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ANIMAL HOUSE
This year marks the WNC Nature Center’s centennial. What began as a small municipal zoo focused on exotic animals has evolved into a center that emphasizes care for and education on the region’s native species such as otters, red wolves and rattlesnakes. This week’s cover features Chris Gentile, left, the director of WNC Nature Center, and Kate Frost, the executive director of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center.
PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Jeff Fobes
ASSISTANT PUBLISHER: Susan Hutchinson
MANAGING EDITOR: Thomas Calder
EDITORS: Lisa Allen, Gina Smith
OPINION EDITOR: Tracy Rose
STAFF REPORTERS: Lisa Allen, Thomas Calder, Brionna Dallara, Justin McGuire, Greg Parlier, Brooke Randle, Gina Smith Intern: Amrit Brown
COMMUNITY CALENDAR & CLUBLAND: Braulio Pescador-Martinez
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Jon Elliston, Mindi Meltz Friedwald, Peter Gregutt, Rob Mikulak
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS:
Christopher Arbor, Edwin Arnaudin, Danielle Arostegui, Mark Barrett, Eric Brown, Carmela Caruso, Cayla Clark, Molly Devane, Tessa Fontaine, Mindi Meltz Friedwald, Troy Jackson, Carol Kaufman, Bill Kopp, Chloe Leiberman, Jessica Wakeman, Kay West, Clark Wilson, Jamie Zane
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Caleb Johnson Intern: Chad Truitt
ADVERTISING, ART & DESIGN MANAGER: Susan Hutchinson
LEAD DESIGNER: Scott Southwick
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Tina Gaafary, Caleb Johnson, Olivia Urban
MARKETING ASSOCIATES: Emily Baughman, Sara Brecht, Dave Gayler
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: Jeff Fobes, Mark Murphy, Scott Southwick
WEB: Brandon Tilley
BOOKKEEPER: Amie Fowler
OFFICE MANAGER: Mark Murphy
FRONT OFFICE: Caitlin Donovan, Lisa Watters
DISTRIBUTION: Susan Hutchinson, Kyle Ramser
DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS: Cass Kunst, Cindy Kunst, Henry Mitchell, Courtney Israel Nash, Joey Nash, Carl & Debbie Schweiger, Gary Selnick, Noah Tanner, Mark Woodyard
Claw back funding from stadium
I have a great solution on funding the public education of the county and city. Cancel the $38 million that the City Council approved to renovate the McCormick baseball field. Make the major league owners pay for it instead of raising taxes. The children need an education a lot more than adults running around a field, chasing balls.
— Roy Heath Asheville
Focus on helping UNCA solve challenges
I am responding to the letter submitted by Susan Clark Muntean, Asheville resident and associate professor of business at UNC Asheville [ “Listen to Public Feedback on UNCA’s Urban Forest,” April 30, Xpress]. Inadvertently, I address the UNCA urban forest.
Muntean wrote, “A uniform consensus at the public meeting was that no one wants to clear-cut and develop the woods.”
Respectfully, a clear-cut is a silvicultural tool that regenerates
forests in perpetuity. It creates an opening in the forest canopy so that shade intolerant trees may grow.
A clear-cut may be one of the tools used to meet a desired outcome. If so, a multidisciplinary team then includes it in a landscape management plan. This team clearly identifies the size and location of the clear-cut, potential impacts on other natural, cultural and wildlife habitat resources, along with mitigation measures to protect any adjacent aquatic resources, using best management practices.
UNCA is not proposing to “clearcut” the 45-acre urban forest. UNCA is proposing to replace the 45-acre urban forest with buildings and asphalt. Additionally, UNCA is proposing to reduce their current acreage of their urban forest-touted campus from 90 acres to 45 acres!
Unfortunately, the 45 acres is state-owned property. UNCA has the ultimate decision on how to utilize this community resource.
It seems that the UNCA chancellor and board of trustees are searching for alternatives to sustainably fund the foundational pillars of the university — education, research and service. Maybe we could direct our collective exper -
tise and resources on helping the university solve this challenge, which may ultimately save the urban forest.
— Jenn Plyler Asheville
Editor’s note : Plyer reports being retired from the U.S. Forest Service, a former visiting professor at Virginia Tech’s department of forestry and a concerned resident and conservationist.
Of journalism and democracy
In a recent opinion piece, Rep. Chuck Edwards complained about WLOS ’ coverage of his recent town hall meeting, where the loudest voice in the room got the most airtime. He wrote, “Instead of informing and uniting people, WLOS deepened the political divide.”
When airtime for a story is often less than two minutes, a dramatic confrontation usually wins out over a wide-ranging analysis. As someone who worked in broadcast journalism for more than 20 years, I am constantly impressed by WLOS ’ coverage of local issues, especially during Hurricane Helene and the region’s ongoing recovery.
Edwards did make some valid points about the state of journalism in 2025. Networks have been created where commentators and panels amplify one political viewpoint. Social media algorithms steer us to content that fuels outrage and clicks on both sides of the political spectrum. Broadcast news often prioritizes sensational stories and images over a balanced view of an issue. One platform that gives context and measured analysis to the daily news is NPR and the “PBS News Hour,” programming that Trump wants to defund. If Rep. Edwards is looking for a scapegoat responsible for inciting political division, look no further than the divider-in-chief, Donald J. Trump. It’s his political super -
Word of the week
haimish (adj.)
a Yiddish word that means “cozy” or “unpretentious”
We owe our latest Word of the Week entry to “Year in Beer” columnist Christopher Arbor. Read more about the haimish setup at Whistle Hop Brewing in Fairview in his latest feature, Page 23.
CARTOON BY RANDY MOLTON
power. He is constantly circulating half-truths, misinformation and conspiracy theories. Trump has blasted the media as “enemies of the people” and “fake news.” In a recent book, former CBS correspondent Marvin Kalb wrote, “The founding fathers deliberately placed ‘freedom of the press’ into the First Amendment to the Constitution, because they understood that only this ‘fourth branch of government’ could keep the other three in line. Far from the press being ‘the enemy of the American people,’ it is a foundation of freedom and democracy.”
I encourage everyone to watch a livestream of the Broadway show “Good Night, and Good Luck” on CNN , Saturday, June 7, at 7 p.m. George Clooney portrays legendary CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow, showcasing his history-altering, on-air showdown with Sen. Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare of the 1950s. The show provides a historical perspective about journalism’s critical role to question and confront politicians who use the power of their office to dismantle the basic freedoms of our democracy.
— John Owens Hendersonville
CARTOON BY BRENT BROWN
Facing the music
BY GREG PARLIER
Buncombe commissioners take funding questions from education community gparlier@mountainx.com
With a week to go before a consequential vote on Buncombe County’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget, a majority of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners was seeing red — and green — May 27 at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium.
Commissioners Parker Sloan, Drew Ball, Martin Moore and Jennifer Horton participated in the public schools forum co-hosted by advocacy groups Asheville City and Buncombe County Associations of Educators. The audience, which was made up of more than 300 education supporters, graded each statement the elected officials made about school funding by hoisting up either a green or red card, showing their approval or opposition, respectively.
All seven commissioners were invited to answer questions and hear criticisms of a county budget process that has cut education spending for the first time in years after Tropical Storm Helene slashed county revenues and delayed a property tax reappraisal. Education advocates filled the room to lobby commissioners for a commitment to increase that allocation.
At the end of the meeting, Carson Bridges, incoming president of the Asheville City Association of Educators, sought direct answers from each commissioner individually.
“If a motion needs to be made, will you make that motion?” Bridges asked after Sloan noted that someone needs to suggest the necessary tax hike to fund the districts’ requests. “Will you vote to fully fund both school district’s requests of $20.4 million for ACS and $105.9 million for BCS, as well as restore the ACS special taxing
PACKED HOUSE: Education advocates filled the Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech on May 27 to tell members of the
County Board of Commissioners to invest more in education than what the proposed 2025-26 budget calls for.
district rate to its prepandemic level of 12 cents per $100 [of property value]?”
Ultimately, Sloan said yes to a chorus of cheers and fluttering green cards. Moore and Ball didn’t go that far but expressed general support throughout the night and said they would continue to search for solutions.
“I didn't come here with my mind made up, and I pledged that I would not leave with my mind made up because I think we've got a lot of work
to do in this budget. I'm going to work with your superintendents to figure out where that number is so that we do not have any staff cuts. That is critical,” Ball said.
Horton left to attend a prior commitment before questions from the panel of teachers, students and advocates.
Board Chair Amanda Edwards and Commissioners Al Whitesides and Terri Wells declined organizers’ invitations to the event. Wells sent a statement to Xpress, saying she had a prior commitment but met with education supporters May 15 to hear their concerns. Whitesides and Edwards did not respond to requests for comment.
“It's clear our power has mattered, and it's also clear there is work yet to be done. In order to continue the work for a no-cuts budget, we need to take powerful, united, decisive action,” said Buncombe County Association of Educators President Shanna Peele in her closing comments.
HOW WE GOT HERE
Event organizers called the town hall at the 11th hour as a last-ditch effort after months of lobbying that
began when the county passed an emergency amended budget in January that clawed back $4.7 million collectively from ACS and BCS.
County Manager Avril Pinder presented a budget May 6 that included a property tax hike of 3.26 cents per $100 or taxable value. The spending plan, which went through a public hearing May 20, cuts $4.1 million from the two districts compared with the budget passed last summer. The overall county general fund budget is down $5 million compared with last year.
Peele says that cut, which is $4.7 million if you include cuts to A-B Tech and grants for education support agencies, represents 94% of all cuts to the county budget. That was a common complaint during the forum, including a direct question from Sam Aycock, kindergarten teacher at Lucy S. Herring Elementary.
But other departments also suffered deep cuts, such as $8.6 million from general government and $2.3 million from the Affordable Housing Services Program.
Like the school districts, the county has to cover rising expenses it can’t
Buncombe
Photo by Chad Truitt
avoid, such as rising health and utility costs.
Ball pointed out that the county did not propose any new employees other than a Helene recovery specialist despite needs across county departments. The budget proposal does include a 3.1% cost-of-living raise for all county employees. Panel members pointed out that the county should ensure school employees are treated the same way.
Sloan countered that the county board approves an overall allocation to school districts. The districts then make their own staffing and spending decisions. Even that process is heavily affected by decisions at the state level, further complicating the maze of education funding.
“This whole system is overly complicated and confusing for you to understand who you're supposed to act and advocate to,” Sloan acknowledged, also apologizing for not communicating better to constituents throughout the budget process. “We need to have more events like this to communicate what we’re thinking.”
In a statement, BCS Superintendent Rob Jackson told Xpress that the district is awaiting state and federal revenue numbers before finalizing a budget. No potential cuts have been identified, confirmed spokesperson Ken Ulmer
Franklin Keel, orchestra director at Ashville High and Asheville Middle schools who led an orchestral performance at the outset of the meeting, said at a recent rally that the district administration told him his position would be cut if the proposed county budget passes. However, Kim Dechant, ACS chief of staff, told Xpress that no decisions had been made on specific positions.
Ball suggested that school district leaders compromise with the county to trim its budget without cutting student-facing staff. That earned a wave of red cards from the crowd.
PRESSING THE ISSUE
Among five members of the public who opened the forum with questions directly to the four commissioners, Alex Carr, owner of Tops for Shoes in downtown Asheville, made his case for approving tax hikes to pay for increased education spending.
