Mountain Xpress 09.23.20

OUR 27TH YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 27 NO. 8 SEPT. 23-29, 2020

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SEPT. 23-29, 2020

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C ONT ENTS

NEWS

NEWS

FEATURES 8 GROUND GAMES COVID-19 campaigning divides local candidates along partisan lines

10 OVER THEIR DEAD BODIES Local historians honor forgotten railroad workers

PAGE 18 FARM FORWARD After 13 years, Buncombe County’s Farmland Protection Plan has yielded encouraging results, despite population growth and increased development. A 2020 reboot of the program aims to keep up with the current agricultural landscape.

COVER PHOTO Getty Images COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick

4 CARTOON: MOLTON 14 COVID CONVERSATIONS Preservation Society quietly announces new executive director

5 CARTOON: BRENT BROWN 6 CARTOON: IRENE OLDS 7 COMMENTARY 8 NEWS

WELLNESS

12 BUNCOMBE BEAT 16 KEEPING COVID AT BAY Alternative and complementary practitioners weigh in

FOOD

FEATURE

4 LETTERS

20 WHAT’S NEW, ROUND TWO Asheville restaurants and food businesses are betting on the future

14 COVID CONVERSATIONS 14 ASHEVILLE ARCHIVES 15 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 16 WELLNESS 18 GREEN SCENE 20 FOOD 22 CAROLINA BEER GUY 24 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 28 CLUBLAND

A&E

28 MOVIES 24 IN IT TO SPIN IT Record pressing facility Citizen Vinyl opens in downtown Asheville

30 FREEWILL ASTROLOGY 31 CLASSIFIEDS 31 NY TIMES CROSSWORD

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OPINION

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

Mission nurses’ victory will ripple across the South As a former labor negotiator for Sylvania, I would like to share my thoughts regarding the recent union vote by Mission nurses. Ever since the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, which defined the playing field for collective bargaining, the conventional wisdom for corporate management has been to do whatever can be done to stretch out the time between (a) the date many of the workers petition for a union and (b) the date all workers vote for or against a union.

The thinking is that the initial burst of energy from workers will dissipate and that management has more time to hire anti-union consultants, plan anti-union communications and control the message throughout the union campaign.

In Mission’s case, it appears to me that HCA management used COVID as an excuse to lengthen the time to a vote from weeks to months.

Unfortunately for them, I think the strategy backfired. Why? Because Mission is on the front line of the virus. Because the nurses are the heroes. Because every extra day the nurses had to tell their truth carried much more weight than the conventional anti-union messages. Maybe the virus lasted longer than HCA thought it would.

What will happen now? A union contract will be negotiated. I predict

more resolved and confident in voting for her. If you aren’t familiar with her, please check her out or take another look at her platform. I believe all of AVL would benefit from having Kim Roney on City Council. Vote Nov. 3, or during early voting Oct. 15-31.

— Kim Hunt Asheville

Taxpayers’ money should go to help Black and white communities

C AR T O O N B Y R AN DY M O L T O N that, post-contract, some aspects of hospital operations will move more slowly and with less flexibility than before. I also predict that nurses will earn a higher hourly rate and will be able to work in an environment with higher nurse-to-patient ratios.

It seems to me that Mission’s nurses have won a historic victory, one that will have ripple effects throughout North Carolina and the South.

— Jim Stokely Weaverville

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Roney advocates to make city more equitable Especially during a time when I feel there is so much potential for change and a chance for AVL to stop and change course, I am grateful and hopeful to have the opportunity to cast a vote for Kim Roney for Asheville City Council.

Kim’s campaign slogan, “Be ’Bout It Being Better,” is at the heart of how she shows up in community and who we, as a city, have the opportunity to have represent us.

Kim Roney deeply listens, centers and advocates with and for community members who have been underserved and consistently speaks up across issues to make our community more equitable and resilient. She has clearly laid out her position on reimagining public safety (kimroney4asheville. com) and stands in solidarity with the intergenerational leadership of Black Asheville Demands, calling for divestment from police and reinvestment in the Black community.

I voted last time for Kim Roney, and I will vote for her again because I trust her, how she participates in community and what she stands for. I trust who she is listening to and advocating for, and how she continues to hold herself accountable in and to community. I also trust that when elected, this is the person she will be for our community on City Council.

Having Kim Roney’s voice during the COVID pandemic and movement for racial justice has only made me feel

City Council and county commissioners and mayor voted to spend $18,000 to build framework and wrap it in plastic to cover the Vance Monument until the [Vance Monument Task Force makes a recommendation] to decide when the Vance is coming down (maybe a couple of months).

And the mayor and her people (listed above) paying painters to paint the strip around the Vance, and then in a few months, it will be washed off, then the city (taxpayers’ money) is going to pay $2,600 a month for rental for the metal framework around the Vance.

The money should be going toward the Black and white communities.

(Some white communities are suffering also.) We need to elect new Council and county commissioners who know how to spend our money in the right places, not to please someone who doesn’t like to look at the Vance.

Most people who went downtown didn’t even notice the Vance except for vacationers.

— Roy Heath Asheville Editor’s note: The Black Lives Matter street mural was funded via donations to the Asheville Area Arts Council, which continues to collect funds to maintain it, according to its website.

Wells has unwavering commitment to community I’m writing to express my support for Terri Wells, candidate for Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, District 1.

I have known Terri Wells for over 10 years and during this time have witnessed her unwavering commitment to our community. Whether she has been working in education or community agriculture, she thinks creatively and does her homework on the issues.

Terri is a great listener who will hear all concerns with an open mind. Her deep roots in Buncombe County (dat-

C AR T O O N B Y B R E N T B R O W N ing back nine generations) mean she is grounded in this community. This perspective is invaluable to charting our way forward.

Terri is the voice that we need on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. I have no doubt that she will bring her fair-minded dedication to this position, benefiting the whole community.

— Joanne O’Sullivan Asheville

Defend Democracy 0 20 02 2 20

Protections make sure your vote is secure Because of questions about the safety of absentee ballots, it’s important to know the N.C. State Board of Elections has instituted protections to keep your vote secure. One of those protections is making sure each vote only counts once by election officials checking off the ballot in the voting system when it is accepted, whether that ballot is in person or absentee. Although all voters can request absentee ballots, they can choose to ignore the mailed ballot and vote in person instead; however, they cannot cast their vote with both methods. Only one vote is accepted for each person.

Verification of absentee ballots is assured in several ways. Identification

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information such as name, address and driver’s license or Social Security numbers is confirmed before the ballot is sent to the voter. The voter must fill the ballot out in the presence of a witness, and both the voter and the witness sign the envelope, confirming that the vote was properly executed.

Only the mail service, the voter or a close relative of the voter can return the sealed ballot to the county board of elections. Verification of the ballot at the board involves checking that the envelope has the correct information in the proper places and the envelope is sealed.

Here is where voting early is important. If the ballot is rejected for any reason, the board must send a letter telling the voter the problem and how to correct it. They also will send a new ballot to be completed. If time is short, they may call and tell the voter to vote in person. Voters can see if their absentee ballots were accepted by keying in NC Voter Search online.

Much effort has been put into making sure our elections are fair and secure. Please vote.

— Adrienne Hollifield Black Mountain

Shouldn’t civic center’s name be changed, too?

The city of Asheville and a lot of concerned citizens of both the city and the county are embarking on what may become a lengthy and expensive process of addressing past racial grievances and making amends: renaming streets, removing monuments, offering financial reparations.

But the tragic history of slavery — not only in America’s past but throughout history worldwide — holds many sad surprises. Among them is the history of Cherokee Indians who held Black slaves; that situation has been well documented, and, according to at least one historian, the percentage of slaves totaled 10% of the Cherokee population around 1825.

Shouldn’t Asheville’s activists acknowledge that not only white people owned enslaved people and act accordingly? Shouldn’t the name of Asheville’s civic center, Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, be among those that must be changed, since the Cherokees were also slaveowners? Shouldn’t the city of Asheville revisit the underwriting contract for Harrah’s Cherokee – Asheville and perhaps cancel it? And shouldn’t any money tainted by those once-upon-a-time slaveholders be returned?

Shouldn’t consistency matter in a case as serious as this?

I suggested as much in a letter to the Asheville City Council and the mayor, and had only one response, from Julie Mayfield.

— Nan Chase Fries, Va. Editor’s note: Xpress contacted Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Richard Sneed, Mayor Esther Manheimer and Asheville City Council members with a summary of the writer’s points but received no response.

C AR T O O N B Y IRE N E O L D S 6

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Patriotism or bigotry?

“You cannot practice racism and bigotry and still call yourself a ‘patriot.’”

The Gospel According to Jerry

BY JERRY STERNBERG

Recently a friend said to me, “Why don’t you write about this damn ‘kneeling’?” Of course he was talking about the protest movement started by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who took a knee during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to protest racial injustice.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen an issue that has incensed older white men more than this one. “What in the hell do these Black millionaires want?” these white guys seem to believe.

“They’re all rich, so what is their beef?”

Well, let’s start with these men of color themselves, who have extraordinary skills and have undergone years of rigorous training. They endure great physical trauma, and many pay for their participation in the sport with debilitating health issues in their later years.

For the most part, they are college graduates with excellent minds who, like their white counterparts, have been taught to think for themselves.

They’ve decided that it’s their responsibility to use their celebrity to demand the respect that both they and their less powerful, less visible peers are rightfully entitled to as full and equal citizens of this great country.

They fully understand that if Kaepernick — or, for that matter, Black Mountain native Brad Daugherty, a five-time NBA All-Star — walked through North Asheville or Biltmore Forest wearing shabby clothes, the 911 center would light up like a pinball machine. Meanwhile, both the Asheville and Buncombe County schools have affirmed local athletes’ right to take the knee as a form of silent expression, as long as it doesn’t disrupt the event or the school day.

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?

The Rev. Micheal Woods, the very dedicated director of the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, told me about a painful experience he had several years ago that graphically illustrates the problem. Woods, who is African American, liked to personally deliver small gifts at Christmastime to express his gratitude to local donors who’d supported the shelter.

One of them lived in Biltmore Forest, and as soon as Woods crossed the town

boundary, the police began following him. When he stopped at the donor’s house, the police questioned him as to his business there. The homeowner had to verify that Woods’ presence wasn’t a threat.

Critics of kneeling say it’s unpatriotic and disrespects our flag. Yet kneeling is considered an appropriate form of worship in many religions, and soldiers kneel at the graves of fallen comrades to honor them. For these athletes, kneeling is a peaceful way to protest the racial injustice that people of color are still routinely subjected to.

After many years of grinding racism, Jim Crow has been voted out, but in its place we now have Jim Canary. The appearance may be a bit less offensive, and the birdsong has been replaced by a dog whistle, but how much has the underlying reality really changed?

MONEY DOESN’T BUY SILENCE

These self-righteous critics seem to think that standing up at McCormick Field with their right hand on their heart while their left hand holds their beer makes them patriots. After mumbling however many words of “The Star-Spangled Banner” they actually know, they shout “Play Ball!!!” before the last note has even been sung, smiling as smugly as if they had just done their penance.

They are gravely mistaken, however.

The real patriots are our firefighters, police officers and lifesaving medical personnel. They’re the volunteers who work with kids in Little League or help youngsters who fall behind in the local schools; the donors who support our many worthy charities; the people who seek help for the homeless, who deliver meals to our elderly — and, of course, our active-duty service members and veterans who have sacrificed for our country.

True patriots are people who give of themselves and their resources to make life better for all Americans. You cannot practice racism and bigotry and still call yourself a “patriot.”

I’m beginning to wonder whether all this anger is less about a perceived lack of patriotism than it is about a sense of blasphemy against the “God of Sports.”

The argument seems to be that because these athletes have become rich and

JERRY STERNBERG famous through sports, they should be eternally grateful for that opportunity and do their protesting someplace else.

In a 2017 rant, our president even called on the team owners to fire any player who dared to protest.

These jobs aren’t handed out as acts of charity, however: They are won through extraordinary hard work and sacrifice. The allegedly unpatriotic players earned their way to the top, and along the way they’ve made millions of dollars for team owners, coaches, trainers and advertisers while entertaining countless grateful fans.

folks had every right, under the First Amendment, to protest it and work for constitutional change.

The protests by athletes have now spread nationwide. “Kneeling” has become common at sporting events as an effective way to call attention to racial inequality. Meanwhile, more young Black men have been shot — and the protests have rippled through other pro sports, even disrupting the NBA playoffs.

Increasingly, committed athletes are heeding the words of Rep. John Lewis, our beloved, recently departed lawmaker who was physically punished, jailed and vilified many times for taking part in protests seeking racial equity.

“When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just,” he told us, “you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.”

Asheville native Jerry Sternberg, a longtime observer of the local scene, can be reached at gospeljerry@aol.com. X

PATRIOTIC PROTEST

I am sure those of you who are old enough will remember the June 2000 U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed student-initiated prayers before athletic games in publicly supported schools. A large segment of the Christian population was outraged, staging protests on school grounds all over the country.

Here in Asheville, “We Still Pray,” perhaps the biggest public protest in the city’s history, took place that August at Reynolds High School, spearheaded by my friend the Rev. Ralph Sexton. It backed up traffic on the interstates for miles, inconveniencing innumerable travelers who had nothing whatsoever to do with the demonstration.

Even though these protesters were decrying a ruling of the duly appointed Supreme Court, no one called them unpatriotic. And while I agreed with the court’s position, I believe those MOUNTAINX.COM

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NEWS

Ground games

COVID-19 campaigning divides local candidates along partisan lines

BY DANIEL WALTON dwalton@mountainx.com

The pope remains Catholic, bears defecate in the woods, and Democrats disagree with Republicans.

Candidates on different sides of the political aisle have long striven to outline different visions of governance on issues such as taxes, immigration and national defense. But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has added a new wrinkle: The way in which those messages are being delivered to voters has itself become a point of partisan posture.

Many Republican candidates for local office have continued to build voter support through traditional in-person campaign events such as rallies and fundraising concerts. In contrast, Democrats have largely relied on virtual efforts such as phone banking or Zoom calls, eschewing big events out of concern they might encourage spread of the coronavirus.

For Rep. Brian Turner, a Democrat running for reelection in Buncombe County’s N.C. House District 116, the Republican approach to campaigning during COVID-19 signals a dangerous disregard for public health. On July 25, he took to Facebook to blast his opponent, Republican business owner Eric Burns, for holding an in-person campaign kickoff at Candler’s Hominy Valley Singing Grounds with well over 200 attendees.

“Families are wondering if their children and teachers will be safe at school this year. But my opponent is throwing himself [a] party. No social distancing. Not a mask in sight,” Turner wrote. “I need your help to make sure that I am able to go back to Raleigh and people like my opponent are never placed in a position of public trust. Lives depend on it.”

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Republicans, however, have generally let their actions — and enthusiastic crowds, such as those observed during an Aug. 24 visit to Mills River by President Donald Trump — speak for their campaign choices. Burns initially agreed to answer questions from Xpress about his approach to the race but did not respond to multiple follow-up emails with specific queries, including one seeking a response to Turner’s remarks.

Turner also called out two Republican members of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, Joe Belcher and Robert Pressley, for attending the Burns event. Belcher is running for reelection in District 3 against Democratic candidate 8

SEPT. 23-29, 2020

READY FOR THEIR CLOSE-UP: Veterans supporting Republican congressional hopeful Madison Cawthorn, fourth from right in the front row, strike a pose during the candidate’s Aug. 30 fundraiser at Point Lookout Vineyards in Hendersonville. Photo courtesy of Cawthorn for NC Parker Sloan, while Pressley is seeking to replace Democrat Brownie Newman as the board’s chair. Neither Republican responded to requests for comment.

Neither did Jerry Green, chair of the Buncombe County Republican Party, who is responsible for the GOP’s overall approach to local elections.

In a recent conversation with Xpress, Turner stood by his social media post, which called Belcher’s and Pressley’s choice to attend the event “enraging and in my opinion disqualifying.” The Democrat pointed out that the crowd at Burns’ event exceeded the 25-person limit on outdoor mass gatherings in place at the time, as set by an executive order of Gov. Roy Cooper, by a factor of nearly 10: “That’s just completely irresponsible, and I think it shows a real lack of judgment and leadership,” he said.

But Chris Cooper, head of Western Carolina University’s political science department, suggests that some voters may not see it that way. “In the immediate political world, there’s no drawback — the people who choose to come to the events will clearly be more likely to support the candidates,” he says. “Democratic candidates forgoing these kinds of face-to-face moments are potentially sacrificing the most effective way to get their people to the polls.”

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FACE TIME

The only Republican contacted by Xpress who offered comment on campaigning was Madison Cawthorn, who is running against Democrat Moe Davis to represent North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. On Aug. 30, Cawthorn hosted a fundraising concert by country musician Darryl Worley at Point Lookout Vineyards in Hendersonville; Skyline News reported that over 1,000 people attended, and a photo posted by the campaign’s Facebook page shows the maskless candidate posed with a tightly packed group of smiling, older veterans.

In response to a list of detailed questions, Cawthorn campaign spokesperson Micah Bock provided the following statement: “Madison Cawthorn believes that COVID-19 is no hoax and that all residents of NC-11 ought to take the precautions that they believe are necessary in order to remain healthy.

“He encourages every single one of his followers and people in the country that, ‘If you need to wear a mask, if you are in that area of your life where you may have a preexisting condition or you’re at an age where COVID-19 will greatly affect you, I encourage you, please practice social distancing, please wear a mask and if I’m around you, I will wear a mask myself.’

Madison firmly believes that each person ought to make an individual risk assessment and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves.”

That statement quotes Cawthorn’s response to a question about COVID19 during a Sept. 4 debate, which an AVL Watchdog fact-checker found to be “misleading” and not aligned with guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, Davis tweeted on Aug. 30 that the Point Lookout concert was “another COVID19 superspreader fundraising event” and suggested Cawthorn was “putting lives at risk to fundraise.”

The Davis campaign echoed those remarks when contacted for further comment. “Col. Davis has attended outdoor protests and events where there wasn’t always social distancing but has almost always worn a mask in those settings. Of course, that’s quite different from actually organizing an event that deliberately ignores guidelines for safety and puts the people invited at risk,” wrote campaign spokesperson Viv Bernstein.

Chris Cooper says Cawthorn and other Republican candidates who hold in-person events should expect to be on the receiving end of similar rhetoric as the campaign continues. “The downside of folks who are holding these rallies is the message they’re sending to swing voters and unaffiliated voters who may be concerned about coronavirus,” he explains.

“Simply put, it’s giving Democrats an easy talking point that will reinforce the party’s positions on the pandemic.”

OFFICE POLICY: All volunteers at Buncombe County Democratic Party headquarters must wear masks while indoors, even when only one person is present in the building, according to party Chair Jeff Rose. Photo courtesy of Rose

FREEDOM TO ASSEMBLE

Despite Democratic criticism, say local health officials, Republicans aren’t violating any state or county executive orders by holding in-person gatherings.

Similar to street protests against stayhome restrictions and racial injustice that have taken place during the pandemic, campaign events are considered to be an exercise of First Amendment rights, a category specifically exempted from COVID-19 restrictions.

Although Gov. Cooper’s order “strongly urges” people engaging in First Amendment activities to avoid holding mass gatherings, practice social distancing and wear face coverings, they aren’t required to follow those guidelines, as are restaurants or retail businesses. Steve Smith, Henderson County’s health director, says he thus has no plans to take action against the Cawthorn campaign or Point Lookout Vineyards for the Aug. 30 fundraising concert.

“Our county attorney stipulated that campaigning pretty clearly fits among the rights protected by the First Amendment as applied to the states by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments and exempted from the executive orders — freedoms of religion/speech/press/peaceable assemblies/petition government,” Smith explained. “I cannot conceive of an interpretation of Gov. Cooper’s orders which would see campaigning for political office as not fitting under the exemption.”

Asked if Henderson County considered political events to be less risky than comparable nonpolitical events, Smith responded that transmission of COVID-19

at any event depended on “compliance among attendees with basic preventive measures.” He added that the county judges the relative danger of events according to CDC guidelines, which flag “large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area” — all descriptors matching the Cawthorn concert, per Skyline News reporting — as the highest risk.

Fletcher Tove, Buncombe County’s emergency preparedness director, echoed Smith’s interpretation of campaign activities in response to an Xpress query during a Sept. 3 press conference. “We’ve had this discussion,” he said. “They fall under the First Amendment freedom of speech or assembly. That’s the logic behind allowing them to exceed mass gathering guidance.”

asked constituents he encounters shopping at the supermarket to talk with him outside where there’s better ventilation, for example, while his usual chats over breakfast at The Miami Restaurant in Candler have turned into quick exchanges in the parking lot as he grabs takeout.

Rich Lee, a Democrat running in the nonpartisan race for Asheville City Council, has tried to move some of those conversations online through a series of Zoom calls on hot-button issues such as policing and reparations for the city’s Black residents. He says those virtual events have given him some perspective on the community’s attitudes but admits they can’t fully replace the breadth of experiences he’d hear through in-person campaigning.

And Chris Cooper says Lee and other Democrats may also be missing out on critical financial support when they stay behind a computer screen. “We know that face time is what can convince donors to contribute to campaigns. Much like buying a car, donors may want to kick the proverbial tires before making a purchase,” he notes.

Buncombe County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Rose agrees that the virtual approach leaves much to be desired. “One thing we are all missing out on this year

are the conversations that happen on the sidelines of events,” he explains. “Having everyone together in a room for a meeting leads to a lot more work getting done than just what’s on the agenda, so we’re having to meet more regularly virtually to get our work done.”

Despite the challenges, Rose says his party remains committed to community safety and will continue to respect health guidance on COVID-19 precautions. Those limits were recently relaxed with North Carolina’s Sept. 4 move to Phase 2.5 of reopening, which allows mass gatherings of up to 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors.

In light of the governor’s signal, Lee says his campaign might start to hold some small, socially distanced in-person events such as a drop-in meet-andgreet on a brewery patio — a far cry, he emphasizes, from “a Madison Cawthornstyle concert.”

“It seems to me like they are almost doing those sorts of rallies as this performative, political, anti-mask stance,” Lee continues. “Maybe that benefits them among their constituencies, but it’s a thumb in the eye of everybody who’s been careful and tried to follow good science and keep the community safe to put people at risk as a statement.” X

SEE YOU NEXT TIME?

But during a public health crisis, argues Turner, candidates should be guided by what they should do, rather than by what they can do. “There has to be a pretty sizable benefit for me to want to do something in person, even within the limits of what’s allowed,” he says, noting that his campaign hasn’t held an in-person event since March. “I don’t want to put people at risk if I don’t have to. I would feel really bad if I had an event and someone got sick because of it.”

Even informal conversations with voters out in the community have changed due to COVID-19, Turner adds. He’s MOUNTAINX.COM

SEPT. 23-29, 2020

9

NEWS

Over their dead bodies Local historians honor forgotten railroad workers

BY THOMAS CALDER tcalder@mountainx.com Some died in landslides and caveins. Others perished due to malnutrition.

Several were shot down while attempting to escape. The exact number of incarcerated individuals who lost their lives during the construction of the Western North Carolina Railroad is unknown.

What historians do know is that the rail link connecting WNC with the eastern part of the state would not have been completed without those prisoners’ backbreaking and often deadly labors.

Yet today, the hundreds of former slaves who endured unspeakable hardships while helping lay tracks and excavate seven tunnels with a total elevation gain of 1,100 feet are largely forgotten. And at least 139 of their bodies are believed to lie in unmarked graves between Old Fort and Ridgecrest, says UNC Asheville history professor Daniel Pierce.

Some skilled laborers were hired for the project, and Black women did laundry and cooked, but most of the workers were African American men serving lengthy sentences for petty crimes like theft and vagrancy.

“For a significant portion, this turned into a death sentence,” says Pierce.

To commemorate their efforts and spotlight the history of those overlooked Americans, Pierce recently teamed up with 10 other local historians and community members to form the Railroad Incarcerated Labor Memorial Committee.

“There has been so much talk about taking things down,” says Pierce, referring to the ongoing removal of Confederate monuments across the country. “Another part of the conversation, though, is what do we put up.”

On Aug. 10, the Old Fort Board of Aldermen approved the Railroad Incarcerated Labor Memorial Committee’s plan to design and install a memorial at Andrews Geyser, a 19th-century tourist attraction that’s not far from the train tracks. “There’s been real enthusiasm about it,” Pierce reports.

Nonetheless, he recognizes that not all community members will be on board with the project. “Some people will react with ‘Why do you want to recognize convicts?’” the historian predicts. But that attitude, he maintains, overlooks the fact that the punishment didn’t always fit the crime.

10

SEPT. 23-29, 2020

EXPLOITED: “It’s important for us all to begin to understand the scale of human exploitation that occurred to connect Western North Carolina to the rest of the state by rail,” says historian Anne Chesky Smith. Chesky Smith is one of several local historians working to commemorate the hundreds of lives lost during the construction of the Western North Carolina Railroad in the late 1870s. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Library, Asheville Meanwhile, other local historians point out that many now view the convict leasing system as the South’s attempt to re-create slavery under a different name in the wake of emancipation. Although the practice existed before the Civil War, it expanded substantially during and after Reconstruction.

MORE BRUTAL THAN SLAVERY

In a 2001 Appalachian Journal article titled “Zeb Vance and the Construction of the Western North Carolina Railroad,” historian Gordon B. McKinney outlined the challenges and delays the state faced during the railroad’s westward expansion toward Asheville. This included disputes over its route in the 1850s, the Civil War in the 1860s and the subsequent mismanagement and misuse of state funds during the early years of Reconstruction.

In 1876, however, former wartime Gov. Zebulon Vance was once again running for office. One of his campaign promises was completing the railroad, and after reclaiming the governor’s mansion, Vance aimed to honor that commitment regardless of the human cost.

“The use of convict labor was becoming a standard practice throughout the South during this time period,”

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McKinney wrote. “By placing the convicts at work sites, the Southern states eliminated many of the costs of maintaining the prisoners in prison buildings. This practice also allowed the state to make investments in projects — through labor — without the use of scarce money.”

