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Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information

February 4-10, 2015 Vol. 16 Iss. 36

Showdown looming over Sylva bar noise Page 12 It’s nice out, so why is the Parkway closed? Page 34

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: Leaders of Shining Rock Classical Academy are preparing to open the first charter school in Haywood County this fall but have not yet announced where the school will be located. (Page 6-8)

EDITOR/PUBLISHER: ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: ART DIRECTOR: DESIGN & WEBSITE: DESIGN & PRODUCTION: ADVERTISING SALES:

News Chick-fil-A to open, Ingles to expand in Waynesville ........................................4 Church gets permit to solicit in Franklin ..............................................................5 Haywood to update emergency management ordinance ................................9 HCC rebrands for 50th anniversary ....................................................................10 Jackson eyes year-round homeless shelter........................................................11 Sylva to get an earful over bar noise dispute ....................................................12 Counties deal with animal control issues ..........................................................14 Sheriffs cope with committal costs......................................................................19

CLASSIFIEDS: NEWS EDITOR: WRITING:

ACCOUNTING & OFFICE MANAGER: DISTRIBUTION: CONTRIBUTING:

Scott McLeod. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@smokymountainnews.com Greg Boothroyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . greg@smokymountainnews.com Micah McClure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . micah@smokymountainnews.com Travis Bumgardner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . travis@smokymountainnews.com Emily Moss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . emily@smokymountainnews.com Whitney Burton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . whitney@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Hylah Birenbaum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hylah@smliv.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jessi Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessi@smokymountainnews.com Becky Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . becky@smokymountainnews.com Holly Kays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . holly@smokymountainnews.com Garret K. Woodward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . garret@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Singletary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jeff Minick (writing), Chris Cox (writing), George Ellison (writing), Gary Carden (writing), Don Hendershot (writing).

CONTACT

Opinion Explaining the Super Bowl ....................................................................................22

WAYNESVILLE | 144 Montgomery, Waynesville, NC 28786 P: 828.452.4251 | F: 828.452.3585 SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789

A&E

P:

Good for what ales you ..........................................................................................26

INFO & BILLING | P.O. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786

Outdoors Wintry conditions cause Parkway closures ......................................................34

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SUBSCRIPTIONS

The Naturalist’s Corner The bizarro world of plan revision ........................................................................47

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February 4-10, 2015

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Chick-fil-A in the cards for Waynesville as Ingles expansion plans crystalize

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER here’s been a new turn in the much-anticipated redevelopment of Ingles’ super market site in Waynesville: Chick-fil-A has joined the party.

Ingles’ site development plans on file with the town of Waynesville have been updated recently to include a Chick-filA fronting Russ Avenue. It will occupy the vacant parcel beside Home Trust Bank and roughly across the street from McDonald’s.

A major expansion of Ingles has been in the planning stages for several years, including a total site redevelopment plan.

Ingles is the kingpin of the busiest corridor in Waynesville — and not just because of its flagship grocery store. Ingles sprawling hilltop site spans more than 25 acres. But the massive tract is currently underutilized commercially.

Smaller storefronts that once shared the Ingles strip mall have moved out and the spaces have remained vacant in light of the impending grocery store expansion. There’s also the vacated Belk department store ready and waiting for a major retailer to come along.

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Smoky Mountain News

Feburary 4-10, 2015

The project has myriad moving parts. It not only calls for a major expansion of the grocery store itself, but includes the buildout of retail space, restaurants and a gas station on the campus.

And there’s plenty of free space to build on, including vacant lots along Russ Avenue and the entrance drive. Even the oversized parking lot could sacrifice some real estate and easily accommodate those weekend-before-Thanksgiving and wintery-mix-in-the-forecast grocery rushes.

The redevelopment plans call for a total buildout of all those spare commercial sites. It has been slow to materialize, but is still very much in the cards.

“The project is not on hold and will not be canceled,” said Ron Freeman, Ingles chief financial officer.

The project has myriad moving parts. It not only calls for a major expansion of the grocery store itself — Ingles will go from 60,000 to 90,000 square feet — but includes the buildout of retail space, restaurants and a gas station on the campus.

“We are working through some engineering and architectural matters that affect not just our store, but the entire property,” Freeman said.

Ingles first obtained a conditional-use development plan from the town in early 2011. The site plan has been amended twice since then: once in 2012 and again in 2014.

Both times, the permit was about to expire — it’s only good for two years if construction hasn’t started. So, Ingles had to renew its permit anyway, but in the process, it tweaked the site plan each time.

While the prospect of the first Chick-w fil-A west of Asheville may be the chief cause for celebration among some Haywood soccer moms, the most exciting thing to Town Planner Paul Benson is better traffic flow along the congested stretch of Russ Avenue.

Rather than exacerbate the existing traffic backups around the Ingles intersection, the addition of Chick-fil-A will bring a retooled traffic pattern that will hopefully be more efficient at whisking cars on and off Russ Avenue.

A new entrance drive on the left side of Chick-fil-A will have its own stop light.

Instead of Ingles-bound traffic jockeying to turn in at a single entrance, cars coming down Russ will be able to turn at Chick-filA and scoot around the back to Ingles, relieving the bottleneck at the lone Ingles intersection now.

While the site plans have been approved by the town on a big picture level, each individual piece of the puzzle Talk of an Ingles expansion in Waynesville has been bandied about since — the Chick-fil-A, a gas station, an the late 2000s. When it finally comes to fruition, it will bring major unnamed restaurant in the far corner of changes to the Ingles’ hilltop. The latest site plan calls for: Ingles’ parking lot — will have to get their own development permits from the town 1 An expansion of Ingles grocery store from 60,000 square feet to 91,000 when they are ready to build. square feet. Ingles will shift to the right, consuming about two-thirds of The town’s landscaping rules will the stripmall. require a robust compliment of street 2 A 40,000-square-foot storefront for an unnamed retailer on the left side trees, sidewalks, parking lot tree islands of the strip mall. and the like when that time comes. Each 3 An unnamed restaurant in the front-right corner of the main parking lot piece of the project will also have to meet (the corner with a really good view of downtown Waynesville in the disthe town’s architectural review standards. tance.)

A timetable isn’t something Ingles is 4 No changes around the vicinity of the former, now-vacant Belk building, comfortable sharing yet. There are just and no hints at a possible tenant. too many variables to commit to a 5 An eight-pump gas station along the Ingles entrance drive (to the rear groundbreaking. But it will happen, of HomeTrust Bank) and a car wash behind the gas station. eventually.

6 A Chick-fil-A fronting Russ Avenue beside HomeTrust Bank.

“We look forward to bringing an 7 A new stoplight on Russ Avenue. You’ll be able to scoot around and into updated store to our great customers in Ingles from here.

Waynesville and Haywood County,” Freeman said.

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Western Carolina University’s Graduate School will host the 2015 Graduate Education Summit on Thursday, Feb. 12, featuring a half day of sessions centered on the topic “Finding the Balance: Rigorous Content Instruction and Research vs. Preparing Future Professionals.”

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“Apparently the people of Macon County are very generous, so they keep coming back.”

— Franklin Police Chief David Adams on why a Kentucky-based charity solicits in Macon County

Adams asked if the police had the authority to decide which intersections people could solicit from because certain intersections pose a traffic hazard.

Henning said he would look into that issue, but as of Feb. 2 Adams didn’t have an answer to the question.

Scott said he was afraid passing the ordinance would negatively impact other charitable organizations raising money.

“If a cheerleader [doing a car wash] gets a little excited and jumps out into the road, are we going to write them up?” he asked.

“Is the ordinance being presented to clear up one situation or is it going to clear up a whole lot of situations?”

Alderman Verlin Curtis said there had been several complaints about the one group.

“No one seems to know who they are. I don’t think they know who they are,” he said.

Alderman Patti Abel said she thought the ordinance could clear up a lot of potential situations in the future.

The ordinance passed unanimously.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. and continue through 2:30 p.m. in the conference rooms of Blue Ridge Hall on the WCU campus. There is no charge to attend the summit, but registration is required. Lunch will be provided.

The summit will be open with a session titled “Top 5 Things Graduate Students Should Know,” followed by the panel discussion and lunch. The event will conclude with breakout sessions on STEM programs, humanities and the arts, health, business and education.

828.227.7398.

QUESTION: Do you do talks for the public and if so, what is the cost?

Answer: Yes! I frequently do presentations on nutrition and food related topics for various nonprofit groups, students, and community organizations. I request that you have a minimum of 50 people in attendance for the presentation. There is no cost. The best way to check on my availability is to e-mail me at Lmcgrath@ingles-markets.com or call me at: 800-334-4936.

I also do supermarket tours for smaller groups of 10-15 people at Ingles stores. The tours can focus on a health topic like reducing sodium, counting carbohydrates or just making healthy choices or can be geared toward those topics combined with keeping to a budget. Again, you can call or write to me to check on my availability to do a talk or a tour.

Smoky Mountain News

Graduate Education Summit set for Feb. 12 at WCU

Henning said the state statute already defined “charitable” and that the ordinance was to address people standing in the road soliciting contributions. He added that the $2 million insurance policy also was required in the statute.

“So if you’re going to allow these charitable solicitations of donations in the streets, this is the way to do it,” he said. “I can’t promise you that you won’t be sued if something happens, but you would be doubly protected with that policy.”

Scott said the ordinance language seemed restrictive, “but I’ll go along with whatever you guys want to do.”

Feburary 4-10, 2015

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR he town of Franklin recently passed a Charitable Solicitations ordinance in order to have more control over groups who stand in the middle of the road asking for money.

But it appears the ordinance has backfired. The group the town was trying to keep away met all the requirements in the ordinance, including a $2 million insurance policy, and was issued a one-time permit to solicit donations in the street.

Franklin residents are accustomed to seeing Shriners or volunteer firefighters with boots standing at intersections collecting money for their cause, but a group from Kentucky has been soliciting in Franklin to supposedly raise money for New Life Church Inc., based in Louisville. The church’s mission is to help the homeless.

“Apparently the people of Macon County are very generous, so they keep coming back,” said Franklin Police Chief David Adams.

Adams said the group came into the police department, paid the $25 fee, brought their $2 million insurance policy and received a permit to solicit in the streets. The group has to give the police department a five-day notice of when it plans to use the permit, but no date has been set yet.

With several complaints from people saying the money is pocketed and not given back to a church, Adams said for people to be wary of donating to the out-of-town solicitors.

“We’re just trying to get the word out that you don’t have to give them money,” he said.

Town Attorney John Henning Jr. told the board at last month’s meeting that passing an ordinance would protect the town from liability if someone were injured while collecting donations in the middle of the road.

Mayor Bob Scott voiced his concerns about the ordinance during the meeting, including the insurance policy and $25 fee for the permit.

“I do have some reservations about this — I’m not sure we defined ‘charitable,’” he said.

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Church gets permit to solicit donations from middle of road

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Charting a new course Haywood’s first charter school gets set to open in Waynesville

Feburary 4-10, 2015

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER Anna Eason has nothing but good things to say about Haywood County Public Schools. It’s a “good school system,” doing “an amazing job with what the state gives.”

Two of her three children are students there now, and she herself is a product of North Carolina public schools, going straight through the Wake County system.

But Eason, together with a team of other parents around Haywood County — and one from Jackson — are on the board of a new school poised to set up shop in Waynesville.

Shining Rock Classical Academy will welcome its inaugural classes in July, becoming the first charter school in Haywood County.

“It’s great to have options, especially public school options,” Eason said. “Charter schools give you a little more autonomy at the school level where you can choose your own curriculum. It’s not the curriculum that is provided by the state.”

Charter schools also allow the flexibility to prevent one of Eason’s pet peeves — keeping students shut in the classroom rather than allowing them to learn firsthand outside its walls.

“Last year my daughter’s class wasn’t even going to go on a field trip until I stepped up and said, ‘Can you at least come to the farm?’ and the parents had to pay for it,” said Eason, who works as marketing and human resources director for Sunburst Trout Farms.

“We have such a beautiful community, and I just want my kids and everybody else’s to be able to really get out and explore all it has to offer,” she added.

Shining Rock, which will initially serve kindergarten through sixth grade, plans to add one grade per year until it’s a K-12 school.

And it will teach its students using the Core Knowledge Curriculum, a content-based — meaning there’s an emphasis on learning subject matter as a gateway to increased language skills, rather than the other way around — curriculum originally developed by E.D. Hirsch, educational theorist and emeritus English professor at University of Virginia.

Eason, vice president of the school’s founding board, is excited about the curriculum. It’s a lot of the reason she is planning to send her kids — two who are school-age and one who will have to wait — to Shining Rock.

The same goes for Tara Keilberg, the board’s president and mother of two.

“I love the idea of the common knowledge base, that if you send kids to Shining Rock Classical Academy, they’re all going to be exposed to the same content, the same terms, 6 the same evidence-based curriculum, so for

Smoky Mountain News

that doesn’t necessarily make it easy to shed teaching positions. “Instead of having maybe 20 kids in a classroom, you maybe have 19, but you still lost the position that went with those 30 kids.”

In its first year, Shining Rock is hoping to enroll 308 students, though it can make it financially with as few as 150 students to start — the budget is built based on revenue from 130 students. So far, the school has received 174 applications, about 94 percent of which came from Haywood County – 6 percent came from Jackson – but not all of those are public school students. Eason expects that 10 to 15 percent of the enrollment will come from the homeschool community and that the enrollment will include a greater proportion of students from Jackson and Buncombe counties as the lottery date — if more than 308 students apply, names will be drawn to decide who gets in — draws nearer, because Shining Rock is planning to start advertising more vigorously in those areas.

The school’s director, Ben Butler, thinks about 70 percent of the students will ultimately come from Haywood, but that, he said “is just plain old assumption.”

Even using those assumptions — that the school reaches full enrollment, that 70 percent of its students come from Haywood County and 20 percent of those had been homeschooled or enrolled in another charter or private school — Shining Rock will take a bite out of Haywood’s per student funding. At full enrollment with the expected percentage of students coming from Haywood Public Schools, 172 students who had been going to Haywood schools would enroll with Shining School Director Ben Butler, Board Vice Chair Anna Eason and Board Chair Tara Keilberg Rock. That’s 2.3 percent of the system’s (pictured right to left) are optimistic about Shining Rock Classical Academy’s debut in enrollment of 7,400 students.

Those hypothetical 172 students would Haywood County. Holly Kays photo take with them about $928,000 in state funding me it’s about consistency in the academics,” — exact per pupil allocaKeilberg said.

“I love the idea of the common tions vary as schools get That’s an attribute that’s especially imporknowledge base, that if you send more money for some types tant now, Eason said. Last year, the state of students, such as those Legislature created a commission charged to kids to Shining Rock Classical with disabilities or those “review and replace” the Common Core State who are academically gifted Standards, which North Carolina had earlier Academy, they’re all going to be — and $334,000 in county adopted, but the future of the state standards exposed to the same content, the funding. in North Carolina is still uncertain.

That would indeed be a And there’s not much anyone in Haywood same terms, the same evidencechunk out of the school sysCounty Schools can do about it, as that’s a based curriculum, so for me it’s tem’s budget, but Associate state-level decision.

Superintendent Bill Nolte Of course, standards are different from about consistency in the academics.” doesn’t begrudge the charcurriculum — standards lay out what skills ter school the state dollars the student should learn, while curriculum is — Tara Keilberg that go with the students the outline of how those skills are taught — they attract. and local school districts do get to choose “If a child leaves Haywood County their own curriculum. But charter schools get often welcome because public school buildto choose both, though their students do still ings are sometimes stuffed so full of kids it’s Schools and goes to the charter, we may or difficult to find places for them all, the equa- may not like it, but it makes sense that money have to take state tests. would go with that child,” Nolte said. “We “You have a lot more flexibility,” Eason tion is different in rural areas.

Overcrowding isn’t so much of an issue, understand that.” said of charter schools. “There’s a lot more How it works in the first year, said Alexis parent involvement. There’s also one board to and when students leave the public school, one school, so you have a lot more control at they take their funding with them. That can Schauss, director of the Division of School be a blow to the existing school system, and Business in the N.C. Department of Public the school level, which is a very big benefit.” some in Haywood are concerned about how Instruction, is that Shining Rock, when it relationship will shake out. opens, would report to the DPI how many MPACT TO THE the “If students leave our school, then their students it has and which counties those stufunding goes with them, but the size of the dents are from. Funding for the students who SCHOOL SYSTEM buildings don’t shrink,” said Chuck Francis, have transferred from Haywood County But not everyone is applauding the open- chairman of the Haywood County School Public Schools to Shining Rock would in turn ing of Haywood’s inaugural charter. Unlike in Board. And if, for example, 30 kids from a be transferred from Haywood’s allotment to urban centers, where charter schools are given school enroll with the charter school, Shining Rock’s allotment. But funding for stu-

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What is a charter school?

A charter school is a public school. But it’s a different kind of public school.

Unlike a county school system, a charter school doesn’t have a territory defined by lines on a map, and it gets to cap its enrollment at a certain number. It doesn’t have to follow state curriculum or learning standards, and its teachers don’t all have to be state-certified.

But charter schools are held accountable. Its students still have to take state end-ofgrade and end-of-course tests, and while they don’t answer to a county board of education, they are directly accountable to the state board of education. Their scores and financials are public record, just like any other public school.

Charter schools were originally intended to be a forum for people to try out their creative ideas about how to do school better, hopefully leading to innovation in mainstream public schools. Critics say that charter schools have gotten away from that original purpose and mostly serve as a mechanism to siphon middle-class families away from the traditional school system, while supporters say they offer an alternative for children who, for whatever reason, are not best served by traditional public schools.

Before 2011, charter schools in North Carolina had been capped at 100, but in 2011 the cap was lifted. Currently, 148 charter schools operate in the state.

Butler is actively interviewing teachers now — last week he drove all the way to Raleigh to meet up with a candidate — and he’s doing so armed with yet another flexibility that traditional public schools don’t have.

Only half his teachers have to be certified.

That’s cause for concern, Brannon said.

It’s all well and good for a person to be brilliant in their field, but the real question is, can they teach?

“We kind of, sort of believe as community and as a country that it’s really important that we know that teachers have the training and the background that makes them the best of their craft,” Brannon said. The fact that charter school teachers aren’t required to have that training “should really worry a community.”

Butler would beg to differ. He agrees with Brannon that certification is important, and he expects that “the vast majority” of Shining Rock’s teachers will be certified, especially in K-5. What he’s happy about is the flexibility in hiring for the higher-level subjects.

“As we grow into a high [grade]-level school, I’ll be looking for good teachers primarily, and the certification will be second,” he said.

TEAMCFA Shining Rock is still a long way off from all that, though. In fact, it doesn’t even have a physical location yet — though Butler said he

THE NUMBERS GAME But charter schools are about economics.

They run much more like a business than do traditional public schools. A charter school can go broke, and it can close its doors.

That’s what happened to Kinston Charter Academy in Lenoir County in Eastern North Carolina. Just weeks after starting the 2013-14 school year, the school ran into financial problems and suddenly shut its doors, leaving the public school system with no other choice but to accept the students who were suddenly without a school.

“That may be an invalid concern, but it is something that’s on our radar right now,” Nolte said.

Smoky Mountain News

art and physical education at least once — All those concerns can frame charters as and hopefully twice — per week, more often nefarious schemes to squirrel away tax dol- than what Haywood schools are able to offer.

“We’ve been tracking this school pretty lars from their rightful destination and destroy the existing framework of education. well,” said Darrell Allison, executive director They’re anything but, said Butler, the of Parents for Educational Freedom in North school’s director and a former high school Carolina. “They’ve been getting good marks English teacher at Thomas Jefferson Classical from the Department of Public Instruction.”

Students will wear uniforms, and the Academy in Rutherford County. Thomas Jefferson is also a charter, part of the same school will operate on a year-round calendar after the first year, group of charters which will start the that Shining Rock The hypothetical 172 same day as has joined.

Haywood County.

“It’s a school of students leaving Each subsequent choice,” said Butler.

Haywood public schools school year will still Shining Rock is a include 180 days of school for kids who would take with them instruction, but it want a smaller, more will be broken up difabout $928,000 in state personalized enviferently than at a traronment and a diffunding and $334,000 in ditional public ferent kind of acaschool. The year will demic challenge county funding. begin in mid-July than what they and include twomight find in week breaks in October and for Haywood schools, Butler said.

The curriculum at Shining Rock will push Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break. both the fact-based and experiential side of Summer will last six or seven weeks.

“Everybody trumpets the advantage, espelearning. Middle and high school students will learn Latin — “I think it’s the best way to cially to kids who are underprivileged, for develop vocabulary, because 50 percent of year-round, but as a teacher I think the real English is Latinate in its origin,” Butler said, advantage to a year-round [calendar] is it “but it’s also a good way to teach the mind to keeps teachers from getting burned out,” be disciplined” — and students will get music, Butler said.

Feburary 4-10, 2015

A SCHOOL OF CHOICE

Holly Kays photo

expects to be able to announce a land purchase by the end of the month. For now, he’s working out of a one-room office in downtown Waynesville.

“The big problem for charters is ‘build a school, fill it with kids, here’s your money’ — and that’s the order,” Butler said. “It’s a really ridiculous system.”

Shining Rock is getting some help with that order. In December 2012, the Shining Rock board voted to become part of TeamCFA, a national network of charter schools, mostly located in North Carolina.

The affiliation comes with connections, advice, $100,000 of funding each year for the first three years and the promise of help with eventually building a permanent facility — for now, Shining Rock will operate out of modular’s, which it will purchase with a lowinterest loan from TeamCFA. It also comes with some surrender of local control. All TeamCFA schools use the Core Knowledge Curriculum — though Keilberg and Eason both said they chose the curriculum before choosing CFA — and two of the 10 school board members are CFA representatives. One, Larry Wilkerson, directs New Dimensions, a TeamCFA school in Morganton, and the other, Tim Foley, is an attorney in New Jersey who also serves on the New Dimensions board. Their expertise is invaluable in navigating the challenges of starting a new school, Butler said.

CFA, which stands for Challenge Foundation Academy, was started by John and Martha Bryan, conservatives who have provided ample funding to the school choice movement. Critics have decried CFA schools as questionable conduits of conservative propaganda, but the Shining Rock folks say politics was not part of the choice to affiliate, pointing out that Hirsh — the author of the curriculum — is himself quite liberal and that the political persuasions of the board members are all over the map. And unlike some charter operators, CFA does not take any cut of the revenues.

“We have teachers [on the board] and we have homeschoolers and we have people who take pedagogy seriously and we have people who take curriculum seriously, and we determined that there is no political slant to the Core Knowledge Curriculum,” said Keilberg, herself a registered Democrat.

“Education is not about politics,” said Eason, who is registered as unaffiliated.

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dents who had been enrolled in homeschool or private school would come from DPI’s reserves, not Haywood’s allotment.

But charter schools are also entitled to receive whatever per-pupil local funding the traditional public school system receives, and that’s where things can get dicey.

“If they have [for example] 50 students coming from homeschool that go to that charter school, they [the county] wouldn’t have ever been funding those students, and they would now from their local funds be required to provide funding for those students,” Schauss said.

Which would mean the county would have to choose: cut per-pupil funding so the total local amount paid to the schools stays the same, or find the money elsewhere to keep it steady.

