Mountain Xpress 12.06.2017

2

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

Asheville is our home & we are committed to providing wholesome baked goods using vintage recipes and quality ingredients.

Locally Owned, Sourced & Operated

GRAND OPENING Wednesday, Dec. 13th

Ribbon Cutting at 4pm Special Holiday Orders: Breads, Pies, Cakes & Desserts Catering for Corporate & Social Gatherings Fresh Bread on Fridays & Saturdays Wedding Cakes & Desserts

1570 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28806

(828) 785-1930 www.northstarbakehouse.com Monday – Friday 7am – 6pm

EXTENDED HOURS: Saturday 8am – 6pm Sunday 8am – 3pm MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

3

4

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

5

Asheville’s Paddle Shop

C O NT E NT S

PAGE 30 REPAIRED IN ASHEVILLE, USA Local craftspeople who specialize in repairing items — from leather goods to clothing to watches — say their businesses are driven by equal parts nostalgia, thriftiness and practical need.

COVER PHOTO Evan Anderson COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick

Specialty shops

NEWS

FEATURES 10 PUSHING THE PENDULUM How local organizers shifted city politics to the left

This week’s issue highlights some of Asheville and Western North Carolina’s specialty shops. Our coverage includes six stories spanning news, environment, wellness, history and arts. We hope you’ll enjoy browsing these special retailers in print — and that you may even be inspired to check them out in person.

letters/commentary to LETTERS@MOUNTAINX.COM sustainability news to GREEN@MOUNTAINX.COM a&e events and ideas to AE@MOUNTAINX.COM

or try our easy online calendar at MOUNTAINX.COM/EVENTS food news and ideas to FOOD@MOUNTAINX.COM wellness-related events/news to MXHEALTH@MOUNTAINX.COM business-related events/news to BUSINESS@MOUNTAINX.COM

get info on advertising at ADVERTISE@MOUNTAINX.COM

WELLNESS FOOD

45 FERMENTING FERVOR Tips from Asheville food artisans on making DIY probiotic foods

A&E

place a web ad at WEBADS@MOUNTAINX.COM

52 POSTERIZED Push Skate Shop and Gallery hosts The Illustrated Rock Art of N.C. group show

A&E

NEWS

20 POWER TO THE PEBBLE Rock shops embrace Earth’s aesthetic and energy

25 HERBAN PHARMACIES Asheville’s herb shops offer supplements from A to Z

54 REAL TALK Monica McDaniel stages a play inspired by addiction issues in her community

question about the website?

WEBMASTER@MOUNTAINX.COM find a copy of xpress JTALLMAN@MOUNTAINX.COM

7 LETTERS 7 CARTOON: MOLTON 9 CARTOON: BRENT BROWN 25 WELLNESS 30 GREEN SCENE 36 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 38 CONSCIOUS PARTY 45 FOOD 47 SMALL BITES 50 BEER SCOUT 52 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 56 SMART BETS 61 CLUBLAND 67 MOVIES 68 SCREEN SCENE 69 CLASSIFIEDS 70 FREEWILL ASTROLOGY 71 NY TIMES CROSSWORD

To subscribe to Mountain Xpress, send check or money order to: Subscription Department, PO Box 144, Asheville NC 28802. First class delivery.

One year (52 issues) $130 / Six months (26 issues) $70. We accept Mastercard & Visa.

MOUNTAINX.COM

news tips & story ideas to NEWS@MOUNTAINX.COM

venues with upcoming shows CLUBLAND@MOUNTAINX.COM

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Mountain Xpress is available free throughout Western North Carolina. Limit one copy per person. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 payable at the Xpress office in advance. No person may, without prior written permission of Xpress, take more than one copy of each issue.

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

(828) 251-1333 fax (828) 251-1311

events can be submitted to CALENDAR@MOUNTAINX.COM

12/18/17

6

C ONTAC T US

WWW.MOUNTAINX.COM FACEBOOK.COM/MOUNTAINX follow us @MXNEWS, @MXARTS, @MXEAT, @MXHEALTH, @MXCALENDAR, @MXENV, @MXCLUBLAND we use these hashtags #AVLNEWS, #AVLENT, #AVLEAT, #AVLOUT, #AVLBEER, #AVLGOV, #AVLHEALTH, #AVLWX

COPYRIGHT 2017

BY MOUNTAIN XPRESS ADVERTISING COPYRIGHT 2017

BY MOUNTAIN XPRESS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

OPINION

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

STA F F PUBLISHER: Jeff Fobes ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER: Susan Hutchinson MANAGING EDITOR: Virginia Daffron A&E EDITOR/WRITER: Alli Marshall FOOD EDITOR/WRITER: Gina Smith NEWS EDITOR/WRITER: Carolyn Morrisroe OPINION EDITOR: Tracy Rose WELLNESS EDITOR/WRITER: Susan Foster STAFF REPORTERS/WRITERS: Able Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Virginia Daffron, Max Hunt, Carolyn Morrisroe CALENDAR EDITOR: Abigail Griffin

CARTOO N BY RAN D Y M O LT O N

Antifa story approach backfired As someone who is a mainstream representative of the “faces of dissent,” I find your cover story angle and photo of a covered antifa activist both offensive and counterproductive [“Everyday People: Local Activists Strive for Social Change” Nov. 8, Xpress]. It is a surefire way to reinforce conservative people’s preconceived notions of “the Other” and delegitimize the valid, broad-based — and mostly mainstream — tranche of citizenry fighting the “good fight” in these troubling times.

I don’t know what your aim was, but it certainly backfired with me, a voter/activist dedicated to helping see through the quickest, most effective end of Trump, his ilk and all he/ they represent. It backfired equally, if more so, with my evangelical mother. Your cover photo choice is not the best way to facilitate a healthy dialogue, which is the best way we can start to heal the unhealthy divisions in our society, neighborhoods, workplaces and — at its most intimate and painful level — families.

You would have done far better to put my 70-year-old mother-in-law on your cover. She’s a college-educated, water-aerobics-loving church choir

singer and volunteer at her community’s medical supply donation center.

She, who has all her life not had the slightest activist bone in her body, has joined a group in her community who gather regularly to phone and email politicians, holding them to account for their divisive and damaging positions and votes. That cover photo might have actually made it easier for someone like my mother to validate the myriad dissenters among us, as well as reinforce to those needing nudges to join our ranks and help turn the tide.

— Liz Siena

A visiting American expat and member of the “faces of dissent”

London, England Editor’s response: As the words that appear on the cover suggest, the person pictured represents just one of many “faces of dissent.” In the article, Xpress sought to provide local activists and organizations a chance to speak to their motives and methods and to address negative stereotypes. We hope readers will take these local perspectives into account as they explore their own viewpoints on the various issues touched upon in the article. We are also appreciative that readers have taken the opportunity to voice their opinions, since one key goal of the article was to stimulate dialogue.

CLUBLAND EDITORS: Abigail Griffin, Max Hunt MOVIE REVIEWERS: Scott Douglas, Francis X. Friel, Justin Souther CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Peter Gregutt, Rob Mikulak REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Jonathan Ammons, Liisa Andreassen, Kari Barrows, Leslie Boyd, Jacqui Castle, Scott Douglas, David Floyd, Tony Kiss, Bill Kopp, Cindy Kunst, Kate Lundquist, Monroe Spivey, Lauren Stepp, Daniel Walton ADVERTISING, ART & DESIGN MANAGER: Susan Hutchinson GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Norn Cutson, Scott Southwick, Olivia Urban MARKETING ASSOCIATES: Sara Brecht, Bryant Cooper, Niki Kordus, Ciru Muchiri, Tim Navaille, Brian Palmieri, Heather Taylor INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES & WEB: Bowman Kelley, DJ Taylor BOOKKEEPER: Amie Fowler-Tanner ADMINISTRATION, BILLING, HR: Able Allen, Lauren Andrews DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Jeff Tallman ASST. DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Denise Montgomery DISTRIBUTION: Gary Alston, Russell Badger, Frank D’Andrea, Jemima Cook Fliss, Adrian Hipps, Clyde Hipps, Jennifer Hipps, Joan Jordan, Laura Stinson, Brittney Turner-Daye, Thomas Young

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

7

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

O PINION

Are apartments in Asheville the real problem?

[In reference to the online post, “Stop and Go: Apartments Stall, Townhomes Get Green Light,” Nov. 9, Xpress:] Wow, I can’t believe that he (James Wilson) would have to endure “a chorus of boos” for doing business with myself and our company solely for putting apartments in AVL. [Buncombe County Board of Adjustment member] James Wilson is one of the kindest and nicest people that I know, and he’s a land broker and a real estate investor.

He’s also a great person with a wonderful family, perhaps the kindest person out there — and he had to stand there and take “boos” from the apartment protesters of his own city for investing in apartments?!?

That’s so sad. Sorry, James.

I’m curious as to people’s motives for such actions. Asheville obviously has a housing shortage, and I’m not sure what the apartment protesters think the answer is to that problem. Is it houses that most can’t get a mortgage [for] due to such tough underwriting regulations?

Is it that “affordable housing” requires subsidies that are extremely difficult to get and especially within the time frames allowed? Or perhaps, is it that with such

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Wed., Dec. 13th 4 - 8pm

FREE mini salt cave sessions, chair massage & snacks!

Discounted holiday shopping & winners drawn hourly.

No reservations necessary

12 Eagle Street • DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE

ashevillesaltcave.com 8

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

demand for any housing, rentals of all sorts and product type are in such short supply that even the oldest and maintenance-deprived apartments are getting sky-high rental rates. And that’s mainly because people don’t have many housing options to [choose] from.

I hope the apartment protesters understand that without increasing supply while demand grows, then so will the price point in the rental rates. I really wish I had been at that meeting to see how some people can be so spiteful over “right by use” development. Asheville is growing, and people need a place to live, not to mention that growth in the county’s and city’s tax bases that could go toward the affordable housing fund; also, more units create downward pressure on rental rates for the older existing properties.

Also, the current infrastructure and lack of road safety in Asheville and Buncombe County seem so much more important than any new apartment project. Apartments simply don’t kill people, but an outdated and unsafe infrastructure system and lack of road safety do all the time.

I fully respect the opinions of the people of Asheville and the greater area. However, there’s a housing shortage there, and we’re helping ameliorate that situation with each new community. Growth has to come to Asheville and will continue. While a specific person has been quoted referring to our communities as “tacky,” I respectfully disagree, but she’s absolutely entitled to speak in such a distasteful manner. We all have rights in Asheville.

— Nick Hathaway Partner and director of development

Hathaway Development

Atlanta

Encouraging dialogue in our local community I’m continually encouraged and even overwhelmed by the many events in Asheville that participate in the big issues of our time. It keeps alive hope for our children in shaping the future.

On Nov. 18, AARP, an organization for ages 50 and over, facilitated a multigenerational event with veterans and students in the ROTC at the Arthur R. Edington Education and Career Center in Asheville.

Veterans, AARP volunteers and students in the ROTC program participated.

For all of us, I believe, it was inspirational and encouraging to hear the high school students’ viewpoints: intelligent and thoughtful.

The process was conducted in a manner that gave everyone a chance to share opinions.

I attend many meetings and events in the area that offer hope for peace and justice in making our small corner of the world a little bit better. These are underreported or even ignored in our local news. Thus, we get a

continual stream of what’s “wrong” in America.

Yes, we have to know what’s wrong in America but also be aware of the many, many groups here and across the country that devote their efforts for a more peaceful and united world — not a perfect world — but a more loving, understanding and tolerant world.

Everyone can participate in this Bigger Story in some way. For example, a simple call to your representative [at the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at] 202-224-3121 and the White House at 202-456-1111 to leave a comment may seem small, but in a democracy, many voices do have an effect.

Founding Father and President James Madison has described war as the most dreaded enemy of public liberty, the parent of armies, debt and taxes.

— Ed Sacco

Asheville

Rural veterans need transportation help I am writing about our local veterans who live in rural areas in Buncombe County. My concern is that transportation availability is limited for vets for accessing health services and other essential destinations such as grocery stores. I am encouraging our citizens to help by volunteering to drive veterans in rural county locations.

Our veterans living in rural areas need access to essential health services.

Reliable transportation is a missing link that often results in vets’ needs going unmet. Current transportation resources in Buncombe County are inadequate in reaching veterans over age 55 and onethird of those now returning from the Gulf Wars, all of whom reside in rural areas. Those vets who do not have family or friends able to take them by car may be unable to get to outpatient services for mental health, substance abuse, hypertension, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Here are two ways that individuals might help our vets: 1. One available service is the Disabled American Veterans program, which has qualifications for membership. If eligible, veterans can receive transportation services to all of the health services listed above.

Our local DAV needs volunteers to taxi rural veterans to needed services. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the DAV Buncombe County Chapter No. 2 at 828-367-5591.

2. Not all veterans qualify for the DAV, nor are all transportation needs health-related. Veterans need groceries. Those interested in volunteering [to] transport veterans in remote locations can check with their church, synagogue, mosque or other spiritual community for opportunities.

If anyone knows a veteran who may need assistance, volunteering to take them to health services, grocery stores or shop-

ping, [or] helping drive them is a way of giving thanks for their service to you and our country.

— Teresa Fliearman Student in the Western Carolina University Master of Social Work Program

Black Mountain

The faux snowflake of Pack Square Have other Mountain Xpress readers noted that the lighted snowflake in Pack Square in downtown Asheville only has five points?

It’s a scientific certainty of nature that all snowflakes have six points, due to the natural crystallization patterns of water molecules.

How did Asheville get duped by a “snowflake imposter”?!

— David Byers

Asheville

Time to ramp up progress on equitable food system The time has come for Asheville to ramp up food production on city land, support regional farmers in meaningful ways and empower residents to grow more food in neighborhoods throughout the city.

In 2013, City Council passed a Food Policy Action Plan. While some notable progress has been made due to the work of the city’s Office of Sustainability and its commitment to partnerships, overall, the accomplishments have been few and the ambition limited.

On Nov. 28, City Council voted to adopt a revised Food Policy Action Plan, one that digs deeper and sets the stage for creative dialogue and innovative policy development to support a more robust food system in our region. The revised plan includes action items to ramp up food production and strengthen relationships with partners by drawing on and elevating community expertise and passion.

Prioritized inventory and assessment work will collect and analyze the myriad of resources already at play in this complex field in order to better understand existing efforts in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. With this deeper understanding, we can build a foundation for ambitious, metrics-based, collaborative initiative development in coming years.

As a progressive city with a “food destination” reputation, it is our responsibility to make an equitable food system a goal and to make food policy and programs a high priority across city departments. We do not expect the Food Policy Action Plan

C A RT O O N B Y B R E NT B R O W N to be the solution; rather, the Food Policy Action Plan is a call to action for city government, an example for the county and an important commitment by the city of Asheville to take these issues on head-first in authentic partnership with the community. Time to dig in!

— Kiera Bulan

Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council Coordinator

Black Mountain

Unity is key to progressives regaining power A year has passed since millions of people around the globe mourned the United States’ election results. Some said it served the Democrats right. Some said to give him a chance. Some fell into deep depression.

If you were one who cheered the results, then this essay is not for you. If you were one who mourned and still holds great fear for our country and the world, then please read on.

In the past year, previously inactive people signed petitions, made phone calls, wrote letters, marched in rallies and attempted to meet with their representatives. Those previously too polite to discuss politics publicly are holding dialogues about values and issues in coffee shops and restaurants. People, like myself, who had no idea how to get involved are now fullblown activists.

This is all positive. This is our civic duty, and as Bernie Sanders says, “If there was ever a time in history for a generation to be bold and to think big, to stand up and fight back, now is that time.”

Fear and anxiety still persist. Every day, it seems more bad news hits the headlines.

More division is felt not just between parties, but within parties.

My biggest fear is that the goal of those in charge will persist and we the people will be so divided that in 2018 and again in 2020, we’ll continue to see the country we love deteriorate into something we cannot bear.

The only viable solution is for us to pull together and join votes to change the establishment. We must encourage candidates to stand for the equity and empowerment of all. We must unite!

Without unity, we will fail. We will fail miserably.

How do we do join forces and stop the agenda to divide us further?

We may dream of a multiparty system and may even want to vote as if it existed, but the reality is we live in a two-party system: the Democrats and the Republicans. A third party has never won a presidential election. They have only been successful in splitting a party, causing the “other side” to win.

This is what we cannot allow to happen in 2018 and 2020!

If we truly want to see a more progressive and saner government, we will have to vote for either a Democrat or Republican.

If we expect to ever stand a chance of get-

ting a government that we can be proud of, we must begin to move the dial in the direction we’d like to go.

I fully understand the difficulty in voting for a party candidate you do not like or believe in. I also understand if we vote third party in 2018 and 2020, we will never win, and the Republicans will continue their disastrous agenda. I would far rather vote for someone who stands a chance of winning and aligns with at least some issues that defend all people than to toss my vote away on a third party.

We need to nudge the country in a kinder and more conscientious direction.

To do that, I believe we need to help the Democrats who stand up for the good of all and to unify around these candidates at the voting booths.

This is why a group of dedicated progressives has united to form the Progressive Democrats of Buncombe County. North Carolina is the 18th state to have a progressive Democratic caucus, and we need vast numbers of people and energy to unify the Democrats and progressive independents to come together and win in 2018 and beyond.

We must come together! We must encourage and vote for Democratic candidates that stand up for the good of all.

United we win.

For more information, please email PDOBPresident@gmail.com.

— Kris Kramer

Black Mountain MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

9

NEWS

PUSHING THE PENDULUM How local organizers shifted city politics to the left

BY ABLE ALLEN aallen@mountainx.com NEWS A N D A N A LY S I S These days, it seems, a conservative candidate has about as much chance of winning a seat on Asheville’s City Council as a minimum-wage worker has of affording downtown housing. It’s been 10 years since a registered Republican was elected to Council, and the only such candidate in this year’s race didn’t make it past the primary.

But former Council member and Vice Mayor Jan Davis remembers a time when city government looked dramatically different. Back in 2004, the seven-member body included two conservative Republicans (Vice Mayor Carl Mumpower and Joe Dunn) and two progressive Democrats (Holly Jones and Brownie Newman). “And then,” says Davis, “there was [Mayor Charles Worley], Terry [Bellamy] and myself, who were more moderate with leanings one direction or another.”

Those “moderates” were all registered Democrats, but all three might have trouble getting elected today.

A few years later, Cecil Bothwell, who served on City Council alongside Davis, would describe him as “a Republican in Dem clothing”; Bellamy, meanwhile, would come up short in her bid for Congress, failing to garner strong support even in Asheville. Both Jones and Newman moved up the ladder to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, and at the other end of the spectrum, the two conservatives were cast aside.

Bellamy defeated Dunn in the 2005 mayoral race, and four years later, Mumpower was unseated in a clean sweep by progressives.

“As time passed,” says Davis, “the political will of the community became a little more polar, and the progressive community became a larger part of a more conservative Democratic organization. I think there were a good many more moderate Democrats at the time, and then the progres-

10

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

POLITICAL CLIMATE CHANGE: Although total voter registration in Asheville grew by almost 19,000 individuals in the past decade and a half, the number of registered Republicans decreased by nearly 3,000. While there was a spike in Democratic registration around the time of Barack Obama’s first election, the recent growth in registration has been mostly from unaffiliated voters. Meanwhile, for City Council elections, Democrats are showing up in disproportionately high numbers. Graphics by Able Allen with data from the Buncombe County Board of Elections

MOUNTAINX.COM

sive faction of the party became a little more established.”

Asheville has long been a liberal bastion in a right-leaning region, a tendency that Davis traces back to the Depression era. But what’s changed in recent years to make it so unlikely that a right-wing candidate — or even one who, not so long ago, would have been considered a moderate — could get elected?

THE NEWMAN ARC Newman, who currently chairs the Board of Commissioners, didn’t get elected the first time he ran for City Council, or even the second. But his subsequent rise to power closely parallels Asheville’s political shift over the last two decades. Newman began his political career as an activist working

on air-quality issues and opposition to logging in national forests. He eventually became executive director of the Western North Carolina Alliance (now MountainTrue), a nonprofit environmental advocacy group.

That activism, Newman says now, ranged from public demonstrations to lobbying legislators to legally challenging timber sales. Gradually, says

EMPYREAN ARTS BEGINNING AERIAL ARTS Sundays 2:15pm Mondays 6:30pm Tuesdays 1:00pm Handmade custom fit lingerie and ethically made brands from around the world

NOW OPEN Tue-Fri 11-6, Sat 12-5 • 828.505.2506 842 Haywood Rd. West Asheville

BEGINNING POLE Sundays 3:30pm Mondays 5:15pm Thursdays 8:00pm

first class for new students $15

32 Banks Ave #108 • Downtown Asheville

EmpyreanArts.org 782.3321

LONG VIEW: Jan Davis joined Asheville City Council in 2003 along with Brownie Newman and Terry Bellamy, and spent three terms watching the Council move to the left consistently on social issues. Photo by Pat Barcas Newman, “I started thinking, ‘In addition to writing letters and urging other elected officials to do stuff, we need to just get good people elected.’

So I started also working with other people’s campaigns.”

In 1999, Newman ran as an environmentally focused candidate and came within 53 votes of claiming a City Council seat. “A lot of people were very surprised that I almost won,” he recalls, adding that although he thought he

had a chance at the time, he didn’t yet know what he was doing politically.

Being perceived as a single-issue candidate may have both helped and hurt him, Newman says now, conceding that some voters may have wanted a more balanced approach. But, “There were also some people who said, ‘We need somebody on City Council who brings

CONTINUES ON PAGE 12

frugalframer

custom picture framing since 1975

What would you like to fram e?

Thank you for voting us #1!

Downtown

95 Cherry Street North 828.258.2435

Arden

2145 Hendersonville Rd. 828.687.8533

www.frugalframer.com

frugalframer.com

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

11

N EWS that kind of background.’” He also notes that he knocked on literally thousands of doors, a tactic that was rare at the time but has since been employed by many successful local campaigns.

Newman didn’t fare as well in his next attempt, two years later. The tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, he says, “created an environment where being this progressive environmental activist was not what people were looking for.” He finished fifth, behind Jones and three more conservative candidates.

The third time proved to be the charm, however: Newman had more experience, better funding and was coming off a legislative victory thanks to his involvement in the 2002 push to pass North Carolina’s landmark Clean Smokestacks Act. It was during his seven years on City Council that the shift to the left played out. “The 2003 election,” says Newman, “was the first of basically the progressive community getting more politically organized. … The following election, the

SPEAKING UP: Jasmine Beach-Ferrara translated her history of organizing and activism into a seat on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in 2016 when she prevailed in the election over Gordon Smith and Isaac Coleman. Photo by Able Allen progressive community got a lot of new voices on City Council and really never looked back from there. It’s been a progressive majority ever since. Which was great, because it opened up all these opportunities to actually do a lot of the things that I was interested in and that made me want to run for City Council in the first place.”

The growing support for Newman and other candidates of his kind would eventually create the opportunity for someone like him to assume the mantle of leadership at the county level, which had long been reserved for moderates such as David Gantt, Newman’s predecessor as board chair.

Part of it, Davis maintains, had to do with the different strengths the various City Council candidates brought to the table. “I think Brownie’s election made a lot of difference because he became a great spokesman for [environmental and social equality] causes … just as I was a small-business person with a history of working on planning, zoning and those things that I felt were important to the city; just as Holly brought social concerns to it. And Terry brought her social concerns to it, and Carl was probably not nearly as far right then as he is today.”

Buncombe County has more than 188,000 registered voters, and Asheville accounts for only about 70,000 of them, so clearly there are limits to progressive city residents’ ability to sway county

12

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

elections. But even with an expanded Board of Commissioners and district elections — both imposed on Buncombe County by the Republican-dominated General Assembly — Newman was able to claim the chairmanship of a still narrowly Democratic-majority board, and progressive candidates have also prevailed in the races for sheriff, district attorney and clerk of court. In 2008, 2012 and 2016, Democrats managed a clean sweep of all the countywide contests.

Thus, Newman’s electoral success mirrors a broader local political trend that’s played out over decades.

ISSUE ENTREPRENEURS “All public politics is driven by people that are called entrepreneurs,” says Bill Sabo, professor emeritus of political science at UNC Asheville. These political actors, he says, use whatever tools they have to drive their various causes forward, whether the goal is enacting policy or controlling elections.

This political dynamic, notes Sabo, has a long history in Asheville, “going way back to Weldon Weir [the powerful city manager from 1950-68] and all the people in that ilk; politics was dominated by this inner core. As they passed from the scene, they were replaced by a group of issue entrepreneurs, and this became characteristic of United States politics as a whole.” In the 1970s and

’80s, he says, a new breed of amateurs with specific agendas became increasingly influential in getting their ideas before the public. “The goal of the issue activists,” Sabo maintains, “is less to win elections than it is to sort of purify politics to the point where ‘good things’ happen — however they define good things.”

The phenomenon, he points out, isn’t limited to one end of the political spectrum. Notable local issue entrepreneurs run the gamut from Bothwell, the progressive incumbent who lost in this year’s Council primary, to Mumpower, who’s parlayed his recent unsuccessful bids for office into chairing the local Republican Party.

Both of those radically opposed figures, says Sabo, rose to prominence by expressing their views through letters to the editor and other widely accessible platforms. That’s typical of the modern amateur politician, he says: “Issue-oriented entrepreneurs play that game in the public realm; the old party politicians played it behind closed doors.”

The watershed event, Sabo believes, was the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where populist liberals clashed with police and there was a widespread rejection of backroom deals. The fallout from that, he maintains, launched a general opening up of politics in both parties. Previously, the party leadership had chosen the candidates, based more on a belief that they could win than on their adherence to a particular political litmus test, says Sabo. But these days, voters in the primaries “want someone who is issue-pure, who is committed to the agenda, whatever that agenda is. And thus issue purity replaces the ability to compromise as the primary drive or motivation for politicians.”

According to the volumes of available data, says Sabo, these issue entrepreneurs/activists have three things in common: Regardless of their political positions, they’re welleducated; their financial situation enables them to devote time and energy to politics; and they “have been involved in organizations for a long time,” with some degree of success. “So they learn that it pays to get involved. … They think that what they do matters.” And that feeling of accomplishment creates an incentive for continued political involvement.

er. Political action, she believes, should be undertaken in relationship with others to achieve a shared dream.

She grew up being involved in Democratic politics with her mother during presidential campaigns and got more involved with issue work in college. After moving to Asheville in 2002, Beach-Ferrara jumped into the local political arena, promoting the Democratic slate in 2004 largely because she opposed the Iraq War. Another motivation, she says, was that this was

when Republicans began using bans on same-sex marriage as a political tactic.

It was a tough year for Democrats in the region. National-level candidates went down in defeat, from presidential contender John Kerry to Patsy Keever, who was seeking to unseat Charles Taylor in the 11th Congressional District. Meanwhile, at the county level, the results were mixed: Democrats carried the Board of Commissioners seats, but Republican Nathan Ramsey retained the chairmanship.

The following year, Beach-Ferrara focused on city politics, lending a hand with field operations in Robin Cape’s successful City Council bid. “We’d had the opportunity to organize together during the 2004 cycle, and at the time, she was running as a grassroots candidate who was calling really clearly for the progressive agenda,” Beach-Ferrara recalls. “I admired the way she was approaching politics.”

CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

GETTING ORGANIZED Buncombe County Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara has another name for these active politicos: organiz-

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

13

N EWS Those back-to-back campaigns reignited Beach-Ferrara’s passion for electoral politics, she says. “It definitely was when I really fell in love with organizing, and in the years after that I started thinking about the possibility of running for office at some point.”

She subsequently did field work on Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign and opposing Proposition 8 (a California same-sex marriage ban that became a national rallying cry for pro-marriage equality groups). After complet-

ing divinity school, Beach-Ferrara returned to Asheville and formed the nonprofit Campaign for Southern Equality to advocate for equal rights for the LGBTQ community. Years of intense public issue work and legal challenges were vindicated by the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage; the group has continued its social justice work on other fronts.

Meanwhile, in 2016, she decided to seek the Buncombe County Board of

Commissioners seat left open when Holly Jones mounted an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor. “A lot had to do with the policy issues that you get to work on, specifically around education and public health, pre-K issues, the human welfare side of things,” Beach-Ferrara explains. The seat is easily winnable by a progressive because most of the district overlaps with Asheville. She only faced opposition in the primary and ran unopposed in the general election.

As a candidate, notes Newman, Beach-Ferrara “had a clear issueactivist background on an issue that’s strongly supported by progressives in the community. So, in many ways, that was a big asset to her: All these people who agree with her on those issues were predisposed to support her. But I think if you’re coming from an issue-activist background,” he continues, “the burden is on you to demonstrate that you’re not just a one-trick pony: You’re going to have to represent a lot of other concerns. And I think Jasmine did a good job of that.”

And while Beach-Ferrara broke ground last year as the county’s first openly gay elected official (thanks mainly to the support of city voters), she’s only one in a line of recent issue operatives who’ve fared well in local politics. After two unsuccessful City Council bids, for example, Chris Pelly won a Council seat when he made sidewalks an inescapable campaign issue in 2011. Pelly says he’d worked as a community organizer almost all his adult life, whether paid or as a volunteer, and after having some success in bringing projects and infrastructure to East Asheville, other activists recruited him to run again. “If you’re going to be successful at this,” says Pelly, “you need help from other people, and they were ready to help.”

DICTATING THE CONVERSATION Some of the folks who moved to Asheville in the 1990s held fringe liberal views that would have found little support on City Council at the time, but thanks to the subsequent sea change, they now find themselves ideologically aligned with new establishment Democrats such as Mayor Esther Manheimer.

“What happens,” says Sabo, “is the agenda changes, and the choices change with them. People are very consistent with their views, but the whole spectrum shifts.” According to all the evidence at the national level, he continues, people don’t typically adjust their positions; instead,

14

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

the public conversation moves either closer to or further away from those firmly held beliefs.

And in Asheville, argues Mumpower, “Progressives have been extraordinarily successful in organizing their voting bloc and asserting their will on our community.”

Sabo, however, says that’s been true selectively rather than across the board. For all practical purposes, he maintains, this is still a conservative community when it comes to economic issues, as evidenced by the deep disparity in incomes and the rapid pace of development. At the same time, he notes, the city has shifted significantly left on social and environmental issues — thanks in part to the rise of issue entrepreneurship.

Asheville, says Sabo, has “grown so fast, and all the markers of community have disappeared.” Consequently, community involvement tends to manifest in niches, such as Asheville on Bikes, the St. Lawrence Green campaign or the person’s particular neighborhood group. “The agenda doesn’t stagnate,” he says. “There’s a constant push, and this is a result of activities by entrepreneurs and activists to control it. …

Whoever controls the agenda controls what people think about and controls the choices.” So an issue activist’s constant goal is to keep that concern firmly fixed in the public’s awareness.

Political campaigns give candidates a very public pulpit, though the tactic has its limits, cautions Sabo. Because when someone with a pet issue runs for office, other issue activists will immediately try to push them in all sorts of directions.

In order to win, candidates must choose their issues carefully.

Those who use their candidacy to promote a particular issue, he says, often burn out in the course of the campaign if the public doesn’t buy into their agenda. Others, however, pick their issues based on what they think voters will support. “The difference between politicians and issue activists,” says Sabo, “is that politicians have a clear, distinct and well-defined goal: to win the election.”

A SUBJUGATED MINORITY? According to Newman, local politics’ leftward shift “reflects the community’s political values; the demographics of the city have gone in that direction.”

But even as Newman, BeachFerrara and neighborhood organizers like Pelly, former Vice Mayor Marc Hunt and, more recently, Vijay Kapoor have leveraged hyperlocal issue activism to gain political power,

Mumpower has taken a different tack in the wake of his electoral losses.

Mumpower began his political career by opposing what he calls “progressive intrusions on our community’s traditional values. It seemed important to resist that slide — and thus my step toward political engagement as a reluctant candidate.” But since losing his City Council seat and a subsequent bid for Congress, Mumpower says he’s become much more of an activist, “mostly because we do not have many creative and persistent conservative activists in our community. I would love to step aside, but most Asheville conservatives go about their business quietly — and, regrettably, many have just surrendered.”

Even within the city limits, says Mumpower, he’s “not convinced that progressives are in the majority.” Instead, he maintains, voter turnout reveals “indifference as the majority position.”

“There are a lot of conservatives in Asheville as surely as in Buncombe County,” Mumpower wrote in a recent local Republican Party newsletter.

“Amidst all this hostility, conservatives tend to operate on a low-profile basis. We call that being ‘quietly conservative.’” But, “Quiet and passive,” he argued, “are not the same thing.

Ponder the power of a Marine sniper for clarity.” Thus, being in the minority should be considered a blessing: “We are in a target-rich environment providing much opportunity for mischief and conservative activism.”

Mumpower attributes the left’s success in setting the agenda to three things. “The progressive approach promises something for nothing, robs Peter to pay the Paul of their choice, and offers opportunity without responsibility. None of those governance models will work over time,” he predicts, “but in the short term, they are sexy and seductive.”

THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE Voter turnout is one subject on which Sabo and Mumpower seem to agree. “First of all, it gets really contorted, because the will of the voters is pretty much nonexistent in a place like Asheville,” Sabo declares. “I mean, you know, nobody votes. It’s a joke.”

