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Where Eagles Soar... National Park Expansion in Buncombe County, NC
The U.S. Forest Service is pushing to expand the current growth and success of bald eagle rehabilitation in the Southeastern Corridor of the United States. The first place this will occur is in Buncombe County, NC. By expanding the national forest, they hope to identify the most likely areas we are to see bald eagle nests. Learn more on page 32.
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WILDLIFE & NATURE MAGAZINE
CONTRIBUTORS
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JOSHUA A. LLOYD CREATIVE DIRECTOR
“Through Hardship to the stars.”
DEAN YOBBI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ”Seeking to inspire and to be inspired.”
CORINNE BELLO
JOHN MARCUM
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
“If you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong.”
ASTROLOGICAL ADVISOR
BILL GILLILAND
BUSINESS ADVISOR
“It’s not a goal if you know how to do it. It’s a to do list.” EXPLORE BLACK BLACK MOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN EXPLORE
DESIGN ADVISOR
SAVANNA WILLINGHAM CONCEPT WRITER
“Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
DON TALLEY
HISTORICAL ADVISOR
“Itinerant Celebrant of life, Love, Light and Laughter.”
JON BROOKS
CHARMAIN YOBBI
“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”
“Come explore the little town that rocks!”
PHILANTHROPY ADVISOR 5
SALES ADVISOR
CONTRIBUTORS MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages 8 - 9: Forward Pages 10 - 13: Black Mountain College. A History of Education with Savanna WIllingham. Pages 14 - 17: Design Science with Buckminster Fuller.. Pages 18-21: Featured Artist Jose Bello. Pages 22-23: A Summer Under The Stars with Corinne Bello. Pages 24-31: Featured Restaurant - The Red Rocker Inn. Pages 32-41: Wildlife & Nature - The Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center. Pages 42-43: NBC’s SPARTAN RACE 2017. Pages 44-49: “The Dark Side of the Mountain” with Dean Yobbi. Pages 50-51: Business to Buniness tips with ActionCoach Bill Gilliland. Pages 52-55: “Complaisance” Work ethics & Awarenss with Joshua A. Lloyd.
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FORWARD
“We plan to help everyone explore Black Mountain but, more importantly we plan to enlighten all of you as to what that truly means. We can explore the vast and beautiful landscapes that surround our picturesque town but, to truly explore Black Mountain - one must also discover the alluring minds that make our home so special. - I dedicate this publication to them.�
A LAND BELONGING There is a place that only exists in my mind. This is where the snow never melts and my eyes glaze over with the wind. This is a place where who I am is not measured in dollars and cents. - Instead, I am measured with a peace of mind. A peace of mind knowing that through these mountains I discovered my journey. And from this journey, my destination came to be.
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JOSHLLOYDMEDIA
MEDIA STRATEGY & DEVELOPMENT
“Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.” -Mark Twain Joshua A. Lloyd has been producing content professionally since 1999. His talent and focus is dedicated to the development of grassroots programs that facilitate the betterment of our culture. In collaboration with your agency; Josh Lloyd Media is capable of producing your content from anywhere in the world.
Increase your production value with our tools...
MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY A professional level marketing campaign can do a lot for your client’s moral as we know that not every product / concept sells as fast others. Our marketing strategy is built around the need to provide statistic driven results to people who expect nothing less than instant gratification. Our services prove to stimulate confidence in your company culture and give way to self awareness throughout your platform. To be able to view your successes as an agency is critical for quarterly growth & development. As a multimedia outfit, we are capable of deploying your full marketing campaign. From publishing materials, video production, photography & essential web based development. Our small business website & social network fan page platforms bring a great deal of attention to any cause.
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MAGAZINE
The Art of Time
Concept Writer: Savannah Willingham Visitors were allowed to sit in on lectures as they pleased, while faculty offered one-of-akind outlets of discovery in music, ceramics, painting, creative expression and theory. Not only was the class structure a unique set up, but the campus itself was built around self-sufficiency and exploration.-- Where dedicated students could apply their free time and holidays to the growth of the campus farm lands, and care of the buildings as they pleased, and as many did.
Anyone who has wandered through the sleepy streets of Black Mountain Historic has eventually strolled past the steadfast buildings and historical markers that pay tribute to Black Mountain College. Yet does anyone still feel the shiver of it’s influence, surrounding us daily, several generations after it’s idealistic creation? Founded in 1933, the College was an innovative step in reshaping traditional education by combining the free-thinking structure of John Dewey, and a passionate belief that Arts were what was needed to truly experience education. Led with fierce pride by John A. Rice and a rallying faculty, the Black Mountain College would become a one of a kind institution with an influence that would forever saturate our little town’s roots.
This was a place that allowed the stalwart personality to shine, and the creative mind to explore; the only type of school to ever focus not on prepared studies and exams, but instead on the self-discipline and self-growth of each individual that let themselves be a part of it. This included faculty, artists and musicians from extremely varied backgrounds. Who made their way from all walks of life, even crossing the ocean from other countries to find peace and commitment over the college’s twenty-seven year stint.