According to McKinney, the railroad’s daily cost per prisoner was 30 cents; in 1878, the standard cost of labor was about $1 a day. That December, he noted, despite malnourishment and an unusually cold winter, 558 incarcerated laborers

began working on an unrelenting schedule that ran uninterrupted for nearly 90 days, with time off only for Christmas and a single day in February.

“Their lives were not worth anything except for labor,” says Anne Chesky Smith, executive director of the Western North Carolina Historical Association and a Railroad Incarcerated Labor Memorial Committee member. “And they were easily replaceable, because [the state] could pick up and sentence people to work on the railroad for minor crimes.”

Fellow committee member Darin Waters, an assistant professor of history at UNC Asheville, agrees. “In many ways, the convict leasing system was much more brutal than the slave labor system,” he says. Previously, owners had viewed enslaved people as significant financial investments, Waters explains; incarcerated workers, on the other hand, cost little or nothing and thus were expendable.

As Waters documented in his 2012 doctoral dissertation, between 1876 and 1894 North Carolina’s Black prison population more than doubled, from 676 to 1,623. “Along with racism,” wrote Waters, “the continued demands for a cheap supply of labor, especially for railroad construction, was a major reason for the increase in the number of Black inmates in North Carolina.”

CONVICT OR VICTIM?

When it comes to reexamining the past, historians frequently encounter a similar roadblock: Most people simply don’t know much about history. Railroad Incarcerated Labor Memorial Committee members, though, are quick to note that our region’s collective lack of awareness of the exploitative and inhumane conditions that incarcerated laborers faced is understandable. Even at the time, few considered convict labor a story worth documenting, much less memorializing.

“The biggest thing for people to keep in mind as we’re talking about this is

ON BOARD: Railroad Incarcerated Labor Memorial Committee members Darin Waters, left, and Daniel Pierce see the memorial as a way to call attention to the forgotten workers and the deadly challenges they faced. Photo by Thomas Calder

“For a significant portion, this turned into a death sentence.”

— UNC Asheville history professor Daniel Pierce

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DEATH SENTENCE: Many of the laborers, historian Anne Chesky Smith believes, “knew that a sentence working on the railroad was essentially a death sentence. Perhaps that’s why there were a good number of men trying to escape, even with heavily armed guards nearby who were trained to shoot to kill.” Photo by Thomas Calder how even the use of the word ‘convict’ is problematic,” says Waters. Many of those forced to work on the project, he says, were either falsely accused or faced trumped-up charges for minor offenses.

But once people were labeled convicts, society viewed them solely through that lens.

Pierce agrees. “There was a tendency not to question that those arrested were legitimate convicts,” he says. Both historians add that things haven’t changed all that much today.

And what little information the public did receive about these men was designed to further humiliate and dehumanize them, Pierce contends. A popular postcard from the period shows incarcerated workers lined up along the tracks.

In the background stand two men, one holding a shotgun. The message across the top reads, “Stripes but no stars, Asheville, N.C.” The postcard, Pierce points out, was considered good fun; the unknown men depicted were viewed only as a joke, not as human beings.

ENCOURAGING EMPATHY

Now, however, the Railroad Incarcerated Labor Memorial Committee hopes to right this wrong. Although the project is still in its early stages, the group is hard at work on design concepts for the memorial and ideas for fundraisers, hoping for a spring 2021 dedication.

“We often marvel at the powerful men who engineered the railroad without giving much thought to the people who, for

the most part, were forced to unwillingly do the actual labor,” says Chesky Smith.

“It’s important for us all to begin to understand the scale of human exploitation that occurred to connect Western North Carolina to the rest of the state by rail,” she continues. “And also to hopefully create a sense of empathy for how impossibly difficult it would have been to be imprisoned on this mountain — away from your family, doing hard labor with little nourishment, locked into boxcars at night — potentially for a crime you did not commit, with little hope of finishing out your sentence [alive] and returning home.”

To learn more about the Railroad Incarcerated Labor Memorial Committee project, visit avl.mx/8a5. X

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Want to know more?

For those interested in learning more about the region’s railroad history and the use of prison labor, local historians recommend the following articles and books: • Kevin Kehrberg and Jeffrey A. Keith’s article, “Somebody Died, Babe: A Musical Cover-up of Racism, Violence and Greed,” available online at avl.mx/86m • John Ehle’s 1967 novel The Road • Wilma Dykeman’s The French Broad, Chapter 10: “The Green Path and the Iron Track” X

With your generous donation you can help ensure that these trees will continue to invigorate Asheville’s South Slope.

To learn more and donate, visit the Ravenscroft Reserve Initiative at ashevillegreenworks.org/RRI. Donations are tax-deductible and directly support this preservation effort.

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SEPT. 23-29, 2020

11

BUNCOMBE BEAT

Pisgah Legal Services’ annual forum will grapple with racial justice COVID-19 isn’t slowing conversations on justice, nor will the virus stop Pisgah Legal Services from hosting the Asheville-based nonprofit’s 10th Justice Forum on Thursday, Oct. 1.

The annual event is the organization’s biggest fundraiser. In 2019, more than 1,000 people attended Jose Antonio Vargas’ speech at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. This year, the festivities will be held virtually.

Headlining the event is Clint Smith, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of Counting Descent, which won the 2017 Literary Award for Best Poetry Book from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.

Smith was named to the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and his poems and essays have been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine and The New Republic.

“Over the course of the past several months, the world has watched as unarmed Black men and women have had their lives taken at the hands of police and vigilantes,” Smith said in a 2015 TED Talk about the realities of raising a Black son in America. Five years later, that message still resonates.

Smith was selected as the event’s keynote speaker in February, long before names like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor entered the national conversation on race. Some might call it prescient, but Ally Wilson, Pisgah Legal’s development director, says it attests to the importance of racial justice in the nonprofit’s work.

“We feel like his voice and perspectives will help us really understand the factors at play that brought us

‘AN ENGAGING PERSONALITY’: Clint Smith will headline Pisgah Legal Service’s annual Justice Forum on Thursday, Oct. 1. Ally Wilson, the nonprofit’s development director, predicts Smith’s charm and thought-provoking work will keep participants attentive. Photo courtesy of Pisgah Legal Services to this moment that we’re in, both in Western North Carolina and as a country,” Wilson says. “In this time of reckoning with race and structural racism, [Smith] really grapples with the question of understanding the historical perspective to bring us to the current moment.”

Tickets are on sale for a preevent virtual reception featuring a poetry reading by Smith and a musical performance by local blues singer Kat Williams; the free forum will

begin at 7 p.m. Advance registration is required at avl.mx/8as.

Zoom fatigue is real, Wilson recognizes, but she think’s Smith’s “engaging personality” will draw viewers into the discussion.

“I think people will have an entertaining and thought-provoking evening,” she says. “Even while we’re all watching on our own screens, we’ll feel connected to our community in different ways.”

— Molly Horak X

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SEPT. 23-29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM

NEWS BRIEFS

OF F I CI A L L Y O PEN

by Xpress Staff | news@mountainx.com

Sovereign Kava LABOR DELIVERS: Mission nurses voted 965 to 411 to join the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United in a mail-in election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board. Photo courtesy of National Nurses United MISSION HOSPITAL NURSES WIN UNION VOTE

ASHEVILLE PROPOSES 2.5% CUT TO POLICE BUDGET

Nurses at Asheville’s Mission Hospital voted overwhelmingly to unionize under the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United in a mailin election completed Sept. 17. An NNU press release said the vote was 965 for the union and 411 against; once established, the union will represent about 1,800 registered nurses at Mission.

The vote makes Mission the first unionized hospital in North Carolina. It also represents the labor movement’s largest victory in a Southern hospital since 1975, according to reporting by Carolina Public Press.

HCA Healthcare, the Nashville-based company that owns Mission, indicated that it may seek to challenge the election’s results. “The hospital will thoroughly examine the election process and the manner in which the election was conducted,” said spokesperson Nancy Lindell in a Sept.

17 statement.

As of press time, Asheville City Council was scheduled to vote Tuesday, Sept.

22, on a proposal by City Manager Debra Campbell that would shift roughly $770,000 out of the Asheville Police Department’s over $30 million budget to invest in other city departments.

The approximately 2.5% cut comes after months of activism by community groups, including Black AVL Demands, seeking a 50% divestment from the police to fund other city services.

In a Sept. 18 press release, city spokesperson Ashley TraynumCarson noted that the proposal was “only the beginning of the effort to reimagine the delivery of public safety services in Asheville.” She said larger changes in the works for fiscal year 2021-22 included creating a rapid response team for mental health, homelessness, domestic violence and other issues currently handled by police; developing a new model for school resource officers; and changing approaches to safety in Asheville’s public housing neighborhoods.

Those shifts were informed by a city public engagement effort that took place earlier in September. Consultant reports and open-ended responses to an online questionnaire conducted as part of that engagement are available at avl.mx/84q.

BUNCOMBE SEEKS INPUT ON $900K IN COVID-19 SPENDING

Buncombe County officials are asking for public comment on a proposal to claim up to $900,000 in grant funding made available as part of the federal coronavirus relief package. According to federal guidelines, the money must be spent outside of Asheville’s city limits and on “activities that prepare, prevent or respond to the health and economic impacts of COVID-19.”

Those seeking to comment are urged to weigh in as soon as possible, as the grants are distributed on a first-come, firstserved basis. Suggestions may be sent to Rachael Nygaard, Buncombe’s director of strategic partnerships, by email to rachael.nygaard@ buncombecounty.org, phone at 828-250-6536, or mail to 200 College St. X

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SEPT. 23-29, 2020

13

COVID CONVERSATIONS

ASHEVILLE ARCHIVES

by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com

Welcome aboard

‘A dream come true’

Preservation Society quietly announces new executive director

Lee-Walker Heights opens, 1951

Nonprofits often use a change of leadership as a chance to build support for their work. “It’s an opportunity for that person to meet and interact with the public in a really meaningful way,” says Jessie Landl.

Yet when she was named executive director of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County in August, there was no big meetand-greet: The continuing pandemic made sure of that. Instead, supporters were merely notified via email.

Landl wasn’t disappointed by her low-key start, though. “We are far enough into COVID that we were prepared for this,” she says. “It’s kind of becoming the new norm at this point.”

And for the group’s members, Landl was already a familiar face, having served as director of development and programming for three years. “I’ve always been drawn to architecture,” she explains. “I like things that last, and I love the idea of a building having many lives.”

That includes the house Landl lives in, where she recently painted an abstract, underwater-themed mural in her guest room. “It’s terrible but a much-needed distraction,” she confesses. “I’m pretty sure I will be painting over it when we can have people over to our house again.”

Like many other organizations, says Landl, the Preservation Society has had to adapt to the ongoing COVID-related restrictions and guidelines. For example, its yearround educational programs are now conducted remotely. “It hasn’t been seamless,” Landl says with a laugh, “but we’re figuring it out. And in a lot of ways, we’re learning that we’re able to reach a lot more people when we do things online.”

Despite the greater virtual turnout, however, the Preservation Society still faces the same fundraising hurdles that most nonprofits are experiencing during the current global health crisis, including the cancellation of its biggest annual fundraiser, the Time Traveling Gala.

Nevertheless, Landl says she’s optimistic about the future. Among the programs she’s most excited about is the organization’s revolving fund, which will focus on preserva-

14

SEPT. 23-29, 2020

AFFORDABLE HOUSING: An aerial shot of Lee-Walker Heights shortly after its 1951 opening. Residents paid $13-$60 in rent, which included water and electricity ($130$600 in today’s dollar). Units ranged from one-four bedrooms. The following year, Asheville’s second low-rent housing project, Pisgah View Apartments, opened for the city’s white residents. Photo courtesy of the Asheville Housing Authority

TAKING THE REINS: On Aug. 18, the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County introduced Jessie Landl as its new executive director. Landl replaces Jack Thomson, whose lengthy tenure ended last December when he took a job in Charlotte. Photo by Will Hornaday tion efforts in underserved neighborhoods like Shiloh and the East End. “We are working with these communities to hear from them about what places are important to preserve,” she explains.

At the same time, Landl says she’s eager to reconnect with her organization’s members when conditions allow. In-person events, she believes, remain critical to any nonprofit’s momentum and success. “It allows your supporters to understand the projects that you’re working on and feel your enthusiasm for the mission and goals that you’re trying to achieve — and that’s a tough thing to be missing right now.”

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— Thomas Calder X

On March 12, 1950, the Sunday edition of the Asheville Citizen-Times reported that the Asheville Housing Authority was seeking bids “on construction of its first lowrent housing project.” The then-unnamed development, built during segregation and intended for Black residents, would be composed of 96-units on 12.5 acres at the intersection of Southside Avenue and Coxe Avenue Extension.

Nine months later, while still under construction, the Asheville Housing Authority selected the project’s name: Lee-Walker Heights. The designation, recommended by the Negro Advisory Council, paid homage to two deceased Black residents, Walter S. Lee, former principal of Stephens-Lee High School, and Dr. John W. Walker, founder of Circle Terrace Sanatorium.

The selection was not universally praised.

On Jan. 14, 1951, in a letter to the editor, one V.S. McDowell criticized the choice. “I am convinced that the vast majority of our Negro citizens are strongly opposed to the name,” he wrote, objecting to the selection’s perceived favoritism. According to McDowell, Dr. Robert B. Hendrick, head of the Negro Advisory Council, was Lee’s brother-in-law.

Meanwhile, the same relationship connected Lee to Walker.

“Many of us believe Dr. Hendrick’s committee should have invited suggestions from all Negro citizens and made a genuine effort to select a name that would be both fitting and popular,” McDowell wrote.

Others in the community approved the name. Fellow resident Ernest B. McKissick responded to McDowell’s criticism in a Jan. 17 letter to the editor. McKissick praised the Negro Advisory Council’s decision, declaring the name “proper and fitting for these great citizens of Buncombe County.”

In his letter, McKissick went on to encourage city officials to consider recognizing the contributions of additional Black residents by renaming schools in their honor. Names included Mamie Martin (the first Black teacher in Buncombe County to retire from service), Maggie Jones (a dressmaker and former member of the African American beautification club), Rachel Battle (former principal of Livingston Street School), Hattie Swan (former Stephens-Lee teacher), J.H. Michael (former principal of Hill Street School) and the Rev. E.W. Dixon.

On May 25, 1951, both Hendrick and Mayor Earl W. Eller spoke at the LeeWalker Heights dedication ceremony. In the following day’s paper, The Asheville Citizen featured a summary of their speeches. According to the article, Eller’s opening remarks “stressed the social significance of better housing for all peoples.” Hendrick’s subsequent speech focused on similar themes, noting “the social value of the project and what it means in lifting living conditions for a large number of people.”

The same article also reported that Mrs. W.S. Lee and Mrs. W.J. Walker, “widows of the men for whom the project is named,” participated in the day’s event. The dedication concluded with the StephensLee High School band playing “The StarSpangled Banner.”

Not long after the dedication, on June 28, 1951, new Lee-Walker Heights resident L.C. Lindsey wrote a letter to the editor praising the complex. “A few years ago I read an article in the paper concerning these buildings but did not give it much attention,” Lindsey expressed. “Now it has come to a reality — like a dream come true.”

Editor’s note: Peculiarities of spelling and punctuation are preserved from the original documents. X

COMMUNITY CALENDAR SEPT. 23-OCT. 2, 2020

NC BioNetwork webinar on hygiene practices for businesses.

TH (10/1), 10am, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8bv

For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/calendar.

For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, ext.

137. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 828-251-1333, ext. 320.

CLASSES, MEETINGS & EVENTS

In-Person Events = Shaded All other events are virtual

ART BMC: Ruth Asawa's Radical Universalism Presentation on art as activism by Jason Vartikar.

WE (9/23), 1pm, Free, avl.mx/87z Less of the Same: Reconsidering the Design of Get Out the Vote Campaigns AIGA webinar with Dr. Ofer Berenstein.

WE (9/23), 3pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8aj Jackson County Public Library: ARTrageous Virtual art class. Supplies available for pickup at the library.

TH (9/24), 10am, Free, avl.mx/88o Slow Art Friday: Seasons of Change Discussion led by master docent Sarah Reincke at Asheville Art Museum.

FR (9/25), 12pm, $10, Registration required, avl.mx/88a Hendersonville Virtual Art on Main Fine art and craft fair with demonstrations and discussion segments.

SA (9/26), 11am, Free, avl.mx/8bc AIGA WatchStack: Group Talk & Signal Buzz Networking for designers.

TU (9/29), 5:30pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/7dr First Friday Art Walks Open galleries.

FR (10/2), 5pm, Free, Biltmore Ave/College St

MUSIC & DANCE Posey Piano Hour Jazz and swing performance.

TH (9/24), 7pm, Free, avl.mx/7mx Heart & Soul Dance: Flesh & Conflict Interpretive dance presented by Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.

FR (9/25), 7:30pm, avl.mx/886 Virtual Pride Festival Live music, drag shows and discussion segments hosted by Blue Ridge Pride.

SA (9/26), 7pm, Free, avl.mx/8b7

UNCA: What is a College Basketball Bubble?

Featuring director of athletics Janet R. Cone with a panel of college basketball coaches and commissioners WE (9/23), 11am, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8ao

LITERARY City Lights Author Discussion George Singleton presents You Want More: Selected Stories, in conversation with Jeremy Jones.

WE (9/23), 6pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8ah Malaprop's Author Discussion Deesha Philyaw presents The Secret Lives of Church Ladies.

WE (9/23), 6pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/88i CRAFT: Authors in Conversation Featuring Kate Andersen Brower, author of Team of Five.

WE (9/23), 7pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/88j Stay Home & Write(rs) Group Community writing session with Firestorm.

WE (9/23), 7pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/83c UNCA Visiting Writers Series Featuring Angela Morales, author of The Girls in My Town.

WE (9/23), 7:30pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/89c Malaprop's Author Discussion George Singleton presents You Want More: Selected Stories. Learn more on Page 26.

FR (9/25), 6pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/88k Our VOICE Book & Media Club Discussion on Era of Ignition by Amber Tamblyn.

SU (9/27), 10am, Free, avl.mx/89d Malaprop's Book Launch Rob Simbeck presents The Southern Wildlife Watchers: Notes of a Naturalist.

MO (9/28), 6pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8ak Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance: Reader Meet Writer Connor Towne O'Neill presents Down Along with that Devil's Bones.

TU (9/29), 5pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8al Malaprop's Author Discussion

QUESTIONING DISPARITIES: The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville will host Rob Thomas, pictured, and David Greenson of the Asheville Racial Justice Coalition. Moderated by Yashika Smith, the discussion will focus on causes of racial wealth disparity and how community members can advocate to bridge the gap. Free. avl.mx/8aq. Photo courtesy of WNC 4 Peace Erin Brockovich and Suzanne Boothby present Superman's Not Coming: Our National Water Crisis and What We the People Can Do About It. WE (9/30), 6pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8am Malaprop's Book Launch Ashley Blooms presents Every Bone a Prayer.

TH (10/1), 6pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8an

THEATER & FILM Willingham Story Slam: The Masks We Wear Hosted by Yadkin Arts Council.

TH (9/24), 7pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/89g They Who Overcame: Stories of Hope & Resilience Center for Cultural Preservation short film based on oral histories of Southern Appalachia.

TH (9/24), 7:30pm, $5, avl.mx/894 The Magnetic Theatre: Crimes, Missed Demeanings & Videotape Outdoor sketch comedy revue.

Ongoing (9/25-27), 2pm and 6:30pm, $30/carload, Keller Williams parking lot, 86 Asheland Ave

CIVICS & ACTIVISM OLLI: Understanding the Racial Wealth Gap Featuring Rob Thomas and David Greenson of the Racial Justice Coalition.

TH (9/24), 6:30pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8aq Asheville Board of Adjustment General meeting.

MO (9/28), 2pm, avl.mx/8b5 Pisgah Legal Annual Justice Forum Featuring writer, poet and researcher Clint Smith. Learn more on Page 12.

TH (10/1), 7pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8as Asheville Women in Black Monthly peace vigil.

FR (10/2), 5pm, Vance Monument, 1 Pack Square

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY Incredible Towns Business Network General meeting.

WE (9/23), 11am, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/7g8 NC Tax Withholding 101 Haywood Community College planning webinar. Open to all.

TH (9/24), 9:30am, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8bu Find Your Customers Using Social Media Digital marketing seminar. Open to all.

TH (9/24), 1pm, Registration required, Free, Isothermal Community College Small Business Center, 286 ICC Loop Road, Spindale Writing Effective Standard Operating Procedures

MountainTrue University: Faith, Ecology & Race Reverend Tami Forte Logan in conversation with Scott Hardin-Nieri of Creation Care Alliance.

WE (9/23), 12pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/898 Raising Archival Awareness: The Appalachian Studies Case Ramsey Library webinar with archivist Gene Hyde and metadata specialist Elizabeth Harper.

TH (9/24), 12pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8ap UNCA: Organic Chemistry Seminar Presented by Caitlin Farr.

Open to all.

FR (9/25), 2:30pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8ar History Cafe: Preserving the South Asheville Cemetery Lecture on efforts to preserve the historic Black cemetery.

MO (9/28), 10:30am, $5, avl.mx/8av Spanish Conversation Group For adult language learners.

TH (10/1), 5pm, Free, avl.mx/7c6

WELLNESS

Thursdays • ASAP Farmers Market at A-B Tech. 9am-12pm, 340 Victoria Rd • Flat Rock Farmers Market. 3-6pm, 1790 Greenville Hwy, Hendersonville • Enka-Candler Tailgate Market. 3:30-6:30pm, 70 Pisgah Hwy, Candler Saturdays • North Asheville Tailgate Market. 8am-12pm, UNC Asheville, Lot C • Hendersonville Farmers Market. 8am-1pm, 650 Maple St, Hendersonville • ASAP Farmers Market at A-B Tech. 9am-12pm, 340 Victoria Rd • Black Mountain Tailgate Market. 9am-12pm, 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain • Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market.

9am-12pm, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville

FOOD & BEER Drive-Thru Asheville Greek Festival Menu: avl.mx/89e.

FR (9/25), 11am-2pm, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Ave

Intro to Medicare: Understanding the Puzzle How to avoid penalties and save money.

TH (9/24), 2pm, Registration required, Free, coabc.org Recovery Support Meeting Hosted by First Contact Ministries.

TH (9/24), 6:30pm, Free, avl.mx/7ko Tranzmission: Nonbinary Support Meeting Questions: info@ tranzmission.org.

TH (9/24), 6:30pm, Free, avl.mx/8b9 Pack Library: Chair Workout Class Total body workout for seniors.

SA (9/26), 10:30am, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8b3 Tranzmission: Transformers Support Meeting For people who are nonbinary, trans and/or questioning their gender identity. Questions: info@ tranzmission.org.

SA (9/26), 2pm, Free, avl.mx/8ba

Steady Collective Syringe Access Outreach Free educational material, naloxone, syringes and supplies.

TU (9/29), 2pm, Firestorm Bookstore Co-op, 610 Haywood Rd Adult Eating Disorder Support Group Hosted by Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders. Register: groups@crcfored.com.

WE (9/30), 6pm, Free, avl.mx/82e Black Mountain Library: Losses & Invitations During Transitional Times Led by Jeannie DuBose.

WE (9/30), 6:30pm, Registration required, Free, avl.mx/8b4

OUTDOORS Pop up 5k in the Park WE (9/23), 6pm, $10, Fletcher Park, 300 Old Cane Creek Rd, Fletcher Electric Bike Urban History Tour Downtown Asheville tour led by Chris Joyell.

SA (9/26), 9am, $20-$40, The Flying Bike Tours, 225 Coxe Ave

10th Annual Oktoberfest Menu by Haus Heidelberg German Restaurant.

Music by Mountain Top Polka Band.

SA (9/26), 12-8pm, $20, Southern Appalachian Brewery, 822 Locust St, Hendersonville MANNA Express Free grocery items for neighbors in need.

FR (10/2), 12pm, Beacon of Hope, 120 Cavalry Dr, Marshall

KIDS & FAMILY WEEKLY MARKETS Tuesdays • West Asheville Tailgate Market. 3:30-6:30pm, 718 Haywood Rd • The Whee Market.

4-7pm, 563 N Country Club Dr, Cullowhee Wednesdays • Asheville City Market South. 12-3pm, Biltmore Park Town Square • Weaverville Farmers Market. 2:30-6pm,17 Merrimon Ave, Weaverville • RAD Farmers Market.

3-6pm, Pleb Urban Winery, 289 Lyman St • Jackson County Farmers Market. 3:30-6:30pm, Innovation Station, 40 Depot St, Dillsboro

Pipe Cleaner Creations Take-and-make craft kit giveaway.

FR (9/25), 9am-5pm, Free, Waynesville Library, 678 S Haywood St, Waynesville; Canton Library, 11 Pennsylvania Ave, Canton Jackson Library: Family Night Around the World Traditional games, activities and stories from various countries.

TU (9/29), 5pm, Free, avl.mx/8ai

3

Miss Malaprop's Storytime Ages 3-9.

WE (9/30), 10am, Free, avl.mx/73b Haywood Library: Storytime w/ Ms. Deanna Ages 2-6.

TH (10/1), 9am, Free, avl.mx/8bw

MOUNTAINX.COM

SEPT. 23-29, 2020

15

WELLNESS

Keeping COVID at bay Alternative and complementary practitioners weigh in

BY LESLIE BOYD leslie.boyd@gmail.com Although COVID-19 has fundamentally altered our society, Asheville chiropractor Donald Acton hasn’t changed his message. “The key to staying healthy is a healthy immune system,” he says.

And across the broad spectrum of health care, practitioners of conventional Western medicine as well as alternative and complementary therapies agree: Scientific studies show that people with healthy immune systems are less likely to suffer life-threatening complications from COVID-19.

Abbas Rakhshani of the Ashevillebased Yoga Wellness Center sees building a strong physical and mental

ON TRACK: Regular physical activity — especially outdoors in nature — is a key practice for maintaining a healthy immune system. Daily exercise is just one of several recommendations offered by local alternative and conventional health care practitioners for staving off COVID-19, as well as other illnesses. Photo from Getty Images

DONALD ACTON

constitution as an effective way to stave off the ravages of any pathogen that comes along.