And indeed, with turnout hovering around 18-24 percent of eligible voters, it’s hard to argue that the current City Council has a clear mandate. These elections may tell us more about what voters don’t want than about what they actually believe. Mayor Manheimer, for example, won more than 80 percent

CONTINUES ON PAGE 16 MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

15

N EWS of the vote this fall, but her 13,000-plus votes still represented only about 19 percent of the number of registered voters in the growing city.

Most Asheville voters today are white and female, but that hasn’t changed much over the last dozen years. Meanwhile, the city now has about 15,000 more registered voters than there were in 2005, the last year Mumpower was elected, and that’s in addition to the natural turnover due to death and relocation.

Newman, at least, believes those newcomers have had a lot to do with the progressive rise. “Asheville as a community is much more liberal than it was when I first ran for City Council,” he maintains. “We see this all around the country now, where people move to areas that are aligned with their political thinking. So progressive people tend to move to the Asheville area. Henderson County is a growing part of Western North Carolina, too. It’s still very conservative. So I think people who are moving to our area select the neighborhoods and communities that they feel comfortable in.”

It’s difficult to compare city voter turnout in 2005 and 2017 because there’s no public source for that information. But judging by Buncombe County data, the numbers appear to be way down. Although there are 14,853 more registered city voters now, fewer people voted in 2017 than in 2005.

There were mayoral contests in both years, and this year’s district elections referendum gave voters an additional reason to cast ballots in 2017. Yet the total turnout in Asheville was about 24 percent. Based on the available data, 2005’s total turnout may have been as high as 35 percent.

To some extent, however, voter registration does seem to reflect the progressive trend. Between 2005 and 2017, Asheville lost more than 2,700 registered Republicans and gained

almost twice as many Democrats. But it also added more than 12,000 unaffiliated voters, whose positions may be more likely to differ from issue to issue, perhaps creating space for candidates unlike those we’ve seen before.

In the most recent election cycle, for example, outspoken activist Dee Williams managed to inspire support from opposition voices at both ends of the political spectrum. Endorsements by conservative iconoclasts Chris Peterson and Tim Peck as well as the local Green Party chapter enabled her to survive the primary and capture more votes than she had in previous campaigns. Meanwhile, a well-established Democrat, Jeremy Goldstein, raised the most money of any candidate yet failed to make it through the primary even as more progressive but less well-funded contenders breezed by him.

So while the liberal trend in Asheville politics may seem insurmountable to conservative candidates, it could be that whatever messages might inspire more city residents to turn out on Election Day simply haven’t been presented yet.

And with the latest election results still ripe for interpretation, analysts and campaigners across the political spectrum can only hypothesize what might constitute a winning platform in the next cycle.

But whatever truly characterizes Asheville’s political environment, Davis maintains, the most important thing is why someone chooses to run for office.

“The right reasons,” he says, “are to improve the community and to have concerns and desires and passions and want to be able to help put your fingerprints somewhat onto the policies that make those things happen. The wrong reasons are to be there for selffulfillment, to champion a cause that may not necessarily be a good one, and to exact a pound of flesh. I’ve seen that done, too.” X

2018

Wellness Issues Contact us today!

828-251-1333 x 320 advertise@mountainx.com 16

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

Publish Jan. 31 & Feb. 7

B U N C O M B E B E AT

City restricts lodging along Haywood Road

HAYWOOD ROAD CORRIDOR: On Nov. 28 City Council voted to not permit lodging of 20 rooms or fewer as a use by right in all the districts covered under the Haywood Road form-based code. The impetus behind the move includes concerns over potential negative impacts of whole-house, short-term rentals on the housing market. Image courtesy of the city of Asheville Coming on the heels of the city blocking short-term rentals in the River Arts District, City Council voted against allowing such lodging throughout the Haywood Road corridor as well.

At its Nov. 28 meeting, City Council placed heavy restrictions on lodging along Haywood Road in West Asheville, specifically targeting whole-unit short-term rentals such as those offered through Airbnb and VRBO. The decision came as Council approved amendments to the Haywood Road formbased code, implemented in 2014, which covers a district that runs 2.5 miles from near the French Broad River to Patton Avenue.

In October, city staff proposed changes to the form-based code that would allow greater flexibility in development. But those changes would have included an expansion of the area in which short-term rentals would be a permitted use. Currently, whole-unit rentals of fewer than 30 days are banned in all residential areas of the city, but they were permitted in mixed-use districts along Haywood Road. Council sent the matter back to the Planning and Zoning Commission

to consider removing lodging of 20 rooms or fewer as a permitted use in the Haywood Road district.

At its Nov. 1 meeting, P&Z sided with business and property owners who say short-term rentals should be allowed in the neighborhood because they boost business. It recommended that City Council permit lodging uses of 20 rooms or fewer. Hotels larger than that threshold already have to go to Council for approval.

On Nov. 28, Austin Walker, president of the West Asheville Business Association, told City Council that businesses and residents in the Haywood Road area created the formbased code over the course of 14 years of community public input sessions.

“That vision is what the community wants — and that is a commercial corridor,” he said. “That code is formbased, not use-based, so the form was determined by the community and it’s spelled out beautifully,” he added as he implored the city to retain lodging as a permitted use.

The Land of the Sky Association of Realtors supports the right of property owners to offer short-term rentals, said Michael Butrum, a representative of the group. He warned Council

that implementing a ban could affect property values by restricting their rental value. “Also, if you restrict it, there’s going to be clever people circumventing it in about 30 minutes,” he added.

Opponents of short-term rentals argue that they eliminate housing stock needed for long-term residents and that they hollow out neighborhoods. Resident Christopher Fink said he and his neighbors understand the advantages of hospitalityoriented restaurants, bars and lodging houses, but they would like to maintain a community that places priority on residents, not tourists. “The overriding concern we have is to advocate for the continued development of West Asheville as a community and not as a recreation zone,” he said.

After hearing public comment, Council member Brian Haynes proposed that Council clamp down on rentals of 20 rooms or fewer throughout the Haywood Road corridor.

Homestays and bed-and-breakfasts would still be permitted. “I would like to encourage Council tonight to remove lodging from the entire neighborhood. We are not banning lodging,

CONTINUES ON PAGE 18 MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

17

N EWS

B&B, YES; AIRBNB, NO: In this graphic, “P” = Permitted use; “S” = Permitted use subject to special standards; “--” = Not permitted, and red indicates amendments to the form-based code proposed to City Council on Nov. 28. To illustrate what lodging uses will not be allowed in the Haywood Road corridor, during the Council meeting, Assistant Planning Director Alan Glines drew a line through each instance of “P” for permitted in the “20 guest rooms or less” line of this use table for all districts. Image courtesy of the city of Asheville we are removing it as a right. Folks could still seek Council permission to apply for lodging,” he said.

Council member Keith Young was reluctant for Council to continue restricting lodging on a neighborhoodby-neighborhood basis, and he advocated that Council research whether short-term rentals really have an effect on affordable housing. “I am not a lobbyist for Airbnb or short-term rentals or anything like that,” he said, but added, “I think you can’t make Asheville ‘Beer City USA’ and then complain about the fallout.”

In response to the concern that Council’s focus on short-term rentals negates the lengthy process of community input, Council member Gordon Smith said Council is reacting to a problem that cropped up after the code was instituted. “Since its completion, we’ve seen this emergence of the seriousness of the STR issue across Asheville,” he said. “I think if we were doing form-based code today, it would be one of those things that would be long debated during the process. But the fact is that

these issues have emerged, and we are as a body responding.”

Council member Julie Mayfield moved to “approve the Haywood Road form-based code amendment with an additional amendment to exclude lodging facilities of all types from all districts in the Haywood form code.” The motion was approved unanimously.

City Council also unanimously approved rezoning 43 properties in a section of the Haywood Road form code area from HR-5 live-work district to HR-7 traditional community district. The HR-7 designation creates a new district that permits a wider variety of commercial activity.

FERRY ROAD PARCEL GETS REZONED A property owned by Buncombe County took another step toward residential development as City Council gave the green light to rezoning it.

The undeveloped, wooded property along Ferry Road and the French

Broad River at 1568 Brevard Road once belonged to the city of Asheville, which sold it to Henderson County.

Buncombe County purchased the 137acre parcel in 2015 for $6.8 million in an attempt to attract Deschutes Brewery to set up operations there, a deal that fell through last year.

Now the county hopes to sell it for residential development, but first had to ask the city to rezone the site from industrial to residential multifamily high-density because the property is considered a satellite annexation.

County attorney Michael Frue told the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on Nov.21 that a developer has been nibbling at the property but needs it zoned residential before moving forward with a contract.

At the Nov. 28 Council meeting, the city unanimously approved rezoning the Ferry Road land and released Buncombe County from a deed restriction requiring that the property be used for an economic development purpose.

— Carolyn Morrisroe X

Hospital tower drives construction values up The number and estimated dollar value of building projects in Asheville continue to rise along with ascending scaffolding.

Total construction value jumped to $657 million for fiscal year 2017, compared with $420 million for 2016.

That number includes new residential and commercial construction as well as renovations. Development Services Director Ben Woody presented the findings as part of an update on permit and construction trends at the Nov. 17 City Manager’s Development Forum.

18

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

The value of new commercial construction sailed from $198 million in 2016 to $398 million in 2017.

The most significant factor in the increase is the 12-story Mission Hospital for Advanced Medicine, Woody tells Xpress. “Without that, the total value is relatively stable the last three fiscal years,” he says.

“Of course, the Mission project has a massive impact on the community, as well as staffing resources needed to review and inspect the project.”

Construction of the 600,000-square-foot facility began

in late 2016 and is slated for completion in 2019. Once finished, the project will link the St. Joseph and Mission campuses and will include 220 beds.

Woody issues the caveat that construction values are estimates that are self-reported by applicants at the time of permit issuance and says the actual values might change.

The sharp rise in valuations also reflects an overall boom in commercial construction activity in Asheville. “Several large hotels and multifamily projects are also

being built, so yes the volume of new commercial is increasing, particularly that of larger and more complex projects,” Woody says.

Residential construction value actually fell from $88.7 million in 2016 to $82.5 million in 2017, but it remains much higher than in the preceding five years. The number of new residential building permits also declined, from 481 in 2016 to 391 in 2017. Woody points out that on the whole, however, the city is still seeing more residential building permits than in the most recent several years. “I think we’ll know more about this trend after we collect another year of data,” he says.

The number of new building permits for commercial projects rose slightly over the same time period, from 236 in 2016 to 255 in 2017. Information from the city also shows increasing numbers of inspections being undertaken and development services records being opened. “These data show what most of us already know — that Asheville is growing,” Woody says.

As building activity blossoms, Asheville’s Development Services Department is trying to keep up.

“The city is doing its best to manage that growth, but it definitely presents challenges,” Woody says.

One way the city is endeavoring to improve the permitting process is by making more tasks available online, such as submitting permit applications and site and building plans electronically.

“This is a more efficient way to serve our customers, and it can save them considerable time too,” Woody says.

Development Services is testing electronic plan submission and review in December and hopes to make the first phase of the initiative fully functional and available in January.

— Carolyn Morrisroe X

NEWS BRIEFS

by Max Hunt | mhunt@mountainx.com

HEALTH INSURANCE ENROLLMENT PERIOD ENDS DEC. 15 Residents of Western North Carolina have until Friday, Dec. 15, to enroll in an insurance plan for 2018 under the Affordable Care Act. The window for enrollment was shortened from three months to six weeks earlier this year by the Trump administration.

The enrollment period comes amid tenuous ongoing negotiations between Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Carolina, the only provider of ACA plans in WNC, and Mission Health.

Until negotiations are complete, customers with BCBS NC insurance plans may

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HENDERSON COUNTY SEEKS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS The Community Foundation of Henderson County seeking applicants for 85 new scholarships and 152 renewal scholarships for the 2018-19 academic year. Applications will be accepted now through 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 31, and can be found online at avl.mx/4dk.

Scholarships are available to graduating or recently graduated seniors attending school in Henderson, Transylvania and Jackson counties. Students applying for a need-based scholarship must complete and include a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form with their application.

The Community Foundation will interview selected applicants in April and announce the recipients in June.

More info: avl.mx/4dk , 828697-6224 or email whamil@ cfhcforever.org

CITY OF ASHEVILLE HOSTS GREENWAY PROGRAM The city of Asheville will host a special event on natural surface trail systems and greenways on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6-8 p.m., at the Buncombe County Administration Building in downtown Asheville.

The event features guest speaker Carol Evans from the Legacy Parks Foundation of Knoxville, Tenn. Evans will present on Knoxville’s successful natural surface trail system, part of the Knoxville Urban Wilderness. City staff will also speak on local pilot projects like the Hominy Creek Greenway and talk about the need for community and volunteer support in implementing and maintaining the trails.

More info: avl.mx/4dl, 828259-5805, or email lcrown@ ashevillenc.gov ASHEVILLE MEETING FOCUSES ON GRIFFING BOULEVARD ROSE GARDEN PARK PLAN The city of Asheville will hold a public information and input meeting on proposed improvements to the Griffing Boulevard Rose Garden Park in North Asheville on Thursday, Dec. 7, 6-8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.

Preliminary planning for improvements to the historic park will be presented to attendees by Parks & Recreation Department staffers and neighborhood representatives. The public is invited to add input

at the meeting or online at avl.mx/4dm.

A master plan for park improvements will be drafted in 2018.

More info: avl.mx/4dm, 828259-5804, or email dIvester@ ashevillenc.gov CHRISTMAS CRAWL RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN MARSHALL The Downtown Marshall Association and the Madison County Arts Council will host the second annual Christmas Crawl in Marshall on Friday, Dec. 8, 5-9 p.m.

Businesses throughout downtown will offer live music and extended evening shopping hours, including the arts council’s annual holiday sale.

Carriage rides through downtown will also be offered by Sandy Bottom Trail Rides, and Santa Claus will be making the rounds at downtown businesses throughout the evening.

In addition, Zuma Coffee will host an early Hanukkah celebration; Main Street Cafe will hold an ugly Christmas sweater strut; and participating businesses will compete in the new Christmas window display contest. Gift certificates and trophies will be awarded for the ugliest sweater and best window display.

The Christmas Crawl will be followed by the annual Christmas parade through downtown Marshall on Saturday, Dec. 9, beginning at 9 a.m.

More info: avl.mx/4dn X

$25 OFF ANY JUNK PICKUP

This offer excludes our minimum charge.

we remove anything. . . from anywhere YES EVEN YOUR TRASH!

WHAT WE PICK UP IS 85% OFRECYCLED OR REUSED

828.707.2407

junkrecyclers1@gmail.com

Find Your Unique Christmas Gif ts at TRS!

th

0

-5

SUNDAY!

pm

FREE BEer

10 a m

.1

The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment will hold its next public meeting at noon, Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 30 Valley St., Asheville.

The board will consider several applications for conditional use permits for development projects on Aiken Drive, Avery Creek Road, Pond Road, Airport Road, Old Haywood Road and Smoky Park Highway. In addition, the board will hear variance requests for projects near Skycliff Drive and Clear Water Trail Road.

The meeting agenda can be found at avl.mx/45o.

More info: 828-2504830 or zoningquestions@ buncombecounty.org

need to seek care at another regional provider.

Information on available health care plans under ACA can be found at healthcare.gov, or by contacting Blue Ridge Community Health Services, the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects Inc., Pisgah Legal Services, Sunrise Community, Western Carolina Medical Society and WNC Community Health Services.

More info: healthcare.gov

D ec

BUNCOMBE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETS DEC. 13

26 Glendale Ave • 828.505.1108 Mon-Sat 10am-7pm • Sunday 10am-5pm TheRegenerationStation MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

19

N EWS

by Carolyn Morrisroe

cmorrisroe@mountainx.com

Specialty shops

POWER TO THE PEBBLE Rock shops embrace Earth’s aesthetic and energy Wrap your hand around a crystal.

Feel the cool smoothness. Perhaps it reminds you of your childhood, digging around in your yard for shiny rocks. Maybe it pulses with energy that feels healing to you. Or possibly you just figure it would look good on your windowsill.

Asheville’s a crystal town, and rock shops flourish here. In the Grove Arcade, Enter the Earth sells stickers declaring “Crystal Toting Tree Hugger,” and many locals and tourists alike take pride in that characterization.

“It’s like artwork from the Earth, so people are moved by this stuff, whether they’re moved energetically, or they’re moved visually, or are impressed with the age of something,” says Stacie Coller, manager at Enter the Earth.

Greg Turner, who owns Cornerstone Minerals on Lexington Avenue, says many Asheville residents’ anti-corporate sensibility inspires them to seek out natural items such as stones. “I think the younger generation, a good percentage of them are embracing the more unique, not the mass-produced,” he points out. “Especially in this town, a lot of the young people are more conscious-minded folks than they are in a lot of the rest of America.”

Over at Points of Light, a crystal and mineral gallery on Merrimon Avenue, owner Connie Olson says her sparkly geodes and gems put smiles on people’s faces. “You always feel happy when you’re around them. They’re beautiful, absolutely beautiful,” she

20

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

HEARING THE CALL: Pat Christy, far right, helps customers at Enter the Earth in the Grove Arcade. Store manager Stacie Coller, back left, tells people interested in stones’ energetic properties they should imagine that each rock has its own musical note “and when you are out of tune, when you are out of alignment in your own system, then you are looking for that tone that helps you realign.” Photo by Carolyn Morrisroe

MOUNTAINX.COM

says. “And they do have a way of making the energy in your room very happy and joyful.”

IN THE BEGINNING Both Turner and Enter the Earth owner Nader Kawar got into the business while peddling merchandise at music festivals — Kawar at Widespread Panic concerts and Turner at Phish shows.

Turner’s interest in minerals evolved out of a love for nature that had him breeding and selling snakes to pet shops

at age 14. “I was an animal freak growing up,” he says. “I was interested in the natural world, and minerals are an extension of that. And you don’t have to feed them or water them.”

Olson opened Points of Light in 2009 after her husband suggested that her collection might have a higher purpose than just filling up their barn, but her passion for prehistoric pebbles predates that. “I grew up in the hills and hollers of Tennessee,” she says. “I was just always skinning and bloodying my knees up because I was looking on the ground for rocks all the time.”

Her store’s location near UNC Asheville suits Olson just fine: She can park out front, and the building is sturdy enough to hold big mineral specimens. “It’s not downtown, but people who are into crystals seek you out,” she says. “They find us.”

Kawar, who now co-owns Enter the Earth with his wife, Amy, debuted the shop in 2002, and it has thrived on the tourist traffic the Grove Arcade attracts.

But the business has also reached out to local energy workers and healers.

“We have a lot of holistic practitioners,” Coller notes. “Even if they don’t use rocks and minerals in their work,

Specialty shops like, is what it comes down to,” she says.

“I always figured that it would resonate with the people that like what I like, you know? There’s a couple other shops around town, and everybody has wonderful crystals and rocks, but we all have our own kind of what we like.”

ART FROM THE EARTH

ROCKIN’ THE PAST: Greg Turner, owner of Cornerstone Minerals, holds a fossilized cave bear skull from Romania that dates back at least 2 million years. Photo

by Carolyn Morrisroe they often will have rocks and minerals there that support them.”

GOING TO THE SOURCE If you open a T-shirt shop, getting inventory from wholesalers is fairly straightforward. Rock shop owners, though, may travel the world in search of exceptional fossils and minerals. “[Kawar] literally goes to Madagascar two or three times a year to make large purchases from the different mines and mine owners,” Coller says.

Turner, meanwhile, concentrates on South America, primarily Colombia. “We travel to source and procure directly at the mines or in the local markets,” he explains.

Seeing the mines firsthand also enables Turner to gauge the cultural and environmental impacts. “I get to see it, procure it there, see if it’s the right thing — you know, are these guys tearing up 50 acres, or is it just a little hole in the ground?” he says. “If I’m buying directly at the mine, I can see where the money goes. I can go back to this village a year later and see the church that was built with the money, or the school, or the miners’ houses are more up to par now.”

Olson doesn’t travel as much as she used to, but she says she hand-picks everything that Points of Light carries, and she relies on suppliers who know her tastes. “I just buy what I

Coller, too, is very clear about what she likes, because she literally feels it.

“I am personally, tactilely sensitive to stones,” she reveals. “I used to be normal — admittedly it’s a while ago now. I ended up discovering that I’m sensitive to the energy of rocks like for real, like an actual feeling in my body.”

Coller says she’s happy to talk to customers about the more mystical properties of crystals, but only if they make it clear that they’re receptive. “We keep it very on the down-low,” she explains.

“I need to hear some safe words first, because I’m not interested in being confrontational with my work.”

Customers seeking a stone for healing purposes, notes Coller, will often feel drawn to the appropriate one. “If somebody says, ‘I need a rock that’s good for this, that or the other,’ I’ll go, ‘OK, I will tell you what I would use myself, I will tell you what I would give to a friend going through the same thing, and then I want you to ignore me,’” she says. Instead, she directs them to “just go through the store and wait for your ‘Ooh!’ — that response of being naturally attracted to something.”

That affinity for stones’ essences led Coller and colleague Christopher Lee Matthews to start what she calls with a smile the “Metaphysical Department” of Enter the Earth. The name refers to an online-rooted extension of the shop that includes the 1,000-member WNC Crystal Toting Tree Huggers on Meetup.com and a monthly in-person event called Wooey Wednesdays, where people can share their skills and interests with others.

Turner estimates that 20-30 percent of Cornerstone’s clientele is energybased. “We have a pretty heavy metaphysical market here; it could even be higher than that. How deep are they into it, it’s hard to say,” he continues.

“Certain things like quartz are scientifically proven to produce electricity through compression. That’s energy.

You can’t deny it.”

Olson says many of her customers are interested in a different type of energy — artistic. Her store features large geodes and unique crystal specimens whose primary appeal is aesthetic; she also sells stones to folks who use crystals in their art projects. At the same

* Privately owned, full service whole animal butcher shop * 100% traceable and natural meats from small farms in our area * Professionally trained butchers * Expert advice and service

828-505-3777

100 CHARLOTTE STREET @chopshopbutchery #knowyourbutcher

CONTINUES ON PAGE 22 MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

21

N EWS

Specialty shops

AMONG FRIENDS: Connie Olson’s own rock collection served as the starting point for Points of Light Crystal and Mineral Gallery on Merrimon Avenue, and she says she feels happy when surrounded by stones. Photo by Carolyn Morrisroe time, she notes, “A lot of people like to do beautiful grids for energy work, so you get people that look at it on all different levels.”

A SPARKLING FUTURE Cornerstone began in Asheville but has since opened shops in Savannah, Ga., and Charleston,

S.C., with a fourth location slated to open adjacent to Charleston’s City Market next spring. Turner says his goal is to eventually have about a dozen stores. “I don’t know if we’ll ever go nationwide; we’re looking into feasibilities of it,” he says. “We’ll definitely stay Southeast regional and expand out from where we are now.”

Voted Best Antique Shop in WNC! Tiquehunter Antiques, Jewelry & Coin Wants to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas, by having a

20% off sale

*on most items

Stop by for that unique gift, antique jewelry at a reasonable price, a great coin for that coin collector, or beautiful vase.

If you need extra holiday cash, we’re always buying antiques, jewelry & coins.

Check out

www.Tiquehunterantiq ues.c o m

336 Rockwood Road, Suite 101 Arden, NC Next to the Cracker Barrel off Airport Road 22

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

828.767.5293

With 70,000 square feet of shopping in a historic tobacco barn, we have the largest selection of antiques and collectables in North Carolina!

Asheville, NC • minutes from the Biltmore Estate 75 Swannanoa River Rd (Hwy 81, Asheville) 828-252-7291 • www.atbarn.com

Specialty shops The rock shop niche has found a lucrative market in Asheville, and the city’s shops cultivate deep relationships with clients who rely on them for their crystal needs. “Business is great. I have no complaints,” Turner says. “We are up double percentage points every year since we’ve been open in all three of the stores. We had an increase in business during the recession, on the trade show side and the retail side.”

Some of that, Turner believes, is due to the fact that rocks are hot again. “Honestly, the metaphysical side recharged and is blossoming again like it was in the ’80s,” he says.

“Hollywood has embraced, especially, the energy side of it. So anything Hollywood does can tend to have a positive effect.”

Olson describes her regular customers as family and says she’s delighted to see longtime customers’ children grow up and develop their own interest in stones. “Kids just absolutely love crystals, let me tell you,” she says. “They connect with all the crystals and rocks really well.”

Enter the Earth also encourages youthful browsers, giving any wellbehaved youngster a free crystal. And Cornerstone invites children to experience the store’s rainbow array of stones as well as awe-inducing items such as cave bear skulls, mammoth tusks and dinosaur teeth. “So much today is TV and video games and being stuck inside,” Turner observes.

“This is a connection to the outside world. Even though it’s purchased in a shop, it may stimulate them to go, ‘Daddy, I want to dig here.’”

Unlike other types of retail, rock shops provide a place to not just buy stuff but to learn about and experience an aspect of the natural world. Walking into a store filled with gleaming minerals and luminescent crystals, Coller maintains, can reawaken childhood memories of sifting through the dirt in search of rocks. “There’s a lot of very positive emotional things happening,” she says. “People come in and they’re just so awestruck by how beautiful some of these things are. They don’t necessarily buy anything, and they don’t have to, but they’re like, ‘This store is amazing!’ It shifts them in some way.” X

Pet rocks Local rockhounds share their favorite stones.

Stacie Coller, Enter the Earth Rose quartz “The rose quartz in here actually stars. It creates a star pattern on the stone. There are some rocks that have an optical effect of asterism because of the fibers inside the rocks.”

2018

Wellness Issues

Connie Olson, Points of Light Amethyst and clear quartz “If you look back, amethyst and quartz have always been recognized by people for thousands of years as healing stones.”

Greg Turner, Cornerstone Minerals Quartz “I collect quartz, different varieties, inclusions — an inclusion means it has another mineral trapped inside of it — or like rare, hard-to-get localities.

Like, find me something from Iraq, it’s almost impossible.”

Publish Jan. 31 & Feb 7

Contact us today!

828-251-1333 x 320

advertise@ mountainx.com

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

23

FEAT U RES

Specialty shops

ASHEVILLE ARCHIVES

Specialty shops

by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com

Asheville’s speciality shops, 1929 In her 2007 book, Asheville: Mountain Majesty, historian Lou Harshaw writes that the Grove Arcade was one of the earliest shopping malls in the South.

E.W. Grove (who also built the Grove Park Inn in 1913 and the Battery Park Hotel in 1924) began construction on the commercial project in 1926. The original design called for a 17-story skyscraper to extend out from the center of the arcade.

Early reports estimated its completion in the summer of 1927. In January of that year, concerns arose about just who would operate out of the new building. On Jan. 23, 1927, The Sunday Citizen reported that 250 applications had been processed for space inside the arcade. Of these, “about 80 are from out-of-town organizations[.]”

The article went on to state: “In discussing the nature of the applications for store and office space, Mr. [Harry L.] Parker [local manager of the E.W. Grove Investments] declared that few enterprises now occupying favorable business locations in Asheville have approached him for space. The vast majority of those applying are now situated outside what is commonly known as the ‘business district.’ The fact that one-third of the applicants are out-oftown business concerns is interpreted to mean that a number of large national organizations are being attracted to Asheville in its era of prosperity.”

Construction, however, came to a halt following Grove’s unexpected death on Jan. 27, 1927. Financial struggles and litigation kept the project in limbo for over a year. Walter P. Taylor & Associates would eventually take over the property, and complete the job in 1929. The intended 17-story skyscraper was scrapped from the final design.

On Feb. 24, 1929, The Asheville Citizen reported that Waechter’s Silk Shop

Silk and juvenile shoes arrive at the Grove Arcade

A NEW PROJECT UNDERWAY: Construction of the Grove Arcade began in 1926. Its architect was Charles N. Parker. Photo courtesy of North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville would be “the first mercantile establishment to open” inside the Grove Arcade the week of March 4. The article went on to state: “The establishment will specialize in the sale of piece silks for feminine apparel, and ladies hosiery, underwear and accessories. It will be the only store in Asheville specializing in piece silks[.]”

Other shops and special events would soon follow. The Automobile Show arrived to the Grove Arcade on March 14.

An advertisement for the three-day gathering promised readers that “the motor car of today is a swift, silent chariot of the gods.” It went on to state that the show “typifies the culmination of man’s quest after perfection in transportation.”

Later that year, on June 30, 1929, an advertisement in The Sunday Citizen announced the opening of Lyle Jackson’s Fine Tailoring and Clothier. In celebration of its big day, Lyle Jackson’s offered a free pair of trousers or knickers for “each man who orders one of our Tailored Suits.”

Shortly thereafter, on July 31, 1929, The Asheville Citizen notified its readers of the arrival of a unique store, both to the Grove Arcade and overall region.

Named Barker’s, it was “one of the three exclusive juvenile shoe stores in the Southeast[.]” According to the article, the shop’s interior had “miniature furniture and various toys [in order to create] a playroom background which is direct in its appeal to small boys and girls.”

Later in the piece, the paper stated: “Another unusual feature of the service offered by the store is the dispatch of orders by air mail when necessary.

This special order service is proving very popular with all customers who have tried it, Mr. [R.W.] Barker has announced, and its success is another indication of the growth of air mail parcel delivery in the South.

“The Grove Arcade building store is modern in every detail of service and equipment and is in charge of competent clerks, all of who have many friends throughout this section, including the juniors and their parents.”

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

NOW AND THEN: The week of March 4, 1929, Waechter’s Silk Shop became the first store to open inside the Grove Arcade. Top photo, circa 1930, courtesy of North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville. Location research and bottom photo by Will McCloud.

24

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

W EL L NESS

by Kate Lundquist

Specialty shops

kvlundo@gmail.com

HERBAN PHARMACIES

Magical Offerings 12/07:

12/08: 12/09:

Asheville’s herb shops offer supplements from A to Z many women consult with staff herbalist Amber Myers about issues specific to women.

“In the long run, a chemical is a chemical,” Cheek says. “We embrace the holistic attitude so many Ashevilleans have — if you are healthy, your body is going to heal, and you can either do nothing, or you can do something to support the body in its inner wisdom and healing, or you can go do a drug.”

Nature’s Vitamins sells hemp products in various forms, including vape pens, that contain cannabinoids but only small amounts of THC. “Hemp extracts are very calming to the body and nervous system for anxiety, sleep, pain, inflammation and impossible to get high off of,” says Cheek.

Meanwhile, married couple Andrew Celwyn and Maia Toll, owners of Herbiary in downtown Asheville, offer an array of herbal medicines in their small boutique located in what was originally the New Medical Building, dating from 1925. After opening the first Herbiary 11 years ago in ASHEVILLE ALLEGIANCE: Herbiary, owned by Maia Toll and Andrew Celwyn, specializes in Philadelphia, Center for Massage & Natural Health Celwyn and Toll decided bulk herbs but also carries organic items. Photo by Emily Nichols to move to Asheville because it had three herb schools, plus they wanted to be able to source products locally. The macy world and herb world and meet With holiday shopping in full swing,  couple currently purchase some of their in the middle. We appealed to doctors and cold and flu season around the corherbs from local producer Pangaea and nurses in the medical profession, ner, Ashevilleans tend to turn toward Plants as well as Our Friendly Allies so they can send their patients to us,” local, natural options for their own in Marshall. “We source from over 80 health as well as gifts. And Asheville says Cheek. He adds that he and different vendors and make sure the has an abundance of herb stores to Rogers base their recommendations  [products] are good for your body — satisfy shoppers’ wish lists. on solid information and research. In pesticide-free, organic, wildcrafted or Bill Cheek and Mike Rogers, co1997, they opened a pharmacy departcultivated without chemicals.” ment in their  store, where they filled owners of Nature’s Vitamins & Herbs, “The Herbiary was the first dediand compounded prescriptions until knew each other professionalcated herb shop in Asheville selling ly as independent pharmacists at local 2015, when they sold the compoundbulk herbs,” says Celwyn. While bulk ing part of their drugstores. “There was a renaissance  business. Now, says herbs are one of Herbiary’s specialties, of natural health care in the midCheek, they devote their time and the store also sells tinctures, essential ’90s,” says Cheek. “I was working in resources to selling nutritional suppleoils, organic body care products and drugstores and reading about herbal ments and preventive remedies.  books. Toll makes special blends of supplements in the paper, like people Many of Nature’s Vitamins’ cusherbs in the apothecary in the back of using St. John’s wort for depression.” tomers arrive at the store healthy the store. stay that way, Cheek Cheek’s customers were also reading and wanting to Some products Herbiary offers are about such supplements and asking notes, so the majority of what the store Miriam’s Inspired Skin Care, a dissells is for overall health, such as mulhim if they should take them with tinctive line that contains tallow — tivitamins, fish oil, antioxidants, calcitheir current drugs, he says, so he cow fat that is said to be moisturizing um and magnesium. People also come decided to open a professional supfor the skin. A staple at the store is in for common conditions such as plement shop where he and Rogers Mental Clarity, an essential oil blend colds, rashes, hemorrhoids and coughs could bring their knowledge of pharthat can be used in a diffuser or macology and physiology to bear on but are looking for natural products. dropped on the hand. such questions.