Classes were not held to rigorous degrees, instead, art classes of every kind could be attended by anyone interested in them. EXPLORE BLACK MOUNTAIN
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By today’s standards, this may not be such a grand thing, with our ability to share people’s accomplishments and beautiful moments of humanity with a single click of a mouse but, we must consider the time at which Black Mo untain College came to be. America was at the tail end of the Depression’s strangling grip. No sooner did we try to recover but Germany’s invasion of Poland began World War II, and the Great Dust Bowl tripped behind on it’s heels. These were not easy times. Nor was this a time to expect a rennasaiance of ideas and creativity to flourish. The nation was entering some of it’s most historically shadowing times, yet nestled within the mountains of North Carolina, was this small school of creative genius and a do-or-die mentality to change peoples minds. An easy internet search will spit out the names of famous artists, musicians, and even one scientist of ‘theologically relative’ renowned on the Board of Directors that all had part in Black Mountain College. Yet it is the unknown stories, the ingrained impact, and the continuing growth of arts and culture that I want to draw your attention to. Deep within the bright streets of Asheville’s downtown disctrict is the Black Mountain College Museum. This is the torch of shared arts and creative exploration that is carried by sharing the unsung stories of the College’s past and future. EXPLOREBLACK BLACKMOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN EXPLORE
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Warren Wilson College echos the ideals of BMC with its strong standing as one of the best liberal art colleges in the nation. Galleries and shared artists dot the map of Western North Carolina as colorfully as the tree leaftourists flock to watch change each Autumn. In this time of educational cuts for the arts, of forgotten stories, and of consistent corporate overcast on the ‘small business ideal’, let us take a moment to stop, and listen to the echo of the past, and watch how much the influence of art still colors the world around us. For a further glimpse into the past of BMC, visits Black Mountain College Museum at... 56 Broadway Street Asheville NC.
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EDUCATION MAGAZINE
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ISSUE #01
TAKING SIDES How do you change the world by taking something away in it? If you’re Buckminster Fuller, it’s just a simple matter of ‘taking sides’. Born in 1895, ‘Bucky’ Fuller spent his life studying art, design, science, geometry, and architecture. He refused to be labelled under any specific moniker to these works, preferring instead to describe himself as a ‘comprehensive anticipatory design scientist’-- one who would ultimately change the way we saw the world (literally, with the invention of his Dymaxion World Map) with his geodesic designs.
Through geometrical studies Fuller realized that most architectural designs were based off of the rectangle, and that by simply removing one side to form a triangle, one could design a geodome structure that proved stronger, cheaper, more green, and extremely more efficient than most structures created before it. His first finalized design for the public of the 1940’s was the Dymaxion (Wichita) House. Despite following all of these ideals it came up against several issues with homebuilding techniques at the time that caused its production to be shot down in a standoff between stockholders and union builders.
BUCKMINSTER’S DYMAXION MAP
GLASS HALF FULLER At this moment his career became a moment of inspiration, instead of failure, thanks to a suggested substitution position at Black Mountain College. In the summer of 1948, Fuller became part of the faculty of lecturers in one of BMC’s most successful semesters, and gives credit not only to the community and students that helped him create and reshape his famous ‘geodesic’ designed home, but allowed him to explore his own creativity through the designs other art led faculty members and blooming lifelong friendships with students. By the next summer, Fuller had returned to Black Mountain College as a director, with new following faculty and students in tow towards success.
It was here that Fuller’s students banded together to help create and bring to life his new geodesic home. It was also here that they failed the first time, only to consider it a success in it’s own for teaching them, and using that newly found knowledge to finalize a working design the second summer. It was here, at Black Mountain College, that Fuller brought to life one of his most trusted and attributed ideas of successful symmetry for art and math, all in the form of a home that could change the world.
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DESIGN SCIENCE MAGAZINE
This all came to be because he was willing to take away the side of a rectangle, and selflessly take away a side of himself. To be swayed under the influence of Black Mountain College’s unique environment. And even more, the creative people who made this place so special.
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Spaceship Earth is the iconic and symbolic structure of Epcot, the second of four theme parks built at the Walt Disney World Resort. One of the most recognizable structures of any theme park, it is also the name of the attraction that is housed within the 18-story geodesic sphere that takes guests on a time machine-themed experience using the Omnimover system. The term “Spaceship Earth” was popularised by Buckminster Fuller.
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DESIGN SCIENCE MAGAZINE
Featured Artist
Jose Bello
Business: Design Driven Age: 52 Birthplace: Venezuela Specialties: Interior and exterior architectural craftsmanship, murals, custom furniture. Inspiration: “Life itself.” Most proud of: “My current project, which involves providing multi-purpose spaces. I am implementing an innovative modular design based on geometric studies.’’ Can’t live without:“Health and enough time to do the things I want to do.” Describe your work in one sentence: “Taking a thought and materializing the thought.” What’s so great about living Black Mountain? “Experiencing the community. I did not experience this in Florida. It’s one big family here.”