“As a local business owner, I want my employees to feel that they can raise a family here, have great educational options. I'm worried that if we don't invest in public schools, families are not going to want to move here, and they're not going to want to stay
here. I would gladly pay more in property taxes,” he said to a roar from the crowd. “What are we spending our tax dollars on that is more important than investing in our community's future?”
According to a presentation from Buncombe Budget Director John Hudson at a May 20 Commission meeting, the county would have to raise the property tax rate an additional 0.79 cents to get education funding back to the same amount that was funded last year.
To approve a spending plan that matches requests from the two districts, the county would have to raise the tax rate an additional 2.88 cents per $100 of taxable value. That would cost the owner of a $400,000 property $115.20 atop the proposed 3.26-cent hike. In total, owners with $400,000 in property could pay $245.60 more next year.
Commissioners expressed concern that tax hikes a year after Helene could cause significant harm to residents and businesses.
Maya McDermott, a student at Asheville High School, said orchestra class helped her find her stride in high school and get through a difficult time when she was dealing with a knee injury.
“This class gives me a break for the long weeks and a place to be myself and a place where I can focus on my passions. If budget cuts were to happen, I'd lose that space and that time,” she lamented.
By the end of the forum, there seemed to be momentum to approve ACS’ request to increase its special supplemental tax rate from 10.62 cents per $100 of taxable value to 12 cents. Sloan, in particular, was full throated in his support for that initiative, while saying that he hoped the City of Asheville would reconsider its own proposed tax increase to help limit what could be three different tax hikes for some city residents.
Sloan, Ball and Moore all promised to keep tinkering with the budget over the next week, lining up what could be a contentious final budget vote on Tuesday, June 3.
Peele urged the crowd to keep fighting for students. “For the commissioners who are not committed yet, as you move toward the final vote on the budget on Tuesday, I hope that you are taking into account the many, many stories you have heard from the community, the thousands of people who have reached out in support of a no-cuts budget in one one form or another.”
This story was supported by the Fund for Investigative Reporting and Editing. X
Public weighs in on city’s proposed budget
A pay raise for the Asheville Fire Department (AFD) was top of mind for the small number of residents who came out to Asheville City Council's May 27 public hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-26. Four of the six public commenters voiced their support for the measure.
To increase firefighter pay, city staff has proposed a 3% raise in next year’s budget as well as adding a fourth shift, which would reduce a firefighter's average workweek from 56 to 42 hours and increase the annual salary from $50,309 to about $51,818.
The proposed budget adds $205,000 for firefighter promotions, including adding a fourth set of supervisors. But it does not account for the approximately 80 firefighters needed for the added shift. The change would be phased in as finances allow.
"The fourth shift is being increasingly adopted nationwide," said Hayne Griffin, fire captain of Asheville’s Southside station and chair of the Compensation Committee for the Asheville Firefighters Association, during the public hearing.
If Asheville doesn’t get on board, Griffin added, it could risk losing both current and potential firefighters to other departments that are moving to the fourth-shift model.
“Our Asheville firefighters work approximately 40% more hours than other city employees. We are also the busiest department per capita in the state of North Carolina,” Griffin said. He went on to note to Council, “Every Asheville firefighter is watching each of you. They’re looking for proof that you see them. They're looking for proof that you're ready to
RAISE FOR BLAZE: Hayne Griffin, captain of the Asheville Fire Department’s (AFD) Southside station and chair of the Compensation Committee for the Asheville Firefighters Association, spoke in support of a proposed 3% raise for AFD and the addition of a fourth shift during the May 27 public hearing on next year’s budget. Photo by Brionna
Dallara
act on the progressive values that our city claims to embody.”
Last year, AFD received an 8.8% raise that brought its starting salary to $50,309, which was $2,835 less than the $53,144 requested by dozens of firefighters and community members at last year's budget hearing.
“I request that you give our firefighters a raise that is equitable and in line with other city workers and to go ahead and hire the full number of positions that’s needed to get that new shift off the ground,” said Emma Hutchens-Nguyen, a Southside resident.
Nguyen harkened back to the first days after Tropical Storm Helene.
"I learned that our firefighters had been working for five or six days straight without a break. My very first thought was ‘[It's a] shame that we had not given them the pay increase that they asked for in the prior year’s city budget,’” Nguyen said. “If there had been any question about the merit or value of their work that already required them to risk their lives on a daily basis, certainly that would be gone now.”
After the public hearing, Council members Sage Turner and Kim Roney voiced support to begin the process of adding a fourth shift.
“Our firefighters are scheduled more hours per week. Because of that, we are either paying them at the entry level of less than $18 an hour or they’re working 832 hours a year for free,” Roney said. “My hope is to retain the people who got us through
this crisis so they can help us get through the next crisis.”
The proposed budget also includes a 3% pay raise for city employees making $58,000 or more and a $1,740 flat increase for those earning less to try to get them up to a living wage.
Additionally, the Asheville Police Department (APD) would move to a new pay structure that adjusts salaries based on officers’ experience and skills to prevent salary compression — a situation where employees with different levels of experience earn similar pay.
Officers not receiving an adjustment under the new plan would receive a lump-sum payment equal to 3% of their salary. Overall, police compensation increases would cost $1.1 million.
“We simply can’t afford to do business as usual as it relates to the pay plan,” said Rick Tullis, president of the NC Mountain chapter of the Police Benevolent Association. “We cannot sustain an agency where we continually see well-trained and experienced officers walk out the door.”
In total, all of the proposed pay raises would tally nearly $4 million in expenses, $3.2 million of which would come from the general fund and the rest from enterprise funds, which are used for self-sustaining city operations.
Other public comments included those from Barron Northrup, who voiced concern over the 3.26-cent property tax rate increase to cover costs such as the proposed raises.
The proposed 7.9% hike would cost the owner of a $350,000 property $114 more per year. The entire proposed budget is $256 million, up 2.1% from this year.
Rachel Cohen, a member of the Sunrise Movement, a local climate activist group, pointed to the proposed $842,000 allocation to the city’s Sustainability Department, the same amount as this year. “During this time of rebuilding, we should really prioritize mitigating the climate crisis,” Cohen said. “A budget is a statement of values right? It demonstrates whether we are literally putting our money where our mouth is.”
Council is scheduled to vote on the budget at its 5 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, June 10. See avl.mx/etq for city and county budget takeaways.
More funding for Fairhaven
Council members approved, 7-0, to take out an additional $607,000 in Housing Trust Fund loans to complete the 77 affordable housing units at the Fairhaven Summit complex on Sweeten Creek Road.
The complex will include one-, two- and three-bedroom units available for tenants making between 30%-80% of the average median income. This would mean the most affordable unit would require an annual income of at least $16,000 for a one-person household at 30% of the area median income (AMI), and nearly $58,000 for a three-person household at 80% AMI, per the city’s local housing calculator.
Construction has already begun on the project, which is on track to be completed in November.
The additional HTF loan is needed to cover costs due to a two-month delay by Tropical Storm Helene and design changes required by N.C. Housing Finance Agency, according to a city staff presentation.
Council approved nearly $1.5 million in HTF loans for the project, which accounts for 6.1% of the total costs. The city also approved a nearly $1 million Land Use Incentive Grant for the project on Dec. 1, 2023.
In total, the city has committed approximately $2.5 million to the project. Mayor Esther Manheimer highlighted that the total costs amount to $32,500 per unit.
“I just want to always take the opportunity to talk about how incredibly costly it is to help underwrite affordable housing,” Manheimer said. “There’s not necessarily a solution to it. I don’t think we have any choice but to support it, but these are tax dollars that we are spending here
to help create affordable housing in our community.”
Twenty units will be set aside for project-based vouchers, and 11 units will use the city’s KEY program for low-income residents with disabilities.
Manheimer noted that the city is fortunate to have voters who supported $20 million in housing bonds, adding to city coffers. Additionally, Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBGDR) funds will bring in millions more for housing over the next six to seven years. Still, she warned that the cost of housing will continue to increase.
The 2% interest loans will be paid back by the city over 20 years. The additional loan would bring the Housing Trust Fund to $1.57 million. HTF loans are based on the available resources within the program and have no impact on the city’s credit rating.
In other news
• Council unanimously approved rezoning nearly an acre at 46 Green Hill Ave. The property will be rezoned from commercial industrial zoning, which permits multifamily dwellings, such as duplexes, as well as commercial and industrial uses, and residential single-family high density (RS-8) to only RS-8, which permits the development of single-family dwellings, including townhomes and cottages.
• Manheimer and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chair Amanda Edwards signed a letter to the N.C. Department of Transportation urging that the Interstate 26 Connector pass under Patton Avenue, along with a request that the transportation department stay committed to community engagement as it finalizes the design.
• Council approved a $269,400 contract for the Malvern Hills Park Improvement project and authorized City Manager Debra Campbell to approve any contingencies up to $27,000. Part of that design process will include garnering feedback about what residents would like to see at the new pool, said D. Tyrell McGirt, parks and recreation director. This story was supported by the Fund for Investigative Reporting and Editing.
TDA proposes slimmer budget
It’s budget season, and the forecast for Asheville’s tourism recovery is mixed. During the May 28 meeting of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, Jennifer KassGreen, vice president of culture and business affairs, presented the proposed BCTDA fiscal year 2025-26 budget, which begins Monday, July 1. Melissa Moore, Buncombe County finance director and BCTDA fiscal agent, opened the meeting with one encouraging data point for Asheville’s recovery: February sales tax revenues were up 10% compared with February 2024, the first double-digit monthly growth in over two years. This was driven by retail sales tax, which experienced 13.3% growth. However, March occupancy tax revenues dropped 13% compared with the prior year. In April, vacation rentals and hotel occupancy rates — 51% and 64%, respectively — were down compared with April 2024, when they were 53% and 69%. Kass-Green then presented the proposed budget, which forecasts a net lodging tax revenue of $32.5 million. It would provide $21.7 million for the operating budget, $5.4 million for the Tourism Product Development Fund and $5.4 million for the Legacy Investment from the Tourism Fund. Staff also recommends pulling $4.2 million from the fund balance for the operating budget, raising the total fiscal year 2025-26 proposed operating budget to $25.9 million, down from last year's $27.3 million budget. On the expense side, the budget proposed a 4% pool for staff merit raises and enough to cover a 22% jump in medical insurance costs. Net media spending will fall 8% from $14.1 million forecast in 2025 to $13 million for FY 2025-26. The presentation then turned to strategies to
Thurs., June 12 11:00 - 1:00 PM
Reimagining retirement has never been easier. Come enjoy a presentation about 60 Givens Gerber Park: a more affordable rental retirement option (55+) and enjoy lunch on us. Monthly fees are all-inclusive based on income. RSVP required.
WE WANT YOUR MONEY: At the May 28 Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority meeting, Dan Gerlach, an economic and public administration consultant, argued for blunt messaging to vistors about the region. “We need ‘This town is stubborn. We don’t want your thoughts and prayers. We want your money,’” Gerlach said. Photo by Chad Truitt
boost tourism, with a recurring theme that Asheville and WNC “are open and ready.” Dan Gerlach, an economic and public administration consultant who presented to the board, recommended that marketing feature the community’s resilience. “How do we get people back to God’s country? … This storm is in our rearview [mirror]. We don’t need six-month anniversary stories. We need ‘This town is stubborn. We don’t want your thoughts and prayers. We want your money.’”