“We treat every common condition At herb shop Alchemy, large glass you can think of,” says Cheek, who “There are excellent practitioners jars of herbs line the wall behind the offers the examples of glucosamine in this town, herbalists or naturopaths, counter, and a small yellow tearoom is for arthritis, echinacea for colds and that a lot of people go to, but we were nested in this light-filled clinic and probably the first to bridge the pharherbal syrups for coughs. Cheek says

6 Month Accredited Program Since 1999 2 1/2 Days a Week Student Clinic

Downtown Asheville

Federal Financial Aid

Scholarships Available

12/10:

12/11:

Tarot Reader: Bobbi Oshun 1-6pm Tarot Reader: Ashley Long 12-6pm Tarot Reader: Edward Phipps 12-6pm Tarot & Oracle Card Swap!

3-6pm, Donations Scrying w/ Angie 12-6pm The Welcoming Circle 5-6:30pm, Donations Tarot Reader: Star Bustamante 12-6pm

Over 100 Herbs Available!

December Stone: Lava Basalt December Herb: Sassafras

(828) 424-7868

ashevilleravenandcrone.com

555 Merrimon Avenue Daily readers including Scrying, Runes, Tarot, & More! Walk-ins welcome!

Enroll Now

Downtown Pack Square3, 2018 Next Class Starts March

OPEN DAILY New Student 828-252-0058 Clinic Hours!

Appointments@CenterForMassage.com

Monday & Friday Massages available 4:30-8pm 7 days/week Student—$30 CALL NOW Professional—$60 828-252-0058

Start your journey now

828-658-0814

CenterForMassage.com

CONTINUES ON PAGE 26 MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

25

WELLN ESS

Specialty shops

retail shop. Co-owners Emmy Bethel and Ashley Kuper, who are acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners, share the space with massage therapists to round out the healing environment. The shop offers pain-relief remedies, seasonal herbal tea blends, Chinese medicine throat lozenges, CBD (cannabidiol) gels and educational materials. The shop’s specialty tea, called Yu Ping Feng, contains three herbs said to be good for digestion, fighting colds and increasing energy. And like Herbiary, the shop offers herbal consults for customized formulas.

“We like to collaborate with local businesses,” says Bethel. “We have a line of local products another acupuncturist makes called Nourishing Roots Apothecary, [which includes] castor oil, herbal spray for hair products, facial toners and herbal deodorant.”

And the store will soon sell its wellloved drink concoctions — turmeric chai, alchemical cocoa and Three Treasures mocha — as hot drinks as well as mixes.

Alchemy is an acupuncture clinic, but part of the vision for the business, says Kuper, is to have an open and inviting space for people to come in

and learn about Chinese medicine, nosh on food, sip on bone broth and try out herbal tea blends. “Chinese medicine is a full medical system, and it is basically unknown in the mecca of Asheville,” says Kuper.

“You can come in when you are not feeling well or for chronic conditions. We treat people for anxiety and digestive disorders as well, but a huge portion of Alchemy is education,” says Bethel. “You need to know what medications you’re on, but herbal medicine is in a food form. It does not react in the same way a concentrated chemical does.”

Sift Herbal, the newest herb store in Asheville, opened in the River Arts District in September. Manager Kaylie Moon Dowler, who studied plant medicine for 3 1/2 years at Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine, says, “We opened up as an apothecary, and we have almost 100 different herbs that we carry in bulk and 84 different essential oils.” She sources most of her products locally, including essential oils, incense, skin care products, soaps and candles. Dowler also sells her own herbal smoking blends and will soon carry tinctures and teas. She says she soon plans to offer herbal consulta-

West Asheville’s #1 Wine Destination Free wine tastings every Saturday from 4-6pm Buy great wine to take home, or open it up here with friends and relax at our bar.

All retail may be enjoyed on the premises.

Follow us on Facebook for events, updates & more!

797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100, Asheville NC 28806 • 828.252.5275 26

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

Specialty shops tions, make personalized herbal formulas and host workshops.

The store sells kratom, in both powder and capsule form, for pain management, anxiety and insomnia. Some forms of kratom are more like sedatives, says Dowler, and some are more stimulating.

“People use it for all sorts of things, but mostly pain reduction and relaxation,” she notes.

The most unusual products Sift Herbal carries, Dowler continues, are several uncommon essential oils typically used by aromatherapists, including chamomile, litsea and blue tansy, as well as blue lotus flower and wild dagga flower in bulk herbs, both hard to find in stock locally.

All the herbalists agree that Western medicine has its place. “If I have a terrible strep throat, I’m not going to an herb shop. I am going to the doctor for an antibiotic,” says Cheek. “I am not sipping herbal tea if I break a bone.”

And Celwyn notes, “If you break your leg, you go to the emergency room.”

But Celwyn adds that “we look at a lot of our herbs and tinctures as helping people with promoting health or working with chronic conditions. A lot of herbs can treat different body systems very well. ... We don’t look at herbs

as a one-to-one substitute, but rather we look at them as a supplement to everything else you are doing in your life, your diet and a healthy lifestyle.” “[Western and herbal medicine] can work really beautifully together” says Dowler. [Both] can assist and support the body through the healing process." X

MORE INFO Nature’s Vitamins & Herbs naturesvitaminsandherbs.com Herbiary herbiary.com Alchemy Alchemyasheville.com Nourishing Roots Apothecary nourishingrootsapothecary.com Sift Herbal Siftherbal.com Pangaea Plants pangaeaplants.com

Give the GIFT of

RELAXATION

Massages, Eminence Organic Facials, Manicures, Pedicures and Spa Packages, including our Year of Indulgence are the perfect gifts!

INSTANT E-GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE ONLINE

Downtown : 59 Haywood St. : 828.253.3222 South : Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park : 828.687.8760

sensibilities-spa.com

57 Haywood Street Downtown Asheville

828.225.5751

www.donatellicakedesigns.com MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

27

WELLN ESS CA LEN DA R

WELLNESS

our advertisers!

Thank them for supporting local, independent jounalism!

Still free every Wednesday.

500 Hour Weekend Massage Certification

675 Hour Massage Certification Program

DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE – APPLY ONLINE

AshevilleMassageSchool.org • 828-252-7377

Authentic Chinese Medical Treatment for Injury & Illness

BREAST AND TESTICULAR CANCER PATIENTS DESIRED FOR FREE HEALING WORK (PD.) • SU & MO (12/1012/11) 9am-3pm both days. Breast aornd testicular cancer patients needed as clients for advanced hands-on healing students. Earth-based healing school. Free.

Interested parties register at registrar@ wildernessFusion.com.

Montreat, NC. (828) 785-4311, wildernessFusion.com.

SHOJI SPA & LODGE • 7 DAYS A WEEK (PD.) Private Japanese-style outdoor hot tubs, cold plunge, sauna and lodging. 8 minutes from town. Bring a friend to escape and renew! Best massages in Asheville!

828-299-0999. www.shojiretreats.com ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA CENTER 8 Brookdale Road, ashevillecommunityyoga. com • SA (12/9), 12:302:30pm - "Nada Yoga: Yoga of Sound," workshop. $20.

Specialty shops

• SA (12/9), 3-5pm - "Breathe In, Bliss Out," workshop. $20.

Open Heart," class with meditation and discussion. $10.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • SA (12/9), 11am Mixed levels pilates class. Registration required. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St.

URBAN DHARMA 77 Walnut St., 828-225-6422, udharmanc.com/ • TUESDAYS, 7:308:30pm - Guided, non-religious sitting and walking meditation. Admission by donation.

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville, 828-693-4890, gracelutherannc.com • TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 9am Walking exercise class.

Free.

THE BLOOD CONNECTION BLOOD DRIVES 800-392-6551, thebloodconnection. org • TH (12/7), 7am7pm - Information & appointments: 828-808-7760. Held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville THE MEDITATION CENTER 894 E. Main St., Sylva, 828-356-1105, meditate-wnc.org • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6-8pm - "Inner Guidance from an

SUPPORT GROUPS Some events from this section may be found in the Give!Local calendar on p. 44 ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS & DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES adultchildren.org • Visit mountainx. com/support for full listings.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS • For a full list of meetings in WNC, call 254-8539 or aancmco. org ANXIETY SUPPORT GROUP 828-231-2198, bjsmucker@gmail.com • 1st & 3rd THURSDAYS, 7-8:30pm - Learning and sharing in a caring setting about dealing with one's own anxiety. Held at NAMI Offices, 356 Biltmore Ave.

ASHEVILLE WOMEN FOR SOBRIETY 215-536-8026, womenforsobriety.org • THURSDAYS, 6:308pm – Held at YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave. ASPERGER'S TEENS UNITED facebook.com/groups/ AspergersTeensUnited • For teens (13-19) and their parents.

Meets every 3 weeks.

Contact for details.

CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT 828-989-1555, deb.casaccia@gmail.com • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6 pm – Held in a private home.

CODEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS 828-242-7127 • FRIDAYS, 5:30pm Held at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, 556 S. Haywood Waynesville • SATURDAYS, 11:15am – Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St. • TUESDAYS 7:30pm - Held at Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 22B New Leicester Highway DEBTORS ANONYMOUS debtorsanonymous. org • MONDAYS, 7pm - Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St.

Nature’s Vitamins & Herbs Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Prescription

Our Team Brings 30+ Years experience in China to Asheville

learn more from our site walk in or schedule online

828-424-7415 / www.alternativeclinic.org 23 Broadway Street, Downtown Asheville

(formerly Nature’s Pharmacy)

Offering professional advice & great products since 1996

Professional advice on CBD oil & supplements!

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

Carrying 3 Top Brands:

at the Alternative Clinic

• Pregnancy Massages by DONA trained Doula • Sports & Deep Tissue massage for aches & pains • Deep Qi work to rebalance & reset energy flow • Relaxation & anti-stress massages to feel your best $45 for 30 minute/$75 for 60 minute massage – we are a tip free establishment walk in, call or schedule online: 828-424-7415 www.alternativeclinic.org

28

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

Charlotte’s Web, Palmetto Harmony & CV Sciences Available as: sublingual spray • sublingual solid extract • oral liquid oral capsules • liquid for vaping • chewing gum Owners:

Mike Rogers, PharmD Bill Cheek, B.S. Pharm Amber Myers, Owner

We stock great vitamin brands including:

Pure Encapsulations, Thorne Research, Barleans, and more!

The A Coffeecary coffee shop Now serving CBD coffee!

752 Biltmore Avenue • 828-251-0094 • www.naturesvitaminsandherbs.com

Specialty shops DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE 828-367-7660, depressionbipolarasheville.com • WEDNESDAYS, 7-9pm & SATURDAYS, 4-6pm – Held at 1316C Parkwood Road EATING DISORDERS ANONYMOUS 561-706-3185, eatingdisordersanonymous.org • FRIDAYS, 4:30pm - Eating disorder support group. Held at 12-Step Recovery Club, 370 N. Louisiana Ave # G4 FOOD ADDICTS ANONYMOUS 8284236191828-2422173 • SATURDAYS, 11amHeld at Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 22B New Leicester Highway FOUR SEASONS COMPASSION FOR LIFE 828-233-0948, fourseasonscfl.org • THURSDAYS, 12:30pm - Grief support group. Held at SECU Hospice House, 272 Maple St., Franklin • TUESDAYS, 3:304:30pm - Grief support group. Held at Four Seasons - Checkpoint, 373 Biltmore Ave. G.E.T. R.E.A.L. phoenix69@bellsouth. net • 2nd SATURDAYS, 2pm - Group for people with chronic 'invisible' auto-immune diseases. Held at Fletcher Community Park, 85 Howard Gap Road, Fletcher GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS 828-483-6175 • Held at Biltmore United Methodist Church, 378 Hendersonville Road GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville, 828-693-4890, gracelutherannc.com • 2nd THURSDAYS, 1-3pm - Seeds of Hope chronic condition support group.

Registration required: 828-693-4890 ex. 304.

HAYWOOD COUNTY COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS 828-400-6480 • 1st THURSDAYS Support group for families who have lost a child of any age.

Held at Long's Chapel United Methodist, 133 Old Clyde Road, Waynesville

INFERTILITY SUPPORT GROUP resolveasheville@ gmail.com • 1st THURSDAYS, 6:30-8pm - Held at Earth Fare South, 1856 Hendersonville Road LIFE LIMITING ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP 386-801-2606 • TUESDAYS, 6:308pm - For adults managing the challenges of life limiting illnesses. Held at Secrets of a Duchess, 1439 Merrimon Ave. LIVING WITH CHRONIC PAIN 828-776-4809 • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6:30pm - Hosted by American Chronic Pain Association. Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, NC CHAPTER 877-849-8271, lupusnc.org • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 7-8pm - Lupus support group for those living with lupus, their family and caregivers. Held at All Souls Cathedral, 9 Swan St. MEN DOING ALLY duncan2729@yahoo. com • 2nd THURSDAYS, 7pm - Support group for men. Held at Firestorm Cafe and Books, 610 Haywood Road

NARANON nar-anon.org • MONDAYS, 7pm - For relatives and friends concerned about the addiction or drug problem of a loved one. Held at West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Road • WEDNESDAYS, 12:30pm - For relatives and friends concerned about the addiction or drug problem of a loved one.

Held at First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville, 204 6th Ave. W., Hendersonville NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS 828-505-7353, namiwnc.org, namiwc2015@gmail. com • 2nd MONDAYS, 11am - Connection group for individuals dealing with mental illness. Held at NAMI Offices, 356 Biltmore Ave. OVERCOMERS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 828-665-9499 • WEDNESDAYS, noon1pm - Held at First Christian Church of Candler, 470 Enka Lake Road, Candler OVERCOMERS RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP rchovey@sos-mission. org • MONDAYS, 6pm - Christian 12-step program. Held at SOS Anglican Mission, 1944 Hendersonville Road

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS • Regional number: 277-1975. Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings.

RECOVERING COUPLES ANONYMOUS recovering-couples.org • MONDAYS 6pm - For couples where at least one member is recovering from addiction.

Held at Foster Seventh Day Adventists Church, 375 Hendersonville Road REFUGE RECOVERY 828-225-6422, refugerecovery.org • WEDNESDAYS 5:30pm - Held at Heartwood Refuge and Retreat Center, 159 Osceola Road, Hendersonville • THURSDAYS, 7:30pm - Held at Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness, 370 N Louisiana Ave, Asheville • TUESDAYS, 7:30pm & SATURDAYS, 6pm - Held at Asheville Insight Meditation, 175 Weaverville Road, Woodfin • FRIDAYS, 7-8:30pm & SUNDAYS, 6-7:30pm Held at Urban Dharma, 77 Walnut St. SANON 828-258-5117 • 12-step program for those affected by someone else's sexual behavior. Contact 828258-5117 for a full list of meetings.

SEX ADDICTS ANONYMOUS saa-recovery.org/ Meetings/UnitedStates

• MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS, 6pm - Held at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Ave. • SUNDAYS, 7pm Held at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St. SMART RECOVERY 828-407-0460 • THURSDAYS, 6pm - Held at Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave. • FRIDAYS,2pm - Held at Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness, 370 N Louisiana Ave, Asheville • TUESDAYS, 6-7pm - Held at Unitarian Universalists of Transylvania County, 24 Varsity St., Brevard SUNRISE PEER SUPPORT VOLUNTEER SERVICES facebook.com/ Sunriseinasheville • TUESDAYS through THURSDAYS, 1-3pm Peer support services for mental health, substance abuse and wellness. Held at Kairos West Community Center, 604 Haywood Road, Asheville SUPPORTIVE PARENTS OF TRANSKIDS spotasheville@gmail. com • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 7pm - For parents to discuss the joys, transitions and challenges of parenting a transkid. Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St.

T.H.E. CENTER FOR DISORDERED EATING 50 S. French Broad Ave. #250 • WEDNESDAYS, 6-7pm – Adult support group, ages 18+.

TRAUMA STEWARDSHIP MEETUP duncan2729@yahoo. com • 2nd THURSDAYS, 2-7:30pm - Self-care for helpers, advocates, healers, activists and empaths. Held at Firestorm Cafe and Books, 610 Haywood Road WIDOWS IN NEED OF GRIEF SUPPORT 828-356-1105, meditate-wnc.org • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 7pm - Peer support group for anyone who has survived the death of their spouse, partner, child or other closed loved one.

Registration required.

Held at The Meditation Center, 894 E. Main St., Sylva WNC ASPERGER'S ADULTS UNITED facebook.com/WncAspergersAdultsUnited • 2nd SATURDAYS, 2-4pm - Occasionally meets additional Saturdays. Contact for details. Held at Hyphen, 81 Patton Ave. • 2nd SATURDAYS, 3-5:30pm - Monthly meet and greet. Bring a finger-food dish to share. Free. Held at The Autism Society, 306 Summit St.

MINDFULNESS AND 12 STEP RECOVERY avl12step@gmail.com • WEDNESDAYS, 7:30-8:45pm Mindfulness meditation practice and 12 step program. Held at Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 22B New Leicester Highway MISSION CHILDREN'S FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK 828-213-9787 • 2nd TUESDAYS, 5:30-7:30pm - Mission Children's Family Support Network youth group from ages 11 to 21. Dinner is provided. Held at Mission Reuter Children's Center, 11 Vanderbilt Park Drive MOUNTAIN MAMAS PEER SUPPORT GROUP facebook.com/ mountainmamasgroup • 2nd THURSDAYS, 1-3pm - Held at The Family Place, 970 Old Hendersonville Highway Brevard

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

29

G REEN S CE N E

by Thomas Calder

tcalder@mountainx.com

Specialty shops

REPAIRING IS CARING Surprise marks most customers who first enter The Watchmaker’s Shop inside the Grove Arcade. Even after they’ve Googled where to take their broken timepiece, their disbelief is apparent. “They literally come in and say, ‘I didn’t even know you guys still existed,’” says watchmaker Sergio Berrios.

For Berrios, this shock is indicative of the times. “We’re very much living in a disposable society,” he says. “You can pretty much order anything on Amazon, get it here in two days, and if it lasts a certain amount of time, you’re not [upset] that it broke.”

In contrast to the throwaway culture, The Watchmaker’s Shop is one of several esoteric repair shops scattered throughout Asheville and Western North Carolina. Some fix saddles, while others service slot machines.

Shoes, shirts and cameras are also on the table.

For Amber Weaver, sustainability officer for the city of Asheville, such businesses play a crucial role in the city’s goal of sustainable consumption; these operations mean reusable items are staying out of the landfill.

But the mere existence of these shops doesn’t suggest the issue of excess waste is resolved. “Research and practices continue to change as technology improves, and it’s important to educate the citizens of Asheville on what’s offered,” says Weaver.

Technology aside, in some cases it’s as simple as realizing that repair options are available. Weaver points out a pair of boots she’s owned for the past 23 years. “I recently had them resoled at Jackson’s,” she says. “I’ll never let [them] go.”

Shops across WNC mend items big and small leads patrons down the stairs; the shop allows visitors to step back in time to see a practice that dates back centuries.

PUT ANOTHER DIME IN THE JUKEBOX, BABY

TIME WAITS FOR NO MAKER: Watchmaker Sergio Berrios has been repairing timepieces since 2008. Photo by Thomas Calder A FAMILY TRADE Jackson Trading Co. was opened in 1938 by local businessman Stonewall Jackson. It began as a men’s clothing store on Lexington Avenue. But after World War II, Stonewall’s sons, Julian and Thomas, expanded the business.

Among its new offerings was leather repair. By the early 1970s, the shop relocated to West Asheville, where it was eventually rebranded Jackson’s Western Store. Cousins John and Charles Jackson continue to operate the family business.

The store still offers leather repair in a three-man shop set up in the building’s basement. Rick Sluder and Larry Wade manage most of the damaged cowhide, with additional help from John Jackson.

On average, they see 20-25 saddles per

month. Along with horse gear, the shop mends items such as baseball gloves, ammunition belts and pocketbooks.

Century-old tools, including rivet machines, harness stitchers and a handmade instrument called the deadman (used for stripping hides), are stationed throughout the space. Near the back end, stacks and rolls of leather line the wall. The hides are used for repair, as well as custom-made cellphone cases, belts and gun holsters. “Nobody took courses,” John Jackson explains. “We learned it on the go. That’s probably why there’s so many pieces of scrap leather [lying around].”

While repairs keep the team busy, John Jackson concedes that the majority of business takes place upstairs on the retail end. Nostalgia, he believes, is what

Nostalgia also plays a factor in Don Frederick’s business, For Your Amusement. Based in Black Mountain, the one-man shop offers over 30 years’ experience in repairing all coin-operated machines.

Of late, pinball machines have made up the majority of Frederick’s business. But a handful of jukeboxes hang out in the shop, as well. Among them is a 55 Seabird — Frederick’s next big project. The jukebox belonged to a client’s recently departed mother, Frederick says. “It’s got sentimental value,” he explains. “A lot of [my business] is like that.”

On any given week Frederick clocks in 40-60 hours. While the majority of his business is based in Asheville, he’s made house calls to Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Raleigh. It’s not uncommon for clients to drive in from neighboring states to deliver machines in need of repair. (In fact, while Frederick showed Xpress around his workspace, a client from Knoxville, Tenn., came in with his son’s slot machine.)

The holidays are Frederick’s busiest time of year. As families reunite and dust the cobwebs off the old arcade games and pinball machines, they discover the previous 11 months of relative inactivity have rendered the equipment useless. Frederick compares it to a car left sitting in the driveway.

“You’re going to have problems,” he says. “The people who play their games

Stock THEIR cellar

be jolly!

for less this season!

Take 15% OFF $100 purchase

Christmas Trees • Holiday Wreaths • Gift Shop Fresh Garland • Live Christmas Trees • Poinsettias Holiday Decorations • Evergreens for Your Landscape 30

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

70 Monticello Rd. Weaverville, NC I-26/Exit 18 828-645-3937

www.reemscreek.com

Good through 12/31/17.

Some Exclusions apply.

We do beer, wine, cider, and mead.

Specialty shops

NEST ORGANICS Come by and check out our selection of local handmade products:

Handmade Glass, Cutting Boards, Ceramics, Art Posters, Sweaters and much more.

Children’s clothes & accessories.

LEATHER MAN: In addition to Western wear, Jackson’s Western Store offers leather repair.

John Jackson has been in the family business since the early 1980s. Photo by Evan Anderson the most have the least amount of issues. … Even if you’re just shooting the ball and walking away.”

Despite steady business, Frederick says many customers assume the work is a side gig. “They’ll ask, ‘What do you do for your real job?’” he says. “I’m like, ‘This is what I do; I make a living doing this.’”

A MILE IN HIS SHOES Not all repairs come out of a place of tenderness — some are to save the tenderfooted. Inside Tong Kim’s River Ridge Shoe Repair, sneakers, boots, sandals and cleats surround the cobbler, while shoe polish and glue permeate the air.

Kim says on an average day, he’ll mend anywhere from 50 to 70 shoes.

The demand is evident; he doesn’t stop working as he discusses his 46 years in the business. Boot after boot gets resoled, then tossed to the side, as he brings up his early years in Korea, where he began as a shoemaker. By the time he arrived in Asheville in the 1970s, he applied his skill set to a different side of the trade. “When I came here, nobody wanted to pay that kind of money” for designer shoes, he says. “So I had to start repairing shoes so I could eat.”

The quality of shoes being produced has declined over the past four decades, Kim maintains. “It’s not as good as it used to be,” he says. “Rubber, leather — I think [the manufacturers] are trying to cut corners.” Of course, this translates to steady business for the shoe repairman.

Among the mountains of footwear, Kim points out other items on the shelves. Leather jackets, bags and suitcases are scattered throughout the shop. “Anything

leather, I’ll repair,” he says as he resoles another boot.

TURN, TURN, TURN Like River Ridge Shoe Repair, there is no shortage of work at Misha’s Alterations and Tailor. Owner Misha Davidshuk opened the shop in 2002, after he and his family relocated to Asheville from Belarus. Since that time, the family business, located at 5 Regent Park, has grown. His daughter, Tatyana, recently joined her father after completing her entrepreneurship certificate at A-B Tech.

Tatyana Davidshuk says when it comes to alterations, clothing isn’t the only thing with patterns. “We’re getting into the winter coat season,” she explains. Come spring, prom dresses will line the racks. Once summer hits, wedding dresses reign supreme.

While clothing makes up the majority of the shop’s work, the business has seen a few unique projects in its day. In one instance, Tatyana Davidshuk says, a customer brought in a bearskin. It was her father’s job to turn that bearskin into a proper rug.

Like many of the proprietors of specialty repair shops who spoke with Xpress, word-of-mouth has been the lifeline for the steady stream of work at Misha’s Alterations and Tailor. “We’re not very good on social media,” Tatyana Davidshuk concedes. But that hasn’t slowed them down. She estimates that the shop’s annual numbers of mending jobs are in the thousands, noting that they mend at least 100 pairs of pants each month.

And while some of the business comes from neighboring states, as well as one

Organic mattresses and bedding for the entire family

Mon. - Sat. 11-6 & Sun. 12-5

Crystals

51 N. Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 258-1901 nestorganics.com

Fossils

Jewelry

Home Decor

15% off December Birthstones all month!

Tanzanite

52 N. Lexington Ave. (828) 225-3888

topaz

w w w. c o r n e r s t o n e m i n e r a l s . c o m CONTINUES ON PAGE 32 MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

31

GR E E N S C EN E

Specialty shops

Specialty shops left in damp cases). Second, keep it clean. Dust and other debris won’t only ruin a shot, but could also damage the camera. Third, mind your camera’s battery. Corrosion can lead to an expensive repair job; if you don’t plan to use your camera for an extended period, take the battery out.

KEEP IT ABOVEGROUND

AS GOOD AS NEW: In Korea, Tong Kim worked as a shoemaker. Since arriving in Asheville in the 1970s, he’s turned his attention to shoe repair. Photo by Thomas Calder loyal customer based in California, most of their time, energy and stitchings are spent on local clients’ wares. “We’re not trying to reach above and beyond what we can actually take on,” Tatyana Davidshuk explains.

IN FOCUS In order for word-of-mouth to spread, folks need to be talking. In 1982, George and Debra Hall opened Crystal Camera Repair in West Asheville. In the early days, Debra Hall says, the husband-andwife team would literally knock on doors in order to tell people about the services they provided. Now, after more than 35 years in business, she says the shop has repaired more than 99,000 cameras.

From 16 millimeters to helmet cams, the business has adapted to the everchanging industry. In addition to serving both professional photographers and hobbyists, the repair shop also handles accounts for larger institutions such as hospitals, churches and universities.

Just as the technology has changed, so too has the inner working of the industry itself. Certain manufacturers, says Debra Hall, now have restrictions on parts. That means in some cases, Crystal Camera Repair is unable to work on a particular brand. Instead, customers are required to mail their camera to the manufacturer.

Not surprisingly, this is a more expensive and time-consuming endeavor. (A similar issue is at play within the watch industry.)

Nevertheless, the company’s reputation has continued to grow, stretching beyond the mountains of WNC. In its main lobby, a map of the U.S. is marked with red dots highlighting areas it has served.

Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming and 32

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

Nevada appear to be the business’s only remaining holdouts within the continental U.S. Meanwhile, Crystal Camera Repair has also shipped parts around the world, including England, Ireland and Scotland. In one instance, Debra Hall says, they mailed a package to a weather station in Antarctica.

Many customers also bring cameras in from far and remote places. “We’ve noticed a lot of people tour Africa,” Debra Hall says. “You can almost tell what area they were in because the African dust is different [from region to region]. In some areas it’s white, like talcum powder. In others it has a reddish tint. And in some [locations] it’s more a brownish gray.”

When it comes to caring for a camera, Debra Hall has plenty of advice. First, she says, avoid moisture. Fungus can and will grow on cameras (especially on cameras

In 2014, Asheville City Council passed a resolution calling on the city to reduce its landfilled waste by 50 percent come 2035. According to Jessica Foster, the city’s solid waste manager, progress is being made. Despite a rise in population, Foster says, “we have reduced landfilled waste by almost 7 percent, which has resulted in an additional $77,000 in savings in landfill disposal fees.”

Despite these promising numbers, Foster says the city has a long way to go. “For the past few years, we do seem to be hovering around the 22,000 tonnage mark,” she says. “It will require increased waste reduction efforts to meet our 50 percent reduction goal.”

Reuse is one of the key components for the resolution’s success. Foster says a 2015 audit found that landfill waste consisted of 18 percent recyclable goods. She believes educational programs, as well as services such as repair shops, “will help us move closer to our goal.”

Meanwhile, back at The Watchmaker’s Shop, Berrios’ steady stream of repair jobs suggests certain items are irreplaceable. “People still want to fix their dad’s watch that got handed down to them,” he says. “It doesn’t just get chucked in a drawer and [replaced by] a new one.” X

A STITCH IN TIME: From wedding dresses to bear rugs, Misha Davidshuk has seen and sewn it all. Photo by Thomas Calder

A&E

by Thomas Calder

Specialty shops

tcalder@mountainx.com

ECLECTIC COMPANY Four new art galleries open in Asheville

ABOVE AND BEYOND: Momentum Gallery owner Jordan Ahlers (formerly the gallery director at Blue Spiral 1) seeks to bring local and regional artists to the national and international level. Photo by Thomas Calder Never mind the breweries. Forget fine dining. Doughnuts be damned (at least for the duration of this article). When it comes to Asheville, many in the creative community strive to contribute to the area’s overall reputation as an arts destination. Among these advocates are the owners of four new galleries. While each location showcases different aesthetics and mediums, they all share the common goal of expanding the region’s creative scope.

Jordan Ahlers, owner of Momentum Gallery, at 24 N. Lexington Ave., is no stranger to the Asheville art scene. Before opening the North Lexington Avenue space in mid-October, he held the position of gallery director at Blue Spiral 1.

“It was always part of my intention to have a gallery of my own,” he says.

Ahlers describes the gallery’s overall collection as museum-quality work with a distinctively contemporary and modern aesthetic. He believes what connects all 16 of his featured artists is an ability to create works that “strike

an emotional chord or demonstrate the makers’ impressive proficiency with the materials they are working with.”

Ahlers’ goal is to foster growth among emerging and midcareer creatives.

Some of his clients are in Asheville, but the majority reside throughout the Southeast (with a select few based beyond the region). “I’m all about getting my artists’ works out in the world [and] engaging a larger audience,” Ahlers says. “Our regional artists deserve to be taken to the national and … international level.” Learn more at momentumgallery.com.

Meanwhile, in West Asheville, calligrapher Manuel Murillo and his wife, photographer and multimedia artist Patrice Kennedy-Murillo, are looking to promote local, national and international makers. Launched in September, TEXTure Gallery & Art Bar, 1516 Patton Ave., highlights the full range and potential of calligraphy-based art.

“Most people have no clue about what can be done with letter-

ing,” says Murillo. As he weaves in and out of the gallery’s multiple rooms, he showcases the medium’s various applications. In one room, script is incorporated into collage work. A layered piece of handcarved glass hangs in another section of the gallery. Throughout the space, Murrillo’s own creations are displayed, as well. “I get commissions for doing different types of music lyrics,” he says. “It’s an interpretation with an added visual meaning.”

Down a red spiral staircase is the art bar portion of the gallery. This is where classes are led by the husband-and-wife team, as well as visiting artists. In addition, the couple host three-hour art bar sessions, where participants come in and have free range and access to materials. “We like a comfortable feel to the place,” says Murillo. “A place where you can come and create.” Learn more at facebook.com/galleryartbar.

Across the French Broad River river, on the second floor of the Cotton Mill

CONTINUES ON PAGE 34

paint your own pottery • mosaics glass fusing • pottery wheels canvas painting • the best place for kids to make art

1378 Hendersonville Rd • Suite D Asheville, NC • 277-0042 Across the street from Carolina Day School

www.clayingaround.com

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

33

A &E

Specialty shops

Locally-Made Wearable Art

Handspun yarn from local animals and knitting supplies

FREE Sit & Knit every Friday 5:30 - 7pm

Visit Asheville Home Crafts

In the Historic Grove Arcade Suite 134, 1 Page Avenue Asheville NC 28801

Call us: 828-350-7556

www.ashevillehomecrafts.com

TWO OF A KIND: TEXTure Gallery & Art Bar owners Patrice Kennedy-Murillo, left, and Manuel Murillo combine their passion for teaching and creating in their new West Asheville location. Photo by Thomas Calder Studios, recent Asheville arrival and first-time gallerist Reid Dawson operates Modern Wave Art Gallery, 122 Riverside Drive, Studio E. Although new to both the area and the industry, Dawson is a stranger to neither the region nor the trade. As a child, he spent summers in Black Mountain, where he attended camp. Meanwhile, back in Naples, Fla., his mother is involved with the nonprofit Empty Bowls, which works to create positive and lasting change through the arts, education and projects that build community.

Dawson sees Modern Wave, which focuses on contemporary and functional works of various mediums, in a similar vein. Since its launch in April, the gallery has already partnered with nonprofits RiverLink (which promotes the environmental and economic vitali-

ty of the French Broad River) and Hope Chest for Women (which supports women with breast and gynecologic cancers in Western North Carolina).

“Our mission is basically to do what we can to [promote] a bigger picture through art,” Dawson says. Learn more at facebook.com/ ModernWaveArtGallery.

Circling back to Lexington Avenue, downtown residents and visitors will find Bottinelli Fine Art at 56 S. Lexington Ave., No. 105. The space, which opened Dec. 1, is owned by River Arts District painter and whiteSPACE founder Sandra Bottinelli. Where whiteSPACE functions as a shared studio and gallery, Bottinelli’s latest location will focus solely on her work.