“The universe is continuously in the process of renewing itself,” says Rakhshani, who has a doctorate in yogic sciences. “A hurricane destroys the weak vegetation and makes room for the new. So does the forest fire and any other natural disaster. In my personal view, a pandemic is not much different.”

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Both men believe that the therapies they offer help strengthen the immune system, and the benefits aren’t limited to combating COVID-19.

“Your body doesn’t need help to be healthy,” Acton maintains. “It just can’t function at 100% when something obstructs the process.”

Those obstructions can be chemical (e.g., drugs, whether over-thecounter or prescription) or mechanical (stress on the nervous system), he explains. Other important factors include adequate rest, a nutritious natural foods diet and regular aerobic exercise, which promotes a healthy circulatory system.

Mary “Cissy” Majebe, who founded the Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic in Asheville, sounds a similar note. She cites three practices that can strengthen immune response: long walks (an hour or more, and they can be leisurely), eating a healthy diet and getting sufficient sleep. Majebe has also posted a video on YouTube about how to respond to the threat posed

by COVID-19 (avl.mx/8bx).

“It’s a big difference getting something and cooking it yourself instead of pulling up to a drive-thru window,” she says. “There is no diet that’s perfect for everyone, because people’s bodies are different. But eating well, getting outdoors for an hour a day and sleep are three things everyone can do without going to a doctor.”

MARY “CISSY” MAJEBE

STRESSES AND REMEDIES

But if these providers’ messages haven’t changed, some practitioners’ lives definitely have.

Dr. Aneela Cox of Integrative Family Medicine in Asheville was working at a clinic in Tucson, Ariz., when the pandemic was declared in March. Staff immediately mobilized to cope with the virus, and since so little was known about it, the protocols kept changing as new information came in. The clinic seemed to be in a constant state of flux.

Then Cox’s mother, who has asthma, was diagnosed with the virus. “I noticed that my emotional health was suffering,” says Cox. To bring things back in balance, she joined an online meditation group three times a week and then started her own heart-centered meditation group.

She stepped up online communication to stay connected with friends and family, saw an acupuncturist once a week and made sure she got enough rest, ate sensibly and exercised regularly.

“In my opinion, using a multidisciplinary approach to boost our well-being is key,” Cox says now. “With my recent move from Tucson to Asheville, I’m taking the opportunity to meditate, eat healthy, exercise and spend time in nature.”

Majebe, meanwhile, also cites another COVID-related issue.

“Social isolation is a big problem,” she says, noting that her mother, who is 90, is struggling with that. “We have to ask ourselves what can we change, what can’t we change and what can we let go.”

But while that added stress also has an adverse effect on the immune system, says Majebe, those basics — adequate sleep, healthy foods and exercise — can mitigate the harm.

ANEELA COX

For the same reason, Cox recommends maintaining social contact at a distance, either in a large indoor space with few people in it or outdoors.

Insufficient social interaction, she points out, can contribute to depression and anxiety, which also tax the immune system.

WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS

Scientific studies support these alternative practitioners’ advice.

Getting outdoors increases the body’s production of vitamin D, and studies have shown that people with adequate levels of this essential nutrient are suffering fewer life-threatening complications from COVID-19. Worldwide, about a billion people have a vitamin D deficiency; although estimates vary, at least one-third of all adults in the U.S., and a higher percentage of older Americans, are said to be deficient.

Taking a supplement helps. Other higher-risk groups include office workers (who may spend less time outdoors), people with darker skin, women (especially pregnant women and nursing mothers) and people who wear sunscreen. The same holds true for those with high blood glucose levels, regardless of whether they have diabetes.

High glucose levels at hospital admission are associated with higher death rates. Hyperglycemia is linked to higher levels of inflammation which, in turn, can lead to the often-fatal cytokine storm. Eating fresh foods that are low in carbohydrates can help lower blood glucose levels.

Obesity is also a risk factor for dangerous COVID-19 complications, underscoring the importance of a healthy diet and exercise.

“The key to staying healthy is a healthy immune system.”

— Asheville chiropractor Donald Acton to intensive care units were more likely to develop kidney problems than people who recovered without developing serious complications.

Because we know so little about the virus, stresses Cox, we need to keep our immune systems strong. We also need to follow Western medical practitioners’ advice: Wear a mask when not at home, practice social distancing and wash hands frequently and thoroughly.

In addition, Rakhshani recommends meditative practices and massage.

“My practice focuses on ayurvedic medicine and yogic sciences from India,” he explains. “Our ayurvedic massage boosts the immune system

by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Our mind-body therapies achieve the same goal through breathing practices, physical exercises and meditative techniques.”

Majebe, meanwhile, says that people should take steps to fend off a potential second wave of COVID-19 infections this winter.

“We don’t know how this will act during the cold months, but we need to be prepared,” she maintains. “I recommend vitamin D and zinc supplements to strengthen the immune system, in addition to eating healthy, exercising outdoors and getting enough sleep.” X

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PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

In addition, Majebe urges patients to think about strengthening any areas of weakness in the body, even if they don’t show up in lab test results. This, she says, can be accomplished via specific herbal treatments. “If you get a lot of respiratory infections, you need to think about strengthening your lungs,” she advises. “But you also need to look at other systems. COVID attacks lungs, hearts, livers, kidneys, digestive systems — everyone seems to have a different response.”

In fact, a recently published study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that patients hospitalized for COVID-19 who then develop kidney problems are more likely to die and less likely to regain kidney function if they recover from the disease. The study also found that people admitted MOUNTAINX.COM

SEPT. 23-29, 2020

17

GREEN SCENE

Cultivating the future

Buncombe County updates its Farmland Protection Plan

BY GINA SMITH ginasmithnews@gmail.com One perk of living in Buncombe County is the patchwork quilt of farms that nestles close to Asheville’s urban offerings.

Within minutes of leaving downtown, buckets of flowers burst from a U-pick farm in Leicester, and hefty pumpkins still warm from the sun beckon from a Fairview farm stand. But as Buncombe’s popularity — and population — continues to grow, development of farmland poses a threat to the county’s pastoral legacy.

In the early 2000s, Western North Carolina began emerging on the national radar as a highly desirable place to live. During a five-year stretch, housing and commercial development gobbled up more 600,000 acres of farmland statewide, according to U.S. Census of Agriculture data.

The Buncombe County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors responded in 2007 by commissioning the county’s first Farmland Protection Plan, a guide to implementing the Farmland Preservation Program established in 1989. Thirteen years later, the county’s agricultural sector has shifted in myriad ways, from the vibrant expansion of direct-to-consumer markets to the gradual evaporation of commodity dairies. To keep up with these changes, the county Board of Commissioners approved a revamped plan in August, designed to support area farmers and balance new housing construction with keeping farmlands intact.

FACTS ON THE GROUND

The 2007 plan, developed by agricultural consultant Sam Bingham, relied on research, data collection and a survey of local farmers to provide a statistical and anecdotal overview of the county’s agriculture. It also created a list of actionable recommendations for the Buncombe County Farmland Protection Advisory Board to pursue, says Ariel Zijp, who leads the county’s Farmland Preservation Program. “That was really helpful in growing the program that we have,” she

GREEN ACRES: Buncombe County’s Farmland Protection Plan, first established in 2007 and revised this August, has helped the county maintain more than 72,000 acres of farmland over the last decade. Photo courtesy of Buncombe County explains. “It really built the county’s support of conservation easements and our other preservation programs.”

For the 2020 reboot, local agricultural researcher Smithson Mills gathered input from collaborating agencies such as the Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Board and N.C. Cooperative Extension, then analyzed the original plan and current data to develop an updated overview of the county’s farming sector.

He then surveyed over 350 county landowners and interviewed several in depth to identify pressing issues and compile a new list of recommendations.

One of the most surprising — and encouraging — findings from the updated plan, says Zijp, is that the amount of farmland in Buncombe County has remained fairly constant since 2007, despite consistent population growth and increased development. Between 2007 and 2017, the amount of farmland actually increased slightly from 72,087 acres to 72,284 acres; over that same period, the county’s population went from less than 230,000 to more than 257,000.

Zijp points to those statistics as evidence that the county’s proactive land protection policies have been successful — especially the focus on motivating farmers to seek present-use valuation.

(The PUV program allows landowners to pay property taxes at a lower rate based on their land’s farming value rather than its market value for development.) “It’s a really big incentive for people to keep their land together or keep it in ag or forestry,” she says. “If we didn’t have that, we would have seen a significant decrease in farmland.”

Less heartening is the recent decline in economic activity for Buncombe County farmers. Total farm income fell nearly 12% between 2012 and 2017, and average sales per farm dropped almost 13% over the same period. Zijp blames that dip on market shifts, such as falling tomato prices, that have impacted large-scale local producers, as well as the continuing loss of the region’s once-abundant dairies.

“Those are the farms that are bringing in a lot of that income,” she says. “We have so many great markets and things in our area, but you’re seeing the numbers.

And that’s one of the great pieces of these plans, is the ability to capture all of that data and see what we can do with it.”

PROTECTION 2.0

Mills identified eight next steps as part of the 2020 plan. Recommendations include ongoing support for existing poli18

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cies (such as PUV taxation and voluntary agricultural district preservation agreements) and outreach and education about their use. The plan calls for increasing county-level funding and leveraging state, federal and private partnerships to support conservation easements, which preserve property in perpetuity in exchange for tax breaks. County funds are also recommended to encourage new food and farm enterprises and support agricultural economic development.

Covering transaction costs for conservation easements is particularly important for area farmers, says Terri Wells, who helped develop the plan as vice chair of the Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Board. A ninth-generation farmer from Sandy Mush, Wells works as the director of community and agricultural programs for WNC Communities. (She is also running as a Democratic candidate to represent District 1 on the county Board of Commissioners.)

Wells notes that Zijp’s efforts at raising awareness about the benefits of easements have resulted in a waiting list of farmers eager to participate, but achieving the designation usually takes at least two years. “It takes time, and if we have those funds allotted to where we know we can make that happen, we can just go ahead and get more done,” Wells says.

She would also like to see more county funds for expanded outreach and education — both for farmers and the general public. A virtual discussion Wells hosted in August with N.C. Rep. John Ager

BUCOLIC SPLENDOR: “It’s a relief to the community to see beauty and not just housing developments,” says Fletcher farmer Janet Peterson about farmland preservation. Photo courtesy of Buncombe County (an owner of Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview) and other local farmers about farm stewardship attracted about 70 participants, she reports, showing a clear demand for more information. “It made me feel really positive about the future of farming for our region that there were so many people there who were not farmers, who hadn’t even grown up on farms, who were interested in this,” says Wells.

Awareness about the importance of protecting farmland will become increasingly important over the next 10 years as Buncombe County’s housing market continues to flourish, adds Zijp. “If someone inherits a property, or even if someone purchases a property, we [need to] have the information out there so that they know all their options.”

GROWING TOGETHER

Wells stresses the importance of keeping the county’s remaining farming communities intact so growers can weave support networks for sharing equipment, labor and knowledge. She reflects on a recent evening stroll along her road in Sandy Mush as farmers in neighboring fields mowed hay, picked tomatoes and cut corn silage. “I personally love that, because I just love the sounds, the smell of it,” she says. “But the really important thing is when you have all those farms within one area. It’s much easier to farm.”

Janet Peterson, one of the landowners profiled in the 2020 Farmland Protection Plan, can attest to the significance of maintaining agricultural cohesion. A retired teacher, Peterson inherited her family’s 200-acre farm in Fletcher in 2000 and has since diversified the operation to include beef cattle, rental cabins, honey bees, U-pick blueberries and more.

Since she moved to what is now Cloud 9 Farm as a child in 1968, Peterson has

watched the previously robust surrounding enclave of farms gradually decimated by encroaching housing developments.

She now laments the loss of like-minded neighbors with whom to share ideas and resources: A nearby field she once rented to grow hay for her cattle, she says, is now a housing subdivision.

But the broader community also suffers from the disappearance of working farms, Peterson notes. “I had somebody today come by to thank me for having a beautiful blueberry patch and having the pastureland with cows on it,” she says. “It’s a relief to the community to see beauty and not just housing developments.”

Cloud 9 takes advantage of PUV taxation and is enrolled as a conservation easement. Without the county’s efforts to preserve farmland, Peterson says, she would likely have been forced to sell her farm years ago. “The pressure of owning an inherited piece of land and having Realtors and developers call me constantly was a lot to bear,” she says. “If I didn’t have the taxes reduced to present-use value for my farm status, I could never afford to live on my family estate.”

Wells echoes the importance of those programs and policies while inviting consideration of the bigger picture.

“Farmland is our cropland, our pastureland, but a lot of this farmland that we’ve preserved is forestland, too, which is really important environmentally,” she says.

“There’s the importance of the regional food system — that really is key. It’s one of our basic needs. But then there’s the part that speaks to your soul, to your heart, to your quality of life: that we love to have this beauty around us that we enjoy.” X MOUNTAINX.COM

SEPT. 23-29, 2020

19

FOOD

What’s new, round two

Asheville restaurants and food businesses are betting on the future

BY KAY WEST kwest@mountainx.com Whether making lemonade of the lemons COVID-19 has been hurling, finding unexpected silver linings amid the unraveling of carefully laid plans or climbing onto the rainbow emerging from the storm, a surprising number of restaurateurs and entrepreneurs have mined the deep well of positive-thinking cliches and forged ahead through the tempest-tossed year 2020.

Tasty Greens

“Sometimes our team has to say to me, ‘Barry, that’s a great idea, but how the hell does it fit with the Monk brand?’” Barry Bialik, CEO of Thirsty Monk, says with a laugh, explaining how he came to open Tasty Greens. The greens- and grains-focused, fast-casual restaurant shares the same Biltmore Park property occupied by the Thirsty Monk brewery taproom and Monk’s Flask cocktail lounge.

Bialik, a vegetarian since he was 15, had been toying with the idea of opening such a place well before COVID, with an eye on the national success of similar concepts Sweetgreen and Chopt Creative Salad Co. “I couldn’t figure out why it didn’t exist in Asheville. Before COVID, nobody could get their head around the idea. After COVID, it’s like, anything that sticks, we’re in.”

Tasty Greens opened Sept. 2 in the front section of the still-closed Flask space with a menu that started with Bialik’s directive to come up with 30-50 ingredients — greens, proteins and crunchies — for customers to use in building their own

THICK & PUDGY, CHEWY & GOOEY: That’s the magic mantra Caroline Dockery was going for when she began testing recipes for her Morsel Cookie Co. The PB Cup, left, was her first and remains the most popular in her product line. Cookie photo

by Dockery; portrait by Hannah Krowka salad or bowl. Monk chef Clint Betts created six specialty salads and four bowls, with a choice of rice, quinoa or riced cauliflower base. For more, see avl.mx/89r.

Morsel Cookie Co.

With her recently launched Morsel Cookie Co., Caroline Dockery is aiming for the sweet spot of childhood memory.

“People relate to nostalgia for their mom’s cookies or grandma’s cookies,” she says.

Dockery’s baking experience began with helping her mother, Tracy Brown, with her Brevard-based wholesale company, Lotsa Loaves. But when it came to personal preferences, cookies were her jam.

Experimenting in her tiny apartment while attending UNC Asheville for an art degree, she came up with a method for creating what she craves when it comes to cookies: “I want thick and pudgy, chewy and gooey, all the way through.”

The first recipe she developed using that formula was peanut butter cup, and

she soon added others, such as chocolate chip, sea salt and Nutella, to the pop-up sales she began doing for friends and colleagues. Her mother offered her baking time in her commercial kitchen, and on March 1, Dockery officially claimed the name Morsel Cookie Co. and began planning the venture. When COVID shut many businesses two weeks later, she was laid off from her job at Sauna House, which gave her time to develop more recipes, take product shots and build her

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website. “It was really kind of a silver lining,” she says.

The business took off more quickly than she anticipated. By the end of June, she was taking online orders and seeking wholesalers. Morsel’s online menu offers seven to eight flavors for customers to choose from in building their own box of six to 12 cookies. Orders are taken Thursday through Sunday for delivery the following Saturday.

Dockery can also be found 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays at Haywood Commons’ new Sunday Funday Market at 507 Haywood Road. And Morsel cookies are sold individually at the newly opened Pie.Zaa on the South Slope and at 10th Muse, which recently opened in the former Frostbite Ice Cream location at 1475 Patton Ave. “I’m mentally catching up with how fast I’ve grown,” she says. “Fall and winter are coming, and people love holiday cookies.”

For more, see avl.mx/89s.

Leo’s House of Thirst

For almost two years, brown paper has covered the doors, windows and whatever was happening inside the small cinder block building at 1055 Haywood Road that last housed The Artist’s Kitchen.

The big reveal on Friday, Sept. 11, was the announcement of the newest hospitality venture from The Admiral and Bull & Beggar owner Drew Wallace: Leo’s House of Thirst, a wine bar with an intriguing no-fire menu by chef Austin Inselmann and pastry chef Erin Hughes.

“I wanted to create a wine-forward establishment with an elevated food program but still be a neighborhood bar,” says Wallace, who lives in West Asheville.

He confides that he and his wife, Leila Wallace, kept their eye on the building from the stop sign at the corner of Haywood and Belmont roads for nearly 10 years. Shortly before their first son was born in fall 2018, he found investors and went for it.

Once on-site, the complications of renovating a building classified by the city as Level 1 became painfully clear. “Level 1 took compliance to a level I wasn’t expecting,” he admits. “What we thought would be six months turned into almost two years and triple the budget. Everything in there except the ceiling and stairs to the basement is brand new.”

To free up space on the main floor of the 900-square-foot building, utilities, the prep kitchen, a small wine cellar, dry storage and an office were put in the basement. “When we are able to welcome guests inside, it will be nice and clean in the main room,” Wallace says. For now, seating is on a covered patio and picnic tables in the side yard.

Open evenings Thursday through Monday, plans are for a retail presence

during the day, selling bottles of wine and snacky items from the menu. “We’re starting with a list of about 150 wines — everything from a $300 bottle to a $7 glass,” says Wallace. “We wanted to take all the knowledge, training and expectations of the fine-dining experience and present it in a much more comfortable, laid-back atmosphere where you don’t need to remember to make a reservation.”

For more, see avl.mx/89t.

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GRIND

No reservations are required at GRIND, Asheville’s first Black-owned coffee shop, which opens Saturday, Sept.

26, in the Pink Dog Creative space at 346 Depot St. But memberships to what will also be a unique coworking space/ business center and live performance venue will be available. The effort is a partnership between chef and food truck owner Gene Ettison and entrepreneur and local nonprofit leader J Hackett, who met in 2015 when both were working at Green Opportunities. GRIND will be open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily serving Ettison’s Ashe Hole coffee and doughnuts, as well as pastries from Ashley Capps and Geraldine’s Bakery.

While GRIND is a brick-and-mortar space for food and beverage, it’s also a vision and commitment from the partners to fill a gap faced by Black entrepreneurs.

“There is a lot of entrepreneurial energy in the Black community right now but a lack of coworking space that serves their needs,” Hackett explains. “Many of them are working day jobs and need a place to work at night. They need a business address to get mail and use for funding applications and access to scanners, copiers and printers.” A monthly membership at GRIND will also provide a dedicated mailbox and access to a reserved meeting room.

Black business history will be celebrated on the walls of GRIND via large, historic black-and-white photographs of local leaders and pioneers such as midwife Tempe Avery, educator Isaac Dickson, Royal Giants baseball team founder E.W. Pearson and Rabbits Motel owner Fred Simpson.

GRIND’s grand opening will also be a birthday party for Hackett with live music and a performance by the Hillcrest High Steppers. Future events include First Fridays with music, art and spoken word; readings from Black literature; and voter registrations. “Our mission is to create a space for future Black business and honor the past,” says Hackett. “We are here today because of what they did.” For more, see avl.mx/89v.

Believe it or not, there’s more still. Next week, look for Part 3, field reports from newly opened Asheville restaurants. X

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SEPT. 23-29, 2020

21

CAROLINA BEER GUY

by Tony Kiss | avlbeerguy@gmail.com

Drink at Joe’s Change has been the name of the game in local craft brewing in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic ripped across the country and brewery owners scrambled to keep customers safe and their businesses afloat.

In Hendersonville, a downtown brewery has seen its own big changes, though many of them are unrelated to the coronavirus. The old Sanctuary Brewing Co. has changed names and is now known as Oklawaha Brewing Co. The shift came after brewery owners Joe Dinan and Lisa McDonald split up earlier this year.

Dinan kept the brewery location and also held on to the Sanctuary staff. McDonald, who is deeply involved in animal rescue, kept the Sanctuary name. She wants to open a new Sanctuary brewery, perhaps in the South Carolina upstate, but says those efforts have been slowed by the pandemic.

Sanctuary Brewing moves, gives rise to Oklawaha Brewing

Dinan continues to brew some of the Sanctuary beers, such as the best-selling Hop Pig IPA, Haziversary Double IPA and Bobby Beer Kölsch.

McDonald says her brewery will also brew Hop Pig, Bobby Beer and a slew of favorites from the old Sanctuary.

In renaming the brewery, Dinan chose Oklawaha, the old Cherokee name of Mud Creek, which runs through downtown Hendersonville.

There is also an Oklawaha Greenway for hiking and biking in the city.

“The folks who have grown up here, who are from here originally, everybody knows [the name],” he says. “I’m told that in the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, there were a lot of businesses using that name.” Still, newcomers might have trouble with it. “Some people want to say ‘Oklahoma,’” Dinan says with a laugh.

Dinan and McDonald had been in a long-term relationship. “But great things come to an end sometimes,” he

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MUD CREEK SUDS: Joe Dinan operates Hendersonville’s Oklawaha Brewing Co., which was previously Sanctuary Brewing Co. His former partner, Lisa McDonald, is focusing on the business’s animal rescue side but intends to open a new Sanctuary brewery in 2021. Photo courtesy of Dinan says. “We decided to go our own ways.

It made more sense for me to keep the brewery and her to take the name. All the goodwill that the name has built up was really her.”

Dinan says he’s somewhat unsettled by media reports that inaccurately claimed the brewery was closed due to the pandemic or had gone out of businesses. “I just had to take a breath and realize that, over time, people would drive by [and see that the brewery was still open],” he says. “I knew that word would get back out.”

The changes were already in the works before the pandemic hit. “The wheels started turning right around the new year,” Dinan says. But the virus delayed the process.

Keeping his staff through the pandemic shutdown has proven key to relaunching Oklawaha. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” he says.

Dinan is working on getting a kitchen in the brewery by year’s end and is adding canned 16-ounce, four-packs of beer for purchase. Indoor seating has been limited, and masks are required for those coming inside. But the city of Hendersonville has permitted a patio on First Avenue, where the brewery’s

pre-COVID commitment to live music endures. Seating is on the street, which is closed to traffic.

Among the musical events is the weekly French Broad Valley Music Association’s Wednesday night Mountain Music Jam, hosted by longtime local player Carol Rifkin. “I call it ‘traditional mountain music,’” she says. “It’s not contemporary by any means. People are so appreciative of it, especially since COVID. They are so happy to hear live music.”

Since leaving the brewery, McDonald has focused on her animal sanctuary. “A new brewery might be a year out,” she says. “Everything is up in the air because of COVID.” McDonald is currently the lone caregiver for her animals. “I can’t take the risk of getting sick, so I have been pretty quarantined,” she says. “I have just started letting volunteers come over to help.”

She looks after dogs, cats, chickens, pigs, goats and a turkey. “They get along great,” she says. The animals keep her busy, but she misses working at the brewery: “It will always be in my heart. There are few things in your life that you get to create.” X

(ADVERTISMENT REMOVED AT ADVERTISERS REQUEST)

MOUNTAINX.COM

SEPT. 23-29, 2020

23

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

In it to spin it

Record-pressing facility Citizen Vinyl opens in Asheville

BY ALLI MARSHALL allimarshall@bellsouth.net This year is proving a difficult time to run most businesses, let alone launch a new enterprise. But the team behind Citizen Vinyl — a collaboratively envisioned vinyl-pressing facility, performance space, record store, craft cocktail bar and eatery — is moving forward with plans to debut the facility on the ground floor and mezzanine of the Asheville Citizen Times building. Its opening is set for Thursday, Oct. 8.

“I’m quite hopeful and excited about the opportunities [of] the project,” says local producer Gar Ragland, the company’s founder and CEO. The Citizen Vinyl team is “very interested to position ourselves to be a post-pandemic community resource.

We can work closely with the independent musicians in town to give them some opportunities, when it’s responsible to do so: to perform, to get their records pressed and to partner with them to promote those recordings.”

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throughout the decades of workers who might have been working here … and playing on that.”

TEAM SPIRIT

Ragland is the president and co-founder of NewSong Music, which he relocated from Brooklyn to Asheville in 2012. In that line of work, he’s been a frequent attendee of the annual Making Vinyl industry conference.

Three years ago, it took place in Detroit, where musician/producer Jack White, a keynote speaker, led a tour of his Third Man Records, which combines an independent record label with a record store and performance venue.

“I’d gone up there to see how viable the idea would be for doing something similar in Asheville,” Ragland says. “The combination of manufacturing, retail and in-store performances was a recipe that would work really well — both for our homegrown, music-loving community and for the culturally adventurous 12 million tourists who visit annually.”

He continues, “I felt like, if we could adopt a similar model [to Third Man Records], we would position ourselves as a must-visit attraction.” He partnered with a number of local business owners to create the space, including Karie Reinertson and Rob Maddox, co-founders of Shelter Collective; Susannah Gebhart, founder of OWL Bakery; and Graham House, former executive chef of Sovereign Remedies.

Gebhart describes the cafe she’s creating for the business as an iconic American deli. “We wanted to pay homage to … the manufacturing history and the roots of the building,” she says. “[We’re] thinking about what might have been found in lunchboxes 24

FOR THE RECORD: The Citizen Vinyl team is surrounded by 1930s-era architecture on the ground floor of the Citizen Times building. Pictured, from left, bar/cafe co-creator Graham House, bar manager Alex Smith, bar/cafe co-creator Susannah Gebhart, technician Seth Alder, engineer and vice president of operations Peter Schaper and founder and CEO Gar Ragland. Photo by Alli Marshall

COVID CAUTION

There will eventually be a full coffee program, a food program that runs morning-evening and a commitment to quality ingredients and supporting local farms.

