Browse Other Issues December 2011: Archived Issue

What Are You Doing for New Year's Eve?

If you live around Asheville, your possibilities to bring in the New Year are bountiful. Here are few ways you can say goodbye to 2011 and welcome in 2012. This venue celebrates its one-year anniversary and the New Year with a big bash ... read more

Peter Pollay: A Passion for Well-Being

For Peter Pollay, executive chef and owner of Posana Cafe, passion is more than a feeling — it’s a way of life. In fact, it is the very thing that drives Peter, in his personal life and in the Asheville community. That passion follows Peter wherever he goes. He can now look at ... read more

Asheville Choral Society Warms the Season with “Winterfest

Asheville Choral Society: “Winterfest"

On the weekend of December 3-4 the Asheville Choral Society kicked off its 35th season with “Winterfest: Songs for the Season,” a collection of holiday music both classic and recent and hailing from near and far. Exceeding 100 members in the choir loft ... read more

Beirut and Perfume Genius: a Yen and Yang Tour

The fact that it was a dreary Monday did not deter fans, predominantly under 30, from packing The Orange Peel in downtown Asheville to hear the horn-infused sounds of indie band Beirut. Opening the show was Perfume Genius, on the road with ... read more

Gabriela Knox Exhibits at UNCA

“Absence as Presence,” a new exhibition of black-and-white photographs by UNC Asheville senior Gabriela Knox, is on display through December 17 at the Highsmith University Union Gallery on campus. This BFA senior exhibition is free and open to the ... read more

Bombs Away Cabaret Offers One-Night-Only Show

Bombs Away Cabaret, Asheville’s cabaret and burlesque collaborative, is excited to announce its next venture: Get Some Faerie Tail.. All material featured in the December 30 shows will be original. This fairytale-themed revue show promises ... read more

Vertigo Jazz Project Headlines Local New Year's Eve Bash

Vertigo Jazz Project: Local New Year's Eve Bash

For those looking to bring in the New Year with a certain jazzy flair, you might be interested in a masquerade party being held at MoDaddy's in downtown Asheville. Two local bands will entertain revelers beginning at 9:30 p.m. Based in Asheville, One Leg Up opens ... read more

Justin Blowers

A cathedral restoration business opened up just down the street from where Justin Blowers and his family lived on Cape Cod. “They had a sign out front: Hiring Stone Carvers,” said Justin Blowers, explaining how he started his career. “I hadn’t even been aware that was still available as a job in America.” He was 20 years old at the time and uncertain as to a career path. “Keep in mind, Cape Cod is made almost entirely of sand. There are no stone quarries. There are no cathedrals. It seemed so out of place, and so ... read full article

Find Chocolate Gems on Broadway

When Andrew and Susan Chisholm were sailing around the globe several years ago, the thought of owning a chocolate shop in Asheville never crossed their minds. Since September, though, that’s exactly where the couple have found harbor ... read more

Grand Bohemian Exhibits Works by Asheville's Stuart Roper

Grand Bohemian Exhibits Works by Stuart Roper

Asheville's own Stuart Roper is featured in an exhibit at the Grand Bohemian Gallery located in the Grand Bohemian Hotel at 11 Boston Way in Asheville. An artist reception was held on December 3 and the exhibition runs through January 30 ... read more

Asheville Music Hall Fuels Music Scene

[Sam Katz and Katherine Powell (known to her friends as KP) believe they have a good handle on the area music scene. Operating Geniass Productions, which has booked bands around town and functions as an artist management company, Sam and KP ... read more

Foster the People

We celebrate a lot of different people in this country: athletes, entertainers, business tycoons—essentially the rich and famous. Carolyn Ashworth, development officer of Asheville’s Eliada Foundation, says that foster families are the real heroes ... read more

Make Your Own Mardi Gras Mask

Already thinking about attending a Mardi Gras event? Leather artist Karl Boyer will teach students to make an embellished leather mask in a workshop January 28, 2012, at the Tryon Arts and Crafts School. Karl is also teaching a Fundamentals of Leather Carving Class on Thursday evenings 6–9 p.m., January 6-February 9. Karl began doing leatherwork in ... read more

Julie Armbruster Illustrates a New World

In a familiar tale to many of us who live in Western North Carolina, Julie Armbruster found herself charmed by Asheville on a visit several years ago. Originally from New Jersey, she fell in love with the geography and the residents. “The people were just so friendly,” Julie says. She had just received her Masters of Art in Studio Art from New York University and ... read more