Currently, Bottinelli’s downtown space features her animal series;

COME TOGETHER: Reid Dawson aims to further unite the local art world with the nonprofit scene through his new gallery, Modern Wave. Photo by Thomas Calder 34

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

C H I C A SECOND HOME: River Arts District artist Sandra Bottinelli recently opened her second gallery, Bottinelli Fine Art. Photo courtesy of Bottinelli whiteSPACE exhibits her cloud and abstract collections. When it comes to the creative process, Bottinelli says she tends to multitask: “I literally have four or five series [going] at once, so I can jump back and forth between them.”

Along with increased exposure, her second gallery now allows Bottinelli to jump back and forth between her RAD and downtown locations, as well. Learn more at sandrabottinelli.com. X

B O U T I Q U E

828-333-1612 ·· · www. trave li ngc hi c b outi q ue . c om

T R A V E L I N G

··· 30 Haywood S t. As he vi lle , NC 28801 · · ·

Specialty shops

Comfort in a Crust

Stay warm with a hearty, delicious Pot Pie! Ready to take home and bake in your oven.

Handmade using fresh, local ingredients: Classic Chicken • Pesto • Southwest • Greek • Cordon Bleu • Shepherd’s Pie • Steak and Ale • GF & Vegetarian options available

VISIT US AT OUR NEW LOCATION

Check our website to find our retail locations in WNC, or call us to place your order!

202 Stone Ridge Blvd. • Asheville, NC 28804 • (828) 545-0664

W W W. P O T P I E S H O P. C O M

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

35

COMMUNITY CALENDAR DEC. 6 - 14, 2017 Open daily from 4p – 12a

Meet-up Monday- $8 Social House Vodka Martinis Tequila Tuesday- $8 Exotico Margaritas Craft Wednesday- $1 off Local Drafts

CALENDAR GUIDELINES For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 251-1333, ext. 137. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 251-1333, ext. 320.

=❄

THURSDAY 7 DEC:

THE MOON & YOU 7:00PM – 10:00PM

FRIDAY 8 DEC:

3 COOL CATS

7:00PM – 10:00PM

SATURDAY 9 DEC:

JEFF THOMPSON TRIO 7:00PM – 10:00PM

MONDAY 11 DEC:

LAZY BIRDS

7:00PM – 10:00PM

ANIMALS

❄ SARGE’S

ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION 828-246-9050, sargeanimals.org • Through SA (1/13) - Proceeds from this holiday pet photo contest benefit Sarge's Animal Rescue Foundation. $15 per entry.

BENEFITS 309 COLLEGE ST. | DOWNTOWN | (828) 575-1188

w w w. p i l l a r a v l . c o m

HOLIDAY COOKING CLASS PARTIES with Ofri “My company wanted to do something different...we decided to try Ofri’s Home Cooking. What a blast! The food was delicious! Since we had so much fun, I’m bringing my office staff back for our Holiday party. I highly recommend you do the same!”

– Sue Randall, Bayada Pediatrics, Director, Jasmine Pediatric Division

Contact Ofri today to reserve your Holiday Cooking Party Group size limited to 50.

Custom class or competition style event.

(917) 566-5238 ashevillemountainkitchen.com ofri@ofrishomecooking.com

36

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

6TH ANNUAL HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS FUNDRAISER (PD.) Thursday, December 21, 2017. 5pm-10pm, The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC. • Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit 5 Local Nonprofits.

Admission is by donation. Join us for Santa, live music, kid's games, food/drinks, silent auction, photo booth and more! Town and Mountain Realty, 828-232-2879. www. townandmountain.com/ ashevillefundraiser

❄ DECK THE TREES

BENEFIT 828-669-8870, themontevistahotel.net/ • Through SU (12/31), 10am-9pm - Proceeds from donations at “80 Years of Christmas,” hand decorated Christmas tree exhibition benefit the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry.

Free. Held at Monte Vista Hotel, 308 W. State St., Black Mountain

❄ GINGERBREAD

COMPETITION 888-444-OMNI • Through TH (1/4) - Proceeds from parking fees from the 25th Annual Gingerbread Competition exhibition

benefit local nonprofits: Children First/ Communities in Schools, United Way of AshevilleBuncombe, Meals on Wheels, Homeward Bound, Asheville Museum of Science, Asheville City Schools Foundation and The American Legion Post 70. Contact for schedule.

Free to attend with $20 parking fee per car. Held at the OMNI Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave.

❄ LEAF HOLIDAY

BENEFIT 828-255-7777 • FR (12/8), 9:30pm Proceeds from the Enter the Earth Christmas Party with live music

by Roosevelt Collier Music, Soule Monde and the Josh Phillips Big Band benefit LEAF Community Arts. $20/$17 advance. Held at Asheville Music Hall, 31 Patton Ave. MILLS RIVER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10 Presbyterian Church Road, Mills River, 828-891-7101 • SA (12/9), 11:30am - Proceeds from the Festival of Tables gala luncheon with decorated tables, door prizes and live music by the Freestyle Quartet benefit the Mills River Presbyterian Church. $15.

❄ OPEN HEARTS ART CENTER 217 Coxe Ave. • SA (12/9), noon-5pm - Proceeds from "North Pole on the South Slope," holiday sale featuring live music by The Digs, benefit Open Hearts Art Center. Free to attend.

WINTER LIGHTS: Asheville’s brightest holiday tradition, Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum, is open nightly from 6-10 through Sunday, Dec. 31. Winter Lights is a walking tour of the outdoor holiday light exhibit placed throughout 3 acres of the arboretum’s nationally known gardens. The annual event features nearly 500,000 energy-efficient LED lights, live holiday music and refreshments. All tickets are date-specific and must be purchased in advance.

Pricing is $18 for adults and $12 for children (ages 5-11). Children younger than 5 get in free.

Group tickets are also available at $15 per person for a minimum of 20 people. For tickets and information, visit ncwinterlights.com. Photo by Pat Barcas

❄ ORANGE PEEL 101 Biltmore Ave., 828-225-5851 • TH (12/7), 7:30pm - Proceeds from the Hometown Holiday Jam XVII featuring live music by over 10 local bands benefit MANNA FoodBank and Mission Children's Hospital. $10 and a can of food.

TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES 10 College St., 828-254-8374, tenthousandvillages.com • Through FR (12/8) - Proceeds from sales benefit Ten Thousand Villages and local nonprofit organizations. Free to attend.

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 2160 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, 828-2733332, floodgallery.org/ • THURSDAYS, 11am5pm - "Jelly at the Flood," co-working event to meet up with like-minded people to

exchange help, ideas and advice. Free to attend.

CLASSES, MEETINGS & EVENTS Some events from this section may be found in the Give!Local calendar on p. 44 ASHEVILLE SALT CAVE’S HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE (PD.) Join us for an evening of fun, merriment, and self care. Free mini salt cave sessions, chair massage, and snacks!

Discounted holiday shopping and winners drawn hourly. Stop by between 4-8pm on Wednesday December 13th! No reservations necessary.

AWAKENING OF HUMANITY (PD.) The old order is dying.

People calling for change, demanding social and environmental justice.

UFOs, Crop Circles.

Signs, Miracles. The Masters of Wisdom entering the world. A dawning realization we are one humanity. Learn what is behind these

extraordinary events and how we all can be part of the planetary transition into a bright future.

• Saturday, December 16: Asheville Friends Meeting. 227 Edgewood Rd. 2pm. Free talk and video presentation. 828398-0609.

CLASSES AT VILLAGERS (PD.) • Everyday Cured Meats with Meredith Leigh: Sunday, December 10. 5:30-7pm. $20. • Chocolate Alchemy with Lena Ruark-Eastes: Wednesday, December 13. 6:30-8:30pm. $25. Registration/information: www.forvillagers. com EMPYREAN ARTS CLASSES (PD.) Beginning Aerial Arts on Sundays 2:15pm, Mondays 6:30pm, Tuesdays 1:00pm.

Beginning Pole on Sundays 3:30pm, Mondays 5:15pm, Thursdays 8:00pm.

Learn more about us at EmpyreanArts.org.

828.782.3321

HOLISTIC FINANCIAL PLANNING (PD.) January 8-9, 2018, 9:00am-5:00pm Burnsville Town Center, 6 South Main Street, Burnsville, NC 28714. Learn how to make financial decisions that support farm & family values and build profit on your farm.

MAKE YOUR OWN UKRAINIAN EGG ORNAMENT (PD.) Pysanky ornament workshops in the River Arts District throughout December.

AshevilleStudioA. com • (828) 423-6459 • AvlStudioA@gmail. com for signup + more info.

PURPLE CRAYON COMMUNITY ART STUDIO (PD.) Studio and classroom rentals. Open House: 2nd Saturday of Month, 2-4pm. Upcoming workshops: • Let’s Make a T-Shirt Quilt!, 1/6; • Creating Children’s Picture Books, 1/201/21; Visualize Your Way to a More Satisfying Life, 1/27 (Free). www. purplecrayonavl.com

VILLAGERS... (PD.) ...is an Urban Homestead Supply store offering quality tools, supplies and classes to support healthy lifestyle activities like gardening, food preservation, cooking, herbalism, and more. 278 Haywood Road. www.forvillagers.com ASHEVILLE CHESS CLUB 828-779-0319, vincentvanjoe@gmail. com • WEDNESDAYS, 6:30pm - Sets provided. All ages and skill levels welcome.

Beginners lessons available. Free. Held at North Asheville Recreation Center, 37 E. Larchmont Road ASHEVILLE NEWCOMERS CLUB ashevillenewcomersclub.com • 2nd MONDAYS, 9:30am - Monthly meeting for women new to Asheville.

Free to attend.

ASHEVILLE ROTARY CLUB rotaryasheville.org • THURSDAYS, noon1:30pm - General meeting. Free. Held at Renaissance Asheville Hotel, 31 Woodfin St. ASHEVILLE TAROT CIRCLE meetup.com/ Asheville-Tarot-Circle/ • 2nd SUNDAYS, noon - General meeting. Free to attend.

Held at Firestorm Cafe and Books, 610 Haywood Road

❄ ASHEVILLE TIMEBANK 828-348-0674, ashevilletimebank.org • SU (12/10), 4-6:30pm - Holiday potluck and giveaway. Free/Bring a potluck dish to share and an unwrapped gift item. Held at Kairos West Community Center, 604 Haywood Road, Asheville BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • WE (12/6), 5pm Beginners Spanish

Class. Registration required. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • TU (12/12), 6:30pm - Adult coloring club.

Free. Held at EnkaCandler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler CITY OF ASHEVILLE 828-251-1122, ashevillenc.gov • WE (12/13), 6:308pm - "Greenway Warmer: A Celebration of Progress and Future Greenways," presentation and refreshments.

Free. Held at 200 College St., 1st Floor HAYWOOD STREET CONGREGATION 297 Haywood St., 828-246-4250 • 1st & 3rd THURSDAYS, 10amnoon - Workshop to teach how to make sleeping mats for the homeless out of plastic shopping bags.

Information: 828-7077203 or cappyt@att. net. Free.

IGNITE CHANGE • MO (12/11), 6pm - “Stand for Lands,” meeting to strategize and plan next steps to protect public lands.

Free. Held at MIA Gallery, 61 1/2 N. Lexington JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER POOL 40 Clyde St. • SU (12/10), 10am2pm - Grand opening celebration. Free.

LEICESTER COMMUNITY CENTER 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester, 828-774-3000, facebook.com/ Leicester.Community.

Center • 2nd TUESDAYS, 7pm - Public board meeting. Free.

❄

MONTFORD HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES 828-280-1576, montfordtour.com • SA (12/9), 1-5pm - Proceeds from this annual self-guided tour of Montford homes benefit the Montford Neighborhood

Association. $25.

Tickets available Friday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Asheville Visitors Center Gift Shop, 36 Montford Avenue

Get it. Keep it. Improve it." Registration required. Free.

• WE (12/13), 5:30-7pm - "Budgeting and Debt Class." Registration required. Free.

NET NEUTRALITY • TH (12/7), 12:30pm Rally in support of net neutrality rules hosted

by Price for WNC. Please bring a sign.

Free. Held at Vance Monument, 1 Pack Square

FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY wncpsr.org • TH (12/14), 5-8pm - Celebration of the season gathering and presentation with dinner at 6pm. Free. Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St.

ONTRACK WNC 50 S. French Broad Ave., 828-255-5166, ontrackwnc.org • WE (12/6), 5:30-7pm "Understanding Credit.

Get it. Keep it. Improve it." Registration required. Free.

• SATURDAYS (9/9) & (9/16), 9am-12:30pm "Money Management and Credit," class series. Registration required. Free.

• MP (12/11), noon-1:30pm "Understanding Credit.

❄ WNC PHYSICIANS

DANCE CHRISTMAS COUNTRY DANCE PARTY (PD.) Friday, December 15, 7-10:30pm, Asheville Ballroom. Dance lesson 7-8 with Richard and Sue Cicchetti. Dancing 8-10:30. Dance/Lesson $15, Dance only $10.

Contact: 828-333-0715, naturalrichard@mac.com www.DanceForLife.net

Shop the Gift Dept. for everyone on your list!

Christmas Décor, Trim-A-Tree Décor, Fresh Evergreen Trees, Wreaths, Swags and Garland

DECK THE HALLS...

B.B.BARNS...Your ONE STOP Christmas Shop! bbbarns.com

3377 Sweeten Creek Rd., Arden, NC 28704 (828) 650-7300 • Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

37

C O N S C I O U S PA R T Y

by Edwin Arnaudin | earnaudin@mountainx.com

Dungeons & Donations CECILIA JOHNSON Attorney at Law

DIVORCE IS SCARY but your lawyer’s bill shouldn’t be.

•

My $125/hour rate is ALMOST HALF other attorneys’ rates in Asheville.

•

I have 21 years’ experience.

Divorce • Child Custody • Child Support Property Division • Separation Agreements

•

I handle all my cases personally, rather than handing the work to a paralegal.

$125 PER HOUR

•

Skype appointments days, nights and weekends; so no need to travel to my office.

ceciliacjohnson.com ceciliacjohnson@bellsouth.net

Make your list, check it twice!

Shop

D i a m o nmd Earrings fro

best $29 for theprice!

ALAN’S WEST: 1186 PATTON AVE • 828.254.8681 ALAN’S EAST: 736 TUNNEL RD • 828.299.4440 CHEROKEE: ACROSS FROM CASINO • 828.554.0431 38

www.AlansPawn.com

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

ROLL ON: Players participate in the early stages of a 24-hour Dungeons & Dragons game at The Wyvern’s Tale, as seen via the event’s live online stream. The fourth annual Dungeons & Donations, which raises money for area Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, starts Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. Photo courtesy of The Wyvern’s Tale WHAT: A 24-hour Dungeons & Dragons game to benefit Levine Children’s Hospital WHEN: Friday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m.-Saturday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m.

WHERE: The Wyvern’s Tale, 347 Merrimon Ave. WHY: Dungeons & Dragons games are known to last a full afternoon or evening, but the Dungeons & Donations marathon takes that legacy to another level.

Starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, Asheville gaming store The Wyvern’s Tale will host its fourth annual 24-hour D&D game in association with Extra Life, an organization founded by gamers to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Donations go directly to Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, the closest CMN location, to fund critical treatments, health care services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Nearly $4,000 was raised through the 2016 game.

Players may come to the store at any time during the 24 hours to trek through the classic adventure module The White Plume Mountain. A $5 donation gets you on the player list, and as soon as someone dies, you get moved up to the table.

Adding another layer of intrigue is having the game streamed live online via Twitch, which lets players engage viewers, who in turn may participate.

“Lots of people stream D&D these days, but we allow you to affect the game

with your donations,” says Dungeons & Donations director Deklan Green. “You can make things happen for the players, good or — more often — bad, and we think that really makes the audience more invested in what we’re doing. It makes us more invested in being entertaining, and most importantly it helps us raise lots of money for a great cause.”

Children’s hospitals hold special significance for Green, who had to go to one for a surgery when he was 13.

Supporting these hospitals through the game and a silent auction featuring items donated by local businesses, crafters and Wyvern’s Tale customers augments what he says is already “a wonderful communal atmosphere,” the most recent of which saw a player stay in the game for a record 17.5 hours.

“There are lots of in-jokes that we develop over the years, and some particularly generous — or villainous — donors compete to see how many characters they can kill with their donations,” Green says.

“We’re still only a small group of volunteers, so many of us are running on little sleep by the 24th hour, but we always have a lot of fun and we always walk away from it feeling like we’ve accomplished something amazing.”

Dungeons & Donations takes place 6 p.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8-Saturday, Dec. 9, at The Wyvern’s Tale. $5 to play in person or for a viewer to alter the game. www.dndonations.org X

C OMMU N IT Y CA L EN D AR EXPERIENCE ECSTATIC DANCE! (PD.) Dance waves hosted

by Asheville Movement Collective. Fun and personal/community transformation. • Fridays, 7pm, Terpsicorps Studios, 1501 Patton Avenue. • Sundays, 8:30am and 10:30am, JCC, 236 Charlotte Street. Sliding scale fee.

Information: ashevillemovementcollective.org STUDIO ZAHIYA, DOWNTOWN DANCE CLASSES (PD.) Monday 12pm Barre Wkt 5pm Bellydance Drills 6pm Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Bellydance Special Topics 7pm Tribal Fusion Bellydance 8pm Lyrical 8pm Sassy Jazz • Tuesday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 4pm Kids Creative Movement 6pm Intro to Bellydance 7pm Bellydance 2 8pm Advanced Bellydance • Wednesday 5pm Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Bhangra Series 7pm Tap 1 8pm Tap 2 • Thursday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 4pm Kids Hip Hop 5pm Teens Hip Hop 6pm Bellydance Drills 7pm Hip Hop Choreography 8pm West Coast Swing • Friday 9am Hip Hop Wkt • Saturday 9:30am Hip Hop

by Abigail Griffin

Wkt 10:45 Buti Yoga Wkt • $14 for 60 minute classes, Wkt $8. 90 1/2 N. Lexington Avenue. www.studiozahiya. com :: 828.242.7595 THREE DANCE WORKSHOPS (PD.) Register for 1, 2 or 3.

• Two-Step: Monday, December 11, 7-8:30pm.

• Triple-Two: Monday December 18, 7-8:30.

• Nightclub-Two: Wednesday, December 20, 7-8:30. Instructors Richard and Sue Cicchetti.

Asheville Ballroom. • $20 for 1 • $35 for 2 • $50 for 3. • Early Bird special: register by December 9, $45 for all 3. Contact: 828333-0715, naturalrichard@ mac.com. Register online: www.DanceForLife.net ASHEVILLE MONDAY NIGHT DANCE 828-712-0115, oldfarmersball.com • MONDAYS, 7:3010:30pm - Community contra dance. $7. Held at Center for Art & Spirit at St. George, 1 School Road

ECO Some events from this section may be found in the Give!Local calendar on p. 44

ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS ashevillegreendrinks.com • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 7pm - Eco-presentations, discussions and community connection. Free. Held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place

❄ WNC SIERRA CLUB 828-251-8289, wenoca.org • WE (12/6), 6:30-9pm Holiday party potluck with recognition awards ceremony. Free/Bring a dish to share. Held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place FARM & GARDEN LIVING GREEN MEETUP meetup.com/LivingGreen-Asheville-Meetup/ • WE (12/13), 6:30pm - General meeting and connection regarding urban homesteading.

Free to attend. Held at Greenlife Grocery, 70 Merrimon Ave. LIVING WEB FARMS 176 Kimzey Road, Mills River, 828-505-1660, livingwebfarms.org • TU (12/12), 6-7:30pm - "Low-Tech Applied Human Power," workshop regarding pedal, treadle and other forms

of human power for use in home, garden and workshop. $15.

FOOD & BEER

❄ DISABILITY PARTNERS - ASHEVILLE OFFICE 108 New Leicester Highway, Asheville, 828-298-1977, disabilitypartners.org • FR (12/8), 3:30pm -"Holiday Feast," dinner.

Registration required.

Vegetarian options available. Free. ❄ WEST ASHEVILLE TAILGATE MARKET 541-609-8596, westashevilletailgatemarket.com • TUESDAYS through (12/19), 2:30-6pm - Indoor holiday market. Free to attend. Held at The Mothlight, 701 Haywood Road FESTIVALS

❄ GROVE ARCADE 1 Page Ave. • SUNDAYS through (12/17), 1-5pm Photographs with Santa Claus. Free to attend. ❄ LAKE JULIAN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 828-684-0376, david.blynt@ buncombecounty.org

COLON THERAPY ASHEVILLE Cleansing treatment for digestive disorders

ALLAESIA MENARD - LICENSED 43 YEARS www.colontherapyclinic.com 828-206-5811 MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

39

COM M U N I TY CA LEN DA R

=❄ • Through TH (12/23), 6-9pm - Drive through holiday light festival. $10 per passenger vehicle/$20 for vans, motor coaches and buses/Discount for tickets purchased in advance.

Held at Lake Julian Park, 406 Overlook Road, Ext. Arden

❄ MARSHALL CHRISTMAS CRAWL • FR (12/8), 5-9pm Downtown holiday event featuring live music and businesses open late.

Free to attend. Held in Downtown Marshall ❄ WNC HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION wnchistory.org • FR (12/8), 6-8pm "Christmas Twilight Tour," event with costumed interpreters, stories and songs.

Reservations: 828-2539231. $20/$15 members.

Held at Smith-McDowell House Museum, 283 Victoria Road GOVERNMENT & POLITICS BLUE RIDGE REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB facebook.com/BRRWC

• 2nd THURSDAYS, 6pm - General meeting. Free to attend. Held at Gondolier Restaurant, 1360 Tunnel Road.

❄ BUNCOMBE COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN'S CLUB 828-243-6590 • TH (12/14), 1-3pm Christmas luncheon with keynote presentation

by Anglican Priest Father William Martin. Register for location: dalderfer2567@charter.net. Free to attend/Food prices vary.

CITY OF ASHEVILLE 828-251-1122, ashevillenc.gov • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 5pm - Citizens-Police Advisory Committee meeting. Free.

Meets in the 1st Floor Conference Room. Held at Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte St. • SA (12/9), 9:30am "South Slope Visioning," community meeting. Free.

Held at The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave. HEALTHCARE FOR WNC 12 Old Charlotte Highway, 828-299-3370 • WE (12/6), 7-8:30pm HealthCare for All WNC,

by Abigail Griffin

meet and greet. Free to attend. Held at Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Highway INDIVISIBLE COMMON GROUND-WNC Indivisible-sylva.com • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 6:30-8pm -General meeting. Free. Held at St. David's Episcopal Church, 286 Forest Hills Road, Sylva LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS 828-258-8223, abc.nc.lwvnet.org • MO (12/11), noon-1pm "Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project and How You Can Take Action," presentation. Free. Held at YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave. PROGRESSIVE WOMEN OF HENDERSONVILLE pwhendo.org • FRIDAYS, 4-7pm Postcard writing to government representatives. Postcards, stamps, addresses, pens and tips are provided. Free to attend. Held at Sanctuary Brewing Company, 147 1st Ave., Hendersonville

KIDS Some events from this section may be found in the Give!Local calendar on p. 44

Want To Help The Older Adults in Your Community?

Be a Call A Ride Driver!

Volunteer drivers take older adults to medical appointments, the grocery store, and on other errands. They are reimbursed $0.535/mile and receive a stipend of $40 for 6 rides/month.

For more info call 828-277-8288 or email info@coabc.org

coabc.org/volunteer 40

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

Happy Holidays from Greg Mayer and the Technicians at One Click Fix

APPLE VALLEY MODEL RAILROAD & MUSEUM 650 Maple St, Hendersonville, AVMRC.com • WEDNESDAYS, 1-3pm & SATURDAYS, 10am2pm - Open house featuring operating model trains and historic memorabilia.

Free.

ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM 175 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, 828-253-3227 • 2nd TUESDAYS, 11am12:30pm - Homeschool program for grades 1-4.

Registration required: 253-3227 ext. 124. $4 per student.

❄ ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE 35 E. Walnut St., 828-254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org • SA (12/9), 10am - A Dickens Tale, presented

by Bright Star Touring Theatre. $5.

ASHEVILLE ULTIMATE CLUB ashevilleultimate.org, ashevilleultimateclub@ gmail.com • THURSDAYS through (12/14), 4-6pm - High School ultimate frisbee, open practices. Free. Held at Martin Luther King Jr Park, 50 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

❄ BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library • WE (12/6), 4pm - After School Book Club: Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White by Melissa Sweet.

Free. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • WE (12/6), 4pm - "Art After School," activities for ages 5 and up with the Asheville Art Museum.

Free. Held at East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road • TH (12/7), 6:30pm Holiday card making for kids. Registration: 828-250-6486. Free. Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa • FR (12/8), 4pm - Teen cosplay club for ages 12 and up. Free. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler

• SA (12/9), 11am - Sign up to read with JR the Therapy Dog. Registration: 828-250-6486. Free. Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa • MONDAYS, 10:30am - "Mother Goose Time," storytime for 4-18 month olds. Free. Held at Skyland/ South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road • MONDAYS, 10:30am - Spanish story time for

children of all ages. Free.

Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • WE (12/13), 4pm Afterschool art club for school aged kids to make art with the Asheville Art Museum. Free. Held at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester • WE (12/13), 4pm - "Intro to Ornithology," class for ages 5 to 13. Free. Held at

Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. FIRESTORM CAFE AND BOOKS 610 Haywood Road, 828-255-8115 • FR (12/8), 6-8pmMadelyn Lantz and Joe Longobardi present their children's book regarding childhood bullying, The Singing Pool. Free to attend.

FLETCHER LIBRARY 120 Library Road, Fletcher, 828-687-1218, library.hendersoncountync.org • WEDNESDAYS, 10:30am - Family story time. Free.

❄ HANDS ON! A CHILDREN'S GALLERY 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville, 828-6978333 • TU (12/6), 4-5pm - “Mad Scientist on Wheels,” activities for children.

Registration required: 828-890-1850. Free. Held at Mills River Library, 124 Town Center Drive, Suite 1., Mills River • TH (12/7), 2-5pm - "Elves’ Workshop! Snow Crafts!"

Activities for children to create holiday decorations.

Admission fees apply.

• TU (12/12), 11-11:30am "Mad Scientists Lab: Fizzy Candy Canes," activities for children ages 3 and up.

Admission fees apply.

MOUNTAINX.COM

• TU (12/13), 4-5pm - “Mad Scientist on Wheels,” activities for children.

Registration required: 828-890-1850. Free. Held at Mills River Library, 124 Town Center Drive, Suite 1., Mills River • TH (12/14), 11am-noon "Blue Ridge Humane Day," animal activities with an animal visitor. Admission fees apply. Come visit a special animal from the Blue Ridge Humane Society.

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

41

C OMMU N IT Y CA L EN D AR • TH (12/14), 2-5pm "Elves’ Workshop! Ginger Bread Houses!" Activities for children. Admission fees apply.

by Abigail Griffin

MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE

❄ ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 290 Old Haw Creek Road • WE (12/6), 4-5:30pm - "A Visit from St. Nicholas," event with St. Nicholas visit, seasonal crafts and refreshments. Free.

55 Haywood St., 828-2546734, malaprops.com • WEDNESDAYS, 10am - Miss Malaprop's Story Time for ages 3-9. Free to attend.

SWANNANOA VALLEY MUSEUM 223 W State St., Black Mountain, 828-669-9566, history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org

• 2nd & 4th SATURDAYS, 2-4pm - Historically oriented crafts and activities for children. Free to attend.

OUTDOORS CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK (PD.) Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Lure, trails for all levels of hikers, an Animal Discovery Den and 404foot waterfall. Plan your

adventure at chimneyrockpark.com FRIENDS OF THE SMOKIES 828-452-0720, friendsofthesmokies.org, outreach. nc@friendsofthesmokies. org • TU (12/12) - Classic Hike of the Season: Seven-mile, guided flat trail hike at the Little River and Cucumber Gap Trails. Registration

ALUMINUM CHRISTMAS TREE MUSEUM: The Transylvania Heritage Museum hosts the seventh annual Aluminum Tree & Aesthetically Challenged Seasonal Ornament Museum (which has been featured in Southern Living, Money magazine, The New York Times and on BBC) until Saturday, Dec. 23, 10 a.m-5 p.m. daily. The free exhibition includes many vintage aluminum Christmas trees highlighted by revolving color wheels to spotlight the tacky and outrageous. The show’s reception takes place Saturday, Dec. 9, 1-2 p.m., when members of The Atomic Sisterhood will sing aluminum Christmas carols. For more information, visit transylvaniaheritage.org. Photo of The Atomic Sisterhood courtesy of the Transylvania Heritage Museum (p. 60) required. $35/$20 members.

PUBLIC LECTURES

Broad River Park, 508 Riverview Road

❄ PISGAH ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • TH (12/14), 5:30-7pm - Lecture on the life and career of writer Zora Neale Hurston by Dr. Sharon Jones of Wright State University. Free.

Held at West Asheville Public Library, 942 Haywood Road

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF WNC, INC.

1 PARI Drive, Rosman, 828-862-5554, pari.edu • FR (12/8), 7pm - "An Astronomical Look at the Star of Bethlehem," presentation, tour and night sky viewing. $20/$15 for seniors & military/$5 per child ages 6-10.

PISGAH CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED pisgahchaptertu.org/NewMeeting-information.html • 2nd THURSDAYS, 7pm General meeting and presentations. Free to attend.

Held at Ecusta Brewery, 36 E Main St., Brevard

PARENTING BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF WNC 50 S. French Broad Ave. Ste. #213., 828-253-1470, bbbswnc.org • TH (12/7), noon Information session is for single parents with children ages 6-14 interested in learning more about connecting your child with a mentor in the Littles Program. Free.

42

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL PRESERVATION 828-692-8062, saveculture.org • TH (12/7), 7pm "Cherokee Musical History," presented by Bo Taylor, director of the Museum of the Cherokee.

Held at Bo Thomas Auditorium, Blue Ridge Community College Hendersonville

SENIORS ASHEVILLE NEW FRIENDS ashevillenewfriends.org • TU (12/12), 1pm - 2.3 mile round trip walk along French Broad River to New Belgium Brewery.

Meet in parking area.

Free. Held at French

828-253-2900, jfswnc.org • WEDNESDAYS, 11am2pm - The Hendersonville Elder Club for individuals with memory challenges and people of all faiths. Registration required: 828-253-2900. $30. Held at Agudas Israel Congregation, 505 Glasgow Lane, Hendersonville SENIOR OPPORTUNITY CENTER 36 Grove St. • TUESDAYS, 2-3pm "Senior Beat," drumming, dance fitness class. For standing or seated participants. $3.

SPIRITUALITY ABOUT THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION® TECHNIQUE • FREE INTRODUCTORY TALK (PD.) Deep within everyone is a wellspring of peace, energy and happiness.

With proper instruction anyone can effortlessly transcend the busy or agitated mind and directly

experience that rejuvenating inner source. Learn how TM® is different from mindfulness, watching your breath, common mantra meditation and everything else. NIHsponsored research shows deep revitalizing rest, reduced stress and anxiety, improved brain functioning and heightened well-being. Thursday, 6:307:30pm, Asheville TM Center, 165 E. Chestnut.

828-254-4350. TM.org or MeditationAsheville.org ASHEVILLE INSIGHT MEDITATION (PD.) Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation.

Learn how to get a Mindfulness Meditation practice started.

1st & 3rd Mondays.

7pm – 8:30. Asheville Insight Meditation, 175 Weaverville Road, Suite H, ASHEVILLE, NC, (828) 808-4444, ashevillemeditation.com.

ASTRO-COUNSELING (PD.) Licensed counselor and accredited professional astrologer uses your chart when counseling for additional insight into yourself, your relationships and life directions. Readings also available. Christy Gunther, MA, LPC. (828) 258-3229.

EXPERIENCE THE SACRED SOUND OF HU (PD.) In our fast-paced world, are you looking to find more inner peace?

Singing HU can lift you into a higher state of consciousness, so that you can discover, in your own way, who you are and why you’re here. • This Sunday, December 10, 2017, 11am, fellowship follows. Eckankar Center of Asheville, 797 Haywood Rd. (“Hops and Vines” building, lower level), Asheville NC 28806, 828254-6775. (free event). www.eckankar-nc.org FAMILY MEDITATION (PD.) Children and adult(s) practice mindfulness meditation, discuss principles, and engage in fun games.

The 3rd Saturday monthly.

10:30am – 11:30. Asheville Insight Meditation, 175 Weaverville Road, Asheville, 828-808-4444, ashevillemeditation.com.

OPEN HEART MEDITATION (PD.) Now at 70 Woodfin Place, Suite 212. Tuesdays 7-8pm. Experience the stillness and beauty of connecting to your heart and the Divine within you.

Suggested $5 donation.

OpenHeartMeditation. com SHAMBHALA MEDITATION CENTER (PD.) Thursdays, 7-8:30pm and Sundays, 10-noon • Meditation and community. By donation. 60 N. Merrimon Ave., #113, (828) 200-5120. asheville.shambhala.org CENTER FOR ART & SPIRIT AT ST. GEORGE 1 School Road, 828-2580211 • 1st & 3rd THURSDAYS, 2pm - Intentional meditation. Admission by donation.

• 3rd SATURDAYS, 7:309:30pm - "Dances of Universal Peace," spiritual group dances that blend chanting, live music and movement. No experience necessary. Admission by donation.

