passed the chamber with bipartisan support March 1. The bill is currently sitting in a House committee and hasn’t been scheduled for another vote.

But Baglio believes that SB3 isn’t likely to give local hemp businesses the marijuana opportunities they’ve been waiting for. The bill would authorize only 10 companies to provide medical cannabis, and each would have to be vertically integrated, handling its entire supply chain from farm to dispensary. Baglio says those requirements, as well as the $50,000 license fee required of each provider, favor large corporations over WNC’s homegrown enterprises.

“Our bill is so restrictive that they are not going to be able to enter this new market at all,” Baglio says. “I think many of them may close because there’s no opportunity for them to grow into that market.”

Baglio also fears that the approval of medical marijuana could undermine the state’s current market for legal, hemp-derived intoxicants like delta-8 and THCA. Other states with medical cannabis programs, such as Arkansas and Florida, are considering legislation to severely limit or ban those chemicals, ostensibly on public health grounds.

For now, such laws don’t seem to be in development at the General Assembly. Sen. Julie Mayfield, a Buncombe County Democrat who has been involved in negotiations over the state’s medical marijuana bill, tells Xpress that her colleagues have shown “zero appetite” to discuss regulations on intoxicating hemp products.

HEMMED IN BY HEMP RULES

Asked what regulatory changes would most benefit the local hemp economy, Wheeler of Arrowhead Hemp Farms says he’d just like clarity from the federal government about what is and isn’t allowed. “These are all community, family businesses and farms,” he says. “We’re looking for long-term stability.”

Coit, the agricultural law expert, agrees that the complex legal landscape around hemp — as well as its fraught associations with cannabis — has hampered its economic growth. She points to federal licensing rules that require all hemp growers to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal background check, mandates that she says can discourage farmers from pursuing the crop.

“It says in the 2018 federal farm bill that hemp is to be treated like any other crop. There’s no other crop that I know of where you need to be fingerprinted in order to grow it,” Coit points out. She’s consulting for Agricultural Hemp Solutions, a

Portland, Ore.-based lobbying group that seeks to carve out an exemption from those rules for growers of grain or fiber hemp.

The strict limit on THC incidentally present in industrial hemp also can create a burden for farmers. Any crop that ends up with more than 0.3% of the chemical by weight (much lower than the 17%-28% found in commercially popular marijuana strains) must be destroyed. Coit says as much as 10% of North Carolina’s industrial hemp is lost due to this restriction, and some industry groups want to see the THC limit raised to 1%.

“We’ve burned big piles of stuff,” says Bloomquist with NC State. “And having to do it on a grower’s farm is really awful because it’s their livelihood, too.”

As growers, processors and legislators continue to hash out the future of hemp, Bloomquist remains optimistic about the plant. It’s adaptable to WNC’s changing climate, fits into crop rotation practices and grows, well, like a weed.

“Hemp and cannabis are amazing crops to grow,” she says. “I think we can have successful growers in a lot of different areas.”

3-month 5.05 6-month 5.15 1-year 5.0

In their shoes

Life on the streets of Asheville

BY SALLY KESTIN AN ASHEVILLE WATCHDOG REPORT

This is a condensed version of Asheville Watchdog’s “Down Town, Part 3: Life on the Streets of Asheville.” For the full version, visit avlwatchdog. org.

LaVyonne Evans is college educated, well spoken and now, in his seventh decade, unhoused.

“I’m 67 years old, and I’m homeless with a walker,” he said.

In the nearly two months since he was evicted from his rent-subsidized apartment in the River Arts District for nonpayment, Evans said he has slept on the streets, in the city bus station and in a U-Haul storage unit.

“There are a lot of challenges out here for people that aren’t on drugs or alcohol, that don’t choose to just break all the rules, that are seniors who have worked all their lives and find themselves in a bad situation,” Evans said. “I’m just making it from day to day.”

Evans is just one of the hundreds who make up Asheville’s unhoused — a mosaic that includes mothers, fathers, daughters, sons and grandparents; people with mental and physical impairments; and those with gripping drug addictions.

Asheville Watchdog interviewed more than a dozen people experiencing homelessness. Their paths to the streets are varied but often involved the loss of loved ones, abandonment by their families or a desire to escape difficult circumstances through drugs or alcohol.

They spoke candidly about their experiences on the streets and their struggles with drugs and mental illness because, they said, they want their community to know who they are.

Here are their stories:

‘LOOKING FOR A HAND UP’

Illinois and worked as a warehouse logistics manager.

“I have all kinds of mental challenges: PTSD, bipolar level two … abandonment issues, dyslexia, spectrum autism,” Evans said. “I’m no longer suicidal, thank God for that.”

Evans said he collects a “small pension and retirement.” He qualified for housing assistance and said he had been living in a rent-subsidized apartment for 13 years.

Last fall, he said, a neighbor in his building tried to stab him, and “the manager did nothing about it.” Evans said he withheld his rent payments on the advice of legal aid lawyers, and the property manager filed paperwork to evict him.

He went to court to challenge the eviction, Evans said, but “my meds weren’t working, and my hands were flailing around, and I looked like another person on drugs, so I got dismissed.”

Evans was evicted Jan. 17, court records show. He said he had no relatives to turn to. “I haven’t seen a family member since 1996.”

With nowhere to go, he said, “I was forced to live out on the streets.”

Evans said he stayed in a shelter for three days but left to seek help for a hernia at Mission Hospital.

“I went to the emergency room, and they discharged me, and I didn’t have any proof where I was, so I lost my bed,” he said. “I have to sit out for up to 30 days to come back.”

Evans said he slept at the central bus terminal on Coxe Avenue. “There’s an electric plug, and you can recharge your phone overnight. And it’s safe because there’s lights on. You don’t sleep. You sit in your chair with a blanket on. It’s a wind tunnel.”

Most recently, he said, he’s slept inside the U-Haul storage unit where he’s keeping the belongings from his apartment. They “allow me to be there overnight with a 24-hour access pad. That’s a blessing from God.”

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Evans said he felt lost after his mother died in 1994. He left Chicago on a bus headed for Charlotte.

He didn’t like it there, “and people said, ‘Well, Asheville was a nice little place,’” Evans said. “I’ve been here since 2000.”

Evans said he has a college degree in marketing from the University of

He leaves in the morning. “I try to stay away an entire eight-hour day, just as if I was working,” he said. “I used to volunteer at MANNA” FoodBank and churches.

Evans said drug “activity is out in the open” with dealers selling at a bus stop in the heart of downtown. “I see more needles on the ground than I do prophylactics, and we all know that there’s a lot of prostitution going on in the drug trade.”

Evans said he sees some help for the people on the streets going to those who don’t seem to want it.

“So much of the resources are being spent chasing people around in circles,” he said. “They give ’em clothes, they give ’em food, they give them this and that, and they go out, make a campsite and trash the place.”

He said he thinks “part of the problem with homelessness is that people are getting sick of grocery carts showing up all over town. Homeless people use them to transport their goods. They stock up on all this stuff, and then when things get rough, they just dump it and start over.”

Some take handouts, Evans said, when “people just like myself, we’re looking for a hand up.”

Evans said Asheville is no longer affordable for many on low or fixed incomes. “Food prices have gone up, electric has gone up, transportation, everything,” he said.

“If you’re renting, what maybe was 1,200 bucks a month is now $1,600. Where are we supposed to get that money from?”

Evans said a community of tiny homes would help reduce Asheville’s unhoused population. But “there’s just going to be poor and hungry always, according to the Scripture,” he said. “And try as we might, we can’t fix it.”

Evans said he’s on a waiting list for subsidized housing. “I gotta just keep waiting for a one-bedroom to come open on a bus line so that I can feel safe. I’m gonna have to have another knee surgery so I have to have something that has an elevator.

There are just not a lot of beds in this town for all the people trying to move forward.”

SHOPLIFTING, JAIL; METH ‘RUINED MY LIFE’

Sandra Maddy came to Asheville from Sylva, her longtime home, about a month ago, hoping to escape the “triggers” that contributed to her addiction to methamphetamine.

She said she was recently released from a drug-related stint in jail and thought “there’d be more resources” in Asheville. Maddy, 47, spent her first days at Mission Hospital after suffering a mild heart attack, she said.

The hospital, she said, sent her to a mental health facility “because I had suicidal thoughts on top of everything.” From there, she said, she spent a couple of nights with a friend and then slept huddled to the side of a pedestrian bridge by the hospital.

“It was so bitter cold,” she said. She made her way to AHOPE the next morning with “nothing but the clothes on my back” — a Looney Tunes sweatshirt and sweatpants.

She said that since July she’s been off the drugs that nearly killed her.

“It’s ruined my life,” she said. “If I could go back and do it all over again, I would. My kids and grandkids are the ones that suffered because mama’s not around like she should be, mama’s not healthy like she should be.”

Maddy said she first experimented with meth about a decade ago and got hooked. “It felt like it just took all the pain away. It numbed me,” she said. “I had just lost everybody, lost my dad, lost my mom, and it was like nothing else mattered. And my kids were out on their own doing their own thing.”

The drugs, she said, drove her to homelessness and crime. Maddy is a convicted felon, North Carolina Inmate 0520334. Her record includes convictions for shoplifting, drug, theft and forgery. She’s been in prison and most recently spent 120 days in the Jackson County jail.

“For four months, I had somewhere to go, I had three meals, I had a bed, TV,” she said of her time in jail. “It’s the reason why a lot of people repeat the same process. … They’ll commit the crime again, just so to say, ‘Well, I’ve got somewhere to go now.’”

Maddy said meth “can play on your emotions. I could be in an upbeat mood, happy-go-lucky.” And just like that, she said, “it can make you turn pure evil.”

She said she paid $40-$60 for a gram of meth and would inject it into her veins “just about anywhere I could find a spot on my arms or

the back of my hand or legs. … If I couldn’t find a spot, I would snort it.”

A gram would last about a day. The next day, she said, “I’d be right back doing the same thing.”

Maddy said she survived on the goodwill of friends, “what friends I had,” and strangers. She said she panhandled on the streets only a couple of times. “I might have gotten $10 in a day, just enough for a pack of cigarettes and something to eat.”

She stole, she said, to support her habit. “I hate saying that, but I would steal from this Walmart, take it to that Walmart, get a gift card. And then take that gift card and sell it to the person that has drugs.”

Sometimes, a drug dealer would request certain items for her to steal. “They’d give you like a little shopping list,” she said.

She said she would hide the stolen goods in a bag or a pocketbook, “just walk out of the store with it, and if you didn’t get caught, then you’re doing good.”

Maddy did get caught, and now, she said, she is banned from Walmarts.

If she had stayed in Sylva, she said, she’d be surrounded by drugs and fellow addicts. “If it weren’t for jail, I probably would be dead by now,” she said.

Maddy already sees temptations in Asheville but said she believes she can remain clean.

“I’m having to redirect my mind because I’m wanting to stay away from drugs,” she said. “Just somewhere to lay my head, that’s what matters to me right now.”

And repairing the damage she said she’s done with her family.

“It’s like, nobody wants to call me, check on me, see how I’m doing,” she said. “I haven’t got to talk to my daughter in a year. I understand that, you know. I’ve done wrong, but I want to make it better.”

Maddy said she’s been without a home of her own for five years.

“I want to be able to have my own place, even if it’s a motel room,” she said, “something that I can call mine so that I can at least have my kids come over and visit and I can see my grandkids.”

Former freelance journalist (and current Xpress county reporter), Greg Parlier, and freelance journalist Zane Meyer-Thornton contributed to this report.

Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and surrounding communities. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. Email skestin@avlwatchdog.org.

WAITING: “I’m trying to get back into housing,” says LaVyonne Evans. “There’s waiting lists.” Watchdog

photo by

Starr Sariego

BACKSTORY: Sandra Maddy says she started using methamphetamine “to escape the hurt” after her parents died. Watchdog photo by Starr Sariego

Hunger pangs

BY CARMELA CARUSO

Plastic trays, miniature cartons of milk and a smell that’s somewhere between tater tots and Taco Tuesdays — they all comprise the familiar staples of any school cafeteria. School meals provide a break from classes, time for kids to socialize and a necessity that many homes across Buncombe County lack — basic nutrition.

“There are many, many students across our entire service area of Western North Carolina who depend on free and reduced-priced school meals for the majority of their nutritional needs and support,” says Kara Irani, director of marketing and communications at MANNA FoodBank. “We know that many kids are going home to a kitchen that does not have enough food for everyone in the family.”

For two years during the pandemic, federal funding allowed schools to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students. But the waivers ended in 2022, forcing schools to revert to their usual system of offering free and reduced-priced lunches based on need.

Families must fill out an application to apply for assistance. Need is calculated based on household size and monthly income. Additional factors such as a child’s status as “foster, homeless, migrant or runaway” and a family’s participation in an assistance program such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program also affect eligibility.

RISING COSTS

According to data released by the N.C. Department of Public

Instruction, a four-person household making under $51,338 annually qualified for reduced-priced lunches this year and under $36,075 qualified for free lunch.

The rates coincide with federal poverty guidelines, numbers that Irani calls “abysmally low.” She says, “You really do have to be living completely in poverty to get any kind of benefit or support and that’s really, really problematic.”

The stringent regulations are especially troublesome as families across the region face inflation and recordhigh costs of living. Grocery bills

have gone up about 11.3% since 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Meanwhile, the cost of living in the area has increased by 12% in the past year, according to the nonprofit Just Economics of Western North Carolina.

The cost of school lunches also has gone up too. At Buncombe County Schools, the price increased in elementary schools from $2.55 per meal in 2019 to $3.50 today, and from $2.85 to $3.75 for middle and high schools, says Stacia Harris, BCS communications officer.

At Asheville City Schools, elementary school lunches jumped from $2.40 during the 2018-19 school year to $3.25 this year; middle school meals went from $2.65 to $3.50; and for high schoolers, meal costs rose from $2.65 to $4 per day. Dillon Huffman , public information officer for ACS, says the price increase is due to increased food and supply costs related “to supply chain issues caused by the pandemic.”

While BCS continues to offer free breakfasts to all students, ACS charges $1.50 per day. The numbers can add up. A student at Asheville

TALE OF TWO SCHOOL SYSTEMS: While Buncombe County Schools continues to offer free breakfasts to all students, Asheville City Schools charges $1.50 per day. The numbers can add up. Photo courtesy of BCS

As costs soar, an end to federal support leaves students and families searching for food

High School who purchases breakfast and lunch daily would pay almost $1,000 over the course of the school year.

Despite rising costs, the percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced-priced lunches in Buncombe County essentially has remained the same. The percentage has hovered around 54% for the past few years, Harris says. Numbers at ACS increased slightly with 38% of the student body qualifying for free and reduced-priced lunches during the 2019-20 school year and 41% qualifying this year.

While the federal waiver program was in place — providing universal free meals to all school-age children— a significant number of students opted for school meals. In Buncombe County, 80% of all students participated in the free meal program. Even though breakfast is still free, only about 45% of all students eat school breakfasts and 61% opt for school lunches. Lisa Payne, school nutrition director for BCS, says she doesn’t know what accounts for the drop in numbers.

At ACS, about 21% of students opt for school breakfasts, and 46% order lunches, Huffman says.

“Proper nutrition is a critical component of the educational success of our school-age children,” says Amanda Edwards, a Buncombe County commissioner.

“During COVID, millions of dollars flooded into the federally assisted school nutrition programs, and it is now disappointing to see those funds cut while families are struggling to put food on the table,” she told Xpress

NEED NEARLY DOUBLES

MANNA FoodBank sees that struggle firsthand through its work providing food assistance to families and children across Western North Carolina. The number of people it serves has grown exponentially over the past few years. In 2019, MANNA served about 65,000 people a month across WNC. As of January, those numbers have nearly doubled with about 125,000 people seeking food assistance every month. Irani says partner agencies have noted a significant increase in families with small children showing up at food distribution sites and contacting the food help line.

While food insecurity affects people of all ages, it can be particularly detrimental for school-age children, impacting their development, says Irani. “Children who are food insecure have a harder time learning and focusing in school.

They often have behavioral issues that they’re not able to deal with,” says Irani. “It’s very, very tough on kids directly and it’s incredibly hard on parents. The level of stress and trauma that they experience when they know that they can’t feed their children and themselves is extremely high.”

The federal free meal waiver helped alleviate some of that stress for thousands of families during the pandemic and eliminated the stigma many feel when asking for or receiving assistance, says Irani. The waiver program wasn’t the only pandemic program to be cut, leaving families in need. Last month the Food and Nutrition Services emergency assistance benefits came to an end, slashing monthly SNAP benefits by at least $95 per month per household. Families with children experienced even sharper cuts.

PATCHWORK OF SUPPORT

To ensure children have food, BCS allows students to purchase meals even when they don’t have the money. “We are working with community partners to provide donations to offset unpaid meal charges,” Payne says. “Those partners include churches and individual donors.” ACS has a similar program.