Fontana Village Resort Offers New Year's Bash

Fontana Village Resort is putting the final details in place for its annual New Year's Eve celebration in the Smokies. The 2011 New Year’s Eve Bash includes a dinner party by Chef Carl Eklund in the Mountview Restaurant, a party with live music featuring the Caribbean Cowboys at the Fontana Events Hall, and Fireworks on the Village Green to ring in the New Year ... read more

Grown-Up Christmas Wishes for WNC

Western North Carolina is a special location. Asheville and the surrounding areas have been mentioned on numerous lists of best small cities, best art towns, best outdoors towns, and most beautiful places. In fact, just this year Asheville was named by ABC’s Good Morning America as the most beautiful place in America. With all the many blessings we have bestowed ... read more

Una Barret Creates Relics of a New Age

Young, creative, energetic, and attractive with a bit of a punk edge, Una Barrett exemplifies the artistic energy that flows through Asheville. She shares a studio in the Wedge building in the River Arts District with friend and fellow artist Julie Armbruster. The tagline for Una’s business, Relics of a New Age, says that she makes new creations from past inspirations. Today Una is a ... read more

Asheville Gets Greener With EV Charging Stations

The cool, cloudy day may not have been the best backdrop to talk about solar energy but the press conference December 9 to introduce North Carolina’s first solar power generated charging station for electric vehicles offered a ray of sunshine and a look into the future for all those who attended. The new Brightfield Charging Station is located at the Asheville City Public Works ... read more

Local Butternut Squash Soup

November was winter squash month in ASAP’s Get Local initiative. But varieties from Acorn to Butternut to Delicata are still around at area farmers markets and groceries now. Pick up local Butternut for the delicious warming fall/winter soup recipe below. Also find local winter squash on the menus of area restaurants this season. For a list of participating Get Local eateries ... read more

The Cross ResidenceIt was a cold February morning in 2010 as the Cross family hustled about their morning chores much like any other Friday. Stan, his wife Tara, and their children Hollis and Sophia had lived in the 1950s prefab home in Swannanoa for six years. When they left that morning for read more
Swing Of ThingsMany golfers (at all levels of play) have suffered over the years with the putting phase of their games— putting. Even some pros have agonized over what should be the simplest task. Now there seems to be a solution that’s being embraced by more and more read more

Communities Judaculla RockPosted On 12.01.2011
Lifestyle Bird FeedingPosted On 12.01.2011
Lifestyle WNC HolidaysPosted On 12.01.2011
Communities Goodwill: Nortwest North CarolinaPosted On 12.01.2011
Lifestyle Outside The BoxPosted On 12.01.2011

Arts A Month of Giving From Constance Williams Gallery ArtistsPosted On 12.01.2011
Communities Riverlink: Mr. Green: A River PioneerPosted On 12.01.2011
Lifestyle The Gift Of Homemade WinePosted On 12.01.2011
Communities Enjoy the Spirit of Giving This DecemberPosted On 12.01.2011
Communities Asheville-Based Card Company Inspires Global ConnectionPosted On 12.01.2011

Learn to Create Velvet in Tryon

Dévoré, from the French devourer, meaning to devour or destroy, is a process in which the cellulose part of a composite fabric is eaten away. In the workshop, students will etch their own designs into silk/rayon velvet, and then use a combination of dyeing and dye discharging to color the velvet ... read more

Take the New Year's Train

If you're looking for a different way to bring in the New Year, the Great Smoky Mountains railroad has a suggestion. Bid farewell to 2011 by rolling along the railroad tracks while dancing the night away ... read more

Twas the Bus Before Christmas

Christmas is almost upon us so LaZoom and ZaPow have teamed up for a memorable last-minute occasion in the heart of Asheville ... read more

The Writers' Workshop Offers New DVD

The Writers' Workshop of Asheville has been working since 1985 to provide programs that educate and nurture writers and readers of all ages and backgrounds. In that time, Kurt Vonnegut, John Le Carre, E.L. Doctorow, Peter Matthiessen and other notable authors have given benefit readings and discussions for The Writers’ Workshop. Now those talks are on DVD ... read more

AIR Offers December Discounts for Passport

Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR) is offering a special promotion during the month of December for its popular dining Passport, which is a coupon booklet representing more than $1,000 in dining savings ... read more

