Mountain Xpress 08.20.25

FEATURES SPECIAL INSERT

BEST OF WNC PART ONE

This year’s Best of WNC celebrates many of the local businesses and individuals who faced overwhelming challenges in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene with tenacity, goodwill and grace. With almost 600 categories, we salute all who rolled up their sleeves, put on their hard hats and met the moment that we’re in.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Jeff Fobes

ASSISTANT PUBLISHER: Susan Hutchinson

MANAGING EDITOR: Thomas Calder

EDITORS: Gina Smith

OPINION EDITOR: Tracy Rose

STAFF REPORTERS: Thomas Calder, Brionna Dallara, Justin McGuire, Brooke Randle, Gina Smith

COMMUNITY CALENDAR & CLUBLAND: Braulio Pescador-Martinez

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Jon Elliston, Mindi Meltz Friedwald, Peter Gregutt, Rob Mikulak

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Christopher Arbor, Edwin Arnaudin, Danielle Arostegui, Mark Barrett, Eric Brown, Cayla Clark, Molly Devane, Ashley English, Mindi Meltz Friedwald, Troy Jackson, Carol Kaufman, Bill Kopp, Chloe Leiberman, Morgan L. Sykes, Jessica Wakeman, Kay West, Jamie Zane

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Caleb Johnson

ADVERTISING, ART & DESIGN MANAGER: Susan Hutchinson

LEAD DESIGNER: Scott Southwick

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Tina Gaafary, Caleb Johnson, Olivia Urban

MARKETING ASSOCIATES: Emily Baughman, Sara Brecht, Dave Gayler

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: Jeff Fobes, Mark Murphy, Scott Southwick

WEB: Brandon Tilley

BOOKKEEPER: Amie Fowler

OFFICE MANAGER: Mark Murphy

FRONT OFFICE: Caitlin Donovan, Lisa Watters

DISTRIBUTION: Susan Hutchinson, Kyle Ramser

DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS:

Israel

Joey Nash, Carl & Debbie Schweiger, Gary

Thumbs-up for restricting panhandling

[ Regarding “Public Safety Committee Advances Restricted Areas for Panhandling,” Aug. 1, Xpress:]

I agree with restricting panhandling in Asheville, especially on the side of roads and at stoplights! It is distracting and dangerous to have people approaching motor vehicles. In my opinion, a more efficient and compassionate way to help people in need is to donate directly to Homeward Bound, MANNA FoodBank or one of the homeless shelters in the area. I’d be in favor of a quick app or even a billboard letting people know how to help.

— Christine Page Asheville

Think safety for panhandling rules

[ Regarding “Public Safety Committee Advances Restricted Areas for Panhandling,” Aug. 1, Xpress:]

I was visiting my mom in Garner when this was announced: new rules for panhandling in Raleigh. You can read the article on ABC11.com; the title of the segment is “Panhandling, Loitering on Roads and Medians Prohibited in Raleigh Under New Ordinance.” I especially like that new signage would be going up at

Word of the week

felicitations (pl. noun) best wishes, as in congratulations

Merriam-Webster says this particular word is archaic, but we like old-fashioned words. Plus, it’s an appropriate selection for our 2025 Best of WNC, Part 1 edition. Our felicitations to all of this year’s winners! X

intersections letting people know you must have a permit and that there would be education through new units that have a social worker riding with an officer before enforcement.

I have come close to almost clipping several panhandlers on Tunnel Road, South Tunnel Road and Patton Avenue. I applaud the City Council for making it safe for everyone.

— Mary Graden Asheville

UNCA land plan begs for legal challenge

My experience as a member of Asheville’s City Council and a careful reading of North Carolina statutes suggest to me that the proposed dis-

posal of the 45-acre UNC Asheville land is illegal.

Public property worth more than $30,000 must be subject to one or another form of public notice and bidding. There is a narrow exception made for disposition of university land for student housing, but any pretense that the limited housing currently proposed is intended for students is an obvious lie. Even if that tiny portion of the scheme so qualified, it hardly covers the commercial deal with an outof-state, for-profit sports promoter. This travesty begs for an immediate legal challenge.

— Cecil Bothwell Asheville

Editor’s note: This letter was submitted before UNCA’s decision to “pause” the project. See Page 10 for more.

Political cartoon falls flat

So we got more mean insensitivity via Molton’s cartoon, mocking our North Carolina state elected representatives being nervous about their personal safety [“Government Grit,” July 30, Xpress]. Political violence has boomed against elected Democratic representatives and others who take an unfavorable stand to the current Republican regime, and that violence has directly been ignited by the hate media of the MAGA right and by the current fuhrer on his Truth Social propaganda machine.

Let’s view this cartoon in light of the horrible June murders and attacks on two Minnesota state representatives and their spouses in their own homes. The killer had a further target list of 45 state and federal elected Democratic officials found along with his firearms. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson said, “It’s only the most recent example of violent extremism in this country.” If you'd like to fact-check, you will find nearly all of these violent attacks are being aimed at Democrats.

So what is funny about that cartoon? What is anything short of cruel about that cartoon?

Mountain Xpress, I've often wondered why our own brilliant cartoonist, David Cohen, is not featured in your paper? Think about it?

— Sheila O’Brien Alexander Editor’s note: There seems to be room for more than one interpretation of the cartoon in question. We checked with cartoonist Randy Molton about the writer’s points, and he offered the following response: “If the reader took the time to actually read the cartoon, she would see that the wording from the mettle detector actually applauded them (saying they had guts or bravery) for staying in public office in spite of the violence. I thought it was rather clear.” X

CARTOON BY BRENT BROWN

Run for your life

Broadway’s a neighborhood street, not a highway

BY BILLY COONEY

Nearly every morning I cross Broadway at High Five Coffee on my way downtown. More often than not, the road is fairly empty, and I can take a leisurely stroll across all four lanes. But when there is traffic, it comes fast, so I have to make a run for it. There’s nothing to warn drivers to slow down or yield: It’s their space, not mine.

I could just keep walking along Broadway, but the narrow sidewalk puts me inches from tons of metal moving at breakneck speed. And once I get to the crossing at Merrimon, I’m presented with a 70-foot-long crosswalk that begins with a curved turn lane designed to keep cars moving as fast as possible. Once again, I’m forced to make a run for it — even if I have the green light. I could attempt to cross Broadway higher up, but there are no lights or crosswalks at many of those intersections.

I’m not the first person to be dismayed about the dangers of Broadway. Last year, someone painted “35 mph slow down” on the road surface in response to drivers routinely speeding along those very wide lanes. But once the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) became aware of this unsanctioned message, the agency painted over it.

Placing a crosswalk next to High Five would make sense. Lots of customers seem to come from Montford or the new townhomes across the street. Plenty more people have other reasons for crossing there, perhaps drawn by the three nearby grocery stores or the four new stores that have opened along Broadway south of Bordeau Place.

But this isn’t just my opinion. In fact, the National Association of City Transportation Officials’ Urban Street

Design Guide says, “On streets with higher volume (more than 3,000 vehicles per day), higher speeds (more than 20 mph), or more lanes (2+), crosswalks should be the norm at intersections.” By this measure, there should also be crosswalks at every other intersection along Broadway.

SO-CALLED JUDGMENT

There are two primary reasons for the lack of crosswalks. The first is state policy, as spelled out in a state Department of Transportation document titled “Standard Practice for In-Street Pedestrian Crossing Signs,” which states that such signs should not be used unless there’s “a minimum pedestrian crossing volume of 25 pedestrians per hour for at least four hours of a typical day.”

The same NCDOT document, however, states, “Excessive use of signs and pavement markings can substantially reduce the effectiveness and may lead to a false sense of security.” This logic essentially concedes that the road is dangerous, so why not just make it safe?

These guidelines can be superseded by what the NCDOT calls “engineering judgment.” In my professional experience, however, transportation engineers frequently exercise their “judgment” in ways that benefit drivers while selectively refraining from doing so for anything pedestrian- or bike-related.

On average, 6,000 to 8,000 cars per day travel on Broadway. That traffic volume calls for one lane in each direction — yet Broadway has two each way.

And with such light traffic, why devote 80% of the road space to vehicles?

The widening, which was carried out in two stages in the early ’90s, was highly

BILLY COONEY

“The narrow sidewalk puts me inches from tons of metal moving at breakneck speed.”

controversial at the time. A 1994 article in City Watch, a now-defunct publication about downtown Asheville, delves into the debate. It also explains that from the beginning, “One of the primary justifications … for the four-lane has been the desire to provide an appropriate link between UNCA and downtown,” though it’s unclear what “appropriate” even means here.

The push to widen Broadway also resulted from a deeply flawed projection of future traffic volumes. “In 1986, NCDOT’s environmental assessment predicted that up to 11,400 vehicles per day would travel Broadway by 1988,” the article states. And that projection is still wildly inaccurate almost 40 years later.

Traffic engineers seem to have no problem doing things that benefit drivers, even if they destroy the experience for everyone else. Give a road extra lanes that aren’t needed? No problem! Put a little paint on the road to help alert drivers that pedestrians may be running for their lives? Sorry, our hands are tied!

Bad data and faulty logic have produced a road that divides two neighborhoods without providing any connective infrastructure for pedestrians. Want to cross Broadway to hang with a friend or go shopping? The NCDOT’s message seems to be: Make a run for it!

PROMISING CHANGES

The recent development along Broadway is quickly making the road’s already flawed design feel even more out of place. Multiple apartment complexes have been built there, and more are on the way. Meanwhile, the former Moog building now houses businesses and art studios that are open to the public.

The increasingly urban feel of these new developments simply doesn’t fit with a four-lane highway: Those residents deserve a safe street right outside their front doors. Imagine trying to connect with your neighbor across the street when you’re divided by a fourlane speedway.

Previous planning documents anticipated this change. The 2002 Broadway Corridor Action Plan called for a collaboration between developers and the Planning Department: “In exchange for the creation of a district permitting a wider range of uses, developers would be required to build the type of buildings that relate to the street, create a pedestrian streetscape and define the boulevard as a gateway to the heart of Asheville.” The city would do its part by working with the NCDOT to install bike lanes along Broadway. Planners at the time were ambitious: They thought most of the recommendations could be accomplished within a few years, yet more than two decades later, there are still no bike lanes.

Ironically, the 2016 Asheville in Motion Mobility Plan calls for converting four lanes to two and using the extra space to create a protected two-way bike path. Keep in mind that the stretch of Merrimon that was recently reconfigured from four lanes to three carries up to 19,000 cars per day — more than twice Broadway’s volume. The Federal Highway Administration, not the most progressive governmental transportation agency, “advises that roadways with … 20,000 [vehicles per day] or less may be good candidates for a Road Diet and should be evaluated for feasibility.”

Clearly, Broadway’s a prime candidate, but despite all this, bike lanes apparently aren’t in the works anytime soon. Any improvement on a road within the DOT’s purview must first be included in the State Transportation Improvement Program, and Broadway bike lanes are not. City transportation staff members say they’ve been actively discussing potential pedestrian safety improvements on Broadway with NCDOT. I wasn’t able to get anyone from the state agency on the phone, but I certainly hope they concur with that goal.

Broadway deserves better. Far more than just a shortcut to UNCA from downtown, it’s a key thoroughfare in a growing neighborhood that could be entering a great new phase in its long history. How about we start with a crosswalk?

Asheville resident Billy Cooney is an urban planner whose work focuses on land-use and transportation policy. He serves on the Downtown Commission and occasionally writes about local planning topics. The views expressed here are his own. X

Fighting over democracy

BY BRIONNA DALLARA

bdallara@mountainx.com

In March, an email chain among friends alerted Mary Ford about a protest in front of the Haywood County courthouse. At 71 years old, Ford had never taken part in a political demonstration but that all changed for her earlier this year.

The flurry of executive orders that President Donald Trump issued during his first week in office, Ford says, concerned her that the checks and balances built into the federal government were under attack. “I’m a retired military officer, I took the oath to support and defend the Constitution,” she notes. “I knew I had to do something.”

That “something” was picking up a megaphone outside the Haywood County Courthouse and standing among 100 other protesters who gathered March 3.

Since then, the U.S. Air Force veteran has earned the nickname “Megaphone Mary,” and the group — now with an email list of nearly 680 — has gained momentum through protests every Saturday from noon-1 p.m. at the courthouse. The activists, registered as the Haywood County chapter of Indivisible, are also known as “Hands Off Haywood.” (Indivisible, a nationwide grassroots movement, arose after Trump’s first election in 2016. The organization has spawned local chapters around the country, with more than 70 in North Carolina.)

Following the No Kings Day protests on June 14 — estimated to include 5 million people in 2,100 events nationwide — local groups have seen surges in membership and involvement. For example, the Henderson County chapter attracted more than 160 members in its first three months, after launching in March. Meanwhile, donations to Hands Off Haywood doubled from $1,350 before No Kings to $2,750 after the event.

In a written statement about the role of protest in a democracy and the impact demonstrations have on influencing elected officials, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards offered the following statement:

“Our nation was founded on the principles of free speech and peaceful assembly, and I will continue to defend these rights when exercised with responsibility and respect. Members of Congress should not shy away from voices of dissent; however, I represent every constituent in Western North Carolina, not just the loudest voices. Many hardworking

Activists and party leaders debate the impact of protests

DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Around 2,500 demonstrated outside Hendersonville’s Historic Courthouse Square during the June 14 nationwide No Kings Day protest. It is estimated that 5 million people participated in 2,100 similar events across the country that day. But do these demonstrations influence voters, politicians and election outcomes? It depends on whom you ask. Photo courtesy of Ron Redmon

families may not attend protests or town halls, but their voices matter just as much. Western North Carolina deserves informed, principled leadership, and I will continue to give genuine consideration to the opinions of all constituents to advance policies that strengthen our communities.”

Other members of Edwards’ party, including Michael Loomis, chair of the Haywood County Republican Party, are more critical of the recent protests.

“I am saddened that so many people have bought into the paranoid idea that Trump somehow wants to be king or dictator, despite nine years of evidence contradicting that claim,” Loomis says.

“My experience in Haywood County is that Republicans feel Trump's second term is the best a president has done in their lifetime.”

Merry Guy, former chair of the Henderson County Republican Party who now serves as the chair of the Republican 11th Congressional District Committee, speaks highly of the administration’s approach to tariffs, taxes and the handling of immigration on the border.

“Trump is very misunderstood,” Guy says. “He wants to get rid of the endless wars and stop killing people over stupid stuff. He wants to protect the borders to keep people from being exposed

to dangerous behaviors. He wants to get the economy rolling again, which includes lower taxes, so that everybody has a shot at the American dream.”

BUILDING BARNS

Ron Redmon, the leader of Hendersonville’s Indivisible chapter, disagrees with Guy’s praise for the Trump administration and notes that he is not alone. He says his group has gained 40 new members after the No Kings event, which drew 2,500 people to the town's Historic Courthouse Square.

In the 15 years Redmon has lived in Henderson County he says he’s never witnessed a protest of that size — an impressive turnout for a town with a population of roughly 15,500.

“For many people — and we hear this all the time — they'll say, ‘That’s the first protest I’ve ever gone to. That's the only time in my life I’ve ever demonstrated against anything,’” Redmon says. “And then when they realize that there are all these other people here — these 2,000 or 2,500 people all upset about the same things — it sort of validates your own fears, your own thinking.”

For Henderson County Republicans, seeing such crowds has led some to inquire about organizing counterpro-

tests — an idea Guy opposes. Instead of public displays, Guy says Republicans in her district are focused on behindthe-scenes work such as knocking on doors and making calls to garner more support. “We're getting stuff done,” she says.

Guy stresses, however, that she does not oppose public protests. “I believe in free speech, I think that everybody’s got the right,” she says. But she does question the effectiveness of demonstrations. “I think of the quote — and I'm using the biblical term for donkey — ‘Any old jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes skill and hard work to build a barn.’ I’d like to think that the productive members of society are building barns.”

She adds: “We’ve got some Republicans that love to kick down barns [too], so I’m not maligning a general party; but I will say there’s personality types that find it's a whole lot easier to go out with their pitchforks and torches.”

Kristen Robinson, chair of the Buncombe County Democratic Party, sees recent events in a different light, noting large gatherings opposing the Trump administration have energized her party's base. And to see that level of turnout and passion at No Kings, especially from young people, she adds, is encouraging.

“While Buncombe Dems weren’t a sponsor, we were glad to be there, to have a table and to connect with folks who are fired up and ready to get involved,” Robinson writes in an email to Xpress. “We’re measuring impact by who followed up — who signed up to knock doors, who joined their precinct, or who is helping to build something bigger than a protest.”

Xpress also sought comments from the Buncombe GOP chair and Democratic Party leaders in Henderson and Haywood counties but did not receive responses.

EXTENDING THE OLIVE BRANCH

Susan Clarke, a member of Hands Off Haywood, says division spawned by the election has made some conversations among community members challenging. Indivisible chapters across the country train volunteers on how to have meaningful and civil conversations with people with opposite views, whether they be in the grocery line or around a family table.

“We invite people as they’re driving by [a protest] to come join us. We want to present as being open and welcoming to everyone's concerns,” Clarke says.

And if someone tries to start an argument, Ford adds, she puts down her megaphone. “Our suggestion is to walk away from them. They want to get a rise out of you.”

Robin Lively Summers, Indivisible AVL’s lead organizer, echoes this point. “We are not engaging with hecklers, we are engaging in nonviolent protests.”

Similarly, Guy says despite her disagreements with Democrats, she values conversations where both parties respectfully acknowledge their differences.

“We may never find common ground across the board, but if we can find anything that we can agree on, let's focus on that instead of spending so much time focusing on what divides us,” Guy says. “I really think that’s going to be the way

to bridge the differences. Because at the end of the day, so much of our differences come down to a misunderstanding of what's really going on.”

‘COURAGE IS CONTAGIOUS’

Both activists and parties alike continue to grow their community engagement.

“Whether it’s door knocking, staffing voter registration tables at events, or helping behind the scenes — the energy hasn’t faded, it’s growing,” says Robinson.

Guy notes the GOP has similarly been engaged in the community. “Now’s the time to raise money, find volunteers, get organized for the election. It's a building year.”

As for Indivisible, the protests are just part of its efforts. “It’s not just a one-off rally,” says Lively Summers.

In addition to a nine-member steering committee, Indivisible AVL has six teams to coordinate monthly meetings and special events, research topics and stay abreast of state and federal legislation. The group also partners with other advocacy groups in the area, such as the Poor People’s Campaign, Third Act WNC, Sunrise Movement Asheville and Good Trouble WNC. Its mailing list includes nearly 3,600 people with more than 500 added since the No Kings rally.

In Henderson County, a primary objective for its Indivisible chapter is to continue to spread the word about upcoming protests and the issues these gatherings seek to address, Redmon says.

“Many cite cases where public demonstrations, people in the streets, are what makes a difference. That’s what has an impact,” Redmon notes, referencing the work of Erica Chenoweth, a professor of the First Amendment at Harvard Kennedy School, who studied hundreds of campaigns over the past century and found that just 3.5% of the population actively engaged in protests can create change.

“We have a Gmail account, and every day when I open it, there’s three or four or five more people saying, ‘I’ve heard about you. Send us the information. We want to join,’” Redmon continues.

Hands Off Haywood also finds power in numbers. It has a dozen members on its steering committee and 600 people on its email list.

“One rallying cry that we have often at our meetings and also at the protest is that courage is contagious,” Clarke says.

EYE ON THE PRIZE

But keeping up the momentum can be emotionally taxing. Redmon often asks members, “What are you doing to take care of yourself?”

“Mental health is a big issue for us because this is so depressing for a lot of people, and so we make a point of concentrating on that and sharing stories about what they're doing to be resilient,” Redmon says. “We’ve seen a real uptick in people going to yoga. We've seen an uptick in people joining their choir at church because that's an outlet for them.”

The sign-making and postcard writing are also cathartic, Redmon notes. It’s that camaraderie that has kept Lively Summers involved in activist

efforts since she was a little girl, marching alongside her aunt and uncle for the Equal Rights Amendment in the ’70s.

“From that moment on, I’ve participated in sit-ins and protests and my great-grandmother went to jail for the right to vote, so I think that if I wasn't politically involved, I’d probably be haunted,” Lively Summers says. “This is our First Amendment. This is the thing that makes the United States so unique, is we were the first country to actually codify the right to assemble. So yeah, this is in your DNA as an American. It’s the most patriotic thing you'll ever do.”

Meanwhile, Guy, chair of the Republican 11th Congressional District Committee, says an activist's process is to bring awareness and energy, but the political process is what brings change. "We have one goal," she says. “Just one. And that's to get elections won for the Republicans on the ballot.”

As for Robinson, chair of the Buncombe Democrats, the upcoming midterm election is about broadening the party's base. "As for Republican voters, we don't write anyone off," she says. "We meet people where they are, talk about shared concerns and try to build trust through honest conversation. We lead with values, not party lines." X

Study hall

BY BRIONNA DALLARA

bdallara@mountainx.com

At its Aug. 11 meeting, the Asheville City Board of Education approved, 6-1, a $243,950 districtwide facility needs assessment led by McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture (MPSA).

“Our team's role is to provide guidance on school design trends and construction and interact with your stakeholders to drive the effort,” the report reads.

The process will include gathering information on demographics and local economic development trends, as well as assessing Asheville City Schools’ (ACS) enrollment data, the physical conditions of facilities, teaching methodologies and facility operation information. Listening sessions, community forums, public presentations and feedback from teachers, students and parents are also planned, according to the approved proposal.

In short, “the study will help the board make informed decisions on where to push capital investment,” said ACS Superintendent Maggie Fehrman at the meeting.

The study’s physical condition evaluation will assess safety systems such as fire protection, accessibility and building infrastructure. The recommendations from this assessment, along with input on spaces from an educational standpoint, will help inform a Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan for the district.

For budgeting purposes, 50% of sites — excluding Asheville High School (AHS) — are assumed to require an additional engineering assessment. Part two of the assessment will be determined and approved by the school district at a later date.

City

and county

school boards

address

school design and instructional guidelines

LOOKING AHEAD: Sarah Thornburg, center, chair of the Asheville City Board of Education, speaks during the group's Aug. 11 meeting. At the session, the board approved funding for a districtwide facility needs assessment. Photo by Brionna Dallara

Board member Pepi Acebo was the lone “no” vote. He expressed concern over excluding AHS. Board Chair Sarah Thornburg clarified that ongoing construction at the AHS campus limits what what can be assessed but noted that the school is not excluded from the study.

Acebo also proposed getting feedback from an economist in addition to the architecture firm, and he reminded the board that enrollment data should always be questioned rather than assumed.

The decision to evaluate campuses comes seven months after a consolidation study led by Charlotte-based Prismatic Services recommended that Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools (BCS) remain independent of each other. The report also stated that both ACS and BCS have substantially more facility capacity than is needed — both now and in the near future.

BCS EMBRACES NEW INSTRUCTIONAL FRAMEWORK

BCS has launched “Parent University,” a series of short videos intended to enhance communication with families. There are currently four episodes on buncombeschools.org.

“I think it’s going to make a big difference in how parents can access information a little bit more easily in a format that may feel a little bit more familiar than trying to wade through our policy manual, which is thousands of pages long,” said Rob Elliot, chair of the Buncombe County Board of Education, at its Aug. 14 meeting.

The virtual platform is part of Elevate BCS, the new instructional framework, presented to the board by Jennifer Reed, associate superintendent.

The framework outlines what effective instruction looks like, sets common expectations for teachers, ensures students have access to simi-

UNCA URBAN FOREST UPDATE

UNC Asheville has paused negotiations on its plan to build a 5,000-seat soccer stadium. In a press release, the university announced it will establish a Millennial Campus Development Commission to evaluate plans for the site, which is currently a 45-acre urban forest. “UNC Asheville invites alumni, students, faculty, staff, neighbors, business leaders and elected officials from across the region to bring forward their ideas and aspirations to the commission so that all who care about UNC Asheville can help identify solu-

tions that meet the institution’s needs and strengthen its positive impact,” the statement reads.

Scott Burroughs, a resident of Jackson Park Neighborhood who hosted a series of community workshops Aug. 15-17 to discuss plans for the urban forest, says he was surprised by the announcement. “I think it is a wise and prudent decision. … Given time and increased engagement with the abundantly creative local community in Asheville, I am sure that better alternatives will arise.”

For Heather Rayburn, a volunteer orgnaizer for Save the Woods and a UNCA alum, the announcement “is welcome but deosn’t change much for us as organizers. We’ve been lied to, disrespected, and ignored by people who have threatened our community’s well-being and climate plan goals. So, UNCA and the Asheville City Soccer Club have a lot of work to do to rebuild community trust and goodwill. We’re here for it, though, if they’re sincere.”

— Thomas Calder X

lar high-quality learning experiences and prioritizes communication with parents and other stakeholders. It also ties in the hallmark of the previous framework, which emphasizes reading, writing, thinking and movement as key components of BCS’ educational approach.

UPDATES TO BCS’ GENDER SUPPORT GUIDELINES

The county school board unanimously approved language for three policies on the agenda. The first regarded heating and cooling prices in school facilities. The other two involved parental approval for overnight school field trips, including adjustments to language for BCS’ Gender Support Guidelines.

The guide’s original language stated: “Students must be permitted to participate in all school activities (e.g., overnight field trips) in accordance with their gender identity consistently asserted at school.”

Now it reads: “Students must be permitted to participate in all school activities in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws. Students will be prohibited from sharing sleeping quarters with a member of the opposite sex during authorized school activities/events, with exceptions for immediate family members or with written permission from the parents or legal guardians of all students sharing sleeping quarters.”

The change was made to comply with House Bill 805, also known as the “Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors” bill, which passed on July 29.

Craig White, the director of the Supportive Schools Program at the Campaign for Southern Equality, spoke out against the bill during public comment. He expressed his appreciation that the school board did not do more than what is required under state law before outlining threats to the trans community under the Trump administration.

“Here in Buncombe County Schools, you are our last line of defense,” White said. “And not just for queer and trans students — for immigrant students, for Black and brown students, for students living in poverty. The list gets longer every day.”

Elliot told Xpress after the meeting that additional work will be done by the policy committee to address the additional legislation regarding schools. The next meeting for the policy committee was scheduled for Monday, Aug. 18, at the Buncombe County Board of Education, 175 Bingham Road. The meeting is open to the public.

Editor’s note: This story was supported by the Fund for Investigative Reporting and Editing. X

Dispute resolved

BY JANE WINIK SARTWELL A CAROLINA PUBLIC PRESS REPORT

HCA Healthcare has settled an antitrust lawsuit that has plagued the Asheville-based Mission Health system for three years.

In 2022, four Western North Carolina governments sued HCA Healthcare and Mission Health for predatory and monopolistic practices, which plaintiffs claim led to more expensive and lower-quality health care across much of the mountain region.

HCA owns the only hospital in Asheville, as well as six rural hospitals across the region, all part of the formerly nonprofit Mission Health group that for-profit HCA acquired in 2019.

Those four plaintiffs — the City of Brevard, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County and Madison County — will receive the following from Mission Health in the settlement of the antitrust lawsuit:

• $1 million to a new charity fund that will be created to provide assistance with health care costs for families and individuals at up to 400% of the federal poverty level.

• A promise that the company will continue to operate Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard until at least 2032.

• A commitment to cooperate in the negotiations for a space for adult day care services in Brevard.

• A promise to seek quality verification of Mission Hospital in Asheville as a trauma center.

• A promise to provide the plaintiffs with additional information relating to Mission Health advisory boards.

Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof is pleased with the terms of the antitrust lawsuit settlement.

“It hits a number of things that we really wanted,” Copelof told Carolina Public Press. “We’ve been lobbying for a long time to extend the period of the asset purchase agreement for our hospital, so that additional three years is right in line with what our community wants.

“In addition, adult day care is something that the community doesn’t have that we’ve wanted for a long time. Having HCA commit to working a location for such a service is definitely good for our community.”

HCA settles antitrust lawsuit with WNC local governments

or limit insurance company innovation in Western North Carolina.”

However, HCA has been accused of monopolizing the mountains by players large and small for years. One of the most notable is Gov. Josh Stein. Other elected officials have been outspoken, too.

“HCA likes its monopoly. They’re going to do everything they can to hold onto it and keep any and all competition out of Western North Carolina,” state Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe, told CPP last year.

