Mountain Xpress, December 7 2011

OUR 18TH YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS, & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 18 NO. 20 DECEMBER 7 - 13, 2011

p. 46

Asheville’s local business movement p. 10

Wild harvesting threatens native plants p. 16

Asheville and the Chocolate Factory p. 36

DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011

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p. 6 A Carol, a Jam and a freakshow WNC is a special place, and our holiday season is no different. We’re celebrating with an updated, creepier A Christmas Carol, a mega-musician-packed charity Xmas Jam hosted by our own Warren Haynes, and a freakshow and circus sideshow, among other events. Read all about it and more, in this week’s Gifts of the Season.

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0 PlAnting A sEED Fi NE

HANDMADE

Asheville’s creative economy meets local-business movement

JEWELRY

6 gREEn sCEnE: thE Root of thE PRoBlEM Wild harvesting threatens WNC’s plant populations

wEllnEss:Big fish stoRy

WCU programs help kids with autism

arts&entertainment 6 soMEthing so ExtREMEly PositivE ABout it Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam brings the good vibes

50 An olD tAlE with A hEightEnED MAlEvolEnCE Montford Park Players revamps A Christmas Carol

5 thE Bus-BusiEst sEAson of All Where to find your fun during the holiday season

56 BizARRE As BEAutiful

999 Eyes Freakshow and Surreal Sideshow slides into town

58 folk AnD Punk: not so DiffEREnt

As a solo artist, Amy Ray still pledges allegiance to lyricism

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DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

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lEttERs CARtoon: Molton CARtoon: BREnt BRown CoMMEntARy thE BEAt WNC news briefs CoMMunity CAlEnDAR gEtAwAy Out and about in WNC CARtoon: DERf CARtoon: toM toMoRRow fREEwill AstRology ConsCious PARty Benefits nEws of thE wEiRD AshEvillE DisClAiMER EDgy MAMA Parenting from the edge fooD The main dish on local eats sMAll BitEs Local food news BREws nEws WNC beer news PRofilER PitCh Which shows to see sMARt BEts What to do, who to see CluBlAnD CRAnky hAnkE Movie reviews ClAssifiEDs ny tiMEs CRosswoRD

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letters (Not so) broad way After several years of living in the “Five Points” neighborhood and walking downtown as much as possible, I am still amazed that the sidewalk going from here to Lexington Avenue is still in the same condition it has always been in.

Unfortunately, this Thanksgiving, a man was killed in the heart of this treacherous stretch of road. Broadway has no business being fourlanes wide (five, where there is a turn lane). Two directional lanes, one turning lane, wider (typical code) sidewalks and bike lanes would make much more sense and not be very expensive.

When my son was young and we would walk into town with a stroller, I would actually have to roll him along the road to avoid the multiple telephone poles that come right out of the middle of the sidewalks. There are stretches where it is impossible to walk two people abreast and it is always disconcerting to walk on a sidewalk so close to traffic that is so often traveling over the speed limit.

This sidewalk is an easy fix that would greatly improve the quality of life north of downtown.

— Duncan Lyon Asheville

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As one of the mothers quoted in the Nov. 23 Mountain Xpress Wellness article, “Mother Knows Best?” I feel the need to clarify and correct a quote attributed to me that stated childbirth was “dangerous.”

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During my conversation with the reporter, Caitlin Byrd, I attempted to convey to her why hundreds of people in our community feel access to midwives, and access to the MAHEC midwives specifically, is important. Women like me seek out midwifery care during pregnancy because we believe childbirth is a natural process that benefits from as few interventions as possible. Midwives provide individualized prenatal care and hands-on support during labor and delivery that, statistics show, decreases the chances of medical interventions and C-sections and increases the number of healthy natural births.

That being said, complications and emergencies do arise during pregnancy and birth. I can personally attest to this. What makes the MAHEC midwives unique, and important to our community, is that they offer a model of care that bridges midwifery with a more medically based model. For women who are considered “high risk,” having access to midwives while having the backup of OB/GYNs and maternal fetal specialists means they too can increase their chances for having a natural birth with as few interventions as possible. It is worth mentioning again that the MAHEC midwives are nationally recognized for their rates of VBAC (vaginal birth after a cesarean).

Under the changes announced by MAHEC, women will still have access to midwives for pre- and post-natal care. But because MAHEC is

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Letters continue

staff PuBLISHER & EDITOR: Jeff Fobes hhh GENERAL MANAGER: Andy Sutcliffe SENIOR EDITOR: Peter Gregutt hhh MANAGING EDITORS: Rebecca Sulock, Margaret Williams A&E REPORTER & FASHION EDITOR: Alli Marshall h SENIOR NEWS REPORTER: David Forbes FOOD WRITER: Mackensy Lunsford STAFF REPORTER: Jake Frankel GREEN SCENE REPORTER: Susan Andrew EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, SuPPLEMENT COORDINATOR & WRITER: Jaye Bartell CONTRIBuTING EDITORS: Nelda Holder, Tracy Rose CALENDAR EDITOR, WRITER: Jen Nathan Orris CLuBLAND EDITOR, WRITER: Dane Smith CONTRIBuTING WRITERS: Miles Britton, Melanie McGee Bianchi, Caitlin Byrd, Max Cooper, Megan Dombroski, Anne Fitten Glenn, ursula Gullow, Bill Rhodes, Kyle Sherard, Justin Souther CONTRIBuTING ARTS EDITOR: ursula Gullow EDITORIAL INTERNS: Tess Kuulei Satsuma PRODuCTION & DESIGN MANAGER: Carrie Lare ADVERTISING PRODuCTION MANAGER: Kathy Wadham hh PRODuCTION & DESIGN: Emily Busey, Nathanael Roney

MOVIE REVIEWER & COORDINATOR: Ken Hanke hh ADVERTISING MANAGER: Marissa Williams h ADVERTISING SuPPLEMENTS MANAGER: Russ Keith h RETAIL REPRESENTATIVES: Rick Goldstein, Leigh Reynolds, Bryant Cooper, John Varner h, Zane Wood CLASSIFIED REPRESENTATIVES: Arenda Manning, Tim Navaille hh INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES MANAGER: Stefan Colosimo WEBMASTER: Patrick Conant WEB EDITOR: Steve Shanafelt WEB GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jesse Michel MuLTIMEDIA COORDINATOR: David Shaw WEB MARKETING MANAGER: Marissa Williams OFFICE MANAGER & BOOKKEEPER: Patty Levesque hhh ASSISTANT OFFICE MANAGER: Lisa Watters hh ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT: Arenda Manning DISTRIBuTION MANAGER: Jeff Tallman ASSISTANT DISTRIBuTION MANAGER: Denise Montgomery DISTRIBuTION: Mike Crawford, Ronnie Edwards, Ronald Harayda, Adrian Hipps, Joan Jordan, Russ Keith, Marsha McKay, Beth Molaro, Ryan Seymour, Dane Smith, Ed Wharton, Thomas Young h = Five years of continuous employment

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ending 24-hour call for midwives, women can no longer be assured that a midwife will be present at the most critical time — when the patient is actually giving birth. I think this is a great loss, both for the midwives and for their patients.

— Erin Salkin Mamas for MAHEC Midwives Asheville Caitlin Byrd responds: When writing about the changes to the MAHEC midwifery program, I spoke to many mothers about what these changes would mean for them and also about their opinions on childbirth.

From this, I gathered that many women in Western North Carolina choose MAHEC’s midwifery care because it is less interventionist in its nature. I take very diligent notes and do my best to make sure I get quotes correct, and I apologize to Erin Salkin for using a quote regarding childbirth being dangerous. When I chose this quote from our interview, it was not my intention to perpetuate an idea that childbirth is dangerous, but that childbirth is natural, as Salkin said.

“Identify theft” is the new American way Less is more, cheaper goods, lower pay and more money to business — that has been the goal of our hedonistic corporate government for decades now [“Identity Theft,” Nov. 30 Xpress].

American flags are made in China. “As American as apple pie” is probably now made from products from anywhere but America.

Opinions are squashed (as they were at the meeting for the massive change in the Postal Service: “they” didn’t want to hear your opinion, as they

are as Occupy Wall Street protesters have been hurt and hidden away, etc. Our American jobs have been shipped overseas. Lift the hood of your Ford and Chevy; how many American-made parts can you find? Any? Bye bye, Ms. American Pie. Our identity is being stolen; that’s not new. On the Internet, “I” exist as an IP address where the government or just about anyone can get all the information they want on me and it can be used.

One day in the not too distant future, we won’t have an identity that can be taken. We’ll be just a number and our humanness and free thinking will also be removed from the map just as Asheville will drop off the face of the U.S. (not “made in America”) map. The suggestion is that the Postal Service is accepting public comment. I’m sure they are then tossing it into the shredder.

— Sheri Dennis Asheville

It’s time for the silent majority to be silent no more In light of the misrepresentations and downright untruths that are being spread about the events of Nov. 15 in downtown Bakersville, I thought I would share some “truths” about the event.

The truth: The N.C. legislature recently voted to allow the voters of the state to amend the state constitution to include a legal definition of marriage. (See the full bill here: avl.mx/7r.)

The truth: The newly formed Mitchell County Gay Straight Alliance had a meeting on Nov. 15 in the Bakersville Library to discuss LGBT rights and how to defeat the upcoming N.C. Marriage

Amendment and how to start GSA groups in the high school. On that same Tuesday evening a group of over 100 people gathered in a peaceful and respectful rally to support traditional marriage and the upcoming vote on the N.C. Marriage Amendment. The group that gathered on the courthouse steps did not engage or interfere with those attending the GSA meeting in any way. We simply prayed, talked amongst ourselves and sang to show our support for traditional marriage. This was absolutely not an “anti-gay” protest as it is being called by some folks with an obvious agenda.

The truth: Contrary to accounts from those in support of the GSA, in our opinion, the only one to show any “intolerance” or “anger” was a local gallery owner and GSA supporter who spent the majority of the evening hounding us with a recording device, agitating people and seemingly trying to provoke angry comments.

The truth: Being tolerant does not mean being submissive or simply acquiescing to those with whom we don’t agree. It is time for those of us who share Christian and/or traditional values to stand up for what we believe in. For too long, the silent majority has stood by as prayer was removed from our schools, abortion was made legal and radical sex education has been pushed onto our children in the public schools.

Our hope is that Nov. 15 is just the beginning of an awakening that will spread across the state and the long-silent majority of North Carolinians will be silent no more! Make sure to vote in favor of traditional marriage on May 8, 2012!

For more about the rally, visit avl/mx/7q.

— Beth Walker and fellow traditional-marriage rallygoers Bakersville

Mitchell County Gay Straight Alliance is about community, not conversion On Nov. 15, the Mitchell County Gay Straight Alliance held its first meeting at the Bakersville Library. On the street outside, dozens of people came to demonstrate. Some people said they were concerned we are promoting homosexual clubs in the schools. One person asked if gay people are trying to force their lifestyle on others. Some said they were there in support of traditional marriage. One man said he did not know why we were meeting. We would like to address these concerns and explain why we decided to form the GSA. It is up to students to decide if they want a GSA in their school. Since our meeting we have heard from people who were born and raised here, some gay and some straight. They talk about how difficult it is for young gay people to grow up and go to school here. They express excitement about the possibility of a more supportive environment for young gay people in Mitchell County. We did not organize for the purpose of forming GSAs in the schools.

Gay people have lifestyles as varied as heterosexual people. They are in loving relationships and have families. They work, volunteer and pay taxes in their local communities. Gay people want the same things that most people do. They do not want to force their lifestyle on other people any more than heterosexual people do.

6

DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

The proposed amendment to the North Carolina Constitution would affect the ability of local governments and private businesses to recognize domestic partnerships for gay and straight employees. It would lessen the power of domestic-violence laws. The effects of this amendment are too many to list here, and many won’t be known until they are tested in the courts. Same sex-marriage is already illegal in North Carolina. We believe it is wrong to write this discrimination into our Constitution We formed the Mitchell County Gay Straight Alliance so that gay and straight people who believe in equality could work together toward ensuring equal rights and justice for gay people in Mitchell County. We understand that some people may disagree with our views. We respect the rights of those who came to express their views the night of our meeting, and we appreciate that they did so in a civil manner. We hope that by being more visible in our community we may make Mitchell County more welcoming to gay people and their friends and family members who care for them.

— Allison Bovée and Amy Waller Co-founders, Mitchell County Gay Straight Alliance

Recent consolidation of school is questionable Recently North Carolina has opted to close The Governor Morehead School for the Blind and consolidate its programs and administration under that of the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf. For now, the plan is to allow students who are blind to remain on the GMS campus in Raleigh as a satellite campus of ENCSD, but the future of this compromise and its impacts on students are unclear.

Under this plan, North Carolina will have two schools for the deaf and one satellite campus serving students who are blind under ENCSD leadership. How can ENCSD administrators trained in deaf education make instructional decisions for students who are blind? How will resources and money be shared? Will students who are blind get equal access to resources since they are a satellite campus? What assurances are there that students who are blind will be kept in a stable environment in Raleigh? What will the future hold for parents who wish for their children to attend GMS? If, in the future, ENCSD decides to close the satellite campus in Raleigh, how will the students who are blind have access to transportation or learn travel skills in rural Wilson County? How will these students access the many transition services in Raleigh? What will happen to the one and only teacher-education program for teachers of the visually impaired in Raleigh?

Doesn’t it make more sense to have one school for the blind and one school for the deaf along with a deaf satellite campus? The citizens of N.C. need to ask these important questions of their elected officials in Raleigh now and during the next election cycle.

— Alan A. Chase Raleigh

For other Molton cartoons, check out our Web page at www.mountainx.com/cartoons

Call the Civic Center what you want if it’s easier to get in

Greenlife needs to re-evaluate what community is

I recently attended the String Cheese Incident concert at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at the Asheville Civic Center and was very disappointed by the way the crowd was being (mis)handled.

Circumstances forced me to arrive about 10 minutes before show time, so I expected to breeze right in, most of the crowd already inside. Or so I thought. Instead, I was mashed into a line of thousands, barely moving, still trying to get inside. Thirty minutes later I found out why. Like a ride at Six Flags, these thousands of bodies, converging in an alley beside the Civic Center, were being crammed like cattle through a gate barely wide enough for two. This eventually widened into four lines where security guards were patting down all the “suspects” as if being shaken down for lock up. I stood, frustrated, as the young man in front of me had both legs, belt-line, sides and armpits, all pockets, hat and backpack caressed and inspected. They even made him take the wrappers off three cigars he had in his possession.

After watching for at least a minute and a half, it was my turn. I’m 53, and I guess I didn’t look stoned enough, because my pat-down took all of about seven seconds, after which my “checker” smirked, “Having fun yet?” to which I replied, “not really.”

Although this is all the very definition of profiling (no such invasions were going on next door at the Disney on Ice show!), I’m not naive enough to think this will change for rock shows any time soon. However, I figure the Civic Center owes me about $7 for the first part of the show I missed while I was being herded outside. I don’t care what they change their name to, they can even keep the $7, if it will improve the crowd-handling for future events!

— Mark Chester Fairview

In the third paragraph of Greenlife’s letter in the Nov. 23 issue of Mountain Xpress, Sherri Sterken states, “Greenlife remains as committed as ever to Asheville, and during the past year our contributions to the community have amplified.”

This statement confuses me.

During the last week of June 2011, a group of us noticed a large Dumpster in the lower parking lot of the Greenlife store. In it were things that were obviously deemed “trash” by the management at Greenlife. This “trash” included three large coffee makers, an industrial mixer, commercial pots, pans and lids and 20 or more unopened boxes of paper and plastic to-go items, including coffee cups, condiment cups, soup containers, plasticware, french-fries containers and more.

If Greenlife considers itself “the community market,” why didn’t it donate some of these useful and usable items to a community organization?

As a group of concerned citizens, we did just that. We Dumpster-dived, pulling out the unopened cases. We took the coffee makers, etc., home, cleaned them up and donated these perfectly good items to the Red Cross, the shelter on Patton Avenue, Eblen Charities and a few more.

We were told that any of these organizations would have been happy to pick up any or all of these items, had they been notified of the availability.

If Greenlife wants to be identified as “the community market,” it needs to re-evaluate what community is, and what it can, or rather, should have done, to support the community that supports it.

— C.L. Classen Marshall

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mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 7

landofthisguy

8

DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

cartoon by Brent Brown

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Something’s happening here

Occupy Asheville and the leadership conundrum

by Michael hopping Last month, Council member Gordon Smith asked OccupyAsheville to designate representatives who could deal with city officials. OA declined. It was a less in-your-face response than Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper received from Occupy Denver: That group appointed Shelby, a border collie, who duly requested a meeting with the governor.

Viewed from the outside, such moves might easily be interpreted as little more than an insult, but that would be a mistake. Increasingly, antiauthoritarian movements are choosing to do without designated leaders.

Egypt managed to rid itself of the Mubarak regime despite the lack of official opposition leaders. In the U.S., the Occupy movement has already changed the national conversation, contributing to the success of Bank Transfer Day and inspiring environmental activists in their successful push to forestall the Keystone XL pipeline.

White-collar IT worker Tom Adams probably speaks for many in Occupy Asheville when he says, “If the public is persuaded that we’re incapable of being leaders ourselves, then we must rely on a ruling class to make the ‘important’ decisions. It’s a method of preventing self-sufficiency and creating dependence: dependence on others to ‘save’ us.”

Occupy and similar grass-roots movements around the globe often describe themselves as leaderless. But Victor Ochoa, a point person for Occupy Asheville’s outreach work group, explains: “When we say a ‘leaderless movement,’ we don’t actually mean a leaderless movement in the true sense of the word ‘leader.’ A true leader is somebody that people are naturally drawn toward. ... True leaders do not exclude others from becoming leaders themselves: They encourage the leadership qualities that exist within everybody. ... We’ve forgotten that there are those who genuinely fight for the betterment of humanity and not for their own selfish interest.

In this meaning of the word ‘leader,’ Occupy is by no means a leaderless society.”

Version 1.0 of the Occupy movement’s organizational model was borrowed from Europe and the Arab Spring, notes Asheville resident Tracy Kunkler. It consists of a wide-open democratic forum called the General Assembly, which operates on a consensus model of decision-making rather than a majority vote. One or more trained facilitators help the group move through its agenda, but the facilitators are just that — they assist; they don’t lead.

“The facilitators are there to make the meetings run more smoothly and help people express their own leadership skills,” Kunkler explains.

The facilitation team changes from GA to GA, partly because it’s hard work. Passing the role

To what extent can leadership become a group rather than a personal function? around allows more people to develop their skills. In addition, she notes, “There has been a desire on the part of some folks to not have consistent facilitators, because some people do think they get equated with being leaders.”

Kunkler agrees that one way to look at the leadership paradigm shift being explored right now is disempowering the concept of “leader” as a person or personality. Instead, a leadership role is empowered, and various people can fill it. Everybody has some skill or other to offer.

Occupy is, among other things, a learning lab in how best to collectively develop and utilize these dispersed skills. To what extent can leadership become a group rather than a personal function?

have looked for this day, when all become leaders from their center. It’s catching authorities offguard. In the Arab Spring, you could see a lot of that emerging. This is a harmonious movement from the Earth. The Earth doesn’t need leaders: It needs peoples to get in tune with it.

“You didn’t historically have leaders among African and Native American peoples — you had movements. Civil rights was a movement; people think of Dr. King as a leader, but the people moved Dr. King. You could see him frightened sometimes, and then the movement moved him; that was true around the country. ... Today, we call it Occupy.” X

Confusion can be a good thing

Freelance journalist and fiction writer Michael Hopping lives in Asheville.

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Reinvention at such a basic level can sometimes be chaotic, and Occupy Asheville’s rapid growth soon overwhelmed the simple General Assembly model. Since everyone at a GA has an equal voice and there are always new people, it proved a gold mine for new ideas but less than ideal as a way to make lots of detailed decisions.

Work groups sprouted up, sometimes taking on projects that, unbeknownst to them, were duplicated elsewhere. As of this writing, major efforts were under way to improve coordination and the group’s decision-making agility.

OccupyAsheville participant Steve Norris sees this organizational fluidity as natural in a group that’s all of 2 months old. He also believes uncertainty has a positive side. Because strong personal leadership has not emerged, “We’ve tapped into a lot of creativity coming from a wide spectrum of people. That’s important: We’re all in some sense equal, though not necessarily in terms of particular skills. We can use those to empower ‘infinite hybridization.’ Followers in traditional organizations are more passive in relation to their leaders.”

Robert Zachary, a veteran of the civil rights movement, provides a long historical perspective.

“I’d take you back to pre-Revolutionary America. ... We had so many different factions, groups.

Then the Continental Congress took many ideas from African captives, Native Americans, the French. We don’t hear much about that, but they took those ideas and eventually turned them into the Constitution. Today’s movement runs the gamut of peoples and ideas too. This is part of Americana.”

Although the civil rights movement is often remembered for the leaders who emerged from it, Zachary takes a different view. “Many of us

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 9

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In the former Square D plant in Emma, vacant since the electricalcomponents manufacturer moved operations to Mexico in 2005, Jennifer lapidus perches on a 1-ton “tote” of grain. Behind her stand dozens more just like it; in front of her looms a towering wooden mill. There’s enough grain here to make 37,000 loaves of bread.

“Farmers grow it; it gets harvested,” says Lapidus, the director of Carolina Ground, an experiment in sustainable economics that aims to link local farmers, bakers and other small businesses. “The growing end, the milling and baking end, those are fairly straightforward.” The hard part is the money issues every startup must confront, but for Carolina Ground, it’s a more complex challenge.

“A loaf of bread, I think, needs to be affordable,” Lapidus maintains. At the same time, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. “The idea with the mill is that it’s not in existence to be a profit-making structure. It needs to pay employees, it needs to exist in the black, pay its debt and dividends to the handful of investors that we have, but all at a good price to the farmer and an affordable cost to the baker.”

The question, she adds, is “Can this mill create this economy that’s going to work in the long run?”

Creating an economy, rather than simply joining an existing one, is a key aspect of the burgeoning localbusiness movement. Before Carolina Ground, Western North Carolina’s bakeries were importing grain from 1,000 miles away. “Most of the time stArt With A seed: creAte your oWn economy, sAys cArolinA Ground you’d see a grain truck with 55,000 founder Jennifer lApidus, Whose BAsic ideA is to provide A locAl pounds of one variety in bulk,” she source of WheAt for locAl BreAd mAkers. photos By mAx cooper.

0 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

“there’s A currency in investinG in your community.”

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011

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recalls. And having multiple varieties of local grain will help Carolina Ground’s bakers appeal to consumers’ desire for traceability. “We do that by being able to identify the variety of grain, where it was grown.”

But Lapidus’ passion for turning grain into bread doesn’t shield her from the hard realities of running a business. And while Common Ground faces many of the same costs as a larger operation, it doesn’t have the corresponding economies of scale. The electrical equipment that powers her mill, says Lapidus, cost as much as the mill itself. She’s also had to prepare for the required safety inspections at the mill, which is ready to start operating as soon as it receives a certificate of occupancy from the city. “We’re commercial, and we have to meet regulations,” she explains.

Lapidus began seeking funding for the project in 2008. The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, a Pittsboro-based nonprofit promoting sustainable, local, organic agriculture, got interested and hired Lapidus in January of 2009 to direct Carolina Ground. “There was this huge gap between the farmer, miller and baker,” she notes. “We knew that we needed to close this gap, that we needed to use our skills as bakers to figure out how to work with North Carolina grains and create relationships with farmers. This was about sustainability.”

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The first step was finding new funding sources. “We were trying to figure out what this entity should be as a business, and we landed on the L3C model, a new legal entity in N.C.,” Lapidus explains. “It’s a hybrid: a mission-driven, for-profit venture. We established a board made up of farmers and bakers so that we could hear the voices from both. ... Within one week we got a handful of investors.”

But a significant portion of Carolina Ground’s capital came via a campaign on Kickstarter, a website that helps independent creative projects raise money. “Kickstarter was a really interesting way to do it,” says Lapidus, “because here I was saying, ‘Don’t lend me money, don’t expect equity: Just give me money.’” More than 300 people contributed, raising over $18,000.

That kind of creative funding, says Lapidus, is what’s needed to realize the local-business goal of “closing the loop.” Local business, she explains, “is more than just ‘buy local.’ Look at the bigger picture. How are we being

DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

a complete value system within our community? It’s not just connecting our local bakeries to our local farmers ... but also capitalizing something like this through somebody investing in their community at a lower interest rate and building their community because there’s a value in that.

There’s a currency in investing in your community.”

A perfect storm Such concerns were front and center at the Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council’s recent Venture Local forum. Lapidus was the keynote speaker at the event, held Oct. 27 at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel. About 100 entrepreneurs and potential financial backers came together to discuss the burgeoning local-business movement, and the speakers and panelists were predominantly local, augmented by presenters from national business networks and fundraising organizations. In every case, the focus was on nontraditional business and funding models.

One of those case studies was Carolina Ground. “Wall Street has no right to mess with our daily bread,” Lapidus declares in the project’s Kickstarter promotional video, drawing a round of applause from the Venture Local audience.

“The impetus for Carolina Ground came in the wake of 2008, when the price of wheat spiked 130 percent,” she told the crowd. Although natural causes and market shifts contributed to the skyrocketing price, Lapidus said most of it was due to the machinations of Wall Street and the federal government.

“The profound price hike could be traced back to the commodity index fund that was created by Goldman Sachs in 1991, and the ensuing dramatic change in U.S. monetary fund policy that paved the way for escalated speculation, the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates, the decline of the value of the dollar, and the increase in the price of oil, which promoted a rush from investors globally to trade dollars for commodities,” she asserted, adding, “It was truly a perfect storm.”

The spike, she noted, left Western North Carolina bakeries “scrambling to make up the difference.” Costs soared and quality fell.

Lapidus, a baker for 14 years, said the crisis was “far removed from just a simple, basic loaf of bread.”

closinG the loop The other major catch phrase at Venture Local conference was “triple bottom line.” The idea, said Lapidus, is that a business’s bottom line should be threefold: Economic, ecological, social. “We’re caring about our workers, our environment and the bottom line,” she explained. And a prime example of both concepts, she noted, is Blue Ridge Biofuels.

Co-founder Woody eaton said he was inspired by the idea of biofuels at age 15: “I was standing in a field, and a friend of mine pointed at a hay bale. He said, ‘I can take that hay bale and turn it into gasoline,’ and it just blew my mind. Why aren’t we all doing that?”

Eaton began making biodiesel in his basement, soon graduated to a garage and then a shed on the grounds of Hickory Nut Gap Farm.

And when his organization (then known as the Asheville BioDiesel Cooperative) received a grant from the state in 2005 to open a public biodiesel station, the co-op model was dropped and the name was changed to Blue Ridge Biofuels.

“Right now we’re making 30,000 gallons of biodiesel per month,” reported Eaton. “We have a new, continuous-flow reactor. We collect all our feedstock from area restaurants: It’s waste cooking oil that we turn into biodiesel, and most of it comes from Asheville and Buncombe County.”

Eaton went on to explain his vision for the company’s future.

“We know we need to expand our collection,” he said, “so we’ve got four restaurant recruiters going out, aggressively trying to get more restaurants to bring us feedstock. We also just started the community oil-recycling program. We put 30 or so bins throughout Buncombe County and surrounding counties for residential oil, so if you have fryers at home, you can take your fryer oil to these locations and drop it off.”

Responding to questions from the crowd, Eaton discussed Blue Ridge Biofuels’ strategy for closing the loop with regard to waste management.

“When we’re cleaning our biodiesel, we have to use a lot of water,” he explained, “and that water pulls out soaps, which also pulls out fuel. For a long time, we were dumping that down to the Metropolitan Sewerage District, and then they started getting onto us about how dirty our water was. So they worked with us on a way to treat our water and now, not only is our water much cleaner going out, it’s providing us with all the fuel we need to power our plant.”

Eaton concluded his presentation by stressing the importance of closed-loop networking.

“One of our future goals is to work with farmers to produce an oil seed that we can then press into an edible oil, distribute to our restaurants, let them fry with this oil, and then we will collect it back and turn it into biodiesel,” Eaton said. “So I’ve got some talking with Jenn [Lapidus] to do about that project.” X Photojournalist Max Cooper is based in Asheville.

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On the fly(er) Charges dropped against Occupy Asheville participant In early November, Asheville police arrested Helen Roberts for passing out Occupy Asheville fliers, claiming she was violating a city ordinance. But the charges against Roberts were quickly dropped, and City Attorney Bob Oast explained that the ordinance deals only with commercial activity — not handing out political fliers in public spaces.

“It shall be unlawful for any person to advertise by the distribution of samples or printed matter within the city, except as provided in the annual license and privilege-tax ordinance,” the law states.

The APD issued a warrant for Roberts’ arrest after reviewing video surveillance from a Nov. 2 Occupy Asheville march. Asked about the case, APD Lt. Wally Welch said via email, “The APD command staff and City Legal conferred with Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore [about] her charges, and based on his interpretation of the city ordinance, the decision was made to dismiss the charges against her.”

Seeking clarification, Xpress turned to Oast.

“The annual license and privilege-tax ordinance was adopted a number of years ago,” he explained. “What that is really directed at is the distribution of product samples. Every person, firm or corporation distributing samples, circulars, handbills or other printed matter from house to house or person to person anywhere within the corporate limits of the city of Asheville will have to pay a license tax. So it’s really directed at commercial activity,” concluded Oast.

In cases such as Lovell v. City of Griffin and Hague v. CIO, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld broad protections for citizens and groups distributing leaflets on sidewalks or other public places. — David Forbes

Mike Fryar announces bid for Buncombe County commissioners Longtime conservative activist Mike Fryar plans to run for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in 2012 and is in the process of establishing a campaign committee, he said Nov. 29.

Fryar has been considering a run for several months, raising his public profile by repeatedly criticizing current board members during their meetings and in the media. Earlier this year, he pointed out that the Buncombe commissioners were among the highest-paid in the state when technology and travel stipends were factored in. Media outlets across the region echoed his concern, and in February, the commissioners significantly cut their own pay.

DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

protected: Helen Roberts of Occupy Asheville was arrested in early November for handing out a flier like this one; the charges were later dropped. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld broad protections for citizens and groups distributing leaflets on sidewalks or other public places. Photos by Bill Rhodes.

Conference spotlights sex-worker abuse More than 50 health-and-safety advocates gathered Dec. 1 at The Haywood Street Congregation in Asheville to talk about sexual violence, abuse and marginalization. One of them, Jill Brenneman, told her own heartbreaking story of being a sex slave and a victim of intense abuse.

After running away from home at age 14, Brenneman was brutally kidnapped, beaten and raped, then forced into a life of prostitution by her captors. “My life was so controlled that they even watched when I peed,” she recounted. “I wasn’t even allowed to speak without permission.”

After several years, Brenneman managed to escape and went on to form Sex Workers Without Borders, which aims to raise public awareness of sex workers’ human rights.

Prostitution’s illegality and the stigma associated with it created the underlying conditions

safety line: Lauren Hickman (left) and Sarah Danforth (right) of the Asheville Sex Worker Outreach Project helped organize “Kelly’s Line,” an anonymous phone number sex workers can call to report sexual and physical assault.

that allowed her captors to torture her, she told the group.

“Criminalization empowered this,” asserted Brenneman. “I couldn’t escape; where was I supposed to go?” Attempts to talk to authorities about what happened to her, she continued, merely resulted in them questioning her and trying to get her to confess to having engaged in illegal activity herself.

And after years of battling post-traumatic stress disorder, Brenneman again turned to prostitution last year, she said — only this time it was voluntary, to help cover her medical bills after three surgeries related to blood clots.

Once again, however, she found herself the victim of extreme violence at the hands of some of her clients — including, she maintains, a police officer.

“He could get away with it because it’s illegal. Who am I going to tell?” said Brenneman.

“We don’t have access to law enforcement. …

We don’t talk to them, because we’re afraid of being arrested. … We’re denied our human rights because of what we do. We’re denied our safety.”

She added: “When people say it’s illegal for our own benefit, I say, ‘Yeah, it worked out great for me.’”

Representatives of Our VOICE, an Asheville nonprofit, said they’re working to prevent

the kind of conditions that led to the abuse Brenneman suffered. As part of its Asheville Sex Worker Outreach Project, which seeks to mediate between sex workers and law enforcement, the group launched “Kelly’s Line,” an anonymous reporting program, last month.

Local sex workers can call the toll-free number 1-855-4KELLYS (1-855-453-5597) to report sexual and physical assault without revealing their identity, Case Manager lauren Hickman explained. Our VOICErecords the information and passes it on to local law enforcement, maintaining the caller’s anonymity. The reports will also be compiled on a “Bad Date Sheet” that will be distributed to sex workers in printed form, to help them avoid such attacks.

But the issues involved are complex, noted organizer sarah danforth, and the project’s success cannot be assumed. “All we can do is try and see what happens,” she said, adding that they’re working hard to gain the trust of sex workers, the Asheville Police Department and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.

To date, said Danforth, no one has called the special phone line. “We’re still in the process of seeing what the needs are — and what we can do to help.” — Jake Frankel

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But Fryar, a retired engine builder and auto dealer, thinks they’re still paid too much. And if elected, he says, cutting government spending and opposing any tax increases would be his top priorities. “They just dump money wherever they want to dump it,” he charges.

“The way this group’s doing it, once the houses devalue, they’re going to try to go up on taxes.

That’s something I’m totally against.”

A registered Republican, Fryar has also been an outspoken critic of the board’s decision to put a quarter-cent sales-tax increase on the ballot. The commissioners, all of whom are Democrats, passed a resolution pledging to use the revenue to fund capital improvements at A-B Tech, and in a Nov. 8 referendum, county residents approved the increase by a razor-thin margin.

Fryar, however, says it wasn’t fair to hold the referendum in a year when there were no countywide races on the ballot. And during the board’s Nov. 15 meeting, he urged the commissioners to hold another vote on the measure next year before levying the tax, because the vote was so close. (Board Chair david Gantt says they plan to levy the tax as soon as possible.)

Meanwhile, under the district-elections system state legislators decreed for Buncombe County earlier this year, the Fairview resident will square off against incumbents K. Ray Bailey and Carol Peterson in the 115th District, which will have two seats on the board. The district includes slightly more registered Democrats than Republicans.

Fryar thinks his chances of success depend on his fundraising ability. “If I can raise $16,000 to $18,000 by February, I’m definitely in,” he opines. “If it turns into $4,000, then I can’t compete with K. Ray or Peterson, because they’ve got the money.”

Fryar ran unsuccessfully for the Board of Commissioners in 2008 under the at-large election system. The current commissioners have said the new system was created against their will to increase Republican candidates’ chances by dividing the county into more conservative districts. — Jake Frankel

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mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 5

greenscene

environmental news by susan Andrew

The root of the problem

Wild harvesting threatens WNC’s plant populations

humble ginseng: Valued for its purported medicinal qualities, but illegal to pick on state and federal forest lands, wild ginseng can fetch hundreds of dollars per pound; but how much can be sustainably harvested? Photos courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service.

by susan Andrew The Blue Ridge Mountains are known the world over for the quality and diversity of their plant life, particularly ornamentals and medicinal herbs. Harvesting these treasures has been a fixture of life here for centuries, but assorted experts at the recent Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere Conference in Asheville said our forest products are being loved to death.

It all probably started sustainably enough: Native Americans were collecting small amounts of medicinal herbs well before white folk arrived.

Shipping logs from the early 1770s show English ships arriving on these shores filled with tea

info Wild gathering 0 Always get permission before collecting. Permits are available for many plant species on national forest lands; no permit is needed for small amounts (less than 5 pounds) taken for personal use. Never harvest threatened or endangered species, and gather only where plants are abundant. Never dig all plants; leave the small ones, plus at least 20 percent of the mature roots. For more guidance, consult the N.C. Plant Protection Section at avl.mx/73.

and departing with their holds stocked with Blue Ridge ginseng. In the 1800s, Western North Carolina fur traders supplemented their income by collecting and selling medicinal plants. Today, local folks gather thousands of pounds of ramps each spring, and our soils nurture a milliondollar industry in medicinals. Plants such as ginseng, cohosh and goldenseal are used to treat common maladies ranging from hives to flu.

But at this year’s SAMAB Conference, scientists, agency officials and even dealers involved in collecting forest products said they’re concerned about current harvest levels.

North Carolina permits more botanical collection in its national forests than most other areas of the country, due in part to public interest in species such as ginseng and galax, notes agency botanist Gary Kauffman. Wild ginseng collection, in particular, appears to be escalating: In the past three years, the number of permits issued for harvesting wild roots on the state’s national forest lands has tripled. The highly prized medicinal has been used in China for thousands of years.

Collecting plant material is forbidden in national parks, but officials with the neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park say poaching in the Smokies has intensified as ginseng populations are depleted in surrounding areas. Four WNC men made news recently when they were sentenced to jail time for illegally collecting ginseng; in the past 10 years, park law enforcement has seized nearly 11,000 illegally harvested ginseng roots. Yet experts say only a small percentage of poachers are ever caught.

Poaching on private forest lands is equally voracious, noted Joe-Ann McCoy of the Bent

6 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

Creek Institute. “You can’t keep your ginseng safe in WNC,” she said.

That begs the question: Can wild plants be sustainably collected? But while conference presenters attempted to address it, firm answers were in short supply. Few basic studies have been done, and unlike commercial tree species, herbaceous plants haven’t been analyzed to determine a sustainable annual yield.

The concern only grows when you consider these species’ reproductive biology, says Kauffman. Ginseng, for example, propagates only from seed, and plants don’t generally bear fruit till around age 13, when they display the characteristic three “prongs” of leaves. Fully mature, four-pronged plants, highly desired by collectors, may be 22 years old or more, and individual plants may remain productive for 50 to 60 years. So when collectors take them, they’re removing the most successful, locally adapted individuals (and their seed-making potential) from the population.

And as the region’s human population increases, so does the demand for these plants, though most WNC ginseng goes to feed the hungry Asian market. Wild ginseng is up to 25 times more valuable than cultivated plants, because the active ingredients are believed to be more concentrated in the tissues, says Park Service biologist Nora Murdock. In 2007, the price of wild ginseng hit a record high of $1,100 per pound; it’s now around half that.

Still, there’s often a big jump in ginseng collection when the market price spikes, noted Tony Hayes, a ginseng buyer for the Boone-based Ridge Runner Trading Co. And that attracts

people who know little about traditional collection practices.

“The best harvesters were trained by their grandparents,” he told the conference audience.

“Take this, put this back, and there will always be some.” When it comes to preserving harvestable populations, Hayes maintained, “Education is the biggest thing.”

Galax may fare slightly better than the slowgrowing ginseng, because collectors can pluck the leaves (which are used in floral arrangements, particularly during the holiday season), leaving the roots in the ground to sprout again.

But some galax collectors, says Murdock, have been seen pulling up entire plants by the roots, decimating a local micropopulation. Ramps, too, are generally pulled up roots and all, and their populations have been markedly reduced across the region.

Meanwhile, all these agencies’ law-enforcement budgets are declining, and “Illegal poaching is far exceeding what we can deal with,” noted Kauffman. But don’t pin your hopes on cultivation either: “Cultivation won’t stop poaching,” proclaimed N.C. State horticulturist Jeanine davis.

“If we want to ensure collecting, we have to ensure sustainability,” said Alix Cleveland of the Forest Service’s Special Forest Products program office in Atlanta. And given today’s increased harvest pressure, “That will mean active management.” X Send your local environmental news and tips to sandrew@mountainx.com, or call 251-1333, ext. 153.

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 7

calendar

your guide to community events, classes, concerts & galleries

calendar categories community events & workshops / social & shared-interest groups / government & politics / seniors & retirees / animals / technology / business & careers / volunteering / health programs / support groups / helplines / sports groups & activities / kids / spirituality / arts / spoken & written word / festivals & gatherings / music / theater / comedy / film / dance / auditions & call to artists calEndaR FoR dEcEmbER 7 - 15, 2011 Unless otherwise stated, events take place in Asheville, and phone numbers are in the 828 area code.

Day-by-day calendar is online Want to find out everything that’s happening today — or tomorrow, or any day of the week? Go to www.mountainx.com/events.

Weekday Abbreviations: SU = Sunday, MO = Monday, TU = Tuesday, WE = Wednesday, TH = Thursday, FR = Friday, SA = Saturday

Animals Brother Wolf Animal Rescue A no-kill organization. Info: www.bwar.org or 505-3440.

• DAILY, 8am-8pm - Pet Adoption Day at the rescue center, 31 Glendale Ave. Open from 8am-6pm on Sundays.

• TU (12/13), 7-8pm - “Paws to Remember: A Pet Honoring Ceremony” will give thanks and show reverence towards pets that have passed away. Bring a photo or memento. Held at Second Chances Thrift Store, 49 Glendale Ave. Info and registration: outreach@ bwar.org.