CEO, emphasized that when it comes to Asheville’s tourism rebound, “seeing is believing. … Getting people here, to witness for themselves — it’s like the governor has said: It’s the most fun public service you’ll be doing, as a North Carolinian, is to come back to Western North Carolina.”
Kass-Green said, “In the coming year, we're going to amplify cultural …
milestones to inspire travel rebound for our creative community.”
The board also approved spending $500,000 from the Tourism Product Development Fund for gravel lot maintenance at the Bob Lewis Ballpark, plus $2.2 million to restore the John B. Lewis
“Bet on the kids. … They’re the ones sustaining us. They’ve lost seasons [of play] and they’ve been through so Lucious
Before closing the meeting, Buncombe County Commissioner said, “Giving up is definitely not part of our
The board will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget at 9 a.m.
— Brionna Dallara X
Music Video Awards
Parking deck redo
BULLETIN BOARD
by Lisa Allen | lallen@mountainx.com
Submissions for the 17th Music Video Asheville slated for Wednesday, Sept. 10, are due Thursday, July 31. The film must be a music video, and the featured song must be original. The film does not have to have been produced this year, but current projects are recommended. At least one musician in the band must be a resident within 60 miles of Buncombe County. The annual event usually receives around 100 submissions with 30 selected as finalists for viewing at the red-carpet runway awards ceremony at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. “This event was invented by musicians, and the filmmakers are the ones submitting the films and helping bring the artistic visions to life,” said MVA founder Jenny Greer Fares in a media release. “Filmmaking is very collaborative, and so is music making. We want to celebrate those collaborations and Asheville’s culture.” For info, go to avl.mx/etx X
Beginning in August, the City of Asheville will be closing the Rankin Avenue and Wall Street garages, one at a time, for weeks at a time for major repair
work. According to the city, by closing the garages completely, construction time will shrink from 10 months to four to six weeks per garage. The work, which is part of a $11 million, multiyear project, will include waterproofing and joint seal replacements as well as mechanical, electrical and drainage repairs. For more info, go to avl.mx/etv X
Citizens coalition makes I-26 recommendations
After a weekendlong gathering May 16-18 of residents and designers, the Western North Carolina chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the I-26 Citizens’ Coalition created a list of recommendations to improve the I-26 Connector project. Key recommendations include:
• Patton Avenue: Have I-26 pass underneath Patton Avenue using an existing underpass to minimize trenching and eliminating the need to rebuild fiber optic infrastructure. As of May 24, over 1,900 people signed a petition in support of the I-26 underpass.
• Haywood Road: Proposal 1: Maintain existing exit on the east side of I-26 at Hanover Street. Proposal 2: Remove all I-26/240 exits to and from Haywood Road. Either proposal limits I-26 to six lanes across all points in the Haywood Road area and maintains the connection between Hanover Street and Haywood Road.
• I-240 footprint: Maintain a maximum of six lanes of traffic throughout the length of the I-26 Connector and retain Clingman Avenue access. N.C. Department of Transportation proposes up to eight lanes of traffic through downtown. X
The City of Asheville’s Asheville Rides Transit (ART) service cut routes May 27 because of ongoing staffing shortages. Impacted routes:
• WE1 eastbound is reduced from once every 30 minutes to once an hour at each stop.
• N2 is canceled; however, N1 will service the stops along Beaverdam Road between Ingles and Revol Church every two hours. N1 may experience slight delays due to this change.
bus routes cut
New sight
with Solvivor, Pyletribe and others, is featured in a video for Google’s Project Astra, which was part of Google IO 2025. The video highlights Parker’s experience trying out the AI-powered Visual Interpreter tool designed to assist the blind and low-vision community. Parker, who lives with the degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa, demonstrates how Project Astra’s Visual Interpreter helps him navigate his surroundings and pursue his passion for touring. The video features shots of Western North Carolina and The Grey Eagle. Watch the video at avl.mx/etu. X
Week of the Pet
If you’ve ever wondered what the hero of (arguably) the greatest anime series of all time would be like as a dog, meet Goku, says the staff at Asheville Humane Society. He’s a confident, adventurous character with strength and energy enough to save Namek and accompany you on a long hike (along snake way?) in the same day! He is a great walker, does well with handling and loves greeting people on his way. But like his namesake, Goku thinks kids are better off with Piccolo. In nonnerd terms, this means he’s looking for a home where he can be the only kiddo. A home with a balance of activity and relaxation would be a fantastic fit for Goku. To foster, contact Laura Nist at fosteradmin@ ashevillehumane.org. To adopt, come see him at 14 Forever Friend Lane. X
Worthy writer
The Haywood County Public Library unveiled a memorial to Fred Chappell (1936-2024). Chappell wrote over 30 books of poetry, fiction and criticism. He was North Carolina’s poet laureate from 1997-2002 and a distinguished English professor for 40 years at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He was inducted into the N.C. Literary Hall of Fame in 2006. The Fred Chappell Memorial, created by Haywood County artist Grace Cathey, is located at the entrance of the Canton Branch of the Haywood County Public Library, 11 Pennsylvania Ave, Canton. X
Animal house
BY HANNAH EPPERSON
“I wish there was no such thing as zoos,” says Chris Gentile, director of the Western North Carolina Nature Center.
It's a surprising statement, given Gentile's profession.
But when you consider that the majority of the animals at the Nature Center are permanently injured, endangered or lack the skills to survive in the wild due to human exposure, the comment comes into focus.
A world without zoos, Gentile continues, would mean an environment in which animals had appropriate space in the wild. “But we know that we live in a world where that’s never going to be possible,” he says. “So a zoo is a great way to introduce people to these animals.”
Last month, the Nature Center celebrated its 100-year anniversary. What began as a small municipal zoo focused on exotic animals has evolved into today's center, which emphasizes care for and education on the region's native species such as otters, red wolves and rattlesnakes.
Xpress recently caught up with Gentile to discuss the site's past as well as its ongoing recovery from Tropical Storm Helene and the center's future plans.
HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
In 1925, the City of Asheville opened Recreation Park Zoo, featuring a Ferris wheel, rowboats, a dance pavilion, a shooting range and a municipal zoo.
The zoo housed exotic creatures such as monkeys as well as native
MILESTONE:
animals, including a baby elk that was born at the facility. Betsy the Elephant joined the zoo a year later, purchased with the help of donations by area schoolchildren.
The new park was not accessible or welcoming to all, however. Before the Civil Rights Movement, Black residents had limited access to the facility. A June 22, 1928, article in The Asheville Citizen notes Black guests could only visit the zoo on Thursdays, noon-4 p.m.
Betsy the Elephant made headlines in 1931 when she grabbed James Adams, a 6-year-old visitor, and dragged the young boy into her enclosure. According to an April 20, 1931, article in The Asheville Times, the boy’s mother rescued the child, who sustained minor cuts and bruises. The 6-year-old’s blue cloth cap, however, was not as lucky. The paper notes Betsy ate it.
Financial hardships and rationing due to World War II forced the zoo to
close in 1943. The animals were sold or released into local game preserves. Betsy the Elephant was the last animal to be sold; she reportedly became unmanageable after her keeper left to join the Army.
The zoo reopened in 1959, with over 100 birds and reptiles from Central America, as well as monkeys, lions and a new elephant named Henrietta. Admission was 10 cents per child and 25 cents per adult.
The site came under fire in 1973 for its small animal enclosures and poor conditions, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommended closure. Improvements were made, and the USDA issued a positive report by July of that year.
The Friends of the Nature Center, originally called The Nature Society, was established in 1975. Two years later, with help from the newly formed group, the facility was restructured and rebranded the Children's Zoo and Nature Center.
In 1999, the WNC Nature Center was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the industry standard for excellence in animal welfare.
'A TREMENDOUS LIFT'
In more recent years, the facility has experienced a number of obstacles, including lockdown during COVID-19 and more recently the damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene.
In the storm's immediate aftermath, there was no access to the site. Gentile and his colleagues relied on drones for an initial assessment of the animals' well-being. None were harmed. When the waters receded, staff accessed the center via Highland Brewing Co.
Chris Gentile, left, director of the WNC Nature Center, and Kate Frost, executive director of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center, recently celebrated the site's 100-year anniversary. Photo by Chad Truitt
Trees had destroyed fences. There was no water, no power and limited communication ability. The entire region was reeling. But the animals still had to be cared for.
“So we put the call out to our zoo and aquarium community,” Gentile says. “Within an hour, we had zoos jumping up to offer to send us stuff.”
Supplies and volunteers arrived a few days later, repairing chainlink fences and attending to the downed trees.
“That was a tremendous lift because we knew that we weren't alone. And that was the first time since the storm that we knew that we were going to be OK,” Gentile says.
With the bridge to the Nature Center destroyed, the facility remained closed to guests, with exceptions for small group events led by the Friends of the WNC Nature Center. The Friends group also hosted off-site educational experiences.
“From November to February, our two-person educator team traveled 950 miles to provide more than 100 animal education programs to 1,200 children and adults,” says Kate Frost, executive director of the Friends organization.
Frost says messages of care and donations to the center during its closure came from both locals and visitors from across the country, which helped support its recovery.
In March, a new route allowed the center to reopen to all guests. “Already in the month of March and April alone, we’ve had more than 28,000 guests visit the WNC Nature Center,” Frost says.
EYEING THE FUTURE
In lieu of Gentile’s dream of a world where zoos are unnecessary, what might the ideal WNC Nature Center of the future look like?
It’s something the center is already working toward with the Gateway to the Southern Appalachians project, which will include a new butterfly exhibit, where visitors can walk through a garden designed to attract native butterflies and other pollinators.
“That's what the goal of a zoo should be: to help connect people with the natural world and make them feel empowered to do something,” Gentile says. “So, in the case of working with the native animals, we can send people away, and they can do things in their own neighborhood that help the animals they just met at the Nature Center.”
The site will also include an education shelter, nature play area, large water wall and butterfly musical instruments, Frost says. “It's all still a work in progress until midsummer,” she adds.
Frost notes that a 12-panel history of the Nature Center will be installed mid-June. For the 2026 fiscal year, the site will focus on new animal quarantine areas, upgrades to habitats and a new exhibit in the Appalachian station. Come 2027, the center is scheduled to upgrade its picnic pavilions and food service. And in 2028, major upgrades are planned for the black bear habitat.
“The future bear exhibit will probably look something like somebody's backyard,” Gentile notes. Features such as bird feeders and compost piles will educate visitors on ways they may be inadvertently attracting bears to their property. It’s a small step toward the larger goal of helping humans and animals coexist.
“I think that would be the ideal for any zoo lover to be able to say that zoos had an impact on protecting wild spaces so that animals can thrive in the wild as well as in our care,” Gentile says. X
Featuring Music From:
• Company Swing featuring Anne Coombs, Jazz, Centric Swing, Funk, Blues
• Moon and You Band, Husband and Wife Folk Duo
• Kim Nelson, Professional Keyboard Player, Vocalist
Bring your picnic basket, blanket or low chairs, for an evening of music and camaraderie.
Benefiting Veteran Women
Aura Home Women Vets is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization working to prevent homelessness for women veterans in WNC first through prevention and second by offering safe housing.
PATT0N PARKER H0USE
FAMILY TREE: According to the WNC Nature Center, the red panda’s ancient cousin once lived in the Western North Carolina region. Photo by Chad Truitt
JUNE.
