Pam Bunch

Open Hearts Art Center is one of the most quiet organizations in Asheville. The fact that I had never heard of it before I was contacted about doing a story on the organization is no real surprise.  Sometimes when I get going in one direction, I miss everything that happens around me.  But it seems I'm not the only person who hasn't heard about Open Hearts and all of the wonderful, exciting things these folks do for 'differently-abled' adults from ages 18 to 70-something.

What do you think of when you see a pit bull?  Do you watch him carefully - whether he's on a leash or not?  Are you afraid he could attack at any moment? Unfortunately, that's the reaction most people have when they see or even hear about a pit bull.  Fortunately for Wallace not everyone feels that way, like author Jim Gorant, who heard about Wallace and just had to write his story.

Here in Western North Carolina, the Piedmont and into South Carolina, there is no shortage of high-quality entertainment in a wide variety and to suit every taste - from children to adults. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll touch base with three organizations in order to give a cross-section of what is available for those in search of a good night out....or an afternoon out...or a morning, out for that matter. The first of these sources of great entertainment is the Performing Arts Center right here on the campus of Isothermal Community College.

  Are you a procrastinator? Do you feel like you can never get anything done because you're constantly side-tracked by the one-million and one things you need to do in any given day? If so, 'The Art of Procrastination: A Guide to Effective Dawdling, Lollygagging and Postponing" may be just what you need.

The small community of Grahamtown is a community within a community - the traditional heart of the African American community in Rutherford County. Several world famous black Americans began their education in small black schools in the county from the end of the civil war to the end of segregation, not only in Rutherford County, but in thousands of small communities across the country.

Dr. David J. Boudreaux is a professor of economics and former chair of the Department of Economics at George Mason University. A regular columnist with The Wall Street Journal, Boudreaux reportedly writes about 400 letters to editors, journalists and producers at major media annually, disputing misreporting and intellectual dishonesty. Dr. Boudreaux also writes about the events of the day at his popular blog, Cafe' Hayek.

 Lake Lure, NC is just one of the many places in Western North Carolina that makes this such a special region of the state and the country.

 There you'll find Chimney Rock State Park and the ages old Chimney Rock for which it was named. You'll find a relatively new lake and a classic early 20th Century hotel.

 That hotel is also the place showcased in "Dirty Dancing".

  Those of us who live in Western North Carolina are very aware of the fact that one of the most amazing walking trails is right in our backyard. The Appalachian Trail is so convenient to the many devoted hikers in our region, that we tend to forget it isn't all just ours. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, however, is dedicated to the care of the Trail from one end to the other, in all of the states connected by it.

Disclaimer:  Due to Adult Language, this book is not recommended for children.

Jenny Lawson has been known to millions online and on Twitter as "The Bloggess".  But when she decides to break into "print" media, her chosen subject matter is her more-than-a-little strange upbringing.  With a father Lawson describes as completely crazy, and a mother who she later discovered was also crazy - just not as crazy as her father - Lawson says nobody has as insane a family as she does.

There was a time was when riding a bicycle meant going outside, hitting the kickstand with the back of your foot, swinging your leg over and taking off. You didn't need to buy expensive gear; you didn't need a huge number of gears; and you didn't have to ride miles and miles, just as fast as you could.