Community Partnership for Pets This nonprofit’s primary goal is to provide affordable spay/ neuter services to communities in/around Henderson County. Info: www.communitypartnershipforpets.org or 693-5172.

• 4th SATURDAYS, 10am2pm - Vouchers for free and low-cost spay/neuter services will be available to Henderson County residents at Tractor Supply Company, 115 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville.

Pet Biggest Loser Contest

Calendar deadlines:

*FREE and PaId lIstIngs - WEdnEsday, 5 P.m.

(7 days PRIoR to PublIcatIon) Can’t find your group’s listing?

Due to the abundance of great things to do in our area, we only have the space in print to focus on timely events. Our print calendar now covers an eight-day range. For a complete directory of all Community Calendar groups and upcoming events, please visit www.mountainx.com/events..

Calendar information In order to qualify for a free listing, an event must cost no more than $40 to attend and be sponsored by and/or benefit a nonprofit.

If an event benefits a business, it’s a paid listing.

If you wish to submit an event for Clubland (our free live music listings), please e-mail clubland@mountainx.com.

Free Listings To submit a free listing: * Online submission form (best): http://www.mountainx.com/ events/submission * E-mail (second best): calendar@mountainx.com * Fax (next best): (828) 251-1311, Attn: Free Calendar * Mail: Free Calendar, Mountain Xpress, P.O. Box 144, Asheville, NC 28802 * In person: Mountain Xpress, 2 Wall St. (the Miles Building), second floor, downtown Asheville.

Please limit your submission to 40 words or less.

Questions? Call (828) 251-1333, ext. 365.

Paid Listings Paid listings lead the calendar sections in which they are placed, and are marked (pd.).

To submit a paid listing, send it to our Classified Department by any of the following methods. Be sure to include your phone number, for billing purposes. * E-mail: marketplace@mountainx.com. * Fax: (828) 251-1311, Attn: Commercial Calendar * Mail: Commercial Calendar, Mountain Xpress, P.O. Box 144, Asheville, NC 28802 * In person: Classified Dept., Mountain Xpress, 2 Wall St. (the Miles Building), Ste. 214, downtown Asheville.

Questions? Call our Classified Department at (828) 251-1333, ext. 335.

• Through SU (5/20) - All Pets Animal Hospital and Rehabilitation Center will hold a Pet Biggest Loser Contest to promote a healthy lifestyle in pets. Info: 645-5252.

Why Does My Parrot Do That?

• SA (12/10), 10am-noon A Q&A event to share ideas, talk about issues specific to parrots and troubleshoot problems. Bring topics, ideas and problem issues.

Held at 434 Cedar Hill Road, Alexander. Info: www.phoenixlanding.org/events.

Art aRt 16 Patton Located at 16 Patton Ave. Gallery hours: Tues.-Sat., 11am-6pm and Sun., 1-5pm.

Info: www.16patton.com or 236-2889.

• Through SA (1/7) - Intersections, works

by Signe and Genna Grushovenko, and Seasons on the French Broad, works

by Linda Cheek.

All Member Art Show • Through FR (1/6), The All Member Art Show will be held at Opportunity House, 1411 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville. Info: www. artleague.net or 692-2078.

American Folk Art and Framing The gallery at 64 Biltmore Ave. is open daily, representing contemporary self-taught artists and regional pottery.

Info: www.amerifolk.com or 281-2134.

• Through SA (12/31) - Virgins, Saints and Angels.

12 painters, wood carvers and potters will share their interpretation of the virgins, saints and angels for the holidays.

AnTHM Gallery Located at 110.5 W. State St. in downtown Black Mountain.

Info: www.anthmgallery.com.

• SA (12/10), noon-4pm - Terrell Lee Miller will host a live painting demonstration.

• Through TU (1/31) - Resurrection, works by Amy Greenan, and Abstracts and Writings, works by Lou Majors.

Appalachian State University • Through SU (1/1) - Living in the Light: A Retrospective,

works by the late John Scarlata, and Sanctuary, works by Val Lyle, will be on display in the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. stageme@appstate.edu or 262-6084.

Art at UNCA Art exhibits and events at the university are free, unless otherwise noted. Info: www. unca.edu.

• Through FR (12/16) - Body Curious, works by Sarah Ashley Reeves, will be on display in the Ramsey Library. Info: art.unca.edu or 251-6559.

• Through TH (12/15) - Absence as Presence, photography by Gabriela Knox, will be on display in the Highsmith University Union Gallery. Info: art.unca.edu or 251-6559.

• FR (12/9) through TU (12/20) - Reflections on Lunations, a visual metaphor of the lunar phases. Works

by Rebecca vonSeldeneckHouser.

• FR (12/9), 6-8pm Opening reception.

Art Events at WCU Held at the Fine Art Museum, Fine & Performing Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University.

Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10am-4pm & Thurs. 10am-7pm. Free, but donations welcome. Info: www.fineartmuseum.wcu. edu or 227-3591.

• Through FR (12/16) - Vitreographs, highlights from the Fine Art Museum’s archives.

• P(art) of the Whole: Selections from the collection of Rob and Leigh Anne Young will feature an interactive children’s exhibit about Latin America.

• Through FR (12/9) - Exhibeard-tion fall senior thesis exhibition for WCU art and design students.

• Through FR (12/9) Bachelor of Fine Arts portfolio exhibit.

Asheville Art Museum Located on Pack Square in downtown Asheville. Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10am-5pm and Sun., 1-5pm. Admission: $8/$7 students and seniors/ Free for kids under 4. Free first Wednesdays from 35pm. Info: www.ashevilleart. org or 253-3227.

8 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

weeklypicks

* events are free unless otherwise noted.

Celebrate Bernard, the “awesome” rescue hound, at Bernard’s Birthday Benefit, a fundraiser

wed for the Avery County Humane Society. Held on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Altamont Brewing Company, 1042 Haywood Road. Info: averyhumane.org or 733-6312.

One of Sierra Nevada’s original brewers, Terence Sullivan (who now heads up the brewery’s

thur Beer Camp), will present a meet and greet and four Sierra Nevada beers on tap. Held at the Thirsty Monk’s downtown location, 92 Patton Ave., on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 5-7 p.m. Info: monkpub.com or 254-5470.

fri

Can mushrooms be art? Ephemeralization, “a show of extreme mushroom growing,” will feature artistic presentations of oyster mushrooms. An opening reception will feature entertainment and chef demos on Friday, Dec. 9 from 5-9 p.m. at French Broad Studios, 475 Fletcher Martin Road, Alexander. Info: overawed@mindspring.com.

sat

Take opera out of the concert hall with Hops and Arias, a chance to hear opera while enjoying a beer, on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 8-9:30 p.m. Held at Craggie Brewing Company, 197 Hilliard Ave. Info: avl.mx/prou.

sun

Enjoy the sounds of Big Daddy Bluegrass Band, Asheville Blue Grass, Nikki Talley and more at a benefit for banjo player Billy Constable (who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor) on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. Held at The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. $10 donation. Info: thegreyeagle.com or 232-5800.

N.C. Policy Watch hosts a “critical conversation” about the environment on Monday, Dec.

mon 12 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place. Meeting begins at noon.

Info: Info: ncpolicywatch.com or 919-861-2066.

tue

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue provides the community with a chance to “give thanks and show reverence” towards pets that have passed away at Paws to Remember: A Pet Honoring Ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 7-8 p.m. at Second Chances Thrift Store, 49 Glendale Ave. Info and registration: outreach@bwar.org.

• Through SU (3/18) - The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Contemporary Craft.

• Through SU (3/4) Homage2 will pay tribute to Josef Albers.

Autumn in the Southern Appalachians • Through SU (1/1) Autumn and Winter in the Southern Appalachians, a juried exhibit of Carolina nature photographers, will be on display at Deerpark Inn at the Biltmore Estate, 1 Approach Road. Info: www. cnpa-asheville.org.

Bella Vista Art Gallery Located in Biltmore Village next to the parking lot of Rezaz’s restaurant. Summer hours: Mon., Wed.-Sat., 10am-5pm. Info: www.bellavistaart.com or 768-0246.

• Through SA (12/31) Spider Series, works by Paul Owen, Tif McDonald and Nicora Gangi.

Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center The center is located at 56 Broadway and preserves the legacy of the Black Mountain

College. Info: bmcmac@ bellsouth.net or www. blackmountaincollege.org or 350-8484.

• Through SA (1/14) - John Cage: A Circle of Influences will explore Cage’s work during his time at Black Mountain College and his later collaborative projects.

Castell Photography A photo-based art gallery located at 2C Wilson Alley, off Eagle Street in downtown Asheville. Info: www. castellphotography.com or 255-1188.

• Through SA (12/31) - Salon 2011, works by 12 national and international photographers.

Center For Craft, Creativity and Design Located at the Kellogg Conference Center, 11 Broyles Road in Hendersonville. Info: www. craftscreativitydesign.org or 890-2050.

• Through FR (1/27) Common Threads, works by four fiber artists who have collaborated with other artists or businesses.

Courtyard Gallery An eclectic art and performance space located at 109 Roberts St., Phil Mechanic Studios, River Arts District.

Info: www.ashevillecourtyard. com or 273-3332.

• Through SA (12/31) - Anything Goes - Everything Shows, the 5th annual mail art show. All entries received through the postal system will be exhibited. Participants were encouraged to explore themes, sizes, shapes and media of any kind.

Crimson Laurel Gallery Info: 688-3599 or www. crimsonlaurelgallery.com.

23 Crimson Laurel Way, Bakersville.

• Through SA (12/31) - Interpreting the Cup: Process, Influence and Intent.

Ephemeralization • FR (12/9), 5-9pm Ephemeralization, “a show of extreme mushroom growing.” Artists have designed unique housings for oyster mushrooms. Taste the future of growing food from art.

Entertainment, food trucks

and chef demos at French Broad Studios, 475 Fletcher Martin Road, Alexander. Info: overawed@mindspring.com.

Horizons: Past and Present • SA (12/10) through MO (1/9) - Horizons: Past and Present, photographs by Jon Michael Riley, will be on display at Grace Centre Church, 495 Cardinal Road, Mills River.

• SA (12/10), 7:30pm Opening reception.

It’s A Small, Small Work • Through FR (12/31) - It’s A Small, Small Work will feature more than 100 works that are 12 inches or smaller.

On display at Gallery 86, 86 N. Main St. Info: info@haywoodarts.org or 452-0593.

Kevin Carman Exhibit • Through MO (1/2) - Sculpture and paintings

by Kevin Carman will be on display at the Coop Gallery, 25 Carolina Lane. Info: www. coopasheville.com.

Pump Gallery Located at the Phil Mechanic Studios Building in the River Arts District, 109 Roberts St.

getaway

Asheville-area escapes

deck the boughs of someone else’s trees What: Whether a festive Christmas tree is scraping your living room ceiling, or you’d rather enjoy evergreens outside the home, take a break from the holiday stress and let someone else decorate the tree. Earlier this season, Black Mountain’s Deck the Trees initiative challenged local businesses and nonprofits to embellish a tree for all of the community to enjoy. The trees will be judged and the winners will be awarded on Friday, Dec. 9. It will be part of the town’s First Friday celebrations (which will be held on the second Friday this month). Drink specials, live music and art from AnTHM Gallery will make the holidays bright.

When: Trees will be on display through Monday, Jan. 2. Awards ceremony and First Friday festivities on Friday, Dec. 9 Where: The Monte Vista Hotel, 308 W. State St. in Black Mountain price: Free. contact: themontevistahotel.net or exploreblackmountain.com photo of AnTHM Gallery’s tree by Gretchen Howard.

So, a blacksmith, a weaver and two potters go into Firestorm...

Holiday Trunk Show Sunday, December 11th | 11am - 5pm 6 local artists set up shop at Firestorm Café Kathrin Weber, fiber Niamh Lyonhart, clothing Susan Hutchinson, iron Neil Carroll, wood Jim Weber, pottery Sally Weber, pottery

buy local. mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 9

Info: www.philmechanicstudios.com.

• Through FR (12/30) - Madison J. Cripps (puppetry).

Push Skate Shop & Gallery Located at 25 Patton Ave., between Stella Blue and the Kress Building. Info: www. pushtoyproject.com or 2255509.

• FR (12/9) through TU (1/17) - See What Inspired Me, multimedia works by Severn Eaton.

• FR (12/9), 7-10pm Opening reception.

Revamp. Refit. Rejuvenate.

• Through FR (12/16) Revamp. Refit. Rejuvenate., a senior art exhibition for Bachelor of Arts in ceramics. “Found object furniture becomes nonfunctional art pieces through the addition of clay.” Held at UNCA’s Owen Hall, second floor gallery.

• FR (12/16), 6-8pm Closing reception.

Seven Sisters Gallery This Black Mountain gallery is located at 117 Cherry St. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10am6pm and Sun., noon-5pm.

Info: www.sevensistersgallery.com or 669-5107.

• Through SU (3/11) - A Blue Ridge Rhapsody, works

by Paul Hastings.

Steve Sloan • Through SA (12/31) - Works by Steve Sloan will be on display at the Black Mountain Ale House, 117 Cherry St., #117C. Info: www.blackmountainalehouse.com or 669-9090.

The Artery Community arts facility at 346 Depot St., River Arts District. Info: www.ashevillearts.com.

• Through FR (12/30) - Nuestras Voces, Nuestras Historias / Our Voices, Our Stories, works documenting immigrants in Western North Carolina.

The Jolly King Spectacular

• Through WE (1/4) - The Jolly King Spectacular, new paintings by Keith Kimmel.

Held at Asheville Art Supply, 344 Depot St., in the Pink Dog Creative building.

Info: 231-3440, www. theartofkEith.com or http:// on.fb.me/u71tRZ. Trunk Show • SA (12/10), 4-7pm - A trunk show with jewelry artist Kathy Van Kleeck and knitwear designer Cara May will be held at Niche, 1 Page Ave. Info: caramayknits@ gmail.com

Auditions & Call to Artists Capital Infrastructure Grants • Through MO (12/12) - Buncombe County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Services seeks applications for its Capital Infrastructure Grants, which directly promote physical activity. Mail to 59 Woodfin Place by Dec.

12. Info: jessica.stevermer@ buncombecounty.org or 250-4260.

Business & Technology

Fountainhead Bookstore Short Story Contest • Through SA (12/10) - Submissions for the Fountainhead Bookstore Short Story Contest, on the theme of modern life in small town North Carolina, will be accepted through Dec. 10.

Info: www.fountainheadbookstore.com or 697-1870.

American Business Women’s Association ABWA brings together business women of diverse occupations to raise funds for local scholarships and enhance the professional and personal lives of its members. Info: www.abwaskyhy. com.

• TH (12/8), 6-8pm - WinterFest will feature networking and a light meal.

Held at the Crowne Plaza, 1 Resort Drive. $20. Info: 201953-3930.

Arts2People Artist Resource Center Offering business management workshops for artists at 39 D S. Market St., downtown Asheville. Classes, unless otherwise noted, are $35. Info and registration: www.arts2people.org or info@arts2people.org.

Transylvania Community Arts Council Located at 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard. Hours: Mon.Fri., 10am-4pm. Info: www. artsofbrevard.org or 8842787.

• Through MO (1/16) - The TC Arts Council will accept submissions for its Five Elements exhibit through Jan. 16.

• The Arts2People Artist Resource Center seeks instructors with business management skills. Classes are geared towards creative professionals. Info: www. ashevillearc.com.

Creative Technology & Arts Center Located at Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St. Info: www.ctacenter.org.

• THURSDAYS through (12/8), 5:30pm - “Wordpress Basics and Beyond.” Adults. $10/first class free.

• THURSDAYS through (12/8), 4pm - Modul8 and VJ techniques. High school students and adults. $10/first class free.

Macintosh Asheville Computer Society (MACS) • 2nd THURSDAYS, 7pm - Meetings held at CityMac, 755 Biltmore Ave., on the corner of Meadow Road.

Visitors welcome. Q&A, problem solving, demonstra-

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tions and guest speakers.

Info: www.citymac.com or 712-7493.

classEs, mEEtIngs, EvEnts & lEctuREs Gal Pals Of Asheville (pd.) Come join Asheville’s Most Fabulous group: Lesbian Social Group for Women, ages 35 - 55 SINGLES ONLY event once a month - For more info: groups.yahoo.com/group/ GalPalsofAsheville Learn to Knit at Purl’s Yarn Emporium (pd.) On Wall Street downtown: Beginning Knit :1st and 2nd Wednesdays, 6-8pm; Intermediate Knit: 3rd and 4th Wednesdays. • $40/4 hours of instruction. 828253-2750. www.purlsyarnemporium.com Older Lesbian Energy (OLE) (pd.) Meets second Saturday each month, 1pm, potluck and event planning. OLE: Fun group for lesbians over

50. • Join us! Information: Catherine: (828) 545-9698.

Tuesday Nights! • Single And Looking For Something Fun? (pd.) Try AVL Speed Dating!

Events start at 6:30pm and are held monthly at Neo Cantina (Biltmore Village) • Next event: Tuesday, December 13, All Ages (21+) Mix and Mingle. To make a reservation or for more info, call (828) 242-2555 or see AVLSpeedDating.com ACT vs SAT Comparison Test • SATURDAYS, 9am & SUNDAYS, 1pm - Asheville students are invited to take an “ACT vs SAT Comparison Test” to determine which represents their best match. Held at Chyten Educational Services, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 104, Asheville. Free. Info and reservations: www.chytenasheville.com or 505-2495.

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• 2nd WEDNESDAYS - Women who are new to the area are welcome to make new friends, explore Asheville and learn more about what our community has to offer. Join us for a meeting or activity. Info: ashevillenewcomersclub.com or 654-7414.

Asheville NOW • 2nd SATURDAYS, 3pm - Asheville NOW, the local chapter of the National Organization for Women, will hold a monthly meeting at the Roof Garden of the Battery Park Apartments, 1 Battle Square. Info: AshevilleNOW@live.com Asheville Tantra School Located at 2 Westwood Place, inside the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism building. $10-15 per hour with sliding scale available for some classes. Info: www.

AshevilleTantra.com.

• WEDNESDAYS through (12/21), 7-10pm - “The Art of Intimacy: Really hearing and sharing skillfully.” White level (non-sexual discussion for all relationships).

• THURSDAYS through (12/29), 7-10pm - “The Art of Intimacy.” Pink level (discussion includes sexual intimacy).

• FR (12/9), 7-10pm - “Tantra for Couples: Inner Marriage, Outer Dance.”

• SA (12/10), 7-10pm - “Sacred moments where sexuality and spirituality can be explored simultaneously.”

• TUESDAYS through (1/3), 5:30-7pm - Qigong movement and practice.

• MONDAYS through (12/19), 7-9pm - “Men’s

Sexual Energy: Build It, Contain It and Channel It.” Chorus Rehearsals • TUESDAYS, 7:30pm Land of the Sky Chorus will hold rehearsals at Francis Asbury UMC, 725 Asbury Road, Candler. New singers and guests welcome. Info: www.ashevillebarbershop. com or 866-290-7269.

Courthouse Tours • WE (12/7), 2pm - Historic courthouse tours will depart from 200 North Grove St., Hendersonville. Free. Info: 694-5003.

Creative Technology & Arts Center Located at Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St. Info: www.ctacenter.org.

• THURSDAYS through (12/8), 4pm - Screen printing on ceramic tiles for high school students and adults. $10/first class free.

Cribbage Group • MONDAYS, 6pm - Meets at Earth Fare Westgate for friendly game playing. All skill levels welcome. Info: 254-3899.

Henderson County Heritage Museum Located in the Historic Courthouse on Main Street in Hendersonville. Info: www. hendersoncountymuseum. org or 694-1619.

• Through FR (12/30) - An exhibit of Civil War artifacts will feature military weaponry and uniforms.

How to Complete an Exhibition Proposal • TU (12/13), 6pm - In order to have your work shown at HandMade in America, an exhibition proposal must be

submitted. Learn what juries are looking for and how to increase your chances of selection. Held at HandMade in America, 125 S. Lexington Ave., Suite 101. Info: krinn@ handmadeinamerica.org.

Italian Conversation Class • FRIDAYS through (1/20), 10-11am - An Italian conversation class will be offered at Opportunity House, 1411 Asheville Highway. $40. Info: 692-0575.

Open Strategic Innovation Seminar • TH (12/15), 7-9pm - An “Open Strategic Innovation” seminar will discuss climate change, poverty and government ethics. Held at UNCA’s Manheimer room. Info: www. innovograph.blogspot.com.

Pearl Harbor Commemorative Ceremony • WE (12/7), 11am - A Pearl Harbor commemorative ceremony will feature a patriotic program and reading by the winner of the Pearl Harbor Day essay contest. Held in the Historic Courthouse on Main Street in Hendersonville.

Info: 697-9026.

Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute Located at 1 PARI Drive, Rosman. Info: 862-5554 or www.pari.edu.

• FR (12/9), 7pm - A lecture about the Star of Bethlehem will include a presentation

by PARI astronomers and a site tour. $20/$15 seniors and military/$10 under 15.

Registration required by 3pm on day of event.

Stewards of Children • 2nd MONDAYS, 8:3011:30am - Stewards of Children will lead workshops

on improving children’s attitudes, knowledge and child-protective behaviors.

Appropriate for youth-serving organizations. Held at Women’s Wellness and Education Center, 24 Arlington St. $30. Info: mountainsexology@bellsouth.com or 301-4460.

The Fine Arts League of the Carolinas Located at 362 Depot St., in the River Arts District. Info: www.fineartsleague.org or 252-5050.

• THURSDAYS, 7-9pm Open drawing class with live models. $7/$5 students.

WNC GM Alumni Club • TH (12/8), 11:30am - A luncheon meeting will be held at the Hendersonville Country Club, 1860 Hebron Road.

Open to General Motors retirees, former employees and guests. Meeting will feature holiday songs by the Kenmure Chorus. Info: www. wncgmalumni.com.

Best of WNC 3 Years!

GIFT CERTIFICATES 20% OFF

Stop by, order by phone or from our website!

779 Haywood Road • Downtown West Asheville www.CenterHolistic.com • 828-505-3174 We donate 10% to Community Organizations and Local Non-Profits

Dance Beginner Swing Dancing Lessons (pd.) 4 week series starts first Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm. $12/week per person. • No partner necessary. Eleven on Grove, downtown Asheville. Details: www.SwingAsheville.com Bharatanatyam Classes • Adult • Children (pd.) Bharatanatyam is the sacred classical dance form of India. Adult and children’s classes now forming.

Traditional Kalakshetra Style.

• DakshinaNatya Classical Arts. Riverview Station. •

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011

Food Healthy Holiday Cooking Class • SA (12/10), 10am-noon - A healthy cooking class for the holidays will be presented

by Jane Q. Stanchich at the Natural Import Company, 9 Reed St. $25. Info and registration: 299-8657.

Gardening Amaryllis Sale • Through TU (12/20) - An amaryllis sale will take place at Bullington Center, 33 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville. Open house Dec. 9 and 10. Info: www. bullingtoncenter.org or 6986104.

Kids

Call Tess: (828) 301-0331.

Learn more: www.riverviewstation.com Capoeira Angola (pd.) An Afro-Brazilian cultural art, combines dance, music, and martial arts.

• Adult and kids classes offered, see website for schedule. Beginners welcome Mondays, Saturdays.

• Location: 257 Short Coxe. http://www.capoeiraasheville.org/ Studio Zahiya (pd.) Monday, 6-7 Yoga • 7:30-9 Bellydance • Tuesday 9-10am Hip Hop Workout • Noon-1pm Groove Dance • 6-7pm Beginner Bellydance, • 7-8pm Intermediate Bellydance • Wednesday 6-7 Pilates, • 7:30-9 Bellydance, • Thursday 9-10am Bellydance, • 67pm Bollywood, • 8-9pm Hip Hop, • Friday 10-11am

Bhangra Workout. • $12 for 60 minute classes. 90 1/2 N. Lexington Avenue. www. studiozahiya.com Eleven on Grove Located at 11 Grove St. Info: www.elevenongrove.com or 505-1612.

• TUESDAYS, 7pm - Tango lessons. Open dance at 8:30pm.

Family Dancing at the YMCA • 2nd SATURDAYS, 6pm Family dancing at the YMCA will feature live local music and callers. Experienced dancers and beginners welcome. Friendly instruction provided at the beginning of each dance. Info: jhart@ ymcawnc.org.

Hendersonville Ballroom Dance Club Meets in the ballroom of the Elks Lodge, 546 N. Justice St., Hendersonville. $6/5 members. Couples and sin-

gles of all ages are welcome.

Info: 692-8281.

• FRIDAYS, 7:30-10pm - Big band, waltz, tango and Latin dance.

World Dance Spectacular • WE (12/14), 7:30pm - The World Dance Spectacular and Studio Zahiya holiday party will be held at the Altamont Theatre, 18 Church St. $18/$15 at the door. Info: http://avl.mx/7d.

Eco Bird Walk • SA (12/10), 9am - A guided bird walk sponsored

by ECO and the Henderson County Bird Club will depart from Jackson Park, 4th Ave. E., Hendersonville. Info: www.eco-wnc.org.

Conservation Conversation • WE (12/7), 6:30-8pm - A conversation about

conservation will focus on the Chimney Rock State Park master plan. Held at Esmeralda Inn, 910 Main St., Chimney Rock. Info: www.friendsofhng.org, wolfeyes20201@bellsouth.net or 625-8999.

Free Trees • Through SA (12/10) Individuals who join the Arbor Day Foundation will receive a free tree as part of the Trees for America campaign. Info: wnelson@arborday.org or 888-448-7337.

Hendersonville Green Drinks • TH (12/15), 6-8pm - Hendersonville Green Drinks will meet at Southern Appalachian Brewery, 822 Locust St., Hendersonville.

Info: www.greendrinks.org or 684-1235.

N.C. Arboretum Events

DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

The Arboretum hosts a variety of educational programs.

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free with parking fee ($8/vehicle). No parking fees on 1st Tuesdays.

Located at 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way. Info: www.ncarboretum.org or 665-2492.

• Through SU (12/11) - The North Carolina Arboretum and MOSAIC Community Lifestyle Realty will offer green home tours. Info: membership@ncarboretum. org.

• Through MO (1/2), 10am4pm - “Sustainable Shelter” will feature scale models and interactive computer games to investigate how humans can green their homes. $3/$2 students.

• Through MO (1/2) - The Home Green Home exhibit

will feature animal shelters, insect hives and nests.

N.C. Policy Watch • MO (12/12), noon - N.C. Policy Watch will host a “critical conversation” about the environment at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place.

Info: www.ncpolicywatch. com or 919-861-2066.

Government & Politics Asheville Retired Union Workers Luncheon • 2nd TUESDAYS, 11:30am - Retired or current union members, family and friends are invited to meet for lunch at Cornerstone Restaurant, 102 Tunnel Road. Meetings feature guest speakers. Info: dick@dickandnorma.com.

Sweet Tee Mini-Golf • Biltmore Square Mall (pd.) Affordable Family Fun, Free Toddler Play Area, Free Events Weekly, Game Area. Small beer selection. Like Us on Facebook, get event updates. www.

SweetTeeMiniGolf.com Art and Poetry Contest for Kids • Through FR (3/9) - RiverLink will accept submissions from children in grades pre-K through 12 for the Voices of the River Art and Poetry Contest through March 9. Info: www.riverlink.org or 252-8474.

Celebration Singers • THURSDAYS, 6:207:45pm - The Celebration Singers of Asheville Community Youth Chorus invites children ages 714 to join. Held at First Congregational Church, 20 Oak St. Info: 230-5778.

Hands On! This children’s museum is located at 318 North Main St., Hendersonville. Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10am-5pm.

Admission is $5, with discounts available on certain days. Info: www.handsonwnc.org or 697-8333.

• TU (12/13) - An energybased scavenger hunt will be offered throughout the day.

• WE (12/14), 10:30am - A book-themed craft will feature supplies donated by Fountainhead Bookstore. Free with admission or membership.

Letters to Santa • Through TU (12/20) Children are invited to write letters to Santa and receive a personal reply. Drop off letters at 1831 Hendersonville Road. Info: www.postnet. com/nc141 or 239-2972.

Mother Goose Story Time

• MONDAYS & SATURDAYS, 10:30-11am - Sweet Tee Mini Golf will host Mother Goose Story Time at The Biltmore Square Mall, next to Dillard’s. “Join us for reading, singing and dancing.” 1 1/2 years and under, siblings welcome. Info: 333-1152 or www.sweetteeminigolf.com.

Swim Lessons • MONDAYS through THURSDAYS (12/5) until TH (12/15) - Swim lessons for kids ages 3 and up. Level 1 meets at 4:30pm, level 2 at 5pm. Held at Waynesville Recreation Center, 550 Vance St. $35/$30 members. Info: recaquatics@ townofwaynesville.org or 456-2030.

Outdoors Lake James State Park N.C. Highway 126. Info: 584-7728.

• SA (12/10), 10am - A hike to identify birds will depart from the Paddy’s Creek Bridge trailhead.

• SU (12/11), 2pm - A guided hike to identify green plants during the winter months will depart from the Catawba River Area office.

Swannanoa Creek Civil War Hike • SA (12/10), 9:30am-1pm - This moderate hike is downhill most of the way and passes by the grave of a Civil War soldier and the ruins of an old homestead.

Hikers often view trains and there is a good view of the Swannanoa Tunnel. Info and registration: anne@swannanoavalleymuseum.org.

Performance & Film Alexander Technique (pd.) Faculty member ASU Hayes School of Music, 25 years experience, will teach you how to play with satisfaction and ease! Prevent injury and performance anxiety. Affordable. (828) 2253786.FormFitnessFunction. com Song O’ Sky Show Chorus (pd.) TUESDAYS, 6:45pm - Rehearsal at First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) 20 Oak Street Asheville 28801.(Enter Fellowship Hall-lower level). Guests welcome. Contact: www. songosky.org Toll Free # 1866-824-9547.

999 Eyes Surreal Side Show • WE (12/14), 7pm - “999 EYES,” featuring sideshow performances and authentic genetic human anomalies.

Acts will include blockheads, balloon swallowers, bed of nails, electric lady acts, glass walkers, burlesque and

human pincushions, all set to a live music soundtrack.

Held at The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. Info: www. thegreyeagle.com.

Angela Easterling • TH (12/15), 3-4pm - Americana and folk singer/ songwriter Angela Easterling will perform at the Henderson County Public Library, 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville. Info: www. angelaeasterling.com or www.henderson.lib.nc.us.

Blue Ridge Orchestra Info: www.blueridgeorchestra.org or 650-0948.

• WEDNESDAYS, 7-9:30pm - Open rehearsals for the Blue Ridge Orchestra will be held most Wednesdays at the symphony office in the Civic Center. Free. Call for confirmation.

Classic World Cinema Foreign Film Series Presented by Courtyard Gallery, 109 Roberts St., Phil Mechanic Studios, River Arts District in Asheville. Info: Cranky Hanke’s Reviews under “Special Showings,” www.ashevillecourtyard.com or 273-3332.

• FR (12/9), 8pm Closely Watched Trains (Czechoslovakia 1966) by Jiri Menzel.

Crystal Music CoOP • THURSDAYS, 7pm “Listen to Each Other While We Play” drum meditation will be offered at 41 Carolina Lane. Bring your drum or borrow one of ours. By donation. Info: 310-7459150.

Dobra Tea Located at 78 N. Lexington Ave. Info: www.dobrateanc. com.

• WE (12/7), 8pm - The Tabla and Sitar Experience (Indian music).

• TH (12/8), 8pm - Said Osio (conceptual music and poetry).

• WE (12/14), 8pm Shantavaani (South Indian music).

End of Semester Screening • FR (12/9), 5:30pm - A screening of new works by film students at Blue Ridge Community College’s Patton Auditorium. Free. Info: ce_taylor@blueridge.edu or 694-1855.

Flat Rock Playhouse The State Theater of North Carolina is on Highway 225, three miles south of Hendersonville. Info: www. flatrockplayhouse.org or 693-0731.

• SA (12/10), 5 & 7pm - The YouTheatre Rockin’ Showcase will feature young people from YouTheatre dance classes, performance

groups and the YT rock band. Held at the downtown playhouse.

Forks Over Knives • FR (12/9), 7pm - Social Justice Movie Night will screen Forks Over Knives at the Unitarian Universalist Church, at the corner of Edwin Place and Charlotte Street. Donations encouraged. Info: www.uuasheville. org or 254-6001.

Grovewood Gallery Located at 111 Grovewood Road. Info: www.grovewood. com or 253-7651.

• SA (12/10), 6-7pm - Kate Steinbeck (flute).

Hops and Arias • SA (12/10), 8-9:30pm Hops and Arias will promote opera in an “unconventional setting” with a performance at Craggie Brewing, 197 Hilliard Ave. Info: http://avl. mx/prou.

Pan Harmonia Benefit Concert • SU (12/11), 5:30pm - Join the musicians of Pan Harmonia, Asheville’s chamber music company, for an afternoon of Baroque music.

Held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church St. Info: info@pan-harmonia.org.

Slice of Life Comedy • THURSDAYS, 8:30pm - Stand-up comedy and booked open-mic. Free snacks, drink specials and a raffle for charity will be provided for $5. Professional video taping available for performers. Held at Pulp, below the Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., on Dec. 15, 22 and 29. Info and booking: sliceoflifecomedy@gmail. com.

The Ister • TH (12/8), 5:15pm - The Ister, a film based on the work of philosopher Martin Heidegger, will be screened at WCU’s Bardo Arts Center. Info: www.wcu. edu/museum.

The Laramie Project • THURSDAY through SATURDAY until (12/10), 7:30pm - The Laramie Project will be performed by Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective at the BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St. $15/$12 in advance/$10 students. Info: www.differentstrokesavl.com.

The Marketing Of Madness • SA (12/10), 1pm - The Marketing of Madness: Are We All Insane? will be screened at the Henderson County Library, 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville. This documentary explores “the dangers of psychotropic drugging, the false science behind psychiatric diagnoses

freewillastrology ARIES (March 21-April 19) What’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen in your life? To answer that question is your first assignment. It’s OK if you can’t decide between the three or four most beautiful things. What’s important is to keep visions of those amazements dancing in the back of your mind for the next few days. Play with them in your imagination. Feel the feelings they rouse in you as you muse about the delights they have given you. Regard them as beacons that will attract other ravishing marvels into your sphere. Now here’s your second assignment: Be alert for and go hunting for a new “most beautiful thing.”

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) ”Not to dream boldly may turn out to be irresponsible,” said educator George Leonard. I certainly think that will be true for you in the coming months, Taurus. In my astrological opinion, you have a sacred duty not only to yourself, but also to the people you care about, to use your imagination more aggressively and expressively as you contemplate what might lie ahead for you. You simply cannot afford to remain safely ensconced within your comfort zone, shielded from the big ideas and tempting fantasies that have started calling and calling and calling to you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

worst offenders: “meltingly tender,” “yummilicious,” “crazy delicious,” “orgasmic,” “I have seen God,” “symphony of flavors,” and “party in your mouth.” I understand the reluctance of any serious wordsmith to resort to such predictable language in crafting an appraisal of restaurant fare, but I don’t mind borrowing it to hint at your immediate future. What you experience may be more like a “party in your head” than a “party in your mouth,” and “crazy delicious” may describe events and adventures rather than flavors, per se.

But I think you’re in for a yummilicious time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) In “Nan You’re a Window Shopper,” British recording artist Lily Allen sings, “The bottom feels so much better than the top.” She means it ironically; the person she’s describing in the song is neurotic and insecure. But in using that declaration as a theme for your horoscope this week — the bottom feels so much better than the top — I mean it sincerely. What you have imagined as being high, superior, or uppermost may turn out to be mediocre, illusory, or undesirable. Conversely, a state of affairs that you once considered to be low, beneath your notice, or not valuable could become rather interesting. And if you truly open your mind to the possibilities, it may even evolve into something that’s quite useful.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Researchers at the University of Oregon claim that in certain circumstances, they can make water flow uphill (tinyurl.com/UphillFlow).

I’m not qualified to evaluate their evidence, but I do know that in the coming week you will have the power to accomplish the metaphorical equivalent of what they say they did. Don’t squander this magic on trivial matters, please, Gemini. Use it to facilitate a transformation that’s important to your long-term well-being.

Emily Rubin invited authors to write about a specific theme for a literary reading she organized in New York last September: stains. “What is your favorite stain?” she asked prospective participants, enticing them to imagine a stain as a good thing, or at least as an interesting twist. Included in her own list were chocolate, candle wax, lipstick, grass, mud, wine, and tomato sauce. What are yours, Libra? This would be an excellent time to sing the praises of your best-loved or most provocative blotches, splotches, and smirches — and have fun stirring up some new ones.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

“Dear Rob: Is there any way to access your horoscope archives going back to 1943? I’m writing a novel about World War II and need to see your astrological writings from back then. - Creative Cancerian.” Dear Creative: To be honest, I wasn’t writing horoscopes back in 1943, since I wasn’t anywhere near being born yet. On the other hand, I give you permission to make stuff up for your novel and say I wrote it back in 1943. Most of you Cancerians have good imaginations about the past, and you’re currently going through a phase when that talent is amplified. While you’re tinkering with my history, have fun with yours, too. This is an excellent time for members of your tribe to breath new life and fresh spin into a whole slew of your own personal memories.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) At Chow.com, food critic L. Nightshade gathered “The 78 Most Annoying Words to Read in a Restaurant Review.” Among the

Mickey Mouse is a Scorpio, born November 18, 1928. Bugs Bunny is a Leo, coming into the world on July 27, 1940. In their long and storied careers, these two iconic cartoon heroes have made only one joint appearance. It was in the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. They got equal billing and spoke the same number of words. I’m predicting that a comparable event will soon take place in your world, Scorpio: a conjunction of two stars, a

homework Show me why I might enjoy following you on Twitter by sending some of your sample tweets to Truthrooster@ gmail.com. And find me on Twitter at twitter.com/FreeWillAstro. © Copyright 2011 Rob Brezsny

blend of two strong flavors, or a coming together of iconic elements that have never before mixed.

Sounds like you’re in for a splashy time.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Harvey Ball was a commercial artist who dreamed up the iconic image of the smiley face.

He whipped it out in ten minutes one day in 1963. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t trademark or copyright his creation, and as a result made only $45 from it, even as it became an archetypal image used millions of times all over the world. Keep his story in the back of your mind during the coming weeks, Sagittarius. I have a feeling you will be coming up with some innovative moves or original stuff, and I would be sad if you didn’t get proper credit and recognition for your work.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) There are 501 possible solutions to your current dilemma. At least ten of them would bring you a modicum of peace, a bit of relief, and a touch of satisfaction. Most of the rest wouldn’t feel fantastic, but would at least allow you to mostly put the angst behind you and move on with your life. But only one of those potential fixes can generate a purgative and purifying success that will extract the greatest possible learning from the situation and give you access to all of the motivational energy it has to offer. Be very choosy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) The quality of your consciousness is the single most influential thing about you. It’s the source of the primary impact you make on other human beings. It changes every situation you interact with, sometimes subtly and other times dramatically. So here’s my first question: How would you characterize the quality of your consciousness? The answer is complicated, of course. But there must be eight to ten words that capture the essence of the vibes you beam out wherever you go. Now comes my second question: Are you satisfied with the way you contribute to life on earth with the quality of your consciousness? It’s an excellent time to contemplate these primal matters.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Some martial artists unleash a sharp percussive shout as they strike a blow or make a dramatic move — a battle cry that helps channel their will into an explosive, concise expression of force. The Japanese term for this is kiai. A few women’s tennis players invoke a similar sound as they smack the ball with their racquet. Maria Sharapova holds the record for loudest shriek at 105 decibels. The coming weeks would be an excellent time for you to call on your own version of kiai, Pisces. As you raise your game to the next level, it would make perfect sense for you to get your entire body involved in exerting some powerful, highly-focused master strokes.

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 23

and the power games of psychiatry and big pharma.”

Info: www.cchr.org.

The New Appalachia • TH (12/8), 7:30pm - “The New Appalachia: No more moonshine, Li’l Abners and Daisy Maes” will feature poets, musicians and historians. Held at WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center. Free. Info: 227-7129.

Women In Boxes • SA (12/10) & SU (12/11), 2pm - Women In Boxes, a film about the silent world of magicians’ assistants, will be screened at the Asheville Art

Museum. Info: www. ashevilleart.org.

Seniors Alexander Technique Courses for Seniors (pd.) Improve equilibrium, lightness and flexibility.

Reduce and prevent joint pain. Increase confidence.

Personalized private instruction delivers long term benefits. (828) 225-3786.