“They win when they are the only thing in town. People have no other option, and they’re taking advantage of that. My view is that they’re not actually interested in keeping people healthy. Their interest is in getting us into their hospitals.”

The creation of the charity care fund is of particular significance to local governments.

“That million dollars is definitely appreciated,” Copelof said. “We’ve been wanting to get equity and the ability for anyone to get health care.”

Leaders in Buncombe County feel the same way about the antitrust lawsuit settlement.

“We are grateful to the dedicated medical professionals who work hard to provide care, even as costs can be out of reach for many,” Buncombe County spokesperson Kassi Day told CPP

“HCA’s contribution is a critical part of this settlement, helping close that gap.”

The resolution of the antitrust case comes at a time when HCA is

fighting against the construction of a competitive hospital in Buncombe County. Recently, HCA’s case against AdventHealth’s planned 222-bed facility in Weaverville was elevated to the N.C. Supreme Court.

Still, HCA denies any anti-competitive behavior or monopolistic practices.

“While Mission Health and HCA support this resolution, both deny the allegations made against them by Plaintiffs,” reads a press release from HCA.

“Mission Health and HCA believe that their conduct was, at all times, consistent with federal and state antitrust laws, that none of Mission Health’s contracts contained the provisions challenged by Plaintiffs, and that neither Mission Health nor HCA has done anything to exclude competition

Although the antitrust case is resolved, problems continue to plague HCA’s operation of rural hospitals in the mountains, including the ones named in this case. In July, Transylvania Regional Hospital was given a one-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. That’s the lowest possible score and indicates poor performance.

This is the end of just one lawsuit in a complex web of litigation surrounding HCA’s operation of Mission Health.

Still ongoing are the attorney general’s 2023 suit accusing HCA of degrading emergency and cancer care, and Buncombe County’s lawsuit alleging that emergency room understaffing at Mission Hospital led to millions of dollars of damages to the county’s EMS services.

This article first appeared on Carolina Public Press and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. X

“I

COMPLAINT DROPPED: Mission Hospital, seen here on March 9, has settled a lawsuit filed by several Western North Carolina governments. Photo by Colby Rabon of Carolina Public Press

Plenty of challenges

BY FELICIA SONMEZ A

RIDGE

REPORT

Small businesses in Western North Carolina are still feeling the impact of the tourism downturn caused by Tropical Storm Helene, according to the latest regional survey by the nonprofit Mountain BizWorks.

Among the roughly 700 small-business owners surveyed across 23 counties, more than four-fifths said their revenue remains below or on par with pre-Helene levels. About half said their revenue is down by more than 20%.

“In 2025, businesses across the region are still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene,” the report states. “The storm significantly disrupted operations and impacted tourism revenue in a time of year that is critical to small-business owners. Now, the majority of businesses are open and preparing for what the region hopes to be a season of growth this fall.”

According to the Mountain BizWorks survey, small businesses throughout the region reported a total of $188 million in physical and economic damage from Helene. The average economic loss per business was $322,000. Of those surveyed, 83% said they had to close temporarily due to the storm — including impact from Asheville’s water crisis — with a median closure of 42 days.

“We didn’t have the ability to reopen due to lack of water for seven weeks,” the survey quotes one business owner as saying. “We used all of our money to pay our bills and feed our community for free for 5 ½ weeks out of our food truck after the hurricane.”

Looking ahead, 46% of the survey’s respondents said they are “very confident” in their ability to fully recover; 37% said they are “somewhat confident”; 12% said they are “neutral”; and 5% said they are “not confident.”

The survey did not provide a number for how many businesses were forced to close after Helene. In downtown Asheville alone, dozens of businesses have closed in the wake of the storm.

“According to FEMA, 40%-60% of small businesses may permanently close after a natural disaster of the scale of Hurricane Helene,” the report states, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Thus far, Western North Carolina small businesses are exhibiting substantial resilience.”

Mountain BizWorks also highlighted the continued struggles of the tour-

ism and hospitality sectors, which it noted “have been the most interrupted by Hurricane Helene.”

“Throughout the responses, business owners noted that great places to live are great places to visit,” the report states. “They stressed that our tourism recovery investments should be aligned with and advance local community needs.”

In recent weeks, there have been several promising signs for the region’s tourism economy as autumn approaches. The Blue Ridge Parkway has mostly reopened, with only about 20 miles expected to remain off-limits due to heavy damage from landslides. Asheville Regional Airport recently opened its new, 136,000-square-foot North Concourse. Greyhound last weekend restored intercity bus service

to Asheville, reconnecting Western North Carolina to the rest of the state. And hard-hit Chimney Rock State Park is once again welcoming visitors. Even so, there is still no shortage of challenges amid the recovery. According to figures presented at the most recent Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority meeting, the number of passengers traveling through Asheville Regional Airport in May was down about 10% year-over-year. Lodging demand in Buncombe County was down about 15% in June. And the vacation rental market saw a 32% decline in revenue for the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2024.

The full 2025 Mountain BizWorks Local Business Impact Survey is available online at avl.mx/f1h. X

WORK REMAINS: This business along Swannanoa River Road in Asheville, pictured here on Aug. 2, is one of many that remain unrepaired after Tropical Storm Helene. Photo by Felicia Sonmez

‘A good step forward’

BY JACK IGELMAN A CAROLINA PUBLIC PRESS REPORT

jack@igelman.com

Later this year, the first of 18 flash flood warning sirens will be installed at the Cruso Fire and Rescue department in southern Haywood County. One of just three siren systems in Western North Carolina, local leaders hope the devices will save lives in a region vulnerable to flash floods from tropical rain systems.

The new system is on track to be operational by early 2026, said Cody Grasty, Haywood County’s recovery and resilience officer. The $700,036 warning system is funded by the N.C. Department of Public Safety through the Tropical Storm Fred Unmet Needs Grant. Each tower will require about $500 annually in maintenance.

On Aug. 17, 2021, remnants of Tropical Storm Fred, which formed over the Gulf of Mexico, settled over the high ridges of Haywood County, unleashing 14 inches of rain in 12 hours. Cruso, an unincorporated community stretched along the East Fork of the Pigeon River, was hardest hit by a flash flood. A stream gauge on the East Fork exceeded its highest mark by more than 3 feet, surging more than 2.5 feet in 30 minutes, leading to flash floods and triggering landslides.

While Haywood County continues to recover from widespread devastation from Tropical Storm Helene, the scars inflicted by Fred still linger in Cruso.

“We’d never really been through anything like Fred,” said Tim Henson, a lifelong Cruso resident and the community’s fire and rescue chief. Steep slopes and rocky soil couldn’t absorb the deluge, which unleashed a torrent of debris and water, too fast for many to reach higher ground. The flash flooding swept away homes, washed over bridges, claimed the lives of six and forced the rescue of dozens.

After Fred, Henson and other Haywood County emergency responders were determined not to let a flash flood from the next storm catch their communities off guard. “We decided there was a great need for some type of warning system to notify people so they can get to higher ground,” Henson said. Hours before floodwater arrived during Tropical Storm Helene last September, Henson and his rescue crew rushed through the winding stretch of U.S. 276, which includes roughly 9 miles of vulnerable terrain along the East Fork, blaring fire engine sirens and banging on doors to warn

Flash flood warning sirens in Haywood County could save lives in future storms

IN THE AFTERMATH: Steve Chaney stands among the remnants of a bridge that was washed out from 2021’s Tropical Storm Fred along the East Fork of the Pigeon River in Cruso, in southeastern Haywood County, in this photo from April 2022. Photo by Colby Rabon of Carolina Public Press

the roughly 2,300 residents to evacuate. Five residents of Haywood County perished in Helene-related flooding, but none in Cruso. Grasty said the Cruso Fire and Rescue Department's early action saved lives.

Unlike Fred, Henson’s team had more warning ahead of Helene. However, the future siren system, triggered by a new array of river gauges, will sound alarms faster and reach more people than a handful of rescue vehicles.

The siren towers will be placed in flood-prone areas, such as Cruso. Locations were selected based on flood risk and the impact of past storms. Each of the 18 towers will be spaced roughly a half-mile to 1 mile apart and can be sounded by sensors on river gauges when the water level reaches a certain point or triggered manually by Haywood County’s emergency management team.

In addition to radio and television broadcasts, flash flood warnings are communicated through cell towers via the National Weather Service, but during Fred, Cruso’s cellular tower failed, cutting off most residents. Sandwiched between steep, federally owned ridges, the community struggles with spotty cell coverage even in good weather.

“The system creates another tool to alert people and let them know they need to take action,” Grasty said.

Cruso resident Steve Chaney appreciates the siren system. “I think it’s

a great thing. When we got hit with Fred, it was total chaos. We knew heavy rain was coming, but we weren’t prepared for how fast and hard the flooding came. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Chaney said, who narrowly escaped as two branches of Hungry Creek overflowed and surrounded his home, which incurred significant damage.

The Associated Press reported that warning sirens in Comfort, Texas, on the Guadalupe River were critical to saving lives there this summer.

But the strength of any siren warning system depends on its reliability and the action of residents.

Steve Wilkinson, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service’s Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., station, and forecaster Jared Klein told Carolina Public Press in an email that one challenge of a siren system is ensuring residents understand the warning and how to react.

“Communities benefit most when warning tools are supported by outreach, drills and strong local partnerships. The warning system is a good step forward and addresses a specific situation that has happened and could happen again,” they said.

The siren system will be one of several mechanisms to alert residents of potential flooding, Grasty said. Fire and rescue stations, which often serve as community centers and informal town

halls, will educate residents and provide information about the siren system. Grasty suggested that every household have an emergency plan and encouraged residents to sign up for Haywood Alerts to review flood safety plans and create preparedness checklists.

Another potential obstacle is the risk of false alarms, which can lead to complacency. Overlapping alerts, such as a tornado warning issued with a flash flood warning, can also create confusion about what action to take.

Sirens can also be difficult to hear indoors, or trees and building materials can muffle sound. Each of the solar-powered towers generates about 60 decibels of sound from a mile away, which is roughly equivalent to a TV set from an adjacent room.

Wilkinson and Klein said people are also more likely to react if they believe an activation relates directly to them and where they live.

Based on securing future funds, the county hopes to install additional towers and strengthen other aspects of the county’s flood warning system and capacity to respond to flash floods.

Ecological engineer Bill Hunt, N.C. State University’s William Neal Reynolds Distinguished University Professor & Extension Specialist, said “at 2 or 3 inches of rain, there are things that can be done” to slow down or divert runoff, but “there’s going to be massive flooding no matter what” during extreme rain events, such as Fred or Helene.

It’s possible that future storms will pack even more rainfall due to a warming climate. A climate attribution study, for example, estimated that rainfall totals during Helene were at least 10% heavier due to climate change. “It’s simple physics,” Hunt said. “A warmer atmosphere can hold more water.”

Hunt explained that one of the challenges in the mountains is that rainfall doesn’t distribute evenly. Therefore, warning residents with greater geographic precision and moving people out of harm’s way may be the best strategy. Future warning systems, he believes, will have even better geographic accuracy. “The technology’s getting to a point where we’ll be able to predict, personalize and refine exactly where the water will rise and how high it will be,” he said.

“From my perspective, it’s fabulous that Haywood County is engaging in this, and I hope more communities follow suit.”

This article first appeared on Carolina Public Press and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. X

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

 More info, page 24

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 (8/20, 27), 10:15am, YWCA of Asheville, 185

S French Broad Ave

Tai Chi Fan

The Fan forms include movements from Yang, Chen and Sun styles of Tai Chi.

WE (8/20, 27), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Tai Chi for Beginners: Yang 10 & 24

In this Beginner Tai Chi class, the focus is on the Yang 10 and 24 forms as well as Qigong exercises for health.

TH (8/21, 28), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave

Free Community

Zumba Gold

The class design introduces easy-to-follow Zumba choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion, and coordination.

FR (8/22), 10am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave

Intermediate Tai Chi Yang 24

Slow, gentle movements that promote good health.

FR (8/22), 10:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

The Professor's Tai Chi

This class is a step up from the Beginners

Class and is a great class for those who have studied Yang 37.

SA (8/23), 8:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Yoga in the Park

All-level friendly yoga classes based on Hatha & Vinyasa traditions. Classes led by a rotation of certified yoga instructors.

SA (8/23), SU (8/24), 10am, W Asheville Park, 198 Vermont Ave

Free Community Qi

Gong

Qi Gong improves balance and coordination, enhances physical and emotional energy, and promotes an experience of well-being.

SA (8/23), 11:30am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave

Yoga Hike

Enjoy a moderate one mile hike up to the summit of a scenic mountain top plus an hour of yoga for all levels and opportunities for lots of pictures before heading down.

SU (8/24), 9am, Bearwallow Mountain Trail, 4899 Bearwallow Mountain Rd, Hendersonville

Sunday Morning Meditation Group

The Sunday Morning Meditation Group will gather for a combination of silent sitting and walking meditation.

SU (8/24), 10am, The Lodge at Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Candlelight Flow Yoga

This breath-centered practice blends gentle movement and mindfulness to release tension, restore balance, and leave you feeling grounded and renewed.

SU (8/24), 5pm, Asheville Happy Body, 25 Reed St, Ste 210 Free Communityc Athletic Conditioning Combining strength training, HIIT, plyometrics, kickboxing and step, this class offers a diverse, challenging training experience.

MO (8/25), 8am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave

Yin Yang Qigong

Yin Yang Qigong offers lineage practices to return to your center, to be strong in your body and to feel relaxed, regulated and energized.

MO (8/25), 10am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 019

Chen Tai Chi

Chen style is known for its spiral movements and fajin, or issuing power.

MO (8/25), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Yoga & Coffee

Practice on the outdoor deck, get the body and mind balanced, and then you can hang out after for some coffee, tea and pastries.

TU (8/26), Cooperative Coffee Shop, 210 Haywood Rd Free Community Yoga (Level 2)

A full body movement series to get you poised for an energized day. This practice will help you tune in mindfully

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

and wake up your body.

TU (8/26), 8:45am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave

Qigong for Health & Resilience

This class is an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to learn traditional Qigong exercises.

TU (8/26), 9am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Baguazhang Level 1

It is considered a very advanced style of Kung Fu with its complex use of geometry and physics.

TU (8/26), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Gentle Tai Chi for Balance

This class works on improving our balance through exercises that help you to think with your feet while strengthening your balance muscles.

WE (8/27), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Nia Dance

Nia is a sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts and healing arts.

TH (8/28), 9:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Thursday Evening Sound Baths

These sessions focus on nervous system regulation, energetic balance, and seasonal, lunar, and solar alignment.

TH (8/28), 7pm, Ritual Skin and Wellness, 802 Fairview Rd building 3000 Ste 11

SUPPORT GROUPS

Virtual Listening Circle

This free virtual listening circle offers a judgement-free, trauma-informed spaced to gather, reset and reflect-together. Register at avl.mx/f18.

WE (8/20, 27), noon, Online

Disordered Eating/ Eating Disorders

This support group is peer-led and facilitated by licensed therapists dietitians specializing in eating disorders. Register at avl.mx/bto.

WE (8/20, 27), 6pm, Online

Nicotine Anonymous

People share their experience, strength and hope to stop using nicotine. You don’t need to be stopped, just have a desire to attend.

TH (8/21, 28), 4:30pm, Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 1 Kenilworth Knolls Unit 4

Mad Hatter’s Collective: Hearing Voices Network

A group collective that gathers to talk about encounters with visual, tactile, sensational, or fringe experiences with

POLK COUNTY SUMMER CONCERT: On Friday, Aug. 22, the final installment of Summer Tracks, Tryon’s popular music series, will take place at Rogers Park. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and will feature music from Asheville-based Americana band Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters, plus food vendors and nonalcoholic beverages. Photo courtesy of Summer Tracks

life and the interaction of energy.

TH (8/21, 28), 6pm, 12 Baskets Cafe, 610 Haywood Rd

Marijuana Anonymous

Whether you’re exploring sobriety, new to recovery, or have been on this path for a while, you are welcome here.

TH (8/21, 28), 6:30pm, American Legion Post #2, 851 Haywood Rd

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 (8/23), 2pm, First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St

Connecting Conversations

Explore conversations built around curiosity, understanding, and openness to develop stronger connections, to be heard, and to empathize with different viewpoints.

MO (8/25), 12:45pm, Peri Social House, 406 W State St, Black Mountain

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 (8/20, 27), 8pm, One World Brewing W, 520 Haywood Rd

Monday Night Contra Dance

Contra dancing is a fun, social dance for everyone. Follow a lesson at 7 p.m. and then dance to a live band and caller at 7:30 p.m.

MO (8/25), 7:30pm, A-B Tech, 340 Victoria Rd

Bellydance Drum Solo Choreography Workshop

Using raqs sharqi movement vocabulary and stylizations, you will study rhythms, drill combinations, and practice improvisation to build a

unique and zesty drum solo choreography.

TU (8/26), 6:30pm, World Dance Asheville, 1269 Tunnel Rd, Ste F Free Bellydance Class

This class is meant to give attendees a taste of this beautiful art form in a supportive judgement-free class taught by Melanya Zerpa. TH (8/28), noon, World Dance Asheville, 1269 Tunnel Rd, Ste F

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 (8/25), 6pm, Woodfin YMCA, 40 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 101

ART

Modern Bestiary: Creatures from the Collection

This exhibition explores the artistic legacy of the medieval bestiary through a selection of animals and fantastic beasts from the Museum’s Collection. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through March 15, 2026.

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

Our Living Record

This vibrant and deeply personal exhibition features artwork from Southern LGBTQ+ community members

and allies who explore preserving queer memory in the face of cultural erasure. Gallery open Monday through Saturday, 9:30am. Exhibition through Sept. 1.

Revolve Studio, 821 Riverside Dr, Ste 179 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 Artist in Residence

The show features a variety of artists working in a diverse range of mediums, including painting, pottery, sculpture and fiber arts.

WE (8/27), TH (8/28), 10am, 759 N Lakeshore Dr, Lake Junaluska 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

Randy Siegel: Bindings Art Exhibit

This exhibition features scraps of fabric, rope, wire, and thread, along with obsessive stitching and often beading, obscure and obstruct hidden aspects of self often too painful to acknowledge and to beautiful to ignore.

Gallery open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am. Exhibition through Aug. 30. North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave

Elizabeth Alexander: From the Book of Time

Alexander recontextualizes objects traditionally associated with domesticity such as wallpaper, upholstered furniture, and porcelain ware, probing at the societal, historical, and personal meanings embedded within. Gallery open Wednesday through Saturday, 11am. Exhibition through Sept. 27. Tracey Morgan Gallery, 22 London Rd

COMMUNITY MUSIC

Michael Reno Harrell & Josh Goforth (multigenre)

Michael Reno Harrell an award winning songwriter, as well as a veteran storyteller and entertainer. Josh Goforth is also an accomplished storyteller and acoustic musician.

FR (8/22), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Summer Tracks w/ Amanda Anne Platt & The HoneycuttersSummer Tracks, Tryon’s most popular music series continues this week with Americana band Amanda Anne Platt and The Honeycutters. There will also be new food vendors and alcohol beverages are allowed but will not be sold.

FR (8/22), 7 pm, Rogers Park, 55W Howard St,Tryon

Five Eight Live: Weirdo Movie Screening & Pinkeye Album Release Party

Five Eight is a band that has turned personal chaos into cathartic rock anthems for over

three decades. This special show also features an album release party from Pinkeye, a raucous punk band out of AVL and a screening of Weirdo, the story of Five Eight.

FR (8/22), 8pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

Concerts on the Creek: Tuxedo Junction Free concert series for the community with high-energy, crowd pleasing band Tuxedo Junction providing the music this week. There will be food trucks available on most nights.

FR (8/22), 7pm, Bridge Park Gazebo, 76 Railroad Ave, Sylva Lakeside Fantasy: Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra Summer Concert

The 4SCO is pleased to present a Summer Concert: Lakeside Fantasia. This enchanting program in a lovely setting features works from iconic film scores and theater.

SA (8/23), 7pm, Kenmure Country Club, 100 Clubhouse Dr, Flat Rock

Leon Timbo & The Family Band Hendersonville Theatre welcomes Leon Timbo

& The Family Band as August's intimate hometown sound music series concert.

SA (8/23), 7:30pm, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 South Washington St, Hendersonville

Victims & Villains: Bear the Anxiety Tour

Victims and Villains is a multimedia non-profit dedicated to deconstructing the stigma surrounding mental health through the familiarity of pop culture

SA (8/23), 8pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

Asheville Jazz Orchestra Big Band Night

The AJO’s repertoire ranges from Swing Era dance classics to original charts by band members and other contemporary composers.

SU (8/24), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Change Your Palate Cooking Demo

This free lunchtime food demonstration is

towards those with type 2 diabetes or hypertension and/or their caretakers.

WE (8/20), noon, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Dealing with Debt

Demystify debt in a shame-free, nonjudgmental space. It’s never too late to face your money and make a plan to manage, pay down, or resolve personal debt.

WE (8/20), noon, OnTrack WNC, 50 S French Broad Ave

How to Sell with Brand Story

Even with the highest-quality work, nothing can replace the power of personal relationships when it comes to connecting with your audience and converting them to customers or clients.

WE (8/20), 6pm, A-B Tech Madison and NCWorks Career Center, 4646 US Hwy 25/70, Marshall

Adult Studio: Flower Medicine Workshop

An afternoon exploring the healing properties of flowering plants through hands-on practice and study.

SA (8/23), 1pm, Asheville Art Museum,

Tech Time w/Becca

Guiding you through the ever-changing digital world, one topic at a time to explore the latest technology and apps that make everyday tasks easier.

TU (8/26), 3pm, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Fundamental HR Management Principles & Best Practices for the Small Business Owner

Introduce new business owners and support experienced business owners with understanding foundational HR management principles and best practices.

WE (8/27), 1pm, A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler

Summer Heat Candle

Making

Pour your own custom candle in a Devil’s Foot Soda can. Each session features different scents.

TH (8/28), 4pm, The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd Ste 10

Ferment On!

This fun hands-on workshop will teach the science behind fermentation and provide information on how to ferment many

TH (8/28), 5:30pm, Madison County Cooperative Extension Office, 258 Carolina Ln Marshall

LITERARY

Poetry Open Mic

This open mic welcomes any form of artistic expression from poetry to improv theatre to music to dance.

WE (8/20, 27), 8:30pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave

Books & Brunch: Local Book Swap Bring by your pre-loved books and grab something new to read. You can also just swing by and grab a book Enjoy some coffee or a brunch cocktail while you peruse the selection.

TH (8/21), 11:30am, Open Oven, 102 Church St, Black Mountain Asheville StorySLAM: Childish

Prepare a five-minute story about feeling young. Ditching second period or calling out “sick” from work. Middle school crushes or puppy love that had you feeling 16 again.

TH (8/21), 7:30pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

PART ON E

Mountain Xpress 31st Annua

X Awards 2025

The results are in

Nearly 30 years ago, the British punk band Chumbawamba reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with its smash hit “Tubthumping.” Perhaps the band name and song title escape you, but there’s a good chance the lyrics to the chorus will ring a bell.

“I get knocked down, But I get up again.

You’re never gonna keep me down. I get knocked down, But I get up again.

You’re never gonna keep me down.”

In the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, the song’s sentiment and energy feel as relevant today as they did in 1997. The natural disaster left an indelible mark on our community, claiming lives, destroying neighborhoods and upending businesses. At times, the weight of these losses, combined with the relentless recovery needs, felt insurmountable.

But since that fateful event, we’ve witnessed the collective effort from residents across the region doing the essential work to help our area rebound and regain its footing. From the early days of supply runs and water distribution facilities to the ongoing cleanup efforts and push for stabilizing the local economy — it’s been an all-hands-on-deck project.

This year’s Best of WNC celebrates many of the local businesses and individuals who faced these overwhelming challenges with tenacity, goodwill and grace. With almost 600 categories, we salute all who rolled up their sleeves, put on their hard hats and met the moment that we’re in.

As in previous years, our 2025 Best of WNC also features the latest cohort of Hall of Famers. This honor goes to those who’ve earned a top-place finish for four or more consecutive years in a given category.

Along with celebrating those who placed, we’d also like to give thanks to everyone who made this latest Best of WNC possible — especially you, dear voter. Xpress staff also did its fair share of heavy lifting, tallying and judging the thousands of ballots that came in. And of course, a huge cheer to the businesses that purchased thank-you ads in these pages.

Be on the lookout for the second half of this year’s Best of WNC winners in next week’s edition.

PUBLISHER Jeff Fobes • BALLOT OFFICIALS Lisa Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Emily Baughman, Thomas Calder, Brionna Dallara, Caitlin Donovan, Jeff Fobes, Susan Hutchinson, Caleb Johnson, Justin McGuire, Mark Murphy, Greg Parlier, Braulio Pescador-Martinez, Brooke Randle, Tracy Rose, Gina Smith, Lisa Watters • Scott Southwick • DESIGNERS Scott Southwick, Tina Gaafary, Olivia Urban • LISTINGS EDITORS Caitlin Donovan, Mark Murphy, Lisa Watters •

PHOTO COORDINATOR Jeff Fobes • WRITERS Lisa Allen, Amrit Brown, Brionna Dallara, Thomas Calder, Caitlin Donovan, Susan Hutchinson, Justin McGuire, Brooke Randle, Tracy Rose, Gina Smith • AD SALES Emily Baughman, Sara Brecht, Dave Gayler • IT & WEB Jeff Fobes, Mark Murphy, Scott Southwick, Brandon Tilley • FRONT OFFICE/ACCOUNTING Caitlin Donovan, Amie Fowler, Mark Murphy, Lisa Watters • DISTRIBUTION Susan Hutchinson, Kyle Ramser and a fantastic team of devoted drivers • Copyright 2025 by Mountain Xpress

COVER PHOTO Fine Arts Theatre by Caleb Johnson

COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick

ART S & ENTERTA INMENT

EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS

Best Funk; second place All-Round Favorite Band

TO talk about art in Asheville will for the foreseeable future be done in relation to the waters that rose up and swallowed our River Arts District. The Salvage Station (Outdoor Music Venue) is no longer with us. Voters’ favorite Studio Stroll/Driving Tour, the River Arts District Studio Stroll, still struggles with damaged buildings, relocated artists and economic fallout. And so many others, both in Asheville and in neighboring towns, were damaged or destroyed. But the arts scene that has helped make the area famous remains robust and resilient. And so we celebrate our local artists who help us

mend the trauma and find a healing path. Our musicians will continue to play The Orange Peel (Indoor Music Venue for 15 years straight).

Blue Spiral 1 (Art Gallery, also on a 15-year winning streak) will continue to host cutting-edge art and local fine craft. The Southern Highland Guild, now celebrating its 95th year, will keep showcasing members’ work at its galleries (Craft-Oriented Gallery).

And LEAF Global Arts, Asheville Community Theatre, Penland School of Craft, LaZoom and the Steep Canyon Rangers, all A&E category winners this year, remind us that the creative spirit of WNC artistry is as resilient as ever.

Amid all this, please welcome these newcomers to this year’s Hall of Fame: DJ Lil Meow Meow (DJ-Nonradio), Jan Wescott (Fiber Artist) and Robert Bennett/Totally Rad Trivia (Trivia Night Emcee).

As a capstone, Rising Appalachia won the section’s new category, Traditional Appalachian Musician, demonstrating a perfect example of community solidarity with Drenched in Place, a compilation album created in response to Tropical Storm Helene, featuring songs from a range of WNC artists, with proceeds supporting rebuilding.