4 - JUNE 12, 2025
For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 828-251-1333, opt. 1.
Online-only events
Feature, page 20
More info, page 22
WELLNESS
Gentle Tai Chi for Balance
This class works on improving our balance through exercises that help you to think with your feet while strengthening your balance muscles.
WE (6/4), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Tai Chi Fan
This class includes partner work showing the martial application of the fans when they are used as a weapon and Flying Rainbow Double Fan form.
WE (6/4), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Active Breathwork
Step into a powerful journey of self-healing through Active Breathwork, a dynamic class designed to awaken your body, release stored emotions, and bring clarity to your mind.
A great class for those who have studied Yang 37 or would like a form that is a little bit more involved than Yang 10 or 24.
SA (6/7), 8:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Mountaintop Yoga Hike
Enjoy a 2-mile round trip hike along an easy/ moderate trail to a mountaintop with stunning views. Once there,
XPRESS EVENT PICK
Look Homeward, Asheville
Thomas Wolfe Memorial
52 N Market St • Saturday, 6/7, 10 a.m.
A downtown walking tour through the eyes of Thomas Wolfe.
“I had the chance to go on this tour’s debut run on May 31. You don’t have to be a Thomas Wolfe scholar to enjoy it. The guide offers a compelling overview of Asheville’s history with a focus on the early part of the 20th century. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about our city’s past.”
— Thomas Calder X
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
IMMERSIVE MURDER MYSTERY:
On Sunday, June 8, at 6 p.m., The Mule will host Murder at Stiletto Heights, an immersive murder mystery experience organized by Bearded Lady Productions. This event will feature an evening of scandal, suspense and sky-high hair. Photo courtesy of Bearded Lady Productions
A guided meditation with the soothing tones of Himalayan singing bowls washing over you, calming your mind, and rejuvenating your spirit.
SA (6/7), SU (6/8), 11am, Somatic Sounds, 157 S Lexington Ave B1 Kirtan w/Mantra Mandala
A sweet meditative practice of chanting mantras and divine names while experiencing the healing power of bhakti yoga, the yoga of love and devotion.
SA (6/7), 7:30pm, West Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd
Yoga in the Park
All-level friendly yoga classes based on Hatha & Vinyasa traditions.
SA (6/7), SU (6/8), 11am, West Asheville Park, 198 Vermont Ave
Barn Yoga
Community Yoga class with Fairview-based yogi Mary Beth, who teaches a gentle and vinyasa flow.
SU (6/8), 10am, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview
Sunday Morning
Meditation Group
Gathering for a combination of silent sitting and walking meditation, facilitated by Worth Bodie.
SU (6/8), 10am, The Lodge at Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain
Community Meditation
This 45-minute guided meditation is led each week by a different teacher, each offering a unique theme or focus, such as mindfulness, breathwork, or self-compassion.
Set in a softly lit space, this breath-centered practice blends gentle movement and mindfulness to release tension, restore balance, and leave you feeling grounded and renewed.
A gentle yoga flow that prepares your heart, mind, and body for deep relaxation to the live acoustic vibrations of various instruments.
SU (6/8), 7pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd
Tai Chi Open Clinic
All are welcome in this new curriculum course, regardless of the style of internal martial arts you practice, your skill development or age level.
SU (6/8), 7pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Yoga & Coffee Practice on the outdoor deck, get the body and mind balanced, and then you can hang out after for some coffee, tea and pastries.
TU (6/10), 9:30am, Cooperative Coffee Shop, 210 Haywood Rd
Free Community Functional Fitness
Build muscular endurance through exercises that focus on multiple repetitions with lower weights while moving in all planes of motion.
WE (6/11), 10:15am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave
Community Yoga & Mindfulness
Free monthly event with Inspired Change Yoga that will lead you into a morning of breathwork, meditation and yoga.
WE (6/11), 10:30am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
Full Moon Serenity
Sound Bath
A sound bath can cleanse your soul, restore your balance, surround you with peace and tranquility and stimulate healing.
WE (6/11), 6:30pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way
SUPPORT GROUPS
Al-Anon
Are you concerned about someone’s drinking? This support group meets on a weekly basis. For more information on Al-anon, visit www.alanon.org.
A Latin dance social featuring salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia, and reggaeton with dance lessons for all skill levels.
WE (6/4, 11), 8pm, One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd Monday Night Contra Dance Contra dancing is a fun, social dance for everyone. Follow a lesson at 7 p.m. and then dance to a live band and caller at 7:30 p.m.
MO (6/9), 7:30pm, A-B Tech, 340 Victoria Rd
Tea in the Tempest
Disordered Eating/ Eating Disorders
This support group is peer-led and facilitated by licensed therapists & dietitians specializing in eating disorders. Register at avl.mx/es6.
WE (6/4, 11), 6pm, Online
Nicotine Anonymous
People share their experience, strength and hope to stop using nicotine. You don’t need to be stopped, just have a desire to attend.
A group collective that gathers to talk about encounters with visual, tactile, sensational, or fringe experiences with life and the interaction of energy.
Trained peer facilitators guide you in learning how to empower yourself in a place that offers respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope.
SA (6/7), 10am, NAMIWNC, 356 Biltmore Ave
Connecting Conversations
Explore conversations built around curiosity, understanding, and openness to develop stronger connections, to be heard, and to empathize with different viewpoints.
SU (6/8), 3:45pm, Peri Social House, 406 W State St, Black Mountain
Hhheeyyy Momma! Therapy Group
Sistas Caring 4 Sistas invites you to join an afternoon of mental health support. Share a space with the Sistas Caring 4 Sistas community.
MO (6/9), 3pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
Dementia Support Group
This free community group meets every month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at the Woodfin YMCA and 1st and 3rd Monday at the Asheville YMCA.
MO (6/9), 6pm, Woodfin YMCA, 40 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 101
Infant Feeding Support Group
Learn helpful approaches to feeding from a local International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and other mothers.
TU (6/10), 10am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
Community Narcan Training
Learn how to use Naloxone, an introduction into harm reduction, what’s going on in our community and more.
TU (6/10), noon, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
Families Anonymous Meeting
Gain support from others who have had lived experiences with a family member or friends substance abuse and related behavioral health challenges.
TU (6/10), 6pm, Love and Respect Community for Recovery and Wellness, 350 Chadwick Ave, Hendersonville
An evocative collaborative exhibition by mixed media artist Heather Divoky and textile artist Emelie Weber Wade. It features a creative partnership, the concept evolved in response to Hurricane Helene’s impact. Gallery open Monday through Saturday, 10am, and Sunday, noon. Exhibition runs through May 4. Pink Dog Gallery, 348 Depot St Coatlicue & Las Meninas: The Stanford Edition
The focal point of the exhibition is Lasch’s newest addition, a tenfoot black mirror merging Diego Velázquez’s iconic painting Las Meninas (1656) and the monumental sculpture of the Mexica deity Coatlicue (1400s). Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through July 13. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square
Toe River Arts Studio Tour
This self-guided, driving tour features Toe River Artists and Galleries and offers local and visiting art collectors the chance to see artists in their natural, creative studio habitats. FR (6/6), SA (6/7) 10am, Toe River Arts Council, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine
Joël Urruty: Connection
Through a striking collection of figurative and abstract sculptures, Urruty explores the profound theme of human connection—the ways we come together, drift apart, and remain invisibly linked. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through June 14. Gallery Mélange, 67 Biltmore Ave, Ste 20 First Fridays Browse the open studios and exhibitions of over 60 local artists while enjoying local musicians, beer and
This exhibition focuses on a dynamic era in American history—the Machine Age—when industrialization and advances in technology transformed urban landscapes and redefined the nature of work and leisure nationwide. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through Sept. 27.
Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square
Flora Symbolica: The Art of Flowers
The exhibition features the work of celebrated photographer and artist Edward Steichen, whose life-long infatuation with flowers deeply affected his artistic vision. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through July 28.
Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square
Ursula Gullow: Nightbloom
Gullow’s artwork embraces the decorative arts while reframing the female presence in Western art and rescuing historical imagery from its patriarchal forebears. Gallery open Wednesday through Saturday, 11am. Exhibition through June 21.
Tracey Morgan Gallery, 22 London Rd
Viewshed Exhibition
The exhibition highlights works that span painting, textile, sound, and performance, inviting viewers to consider the ways in which artistic methodologies evolve and reverberate across time. Gallery open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am. Exhibition through August, 16, 2025.
Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St
Art in the Park Painting Classes
In this relaxed and supportive environment, you'll learn fundamental painting techniques guided by experienced and passionate instructors. All necessary art supplies will be provided.
TH (6/12), 2pm, Murphy-Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview Rd
WNC Craft Futures: From Here
The exhibition celebrating 40 artists provides a view into the deep well of craft skill and creativity from here while also offering a glimpse of where our community can go in the aftermath of a devastating storm.
TH (6/12), 5:30pm, Center for Craft, 67 Broadway
COMMUNITY MUSIC
Live 60's & 70's Dance Music w/Two Armadillos
A night of live music with the Two Armadillos, Simon Wallace and Harry Lewis. It'll feature a great time of reminiscing and dancing to live music.
Be prepared to laugh, enjoy, tap your feet and perhaps even sing along to popular melodies, modern jazz tunes and more all arranged in rousing a cappella four-part harmony.
FR (6/6), 7pm, First Baptist Church of Weaverville, 63 N Main St, Weaverville
Admiral Radio Concert Award-winning folk and Americana act from South Carolina blends heartfelt harmonies, storytelling, and raw sincerity.
FR (6/6), 7pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 West State St, Black Mountain Concerts on the Creek:
The V8s Free concert series for the community with classic rhythm rock and blues band the V8s providing the tunes this week. These events are free with donations encouraged. There will be food trucks available on most nights.
FR (6/6), 7pm, Bridge Park Gazebo, 76 Railroad Ave, Sylva Pan Harmonia: Dances in Nature
Enjoy mystical dances and haunting melodies by Alan Hovhaness, Joseph Jongen, Carl Nielsen along with tunes inspired by ocean creatures, waltzes, boleros and salsa.
FR (6/6), 7pm, First Presbyterian Church, 40 Church St
Minør, Dr. Funky Squirrel & Lucia Bluebird
Featuring a performance by AMS student bands Minør and Dr Funky Squirrel, along with a solo set by Lucia Bluebird. Sliding scale donations accepted at the door, benefiting nonprofit Asheville Music School.
SA (6/7), 3pm, The Whale, 507 Haywood Rd, Ste 10
Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra Spring Masterworks Concert: Visions of Hope & Peace
This uplifting program features inspiring works from iconic film scores and by pioneering contemporary composers.
SU (6/8), 3pm, St John in the Wilderness, 1895 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock
Heather Maloney
An outdoor concert in the beautiful Asheville neighborhood of Olivette that features Massachusetts-based singer and songwriter Heather Maloney.
SU (6/8), 4pm, Olivette Riverside Community and Farm, 1069 Olivette Rd
Carolina Celtic w/ Steve Baughman & Robin Bullock
The magnificently rich sound of two acoustic guitars conjures up the ancient musical landscapes of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany in the hands of Celtic guitar masters
Steve Baughman and Robin Bullock.
MO (6/9), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain
Park Rhythms Concert Series
This year’s series will consist of four free shows on Thursday evenings between June through July. The 2025 lineup will kickoff with folk musician Colby T. Helms from southwest Virigina.