FIRESTORM CAFE AND BOOKS 610 Haywood Road, 828255-8115 • 2nd SUNDAYS, 2:30pm - Pagans for a Just

2018

Asheville, general meeting. Free to attend.

❄ FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ASHEVILLE 5 Oak St., 828-252-4781, fbca.net • TH (12/14) through SU (12/17) - "O Come Let Us Adore Him: Christmas Nativity Sets from Around the World" exhibition of over 100 nativity sets. See website for full schedule: ashevillenativity.org. Free.

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville, 828-693-4890, gracelutherannc.com • 2nd FRIDAYS, 1-2pm Non-denominational healing prayer group. Free.

• WE (12/13), 6pm Advent service. Register for post-service meal: 828693-4890. Free.

URBAN DHARMA 828-225-6422, udharmanc.com/ • THURSDAYS, 7:30-9pm Open Sangha night. Free.

Held at Urban Dharma, 77 Walnut St.

SPOKEN & WRITTEN WORD ASHEVILLE WRITERS' SOCIAL allimarshall@bellsouth.net • FR (12/8), 6-8pm - N.C. Writer's Network group holiday party. Free to attend. Held at Battery Park Book Exchange, 1 Page Ave., #101 BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSELLERS BILTMORE PARK Biltmore Park Town Square, 33 Town Square Blvd., #100, 828-687-0681 • SA (12/9), 2:30pm - Lee James Pantas presents their book, Wild & Furry Animals of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Free to attend.

❄ BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • WE (12/6), 3pm - Book Discussion: 1984 by George Orwell. Free.

Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • TH (12/7), 6pm Swannanoa Book Club: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah and Too

Late the Phalarope by Alan Pator. Free. Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa • TH (12/7), 6:30pm - East Asheville Book Club: A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny. Free. Held at East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road • SA (12/9), 3pm - West Asheville Book Club: Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig. Free. Held at West Asheville Public Library, 942 Haywood Road • TU (12/12), 1pm Leicester Book Club: Christmas at Harrington’s

by Melody Carlson. Free.

Held at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester • TU (12/12), 7pm - Mull it Over Beers and Books Club: Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at Warbby Mary Roach. Free to attend. Held at Wedge Foundation, 5 Foundy St., Asheville • WE (12/13), noon Stranger pen pals club.

Sign up to receive a letter, sign someone else up to receive a letter and write a letter to a stranger. Free.

Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. FIRESTORM CAFE AND BOOKS 610 Haywood Road, 828255-8115 • First THURSDAYS, 6pm - Political prisoners letter writing. Free to attend.

FLETCHER LIBRARY 120 Library Road, Fletcher, 828-687-1218, library.hendersoncountync.org • 2nd THURSDAYS, 10:30am - Book Club.

Free.

• 2nd THURSDAYS, 1:30pm - Writers' Guild.

Free.

❄ HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS 174 Broadway, habitatbrewing.com • WE (12/13), 7pm "WORD!" Spoken word series featuring Michael Reno Harrell with the theme "Home For The Holidays." $20/$18 advance.

NEW DIMENSIONS TOASTMASTERS 828-329-4190 • THURSDAYS, noon1pm - General meeting.

Information: 828-329-

4190. Free to attend. Held at Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, 33 Meadow Road

VOLUNTEERING Some events from this section may be found in the Give!Local calendar on p. 44 TUTOR ADULTS IN NEED WITH THE LITERACY COUNCIL (PD.) Spend two hours a week helping an immigrant who wants to learn English or a native English-speaking adult who wants to learn to read. Visit our website or call us to sign up for volunteer orientation. 828254-3442. volunteers@litcouncil.com. www.litcouncil.com

❄ IRENE WORTHAM CENTER 916 West Chapel Road • MONDAY through FRIDAY until (12/15) Volunteers need to to assist with wrapping gifts for sponsored children and adults. Registration: jbryant@iwcnc.org or 828.777.7395.

Wellness Issues

COME SEE US TODAY!

BRING YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR AND YOUR ASIAN CAR—TOYOTA, LEXUS, HONDA, ACURA, SUBARU, NO EUROPEAN MODELS

Free alignment inspection with any service, just ask.

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

COME TO MOSTLY & SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY SO WE WE CAN KEEP GIVING BACK TOO!

FALL SPECIAL Mention Ad - Get 10% off labor!

We Treat You Like Family!

Publish Jan. 31 & Feb 7

Contact us today!

828-251-1333 x 320

advertise@ mountainx.com

MOSTLY AUTOMOTIVE 253 Biltmore Ave. 828-253-4981

DISABILITY PARTNERS ASHEVILLE OFFICE 108 New Leicester Highway, 828-298-1977, disabilitypartners.org •Through WE (12/20) Donations of computers accepted.

❄ N.C. ARBORETUM WINTER LIGHTS 828-665-2492, ncwinterlights.com • Through (12/31) Volunteers needed to help with ticketing, wayfinding, crafts, model train, fire pits and more. Complete three shifts and receive two free tickets to the light festival. Registration: ncarboretum.org/ volunteer. Held at N.C. Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way For more volunteering opportunities visit mountainx.com/ volunteering

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

43

C O MM UNI TY CA LEN DA R

by Abigail Griffin

Send your event listings to calendar@mountainx.com

Seven big days, seven big prizes Big Give Week runs Dec. 3-9

Taking Reservations for New Year’s Eve HOLIDAY PARTIES • SPECIAL EVENTS WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS: ½ Price Select Bottles FRI & SAT NIGHTS: Live Music Biltmore Station/2 Hendersonville Rd just steps from Biltmore Village 828-222-6555 • virgolausa.com

Make a donation of $20 or more before Big Give Week ends at midnight Dec. 9 — and be entered to win one of seven great prizes.

• Asheville Salt Cave — two Salt Cave sessions • Green Home Cleaning — $100 home cleaning certificate • Asheville Humane Society — dog or cat adoption package • LaZoom Comedy Bus Tours — a pair of tickets • Still Point Wellness — two drawings for two prizes, each providing a 60-minute salt water floatation ($69 value) plus a 30-minute Relaxation Room session with Far Infrared Sauna and/or Migun Massage Bed ($30 value) • Blackbird Restaurant — $100 gift certificate Each of these local business is supporting Give!Local’s fundraising efforts.

In addition, every person making a donation of $20 or more will receive a Give!Local voucher book in the mail while remaining eligible for any other qualifying incentives being offered by individual nonprofits.

More than 220 people have made charitable donations through the Give!Local program thus far, and Give!Local hopes to double that number before the year is out.

Where the donors are giving 20 Environment 15

Social Justice Youth

10

Animals Community

5

Arts 0

Average number of donors (per nonprofit) in each section

There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter the Big Give Week competitions. You may enter this competition without making a donation by filling out the “optional print mailin donation form” found on page 35 of the Give!Local Guides, which are available at distribution points around town and at the Mountain Xpress office, at 2 Wall St. To be entered in the competition, donation forms — whether mailed or hand-delivered — must be received by the contest closing date (Dec. 9). After this date, no further entries to the competition will be permitted. For full contest rules, visit givelocalguide.org/contest-terms/

100% of your

Give!Local nonprofit events Dec. 6-14 This week the Community Calendar is highlighting events that are sponsored by nonprofits that are participating in the Give!Local campaign. The campaign is raising money for 30 worthy local nonprofits that make a big difference where we live. These events are wonderful examples of some of the great work these nonprofits do within our communities!

HOLIDAY EVENTS

❄ 12 BASKETS CAFE 610 Haywood Road (in basement of Firestorm Cafe) • SA (12/9), 10am-noon - Community Christmas party with refreshments and activities. Donations to GiveLocal enouraged. Free to attend.

❄ OPEN HEARTS ART

CENTER

217 Coxe Ave. • SA (12/9), 2-6pm Christmas open house.

Free to attend.

44

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

SUPPORT GROUPS MEMORY LOSS CAREGIVERS network@memorycare.org • 2nd TUESDAYS, 9:30am – Held at Highland Farms Retirement Community, 200 Tabernacle Road, Black Mountain • 2nd THURSDAYS, 1-3pm – Held at Pisgah Valley Retirement Community, 95 Holcombe Cove Road, Candler MY DADDY TAUGHT ME THAT mydaddytaughtmethat.org

• MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS, 6-8pm Men’s discussion group.

Free. Held at My Daddy Taught Me That Meeting Place, 16-A Pisgah View Apartments OUR VOICE 35 Woodfin St., 828-2520562, ourvoicenc.org • Ongoing drop-in group for female identified survivors of sexual violence.

ECO MOUNTAINTRUE 828-258-8737, mountaintrue.org

• 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6-7:30pm - Environmental issues and actions meeting. Free. Held at Wedge Foundation, 5 Foundy St., Asheville

KIDS

donations go to the nonprofits

• 2nd FRIDAYS, 5:307:30pm - “Evening at the Museum” drop-off event for children ages 5-10.

Registration required. $15/$12 members.

VOLUNTEERING

ness and how the public can help. Registration required: tours@ homewardboundwnc.org.

Free.

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AIDS PROJECT

ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE

HOMEWARD BOUND OF WNC

828-252-7489, wncap.org

43 Patton Ave., 828-2547162, colburnmuseum.org • 2nd & 4th FRIDAYS, 9-9:45am - “Little Explorers Club,” guided activities and free play for preschoolers. $3.50 per child/Free for caregivers.

218 Patton Ave., 828-2581695, homewardboundwnc.org • THURSDAYS, 11am “Welcome Home Tour,” tours to find out how Homeward Bound is working to end homeless-

10am-noon - Volunteer

• 2nd & 4th SATURDAYS, to deliver food boxes to homebound people living with HIV/AIDS. Registration: 828-252-7489 ext.315 or wncapvolunteer@wncap.org.

FOOD

FERMENTING FERVOR Tips from Asheville food artisans on DIY probiotic veggies

BY LIISA ANDREASSEN LiisaS66@gmail.com Fermented foods have steadily bubbled their way into the spotlight in Asheville’s culinary and wellness sectors. Not only do they brighten our plates with complex and zesty flavor profiles, but their gut-friendly bacteria are also believed to offer health benefits ranging from improved digestion to allergy relief.

Best of all, they are incredibly accessible. Making them at home is simple and inexpensive, requiring no fancy equipment or exotic ingredients. And fortunately, Asheville chefs and food artisans have plenty of insight on how to get started with easy do-it-yourself ferments.

HOW IT WORKS Fermentation is accomplished by microorganisms that convert sugars into other compounds, such as alcohol and lactic acid. In the case of vegetable ferments like sauerkraut, through their respiration, anaerobic bacteria produce carbon dioxide, which replaces the oxygen in the sealed fermenting container, and lactic acid, according to a 2014 article on the science of sauerkraut by biochemist S.E. Gould in Scientific American. “Eventually, the conditions within the jar become too acidic for these bacteria to survive and they die out, replaced with bacteria that can better handle the acidic conditions such as Lactobacillus species,” Gould writes.

A 2014 article published in Tufts University’s Health & Nutrition Letter explains that during fermentation, “bacteria predigest certain food components, making them easier for your gut to handle and for nutrients to be absorbed when you eat them.” People who are lactoseintolerant can often consume fermented dairy products like yogurt because the lactose sugar has been partly broken down by the bacteria in them. In addition, making cabbage into sauerkraut or kimchi, for example, increases the number

BUBBLING OVER: Making ferments at home is a simple process that implements very basic ingredients. Fresh vegetables, salt and water are the key elements, says Lars Peterson, owner of Fermenti, a Marshall-based producer of live, probiotic foods. Photo courtesy of Fermenti of glucosinolate compounds, which are believed to fight cancer.

Lars Peterson of Fermenti, a Marshall-based business that specializes in producing handcrafted probiotic-rich foods, beverages and seasonings, says the most important thing people need to know about raw, unpasteurized fermented food is this: Lactic-acid bacteria fermentation of vegetables perfectly imitates the human body’s digestive system.

“As a result, these fermented foods dramatically reduce the work your body has to do during digestion and

increases absorptivity of available chelated nutrients,” Peterson says.

DO IT YOURSELF Peterson adds that although Fermenti’s products are unpasteurized and full of live cultures, many fermented vegetables available in grocery stores have been preserved using modern sterilization methods.

The high heat kills any friendly bacteria along with the unfriendly sort, so if you want pickles and kraut

CONTINUES ON PAGE 46

NEW SUNDAY BRUNCH MENU 11 – 2:30 $5 mimosas $15 mimosa carafes $7 bloody marys 828.505.7531 1011 Tunnel Rd, Asheville NC 28805 Home Trust Bank Plaza

coppercrownavl.com

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

45

FOOD

“Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it’s very important that you do it.” -Gandhi

FARMTOHOMEMILK.COM

E T H I O P I A N R E S TAU R A N T Delicious, Authentic, Farm-to-Table Ethiopian Cuisine!

LUNCH 11:30-3 DINNER 5-9, 9:30 FRI-SAT In the International District in downtown Asheville

48 COMMERCE STREET (Behind the Thirsty Monk)

828-707-6563 www.addissae.com

46

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

with bacterial benefits, aside from buying cultured products from local vendors, making it yourself is a good option.

Evan Timmons, head chef at White Labs Kitchen & Tap, works with the fermentation process on a daily basis. White Labs produces yeast for the craft beer industry, and the new eatery’s menu offers a variety of fermented sauces and vegetables with a focus on bread and wood-fired pizzas made with White Labs yeast.

Lucky for DIYers, sauerkraut and pickles are simple to make and forgiving of beginners’ mistakes, Timmons says. To those who are considering venturing into the world of home fermenting, he advises, “Don’t be afraid. Trust in the wisdom of these microbes, which humanity has been using for thousands of years.” If basic precautions are observed, he says, there’s little risk.

When getting started, garlic, chilies and other vegetables that have moderate natural sugar are some of the easiest foods to ferment, says Jacob Sessoms, executive chef at Table. For a vessel, he suggests buying a ceramic fermenting crock at a kitchen supply store. “You don’t want to use plastic as it will retain the odor,” he says.

Timmons says that a lot of traditionalists like to use stoneware crocks, but wide-mouth Mason jars work great, too. “They also make neat gadgets, like double-bubble airlock lids for these jars,” he says, adding that Villagers in West Asheville specializes in fermenting products. Fifth Season on Tunnel Road and Kitchen & Company in River Hills Plaza are also good resources for supplies.

Carrots, onions and celery, Timmons notes, are good candidates for fermenting, and the process can be boosted with brewer’s yeast or whey (a byproduct of making dairy ferments such as cheese and yogurt).

“Or simply allow the microbes naturally occurring on the surface of the vegetables do the work for you,” he says, adding the caveat that this last method is less reliable and can sometimes allow in unwanted microbes.

Also crucial for a successful ferment is salt, which draws the water out of the vegetables, creating a natural brine that ensures that the more salt-tolerant beneficial microbes can thrive and the unwanted ones will perish. “We recommend using fine-grain, dehydrated sea salt because all of our recipes are based on weight, and different salts have varying amounts of water added which will affect your consistency,” says Peterson.

He adds that temperature also plays a big role — heat speeds up the process, and cold slows it down.

He recommends keeping ferments as close to 72 degrees as possible during their active stage before they are refrigerated.

The final element is water, which Peterson says is the most important one and a common culprit in fermenting failures. He advises that only distilled and reverse-osmosis treated water be used.

TROUBLE-SHOOTING Although the process is straightforward, problems can arise. While Peterson says it’s not necessary “to be hazmat-level clean to make delicious food — just wash everything with good soap and hot water,” he notes that the surfactants and antibacterial agents in some soaps can hinder probiotic development.

There’s also the possibility of airborne contamination if the vessel isn’t properly sealed.

Knowing when your project has finished fermenting, he adds, can cause confusion. But it’s usually

ready for refrigeration within five days, when the airlock stops bubbling and no juice is coming out of the jar.

Fermenti, in addition to offering classes, sells a fermenting kit with supplies and detailed instructions that Peterson says “takes away variables and simplifies the whole process so you can have success and feel motivated.” Also, fermenting workshops happen regularly in the Asheville area, including at Villagers, Timmons notes.

For those who are still nervous, Peterson says it’s easy to tell when a ferment is unsafe to eat. “It is very obvious when you’ve made a bad ferment,” he explains. “The smell will be like hot garbage or feces and there will be obvious mold growth.”

Toxic molds, he says, are fuzzy and white and will eventually develop black mold spores. “A good ferment will smell like it’s been cooked and will also have a vibrant color that is not brown or grey from contamination or oxidization.” X

White Labs Kitchen & Tap fermented sauerkraut Makes about 1½ quarts One head green cabbage (about 3 pounds), trimmed, cored and shredded. Reserve outer leaves whole.

28 grams grey sea salt 1 teaspoon juniper berries and/or caraway seeds (optional)

Add shredded cabbage to a large mixing bowl, sprinkling in the measured sea salt, seeds and berries to your own taste. Mix well, then squeeze/massage cabbage until it begins to release its liquid. Continue to do this about every 10-20 minutes, covering the bowl with plastic wrap in between, until enough liquid is produced to cover the cabbage. This can take two to four hours.

Pack cabbage into a 64-ounce Mason jar with all its accumulated brine. Lay reserved cabbage leaves on top and press down until brine rises at least 1/2 inch above cabbage. Add weights and push down to compress. If you need more brine, top it off with a 2 percent sea salt solution. (Dissolve 2 grams of salt in 100 grams of spring water.) Seal jar with an airlock lid following manufacturer’s instructions.

Place in a cool, dark place — a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees is ideal. After one to three days, the fermentation process should be very active, and the cabbage should be bubbling away. (If you do not have an airlock, leave your jar lid on very loosely to allow gas to escape.)

After the first seven days, open the jar and push the cabbage down below brine — it is essential that the cabbage always remain below the brine. Feel free to taste to monitor its progress. If the brine gets low, top it up with more 2 percent sea salt water. If there’s mold growing on the surface of the brine, simply scrape it off and continue to ferment. The sauerkraut will be ready in three to six weeks, depending on how sour you like it. If the cabbage becomes discolored or slimy or there is a truly offensive smell, throw it away and try again. Once the sauerkraut is to your liking, refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to six months.

SMALL BITES

by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com

Winter Local Art and Food Festival

Black Mountain

mustard seeds; Sweet Brine’d, which produces fermented products; No Evil Foods, which creates plant-based protein meals; Karen’s Spice Kitchen, which offers pre-blended spice packets; Bake Hampton; Cowgirl Vegan Bakery; Mandala Chocolate; Pete’s Extraordinary Granola; Hickory Nut Gap Farm; Hawk Knob Ciders; Wicked Weed; Asheville Tea Co.; Pure Fire Tonic; and wines from Sour Grapes. Plant restaurant coowner and chef Jason Sellers will also be there demonstrating how to make his vegan cheese.

Kiely says she hopes the event will encourage residents to buy local goods this holiday season. Along with food

CONTINUES ON PAGE 48

Cafe, Butcher Shop, Catering

Come enjoy our cozy cafe setting, extensive produce, beverage, & local selections!

Check out other locations:

Downtown & Biltmore

www.hopeyandcompany.com

KEEP IT LOCAL: West Village Market & Deli owner Rosanne Kiely says she hopes the Winter Local Art and Food Festival will encourage shoppers to purchase local goods this holiday season. Photo by Thomas Calder West Village Market & Deli has held winter festivals in the past, but at this year’s Winter Local Art and Food Festival, guests can expect a more integrated approach, says owner

Rosanne Kiely. Food samples will be stationed at artists’ tables. “It’s the first time we’ve done that,” Kiely explains.

Food and drink vendors will include Eat Pique, which makes honey-pickled

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

47

F OOD and health products, artwork featured at the festival will range from handcrafted jewelry to paintings to upcycled clothing to pottery. Vendors will include Andrew Massey Ceramics, Patricia Spangler, Bree’s Trees, Sherrie Howe, WecreationCo and SUCC IT-UP. “It’s a season that you can sort of get cynical about,” she says. “But it’s also a chance to be generous … and share the love. … We’re trying to take that commercial sting out of it and make it more real.”

The Winter Local Art and Food Festival runs noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at West Village Market & Deli, 771 Haywood Road. For more information, visit avl.mx/4cj.

BLUE RIDGE FOOD VENTURES 2017 HOLIDAY MARKET

plant ‘tis the season for holiday lunch parties

FRESH, SCRATCH-MADE BAKED GOODS

♥

♥

165 merrimon avenue | 828.258.7500 | www.plantisfood.com

840 Merrimon Ave. 828-252-9330

7 DAYS A WEEK HOME OF THE FAMOUS $1 DONUTS

Best NY style Bagels, Rolls and Egg Sandwiches Danish, Pastries and Cookies Wedding and Special Occasion Cakes

48

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

Also supporting local entrepreneurs is Blue Ridge Food Ventures’ annual holiday market on Saturday, Dec. 9. At press time, vendors at this year’s event include Sow True Seeds, Firewalker Hot Sauce, Farmer Jane Soaps, Pure Fire Foods, Crooked Condiments, Asheville Tea Co., Asheville Goods, Farm Fresh Nutrition, Animal Haven of Asheville and Cara Mae Skincare.

The Blue Ridge Food Ventures 2017 Holiday Market runs 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 9, in room 2026 of the Small Business Center on the Enka campus of A-B Tech. For more information, visit blueridgefoodventures.org.

CUMBIA DANCE PARTY AT URBAN ORCHARD Urban Orchard Cider Co. and Bar will host a cumbia dance party with DJ Malinalli on Friday, Dec. 8. The event is a fundraiser for 5-year-old Sand Hill-Venable Elementary School student Elaine Aguilar, who was recently hospitalized with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. Aguilar will recover, but as a result of her hospitalization, both her parents have lost their jobs. Urban Orchard will donate 15 percent of its bar and kitchen sales during the event to benefit the Aguilar family.

The party happens 8-11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Urban Orchard Cider Co. and Bar, 210 Haywood Road. For more information, visit urbanorchardcider.com.

HANDCRAFTED CHRISTMAS AT ADDISON FARMS VINEYARD The fourth annual Handcrafted Christmas at Addison Farms Vineyard returns Saturday, Dec. 9. The event will feature local craft and farm products from Rusted Earth Farm, Finally Farm, Deanna Lynch Textiles, Frank Barbara, Dort Lee, Bee Branch Farm, Martha Johnson and Enchanting Studio. Addison Farms Vineyard will offer a free wine tasting with a $10 donation to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and will match all donations up to $500.

Handcrafted Christmas runs noon5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Addison

Farms Vineyard, 4005 New Leicester Highway. For more information, visit addisonfarms.net.

EVERYDAY CURED MEATS WITH MEREDITH LEIGH Author and butcher Meredith Leigh will lead a charcuterie workshop at Villagers on Sunday, Dec. 10. “It is always surprising to people to learn how easy it is for them to make things they probably spend the most money on at the supermarket,” she says. The event will focus on lunch meats and other common cured meats, including sliced ham, roast beef and bacon.

Leigh will also discuss pâtés, as well as other meat specialties. “The other focus of the class is making these foods with superpure and mindfully sourced ingredients,” she says. Leigh hopes that participants will walk away with inspiration, empowerment and scientific knowledge about cured meats.

Everyday Cured Meat with Meredith Leigh runs 5:30-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Villagers, 278 Haywood Road.

Tickets are $20. To learn more, visit avl.mx/4ci.

FARM SUPPER AT FARM BURGER SOUTH ASHEVILLE On Thursday, Dec. 14, Farm Burger South Asheville will host Farm Supper, a four-course dinner designed and prepared by chef Connor Flaherty. The locally sourced menu will feature meats and produce from Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Gaining

Ground Farm, Ivy Creek Family Farms, R Farms, The American Pig and Lusty Monk. Beer pairings will be prepared by Hi-Wire Brewing.

Live music will be performed by Curt Castle. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.

The Farm Supper begins at 5 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 14, at Farm Burger South Asheville, 1831 Hendersonville Road. Tickets are $40 per person for dinner, $50 with beer pairings.

For tickets, visit Farm Burger South Asheville or call 828-575-2393. For more information, visit farmburger. net. To learn more about ASAP, visit asapconnections.org.

NORTHSTAR BAKEHOUSE HOSTS GRAND OPENING On Wednesday, Dec. 13, NorthStar Bakehouse will host its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The bakery offers scones, muffins, cookies, bars, quiche, rolls, bread and pastries, as well as custom cakes, pies and desserts for special events, including weddings.

Holiday orders will be taken during at the grand opening event.

The eatery also serves Dynamite Roasting Co. coffee.

NorthStar Bakehouse is at 1570 Patton Ave. Its grand opening takes place 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Store hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m. MondayFriday; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit northstarbakehouse.com. X

Every Thursday night

Music Night

in the Enoteca at Rezaz for more info: facebook: enotecatrezaz instagram: rezazasheville Make reservations at reserve.com Historic Biltmore Village 828.277.1510 rezaz.com

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

49

BEER SCOUT

FOOD

by Scott Douglas | jsdouglas22@gmail.com

Eurisko and The Whale eye December debuts Patience is a virtue when it comes to brewing, and according to the Eurisko Beer Co. team, the same may be said of opening a brewery itself. A process that started two years ago is finally nearing completion, with beer currently being produced at the South Slope brewhouse and a grand opening for the adjacent taproom expected in January.

Eurisko beers should start to appear on draft in Asheville and Charlotte as soon as late December.

Although the brewery was on track for a New Year’s Eve opening, the decision to delay the debut was driven by a desire to give drinkers the best possible introduction to Eurisko, according to owner and brewmaster Zac Harris.

IN DUE TIME: Jesse Van Note and Andrew Ross, pictured left and right, respectively, in the top photo, anticipate a December opening for their Haywood Road taproom, The Whale.

Meanwhile, Eurisko Beer Co. owners Zack Mason, Zac Harris and Matt Levin, pictured from left in the bottom photo, aim to have their brews on draft in Asheville and Charlotte by the end of this month. Photos by Scott Douglas

SOUTH ASHEVILLE’S NEW HOME FOR COMFORT FOOD AND CRAFT COCKTAILS

Sun-Thurs | 11am-10pm Fri & Sat | 11am-Midnight

2155 Hendersonville Rd. Arden, NC, 28704

828.676.2577 post25avl.com 50

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

“Trying to push the New Year’s thing would’ve been a nightmare,” says Harris.

“I think, in general, having a better first impression is more important than having a big party on a night when people might not be focused on the beer. So I think doing a bigger, more elaborate opening later — and with a lot more beer — is a better way to start.”

Head brewer Zack Mason concurs, noting that the idea of opening before the beer was ready was never a consideration. Eurisko plans to have produced at least five 15-barrel batches of beer before the grand opening, along with a half-dozen or more small-batch beers on the brewery’s 1-barrel pilot system in order to meet initial demand and ensure that the brewery can supply all of its taps with house-brewed beer.

“We’ve got 10 taps upstairs, and we want to fill them,” says Mason. “We may tap some of our favorite beers from other

breweries as things run out, but we want to open with Eurisko beers pouring.”

The first batch on the 15-barrel system was a simple farmhouse ale with one hops variety, one grain and one yeast strain, designed to have as few variables as possible to establish a baseline for quality control testing, according to Harris. While that batch might never be shared with the public, beers brewed for the opening on the large system will include a lager, a pale ale, an IPA and possibly a witbier, with small-batch stouts and barleywines produced concurrently on the pilot system.

Guests will have the chance to experience the upstairs taproom and outdoor beer garden at the grand opening, with the downstairs taproom expected to open later in the year. Updates on Eurisko’s opening date, as well as merchandise and links to relevant social media pages, can be found at euriskobeer.com.

THE WHALE CRAFT BEER COLLECTIVE Construction is proceeding briskly as the finishing touches are finally put in place at The Whale Craft Beer Collective on Haywood Road in West Asheville. The taproom and bottle shop, which was originally expected to open in October, is now slated to open the third week of December. And while the build-out has gone smoothly, owners Andrew Ross and Jesse Van Note are eager to invite the public into the finished space.

“Everything’s been moving along.

Obviously, it’s taken a lot more time and work than we anticipated, but I think the end product is something everybody’s going to be super stoked on and super happy with,” says Van Note. “I can’t wait to have people come and hang out and drink a beer and feel they’re in something that’s like nothing else in Asheville.”

“We’re getting close, for sure,” adds Ross. “We anticipated opening in fall, and we’re still in fall technically.

Construction takes time, but like Jesse said, we just want to make sure the final project is something we’re proud of and want to stand behind.”

Although the duo have declined to specify an exact opening date, all of the major fixtures and utilities are in place, including an elaborately inlaid bar and a 20-tap draft system. The Whale will feature a rotating selection of draft beers alongside a diverse wine list, with an extensive bottle list available for offpremise consumption. Spirits will not be available, though Van Note points out that the bar will also showcase a selection of fortified offerings as well as sake and mead.

Ross and Van Note credit much of The Whale’s progress to their general contractor, Jason Holtsclaw from Nail Guns for Hire. They also express appreciation for the support and guidance they’ve received from beer distributors, including longtime friends such as Kate Higgins of Tryon Distributors and new acquaintances like John McCarthy of Proof Wine and Spirits.

“As we’re building these relationships, everyone seems excited and sees what our vision is,” says Ross. “We’re looking forward to offering our clientele an experience that’s different from anything else in town.”

Eurisko Beer Co. is at 255 Short Coxe Ave. The Whale Craft Beer Collective is at 507 Haywood Road. X

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

51

A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

POSTERIZED

Push Skate Shop and Gallery hosts The Illustrated Rock Art of N.C. group show

BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN earnaudin@mountainx.com In the long tradition of successful industries encouraging auxiliary growth in various subsectors, the increasing number of talented musicians in Asheville and throughout North Carolina has prompted a steady stream of gig posters. Filling those requests is what local artist Joshua Marc Levy calls “a gang of illustrators, graphic designers and printers, all working to get it all drawn, colored and printed.”

The wealth of creations arising from this niche inspired Levy to curate The Illustrated Rock Art of N.C. group show at Push Skate Shop and Gallery. The exhibition runs Friday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Jan. 7, and focuses on handmade illustrated works.

Along with Levy’s own original drawings, test prints and copies of final prints, an average of six works each by J.T. Lucchesi, Matthew Stuart Decker, Jason Krekel and Lance Wille, Drew De Porter and Ken Vallario will be on display. James Flames, whom Levy considers the best illustrator in rock art from this area, had a last-minute schedule conflict arise, but for his first stab at a show of this kind, the organizer feels good about the assembled collection of posters for nationally touring and local musicians.

“It’s a tricky balance, curating a show like this and having it go smoothly,” Levy says. “I tried to include everyone I personally know or have interacted with previously, without it getting out of hand. These guys are all extremely talented.”

With a passion for music as their foundation, local artists land gig poster work through making connections in the local live music scene, inquiring about collaborations with groups and building positive word-of-mouth. Once the job is secured, client expectations and the artistic process vary wildly.

“Sometimes bands have an idea [of] what they want. Other times they have no idea and give you carte blanche,” says Levy (who has created work for Dinosaur Jr. and The Broadcast, among others).

“Sometimes I have to deal with a merch company, who speaks with the management, who gets feedback from the band, and it all gets telephoned in. At other times, I am 52

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

PHYSICAL REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ABSTRACT: Drew De Porter’s poster for Asheville band Window Cat is one of the many gig posters created by local illustrators. The group show The Illustrated Rock Art of N.C. highlights these works. Image by Drew De Porter

MOUNTAINX.COM

sitting with a lead guitar player at my desk, figuring it out together in-house.”

Since a poster can take anywhere from two to seven days to draw up, and a few days to print, even the most prolific illustrator can only accomplish so much. The resulting wealth of work to go around and the range of individual styles mean that the artists don’t consider each other to be competition, but the high level of creativity has its own motivating factors.

“Everyone brings the goods,” says Lucchesi (Widespread Panic, Ween).

“With the amount of players in the game, you cannot be phoning it in, or you will

get called out on it by fans on the interwebs. This is a good thing as it helps keep your art fresh.”

While aching eyes and hands — plus being influenced by hand-drawn artists — shifted Levy away from computer work, De Porter (Taj Mahal, Bootsy Collins) has taken the opposite approach. He now hybridizes the process by drawing via tablet straight into the computer and has seen many other peers integrating technology into their creative processes.

“With the proliferation of programs that allow for the novice person to set type and manipulate imagery, I have noticed a rise in the qualities that accompany that

level of output while also watching as people pick up the programs and dive superdeep, creating mesmerizing results,” he says. “That is a beautiful dynamic of this show: There is a room of unique creators who have all found their path up the ever-shifting landscape of the creative mountain, although some of us are still climbing.”

Decker, whose clients include The Flaming Lips and Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, says he’s always considered gig posters to be a people’s art form. “That’s one of the main reasons I love it,” he says. “Posters remind us of our favorite music and have the capability to bring us to that open, euphoric state of mind that a great concert can bring us to.”

Building on those notions, De Porter thinks posters have endured as an art form because they are physical representations of an abstract experience. “When the fleeting moment has passed, we are left with memories and our work helps to frame that memory,” he says. “The superrad part is that we create these pieces sometimes months before the experience, and it is something special to realize, after a show, that you were able to channel the vibe authentically.”

True to the show’s focus, its opening night features an instrumental set by local rockers Nugget Box. And, to encourage the next generation of poster artists, a portion of sales from the show will be donated to benefit Odyssey Community School’s art and music programs.