— Susan Hutchinson and Caitlin Donovan X

LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

1 LEAF FESTIVAL theleaf.org ea 377 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain 828-686-8742

2 AVL FEST avl.mx/ez6

Various Locations, Asheville

3 DOWNTOWN AFTER 5 ashevilledowntown.org d Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville 828-251-9973

INDOOR MUSIC VENUE

1 THE ORANGE PEEL x theorangepeel.net d 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-398-1837

2 THE GREY EAGLE thegreyeagle.com r 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville 828-232-5800

3 EULOGY avl.mx/d47 d 10 Buxton Ave., Asheville

OUTDOOR MUSIC VENUE

1 SALVAGE STATION x salvagestation.com r 468 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-407-0521

2 RABBIT RABBIT [Closed] d 75 Coxe Ave,, Asheville

3 PISGAH BREWING CO. pisgahbrewing.com

ea 2948 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-669-0190

3 THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO. highlandbrewing.com

e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-299-3370

PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST

INTIMATE MUSIC VENUE/ LISTENING ROOM

1 STATIC AGE RECORDS staticagenc.com

d 110 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-3232

2 FLEETWOOD’S ROCK-N-ROLL WEDDING CHAPEL fleetwoodschapel.com w 496 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-5525

3 LITTLE JUMBO littlejumbobar.com n 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783

RECORDING STUDIO

1 ECHO MOUNTAIN RECORDING STUDIO x echomountain.net d 175 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-232-4314

2 DROP OF SUN STUDIOS dropofsun.com w 821 Haywood Road, Suite 121, Asheville

3 CITIZEN VINYL citizenvinyl.com

d 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville

OPEN-MIC-NIGHT VENUE

1 SOVEREIGN KAVA ashevillekava.com

d 268 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-505-8118

2 WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN whitehorseblackmountain.com ea 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain 828-669-0816

3 ONE STOP @ ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL ashevillemusichall.com

d 31 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-255-7777

LYRICIST

(SONGWRITER)

1 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES x avl.mx/f0c • Asheville

2 MJ LENDERMAN mjlenderman.com • Asheville

3 HOPE GRIFFIN hopegriffinmusic.com • Asheville

VOCALIST (SINGER)

1 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES x avl.mx/f0c • Asheville

2 HOPE GRIFFIN hopegriffinmusic.com • Asheville

3 REBEKAH TODD rebekahtodd.com • Asheville

GUITARIST

1 ERIC CONGDON ericcongdon.com • Hendersonville

2 ANDREW THELSTON (ANDREW THELSTON BAND) andrewthelston.com • Asheville

2 ISAAC HADDEN isaachadden.com • Asheville

3 ALEX BAZEMORE Asheville

BASS GUITARIST

1 WALKER ASTIN (LAZRLUVR) lazrluvr.com • Hendersonville

2 ZACK PAGE avl.mx/xmasjbu

PERCUSSIONIST-DRUMMER

1 JEFF SIPE jeffsipemusic.com • Asheville

2 RIVER GUERGUERIAN guerguerian.com n Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-301-6605

3 SAM FRAME (LAZRLUVR) lazrluvr.com • Hendersonville

KEYBOARDIST/PIANIST

1 BRAD CURTIOFF (LAZRLUVR) lazrluvr.com • Asheville

2 CARRIE MORRISON carriemorrisonmusic.com • Asheville

ALL-ROUND FAVORITE BAND

1 STEEP CANYON RANGERS steepcanyon.com

2 EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS empirestrikesbrass.com • Asheville 828-620-1606

3 MJ LENDERMAN mjlenderman.com • Asheville

ACOUSTIC/FOLK

1 RISING APPALACHIA risingappalachia.com • Asheville

2 HOPE GRIFFIN hopegriffinmusic.com • Asheville

AMERICANA/COUNTRY

1 AMANDA ANNE PLATT & THE HONEYCUTTERS honeycutters.com • Arden 585-765-2083

2 MOONSHINE STATE moonshinestatemusic.com • Asheville

3 STEEP CANYON RANGERS steepcanyon.com

1 PEGGY RATUSZ

BLUES

avl.mx/cy8 • Asheville 828-301-6768

2 MR. JIMMY mrjimmymusic.com • Asheville 312-953-2534

FUNK

1 EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS empirestrikesbrass.com • Asheville 828-620-1606

2 YO MAMA’S BIG FAT BOOTY BAND bootyband.com • Asheville

3 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES

avl.mx/f0c • Asheville

JAZZ

1 FIRECRACKER JAZZ BAND x firecrackerjazz.com • Asheville 828-628-9169

2 ASHEVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA ashevillejazzorchestra.org • Asheville

3 JASON DECRISTOFARO

avl.mx/f07 • Asheville 828-273-8254

OLD-TIME/BLUEGRASS

1 STEEP CANYON RANGERS x steepcanyon.com

2 SUNS OF STARS sunsofstarsmusic.com

3 BALSAM RANGE balsamrange.com w Haywood • 336-909-1921

R&B/SOUL

“LYRIC”

RYAN RNB BARBER ryanbproductions.live • Asheville 828-691-5256

SECRET

828-707-2572

PHOTO

BEST OF ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT REPAIR COMPANY

1 HEYDAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS & REPAIR heydaymusic.net

d 108 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-0402

1 THE GUITAR WITCH REPAIRS

avl.mx/dxi • Asheville 828-785-3794

2 ACOUSTIC CORNER

acoustic-corner.com

ea 105-F Montreat Road, Black Mountain 828-669-5162

FINE ARTS THEATRE

MUSIC-RELATED NONPROFIT

1 LEAF GLOBAL ARTS x theleaf.org

d 19 Eagle St., Suite 120, Asheville 828-686-8742

2 WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN whitehorseblackmountain.com

ea 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain 828-669-0816

3 ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ashevillesymphony.org • Asheville 828-254-7046

ARTS/CRAFTS FAIR OR EVENT

1 THE BIG CRAFTY x thebigcrafty.com

d Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville

2 CRAFT FAIR OF THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS southernhighlandguild.org

d Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville 828-523-4110

3 UNCOMMON MARKET ASHEVILLE uncommonmarketasheville.com 828-545-0708

STUDIO STROLL/ DRIVING TOUR

1 RIVER ARTS DISTRICT (RAD) STUDIO STROLL x riverartsdistrict.com/studio-stroll/ r Asheville • 828-552-4723

2 WEAVERVILLE ART SAFARI weavervilleartsafari.com

na Weaverville

3 TOE RIVER ARTS STUDIO TOUR toeriverarts.org

na Yancey and Mitchell counties 828-765-0520

CRAFT SCHOOL OR PLACE TO LEARN A CRAFT

1 PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFT x penland.org

ea 67 Doras Trail, Bakersville 828-765-2359

2 JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL folkschool.org

wa 1 Folk School Road, Brasstown 828-837-2775

3 ODYSSEY CLAYWORKS odysseyclayworks.com r 236 Clingman Ave., Asheville 828-285-0210

ART GALLERY

1 BLUE SPIRAL 1 x bluespiral1.com d 38 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-251-0202

2 ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM ashevilleart.org d 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville 828-253-3227

3 MOMENTUM GALLERY momentumgallery.com d 52 Broadway, Asheville 828-505-8550

CRAFT-ORIENTED GALLERY

1 SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS CRAFT GUILD southernhighlandguild.org

e Folk Art Center, Milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville 828-298-7928

d Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Suite 123, Asheville 828-505-0164

e 930 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-7903

2 WOOLWORTH WALK woolworthwalk.com

d 25 Haywood St., Asheville 828-254-9234

3 CENTER FOR CRAFT CREATIVITY AND DESIGN centerforcraft.org d 67 Broadway, Asheville 828-785-1357

FIBER ARTIST

1 JAN WESCOTT (JANI WOVENS) x avl.mx/f05 • Asheville

JEWELRY ARTIST/DESIGNER

1 JEFFREY BURROUGHS (THE JEWEL OF ASHEVILLE) jeffreyburroughs.com

r 20 Artful Way, Suite 101, Asheville 646-986-0478

d Gallery Melange, 67 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-782-1110

PHOTO BY CALEB JOHNSON

1 BILLY GUILFORD & GEOFF KOSLOW (LEXINGTON GLASSWORKS)

lexingtonglassworks.com

d 81 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-348-8427

2 MICHAEL HATCH (CRUCIBLE GLASSWORKS)

Crucibleglassworks.com

na 60 Clarks Chapel Road, Weaverville 828-645-5660

3 NC GLASS CENTER

NCGlassCenter.org

r 140 Roberts St., Asheville 828-505-3552

MURAL ARTIST

1 GUS CUTTY x guscutty.com • Asheville

2 KATHRYN CRAWFORD kathryncrawfordart.com o Asheville

3 DUSTIN SPAGNOLA dustinspagnola.com w 474 Haywood Road, Suite 102, Asheville 315-436-1382

POTTER/CERAMIC ARTIST

1 AKIRA SATAKE CERAMICS/ GALLERY MUGEN akirasatake.com r 240 Clingman Ave., Asheville 828-231-9750

2 MELISSA WEISS melissaweisspottery.com o Asheville

3 SARAH VEKASI (SARAH SUNSHINE POTTERY) sarahsunshinepottery.com ea 105 Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-333-1884

PORTRAIT/HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHER

1 CAROL SPAGNUOLA (CAROL SPAGS PHOTOGRAPHY) carolspags.com r 109 Roberts St., Asheville 828-713-4485

2 SHEILA MRAZ sheilamraz.com o Asheville • 828-550-4663

3 NICOLE MCCONVILLE PHOTOGRAPHY nicolemcconville.com w 418 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-782-7131

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT TREADWAY

BEST OF ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WEDDING/EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER

1 SHEILA MRAZ sheilamraz.com o Asheville • 828-550-4663

2 NATHAN RIVERS CHESKY nathanchesky.com • Asheville 828-776-3629

3 STEPHAN PRUITT

stephanpruittphotography.com

d 22 S. Pack Square, Suite 302, Asheville 828-712-4669

NONPROFIT (NOT MUSIC) THAT SERVES THE ARTS

1 OPEN HEARTS ART CENTER openheartsartcenter.org

d 217 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-8428

2 RIVER ARTS DISTRICT ARTISTS FOUNDATION avl.mx/f11

r Asheville

3 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE

ashevilletheatre.org

d 35 E. Walnut St., Asheville 828-254-1320

MOVIE THEATER

1 FINE ARTS THEATRE fineartstheatre.com

d 36 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-232-1536

2 GRAIL MOVIEHOUSE [Closed] grailmoviehouse.com

r 17 Foundy St., Suite 20, Asheville 828-239-9392

3 THE CAROLINA CINEMARK ASHEVILLE avl.mx/3n9 s 1640 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-8811

LOCAL FILMMAKER

1 PAUL BONESTEEL (BONESTEEL FILMS) bonesteelfilms.com 828-236-0300

THEATER COMPANY

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE x ashevilletheatre.org

d 35 E. Walnut St., Asheville 828-254-1320

2 NORTH CAROLINA STAGE COMPANY ncstage.org d 15 Stage Lane, Asheville 828-239-0263

3 FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE flatrockplayhouse.org sa 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-693-0731

ACTOR (ANY GENDER)

1 SCOTT TREADWAY x avl.mx/f09 a Flat Rock

PERFORMANCE DANCE COMPANY

1 TERPSICORPS THEATRE OF DANCE terpsicorps.org w 69 Cranford Road, Asheville 828-761-1371

2 THE ASHEVILLE BALLET ashevilleballet.com

n 4 Weaverville Highway, Asheville 828-252-4761

3 ASHEVILLE DANCE THEATER ashevilledancetheater.com

e 802 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-298-0258

PLACE TO TAKE DANCE CLASSES OR LESSONS

1 DANCECLUB ASHEVILLE x danceclubasheville.com n Riverside Crossing, 9 Old Burnsville Hill Road, Suite 3, Asheville 828-423-0886

2 UPHORA DANCE FITNESS uphoradance.com w 1501 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-417-7171

3 THE ASHEVILLE BALLET ashevilleballet.com n 4 Weaverville Highway, Asheville 828-252-4761

IMPROV GROUP/COMEDY TROUPE OR SERIES

1 LAZOOM lazoomtours.com

d 76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932

2 REASONABLY PRICED BABIES avl.mx/bxx • Asheville 3 MISFIT IMPROV & ACTING SCHOOL misfitavl.com s 573 Fairview Road, Unit 21A, Asheville 828-771-6408

828-225-6932

3 ASHEVILLE COMEDY FESTIVAL ashevillecomedyfestival.com d Diana Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-257-4530

PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST

BEST OF ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

COMEDIAN

1 CAYLA CLARK

avl.mx/ehq • Asheville

2 PETEY SMITH-MCDOWELL (DISCLAIMER LOUNGE)

avl.mx/9x5

d 31 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-255-7777

3 HILLIARY BEGLEY

avl.mx/ezr • Asheville

KARAOKE NIGHT

1 BURGER BAR

avl.mx/9kq w 1 Craven St., Asheville 828-424-7600

2 FLEETWOOD’S ROCK-N-ROLL WEDDING CHAPEL fleetwoodschapel.com w 496 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-5525

3 THE DOUBLE CROWN

avl.mx/9mu w 375 Haywood Road, Asheville

TRIVIA NIGHT EMCEE

1 ROBERT BENNETT (TOTALLY RAD TRIVIA) x

avl.mx/dyw • Asheville 828-280-5437

2 BILLY NESBIT

avl.mx/dz9 • Asheville

3 KIPPER SCHAUER (DJ KIPPER)

avl.mx/f0b • Asheville DRAG PERFORMER/GROUP

1 DIVINE HOLEBURN (DIVINE THE BEARDED LADY) avl.mx/dvy • Asheville 828-333-7247

2 ASHEVILLE DRAG BRUNCH ashevilledragbrunch.com • Asheville 828-333-7247

3 PRISCILLA CHAMBERS

avl.mx/cy7 • Asheville

LAZOOM

Best Improv Group/Comedy Troupe or Series; second place Local Comedy Show/Night/Event; second place Place to Take Your Eccentric Friends, third place Local Asheville Attraction, third place Place to Pretend You’re a Tourist in Uniquely Asheville section; third place Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville in Work & Business section

LOCAL POET

1 RON RASH ronrashwriter.com w Cullowhee • 828-227-7264 2 WILEY CASH wileycash.com • Asheville 3 ROBERT BEATTY robert-beatty.com PO Box 8633, Asheville 28814 828-231-2223

1 ALLAN WOLF allanwolf.com • Asheville 828-772-7474

2 CALEB BEISSERT calebbeissert.wordpress.com • Asheville

LOCAL LITERARY EVENT

1 MALAPROP’S AUTHOR READINGS malaprops.com d 55 Haywood St., Asheville 828-254-6734

2 PUNCH BUCKET LIT punchbucketlit.org

PHOTO BY CHAD TRUITT

SHOPPING

GOODWILL

Best Clothing: Used or Vintage (nonprofit store)

WESTERN North Carolina doesn’t just have great shops — it’s home to the best! From Asheville’s walkable downtown to the indie pockets of West Asheville and the River Arts District, the region simply sparkles with stores as original and character-packed as the people who run them.

Looking for vintage denim or a locally crafted mug or something wildly random you didn’t know you needed? You’re likely to find it here. Our shops go beyond retail — they’ve become community fixtures,

creative hubs and treasure troves of the unexpected. The Best of WNC winners are proof that you don’t need big-box chains to find something special!

Take this year’s best Record/CD Store, Harvest Records, or WNC’s best Head Shop, Octopus Garden, both of which have maintained their Xpress Hall of Fame status 12 years running. And special comeback congratulations are in order for the storm-ravaged Antique Tobacco Barn (Antique Store) and Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Refurbished Or Upcycled Goods

and Nonprofit Used Furniture Store) — which surprised us all, reopening after Helene’s floodwaters all but swept them away. A neighborhood hero’s award goes to West Village Market & Deli (Convenience/Corner Store), which stayed open every day following the storm, despite loss of power, relying on flashlights and paper and pen to conduct commerce.

So, keep our local shops in mind for the next time you’re looking for a household staple or funky, unique find — or want to shake hands with a local hero.

— Brooke Randle X

STORE THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE 1 MAST GENERAL STORE mastgeneralstore.com d 15 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-232-1883 2 L.O.F.T. (LOST OBJECTS FOUND

loftofasheville.com d 53 Broadway, Asheville 828-259-9303

3 MADAM CLUTTERBUCKETS NEURODIVERSE UNIVERSE madamclutterbuckets.com d 21 Battery Park Ave., Suite 101, Asheville 828-552-3013 CLOTHING: DRESS-UP/STYLIN’ 1 MINX BOUTIQUE x minxasheville.com d 64 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-225-5680 2 REVOLVE MERCANTILE BUY+SELL+TRADE revolvemerc.net w 697 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-412-3112 3 EMOTE emoteavl.com w 444 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-318-2078

PHOTO BY CALEB JOHNSON

BEST OF SHOPPING

CLOTHING: USED OR VINTAGE (FOR-PROFIT STORE)

1 REVOLVE MERCANTILE BUY+SELL+TRADE

revolvemerc.net

w 697 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-412-3112

2 EMOTE emoteavl.com

w 444 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-318-2078

3 HONEYPOT VINTAGE honeypotvintage.com

d 86 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-225-0304

CLOTHING: USED OR VINTAGE (NONPROFIT STORE)

1 GOODWILL x goodwillnwnc.org

w 1616 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-771-2179

e 85 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-3595

s 51 Mills Gap Road, Asheville 828-687-0057

2 ZEN & NOW avl.mx/bwm

n Asheville Community Yoga, 8 Brookdale Road, Asheville 828-255-5575

3 ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY ashevillehumane.org

w 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville 828-761-2001

ASHEVILLE-STYLE CLOTHES

1 REVOLVE MERCANTILE BUY+SELL+TRADE

revolvemerc.net w 697 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-412-3112

2 ELEMENTALITY myelementality.com

e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 220, Asheville 828-299-4751

3 EMOTE emoteavl.com w 444 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-318-2078

SHOE STORE

1 TOPS FOR SHOES x topsforshoes.com d 27 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-6721

2 DISCOUNT SHOES OF ASHEVILLE discountshoesofasheville.com s 1263 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-667-0085

JEWELRY STORE

1 SPICER GREENE JEWELERS x spicergreene.com

d 121 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-253-1805

d 25 Haywood St., Asheville 828-254-9234 TOPS FOR SHOES Best Shoe Store

2 ELEMENTALITY myelementality.com e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 220, Asheville 828-299-4751

3 EMBELLISH ASHEVILLE embellishasheville.com

d 59 Broadway, Asheville 828-656-1281

3 KARAT PATCH parkerskaratpatch.com n 311 Weaverville Road, Asheville 828-645-7111

MALL-STYLE MARKET

1 MARQUEE marqueeasheville.com

r 36 Foundy St., Asheville 828-989-1069

2 SWEETEN CREEK ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES sweetencreekantiques.net s 115 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-277-6100

3 WOOLWORTH WALK woolworthwalk.com

PHOTO BY CALEB JOHNSON

ALL-ROUND

1 INGLES MARKETS x ingles-markets.com

See ad on page 13 for additional locations.

1 PUBLIX SUPER MARKET

publix.com

s 1830 Hendersonville Road, Asheville

828-274-6287

na 165 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 828-658-1020

sa 635 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville 828-694-4440

2 TRADER JOE’S traderjoes.com

n 120 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-5078

3 ALDI aldi.com

e 480 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 855-955-2534

LOCAL GROCERY DELIVERY OR CURBSIDE PICKUP

1 INGLES MARKETS

ingles-markets.com

See ad on page 13 for additional locations.

2 PUBLIX SUPER MARKET publix.com

s 1830 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-6287

na 165 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 828-658-1020

3 MOTHER EARTH FOOD motherearthfood.com

w 29 Hawk Hill Road, Asheville 828-275-3500

BUDGET-FRIENDLY GROCERY STORE

1 ALDI x aldi.com

e 480 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 855-955-2534

w 1344 Patton Ave., Asheville 855-955-2534

na 58 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 855-955-2534

2 HOPEY AND CO.

hopeyandcompany.com

e River Ridge Shopping Center, 800 Fairview Road, Suite 111, Asheville 828-255-5228

e 3018 U.S. Highway 70, Suite 1, Asheville 828-669-8988

3 TRADER JOE’S traderjoes.com

n 120 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-5078

HEALTH

FOOD STORE

1 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP frenchbroadfood.coop

d 90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-255-7650

2 EARTH FARE earthfare.com w 66 Westgate Parkway, Asheville 828-255-2999

3 WEST VILLAGE MARKET & DELI westvillagemarket.com.

w 771 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-225-4949

3 WHOLE FOODS MARKET wholefoodsmarket.com

n 70 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-5440

INTERNATIONAL/ SPECIALTY FOOD STORE

1 YZ ASIAN MARKET x avl.mx/9sn w 22 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-785-1653

2 ASIANA MARKET asianamarketavl.com s 1968 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-585-2362

3 RADHA INDIAN GROCERS avl.mx/prwr w 813 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-505-1991

CONVENIENCE/ CORNER

STORE

1 WEST VILLAGE MARKET & DELI westvillagemarket.com. w 771 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-225-4949

2 GAS-UP avl.mx/6bv w 405 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-5589

3 MONTFORD CONVENIENCE avl.mx/pryx n 231 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-258-1879

3 THE HOT SPOT hotspotcstore.com w 103 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-258-2619

NEW FURNITURE STORE

1 TYSON FURNITURE CO. x tysonfurniture.com ea 109 Broadway, Black Mountain 828-669-5000

2 PENLAND’S FURNITURE penlandsfurniture.com

ea 2700 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-686-5561

3 DAVIS HOME FURNITURE davishomefurniture.com s 100 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-785-1452

3 MOBILIA mobilianc.com

d 43 Haywood St., Asheville 828-252-8322

BEST OF SHOPPING

USED FURNITURE STORE (FOR-PROFIT STORE)

1 ATOMIC FURNISHING & DESIGN atomicfurnishings.com

n 178 Broadway, Asheville 828-774-5024

2 ANTIQUE TOBACCO BARN

atbarn.com

e 75 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-252-7291

USED FURNITURE STORE (NONPROFIT STORE)

1 ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE x

avl.mx/e08

s 31 Meadow Road, Asheville 828-254-6706

na 61 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 828-484-9432

2 FOUR SEASONS HOSPICE HOME STORE

avl.mx/e09

sa 21 Long Shoals Road, Arden 828-233-0375

sa 215 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-696-0625

3 WNC BRIDGE FOUNDATION THRIFT STORE & ESTATE SALES ASHEVILLE wncbridge.org

s 75 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-274-8206

BED AND MATTRESS STORE

1 COLTON MATTRESS x

coltonmattress.com

s 848 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-299-4445

2 MATTRESS MAN

mattressmanstores.com

e 80 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-675-2048

sa 229 Airport Road, Suite 2, Arden 828-744-0720

ANTIQUE STORE

1 ANTIQUE TOBACCO BARN x atbarn.com

e 75 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-252-7291

2 SWEETEN CREEK ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

sweetencreekantiques.net

s 115 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-277-6100

1 ALAN’S JEWELRY & PAWN x alanspawn.com

w 1186 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-8681

e 736 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-4440

3 ATOMIC FURNISHING & DESIGN atomicfurnishings.com n 178 Broadway, Asheville 828-774-5024 PAWN SHOP

wa 510 Paint Town Road, Cherokee 828-554-0431

2 FINKELSTEIN’S finkelsteinspawn.com d 21 Broadway, Asheville 828-253-7731

828-254-6706

828-484-9432

828-505-1108

atomicfurnishings.com n 178 Broadway, Asheville 828-774-5024

PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST

PICTURE FRAMER

1 FRUGAL FRAMER x frugalframer.com

n 95 Cherry St. N., Asheville 828-258-2435

sa 200 Julian Shoals Drive, Arden 828-687-8533

2 BLACKBIRD FRAME & ART

blackbirdframe.com

n 365 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-225-3117

FLORIST/PLANT SHOP

1 FLORA & FORAGE x florabotanicalliving.com

w 428 Haywood Road, Suite B, Asheville 828-252-8888

2 POLLEN COFFEE & FLOWERS pollenavl.com

d 45 S. French Broad Ave., Suite 150, Asheville

3 PALM + PINE palmandpine.com

w 178B Westwood Place, Asheville 828-505-2232

BOOKSTORE -

NEW

1 MALAPROP’S BOOKSTORE/CAFE x malaprops.com

d 55 Haywood St., Asheville 828-254-6734

2 FIRESTORM BOOKSTORE CO-OP firestorm.coop w 1022 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-255-8115

3 BARNES & NOBLE barnesandnoble.com e Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-296-7335

BOOKSTORE - USED

1 MR. K’S USED BOOKS, MUSIC & MORE x mrksusedbooks.com e River Ridge Market Place, 800 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-299-1145

2 DOWNTOWN BOOKS & NEWS dbnbooks.com d 67 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-253-8654

3 BAGATELLE BOOKS bagatellebooks.com w 428 Haywood Road, Suite C, Asheville 828-774-5585

BEST OF SHOPPING

RECORD/CD STORE

1 HARVEST RECORDS x harvest-records.com

w 415 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-2999

2 EARTH RIVER RECORDS earthriverproductions.com

n 101 Stone Ridge Blvd., Asheville 828-519-9063

3 STATIC AGE RECORDS staticagenc.com

d 110 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-3232

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE

1 ACOUSTIC CORNER

acoustic-corner.com

ea 105-F Montreat Road, Black Mountain 828-669-5162

2 GUITAR CENTER guitarcenter.com

e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 430, Asheville 828-298-0131

3 HEYDAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS & REPAIR heydaymusic.net

d 108 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-0402

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Best Intimate Music Venue/Listening Room; third place Record/CD Store

GAME STORE

1 ORBIT DVD orbitdvd.com

w 781 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-251-1337

2 THE WYVERN’S TALE thewyvernstaleavl.com

n 347 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-7887

3 GAMERS HAUNT gamershaunt.com

n 211 Merrimon Ave., Suite 241, Asheville 828-251-1500

COMICS & COLLECTIBLES STORE

1 MORGAN’S COMICS x morganscomics.com

w 600 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-4003

2 COMIC ENVY comicenvy.com

n 333 Merrimon Ave., Suite A, Asheville 828-252-7600

3 PASTIMES COMICS & GAMES comicshopasheville.com

n 175 Weaverville Road, Suite Y, Asheville 828-658-0588

GIFT SHOP

1 WHIST x whistshop.com w 444 Haywood Road, Suite 102, Asheville 828-252-5557

2 L.O.F.T. (LOST OBJECTS FOUND TREASURES) loftofasheville.com

d 53 Broadway, Asheville 828-259-9303

3 DELIGHTED delightedgiftshop.com

d 63 Haywood St., Asheville 828-412-3277 HEAD SHOP

1 OCTOPUS GARDEN SMOKE SHOP x octopusgardensmokeshops.com w 1062 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-232-6030

e 1269 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-8880

n 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-2883

2 GARDEN PARTY shopgardenparty.com

w 792 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-367-7738

PHOTO BY CALEB JOHNSON

ADULT TOYS, LINGERIE & NAUGHTY THINGS STORE

1 VAVAVOOOM BOUDOIR BOUTIQUE x vavavooom.com

d 57 Broadway, Asheville 828-254-6329

2 BOUTIQUE ROYALE: LINGERIE & GIFTS boutique-royale.com s 117 Sweeten Creek Road, Suite 30, Asheville 828-505-1796

3 BEDTYME STORIES avl.mx/dv3 sa 2334 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-684-8250

BIKE SHOP

1 LIBERTY BICYCLES x libertybikes.com s 1378 Hendersonville Road, Suite G, Asheville 828-274-2453

2 EPIC CYCLES epiccyclesnc.com ea 102 Sutton Ave., Black Mountain 828-669-5969 s 1240 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-665-7744

2 GRAVELO WORKSHOP: BICYCLES & COFFEE gravelo-workshop.com n 793 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-209-8798

AUTOMOBILE TIRE STORE

1 NEWBRIDGE TIRE CENTER x newbridgetirecenter.com n 1475 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-255-8005

2 DISCOUNT TIRE discounttire.com e 105 Bleachery Blvd., Asheville 828-318-0949

sa 54 Airport Road, Building 300, Arden 828-708-6022

3 JAN DAVIS TIRE STORE jandavistire.com d 209 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-253-5634

AUTO DEALERNEW AND/OR USED

1 FRED ANDERSON SUBARU [formerly Prestige Subaru] x fredandersonsubaru.com e 110 S. Bear Creek Road, Asheville 828-786-9390

2 FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA OF ASHEVILLE ashevilletoyota.com s 777 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-585-5825

3 HUNTER SUBARU hunterautogroup.com sa 220 Hunter Airport Drive, Fletcher 828-786-3824

PERSONAL SERV ICES

THE LOCAL BARBER & TAP

Best Barbershop

FROM shaping hairlines to aligning chakras, our restful region offers a cornucopia of contenders in the Personal Services sector to get you pampered and personalized. For those days when you feel the urge to curl up and dye, there’s no shortage of salons and stylists ready to bring your hair back to life. You get twice the options with hair salons this year, since Ananda Hair Studio and Neon Moon Salon tied for first in that category. Tradition wins again when it comes

to spas, with The Spa at Omni Grove Park Inn securing first for its 15th year. And if shear thoughts are all-consuming, go to The Local Barber & Tap, which snagged best Barbershop for the ninth year running.