TH (6/12), 6pm, Black Mountain Town Square, Black Mountain
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
Change Your Palate Cooking Demo
This free lunchtime food demonstration is open to all but tailored towards those with type 2 diabetes or hypertension and/or their caretakers.
Selling Online Today: What’s the Best Online eCommerce Platform for Your Small Business
Explore the features of well-known e-commerce sites to help you decide which to use or if social media is best for your business model. Register at avl.mx/eu7.
TH (6/5), noon, Online
Color Your World w/ Organic Gardening
Sylvia Rosburg will take you through her organic gardening journey with tips and tricks to share.
TH (6/5), 1pm, Mars Hill Library, 25 Library
Dr, Mars Hill
Couch to 5K Training Meet once a week with members and team coach for support, advice, and information on stretching and nutrition for training.
TH (6/5), 5:30pm, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S. French Broad Ave
Farm-to-Table Cooking Class
Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or an experienced cook, this course is designed to inspire you to create vibrant, flavorful dishes while connecting with your community’s food sources.
TH (6/5), 5:30pm, N Carolina Cooperative Extension-Madison County Center, 258 Carolina Ln, Marshall Father’s Day Mug Painting
A special Father’s Day mug painting workshop where you can create a unique gift for dad with all supplies provided.
SA (6/7), 2pm, Resurrection Studios Collective, 160 Broadway St
Best Friends Day: Bracelet Making
Grab your BFF and come on over to make friendship bracelets with a few stations set out with beads and string to choose from. Bracelet making is free and for all ages.
SU (6/8), 1pm, The Mule/Devil’s Foot Brewing, 131 Sweeton Creek Rd
The Foxy Chef: A Night of Vegan Cooking Chefs will take us on a culinary journey, explaining health benefits of nature’s herbs and spices. This class is open for anyone and everyone.
MO (6/9), 5:30pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
Bystander Intervation Training
Have you ever witnessed someone being harassed in public and wanted to help but weren’t sure how? These sessions will teach basic intervention techniques and allow time for practice and questions.
This hands on workshop is drop in friendly and for ages 8 and up who are interested in jewelry making. After a quick demo by the instructor you can take up to 45 minutes to complete your masterpiece.
TU (6/10), WE (6/11), 11am, Ignite Jewelry Studios, 191 Lyman St, Ste 262
Using AI to Improve Profits & Efficiencies in Your Small Business
This seminar is designed to demystify AI, translating complex concepts into plain English and demonstrating why these tools are rapidly becoming indispensable for boosting efficiency and profitability.
WE (6/11), 10am, A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler
Building Resilience: 3 Part Workshop
Explore how stress impacts the nervous system, how to calm and ground yourself, and care for yourself emotionally, mentally and physically to remain strong.
WE (6/11), 5:30pm, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave
How to Quickly Create a Wix Website that Shines for Your Business
This step-by-step guide will empower you to express yourself and build your online presence no matter what type of entrepreneur you are. Register at avl.mx/eu9.
TH (6/12), noon, Online
Couch to 5K Training
Learn techniques, habits, and helpful tips each week to improve pace and form so you can run happy and healthy.
TH (6/12), 5:30pm, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave
Breathe, Renew, Release: A Breathwork Workshop for Spring into Summer Energy Experience the
transformative power of breathwork in this two-hour workshop designed to help you clear out old energy and embrace the new.
TH (6/12), 6pm, Still Point Wellness, 946 Tunnel Rd
LITERARY
Poetry Open Mic
This open mic welcomes any form of artistic expression from poetry to improv theatre to music to dance. 5 and 10 minute slots available.
WE (6/4), 8:30pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave
Mike Rayder: Altered, on the Appalachian Trail
Author Mike Rayder will be discussing his new book, Altered on the Appalachian Trail. Mike will share how walking the complete trail in five months changed him physically and mentally.
SA (6/7), 1pm, Blue Ridge Books, 428 Hazelwood Ave, Waynesville
Patricia Kyritsi Howell: Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians Patricia will talk about the rich botanical diversity of our region
and sign her new book Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians: Second Edition.
SA (6/7), 3pm, City Lights Bookstore, 3 E Jackson St, Sylva
Dustin Brookshire & Denise Duhamel
Local poet Dustin Brookshire is joined by visiting writer Denise Duhamel for a discussion and reading from their latest collections.
SA (6/7), 4pm, Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd
A Reading from Stronger Than the Storm: Hurricane Helene in WNC
Authors from Stronger than the Storm: Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, including editor Shelley McKechnie and Brian Railsback, will read at
City Light. SA (6/7), 5pm, City Lights Bookstore, 3 E Jackson St, Sylva Flooded Poetry
Each poet will be able to share 2-3 poems, and occasionally we will have local celebrity poets close out our night with a featured reading.
MO (6/9), 6:30pm, Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd Ste 1200 Tessa Fontaine: The Red Grove Tessa Fontaine will visit City Lights to share her debut novel, The Red Grove. TH (6/12), 6pm, City Lights Bookstore, 3 E Jackson St, Sylva Storytelling w/Ray Christian
This event features storytelling from 12-time moth story slam winner and featured teller at the National Storytell-
3 Classes for $50 GO LOCAL OFFER
2 Classes for $40 Pole & Aerial Arts Classes!
ing festival.
TH (6/12), 7pm, Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Dr, Weaverville
THEATER & FILM
Foreign Film Fridays
Every Friday visitors can enjoy a cozy movie night in the gallery featuring some amazing foreign films curated by film-buff Carlos Steward.
This extraordinary musical tells the incredible true story of Carole King, whose journey from a young songwriter to an iconic star will captivate audiences of all ages.
FR (6/6), SA (6/7), WE (6/11), TH (6/12), 7:30pm, SU (6/8), 2pm, Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock
The Merry Wives of Windsor
When the overzealous John Falstaff attempts to woo two wealthy wives for financial gain, the clever women join forces to outsmart him with a series of hilarious pranks.
FR (6/6), SA (6/7), SU (6/8), 7:30pm, Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St
Next to Normal
A powerful rock musical about a mother’s struggle with mental illness and its impact on her family, Next to Normal is an unflinching, deeply moving journey through love, loss, and healing.
FR (6/6), SA (6/7), TH (6/12), 7:30pm, SU (6/8), 2pm, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville
Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class
In this one-woman musical comedy, Sister Robert Anne hilariously teaches the audience how to put together a cabaret act—using
her own unforgettable experiences, witty wisdom, and show-stopping songs from the Nunsense series.
FR (6/6), 7:30pm, SA (6/7), SU (6/8), 3pm, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S Washington St, Hendersonville
Hobey Ford & the Goldenrod Puppets: World Tales
Don’t miss this award-winning puppeteer as he spins a web of tales from around the world. It’s puppetry elevated to a whole new level.
SA (6/7), 11am, Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Dr, Weaverville
Immersive Murder Mystery Dinner Experience
The catfights are brewing and the pearls are clutched, murder has come to Stiletto Heights. Bearded Lady Productions and The Mule are hosting an evening of scandal, suspense, and sky-high hair.
SU (6/8), 6pm, The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd Ste 10e
Reel Obscura Mondays
A free weekly movie night that will be serving up a curated mix of cult classics, hidden indie gems and unforgettable films.
MO (6/9), 7pm, Eda's Hide-a-Way, 1098 New Stock Rd, Weaverville Community Improv Jam
Misfit Improv group leads a jam where everybody gets a chance to play. All are welcome for newbies to vets.
TH (6/12), 7pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St
Free Kung Fu Movie Night
A showing of the movie the 36th Chamber of Shaolin. Admission is free and everyone is
This is your opportunity to connect with local professionals, promote your business, and expand your referral network in a casual, welcoming atmosphere.
WE (6/4), 5:30pm, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, 46 N Mills River Rd, Mills River
Spirituality in Caring for those w/Dementia or Memory Impairment
An evening of compassion, insight, and spiritual connection with Cris Anderson and Dee Brooks, two professionals who have dedicated their lives to supporting individuals and families affected by dementia and memory impairment.
WE (6/4), 6:30pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way
WNC Sierra Club Presents: Smart Urban Planning & Asheville
This program will be led by Joe Minicozzi, an urban planner imagining new ways to think about and visualize land use, urban design and economics.
WE (6/4), 7pm, Reuter Center, OLLI, UNC-A campus
NSA-WNC Meeting Professional keynote speakers, coaches, trainers, facilitators, and consultants who cover a broad range of topics, skills and knowledge.
All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts. Bring a big stack of business cards / flyers and invite
your business contacts to attend.
TH (6/5), noon, Thai Spice, 220 South King St, Hendersonville Blue Ghost Tours
Experience an educational presentation starting at 8:45 pm and then use the cover of darkness and special flashlights to go in search of the Blue Ghost fireflies while hiking on a paved trail through the forest.
TH (6/5), FR (6/6), SA (6/7), 8pm, The Cradle of Forestry, 11250 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest
Drumming Circle & Labyrinth
Experience the joy of collective music-making in a welcoming and supportive community.
FR (6/6), 7pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way
Look Homeward, Asheville
A downtown walking tour through Thomas Wolfe’s eyes. This 90 minute walking tour will guide you past the landmarks and real-life settings that inspired and shaped Look Homeward, Angel.
SA (6/7), 10am, Thomas Wolfe Memorial, 52 N Market St
Swannanoa Valley Museum's Trails Less Traveled: Lost Cove Hike
This difficult 6.7 out and back hike will take you to explore the ghost town of Lost Cove in the Poplar Gorge above the Nolichucky River in Yancey County near the NC/Tennessee Border.
SA (6/7), 9am, Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, 223 West State St, Black Mountain
2025 Historic Montford Garden Tour
Featuring eight delightful gardens, local music, plein air artists, and a garden information fair, the Montford Garden Tour will be a fun and
memorable day for everyone.
SA (6/7), 10am, Montford Neighborhood
Currie Memorial Lecture: Charlotte Kerr's Grand Adventure
This year's program will feature speaker Katherine Calhoun Cutshall, who will be giving a talk on Charlotte Kerr’s Grand Adventure: Kinship, Wealth, and Society in Victorian Southern Appalachia.
SA (6/7), 10am, Vance Birthplace, 911 Reems Creek Rd, Weaverville
Free Hickory Nut Gap Farm Tour w/Jamie Ager
These tours are an opportunity to connect with our story and explore the principles of regenerative farming firsthand.
SA (6/7), 10am, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview
Spiritual Tune Ups
Let our prayer practitioners attune your spiritual instrument with prayer. Limited availability, sign up for a 15-min private time slot.
SA (6/7), 10am, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way
Water Aerobics Splash, smile, and make new friends as you dive into fun with ageless aqua aerobics. This water-based workout is perfect for anyone looking to stay active and socialize.
SA (6/7), 10am, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St
Stitches of Love
Meeting
Stitches of Love is a small group of stitchers who create a variety of handmade items which are donated to local charities. New members are always welcome to join.
MO (6/9), 2pm, Panera Bread, 1843 Hendersonville Rd
Black Men Monday
A local group that has stepped up in the community to advocate for and mentor students through academic intervention.
MO (6/9), 5:30pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
Dharma & Discuss w/ Anne-Marie Polansky Experience the Social Sangha with
Anne-Marie Polanski for a period of reflection, guided meditation and discussion.
