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After decades of silence about his time as a Vietnam combat medic, the late David Rozzell began writing as a path to healing. His posthumous memoir, Troubled Sleep, which came out in April, traces the war’s deep emotional toll and his quiet search for
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UNCA should scrap ill-conceived stadium plan
UNC Asheville’s proposal for its 45-acre urban forest is a wholly inappropriate abomination on multiple levels. It is a contemptuous eff you to the community. It is a radical departure from its stated mission. It is out of step with other North Carolina colleges and universities. It is distant government overreach.
UNCA, with Asheville City Soccer Club, proposes to bulldoze the mature forest of 20,000 trees to build a 5,000-seat stadium literally off the backyards of one of Asheville’s oldest neighborhoods, Five Points. A quiet residential neighborhood will be converted to a commercial zone of stadium lights, noises and thousands of cars streaming through very narrow streets. This is a wrecking ball to our lives on multiple levels.
The forest ecosystem with numbers of 75- to 100-plus-year-old trees is what “Tree Campus”/“Green Campus” UNCA plans to bulldoze on its designated Millennial Campus. The state government in Raleigh set up millennial campuses via the political appointees of the UNC Board of Governors. It is a way to give private corporations sweet-
Word of the week
soup sandwich (n.) something (or someone) that is disorganized or unfinished
This week’s word comes courtesy of Xpress photography intern and U.S. Marines veteran, Chad Truitt. We asked him for a common term used by the Marines that civilians might not be aware of. His runner-up was “voluntold,” a term that describes a scenario where someone asks for volunteers, no one raises their hand, so a soldier is selected and told to perform the volunteer position. Thanks Chad!
heart deals to profit off publicly owned assets with very little to no local zoning and planning oversight. Supposedly, it would help UNCA with finances, but the track record of these making money is iffy. So UNCA is now in the business of little oversight real estate development. Meanwhile, it has cut academic programs and faculty. UNCA has drifted very far from its liberal arts education focus. What’s next, a hotel on Chestnut Ridge?
UNCA is also out of line with many other North Carolina colleges and universities that have had the foresight and commitment to their environmental sustainability goals to put their forests into conservancy. These include Duke University, Appalachian State University, Davidson College and N.C. State University. Warren Wilson College and Guilford College are working with land conservation groups to put 600 and 120 acres, respectively, into permanent
UNCA has also drifted very far from respecting the Asheville community that funded its formation. When heavy machinery appeared in the woods in mid-January, the community attempted to get answers from UNCA leadership. Finally in April, there was a sit-down with the chancellor and chair of the Board of Trustees. They lied to us. They said there were no specific plans. They said there would be no extra traffic through our neighborhood. They implied that they would mitigate the impact of any development. Instead, the chancellor’s residence has a hefty buffer, but they put the stadium and parking literally against our backyards.
No one is demanding soccer stadiums. Neither the community nor UNCA students want this. We do want accessible forests and green spaces. It will not make any property tax revenue for Asheville. Instead, we will be burdened
with the infrastructure demands and failures. We will lose a hugely stabilizing carbon, heat and water sink if the forest is razed. We will lose a very local healing, green respite. We will lose our beloved friends in the woods: owls, woodpeckers, box turtles, bears, deer, native flowers and the comfort of the trees. More than 13,000 have signed a petition pleading with UNCA to reconsider this much-despised project.
There are other solutions. There is talk of the city/county doing a land swap with UNCA, then a land trust for the woods. A land conservation group is eager to talk with UNCA about making it worth their while to put the land into conservation. They don’t have to proceed with this very unpopular project and guarantee staining their reputation and straining their relations with the community. For more information, go to [avl.mx/ewz].
— Anne Walch Asheville
Editor’s note: Xpress reached out to UNCA regarding the letter writer’s points. We received the following response from spokesperson Brian Hart: “The proposed plan to develop portions of UNC Asheville’s Millennial Campus will position the university for long-term success and provide substantial benefits to the city of Asheville and the region. It echoes how other UNC System institutions have leveraged the millennial campus designation to decrease their reliance on taxpayer dollars and students’ tuition and fees. It comes at no cost to the university and will help UNC Asheville move away from years of austerity while providing critical housing to address its on-campus housing needs.
“We value the established on-campus green spaces that are used recreationally by the campus and local communities, including the Botanical Garden and Mullen Park, and endeavor to balance environmental sustainability with the university’s financial sustainability.
“Chancellor Kimberly van Noort looks forward to continued conver-
conservation. Unlike UNCA, they walk their talk.
CARTOON BY RANDY MOLTON
CARTOON BY BRENT BROWN
sations with stakeholders, including providing opportunities for university, alumni and local and regional community members to share their thoughts on the proposed plan.”
Stand up for WNC and refuse Trump’s bill
Chuck Edwards is a liar. For months, he said the Trump agenda tax-cut bill would not cut Medicaid or Medicare, would not tear up the social safety net. All untrue. The Trump bill would be the biggest transfer of wealth from us 90% — low-income through middle-class folks — to the top 10% of the wealthiest and most powerful.
Medicaid: Republicans propose playing bureaucratic, useless games with applications and renewals in order to drive 10 million or more people off of Medicaid, off of any health care. How many rural hospitals would close because of this deliberate and nasty defunding? Rep. Edwards’ endorsed plan is the very definition of government waste and abuse, only aimed at hurting ordinary citizens. (See KFF’s reporting at avl.mx/ewy for how Medicare spending likely would be affected and The New York Times at avl.mx/ex0 for additional analysis.)
Meanwhile, the Mountain Xpress pretends that it need not cover this story and include letters to the editor about
it, because it’s not a local story. These actions are occurring in Washington, but the impact will be local for our residents, hospitals, physicians and other health care providers.
In the valued weekly, via many articles about job cuts ordered by TrumpVance-Musk and about the federal abandonment of Western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene, where does the Mountain Xpress think these attacks on all of us are generated? Not by some invisible hand in the sky, but by the Trump RICO mob organization.
In fact, the Mountain Xpress covers a well-documented story every week about the impact of targeted firings of our friends and neighbors and the illicit budget cuts not authorized by Congress but rather by a clique of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) feral doggies. It would be helpful for the Mountain Xpress to summarize the impact of Trump cuts at least once a month, so that our community can try to comprehend the combined impact of Trump’s mob rule.
And where are the stories about Trump’s attacks on the Constitution, particularly the First Amendment? You are an exemplar of freedom of the press, and eventually Trump will come for local journalists who write what he calls garbage, and then ending freedom of assembly won’t be far behind.
During all of this chaotic preparation for unfreedom, Edwards is a cheerlead-
er for his fuhrer, attempting ugly somersaults of illogic. In fact, Edwards still kisses Trump’s poison ring after Trump humiliated him by assigning him to a blue-ribbon panel to fix the Federal Emergency Management Agency and make sure WNC’s recovery was comprehensive and done well, and then Trump promptly forgot about Edwards and the locals and turned the disembowelment of FEMA over to his most loyal, familiar and ignorant toadies.
Well, we can refuse this pig in a poke if Chuck Edwards, Ted Budd and Thom Tillis grow some and consider their constituents and not only the paymasters who fund their campaigns. If you thought woke was so bad, wait till the Trump mob hoists the yoke of slavery on the American working class’s back in order to create a fearful and docile workforce (with no Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to do whatever the mob boss orders.
— Paul Weichselbaum Hendersonville
Editor’s response: We hear your anger and frustration. Thank you for airing your reactions in a fashion Xpress can publish. As you noted, our focus is on local people and issues, which applies as well to the Opinion section. For the record, we have published news stories and letters to the editor about the effects of federal cuts on WNC, just not as many as you argue we should. X
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Life after service
BY BROOKE RANDLE
brandle@mountainx.com
When K. Michelle Stephan took off her uniform for the last time in 2016, she wasn’t sure who she was without it. After six years serving in the Army National Guard in Hawaii, she remembers feeling no longer a soldier, not yet a civilian. The transition was jarring.
“I really, really missed my unit in Hawaii,” she remembers. “I missed the camaraderie. And to be honest, as weird as it sounds, I missed the grittiness. I missed doing the challenging stuff and getting dirty.”
But like many veterans charting their next chapter in life, Stephan leaned into her military past instead of closing the door. Her decision to pursue a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, she says, was tied to her experience as well as those of her father and two brothers, who also all served.
“My family history and my own history with the military shaped me and shaped my path toward becoming a therapist for sure,” says Stephan. “I saw early on how my dad was impacted by these things that people struggle with when they come home from deployment. But also, my dad saw his own struggles, and he was the one that taught me about going to therapy. That normalized it for me.”
Today, Stephan is a licensed mental health counselor with her own private practice in Asheville, where she helps others — veterans and civilians alike — navigate the complexities of life. Her story is one of many that show life after
service is rarely a straight line and often includes adjustments to civilian life as vets face unprocessed trauma or a loss of identity. But many, like Stephan, find ways to use their military skills to cultivate a purposeful next chapter.
FINDING COMFORT IN THE DETAILS
For 30 years, Air Force veteran Tim Gudridge made a Lockheed C-130 Hercules military plane his office. His mornings consisted of receiving briefings about whether the plane would fly that day and what maintenance and inspections it needed to safely transport troops during missions. Gudridge began to learn the idiosyncrasies of the aircraft, and over time he developed almost a second-nature understanding of its inner workings.
“You have a certain amount of inspections and things you have to do to get it ready to fly,” he explains. “It’s like your car. You knew her inside and out. You knew when she's having a bad day. We used to laugh because that was my second girlfriend, my home away from home.”
The work instilled a sense of routine, responsibility and meticulous attention to detail that Gudridge carries with him to this day. “I really leaned on the organizational
CONTINUES ON PAGE 8
LIFE AFTER SERVICE: Xpress speaks with three local veterans about the challenges and opportunities that come with transitioning from military to civilian life. Photo by Adobe Stock
Veterans Strengthening America
PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT: “I've just been go, go, go, basically my entire life,” says Navy veteran Rosie Pfau. “And so for once, as long as I can pay my bills, I would like to rediscover myself and find out maybe what I want to do.”
side of it,” he says. “It's the fact that you have a checklist, [are] able to do something in a specific order and you have routines built in with that. [The Air Force] also taught me to be very detailed about things.”
When Gudridge retired several years ago, he found an unexpected way to utilize his mechanical expertise and preference for routine.
“I became a bus driver because it was regimented, and you have a certain checklist that you do day to day to make sure your vehicle is safe and ready to go,” he explains.
While his new role took some adjusting — kids don’t always listen the way adults would — he soon found his stride.
“I found out where my niche was at. And one of my favorite things was dealing with special-education students because I love those kids,” Gudridge says. “I had been working with the Special Olympics since 1980 in Japan, so I know those kids. I know the routes. You know when the kids are having an off day. But it was a transition, it really was a journey.”
'LET IT BE OK TO NOT BE OK'
But transitioning from military to civilian life isn’t always easy, Stephan notes. Many veterans feel a sense of loss when they have completed their service.
“There's a whole reevaluation of your identity and your purpose,” she explains. "It is hard to adjust
and redefine your place. I've seen it personally in my dad when he was getting out of the Army. A lot of it, for me, was grief. Like, ‘Oh yeah, I don't have to go to drill’ or, ‘There's no orders coming up.’”
Retired Navy veteran Rosie Pfau relates to that feeling. She was just 23 years old when she started boot camp. While she initially saw the Navy as a steppingstone to other careers, it wasn’t long before she found herself relishing her work as a yeoman and moving through the ranks.
After 20 years in service and a multitude of experiences and assignments filling her resume, Pfau decided to retire. But the adjustment from military to civilian life was rocky.
“I thought I was prepared, because as far as paperwork, I had all my ducks in a row. But mentally, it’s been a harder transition than what I anticipated,” she says. “When you've been in [the military] for 20 years, you can be somewhat institutionalized, and you’re just not used to how things work in the other world. [In the Navy] you don't have to pick what you wear. If you're sick, you just go to medical, and then they'll give you whatever medicine you need; no money is exchanged. You know, it's really nice, but everything seems to be 10 times harder as a civilian.”
The stillness of retirement also allows — or in some cases, forces — vets to deal with trauma that they didn’t address while in service. Like many veterans, Pfau
Photo courtesy of Pfau
says she knew she needed mental health care while she was enlisted but felt obligated to focus on her work rather than herself.
“There was some mental health stuff that I didn't deal with when I was in the military because I had a top-secret clearance for half my career. I also had some military sexual trauma that I also had not dealt with” she says. “One of the reasons that I chose Asheville was not only the fact that I loved the city when I visited, but it has one of the top-rated [Veterans Affairs systems] in the entire country. And so when I did retire and get here, my priority was to unpack some of my mental health issues.”
Stephan says that taking the time to address lingering mental health concerns before jumping into the next phase of life can help vets navigate the complex emotions that they experience after retirement.
“Our starting place is to normalize it. Let it be OK to not be OK. That's our starting point,” Stephan continues. “Then we can start exploring the spaces of grief, exploring the reevaluation of our identities, exploring our purpose and meaningfulness. But our absolute starting point is just to make it OK to seek help.”