If the date-night stakes are high, roll into Lucky Dice Nail Studio (Nail Salon) and request Chancey Furnas (Nail Technician) — whoever said the devil’s in the details was definitely not referring to a fresh mani and pedi.

Voters did not bat an eye, or maybe they did, choosing Majesty Boswell for best Esthetician and Rosie Brow & Waxing Studio for best Eyebrow Shaping. To keep from lashing out, try a little tattoo therapy at Girl & Goblin (Tattoo Parlor/Studio), where you can get inked by the one of the region’s best, Martina Zago, who tied for best Tattoo Artist with Chuck Donoghue at Greenhouse.

— Brionna Dallara X

1 THE SPA AT OMNI GROVE PARK INN x avl.mx/554 n 290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800

2 SHOJI SPA & RETREAT shojispa.com e 96 Avondale Heights, Asheville 828-299-0999

3 SAUNA HOUSE saunahouse.com d 230 Short Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-6393

1 MAJESTY BOSWELL (HUNNY ESTHETICS) hunnyesthetics.com e 76 Glendale Ave., Suite 302, Asheville 828-573-4842 EYEBROW SHAPING 1 ROSIE BROW + WAXING STUDIO rosiebrows.com n 1 Zillicoah St., Asheville 828-295-2064

2 CHARMING EYES e 83 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-785-1510

PHOTO BY CALEB JOHNSON

HAIR SALON

1 ANANDA HAIR STUDIO

anandahair.com n 308 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-678-2444

1 NEON MOON SALON theneonmoonsalon.com

w 915 Haywood Road, Unit 101, Asheville 828-357-7481

2 WILLOW’S DREAM willowsdream.com d 64 Broadway, Asheville 828-225-5922

3 WINK SALON ilovewink.com s 399 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-277-4070

HAIRSTYLIST

1 AMY GROOMS ROSE thegoodhairstylist.com w 290 Haywood Road, Suite 102, Asheville

2 PAIGE COHENS (NEON MOON SALON) theneonmoonsalon.com

w 915 Haywood Road, Suite 101, Asheville 828-357-7481

2 SKIP FELLERS (NEON MOON SALON) theneonmoonsalon.com w 915 Haywood Road, Suite 101, Asheville 828-357-7481

3 ANNA HALLS (NEON MOON SALON) theneonmoonsalon.com w 915 Haywood Road, Suite 101, Asheville 828-357-7481

BARBERSHOP

1 THE LOCAL BARBER & TAP x barberandtap.com

d 84 W. Walnut St., Unit B, Asheville 828-232-7005

w 315 Haywood Road, Suite 115, Asheville 828-412-3285

2 ASHEVILLE BARBER CO.

ashevillebarbercompany.com n 839 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-575-9494

3 THE CHOP SHOP BARBER SHOP wncbarber.com w 606 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-412-5466

BARBER

1 JONNY KATZMAREK (JONNY’S BARBER SHOP)

jonnysbarbershop.com

d Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Suite 116A, Asheville 828-367-9780

NAIL SALON

1 LUCKY DICE NAIL STUDIO luckydiceavl.square.site s 76 Glendale Ave., Suite 203, Asheville 828-505-2645

2 AMERICAN NAILS AVL americannailsavl.com w 1341 Parkwood Road, Suite 104, Asheville 828-255-5525

3 HANDS ON SPA handsonspaasheville.net n 640 Merrimon Ave., Suite 105, Asheville 828-255-4540

NAIL TECHNICIAN

1 CHANCEY FURNAS (LUCKY DICE NAIL STUDIO) luckydiceavl.square.site s 76 Glendale Ave., Suite 203, Asheville 828-505-2645

2 VICKY NGUYEN (HANDS ON SPA) handsonspaashevillenc.com n 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-255-4540

3 THANG CHU (AMERICAN NAILS AVL) americannailsavl.com w 1341 Parkwood Road, Suite 104, Asheville 828-255-5525

TATTOO PARLOR/STUDIO

1 GIRL AND GOBLIN

girlandgoblin.com

w 610 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-8700

2 ZEN INK

zeninkasheville.com

r 352 Depot St., Suite 110, Asheville 828-505-4456

3 HOT STUFF TATTOO hotstufftattoos.com

w 416 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-251-6040

TATTOO ARTIST

1 CHUCK DONOGHUE (GREENHOUSE) greenhouseavl.com

n 15 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-606-9873

1 MARTINA ZAGO (GIRL & GOBLIN)

girlandgoblin.com

w 610 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-8700

2 DANNY REED (HOT STUFF TATTOO)

hotstufftattoos.com

w 416 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-251-6040

2 RIVER DAWN (SPIRIT ALCHEMY) spiritalchemytattoo.com

PIERCING STUDIO

1 BELLA FINE JEWELRY AND PIERCING x bellapiercing.com d 51 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-301-1711

2 DIAMOND THIEVES diamondthieves.net w 1060 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-225-3845

2 ZEN INK

zeninkasheville.com

r 352 Depot St., Suite 110, Asheville 828-505-4456

3 EMPIRE TATTOO & PIERCING empiretattooasheville.com d 83 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-252-8282

LOCAL BODY-PRODUCTS MAKER

1 EVERYDAY OIL everydayoil.com o Black Mountain

& HOME SERVICES PROFESSIONAL

TOWN AND MOUNTAIN REALTY Best Real Estate Company

THERE’S an old adage that says if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. I use that for hiking all the time. There’s also one for professional services that I live by. If you want it done correctly — and in the long run, cheaper — hire a professional. Take, for example, bicycling. When I’m screaming down a hill (I mean audibly, not in terms

of speed), I want to make sure my brakes are on it. Liberty Bikes (best Bike Repair) are my people. For just about everything I can, I save myself time, money, aggravation and maybe injury by turning to the pros.

But which pros? That’s where this Best of WNC list is worth its weight in gold (or bitcoin or whatever currency you use). Need a certified

public accountant? A builder? A computer repair person? These are the ones to call.

Just a couple of stellar examples: Newly elevated to the Hall of Fame for topping the list four years in a row in their categories are Kevin Pasarilla with Northwestern Mutual (Financial Adviser) and JAG Construction (Green Builder).

— Lisa Allen X

1 AUSTIN CPA, PC x austincpapc.com d 301 W. Haywood St., Asheville 828-785-1556

2 GOULD KILLIAN CPA GROUP, P.A. gk-cpa.com d 100 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-258-0363

3 ACCOUNTING SPECIALISTS OF ASHEVILLE acctspecialists.com n 394 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-774-5455 PLACE TO HAVE YOUR TAXES PREPARED

1 AUSTIN CPA, PC x austincpapc.com d 301 W. Haywood St., Asheville 828-785-1556

2 H&R BLOCK hrblock.com w 891 Patton Ave., Suite H, Asheville 828-232-6757 d 204 Executive Park, Asheville 828-254-0321

3 AVL TAX PROFESSIONALS avltaxpros.com s 856 Sweeten Creek Road, Suite C, Asheville 828-277-4177 FINANCIAL ADVISER

1 KEVIN PASARILLA (NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT CO.) x kevinpasarilla.nm.com n 138 Charlotte St., Suite 200, Asheville 828-210-3806

PHOTO BY CALEB JOHNSON

LAW FIRM

1 GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER, P.A. x grcclaw.com

d 77 Central Ave., Suite H, Asheville 828-258-0150

s 1944 Hendersonville Road, Suite D1, Asheville 828-258-0150

na 68 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-258-0150

2 THE VAN WINKLE LAW FIRM vwlawfirm.com

d 11 N. Market St., Asheville 828-258-2991

3 MCGUIRE WOOD & BISSETTE LAW FIRM mwblawyers.com

d 48 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-8800

3 PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES pisgahlegal.org

d 62 Charlotte St., Asheville 253-0406

REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY

1 VERONICA H. COLVARD (GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER, P.A) grcclaw.com

n 77 Central Ave., Suite H, Asheville 828-258-0150

2 KATHERINE VAN MARTER (VAN MARTER LAW) vanmarterlaw.com

r 183 Bartlett St., Suite 110, Asheville 828-417-3251

3 GEORGE F. “GREG” GOOSMANN (GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER, P.A.) grcclaw.com

d 77 Central Ave., Suite H, Asheville 828-258-0150

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

1 TOWN AND MOUNTAIN REALTY

townandmountain.com

w 315 Haywood Road, Suite 119, Asheville 828-232-2879

2 MOSAIC COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE REALTY

mymosaicrealty.com

n 46 Orchard St., Suite 100, Asheville 828-202-9821

3 THE MATT & MOLLY TEAM (KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY)

themattandmollyteam.com

d 86 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-210-1697

REAL ESTATE AGENT

1 THE MATT & MOLLY TEAM (KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY) x themattandmollyteam.com

d 86 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-210-1697

INSURANCE AGENT

1 CHAD MCKINNEY (MCKINNEY INSURANCE) mckinneyagency.com

s 5 Allen Ave., Asheville 828-684-5020

1 HENCO REPROGRAPHICS x hencorepro.com

d 54 Broadway, Asheville 828-253-0449

n 1445 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-552-3671

2 IMAGE 420 SCREENPRINTING image420.com w 420 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-253-9420

CELLPHONE SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE WNC MOUNTAINS

1 VERIZON x verizon.com

e 242 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-573-1403

w 851 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-633-1738

w 159 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville 828-668-5811

2 T-MOBILE t-mobile.com w 1 Regent Park Blvd., Asheville 828-281-3229 e 129 Bleachery Blvd., Suite T, Asheville 828-296-0417

3 AT&T att.com e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 17, Asheville 828-298-1833

CHARLOTTE STREET

x charlottestreetcomputers.com n 252 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-225-6600 2 CHRISTOPHER’S COMPUTERS christopherscomputers.com n 549 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-670-9800

3 ONECLICKFIX COMPUTER REPAIR gregmayer.com n 438 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-318-8558

PHOTO

BEST OF PROFESSIONAL & HOME SERVICES

CAR REPAIR

1 XPERTECH CAR CARE x xpertechcarcare.com

e 1295 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-3612

2 JIMMY’S AUTOMOTIVE jimmysauto.com

n 277 Weaverville Highway, Asheville 828-565-8608

3 MOSTLY IMPORT AUTO REPAIR mostlyimportautorepair.com

d 253 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-253-4981

PLACE TO GET YOUR OIL CHANGED

1 VALVOLINE INSTANT OIL CHANGE vioc.com

n 663 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-761-6951

s 1276 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-274-3085

s 1254 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-277-7976

2 TAKE 5 OIL CHANGE take5.com

w 285 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville 828-761-0906

e 1093 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-785-5937

3 THE OIL CAN

w 175 Starnes Cove Road, Asheville 828-667-0330

BIKE REPAIR

1 LIBERTY BICYCLES x libertybikes.com

s 1378 Hendersonville Road, Suite G, Asheville 828-274-2453

2 EPIC CYCLES epiccyclesnc.com

ea 102 Sutton Ave., Black Mountain 828-669-5969

s 1240 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-665-7744

3 FIND YOUR LINE BICYCLE SHOP findyourline.bike w 359 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-585-7289 EQUIPMENT RENTAL SERVICES

1 GENERAL EQUIPMENT RENTAL generalrents.com na 25 A-B Emblem Drive, Weaverville 828-658-2334

x

(Winner

PHOTO BY CALEB JOHNSON

3 Biltmore Ave, Asheville (828) 552-3288

630 Haywood Rd, Asheville (828) 505-0860

335 Airport Rd #300, Arden (828) 676-0558

BEST OF PROFESSIONAL & HOME SERVICES

GREEN BUILDER

1 JAG CONSTRUCTION x jaggreen.com

e 33 Mineral Springs Road, Asheville 828-252-4205

2 JADE MOUNTAIN BUILDERS jademountainbuilders.com

r 362 Depot St., Asheville 828-216-3948

2 MB HAYNES CORP. mbhaynes.com

w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141

PLUMBING COMPANY

1 T.P. HOWARD’S PLUMBING CO. x tphowardsplumbing.com

ea 90 Number 9 Road, Fairview 828-628-1369

2 FOUR SEASONS PLUMBING callfourseasons.com

s 30 Bella Way, Asheville 828-585-3215

3 MB HAYNES PLUMBING mbhaynes.com

w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRICIAN COMPANY

1 MB HAYNES ELECTRICAL x mbhaynes.com

w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141

2 POWER TO THE PEOPLE avlp2p.com

M 7 Rumbough Place, Asheville 828-551-9843

HEATING/COOLING COMPANY

1 GENTRY SERVICE GROUP x gentryservice.com

ea 100 Buckeye Access Road, Swannanoa 828-581-4045

2 MB HAYNES HEATING & COOLING mbhaynes.com

w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141

3 HORIZON HEAT & AIR horizonheatac.com

sa 1581 N. Allen Road, Hendersonville 828-697-5255

PEST CONTROL SERVICE

1 TERMINIX x trustterminix.com

w 396 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-820-8659

na 108 Monticello Road, Suite 700, Weaverville 828-900-5325

sa 77 McCall St., Flat Rock 828-671-3925

2 DODSON PEST CONTROL dodsonbros.com

wa 1739 Smokey Park Highway, Candler 844-501-5088

2 GIBSON PEST CONTROL gibsonpest.com sa 126 Underwood Road, Fletcher 828-684-1353

3 APEX PEST CONTROL apexpestcontrolwnc.com n 467 Weaverville Road, Asheville 828-545-7378

MOVING COMPANY

1 COLLEGE HUNKS HAULING JUNK & MOVING ASHEVILLE collegehunkshaulingjunk.com

sa 6 Celtic Drive, Unit B1, Arden 828-439-0728

2 TWO MEN AND A TRUCK twomenandatruckasheville.com sa 240 Rutledge Road, Fletcher 828-355-6058

CONSTRUCTION FIRM (DESIGN AND/OR BUILD)

1 MB HAYNES CONSTRUCTION

mbhaynes.com

w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141

HOUSE PAINTERS

1 BIONIC MAN PAINTING CO. x bionicmanpainting.com

w 57 Salola St., Asheville 828-215-7772

ROOFING COMPANY

1 JOHN MCCLUNG ROOFING johnmcclungroofing.com M Asheville • 828-658-5646

2 BALKEN ROOFING balkenroofing.com

ea 101 W. Buckeye Road, Swannanoa 828-628-0390

3 PISGAH ROOFING & RESTORATION pisgahroofingandrestoration.com w 1302 Patton Ave., Suite 40, Asheville 282-424-7112

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SALES AND INSTALLATION

1 SUGAR HOLLOW SOLAR sugarhollowsolar.com e 100 Westside Drive, Asheville 828-776-9161

2 MB HAYNES SOLAR mbhaynes.com w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141

HANDYPERSON

1 BEN WEAVER (LEAVE IT TO WEAVER) x leaveittoweaver.net M Weaverville • 828-301-4725

HOME INSPECTION SERVICE

1 ALLIED HOME INSPECTION alliedinspector.com

M Asheville • 828-589-0252

2 FARRIS HOME INSPECTIONS farrishomeinspections.com

M Asheville • 828-676-4419

HOME CLEANING SERVICE

1 GREEN HOME CLEANING x greenhomecleaning.com M Asheville • 828-505-7320

JUNK REMOVAL SERVICE

1 COLLEGE HUNKS HAULING JUNK & MOVING ASHEVILLE collegehunkshaulingjunk.com sa 6 Celtic Drive, Unit B1, Arden 828-439-0728

2 JUNK RECYCLERS [Closed] junkrecyclers.net M Asheville • 828-767-5406

DRY CLEANER

1 SWANNANOA CLEANERS x swannanoacleaners.com

d 165 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-253-3691 n 712 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-252-3676

s South Forest Shopping Center, 780 Hendersonville Road, Unit 4, Asheville 828-274-7550

2 QUICK AS A WINK CLEANERS avl.mx/7v6

s 750 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-253-2331

3 ASHEVILLE CLEANERS avl.mx/dum n 230 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-2364

KIDS

SOME of this year’s winners in the Kids section displayed extraordinary commitment to the youths they serve in the face of unprecedented devastation from Tropical Storm Helene.

For example, the WNC Nature Center (Daytrip for Kids), a 10-year Hall of Fame winner, managed to reopen just six months after Helene, despite the destruction of area bridges and roads. Center Director Chris Gentile had thought it would be at least a year before the facility would be able to reopen to the public.

Hall of Fame winner Asheville

Buncombe Youth Soccer Association (Team-Sports Program) was forced by Helene’s widespread destruction to use alternative sites after many of its fields flooded. Shane Weems, ABYSA recreation program director of coaching and player development, noted that the association managed to offer free pickup soccer just 10 days after the storm and restarted the season after only a four-week hiatus. Congratulations are also in order for our Hall of Famers in 13 cat-

egories that continued to create kid-friendly atmospheres in WNC this year. Dancing Bear Toys (Toy Store) deserves extra recognition for its 15th consecutive win, the longest streak among Kids section Hall of Fame winners.

A special welcome is also due to our newest inductee into the Hall of Fame, which has built a reputation in the School (Precollege) category. Congratulations to ArtSpace Charter School!

Amrit Brown X

SCHOOL (PRECOLLEGE)

1 ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL x artspacecharter.org ea 2030 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-298-2787

2 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL rainbowcommunityschool.org w 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264

3 ODYSSEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL odysseycommunity.org n 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-259-3653

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS x martialartsasheville.com e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

2 YMCA OF WNC ymcawnc.org/programs n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-3990 d 30 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-210-9622

3 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL rainbowcommunityschool.org w 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264

PRESCHOOL

1 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL rainbowcommunityschool.org w 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264

2 ODYSSEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL odysseycommunity.org n 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-259-3653

3 SHALOM CHILDREN’S CENTER (ASHEVILLE JCC) jcc-asheville.org n 236 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-253-0701

PHOTO BY CHAD TRUITT

CHILD CARE OR DAY CARE SERVICE

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS martialartsasheville.com

e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

2 YMCA OF WNC ymcawnc.org/programs

n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-3990

d 30 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-210-9622

ART EDUCATION PROGRAM

1 ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL x artspacecharter.org

ea 2030 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-298-2787

2 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL rainbowcommunityschool.org w 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264

3 ODYSSEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL odysseycommunity.org

n 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-259-3653

MUSIC TEACHER

1 LAURA BLACKLEY (RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL) rainbowcommunityschool.org w 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264

2 MEG NOVAK (ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL) artspacecharter.org

ea 2030 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-298-2787

3 AGUSTIN PALOMO RAMOS avl.mx/ez0 n 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-259-3653

DAYTRIP FOR KIDS

1 WNC NATURE CENTER x wildwnc.org

e 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville 828-259-8080

KID-FRIENDLY HIKE

1 CATAWBA FALLS

avl.mx/7uz

ea 3074 Catawba River Road, Old Fort 828-257-4200

1 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM ncarboretum.org

s 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492

2 MOORE COVE FALLS (PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST) avl.mx/f0m s 828-257-4200

3 BEARWALLOW MOUNTAIN avl.mx/e03

sa 4854 Bearwallow Mountain Road, Hendersonville

OVERNIGHT CAMP

1 CAMP CEDAR CLIFF x campcedarcliff.org

e 5 Porters Cove Road, Asheville 828-450-3331

2 YMCA CAMP WATIA ymcacampwatia.org

wa 5030 Watia Road, Bryson City 828-209-9600

DAY CAMP

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS martialartsasheville.com

e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

2 YMCA OF WNC SUMMER DAY CAMPS ymcawnc.org/programs n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-3990

d 30 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-210-9622

3 CAMP CEDAR CLIFF

campcedarcliff.org

e 5 Porters Cove Road, Asheville 828-450-3331

PLACE FOR INDOOR FUN

1 MOUNTAIN PLAY LODGE

mountainplaylodge.com

sa 3389 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-2120

2 LAUNCH TRAMPOLINE PARK launchtrampolinepark.com

sa 24 Walden Drive, Arden 828-651-0280

3 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS

martialartsasheville.com

e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

PLACE FOR OUTDOOR FUN

1 WNC NATURE CENTER x wildwnc.org

e 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville 828-259-8080

2 ADVENTURE CENTER OF ASHEVILLE ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com

w 85 Expo Drive, Asheville 828-225-2921

3 PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST

avl.mx/6aw

sa Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest 828-257-4200

PLAYGROUND

1 LAKE LOUISE PARK

avl.mx/dmj

na Lake Louise Drive, Weaverville 828-645-7116

2 JAKE RUSHER PARK

avl.mx/f04

sa 160 Sycamore Drive, Arden 828-259-5800

3 CANDACE PICKENS MEMORIAL PARK

avl.mx/eze

n Ottari Road, (opposite Manetta Road), Asheville

3 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL

rainbowcommunityschool.org

w 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264

BEST OF KIDS

MUSEUM

1 ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM ashevilleart.org

d 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville 828-253-3227

2 ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE (AMOS) ashevillescience.org

d 43 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-7162

3 HANDS ON! CHILDREN’S MUSEUM handsonwnc.org

sa 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-697-8333

PLACE FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS martialartsasheville.com

e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

2 LAUNCH TRAMPOLINE PARK launchtrampolinepark.com

sa 24 Walden Drive, Arden 828-651-0280

3 CHUCK E. CHEESE chuckecheese.com

e River Hills Shopping Center, 104 River Hills Road, Asheville 828-299-3750

PARENTS NIGHT OUT PROGRAM

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS x martialartsasheville.com

e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

2 YMCA OF WNC ymcawnc.org/programs n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-3990

d 30 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-210-9622

3 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY MOVEMENT ashevillecommunitymovement.com

n 812 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-6060

DANCE STUDIO

1 BALLET CONSERVATORY OF ASHEVILLE avl.mx/ez9

n 6 E. Chestnut St., Asheville 828-255-5777

2 ASHEVILLE DANCE THEATER ashevilledancetheater.com e 802 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-298-0258

3 WNC DANCE ACADEMY wncdanceacademy.com

n 829 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-277-7452

GYMNASTICS PROGRAM

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY MOVEMENT ashevillecommunitymovement.com n 812 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-6060

2 THE LITTLE GYM OF ASHEVILLE tlgashevillenc.com s 10 Crispin Court, Suite 104, Asheville 828-785-4808

3 OSEGA GYMNASTICS osegagym.com sa 260 Rutledge Road, Fletcher 828-665-0004

800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

PHOTO BY CHAD TRUITT

Best Pediatric Practice - Dentistry; second place Dental Practice in Health & Wellness section

1 DANCING BEAR TOYS x dancingbeartoys.com

e 518 Kenilworth Road, Asheville 828-255-8697

2 SPARKY’S TOYS & GIFTS sparkystoyshop.com w 726 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-2711

3 O.P. TAYLOR’S optaylors.com sa 16 S. Broad St., Brevard 828-883-2309

BAKERY FOR BIRTHDAY CAKES

1 PUBLIX SUPER MARKET publix.com

s 1830 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-6287

na 165 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 828-658-1020

sa 635 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville 828-694-4440

2 SHORT STREET CAKES shortstreetcakes.com w 225 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-4822

KIDS CLOTHES

1 THE LITTLEST BIRDS x thelittlestbirds.com

e Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Road, Suite G-08, Asheville 828-253-4747

2 WEE TRADE weetradecarolinas.com

sa Davis Event Center, 761 Boylston Highway, Fletcher 828-708-7360

3 ONCE UPON A CHILD onceuponachild.com

e 104 River Hills Road, Suite D, Asheville 828-707-8097

3 NOTHING BUNDT CAKES avl.mx/ezg s 1838 Hendersonville Road, Suite A-102, Asheville 828-417-3548 PEDIATRIC PRACTICEGENERAL MEDICINE

1 ABC PEDIATRICS OF ASHEVILLE x abcasheville.com s 64 Peachtree Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-277-3000

2 FRENCH BROAD PEDIATRICS frenchbroadpeds.com n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 117, Asheville 828-348-8232

3 MOUNTAIN AREA PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES, PA mountainareapeds.com e 500 Centrepark Drive, Asheville 828-254-4337

PHOTO BY CHAD TRUITT

PEDIATRIC PRACTICEDENTISTRY

1 GREAT SMILES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS x

greatsmiles.com

s 10B Yorkshire St., Asheville 828-274-9220

n 94 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 102, Asheville 828-274-9220

wa 50 Bowman Drive, Waynesville 828-274-9220

2 ASHEVILLE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY ashevillepediatricdentistry.com

s 70 Peachtree Road, Suite 130, Asheville 828-277-6788

3 DR. DENNIS R. CAMPBELL, DDS babytoothdoc.com

s 430 McDowell St., Asheville 828-254-7291

ORTHODONTIST

1 KEITH BLACK (BLACK ORTHODONTICS) kblacksmiles.com

s 5 Yorkshire St., Suite A, Asheville 828-277-7103

2 TIMOTHY SCANLAN (TS ORTHODONTICS) tsorthodontics.com

s 76 Peachtree Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-270-7638

3 JEFFREY ROEDER (ROEDER ORTHODONTICS) roederorthodontics.com

s 22 Medical Park Drive, Asheville 828-274-2500

HEALTH & WELL NESS

1 JASON GOLDIE (THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS) fhconline.com d 206 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-8681

2 RUSTAN ADCOCK (THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS) fhconline.com d 206 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-8681

3 EMILY DIZNOFF (OUR FAMILY DOCTOR) ourfamilydoctorasheville.com s 43 Oakland Road, Asheville 828-252-2511

1 LAUREN KEELY CARLISLE (FRENCH BROAD PEDIATRICS) x frenchbroadpeds.com n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 117, Asheville 828-348-8232

MOUNTAIN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (MAHEC)

Best Place to Get Medical Care When Under- or Uninsured; second place Family Medical Practice; second place Therapist or Counseling Center; third place Health & Wellness-Focused Nonprofit

AFTER Tropical Storm

Helene slammed into Western North Carolina last fall, the area’s health and wellness community stepped up to meet the challenge. Doctors from Mountain Area Health Education Center, Mission Health, Our Family Doctor and many others navigated closed roads, downed trees and lost power to ensure affected community members received care and medication. At the same time, scores of area mental health providers, bodyworkers, acupuncturists and more offered free or discounted services — proving that wellness is about more than physical health:

It’s about compassion, humanism and dedication.

With life having mostly returned to normal since then, these heroes continue their work: Winners like the YMCA of Western North Carolina (Gym or Place to Work Out, 15 years running), and Asheville Community Yoga (Yoga Studio, 15 years) help keep our bodies moving and groovin’, while All Souls Counseling Center (Therapist or Counseling Center, two years in a row) nourishes the soul. Among this year’s repeat winners are the long-standing Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts (Martial Arts Studio, 14 years) and Groce Funeral Home & Cremation Service (Mortuary/Funeral Services,

13 years), proving to WNC voters that excellent service can be honed and maintained for years.

Also, we tip our hat to Asheville Community Yoga for its new entry into this year’s Hall of Fame as best Health & Wellness-Focused Nonprofit, tying with the YMCA for the honor.

Whether you’re getting a deep-tissue massage after a mountain hike, visiting a midwife who feels more like family or sweating it out in a locally owned gym that actually makes you want to show up, this year’s Best Of WNC winners have your mind, body and spirit covered.