To feed children when they are not in school, the Pandemic EBT Program functions like a debit card and enables students who qualify for free or reduced-priced lunches to buy food during COVID-19related absences. MANNA also offers a program called MANNA Packs, whereby students in need are provided with sacks of food to take home during weekends and school breaks.

“The numbers and the need for food continue to be a real crisis point for the neighbors that we are serving across Western North Carolina,” says Irani.

Buncombe County School Board Chair Ann Franklin says board members continue to urge area Congress members to “ensure universal lunch is a reality for all students.”

“The rising cost of everything is impacting families across our region and our state. Solving issues like food insecurity is a community effort.”

Families who need assistance are encouraged to call the MANNA food helpline: 800-820-1109. The free and reduced-priced lunch application for all schools can be found at LunchApplication.com. Applications translated into languages other than English can be found here: avl.mx/chm.

25th Annual

Saturday, April 22nd 10am to 4pm Downtown Sylva, NC FREE ADMISSION

MUSIC AT BRIDGE PARK

10-10:45: Asheville Junction 1-1:45: Fuzzy Peppers

11-11:45: Seth and Sara 2-2:45: Lua Flora

12-12:45: Maggie Valley Band 3-3:45: Bird In Hand

Giveaways celebrating 25 years

• Food & Drink Vendors

• Fun for the Whole Family

• Arts and Crafts Vendors

• 5K Run

• Demonstrations: Blacksmithing & Glass Blowing

greeningupthemountains.com

Slow pour

BY SEAN CONNOR

sconnor922@gmail.com

What would make that beer even better? Strolling around downtown with it, that’s what!

Thanks to a new state law allowing for “social districts,” imbibers can tote their beverages around a specified district in any town or city willing to take the steps to implement one.

According to Elizabeth Robinson, senior vice president of the N.C. Retail Merchant Association, there are 31 local jurisdictions across the state that have districts, but only one in Western North Carolina: Sylva.

The bill — sponsored by Rep. Tim Moffitt, R-Henderson, and signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper last July — introduced the concept of social districts in September 2021. They are defined as designated outdoor areas in which a person may consume alcoholic beverages sold by a licensed seller.

In other words, no more having to chug your drink because the kids want ice cream. Instead, you’re able to purchase a clearly marked cup and walk around the town with your drink of choice, all while experiencing the various shops and watering holes within the district.

Chris Barranco, a bartender at Innovation Brewing in Sylva, first thought the idea would bring unwanted issues to the town and participating merchants, but so far, it’s been nothing but positive. He thinks it has the potential to be more popular in the area as more people hear about it.

A LIFEBOAT FOR STRUGGLING SMALL BUSINESSES

The social district idea arose after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted

Sylva’s solo toast to social districts

“So far, there’s no evidence to suggest the social district will be a law enforcement problem in Sylva’s future,” says Hatton. “But if that changes, we will address it.”

Sylva also learned the plan should allow retailers to opt into the social district as opposed to opting out, says Peters. This allows participating merchants to benefit while not demonizing those merchants not interested in participating.

COME ONE, COME ALL

On a recent visit to Sylva by way of Knoxville, Tenn., Don Maples says he and his wife were impressed with the town’s social district.

the governor to allow restaurants to expand their outdoor serving areas to provide more social distancing.

“The original intent of the bill was to increase retail sales in the wake of the pandemic,” explains Bernadette Peters, Main Street Sylva Association’s economic development director.

While sales statistics aren’t available, there is some anecdotal evidence that the new law has been positive for participating local businesses. “Sylva in general has picked up, so I think the timing of it was perfect,” says Megan Kenny, taproom manager at Lazy Hiker Brewing. “It’s been smoother than I thought it was going to be, and I think it gives everyone a chance to walk around town and experience every shop.”

The social district also appears to have helped downtown merchants benefit from more traffic during local festivals. “Instead of locking them into some type of beer cage at the festival location, they could browse the vendors and merchants downtown,” says Peters.

Social district requirements

• Alcoholic beverages purchased in the social district must be consumed within the social district.

• Open beverages can be carried outside within the designated social district boundaries and inside businesses that are participating in the district.

• Alcoholic beverages need to be carried in specially branded cups that identify the business and social district from which the beverages were purchased.

• Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, state law will require that containers cannot be glass.

• Social district boundaries are required to be “marked in a way that clearly indicates to customers where the boundaries of the designated consumption area are located, such as with conspicuous signage.”

• Convenience stores located within a social district cannot sell alcoholic beverages to-go.

• Participating businesses must have the required permits for on-site consumption to sell approved beverages within the social district.

AVOIDING THE SOCIAL DISTRICT HANGOVER

Before officially implementing its social district ordinance, the town of Sylva conducted a trial during the first half of 2022. According to Peters, the economic development team tracked calls through the local police department and compared it to previous years. After the six-month trial, Peters explains, “there was no increase in alcohol-related calls in our downtown district, so we rolled it out fully.”

Sylva Chief of Police Chris Hatton confirmed this. “We compiled the statistics for what is now the social district for the past three years to create a baseline,” says Hatton. The department then compared all service calls in the designated social district area to calls during the trial period. As of February, “we have not experienced any significant increase or decrease in these types of calls,” says Hatton.

However, one lesson learned was to seek merchant input before the council votes on the matter, Peters says. Sylva held these meetings after the vote, which caused some unwanted conflict among merchants.

The main concerns — so far unrealized — among council members and some residents were that the district might result in more overconsumption and a raft of discarded plastic cups.

To address this unease, Sylva decided to use stainless steel cups instead of plastic ones to reduce litter. Also, the required stainless steel cups cost $10 each, which might temper excessive use. The Sylva social district is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.9 p.m. (starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays)

“We were doing a road trip to visit some different breweries and decided to stop here in Sylva because there are so many within walking distance,” says Maples. “We stopped at the Lazy Hiker first, and that’s where we saw the ’special cups.’ We inquired about it, and that’s when the bartender explained everything to us.”

“We’ve asked ourselves, ’Why can’t Knoxville do something like this?’” They loved that there was no pressure to finish their drinks and that the stainless steel cup is sustainable and can be reused countless times as long as you manage not to lose it.

WNC NOT FEELING THE BUZZ (SO FAR)

Despite Sylva’s apparent success, towns like Hendersonville — which tabled the initial social district discussions in November — are not exactly sold on the idea.

“I’m not in favor of it and I don’t think it would serve any real economic purpose here in Hendersonville,” says Mayor Barbara Volk

Volk says there just wasn’t enough of a response from either City Council members or residents to go any further with the idea. “I didn’t get a lot of feedback, but the feedback I did get was negative,” explains Volk.

However, she hasn’t completely abandoned the concept.

“If any other council members want to bring it up again, they are certainly welcome to, but so far, no one has mentioned it” since the discussion was tabled last year.

The city of Asheville is also not climbing on (or falling off?) the wagon.

“The legal allowance is still pretty new, but the intent [of a social district] is to generate commercial activity,” explains city spokesperson Kim Miller. “This isn’t something Asheville is struggling with in its downtown, so the need simply hasn’t been there.” X

EXPANDING THE BAR: Innovation Brewing bartender Chris Barranco says Sylva’s social district is working well.

Photo by Sean Connor

Buncombe board backs up to $5M for McCormick Field upgrades

The Asheville Tourists are rounding third on a funding deal to stay in town after the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners agreed March 21 to pitch in up to $5 million over 20 years for upgrades to cityowned McCormick Field.

With the board’s 6-1 vote of support, the Tourists will likely meet an April 1 deadline to submit a financial plan to Major League Baseball detailing how they will pay for facility upgrades that are required for the team to stay in Asheville. (Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara was the lone dissenter; she did not speak about her vote during the meeting or respond to a subsequent request for comment.) All that remains to finalize the deal is support from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority and a new lease for the club.

“We’re excited. This means the community is committed to keeping minor league baseball in Asheville. We’re great family entertainment, and now Buncombe County families will be able to enjoy the Tourists for generations to come,” team president Brian DeWine told Xpress after the meeting.

The county money supplements a commitment of up to $20 million from the city of Asheville approved unanimously by City Council March 14. The overall funding plan — which details more than $56.1 million in spending, including for interest payments on borrowed funds — remains contingent on annual contributions of $1.4 million over 15 years from the BCTDA, as well as a one-time contribution of $1.95 million from TDA funds previously allocated for a streetscape project on Coxe Avenue. The Tourists are slated

to pay about $9.4 million over 20 years as part of a new lease agreement.

The city is scheduled to present that ask to the TDA in May, after which the authority’s Tourism Product Development Fund Committee is expected to make a recommendation on spending, according to TDA spokesperson Ashley Greenstein DeWine said the MLB will accept the funding plan prior to that recommendation but could take action if TDA doesn’t commit the money.

Buncombe leaders also have directed their lobbyists at the N.C. General Assembly to seek backing for McCormick Field. Prior to their approval of county funds, Commissioner Al Whitesides and board Chair Brownie Newman asked if state support could lower the county’s financial commitment.

“I want this project to be successful, but I also want it done in a way that’s as responsible to the city and county taxpayers as possible,” Newman said.

“I hear people say, ‘I love going to the games, I love it, please keep it.’ I don’t hear people say, ‘I need a completely new fancy stadium,’” he continued. “I want to structure it in a way where people don’t feel like they’ve got the money, just go spend it. I would like for them to look for ways to not need to spend that contingency money.”

Tim Love, Buncombe’s director of economic development and governmental relations, told the board he was hopeful that the project would get state support but that the matter was far from settled. “We have seen positive things in the governor’s budget, so we’ll see where that lands,” he said.

Gov. Roy Cooper’s 2023-25 recommended budget includes $70 million in grants to local governments for “facility upgrades, infrastructure, equipment, marketing and advertising” for multiple uses including minor league baseball.

If the state money doesn’t come through, DeWine told Xpress, the city is prepared to levy a facility fee of 50 to 75 cents on every ticket sold to make up for any funding gaps.

Buncombe’s 911 call center workers to get stipend pay

Commissioners voted unanimously to provide crisis stipend pay for public safety communications call center workers because of high call volumes and critical issues with staffing. 911 employees who have been on the job for at least six months will receive an extra $8-$20 per hour, with more money awarded for night and weekend shifts. (The starting pay for a 911 dispatch operator, according to a recent county job listing, is $18.90-$20.46 per hour.)

The 911 call center has become dependent on off-duty first responders from other departments to meet mini-

mum staffing requirements, according to a presentation by Rafael Baptista, Buncombe’s director of strategy and innovation. That leads to undertrained workers on the call center floor and a lack of supervision, he said.

It also leads to slower emergency response. Baptista said that 90% of Buncombe’s fire and emergency medical services calls have a dispatch time of 221 seconds or less. By comparison, the national standard for sending out a unit after receiving a call is within 64 seconds 95% of the time. While the county’s limited availability of ambulances plays a role in that difference, he explained, staffing shortages also contribute.

The extra pay is expected to cost the county about $49,000 every two weeks and will last until the 911 center fills 67% of staffing slots for three months with its own staff alone, Baptista said. Moving forward, added Chair Newman, the county should also reconsider its salaries for 911 employees.

“We really need to look at the base pay. What do we need to do to recruit and retain for the long term?” Newman asked. “We’re kind of in a different era. It’s never been an easy job, but it’s probably tougher now than it’s ever been.”

— Greg Parlier X

PLAY BALL: The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners agreed March 21 to do its part to fund Major League Baseball-mandated upgrades to city-owned McCormick Field. Photo courtesy of Buncombe County

Greetings from aboard the weather roller coaster that is early springtime in the mountains! This month’s reader questions were mostly about weather and timing, which has inspired a short discussion of climate change and gardening, along with, of course, answers to the questions. I love hearing from you and addressing your juicy gardening quandaries, so please email me at gardening@ mountainx.com. Thanks!

GROWING FOOD IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

Have you noticed that our region is getting warmer, drier, windier and generally more erratic in temperature and weather? These are the real-world impacts of human society’s wholehearted embrace of material comfort and convenience at all costs. We’re well on our way in a headlong sprint toward the cliff of destabilized ecological systems. My guess is you’ve probably been noticing this right in your backyard. Gardeners and farmers are some of the first folks to be impacted by climate change. We pay attention to the temperature, sun, wind, rain and rhythms of the living world. And when things like weather become more erratic or unpredictable, our crops feel it. Wild weather is becoming more and more the norm, so it will behoove us to learn to adapt (along with all of the essential work to halt and reverse the root causes of climate chaos, of course).

But how do we adapt to things we cannot predict? Diversity is crucial. When we plant lots of different varieties of things, the chances of some of them doing well, even if others fail, is greater. This means

trying new crops, new varieties, and paying attention to how each one behaves. Also, flexibility: It may be that certain crops that we’re familiar with, or that have done well in the

past are no longer going to be viable. Instead of digging in our heels, let’s try new things. Infrastructure is another key element to adapting to climate change.

When I first moved here, I didn’t even think about setting up an irrigation system. It just rained enough to water crops in the summertime. Now I’m considering it since the periods

of dry weather seem to be growing with each year. A farmer friend of mine has been investing in more high tunnels to protect crops from strong winds, along with shade cloth to protect the high tunnels from high temperatures. I certainly am not a proponent of buying lots of gear and gizmos for your garden. At the same time, some new tools and materials may be the key to continuing to grow food as the Earth tries to shake off this fever brought on by the sadly myopic human animal.

O, FROST!

I have several fruit trees that flowered way early (nectarine, peach, apricot) and now see freezing weather in the forecast. These trees have almost finished flowering. Will the freeze damage the fruit buds?

The phenomenon of late winter warming followed by hard freezes is one of the more challenging impacts of climate change that we’ve been noticing in our area. Here in the mountains, spring and fall weather have always been somewhat erratic, but the changeability and unpredictability is increasing. During this time of year, fruit trees that have been dormant over the winter begin to wake up, and one of the first things they do is flower. The “stone fruits” that you mentioned tend to flower earlier, with “pome fruits” (apples, pears, quinces, etc.) bursting forth a little later.

One reason trees become dormant in the winter months is because in the dormant state, their tissues are not likely to be damaged by cold temperatures. Tender new growth waits for temperature signals to begin because it is easily damaged by freezing. Flower and fruitlets (newly fertilized flowers that are beginning the incredible transformation into the fruits we’ll sink our teeth into in the summer or fall) are some of the most frost-sensitive parts of fruit trees.

Fortunately, a light frost won’t harm most fruit tree flowers. However, when temperatures go down into the 20s, damage can occur that may lead to crop loss; little flowers and fruitlets can die. The more open a flower bud is, the more susceptible it is to frost. If your trees are small enough, just throw a blanket or sheet over them and secure it with a rope. Some people even construct cages around large trees and wrap them in blankets or row cover cloth. This is only practical if you have a small number of trees.

Another way to protect your trees is to put on a sprinkler so that they’re watered as the temperature drops.

You’ll need to get this going before air temperatures freeze, so the water can freely flow. This moisture will coat the flowers and fruitlets, and as long as it doesn’t get extremely cold for long, it will hold their temperature right around freezing.

Finally, there is an interesting organic spray that can impart frost hardiness to fruit tree flowers. I have never tried this but was intrigued enough by this article I came across while researching the answer to this question that I think it’s worth mentioning: avl.mx/ci9

WHAT THE KALE?

I have some kale plants that are still going from last year. Will they keep growing as the spring warms up, or should I plant new ones?

Isn’t it wonderful when your greens last all the way through winter? As our winters are getting milder, this will probably be more common. In my experience, overwintered kale plants will have a burst of new growth as temperatures and day length increase. The leaves they put out will generally be smaller than they were at the beginning of the season.

This is because kale and many other greens are biennials; they grow vegetatively the first year, then shift gears into making flowers and seeds the second year. The new growth you’ll see (and can totally eat!) on your old kale plants will do the job of powering photosynthesis to grow a flower stalk. This process is also known as bolting. Once flowering starts, you can still eat the kale, though sometimes it begins to taste bitter, and the new leaves that come will be even smaller. For these reasons, I like to leave a few overwintered plants in the garden and sow a round of new kale for spring planting. Now is a great time to sow spring kale indoors, if you haven’t already. The soil outside is still not warm enough for reliable germination, so I don’t recommend direct-sowing kale.

If you’ve already sown spring kale or purchased transplants, it could be just about time to plant them. Spring gardening is a big gamble here, since we tend to swing quickly from cold into hot, without a lot of cool transition time. And that cool transition time is the kind of weather kale likes best. If you do transplant kale out soon, be sure to have some row-cover at the ready to protect those babies from hard freezes that are still likely to grace us for at least another few weeks, if not into early May.

— Chloe Lieberman X

Jason Hyatt, the new director of Buncombe County Public Libraries, planned to major in elementary education when he went to college. His father and sister had been teachers in Charlotte, where he grew up and was educated, and he says that was “really a meaningful, important part of our lives.”

But a part-time job shelving books at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library while he was in college changed his direction. “I had been one of those kids who volunteered in the school media center and frequented the public library,” he says. “So, it was a very comfortable and familiar place for me. I hadn’t really considered it as a place to work until I started that part-time job in 2003. And then it just took off from there.”