FormFitnessFunction.com RSVP Info Session • TH (12/8), 9:30-11am - Want to volunteer but don’t know where to start? Join RSVP, the volunteer center

for older adults, for an information session featuring a guest speaker from Waste Reduction Partner. Held at the NCCCR, located in UNCA’s Reutuer Center. Info and registration: patti@landofsky.org or 251-6622.

Spirituality Aquarian Compassionate Fellowship (pd.) Metaphysical program inspired by spiritual growth topics of your choice.

Meditation, potluck, St. Germain live channeled piano music. • Second and Fourth

Wednesday. 6:30pm. • Donation. (828) 658-3362.

Asheville Center for Transcendental Meditation (“TM”) (pd.) Discover why TM is the world’s most effective and scientifically validated meditation technique.

Clinically proven to boost brain function and reduce anxiety, depression, addiction, and ADHD. Allows you to effortlessly transcend the busy, agitated mind to experience inner peace and unbounded awareness. • Free Introductory Class: Thursday, 6:30pm, 165 E. Chestnut • Topics: How

DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

meditation techniques differ • Meditation and brain research • What is enlightenment? (828) 254-4350. www.MeditationAsheville. org Astro-Counseling (pd.) Licensed counselor and accredited professional astrologer uses your chart when counseling for additional insight into yourself, your relationships and life directions. Readings also available. Christy Gunther, MA, LPC. (828) 258-3229.

Bharatanatyam Classes (pd.) Bharatanatyam is the sacred classical dance form

of India. Adult and children’s classes now forming.

Traditional Kalakshetra Style.

• DakshinaNatya Classical Arts. Riverview Station. • Call Tess: (828) 301-0331.

Learn more: www.riverviewstation.com Compassionate Communication (pd.) Learn ways to create understanding and clarity in your relationships, work, and community by practicing compassionate communication. Great for couples!

Group uses model developed

by Marshall Rosenberg in his book “Non-violent Communication, A Language

of Life.” Free. Info: 299-0538 or www.ashevilleccc.com. • 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 5:006:15—Practice group for newcomers and experienced practitioners.

Events To Uplift Humanity With Bill Bowers (pd.) Bill Bowers Guidance: Connect with Spirit in a private or group session. • Contact Bill: (828) 216-9039 or visionsjtf@hotmail.com • www.billbowersguidance. com Introduction to Dowsing Beyond Duality (pd.) Fri. Dec. 9, 7:009:30pm at 261 Ashland Ave, Asheville. Workshop Sat. and Sun. Dec. 10-11, 10am-6pm at Sanctuary in the Pines, Flat Rock, NC. Learn to dowse the quantum field of your mind, releasing negative programs, gaining expanded awareness, and tools for self inquiry and beyond. www. bluesunenergetics.net or 828-683-4221.

Open Heart Meditation (pd.) Learn easy, wonderful practices that connect you to the joy within your own heart. • Free. 7pm, Tuesdays. 5 Covington St., W. Asheville. 296-0017 or 645-5950. http://www. heartsanctuary.org Cloud Cottage Sangha Location: 219 Old Toll Circle in Black Mountain. Info: www.cloudcottage.org or 669-0920.

• WEDNESDAYS, 6-7:30pm & SUNDAYS, 8-10am - Weekly meetings will feature seated and walking meditation, Dharma talks and chanting.

Community HU Song • SU (12/11), 11-11:30am - “In our fast-paced world, are you looking to find more inner peace? Chanting this once-secret name for God, HU, has helped people throughout time find inner peace and divine love.” Held at the Eckankar Center of Asheville, 797 Haywood Road. Info: www.eckankarnc.org or 254-6775.

Dances of Universal Peace • 2nd SUNDAYS, 7-9pm - Simple group dances in the round, celebrating the world’s many spiritual traditions and accompanied by live music, will be held at Town and Mountain Training Center, 261 Asheland Ave. No experience or partner needed. Indoor shoes only.

Donations appreciated. Info: 225-0515.

Dharma Class • TUESDAYS, 7pm - Dharma class with Venerable Pannavati Bhikkuni. All are welcome; by donation.

Held at 60 Caledonia Road

#B (the carriage house behind the Kenilworth Inn Apartments). Info: 505-2856.

Divine Energy Share • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 6-8pm - All are welcome to participate in this Healing Circle, including reiki practitioners, other energy workers and non-practitioners curious to tap their healing potential.

By donation. Meets at 60 Caledonia Road #B (the carriage house behind the Kenilworth Inn Apartments).

Info: 707-2983.

Events at Montford Books & More Used bookstore hosting workshops and authors at 31 Montford Ave. Info: www. montfordbooks.com or 2858805.

• SUNDAYS, 7pm-8:30 - Join Buddhist teacher Hannah Kim for an exploration of the book Modern Buddhism by Gehse Kelsang Gyatso. Includes meditation, talk and discussion. $8/$5 seniors and students. Info: meditationinasheville@gmail. com.

I Ching Support and Study Group • THURSDAYS, 6-8:30pm - “I Ching Support and Study Group,” a study of Taoism and I Ching practice, will meet at an area cafe, to be determined. Info: patrickgfrank@gmail.com.

Meditation and Satsang with Madhyanandi • MONDAYS through THURSDAYS, 6am-9pm Meditate and practice with an awakened yogini. Sessions available by appointment. All fees by donation; no one will be turned away. Info: www. thepeoplesashram.org or madhyanandi@gmail.com.

Meditation in the Kriya Yoga Tradition • SUNDAYS, 9 & 11am & THURSDAYS, 6:30pm - The Center for Spiritual Awareness will host meditation in the Kriya yoga tradition for spiritual and personal growth. By donation. Info and location: www.csa-asheville. org or 490-1136.

Pranayama Breathing • SA (12/10), 2-4pm - “Just Breathe with Lillah” promotes stress relief through Pranayama breathing exercises. Held at Lighten Up Yoga, 60 Biltmore Ave. $25. Info and registration: www.lightenupyoga.com or 254-7756.

Sound Healing Circle • MONDAYS, 7-8:30pm “Come and receive if you are feeling lowly and in need of support or come and share healing light if your bliss cup runneth over.” Bring bowls, bells, rattles, didge, etc.

Held at 41 Carolina Lane.

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 5

consciousparty

fun fundraisers

What: A raffle and wine tasting to benefit MANNA FoodBank.

Where: Studio 375 Depot, 375 Depot St. in the River Arts District.

When: Saturday, Dec. 10 from 4-7 p.m. $5 raffle ticket.

Additional tickets available with nonperishable food donation. (studio375depot.com or 707-4553) Why: The holiday season often revolves around food. A plump turkey, succulent ham or tofu creation can bring people together to celebrate the season. But not every member of the community is able to enjoy a holiday feast. Food scarcity is a serious problem for many Asheville residents. This season and throughout the year, MANNA FoodBank provides nutritious meals to those in need. This weekend there will be yet another opportunity to help. Friends, neighbors and art-lovers will come together to give the gift of food at Studio 375 Depot’s raffle and wine tasting to benefit MANNA. Studio 375 Depot, a former meat-packaging plant, is now home to potters, framers, chair caners and other artists who are committed to the Asheville community. On Saturday, Dec. 10, Studio 375 Depot will open its doors to anyone who loves art, giving back and supporting people in need of a wholesome meal. Artists and businesses have donated paintings, jewelry, T-shirts and note cards to be placed in raffle gift baskets. The Wine Studio of Asheville will be pouring four wines and The Colorful Palate Catering will offer a variety of snacks.

If your holiday table is laden with treats, this is the perfect opportunity to share your bounty. Enjoy a festive wine tasting and throw your ticket in the raffle jar to help all Asheville residents enjoy a full plate this season. Photo courtesy of MANNA FoodBank.

benefitscalendar calEndaR FoR dEcEmbER 7 - 15, 2011 Chanukah Judaica/Gift Shop • Congregation Beth Israel Asheville (pd.) Expands it’s Judaica/Gift Shop from November 21 through Chanukah (December 28) by occupying a Micro Cottage generously donated by Compact Cottages Company, which will be located outside the Synagogue.

Choose from a wide selection of traditional Judaica items and Chanukah gifts for the entire family. • Visit us Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11am-3pm and Sundays 9:30am-1:30pm. 229 Murdock Avenue. (704) 773-3901. mandlnewman@yahoo.com Asheville Affiliates Fundraisers This group of young professionals holds fundraisers for nonprofits in Buncombe County with food, beer, wine and raffles. $25/$30 at the door. Info: www.affiliatesofasheville. com.

• TH (12/8), 5:30-8:30pm - “Ashvegas Saloon” will benefit the Asheville Area Arts Council. Held at Asheville Music Hall, 31 Patton Ave. Benefit for Billy Constable • SU (12/11), 6pm - A benefit concert for banjo player Billy Constable, who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor, will feature Big Daddy Bluegrass Band, Asheville Blue Grass, Jason Burleson and the Blue Grass Buddies and Nikki Talley. Held at the Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. $10 donation. Info: www.thegreyeagle.com or 232-5800.

Bernard’s Birthday Benefit • WE (12/7), 6-8pm - “In support of the organization that brought this awesome hound into our lives 4 years ago,” The Altamont Brewing Company, 1042 Haywood Road, will

host a benefit for the Avery County Humane Society with a raffle, doggie photo booth, toy drive and adoptable dogs.

Info: http://on.fb.me/uKCp2U or www.averyhumane.org.

Christmas Tree Sale for Charity • Through SA (12/24) - The Artisan Gourmet Market will host a Christmas tree sale to benefit Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries, Camp Lakey Gap, Swannanoa Valley Museum and others. Held at 2 East Market St., Black Mountain. Mon.-Thurs. 3-7pm; Fri.-Sat. noon-7pm; Sun. 10am-2pm. Info: 357-5500.

Food Drive, Wine Tasting and Raffle • SA (12/10), 4-7pm - Studio 375 Depot, 375 Depot St., River Arts District, will host a raffle and wine tasting to benefit Manna FoodBank. $5 or 3 food items for Manna, includes a raffle ticket, wine tasting from The Wine Studio and treats from Colorful Palate Catering. Info: studio375depot.com.

Hometown Holiday Jam • TH (12/8), 8pm - Local musicians, including Mike Barnes, Sons of Ralph, The Nova Echo, Marc Keller and Rory Kelly’s Triple Threat, will perform to benefit Mission Children’s Hospital and MANNA FoodBank. Held at the Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave. $10, plus one can of nonperishable food. Info: theorangepeel.net or 225-5851.

MANNA Food Drive • Through SA (12/10), 11am-5pm - Fresh Produce Sporswear, 18 Lodge St. in Biltmore Village, will host a food drive to benefit MANNA FoodBank. Donors receive $1 store credit for each food item donated (up to $20).

Mercy Day

6 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

• TH (12/8), 11am-10pm - Longhorn Steakhouse will donate 10 percent of its proceeds to Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care. Held at 3 Restaurant Court. Info: 225-2838.

Shawls for Sharing • Through TU (1/31) - Traditions Acupuncture Foundation will sell pashmina shawls at Chinese Acupuncture Clinic, 369 Montford Ave., and Village Antiques, 755 Biltmore Ave., to raise funds for alternative care for the medically underserved in Asheville area. $30 with a $24 tax-deductible receipt. Info: www.traditionsacupuncturefoundation.org.

The Hop Ice cream, concerts and community events. 640 Merrimon Ave., Suite 103, unless otherwise noted. www.thehopicecreamcafe.com or 254-2224.

• TU (12/13), 5-8pm - Jarrett Rutland will display his art to benefit ALIVE’s program to provide art supplies for students in need. 50 percent of ice cream sales will benefit ALIVE. Tryon Fine Arts Center’s Christmas Fundraiser • FR (12/9), 6:30pm - An annual Christmas fundraiser will benefit the Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon.

Info: www.tryonarts.org.

moRE bEnEFIts EvEnts onlInE

Check out the Benefits Calendar online at www.mountainx. com/events for info on events happening after December 15.

calEndaR dEadlInE

The deadline for free and paid listings is 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, one week prior to publication.

Questions? Call (828)251-1333, ext. 365

By donation. Info: 310-7459150.

Unity Center Events Located at 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road, Mills River.

Info: www.unitync.net, 6843798 or 891-8700.

• WE (12/7), 7-9pm “Quantum Touch: The Power to Heal,” an introduction to the healing technique quantum touch. Info: 891-3255.

• SU (12/11), 1pm - Youth of Unity Spaghetti Lunch will feature musical entertainment. $10-$7.

• WE (12/14), 7pm “Godseed: The Journey of Christ,” an “experimental” journey into the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Donations encouraged.

Unity Church of Asheville Located at 130 Shelburne Road. Info: www.unityofasheville.com or 252-5010.

• TUESDAYS, 2-4pm - A Search For God A.R.E. Study Group.

• SUNDAYS, 11am Spiritual celebration service —- 12:30-2pm - A Course in Miracles study group.

Vipassana Meditation • WE (12/14), 7-9pm - A documentary and Q&A session about Vipassana meditation will be held at the West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road. Free. Info: www.patapa.dhamma.org.

Wiccan Open Court • FRIDAYS, 7-9pm - Open Court meets weekly in Marshall for potluck, Wiccan principals and elements, meditations, hand crafting and occasional ceremonies.

Provided by Highland Wild Coven. Info and location: shinemoon76@yahoo.com.

Yoga of Awakening • MONDAYS, 7-9pm “Awaken to profound peace.

Practice technologies to free the body and mind of stress and tension. Begin your adventure of awakening.” Fees by donation; no one will be turned away.

Info and directions: www. thepeoplesashram.org or madhyanandi@gmail.com.

Young Adult Friends Worship Group • SATURDAYS, 4-6:30pm - This small Quaker group for young adults meets upstairs at Asheville Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road.

Singing and silence will be followed by a potluck. For Quakers, quasi-Quakers and anyone who is interested.

Info: biercewilson@gmail. com.

Zen Center of Asheville • WEDNESDAYS, 7-8:30pm - Zazen and dharma talks will be offered at 12 Van Ruck Court. Enter at back deck.

Info: www.zcasheville.org or 398-4212.

Spoken & Written Word Story Workshop “Hearing the Call: Claiming Your Story” (pd.) Accomplished music therapist, Courtney Smith joins nationally acclaimed storyteller, Connie ReganBlake for a workshop on story, myth and journey, downtown Asheville December 9-10. All are welcomed. Register online www.storywindow.com 828258-1113.

Attention WNC Mystery Writers • TU (12/8), 6-9pm - The WNC Mysterians Critique Group will meet at Atlanta Bread Company, 633 Merrimon Ave # A. For serious mystery/suspense/thriller writers. Info: www.wncmysterians.org or 712-5570.

Buncombe County Public Libraries LIBRARY ABBREVIATIONS Each Library event is marked by the following location abbreviations:  FV = Fairview Library (1 Taylor Road, 250-6484)  LE = Leicester Library (1561 Alexander Road, 2506480)  SW = Swannanoa Library (101 West Charleston Street, 250-6486)  WV = Weaverville Library (41 N. Main Street, 2506482)  Library storyline: 250KIDS. • WE (12/7), 3pm - Book club: The Lord of Misrule by Jaimy Gordon. WV —- 57pm - Knitting group. SW • TU (12/13), 1pm - Book club: A Christmas Memory

by Truman Capote. LE • TH (12/15), 7pm - Book club: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. FV City Lights Bookstore Located at 3 E. Jackson St., Sylva. Info: more@citylightsnc.com or 586-9499.

• TH (12/15), 10:30am “Coffee with the Poet.”

Events at Malaprop’s The bookstore and cafe at 55 Haywood St. hosts visiting authors for talks and book signings. Info: www.malaprops.com or 254-6734.

• WE (12/7), 5:30pm - Book club recommendations and wine reception with Penguin sales representative Dave Kliegman. —- 7pm - Hillary Jordan will read from her new book When She Woke.

—- 8pm - Book club: Mudbound by Hillary Jordan.

• FR (12/9), 4-6pm - Julia Taylor Ebel will read from

her new collection of poetry Mama’s Wreaths.

• SA (12/10), noon-2pm - Laurie Bakke will sign copies of her cookbook Laurie Bakke’s Cookbook.

• MO (12/12), 5:30pm - Actors from the North Carolina Stage Company will perform a dramatic reading.

• TH (12/15), 7pm - Stitchn-Bitch.

Mary J. Messer • SA (12/10), 11am-2pm - Mary J. Messer will read from her memoir Moonshiner’s Daughter at Penland and Sons Department Store, 50 South Main St., Marshall. Info: www.moonshinersdaughter. com.

Mountain Writers Meeting • 2nd TUESDAYS, 1pm - Mountain Writers will meet at Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St. Info: www. mountainwritersnc.com or 235-2003.

Writers Guild of WNC • 2nd THURSDAYS, 1:303:30pm - The Writers Guild of WNC will meet at the Fletcher Public Library, 120 Library Road, Hendersonville.

Info: WritersGuildWNC@ gmail.com or 296-9983.

Sports Cyclists (pd.) Ride lightly. Reduce friction. Eliminate excess tension and pressure in neck, shoulders, back, hips. Get faster. Alexander Technique teaches the difference eliminating unnecessary effort can make. (828) 225-3786.

FormFitnessFunction.com Hot Chocolate 10K Training Program! (pd.) 6 weeks. Personalized coached workouts every Wednesday at 6pm and Saturday at 9am. All levels.

Carrier Park and UNC-A. $60. (828) 225-3786.

FormFitnessFunction.com Winter Group Runs (pd.) Experienced coach leads training runs throughout the winter. Stay in shape all winter long! Weaver Park and other locations. $65 per 6 weeks. Sundays, 9:30am. (828) 225-3786.

FormFitnessFunction.com Cardio Dance Fusion • MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS, 6:30-7:30pm - A Cardio Dance Fusion class will be offered at the Waynesville Recreation Center, 550 Vance St. No classes during the holidays. $7/free for members. Info: recprograms@townofwaynesville.org or 456-2030.

Gentle Yoga • FRIDAYS through (12/9), 9-10am - Explore the subtle-

ties of a yoga practice with focus on stretch, breath and balance in this six-week series at Happy Body, 1378 Hendersonville Road. $10.

Info: www.ashevillehappybody.com or 277-5741.

Jus’ Running Weekly coach-led runs.

Meet at 523 Merrimon Ave., unless otherwise noted. Info: www.jusrunning.com.

• MONDAYS, 6pm - Fivemile group run, 10-11 minutes per mile.

•TUESDAYS, 6:30pm - Run from the store to the UNCA track for a maggot track workout. There will also be a post-workout get together at a local restaurant.

•WEDNESDAYS, 6:30pm - Eight-mile group run.

•THURSDAYS, 6pm - 8-mile run from Jus’ Running store.

New Balance Girls on the Run 5K • SA (12/10), 11am - The Girls on the Run program will culminate with a 5K, hoolahooping and choreographed warm-up exercises. $15 for Running Buddies and Community Runners. Held on the UNCA campus. Info: www.gotrwnc.org.

Pickleball • MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS, 9-11am - Pickleball is like playing ping pong on a tennis court.

Groups meet weekly at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 G.W. Carver St. For all ages/levels. $1 per session. Info: stephenslee@ ashevillenc.gov or 350-2058.

Spin Class • TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS, 5:30-6:30pm - A spin class will be offered at Waynesville Recreation Center, 550 Vance St. Daily admission charge/free for members. Info: recaquatics@townofwaynesville.org or 456-2030.

Step Aerobics Class • TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 5:30-6:30pm - Enhance cardio, strength and flexibility at this step aerobics, weights and stretch class. Meets at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 G.W. Carver St. Open to all levels.

Free. Info: stephenslee@ ashevillenc.gov or 350-2058.

calEndaR dEadlInE The deadline for free and paid listings is 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, one week prior to publication.

Questions? Call (828)2511333, ext. 365

newsoftheweird Lead story An October BBC News report wondered whether Moammar Gadhafi was the last of the “buffoon dictators.” Besides his now-famous, dirty-old-man scrapbook of Condoleezza Rice photos, the reporter wrote, “One day [Gadhafi] was a Motown vocalist with wet-look permed hair and tight pants. The next, a white-suited comicoperetta Latin American admiral, dripping with braid.” Nonetheless, Gadhafi had competition: An October report in the journal Foreign Policy cited a $1.4 million collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia owned by the son of Equatorial Guinea’s dictator. And North Korea’s Kim Jong Il owns videos of almost every game Michael Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls.

Leading economic indicators • In March, William Ernst, 57, who owns the QC Mart chain of Iowa convenience stores, announced a companywide employee contest to guess the next worker Ernst will fire for breaking rules (prize: $10). “Once we fire the person, we will open all the envelopes, award the prize and start the contest again,” said Ernst, adding, “And no fair picking Mike Miller from [the Rockingham Road store]. He was fired at around 11:30 a.m. today for wearing a hat and talking on his cell phone. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!” (After firing a cashier who’d complained about Ernst’s attitude, he challenged the woman’s unemployment-compensation claim; in October, a judge ruled in her favor.)

• In November, Christie’s auction house in New York City racked up a record sales price for a photograph: $4.3 million for German artist Andreas Gursky’s 1999 scenic view of the Rhine River. (It might have been cheaper to simply buy the waterfront property from which Gursky photographed — and thus enjoy the actual view every day.)

• Manulife Financial Corp., a Canadian

firm, had a very bad year. But if the company had been anywhere in the United States, it would have been flush. Under Canada’s hard-nosed accounting rules, Manulife posted a $1.28 billion loss last year. Under U.S. accounting rules, the company says it would have shown a $2.2 billion profit and an additional $16 billion in shareholder value.

• Following October arrests by Nigeria’s Abuja Environmental Protection Board, authorities learned that local prostitutes earn premium fees selling their customers’ semen to “juju priests,” who use it as “medicines” in rituals.

Police found inventories of condoms with the necks tied.

Wait . . . what?

In an October story on an ill-fated Continental Airlines flight during which all the restrooms in coach were broken, the Minneapolis Star Tribune quoted Robert Brubaker of the American Restroom Association, who called it a “bad situation that hasn’t been addressed.”

The ARA was described as “a Baltimore-based advocacy group for toilet users.”

Our animal overlords • In August, an Oxford University researcher reported on the African crested rat, which chews the A. schimperi plant and slathers the resulting poison onto an absorbent strip of fur on its back to deter predators. The researcher observed a dog quivering in fear after just one failed mouthful of the rat’s fur. African tribesmen use the goo on their hunting arrows.

• Researching the Itty-Bitty: In October, Popular Science named Rockefeller University research-

readdaily Read News of the Weird daily with Chuck Shepherd at www. weirduniverse.net. Send items to weirdnews@earthlink.net or PO Box 18737, Tampa FL 33679

er Gaby Maimon one of its “Brilliant 10” for 2011. Immobilizing fruit flies’ brains in saline, Maimon outfitted their tiny neurons with even tinier electrodes, to track which neurons were firing when. He believes the work can help treat human autism and attention-deficit disorder.

• Oh dear! (1) An October Associated Press dispatch warned of “Caribbean crazy ants” invading five Southern states by the millions. And because their death signals their pals to mount revenge attacks, up to 10 times as many might replace any population killed. Said a Texas exterminator, “In 30 days I had 2 inches of dead ants covering an entire half-acre,” and still they kept coming, crawling across the carcasses. Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi are currently the most vulnerable. (2) In October biologists found a “cyclops” fetus with a single centered eye inside a pregnant dusky shark off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Cutting-edge science Japan’s Showa University School of Dentistry trains students using life-sized synthetic “patients” made by Orient Industry, which also produces sex dolls.

The school recently upgraded to silicone dolls with human-feel skin; individuals pay up to $9,000 for custom-ordered young women for “companionship.” According to a July CNN report, the Showa version utters typical patient phrases, sneezes and (when trainees mishandle tools) gags.

Creme de la weird Police in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, arrested prominent historian Anatoly Moskvin, 45, in November after finding the mummified corpses of 29 women (outfitted in dresses and headscarves) in his home, plus assorted plastic dolls in frilly dresses.

Moskvin, an expert on local cemeteries, is suspected of digging up the bodies during solitary forays through the region’s hundreds of graveyards.

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mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 9

edgymama

parenting from the edge by Anne fitten Glenn

The Tree House, a kid-centric Asheville biz Asheville has been a great place to raise my kids (who are only partially raised at this point). Other folks seem to feel the same — and in fact, one mom decided not just to move here to raise her babes, but to start a kid-centric Asheville business.

The Tree House, whose tag line is “A Café at Play,” will open its doors next week in The Shoppes at Beaver Lake shopping strip near the North Asheville Library.

The business’ mission is “to provide families with a safe and engaging place to learn together.”

The centerpiece of The Tree House will be, you guessed it, a huge indoor tree house for kids to play on.

“It can be tricky to find a place indoors, especially during the winters here, where kids can get their energy out,” says owner Tanya Jennings.

The business is targeted for kids aged 0 to 8 years old, Jennings adds. In addition to the tree house, visitors can expect classes for children and parents, as well as a cafe featuring food from Artisan Deli next door, coffee and free wi-fi. There are several play areas, including a block center, a book-reading center, a dress-up area, and a “protected” baby play area.

Drop-in or free play will cost $7 for unlimited

more Anne Fitten “Edgy Mama” Glenn writes about a number of subjects, including parenting, at www.edgymama.com.

play. It will run you $5 for each additional kid per family, although infants under the age of 1 are free.

Classes will cost $80 per month (called a membership by Jennings) and will be for newborns to 5year-olds and their parents. Membership includes free play on the day of the class. Three- month and one-year memberships at reduced rates are also available. And there are special sibling deals on the classes. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

Classes will include age-appropriate art classes taught by the Tree House’s child art specialist.

Other classes, including music and dramatic play, will be announced. Jennings notes that she’s a former school teacher and a certified Montessori educator, so lots of the activities and classes will be Montessori-inspired. Certified teachers will teach all classes.

“We’re excited to be opening in north Asheville, which is already a family-oriented area,” Jennings says. She notes the proximity of the library and other kid-friendly businesses such as Asheville Pizza Company, The Hop Ice Cream Shop and Urban Burrito. Jennings purchased all the toys for The Tree House from local businesses, including The Toy Box and Dancing Bear Toys.

It’s important to recognize that The Tree House is not a day care — nor can you drop your kids off for classes. You must be there with your kids. But here’s hoping you check your email and drink a cuppa while the little ones work out some energy.

For more information, see ashevilletreehouse. com.

A café at play: The new kid-centric business features a huge indoor tree house for kids to play on, along with classes, games, books, a block center and more. Photo by Anne Fitten Glenn.

parentingcalendar calEndaR FoR dEcEmbER 7 - 15, 2011 Affordable Family Fun! • Sweet Tee Mini Golf (pd.) Biltmore Square Mall. Free Toddler Play Area, Free Events Weekly, Game Area. • Like Us on Facebook get event updates. • Booking parties now! www.

SweetTeeMiniGolf.com Events at Pardee Hospital All programs held at the Pardee Health Education Center in the Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville. Free, but registration is required unless otherwise noted. Info and registration: www.pardeehospital.org or 692-4600.

• TH (12/8), 6:30-9pm - Childbirth classes will focus on birthing options, breathing patterns and comfort.

• TH (12/15), 6:30-8pm - “The Art of Breastfeeding.”

—- 6:30-8pm - “Daddy Duty” for expectant fathers.

Film Screening: Fatherless • TU (12/13), 7pm - 40 percent of American children will sleep tonight in a home where their fathers don’t

Kitchen Ugly? Don’t replace... REFACE! 1 New look for about /3 the cost of new cabinets Paul Caron • The Furniture Magician • 828.669.4625 0 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

live. Explore the impact during a screening of the documentary Fatherless at Mountain Java, 901 Smokey Park Highway. Info: tharkey@charter.net.

Free iPad Academy • A free iPad academy will be offered for children under 5. iPads provided for class. Info, date and directions to downtown location: prekipads@me.com.

moRE PaREntIng EvEnts onlInE

Check out the Parenting Calendar online at www.mountainx.com/events for info on events happening after December 15.

calEndaR dEadlInE

The deadline for free and paid listings is 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, one week prior to publication.

Questions? Call (828)251-1333, ext. 365

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011

wellness Big fish story

WCU programs help kids with autism

by Jill ingram On a clear, cool mid-November afternoon, a small-scale fishing derby was under way along Cullowhee Creek on the Western Carolina University campus.

Working with WCU recreational-therapy students shawn Chapman and Megan Hunt, three boys took turns fly-fishing for trout in the creek’s quick, shallow waters as moms, dads, siblings and friends offered encouragement from the grassy banks.

“Oh, I hope they catch one,” fretted dana Frady, whose son dillon, 12, is a sixth-grader at Cullowhee Valley School.

“That one’s going to get bit there: Get ready,” urged Alex Bell, a professional fishing guide from Sylva who offered humor and encouragement with every cast. The fish that wriggled free he termed LDRs: “long-distance releases.”

Many boys welcome a chance to fish, but for these three — Austin Coburn, 14, an eighth-grader at the School of Alternatives; Isaac Ralston, 10, a fourth-grader at Cullowhee Valley School; and

it’s a catch: Professional fishing guide Alex Bell, left, helps Austin Coburn, 14, pull a brook trout out of Cullowhee Creek, while WCU recreational therapy student Megan Hunt, center, assists. Photo by Ashley Evans.

Frady — the opportunity was especially sweet.

All three boys are on the autism spectrum, and recreational activities specifically adapted to their abilities are few. Austin, the son of Jane and Andy Coburn, was so excited he’d had trouble concentrating at school that day.

Autism affects the normal development of the brain in regard to social interaction, communication skills and cognitive function, according to the National Autism Association. Individuals with autism can show marked differences — thus, they’re “on the autism spectrum” — but they typically have difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication, social interactions and leisure activities. The disorder affects one in 150 people in the U.S. and is diagnosed four times more often in boys than in girls, the association reports.

Chapman and Hunt organized the fly-fishing event as a project for a methods class taught

by Jennifer Hinton, an associate professor of recreational therapy at Western. Bell, a retired Smoky Mountain High School principal who owns AB’s Fly Fishing Guide Service, served as Chapman and Hunt’s coach on the project, working with them throughout the semester. Through the nonprofit Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute, Bell teaches the techniques and also trains instructors.

Although there’s limited research on therapeutic fly-fishing, says Hinton, the WCU students theorized that it would benefit children on the autism spectrum physically, psychologically and

DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

socially.

The fly-fishing event was adapted to the children’s abilities. When teaching them to cast, for example, the instructors asked the kids to aim for Hula-Hoops on the ground rather than envisioning numbers on an imaginary clock face. “It was amazing the difference once we put down a visual cue: It improved their focus so much,” notes Bell. Either Chapman or Hunt stood with each boy as he fished, helping him with the casting motion.

Access for all In honor of the event, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission staff stocked that section of Cullowhee Creek with about 40 brook trout from the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery in Pisgah Forest. “We’re here to provide angling opportunities for various people, and we were proud to step up and make that happen,” Fish Production Supervisor david deaton explains. The agency’s primary goal, he notes, is making hunting, fishing, boating and other wildlife-related activities accessible to all state residents. On this day, each child caught at least one fish, and both the boys and their families were thrilled.

Isaac Ralston was still talking about it a week later, his mother reports. “He’s looked forward to fly-fishing since we moved here,” notes Kathy Ralston, who relocated to Jackson County from Kansas City, Mo., with her husband and their four children in August of 2010. Isaac, their oldest

“It really takes the right coach to reach out and help them become involved.”

— parent Kathy ralston

child, has always participated in group activities such as county-league soccer. And though it’s been uncomfortable (emotionally and physically) for her son at times, Ralston firmly believes it’s helped him socially. But participation has gotten more difficult as Isaac has grown older and the physical and emotional disparities between him and his peers have become more pronounced. “It really takes the right coach to reach out and help them become involved,” she explains. Ralston and other parents say they’d like to see more recreational opportunities for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Isaac regularly participates in two such activities on the WCU campus. One of them, a socialskills group for adolescents, is a collaborative effort involving speech-language pathology and recreational-therapy faculty and students. Started by clinical faculty member Julie Ogletree, the free program, which meets weekly on campus, typically attracts about six children ages 9 to 15.

Hinton, who helps run the group, envisions it moving to a clinical space in the new Health and Human Sciences Building next fall.

The other program, a startup, is run by Dragonfly Forest, a nonprofit that gives kids with autism and other medical needs a chance to have fun and simply be children in a safe, caring environment. Structured in small groups to help them “access the fun,” the weekly Dragonfly program meets on campus and has about five participants ages 8 to 13 (children ages 7 to 17 are welcome).

Seven WCU students in psychology, recreational therapy and education staff the program, serving as administrators and planning activities such as scavenger hunts and kickball.

There’s a fee to participate, but scholarships are available, and no child has ever been turned away, notes program director sylvia van Meerten. Although Dragonfly Forest is based in Pennsylvania, van Meerten, who has a decade of experience in the autism field, lives in Asheville and has also launched programs at UNCA and Appalachian State. Two six-week sessions are planned for this spring, and she expects attendance to grow.

“It’s so fun to do,” says van Meerten, who believes such activities enhance the quality of life for children on the autism spectrum. “A lot of the parents say it’s such a pleasure for them to drop off their children at a place where they want to go.” X Former Xpress reporter Jill Ingram is a writer and editor in the WCU Office of Publications.

To learn more about WCU’s recreational-therapy program, contact Jennifer Hinton at 828-227-2715 or jlhinton@wcu.edu. For more on Dragonfly Forest, contact Sylvia van Meerten at 828-458-0313 or sylvia@empowerautism.com.

ALL LOCALLY GROWN!

Eating Right for Good Health presented by

Christmas Trees $19.99 and Up

Poinsettias Wreaths Garland Gift Certificates

Leah McGrath, RD, LDN Corporate Dietitian, Ingles Markets

What to expect in 2012…

1. Go Greek (Yogurt ) – With it’s higher amount of protein and creamy texture it appeals to many, so it will supplant conventional yogurts even more. (Note: Ingles introduced our Laura Lynn Greek yogurt in late summer and it has gotten rave reviews!)

2. So sorry SODIUM – Government, health care, and most of all consumer pressure on manufacturers to decrease sodium amounts has gained momentum and we’ll continue to see more reduced and low sodium items.

3. Coupon CHAOS – While economic conditions spurred an increase in coupon use, television shows took it to the extreme. Using coupons as part of smart money saving shopping techniques will continue.

4. GOOD for you Gluten-Free – For many years individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance were happy to have ANY pasta/bread/cereal that was gluten free. Now with more products and availability, consumers demand that these items be better nutritionally and priced reasonably.

5. Abundant Waters - The next time you’re in Ingles take a look at the WATER aisle. Besides spring water, there are a multitude of flavored and enhanced waters promising everything from increasing your alertness to protecting your immune system.

6. Dehydrated Fruits/vegetables - More dehydrated fruits and vegetables are available in the PRODUCE department. From dehydrated strawberries, perfect for quick energy to pack in a lunch or a back pack for camping; to dehydrated vegetables and mushrooms that can quickly enhance a soup or stew.

7. Social Media - More and more brands will reach out to consumers via social media (Facebook and Twitter) in addition to advertising in traditional media (TV, radio and print). Using QR codes, Twitter parties and their own Facebook pages they will seek to attract and engage new customers.

8. Home Cooking - Economic pressures continue to drive people to prepare and eat more meals at home.

9. Mini Sweets - From mini containers of ice cream and single servings of mini eclairs and cake “pops” to individual slices of pie, the concept of treating yourself(at least on a small scale) is back.

10. More Flex(itarians) - While vegetarianism remains popular for a variety of reasons, more will seek out meal options that provide them with the opportunity to be “flexitarians”-part-time vegetarians- to address health or budgetary concerns.

11. As easy as PIE - Foodies and pastry chefs predict that the cupcake is out and pie is “in”.

12. Local - Supporting local , not just in fruits and vegetables but also milk, meat, cheese and baked goods.

Leah McGrath: Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/InglesDietitian Work: 800-334-4936

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wellnesscalendar calEndaR FoR dEcEmbER 7 - 15, 2011

Wellness Are You Trying To Force Yourself To Change? (pd.) Emotional Brain Training (EBT) is a structured program that addresses the Emotional Root Cause of using Food, Alcohol/Drugs, Overspending, Overworking to feel pleasure, numb out, and/or comfort and soothe ourselves.

• Create a healthy lifestyle that promotes self compassion, brain health and grounded joy. Call 231-2107 or empowering.solutions@yahoo.com or visit website: www.ebt.org Park Ridge Health (pd.) Health Screenings with the Park Ridge Health WOW Van: Free Cholesterol Screenings Lipid and glucose profiles by finger stick, along with blood pressure and body mass index screening. For best results, fast overnight.

Saturday, December 10, Dollar Tree 8-11 a.m., 50 Highland Square Drive, Hendersonville Tuesday, December 13, First Congregational Church 8-11 a.m., 1735 Fifth Ave. West, Hendersonville. Free Vision Screening for Adults and Children Vision Screenings are for nearsightedness, far-sightedness, color acuity and macular degeneration.

Wednesday, December 14, Opportunity House 9– Noon, 1411 Asheville Hwy., Hendersonville. Free Support Groups Alzheimer’s Association’s Henderson County Caregivers’ Support Group Tuesday, December 13 (10 a.m.) Carolina Baptist Association Office 601 Hebron Rd., Hendersonville Support group offered to those providing care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementia conditions. Care for persons with dementia is available for those who can function in a social setting without their caregiver for over an hour. Call Sally Griffin at 828.808.8635. Henderson County Stroke/Aphasia Support Group Thursday, December 15 (3 p.m.) Park Ridge Home Health office 895 Howard Gap Rd., Fletcher. Support group offered to stroke survivors coping with an aphasia disorder and for other individuals diagnosed with aphasia. Caregivers, family, and friends are encouraged to participate as well. Please call Brenda Oakley at 828.687.5261. Upcoming Classes and Events For pre-registrations, please call 855-PRH-LIFE “Full Plate Lifestyle” Class Series Fridays, January 6 - February 24, noon – 1 p.m., Free In the Duke Room at Park Ridge Health. The “Full Plate Diet” is a weight loss program developed by leading healthcare professionals and behavioral specialists through the Lifestyle Center of America®. We have renamed it the “Full Plate Lifestyle”. We understand that diets usually work for most people, but they tend to be a quick-fix that is short sighted and focused on a number on the scale. We also understand the word lifestyle invites real change. This is not about how many pounds you lose. It is about the good habits you create, which in turn result in weight loss and decreases in hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Pre-registration is required by January 2, 2012.

Smoking Cessation Course Mondays, January 9 - February 20 and Wednesday January 25 (extra day for Quit Week) from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Free Held in the Wellness Department on the Park Ridge Health Campus. This smoking cessation series is designed by the American Lung Association (ALA) and administered by Park Ridge Health Wellness Certified Instructors. This course is considered the gold standard for smoking cessation. Seven week program with a total of eight sessions (one week has two sessions). Each session lasts approximately one-and-a-half hours. Pre-registration is required by January 2, 2012. Physician Seminar: “Touch Points: Addressing Challenging Behaviors in Children” Monday, January 23, 6 to 8 p.m., Free Held at The Health Adventure in Biltmore Square Mall. Join Dr. Charlotte Riddle with Park Ridge Pediatrics for a special session for parents.

Kids will have the opportunity to take part in a special activity while you learn. Refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is required by January 18, 2012. Wellness Seminar: “Stress Management” Wednesday, February 1, Noon – 1 p.m. Free Held in the Duke Room at Park Ridge Health Lane Godsey, Ph.D., Park Ridge Medical Associates. As January comes to a close, people tend to report feeling stressed and unhappy as the holidays are over, the accompanying

bills are showing up, and winter has settled in. Dr. Godsey will share strategies for dealing with stress for a healthier, happier you. No lunch will be served, feel free to bring your lunch from the café and learn while you eat. Pre-registration is required by January 25, 2012, by calling 855-PRH-LIFE. The REAL Center (pd.) Offers life-changing skills including Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Radical Honesty, and Somatic Awareness. Learn to stay centered in any situation, be flexible without being submissive, and more. $120/8-session class in Asheville with Steve Torma, 828-254-5613. http:// www.theREALcenter.org Adrenal Fatigue Seminar • TH (12/8), 6pm - Shertech Pharmacy, 1642 Hendersonville Road, will host an adrenal fatigue seminar.

Free, but registration required. Info: 236-1097.

Building Better Balance Screnning • WE (12/14), 4-8pm -Tthe WNC Fall Prevention Coalition will offer free balance screenings at the First Baptist Church of Asheville’s Sherman Room, 5 Oak St. Screenings will take 10 minutes and include a list of community resources.

Info: http://bit.ly/hHGg58.

Chiropractic Screenings • WE (12/14), 9am-noon - Free spinal screenings by Fairview Chiropractic Center will be offered at Curves Fitness Center, 1334-A Charlotte Highway, Fairview.

Complete in-office visits will be available for a $20 donation to the Fairview Food Bank. Info: www.fairviewchiropracticcenter.com.