— Brooke Randle X

2 BRIAN O’DONNELL (MOUNTAIN AREA PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES) mountainareapeds.com e 500 Centrepark Drive, Asheville 828-254-4337

3 DR. MARGARET GOODWIN (MOUNTAIN AREA PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES) mountainareapeds.com e 500 Centrepark Drive, Asheville 828-254-4337

PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST

FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE

1 THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS fhconline.com

d 206 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-8681

wa 1219 Smokey Park Highway, Candler 828-258-8681

sa 2161 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-258-8681

2 MOUNTAIN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (MAHEC) mahec.net/family-health

s 123 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-257-4730

n 218 Elkwood Ave., Asheville 828-257-4747

3 OUR FAMILY DOCTOR ourfamilydoctorasheville.com

d 43 Oakland Road, Asheville 828-252-2511

MEMBERSHIP HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

1 LANTERN HEALTH lanterndpc.com

s 390 S. French Broad Ave., Suite 20, Asheville 828-552-5757

s 11 Crispin Court, Suite E106, Asheville 828-348-6917

2 INTEGRATIVE FAMILY MEDICINE OF ASHEVILLE integrativeasheville.org

r 372 Depot St., Suite 10, Asheville 828-575-9600

WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTER

1 ASHEVILLE WOMEN’S MEDICAL CENTER x ashevillewomens.com

d 143 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-9191

sa 310 Long Shoals Road, Suite 202, Arden 828-687-2955

2 LAUREL OB/GYN laurelobgyn.com

s 41 Oakland Road, Suite 200, Asheville 828-253-5381

3 MAHEC OB/GYN SPECIALISTS mahec.net

s 119 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-771-5500 MATERNITY CARE/SERVICE

1 ASHEVILLE WOMEN’S MEDICAL CENTER

ashevillewomens.com

d 143 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-9191

sa 310 Long Shoals Road, Suite 202, Arden 828-687-2955

2 MAHEC OB/GYN SPECIALISTS mahec.net

s 119 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-771-5500

3 LAUREL OB/GYN laurelobgyn.com

s 41 Oakland Road, Suite 200, Asheville 828-253-5381

HOSPITAL

1 ADVENTHEALTH HENDERSONVILLE x adventhealth.com

sa 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville 855-774-5433

2 PARDEE HOSPITAL pardeehospital.org

sa 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville 828-696-1000

3 MISSION HOSPITAL (HCA) missionhealth.org

s 509 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-213-111

EMERGENCY ROOM

1 ADVENTHEALTH HENDERSONVILLE

adventhealth.com

sa 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville 855-774-5433

2 PARDEE HOSPITAL

pardeehospital.org

sa 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville 828-696-1000

3 MISSION HOSPITAL (HCA) missionhealth.org

s 509 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-213-111

URGENT CARE/ WALK-IN CLINIC

1 MERCY URGENT CARE

mercyurgentcare.org

w 1201 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-252-4878

e 1272 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-210-8325

s 1833 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-1462

2 NOVANT HEALTH-GOHEALTH URGENT CARE

gohealthuc.com

n 674 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-348-7418

3 PARDEE URGENT CARE

pardeehospital.org

sa 212 Thompson St., Suite A, Hendersonville 828-697-3232

BEST OF HEALTH & WELLNESS

PLACE TO GET MEDICAL CARE WHEN UNDER- OR UNINSURED

1 MOUNTAIN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (MAHEC)

mahec.net

s 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-257-4400

n 218 Elkwood Ave., Asheville 828-257-4747

2 WNC COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES (MINNIE JONES HEALTH CENTER) wncchs.org

d 257 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-285-0622

3 ADVENTHEALTH HENDERSONVILLE adventhealth.com

sa 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville 855-774-5433

THERAPIST OR COUNSELING CENTER

1 ALL SOULS COUNSELING CENTER allsoulscounseling.org

n 35 Arlington St., Asheville 828-259-3369

2 MOUNTAIN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (MAHEC)

mahec.net

s 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-257-4400

n 218 Elkwood Ave., Asheville 828-257-4747

DENTAL PRACTICE

1 GILLESPIE DENTAL ASSOCIATES x drtimgillespie.com n 36 Orange St., Asheville 828-252-9351

2 GREAT SMILES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS greatsmiles.com s 10B Yorkshire St., Asheville 828-274-9220 n 94 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 102, Asheville 828-274-9220

2 MARKS FAMILY DENTISTRY northashevilledentist.com n 94 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 101, Asheville 828-255-8447

3 ZOE DENTAL zoedental.com s 10-A Yorkshire St., Suite 110, Asheville 828-274-1616

DENTIST

1 TIM GILLESPIE (GILLESPIE DENTAL ASSOCIATES) drtimgillespie.com n 36 Orange St., Asheville 828-252-9351

2 M. SCOTT PEELE (ASHEVILLE DENTAL WELLNESS) ashevilledentalwellness.com s 1087 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-4747

2 MARK A. KNOLLMAN (KNOLLMAN DENTAL) drknollman.com

PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST

CHIROPRACTOR

1 DEREK KASTEN (ONE LOVE CHIROPRACTIC) onelovechiropractic.com

n 959 Merrimon Ave., Suite 201, Asheville 828-505-1584

2 DAN MARTIN (RADIUS CHIROPRACTIC) radiuschiropractic.com

e 1011 Tunnel Road, Suite 110, Asheville 828-333-4447

3 DR. KIRSTEN PETERSEN (ALIGN ASHEVILLE) alignasheville.com w 315 Haywood Road, Suite 117, Asheville 828-620-4932

ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE communityacupuncture.com w 378 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-777-8804

2 DAOIST TRADITIONS

COLLEGE OF CHINESE MEDICAL ARTS daoisttraditions.edu

n 382 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-253-8669

3 EAST ACUPUNCTURE WELLNESS BOUTIQUE eastacupuncturewb.com ea 2296 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-458-4139

ACUPUNCTURIST

1 LEX KEKLAK (LEX ACUPUNCTURE) lexacupuncture.com s 25 Reed St., Suite 210, Asheville 828-575-8988

2 LIZ ROSEMAN (SUSTAINABLE HEALTH ACUPUNCTURE) acupuncture-in-asheville.com n 36 Clayton St., Asheville 828-333-4614

ASSISTED-LIVING COMMUNITY

1 GIVENS ESTATES x givensestates.org

s 2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-274-4800

2 DEERFIELD EPISCOPAL RETIREMENT COMMUNITY deerfieldwnc.org s 1617 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-1531

3 GIVENS HIGHLAND FARMS givenshighlandfarms.org

ea 200 Tabernacle Road, Black Mountain 828-669-6473

BEST OF HEALTH & WELLNESS

HOSPICE

1 FOUR SEASONS COMPASSION FOR LIFE fourseasonscare.org

sa 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock 828-692-6178

2 CAREPARTNERS (MISSION HEALTH)

avl.mx/ezd

s 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-277-4800

3 JOHN F. KEEVER SOLACE CENTER HOSPICE (MISSION HEALTH/HCA)

avl.mx/f08

s 21 Belvedere Road, Asheville 828-210-3150

MORTUARY/FUNERAL SERVICES

1 GROCE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE x grocefuneralhome.com

w 1401 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-252-3535

e 856 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-4416

sa 72 Long Shoals Road, Arden 828-687-3530

2 WEST FAMILY FUNERAL SERVICES

westfamilyfuneralservices.com

na 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-645-3011

3 ASHEVILLE AREA ALTERNATIVE FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES ashevilleareaalternative.com n 702 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-258-8274

1 MOVEMENT FOR LIFE PHYSICAL THERAPY movementforlife.com

n 858 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-552-4217

s 20 Gala Drive, Suite G104, Asheville 828-484-4200

e 273 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-641-0101

2 PHYSIO PHYSICAL THERAPY AND WELLNESS physiownc.com

n 660 Merrimon Ave., Suite C, Asheville 828-348-1780

w 1308 Patton Ave., Suite B, Asheville 828-348-1780

2 PT SOLUTIONS avl.mx/f0z e 1141 Tunnel Road, Suite E, Asheville 828-298-4720

3 ANTI-FRAGILE PHYSICAL THERAPY antifragilephysicaltherapy.com

n 959 Merrimon Ave., Suite 103, Asheville 828-242-0343

1 CLARA ALBORS (THE EVERYDAY ATHLETE) theeverydayathletephysicaltherapy.com

d The Everyday Athlete, 150 Coxe Ave., Suite 102, Asheville 828-248-0566

2 JESSICA TRIPP (LONGEVITY PHYSICAL THERAPY) longevitypt.org

d 217 Coxe Ave., Suite 10, Asheville 828-484-1703

e 802 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-484-1703

3 ED CARDINAL (PHYSIO PHYSICAL THERAPY AND WELLNESS) physiownc.com n 660 Merrimon Ave., Suite C, Asheville 828-348-1780

STUDIO WITH

1 HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE hotyogaasheville.com e 802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003 2

828-845-4572

PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST

BEST OF HEALTH & WELLNESS

YMCA OF WNC

Best Gym or Place to Work Out; best Health & Wellness-Focused Nonprofit; second place After-school Program, second place Child Care or Day Care Service, second place Day Camp, second place Overnight Camp, second place Parents Night Out Program in Kids section

MASSAGE THERAPIST

1 HEATHER PARMLEY (BALANCE THE BODY MASSAGE THERAPY)

avl.mx/ezt

d 70 Woodfin Place, Suite 326-A, Asheville 937-779-7431

2 JULES BECK (SPACE BODYWORK + RECOVERY)

space-avl.com

e 1201 Bleachery Blvd., Suite 201, Asheville 828-423-5601

GYM OR PLACE TO WORK OUT

1 YMCA OF WNC x ymcawnc.org/programs

n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-3990

d 30 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-210-9622

s 2 Town Square Blvd., Asheville 828-651-9622

2 PLANET FITNESS planetfitness.com

w 153 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville 828-633-6492

sa 2623 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-676-2116

3 MADABOLIC ASHEVILLE avl.mx/cwc

d 150 Coxe Ave., Suite 2102, Asheville 828-845-4572

PILATES STUDIO

1 SOUTH SLOPE PILATES / ALL THINGS WELLNESS southslopepilates.com d 50 McCormick Place, Asheville 828-383-8114

2 HAPPY BODY PILATES ashevillehappybody.com s 1378 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-277-5741

d 25 Reed St., Suite 210, Asheville 828-277-5741

3 CLUB PILATES clubpilates.com n 80 Charlotte St., Suite 20, Asheville 828-782-3629

YOGA STUDIO

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA x ashevillecommunityyoga.org n 8 Brookdale Road, Asheville 828-255-5575

2 HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE hotyogaasheville.com

e 802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003

3 ASHEVILLE YOGA CENTER youryoga.com n 211 S. Liberty St., Asheville 828-254-0380

PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST

YOGA TEACHER

1 BRITTANY KLACH (HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE)

hotyogaasheville.com

e 802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003

2 HEATHER NEWMAN (HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE) hotyogaasheville.com

e 802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003

MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS x

martialartsasheville.com

e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

2 DRAGON PHOENIX

dragonphoenix.org

n 51 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 109, Asheville 828-423-2868

HEALTH & WELLNESSFOCUSED NONPROFIT

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA x ashevillecommunityyoga.org

n 8 Brookdale Road, Asheville 828-255-5575

1 YMCA OF WNC ymcawnc.org/programs n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-3990

d 30 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-210-9622

s 2 Town Square Blvd., Asheville 828-651-9622

2 BOUNTY & SOUL

bountyandsoul.org

ea 999 Old U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-419-0533

3 MOUNTAIN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (MAHEC) mahec.net

s 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-257-4400

PLACE TO CENTER YOURSELF

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA x ashevillecommunityyoga.org n 8 Brookdale Road, Asheville 828-255-5575

2 HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE

hotyogaasheville.com

e 802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003

3 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS martialartsasheville.com

e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

PHARMACY/DRUGSTORE

1 SONA PHARMACY + CLINIC x sonapharmacy.com

e 805 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-298-3636

2 CVS PHARMACY cvs.com n 612 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-4350 w Westgate Shopping Center, 24 Westgate Parkway, Asheville 828-253-2872

2 PRESCRIPTION PAD avl.mx/f0y na 3 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-484-7800 na 730 E. Main St., Burnsville 828-678-3914

3 B&B PHARMACY bandbpharmacyavl.com w 462 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-2718

PLACE TO BUY SUPPLEMENTS, VITAMINS & HERBS

1 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP x frenchbroadfood.coop d 90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-255-7650

2 PRESCRIPTION PAD avl.mx/f0y na 3 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-484-7800

na 730 E. Main St., Burnsville 828-678-3914

3 EARTH FARE earthfare.com w 66 Westgate Parkway, Asheville 828-255-2999 PLACE TO BUY CBD PRODUCTS

1 APOTHECA apotheca.org

d 85 Patton Ave., Asheville 980-759-3534

d 21 Battery Park Ave., Suite 103, Asheville 980-759-3534

w 1078 Patton Ave., Asheville 980-759-3534

2 FRANNY’S FARMACY frannysfarmacy.com

n 211 Merrimon Ave., Suite 111, Asheville 828-505-7105

w 645 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-0446

3 ASHEVILLE DISPENSARY avldispensary.com

w 919 Haywood Road, Suite 111, Asheville 828-335-2696

UNIQUELY ASHE V ILLE

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

second place Local Asheville Attraction; third place Place to Connect With Nature Within or Near to Asheville; second place Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors in Regional: Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Canton section; third place Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors in Regional: Weaverville & Woodfin section

OUR favorite bumper stickers may be Keep Asheville Weird and (in second place) Stay Weird, but what’s intended by these local tropes? Unique (as in Uniquely Asheville) typically means “unparalleled,” while weird suggests “odd, in an unsettling way.” While youthful fashion unsettles us as it dismantles the status quo here in the Vortex, it garners pushback, often in the name of tradition. But somehow in WNC, we manage to embrace both: We love our comfort food and our traditional mountain culture, but we also defend our independent spirit. The N.C. Arboretum and the Biltmore House, both institutional pillars, took top awards in

several categories. Meanwhile, we welcome our acclaimed purple tour buses (LaZoom, winner in several categories) and our Asheville Cat Weirdos (third-place Bumper Sticker or Slogan). And on opposite ends of the spectrum, we honor both Omni Grove Park Inn and The Radical (tied for best Hotel).

When our Tourism Development Authority commissioned a certain notorious commercial from the comedy group The Feral Chihuahuas so many years ago (in retrospect, a somewhat embarrassing production of bacchanalian excess, which the TDA has apparently scrubbed from the internet), were they aiming for

unique or weird? When The Odd (winner of multiple categories) is normal, are we still unique? These are questions that keep Asheville philosophers up drinking locally crafted beer late into the night while the gainfully employed slumber their way toward another day of toil to keep the gears of commerce moving forward. Welcome to Asheville. Now go away.

But before you go, let’s recognize these new Hall of Fame winners: Kim Roney (Local Hero) and Affordable Housing (Thing East Asheville Needs and Thing North Asheville Needs).

— Susan Hutchinson X

Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492

lazoomtours.com

Biltmore

828-225-6932

PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST

1 DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE

2 BILTMORE ESTATE biltmore.com

s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

3 LAZOOM lazoomtours.com

d 76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932

PLACE TO CONNECT WITH NATURE WITHIN OR NEAR TO ASHEVILLE

1 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM ncarboretum.org

s 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492

2 BOTANICAL GARDENS ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

n 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd., Asheville 828-252-5190

3 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY blueridgeparkway.org 828-670-1924

HISTORIC/INTERESTING BUILDING

1 BILTMORE HOUSE x biltmore.com

s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

2 GROVE ARCADE grovearcade.com

d 1 Page Ave., Asheville 828-252-7799

3 FLATIRON BUILDING

avl.mx/ezl

d 20 Battery Park Ave., Asheville VENUE TO BOOK FOR A PARTY OR EVENT

1 TWISTED LAUREL (DOWNTOWN) twistedlaurel.com d 130 College St., Asheville 828-552-3240

n 10A S. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-2700

2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. EVENT CENTER highlandbrewing.com

e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-299-3370

3 THE VENUE ashevillevenue.com

d 21 N. Market St., Asheville 828-252-1101 PLACE TO GET MARRIED

1 FLEETWOOD’S ROCK-N-ROLL WEDDING CHAPEL fleetwoodschapel.com w 496 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-5525

2 BILTMORE ESTATE biltmore.com

s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

3 HAIKU I DO haikuido.com

s 26 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-412-3939

HOTEL

1 OMNI GROVE PARK INN x avl.mx/3te

n 290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800

1 THE RADICAL theradicalavl.com

r 95 Roberts St., Asheville 828-412-0200

2 THE RESTORATION therestorationhotel.com

d 68 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-220-0368

3 THE FLAT IRON ROOFTOP ashevilleflatiron.com

d The Flat Iron Hotel, 20 Battery Park Ave., Asheville 828-579-2106

B&B OR SMALL BOUTIQUE HOTEL

1 ZELDA DEAREST zeldadearest.com

d 150 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-514-2489

2 PERI SOCIAL HOUSE perisocialhouse.com

406 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-460-8465

HOLIDAY EVENTSPRING-SUMMER

1 BILTMORE BLOOMS biltmore.com

s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

2 THE BIG CRAFTY thebigcrafty.com

d Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville

HOLIDAY EVENTFALL-WINTER

1 WINTER LIGHTS AT THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM x ncarboretum.org

s 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492

2 CHRISTMAS AT BILTMORE biltmore.com s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

3 NATIONAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION avl.mx/a8y n Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800 LOCAL HERO

1 KIM RONEY x kimroney4asheville.com

w 30 Westgate Parkway, Suite 341, Asheville 828-771-6265

2 AMY CANTRELL (BELOVED ASHEVILLE) belovedasheville.com

e 32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-571-0766

3 DREW REISINGER avl.mx/ezh

d 205 College St., Asheville 828-250-4303

BEST OF UNIQUELY ASHEVILLE

LOCAL VILLAIN

1 CHUCK EDWARDS edwards.house.gov

sa 200 N. Grove St., Suite 121, Hendersonville 828-435-7310

2 CHAD NESBITT

avl.mx/dvo • Asheville 828-515-0445

3 ESTHER MANHEIMER

avl.mx/cvb

d 70 Court Plaza, Asheville 828-259-5600

LOCAL POLITICIAN

1 KIM RONEY x kimroney4asheville.com w 30 Westgate Parkway, Suite 341, Asheville 828-771-6265

2 ESTHER MANHEIMER avl.mx/cvb d 70 Court Plaza, Asheville 828-259-5600

3 JULIE MAYFIELD mayfieldforncsenate.com • Asheville 828-271-4544

NONPROFIT THAT IMPROVES ASHEVILLE

1 BELOVED ASHEVILLE x belovedasheville.com

e 32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-571-0766

2 MANNA FOODBANK mannafoodbank.org

sa 99 Broadpointe Drive, Mills River 828-299-3663

3 ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ashevillehabitat.org s 33 Meadow Road, Asheville 828-251-5702

NONPROFIT THAT SERVES THE UNDERPRIVILEGED

1 BELOVED ASHEVILLE x belovedasheville.com

e 32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-571-0766

2 MANNA FOODBANK mannafoodbank.org

sa 99 Broadpointe Drive, Mills River 828-299-3663

3 ABCCM abccm.org

s 155 Livingston St., Asheville 828-259-5300

ACTIVIST GROUP FOR CIVIC/POLITICAL ACTION

1 INDIVISIBLE ASHEVILLE/WNC indivisibleavl.org o PO Box 593, Asheville 28802 828-785-4725

2 BELOVED ASHEVILLE belovedasheville.com

1 DINING OUT FOR LIFE (WNCAP) wncap.org Various Locations,

PHOTO BY CALEB JOHNSON

THING SOUTH ASHEVILLE NEEDS

1 AFFORDABLE HOUSING x

2 LESS TRAFFIC

3 TRADER JOE’S traderjoes.com n 120 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-5078

THING EAST ASHEVILLE NEEDS

1 AFFORDABLE HOUSING x

2 MORE AND BETTER RESTAURANTS

THING THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT NEEDS

1 HELP TO REBUILD (AFTER TROPICAL STORM HELENE)

2 REBUILDING (AFTER TROPICAL STORM HELENE)

3 A PLAN TO REBUILD SAFELY (AFTER TROPICAL STORM HELENE)

PROJECT YOU’D LIKE TO SEE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DO

1 AFFORDABLE HOUSING

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ASHEVILLE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

1 COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER AFTER TROPICAL STORM HELENE

2 ALL THE PEOPLE & ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELPED WITH TROPICAL STORM HELENE.

3 FEMA (FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY) fema.gov 800-621-3362

WORST THING TO HAPPEN TO ASHEVILLE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

1 TROPICAL STORM HELENE

BIGGEST THREAT TO ASHEVILLE’S UNIQUENESS

1 GENTRIFICATION

2 CHAIN STORES AND HOTELS

3 DONALD TRUMP BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY FOR ASHEVILLE’S UNIQUENESS

1 REBUILDING RIVER ARTS DISTRICT

2 INVEST IN LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES

3 AFFORDABLE HOUSING

REBUILDING (AFTER TROPICAL STORM HELENE)

second place Thing the River Arts District Needs; third place Most Important Local News Story (in the Last 12 Months) and Most Underreported Story (in the Last 12 Months) in Media section; first place Best Thing to Happen to Your Town in the Last 12 Months in Regional: Weaverville & Woodfin section; second place Best Thing to Happen to Your Town in the Last 12 Months and third place Local Cause to Support in Regional: Swannanoa & Black Mountain section

PHOTO COURTESY OF RIVERLINK

1st Place (Hall of Fame) • Vegan

2nd Place (Tie) • Healthiest Food

2nd Place • Green/SustainabilityFriendly Restaurant

2nd

2nd

2nd

1st

3rd

SM A LL TO W NS

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SQUARE ROOT

THE SQUARE ROOT

Best Dinner Restaurant; Best Lunch Restaurant

THEY’RE not just places to grab a beer, browse a book or catch a show — they’re survivors.

When Tropical Storm Helene battered Western North Carolina, it wasn’t just homes and roads at risk. Local businesses, the lifeblood of small-town life, faced closures, cleanups and uncertainty. But the ones that endured? They didn’t just reopen — they reminded us what it means to belong somewhere.

Take some of the winners in the category “Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town.” In Hendersonville, Oklawaha Brewing Co. did more than pour pints. It became a hub of healing, a stage for resilience, and now, a Hall of Fame winner. 185 King Street in Brevard reopened just four days after the storm, hosting fundraisers and helping residents refill water bottles and reconnect with friends and family via the internet.

While we’re recognizing the best, we want to welcome our new Hall of Famers, those that have risen to the top for four years in a row: Twigs & Leaves Gallery (Art Gallery–Waynesville, Canton & Maggie Valley); Shine (Dinner Restaurant–Hendersonville, Flat Rock & Mills River); and Oklawaha Brewing Co. (Music/Entertainment Venue and Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town–Hendersonville, Flat Rock & Mills River).

— Justin McGuire X

1 185 KING STREET 185kingst.com 185 King St., Brevard 828-877-1850

2

3 THE HUB AND PISGAH TAVERN thehubpisgah.com 11 Mama’s Place, Pisgah Forest 828-884-8670

1 MORNING SOCIAL morningsocialbrevard.com 170 King St., Brevard 828-877-3773

2 PISGAH BAKEHOUSE pisgahbakehouse.com 1980 Asheville Highway, Brevard 828-966-8139

2 THE SUNRISE CAFE [Closed] thesunrisecafebrevard.com 273 N. Broad St., Brevard 828-884-3331

3 BREVARD DINER brevarddiner.com 42 Asheville Highway, Brevard 828-966-3552

or

LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 THE SQUARE ROOT

squarerootrestaurant.com 33 Times Arcade Alley, Brevard 828-884-6171

2 PISGAH BAKEHOUSE pisgahbakehouse.com

1980 Asheville Highway, Brevard 828-966-8139

3 ROCKY’S GRILL & SODA SHOP rockysnc.com

50 S. Broad St., Brevard 828-877-5375

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 THE SQUARE ROOT x squarerootrestaurant.com

33 Times Arcade Alley, Brevard 828-884-6171

2 FALLS LANDING EATERY thefallslanding.com 18 E. Main St., Brevard 828-884-2835

3 THE BOHEMIAN RESTAURANT thebohemian-restaurant.com

192 W. Main St., Brevard 828-884-8402

COFFEE & SWEETS

1 CUP & SAUCER cupandsaucernc.com 36 E. Main St., Brevard 828-276-2364

2 BLUE RIDGE BAKERY blueridgebakery.com 86 W. Main St., Brevard 828-883-8444

3 PISGAH BAKEHOUSE pisgahbakehouse.com

1980 Asheville Highway, Brevard 828-966-8139

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

1 OSKAR BLUES BREWERY oskarblues.com

342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard 828-883-2337

2 ECUSTA BREWING ecustabrewing.com 451 Ecusta Road, Brevard 828-966-2337

3 185 KING STREET 185kingst.com 185 King St., Brevard 828-877-1850

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 185 KING STREET x 185kingst.com

185 King St., Brevard 828-877-1850

2 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER brevardmusic.org

349 Andante Lane, Brevard 828-862-2100

3 OSKAR BLUES BREWERY oskarblues.com

342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard 828-883-2337

RETAIL STORE

1 D.D. BULLWINKEL’S OUTDOORS x

ddbullwinkels.com

60 E. Main St., Brevard 828-862-4700

2 HIGHLAND BOOKS

highlandbooksonline.com

36 W. Main St., Brevard 828-884-2424

2 O.P. TAYLOR’S optaylors.com 16 S. Broad St., Brevard 828-883-2309

sa 418 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-384-4958

2 THEOPHILUS theophilusnc.com

44 E. Main St., Brevard 828-884-2994

ART GALLERY

1 LUCY CLARK GALLERY & STUDIO lucyclarkgallery.com

51 W. Main St., Brevard 828-884-5151

2 NUMBER 7 ARTS number7arts.org

2 W. Main St., Brevard 828-883-2294

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 WHITE SQUIRREL FESTIVAL x avl.mx/dwt Downtown Brevard, Brevard 828-884-3278

2 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL brevardmusic.org • Brevard 828-862-2105

3 MOUNTAIN SONG FESTIVAL mountainsongfestival.com • Brevard 828-243-3496

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST x

avl.mx/6aw Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest 828-257-4200

2 DUPONT STATE FOREST dupontstaterecreationalforest.com Staton Road, Cedar Mountain 828-877-6527

3 LOOKING GLASS FALLS

avl.mx/wordcaop U.S. Highway 276, Brevard 828-877-3265

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT

1 ECUSTA TRAIL (BETWEEN HENDERSONVILLE & BREVARD) ecustatrail.org • Brevard 828-490-1854

BEST OF SMALL TOWNS

HENDERSONVILLE, FLAT ROCK & MILLS RIVER

FLAT ROCK VILLAGE BAKERY

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

1 OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. x oklawahabrewing.com

147 First Ave. E., Hendersonville

828-595-9956

2 MAST GENERAL STORE (HENDERSONVILLE)

mastgeneralstore.com

527 N. Main St., Hendersonville

828-696-1883

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 ARABELLA BREAKFAST & BRUNCH x arabellabreakfastandbrunch.com

536 N. Main St., Hendersonville

828-595-2449

2 HENDOUGH CHICKEN & DONUTS

hendough.com 532 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville 828-595-2885

3 KOSTA’S FIRESIDE RESTAURANT & PANCAKE INN

kostasfiresidepancakeinn.com

295 Sugarloaf Road, Hendersonville 828-697-1004

LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 FLAT ROCK VILLAGE BAKERY avl.mx/dgk 2710 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-693-1313

2 MOUNTAIN DELI mountaindelinc.com 343 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-693-0093

3 HOT DOG WORLD hotdogworld.net 226 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville 828-697-0374

3 THREE CHOPT SANDWICH SHOPPE avl.mx/f17 103 Third Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-692-0228

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 SHINE x shinehvl.com 202 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-692-0062

2 POSTERO postero-hvl.com 401 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-595-9676

2 WEST FIRST WOOD-FIRED westfirstwoodfired.com 101B First Ave. W., Hendersonville 828-693-1080

3 UMI JAPANESE FINE DINING umihendersonville.com 633 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-698-8048

COFFEE & SWEETS

1 BLACK BEAR COFFEE CO. x blackbear.coffee 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-692-6333

s 144 Hoopers Creek Road, Fletcher 828-844-2327

2 MCFARLAN BAKERY mcfarlanbakery.com 309 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-693-4256

3 FLAT ROCK VILLAGE BAKERY avl.mx/dgk 2710 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-693-1313

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

1 MILLS RIVER BREWING CO. millsriverbrewingco.com 336 Banner Farm Road, Mills River 828-483-0480

2 OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. oklawahabrewing.com 147 First Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-595-9956

3 TRAILSIDE BREWING CO. trailsidebrews.com 873 Lennox Park Drive, Hendersonville

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. x oklawahabrewing.com 147 First Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-595-9956

2 FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE flatrockplayhouse.org 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-693-0731

3 MILLS RIVER BREWING CO. millsriverbrewingco.com 336 Banner Farm Road, Mills River 828-483-0480

RETAIL STORE

1 MAST GENERAL STORE (HENDERSONVILLE) x mastgeneralstore.com 527 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-696-1883

ART GALLERY

1 ART MOB STUDIOS & MARKETPLACE artmobstudios.com 124 Fourth Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-693-4545

2 THE GALLERY AT FLAT ROCK galleryflatrock.com 2702A Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-698-7000

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 NC APPLE FESTIVAL x ncapplefestival.org 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-697-4557

2 RHYTHM & BREWS avl.mx/9pu South Main Street, Hendersonville 828-233-3216

3 ART ON MAIN acofhc.org Main Street, Hendersonville 828-693-8504

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 CARL SANDBURG HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE x nps.gov/carl 1800 Little River Road, Flat Rock 828-693-4178

2 THE PARK AT FLAT ROCK flatrockparkfoundation.org 55 Highland Golf Drive, Flat Rock 828-697-8100

3 DUPONT STATE FOREST dupontstaterecreationalforest.com Staton Road, Cedar Mountain 828-877-6527

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

1 CARL SANDBURG HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE x nps.gov/carl 1800 Little River Road, Flat Rock 828-693-4178

2 FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE flatrockplayhouse.org 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-693-0731

3 JUMP OFF ROCK (JUMPOFF) avl.mx/f0a 4501 Laurel Park Highway, Laurel Park 828-693-4840

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT

1 BLUE RIDGE HUMANE SOCIETY x blueridgehumane.org 88 Centipede Lane, Hendersonville 828-692-2639

2 HENDERSONVILLE PRIDE hendersonvillepride.org • Hendersonville

3 SAFELIGHT safelightfamily.org 317 N. Washington St., Hendersonville 828-693-3840

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

1 COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER AFTER TROPICAL STORM HURRICANE HELENE

2 ECUSTA TRAIL (BETWEEN HENDERSONVILLE & BREVARD) ecustatrail.org • Brevard 828-490-1854

BEST OF SMALL TOWNS

SYLVA & CULLOWHEE

LAZY HIKER BREWING CO.