Hyatt earned graduate degrees in library and information science from UNC Greensboro and public administration from UNC Chapel Hill. He then worked at the CharlotteMecklenburg Library. The American Library Association selected him to attend a prestigious leadership institute at Northwestern University. In 2016, he became executive director of the York County Library in Rock Hill, S.C., where he served until accepting his new position with Buncombe County.

In a telephone interview with Xpress , Hyatt talked about the changing role of public libraries.

Xpress: You’ve talked about an expansive role for libraries as community hubs. How are you learning what Pack downtown and the 11 branches are doing to fulfill that role?

Hyatt: Each location has its unique characteristics and a unique community surrounding it. The majority of my learning is going to take place by spending face time with the staff and getting to know how those branches operate. People really emphasize the importance of the library as a space to work and a place to connect with services and each other.

The library has 123 employees. How will you get to know a staff that large across so many different locations?

The most important thing I can do is get out to all of our locations. Here at Pack, I’m already trying to make a habit of walking around on the floor when I can. I would love to say that I’ll be able to build a relationship

with every single employee, but I know that might be unrealistic.

In past jobs, I prided myself on being able to go out and do anything that I’ve asked my staff to do. So, I want to be fully equipped to pop in and work a service desk or cover a shift, if needed. That’s really important for me to understand how things work and what it’s like on the front lines.

Besides meeting your staff, I imagine there are many community partners you will want to meet. Who’s on your list?

The partnerships that immediately stand out are the ones we have with our various Friends of the Library groups. I met some fun folks from the Friends of the Black Mountain Library and learned some wonderful things about what they do and how much they love their library. I’m eager to bring all our Friends groups together so that we can share our common purpose and figure out the best working relationships and what I can do to keep those running smoothly.

Outside of the library, we work with the schools and have some great programs with them. We have ongoing partnerships with lots of area agencies and programs — child care providers, for example, and early childhood centers. Our ZOOM Pass program enables you to use your library card to sample a long list of area institutions like the Science Museum, the Nature Center, the art museum and the arboretum. It’s a fantastic program for

people who may not have had access in the past to those places.

Your predecessor put forward a long-range plan for the library system. Some of the plan’s recommendations were controversial. What were the recommendations and the community’s response?

There was a suggestion that some of our smaller locations be closed and combined into a regional model. We heard loud and clear from the community, and I’m thinking of Black Mountain and Swannanoa, how much they love their libraries and how important it is to them as a community space. That was one of the reasons the county administration hit the pause button. We want to be sensitive and responsive and understanding of what the community needs. There is still a lot of work to be done to bring all of our facilities up to an equal level.

Buncombe County recently announced a plan to convert 14 temporary, part-time page positions – people who shelve books – to seven permanent, full-time positions. How will this work?

Pages have been a very valuable part of the library’s workforce. I understand why the change is happening. It’s part of the county modernizing its processes and embracing best practices. That doesn’t mean that it’s not tough for some of our long-term employees and the rest of our staff. We hate to say goodbye to anyone. They’re given first priority to

apply for the seven positions. That’s happening right now.

You’ve said you want to revitalize many of the county library’s facilities to make them more functional for the future of library use. A new East Asheville Library opened at a cost of $6.9 million. Can any of those ideas be replicated at the existing branches without that kind of expenditure?

A lot comes down to how much space we are working with and how large a transformation we are looking for. There have been great shifts in the library world about how things happen in public spaces — flexibility of shelving, for example, things that can be rolled away so spaces can be reconfigured on the fly. Those are the kinds of things that I will be thinking about and talking about with the branch managers and staff as I make the rounds. Ultimately, I want community needs to drive what that might look like.

Many libraries across the country have faced efforts to remove books dealing with topics some people find offensive, especially those related to race and sexuality. How does the Buncombe County Library deal with these issues?

If someone believes that an item should be removed from the library’s collection, they can go on the library website and fill out a Request for Reconsideration of Materials. It gives them a chance to offer some supporting information. We have a team of staff members who review it. The team will forward the submission and its recommendation to the library advisory board. The advisory board will review it and make its recommendation to the library director, who makes the final decision. Then we get back to the patron. It’s very clearly outlined what that process looks like.

We have had a few instances of community members submitting requests for reconsideration of materials. Of the recent ones of which I’m aware, none has been removed.

Finally, why did you kiss a pig during your time in York County?

I knew that would haunt me for the rest of my career. We had Daisy the pig come out with Farmer Minor, her owner, who travels the country visiting public libraries to encourage children to read. If the people of York County would commit to reading a certain number of minutes and record those in their online reading log by a certain date, I would kiss a pig. I did it two days in a row. Daisy was very sweet, but she had very bad breath and a fair amount of slobber that I did not count on.

Do you have any plans to bring Daisy the pig to Buncombe County?

I’ll have to talk with our youth services folks.

— Arnold Wengrow

TURNING THE PAGE: New Buncombe County Public Libraries Director Jason Hyatt envisions a new chapter for libraries as community hubs. Photo courtesy of Wengrow

Q&A: Libraries aren’t just books. Sometimes there’s even a pig

Q&A: Senior works to keep robots team funded and visible

If you’re looking for Joe Kledis, check in the robotics lab. “Almost all my time goes to robotics, because I just love it,” says this 17-year-old senior at the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville. “I’ll go on Saturdays. I’m dedicated. It’s so much fun.”

Kledis is the captain of operations and marketing for Glitch 2.0, SILSA’s robotics team that competed in its first competition at UNC Asheville on March 4-5. There, they took the Rookie All Star Award and the Rookie Seed Award. “I’m glad all our hard work paid off,” he says.

On Friday, March 31, the group is headed to East Carolina University to compete at the state level.

The original Glitch robotics team dissolved during the pandemic lockdowns. After in-person learning resumed in 2021, Glitch 2.0 was launched. “There were a lot of veteran members from the old team who heard about it and helped out. We’re the spiritual successor of the original Glitch,” Kledis says.

The experience of leading operations and marketing for the team has led Kledis to consider majoring in economics in college, maybe with a focus on public policy and government. Summer vacation plans include visiting college campuses.

Xpress sat down with Kledis to discuss his favorite part of the Glitch 2.0 work, fundraising and the one big lesson learned from this experience.

This interview has been lightly condensed and edited.

Xpress: What’s been your favorite part of the work?

Kledis: Competitions are always fun. But I really enjoy writing and managing all the stuff. You interact with all the people. I’m in charge of all the business. We have to self-finance our club, and it’s up to us to get everything in order: our travel, our budgeting, our marketing. We’re not just going in there and building robots. There’s so much more and we’re doing all this community outreach and planning all these events. It’s not just engineering. We expand much broader.

How did you go about fundraising for this project?

We get sponsorships. We reach out to sponsors through emails, or they find us through our social media or website. They connect digitally to create partnerships with us, but we often meet them to make connections face to face.

What’s been the most challenging part of this effort for you?

Managing it all. It’s a demanding task. It’s fun, and it’s rewarding. But there’s a lot you have to do and make sure it works properly. Finances alone, it costs $35,000 a year as a minimum just to operate and function, maybe more depending on how far we go. It takes a lot of energy just to get the finances. Then we need to maintain a website, develop a presence, we need to get spirit gear. Like right now I’m wearing a Glitch 2.0 hoodie and a hat. All that takes time and resources. And on top of that is all the community outreach because we want to have a positive impact on our community. Our mission is to serve as a role model for the Asheville area, provide STEM opportunities and connect the community with STEM.

What’s an example of the community outreach that you do?

We have some more environmentally focused projects that we work with them, Blue Jeans Go Green, Hard 2

Recycle and Habitat for Humanity. All these organizations help get waste off of the streets and dispose of it properly. We partner with people like the Asheville Museum of Science and the Maker Faire, and go out and do big displays with our robot to get the community involved and show them what we do.

What would you say is the one big lesson you’re learning from this experience?

Writing and communication are key. Across all the views, maybe something is just a business task, then all of a sudden, you need to utilize something from marketing or even mechanical in some cases. Always having a game plan. We will communicate what we need to do and each task is incredibly important. Having that in writing is also important so we can rely on it and keep it for later. It’s also important for sustainability. Otherwise, how will the next

know what

did or

— LA Bourgeois X

generation

we

the people after us when I graduate?

O CAPTAIN! Joe Kledis is the captain of operations and marketing for Glitch 2.0, the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences’ robotics team that competed in its first competition at UNC Asheville March 4-5. Photo courtesy of Kledis

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

MARCH 29 - APRIL 6, 2023

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

 Online-only events

 More info, pages 30-31

 More info, pages 32-33

WELLNESS

Sparkle Time Holistic

Exercise

Aerobic, strengthening, balance and flexibility.

WE (3/29), MO (4/3, 5), 10:30am, Avery’s Creek Community Center, 899 Glennbridge Rd SE, Arden

Old School Line

Dancing

Old school dances, and some new.

TH (3/30, 4/6), 6:15pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Asheville Aphasia Support Group

Every Friday in Rm 345. No RSVP needed.

FR (3/31), 10am, WCU at Biltmore Park, 28 Schenck Pkwy, Ste 300

Family Education Workshop: Routines for Healthful Sleep

Learn easy ways to achieve the best night's sleep. Classes will be the last Friday of each month.

FR (3/31), 10am, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain

Yoga For All Bodies & Yoga for Mental Health

A gentle flow yoga class followed by a social time with free coffee or tea and a fresh-baked pastry.

SA (4/1), 9am, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Pop Up Yoga Class

A gentle yoga class to ring in spring. Bring a mat.

SA (4/1), 9:45am, Cantina Louie, 2 Gerber Rd, Ste 101

Therapeutic Slow Flow

Yoga

A blend of meditation, breathing and movement. All bodies, genders and identities welcome. Bring your own mat.

SA (4/1), 10am, Mount

Inspiration Apparel, 444 Haywood Rd, Ste 103

Guided Meditation

A six week series for adults to explore the gentle practice of meditation, sampling from a variety of traditions, tools, and practices that have been known to inspire peace and insight. This program is

for adults.

SA (4/1), 10:15am, Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Rd, Candler

Magnetic Minds: Depression/Bipolar Support Group

Free weekly peer-led meeting for those living with depression, bipolar, and related mental health challenges. Email depressionbipolarasheville@gmail.com or call or text (828) 367-7660 for more info.

SA (4/1), 2pm, 1316 Ste C Parkwood Rd

Goat Yoga

No experience needed, suitable for all ages. Bring a mat or towel.

SA (4/1), 6pm, Ginger's Revenge Craft Brewery & Tasting Room, 829 Riverside Dr

Celestial Sound

Immersion w/LARAAJI & Arji OceAnanda

An evening of ecstatic healing sound alchemy through deeply immersive sound channeling.

SA (4/1), 8pm, AyurPrana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Rd

Wild Souls Authentic Movement Class

A conscious movement experience in a 100year old building with a community of women at all life stages.

SU (4/2), 9:30am, Dunn's Rock Community Center, 461 Connestee Rd, Brevard

Rooftop Yoga w/Down

Dog

Intermediate level class that will strengthen, challenge, and cleanse the body and mind. A mixture of Vinyasa and power yoga.

SU (4/2), 11am, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy

Gentle Yoga for Queer & GNC Folks

This class is centered towards creating an affirming and inclusive space for queer and gender non-conforming individuals.

SU (4/2), 1:30pm, West Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd

Rueda de Casino Salsa dancing for all skill levels.

SU (4/2), 2pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

APRIL POOLS: Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville and Down Dog - Yoga Studio & Dog Bar are teaming up to host a dog adoption event at Down Dog on Saturday, April 1, 1-4 p.m. Activities include kiddie pools for the pups, treats and more. Dog adoption experts will be on hand to match pups with new fur parents. Photo courtesy of Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville

Laughter Meditation Playshop w/LARAAJI & Arji OceAnanda

An afternoon of laughter, sound, and consciousness through guided calls and response chanting. SU (4/2), 3pm, AyurPrana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Rd

NCMTR Bent Creek Trail Run

Multiple pace and distance groups are available to cater to all experience and ability levels, three to six miles. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome.

MO (4/3), 6:30pm, Hard Times Trailhead, 375 Wesley Branch Rd

Narcotics Anonymous Meetings

Visit wncna.org/ basic-meeting for dates, times and locations.

Parkinson's Support Group

New opportunities and education for living well with Parkinson's disease.

TU (4/4), 10am, Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd

Zumba

Mask and social distancing required.

Registration not necessary. Por favor usa tu cubre bocas antes de la clase.

TU (4/4), 6:30pm, St. James Episcopal Church, 424 W State St, Black Mountain

ART

Daily Craft Demonstrations

Two artists of different media will explain and demonstrate their craft with informative materials displayed at their booths, daily. These

free and educational opportunities are open to the public. Daily, 10am.

Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Pkwy

Luzene Hill: Revelate Multidisciplinary artist Luzene Hill’s exhibition designed especially for the Asheville Art Museum featuring work from her recent activation, Revelate. Hill’s drawing seek to communicate themes of feminine and Indigenous power. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through May 15.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Too Much Is Just Right: The Legacy of Pattern and Decoration

Featuring more than 70 artworks in an array of media from both the original time frame of the Pattern and Decoration movement, as well as contemporary artworks created between 1985 and the present. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through May 29.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Kirsten Stolle: The Grass Isn't Always Greener Working in collage and text-based imagery, Stolle’s research-based practice examines the influence of pesticide companies on our food supply. Gallery open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 5pm. Exhibition through April 8.

Tracey Morgan Gallery, 188 Coxe Ave

Opening Reception: Golden Renaissance Features work from members of the

Swannanoa Valley over 65. This event is free and open to the public with light refreshments provided. FR (3/31), 5pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain Glass & Metal Day Members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild come together to demonstrate a variety of handcrafted processes of glass and metal for their education event series. These special events are free to the public and take place on Saturdays. See p32-33

SA (4/1), 10am, Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Parkway

Pulp Potential: Works in Handmade Paper

The works in this exhibition reveal the breadth of possibilities and unique qualities that exist when artists choose to employ and even create handmade paper. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through July 14.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Angela Johal An Abstract Classicist: California Hard-Edge

A solo exhibition, featuring the vividly colorful and stunning hard-edge geometric works of San Francisco Bay artist Angela Johal. Gallery open Monday through Saturday, 10am and Sunday, noon. Exhibition runs through April 22.

Bender Gallery, 29 Biltmore Ave

Fresh Ere: A Spring Show

A night of celebration, connection, and inspiration, this exhibit

features new work by current Modern Muse artists as well as introduces new artists and their work. This showcase is full of texture, movement and color with 12 artist working a variety of mediums and disciplines. SA (4/1), 5:30pm, Modern Muse Gallery, 191 Lyman St, Ste 110

Art in the Gardens

This event will feature works by Lake Junaluska community artists displayed in several of the 16 gardens nestled throughout the grounds. Paintings, environmental art, mobiles, sculptures and glass art will all be exhibited. For more information visit http:// avl.mx/cjl

SU (4/2), Lake Junaluska, 759 N Lakeshore Dr, Lake Junaluska

Courtney M. Leonard

- BREACH: Logbook23 | Coriolis

Exploring cultural and historical connections to water, fishing practices, and sustainability.

Created by Shinnecock

Nation ceramic artist Courtney M. Leonard as part of her BREACH series, the installation is a response to the artist’s research in Western North Carolina. Free and open to the public. Tuesday through Friday, 10am. Exhibition runs through May 5.

WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Dr, Cullowhee

Open Studio

This drop-in program, which is facilitated by the Asheville Art Museum, aims to expose and engage participants with the museum’s collection and changing

exhibitions. 21+ TH (4/6), 6pm, Different Wrld, 701 Haywood Rd, Ste 101

COMMUNITY MUSIC

Asheville Ukelele Society Training available at 5pm. All ages and skill levels are welcome to jam.

WE (3/29), 6pm, East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Rd

Berklee Indian Ensemble

Grammy-nominated ensemble playing genre-bending classical, folk, Sufi, and contemporary Indian music, with influences ranging from progressive rock and jazz to Middle Eastern and African. WE (3/29), 7:30pm, AyurPrana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Rd

Sitkovetsky Piano Trio

Consisting of violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, pianist Wu Qian and cellist Isang Enders. TH (3/30), 7:30pm, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard

Geriatric Jukebox

An afternoon of one hit wonders from the 50s through the 70s. FR (3/31), 2pm, Henderson County Public Library, 301 N Washington St, Hendersonville

Brevard Philharmonic

Presents: Saturday Night Pops!

An evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The program will include selections from The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, and more.

SA (4/1), 7:30pm, Porter Center, Brevard College, 1 Brevard College Dr

2nd Annual, Jose's Lookin' Good Showcase

Paleface and Carolinabound will be performin. An option to purchase BBQ dinner with a concert ticket is available. All of the proceeds will be donated to local nonprofit organization, Thrive. SU (4/2), 5pm, Continuum Art, 147 ste C, 1st Ave, Hendersonville

Talking With Trees

An evening of intrepid world music improvisations with strings, winds, and drums. Healing music for fastpaced people. SU (4/2), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

The Land of the Sky Men’s Chorus Rehearsal Men of all ages and from all backgrounds welcome.