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NEW BUSINESS OPENS IN TOWN. TOURISTS ARE MOST WELCOME. DESIGN DRIVEN TO SUCCEED Small Business Writer: Dean Yobbi
Artists tend to do their best work unconstrained but not Jose Bello. He thrives on creating under and within constraints. It brings out his best, and that’s what makes his studio, Design Driven, a creative embellishment of the form-follows- function principle. “I’m a natural problem-solver of aesthetics,’’ said Bello, 52. “I’m left-brained. ‘The splash’ (of color) has to make sense. How will it play with the surroundings?’’ Design Driven, which Bello runs with wife Corinne, has a feeling of right-brain creative meets left-brain linear. Together, the couple operates a studio-boutique. On the studio side, they create custom specialty wall finishes, unique ceiling designs, fireplace mantles and a slew of architectural details for interiors and exteriors. The boutique contains an eclectic mix of fine art, rare finds, re-purposed goods, vintage and new clothing and custom furnishings. Bello is also known for custom furniture crafting and fine art, which was on display last summer at the Black Mountain Center of the Arts. Samples of his work can be seen at Black Mountain’s Junction Building and the Que Sera restaurant on Black Mountain Avenue. “I met Jose Bello by referral,’’ said George Merlin, President of George Merlin Associates, an architectural and interior design company. “I expected a plasterer and faux finisher and found all of that but much more. Jose is an artisan with beautiful finishing ability, but before that, he is an extremely creative designer. He worked with our concepts, suggested some of his own and added inspiring embellishment details. His breadth and depth of talent as well as his entire team’s gracious working demeanor is a rare find.’’ Past clients have hired Bello to create wine rooms, home theaters and entire living spaces. Each client gets a completely custom design, working within the structure’s limitations and person’s budget and schedule. The Bellos moved to Black Mountain from the Tampa Bay area in Florida, where they operated the design company Studio Arte Bello for fifteen years. While business thrived in Florida through word-of-mouth, Bello is adjusting to a different market here in Asheville and Black Mountain. EXPLOREBLACK BLACKMOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN EXPLORE
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DESIGNMAGAZINE SCIENCE
Born José Luis Bello Sanchez, the fourth of five children, in a small town in Eastern Venezuela at a time of democratic and financial stability. His Father, an oil technician in the field of Electronics and his Mother, a hand crafted apparel entrepreneur who managed a business from the front end of their home. With creativity and a lineal energy emerging from Bello’s parental DNA, he developed both, left-brain and right-brain skills, which have always worked together in a precarious balance. Bello was on assignment in the United States with the US Air Force. After a year of service, Bello met his wife Corinne. They were married six months later upon his return to Venezuela in 1988. Political unrest began to unfold in Venezuela in 1989. Jose and Corinne moved back to the United States a month before their first daughter was born. At this turning point in his life, José decided to reconnect with the Arts. He traded in his strict technical training for brushes, oils, and canvas. Bello and Corinne created a successful design company that awarded them many accolades in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. Bello became a hybrid between a hands-on artisan and a high-end designer who appealed to architects, home-builders, and home owners alike. Bello’s versatility with mixed media and his creative problem solving abilities afforded him world renowned opportunities to date. Such as, completing works in public hospitals, private clinics, restaurants, night clubs, various residences and private commissions all around the globe. Jose and Corinne fell in love with the area after frequently vacationing here and were drawn to the feeling of “community.” A graduate of the Air Force Academy specializing in aerodynamics, Jose has no formal training in artistic design. He has worked as a professional artist for 16 years and subscribes to the ancient theory of sacred geometry, the roots of which are embedded in nature and the mathematical principals of design and everything about Design Driven reflects this. EXPLORE EXPLORE BLACK BLACK MOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN
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“I’ve learned to stay humble. There is amazing talent here. This experience has opened my eyes to a world of possibilities. Artists should always be evolving.’’
What is sacred geometry? Sacred geometry ascribes symbolic and sacred meanings to certain geometric shapes and certain geometric proportions. It is associated with the belief that God is the geometer of the world. The geometry used in the design and construction of religious structures such as churches, temples, mosques, religious monuments, altars, and tabernacles has sometimes been considered sacred. The concept applies also to sacred spaces such as sacred groves, village greens, holy wells, and the creation of religious art. “Sacred is the ethereal part, And geometry represents structure.’’ Bello said. - Meaning that each structure is extrememly delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world. All while proving incredibly durable and resistant to degredation.
The belief that a god created the universe according to a geometric plan has ancient origins. Plutarch attributed the belief to Plato, writing that “Plato said God geometrizes continually.” In modern times, the mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss adapted this quote, saying “God arithmetizes”. You can find sacred geometry in both modern and historical works of art, architecture and most especially in life itself. Jose often speaks of the Fibonacci sequence. Named after an Italian mathematician, considered to be “the most talented Western mathematician of the Middle Ages.” In the Fibonacci sequence of numbers, each number is the sum of the previous two numbers and, from this mathmatical sequence itself, life came to be. However you characterize Design Driven, do not call it work. “You don’t work to live. You live to work,’’ Bello said. “This is not my work; it’s my passion.’’
“Solving a problem can sometimes lead to a great discovery,’’
- Jose Bello
Inspired by life itself. Featured in the background is a Spiral Staircase created by Giuseppe Momo. It is called the Momo Staircase or the Snail Staircase. It is made up of two wrought iron stairways. One going up and, one going down curving in a double helix. Ironically it was created in a time before the double helix became a symbol for science, DNA and subsequently, all human life known to man. EXPLORE BLACK MOUNTAIN
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DESIGN SCIENCE MAGAZINE
SUMMER UNDER TH
With Astrological Advisor Corinne Bello
There is a Swedish proverb that says, “A life without love is like a year without summer.”
out plans to expand. In this event, we will see our full Strawberry Moon also referred to as the full Hot Moon. The Native Americans and Colonial Americans used the full moons to keep track of the lunar calendar and the changing seasons. The names given to them refer to what crop was ready to harvest or what message Mother Earth was trying to convey.
It’s the time where we add more light to our day, where we tend to stay awake later enjoying the evening sun, and where there are many days we can’t tell if it’s Tuesday or Saturday. As adults, we have that imprinted “summer vacation” feeling in our hearts and in our natural bio-rythym.
This June’s bright full moon will be in the sign of Sagittarius, which will be a light and joyful phase for us and less emotional than most full moons. So with the happy Sagittarius moon on one side of the astrological sphere opposing the Gemini sun, who is all about the excitement of communicating what they believe in, this evening of sharing can be a long night for many of us! It’s an opportunity for intense conversations, brainstorming, and indulging in some good old fashioned amusement.
We intuitively eat less because of the warmer weather, we are more active as we are digging around in our gardens, or set out on a search for that secret watering hole to jump into. As our skin takes on a new glow. It reminds us of our childhood. Nostalgic thoughts of summer camp and falling in love for the first time. Riding bikes in the neighborhood and hanging out with the big kids. It’s this time of year when we reminisce about the forts we built in the woods and the adventures that went on with our childhood friends. It’s these memories that last a lifetime. To be a child again, where swimming, laughing and playing were our jobs. It was all we knew. As we roll into the summer months,the planets have their own spontaneous energy that will affect all of us. As they transit through all of the astrological signs of the zodiac, one by one, we especially feel the gravitational force of the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars and Venus since they are our closest personal planets to Earth.
