City Lights bookstore will host Macon County resident Jim Staggers reading from his book, Messages To My Descendents: Please Fix Our Government, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, in Sylva.

A retired business CEO motivated by the Washington, D.C., gridlock, Staggers has been writing his “food for thought” solutions for seven years. He’s a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and attended Syracuse University.

To reserve a copy, call 828.586.9499.

Author Bob Plott will be the speaker for the Lake Junaluska Live and Learn Committee at 2 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Bethea Welcome Center.

The Story of the Plott Hound: Strike & Stay was published in 2007 and awarded the 2008 Willie Parker Peace N.C. Historical Literary Award. Plott will present a program that chronicles how five of these dogs survived the passage to America from Germany in 1750 with Bob’s ancestor, Johannes Plott, and in the ensuing years have become a breed that is now sought worldwide. This is a remarkable segment of canine history that has unfolded in our own backyard and that has resulted in the Plott hound’s being named as the state dog of North Carolina.  

800.222.4930

City Lights Bookstore will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit and character Bilbo’s birthday on Saturday, Sept. 22, in Sylva.

In anticipation of the December film release of the literary classic, City Lights Bookstore will have birthday cake and hobbit trivia. The audio edition of The Hobbit will also play in the store.  

828.586.9499.

Western North Carolina writer Gary Carden will present his play “Outlander” at 7 p.m., Sept. 25, at the Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City. Earlier in the day, this historical play about the work of Horace Kephart and the mountains of Western North Carolina will be performed in a school assembly for students of Swain County High School. 

The musical “Pump Boys and Dinettes” will start off the 2012-13 mainstage season, presented by the students and faculty of Western Carolina University’s School of Stage and Screen. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 through Sept. 29, plus a 3 p.m. matinee on Sept. 29, at Hoey Auditorium.

The fun takes place at a roadside filling station and diner along N.C. 57, where the Pump Boys sell gasoline and across the road Prudie and Rhetta Cupp run the Double Cupp Diner. “Pump Boys and Dinettes” will feature direction by Brenda Lilly, School of Stage and Screen faculty member; choreography by Karyn Tomczak, director of the dance program; and musical direction by guest artist Jan Powell.  

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and WCU faculty and staff, and $7 (in advance) and $10 (day of show) for students.

For more information, 828.227.7491. For tickets, 828.227.2479 or www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

Bryson City will host a community music jam from 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Marianna Black Library. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle or dulcimer (anything unplugged) is invited to join. Singers are also welcomed. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of Grampa’s Music in Bryson City. Normally, he starts by calling out a tune and its key signature and the group plays it together. Then everyone in the circle gets a chance to choose a song for the group to play together. The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn old-time mountain songs.

The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month.

“Rock the Square,” a vintage rock concert and street dance, will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 on the Town Square gazebo in downtown Franklin.

Multi-talented musician Dave Stewart will open the show with pop and folk tunes. At 7:30 p.m., C-Square & Company, with keyboardist Lionel Caynon, vocalists Bobbie and Mike Contino and saxophonist Chris Corbin join Stewart on the gazebo stage to perform pop and Motown hits from Elvis to The Everly Brothers, The Beatles to Billy Joel.

At 4 p.m Sept. 23, a double-bill concert will feature humorist/vocalist Cindy Miles and The McChoir Sisters. Versatile musician and laughter therapist Cindy Miles blends rib-tickling commentary and lighthearted music to engage, involve and delight audience members. The award-winning McChoir Sisters Trio, comprised of Margie Kellam, Kathy Kuhlman and Cathy Sill, perform Big Band era and classic pop standards.

Bring a lawn chair, family and friends.

828.524.7683 or visit www.artscouncilofmacon.org.

Acclaimed country artist Darryl Worley will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Western Carolina University’s School of Music will present a free faculty brass recital at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in the recital hall of Coulter Building.

The event, part of the Catamount Concert Series, will feature solo performances by Daniel Cherry (euphonium), Travis Bennett (horn), Michael Schallock (tuba) and Bradley Ulrich and Larry Black (trumpet). Cherry will be featured in Friedebald Grafe’s “Grand Concerto,” a Romantic-style piece originally written for trombone but suited for the tone quality, technical abilities and character of the euphonium.

Bennett will solo in Emmanuel Chabrier’s “Larghetto,” which was first performed in 1878 and originally written for horn and orchestra. Cast as the French horn equivalent of an operatic aria, “Larghetto” was discovered among the self-taught composer’s effects after his death. Schallock will be featured in Robert Jager’s “Concerto for Bass Tuba,” Ulrich in Paul Hindemith’s “Sonate” and Black in Johann Fasch’s “Concerto in D.” Bradley Martin, associate professor, will accompany the musicians on piano.