TU (4/4), 6:30pm, Care Partners Main Campus, 68 Sweeten Creek Rd

LITERARY

Montford Story Time: When the Sky Roars A story followed by a related activity. Participants also receive a copy of the book to take home with them. Ages 3-5 years old with a parent or guardian. WE (3/29), 11am, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Poetry Open Mic Hendo

A poetry-centered open mic that welcomes all kinds of performers every Thursday night.

18+

TH (3/30, 4/6), 7:30pm, Shakedown Lounge, 706 Seventh Ave, Hendersonville

Carly Robbins: Reading & Book Signing

Carly Robbins, a.k.a

Robbin Monteith, will present her latest book in the Secret Series: Secrets of the Unforgiven SA (4/1), 3pm, City Lights Bookstore, 3 E Jackson St, Sylva Poetrio w/Pauletta Hansel, Denver Butson & Len Lawson Poetrio is a monthly poetry event, hosted by Mildred Kiconco Barya. The event is free but registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance. Visit http://avl.mx/cjq to register.

SU (4/2), 4:30pm, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St Monthly Poetry Critique Meeting

Bring your writing to the Dark City Poets Society’s critique meeting.

TU (4/4), 6pm, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain

Joke Writing Workshop

Hosted by Disclaimer

Stand Up Lounge and moderated by Cody Hughes, weekly. Bring 90 seconds of material that isn't working. WE (3/29, 4/5), 6:30pm, Asheville Music Hall, 31 Patton Ave

THEATER & FILM

Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, this is a comedy about middle aged siblings who live together, and the complexity of relationships. Wednes-

day through Sunday, 7:30pm. North Carolina Stage Company, 15 Stage Ln

Improv Student Showcase

Comedy showcase featuring Joe Carrolls' Improv level 1 and 3 students and a solo improvised performance by JOLO.

FR (3/31), 7pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

Pterodactyls

A caustically funny exploration of denial and family relationships. Adult themes.

FR (3/31) SA (4/1), 7:30pm, SU (4/2), 2:30 and 7:30pm, Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa

Trillium: An Appalachian Drama

A tale of magic, love, jealousy and revenge set in the Appalachian Mountains. Written by emerging playwright Karen Ruetz from Georgia and directed by Lois Hade.

FR (3/31), SA (4/1), 7:30pm, SU (4/2), 3pm. Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S Washington St, Hendersonville

MEETINGS & PROGRAMS

WNC Construction

Career Day

This is a great opportunity to learn about career opportunities in construction and the skilled trades. Presented by Vannoy Construction, hosted by the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board.

WE (3/29), 9am, Smoky Mountain Event Center, 758 Crabtree Rd, Waynesville

Community Co-Working

A place to work on your online magical, creative, healing business.

WE (3/29), TH (3/30), 10am, Mountain Magic Studio, 3 Louisiana Ave

Sewing Club

Bring your machine or borrow one and be taught how to use it.

WE (3/29), 5:30pm, The Burger Bar, 1 Craven St Green Aprons Club for Teens

An afterschool parent-teen class available to students, grades 9 to 12, across the county.

TH (3/30), 3:30pm, Black Mountain Montessori School, 101 Carver Ave, Black Mountain Friends Night Out 2023

Presented by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

TH (3/30), 4pm, Jackson County Chamber and Visitor Center, 773 W Main St, Sylva Hatch 2.0

An evening of food, drink and games in celebration of the new space and growing community. Registration required.

TH (3/30), 4:30pm, Hatch Innovation Hub, 45 S French Broad Ave

Southside Card Game Night

Families and community members can play card games like bid/whist, spades, Apples to Apples, Uno, and more. Light refreshments served.

TH (3/30, 4/6), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St

Tea & Tarot Fridays

Play with Tarot and Tea

Leaf readings. Bring your cards, tea cup, and other favorite divination tools. All styles and experience levels welcome.

FR (3/31), 10am, Mountain Magic Studio, 3 Louisiana Ave

Fireside Friday

A free, weekly commu nity event. Folks can bring instruments for open jam sessions.

FR (3/31), Wrong Way Camp ground, 9 Midnight Dr

Asheville Cuddle Collective

This is a non-sexual touch based event that invites participants to explore platonic intimacy. For more information visit http:// avl.mx/cjz 18+ SA (4/1), 6:45pm

Saturday Morning Art Class Students will learn various stitches. Each class will build up to creating a pattern and sewing their own original felt creature. SA (4/1), 9am, Riverview Station, 191 Lyman St

Learn to Play Pokémon

Learn how to play this strategy-based card game in a welcoming and positive environment. Experience players are welcome to play as well SA (4/1), 11am, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Jazz Girls Day Hendersonville Theatre invites middle and high school female-identifying musicians to an afternoon of conversation with professional jazz musicians and other students musicians from Durham. SA (4/1), 3pm, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 South Washington St, Hendersonville

WAGS Plant PassAlong

Annual spring plant pass-along with plenty of plants to take home. You can also bring your own plant starts, perennials you're planning to divide, and seeds to share. Knowledgeable gardeners will be on hand to give advice.

10am, corner of Michigan & Montana,

Game Day: Perspective

Traditional game day with board and card refreshments from the

Perspective Cafe.

SU (4/2), 2pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Sew Co./Rite of Passage Factory Tour

On this 30 minute micro-tour, learn about sustainable and transparent business practices and hear about production processes and client collaborations.

MO (4/3), 11am, Rite of Passage Clothing & SewCo, 240 Clingman Ave Ext Shut Up and Write!

Join fellow writers to write, together.

There’s no reading or critiquing, and no real talking, except for the optional socializing afterwards.

MO (4/3), 2pm, Dripolator, 909 Smokey Park Hwy, Candler

Kae Mance: Living Well To Die Well

In this presentation, terminally ill Kate Mance speaks about the benefits from learning how to be genuinely supportive and how to interact in ways that empower those with  terminal diagnoses or serious illnesses to find the joy and peace to be had near the end of life.

MO (4/3), 7pm, Weaverville Center for Healthy Living, 60 Lakeshore Dr, Weaverville Cribbage Club

The first Tuesday of the month. Call (828) 254-1942 for more information.

TU (4/4), 5pm, Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St WNC Prostate Support Group

All men, family members, partners and supporters are welcome to attend no matter their current situation with prostate cancer. There is no fee to attend and all personal information is kept confidential. Open to the public.

TU (4/4), 6:30pm, First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St

World Affairs Council of WNC: International Collaboration in Space Technology Research

Aerospace Engineer, Jessica Woods-Vedeler, will be speaking on international collaboration in space technology research. Her presentation will focus on NATO’s collaborative research environment and the strategy she used to achieve success, interwoven with the story of her personal journey.

TU (4/4), 7pm, UNC Asheville Reuter Center, 1 University Heights

Onsite Job Fair

This job fair, in partnership with A-B Tech Community College, invites participants to drop in, talk to Pratt and Whitney and A-B Tech representatives, and sign up for the Spring Machine Operator pre-hire programs at A-B Tech Community College. No prior manufacturing experience is required.

WE (4/5), 12pm, Pratt & Whitney, 330 Pratt & Whitney Blvd

How to Build & Repair Your Credit Score

Find out what credit is and why it’s important, gain understanding about what affects your credit score, and learn methods to build and repair your credit score. Bring a note pad to take notes. Pre-registration is required, visit http://avl.mx/ck0

WE (4/5), 5:30pm, United Way of Asheville & Buncombe, 50 S French Broad Ave

The Mysterious Essenes w/Ed Foote

Ed Foote will share his expertise about the Essenes and how their ancient teachings impact us today.  Each presentation is followed by an open discussion honoring diverse opinions.

WE (4/5), 7pm, Online, ashevillewisdomexchange.org/

Introduction to Medicare: Understanding the Puzzle

The class will explain how Medicare works, the enrollment process, how to avoid penalties, and ways to save money. To register, visit the coabc.org or call (828) 277-8288.

TH (4/6), 2pm, Online, coabc.org

Naturalist Scott Dean & Spring Wildflowers of the Southern Appalachians

A discussion with photos of our region's native spring wildflowers. He will also talk about some of the animals that make the region their home. This free program is open to the public. Register at http://avl.mx/cjf

TH (4/6), 7pm, Online

LOCAL MARKETS

RAD Farmers Market

With 25-30 vendors selling a variety of local wares. Handicap parking available in the Smoky Park lot, free public parking available along Riverside Drive. Also accessible by foot, bike, or rollerblade via the Wilma Dykeman Greenway.

WE (3/29, 4/5), 3pm, Smoky Park Supper Club, 350 Riverside Dr

Weaverville Tailgate Market

A selection of fresh, locally grown produce, grass fed beef, pork, chicken, rabbit, eggs, cheese, sweet and savory baked goods, artisan bread, fire cider, coffee, pickles, body care, eclectic handmade goodies, and garden and landscaping plants. Open year round. WE (3/29, 4/5), 3pm, 60 Lake Shore Dr, Weaverville

North Asheville Tailgate Market

The oldest Saturday morning market in WNC, since 1980. Over 60 rotating vendors offer fresh Appalachian grown produce, meats, cheeses and eggs - with

a variety of baked goods, value added foods, and unique craft items. Weekly through Dec. 16.

SA (4/1), 8am, 3300 University Heights, Asheville City Market

Local food products, including fresh produce, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, and other artisan products. Weekly through Dec. 17.

SA (4/1), 9am, 52 N Market St

Transylvania Farmers Market

Dozens of vendors offering fresh, locally-grown produce, meat, poultry, eggs, honey, cheeses, mushrooms, juices, fermented vegetables, plants, herbs, cut flowers, baked goods, jams and jellies, prepared foods, and a variety of locally handcrafted and artisan items.

Open every Saturday year-round.

SA (4/1), 10am, 190 E Main St, Brevard NC

WNC Farmers Market

High quality fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, jams, jellies, preserves, sourwood honey, and other farm fresh items. Open daily 8am, year-round.

570 Brevard Rd

West Asheville Tailgate Market

With over 35 vendors, the market is abundant with an array of vegetables, flowers, fruits, herbs, mushrooms, eggs, cheeses, meats, fish, bread, and baked goods. There are also plant starts for gardens, locally made specialty items, handmade crafts, natural body care items, herbal remedies and more. Weekly through Nov. 21.

TU (4/4), 3:30pm, Grace Baptist Church, 718 Haywood Rd

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Folkmoot Family PopUp: Spring Edition

An exciting kid-friendly morning filled with cookie decorating, spring themed crafts, story time, and a photo booth. Tickets must be purchased in advance since space is limited.

SA (4/1), 9:30am, Queen Auditorium, 112 Virginia Ave, Waynesville

Striking A Chord

An opening reception for Striking a Chord: Music and Community in the Swannanoa Valley. Learn all about music, history, and community through the valley. Snacks and beverages will be served. Register at http://avl.mx/cjt See p33 SA (4/1), 4pm, Swannanoa Valley Museum, 223 W State St, Black Mountain

2023 Asheville Orchid Festival

World-class orchid growers and breeders along with regional orchid societies will exhibit at this annual show by the Western North Carolina Orchid Society, with hundreds of orchids presented in carefully crafted displays. See p32 SA (4/1), SU (4/2), 9am, NC Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way

BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING

Eblen Charities Prom Dress Express

Providing donated gently used and new prom dresses, shoes, and jewelry to high school students for prom and military balls at no cost.

WE (3/29), noon, Eblen Charities Event space, 52 Westgate Pkwy

Blue Ridge Roller Derby's Spring Yard Sale Fundraiser Fine Fettle Organizing

and Blue Ridge Roller Derby are co-hosting a fundraiser yard sale. Proceeds from the yard sale will go to the league to support the purchase of team jerseys and other essentials.

SA (4/1), 9am, 2 E Keesler St, Black Mountain

Skate For Kids' Sake

Bring friends or supporters and skate to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of of Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties to help local kids.

SA (4/1), 11am, Riverside Roller Rink, 44 Rink Rd, Burnsville April Pools

Dog adoption event hosted by Mountain Pet Rescue and Down Dog. There will be kiddie pools for the pups, treats, and more fun activities. Additionally, dog adoption experts will be on hand to help you find the perfect furry friend to take home.

SA (4/1), 1pm, Down Dog, 51 Sweeten Creek Rd

Empty Bowls Community Meal

Choose from a selection of bowls made by local potters that you will be able to take home. Beacon of Hope Services will also fill the bowls with soup, sourdough bread or cornbread, and sweet treats. All proceeds support Beacon’s new Local Foods Program, to source more produce from local growers.

SA (4/1), 4:30pm, Madison County Arts Council, 90 S Main St, Marshall

Dine To Be Kind 2023

A day of sharing revenue from local Asheville restaurants and businesses to support the lifesaving work of Asheville Humane Society. Venues will share 15-25% of all sales. Visit http://avl.mx/cjd for the full list of participating venues. See p30 TU

BEST OF WNC BALLO T C ATEGORIES

Go down the rabbit hole of this year’s Best Of WNC: The biggest, wildest survey about the people and businesses in this crazy place we call home.

If you’re like Alice, wondering where you should go next, then you’ve come to the right place. Each year, thousands of residents and visitors alike partake in our annual Best of WNC survey to evaluate what stands out and shines in this wonderful place — Western North Carolina.

Arts & Entertainment

Music Events & Venues

• Local Music Festival

* Indoor Music Venue

• Outdoor Music Venue

• Intimate Music Venue/ Listening Room

• Open-Mic-Night Venue

Musicians & Bands

• All-Round Favorite Band

• Acoustic/Folk

• Americana/Country

• Blues

• Funk

• Jazz

• Old-Time/Bluegrass

• R&B/Soul

• Hip-Hop

• Rock

• Punk/Metal/Garage

• Busker/Street Group

• Lyricist (Songwriter)

• Vocalist (Singer)

• Guitarist or Bass guitarist

• Percussionist-Drummer

• Keyboardist/Pianist

• DJ (Nonradio)

Music Services

• Recording Studio

• Musical Instrument Repair Company

• Music-Related Nonprofit

Arts & Crafts

• Arts/Crafts Fair or Event

• Studio Stroll/Driving Tour

• Craft School or Place to Learn a Craft

• Local Art Gallery

• Craft-Oriented Gallery

• Nonprofit That Serves the Arts

Artists, Crafters

• Fiber Artist

• Jewelry Artist/Designer

• Glass Artist

• Woodworker

• Metal Artist or Metalworker

• Mural Artist

• Painter/Illustrator

* Wedding/Event Photographer

* Portrait/Headshot Photographer

* Stll Life/Nature Photographer

• Potter/Ceramic Artist

Film, Stage, Dance & Writing

• Movie Theater

• Local Filmmaker

• Theater Company

• Actor (any gender)

• Performance Dance Company

• Place to Take Dance Classes or Lessons

• Comedy Troupe or Series

* Drag Performer/Group

• Local Comedy Show/ Night/Event

• Comedian

• Trivia Night Emcee

• Local Author

• Local Poet Drinks Bars

• Bar That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville

• Neighborhood BarDowntown (including South Slope)

• Neighborhood BarRiver Arts District

• Neighborhood Bar - West

• Neighborhood Bar - South

• Neighborhood Bar - East

This year’s ballot asks for your opinion on hundreds of topics and issues — to register your passions, your knowledge and your favorite things. It’s long — it’s comprehensive — and not all of it will be in your area of experience, so please feel free to skip categories that don’t interest you or that you’re unfamiliar with.

• Neighborhood Bar - North

• Bartender

• Bar for Live Music

• Bar With a View

• Bar With Games

• LGBTQ+ Friendly Bar

• Hotel Bar

• Dive Bar

• Sports Bar

• Bar: Local Beer Selection (excluding breweries)

• Bar: Unusual Beer Selection (excluding breweries)

• Upscale Bar

• Bar or Brewery That Gives Back to the Community

• Family-Friendly Bar or Brewery Cocktails, Spirits & Wine

• Wine Bar

• Local Winery

• Wine Store

• Distillery

• Cocktails

• Bloody Mary

• Margarita

• Mocktails or Nonalcoholic Options

Beer, Cider & Breweries

• Cidery

• Local Cider

• Local All-Round Brewery (for its beers)

• Brewery (for its taproom & atmosphere)

• Creative, Experimental Brewery

• Local Beer (Any Style)

• Local Dark Beer

• Local Lager

• Local Sour Beer

• Local IPA

• Seasonal Beer

• Brewmaster

• Favorite Local Beer Event

• Beer Store Coffee, Tea & Healthy Drinks

• Coffeehouse for Its Vibe

• Establishment With the Best Coffee

• Barista

• Coffee Roaster

• Place to Drink Tea

• Smoothies/Juices

• CBD Drinks/Health Elixirs

* Local Nonalcoholic Drink Product

• Kava Bar

Eats

• Restaurant That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville

• Favorite Restaurant

• Restaurant to Take Out-of-Towners to

• New Restaurant (Opened in the Last 12 Months)

• Restaurant Still Needed in Asheville

• Green/SustainabilityFriendly Restaurant

Restaurant Type

• Restaurant With a View

• People-Watching Restaurant

• Outdoor Dining

• Romantic Dining

• Fine Dining/Upscale

• Kid-Friendly Restaurant

• Diner/Homestyle

• Late-Night Eats

• Food Truck

• Catering Company

Neighborhoods

• Restaurant in Downtown (including South Slope)

• Restaurant in the River Arts District

• Restaurant in West Asheville

• Restaurant in South Asheville

Take your time. Don’t go bonkers trying to get it done all at once. Of course, if you do go bonkers, rest assured — we’re all mad here. And here’s a little secret: All the best people are.

