News

The Southern Appalachian Highland Conservancy has protected 50,000 acres in North Carolina and Tennessee over the course of 38 years. Pam Bunch talks to Executive Director Carl Silverstein about the challenges of saving resources of Western North Carolina, working to conserve the Highlands of Roan, Mt. Mitchell and farmland as well. On Thursday, May 17, SAHC will celebrate this 50,000 milestone with a special event at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville.

Find out more at www.Appalachian.org.

Stina Sieg recently spoke to Bay Area performer Evangeline Crittenden, who will bring her one-woman show, "Chrysalis: A Solo Tragicomedy in One Act," to Asheville Community Theatre's Black Box Theater at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17. Crittenden is currently on an East Coast tour of her show, which was recently accepted into the New York International Fringe Festival. "Chrysalis" is performance at the crossroads of grief and growing up. Through music, stories, movement, puppetry and chocolate cake, writer and performer Crittenden leads the way towards optimism in the face of loss

Last week I spoke with members of the GroWNC Consortium, and found out that this project - now in it's 14th month of work - was formed thanks to Federal grant. The purpose of GroWNC is to look into the future of a five-county section of Western North Carolina and to create a plan- or a footprint - for a plan to grow the area's economies, governments, schools, small businesses, residents' lifestyles, and opportunities.

On North Carolina's all-important primary day, it's a conversation with a highly acclaimed, Manhattan-based acting coach about her new book, "Acting Lions."  Templeton helps us to have fun with politics by discussing some lessons that prominent politicians could use that might help them to perform better on the election trail, and help voters tell whether our politicians are being honest with us.  Go to http://pennytempletonstudio.com to download a free chapter of Acting Lions.

This features Warren Haynes, Taj Mahal, Roseanne Cash, and the late Levon Helm.  Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/ToastToFreedom

Beginning Monday, April 30th through Monday, May 7th, WNCW presents a series of special interviews with each of the candidates in the North Carolina primary for Governor. Each candidate - Democratic and Republican - was asked the same three questions; each was given the same amount of time to answer them and to talk a little about themselves. These interviews will run during Morning Edition - two a day - at 7:50 and 8:50 am, leading up to the day before the May 8th primary.

WNCW celebrates Merlefest this week, in its 25th year honoring Merle Watson.  Tune in to our WSIF 90.9 live broadcast if you're there!

This special day of information and encouragement for those living with Parkinson's or MS is Saturday, April 28. Lisa Cox, a Parkinson's patient and volunteer for GHS, talks about the importance of more people being aware of the symptoms of these chronic diseases. She also talks about the fact that being diagnosed with either is not a death sentence.

Learn more at www.GHS.org.