STUDIO TOURS Some of America’s top artists and craftspeople are living right here in Western North Carolina. Now is a great time to shop as they invite you into their studios. Weaverville artists INTERVIEW AND SCHEDULE ON PAGE 5 open their studios to the public November 7-8. PAGE 4 Jonas Gerard Head down to the River Arts District, November 14-15 to discover who’s making art in those industrial buildings. PAGE 32 Visit Mitchell and Yancey Claudia County artists Dunaway during the Toe River Studio Tour, December 4, 5 & 6. PAGE 33 Drew Barton (left), French Broad Brewmaster, and GET ON THE BUS! Chris Richards select malts for a LaZoom is Asheville’s only rolling new brew. PAGE 22 comedy tour bus. PAGE 18 Identity Theft Hits 5-Year High RAPID RIVER ARTS Leader in I.D. Theft Protection Strikes Back with Free Protection Offer for All TEMPE, ARIZONA – Identity theft has topped are enrolling more than one member,” said Todd participate the Federal Trade Commission’s list of consumer Davis, the CEO of LifeLock known for giving out complaints for the past eight years. his real Social Security number in advertising to Now, a stunning new survey shows a record 9.9 show his confidence in the service. “It’s that simple.” million Americans were victims of identity theft last Immediately upon enrollment, all LifeLock 4th Annual Christmas Ornament year – a shocking 22% increase over the prior year members are protected by LifeLock’s $1 Million – according to Javelin Strategy & Research. This Total Service Guarantee. news mirrors a just-released report from the Federal Competition and Fundraiser Trade Commission that cites a 21% increase in iden- Why should you protect your identity? Consider tity theft complaints during the same period. some of the Javelin survey’s specific findings: Call for Entries Ceremony is also a celebration of life and a Apparently, individual consumers are not the According to the survey, more than one in every To enter the competition each partici- tribute to the work of Hospice at the time of only ones at risk: a recent review cited by the Wall ten victims knew the person who stole their identity. pant must bring five non-perishable food death. It’s always a very special night where Street Journal reports that the cost of information The Javelin survey also revealed women are 26% items. Entries will accepted from November we celebrate good will and good deeds as we breaches to U.S. companies was also on the rise, more likely to be victims than men. The survey also with the average total per-incident cost in 2008 ris- 3 to November 28. support the important mission of our local named higher income consumers (households with Hospice of McDowell County. ing to $6.65 million*. combined incomes of $75,000 or more) to be at Contest Rules These studies send a clear message: in the wake Be sure to come out and see who wins higher risk. Latinos are 47% more likely to become Ornament must be handmade by the of the global economic crisis, identity theft is a big the competition. You’ll also be entertained by victims of new account theft, versus 32% of all vic- person that enters the contest. Any type of business. It’s up to consumers to take proactive steps local musicians during the awards ceremony. to protect themselves. tims. It’s important to point out that no one can stop material can be used to make your orna- That’s why for a limited time, LifeLock, the all identity theft, but what LifeLock doesn’t stop, Prizes they fix at their expense, up to $1 million. ment; use your imagination. Hand painted industry leader in identity theft protection, is offer- This year’s prizes will be gift cer- ing 30 days of guaranteed identity theft protection To get LifeLock free for 30 days during this ornaments will be accepted. Your ornament service at no cost. special offer, call 1-888-252-5862 for individual must be able to hang from a Christmas tree tificates good at any Pinwilz company “All you have to do is call 1-888-2525862 for an memberships, 1-888-261-1335 for multiple enroll- and include a hook or loop. including: TAAS Gallery, Pinwilz Beads, individual membership, or 1-888-261-1335 if you ments, and use promo code FREEMONTH. Voting Butterfly Blends Candles, or Catawba Vale Café. We’ll have a category for adults and a The public is invited to visit the display children’s category, and present 1st, 2nd and in TAAS Gallery between December 1 and 3rd place prizse for both categories. December 17 during regular business hours Prizes in the adult category: 1st place, and select the ornament that they think is $50 gift certificate; 2nd place, $25 gift cer- the best. Votes are $5 each. One hundred tificate; 3rd place, $5 gift certificate. Prizes