On the 9th of July, when the sun is in the sign of Cancer, we will experience a full Buck Moon or also referred to as the full Thunder Moon. Bucks will start to grow antlers and thunderstorms become more prevalent in July. This full moon in Capricorn encourages us to use our own wisdom and experience to consolidate, pay attention, and construct a solid plan.
In June, where Mars and the Sun are in the astrological sign of Gemini, we notice that we want to start sharing ideas and are a little more talkative than usual. On June 9th, some of us will be coming back from a vacation, others finishing up our studies. Many of us will be completing our well thought
Since Cancer and Capricorn are at opposite stations on the astrological wheel, we can feel the energy of the Cancerian emotional pull of wanting to be close to home and family. while the Capricorn’s pragmatic drive tells us to keep on task until the time is right for that family reunion. This may restrict us from those dreams until we get our duties accomplished.
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HE STARS Towards the last phase of summer, while we bask in the sun sign of Leo, from the third week of July into the third week of August, we might feel the urge to create something artistic, redecorate our homes, or spend some one on one time with our children. On August 7th, during Leo lunar eclipse, we will have a full Sturgeon Moon or also known as the full Grain Moon in the sign of Aquarius.
This magical position of the planets assimilates the lightbulb illuminating for the first time. This first Monday in August, you could be a bit friendlier than usual, more willing to help out, and probably pondering some original ideas that could be of a humanitarian nature. This is due to the energy within this Aquarius full moon.
Our ancestors were fishing sturgeon and reaping grain in the months of August. With our sizzling Leo sun’s spirit conflicting with the independent Aquarius bright full moon, it’s as if we are taking that creative Leo strength and adding a bag full of Aquarian’s unexpected ideas! The Aquarian force is full of quirky theories and inventions. So imagine using those ingenious thoughts and putting them into action with that Leo imagination?
Our final great event of the summer is the solar eclipse which occurs on August 21st. It will be only a partial eclipse for us here in the Black Mountain - Asheville area. That means you will have to wear protective eclipse glasses to view it around 2:35pm - that afternoon. We will have a new moon in Leo at that time. This is a perfect time to set intentions for the fall season to come. Keep in mind the concepts that we would like to manifest while celebrating our own unique story. We will tend to think about the responsibilities that we have to our own children at this Leo moment, and ot will be hard to forget to save time for play like we did as children but, make sure you do before the summer comes to a screeching halt!
During this Leo sun and Aquarius full moon phase, many great discoveries have occurred in history. On August 1, 1900, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” was copyright registered. In early August 1941, the first jeep from Willy’s Truck Company, rolled off of the assembly line and on August 6, 1935. In this same way, William Coolidge obtained a patent for the cathode ray tube, a critical ingredient of TV. August 12, 1930, Clarence Birdseye patented a method for packaging frozen foods.
Connect with us on social media for more info on upcoming workshops and events. You can find us on instagram at @DesignDriven_Studio and on Facebook at Design Driven Studio. You can also find us through our website directl at http://designdrivenstudio.com
During the Aquarius full moon of August of 1984, Bill Gates of IBM released MS-DOS version 3.0 for home computers.
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ASTROLOGY MAGAZINE
This is a (ten-image) stitched gigapixel photograph. Shot on the Mamiya 645. Produced by Joshua A. Lloyd with Medium Format film and an 85mm lens.
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Devil’s Courthouse and The Legend of Tsul’Kalu Cherokee lore had been reported to state that Tsul’Kalu or “Jutaculla” is a slant eyed giant that dwells in the cave of the Devil’s Courthouse. However James Mooney, a Cherokee ethnographer located Jutaculla 100 years earlier to Tanasee Bald. Also known as Tennessee Bald. 1.5 miles �outhwest of the Devil’s Courthouse. Folklore states that the devil holds court in the chambers of the cave.
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PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE
FEATURED RESTAURANT
The Red Rocker Inn Co-Written by Dean Yobbi & Joshua A. Lloyd
The locals of Black Mountain don’t always associate a fine dining experience with a bed and breakfast that typically caters to outsiders but, The Red Rocker Inn holds one of the best kept secrets in town. That is... their dinner menu. The Red Rocker Inn is the recipient of the “Best of Show” 2014 and 2016 and “Best Dessert” 2013 and 2015 awards at the “Rock the Taste” Chamber of Commerce sponsored restaurant showcase event in Black Mountain. This unique restaurant is also a multitime winner of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence. Come for a visit and you’ll agree that a dinner at The Red Rocker Inn is an experience unmatched by any in the region. The exceptional casual fine-dining fare is enhanced by the beautiful homey setting of our Victorian mansion and is served with love and care. The Inn Keepers, Doug and Jenny Bowman take great pride in choosing the finest quality ingredients in all of their selections, including homemade desserts. Your experience may begin with any of the tantalizing appetizers such as a homemade flatbread with brie, figs, and caramelized onions. Or try the award-winning smoked trout croquettes. You might order their homemade soup or salad of the day, all served with hot buttermilk biscuits and homemade apple butter. All entrees are specially prepared to order and served with two freshly-prepared sides. The ingredients are the freshest available, many are even locally sourced. The Red Rocker Inn is ideal for any occasion. Whether it is a special celebration, or just a night out with friends. Bring a large group or just the two of you. It will be an evening you won’t soon forget. Just be sure to come hungry and save room for dessert. Beginning in early 2014 the Inn began an extensive renovation on this beautiful old home.They first revealed their beautifully preserved 100 year-old hardwood floors, some in oak, some in pine. Then added new area rugs to add color and coziness. In addition, many rooms received fresh paint and other new decor. New carpet in the dining rooms and halls, new ceilings, new walls, and baths were all apart of this much needed facelift. Not all the renovation work was cosmetic. Some was just for fun. EXPLORE BLACK MOUNTAIN
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At a Glance... Who: The Red Rocker Inn. Where: 136 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain, 28711 Innkeepers: Doug and Jenny Bowman / (828) 669-5991 Rates: From $130-$240 a night. Describe Red Rocker Inn in one sentence: The Red Rocker Inn is a premier Black Mountain Bed and Breakfast Inn and Restaurant, serving guests with beautiful comfortable rooms, out standing dining, and genuine hospitality. What’s great about living Black Mountain/WNC? We’ve got it all here. Varied but pleasant climate, stunning scenery and all the adventure the outdoors can offer, engaging culture and unique experiences. Top it all off with Southern friendliness and it’s a great place to visit or live.
