masquerade of the macabre and magnificent. Despite all the shenanigans, LAAFF has always been a kid-friendly event. The grandparents, however, may be a little confused by it all. — T.S.
2. Bele Chere belecherefestival.com 3. Moogfest moogfest.com
Local Hero 1. Capt. Jeff Bowen
Brother Wolf has ongoing projects that are continually growing with community involvement. One, the Outward Hound Hiking club, has grown from a once-a-week outing for the dogs, to a thrice-weekly event. Bitz says the outings are great for the dogs, and for the human volunteers. “It’s good exercise and helps refresh your soul.” Brother Wolf is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. — M.S.
2. MANNA FoodBank 627 Swannanoa River Road 299-3663 mannafoodbank.org
On July 28, 2011, Asheville firefighters responded to a four-alarm fire call at a five-story medical office building at 445 Biltmore Ave. Around 60 firefighters worked to put out the blaze and ensure that the 200 people who had been inside when the fire started were safely evacuated, with none left behind.
3. Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project 306 W. Haywood St. 236-1282 asapconnections.org
Bravely serving the city of Asheville and its residents, Capt. Jeff Bowen, 37, was looking for people trapped inside when he suffered exposure to heat and smoke, and later died of cardiac arrest. He is survived by his wife and three children. Bowen’s funeral service at Biltmore Baptist Church was attended by more than 2,400 people and he was honored by citizens and public servants across the state.
Local Politician
“Capt. Jeff Bowen was a 13-year veteran ... known as a very proactive firefighter who was always eager to learn new skills and to teach those new skills to his fellow firefighters,” says Kelley Webb of the Asheville Fire Department. “As part of the Rescue Company, Jeff was highly trained in heavy rescue, and most of all he loved the water aspect. At the time of his death, Jeff was pursuing purchasing new dive equipment for the rescue truck. Capt. Bowen was an upbeat person who did his best to treat his crew with respect and to always keep them motivated.” — T.S.
2. Cecil Bothwell ashevillenc.gov 3. Blue Ridge Roller Girls blueridgerollergirls.com
Local Nonprofit / Not-ForProfit Group 1. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue 31 Glendale Ave. 505-3440 bwar.org Brother Wolf is always trying to look for inventive ways to bring the community into the process of pet adoption. Denise Bitz, Brother Wolf’s executive director, says the most important way a person can support the nonprofit would be to adopt. “If we don’t have what they are looking for, we would love for them to go to another rescue or shelter. Adoption versus buying an animal.” Bitz explains that Brother Wolf is more than a shelter; it’s a community resource. “It’s every-
64 BEST OF WNC 2011 • VOLUME TWO • mountainx.com
body’s adoption center in Asheville. People know this and that’s why they love us.”
3. RiverLink P.O. Box 15488 252-8474 riverlink.org
1. Cecil Bothwell, Asheville City Council member bothwellsblog.wordpress.com WNC’s favorite local politician is clearly plotting an upward trajectory for his immediate political career, as he prepares to run against Rep. Heath Shuler in hopes of unseating his fellow Democrat and representing the party — and the (re-gerrymandered) region — in the 2012 general election. But, more likely than not, it’s not his political ambition that endears the readership to Bothwell, a true Renaissance man who has over the years been a writer, spoken-word performer, builder, publisher, musician and rabble-rousing investigative reporter and former Xpress editor. Rather, it’s probably Bothwell’s penchant for openness, frankness and immediate communication with the electorate, as well as a desire to fight for the principles he — and many within the Asheville community — holds dear. Bothwell apologizes when he feels he’s erred, but not otherwise, no matter how blistering the criticism. Try to ruin his political dreams by hanging the “atheist” label on him (“posttheist,” he has oft insisted), and he’ll happily talk about it on a national news program. Have a fondness for sacred cows? Then don’t read his biography of the Rev. Billy Graham, provocatively titled, The Prince of War. But want to know what he thinks about any issue? Just ask him. — T.S.
2. Gordon Smith, Asheville City Council member ashevillenc.gov 3. Terry Bellamy, Mayor ashevillenc.gov