About 15 miles from Asheville, North Carolina, smaller but equally energetic Black Mountain is ready for its day in the sun.

In a world of $20 burgers and $8 ice cream cones, Shady Glen stands as a delicious rebellion against overpriced mediocrity – proving that some things really do get better with age.

The new year is beginning with a rare alignment of Earth, moon and sun, but it might be difficult to catch each solar show in ...