• Restaurant in East Asheville

• Restaurant in North Asheville

Restaurant Offerings

• Breakfast

• Brunch

• Lunch

• Quick Meal

• Restaurant Wine Selection

• Restaurant Cocktail Selection

• Pub Grub

• Takeout

• Local Meal Delivery Service

• Best Value

• Best Service

• Barbecue

• Ribs

• Burger

• Veggie Burger

• Biscuits

• Bagels

• Wings

• French Fries

• Fried Chicken

• Hot Bar/Buffet

• Hot Dogs

• Pasta

• Pizza

• Sub Shop

• Sandwich Shop

• Taco

• Burrito

• Sushi

• Ramen

• Salad

• Seafood

• Special Diet Options (Gluten-Free, LactoseFree, etc.)

* Vegan

* Vegetarian

• Local-Food Emphasis

• Healthiest Food

• Locally Made CBD Treats Cuisine

• French

• Italian

• Greek

• Middle Eastern

• Mexican

• Latin American

• Japanese

• Thai

• Indian

• Chinese

• Southern

* Restaurant Comfort Food Desserts & Sweets

• Desserts

• Ice Cream

• Frozen Treats Other Than Ice Cream

• Chocolate

• Doughnuts

Bakeries

• Bakery (Sweets/ Desserts/Cookies)

• Bakery (Bread)

Miscellaneous

* Fresh Meat Seller

* Fresh Fish Seller

• Cheesemaker/Cheese Dairy

* Local Food Product

• Chef

• Pastry Chef

• Local Food Festival or Event

• Nonprofit Helping With Hunger Issues

Farm, Yard & Garden

• Tailgate/Farmers Market

• Roadside Farm Stand

• Farm to Visit

• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm

• Orchard

• Community Garden

• Garden Supply Store

• Mulch Supplier

• Tree Service

• Nursery (Trees, Shrubs)

• Landscaping Service (Other Than Lawn Care)

• Lawn/Yard Care

• Excavator or Heavy Equipment Services

• Nonprofit Supporting Farms/Farmland

Preservation

Health & Wellness

• Physician (General Practice)

• Physician (Specialist)

• Pediatrician

• Family Medical Practice

• Women’s Health Center

• Maternity Care/Service

• Therapist or Counseling Center

• Psychologist or Psychiatrist

• Health & WellnessFocused Nonprofit

• Hospital

• Urgent Care/Walk-In Clinic

• Place to Get Medical Care

When Under- or Uninsured

• Place to Center Yourself

• Dental Practice

• Dentist

• Orthodontist

• Eye Care Specialist/Service

• Assisted-Living Community

• Hospice

• Mortuary/Funeral Services

Alternative

• Holistic Medical Practice

• Chiropractor

• Acupuncturist

• Acupuncture Clinic Physical Therapy

• Physical Therapist

• Massage Therapist

• Physical Therapy Clinic

Fitness

• Gym or Place to Work Out

• Fitness Studio With Classes

• Physical Trainer

• Yoga Teacher

• Yoga Studio

• Martial Arts Studio Stores

• Pharmacy/Drugstore

• Place to Buy Supplements, Vitamins & Herbs

• Place to Buy CBD Products

Kids

Schools & Classes

• School (Precollege)

• After-school Program

• Preschool

• Child Care or Day Care Service

• Art Education Program

• Music Teacher Places

• Daytrip for Kids

• Kid-Friendly Hike

• Overnight Camp

• Day Camp

• Place for Indoor Fun

• Place for Outdoor Fun

• Playground

• Museum

• Place for Birthday Parties

• Bakery for Birthday Cakes

FAQ's

When does voting start and end?

Voting officially begins April 1 and continues through April 30.

• Place to Make Art

• Parents Night Out Program

Skill-Building

• Dance Studio

• Gymnastics Program

• Martial Arts Program

• Team-Sports Program Shopping

• Kids Clothes

• Toy Store Medical

• Pediatric PracticeGeneral Medicine

• Pediatric Practice - Dentistry

Media

• Local Radio Station (commercial)

• Local Radio Station (noncommercial)

• Local Radio Personality/ Announcer

• Local TV Personality/ Announcer

• Local Print Publication Other Than Xpress

• Local Print Reporter

• Local News Source

• Local Events Information Source

• Local Social Media Page to Follow for News, Events and Local Happenings

• Favorite Feature in Xpress

• Local News Website

• Local Podcast

• Most Important Local News Story (in the Last 12 Months)

• Most Overreported Story (in the Last 12 Months)

• Most Underreported Story (in the Last 12 Months)

Outdoors

Hiking

• Backpacking Trail/ Overnight Hike

• Day Hike Trail

• Easy Hike Trail (for kids, elders, limited mobility)

• Hiking Club or Group

• Picnic Spot

• Waterfall

• Walk - In or Near Asheville

Biking

• Mountain Bike Trail

Running

• Running Event/Race - Road or Trail

Camping

• Camping Spot Water & Rivers

• Place to Relax on the Water

• Rafting Company

• Swimming Hole

Other

* Recreational Sports League/ Club/Group for Adults

• Canopy Tour/Zip Line

• Place to Roller Skate or Skateboard

April 1st Voting starts

mountainx.com/bestofwnc

• Ski Resort

• Outdoor Gear and Apparel Shop

• Environmental or Conservation Nonprofit

Personal Services

Cosmetic

• Hair Salon

• Barbershop

• Hairstylist or Barber

• Esthetician

• Nail Salon

• Nail Technician

Tattoo & Piercing

• Piercing Studio

• Tattoo Parlor

• Tattoo Artist

Other

• Spa

• Local Body-Products Maker

Pets

Medical

• Veterinary Services

• Veterinarian

• Alternative Pet Health Care Provider

Services

• Animal Shelter/Rescue

Organization

• Grooming Service

• Trainer/Training Center

• Pet Kennel

• Pet Day Care Facility

* Pet Sitting/Dog

Walking Service

Places & Shops

• Outdoor Place to Take Your Pet

• Pet Supply Store

• Pet-Friendly Bar or Brewery

• Pet-Friendly Restaurant

Professional & Home Services

Financial

• Accountant/CPA Firm

• Place to Have Your Taxes Prepared

• Financial Adviser

• Bookkeeping Services

Law

• Law Firm

• Family Law Attorney

• Real Estate Attorney

• Criminal Law Attorney

Home

• Real Estate Agent

In how many categories must I vote in order for my ballot to be counted?

Each ballot must have votes for at least 30 categories to be counted.

How do I get a category added or changed?

The categories are set for this year, but to suggest a change for next year, email: bestofwnc@mountainx.com

• Real Estate Company

• Insurance Agent

General

• Architect or Architectural Firm

• Web Development Firm

• Computer Repair

• Car Repair

* Place to Get Your Oil Changed

• Bike Repair

• Construction Firm (Design/Build)

• Green Builder

• Alternative Energy Sales and Installation

• Plumbing Company

• Electrical/Electrician Company

• Heating/Cooling Company

• Home Inspection Service

• Pest Control Service

• Moving Company

• House Painters

• Roofing Company

* Flooring, Carpet or Tile Company

* Junk Removal Service

• Handyperson

• Equipment Rental Services

• Cellphone Service Provider for the WNC Mountains

• Print Shop

• Home Cleaning Service

• Dry Cleaner

Shopping

Fashion

• Clothing: Dress-Up/Stylin’

• Clothing: Used or Vintage (for-profit store)

• Clothing: Used or Vintage (nonprofit store)

• Asheville-Style Clothes

• Shoe Store

• Jewelry Store Food

• All-Round Grocery Store

• Budget-Friendly Grocery Store

• Health Food Store

• International/Specialty Food Store

• Convenience/Corner Store

• Local Grocery Delivery or Curbside Pickup

Home

• New Furniture Store

• Used Furniture Store (for-profit store)

• Used Furniture Store (nonprofit store)

• Bed and Mattress Store

How are the votes counted?

Mountain Xpress tallies the votes by hand, taking great care to understand each voter’s intent. We reserve the right to reject any ballot with inappropriate responses.

Why do voters have to vote for 30 categories?

We want meaningful results from people who are invested in and knowledgeable about the Asheville/WNC area.

• Picture Framer

• Antique Store

• Refurbished or upcycled goods

General & Miscellaneous

• Store That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville

• Mall-style market

• Pawn Shop

• Florist/Plant Shop

• Bookstore - New

• Bookstore - Used

* Comics & Collectibles Store

* Game Store

• Record/CD Store

• Musical Instrument Store

• Gift Shop

• Head Shop

• Adult Toys, Lingerie & Naughty Things Store

• Bike Shop

• Automobile Tire Store

• Auto Dealer - New and/or Used

Uniquely Asheville

General

• Neighborhood

• Street for a Stroll

• Local Asheville Attraction

• Local Fundraising Event

• Place to Take Your Eccentric Friends

• Place to Pretend You’re a Tourist

• Place to Connect With Nature Within Asheville City Limits

• Historic/Interesting Building

• Holiday Event - Summer/Fall

• Holiday EventWinter/Spring

• Local Hero

• Local Villain

• Local Politician

• Bumper Sticker or Slogan About Asheville

• Thing Downtown Asheville Needs

• Thing the River Arts District Needs

• Thing West Asheville Needs

• Thing South Asheville Needs

• Thing East Asheville Needs

• Thing North Asheville Needs

• Project You’d Like to See Local Government Do

• Worst Thing to Happen to Asheville in the Last 12 Months

• Best Thing to Happen to Asheville in the Last 12 Months

• Biggest Threat to Asheville’s Uniqueness

• Biggest Opportunity for Asheville’s Uniqueness

Nonprofits

• Nonprofit That Improves Asheville

• Nonprofit That Serves the Underprivileged

• Activist Group for Civic/ Political Action Hospitality

• Local City Tour

* Guided Tour of Area Breweries/Distilleries

• Venue to Book for a Party or Event

* Event/Wedding Planner

• Place to Get Married

• Hotel

• B&B or Small Boutique Hotel Work & Business

• Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville

• Employment Sector to Work in

• Business That Gives Back to the Community

• Co-Op/Employeeowned Business

• Bank

• Credit Union

• Bank Services for Small Business

• Support Organization for Entrepreneurs and New Businesses

• Business With EarthFriendly Practices

Regional

Questions for the following regions: Brevard

Burnsville

Hendersonville/ Flat Rock/Mills River

Hot Springs

Marshall/Mars Hill

Swannanoa/ Black Mountain

Cullowhee/Sylva

Waynesville/Maggie

Valley/Canton

Weaverville/Woodfin

• Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town

• Breakfast Restaurant

• Lunch Restaurant

• Dinner Restaurant

• Coffee & Sweets

• Local Bar/Brewery/ Watering Hole

• Music/Entertainment Venue

• Retail Store

• Art Gallery

• Cultural or Historical Landmark

• Cultural or Arts Event

• Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors

• Local Cause to Support

• Best Thing to Happen to Your Town in the Last 12 Months

How do you prevent voter fraud?

Ballots are examined for telltale signs of voter fraud or ballot stuffing. We disqualify all ballots that appear to be fraudulent.

I hope my business wins. How do I get voting promotional materials?

Call us at 828-251-1333. We can provide you with printable and digital materials, or contact your sales representative for information.

Donate

by Jessica Wakeman | jwakeman@mountainx.com

New community health clinic opens in Marion

Western North Carolina Community Health Services, a federally qualified health center, will open its McDowell Health Center on April 11. Services provided include primary care, immunizations, substance abuse services, specialty referrals and other wellness resources.

Family nurse practitioners Natali Cabrera and Heather Cook will staff the new location. Cabrera is fluent in Spanish and English. A translation service is also available for non-English-speaking patients. WNCCHS has a sliding fee scale available for both insured and uninsured patients. It also accepts most insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare.

WNCCHS’ McDowell Health Center is at 136 Creekview Court, Marion. Learn more at wncchs.org/ mcdowell and call 828-583-6733 to make an appointment

Veterans resources event April 28

Veterans Services of the Carolinas, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and NC Works will host a Veteran Stand Down event 9 a.m-3 p.m. Friday, April 28, in the Acts Building of the Asheville Buncombe Christian Community Ministry

Veterans Restoration Quarters, 1401 Tunnel Road.

Health screenings, dental services, mental health services, gear distribution, haircuts and other resources will be available for at-risk veterans of all ages and connection statuses. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Veterans must bring proof of service, such as a veteran ID or a certificate of discharge, or they must be verified by Veterans Affairs upon registration.

Volunteers are still needed for this event. For more information, contact 855-962-8387 or vsc@abccm.org.

Buncombe sobriety court honored

The National Center for DWI Courts, a nonprofit that seeks to improve DWI courts nationwide, has designated Buncombe County Sobriety/DWI Treatment Court as an “Academy Court” to serve as a model for other sobriety courts around the nation.

The county’s Sobriety/DWI Treatment Court increases post-conviction supervision for individuals ages 18 and older who have repeatedly driven impaired. Participants must have moderate to severe substance dependence and multiple DWI convictions. The program encourages treatment for alcohol and drug use disorders while aiming to reduce DWI recidivism.

“NCDC’s Academy Court Network identifies exemplary DWI courts to host foundational trainings, receive staff from other jurisdictions for site visits, play a significant role in participating in research and media, and serve as a national model for DWI courts,” according to the National Center for DWI Courts.

For more information visit avl.mx/cja or contact Sobriety Court coordinator Tiffany Graaff at 828-250-4463.

New cataract surgery available

Dr. Ben Wilson of Woolfson Eye Institute-Asheville, a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract, cornea, refractive and laser surgery, is now providing a new surgery that customizes a patient’s vision after cataract surgery. The procedure implants an intraocular lens called the Rx Light Adjustable Lens, or LAL. Wilson is the first eye surgeon in the region to offer this procedure to patients. For more information, contact Woolfson Eye Institute-Asheville at 828-651-8662.

Playground reopens with updates

The playground at Cane Creek Park, 590 Lower Brush Creek Rd., Fletcher has reopened. Buncombe County recently updated playground equipment which was 15 years old. The playground now includes two new play structures, musical equipment and two benches.

Sober-curious hangout April 16

Asheville Lose the Booze Crew will host a hangout in the River Arts

District 10 a.m.-noon, Sunday, April 16. The group will meet at Summit Coffee Co., 4 Foundy St., and then explore the River Arts District. In the event of rain, the hangout will stay at Summit Coffee Co.

Asheville Lose the Booze Crew is not a 12-step recovery group; it’s a substance-free social group for individuals in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

For more information or to join the social group on MeetUp, visit avl.mx/cjb.

MAHEC welcomes med school graduates

Almost 70 graduates from medical schools nationwide were selected for residencies or fellowships through the graduate medical education program at Mountain Area Health Education Center for this year.

The physicians span the fields of family medicine, addiction medicine, surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, general psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, internal medicine and sports medicine.

The first physicians participating in MAHEC’s GME program will begin their work in July.

Community kudos

• Buncombe County Emergency Medical Services Director Taylor Jones was named a Top 100 Local Government Influencer by Engaging Local Government

Leaders, a professional association for employees of all levels of local government.

• AdventHealth Hendersonville has named urogynecologist Dr. Jeffrey B. Garris as chief of staff. Garris is board certified in obstetrics, gynecology and female pelvic and reconstructive surgery. He earned his medical degree from Wake Forest School of Medicine.

• Connie Stec is the new director of the laboratory at AdventHealth Hendersonville. Previously Stec served as the hospital’s laboratory operations supervisor and as a laboratory scientist.

• Cardiologists Drs. Lillia LaPlace and Marian Taylor have joined Pardee UNC Health Care. The doctors are accepting new patients. Call 828-435-8080 for more information.

• The executive committee of the board of directors of the Highlands

Cashiers Health Foundation has selected Dr. Barbara Bloomer Corcoran as board chair.

Mark your calendars

• Luke Manget will deliver a free lecture on the history of medicinal plants in Appalachia 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 1, at the picnic shelter of the Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace, 911 Reems Creek Road, Weaverville. Manget is the author of Ginseng Diggers: A History of Root and Herb Gathering in Appalachia. For more information visit avl.mx/cin.

• Lazy Day Farm will host a goat yoga class 10:30-11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 1, at New Belgium Brewing Co. 21 Craven Street. This is a beginner’s level class accompanied by baby goats; guests should bring their own yoga mats. Tickets are $28 each at avl.mx/cj0.