828.227.7242.

The fifth annual Youth Arts Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Green Energy Park in Dillsboro.

A cooperative effort between the Green Energy Park and Western Carolina University’s School of Art and Design, this year’s Youth Arts festival will feature painting, weaving and chalk art projects. Participants can also throw pots, do printmaking, clay hand-building, craft-making from recycled materials and parade with the famous GEP Trash Dragon. On the performance stage, there will be at least two bands and three dance troupes starting at 10 a.m.

www.jcgep.org/youth-arts.html, www.facebook.com/JCGEP, or call 828.631.0271.

“Journey Stories,” an exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution, will be on display at Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning on “Mountain Heritage Day” Sept. 29 and continuing through Nov. 9.

More than 30 artisans will demonstrate their craft at the upcoming Colorfest: Art & Taste of Appalachia from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 6 in Dillsboro.

In addition to the art demonstrations, local musicians/singers Ron Smith, Henry Queen, Pam Dengler, Keith Shuler, The Ross Brothers, Robin Whitley and Teresa Davis will perform.

There will also be food vendors along with beer and wine tastings. Vendors will include the Heinzelmannchen Brewery, Lake James Wineries, Cherokee Cellers, Carolina Pig Polish, Tarters Tasty Treats and Smoky Mountain Kettlecorn, among others.

800.962.1911 or www.visitdillsboro.org.

The Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association, an area kennel club, will host a three-day AKC Dog Agility Trial in the Great Smokies Arena at the Haywood County Fairgrounds on Sept. 21-23, 2012.

Classes will begin at 8 a.m. each day and will conclude at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Food concessions will be available for breakfast and lunch. Vendors will be on hand. No un-entered dogs.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.734.3184.

Craft demonstrations at Dogwood Crafters in Dillsboro this week include Anthony Cariveau, Linda Parrish, Jeri Buek and Joyce Lantz.

• 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 — Anthony Cariveau will demonstrate the medieval art of chain mail, used here in making jewelry instead of armor. Byzantine weave, box chain, Celtic knot are among the various types of weave used in making this wearable art.

• 1-3 p.m. Sept. 22 — Linda Parrish will demonstrate how to embellish notepads using a variety of paper art techniques.

• 1-2 p.m. Sept. 23 — Jeri Buek’s rescheduled date to demonstrate punch needlework. Her miniature punch needle embroidery captures the look of antique hooked rugs on a small scale, creating unique works of art. Buek will have materials available and will offer instruction and assistance and will be available for questions until 6 p.m.

• 2-4 p.m. Sept. 25 — Joyce Lantz will demonstrate the ancient art of pine needle basket weaving. Agile and deft hands are required to control the pine needles as the basket takes shape in this deceptively simple looking ancient craft.

Crafters will demonstrate their work and discuss their craft in the Gallery Room. These Dogwood Crafters have their works for sale at the shop. Dogwood Crafters is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with evening hours until 9 p.m. in October.

828.586.2248.

Headwaters Brewing Company will host a Cornhole Tournament to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Haywood County from 2-4:30 p.m. Sept. 29 in Waynesville.

Kevin Sandefur, owner of Headwaters Brewing, was a Big Brother and spent years matched one-on-one with a child. The child is now grown up and will be at the fundraising event.

Cost is $40 for a two-person team and must be at least 18 years of age to enter. A $100 grand prize will be given to the winner. There will also be a second and third place team prize, door prizes, free food donated by Coffee Cup Cafe, along with a 50/50 drawing, live entertainment and loads of fun. Big Brothers Big Sisters is also seeking local business sponsorship to help with the cause. Nathan Lowe of Waynesville is helping facilitate the event.

828.273.3601 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The second annual Smokin’ BBQ and Bluegrass Festival will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 29 at the Cold Mountain Corn Maize in Canton.

Activities include venturing through the corn maze, bluegrass music, clogging, and eating award-winning barbeque.

There will more than $800 in awards and cash prizes given to winners for the “Most Smokin’ Creation.” Everyone is encouraged to compete. Vendors are also needed. Admission is $10. Proceeds benefit the Good Samaritan Clinic of Haywood County. The event is sponsored by Rogers Express Lube and Tire, Seasonal Produce Farm, Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, Lowe’s, Ingles, Barkclad and 99.9 Kiss Country.

www.VisitNCSmokies or 828.279.6458.

The Waynesville Public Art Commission (WPAC) is currently seeking an artist for its fourth outdoor public art project.

