Sweet treats, sassy shows & decadent dinners
Volume
22
/ Issue 29
Cover Design Credit:
Scott Southwick; Cover illustration by Norn Cutson
With Valentine’s Day in mind, Xpress explores our collective love for the specialty shops that help make Asheville and environs unique. Plus a plethora of Valentine’s Day events and help with thinking outside the (heart-shaped) box of dinner for two.
arts
Smart bets: Callaghan and Erick Baker
The singer-songwriters' unlikely paths into the industry meet at The Altamont Theatre, where both will play a set on Friday, Feb. 19.Local libraries and booksellers encourage the adult coloring book trend
Coloring intricate designs is helping adults unplug from daily life relieve anxieties, but calling the activity "art therapy" isn't quite accurate.Smart bets: Ed Tarkington
The Nashville-based author presents his debut novel Only Love Can Break Your Heart at Malaprop's on Wednesday, Feb. 17Men at Work’s Colin Hay brings his solo tour to Asheville
Colin Hay fronted Australian pop-rock band Men at Work during the '80s. His latest record, Next Year People, is his 12th solo album. Hay brings his warm and textured musical…Smart bets: Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Lower Dens opens for the band at The Orange Peel on Saturday, Feb. 14.A weekend’s worth of Valentine’s Day celebrations
From partner yoga to an adult prom and from self-love workshops to chocolate decadence, there's something for every kind of Valentine.Smart bets: Mummenschanz
Diana Wortham Theatre hosts the all-ages whimsical mime show on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m.food
Beer Scout: Asheville Brewers Alliance hosts a different breed of beer festival
The Asheville Brewers Alliance's upcoming AVL Beer Expo is aimed at giving attendees an educational craft beer festival by limiting attendance and holding informational panels. Meanwhile, Hi-Wire Brewing is getting…Outside the heart-shaped box: A tasty Valentine’s Day beyond dinner for two
Asheville-area restaurants, breweries, bakeries and wineries are dreaming up Valentine's Day offerings to satisfy a smorgasbord of sensibilities and budgets.Back of house: Clingman Café turns the page
Clingman Café's new mother and daughter owners will feature more homemade baked goods while keeping customer favorites.Small bites: Luella’s opens second location in South Asheville
Luella's Bar-B-Que will duplicate its pork-purveying efforts with a new location in Biltmore Park; Asheville Wine & Food Festival has announced its first Asheville Cocktail Week; Local Provisions is serving…living
Horse sense: Acclaimed author explores animal consciousness
Early humans knew that animals have emotions and cognitive abilities; today, most people just don’t see it, says award-winning ecologist Carl Safina. The Stony Brook University professor is the author…Soundbarre Studio’s boot camp balances workouts with healthier diets
Anne Livengood, Avena Joyce and Katie Jennings-Campbell have designed an eight-week boot camp that sets a goal of three to four classes a week for participants and engages local chefs…movies
Screen scene: Local film news
Free screenings at UNC Asheville, Mars Hill and the West Asheville Library, plus the Boone Film Festival extends its submission deadline.news
Local businesses drive Asheville vibe
Walk any downtown Asheville street and you’re likely to encounter some quirky storefronts offering unusual products. Together, these “specialty shops” or boutiques, most of them locally owned businesses, are a…Nurturing the workforce: City program helps local students target college, careers
A city initiative is sending 100 percent of its members to college, including many first generation college students. The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy's goal is to provide real…Asheville on Bikes rolls out Bike Love 2016
Who knew that heartbreak could be so good for the local cycling scene? Back in 2005, bike advocacy helped Mike Sule distract himself from the heartache of a tough breakup.…Conscious party: Sweethearts Supper, Songs and Silent Auction
Proceeds from the upcoming pre-Valentine's Day dinner will support Youth Transformed for Life, an organization promoting self-improvement and personal responsibility among disadvantaged teens.opinion
Letter writer: Beach-Ferrara’s listening skills will serve her as commissioner
"She has a strong background in working with underserved communities, and we believe this needs to be strengthened with the commissioners."Letter writer: New Mexico program helps homeless with jobs
"There are better ways to handle this problem, and one is already being tried in Albuquerque, N.M., under the mayorship of Richard Berry, appropriately called the Better Way program."Letter writer: Thanks for Give Local effort that raised money for local nonprofits
"What was refreshing about this giving initiative was the local flavor. The nonprofits that were chosen all do their work locally and are not supported by national charities."Letter writer: Brother Wolf Animal Rescue came through in time of need
"It is my feeling that any support that we citizens and our government can give to organizations such as Brother Wolf is an investment well worth making with incalculable returns."Letter writer: Health Department may be needed for neighborhood trash problem
"One of the primary responsibilities of health departments is to prevent the spread of communicable diseases."New local cartoon character idea #32
Make ‘Carolina in my Mind’ N.C.’s official rock song
"So where is North Carolina's official rock song? It’s staring us right in the face! This beloved tune was written and performed by a talent that was sharpened and informed…Letter writer: Housing offers homeless the opportunity to stabilize
"While some people choose to be homeless and some people choose to manipulate the system, a lot of people are truly stuck in homelessness and need assistance getting out."Letter writer: Hall Fletcher school restructuring needs more thought
"Hall Fletcher is making progress that, several years ago, no one thought possible. Rather than breaking that up, let’s include its innovative, out-of-the-box thinkers in finding a solution."