For Haywood County, that choice would come at a time when the discrepancy between cash requested and cash given is already wide. Statewide, school districts are seeing shortfalls between allotment and need, and in last year’s budget, Haywood schools asked commissioners for $1.1 million more than the previous year but received an increase of only $280,000 in funding.

It’s a common story where charters in rural districts are concerned, said Yevonne Brannon, chair of Public Schools First N.C. A charter school comes in and siphons away tax dollars that had gone to the existing public school system, and in a school system that already serves fewer students, that reallocation can have significant consequences.

“We just need to be very careful, because they [charters] do have impact, and for rural communities they can have tremendous impact,” Brannon said.

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The board gets down to business during its January board meeting. Holly Kays photo

Feburary 4-10, 2015

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And even barring a disastrous outcome like that in Lenoir County, the first couple years of operation for a charter school — just like that of any start-up business — can be tough. Charter schools don’t get separate capital improvement funding like traditional public schools do, and generally their facilities are less than stellar to start with. They have to worry about whether or not they’ll get enough enrollment to keep all the services going, and while they’re required to provide services for students with special needs like learning disabilities or instruction in English as a Second Language, coming up with the staff to meet those needs can be tough.

Butler doesn’t expect under-enrollment to be a problem. In the three weeks since the application process opened, he’s received 174 applications, and the school hasn’t even announced a location yet.

“I’m not worried about numbers,” he said.

But it’s probably fair to note that just because someone submits an application doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to go to the charter school. There’s no deposit required, no payment demanded, so parents can easily go ahead and fill out an online application to ensure their child will be included in the lottery that determines who the available slots are offered to. Then if, once the lottery is complete, that parent decides that the charter option isn’t best after all, she can turn around and enroll her child elsewhere, no strings attached.

“That’s a very tricky thing for them because you can put in an application for a private school, a charter school and the school district, and you don’t have to tell each one of them, and then you just kind of don’t show up because there’s no financial obligation to the charter school,” Schauss said.

BECOMING A FULL-SERVICE SCHOOL It’s also hard for charter schools to provide all the wraparound services you find at a traditional public school. Things like after-

school day care, bus routes, sports teams and school lunches. Shining Rock will offer busing, but only from central pickup points and only if the demand is there, not from individual homes, and while it plans to have food available at lunchtime, it won’t be part of the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, as the administrative cost is too high for a small start-up. It also won’t offer after- or beforeschool daycare.

Those parameters can be hard for some parents to navigate, Brannon said, resulting in the creation of “have” and “have-not” schools.

“They do tend to be segregated by income and race, and that is something I think we have to be thoughtful about and concerned about,” she said.

In its first year, Shining Rock is hoping to enroll 308 students, though it can make it financially with as few as 150 students to start — the budget is built based on revenue from 130 students.

Butler said that’s a conclusion that unnecessarily vilifies schools that are just trying to offer their community a service.

“It’s a school of choice. I think a lot gets made that schools of choice are just that, and it often gets twisted into something that it’s not,” he said. “Each charter school in each community serves its community, and that’s something that it needs to do.”

And that’s something, he said, that the school will continue to do for many years and in many places beyond Haywood County, through the students who graduate from it.

“Those kids who are walking across the stage in 2022,” Butler said, “I hope that they have a better sense of themselves and we can send them out into the world in whatever way they want to further their education.”

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In case of…

Smoky Mountain News

Another section in the crosshairs: a proSwanger said it is now up to the critics vision allowing the county to seize supplies whether they seize this opportunity to participate in a rewrite. If they don’t, then it will and redistribute them. It’s supposed to keep merchants from charging $50 for a bottle of seem the brouhaha over the emergency water, pack of batteries or gallon of gas in an management ordinance was just a “straw emergency. man to criticize government,” Swanger said.

The rewrite will most likely focus on semantics — cleaning up any ambiguIn the event of a declared emergency, the Haywood County ous language for clarEmergency Management Ordinance gives the county the power to: ity’s sake.

■ Evacuate an area.

As for substance, ■ Control movements in and out of a disaster zone. it remains to be seen ■ Impose price controls and rations of supplies. whether the county ■ Take over the supply and distribution chain for goods and services. will make any major ■ Impose curfews and otherwise control gatherings. concessions.

■ Trespass on private property without permission.

Jess Dunlap, chair ■ Seize equipment and supplies needed for emergency response. of the Haywood County Libertarian But it’s also a direct affront to the soParty, said she is “cautiously optimistic.” called “preppers” who have stockpiled food The Haywood County Libertarian Party and ammunition in fallout bunkers. Their has played a leading role in criticism of the hard work to prepare for a doomsday sceordinance, hosting public meetings with a nario would be negated if county officials point-by-point critique and even developing turned up on their doorstep, demanding an alternative version of their own. they hand over their provisions.

“We didn’t give up because each time we Ensley thinks that’s a pretty big leap, and talked about it, we had more people perk highly unlikely. If there’s massive societal their ears up. Interest has grown as opposed to diminished,” said Dunlap.

In January, the Libertarian Party organized yet another public meeting to sound off about the ordinance, and invited Sheriff Greg Christopher, who listened to a crowd of about 60 voice their concerns.

“He said he understood the problem we could have with the wording,” Dunlap said.

Parts of it may seem over the top, County Commissioner Kevin Ensley admitted, but it’s easy to think of scenarios when the various provisions would be necessary to save lives.

For example, critics don’t like the part that gives the county power to control movement in and out of an emergency zone. But Ensley recalls perimeters set up around the floodwaters along the Pigeon River in 2004.

Floodwaters were strewn with a flotilla of heating oil drums and propane tanks ripped up from yards along the river banks.

“The smell of kerosene and heating oil was overpowering, and you had propane tanks floating down the river and clinking against the bridges,” Ensley said. “And you had disease breeding from the sewage plant overflow.”

A mandatory evacuation during a major landslide in Maggie Valley a few years ago also comes to mind.

“It was imminent that something else was coming down the mountain and they were trying to keep people safe,” Ensley said.

The provision to trespass without permission of the property owner is also offensive to some, but would be critical if a truck carrying radioactive waste ran off the Interstate and needed to be cleaned up immediately, Ensley said.

Feburary 4-10, 2015

BY BECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER verbearing language in Haywood County’s emergency management protocols is being revised to make it more palatable to civil liberty watchdogs.

The emergency plan spells out powers the county can evoke in a major crisis — be it a mundane blizzard or extreme terrorist attack, or even a threat from a rouge paramilitary group.

But to some, it’s been a tough pill to swallow — namely for those concerned about a trampling of individual rights.

“My biggest hope is they change some of the language so it doesn’t appear they are suspending the Bill of Rights in the event of an emergency,” said Windy McKinney, a Libertarian who ran for county commissioner last fall.

The emergency management ordinance was a sleeper when it was first adopted in 2009. The language was lifted wholesale from a state template, but came under fire about a year ago from a coalition of Libertarians and conservatives.

The critics have been unrelenting in their condemnation of the emergency management ordinance over the past year, claiming it essentially gives the county the power to control society and take away individual freedoms. But the critics have been portrayed as alarmists, conspiracy theorists and even anarchists.

County Commissioner Mark Swanger said the critics of the ordinance are taking lines out of context, rather than viewing the ordinance in its totality.

“You can pick out a part of a paragraph or part of a sentence and make it sound just awful,” Swanger said. “In an effort to simplify it and remove the politics from it, we are going to make sure each paragraph, if it is separated, stands on its own. We want to make it very clear to anyone who reads it that it is a lawful document designed to save lives.”

Swanger accepts that some critics may be genuinely concerned about an erosion of civil liberties at the hands of a totalitarian government in the future.

“I am not saying everything in that ordinance is perfect. There is room for improvement. We know we have a lot of very smart citizens who may offer suggestions we haven’t thought of,” Swanger said.

But others are merely exploiting fear mongering for political gain, he said. The emergency management ordinance was used as ammunition against sitting county commissioners in the fall election.

“There are people who take advantage of the fact that you can peddle a myth and have it go viral quicker than any mainstream media outlet can print the truth,” Swanger said. “There is only so much you can do to control those that have other agendas.”

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Haywood concedes to tune up — and tone down — emergency playbook

collapse, the county manager won’t be out knocking on bunker doors.

“I think most of the emergency management people are going to be with their families,” Ensley said. “The slides and floods are what we have to look out for.”

Jeremy Davis, a conservative from the Bethel area, says why not strike what he considers “draconian” portions of the ordinance?

“If they can’t envision in their lifetime it having to be used, lets get ahead of it before it is used and write a more liberty-sensitive emergency management ordinance that doesn’t give anyone the right to come steal my guns, my food, my vehicles,” Davis said.

County officials have invited written public comments as they embark on the rewrite. They will also do an in-house lineby-line review of the ordinance, assessing it for clarity and comparing it to those on the books in other counties.

The rewrite team includes County Manager Ira Dove, County Attorney Chip Killian, Emergency Services Coordinator Greg Shuping, Public Information Officer David Teague, among “others who will be asked to help and give input,” Dove said.

After their first pass at a rewrite, a new version will be floated as a draft, and then head for a formal public hearing to allow for another round of comments before hammering out a final version.

The date for that public hearing hasn’t been set yet. The deadline for written comments is the end of February, so it will be March at the earliest before a draft rewrite comes out.

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HCC rolls out rebranded products

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR rying to create a small logo that encompasses everything Haywood Community College stands for is no easy task.

But with only three letters and a symbolic leaf, Aaron Mabry, marketing and communication director, thinks he and Lee White Media pulled it off. The old logo said Haywood Community College and featured a gradient leaf, but the new logo was shortened to HCC, features four new colors and a solid-color leaf.

“We’re known in the community by our acronym,” Mabry said. “We are HCC and we wanted to commit to that brand.”

The new logo is just part of the community college’s effort to rebrand — or essentially modernize its appearance on all platforms. The new logo will be featured on HCC’s new website, which rolled out Jan. 30, in-house publications, billboards and print media.

The rebranding effort coincides with the college’s 50-year anniversary. After 50 years of growth and change, it was time for HCC’s marketing to reflect those changes, officials said.

“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we as a college felt it was a good time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future in an effort to position ourselves for the next 50 years,” said College President Dr. Barbara Parker.

The community college wanted something that would be representative of the entire HCC population — from a 16-year-old Haywood Early College student to someone in their 70s taking continuing education classes.

Haywood Community College is celebrating 50 years of service to the community with a rebranding effort. HCC now has a new logo design (botom) and a new website to move forward for the next 50 years.

“We wanted to modernize our look and look at how we touch people in the community on a daily basis,” Mabry said.

Throughout 2015, the new HCC logo will feature the “50 Years Forward” anniversary insignia, but that will be taken off in 2016.

The new logo has four options and each features a different color — a dark green, lighter green, light blue and a gray. Mabry said each department in the college could pick one of the four options that best suits

The public is invited to cheer on the runners & support this worthy cause.

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them. Faculty members can pick whichever color they like to have on their business cards.

Mabry consulted with teachers and staff throughout the process, something he said was important. Once some ideas were established, a campus-wide survey of board members, professors and faculty was compiled.

“We didn’t want to move forward without everyone on board, and we achieved an 84 percent approval rating,” he said.

Mabry said the new website is more user-

1 mile walk available also.

Smoky Mountain News

Feburary 4-10, 2015

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friendly now that it’s been updated. The last update was done in 2007 — a lifetime in technological years. Web developer John Bradley worked with him for about six months on the design and functionality before the site went live last week.

“The focus was to make it simpler — it wasn’t as intuitive before,” he said. “From a usability standpoint, we want people to find the info they need with as few clicks as possible.”

One of his favorite features is the live chat option that allows students or potential students to speak instantly to someone or submit an email question and receive a response within 24 hours.

HCC started 50 years ago with a nursing program. That program is still one of the most popular programs, but the college has added and subtracted programs throughout the years to accommodate the workforce development needs of the community.

Other popular programs right now are the natural resources program to prepare students for a career with the Department of Agriculture or in forestry and many of the professional crafts programs offered in the new Creative Arts Building on campus.

“The Creative Arts Center is a huge boon for us,” Mabry said. “I think it’s one of the best facilities in North Carolina now.”

Professional craft degrees include clay, fiber, jewelry and wood. The program teaches students a craft skill and also teaches them how to market their product with required business classes.

HCC has come a long way since 1965.

There were 31 diplomas awarded to the first graduating class in 1967. Last year there were 4,392 continuing education students and 2,210 curriculum students.

While its look may be changing, Mabry said HCC’s mission remains the same.

“Education changes everything,” he said.

“Education can transform someone’s life, and that’s something we take very seriously.”

Make checks to Dryman's Chapel UMC. Contact gstiwinter @hotmail.com for entry form or call 828-421-4571

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Race entry fee $20 until race day and $25 on race day.

Group asks county for use of old rescue squad building

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Currently, Neighbors in Need — a volunteer organization that addresses fuel, weatherization and shelter needs in Jackson County — puts those in need of shelter up at motels around town. But that’s a Band-Aid more than a solution, and they’d like to have a permanent facility with a program to actively assist residents in getting out of homelessness. So far this year, Neighbors in Need has served 49 people, 18 of them children.

“For the remainder of this winter, we will continue with the model that we’ve used for

Jackson Neighbors in Need wants to turn the old rescue squad building on U.S. 23 in Sylva into a homeless shelter. Donated photo

Jackson extends county attorney contract, considers creating staff position Jay Coward will keep his job as Jackson County attorney — for five more months, at least.

When a new board of commissioners took over in December, they put out a call for applications to select a new attorney, pulling in a list of eight candidates, including Coward.

But commissioners didn’t choose any of the new candidates, and they didn’t even discuss their comparative qualifications at their annual retreat Jan. 21 or regular meeting Jan. 29. Rather, they elected to keep Coward on while they spent some time tackling the bigger question: “What if we hired someone as a full-time staff attorney and put them on staff as opposed to contracting?” asked Commission Chairman Brian McMahan.

Right now, the board hires a contract attorney to handle its legal matters, but a staff attorney could do more than just represent commissioners, McMahan said. That person could also help with legal needs at the Department of Social Services, Jackson

County Jail and the Sheriff’s Department.

“That person could serve as a public information officer,” McMahan said. “They could help write news releases. They would be great in helping with human resources, dealing with personnel management decisions.”

The idea met a favorable reception with the majority of board members at their Jan. 21 retreat, where it was first discussed.

Coward, however, cautioned that a staff position might not attract the caliber of attorney that Jackson County needs.

“You can just about guarantee if you get somebody on staff for a county the size of Jackson, you’re probably going to get somebody who’s inexperienced,” Coward said.

Coward has been practicing law for more than 30 years, and his $200 per hour fee is about half of what he charges everyone else. On average, the county pays about $65,000 per year for his part-time services. By contrast, the salary for an attorney just out of law school at Coward’s firm is $44,000. He gives the county such a big break, he said, because he loves the place and he loves the work.

Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER

“You’re already getting a bargain, and for someone who loves his county and loves his job, those intangibles are hard to get with a staff attorney,” Coward said. “They just are.”

Commissioner Charles Elders echoed Coward’s concerns — “I think we oughta stick with a reliable firm,” he said — and County Manager Chuck Wooten told commissioners that for a county Jackson’s size, “it is truly more an exception than a rule to have a full-time attorney.” Buncombe County has one, but its population and legal needs are much larger. Macon County used to have one but now contracts, and both Haywood and Swain counties use contracted attorneys as well.

But Commissioner Vicki Greene said that, while the salary might be lower than what a staff attorney could earn in the private sector, the regular work hours and job stability would sweeten the pot. Add to that the fact that attorneys have been facing a tough job market in recent years, and it might not be as tough a sell as Coward made it out to be.

Commissioners will study the issue over the coming months with the goal of advertising the staff position — if that’s what they decide to go with — sometime in April in order to have that person begin work with the new fiscal year July 1. If they decide to stick with a contract attorney, commissioners will likely consider the same slate of eight candidates that replied to the initial request for applications.

The vote to extend Coward’s contract for five months more was unanimous.

Feburary 4-10, 2015

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER f all goes according to plan, Jackson County could have a permanent homeless shelter up and running by April.

That “if,” though, is a big one. Jackson Neighbors in Need hopes to get commissioners’ approval to lease the old rescue squad building on Main Street just past Mark Watson Park and below the Jackson County Library for $1 per year. Then, it will need to raise tens of thousands of dollars to fund renovations and operational expenses, as well as drum up lots of volunteer support.

Neighbors in Need asked for approval to use the building at the board’s Jan. 29 meeting but was met with a barrage of questions about how much the renovations would cost and where the money would come from.

Ultimately, the discussion was tabled for a Feb. 17 work session.

“I get a sense that overall the board seems to be in favor of doing something to help,” said Commission Chairman Brian McMahan. “It’s just to take our time and wade through it.”

Counting on volunteer labor for the bulk of the renovations, it would cost about $20,000 to get the building up to scratch, said Rick Westerman, executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Jackson and Macon counties. Renovations could be completed in as little as 30 days, added Case Manager Christina Smith, and it would cost $82,700

to fund salaries and operations for the first nine months.

But commissioners felt the estimated renovation cost might be a little low, as Neighbors in Need had originally requested approval for a temporary shelter. Now the organization wants it to operate year-round.

“When you start looking at what the building code requires, permanent use versus temporary uses, it changes a little bit,” McMahan said. “It might mean we need to add sprinklers and a whole bunch of other things that increase the cost.”

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Year-round homeless shelter could be in Sylva’s future

the last five or six years, and that is to continue working with local hotels,” said Bob Cochran, director of social services for Jackson County and Neighbors in Need board member. “It is expensive, but we have the funding to finish this winter with that model.”

The shelter, once opened, would have a metal detector and thorough screening for domestic abuse. It would employ a zero tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol and would not allow sex offenders. The shelter staff of three would include a full-time director and case manager as well as two people — one male, one female — to stay at the shelter and work with residents.

County Commissioner Vicki Greene commented that she’d heard concerns from Sylva businesses about locating a homeless shelter right at the entrance to downtown.

Consideration of aesthetics would have to be part of any eventual agreement, Wooten said, but the building has been sitting vacant for years, and this might be a good chance to get it spruced up.

“A number of folks have looked at it.

None have made a serious offer,” Wooten said. “I think this might be an opportunity to get that building back in good shape and revitalized and something the community can embrace.”

The community has definitely been behind the idea thus far, Smith said.

“We already have a lot of furniture, beds that have been donated,” she said. “My office, you can hardly get in it. The community has been amazingly supportive, so there’s not going to be a lot of need to purchase items when we move in.”

But there are still a lot of questions, commissioners said, a sentiment that Greene repeated when asked whether she was in favor of the shelter concept.

“I’m in favor of getting more answers as to what it will actually take to make this work and where the money’s coming from,” she said.

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Sylva to get an earful over bar noise dispute No Name supporters, opponents, gear up for public comment Thursday

Feburary 4-10, 2015

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DUELING PETITIONS Not that there are a whole lot of houses clustered around No Name. The property is zoned for uses that include nightclubs and is in front of Liberty Baptist Church, downhill from Harris Regional Hospital, and across the street from storage units and a commercial building.

In a follow-up interview, Hooper said he’d gone to only about 10 houses to get those 50 signatures, and that the list included children and members of Liberty Baptist.

But all of his support comes from door-todoor knocking, not the online leverage he scoffs at No Name for using. Though the pub has 400some signatures to its petition, Hooper said, “He’s [Fuller’s] got ahead of me on the technology thing. I just go to the neighbors.”

Mary Harper, No Name’s music booker and bar manager, sees it another way. People love No Name, and they want to do what they can to save the music and late-night hours that are its lifeblood.

“There were people there waiting for us to get it done so they could sign it,” she said Jan. 26, the day the bar’s petition launched.

A Facebook page called “Save Sylva Night Life and Music Scene, No Name Sports Pub,” which Harper created to promote the petition, already has more than 700 likes, more than 500 of which came in the first day of its existence.

Smoky Mountain News

Dead dog drama

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here’s no doubt that No Name has neighbors who are upset about noise. Next-door neighbor James Lupo had approached the town board in 2012 to complain, and according to Carl King, who lives next to Lupo, the sound is so loud “they could probably hear it all the way up to Fisher Creek.”

But the folks at No Name are pretty sure that Drew Hooper, who is spearheading a petition against the bar’s existence, isn’t actually mad about the noise.

“I’ve had numerous customers come in and say it’s not about the noise. It’s about the dogs,” said Mary Harper, music booker and bar manager at No Name. She and her two teenagers live across the street, and the sound doesn’t bother them, she said.

Hooper, who lives across the street and up the hill from No Name, owns 11 hunting dogs. He hadn’t lost one to traffic in 30 years, he said, but in the past three he’s had three killed. He blames No Name.

“He had a good nose, and whenever the wind would blow from that place over there, it was just like ringing the

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Live music is No Name Sport’s Pub signature, but some neighbors say the shows are loud enough to be heard throughout the valley. Holly Kays photo “I love what we’ve done with the music there,” Harper said. “It means a lot to me, so it’s pretty frustrating to be dealing with this.”

A DECISION WITH IMPACT The resolution will impact more than just No Name and its neighbors.

Keith Laguna, co-owner of the soon-toopen Tonic craft beer market on Sylva’s Main Street, is paying attention to how the dispute plays out. Laguna’s a musician — he’s played No Name before — and he’s planning to host music acts in Tonic’s fenced-in backyard.

“We don’t think it’s going to halt anything we do,” Laguna said. “It does just frighten me a little that they can shut you down without any real proof of anything.”

To be clear, the town of Sylva did not shut down No Name. The bar voluntarily decided to cut its music acts down from four or five per week to one each weekend. But Fuller made the decision as a pre-emptive strike to keep the noise citations — and a crackdown

from the state alcohol board — at bay.

“It’s all gotta go until I can figure out what I can do to make the town happy,” Fuller said.

The situation with No Name has definitely motivated Laguna to get a jump on talking to his neighbors.

“There’s a level of respect you need to keep in mind,” when choosing a sound level, he said.

“It’s quite possible that the music is very loud” at No Name, Laguna said, but at the same time Sylva is increasingly becoming a music town. In fact, Laguna moved there for the music.

“I discovered this town by playing at places like No Name,” he said. “When you have a situation like this, you’re not only hurting No Name, you’re hurting all the musicians around town.”

A BALANCING ACT

But the town board also has a responsibility to balance Sylva’s emerging identity with its history and the rights of its residents. Hooper, for example, has

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER showdown over noise at No Name Sports Pub is on tap for the Sylva Town Board meeting Feb. 5.

With their own respective petitions in hand, both the bar’s supporters and its neighbors who are upset about the noise they say constantly streams from the establishment are planning to flood the public comment session.

Many of the neighbors, led by Drew Hooper, have signed a petition declaring that “there is no advantage to this community by having this bar here, only trouble, noise and health problems and drugs,” while No Name’s supporters are urging the city to amend its noise ordinance to “require a specific decibel level and time of duration for sound before a violation [is] given.”

The dispute has been simmering for years, really ever since No Name opened in 2010 — the board also heard complaints about noise back in 2012.