To the Editor:

Carol Adams in her Letter to the Editor (SMN, Sept. 12) asserts that Obama’s record is “not a record he can be proud of.” What she sees as a record, others would see as a legacy of the Bush administration.

In January 2009, the job loss was the worst in 34 years, and by the next month, scarcely a month after Obama took office, unemployment was at 8.1 percent.

According to her, it was “7.8 percent then,” but she does not say when “then” was. When Romney was governor of Massachu-setts, job growth in that state rose 1.5 percent compared to a national average of 5.3 percent, placing Massachusetts 47th of 50 states in new job creation during Romney’s term. Not exactly a “record he can be proud of.”

As to Obama’s private sector work experience, he was an associate at two different law firms, and he was employed by the university of Chicago (a private university) as a lecturer from 1992-96 and a senior lecturer from 1996-2004. This seems a rather trivial argument, though.

Lynda Self

retired public sector teacher

Waynesville

To the Editor:

Mr. McLeod, instead of being upset over a Confederate flag flying in the South, perhaps you should actually be more upset about the following.

Slavery is not an exclusive club for blacks. Whites were slaves (not indentured servants) for a good 200 hundred years in America before blacks picked the first boll of cotton or planted or harvested tobacco. Why? Perhaps further research of the king’s records in the U.K. (or start with the state of Virginia) will explain why populating the colonies so quickly was important to the king. A hint for you: tax revenue for England?

If the Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence and wrote the U.S. Constitution for themselves and their descendents meant for the slaves in the southern states or northern states to be free, they would have freed them at this time. Why didn’t they ?

Why did all slaveships fly the flag of the United States? Why were the three largest ports for slaveships in 1860 in Philidelphia, New York City and Boston if this war was about slavery?

Why was the Morill Tarrif imposed on the South if the war was just about slavery? Why did the North pass the Corwin Amendment which would have allowed the seceding states to keep their slaves if they re-entered the Union and avoid war if the war was about slavery?

Lastly, why do public schools and colleges only teach half the truth today, that of the victors? This alone would make a thinking person suspicious and ask questions.

Billy E. Price

Ashville, Alabama

To the Editor:

Mark Twain once said “If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you are misinformed.” Unfortunately, it appears there is too much truth in this statement of humor. When the New York Times sends unpublished columns to the Obama Administration to be vetted, or when CNN’s Peter Hanby has a “donate to Obama” link on his Twitter account, you know objectivity has gone out the window.

 Gone too is individual creativity. It has been squelched in favor of collective thought as witnessed by the open mic at the press pool where reporters engaged in collusion around a single question to ask candidate Mitt Romney regarding our embassy breach and murder of our fellow citizens. Away from any responsibility in analysis of our current foreign policy, they chose instead to deflect and distract from performing their due diligence.

 The failures do not stop at the national level. All too often the local papers, which should represent broadly and fairly the community they serve, routinely dismiss any Op-Ed or press release from local residents who do not share their point of view or back up the narrative they are charged with putting forward. When was the last time you were able to read about a local Tea Party event or hear an opinion expressed by a resident Libertarian? If you were the gullible sort, you would believe only the Occupy Movement existed. Educated persons seek multiple opinions and sources in order to obtain the truth. Why does the media fear that so? Is it a personal interest they wish to protect?

 There is no shortage of news or reporters, only a desperate lack of journalism.

Ginny Jahrmarkt

Sapphire

To the Editor:

According to David Whitmire’s recent letters sent to the media in WNC, two pending bills for 2013-14 could have a damaging effect on bear and deer management in Western North Carolina. Whitmire, a hunter from Lake Toxaway and program chairman for the N.C. Bow Hunters Association District 9, states: “Although some changes have good points, by loosening the established management on permit and non-permit depredation we could easily witness over harvest and questionable moral and ethical techniques.” He goes on to say, “It is the responsibility of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to manage depredation harvest of deer and bear in a controlled managed process that will be acceptable to the majority of N.C. citizens.”  

 To many of us, including Whitmire, it is clear that H-19 and H-20 as written could have a major impact on wildlife and undermine the efforts of overworked law enforcement officers, judges and courts who manage and prosecute unlawful practices such as poaching, out of season hunting and spotlighting. These very important areas of wildlife management need to be strengthened, not made more difficult. (Full details of H-19 and H-20 can be read by going to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission home page. Go to 2013-14 proposed regulations and click on public hearing booklet. Scroll down to page 19 to find H-19 and H-20)

Wildlife in North Carolina belong to all of us, not just a few. Those who value wildlife in WNC, including hunters and wildlife advocates, need to express our concerns and stand up for what is best for our wildlife. Both the NCWRC and our N.C. legislators will hopefully recognize that H-19 and H-20 are unacceptable.   