• Kae Mance will share a presentation about her book, Living Well to Die Well: A Guide for Terminally Ill People and Their Loved Ones, 7-8:30 p.m., Monday, April 3, at Weaverville Center for Creative and Healthy Living, 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville. Mance is a former line-dancing instructor for the community center who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The book can be purchased at avl.mx/cj9.

• Western Carolina Rescue Ministries is hosting a foot care clinic at 11 a.m., Friday, April 7. Volunteers will participate in foot washing, and shoes, socks and hygiene kits will be provided for those in need. For more information about the location or to volunteer, contact Amanda Putnam at amandap@ westerncarolinarescue.org.

• A women’s wellness conference with free health screenings, education sessions and resources will be held 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, April 15 at Long’s Chapel United

Methodist Church, 133 Old Clyde Road, Waynesville. The conference is hosted by Buncombe County Communications Office, the Asheville alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and Long’s Chapel. For more information, contact WHA@niehs.nih.gov.

• The Buncombe County Violence Prevention Task Force will host a community conversation on creating a culture of consent 6-7:30 p.m.,Tuesday, April 25 at the East Asheville Public Library, 3 Avon Road. The free event is open to all ages, but models of consensual interactions will be demonstrated with youths in mind. To RSVP visit avl.mx/cio.

• Trek Bicycle Asheville, which services bicycles, and Asheville on Bikes, a commuter-cycling advocacy organization, will host a community ride Saturday, April 29. The 16th annual Spring Out ride gathers at 2:30 p.m. and departs at 3 p.m. from Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St. Four route options are available; all cyclists will return to Wedge. From 1:30-5 p.m., a pop-up bike park will be set up at Wedge, courtesy of Kid Cycle Club and Yuba Bikes. For more information visit avl.mx/ciz.

OPENING SOON: Family nurse practitioners Natali Cabrera, left, and Heather Cook will staff Western North Carolina Community Health Services’ McDowell Health Center in Marion, which opens April 11. Photos courtesy of WNCCHS

WITH MORGAN BOST

BY MORGAN BOST

I’ve been saying this a lot, but March’s planetary movements really have put me through the ringer this month! Between the Virgo full moon and my Saturn return, these tear ducts are all dried out.

What’s a Saturn return, you ask? (Or maybe you didn’t — but I’ll tell you anyway.) A Saturn return occurs about every 29 years or so, and it is when the planet Saturn finds its way back to the same place it was situated when you were born. Basically, it’s the equivalent of hitting astrological puberty (as if the first time around wasn’t bad enough).

Thankfully, I’ve survived both cosmic chaos and the long winter. To celebrate, I clawed my way out from under weighted blankets to catch up with some funny friends for this month’s “Best Medicine”: Erin Hallagan Clare, founder and artistic director of Story Parlor; Hilliary Begley, winner of Mountain Xpress’ Best Of Comic three years running; and Helen Jenny, artist and co-owner of Local Color Comedy. Together, we discuss how they’re going about to find religion, romance and good old-fashioned vitamin D this spring.

Morgan Bost: As you’ve likely gathered, I enjoy the metaphysical world. I majored in religious studies in college and have always been fascinated by the multitude of ways humans attempt to understand the universe, themselves and each other. Which is one of the reasons I moved to Asheville — a city ripe with spirituality. I want to know: Where do you go to lay down your soul in Western North Carolina? Do you have any Asheville-specific spiritual practices in which you partake?

Basking in the glory that is the end of seasonal depression

them over in passing. They weren’t into it. Weren’t into me. They said I smelled weird and was offensively tailless. “Can’t trust a gal with no tail,” they scoffed. “Bet her butt’s covered in fly bites!” they leered. It went on like that for years. I just couldn’t hang.

Asheville, I heard, is a place of acceptance, which must be why the bovine beauties here embrace me to the point of near harassment. Some say it’s because people feed them. I say it’s just that exceptional Ashevillean tolerance.

Bost: One of my favorite spring pastimes is crafting an altar for Ostara — the Wiccan holiday celebrating the spring equinox and new beginnings. On Sundays, I like to saunter down to Instant Karma on Haywood Road to get a few crystals and trinkets for my altar. Maybe throw in a seduction candle for good measure (and hope that, like the Counting Crows song, maybe this year will be better than the last in that department).

Sometimes along the way, I’ll stop for a scoop at The Hop and then maybe grab an adult toy from VaVaVooom. It is Sunday after all — might as well nourish my spirit, mind and body.

SPRING IS HERE: Local comic Morgan Bost, top left, is ready for warmer weather. And so are the latest round of “Best Medicine” contributors. Also featured, clockwise from top right, are Hilliary Begley, Erin Hallagan Clare and Helen Jenny. Photo of Bost by Cindy Kunst; all other images courtesy of comedians

Bost: I also moved to Asheville for the great outdoors! Where will you be spending your time soaking up the sun in WNC this spring?

Erin Hallagan Clare: When my family moved to Asheville a few years back, my husband bought me a beautiful Wheel of the Year book from Malaprop’s to assist in my attempt to adopt new seasonal traditions and begin the WNC assimilation process. This question just inspired me to

finally give it a read and crack open the “Ostara” section. According to ancient wisdom, there are a lot of rituals this time of year associated with eggs, eggs and more eggs. So, in that light, I guess I’d have to say the sacred practice I’m most looking forward to this spring is my husband at long last getting his vasectomy, which, of course, will be followed by the healing properties of devouring a plate full of scrambled eggs and sausage from Sawhorse.

Hilliary Begley: Spirituality!

Shwooo! I grew up in the Pentecostal church, so I’ve always believed we have the ability to access power greater than surface level. Though I have changed subscriptions from the

church, I can still tap into that same energy. Now, I just do it in nature or with people that I love and that love me. One of my most favorite places to dig deep with myself is in the river. I’ll hop in the Davidson River in Pisgah Forest and let its crisp cold water wash me clean.

Helen Jenny: I go to Bearwallow Mountain trail to lay my soul down atop billowing grass and pillowy patties. At first, it was for the views and pastoral contemplation. Now it’s to resonate in the cows’ acceptance of my presence.

They aren’t exactly new influences: I used to live near cow pastures in Colorado. As a teenager, I often took long walks home and tried to win

Hallagan Clare: You know those cars that are randomly parked on the side of the Blue Ridge Parkway? Like the ones where there’s no parking lot … no trail markers … just a tree-ridden mountain of mystery. Is there some great secret hike I don’t know about? Is this where the amazing swimming hole is that my neighbor keeps mentioning but won’t share a drop pin for? I’m inclined to find out (and then not report back). Anyway, if I go missing, just look for the old Subaru with loads of bumper stickers. Oh, wait … Begley: SPRING! Oh, I love it! I can finally return the depression suitcases back to the Seasonal Store. (I really racked up some luggage winter.) Anyway, I love spring. I love

feeling the beginnings of warmth and watching the world turn green again.

But what I really enjoy is taking a stroll down to Weaver Park. My most favorite thing to do there is punk out little kids for my turn on the swing set. I’ll get as high in the air as I can, feel breeze blow through my hair on the downswing and smile ear to ear while listening to the faint cries of little Timmy telling his mommy about the fat lady that took his swing! Can’t hear ya kid — I’m catching air!

Jenny: This spring, I’m going to rebuild my garden and finally assert dominance over the encroaching marmots. Last year, they destroyed my crops and repeatedly insulted my cavalry (cat on lawn chair). This year will be different. Because this year, those buck-toothed imperialists will be banished to the great beyond (neighbors’ yard) through nothing less than biological warfare.

What sort of biological weapon can deter such mysterious off-brand beavers? Fox urine.

Marmots fear foxy predators and will retreat after sensing the superior swiper’s presence. As an added bonus, urine is great for plants. Consider supporting your local fox urine distributor today!

Bost: While I love all the classic, outdoor Tinder pastimes (hiking, tubing, camping), I think my favorite outdoor activity hands down has to be urban waddling.

An urban waddle is a day spent meandering, soaking up the sun at the best bar and restaurant patios this city has to offer. Think of it as a daytime, sober bar crawl. (Though you’re totally welcome to make it nonsober if you’d like!) Waddling is the act of wandering without purpose. Being led out of the house by pure intuition, no destination. Always enjoying the journey. Always with treats!

Best suited for a bright, mild morning, an urban waddle typically begins with several rounds of caffeine, starting at Odd’s Cafe. (This being the cafe’s third “Best Medicine” mention, I think it’s only fair to now inquire about sponcon — just saying!) From there I go where the treats may take me. Maybe grab a cinnamon bun at West End Bakery before making my way down to the RAD. I pack a book and a notebook and spend the

day being a tourist (not including the lousy tips). While it may not get the blood pumping like Blue Ridge backpacking, a springtime waddle is certainly good for the soul!

Bost: Before I even begin, let me say, I know what you’re thinking: Didn’t you just have a dating question in last month’s column? Correct. But as the self-described “Asheville Carrie Bradshaw,” it’s critical that I keep my finger on the pulse of Western North Carolina dating culture at all times. This month I want to know, what are your Western North Carolina dating deal breakers?

Hallagan Clare: If you’re Carrie Bradshaw in this analogy, I’m the outdated pair of shoes stuffed in the back of her closet, never to see the light of dating again.

Kidding, not kidding? I’ve been with my partner since 2009 (which is also when I bought my last pair of shoes, coincidentally). As a mother of two toddlers and owner of a local arts space (also still in its infancy), my idea of a romantic night these days is getting the kids to sleep by 7:30 p.m., promptly changing into my frumpiest pajamas, enjoying a new episode of “1923,” bed by 10 p.m. and then having dreams of traversing the African savanna with Brandon Sklenar … er, my husband, I mean.

Some free dating advice: Bring your married, parent friend along as a wingman when out looking for love. We’re not in competition; nothing shocks us anymore; we’re chomping at the bit for a night out; and it’s guaranteed we always have snacks. Plus, I’m dying to see some action — I’m just too damn tired to be the one getting it.

Oh, and a WNC dating dealbreaker: People who blast music for all to hear while hiking. WTF!

Begley: Dating?!? I never. I literally don’t think I’ve ever dated anyone. I never enjoyed the apps. I’m in a relationship now, but like all of my previous “relationships,” we didn’t really date. We were friends, and then I ensnared him with my siren song. Before I developed any real semblance of self-respect and self-worth, my song would bellow out

Why I support Xpress:

for anyone that was remotely nice to me. It was quick. They’d either be sucked in and never really go away, or it would scare them so badly they would break up with me before we were together. Dating is wild, and I’m not into it!

Jenny: My new Asheville dating deal breaker should’ve been a deal breaker for the last decade, but this land is rife with the type, so let’s dig in.

No more Peter Pans. The eternally youthful, stubborn, arrogant, fairydust-addled men that sun themselves on sidewalks and give you dumpster-rescued sweets are not as loving as they seem. Even though happy thoughts and fairy dust are all he needs to fly, you may want more, and he will hate you for it. The thing about Asheville is, despite our best efforts, it’s not Neverland and Peter Pan types are actually more akin to Captain Hook. Remember readers — time is a ticking clock inside a crocodile’s gut that thirsts only for Hook. Do yourself a favor and step out of the way.

Bost: For me? I-26. I once broke things off with a man because he lived in Arden. Sorry buddy, I drive a 2007 Kia Spectra and I’m not trying to do long distance. X

4/1:

“I’ve been relying on Mountain Xpress for local news for 15 years. For free! I can’t stand by and do nothing now when they need my support more than ever.”

– Alice Helms

What’s new in food

Dine To Be Kind for Asheville Humane Society

Dine to Be Kind, Asheville Humane Society’s annual fundraising event benefiting local pets in need, returns for its 18th year on Tuesday, April 4.

Over 60 local restaurants, breweries and bars have come together for the event. The majority will donate 15% of their April 4 sales to the Asheville Humane Society, while 15 participants have pledged to donate 25%. These 15 include: Banks Ave bar, Blue Sky Cafe, Bone & Broth, Carmel’s Kitchen & Bar, Grey Eagle Taqueria, Haywood Country Club, Hi-Wire Brewing – Biltmore Village, Manicomio Pizza, Old Europe Pastries, Plant, Re:Fuel, Tastee Diner, The Blackbird Restaurant, Whistle Hop Brewing Co. and WXYZ Lounge.

Over $90,000 was raised in 2022, all of which assisted the Asheville Humane Society in continuing its medical care and community programs. This year, the organization has a goal of raising $120,000.

“Dine to be Kind began 18 years ago with the Animal Compassion Network, raising money for ACN’s Betty Fund, which provided low- or no-cost spay/neuter services for residents of Western North Carolina and was held on National Spay Day,” says Mabel Lujan, marketing assistant with the Asheville Humane Society. “A few years after its inception, ACN merged with Asheville Humane Society, and with the help of hundreds of volunteers, Dine to Be Kind has grown into AHS’s largest and most vital fundraiser.”

In addition to helping the AHS cause through patronage, diners can enter a raffle giveaway through individual donations of $25 (for two raffle tickets) or $50 (for five). Three winners will be selected. The grand prize features a two-night stay at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. The second-prize winner will receive a luxury velvet dog bed donated by Dog & Pony Show, and the third-prize winner will bring home a handmade quilt created by local artist Paula Entin

For a full list of participating venues and additional information, visit avl.mx/prx5.

A surreal event at DSSLOVR

DSSOLVR will host A Taste of the Surreal, a new dinner and drink

pairing event, on Wednesday, March 29, 6 p.m., at its downtown brewery.

Chef Chris Bugher, owner of the pop-up, private event and consulting business Apex Culinary, will be creating the evening’s four-plate menu. Vince Tursi, DSSOLVR co-owner and head brewer, will provide the evening’s sips.

“A Taste of the Surreal is somewhat of a passion project for me,” says Will Craddock , DSSOLVR event coordinator/vibe lord. “I come from a background in the restaurant industry and, after three years of working at a brewery, I’ve missed the dance of working with food.”

Additionally, Craddock hopes the event showcases DSSOLVR’s diverse beverage programs. “The pairing will include our latest wine releases, crisp refreshing beers and a toasty, malty stout to finish out the night,” he says. “The food menu is Southerninspired upscale cuisine that is still approachable and accessible.”

This pairing event is the first of what the brewery hopes becomes a regular series featuring a rotating list of local chefs.

Tickets are $90 per person and include the full meal and beverage pairings with detailed course descriptions, as well as a social hour before the dinner with provided drinks and appetizers.

DSSOLVR is at 63 N Lexington Ave. Visit avl.mx/civ for tickets and information.

PBJ time at Catawba

Catawba Brewing Co. celebrates the return of its famed Peanut Butter Jelly Time Raspberry Brown Ale with a special release celebration beginning Friday, March 31, and continuing through National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day on Sunday, April. 2.

First debuted in March 2012 as a brewer’s tribute to a friend’s young son, the now-iconic beer has evolved into the brewery’s most anticipated special release each year.

“Peanut Butter Jelly Time has become our most recognized yearly release and has grown beyond just a focus on the beer,” says Jared Turbyfill, brand and product line manager. “The celebration weekend, as an event both inside our own retail locations and throughout the greater wholesale market is an excit-

ing way to celebrate our roots and share one of our oldest brews with the community.”

Four flavor variations on the peanut butter and jelly theme will be released in beer form this year, including raspberry, strawberry-rhubarb, blackberry and Carolina jam (peach and blueberry). Special flights including all four beers will be offered while supplies last, and commemorative glassware will be available for purchase.

Release parties will take place across both Asheville locations (South Slope and Biltmore Village) as well at the brewery’s Charlotte and Wilmington expansion locations. In addition to sips, the free-to-attend event also has on tap a Smuckers Uncrutables sandwich eating contest, live musical and comedy performances, and a photo booth with PB&J-themed props.

Catawba Brewing Co.’s South Slope and Biltmore Village locations are at 32 Banks Ave. and 63 Brook St. Visit avl.mx/ciu for additional information.

All-you-can-eat crawfish

Warmer temperatures and extended daylight hours go hand in hand with the dawning of spring, but did you know they also mark the beginning of peak crawfish season? Jettie Rae’s Oyster House is set to capitalize on this fun freshwater crustacean fact with two all-you-can-eat crawfish boils, taking place Sunday, April 2, at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

“We’re proud to be serving the best crawfish available, sourced directly from Natchitoches, La., at the northern edge of Atchafalaya Basin,” says executive chef Will Cisa. “We’ll be preparing 500 pounds of crawfish to feed what we expect to be a large turnout.”

Tickets are $65 per person and include access to Jettie Rae’s courtyard area for an unlimited Louisianastyle crawfish boil including all the traditional fixings, such as andouille

sausage, okra, corn on the cob and potatoes. Beer and wine to wash down the lavish feast will be available a la carte.

“Crawfish boils have such a strong culinary tradition, which is what we always strive to honor with our food,” says owner Eric Scheffer. “We cherish opportunities to connect with our guests through the joy of shared food experiences. Nothing creates a bond quite like sucking the meat out of a crawfish next to one another.”