However, due to COVID-19, the Citizen Vinyl team adopted a phase-in strategy that will span 12-18 months. The first phase, which will run through the end of the calendar year, will consist of a full, vinyl-themed bar with records playing. Gebhart and House co-created the bar, called Sessions, and Alex Smith has come on board to manage it. There will be outdoor seating in front of the building and indoor seating following state guidelines. According to Ragland, the generous square footage of the space means “it’s spread out by design.”

The multifocused venture “brings together so much that is the heart of Asheville,” Gebhart notes. “Music and food and community. That excited me. [It’s special] to be opening this space that had previously … not been open to the community. It’s such a beautiful representation of art deco.”

DESIGN IN MIND

It’s the art deco motifs, as well as other architectural and philosophical attributes of the building, that spoke to Maddox, a veteran interior designer. “That building is really cool to begin with, so a prime directive was to take the elements that were there and exquisitely done to begin with, and bring that to the fore,” he says. The removal of partition walls revealed archi-

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tectural elements such as glass blocks and metal railings, “bringing the shell back up to where the baseline of the space is as original as possible but also [feeling] like a cleaned-up version of what was there before” various renovations.

The lobby includes a terrazzo and brass mosaic map of Western North Carolina, which has greeted Citizen Times staff for decades. “That place started [informing] a lot of color tones that will come back into the space — smoky topaz and some sea greens,” says Maddox. “Our job is finding the things that are there and need to be honored … and making them fresh and new again.”

He adds, “We’re wanting to be able to create a new space that serves a different purpose but still is able to provide somewhat of a civic space at a time when civic spaces are going away. … We don’t build Grand Central Stations anymore.”

Motifs that Shelter Collective emphasized that can be found throughout include circles, squares and grooves. “That’s a record.

That’s the disc,” Maddox says. “Bringing the record presses into a space where there were printing presses feels really cool.”

PRESSING MATTERS

Citizen Vinyl planned to start with two new record presses, but the manufacture was delayed due to COVID-related shutdowns and limited production. Ragland says the delivery date of the first press, from a facility in Canada, has been a moving target, and notes that the limited inventory of old presses and the costs of refurbishment prompted a couple of companies to manufacture new presses.

“On the manufacturing side, our clients consist of a combination of record labels, distributors and independent artists,” he

says. “Because vinyl is back in vogue, a lot of records that were printed on CDs for decades ... there’s now demand for these albums to be reissued on vinyl.”

He continues, “We aspire to have clients that represent the array [from] major labels needing 40,000 records pressed all the way to the local singer-songwriter looking to have their first-ever album pressed on vinyl.”

Citizen Vinyl strives to be a full-service provider, also offering mixing and mastering.

An on-site record store will stock a combination of new vinyl, work by local artists, some records printed in the building and a well-curated selection of used vinyl for sale. Ragland suggests it will be an “analog lifestyle kind of store.”

FORWARD THINKING

But even as opening day nears, there are still obstacles to overcome. “As hard as the pandemic has been to the economy and to the thousands of families disrupted by sickness, our team [isn’t focused on] shortterm profits,” says Ragland. “We’re keeping our eye on the prize. … It’s not like we’re bigger than the pandemic, [but] our project will endure.”

He adds, “Everybody has needed to adapt and move laterally, [but] there’s been zero hesitation by anyone on the team.”

It’s “digital fatigue” that Ragland credits with the resurgence of vinyl. “People’s desire to have tactile and collectible art … is the same cultural trend that is the reason why board games are back in vogue and journaling [is back],” he says. “Just because you can do something on your phone or digitally, it might be the most convenient way, but it may not be the most rewarding way.”

What the COVID-19 pandemic has added to the mix is that musicians, sequestered in their homes, have been pouring creative energy into new material that — when funds allow again — will need to be made into albums. “I think that will be really good for the recording world,” Ragland says.

While that objective remains a ways off, as does such Citizen Vinyl programming as live performances, there’s plenty to be excited about as the new business launches.

“We want to be as inclusive a civic resource as we can,” Ragland says. “Hopefully we can lift spirits.” X

WHAT Citizen Vinyl opening WHERE 14 O. Henry Ave., citizenvinyl.com WHEN Thursday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

MOUNTAINX.COM

SEPT. 23-29, 2020

25

A&E

Laughter and loneliness

Author George Singleton reveals life’s daily struggles through comedy South Carolina-based author George Singleton hears voices in his head — and they say the damnedest things. And often, these damnedest things wind up becoming the opening lines for his fiction, as is the case in many of the tales in his latest collection, You Want More: Selected Stories.

For example, Singleton opens “Probate” — a story about a dying dog, a strained relationship and a New Age veterinarian — by stating: “We didn’t care, really, about the traveling euthanasia vet’s failed marriage.”

In yet another piece — “John Cheever, Rest in Peace” — Singleton tells of a community’s attempt to exploit the death of fellow resident, Owe Posey. The story begins, “He’d never read a John Cheever story, so that couldn’t have been the reason he traveled, dead of a massive heart attack, across his neighbors’ backyards aboard the Bolens seventeen-horsepower, forty-two-inch-cut riding lawn mower.”

LAUGH UNTIL YOU CRY: On Friday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m., Malaprop’s will host a virtual book event with South Carolina author George Singleton. His latest collection, You Want More, blends humor and tragedy in a series of short stories about everyday people trying to get by. Author photo courtesy of Hub City Press Singleton incorporates absurd situations likes these into nearly every tale in the collection, which features 30 previously published works, spanning the author’s 30-year career. However, he never writes with a punchline in mind. Instead, his humor works to underscore his characters’ flaws while simultaneously providing readers momentary relief amid otherwise despairing instances of alcoholism, unemployment, broken marriages, loneliness and a deep sense of purposelessness.

“So many of them are trying to reinvent themselves,” the author says of the blue collar protagonists who populate his stories. “They’re trying to find a reason to live.”

ROOFING AND WRITING

Like many of his characters, Singleton held a fair share of manual labor jobs prior to his award-winning literary career.

Along with being a house painter, the author worked as a roofer and a garbage collector — experiences that, coupled with his late father only earning a 10th grade education, he feels were formative 26

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in shaping the types of individuals he wanted to write about.

“I know that people in the 1% have problems of their own,” he says. “But they don’t really interest me.” Citing the late Southern writer Harry Crews as a further influence in his fiction’s focus, Singleton adds, “Stories should be about people doing the best they can with what they got. That idea’s been kind of etched onto my forehead.”

His former jobs also color the way Singleton views the literary scene. “I get upset when I hear writers just crying, ‘Oh, it’s so hard,’” he explains. “I go, ‘Man, try roofing in the summer.’”

Nevertheless, Singleton acknowledges the frustrations most writers face in their journey toward publication and readership. As a young, aspiring author, he assumed he’d have a book published before the age of 30. Instead, he wound up spending years writing multiple novels that never found a home. Ultimately, his first collection of short stories came out in 2001, when Singleton was 42 years old.

Stubbornness and stupidity, he notes, are essential traits for making it in the literary world.

DEEP HUMAN TRUTHS

It also helps to have a strong community of writers behind you, which Singleton has in spades. Throughout this month, fellow Southern authors will join him during his virtual book tour, including Ron Rash, Clyde Edgerton and Lee Smith. On Friday, Sept. 25, Malaprop’s will host Singleton’s latest online gathering, featuring South Carolina native and writer Bronwen Dickey.

You Want More is also the latest in Hub City Press’ The Cold Mountain Fund Book Series, established in 2019 by author and Asheville native Charles Frazier.

“It was conceived with the intent to highlight both emerging Southern writers as well as established writers who might deserve more attention,” says Meg Reid, director of Hub City Press.

Funding for the series, she continues, “gave us an opportunity to create this hardback compendium showcasing why George has become such a deeply beloved writer — because his stories are both hilarious and wise, and always tackle deep human truths.”

One of the essential truths within Singleton’s latest collection is that beauty and meaning manifest in all places.

Flea markets, pool halls, basements and the bottoms of man-made lakes all hold potential revelations.

Furthermore, his stories show that professions only tell what a person does for a living. Like all of us, the house painter, the palm reader, the bartender and the cashier each experience instances of joy as well as inevitable moments of failure and loss.

“In a perfect world, if I could ever write a perfect short story, this is what I would want: For someone to go, ‘Man, that made me laugh, it made me cry a little bit and it makes me understand why my neighbor acts the way she does,’” Singleton says.

The author might be too close to his own stories to see that in You Want More, he achieves his goal.

To register for the free Malaprop’s virtual book event, visit avl.mx/88k.

— Thomas Calder X

Pitch your novel Hub City Press is currently accepting submissions for previously unpublished novels.

Southern writers without literary representation are asked to submit a one-page query letter about their manuscript by Saturday, Oct. 31. To learn more, visit avl.mx/8a4. X

Self-made men Modern Strangers celebrates debut album with a livestreamed show

SOMEONE ELSE’S DREAM: With Dangerous Fiction, Asheville-based melodic rock quartet Modern Strangers combines all the excitement and energy of its live show into a collection of 11 original studio tunes. They’ll deliver it live — albeit without a physically-assembled audience — when they celebrate the album release with a livestreamed show from The Orange Peel on Sept. 26. Photo by Heather Burditt Packed with infectious tunes like the high-energy ear candy of opening track “Where’s Your Man,” Modern Strangers’ debut album, Dangerous Fiction, combines rock grittiness with the sleek, streamlined vibe of classic pop. Listeners yearning for weepy, introspective balladry are advised to look elsewhere — this band is all about fun, and music lovers can get a taste when the Asheville-based ensemble unveils the album during a livestreamed performance on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Drummer Courtney Cahill says that Modern Strangers formed in 2012 to address what he and co-founder David Rogers saw as an unaddressed need in the Asheville music scene. “We wanted to fill a gap by creating some ‘pop’ rock and roll,” he says.

“If I hadn’t met Courtney, I would still be playing these songs in my basement,” says Rogers, the band’s rhythm guitarist and primary songwriter. Cahill confirms that Rogers isn’t engaging in hyperbole: “I don’t know if he never wanted to ‘play out,’ or if he just didn’t have the gusto,” he says. “But my goal was to use my organizational skills to bring his songs to the people. I thought they were too good not to be heard.”

Lead guitarist Troy Crossley and bassist Alex Deutsch joined the group in 2016. Even though they came from

different musical backgrounds (punk and the jam band scene, respectively), their addition gave Modern Strangers all of the elements needed to deliver a signature sound. “What really made me want to join the band in the first place was how catchy David’s vocal lines are,” Crossley says. “They just begged for harmonies, and I was more than thrilled to [add] that.”

The band self-describes its sound as “jangle pop,” though some might call it “power pop” — tuneful, up-tempo rock with Cheap Trick-like energy.

“From the start, we were trying to get that British Invasion jangle sound,” Cahill says.

To date, Modern Strangers hasn’t mounted a tour. All four musicians have day jobs and families, so hitting the road for a few weeks or months isn’t practical. Instead, the band has focused on building an enthusiastic local fan base. One tangible result was landing the No. 2 spot on last year’s “Best of WNC” poll in the Rock Band category. “That definitely helped in bookings,” Cahill says.

The group also scored a high-profile gig opening for Gin Blossoms when the latter headlined The Orange Peel in December 2017. “That was huge for us on a couple of levels,” Cahill says.

“One, it got our name out there — it kind of legitimized us.” Secondly, video footage of the band’s well-received

set served as an effective promotional tool. “Just one little shareable clip can go a long way,” he says.

Deutsch chimes in to add another benefit of that performance. “The fact that we made it through that was a good boost for our confidence,” he says with a laugh. “I had never played in front of 850 people before. That was one of the best nights of my life.”

With all that momentum spurring the band forward, Modern Strangers got busy making its debut album. But even though Rogers is credited as the group’s songwriter, he emphasizes that the music on Dangerous Fiction is the result of a collaborative creative process. “I’m proud of the album on a personal level,” he says. “But I’m even more proud of it on the level of what [went into making] it.”

New songs are run through the band’s rigorous quality control program. “But most of them make it through,” Deutsch says with a laugh.

“Because we’re able to work on them until we get them where we want them.” The goal is to create catchy songs that feel good. “And if one falls a little flat — if it’s not something that’s fun and that you could sing along to — we drop it,” he says.

And because Modern Strangers has enough original material that meets its standards, each live set is crafted to match the room. “What works at Jack of the Wood at 9 o’clock is different than what works at the Odditorium at midnight,” Crossley says. “And that’s different from what works at 5 Walnut at 1 in the morning.”

The current pandemic has severely limited the band’s opportunities to play in front of an audience. But the quartet knows what works at 7 p.m. at The Orange Peel, so even though its debut album release event is a livestreamed performance, the goal is nevertheless to bring all the excitement and energy of a “real” show. Cahill says that’s what Modern Strangers is all about: “Being able to go play downtown in a world-class music scene on a Saturday night. And we’re doing it because we want to have fun.”

— Bill Kopp X

WHO Modern Strangers WHERE Livestream from The Orange Peel, youtube.com/user/iamavl WHEN Saturday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. Free

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SEPT. 23-29, 2020

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CLUBLAND WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. French Broad Valley Mountain Music Jam, 6pm THE GREY EAGLE Patio Show w/ Max Hightower & Shane Pruitt (blues), 6pm SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY Jazz Night w/ The Linda Mitchell Trio, 6:30pm 185 KING STREET Team Trivia & Games, 7pm TRISKELION BREWERY InterActive TriskaTrivia, 7pm MOUNTAIN SPIRIT q A Tale of Two (Americana), 7pm, avl.mx/87q TWIN LEAF BREWERY Open Mic w/ Thomas Yon, 7pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL The Lasso Twins (rock, psychedelic), 8pm SOVEREIGN KAVA q Poetry Open Mic, 8:30pm, avl.mx/76w THE PAPER MILL LOUNGE Karaoke X, 9pm THE SOCIAL Karaoke w/ Lyric, 10pm

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 LAZY HIKER BREWING Open Jam, 5pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Collin Cheek (solo acoustic), 6pm ISIS MUSIC HALL Lawn Concert w/ Alien Music Club Jazz Quartet, 6:30pm MOUNTAIN SPIRIT q Roger Street Friedman (folk, Americana), 7pm, avl.mx/884

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Dead Friday (Grateful Dead tribute), 5:30pm BURNTSHIRT VINEYARDS Summer Music Series: Vintage Vinyl, 6pm LAURA’S PIZZA & TRATTORIA Nick Gonnering (solo acoustic), 6pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Bill Altman (blues), 8pm WILD WING CAFE Karaoke Night, 9:30pm THE SOCIAL Karaoke Show w/ Billy Masters, 10pm

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 BURNTSHIRT VINEYARDS Shag n' Swing w/ DJ Dave, 2pm

THE GREY EAGLE Patio Show w/ Gold Rose (country, alternative), 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 2pm

ISIS MUSIC HALL Lawn Concert w/ Alexa Rose Trio (Americana, country), 6:30pm

RIVERSIDE RHAPSODY BEER COMPANY Drinkin’ & Thinkin’ Trivia, 5pm

SAINT PAUL MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS End of Summer Party w/ Sound Investment, 6:30pm SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY The World’s Greatest Party Band, 7pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Live on the Loading Dock: Mr Jimmy’s Big City Blues Jam, 7pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. John Bonham Anniversary Tribute w/ Eric Congdon, 8pm

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY Mountain Top Polka Band, 12pm SAINT PAUL MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS Carver & Carmody (blues, Americana), 3pm BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 6pm ISIS MUSIC HALL Lawn Concert w/ Eduardo de Rosamarie's Noche Flamenca (world), 6:30pm

TRISKELION BREWERY Jason's Technicolor Cabaret: Music & Comedy, 7pm

LAZY HIKER BREWING SYLVA The Maggie Valley Band (dark Appalachian), 7pm

BALSAM FALLS BREWING CO. Open Mic Night, 8pm

THE GREY EAGLE Patio Show w/ Dirty Dead (Grateful Dead tribute), 7pm

MAD CO. BREW HOUSE Ashley Heath (Americana, soul), 6pm

THE GREY EAGLE Patio Show w/ Graham Sharp (bluegrass, folk), 7pm

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Gunslinging Parrots (Phish tribute), 8pm

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

THE ORANGE PEEL q Modern Strangers: Dangerous Fiction Record Release Stream. Learn more on Page 27. 7pm, avl.mx/8au

SEPT. 23-29, 2020

185 KING STREET Open Electric Jam, 6pm TRISKELION BREWERY JC & the Boomerang Band (Irish trad, folk), 6pm ISIS MUSIC HALL Lawn Concert w/ Hannah Kaminer (folk, Americana), 6:30pm ICONIC KITCHEN & DRINKS UniHorn (funk), 7pm MOUNTAIN SPIRIT q An Evening with Reggie Harris (folk), 7pm, avl.mx/8az THE GREY EAGLE Patio Show w/ The New Rustics (rock, folk), 7pm THE GREY EAGLE q Neil Hamburger (comedy), 8pm, avl.mx/8b2

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 ARCHETYPE BREWING Old Time Jam w/ Banjo Mitch McConnell, 6pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Totally Rad Trivia w/ Mitch Fortune, 6:30pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. It Takes All Kinds Open Mic Night, 7pm

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

MOVIE REVIEWS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Woody Wood (folk, blues), 6pm

EDWIN ARNAUDIN earnaudin@mountainx.com

BRUCE STEELE bcsteele@gmail.com THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. French Broad Valley Mountain Music Jam, 6pm MOUNTAIN SPIRIT q Adam & Chris Carroll (folk), 7pm, avl.mx/8b0 TRISKELION BREWERY InterActive TriskaTrivia, 7pm

HHHHH

= MAX RATING

James Rosario

Ali McGhee

Anthonye Smith

H PICK OF THE WEEK H

THE GREY EAGLE Patio Show w/ Tin Roof Echo (solo acoustic), 7pm TWIN LEAF BREWERY Open Mic w/ Thomas Yon, 7pm 185 KING STREET Team Trivia & Games, 7pm SOVEREIGN KAVA q Poetry Open Mic, 8:30pm, avl.mx/76w THE PAPER MILL LOUNGE Karaoke X, 9pm THE SOCIAL Karaoke w/ Lyric, 10pm

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 LAZY HIKER BREWING SYLVA Open Jam, 5pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. The Last Full Measure (folk, blues), 6pm ISIS MUSIC HALL Lawn Concert w/ Peggy Ratusz & Daddy LongLegs (blues, oldies), 6:30pm THE GREY EAGLE Patio Show w/ Moonfish 2 (classic hits), 7pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Team Trivia Tuesday, 6pm

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Gunslinging Parrots (Phish tribute), 8pm

LAZY HIKER BREWING SYLVA Live Karaoke w/ Joel Plays Drums, 7pm

BALSAM FALLS BREWING CO. Open Mic Night, 8pm

MOUNTAINX.COM

Hosted by the Asheville Movie Guys

Enola Holmes HHHH DIRECTOR: Harry Bradbeer PLAYERS: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter ADVENTURE/COMEDY RATED PG-13 Millie Bobby Brown couldn’t ask for a better star vehicle than Enola Holmes.

The plucky, fourth-wall-breaking adaptation of Nancy Springer’s novel plays to the many strengths of the “Stranger Things” actor and extends her range while portraying the eponymous teen sister of the famous Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin).

Desperate to solve the mystery of the disappearance of their mother (Helena Bonham Carter) and torpedo Mycroft’s plan of sending her to a stuffy girls’ school, Enola sets off to London via train.

On board, she has a fun meet-cute with fellow semifugitive Lord Tewksbury (Louis Partridge, Paddington 2) and the first of several terrifying encounters with the henchman (an especially intimidating Burn Gorman) who’s out to kill the young nobleman.

Once in the big city (impressively recreated via sets and CGI), Enola investigates a series of clues left behind by her mother. Flashbacks of the two Holmes women partaking in joyful afternoons of cryptography and living-room tennis help justify the daring and occasionally death-defying lengths to which Enola will go on her quest.

Along the way, she checks in on Tewksbury and has her share of runins with the frustratingly humorous Mycroft and the wholly professional but increasingly impressed Sherlock, plus the kind of colorful characters one would expect in a Holmes mystery (regardless of which sibling is the protagonist).

Furthermore, the action sequences are deftly handled, and screenwriter Jack Thorne keeps the pace cooking, but the film’s true highlights are Enola’s cheeky direct addresses to the camera — a technique in which Harry Bradbeer is well-versed, having helmed every episode of “Fleabag.”

Though thoroughly lighthearted and raising little doubt that our heroine will succeed, Enola Holmes packs enough

teen growing pains and believable emotions to make it more than a complete lark. All told, it’s an unexpected burst of glee at the tail-end of summer, and this cast and crew are more than welcome to reunite for more adventures.

Available on Netflix starting Sept. 23

The human condition might not always be a pretty picture, but Tal proves it still has plenty of room for examination and showcases its complexities in a remarkably reserved fashion.

REVIEWED BY JAMES ROSARIO JAMESROSARIO1977@GMAIL.COM

REVIEWED BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN EARNAUDIN@MOUNTAINX.COM

Misbehaviour HHS God of the Piano HHHH

DIRECTOR: Itay Tal PLAYERS: Naama Preis, Andy Levi FOREIGN FILM/DRAMA NOT RATED Italy Tal’s God of the Piano begins with a concert, moves quickly to a maternity ward and then boldly into a shocking and desperate act. These opening moments speak volumes about the world we are about to inhabit for the next 80 minutes, and does so with very few words — but how quickly the die is cast, and there’s no turning back.

What follows is, on its surface, a tale of dashed expectations, but boiling underneath is a layered and complicated story of jealousy, psychological abuse and the search for identity.

Filled with equal parts beautiful music and righteous determination, this Israeli drama looks at three generations of concert pianists, their ambitions and the subtle yet cutting ways they compete with and sabotage each other.

Anat (a superb Naama Preis) has never lived up to the rigid standards of her father (Ze’ev Shimshoni) and therefore hopes that her newborn son can succeed where she has failed. With a single-minded resolve, she repeatedly thrusts her wishes onto her son, Idan (Andy Levi), never pausing to consider alternate approaches. When Idan proves apt, new passive-aggressive jealousies form, visible only through amazingly minute changes in facial expressions and tone — exemplified via an amazing scene in which he plays a piano piece written by his grandfather when the latter was Idan’s age.

Thematically, God of the Piano tells a story as old as time, with nods to Greek mythology and Shakespearean tragedy.

The world it inhabits, however, is a very closed-off and relatively small one but remains relatable through excellent storytelling and characterization.

Tal (who also wrote the script) acutely demonstrates what generations of lowkey emotional abuse can do to a person, and while you may not exactly root for Anat, it’s easy to see that she is a victim as much as a perpetrator.

DIRECTOR: Philippa Lowthorpe PLAYERS: Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jessie Buckley FACT-BASED DRAMA NOT RATED Misbehaviour has its charming, even moving moments, and gets better as it goes along, but clunky characters, an overwrought message and a plot that tries to juggle too much make it an uneven and ultimately forgettable film.

Directed by Philippa Lowthorpe (PBS’ “Call the Midwife”) and based on true events that took place in 1970, when a group of women committed to the feminist cause disrupted the Miss World beauty competition, the movie benefits from gorgeous set design and period costumes. Yet despite the interesting story and the revolutionary real women behind it, Misbehavior can’t quite bring it all together.

Denied a chance to study history at Ruskin College because she’s a divorced single mother, Sally Alexander (Keira Knightley) comes into her own after connecting with a group of anarcho-feminists. The women are led by charismatic, working-class Jo Robinson (the always-magnetic Jessie Buckley, I’m Thinking of Ending Things), who convinces Sally to loosen up a bit and make some posters to fight the patriarchy. Unfortunately, most of Sally’s character development and the evolution of her friendship with Jo is truncated, and when major moments do occur, they’re cheapened

by Dickon Hinchliffe’s intrusive cloying musical score.

Intercut with Sally’s personal journey is a second — and far more compelling — plot line involving the female contestants of the Miss World pageant as they arrive for the competition. We’re introduced to the indifferent “crowd favorite” Miss Sweden, Maj Johanssn (Clara Rosager); the luminous Miss Grenada, Jennifer Hosten (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Motherless Brooklyn); and Miss Africa South — not to be confused with the white Miss South Africa contestant — Pearl Jansen (Loreece Harrison, Netflix’s “Black Mirror”), who seems timid and naive at first but is acutely aware of the discrimination she and Miss Grenada face as Black contestants.

The film does its best work when the nuances of the story are given proper attention. It deftly handles small details, like Sally’s mother’s internalization of harmful beauty standards, which she’s unwittingly passing on to her granddaughter. And the final 15 minutes — in which Sally confronts how her privilege has blinded her to the pageant’s life-changing potential for certain contestants — packs a major punch. But overall, it’s too much to fit into its 106-minute run time, suggesting it might have worked much better as a miniseries.

Available to rent starting Sept. 25 via Amazon Video, iTunes and other streaming services REVIEWED BY ALI MCGHEE ALIMCGHEE@GMAIL.COM

The Nest HHH DIRECTOR: Sean Durkin PLAYERS: Jude Law, Carrie Coon DRAMA RATED R Despite strong performances, sharp filmmaking and plentiful discomfort, The Nest doesn’t amount to much beyond a fairly quiet look at a family imploding.

Writer/director Sean Durkin’s focus on a limited number of characters, whose choices barely reverberate beyond their household, calls into question why, after a nine-year feature film hiatus, he felt compelled to tell such a small, insular story — though after this and the similarly self-contained Martha Marcy May Marlene, such exercises may simply be his jam.

A slight improvement over his predecessor, though set in the Reagan era for no apparent reason, The Nest features characteristically top-notch acting by Carrie Coon and Jude Law as Allison and Rory O’Hara, parents to mouthy teen daughter Samantha (Oona Roche, “The Morning Show”) and timid tween son Ben (Charlie Shotwell, All the Money in the World).