Events at Pardee Hospital All programs held at the Pardee Health Education Center in the Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville. Free, but registration is required unless otherwise noted. Info and registration: www.pardeehospital.org or 692-4600.

• MONDAYS & THURSDAYS, 9:30am & WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS, 3pm - Flu vaccine. $25. Registration not required.

• Free blood pressure screenings will be offered throughout the week. Call for times. Appointment not required.

• TH (12/8), 1:30-2:30pm - An information session about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. —- 3-4:30pm - Help For Shoulder Pain. —- 8-10am - Glucose screening.

Fasting required. $4.

• TU (12/13), 9-11am - Free vision screening. Bring prescription glasses.

• TUESDAYS, 5:30-6:30pm - TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly weight-loss support group. Registration not required.

• FR (12/9), 1pm & TU (12/13), 6pm - A respite for caregivers will include refreshments, a free gift and tips for enjoying the holidays.

• WE (12/14), noon-1pm - A presentation on cervical disc arthroplasty.

Herbs During Cancer Treatment • MO (12/12), 5:30-7:30pm - Cheri Wagner, a medical herbologist, will present the benefits of herbs during and after cancer treatment. Class will include food with made with herbs for good health. Held at 131 McDowell St., Suite 202. Info: 252-8558.

Kidney, Bladder and Adrenal Health • WE (12/7), 7-9pm - A presentation on kidney, bladder and adrenal health will be offered at the Jewish Community Center, 236 Charlotte St. $10. Info: www.jcc-asheville.org or 253-0701.

Nutrition 101 • MONDAYS, 5:15-6:15pm - This weekly course covers the fundamentals of nutrition. Topics include eating healthy on a budget, smart food choices wherever you are and what the food industry is not telling you. Held at Blitmore Premier Fitness, 711 Biltmore Ave. $7. Info: www.purelivingstrengthandnutrition.com or 617-407-5261.

Weight Management Non-Surgical Info Session • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 11am-noon & 3rd THURSDAYS, 6:45-7:45pm - A non-surgical info session will be held at Mission Weight Management Center, 2 Medical Park Drive,

wellnesscontinued Suite 102. Info: www.missionmd.org/weightmanagement or 213-4100.

Support Groups Adult Children Of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families ACOA is an anonymous 12-step, “Twelve Tradition” program for women and men who grew up in alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional homes. Info: www.adultchildren.org.

• FRIDAYS, 7pm - “Inner Child” meets at Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave. Info: 989-8075.

• SUNDAYS, 3pm - “Living in the Solution” meets at The Servanthood House, 156 E. Chestnut St. Open big book study. Info: 989-8075.

• MONDAYS, 7pm - “Generations” meets at First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak St. Info: 474-5120.

Al-Anon Al-Anon is a support group for the family and friends of alcoholics. More than 33 groups are available in the WNC area. Info: www.wnc-alanon.org or 800-2861326.

• WEDNESDAYS, 5:45pm - An Al-Anon meeting for women will be held at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 798 Merrimon Ave. at Gracelyn Road.

Newcomers welcome.

• WEDNESDAYS, 7pm - Al-Anon meeting at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 798 Merrimon Ave. at Gracelyn Road. Newcomers welcome.

• THURSDAYS, 7pm - “Parents of Children with Alcoholism,” West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Road.

• FRIDAYS, 12:30pm - “Keeping the Focus,” First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St. —- 8pm - “Lambda,” Cathedral of All Souls, 9 Swan St. • SATURDAYS, 10am - “Grace Fireside,” Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave. —- 10am - “Saturday Serenity,” St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Charlotte Street at Macon Avenue. —- noon - “Courage to Change,” Bess Sprinkle Memorial Library, Weaverville.

• SUNDAYS, 5pm - Al-Anon and Alateen, West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Road.

• MONDAYS, noon - “Keeping the Focus,” First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St. —- 6pm - “Attitude of Gratitude,” Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave. —- 7pm Meeting at First Christian Church, 201 Blue Ridge Road, Black Mountain.

• TUESDAYS, 9:45am - “Serenity Through Courage and Wisdom,” St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 109 Crescent Hill, Arden. —- 5:30pm - “Steps to Recovery,” Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, 123 Kenilworth Road.

—- 7pm - “One Day at a Time,” First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak St. Autism Parent Support Group • 4th THURSDAYS, 6-8pm - Meet other parents of children with autism, share your experiences and learn from others. RSVP by 3rd Thursday to ensure childcare. Held at St. Gerard House, 718 Oakland St., Hendersonville.

Info: http://stgerardhouse.com.

Co-Dependents Anonymous A fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships.

• SATURDAYS, 11am - Meeting at First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak St. Info: 779-2317 or 299-1666.

Debters and Underearners Anonymous • MONDAYS, 7pm - The local chapter of Debtors Anonymous, a 12-step program, meets at Biltmore United Methodist Church, 376 Hendersonville Road.

Underearners Anonymous meets at 8pm. Info: www. debtorsanonymous.org, underearnersanonymous.org or 704-299-8909.

Eating Disorder Family Support Group • 2nd SATURDAYS, 10-11:30am - A support group for family members of individuals struggling with eating disorders will be held at T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating, 297 Haywood St. Info: 337 4685.

Events at Pardee Hospital All programs held at the Pardee Health Education Center in the Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville. Free, but registration is required unless otherwise noted. Info and registration: www. pardeehospital.org or 692-4600.

• WEDNESDAYS, noon-1:30pm & 5:30-7pm - Vet Center Out Station, a support group for veterans. Registration not required.

• WE (12/7), 10-11:30am - Diabetes support group.

Registration not required.

• TH (12/8), 5-6:30pm - NAMI adult support group for adults and families dealing with mental illness.

• SA (12/10), 10:30am-12:30pm - A support group for those struggling with macrogloubulinemia, a rare b-cell lymphoma.

Info: 692-1114.

• MONDAYS, 2-3pm - “It Works,” a 12-step program for individuals struggling to overcome food addiction. Registration not required. Info: 489-7259.

• MO (12/12), 2-3pm - Fibromyalgia support group.

• TH (12/15), 1pm - Us Too, a support group for men with prostate cancer and their significant others, will meet at Bay Breeze Restaurant, 1830 Asheville Highway.

• TH (12/15), 5:30-7:30pm - Breast Friends Forever, a support group for breast cancer survivors. Registration suggested: 698-7334.

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous • THURSDAYS, 6:30pm - Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous will meet at Biltmore United Methodist Church, 376 Hendersonville Road, Asheville. Info: 989-3227.

Grief Support Groups • CarePartners’ bereavement support services are available to anyone who has suffered a loss through death. Weekly grief support groups, a relaxation group, a Grief Choir, Yoga for Grievers and one-on-one counseling available. Donations accepted. Info: kcaldwell@carepartners.org or 251-0126.

Magnetic Minds • WEDNESDAYS, 7pm-9pm - A meeting of Magnetic Minds, the local chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, provides support, information and advocacy for those with mood disorders. Friends and family welcome. Held at 1314F Patton Ave. Info: 318-9179.

Marshall Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting • FRIDAYS, 8pm - AA meeting at Marshall Presbyterian Church, 165 South Main St. Info: soletpj@gmail.com.

Mission Weight Management Surgical Support Group • 1st & 3rd WEDNESDAYS, 6-7:30pm & 4th FRIDAYS, 1011:30am - Weight Management Surgical Support Group will meet at Mission Weight Management Center, 2 Medical Park Drive, Suite 102. Info: www.missionmd.org/weightmanagement or 828-213-4100.

Overcomers Recovery Support Group A Christian-based, 12-step recovery program. Provides a spiritual plan of recovery for people struggling with life-controlling problems. Meetings are held at S.O.S. Anglican Mission, 370 N. Louisiana Ave., Suite C-1. All are welcome. Info: rchovey@sos. spc-asheville.org or 575-2003.

• MONDAYS, 6pm - A support group for men.

• TUESDAYS, 7pm - A support group for women.

Overeaters Anonymous A fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating.

This 12-step program welcomes everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. Meetings are one hour unless otherwise noted.

• THURSDAYS, noon - Asheville: Biltmore United Methodist Church, 376 Hendersonville Road (S. 25 at Yorkshire). Info: 298-1899.

Pet Loss and Grief Support Group

• 2nd SUNDAYS, 3-5pm - A pet loss and grief support group welcomes those coping with the loss of a pet through death or divorce. Held at American Red Cross, 100 Edgewood Road.

Info: tosetti.cappy@gmail.com or 707-7203.

Sexaholics Anonymous • DAILY - A 12-step fellowship of men and women recovering from compulsive patterns of lust, romance, destructive relationships, sexual thoughts or sexual behavior. Daily Asheville meetings. Call confidential voicemail 237-1332 or e-mail saasheville@gmail.com. Info: www.orgsites.com/nc/saasheville SLAA (Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous) • SATURDAYS, 10-11am - Do you want to stop living out a destructive pattern of sex and love addiction over which you are personally powerless? This 12-step-based recovery program meets at 20 Oak St. Info: www.slaafws.org or ashevilleslaa@ gmail.com.

Thursday Women’s Al-Anon • THURSDAYS, 6pm - Held at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3020 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville. Newcomers welcome.

WNC Brain Tumor Support Welcomes family as well as the newly diagnosed and longerterm survivors. Info: www.wncbraintumor.org or 691-2559.

• 3rd THURSDAYS, 6:15-8pm - WNC Brain Tumor Support Group will meet at MAHEC Biltmore Campus, 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville.

moRE WEllnEss EvEnts onlInE

Check out the Wellness Calendar online at www.mountainx. com/events for info on events happening after December 15.

calEndaR dEadlInE

The deadline for free and paid listings is 5 p.m. WEDNESDAY, one week prior to publication.

Questions? Call (828)251-1333, ext. 365

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 5

Thank you for voting us one of “Asheville’s Best New Restaurants”

food

the main dish

They’ve got the golden ticket Mo der n Am er i ca n i n D own tow n Ashev i l l e

French Broad Chocolate Factory rises on the fringe of downtown

Breakfast beginning at 9:30 am, lunch and dinner Closed Mondays

6 8 N o r t h L ex i n g to n Ave n u e

828.285.8828 Sunday - Thursday 5 pm until Friday - Saturday 3 pm until

Classic & Contemporary Cocktails Sumptuous Small Plates Rooftop Seating SPECIALS

Sunday: $4 Champagne Monday: $4 Well Drinks Tuesday: $4 Well Drinks Wednesday: $6 Call Bourbon & Scotch Thursday: $5 Martinis

29 Broadway Street Downtown Asheville, NC

ashevillesazerac.com

by Mackensy lunsford Dan Rattigan gently places a chocolate bar on the table, followed by a handful of beans. The bar is wrapped in shiny, food-grade foil, and it glints like the prized golden ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

In this case, the prize is the chocolate, and this is no standard bar. For one, it was manufactured at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge, the combination chocolate-making business and café in downtown Asheville that Rattigan owns with his wife, Jael. Also, this bar was made from scratch by a method that only a few chocolatiers use. The Rattigans started with whole cacao beans, roasted them, then cracked their husks open to reveal seeds that, when fractured, are known as chocolate nibs, an edible byproduct sometimes used as a dessert garnish.

In bean-to-bar chocolate making, as this laborintensive process is known, the nibs are further ground into paste, which industry standard dictates should be refined until smooth. Chocolate artisans may decide to allow the consistency to remain grainy if the cacao expresses itself better that way. The paste is then mixed with whichever ingredients are to be added (sugar, for example) and pressed into shape.

The chocolate Dan has placed on the table is part of a batch of thin, uniform bars, with each tiny rectangular portion etched precisely with the French Broad Chocolate logo and a tiny cacao pod.

The Pure Nacional beans from which this chocolate bar is made look mottled and much less edible in their unrefined state. These are some of the rarest and most treasured cacao

6 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

A hill of beans: Jael and Dan Rattigan, with factory manager Crawford Rizor, get their fingers into the cacao beans. Bar none: The French Broad Chocolate Factory will turn out single-origin bars like this one at left, which was made using Peruvian beans so rare they were thought to be extinct. Photos by Bill Rhodes. beans on the planet, says Dan. “We’re one of the first chocolate makers in the United States to have the opportunity to play with these cacao beans and make them, bean-to-bar, into chocolate,” he says, before snapping off a piece of the finished product and passing it across the table.

An American named Dan Pearson and his stepson discovered the cacao plants that eventually became this chocolate in a river canyon in northern Peru. The men, no chocolatiers, were working to supply local mining companies with food and gear and had no idea what the strange plants with their football-shaped pods were.

But locals identified the cacao as something special, and Pearson sent samples to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was determined that the plants were of a treasured variety, previously thought to have gone extinct after a disease systematically destroyed all known cultivated varieties in the 1600s. The plants were, in short, a once-in-a-lifetime find.

“And it also happens to be of superior quality. Of course, a lot of that has to do with postharvest practices,” Dan says, letting the finished product melt on his tongue. It’s incredibly rich and smooth in texture because of its high cocoabutter content, with a deep, dark flavor and very little bitterness. The chance to taste such highquality chocolate like this is rare, and the beans tell a story well beyond the bar.

“We try to take great pride in the products we

produce and we want to know the story behind them and we want to share that story,” says Dan. “We want to be the resident experts on this product,” he says. And the world of cacao, with all of its history and mystique, is about to become a bit more accessible in WNC.

Solar chocolate To widen the scope of what they can do with chocolate (and widen their market, too) the Rattigans are constructing a full-fledged beanto-bar chocolate factory on Buxton Avenue, on the edge of downtown Asheville. Though the factory will be decidedly short on OompaLoompas, it will boast its own share of magic.

The 4,000-square-foot facility will include a 200-square-foot rooftop bean-production deck, the centerpiece of which will be a solar roaster, a complex machine that Dan (who seems to be a rather composed mad scientist of chocolate) is building in the couple’s basement. “What I’m building is a parabolic-trough solar-concentrating roaster,” says Dan in his own manner of explaining things.

The prototype model he’s working on, he says, will follow the sun’s movement from the roof, which gets full southern exposure. Backup convection roasters will wait on standby for cloudy days. “But this will make us really unique,” says Jael. Grant money will help them install solar hot-water heaters and other technol-

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 7

Lunch Buffet 7 Days A Week

80 S. Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC (Across from Best Buy)

828-298-5001 • www.indiagardenonline.com

ogy to offset the factory’s energy use.

“We’re creating a new business that has the potential for great energy consumption, so we want to be responsible with how we design it from the get-go,” Dan says. “We plan to be here for a long time to come and we’re trying to invest in our future, and we want to push the envelope with sustainability.”

A far away taste The Rattigans have refined whole cacao beans into chocolate for a little more than a year now, though they were making chocolate truffles and desserts long before that. In 2004, they opened Bread and Chocolate, a tiny café and bakery on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica surrounded by palms, and equipped with a small apartment where Jael gave birth to the first of the couple’s two sons.

In 2008, after opening the Chocolate Lounge, they began incorporating whole beans into their sipping chocolates, unique drinks with historic roots like the spiced bitter-chocolate xocolatl, an Aztec word meaning “bitter water.”

The first bar of pure Ecuadorian chocolate was placed for sale on the Chocolate Lounge’s shelves back in June, “without any fanfare,” says Dan. “They came and went rather quickly.”

This spring, when the factory opens, the couple will start the process of producing chocolate, which they’ll sell here and across the country in the form of chocolate bars and slabs. The singleorigin bars the Rattigans make articulate a sense of place, a distinct terroir, something people are more likely to mull over with good wine.

Even though artisan chocolate is having its moment in the sun, people don’t often chew over the details of its flavor notes and origin, although that sort of deep attention and appreciation is on the rise. “It seems like chocolate is going through a revolution, kind of like coffee, beer and cheese have before it, where artisan processing and sourcing are becoming more valued,” Jael agrees.

Being the bean But how to articulate the story of the bean?

The conversation often starts when people ask about the price tags on the artisan chocolate bars, higher than your average Hershey’s.

“To tell the story is not something we’ve fully figured out, but we can be passionate about our sourcing because we’re getting to know it on an intimate level,” says Dan. When the Rattigans embark on cacao-sourcing missions, they practically become the bean, as when they visited Peru this summer, where cacao is replacing coca leaves as the cash crop.

“It was really poignant to be driving down this winding mountain pass in the back of a pathetic excuse for a taxi, going way too fast, nearly going over the cliff many times and thinking, ‘Oh my god, this is the route that our cacao would be taking if we were to buy cacao down in the bottom of this canyon, in the rainforest areas where it’s grown,’” says Dan. He’s every bit the picture of romantic, wayfaring chocolatier, thinking of his beans instead of the very real possibility of ending up in a twisted wreck at the bottom of a canyon, his life in the hands of a coca-leaf chewing cab driver.

“This is the route that truck would drive,” Dan marvels. “Over this winding pass, over the Andes, down the other side, and all the way out to the coast to get on a ship and go all the way past Ecuador, through the Panama Canal, into the Caribbean and then up and around to probably a port in New York, and then back in a truck down to us — it’s such an intense, amazing journey. It passes through so many hands.

There’s a story to be told there. Just to call it ‘Peruvian chocolate’ does not do it justice.”

“The bars that we are making are $5, $6, $12 sometimes, and this is why,” says Jael. “Because we’re going there and sourcing meticulously.

A lot of times, to explain the price is where this conversation starts.”

Building a better bar The Rattigan’s attention to detail is as notable as their chocolate, which is one reason for their success. The couple painstakingly measured, tested and sampled until they found the perfect thickness and ideal weight for the bars that they’re making, as well as the right depth and perfect angle of the “snapping channels,” the grooves where the squares of chocolate are broken off. This seemingly inconsequential detail ensures that each chocolate piece can be snapped off of the bar in clean fashion, with no jagged edges. “When you break the bar, you end up with the perfect rectangle, the perfect sample size that fits in your mouth nicely,” says Dan. But why put all of this effort into perfection?

Why build a chocolate factory when the French Broad Chocolate Lounge was so immediately popular that the fire marshals were routinely

8 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

irked by the size of the crowds, necessitating expansion into two upper floors to increase seating capacity? Even after the massive building project is over, the factory, with its detailoriented production, won’t make life easier.

Many chocolatiers simply order paste to make chocolate, and technically inferior products like Hershey’s remain top sellers.

“That’s not our M.O.,” says Jael. “We do things the hard way. If we were to sum it up in one word, our main motivation is ‘integrity.’”

Integrity is what makes the couple meticulously source everything as locally as possible.

“Any herbs or fruit that we can source from local farmers, we’re buying it,” Jael says. “We’ve searched long and wide for our dairy, which is organic and grass-fed.” The sorghum molasses in the caramels, for example, comes from Marshall, where it’s cut from cane and pressed using old-fashioned horsepower. “We feel really good about more and more of our ingredients.

Chocolate was an exception,” she says.

“It was the enormous elephant in the room,” adds Dan. “We did source as carefully as we could, buying chocolate as an ingredient, but we felt like the step that was missing was for us to take control of that process and source the cacao and do it ourselves.

Building a bean-to-bar chocolate factory is a leap of faith, but one one of practicality, too. “It’s hard to say where faith comes from,” says Dan. “It is faith, but it’s also pencil and paper and a calculator.”

The factory’s success is possible as long as the French Broad Chocolate Lounge remains busy.

The Rattigans already have a wholesale client for quality bean-to-bar chocolate in themselves, in the cakes, truffles and other desserts the lounge sells. “We know that we can use 10,000 pounds of chocolate a year without ever selling a single bar, wholesale or retail,” says Jael.

But first on the agenda, she says, is to create the line of chocolate bars and establish wholesale relationships and eventually begin shipping across the country to boutique chocolate shops.

And the Asheville stamp is increasingly becoming a stamp of quality, Jael says. “Asheville is definitely getting a reputation for being an artisan-food capital, so when we send our bars out across the nation, that’s going to be part of the messaging — it’s made here in Asheville. That’s part of its identity,” Jael says.

Besides being a source for quality chocolate, the factory will also serve as a classroom where the story of cacao can be told, a place where the French Broad Chocolate Lounge (for all of its charms) leaves off, says Dan. “We can dedicate space in our tasting area to document, through photos and words, the process that goes into making chocolate. We want to develop it as something that can help tell that story and you can leave with a broader scope of knowledge about how chocolate’s made.”

The French Broad Chocolate factory will open on Buxton Avenue in late spring. For more information about French Broad Chocolates, visit frenchbroadchocolates.com. X Mackensy Lunsford can be reached at food@ mountainx.com.

What’s on your

“A-list,” Asheville?

When you look back on 2011,

what stands out?

It’s not about what was the best or the worst, ---------but what was memorable.--------Who are your 10 local people of the year? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

What five ways did you witness the community rally together? ???????????????????????????????????????????????

What six events made you proud to live in WNC? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

What four events made you regret that you live here? ???????????????????????????????????????????????

( ) ----------------------------------------And think beyond the “tops”: six plAces thAt sell Velcro shoes; three tAll buildings where you cAn sneAk in to wAtch the sunset; three top-secret pArking spAces.

The list of possible lists could go on until 2013!

Before that, we want to know what made your 2011 a-list -------(yes, that stands for Asheville).-------

Go to mountainx.com/alist for some guidelines, examples and to make your own. We’ll make our own A-list of our favorite entries and publish them Dec. 28 in our end-of-the-year issue (hint: it’s all about lists). You’ll also get a special prize if your list is published.

-------------- to summarize, here’s a list: --------------

Go to mountainx.com/alist

Make a list

Pick uP our Dec. 28 issue to see if your list maDe the list

Get a special prize from Mountain Xpress

-----------------------------------------mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 9

Cinnamon Kitchen

smallbites

by mackensy lunsford send food news to food@mountainx.com

5 Years Running!

Lunch

2011

Every Day 11-4 Dinner Sun-Thurs 4-9:30 Fri & Sat 4-10 828.575.2100 ckcuisine.com 1838 Hendersonville Rd • Suite 103 In Gerber Village

mr. clean: Sean McNeal checks out one of the brand-new washing machines at The Bar of Soap, the new bar and laundromat now open on Merrimon Avenue. Photo by Bill Rhodes.

the Bar of soap is open The Bar of Soap Laundromat and bar holds its grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 10. Sean McNeal’s new business on Merrimon Avenue (in a shopping plaza where various bagel shops and mineral galleries have previously been located) includes all manner of ways to while away the time while taking advantage of the laundry facilities, from drinking local beer and wine to playing video games to reading used books. What more do you really need?

“If you think of something, let me know,” says McNeal. “I can add it.”

The grand opening festivities for The Bar of Soap start at 8 a.m. and last until midnight, with music by Andrew Fletcher, free use of the laundry machines as well as raffles that include a year’s worth of laundry machine use.

Food will be available, including baked goods from Annie’s Naturally Bakery and sandwiches from the Lowdown Food Truck. Five taps will offer mostly local beers, as well as locally brewed kombucha.

“It’s going to be a great place for people to come hang out,” says McNeal, who adds that feedback from neighbors and UNCA students has been positive.

“Everybody’s pretty excited over there.”

The Bar of Soap is located at 333 Merrimon Ave. and will be open from 8 a.m. until midnight, seven days a week. For more information, check out the bar’s Facebook page.

0 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

you can now get a fish taco with baja sauce and shredded napa, or an Ashley Farms duck breast taco.

Wallace was the executive chef of Mr. Friendly’s in Columbia, S.C., a destination for casual but updated Southern cuisine, before he joined the line at the Admiral. Perhaps influenced by the late-night menu there, Wallace has added a very good, perfectly messy bahn mi-style hoagie with a choice of either HNG pork belly or Smiling Hara tempeh with spicy aioli, shaved jalapeño and carrot, cucumber, daikon and cilantro. That, served with herb-roasted potatoes, costs $7.

While it’s not mind-blowing stuff, it’s a solidly good upgrade from the menu before, without costing any extra money. As Wallace aptly puts it, “It’s simple food that’s good to eat, whether you are or aren’t drunk.”

The Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge is located at 7 Rankin Ave. For more information, visit rankinvault.com.

Serving Traditional Mexican Fare

B;JÊI IF;D: J?C; JE=;J>;H J>?I >EB?:7O Bahn voyage: Scott Wallace with his awesomely good Vietnamese hoagie, made with Hickory Nut Gap pork belly. Photo by Bill Rhodes.

Warm up or Cool down during your holiday shopping

rankin vault ranks a bit higher on the food front

Sip on special Holiday Cocktails or share our Giant Margarita for two!!

Scott Wallace is starting a mini-food revolution in the Rankin Vault’s very lightly equipped kitchen, and he’s building it tortilla by tortilla.

The Vault, with its serviceable $2 tacos, has stepped it up a notch or two, and the still-low prices are beginning to look more of a bargain.

Patrons of the Vault may remember that the tacos used to necessitate either lightning-speed eating or a sloppy-looking palm-to-mouth shoveling maneuver to help keep the inevitable mess to a minimum.

Under Wallace’s direction, the kitchen’s now getting tortillas from Mr. Suave, a Patton Avenue business that sells them fresh by the kilo, and toasting them crisp to keep the taco meltdown at bay. Pork and chicken tacos are still available, but the meat has been upgraded to Hickory Nut Gap pork belly and free range chicken from Ashley Farms — and still cost $2. For a buck more,

Savor all our fresh made to order Mexican dishes like taquitos, enchiladas, fajitas and tacos or Bite into our Angus beef burgers, sliders or spicy black bean veggie burger!

All you can eat wings on game days!!

>7FFO >EB?:7OI M[ \eYki ed \eeZ m^_b[ oek ^Wl[ \kd Wed. - Fri. Open at 4 • Sat. & Sun. at 11

4 College Street • 828.232.0809

jWbb]Whoi$Yec

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 41

fresh, since 1994!

Òask somebody where it isÓ MOJITO MONDAY! $5.00 fresh, hand muddled mojitos all day!

TEQUILA TUESDAY!

Lunch: M-Sat: 11:30-4, Sun: 12-4 Dinner: Sun-Thur: 5-9:30 Fri & Sat: 5-10

$5.00 house margaritas!

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Grove Arcade • 828-350-1332 chorizo.com

828.252.9805 www.salsasnc.com FREE Bean Dip & Chips

FREE Salsa Bar

give it the boot: The winner of the National Gingerbread Competition at the Grove Park Inn. Photo by Halima Flynt.

gingerbread competition is in full swing at the grove Park inn There’s still time to catch the National Gingerbread House Competition and display at the Grove Park Inn. The competition, in its 19th year, includes entries from across the U.S.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a joyous Holiday Season!

Hendersonville Rd.

(828) 651-4462

100 Merrimon Ave.

(828) 225-4600

42 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

The display is open to the public through Jan. 1, 2012, Sundays through Thursdays only. Free. (Weekends are given over to hotel guests only.)

“Stories of Gingerbread” guided tours (hourlong, behind-the-scenes views of gingerbread house-construction techniques), are also available Wednesdays through Sundays at 9 a.m. and at 3 p.m. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 12 and under. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling 800-438-5800.

For more information, visit groveparkinn.com/Leisure.

Joint NC State Engineering Programs at UNC Asheville

for a B.S. Engineering Degree

unca.edu/engineering • 828-251-6640

sophisticated scratch-made food from the earth

love

&

magic

•

smoke

&

fire

D NE D OW E Y AT LL ER CA OP LO &

Th e in Ha th pp e ie Un s iv t P er la se ce

165 merrimon avenue | 828.258.7500 | www.plantisfood.com

2011 Asheville Wing War 1st Place People’s Choice for Specialty Wings SUN: $3 Well Hi-Balls MON: $5 Pain Killers TUES: $2.50 Drafts & Highballs All Day Long

WED: $4 Letter J Liquors THUR: $3 Micro & Import Bottles FRI: $5 Jager Bombs SAT: $5 Tiki Bombs

NEW HAPPY HOUR MENU $5 AND UNDER 4-7PM EVERY DAY

LATE NIGHT KITCHEN

87 Patton Ave. 828-255-TIKI Intuitive Healing with Lisa Stendig Lisa reads bodies, to guide people into the parts inside that they’ve disconnected from

Biscuit in a box: Tupelo Honey offers a stellar array of goods for the foodlover on your list this year. Photo courtesy of Tupelo Honey.

discover what is hidden in your unconscious and how, specifically, it is affecting what is happening in your body and in your life

More gifts for the foodie

if you’ve been looking for an answer to an issue, this session will reveal to you your answer

Our holiday guide runneth over, so we thought we’d continue to shoot you gift ideas for the food lover on your list until the holidays are over.

T-shirts, caps, oven mitts and aprons are also available, plus coffee, pottery, cookware and cookbooks, too. We’re rather impressed by how many things Tupelo Honey has branded and made available for sale. Knowing the joint when it was just a wee café, it’s hard not to feel a little proud.

Visit the Tupelo Honey website to see the full array of goods available, and note that items can be bundled into gift boxes (the full list of boxes can be seen at shop.tupelohoneycafe.com/collections/holiday-gift-bundles) and shipped anywhere your loved ones (who love all things Southern) may be.

for 15 years Lisa Stendig has had a private practice for Intuitive Healing in NYC

Inner Body Yoga with Lisa Stendig

•

Tupelo Honey’s getting into the spirit of the season, too, with an impressive selection of goods for fans of the restaurant, including tote bags, an assortment of jams, biscuit mix, barbecue sauce, chow-chow, vinaigrettes — practically anything that you can preserve in a jar or bottle and carry out of the restaurant.

based on the teachings of Angela Farmer Mondays @ 5:30-6:45pm and Saturdays @ 9-10:15am

for more information, call

$15 per class -- discount packages available

or visit

(the carriage house behind the Kenilworth Inn Apartments)

•

private instruction also available

828-505-2856

lisastendig.com

60 Caledonia Road #B

Lisa Stendig is an Inner Body Yoga and Embodiment instructor who has been working with yoga legend, Angela Farmer, for almost 20 years.

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 43

brewsnews

Serving Mouth Watering Lunch & Dinner

LIVE MARIACHI BAND Lunch & Dinner Mon. - Sun. 11am - 10pm 104 7 Haywoo d Ro a d • We s t A s h e v ille

255-5148

Kathmandu Cafe THE BEST INDIAN & NEPALI CUISINE IN ASHEVILLE NO MSG, VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS

90 PATTON AVE

828 252 1080

kathmanducafeasheville.com

by anne fitten glenn

KnoW your locAl BreWers

cHecKing in WiTH Bill DreW of crAggie BreWing Ever wondered who exactly is behind those local brews you’re sipping? We have. So we decided it would be fun to run a series of interviews with the brew masters behind Western North Carolina’s beers. Look for more in upcoming installments of Brews News.

First up is Bill Drew, owner and brew master at Craggie Brewing Company (craggiebrewingco.com).

He says his unofficial title (and his email address) is “Malt Alchemist.”

The brewery just celebrated two years in business. Drew is known for his unique session beers — from the Antebellum Ale, with its gingerand spruce tips, to the fiery Bourbon Chipotle Porter.

Xpress: How did you get where you are now?

Drew: I got interested in beer and the mechanics of brewing while I was in college at Elon University. Then, studying abroad opened my eyes to the European beer culture, and my fascination turned into a passion. I have been commercially brewing since 1997. I have worked in breweries, run beer festivals and even written an article or two about beer. I spent eight years at Highland Brewing and one year at Dogwood Brewing in Atlanta.

For the past four years, I have been the owner and brew master of Craggie Brewing Company.

How did you first get into brewing?

A friend of my father’s was an investor in the now defunct Blue Rooster Brewpub (open for a year in 1997-98 next to Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria).

Highland was brewing their beers, so I went down to apply. They weren’t hiring, but they said I could apprentice to see if it was something I really wanted to do. I was hired two months later.

When did you drink your first beer and what was it?

My dad was a Budweiser man, so I’m sure that was my first beer as a kid. The beer I drank while studying abroad was the Australian brew, Castlemaine XXXX Lager.

When was your craft-beer epiphany, and which beer were you drinking?

Dixie’s Blackened Voodoo Lager is what made me want to explore

44 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

The Malt Alchemist: Bill Drew, owner and brew master at Craggie Brewing, recently celebrated the brewery’s two-year anniversary. He says his unofficial title is Malt Alchemist. Photo by Anne Fitten Glenn. the world culture of brewing beer.

Drinking a 10 percent ABV Guinness Foreign Extra Stout at the Kulminator in Antwerp, Belgium, made me proud to be a craft brewer. And drinking Lowenbrau at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany made me want to open my own brewery sooner rather than later.

What’s the biggest brewing snafu you’ve experienced?

What are the top three favorite beers you’ve brewed in the past year and why?

What do you like to do when you’re not brewing?

Burning Barrel Bourbon Chipotle Porter because it was a collaboration between myself and my brewer (head brewer D.J. McCready). It was a learning experience for him and a great beer for Craggie’s lineup. Brewer’s Sake because it was an evolutionary step in my education into fermented beverages. Coconut Brown (coconut and cocoa nibs in a brown ale) because this is the beer we chose to brew from Just Economics’ home brew competition and it really fits Craggie’s brewing philosophy.

What’s a style of beer you haven’t brewed that you’d like to try brewing?

At some point, I would like to try and brew a black lager like Dixie’s and an old ale like Theakston’s Old Peculier.

We were brewing a batch of Swannanoa Sunset and the grain bill was a little off. It came out darker than usual. Instead of dumping it, we called it Toubab Brewe. And the rest is history!

I was an avid gardener before my daughter was born. I enjoy the Zen-like feeling of tilling the soil, growing and pruning, and mulching. Now when I am not preaching the Craggie gospel at beer festivals or potential accounts, I spend all my free time with my daughter creating wonderful memories and learning experiences. if you were a style of beer, which style would you be and why?

I think most brewers answering this question would pick something Belgian. Our life experiences are the ingredients that make up who we are.

Those ingredients help us to become stronger, to mellow us out over time, and to guarantee a good time where ever we are. We are so multifaceted and complex that you need more than one of us to get the job done.

sMAll siPs The N.C. General Assembly recently approved a bill that paves the way for sierra nevada and new Belgium Brewing to open East Coast breweries and distribution centers in Western North Carolina. The beer portion of the bill allows breweries to sell their own products on-site (a number of small breweries already do this through a special permit). Thus, the big boys and girls could easily open beer-y gift shops at their breweries if they chose to do so. The bill only needs Gov. Beverly Perdue’s signature to become law.

Highland Brewing says there’s even more Cold Mountain Ale coming.

There have been rumblings from locals and some local retailers who’ve had difficulty finding the beloved holiday brew. Cold Mountain is distributed locally via Skyland Distributing — no word on when or where it will be sold.

Watch the #avlbeer hashtag on Twitter for up to the minuteCold Mountain sightings.

In an inspired local collaboration, Pisgah Brewing and french Broad chocolate lounge have created truffles featuring French Broad Chocolate’s own bean-to-bar dark milk chocolate made with organic, grass-fed dairy and Pisgah’s Valdez Coffee Stout (the coffee was roasted by Asheville Coffee Roasters). The truffle will debut on Thursday, Dec. 15, at FBCL. nantahala Brewing company’s co-founders and brewers Chris and Cristina Collier have left the business, for soon-to-be-announced “bigger and better things,” says Chris. The Colliers sold their interest in NBC to Joe Rowland and Ken Smith, who founded the Bryson City brewery with them in March 2010. New NBC brewer Greg Geiger hails from Florida and has more than 19 years of brewing experience, says Rowland. NBC’s beers, and especially the IPA, have gained a loyal following among WNC beer drinkers.

What question would you like to ask other brewers?

If you weren’t brewing beer, what could you see yourself doing careerwise? My answer would be: “Going into sustainable farming with heirloom varieties of plants and animals or archeology.”

Thanks, Bill Drew, for the beer. Try his beers at Craggie Brewing’s Public House at 197 Hilliard Ave., and on draft around town. X Send your Brews News to Anne Fitten Glenn at brewgasmavl@gmail.com

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soMeTHing so eXTreMely PosiTive ABouT iT BAcKsTAge, onsTAge AnD offsTAge, WArren HAynes’ XMAs JAM Brings THe gooD viBes

by Joseph chapman “There’s something special about the music that’s made when people know they’re doing it for charity and not getting paid,” says Warren Haynes, longtime guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band, cofounder of Gov’t Mule, and the man behind the Christmas Jam. “It’s hard to explain, but it’s something that I feel very adamant about.”

Imagine this: you’re Steve Miller, one of the headliners for last year’s Christmas Jam, getting ready to prove your legitimacy at the Orange Peel pre-jam to a crowd that might think you’re washed up. Backstage, you meet someone you haven’t seen in 30 years — Gregg Allman — and after briefly reminiscing, you invite Allman to an impromptu dress rehearsal in front of a packed house with Ivan Neville on keys. When you get to the stage and your part comes, it’s not exactly just another night on the road.

23rD AnnuAl cHrisTMAs JAM AsHeville civic cenTer sATurDAy, DeceMBer 10 (solD ouT)

“Being in the midst of that event, it’s the coolest, most feel-good backstage vibe among artists I’ve ever seen,” says Hayne’s wife, Stefani Scamardo, who runs Hard Head Management, producers of the Christmas Jam. “There is something just so extremely positive about it — the eagerness, the willingness the friendship is so overthe-top and you definitely feel it on stage. That’s why I think some of the jams at the Christmas Jam are some of the most special.”

Sure, subtle nuances in solos and blues- and jazz-influenced improvisations are exposed every night, and at every venue a musician plays. But the atmosphere of the Christmas Jam, with musicians donating their time Jam for a cause: Guitar hero Warren Haynes has been giving back to his hometown for more than 20 years now. Photo by Stewart O’Shields.

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to a community-driven cause among new friends and new songs, is what put Asheville on the music map.

When Haynes first started the Jam as a small-scale local reunion show in 1989, Asheville didn’t have many venues to support nationally touring acts. As the event grew — from a few hundred at 45 Cherry, to 800 at Be Here Now, to 2,400 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium — so did Asheville’s music community. Now the Jam sells out the 7,000-plus Asheville Civic Center every year.

Brush with kindness While Haynes believes that Asheville’s rise to musical prominence is multifaceted, he says the Christmas Jam has unintentionally grown to be a vital part of the regional music draw.

“As far as the musical community, I think it’s been a part of the whole movement of turning Asheville into what it’s become — the bohemian art mecca of the South,” Haynes says.

An amazing feeling: “I felt like I had won the lottery,” says Michelle Bevans, who will be working with Haynes and Habitat volunteers to build a house for her family.

Photo by Bill Rhodes.

Beyond the impact of hosting a nationally renowned annual music festival in downtown, the event’s sole beneficiary for 11 years, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, has seen immense growth in its efforts to build homes for the needy.

“I’m a big fan of Jimmy Carter and the work he’s done since he left the White House,” Haynes says, referring to the more than 20 years President Carter has spent volunteering and hosting annual “blitz builds” with Habitat for Humanity. “One of the things I love about Habitat is that you see where the money’s going — we physically see the houses that we’re building,” Haynes says. “With a lot of charities,

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you just have to wonder how much of the money is trickling down to the actual cause, and Habitat is not that way.”

Since the Christmas Jam started benefiting Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity in 1999, Haynes and company have raised $950,000.

“Strictly from a financial standpoint, it’s our largest annual house sponsorship,” says Ariane Kjellquist, communications director for Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. “It’s a significant source of revenue for our organization — it helps build homes. One to two houses a year are built with the proceeds from the Christmas Jam.” For funds raised from businesses, organizations and communities, a typical house sponsorship is $55,000, according to Kjellquist.

The Christmas Jam’s contribution translates to 17 houses in Buncombe County.

The satellite gallery hosts the Christmas Jam art show, full of photos and posters. Above, Greg Allman, left, and Warren Haynes.

Photo by Stewart O’Shields.

HoW To JAM During THe DAy So maybe you didn’t buy tickets in time — you can still participate in some Jam events by day. In town for the weekend? Check out the Jam extras.

christmas Jam art show The Christmas Jam art show will once again be at The satellite gallery (55 Broadway St.) and will feature photos and art from Stewart O’Shields, Dino Perrucci, Allison Murphy, David Oppenheimer, Gary Houston, Steve Johannsen, Jeff Wood and more. The gallery will be open all weekend, with an opening reception from 4 to 7 p.m. on friday, Dec. 9. There will be Christmas Jam Ale, courtesy of the Asheville Brewing Company.

Kevn Kinney’s All-star Acoustic Jam

The $100,000 raised from last year’s Jam is being used to do more than just build homes. Last June, Habitat began a new initiative to assist lowto moderate-income residents with home repairs. A Brush With Kindness, or the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, aims to complete 22 homeimprovement projects by the end of next June, and represents an extension of services made available by funds from Haynes’ Christmas Jam, Kjellquist says.