Best Music/Entertainment Venue; second place Local Bar/Brewery/Watering Hole

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

1 CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE citylightsnc.com

3 E. Jackson St., Suite 1, Sylva 828-586-9499

2 INNOVATION BREWING innovation-brewing.com 414 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-9678

wa 40 Depot St., Dillsboro 828-226-0262

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 LUCY IN THE RYE lucyintherye.com 612 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-4601

2 WHITE MOON CAFE whitemoonnc.com 545 Mill St., Sylva 828-331-0111

3 CITY LIGHTS CAFÉ citylightscafe.com

3 E. Jackson St., Sylva 828-587-2233

LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 FORAGER’S CANTEEN foragerscanteen.com

5 Grindstaff Cove Road, Sylva 828-307-2781

2 MAD BATTER KITCHEN madbatterkitchen.net 617 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-3555

3 CITY LIGHTS CAFÉ citylightscafe.com

3 E. Jackson St., Sylva 828-587-2233

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 DALAYA THAI CUISINE dalayathai.com 1084 W. Main St., Sylva 828-477-4945

2 ILDA ildainsylva.com 462 W. Main St., Sylva 828-307-2036

3 FORAGER’S CANTEEN foragerscanteen.com

5 Grindstaff Cove Road, Sylva 828-307-2781

COFFEE

& SWEETS

1 WHITE MOON CAFE x whitemoonnc.com 545 Mill St., Sylva 828-331-0111

2 CITY LIGHTS CAFÉ citylightscafe.com 3 E. Jackson St., Sylva 828-587-2233

3 BLUE RIDGE BOOTLEG COFFEE ROASTERY AND CAFE blueridgebootleg.com 582 W. Main St., Sylva 828-307-2016

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

1 INNOVATION BREWING x innovation-brewing.com

414 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-9678

wa 40 Depot St., Dillsboro 828-226-0262

wa 732 Centennial Drive, Cullowhee 828-882-3035

2 LAZY HIKER BREWING CO. lazyhikerbrewing.com 617 W. Main St., Sylva 828-349-2337

wa 188 W. Main St., Franklin 828-349-2337

3 INNOVATION STATION innovation-brewing.com 40 Depot St., Dillsboro 828-226-0262

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 LAZY HIKER BREWING CO. lazyhikerbrewing.com 617 W. Main St., Sylva 828-349-2337

wa 188 W. Main St., Franklin 828-349-2337

RETAIL STORE

1 CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE citylightsnc.com

3 E. Jackson St., Suite 1, Sylva 828-586-9499

2 SNAKE SONG avl.mx/dz4

610 W. Main St., Sylva 828-631-1802

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 GREENING UP THE MOUNTAINS greeningupthemountains.com Main Street and Bridge Park, Sylva 828-586-2719

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 CULLOWHEE GREENWAY (JACKSON COUNTY GREENWAY, TUCKASEGEE GREENWAY) avl.mx/cv9 342 Old Cullowhee Road, Cullowhee 828-293-3053

2 PINNACLE PARK avl.mx/a99 2110 Fisher Creek Road, Sylva CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

1 JACKSON COUNTY HISTORIC COURTHOUSE / PUBLIC LIBRARY avl.mx/a8l

310 Keener St., Sylva 828-586-4055

WAYNESVILLE, MAGGIE VALLEY & CANTON

FROG LEVEL BREWING CO.

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

1 MAST GENERAL STORE (WAYNESVILLE) mastgeneralstore.com

63 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-452-2101

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 BEACH MOUNTAIN DINER beachmountaindiner.com

429 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville 828-246-6800

2 JOEY’S PANCAKE HOUSE joeyspancake.com 4309 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828-926-0212

3 THE BUTTERED BISCUIT butteredbiscuitnc.com 1226 Dellwood Road, Waynesville 828-246-6446

LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 BOOJUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM x boojumbrewing.com

50 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-0350

2 HAYWOOD SMOKEHOUSE haywoodsmokehouse.com 79 Elysinia Ave., Waynesville 828-456-7275

3 BOGART’S RESTAURANT bogartswaynesville.comm 303 S. Main St., Waynesville 828-452-1313

3 J-RO’S BURGERS AND SUBS jrosburgers.com 384 Main St., Canton 828-492-0015

3 KANINI’S kaninis.com 1196 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-452-5187

3 THE SWEET ONION RESTAURANT sweetonionrestaurant.com 39 Miller St., Waynesville 828-456-5559

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 THE SWEET ONION RESTAURANT sweetonionrestaurant.com 39 Miller St., Waynesville 828-456-5559

2 THE SCOTSMAN PUBLIC HOUSE scotsmanpublic.com 37 Church St., Waynesville 828-246-6292

3 BOOJUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM boojumbrewing.com 50 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-0350

COFFEE & SWEETS

1 PAPERTOWN COFFEE papertown.coffee 457 Main St., Canton 828-492-0993

2 ORCHARD COFFEE orchardcoffeeroasters.com 39 Depot St., Waynesville 828-246-9264

3 PANACEA COFFEE CO. panaceacoffee.com 66 Commerce St., Waynesville 828-452-6200

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

1 BOOJUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM boojumbrewing.com

50 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-0350

2 FROG LEVEL BREWING CO. froglevelbrewing.com 56 Commerce St., Waynesville 828-454-5664

3 BEARWATERS BREWING CO. bearwatersbrewing.com 4352 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828-944-0009

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 FROG LEVEL BREWING CO. froglevelbrewing.com 56 Commerce St., Waynesville 828-454-5664

1 THE GEM BAR AT BOOJUM BREWING boojumbrewing.com 50 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-0350

2 HAYWOOD ARTS REGIONAL THEATRE (HART) harttheatre.org 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville 828-456-6322 RETAIL STORE

1 MAST GENERAL STORE (WAYNESVILLE) x mastgeneralstore.com 63 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-452-2101

2 SASSAFRAS ON MAIN sassafrasonmain.com 196 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-6222

1 TWIGS & LEAVES GALLERY x twigsandleaves.com 98 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-456-1940

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 FOLKMOOT USA x folkmoot.org 112 Virginia Ave., Waynesville 828-452-2997

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 LAKE JUNALUSKA x avl.mx/dxr 91 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska 828-944-0761

2 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY blueridgeparkway.org 828-670-1924

3 CATALOOCHEE SKI AREA cataloochee.com

1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley 828-926-0285

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT

1 HAYWOOD PATHWAYS CENTER haywoodpathwayscenter.org 179 Hemlock St., Waynesville 828-246-0332

Poetry Slam

Share your work in a supportive community dedicated to celebrating poets and poetry. Expect cheers and jeers as the judges do their work.

SU (8/24), 7pm, Elevated Kava Lounge Downtown, 122 College St

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 (8/25), 6:30pm, Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd Ste 1200

OtherWorlds Book Club: Small Gods by Terry Pratchett

An informal discussion aboutt author Terry Pratchett and his stand alone discworld novel which some believe was his best.

TU (8/26), 5pm, 101 W Charleston Ave, 101 W Charleston Ave, Swannanoa

Meter & Melody: Poetry Night

Poetry open mic hosted by Dill every last Wednesday of the month.

WE (8/27), 7pm, Static Age Loft, 116 N Lexington Ave

THEATER & FILM

Tired Souls: King & the Montgomery Bus Boycott

Tired Souls introduces audiences to Jo Ann Robinson, Claudette Colvin, and others so instrumental in lighting a fire under the Civil Rights movement and changing the course of U.S. history forever.

See p24

WE (8/20, 27), TH (8/21, 28), FR (8/22), SA (8/23), 7:30pm, YMI Cultural Center, 39 S Market St

Southside Movie Nights

Enjoy the classic combo of delicious fresh popcorn, refreshing drinks, and a family film. This week features the movie Monsters, Inc.

TH (8/21), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St Vinegar Syndrome

Presents: Tammy & the T-Rex

A teen learns that a scientist implanted her dead boyfriend's brain into an animatronic dinosaur.

TH (8/21), 8pm, Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave

Lisa Langford: Dear God Aliens have arrived from space, and they are turning Rev. Vonnie Braxton’s world upside down. Her congregation is freaking out; her husband is distant, and her faith is challenged.

TH (8/21), FR (8/22),

SA (8/23), 7:30pm, SU (8/24), 3pm, Tina McGuire Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave

We Will Rock You: The Musical

A high-octane, adrenaline-fueled musical featuring more than 20 iconic Queen hits, including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions, Somebody to Love, Don’t Stop Me Now, and of course, We Will Rock You.

TH (8/21, 28), FR (8/22), SA (8/23), 7:30pm, SU (8/24), 2:30pm, Bebe Theatre, 20 Commerce St

Cyrano De Bergerac

Cyrano, a man with a large nose and an even larger heart, is secretly in love with Roxane. Yet, he helps the handsome but inarticulate Christian win her affection, all while concealing his own feelings and sacrificing his chance at love.

FR (8/22), SA (8/23), SU (8/24), 7:30pm, Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St

The Cake

A tender, thought-provoking comedy about a small-town baker whose beliefs are tested when she’s asked to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.

FR (8/22), SA (8/23), TH (8/28), 7:30pm, SU (8/24), 2pm, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville

Foreign Film Fridays

Every Friday visitors can enjoy a cozy movie night in the gallery featuring some amazing foreign films curated by film-buff Carlos Steward.

FR (8/22), 7pm, Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd Ste 1200

Parlour in the Palm Magic Experience w/ Doc Docherty

World-class magician

Doc Docherty will host an evening of close-up magic.

FR (8/22), 7pm, Fitz and the Wolfe, 1 Battery Park Ave

PechaKucha Night

Asheville

Featuring a great lineup of presenters, all following the beautifully simple and deceptively challenging PechaKucha 20x20 format, that's 20 images that appear for 20 seconds each.

SA (8/23), 7pm, Hi-Wire Brewing Event Center, 2B Huntsman Place

Reasonably Priced

Babies: Summer in the 80s

The babies take audience suggestions to build each show, so come ready to participate because the audience makes the show.

SA (8/23), 7:30pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 West State St, Black Mountain

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 (8/25), 7pm, Eda's Hide-a-Way, 1098 New Stock Rd, Weaverville Community Improv Jam

Misfit Improv group leads a jam where everybody gets a chance to play. All are welcome from newbies to vets.

TH (8/28), 7pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

MEETINGS & PROGRAMS

Brainy Brews: Planting Hope after Hurricane Helene Bob Gale will present how to clean up, rebuild, and replant using native plants that bounce back better after storms.

WE (8/20), 6pm, The RAD Brew Co., 13 Mystery St

Be Here Now: Mindfulness 101

This experiential introduction to mindfulness will help you explore grounded presence, deep relaxation, and inner clarity.

WE (8/20), 6:30pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way Contraception Class w/ Dr. Taylor Yankey

This class will include a brief history, an overview of the hormones involved with menstruation to understand the variety of contraceptives, and a breakdown of all of the options for

contraception.

WE (8/20), 6:30pm, Period Nirvana, 315 Haywood Rd, Unit 113 Gardening in the Mountains Presents: The Myth of the Climate Haven Learn how local professionals and other specialists are charting a path toward long-term recovery, and explore strategies for building more resilient gardens and communities in a changing climate.

Register at avl.mx/f1j.

TH (8/21), 10am, Online

NSA-WNC Meeting

Professional keynote speakers, coaches, trainers, facilitators, and consultants who cover a broad range of topics, skills and knowledge.

TH (8/21), 10am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Reconnecting Through Hard Times

In this 1-hour virtual training you’ll gain an understanding of how hard times affect us all, and what to do or say for others when it matters most. Register at avl.mx/f0s.

TH (8/21, 28), noon, Online

Third Thursday

An evening filled with music, tours, art making, special cocktails in our rooftop Perspective Café, and more.

TH (8/21), 5pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

IBN Breakfast Club: West Asheville

All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts.

FR (8/22), 9am, Regina's Westside, 1400 Patton Ave

• Fleetwood’s 496 Haywood Rd

• Saturday, Aug. 23 | 3 p.m.

This special anniversary celebration for Fleetwood’s will feature music from Hans Condor, Gino and the Goons, Seismic Sutra, Night Beers, Starter and Cheeks.

“I’m really excited for the stacked lineup of local bands at Fleetwood’s 8th Anniversary Bash! I’m especially looking forward to seeing the heavy-hitting Night Beers tear it up with their hardcore stoner-metal — you’ll definitely find me moshing in the pit.”

Grove Street Fish Fry

Grab one of Chef Shateisha's homemade fried fish sandwiches with chips and a drink at this annual Grove Street Fish Fry.

FR (8/22), 2pm, Grove St Community Center, 36 Grove St, Spiritual Game Night: Satori

The Radical Forgiveness Game consists of a lively and transformative evening where laughter meets deep spiritual insight.

FR (8/22), 7pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way

Swannanoa Valley Museum Haunted History Tour of Downtown Black Mountain Visitors will learn about the humorous, haunting and harrowing history of the Swannanoa Valley while being visited by some of its most famous spirits.

FR (8/22), 7pm, Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, 223 West State St, Black Mountain

Forest Bathing Retreat: CommuniTEA Amongst the Trees

An immersive morning retreat focused on fostering kinship with like-minded people and the more-than-human world.

SA (8/23), 10am, NC Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way River Snorkeling

A growing hobby that makes you feel like a fish while exploring a world just under the surface of the water that you won’t believe until you see it.

SA (8/23), 10:30am, Murphy-Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview Rd

Toning & Drumming

Our Prayers w/Yvonne Teplitsky & Janice Doochin

An unforgettable afternoon of gentle drumming and vocal toning, where rhythm and simple sounds come together to inspire and awaken peace and empowerment within.

SA (8/23), 2:30pm, UR Light Center, 2196 NC-9, Black Mountain

Chinese Wrestling: Shuai Jiao

It is a standing grappling style, meaning that although there are hip throws, leg sweeps and hand techniques, like many other arts, there is no ground grappling.

SA (8/23), 4pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Sunset Sound Bath

Let the vibrations clear your mind, renew your spirit, and guide you into a collective state of peace and clarity.

SA (8/23), 7:30pm, HapBe Valley Equine and Wellness Farm, 1 Noahs Vly, Leicester

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 (8/24), 2pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd, Push Hands

A two-person training routine practiced in internal Chinese martial arts such as baguazhang, xingyiquan and tai chi.

SU (8/24), 5:30pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Sacred Reset: Monthly Mantra, Cacao & Gong

Healing Journey

A monthly soul-nourishing ceremony designed to help you release what no longer serves, reconnect with your heart, and return to your center—held in sacred community.

MO (8/25), 6pm, Sundarah Wellness, 461 Moody Farm Rd, Maggie Valley

Wild Food Community Walks

Each week you may forage mushrooms or gather plants for food or medicine, spend time up close with the moss and forest critters, make tea from seasonal woodland plants and more.

TU (8/26), 5:30pm, Multiple Locations, Citywide, Docent Led Tours

See beautiful and interesting plants, delicious vegetables, native plants for beauty and pollinator interest.

WE (8/27), 10am, Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center, 49 Mount Carmel Rd, Ste 102

Conscious Aging: Finding Enjoyment in Senior Living

Learn to love where you are in life and embrace the journey with purpose and positivity. This is a free event open to all.

WE (8/27), 10:45am, Reuter YMCA, 3 Town Center Blvd.

IBN Biz Lunch: West

Asheville

All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts.

WE (8/27), noon, Yao, 153 Smoky Park Hwy

Shamanic Journey Circle

Exploring your consciousness and meet your guides in the lower world, upper world, and middle worlds. Traveling in the tradition of Core Shamanism via drum beat.

WE (8/27), 6:30pm, The Well, 3 Louisiana Ave

GAMES & CLUBS

Level 256 Weekly

Pinball Tournament

This is a weekly group knockout pinball tournament. Food will

be provided to players. All ages and skill levels are welcome.

SU (8/24), 5:30pm, Level 256 Classic Arcade Bar, 79 Coxe Ave

Ping Pong Tournament

Come by and shoot your shot against some of the best ping pong players in town. Free to enter and $50 bar tab to the winner.

MO (8/25), 6pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave

Music Bingo w/Spencer

Bring your friends to Taproom Tuesdays featuring Music Bingo with Spencer and rotating food trucks.

TU (8/26), 6pm, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200

Pool School

Have you ever wanted to learn how to play pool and not just knock around balls and cross your fingers, Ms. Hannah’s got you.

WE (8/27), 4pm, Mals, 121 S. Main St, Marshall Asheville Crokinole Club

The Crokinole Club meets every other week for friendly competition, good drinks, and great company.

TH (8/28), 6pm, Well Played, 162 Coxe Ave, Ste 101

KID-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS

Family Story Time

A fun and interactive story time designed for children ages 18 months to 3 years.

WE (8/20, 27), 10:30am, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain

Little Kids Kung Fu (Ages 5-7)

This class builds a solid foundation through playing Kung Fu games while building HandEye-Foot coordination as well as listening skills.

WE (8/20, 27), 3pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Baby Storytime

A lively language enrichment story time designed for children ages 4 to 18 months.

TH (8/21, 28), 10:30am, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain

Black Cat Tales: Story Time w/Cats

A special after-school workshop where families with children age 7 and under can relax and foster a love of reading while also socializing with the cats in the lounge.

TH (8/21), 4pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Kids & Teens Xing Yi Learn complete systems of Xing Yi, Baguazhang, and Taiji, including weapons and sparring as optional classes.

TH (8/21, 28), MO (8/25), TU (8/26), 4pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Coloring w/Cats: Kiddie Edition

An artistic session with coloring books and markers for children ages 13 and under to relax by coloring as they pet cats to reduce stress and anxiety.

SA (8/23), 1pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Toddler Sip & Splash Dive into fun and exploration with this drop-in program that combines the joy of water play with a social and sensory-rich environment

TH (8/28), 3:30pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

LOCAL MARKETS

Leicester Farmers Market

A community-led farmers market local produce, cheese, meats, honey, strawberries, asparagus, rhubarb, ramps, a variety of plants and more. Every Wednesday through October.

WE (8/20, 27), 3pm, Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester RAD Farmers Market Asheville’s only yearround weekly market, featuring 30+ vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted items, beverages, grab-and-go meals, and more. EBT and SNAP accepted.

WE (8/20, 27), 3pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St Weaverville Tailgate Market

This market features a selection of fresh, locally grown produce, grass fed beef, pork, chicken, eggs, cheese, baked goods, artisan bread, eclectic handmade goodies, garden and landscaping plants. Open year-round.

WE (8/20, 27), 3pm, 60 Lake Shore Dr Weaverville

Enka-Candler Farmer’s Market

A grand selection of local foods and crafts, everything from produce to pickles, baked goods to body care, and even educational resources. Every Thursday through October 31.

TH (8/21, 28), 3:30pm, A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler Flower Market

Pick up freshly cut farm flower bunches and seasonal goodies directly from the farm. This is a self-serve flower stand at Bloom WNC.

TH (8/21), 9am, Bloom WNC Flower Farm, 806 North Fork Rd, Black Mountain

Biltmore Park Farmers Market

This market features fresh seasonal produce, delicious homemade pastries, premium meats and seafood, beautiful vibrant flowers, and more.

TH (8/21, 28), 3pm, Biltmore Park Town Square, Town Square Blvd

East Asheville Tailgate Market

Featuring over 25 vendors selling meat, seafood, produce, flowers, bread, eggs, baked goods, fruit, herbs, sweet treats, tamales, and more. Every Friday through Nov. 21.

FR (8/22), 3pm, Groce

United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd

Mills River Farm Market

This market offers local food, live music, kids' activities, cooking demos, and a welcoming community. Browse fresh produce and pasture-raised meats to homemade breads, fresh flowers, and artisan goods.

SA (8/23), 8am, Mills River Elementary School, 94 Schoolhouse Rd, Mills River North Asheville Tailgate Market

Browse from over 70 vendors that will be

offering sustainably produced produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, breads, honey, plants, prepared foods, crafts and more.

SA (8/23), 8am, 275 Edgewood Rd

Asheville City Market

A producer-only market featuring local food products, including fresh produce, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, and other artisan products. Every Saturday through December.

SA (8/23), 9am, 52 N Market St

Black Mountain Tailgate Market

A seasonal community event featuring organic and sustainably grown produce, plants, cut flowers, herbs, local raised meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheeses, eggs and locally handcrafted items. Every Saturday through Nov. 22.

SA (8/23), 9am, 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Swannanoa Farmers Market

This market will feature farm-fresh produce, local honey, eggs, baked goods, and delicious eats. You'll also find handmade jewelry, artwork, fiber crafts, wooden utensils,

yard art, apothecary essentials, and more.

SA (8/23), 9am, 216 Whitson Ave, 216 Whitson Ave, Swannanoa

Mars Hill Farmers & Artisans Market

A producer-only tailgate market located on the campus of Mars Hill University on College Street. Offering fresh local produce, herbs, cheeses, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, body care and more. Every Saturday through Oct. 26.

SA (8/23), 10am, College St, Mars Hill

WNC Farmers Market

This year-round market features locally grown produce, fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, plants, shops, arts and crafts, sourwood honey, and other farm fresh items. Open daily, 8am. 570 Brevard Rd

Junk-O-Rama

Browse vintage clothing vendors, local crafters, antiques and more.

SU (8/24), noon, Fleetwood's, 496 Haywood Rd

Magical Market

Come and stock up on magical supplies in the shop, browse the market of local vendors, pet some panthers in the cat lounge, and

finish your day off with an intuitive reading.

SU (8/24), noon, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Meadow Market

This vibrant outdoor market features a curated selection of local makers and artisans. Browse a delightful array of one-of-a-kind textiles, handcrafted jewelry, beautiful pottery, and more.

SU (8/24), 1pm, The Meadow at Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200 West Asheville Tailgate Market

This market features an array of goods including fruits, vegetables, baked goods, bread, eggs, cheese, plants, specialty items, locally made art and crafts and more. Every Tuesday through November.

TU (8/26), 3:30pm, 718 Haywood Rd

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

2025 Asheville Trail

Running Film Festival

This year’s event is more than just a night of films—it’s a celebration of the trails that connect us, the strength we’ve rediscovered, and the

remarkable individuals who make it all happen.

WE (8/20), 5:30pm, The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave

United for Youth Block Party

A free, family-friendly block party in Pack Square with live youth performances, food trucks, a DJ, STEAM activities, and over 50 community booths.

FR (8/22), 4pm, Pack Square, 1 N Pack Square

4th Annual Harvestfest

HarvestFest is a celebration of local farmers, community and music. All ticket proceeds will go towards the ASAP Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program.

SA (8/23), 3pm, Olivette Riverside Community and Farm, 1069 Olivette Rd

Fleetwood's 8th Anniversary Bash

Fleetwood's 8th Anniversary bash will feature music from a killer line up with Hans Condos, Gino and the Goons, Seismic Sutra, Cheeks, Nightbeers and Starseer.

SA (8/23), 3pm, Fleetwood's, 496 Haywood Rd

Balfolk Concert & Dance

Meet Balfolk, the fun, French inspired dance party that is the rage in Europe and gaining ground here in the US.

SA (8/23), 7:30pm, Montreat Conference Center, 401 Assembly Dr, Montreat

Community Sing & Community Meal

Alexander Chapel United Methodist Church invites the community to a homecoming celebration filled with music, memories, and fellowship. Bring a covered dish to share for the potluck.

SU (8/24), 11am, Alexander Chapel United Methodist Church, 880 Aiken Rd

Highland Haze Labor Day Weekend

Celebrate the new release of Highland Haze with five days of free live music, local flavor, and festive vibes at Highland Brewing. A variety of local food trucks will be serving up delicious eats all weekend long.

TH (8/28), The Meadow at Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200

Best of WNC Party

The Mountain Xpress Best of WNC Party returns to the Meadow

for another fun celebration in honor of all the Best of WNC winners. It will feature music, food trucks and a variety of beers.

TH (8/28), 6pm, The Meadow at Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200

BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING

Volunteer Reading Tutor Training w/Read 2 Succeed

This program recruits volunteer reading tutors to commit to one student, meeting with them twice a week during or after school. Tutors are trained, supported, and committed to literacy justice. Register at avl.mx/bto.

WE (8/20), 6pm, Online

Low-Cost Community Neuter Clinic

Please schedule and pay for your appointment prior to showing up. Appointments and additional services can be scheduled at avl.mx/dlq.

TH (8/21, 28), 9am, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Cat Trivia: A Fundraiser for Binx's Home for Black Cats It will feature a variety

of feline-centric trivia questions to test your knowledge for a chance to win prizes.

FR (8/22), 7:30pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

3rd Annual Cause for Paws Festival

A family-friendly fundraiser to save animal lives and will feature raffle baskets, vendors for shopping, a performance from Asheville Big Air and more.

SA (8/23), noon, The Auction House Food Hall, 29 Fanning Bridge Rd Hope for Tomorrow Golf Tournament

A day of community fellowship and fun at the first annual Hope for Tomorrow Golf Tournament in support of Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry. SA (8/23), 8am, Reems Creek Golf Club, 36 Pink Fox Cove Rd, Weaverville Beer & Hymns Benefiting Bounty & Soul Beer and Hymns brings people together to raise a glass and a voice while raising funds for organizations that change the world.

MO (8/25), 7pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

The cure for despair?

BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN

earnaudin@mountainx.com

Few Asheville properties have inspired as much frustration and bewilderment as the aptly named Pit of Despair.

Located at 68 Haywood St., across from Pack Memorial Library, the lot long housed a parking deck and the Flying Frog restaurant. After purchasing it in 2003, the City of Asheville leveled the structures, and it sat without a long-term purpose until 2020, when City Council approved plans for a $13 million park. But that transformation has likewise yet to come to fruition, and the unflattering nickname has endured.

Leave it to an artist to try and reverse the Pit of Despair’s fortunes. In conjunction with city officials, Andrew Montrie of Muddy Knees Design and Production is launching a public artist vending area pilot project on the still-empty lot.

The first edition launches SaturdaySunday, Aug. 23-24, and runs each weekend through Sunday, Sept. 20. If it’s successful, it could prove a catalyst in the Asheville arts community’s long recovery from Tropical Storm Helene.

BUILDING BRIDGES

Many personalities have been drawn to 68 Haywood St. over the years — Montrie included.

Nearly 20 years ago, he established a very similar project with Asheville Art in the Park. In the planning stages of this art market, he went to officials with a list of available city-owned spaces that he could potentially use.

“One of the spots that I really liked was this red brick parking deck right across from the library,” Montrie says. “It’s already covered — we don't have to worry about tents and stuff, and we could have a market right in that parking deck. And the city came back and said, ‘That’s not allowed.’”