Rory, a British expat investor, senses his business prospects in the U.S. have dried up and moves his family across the pond to a sprawling rented estate in the English countryside. Though he talks a big game and has grand ambitions with can’t-miss prospects, it gradually becomes clear that Rory is awful at what he does, and the resulting financial stress reverberates throughout his household.

It’s an interesting enough setup, but one undercut by a surprising lack of development of the film’s minuscule number of relationships. In addition to shying away from basic details like

why Samantha is such a shit to her mom or why Ben lacks confidence, Durkin offers a true head-scratcher in the dynamic between Rory and his London-based employer Arthur (Michael Culkin, “The Crown”), the alleged toxicity of which in part had prompted Rory’s move to America, yet has apparently dissipated to the point where Rory can stand to be in his boss’s presence again.

Rory’s motivations for chasing big paydays at the expense of his family’s well-being is likewise ineffectively explored through a half-cooked tangent involving the old chestnut of him growing up poor and wanting to be rich.

In short, Rory is an idiot, though his lack of maturity inspires several entertaining and merited childish outbursts from Allison, whose ubiquitous scowl and downward-hanging cigarette fit Coon marvelously.

But relatively fun as she can be, adults behaving badly is nothing new, and the cold, largely pointless vehicle for such actions makes it hard for viewers to care about the players involved.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 30 AVAILABLE VIA FINEARTSTHEATRE.COM (FA) GRAILMOVIEHOUSE.COM (GM) At the Video Store (NR) HHHHS (GM) Beyond the Visible: Hilma af Klint (NR) HHHS (FA) Chuck Berry: The Original King of Rock ‘n’ Roll (NR) HHHHS (GM) Creem: America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine (NR) HHHH (GM) Critical Thinking (NR) HHHH (GM) Desert One (NR) HHHH (FA, GM) Driven to Abstraction (PG) HHS(FA) Epicentro (NR) HHHH (GM) F11 and Be There (NR) HHHH (FA) Fantastic Fungi (NR) HHHH (FA) Flannery (NR) HHHH (FA) God of the Piano (NR) HHHH (GM) Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful (NR) HHH (FA) I, Claude Monet (NR) HH (FA) I Used to Go Here (NR) HHHHS (GM) Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President (NR) HHHHH (FA, GM) John Lewis: Good Trouble (PG) HHHH (FA) Made in Bangladesh (NR) HS(GM) Meeting the Beatles in India (NR) HHS (FA) The Mole Agent (NR) HHHH (GM) Mr. Soul! (NR) HHHHS (GM) My Dog Stupid (NR) HHHH (FA) Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin (NR) HHHH (GM) Out Stealing Horses (NR) HHHHS (FA) Proud (NR) HHH (FA) Represent (NR) HHH (GM) River City Drumbeat (NR) HHHHS (GM) Starting at Zero (NR) H (FA) The Tobacconist (NR) HHHS (FA) Vinyl Nation (NR) HHHS (GM) We Are Many (NR) HH (FA) You Never Had It: An Evening with Bukowski (NR) HHHS (FA)

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MOVIE RE V IEW S Now playing at Flat Rock Cinema REVIEWED BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN EARNAUDIN@MOUNTAINX.COM

We Are Many HH DIRECTOR: Amir Amirani PLAYERS: Susan Sarandon, Mark Rylance, Danny Glover DOCUMENTARY NOT RATED A conspiracy theorist’s delight, the macabre documentary We Are Many critically recounts the blunders of George W. Bush and Tony Blair in handling key events preceding the Iraq War but then tries to demonstrate the parallels between the social unrest of the 2000s and today’s protest climate.

Iranian director/producer Amir Amirani would have been wise to choose one lane and stick to it.

Instead, he brazenly explores the lies, moral victories and stern defeats that defined this era of history, interviewing subjects from famous artists and average citizens to government and military personnel. All provide colorful commentary, but nothing substantial enough to prove Bush and Blair harbored ulterior

motives for invading Iraq. The only supporting evidence comes from a U.S. Air Force veteran who details bombing missions in Iraq that took place long before Bush declared war.

Though Amirani falls short in building his conspiratorial thesis, he excels at illuminating the immensity of the anti-war protest on Feb. 15, 2003 that swept the world. The concerted mass gatherings remain the largest in history, encompassing 789 cities in 72 countries, with estimates of around 35 million people involved. He also loops in various organizations that helped orchestrate the protests and interviews an impressive number of the groups’ founding members.

He’s less successful, however, in showing the connection between those protests and ones in the years that would follow. Dwelling on the political process far more than necessary, Amirani scarcely touches on the Egyptian protests of 2011 that removed the objectionable President Honsi Mubarak, and this shallow approach makes the documentary feel like just another 9/11 conspiracy exposé.

REVIEWED BY ANTHONYE SMITH RIVBL3P@GMAIL.COM

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “It takes a lot of courage to be the same person on the outside that you are on the inside.” Author Barbara De Angelis made that observation. I offer it up to you as a fun challenge.

During the coming weeks, you may be strongly tempted to be different on the outside than you are on the inside. On the other hand, you’ll have the necessary insight and valor to remain unified. In fact, you may ultimately create more congruence between your inside and outside than you have in a long time.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “People who deny the existence of dragons are often eaten by dragons.

From within.” Fantasy author Ursula K. Le Guin made that observation, and now I’m conveying it to you just in time for the season when you’ll need it most. Please note that I am not predicting you’ll be devoured by dragons from within. In offering you this oracle, my hope is that you will: 1. acknowledge the existence of metaphorical dragons; 2. locate where they hang out in your inner realms; 3. study them and get to know them better; 4. devise a strategy for dealing with them safely.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “Don’t let them tame you,” advised flamboyant Gemini dancer Isadora Duncan. Who did she mean by “them”? The mainstream critics, who might have wished she cultivated a less maverick style? Her managers and handlers, who may have wanted her to tone herself down so she could earn maximum amounts of money? Her friends, who cringed when she did things like dancing on a table wearing an evening dress at a party? In accordance with astrological omens, Gemini, I invite you to take a survey of what influences might wish you were more docile, mild or manageable. And then meditate on how you could consistently express the healthiest kind of wildness.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In the Yoruba religion of Ifà, the English word “heart” has two different meanings and words. So says Yoruba priest Awó Falokun Fatunmbi. The first heart is the organ that pumps blood through our bodies.

It’s called okàn. Within the okàn is the second heart: a power center that regulates the flow of emotions. It’s called ègbè. I believe your ègbè will be exceptionally strong and clear and generous in the coming weeks, Cancerian. Your capacity to feel deeply and truly will be a gift to all those with whom you share it. It will also have the potential to enhance your appreciation for your own mysterious life. Wield your ègbè with glee and panache!

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BY ROB BREZSNY

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Seventy-nine-year-old Libran poet Robert Pinsky has had a triumphant life.

He has published 19 books, including his own poems and essays, as well as translations of Italian and Polish poetry. For four years he served as the United States Poet Laureate. To what factors does he attribute his success? Here’s one: “Whatever makes a child want to glue macaroni on a paper has always been strong in me,” he testifies. He’s referring to the primitive arts-and-crafts projects he enjoyed while growing up.

In accordance with astrological omens, I encourage you, too, to get in touch and commune with the primal roots of the things you love to do. Reconnect with the original expressions of your passion for life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “A single ego is an absurdly narrow vantage point from which to view the world,” wrote occultist Aleister Crowley. Author Gore Vidal agreed, saying, “Since no one can ever know for certain whether or not his own view of life is the correct one, it is absolutely impossible for him to know if someone else’s is the wrong one.” All of us can perpetually benefit from this counsel. And it will be especially healthy for you to heed during the next four weeks. Humility will be a superpower. Blessings will flow your way if you don’t need to be right all the time. As you refrain from regarding your own opinions as God’s holy decrees, you will generate good fortune for yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “It’s a rare gift, to know where you need to be, before you’ve been to all the places you don’t need to be.” Author Ursula K. Le Guin wrote that. I’m passing it on to you because I suspect you now possess the power to claim this rare gift. In the coming days, you don’t have to engage in endless evaluations of the numerous possibilities. You don’t have to risk falling victim to overthinking.

Your clear, strong gut hunches will tell you exactly where you need to be and how to get there.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Novelist Henry Miller was in many ways a quintessential Capricorn.

He described himself as being “in love with love, always in search of the absolute, always seeking the unattainable.” Feelings like those are why your astrological symbol is the mountain goat that’s always climbing higher, questing toward the next pinnacle. At your best, you’re determined to keep striving for the brightest, the strongest, the truest. Sometimes you overdo this admirable imperative, but mostly it’s a beautiful quality. You are hereby authorized to express it with maximum wisdom and eagerness in the coming weeks.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Ancient Greek philosopher Plato observed, “Do not train children to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.” The same principle applies to all of us adults who are committed to the goal of lifelong learning. And according to my astrological analysis, it will be especially useful for you Leos to keep in mind during the coming weeks. It’s time to energize your education! And here’s the best way to gather the new teachings that are important for you to know: Follow what amuses your mind.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Go catch a falling star,” wrote poet John Donne (1572–1631) in his poem “Song.” “Tell me who cleft the Devil’s foot,” he went on to say. “Teach me to hear the mermaids singing.” He wasn’t being literal but rather was indulging in poetic fancy to stretch his readers’ imaginations. I’m offering you the spirit of Donne’s poem, Aquarius, because you’re ripe to transcend your limited notions about what’s plausible and implausible. If you allow yourself to get extravagant and unruly in your fantasies, you may crack through shrunken expectations and break into a spacious realm of novel possibilities.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Christian author Frederick Buechner writes, “We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves, and I believe that to love ourselves means to extend to those various selves that we have been along the way the same degree of compassion and concern that we would extend to anyone else.” Let’s make his thought your keynote for the next two weeks. Now is an excellent time to take a journey through your past to visit all the other people you have been. As you do attend to this poignant work, be generous with each of your old selves. Forgive them for their errors and praise their beauty. Tell them how much you love them. Thank them for how they have made possible the life you’re living now.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I don’t suggest you indulge daringly in sensual pleasures, cathartic exchanges of energy and intoxicating pursuits of relief and release. The pandemic mandates us to be cautious about engaging in unmitigated bliss — even though the astrological omens suggest that if now were a normal time, such activities would be well worth focusing on. How can you resolve this dilemma? Possibilities: 1. Experiment zestfully with your live-in steady or spouse. 2.

Get a COVID-19 test with a potential playmate, and if you both test negative, celebrate boisterously. 2. Round up a dazzler with whom you can generate rapture via Zoom. 3. Fantasize about delightfully gracious debauchery. 4. Go solo.

MARKETPLACE

THE N EW Y OR K TIME S C ROSSWORD P UZ Z LE

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COMMERCIAL/ BUSINESS RENTALS WAREHOUSE FOR RENT IN RURAL WEAVERVILLE Green-design, 6,000 sq ft w/ large dock; 1,000 sq ft walk-in cooler; Skylights give plenty of light. Garage door, kitchen, bathroom. On an active organic farm. $3K/ mo in rent. info@ herbmountainfarm.com. www. herbmountainfarm.com.

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EMPLOYMENT SKILLED LABOR/ TRADES CEDAR ROOFERS Experienced cedar shake & shingle roof installers required for projects in Michigan. Individuals or subcontract crews can apply.

Top money paid for top men.

Call John at 248-694-1522 at Cedar Preservation Systems.

security and for maintaining a clean and comfortable testing environment. The TCA will be able to deal with any problems arising at the site in a professional, caring manner, acting as a representative of Prometric.

Qualifications: College Degree One to two years customer service related experience desired Ability to communicate with candidates effectively and with professionalism Ability to learn and apply operations instructions Ability to write detailed reports Familiarity with Microsoft Windows based computer programs Additional Requirements: Ability to enroll and pass a background check for administering federal government client exam Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time while administering exams; Ability to perform periodic walkthroughs Visual requirements include the ability to adjust or focus on computer screens and view testing room while proctoring Prometric (wvvw.prometric.com) is the recognized global leader in technology-enabled assessment services, providing Internet and computer-based testing solutions. On be half of 600 current clients in the academic, professional, government, corporate and information technology markets, Prometric develops and/or delivers assessments through a global network of testing centers worldwide Working hours may include 10 hours every Saturday. This is an excellent position for a retiree.

(828) 808-8616

RESTAURANT/ FOOD

PACKAGING ASSISTANT AT BURIAL BEER CO. Packaging associates are responsible for keg cleaning and filling, can and bottle filling and care, and equipment maintenance. To apply, please send resume and cover letter to hr@burialbeer. com.

ADMINISTRATIVE/ OFFICE NOW HIRING-PART TIME Compensation: $10.00/hr Employment type: part-time The Test Center Administrator (TCA) works in a fast paced environment in a professional office setting. As front-line staff for Prometric Testing Center, the TCA is responsible for greeting candidates, verifying their identification, and supervising test administration following established Prometric guidelines. This position will also be responsible for site

our team. Basic food prep and knowledge are required. Please send a cover letter and resume to hr@burialbeer.com.

LINE COOK & BUTCHER AT FORESTRY CAMP We are looking for a reliable and dedicated individual to join our team. Kitchen experience/food prep skills are a must. Apply with resume and cover letter to hr@burialbeer.com.

CAREER TRAINING TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 866-243-5931.

M-F 8am-6pm ET) (AAN CAN)

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES NANNY & TUTOR Young local woman who is a former home school student looking for a position as a nanny and tutor for young children k-3.

References available upon request. 828-779-0045

SERVICES CAREGIVERS COMPANION • CAREGIVER • LIVE-IN Alzheimer's experienced • Heart failure and bed sore care • Hospice reference letter • Nonsmoker, with cat, seeks live-in position • References • Arnold, (828) 273-2922.

FINANCIAL AUTO INSURANCE STARTING AT $49/ MONTH! Call for your fee rate comparison to see how much you can save! Call: 855569-1909. (AAN CAN) SAVE BIG ON HOME INSURANCE! Compare 20 A-rated insurances companies. Get a quote within minutes. Average savings of $444/year! Call 844-712-6153! (M-F 8am-8pm Central) (AAN CAN)

HIRING KITCHEN STAFF Duties include dish, prep, sauté, plating, grill, more prep, & fry station. Pushing through the season and going into fall. Will train right applicant. Busy restaurant with excellent staff.

Looking for right applicant to join our team. Apply within or email @ flaniganrubin@gmail. com. thetrailheadrestaurant. com.

KITCHEN ASSISTANT FORESTRY CAMP We looking for a reliable dedicated individual to

AT are and join

BUYING OLD PAPER MONEY 10 yrs WNC/ETN notes, bonds, maps, currency etc.

Member SPMC, NCNA, SCNA, TNS

msg/ txt 865-207-8994 or email papermoneybuy@gmail.com

STRUGGLING WITH YOUR PRIVATE STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT? New relief programs can reduce your payments. Learn your options.

Good credit not necessary. Call the Helpline 888-670-5631 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Eastern) (AAN CAN)

HOME IMPROVEMENT HANDY MAN HIRE A HUSBAND • HANDYMAN SERVICES Since 1993.

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References and estimates available. Stephen Houpis, (828) 280-2254.

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You reap the Rewards! Call for a FREE Author’s Submission Kit: 844-511-1836. (AAN CAN)

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Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855-978-0215 (AAN CAN) HEARING AIDS!! BUY ONE/ GET ONE FREE! High-quality rechargeable Nano hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Nearly invisible!

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LEGAL NOTICES BOY SCOUT COMPENSATION FUND Anyone that was inappropriately touched by a Scout leader deserves justice and financial compensation!

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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.

SPIRITUAL HE'S NOT COMING BACK! Who is responsible for this world, good and bad? God gave man the capacity for evil and man has suffered terribly. godaccused.com

AUTOMOTIVE AUTOS FOR SALE 2010 PRIUS II $7900 Rated very high and valued much higher in Carfax report. Well maintained. Red with light grey custom leather seats.

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edited by Will Shortz

ACROSS

1 With 5-Across, means of survival 5 With 9-Across, place to yacht-shop 9 With 16-Down, decisive confrontation 13 Mosque V.I.P. 14 In olden days 15 Santa Claus “flight tracker” 17 Puma competitor 18 Blue material 19 Sun Valley locale 20 One signing up 22 Judd who directed “Knocked Up” 23 Passionate sort, it’s said 24 Fictional maker of earthquake pills and tornado seeds 26 It’s a stretch 27 Things snake charmers wear 31 Introduction to magic?

33 Golden god 34 Centipede producer 36 Hit’s opposite 40 Place to see Warhol’s “Campbell’s Soup Cans” 41 See 1-Down 42 Grind 43 Book of Mormon book 44 Passing a drug test, say 45 Destroyer of the town of Nicolosi in 1669 46 One putting down roots?

48 Title detective of 1970s TV 50 Actress Claire of Netflix’s “The Crown” 53 Quashes 55 Apprehend 56 Hannah who wrote “The Human Condition” 58 Like most debates 63 Conveyance that may be carved 64 Crush alternative 65 The Catholic Church, informally 66 Blog post

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DOWN 1 With 41-Across, generational sequence 2 “Sign me up” 3 Cooling off period?

4 Message with many bcc’s 5 What may be tested by parking a car in Harvard Yard?

6 “Lay it ___!”

7 MDX maker 8 Lunar New Year 9 Long shot?

10 Kotb of “Today” 11 Make a big speech 12 “Yay!” 16 With 39-Down, minimize 21 Triton’s domain

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67 Calendar spans with tildes 68 Rating for “South Park” 69 With 50-Down, athlete’s intense expression 70 With 69-Across, advantage in sports 71 With 70-Across, call it a night, say

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22 It’s created by wind, rain and traffic 25 “Cheers” waitress and “Scrubs” nurse 27 With 1-Down, company named for two magazines 28 Thick noodle 29 Football analyst Tony 30 Did up 32 So-called “third stage of labor” 35 Nail (it) 37 Plenty 38 Sound from a pen 39 With 62-Down, lie motionless 47 Overnight flight

49 Small power sources 50 With 27-Down, Apple app 51 Rainforest dweller, in brief 52 Gossipy sort 54 Old memo writer 57 Standard 59 Often-misused pronoun 60 Peace sign 61 1815 novel of romantic misunderstandings 62 With 71-Across, traveling music fan of old 64 “I’ll pass”

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS NY TIMES PUZZLE N A D I A L O N B E N G E A B S C O L L U R I A R E D W A D E S U I N D I P A R T A C E S H A S O D

R E A L L G B A T H H I V S A A N B O H T I S T

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Us, too.

Join at SupportMountainX.com You can help make sure Xpress continues to print the crossword each week by becoming a monthly contributor.

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M O UN TA I N X P R E S S P R E S E N T S

BEST OF WNC 2020 X AWARDS - PART TWO

CONTENTS

6 Eats 24 Drinks 36 Outdoors 40 Farm, Yard & Garden 44 Work & Business 50 Media 54 Pets

W

ELCOME to the grand finale of this year’s Best of WNC — the tabulated results of thousands of write-in ballots, offering the most detailed look available at what and whom area residents collectively favor and what we think is best about living in the mountains.

This week, we unveil the winners in over 250 categories, including those in the most heavily voted Eats and Drinks sections. You’ll also find whom readers tapped as tops in the Pets, Outdoors, Work & Business,

58 Small Towns 58 Swannanoa & Black Mountain 59 Marshall & Mars Hill 60 Weaverville & Woodfin 61 Hot Springs 62 Burnsville

Media, and Farm & Garden sections, plus the regional winners for small towns to the north, east and west of Asheville.

If you missed last week’s Part 1, you can read it online at avl.mx/8a8.

Xpress will also publish the complete list of winners this mid-November in the ever-handy 2020 pocket guide to the Best of WNC. When you’re out and about, watch for X-Award certificates and store-window decals displayed by area businesses identifying themselves as 2020 Best of WNC winners.

We doff our caps to each of you who voted in this year’s poll, to the Xpress staff who worked to tally and deliver the results, and to the businesses that purchased thankyou ads. The ads not only showcase the winners, they support WNC’s most widely read free media outlet, Mountain Xpress.

If you have comments or suggestions about this year’s or next year’s Best of WNC survey — please drop us a line at bestofwnc@mountainx.com.

— Jeff Fobes X

We have taken great care to ensure the accuracy of the Best of WNC listings, but if you have corrections, questions or suggestions, email us at bestofwnc@mountainx.com, or call 828-251-1333.

Some Best of WNC categories received inadequate votes to allow us to declare first-, second- and third-place winners.

ABOUT THE COVER: Hats off to Oscar Wong, founder, and Leah Wong Ashburn, CEO, of Highland Brewing Co. which won first places this year for Business that Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville, Business that Gives Back to the Community, Woman-owned Business (tie), Local All-Round Brewery (for its beers), Bar or Brewery That Gives Back to the Community, Family Friendly Bar or Brewery, Seasonal Beer and Local Beer (Any Style); second places for Business with Earth-friendly Practices, Bar for Live Music, Brewery (for its taproom & atmosphere), Local Dark Beer, Local Lager, and Venue to Book for a Party or Event; third places for Neighborhood Bar–East, Local Dark Beer, Local IPA, Outdoor Music Venue, and Pet-Friendly Bar. PUBLISHER Jeff Fobes • BALLOT OFFICIALS Able Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Jeff Fobes, Madeline Forwerck, David Furr, Molly Horak, Susan Hutchinson, Tracy Rose, Daniel Walton • BEST OF WNC SUPPLEMENT DESIGN Scott Southwick • DESIGNERS Scott Southwick, Olivia Urban • LISTINGS EDITORS Able Allen, Madeline Forwerck • PHOTO COORDINATOR Able Allen • WRITERS Able Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Virginia Daffron, Jeff Fobes, Laura Hackett, Molly Horak, Susan Hutchinson, Tracy Rose, Daniel Walton • AD SALES Sara Brecht, David Furr, Brian Palmieri, Tiffany Wagner • IT & WEB Bowman Kelley • FRONT OFFICE/ ACCOUNTING Able Allen, Amie Fowler-Tanner • DISTRIBUTION Susan Hutchinson, Cindy Kunst and a fantastic team of devoted drivers • Copyright 2020 by Mountain Xpress • COVER PHOTO Queen Bee and the Honeylovers by Joe Bruno • COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick

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EATS RESTAURANT THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE 1 NINE MILE n w s ninemileasheville.com

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FAVORITE RESTAURANT 1 NINE MILE n w s x ninemileasheville.com

H

of normalcy, many eager diners have taken to the streets — literally. To combat the spread of COVID-19, multiple local restaurants have expanded their outdoor seating options. In an effort to help, the city of Asheville has encouraged the practice by allowing establishments to convert up to 50% of their parking areas to dining; the city is also allowing restaurants to use public sidewalks and roping off sections of downtown streets for increased outdoor seating.

So in 2020, when people say they’re dining out, they really mean it. And despite ongoing social restrictions and other safety guidelines, people’s enthusiasm for the local food scene persists.

In the midst of orders to stay home this past April, thousands voted online for the Best of WNC’s largest section, 86 categories in all, including six new options, which are: Restaurant With a View (The Sunset Terrace at The Omni

6

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

— Thomas Calder X MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

RESTAURANT IN SOUTH ASHEVILLE

3 LIMONES d

2 131 MAIN RESTAURANT s

RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN (INCLUDING SOUTH SLOPE)

Grove Park Inn), Korean (Stonebowl Korean Restaurant), Mediterranean (Gypsy Queen Cuisine), Middle Eastern (a tie between Gypsy Queen Cuisine and Jerusalem Garden Cafe), Bagels (Button & Co. Bagels) and Wings (Wild Wing Cafe).

This year’s Best Of also welcomes five new Hall of Fame entrants: Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas (Chinese), Nine Mile (Restaurant in West Asheville), Rosetta’s Kitchen (Restaurant That Gives Back to the Community), Jersey Mike’s (Sub) and Little Bee Thai (Thai).

Not surprisingly, our reader survey this spring revealed a year-over-year decline in the average number of times respondents dine out per month, dropping 12%. However, responses showed that readers’ monthly takeout and use of food-delivery services increased by 29%. Don’t forget to tip your drivers, Asheville!

ashevillerendezvous.com

1 WILD GINGER NOODLE BAR s

limonesrestaurant.com

UNGRY for any semblance

eastvillagegrille.com

2 CÚRATE d

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

BOUCHON & RENDEZVOUS

coppercrownavl.com

2 EAST VILLAGE GRILLE e

slowfoodrightquick.com

Best French Restaurant, Best French Fries (Bouchon); second place French Restaurant, second place Restaurant in East Asheville (RendezVouz)

1 COPPER CROWN e x

2 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w sunnypointcafe.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF RENDEZVOUS

RESTAURANT IN EAST ASHEVILLE

1 CÚRATE d x

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

2 CULTURA d culturaavl.com

3 LIMONES d

limonesrestaurant.com

RESTAURANT IN THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT 1 BULL AND BEGGAR r thebullandbeggar.com

2 VIVIAN r

wildgingernoodle.com 131-main.com

2 TUPELO HONEY s tupelohoneycafe.com

3 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK SOUTH s a rockyshotchickenshack.com

BREAKFAST 1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w x sunnypointcafe.com

2 BISCUIT HEAD d w s biscuitheads.com

3 OVER EASY CAFÉ d overeasyasheville.com

vivianavl.com

3 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP r whiteducktacoshop.com

RESTAURANT IN WEST ASHEVILLE 1 NINE MILE (WEST) w x ninemileasheville.com

2 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w sunnypointcafe.com

BRUNCH 1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w x sunnypointcafe.com

2 OVER EASY CAFÉ d overeasyasheville.com

3 BISCUIT HEAD d w s biscuitheads.com

3 THE ADMIRAL w

theadmiralasheville.com

RESTAURANT IN NORTH ASHEVILLE 1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n vinniesitalian.com

2 AVENUE M n avenuemavl.com

3 828 FAMILY PIZZERIA n 828pizzeria.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

7

BEST OF eats LUNCH 1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP d r s a whiteducktacoshop.com

2 NINE MILE n w s ninemileasheville.com

3 MELA INDIAN RESTAURANT d

2 CARMEL’S KITCHEN & BAR d

LUNCH - BUSINESS LUNCH 1 CHESTNUT d x

3 THE NOODLE SHOP d

chestnutasheville.com

2 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a appalachianjavaburnsville.com

QUICK MEAL 1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP d r s ax whiteducktacoshop.com

2 TACO TEMPLE n

mamacitastacotemple.com

3 TACO BILLY w

tacobillyasheville.com

WNC’s Hall of Fame Cleaning Company 828.505.7320 greenhomecleaning.com

mellowmushroom.com

1 WICKED WEED BREWING d

melaasheville.com

We are so thankful to our customers for voting us #1 six years in a row!

