Pam Bunch

NY Times Chief Washington Correspondent and author, David Sanger, has followed up his first work on President Obama, "The Inheritance" which came out about three years ago. In this book,  Sanger describes how Obama has had to adapt to deal with a world on fire - first dealing with the two wars he inherited - while trying to do something about economic recession at home, and the ramp-up of Iran's race for nuclear weapons. This eye-opening book is as exciting and thrilling as a good spy movie. But truth is stranger than fiction.

About a year ago, the health departments and hospitals in 16 Western North Carolina counties got together and developed a regional initiative called WNC Healthy Impact. Last week, Pam Bunch spoke with Buncombe County Health Department Director, Gibbie Harris, about this group that is only one of a few such regional health initiatives in the country.  They talked about it's importance and what it can mean for the areas covered. 

www.wnchn.org

Hate crimes, bullying, racism, and hate-based organizations still routinely make the headlines.

Charles Ferguson was nominated for an Oscar for his first documentary about the war in Iraq, called 'No End In Sight'.  In 2011, he won an Oscar for his documentary, 'Inside Job', about the financial crisis that struck the country and nearly brought down our entire financial industry.

There is currently a great deal of controversy over a book that some consider to be so trashy it shouldn't be on library shelves.  Pam Bunch recently interviewed the author of a new book that is really trashy.

Jeanne Robertson was crowned Miss North Carolina in 1963, and the 6-foot-2-inch humorist is proud to say that no one has milked the title more. For nearly 50 years, she has made her living telling true stories that really make people laugh. Recently, Stina Sieg spoke with Robertson, who will be featured at Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9. The show is a fundraiser for the United Way of Haywood County and the Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center.  

EcoCar2: Plugging into the Future is a competition featuring 15 university teams from across the United States who are working to re-engineer a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu to get even better gas mileage.

May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and although the month is nearly over, for those with asthma or allergies, the suffering may be just getting started. Pam Bunch recently interviewed Patti Brown of the Cardio-Pulmonary Department at Rutherford Regional Hospital about the differences between these two conditions, the signs to watch for and when it's time to check with your physician about handling your asthma and/or allergies.

ASAP's Farm to School Program is a part of a national program, which began as a way to connect local farmers and local schools by getting students involved in not only learning about where food comes from, but also introducing them to the taste and importance of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet.

Emily Jackson, Executive Director of ASAP's Farm to School Program talks about the program and how to get your school involved.

Find out more at www.FarmToSchool.org.

There are gardeners who instinctively seem to know exactly what each plant needs and their gardens thrive; there are gardeners who dream of having a thriving garden, but just don't seem to be able to get there. Then, there are the anxious gardeners who never know what a plant will do and are constantly watching and worrying.  Gardener and author, Teri Dunn Chace, says she wrote this simple book to answer the most often asked questions about gardening, and the most often made mistakes and how they can be fixed. For anyone who loves to garden, this discussion is fun and informative.