“I think it’s going to be a wild, eclectic mix, and our community is in for a treat,” Levy says. “If we do this again in the future, I think it would be fun to have a rotating cast and get some of the other players to exhibit.” X

WHAT The Illustrated Rock Art of N.C. WHERE Push Skate Shop and Gallery 25 Patton Ave. pushtoyproject.com WHEN Opening reception Friday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.

On view through Sunday, Jan. 7

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

53

A& E

MX

! y a w a e giv

by Alli Marshall

amarshall@mountainx.com

REAL TALK

Monica McDaniel stages a play inspired by addiction issues in her community

Follow the shortlink below to mountainx.com and comment before midnight Sunday, Dec. 10 for a chance to win a pair of tickets to NC Stage Company’s The Twelve Dates of Christmas

PAIR OF TICKETS TO

The Twelve Dates of Christmas Nov. 29 - Dec. 23, 2017 at NC Stage Company SELF-DIRECTED: “Why not have your own production company? Why not be independent?” asks Monica McDaniel, in the floral top, with the cast of Left Behind. The play, McDaniel’s second, is inspired by stories from her community. Photo by Tye Mo of Go-Diva Photography

Nina Swann photography This heartwarming one woman show offers a hilarious and modern alternative to the old standards of the holiday season.

With so many elements of “repeat appeal,” it may just become your new holiday tradition.

Visit www.ncstage.org for show times.

Enter to win: avl.mx/4dq 54

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

Sometimes the idea for a piece of writing arrives late at night, and local poet, novelist and playwright Monica McDaniel tells herself she’ll remember, “but the next day it’s gone,” she says. “But [God] gave me the vision for this play two years ago, and it never left,” she continues. When people at her church approached her about staging a production, she already had the concept in mind.

“And here we are,” she says.

The Nov. 4 launch of McDaniel’s latest play, Left Behind, was a celebratory affair. A crowd packed the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center (named for McDaniel’s grandfather). In the lobby, vendors sold jewelry, makeup and cupcakes. Heaping plates of food from J. Lee’s Chicken Shack were available during intermission. It felt like a party.

Those who missed that auspicious opening can catch an encore performance at the Jewish Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 9.

McDaniel, who grew up in Asheville, has figured out not only how to find an audience for her range of creative works, but also how to involve her community. Some members of the cast of Left Behind — which includes Ki’era Gash, Kia Rice, Zina Bristol, James Raysean Love, Tifphanie Darity, Donovan Johnson, Imani Gibbs and A-iah McDaniel — are also active in the New Birth Church of Asheville. Wisely, McDaniel harnessed the talents of star singers, spelling the play’s scenes with musical interludes and furthering the narrative through gospel songs.

The story for the play — which centers on a woman named Logan who struggles with addiction — also hits close to home. “Heroin has been an epidemic in my community for a long time,” says McDaniel. “Now it has a new face, and a lot more people are getting addicted to it, so it’s been a topic of discussion.”

At the beginning of the play, a desperate Logan leaves her two daughters with their grandmother. Later, Logan returns to find everything has changed, and she has secrets of her own that she must decide whether to share. “It’s real,” says McDaniel. “I feel like people will be able to relate to it.”

She put the play on paper in August and made some tweaks based on feedback from her cast. There’s a definite sense that the actors are fully committed, from Love’s energetic portrayal of a preacher and Johnson’s swaggering uncle/family friend-figure to Gash’s haunting vocal solo and the onstage sisterly bond of Rice and Darity.

McDaniel staged her first play — The Many Personalities of the Soul…, based on her 2012 collection of poetry, The Soul of a Poet — at Asheville Community Theatre a few years ago.

To turn out that and other works, she created her own company, Winnies Child Productions, named for her late mother. “One day, I started writing, and I’ve been writing ever since,” McDaniel says. “My mom was my biggest supporter — she’d read it and say, ‘Wow, you really need to write a book.’”

Sadly, most of McDaniel’s publications came after her mother passed away.

But the writer sees the positive side of her accomplishments. “Why not have your own production company? Why not be independent?” she asks. “If you have the business mind and know how to reach out and market to people, why not? The world is your oyster.”

McDaniel has published two books, including the 2014 poetry and short-story hybrid Misty’s Blues, and is currently at work on a novel. “My community, the African-American community, has been supportive,” she says. “You have to build up your fan base — you have to leave your readers wanting more.”

While finding similar support beyond the African-American community has been a challenge, McDaniel maintains that her work is not intended exclusively for any one group. When a white coworker asked if it was OK to attend Left Behind, the playwright was a little bit taken aback. “I was like, ‘Everyone can come,’” she says. “It’s not a play for black people, it’s a play for all people.” X

WHAT Left Behind WHERE Jewish Community Center 236 Charlotte St. jcc-asheville.org WHEN Saturday, Dec. 9, 4 p.m. $12 at the door

by Hayley Benton

hayleyebenton@gmail.com

YULE LAUGH OUT LOUD Dec. 25 is an important day for dancer Christine Garvin — and it’s not just due to Christmas cheer.

“I’m a Christmas baby,” says Garvin, who was born on the big giftgiving day. And while it might be easy to say, “Bah, humbug!” to sharing a birthday with Christmas, Garvin, owner of Asheville-based Christine Garvin Dance + Transform, does the opposite — she celebrates her entire birth month in seasonal style.

As part of the festivities, Garvin, her dance students and her professional dance troupe, Liquid Sirens, will bring back a much-loved seasonal tradition: Ho-Ho-Holiday Rewind, a variety show, takes the stage at Isis Music Hall on Saturday, Dec. 9.

The skits and performances this year — there are 14 of them, with 22 performers — are “almost all [popular] things we’re bringing back from previous years,” made fresh with new twists, Garvin explains. Some of them are serious dance showcases, some are “Saturday Night Live”-style comedy skits, and others are combinations of the two.

There are a couple of skits on the roster that will be coming back for the fifth time. Here’s a hint: “Have you ever seen the SNL skit — we’ll call it ‘D in a B’ for short — with Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg?” Garvin asks.

“Two of the ladies who dance with me dress up as Justin and Andy, and they do an amazing job. … People die laughing at that, and, well, we’ve got to give the people what they want.”

Garvin put on her first show — originally a way to show off her dance students’ progress — in 2012 at the Lexington Avenue Brewery. “That first year, it wasn’t even really meant to be a holiday show,” she says. “But it ended up being magical. We just realized what a supportive community there is in Asheville for this kind of stuff — and, since then, we’ve added even more guest acts.”

The event has been performed in subsequent years at the LAB and The Grey Eagle and, in 2015, the group performed a blowout extravaganza on The Orange Peel’s stage. But, in 2016, Ho-Ho-Holiday was missing from Asheville’s festive calendar.

“Honestly, the show that we did the year before at The Orange Peel was so big, and we just put so much time into it, and the dance school was really starting to grow,” Garvin explains.

‘Ho-Ho-Holiday Rewind’ variety show brings seasonal cheer A portion of ticket sales and a portion of silent auction proceeds will be given to Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

“Everybody involved just has the goal of having a good time,” Garvin says, a sentiment that’s reflected onstage. “That’s why we keep doing it.” X

WHAT Ho-Ho-Holiday dance and comedy variety show WHERE Isis Music Hall 743 Haywood Road isisasheville.com

REASON FOR THE SEASON: From “Jingle Bells” to “Mean Girls,” Christine Garvin’s Ho-Ho-Holiday Rewind theatrical dance production is all about the laughs. Photo by Andrea Coon “So, my focus was more on the classes and workshops.”

This year’s comeback, on Isis Music Hall’s main stage, has Garvin feeling much less stressed than in years before.

“That break gave me a little bit of breathing room, but it’s definitely been fun to get back into it,” she says. “As we move forward, in the future, I’d really like to focus on the holiday show being our big show each year.”

While this year’s event focuses on “rewinding” the tape to previous years’ routines, repeat patrons can look forward to new and exciting, never-before-seen additions to older programming.

“We’ve definitely sort of upped the game of the ones that we have used before,” Garvin says.

Along with the infamous SNL skit, Ho-Ho-Holiday Rewind will feature a modern dance routine to tug on audiences’ heartstrings, a 1960s go-go Christmas routine, cabaret-style dance, a colorful interpretation of Indian bhangra dance and more — including light-up underpants and a singalong with ’80s and ’90s cover band yourmomsmixtape.

“We’re going to have one piece with dancing [set to] two live singers,” Garvin continues. “It’s two versions of ‘Santa Baby,’ with the more traditional one being sung by local voice-over and improv artist Sharon Feingold and a faster version by Michelle Grasty-Colont.”

Local poet Barbie Angell will emcee the event. And in between bouts of laughing and rounds of applause, audience members can bid on a number of locally made gifts and activity vouchers at the event’s silent auction, which

features a number of products made by the show’s artsy performers, along with items from sponsors such as the Conundrum Breakout Room and Jewels That Dance.

WHEN Saturday, Dec. 9, at 8:30 p.m. $18 advance/$22 at the door

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

55

SMART BETS

A&E

by Edwin Arnaudin | Send your arts news to ae@mountainx.com

Asheville Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Now that GEICO’s “It’s What You Do” campaign has been going for a few years, it’s a wonder that the punchline “If you’re a ballet company, you put on a production of The Nutcracker” has yet to be used.

Diana Wortham Theatre hosts performances of the holiday classic by Ballet Conservatory of Asheville Thursday-Friday, Dec. 14-15, but first is The Asheville Ballet’s version of the seasonal favorite. Directed

by Ann Dunn — two degrees removed from Marius Petipa, who choreographed the original ballet in 1892 — this year’s iteration features new dances for multiple characters and the addition of a Chinese dragon and puppet doll as entertainment for Clara. Take in the sugar plum fairy FridaySaturday, Dec. 8-9, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 9-10, at 2:30 p.m. $1550. dwtheatre.com. Photo by Michael Krout

56

Shozo An Asheville-based artist with more than 30 years of performance experience, Tim Arem has played such characters as Ronald McDonald; Striker, the canine mascot of the 1994 soccer World Cup, held in the U.S.; and his original T-Bone persona, which aims to get children excited about physical activity. One of his latest creations is Shozo, a one-man, Japanese-themed family circus theater experience in which Arem portrays a silent figure who makes a wealth of discoveries. The stage show incorporates audience participation and a blend of magic, dance, shadow puppetry, masks and more. Arem has performed Shozo in Tokyo and Los Angeles, and has added fresh material specifically for his stop at The Altamont Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. Poet Barbie Angell opens. $8 advance/$10 day of show. thealtamonttheatre.com.

Photo courtesy of Arem

James ‘Bo’ Taylor

Gallery Sound

James “Bo” Taylor wasn’t always proud of his Cherokee heritage, but the passion with which he’s studied, practiced and promoted it has more than earned him his Cherokee name of Come Back Wolf.

Now the director of the Museum of the Cherokee, Taylor is an authority on Cherokee dancing, powwow dancing and dance songs as well as Cherokee history and culture. He learned the songs and dances from wax cylinders that noted preservationist Will West Long recorded in the 1930s and has taught these dances throughout Western North Carolina. As part of The Center for Cultural Preservation’s Keep the Fires Burning series, Taylor shares his knowledge and art at Blue Ridge Community College’s Thomas Auditorium in Flat Rock on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. $5. saveculture.org.

Photo courtesy of The Center for Cultural Preservation

Coming from a land Down Under to Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, a trio of Australia-based scholars and artists will discuss and perform works that examine the relationship between sound and visual art within the gallery space. Academic and curator Caleb Kelly is slated to talk about his book Gallery Sound, which argues for the importance of all sounds heard within the walls of art spaces.

(Kelly is curating BMCM+AC’s 2019 exhibition Material Sound and Black Mountain College in collaboration with The Murray Art Museum Albury in Australia.) The evening also includes performances by electronic artist and researcher Pia van Gelder and Peter Blamey, whose specialty involves making sounds with disparate everyday materials. It all takes place Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. $10 general admission/$5 BMCM+AC members and students. blackmountaincollege.org. Photo of Blamey courtesy of the artist

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

T H E AT E R R E V I E W

by Tony Kiss | avlbeerguy@gmail.com

‘Bernstein Family Christmas’ at The Magnetic Theatre by newcomer Sarah Felmet, who has moved into the Bernstein house.

As usual, Justin and Judy are forever fighting, and Jimbo is toking his lungs out when not flirting with Joaquin. Some of the Air Bnber’s actions wind up powering the story.

At the center of the script is a séance intended to conjure up the spirit of electrocuted cousin Jerry, but instead has unexpected results for the Bernsteins.

The skits include a poke or two at Donald Trump, unhappy reindeer, a self-help Santa who ends up on a rant about fallen celebrities, and the appearance of an overgrown baby Jesus, portrayed, as usual, by Marshall in a diaper.

There’s even a mention of disgraced “Today” host Matt Lauer, which shows

how quickly the Magnetic crew can react to current events.

The cast displays a strong range of talent. Johnston-Crum and Marshall are in the spotlight, as expected, with solid support from Reed and Moellering, while Felmet holds her own and offers up a surprise twist.

Del Vecchio keeps this locomotive on the rails. The action is amplified by the intimate Magnetic playhouse, and the Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular remains Asheville’s mustsee holiday romp. X

WHAT The 34th Annual Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular WHERE The Magnetic Theatre 375 Depot St. themagnetictheatre.org WHEN Through Friday, Dec. 22, at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 and 16, at 10 p.m. $25 (most shows were sold out at press time)

NAUGHTY LIST: Tracey Johnston-Crum plays boozy Judy Bernstein in The 34th Annual Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular — an adults-only holiday tradition. Photo courtesy of The Magnetic Theatre Wild, wicked and wonderful — that’s The 34th Annual Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular, onstage through Friday, Dec. 22, at The Magnetic Theatre in Asheville’s River Arts District.

This annual, R-rated holiday comedy, now in its eighth year (despite what its title suggests) continues pushing the envelope in ways almost beyond imagination. It’s not family-friendly or for anyone who is offended by supposed drug use, depictions of drunkenness, same-sex marriage, adult situations or any number of other topics.

But, for those who enjoy this type of crazy humor, it’s side-splitting comic fun. Many performances sold out before opening night.

Lucia Del Vecchio, the show’s director, also helped write this year’s iteration with Jim Julien, Peter Lundblad and Genevieve Packer. It’s presented as a satirical sendup of the holiday-themed, TV variety specials of yore, with the Bernstein clan playing their hearts out in a series of skits and clever commercials for area businesses.

Most of the Bernstein characters and cast are back for this 2017 production — Tracey Johnston-Crum as boozy Judy; Darren Marshall as her foil, Justin; Glenn Reed as stoner Jimbo; and Erik Moellering as Jimbo’s flamboyant Latin husband, Joaquin. Missing this year is sister Jamaica, but in her place is a character only called Air Bnber, played

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

57

A &E CA LEN DA R

by Abigail Griffin

WINTER’S TUNE CONCERT: Looking for some warm tunes on a cold mountain night? On Friday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m., Zoe & Cloyd bring their signature harmonies and haunting American music song roots to the annual Winter’s Tune concert at Broyhill Chapel on the campus of Mars Hill University. The Ramsey Center for Regional Studies presents the annual holiday concert to celebrate and explore the rich history, culture and environment of the Southern Appalachian region. Zoe & Cloyd will be joined by fiddlers Lillian Chase and Rhiannon Ramsey, who are known for carrying on the fine fiddling traditions of Madison County. Tickets are $16 for adults and $5 for children younger than 13. For tickets, visit brownpapertickets.com/event/3119883.

Photo of Zoe & Cloyd courtesy of the Ramsey Center for Regional Studies. (p. 59)

=❄

Putting the Bunk back in Buncombe!

ART

presents

The Lite Issue: Asheville’s post-holiday recovery tool.

ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL 828-258-0710, ashevillearts.com • FRIDAYS through (12/15), 1-4pm - "Pottery for Veterans," class for veterans living in Buncombe County. Registration required: ashevillearts.com.

Free. Held at Odyssey Clayworks, 236 Clingman Ave.

❄ BUNCOMBE

COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Celebrate the Cesspool with style!

Coming Jan. 3

58

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • SA (12/9), 11am - Holiday craftmaking. Materials provided. Registration required. Free. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • MO (12/11), 1-3pm Card making workshop for adults. Registration required: 828-250-4750.

Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St.

ODYSSEY COOPERATIVE ART GALLERY 238 Clingman Ave., 828285-9700, facebook.com/ odysseycoopgallery • 2nd SATURDAYS, 11am5pm - "Second Saturday Celebration," event with food, music and artist demonstrations. Free to attend.

❄ TRYON ARTS AND

CRAFTS SCHOOL 373 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, 828-859-8323 • SA (12/9), 10am-noon Coffee & Crafts: "Alcohol Ink Holiday Ornaments," workshop. Registration required. $40.

ART/CRAFT STROLLS & FAIRS HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR SHOW & TELL POP UP SHOW (PD.) 12/7-20, Sun-Thurs 10am7pm, Fri+Sat 10am-9pm.

Free! @AVL MASONIC TEMPLE. Local/indie craft, design, food, and vintage find a gift for everyone on

your list! PREVIEW PARTY, 12/6, 6-9pm. SANTA VISIT, 12/9, 11am-1pm.

Workshops, holiday wrapping! showandtellpopupshop.com • 80 Broadway St 28801.

❄ ALL SOULS CATHEDRAL

9 Swan St. • SA (12/9), 10am-4pm Well Crafted Gift, holiday art and craft fair. Free to attend.

❄ ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL 828-258-0710, ashevillearts.com • SA (12/9), noon - "North Pole on the South Slope," holiday market. Free to attend. Held at The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave.

❄ GROVEWOOD GALLERY

111 Grovewood Road, 828-253-7651, grovewood.com • FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS (12/8) until (12/16), 11am4pm - Holiday Sip & Shop, art and craft festival. Free to attend.

❄ HAYWOOD

COMMUNITY COLLEGE Regional High Technology Center, 112 Industrial Park Drive, Waynesville, 828258-8737

• FR (12/8), 9am-5pm - Professional crafts programs holiday craft sale.

Free to attend. Held in the Mary Cornwell Gallery of the Creative Arts Building.

Reception: Thursday, Dec. 7, 5-7pm.

❄ LAKE JUNALUSKA

CONFERENCE & RETREAT CENTER 91 North Lakeshore Drive Lake Junaluska, 828-4522881, lakejunaluska.com • SA (12/9), 9am-4pm Appalachian Christmas Craft Show. Free to attend.

❄ MADISON COUNTY

ARTS COUNCIL HOLIDAY SALE madisoncountyarts.com/ events/mcac-artist-holidaysale/ • FR (12/8), 5-8pm & SA (12/9), 10am-3pm - Annual holiday sale. Free to attend.

❄ OWEN MIDDLE

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR owenmiddlecraftfair.weebly.com • SA (12/9), 10am-4pm Juried craft fair featuring pottery, metalwork, woodwork, fabric, jewelry, music, food, concessions, door prizes and a raffle. Free to attend. Held at Owen Middle School, 730 Old US Highway 70 Swannanoa

❄ TRACKSIDE STUDIOS 375 Depot St., 828-5456235 • SA (12/9), 10am-8pm "December on Depot," open studios and art sale.

Free to attend.

❄ TRANSYLVANIA

COUNTY HANDCRAFTERS AND ARTISTS GUILD facebook.com/TCHGuild • FR (12/8) & SA (12/9), 9am-5pm - Holiday fair.

Free to attend. Held at Masonic Lodge Brevard, 174 E Main St., Brevard

❄ TRYON ARTS AND

CRAFTS SCHOOL 373 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, 828-859-8323 • Through SU (12/31) Holiday gift show featuring local artisans. Ornament purchases benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. Free to attend.

❄ WEST ASHEVILLE

TAILGATE MARKET 541-609-8596, westashevilletailgatemarket.com • TUESDAYS through (12/19), 2:30-6pm - Indoor holiday market. Free to attend. Held at The Mothlight, 701 Haywood Road

❄ WILD MOUNTAIN

BEES 23 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville • SA (12/9), 10am-5pm - Holiday art and crafts market. Free to attend.

AUDITIONS & CALL TO ARTISTS BREVARD LITTLE THEATRE 55 E. Jordan St., Brevard, 828-884-2587, TheBrevardLittleTheatre. org • SA (12/9), 2-4pm & MO (12/11), 7-9pm - Auditions for On Golden Pond.

Information: bawhitmire@ hotmail.com or 864-5061401.

CALDWELL ARTS COUNCIL 601 College Ave SW, Lenoir, 828-754-2486 • Through WE (1/31) Portfolios accepted for 2019 exhibition opportunities. Information: caldwellarts.com/157-guidelines/.

DOWNTOWN SYLVA ASSOCIATION 828-586-1577, info@downtownsylva.org

• Through FR (12/15) Submissions accepted for Town of Sylva public mural project. See website for guidelines.

WOMANSONG OF ASHEVILLE womansong.org • Through MO (12/11) - Womansong rehearsals open to prospective members. Contact for schedule. Held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place

MUSIC

❄ ASHEVILLE

SYMPHONY CHORUS ashevillesymphonychorus. com • TH (12/7), 7:30pm - Handel's Messiah, community sing along with the symphony chorus. $15.

Held at First Presbyterian Church of Asheville, 40 Church St.

❄ BLACK MOUNTAIN

CENTER FOR THE ARTS 225 W. State St., Black Mountain, 828-669-0930, blackmountainarts.org • SU (12/10), 2pm - Mountain Folk Harpers’ Christmas concert. $10.

❄ BLUE RIDGE

ORCHESTRA blueridgeorchestra.com • SA (12/9), 3pm - "BRO Revels 2017," holiday concert featuring classical and contemporary music. treats. $15/$5 student/ Free for children under 6.

Held at Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Parkway

❄ BLUE RIDGE

RINGERS HANDBELL ENSEMBLE blueridgeringers.tripod. com, blueridgeringers@ gmail.com • FR (12/8), 3pm Christmas handbell concert. Free. Held at Henderson County Library, 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville • SU (12/10), 7pm Christmas handbell concert. Free. Held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 22 Fisher Road, Brevard

❄ FLETCHER COMMUNITY CHORUS 828-651-9436, fletchercommunitychorus.com • TH (12/14), 7pm - "A Festive Noel," Christmas

concert. Free. Held at Feed & Seed, 3715 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 2160 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, 828-273-3332, floodgallery.org/ • TH (12/7), 6:30-9:30pm - Opening reception for Appalachian Photography featuring live music by Ash Devine and Darci Dewulf.

Free.

❄ HENDERSONVILLE

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 828-697-5884, hendersonvillesymphony. org • SA (12/9), 3pm & 7pm - "Joy!" Holiday concert. $20-$40/$10 students.

Held at Blue Ridge Community College, 180 W Campus Drive, Flat Rock HISTORIC METHODIST CHURCH AT JEWELL HILL 15 Barnard Road, Marshall • SU (12/10), 3pm Michael Cody, readings from his book Gabriel’s Songbook and songwriting concert. Free.

❄ LAKE JUNALUSKA

CONFERENCE & RETREAT CENTER 91 North Lakeshore Drive Lake Junaluska, 828-4522881, lakejunaluska.com • FR (12/8), 7:30pm Regional choir performs Handel’s Messiah. $18.

• SA (12/9), 2pm - The Cockman Family, Christmas concert. $18.

• SA (12/9), 7:30pm Lake Junaluska Singers Christmas concert. $18.

❄ MARS HILL

UNIVERSITY 265 Cascade St., Mars Hill, 828-689-1571 • FR (12/8), 7pm "Winter's Tune," concert featuring Zoe & Cloyd with fiddlers Lillian Chase and Rhiannon Ramsey. $16.

❄ MUSIC AT UNCA 828-251-6432, unca.edu • MO (12/11), 7pm Reuter Center Singers holiday concert. Free. Held at UNC-Asheville Reuter Center, 1 Campus View Road MUSIC AT WCU 828-227-2479, bardoartscenter.wcu.edu

• TH (12/7), 7pm - Oldtime and bluegrass series featuring the old-time band the Haywood Ramblers. Jam session at 8pm. Free. Held at H.F. Robinson Administration Building, Cullowhee • TH (12/7), 7pm - The Hotel Casablanca, comic opera presented by the school of music. Free.

Held at Western Carolina University Coulter Building, Cullowhee PUBSING 828-254-1114 • 2nd SUNDAYS, 6-8pm - Gospel jam and singalong. Optional snack time at 5:30pm. Free to attend.

Held at French Broad Brewery, 101 Fairview Road THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL PRESERVATION 828-692-8062, saveculture.org • TH (12/7), 7pmCherokee music and dance featuring Bo Taylor. $5. Held at Bo Thomas Auditorium, Blue Ridge Community College Hendersonville

THEATER

❄ 35BELOW 35 E. Walnut St., 828-2541320, ashevilletheatre.org • WEDNESDAYS through SATURDAY (12/13) until (12/17) - The Santaland Diaries. Wed.-Sat.: 7:30pm.

Fri. & Sat.: 9:30pm. Sun.: 2:30pm. $15.

❄ ASHEVILLE BALLET 828-252-4761, ashevilleballet.com • FRIDAY through SUNDAY (12/8) through (12/10) - The Nutcracker.

Fri. & Sat.: 8pm. Sat. & Sun.: 2:30pm. Held at Diana Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave.

❄ ASHEVILLE

COMMUNITY THEATRE 35 E. Walnut St., 828-2541320, ashevilletheatre.org • FRIDAYS through SUNDAYS until (12/17) - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, directed by Elliot Weiner. Fri.: 7:30pm.

Sat. & Sun.: 2:30pm.

Additional show SA (12/16), 7:30pm $12-$26.

❄ BALLET

CONSERVATORY OF ASHEVILLE 828-255-5777, balletconservatoryofasheville.com • TH (12/14) & FR (12/15), 4:30pm & 7:30pm - The Nutcracker. Fri. & Sat.: 8pm. Sat. & Sun.: 2:30pm. $15-$30. Held at Diana

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

59

GALLERY DIRECTORY

OUR MISSION To build community and strengthen democracy by serving an engaged, thoughtful constituency at the local level – where the impact of citizen action is greatest.

We report on local events, regional issues and the area’s vibrant arts-and-culture scene – independently, fairly and in-depth.

We partner with the community to create an ongoing civic dialogue.

We offer exceptional and affordable media opportunities for local businesses, professionals and nonprofit groups to promote their offerings

Serving WNC since 1994 60

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

310 ART 191 Lyman St., #310, 828776-2716, 310art.com • Through SU (12/31) Storytelling: Thought to Image, group exhibition.

SPRUCE PINE TRAC GALLERY 269 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine, 828-765-0520, toeriverarts.org/facilities/ spruce-pine-gallery/ • Through SA (11/30) Conversions, exhibition of art work by Mary Ruth Webb. Reception: Friday, Dec. 15, 5-7pm.

ART AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY mhu.edu • Through FR (12/15) - Living Section Retrospective of My Fertility, exhibition of work by Martha Skinner.

Held at Weizenblatt Art Gallery at MHU, 79 Cascade St., Mars Hill

TRACEY MORGAN GALLERY 188 Coxe Ave, TraceyMorganGallery. com • Through SA (1/27) Fulcrum of Malice, exhibition of photographs from Stacy Kranitz.

• Through SA (1/27) What Goes on Here, exhibition of works on paper by Kirsten Stolle.

ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL 828-258-0710, ashevillearts.com • Through TU (1/5) Emerging Ceramicists in Western North Carolina, exhibition. Held at The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave. ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM 175 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, 828-253-3227 • Through SU (1/21) Unwrapped: Gifts from the Peter Norton Family Christmas Project, exhibition.

ASHEVILLE MUSEUM 35 Wall St., 828-785-5722 • Through SU (2/11) - The Embody Project, photography exhibit featuring work by Erica Mueller.

Reception: Thursday, Dec. 7, 5-8pm.

BREVARDHENDERSONVILLE PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP 828-696-8744 • Through SA (12/30) - The Power of Line, Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League group exhibition. Held at The Red House, 310 West State St., Black Mountain

❄ BURRELL CENTER

GALLERY

463 Webster Road, Sylva • Through SU (12/31) - Season of Light, exhibtion of works by Teri Leigh Teed.

Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave. BLACK MOUNTAIN COLLEGE MUSEUM & ARTS CENTER 56 Broadway, 828-3508484, blackmountaincollege.org • TH (12/7), 7pm "Aspects of Butoh," butoh performance and dialogue with the Asheville Butoh Collective. $10/$5 members.

❄ BREVARD LITTLE

THEATRE 55 E. Jordan St., Brevard, 828-884-2587, TheBrevardLittleTheatre. org

TRANSYLVANIA COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL 349 S. Caldwell St.,

‘THE EMBODY PROJECT’: The aSHEville Museum’s newest exhibit features photog- Brevard, 828-884-2787, rapher Erica Mueller’s Embody Project — life-size portraits of real people being naked tcarts.org shown along with their personal stories. “The Embody Project journey began with me, • Through FR (12/15) Exhibition of art works after many years of deeply struggling to love my body,” says Mueller. “I felt strongly that by members of the if I could see lots of different naked bodies, just being themselves in the world, liberated Connestee Art League. from that unattainably idealized projection, I might finally see myself as quite naturally ❄ TRANSYLVANIA fitting into the human spectrum. And if I could hear the stories people have to tell about HERITAGE MUSEUM their struggles and triumphs as they came to terms with their own bodies, I might not 189 W Main St., Brevard, feel so alone in my own story. By showing these two elements together — photo and 828-884-2347, personal story — and creating ways for this vast spectrum of humanity to be experienced transylvaniaheritage.org Through SA (12/23) by all, I felt something profoundly uniting was possible, not just for me, but for people •Aluminum Christmas Tree everywhere.” The show has an opening reception Friday, Dec. 7, 5-8 p.m., and runs until Museum, exhibition of Sunday, Feb. 11. For more information, visit embodyproject.com. Photograph courtesy vintage trees and ornaments. of Erica Mueller DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES WESTERN OFFICE 176 Riceville Road, 828296-7230 • Through SA (1/6) - Treasures from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge, exhibition of artifacts from the wrecked pirate ship.

FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 2160 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, 828-273-3332, floodgallery.org/ • TH (12/7) until SU (12/31) - Appalachian Photography, exhibition

• THURSDAY through SUNDAY (12/7) through (12/10) - In the Workshop.

Thurs.-Sat.: 7:30pm. Sun.: 3pm. $18/$12 student/$6 children.

❄ FLAT ROCK

PLAYHOUSE 2661 Highway 225, Flat Rock, 828-693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org • WEDNESDAYS through SUNDAYS until (12/22) - Christmas Spectacular, original musical. Wed., Thurs., Sat. & Sun.: 2pm.

Wed. & Thurs.: 7:30pm. Fri. & Sat.: 8pm. $15-$50.

• WEDNESDAYS through SUNDAYS until (12/22) - A Flat Rock Playhouse

• Through SU (12/31) Exhibition of photography

by James Geary.

paintings by Ralston Fox Smith.

GALLERY 111 Grovewood Road, 828-253-7651, grovewood.com • Through SU (12/31) Craft in Toyland, group exhibition of handcrafted toys and games.

MORA CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY 9 Walnut St., 828-5752294, moracollection.com • Through SU (12/31) - Exhibition of jewelry by Molly Dingledine.

Reception: Friday, Dec. 8, 5-8pm.

PUSH SKATE SHOP & GALLERY

JACKSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 310 Keener St., Sylva, 828-586-2016, fontanalib.org/sylva/

PINK DOG CREATIVE 348 Depot St., pinkdog-creative.com • Through SU (12/17) Furtherance, exhibition of

of photographs by William A. Barnhill. Reception: Thursday, Dec. 7, 6:309:30pm.

❄ GROVEWOOD

Christmas. Wed. & Thurs.: 7:30pm. Fri. & Sat.: 8pm.

Wed., Thurs., Sat., & Sun.: 2pm.

❄ FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE DOWNTOWN

125 S. Main St., Hendersonville, 828-6930731, flatrockplayhouse. org • THURSDAYS through SUNDAYS through (12/17) - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, comedy.

Thurs. & Fri.: 7pm. Sat.: 1pm & 5pm. Sun.: 2pm. $12.50-$25.

❄ MONTFORD PARK

PLAYERS 828-254-5146, montfordparkplayers.org • SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS until (12/17), 5pm - A Christmas Carol.

"A Day with Dickens," Victorian Christmas festival at 3pm. Free. Held at Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St. NC STAGE COMPANY 15 Stage Lane, 828-2390263 • WEDNESDAYS through SUNDAYS (12/6) until (12/30) - All Is Calm - The Christmas Truce of 1914.

Wed.-Sat.: 7:30pm. Sun.: 2pm. $16-$34.

25 Patton Ave., 828-2255509, pushtoyproject.com • FR (12/8) through SU (1/7) - The Illustrated Rock Art of N.C., featuring work

by Jason Krekel, Lance Wille, Joshua Marc Levy, JT Lucchesi, Matthew Stuart Decker and Drew De Porter. Reception: Friday, Dec. 8, 7:30pm.

• WEDNESDAYS through SUNDAYS until (12/23) - The Twelve Dates of Christmas, comedy. Wed.Sat.: 7:30pm. Sun.: 2pm. $16-$34.

❄ SOUTHERN

APPALACHIAN REPERTORY THEATRE 828-689-1384, sartplays.org • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS (12/14) until (12/23) - Smoke on the Mountain: Sanders Family Christmas, holiday musical.