To reply and express your feelings: Send emails to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. along with your comments to David Hoyle Jr., Chairman of the NCWRC (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), and Hayden Rogers, WNC Commissioner for NCWRC, (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 

John Edwards

Director of Mountain Wildlife Days

Cashiers

To the Editor:

PetSmart, which is known for not carrying puppy mill dogs or cats, also holds on-site adoptions for rescue groups to find homes for homeless dogs and cats. This new facility is state of the art and includes a “cat room” designed to reduce stress and maintain healthy animals waiting for adoption. So the opening of the new Haywood County PetSmart was more than welcome by local rescue groups. But everyone got a surprise a few days before the scheduled opening. PetSmart was informed that the facility needed an inspection by the Department of Agriculture inspector before animals could be on the premises. PetSmart’s two store openings in Buncombe County had not required an — occupancy (my word) — inspection and they were dismayed to learn at the last minute that they would not be able to have the planned cats and dogs on the premises (inside or outside) for adoption. They rushed to get the paperwork completed so the adoptions could take place. Ironically, an inspector was able to drop by to check for pythons in the building but did not have time to check out the cat room. The grand opening took place Sept. 8-9 with rescue groups but no dogs or cats.

 Because of this unexpected delay, the animals pulled from the shelter in anticipation of the event by a local rescue group did not get adopted. This meant no new spaces for adoptable animals were available; this meant that the county shelter did not have enough space for incoming pets. So, 20 cats were euthanized during the week of Sept. 10.  

Making the grand opening a non-event because of a bureaucratic schedule is shortsighted. PetSmart has employees, pays taxes and works within the community on behalf of animal welfare. The lack of collaborative thinking by the state inspector has led to loss of income, for PetSmart, the rescue group and the community, not to mention the needless loss of life of shelter animals.

Haywood County taxpayers, indeed North Carolina taxpayers, should be angry enough to let their local and state representatives know that we deserve better.

Penny Wallace,

Exececutive Director Haywood Spay/Neuter

Waynesville

To the Editor:

The Macon County Democrat Headquarters got my attention with their sign. For those that haven’t seen it, it reads the “Republicans have cut $926 million from the budget for schools.”

As a parent of school age children, I noticed this and did a little more digging. In my search I also saw an article by the NC Public Schools that said: “State Graduation Rate is Highest in NC History; Sixth Consecutive Year of Improvement,” and one in the Asheville Citizen-Times with the headline “Schools do well despite budget ills.”

Upon further investigation by viewing several of the past and current state budgets it was shown that the “cut” was actually the end of federal stimulus dollars not a cut of state funding. By going to the N.C. Legislative website and viewing the budget one can see that the number of state dollars increased not decreased. According to the www.newsobserver.com web site’s article from Aug. 12, the Republican-written state budget adds more than $250 million to K-12 education spending. This increase doesn’t cover cuts in state funding done during the Democrat controlled legislature of 2008-2010 when temporary federal stimulus dollars were used to replace state dollars.

During these tight times we all need to tighten our belts, not just the taxpayers but the tax spenders as well.

I commend the education system for continuing to work hard for the future generations, they should not be doing it alone. It is my responsibility as a parent to do all within my power to make sure that my children get the most out of their schooling. I am the one that needs to make sure they do their homework and study. We as parents need to make the effort and step up to be the parents our children need not expect the teachers and government to raise them for us. I personally don’t desire to give any government that much control.

Tearle J. Conner Jr.

Franklin

Haywood County Historical and Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the First Methodist Church on Haywood Street in Waynesville.

There will be a short business meeting, followed by a program presented by Roland Osbourne. Osbourne will trace the history of cameras from the pre-Civil War years through the early twentieth century. He will display a functioning large-format camera for anyone interested in taking a picture. The meeting is free and open to the public.

828.627.0385 or 828.627.9828.

An etiquette dinner for children will be held at the Lambeth Inn at Lake Junaluska at 6 p.m. Sept. 24. The event is sponsored by the local 4-H club.

Youth participants will learn to use proper table manners and utensils correctly, navigate a formal place setting and go through a buffet properly. The cost is $20 and attendees will need to dress business casual. Sign-up by Sept. 21. 828.456.3575.

Deb Teitelbaum of Sylva, a former public school teacher and longtime show fan, will appear as a contestant on “Jeopardy!” during the program’s upcoming broadcast at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 on WLOS-TV.

Her advice for other constestants: “It’s all about the buzzer,” Teitelbaum said. “Everybody on the show is knowledgeable. Whoever gets a jump on the buzzer has the advantage. To win one game is difficult, to do what Ken Jennings did and win 74 consecutive games is remarkable.”