But the most recent eruption occurred at the board’s Jan. 15 meeting, when No Name’s owner Gregg Fuller appeared on the agenda, asking the town to dismiss the noise citations he’d been issued over the last year. Fuller claimed the ordinance by which they were given was unconstitutional and told the board that, as a result of the unpaid tickets, the state alcohol board had threatened to pull his license.

Fuller concluded his speech by telling the board he’s sought legal representation and — though he doesn’t want to take it that far — is prepared to sue.

But a trio of neighbors was there as well,

and they told the board that the fault lay with Fuller, that No Name was eating its just desserts after exhibiting a willful and repeated pattern of disrespect.

“Everybody that I talked to said, ‘Finally, finally somebody’s doing something,’” said Hooper, brandishing a spiral notebook containing his handwritten petition and 50 signatures.

He assured the board that he’d gone to only a fraction of homes in the area and could come back with 100 signatures, easy.

dinner bell,” Hooper said of Wiggles, a feist who got run bleeding all over the floor.” over in December 2014.

It was a calm night at the bar, no music and only about a Hooper — who, until recently, did not have a fence to half a dozen people inside, another six outside, Govan said. contain his dogs, despite the fact that town ordinance says Unsure of what Hooper was capable of, he followed him out dogs must be contained on their owner’s property — said to the patio, where he approached a group sitting by the fire. that since No Name moved in, his dogs have been fixated “He starts just yelling at them as well, F-U to everyone, on going over there to eat the trash. He believes owner he’s going to get the place shut down,” Govan recalled.

Gregg Fuller should have barricaded his dumpster to keep Hooper punched the glass on the door leading outside so that from happening. hard, Govan said, he was shocked it didn’t shatter all over So, when Wiggles got run over, Hooper was angry.

Hooper’s fist. Then, “he started taking chairs and throwing “I went over and picked him up off the them with one hand. He’s still holding the side of the road, and I was mad,” Hooper dog the entire time.”

“I probably went said.

“I probably went in there too mad,” That much was evident to Chip Govan, in there too mad.” Hooper admits, and he’s open about the fact a No Name regular who lives about a quarthat he’s still mad about the dog. But he also — Drew Hooper ter mile up Skyland Drive and was at the maintains that the noise is a problem. bar that night.

“I just said, ‘Get rid of the noise and “All of a sudden, this older man comes in, and he just that will take care of the trash,’” he said. “I was mad about starts screaming, yelling at the top of his voice being the noise a way long time ago anyway.” extremely vulgar. He used profanity a lot and he was threatFuller, meanwhile, said the problem does not primarily ening,” Govan said. lie with him.

“It took me a while to realize, but he had this small little “I don’t think there’s anything I can do to make the man dog,” Govan added. “It was bleeding all over him, he was happy,” he said of Hooper. “He’s just flat after me.”

W

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owned his property off Skyland Drive for 30 years, long before Sylva annexed the area. Sometimes, interests clash.

“Your right to swing your fist stops where my nose begins, so your music has to stop disturbing the neighbors. It’s as simple as that,” Sylva Commissioner Harold Hensley told Fuller at the Jan. 17 meeting.

But some believe that the town needs to take another look at the noise ordinance backing Hensley up.

“The town needs to look closely at their ordinance and see what objective standards they have in it to prevent it from being declared unconstitutional,” said Rusty McLean, a Waynesville attorney who advised Fuller on the case.

Sylva Attorney Eric Ridenhour, however, stands by the town’s ordinance.

“I wouldn’t want to be more specific, because then you’re going to end up punishing the people that are still being good neighbors,” he said.

The questions are as numerous as the opinions on their answers, and it will be up to the commissioners to sort out a solution over the coming weeks.

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ebster Enterprises is growing, and a newly leased building on Harold Street in Sylva is expected to allow the nonprofit to expand a recently added component of its business and add at least 30 local jobs.

Webster Enterprises, established in 1976 by parents of disabled children, provides employment opportunities to the roughly 65 employees who work there making disposable medical devices. About two years ago, the nonprofit started expanding to offer commercial sewing products, as well.

“We started that at our current location [on Little Savannah Road] in a small building and quickly outgrew that building,” said Gene Robinson, executive director of Webster Enterprises.

In December, Webster Enterprises signed a lease for a 12,000-square-foot building in Sylva, which used to house sewing operations for The Ashley Company. Currently, only 15 workers are involved in the commercial sewing side of the business, making items such as baby crib bedding, grass catchers for lawn mowers and covers for sectional sofas, but that number’s set to grow.

“We expect that to grow by probably 30 people within a year and continue to grow after that,” Robinson said. “We are getting lots of opportunities to bid on contracts that involve different types of commercial sewing.”

This Thursday, a public hearing and vote at the Sylva Town Board meeting will determine whether Webster Enterprises gets permission to start production in the building, and Robinson is hoping for a positive answer.

“We eventually have plans to enlarge our space here at Webster on Little Savannah Road and move the sewing operation back into the same location,” he said, “but we’re now leasing a building because the work is coming and we need to have a place to do it.”

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Nonprofit employer set to expand in Sylva

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Counties facing animal control inadequacies

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR ommissioners in Western North Carolina counties have been discussing the growing need for better animal control services.

While Jackson and Haywood County are struggling with inadequate animal shelter facilities, Swain County lacks a facility and an ordinance to deal with stray or nuisance animals. Dedicating more funds toward animal control services isn’t exactly a top priority for counties trying to cut costs and still provide for taxpayers, but animal activists have been vocal about the importance of addressing the issue.

“I think civilizations are judged by how they take care of their young, their old and their animals, and I think we need to do a better job of taking care of our animals,” said Commissioner Vicki Greene at a recent Jackson County Commissioner meeting.

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Feburary 4-10, 2015

Several residents who had concerns about the county’s current animal shelter recently approached Jackson County Commission Chairman Brian McMahan. He said the more than 40-year-old building on Airport Road in Cullowhee was inadequate for current needs.

“We’ve got people who have told me we

could probably almost adopt every single dog in this county out if we had big enough of a shelter that we could house them a little bit longer than we do now,” he said. “I really want us to think about are there opportunities in this budget year coming up, or whenever, that we can maybe make some improvements to our animal shelter.”

McMahan said Jackson County might be able to partner with Swain County for some type of regional approach to animal control since Swain is in desperate need of a shelter.

Jackson County Manager Chuck Wooten said some renovation work had been done at the shelter in the last two or three years after a dog that had bitten someone escaped.

Renovations included adding fencing around the runs and replacing the floors for easier washing.

But another issue that hasn’t been addressed is the lack of handicap accessibility at the shelter and the fact that the shelter is not centrally located.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a real easily accessible facility with space at the front where you could do adoptions?”

McMahan asked.

Wooten cautioned that moving the shelter to a more populous area may result in a “not in my backyard” attitude from residents who wouldn’t appreciate barking dogs next door.

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Haywood County is working toward building a new animal shelter with the help of a newly formed nonprofit, Friends of Haywood County Animal Shelter.

Becky Johnson photo

He said the first priority is to get an animal control ordinance in place and establish a plan for how the county deals with these issues because P.A.W.S. has limited resources and space.

“We need to authorize someone to deal with these issues as they arise and empower them to make decisions because right now we have nothing on the books,” Bushyhead said.

HAYWOOD COUNTY SWAIN COUNTY Leaders in Swain County have been discussing a solution for animal control problems for years, but the county still lacks an animal control ordinance.

In 2009, the county stopped contracting with a company that made weekly rounds to pick up strays and the burden has rested solely on the organization Placing Animals Within Society, a nonprofit no-kill shelter in Bryson City.

As for an animal control ordinance, the topic can become contentious when trying to regulate barking dogs. Swain Commissioners have been faced with complaints recently about dogs running loose through someone’s property and a dog biting someone else’s cat.

Newly elected Swain County Commissioner Ben Bushyhead and County Manager Kevin King have taken the lead on researching options for the county commissioners to consider.

“We’re going to gather information and go from there as far as seeing how to get an ordinance that fits Swain County’s needs,” Bushyhead said.

This has been an ongoing issue, but Bushyhead said a couple of complaints have definitely added to the problem. He said the commissioners are open to partnering with other counties on a solution, whether it’s through a joint animal shelter or another project. While Jackson has expressed interest, Bushyhead also is looking into what Clay and Graham counties are doing for animal control.

Haywood County also is in the process of building a new animal shelter with the help of a newly formed nonprofit group — Friends of Haywood County Animal Shelter.

Haywood County Manager Ira Dove gave commissioners an update on the progress at the last meeting. The animal shelter was constructed in 1988 with public and private funds. Dove said the block-wall building wasn’t sound proofed or insulated and the space is now inadequate.

Volunteers with the Friends group told commissioners last month that they would work to get a schematic drawing from an architect for commissioners to consider.

“However, after researching, it’s been determined an architect can’t donate resources in anticipation of obtaining engagement from the commissioners,” Dove said.

“Therefore an official selection process needs to be put forward by the county so we can move forward officially.”

He said the standard process would be used — a request for qualifications would be advertised for architects who have experience in designing animal shelters and who are familiar with the different town ordinances since commissioners don’t know where the shelter might be located at this point.

Commissioners unanimously approved putting out the RFQ. After the proposals are received, a committee made up of Dove, Animal Control Director Jean Hazzard, Finance Director Julie Davis, Public Works Director Dale Burris and a couple of the Friends board members, will review them and make recommendations to the commissioners.

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR acon County Planning Board members are still hashing out the details of a proposed noise ordinance.

The board held two meetings in January to figure out what language could be used to help address complaints about nuisance neighbors intentionally making noise to bother others without hindering property owners’ right to do what they wish on their land.

Members spent a majority of their time at the meetings arguing over the terminology to use in the ordinance.

Macon County Commissioner Gary Shields, who serves on the planning board, told members he had received several calls from residents anxious to get a noise ordinance passed.

“It might make you mad, but I don’t know if you want me to ask commissioners for a timeline for us (to present the ordinance),” he asked the other members.

“Sometimes if you have a timeline you can get things done quicker.”

Resident Donna Majerus told the board she has been coming to the board meetings since September in hopes of see-

M

Learn more The planning board will meet again to discuss the noise ordinance at 4 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Environmental Resource Center in Franklin, which is now the board’s permanent meeting location for 2015. ing an ordinance passed — maybe then she can get some sleep. She said her neighbor continues to make noise at all hours of the night and there is nothing she can do about it.

“I beg you to move along as soon as possible because of the situation were in,” she said.

Planning Board Chairman Chris D. Hanners said in the board’s defense that the

The draft ordinance isn’t even called a noise ordinance — it’s titled “Macon County Nuisance Ordinance,” with the purpose of “prohibiting nuisances which result from loud, unnecessary and disturbing noise.”

Tye Blanton Foundation holds blood drive A memorial blood drive for the Tye Blanton Foundation will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at Canton Central United Methodist Church in Canton.

Call 828.550.6853 to schedule an appointment time, but walk-ins also are welcome.

The Tye Blanton Foundation is the only nonprofit in Western North Carolina created just for premature babies. Many babies born prematurely may be in need of blood transfusions, and less than 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood.

Learn about Cullowhee’s up-and-coming vision Those who live, work or play in Cullowhee are invited to learn more about the vision for a pedestrian river park and mixed-use downtown-style development at the next meeting of the Cullowhee Cullowhee Revitalization Endeavor from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Cullowhee Café.

CuRvE is a community organization whose mission is to facilitate the beautification and revitalization of downtown Cullowhee along Old Cullowhee Road.

CuRvE is not affiliated with the Cullowhee land-use planning initiative being undertaken by a county-appointed task force. cullowheerevitalization@gmail.com

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Macon planning board drafts noise ordinance

county only directed them to draft an ordinance in December.

“If we do it too fast, it’s not going to work for you and (Sheriff ) Robbie Holland won’t have anything to enforce,” he said.

At the Jan. 27 meeting, Planning Director Matt Mason presented a draft ordinance for the board to go over. The draft ordinance isn’t even called a noise ordinance — it’s titled “Macon County Nuisance Ordinance,” with the purpose of “prohibiting nuisances which result from loud, unnecessary and disturbing noise.”

The draft language prohibits nuisance noise that can be heard from any occupied residence between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Exemptions would include legal operations from any business, nonprofit organization or governmental facility or function; noise resulting from agricultural operations, noise from emergency vehicles; noise from firearms being used lawfully and responsibly and lawful fireworks on holidays.

The proposed penalty for violating the ordinance is a fine up to $500 for a class 3 misdemeanor.

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BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER t’s been two weeks since new property values hit the mailboxes in Macon County, but there’s nary a line to be seen at the county property appraisal office.

Only 400 appeals have trickled in so far.

The last property revaluation in Macon County saw a whopping 4,000 appeals.

Ask Richard Lightner how they managed all those appeals, and the answer is simple.

“Worked a lot,” said Lightner, Macon’s tax administrator who oversees the Richard Lightner. Becky Johnson photo property revaluation.

The huge volume of appeals during the 2007 revaluation, and far smaller number this time, is a sign of the real estate times.

In 2007, property values went through the roof — they went up 69 percent on average — and people were fretting over what that would do to their property tax bill.

Fast forward to 2015, and this time real estate values have as many appeals in the post-crash reval of 2011 as it had during its 2006 reval, according gone down by 15 percent on average.

Nonetheless, appeals are still coming in. to Haywood Tax Administrator David But instead of being upset by how much their Francis. The 2011 appeals mostly came from property went up, they’re confused why it people who thought their property should didn’t go down more. Especially those with have gone down more than it did.

While Haywood saw roughly the same vacant house lots in stalled or sputtering subnumber of appeals in its reval after the bust, it divisions, Lightner said.

Lightner said foreclosures and short sales didn’t see the same spike in appeals as Macon are giving people a false sense of what proper- back during the real estate boom.

In Macon, about 10 percent of all the ty is worth. Those bargain basement sale prices aren’t considered the going market parcels landed on the appeals desk in 2007. In price of real estate, so don’t expect your prop- Haywood, it was about 5 percent.

Given how high Macon’s was last time, erty to be valued on par with those distressed the appeal rate is bound to be lower this time. sales, Lightner said.

New this reval is an online appeal form.

But it’s hard to explain that, he said.

“They are looking at it and saying, ‘It sold Macon is one of the few counties in the state for $3,000, so why do we have it valued at that offer online appeals, something Lightner $20,000?’” Lightner said. “They got a good is proud of, even though making it easier to deal and that’s what they think it should be appeal could lead more people to do so.

Lightner’s office is the first stop for propworth. But that was a foreclosure, so it is not erty owners appealing their value. The recognized.”

A countywide property appraisal has one appraisal team decides whether there’s good purpose: to figure up what everyone should reason to adjust the value. If the property owner doesn’t like the answer they get, the pay in property taxes.

Some people appeal their property value next stop is the so-called Board of every revaluation, no matter what, just to see Equalization and Review. A panel of Realtors if they can talk the county into lowering the and local appraisers hears the appeals and decides on their merit. The next stop after appraised value, and thus lower their taxes.

“Whatever they get it reduced by, it is that is a state review board.

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their idea of winning,” Lightner said.

Some who appeal have legitimate issues, however. The county’s appraisal team tries to peg the going market value of 44,000 parcels and 27,000 buildings. And so there are obviously going to be things the appraisers miss.

“Some people come in and say, ‘I don’t have a completed basement. It is just a crawl space,’ or someone has built a two-story house and didn’t finish the upstairs,” Lightner said. “Some of those things you can’t tell unless someone actually brings it to your attention.”

Nearby, Haywood was one of the first counties in the mountains to tackle a reval after the real estate crash. Haywood saw just

Sheriffs cope with exploding costs of involuntary committals L

NO VACANCIES

determined. However, safety concerns have historically required us to stay from beginning to end as a matter of public safety from the point a person is picked up,” he said. “Our reason for doing so is because from the start of the commitment process the person was deemed to be a threat to themselves or others.”

Jeff Haynes, chief deputy for the Haywood County Sheriff ’s Office, said his officers have had to drive to the coast to find services for a patient. When it’s that far away, the transport requires two officers.

“This happens at least weekly,” he said.

“Of the 117 clients we transported in 2014, 63 were transported farther east than Hickory.”

B

By the numbers

Feburary 4-10, 2015

Smoky Mountain News

It’s not always as easy as dropping them off at the nearest hospital. So where do they UDGETING take them?

“Wherever the next available bed openHolland recently brought up the issue to ing is determined,” said Macon County Macon County commissioners, because it Sheriff Robbie Holland. may affect his department’s budget request “From Haywood to for 2015-16. Transporting is not something Manteo ... anywhere in that can be easily estimated, and Holland said the state the hospital it’s not getting any better. finds a bed.”

“Honestly, at times it is a guessing That kind of drive game. We never know what is going to hapcan eat up a lot of patrol pen in the coming year,” he said. “All we can hours and fuel, and can do is go by the trends we have seen and the put a lot of wear and tear data we have collected during the previous on patrol vehicles. In Robbie Holland budget years and predict.”

2014 alone, Macon With the implementation of the County Sheriff ’s Office spent 8,299 hours and Affordable Care Act, Holland may face some $253,625 on involuntary committals. problems with part-time officers going over It’s an issue that law enforcement depart- their allotted 20 hours a week due to involunments all over North Carolina are trying to find tary committals. a solution to while still following state laws. It’s “The regulations do become more and a multi-faceted issue with limited solutions. more difficult, and unfunded mandates conf “The state reduced the number of beds for tinue to make life difficult for those on the involuntary commitments, which creates a front line who are required to actually deal backlog,” said Maj. Shannon Queen with the Jackson County “I have spoken to sheriffs across Sheriff ’s Office. “We also have more people needing help and the state and all consider mental more people willing to get them help — society isn’t looking bad health commitments to be a on it … so it’s good more people problem. Western North Carolina are coming forward, but it’s reducing manpower on the road or in appears to have the greatest the jail.”

Holland said at least larger problem due to lack of hospital cities to the east have more hospispace for psychiatric assistance.” tals in their jurisdiction and can deal with these situations better.

— Macon County Sheriff Robbie Holland “I have spoken to sheriffs across the state, and all consider mental health commitments to be a prob- with the issues at hand,” Holland said. lem,” he said. “Western North Carolina As a solution, Holland told commissionappears to have the greatest problem due ers he’d be asking to replace those part-time to lack of hospital space for psychiatric positions with full-time detention center assistance.” positions because those officers are typically Holland said it’s been an issue for his responsible for transporting committals. He department since 2005, when transports began currently has five part-time officers assigned fincreasing due to the closing and availability of to the detention unit. state beds within mental health facilities.

“If (officers) work more than 19 to 20 “Statutorily, we are required to transport, hours a week consistently, they need to be on and the law does not state that we’re required county retirement and we need to be taking it to stay with them while that process is being out of their check,” said Mike Decker,

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BY J ESSI STONE N EW E DITOR aw enforcement officers in Western North Carolina have been spending too much time and money driving all across the state in search of available hospital beds.

When magistrate judges issue an involuntary committal order, an officer from that county is required by law to transport the patient to a hospital for evaluation, but the shortage of available beds for mental health patients is making the process burdensome.

health patients makes it hard on local officers and on families of the patients when they have to travel hours to be with their loved ones in the hospital.

“We believe in the idea that we have to have publicly funded access to care where people live,” he said. “And people should still be in their hometown so family can be part of their recovery.”

NAMI is currently working with the state to create capacity solutions.

Register said one of the problems is the constant shifting in North Macon County Sheriff ’s Office Carolina.

“North Carolina has been under increased expenses related reform for 20 years — we need conto involuntary committals sistent stabilization for the entire system,” he said.

2006-2015: Telemedicine is making great • Increase in commitments — 127 percent strides but people still need to be • Increase in officers utilized — 423 percent hospitalized immediately.

• Increase in officer hours — 651 percent Telepsych technology allows a video link between a hospital and a psyInvoluntary commitments chologist. The mental health professionals can assess the patient via by year/average time spent video with the psych unit to deterwith committals mine the needs of the patient and if necessary, locate bed space and 2006 ......................................................109/12 hours place that patient immediately on 2007 .....................................................143/9.5 hours the waiting list.

2008...................................................128/17.5 hours Register said mental health 2009..................................................152/ 17.5 hours should be looked at no differently 2010...................................................100/18.5 hours than if a patient needed emergency 2011 ......................................................138/32 hours heart surgery or needed a cancer 2012 ......................................................197/30 hours treatment.

2013 ......................................................218/40 hours “We’re trying to get the General 2014 ......................................................247/41 hours Assembly to understand the consequences for families and mentally ill 2014 Macon County Sheriff ’s patients that have to be transported,” he said. resources on committals In the meantime, he said, NAMI • 1,113 officers spent 9,572 hours on commithas had some success in training offiments. cers how to better deal with mentally • 8,299 of those hours were spent at the emerill patients during transporting. A gency room with commitments. recent Crisis Intervention Training • Officers drove 55,021 miles transporting involConference had 500 law enforceuntary committals across North Carolina. ment officers in attendance.

“We teach them how to work with someone in crisis because they Macon’s human resources manager. “If they may not be safe to be around,” Register said. work more than 30 hours a week, we need to “More and more law enforcement are realizbe providing them health care.” ing it’s a huge issue, so the silver lining is that Haynes said the Haywood Sheriff ’s office more people are wanting to get involved.” was working on putting together more concrete Haynes said there are contract agencies numbers on the cost of involuntary committals that do transporting, but it might end up for this year’s budget process, but the impact is being just as expensive as transporting inclear when looking at staffing adjustments. house, because these agencies are such a “We added one full-time and one part- niche business. time transport officer midway through 2014 “It is obvious the system is overloaded, to address the need,” he said. “These addi- and until something happens we will contintional officers work four times per week. ue to spend days with patients, and those After-hours we depend on part-time staff, but days have even reached weeks waiting on a it is difficult to keep their work hours under placement,” Holland said. the new national part-time standards.”

Haynes said the sheriff ’s department is in Additionally, transport mileage in regular contact with legislators and will make Haywood County was more than 100,000 sure this issue is on their radar. But until miles in 2014. At that rate, Haynes said, trans- more funding is allocated for mental health port vans would only last a year or two before services in the state, officers will continue to they need to be replaced. follow the law and transport patients who need help.

“It’s definitely a topic near and dear to us OSSIBLE SOLUTIONS — we need to put attention to it and look at Jack Register, executive director for the creating positive resolutions,” he said. “Until National Alliance on Mental Health in North then, we have to comply with the law and get Carolina, said the lack of beds for mental help for people who need it.”

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Business

Love the Locals

Downtown businesses offer local discounts

ore than 30 downtown Waynesville businesses are offering discounts for local residents throughout the month of February.

Look for the big red heart on the door and be prepared to show proof of local residence.

• A Cat In The Attic Treasures & Treats: offering antiques, vintage collectibles, Hummels, local art and more — 10 percent off to locals.

• Affairs of the Heart: 10 percent discount on regular-priced merchandise • Blue Owl Gallery: 10 percent off all in-stock art • Burr Studio: Special discounts all month with door prizes for the local featured that day.

• Cedar Hill Studio: Free 2015 Sonshine Promise Calendar to each local who visits the store. And every Tuesday and Thursday in February a Free Sonshine Promises Figurine.

• Cheddar Box: 15 percent discount on regular-priced merchandise • Christmas Is Everyday: Free gift with purchase of $10 or more.