percent of vote money collected goes to in the Children Age 6-12 category: 1st place, Hospice of McDowell County. $25 gift certificate; 2nd place, $15 gift cer- Your top selections will then go before tificate; 3rd place, $5 gift certificate. a panel of five distinguished judges who will select the winning ornaments. Enter Today! COCAF Awards Ceremony Entry forms are available at www.taasg. com or in TAAS Gallery, 48 East Main An awards ceremony will be held Street, Downtown Old Fort, NC. Phone Thursday, December 17 beginning at 7 “When I first learned about a “I’m a former chief of police of a (828) 668-1070 for more information. company called LifeLock that major city. I knew identity theft p.m. The TAAS Gallery COCAF Awards protects families from identity was a $50 billion a year business, theft, my husband was skeptical. and a prime focus of organized I signed us up anyway, and for- crime. But they got me anyway. got about it. A couple of months Even though I was a senior law later, on a family vacation, my enforcement official, it took weeks husband received a phone to clear my name. I decided: call asking if he was applying for a new credit card. never again. A reporter recommended LifeLock to me Heritage Alive! Mountain Someone was trying to steal his identity. LifeLock had and I tried them out. I’ve never had a problem since. I stopped the thief cold.” Kim Barnes highly recommend them to you.” Bobby Jo Harris Youth Talent Contest o be held November 19, the con- The test is a gift from the new Smoky Heritage Alive! Mountain Center for the Per- Mountain T forming Arts to the local regional Youth Talent children. This is also the fourth youth Contest offers talent show of the year for producer categories for Catch the Spirit of Appalachia (CSA). individuals or The primary goal of the Center for groups: instru- The McQuitty the Performing Arts, who has sponsored mental, vocal, Children the cash prizes and trophies, is to present dance, prose, various forms and styles of entertain- poetry and storytelling, for youth up to ment – comedic, musical, dramatic age 18. Deadline for entry is November – that showcase national, regional, and 10. Download the application today: local talent. spiritofappalachia.org, pick up an applica- tion at your local chamber of commerce, or call (828) 631-4587. Opportunities Heritage Alive! Mountain IF Youth Talent Contest, always look bigger YOU November 19, at 7 p.m. going than coming. GO Cost of the show is $5 a seat. The Smoky Mountain Center of the Perform- ing Arts is located in Franklin, just off Rapid River Magazine – Celebrating Our 1th Year! US Highway 441, next door to the Fun Rye Holler Boys Factory. Advertise with us, call (828) 646-0071 or visit www.rapidrivermagazine.com 2 November 2009 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — Vol. 13, No. 3 Vol. 13, No. 3 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — November 2009 RAPID RIVER ARTS we love this place Asheville International Children’s Film Festival ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE November 2-8 Films in this year’s festival will thrill young and adult audiences alike. The festival is a one-stop destination for the very best Established in 1997 • Volume Thirteen, Number Three in international children’s cinema including eye-popping animation, comedy, fairy tales, edge-of-your-seat adventure, and gripping docu- mentaries. View the full festival lineup at www.aicff.org. Admission NOVEMBER 2009 Performance to most festival programs is $4 for kids, $5 for adults. Visitors must 7 Keowee . 7 purchase tickets in advance to all screenings at the AICFF website or www.rapidrivermagazine.com by phone at 800-838-3006. George Winston . 7 Publisher/Editor: Dennis Ray Asheville Choral Society . 7 The Weaverville Art Safari and Preview Party Managing Editor: Beth Gossett The Weaverville Art Safari Preview Party will feature a silent auc- Marketing: Dennis Ray 8 Fine Art tion, door prizes and a cash bar. November 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Staff Photographer: Dennis Ray Doors of Asheville . 8 Reems Creek Golf Club, 36 Pink Fox Cove Road, Weaverville, NC. NC Living Treasures . 11 $10 at the door; $5 for additional door prize tickets. Layout & Design: Simone Bouyer Poetry Editor: Ted Olson River Arts Studio Stroll . 2 Free, self-guided studio tours on November 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Studios are Toe River Studio Tour . scattered throughout the Weaverville, Alexander, Barnardsville and the Reems Creek area. Proofreader: Mary Wilson Art Safari signs help direct visitors to all locations, and a map is included in Art Safari Accounting: Sharon Cole brochures.