“A lot of people still think of Habitat as a home-building program. Which it is, we’re building affordable housing, that hasn’t gone away, we’re still doing that. But we’ve added a new program so that we can help serve more families in the community,” Kjellquist says. “Not everyone needs a new home, and there are a lot of

scHeDule Asheville Music Hall (31 Patton Ave.) Doors at noon.

On friday, Dec. 9 and saturday, Dec. 10, Kevn Kinney returns to the The LAB (Lexington Avenue Brewery, 39 N. Lexington Ave.) hosting his Acoustic Christmas Jam from noon to 5 p.m.

Jackie greene & friends: 2 p.m.

friday features: Kevn Kinney, Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, Granpappy, Nova Echo, The XLs, Ray Sisk, American Babies and Tall Tall Trees.

American Babies: 4 p.m.

saturday features: Kevn Kinney, Edwin McCain, Velvet Truckstop, Ray Sisk, Thomas Wynn and the Believers, Jabe and Keith Gattis.

Tall Tall Trees: 1 p.m. nova echo: 3 p.m.

emerald lounge

(112 N. Lexington Ave.) Doors at noon.

emerald lounge and Asheville Music Hall

Jeff santiago: 1 p.m.

On saturday, Dec. 10, the music continues at The Emerald Lounge and the brand new Asheville Music Hall. Tickets available in advance through christmas Jam Ticketing (xmasjam.tickets.musictoday.com) for $10 (free for VIP ticket holders, as space permits).

The Xl’s: 2 p.m. leroy Justice: 3 p.m. velvet Truckstop: 4 p.m.

people that need help repairing the home they already own.”

As the volunteer services manager, Laura Ivey is responsible for “recruiting, retaining and appreciating” the approximately 1,700 volunteers that will contribute 55,000 hours to various efforts of the nonprofit.

To try reach out to a new audience of volunteers, and provide fans flying into town early an opportunity to connect in a more meaningful way with Haynes’ vision, Ivey and Habitat started the Lend a Hand program, a week-long house-building effort that culminates in a wall-raising ceremony with Haynes and the house recipient.

“I think that people love Warren Haynes’ music and they’re here to ... come together for the Jam,” Ivey says.

“I think people appreciate the cause and I think people understand that it’s bigger than just a concert — that this is something that’s truly going to change the life of a community member. Since Warren Haynes is behind it, they’re saying, ‘You know what, we’re also behind it. We’re going to come out and do what we can do to see someone’s life changed.’”

The Lend a Hand program, and the chance to meet the people who benefit from the Christmas Jam’s, provides Haynes with tangible proof that his efforts are working. “It’s very humbling you know,” Haynes says.

“It allows me to kind of see in an upclose-and-personal way how important the work we are doing is. When you start connecting faces to the situation and meeting families, it’s a very emotional thing. But I think it’s made me realize even more that what we’re doing is paying off and we need to work even harder to make it better and better.”

Scamardo first recognized that she and Haynes had accomplished their goals after Haynes’ first meeting with new Habitat homeowners.

“To me, that was a really exciting moment,” Scamardo says. “You really were taking the whole process full circle. We had fans coming to the show, buying tickets, the ticket proceeds going to cover the overhead of the show — but mostly to the charity of Habitat for Humanity — and those same fans coming back the next year, coming back early to help build the houses we helped to fund.”

Alan Escovitz is one of those fans. He moved to Asheville in 2008 and works as an adjunct professor at Western Carolina University. This year marks his fourth Jam and the third time he’s worked with Lend a Hand as an onsite volunteer.

“I’ve been a follower of Gov’t Mule

48 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

going up Dec. 9.’ Immediately I said, ‘Does that mean Warren Haynes is going to be there?’ And he said, ‘Yes, as a matter of fact it does.’” Haynes’ presence at the construction site made the news all the more uncanny.

“I felt like I had won the lottery,” she says. “I was by myself in an empty room pacing back and forth and crying because I didn’t know what to say or do. It was amazing. Absolutely amazing.” And that’s not all: Bevans’ 41st birthday is Dec. 8.

According to Bevans, for her and her two children, ages 5 and 7, the charity Habitat is providing will allow her to escape the burden of debt and plan for her children’s college and her own retirement. With better living conditions and more affordable monthly payments, Bevans said the new home will ease the day-to-day struggle.

grateful Bread: Kelly and James Carmody get ready for their clothing drive.

Photo by Bill Rhodes.

fAns HelP ouT AT THe JAM

by Bill rhodes Kelly and James Carmody have long collected and distributed warm clothing to those in need. Last year they decided to combine collecting coats with their love of music at the Christmas Jam, and set up a table at the event. So Grateful Bread, a warm-clothing drive from music fans, was born. They collected more than 70 bags of warm clothes. “We were happy with that result,” said Kelly, “Jam band fans are the best.” At least two people took the coats off their backs and donated on the spot.

This year, with support from the Asheville Civic Center and management from Warren Haynes’ band, they look to get more. Keep them in mind as you go to the Christmas Jam, and look for their table. Gloves, scarfs, hats, socks and coats are all welcome donations, as are men’s, women’s and children’s garments in any size. for I-don’t-know-how-many years, probably since they broke into the big scene initially,” Escovitz says. “I love the music; I love blues. That’s part of the reason I enjoy going to the Jam. But the other thing — I think [Haynes] is an incredible role model as a musician and as someone who really cares about our community and people in need.”

sweat equity In the week leading up to the Christmas Jam, Escovitz, along with a volunteer team of up to 100 Jam attendees will work to build the foundation of Michelle Bevans’ new house. In trade for what Kjellquist calls “sweat equity” — a minimum of 200 hours a house recipient must spend volunteering within the Habitat organization — Bevans will

be provided a house with 0 percent financing and a mortgage payment of around $400 a month.

For Bevans, a Warren Haynes fan who has attended most of the Christmas Jams since the event was hosted at the defunct Be Here Now, her appreciation of Haynes’ vision unexpectedly came back to reward her. Six months ago, after dealing with a divorce that she said left her in a financial mess, Bevans applied for assistance from Habitat.

Four weeks ago, she found out she would be receiving a house. “When I got the call that we were going to get a house, I was amazed that we had gotten to that point,” Bevans says.

“Then Byron Alday [family selection coordinato] from Habitat said to me, ‘I’m looking at the schedule and it looks like the first wall is going to be

“In the letter that I wrote with my application, one of the things that I said is that in my life’s work, I’ve always helped other people,” Bevans says. “I’ve always worked in nonprofits and education. My degree is in human services and that’s just what I do.”

Bevans currently works as a lead family services associate at Head Start, a child and family development program that is free for families who live on limited incomes. She believes it’s her “civic duty to be involved in the community,” and as someone who has spent her life providing for the needy, the decision to apply for housing from Habitat was not an easy one.

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“It’s sometimes hard to think of yourself in that position,” Bevans says.

“That’s why I said this has been so humbling for me. I had to swallow my pride when I submitted that application. To be the recipient of the amount of energy that goes into this and the involvement that the community has, it leaves me speechless, really.

Starting Dec. 6, 10 to 30 volunteers a day will be needed to prepare the construction site for the wall-raising ceremony on Dec. 9. Ivey says that Habitat still needs volunteers and that anyone interested in helping can email her at livey@ashevillehabitat. org.

While Bevans might not know what to say when she inevitably meets Haynes on the day fellow fans help raise the walls of her house, she certainly knows what she’ll do once she sees the man who helped put Asheville on the map.

“I’m going to give him the biggest hug he’s ever had in his life.” X Joseph Chapman can be reached at chapman.joseph@gmail.com.

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 49

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MonTforD PArK PlAyers revAMPs A cHrisTMAs cArol by rachael inch This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spooky production of A Christmas Carol is a Victorian vision quest set in malefic 19th-century London. At the foreboding Masonic Temple, the winter home for the Montford Park Players, you will witness the birth of oddities, a heightened malevolence and a final twist of evil in this trippy take on the Dickens classic.

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Director Kevin Smith brings a twofold freshness to this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production as he joins the Montford Park Players and finally gets to work on A Christmas Carol. For years Smith has envisioned an eerie, creepy Carol, often creating amorphous costumes for the ghoulish ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s realization of industrial England infuses the sinister underbelly that Dickens saw in the wretched social conditions of the underclass with a ghoulish, freaky flair.

Since its first publication on Dec. 17, 1843, Dickensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Carol has had many

50 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ mountainx.com

successful and dubious incarnations.

Smith however, has a great respect for Dickensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; work, staying true to the text and away from sugary Scrooge transformations, innocent gaiety and heart-burning morals.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry â&#x20AC;&#x201D; this is still A Christmas Carol. Bob Cratchit (Paul G. Clarke) is still the pitiful underling. Mrs. Cratchit (Bri Tureff), followed by a bedraggled brood, still wears the pants. Tiny Tim (Jonah Hauser) is thankfully not a frog.

And Scrooge (Peter Brezny) remains an ornery old man. Within this timeworn tale, Smith and cast manage to eke out the latent evil in Dickensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; text.

Doom lingers past the curtainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s close despite Scroogeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s evening-long transmogrification.

Smith came to the Montford Park Players and presented the board with the complete â&#x20AC;&#x153;creepyâ&#x20AC;? Carol concept.

After 34 years of production, the board members embraced Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distinctive, darker approach, inviting him to direct this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production is neither tra-

A heightened malevolence: This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Carol is creepier than ever. Photo by Max Cooper.

ditional nor tame, and Smith admits that there have been some minor hurdles in realizing his vision. A few were aghast upon hearing that Paul G. Clarke would not be playing Scrooge, after nine years as the miserly curmudgeon. Some ideas have had to die, but Smith just â&#x20AC;&#x153;kept stepping over dead bodies,â&#x20AC;? maintaining his level of spook.

Smith has been impressed by the professional enthusiasm brought to the stage by the community theater.

The cast jumped on board the chilling endeavor, â&#x20AC;&#x153;plugging in ideas and really getting into their parts.â&#x20AC;? Many of the male actors, at the request of head costume designer Xanath Espina, and co-designer Harper Shannon, grew out their hair and some mutton chops to

INFO Montford Park Players A Christmas Carol Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway St., downtown Asheville Dec. 8 through Dec. 23 (7:30 p.m.

Thursdays through Sundays, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday. Tickets $6 to $12. Thursday, Dec. 8 and Thursday, Dec. 15 are “pay what we’re worth” nights and a portion of all proceeds will be contributed to the Masonic Temple, which needs some support and renovations. montfordparkplayers.org)

achieve an authentic, coattail wearing, cane bearing, industrial-era look.

The cast is a cohesive team, all readily embracing and contributing fresh energy to the tale. Choreographer Kristi DeVille takes an abstract approach to the good ol’ knees-up courtly jig by bringing twisting and writhing movements to the Crachit Christmas. At a recent rehearsal the cast enjoyed the evolution of these inorganic gestures directed by DeVille and Smith. All were eager to twist, contort and hiss to the chilling tunes.

Leering, oblique buildings complement the haunting cast. Akin to the sets of early Weimar film, the sets of the Christmas Carol bring expressionistic paranoia to Dickens’ grimy, lamplit London. Smith’s previous work at The Magnetic Field in the River Arts District, helped spark his imagination for hallucinogenic possibilities.

The original scrims used in the Masonic Temple’s theater productions, painted by Thomas Moses in Chicago in the 1920s, “would have been perfect,” said Smith of the elaborate, altar-like images. However, many of these drops are owned by the Scottish Rite (an affiliate group of the Masonic Temple order), and must remain hidden from public view, high in the Temples’ rafters. But Smith wanted to go all out. He spent weeks pulling doors and panels from dumpsters, even pulling decrepit ceiling tiles from the temple’s water-damaged third floor, all contributing to the set’s organic evolution for next to nothing.

For a night of sinister specters, wan wraiths and a pinch of cheer, Smith’s creepy Carol is not to be missed.

Rachael Inch is a freelance writer living in Asheville.

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 51

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52 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ mountainx.com

LaZoomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happy Jollidays tours run through Saturday, Dec. 31. Hop on the purple bus where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll â&#x20AC;&#x153;meet a real fruitcake, a traveling Snowman and a Turkey that simply defies explanationâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all while getting an off-the-beaten-path ride through Ashevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture and history. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family-friendly. Days and times vary, tickets are $23 for adults, $21 for seniors, $20 for locals, $15 for young adults and $12 for children. lazoomtours.com.

left: Ballet Conservatory of Asheville performs The Nutcracker. right: The Button Wagon brings fantastical antics to the Bebe Theatre.

The Smith MacDowell House has its annual 19th Century Carolina Christmas on display through Jan. 4. The exhibit features a â&#x20AC;&#x153;timeline of authentically decorated period rooms

seasONal TheaTrICs In case you don’t get enough drama from family gatherings, holiday shopping and nonstop parties, there are plenty of hijinx waiting at the theater. Local playhouses are producing a number of seasonally appropriate performances.

The 12 Dates of Christmas at N.C. Stage: After witnessing, on national TV, her fiancé making out with a coworker at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mary dumps the jerk and spends the next year navigating the dating world. Through Sunday, Dec. 18.

(Wednesdays-Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.) $10-$20. ncstage.org.

A Christmas Carol by the Montford Park Players: It’s a chilling new take on the wellthumbed ghost story (see story elsewhere in this issue). “Come revel in the icy warmth of the season with us in our spooky winter home at the Asheville Masonic Temple and meet the awe inspiring spirit of Christmas face-to-face once more,” says the theater company. Dec. 8-Dec. 23 at the Masonic Temple. $6-$12. montfordparkplayers.org.

The Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular at The Magnetic Theatre: A crass (but comedic) look at the holidays is what Bernstein provides, from drunken antics to special commercials. This year’s version includes new musical material and old favorites. Through Wednesday, Dec. 21. (Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; 10 p.m. late shows on Fridays and Saturdays; three additional shows, MondayWednesday, Dec. 19-21 at 7:30 p.m.) $12 and $14. themagneticfield.com.

Home for the Holidays at Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown: Another holiday music program featuring “exciting new arrangements.”

Through Thursday, Dec. 22. Call 693-0731 for ticket info. flatrockplayhouse.org.

Plaid Tidings at Flat Rock Playhouse: billed as “saintly voices, heavenly harmonies, an early Christmas gift.” The show is a musical revue of Christmas standards and pop songs.

Through Thursday, Dec. 22. (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fridays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.) $38-$40. flatrockplayhouse.org.

The Santaland Diaries at Asheville Community Theatre: It’s the 10th anniversary of the local production of this snarky, cynical and extremely funny tale by David Sedaris. The one-man play is culled from Sedaris’ real-life experience working as an elf in Macy’s department store. For mature audiences. Thursday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 18.

(Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2:30 p.m.) $15. ashevilletheatre.org.

— Alli Marshall

showcasing the evolution of Christmas celebrations and decorations.” Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. $10 adults and $5 children. wnchistory.org. biltmore Candlelight Christmas evenings are, according to the Biltmore Estate’s website, “the best way to experience the holiday season at Biltmore.” Plus, if you have out-of-town visitors, they’ll probably want to see the expansive Vanderbilt home. Buy tickets early — tours run through Dec. 31, but they do fill up. $69-$79 for adults, $34.50-$39.50 youth. biltmore.com.

Benefiting Mission Children’s Hospital and MANNA FoodBank, the hometown holiday Jam (at The Orange Peel on Thursday, Dec. 8) is a full night of rock for a very good cause. $10 plus a donation of one can of food gets you this lineup: Sons of Ralph, The Nova Echo, Mike Barnes, Marc Keller Band, The Campaign 1984, Rory Kelly’s Triple Threat, McTaggart Garrett & Debruhl, Full Plate O’ Blues Band and more. 8 p.m. hometownholidayjam.org.

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More candlelight — this time it’s for the Weaverville Candlelight Christmas stroll. Now in its eighth year, the community-centered event “provides a charming smalltown Christmas atmosphere to residents and visitors.”

Merchants along Main Street keep their shops open until 9 p.m., horse and buggies offer rides, Santa makes an appearance and the official lighting of the town Christmas tree takes place at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m. start time, free. visitweaverville.com/candlelight.

Nutcrackers: Asheville Ballet returns with its seasonal showing of The Nutcracker at Diana Wortham Theatre (Friday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 11. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday with 2:30 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. $25/$35/$50 adults, $15 students and children); Ballet Conservatory of Asheville also performs the ballet at Diana Wortham Theatre (Thursday and Friday, Dec. 15 and 16, 5 and 7:45 p.m. nightly. $20 adults, $10 children); Moscow Ballet brings its Great Russian

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 53

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54 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

Nutcracker to the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (Monday, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m., $37.50-$68).

The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site hosts Christmas at Connemara on Saturday, Dec. 10.

The free celebration includes musicians, storytellers, hot cider and cookies. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., full schedule at nps.gov/carl/index.htm.

Interdenominational bell choir The brasstown ringers perform a concert on Sunday, Dec. 11. 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary of First Christian Church in Candler. ashevillefcc.org sunshine & The bad Things Christmas show is a great opportunity to thrown on your favorite tacky holiday sweater (as incentive, there will be prizes for the best sweaters) and dance the night away at the LAB. Asheville alt-rockers Sunshine & The Bad Things open (check out their darkly lovely self-titled EP) followed

by Anatomy of Frank and Elkmont Place. Friday, Dec. 16, 9:30 p.m., $5. lexavebrew.com. button Wagon, the astonishing onering circus of contortionist Ember Bria and balance master/illusionist Matt “Poki” McCorkle, comes to The BeBe Theatre for two nights: Friday, Dec. 16 and Saturday, Dec. 17. The wondrous production involves giant sewing tools (and buttons!), circus antics and a burlap rabbit. Doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets $10-$20 sliding scale for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under. buttonwagon.com.

sunshine & The bad Things throw an ugly sweater holiday party.

The Chatham County line holiday tour brings the Raleigh-based Americana band to The Grey Eagle on Saturday, Dec. 17. “Expect oldtime favorites, new tunes off 2010’s Wildwood, and holiday classics as the band shuffles from regular duties to add electric guitars, pedal steel, piano and whatever else fits in the van,” says a press release. Johnny Irion opens; Chatham County Line performs an acoustic set followed by an electric set. 9 p.m., $12.

In Italy, La Befana (whose name means “epiphany”) is a deliverer of gifts. Watch The legend of befana in a holiday show performed

by Red Herring Puppets. More than 50 Byzantine-style hand, rod, shadow, black-lit and bunraku figures recount the story of a lonely old woman who, after a visit from a mysterious magi, leaves her home on a yearlong search for a magical child. Held at White Horse Black Mountain on Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m. daily. $8. redherringpuppets. com.

Alli Marshall can be reached at amarshall@mountainx.com. Find more holiday events in our calendar and at mountainx.com/calendar.

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999 eyes FreakshOW aNd surreal sIdeshOW slIdes INTO TOWN by ami Worthen “As someone who is born different, and performs on stage, my goal is to make it better for kids who are growing up like I grew up,” says Black Scorpion, the creative director of The 999 Eyes Freakshow & Surreal Sideshow. Scorpion gave himself that name in part because of a genetic abnormality that makes his hands resemble scorpion claws. “I want people to think, if they see someone who is born differently, that kid is probably interesting and someone I’d like to get to know — not something to shy away from, or leave alone in a corner.“ “The 999 Eyes Freakshow & Surreal Sideshow is the last genuine traveling freak show of its kind in the United States,” the band’s press materials proclaim. “True to the variety show style of yesteryear, the 999 Eyes consists of consists of a rotating cast of sideshow acts and authentic genetic human anomalies, all accompanied by the vaudevillian circus band.”

56 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

Or, as Scorpion puts it, “The 999 Eyes is a time-traveling sideshow that is there when people need us the most.”

While the old circus sideshows are a big influence on 999 Eyes, “The show is inspired by all of the stories that led us to where we are. Sideshow taught me a lot about the beginnings of American culture, because there is a lot of it drawn from Coney Island and the sideshow. That made me look further into every experience.”

As creative director, Scorpion penned the play on which the current show is based. Each of the acts add their own twist to the show. When it comes down to it, Scorpion says, “The story is about believing in one another. It’s about creating together.”

“I think each of us within the show have different things that we want to get out, different messages,” Scorpion explains. “For me, it’s to share the light that is within us all, that everybody can appreciate.”

believing in each other: The 999 Eyes is “A time-traveling sideshow that is there when people need us the most.” Photo by Aaron Geiser.

For 999 Eyes founder Samantha X, the goal is “to see the world come to a place where freaks are celebrated again and where the strange and bizarre are seen as beautiful.”

“Of course when you have someone with a genetic abnormality on stage, their performance is very different than the rest,” Scorpion says. “My focus is on turning a preconceived negative into a positive. If you are a person of shorter height, we want to change that to be seen a positive, instead of a limitation or whatever you see. Even the word ‘freak,’ we’re turning that into a positive. You’ll go in thinking it’s just about a dude with six fingers, but you’ll realize it’s really about the magic of humanity, and

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seeing that there’s much more to that person.”

The 999 Eyes travel with hand-painted sideshow banners and an authentic dime museum, adding to the carnival feel of the performance. When asked about his act in the show, all Scorpion could say is: “It’s really strange; you’ll just have to see it.” He does reveal that “We will have fire eating, glass walking, balloon swallowing and a lot of excitement and creativity. There will be sideshow; there will be great storytelling and music.”

One of the members of the 999 Eyes touring band is Mike Gray, a former Asheville resident who played drums with Firecracker Jazz Band and the Screaming Js. “That guy lives rhythm,” Scorpion enthused. “He does an act with the Go Box that is amazing. I consider it a freak act myself.”

(Yet another Asheville connection — the Go Box is an unusual instrument created by innovative local artist Robert Seven.)

Abiding Savior Lutheran Church 801 Charlotte Highway, Fairview, NC Worship 10am - Sunday School 11:15 am December 24, Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, 7:00pm December 25, Lessons and Carols, 10:00am Rev. David Eck, Pastor www.abidingsaviorlutheranchurch.org

Although Scorpion is a musician, he leaves the music in 999 Eyes performances to others. “I used to play music in a band, but I left music to pursue all of the arts. It’s a lot scarier to not have an instrument on stage.

There’s nothing to fall back on. It’s a different kind of energy that I love more than playing an instrument.”

In terms of the story that weaves through the show, Scorpion says, “We use a lot of creative play to go back into history. We have certain elements to each of our characters. Samantha X is kind of the Mother Earth character, and Black Scorpion is the modern-day Cupid. As they travel through time, he’s trying to change things in history while she’s trying to put them back.”

Scorpion is confident that “It is a show like no other.” When asked why people should go to see the 999 Eyes Freakshow & Surreal Sideshow, he replies, “Because you can come out and see humanity creating something positive. Whatever is going on in the world at that moment it doesn’t matter, you’re with people who care.”

Ami Worthen can be reached at amiworthen@yahoo.com.

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 57

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For more than 20 years, Amy Ray has been known as one half of the folkrock duo Indigo Girls — two women whose music is built around counterpoint harmonies, catchy melodies and an activist spirit. Together, they’ve dropped 14 studio albums (including this year’s independent release, Beauty Queen Sister), four live albums and earned a Grammy Award.

But, lesser-known outside of their dedicated fan base, Ray has had a rather productive solo career. For starters, she launched Daemon Records in 1989 to support independent artists, and has helped along the careers of Girlyman, Rose Polenzani and others. “[When] I started the label, it wasn’t to be indie or anything,” she says. ”I had a lot of money and I wanted to

singular vision, many players: Ray’s forthcoming album, Lung of Love, features an all-star community of collaborators. put music out by people that I loved.

That was when [Indigo Girls] first got signed and we had money. That’s changed a lot. So now it’s like — how can we help? How can we chip in?

There are just great artists out there and I want to do stuff with them.”

Where that used to mean operating a full-service indie label, these days Ray fills in by using her own celebrity to help compel other artists’ careers forward. For example, her latest signee, Seattle-based singer-songwriter Lindsay Fuller,

solo is not exactly an extension of the Indigo Girls. It may come from a similar place, but it’s a fully realized separate voice, reaching in a different direction.

INFO amy ray (of the Indigo girls) and The shadowboxers The Grey Eagle Friday, Dec. 9 (9 p.m. $12/$15. thegreyeagle.com)

has joined the Indigo Girls on tour, and Ray has appeared as a special guest at some of Fuller’s shows to draw crowds otherwise unfamiliar with Fuller’s narrative sort of altcountry. This grassroots approach to promoting indie artists relies heavily on the community Ray has helped build with Emily Saliers over the course of their decades-long collaboration. But, as is apparent in Ray’s solo work, that is as much punk-rock as it is folky.

Indeed, in addition to her work with Daemon, she has released a handful of solo albums. Those albums veer quite a bit from what unsuspecting listeners might expect from an Indigo Girl. Listen closely, though, and within the punk energy and gothic reverb atmospherics is an allegiance to lyricism and vocal arrangements that underlies so much of modern rock.

“I love vocal arrangements and working on background voices,” she says. “I love old soul music that had that going on…[and] old field recordings with groups singing together, call-and- answer stuff. For me that’s where I can tap into my inspiration and soul, because I’m not as much of an instrumental player. It’s probably what I’m drawn to because I lack the skills to express myself in another way. But it’s the idea of this spiritual, vocal activism of the South, which I was very much raised on. It’s in my environment all the time.”

That said, though, what Ray does

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Ray grew up listening to an array of ‘70s rock and folk singer-songwriters.

Though she and Saliers began their collaboration while teenagers — leaning heavily on a folk influence — Ray started to delve deeper into rock and punk during college. She remembers falling for “Patti Smith and the Replacements, the Clash — people I’d heard speak to my soul in a way a lot of the music I’d been listening to hadn’t. I didn’t know what I was missing, I guess, is the truth.

I heard [this] other stuff and I was like, “Oh my god.” Then I delved into real folk music like Woody Guthrie and some Appalachian music, field recordings from Alan Lomax, stuff like that. So, I had two really raw perspectives that were very opposite kinds of music but still had that community vibe.”

Speaking of “community,” her fifth solo album, Lung of Love (due in February 2012), is a solo effort in name only. While it’s built from her singular vision, she called in some musician friends to back her up. In addition to her touring band: Kaia Wilson (guitar), Melissa York (drums), Greg Griffiths (bass) and Julie Wolf (keyboard). Then, of course, there are plenty of vocalists — Brandi Carlile, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), members of A Fragile Tomorrow and Lindsay Fuller.

She’ll no doubt pull from it when she rolls into the Grey Eagle on Dec. 9 with her band. The Shadowboxers, an indie pop group built on (you guessed it) lush harmonies, will open. Ray describes them as “a crazy cross-pollination of Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and boy-band music,” and recommends not missing them.

Kim Ruehl is a freelance writer living in Asheville.

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holidaycalendar Calendar for deCember 7 - 15, 2011

Holiday Happenings A Carolina Christmas • FR (12/9), 7:30pm & SA (12/10), 3pm - The Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra presents “A Carolina Christmas.” Held at Blue Ridge Community College’s Blue Ridge Conference Hall. $30/$5 students. Info: www.hendersonvillesymphony.org or 697-5884.

A Christmas Gift • FR (12/9), 7:30pm - The Pied Pipers and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra will perform “A Christmas Gift,” holiday songs from the 1940s. Held at WCU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center. $20/$15 faculty and staff/$5 students. Info: http://fapac.wcu.edu or 227-2479.

A “Creepy” Christmas Carol • TH (12/8) through FR (12/23) - A “creepy” version of A Christmas Carol will be performed

by Montford Park Players at the Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway St. Pay-what-we’reworth nights Dec. 8 and Dec. 15.

See website for complete schedule. $12/$10 students/$6 under 18. Info: www.montfordparkplayers.org or 254-5146.

A Season for Harmony • SA (12/10), 7:30-9:15 - The Land of the Sky Chorus will present A Season for Harmony, featuring “harmony, hilarity and hope for the whole family.” Held at T.C. Roberson High School, 250 Overlook Road. Info: www. ashevillebarbershop.com or 866290-7269.

A Very Merry Christmas • Through TH (12/22) - Flat Rock Playhouse’s YouTheatre presents A Very Merry Christmas, its annual Christmas tour. See website for times, locations and dates. Info: www.flatrockplayhouse.org/education.

Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS until (12/17), 7:30pm - The Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular will ask the question “Is Santa actually a Communist?”

Held at The Magnetic Field, 372 Depot St. Additional performances: Mon.-Wed., Dec. 19-21. $14/$12.

Info: www.themagneticfield.com or 668-2154.

Black Mountain Center for the Arts • WE (12/21) & TH (12/22), 7pm - A holiday theater performance will feature Carol Anderson and Jim Shores. Held at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St. $15. Info: www.blackmountainarts.org or 669-0930.

Black Mountain Youth Chorale Holiday Concert • SU (12/11), 3pm - The Black Mountain Youth Chorale, made up of students grades 4-8, will present its holiday concert at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St. $15-$5 suggested donation. Info: 669-0930.

Blue Ridge Orchestra • SU (12/11), 4pm - The Blue Ridge Orchestra will perform holiday favorites by Mozart, Prokofiev and Leroy Anderson. Held at the Folk Arts Center, MP 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. $15/$5 students. Info: www.blueridgeorchestra.org.

Blue Ridge Ringers • TU (12/13), noon-1pm - The Blue Ridge Ringers will perform at Transylvania County Public Library, 212 South Gaston St., Brevard. Info: blueridgeringers@ gmail.com or 692-4910.

• SA (12/17), 4pm - The Blue Ridge Ringers will perform at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on the corner of North Broad Street and Fisher Road, Brevard. Info: blueridgeringers@gmail.com or 692-4910.

Brasstown Ringers Handbell Concert • SU (12/11), 4-5pm - Brasstown Ringers present Christmas Bells at the First Christian Church, 470 Enka Lake Road, Candler. Free, but donations accepted. Info: www. mapaa.org or 837-8822.

Caribbean Christmas Exhibit • Through TU (1/31) - Caribbean Christmas, travel photography

by Sara Shea, will be on display at Havana Restaurant, 1 Battle Square. Info: www.havanaasheville.com or 252-1611.

• FR (12/9), 5-10pm - An opening reception will feature Latin music, sangria and Spanish hors d’oeuvres.

Carolina Horse and Carriage Tours • WEEKENDS through (12/24) - Horse and carriage tours will depart from the Hendersonville Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St. $25 for two people/$5 additional adults/$3 children under 12/under 4 free. Info: 209-1099.

Carriage Rides • SATURDAYS through (12/17), 6-9pm - Carriage rides will feature costumed characters from A Christmas Carol and Forest City’s holiday lights. Departs from the fountain in downtown Forest City. $7/$3 children. Info: www.forestcityevents.com or 247-4430.

Christmas at Connemara • SA (12/10), 11am-4pm - Christmas at Connemara will feature traditional decorations, music, hot cider and cookies. Held at the Carl Sandburg Home National

Historic Site, 81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock. Info: 693-4178.

Christmas Cheers Pub Crawl • FR (12/9) & SA (12/10), 4pm - Christmas Cheers restaurant and pub crawl will take place throughout downtown Hendersonville. Call for details: 233-3216.

Christmas Event for Kids • SA (12/10), 2pm - The SmithMcDowell House Museum, 283 Victoria Road, will present Christmas stories and carols for children. $5/children free. Info: education@wnchistory.org or 253-9231.

Christmas Pageant • TH (12/8) through SU (12/11) - The Brevard Little Theatre Youth Troupe will perform The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Brevard Little Theatre’s American Legion, 56 East Jordan St. Info: www.brevardlittletheatre.com or 884-2587.

City Lights Bookstore Located at 3 E. Jackson St., Sylva.

Info: more@citylightsnc.com or 586-9499.

• SA (12/10), 11am - Story time with Santa Claus and Elf Sophie.

Photos with Santa available for $10.

Christmas with Cantaria • TH (12/15), 8pm - Cantaria, the gay men’s chorus of Asheville, presents a concert of holiday selections at the Cathedral of All Souls, 9 Swan St., Biltmore Village. $15. Tickets available at Malaprop’s Bookstore or www.

CantariaAsheville.org.

Christmas with the Kranks • TH (12/15), 10am - Christmas with the Kranks will be screened at Edneyville Library, 2 Firehouse Road, Hendersonville. Info: 6850110.

Deck the Trees • Through MO (1/2) - “Deck the Trees” will feature Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and nonprofits. Trees will be on display at The Monte Vista Hotel, 308 W. State St., Black Mountain.

Info: www.themontevistahotel.net, www.exploreblackmountain.com or 669-2300.

Disabilities Awareness Holiday Fest • SA (12/10), 11am-3pm - Games, activities for kids, demonstrations and information stations will be hosted by DisAbility Partners. Held at the WNC Ag Center Expo Building, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher.

Info: 298-1977.

Festival of Lights • Through SU (12/18), 6-9pm - The Festival of Lights will feature 50 animated and stationary light displays. $15 per car. 20 percent of proceeds benefit Buncombe County Special Olympics. Held

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holidaycalendar at Lake Julian Park, 406 Overlook Extension, Arden. Info: david.blynt@ buncombecounty.org or 684-0376.

Flat Rock Playhouse The State Theater of North Carolina is on Highway 225, three miles south of Hendersonville. Info: www. flatrockplayhouse.org or 693-0731.

• Through TH (12/22) - A holiday edition of Plaid Tidings. See website for full schedule.

• Through TH (12/22) - Home for the Holidays. $34. See website for full schedule.

Fletcher Christmas Parade • SA (12/10), 10:30am - The Town of Fletcher Christmas Parade will feature floats, music and Santa.

Held on Highway 25, between Old Airport Road and Town Hall. Info: www.fletcherparks.org or 687-0751.

Gingerbread Contest Display • Through SU (1/1) - The winners of the National Gingerbread House Competition will be on display at at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, 290 Macon Ave. Guided tours will be offered Wed. through Sun. at 9am and 3pm through Jan. 1.

Registration required for tour. Info: www.groveparkinn.com or 800438-5800.

Hands On! This children’s museum is located at 318 North Main St., Hendersonville. Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10am-5pm. Admission is $5, with discounts available on certain days.

Info: www.handsonwnc.org or 6978333.

• TH (12/22) & FR (12/23), 10am5pm - Make a Christmas tree ornament. $5 for supplies.

• TH (12/15), 2-4:30pm - Learn about dreidels and traditional Jewish games for Hannukkah. Free with admission or membership.

Hanukkah Candle Lighting • TU (12/20) through TU (12/27), 5pm - Hanukkah candles will be lit daily, except Dec. 24, 25 and 26, at the Jewish Community Center, 236 Charlotte St. Sing-a-long will follow.

Info: fred@jcc-asheville.org.

Hanukkah Party • TH (12/22), 6:30-10pm Congregation Beth Israel will host a Hanukkah party at 229 Murdock Ave. Info: www.bethisraelnc.org or 252-8431.

Hendersonville Youth Orchestra Winter Concert • SU (12/11), 4pm - The Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestra winter concert will be held at Blue Ridge Community College’s Bo Thomas Auditorium. $5. Info: www.hendersonvillesymphony.org or 697-5884.

Holiday Arts Extravaganza For Kids • TU (12/27) through FR (12/30), 1-4pm - Holiday Arts Extravaganza for children grades 1-4 will feature a “fun-filled afternoon of creating art” at the Asheville Art Museum, Pack Square. $20/$18 members. Info and registration: eshope@ashevilleart. org or 253-3227.

Holiday Gift Making Workshop • WEDNESDAYS through (12/7), 4-5:30pm - A holiday gift making workshop will be held at the Creative Technology & Arts Center, 90 Zillicoa St. Info: www.ctacenter. org.

Holiday Hayride • FRIDAYS through (12/16), 69pm - A holiday hayride and tour of downtown Forest City’s holiday lights will depart from the fountain in downtown Forest City. $2. Info: www.forestcityevents.com or 2474430.

Holiday Home Tour • SA (12/10) - A tour of decorated homes in Transylvania County. Info and locations: 884-2787.

Holiday LaZoom Tour • Through SA (12/31) - LaZoom will host a new holiday tour featuring a snowman, turkey and “Asheville fruit cake.” See website for dates.

Departs from French Broad Food Co-op, 90 Biltmore Ave. $23/$15 ages 13-17/$12 ages 5-12. Info: www.lazoomtours.com or 2256932.

Holiday Music at Mission

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• Through FR (12/23) - Guitarists, pianists and gospel choirs will perform in the main lobby of Mission Health’s Memorial campus. Call for full schedule: 213-1210.

Holiday Origami Party for Kids • SA (12/10), 1-3pm - A holiday origami party for kids will be held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. Info: 250-4752.

Holiday Piano Concert • SU (12/11), 6:30-8:30pm - The Kenilworth Residents’ Association presents pianist David Troy Francis performing music for the holidays.

Reception will preclude the concert.

Held at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, 123 Kenilworth Road. Free, but $10 suggested donation. Info: 253-4325.

Holiday Wine, Cheese and Champagne Tasting • TH (12/22), 6pm - A holiday wine, cheese and champagne tasting will be held at Appalachain Vintner, 2-B Huntsman Place. Info: www.appalachianvintner.com or 505-7500.

Holy Light Candlelight Service • SU (12/11), 5pm - “Holy Light: A Candlelight Service of Carols” will feature the Chancel Choir, First Brass, Canto, Jubilee Handbell Choir and others. Held at First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville, on the corner of Church Street and 6th Avenue. Info: www.fumchvlnc. org or 693-4275.

Lighting of the Green • FR (12/9) through TH (12/22), 6-9pm - The Lighting of the Green will feature energy-efficient bulbs on historic homes on the A-B Tech campus. Fernihurst Mansion will be open for tours and entertainment on Dec. 9, 13, 16 and 20. Info: http:// avl.mx/71.

Montford Tour of Homes • SA (12/10), 1-5pm - A tour of decorated homes in Montford will feature Shakespearian actors and homemade baked goods. Tickets and info available at the Visitors

Great Selection of Ergo Baby Carriers

647 Haywood Rd. ~ West Asheville ~ 253-4747 thelittlestbirds.com 62 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

Center Gift Shop, 36 Montford Ave. Info: www.montfordtour.com.

Psycho Santa Party and Toy Collection • SU (12/11), 6pm-midnight Psycho Santa Christmas Party will feature The Ville Boys, Flight Club, live painting demonstrations and complimentary food. Free admission with a toy for Eliada Children’s Home. Held at the Garage at Biltmore, 101 Fairview Road. Info: 225-3845.

Rediscovering Christmas • WE (12/21) & TH (12/22), 7pm - Rediscovering Christmas, a holiday theater production by Acts of Renewal, will be presented at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St. Advance tickets requested. $15. Info: 669-0930.

Santa on the Chimney • SATURDAYS through (12/10), 11am-2pm - Santa will scale one of the world’s largest “chimneys” at Chimney Rock State Park, Highway 64/74A. Holiday music, hot cocoa and guided family hikes included in park admission. Info: www.chimneyrockpark.com.

Santa Paws • SUNDAYS through (12/18), 2-6pm - The Community Pet Center, 578 Laurel Hill Drive in Rutherfordton, invites the public to have a holiday photo taken with their pet. $5 donation per photo.

Info: www.forestcityevents.com or 247-4430.

Santaland Diaries • WE (12/7), 7pm - Santaland Diaries, David Sedaris’ story of a disenchanted department store elf, will be performed at Upstairs Artspace, 49 S. Trade St., Tryon. $40 includes hors-d’ouvres made from recipes in Amy Sedaris’ cookbook. Not recommended for children. Info: frontdesk@upstairsartspace.org or 859-2828.

Sierra Club Christmas Party • WE (12/7), 7pm - Sierra Club Christmas party potluck. Held at the Unitarian Universalist Church,

1 Edwin Place. Info: www.wenoca. org.

Smith-McDowell House Museum Period rooms grace this antebellum house on the campus of A-B Tech Community College, 283 Victoria Road. Info: education@wnchistory. org or 253-9231.

• Through WE (1/4) - The Carolina Christmas Celebration will feature fresh trees and seven decorated period rooms.

Stories to Help Us Through the Holidays • SU (12/11), 2:30pm - The Asheville Storytelling Circle will present “Stories to Help Us Through the Holidays,” a humorous look at holiday stress, in UNCA’s Reuter Center. $5. Info: 299-0748.

SugarFest • SA (12/10) & SU (12/11) - The Sugar Mountain Ski Resort will host SugarFest, featuring fireworks, bluegrass music and a variety of winterthemed events. Held at 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive. See website for full schedule. Info: www.skisugar.com or www.seesugar.com.

The 12 Dates of Christmas • WEDNESDAYS through SUNDAYS until (12/18), 7:30pm - The 12 Dates of Christmas, “a one-woman show about how much the holidays suck after your heart’s been crushed.” Recommended for mature audiences. Presented by NC Stage Company, 15 Stage Lane. Info: www.ncstage.org or 239-0263.

The Homecoming • TH (12/8) through SU (12/11) - The Homecoming: A Smoky Mountain Christmas Musical will be performed at Oakley United Methodist Church, 607 Fairview Road. Bring an unwrapped toy. Free.