1 MELLOW MUSHROOM d x

3 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a appalachianjavaburnsville.com

Detailed cleaning with earth friendly products.

PEOPLE-WATCHING RESTAURANT

RESTAURANT TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS TO 1 CÚRATE d x katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

wickedweedbrewing.com carmelsofasheville.com

noodleshopasheville.com

RESTAURANT WITH A VIEW 1 SUNSET TERRACE (OMNI GROVE PARK INN) n avl.mx/3k8

2 HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR d

hemingwayscubaasheville.com

3 PISGAH INN w a pisgahinn.com

OUTDOOR DINING 1 SMOKY PARK SUPPER CLUB r smokypark.com

2 NINE MILE n w s

2 UNIVERSAL JOINT w

3 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w

3 WICKED WEED BREWING d

ninemileasheville.com sunnypointcafe.com

ujasheville.com

wickedweedbrewing.com

Thanks to everyone who voted for us First Place in Burnsville for Breakfast Restaurant, Lunch Restaurant,

Dinner Restaurant, Coffee & Sweets, Music/Entertainment Venue, Business that Best Represents the Spirit of your Town

Second Place in WNC for Best Business Lunch & Best Take-Out Third Place Tie in WNC for Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant & Best Lunch

Best of WNC Winner Third Year in a Row! 8 West Main Street, Burnsville, NC 28714 ~ 828-682-0120 ~ www.appalachianjavaburnsville.com 8

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

Continued NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS)

WINE LIST 1 CULTURA d culturaavl.com

1 CULTURA d culturaavl.com

2 ITTO RAMEN BAR & TAPAS w d ittoramen.com

2 ZAMBRA d

zambratapas.com

3 CUCINA 24 d

cucina24restaurant.com

3 ROSABEES r rosabees.com

KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

ROMANTIC DINING 1 ZAMBRA d x

1 ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. n d s x ashevillebrewing.com

zambratapas.com

2 CREEKSIDE TAPHOUSE e

2 CÚRATE d

creeksidetaphouse.com

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

3 SUNSET TERRACE (OMNI GROVE PARK INN) n omnihotels.com’

THANK YOU! Best Burger:

7 Years In A Row 100% Grassfed • 100% Asheville

3 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a appalachianjavaburnsville.com

3 MELLOW MUSHROOM d mellowmushroom.com

FINE DINING/UPSCALE

DINER/HOMESTYLE

1 CÚRATE d x

1 HOMEGROWN n w x

2 CULTURA d

2 TASTEE DINER w

3 RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE s

3 FIVE POINTS RESTAURANT n

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

culturaavl.com

slowfoodrightquick.com tasteedinernc.com

ruths-chris.com/asheville

avl.mx/83y

Downtown | 10 Patton Ave • South | 1831 Hendersonville Rd

Thank you Asheville!

• Voted best Barbecue 10 years in a row • Voted best Ribs 7 years in a row

River Arts Location 5 Foundy Street | Asheville, NC 28801 | 828-253-4499

@12bonesribs

South Asheville Location

@12bonesriver

12 Bones Brewing attached on the other side of the building

2350 Hendersonville Road | Arden, NC 28704 | 828-687-1395

@12bonessouth

12bones.com • 12bonesbrewing.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

9

BEST OF eats PUB GRUB 1 WESTVILLE PUB w x

BEST SERVICE

2 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREW PUB d

1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n x

3 JACK OF THE WOOD d

2 CÚRATE d

westvillepub.com

foggymountainavl.com jackofthewood.com

TAKEOUT 1 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s a

vinniesitalian.com

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

3 WICKED WEED BREWING d wickedweedbrewing.com

rockyshotchickenshack.com

2 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a

BARBECUE

appalachianjavaburnsville.com

3 TACO BILLY w

tacobillyasheville.com

LATE-NIGHT RESTAURANT 1 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE d rankinvault.com

2 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREW PUB d foggymountainavl.com

1 12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE r s ax 12bones.com

2 LUELLA’S BAR-B-QUE n s luellasbbq.com

3 MOE’S ORIGINAL BBQ s n moesoriginalbbq.com

3 WAFFLE HOUSE e

RIBS

wafflehouse.com

BEST VALUE 1 NINE MILE n w

ninemileasheville.com

2 PAPA’S & BEER e

papasandbeermexican.com

3 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP d r s a whiteducktacoshop.com

1 12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE r s ax 12bones.com

2 LUELLA’S BAR-B-QUE n s luellasbbq.com

3 MOE’S ORIGINAL BAR B QUE s n moesoriginalbbq.com

MONTFORD CONVENIENCE

Affectionately known as “The Store” Thank you Mountain Xpress readers for voting us one of the best convenience stores in the region, we appreciate the support 231 Montford Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 10

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

Continued

Consistently Voted One of WNC’s Best Italian Restaurants in:

PHOTO COURTESY OF RED GINGER

BEST PASTA BEST ITALIAN

RED GINGER DIMSUM & TAPAS Best Chinese

BURGER 1 FARM BURGER d s x farmburger.net

2 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE d rankinvault.com

Thank you for your support!

FRENCH FRIES 1 BOUCHON d x

ashevillebouchon.com

stradaasheville.com

2 FARM BURGER d s

27 Broadway, Downtown AVL

farmburger.net

3 FIVE GUYS BURGER AND FRIES n s fiveguys.com

3 FOOTHILLS BUTCHER BAR & KITCHEN w e a foothillslocalmeats.com

WINGS 1 WILD WING CAFÉ d s a wildwingcafe.com

2 EAST VILLAGE GRILLE e eastvillagegrille.com

3 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREW PUB d foggymountainavl.com

1 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s ax rockyshotchickenshack.com

2 HOMEGROWN n w slowfoodrightquick.com

3 BUXTON HALL BARBECUE d buxtonhall.com

HOT BAR/BUFFET 1 MELA INDIAN RESTAURANT d melaasheville.com

2 ASIANA GRAND BUFFET s asianagb.com

3 MOE’S ORIGINAL BAR B QUE s n moesoriginalbbq.com

Visit our Lounge and enjoy the full Strada menu on our Rooftop Patio

FRIED CHICKEN

3 WHOLE FOODS MARKET e n wholefoodsmarket.com

Thanks for voting us one of the best overall, people-watching, and kid-friendly pizza joints in Asheville!

Eat, Drink & Be Social

You rock!

50 Broadway • 236-9800 mellowmushroom.com/asheville

socialloungeasheville.com 29 Broadway, Downtown AVL

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

11

Thank you WNC for voting us Best Seafood every year since 2005

BEST OF eats HOT DOGS 1 CELEBRITY'S HOTDOGS s x

PASTA 1 VINNIE'S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n x

2 THE HOT DOG KING e a

2 STRADA ITALIANO d

avl.mx/4uz

vinniesitalian.com

thehotdogkings.com

3 THE BARKSDALE d avl.mx/83z

stradaasheville.com

3 CHIESA n

chiesaavl.com

3 HOT DOG WORLD s a

PIZZA 1 828 FAMILY PIZZERIA n

FRENCH

2 ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. n d s

hotdogworld.net

828pizzeria.com

1 BOUCHON d x

ashevillebouchon.com

2 RENDEZVOUS e

ashevillerendezvous.com

3 VIVIAN r

ITALIAN 1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n x

Merci Beaucoup

Y’all

French Fries First place

French

First place 12

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

pizzamindavl.com

SUB SHOP/DELI/SANDWICHES 1 JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS w e s ax jerseymikes.com

vivianavl.com

35 Patton Ave. Downtown Asheville Reservations Recommended www.thelobstertrap.biz

ashevillebrewing.com

3 PIZZA MIND w

vinniesitalian.com

2 STRADA ITALIANO d stradaasheville.com

3 CUCINA 24 d

cucina24restaurant.com

2 OLD SCHOOL SUBS & DELI s e a oldschooldelisubs.com

3 ASHEVILLE SANDWICH CO. w ashevillesandwichcompany.com

MEDITERRANEAN 1 GYPSY QUEEN CUISINE w gypsyqueencuisine.com

2 REZAZ RESTAURANT [Closed] 3 JERUSALEM GARDEN CAFÉ d jerusalemgardencafe.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

13

14

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

BEST OF eats GREEK

SUSHI 1 GREEN TEA SUSHI & JAPANESE RESTAURANT w

1 APOLLO FLAME BISTRO s x apolloflamebistro.net

greenteasushiasheville.com

2 STONEY KNOB CAFE n a

2 WASABI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR d

stoneyknobcafe.com

3 GOLDEN FLEECE SLOW EARTH KITCHEN [Closed] n

wasabiasheville.com

3 ZEN SUSHI n

zen-sushi-asheville.com

MIDDLE EASTERN

JAPANESE 1 GREEN TEA SUSHI & JAPANESE RESTAURANT w

1 GYPSY QUEEN CUISINE w gypsyqueencuisine.com

1 JERUSALEM GARDEN CAFÉ d jerusalemgardencafe.com

greenteasushiasheville.com

2 BABA NAHM d

2 WASABI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR d

babanahm.com

3 REZAZ RESTAURANT [Closed]

wasabiasheville.com

3 HEIWA SHOKUDO d

TACO

heiwashokudo.net

1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP d r s ax whiteducktacoshop.com

2 TACO TEMPLE n

mamacitastacotemple.com

3 TACO BILLY w

tacobillyasheville.com

BURRITO 1 MAMACITAS MEXICAN GRILL d

THAI 1 LITTLE BEE THAI d x

facebook.com/LittleBeeThai

2 SUWANA’S THAI ORCHID RESTAURANT d suwanasthaiorchid.com

3 PAD THAI w s a padthaiasheville.com

2 NEO BURRITO s w e

INDIAN 1 MELA INDIAN RESTAURANT d x

3 URBAN BURRITO n

2 CHAI PANI d

mamacitasgrill.com eatneo.com

urbanburrito.com

MEXICAN 1 PAPAS & BEER e

papasandbeermexican.com

2 EL QUE PASA w elquepasa.net

3 ZIA TAQUERIA w ziataco.com

LATIN AMERICAN 1 SALSA’S d salsasnc.com

2 LIMONES d

limonesrestaurant.com

3 CHUPACABRA LATIN CAFE n chupacabralatincafe.com

Greenteajapanese.com

melaasheville.com

chaipaniasheville.com

3 INDIA GARDEN e

indiagardenonline.com

CHINESE 1 RED GINGER DIMSUM & TAPAS d x redgingerasheville.com

2 ORIENTAL PAVILION w orientalpavilionnc.com

3 ASIANA GRAND BUFFET s asianagb.com

KOREAN 1 STONEBOWL KOREAN w stonebowlasheville.com

2 KOREAN HOUSE [Closed] 3 KOREANA s a koreanaasheville.com

“Thank you for voting us the best for Japanese food and sushi”

Kim’s

Oriental Market

- Tony

5 Regent Park Blvd.

Asheville, NC 28806 828-254-7235

2 Regent Park Blvd. | 828-252-8300 Like us on facebook.com/greenteasushi MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

15

commemorate your Best of WNC win with an official plaque

BEST OF eats

This year Mountain Xpress is partnering with Asheville T-Shirt Company to bring you a locally sourced and affordable keepsake.

Plaques are 9x12 laminate material with a glossy finish ready to hang. $60 includes delivery or shipping.

To purchase, contact your Xpress sales rep or email advertise@mountainx.com

PHOTO BY LYNNE HARTY PHOTOGRAPHY

SMOKY PARK SUPPER CLUB Best Outdoor Dining

SALAD 1 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d x

1 PLANT n

2 APOLLO FLAME BISTRO s

2 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d

3 NINE MILE n w s

3 ROSETTA’S KITCHEN d

laughingseed.com

apolloflamebistro.net

ninemileasheville.com

SEAFOOD 1 THE LOBSTER TRAP d x thelobstertrap.biz

2 OYSTER HOUSE BREWING CO. w oysterhousebeers.com

3 HARBOR INN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT w harborinnseafood.com

SOUTHERN 1 TUPELO HONEY CAFÉ d s x tupelohoneycafe.com

2 HOMEGROWN n w slowfoodrightquick.com

3 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s a rockyshotchickenshack.com

SPECIAL DIET OPTIONS (GLUTEN-FREE, LACTOSE-FREE, ETC.) 1 POSANA d x

posanarestaurant.com

2 BIMBERIBON w bimberibon.com

3 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d w n s greensagecafe.com

VEGETARIAN

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

rosettaskitchen.com

GREEN/SUSTAINABILITYFRIENDLY RESTAURANT 1 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d w n s x greensagecafe.com

2 PLANT n

plantisfood.com

3 HOMEGROWN n w slowfoodrightquick.com

LOCAL-FOOD EMPHASIS 1 HOMEGROWN n w x slowfoodrightquick.com

2 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w sunnypointcafe.com

3 RHUBARB d

rhubarbasheville.com

HEALTHIEST FOOD 1 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d w n s greensagecafe.com

2 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d laughingseed.com

3 PLANT n

plantisfood.com

DESSERTS

2 PLANT n

2 OLD EUROPE PASTRIES & COFFEE d

3 ROSETTA'S KITCHEN d

3 BAKED PIE CO. s n a

rosettaskitchen.com

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

laughingseed.com

1 FRENCH BROAD CHOCOLATES d

plantisfood.com

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

plantisfood.com

1 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d laughingseed.com

16

VEGAN

frenchbroadchocolates.com oldeuropepastries.com

bakedpiecompany.com

Thank you for voting for us again! #1 Chinese restaurant 5 years in a row

Outdoor Dining Full Bar Dine in & take out Delivery through Door Dash

redgingerasheville.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

82 Patton Ave. Downtown Asheville 828.505.8688 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

17

BEST OF eats ICE CREAM

BISCUITS

1 THE HOP ICE CREAM CAFÉ n w e ax

1 BISCUIT HEAD d w s x

2 ULTIMATE ICE CREAM e n

2 BLUE RIDGE BISCUIT CO. e a

thehopicecreamcafe.com ultimateicecreamavl.com

3 SUNSHINE SAMMIES d sunshinesammies.com

FROZEN TREATS OTHER THAN ICE CREAM 1 WHIT’S FROZEN CUSTARD n x whitsasheville.com

2 SUNSHINE SAMMIES d sunshinesammies.com

biscuitheads.com

fb.com/BlueRidgeBiscuitCompany

3 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w sunnypointcafe.com

BAGELS 1 BUTTON & CO. BAGELS d katiebuttonrestaurants.com

3 YOLO FROZEN YOGURT n

2 BRUEGGER’S BAGELS n s

CHOCOLATE 1 FRENCH BROAD CHOCOLATE FACTORY w x

3 JOEY’S NEW YORK BAGELS s a

fb.com/YoLoAsheville

frenchbroadchocolates.com

2 THE CHOCOLATE FETISH d chocolatefetish.com

DOUGHNUTS 1 HOLE DOUGHNUTS w hole-doughnuts.com

2 VORTEX DOUGHNUTS d vortexdoughnuts.com

3 DUCK DONUTS n duckdonuts.com

brueggers.com

joeysnybagels.com

BAKERY (SWEETS/DESSERTS) 1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ s n ax wellbredbakery.com

2 OLD WORLD LEVAIN (OWL) BAKERY w owlbakery.com

3 OLD EUROPE PASTRIES & COFFEE d oldeuropepastries.com

Thank you for voting Duck Donuts as one of the best in WNC 182 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville

828- 575-2177 • duckdonuts.com 18

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

Thank you WNC!

Dr. Dan Martin Affordable Chiropractic Care is Our Mission. ✓

Experienced, Professional & Friendly Staff

✓

Convenient Appointments & Hours

1011 Tunnel Rd., Ste. 110, Asheville, NC 28805 • 828-333-4447 • www.radiuschiropractic.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

19

Thank you for voting for us one of the Best of WNC 5 years in a row, we love you!

BEST OF eats BAKERY (BREAD) 1 CITY BAKERY CAFÉ d n x citybakery.net

2 OLD WORLD LEVAIN (OWL) BAKERY w owlbakery.com

3 WEST END BAKERY w westendbakery.com

frannysfarm.com • frannysfarmac y.com

FOOD TRUCK 1 MELT YOUR HEART avl.mx/3uo

2 EL KIMCHI

fb.com/ElKimchi

3 CECI’S CULINARY TOUR cecisculinarytour.com

CATERING COMPANY 1 THE RED RADISH e a redradish.com

2 67 BILTMORE DOWNTOWN EATERY & CATERING d 67biltmore.com

3 CELINE & CO. CATERING d celineandcompany.com

CHEESEMAKER/CHEESE DAIRY 1 LOOKING GLASS CREAMERY e a ashevillecheese.com

2 THREE GRACES DAIRY n a 3gracesdairy.com

3 SPINNING SPIDER CREAMERY n a spinningspidercreamery.com

LOCAL FOOD/ DRINK PRODUCT 1 BUCHI KOMBUCHA n ax drinkbuchi.com

BUTCHER SHOP 1 THE CHOP SHOP BUTCHERY n chopshopbutchery.com

2 FOOTHILLS BUTCHER BAR & KITCHEN w e a foothillslocalmeats.com

3 NEW YORK BUTCHER SHOPPE s nybutcher.com

NEW YORK BUTCHER SHOPPE Thank you, Asheville!

Unparalled service & expert advice CHECK OUT OUR WEEKLY SPECIALS from Wagyu beef, custom meat grinds, exotic sausages, and hard to find seafood items.

OUR WINE CLUB offers a unique sampling of hard to find high quality wines, special discounts, and other exclusive perks.

offering the highest quality meats • small-vineyard wines • prepared meals • deli sandwiches • specialty cheeses

20

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

2 SHANTI ELIXIRS shantielixirs.com

3 ROOTS HUMMUS w rootshummus.com

LOCALLY-MADE CBD TREATS 1 FRANNY’S FARMACY n s a frannysfarmacy.com

2 TRINITY PHARMS HEMP CO. e a trinitypharmshempco.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

21

Thank You Asheville!

Now Open at

All Three Locations!

BE

ST OF

14

20 WNC

white duck taco shop 22

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

BEST OF eats

NG C E L E B R AT I siness u B f o s r a e Y 9

PHOTO COURTESY OF BUCHI

BUCHI KOMBUCHA Best Local Food/Drink Product

CHEF 1 KATIE BUTTON (CÚRATE) x katiebuttonrestaurants.com

2 ERIC MORRIS (CULTURA) d culturaavl.com

3 BRIAN CANIPELLI (CUCINA 24) d

RESTAURANT THAT GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY 1 ROSETTA’S KITCHEN d x rosettaskitchen.com

2 WICKED WEED BREWING d wickedweedbrewing.com

cucina24restaurant.com

PASTRY CHEF 1 KAREN DONATELLI CAKE DESIGNS s donatellicakedesigns.com

3 CÚRATE d

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

1 MANNA FOODBANK e x

3 MELISSA GRAY (CAKES BY GRAY) n

2 BOUNTY & SOUL e a

cakesbygray.com

LOCAL FOOD FESTIVAL OR EVENT 1 CHOW CHOW: AN ASHEVILLE CULINARY EVENT d avl.mx/6gm

2 ASHEVILLE FOOD TRUCK SHOWDOWN ashevillefoodtruckshowdown.com

3 ASHEVILLE GREEK FESTIVAL (HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH) n holytrinityasheville.com/greek-festival

~ new location opening soon ~

NONPROFIT HELPING WITH HUNGER ISSUES

2 ASHLEY CAPPS (BUXTON HALL BARBECUE) d buxtonhall.com

A Sweet Thank You Asheville!

mannafoodbank.org

bountyandsoul.org

3 ASHEVILLE POVERTY INITIATIVE (12 BASKETS CAFE) w ashevillepovertyinitiative.org

RESTAURANT STILL NEEDED IN ASHEVILLE 1 BETTER CHINESE x 2 VIETNAMESE 3 THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY

special order pick up and delivery only 828.225.5751 • karen@donatellicakedesigns.com donatellicakedesigns.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

23

Drinks BAR THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE 1 SOVEREIGN REMEDIES d jackofthewood.com

2 EAST VILLAGE GRILLE e

wickedweedbrewing.com

3 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e

I

high praise twice from roasted bean aficionados, who voted it best Coffee House and Establishment With the Best Coffee.

Thrice-crowned Wicked Weed Brewing was voted WNC’s most beloved local IPA (Pernicious) and Sour Beer (Black Angel) — an appropriate range for the year’s most Creative, Experimental Brewery.

New for 2020, top Local Cider goes to Noble Cider’s The Village Tart. And we welcome to the Hall of Fame Sunny Point Café’s Bloody Mary.

— Edwin Arnaudin X

s OUTH e AST w EST OWNTOWN AREA d IVER ARTS DISTRICT r a OUTLYING AREA x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

2 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREW PUB d foggymountainavl.com

2 MIKE TURNER (ONE STOP) d

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR RIVER ARTS DISTRICT 1 WEDGE BREWING CO. r wedgebrewing.com

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

ashevilleodditorium.com ashevillemusichall.com

3 JOSH MARCH (VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN) n vinniesitalian.com

BAR FOR LIVE MUSIC 1 JACK OF THE WOOD d

3 BOTTLE RIOT (FORMERLY DISTRICT WINE BAR) r

2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e

fb.com/cruciblebaravl

bottleriot.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR - SOUTH 1 HILLMAN BEER s hillmanbeer.com

2 VILLAGE WAYSIDE BAR AND GRILL s villagewayside.com

3 THE CASUAL PINT s thecasualpint.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR - WEST 1 WESTVILLE PUB w x westvillepub.com

2 THE DOUBLE CROWN w fb.com/TheDoubleCrown

3 DESOTO LOUNGE w NEIGHBORHOOD BAR - NORTH 1 LITTLE JUMBO n littlejumbobar.com

2 ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. n ashevillebrewing.com

3 AVENUE M n MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

BARTENDER

2 CRUCIBLE BAR r

avenuemavl.com

24

highlandbrewing.com

1 JENNIE LOU NELSON (THE ODDITORIUM) w

desotolounge.com

n ORTH

eastvillagegrille.com

rankinvault.com

burialbeer.com

F you’re the best — when it comes to local beverage purveyors, that includes both alcoholic and nonalcoholic — you tend to be the best in several ways. Consider: Besides being voted best Upscale Bar, Sovereign Remedies won first place for its Cocktails and carried the day as Bar That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville.

Highland Brewing Co., in addition to being named best Local All-Round Brewery (for its beers), was voted top Family-Friendly Bar/Brewery and Bar or Brewery That Gives Back to the Community. Then, heaping on the accolades, traditionalists once again voted Highland’s Gaelic Ale No. 1 Local Beer. And finally, Highland took home the trophy in this year’s brand-new Seasonal Beer category (for its Cold Mountain Winter Ale).

Elsewhere, Dobra Tea earned two top honors: Place to Drink Tea and Coffee/Tea House in Which to Read a Book. And High Five Coffee earned

thesocialasheville.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR DOWNTOWN (INCLUDING SOUTH SLOPE) 1 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE d 3 BURIAL BEER CO. d

WICKED WEED BREWING

creeksidetaphouse.com

1 THE SOCIAL e

3 WICKED WEED BREWING d

Best Creative, Experimental Brewery, Local IPA, andLocal Sour Beer; second place Local Beer (Any Style); third place Bar That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville, Local All-Round Brewery (for its beers), Bar or Brewery That Gives Back to the Community, Local Lager (tie);; and additional wins in the Eats section

1 CREEKSIDE TAPHOUSE e x

sovereignremedies.com

2 JACK OF THE WOOD d

PHOTO BY MADELINE FORWERCK

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR - EAST

jackofthewood.com

highlandbrewing.com

3 5 WALNUT WINE BAR d 5walnut.com

BAR WITH A VIEW 1 THE MONTFORD ROOFTOP BAR d themontford.com

2 HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR d hemingwayscubaasheville.com

3 CAPELLA ON 9 d capellaon9.com

BAR WITH BAR GAMES 1 ASHEVILLE RETROCADE w ashevilleretrocade.com

2 WELL PLAYED BOARD GAME CAFÉ d wellplayedasheville.com

3 TWIN LEAF BREWERY d twinleafbrewery.com

GAY-FRIENDLY BAR 1 O.HENRY’S d x

ohenrysofasheville.com

2 SCANDALS NIGHTCLUB d scandalsnightclub.com

3 THE ODDITORIUM w ashevilleodditorium.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

25

BEST OF drinks HOTEL BAR 1 CAPELLA ON 9 d capellaon9.com

2 THE MONTFORD ROOFTOP BAR d themontford.com

3 WXYZ LOUNGE d

aloftashevilledowntown.com

DIVE BAR

BAR OR BREWERY THAT GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

2 NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO. w newbelgium.com

3 WICKED WEED BREWING d wickedweedbrewing.com

1 THE DOUBLE CROWN w

WINE BAR

fb.com/TheDoubleCrown

2 BURGER BAR w

fb.com/burgerbar.asheville

3 DESOTO LOUNGE w desotolounge.com

SPORTS BAR 1 THE BIER GARDEN d x ashevillebiergarden.com

2 WILD WING CAFÉ d s a wildwingcafe.com

3 HICKORY TAVERN s thehickorytavern.com

UPSCALE BAR 1 SOVEREIGN REMEDIES d x sovereignremedies.com

Prost!