MO (6/9), 6:30pm, The Lodge at Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain
Swannanoa Valley Museum Walk Through History: Fort San Juan & Joara Archeological
Dig
Take a step back in time and explore the fascinating history of Fort San Juan and Joara, the site of the earliest known European settlement in the interior United States.
TU (6/10), 10am, Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, 223 West State St, Black Mountain
Summer Bucket List
This program empowers you to create your personalized summer bucket list and connect with like minded individuals to support your achievement.
TU (6/10), 5:30pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave
Shamanic Journey Circle
Bring a blanket and eye pillow for journeying, a journal to capture insights, and a water bottle.
WE (6/11), 6:30pm, The Well, 3 Louisiana Ave, Asheville
IBN Biz Lunch: Brevard/Pisgah Forest
The meeting will consist of introductions by every guest, a discussion of future networking opportunities in the area, a roundtable business needs and solutions segment and more.
Western North Carolina’s revival — and calling on state and national leaders to protect our rivers and make sure our community is prepared
for future storms.
TH (6/12), 5pm, New Belgium Brewing, 21 Craven St
GAMES & CLUBS
Weekly Sunday Scrabble!
Weekly scrabble play where you’ll be paired with players of your skill level. All scrabble gear provided.
SU (6/8), 1:30pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave
Level 256 Weekly
Pinball Tournament
This is a weekly group knockout pinball tournament. Food will be provided to players. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
SU (6/8), 5:30pm, Level 256 Classic Arcade Bar, 79 Coxe Ave
Ping Pong Tournament
Come by and shoot your shot against some of the best ping pong players in town. Free to enter and $50 bar tab to the winner.
MO (6/9), 6pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave
Bingo!
Weekly bingo raises funds to place service dogs with people affected by Helene. Hosted by Paws and Effect, a Black Mountain-based service dog organization.
TU (6/10), 6pm, Wild Wing Cafe South, 65 Long Shoals Rd, Arden Music Bingo w/DJ Spence Featuring 3 different themes of upbeat, family friendly music. It’s first come first serve, no tickets required and free to play.
WE (6/11), 5:30pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St
KID-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS
Kung Fu For Children
Designed to begin with the foundations of these styles while also teaching application and self awareness.
WE (6/4), 3pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109
Family Story Time
A fun and interactive story time designed for children ages 18 months to 3 years.
WE (6/4, 11), 10:30am, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain
Baby Storytime
A lively language enrichment story time designed for children ages 4 to 18 months.
TH (6/5, 12), 10:30am, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain Preschool Storytime
Miss Jennifer will lead children ages 3 to 6 in engaging activities such as stories, songs, and other hands-on activities designed for children.
WE (6/11), 2pm, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview
LOCAL MARKETS
Leicester Farmers Market
A community-led farmers market local produce, cheese, meats, honey, strawberries, asparagus, rhubarb, ramps, a variety of plants and more. Every Wednesday through October.
WE (6/4, 11), 3pm, Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester RAD Farmers Market Asheville’s only year-round weekly market, featuring 30+ vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted items, beverages, grab-and-go meals, and more. EBT and SNAP accepted.
WE (6/4, 11), 3pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St Enka-Candler Farmer’s Market
A grand selection of local foods and crafts, everything from produce to pickles, baked goods to body care, and even educational resources. Every Thursday through October 31.
TH (6/5, 12), 3:30pm, A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler East Asheville Tailgate Market
Featuring over 25 vendors selling meat, seafood, produce, flowers, bread, eggs, baked goods, fruit, herbs, sweet treats, tamales, and more. Every Friday through Nov. 21.
FR (6/6), 3pm, Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd Green River Community Yard Sale Find hidden treasures, vintage goods, clothes, toys, furniture, and
HEALTH ROUNDUP
by Jessica Wakeman | jwakeman@mountainx.com
County pools are open
Buncombe County pools opened during Memorial Day weekend. Cane Creek, Hominy Valley, North Buncombe, Erwin and Owen Community pools are open Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays, 1-6 p.m.
After Asheville City and Buncombe County schools let out Tuesday, June 10, pools will be open MondaysFridays, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. On Thursdays and Fridays, Cane Creek, Erwin and Hominy Valley pools will be open from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Pool entry is $4 per person. Free entry is available via Zoom passes on the Buncombe County Libraries website at avl.mx/et5.
Asheville gun surrender event slated for June 7
First Baptist Church of Asheville is hosting a RAWtools-South Guns to Gardens event Saturday, June 7, 12:303:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St., Asheville. This safe gun surrender event allows anyone to bring unwanted firearms to be repurposed by trained professionals into garden tools and jewelry.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, firearms are the leading cause of death for children ages 1-19 in the United States. Last year, local residents surrendered 56 firearms to RAWtools-South. Read more about last year’s event at avl.mx/et6.
For more information about RAWtools-South, contact Stan Wilson at stan@rawtoolssouth.org.
Treatment courts celebrate, graduate
The Buncombe County Treatment Courts held a celebration May 30 at Buncombe County Courthouse to honor the success of three treatment courts: Adult Treatment Court, ASPIRE Court and Veterans Treatment Court. The treatment courts have altogether served 600 individuals, according to Kevin Rumley, Veterans Treatment Court coordinator.
The treatment courts are designed to be an alternative to incarceration.
“On average, each participant in the treatment courts saves $6,000 to $13,000 by reducing rearrest, jail cost and medical cost,” Rumley said. “For veterans, they gain access to service-connected disability, which is potentially $4,000 a month tax-free for the rest of their lives.”
Veterans Treatment Court will hold a graduation ceremony Friday, June 13.
Health agency conducts survey
Buncombe County’s Public Health department is visiting households door to door Wednesday-Friday, June 4-6, to conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey. The survey asks about health needs, emergency preparedness , access to resources and household demographics. Participation is voluntary, and answers
SWIM SESSIONS: Summer is around the corner and Buncombe County pools are now open. Photo by Adobe Stock
will be anonymous; households will be visited afternoons and evenings. Call 828-250-5109 for more information.
Haywood distributes postpartum wristbands
Haywood Regional Medical Center launched the Special Delivery Program, an initiative to encourage new parents to attend to their postpartum health. The program provides postpartum patients wristbands to wear for six weeks after childbirth to act as a visual reminder for patients and their care teams to address postpartum physical and mental health needs. For more information, visit avl.mx/etj.
County funds inmate medical care
At its May 6 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment for the Sheriff’s Office appropriating $740,460 of fund balance in the Inmate Commissary and Welfare Fund. The funding primarily paid for medical care for people incarcerated in Buncombe County with additional outside medical care for local inmates. For more information visit avl.mx/eti.
Social workers offer help for violence survivors
Social workers from Helpmate, a nonprofit serving domestic violence survivors, and Our VOICE, a nonprofit serving sexual assault survivors, meet at East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, on the second Wednesday of every month from 1:15-2:15 p.m. Social workers are fluent in Spanish and
in English. They will meet with anyone privately and for free. Walk-ins are welcome.
Community kudos
Osteoporosis specialist Staci Boudreaux joined AdventHealth Medical Group Multispecialty at Parkway, a hospital department of AdventHealth Hendersonville. DeLaina Lewkowizc is the new director of community benefit and community health at AdventHealth Hendersonville.
Mark your calendars
• Asheville Community Yoga is hosting a miniretreat for mothers at any stage of pregnancy or motherhood on Sunday, June 8, 1-3 p.m., at 8 Brookdale Road. Troy Margenhoff will guide yoga and meditation; participants are encouraged to bring journals. Tickets are $30 and are available at avl.mx/etl. Financial aid is available; contact kelsey@ ashevillecommunityyoga.org.
• First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St., is hosting a free community fair called Flip the Script on Aging on Tuesday, June 10, 10 a.m.noon. The fair will address active aging strategies as well as frauds and scams targeted at older adults. Buncombe County Commissioner Jennifer Horton will moderate a conversation on healthy aging. Breakfast will be provided. For more information, visit avl.mx/eth
• AmeriHealth Caritas NC, 216 Asheland Ave., is hosting a free community naloxone training, led by Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness, on Tuesday, June 10, noon-1 p.m. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is an opioid reversal drug. Children ages 7 and older are welcome, and younger children can play in the center’s kids room during
the class. For more information, contact Courtney Wilson at cwilson5@ amerihealthcaritasnc.com.
• Blue Ridge Pride is holding a Pride 5K on Saturday, June 14, at 8 a.m. in Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Road. The event will benefit the nonprofit’s health equity and mental health program. Registration is $34.09 and is open until Friday, June 13, at avl.mx/etf.
• A youth wrestling program for kids begins Monday, June 16. A session for ages 6-12 will run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, June 16-July 18, 5-6 p.m., and a separate session for ages 13-16 will be the same dates and times from 6-7 p.m. All classes will be held at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville. The price is $15 for the session. For more information, contact Chris Leamon 828-507-9503 or cleamon@ ashevillenc.gov.
• Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, 249 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, is holding a workshop on grieving the loss of a loved one Wednesday, June 18, 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit avl.mx/pryt.
• Strolling Strikers, a free soccer team for adults, will play Wednesdays June 18 and July 16, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Asheville Parks and Recreation hosts the games, which are held at a relaxed pace. For more information, contact Shateisha Bowden at sbowden@ashevillenc.gov.
• The Whale, 507 Haywood Road, is hosting Rosé for Reproductive Justice on Sunday, June 22, 1-5 p.m. A portion of rosé sales will be donated to Flow of Life Yoga’s nonprofit Perinatal Health Connect, which supports prenatal and postnatal yoga, doula support equity seats doula training. For more information, visit avl.mx/etg. X
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WEEKLY DEALS & EVENTS
Monday:
$3 Rotating Beer
Wing Tuesday: 6 wings, any side, and any beer for $14.00
Burger Wednesday: Classic or Special Burger, any side, and any beer for $16.00
Local artist Adam Strange releases a new book and instigates a dive-bar art sale
BY GINA SMITH
gsmith@mountainx.com
Adam Strange could be considered a rare vestige of what some longtime locals wistfully refer to as “Old Asheville” — the offbeat, creative culture that thrived downtown in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Now a dad with a regular job as a supervisor with French Broad Chocolates, Strange landed in Asheville in the early 1990s as part of the legendary freestyling funk band Granola Funk Express (GFE). The hyperproductive painter and musician continued to weave himself into the city’s creative tapestry as a visual artist, then as a DJ with kids’ hip-hop group Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, among other projects. He remains a vibrant contributor to the city’s arts and music scenes.
With his recently released book, Decorative Rectangles , Strange shares his creative philosophy (“Just make art”) and snapshots of his life as a painter. And with a Friday, June 6, art and music event at the Burger Bar, he hopes to launch a distinctly Old Ashevilleflavored monthly gathering that will offer artists an alternative to the gallery scene.
Strange’s paintings, which he sells through his Facebook page, are alive with pop culture images, comic book characters and reflections of whatever happens to float to the surface of Strange’s brain. Rubik’s Cube, Mandarin Chinese characters, Hello Kitty, sailboats and Polaroid cameras are just a few things he’s committed to canvas.
Decorative Rectangles came about when Strange had a week off work following Tropical Storm Helene and began exploring digital files of his art. He shares the slender book’s origin story inside its front cover: “One day I noticed I had a lot of photos of my paintings stored in old computers and phones. I decided to shove as many as I could into something so I could prove the last few decades actually happened,” he writes. “The more eyes that see my paintings, the more real they become.”