Thurs.-Sat.: 7:30pm. Sat. & Sun.: 2:30pm. $25. Held at Owens Theatre, 44 College St., Mars Hill

❄ TRYON ARTS AND CRAFTS SCHOOL 373 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, 828-859-8323 • Through SA (12/23) The Holiday Gift Show, group exhibition.

UPSTAIRS ARTSPACE 49 S. Trade St., Tryon, 828-859-2828, upstairsartspace.org • SA (12/9) through SA (12/16) - 100 x 100, exhibition of small works by regional artists.

Reception: Saturday, Dec. 16, 5-7pm.

Contact the galleries for admission hours and fees

❄ THE MAGNETIC

THEATRE 375 Depot St., 828-2794155 • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS until (12/22), 7:30pm - Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular, comedy. 10pm late shows on SA (12/9) & SA (12/16). $25.

❄ THEATER AT WCU 828-227-2479, bardoartscenter.wcu.edu • TH (12/7) through SA (12/9), 7:30pm - The Santaland Diaries, featuring David Sedaris. Reception at 6:30pm. $30. Held at The WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Drive

CLUBLAND SLY GROG LOUNGE Get Weird Wednesdays, 8:00PM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 185 KING STREET Vinyl Night, 6:00PM

THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE DJ Zati Dance Party, 10:00PM

5 WALNUT WINE BAR Les Amis (African folk), 8:00PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE The Berlyn Jazz Trio, 9:00PM

550 TAVERN & GRILLE Karaoke, 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Brad Hodge & friends, 7:30PM

THE MOTHLIGHT Toma w/ The Remarks & Armadilla, 9:30PM

BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Dr. Brown's Team Trivia, 8:30PM

THE PHOENIX & THE FOX Jazz Night w/ Jason DeCristofaro, 7:00PM

BEN'S TUNE UP Jesse Barry & Kelly Jones, 7:00PM

THE SOUTHERN Disclaimer Comedy Open Mic, 9:00PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Open mic w/ Billy Owens, 7:00PM

TIMO'S HOUSE Psychedelic Wednesday w/ T.O.U.C.H. Samadhi, 8:00PM

DOUBLE CROWN Classic Country Vinyl w/ DJ David Wayne Gay, 10:00PM FUNKATORIUM John Hartford Jam w/ Saylor Bros (bluegrass), 6:30PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Squirrel Nut Zippers, 8:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Woody Wood Wednesdays (rock, soul, funk), 5:30PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 An evening w/ Ian Ethan Case, 7:00PM David Ramirez (singer-songwriter), 8:30PM

HIGHLANDS POET: Among the Southern Appalachians’ impressive potpourri of bards, Buncombe County native Malcolm Holcombe stands apart in the simple rustic splendor he evokes in each song. With a voice full of gravel and a spare melody, Holcombe paints the poverty and richness, the beauty and loneliness of the place and people he comes from, in eloquent tones. Catch the veteran singer-songwriter when he stops by Brevard’s 185 King Street for an 8 p.m. show on Thursday, Dec. 14. Image courtesy of 185 King Street JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Open Jam Session, 5:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM

ODDITORIUM Battalion of Saints w/ Cryptics, Drunk In A Dumpster & The DiMarcos (punk), 9:00PM

LOBSTER TRAP Cigar Brothers, 6:30PM

OLE SHAKEY'S Sexy Tunes w/ DJs Zeus & Franco, 10:00PM

MG ROAD Salsa Night w/ DJ Mexicano Isaac, 7:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Evil Note Lab, 10:00PM

NOBLE KAVA Open mic w/ Caleb Beissert (7:30 p.m. sign up), 8:00PM

ONE WORLD BREWING Logan Marie (singersongwriter), 9:00PM

TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES JJ Kitchen All Star Jam (blues, soul), 9:00PM

ORANGE PEEL Rogue Elements Film Night, 7:30PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Gruda Tree (blues, jam), 6:00PM POLANCO RESTAURANT 3 Cool Cats (dance lessons @ 7:30 p.m.), 8:00PM POST 25 Albi & The Lifters (American swing, French chanson), 7:00PM POUR TAPROOM Music Bingo!, 7:00PM

THIS WEEK AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

THIS WEEK AT THE ONE STOP:

THU 12/7 FRI 12/8 SAT 12/9

Jeff Thompson’s Hot Threesome - [Progressive Rock] The Phryg - [Funk] Chrismas Jam by Day followed by Rob DeVerb’s Birthday Jam

UPCOMING SHOWS - ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL:

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL FESTIVE-ALL

ft. Brie Capone Band, Third Nature and Siamese Sound Club

THU 12/7 - SHOW 10pm (DOORS 9pm) $10 ($8 with canned food or toy donation)

ENTER THE EARTH 16TH ANNUAL XMAS PARTY

ft. Roosevelt Collier, Soule Monde (Ray Paczkowski & Russ Lawton) from Trey Anastasio Band

FRI 12/8 - SHOW 9:30pm (DOORS 9pm) adv. $17 | dos . $20

CHRISTMAS JAM BY DAY TWO FLOORS

ft. Jack Ryan and the Shady Recruits wsg Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Hayley Jane and the Primates, & more SAT 12/9 - DOORS/SHOW 12pm - $15

12/14 12/15 12/16

The Mantras w/ LITZ and Funk You Hope Griffin Holiday Album Release w/ Jeff Thompson The 3rd Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar (Two Floors) followed by 2nd Annual Very Jerry Xmas

Tickets available at ashevillemusichall.com @avlmusichall MOUNTAINX.COM

@OneStopAVL DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

61

CLU B LA N D

our advertisers!

Thank them for supporting local, independent jounalism!

UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Music Bingo w/ TopShelf Productions, 8:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Jazz Night w/ Gabrielle Tee (Ben Folds tribute), 7:30PM WILD WING CAFE Jordan Okrend (acoustic), 7:00PM

Still free every Wednesday.

WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Jason Wyatt (acoustic), 7:30PM

Featuring Largest Selection of Craft Beer on Tap 8 Wines

TUE: Free Pool and Bar Games WED: Music Bingo FRI & SAT 5 -9pm: Handmade Pizzas from Punk Rock Pies 2 Hendersonville Road P o u r Ta p R o o m . c o m Tue - Thu 4pm-10pm • Fri & Sat 2pm-11pm

TAVERN Downtown on the Park Eclectic Menu • Over 30 Taps • Patio 15 TV’s • Sports Room • 110” Projector Event Space • Shuffleboard Open 7 Days 11am - Late Night

’s T-shirts , & Sw Pack C a rd s m a k eatshirts s ! t f i G e great gift

FRI. 12/7 Jeff Anders & Joey Wilton (acoustic rock)

SAT. 12/8 DJ MoTo

( dance hits, pop)

SUN. 12/9 Flashback (classic rock)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Pleasure Chest (blues, rock, soul), 8:00PM ALTAMONT THEATRE Grateful Asheville Music Experience, 8:30PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Will Ray & The Space Cooties, 7:30PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Festive-ALL w/ Brie Capone Band, Third Nature & Siamese Sound Club, 9:30PM BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Alien Music Club (jazz), 9:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Chris Jamison, 7:00PM BYWATER Well Lit Strangers, 6:00PM CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Capellas on 9 w/ Sawyer Johnston, 8:00PM

62

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Vaden Landers, 7:00PM

GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Cory Branan & The Whiskey Gentry, 9:00PM

SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Vinyl Night, 6:30PM

HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Under Contract (film screening), 6:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Roots & friends open jam (blues, rock, roots), 6:30PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 An evening w/ John Doyle, 7:00PM The Collings Trio (Bill Collings tribute), 8:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB The Clydes pre-jam, 7:00PM Bluegrass Open Jam Session, 9:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Heavy Night w/ DJ Butch, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Hank Bones, 6:30PM ODDITORIUM Glass Bricks (rock), 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY'S Karaoke, 9:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Mitch's Totally Rad Trivia, 7:00PM Jeff Thompson's Hot Threesome (prog rock), 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Sarah Tucker (singersongwriter), 9:00PM

THE FAIRVIEW TAVERN Live Band Karaoke Jam w/ Old School, 9:00PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE The Burger Kings, 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT The Ointment Appointment w/ Thee Sidewalk Surfers, 9:30PM THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM Rick Springfield & Richard Marx, 7:30PM TIMO'S HOUSE Flo Jam w/ 12 Olympians, 8:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Jesse Barry & The Jam (blues, dance), 9:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Good Morning Bedlam, 7:00PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Darren Nicholson (Americana, bluegrass), 6:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ unplugged w/ Stevie Lee Combs, 8:00PM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8

ORANGE PEEL Hometown Holiday Jam XVII (benefit), 7:30PM

185 KING STREET Writers in the Round w/ Joe Lasher Jr., Kaitlyn Baker & Caleb Gilbert, 8:00PM

DOUBLE CROWN Sonic Satan Stew w/ DJ Alien Brain, 10:00PM

OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Billy Litz (multi-instrumentalist), 6:00PM

5 WALNUT WINE BAR The Get Right Band, 9:00PM

ELLINGTON UNDERGROUND THEOREM w/ DJ Kutzu & Slow Drip, 10:00PM

PACK'S TAVERN Jeff Anders & Joey Wilton (acoustic rock), 8:00PM

550 TAVERN & GRILLE Grand Theft Audio, 9:00PM

PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Marcel Anton Group, 8:00PM

ALTAMONT THEATRE An evening of improv comedy w/ Reasonably Priced Babies, 8:00PM

FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER Songs of the Mountains w/ Ash Devine & Darci Dewulf, 6:30PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Billy Litz (Americana), 9:00PM

20 S. Spruce St. • 225.6944 packStavern.com

GOOD STUFF Jim Hampton & friends perform "Eclectic Country" (jam), 7:00PM

FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Andy Ferrell (folk, Americana), 6:00PM

POUR TAPROOM Tunes at the Taps, 7:00PM PURPLE ONION CAFE Jimmy Landry, 7:30PM SALVAGE STATION The Jauntee w/ Cycles, 8:00PM

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Funky Friday Jam, 7:30PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Enter the Earth’s 16th Annual Xmas Party, 9:30PM

BEN'S TUNE UP Vinyl Dance Party w/ DJ Kilby, 10:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Acoustic Swing, 7:00PM CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Capellas on 9 w/ DJ Phantom Pantone, 9:00PM CORK & KEG The Old Chevrolette Set (country), 8:30PM CROW & QUILL Burger Kings (rock & roll), 9:00PM DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE The Nutcracker w/ Asheville Ballet, 7:30PM DOUBLE CROWN Rock & Soul Obscurities w/ DJ Greg Cartwright, 10:00PM ELLINGTON UNDERGROUND Xero God w/ The Difference Machine & 10th Letter, 10:00PM FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER Classic World Cinema, 8:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB David Earl & His Band (rock, folk), 10:00PM FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Brandon Wadley Band (indie rock), 6:00PM FUNKATORIUM STIG, 8:00PM GOOD STUFF Aaron Dingus, 8:30PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Tyler Childers w/ Blank Range [SOLD OUT], 9:00PM HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Asheville Improv Collective One Off, 9:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Likewise (Americana, rock), 7:00PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 The Jacob Johnson Christmas Concert, 7:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Christmas Jam Weekend w/ Kevn Kinney & more, 12:00PM Flying Buffaloes (honky-tonk, rock 'n' roll), 9:00PM JARGON The Page Brothers Trio (jazz), 10:30PM

LAZY DIAMOND Rotating rpm rock 'n' soul DJ, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Gypsy Jazz Trio of Asheville, 6:30PM MAD CO BREW HOUSE Kevin Scanlon (Americana, singersongwriter, bluegrass), 6:00PM MARS HILL UNIVERSITY Winter's Tune w/ Zoe & Cloyd, 7:00PM MOE'S ORIGINAL BBQ WOODFIN Big Ivy, 6:30PM NATIVE KITCHEN & SOCIAL PUB Bob Sinclair & the Big Deals, 7:30PM NEW MOUNTAIN THEATER/ AMPHITHEATER Psymbionic & The Widdler w/ illanthropy & Crash Course, 9:00PM NOBLE KAVA Comedy Night w/ Tom Scheve, 9:00PM ODDITORIUM Redefined w/ I The Supplier, Afterwar & Built on the Ruins (metal), 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY'S Acoustic Tunes by the River, 4:00PM

TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Funk Jam All Stars (jazz, funk), 10:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Billingsley, 8:30PM VIRGOLA Adi The Monk (jazz, blues), 6:00PM WHISTLE HOP BREWING CO. Chicken Coop Willaye (Appalachian roots), 6:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Illustrated Rock Art of N.C. opening w/ Nugget Box, 7:30PM The McLain Family Band, 8:00PM WILD WING CAFE Acoustic Throwdown, 8:00PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Andy Buckner (country), 9:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ electric w/ DJ Capt. EZ, 8:00PM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Dead Friday w/ members of Phuncle Sam, 5:30PM The Phryg (funk), 10:00PM

185 KING STREET An evening w/ John Trufant, 8:00PM

ONE WORLD BREWING Salt of the Earth (rock), 9:00PM

550 TAVERN & GRILLE Billingsley, 9:00PM

OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Sly 6 Funk Collective (neo-funk, jazz), 6:00PM PACK'S TAVERN DJ MoTo (dance hits, pop), 9:30PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY The Lovers, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Crystal Fountains, 8:00PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE Select DJs, 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Black Sea Beat Society w/ Juan Benavides Group, 9:30PM TIMO'S HOUSE The Show w/ JJ Smash & Genetix, 8:00PM

5 WALNUT WINE BAR Fwuit (retro soul), 9:00PM

ALTAMONT THEATRE Warren Haynes Xmas Jam By Day, 12:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR The Cahoots, 4:00PM Hard Rocket w/ Grace Williamson, 7:30PM BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Matt Walsh (acoustic blues), 7:30PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Patrick Fitzsimons, 7:00PM CAPELLA ON 9@ THE AC HOTEL Capellas on 9 w/ The Berlyn Jazz Trio, 9:00PM CHESTNUT Jazz Brunch, 11:00AM

COMING SOON wed 12/06

7PM–DOUBLE-NECK GUITARIST IAN ETHAN CASE 8:30PM–DAVID RAMIREZ: WE’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE thu 12/07

7PM-JOHN DOYLE 8:30PM–THE COLLINGS TRIO: A TRIBUTE TO BILL COLLINGS fri 12/08

7PM- THE JACOB JOHNSON CHRISTMAS CONCERT sat 12/09

8:30PM–CHRISTINE GARVIN & LIQUID SIRENS PRESENT: HO-HO-HOLIDAY REWIND! sun 12/10

5:30PM–ANTHONY DA COSTA FEAT. KIMBER LUDIKER AND CHRISTOPHER PAUL STELLING

7:30PM–”EVERYBODY IS A STAR” UPLIFTING SONGS TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON W/ PEGGY RATUSZ & FRIENDS

tue 12/12 7:30PM–TUESDAY BLUEGRASS SESSIONS wed 12/13

7PM–AOIFE CLANCY & BILL ELLIOT PERFORMING AS: CELTIC CONFUSION thu 12/14

7PM-SALLY AND GEORGE fri 12/15

9PM–FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE PARTY WITH ORANGE KRUSH

sat 12/16 7PM- THE EVERLY BROTHERS EXPERIENCE FT. THE ZMED BROTHERS ISISASHEVILLE.COM DINNER MENU TIL 9:30PM LATE NIGHT MENU TIL 12AM

TUES-SUN 5PM-until 743 HAYWOOD RD 828-575-2737

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

63

CLU B LA N D

12/07 THEOREM DJ Kutzu + Slow Drip 12/08 Xero God

(hip hop, electronic, psychedelic)

The Difference Machine (4th dimensional)

10th Letter

(electronic, experimental)

12/09 Earthtone Soundsystem 12/06: T RIVIA 7-9 PM 12/07: FRIAR FIG RELEASE! S PECIAL C ASE P RICE , T ODAY O NLY ! C OME G ET Y OUR F IGGY P UDDING O N !

12/10: Y OGA + C IDER 12:30 PM COMING SOON: 12/16: T HE M OON & Y OU 8-10 PM

12/15 Metaphonia

Plankeye Peggy

12/16 Brownout Presents BROWN SABBATH

(Latin, funk, afro, horns)

12/21 THEOREM DJ Kutzu + Slow Drip 12/28 Machinedrum (ninja tune) Push/Pull, Bombassic

12/06 wed the ointment appointment w/ thee sidewalk surfers

12/08 thu black sea beat society w/ juan benavides group

12/09 sat toneworthy presents the black cloud's anniversary party! bask

w/ ether realm, daybreaker

12/09 sat 12-5 pm mr. fred's fair - an art market just for you!

12/11

mon

free monday! lord almighty

w/ barishi, black mountain hunger, shadow of the destroyer

Yoga at the Mothlight

Tuesdays and Thursdays- 11:30am Details for all shows can be found at

themothlight.com

64

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

12/29 The Southern Belles Dr. Bacon 12/30 TRUTH Detox Unit Soul Candy Murkury 12/31 The Broadcast (rock, soul) Window Cat (jazz rock fusion)

CORK & KEG The Barsters (old-time, bluegrass), 8:30PM CROW & QUILL Tom Waits for No Man (Tom Waits covers), 9:00PM DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE The Nutcracker w/ Asheville Ballet, 7:30PM DOUBLE CROWN Pitter Platter, 50s/60s R&B + RnR w/ DJ Big Smidge, 10:00PM ELLINGTON UNDERGROUND Earthtone Soundsystem Holiday Special, 10:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Jordan Okrend Experience (funk, jam), 10:00PM FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Dave Desmelik (Americana), 6:00PM GOOD STUFF The Sole Pursuit, 8:30PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Emily Saliers w/ Lucy Wainwright Roche, 9:00PM HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Yoga for Working Bodies, 12:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY The Snozzberries (funk fusion), 7:00PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Ho-Ho-Holiday Rewind w/ Christine Garvin & Liquid Sirens (hip hop, jazz, rock), 8:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Christmas Jam Weekend w/ Kevn Kinney & more, 12:00PM Riverbend Reunion, 9:00PM JARGON The Gabe Dansereau Trio (jazz), 10:30PM LAZY DIAMOND Sonic Satan Stew w/ DJ Alien Brain, 10:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Rob Daverb's Birthday Jam, 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Riverbend Revival (Southern rock, jam), 9:00PM ORANGE PEEL Dropshot w/ The Shrunken Heads, The Mercury Arcs & The Talent, 8:00PM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Conservation Theory (bluegrass), 6:00PM PACK'S TAVERN Flashback (classic rock), 9:30PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Lost Hollow, 8:00PM PURPLE ONION CAFE Wayne Banks Trio, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Yoga with Cats w/ Blue Ridge Humane Society, 10:00AM Jamison Adams Project, 8:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Voice of the Sidhe & Hope Huntington (archaic rock, hurdygurdy), 8:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Mr. Fred's Fair, 12:00PM Bask w/ AEther Realm & Daybreaker, 9:00PM THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM 29th annual Warren Haynes' Christmas Jam, 7:00PM TIMO'S HOUSE Artist Underground w/ DJ Audio, 8:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Pattrick Dodd & Josh Singleton (blues, country), 7:30PM The Marsha Morgan Band (beach music), 10:00PM

DOORS AT 9 • SHOW AT 10

LOBSTER TRAP Sean Mason Trio, 6:30PM

Ellington Underground is an intimate music club located downtown in the historic S&W Cafeteria, built in 1929.

MG ROAD Late Night Dance Parties w/ DJ Lil Meow Meow, 10:00PM NATIVE KITCHEN & SOCIAL PUB Steelin' Time, 7:30PM

UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Max Gross Weight, 8:00PM

56 PATTON AVE. ELLINGTONUNDERGROUND.COM

NOBLE KAVA Marcel Anton Trio, 9:00PM

VIRGOLA Jason Hazinski (jazz, blues), 6:00PM

US CELLULAR CENTER Warren Haynes Annual Christmas Jam Benefit (rock, blues, roots), 7:00PM

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Asheville Rock Academy Showcase, 2:00PM David LaMotte, 8:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ live w/ Naked Scholar, 8:00PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Ryan Furstenberg (Americana), 7:00PM ALTAMONT THEATRE SHOZO Family Circus Theatre w/ Tim Arem & Barbie Angell, 2:00PM An Evening With John Cowan w/ Darin & Brooke Aldridge, 7:00PM ARCHETYPE BREWING Plow to Pint Brew Off, 11:00AM Post-Brunch Blues w/ Patrick Dodd, Ashley Heath & Joshua Singleton, 3:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Musicians Jam & Pot Luck, 3:30PM BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Hip Bones (jazz), 7:30PM BEN'S TUNE UP Good Vibe Sundays w/ Dub Kartel & Oso Rey, 6:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Larry Dolamore, 7:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER True Home Open Mic Night (music, poetry, comedy), 5:00PM FUNKATORIUM Gypsy Jazz Sunday Brunch, 11:00AM GOOD STUFF Open Mic w/ Fox Black & friends, 6:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Tall Tall Trees homecoming show w/ Ahleuchatistas, 8:00PM

ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Anthony da Costa w/ Kimber Ludiker & Christopher Paul Stelling, 5:30PM “Everybody is a Star” w/ Peggy Ratusz & Friends, 7:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Celtic Jam Session, 3:00PM JARGON Sunday Blunch w/ Mark Guest & Mary Pearson (jazz), 11:00AM LAZY DIAMOND Pabst Sabbath w/ DJ Chubberbird, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Cigar Brothers, 6:30PM LUELLA'S BAR-BQUE BILTMORE PARK Gypsy Jazz Brunch w/ Leo Johnson, 12:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Bluegrass Brunch, 10:30AM ORANGE PEEL Seinfeld Festivus Holiday Show w/ Steve Hytner (AKA Kenny Bania), 7:00PM PACK'S TAVERN Unplugged Sunday Afternoon Tunes w/ A Social Function, 4:30PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Sunday Travers Jam, 6:00PM PURPLE ONION CAFE Sweet Claudette, 7:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Sly Grog Open Mic, 7:00PM THE FAIRVIEW TAVERN Hallelujah Hilliary's Comedy Revival, 9:00PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE Select DJ sets, 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT UNCA Jazz & Contemporary Music Ensembles Concert, 3:00PM TIMO'S HOUSE BYOV w/ DJ Shy Guy, 8:00PM

HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Mom 'n Pop Up Shop, 1:00PM

TWIN LEAF BREWERY Holiday Sip N Shop, 1:00PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 1:00PM

UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Bradley Carter, 7:00PM

LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT NO COVER CHARGE! WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Jordan Okrend & Ashley Heath, 7:30PM

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 185 KING STREET Open Mic Night, 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Siamese Jazz Club (R&B, soul, jazz), 8:00PM ARCHETYPE BREWING Old Time Jam, 6:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Classical Guitar Mondays, 7:30PM DOUBLE CROWN Country Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM GOOD STUFF Bingo Wingo Thingo, 6:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Flatland Cavalry w/ John Baumann, 8:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Game Night, 4:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Quizzo Trivia Night, 7:00PM Open mic, 9:30PM LAZY DIAMOND Dark Thoughts w/ Adderall & The No Ways (snotty punk), 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Bobby Miller & friends, 6:30PM MG ROAD The Living Room, 8:30PM ODDITORIUM Risque Monday w/ Deb Au Nare (burlesque), 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY'S Live Band Honky Tonk Karaoke, 9:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Open Mic Night, 7:30PM POUR TAPROOM Lowlight Monday Nights, 7:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Takes All Kinds Open Mic, 6:00PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE Ghost Pipe Trio, 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Lord Almighty w/ Barishi, Black Mountain Hunger & Shadow of the Destroyer, 9:00PM

MONDAY 65¢ WINGS

TUESDAY

MOUNTAIN SHAG

WEDNESDAY KARAOKE (8PM)

THIRSTY THURSDAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12 185 KING STREET Ugly Sweater Party, 8:00PM

ALL DRAFTS $3

FRIDAY

DECEMBER 8

GRAND THEFT AUDIO 9PM-12AM

SATURDAY DECEMBER 9

BILLINGSLEY 9PM-12AM

SUNDAY

NFL TICKET

FULL MENU — 15 TAPS OPEN WEEKDAYS 4 PM OPEN FOR LUNCH, FRI-SUN NOON

Youth OUTright’s Drag Brunch!

Located Next to Clarion Inn — 550 Airport Road Fletcher — 550tavern.com — www.facebook.com/550TavernGrille

39 S. Market St. • theblockoffbiltmore.com

Drag performances, Story time w/ Drag Queens and Trivia / Games Saturday, 12/9, 11am-3pm

5 WALNUT WINE BAR The John Henrys (hot jazz), 8:00PM 550 TAVERN & GRILLE Shag Night, 6:30PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Gypsy Jazz Jam Tuesdays, 7:30PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Tuesday night funk jam, 11:00PM BEN'S TUNE UP Live Band & Hip Hop Cypher, 9:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Mark Bumgarner, 7:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Groovy Tuesdays (smooth world vinyl), 10:00PM GOOD STUFF Old time-y night, 6:30PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Open Mic Night, 7:00PM HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Community Craft Night, 7:00PM Synth Club, 7:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Dr. Brown's Team Trivia, 6:00PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Tuesday bluegrass sessions w/ the Darren Nicholson Band, 7:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Honky Tonk Jam w/ Tom Pittman, 7:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Rock 'n' Roll Metal Karaoke w/ KJ Paddy-oke, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Jay Brown, 6:30PM

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

65

CLU B LA N D

Where The Blue Ridge Mountains Meet the Celtic Isles

MONDAYS Quizzo – Brainy Trivia • 7:30pm Open Mic Night • 9pm WEDNESDAYS Asheville’s Original Old Time Mountain Music Jam • 5pm THURSDAYS The Clydes • 7pm Bluegrass Jam • 9pm Bourbon Specials

FRI CHRISTMAS JAM 12/8 WEEKEND! +

SAT 12/9 FRI 12/8

HOSTED BY KEVN KINNEY NOON / $10 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY DONATION

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Turntable Tuesday, 10:00PM

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Brad Hodge & Friends, 7:30PM

ONE WORLD BREWING Trivia Night w/ Ol' Gilly, 7:00PM

BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Dr. Brown's Team Trivia, 8:30PM

ORANGE PEEL Tig Notaro [SOLD OUT], 7:00PM Tig Notaro, 9:30PM

BEN'S TUNE UP Jesse Barry & Kelly Jones, 7:00PM

SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Taco and Trivia Tuesday, 6:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT WNC String Ensemble w/ White Gregg, Gardener & MANAS, 9:30PM TIMO'S HOUSE Merkyrie Art Opening, 8:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Early Tuesday Jazz & Funk Jam (jazz, funk), 9:00PM

HONKY TONK MEETS ROCK & ROLL

RIVERBEND REUNION

CHRISTMAS JAM BY DAY SPECIAL AFTER PART Y

SOUTHERN ROCK JAM BAND

IRISH SUNDAYS Irish Food and Drink Specials Traditional Irish Music Session • 3-9pm OPEN MON-THURS AT 4PM • FRI-SUN AT NOON CRAFT BEER, SPIRITS & QUALITY PUB FARE SINCE 1997

95 PATTON at COXE • Downtown Asheville 252.5445 • jackofthewood.com MOUNTAINX.COM

550 TAVERN & GRILLE Karaoke, 8:00PM

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish jam & open mic, 6:30PM

CHRISTMAS JAM BY DAY SPECIAL AFTER PART Y

CAJUN CREOLE JAM TUE THE LED BY TRENT VAN BLARICOM 12/12 7PM / FREE ENTRY + DANCING!

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

OLE SHAKEY'S Booty Tuesday, 10:00PM

FLYING BUFFALOES

9 PM / $5

66

5 WALNUT WINE BAR Les Amis (African folk), 8:00PM

UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Open Mic Night w/ Arrow Sound, 6:30PM

9 PM / $7

SAT 12/9

ODDITORIUM Open Mic Comedy Night w/ Tom Peters, 9:00PM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 185 KING STREET Vinyl Night, 6:00PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Open mic w/ Mark Bumgarner, 7:00PM CROW & QUILL Black Sea Beat Society (Balkan music), 9:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Classic Country Vinyl w/ DJ David Wayne Gay, 10:00PM FUNKATORIUM John Hartford Jam w/ Saylor Bros (bluegrass), 6:30PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN David Bromberg Quintet w/ Yellow Feather, 8:00PM HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS David joe Miller's WORD! w/ Michael Reno Harrell, 7:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Woody Wood Wednesdays (rock, soul, funk), 5:30PM

ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Celtic ConFusion w/ Aoife Clancy & Bill Elliott, 7:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Open Jam Session, 5:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Cigar Brothers, 6:30PM MG ROAD Salsa Night w/ DJ Mexicano Isaac, 7:00PM

POUR TAPROOM Music Bingo!, 7:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Karaoke w/ Paul & Brother Wolf, 7:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Get Weird Wednesdays, 8:00PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE The Berlyn Jazz Trio, 9:00PM THE ODDITORIUM Synergy Story Slam, 7:30PM THE PHOENIX & THE FOX

ODDITORIUM Synergy Story Slam, 7:00PM

Jazz Night w/ Jason DeCristofaro, 7:00PM

OLE SHAKEY'S Sexy Tunes w/ DJs Zeus & Franco, 10:00PM

Disclaimer Comedy Open Mic, 9:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Evil Note Lab, 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Ves Frank (singer-songwriter), 9:00PM ORANGE PEEL BackPack Slam Jam, 7:30PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Campfire Reverends (early show), 6:00PM POLANCO RESTAURANT 3 Cool Cats (dance lessons @ 7:30 p.m.), 8:00PM POST 25 Albi & The Lifters (American swing, French chanson), 7:00PM

THE SOUTHERN

TIMO'S HOUSE Eliada Home Fundaraiser w/ Asheville Drum & Bass Collective, 8:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES JJ Kitchen All Star Jam (blues, soul), 9:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Music Bingo w/ TopShelf Productions, 8:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Jazz Night: The Core, 7:30PM WILD WING CAFE Jason Wyatt (acoustic), 7:00PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Jordan Okrend (acoustic), 7:30PM

MOVIES

REVIEWS & LISTINGS

BY SCOTT DOUGLAS, FRANCIS X. FRIEL & JUSTIN SOUTHER

HHHHH = H PICK OF THE WEEK H

The Breadwinner tells a challenging but rewarding tale of perseverance from the perspective of a child in war-torn Afghanistan.

The Breadwinner HHHH DIRECTOR: Nora Twomey PLAYERS: Saara Chaudry, Laara Sadiq, Shaista Latif, Ali Badshah, Noorin Gulamgaus ANIMATED DRAMA RATED PG-13 THE STORY: A young Afghan girl must take extraordinary measures to support her family after her father is arrested by the Taliban.

THE LOWDOWN: A compelling glimpse into life under a fundamentalist theocracy that offers a depth of cultural awareness and respect for its target audience’s intelligence not commonly found in films aimed primarily at children.

It can be almost unimaginably difficult for adults to explain war to children — part of the difficulty being that most adults (myself included) struggle to

understand war sufficiently themselves.

With The Breadwinner, director Nora Twomey’s and writer Anita Doyon’s animated adaptation of Deborah Ellis’ best-selling novel, parents will have one more tool in the box to help contextualize geopolitical conflict on a profoundly human scale. This story of a young girl struggling to survive in Afghanistan at the height of the Taliban theocracy provides poignant and moving insight into a world typically experienced by few in the West, and it represents an invaluable learning opportunity for young and old alike.

The story follows Parvana, an 11-year-old girl whose access to the world outside her home in Kabul is contingent on the presence of her father, a humble man with a love of stories who lost both his job as a teacher and a leg to the long-running Afghan conflict with the Russians. When her father is arrested by the Taliban for possessing

illicit books, Parvana finds herself in the unenviable position of having to provide for her sister, brother and sick mother — but to do so, she has to find a way to leave the house alone without being arrested, or worse. So Parvana disguises herself as a boy so that she can retrieve food and water for her family, and finds work with a friend from school who has hit on the same idea herself. Obviously, things do not go smoothly.

Not to belabor the point, but this film covers a particularly tumultuous and violent time in Afghan history, the period immediately preceding the 9/11 attacks that would plunge the nation into nearly two decades of ongoing war.

That it’s also aimed at children may seem like a stretch to some parents, but I can’t stress enough the significance of this movie as a valuable asset in starting extraordinarily important discussions with children, especially those that weren’t yet born when our nation’s longest war began.

But perhaps the most significant achievement of The Breadwinner is that it addresses the systemic victimization of women and repression of intellectualism perpetuated by the Taliban, the persistent violation of human rights that has characterized their heavy-handed regime, in a way that is approachable and accessible to even the very young.

It also serves a secondary role as a document of the noble history of the Afghan people and a tertiary function as a reminder of the importance of storytelling and oral tradition as a coping mechanism — all in 90 minutes.

As an animated film, The Breadwinner is visually engaging and narratively cohesive. But its true accomplishment lies in its capacity to diminish the Otherness of a culture that can seem impossibly foreign to American sensibilities. It confronts harsh realities with a level of sensitivity that belies the inherent brutality of its subject.

By doing so from the perspective of a child, it imparts to the audience some measure of the tenacity of its protagonist, rendering a portrait of resiliency that leaves just enough room for hope around the edges of tragedy. While the world may seem irreparably screwed up, there’s always a chance that the next generation will be strong enough to succeed where we have failed. Rated

M A X R AT I N G Xpress reviews virtually all upcoming movies, with two or three of the most noteworthy appearing in print.