THE NEXT CHAPTER
What veterans decide to do after completing their service can look as different as the people themselves. That rings true for Gudridge, who, after 12 years as a bus driver, decided to once again shift gears.
“When I moved [to WNC during COVID], I started thinking, ‘What do I really want to do?’” remembers Gudridge. “And one of my
specialties, one of the things I really like, is helping people.”
Just this year, Gudridge launched the Haywood Veterans Connection Coalition, a nonprofit where he works as a veterans advocate to connect local vets with a variety of resources. He leverages his warm personality as well as relationships with the VA, Haywood County government, the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce and dozens of veterans-focused groups and programs, to help local vets get the help they need and plan for what’s next.
“Veterans need help, and being a veteran is really important because a veteran can relate to a veteran faster than a nonveteran, right?” says Gudridge. “So you just start connecting people to people and you just watch it blossom. The satisfaction I get out [of] helping people find things, or connecting with people, it is such a good feeling. It makes for a better, kinder world.”
For her part, Pfau says she’s considering several retirement plans, including traveling, pursuing a second college degree and volunteering. But for now, she’s going to slow down and take some time for herself.
“I would like to adopt a dog because I didn't have pets because I was deployed so often,” Pfau says with a laugh. “Honestly, I want to take some time to just kind of relax. You know, I joined a year after I graduated college and so I've just been go, go, go, basically my entire life. And so for once, as long as I can pay my bills, I would like to rediscover myself and find out maybe what I want to do. That's kind of what I'm exploring right now.” X
NEWS
Vulnerable valley
BY GREG PARLIER
gparlier@mountainx.com
When North Carolina’s auditor released a report criticizing state spending on a station offering showers and laundry in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, organizers on the ground balked at the implication that it should have been removed sooner. Instead, they say there is still a need in the Swannanoa Valley, where some residents remain in temporary housing without running water or access to a consistent food source.
“There’s still a very visible impact in a lot of parts of Swannanoa, where you can see destruction, destroyed buildings and rubble, and where you can see people living in temporary structures,” says Beth Trigg, co-founder of Swannanoa Communities Together (SCT), a nonprofit that formed to provide recovery assistance to storm victims.
Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek’s report, released June 4, details the costs of establishing and running a community comfort station at Buncombe County’s Owen Pool complex in Swannanoa for 189 days. In the report, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) suggests that state and local officials should have reviewed its cost, use and need more frequently. OSA found the comfort station cost $27.4 million, an average of more than $145,000 per day. The site — which closed May 1 — provided showers, laundry, bathrooms, access to cell towers and Wi-Fi, potable and nonpotable water and counseling services.
“In the middle of a disaster, providing a warm shower, laundry facilities to wash clothes and a place to rest is responsive to the public need,” noted Boliek in an OSA press release accompanying the report. “That said, the government must always be cognizant of costs and routinely assess if we are making the most out of tax dollars.”
The report added that “analysis and monitoring of cost, use and need should be more frequently conducted,” especially for a site this expensive. “Planning for future disaster response should include contingencies for this type of facility.”
Trigg says showers, laundry and bathrooms are still needed in Swannanoa as residents remain in temporary housing such as recreational vehicles (RV), and some don’t have access to water or electricity hookups.
State auditor criticizes Swannanoa relief spending as needs persist
SHOWER HERE: North Carolina helped set up a comfort station at Owen Pool in Swannanoa on Oct. 23 after Tropical Storm Helene. The station provided showers, bathrooms, laundry facilities, potable water and more until it was shuttered May 1. Residents say some of the services are still needed in the hard-hit Swannanoa Valley. Photo courtesy of the N.C. Office of the State Auditor
“If state funding worked the way that we wish it worked, there would be a facility providing those things now that was also a hub for other services,” she says. “I think it's maybe unbelievable to people that there are still people who don't have reliable access to water, but it's true.”
A NEED FOR SERVICES
Tyler Ladd is one of those people. He regularly used the Owen Pool comfort station after his home was damaged by Helene and he was relegated to living in an RV without water or power.
When the station closed in May, he didn’t know what to do.
“I was really disappointed when I went there to do laundry one day and they were breaking everything down. I’m staying in a camper that doesn’t have a water hookup, and it’s been a pain in the neck to find spots to take showers,” he says.
He is looking into getting a membership to the YMCA for that reason, but the monthly fee is a burden.
Sheri Barker, former relief volunteer and now community care worker at SCT, says difficulties accessing basic hygiene services affects families.
“Families, who are still in traumatic circumstances, can even be ripped apart as parents can face losing their kids to [the Department of Social Services] due to hygiene-related neglect,” Barker adds.
REPORT VS. REALITY
While the needs in Swannanoa remain high, Buncombe County officials say declining usage of the Owen Pool site and the high cost of running it led county and state officials to shut it down.
After that, Swannanoa First Baptist Church in Beacon Village offered a shower trailer with daily hours for families, and the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry began offering free, preloaded laundry vouchers for residents at Black Mountain Coin Laundry, a program that is ongoing, says Buncombe County spokesperson Kassi Day. Swannanoa’s own laundromat was heavily damaged in the storm, Trigg notes.
According to interviews conducted in late April by the OSA, about 40-60 people per day were using the Owen Pool facility, down from more than 100 people a day in the early stages of storm recovery, while laundry facilities remained more popular. Overall, the center provided 14,000 showers and cleaned 18,000 loads of laundry.
The OSA broke down the costs of running the center into average daily costs in each category, including nearly $43,000 for showers and restrooms, $49,000 for laundry and $21,000 for the tents that housed the laundry and counseling services, according to the report.
Additionally, staff for the station was paid between $87.30 and $145.50 an hour to manage the site, according to invoices attached to the report from SLSCO Ltd, a Texas-based general
contracting and construction management firm that provides disaster response services.
Trigg acknowledges that costs of the station seemed high, but considering the state of the area immediately after Helene, it was likely quite expensive to get materials into the area, with many roads and bridges closed and debris scattered everywhere, she says.
“I think if somebody is sitting in Raleigh reviewing expenses without that context, without having driven down Old (U.S.) 70 weeks after the storm, they might not understand why it would cost so much. And I think if they have not walked around and seen what people’s living situations are now they might not understand the level of resources that are still needed here,” she says.
Services like showers, laundry and running water remain integral to recovery, she says.
“We think that there is a need for those services as long as there are displaced people here and people who are insufficiently housed,” Trigg notes.
‘FOOD APOCALYPSE’
Beyond the need for basic hygiene services and affordable housing, Swannanoa residents face a burgeoning food crisis, says Trigg and Ali Casparian, executive director of Bounty & Soul, a nonprofit providing fresh food in the Swannanoa Valley.
“You look at the basic needs of a person's survival, or any sort of ability to have a productive life, they need housing, and they need food,” Casparian says.
Between people losing their jobs when the storm washed away businesses, the lack of secure housing and reduced food access with the closure of Ingles’ Swannanoa store, Trigg fears a “food apocalypse.”
“It’s pretty extreme,” Casparian says of what has become a food desert.
At Bounty & Soul’s five markets in Black Mountain and Swannanoa, the organization went from serving a little over 6,000 people a month before Helene to more than 14,000 a month, Casparian says. Countywide, the nonprofit’s total output has gone from 10,000 to 26,000 people served monthly after the storm.
Compounding the problem is the lack of a local grocery store.
Ingles’ Swannanoa store, severely damaged by the storm, remains closed.
“Not having a grocery store or access to food is significant,” Casparian says. “We’re doing our best to fill that gap. But we can’t fill all the food needs in Swannanoa. We just don’t have that kind of capacity.”
NO START DATE PLANNED
Beyond being the primary food source, Ingles also owns Swannanoa’s largest shopping center, where Ace Hardware and the U.S. Postal Service had locations before the strip mall was damaged by Helene.
While the grocer obtained building permits in October for likely repairs, according to Buncombe County records, no work has begun.
Pat Jackson, chief financial officer for Ingles, tells Xpress June 22 that the grocer is “working with architects and contractors on plans” for its Swannanoa store, but there is no start date planned for construction. Jackson did not answer additional questions regarding the store’s future or the extent of damage to the building.
Richard Madden, owner of several Ace Hardware locations including in Swannanoa, says he intends to reopen and has a verbal agreement with Ingles to do so. He says he expects work to begin “within the next two to three months, pending county approval” and says that to the best of his knowledge, the plan is to bring back Ingles, Ace and the post office to the same location.
Three Ingles stores remain closed after Helene, including those in Spruce Pine and Morganton. In a second-quarter earnings report to
FOOD NEEDS: Swannanoa residents wait for Bounty & Soul's fresh food mobile market June 21. The need for fresh food has more than doubled since Tropical Storm Helene rendered Swannanoa a food desert.
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, Ingles said that “the three remaining stores are currently expected to reopen at various times later during 2025 and 2026.” No specifics were included about the Swannanoa store and various community leaders, including Buncombe Commissioner Jennifer Horton, who worked for Ingles and is from Swannanoa, have received no updates from the grocer despite multiple attempts to reach company officials.
At a recent community meeting in Swannanoa, residents suggested that the county obtain the Ingles property by eminent domain. Horton says that has not been discussed by commissioners, and County Manager Avril Pinder told Horton the county can't compel Ingles to respond, Horton says.
“We haven’t really gotten an answer from Ingles of what their plans are, which is driving this angst and uncertainty about what our food needs will be in the future,” Casparian says.
Ingles’ inaction could have another effect on Swannaoa’s recovery beyond its food supply.
Three affordable housing developments near the Swannanoa Ingles likely relied on that proximity to win funding from the N.C. Housing Finance Agency, says Geoffrey Barton, president and CEO of affordable housing developer Mountain Housing Opportunities (MHO). Barton says MHO’s East Haven complex, built in 2019, will not lose its funding if Ingles remains closed, but its residents are experiencing a “very
significant hardship” without a nearby grocery store.
Further, MHO is unable to look for a site for more housing in Swannanoa west of Beacon Village because of the absence of a grocery store, Barton says.
“We deserve to know when there will be consistent food access [in Swannanoa],” Casparian adds.
PLEAS FOR FUNDING
On top of all that, Bounty & Soul is facing cuts July 1 when the Healthy Opportunities pilot program ends. The N.C. General Assembly didn’t extend the program, which helped the nonprofit distribute healthy meals to at least 260 households per week, Casparian says.
It all adds up to a desperate need in Swannanoa for more relief funding.
Bounty & Soul has reached capacity and can’t expand its offerings without more refrigeration space, Casparian says, adding that the bulk of recovery efforts in Swannanoa have been borne by nonprofits and religious institutions with sparse relief funds from the state or federal government.
“There’s a lot of focus on long-term recovery, but there’s still some very
urgent needs within the community of Swannanoa that need to be addressed and funded,” Casparian says. “We need state funds. We need recovery funds in Swannanoa, and we need to know where they’re being allocated.”
As for state funding, the latest relief bill finally passed through both chambers of the N.C. General Assembly June 26 after being hung up in the Senate for weeks.
Gov. Josh Stein recommended $891 million in relief, including $113 million for housing recovery and assistance in May, and the N.C. House passed a $565 million package later that month. But then Senate Republicans used the aid as a bargaining chip in budget negotiations, holding the “disaster recovery act of 2025, part II” up in budget committee.
“We’re very relieved this aid is finally on its way,” says state Sen. Julie Mayfield, who represents Asheville and Buncombe County. “For the communities I serve, this funding isn’t political, it’s personal. Our neighbors have been waiting for the resources they need to rebuild, and I’m grateful we were finally able to deliver some real help.”
Before it passed, there was worry among local elected officials that the bill would remain tied to the overall state budget, which is still likely months away from being passed. County officials, including Commissioners Drew Ball, Parker Sloan, Terri Wells and Horton, as well as Buncombe’s legislative delegation, lobbied the General Assembly to split the relief package into a standalone bill.
“There are serious disagreements over the budget that don’t have anything to do with supporting devastated WNC communities,” Ball told Xpress June 20. “Leaving struggling North Carolina families and businesses waiting, or using them as a bargaining chip within the budget would be cruel and inhumane. But I’m hopeful they won’t do that.”
The sooner federal and state funding get passed down to local communities, the better, Ball added. “Given the massive amount of funding we need to rebuild our communities, more is better, and the state has the funding on hand.” X
Photo by Beth Trigg of Swannanoa Communities Together
Exploding prices
Rising costs, U.S. tariffs threaten small-town fireworks shows
BY GREG PARLIER
Late Friday, July 4, residents in towns big and small will gather to gape at exploding colors in the sky to celebrate our nation’s founding. The tradition, which represents the largest festival of the year for many communities, could be in danger as Trump administration tariffs threaten to drive up already increasing fireworks costs, industry leaders say. That particularly affects small towns such as Black Mountain and Weaverville, which have seen significant cost increases for their Independence Day festivities in recent years.
The cost of fireworks in Black Mountain is more than 2.5 times what it was in 2019, according to town officials, and in Weaverville, high costs are making Town Council members question whether that aspect of the town’s annual celebration should continue.