Info: 274-7656.

The Nutcracker • FR (12/9) through SU (12/11) - Asheville Ballet presents The Nutcracker at the Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square. See website for times. Info: www.dwtheatre.com or 257-4530.

#OSMIC 6ISION

The Nutcracker • TH (12/15) through FR (12/16) The Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents The Nutcracker at Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square. See website for times. Info: www.dwtheatre.com or 257-4530.

Toy Swap • SA (12/10), 9:30am-noon - The Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St., will host a toy swap.

Drop off toys on Friday from 7:309:30pm and receive a credit for Saturday’s toy swap. Info: katlenjsmith@mac.com or 669-5461.

The Twelve Days of Christmas • MO (12/12) through SA (12/24) - 20 percent off works by a different artist each day will be offered at AnTHM Gallery, 110.5 W. State St., Black Mountain. Info: www.anthmgallery.com.

Unity Center Events Located at 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road, Mills River. Info: www.unitync.net, 684-3798 or 891-8700.

• SA (12/24), 7:30pm - A Christmas Eve candle lighting service will celebrate the Christmas story with music. Donations encouraged.

• SU (12/25), 11am - A Christmas day celebration. Childcare provided.

Visions of Sugar Plums Self-Guided Tour • SA (12/10) through SU (12/11), noon-4pm - “Visions of Sugar Plums,” a self-guided tour of nine Black Mountain Bed and Breakfasts, will feature Christmas decorations and cookies. $15. Call for details: 669-2300.

Winter Solstice Hike • TH (12/22), 7-9pm - A winter solstice hike will include a guided, 1/4-mile nighttime walk. Bring a flashlight and a warm drink to toast the solstice. Departs from Hooker Falls parking lot on DuPont Road, Hendersonville. Info: 692-0385.

Writers’ Workshop Holiday Get Together • WE (12/21), 5:30-7:30pm - A get together of The Writers’ Workshop will feature hot cider, mulled wine

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more Holiday Happenings online Check out the Festivals & Gatherings Calendar online at www.mountainx.com/events for info on events happening after December 15.

Arts & Crafts Arts2People Holiday Market • Through SA (12/24) Arts2People holiday market will be held at 91 Biltmore Ave. Info: www.arts2people.org.

ArtSpace Charter School Market • SA (12/10), 11am-4pm - The ArtSpace Charter School market will feature pottery, jewelry, textiles and more. Held at 2030 US Highway 70, Swannanoa. Info: www.artspacecharter.org or 2982787.

Asheville City Holiday Market • SATURDAYS through (12/17), 10am-1pm - Asheville City Holiday Market, 161 S. Charlotte St. Info: www.asapconnections.org.

Black Mountain Center for the Arts Located in the renovated Old City Hall at 225 West State St. in Black Mountain. Gallery hours: Mon.-Wed. and Fri., 10am-5pm; Thurs. 11am-3pm. Info: www.

BlackMountainArts.org or 6690930.

• Through TH (12/22) - The teacher/student exhibit and pottery market will feature teachers and students from BMCA Clay Studio.

Held at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 West State St. Info: www.blackmountainarts.org or 669-0930.

C.D. Owen Middle School • SA (12/10), 10am-4pm - A craft fair to benefit C.D. Owen Middle School will feature pottery, metalwork and woodwork, along with music, food and a raffle. Held at 730 Old US 70, Swannanoa. Info: 686-7917.

Flat Rock Christmas Market • SA (12/10), 2-5pm - The Flat Rock Tailgate Market will host a Christmas fair featuring Christmas trees, jams, wool items, meats and sweets for sale, along with free music. Held in front of Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, Highway 225 in downtown Flat Rock. Info: 697-7719.

Haw Creek Forge Holiday Art • FR (12/9), 2-8pm - The Haw Creek Forge holiday art event will feature jewelry and garden sculptures. Held at Haw Creek Forge, 2000 Riverside Drive, #6.

Info: www.hawcreekforge.com or 285-9785.

Haywood’s Historic Farmers Holiday Market • WEDNESDAYS & SATURDAYS through (12/17), 9am-noon - Haywood’s Historic Farmers Holiday Market will feature vegetables, meats, eggs, soaps and candles. Held at 449A Pigeon St., Waynesville. Info: www.waynesvillefarmersmarket.com.

Holidays Naturally Market in Hendersonville • FR (12/9), 1-4pm & SA (12/10), 10am-4pm - Holidays Naturally open house and holiday sale will feature amaryllis, sprays and wreaths. Toasty Toes will have hand-crafted items for sale to benefit American service members. Held at Bullington Center, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville. Info: 698-6104.

Madison County Arts Council Annual Holiday Sale • SA (12/10), 10am-5pm - The Madison County Arts Council’s annual holiday sale will feature three floors of arts, crafts, botanicals, food and more. Held at 90 S. Main St., Marshall. Info: www. madisoncountyarts.com or 6491301.

Madison County Farmers and Artisans Holiday Market • SATURDAYS through (12/17), 10am-3pm - Madison County Farmers and Artisans Holiday Market will feature jewelry, candles, quilts, vegetables and more.

Hot lunch available from Mackey Farm. Held at Fiddlestix, 37 Library St., Mars Hill. Info: www.marshillmarket.org.

Mimi Strang Studio Collective Holiday Art Sale • SA (12/10) & SU (12/11), 11am-6pm - The Mimi Strang Studio Collective Holiday Art Sale will feature works by Simone Wilson, Lou Anne Jordan, Stacey Budge-Kamison and others. Held at 15A Domino Lane. Info: www. facebook.com/TheMimiStrangStud ioCollective.

Montford Farmers Market Holiday Bazaar • SATURDAYS (12/3) through (12/17), 11am-3pm - The Montford Farmers Market Holiday Bazaar will feature Christmas trees, dancing, singing and gifts.

Held in the parking lot of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave. Info: www.asapconnections.org.

Southern Highland Craft Guild Holiday Sale • SA (12/10) - A holiday art sale will feature items by the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Held at the Folk Art Center, MP 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Info: www. craftguild.org or 298-7928.

Sylva Arts and Crafts Festival • SA (12/10), 10am-3pm - An arts and crafts festival, featuring artists, crafters and home-based

businesses, will be held at the National Guard Armory, 611 Webster Road. Info: davis.sharon@morrisbb.net or 226-0045.

Transylvania Community Arts Council Located at 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10am4pm. Info: www.artsofbrevard.org or 884-2787.

• Through FR (12/16) - Santa’s Palette holiday show and sale.

Weaverville Tailgate Holiday Market • WEDNESDAYS through (12/21), 2-6pm - The Weaverville Tailgate Holiday Market will feature artisans, meats and cheeses. Held at the Weaverville Community Center, Lake Louise Drive. Info: www. weavervilletailgate.org.

White Horse Holiday Farmers Market • WEDNESDAYS through (12/28), 3-6pm - The White Horse Holiday Farmers Market will feature baked goods, jewelry, meats, cheeses and vegetables. Held at White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Road. Info: www.whitehorseblackmountain.com.

more arT/CrafT fairs eVenTs online

Check out the Art/Craft Fairs Calendar online at www.mountainx.com/events for info on events happening after December 15.

Crystal and Mineral Gallery

MuseuM Quality Crystals and speCtaCular Minerals for your HoMe, Garden, sanCtuary or offiCe

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Visit us at 391 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville 828.257.2626 or shop with us online www.pointsoflight.net

Give Back Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC Located at 50 S. French Broad Ave., Room 213, in the United Way building. The organization matches children from single-parent homes with adult mentors.

Info: www.bbbswnc.org or 2531470.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks adult mentors for bi-monthly outings. Activities are free or lowcost. Volunteers are also needed to mentor 1 hr./wk. in schools and after-school programs.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks volunteers ages 16 and older to mentor one hour per week in schools and after-school sites. Volunteers ages 18 and older needed to share outings in the community twice a month. Info session: Dec. 7.

Call A Ride • Volunteers are needed to drive seniors to doctor appointments as part of the Call A Ride program.

Volunteers use their own vehicles and mileage reimbursement is available. Info: www.coabc.org or 277-8228.

Center for New Beginnings • The Center for New Beginnings seeks volunteers for community awareness and services for crime victims and survivors of traffic

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 63

holidaycalendar fatalities, suicides and other deathrelated incidents. Info: contact@ centerfornb.org or 989-9306.

Children First/CIS Children First/CIS is a nonprofit advocating for children living in vulnerable conditions. Info: VolunteerC@childrenfirstbc.org or 768-2072.

• Through TU (5/1), 2:30-5:30pm - Volunteers are needed at least one hour per week, Mon.-Thurs., to help K-5th graders with homework and activities. Info: VolunteerC@childrenfirstbc.org or 768-2072.

Fabric Needed for Donated Quilts • St. Mark’s Lutheran Church seeks large pieces of fabric (82” x 64”) to make quilts for charity.

Drop off at 10 N. Liberty St. Info: 263-0043.

Hands On Asheville-Buncombe Choose the volunteer opportunity that works for you. Youth are welcome on many projects with adult supervision. Info: www. handsonasheville.org or call 2-1-1.

Visit the website to sign up for a project.

• SA (12/10), 3-5pm - Bonding Blankets: Help make “lovies” blankets for premature babies served

by Mission Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Instructions provided.

• TH (12/15), 6:30-8pm Volunteer with OnTrack: Copy and collate packets for distribution to individuals and families that benefit from OnTrack’s various financial assistance programs.

• SA (12/10), 10am-1pm & TH (12/15), 4-6pm - Fair-Trade Stock-Up: Assist with unpacking and pricing merchandise for Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit, fair-trade retail store that sells handcrafted items made by artisans in more than 30 developing countries.

Helios Warriors Health Care Program for Veterans A nonprofit alternative therapy program for veterans. Info: info@ helioswarriors.org, www.helioswarriors.org or 299-0776.

• THURSDAYS & SUNDAYS Offering complementary/alternative therapies. Needed: professional licensed/insured practitioners willing to offer a minimum of three hours per month of their service.

Info: helioswarriors@gmail.com or 299-0776.

Holiday Giving Tree at the Oakley Library • Through WE (12/16) - A holiday giving tree will provide books to children in need. Contact library to select a book for a child based on age, gender and interests. Held at the Oakley Library, 749 Fairview Road. Info: oakley.library@buncombecounty.org or 250-4754.

Holiday Hero

64 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

• Through FR (12/16) - Youth Villages will accept donations for Holiday Heroes, a program for abused and neglected children or those with mental health issues. Unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at Youth Villages, 38 Rosscraggon Road, Suite 38C by Dec. 16. Checks for $75 will be accepted through Dec. 12. Info: Stephanie.Hoyle@YouthVillages. org or 704-357-7943.

Kerr Cares for Kids Food and Toy Drive • Through WE (12/21) - Kerr Cares for Kids Foundation will host a food and toy drive. Drop off at Kerr Drug stores throughout the Asheville area. Info: www.kerrdrug. com or fgraff@919marketing.com.

Literacy Council of Buncombe County Needs Tutors • WE (12/14) & TH (12/15) Volunteer orientation. Volunteers are needed to tutor adults in basic literacy skills including reading, writing, math and English as a Second Language. Tutors provide one-on-one or small group instruction to adults in our community. No prior tutoring experience required. Tutors will receive 15 hours of training as well as ongoing support from certified professionals. Located at 31 College Place, Building B., Suite 221. Info: 254-3442, ext. 204 or literacytutors@litcouncil.com.

Meals On Wheels • Through TH (12/15) - Meals On Wheels will collect shoe boxes filled will gifts for the elderly. Please wrap (but do not seal) packages and label male or female. Items must be dropped off at 146 Victoria Road by Dec. 15. Info: www.mowabc.org or 253-5286.

New Opportunities Thrift Store • The Opportunity House, 1411 Asheville Highway in Hendersonville, seeks donations for the New Opportunities Thrift Store. Volunteers also needed during store hours. Info: 692-0575.

Pot Luck Parents • Pot Luck Parents seeks foster parents to form a support group.

Date, time and location to be determined. Info: leighlo@yahoo. com or 226-3876.

RiverLink Events RiverLink, WNC’s organization working to improve life along the French Broad, sponsors a variety of river-friendly events. Info: www. riverlink.org or 252-8474.

• WE (12/14), 10am & 5pm - Volunteer information sessions will be held at the RiverLink office, 170 Lyman St. Info: volunteer@ riverlink.org or 252-8474.

Road to Recovery • The American Cancer Society seeks drivers to provide transpor-

tation to cancer patients as part of its Road to Recovery program.

Volunteers must be available weekdays and willing to use their own vehicle. Info: 254-6931.

Smith-McDowell House Museum Period rooms grace this antebellum house on the campus of A-B Tech Community College, 283 Victoria Road. Info: education@ wnchistory.org or 253-9231.

• Through TH (1/5) - Volunteer tour guides needed, especially on weekends. Flexible hours. Training provided. Info: wnchavolunteers@ gmail.com or 253-5518.

Transylvania Community Arts Council Located at 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10am4pm. Info: www.artsofbrevard.org or 884-2787.

• Through SA (12/31) - Volunteers needed for the “Take Art to Heart” program to share works of art with elementary school students. Info: tcarts@comporium.net.

Volunteers for Family Therapy Study • Through FR (12/30) - Family therapist Vikki Stark seeks adults who experienced divorce as a child or teen for a clinical study.

Info: ChildDivorceStudy@gmail. com.

Winter Coat Drive • MONDAYS through FRIDAYS, 8:30am-5pm - The Sheriff’s Office will collect coats, sweaters and winter items for local shelters.

Collection boxes located at 202 Haywood St. and 20 Davidson Drive. Info: 250-4441.

YWCA MotherLove Giving Tree • Through FR (12/16) - The YWCA MotherLove Giving Tree will be on display at 185 S. French Broad Ave. The Giving Tree is made of stars bearing wishes from local teen mothers. The public is invited to the YWCA to provide gifts children. Info: 254-7206.

more VolUnTeering eVenTs online Check out the Volunteering Calendar online at www.mountainx.com/events for info on events happening after December 15.

Calendar deadline The deadline for free and paid listings is 5 p.m. WEDNESDAY, one week prior to publication.

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The Work Enter the Earth’s 10th Annual Christmas Party at the Asheville Music Hall on Friday, Dec. 9.

Lyric opens and the show begins at 10 p.m.

The Pitch: You’re a sucker for shoes-optional birthday parties.

The Buzz: This Greenville, S.C., band began playing together in 2001. Citing Curtis Mayfield, Miles Davis and the Grateful Dead as influences, the group plays a freeform style of funky R&B. Bonus Points: It’s a chance to see the new and improved Asheville Music Hall/One Stop Deli and all proceeds from the night go toward Marough Gardner, a local boy who is fighting cancer. littleironman.org.

66 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

Holy Ghost Tent Revival

Roaring Lions

Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Grey Eagle.

Monday, Dec. 12th (and every Monday in December) at Mo Daddy’s.

Mike Quinn and the Farewell Drifters open. Show starts at 9 p.m.

The Pitch: Friend, you don’t have to wait until Christmas Eve to get right with Jesus.

The Buzz: High-energy Americana? Before you claim there ain’t no such thing, check out this Greensboro band. They throw in a little banjo and a lot of happy thoughts into their amped-up folk-rock sound.

Bonus Points: The Avett Brothers aren’t playing Asheville this holiday season.

Langhorne Slim is nowhere in sight. HGTR is your best bet for a sweaty good time if your car is only reliable within an 8-mile radius of your house.

Show starts at 9 p.m.

The Pitch: Put on your dancing shoes! You’ve been making noises about amping up your cardio since the day after Thanksgiving.

The Buzz: This trio of piano, tuba and trumpet is composed of current and former members of Firecracker Jazz Band. Get ready for some high-energy, shake-your-booty ragtime swing.

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Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion Americana heirs Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion (off-stage spouses/ members of The Guthrie Family Rides Again with her dad, Arlo Guthrie/ children’s music makers/band in their own right) used to live just down the road in South Carolina. Now they’re based in Massachusetts, but they’re heading back South for a handful of select shows in support of their newest album, Bright Examples. The album was produced by Vetiver’s Andy Cabic with Thom Monahan (who’s worked with Vetiver and Devendra Banhart).

Guthrie and Irion take the stage at Jack of the Wood on Friday, Dec. 9, 9 p.m. $8 advance or $10 day of show. jackofthewood.com. Photo by Neal Casal.

David Earl and the Plowshares David Earl Tomlinson describes his sound as “amphetamine folk,” though new songs posted on his ReverbNation page have plenty of slow-burn rock, too.

Tomlinson’s band, David Earl and the Plowshares, made a name for itself with the 2008 release Local Anesthesia. The group has since reformed with Soulgrass Rebellion’s Silas Durocher on guitar and Chris Pyle on drums. The Plowshares play the Emerald Lounge on Saturday, Dec. 10 with special guest Chuck Lichtenberger (stephaniesid, The Archrivals) on piano. Vagabond Swing from Lafayette, La. opens. 10 p.m. emeraldlounge.com.

68 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

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The Luxury Spirit Here’s the back story: Three friends from Mars Hill College got together a year or so ago and formed a band, one which they describe as “rock with some progressive leanings and melancholic songwriting.” Songs like “Five” and “Katydid” actually fall into crisp grooves and ring with haunting melody. The group — The Luxury Spirit — is frontman Bob Burnette with George Sweet on bass, cello and synth and Matt Aycock on percussion. They’ll be at MoDaddy’s on Thursday, Dec. 8., 9 p.m. with Curtains, Polar Eye and The Critters. $5. theluxuryspirit.com.

Benefit for Billy Constable Avery County musician Billy Constable is known for his Appalachian approach to the banjo and for his contribution to such bands as Hypnotic Clambake, The Larry Keel Experience and Big Daddy Bluegrass Band. A recent brain tumor diagnosis has left Constable with considerable medical expenses, and like many professional musicians, he doesn’t have insurance. To help with the bills, a large group of friends is coming to Constable’s aid. Fans can get in on that action, too. On Sunday, Dec. 11, the Grey Eagle hosts a fundraiser show featuring Big Daddy Bluegrass Band, Asheville Bluegrass Collective (featuring members of Steep Canyon Rangers, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge and Town Mountain), Jason Burleson and the Bluegrass Buddies, and Nikki Talley. 6 p.m. to midnight. $10 donation. http://avl.mx/Prox. Photo by Vikas Nambiar.

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 69

clubland

where to find the clubs • what is playing • listings for venues throughout Western North Carolina CLUBLAND RULES •To qualify for a free listing, a venue must be predominately dedicated to the performing arts. Bookstores and cafés with regular open mics and musical events are also allowed.

•To limit confusion, events must be submitted by the venue owner or a representative of that venue.

•Events must be submitted in written form by e-mail (clubland@mountainx.com), fax, snail mail or hand-delivered to the Clubland Editor Dane Smith at 2 Wall St., Room 209, Asheville, NC 28801. Events submitted to other staff members are not assured of inclusion in Clubland.

•Clubs must hold at least TWO events per week to qualify for listing space. Any venue that is inactive in Clubland for one month will be removed.

•The Clubland Editor reserves the right to edit or exclude events or venues.

•Deadline is by noon on Monday for that Wednesday’s publication. This is a firm deadline.

Asheville Music Hall

Jus One More

George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners

Fox Black (acoustic)

Athena’s Club

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Disclaimer Standup Lounge (comedy open mic), 9pm

Front stage: Shane Perlowin

Blend Hookah Lounge

Valorie Miller (Americana, folk)

Open mic w/ Sven Hooson

Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Chompin’ at the Bit String Band

Open mic

One Stop Deli & Bar

Dirty South Lounge

Brown Bag Songwriting Competition w/ Alex Krug, 6:30pm

Wax in the Back, 9pm Fred’s Speakeasy

Orange Peel

Karaoke French Broad Chocolate Lounge

Paul Jones (jazz, classical)

10 Cent Poetry (folk) w/ For the Birds

Jucifer w/ Free Lunch & Slaw Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Futurebirds (psychedelic, country) w/ Grass Giraffes Grove Park Inn Great Hall

5 Walnut Wine Bar

Bob Zullo (jazz, pop guitar), 5:30-7:30pm Killer B’s (favorites by request), 8-11pm

Ben Hovey (multi-instrumentalist, electronic, soul), 8-10pm

Handlebar

ARCADE

Amy Lavere (alt-country) w/ The Ragged Orchids

Karaoke, 10pm

Digitalism (electronic, house) w/ Data Romance Root Bar No. 1

Get Down

Wed., december 7

Lobster Trap

TallGary’s Cantina

Ashevegas Saloon feat: Ellen Underhill, Andrew Fletcher & more, 5:30pm Comedy night w/ Pierre Edwards (hosted

by Bigg Mann & DJ iPod Shorty) Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Bob Zullo (jazz, pop guitar), 5:30-7:30pm Killer B’s (favorites by request), 8-11pm Handlebar

L.A. Guns & Dilana (glam rock) Hoopers Creek Cafe

Mark Bumgarner (singer/songwriter)

Open mic & bluegrass jam w/ Sherry Lynn

Dirty South Lounge

Lobster Trap

Dirty Bingo, 9pm

Hank Bones (“man of 1,000 songs”)

Ed Boudreaux’s Bayou BBQ

Lucky James (roots, blues, swing), 8-11pm Fred’s Speakeasy

Wendy Hayes Quartet (blues, jazz), 8-11pm

Orange Peel

Hometown Holiday Jam XI feat: Sons of Ralph, The Nova Echo, Marc Keller & more Pisgah Brewing Company

Nora Jane Struthers (Americana)

French Broad Brewery Tasting Room

PULP

Slice of Life (comedy open mic), 8:30pm

Ten Cent Poetry (folk, pop)

Purple Onion Cafe

Garage at Biltmore

Uptown Jazz Quartet

Open mic, 7pm

As Sick As Us (metal) w/ Elysion Fields, Lifecurse & From a Dig

Westville Pub

Good Stuff

Max Melner Orchestra (jazz, funk), 10pm

Root Bar No. 1

Wild Wing Cafe

Gene Peyroux & the Acoustalectric Pedals of Love (rock, funk, soul)

Jeff & Justin (acoustic)

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

TallGary’s Cantina

Thu., december 8

Galen Kipar Project (folk rock) w/ Taylor Martin’s Engine & Whetherman

Asheville music showcase

Asheville Music Hall

Grove Park Inn Great Hall

Pleasure Chest, 8pm

Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge

DJ Marley Carroll, 9pm Jay Brown (Americana, folk)

The Bywater

Sunday, Dec. 11

Bill Swan Trio Jazz | $8 12pm - 2:30 pm

Fri & Sat, Dec. 16 & 17

Seaton Smith

WED

W/ GRASS GiRAFFES 8:30pM

thu

12/8

GALEN KipAR pRojECT, TAYLoR MARTiN’S ENGiNE & WhEThERMAN 8pM

fri

AMY RAY(oF ThE iNdiGio GiRLS)

12/9

Stand-up Comedy | $12 | 8PM

FuTuREbiRdS

12/7

sat

hoLY GhoST TENT REvivAL

CHALWA

The Trishas

12/11

biG dAddY bLuEGRASS bANd ANd MoRE! 6pM

tuE

ToM MAxWELL

| $15 | 8PM

FREE Every Tuesday Night!

OrigiNal MuSiC SerieS hOSTeD by Mike hOlSTeiN & JuSTiN WaTT STarTS DeC. 13 18 Church Street | asheville, NC

828-348-5327 www.thealtamont.com

70 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

12/13

PRIVATE PARTY

Friday, Dec. 9th

12/10

w/special guest Nikki Talley

CLOSED

W/ ThE ShAdoWboxERS 9pM

Sunday, Dec. 18

sun

Thursday, Dec. 8th

W/ FAREWELL dRiFTERS & MiKE QuiNN 9pM

biLLY CoNSTAbLE bENEFiT

(oF SQuiRREL NuT zippERS) & ThE MiNoR dRAG 8pM The Greyhounds | Langhorne Slim | Carrie Rodriguez NYE w/Acoustic Syndicate | Fred Eaglesmith | Fist Fam

Kitchen open for dinner on Nights of Shows!

DOORS @ 4PM - SHOW 6-8 PM (ROOTS REGGAE)

Saturday, Dec. 10th CLOSED PRIVATE PARTY

ALL SHOWS ARE FREE!

no cover charge (4-8pm)

(828) 299-3370

12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Suite H Asheville, NC 28803 www.highlandbrewing.com

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues

Peggy Ratusz & friends (blues)

Voted Best diVe BAR!

Westville Pub

The Deacon Brandon Reeves (roots, rock) White Horse

Box for Beer anti-hunger benefit Wild Wing Cafe

Acoustic music w/ Stevie P & friends

Fri., December 9 ARCADE

Downstairs: “No Cover, No Shame” dance party w/ Abu Dissaray, 9pm Upstairs: DJ Capital, 9pm Asheville Music Hall

Enter the Earth Christmas party w/ The Work & Lyric Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

pinball, foosball, ping-pong & a kickass jukebox kitchen open until late 504 Haywood Rd. West Asheville • 828-255-1109 “It’s bigger than it looks!”

Acoustic Swing Craggie Brewing Company

The South French Broads Creatures Cafe

Sing the Sound (indie, rock) Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar

Friday Night Live w/ Disclaimer Comedy (standup) & Dueling Pianos (rock ‘n’ roll sing-a-long) Eleven on Grove

Zumba “In da Club,” 8pm Emerald Lounge

Sunshine Jones Firestorm Cafe and Books

Senayit (Americana, African folk-pop) Fred’s Speakeasy

Live music French Broad Brewery Tasting Room

AMERICAN INSPIRED CUSINE | 27 BEERS ON TAP POOL | DARTS | Wii | 11’ SCREEN

A^kZ Bjh^X 5 NIGHTS A WEEK! MON - OPEN MIC TUE - BLUES JAM WED - MAX MELNER ORCHESTRA

THUR 12/8

THE DEACON BRANDON REEVES

SAT 12/10

THE ALEX KING TRIO

Roots Rock Trio

Progressive Americana

9V^an HeZX^Vah FULL BAR! WED

$1 OFF ALL WHISKEY

THUR

$1 OFF ALL VODKA

FRI

$3.50 GIN & TONICS

SAT

$5 ROBO SHOTS

SUN

$1 OFF BLOODY MARY’S & MIMOSAS

MON

BUY 1 GET 1 HALF OFF APPETIZERS

$3.50 RUM & COKES TUE SUNDAYS FRIDAYS

7gZV`[Vhi

ALL YOU CAN EAT | ALL DAY

Ig^k^V C^\]i BRING A TEAM | PRIZES

OPEN TIL 2AM DAILY | KITCHEN OPEN LATE 777 HAYWOOD ROAD | 225-WPUB WWW.WESTVILLEPUB.COM

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 71

Brushfire Stankgrass (progressive bluegrass) French Broad Chocolate Lounge

High Gravity Jazz Garage at Biltmore

XXX Mas feat: DJ Hipnotik

SaT. d ec . 10

warren haynes Xmas Jam by day

w/ hOst Kevn Kinney Jabe, Keith gattis, thOmas wynn & the believers, ray sisK, the Xls T u eS . d e c . 13

O n t h e f r O n t s ta g e SundayS TueSdayS

Aaron Price 1pm | Piano

Jake Hollifield Piano | 9pm

Irish session, 3 & 5pm

Swing lessons, 6:30 & 7:30pm Tango lessons, 7pm Dance w/ Russ Wilson Quartet, 8:30pm

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Firestorm Cafe and Books

Front stage: Aaron Price (piano) Lobster Trap

Country Gold w/ Micheal “Lucky” Luchtan (golden-era country), 9am

Leo Johnson (hot club jazz), 7pm

Garage at Biltmore

Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Phat Tuesdays

Open mic w/ Ami Worthen, 8pm

Get Down

One Stop Deli & Bar

Dawn w/ Yautja & Autarch

Trivia night

Country Fried Friday w/ Hoss Howard

96.5 House Band (rock covers)

Sat., December 10

Purple Onion Cafe

ARCADE

Root Bar No. 1

Downstairs: “Bear Exploder” dance party w/ DJ Kipper Schauer, 9pm Upstairs: DJ Capital, 9pm Asheville Civic Center

Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam Asheville Music Hall

Xmas Jam by Day

Appetite for Destruction (GNR tribute) w/ Second to None

Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Highland Brewing Company

Blue Note Grille

Chalwa (reggae)

Jennifer Scott

Jack of Hearts Pub

Boiler Room

Jay Brown & Sara Carlisle (blues)

Ritual (metal, rock) w/ Zero Messenger

Jack of the Wood Pub

Craggie Brewing Company

Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion (Americana) w/ Amanda Jo Williams Afterparty w/ Harvest Records (live DJs)

Hops & Arias (opera), 8-9pm 2 Planes (instrumental), 9-11pm

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Nathan Billingsley (folk)

Back Stage: Xmas Jam by Day w/ Kevn Kinney, noon Back stage: Xmas Jam Afterparty w/ The Get Right Band, 10pm

Linda Mitchell (blues, jazz)

Creatures Cafe Emerald Lounge

Lobster Trap

Xmas Jam by Day feat: Jeff Santiago, Velvet Truckstop & more, noon-5pm David Earl & the Plowshares (rock, soul) w/ Vagabond Swing, 10pm

Calico Moon (Americana, folk, country)

Firestorm Cafe and Books

Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Taylor Martin’s Engine w/ The Kenneth Brian Band

Andru Bemis and Elizabeth Pixley-Fink (gospel, pop, vaudeville) Fred’s Speakeasy

Wendy Hayes (jazz) Nick Young (country, pop) Scandals Nightclub

Dance party, 10pm Drag show, 12:30am

Bluegrass brunch w/ The Pond Brothers, 11am Purple Onion Cafe

Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Carolina Christmas Tour feat: Tom Maxwell & the Minor Drag (swing)

Shovelhead Saloon

Jim Avett & David Childers (traditional hymns & gospel)

Gary Cody w/ Desperado

Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge

Bob Zullo (jazz, pop guitar), 5:30-7:30pm Killer B’s (favorites by request), 8-11pm

Southern Appalachian Brewery

Psychobilly Sock Hop Sundays

Handlebar

The Secret B-Sides (soul, R&B, rock)

Scandals Nightclub

Tuesday swing dance, 7pm Gene Dillard Bluegrass Jam, 8:30pm

Grove Park Inn Great Hall

Ken Kiser

Dance party, 10pm Drag show, 12am

TallGary’s Cantina

Southern Appalachian Brewery

Chatterbox

The Naughty Pillows (folk, rock)

Ben Hovey (multi-instrumentalist, electronic, soul), 7-10pm

The Chop House

The Altamont Theatre

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Live jazz w/ Mark Guest, 5-10pm

Bill Swan Trio (jazz), noon

The Market Place

The Bywater

Ben Hovey (multi-instrumentalist, electronic, soul), 7:30-11pm

Miriam & the Passionistas (Latin, folk), 5-8pm

Lobster Trap

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and

Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Blues

Blues

Jim Arrendell & the Cheap Suits (dance)

Vocal jazz session w/ Sharon LaMotte, 7:30pm

Straightaway Cafe

Hotel Indigo

Front stage: Jake Hollifield (blues, ragtime) Back stage: Tom Segura (comedy) Jay Brown (Americana, folk), 7pm Matt Anderson (acoustic rock) One Stop Deli & Bar

The Caribbean Cowboys (classic rock, reggae)

White Horse

Music trivia, 8pm Funk jam, 10pm

Drum circle, 2pm

Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge

Westville Pub

mon., December 12

Tuesday Rotations w/ Chris Ballard & guests, 10pm

5 Walnut Wine Bar

TallGary’s Cantina

Vortex

Alex Krug Trio (rock, Americana) White Horse

The Billy Sea

Pack’s Tavern

Karaoke

Steven Poteat Trio (rock)

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

Pisgah Brewing Company

Lorraine Conard (folk)

Viva DeConcini (rock)

Garage at Biltmore

Sun., December 11

Purple Onion Cafe

Full moon party

Fred Whiskin (piano)

5 Walnut Wine Bar

Get Down

Wild Wing Cafe

Chatterbox (rock)

Jerome Widenhouse & His Roaring Lions (jazz), 7-9pm

CaroMia Tiller (singer/songwriter), 8-10pm Dirty South Lounge

Tears in My Beers (DJ set), 9pm

“Garyoke” The Altamont Theatre

Get Down

Original music series w/ Mike Holstein & Justin Watt

Turf War w/ Thee Loud Crowd

The Bywater

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Open mic w/ Taylor Martin, 8:30pm

Contra dance, 8pm

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and

Grove Park Inn Great Hall

Blues

Bob Zullo (jazz, pop, guitar), 6:3010:30pm

World Beat Latin Music Jam

Handlebar

Blues jam White Horse

Sunday Jam Presents

Get Down benefit feat: Just Die! w/ Drunk in a Dumpster & The Budget

Scandals Nightclub

Good Stuff

Dance party, 10pm Drag show, 1am

Jenne Sluder

Hallelujah Hullabaloo w/ DJs Jamie Hepler, Whitney Shroyer & friends

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Southern Appalachian Brewery

Coping Stone

Eric Congdon Trio (blues, rock, roots)

Holy Ghost Tent Revival (roots, Americana, folk) w/ Farewell Drifters & Mike Quinn

The Cheap Thrills (glam, power pop) w/ The Reckless Youth

Dirty South Lounge

Irish sessions, 6:30pm Open mic, 8:45pm

Straightaway Cafe

Grove Park Inn Great Hall

Drive-by Sci-Fi, 9pm

Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Coping Stone

The Roaring Lions

Wild Wing Cafe

Video trivia, 8pm

The Bywater

Handlebar

Swing Asheville meeting & potluck, 5pm Dance w/ Michael Gamble & the Rhythm Serenaders, 7pm

The Bywater

WestSound (R&B)

Bill Covington (piano classics & standards), 5:30-7:30pm Viva, 8-11pm

Frozen Head and the Squirrels, 9pm

Greenville Battle of the Bands finals

Garage at Biltmore

The Chop House

Jack of Hearts Pub

Root Bar No. 1

TallGary’s Cantina

cOmedian tOm segura

Jack of the Wood Pub

Pack’s Tavern

Handlebar

the get right band featuring members Of sOulgrass rebelliOn

One Stop Deli & Bar

Wild Wing Cafe

Donna Germano (hammered dulcimer), 2-4pm Bill Covington (piano classics & standards), 5:30-7:30pm The Business (Motown funk), 8-11pm

Xmas Jam after party w/

Westville Pub

Good Stuff

Grove Park Inn Great Hall

w/ hOst Kevn Kinney american babies, tall tall trees, nOva echO, velvet trucKstOp, granpappy, ray sisK, sarah lee guthrie & JOhnny iriOn

Eleven on Grove

Pops Furgeson Blues Revue

Amy Ray (of The Indigo Girls) w/ The Shadowboxers

warren haynes Xmas Jam by day

Mark Bumgarner (singer/songwriter)

Ben Hovey (multi-instrumentalist, electronic, soul), 7-10pm

Vortex

Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Local Hip Hop Showcase w/ Crazyhorse & Colston, Neck Breaka Society, Bobby Fn White & more

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

f ri. d ec. 9

Hotel Indigo

No Alibi

Honky Tonkin’ Don Humphries, 6pm JP Harris & the Tough Choices w/ Robert Greer & His Honkey Tonk Outlaws, 9:30pm

The Nightcrawlers (dance, blues, rock)

Jazz Trio

White Horse

Wilhelm McKay

shane perlOwin

The John Henry’s (jazz, swing), 8-10pm

Blues

Greevance (metal) w/ Opus Grey & Gutterhound

Get Down

we d . d e c . 7

Two Guitars (classical), 10am-noon Bob Zullo (jazz, pop), 6:30-10:30pm

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and

ARCADE

Eleven on Grove

Live jazz w/ Mark Guest, 5-10pm

Ken & Amy LaDeroute (rock, soul)

Diamond Thieves Psycho Santa Christmas Party

The Market Place

Jack of the Wood Pub

Get Down

The Broadcast (soul, rock)

Karaoke

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Back Stage: Xmas Jam by Day w/ Kevn Kinney, noon

Billy Constable benefit feat: Big Daddy Bluegrass Band & more

Lobster Trap

Grove Park Inn Great Hall

Patrick Fitzsimons (blues, world, roots), 7:30pm Tolliver’s Crossing Irish Pub

Wyndy Trail Travelers (newgrass, Americana)

72 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

Bluegrass jam, 8:30pm Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues

Westville Pub

WeD., December 14 5 Walnut Wine Bar

Sharon LaMotte (vocal jazz), 7:30pm Karaoke, 10:30pm

Ben Hovey (multi-instrumentalist, electronic, soul), 8-10pm

Westville Pub

ARCADE

Open mic

Karaoke, 10pm

Wild Wing Cafe

Athena’s Club

Karaoke

tue., December 13 5 Walnut Wine Bar

Disclaimer Standup Lounge (comedy open mic), 9pm Blend Hookah Lounge

Open mic w/ Sven Hooson

clubdirectory 5 Walnut Wine Bar 253-2593 The 170 La Cantinetta 687-8170 All Stars Sports Bar & Grill 684-5116 Altamont Brewing Company 575-2400 The Altamont Theatre 575-2400 ARCADE 258-1400 Asheville Civic Center & Thomas Wolfe Auditorium 259-5544 Asheville Music Hall 255-7777 Athena’s Club 252-2456 Avenue M 350-8181 Barley’s Tap Room 255-0504 Beacon Pub 686-5943 Black Mountain Ale House 669-9090 Blend Hookah Lounge 505-0067 Blue Mountain Pizza 658-8777 Blue Note Grille 697-6828 Boiler Room 505-1612 BoBo Gallery 254-3426 Broadway’s 285-0400 Burgerworx 253-2333 The Bywater 232-6967 Clingman Cafe 253-2177 Club Hairspray 258-2027 The Chop House 253-1852 Craggie Brewing Company 254-0360 Creature’s Cafe 254-3636 Curras Nuevo 253-2111 Desoto Lounge 986-4828 Diana Wortham Theater 257-4530

Dirty South Lounge 251-1777 The Dripolator 398-0209 Dobra Tea Room 575-2424 Ed Boudreaux’s Bayou BBQ 296-0100 Eleven on Grove 505-1612 Emerald Lounge 232- 4372 Fairview Tavern 505-7236 Feed & Seed + Jamas Acoustic 216-3492 Firestorm Cafe 255-8115 Frankie Bones 274-7111 Fred’s Speakeasy 281-0920 Fred’s Speakeasy South 684-2646 French Broad Brewery Tasting Room 277-0222 French Broad Chocolate Lounge 252-4181 The Garage 505-2663 Get Down 505-8388 Good Stuff 649-9711 Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern 232-5800 Grove House Eleven on Grove 505-1612 The Grove Park Inn (Elaine’s Piano Bar/ Great Hall) 252-2711 The Handlebar (864) 233-6173 Hannah Flanagans 252-1922 Harrah’s Cherokee 497-7777 Havana Restaurant 252-1611 Haywood Lounge 232-4938 Highland Brewing Company 299-3370 Holland’s Grille 298-8780

clubland@mountainx.com

The Hop 254-2224 The Hop West 252-5155 Iron Horse Station 622-0022 Jack of the Wood 252-5445 Jerusalem Garden 254-0255 Jus One More 253-8770 Laurey’s Catering 252-1500 Lexington Avenue Brewery 252-0212 The Lobster Trap 350-0505 Luella’s Bar-B-Que 505-RIBS Mack Kell’s Pub & Grill 253-8805 The Magnetic Field 257-4003 Midway Tavern 687-7530 Mela 225-8880 Mellow Mushroom 236-9800 Mike’s Side Pocket 281-3096 Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill 258-1550 Northside Bar and Grill 254-2349 Olive Or Twist 254-0555 O’Malley’s On Main 246-0898 One Stop Bar Deli & Bar 236-2424 The Orange Peel 225-5851 Pack’s Tavern 225-6944 Pisgah Brewing Co. 669-0190 Poppie’s Market and Cafe 885-5494 Posana Cafe 505-3969 Pulp 225-5851 Purple Onion Cafe 749-1179 Rankin Vault 254-4993

The Recovery Room 684-1213 Red Stag Grill at the Grand Bohemian Hotel 505-2949 Rendezvous 926-0201 Root Bar No.1 299-7597 Scandals Nightclub 252-2838 Scully’s 251-8880 Shovelhead Saloon 669-9541 Skyland Performing Arts Center 693-0087 Shifters 684-1024 Smokey’s After Dark 253-2155 Southern Appalacian Brewery 684-1235 Straightaway Cafe 669-8856 TallGary’s Cantina 232-0809 Red Room 252-0775 Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack 575-2260 Thirsty Monk South 505-4564 Tolliver’s Crossing Irish Pub 505-2129 Town Pump 669-4808 Tressa’s Downtown Jazz & Blues 254-7072 Vanuatu Kava 505-8118 The Village Wayside 277-4121 Vincenzo’s Bistro 254-4698 Wedge Brewery 505 2792 Well Bred Bakery & Cafe 645-9300 Westville Pub 225-9782 White Horse 669-0816 Wild Wing Cafe 253-3066

Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Open mic

Valorie Miller (Americana, folk) Mo-Daddy’s Bar & Grill

Dirty South Lounge

The 999 Eyes Freakshow & Surreal Sideshow w/ Sugarfoot Serenaders

Wax in the Back, 9pm

Grove Park Inn Great Hall

Fred’s Speakeasy

Karaoke

Bob Zullo (jazz, pop guitar), 5:30-7:30pm Killer B’s (favorites by request), 8-11pm

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

Handlebar

August Black (folk, Americana)

Dank Sinatra (electronic, reggae, funk) w/ Milli Fungus

Music & EvEnts

WeD, DeceMber 7 7:00 pM

Doppelbock release at barley’s DoWntoWn thur, DeceMber 8

shoW 8:00 pM - Free shoW

nora Jane struthers Fri, DeceMber 9

fine foods • 30 brews on tap • patio sports room • 110” projector • event space open 7 Days 11am - Late • Now Catering

LIVE MUSIC... NEVER A COVER Steven Poteat Trio (contemporary rock)

Fri 12/9

Sat “The Mix” 96.5 12/10 House Band

(rock, classic dance hits)

shoW 8:00 pM - Free shoW

viva Deconcini

thur, DeceMber 15

Doors 8:00 pM/shoW 9:00 pM - $7

Devon allMan’s honeytribe thur. 12/15 - 6 pm -valdez pairing at French broad chocolate lounge Details & aDvance tickets:

pisgahbrewing.com

Taproom Hours: M-W: 4pm - 9pm th-sat: 2pm - 12am | sun: 2pm - 9pm

FREE Parking weekdays after 5pm & all weekend (behind us on Marjorie St.)