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Q&A
with Innkeeper Jenny Bowman.
All five of your kids have or are working at the Inn. Some families can barely get everyone to the dinner table at the same time to enjoy a meal and socialize. What keeps you guys on the same page? I really think all of our children have bought into the idea that the inn is a family venture. Although their names are not on the mortgage, they feel like the inn belongs to them personally. They have emotional investment and often have great ideas for decorating, menus, marketing, staffing - you name it. Besides that, we’re a close family and really enjoy each others’ company. When someone books a room here, what can they expect? Well, first of all, we are really and truly glad they are here. There are a lot of choices for lodging out there but people choose to stay with us because they feel like The Red Rocker Inn is a special place. We make sure they receive a friendly welcome and not-too-intrusive presence from their hosts while they are here. But we’re always close at hand and w=e try to anticipate needs and meet them before they ask. Our house is 120 years old and that holds a lot of appeal to many people who like to visit historic places. Our rooms do not have a TV which some folks consider a negative but most guests appreciate the peaceful change of pace they experience here. People can expect great meals at The Red Rocker Inn. Breakfast is served buffet style and the menu switches up every day. Dinner is also served daily except Sunday. We all receive great joy from feeding people and I think that shows in how we prepare and present meals. Some people say they come back just for the homemade cookies we set out every aftenoon.
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What inspired you become innkeepers here? The idea of having an inn had been a little tickle in the back of our minds for a few years. One day the opportunity came for us to buy and we jumped in. We chose Black Mountain for it’s perfect location and almost year round tourism season. We chose The Red Rocker Inn because it’s a big inn that can support a family with 5 kids. What did you guys do before becoming innkeepers? We had a 24-year career as church camp directors in Tennessee and Indiana. This was where we raised most of the family. Oour youngest was 9 when we moved to Black Mountain. Our home was a parsonage on the camp grounds and our kids had free-run of the properties including woods, creeks, ball fields, gymnasium, swimming pools, rock wall, zip line, rock climbing wall... and they learned to work hard too. It was a great way for them to grow up. We learned a lot of skills related to food service, hospitality, business management, property and grounds care, development, marketing and more. And most importantly, we learned to have vision for the possibilities we were entrusted with. How did that transition go? Like innkeeping, camp directing was a kind of do-it-all career. So we knew how to wear a lot of hats and we knew we like working together. But I will say it was a huge adventure and a risk to pack up the whole family and move to North Carolina where we knew no one and begin a new carreer we knew not much about. But we learned very quickly and are so glad we made the move. Toughest thing about inn keeping? Long hours and very little time off. We have a great staff that can take over when we’re not around, but sometimes we just have to close the inn down if we want extended time away.
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How old is this Victorian home? It was built as a private residence in 1896. So it is 121 years old. The first owners began taking in summer boarders and it became an official boarding house by 1905. There have been a few additions and reconfigurations since those years. It was name “Red Rocker Inn” in the 1970’s. At one time, the house held 26 bedrooms and only 5 bathrooms. Now we have 17 bedrooms all with private en-suite bathrooms. Currently we are the 5th owners and have just celebrated our 10th anniversary here. What makes a great inn? We have stayed at several bed-and-breakfast inns and the ones we enjoy the most are those whose owner’s personality shines through. Whenever you stay at someone’s house you can get a pretty good feel for their passions and interests, as well as their taste and style. I think a great innkeeper makes a great inn. One who treats the inn as their own home and welcomes guests as close friends and family. And one who easily brings guests - strangers into that inner circle of association and friendship.
“Also the food … Every great bed and breakfast says theirs is the best.” What makes the Red Rocker’s the best? Our meals are made with great love and care and with the best and freshest ingredients. We’re always on the lookout for new menu ideas and we are continually growing as cooks. You should see Kaylea as she hand cuts a prime rib into ribeye steaks. She handles it almost lovingly - I can’t describe it! Our portions are generous and I think people just like to eat. We love how we have farmers deliver local organic produce every week to our back door.
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The biscuits. What’s the secret? We just make so many of them. But really it’s probably the homemade apple butter that appears on the table every day. Something about that combination...hmm, I’m hungry! How long have you been married? We’ll be celebrating 38 years in July! Birthplace? Doug was born and raised in Marion, Indiana. All his family is still there. Jenny was born in Palo Alto, California while Dad was in graduate School at Stanford University. Where did you grow up? My Dad was in the Air Force so we moved around the country a lot but, Cocoa Beach, Florida is my hometown. Dad was an aerospace engineer and stationed at Cape Canaveral. What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years? To grow with Black Mountain! We have made so many improvements to the Inn and have specific plans to continue to upgrade and update all features of the property. We want guests to know the quality they can expect when they visit here and yet be constantly surprised by something new every time.
“If I had a wish to make, it would be that the people living in Black Mountain would enjoy the inn as much as visitors do. A man called today to make a dinner reservation but was concerned he and his wife would be seated with others at a large table. That was how it was done long ago but not for at least 20 years.” EXPLORE BLACK MOUNTAIN
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A Brief History The Red Rocker Inn was built one-hundred and twenty-one years ago as a private residence in 1896. The first owners began taking in summer boarders and it became an official boarding house by 1905. There have been a few additions and reconfigurations since those years. It was given the title “Red Rocker Inn” in the 1970’s. At one time, the house held 26 bedrooms and only 5 bathrooms. Now this bed & breakfast holds 17 bedrooms. All with private en-suite bathrooms. Currently Doug & Jenny are the 5th owners and recently celebrated their 10th anniversary at the Red Rocker Inn.