Along with entertaining stories from his artistic journey,
PICTURE THIS: Adam Strange, pictured with one of his paintings, creates art filled with pop culture and comic book images. With his Friday, June 6, event at Burger Bar, he hopes to create an accessible, homegrown sales outlet for local artists. Photo courtesy of Strange
Decorative Rectangles also features messages to readers encouraging them to embrace Strange's DIY, equal-opportunity creative ethos. The closing words are: “Now it’s your turn. Go gather as many images, photos, words or whatever and smash them all together into something new. It’s therapeutic.”
Strange charges $10 for the books, which are available at Harvest Records in West Asheville and The Green Room cannabis shop in South Asheville. They’ll also be for sale at the Burger Bar art and dance party that will simultaneously celebrate his birthday and serve as the launchpad for a recurring art market series.
Tired of the rules and fees associated with selling art in galleries, Strange wants to create something more casual, organic and accessible. All local artists are invited to bring their work — priced at
$100 or less — to offer for sale at the party.
Along with the art sale, Strange and local DJs Moth Man, Crick Nice and J Blizzy will spin dance tracks — Strange promises lots of Korean and Japanese hip-hop with his set — as a backdrop for dancing and live painting with local artists. For future events, he plans to bring art supplies and models and encourage attendees to create their own work on the spot.
“These events are going to be kind of free-form,” says Strange. “Whatever happens happens, and it’s cool. And as more people come together, it’ll get more cool.”
Strange’s inaugural art sale and dance party event takes place Friday, June 6, starting at 9 p.m. at the Burger Bar, 1 Craven St. To learn more about the event and Strange’s book and artwork, visit him on Facebook at avl.mx/etm. X
WHAT’S NEW IN FOOD
by Gina Smith | gsmith@mountainx.com
Loss of a local beer pioneer
On May 27, Highland Brewing announced Oscar Wong, the brewery’s founder, passed away May 25. He was 84 years old.
“Oscar was a brilliant engineer-turned-entrepreneur who always embodied generosity, humility, and above all else, connection,” the post reads.
“Oscar had a gift for making people feel seen and valued and often Oscar reminded us that success is not just about achievement but about giving back.”
Last year, Xpress spoke with Wong and his daughter, Leah Wong Ashburn, for a story on the brewery’s 30-year anniversary. Read that article at avl.mx/ett, and look for more on Wong and his legacy in a future issue. X
Op enings and reopenin g s
• Asheville Forager — New downtown grocery store Asheville Forager will host its grand opening celebration at 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 10, at 35 Wall St. The store will have a deli, butcher shop and in-house bakery and offer prepared meals along with groceries, say owners Paddy and Heather Collins. The pair say they plan to source from nearly 40 local producers and run a zero-waste business. Hours will be 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Learn more at avl.mx/eir.
• Deep Time Café — A new coffee shop and social justice project, Deep Time Café, opened May 25 in the basement of Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Road. According to its website, Deep Time’s mission is to “employ, celebrate and create a spiritual community with people impacted by incarceration.” Deep Time is open 8 a.m.-2 p.m Tuesday-Sunday. Learn more at avl.mx/eu3.
• Goldfinch — Black Mountain restaurant Goldfinch, 122 Cherry St., reopened in late May, following eight months of closure after Tropical Storm Helene. Hours are 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9:30 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday. A brunch buffet is offered 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays. Learn more at avl.mx/eu4.
• HotBox — Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse’s outdoor, seasonal, smoked-meat sandwich concept, HotBox, returned for the summer on May 23. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, at 121 Biltmore Ave. Learn more at avl.mx/ets. X
Honey Fest
The Asheville-based Center for Honeybee Research and Shanti Elixirs will host the fourth annual Honey Fest, noon-6 p.m., Sunday, June 8, at Highland Brewing Co., 12 Charlotte Highway. In addition to live music, honey samples, food trucks and vendors, the event will feature the live finals of the 15th annual International Black Jar Honey Contest. Attendees can vote for a local People’s Choice award. Admission is free. Free parking with shuttle service is at River Ridge Plaza; VIP parking passes are $30. Learn more at avl.mx/eu1. X
Cocktail bar Antidote now opens at 8 a.m. daily offering coffee drinks made with beans from local roasters. The menu also includes house-made syrups, loose-leaf teas and specialty coffee and tea drinks inspired by cocktails. The concept emerged after Tropical Storm Helene when Antidote started offering free coffee and Wi-fi to the neighborhood, according to a press release. Antidote is at 151 Coxe Ave. See the full coffee menu at avl.mx/eu2. X
Golden Hour Guest Chef Series
Golden Hour at The Radical Hotel will introduce its new Guest Chef Series with a five-course, Eastern European-inspired dinner 5-9 p.m., Thursday, June 12, featuring Hendersonville chefs David Toporek and Erin O’Keefe. Tickets are $75. Future events include collaborations with Greenville, S.C., restaurant Indaco on Saturday, July 27, and Gunshow of Atlanta on Monday, Aug. 18. The Radical is at 95 Roberts St. For reservations, visit avl.mx/etw. X
for
Sunday, June 8.
X
Chef Mark Rosenstein will prepare traditional dishes from Northern Spain
a cider dinner at Barn Door Ciderworks 4-6 p.m. on
Cider poured directly from the barrel will be served throughout the dinner. Tickets are $75 each. Barn Door Ciderworks is at 23 Lytle Road, Fairview. For tickets, visit avl.mx/esw.
Photo of Oscar Wong courtesy of Highland Brewing
Photo by Sebastian Isaia
Photo by Katie Moore
Train of thought
BY CHRISTOPHER ARBOR
christopherarbor@gmail.com
On Jan. 1, Christopher Arbor and his friends pledged to visit one Asheville brewery each week for all of 2025 in the order that they opened, then share the experience with Mountain Xpress readers. Read about their recent visit to French Broad River Brewery at avl.mx/eu6 . It was Memorial Day weekend, and we had decided to eschew our regular routine by going to Whistle Hop Brewing in Fairview on a Sunday and dragging our families with us. The place is renowned for producing slight departures from traditional beers — for example, a molasses pumpkin marzen or maple doppelbock, both of which are handled delicately and are not overwhelming.
When we cruised in, my first thought was actually a Yiddish word: haimish , which means cozy or unpretentious. On one hand, the brewery is something of an amusement park, complete with minigolf, cornhole, bocce ball, a culvert slide, a climbing wall, a small soccer field, an honest-to-goodness train car and disc golf Connect 4 — whatever that is. But it’s like an amusement park built in the backyard of your favorite aunt and uncle. It isn’t gaudy. It’s haimish By the way, if you’re wondering why a guy with the most goyish (least Jewish) name on the planet is rambling about Yiddish, I should tell you: Growing up, I was the only Christopher at the Charlotte Jewish Community Center. My mom’s side of the family is German Jewish, my father’s side is Italian Catholic, and they both made serious concessions when they got married. My dad got to name me. My mom chose what swim team my brother and I were on.
Sitting with my friends and our families at Whistle Hop on Memorial Day weekend, I couldn’t help but reflect on my maternal grandfather, Seymour Goldberg, who fought in World War II and was captured in the Battle of the Bulge. He escaped the prisoner of war camp and was recaptured, not once, not twice, but three times
A Memorial Day weekend gathering at Whistle Hop Brewing
June Herb: Lemon Balm
June Stone: Howlite
6/6: Reader: Krysta 12-6
Year in Beer writer Christopher Arbor muses on family history and the fight against injustice during a recent visit to Whistle Hop Brewing. Photo by Kathryn Arbor
before eventually being liberated by his own platoon.
I also thought about my paternal grandfather, Louis Ansaldo, who fought in World War II, too, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star during events that he refused to talk about. They both survived the war. Many of their brothers-inarms did not.
YEAR BINEER Accepting
I’m indebted to those men, and if they were still around, I’d pour my heart out to them, apologize for the various ways we’ve collectively let slip the desire to form a more perfect union and thank them for their endless sacrifices. I can imagine both of them smiling softly and shaking off the gratitude and simply being glad that my friends and our families are able to gather on a pleasant Sunday afternoon in such a haimish space. Let us raise a glass to the fallen and raise our voice against injustice.
Come join us on another adventure. We gather at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. You can email me at yearinbeerasheville@gmail.com or just show up.
Asheville-based artist Jenny Pickens has been creating original works in numerous mediums since childhood. But it wasn’t until the past few years that she has received attention and acclaim.
Pickens’ skills are on full display in And Still We Rise, a new exhibition that opened May 12 at the YMI Cultural Center’s newly renovated gallery. According to a press release, the show “is body of new acrylic on canvas works reflecting deep cultural resonance in bright captivating colors, embedded with symbology and objects from nature. Also on exhibit are framed charcoal drawings and handmade collector dolls, three-dimensional representations of Jenny’s work.”
The exhibition runs through Saturday, June 21, during the gallery’s regular hours. Free to attend. To learn more, visit avl.mx/eto. X
Jenny Pickens, courtesy of the YMI Cultural Center
by Parker J. Pfister
Experiencing a little déjà vu? The creators and performers of Shiver in the Pines are, too.
Featured on the Xpress cover just before Tropical Storm Helene hit, this collaboration between local singer-songwriter and guitarist Tyler Ramsey and Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre co-founders Susan and Giles Collard had its mid-October debut postponed by the natural disaster. But like Silver John, the hero of Manly Wade Wellman’s moun-
tain-set fantasy and horror tales that the trio have adapted through dance and music, the show endures and will have its long-awaited performances Friday-Saturday, June 13-14, at 7:30 p.m., at the Diana Wortham Theatre. Ramsey plays Silver John and will contribute original instrumental guitar music while interacting with dancers performing director Susan Collard’s choreography. Giles Collard designed and created the sets. Tickets are $20-$50. To learn more, visit avl.mx/etn X
Photo
"Blueprint" by
Sugar Bomb
We all have two sides — maybe not to the extent of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but more like Asheville-based groove jazz trio Sugar Bomb. As a means of celebrating what bassist/ guitarist Eli Kahn calls their “sensitive, composition-based” half and their “insane improvisational side,” he, Jacob Bruner (keys) and Joe Enright (drums) crafted a pair of EPs and combined them into their debut album, Sweet + Explosive
The “sonic journey that begins minimally and chill and gets progressively wilder” receives a vinyl release show at Eulogy on Friday, June 13, at 8 p.m. Warming up the stage for the headliners is a pair of fellow local trios — one led by Chris Bullock (Snarky Puppy) and the other by E'lon JD (Jonathan Scales Fourchestra). Tickets are $21.49. To learn more, visit avl.mx/eu5. X
Hell Chere
Do you miss Bele Chere but also wish it had featured more metal, country and hip-hop acts and all took place at one venue just outside downtown Asheville’s central business district? Well, the aptly named Hell Chere has you covered. Originally scheduled for January but rescheduled and rebranded due to a snowstorm, the two-day music and arts festival runs FridaySaturday, June 13-14, at Sly Grog Lounge — itself a survivor after a
2021 fire closed the venue for nearly three years. The June 13 slate starts at 6 p.m., with such acts as The Coursing, Cleansing of the Temple and vvitchboy. And the June 14 schedule begins at 3 p.m., featuring Bleedseason, Chaos Among Cattle, My Name is Ned and more. Tickets are $20 for a single day and $30 for a weekend pass. Food trucks and vendors will also be on-site. To learn more, visit avl.mx/eu0 X
Photo by Camilla Calnan
Photo of Bleedseason by Kim Forman
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4
12 BONES
SMOKEBOUSE & BREWING
Trivia w/King Trivia, 7pm
CAMDEN'S COFFEE
HOUSE
Open Mic Night, 7pm
EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY
Songwriters Open Mic w/ Miriam & Drayton, 7pm
EULOGY
McKinney w/Big Fu & Kono (folk, funk, pop), 8pm
FITZ AND THE WOLFE
Swing Asheville (swing, jazz), 8pm
FLEETWOOD'S
PSK Pole Dancing w/ Karaoke, 9pm
FOOTHILLS GRANGE
Trivia Nights, 6pm
FRENCH BROAD RIVER
BREWERY
Bluegrass Jam Wednesdays, 6:30pm
JACK OF THE WOOD PUB
Old Time Jam, 5pm
ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL
Jack Waugh's Americanaland (jazz, Americana), 10pm
PISGAH BREWING CO.