Come See Our Expanded, Spaced Out, Parking Lot Patio Located at 507 Haywood Road Behind Haywood Common

Here Everyday 12-11 TheWhaleAVL.com • 828-575-9888 26

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

2 BOTTLE RIOT (FORMERLY DISTRICT WINE BAR) r bottleriot.com

3 PLEB URBAN WINERY r pleburbanwinery.com

3 SANTÉ WINE BAR AND TAP ROOM d avl.mx/840

LOCAL WINERY 1 BILTMORE WINERY s x biltmore.com/wine

2 PLEB URBAN WINERY r

3 CAPELLA ON 9 d

3 BURNTSHIRT VINEYARDS s e a

capellaon9.com

:: We Appreciate Every One of You! ::

5walnut.com

2 ANTIDOTE d antidote.bar

Thank You Asheville for the Hat Trick

1 5 WALNUT WINE BAR d x

pleburbanwinery.com

burntshirtvineyards.com

Continued WINE STORE 1 METRO WINES n x metrowinesasheville.com

2 APPALACHIAN VINTNER s appalachianvintner.com

3 ASHEVILLE WINE MARKET d ashevillewine.com

COCKTAILS 1 SOVEREIGN REMEDIES d x sovereignremedies.com

2 ANTIDOTE d antidote.bar

3 LITTLE JUMBO n littlejumbobar.com

DISTILLERY 1 CHEMIST SPIRITS d chemistspirits.com

2 CULTIVATED COCKTAILS d cultivated-cocktails.com

3 EDA RHYNE DISTILLING CO. e edarhyne.com

BLOODY MARY 1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w x sunnypointcafe.com

CIDERY 1 NOBLE CIDER w noblecider.com

2 URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. w d urbanorchardcider.com

3 BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER e a LOCAL CIDER 1 THE VILLAGE TART CHERRY CIDER (NOBLE CIDER) w noblecider.com

2 BLACKBERRY (BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER) s a boldrock.com

3 GINGER CAMPAIGN (URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO.) w d urbanorchardcider.com

New Album DANGEROUS FICTION

available everywhere Friday, Sept 18

BAR: LOCAL BEER SELECTION 1 BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA d barleystaproom.com

2 THIRSTY MONK d s

3 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE d

3 THE BIER GARDEN d

rankinvault.com

Thanks for voting us #2 Rock Band ('19 and '20) #2 Lyricist David Rogers

boldrock.com

2 THE ODDITORIUM w ashevilleodditorium.com

MODERN STRANGERS

monkpub.com

ashevillebiergarden.com

Livestream Album Release Show from the Orange Peel via iamavl on Saturday, Sept 26

Home of Asheville’s

BEST bartender Miss Jennie Lou Nelson!!!

Home of the friendliest weirdos, crush worthy bartenders, famous Bloody Mary’s and oddities galore!!!

Drag, Punk, Comedy, Metal, Burlesque and more!!!

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

27

BEST OF drinks BAR: UNUSUAL BEER SELECTION 1 THE WHALE :: A CRAFT BEER COLLECTIVE w thewhaleavl.com

2 THIRSTY MONK d s monkpub.com

LOCAL ALL-ROUND BREWERY (FOR ITS BEERS)

Thank You!

1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

2 NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO. w newbelgium.com

3 SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. s a sierranevada.com

CREATIVE, EXPERIMENTAL BREWERY

1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e x

1 WICKED WEED BREWING d

2 BURIAL BEER CO. d

2 BURIAL BEER CO. d

highlandbrewing.com

burialbeer.com

3 WICKED WEED BREWING d wickedweedbrewing.com

BREWERY (FOR ITS TAPROOM & ATMOSPHERE) 1 SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. s a sierranevada.com

www.fermenti.biz fermentifoods@gmail.com

FAMILY-FRIENDLY BAR OR BREWERY

2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

3 NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO. w newbelgium.com

wickedweedbrewing.com burialbeer.com

3 BHRAMARI BREWING CO. d bhramaribrewing.com

LOCAL BEER (ANY STYLE) 1 GAELIC ALE (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e x highlandbrewing.com

2 PERNICIOUS IPA (WICKED WEED BREWING) d wickedweedbrewing.com

3 WHITE ZOMBIE (CATAWBA BREWING CO.) d s catawbabrewing.com

commemorate your Best of WNC win with an official plaque This year Mountain Xpress is partnering with Asheville T-Shirt Company to bring you a locally sourced and affordable keepsake.

Plaques are 9x12 laminate material with a glossy finish ready to hang. $60 includes delivery or shipping.

To purchase, contact your Xpress sales rep or email advertise@mountainx.com

28

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

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MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

BE

ST OF

14

20 WNC

Thank you Asheville for keeping us in the Hall of Fame!

BEST PRICES

Internet competitive & nearly always lowest in town

WELL CURATED SELECTION

from well known to hard to fifind

FRIENDLY, KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF Take home wine you’ll enjoy

WE’RE LOCAL

shop dogs forever

Wages, proffiits and taxes are spent or invested right here

BIG SHOP SELECTION • SMALL SHOP SERVICE Free, Close Parking.

169 Charlotte Street • Asheville, NC 28801 • 828.575.9525

metrowinesasheville.com • ashevilleschoolofwine.com • blindtastingleague.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

29

BEST OF drinks LOCAL DARK BEER 1 GREEN MAN PORTER (GREEN MAN BREWERY) d greenmanbrewery.com

2 BLACK WATCH (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e highlandbrewing.com

3 OATMEAL PORTER (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e highlandbrewing.com

LOCAL LAGER 1 HI-WIRE LAGER (HI-WIRE BREWING) d s hiwirebrewing.com

2 HIGHLAND PILSNER (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e highlandbrewing.com

3 HOUNDES OF HELLES (BOOJUM BREWING) w a boojumbrewing.com

3 UNCLE RICK’S PILSNER (WICKED WEED BREWING) d wickedweedbrewing.com

30

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

LOCAL SOUR BEER 1 BLACK ANGEL (WICKED WEED BREWING) d wickedweedbrewing.com

2 OTRA VEZ (SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO.) s a sierranevada.com

2 THE GOOD FIGHT SOUR PALE ALE (BHRAMARI BREWING CO.) d bhramaribrewing.com

LOCAL IPA 1 PERNICIOUS IPA (WICKED WEED BREWING) d wickedweedbrewing.com

2 IRON RAIL IPA (WEDGE BREWING CO.) r wedgebrewing.com

3 AVL IPA (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e highlandbrewing.com

SEASONAL BEER 1 COLD MOUNTAIN (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e highlandbrewing.com

2 PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME (CATAWBA BREWING CO.) d s catawbabrewingco.com

3 NINJABREAD MAN (ASHEVILLE BREWING CO.) n d s ashevillebrewing.com

771 Haywood Road, West Asheville • 828-225-4949

Open daily from 9am to 8pm

West Village Market

A neighborhood natural foods market with (more than) everything you need!

...and we’re still hand-selecting your delivery & pick-up orders.

Products for ALL diets, all organic produce, bulk, herbs & supplements, grab & go deli, all-natural & non-gmo meats, beer & wine

Home of

Sunflower Diner, celebrating its 1st birthday on Oct. 1st with complimentary cupcakes for everyone, and an awesome new menu!

Browse the store, and order online!

Now serving our sandwiches in paper wrapping and using compostable bulk & produce bags!

Working to eliminate plastics from our store, and our waterways. (Mention this ad and get a chance to win a 4 Ocean bracelet!)

www.westvillagemarket.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

31

BEST OF drinks BREWMASTER

HOMEBREWING/ WINEMAKING SUPPLIES

1 BRAD HILLMAN (HILLMAN BEER) s hillmanbeer.com

2 JOSIE MIELKE (URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO.) w urbanorchardcider.com

3 JOE PAWELEK (WICKED WEED BREWING) d

1 ASHEVILLE BREWERS SUPPLY & WINEMAKING SHOP n

1 DOBRA TEA HOUSE d w x

2 FIFTH SEASON GARDENING CO. e

2 BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE & CHAMPAGNE BAR d

wickedweedbrewing.com

COFFEE HOUSE

zillicoahbeer.com

1 HIGH FIVE COFFEE d n r x

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER EVENT

highfivecoffee.com

1 BREWGRASS FESTIVAL r x

2 IZZY'S COFFEE d w

2 ASHEVILLE OKTOBERFEST d

3 PENNYCUP COFFEE CO. d r n e

izzyscoffee.com

brewgrassfestival.com

ashevilleoktoberfest.com

pennycupcoffeeco.com

3 COLD MOUNTAIN RELEASE (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e

ESTABLISHMENT WITH THE BEST COFFEE

highlandbrewing.com

BEER STORE

1 HIGH FIVE COFFEE d n r x

1 APPALACHIAN VINTNER s

highfivecoffee.com

appalachianvintner.com

dobrateanc.com

batteryparkbookexchange.com

3 HIGH FIVE COFFEE d n r highfivecoffee.com

COFFEE ROASTER 1 DYNAMITE ROASTING CO. e ax dynamiteroasting.com

3 MOUNTAIN JUICERY s mountainjuicery.com

MOCKTAILS OR NONALCOHOLIC OPTIONS 1 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d laughingseed.com

2 BUCHI BAR d

rosettaskitchen.com/buchi-bar

CBD DRINKS/HEALTH ELIXIRS

3 COUNTER CULTURE COFFEE d counterculturecoffee.com

PLACE TO DRINK TEA

3 LOCAL 604 BOTTLE SHOP w

3 PENNYCUP COFFEE CO. d r n e

2 HIGH CLIMATE TEA CO. d

pennycupcoffeeco.com

2 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d w n s

2 DOBRA TEA HOUSE d w

2 DYNAMITE ROASTING CO. e a

local604avl.com

simpleasheville.com

1 ASHEVILLE DISPENSARY w

pennycupcoffeeco.com

1 DOBRA TEA HOUSE d w x

dynamiteroasting.com

1 SIMPLE CAFE & JUICE BAR w

2 PENNYCUP COFFEE CO. d r n e

2 TASTY BEVERAGE CO. [Closed] 3 INGLES MARKETS e w s n a ingles-markets.com

SMOOTHIES/JUICES

greensagecafe.com

ashevillebrewers.com

fifthseasongardening.com

3 JONATHAN CHASSNER (ZILLICOAH BEER CO.) n

COFFEE/TEA HOUSE IN WHICH TO READ A BOOK

dobrateanc.com

avldispensary.com dobrateanc.com

3 FRANNY’S FARMACY n s a frannysfarmacy.com

KAVA BAR 1 SOVEREIGN KAVA d ashevillekava.com

highclimatetea.com

2 VINTAGE KAVA n a vintagekava.com

Thank you, Asheville!

I truly appreciate all of my clients and your votes for 1st Place Best Hairstylist!

Amy Grooms Rose

LOCATED AT

Salon Zhenya 290 Haywood Rd. Suite 102

amyrose_asheville photo by studio 828 photography

Book a new client consultation online amyrose.glossgenius.com 32

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

, Wyble

#1 Pediatric Dentistry Practice 7 years in a row!

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

33

34

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

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MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

You WNC! k n a h T

#1 H a nd y m a n!

Small Repair & Maintenance

LeaveItToWeaver.net (828) 301-4725

We love YOU! Thank you for continuing to vote us one of the "BEST" in WNC, 10 years strong!

myenvisioneyecare.com

THANK YOU, ASHEVILLE! for voting us

#1 Automotive Repair Shop, Again!

1295 Tunnel Road Asheville, NC 298-3612

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

35

outdoors BICYCLE CLUB OR GROUP 1 ASHEVILLE ON BIKES x ashevilleonbikes.com

2 BLUE RIDGE BICYCLE CLUB s blueridgebicycleclub.org

3 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. EAST SIDE SOCIAL RIDE e highlandbrewing.com

HIKING CLUB OR GROUP 1 CAROLINA MOUNTAIN CLUB

RUNNING EVENT/RACE - ROAD OR TRAIL 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. NIGHT FLIGHT e highlandbrewing.com

2 SHUT-IN RIDGE TRAIL RUN jusrunning.com

3 RACE TO THE TAPS w

facebook.com/racetothetaps

carolinamountainclub.org

RUNNING CLUB OR GROUP 1 JUS’ RUNNING n jusrunning.com

RAFTING COMPANY 1 NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER w ax noc.com

2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. RUN CLUB e 2 ZEN TUBING r s a highlandbrewing.com

DAY HIKE 1 BLACK BALSAM KNOB w a avl.mx/prun

2 MAX PATCH n a avl.mx/7uw

3 GRAVEYARD FIELDS w a avl.mx/7uv

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHEVILLE ON BIKES

ASHEVILLE ON BIKES

1 ART LOEB TRAIL s a avl.mx/3s7

Best Bicycle Club or Group

I

N a year that finds most forms

of entertainment affected in some way (looking at you, movie theaters and bowling alleys), nature is making a grand resurgence. Gone, seemingly, are the days of scenic solitude and morning walks with only the bears for company — WNC residents and visitors are heading to the hills in record-breaking numbers.

But there remain plenty of roads less traveled to provide a break from the never-ending barrage of online meetings. Look no further than the North Carolina Arboretum, inaugural winner of the Outdoors section’s new category Best Walk In or Near

BACKPACKING TRAIL / OVERNIGHT HIKE

Asheville. For folks seeking extended getaways, Hot Springs Campground, the Art Loeb Trail and the Davidson River come highly recommended as the best sites to pitch a tent and spend a night away from home.

This year, we welcome two locations to the Hall of Fame: the Davidson River (Fishing Spot) and Craggy Gardens (Picnic Spot).

The mountains have long offered an opportunity for social distance. From hiking and biking to rafting and zip lining, there are escapes for everyone longing for adventure and some fresh air.

— Molly Horak X

2 APPALACHIAN TRAIL FROM HOT SPRINGS TO MAX PATCH n a appalachiantrail.org

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL 1 BENT CREEK EXPERIMENTAL FOREST w avl.mx/7v1

2 RIDGELINE TRAIL s a avl.mx/7v2

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

3 FRENCH BROAD ADVENTURES n a frenchbroadrafting.com

OUTDOOR GEAR AND APPAREL SHOP 1 REI CO-OP s rei.com

2 SECOND GEAR w secondgearwnc.com

3 BLACK DOME MOUNTAIN SPORTS e blackdome.com

SKI RESORT 1 CATALOOCHEE SKI AREA w ax cataloochee.com

2 WOLF RIDGE SKI RESORT n a skiwolfridgenc.com

3 SUGAR MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT e skisugar.com

CANOPY/ZIP-LINE TOUR 1 NAVITAT CANOPY ADVENTURES n ax navitat.com

2 ASHEVILLE TREETOPS ADVENTURE PARK (ADVENTURE CENTER OF ASHEVILLE) w ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com

3 THE GORGE: A ZIPLINE CANOPY ADVENTURE s a thegorgezipline.com

36

zentubing.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

Continued

ASHEVILLE POVERTY INITIATIVE

ENVIRONMENTAL OR CONSERVATION NONPROFIT 1 ASHEVILLE GREENWORKS w ashevillegreenworks.org

2 MOUNTAINTRUE d s a mountaintrue.org

3 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS CONSERVANCY n appalachian.org

PLACE TO CAR CAMP 1 HOT SPRINGS CAMP GROUND n a nchotsprings.com

2 DAVIDSON RIVER s a avl.mx/6df

FISHING SPOT 1 DAVIDSON RIVER s ax avl.mx/6df

THANK YOU

LOCAL, NATURAL, NEW, CONSIGNMENT.

for helping us break down stereotypes, reduce fear, and build community all over good rescued food!

Best selection of wooden toys, cloth diapers, baby carriers, and more!

12 Baskets is for ALL!

PICNIC SPOT 1 CRAGGY GARDENS n ax avl.mx/6cf

2 BILTMORE ESTATE s biltmore.com

2 MAX PATCH n a avl.mx/7uw

647 Haywood Road West Asheville 253-4747 thelittlestbirds.com

www.ashevillepovertyinitiative.com @12basketscafe

828-232-2149

ASH EVILLE

B U N C O M B E CO U N T Y

We want to thank our dedicated volunteers and supporters for helping to keep Asheville and Buncombe County clean and green.

We couldn't do it without you!

ashevillegreenworks.org MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

37

BEST OF outdoors WHITEWATER PADDLING SECTION 1 NANTAHALA RIVER w a 2 FRENCH BROAD SECTION 9 n a avl.mx/6dg

SKATE PARK 1 FOUNDATION ASHEVILLE SKATEPARK (FOUNDY) r foundationasheville.com

2 RAD SKATEPARK r radskateparkavl.com

CAMPING SPOT 1 HOT SPRINGS CAMPGROUND n a nchotsprings.com

2 MAX PATCH n a avl.mx/7uw

3 DAVIDSON RIVER s a avl.mx/6df

SWIMMING HOLE 1 SKINNY DIP FALLS w a

3 ASHEVILLE SKATEPARK d avl.mx/7LD

PLACE TO RELAX ON THE WATER 1 FRENCH BROAD RIVER 2 LAKE LURE e a townoflakelure.com

3 LAKE JAMES e avl.mx/8by

avl.mx/7uy

WATERFALL 1 LOOKING GLASS FALLS s

1 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM s

2 CATAWBA FALLS e a

2 BEAVER LAKE n

3 TRIPLE FALLS s a

3 BILTMORE ESTATE s

avl.mx/wordcaop

navitat.com | 855.628.4828

38

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

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WALK IN OR NEAR ASHEVILLE

avl.mx/7uz

avl.mx/7v0

ncarboretum.org

thelakeviewpark.org

biltmore.com

Yes, we listen to you ... you matter.

Thank You Asheville for Voting Us One of The Best!

600-B Centrepark Drive • • • Asheville, NC 28805 • • • 828.254.5677

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

39

Farm, Yard & Garden TAILGATE/FARMERS MARKET 1 NORTH ASHEVILLE TAILGATE MARKET n x

northashevilletailgatemarket.com

2 WEST ASHEVILLE TAILGATE MARKET w

westashevilletailgatemarket.com

3 WNC FARMERS MARKET w avl.mx/4vl

ROADSIDE FARM STAND 1 FLYING CLOUD FARM e ax flyingcloudfarm.net

FARM TO VISIT FOR EVENTS 1 HICKORY NUT GAP FARM e ax hickorynutgapfarm.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF B. B. BARNS

B. B. BARNS

A

those who work them and the markets where we obtain the fruits of their labor, not to mention those mouthwatering, multicourse farm-to-table events. But the Farm & Garden section is about more than pretty fields and happy chickens: You’ll also learn about the best places to find mulch and supplies, plus landscaping and nonprofit services.

Hats off to B.B. Barns for its double first-place wins (Garden Supply Store and Landscape/Grading Service) and for earning Hall of Fame status as Garden Supply Store.

And congratulations to Hickory Nut Gap Farm for its twin honors: best Farm to Visit for Events and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm.

Let’s not forget that WNC’s farms, however excellent, however popular, are facing new challenges due to the pandemic. “Our farms are innovative and resilient, but they are facing unprecedented challenges that are

frannysfarm.com

3 GRANDAD'S APPLES N’ SUCH s a

Best Garden Supply Store, Best Landscape/Grading Service, second place Nursery (Trees, Shrubs) SHEVILLE loves its farms,

2 FRANNY’S FARM w a

going to take a community effort to address,” says Charlie Jackson, executive director of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (best Nonprofit Supporting Farms/ Farmland Preservation).

So while everybody loves a winner — be sure to cast your local love widely and enjoy the food that’s thousands of miles fresher. See you at North Asheville Tailgate Market (best Tailgate/Farmers Market) or at one of the area’s many other great tailgate options.

— Susan Hutchinson X

grandadsapples.com

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) FARM 1 HICKORY NUT GAP FARM e a hickorynutgapfarm.com

s OUTH e AST w EST OWNTOWN AREA d IVER ARTS DISTRICT r a OUTLYING AREA x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

bbbarns.com

2 FIFTH SEASON GARDENING CO. e fifthseasongardening.com

3 REEMS CREEK NURSERY n a reemscreek.com

MULCH SUPPLIER 1 ASHEVILLE MULCH YARD s n e ax ashevillemulchyard.com

2 THE MULCH LADY/RIVERSIDE STUMP DUMP r s a themulchlady.com

TREE SERVICE 1 ROYCE’S TREE SERVICE w a roycestreeservice.com

2 SMART FELLER TREE WORKS n smartfellertreeworks.com

3 TARZAN THE TREEMAN tarzanthetreeman.com

NURSERY (TREES, SHRUBS) 1 REEMS CREEK NURSERY n ax

3 FLYING CLOUD FARM e a

2 B. B. BARNS s a

motherearthfood.com flyingcloudfarm.net

ORCHARD 1 SKY TOP ORCHARD s ax

reemscreek.com bbbarns.com

3 JESSE ISRAEL & SONS NURSERY & GARDEN CENTER w jesseisraelandsons.com

skytoporchard.com

2 GRANDAD'S APPLES N’ SUCH s a grandadsapples.com

3 BARBER ORCHARD w a

fb.com/BarberOrchardFruitstand

1 BURTON STREET COMMUNITY PEACE GARDENS w burtonstreet.org

LANDSCAPE/ GRADING SERVICE 1 B. B. BARNS s a bbbarns.com

NONPROFIT SUPPORTING FARMS/FARMLAND PRESERVATION

2 DR. JOHN WILSON COMMUNITY GARDEN e a

1 APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT (ASAP) d x

3 GRACE COVENANT COMMUNITY GARDEN n

2 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS CONSERVANCY n

avl.mx/7xa

gcpcusa.org

40

1 B. B. BARNS s ax

2 MOTHER EARTH FOOD w

COMMUNITY GARDEN

n ORTH

GARDEN SUPPLY STORE

asapconnections.org

appalachian.org

THANKS ASHEVILLE! Delivery • Quantity Discount • Product Of The Month Weaverville – 484-8131 • Swannanoa – 707-1615 • Arden – 687-2792

www.ashevillemulchyard.com

Our Customers Are The Best!

Thank you for voting us

#1 Nursery in WNC

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

76 Monticello Rd. Weaverville, NC I-26/Exit 18 828-645-3937 www.reemscreek.com

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

41

Thank to the readers for Voting Groce Favorite once again!

Asheville’s Local, Family-Owned Cremation & Funeral Service West Asheville 1401 Patton Avenue Asheville 828-252-3535

Lake Julian 72 Long Shoals Road Arden 828-687-3530

www.grocefuneralhome.com

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MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

East Asheville 856 Tunnel Road Asheville 828-299-4416

Mountain Xpress

2020 X Awards

Commemorate your Best of WNC win with an official plaque

This year Mountain Xpress is partnering with Asheville T-Shirt Company to bring you a locally sourced and affordable keepsake.

Plaques are 9x12 laminate material with a glossy finish ready to hang. $60 includes delivery or shipping.

To purchase, contact your Xpress sales rep or email advertise@mountainx.com This is the only official plaque product authorized by Mountain Xpress. Other companies may be contacting you with an expensive scammed product. Don’t be fooled!

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

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43

Work & Business BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

2 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s hardexerciseworks.com

EMPLOYMENT SECTOR TO WORK IN 1 HEALTH CARE

1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

2 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s hardexerciseworks.com

CO-OP/WORKEROWNED BUSINESS 1 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP d x frenchbroadfood.coop

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Best Business That Give Back to the Community, Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville and Best Woman-Owned Business (tie); second place Business With Earth-Friendly Practices; with additional wins in Drinks, Outdoors, Arts & Entertainment, Uniquely Asheville and Pets sections.

H

firestorm.coop

BANK 1 HOMETRUST BANK d e s a htb.com

2 FIRST BANK d w e a localfirstbank.com firstcitizens.com

had a cold one on their minds this year, as evidenced by Highland Brewing winning three top spots in Work & Business this year (Business That Represents the Spirit of Asheville, Business That Gives Back to the Community, Woman-owned Business), plus one runner-up finish.

Health Care retained its place as the best sector in which to work, despite many health care workers being on the front lines of risk during the coronavirus pandemic.

While the health crisis has affected nearly every sector, it has done so more to some than others. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the leisure and hospitality sector was the hardest hit in Asheville, with nearly two-thirds of those workers losing their

44

2 FIRESTORM BOOKSTORE CO-OP w

2 FIRST CITIZENS BANK d n w a AVE a beer. Voters certainly

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

jobs in April 2020. However, about half of those jobs had been recovered by the end of July. Government and mining, logging and construction were the least affected, while education and health services experienced a middling downturn.

A shoutout is due to Mountain BizWorks for its eighth first-place win in as many years for best Support Organization That Promotes New Businesses & Healthy Local Economy.

Its staff and volunteers have been helping local small businesses navigate the troubled waters of assistance programs and tough decision-making in an especially trying year. A helping hand where it’s needed is indeed something to celebrate.

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

— Able Allen X MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

1 MOUNTAIN BIZWORKS d x mountainbizworks.org

BUSINESS WITH EARTHFRIENDLY PRACTICES 1 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d w n s greensagecafe.com

BUSINESS THAT GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

PHOTO COURTESY OF HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

SUPPORT ORGANIZATION FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND NEW BUSINESSES

3 WELLS FARGO d s w a wellsfargo.com

2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS 1 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s hardexerciseworks.com

2 PIANO LAB STUDIOS w s e a pianolabasheville.com

WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

1 PIANO LAB STUDIOS w s e a pianolabasheville.com

INNOVATIVE OR ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS 1 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s hardexerciseworks.com

CREDIT UNION 1 STATE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION d n s ax ncsecu.org

2 TELCO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION e w s a

BUSINESS WITH BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE 1 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s hardexerciseworks.com

telcoccu.org

3 SELF-HELP CREDIT UNION d s e a self-help.org

BANK SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESS 1 HOMETRUST BANK d e s a htb.com

2 FIRST CITIZENS BANK d n w a firstcitizens.com

3 FIRST BANK d w e a localfirstbank.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

Thanks for voting us #1 in WNC seven years in a row!

Thanks, Asheville.

Be audit you can be!

-George Austin CPA, CVA & Joel Chambers

#1 Accountant/CPA

301 W Haywood St Asheville, NC 28801 828-785-1556

Action Tax

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

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BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

45

Thank you to the Best of WNC voters for making us one of the 2020 Best Bank and Best Bank Services for Small Business.

Visit one of our 13 locations across Western North Carolina, and let us help you make big plans.