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Refresh your soul...
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The Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center
TOURS OPEN TO PUBLIC THE ASHEVILLE WATERSHED Join the Swannanoa Valley Museum on this exclusive & historic driving tour of the Burnett Reservoir. These tours explore part of the once thriving North Fork Valley community. The trip stops at Sunalee Lodge, then to the home place of Champ Burnett. From there, they drive you to Colonel John Connally’s home site which has extensive ruins including two standing chimneys. The caravan makes a stop to include a short five to ten minute walk to the home sites of Will and Bart Burnett. As well as a slave cemetery. A final stop is made at the Right Hand Fork Intake where you can se clearly how the Asheville Watershed collects Buncombe County’s most valuable resource.
The mountains of Western North Carolina are a region of great biodiversity, with more species of plants than can be found in any other area of similar size in North America.
GREY EAGLE ROCK This strenuous 3.1 mile hike takes its name from the rock that resembles a Cherokee chief known as Grey Eagle sitting and overlooking Black Mountain. The hike begins at Black Mountain Gap off the Blue Ridge Parkway. During the trek, hikers will cross the summit of Potato Knob (6,400’). Potato Knob is the highest point in Buncombe County. To summit it, one has to endure a 1,200-foot elevation gain in one mile. In addition to being the roughest section of the Rim it features the highest elevation, most spectacular environment, and the most incredible vistas on the Swannanoa Rim. A visit to the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center will take you along pathways through time, from the earliest pathways carved by the animals to the concrete pathways of today. All photography provided by JOSHLLOYDMEDIA. EXPLORE BLACK MOUNTAIN
“Animals were the first to create pathways along the Swannanoa River and the ridge lines of the Swannanoa and Craggy mountain ranges.” PATHWAYS OF TOMORROW The face of the Swannanoa Valley is rapidly changing, just as it did with the coming of the railroad and paved roads. Newcomers arrive by car today for the same reasons they came a century ago—to enjoy the mild climate, beautiful scenery, and natural attractions of the mountains of Western North Carolina. There is much concern among conservationists, land use planners, and tourism professionals that the region’s natural assets be preserved and protected. Tourism is one of the region’s strongest economic drivers, and yet, some fear that overdevelopment and overuse of natural resources might destroy what tourists come to enjoy.
SCHOOL TOURS & PROGRAMS The Swannanoa Valley Museum is now offering tours for school groups from 1st grade through college. Museum educators can work with teachers to create a tour tailored to the classroom curriculum or a general tour of Swannanoa Valley history through the museum galleries. All information provided is of reference to tours and the research provided by the museum. For further information, contact the Swannanoa Valley Museum directly... Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center 223 West State Street (physical) PO Box 306 (mailing) Black Mountain, NC 28711 phone: (828) 669-9566 email: info@swannanoavalleymuseum.org website: www.swannanoavalleymuseum.org 34
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On a mild mid-March day in 1903, North Fork Watershed’s first warden, Will Burnett, turned a newly-placed cast iron valve. Opening the pipe that would send the first trickle of drinking water into the mountain town of Asheville, North Carolina, nearly 20 miles away. This water, some of the purest in the United States would later flood the school, church, graveyard, and homesteads built by Burnett’s family and friends over the last century and a half.
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WILDLIFE & NATURE MAGAZINE
RAPID GROWTH Much of this forest was clear-cut at the turn of the 20th century. An increase in demand for red spruce during World War I led to the rapid deforestation of much of the spruce-fir forest in the higher elevations. All of this in time made way for the Asheville Watershed in North Fork Valley. As forests were removed, forest fires and erosion denuded what was left of the landscape. Many North Carolinians were alarmed at the abusive logging practices that were stripping bare our Black Mountains. Mt. Mitchell State Park (established in 1913) and The Pisgah National Forest, (established in 1916), began buying up and replanting lands that had been logged over. In just one hundred years, this forest has regrown beyond expectation.
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A nonprofit conservation boundary and this year pla The bald eagle can be expe nest’s in the B
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n group has purchased 2,744 acres along Mount Mitchell’s northern ans to start conveying the land to expand the park, now 1,996 acres. ected to broaden their breeding range. This venerable species already Black Mountains. Only then, will they be fully protected. Existing National Park Proposed Expansion Areas
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“COURAGE IS RESISTANCE TO FEAR,
MASTERY OF FEAR, NOT ABSENCE OF FEAR.” - MARK TWAIN
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT AT SPARTAN.COM/ASHEVILLE. EXPLOREBLACK BLACKMOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN EXPLORE
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JUL 29-30, 2017
NBC’s SPARTAN RACE: THE ASHEVILLE SUPER Grove Stone & Sand Company 842 Old US Hwy 70 Black Mountain, NC 28711 Welcome to Black Mountain: Where the rugged, earthy terrain encapsulates everything the perfect Spartan Race needs. Nestled in the shadow Mount Mitchell State Park, even the most seasoned racers will see this as a course most difficult and serene. You may find relief in the large grass fields or under canopy deep in the Black Forest... but the stones, rocks and steep elevation changes will rip you away from any comfort zone. Described as “the San Francisco of the south” by local and Spartan Race veteran Zackary Paben, the Asheville, Black Mountain & Swannanoa regions of Buncombe County teem with art, culture, a hip music scene and, a charasmatic downtown districts for everyone to enjoy. TOP REASONS TO TAKE ON THE COURSE: 1. Asheville’s Black Mountain district holds one of the grittiest & rockiest venues on the Spartan Race calendar. This, coupled with the steep slopes of the Great Craggy Mountains means that when you earn your Finisher’s medal and complimentary T-shirt, there will be no doubt that you also earned bragging rights for the next year! 2. The raw granite materials found on the course are traditionally used as heavy building materials, so you know that these obsticles of industrial force will be something very satisfying to conquer. This is a tough venue for tough racers! 