“Maybe we don’t need to do fireworks annually or at all, and instead have a Main Street celebration. Reimagining this event could be beneficial in many ways,” says Weaverville Town Council member John Chase
Other towns might be having those same discussions if the Trump administration’s 30% tariffs on China persist, says Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, based in Southport, N.C.
THE TRUMP EFFECT
The effect of those tariffs are most acutely felt by individuals and small towns, Heckman says. China produces 99% of fireworks sold in the U.S. to individuals and 90% of those sold for professional displays, Heckman says.
A series of tariffs were announced on China this spring, at one time rising to 145%.
“They peaked at 145% at the worst possible time for the industry, during our peak transportation period to get fireworks here for the Fourth of July,” Heckman says. Unable to pay the high import tax, many companies told Chinese manufacturers not to ship their fireworks. That led to warehouses filling up, forcing manufacturers to stop production, leaving
IT GOES BOOM: The cost of fireworks in Black Mountain is more than 2.5 times what it was in 2019, according to town officials, and in Weaverville, high costs are making Town Council members question whether that aspect of the town’s annual celebration should continue. Photo courtesy of the Asheville Downtown Association
less time to make fireworks for 2026 celebrations, she notes.
When the tariffs were lowered in May, fireworks importers rushed to get their products shipped but had to compete with every other importer of Chinese goods. Compounding the issue is that China shuts down fireworks production in late June because of the danger posed by making explosives in the summer heat, Heckman says.
While there’s some smaller-scale fireworks manufacturers in Europe, nobody could gear up to produce the volume that the U.S. needs for the Fourth of July, she adds.
For now, fireworks companies are eating the tariff costs but may pass that cost on to consumers for 2026 celebrations, Heckman notes.
“They're having dialogues with their current customers, municipalities and small towns about what the impact for 2026 could be. It could be a price increase, or it could be that the community says, ‘Look, our budget is X. What can we do?’ Well, maybe your 20-minute show is cut to 14 minutes,” Heckman says.
SMALL-TOWN CONCERNS
The Weaverville Town Council has considered reimagining its Independence Day celebrations for
several years, says Council member Michele Wood. Two years ago, residents sent a strong message to the Council that they valued the fireworks display, she says. But it’s getting harder and harder to justify, several town leaders say.
In this year’s budget, Town Council approved spending $65,000 on its one-day party, Wood says, with $33,000 of that slated just for fireworks. The rest goes toward live music, portable bathrooms and paying for employee overtime, she adds.
That’s a high price tag for a town with a $9.9 million general fund. Wood, Chase and Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons are thinking twice about the benefits.
“I’m not a fan of fireworks. PTSD is real for some veterans and gun violence victims. Fireworks cause problems for some residents, their pets and our wildlife. And they pollute the air, rivers, lakes and soil,” Wood notes.
Town Manager Scottie Harris also expressed concerns about the event’s safety, noting that it's getting harder to find a place to safely shoot off fireworks in a growing community.
The town moved its show from Lake Louise to Weaverville Primary School in 2019 to accommodate bigger crowds, Harris says. But the new location means the town has to lay a
flame-retardant tarp over the school, adding to its expenses.
“It being right in the middle of a downtown residential community makes it more challenging. So there's more to it than just the dollar amount. How long can we keep delivering this show in a residential community and do it safely?” Harris asks.
In Black Mountain, the cost of a 20-minute show has increased from $7,000 in 2019 to $18,500 this year, says Town Clerk Wesley Barker.
The town analyzes the fireworks expense every year, and there has been concern about its rising cost, Barker says, but for now, the town has agreed to spend the money for a 2026 show.
ASHEVILLE CELEBRATIONS
In Asheville, the cost of fireworks hasn’t increased significantly in recent years, says Hayden Plemmons, executive director of the Asheville Downtown Association, which hosts the Fourth of July event, while the city pays for the fireworks.
The 25- to 30-minute show has cost between $25,000 and $28,000 over the last five years, she says. The show moved last year from the Buncombe County-owned College Street parking garage near Pack Square to the South Slope, where eventgoers will be able to see shows from both the city and the Asheville Tourists at McCormick Field.
Plemmons says the show is worth the expense from an economic standpoint. Last year, businesses on the South Slope recorded their “busiest day ever” on the Fourth of July, and after Tropical Storm Helene, they need the bump in business more than ever, she notes.
Buncombe County’s annual show at Lake Julian has increased from $20,000 a few years ago to $25,000 this year, says Allison Dains, county parks and recreation director.
Heckman is hopeful the Trump administration will scale back Chinese tariffs or carve out an exception for what she calls an “iconic part of America’s celebration of freedom.”
“It's the one event a year that brings the entire community together. Regardless of race, creed, religion and politics, everybody loves to observe a fireworks show, and it has a significant positive impact on the local economy,” she notes. “The fireworks industry wants to be a significant part of all the 250th celebrations nationwide next year.” X
Council approves funding to make two historic homes affordable
An assembly of public commenters bustled in and out of Asheville City Council chambers on June 24 to speak about the purchase of two legacy neighborhood homes and efforts to save the UNC Asheville woods.
The most positive comments concerned grant funds that will convert two historic homes in legacy neighborhoods into affordable housing. Mayor Esther Manheimer and Council member Sage Turner were absent. The funding passed, 5-0.
PRESERVING PROPERTIES WITH A PURPOSE
The $250,000 grant from a 2016 voter-approved housing bond to the Asheville-Buncombe Community Land Trust will enable the organization to purchase homes at 32 Grail St. near Stephens-Lee Community Center and 32 Olive St. in the Southside neighborhood.
The land trust model separates landownership from homeownership, making the homes more affordable. The property is then sold to a qualifying household for a 99-year lease, said said Sasha Vrtunshi, the city’s affordable housing officer. Vrtunshi is also a board member of the land trust.
Qualifying homebuyers must have incomes at or below 80% AMI, which is $50,000 for a family of two, per the city’s local homeownership calculator.
IN OTHER NEWS:
• Council approved the 2025-29 Consolidated Plan, which outlines needs and priorities for housing and community development over the next five years. The plan guides annual distributions for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). The action plans for CDBG and HOME also passed, 5-0.
• Council approved revisions to development plans for a city-owned property at 319 Biltmore Ave. The new plan includes more affordable units — 162 — for 40 years and a ground lease up to 99 years. Also approved was a $3 million loan from the Housing Trust Fund/ Affordable Housing Bond to developer Laurel Street Residential and
tax grants up to $100,000 per year for 20 years.
• A dozen residents spoke out about their concerns over UNCA’s proposal, announced June 13, that would turn 45 acres of woods into a multiuse stadium in collaboration with Asheville City Soccer Club. Speakers included a UNCA professor, students, alumni, neighbors of the woods and a travel agent who spoke to the tourism impacts. Read more about UNCA’s proposal in Asheville Watchdog’s recent report.
• Council approved an $2.1 million asphalt resurfacing contract with Tarheel Paving and Asphalt to resurface a total 4.32 miles across 21 streets and upgrade 26 accessibility ramps.
• Council passed an ordinance to set a 20 mph speed limit on Atlanta Avenue, Baker Avenue, Boyd Avenue, Bryant Street, Buffalo Street, Clay Street, Downing Street, Edgar Street, Fayetteville Street, Ivy Street, Mardell Circle, Martin Avenue, Ohio Street, Saratoga Street and Texas Street.
— Brionna Dallara X
Tourism lagging as summer begins
The temperatures are soaring with summer’s arrival, but the same
can’t be said for tourist numbers in Buncombe County.
During their June 25th meeting, members of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCDTA) were presented with lodging occupancy data by Vic Isley , president and CEO of Explore Asheville.
According to Isley, May 2025 hotel occupancy was down 5 percentage points from 2024 and down 10 percentage points from 2019. Vacation rentals are down 4 percentage points from 2024 and 1 percentage point from 2019. Lodging demand for fiscal year to date is down 8% from the same point a year earlier and supply, including both hotel and vacation rental, is down 7% fiscal year to date.
The board also received an overview of a three-phase recovery plan for the Blue Ridge Parkway by Rachel Stasny , National Park Service acting superintendent, and Leesa Brandon , external affairs specialist.
Phase 1, forecasted to be complete this fall, will address 12 landslides and restore approximately 48.7 miles of roadway, including access from Asheville to Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell State Park and the Pisgah Inn. Phase 2 is expected to be completed late 2026 with Phase 3 undetermined.
Above all, park staff is pleading with people to obey closures, even on foot. “Where that work is happening right now, it’s a very dangerous situation. It makes me very nervous when I go to a closed area and see bikes or people walking dogs and I know there could be a gravel truck coming around not expecting to see [them],” said Brandon.
— Morgan Sykes
X
Asheville City Schools OKs placeholder budget
Asheville City Schools’ chief financial officer, Heidi Kerns , presented to the Board of Education on June 24 a budget plan to keep the bills paid while the district awaits the state budget and school funding, which likely won’t come until later this summer at the earliest.
The interim budget allows the district to continue operating as is. However, it can’t give pay increases until the N.C. General Assembly approves the state budget.
At a June 9 meeting, ACS Superintendent Maggie Fehrman told the board that no student-facing positions would be cut next year despite the district facing a $2.8 million shortfall in county funding compared with last year’s initial budget.
The district also announced Jeremy Gibbs will take over as principal at the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA) in July and Joan Bucy as principal at Isaac Dickson Elementary, according to a press release.
This story was supported by the Fund for Investigative Reporting and Editing.
— Greg Parlier
X
– Eric and Ellen Vontillius Join them and become a member at
NEW LIFE FOR OLD PROPERTIES: Asheville Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley, right, spoke highly of the Asheville-Buncombe Community Land Trust’s plans to turn two homes in legacy neighborhoods into affordable homes. Also pictured, from left, are Asheville City Council members Kim Roney and Sheneika Smith. Photo by Brionna Dallara
by Lisa Allen | lallen@mountainx.com
Week of the Pet
Meet Poppy. He is known to be an affectionate feline with a blossoming personality. His spunky kitten energy will breathe fresh air into any space, says the staff at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. To see all of the available animals, go to
Winning Words
Of Words & Water, a children’s illustrated biography of activist and author Wilma Dykeman, written by Shannon Hitchcock and illustrated by Sophie Page, was the bronze winner in the juvenile nonfiction category at the 27th annual Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards. Hitchcock was inspired by Dykeman’s commit- ment to conserving the French Broad River. In a press release, Hitchcock says, “The recognition means a lot to me, especially after [Tropical Storm Helene]. It’s more important than ever to follow Wilma Dykeman’s example and take care of the French Broad.” The awards highlight books published in 2024 by small, independent and university presses. Go here to see all the winners:
Awarding Art
Arrowhead Art Gallery & Studios in Old Fort announced the winners of its latest exhibition, Trails, Trains, Streams & Dreams. All entries will be on exhibit through Wednesday, July 9. Best in show: “Catawba Falls” by Chrystall Ingersoll, mixed media; first place: “Pisgah Dreams” by Karen Paquette, acrylic; second place: Mabry Mill by Hazel Schall, colored pencil; third place: “Whistlestop” by Catherine Bruggeman, glass and copper. The gallery is open seven days a week. To find out more: avl.mx/ev2 X
Voice of Business
Haywood County leaders are gathering input through Friday, July 11, from local business owners to better understand recovery progress, needs and challenges, according to a media release. They will use the feedback to prioritize support and resources. The survey is available at avl.mx/ewl X
Free water tests
Wine to Water, an international nonprofit based in Boone, launched a free water quality testing program for households across 23 Western North Carolina counties. Residents can request water quality testing for any water source or well/ spring box repair at avl.mx/ewt. “We believe everyone deserves to have confidence in the water they drink. By offering household tap testing across Western North Carolina, we’re helping families impacted by Hurricane Helene get the information they need to protect their health — and when contaminants are found, we’re committed to helping them find real and appropriate solutions,” said Jeremy Kilday, the nonprofit’s U.S. program director, in a media release. X
Buncombe County commissioners are hosting a series of town halls this summer to provide storm recovery updates, answer questions, direct residents to recovery resources and listen to suggestions for how Buncombe County can improve how residents live, work and play.
• County Commission District 3 Town Hall, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, Ferguson Auditorium, A-B Tech
• County Commission District 1 Town Hall, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, Koontz Intermediate School cafeteria, 605 Overlook Road X
Good Grades Pay
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina in June gave out $586,500 to 94 WNC students at 59 schools in 20 counties. Top Buncombe County recipients highlighted in the press release include: Caitlyn Jordan of N.C. School of Science and Mathematics – Morganton; Asa Rogers of Asheville High School; Ever van Rijssen of A.C. Reynolds High School; Joshua Zeigler of Charles D. Owen High School; Maya Tilson of School of Inquiry & Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA); and Oscar Magana of Charles D. Owen High School. X
Sponsor of the year
Blue Ridge Pride named Bill Kaelin its 2025 Sponsor of the Year. He was honored June 28 during the second annual Stonewall Gala, according to a press release. Kaelin helped launch Takeover Tuesday, a monthly com- munity-building event. Kaelin is working with Blue Ridge Pride and community partners on a Pride Closing Party at Wedge Studios, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28. X
Confidence and community
Adaptive outdoors program helps veterans develop a new mindset
BY AMRIT BROWN
ambrown1534@gmail.com
Last summer, Navy veteran Rhonda Liddell was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Literally. After navigating an entire whitewater course on the Nantahala River, she flipped her kayak near the exit and was pinned against a rock.