• Classic Wineseller: Extra 10 percent discount in the retail shop on all local beer and wine.

• Earthworks Galleries: 10 percent off storewide. With a $100 or more purchase, receive a gift certificate for a 15minute chair massage with James Creighton.

• Ellie May’s Fine Resale: Enter the drawing to win a pair of beautiful silver earrings. Say “I love downtown Waynesville” and receive 15 percent off any single item.

• Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel: 15 percent off storewide.

• Frogs Leap Public House: Half-price wine Wednesdays: All wine in the first three tiers is half-price. Buy two house cocktails and get a free item from the snack menu on Thursdays.

• Haywood County TDA Visitors Center: 20 percent off signature “Homegrown in Haywood” T-shirts.

• High Country Style: 10 percent discount to locals, excludes sale items.

• High Country Furniture: 10 percent discount, some exclusions apply.

• Home-Tech “The Kitchen Shop”: 10 percent discount storewide (excludes small appliances).

M

Smoky Mountain News

Earwood & Moore add new partners Attorneys Kimberly “Kim” Carpenter and Agatha “Aggie” Guy are now partners in the firm of Earwood, Moore, Carpenter & Guy, PLLC in Sylva and Cullowhee.

Carpenter, a Swain County native, has hanKimberly Carpenter dled many cases for local businesses and individuals in civil litigation, estate and real estate matters, workers’ compensation and Social Security disability cases.

Guy, a Haywood County native, has extensive experience in estate Agatha Guy planning, decedent estate administration, guardianship, real estate, land partitions and business transactions. She also holds a position as Jackson County Area Agency on Aging Attorney.

The offices of Earwood, Moore, Carpenter & Guy are located at 559 West Main Street, Sylva and across from WCU in Cullowhee.

828.339.1010. earwoodandmoore.com.

Apply for Haywood Start Up Competition Entrepreneurs in Haywood County with a winning business idea could land up to a $10,000 grant through the annual Business Start Up Competition put on by the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce.

Business notes • Jake Robinson has been named Champion Credit Union’s new president and chief executive officer in Canton. He succeeds Mike Clayton, who is retiring after serving as president and CEO since December 2005.

Robinson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Western Carolina University in 2010 and began his career with Champion Credit Union as a management associate in 2010.

• Main Street Coffee & Yogurt, located at 26 E. Main Street in Franklin, recently celebrated its grand opening. Main Street Coffee & Yogurt offers custom-crafted house blends and dark roast coffees, frozen yogurt and other snacks.

Lindsay Wright, Sandy Pantaleo, Ben Vanhook and Josh Drake own the shop.

• A free business class on “How to Price Your Product or Service” will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Haywood Community

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‘ROOKIE OF THE YEAR’ Tiffany Henry (right), director of Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center, assists Bernadette Peters, a client of Henry’s and owner of City Lights Café and Perk and Pastry in Sylva. Henry was recently named the state SBC ‘Rookie of the Year.’ In her first year at SCC, Henry helped 21 business start-ups. Donated photo

Individuals who demonstrate they are in the process of starting a new business in Haywood County within 12 months of the date of the award will be eligible. www.haywood-nc.com.

• Macon Appliance received the Chamber Member of the Year Award.

• Macon Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center was awarded the Award of Excellence.

Anchor South to manage Honors given at Franklin Fontana Village Resort Chamber annual banquet Anchor South, a Knoxville-based resort and Awards were presented at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet.

• Gary Shields, a Macon County commissioner, was honored with the prestigious Citizen of the Year Award.

• Laura Vargas, an active volunteer in education and health care, received the Duke Citizenship & Service Award.

• Macon TRACS, an organization that provides equine assisted activities for people with disabilities, was named Civic Club or Community Organization of the Year.

marina management company, has entered a multiyear agreement to manage Fontana Village Resort, a year-round vacation destination nestled in the Nantahala National Forest.

Anchor South has family connections to the Fontana community, and the partnership is aimed at protecting and enhancing the future of the resort as a long-cherished destination for both locals and tourists and as an economic driver for the region. anchorsouthmanagement.com/www.fonta navillage.com.

College. Register online at sbc.haywood.edu or call 828.627.4512.

and learn from one another in an intimate setting. sbc.haywood.edu. 828.627.4512.

• A free business class on “Alternative Financing For Small Business Owners” will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Haywood County Library in Waynesville.

Food will be provided. Register at sbc.haywood.edu or call 828.627.4512.

• A free business class on “Business Planning for Business Success” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Haywood Community College. Register at sbc.haywood.edu or call 828.627.4512.

• Learn a simple technique for writing an effective business plan. Register online at sbc.haywood.edu or call 828.627.4512.

• A Business Owner’s Roundtable will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Haywood Community College. The Small Business Roundtable series provides small business owners the opportunity to network

• Massage Matters has moved to 110 Summit St. in Waynesville. Owner Lisa LaBracio is a licensed massage and bodywork therapist, certified neuromuscular therapist, certified myofascial therapist, certified Ashiatsu Oriental Bar therapist, working toward certification in craniosacral therapy, board certified therapeutic massage and bodywork therapist.

828.454.0224.

• The IRS announced that the distribution of federal tax forms would be severely curtailed this year due to budget cuts. Public libraries have been told that the only publications they will receive are Forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ. There will be one reference copy of Publication 17 (Tax Guide for 2014) available for in library use. Paper IRS forms and publications are still currently available for home delivery by mail.

Call 1.800.829.3676 or visit irs.gov/orderforms to request forms. To view and download forms directly, visit irs.gov/forms.

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Pardon the explanation, but I can’t help myself

I

up and experience things that other children do — which I quickly muted, turning our attention to the various bowls of Doritos, chips and salsa, chips and French onion dip, chips and guacamole, and yet more hot wings all spread out before us, a stunning array of junk food almost completely devoid of nutritional value, much like the commercials themselves.

I explained that the Budweiser commercial was like a shot of maple syrup — sticky and sickeningly sweet — and that the Nationwide commercial was like eating a charcoal briquette. No, I did not. I did no such thing. I waited for the game to come back on and restored Columnist the volume until Al Michaels’ sullen baritone rose above the cacophony of children hurling imaginative insults at one another’s teams.

Naturally, one child championed one team, while the other child was a diehard fan of the other team. Twelve hours earlier, neither child could have named one player from their respective teams. They had each adopted a team as if it were a stray cat, and now found that their loyalty to the team was surprisingly fierce — and a wonderful new excuse to fight with each other with the full sanction of the National Football League. Sweet!

Halftime.

“Dad, why is Katy Perry riding a giant robot tiger and what does this have to do with football?” Jack said.

More impossible questions.

“Here, son, have another hot wing. Better yet, why don’t you go play a game on your Xbox. This is going to be a while.”

When Seattle took a 10-point lead in the second half, he began to gloat, showering his sister with piquant phrases such

Chris Cox

am living the days I have dreamed of all my life. “One day,” I said, somewhere ages and ages ago, “I will have children, and I will watch the Super Bowl with them just like I watched it with my dad.”

And now I do have children, and I am watching the Super Bowl with them, explaining different fine points of the game, explaining what the game represents and why the game means so much to the players, the coaches, and the fans. I am explaining (I do a lot of explaining — I am a teacher, you see, and a former sportswriter, so it’s not as if I can help myself. I would explain the game to the dog if the kids weren’t here) … wait a minute, where was I? Oh, sure, I was explaining the game plans of each team, how Seattle would have to establish the run and contain Patriot quarterback Tom Brady, and how New England would have to put pressure on Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and control the game with long drives on offense. I was about to explain why Wilson is so dangerous when he is flushed out of the pocket when my son Jack interjected a point.

“I wish it could have been the Seahawks against the Ravens so we could see which bird would win in a fight,” he said.

“Well, sure, who wouldn’t want to know that?” I said. “But do you see how well the Patriots’ secondary is playing? Wilson has all day, yet he can’t find an open receiver. That will have to change. He can’t keep running for his life all day, can he?”

“Dad, will you pass me some more hot wings?” Jack said.

“And will you tell me what a horse saving a puppy’s life has to do with Budweiser beer? OMG!” I have to admit that “OMG” might be the appropriate response to most of the commercials this year, including the Nationwide commercial that presented us with the ghost of a dead child lamenting that he would never, ever be able to grow

Harris Regional committed to the region ver the past couple of months there has been a fair amount of coverage in area media outlets about the “changing” landscape of women’s health care services in Western North Carolina. A couple of individuals have chosen to provide their independent opinions, though both of them are not without a conflict of interest due to past or current business relationships.

Guest Columnist While change over time is inevitable, one thing that hasn’t changed for a long time is that Harris Regional Hospital is the leading provider of women’s and children’s services in Jackson, Swain, Graham and Macon counties. Harris has achieved this distinction because, through the years, we have had a dedicated group of providers, nurses and support staff who have been committed to serving patients locally with the highest quality care and service.

Today, we are more excited than ever about our ability to serve patients locally due to unprecedented access to services provided by our OB-GYNs and pediatricians coupled with more than $1 million in investment over the past two

Steve Heatherly

O

years in new equipment, technology and facilities. Going forward we will continue to improve access through the recruitment of additional providers that will allow us to take our services closer to those traveling to us from outside Jackson County. We will invest heavily in facilities and equipment so that we have a state-of-the-art environment to match the skill and expertise of our physicians and nurses.

The overwhelming majority of families in our region choose Harris for women’s and children’s services and we are committed to creating access to services and an environment that perpetuates this reality for generations to come.

The concept of competition in health care and its inherent value has been threaded through the recent media coverage related to this topic. The physicians and staff of Harris have pursued and will continue to pursue excellence regardless of the competitive environment in our region. We will choose partners who demonstrate an interest in integrating services locally as we pursue our mission of “Making the Communities We Serve Healthier.” Competitors will come and go and we will remain committed to that mission.

It is our privilege to serve you.

(Heatherly is Chief Executive Officer of Harris Regional Hospital/Swain County Hospital.)

as “in yo face!” and “that just happened!” As I was warning him that his celebration might just be a tad premature, a Victoria’s Secret commercial came on, and I braced for a question on its relevance to the Super Bowl. Instead, he turned on me without warning or mercy.

“Moooommmm, Dad is watching this commercial more than he watched the other commercials!” he said, then turning his attention to me. “Dad, you do not need to be watching that.”

“Here, son, have another wing,” I said. “Have a couple.”

Unfortunately for Jack, my warning turned out to be prophetic when the Seattle coaching brain trust made the single worst play call in Super Bowl history, choosing to throw the ball with less than a minute to go in the game and the ball on the 1yardline, resulting in an interception and a shocking win for the Patriots.

Of course, I felt compelled to explain.

“You see, kids, when you have the ball a foot from the goal line and you have a running back whose nickname is ‘Beast Mode’ and he has been running roughshod all over the other team for the past two hours and there is a 99.9 percent chance that he is going to score on the next play, you give him the ball.

You do NOT throw. You NEVER throw.”

Jack was crestfallen.

“In yo face!” my daughter shouted, to Jack, to me, to her mother, to the dog, to anyone and to everyone. “In yo face! In yo face! In yo face!”

“Dad, can’t you make her stop?” Jack said.

Oh, the agony of defeat. He’ll get over it eventually. And he’ll have a different point of view on those Victoria’s Secret commercials.

(Chris Cox is a writer and teacher who lives in Haywood County. He can be reached at jchriscox@live.com.)

Three men walk into a bar ...

To the Editor: A rich man, a middle class man and a poor man walk into a bar. They sit at a table with 12 cookies. The rich man takes 11 cookies and then tells the middle class man that the poor man is trying to steal the last cookie. Such is the state of American political landscape at the beginning of the 21 century.

The Koch brothers are the rich man.

They are going to raise and spend almost $1 billion on the next presidential campaign. They are going to tell the hardworking middle class that the money given to the less fortunate in our society is being taken away from them.

They are going to spend more money in this election cycle than the whole of the Republican Party — or for that matter the Democratic Party — spent in 2012. And that was the most expensive campaign in history.

Their Libertarian agenda is even to the right of the Tea Party. But with all that money to throw around, the possible Republican party candidates for president are now lining up to became their new

LETTERS

best friends. It is quite possible that they will choose who gets the money to run as the Republican nominee.

When the Supreme Court said via the Citizens United decision that money equals speech, they created new political order. One man, one vote, now seems like a quaint, old-fashioned notion, gone the way of the dodo bird. Money for advertising; money for paid staff; money to pay lobbyists; money to fund campaigns; money to register voters; money for sophisticated computer programs to get out the vote, money, money, money is the lifeblood of politics.

The next time your friendly Republican or Democratic Party fundraiser asks for a $5 donation, try not to laugh.

Even if 5 million people each give $5 and raise $25 million, that is only 2.5 percent of a billion dollars. The Koch brothers are worth over $41.5 billion; so, even if they contribute a billion dollars all by themselves, that is only 2.5 percent of their personal fortune.

This is not how democracy is supposed to work.

Louis Vitale Franklin

tasteTHEmountains Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Carry out available. Located in downtown Waynesville, Bogart’s has been long-time noted for great steaks, soups, and salads. Casual family atmosphere in a rustic old-time setting with a menu noted for its practical value. Live Bluegrass/String Band music every Thursday. Walking distance of Waynesville’s unique shops and seasonal festival activities and within one mile of Waynesville Country Club.

AMMONS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT & DAIRY BAR 1451 Dellwwod Rd., Waynesville.

828.926.0734. Open 7 days a week 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrating over 25 years. Enjoy world famous hot dogs as well as burgers, seafood, hushpuppies, hot wings and chicken.

Be sure to save room for dessert. The cobbler, pie and cake selections are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner nightly from 4 p.m. Closed on Sunday. We specialize in hand-cut, all natural steaks, fresh fish, and other classic American comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. We also feature a great selection of craft beers from local artisan brewers, and of course an extensive selection of small batch bourbons and whiskey. The Barrel is a friendly and casual neighborhood dining experience where our guests enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank.

BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts. Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily. Brown bagging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available. Call-ahead seating available.

BOGART’S 303 S. Main St., Waynesville. 828.452.1313.

Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Sat. & Sun. Chef owned and operated. Our salads are made in house using local seasonal vegetables. Fresh roasted ham, turkey and roast beef used in our hoagies. We hand make our own eggplant and chicken parmesan, pork meatballs and hamburgers.

We use 1st quality fresh not pre-prepared

products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free items. Call or go to Facebook (Breaking Bread Café NC) to find out what our specials are.

BRYSON CITY CORK & BEAN A MOUNTAIN SOCIAL HOUSE 16 Everett St.,Bryson City. 828.488.1934.

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes, specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure not to miss the bold flavors and creative combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day. Followed by a tempting selection of desserts prepared daily by our chefs and other local bakers. Enjoy craft beers on tap, as well as our full bar and eclectic wine list.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. It’s winter, but we still serve three meals a day on Friday, Saturday and long holiday weekends. Join us for Breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; Lunch from 12 to 2 p.m.; and Dinner buffet from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with entrees that include pot roast, Virginia ham and herb-baked chicken, complemented by seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. And a roaring fire in the fireplace. So come enjoy mile-high

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FRIDAY, FEB. 6

SATURDAY, FEB. 14

BY RESERVATION ONLY

(at the Mobil Gas Station)

R Restaurant estaurant

LLIVE IVE M Music usic

LIVE LIVE Music Music W Weekend eekend Friday, Friday, Feb. 6 @ 7 pm The The Moon Moon a and nd You: Yo ou: cello, cello, guitar, vocals gu itar, vocals

Saturday, Saturday, Feb 7 @ 7 pm Joe C Cruz: ruz: p piano, iano, vocals vocals

Reservations Reservations Recommended Recommended 828-452-6000 828-452-6000 classicwineseller.com classicwineseller.com 20 20 Church Church Street, Street, Waynesville, Waynesville, NC NC

Joey's will be closing for winter vacation Feb. 17 and will reopen April 4.

We'll see you in the spring!

Soco Rd. Maggie Valley

(828) 926-0212 Reservations Accepted

Karaoke w/Chris Monteith

Join us for

Valentines Day! FEBRUARY 14

Steak & Pasta Specials plus lots of Chocolate & Dessert Specials!

83 Asheville Hwy. Sylva Music Starts @ 9 • 631.0554

Smoky Mountain News

Retail Retail

bbcafenc.com • 828.648.3838

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more.

Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly.

Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Valentine’s Dinner

6147 Highway 276 S. Bethel, North Carolina

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us in our historic location for scratch made soups and daily specials.

Breakfast is made to order daily: Gourmet cheddar & scallion biscuits served with bacon, sausage and eggs; smoked trout bagel plate; quiche and fresh fruit parfait. We bake a wide variety of breads daily, specializing in traditional french breads. All of our breads are hand shaped. Lunch: Fresh salads, panini sandwiches. Enjoy outdoor dinning on the deck. Private room available for meetings.

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Deli & So Much More

Monday - Friday 8:00 - 3:00

CHEF’S TABLE 30 Church St., Waynesville. 828.452.6210.

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at 5 p.m. “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer. Reservations honored.

Feburary 4-10, 2015

Café

mountaintop dining with a spectacular view.

Reservations are required.

opinion

Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251

23

tasteTHEmountains THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville. 828.452.6000.

Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue.

Kitchen opens at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday serving freshly prepared small plate and tapas-style fare. Enjoy local, regional, or national talent live each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. www.classicwineseller.com.

Also on facebook and twitter.

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.7179. Reservations recommended.

4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, Cork & Cleaver has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Executive Chef Corey Green prepares innovative and unique Southern fare from local, organic vegetables grown in Western North Carolina. Full bar and wine cellar. www.waynesvilleinn.com.

COUNTRY VITTLES: FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT 3589 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley.

828.926.1820 Open Daily 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed Tuesday. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

FILLING STATION DELI 145 Everett St., Bryson City, 828.488.1919.

Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to

FRANKIE’S ITALIAN TRATTORIA 1037 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley.

828.926.6216 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St. Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

HERREN HOUSE 94 East St., Waynesville 828.452.7837.

Lunch: Wednesday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Brunch 11 a. m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy fresh local products, created daily. Join

us in our beautiful patio garden. We are your local neighborhood host for special events: business party’s, luncheons, weddings, showers and more. Private parties & catering are available 7 days a week by reservation only.

J. ARTHUR’S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817.

Lunch Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m., dinner nightly starting at 4:30 p.m. World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome. Takeout menu. Excellent service and hospitality.

Reservations appreciated.

JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley.

828.926.0212.

Winter hours; Friday through Sunday and Mondays, 7 a.m. to noon. Joey’s is a family style restaurant that has been serving breakfast to the locals and visitors of Western North Carolina since 1966. Featuring a large variety of tempting pancakes, golden waffles, country style cured ham and seasonal specials spiked with flavor, Joey's is sure to please all appetites. Joey & Brenda O’Keefe invite you to join what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s.

JUKEBOX JUNCTION U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel.

828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

MAD BATTER FOOD & FILM 617 W. Main Street Downtown Sylva.

828.586.3555. Open Tuesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hand-tossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch. Beer and wine. Free movies with showtimes at 6:30 and 9 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Visit madbatterfoodandfilm.com for this week’s shows.

MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB 1819 Country Club Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Fine and casual fireside dining in welcoming atmosphere. Full bar. Reservations accepted.

MOONSHINE GRILL 2550 Soco Road, Maggie Valley located in the Smoky Falls Lodge. 828.926.7440. Open Wednesday through Saturday 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cooking up mouth-watering, wood-fired Angus steaks, prime rib and scrumptious fresh seafood dishes. The wood-fired grill gives amazing flavor to every meal that comes off of it. Enjoy creative dishes made using moonshine. Stop by and simmer for a while and soak up the atmosphere. The best kept secret in Maggie Valley. themoonshinegrill.com MOUNTAIN PERKS ESPRESSO BAR & CAFÉ 9 Depot St., Bryson City. 828.488.9561.

Open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. With music at the Depot.

Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Life is too short for

Valentine’s

February 4-10, 2015 Smoky Mountain News

4 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays (in October) 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Locals always know best, and this is one place they know well. From the high-quality hot pressed sandwiches and the huge portions of hand-cut fries to the specialty frozen sandwiches and homemade Southern desserts, you will not leave this top-rated deli hungry.

Sweetheart Dinner Sweetheart Dance: • FEB. 12: Steve “The Piano Man” Whiddon. 6-9 p.m.

• FEB. 13: Randy Beaumont • FEB. 14: Ashli Rose

1st Course: A trip to the Salad Bar 2nd Course: Choice of Entrée: • Fresh Cut Salmon with mashed potato and grilled veggie kabob • Parmesan Encrusted Chicken Marsala over rice w/veggie kabob • Fresh Cut Angus Ribeye with baked potato and veggie kabob 3rd Course: Sweet Treat to Share: Red Velvet Cupcake or Brownie Rockslide

$32/couple

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Located at Maggie Valley Inn • 70 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley www.maggievalleyhotel.com 278-56

tasteTHEmountains

ORGANIC BEANS COFFEE COMPANY 1110 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.668.2326. Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Happily committed to brewing and serving innovative, uniquely delicious coffees — and making the world a better place.

100% of our coffee is Fair Trade, Shade Grown, and Organic, all slow-roasted to bring out every note of indigenous flavor. Bakery offerings include cakes, muffins, cookies and more. Each one is made from scratch in Asheville using only the freshest, all natural ingredients available. We are proud to offer gluten-free and vegan options.

PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Open for lunch and dinner, closed Wednesdays. Classic Italian dishes, exceptional steaks and seafood (available in full and lighter sizes), thin crust pizza, homemade soups, salads hand tossed at your table. Fine wine and beer selection.

Casual atmosphere, dine indoors, outside on

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.454.0070. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Breakfast bagels and sandwiches, gourmet coffee, deli sandwiches for lunch with homemade soups, quiches, and desserts. Wide selection of wine and beer.

Outdoor and indoor dining.

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 828.926.0201 Open Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m and Sunday 7:30 a.m to 9 p.m. Full service restaurant serving steaks, prime rib, seafood and dinner specials.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUB SHOP 29 Miller Street Waynesville 828.456.3400.

Open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A Waynesville tradition, the Smoky Mountain Sub Shop has been serving great food for over 20 years. Come in and enjoy the relaxed, casual atmosphere. Sub breads are baked fresh every morning in Waynesville.

Using only the freshest ingredients in homemade soups, salads and sandwiches. Come in and see for yourself why Smoky Mountain Sub Shop was voted # 1 in Haywood County.

Locally owned and operated.

SPEEDY’S PIZZA 285 Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.3800.

Open seven days a week. Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Family-owned for 30 years. Serving hand-tossed pizza made to order, pasta, subs, gourmet salads, calzones and seafood. Also serving excellent prime rib on Thursdays. Dine in or take out available.

Located across from the Fire Station.

TAP ROOM SPORTS BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Dr. Waynesville 828.456.5988. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Enjoy soups, sandwiches, salads and hearty appetizers along with a full bar menu in our casual, smoke-free neighborhood grill.

THAI SPICE 128 N. Main St., Waynesville.

828.454.5400. Lunch: Tuesday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday noon to 3 p.m. Dinner Tuesday-Saturday 4:30 to 9 p.m. Closed Monday. Thai Spice, an authentic Thai restaurant, warmly welcomes you to experience a superb dinning experience.