3. The blockbuster movies, “The Hunger Games,” “Forrest Gump,” “The Fugitive” and “Last of the Mohicans” were all filmed in the Asheville region. Over 60 other movies have used these beautiful mountains as the backdrop. Place yourself in the limelight on July 29th and 30th as NBC’s Spartan Race films you in rare form too. Learn more about these films at ExploreAsheville.com. 4. Be sure to replace those burned calories at many of the highly-rated restaurant located nearby -- You will have earned it! Many of these restaurants even hold a certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor. 5. We guarantee you will be thirsty after all that running, climbing, carrying and crawling. Luckily, Black Mountain boasts many beer and brewery tours to quench your thirst. Close by Lookout Brewery and Pisgah Brewing Company have just what you need to finish out a day of competition. 6. In the unlikely event that you feel you need more in the way of nature, the famous Blue Ridge Mountains are close by for those looking for a nice hike. Balloon rides over downtown Asheville are also an option if you have your sites on a more aerial view. 7. Still have excess energy? Try some local zip-lining or underground caving. The area is a hotbed for outdoor pursuits and is ideal for gritty Spartans. 8. Both downtown Black Mountain & Asheville (just 15 miles away) are home to a thriving and sophisticated art and music culture. After the race, why not soak up some of the trendy downtown scenes? 9. The high elevations of Western North Carolina means it is one of the best places in the country to watch the sunset. You won’t want to miss it. EXPLORE EXPLOREBLACK BLACKMOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN
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SPORTS & OUTDOORS MAGAZINE
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“Don’t be in the dark when it comes to venturing into the singletrack after hours. With a small investment in the right lights, you’ll see mountain biking in a whole new way for years to come and will expand your riding options.”
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“Adventures and challenges never cease as long as you have the will to pedal your bike. Especially at night. ”
With daytime hours scarce in the winter, night and/or early morning mountain biking is an exciting alternative. Sure, at first glance, rolling into the darkness of the woods might sound a bit crazy, but with a proper lighting system and plenty of warm layers. It can be safe and exciting. TECHNOLOGY HAS YOUR BACK Bicycle lights have come a long way from the HID (high intensity discharge) models that were cumbersome and heavy. These days, you can buy a lightweight USB rechargeable light that mounts to the handlebar or helmet and distributes 700-1,000 lumens for about $100-$150. If you want to light up the forest, opt for the 1,800-plus lumen pro-style light with a separate battery pack and longer burn times. Those can cost around $250-$350. The best of both worlds is to have a helmet and bar mount light setup. Giving you maximum versatility and visibility in the forest. Especially around sharp corners and hairpin turns. In addition, having a second light means you have an allimportant backup in case of battery failure or damage from a wreck. Lights will generally have four settings: flash (longest lasting), low steady, medium steady and high steady (shortest).
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By using the first three settings frequently and the brightest setting only for descents and technical sections, you can maximize battery life during a ride. Depending on the maximum lumens the light is rated, you can easily get two-plus hours of burn time from each charge. While tackling singletrack at nearby Kitsuma under the stars might be too rowdy for some, heading to Bent Creek in Asheville offers plenty of options. Along with lots of beginner and intermediate singletrack choices, you also have the safer option of riding up and down miles of double-track gravel roads. Nothing too technical or sketchy, this is the perfect way to adjust to nocturnal riding. THE OLD BECOMES NEW AGAIN However, riding familiar trails at night turn them into a completely new adventure. Many find riding at night easier to focus on line choice because the darkness hides the stuff you want to avoid. If you’re looking for a new challenge or a way to get more mountain biking in during the winter, consider exploring the dark side of the mountain.
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100 That’s a nice round number. It’s also the times I’ve ridden my mountain bikes up and down Kitsuma, the famous and rowdy 5-mile singletrack trail connecting nearby Ridgecrest with Old Fort. Strava, a social app that tracks your rides, recorded the milestone recently. For some, it might be easier to write “I will ride Kitsuma’’ 100 times on the blackboard. But it wouldn’t be as fun.
To tackle Kitsuma is to appreciate and respect it. It has injured many an experienced rider. The initial 14-switchback climb feels like someone burying a switchblade in the back of your throat. Many have to walk their bikes up portions. I like to climb it with Rage Against the Machine’s Sleep Now in the Fire playing through the buds or in my head. When finally descending in earnest, with grades averaging minus-14 percent combined with blind turns, you better know how to move to the groove on two wheels. Many have to walk their bikes down portions. I like to descend with Dave Brubeck’s Take Five playing through the buds or in my head. Riding Kitsuma this many times, the first at the Off-Road Assault on Mount Mitchell race in 2010, doesn’t make me an expert. It just makes me fortunate to have the ability and guts to do it so often; At age 54, no less. The danger combined with the wilderness of the Pisgah Forest that makes me feel most alive. How close can you hold your hand to the flame? Never ridden Kitsuma? Join me on one of my next 100 rides.
-Dean Yobbi is a certified USA Cycling Level II coach. As well as a CycleOps Brand Ambassador. Connect with Dean to pursue your mountain biking interests in Western North Carolina. Dean facilitates riding camps and group freerides on trails local to Asheville and Black Mountain. Contact Dean at dlyobbi@gmail. com for further information. EXPLORE BLACK MOUNTAIN EXPLORE BLACK MOUNTAIN
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Refresh your sky...
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What you need to know... Asheville Business Coach - Bill Gilliland is an award winning, certified business coach, entrepreneur, and presenter serving business owners, professionals, and executives who want to improve cash flow, increase profitability, be more productive, and build better teams. Do you feel like you don’t really know where you stand at any particular point in the month? I solve quesitons like this one. I do this by working with you to develop cash forecasting, job or division profitability reporting, and a dashboard to track the your financial drivers.