Liddell, who has a limited range of motion in her right limb due to an injury, remained calm. In doing so, she managed to flip herself back over and safely exit the course.
That day, Liddell was one of a dozen veterans participating in the launch of a weeklong series of adaptive sports programs held at Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) in Bryson City. The gathering was organized and led by Unbroken Spirit, a nonprofit that offers free courses to veterans to assist them in their transition from military to civilian life.
“I appreciated every moment of it,” Liddell says.
Liddell believes that one of the most important parts of adaptive sports programs is challenging yourself. “You learn that you are tougher, you have more grit, you have more audacity than you believed,” she explains. “It is really great to be able to experience tough situations that are physical when you have been physically disabled.”
On Monday, July 21, the latest cohort of Unbroken Spirit participants will convene in Swain County for the next iteration of the annual series.
Megan Wayne , the organization's principal consultant, says that physical exertion complements the mental and emotional work that is central to Unbroken Spirit. “Veterans rediscover their capabilities, work through fear and resistance and build bonds of mutual accountability — all in a high-intensity but supportive environment,” she says.
POWER OF CONNECTION
Unbroken Spirits' free program is completed in three phases.
Phase 1, “Pre-Deployment,” is a virtual course focused on reflec -
CATCH OF THE DAY: Rhonda Liddell holds up her catch on a fishing expedition during Unbroken Spirit's 2024 adaptive outdoors program. Photo courtesy of Liddell
tion, mental wellness and purpose. Phase 2, “Deployment,” is the in-person experience in Western North Carolina where physical challenges meet emotional work. And Phase 3, “Post-Deployment,” is a long-term veteran-to-veteran mentorship program. Groups of 12 progress through each step together, typically over the course of a year.
Paul Haverstick is a member of Unbroken Spirit's inaugural 2023 team (the adaptive sports program launched a year later) and now serves as the nonprofit's program director. He emphasizes the importance of creating a program that veterans with disabilities could participate in.
“Some veterans may not be able to hike trails due to physical or
psychological injuries — but that doesn’t mean they can’t grow. This program offers kayaking, zip lining, rock climbing and more — activities that reignite confidence and foster community,” he says.
Liddell believes it is the camaraderie created in adaptive sports that is essential to the program's success. “You are all going through the same intense experience so you have some special kind of bonding,” she says.
Haverstick shares Liddell’s perspective and adds that even after the adaptive sports program ends and the members disperse they still have the community they created during their five days at NOC. Participants also have access to a mentor during Phase 3 of the program.
Each team that goes through the multiphase program together also has a group chat that allows them to stay in contact with each other. Even now, two years after Haverstick participated in the program, he still connects with his former teammates.
THE LONGER JOURNEY
Wayne says that Unbroken Spirit fills an overlooked gap in veteran care. “We are not a recreational program or one-week experience,” she says. “We commit to walking alongside veterans for a full year, offering a structured path that includes emotional healing, community reentry and long-term support. It’s not about distraction. It’s about transformation.”
Haverstick adds that with its curriculum, Unbroken Spirit helps veterans develop a new mindset and purpose.
Liddell is a good example. Not only was she able to push past her disability while stuck underwater in her kayak, but she also developed a variety of other strategies that help in her day-to-day life.
During Phase 3 of the program, Liddell created a road map with her purpose, vision and mission statements. She still carries it with her. Whenever she feels overwhelmed, she takes it out and reads it. She says doing so helps change her perspective on whatever challenge she is facing.
“The adaptive sports program exists not to teach sport but to use physically challenging, teambased activities as a gateway to build trust, spark resilience and help veterans reconnect with their own strength,” Wayne says. “The goal is emotional and psychological growth, not just athletic achievement.” X
The insider’s guide
We provide tips on the well-known attractions, hidden gems and quirky oddities that make Asheville so beloved.
Pick up your print copy today in boxes everywhere!
Golden Agers A veteran's late-life transition
BY CAROL KAUFMAN
Editor's note: Jackie Lees permitted the use of both "he" and "she" pronouns for this story.
As a child growing up in Reading, Pa., in the 1950s and '60s with evangelical parents, Jackie Lees always knew he was different from the other boys. His inner struggle began early — and it was a battle that would continue well into his late 60s.
"At some point, my parents caught wind of my ‘trans’ tendencies,” Lees recalls. “Like the time I snuck out through my bedroom window, hopped on my bike and stole some girl's clothes from a clothesline in the alley behind our house. I realized I felt more comfortable in girls’ clothes, but I didn’t know why.”
OFFERING SUPPORT: “I’ve dedicated my retirement years to supporting the trans community, especially older adults," says Jackie Lees. "I want every one of them to know it’s never too late to make the transition.”
As Lees grew older, the weight of this secret became harder to bear. In Lees late teens, when he received a draft notice during the Vietnam conflict, it wasn’t with dread but with relief.
by Carol Kaufman
“I thought I could finally grow into ‘manhood’ while serving in the Army,” Lees says. “The problem was, it didn’t work.”
Life after the military proved even more turbulent than Lees' brief time as a private at Fort Dix — a stint cut short by injury.
“After six months of service, I was given an honorable discharge due to the injury I received during medic training,” Lees recalls. “After a long hospital stay at Fort Dix, I was discharged again, this time because medics were no longer needed in a war that was winding down.”
Today, Lees reflects on how difficult that era was for trans people.
“In the early 1970s, no one used the word ‘transgender,’" she says. "There wasn’t a label for what I was feeling — no books, no internet to turn to. Others like me were forced to stay quiet and closeted.”
Despite the internal struggles she faced, Lees graduated with a degree in engineering from Arizona State University, then went on to build a long, successful career that took Lees around the world.
“I lived in Germany and hopped around China, working in logistics and overseeing equipment installations for a major company,” she recalls. “I’ve experienced more extended-stay hotels and rental cars than I can count.”
What truly changed her life, though, was meeting her soulmate and future wife, Mary
“Mary, a native North Carolinian, was living and working in Austin, Texas, when we met,” says Lees. "We both traveled extensively for our jobs. Now, having been married for 32 beautiful years, I can honestly say she saved my life.”
When Lees learned that Mary had close friends who were gay, Lees knew she could eventually open up to her about her own identity. After the two moved to Asheville in 2019, a city that was welcoming and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, Lees felt comfortable enough to share with Mary her dream of transitioning — from Tim to Jackie, from he to she.
“Coming out to Mary wasn’t without its challenges,” Lees says. “But over time she fully embraced my transition, even helping me chose a new wardrobe.”
Mary supported Lees’ active involvement with organizations such as AARP’s Rainbow Inspirations and Blue Ridge Pride’s Generation Plus program, where Lees continues to volunteer at events and offer support to fellow members.
“Now that I’m in my 70s,” Lees reflects, “I’ve dedicated my retirement years to supporting the trans community, especially older adults. I want every one of them to know it’s never too late to make the transition.” X
Photo
JULY. 2 - JULY 10, 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 29
More info, page 32
WELLNESS
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 (7/2), 10:15am, YWCA of Asheville, 185
S French Broad Ave
Active Breathwork
A dynamic class designed to awaken your body, release stored emotions, and bring clarity to your mind.
A 45 minute all-levels yoga class, and then take all the time you want to snuggle and take selfies with your new goat friends.
SA (7/5), 10:30am, Candler, Candler
Himalayan Sound Bath Meditation
A guided meditation with the soothing tones of Himalayan singing bowls washing over you, calming your mind, and rejuvenating your spirit.
SA (7/5), SU (7/6) 11am, Somatic Sounds, 157 S Lexington Ave
Free Community Qi
Gong
Qi Gong improves balance and coordination, enhances physical and emotional energy, and promotes an experience of well-being with an appreciation of the cycles and wisdom of nature.
SA (7/5), 11:30am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S. French Broad Ave
Kirtan w/Mantra
Mandala
A sweet meditative practice of chanting mantras and divine names while experiencing the healing power of bhakti yoga.
SA (7/5), 7:30pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd
Wild Souls Authentic Movement w/Renee
Trudeau
An expressive movement class designed to help you get unstuck, enjoy cardio movement, boost immune health,
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
dissolve anxiety and stress while celebrating community.
SU (7/6), 9:30am, Dunn's Rock Community Center, 461 Connestee Rd, Brevard
Yoga in the Park
All-level friendly yoga classes based on Hatha & Vinyasa traditions.
SA (7/5), SU (7/6), 10am, W Asheville Park, 198 Vermont Ave
Candlelight Flow Yoga
This breath-centered practice blends gentle movement and mindfulness to release tension, restore balance, and leave you feeling grounded and renewed.
The Sunday Morning Meditation Group will gather for a combination of silent sitting and walking meditation.
SU (7/6), 10am, The Lodge at Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd
Free Community Athletic Conditioning
Combining strength training, HIIT, plyometrics, kickboxing and step, this class offers a diverse, challenging training experience.
MO (7/7), 8am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave
Yoga Taco Mosa Donation based yoga with Clare Desmelik. Bring your mat, a water bottle and an open heart.
MO (7/7), 10am, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave
Free Community Yoga (Level 2)
This practice will help you tune in mindfully and wake up your body.
TU (7/8), 8:45am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave
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 (7/8), 9:30am, Cooperative Coffee Shop, 210 Haywood Rd
SYLVA’S FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA: Sylva’s 11th annual Fireworks Festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4, with the Gotcha Groove band playing classic hits, pop favorites, R&B, Motown and more. The event at Bridge Park will also feature food and beverage vendors, plus a fireworks extravaganza around 9:30 p.m. Photo courtesy of Jackson County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
Community Yoga & Mindfulness
Free monthly event with Inspired Change Yoga that will lead you into a morning of breathwork, meditation and yoga. WE (7/9), 10:30am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
ART
Enchanted Garden Art Show
Discover a magical blend of art and nature in this outdoor sculpture invitational featuring works by eight artists from North Carolina and beyond. Gallery open Monday through Sunday, 10am. Exhibition through Sept. 21. Grovewood Gallery, 111 Grovewood Rd
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
Native America: In Translation
This exhibition, curated by Apsáalooke artist Wendy Red Starr, features the work of seven Indigenous artists who explore themes of community, heritage,
and the lasting impact of colonialism in North America. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through Nov. 3.
Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square
Artist Talk: Alison Croney Moses
This perspective artist talk will feature Alison Croney Moses, recipient of the 2024 Black Mountain College International Artist Prize. Moses creates wooden objects that reach out to your senses.
SA (7/5), 11am, Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College 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
Constance Ensner: Withheld
In this exhibition, Constance explores painted and collaged works that delve into the inner world of emotions, and her potent memories of a childhood disrupted. Gallery open Monday through Saturday, 10am, and Sunday,
noon. Exhibition runs through July 13.
ink Dog Gallery, 348 Depot St
Iron & Ink Exhibition
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
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 (7/10), 2pm, W Asheville Park, 11 Vermont 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 (7/8), 6pm, Love and Respect Community for Recovery and Wellness, 350 Chadwick Ave Ste 300, Hendersonville 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.
This support group is peer-led and facilitated by licensed therapists & dietitians specializing in eating disorders. Register at avl.mx/es6. WE (7/9), 6pm, Online Mad Hatter’s Collective: Hearing Voices Network
SUPPORT GROUPS
Garden Helpline
You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your gardening question.
TH (7/3), 10am, Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center, 49 Mount Carmel Rd, Ste 102
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.
Magnetic Minds: Depression & Bipolar Support Group
A free weekly peer-led meeting for those living with depression, bipolar, and related mental health challenges. For more information contact (828) 367-7660.
SA (7/5), 2pm, First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St 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 (7/7), 6pm, Asheville YMCA, 30 Woodfin St
Community Narcan Training
An important training led by Sunrise Recovery and hosted by AmeriHealth Caritas. Learn how to use Naloxone, an introduction into harm reduction, what’s going on in our community and more.
TU (7/8), noon, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
A group collective that gathers to talk about encounters with visual, tactile, sensational, or fringe experiences with life and the interaction of energy.
TH (7/10), 6pm, 12 Baskets Cafe, 610 Haywood Rd
DANCE
Latin Night Wednesday w/DJ Mtn Vibez
A Latin dance social featuring salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia, and reggaeton with dance lessons for all skill levels.
WE (7/2, 9), 8pm, One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd
XPRESS EVENT PICK
Independence Day Block Party Asheville’s South Slope Friday, July 4 • 12 p.m.
This all day festival will feature family-friendly activities, live music from the pink stones, food, a performance from Amazon Air Dogs and fireworks.