You can find our online reviews at mountainx.com/movies/reviews. This week, they include: THE BREADWINNER (PICK OF THE WEEK) HHHH THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS HHH

PG-13 for thematic material including some violent images.

Now Playing at Grail Moviehouse.

REVIEWED BY SCOTT DOUGLAS JSDOUGLAS22@GMAIL.COM

MOUNTAINX.COM

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

67

SCREEN SCENE

MOVIES

T H E ATE R I N F O R M ATI O N ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. (254-1281) CARMIKE CINEMA 10 (298-4452) CAROLINA CINEMAS (274-9500) CO-ED CINEMA BREVARD (883-2200) EPIC OF HENDERSONVILLE (693-1146) FINE ARTS THEATRE (232-1536) FLATROCK CINEMA (697-2463) GRAIL MOVIEHOUSE (239-9392) REGAL BILTMORE GRANDE STADIUM 15 (684-1298)

The Man Who Invented Christmas HHH DIRECTOR: Bharat Nalluri PLAYERS: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce, Morfydd Clark, Anna Murphy HISTORICAL BIOPIC RATED PG THE STORY: Charles Dickens struggles with writers’ block while trying to come up with his next project, ultimately leading to the creation of his classic, “A Christmas Carol.”

THE LOWDOWN: A much weirder and more interesting film than you might expect, featuring a great supporting cast and beautiful photography capturing a fairy-tale-like 19th-century London.

The Man Who Invented Christmas is pretty straightforward and harmless as far as movies go. But it contains enough bizarre asides and nonlinear tangents to make me think there’s a far weirder and darker little film hiding somewhere in previous drafts of the script. In ostensibly being the tale of Charles Dickens creating the characters and world that would eventually become “A Christmas Carol,” it goes about the business of attempting to be too many things at 68

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM

once and, as a result, never really settles on simply being the easy, family-friendly holiday film it might have set out to be.

None of this is to say it’s a bad movie.

On the contrary, it ticks a lot of boxes that make me believe — without evoking too much in the way of ghosts of Christmas past — that this is a film our old friend Ken Hanke might have championed to anyone who would listen. I can just imagine him introducing it to an audience with “It’s by no means a great film, but …” It’s big, bold, exuberant and full of heart — or something like it — with enough wild cinematic flourishes that it could have been something truly special in a more experimental director’s hands. As it stands, there’s enough here to recommend it if only for the fact that it reminded me in equal measures of Tom Tykwer’s Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, Agnieszka Holland’s The Secret Garden and Robert Zemeckis’ own take on A Christmas Carol. Not the most complimentary set of influences, but there you go.

We meet Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) in somewhat of a slump, fresh from a string of flops but nonetheless living the life of a celebrity 19th-century writer in London. Audiences love him, his family is proud of him, but his publishers have no idea what to do with him. Sensing that money is about to get tight if he doesn’t act fast, he knows he has to come up with a new novel soon. It’s in these early stages that The Man Who Invented Christmas is most uneven, trying too hard to be the sort of corny story where the writer gets his inspiration — almost word for word in some cases — from the people and places around him. It’s like the John Lennon “Imagine” scene from Forrest Gump blown up to feature length. Mercifully, this eventually gives way to a much more inspired take on its own material, reaching almost Deconstructing Harry levels of metacommentary on the process of writing and artistic creation, evoking less the true story of how Ebenezer Scrooge and company came into this world and more what it must be like to live inside Dickens’ head. As I said, it’s weird.

Speaking of Scrooge, Christopher Plummer is great here, as are Jonathan Pryce and Anna Murphy in supporting roles. Pryce, in particular, brings an air of tragedy to the proceedings that gives a weight to the story it would otherwise lack.

I don’t see it becoming a classic by any means, but it certainly beats the depressing alternatives of A Bad Moms Christmas or Daddy’s Home 2. Rated PG for thematic elements and some mild language. Now playing at Regal Biltmore Grande.

REVIEWED BY FRANCIS X. FRIEL MOVIEJAWNX@GMAIL.COM

by Edwin Arnaudin | edwinarnaudin@gmail.com

STAR LIGHT: Israeli photographer Peri Farag sets up a shot in this still from Photo Farag. Grail Moviehouse and the Asheville Jewish Community Center screen the documentary on Dec. 10 as part of their monthly Israeli Film Series.

Photo courtesy of Israeli Films • On Thursday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m., WNC FarmLink hosts a screening of Under Contract: Farmers and the Fine Print at Habitat Tavern & Commons, 174 Broadway. Marcello Cappellazzi’s and Sally Lee’s 2017 documentary interviews contract farmers and industry experts from the American South to Southern India, revealing how the corporate production model pits farmer against farmer and what may be done to improve the current food system. Light refreshments will be provided. Free. habitatbrewing.com • Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, screens The Hunting Ground as part of its latest Environmental & Social Justice Film Night on Friday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. Kirby Dick’s 2015 documentary investigates sexual assault on U.S. college campuses. Free. uuasheville.org • As a refresher for the Dec. 15 release of The Last Jedi, Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., hosts a screening of Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. Complimentary refreshments and popcorn will be provided. Free. avl.mx/ff • Designed to allow viewers to use film as their window into the minds and culture of Israel, the monthly Israeli Film

FILM BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • WE (12/6), 6pm: Indigenous American History: Black Indians, documentary film screening and discussion. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. • SA (12/9), 2pm - Movie Screening: The Force Awakens. Free. Held at

Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • MO (12/11), 2pm Legends of Music Film Series: Billie Holiday. Free.

Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • WE (12/13), 6pm Indigenous American History: Native American Healing, film screening and discussion. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 2160 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, 828-2733332, floodgallery.org/

Series — a collaboration between Grail Moviehouse, 45 S. French Broad Ave., and the Asheville Jewish Community Center — continues Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m. with Photo Farag. Kobi Farag‘s 2016 documentary chronicles the IraqiJewish Farag family and its successful photography business that revolutionized the way Israelis took, developed and related to pictures. A discussion will follow the film. Tickets are $7 and available online or at the Grail box office. grailmoviehouse.com • Pack Memorial Library continues its monthly Legends of Music Film Series — curated by local jazz pianist Michael Jefry Stevens — on Monday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. with a documentary on Billie Holiday. Free. avl.mx/ff • The Hendersonville chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America presents a screening of Newtown at Flat Rock Cinema, 2700D Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, on Monday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. Kim A. Snyder’s 2016 documentary examines 2012’s tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Event organizer John Owens, a gun violence survivor, will introduce the film. Free. flatrockcinema.com • Twin Leaf Brewery, 144 Coxe Ave., presents a double feature of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and The Trailer Park Boys Xmas Special on Monday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. Complimentary popcorn will be provided. Free. twinleafbrewery.com • The North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., concludes its Native American Documentary Film Series on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. with Native American Healing. The work explores the integral part Native Americans played in keeping European settlers alive upon arrival in the Americas as well as the role of indigenous medicine today. Tea will be provided, and the film will be followed by a discussion. Free. avl.mx/251 X

• FR (12/8), 8pm - Classic World Cinema: My Dinner with André, film screening.

Free to attend.

HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS 174 Broadway, habitatbrewing.com • TH (12/7), 6-8pm - Under Contract, documentary film screening regarding corporate production farming. Free to attend.

TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY LIBRARY 212 S. Gaston St., Brevard, 828-884-3151

• TH (12/7), 6:30pm - Torgerson Family’s Adventures, rafting film.

Free.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF ASHEVILLE 1 Edwin Place, 828-2546001, uuasheville.org • FR (12/8), 7pm Environmental & Social Justice Films: The Hunting Ground, film screening.

Free.

MARKETPLACE STA RTI NG F RI DAY

Just Getting Started Comedy from writer/director Ron Shelton (Tin Cup, Bull Durham. According to the studio: “Morgan Freeman stars as Duke Diver, the freewheeling manager of the luxury Palm Springs resort, the Villa Capri. Diver may have a mysterious past, but he’s a pro at making sure that life for the high-spirited residents is one big, nonstop party. But the status quo is challenged when ex-military charmer Leo (Tommy Lee Jones) checks in, triggering a competition between Duke and Leo for the top spot of Alpha male, as well as for the affections of the newly-arrived Suzie (Rene Russo). When Duke’s past suddenly catches up with him, the rivals put aside their differences and the two men reluctantly team up to stop whoever is trying to kill Duke, and also save the Villa Capri.” No early reviews. (PG)

The Disaster Artist

Comedy drama directed by and starring James Franco. According to the studio: “With The Disaster Artist, James Franco transforms the tragicomic true-story of aspiring filmmaker and infamous Hollywood outsider Tommy Wiseau — an artist whose passion was as sincere as his methods were questionable — into a celebration of friendship, artistic expression and dreams pursued against insurmountable odds. Based on Greg Sestero’s best-selling tell-all about the making of Tommy’s cult-classic disasterpiece The Room (‘The Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made’), The Disaster Artist is a hilarious and welcome reminder that there is more than one way to become a legend — and no limit to what you can achieve when you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing.” Early reviews positive. (R)

REA L ESTATE | REN TA L S | R O O M M ATES | SER VI C ES JOB S | A N N OU N CEM ENTS | M I ND, BO DY, SPI R I T CL A SSES & WORKSH OPS | M USI C I ANS’ SER VI C ES PETS | A U TOMOTI VE | X C HANG E | ADULT Want to advertise in Marketplace? 828-251-1333 x111 tnavaille@mountainx.com • mountainx.com/classifieds If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember the Russian proverb: “Doveryai, no proveryai,” trust but verify. When answering classified ads, always err on the side of caution. Especially beware of any party asking you to give them financial or identification information. The Mountain Xpress cannot be responsible for ensuring that each advertising client is legitimate. Please report scams to ads@mountainx.com REAL ESTATE HOMES FOR SALE UNDER CONSTRUCTION SWANNANOA! Level lot!

Under construction NOW! Pick your colors!

3/2 1800 sq ft $335,000 828.335.6712 joanne@ cornerstonerec.com www. buyashevillehomesandland. com

LAND FOR SALE BARNARDSVILLE NEAR PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST Rare beautiful wooded 2.05 acre lot for sale.

Owner financing possible.

State road, 25 minutes from Asheville. $39,900.

Call 828-216-3231.

RENTALS HOMES FOR RENT

The Shape of Water Fantasy drama from auteur Guillermo del Toro. According to the studio: “From master story teller, Guillermo del Toro, comes The Shape of Water — an other-worldly fable set against the backdrop of Cold War-era America, circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation. Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and coworker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment.” Also starring Michael Shannon and Doug Jones. Early reviews positive. (R)

SP E CI AL SCREENI NGS

Meet John Doe HHHHS

DIRECTOR: Frank Capra PLAYERS: Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward Arnold, Walter Brennan, James Gleason DRAMA COMEDY Rated NR The great Frank Capra’s most ambitious and disturbing film, Meet John Doe is possibly more relevant today than when it first appeared in 1941. The idea of a completely media-fabricated celebrity — raised almost to the level of deity and used as a tool for political gain — probably seemed pretty fantastic then. Of all Capra’s major films (major in the sense that they “say something”), this one is the darkest, despite a number of comedic moments and a large dose of (very palatable) romance. It’s also his most interesting film now in terms of what we’ve learned in the intervening years about the director himself — that Capra wasn’t quite the sweet everyman of filmmakers he painted himself out to be — adds to the dark edges of this film. If Capra was indeed generally selling “the masses” a bill of goods, extolling the benefits of being the “common man” — with films that painted the wealthy and powerful as not just evil, but unhappy due to that wealth and power — then Meet John Doe becomes the one film that breaks rank, a kind of self-accusatory work. After all, hadn’t Capra himself ridden to his greatest fame and fortune on the strength of fabricated everymen? What these characters never were was an extension of Capra, but tools to put across a message and gain the filmmaker greater power. Rather than diminish the Capra films, however, this knowledge gives them a dark undercurrent and adds a level of complexity that isn’t apparent if his work is taken at face value. Flawed though Meet John Doe may be by its ending, it is the key film in Capra’s filmography and a must-see for anyone interested in classic cinema. This excerpt was taken from a review by Ken Hanke published on Nov. 23, 2005. The Asheville Film Society will screen Meet John Doe on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Grail Moviehouse, hosted

by Xpress movie critic Scott Douglas

3BR, 1BA BLACK MOUNTAIN Washer/dryer, fenced private landscaped yard.

Pets considered. Hardwood floors, central heat/air. Carport, partially furnished if needed. $1500/month.

(828) 545-0043.

COMMERCIAL/ BUSINESS RENTALS OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT BLACK MOUNTAIN $900 Office space in Black Mountain 800sq ft $900 monthly. Walking distance from downtown.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS 15 MINUTES TO ASHEVILLE Guest house, vacation/short term rental in beautiful country setting. • Complete with everything including cable and internet.

• $150/day (2-day minimum), $650/week, $1500/month.

Weaverville area. • No pets please.

(828) 658-9145. mhcinc58@yahoo.com

EMPLOYMENT GENERAL NOW HIRING! GARAGE SECURITY GUARD The City of Asheville is hiring a full-time/benefited Garage Security Guard! Pay rate: $11.14 - $13.36 Hourly. Position closes 12/6/17. Apply today www.ashevillenc. gov/jobs TROLLEY TOUR GUIDES If you are a "people person," love Asheville, have a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and clean driving record you could be a great Tour Guide.

Full-time and seasonal parttime positions available.

Training provided. Contact us today! 828-251-8687.

Info@GrayLineAsheville.com www.GrayLineAsheville.com

SKILLED LABOR/ TRADES NOW HIRING! WATER PRODUCTION FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR The City of Asheville is hiring a Water Production Facilities Maintenance Supervisor to supervise specialized technical work protecting the quality of the water supply. Apply online at www.ashevillenc. gov/jobs by 12/11.

HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR POSITION AVAILABLE Looking to hire an LPC or LCSW to work at a private Christian Therapeutic Boarding school for At Risk Teens. Please send resume to: Jeremey@ wolfcreekacademy.org www.wolfcreekacademy. org/ INDEPENDENT LIVING SPECIALIST Full-time (non-exempt). The Independent Living Specialist is a strong voice for disability rights and independent living, working to assist consumers in maintaining their lives independently in the community.

Promotes Disability Partners in the seven county service area and collaborates with community agencies to best assist the consumer to reach goals for independent living.

The Independent Living Specialist will provide general information and referral for consumers and the community as requested and core services. • Application packets can be picked up at the Disability Partners office at 108 New Leicester Hwy, Asheville 28806 or requested via email at krodriguez@ disabilitypartners.org • No Phone Calls Please.

PROFESSIONAL/ MANAGEMENT NOW HIRING! MINORITY BUSINESS PROGRAM MANAGER The City of Asheville is hiring a full-time, exempt Minority Business Program Manager for the Department of Community and Economic Development.

The position will manage the City's Minority Business Program, including review of city procurement contracts for the Women Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) compliance, outreach and technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders, facilitation of cooperative resource

networks for internal and external stakeholders for Women Minority Business Enterprise (WMB) business development. Apply online at www.ashevillenc.gov/ jobs Position is open until filled.

TEACHING/ EDUCATION

ASSOCIATE DEAN • HOSPITALITY EDUCATION A-B Tech is currently taking applications for the position Associate Dean, Hospitality Education. This is a fulltime position with benefits.

For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin. com/postings/4677

DEAN EMERGENCY AND PUBLIC SERVICES A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a position Dean, Emergency and Public Services. This is a full- time position with benefits. For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin.com/ postings/4663 HIGH SCHOOL STEM TEACHER Black Mountain Academy is seeking an innovative and passionate STEM teacher to work at our therapeutic boarding school supporting adolescent males age 14-18 with Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or who have social challenges, anxiety, and difficulty in traditional academic settings.

• The ideal candidate has High School Mathematics teaching experience, has experience with this population of students, is studentcentered in their teaching approach, and naturally utilizes an inquiry model of teaching to evoke creativity and inspiration in the students. In this integrated model, skills supporting executive function, student character development, and student processing are necessary to implement alongside academic instruction. Applicants should have confidence teaching high school level STEM classes, have confidence in building authentic thematic units of instruction, and be comfortable with co-teaching / collaborative teaching techniques, as we will teach in teams. Applicants are invited to highlight additional interests and

MOUNTAINX.COM

experience in arts and culture as we continue to build our place-based program.

• Interested candidates, please email your resume and a cover letter to jobs@ theblackmountainacademy. com. Please see our website for more information about the school, http://www. theblackmountainacademy. com IMMEDIATE OPENING ArtSpace Charter School in Swannanoa has an immediate opening for a full-time Behavior Support Teaching Assistant to work primarily with students in grades 5-8. This position is temporary and will end on June 12, 2018. Minimum educational requirement is an undergraduate degree.

• Experience working with school age students with special needs is required.

• Please send resumes and cover letters to: resumes@ artspacecharter.org with a subject heading that reads, “Behavior Support Teaching Assistant.” Position open until filled.

STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST Children First/ Communities In Schools (CIS) is hiring a Student Support Specialist to coordinate CIS activities at Emma Elementary School and co-lead a K-4th grade after-school program and summer camp located in Woodridge Apartments.

Interviews to begin ASAP. Full job description at http://childrenfirstcisbc. org/job-posting

ARTS/MEDIA WOMANSONG EVENT/ COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT Womansong of Asheville is seeking applicants for a parttime Event & Communications assistant. Should have strong skills in event planning and communications technology, including website and social media. Application and job description available at www.womansong.org.

SERVICES ENTERTAINMENT DISH NETWORK-SATELLITE TELEVISION SERVICES Now over 190 channels for only $49.99/ month! HBO-Free for one year, Free Installation, Free Streaming, Free HD. Add Internet for $14.95 a month.

1-800-373-6508.

(AAN CAN)

LEGAL DENIED CREDIT? Work to repair your credit report with the trusted leader in credit repair. Call Lexington

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

69

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY ARIES (March 21-April 19): You may get richer quicker in 2018, Aries — especially if you refuse to sell out. You may accumulate more clout — especially if you treat everyone as your equal and always wield your power responsibly. I bet you will also experience deeper, richer emotions — especially if you avoid people who have low levels of emotional intelligence.

Finally, I predict you will get the best sex of your life in the next 12 months — especially if you cultivate the kind of peace of mind in which you’ll feel fine about yourself if you don’t get any sex at all. P.S.: You’d be wise to start working on these projects immediately.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The members of the fungus family, like mushrooms and molds, lack chlorophyll, so they can’t make food from sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. To get the energy they need, they “eat” plants.

That’s lucky for us. The fungi keep the earth fresh.

Without them to decompose fallen leaves, piles of compost would continue to accumulate forever. Some forests would be so choked with dead matter that they couldn’t thrive. I invite you to take your inspiration from the heroic fungi, Taurus. Expedite the decay and dissolution of the worn-out and obsolete parts of your life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I’m guessing you have been hungrier than usual. At times you may have felt voracious, even insatiable. What’s going on? I don’t think this intense yearning is simply about food, although it’s possible your body is trying to compensate for a nutritional deficiency. At the very least, you’re also experiencing a heightened desire to be understood and appreciated. You may be aching for a particular quality of love that you haven’t been able to give or get. Here’s my theory: Your soul is famished for experiences that your ego doesn’t sufficiently value or seek out. If I’m correct, you should meditate on what your soul craves but isn’t getting enough of.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The brightly colored birds known as bee-eaters are especially fond of eating bees and wasps. How do they avoid getting stung?

They snatch their prey in mid-air and then knock them repeatedly against a tree branch until the stinger falls off and the venom is flushed out. In the coming weeks, Cancerian, you could perhaps draw inspiration from the bee-eaters’ determination to get what they want. How might you be able to draw nourishment from sources that aren’t entirely benign? How could you extract value from influences that you have be careful with?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The coming months will be a ripe time to revise and rework your past — to reconfigure the consequences that emerged from what happened once upon a time. I’ll trust you to make the ultimate decisions about the best ways to do that, but here are some suggestions. 1. Revisit a memory that has haunted you, and do a ritual that resolves it and brings you peace. 2. Go back and finally do a crucial duty you left unfinished. 3. Return to a dream you wandered away from prematurely, and either re-commit yourself to it, or else put it to rest for good.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The astrological omens suggest that now is a favorable time to deepen your roots and bolster your foundations and revitalize traditions that have nourished you. Oddly enough, the current planetary rhythms are also conducive to you and your family and friends playing soccer in the living room with a ball made from rolled-up socks, pretending to be fortune-telling psychics and giving each other past-life readings, and gathering around the kitchen table to formulate a conspiracy to achieve world domination. And no, the two sets of advice I just gave you are not contradictory.

70

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

BY ROB BREZSNY

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In accordance with the long-term astrological omens, I invite you to make five long-term promises to yourself. They were formulated by the teacher Shannen Davis. Say them aloud a few times to get a feel for them. 1. “I will make myself eminently teachable through the cultivation of openness and humility.” 2. “I won’t wait around hoping that people will give me what I can give myself.” 3. “I’ll be a good sport about the consequences of my actions, whether they’re good, bad, or misunderstood.” 4. “As I walk out of a room where there are many people who know me, I won’t worry about what anyone will say about me.” 5. “I will only pray for the things I’m willing to be the answer to.”

Law for a Free credit report summary and credit repair consultation. 855-620-9426. John C. Heath, Attorney at Law, PLLC, dba Lexington Law Firm.

(AAN CAN) MEDIATION FOR SEPARATION, DIVORCE & COPARENTING Divorce is hard enough. We offer friendly, easy, and online services to help you through a separation or parent coordination as cost effectively as possible. (828) 279-8166 SARABENSMAN@GMAIL. COM www.sarabensman.com/

HOME IMPROVEMENT HANDY MAN

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): To discuss a problem is not the same as doing something practical to correct it.

Many people don’t seem to realize this. They devote a great deal of energy to describing and analyzing their difficulties, and may even imagine possible solutions, but then neglect to follow through. And so nothing changes. The sad or bad situation persists. Of all the signs in the zodiac, you Scorpios are among the least prone to this disability. You specialize in taking action to fulfill your proposed fixes. Just this once, however, I urge you to engage in more inquiry and conversation than usual. Just talking about the problem could cure it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): As far back as ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece, people staged ceremonies to mark the embarkation of a new ship. The intention was to bestow a blessing for the maiden voyage and ever thereafter. Good luck! Safe travels! Beginning in 18th-century Britain and America, such rituals often featured the smashing of a wine bottle on the ship’s bow.

Later, a glass container of champagne became standard.

In accordance with the current astrological indicators, I suggest that you come up with your own version of this celebratory gesture. It will soon be time for your launch.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You may feel quite sure that you’ve gotten as tall as you’re ever going to be. But that may not be true. If you were ever going to add another half-inch or more to your height, the near future would be the time for it. You are in the midst of what we in the consciousness industry call a “growth spurt.” The blooming and ripening could occur in other ways, as well. Your hair and fingernails may become longer faster than usual, and even your breasts or penis might undergo spontaneous augmentation.

There’s no doubt that new brain cells will propagate at a higher rate, and so will the white blood cells that guard your physical health. Four weeks from now, I bet you’ll be noticeably smarter, wiser and more robust.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You come into a delicatessen where you have to take a numbered ticket in order to get waited on. Oops. You draw 37 and the counter clerk has just called out number 17. That means 20 more people will have their turns before you. Damn! You settle in for a tedious vigil, putting down your bag and crossing your arms across your chest. But then what’s this? Two minutes later, the clerk calls out 37. That’s you! You go up to the counter and hand in your number, and amazingly enough, the clerk writes down your order. A few minutes later, you’ve got your food. Maybe it was a mistake, but who cares?

All that matters is that your opportunity came earlier than you thought it would. Now apply this vignette as a metaphor for your life in the coming days.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): It’s one of those bizarre times when what feels really good is in close alignment with what’s really good for you, and when taking the course of action that benefits you personally is probably what’s best for everyone else, too. I realize the onslaught of this strange grace may be difficult to believe. But it’s real and true, so don’t waste time questioning it. Relish and indulge in the freedom it offers you. Use it to shush the meddling voice in your head that informs you about what you supposedly SHOULD be doing instead of what you’re actually doing.

MOUNTAINX.COM

HIRE A HUSBAND • HANDYMAN SERVICES Since 1993.

Multiple skill sets. Reliable, trustworthy, quality results. $1 million liability insurance. References and estimates available. Stephen Houpis, (828) 280-2254.

HEATING & COOLING MAYBERRY HEATING AND COOLING Oil and Gas Furnaces • Heat Pumps and AC • • Radiant Floor Heating • • Solar Hot Water • Sales • Service • Installation. • Visa • MC • Discover. Call (828) 658-9145.

NOTICE OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY The following is a list of unclaimed and confiscated property at the Asheville Police Department: electronic equipment; cameras; clothing; lawn and garden equipment; personal items; tools; weapons (including firearms): jewelry: automotive items; building supplies; bikes and other miscellaneous items. Anyone with a legitimate claim or interest in this property has 30 days from the date of this publication to make a claim. Unclaimed items will be disposed of according to statutory law. For further information, or to file a claim, contact the Asheville Police Department Property and Evidence Section, 828-232-4576. NOTICE OF DISPOSITION The following is a list of unclaimed and confiscated property at the Asheville Police Department tagged for disposition: audio and video equipment; cameras; clothing; lawn and garden equipment; personal items; tools; weapons (including firearms): jewelry: automotive items; building supplies; bikes and other miscellaneous. All items will be disposed of 30 days from date of posting. Items to be auctioned will be displayed on www.propertyroom.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 877362-2401. (AAN CAN)

MAKE THE CALL TO START GETTING CLEAN TODAY Free 24/7 Helpline for alcohol & drug addiction treatment. Get help! It is time to take your life back! Call Now: 855-732-4139.

(AAN CAN)

STRUGGLING WITH DRUGS OR ALCOHOL? Addicted to Pills? Talk to someone who cares. Call The Addiction Hope & Help Line for a free assessment. 800-978-6674. (AAN CAN)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

ACCESSING YOUR WELLSPRING OF RESILIENCE THROUGH PAINTING! One Day Play Shop - December, Sat. 9th, 2017- 10 to 4pm No Experience Necessary! If you can pick up a brush you can paint! Kaylina Michaela 828-353-4828 sacredspacepainting.com justpaint@sacredspacepainting.com COME DANCE WITH US! Inclusive dance community, lessons every Tuesday night.

Come learn to partner dance, from Foxtrot to ChaCha. Lead or follow. For more information visit BallroomBallyhoo. com. Next session starts January 2.

828-490-1752 www.BallroomBallyhoo.com FOURTH WAY SCHOOL Know Thyself - Wisdom Through Action, a Fourth Way School in the tradition of Gurdjieff & Ouspensky teaching practical application of the Work. 720.218.9812 www. wisdomthroughaction.com

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT COUNSELING SERVICES CONSCIOUS LIFE COUNSELING DeAnne Hampton BS/ MA Energy Intuitive, Author, Teacher. You are the instrument - understand yourself as energy, become empowered to create new life. It is a NEW DAY! deannehampton.net 828-2757151.

POSITIVE HYPNOSIS | EFT | NLP Michelle Payton, M.A., D.C.H., Author | 828-681-1728 | www.MichellePayton.com | Michelle’s Mind Over Matter Solutions include: Hypnosis, Self-Hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Technique, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Acupressure Hypnosis, Past Life Regression.

Find Michelle’s books, educational audio and videos, sessions and workshops on her website.

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES KAMBO-SAPO CLEANSE (SHAMANIC) Kambo-Sapo Cleanse (Shamanic) “Wakes up the Body’s Natural Intelligence to Heal Itself” Increased energy-Cleanses and revitalizes organs Reduces InflammationEliminates Toxins Overall sense of wellbeing Contact Jim 828318-5582 or jaguarone1@ gmail.com

SPIRITUAL

friendly, small female long haired siamese missing since 11/17/17. Dark brown face, paws, tail., tan body. $750 for information leading to her return . Call,or text: 720-6487144. lllmt4@gmail.com. 720648-7144.

PET SERVICES JULIE KING: LICENSED MINISTER, TEACHER, INTUITIVE HEALER www.AcuPsychic. com. 828-884-4169. If you can see the Future You can Change it! For 35 years, she has been helping others create their future. A gifted psychic in all matters of life, internationally known on TV and radio. Mentoring & Courses available.

FOR MUSICIANS MUSICAL SERVICES NOW ACCEPTING STUDENTS IN JAZZ PIANO, COMPOSITION, AND IMPROVISATION (ALL INSTRUMENTS). Michael Jefry Stevens, “WNC Best Composer 2016” and “Steinway Artist”, now accepting students in jazz piano, composition, and improvisation (all instruments).

35 years experience. M.A. from Queens College (NYC). Over 90 cds released. 917-916-1363. michaeljefrystevens.com WHITEWATER RECORDING Mixing • Mastering • Recording. (828) 684-8284 whitewaterrecording.com

ASHEVILLE PET SITTERS Dependable, loving care while you're away. Reasonable rates.

Call Sandy (828) 215-7232.

AUTOMOTIVE AUTOS FOR SALE DIESEL DODGE HIGH TOP SPRINTER VAN 2500 Clean, mechanically sound, garage kept, fleet maintained, 233,000 miles, Craigslist # 6370189687, Roanoke Va, $10,500.

Lanforge_7@hotmail.com Text: (828)808-3920.

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES WE'LL FIX IT AUTOMOTIVE • Honda and Acura repair.

Half price repair and service.

ASE and factory trained. Located in the Weaverville area, off exit 15. Please call (828) 275-6063 for appointment. www.wellfixitautomotive.com

ADULT

PETS

ADULT

LOST PETS REWARD! $750! LOST CAT - LONG HAIRED SIAMESE WITH BROWN AND TAN FUR AND BLUE EYES. Beautiful,

LIVELINKS Chat Lines. Flirt, chat and date! Talk to sexy real singles in your area. Call now!

1-844-359-5773. (AAN CAN)

T H E N E W Y OR K TI M ES CR OSSWOR D PU ZZLE

ACROSS

1 Chaney of horror movies 4 Low-quality paper 7 Winner of the four tennis majors and Olympic 8-Down 13 “Heaven forbid!”

16 Like lava or magma 17 Ewan who played Obi-Wan Kenobi 18 “Let me find out” 19 Rode the ump, say 20 Abbr. on a sign at a town line 22 Mushroom part 23 Mall aid 24 Cabbage with crinkly leaves 26 Hurricane relief org.

27 Japan’s national fruit 29 Excited, with “up” 30 Weeder’s tool 31 Depilatory brand 32 “I’m c-c-cold!”

33 Out of it 35 Kenneth who played the title role in 1989’s “Henry V” 39 I 40 Salon job 41 Houston of Texas 42 Engraved pillar

45 Ghostly figures 47 Southern side 48 Wearing a scowl 49 Cars are “parked” in it 50 Cars are parked in it 51 Place to hole up 52 Part of 52-Down 54 & 56 Lunchbox snacks … or a hint to the black squares before 18-, 29-, 35and 45-Across?

59 Bollywood soundtrack instruments 60 Persistently emphasize 61 The early 20th century, for vaudeville 62 Unexpectedly come (by) 63 GPS part: Abbr.

DOWN

1 Place for a nest 2 “You’ve got to be kidding!”

3 Forbidden zone 4 English horn, e.g.

5 Lee who directed “Life of Pi” 6 Melted marshmallows, e.g.

7 Friendly relations

Give $20 or more and we’ll send you this...

201

7-2

018 201

7-

20

18

edited by Will Shortz

8 See 7-Across 9 The whole enchilada 10 Actress Dash of “Clueless” 11 Bagel choice 12 Rubber stamp go-with 14 Scrubs up, say 15 Noah of “The Daily Show” 21 You might give him the business 24 Pollutant that’s a portmanteau 25 Lady friend, in Lille 26 Bit of office greenery 27 Letter in an honor society’s name 28 Utterly absurd 29 Food giant that merged with Heinz in 2015 32 Sea, colloquially 34 Bob who lost to Bill 35 Connection between banks?

36 Lode analysts 37 Emission from radioactive decay 38 Letters before Beagle or Bounty 40 One of about 400,000 in the United States

No. 1101

PUZZLE BY HERRE SCHOUWERWOU

42 Water park sound 46 “That’s ___, son” (Foghorn Leghorn 43 Canadian $2 catchphrase) coin, informally 48 ___-walsy 51 Logan of CBS 44 Person or thing News 45 Polynesian finger 52 North-of-thefood border force: Abbr.

2018

53 D-Day vessels: Abbr.

55 “Spy vs. Spy” magazine 57 Grammy category since 1988 58 First in a Latin 101 trio

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS NY TIMES PUZZLE

Wellness Issues

k r hBeoroB e h c ook u Vo Vo u c A voucher book filled with great freebies and discounts from your favorite retailers around the area, in thanks for your contribution.

Publish Jan. 31 & Feb 7

Contact us today!

828-251-1333 x 320

givelocalguide.org

advertise@ mountainx.com

Paul Caron

Furniture Magician • Cabinet Refacing • Furniture Repair • Seat Caning • Antique Restoration • Custom Furniture & Cabinetry (828) 669-4625

MOUNTAINX.COM

• Black Mountain

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

71

72

DEC. 6 - 12, 2017

MOUNTAINX.COM