Do you feel you need more time to be productive? I know how it feels when you
can’t seem to work any harder, yet there’s never enough time? Let me help you work through these same problems as I know pathways to pull you and your business away from similar financial shortfalls.
Do you find yourself working so much that you’re missing important family activities? Is it often that you find yourself stuck working “in” the
business and not working “on” the business itself? Micro-management is a major shortfall of a lot of companies. I can help you solve these problems. I do this by analyzing what you’re currently doing, establishing clear goals and priorities around your time, eliminating or delegating your non-strength tasks, setting clear rules of engagement, and holding you accountable to getting the “big rocks” done first.
In search of a better team? I know how it’s hard to find good people and how it’s hard to educate the people you already have.
Do you have trouble getting your people to take the initiative or make a logical decisions when spending company money? I can help you develop on-sight training tools to cultivate strong internal leadership amongst your team of employees.
Are you finding it hard to create a culture in which employees are engaged and want to stay with your company? These issues can all be resolved with a
few simple steps that need to play out daily within your place of business. I help you do this by working with your team to develop repeatable recruitment, induction, retention, and communication systems thereby creating a culture that naturally attracts, develops and keeps the team members you really want. EXPLORE EXPLOREBLACK BLACKMOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN
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Technology in Business... You know business hasn’t really changed that much. Technology has helped but now we’re just so connected. This is in part why I was able to find success. With technology at my fingertips, I never have to be in one place. Nowadays, there are all sorts of video conferencing tools for us to use, I can take phone calls from people anywhere in the world with or without video support. Even just a regular phone makes it easier to do my job. In fact, we’ve come to a point now in business where this is the preferred way to conduct busniess. It actually works better than meeting face to face with my clients. In that respect, you know that the communications technology has been fabulous for business to business communications. I think that social media and the connections we have in place has cultivated opportunity much faster than we ever imagined. One of our greatest assets in today’s age is the use and re-use of Google Analytics. We used to have to test a headline for an advertisement in the newspaper. We would run ten different headlines and see which one worked best. It might take us 10 weeks to discover which ad was most successful. Now we can put 10 headlines in a Google Adwords account; Run it for a day and we’ll know at the end of that day which headline produces the best results. So using these tools and analytics and the connectedness of social media have really sped up our processes and made things happen at a much higher rate of efficiency. The same actions are taking place today as they did twenty-five years ago. It’a just that now, things are happening ten times, maybe even one-hundred times faster. It’s a great day and age to be in business. I wish you all the best in your own business pursuits. Connect with me directly to learn more about Action Coach and, how we may be able to help you pursue these goals in a way that is most suitable for your line of work. Schedule a free consultation with Bill Gilliland online at http://www.actioncoach. com/williamgilliland/engage/. And remember...
“It’s not a goal if you know how to do it. It’s a to do list!” - Brad Sugars EXPLORE EXPLORE BLACK BLACK MOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN
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BUSINESS TO BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Complaisance: Work Ethic & Awareness Business Writer: Joshua A. Lloyd www.joshlloydmedia.com / joshlloydmedia@gmail.com When we succeed. We find satisfaction. Yet Does the employee go out of their way to do when we fail, we question ourselves. Some of us more for the company? Or do they simply work give up while others work harder to succeed at slower? The sad truth is that more often than not failing. not, they work slower. You can find complaisance in the workplace in many different forms; And in today’s age, to simply find a job is to succeed. And to be unemployed or even self-employed is to fail or struggle. A self employed person is told “no” often. As they must go out into the world and sell themselves to collect accounts or clients to get paid. All while, the employee is commonly provided with this pass. Their work is administered to Jobs these days don’t often have a tall ladder to them on a daily basis by upper management and climb. Opportunity for growth is simply not deadlines are common place. there. Many employees lack motivation because they lack a passion for what they do. Passion What happens when deadlines are too easy to can be cultivated by a strong leader who can meet, and the work becomes rally a team to work harder. Although, in certain monotonous? lines of work, it’s very difficult to rally.
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What happens when our own leaders become complacent? Poor leadership is the downfall of any economic system. Mike Judge’s “Idiocracy” is not far from the truth on many of these issues, but in the real world we live in, fortunately there is something called Darwinism. In the film “Idiocracy”, Darwinism takes a negative turn for the worse. However, in a true democracy with appropriate checks and balances, any and all weak links can and will be eradicated with the efforts of just a few ambitious people. We live in an age where we are spoon-fed information.
Do we go out of our way to find that which is actually true? Or do we simply believe what we are shown or told is true? It is in this action or (lack of action) that our culture is inevitably defined.
“I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.”
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VALUES MAGAZINE
The age of dis-information is upon us now. Our complacency will not only affect us on the job, but it can very well affect the decisions we make in our every day lives. To combat these issues is to educate ourselves. And in the process of discovering this education, we can only then free ourselves of this burden. Complaisance is a human flaw that drives motivated people crazy. We do not understand the philosophy. You can be incredibly smart and/ or athletically talented and still come up short. You can even ruin things for everyone around you. Which at that moment, you are not only complacent, you are also inconsiderate.
Work ethic and awareness have nothing to do with intelligence or athleticism. They can only be brought on by effort and a positive attitude. Whether you have a 9 to 5 job or you are pursuing a career, this disease can find you. It is best to push yourself to do more in either situation so that maybe your ego can find failure. It is from this failure that you might find a need to push yourself harder. And from that push, success may actually find you. Be true to yourself and your convictions. Stand up to complaisance and blow the whistle on those around you pro-actively.
“As our society gets more complex and our people become more complacent, the role of the jester is more vital than ever before. Please stop sitting around. We need you to make a ruckes.�
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What does it mean to have a job?
DON’T GIVE UP. GREAT THINGS TAKE TIME. - Sponsored by ambition.
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