“Where better to take in the sights of fireworks than the streets of Asheville? Do yourself a favor this 4th of July and soak in the patriotic spirit—even if it’s just an excuse to watch the lights. Downtown usually offers a few fireworks displays, so get out there and fly like an eagle”!
— Caleb Johnson X
H ✰H ✰ Fourth of July Events H ✰H ✰
60th Annual Marshall
Rodeo & Fireworks
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the Rodeo kicks of at 8 p.m. This year’s 2-day rode will feature a kids dance contest with a $50 cash prize to the winner, plus a professional fireworks show on day 2.
TH (7/3), FR (7/4), 8pm, Madison County Fairgrounds, 330 Carolina Ln
Fireworks at Lake Junaluska
Visitors can expect a colorful display of fireworks to celebrate Independence Day. This weekend will also feature music concerts and floating wish lanterns on the lake.
TH (7/3), 9:15pm, Lake Junaluska, 91 N Lakeshore Dr, Lake Junaluska
Fireworks Pregame Party
Come get ready for the Fourth of July fireworks with tunes and pouring cold beers. There will be a t-shirt decorating and tie-dye station, plus on-theme temporary glitter tattoos.
FR (7/4), 3pm, The Whale, 507 Haywood Rd
Asheville Independence Day 5k
Start your fourth off with a fun family-friendly activity. This year’s course will start and end in pack square with a downtown course.
FR (7/4), 8am, Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza
4th of July Bash & Volunteer Appreciation Celebration
A summer celebration to honor the amazing volunteers who’ve fueled Blunt Pretzel’s kitchen and community. It will feature a cookout, special drinks, biergarten hangs, ping pong, and more.
FR (7/4), 2pm, Blunt Pretzels, 120 Alexander Pl, Swannanoa
The Town of Weaverville 4th of July Celebration This celebration will officially start at 7 p.m., but there will be food trucks set up at 5:30 p.m. Expect live
FOURTH ON MAIN: Heart of Brevard’s Shindig on Main returns to downtown Brevard on Friday, July 4, starting at noon. This Independence Day celebration will feature a formal flag-raising, a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, old-time dancing in the street, live music, a hot dog eating contest, a classic car show, fireworks and more. Photo courtesy of Heart of Brevard
music from Breakfast for Dinner and a firework show at 9:15 p.m.
FR (7/4), 7pm, Weaverville Main Street, 30 S Main St, Weaverville Independence Day Celebration Buncombe County residents, families, friends and neighbors are invited to join the dazzling firework show and daytime activities.
Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. but visitors are encouraged to come early to enjoy food trucks live music and more. See p29 FR (7/4), 8am, Lake Julian Park, 37 Lake Julian Rd, Arden Heart of Brevard’s Shindig on Main Celebrate Independence Day in true small-town style with a formal flag display, a public reading of the declaration of Independence, a special old-time dance, live music, a car show, hot dog eating contest and more.
FR (7/4), noon, Downtown Brevard, E Main St, Brevard
Independence Day Block Party
This all-day festival promises fun for the whole family and features the incredible Amazing Air Dogs, family-friendly activities, music from the the Pink Stones, food and a fireworks extravaganza to celebrate freedom. See p29
FR (7/4), noon, S Slope, Coxe Ave. and Buxton Ave
Sylva’s 11th Annual Fireworks Festivities
This special Fourth of July festivity will feature music from the Gotcha Groove band that perform classic hits, pop favorites, R&B, Motown and more. It will also feature children activities, food and beverage vendors and a fireworks extravaganza at 9:30 p.m.
FR (7/4), 6;30pm, Bridge Park, 76 Railroad Ave
4th of July at the Funk Fourth of July fun in the Funkatorium biergarten with live music from the Red Rock Hill and Reedy River String. Don’t for-
offer direct views to the fireworks, FR (7/4), 7pm, Hell or High Water, 128 Broadway St, Black Mountain
Land of the Sky Symphonic Band: Fourth of July Concert
This event features the Land of the Sky Symphonic Band’s annual Independence Day concert. Under the direction of Dr. David Wilken, the band will play an evening of music by American composers.
FR (7/4), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain
Visuals Rooftop Fireworks Party
Featuring festive cocktails and panoramic views of the biggest summer party of the year. Seating is all first come first served but there is plenty of standing room.
get to enjoy the AVL downtown association
4th of July block party, starting at 5 p.m.
FR (7/4), 1pm, Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave
Red, White & Blue Bingo Fundraiser Party for OurVOICE
It’s time to pledge allegiance to the glam. Expect six rounds of spellbinding bingo, prizes, and upbeat tunes. Attendees are encouraged to dress to impress around the party’s theme. See p29 FR (7/4), 7pm, Hilltop Event Center, 21 Restaurant Court
Phuncle Sam 4th of July Show
Celebrate 4th of July with the music of America’s favorite band, played by Asheville’s favorite Grateful Dead tribute band. See p29 FR (7/4), 1pm, The Meadow at Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200 July 4th Maker’s Market
This special July 4th celebration will feature a local artisan market curated by Mountain Artisan Collective, food by Little Oven
Sunday Swing Dance
The night begins with a beginner-friendly swing dance lesson at 6 p.m., followed by an open dance session at 7 p.m. with a live performance by Mary Kay and the Moonlighters
SU (7/6), 6pm, The Event Center at Highland Brewing, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy Ste 200
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 (7/7), 7:30pm, A-B Tech, 340 Victoria Rd
COMMUNITY MUSIC
School of Rock Summer Tour 2005
This Performance Program consists of a weekly group rehearsal where kids and teens learn by playing rock music’s most iconic songs with a band composed of their peers.
TH (7/3), 4pm, Asheville Music Hall, 31 Patton Ave
Tarot w/Cats
This 1-hour workshop will include a brief history of the tarot, and how to incorporate a one- and three-card pull for daily guidance.
FR (7/4), 5:30pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd
Ready to Unlock Your Dream of Homeownership? Free Homebuyer Workshop
It will provide a step-by-step guide to buying a home, tips for navigating the real estate market, live Q&A to answer your homebuying questions and more.
WE (7/9), noon, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
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.
Reserve your spot for a free July 4th celebration featuring the full Pillar menu, live music and drink specials.
FR (7/4), 3pm, Pillar Rooftop Bar, 309 College St, 6th Floor Fourth of July Block Party
A fun-filled evening of celebrating freedom, faith, and community. Bring your family, friends and lawn chairs to enjoy food, games and activities, family-friendly tunes and prizes.
FR (7/4), 5pm, The Orchard Church West Asheville, 55 Adams Hill Rd
4th of July Rooftop Fireworks w/Dessert & Prosecco
Celebrate the 4th of July from the Hell or High Water rooftop with a glass of Prosecco and a holiday-themed dessert. This festive atmosphere will also
FR (7/4), 8pm, VISUALS Rooftop Bar, 40 Collier Ave 4th of July Fireworks
The Town of Black Mountain will host a free 4th of July fireworks display beginning at dusk. The fireworks will be launched from behind the fomer Bi-Lo grocery store.
FR (7/4), 9pm, 205 NC-9, 205 North Carolina 9, Black Mountain
Mills River Brewing 5th of July Party
The Independence Day party continues on July 5th with music from the Flashback Band, tasty food and special brews. There will also be a prize for the best patriotic 4th outfit.
SA (7/5), 6:30pm, Mills River Brewing Co., 336 Banner Farm Rd, Mills River
Independence Day Picnic
Enjoy a relaxed and festive table 2 table meal that will feature picnic classics such as hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad and chips. Free, but you’re encouraged to bring dessert.
SU (7/6), 11:15am, Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St
Double Trouble: Great Works for Two Violins & Piano
This concert will feature J.S. Bach’s incredible Double Violin Concerto, considered by many to be among the top compositions ever written.
TH (7/3), 6:30pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square
Park Rhythms Concert Series w/Lorg & Friends
This week features music from pop-rock artist, Lorg and special guest friends.
TH (7/10), 6pm, Black Mountain Town Square, Black Mountain
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
Simply Charmed Jewelry Workshop
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.
Monthly Visitor: Pelvic Floor Class w/Dr. Rachael Paszko
This workshop series kicks-off with a basic course on pelvic floor anatomy, common issues such as stress/ urge incontinence, and pelvic pain.
WE (7/2), 6:30pm, Period Nirvana, 315 Haywood Rd, Unit 113
TH (7/10), noon, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave 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 (7/10), 5:30pm, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave
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 (7/2), 8:30pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave
Anthony Dyer Presents Moon Child: The Roots & Wings of USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator For those who have known war, for those who have battled addiction, and for those still finding their way-Moon Child is your story, too.
SA (7/5), 3pm, 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 (7/7), 6:30pm, Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd Ste 1200
THEATER & FILM
Beautfiul: The Carole King Musical
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.
WE (7/2), TH (7/3), FR (7/4), SA (7/5), 7:30pm, Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock
A Midsummer Night's Dream
This play takes place in a mystical forest, where a group of fairies interfere with the romantic entanglements of four young lovers and a troupe of actors, creating both chaos and comedy, as they attempt to navigate love’s enchantments and illusions. See p32
FR (7/4), SA (7/5), SU (7/6), 7:30pm, Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St
Asheville Magic Experience: Parlor in the Palm
This night will feature a magic performance from two fine magicians in a speakeasy setting.
See p32 FR (7/4), 7pm and 10pm, Fitz and the Wolfe, 1 Battery Park Ave
Disney's The Little Mermaid Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above,
bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But, the bargain is not what it seems.
FR (7/4), SA (7/5), SU (7/6), 2:30pm, Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E Walnut St
Ripcord
A sharp-witted comedy about two senior roommates whose escalating prank war reveals deeper truths about friendship, loss, and resilience.
FR (7/4), SA (7/5), TH (7/10), 7:30pm, SU (7/6), 2pm, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville
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 (7/7), 7pm, Eda's Hide-a-Way, 1098 New Stock Rd, Weaverville
Empathy & Comedy w/Jay Brown Jay Brown will be pairing music to silent Charlie Chaplin films. He will feature 2 short Charlie Chaplin films and perform a solo set.
TH (7/10), 8pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain
MEETINGS & PROGRAMS
Plant Clinic Master Gardener volunteers will be available to answer all of your gardening questions and address your related concerns.
WE (7/2), 3pm, Weaverville Tailgate Market, 60 Lake Shore Dr Weaverville
Prayer & the Power of Holding Space
This is your opportunity to explore spiritual practice in a new light and discover the incredible power of prayer—both for yourself and for others.
WE (7/2), 6:30pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way
Schleich: Bag Tag
Make & Take Kids and families are invited to design and take home their very own Schleich bag tag. This event is first-come, first-served and limited to the first 100 participants each day.
SA (7/5), 10am and 5pm, WE (7/9), 10am, Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Blvd, Mill Spring
Summer Edible Plants w/Roots Marshall
This beginners' class will introduce you to edible Summer plants and how to find them in our local ecosystems. You will be able to sample the edible plants presented in this class.
SA (7/5), 10am, Asheville Botanical Garden, 151 WT Weaver Blvd.
Water Aerobics
This water-based workout is perfect for anyone looking to stay active and socialize in a supportive and enjoyable environment.
SA (7/5), 10am, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St
Coloring w/Cats
Take 50 minutes for yourself and cuddle with the panthers, meet other cat-lovers, and color a beautiful picture of a cat from our adult coloring books.
SU (7/6), 2pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd
Sound Bath & Gentle Flow
A gentle yoga flow that prepares your heart, mind, and body for deep relaxation to the live acoustic vibrations
MOUNTAIN XPRESS 2025
THANKS FOR VOTING!
of various instruments.
SU (7/6), 7pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd
Floral Arrangements for Those Needing a Smile
Random Acts of Flowers improves the emotional health and well-being of individuals in healthcare facilities by delivering recycled flowers, encouragement, and personal moments of kindness.
MO (7/7), 10am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
Summer Prosperity
Class
A transformative journey into spiritual abundance and prosperity consciousness! This powerful class is based on Edwene Gaines' The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity.
MO (7/7), 6pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way
What is This Thing We Call Practice
Venerable Soma Bhuti, an ordained Theravadan Monk, will share her wisdom on this thing we call practice. This evening will include meditation, teaching, and a chance to ask questions.
MO (7/7), 6:30pm, The Lodge at Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain
IBN Biz Lunch: Candler
All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts.
All About Butterflies & Moths w/Dr. David Ahrenholz
Dr. David Ahrenholz will lead the class in a survey of the major butterfly and moth groups, illustrated with his own brilliant photographs, gathered over decades of photographing lepidoptera across the US and tropical South America.
TU (7/8), 6pm, Asheville Botanical Garden, 151 WT Weaver Blvd.
Southside Cyber Wednesday
Dive into the exciting world of e-sports and gaming with friends and neighbors with two powerful PlayStation 5 consoles ready for action.
WE (7/9), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St
IBN Biz Lunch: Brevard & Pisgah Forest Incredible Business Networking, along with other business people and entrepreneurs like yourself.
A fun and interactive story time designed for children ages 18 months to 3 years.