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Thank you, Asheville!

We couldn't do what we LOVE without YOU and our amazing TEAM! We truly appreciate all of our amazing customers and your votes for

1st Place Best Jeweler / Jewelry Artist!

2nd Place Best Jewelry Store!

Lauren Merrell of LM Photography

Book your free custom jewelry consultation online today!

56 Haywood Street, 28801 (828) 585-7230 foxandbeaux.com MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

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BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

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49

media LOCAL RADIO STATION (COMMERCIAL) 1 98.1 THE RIVER w x 981theriver.com

2 99.9 KISS COUNTRY w 99kisscountry.com

3 MIX 96.5 WOXL w mymix965.com

LOCAL PRINT REPORTER 1 JOHN BOYLE (CITIZEN TIMES) d x citizen-times.com

2 MACKENSY LUNSFORD (CITIZEN TIMES) d citizen-times.com

LOCAL NEWS SOURCE 1 NEWS 13 WLOS s wlos.com

LOCAL RADIO STATION (NONCOMMERCIAL) 1 BLUE RIDGE PUBLIC RADIO (BPR NEWS AND BPR CLASSIC) d x bpr.org

2 88.7 WNCW e wncw.org

3 ASHEVILLE FM 103.3 w AshevilleFM.org

LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY/ ANNOUNCER PHOTO BY ABLE ALLEN

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

W

E know who the local media

heroes are. That’s easy. All of them, for hanging in as essential businesses despite disease, social disruption and loss of advertising support. And who are the best? That, we leave to the voters, whose favorites we present this week.

With COVID-19 news fresh on the minds of voters in April as they cast their ballots, it was easily voted Most Important Local News Story, Most Over-Reported Story and Most UnderReported Story. In these times, somehow that makes perfect sense.

Extra! We have a winning Local Podcast this year. A category we’ve included on the ballot for several years without a declarable winner garnered enough focused votes this time to have a clear victor. Congrats to Making It 50

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

in Asheville, the first winner of WNC’s best Local Podcast.

Meanwhile, we’re prouder ’n all get out to have Eddie Foxx, host of The Eddie Foxx Show on Kiss Country, take his place as a Hall of Fame winner for Best Local Radio Personality/ Announcer. You’uns all clap now.

— Able Allen X

s OUTH e AST w EST OWNTOWN AREA d IVER ARTS DISTRICT r a OUTLYING AREA x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

LOCAL EVENTS INFORMATION SOURCE 1 MOUNTAIN XPRESS d mountainx.com

2 AVLTODAY d avltoday.com

3 NEWS 13 WLOS s wlos.com

FAVORITE FEATURE IN XPRESS 1 CLUBLAND

2 KIPPER SCHAUER (MIX 96.5) w

3 MOVIE REVIEWS

mymix965.com

3 JOSH MICHAEL (JOSH & ARIEL IN THE MORNING, STAR 104.3 FM) w star1043.com

LOCAL TV PERSONALITY/ ANNOUNCER 1 DARCEL GRIMES (WLOS) s wlos.com

2 JAY SILTZER (WLOS) s wlos.com

3 TAMMY WATFORD (WLOS) s LOCAL PRINT PUBLICATION OTHER THAN XPRESS 1 ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES d citizen-times.com

2 THE LAUREL OF ASHEVILLE d thelaurelofasheville.com

3 SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS w a smokymountainnews.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

citizen-times.com

2 ANNUAL BEST OF WNC

wlos.com

n ORTH

mountainx.com

3 ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES d

1 EDDIE FOXX (THE EDDIE FOXX SHOW, 99.9 KISS COUNTRY) w x 99kisscountry.com

Best Local Events Information Source, second place Local News Source

2 MOUNTAIN XPRESS d

calendar.mountainx.com avl.mx/4g5

mountainx.com/movies/reviews

LOCAL NEWS WEBSITE 1 NEWS 13 WLOS s wlos.com

2 ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES d citizen-times.com

3 ASHVEGAS ashvegas.com

3 AVLTODAY d avltoday.com

LOCAL PODCAST 1 MAKING IT IN ASHEVILLE makingitinasheville.com

MOST IMPORTANT LOCAL NEWS STORY (IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS) 1 CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC’S EFFECTS ON LIFE AND ECONOMY 2 BUNCOMBE COUNTY CORRUPTION: GREENE, CREIGHTON, STONE, ET AL 3 HCA PURCHASE OF MISSION HOSPITAL

Continued MOST OVER-REPORTED

MOST UNDER-REPORTED

STORY

STORY

(IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS)

(IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS)

1 CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

1 PROBLEMS AT MISSION HOSPITAL

2 DONALD TRUMP

2 CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

3 BUNCOMBE COUNTY CORRUPTION: GREENE, CREIGHTON, STONE, ET AL

3 BUNCOMBE COUNTY CORRUPTION: GREENE, CREIGHTON, STONE, ET AL

Thank you to the Mountain Xpress readers for voting

DIAMOND THIEVES

BODY PIERCING AND TATTOO

for Best of WNC in 2020

Bring this ad in and get $10 OFF your next piercing or tattoo Responsible Automotive Service & Repair

Thank you for letting us LOVE your vehicle!

Voted one of the BEST OF WNC for 15 years in a row.

Thank you!

Call us!

255.2628

organic-mechanic.com • 568 Haywood Rd • West Asheville MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

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BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

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THANKS, ASHEVILLE! for voting me one of the Best!

8 years in a row!

Sona Merlin Real Estate Broker Appalachian Realty (828) 216-7908 www.sonamerlin.com 52

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Posh Lash Lounge & Beauty Bar

Western North Carolina’s Leader in Eyelash Extensions THANK YOU FOR VOTING GINGER KELLEY 1ST PLACE ESTHETICIAN! Services include eyelash extensions, microblading, lash lifts, facials & waxing, permanent makeup, teeth whitening and full service hair bar

Come see why we’re voted #1!

7 BE AVERDA M RD #103, ASHE VILLE • (828) 348-0111 P O SH L A SH A N DBE AU T Y.C OM

 Thank you WNC for voting

Trinity Pharms Hemp Company one of the best places to buy CBD Oil in the region

 MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

53

pets VETERINARY SERVICES 1 ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF NORTH ASHEVILLE n x ahna.net

2 CHARLOTTE STREET ANIMAL HOSPITAL n

charlottestreetanimalhospital.com

3 THE PET VET ON PATTON w petvetonpatton.com

VETERINARIAN

W

of North Asheville (Hall of Fame winner for Veterinary Services).

And please welcome new Hall of Fame honoree Kim Brophey of The Dog Door (Trainer/Training Center), whose website proclaims a “shameless love of dogs” that may help explain their owners’ feelings as well.

Read on for more insights on the best places to take your pet for grooming, day care and outdoor recreation, plus pet-friendly places to quaff a beer, eat a meal and more.

— Tracy Rose X

avl.mx/841

ALTERNATIVE PET HEALTHCARE PROVIDER 1 ANDREA FOCHIOS (PEOPLE & PETS ACUPUNCTURE) w 2 LAUREL DAVIS (SUNVET ANIMAL WELLNESS) d sunvetanimalwellness.com

PET SUPPLY STORE

s OUTH e AST w EST OWNTOWN AREA d IVER ARTS DISTRICT r a OUTLYING AREA x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

1 THE DOG DOOR (KIM BROPHEY) d x dogdoorcanineservices.com

mindfulmutz.com

woofinthewoods.com

ANIMAL SHELTER/RESCUE ORGANIZATION 1 BROTHER WOLF ANIMAL RESCUE s x bwar.org

2 ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY w ashevillehumane.org

3 MOUNTAIN PET RESCUE w mountainpetrescueavl.org

OUTDOOR PLACE TO TAKE YOUR PET 1 CARRIER PARK w x avl.mx/6vq

2 FRENCH BROAD RIVER PARK w

2 PETSMART e

3 AZALEA ROAD DOG PARK e

pattonavenuepet.com petsmart.com

3 ASHEVILLE PET SUPPLY n ashevillepetsupply.com

PET KENNEL 1 HAPPY TAILS COUNTRY CLUB s w a happytailscc.com

2 THE PET VET ON PATTON w 3 THE SOAPY DOG r thesoapydog.com

PET DAYCARE FACILITY

avl.mx/6vq avl.mx/6vq

PET-FRIENDLY BAR 1 HILLMAN BEER s hillmanbeer.com

2 NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM w newbelgium.com

3 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. TAPROOM e highlandbrewing.com

PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

1 HAPPY TAILS COUNTRY CLUB s w a

1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w

2 THE PET VET ON PATTON w

2 HILLMAN BEER s

3 CANINE SOCIAL CLUB n

3 AVENUE M n

happytailscc.com

petvetonpatton.com

caninesocialclubofasheville.com

54

TRAINER/TRAINING CENTER

1 PATTON AVENUE PET CO. d w s x

petvetonpatton.com

n ORTH

hotdavl.com

3 WOOF IN THE WOODS e a

peopleandpetsacupuncture.com

NC’S collective devotion to our furry, feathered and scaled friends burst out again this year in enthusiastic voting for all things pet-focused. Another indication of our love: growing reader interest in Xpress’ annual Animal Issue, according to voter responses in the last three years of our online surveys.

The Pets section’s heaviest voting took place in the Animal Shelter/Rescue Organization category. Though Brother Wolf Animal Rescue had its challenges in 2019 with its much-discussed reorganization, supporters once again crowned the longtime Hall of Famer as the best.

The category of Pet Supply Store likewise prompted vigorous voting, with Hall of Famer Patton Avenue Pet Co. maintaining its position as top dog.

Voter interest likewise rode high for the section’s new category, Veterinarian, with first-place bragging rights going to Dr. James Earley of the Animal Hospital

pawsitivitypetspa.com

3 HAIR OF THE DOG PET SALON s

2 TIM MCMULLAN (PINNACLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL) s a 3 JONATHAN ALLEN (ALLEN ANIMAL HOSPITAL) n a

Best Alternative Pet Health-Care Provider

waggersdogdepot.com

2 PAWSITIVITY PET SPA w

2 MINDFUL MUTZ TRAINING & BEHAVIOR CONSULTING (HEATHER PLOECHIO) s

pinnacleanimalhospital.com

ANDREA FOCHIOS (PEOPLE & PETS ACUPUNCTURE)

1 WAGGERS DOG DEPOT n x

1 JIM EARLEY (ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF NORTH ASHEVILLE) n ahna.net

PHOTO BY MARY HENDERSON

GROOMING SERVICE

sunnypointcafe.com hillmanbeer.com

avenuemavl.com

Thanks So Much Friends!

THANK YOU for VOTING US #1

Being Voted the #1 Dog Groomer in WNC 10 Years in a Row is such an honor!

We owe it all to our loyal patrons, two & four legs alike. See you soon!

Call Us Today To Experience the Waggers Difference 1020 Merrimon Avenue, Ste. 102 Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 271-4741 www.waggersdogdepot.com

Thank you for voting us

Best Pet Supply Store for 9 years running!

Stop by one of our 3 Asheville locations to see what’s new, including the new self-service dog wash at our South Asheville store!

109 Patton Avenue, Downtown AVL 1392 Patton Avenue, West AVL • 582 Hendersonville Road, South AVL

RelationshipCentered Behavior Solutions Heather Polechio CPDT-KA, CTC, FPPE Licensed Educator

AAHA Certified for 40 Plus Years, Gentle 24 Hour Nursing Care, Advanced & Accurate Dental Care, Gold Standard Feline Practice, Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery, Soft Tissue and Orthopedic Surgery, Endoscopy, Ultrasound, Echocardiograms, Digital X-Ray, Video Ear Diagnostics, Advanced Pain Control

Dr. Earley voted

Best Veterinarian in WNC Unsurpassed in Caring • State-of-the-Art Affordable • Serving all WNC • COVID-19 Protocols

MindfulMutz.com • (828) 230-6389

Thank you WNC for voting us BEST Dry Cleaners in the region for 7 straight years

1 Beaverdam Road at Merrimon Ave. • 828-253-3393 ahna.net • Join us on Facebook MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

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55

Thank you for voting us #2 Pet Groomer in the Best of WNC!

Asheville’s only holistic, appointment-only grooming salon.

We create a strong relationship by providing a truly comfortable experience for every canine client.

• • • • • • •

Celebrating over 40 years of Excellence in Women’s Health Care FIRST PLACE: • Women’s Health Center • Maternity Care/Service (828) 258-9191 • www.ashevillewomens.com 56

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One-on-one appointments available Quarantine-safe measures in place Entirely kennel-free facility TheraClean microbubble baths Skin-specific exclusive spa treatments High-quality hand-scissor styling Aromatherapy and relief techniques included

1388 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806 828-505-8278 • pawsitivitypetspa.com

Commemorate your Best of WNC win with an official plaque This year Mountain Xpress is partnering with Asheville T-Shirt Company to bring you a locally sourced and affordable keepsake.

To purchase, contact your Xpress sales rep or email advertise@ mountainx.com

Plaques are 9x12 laminate material with a glossy finish ready to hang. $60 includes delivery or shipping.

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

57

small towns SWANNANOA & BLACK MOUNTAIN

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1 PISGAH BREWING CO. pisgahbrewing.com

1 TOWN HARDWARE & GENERAL STORE x

2 WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

2 BAD CRAFT

3 STRAIGHTAWAY CAFE & PUB

townhardware.com badcraft828.com

whitehorseblackmountain.com thestraightaway.com

3 SEVEN SISTERS GALLERY sevensistersgallery.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

RETAIL STORE 1 TOWN HARDWARE & GENERAL STOREx townhardware.com

1 LOUISE'S KITCHEN x

2 SASSAFRAS ON SUTTON

2 BLUE RIDGE BISCUIT CO.

3 TYSON FURNITURE

louisesblackmtn.com

fb.com/BlueRidgeBiscuitCompany

sassafrasonsutton.com tysonfurniture.com

3 OPEN OVEN CAFE

ART GALLERY

openovenblkmtn.com

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 VERANDA CAFE x

verandacafeandgifts.com

2 THE TRAILHEAD RESTAURANT & BAR thetrailheadrestaurant.com

3 MY FATHER’S PIZZA & PASTA myfatherspizza.com

DINNER RESTAURANT PHOTO COURTESY OF BOUNTY & SOUL

Best Local Cause to Support

A

58

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— Laura Hackett X MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

svfalarts.org

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 LAKE EDEN ARTS FESTIVAL (LEAF) x theleaf.org

2 THE TRAILHEAD RESTAURANT & BAR

3 THE SWANNANOA GATHERING AT WARREN WILSON COLLEGE

thetrailheadrestaurant.com

Appalachian Java in Burnsville were praised not only for their meals and their caffeinated beverages, but also for their ability to bring locals together.

In Weaverville, the iconic Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe and Blue Mountain Pizza captured the hearts of voters for similar reasons.

We also tip our hats to three new Hall of Fame honorees this year: LEAF Global Arts Festival (Cultural or Historical Landmark–Swannanoa and Black Mountain), Vance Birthplace (Cultural or Historical Landmark– Weaverville and Woodfin) and Hot Springs Resort & Spa (Cultural or Historical Landmark–Hot Springs).

blackmountainarts.org

3 RED HOUSE STUDIO AND GALLERY

2 SOURWOOD FESTIVAL

3 MY FATHER’S PIZZA & PASTA

S travelers and transplants continue to flock to WNC, the charming towns surrounding Asheville seem to grow increasingly alluring, especially for folks who enjoy a bit of breathing room — not to mention such natural wonders as Hot Springs Resort & Spa (Cultural or Historical Landmark–Hot Springs), Mount Mitchell State Park (Local Place to Enjoy The Outdoors– Burnsville) and the Montreat trail system (Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors–Black Mountain).

In addition to local outdoor spots, voters celebrated community fixtures like coffee shops, eateries and breweries. Zuma Coffee in Marshall and

sevensistersgallery.com

2 BLACK MOUNTAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

1 NATIVE KITCHEN + SOCIAL PUB x nativesocialpub.com

BOUNTY & SOUL

1 SEVEN SISTERS CRAFT GALLERY x

myfatherspizza.com

COFFEE & SWEETS

sourwoodfestival.com

swangathering.com

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 THE DRIPOLATOR COFFEEHOUSE x

1 MONTREAT TRAILS & PARK

2 DYNAMITE ROASTING CO.

2 LAKE TOMAHAWK PARK

3 MOMENTS COFFEE BAR & CATERING

3 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

avl.mx/3w7

dynamiteroasting.com

momentscoffeebarandcatering.com

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 PISGAH BREWING CO. pisgahbrewing.com

2 LOOKOUT BREWING CO. lookoutbrewing.com

3 THE TRAILHEAD RESTAURANT & BAR thetrailheadrestaurant.com

townofmontreat.org avl.mx/7xb

blueridgeparkway.org

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 BOUNTY & SOUL bountyandsoul.org

2 BLACK MOUNTAIN HOME FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES blackmountainhome.org

3 SWANNANOA VALLEY CHRISTIAN MINISTRY svcmblackmountain.org

Continued RETAIL STORE 1 PENLAND & SONS DEPARTMENT STORE x

MARSHALL & MARS H ILL

avl.mx/7zj

1 FLOW BODY + HOME flowmarshall.com

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 MERMAID PARADE AND FESTIVAL downtownmarshallnc.com/events

2 BASCOM LAMAR LUNSFORD FESTIVAL mhu.edu

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 BAILEY MOUNTAIN PARK avl.mx/7zk

2 BLANNAHASSETT ISLAND avl.mx/686

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 MADISON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL madisoncountyarts.com

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

PHOTO BY COLBY SEXTON

MERMAID PARADE AND FESTIVAL Best Cultural or Arts Event

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 ZUMA COFFEE x zumascoffee.com

2 FERMENTI

1 HICKORY NUT GORGE BREWERY OPENING hickorynutbrewery.com

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 STAR DINER

stardinerwnc.com

2 STACKHOUSE AMERICAN EATERY & PUB stackhouserestaurant.com

fermenti.biz

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 ZUMA COFFEE zumascoffee.com

2 THE WAGON WHEEL avl.mx/88u

3 THE SWEET MONKEY BAKERY & CAFÉ avl.mx/xmasjb1

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 STACKHOUSE AMERICAN EATERY & PUB stackhouserestaurant.com

2 THE SWEET MONKEY BAKERY & CAFÉ

2 THE ORIGINAL PAPA NICK'S theoriginalpapanicks.com

3 THE SWEET MONKEY BAKERY & CAFÉ avl.mx/xmasjb1

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 ZUMA COFFEE x zumascoffee.com

2 THE LIBRARY COFFEE HOUSE librarycoffeemarshill.com

3 THE SWEET MONKEY BAKERY & CAFÉ avl.mx/xmasjb1

avl.mx/xmasjb1

3 BAA’D SHEEP BURRITOS baadsheepburritos.com

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 MAD CO. BREW HOUSE madisoncountybrewing.com

x

THE HALL OF FAME ICON The Hall of Fame designation is reserved for winners who have won first place four years in a row (or more), including this year (2017 - 2020)

2 HICKORY NUT GORGE BREWERY hickorynutbrewery.com

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1 ZUMA COFFEE zumascoffee.com

2 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN REPERTORY THEATRE (SART) sartplays.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

59

BEST OF small towns

WEAVERVILLE & WOODFIN

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB x

1 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB x

bluemountainpizza.com

bluemountainpizza.com

2 WEAVER HOUSE

2 MANGUM POTTERY

weaverhousenc.com

mangumpottery.com

3 MAGGIE B’S WINE & SPECIALTY STORE

RETAIL STORE

maggiebswine.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 CURTIS WRIGHT OUTFITTERS curtiswrightoutfitters.com

1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ x

2 THE COTTAGE DOOR

2 CREPERIE & CAFE [Closed] 2 STONEY KNOB CAFE

3 MANGUM POTTERY

wellbredbakery.com

thecottagedoorconsignment.com mangumpottery.com

stoneyknobcafe.com

3 TOMMY’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

3 REEMS CREEK NURSERY reemscreek.com

avl.mx/4ve

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ x wellbredbakery.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB Business that Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town, Best Local Bar/Brewery/Watering Hole, Best Music/ Entertainment Venue; third place Dinner Restaurant

ART GALLERY 1 MIYA GALLERY x miyagallery.com

2 STONEY KNOB CAFE

2 ARTISANS ON MAIN

3 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB

3 MANGUM POTTERY

avl.mx/7yu

stoneyknobcafe.com

mangumpottery.com

bluemountainpizza.com

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 STONEY KNOB CAFE x

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 WEAVERVILLE ART SAFARI weavervilleartsafari.com

stoneyknobcafe.com

2 GLASS ONION

2 ART IN AUTUMN

3 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB

3 MUSIC ON MAIN

avl.mx/7zg

glassonionasheville.com

avl.mx/7zh

bluemountainpizza.com

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ x wellbredbakery.com

2 ALLGOOD COFFEE

avl.mx/6cc

3 BAKED PIE CO.

3 BEAVER LAKE

bakedpiecompany.com

First Place for numerous years as The Business that Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town: Weaverville & Woodfin amongst many other awards.

We appreciate your support! check our website for menu updates, operating hours & other important info:



bluemountainpizza.com 

55 N Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787 • 828-658-8778 60

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

avl.mx/6cc

2 MAIN STREET NATURE PARK

allgood.coffee

Thank you Mountain Xpress readers for voting us

1 LAKE LOUISE PARK

thelakeviewpark.org

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB

1 VANCE BIRTHPLACE x

bluemountainpizza.com

avl.mx/7zi

2 ELUVIUM BREWING CO.

2 LAKE LOUISE PARK

eluviumbrewing.com

3 TWISTED LAUREL EATERY & TAPS twistedlaurel.com

Why I support Xpress:

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

avl.mx/6cc

3 WEAVERVILLE TOWN CLOCK

“Local news is so important for the community. I want to make sure it keeps happening for me, my neighbors, my students, and all.”

– Sandra Pyeatt Join Sandra and become a member at SupportMountainX.com

Continued

HOT SPRINGS

The Square rooT

PHOTO COURTESY OF IRON HORSE STATION

IRON HORSE STATION RESTAURANT AND TAVERN

Best Dinner Restaurant, second place Lunch Restaurant BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA x nchotsprings.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 SMOKY MOUNTAIN DINER x avl.mx/2sg

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 SPRING CREEK TAVERN thespringcreektavern.com

2 IRON HORSE STATION RESTAURANT & TAVERN theironhorsestation.com

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 IRON HORSE STATION RESTAURANT & TAVERN x theironhorsestation.com

2 SPRING CREEK TAVERN thespringcreektavern.com

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 SPRING CREEK TAVERN thespringcreektavern.com

RETAIL STORE 1 BLUFF MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS avl.mx/7zl

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK 1 HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA x nchotsprings.com

Brevard

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 BLUFF MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL avl.mx/7zm

1 FRENCH BROAD RIVER FESTIVAL frenchbroadriverfestival.com

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA

First Place - Lunch Restaurant First Place - Dinner Restaurant

s q ua r e r o o t r e s ta u r a n t . c o m

nchotsprings.com

33 TimeS arcade alley B r e va r d , N c 828.884.6171

2 APPALACHIAN TRAIL (AT) appalachiantrail.org

3 MAX PATCH avl.mx/7uw

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

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BEST OF small towns COFFEE & SWEETS

BURNSVILLE

1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE appalachianjavaburnsville.com

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

URGENT CARE

re.imagined

1 HOMEPLACE BEER CO.

Simplified. Transparent. Respectful.

homeplacebeer.com

Skip the wait and schedule your appointment online at

2 SNAP DRAGON garden-deli.com

rangeurgentcare.com

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

Now Offering HOUSE

CALLS!

1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE appalachianjavaburnsville.com

2 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. homeplacebeer.com

Urgent Care DELIVERED

RETAIL STORE

Asheville • Black Mountain Virtual • House Calls

1 SOMETHING SPECIAL GIFT SHOP

8am-7:30pm Everyday

avl.mx/55a

ART GALLERY

commemorate your Best of WNC win with an official plaque

1 TOE RIVER ARTS GALLERY toeriverarts.org

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 MOUNT MITCHELL CRAFTS FAIR avl.mx/7zn

2 TOE RIVER STUDIO TOUR toeriverarts.org

PHOTO BY JOHN SILVER

HOMEPLACE BEER CO.

Best Thing to Happen to Your Town in the Last 12 Months, Best Local Bar/Brewery/Watering Hole, second place Music/Entertainment Venue This year Mountain Xpress is partnering with Asheville T-Shirt Company to bring you a locally sourced and affordable keepsake.

Plaques are 9x12 laminate material with a glossy finish ready to hang. $60 includes delivery or shipping.

To purchase, contact your Xpress sales rep or email advertise@mountainx.com

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE appalachianjavaburnsville.com

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE appalachianjavaburnsville.com

2 GARDEN DELI garden-deli.com

3 PIG & GRITS

1 MOUNT MITCHELL STATE PARK avl.mx/7zo

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 YANCEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY yanceyhumanesociety.org

pigandgrits.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE appalachianjavaburnsville.com

2 PIG & GRITS

pigandgrits.com

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LUNCH RESTAURANT

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

appalachianjavaburnsville.com

2 MOUNTAIN CHEF BISTRO mountainchefbistro.com

1 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. OPENING homeplacebeer.com

Thank you so much for voting for me as the best real estate attorney!

Realtors, tired of waiting for a call back from your real estate attorney?

We answer all communications in real-time or within 4 business hours!

Service oriented, New-school law office utilizing the latest technology and highest standards of customer service to offer you a seamless, stress-free real estate closing.

“Closings with Zeno Lancaster = Well Advised, Organized, and Sanitized”

Zeno B. Lancaster, IV

MANAGING ATTORNEY

189 E CHESTNUT ST | ASHEVILLE, NC 28801 Free, dedicated parking lot.

PHONE: 828.505.8514 | FAX: 828.365.6046

WWW.LANCASTERLAWFIRM.COM | ZENO@LANCASTERLAWFIRM.COM

Offices in Hendersonville located inside the Keller Williams Mountain Partners building.

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

SEPT. 23 - 29, 2020

BEST OF WNC - PART TWO

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