20 S. Spruce St. • 225.6944 PacksTavern.com Off Biltmore Ave. in the new Pack Square Park.

Building Communtiy Through Business “As an independent agent, being a chamber member has enabled me to meet hundreds of people who have become clients. And more importantly — I have developed friendships that will last a lifetime.

It has been an integral part of my success. And you can help make the Asheville Chamber a vibrant part of our community so we all may prosper.”

— Dave Trout, Trout Insurance, Member since 1999 Become a member of the Chamber today.

Contact Member Services at membership@ashevillechamber.org or call 828-258-6101, or visit www.ashevillechampber.org/membership

Chompin’ at the Bit String Band One Stop Deli & Bar

Brown Bag Songwriting Competition w/ Alex Krug, 6:30pm Live comedy, 10pm

“We’re for Business” for more information on the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce visit us:

Root Bar No. 1

Lord T & Eloise (hip-hop)

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Now You See Them (folk, pop, indie) Kickstarter fundraiser

Get Down

Front stage: Shane Perlowin

TallGary’s Cantina

Movie night

Lobster Trap

Open mic, 7pm

Garage at Biltmore

DOWNTOWN ON THE PARK

ashevillechamber.org • 36 Montford Ave. Asheville info@ashevillechamber.org mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 73

What’s on your

A list Asheville?

----------------------------------------“

” ,

When you look back on 2011,

what stands out?

It’s not about what was the best or the worst, but what was memorable.

----------------------------------------Go to mountainx.com/alist for some guidelines, examples and to make your own. We’ll make our own A-list of our favorite entries and publish them Dec. 28 in our end-of-the-year issue (hint: it’s all about lists).

-----------You’ll also get a special prize if your list is published.-----------

----------------.To summarize, here’s a lisT: .----------------

Go to mountainx.com/alist

Make a list

Pick uP our Dec. 28 issue To see if your lisT maDe The lisT

Get a special prize from Mountain Xpress

7.#´S 0REMIERE !DULT ,OUNGE 3PORTS 2OOM Ladies & Couples Welcome Sports Lounge feat.

NBA & UFC on big screen Now featuring area’s only “Spinning Pole” Great Drink Specials Every Night see for yourself at

TheTreasureClub.com

New Hours:

Mon - Sat 6:30pm - 2am

520 Sw a n nano a Riv e r R d, Ash evi l l e, N C 28805 • (8 2 8 ) 2 9 8 - 1 4 0 0 74 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues

Peggy’s All Girl Singer Showcase Westville Pub

Max Melner Orchestra (jazz, funk), 10pm White Horse

Bronwyn Cronin (jazz) Wild Wing Cafe

Jeff & Justin (acoustic)

Devon Allman’s Honeytribe (jam, blues, rock) PULP

Friday Night Live w/ Disclaimer Comedy (standup) & Dueling Pianos (rock ‘n’ roll sing-a-long)

Slice of Life (comedy open mic), 8:30pm

Eleven on Grove

Purple Onion Cafe

Kellin Watson (folk rock, pop, soul)

BeLoved Community benefit (music, drag show & raffle)

Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge

Emerald Lounge

DJ Marley Carroll, 9pm Red Stag Grill

Thu., December 15

Eric Ciborski (piano)

Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Scandals Nightclub

Linda Mitchell (blues, jazz)

Talent search night

Dirty South Lounge

Straightaway Cafe

Dirty Bingo, 9pm

Jay Brown

Ed Boudreaux’s Bayou BBQ

TallGary’s Cantina

Lucky James (roots, blues, swing), 8-11pm

Asheville music showcase

Emerald Lounge

Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues

Oger Throne w/ guests

Peggy Ratusz & friends (blues)

Fred’s Speakeasy

Westville Pub

Wendy Hayes Quartet (blues, jazz), 8-11pm

Beta Maxx (blues)

French Broad Brewery Tasting Room

White Horse

Neil Cribbs (folk, Americana, rock)

Blind Lemon Phillips (funk, blues, R&B)

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

Wild Wing Cafe

Ben Hovey (multi-instrumentalist, electronic, soul)

Acoustic music w/ Stevie P & friends

Get Down

Cheap Thrills w/ Johnny Sexx & The Treatment

Fri., December 16 ARCADE

Pierce Edens & the Dirty Work (Americana, roots) Firestorm Cafe and Books

Amy Steinberg & friends (music, poetry & comedy) Fred’s Speakeasy

Live music French Broad Brewery Tasting Room

The Stereofidelics (indie, rock) French Broad Chocolate Lounge

High Gravity Jazz Get Down

Wooden Toothe w/ 1st Last in Line & Albert Adams Good Stuff

Ben Wilson Grove Park Inn Great Hall

Donna Germano (hammered dulcimer), 2-4pm Bill Covington (piano classics & standards), 5:30-7:30pm The Business (Motown funk), 8-11pm

Gene Peyroux & the Acoustalectric Pedals of Love (rock, funk, soul)

Downstairs: “No Cover, No Shame” dance party w/ Abu Dissaray, 9pm Upstairs: DJ Capital, 9pm

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Asheville Music Hall

Highland Brewing Company

Big Brown Bag Songwriting Competition finals w/ Alex Krug

Common Foundation (reggae, ska), 6pm Jack of Hearts Pub

Bob Zullo (jazz, pop guitar), 5:30-7:30pm Killer B’s (favorites by request), 8-11pm

Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Live music

Acoustic Swing

Jack of the Wood Pub

Hoopers Creek Cafe

Boiler Room

Sanctum Sully (bluegrass)

Open mic & bluegrass jam w/ Sherry Lynn

Dead Light (rock, metal) w/ Pulse

Jus One More

Lobster Trap

Craggie Brewing Company

Thunder Head (rock)

Hank Bones (“man of 1,000 songs”)

The Brooke Clover Band

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

One Stop Deli & Bar

Creatures Cafe

Cindercat, 10pm

Kings of the Foxfire (folk, rock)

Back stage: Elkmont Place w/ Sunshine and the Bad Things & Anatomy of Frank

Pisgah Brewing Company

Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar

Lobster Trap

Good Stuff

The Greyhounds (rockabilly) Grove Park Inn Great Hall

Handlebar

The 12 DJs of Christmas

Leo Johnson & the Space Heaters (acoustic, jazz, swing)

Barrie Howard

Orange Peel

Severance (rock, metal)

Blackberry Smoke (Southern rock) w/ Sunny Ledfurd

Craggie Brewing Company

Packâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tavern

Creatures Cafe

Scott Raines Duo (rock, jam)

Mo-Daddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar & Grill

Grateful Dead Night w/ Phuncle Sam (jam, folk, psychedelic)

Boiler Room

Gavin Conner (indie, folk), 6-8pm Matt Chancey (folk) w/ Harvest and the Insignificant Others

Fred Whiskin (piano)

Eleven on Grove

Root Bar No. 1

WestSoundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Red & Black Ball, 9pm

Linda Mitchell (blues, jazz)

Emerald Lounge

Dance party, 10pm Drag show, 1am

DJ Moto (dance, pop) Pisgah Brewing Company

Purple Onion Cafe

Scandals Nightclub

Packâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tavern

John Driskell Hopkins & Balsam Range w/ special guests Purple Onion Cafe

Shane Pruitt Band (blues, jam, jazz) Red Stag Grill

Paper Tiger (electronic, lounge) w/ Digital Butter Fredâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Speakeasy

Eric Ciborski (piano) Rockyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hot Chicken Shack

Rocky & Howie

TallGaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cantina

Karaoke

August Black

French Broad Brewery Tasting Room

The Altamont Theatre

Pierce Edens (rock, Americana)

Scandals Nightclub

Seaton Smith (comedy)

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

The Chop House

Jazzville Band

Dance party, 10pm Drag show, 12:30am

Live jazz w/ Mark Guest, 5-10pm

Get Down

The Market Place

Ocoai w/ Random Conflict

Patrick Fitzsimons (blues, world, roots), 7:30pm

Good Stuff

Tolliverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossing Irish Pub

Terina Plyler

Ty Alan band (folk, rock)

Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern

Tressaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Downtown Jazz and Blues

Chatham County Line (electric holiday tour)

The Free Flow Band (soul, funk)

Grove Park Inn Great Hall

Westville Pub

Trivia night White Horse

Bob Margolin

Wed

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Shovelhead Saloon

Gary Cody w/ Desperado Straightaway Cafe

Pat Flaherty

Bill Covington (piano classics & standards), 5:30-7:30pm Peggy Ratusz (blues), 8-11pm

TallGaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cantina

Carolina Hot Grazz Quartet The Altamont Theatre

Seaton Smith (comedy) The Chop House

Live jazz w/ Mark Guest, 5-10pm

Highland Brewing Company

The Market Place

Blind Lemon Phillips (rock, blues), 6pm

Ben Hovey (multi-instrumentalist, electronic, soul), 7:30-11pm

Jailbox Duo (folk)

Tressaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Downtown Jazz and Blues

Sat., December 17

Jack of the Wood Pub

Ruby Mayfield & Friends (dance, blues, rock)

Jon Stickley Trio feat: Andy Thorn and Jeff Sipe (newgrass) Late night w/ Dirt Heavy (rock)

Westville Pub

Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB)

Asheville Music Hall

Back stage: Brother Wolf benefit feat: Malcolm Holcombe, Ed Snodderly & Jelly Roll Johnson

La Befana (puppet show), 2pm Daniel Weiser, Kim Hughes & Jennifer Smith, 7pm

Archnemesis w/ Medisin & Arpetrio

Lobster Trap

Wild Wing Cafe

Blue Mountain Pizza Cafe

Jazz Trio

Darin Kohler

Downstairs: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bear Exploderâ&#x20AC;? dance party w/ DJ Kipper Schauer, 9pm Upstairs: DJ Capital, 9pm

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mountainx.com â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 75

crankyhanke

theaterlistings Friday, dECEMBEr 9 - Thursday, Thursday 15

Due to possible last-minute scheduling changes, moviegoers may want to confirm showtimes with theaters. n

Please call the info line for updated showtimes. a Dolphin Tale (Pg) 1:00, 4:00 in Time (Pg-13) 7:00 Paranormal activity 3 (r) 10:00 (no show Wed. Dec. 14) Poultrygeist (nr 10:00 Wed. Dec 14 only

carmike cinema 10 (298-4452) n carolina asheville cinema 14 (274-9500) n

anonymous (Pg-13) 11:00, 1:50, 4:40, 7:30, 10:20 arthur christmas (Pg) 11:35, 1:55, 4:25 (sofa cinema) The Descendants (r) 11:10, 2:00, 4:45, 7:20, 10:10 happy Feet Two 2D (Pg) 11:10, 2:05, 4:35 hugo 3D (Pg) 11:20, 2:25, 5:00, 7:50, 10:25 hugo 2D (Pg) 11:05, 1:50, 4:30, 7:05, 9:45 into the abyss (Pg-13) 11:25, 1:55, 4:20, 7:15, 10:05 immortals (r) 7:45, 10:15 (sofa cinema) J. edgar (r) 7:20, 10:15 (sofa cinema) like crazy (Pg-13) 11:50, 2:10, 4:15, 8:00, 10:20 (sofa cinema) margin call (r) 11:40, 2:20, 4:50, 7:25, 9:55 (sofa cinema) melancholia (r) 11:45, 3:30, 7:00, 10:00 The muppets (Pg) 11:15, 1:45, 4:10, 7:10, 9:40 new year’s eve (Pg-13) 11:30, 2:15, 4:55, 7:40, 10:30 The sitter (r) 11:55, 2:30, 4:30, 7:55, 9:50 The Twilight saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1 (Pg-13) 11:00, 1:40, 4:20, 7:00, 9:35 n

movie reviews & listings by ken hanke

asheville Pizza & Brewing co. (254-1281)

cineBarre (665-7776)

50/50 (r) 10:05 (sun only), 12:20, 2:50, 5:05. 7:20, 9:40 Dolphin Tale (Pg) 9:45 (sun only), 12:10, 2:40, 5:10, 7:35, 9:55 The help (Pg-13) 9:55 (sun), 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:05 midnight in Paris (Pg-13) 10:00 (sun only), 12:15, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:45 The Three musketeers (Pg-13) 9:50 (sun only),12:05, 2:45, 5:15, 7:40, 10:00

co-eD cinema BrevarD (883-2200) ePic oF henDersonville (693-1146) n Fine arTs TheaTre (232-1536) n

JJJJJ max rating

additional reviews by justin souther contact xpressmovies@aol.com

pickoftheweek The DescenDanTs

JJJJJ

Director: AlexAnDer PAyne PlAyers: GeorGe clooney, shAilene WooDley, AmArA miller, nick krAuse, PAtriciA hAstie comeDy Drama

raTeD r

The Story: A Hawaiian real-estate lawyer faces his wife’s impending death, two daughters he doesn’t understand and a large circle of dissolute relatives bent on selling the family land.

The Lowdown: A relatably human comedy-drama that is both surprisingly funny and moving, cemented by a terrific performance from George Clooney.

Alexander Payne’s The Descendants is destined to be one of the season’s bigger hits. It has a bankable star, a name director, mostly terrific reviews, and is, in fact, a very good movie — without ever quite being a great one. Being that it’s from Payne, moviegoers who think in terms of filmmakers (the basic target audience of the film) have some idea of the kind of film it is: unhurried, a little off-center, humanistic, focused on deeply-flawed characters whose appeal may not be immediately apparent. But The Descendants is a little different in that it’s not as bleak as About Schmidt (2002), nor as specialized as Sideways (2004). It actually has far more in common with his sweet-tempered short film “14e arrondissement” in Paris, Je T’Aime (2006). And, to me, that’s not a bad thing. At the same time, it’s typical Payne — as was the short film — in that life is finally all about where you are, what you’re doing, and with whom you do it.

George Clooney (an almost certain Oscar nomination and a good bet to win) plays Matt King, a Hawaiian real-estate lawyer descended from a long line of Hawaiians with a lineage that includes Hawaiian royalty. It’s through this lineage that he has ended up as trustee of an extremely valuable tract of picture-postcard unspoiled beachfront land on Kauai. Since Matt

n

The Descendants (r) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, late show Fri-sat 9:20 martha marcy may marlene (r) 7:20, late show Fri-sat 9:30 The way (Pg-13) 1:20, 4:20 n

FlaTrock cinema (697-2463)

margin call ($) 4:00, 7:00 n n

regal BilTmore granDe sTaDium 15 (684-1298) uniTeD arTisTs BeaucaTcher (298-1234)

lookhere Don’t miss out on Cranky Hanke’s online-only weekly columns “Screening Room” and “Weekly Reeler,” plus extended reviews of special showings, the “Elitist Bastards Go to the Movies” podcast, as well as an archive of past Xpress movie reviews — all at mountainx. com/movies.

76 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

Shailene Woodley, George Clooney, Amara Miller and Nick Krause a bit lost in paradise in Alexander Payne’s warmly human, occasionally very funny The Descendants. has always lived off his earnings and not relied on his trust fund, he has no real need or desire to sell the land. The trust is set to expire in a few years, however, and Matt’s rather motley assortment of layabout relatives have plans to sell the land to a developer.

Though it looms over the film and is ultimately central to the story, the land is almost a side issue in terms of the plot. The story is more concerned with the fact that his wife, Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie), has been in a boating accident that has left her in a coma, which Matt soon learns is not going to change. It’s not a question of whether she’s going to die, but when to honor her living will and let her go. The situation has already been difficult, since it left Matt in charge of 10-year-old Scottie (Amara Miller), a daughter he utterly cannot understand. It also leaves him in charge of her away-at-school 17-year-old sister, Alex (Shailene Woodley), whom he brings home — partly to say goodbye to her mother and partly to help with Scottie.

The problem with this is that Alex — apparently recovering from a drug problem — is not happy about either prospect. This turns out to be due, in part, to the fact that she’s the one family member who knew that Elizabeth had

been cheating on Matt. It’s through her that Matt learns of his dying wife’s infidelity — and that sets the film off in another direction with Matt determined to learn the identity of his wife’s lover and confront him. To this end, he starts playing detective with the assistance of Alex — with her seemingly clueless and obnoxious boyfriend, Sid (Nick Krause), in tow. (Sid, however, may not be quite as witless as he seems.) It sounds like a farce comedy, and in some ways it is, but it’s also more than that. One of the movie’s joys is the way the plot keeps complicating itself — in part through characters who defy expectations.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the film is that it takes that hoariest and most tiresome of modern movie cliches — the distracted workaholic dad and husband — and makes it seem fresh. In the hands of Payne, his co-writers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, Clooney and the rest of the cast’s flawless performances, The Descendants becomes a human, believable and quietly moving film. Rated R for language including some sexual references. reviewed by Ken Hanke Starts Friday at Carolina Asheville Cinema 14 and Fine Arts Theatre

Anonymous JJJJ

Director: rolanD emmerich Players: rhys iFans, Vanessa reDgraVe, sebastian armesto, raFe sPall, DaViD thewlis, Jamie camPbell bower, Joely richarDson PrePosterous melodrAmA

HistoricAl

revisionist rAted PG-13

The Story: The supposed “dirt” on who “really” wrote Shakespeare’s play — with numerous liberties.

The Lowdown: Utterly absurd revisionist nonsense that is very nearly as entertaining as it is ridiculous — and that’s saying something.

Calling Anonymous Roland Emmerich’s masterpiece ranks high on the list of most meaningless claims of 2011. It happens to be true, but when you realize that the competition for that accolade is made up of titles like Godzilla (1998), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), 10,000 BC (2008) and 2012 (2009), it becomes obvious that the bar is set so low that a salamander couldn’t do the limbo under it. Applying the same kind of scrupulous care to history he has shown to matters of science and physics, this “blistering expose” of who “really” wrote all those plays attributed to William Shakespeare, Emmerich has created something that might better be called How Richard III Got His Hump. None of this means that the film isn’t entertaining. It is, though not always in the ways that it means to be.

Now, I’m not saying that there’s no reason not to question whether or not Shakespeare wrote all those plays. That discussion has been going on forever, and some intriguing — if hardly iron-clad — cases have been made. This isn’t one of them. Even most of the group of folks called “Oxfordians” — the people who believe that Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford, wrote the plays — seem to have distanced themselves from this quite astonishing work, which, among other things, wants us to buy that de Vere knocked off A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a precocious lad of about 9. This, however, is the but the tip of the movie’s deliriously overheated concoction that frequently doesn’t even make narrative sense within the confines of its own absurdity.

It wouldn’t matter so much if the film was utterly stylized, but it’s not. It’s actually presented as a history lesson introduced with grave authority by Derek Jacobi (though the film itself — unlike the trailer — doesn’t have him say, “But what if I told you Shakespeare never wrote a single word?”). This does cleverly transform itself into a theatrical production of the alternate story of Shakespeare, as imagined by Emmerich and screenwriter John Orloff, which quickly turns — kind of like those Busby Berkeley production numbers — into the movie itself.

The problem is that Emmerich takes all of this very seriously indeed — and to prove it, he’s going to goose the melodrama on every possible occasion. (I doubt a single dramatic event or Important Line escapes being punctuated with a thunderclap, giving the film the sense of taking place in some kind of meteorological purgatory.)

What makes it even more remarkable, though, is that Emmerich genuinely seems to believe all this stuff, with its political intrigues and people whispering behind columns and statuary. But then again, he also seems to believe that Mozart’s “Requiem” was around in 1571.

Considering that all this happens 185 years before Mozart was born, it’s an even more remarkable feat of prodigy run riot than the idea that A Midsummer Night’s Dream was the work of a 9-year old. Yes, I know it’s meant to be an ironic comment to play a requiem over De Vere’s marriage to Anne Cecil (Helen Baxendale), but it’s the only such thing in the film and sticks out like a handful of sore thumbs. All this results in camp and unintentional humor of the highest order. When Anne breaks in on De Vere, finding him scribbling away, she blurts out in horror, “My God! You’re writing again!” Here, Anonymous equals the classic, “Discontinue that so-called ’Polonaise’ jumble” line from the 1945 Chopin biopic A Song to Remember.

So why, you may ask, am I recommending Anonymous? Well, I can’t deny that it’s nicely made, and its superb cast does the best it can with the frequently impossible script — though Rafe Spall’s portrayal of Will Shakespeare as a horny buffoon who literally can’t write his name in the dirt with a stick is a bit much. That, however, is part of the appeal.

The film is so loopy — and so convinced that it’s not — that it’s pretty irresistible entertainment. Just, for goodness sake, don’t take it seriously. Whatever it is, it ain’t history. Rated PG-13 for some violence and sexual content. reviewed by Ken Hanke Starts Friday at Carolina Asheville Ciema 14, currently playing at Flat Rock Cinema

into tHe Abyss JJJJJ

Director: werner herzog Players: werner herzog, michael Perry, Jason burkett, Jeremy richarDson, kristen willis documentAry

rAted PG-13

The Story: Eccentric director Werner Herzog documents a prisoner on death row, and the terrible crime he and a friend once committed.

The Lowdown: An emotionally draining look at not only the death penalty, but at the people — criminals, victims, police officers — who get entangled in death and violence.

If Werner Herzog’s Into the Abyss is indeed an activist documentary — and I’m not wholly convinced it is — then it’s an activist documentary only the idiosyncratic Herzog could make. The director seemingly states his thesis early on in the film, as he tells death-row inmate Michael Perry that, while he doesn’t have to respect his past actions, he does respect Perry’s right to live. But from here, however, Herzog transforms his vision, focusing less on capital punishment, and more on the fragility of life itself. He’s more interested with not only the causes of death and crime, but by the actual people who are entangled in it all. The human aspect that Herzog so dog-

For some theaters movie listings were not available at press time. Please contact the theater or check mountainx.com for updated information.

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 77

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gedly pursues is what places Into the Abyss among the most intense and heartbreaking works of filmmaking I’ve seen this year.

The film starts off by detailing the crimes committed by Perry and his onetime friend Jason Burkett’s (who is now serving a life sentence). Detailed through crime-scene video, police documents and interviews, Herzog goes through the steps of a triple murder committed by Perry and Burkett for nothing more than a Camaro. The senseless nature and absurdity of the crime is even more evidenced by the revelation that it’s a car they had for no more than a few days before getting into a shoot-out with police and being eventually apprehended.

But Herzog is a filmmaker before he’s a journalist. From what we’re shown, there’s no doubt that Herzog is certain that Perry and Burkett — despite their own claims to the contrary — committed these crimes. But guilt and innocence aren’t what concerns the director, since he only delves into the official record of these crimes. At the same time, he never denies these two imprisoned men their sides of the story, and the film is incredibly even-handed in this manner. Herzog has his ideas and opinions, but allows everyone else involved their own as well — including a woman who lost two family members in Perry and Burkett’s rampage, and who is obviously comforted by Perry’s execution. Her perspective goes against the whole point of the film, but after hearing her story after witnessing the horrific nature of Perry’s crimes, you can’t exactly blame her for having it.

This fairness is laced throughout the film.

Every person — including Perry and Burkett — are treated with a certain dignity, since Herzog’s main concern is an overarching sense of humanity. He never makes excuses for these two alienated men who committed murder at the age of 19, though he does attempt to examine why they might’ve ended up in the place they are. Herzog looks briefly at the violent culture of poverty the two grew up immersed in, and a good bit of the film is spent interviewing Burkett’s father, who’s been in prison most of his life and fully blames himself for many of his son’s failings.

Into the Abyss, however, doesn’t solely focus on the crimes, but rather the people this atmosphere of death influences on a daily basis. A good example is a correction’s officer who has assisted in executing — by his estimate — more than 120 people before eventually being simply unable to handle the job any longer. The film is filled with gut-wrenching moments like these, and even with the occasional Herzogian digressions, it’s classic Werner at his most tasteful and sincere. Herzog’ ability to allow the viewers to draw their own conclusions is what makes Into the Abyss one of the best documentaries of the year — assuming you can handle its heaviness. Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material and some disturbing images. reviewed by Justin Souther Starts Friday at Carolina Asheville Cinema 14

18 Years of Independent news, arts & events for wnC 78 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

specialscreenings ClOSElY WATCHED TRAINS JJJJJ

Director: Jirí Menzel Players: VáclaV neckár, Josef soMr, VlastiMil BroDský, VlaDiMír Valenta, Jitka BenDoVá DRAMA RATED NR OK, so it doesn’t have what you’d call a happy ending, but in terms of Eastern European cinema, Jirí Menzel’s Oscar-winning Closely Watched Trains (1966) is unusually cheerful. It’s a simple, often humorous (in a dry way) story that is more about characters than plot. Taking place in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, it focuses on Milos (Václav Neckár), a young man from a line of crackpots who seem to specialize in finding ways around any sort of strenuous work. That was the reason his grandfather — recently deceased after trying to hypnotize the German army into not invading — became a stage hypnotist, and why his father has retired as an engine driver at the age of 48. Milos himself has landed a mostly do-nothing job as an apprentice train dispatcher in his sleepy little village — working under a pigeonfancying boss and his sex-obsessed assistant. Milos himself is ready for romance — with his sights on train conductress Masa (Jitka Bendová) — but he’s baffled by the lechery all around him and when it comes to performing sex, he’s a disaster. So much of a disaster in fact, that he attempts suicide. A doctor (played by the director) explains things to him and ... well, the rest is best left to the viewer. It’s a nice little film with a certain amount of fairly twisted — or at least kinky — humor and an ending that is shocking, but feels just right upon reflection. reviewed by Ken Hanke Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Closely Watched Trains at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, at Phil Mechanic Studios, 109 Roberts St., River Arts District (upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, http://www.ashevillecourtyard.com

startingfriday ANONYMOUS

See review in “Cranky Hanke.”

THE DESCENDANTS

See review in “Cranky Hanke.”

INTO THE ABYSS

See Justin Souther’s review in “Cranky Hanke.”

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Oh, look, it’s Valentine’s Day 2! Well, not really, but it’s the same director — Garry Marshall — the same writer — Katherine Fugate — and the same idea: Take a whole bunch of stars (some more luminous than others) and shove ‘em into a fragmented story about romantic complications built around a holiday.

Ashton Kutcher actually infests both movies, which may be a plus in some quarters. But it’s not the same thing because, you see, it’s a different holiday and a different city and mostly different stars. Screened for critics? Hardly. (PG-13)

comic is theoretically bankable this week.

This year he seems to going for a record by following up his disastrous Your Highness with The Sitter, which is being hyped

by Fox thus, “The Sitter is a new level of twisted and debauched hilarity from the director of Pineapple Express .” Yes, well, it also appears to be of the formulaic variety, where you put a comic — in this case, Jonah Hill — in charge of some obnoxious children and hijinks ensue — or, supposedly, “debauched hilarity.” One thing that hasn’t ensued, however, is screening the film for the press. (R)

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nowplaying Anonymous JJJJ

like CrAzy JJJJ

Arthur ChristmAs JJJJ

mArgin CAll JJJJJ

Rhys Ifans, Vanessa RedgRaVe, sebastIan aRmesto, Rafe spall, daVId thewlIs, JamIe Campbell boweR, Joely RIChaRdson Preposterous Historical Revisionist Melodrama The supposed “dirt” on who “really” wrote Shakespeare’s play—with numerous liberties. Utterly absurd revisionist nonsense that is very nearly as entertaining as it is ridiculous—and that’s saying something. Rated PG-13

(VoICes) James mCaVoy, hugh lauRIe, bIll nIghy, JIm bRoadbent, Imelda staunton Animated Fantasy When a child is missed at Christmas, Santa’s younger son, Arthur, teams up with Grandsanta to get her present to her. A wholly pleasant and pleasing outburst of family-friendly seasonal fare that’s both winning and funny. Rated PG

the DesCenDAnts JJJJJ

geoRge Clooney, shaIlene woodley, amaRa mIlleR, nICk kRause, patRICIa hastIe Comedy Drama A Hawaiian real-estate lawyer faces his wife’s impending death, two daughters he doesn’t understand and a large circle of dissolute relatives bent on selling the family land. A relatably human comedy-drama that is both surprisingly funny and moving, cemented by a terrific performance from George Clooney. Rated R

hAppy Feet two JJJ

(VoICes) elIJah wood, pInk, RobIn wIllIams, aVa aCRes, bRad pItt, matt damon Animated Musical Adventure A runaway iceberg traps a city of emperor penguins. Gorgeous-looking computer animation can’t make up for a plot severely lacking in cohesion. Rated PG

the help JJJJ

emma stone, VIola daVIs, oCtaVIa spenCeR, bRyCe dallas howaRd, allIson Janney, sIssy spaCek Drama A young college graduate writes a book—with the help of the black maids—that exposes the hypocrisy and racism in 1963 Jackson, Miss. Solidly entertaining crowd-pleaser with terrific performances overcoming an overstuffed narrative and a too-careful approach to the subject matter.

Rated PG-13

hugo JJJJJ

ben kIngsley, asa butteRfIeld, Chloë gRaCe moRetz, saCha baRon Cohen, helen mCCRoRy, ChRIstopheR lee, Jude law Fantasy Comedy Drama The story of 12-year-old Hugo Cabret, who lives inside the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris—his adventures, his efforts to rebuild an automaton and the discoveries all this leads to. An almost impossibly great movie that is by turns funny, touching and profound. This goes beyond being a must-see. This is in a class by itself. Rated PG

immortAls JJJ

henRy CaVIll, mICkey RouRke, stephen doRff, fRIeda pInto, John huRt Mythological Action A peasant living in a fantastic version of ancient Greece must stop an evil king from destroying the world and the gods who rule over it. A hyper-stylized take on Greek mythology that’s simply too overbearing, and—too often—simply unfun. Rated R

into the Abyss JJJJJ

weRneR heRzog, mIChael peRRy, Jason buRkett, JeRemy RIChaRdson, kRIsten wIllIs Documentary Eccentric director Werner Herzog documents a prisoner on death row, and the terrible crime he and a friend once committed. An emotionally draining look at not only the death penalty, but at the people—criminals, victims, police officers—who get entangled in death and violence.

Rated PG-13

J. eDgAr JJJJJ

leonaRdo dICapRIo, aRmIe hammeR, naomI watts, JudI denCh, Josh luCas Biographical Drama The private and public story of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. A close-to-great film blessed with terrific central performances—and one that manages to tackle potentially lurid material with tact and understanding. Rated R

JACk AnD Jill J

adam sandleR, al paCIno, katIe holmes, eugenIo deRbez, nICk swaRdson “Comedy” A man must deal with his obnoxious twin sister over the holidays.

If you find Adam Sandler in drag accompanied by a bevy of fart jokes and celebrity cameos to be comedy gold, then here’s a movie for you. Rated PG

80 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 • mountainx.com

anton yelChIn, felICIty Jones, JennIfeR lawRenCe, ChaRlIe bewley, alex kIngston, olIVeR muIRhead Romantic Drama Anatomy of a romance separated by a continent, an ocean and perhaps a mindset. A lot of this movie either doesn’t work or is too mired in a filmmaking style, but there’s an agreeable and altogether human aspect that very much comes through. Rated PG-13

keVIn spaCey, paul bettany, JeRemy IRons, zaChaRy QuInto, penn badgley, sImon bakeR, stanley tuCCI, demI mooRe Drama The fictionalized (barely) story of how Wall Street was brought down by speculation in the mortgage market. Material which should be anything but compelling turns out to be captivating—if disturbing—entertainment that does right by every member of its high-powered cast. Rated R

mArthA mArCy mAy mArlene JJJ

elIzabeth olsen, John hawkes, saRah paulson, hugh danCy, louIsa kRause Drama Thriller The story of a young woman who attempts to get away from a cult and reclaim her life for herself. Highly acclaimed quasi-thriller that didn’t work for this reviewer, but has impressed an awful lot of folks. Rated R

melAnCholiA JJJJJ

kIRsten dunst, ChaRlotte gaInsbouRg, kIefeR sutheRland, alexandeR skaRsgåRd, ChaRlotte RamplIng, John huRt Allegorical Sci-Fi Drama The end of the world—and the effects of its approach on a small group of the fabulously wealthy. Dark, strange and somehow terrible, but also compelling and a masterful, powerful film. Rated R

the muppets JJJJ

Jason segel, amy adams, ChRIs CoopeR, RashIda Jones Musical Puppet Comedy Kermit the Frog and gang must reunite to save their old theater. A sufficiently warm-hearted nostalgia trip that will play best to diehard Muppets fans. Rated PG

puss in boots JJJJ

(VoICes) antonIo bandeRas, salma hayek, zaCh galIfIanakIs, bIlly bob thoRnton, amy sedaRIs Animated Adventure Fantasy Fugitive Puss in Boots is lured into a new scheme by old friend Humpty Dumpty, who got him in trouble in the first place. A solid enough spin-off from the Shrek movies for Antonio Banderas’ Puss in Boots character. Not Earth-shattering, but pleasant enough. Rated PG

the skin i live in JJJJJ

antonIo bandeRas, elena anaya, maRIsa paRedes, Jan CoRnet, RobeRto Álamo, blanCa suÁRez Almodovarian Horror Mystery Drama Comedy An obsessed plastic surgeon works in secret on a captive patient to perfect a synthetic skin. Pure Almodóvar, but very dark Almodóvar. It’s as rich or richer in the delights of cinema for its own sake as anything you’ll see this year, but it’s apt to disturb some viewers in its perversity and obsessive nature. Rated R

tower heist JJJ

ben stIlleR, eddIe muRphy, Casey affleCk, matthew bRodeRICk, alan alda Heist Comedy After being swindled out of their pensions by a shifty broker, a group of regular Joes decide to rob him of his nest-egg. Perfectly entertaining while having little regard for believable, or consistent, plotting — what we end up with is the definition of middling. Rated PG-13

the twilight sAgA: breAking DAwn—pArt 1 JJJ

kRIsten stewaRt, RobeRt pattInson, tayloR lautneR, bIlly buRke, gIl bIRmIngham, peteR faCInellI Tween Horror Romance The wedding of the century between Edward and Bella quickly turns into a nightmare when Bella gets pregnant with a baby that threatens her life. Drama ensues. Much more stylish than the previous Twilight films, making it more interesting as filmmaking. As drama, however, it’s more of the same—only maybe a little goofier. Rated PG-13

the wAy JJJJ

maRtIn sheen, deboRah kaRa ungeR, James nesbItt, tChéky kaRyo, yoRICk Van wagenIngen Drama When his son dies walking the Camino de Santiago, a father decides to finish the spiritual journey for him. A thoroughly nice, well-meaning, but completely predictable little movie that will appeal to audiences in tune with its themes. Rated PG-13

filmsociety

LEAF REMOVAL

Breakfast on Pluto JJJJJ Director: Neil JorDaN Players: cilliaN MurPhy, liaM NeesoN, ruth Negga, stePheN rea, gaviN FriDay, BreNDaN gleesoN Comedy drama rated r One of the biggest delights and best surprises of the 2005 awards season was Neil Jordan’s Breakfast on Pluto. I caught a screening of it at 9 a.m. and liked it so much that I arranged to see it again as soon as possible. In fact, I liked it enough that it was my pick for best film of that year — and it still is. Before the screening, I’d never heard of the film and I went in knowing absolutely nothing about it. When I saw that it was adapted from a novel by Patrick McCabe — whose book The Butcher Boy Jordan filmed in 1997 (both times with McCabe co-writing the screenplay) — I immediately expected a bitterly funny, but grimly disturbing movie was about to unfold.

(I expected this even in spite of the bright pop colors and the Rubette’s “Sugar Baby Love” playing on the opening soundtrack.) And then there was Cillian Murphy as Patrick “Kitten” Braden parading along in full drag while pushing a baby in a pram and offering to take up a lewd workman and his friends on their propositions. When this reaction silences them, Kitten opines, “Not up to it then, you innocent, shovelwielding, horny-handed sons of the native sod?” Then, leaning in to address his infant charge, he adds “Not many people are, munchkin — not many people can take the tale of Patrick Braden, aka St. Kitten, who strutted the catwalks, face lit by a halo of flashbulbs, as ‘Ooh!’, she shrieked, ‘I told you from my best side, darlings!’” Well, this intro — which indeed starts that very tale — indicated that this could be a different sort of film for Jordan. It is and it isn’t, of course. The stories in the film have much the same concerns as his other work, but the tone is different. Breakfast on Pluto is a film that anyone who’s ever been an outsider can relate to — and if you came to adulthood in the film’s setting of the late 1960s and early 1970s, so much the better. reviewed by Ken Hanke The Asheville Film Society will screen Breakfast on Pluto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 8 p.m. in the Cinema Lounge of The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther. Hanke is the artistic director of the A.F.S.

828-230-2180

www.ashevillelawnmowing.com Freedom Landscape Management, Inc.

frankenstein meets the Wolf man JJJJ Director: roy WilliaM Neill Players: loN chaNey Jr., iloNa Massey, Patric KNoWles, Bela lugosi, Maria ousPeNsKaya, lioNel atWill horror rated nr Roy William Neill’s Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943) is one of the most famous (how can anyone resist the title and all it promises?) of all Universal horrors — and one of the most disappointing. It was, in fact, the first of those films where (at least by the age of 15) I had to admit that just maybe some of them just weren’t very good. While this odd experiment in cross-pollination is slick and atmospheric — and it certainly has its moments — it’s also something of a compendium of bad ideas made just that much worse by post-production tampering. The idea of combining the studio’s two cash cows was apparently so tempting that no one thought about the drawbacks — not the least of which was the need for a lemon of an answer concerning who wins this horrific grudge match in order not to kill off potential sequels.

The real problem was the combination of Curt Siodmak’s screenplay and a director lacking much of a sense of humor — which, in this case, meant Neill apparently didn’t realize how laughably bad Siodmak’s dialogue for the Monster (Bela Lugosi) was. (That no one else did either is remarkable.) Since the film followed The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), the idea was that the Monster now had Ygor’s brain, was blind and could talk. The set-up also also dictated that Lugosi play the role — one which he completely disdained. That awkward set-up was exactly how the film was shot, but in the editing the studio noticed the dialogue and just removed it — and with it all references to the Monster being blind, resulting in a ... peculiar-looking performance. Throw in the increasingly tiresome Wolf Man, Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney), at his morbid, whining worst, and you end up with a mess. It’s an essential mess for horror fans, but a mess all the same. reviewed by Ken Hanke The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. in the Cinema Lounge of The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther.

Check Out Our Diverse Selection of New & Old Movies! We Carry Foreign, Independent, GLBT, Family Films, Television & More!

WE HAVE SPECIALS EVERYDAY! MONDAY MADNESS All Rentals $2.00

TUESDAY - SUNDAY

Rent 2 Films Get 1 Free

(NEW ARRIVALS EXCLUDED)

LOCALLY OWNED! 197 Charlotte St. Asheville, NC 28801 • 828-250-9500

mountainx.com • DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13, 2011 81

marketplace realestate

Classified Advertising Sales Team: • Tim Navaille: 828-251-1333 ext.111, tnavaille@mountainx.com • Rick Goldstein: 828-251-1333 ext.123, rgoldstein@mountainx.com • Arenda Manning: 828-251-1333 ext. 138, amanning@mountainx.com

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The FAQs About Green Living

p.82

LIGHT SAFETY OUTSIDE THE HOME

jobs

Installing lights and lighted displays outside? Be safe.