Pritchard Park, which was just enjoying a new life after being a bus station, was another option. And so was Pack Square, which Montrie hadn’t seriously considered because it was still in the midst of a lengthy renovation. But once officials said that construction would be completed in time for the inaugural event, he secured it. And Pack Square Park has been Asheville Art in the Park’s home ever since.

Through this event, which runs three Saturdays each June and October, Montrie eventually got to know Jon Fillman, community event manager for the city. Following the destruction of

Artisan market tests rare public-private partnership

Helene last September, devoting money to the Haywood Street park fell lower on the city’s list of priorities. And with the lot still empty, Fillman contacted Montrie with an opportunity to expand his art market experience and achieve his dream of a public-private partnership.

“This new project in the Pit is actually the city saying, ‘Finally, we agree with you. We think that if we provide some space that you could organize some artists to utilize that space,’” Montrie says. “This is actually a public project that the city’s putting on with my help — that’s the big difference between what I’ve done in the past and what this is going to be.”

’WHERE’D IT GO?’

Motivated, in part, by a feeling of responsibility to artists who lost money when Asheville Art in the Park’s October 2024 edition was canceled due to Helene, Montrie devised an art market platform with extremely low risk for vendors. Participants in the pilot program will pay $50 for a spot, but if they don't make back that amount or if the weather is bad, they’ll get another day during the fiveweek experiment to return and try again.

“You could sign up for an outdoor event, and it rains that day, and you just lose your fees — you go, you set up your tent in the rain, and no one comes and buys anything. It’s very weather-dependent,” Montrie says. “It would be really

nice to have a space where you could go and say, ‘OK, I’m going to be here on kind of a semiregular basis or when I’m not doing another big show. And if it rains that day, I don’t have to show up. I don’t have to worry about my fees.’”

With the pilot program secured, he tapped into his network of artists with similar big-picture interests. Together, they’ve been volunteering to dig gravel and soil and help move the fencing around on the property, transforming the Pit of Despair into an appealing space for creatives.

Once it’s ready, the market will coincide with events happening across the street at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville. Currently on the slate are two days of performances by stand-up comic Leanne Morgan (Aug. 23-24); the second day of the Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic tournament of NCAA women’s teams, which consists of three matches per day (Saturday, Sept. 6); the sixth annual 103.3 Asheville FM Record Fair (Sunday, Sept. 7); and the last two days of the sixth annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival (Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 13-14).

With heavy foot traffic expected during each event, Montrie aims to attract passersby to the property during a 1-7 p.m. block of operations. And with certain events that run later, he says there’s room for extending those hours into the night with help from lighting apparatuses.

“I think people are going to be really surprised when we pop off a bunch of tents right along the street there,” he says. “‘What just happened? Where’d it go?’”

CHECKING IN

In search of a fitting name for this pilot project, Montrie sent out a survey to current participating artists. Roughly 40% replied saying they wanted to use the property’s notorious nickname in some capacity, which prompted him to name the endeavor The Pit: A Public Artisan Market.

Once the five-week pilot is complete, Montrie will conduct an evaluation with his city partners, looking at how much money was spent and made. He anticipates that this initial test will essentially break even financially, which he views as a victory.

“If we can make the numbers close and artists make money, it’s a success — and worth continuing into something that we can build to be more profitable for the city,” he says. “It’s all temporary vending at this point. But if we could theoretically be successful, I imagine that a longer-term [partnership] in the Pit would create additional investment in infrastructure.”

To learn more about The Pit: A Public Artisan Market or to sign up, email andrew@ashevilleartinthepark.com. X

PIT STOP: Andrew Montrie is pictured working with volunteers to prepare the downtown lot at 68 Haywood St. — long known as the Pit of Despair — for its new life as a public artist vending area. Photo by Thomas Calder

Vine ripe

BY ASHLEY ENGLISH

We are now deep into tomato season here in Western North Carolina. After you’ve had your fill of Caprese salads, tomato pie and BLTs, look to preservation techniques to save the ’mater harvest for later use.

Here I’m sharing my recipe for tomato jam, as well as suggestions for freezing and drying these summer stalwarts.

Tomato jam

Makes: About 4 or 5 half-pint jars.

You will need:

• 4 pounds Roma tomatoes (or any other oblong/paste-style variety), skins on, cored and coarsely chopped

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup packed light brown sugar

• ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lime juice

• 1 tablespoon sea salt

• 2 teaspoons ground allspice

• 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground cloves

• ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne

To make:

• Place the tomatoes, granulated sugar, brown sugar, lime juice, salt, allspice, cinnamon, cloves and cayenne in a medium stainless steel pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often.

• Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and firms to a jamlike consistency, around 60-75 minutes.

• During the last 20 minutes of cooking time, fill a canner or large stockpot with water, place 4 or 5 half-pint jars inside and set over medium-high heat. Bring just to the boiling point.

• Using a jar lifter, remove the hot jars from the canner and place on top

Canning, freezing and drying techniques help preserve WNC’s tomato harvest

of a kitchen cloth on the counter. With the help of a canning funnel, pack the tomato jam into the jars, reserving ½-inch headspace.

• Use a spatula or wooden chopstick to remove any trapped air bubbles from around the interior circumference of the jars. Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth. Place on the lids and screw bands, tightening only until fingertip-tight.

• Again using a jar lifter, slowly place the filled jars into the canner. Be sure the jars are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil and process for 10 minutes, starting the timer once the water is at a full, rolling boil. Adjust for altitude as necessary. (If you’re canning above sea level, you’ll need to add to the overall canning time as you go up in elevation. If you’re at 0-1,000 feet above sea level, stick with the processing time as written. From 1001-3000 feet above sea level, add 5 minutes, and from 3001-6000, add 10 minutes to the processing time.)

• Carefully remove the jars from the canner, using either the canning rack handles or a jar lifter. Set the hot jars onto a dry kitchen cloth. Listen for the jars to seal, remove the screw bands and dry and store them, and then leave the jars to cool on the kitchen counter until fully at room temperature. Wipe the rims of the jars with a damp cloth once fully cooled.

• Label and date, then store in a cool, dry area, such as a pantry or cabinet. Consume ideally within one year.

Freezing tomatoes

If you’re too pressed for time to can tomatoes, consider freezing them for later use. They’ll lose a bit of their fresh

flavor but will still perform great in any sort of cooked application. Leave whole (remove the stem), quarter or dice the tomatoes, depending on size and intended use, before freezing. (Grapeor cherry-sized tomatoes can be frozen whole.) Once thawed, the skins will slip right off. Store in freezer containers or freezer storage bags, label and date, and aim to use within a year.

Drying tomatoes

Drying is another means of preserving these summer treasures. An oven or a dehydrator both work equally well. Tomatoes will not all dry at the same rate, as they don’t all have the same amount of moisture, nor do they experience the same temperature and air circulation while drying. You’ll know they’re done when they feel dry but are still pliable, like a dried apricot. If dried too long, they become tough and leathery, whereas if they’re not dried long enough, they’ll mold and mildew. Try to remove them on an individual basis, before they become tough.

OVEN-DRYING

• Arrange tomatoes, cut side up, on a nonstick cookie pan. Do not use aluminum foil or aluminum baking sheets as the acid in the tomato will react with the metal.

• Bake in a 170°F oven for about 3 hours, leaving the oven door propped open about 3 inches to allow moisture to escape.

• After 3 hours, turn the tomatoes over and press flat with your hand or a spatula.

• Continue to dry, turning the tomatoes every few hours and gently

LET'S JAM: Spiced tomato jam is a simple way to preserve the WNC harvest to savor year-round. Photo by Glenn English

pressing them flatter and flatter until they are dry.

• Once dry, allow the tomatoes to briefly return to room temperature before storing in lidded containers in a cool, dark area, such as kitchen cabinet or pantry.

DEHYDRATING

• Place the tomatoes, cut side up, directly onto dehydrator trays.

• Set dehydrator temperature to about 140°F.

• After four or five hours, turn the tomatoes over and press flat with your hand or a spatula.

• After a few hours, turn the tomatoes again and flatten gently. Continue drying until properly dried.

• Once dry, allow the tomatoes to briefly return to room temperature before storing in lidded containers in a cool, dark area, such as kitchen cabinet or pantry. X

8/20: Reader: Jessica 12-5 Women’s Circle w/ Ally 5-6

8/21: Reader: Violet 1:20-6

8/22: Reader: Krysta 12-6

8/23: NEW MOON in Virgo Reader: Ed 12-6

8/24: Reader: Andrea 12-4

8/26: Reader: Byron 1-5

YEAR BINEER Magical Offerings

Poetry and pints

are told ’round the table at Burning Blush Brewery

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. To read about their trip to 12 Bones Smokehouse and Brewing, visit avl.mx/eyh.

Well, I could simply say that we were eight friends who stopped by Burning Blush Brewery in Mills River to enjoy cold beer on a hot day. But that would be as dull as the disposable razor I’ve been using for far too long. Moreover, Burning Blush has an Edgar Allan Poe theme — complete with stained glass windows, an almost Arthurian roundtable and general Gothic decor — and I was a lit major, so … Take a breath, center yourselves and read this aloud:

Once upon a summer swelter, while we wandered helter-skelter, Seeking shade and frothy shelter from the sun’s relentless roar — Came a call, most clarion-sounding, from a place of craft astounding, Where the ales are dark and grounding, by the noble river’s shore.

“’Tis Burning Blush,” we whispered. “Mills River’s own, which we adore — Let us gather there once more.”

Through the doors we stepped, elated, ’neath the arches high and plated, Light through glass in colors faded spilled across the taproom lush; There a table, round and weighty, stood in stance both stout and stately, Bidding all to join sedately in fellowship all a’ flush;

Eight we sat, no king nor captain, equal knights in solemn hush: Quoth the pint, “Burning Blush.”

There we spoke of lineage and legions, ancestors’ tales and younger seasons, How Father Time, with subtle treasons, steals away the days we clutch; Raised we then the dear libation — a Czech dark lager incantation, A bready, tasty saturation, black as Poe’s own shadowed thrush — And we drank, as if to bargain more from life’s brief, fleeting crush: Quoth the pint, “Burning Blush.”

Whit Lanning, co-owner, brewer, in his craft no soul is truer, Guides grain to gold with fewer flaws than alchemists of lore; With his parents, steadfast, tending, to the tanks and tasks unending, Blending skill and vision, sending forth each pint the crowd implores; And their craft, both strong and subtle, every wanderer restores — May it be forevermore.

So we toasted — pint glasses ringing — to the craft and comrades bringing Joy to heat-worn knights now singing, tales that time will never shush; And I swear by taps still gleaming, in that glass’s amber dreaming, Burning Blush will keep redeeming what the summer sun may crush; And the ale, still gently streaming, whispered through the evening hush: Quoth the pint, “Burning Blush.”

My friends, our tombstones will be marked with two dates separated by a dash. Let us make the most of the dash. Raise a glass.

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.

• Aug. 20: Rye Knot, North Asheville

• Aug. 27: Zillicoah Beer Co., Woodfin X

POE ME ANOTHER: Bartenders Ashley Toler, left, and Sarah Justice are pictured in Burning Blush Brewery's Edgar Allan Poe-inspired taproom. Photo by Christopher Arbor

It takes a Village Corner Kitchen reopens

with a lot of help from its friends

BY KAY WEST

kswest55@comcast.net

And just like that, on Aug. 11 — 318 days after Tropical Storm Helene’s floodwaters ravaged Biltmore Village, reaching the ceiling of the first level of Corner Kitchen — the beloved 21-year-old restaurant was back in the business of feeding people.

Two days before, staff members — some who had formerly punched the clock at Corner Kitchen and a few newbies — gathered around tables in the 130-year-old building for a reunion, meeting and test run of the menu.

“Basically, we wanted to remind everyone, and emphasize to new hires, that these are the things we do every day for everybody,” says Kevin Westmoreland, who partnered with Joe Scully in 2003 and opened the restaurant the next year.

Scully, Corner Kitchen’s original chef, adds, “We wanted them to eat the menu because all the equipment is brand-new, and things that green don’t cook the same as seasoned equipment.”

Brian Crow remains the culinary director (as well as for sister restaurant Chestnut), and Perry Anderson is Corner Kitchen’s chef de cuisine. Scully says the popular brunch menu remains essentially the same as before, meaning guests will still find favorites such as Crow’s Famous Chicken ‘n’ Waffles and house-made corned beef hash.

The dinner menu will keep the signature pecan-crusted Sunburst trout in its place of honor but will otherwise be more fluid. “We work with chefs we give a certain amount of creative license to,” Scully says Looking back on the 10-month recovery process, Scully recalls Sept. 28, 2024. That first day after Helene, he rode his mountain bike — the only mode of transportation that allowed him to bypass downed trees and power poles blocking roads — from his home in Fairview to the restaurant at 3 Boston Way. The utter destruction he saw at the restaurant and all over Biltmore Village was nearly incomprehensible.

When Westmoreland joined him, they surveyed the damage — 6 inches of mud everywhere; floors, walls and ceilings ruined; all kitchen equipment destroyed; the large walk-

in coolers jammed together; landscaping covered with sludge — and decided they would rebuild.

“There was never a real moment when we considered not doing it,” Westmoreland recalls.

Scully smiles. “We were like two teenage boys standing at the top of a waterfall, looking down, wondering if we should jump. Other people have jumped and lived. Why not us? So, we jumped.”

They jumped into a process that began with clearing mud, followed by weeks of demolition and carting off equipment, sodden walls and floors. (Furnishings had been moved to the second floor the day before Helene hit.) Elm Construction and Design led the reconstruction efforts.

Scully — not a shy man — made regular video progress reports for the restaurant’s social media platforms. Often, he recruited fireball Frankie, his 7 1/2-year-old daughter, with his wife and Corner Kitchen COO, Vanessa Salomo, to help with color commentary. Through it all, friends, neighbors, regular customers and even strangers showed up to help, including one guy they nicknamed Volunteer Pete. “We don’t know where he came from, and he was gone before we could ask him who he was,” says Westmoreland.

Westmoreland says regular customers often drove down Boston Way, calling from their cars for an estimated time of completion. On Aug. 10, Corner Kitchen hosted two soft-opening meals for friends and family to thank the army of FOCKs (friends of Corner Kitchen) who supported the arduous journey to recovery.

Corner Kitchen 2.0 is reconfigured with the bar and bartender in the parlor room to the right of the front door, which now opens out rather than in. The main dining room has banquette seating where the service station and bar used to be. A fully stabilized staircase still leads to the second floor and its two dining rooms. The patio remains the same, including the steel arbor and panel forged for Corner Kitchen by Iron Maiden Studios years ago.

Memorabilia — including a photo of Westmoreland’s deceased son-inlaw, Riley Howell, who once worked at Corner Kitchen — was placed in several mason jars and sealed behind the tiled wall beside the kitchen.

Westmoreland and Scully are simultaneously exhausted, elated and extremely emotional as they recount what it took to come back and all the help they received along the way.

Westmoreland points to a small Japanese maple tree between the porch and patio planted years ago by

longtime chef Josh Weeks. “That tree was underwater and then covered with muck,” he says. “We didn’t think anything could live through that. But this spring, it bloomed like never before. If that little tree can make it, so can we.” Corner Kitchen is at 3 Boston Way. Learn more at avl.mx/bpl. X

BACK IN BUSINESS: From left, Joe Scully, Vanessa Salomo, Amy Westmoreland and Kevin Westmoreland celebrate the post-Helene comeback of their restaurant, Corner Kitchen, in Biltmore Village. Photo courtesy of Corner Kitchen

by Edwin Arnaudin |

Boomtown Arts Heritage FestAVL

After a successful inaugural edition last year, the Boomtown Arts Heritage FestAVL returns to Pack Square Park Friday-Sunday, Aug. 29-31, for more musical performances and activities. The brainchild of Asheville native Andrew Ellington, Boomtown features such notable local acts as Papadosio, Toubab Krewe, Caitlin Krisko and The Broadcast, Empire Strikes Brass and the Asheville Symphony. And on Aug. 31, it loops in Secret Agent 23 Skidoo’s beloved annual The Big Secret extravaganza, full of family-friendly music, circus acts, storytelling and more.

However, it’s the nonmusical components that make Boomtown so intriguing. Those include curated tours and displays that explore Asheville’s architectural legacy and historic boomtown origins; a wellness pavilion with free yoga, mindfulness and holistic wellness sessions; and an artisan market showcasing handmade goods, culinary creations and crafts from regional vendors.

The event is free to attend with online RSVP. Additional late-night ticketed events are happening at The Orange Peel, Aug. 29-30. To learn more and register, visit avl.mx/e3g. X

A cornerstone of the area music scene for the past decade plus, psych rock quintet Bask continues to evolve and take on new challenges. Tracked at Echo Mountain Recording with producer Kenny Harrington, the band’s new concept album, The Turning, follows a spurned heroine known as The Rider, who has her extraterrestrial world shaken up by The Traveler, a mysteriously ageless gunslinger who asks for her help. In addition to the ambitious storytelling, the LP finds the group leaning further into the folk and

bluegrass traditions that its members grew up around, enhancing their trademark heavy sounds in exciting ways.

Bask celebrates the debut of The Turning on Friday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m., with a record release show at The Orange Peel. Also on the bill is a diverse lineup of local talent, including Secret Shame, Generation of Vipers, Tombstone Poetry and Cliff B. Worsham. And Burial Beer Co. is releasing a new brew made exclusively for the occasion. Free to attend. To learn more, visit avl.mx/f1b. X

Terry Roberts

Prolific local author Terry Roberts just saw the publication of his latest Stephen Robbins’ mystery, The Devil Hath a Pleasing Shape, last October. And now his follow-up novel, In the Fullness of Time, is on bookstore shelves as of Aug. 19.

The story tags along with World War II veteran and reluctant sheriff Clinton Salter as he attempts to solve a mysterious string of arsons, grave robberies and murders in Madison County. (Yes, that Madison County.) If those challenges weren’t enough, the widower is also working through difficult family relationships — including with his brother, a potential suspect in the aforementioned crimes — and testing the waters on a new romantic relationship with high school principal Catherine Metcalf. But as the pair seek refuge on Salter’s secluded mountain farm, violent forces threaten to upend their happiness. To learn more, visit avl.mx/f1e  X

Tired Souls: King and the Montgomery Bus Boycott

If you’ve never experienced a Mike Wiley performance, there’s no time like the present. The Raleigh-based actor, playwright and director has brought his captivating and informative one-man shows to N.C. Stage Company on an annual basis since Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till in 2018, including a livestream of his Blood Done Sign My Name adaptation in 2020 while the theater was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now comes Tired Souls: King and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which spotlights Jo Ann Robinson, Claudette Colvin and other lesser-known pioneers who came before Rosa Parks and laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement. Except for occasional audience participation — be ready! — Wiley plays every role, convincingly portraying different characters with the aid of accents, mannerisms, props, lighting and other theatrical effects.

In conjunction with N.C. Stage, this production will take place at the YMI Cultural Center WednesdaysSaturdays, Aug. 20-30, at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Aug. 24 and 31, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $36 with a sliding scale ($6$36) option available on Wednesdays and Thursdays. To learn more, visit avl.mx/f1a  X

Photo of Toubab Krewe by Kenny Appelbaum

Photo of Bask by Garrett Williams

Courtesy of the author

Photo of Mike Wiley by Chris Charles for Creative Silence

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20

12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE & BREWING

Trivia w/King Trivia, 7pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

The Verve Pipe (pop, alt-rock), 8pm

CAMDEN'S COFFEE

HOUSE Open Mic Night, 7pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Open Mic Wednesday, 7pm

ELUVIUM BREWERY

The Candleers (country), 5:30pm

FITZ AND THE WOLFE

The Russ Wilson Orchestra (swing, jazz), 8pm

FOOTHILLS GRANGE

Trivia Night, 6pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Bluegrass Jam Wednesdays, 6:30pm

GALACTIC PIZZA

Fast Eddie's Trivia, 6:30pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

PISGAH BREWING

CO.

Bridget Gossett & Bryce Robertson (folkrock), 6pm

SHAKEY'S

Wing Wednesdays SSIN w/DJ Ragga Massive, 10pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

Weird Wednesday Open Jam, 7pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Los Mocos, Lady Kabela & Paper Pills (punk, metal, alt-rock), 8:45pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Tyler Hilton (One Tree Hill tribute), 8pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Well-Crafted Music Series: Graham Sharp & Seth Kauffman (multigenre), 6pm

THE ODD Terraoke Karaoke Takeover, 9pm

THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Fairlight & the Magick (soul, psych-blues funk), 10pm

THIRD ROOM

Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge: Comedy Open Mic, 9pm

URBAN ORCHARD

Wayward Trivia, 6:30pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

Straight Ahead

Wednesdays w/Alex Taub Trio (jazz), 7:30pm

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21

12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE & BREWING

Lillie Syracuse (country, folk), 5:30pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Magoo w/Suns of Stars (bluegrass), 8pm

CROW & QUILL

The Yard Sails (rock'n'roll), 8pm

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 Singer Songwriter's Round, 7pm

FLEETWOOD'S Willa Mae & Aunt Ant (pop, indie), 9pm

FLOOD GALLERY

True Home Open Mic, 6pm

CLUBLAND

MAINE-BORN INDIE ROCK: Static Age Records hosts Washington, D.C.-based band Night Hawk on Thursday, Aug. 28, starting at 8:45 p.m. Night Hawk, which got its start in Brunswick, Maine, brings its indie-rock power to the stage, sharing the night with Chrysalis, Claire Whall and Wild Roots. Photo courtesy of Night Hawk

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead Thursdays (Grateful Dead & JGB tribute), 6pm

GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

Blue Ridge Pride Open Mic, 6pm

GREEN MAN BREWERY Thursday Night Trivia, 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7pm

LAZOOM ROOM BAR & GORILLA

YIKES! Dating Disaster Comedy w/Sarah Love, 8:30pm

MAD CO. BREW

HOUSE

Country Music Thursday w/Chris Long, 6pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

Kid Billy (funk, soul, Americana), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING Jeremiah Tall (folk), 8pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm

PULP Slice Standup Comedy Competition, 7:30pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

Andy Frasco & The U.N. (rock'n'roll), 7pm

SHAKEY'S Karaoke w/DJ Franco Nino, 9pm

STATIC AGE LOFT

Auto-Tune Karaoke w/Who Gave This B*tch A Mic, 10pm

THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

String Pong (bluegrass), 9pm

THIRD ROOM

Five Door Sedan w/ Pleasantly Wild (altfunk, indie-rock), 8pm

TWIN WILLOWS

The Candleers (country), 6:30pm

WICKED WEED

BREWING

Pete Townsend (acoustic), 5pm

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22

ALL DAY DARLING

Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 6pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Daft Disko (Frenchhouse, disco), 9pm

COFFEE, ART, MUSIC

TYPE PLACE

Open Mic, 6pm

CORK & KEG

One Leg Up w/ D'Jango Jazz (gypsy-jazz), 8pm

CROW & QUILL

Drayton & The Dreamboats (jazz, rock'n'roll), 8:30pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

The Moon and You (acoustic), 8pm

EULOGY

Monty, NVRSOFT & ND Skyz (dnb, dubstep, edm), 6pm

FITZ AND THE WOLFE

The Sun Sippers (soulrock, reggae), 7:30pm

GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

Scenic Radio (Southern-rock, country, funk), 6pm

HEMINGWAY'S CUBA

Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Time Sawyer (rock, folk, Americana), 8:30pm

MAD CO. BREW

HOUSE

Rick Hornyak & the Highway Companions (Americana, rock), 6pm

NEW BELGIUM

BREWING CO.

Suns of Stars (bluegrass), 5:30pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

The Ross Osteen Band (blues, rock), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Dan Clare Collective (funk, blues, rock), 8pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST Starseer (rock), 9pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

Zoso (Led Zeppelin tribute), 6pm

SHAKEY'S

• 2000s Karaoke w/DJ

Franco Nino, 10pm

• Dance Party w/DJ Mad Mike, 10pm

SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. Fitz & the Tantrums (alt-indie, pop, neosoul), 6pm

THE GREY EAGLE Patio: Pleasure Chest (blues, soul, rock'n'roll), 5:30pm

THE ODD

The Discs, Pink No Pink & Bad Fidelity (garagerock, punk, new-wave), 8pm

THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

• Aaron Lane (multigenre), 6pm

• Mojo Mountain (rock, blues, country), 10pm

THE ORANGE PEEL Bask w/Secret Shame, Generation of Vipers, Tombstone Poetry & Cliff B. Worsham (alt-indie, folk, rock), 7pm

THE STATION BLACK

MOUNTAIN

Mr Jimmy (blues), 5pm

TURGA BREWING The Candleers (country), 5pm

WICKED WEED WEST

Kevin Dolan & Paul Koptak (folk, Americana), 5pm

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

ASHEVILLE CLUB

Mr Jimmy (blues), 6pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Barstool Rodeo (Widespread Panic tribute), 9pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 5:30pm

CROW & QUILL Hearts Gone South (country, honky tonk), 8pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY Ramona & The Holy Smokes (country), 8pm EULOGY

• The Remantlists w/ Double Love & the Trouble (alt-indie, newwave, punk), 7pm

• Baile & House: NYC Club Night w/Grimmjoi (house, jersey-club, baile-funk), 10pm

FITZ AND THE WOLFE

• The Cuban Cowboy: Orlando Mendez (country, Latin), 7:30pm

• Drayton Aldridge Trio (jazz, soul), 9pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Robert Thomas Band (jazz), 6pm

FUNKATORIUM Funk DJ Series w/ Grimmjoi, 6pm

GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

The Tool Shed: An All Kings Drag Show, 7pm

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): When glassmakers want to cool a newly blown piece, they don’t simply leave it out to harden. That would cause it to shatter from the inside. Instead, they place it in an annealing oven, where the temperature drops in measured increments over many hours. This careful cooling aligns the internal structure and strengthens the whole. Let’s invoke this as a useful metaphor, Aries. I absolutely love the heat and radiance you’ve expressed recently. But now it’s wise for you to gradually cool down: to allow your fervor to coalesce into an enduring new reservoir of power and vitality. Transform sheer intensity into vibrant clarity and cohesion.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): To paraphrase Sufi mystic poet Rumi: “Don’t get lost in your pain. Know that one day your pain will become your cure.” In my astrological opinion, Taurus, you have arrived at this pivotal moment. A wound you’ve had to bear for a long spell is on the verge of maturing into a gift, even a blessing. A burdensome ache is ready to reveal its teachings. You may have assumed you would be forever cursed by this hurt, but that’s not true! Now it’s your sacred duty to shed that assumption and open your heart so you can harvest the healing.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): As you enter a Tibetan Buddhist temple, you may encounter statues and paintings of fierce spirits. They are guardian figures who serve as protectors, scaring away negative and destructive forces so they can’t enter the holy precincts. In accordance with astrological omens, Gemini, I invite you to be your own threshold guardian. Authorize a wise and strict part of you to defend and safeguard what truly matters. This staunch action doesn’t have to be aggressive, but it should be informed with fierce clarity. You can’t afford to let the blithe aspect of your personality compromise your overall interests by being too accommodating. Assign your protective self to stand at your gate and say: “I protect this. I cherish this. I won’t dilute this.”

CANCER (June 21-July 22): "Dear Dr. Feelgood: Lately, you seem to be extra nice to us hypersensitive Crabs. Almost *too* kind. Why? Are you in love with a Cancerian woman, and you're trying to woo her? Did you hurt a Cancerian friend’s feelings, and now you’re atoning? Please tell me you're not just coddling us. —Permanently Drunk on a Million Feelings."

Dear Drunk: You use your imagination to generate visions of things that don't exist yet. It's your main resource for creating your future. This is especially crucial right now. The coming months will be a fertile time for shaping the life you want to live for the next 10 years. If I can help you keep your imagination filled with positive expectations, you are more likely to devise marvelous self-fulfilling prophecies.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In traditional Chinese medicine, the heart is the seat of joy. It’s also the sovereign that listens to the wisdom of the other organs before acting. Dear Leo, as you cross the threshold from attracting novelty to building stability, I encourage you to cultivate extra heart-centered leadership, both for yourself and for those who look to you for inspiration. What does that mean? Make decisions based on love and compassion more than on rational analysis. Be in service to wholeness rather than to whatever might bring temporary advantage.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In Mesoamerican myth, the god Quetzalcoatl journeys to the underworld not to escape death, but to recover old bones needed to create new life. I propose you draw inspiration from this story, Virgo. In recent weeks, you have been gathering pieces of the past, not out of a sense of burdensome obligation, but as a source of raw material. Now comes the time for reassembly. You won’t rebuild the same old thing. You will sculpt visionary gifts for yourself from what was lost. You will use your history to design your future. Be alert for the revelations that the bones sing.