Don’t be timid, the food comes mild, medium, hot and Thai Hot. You choose. www.thaispicewnc.com VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito. The recipes have been in the family for 50 years.

www.CityLightsCafe.com Now Taking Reservations for Friday & Saturday

Valentine’s Dinners LIVE MUSIC BOTH NIGHTS PACKAGES WITH WINE & SPECIALS AVAILABLE

CALL 828.587.2233

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NEWFOUND LODGE RESTAURANT 1303 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee (Located on 441 North at entrance to GSMNP).

828.497.4590. Open 7 a.m. daily.

Established in 1946 and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Family style dining for adults and children.

the patio or at the bar. Reservations appreciated.

DOWNTOWN SYLVA • NC Mon.-Fri. 7-4 Sat. 8-4

828.587.2233

Romantic

Valentines Day Live Entertainment Saturday Dinner Feb. 14 • 6-8 Call for reservations.

94 East St. Waynesville 828-452-7837 herrenhouse.com Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant

Sunday Brunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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bad coffee. We feature wonderful breakfast and lunch selections. Bagels, wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche with a variety of specialty coffees, teas and smoothies.

Various desserts.

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MEDITERRANEAN

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THURSDAY-SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12-15

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Dinner for Two

Cataloochee Ranch 119 Ranch Drive, Maggie Valley, NC 28751 | CataloocheeRanch.com | (828)926-1401

Come and enjoy a great dinner for two on those special nights for sweethearts!

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Two 8oz. Hand-Cut Ribeyes with Choice of Side, Salad, Non-Alcoholic Beverage & a Special Dessert for Two!

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117 Main Street, Canton NC 828.492.0618 • SidsOnMain.com Serving Lunch & Dinner

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Smoky Mountain News

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APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

828-456-1997

February 4-10, 2015

We’ll feed your spirit, too.

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35 EAST MAIN ST. • SYLVA 828.586.6532

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Smoky Mountain News

GOOD FOR WHAT ALES YOU Well-stocked shelves at Tonic Delivers. Garret K. Woodward photo

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER A rising tide lifts all ships.

It’s not only a motto for life, but also for the ever-evolving cultural ambiance in downtown Sylva. From mainstays City Lights Café, Heinzelmannchen Brewery, Lulu’s On Main and Guadalupe Café, to newcomers like Innovation Brewing, Mad Batter Food & Film and The Winged Lion, the nightlife options of this small mountain town has made it a hot spot for the curious and intrigued “after 5” crowd.

And coming into the fold with its “Grand Opening” Feb. 5-7 is Tonic, a craft beer market specializing in hard-to-find ales, food delivery service, jovial conversation and a hearty helping of Southern Appalachian string music.

“This community has been so supportive.

It's such a great feeling to move into a town where the surrounding businesses don't view us as competition, but as a new addition to the team,” said Angelica Caporuscio, co-owner of Tonic . “That’s a rare thing and only one of the many reasons why Sylva is so special — there's a lot of camaraderie and joint opportunity here.”

Situated between Mad Batter and Signature Brew Coffee Company on Main Street, Tonic is the culmination of a long-time dream held by Caporuscio and Keith Laguna.

The young Atlanta couple fell in love with Sylva when Laguna would play nearby No Name Sports Pub with his band Owner of the Sun. So, they packed their things and decided to launch their idea of a craft beer market in a place that has seemingly welcomed them with open arms.

“We want to bring people together like never before and help solidify Sylva's emerging identity. I was drawn to Sylva by the potential for growth and light taste of what a responsible, well-organized nightlife scene could do to help the town,” Laguna said. “As a musician, I've been to many places and had a lot of great experiences, but there is just something special about

creating something that gets stuck in your mind — it has to be memorable. A general key to writing a well thought out song is to write a line and rewrite the line using more interesting words several time before you say ‘that's the best I can do.’”

And in a modern world, with rushed priorities and instant gratification, the role of singer-songwriter has magnified, where the idea of making a deep connection through words and sounds still is the greatest form of communication within society.

“I have no reason to write songs and live out of a suitcase, except that I have things I need to say. I find that when I write a song about something, it really helps me sort through my emotions, and I’m relieved to find out that I am in fact not the only person that thinks about very heavy things,” Hannah said. “I think our place as songwriters is to stick to the basics — write a great song, write great, meaningful, and well thought out lyrics. Put those lyrics to a memorable and beautiful melody. Then sing that thing like you mean it. Don’t bother writing songs if you rush the process of writing so that you can slap it up on YouTube and see how many hits you can get. Our job is to write great songs — we can't skip over that part.”

BIRD IN HAND A husband and wife duo of Bryan and Megan Thurman, the Sylva-based Bird In Hand came together in the way most great music does — by happenstance. Traveling cross-country for their honeymoon in 2011 in a

Want to go?

Owners of Tonic, a craft beer market in downtown Sylva, Keith Laguna and Angelica Caporuscio. Garret K. Woodward photo Sylva. I’m very proud to call this my home.”

To properly celebrate the opening, Tonic will play host to an array of local and region music acts, which includes Hannah Aldridge (singer-songwriter), Owner of the Sun (Americana/folk), Bird In Hand (folk/indie), Arnold Hill (Americana/bluegrass), Indigo De Souza (singer-songwriter), Through The Hills (Americana/bluegrass), Horror Business (a bluegrass tribute to the Misfits), and more.

HANNAH ALDRIDGE Daughter of Alabama Music Hall of Famer Walt Aldridge, a prolific songwriter, Hannah cultivates the lyrical and melodic mysteries of her native Muscle Shoals. At 27, she’s wellbeyond her years in terms of discipline and knowing just what it takes to nurture and birth a timeless song.

“The process varies so much for me from song to song. Some of them spill out of me and some of them take weeks and weeks to write,” Hannah said. “For melodies, I think the key is

The “Grand Opening” for Tonic will be Feb. 5-7 in Sylva. Alongside craft beer specials starting at noon, the market will also play host to numerous free musical acts and celebrations throughout the weekend, which is as follows: THURSDAY, FEB. 5 • 8 p.m. — Bird In Hand • 9:30 p.m. — Hannah Aldridge • 10 p.m. —Sam & Heath of Buchanan Boys (DJ set) • Midnight — Rock-A-Billy Blow Out FRIDAY, FEB. 6 • 8 p.m. — Indigo De Souza • 9 p.m. — The Vanguardians • 10 p.m. — Horror Business • 11 p.m. — The Underground Vinyl After Party SATURDAY, FEB. 7 • 2 p.m. — Through The Hills • 3 p.m. — Vinyl Record Melt Down • 5 p.m. — Arnold Hill • 8 p.m. — Owner of the Sun • 10 p.m. — Vinyl Records Roundhouse • Midnight — Grand Finale After Party with Scarlett

1978 VW bus, they started playing on the side of the road whenever the old vehicle would breakdown. Now a four-piece Americana group, their emphasis is on the interactions and communication ricocheting between the musicians onstage, and in the studio.

“Songwriting is definitely a huge outlet and a great way to get out those conscious and subconscious thoughts,” Bryan said. “And a lot of our message has to do with a mixture of simplicity of life and the spirit of adventure. Right now, it's all about enjoying the music and sharing it with whoever we can, or whoever will listen.”

And as the band sets its roots in the ancient

Bird In Hand. Donated photo

mountains of Western North Carolina, its philosophy and intent draws from the deep waters of creativity and inspiration that permeate this rich landscape.

“The title of our record, ‘Due North,’ is a reference of the 600 miles we hiked on the Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain in northern Georgia to southern Virginia,” Megan said. “It's impossible to have lived here for so long and not be inspired by the spirit of the region.

That independence and thirst for life, the deep connection to the land and family has always been apart of the history here, and ultimately I'd like to think it is part of our music, too.”

OWNER OF THE SUN

Barreling out of the cosmopolitan chaos of Atlanta, the sextet combines the heartbreak and broken whiskey bottles of Nashville, the front porch embrace of Appalachian foot stompin’ pickers and the razor-sharp snark of 21st century indie pranksters.

“You really can’t put your finger on exactly one genre that captures our band,” said guitarist/vocalist Mekenzie Jackson. “We encompass several genres anywhere from country to punk to soul to pop. There are three main songwriters, and because of that, we all bring something very different to the table every time a new song is introduced.”

And though on the outside, the group may seem more downtown that backwoods, founding member Brad Boulet, a Sylva native and resident, is just part of the southern sincerity that spills out off of the stage, where the line between performer and audience, between the bluegrass past and present is blurred.

“I think we all believe there’s a place for folk instruments and sounds in songs they’re

S EE TONIC, PAGE 28

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Haywood County’s Crabtree community.

Garret K. Woodward

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

Friday, Feb. 6 6:30 p.m.

Will Harlan will read from and sign his book, Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island.

3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

Smoky Mountain News

“Birthdays are a numerical watermark for where you currently stand on the journey of life, looking behind you and down the road at what was, turning around and looking ahead at the horizon and what could, and will, be.”

Bookstore

Feburary 4-10, 2015

Wait, what?!

Ah, crap. By the time you read this, I’ll have turned 30. It’s a number that seemed as far away from reality as it was impossible to ever cross paths with. But, here it is, The Macon County Art Association will host a staring right at me when I get “Grand Re-Opening” of its Uptown Gallery asked for my birthday while purfrom 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 13 in Franklin. chasing beer, only to look up at the A Valentine’s Day dinner and live performance neon “If you were born before this by jazz singer Jesse Earl Junior will take place date” Budweiser sign near the regat 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at The Classic Wineseller in ister, and how the numbers flowing Waynesville. out of my mouth eerie matchup, some three decades apart.

Pierce Edens & The Dirty Work will perform at So, 10,950 days on this rock 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at BearWaters Brewing in hurtling through space (give or Waynesville. take a few Leap Years). And what do I have to show for it? Well, Hard rock/metal acts Wednesday 13, Eyes Set that’s a question I’ve been quietly To Kill and Die So Fluid will perform at 8 p.m. asking myself way before the Feb. 6 at the Water’n Hole Bar & Grille in notion of turning 30 ever entered Waynesville. my subconscious.

Red Led Huskey will perform at 9 p.m. Feb. Birthdays in early February 6 at Tipping Point Brewing in Waynesville. were rough growing up on the Canadian Border in Upstate New York. It was often the coldest time of the year, with the usual treachting gifts, I don’t like people making a big erous snowstorm blowing through my hometown as I’d be blowing out my candles. deal about my birthday, and I have never I remember a couple years in there having to really liked cake in the first place.

Sure, turning 16 was cool when I got my actually cancel my party due to folks simply driver’s license. And yes, when 18 came not being able to get out of their driveways around I was looking forward to drinking and over to my house. I still hold a vendetta ice-cold Labatt Blue lagers legally in the toward Old Man Winter for that.

Canadian province of Quebec a few miles up And yet, as the calendar on my childthe road. hood bedroom wall became renewed over My 20th I remember vividly — a raucous and over, I tended to ignore my day of birth. party in my dorm suite at Quinnipiac I didn’t really care to celebrate it. I’m actualUniversity in Connecticut. I met an incredily pretty modest for being a devil-may-care ble woman that night who’d become my girlType-A personality extrovert — I hate get-

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arts & entertainment

This must be the place

friend and I also had recently found out I’d be spending the following semester studying abroad in Ireland. By the end of that year, 2005, both the eventual breakup and living in Europe would be lines in the sand in terms of who I was as a person, what I ultimately wanted, and wanted to be my place in the grand scheme of things.

Turning 21 was kind of lackluster seeing as it fell on Super Bowl Sunday and nobody was really around, though I did finally get into this one bar I’d never been allowed in (ironically they didn’t ID me on my birthday, go figure). On my 23rd, I was alone on the high desert prairie of Eastern Idaho, in the shadows of the Grand Teton Mountains, living in a tiny town amid strangers who I’d soon get to know as I settled down in my first reporting job out of college.

The 25th was spent with a girl I thought I’d be married to by the time I turned 30.

Oh, time and place and fate, why must you be the constant Zen trickster in all of this?

As a writer, dreamer and one who constantly ponders about nothing and everything, I find birthdays fascinating. They are a numerical watermark for where you currently stand on the journey of life, looking behind you and down the road at what was, turning around and looking ahead at the horizon and what could, and will, be.

If you had told my 18-year-old self that when I turn 30, I’d be single, a writer and living in the mountains of Western North Carolina, I’d call your bluff. At that age, I felt 18 was “adult” and that I had a pretty firm grasp on things. I had plans of spending the rest of my life with my high school sweetheart, doing the whole John Mellencamp “Jack & Diane” thing and putting down roots in my native North Country, maybe go to college to become an MTV VJ (video jockey).

I used to look at the once far off 30 as a benchmark of if I was doing it right, “it” being my existence. I used to try to “keep up with Joneses,” but realized early on how dumb that is. What matters most is keeping tabs on yourself (good health, positive mindset), holding steady in pursuit of your dreams (true success is a slow burn), and never forgetting that the “Golden Rule” is the only rule.

So, here I am, on the threshold of 30, putting a final bookend on my 20s. No regrets. I milked the past decade of my life to the best of my ability. It’s all about finding that ideal balance of work and play (with a lean more toward play), doing what you love, working hard, but always ready to jump into the car for an unknown and spontaneous adventure.

Life is about interaction and experience. Life is meant to be lived. So, the next time you look at the face in the mirror, smile and rest easy knowing that you as a human being are not a number on this planet, but an intricate and integral piece of this endless puzzle that is the Universe.

Heck, I won’t be 40 for another 10 years anyhow.

your friendly, local blue box — smoky mountain news 27

On the beat

arts & entertainment

TONIC, CONTINUED FROM 26 not supposed to go with. You could walk into a show at one point and call us a bluegrass band, then walk back in 10 minutes later and swear you’re listening to a country band, then come back 10 minutes later and get unmistakably rocked,” he said. “When I tell people in Atlanta I grew up in Western North Carolina, it’s very common for them to bring up the music of the region. I like how Appalachian music is evolving. No longer is it mandatory to stand stoically and play a banjo the way it’s ‘supposed’ to be played in order to represent and pay homage to mountain music.”

ARNOLD HILL The musical style of Arnold Hill is as varied as the members themselves. Howling from the hills of Jackson County, the trio distills its roots in southern rock, funk and metal into a rollicking stew of “metal-grass” or “indie-funk,” or however else one might try to describe this moving target of sound.

“We believe live music should be fun for everyone involved. As musicians, we strive to never be confined to one genre or style. By staying eclectic, we can only become better musicians and performers,” said bassist/mandolinist Sam McCarson.

“For our audiences, we strive to provide good times, good tunes, and a slight bit of rowdiness. We want to create fans by playing shows that are consistently entertaining.”

Avalon brings the classics to Franklin 1950s pop sensation Frankie Frankie Avalon will perform Avalon will at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, play Feb. 13 at the Smoky Mountain in Franklin.

Center for the Performing Donated photo Arts in Franklin.

Avalon has had a career that spans three generations of music, television and motion pictures, including an iconic cameo as the Teen Angel in the motion picture musical, “Grease.” With a long string of gold record million-seller singles and albums, Avalon’s music became one of the defining sounds of the pre-Beatles rock-n-roll and was honored with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

Tickets start at $35 or www.greatmountainmusic.com.

Through The Hills. Garret K. Woodward photo

THROUGH THE HILLS The newest musical entity in Western North Carolina, the Haywood County quartet brings together singer-songwriter Kevin Fuller with banjoist Joey Fortner (formerly of Soldier’s Heart). Add in teenage fiddle prodigy Alma Russ and Raymond Mathews on the stand-up bass and you have yourself a solid foundation of mountain melodies and indie-folk grit to build upon. Founded

by Fuller, the Upstate New Yorker has traveled the highways and bi-ways of America, from Maine to California, putting his transformative experiences to paper and chords.

“I’ve always been influenced by bluegrass and Appalachian music,” Fuller said.

“I’d always heard the twang in my songs. I heard banjo, fiddle and upright bass. I had absolutely no intention of ever moving to Western North Carolina. So, when I ended up here, and met the greatest musicians in the world, who played those instruments and asked to play music with me, I was kind of blown away. I feel like there’s a reason why I am here, and I feel like this is it.”

Feburary 4-10, 2015 Smoky Mountain News

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will have S.S. Web Feb. 5-6 and Darren & The Buttered Toast Feb. 14. Both shows are free and begin at 9 p.m. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• City Lights Café (Sylva) will have Tyler Kittle & Michael Collings (jazz) Feb. 13 and Liz & AJ Nance (Americana/folk) Feb. 14. Both shows begin at 7 p.m. www.citylightscafe.com.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have David Spangler Feb. 6, South Ridge Feb. 7, Tom Johnson Feb. 13 and Ronnie Evans Feb. 14. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have The Moon and You (Americana/folk) Feb. 6 and Joe Cruz (piano/pop) Feb. 7. All shows begin at 7 p.m. $10 minimum purchase.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

ALSO:

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Craig Summers & Lee Kram at 6 p.m. Feb. 5 and 12, Bobby Sullivan Band 7 p.m. Feb. 6, Harry Harrison 7 p.m. Feb. 7 and The Myxx 8 p.m. Feb. 14. Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night on Feb. 4 and 11, and a jazz night Feb. 5 and 12. All events begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

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• Jackson County Historic Courthouse (Sylva) will have Jacob Jones, Jessie Stephens and friends provide an evening of bluegrass and old-timey mountain music at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Community Room.

The annual concert has become one of the Jackson County Genealogical Society’s most popular events. Free. 828.631.2646.

David Mesimer (828) 452-2815 283 North Haywood St. Waynesville david.mesimer@allstate.com

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• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will have The Friendly Beasts (Christian pop/acoustic) Feb. 5 ($5), Through The Hills (Americana/bluegrass) Feb. 12 ($5 advance, $8 door) and an Open Mic Night Feb. 19. All events begin at 7:30 p.m. www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have Red Led Huskey Feb. 6 and Ashli Rose (singer-songwriter) Feb. 13. Both shows are free and begin at 9 p.m.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have Wednesday 13, Eyes Set To Kill and Die So Fluid at 8 p.m. Feb. 6, and Tonology 10 p.m. Feb. 13.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present Ian Jeffress (saxophone) Feb. 5 and a Faculty Recital with Zsolt Szabo (trombone) Feb. 10 in the Coulter Building. Both performances are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. A Wind Ensemble concert for All-District Bands will also be held at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Bardo Arts Center Theatre. www.wcu.edu.

@SmokyMtnNews

Call or stop by to see how much you can save.

28

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have Joshua Dean acoustically (singer-songwriter) Feb. 7 and Pierce Edens & The Dirty Work (Americana) Feb. 14. Both shows begin at 8 p.m. www.bwbrewing.com or 828.246.0602.

On the beat

A special Valentine’s Day dinner and live performance by jazz singer Jesse Earl Junior will take place at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14, at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville.

The evening will include a four-course dinner and music

by Junior, who will be joined by Michael Jefry Stevens (piano), Mike Holstein (bass) and Justin Watt (drums).

Junior grew up in Wisconsin and performed at numerous clubs in Milwaukee, only too venture to New York City where he was a regular performer with Cobi Norita’s Universal Jazz coalition and Voices Inc. He studied with piano legend Barry Harris, and was heavily influenced by Billie Holiday, Johnny Hartman, Joe Williams and Louis Armstrong.

Stevens has been associated with some of the most notable figures in modern jazz and has been in the forefront of the NYC and international improvised music scene. He was also named a Steinway Performing Artist in 2009. As a student at Western Carolina University, Holstein discovered the bass, and within a few years was performing regularly, now becoming one of the most sought after bassists in the Southeast. Watt worked for two-and-a-half years as drummer with the world-famous Glenn Miller Band, touring the United States, Japan and Canada. He teaches percussion at the Asheville Music School, and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina-Asheville.

Tickets cost $45 per person and seating is limited.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

Community dance in Sylva

Jesse Earl Junior will play Feb. 14 at The Classic Wineseller.

A community dance will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, in the Community Room at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

Dancing will include circle and square dances as well as contra dances. All dances will be taught and walked through before dancing. No previous experience is necessary and no partner is required.

Charlotte Crittenden will call the dance to the live music of Out of the Woodwork, a band made up on local musicians. The group invites anyone who plays an instrument to sit in with the band, to jam and learn how to play music for dancing. There will also be a potluck dinner following the dance at 5 p.m. Please bring a covered dish, plate, cup, cutlery and a water bottle.

Admission is a suggested donation of $5. ronandcathy71@frontier.com or www.dancewnc.com.

Frank Zipperer photo

arts & entertainment

Valentine’s Day jazz at Classic Wineseller

Bryson City community jam A community music jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, is invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or just stop by and listen. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of Grampa’s Music in Bryson City. Normally, Barnett starts by calling out a tune and its key signature and the group plays it together. Then, everyone in the circle gets a chance to choose a song for the group to play together.

The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn old-time mountain songs. The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month year round.

828.488.3030.

Feburary 4-10, 2015

Changing Employers?

We can help Understanding new benefits 401K Rollovers Signing up for new 401K

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Please keep in mind that rolling over assets to an IRA is just one of multiple options for your retirement plan. Each option has different advantages, disadvantages, investment options, and fees & expenses which should be understood and carefully considered. Investing and maintaining assets in an IRA will generally involve higher costs than those associated with employer-sponsored retirement plans. We recommend you consult with your current plan administrator before making any decisions regarding your retirement assets.

Larry East, CFP®

Vice President - Investments

Open to the public

J. Chad Muri, CRPC

Located at The Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa

828-456-3551ext 351 www.BalsamSpa.com

278-11

Smoky Mountain News

package for two with champagne and chocolate

Deferred Compensation Plans

Jack Webb, Financial Advisor Shannon E. Carlock

Senior Registered Client Associate

Financial Advisor

828.456.7407 Investment and insurance products: NOT FDIC Insured NO Bank Guarantee MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

52 Walnut St., Suite #6 Waynesville, NC 28786 Next to Haywood County Chamber of Commerce

29

arts & entertainment

On the wall

Family-friendly ‘FROGZ’ returns

Uptown Gallery re-opening in Franklin

“FROGZ,” a family-friendly show that combines Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatics with outlandish masks, mime and music, will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 18, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

Working out of the large 18,000square-foot Imago Theatre laboratory in Portland, Oregon, the ensemble of actors, dancers, designers, fabricators and musicians become alchemists seeking fresh perspectives of performance. The show is recommended for ages 3 and older.

The show is part of WCU’s Arts and Cultural Events Series. For more information about the series, visit www.ace.wcu.edu. Tickets cost $5 for students and children, and $10 for all others. www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 828.227.2479.

The Uptown Gallery will host a ‘re-opening’ Feb. 13 in Franklin.

Garret K. Woodward photo

The Macon County Art Association will host a “Grand Re-Opening” of their Uptown Gallery from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at 30 East Main Street in Franklin.

Run by the MCAA, the gallery was recently in dire need of support, whether through fundraising, art purchases or volunteer help to promote awareness of the nonprofit and its community endeavors. In 2014, the gallery launched its successful “First Saturday Art on Main” events, which included a sidewalk sale and activities.

There will be children's Valentine activities and door prizes, with refreshments provided from 5 to 7 p.m. during the reception.

828.369.6552.