Connecting Art and Community

The Asheville Community Design Lab (ACDL) is devoted to programming focused on art and design for community change. In an effort to spread the word of its mission to the pubic, ACDL is hosting an open house December 7 3-5:30 p.m. at the Randolf School, located at 90 Montford Avenue ... read more

UNCA Offers New BFA Senior Exhibition

A new exhibition, combining light, glass, metal, ceramic slip, ivory chiffon, and performance art, opens December 9 in the S. Tucker Cooke Gallery in UNC Asheville’s Owen Hall. “Reflections on Lunations: An Allegorical Exploration into Ancient Calendation” is the BFA Senior Exhibition by Rebecca vonSeldeneck-Houser ... read more

Montford Tour of Homes: Asheville’s Oldest Neighborhood

Begin the holiday season with the 16th Annual Montford Home Tour scheduled Saturday, December 10, from 1–5 p.m. Explore Asheville’s oldest, most historic neighborhood comprised of Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Greek Revival, and Dutch Colonial homes built between the 1890s and 1920s ... read more

84th Annual Holiday Greens Market is December 3 & 10

The French Broad River Garden Club Foundation will host its 84th annual Christmas Greens Market December 3 and 10 from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Clems Cabin, 1000 Hendersonville Road. Area vendors will offer handmade wreaths, roping and table décor, as well as handturned wooden bowls, unique ornaments, gifts, homemade jams, jellies, baked goods, and gingerbread houses. There will be fresh cut Christmas trees available for pick up or delivery ... read more

American Folk Art & Frame Celebrates a Season of Giving

Throughout the month of December, American Folk Art & Frame, 64 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville, celebrates the holiday season with an exhibit of functional pottery to give and use. Included are delightful face jugs, clay baking dishes, mugs, teapots, and more, all made by celebrated regional potters who still use hand-dug clay (known as “wild clay”) ... read more

Brevard Christmas Twilight Tour Sees Daylight

A holiday tradition in Brevard for nearly a quarter of a century, the Twilight Tour moves to daylight hours this year. The day kicks off December 3 at 11 a.m. with the Rosman Middle School/Rosman High School Chorus performing at the courthouse gazebo. Additional entertainment at the gazebo will include the Turning Pointe School of Dance at noon and the Brevard Elementary ... read more

Mimi Strang Studio Collective to Hold 8th Annual Holiday Sale

The Mimi Strang Studio Collective, 15A Domino Lane (located in the red building behind Harvest Records) in West Asheville, is holding its eighth annual holiday sale from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on December 10. This popular end-of-the-year studio sale features several invited guest artists. Exhibiting along with Mimi are Simone Wilson, Lou Anne Jordan, Stacey Budge-Kamison (of UrbanGypZ), Susan McBride, Leslie Fay, and Terry Taylor ... read more

Haywood County Arts Council: Small Art for a Small Price

The fourth annual small works show—It’s a Small, Small Work 2011—runs through the end of the year at the Haywood County Arts Council’s Gallery 86 in Waynesville. Artists (this year, the number has grown to 115) with works in the show represent nearly all the counties in Western North Carolina ... read more

Annual Holiday Sale: Madison County Arts Council

Browse and shop all three floors of locally made, handcrafted, organically grown, ecologically balanced, karmically pure, high in fiber, low in fat, sweet and gentle, bold and sassy art and craft from Madison County Arts Council member artists ... read more

Flutist Kate Steinbeck to Perform at Grovewood Gallery

Internationally known flutist Kate Steinbeck will perform at Grovewood Gallery, 111 Grovewood Road in Asheville, on Saturday, December 10, from 6–7 p.m. Kate will be playing on a modern wooden flute manufactured by her husband, Chris Abell of the Abell Flute Company ... read more

John McCutcheon: Folk Music Renaissance Man

John McCutcheon is a master instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, storyteller, activist, and author. He will be appearing at Mountain Spirit Coffeehouse at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 4 ... read more

Dickens Festival in Historic Biltmore Village Set for December 2–4

There will be free entertainment with merriment, music, and memories for every age and interest at the 23rd Annual Dickens Christmas Festival on December 2–4 in the historic Biltmore Village. Musicians, choral groups, singers, dancers, and the Montford Park Players will perform throughout the weekend on the main stage ... read more