Jettie Rae’s Oyster House is at 143 Charlotte St. Visit avl.mx/cis for tickets to the 12:30 p.m. gathering and avl.mx/cit for tickets to the 4 p.m. gathering.

Freeze alert!

The Freeze reopened on March 24. Since 1981, The Freeze has been serving soft-serve ice cream treats and hot dogs within seasonal periods typically lasting from March to October.

The Freeze is at 1091 Patton Ave. Open daily from 11 a.m-10 p.m. Visit avl.mx/ciq for a menu and online ordering.

Montford Deli reopens

Montford Deli has reopened at 1461 Merrimon Ave., in the building previously occupied by Nick’s Grill. Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., the revitalized Montford Deli is making the most of the new space with a refreshed and expanded menu serving burgers, wings, sides, salads, desserts and over 20 unique sandwich options.

Meals can be enjoyed inside the new space via counter service, called ahead and picked up through the drive-thru window or delivered through Grub Hub and Door Dash beginning Saturday, April 1.

For a full menu and additional information, visit avl.mx/cir.

— Blake Becker X

DINE TO BE KIND: Asheville Humane Society’s annual fundraising event returns Tuesday, April 4, to help local animals in need. Photo courtesy of Ewart Ball

Around Town

The American Museum of the House Cat will begin its second life on Saturday, April 1, in Sylva. That leaves seven more lives to go.

The Jackson County-based educational museum originally opened in 2017 inside the Old School House Antique Mall in Dillsboro to showcase founder Harold Sims’ large collection of feline memorabilia and collectibles. Organizers shut it down in late 2019 when the mall closed, with plans to reopen in its new location in spring 2020.

Then COVID-19 restrictions hit.

“We just happened to be one of many small businesses affected by the pandemic,” says Kimberly Crow, the venue’s social media and marketing manager. “Reopening our museum has always been our goal, but staffing difficulties have delayed us until now.”

The new museum location will be in a building Sims had built on U.S. 441 south in Sylva.

The site’s collection includes framed paintings, cat clocks, old tin advertisements, arcade games, stuffed animals, feline beer steins, cat automatons and even mummified felines. Among the highlights are a band of ceramic cat musicians and a carousel Sims built to hold antique carousel cats.

“When you step inside the cat museum, be prepared to journey through centuries, as the history of house cats is told,” Crow says.

Sims, a retired biology professor, has operated Catman2, a nonprofit,

MOVIE REVIEWS

Local reviewers’ critiques of new films include:

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4: The series’ best installment yet combines jaw-dropping action sequences with the impossible cool of Keanu Reeves’ eponymous assassin to thoroughly entertaining ends.

Grade: A-minus

Sylva’s American Museum of the House Cat lands on its feet

notably the Miami Herald’s Sunday magazine, Tropic. “I covered some amazing stories that embedded themselves into my subconscious and then emerged later as the armature for my fiction,” she says.

These days, she is an instructor in UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program and its Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. She is also a member of the Flatiron Writers Room.

For more information or to buy to book, go to avl.mx/ci1.

Spring flowers

After a three-year absence due to COVID-19, the Asheville Orchid Festival returns to the N.C. Arboretum 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, April 1-2.

The event, put on by the Western North Carolina Orchid Society, will feature exhibits by international orchid growers and breeders along with regional orchid societies. It’s the arboretum’s second-biggest annual event, surpassed only by the Winter Lights holiday festival, says Graham Ramsey, president of the WNC Orchid Society.

no-cage, no-kill shelter in Cullowhee, for more than two decades. For his efforts to save thousands of kittens and cats, he is affectionately known as “the Catman” in Jackson County, Crow says.

At the museum, guests will be introduced to a small prototype of Sims’ “cats without cages” open sheltering approach. “Our curator [Sims] is an educator and believes museums bring joy, amusement, learning and inspiration to the world,” Crow says.

Bottle about 20 years ago but put it aside for various reasons.

In the intervening decades, she moved from Miami to Western North Carolina and published another book, Boom. All the while, her unfinished work about a 60-year-old virgin discovering a possible fountain of youth continued to haunt her, she says.

Throughout the weekend, the Orchid Society will host programs and educational lectures, including a guided tour through the orchid exhibits by Marc Burchette of the Biltmore Conservatory and an orchid repotting clinic led by Ramsey.

In 2020, the 22nd annual festival was weeks away when COVID restrictions hit.

— Edwin Arnaudin

The museum will be open noon-5 p.m. Thursdays-Mondays in April and May and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. ThursdaysMondays June-December. Admission will be $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-12 and free for younger children.

The American Museum of the House Cat is at 5063 U.S. 441 south, Sylva. For more information or to donate, visit avl.mx/ciy.

The aging process

Find full reviews and local film info at ashevillemovies.com patreon.com/ashevillemovies

“I didn’t like the book as it stood but still felt attached to the basic story and characters, so began again from square one,” explains the Weaverville-based writer. “I identified more with the theme and characters, thanks to 20 additional years of life, and explored the idea of aging and the desire to stay forever young with more insight.”

Time in a Bottle was published last month by Black Rose Writing. It tells the story of a part-owner of a Miami lingerie shop who hires a Cuban well digger to tap into a hidden underground spring that may actually be a fountain of youth.

Klein spent years writing nonfiction for various publications, most

“The theme was ”The Orchid Express,“ playing on The Orient Express, and we built a fantastic cutaway train car for our display,” Burchette says. “This year we finally get to put the train back on the tracks.”

The N.C. Arboretum is at 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way. Admission is $5 for anyone 12 or older. For more information, visit avl.mx/cj3.

Heavy metal

The Southern Highland Craft Guild will host Glass & Metal Day 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at the Folk Art Center.

The free event will feature more than a dozen guild members showcasing glass and metal techniques, including blacksmithing, glass blowing, piercing and annealing metals,

Marjorie Klein started writing the novel that would become Time in a

COOL CATS: A stationary carousel at the American Museum of the House Cat displays antique carousel cats. Photo courtesy of the American Museum of the House Cat

knife making, bezeling, repoussé, soldering stained glass and forging.

Glass & Metal Day is the first of several Saturday educational events hosted throughout the year in the Folk Art Center’s auditorium, including Fiber Day (May 13), Clay Day (June 10) and Wood Day (Aug. 12).

The Folk Art Center is at Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in East Asheville. For more information, visit avl.mx/cj4.

Mountain music

The Swannanoa Valley Museum and History Center will host an opening reception for its newest exhibit, Striking a Chord: Music and Community in the Swannanoa Valley, 4-6 p.m. Saturday, April 1.

The exhibit will focus on musicians, musical communities and venues in the region. Some of the featured names and places include Roberta Flack, Marcus Martin, Artus Moser, Walt Davis, Roseland Gardens and the Swannanoa Gathering.

The Swannanoa Valley Museum and History Center is at 223 W. State St., Black Mountain. Hours are Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. To RSVP for the opening reception, go to avl.mx/cj7.

Tickets on sale for literacy event

Bestselling author Silas House will be the keynote speaker at Literacy Together’s 14th annual Authors for Literacy Dinner & Auction 6-9 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at the Crowne Plaza Resort – Expo Center.

House has written several novels, including Clay’s Quilt, A Parchment of Leaves, Southernmost and Lark Ascending, published in September.

A former commentator for NPR’s “All Things Considered,” House’s writing has appeared in Time, The Atlantic, Ecotone, The Advocate, Garden & Gun and Oxford American. He also serves on the fiction faculty at the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Creative Writing and as the National Endowment of the Humanities chair at Berea College. Proceeds from the dinner benefit Literacy Together’s programs, which provide literacy and English language needs of people of all ages in Buncombe County.

The Crowne Plaza Resort – Expo Center is at 1 Resort Drive. General admission tickets are $95 and VIP passes are $500. For more information or to buy tickets, go to avl.mx/amw.

— Justin McGuire X

Green thumbs

Spring is here, and Xpress has launched its monthly gardening feature based on reader questions.

& aspiring gardeners alike!

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29

12 BONES BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

ALLEY CAT SOCIAL CLUB

Karaoke Night, 8pm

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY

ACADEMY

Aquanet Goth Party w/ Ash Black, 8pm

BIER GARDEN

Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 7pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN

BREWING

Jay Brown (roots), 6pm

DIFFERENT WRLD

Queer Comedy Party w/Hayley Ellman & Kevin Delgado, 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Open Mic Wednesday Night, 7pm

HI-WIRE BREWING

Weekly Trivia Night w/ Not Rocket Science Trivia, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Songwriter Series w/ Matt Smith, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8:30pm

SHAKEY'S 80s Night, 8pm

SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY

Jazz Night w/Jason DeCristofaro, 6pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Poetry Open Mic, 8pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Tank & The Bangas w/ McKinley Dixon (deft hip-hop, jazz, R&B), 7pm

THE ODD

The HIRS Collective,

DShK, Corpse Dust & Serrate (punk, industrial thrash), 7pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Dirtwire w/Kirby Bright & Mystik Fool (blues, swamptronica, psychedelic trance), 7pm

THE SOCIAL

Wednesday Night Karaoke w/LYRIC, 9pm

TWIN LEAF BREWERY

Wednesday Open Mic, 5:30pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

John Ford (roots, blues), 7:30pm

WOMEN TO THE FRONT: WTF Funk Band hosts a showcase featuring a number of female powerhouses at the Salvage Station Thursday, March 30, at 8 p.m. Expect favorites from Asheville and beyond with strong female energy in honor of Women’s History Month.

THURSDAY, MARCH 30

27 CLUB Shutterings, Father Figures & French Toast (punk, alternative-rock), 7:30pm

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY

ACADEMY

Kiki Thursday: Drag Party w/DJ RexxStep, 7pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL Commodo, Murkury, Mistah, Arkzen & King Shotta (bass, electronic), 9pm

AYURPRANA LISTENING ROOM

The Leah Song Project (Southern soul, roots), 7pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm

GINGER'S REVENGE SOUTH SLOPE LOUNGE Hops Around Comedy: Nathan Owens, 7pm

GREEN MAN

BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm

IMPERIÁL

DJ Short Stop (soul, Latin, dance), 9pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Bluegrass Jam hosted by Drew Matulich, 7:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Jake Burns (reggae, folk, rock), 7pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

Petah Iah & The Mind

Renewing Band w/ DJ Mtn Vibes (reggae, Latin, roots rock), 8pm

SALVAGE STATION

Women of AVL (funk, soul), 7pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Power Washer & Telephone Larry (post-rock, classic rock), 8pm

THE GETAWAY RIVER BAR

Karaoke w/Terraoke, 9pm

THE GREY EAGLE

The Collection w/Mom Rock & Dissimilar South (pop, folk, roots), 7pm

THE ODD

K!ng Sh!t: Episode III: Country Fried King Sh!t, 8pm

THE OUTPOST

Mile Twelve w/Zoe & Cloyd (bluegrass, roots, folk), 6pm

THE ROOT BAR

Kendra and Friends (multiple genres), 6pm

URBAN ORCHARD

Trivia Thursday, 6:30pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Mental Health Matters Benefit Concert, 7pm

FRIDAY, MARCH 31

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Venus (dark house dance party), 10pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR

Mr Jimmy's Friday Night Blues, 7:30pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

OTT (dance, electronic), 9pm

BEN'S TUNE UP

EK Balam (reggaeton, hip-hop), 8pm

BOTANIST & BARREL

TASTING BAR + BOTTLE SHOP

Chris Norred Duo (jazz), 6pm

DSSOLVR

Jolly Rancher Western Night w/DJ Duchess, 3pm

FLEETWOOD'S Destroyer of Light, Temptress & Night Beers (metal), 8pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

Spencer Thomas Smith (Appalachian, folk), 6pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

SOUTH SLOPE

LOUNGE

AVL Underground

Comedy: Kourtlyn Wiggins, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Jack Marion & The Pearl Snap Prophets (country), 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

Ben Phantom (pop, jazz, bluegrass), 7pm

IMPERIÁL

DJ James Nasty, 9pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

West King String Band (rock'n'roll, bluegrass, country), 9pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

5J Barrow Friday Nights (folk), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Naomi April & The Moments (pop, jazz, blues), 7pm

SALVAGE STATION

Lyric (R&B, soul), 7pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Ethan Heller & Friends w/Carey Walter & Jerard Sloan (psychedelic rock, funk), 9pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Chris Cooper Trio (fusion), 9pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Knoll w/God is War, B, Cave Grave & Consciousness (death metal, indsutrial, dark metal), 8pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Amy Steinberg: Album Release Show (jazz, rock, hip-hop), 7pm

Photo by Heather Burditt

THE ODD

Asheville After Dark

Presents: Perversion (adult & kink-friendly), 8pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK

MOUNTAIN

Lone Hollow (Americana, Southern rock), 8pm

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY

ACADEMY

80s MAXimum

Overdrive w/DJ Nato, 10pm

ASHEVILLE CLUB

Mr Jimmy (blues), 7pm

BANKS AVE.

Katarina's Saturday Cabaret: Drag Brunch, 2pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK

EXCHANGE

Dinah's Daydream (gypsy jazz), 5:30pm

BEN'S TUNE UP

Jaze Uries (house, electronic), 8pm

BOLD ROCK

ASHEVILLE

Bluegrass Brunch, 10am

CITIZEN VINYL

Appa-Laffin' Mountain

Revue, 8pm

CORK & KEG

Erika Lewis & Steven Paris (country, indiefolk, Americana), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Daisy Chain, Seismic

Sutra & Rhinestone

Pickup (indie, psychedelic rock), 9pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

SOUTH SLOPE

LOUNGE

Andy Ferrell (roots, folk, Americana), 4pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Deaf Andrews (rock'n'roll, blues, indie), 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

David Potter (folk, bluegrass, Celtic), 7pm

IMPERIÁL

DJ ShortStop (soul, latin, dance), 9pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• Nobody's Darling String Band, 4pm

• Chamomile & Whiskey (deep roots rock), 9pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

• Reedy River String Band (Appalachian, roots, rock'n'roll), 5pm

• Upland Drive (rock, reggae, jazz), 9pm

SALVAGE STATION

New Potato Caboose

w/Josh Daniel (rock), 7pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Peggy Ratusz & Daddy

Longlegs Blues Band, 9pm

THE BURGER BAR

Best Worst Karaoke w/

KJ Thunderkunt, 9pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Little Stranger's Cool

Kids Tour (indie, hiphop), 7pm

THE ODD Party Foul Presents:

April Fools, 7pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Beyonce vs Rihanna Dance Party, 9pm

THE OUTPOST

Caleb Caudle (Americana, folk, Appalachian), 7pm

URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE

80's Night, 7pm

SUNDAY,

APRIL 2

ALLEY CAT SOCIAL CLUB

Caged Affair (pop, punk, rock), 9pm

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY

ACADEMY

• Life's A Drag Brunch, 12pm

• SOL Dance Party w/

Zati (soul house), 9pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR

BAR

Mark's House Jam & Beggar's Banquet, 3pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

The Reverand Peyton's Big Damn Band (blues, country), 8pm

ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO.

Slice of Life Comedy, 6:30pm

THE OUTPOST

Phuncle Sam (Grateful Dead Tribute), 3pm

PLĒB URBAN WINERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 4pm

MONDAY, APRIL 3

5 WALNUT WINE BAR

CaroMia, Rahm, Daniel Iannuci & Jaze

Uries (soul, R&B, folk), 8pm

ALLEY CAT SOCIAL CLUB

Comedy The Hot Seat, 8pm

DSSOLVR

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

GREEN MAN

BREWERY

Traditonal Old Time Jam, 5:30pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Totally Rad Trivia w/ Mitch Fortune, 6pm

IMPERIÁL

DJ Short Stop (soul, Latin, dance), 9pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Quizzo! Pub Trivia w/ Jason Mencer, 7:30pm

NOBLE CIDER & MEAD DOWNTOWN

Freshen Up Comedy Showcase, 6:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Open Mic Downtown, 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Monday Mashup w/The

JLloyd MashUp Band, 8pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Weekly Ping Pong Tournament, 6pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Petite leauge (indierock), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Mr Jimmy and Friends (blues), 7pm

THE ORANGE PEEL Bikini Kill w/H.C.