We’ve W e e’ve e expanded ex expande ourr services... se services. and our name. name

Valentine’s Day paper arts class

A book/paper arts workshop will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

Led by Kent Stewart, participants will have the opportunity to make two simply constructed projects, especially for Valentine’s Day. One will be a specially designed handmade Valentine blank book that can be used for a journal, a sketchbook, or a memo pad. The other will be a woven paper Valentine heart that can be used as a small gift for that special Valentine.

The construction of both will utilize simple tools and materials, all of which will be supplied. This is a workshop ideally suited to those who might not have made books or paper arts projects before. Simple measuring and some cutting with scissors is required.

Some special, Valentine appropriate, materials will be furnished so that you can decorate the book for that special someone as a Valentine gift.

If you have beads, buttons, small fabric remnants, photographs, or the like of your own, please bring them to the workshop.

They might be used to embellish and personalize your book.

Workshop cost is $8, in cash.

828.456.6000.

EARWOOD, E ARW WOOD, MOORE WO MOOR RE CA RPENTER GUY Y CARPENTER A T T O R N E Y S

A T

Aggie Guy

David Moore

L A W

Smoky Mountain News

Feburary 4-10, 2015

On the stage

Nathan Earwood

828.339.1010 30

Kim Carpenter

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EarwoodandMoore.com

|

Sylva and Cullowhee

On the wall

278-95

arts & entertainment

Paper cutting class in Franklin A paper-cutting workshop will be held Feb. 14 in Franklin. Donated photo

Bill focuses on a holistic approach and specializes in:

A Scherenschnitte-Paper Cutting Workshop with Marcia Rowland will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

Rowland has been creating beautiful three-dimensional art (Scherenschnitte) out of paper for 40 years. The class will be a hands-on lesson in paper cutting where you will not only learn how to create beautiful works of art out of paper, but will also get to take your own creations home.

Her work is often displayed at the library for everyone to enjoy. More classes will be scheduled on future Saturdays depending on interest and participation.

To signup, call 828.524.3600.

Crafter/owner of Taylor’s Greenhouse, Karen Taylor will be the instructor for the “Winter Craftâ€? series at Wild Fern Studios in Bryson City. • A pressed flowers workshop will be held Feb. 7. Students will learn to harvest, press, preserve and make cards and photo frames for keepsakes. • A Bonsai tree workshop will be held Feb. 14. Attendees will learn about the tree and art form. Trees and containers will be provided.

Each series date runs from 10 a.m. to noon. Class fee is $20.

828.736.1605.

ALSO:

• An artist talk with Molly Hatch about “The Business of Craftsâ€? will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Room 130 of the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University. www.wcu.edu. • The World War II drama/thriller “The Imitation Gameâ€? will be screened at the Highlands Playhouse. Showtimes are at 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and

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also 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $9.

For dates and more information, call 828.526.2695. www.highlandsplayhouse.org. • The Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild will hold an informational session on all the different quilting techniques at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9, in the Tartan Hall at the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. • A ceramics class will be held 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 10, 17 and 24 at The Bascom in Highlands. The focus will be on making unique ceramic rattles inspired by modern and ancient ceremonial rattles. Simple hand techniques will also be used in this project.

There will also be some carving, coil building and basic bead making. To register, go to www.thebascom.org or call 828.526.4949. • The intergalactic comedy “Guardians of the Galaxyâ€? will be screened at 7 p.m. Feb. 6-7 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. $6. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.524.4615. • The Contemporary Craft Series exhibit featuring the work of Mike Sluder will be on display through Feb. 22 at The Bascom in Highlands. As one of the country's most notable metal artist, Sluder has made a name for himself creating breathtaking and sophisticated metal art, moving beyond his gritty and industrial beginnings. Sluder's works have been featured in the Museum of Design, Atlanta, as well as in national and international exhibitions and publications. www.thebascom.org or 828.526.4949.

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Smoky Mountain News

• “Gone Girlâ€? (Feb. 6-18) will be screened at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Saturday morning cartoons will also be shown at 11 a.m. For screening times, click on www.38main.com or call 828.283.0079.

• • • • • • • • • • •

Feburary 4-10, 2015

‘Winter Craft’ series in Bryson City

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31

On the street There will be an interactive presentation to “tour” the state of North Carolina during “Tar Heel Tour: Our State, Our Time” from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, in the A.K. Hinds University Center at Western Carolina University.

The event will host learning stations highlighting aspects of North Carolina's recreation and tourism, creative arts, environment, health, innovation and technology, social change and creative arts in three regions: Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont Plateau and Atlantic Coastal Plains.

Visitors may hear indigenous music, play games popular in the state, hear literature readings, see motion picture clips, try a hand at creating pottery or face jugs, sample unique foods, examine regional criminal justice issues, witness dance demonstrations and explore outdoor recreational opportunities.

Smoky Mountain News

February 4-10, 2015

SCC offers $3,000 in artist biz plan contest

32

Professional craft artists in Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties and the Qualla Boundary have a $3,000 incentive to create or update their business plans.

Over the next three months, Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center will host a series of eight free seminars designed to address needs of and challenges faced by craft artists who own, or aspire to own, a business.

Chocolate Cook-Off in Cashiers The fourth annual Chocolate Cook-Off will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Albert Carlton Cashiers Library.

Entry forms can be found at the Sapphire Valley Community Center or by emailing bjzacher@bellsouth.net. Hand it in to the front desk at the library, or send it to Bonnie Zacher, 497 Tower Road, Sapphire, N.C. 28774.

The event is put together by the Friends of the Albert Carlton Cashiers Library.

828.743.0489.

Clean Slate Coalition Valentine’s Ball The Clean Slate Coalition, a local nonprofit organization providing transitional housing for women, will host a Valentine’s Ball from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Quality Inn in Sylva.

The coalition offers women leaving rehabilitation facilities, jails, prisons, and other difficult environments, a chance to begin life anew. The program offers a safe, home-like environment, connections to mental health services, medical care, education, and other

Max Cooper photo

‘Tar Heel Tour’ at WCU

The Mountain Heritage Center will also feature a regional band led by Annie Fain Liden-Barralon (banjo) and her husband Geraud Barralon (guitar/fiddle) and a participatory dance demonstration led by Trina Royar, Mountain Heritage Day coordinator.

Free.

828.227.2643 or laneperry@wcu.edu or www.wcu.edu.

At the conclusion of the series, participants will have the tools they need to develop their own creative business plans that they can enter in the competition. The winner will receive a $3,000 prize, and his or her art will be featured in three exhibitions.

A kickoff event will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Mad Batter in downtown Sylva. Training sessions are set for 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays from March 5 through April 30 at SCC’s Swain Center.

For more information, contact Henry at t_henry@southwesterncc.edu or 828.339.4211.

resources for up to eight women at a time in a Sylva location.

Clean Slate also provides job skills training through its small business venture called Clean Slate Enterprise.

The ball will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, ballroom dancing and lessons, a raffle/auction event, special presentations and wine tasting. www.cleanslatecoalition.org or 828.586.3939 or info@cleanslatecoalition.org.

• The Peanuts Valentine Express Train will run at 11 a.m. Feb. 14 from the Bryson City Train Depot. The Peanuts Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown Excursion and Valentine Sweetheart Train will travel along the Tuckasegee River to Dillsboro for an hour and a half layover. Enjoy Valentine’s activities as well as a relaxing afternoon in Dillsboro. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

ALSO:

• The Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dinner will start at 5 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Fontana Village Resort. Enjoy a delicious four-course meal with your sweetheart at the Mountview Restaurant overlooking the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. 828.498.2115 or www.fontanavillage.com.

Books

Smoky Mountain News

33

King’s newest novel is as good as it gets uring the past 60 years, I have maintained a hearty appreciation for what is called “fantasy/horror” literature. I guess it began with the dark little fairy tales of Lord Dunsany, Arthur Machen and yes, the Grimm Fairy Tales, and it extends to the current works of writers like Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker and Angela Carter. My favorite fantasy/horror stories were created by Ray Bradbury, Jonathan Carroll and Stephen King, and if I can qualify my preferences still further, I have a special love for stories with a carnival/circus setting.

I guess I have always felt that the old traveling carnivals — the ones with sideshows, “geeks and freaks” and a fortune teller (with a turban and a globe) were the closest thing to the “ magical” that a little Writer kid from Rhodes Cove with an overactive imagination is likely to encounter. There is a vague aura of mystery about carneys, and it seems to be a setting that can be “customized” by a gifted writer like Bradbury who wrote Something Wicked This Way Comes, Charles Finney, who did The Circus of Doctor Lao, and finally, there is King’s recent terror-fest, The Joyland.

Now comes Revival, and King is once again moving with confidence down the midway. However, there are no girlie shows and carousels; it isn’t shills and Ferris wheels that beckons to the customers, No, this time the major attraction is a “healer,” the man who lays his hands on the palsied, the crippled and the blind, and lo, the afflicted stand, walk and see. This time it is the Rev. Charles Jacobs, a defrocked Methodist minister who promises to “revive” failing flesh.

The narrator of Revival is James Morton, a man who has known Rev. Jacobs for over 60 years and was a child when Jacobs “lost his faith.” In the beginning of his ministry, Jacobs, who had a wife and child, was optimistic and popular. In Harlow, the small town where Jamie Morton lived, Jacobs was known for his love of science and his experiments with electricity. The young minister often proclaimed, “Electricity is one of God’s doorways

Gary Carden

D

broke up.).

In effect, music becomes a lifelong occupation for Jamie, but music also brought drug addiction. Jamie becomes an addict who seems to live so near the edge he is often near physical and mental collapse. In time, he can no longer find work or borrow money. It is at this point that he encounters the Rev. Jacobs again. Jacobs has become a sideshow attraction in a carnival where he creates astonishing “portraits” of customers using electricity. He offers to cure Jamie of his drug addiction and to Jamie’s amazement, he does! Jacobs still believes that electricity is a doorway to the infinite, but God doesn’t have anything to do with it. Jacobs has developed an array of electrical gadgets that he uses to create entertaining “special effects,” but he also claims that he can heal.

In time, Jamie discovers that Jacobs has accomplished a series of “miracuRevival by Stephen King. Scribner eBooks, 2014. 567 pages. lous cures,” although Jacobs is quick to note that to the infinite!” there were no miracles. They were the result However, when an automobile accident of science and electricity. Although Jamie is destroyed his family, Jacobs became so embitcured, there is something disturbing about tered he not only renounced his ministry but Jacobs’ treatments. When Jamie’s brother, delivered a shocking sermon that became Con, suffers a throat injury that makes him known as “ the Terrible Sermon,” in which he unable to speak, Jacobs “cures” him with an renounces God and religion. In effect, Jacobs “electrical nerve stimulator.” However, somesees all humanity as lost and doomed. Even times Jacobs’ patients have side effects, and worse, we are helpless pawns of invisible and although they seem minor, Jamie begins to unknown powers. suspect that Jacobs’ “cures” may have other In the years following “the Terrible dire consequences.

Sermon,” Jacobs vanishes and Jamie Morton becomes a musician with a band called As the years pass, Jamie learns that Jacobs Chrome Roses (Steven King draws details for is working toward some kind of ultimate Jamie’s “Rock and Roll” years from King’s own experiment ... one that not only reverses seriexperience with the Rock Bottom Remainders, ous illness but can “revive” a stopped heart. a band composed of authors which recently Jacobs’ patients are now terminal cases, peo-

ple in the final stages of cancer and heart failure. The prescribed treatment is also increasingly mysterious and his hospital is a remote abandoned resort on a mountain called Skytop, noted for electrical storms. The ultimate experiment turns out to be a patient from Jamie’s past — Astrid, Jamie’s childhood sweetheart who is now a 60-year-old crone in the final stages of cancer.

The climatic conclusion of Revival is tension-ridden and terrifying, but it is also indebted to some of the greatest masters of terror. There is, of course, the “reanimation” scene in Frankenstein in which a terrifying stream of electrical energy courses from the sky into Dr. Frankenstein’s non-living patient.

That same energy is tapped by the Reverend Charles Jacobs and he channels it into the inert and wasted body of Astrid, Jamie Morton’s first love.

However, it is at this point that King develops a masterful piece of fantasy/horror as he pays tribute to H.P. Lovecraft, the writer who created the concept of Cthulhu, “an invisible world of horror that moves behind this world.” When King’s obsessed scientist, Charles Jacobs, finally confronts the ultimate horror behind this world, demanding to see it face to face, he sees all of the tormented souls that have died only to find themselves enslaved by the hideous creatures who control this world. Among those broken and enslaved mortals, trapped for all eternity to trudge in chains, are his own wife and son. It is a final vision that destroys Jacobs.

But there remains one final horror. The mysterious electrical cure that Jacobs used on all of his patients cured them ... but infected them with a murderous and self-destructive force which may immediately destroy the “cured patient” (as is the case with Astrid), or it may lie dormant for years (as it does with Jamie’s brother, Con) and finally erupt as a murderous impulse that the patient turns on his own family. Since there are hundreds of former patients, the final reckoning is a daily account on CNN of people who have inexplicably become mass murderers or suicides.

The only thing that they have in common is that at some point in their lives they were treated and “cured” by Reverend Charles Jacobs.

If you love fantasy/horror, it doesn’t get any better than this one.

WNC library amnesty week The Fontana Regional Library system is having a “Love Your Library” Amnesty Week Feb. 9-14.

During this week, library users may visit any Fontana member library in Jackson, Macon or Swain counties, return or renew overdue materials and when they say, “I love my library” all overdue fines for the items will be forgiven. If an overdue item has already been returned but still has fines on it, people may present their library cards and say, “I love my library” and any overdue fines will be forgiven. And for people who may have lost their card, they can get it replaced for free this week.

Please note that replacement charges for items that have been lost or damaged, collection agency fees, or bank fees can’t be forgiven during this amnesty period.

828.586.2016.

34

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Winter on the ridge

The view from the Yellow Face Bald overlook is full of white stuff. Icicles are pretty, but when they melt they shed water that can turn into black ice (opposite page).

Holly Kays photos

Wintry conditions cause Parkway closures despite warm temps at low elevations

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER

hough a mixture of rain and ice pelted the windshield as I headed toward the Balsam Gap access of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the forecast was calling for a high of 52 and the car thermometer read 48 degrees.

I was headed up to see what springlike weather down below translated to when sitting at 6,000 feet on the scenic mountain road, because, let’s face it, I was skeptical. The Parkway had been closed for much of the winter, including the previous week, when temperatures in Waynesville climbed up to the sunny 60s.

By the time I reached the Parkway entrance, which sits at 3,400 feet, the temperature had dropped to 40 degrees. The Parkway was — you guessed it — closed, but Law Enforcement Ranger Lou Jahrling was there to take me past the gate. We shook hands, and he introduced me to Lauren Larocca, his fellow law enforcement ranger who was less than a week into the job since moving from Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska. Then we all jumped into the patrol vehicle to find out just what’s so risky about wintertime on the Parkway.

T

Richland-Balsam Overlook, elevation 6,411 feet, milepost 431.4 To look at it, you wouldn’t think that Richland-Balsam was the highest point on the Parkway. The sun is out, the road is clear, and the Parkway basically looks like the American ideal of the open road.

“It’s just because the way the road is,” Jahrling explains. “The way the road is, you can see the sun beating on it all day.”

The afternoon sun shines down unimpeded by any tall trees.

But as we drive toward the northernmost piece of our route, Bear Pen Gap, the situation quickly changes. The road disappears underneath a layer of snow, remnant of a Monday snowstorm that was just a cold rain

down in Waynesville. It’s thin at first, later thickening to well over an inch. The road is invisible for more than a quarter mile.

“During the summer time, this is one of our bad curves where you get a lot of accidents,” Jahrling says.

With any kind of snow or ice on the road, the odds would get that much worse.

Pinnacle Ridge Tunnel, elevation 813, milepost 439.7 The tunnel is mostly clear, though a few patches of ice dot it. Icicles hang from the tunnel walls, adornments that Jahrling says can create hazard.

“They get long in the wintertime and can reach from the top to the bottom of the road-

Though parts of the Parkway are dry and sunny, there are also snowy stretches like this where all wheel drive is a must.

A better map The Blue Ridge Parkway posts its road closures in real time on its interactive map, but that map is in for an upgrade.

The new version will launch later this month, featuring information about sights and facilities and a table version of road status in addition to the map. The map will also sync better with mobile devices than it does now. In the future, the Parkway hopes to house archived closure data and photos there.

The map is a template that others are copying. Yellowstone National Park is now using an interactive map based on the one the Parkway developed, Law Enforcement Ranger Lou Jahrling said.

way,” he says.

Just on the other side of the tunnel, a fallen rock lies in the center of the lane, likely splintered off due to the harsh freeze-thaw cycles of winter. Jahrling swerves around it, no problem, but that section of road is on a hard curve. If there had been anyone coming in the opposite direction — as there doubtless would have been, were the road open — things could have ended badly.

Standing Rock Overlook, milepost 441.4, elevation 3,915 feet A line of sawdust lies across the road, evidence of a fallen tree recently removed. It’s 37 degrees, but the road is shiny.

“This will mostly be ice, depending on the weather, if it goes below freezing,” Jahrling says.

Balsam Gap, milepost 443.1, elevation 3,370 feet Here the road is clear, though a little damp. The temperature has risen to 40

degrees, and the sun is out. The road looks great for cruising, but the gates across the access roads are firmly closed.

Jahrling says he has caught people trying to sneak around them before.

“We had one case last year where they ran straight into the gate and tried to break it, and we’ve had some four wheel drive vehicles try to get around it,” he says.

That’s probably too high a price to pay for a Parkway view. Skirting the barrier in anything with a motor would result in a charge of entering a closed area, which carries a penalty of up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. Skiing, walking and mountain biking are fine, however.

Milepost 448 It’s 33 degrees, and snow is covering the road. We drive a little farther and come to a smattering of fallen rock.

“This was clear the other day, and this just happened,” Jahrling says.

S EE PARKWAY, PAGE 35

The thermometer reads 32 degrees, 8 less than the low point at the Balsam access where we’d started. The road is completely covered with snow, probably retaining a good 1.5 to 2 inches of the 2 or 3 Jahrling said fell there three days ago, on Monday.

What snowfall was that? I had to think, but then realized Monday had been a day of cold rain back in Waynesville. Up here, it had been snow. Enough snow that Jahrling had seen a good number of people breaking out their skis and snowshoes.

As we descend the hill past Waterrock Knob, the snow continues and Jahrling shifts down a gear.

“This is the one section that never really gets any sun,” he says. “I remember when we had that snowstorm in November.

Everything was gone, but they were still building snowmen up here.”

Thunder Struck Ridge, elevation 4,780 feet, milepost 454.4

Back in the lowlands I drive back down to Sylva to finish my workday, all bundled up in a Columbia parka and knit hat, but it’s not long before

gone and not a sign of snow. It feels a lot more like March than January.

“We want people to enjoy the road, but we want to do it as safely as possible,” Jahrling said earlier. “We have a lot of accidents in the summer, and it would just double with black ice and snow on the road.”

If he’d told me that by phone, I might have been kind of skeptical.

But a January cruise along the Parkway amply demonstrates that life at 6,000 feet is a lot different than at 2,000.

“There’s only a trace down in Waynesville or Asheville. You come up here and it’s 2 or 3 inches, and you’re getting people who have never driven in the snow before,” said Jahrling, who himself has worked in a portfolio of national parks including Glacier and Grand Teton. “It’s just a recipe for an accident.”

So, the Parkway remains closed throughout most of the winter, waiting for the warmer days to come.

Inductees sought for Ag hall of fame Is there someone in your life who rises to the top as a steward of agribusiness or visionary pioneer of the agriculture industry?

Nominations for the Western North Carolina Hall of Fame, which recognizes people who have made significant contributions to the agriculture industry in the North Carolina mountains, are due by March 11. WNC Communities manages the process. aghalloffame@wnccommunties.org.

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Smoky Mountain News

I’m shedding the hat, pulling the jacket off, and turning down the heat in the car. By the time I get into town, it’s 50 degrees and sunny, the wintry sleet of 12:30 p.m. long

Though many Blue Ridge Parkway staff work seasonal positions, the park’s law enforcement staffing is the same year-round.

For the Pisgah District, which goes from Mount Mitchell to the Parkway’s southern terminus, 10 rangers patrol the road. The Parkway has no written policy guiding closure decisions, but law enforcement staff makes road safety part of the daily wintertime routine.

“Usually what we do is we come in, check the weather right away, see what the forecast is going to be and then go out and check the road,” said Lou Jahrling, lead law enforcement ranger for the piece of the Parkway from Mount Pisgah. He’s one of two for his area.

Jahrling will work with maintenance staff to clear out fallen trees and rocks, and if there’s just an isolated ice patch or two causing a problem, he’ll throw down some sand and drive over it once or twice to make it safe. Typically, the temperature on a section of road – there are 30 from Mount Mitchell south — has to stay above freezing for 24 hours to warrant an opening.

Once the road decision is squared away, he’ll spend the rest of the day on the kinds of tasks there’s only time to do in the winter.

Making sure that the Parkway’s boundaries are well-marked, checking that no hunters have put their bear bait stations on Parkway property, scouting out the trails and completing trainings.

“I try not to sit in the office as much as possible,” Jahrling said.

Feburary 4-10, 2015

The road is plenty clear up here, and it’s pretty, with a wall of rock on the right side of the road covered in icicles. Those aren’t a problem right now, but they will be later.

“Once it stays above freezing, it starts to melt,” Jahrling says. “We get a lot of water over the road, and then it turns to ice.”

Unlike state and county road workers, Parkway maintenance can’t combat those hazards with the usual methods of plow and salt. Plows are cost-prohibitive for the strung-out formation of the Parkway, and salt just isn’t allowed on National Park Service land, period.

Making the call outdoors

Waterrock Knob, elevation 5,718 feet, milepost 451.2

278-65

PARKWAY, CONTINUED FROM 34

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35

Little Sandy Mush Bald slopes purchased for nature preserve

Feburary 4-10, 2015

outdoors

Learn from Leopold Aldo Leopold and his writings are cornerstones of modern environmental ethic, and a program teaching how to use his work as a springboard to engage students in natural science and literature is now being offered through the Jackson and Swain county cooperative extension centers.

The Leopold Education Project offers outreach seminars for teachers and youth educators, providing lesson plans and tools they can use in their own classrooms.

Leopold’s writings are both sound science and excellent litAldo Leopold. erature, the program teaches, and thus a useful tool for conservation education. By bringing students into direct contact with the land and posing questions that employ their critical thinking skills, the program gives citizens the background to reach decisions based on a land ethic, a term Leopold coined.

To schedule an LEP Educator Workshop, contact Robert Hawk 828.586.4009 or 828.488.3848. robert_hawk@ncsu.edu.

View from Little Sandy Mush Bald. Donated photo

Arboretum to memorialize landscaping great The father of American landscape architecture will soon be memorialized at the North Carolina Arboretum.

A full-figure sculpture of Frederick Law Olmstead will be unveiled toward the end of this year in the arboretum’s Blue Ridge Court, in the core of the property, where the Johnston Pool — a circular water feature containing an American beach at its center — is located.