WE (7/2, 9), 10:30am, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain
Black Cat Tales: Story Time w/Cats
A special after-school workshop where families with children
water + shiatsu = watsu
Enjoy a therapeutic aquatic practice that combines gentle movement and support in warm water, fostering deep relaxation and emotional healing.
WATSU® SESSIONS with Sarah Eisenstein NCLMBT #16530 certified watsu® practitioner (828)620-9861 saraheisenstein32@gmail.com covewatsu.com
Bring the heat
BY ASHLEY ENGLISH
You never forget your first (and hopefully last) experience with sun poisoning. Way back in 1995, during a spring break trip to Miami as a college freshman at UNC Asheville, my friend and I looked up at the overcast skies on a hazy March day and infamously mistook them to mean we could forgo application of sunscreen. We then proceeded to lounge poolside in our swimsuits in the South Florida midday sun.
In retrospect, it was a profoundly poor decision. Within hours, he and I discovered we were covered in full-body sunburns, began vomiting repeatedly and became so ill we could barely remain upright. To this day, I wince recalling the excruciatingly painful 12-hour drive home, plodding along the interstate back to the mountains. We took turns driving and crying — in a Volkswagen Rabbit stick shift, no less.
These days, I skew far more judiciously in my approach to sun exposure. Although vigilant yearround, during the summer months, when sunlight hours are longer and more skin is exposed, you’ll find me under the pool umbrella — or a large tree, if I’m creekside — slathered head to toe in sunscreen, sporting a sun hat and sunglasses and, more than likely, avoiding the sun altogether between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (Shoutout to my fellow late-day swimmers!).
COOL AS A CUCUMBER: Fresh cucumbers and aloe vera
My 8-year-old son is a redhead, so even greater care is exercised in keeping him safe from summer’s punishing sun.
Here’s hoping my extreme misfortune serves as a cautionary tale. In the event you or yours find yourselves a bit more scorched than preferred, consider making up a batch of homemade Sunburn Soother . It comes together in a snap with easily sourced ingredients (many local Latin foods stores and grocery stores carry fresh aloe vera leaves, although bottled works equally well).
Compounds in aloe vera gel provide anti-inflammatory benefits as they soothe and moisturize the skin, as well as work toward preventing peeling. Chemicals in cucumbers assist in reducing swelling and speeding up wound healing. A wee bit of lavender essential oil rounds out the mixture, providing anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antibiotic properties, all helpful for soothing dry, irritated, sensitive skin.
I also make sure to stay hydrated when the mercury soars. Most summer mornings, after I’ve quieted the chorus of cats and dogs excitedly requesting their breakfasts, I make up a batch of my Electrolyte Replenisher. During warm weather, we sweat more, resulting in greater loss of electrolytes. These minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, are essential for supporting a number of bodily functions, such as those of the heart, nerves and muscles.
Easily made with items likely already in your kitchen, this hydrating beverage replaces nutrients lost in summer’s swelter. Combine water with lemons (for flavor), sea salt (for electrolyte replacement) and maple syrup or
honey (for an easily assimilable form of energy), and sip away throughout the day. Keep in mind that this blend is also helpful for other instances of fluid loss, such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Summer in Western North Carolina is a time of profound beauty and fun. Be safe, stay hydrated and keep an attentive eye on your sun exposure, and you’ll be making all the right memories to last a lifetime.
Sunburn soother
Yield: 1 application
Frequency of use: Repeat application up to twice daily.
Storage: Do not store.
Use immediately.
You will need:
¼ cup aloe vera gel, store-bought or from a plant ½ cup chopped cucumber (including peel and seeds)
Five drops lavender essential oil
To prepare:
• Place the aloe vera gel, cucumber and lavender essential oil in a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth.
• Using clean fingertips, spread the mixture liberally over the sunburned area.
• Leave the mixture on for 20 to 30 minutes. You may want to wrap up in an old sheet or large towel, so that you can sit or lie down and relax.
• To remove, rinse well with cool water and pat skin with a dry towel. Apply moisturizer of your choice. Do your best to keep the area out of sunlight for at least one or two days.
Tip: If the sunburned area is large, you might want to double or triple the ingredient quantities
Electrolyte replenisher
Yield: About 4 cups
Frequency of use: Consume as needed throughout the day, drinking up to 8 cups daily.
Storage: Store in the refrigerator and use within three to five days.
You will need:
4 cups cold water
Juice from two lemons
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
*Feel free to swap out the lemons for limes or oranges.
To prepare:
• Place the water, lemon juice, sea salt and maple syrup or honey in a jar. Cover with a lid and shake vigorously until fully combined.
• Consume throughout the course of a day, especially after any vigorous activity or lengthy sun exposure. X
ARTS & CULTURE
Healing words
BY JUSTIN M c GUIRE
jmcguire@mountainx.com
For nearly five decades after he returned to Western North Carolina from Vietnam, David Rozzell rarely spoke about his time as an Army combat medic.
Not to his wife. Not to his sisters. Not to his niece.
So family members knew something had changed when he started wearing a “Vietnam Veteran” baseball cap in 2014.
“He had never, ever even acknowledged that he had been there,” says his sister, Terri Brooks . “It was like he was finally admitting to the world that he had been in the war.”
The transformation came shortly after Rozzell started participating in a writing program at the Charles George VA Medical Center. The project, led by then-N.C. Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti and Department of Veterans Affairs physician Bruce Kelly , invited Vietnam combat veterans to process their trauma through writing.
“They got together regularly to write and workshop,” says Rozzell's niece Jody Brooks , who teaches writing at Georgia State University. “He would send me drafts of those stories as he was working on that.”
When Rozzell died in 2022, his family inherited binders, thumb drives and three laptops full of his writing over the years. Working with Rozzell’s widow and other relatives, Jody Brooks took on the task of organizing and refining the scattered work.
Now a collection of those writings has been published as Troubled Sleep . Released by Redhawk Publications in April, the memoir offers a firsthand account of Rozzell’s time as a field medic in 1969 and 1970, his experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when he came home and his long journey toward emotional recovery.
Bathanti, who helped edit the book and previously wrote the
Vietnam veteran reveals silent struggles in posthumous memoir
PATH TOWARD HEALING: After decades of silence about his time as a Vietnam combat medic, the late David Rozzell began writing as a path to healing. His posthumous memoir, Troubled Sleep, which came out in April, traces the war’s deep emotional toll and his quiet search for peace. Photo courtesy of Terri Brooks
introduction to Rozzell’s father’s World War II memoirs, says Troubled Sleep is extraordinary.
“It’s not just about war,” explains Bathanti, an English professor at Appalachian State University. “It’s about what happens after; about coming home and trying to live a decent life, day after day.”
‘ COVERED IN BLOOD’
Rozzell, big brother to three adoring sisters, graduated from Charles D. Owen High School in Black Mountain in 1964 and went on to earn an agronomy degree from N.C. State University in 1968.
He was married in June 1967 to his first wife, Barbara , while still attending college. Barbara
Like so many combat veterans of his generation, he returned to a country that didn't seem to welcome him or understand the burden he carried. Though he remained close to his family, the war was a closed chapter. “I knew that it was very painful for him,” Terri Brooks says. “So that just never was discussed. It was something that he kept inside for all those years afterwards.”
Judy Rozzell , who married David in 1991, had a similar experience.
“I think he had a feeling that people who hadn’t been through what he had shouldn’t be subjected to the trauma of it,” says Judy, an Asheville native who met David after returning to Western North Carolina from veterinary school. “He’d say, ‘You don’t want to know. You don’t need to know.’”
The toll of his time in the war affected him in his day-to-day life and gave the memoir its title. “Sleeping normally was very difficult for him because of nightmares,” Judy recalls, and the aftereffects of poor sleep lingered.
gave birth to a daughter, Amy , in December 1968.
The following year, Rozzell was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Vietnam to serve as a combat medic with C Company, 15th Medical Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division.
“That he would be drafted was just foreign to all of us,” says his sister Terri Brooks. “He had a degree, a job and a baby daughter. And it really hit him that it was totally unfair.”
In Vietnam, Rozzell was thrust into life-or-death situations daily, many far beyond his training as a medic. “He was performing surgeries he didn’t know how to do,” his sister explains. “Either he did them or this person was going to die. And I think that really, really messed his mental balance up.”
Or as Bathanti puts it: “He was covered in blood, quite literally."
Rozzell received the National Service Medal, Sharpshooter Medal, Combat Medical Badge and the Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Stars.
He came back from Vietnam in 1970, but the war never really let him go.
Though David wrote constantly even before joining the writing group, he didn’t discuss the contents. “I think it was a way of trying to exorcise the thing, put it on paper,” his wife explains.
HEALING THROUGH WRITING
Bathanti, who served as N.C. Poet Laureate from 2012-14, chose veteran writing as his signature initiative. Though not a veteran himself, he partnered with Kelly to offer creative writing sessions to a small group of Vietnam veterans coping with PTSD.
“They were all pretty suspicious at first,” Bathanti recalls. “But they kept coming back.”
Rozzell was among the first participants in the writing program and quickly emerged as a “quiet leader” of the group, Bathanti says. Rozzell led not by dominating but by encouraging others, building trust and modeling vulnerability through his own writing.
“He had a wonderful sense of humor and was deeply empathetic,” Bathanti says.
The veterans who joined the program, most of them from small, rural communities in WNC, shared
a deep bond. Many had returned home decades earlier to a hostile public reception and had remained isolated for years. The writing workshops offered them not just a creative outlet but also community, validation and healing.
“It was a very safe harbor for them,” Terri Brooks says. “They all spoke the same language. After David started in the program, he just walked lighter. He just seemed more open to taking on the day.”
The program helped Rozzell not only recall and process painful memories but also begin to shape them into something meaningful. Over time, his writing became more vivid and more confident, says his niece Jody Brooks. “He was proud of the work. He enjoyed the work. I think there was a lot of healing that happened around those workshop tables with all those veterans.”
PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER
After Rozzell died in 2022, his family took on the difficult, often emotional task of transforming his voluminous writings into a finished book.
“We promised him we’d get his book published,” Terri Brooks says. “He had talked to us about the vision he had for it.”
Rozzell had begun shaping his work into a loose chronological arc, but organizing it into a cohesive memoir took months of sleuthing and sorting. He left his family a scattered archive in his Old Fort home, including three laptops, multiple thumb drives and two three-ring binders. What he didn’t leave behind were the passwords to the laptops.
Terri Brooks and her husband, Joe , finally cracked the case when they tried a password they knew David had used on Ancestory.com. “We just blundered into it,” she says with a laugh.
Once inside the laptops, they found multiple versions of the same stories, each saved under a different name. A single story might be shown as four separate entries, Terri Brooks explains, so just making sure they had identified Rozzell's final version of each story took months of work.
And some of the writing was unrelated to his time in Vietnam,
further complicating the task, Judy Rozzell says.
Jody Brooks led the editorial process. “My job was just curating and organizing on the global level,” she says. She worked to preserve Rozzell's voice while gently refining the structure. She noted that trauma shaped his language: “He relied heavily on ‘to be’ verbs and overused modifiers. ... The alternative is to really sit down and go back there in your memory.”
Each night, she worked on the manuscript. “It was very soothing, like meditation or my way of grieving,” she says. “Now I have this thing in my hand that is Uncle David.”
HONESTY AND HUMOR
Bathanti says the finished Troubled Sleep brings the veteran’s experience to life for the reader. He points to a vivid example: Rozzell’s story about his first Christmas in Vietnam, when helicopters played holiday music overhead. “In some ways that was comforting," Bathanti notes. “It was also terribly sad, terribly ironic because it really wasn’t like sitting in your house around the turkey with a fire roaring and the Christmas tree lights on.”
Bathanti also highlights a chapter called “What Healing Looks Like,” in which Rozzell uses the metaphor of a locked door to represent the hypervigilance that haunts many veterans. “The door slowly being unlocked as a result of the growth he felt through writing is just brilliant,” he says.
The professor also notes a recurring character named Monk, a stand-in for Rozzells’ real commanding officer, who appears in several stories blending fact and fiction.
What makes the book powerful, Bathanti says, is its honesty. “David was very upfront about how his time in Vietnam as a medic had just undone him in a lot of ways, yet he wrote with a great sense of humor,” he says.
For Judy Rozzell, holding the finished book in her hands was powerful and emotional. She had read some of David’s work while he was alive, mostly as a proofreader after he joined the writing group. But seeing it collected, edited and printed after his death was different.
“It did help me understand him better,” she says. “I feel like he would be grateful to the sisters and me and know that we didn’t let him down, even though he didn’t make it to the finish line with this one.”
Terri Brooks had a similar experience.
“Reading the finished product, it became a piece of literature,” she says. “Very different than reading it to make corrections. Learning about his day-to-day life and the encounters that he had and how he handled everything, it became almost like watching episodes of ‘M*A*S*H.’’
David didn't write about “blood and guts and gore,” Brooks says. Instead, she says, his memoir focuses on kindness and empathy.
Jody Brooks hopes readers gain a deeper understanding of the realities of combat and the lingering problem of PTSD.