Here are some suggestions from Progress Energy.

Real Estate

Home Services

Homes For Sale

Heating & Cooling

• Use only lights specifically designed for outdoor use.

p.83

home

improvement

p.86

crossword

• When installing lights, use caution under overhanging power lines, especially when using a ladder. Scope the area, including the ground and overhead, before installation.

• Never staple or nail through extension cords or holiday lighting wires, as doing so could damage wires and insulation, resulting in electric shock or fire.

• Always use outdoor-rated extension cords and make sure that the current rating (in amps or “A”) of the device you are plugging in does not exceed the rating on the extension cord. Overloading extension cords can cause overheating of the cord.

• Ensure that wires and lighting are not placed in areas prone to standing water or flooding.

1000’s OF ASHEVILLE HOMES! On our user friendly property search.

New features include Google Mapping and Popular Neighborhood searches.

Check it out at www.townandmountain.com

• Always turn off all outdoor decorative lighting when you go to bed or leave the house.

p.87

WNC Green Building Council www.wncgbc.com

FLOORING • FENCES • ELECTRICAL •

82

ATTENTION HOMEOWNERS

Check it out on page 86 this week!

To Advertise in this Section Call Rick at 828-458-9195 DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13 , 2011 •

mountainx.com

• ROOFING & SIDING • WATERPROOFING

HEATING & AIR • PAINTING • REMODELING • KITCHENS & BATHS • LAWN & GARDEN

Condos For Sale

2BR COTTAGE IN CENTRAL ASHEVILLE Sweet, Funky, 1920’s cottage in Central Asheville. 2BR/1BA. Dog friendly large yard. Nice cul-de-sac neighborhood.

Walk to town. $124,900.

253-9451.

• Check all extension cords and light strands for fraying, cracks or loose connections as they can result in electric shock or fire.

— courtesy of Progress Energy

GORGEOUS VIEWS AND SECLUSION LESS THAN 20 MIN FROM ASHEVILLE You want to see this cozy home nestled between the hills of Asheville. Visit newhomeinasheville.com or call 407-247-1507 for details!

FREE HOME WARRANTY W/HOME PURCHASE • Luxury homes • Eco-Green Homes • Condos • Foreclosures.

(828) 215-9064.

AshevilleNCRealty.com

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NEAR TUNNEL ROAD • Luxury 2 BR, 2BA Unit.

Close to Downtown, walking distance to Asheville Mall. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, eramic/hardwood floors. Fireplace, deck w/mountain views.

Complex has two elevators, pool with hot tub. Exercise room and well landscaped common area. Unit priced below last appraisal.

(828) 231 - 6689.

Farms

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Painting PRESTON PAINTING AND RESTORATION Reliable, detail oriented.

20 years of experience serving designers and homeowners on finish painting, trim carpentry and restoration projects.

Local references and insured. Anthony Preston: (828) 367-1418.

General Services

PRE-FORECLOSURE MINI FARM FOR SALE BY OWNER Located between Asheville & Brevard,NC. 3BR/3BA on 4.9 acres. Great views, see website for more info westernncfarm.blogspot.com

Services

Education/ Tutoring HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Graduate in just 4 weeks!!

FREE Brochure. Call now.

1-800-532-6546 Ext. 97 www.continentalacademy.com (AAN CAN)

Computer CHRISTOPHER’S COMPUTERS • Computer Slow? Call Christopher’s Computers at 828-670-9800 and let us help you with PC and Macintosh issues: networking, virus/malware removal, tutoring, upgrades, custom-built new computers, etc.

ChristophersComputers.com

Caregivers

WEDDING & CEREMONY OFFICIANT Services offeredWedding Ceremonies-Pastoral counseling-Vow renewalsCommitment CeremoniesSame Sex Unity Ceremonies.

Please visit my website ashevilleminister4u.com for much more information. ~Chaplin Dennis 828.667.5064

Handy Man

>ĂŶĚͬ,ŽŵĞ ƉĂĐŬĂŐĞƐ

MAYBERRY HEATING AND COOLING Oil and Gas Furnaces • Heat Pumps and AC • Sales • Service • Installation. • Visa • MC • Discover. Call (828) 658-9145.

HIRE A HUSBAND Handyman Services.

31 years professional business practices.

Trustworthy, quality results, reliability. $2 million liability insurance.

References available.

Free estimates. Stephen Houpis, (828) 280-2254.

APPLIANCE ZEN • The best choice for appliance repair in Asheville.

With over 12 years in appliance repair. The choice is easy. Locally owned.

Fast. Friendly. Honest.

• All brands washers, dryers, refrigerator, dishwasher, and small appliances.

• Licensed. Insured. Bonded.

• Sabastian, 828-505-7670. www.appliancezen.com

COMPANION • CAREGIVER • LIVE-IN Alzheimer’s experienced. • Heart failure and bed sore care.

CarePartners Hospice recommended.

• Nonsmoker, with cat, seeks live-in position.

• References.

• Arnold, (828) 273-2922.

Commercial Listings

Businesses For Sale HANDYMAN BUSINESS FOR SALE Starting your own Home Repair Business and would appreciate a jump start? I am relocating out of state. I am seeking a reputable buyer for my established business serving clients for over 7 years in the Asheville area. This includes all of my equipment, supplies and tools. Call soon. 828273-5271.

Commercial Property OFFICE SUITES Downtown Asheville.

1-5 office suites from 490 sq. ft. to 3,200 sq. ft.

Modern finishes, elevator, central air. Affordable, full service rates. G/M Property Group 828-281-4024. jmenk@gmproperty.com WINE SHOP FOR LEASE 2,091 square foot, turn-key wine shop available for lease at $18/sf. Located in Gerber Village on Hendersonville Road in South Asheville. Contact Jeff Kenrick, Key Commercial Real Estate, (828)684-2929 ext. 116.

Commercial/ Business Rentals

DOWNTOWN OFFICE SPACE • Historic Miles Building.

280-sq. ft single room. $500/month. Utilities and internet included; access to kitchen and conference room; 6-month lease.

References required. E-mail inquiries to rental@mountainx.com.

Rentals

Apartments For Rent 2BR, 1BA OFF TUNNEL RD. • Easy access to I-240, and along city bus line.

Washer/Dryer hookups, central A/C. Security deposit and 1/2 of first month rent due upon renting. Available immediately. Please contact Patricia at 828-645-7166.

4BR, 1.5 BA WEST ASHEVILLE • Water, garbage included.

On bus line. $769/month.

Call 828-252-9882.

BILTMORE FOREST SOUTH ASHEVILLE • 2-story carriage houes.

1BR, 1.5BA. Hardwood floors, tile, heatpump, central air, W/D connections. Excellent condition, lots of character.

Includes internet, cable TV and water. $650/month.

828-273-9545.

BLACK MOUNTAIN • SPECIAL • 2BR, 1BA. Heatpump, central air, W/D connection. Nice area.

Only $545/month. No pets.

828-252-4334.

CHARMING STUDIO HISTORIC MONTFORD • Close to UNCA and Downtown.

Spacious efficiency with separate sunny kitchen/dining area, big bath, good closet space. Hardwood floors, new appliances, $675/month includes all utilities. No dogs.

Year lease, security deposit, credit check required. For appt: Graham Investments 828-253-6800.

EAST ASHEVILLE • 2BR, 1BA unfurnished apartments for rent. $610/month. 1/2 off 1st month’s rent. Please contact Patricia at 828-645-7166.

FULLY FURNISHED APARTMENT IN FAIRVIEW, NC $750/mo. 1BR/1BA. Fully furnished with utilites included. Free wi-fi/internet.

New kitchen w/granite coutertops. 15min to Asheville. 828-215-2993. marshagwalker@yahoo.com.

GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD • Quiet, safe, very convenient location, close to schools, not a large complex, located in Candler off Asbury near Enka Middle school and AB Tech Enka campus. Large, 1200 sqft, with 2 large BR, 1.5BA, W/D hook ups, eat-in kitchen, very large living room, closets. Quiet setting, well kept, new carpet, fresh paint, updated. Long or short term lease. $625/month + utilities. 828-280-0806.

NORTH ASHEVILLE QUAINT STUDIO/GARAGE APARTMENT-$725/MONTH This appealing apartment is located on Warwick Place behind 17 Woodvale and offers huge storage. Available January 1st. 704-873-3361 WEST ASHEVILLE • Spacious 1BR. 1BA available mid December. Hardwood floors, two blocks from Haywood Street, and great neighbors. Backyard backs up to a Wildlife Refuge. $715/month.

Call for an appointment.

Eric (310) 387-9388.

WEST-ACTON WOODS APTS • 2BR, 2BA, 1100 sq.ft. $800/month. Includes water and garbage pickup. Sorry, no pets. Call 253-0758.

Carver Realty.

Mobile Homes For Rent WEST ASHEVILLE • 3BR, 2BA Mobile. W/D connections.

On bus line. Excellent condition. Quiet park. Accepting Section 8. Only $625/month.

828-252-4334.

Condos/ Townhomes For Rent

CONDO NEAR TUNNEL ROAD • Luxury 2BR, 2BA condo on the 4th floor of a new four story building. Close to downtown and Asheville Mall.

Elevators, pool with hot tub, exercise room, fireplace, deck w/ mountain views, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, ceramic/hardwood floors, etc. $995/ month includes water and gas (828) 231-6689.

SKYLAND • 2BR, 2BA. 1,200 sq.ft. Vaulted ceilings, gas, fireplace, W/D hookup, D/W, refrigerator, stove, balcony. $755/month deposit. Call Bill, 828-423-3355.

Homes For Rent BILTMORE FOREST • 2 or 3 BR, 2BA. Dining room, gas heat and fireplace. Hardwood floors, patio. $1875/month.

828-253-0758.

Carver Realty.

MOUNTAIN COTTAGE, 20 MINUTES FROM ASHEVILLE Professionally restored, 3BR/2BA with master suite.

Fireplace and woodstove, large screen porch and deck, over 2000 sq. ft. $1350.

Property Management of Asheville. 828-253-2537. sansparrow@charter.net. http://www.propertymanage mentofasheville.com.

NORTH • NEAR CHARLOTTE ST. 2BR, 1BA, office, WD, hardwood floors. Fenced yard. Carport, garage. Pets considered. $1,150/month.

First + last + deposit.

828-545-0043, 828-669-8661.

NORTH ASHEVILLE • Townhome 2BR, 1BA. 1 mile to downtown. On busline. $495/month. 828-252-4334.

WEST ASHEVILLE 3BR, 2BA • Den, large basement with shop area, washer, dryer, dishwasher, wooded lot in a quiet West Asheville neighborhood between Vance Elementary and the Malvern Hills pool. $975/month + utilities. 9 Winnfred St. Available approximately January 7.

Call 828-683-1180 for an application.

WEST ASHEVILLE HOUSE 2BR/1BA, office. Hardwood, dishwasher, natural gas furnace, kitchen stove, sky light. Shed, W/D room, fenced back yard, garden.

Application, References, Deposit required.

jobs Employment

General $$$HELP WANTED$$$ Extra Income! Assembling CD cases from Home! No Experience Necessary! Call our Live Operators Now! 1800-405-7619 EXT 2450 http://www.easyworkgreatpay.com (AAN CAN) ASPIRING YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS Earn an income you deserve, Company looking for online trainers. Flexible hours, work from home www.2dreambigger.com fp@hatchellburt.com BECOME AN AVON INDEPENDENT SALES REPRESENTATIVE Only $10 to start your own business!

Unlimited earnings! Work from home and no inventory to keep! Contact Airley Ferrell for more info! 828-989-3093 airleykay@gmail.com youravon.com/airleyferrel

INCOME TAX PREPARATION CLASS Jan. 2 to Jan. 6 2012. North Asheville; 3 hour-per day classes limited to ten students who then can test for IRS and corporate acceptance to prepare individual income tax returns for Liberty Tax Service. Part time employment till 4/15/12. 828 505-2002. jkdenny@libertytax.coml

OFFICE COORDINATOR ASAP offers an exciting opportunity for a talented and dedicated office coordinator to join our team. Visit www.asapconnections.org/jobs -office-coordinator.html

EXHIBIT SALES PROFESSIONAL We are the premiere “green” event production company, looking for a seasoned sales pro to join our sales team

Sales/ Marketing

Administrative/ Office

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MARKETING Positions open at MMS, a progressive printing, mailing and marketing services provider in Asheville.

We’re looking for highly motivated individuals with planning and problem solving skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast paced environment to join our team. Professional print industry experience preferred. Must be self motivated, and proficient with all Adobe and Microsoft Office programs.

Full time position with benefits package.

Email resume to cindy@mmsdelivers.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND SALES ASSOCIATES Several openings at Olan Mills local area portrait studios. • Fulltime or part-time hours. Must be able to work both Saturday and Sunday. We seek Photographers to photograph customers and sell portrait packages.

Experience helpful. We also seek Sales Associates to greet customers, promote our portraits, pre-sell sitting certificates, and schedule appointments for customers to be photographed. • Sales experience preferred.

Competitive pay and benefits.

• Contact Steve at 800-249-4555 ext. 7334 or email resume to stevesours@olanmills.com

FRONT DESK ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT MACFC Riceville Center, full-time w/benefits.

Immediate opening for a “master” at quality internal and external customer service! This highly organized individual will manage multiple deadlines, while handling the phones and visitors with the highest level of professionalism, courtesy, and dependability. Must be an excellent writer/editor, very comfortable with computer/office systems, an expert with Microsoft office and file/data management.

Please visit our website for an application www.macfc.org or send cover letter, resume and application to mfoley@macfc.org

WEST 2BR, 1BA • Hardwood floors. No pets. $750/month. 828-253-0758.

Carver Realty.

EAST ASHEVILLE Only 10 minutes to downtown. Nice 3BR, 1.5BA home in Haw Creek. Hardwood floors, refrigerator, washer and dryer included. $975/month with 1 year lease. (828) 231-9411. jivarner@aol.com

Short-Term Rentals 15 MINUTES TO ASHEVILLE Guest house, vacation/short term rental. Newly renovated, complete with everything including cable and internet.

Weaverville area. • No pets please. (828) 658-9145. mhcinc58@yahoo.com

79,*0:065 ,(9;/>692: Fine Grading & Site Preparation

Ecological Site Planning & Landscape Design • Excavation & Roads • Water Harvesting/ Management • Stonework • Bridges & Gazebos • Water Features • Renewable Energy Specializing in Bridge & Roadwork P r e c i s i o n @ e a rt h a v e n . o r g

Brandon Greenstein • Paul Caron (828) 664-9127 | 301-7934 Co-Creating Your Natural Landscape

mountainx.com

• DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13 2011

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PROFESSIONAL SALES Fortune 200 company recruiting sales associates in this area. • $30-$50K possible first year. • Renewals • Stock Bonuses • Training. For an interview, call (828) 670-6099 or e-mail resume: CandiceAdms@aol.com WOULD $500 EXTRA A MONTH MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Hotel / Hospitality FRONT DESK CLERKS NEEDED Front desk clerks needed at Downtown Inn. Starting salary $9 per hour.

Apply at 120 Patton Ave or email jolinerobinson@hotmail.com.

Medical/ Health Care

Looking to help stay-athome moms/dads.

PT sales for Dallas environmental company.

Call 423-791-5563.

Drivers/Delivery

BUS DRIVER WANTED • Do you have a NC CDL and previous experience driving a school bus?

Eliada Homes is seeking a driver to transport students from area schools to our after school program.

Excellent pay and could lead to other possible employment opportunities within our organization! To apply, go to www.eliada.org/employment.

CARE MANAGERS FOR COMMUNITY CARE OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA Community Care of WNC is looking for full-time Care Managers. RN required.

Minimum of 2 years case management experience preferred. Bilingual in Spanish a plus.

Submit resume to hr@ccwnc.org or fax to 828-259-3875.

SEEKING CNA’s for Leicester area.

Apply online www.staciespcs.com or call 828-484-8440.

Background check and drug screen required.

Stacie’s Personal Care Services Home Care Is What We Do Openings for CNA’s and RN’s for Nuring Pool in in Buncombe, Madison, Haywood, Yancey, Henderson, Transylvania, Jackson, Mitchell & Swain Counties.

• Weekend and weekday schedules available • Come join our team Stacie’s Personal Care is a drug free workplace

Celebrating Our 6th Year Covering 9 Counties

1-866-550-9290

or apply at: www.staciespcs.com 84

Human Services

AVAILABLE POSITIONS • MERIDIAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Haywood County: Registered Nurse (RN) Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) Position available within a community-based, multidisciplinary team supporting people in recovery from mental illness and substance abuse. Psychiatric experience preferred but not required. Please contact Mason Youell, mason.youell@meridianbhs.org Cherokee County: JJTC Team Seeking Licensed/Provisionally Licensed Therapist in Cherokee County for an exciting opportunity to serve predominately court referred youth and their families through Intensive In-Home and Basic Benefit Therapy.

For more information contact Vicki Sturtevant, vicki.sturtevant@meridianbhs.org Clinician Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) Must have a Master’s degree and be license-eligible. Please contact Ben Haffey, ben.haffey@meridianbhs.org Registered Nurse (RN) Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) Position available within a community-based, multidisciplinary team supporting people in recovery from mental illness and substance abuse. Psychiatric experience preferred but not required. Please contact Ben Haffey, ben.haffey@meridianbhs.org Qualla Boundary: JJTC Team Seeking Licensed/Provisionally Licensed Therapist on Qualla Boundary for an exciting opportunity to serve predominately Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian court referred youth and their families through Intensive InHome and Basic Benefit Therapy. For more information, contact Lesa Childers, lesa.childers@meridianbhs.org Swain County: JJTC Team Leader Seeking Licensed Therapist in Swain County for an exciting opportunity to serve as team leader; case load is predominately court referred youth and their families receiving Intensive In-Home and Basic Benefit Therapy. For more information contact Shannon Esco, shannon.esco@meridianbhs.org • For further information and to complete an application, visit our website: www.meridianbhs.org

DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13 , 2011 •

FAMILIES TOGETHER INC. Due to continuous growth in WNC, Families Together, Inc is now hiring licensed professionals and Qualified Professionals in Buncombe, McDowell, Madison, Rutherford, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties. • Qualified candidates will include • LPC’s, LCSW’s, LMFT’s, LCAS’s, PLCSW’s, or LPCA’s and Bachelor’s and Master’s Qualified Professionals. • FTI provides a positive work environment, flexible hours, room for advancement, health benefits, and an innovative culture. • www.familiestogether.net • Candidates should email resumes to humanresources@ familiestogether.net

FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES OF HENDERSONVILLE, has opportunities for Qualified Mental Health Professionals to join our team. Qualified candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in a social services field and a minimum of 1 year experience with children with mental illness. FPS offers a competitive and comprehensive benefit package. To join our team, please send your resume to jdomansky@fpscorp.com FULL-TIME DAY TREATMENT SUPERVISOR IN HAYWOOD COUNTY • Working with adolescents that have mental health/substance abuse diagnoses. LCSW preferred, provisional will be considered. Responsibilities: • Treatment planning • Maintain communication with all parties involved • Provide behavioral interventions • Facilitate team meetings • Completing daily documentation of services provided • Supportive counseling of clients and caregivers. aspireapplicants@yahoo.com

mountainx.com

LEAD RESIDENTIAL COUNSELOR NEEDED • Eliada Homes is seeking a Lead Residential Counselor (LRC) to supervise during second shift hours. • Responsibilities entail providing individualized treatment to our students while maintain a supportive and therapeutic environment.

• Must provide leadership to residential staff by role modeling crisis prevention and take a leadership role during crisis intervention. • Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services field and six months behavioral health experience is preferred. To apply, go to www.eliada.org/employment.

LPN Mountain Area Recovery Center is seeking an LPN to fill a position in our outpatient opioid treatment facility located in Asheville.

Candidate will work 30 hours per week, primarily morning hours with some flexibility needed, as well as some short weekend hours. Must be detail oriented, organized, some computer skills, good communicator. Please e-mail resume to rhonda.ingle@marc-otp.com or fax to attention: Rhonda Ingle at 828.252.9512.

Mountain Area Recovery Center is an equal opportunity employer.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE NC Mentor is offering free informational meetings to those who are interested in becoming therapeutic foster parents. The meetings will be held on the 2nd Tuesday 6:30pm-7:30pm (snacks provided) and 4th Friday 12pm-1pm (lunch provided).

• If you are interested in making a difference in a child’s life, please call Rachel Wingo at (828) 696-2667 ext 15 or e-mail Rachel at rachel.wingo@thementornet work.com• Become a Therapeutic Foster Family.

• Free informational meeting.

NC Mentor. 120C Chadwick Square Court, Hendersonville, NC 28739.

PARKWAY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH has an opening for a part time (3 days per week) or full time position for a licensed counselor, LCSW preferred, in our Hendersonville Office starting in January. • Experience working with dual (MH/SA) clients very important. • Candidate should be comfortable with providing individual and group therapy.

• Familiarity with State funding and paperwork a plus. Parkway offers excellent benefits, a positive stable working environment and competitive salaries.

If interested, please email your resume to slayton@parkwaybh.com QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL Monarch is now accepting applications for a Full-time Qualified Professional for three sites in Henderson and Rutherford Counties. • Skills: Ability to develop and implement person centered plans that address clinical needs and life plans for the individuals we serve. Position is in a residential setting. • Requirements: Must have a four-year college degree. At least two years post baccalaureate experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.

Ability to work independently, take initiative and make decisions based on sound judgment. Must have a valid NC driver’s license. • Benefits: Competitive salary, major medical insurance and dental coverage, life insurance, paid vacation and holidays, 401(K) Retirement Plan. • Apply: On line www.MonarchNC.org • An Equal Opportunity Employer

RESIDENTIAL COUNSELOR FLOATER NEEDED • Eliada Homes is seeking an individual committed to helping children succeed. • The Residential Counselor Floater will rotate periodically per residential planned PTO schedule and current vacancy status. This individual must have availability for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shift. • Responsibilities include: Thoroughly and effectively implement therapeutic models in order to teach important life skills that may contribute to students’ successful return to the community, participates with creation of individualized treatment plans of students, and other duties as assigned by Program Managers. • Prefer a Bachelor’s Degree in a Human Services field. All interested and qualified applicants, please go to www.eliada.org/employment.

• Use team-based approaches to create, implement, track and report outcomes of short and longrange strategic anti-poverty federal and state-funded THE ASHEVILLE OFFICE OF FAMILY PRESERVATIONS SERVICES • Is seeking an LCSW and QMHP for adult service lines. Also seeking an LCSW to work with young children and on Intensive Home Team. Please send resumes to csimpson@fpscorp.com.

initiatives, goals and programs for preschool-aged children and families who live on low income, • Develop and monitor budgets and resources, • Meet and exceed federal and state program performance standards and laws, child care license and other

THERAPIST for Intensive InHome Team in Buncombe County, licensed or provisional, cover letter and resume to westernregion@ carolinaoutreach.com

accrediting organizations’ requirements, • Monitor and evaluate program results, • Support and implement agency policy and procedures, • Support a

UNIVERSAL MH/DD/SAS is seeking a Psychiatrist to provide 16 hours per week to work on an ACTT (Assertive Community Treatment Team) team for our Asheville location. Please email Patra at plowe@umhs.net to apply or visit us on the web at www.umhs.net.

volunteer governing body, •

UNIVERSAL MH/DD/SAS is seeking Licensed or Provisionally Licensed Therapists to lead our Intensive In Home Team or Community Support Team for our Asheville and Forest City locations. Please email Patra at plowe@umhs.net to apply or visit us on the web at www.umhs.net.

executive support staff, ·

UNIVERSAL MH/DD/SAS is seeking Licensed or Provisionally Licensed Therapists to provide therapy in School and/or office based settings for our Asheville location, Please call Patra at 828-225-4980 ext 302 to apply or visit us on the web at www.umhs.net

Create new and maintain existing community collaborations and relationships to further the Agency’s mission, • Respectfully supervise professional, content-expert program managers and Represent the Agency at industry-related activities, • Serve as a collaborative member of the Agency’s Senior Staff and Leadership Teams, • Coordinate work with intra-agency departments to ensure program and agency outcomes are comprehensive, integrated and measurable. The position requires: • Comprehensive knowledge of and demonstrated skill in departmental level federal and state program and grants administration. • Comprehensive knowledge of

Professional/ Management

managing multi-million dollar

CHILDREN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR We are a high-performing non-profit organization looking for a seasoned, skilled professional to fill a full-time position as the director of our Children, Family and Community Partnerships Department.

The successful Candidate has the high-quality skills, training and experience necessary to: Continued next column

knowledge of theories,

budgets with a variety of funding sources. • General practices and dimensions of early childhood growth and development, special education and family development. • General knowledge of childcare licensing laws. • General knowledge of Head Start Program standards and other federal and state grant requirements.

• High skill level Continued next column

• Respectfully, managing, leading and supervising others with diverse opinions and varied backgrounds, integrating computers, technology and Office Suite applications to conduct and support all aspects of departmental and child/family development activities, analyzing problems and developing creative options, implementing and evaluating solutions, and expressing ideas, concepts and plans effectively, orally and in writing. • Demonstrated ability to organize and implement new and existing programs directly through line staff and indirectly through community collaborations. • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective and respectful working relationships with officials, department heads, staff, community agencies, internal and external customers and the general public.• Demonstrated history of behavior that models the philosophy and practices associated with the Agency’s Principles.

Minimum Experience • Graduation from a regionally or CHEA accredited four year college or university with a Masters degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Health or Social Work Administration. • Ten years in a non-profit or local government at a department director or uppermanagement level, administering grant-funded early childhood or similar programs with three years supervisory experience.

Preferred Experience • All of the above plus bi-lingual in Spanish. Special Requirements • Must possess a valid North Carolina Driver License. • Must pass a physical examination, criminal background investigation, a physical and a TB Tine Test.

Compensation is $70,000$85,000 DOQ with excellent benefits. This position is exempt under FLSA and ineligible for overtime pay.

• Send resume, cover letter and work references with complete contact information to: Ms. Linda Gamble Human Resources Manager 25 Gaston Street, Asheville NC, 28801, (828) 252-2495 or Admin@ communityactionopportunities.org Or (828) 253-6319 (Fax) Open until filled. Interviews begin in mid-December, 2011 EOE & DFWP

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT/MARKETING Children First/CIS is seeking a Director of Development and Marketing. • Cover letter and resume to jobs@childrenfirstbc.org by Friday, December 16. For more information, visit www.childrenfirstbc.org.

LICENSED THERAPIST Great opportunity to build a practice with referrals. Must be experienced with play therapy and working with children and families. Must be able to bill for Medicaid.

Contact Bruce at The Relationship Center, (828) 777-3755.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Asheville Art Museum: The Membership and Events Coordinator oversees recruitment and retention of Members, donors and event volunteers, coordinates events, and manages the Member and Donor database, related correspondence and assists the development department.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of database management, necessary word processing skills, attention to detail and confidence in adapting to new software quickly.

• Additional requirements: 2 + years of relevant experience and an appropriate degree.

• Full-time position with benefits. Send resume, cover letter, salary history and references to the Asheville Art Museum, P.O. Box 1717, Asheville, NC 28802 or kglass@ashevilleart.org • Deadline to apply is December 12, 2011.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR Local child and youth-serving organization seeks Coordinator to oversee team working with children.

Requires 3 years non-profit experience, supervisory experience, 4 year degree in Social Services related field.

• Duties: Program management, evaluation, training, member recruitment, team building, grant administration, and managing collaborations.

• To apply, email teamcoordinatorjob@ gmail.com

Classes & Workshops

Classes & Workshops QUALITY IMPROVEMENT DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNITY CARE OF WNC Community Care of Western North Carolina is looking for a full-time Quality Improvement Director to work out of the main office in Asheville. This position will be responsible for the integration of QI among all departments and programs across our network. The Quality Improvement Director will have oversight of the QI team and associated positions. The ideal candidate would possess a Master’s degree in Health Care Administration, Public Health or a related field, or be an RN with at least 5 years of clinical nursing experience, BSN preferred.

At least 3 years of quality assurance or healthcare management experience required. Data analysis skills, proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Access, and population health management experience also required. Submit resume to hr@ccwnc.org or fax to 828-259-3875.

Career Training EARN $75-$200 HOUR (Now 25% Off) Media Makeup an Airbrush Training.

For Ads, TV, Film, Fashion.

1 wk class and Portfolio. awardmakeupschool.com 310-364-0665 (AAN CAN)

Announcements ADOPTION: Loving, educated couple hopes to adopt a baby. We promise a lifetime of love and opportunity for a baby. Expenses paid.

Lori and Mike: 1-888-499-4464. www.TeachAndDoc.com THE JAZZ SALON CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH LIVE JAZZ AT YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. The Jazz Salon features Steinway Artist, pianist Michael Jefry Stevens in solo, duo, trio, quartet or large ensemble format.

Celebrate the holiday season with your favorite tunes from the 30’s and 40’s. mjsjazz@mac.com

SPIRAL SPIRIT ECSTATIC DANCE On Wednesday nites, we dance a total body experience of the wave at Sol’s Reprieve 11 Richland St in West Asheville. Warmup at 6:00pm and circle at 6:30pm, the fee is $5.00!

Contact Karen azealea10@yahoo.com or Cassie elementsmove@yahoo.com

Mind, Body, Spirit

Bodywork

#1 AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY CONSCIOUS MASSAGE CENTER • 1224 Hendersonville Road.

Asheville. $29/hour.

• 15 Wonderful Therapists to choose from. Therapeutic Massage: • Deep Tissue • Swedish • Sports • Trigger Point. Also offering: • Acupressure • Energy Work • Reflexology.

• Save money, call now!

505-7088. www.thecosmicgroove.com FREE MASSAGE CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS • Continuing education classes (CEU’s) and Ashiatsu barefoot massage training for professionals. Top notch massage therapy for the public. Therapeutic-organic massage and yoga bolsters/pillows/back supports and orthotics. Brett Rodgers LMBT #7557.

NCBTMB ceu provider #451-495-10. www.vitalitymassage.net (828) 645-5228 SHOJI SPA & LODGE • 7 DAYS A WEEK Looking for the best therapist in town—- or a cheap massage? Soak in your outdoor hot tub; melt in our sauna; then get the massage of your life! 26 massage therapists. 299-0999. www.shojiretreats.com

Musicians’ Xchange

Lost & Found

Musical Services

LOST RING • REWARD NSSA All American Team Ring, inscribed F. Boeheim.

Lost Friday November 25, on Tunnel Road, near Waffle House. Reward.

273-9142.

ONE WORLD MEDIA STUDIO • Music and Video Production • In Studio • Live Venue • HD Video • HQ Audio. Call (828) 335-9316.

On the web: 1worldmediastudio.com

Pet Services

Pet Xchange

Lost Pets LOST BLACK/WHITE CAT Jean is a domestic long hair, black/white, neutered male cat. Has a tear on his right ear. Very friendly. No collar, but, is microchipped. Missing from Poplar Ridge neigborhood in South AVL. 828-654-0302 stquaranta@hotmail.com LOST LONG HAIRED CHIHUAHUA MIX Hali went missing on Thanksgiving Day around 3:30pm from the South AVL neighborhood, Poplar Ridge. She is 16 y/o, brown and black, 12-15 lb, has very limited vision and hearing, but, when went missing was wearing a silver chain collar with tags.

828-654-0302

Tools & Machinery

ASHEVILLE PET SITTERS Dependable, loving care while you’re away.

Reasonable rates.

Call Sandy Ochsenreiter, (828) 215-7232.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FOR PETS • Free or low cost spay/neuter information and vouchers. 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month 123PM at Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville (at the Kmart entrance). • 4th Saturday of each month 10AM - 2PM at Tractor Supply, Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville.

828-693-5172.

Automotive

Meet Jack! Miniature Smooth coated Dachshund. Shown here at 6 weeks old. AKC registered. Sweet, open and friendly puppy. Sire is an AKC Champion. He will probably be around 12 lbs when grown. Ready for his new home on Dec 9 when he’s 8 weeks old. He’s still with his Momma. Health guarantee.

He is NOT to be a Christmas present so please don’t call if you want to ‘gift’ him to someone. He is looking for a forever home where he will get the love, training and attention he deserves.

828.713.1509 or email davarner@bellsouth.net.

General Merchandise HEATING OIL/KEROSENE #2 • Have new gas heater. Will sell oil at greatly reduced price. $2/gallon total 195 gallons. Please call 828-350-8177.

Automotive Services

Wanted CASH FOR CARS: Any Car/Truck.

Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid.

We Come To You! Call For Instant Offer: 1-888-420-3808 www.cash4car.com

Adult Services

WE’LL FIX IT AUTOMOTIVE • Honda and Acura repair.

Half price repair and service.

ASE and factory certified.

Located in the Weaverville area. Please call 828-275-6063 for appointment.

Pets For Sale

BobCAT 2002 Only 1507 hours. 773-G Series, Skid Steer tracks over tires, wood splitter 48’, Brush Bandit bush hog. $15,000 Please call 828- 551-4156

WAREHOUSE ESTATE SALE Building equipment, restaurant equipment household furniture front entrance. 82 Lexington Avenue back entrance.

Chicken Alley. Saturday, December 10 - Sunday, December 11 8am-4pm.

Tons of great stuff, some antiques. 216-1221, 713-1466.

Adult Services THE ASHEVILLE PEACE WREATH • $55 ($5 of each sale will be donated to Helpmate). Charm’s Floral of Asheville! 828-424-1463. www.charmsfloral.com www.flowershopasheville.com

DREAMSEEKERS Your destination for relaxation. Call for your appointment: (828) 275-4443.

For Sale

Advertising doesn’t cost...

Antiques & Collectibles HALLMARK CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS In original boxes, like new. From 19792007. Call June at 254-2415.

Jewelry CUSTOM 14KT SOLITAIRE DIAMOND RING White gold.

Round brilliant cut, .330 carat. Appraisal papers available. Approximate ring size 6-7. • $500 firm.

Local inquires only: magicottage@yahoo.com

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IT PAYS! (828) 251-1333

F[ji e\ j^[ M[[a Adopt a Friend • Save a Life WILLIE ID #12327126 Male/Neutered Boxer/Mix 1 Year RICHIE ID #14447264 Male/Neutered Domestic Medium Hair/Mix, 4 Months

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7ZWc JWdd[h HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE • Fiddle • Mandolin • Guitar

JIMI ID #14349778 Male/Neutered Dachshund/Mix 2 Months

All Levels Welcome • Rental Instruments Available

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14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville, NC 828-761-2001 • AshevilleHumane.org

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Buncombe County Friends For Animals, Inc.

• DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13 2011

85

homeimprovement Place Your Ad on this Page! - Call 828-458-9195

RENNOVATIONS • ADDITIONS • KITCHENS • BATHS

KABEL HOMES INC.

THIS OFFER IS NOT TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

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• Fix A Fence • Hardwood Floors • Cabinets • Decks • Remodels • Windows & Doors • Crown Molding • And More!

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HOME IMPROVEMENT SECTION • Reach 70,000 Loyal Readers Every Week • Nearly 30,000 Issues • Covering 730 Locations Throughout Western NC

828-505-0650 Many local references from all walks of life.

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The best choice for appliance repair in Asheville. With over 12 years in appliance repair. The choice is easy.

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All brands washers, dryers, refrigerator, dishwasher, and small appliances.

Licensed. Insured. Bonded.

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Furniture Magician

No job too small!

DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13 , 2011 •

Ron at (828) 582-2740

0AUL #ARON

Evening/Weekend Appointments Available Locally Owned & Operated

Free Estimates • One Year Written Warranty

86

Watch this space in the coming weeks for very special home repair offers or call

828-545-6806

We found the Kabels to be pleasant to work with, honest, dependable and just plain all around good people. We have no reservations in recommending them to anyone looking for quality workmanship.”

- Mike & Linda Summey

Not Handy?

Call Andy!

HANDYMAN & HOME IMPROVEMENT

The Masters Painter

Reserve Your Space Today!

Call Rick at 828-458-9195

• Cabinet Refacing • Furniture Repair • Seat Caning • Antique Restoration • Custom Furniture & Cabinetry (828) 669-4625

• Black Mountain

Advertising doesn’t cost...

IT PAYS! Just ask the advertisers in the Mountain Xpress Home Improvement Section.

(828) 251-1333

The New York Times Crossword Edited by Will Shortz No.1102 Across 1 Astronomer Sagan 5 Final preceder 9 Like E.T.’s voice 14 Sounder of the tuning note at the start of an orchestra rehearsal 15 Gillette ___ II 16 Apple communication tool 17 See 37-Across 19 Palace employee 20 Appeal 21 “Aren’t you special!”

22 Caleb who wrote “The Alienist” 23 See 37-Across 28 Provider of a jawbone to Samson 29 G.I. address 30 Traffic caution

31 “Stat!”

34 Clingy wrap 36 London’s ___ Gardens 37 Grammatical infelicity … or what 17-, 23-, 48- or 60-Across is?

41 Part of R.S.V.P. 42 Runaways 43 Linear, briefly 44 “___ tu” (Verdi aria) 45 Foot soldiers: Abbr.

46 TV extraterrestrial 48 See 37-Across 54 Neck of the woods 55 Crones 56 A hand 58 Where the brain resides, slangily 60 See 37-Across 62 “Ask me anything”

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE A A S S H O E C R H A HI M L L E C A R P U A S R

G N O E T O T N A E O S A N U S S O M UI S C E A

A A LT O M O S P F OI R C M C U Q P A N D C A Y

P T O H P E U T S A U H A L O E S U L N T C A L N E

E S P R E A P F S A E R M C O E M E A H A

N E E X D LI ET M R E A P S HI OI P N

A O D P D P I NI S V O B E A R R S E C A N P M EI

D B R O O A S TS E K O C N O H R E O GI R E ST

EZ E X NI T D A D R A YT S P A Q A L N A D C A

LE YS A R A I M E A P S C LS UI TF CI H I

S P A C M Y S N I C H A A H R A E A C E O

A J R O CE W K E Y E H A AT YE S R E EK D E S N

G A A M N A SG S I SG O N US P T I SE A R W S

RA EC N V UE E C KA I G TE E E NL AL ZI EI

SS K N AY PE S I D I RE OA N R GE RS EE GT

63 Part of Georgia is in it 64 Sound 65 “___ Doone,” 1869 historical romance 66 Alpine capital 67 Food safety org.

Down 1 Some prison furnishings 2 Circa 3 Official state sport of Wyoming 4 Wahine wear 5 Bar lineup 6 Weasley family owl, in Harry Potter books 7 ___ Picchu (Inca site) 8 Put away 9 Pasta variety 10 Honda division 11 Shiny suit fabric 12 Score to aim for 13 Stock page abbr.

18 Part of R.S.V.P. 22 Hearings channel 24 Big ___ (nickname of baseball’s David Ortiz) 25 “We’ll always have ___” (line from “Casablanca”) 26 Student in 25Down 27 Planted 31 It’s a plus 32 Vice president Agnew

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Puzzle by Barry Franklin and Sara Kaplan

33 Pricey belt material 34 Smokeless tobacco 35 At the back of a boat 38 Ambitious track bet 39 Ancient Aegean region 40 Elegantly dressed bloke

46 Crocheted item 47 Simpson girl 49 1970s-’90s film company 50 “Along ___ lines …”

51 P.L.O.’s Arafat 52 Goodbyes 53 Cede

WHEN YOU LOOK

WHAT

43

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A list

” “ , Asheville? ??

------------------BACK ON 2011,

40

828-458-9195

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Reserve Your Space Today!

CALL RICK AT

13

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• Reach 70,000 Loyal23Readers24 Every Week

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SECTION

• Nearly 30,000 28 Issues 31 • Covering 32 33 730 Locations Throughout 37 Western NC 38

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IMPROVEMENT 17 18 20

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WHAT’S ON YOUR

57 Actress de Matteo of “The Sopranos” 58 Communication syst. for the hearing-impaired 59 However, for short 60 Bar bill 61 Fifth of seven: Abbr.

For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554.

Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information.

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay.

Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.

STANDS

OUT? ------------------It’s not about what was the best or the worst, but what was memorable.

Go to mountainx.com/alist for some guidelines, examples and to make your own. We’ll make our own A-list of our favorite entries and publish them Dec. 28 in our end-of-the-year issue (hint: it’s all about lists). You’ll also get a special prize if your list is published.

To summarize, here’s a list:

Go to

mountainx.com/alist

MAKE A LIST PICK UP OUR DEC. 28 ISSUE TO SEE IF YOUR LIST MADE THE LIST

Get a special prize from Mountain Xpress mountainx.com

• DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 13 2011

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