Olmstead was the chief landscape architect for the Blue Ridge Parkway. He is credited for designing the scenic road in harmony with the mountains and for landscaping its entire 469-mile corridor in a way that evokes an idyllic experience.

Donors John and Muriel Siddal funded the sculpture. www.ncarboretum.org.

100,000 to Schools!

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Smoky Mountain News

ern hardwood forest in Madison County and adjoins two properties that have been protected by conservation easements with SAHC. Rising to 4,800 feet in elevation at

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The northern slopes of Little Sandy Mush Bald, an iconic view for those who live in the coves and farms of the surrounding Sandy Mush community in Buncombe County, will remain undeveloped following the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s purchase of 241 acres in Madison County, which includes part of the bald.

The land was owned by eight members of the Grateful Union Family before they agreed to sell to SAHC to see it preserved.

“Since 1979, they have shared this very special place, showing a commitment to their personal goals of living lightly on the earth and being good stewards of the land,” SAHC Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese said of the former owners. “It is rare to see this degree of cooperation among a group of people that stands the test of time.”

The tract boasts some of the best north-

the Summit, it’s visible from N.C. 209 and houses the origins of Little Bald Branch — an Outstanding Resource Water, according to the N.C. Division of Water Quality — and three of its tributaries.

SAHC plans to own and manage the tract for the long term as a nature preserve, with guided hikes to the tract offered as part of the organization’s outreach program. www.appalachian.org.

Log on. Plan a trip.

And start kicking back.

outdoors Feburary 4-10, 2015

Smoky Mountain News

37

outdoors Feburary 4-10, 2015

Two areas added to potential wilderness inventory Two potential candidates for wilderness designation in the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests were accidentally left off a master list compiled by the U.S. Forest Service.

In response, the Forest Service has added the areas and extended the public input period on its wilderness area inventory. The inventory is essentially a catalog of national forest areas that have characteristics of wilderness, and thus is the starting point for the Forest Service as it evaluates which, if any, areas to recommend for Congressional wilderness designation.

New wilderness designation is one of several issues in play as the Forest Service develops a new blueprint to guide management of the Pisgah and Nantahala over the next two decades.

The two left off initially were Overflow Wilderness Study Area in the Nantahala Ranger District and Bearwallow Inventoried Roadless Area in the Appalachian Ranger District.

The comment period has been extended to Feb. 27 from its original deadline of Jan. 5.

So far, the U.S. Forest Service received more than 500 comments on the online mapping tool that shows the forestland and the management proposed for it in detail.

The planning process started in spring 2013, and a final plan isn’t expected to be approved until August 2016. A draft plan with proposed alternatives is scheduled for completion in June.

Comments can be submitted via the mapping tool at https://my.usgs.gov/ppgis/studio/launch/315 95, emailed to NCplanrevision@fs.fed.us.

Information on the forest planning process is at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/nprevision.

Wildlife Commission says no more red wolves Donated photo

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has publicly denounced the red wolf reintroduction in coastal counties, calling for the red wolves to be rounded up — despite being the only wild population of red wolves on the planet.

Last week, the Commission adopted two resolutions: one requesting that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service end the red wolf reintroduction, and the second asking the agency to capture and remove all the wolves and their offspring that have ended up on private land.

It is the latest shot fired in an ongoing dispute over the endangered red wolf population along the N.C. coast. Previously, the Wildlife Commission was the target of a court case claiming nighttime hunting of coyotes in red wolf territory was detrimental to the endangered species.

Red wolves look like coyotes, and night hunting increases the risk of red wolves being shot accidentally, according to the court suit. So the Wildlife Commission was forced to rein in coyote hunting in red wolf territory, imposing limits and restrictions on when, where and how coyote hunting could occur.

But the Wildlife Commission continued to assert that shooting nuisance coyotes should trump concerns over red wolves and has now made its opposition to the red wolf reintroduction official.

In the resolution last week, the Commission said that the red wolves were interbreeding with coyotes and encroaching on private lands, and that the red wolf introduction in five coastal counties should end.

The Southern Environmental Law Center, which brought a lawsuit in 2012 opposing the Commission’s red wolf man-

agement, disagrees.

“Red wolves have lived — and thrived — on the current mix of private and public lands for 25 years, becoming one of the most successful predator reintroductions in U.S. history,” said Sierra Weaver, senior attorney with SELC. “Asking that the federal government declare ‘extinct’ the 100 red wolves that live in eastern North Carolina is a blatant attempt to remove from the wild one of our country’s most beloved animals.”

with registration required. The Pisgah Center is located on U.S. 276 south of the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 50 minutes from Waynesville. 828.877.4423.

Smoky Mountain News

Up close with the Smokies

38

Fly-tie like a pro

Holly Kays photo

A pair of fly-tying clinics will provide two levels of instruction at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education.

A beginner’s class scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 13, will introduce students to the tools, materials, patterns and techniques of fly-tying and will culminate with tying a basic pattern.

An intermediate class scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 20, will cover advanced patterns and tying techniques in a class taught by experienced fly tiers.

Open to ages 12 and up, with materials provided. Free

The Experience Your Smokies program is looking for applicants who want to get an insider’s look at park operations while getting some exploration into their lives as well.

Participants will attend five full-day sessions in locations throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They’ll accompany park employees in activites ranging from wetland restoration to fish surveys to trail work.

“If you have ever wanted to be a park ranger or get a behind the scenes look at what goes on in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this is your opportunity,” said acting park Superintendent Clayton Jordan.

Sessions will be held Tuesdays, March 17, March 24, April 14 and April 28, and Saturday, May 9. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 27 and can be accessed at www.friendsofthesmokies.org/events.html or by calling 828.452.0720. The $50 cost goes toward program administration and materials.

The program is a collaboration of GSMNP, Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountains Association.

For its part, U.S. Fish and Wildlife released a 171-page evaluation of the program in November 2014 and is expected to release a decision on the program’s future early this year.

Meanwhile, the Wildlife Commission is accepting public comment through March 16 on the retooling of coyote hunting rules in red wolf territory. www.ncwildlife.org/ProposedRegulation s.aspx.

Joe Grady, a participant in last year’s Experience Your Smokies program, spent a day helping with a fish restoration project at Cosby Creek. NPS Photo

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40

WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Cullowhee Revitalization Endeavor, Inc., (CuRvE) is hosting a community meeting from 10-11:30 a.m. on Feb. 7 at the Cullowhee Café. CuRvE’s mission is to facilitate the beautification and revitalization of downtown Cullowhee. Info: cullowheerevitalization@gmail.com.

• An indoor flee market will be held from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Lake Junaluska. Set-up time is from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. Booth rental is $20. Info: 400.1704.

• A planning meeting for the Haywood County Special Olympics Spring Games will take place at 6 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Anyone interested in assisting with the games, which will be May 1, is invited. For information, contact Tim Petrea at 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Jackson County Public Library is holding a “Love Your Library” Amnesty Week on Feb. 9-14 to allow users to return or renew overdue materials with new overdue fines by saying “I love my library.” Lost cards also replaced for free. Replacement charges for lost or damaged items can’t be forgiven. For information, call 586.2016.

• The Western North Carolina Civil War will feature a presentation by Robert M. (Bert) Dunkerly, Richmond Battlefield Park Ranger, at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Justice Center in Sylva. 452.2298.

• Students from elementary, junior high and high schools throughout WNC will attend the Western Regional Science and Engineering Fair on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 10-11, at Western Carolina University.

Free. Science projects created for the fair by area students are available for viewing from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. each day. Info: sciencefair.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

• An interactive “Tar Heel Tour” examining North Carolina regions and attributes will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Grandroom of the Hinds University Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Free, open to the public. For information, contact Lane Perry at 227.2643 or laneperry@wcu.edu.

• A craft artist business plan contest featuring a $3,000 prize, presented by Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center, kicks off with an event from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Mad Batter in downtown Sylva. Training sessions will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Thursdays from March 5-April 30 at SCC’s Swain Center. Winner will be announced the week of May 25. Free. For information, contact Tiffany Henry at t_henry@southwesterncc.edu or 339.4211.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Free tax preparation by trained volunteers certified by the IRS will be offered from Feb. 3-April 14 every Tuesday at the Jackson County Public Library (3-6:45 p.m.) and the Jackson County Senior Center (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) - both in Sylva – for more information call Senior Center (586.4944) or library (586.2016).

• The Haywood Chamber of Commerce’s Issues & Eggs session will be held from 8-9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. Topic is “Making Engagement Marketing Work for Your Business in 2015. Guest speaker is Aaron Means from Constant Contact email services. 456.3021 or media@haywoodchamber.com.

• A small business planning seminar entitled “Starting a Better Business” is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus. Free; registration required: www.ncsbc.net. For more information about SCC’s Small

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings Business Center, or to schedule one-on-one counseling.

For info, 828.339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center offers a free NC REAL (Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning) seminar entitled “Business Plan Development and Zero in on Your Market” from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the SCC Jackson Campus.

Reservations required: www.ncsbc.net. For info, 339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• Learn how to price your product or service in a threehour seminar offered by Haywood Community College starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, in the auditorium of 1500 Building at HCC. Speaker is Tonya Snider. sbc.haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• A basic Internet class will be held at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016. Free, limited to first 16 who register at 586.2016. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.

• A free “Alternative Financing for the Small Business Owner” luncheon will be presented by Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center and the Haywood County Public Library from noon-2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Waynesville Library Auditorium. Registration required: 627.4606 or sbc.haywood.edu.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • The fourth-annual Chocolate Cook-Off will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Cashiers Library Community Meeting Room. $6 admission/per person; free for children under 5. Sponsored by Friends of the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library.

Proceeds will support Cashiers Library. New members welcome; forms available at front desk.

• Love is in the Air 5K Fun Run/Walk will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at South Macon Elementary School in Franklin. It’s the only N.C. fundraiser west of Asheville for Multiple Sclerosis. Proceeds benefit MS in honor of Kevin Bell. Entry fee: $20 early or $25 on race day. Bake sale, raffle items and one-mile walk also available. For entry form or info: gstiwinter@hotmail.com or 421.4571.

• A Valentine’s Ball with the theme “Love Heals” will be held from 7-10 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the Quality Inn in Sylva. Proceeds benefit the Clean Slate Coalition.

Tickets: www.cleanslatecoalition.org. To become an event sponsor, call 586.3939 or write info@cleanslatecoalition.org.

• The Bascom winter bash will be held from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta. Tickets are $200 each for the fundraiser, which benefits the Bascom Visual Arts Center. www.thebascom.org/bascombashtickets.

• The Haywood County Meals on Wheels program has two route openings for volunteer drivers: Thursdays – Route #23 – Waynesville/Shelton Street; Fridays – Route #18 – Pigeon Valley. Substitute drivers also needed.

Info: Jeanne Naber, Meals on Wheels Program Coordinator, 356.2442.

• Friends of the Library Book Sale Committee needs books for its annual sale on July 23-25. Books can be picked up at your home. Call Sandy Denman, committee chair, at 627.2370.

HEALTH MATTERS • The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Canton Central United Methodist Church. Appointments preferred: 550.6853; walk-ins also welcome.

• Spanish bilingual healthcare navigator will provide information about the Affordable Care Act for Spanishspeaking communities from 2-4:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 at El Patron Restaurant in Sylva. Schedule free one-on-one appointment by calling 855.733.3711 or by visiting www.getcoveredamerica.org/connector. For more info, contact Toni Pasquariello at 586.8931.

• Affordable Care Act representatives will be available from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays until Feb. 12 at Maggie Valley Town Hall.

• The Macon County Cancer Support Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, in the cafeteria of Angel Medical Center in Franklin. Jo Zachary, former radio broadcaster and kidney cancer survivor, is guest speaker. Light refreshments will be served. $50 door prize. Everyone welcome.

• Free Affordable Care Act informational sessions will be held from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Feb. 12 at City Lights Café in Sylva; or from 5-7 p.m. at City Lights Bookstore.

Schedule free one-on-one appointment by calling 855.733.3711 or by visiting www.getcoveredamerica.org/connector. For info, contact Eunice Lee-Ahn at 586.8931 or EuniceL@legalaidnc.org.

• Information sessions about Affordable Care Act Insurance open enrollment, which ends Feb. 15, will be held on Thursday, Feb. 12. One session is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Jackson County DSS; another is from 3-7 p.m. at the Waynesville Library. Call 452.1447 for an appointment.

• Diabetes and chronic disease self-management trainings for ages 14-and-up will be offered by Macon County Public Health and Macon County Senior Services from 1-5 p.m. on Feb. 12 and Feb. 19. Diabetes training is followed by six weeks of chronic disease education and support from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday. Light refreshments provided. Information: 349.2086.

• A free program in Alternative Healing Therapies will be offered from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Waynesville library. This event will feature local practitioners from Emotional Freedom Technique (aka Tapping), Quantum Touch and Reiki and Healing Touch.

Refreshments, compliments of Friends of the Library, will be served. For information, contact Kathy Olsen, adult services librarian, 356.2507.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • A second-Sunday Community Dance will be held starting at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the Community Room on the second floor of the old courthouse in the Jackson County Library Complex in Sylva. For info, ronandcathy71@frontier.com.

• “Ask the Trainer” sessions will be held from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and from 7:45-8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the Cullowhee Recreation Center.

Personal trainers answer questions and give advice.

Free; no appointment necessary.

• A women’s volleyball league is accepting registrations through Feb. 13 at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. $175 entry fee per team. Games are played Tuesday nights starting in March. For information, contact Jennifer Bennett at 293.3053.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• Pickleball is played from 2-4:30 every Monday and from 9 a.m.-noon every Friday starting the week of Feb. 9 at the Armory in Sylva. $1 each time you play to help buy equipment, which is provided.

• A Zumba in the Club party will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Mad Batter in downtown Sylva. For information, contact Emily Moss at emilykepleymoss@gmail.com.

• Haywood County Recreation & Parks Department is offering adult coed indoor soccer pickup games from 68 p.m. on Wednesdays through March 25 at Old Hazelwood Gym. For ages 18 and up. $3 per session or $20 for a season pass punch card. For information, contact Daniel Taylor at 452.6789 or drtaylor@haywoodnc.net.

• Open play volleyball and practice will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in January and February at Waynesville Recreation Center. Free for members; $6 per non-members. Open to ages 18 and older. 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Registration for a women’s volleyball league has begun at the Recreation Center in Cullowhee. Games are Tuesday nights starting in March. $175 per team.

293.3053.

• Friday Night Skiing at Cataloochee every Friday through Feb. 27. Registration closes at 4 p.m. the Friday before the trip at Jackson County Recreation Center in Cullowhee. Lift ticket only: $25, lift ticket and ski or snowboard rental: $35; lessons are available for $10 (age 6). 293.3053.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • A creative living class on “Getting the Most from Your Garden” will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. Free.

Registration required. 356.2800.

• The Haywood County Recreation & Parks department is organizing a Happy Wanderers (social group designed for adults ages 50+) trip on Feb. 26 to Western Carolina University’s School of Music for an orchestral performance in Cullowhee. Trip departs at 4 p.m. and returns at 10 a.m. $20 fee. Reservations required by Feb. 5. For info, contact Daniel Taylor at 452.6789 or drtaylor@haywoodnc.net.

• A creative living class on “Hand and Foot” will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on three consecutive Mondays starting Feb. 9 at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. Free. Registration required. 356.2800.

• The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department will host the Silver Sneakers New Member Orientation from 10 a.m.-noon on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Refreshments will be provided.

Information: 456-2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

KIDS & FAMILIES • Harry Potter Book Night starts at 6 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the Jackson County Library. Info at harrypotterbooknight.com or 586.2016. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.

• Michael’s Kids Club will be held for ages 3-and-up from 10 a.m.-noon on Feb. 7 at Michael’s in Waynesville. $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative crafts. Create a string-art heart.

• Spring soccer registration will be held from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, Feb. 9-27 at the

• “Nature Nuts: Animal Senses,” a program for ages 4-7, is scheduled for 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Monday, Feb. 16, at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Located on U.S. 276 in Transylvania County about 50 minutes from Waynesville. Free, but call to reserve a spot.

828.877.4423.

• “Eco Explorers: Living Downstream,” a program about environmentally friendly planning for ages 8-13, will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Monday, Feb. 16, at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Located on U.S. 276 in Transylvania County about 50 minutes from Waynesville. Free, but call to reserve a spot. 828.877.4423.

• A Lowe’s Build and Grow session for ages 3-and-up is scheduled from 10-11 a.m. on Feb. 14 at the Sylva and Waynesville Lowe’s stores. Free. Build a sweetheart picture holder.

• The Peanuts Valentine Express Train will run at 11 a.m. Feb. 14 from the Bryson City Train Depot. The Peanuts Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown Excursion and Valentine Sweetheart Train will travel along the Tuckasegee River to Dillsboro for an hour and a half layover. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

Kids movies • The intergalactic comedy “Guardians of the Galaxy” will be screened at 7 p.m. Feb. 6-7 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. $6. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.524.4615.

• Saturday morning cartoons play for free at 11 a.m. at the Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. 283.0079 or www.38main.com.

• Family movie time, 4 p.m. Mondays at Jackson County Public Library. Call for title of movie.

586.2016.

• Family movie time Thursdays, 3:45 p.m. at Albert Carlton, Cashiers Community Library. Free with popcorn. Call for title. 743.0215.

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • The Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dinner will start at 5 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Fontana Village Resort. Enjoy a delicious four-course meal with your sweetheart at the Mountview Restaurant overlooking the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. 828.498.2115 or www.fontanavillage.com.

• A Valentine’s dinner will be hosted at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. The Jesse Junior Quartet will perform jazz standards. $45 tickets per person. Limited seating.

Reservations: 452.6000.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The play “Shining City” is being held over and will

• A musical concert featuring local band PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Jackson County Library in Sylva. Free. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. Information: 586.2016.

• Award-winning mandolinist Darren Nicholson of Balsam Range will perform with his solo band as part of the First Thursday concert series at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University. Free. wcu.edu • Balsam Range Winter Concert Series is at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 at the Colonial Theater in Canton. Harris Brothers also perform. balsamrange.com or 235.2760 • A free Celtic music concert featuring harpist and singer Ann Adele Lloyd and flutist Milissa Ellison – both of Asheville – will be held at 3 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City.

Meet and greet for the musicians and artists Elizabeth Ellison (oil and watercolor painter) and Ann Smith of Asheville (papermaker) will follow. Sponsored by the N.C. Arts Council, Swain County Center for the Arts and Swain County Schools.

• Western Carolina University in Cullowhee will present a Faculty Recital with Zsolt Szabo (trombone) at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 in the Coulter Building.

• Jacob Jones, Jessie Stephens, & Friends perform bluegrass and old-timey mountain music at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Community Room of the Jackson County Historic Courthouse. Presented by the Jackson County Genealogical Society. Free, public is welcome. Info: 631.2646.

on Feb. 12. $5 advance, $8 door. www.38main.com or call 283.0079.

• Tipping Point Brewing (Waynesville) will have Red Led Huskey at 9 p.m. on Feb. 6. Free.

• Innovation Brewing in Sylva will have a jazz night starting at 8 p.m. on Feb. 12. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Grits and Soul performs at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6 at Bearwaters Brewing Company in Waynesville. No cover charge. bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille (Waynesville) will have Eyes Set To Kill and Die So Fluid at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have David Spangler Feb. 6. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

• Singer-songwriter Angela Easterling (guitar, vocals) performs at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Info: www.angelaeasterling.com, 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Tipping Point Brewing in Waynesville will have Ashli Rose (singer-songwriter) at 9 p.m. on Feb. 13. Free.

• City Lights Café in Sylva will have Tyler Kittle & Michael Collings (jazz) at 7 p.m. on Feb. 13. www.citylightscafe.com.

• BearWaters Brewing (Waynesville) will have Joshua Dean acoustically at 8 p.m. on Feb. 7. www.bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub in Franklin will have Tom Johnson at 8 p.m. on Feb. 13. Free www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 369.6796.

• Joe Cruz (piano, vocals) performs the music of the Beatles, Elton John and James Taylor, on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Info: 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grille in Waynesville will have Tonology at 10 p.m. on Feb. 13.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (Franklin) will have South Ridge Feb. 7. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 828.369.6796.

• Frog Level Brewing of Waynesville will have Harry Harrison at 7 p.m. on Feb. 7 Free. 454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Innovation Brewing in Sylva will have an Open Mic night at 8 p.m. on Feb. 11. www.innovationbrewing.com.

• Craig Summers and Lee Kram perform from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 12 and Feb. 19 at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. 454.5664.

• The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville will have Through The Hills (Americana/bluegrass) at 7:30 p.m.

• Tyler Kittle and Michael Collings will appear Feb. 13 at City Lights Café in Sylva. 587.2233.

• Liz & AJ Nance will appear Feb. 14 at City Lights Café in Sylva. 587.2233.

• Pierce Edens and The Dirty Work (Americana) perform at 8 p.m. on Feb. 14 at Bearwaters Brewing in Waynesville. www.bwbrewing.com or 246.0602.

• City Lights Café in Sylva presents Liz & AJ Nance (Americana/folk) at 7 p.m. on Feb. 14. www.citylightscafe.com.

• No Name Sports Pub in Sylva will have Darren & The Buttered Toast at 9 p.m. on Feb. 14. Free. 586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville will have The Myxx at 8 p.m. on Feb. 14. Free. 454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• A Wind Ensemble concert for All-District Bands will held at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 13 in the Bardo Arts Center Theatre at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. www.wcu.edu.

• Former teen idol Frankie Avalon, who came to fame in the 1950s, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. $35 tickets available at GreatMountainMusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• HEARTS for SART (Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre), with a cash bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a silent auction, will start at 7 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the Asheville Masonic temple on Broadway.

Performance by Forte with Liz Aiello, Carol Duermit, Katherine Sandoval Taylor and Beverly Todd.

NIGHTLIFE • Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have Open Mic night at 8 p.m. on Feb. 4. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Craig Summers & Lee Kram at 6 p.m. on Feb. 5. Free.

454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• The Friendly Beasts (acoustic Christian pop) will play at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Strand in Waynesville. $5. www.38main.com or 283.0079.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have Jazz night at 8 p.m. on Feb. 5. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• S.S. Web performs at 9 p.m. on Feb. 5-6 at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. Free. 586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• The Moon and You, featuring cellist Melissa Hyman and finger-style guitarist Ryan Furstenberg, will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, at the Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Info: 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will have Bobby

Smoky Mountain News

A&E

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will present Ian Jeffress (saxophone) at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 5 in the Coulter Building in Cullowhee. www.wcu.edu.

Sullivan Band at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6. Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

Feburary 4-10, 2015

• Free family movies are shown at 3:30 p.m. each Tuesday at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Disney, Hallmark and other family-oriented movies. Popcorn is provided by Friends of the Library.

Each attendee receives one free movie check-out.

488.3030.

be on stage this weekend from Feb. 6 -8 at HART Theatre in Waynesville. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday’s show is at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for all adults and $6 for students. harttheatre.com or 456.6322.

wnc calendar

Recreation Department in Cullowhee. $40 for new participants; $35 for returning fall 2014 participants.

Games will be on Sunday afternoons starting in late March. Membership and sibling discounts available.

For info, contact Jonathan Parsons at 293.3053 or jonathanparsons@jacksonnc.org.