“The last time I spoke to him, he made me promise, ‘This isn’t about me, it’s about more than me. It’s about mental health. It’s about the effect that that has not only on the person coming back from war, but on every single member of their family,’” she recalls.
For more information or to buy a copy of Troubled Sleep go to avl.mx/ewj. X
A Year in Beer
BY CHRISTOPHER ARBOR
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 epic trip to Eluvium Brewing Co. at avl.mx/ewm. See, when we traipsed into Hillman Beer in Biltmore Village, the first thing I noticed was that the joint was packed — packed like an Irish family reunion inside a submarine. No special event to draw these jokers in either — no trivia, karaoke or musical bingo. These mugs didn’t need an excuse to drink.
Me? I like my breweries the way I like my meals. Deserted. Crowds make me as nervous as dentist appointments, so I do my best to dodge ’em both. But this crowd? Something was different, see? For some reason I couldn’t yet put my finger on, I felt at ease — like a soldier after his commanding officer says … you know… “At ease.” What was going on here? Lines moved like commuter trains in summer — quickly, warmly and filled with familiar faces. Not only did folks know their orders before they hit the
Hard-boiled and ice-cold at Hillman Beer
“This is the 25th this year,” I told him, while sipping an IPA as hazy as my memory.
“This year?” he asked.
“All right,” I cracked. “No need for the third degree. I’ll tell you. But don’t go publishing this in the newspaper or nothing.”
Then I spilled the beans like a 4-year-old at a Fourth of July barbecue: This gang of ours? We haven’t been doing this for months. We’ve been doing it for years. Years, I tell ya.
YEAR BINEER
NEITHER HERE NOIR THERE: David Stavros, left, and Brad Herling are on the trail of tasty brews and face-to-face conversations at Hillman Beer. Photo by
Christopher Arbor
counter, but they knew the names of the bartenders.
Nobody blocked aisles. Conversations stayed tight to the tables. Phones were nowhere in sight. No selfies. No staged toasts. No influencers mugging for the algorithm. Just people. Real ones, see? The kind that make eye contact, not content.
Then the truth slapped me in the face like the back of a bookie’s hand. This place was missing something, but it was addition by subtraction.
A La Carte
Bringing us this installment of “A La Carte” is Annelise — aka DJ Lil Meow Meow. Besides being one of Asheville's favorite DJs, she spent nearly eight years as general manager at Harvest Records before transitioning this spring to the role of general manager at local radio station 103.3
Near as I could tell, every mug in this joint had something in common. Not a one of them was a tourist. They were all locals.
Wait. No. Not just locals. Regulars.
Even though the sky was holding back rain like a silver medalist holding back tears, the Year in Beer gang gathered outside and out back of the brewery — 14 of us, including a new fella, Doug, whom I dug.
“How many breweries have you hit now?” he asked.
We started at the Wedge at Foundation four full years ago and have gathered every Wednesday since, unless it falls on a major holiday like Christmas or Humphrey Bogart’s birthday. So this here visit to Hillman is our 200th Wednesday gathering. Not bad, eh?
Hillman Beer, by the way, has more locations than I have illegitimate children. Two. Old Fort’s got one, and the one I was standing in is the other.
I should say: I have no illegitimate children. That I know of. Oh, and I actually do go to the dentist. Regularly.
Cheers to regular regulars staying regular on the regular.
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.
July 2: Turgua Brewing in Fairview
July 9: All Sevens Brewhouse at Westville Pub X
Filipinx fruit and tacos de pastor with DJ Lil Meow Meow
national treasure. I recommend it for a special occasion or a weeknight when you’re willing to take a gamble on a walk-up to try a couple of small plates (just make sure one of them is the fruit).
DISHING IT OUT: Annelise Kopp — aka DJ Lil Meow Meow — discusses her two favorite local dishes. Photo courtesy of Kopp
When I was asked to write about one of my favorite dishes in Asheville, my mind immediately went to two places: the seasonal fruit plate at Neng Jr.’s and the tacos de pastor at Tamaleria y Tortilleria Molina.
Tucked in a ba ck alley in West Asheville, Neng Jr.’s has become a
The fruits change seasonally, so they’re always fresh and perfectly ripened. Most recently, my order featured cameo apple, Korean pear, Anju pear, mandarin, mango, and kara kara oranges. The fruits are dressed with olive oil and served with a savory, slightly spicy dip with fish sauce. You get to taste every individual note, experience every texture and dress each bite to your liking, experimenting with the balance. I know fruit might seem like an unusual favorite dish, but this plate lets the
fresh, natural flavors shine and is one I return to every visit.
Tamaleria y Tortilleria Molina on Patton Avenue is an undeniable local gem. This place makes all of its tamales and tortillas in house (as the name suggests) and prepares some of the best tacos in the Asheville area. Get yourself a taco de pastor, taco de birria and taco de asada, and you will be in for a real treat (the pastor is my personal favorite). They’re served up street style, with onion, cilantro and salsas on the side. Complete your order with a Mineragua (or a flavored Jarritos if you need a sweet fix) and enjoy!
Hope to see you at one of these spots soon! X
Around Town Independence Day celebrations and more
BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN
earnaudin@mountainx.com
The second half of 2025 is officially here, and with it a holiday that pretty much everyone who's not a dog and/ or has to wake up early the next day enjoys. So raise your sparklers high and check out these area events:
• The Asheville Downtown Association’s Independence Day Block Party returns to the South Slope on Friday, July 4, 5-10 p.m. The free, family-friendly celebration spans Coxe, Banks and Buxton avenues, all of which will be a pedestrian-only zone. Offerings include live music at Asheville Yards, Ultimate Air Dogs dock-diving shows, a curated marketplace of local makers and a variety of food trucks and craft beverage vendors. Asheville’s official fireworks display will commence at 9:30 p.m. and be visible across the South Slope. To learn more, visit avl.mx/ewe.
• Over at Lake Julian Park, Buncombe County Parks & Recreation’s annual Independence Day festivities run 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Food trucks will be on site 2-9 p.m., and live music from the Fuzzy Peppers begins at 4 p.m. July 4 is also North Carolina’s yearly free fishing day, which permits everyone to fish in public waters without a license. All other fishing regulations (including bait and tackle restrictions) still apply. The fireworks presentation is scheduled to start just after dark, approximately 9:15 p.m. Free to attend. To learn more, visit avl.mx/ewf.
• Multiple free concerts are scheduled on July 4. Grateful Dead tribute band Phuncle Sam performs at Highland Brewing Co., 1-4 p.m.; Pink Floyd tribute band Pinkish Floyd plays at Mills River Brewing Co., 6:30-9:30 p.m.; and the Land of the Sky Symphonic Band takes to the White Horse Black Mountain stage at 7:30 p.m.
• For revelers age 21 and older, the Hilltop Event Center, 21 Restaurant Court, presents Blue Ridge Drag Bingo’s Red, White and Bingo fundraising bash at 7 p.m. Divine the Bearded Lady hosts, and according to a press release, attendees can expect “six
PARTY PEOPLE: Asheville Downtown Association’s Independence Day Block Party returns to the South Slope on Friday, July 4, 5-10 p.m. Photo courtesy of ADA
rounds of firework-worthy bingo, fabulous prizes and tunes hotter than a midsummer night’s sequin.”
Tickets start at $20, and proceeds will go to Our VOICE, “whose mission is to inspire hope and healing while ending sexual violence and human trafficking in the community through education, counseling and advocacy.” To learn more, visit avl.mx/ewg.
• Additional listings can be found on Page 18.
SHEPHERD PUBLISHES NEW PUMPKIN QUEEN BOOK
Following her 2023 novel Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, written in celebration of the film's 30th anniversary, local author Megan Shepherd remains in the film’s rich world for her next book, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen, which will be published Tuesday, July 8. The book follows rag doll Sally Skellington and her apprentice, Luna, as they’re sent through a portal to Time Town and must solve a mystery to save their home Halloween Town and the people they love.
On July 8 at 6 p.m. at Malaprop’s, Shepherd will be in conversation with her husband, Jesse Shepherd, to talk about Hour of the Pumpkin Queen
And on Saturday, July 12, she’ll be at Highland Books in Brevard, 10 a.m.noon, to sign copies of the book. Both events are free to attend. To register to attend the Malaprop’s event in-person or virtually, visit avl.mx/ewh Details on the Highland Books event are at avl.mx/xmasjbv.
MARS HILL UNIVERSITY HOSTS NEW EXHIBITION
The Madison County Arts Council’s FRESH:ReFRESH exhibition features new work in a range of mediums by 42 local and regional artists. The show opened June 27 in Mars Hill University’s Weizenblatt Gallery in the Moore Fine Arts Building and will be on display through Friday, Aug. 1. It’s the second consecutive year that the arts council and Mars Hill University have collaborated on this themed offering. The 2025 edition includes painting, photography, sculpture, music, mixed media, fiber and glass creations. Free to attend. To learn more, visit avl.mx/ewi
GEORGE MASA BOOK WINS REGIONAL AWARDS
Smokies Life’s 2024 publication George Masa: A Life Reimagined recently received the 2024 North
Carolina Society Book Award and a 2025 Award of Excellence from the East Tennessee Historical Society. The book is written by Cornell University librarian Janet McCue and Asheville-based documentary filmmaker Paul Bonesteel (director of the 2003 film, The Mystery of George Masa). According to a press release, it’s “the first comprehensively researched biography of the visionary Japanese photographer whose dedication to art and conservation helped spur the national park movement in the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as the creation of the Appalachian Trail.” To learn more about Smokies Life, visit avl.mx/ewn
ASO NAMES ALLEN, TSO NEW CONCERTMASTERS
The Asheville Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has appointed Brian Allen as its first concertmaster, beginning with the 2025-26 season. He currently serves as principal second violinist of the Hilton Head [S.C.] Symphony Orchestra and recently held a one-year contract with the St. Louis Symphony.
ASO has also appointed Jackie Tso as its first second concertmaster, and she will likewise start that role in the 2025-26 season. The violinist has performed as a soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Beijing Broadcasting Orchestra and the Santa Fe Concert Association Orchestra.
According to a press release, Allen and Tso “will serve as the orchestra’s principal musicians and play a critical leadership role within the ensemble. In addition to leading the first violin section, the concertmaster will work closely with Asheville Symphony Music Director Darko Butorac to shape the orchestra’s artistic direction.” To learn more, visit avl.mx/ewo X
WHAT’S NEW IN FOOD
by Gina Smith | gsmith@mountainx.com
Heritage Fire
The Heritage Fire tour brings its annual outdoor, live-fire culinary experience to The Horse Shoe Farm in Hendersonville 4:15-7 p.m. Sunday, July 13. Among the 20 local chefs cooking for the event are Sujitra Chubthaisong of Thai Pearl, Mike Reppert of The Blackbird, Rakim Gaines of Capella on 9, Austin Tisdale of Wildwood Still, Alex Baxevanis of Feta Flav Greek Taverna, Jason Sweeney of Asheville Proper and Alejandra Vidal Tenorio of Mountain Madre. Attendees can sample each dish to vote for the “Best Bite of the Day.”
Guests must be 21 or older. General admission tickets that include all food, drinks and entertainment are $125. VIP tickets with early admission and exclusive drink pours are $175. The Horse Shoe Farm is at 155 Horse Shoe Farm Drive, Hendersonville. Tickets are available at avl.mx/dux. X
Finest Updates
Popular among Asheville tailgate market regulars for its sandwiches and soups, Finest is close to launching its brick-and-mortar deli at 794 Haywood Road. “The space is moving along, and they’re looking to open in August,” says Finest spokesperson Thien-Y Hoang. In the meantime, co-owners Mike Bean, Gabriela Bonfiglio, Erin O’Keefe and David Toporek are keeping busy with popup events and partnered with the River Arts District Farmers Market to offer a private dinner at nonprofit Bountiful Cities’ recent Birdhouse Auction with the goal of supporting area farmers impacted by the defunding of North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilots (HOP) program.
Dim sum pop-up
Though pastry chef and longtime Western North Carolina spends most of each year in Italy these days, she’s committed to making flavorful use of her annual summer visits to Asheville. Morrisey’s vegan dim sum pop-up, A Little Dim, was born last summer as a multicourse, seated ’ West Asheville restaurant, Simple. This summer, A Little Dim is popping up more casually noon-6 p.m. Sundays through July 20 in the parking lot at
“Dim sum is something I’ve always been obsessed with, but there just aren’t a lot of good vegetarian or vegan options for that,” says Morrisey. “It’s something I love because of working with dough and my relationship with that.”