Anthony Edward Black (acoustic), 6pm
SLY GROG LOUNGE
Weird Wednesday Open Jam, 7pm
THE JOINT NEXT
DOOR
Laura Thurston (Americana, folk), 7pm
THE ODD
Gang Beef & Tripl3-P3nt & Saw Gang Present: Hip Hop Heatwave, 8pm
The Disco Biscuits (trance, electronic, jamrock), 7pm
HEMINGWAY'S CUBA Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8pm
JACK OF THE WOOD PUB
Josie Toney (country, folk), 9pm
LOBSTER TRAP
Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 6:30pm
OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.
Alma Russ (folk, country, bluegrass), 8pm
ONE STOP AT
ASHEVILLE MUSIC
HALL
• Jesse Valcich (Americana, blues, folk), 6pm
• ElectroChemical & Eli Kahn (pysch-funk, experimental), 10pm
ONE WORLD BREWING
Pat Sheridan (Americana, bluegrass), 8pm
ONE WORLD BREWING WEST
The MGBs (Americana), 8pm
SHAKEY'S
• Big Blue Jams Band (multi-genre), 9pm
• Total Gold w/DJ Abu Disarray, 9pm
SHILOH & GAINES
Dirty Dead (Grateful Dead tribute), 9pm
SOVEREIGN KAVA Lactones (psych-rock, funk), 9pm
STATIC AGE LOFT
Daddy Deem's R&B Night, 10pm
STATIC AGE RECORDS
Sex Faces, Paint Fumes, Gino & the Goons (punk, noise, garage), 9pm
TACO BILLY Tacos & Tunes w/Dead Strings Trio (rock), 6pm
JAPANESE CITY POP: On Wednesday, June 11, at 8 p.m., Cameron Lew, aka Ginger Root, will perform at The Grey Eagle. Ginger Root is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter and visual artist known for his blending of synth-pop, alt-disco, boogie and soul sounds. Photo courtesy of David Gutel
STATIC AGE LOFT Auto-Tune Karaoke w/ Who Gave This B*tch A Mic, 10pm
THE GREY EAGLE
Josh Blake's Jukebox Presents: An Evening of Latin Grooves & Lotus Feet & DJ Mtn Vibez, 7pm
THE JOINT NEXT DOOR
All Female Singer-Songwriter Night, 7pm THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.
Hearts Gone South (country), 6pm
THE ORANGE PEEL Mannequin Pussy w/ Deux Visages (punk, indie-rock), 8pm
TWIN LEAF BREWERY Trivia Night, 6:30pm
WICKED WEED BREWING Mike Hollon (roots, blues, Americana), 5pm
FREEWILL ASTROLOGY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): You have had resemblances to cactuses in recent days. It hasn’t always been pleasant and cheerful but you have become pretty skilled at surviving, even thriving, despite an insufficiency of juicy experiences. Fortunately, the emotional fuel you had previously stored up has sustained you, keeping you resilient and reasonably fluid. However, this situation will soon change. More succulence is on its way. Scarcity will end and you will be blessed with an enhanced flow of lush feelings.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I foresee abundance emerging from modest sources. I predict breakthroughs arising out of your loving attention to the details of the routine. So please don’t get distracted by poignant meditations on what you feel is missing from your life. Don’t fantasize about what you wish you could be doing instead of what you are actually doing. Your real wealth lies in the small tasks that are right in front of you — even though they may not yet have revealed their full meaning or richness. I invite you and encourage you to be alert for grandeur in seemingly mundane intimate moments.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): It’s time for your Uncle Rob to offer you some fundamental advice for living. These tips are always worthy of your contemplation but especially now. Ready? Being poised amidst uncertainty is a superpower. You may attract wonders and blessings if you can function well while dealing with contradictory feelings, unclear situations and incomplete answers. Don’t rush to artificial closure when patience with the unfinished state will serve you better. Be willing to address just part of a problem rather than trying to insist on total resolution. There’s no need to be worried or frustrated if some enigmas cannot yet be explained and resolved. Enjoy the mystery!
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Acclaimed Cancerian poet Lucille Clifton published 14 books and mothered six children. That heroism seems almost impossible. Having helped raise one child myself, I know how consuming it is to be a parent. Where did she find the time and energy to generate so much great literature? Judging from the astrological omens, I suspect you now have access to high levels of productivity comparable to Clifton’s. Like her, you will also be able to gracefully juggle competing demands and navigate adeptly through different domains. Here’s my favorite part: Your stellar efficiency will stem not from stressfully trying too hard but rather from good timing and a nimble touch.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): One of the seven wonders of the ancient world was the Colossus of Rhodes, located on a Greek island. Symbolizing power and triumph, it was a towering statue dedicated to the sun god Helios. The immediate motivation for its construction was the local people's defeat of an invading army. I hereby authorize you to acquire or create your own personal version of an inspiring icon like the Colossus, Leo. It will symbolize the fact that the coming months will stimulate lavish expressions of your leonine power. It will help inspire you to showcase your talents and make bold moves. P.S.: Be alert for chances to mobilize others with your leadership. Your natural brilliance will be a beacon.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s biggest structure built by living things. Lying beneath the Coral Sea off the east coast of Australia, it’s made by billions of small organisms, coral polyps, all working together to create a magnificent home for a vast diversity of life forms. Let’s make the Great Barrier Reed your symbol of power for the next 10 months, Virgo. I hope it inspires you to manage and harness the many details that together will generate a robust source of vitality for your tribe, family and community.
BY ROB BREZSNY
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): One of my favorite poets, Arthur Rimbaud, wrote all of his brilliant work before he became an adult. I suspect that no matter what your age is, many of you Libras are now in an ultra-precocious phase with some resemblances to Rimbaud from age 16 to 21. The downside of this situation is that you may be too advanced for people to thoroughly understand you. You could be ahead of your time and too cool for even the trendsetters. I urge you to trust your farseeing visions and forward-looking intuitions even if others can’t appreciate them yet. What you bring to us from the future will benefit us all.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Blacksmiths still exist. They were more common in the past, but there are many 21st-century practitioners. It’s a demanding art, requiring intense heat to soften hard slabs of metal so they can be forged into intricate new shapes. The process requires both fire and finesse. I think you are currently in a phase when blacksmithing is an apt metaphor. You will need to artfully interweave passion and precision. Fiery ambition or intense feelings may arise, offering you raw energy for transformation. To harness it effectively, you must temper your approach with patience, restraint and detail-oriented focus.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Jean-Paul Sartre and Simon de Beauvoir were two feisty, independent, strong-minded French writers. Beauvoir was a trailblazing feminist,and Sartre was a Nobel Laureate. Though they never officially married, they were a couple for 51 years. Aside from their great solo accomplishments, they also gave us this gift: They proved that romantic love and intellectual equality could coexist, even thrive together, with the help of creative negotiation. I propose we make them your inspirational role models for now. The coming months will be a favorable time to deepen and refine your devotion to crafting satisfying, interesting intimate relationships.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Over 2,600 years ago, ancient Babylonian astronomers figured out the highly complex cycle that governs the recurrence of lunar and solar eclipses. It unfolds over a period of 18 years and 11 days. To analyze its full scope required many generations of researchers to carry out meticulous record-keeping with extreme patience. Let’s make those Babylonian researchers your role models, Capricorn. In the coming months, I hope they inspire you to engage in careful observation and persistent investigation as you discover meaningful patterns. May they excite your quest to discern deep cycles and hidden rhythms.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I invite you to try this visualization exercise, Aquarius: Picture a rosebud inside your body. It’s located in your solar plexus. Imagine it’s steadily and gently opening, filling your body with a sweet, blissful warmth, like a slow-motion orgasm that lasts and lasts. Feel the velvet red petals unfolding; inhale the soft radiance of succulent fragrance. As the rose fully blooms, you become aware of a gold ring at its center. Imagine yourself reaching inside and taking the ring with your right hand. Slip the ring onto your left ring finger and tell yourself, "I pledge to devote all my passionate intelligence to my own well-being. I promise to forever treat myself with tender, loving respect. I vow to seek out high-quality beauty and truth as I fulfill my life’s mission.”
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I foresee the arrival of a living fossil, Pisces. An influence you thought was gone may soon reappear. Aspects of your past could prove relevant to your current situation. These might be neglected skills, seemingly defunct connections or dormant dreams. I hope you have fun integrating rediscovered resources and earmarking them for use in the future.
P.S.: Here’s a lesson worth treasuring: While the world has changed, a certain fundamental truth remains true and valuable to you.
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ACROSS
1 Leafy vegetable with a lot of vitamin K
5 Co. whose camera broadcast the first live video from space
8 Lard and tallow, for two
12 Where pandas are native 13 100%
14 Evidence of a leak
15 A reason to act this very instant … or why you might 6-Down 32-Down?
18 Like a 1,000-piece monochromatic jigsaw puzzle
19 Least expensive way to fly
20 Spun some records, informally
22 Actress de Armas
23 Hamiltons
25 Hubbub
26 Chance to see the big game?
28 Marvel supervillain
30 Alternative to a blur or pixelation 34 Pawn
36 El Paso-toOklahoma City dir. 37 Spat 40 Broad valleys 41 Anderson who directed “Fantastic Mr. Fox”
42 Word after fruit or word
44 Comes to a close
45 “Saturday Night Fever” music genre
47 Obama-era policy whose last three letters spell a different Obamaera law
48 Some printable files 49 Rack up 50 Nurse a grudge, say
51 Form of much of the dialogue of 2021’s “CODA,” in brief
52 Pirates’ support group?
54 Inbox abbr.
55 Ways of the world
57 Model’s pride, informally
58 10 out of 10
60 Gets under control
61 Prefix with tourism
62 Silly ones
63 Caveman’s covering
64 Heart test, for short
65 Meat-andpotatoes diner dish
9 Like the environment in many reptile terrariums
Item next to a piano in a piano bar
Certain formfitting swimsuit
Trap by freezing
Apt anagram for “brush”
Possesses
Put on, as a costume
Arduous walks
Bedframe boards
It’s
1 Blade sheathed in a saya 2 ___ Ghani, former Afghan president 3 Prevaricated 4 Chow down on 5 ___ Novarro, Hollywood sex symbol of the 1920s
6 With 32-Down, beat an opponent soundly 7 Wonderland interloper
8 First prez to appoint a woman to the cabinet
32 See 6-Down
Sheltie from a shelter, e.g.
Bottleful that might 6-/32Down? 35 Love of the past