Buy a wood-burning appliance and get your first load of wood FREE!* *Limited delivery area, ask for details.

S. MAIN ST., WAYNESVILLE

828-333-5456 • cleansweepfireplace.com 278-91

Chimney Inspections, Repairs & More

41

wnc calendar

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub in Franklin will have Ronnie Evans at 8 p.m. on Feb. 14. Free. www.rathskellerfranklin.com or 369.6796.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • A two-day woodcarving workshop will be offered by Dogwood Crafters from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 12-13, at the Masonic Lodge in Sylva. $44 cost is payable on first day. Instructor is local master woodcarver Ron Yount. Register at 586.2435 or junettapell@hotmail.com by Feb. 5. Watch for other classes offered by Dogwood Crafters throughout the year.

• A Valentine cards, potpourri Extension and Community Association group will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Conference Room of the Community Service Center in Sylva. For info, call the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office at 586.4009.

• A “Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day” workshop will be held from 2-4:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. Overseen by Kent Stewart, the workshop provides participants the opportunity to make two projects: a handmade blank book and a woven paper Valentine heart. All tools and materials will be supplied. $8 fee payable in cash on day of workshop. Sign up at 456.6000.

• A pressed flowers workshop will be held from 10 a.m.noon on Feb. 7 as part of “Winter Craft” series at Wild Fern Studios in Bryson City. Instructor is Karen Taylor, crafter/owner of Taylor’s Greenhouse. Students will learn to harvest, press, preserve and make cards and photo frames for keepsakes. Class fee: $20. 736.1605.

Feburary 4-10, 2015

• The Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild will hold an information session on all the different quilting “bees” (technique groups) in its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, at Tartan Hall in First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. For info, contact Dianne Schickedantz at 524.4530 or dseverfall@yahoo.com.

• A ceramics class will be held 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 10, 17 and 24 at The Bascom in Highlands. To register, go to www.thebascom.org or call 828.526.4949.

• Bring valentines for veterans to a Lunch and Learn Extension and Community Association group what will meet at noon on Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Conference Room of the Community Service Center in Sylva. For info, call the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office at 586.4009.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES

Smoky Mountain News

• New art by Canton native Clint Hardin will be on display in the Meeting Room of the Macon County Public Library during the month of February. For a guide to the pieces in this display, visit http://clinthardin.blogspot.com/. 524.3600; fontanalib.org.

• Macon County Art Association will hold a “Grand ReOpening” of its Uptown Gallery from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, at 30 East Main Street in Franklin. A reception with a children’s valentine activity, door prizes and refreshments will be held from 5-7 p.m.

• The Contemporary Craft Series exhibit featuring the work of metal artist Mike Sluder will be on display through Feb. 22 at The Bascom in Highlands Sluder’s works have been featured in the Museum of Design, Atlanta, as well as in national and international exhibitions and publications. www.thebascom.org or 526.4949.

CALL FOR VENDORS • A WinterFest Smoky Style highlighting sled dogs, Plott hounds, canine demonstrations, local reality TV stars and more will be held from Feb. 27-March 1 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Includes photography seminars, guided winter shoot and a photo contest. $10 photo entry fee. Photo seminar details: http://winterfestsmokystyle.com/major-events/photography/. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter. $2 admission for adults; $1 for children. $15 per meal. Vendor applications at http://winterfestsmokystyle.com or search for the event Facebook page.

• Applications are being accepted through April 15 from fine artists, mountain crafters and food vendors who want booth space at Greening up the Mountains Festival on April 25 in Sylva. Applications and info at www.greeningupthemountains.com. Info: 631.4587.

• A “Front Street Arts & Crafts Show” will premiere on June 20 in Dillsboro. Silent auction will benefit Community Table of Sylva. Food and entertainment.

Vendors can apply at visit dillsboro.org or www.visitdillsboro.org/specialevents.html. Info: 954.707.2004.

FILM & SCREEN • The World War II drama/thriller “The Imitation Game” will be screened at the Highlands Playhouse.

Showtimes are at 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and also 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $9. For dates and more information, call 828.526.2695. www.highlandsplayhouse.org.

• “Gone Girl” will be shown at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6; 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 7; 2 p.m. on Feb. 8; 7 p.m. on Feb 10, Feb. 11 and Feb. 13; 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 14; 2 p.m. on Feb. 15; and 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 at The Strand in Waynesville. Tickets $3 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. showings; $6 for all other showings. www.38main.com or 283.0079 • The intergalactic comedy “Guardians of the Galaxy” will be screened at 7 p.m. Feb. 6-7 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. $6. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.524.4615.

• A classic movie will be shown at 2 p.m. every Friday in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room.

524.3600 or www.fontanalib.org/franklin.

Outdoors

• The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project will hold its annual Business of Farming Conference from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 at UNC Asheville. 17 workshops, including “Accepting SNAP and EBT at your Farmers Market” and “Managing Risk on Your Farm.” $75 fee with discount for multiple farm registrants. Pre-conference workshops can be registered for separately. www.asapconnections.org/conference. Info: 236-1282.

• A Wilderness First Aid will be taught by instructors from Landmark Learning on Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. $175 per person.

Register by Feb. 6. For information, contact Jennifer Bennett at 293.3053.

• A Winter Craft Series session on Bonsai Trees will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Feb. 14 at Wild Fern Studios in Bryson City. Karen Taylor, Crafter and Owner of Taylor’s Greenhouse in Robbinsville, is the instructor. $20 class/materials fee. Info: 736.1605.

• John and Cathy Sill will lead a Franklin Bird Club trip on Feb. 7 to Lake Junaluska to look for wintering water birds and other species. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Bi-Lo parking lot in Waynesville. Sign-up at 524.5234.

. • Weekly volunteer workdays at the Sylva Community Garden are from 4 p.m. until dusk every Thursday from March through November. Information: sylvacommunitygarden@gmail.com.

• The Tuckaseigee Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets the second Tuesday of the month starting with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Rendezvous restaurant located on the corner of Jonathan Creek Road and Soco Road in Maggie Valley. 631.5543.

• Weekly volunteer workdays at the Cullowhee Community Garden are held from 3 p.m. until dusk on Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturdays throughout the year. Information: thecullowheecommunitygarden@gmail.com.

• Two fly-tying clinics will be held by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission in February. Level I class is 9 a.m.-noon on Feb. 13; Level II is from 9 a.m.-noon on Feb. 20. Both clinics are free, require pre-registration on first-come, first-serve basis. 877.4423. www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/EducationCenters/Pisgah. aspx • A presentation on space law begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman. Evening includes a tour of the PARI campus and celestial observations using PARI’s optical or radio telescopes. Entry fee: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors/military and $10 for children under 14.

Register: www.pari.edu or 862.5554. Info: cwhitworth@pari.edu.

• Registration is open through April 10 for the Smoky Mountain Overnight Relay, which will be held April 1718. Teams comprised of six or 12 runners cover 212 miles of trails and country roads. 545.8156 or gavin.young@noc.com • A 5K Open Water Swim is set for July 12 at Lake Chatuge in Hiwassee, Ga. Register before early season pricing changes on April 1. Special prices for groups or teams of 20 or more. Register at active.com. Info: 389.6982

FARM & GARDEN • The Macon County Beekeepers Association will meet at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the Extension Office on Thomas Heights Road. Speaker: Greg Rogers of Haw Creek Honey Company in Asheville. Topic: getting your bees ready for spring, feeding and making splits. Members are invited to join for dinner at Thai Paradise on 441 at 5:30 p.m.

HIKING CLUBS • The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a 4.6-mile, easy-to-moderate hike with an elevation change of 130 feet on Saturday, Feb.7, from Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain on the Bartram Trail. Visitors welcome; no dogs. Call leaders Evy and Marty Brow, 342.9274, for reservations.

• The Carolina Mountain Club will hold a moderatepaced, winter-plant identification hike at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8. 1,200 foot ascent. Limited to 10 people. Contact leader Becky Smucker (231.2198) for a reservation.

• Carolina Mountain Club is holding a half-day hike of Jack Branch trail, beginning with a carpool at noon on Feb. 8. Contact Jack Dalton: 622.3704 or jckdalton9@gmail.com.

• The Carolina Mountain Club will hold a hike of Hardtimes Loop at 10 a.m. on Feb. 14. 900-foot ascent. Contact Lenny Bernstein at 450.1325 or lennybernstein41@gmail.com.

POLITICAL CORNER Other political groups • A lunch-and-discussion group will be held by the League of Women Voters at noon on the second Thursday of each month at Tartan Hall of the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. RSVP for lunch: lwvmacon@wild-dog-mountain.info or 524.8369.

• The Libertarian Party of Haywood County meets at 7 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at Organic Beans, Soco Road, Maggie Valley. Open to the public. haywood@lpnc.org.

278-93

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’

92

$

20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 42

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

Puzzles can be found on page 46.

These are only the answers.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

UPBEAT ADS

MarketPlace information: The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

■ $12 — If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

ALLISON CREEK Iron Works & Woodworking. Crafting custom metal & woodwork in rustic, country & lodge designs with reclaimed woods! Design & consultation, Barry Downs 828.524.5763, Franklin NC

Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

EXPERIMENTAL ART CLASS Students will imprint objects, such as buttons, lids, etc. to make designs. Using gesso or molding paste, paint over design with fluids & acrylics. We’ll practice these techniques in the first lesson.

Class is Tues. Feb 17th from 1-3 at Mountain Home Collections. Silvia Williams, Instructor.

828.456.5441

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, R

DI

SC OV E R E

ATR

AUCTION

INC.

PE

Serving Haywood, Jackson & Surrounding Counties

Offering:

MAJOR-BRAND TIRES FOR CARS, LIGHT & MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS, AND FARM TIRES.

Service truck available for on-site repairs

278-105

LEE & PATTY ENSLEY, OWNERS

MON-FRI 7:30-5:00 • WAYNESVILLE PLAZA

828-456-5387

REACH READERS ACROSS North Carolina for only $375. Run your 25-word classified line ad in 99 newspapers with one call to this newspaper, or call NCPS at 919.516.8009.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Classified Advertising:

COO

NEW HIP-HOP REALITY TV SHOW!!

Now Accepting Submissions! Your ONE SHOT to WIN $100,000 + Record DEAL. Will You Take It? www.MyOneShot.TV Twitter: @OneShotShow

HARPER’S AUCTION COMPANY Earn Some Extra Cash!!!

Always Accepting Consignments, Call for an Apt. 828.369.6999 Check out our Website for Auction Schedules and Online Bidding. harpersauctioncompany.com Debra Harper, NCAL #9659, NCFL #9671.

RESTAURANT EQPMNT. AUCTIONWednesday, February 11 @ 10am.

201 S. Central Ave. Locust, NC (East of Charlotte). Selling New, Scratch & Dent & Used Equipment.

Refrigeration, Freezers, Gas Fryers, Ovens, Ranges, Mixers, Slicers, Pizza Ovens & More. 704.791.8825. ncaf5479. www.ClassicAuctions.com

AUCTION "2ND ANNUAL PIEDMONT OPEN" Equipment Consignment Auction March 21st, 2015 at 10am. I-77 Speedway, Chester, SC. Accepting consignments now! Call 803.909.4555. www.theligoncompany.com NCAL8951. SCAL1716.

BUILDING MATERIALS HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR PAINTING CALL DENNIS AT: LUCAS PAINTING Co.

828.421.4057 ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The AFFORDABLE solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!** Buy Direct & SAVE. Please call 1.800.291.2712 for FREE DVD and brochure.

ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control.

FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1.800.698.9217 SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB. Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door.

Anti-Slip Floors. American Made.

Installation Included. Call 800.807.7219 for $750 Off. SULLIVAN HARDWOOD FLOORS Installation- Finish - Refinish 828.399.1847.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 SAWMILLS From Only $4397.00- Make & Save Money with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com.

1.800.578.1363 Ext.300N

PAINTING JAMISON CUSTOM PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING Interior, exterior, all your pressure washing needs and more.

Specialize in Removal of Carpenter Bees - Cedar or Log Homes or Painted or Siding!

Call or Text Now for a Free Estimate at 828.508.9727

AUTO PARTS BLOWN HEAD GASKET Cracked Heads/Block. State of the art 2-part Carbon Composite Repair! All Vehicles Foreign or Domestic including Northstars!

100% guaranteed. Call Now: 1.866.780.9038 SAPA

CARS 99-2000 GMC SIERRA SLT/Z71 3-Door, Great Work Truck, Runs Strong, Never Wrecked, Toolbox, Bedliner, Rail Guards. Highway Miles, NC-FL 20k/yr. $3,800. For More Info 828.736.7000.

DONATE YOUR CAR, Truck or Boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 800.337.9038.

TOP CASH FOR CARS, Call Now For An Instant Offer. Top Dollar Paid, Any Car/Truck, Any Condition. Running or Not. Free Pick-up/Tow. 1.800.761.9396 SAPA

R

WNC MarketPlace

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

BE YOUR OWN BOSS! PT/FT No Exp Needed. Training Provided Not MLM No Cold Calling Earn Up to $5000 per month! Set Your Own Hours Schedule your Interviews Now at: www.bizpro104.com

Beverly Hanks & Associates beverly-hanks.com • • • •

HOME BASED BUSINESS Serious impact on retirement for self-motivated people. Create your own safety net. Flex hours. FREE online training! Escalating income potential! For more info visit: www.project4wellness.com SAPA

Michelle McElroy — beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig — beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey — beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither — esither@beverly-hanks.com

GET PAID WEEKLY! FT and PT mail work from home.

For full details visit: www.750weekly.com or call 512.827.0060 (24/7) SAPA

ERA Sunburst Realty — sunburstrealty.com Haywood Properties — haywoodproperties.com • Steve Cox — info@haywoodproperties.com

ONLINE MILLIONAIRE’S Secrets Revealed! The internet has made thousands of millionaires!

Learn their secrets. FREE info at www.revealall.info or 1.305.515.6884.

SAPA

Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Ron Kwiatkowski — ronk.kwrealty.com

EMPLOYMENT HEAD START FAMILY SERVICE WORKER Haywood County- Must have an AA in Early Childhood Education, prefer BS/Early Childhood or related field, good record keeping/paperwork experience preferred. This position requires good time management, good judgment and problem solving skills and the ability to work well with diverse families, community partners, children and co-workers. This is a 10 month position with full time benefits.

Applications will be taken at Mountain Projects, 2251 Old Balsam Rd, Waynesville 28786, 25 Schulman St, Sylva 28779 or you may go to our website www.mountainprojects.org and fill out an application.

Pre-employment drug testing required. EOE/AA. 25 DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Become a driver for Stevens Transport! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! New drivers earn $800+ per week!

PAID CDL TRAINING! Stevens covers all costs! 1.888.748.4137. drive4stevens.com

Mountain Home Properties — mountaindream.com

EMPLOYMENT

• Sammie Powell — smokiesproperty.com

Main Street Realty — mainstreetrealty.net

www.smokymountainnews.com

Feburary 4-10, 2015

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management • Bruce McGovern — shamrock13.com

$1,000 WEEKLY!!

Mailing Brochures From Home.

Helping home workers since 2001.

Genuine Opportunity. NO Experience Required. Start Immediately. www.MailingMembers.com SAPA

AVIATION GRADS Work With JetBlue, Boeing, NASA And Others. Start Here With Hands On Training For FAA Certification.

Financial Aid If Qualified. Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 WWW.FIXJETS.COM. SAPA

Emerson Group • George Escaravage — gke333@gmail.com

FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following position: Computer Programming Instructor (10-month Contract). For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com . Human Resources Office. Phone: 910.678.8378. Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu. CRC Preferred Employer. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

DRIVERS: New Equipment Just Arrived. New Year - New Opportunities. Want Better Pay? Better Home-Time? & Compensation?? CDL-A 1yr. Exp. 877.704.3773 ATTN: Drivers-$2K Sign-on Bonus Keep your Motor Running in New KW $55 per/yr! Quality Home Time Free Health Clinics CDL-A Req 1.888.592.4752. www.addrivers.com SAPA PARALEGAL NEEDED FOR ESTATES TEAM In law office in Waynesville, NC. Full time in office (No telecommuters please). Probate, court accountings, trust administration, incompetency proceedings, adult guardianships, as well as wills, trusts, complex estate planning. Accounting experience helpful. Ability to work as team and good client skills important.

Must be comfortable learning new software. Apply by sending Cover Letter and Resume to: apply@wenzellawfirm.com

EMPLOYMENT MCH HAS POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN JACKSON COUNTY Job responsibilities include training persons with developmental disabilities to become more independent. Must be mentally and emotionally able to work with persons with disabilities. You should be able to lift, push, pull without restrictions while assisting non ambulatory or otherwise physically impaired persons. Excellent benefit package. Pay starts at $9.00/hr and increases to $11.00/hr the first pay period following a brief trial period. Paid twice a month. Must be at least 21 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalency. Must have a clean driving record and may be subject to a national background check and fingerprinting. Pick up a job description and application at 909 Lake Emory Road, Franklin, NC between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday. MCH is a drug-free work place. Go to: maconcitizens.org for available positions.

MONEY FOR SCHOOLPotentially get full tuition & great career with U.S. Navy. Paid training, medical/dental, vacation. HS grads ages 17-34. Call Mon-Fri 800.662.7419 CLASS A CDL DRIVER WANTED: OTR, Regional & Dedicated. $3,000 sign on Bonus! Weekly average take home is $2,100. Can send proof of actual driver pay. Call TODAY: 1.877.600.5995 (Not valid in FL) SAPA

Prudential Lifestyle Realty — vistasofwestfield.com Realty World Heritage Realty realtyworldheritage.com • Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766 • Martha Sawyer realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7769 • Linda Wester realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7771

Job Opportunity

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty • • • • • • •

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Brian K. Noland — brianknoland.com Mieko Thomson — ncsmokies.com The Morris Team — maggievalleyproperty.com The Real Team — the-real-team.com Ron Breese — ronbreese.com Dan Womack — womackdan@aol.com Catherine Proben — cp@catherineproben.com

Do you love reading Smoky Mountain Living? Want to be a part of our family by selling advertising for the magazine? Smoky Mountain Living is seeking an independent, outgoing, self-motivated person to help grow our customer base. You may work from home.

Sales territory would be the mountains of North Carolina/South Carolina and/or eastern Tennessee.

The Seller’s Agency — listwithphil.com • Phil Ferguson — philferguson@bellsouth.net 278-73

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 44

EMPLOYMENT

828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com

Please send all resumés to hylah@smliv.com

BROWNSTONE A HAPPY, EASYGOING AND VERY FUN DOG. HE LOOKS LIKE A MEDIUM-SIZED REDBONE MIX WITH A DEEP REDDISH BROWN, SOFT COAT AND SOULFUL, BEAUTIFUL EYES.

NICKY A 6 MONTH OLD, VERY HANDSOME BOY WITH GORGEOUS GREEN EYES! HE ENJOYS BEING HELD - WE THINK HE REALLY ENJOYED HIS PHOTO SESSION AND IS HOPING TO BECOME FAMOUS.

EMPLOYMENT

ADVERTISE YOUR TRUCK DRIVER Job in 96 N.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 3.5 million readers. Call this newspaper or NCPS, 919.516.8009.

HIRING OTR PROFESSIONALS Who want Consistent Milesaverage 2,800+; consistent payaverage $51,400 per year; 2012 or newer trucks; call Fischer Trucking today at 1.800.486.8660.

JOIN OUR TEAM! Guaranteed pay for Class A CDL Flatbed Drivers! Regional and OTR. Great pay/benefits/401k match.

CALL TODAY 864.649.2063. www.jgr-inc.com EOE CAN YOU DIG IT? Heavy Equipment Operator Training! 3 Week Program. Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement Assistance with National Certifications. VA Benefits Eligible! 866.288.6896

FINANCIAL BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

SAPA SOCIAL SECURITY Disability Benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1.800.371.1734 to start your application today!

FURNITURE COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

PETS HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

BULLFROG STORAGE

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination� Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on an equal opportunity basis.

Convenient Location 19/23 Between Clyde and Canton

LAND WANTED TO BUY Prevent Unwanted Litters!

The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10.

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

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CROSSWORD

RISING TO THE DEBATE

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64 Rock blaster

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79 Big Red, e.g.

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116 Genetic ID 117 Actor Liotta 118 Swelled head

answers on page 42

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Answers on Page 42

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

The bizarro world of plan revision

T

he Haywood County Board of Commissioners decided that today (Feb. 2) was the day they would boldly venture into the world of Forest Plan Revision. They did this by unanimously passing a “non-binding� resolution, which had been publicly vetted — oh, wait there was no public comment unless you count the informal poll among board members where they asked each other if they had been approached by citizens regarding the Forest Service (FS) plan revision. This resolution, titled “Resolution in Opposition to Pisgah National Forest Land Management Plan Revision� miraculously manages to simultaneously oppose and support almost every stakeholder issue surrounding the current, federally mandated Nantahala/Pisgah Plan Revision process currently underway.

The first “whereas� decries the FS’s proposal to reduce the number of management areas from 21 to 16, which commissioners somehow equate with “less forest management,� which, in turn according to following whereases, “will negatively impact future search and rescue efforts, and increase their

frequency, difficulty and cost, by limiting necessary maintenance to roadways and trails, and reducing necessary signage; and ‌ negatively impact recreational uses, therefore impacting tourism and the local economy.�

I am reminded of the guy who wanted his pizza cut into six pieces because he didn’t think he could eat eight. The plan, or at least the draft plan that the title of the resolution implies commissioners — speaking on behalf of Haywood County — oppose because it reduces the slices of pizza, is the same plan that increases the number of acres across the national forests that would be open to “management,� aka timber harvesting, by 200,000 acres. So they are opposed to the plan based on the assumption that adding 200,000 acres to the timber harvest base will ultimately result in “less forest management?�

But the “Be it resolved� at the end of this strangely worded resolution may hold the key to it’s intent: “Now therefore, be it resolved that the Haywood County Board of Commissioners do hereby stand in opposition to any additional wilderness/designated areas where land management practices are reduced within Haywood County.� Ah, so that’s what this is about — wilderness areas in the national forests. And why

Shining Rock Wilderness.

Donated photo

shouldn’t a county that generated more than $155 million in tourist spending in 2013 be concerned about un-managed wilderness areas. After all, they stated in their resolution that, “less forest management will negatively impact recreational uses, therefore impacting tourism and the local economy.�

That being the case, it’s easy to see that commissioners certainly wouldn’t want any more areas like Shining Rock Wilderness — the largest, most visited wilderness area in the Nantahala/Pisgah complex, which sees more than 50,000 visitors annually according to a report from 2001. It is, as the King of Siam would say, a puzzlement.

You Are!

February 4-10, 2015

Whoo‌Who’s ready to enroll?

But seriously, I hope and believe the commissioners of Haywood County have the best interest of the county and the desires of their constituents at heart. And in that spirit, I believe they owe it to themselves and their constituents to learn as much as they can about the Nantahala/Pisgah Plan Revision and to consult with their constituents before unanimously proclaiming that Haywood County is in opposition to the, â€œâ€Ś Pisgah National Forest Land Management Plan Revision.â€?

(Don Hendershot is a naturalist and a writer. He can be reached at ddihen1@bellsouth.net.)

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February 4-10, 2015

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