BY ROB BREZSNY

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the Hebrew language, the word for “face” is plural. There is no singular form for *panim*. I love that fact! For me, it implies that each of us has a variety of faces. Our identity is multifaceted. I think you should make a special point of celebrating this truth in the coming weeks, Libra. Now is an excellent time to explore and honor all of your many selves. Take full advantage of your inner diversity, and enjoy yourself to the max as you express and reveal the full array of truths you contain.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the ancient Hindu holy text known as the Upanishads, *ananda* means bliss, though not so much in the sense of physical or psychological pleasure as of deep, ecstatic knowing. I believe you are close to attracting this glorious experience into your soul, Scorpio—not just fleetingly, but for a while. I predict you will glide into alignments that feel like coming home to your eternal and perfect self. Treasure these moments as divine gifts. Immerse yourself with total welcome and gratitude. Let *ananda* inform your next steps.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In Daoist cosmology, the nature of life is characterized by cyclical, flowing patterns rather than linear, static motions. In my study of its gorgeous teachings, I exult in how it inspires me to honor both contraction and expansion, the power of circling inward and reaching outward. With this in mind, Sagittarius, I invite you to make the spiral your symbol of power. Yes, it may sometimes feel like you’re revisiting old ground. Perhaps an ex will resurface, or an old goal will seek your attention. But I guarantee it’s not mere repetition. An interesting form of evolution is underway. You’re returning to longstanding challenges armed with fresh wisdom. Ask yourself: What do I know now that I didn’t before? How can I meet these interesting questions from a higher point of the spiral?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Inuit artworks are often made from materials available in their environment, like driftwood, stones, walrus ivory, whale bones, and caribou bones and antlers. Even their tools are crafted from that stuff. In part, this is evidence of their resourcefulness, and in part, a reflection of how lovingly they engage with their environment. I recommend you borrow their approach, Capricorn. Create your practical magic by relying on what’s already available. Be enterprising as you generate usefulness and fun out of scraps and leftovers. Your raw material is probably better if it’s not perfect.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The medieval alchemists had a central principle, rendered in Latin as follows: *Visita interiora terrae, rectificando invenies occultum lapidem*. Translated, it means, "Seek out the lower reaches of the earth, perfect them, and you will find the hidden stone.” I invite you to go on a similar underground quest, Aquarius. The purpose is not to wallow in worry or sadness, but rather to retrieve a treasure. Some magnificence beneath your surface life is buried—an emotional truth, a creative impulse, a spiritual inheritance. And it’s time you went and got it. Think of it as a quest and a pilgrimage. The “hidden stone,” an emblem of spiritual riches, wants you to find it.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In ancient Greece, the god Janus presided over doorways. He had two faces, one looking outward and forward, one gazing inward and backward. I believe this is your Janus phase, Pisces. Before you launch into your next fluidic quest, pause and take inventory. Peer behind you, not with regret but with curiosity and compassion. What cycle has fully ended? What wisdom has settled into your bones? Then face the future, not with shyness or foreboding, but with eager intention and confidence. What goals, rooted in who you are becoming, can inspire an exciting new plot thread?

HATCH AVL

AMPHITHEATER

Copperhead w/Zero Latency (multi-genre), 7pm

HEMINGWAY'S CUBA

Saturday Night Live, 6pm

PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR

Sunsets: Rooftop Day Parties, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• Nobody’s Darling String Band, 4pm

• Angel Chantel & UnderBrush (bluegrass, Americana), 8:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Another Country (funk, jazz, rock), 8pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

• Bear Creek String Bandits (bluegrass), 4pm

• Florencia & The Feeling & McKinney (pop, funk Latin), 9pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

Chalwa Mountain Reggae, 5pm

SHAKEY'S Dance Party w/DJ Gage, 10pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Lyric (pop, rock, funk), 9pm

SIERRA NEVADA

BREWING CO.

Big Daddy Love, The Get Right Band, Abby Bryant & DJ Marley Carroll (multi-genre), 2pm

STATIC AGE LOFT

Time Lapse (house), 8pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Chained, Yellowjaket, Tombstone, Turn Cold & Circle Back (hardcore, metal, rock), 8:30pm

THE GREY EAGLE Patio: Mike Wheeler (folk, country), 3pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Deep River (country, yacht-rock), 6pm

THE ODD Party Foul Drag, 8pm

THE ONE STOP AT

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

• Jesse Valcich (jazz, rock'n'roll, experimental), 6pm

• Carson Moore All-Star Jam (multi-genre), 10pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Beth Sterling, 8pm

THE RIVER ARTS

DISTRICT BREWING CO.

Secret Saturday Late Nite Comedy Showcase, 9pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

The B-Sides (rock, soul, R&B), 7:30pm

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24

27 CLUB

On the Block, The Ruff'tons, Boof, Louder

Transition Collective & Wide Open Wound (punk, rock), 8pm

CORK & KEG

Milonga Del Barrio (Argentine-tango), 3pm

EULOGY

Aaron Gillespie & Friends (alt-indie, rock), 8pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 3pm

GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

Sunday Jazz Jam, 2:30pm

HEMINGWAY'S CUBA

Sunset Sunday's w/Para Gozar (Appalachian, Latin), 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• Bluegrass Brunch w/ The Bluegrass Brunch Boys, 12pm

• Traditional Irish Music Session, 3:30pm ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

• Suns of Stars Sunday Residency (bluegrass), 2pm

• One Love Sundays w/ Tuff Sol (reggae), 7pm

PISGAH BREWING

CO.

Pisgah Sunday Jam, 6:30pm

SHAKEY'S Stand Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm

SIERRA NEVADA

BREWING CO.

Julianna Jade (pop, rock), 2pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

• Most Open Mic, 6:30pm

• Open Mic w/Mike Andersen, 6:30pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

DPSD, Corpse Dust, Sow Vervain w/Brett Naucke (experimental, industrial, harsh-noise), 8:45pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: Chris McGinnis & Mamaw's Angels (folk), 3pm

• Pet Sounds Live (Beach Boys tribute), 8pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

The Sun Sippers (soulrock, reggae), 2pm

THE RIVER ARTS

DISTRICT BREWING CO.

Back to School Comedy Showcase, 7pm

VOWL

Freshen Up Comedy Open Mic, 7pm

MONDAY, AUGUST 25

27 CLUB

27 Club Karaoke, 10pm

FLEETWOOD'S Best Ever Karaoke, 9pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Alex Bazemore & Friends (bluegrass), 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Trivia Night w/Two Bald Guys & A Mic, 6pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING

Open Mic Downtown, 6:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Mashup Mondays w/ JLloyd, 8pm

STATIC AGE LOFT

Hot Seat Comedy w/C.J. Green, 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Mr. Jimmy & Friends (Blues), 7pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Sixpence None the Richer w/Santiago y Los Gatos (pop-rock, dream-pop, indie), 8pm

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26

ARCHETYPE BREWING

Trivia Tuesdays w/Party Grampa, 6:30pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Eda's Bluegrass Jam w/ Alex Bazemore, 6pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

LOOKOUT BREWING CO. Team Trivia, 6:30pm

MALS Beans & Tunes (oldtime), 6pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

The Grateful Family Band Tuesdays (Grateful Dead tribute), 6pm

SHAKEY'S Booty Tuesday w/DJ

Mad Mike, 10pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA Open Jam, 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

The Lads AVL (rock, blues), 6pm

THIRD ROOM Open Decks, 8pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

White Horse 's Open Mic, 7pm

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27

12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE & BREWING

Trivia w/King Trivia, 7pm

CAMDEN'S COFFEE

HOUSE

Open Mic Night, 7pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY Open Mic Wednesday, 7pm

ELUVIUM BREWERY

The Candleers (country), 5:30pm

EULOGY

Pentagram String Band w/Yes Ma'am & Gipsy Rufina (bluegrass, gothic-folk, punk), 8pm

FITZ AND THE WOLFE

Meschiya Lake & the Moodswingers (jazz, swing), 8pm

FOOTHILLS GRANGE Trivia Night, 6pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Bluegrass Jam Wednesdays, 6:30pm

GALACTIC PIZZA Fast Eddie's Trivia, 6:30pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

PULP

Lurky Skunk (folk, punk), 8pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

81 Drifters (jazz, Americana, bluegrass), 6pm

SHAKEY'S Wing Wednesdays SSIN w/DJ Ragga Massive, 10pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

Weird Wednesday Open Jam, 7pm

THE GREY EAGLE

New Dawn Starkestra (multi-genre), 8pm THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Lefty Carmean & Friends (Americana, folk), 7pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Well-Crafted Music Series: Jon Stickley, Lyndsey Pruett & Christian Ferri (multigenre), 6pm

THE ODD

Terraoke Karaoke Takeover, 9pm

THIRD ROOM

Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge: Comedy Open Mic, 9pm

URBAN ORCHARD

Wayward Trivia, 6:30pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

• Irish Session, 5pm

• White Horse Bad Ass Blues Jam, 7:30pm

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28

12 BONES

SMOKEHOUSE & BREWING

Leather Britches (Appalachian, old-time), 5:30pm

ASHEVILLE YARDS

Caamp w/Fruition & Ona (indie-folk, alt-rock, Americana), 6pm

CROW & QUILL

Queen Bee & the Honeylovers (jazz, blues, Latin), 8pm

EDA RHYNE

DISTILLERY & TASTING ROOM

The Gilded Palace of Metamodern Sounds, 6pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Bless Your Heart Trivia w/Harmon, 7pm

EULOGY Bully (alt-rock), 8pm

FITZ AND THE WOLFE Singer Songwriter's Round, 7pm

FLEETWOOD'S Pull Chainis & Designer (garage-rock, glampunk), 9pm

FLOOD GALLERY

True Home Open Mic, 6pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead Thursdays (Grateful Dead & JGB tribute), 6pm

GREEN MAN

BREWERY

Thursday Night Trivia, 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Old Sap (folk, rock, Americana), 8pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

Dirk Quinn Band (jazz, funk), 7:30pm

SHAKEY'S Karaoke w/Franco Nino, 9pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA Stand Up Comedy for Your Health, 8pm

STATIC AGE LOFT Auto-Tune Karaoke w/ Who Gave This B*tch A Mic, 10pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS Night Hawk, Claire Whall, Chrysalis & Wild Roots (indie-rock, country, folk), 8:45pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: Kim Smith (acoustic), 5:30pm

• The Dave Matthew's Tribute Band, 8pm

THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Ethan Stallings Group (pop, soft-rock, jazz), 9pm

TWIN WILLOWS

The Candleers (country), 6:30pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

The Walker Family Band (Irish, old-time), 7:30pm

WICKED WEED

BREWING

Owen Walsh (acoustic), 5pm

MARKETPLACE

Want to advertise in Marketplace? 828-251-1333 advertise@mountainx.com • mountainx.com/classifieds If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember the Russian proverb: “Doveryai, no proveryai,” trust but verify. When answering classified ads, always err on the side of caution. Especially beware of any party asking you to give them financial or identification information. The Mountain Xpress cannot be responsible for ensuring that each advertising client is legitimate. Please report scams to advertise@mountainx.com

REAL ESTATE

LAND FOR SALE

BUILDING LOT IN LEICESTER

1/2 acre on pond. 10 minutes to downtown. Rural settinghas small 200 year-old cabin. Very liveable. No co. $130,000. 828-593-9417

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC TIMESHARE

CANCELLATION EXPERTS

Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees canceled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 844-213-6711. (NC Press)

RENTALS

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENT FOR RENT

First floor of house in quiet, safe, private neighborhood East of Asheville. 1b/1b, one person only. Shared washer/ dryer. $850/month for rent, $45 for utilities + Wi-Fi. Pets considered. (828) 545-0043

HOMES FOR RENT

CABIN FOR RENT 1/2 acre on pond. 10 minutes to downtown. Furnished. Small 200 year-old cabin. $1300 includes all. No lease. 828-593-9417

EMPLOYMENT

MEDICAL/ HEALTH CARE

VETERINARIAN A Caring Doctor (North Carolina), P.C. (dba Banfield Pet Hospital), Multiple Openings, Associate Veterinarian – Arden, NC / Asheville, NC metro area.

DUTIES: Diagnose, treat and control diseases and injuries in pets; perform surgery on pets; prescribe and administer drugs and vaccines. Lead veterinary hospital team through daily schedule / caseload and delegate tasks. Deliver highest quality veterinary care and exceptional client experience. MIN. REQTS: DVM degree (foreign equivalent accepted) and NC veterinary license. Client needs & work volume may require 40+ hrs./week to complete essential duties. Requires working weekends & evenings. Employer reserves right to background check.

TRAVEL: May be asked to cover shifts as needed for Associate Veterinarians on PTO at Banfield hospitals owned and operated by A Caring Doctor (North Carolina), P.C. (dba Banfield Pet Hospital) located within same MSA/area of intended employment; such coverage involves local travel within MSA. Annual domestic travel for vendor visits and associate education may be required. $102,000-$200,000/year, plus production. What we offer:

Competitive salary w/PTO; Medical, dental, & vision ins.; Fertility assistance; parental leave; referral program; 401(k); HSA; Practice Paid Life Ins. & Disability; Liability & mal. Ins.; Student Debt Relief Programs- includes monthly contributions for full-time veterinarians, student loan advice, and lump sum contributions for student job program participation; Mental health support; Volunteering; Optimum Wellness Plans® & discounts including Mars, PetSmart, RoyalCanin, fitness, cellular and so much more. For details and to apply visit https://vca.wd1. myworkdayjobs.com/BFConf/ job/Banfield-Arden-NC001207/ Associate-Veterinarian_ R-202902-1 or email Faith. Mendoza@banfield.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

ELECTRICIAN

ELECTRICAL SERVICE

Power to the People!  Serving Asheville and abroad. Troubleshooting, fixture hanging, can lights,

generators, car chargers, remodels, new construction, we do it all! Licensed and insured.  Free Estimates. 828-551-9843

HANDY MAN

HANDY MAN 40 years experience in the trades, with every skill/tool imaginable for all trades with the exception of HVAC. No job too small. $35 an hour. Carl (828) 5516000 electricblustudio@ gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AFFORDABLE TV & INTER-

NET If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-833423-2924. (AAN CAN)

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-889-1843. (AAN CAN)

ARE YOU A SURVIVOR survivor of domestic violence, verbal, emotional, psychological, physical or sexual abuse? NEW GRANT FUNDING can help you with online counseling and education. Text Ava Hopkins at (307-223-2317) to schedule a call.

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as one day. Superior quality bath and shower systems at affordable prices. Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-833-540-4699. (AAN CAN)

COLLECTIBLES FOR SALE

Glasssware, pottery, tools, a 30s Silvertone radio, turntable, table saw, NASCAR collectibles, lawnmower and parts, and lots of smalls. Michael 828-222-0192

DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY? APPEAL! If you're 50+, filed SSD and denied, our attorneys can help. Win or Pay Nothing! Strong, recent work history needed. 877-553-0252 [Steppacher Law Offices LLC Principal Office: 224 Adams Ave Scranton PA 18503] (NC Press)

DO YOU OWE OVER $10,000 to the IRS or State in back taxes? Get tax relief now! We'll fight for you! 1-833-441-4783. (AAN CAN)

GET A BREAK ON YOUR TAXES! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous tax credit for 2025. Call Heritage for the Blind today at 1-855-869-7055 today! (NC Press)

GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERNET! Free install, free HD-DVR upgrade, 80,000 on-demand movies, plus limited time up to $600 in gift cards. Call today! 1-877-920-7405. (NC Press)

GOT AN UNWANTED CAR? Donate it to Patriotic Hearts. Fast free pick up. All 50 states. Patriotic Hearts’ programs help veterans find work or start their own business. Call 24/7: 1-833426-0086. (AAN CAN)

HEARING AIDS!! High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced

Sept. 10: STEWART/OWEN Dance

Sept. 17: Storyteller JANNA BARBER

Sept. 24: Songwriter ADAM WHIPPLE RENEWAL OF

MARKETPLACE

90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee. 888-970-4637 (NC Press)

HOME BREAK-INS Take less than 60 seconds. Don't wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70¢ a day! Call 1-833-881-2713. (AAN CAN)

NEED NEW WINDOWS? Drafty rooms? Chipped or damaged frames? Need outside noise reduction? New, energy efficient windows may be the answer! Call for a consultation & FREE quote today. 1-833-890-1293. (AAN CAN)

PEST CONTROL Protect your home from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-406-6971. (AAN CAN)

REPLACE YOUR ROOF With the best looking and longest lasting material – steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited time offer – up to 50% off installation + additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders). Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-855-585-1815. (NC Press)

STOP OVERPAYING FOR AUTO INSURANCE A recent survey says that most Americans are overpaying for their car insurance. Let us show you how much you can save. Call now for a no obligation quote: 1-833-399-1539 (AAN CAN)

UNCLAIMED / RECEIVED FIREARMS The following is a list of Unclaimed / Received firearms currently in possession of the Asheville Police Department. BLK/TAN,

S&W, M&P, 9MM; BLK/BRO, F.LLIPETTA, REVOLVER, UNK; BLK, FMJ, D.D, 0.45; TRQ, GLOCK, 43, 9MM; BLK, S&S, 7.65, 0.22; TAN, FN, 510, 10MM; RG, RGREVOLVER, 38SPECIAL, 0.38; BLK, HI-POINT, 45ACP, 0.45; SIL/ BLK, RUGER, SR40, .40CAL; BLK, RUGER, LCP2, 0.38; BLK, IBERIA, S&W, .40CAL; BLK, GLOCK, 17, 9MM; BLK, SPRINGFIELD, SA-XD, 9MM; BLK, GLOCK, 23, .40CAL; GRN/BLK, TAURUS, G2C, 9MM; BLK, GLOCK, 43, 9MM; BLK, S&W, .38SPECIAL, 0.38; BLK, CZ, P-10F, 9MM; BLK, S&W, M&P, 9MM; BLK, GLOCK, 19, 9MM; BLK, GLOCK, 43X, 9MM; BLK/ SILV, SCCY, CPX-2, 9MM; BLK, KELTEC, P11, 9MM; BLK, H&R, UNK, 0.32; BLK/ SILV, F.I.E., TITAN, 0.25; BLK/ BRO, ARMINUS, HW5, 0.22; SILV/BLK, S&W, GOVERNOR, 0.45; SILV/BRO, N.AMERICANARMS, UNK, 0.22; SIL, 5SHOTBREAKFRONT, UNK, UNK; BLK, RUGER, 9E, 9MM; BLU/BLK, RUGER, LITE, 0.22; BRO/RUST, S&W, UNK, 0.38; BLK, S&W, SPRINGFIELD, 9MM; BLK/ TAN, TAURUS, PT140G2, 0.4; BLK, SIGSAUER, UNK, 0.22; BLK, WALTHER, PPX, 9MM; BLK, S&W, M&P, 9MM; BLK, GLOCK, 43X, 9MM; BLK, GLOCK, 19, 9MM; BLK, TAURUS, 709SLIM, 9MM; BLK/BRO, ROCKISLANDARMS, M1911-A1, 0.45; BLK, S&W, CTG, 0.38; SIL/BLK, BERETTA, TOMCAT, 0.32; SILV/RUST, ARMITANFOGLIO, GT380, 0.38; SIL/BLK, AMT, BACKUP, .40CAL; BLK, RUGER, UNK, 9MM; BLK, RG, 66, 0.22; BLK, HERITAGE, UNK, 0.22; SILV, NORTHAMERICANARMS, UNK, .22MAG; BLK, GLOCK, 26, 9MM; BRO/BLK, SAVAGEARMS, 69RXL, 12GA; BRO, SAVAGE, MOD95, 12GA; BRO/BLK, CHAINGKAI-SHEKRIFLE, UNK, 8.57MM; BLK, MARLIN/GLENFIELD, MOD70, 0.22; CAMO, TRISTAR, VIPER, 12GA; BLK/BRO,

REMINGTON, 511-P, 0.22; BLK, MOSSBERG, MAVERICK, 12GA; BRO/BLK, WINCHESTER, 22LR, 0.22; BLK, STEVENS, 12GA, 12GA; BRO/BLK, RUSSIANMADE, BAIKAL18M-M, 0.41; BRO, NORINKO, SKS, 7.62; UNK, SEARS, SHOTGUN, 12GA; BLK/BRO, REMINGTON, 870, 12GA; BLK, MOSSBERG, UNK, 12GA; TAN, KELTEC, SUB-200, 9MM; BLK, HIGHPOINT, 4595, 0.45; BLK, MARLIN, 336W, 30-30; GRY, STEN, MKII, 9MM; BLK, REMINGTON, UNK, 12GA; BRO, BROWNING, UNK, 0.22; BLK, MOSSBURG, MAVERICK88, 12GA; BLK, EAAREVOLVER, EA/R, 38; BLK, BERETTA, APX, 9MM; BLK, S&W, M&P, 9MM. Anyone with a legitimate claim or interest in this property must contact the Asheville Police Department within 30 days from the date of this publication. Any items not claimed within 30 days will be disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws. For further information, or to file a claim, contact the Asheville Police Department Property & Evidence Section at 828-232-45

WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP & RESTORATION A small amount of water can lead to major damage and mold growth in your home. We do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! For a free estimate, call 24/7: 1-833-880-7762 (AAN CAN)

WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP & RESTORATION A small amount of water can lead to major damage in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! Call 24/7: 1-833-9281861. Have zip code of service location ready when you call! (NC Press)

WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy

three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-247-1189. (NC Press)

WE BUY VINTAGE GUITARS Looking for 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D'Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. These brands only! Call for a quote: 1-833-641-6624 (AAN CAN)

WE BUY VINTAGE GUITARS! Looking for 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D'Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. These brands only! Call for a quote: 1-833-641-6577 (NC

Lorrie Streifel

Lorrie Streifel, an empath entrancer and playful romancer of life, passed away the morning of Aug. 2, 2025, at the age of 77. As a therapist or friend, she could deeply empathize and synchronize with whatever mood or viewpoint you were in, which would dramatically lower your defenses, and then imperceptibly nudge you in what she thought was a constructive direction. She was also a delightful hoot when being a silly, or biting, jokester. These qualities made her a leader in the intriguing, international InterPlay movement which will be somewhat explained later.

Born in Minneapolis, Minn. in 1948, Lorrie soon moved with her family to Jacksonville, Fla. where she became a high school cheerleader. She grew up buck wild but highly educated. Her sister Lynn died when Lorrie was 17, thus perhaps starting a lifelong interest in humane dying. For instance, when popular Asheville poet and playwright Christine Lassiter was dying about 20 years ago, Lorrie became one of her principal caretakers, despite not previously knowing Lassiter. Lorrie also aided the pastoral, merciful and free CCLD, the Center for Conscious Living and Dying — where she died — in becoming even more of an amazing reality.

Lorrie went to the University of Florida from 1966–1970 where she got even wilder and better educated. In 1967, she traveled to San Francisco and joined over 100,000 baby boomers in the “Summer of Love.” According to Wikipedia “it encompassed hippie culture, spiritual awakening, hallucinogenic drugs, anti–war sentiment, and free love.” After college she earned a master’s in social work from UNC–

Chapel Hill. She had a long and successful career as a counselor, both at Blue Ridge Mental Health and privately. Her coworkers called Lorrie the DBT Queen because she helped so many clients thrive with dialectical behavior therapy. Working with hundreds of poverty patients imbued Lorrie with a passion to transform an economic system that she saw as viciously abusing such vulnerable people.

Partly as a consequence, Lorrie was an enthusiastic participant in the vibrant Green Party that formed in Asheville in the late 1980s. She also assisted in editing the resulting newspaper, the Green Line, which is now the Mountain Xpress. After the Xpress hired professional editors, Lorrie still edited over a hundred articles, op–eds and letters for the Xpress written by her friends, and she was the model for the main woman character in the sci-fi history book, Billy Graham’s Glorious Jam. It was the 13th bestseller at Malaprop’s bookstore in 1993.

In 1991 she was leader in the formation of Operation Safe Return. It organized to generate WNC resistance to the first U.S. invasion of Iraq. After about six well–attended teach–ins and demonstrations, the group discovered how fruitless those efforts were, at least in that war; but such failures never dulled Lorrie’s spirit of defiance. It was a rare Asheville protest for racial, sexual or economic justice — or for peace — that she didn’t join or lead, and she was appalled by the wars of Biden and Trump. She had a sign on the road in front of her huge, elegant tree shrubbery that said, “Sanctuary Everywhere!” She gave generously to many charities including the Sangha Project which supports African villages in the Central African Republic.

In between these efforts, Lorrie sang in Womansong and other choirs or added flourishes to one of the most sumptuous gardens in Asheville, the one with which she surrounded her comfortable home in Kenilworth. That home was often more of a free B&B than a private residence, as companions from all over the world would stay there for extended periods.

Lorrie supported Cheri Huber in her Zen Buddhist ministry and Byron Katie in her thought–distancing practices, repeatedly going to their retreats. However, she embraced all types of spiritualities and religions and was incredibly agile at navigating through spiritual boundaries that usually become barriers to others. She also attended a weekly therapists support group, a

weekly spiritual study circle, was a persistent yoga stretcher, and practiced many types of orthodox and unorthodox exercises, massages and energy work.

Lorrie was an avid explorer of alternative medicine, and she had several deep, long–term romantic relationships with three unconventional MDs. She acquired additional emotional sustenance from frequent visits with her nurturing, stimulating and talented biological family. Surviving family members are her sister Cindy Thompson, and husband Chuck; her nephew Scott Shannon, wife Darlene and child Gabby; her niece Jenny Thompson, her fianc é Courtney Wade; and niece Megan Vannoy, her husband Alex and their children, Harrison and Elaina.

As noted, Lorrie would often lead participants in the enigmatic world of InterPlay. According to their website, “If you’re convinced that seriousness is the path to inner wisdom, then you might want to look elsewhere. If you would like to become a ‘recovering serious person’ however, then InterPlay might be for you.” An essence of InterPlay is spontaneously building connections through story, sound and movement. Lorrie was a natural InterPlayer. She supported Meg MacLeod in helping InterPlay begin in Asheville. It continued to thrive through their joint leadership and mentoring of leaders. InterPlaying friends became an extended family.

Lorrie was a vegetarian food goddess, a recycling diva, a spirit–collaging princess and a book–clubbing, voracious reader. How widely she spread her sparkling light was dramatized during the last eight weeks of her life. She’d had a series of small strokes for a year, and by then was experiencing a language aphasia that made it hard to communicate normally. This caused her conversation to be even more

entertaining since she had to speak metaphorically, almost musically, to describe something that would otherwise require one word. Her house and hospital rooms became a nonstop, discreet party and a muted music venue as people from all over the country rushed to see her. Thanks so much to the many heroic, dedicated and skillful employees and volunteers at Mission Hospital, Care Partners and CCLD who helped make her last year often quite happy, and when not, almost as painless as possible.

Her beloved Zadie, her brindle hound dog, stoically watched, effusively wagged or hauntingly crooned through it all. Scores of Lorrie’s Kenilworth neighbors knew Zadie from her twice–daily walks with Lorrie, and from Lorrie holding community–building Kenilworth Residence Association meetings at her house.

In fact, Lorrie made everyone that she exuberantly welcomed into her immense community happier, most of the blessed time. Hopefully we will stick somewhat together, tied by the luminescent bonds of Lorrie’s amazing radiance, and work, create and InterPlay to finish the goals she tried so hard and so whimsically to accomplish. Luckily, we’ll have her exquisite blueprint to follow in building this possible peace on Earth and in creating a bountiful sharing that’s so caring it affirms that all nature and humanity are one vast synergistic, harmonious and glorious family.

If anyone has anything they’d like to add to this obit, please write a letter to the Xpress editor or to the email below.

Lorrie’s Celebration of Life Service will be on Sunday, Aug. 24 from 1-6 p.m. If you’re interested in attending, email billbranyon@yahoo.com for directions. In lieu of flowers please make donations to CCLD. X