McEntire (punk, riot grrrl, rock), 7pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK

MOUNTAIN

Jay Brown w/Kate Thomas & Sam Myers (folk, roots), 7pm

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

5 WALNUT WINE BAR

The John Henrys (jazz, swing), 8pm

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY

ACADEMY

Karaoke w/Ganymede, 10pm

FRENCH BROAD

BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Tusday Bluegrass w/ Jackson Grimm (folk, bluegrass, Appalachian), 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm

IMPERIÁL

DJ Mad Mike: Music for the People, 9pm

LOOKOUT BREWING

CO. Not Rocket Science Team Trivia, 6:30pm

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Early Tuesday Jam (funk), 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

The Grateful Family Band Tuesdays (Dead tribute, jam band, rock), 6pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Weekly Open Jam

hosted by Chris Cooper & Friends, 6:30pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Alexalone w/Colin Miller & Gummy (alt-indie), 8pm

THE BURGER BAR C U Next Tuesday Late Night Trivia, 9:30pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Leonard Cohen: The Deep Cuts w/The Moon & You (folk, country), 7pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

The Winery Dogs (rock, 7pm

THE SOCIAL Travers Freeway Open

Jam Tuesdays, 7pm

TWIN LEAF BREWERY

Tuesday Night Trivia, 7pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

White Horse Open Mic, 7pm

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5

12 BONES BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY

ACADEMY

Aquanet Goth Party w/ Ash Black, 8pm

BIER GARDEN Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 7pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING

Jay Brown (roots), 6pm

CORK & KEG

Chris Brashear & Joe Newberry (Ozark, bluegrass, Appalachian), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Shared Walls, Aunt Vicki & Hi Helens (garage rock), 9pm

HI-WIRE BREWING

Weekly Trivia Night w/ Not Rocket Science Trivia, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Songwriter Series w/ Matt Smith, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8:30pm

SALVAGE STATION

The Polish Ambassador (dance, electronic), 7pm

SOUTHERN

APPALACHIAN BREWERY

Jazz Night w/Jason

DeCristofaro, 6pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Poetry Open Mic, 8pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Michigan Rattlers w/ Old Sap (folk-rock, country), 7pm

THE SOCIAL

Wednesday Night Karaoke w/LYRIC, 9pm

TWIN LEAF BREWERY

Wednesday Open Mic, 5:30pm

THURSDAY, APRIL 6

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY

Kiki Thursday: Drag Party w/DJ RexxStep, 7pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR

BAR

MGB (covers, singer-songwriter), 7:30pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING

Sarah With an H (neofolk), 6pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm

GREEN MAN

BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm

IMPERIÁL

Homage To J DILLA w/ DJ Nex Millen, 9pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Bluegrass Jam hosted by Drew Matulich, 7:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Kathryn O'Shea (folk, Americana), 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

The 81 Drifters (bluegrass, folk, jamgrass), 8pm

THE GETAWAY RIVER

BAR

Karaoke w/Terraoke, 9pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

LazrLuvr (80s tribute band), 7pm

THE ROOT BAR

Kendra and Friends (multiple genres), 6pm

TWIN LEAF BREWERY

Thursday Night Karaoke, 8:45pm

URBAN ORCHARD

Trivia Thursday, 6:30pm

WRONG WAY

CAMPGROUND

Don't Tell Comedy: West Asheville, 7pm

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Sometimes, I give you suggestions that may, if you carry them out, jostle your routines and fluster your allies. But after trying out the new approaches for a short time, you may chicken out and revert to old habits. That’s understandable! It can be difficult to change your life. Here’s an example. What if I encourage you to cancel your appointments and wander out into the wilderness to discuss your dreams with the birds? And what if, during your adventure, you are flooded with exhilarating yearnings for freedom? And then you decide to divest yourself of desires that other people want you to have and instead revive and give boosts to desires that you want yourself to have? Will you actually follow through with brave practical actions that transform your relationship with your deepest longings?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You have done all you can for now to resolve and expunge stale, messy karma — some of which was left over from the old days and old ways. There may come a time in the future when you will have more cleansing to do, but you have now earned the right to be as free from your past and as free from your conditioning as you have ever been. APRIL FOOL! I lied. In fact, you still need to spend a bit more time resolving and expunging stale, messy karma. But you’re almost done!

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Businessman

Robert Bigelow hopes to eventually begin renting luxurious rooms in space. For $1.7 million per night, travelers will enjoy accommodations he provides on his orbiting hotel, 200 miles above the Earth’s surface. Are you interested? I bet more Geminis will be signing up for this exotic trip than any other sign. You’re likely to be the journeyers most excited by the prospect of sailing along at 17,000 miles per hour and witnessing 16 sunsets and sunrises every 24 hours. APRIL FOOL! In fact, you Geminis are quite capable of getting the extreme variety you crave and need right here on the planet’s surface. And during the coming weeks, you will be even more skilled than usual at doing just that.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to become the overlord of your own fiefdom, or seize control of a new territory and declare yourself chieftain, or overthrow the local hierarchy and install yourself as the sovereign ruler of all you survey. APRIL FOOL! I was metaphorically exaggerating a bit — but just a bit. I do in fact believe now is an excellent phase to increase your clout, boost your influence, and express your leadership. Be as kind you can be, of course, but also be rousingly mighty and fervent.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In his poem “The Something,” Charles Simic writes, “Here come my night thoughts on crutches, returning from studying the heavens. What they thought about stayed the same. Stayed immense and incomprehensible.” According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you Leos will have much the same experience in the coming weeks. So there’s no use in even hoping or trying to expand your vision. APRIL FOOL! I lied. The truth is, you will not have Simic’s experience. Just the opposite. When your night thoughts return from studying the heavens, they will be full of exuberant, inspiring energy. (And what exactly are “night thoughts”? They are bright insights you discover in the darkness.)

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): If there will ever come a time when you will find a gold bullion bar on the ground while strolling around town, it will be soon. Similarly, if you are destined to buy a winning $10 million lottery ticket or inherit a diamond mine in Botswana, that blessing will arrive soon. APRIL FOOL! I was exaggerating a bit. The truth is, I suspect you are now extra likely to attract new resources and benefits, though not on the scale of gold bullion, lottery winnings, and diamond mines.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Do you have a muse, Libra? In my opinion, all of us need and deserve at least one muse, even if we’re not creative artists. A muse can be a spirit or hero or ally who inspires us, no matter what work and play we do. A muse may call our attention to important truths we are ignoring or point us in the direction of exciting future possibilities. According to my astrological analysis, you are now due for a muse upgrade. If you don’t have one, get one — or even more. If you already have a relationship with a muse, ask more from it. Nurture it. Take it to the next level.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Dear Valued Employee: Our records show you haven’t used any vacation time over the past 100 years. As you may know, workers get three weeks of paid leave per year or else receive pay in lieu of time off. One added week is granted for every five years of service. So please, sometime soon, either take 9,400 days off work or notify our office, and your next paycheck will reflect payment of $8,277,432, including pay and interest for the past 1,200 months. APRIL FOOL! Everything I just said was an exaggeration. But there is a grain of truth in it. The coming weeks should bring you a nice surprise or two concerning your job.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian poet and artist William Blake (1757–1827) was a hard-working visionary prophet with an extravagant imagination. His contemporaries considered him a freaky eccentric, though today we regard him as a genius. I invite you to enjoy your own personal version of a Blake-like phase in the coming weeks. It’s a perfect time to dynamically explore your idiosyncratic inclinations and creative potentials. Be bold, even brazen, as you celebrate what makes you unique. BUT WAIT! Although everything I just said is true, I must add a caveat: You don’t necessarily need to be a freaky eccentric to honor your deepest, most authentic truths and longings.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Some of my friends disapprove of cosmetic surgery. I remind them that many cultures throughout history have engaged in body modification. In parts of Africa and Borneo, for example, people stretch their ears. Some Balinese people get their teeth filed. Women of the indigenous Kyan people in Thailand elongate their necks using brass coils. Anyway, Capricorn, this is my way of letting you know that the coming weeks would be a favorable time to change your body. APRIL FOOL! It’s not my place to advise you about whether and how to reshape your body. Instead, my job is to encourage you to deepen and refine how your mind understands and treats your body. And now is an excellent time to do that.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I invite you to make a big change. I believe it’s crucial if you hope to place yourself in maximum alignment with current cosmic rhythms. Here’s my idea: Start calling yourself by the name “Genius.” You could even use it instead of the first name you have used all these years. Tell everyone that from now on, they should address you as “Genius.” APRIL FOOL! I don’t really think you should make the switch to Genius. But I do believe you will be extra smart and ultra-wise in the coming weeks, so it wouldn’t be totally outrageous to refer to yourself as “Genius.”

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Your body comprises 30 trillion human cells and 39 trillion microbial cells, including the bacteria that live within you. And in my astrological estimation, those 69 trillion life forms are vibrating in sweet harmony with all the money in the world. Amazing! Because of this remarkable alignment, you now have the potential to get richer quicker. Good economic luck is swirling in your vicinity. Brilliant financial intuitions are likely to well up in you. The Money God is far more amenable than usual to your prayers. APRIL FOOL! I was exaggerating a bit. But I do believe you now have extra ability to prime your cash flow.

Want to advertise in Marketplace? 828-251-1333 advertise@mountainx.com • mountainx.com/classifieds

EMPLOYMENT GENERAL

$500 SIGN ON BONUS, PRODUCTION WORKER

Selina Naturally is growing and looking to expand their Production Team. If you are a reliable, fast worker and love working for a family owned company then this job is for you. Hours: Monday - Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the occasional Overtime Friday Pay: For heavy lifters the pay is $18.00 per hour (must be able to lift 50 pounds easily) For light lifters the pay is $17.00 per hour Job Description: repetitive work of filling and sealing bags of sea salt, putting lot codes on bags, mixing herbs and cleaning the work stations along with other production department tasks. We are looking for someone hard working, reliable, driven and has a great attitude. This department is small but mighty as we work as a well oiled machine together. We support each other and know how to get the job done. If this is the environment you think you would enjoy and thrive in then please e-mail us with a valid phone number so we can set up an interview. NOTE: we are fragrance free facility and adhere to strict GMP standards Contact: Info@ selinanaturally.com or come in and fill out an application 16 Celtic Dr. Arden NC 28704 info@selinanaturally.com www.selinanaturally.com

SKILLED LABOR/ TRADES

FULL TIME NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR Supervisor will oversee the construction of Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity houses. Applicant must be able to oversee 10 skilled or unskilled volunteers daily in construction procedures, quality, and safety. Must have Two or more years’ experience in residential construction. T – S 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. $47k - $53k year jobs@ashevillehabitat.org ashevillehabitat.org/careers

FINANCIAL

ARE YOU BEHIND $10K OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES?

Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 844-836-9861

(Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST) (AAN CAN)

IMOCO

INC. IN FLETCHER,

NORTH CAROLINA IS HIRING! We are looking for experienced Millwrights workers, HVAC, plumbing and electrical technicians, along with CDL drivers to perform industrial projects in Western North Carolina and the upstate of South Carolina. Jobs may require overtime and occasional out of town travel. If you are interested in being a part of our team please go to our website, imocoinc.net/employment/ to fill out an application or drop by our office located at 111 Guaranteed Way, Fletcher, NC 28732

MEDICAL/ HEALTH CARE

PART TIME FRONT DESK/ RECEPTIONIST POSITION

AVAILABLE Become a member of our dynamic, professional and friendly team of practitioners. Part Time position available at Welcome Wellness, 15-30 hours a week. Starting pay will be $15-$18 an hour. Please e-mail your resume to office@welcomewellnessasheville.com. Any questions please feel free to call us at 828-667-4060 welcomewellnessasheville.com

HOTEL/ HOSPITALITY

HOME

4G LTE HOME INTERNET

NOW AVAILABLE! Get GotW3 with lightning fast speeds plus take your service with you when you travel! As low as $109.99/mo.! 1-866571-1325. (AAN CAN)

LANDSCAPING

NATIONAL PEST CONTROL

Are you a homeowner in need of a pest control service for your home? Call 866-6160233. (AAN CAN)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ATTENTION HOMEOWNERS

If you have water damage and need cleanup, call us! We’ll work with your insurance to get your home repaired and your life back to normal ASAP! Call 833-664-1530 (AAN CAN)

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES

In as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months!  Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 1-866-370-2939. (AAN CAN)

BCI WALK-IN TUBS ARE ON SALE Be one of the first 50 callers and save $1,500! Call 844-514-0123 for a free in-home consultation. (AAN CAN)

MEN’S SPORTS WATCHES WANTED Advertiser is looking to buy men’s sport watches. Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Here, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. The advertiser pays cash for qualified watches. Call 888-320-1052 (AAN CAN)

SPECTRUM INTERNET AS LOW AS $29.99! Call to see if you qualify for ACP and free internet. No Credit Check. Call Now! 833-955-0905 (AAN CAN)

CLASSES

&

WORKSHOPS

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

DRAWING AND OIL PAINTING INSTRUCTION All levels welcome. Learn new drawing and painting skills or improve on your existing skills. Three lesson packages available to choose from. www.studiojamesdaniel.com

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT

COUNSELING SERVICES

ASTRO-COUNSELING

Licensed counselor and accredited professional astrologer uses your chart when counseling for additional insight into yourself, your relationships and life directions. Stellar Counseling Services. Christy Gunther, MA, LCMHC. (828) 258-3229

FULL TIME RESTORE CUSTODIAN- ASHEVILLE LOCATION This role is primarily responsible for the cleanliness of both the Upper and Lower showrooms, restrooms, break room, conference room, trash, and recycling. 2 years’ experience in Commercial cleaning required. jobs@ashevillehabitat.org ashevillehabitat.org/ careers

SERVICES

AUDIO/VIDEO DISH TV SPECIAL $64.99 for 190 Channels + $14.95

High Speed Internet. Free installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866-566-1815. (AAN CAN)

DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 888476-1107. (AAN CAN)

GUTTER GUARDS AND REPLACEMENT GUTTERS INBOUND Never clean your gutters again! Affordable, professionally installed gutter guards protect your gutters and home from debris and leaves forever! For a free quote call: 844-499-0277 (AAN CAN)

LONG DISTANCE MOVING

Call for a free quote from America’s Most Trusted Interstate Movers. Let us take the stress out of moving! Call to speak to our Quality Relocation Specialists: Call 855-787-4471. (AAN CAN)

SPIRITUAL

PHONE READINGS AVAIL-

ABLE We have 30 years of experience helping clients achieve their full potential and be the best person they can be through Reiki and Spiritual Mentorship. www. reikidivinehealer.com. 240755-2575.

AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

CASH FOR CARS! We buy all cars! Junk, high-end, totaled – it doesn’t matter! Get free towing and same day cash! NEWER MODELS too! Call 866-535-9689. (AAN CAN)

Build Community, Fellowship, and Friendship

Learn about volunteer options in your community.

Volunteering is not only good for our health, it’s a solid way to build community, fellowship, and friendship. By getting to know and appreciate what’s in our surrounding community, we have more opportunities to break out of isolating situations - or break out of our own shells by sharing our sense of purpose and the joy of serving others.

Participants at this event will hear from author Val Walker directly, connect with other who have similar interests, and meet the volunteer coordinators with local organizations. There will be virtual and in-person options throughout Western North Carolina. Those who attend in person will receive the added benefit of lunch provided by AARP.

Building Community Through Volunteering:

Lunch with The Author

Join us in-person or virtually - Thursday, April 6, 12:30: Lunch, 1-2:30 Presentation and local community resources.

Learn more and register at: events.aarp.org/BuildingCommunity

Mountain Region

/AARPmountainnc

/AARPNC

@AARPmountainnc aarp.org/NC

ACROSS

1 Bird’s sound

6 Lion’s sound

10 Dog’s sound

14 Recovers

15 The “A” in A.D.

16 “I wish I had more thumbs to put up!,” e.g.

17 Diplomat

18 Tamagotchis are digital ones

19 “Don’t overdo it”

20 Region in South America that’s technically part of Europe

23 Malia, to Sasha Obama, for short

24 “Next time someone tells Bronx girls to take off their ___, they can just say they’re dressing like a congresswoman”: A.O.C.

25 Saharan vipers

28 Hang in the balance

29 Southeast Asian noodle dish invented in a nationalist recipe contest

32 Stayed in neutral

35 Greek city renowned for its olives

36 Brown University’s mascot Bruno, for one

37 Be cheap, say

39 “Really, though?”

40 African country with its own 13-month calendar

42 TV producer Chaiken

43 Loses one’s temper

44 Refuse to proceed

46 Costa ___

47 Unappetizing drink

49 Utmost

52 Word sounded out by the ends of 20-, 35and 40-Across

55 “So much for that!”

58 “This register’s now open!”

59 Amy of “Arrival”

60 Burn soother

61 It’s bent while genuflecting

62 Hold off from publishing, as a scoop

63 Snake’s sound

64 Cat’s sound

65 Pig’s sound DOWN

1 Ones who will give you a mouthful?

2 Painter Matisse

3 Pronounced features of American Craftsman-style houses

4 Musk of new cars?

5 Pumped

6 Eminem song with a Guinness world record for “most words in a hit single” (1,560 in six minutes)

7 Extra life, in video games

8 Like some email filters

9 Activist Parks

10 Liquid that may be pumped

11 Small battery

12 Some music festival lodgings

13 Shift or Enter

21 Sweetie

22 “De ___”

(“You’re welcome,” in Spanish)

26 Terrible twos, e.g.

27 Lustrous fabric

28 They help you see at sea

30 Mont Blanc, e.g.

31 “Must be something ___”

32 “___ of you!”

33 Dissuade

34 “Chicago Hope” actress Christine

35 Car company whose name roughly translates to “rising out of Asia”

37 There’s the rub!

38 It might be printed on a placemat

41 Arab nation that’s a top exporter of gypsum

42 “None for me, thanks”

44 Like grapefruit or arugula 45 Teléfono greeting

Author: Val Walker