Topping A Little Dim’s compact menu is a set of three steamed kale, beet and mushroom dumplings with tahini soy ginger sauce and a variety of pickles. Other choices include brunch bao with tofu scramble and a matcha mochi filled with coconut, lime and lemongrass ice cream. A sampler platter features a little of everything for a suggested donation of $16. Morrisey says guests can order their food outside and take it inside Fleetwood’s For updates, follow A Little Dim on Instagram at avl.mx/ewu. X
After opening, says Hoang, Finest will pursue collaborations with local farms, including community supported agriculture box programs and farmer-led cooking classes and plans to host the YMCA of Western North Carolina’s free mobile food markets. For updates, follow Finest on Instagram at avl.mx/ewv. X
Brunch at Farm Burger South
Farm Burger’s South Asheville location recent- ly announced the launch of a new brunch menu. Available 11 a.m.-3 p.m. aSundays,themenuincludes biscuit with butter and strawberry jam, chick- en biscuit and the Farm Goddess Bowl with sweet potato hash, kale, Hickory Nut Gap Farm chorizo and a sunny-side-up egg topped with feta cheese and green goddess dressing. Farm Burger South is at 1831 Hendersonville Road. For more information, visit avl.mx/eww. X
Photo from 2024 Heritage Fire courtesy of The Horse Shoe Farm
Photo of Melissa Morrisey courtesy of the chef
Photo courtesy of Farm Burger
Hallowed grounds
Deep Time Café serves coffee and second chances in West Asheville
BY KAY WEST
There’s nothing unusual about congregants at houses of worship sitting down for a class, meeting or community meal with a cup of coffee in hand. Rarely is the coffee source as close as at Trinity United Methodist Church (TUMC) in West Asheville.
Inside that Haywood Road landmark, Deep Time — a company conceived to employ people impacted by incarceration — roasts and packages a dozen blends of coffee. And on May 25, the roastery opened Deep Time Café with a menu of hot and cold specialty coffee and tea drinks. On Saturday, July 5, noon-5 p.m. at the church, Deep Time will celebrate its first weeks in business with Second Chance Fest, featuring live music, vendors, food and, of course, coffee.
Dustin Mailman, associate pastor of TUMC and founding pastor of Deep Time, applied his interest in home roasting to his desire to make a difference in the lives of unsheltered people he had met through work at Haywood Street Congregation and TUMC.
“I saw five main reasons people struggled with homelessness,” he explains. “Mental illness, active addiction, a lapse in connections, systemic realities such as racism and recidivism.”
He identified recidivism as something he could wrestle with in a meaningful way by creating a company that could overcome barriers to employment common to the formerly incarcerated. “Coffee is an industry in Asheville that will always be popular,” he says. “I was already roasting at home and selling bags to raise funds to distribute to people in West Asheville with chronic needs.”
He worked out a deal with Cooperative Coffee to acquire a 6-kilogram roaster and got approval from Trinity to begin roasting in the building. Deep Time officially launched July 1, 2023.
On the recommendation of a community adviser, Gene Ettison, Mailman hired Timothy “GA” Underwood, who was settling in West Asheville after 15 years of incarceration. Underwood immediately took to the craft, says Mailman, and now claims the title of best roaster on
BREWING OPPORTUNITY: Pictured from left, Deep Time coffee roaster Timothy "GA" Underwood, café worker Shilone and founder Dustin Mailman are part of the team working to create quality drinks and offer employment options to formerly incarcerated residents. Photo by Chad Truitt
staff. “GA is a huge part of the Deep Time DNA.”
Mercy Rodriguez and Lindsey Hensley are two other core members of the staff.
Together, they have preached the gospel of Deep Time one cup at a time through festivals, pop-ups and word-of-mouth. Haywood Street Congregation serves hundreds of cups of Deep Time coffee during its Wednesday Welcome Table meals, and other churches, organizations and Haywood Road neighbors, including coffee shop Haywood Famous, are roastery customers, he says.
Deep Time also markets its blends online, offers a subscription service and has a popular line of merchandise — including T-shirts, hoodies, mugs and hats — designed by people who have lived experience with incarceration.
As Deep Time continued to grow, the idea emerged to open a café For decades, the now-disbanded Mary Mann Sunday school class at Trinity UMC, was thought to be the largest in Buncombe County, with well over 100 weekly attendees. “I proposed that a café could continue the legacy of what that room meant to this church,” says Mailman. “The living members of that class gave
us permission, and the community pitched in.”
Ground Up LLC, another company that hires formerly incarcerated individuals, built the bar, laid flooring and painted the walls. Booths were reclaimed from Tastee Diner (now Hail Mary restaurant), parishioners donated furnishings, and Deep Time supporter and artist Henry YG Miles painted a mural featuring the phrase “Deep time, not hard time” with images of coffee beans representing every blend.
“Hard time is what people call incarceration,” says Mailman. “Deep time is where we find salvation in a community of interconnectedness where there is no us or them, just us.”
Second Chance Fest will celebrate other second-chance employers, community partners and creatives who have turned their lives around. “The goal is to amplify the voices and brilliance of returning citizens and dismantle the silos that exist between community-based organizations,” Mailman says.
Deep Time Café is open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday at 587 Haywood Road. For more information and to order bags of coffee, visit avl.mx/eu3. For more on Second Chance Fest, follow Deep Time on Instagram at avl.mx/ewd. X
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SMART BETS
by Edwin Arnaudin | earnaudin@mountainx.com
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Parlor in the Palm
William Shakespeare’s plays lend themselves to modern interpretations as few theatrical works can, and the Montford Park Players are famous for taking The Bard’s writing and having fun with it at Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. That’s the case with the company’s presentation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which director Glenna Grant is setting in 1999, complete with a nostalgic, era-appropriate soundtrack that she hopes “will have everyone in the audience shrieking in delight before they compulsively sing along.”
“Midsummer is the best kind of comfort food,” Grant says. “It feels like all the best — and worst — parts of being a teenager. You're teetering on the razor edge between childhood and adulthood; you feel everything so strongly all of the time. It's scary and exhilarating and embarrassing and funny and heartbreaking. I want to capture that feeling in a play.”
The cast includes Paula O’Brien as Titania, Kai Strange as Puck, Sarah Felmet as Theseus and Carly “Goober” Berdine as Bottom. Opening night is Friday, July 4, at 7:30 p.m., and performances run Fridays-Sundays through Aug. 2. Free to attend. To learn more, visit avl.mx/ewr. X
Katherine Scott Crawford & Elizabeth Kostova
Independence Day fireworks are pretty much always magical to behold. Tapping in to that otherworldly power, the Asheville Magic Company debuts its Parlor in the Palm speakeasy-style magic experience in shows before and after the downtown explosions in the sky on Friday, July 4, at Fitz and the Wolfe’s Palm Room. At 7 and 10 p.m., while audience members sip a free signature cocktail or mocktail, visiting magician Jeff Corn and Ashevillebased Doc Docherty will perform close-up magic for 45 minutes, followed by a 70-minute feature performance.
Tickets are $50, and the event is limited to attendees age 21 and older. According to a press release, this event “has extremely limited seating to preserve its atmosphere of secrecy and sophistication.” To learn more, visit avl.mx/ewp. X
The Resonance Sessions vinyl release show
A quarter-century into its storied history, UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program (GSWP) continues to evolve. On Saturday, July 12, at 7 p.m. in the Blue Ridge Room of UNCA’s Highsmith Student Union, the program presents its inaugural Keynote Lecture, featuring Brevard-based author Katherine Scott Crawford. She will read from her new novel, The Miniaturist’s Assistant, and be joined
onstage by Asheville-based bestselling novelist Elizabeth Kostova (The Shadow Land) for a conversation about the book and life as a writer. Refreshments will be provided.
Tickets are $15 for admission, $33 for admission and a copy of The Miniaturist’s Assistant or The Shadow Land, and $53 for admission and a copy of each book. To learn more, visit avl.mx/ewq X
In the cover story from Xpress’ Feb. 26 print edition, readers learned about The Resonance Sessions, a collection of songs recorded in the Old Marshall Jail’s stairwell last October to benefit artists impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. Now that the album’s vinyl edition is ready, the project’s organizers are holding a release party on Saturday, July 5, at 4 p.m., on the Zadie’s Market patio in downtown Marshall.
The event features performances by a selection of Resonance Sessions artists, including a set of Dr. Dog songs performed by Scott McMicken and Lil Frankie (Becca Nicholson, Alyse Baca and Dulci Ellenberger); a collaborative
set by Slow Packer, Night Walks and Zack Kardon; plus Slow Runner, Casey Driessen, Sarah "Songbird" Burkey, Ryan O'Keefe (of River Whyless) and the High Divers.
“We hope that people near and far will come join us in Marshall on the 5th to see how far things have come along since we recorded these songs in the destroyed husk of the very same building,” says co-organizer Clay White “And to also see how far Marshall still has to go in its rebuilding process.”
Free to attend. Vinyl records will available to purchase as will food and drinks from Zadie’s. To learn more, visit avl.mx/ej6. X
Photo by Kristi DeVille
Photo of Doc Docherty courtesy of the artist
From left, Clay White, Scott McMicken and Kevin Williams. Photo by Luke Mitchell
Katherine Scott Crawford, left, and Elizabeth Kostova. Photo courtesy of the authors
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2
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
ELUVIUM BREWERY
The Candleers (country), 5pm
EULOGY
Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol w/Tongues of Fire (rock'n'roll, noiserock), 8pm
FOOTHILLS GRANGE
Trivia Night, 6pm
FRENCH BROAD
RIVER BREWERY
• Bluegrass Jam
Wednesdays, 6:30pm
• Steel Pulse (reggae), 7pm
JACK OF THE WOOD PUB
Old Time Jam, 5pm
PULP
Bourbon N Beats w/ Herb Da Wizard (hiphop), 9pm
PISGAH BREWING
CO.
Tin Cup (folk), 6pm
SLY GROG LOUNGE
Weird Wednesday Open Jam, 7pm
THE GREY EAGLE
Three Wheels Turning (folk), 8pm
THE JOINT NEXT DOOR
Rod Sphere (soul, rock, reggae), 6pm
THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING
CO.
Well-Crafted Music Series: Amy Ray w/Jim Brock, Kerry Brooks & Adrian Carter (multigenre), 6pm
CLUBLAND
RED, WHITE & RAVE: On Friday, July 4, What The Dance brings Uncle Sam’s House Party to Asheville Music Hall, starting at 9 p.m. Billed as an EDM and house night, local house music DJs Just Nieman, Divine Thud and Nomad in the Dark will provide house, tech house and garage hits from other popular artists. Photos of Just Nieman and Divine Thud courtesy of Shot by Tato
THE ODD
Terraoke Karaoke Takeover, 9pm
THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC
HALL
The Sun Sippers (rock, reggae, dub), 10pm
THIRD ROOM
Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm
TWIN LEAF BREWERY Open Mic Night, 6pm
URBAN ORCHARD Wayward Trivia, 6:30pm
THURSDAY, JULY 3
12 BONES
SMOKEBOUSE & BREWING
Drayton Aldridge (jazz, swing, rock), 5:30pm
CROW & QUILL
Russ Wilson & The Kings of Jazz, 8pm
DSSOLVR
Hot Couch Karaoke w/ DJ BridalPartiBucardi, 9pm
EDA RHYNE DISTILLERY & TASTING ROOM
The Gilded Palace of Metamodern Sounds, 6pm
EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY
Bless Your Heart Trivia w/Harmon, 7pm
FITZ AND THE WOLFE
Kate Leigh Bryant (folk), 6pm
FLEETWOOD'S Tiny TVs, All Blissed Out & Petrichor (punk), 9pm
FLOOD GALLERY
True Home Open Mic, 6pm
FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY
Jerry's Dead Thursdays (Grateful Dead & JGB tribute), 6pm
JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7pm
ONE WORLD BREWING Splatt (country, folk, blues), 8pm
ONE WORLD
BREWING WEST
Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm
PISGAH BREWING CO.
Bridget Gossett Band (folk, rock, blues), 7:30pm
SHAKEY'S Karaoke w/Franco Nino, 9pm
STATIC AGE LOFT
Auto-Tune Karaoke w/ Who Gave This B*tch A Mic, 10pm
STATIC AGE RECORDS
Zastava, Soured & Motocrossed (rock'n'roll), 8:45pm THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.
Vaden Landers (country, blues, Appalachian), 6pm
THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL
Isaac Hadden's Thursday Throwdown (multi-genre), 9pm
TWIN LEAF BREWERY Trivia Night, 6:30pm
TWIN WILLOWS The Candleers (country), 6pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN The Jacktown Ramblers (bluegrass), 8pm WICKED WEED BREWING Andy Ferrell (folk, country, Appalachian), 5pm
FRIDAY, JULY 4
ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL
Uncle Sam’s House Party w/Just Nieman, Divine Thud & Nomad in the Dark (house, edm), 9pm COFFEE, ART, MUSIC TYPE PLACE Open Mic, 6pm CROW & QUILL DJ Dr. Filth (soul, R&B, jazz), 9pm
EULOGY House Party w/DJ teathyme (house, edm), 10pm
FITZ AND THE WOLFE Monster Wave (surfrock), 7pm
HEMINGWAY'S CUBA Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8pm
JACK OF THE WOOD
PUB
The Big Ole Band-oBam-a-Lam (lo-fi, pop, rock'n'roll), 8:30pm
ONE WORLD
BREWING
Hoto Mozambique (Americana), 8pm
ONE WORLD
BREWING WEST
Dr. Bacon w/Al Al & ASSociates (rock, funk, bluegrass), 9pm