The Trail of Tears Memorial Walk will take place 9:30 a.m. Oct. 6 beginning at the Cherokee Historical Association building and ending at the Oconaluftee Indian Village.

Registration forms are available at the main office of the Cherokee Historical Association. Pre-registration fee is $10, while participants 12 and younger are free.

Parking will be available at the Oconaluftee Indian Village and the Cherokee Transit will provide shuttle service to the start of the event. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.

828.497.2111

Dr. Lisa Verges, a geriatric psychiatrist and head of the new MemoryCare satellite clinic, will host a grand opening reception from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center on Elmwood Way in Waynesville.

MemoryCare is a nonprofit organization aimed at serving individuals with memory impairment and their families.

Presentations will begin at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. RSVP.

www.memorycare.org or 828.771.2219.

A sexual assault survivor who founded a national organization centered on shattering the silence of sexual violence will be the featured speaker at Western Carolina University’s annual “Take Back the Night” event on Sept. 26.

Angela Rose, executive director of Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment, will speak at 7 p.m. in the Grandroom of A.K. Hinds University Center. After her remarks, attendees will march across campus.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.227.2617.

“Coats for Kids” is hosting a coat drive in Jackson County through the end of September.

Cullowhee United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Sylva, Walmart in Sylva and Pathways Thrift Store are accepting good-condition used, as well as new, children’s fall and winter items. New socks and underwear should be in its original packaging.

Sizes of donations can range from baby sizes all the way up to items that would fit an 18-year-old adult.

Distribution day will be from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 6 in the fellowship hall at First Presbyterian Church of Sylva, for any parents or guardians who would like items for their children.

Monetary or clothing donations can also be mailed or made out to Cullowhee United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1267, Cullowhee, NC 28723. Please be sure to write “Coats for Kids” on the memo line.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges awarded Southwestern Community College a grant of $29,000 for an English Literacy and Civics Education project.

To become American and work successfully, adults must be able to read, write, speak and listen to English.

The civics class is offered on the Jackson campus from 8:30-11:30 a.m. every Monday and citizenship class is offered from 8:30-11:30 a.m. every Wednesday. The classes run until mid-December.

The college also offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes through their Educational Opportunities Department. These non-credit courses are free for students.

828.339.4262 or visit www.southwesterncc.edu.

Old Town Bank will mark its new headquarters with a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Sept. 24 in Waynesville across from Super Walmart on South Main St.

The event is free and open to the public. It will mark the first site along South Main to be redeveloped since Super Walmart moved in and since the town passed its master plan for the corridor.

Southwestern Community College officially dedicated a new $8.8 million building on its main campus in Sylva last week. The building was built with a majority of state money but also a large contribution by Jackson County.

When most of us here in Western North Carolina go for a hike on the Appalachian Trail, hunt or fish in the national forest, enjoy a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, or visit the Carl Sandburg Home, we do not normally stop to think about how such opportunities were created or paid for.

By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer

Haywood County commissioners are currently ensnarled in bidding wars for two separate properties that will cost them more than $1.2 million.

Commissioners have been trying to obtain a 22-acre tract of land near Jonathan Creek for a recreation park. The decision to make that purchase, announced more than a month ago, proved to be more time-consuming than the county had hoped.

Since North Carolina is having such a hard time finding enough teachers, one place education leaders might look for help seems obvious — lottery proceeds. As the state pores over information from the first full year of the gambling games in North Carolina, this is one area that deserves consideration.

By Michael Beadle

Several years ago, Haywood Arts Regional Theatre’s executive director Steve Lloyd confided in fellow actors that he’d never get the chance to do the Broadway smash “West Side Story.” There just weren’t enough young actors available who could sing and dance and act in a musical of that caliber.

By Michael Beadle

Local cyclists can rest assured that one of the region’s longest-running bicycle shops will be around for years to come as road biking and mountain biking continue to grow in popularity in Western North Carolina.

By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer

The big race to watch in this year’s Waynesville town elections is between Alderman Gavin A. Brown and incumbent Mayor Henry Foy, with Foy vying to keep his office while Brown attempts to unseat him.

I am a firm believer that the world would be a much better place if everyone just grew tomatoes.

This thought came to me the other night; I was making pizza for the family and wished I had some fresh tomatoes to slice for the topping. Earlier that day I was working in the garden admiring my tomato plants, the small green fruits were no larger than golf balls, and I was already anticipating the harvest of my first juicy, red ripe tomato.

By Chris Cooper

Through the last few “Play For Peace” extravaganzas I’ve been lucky enough to meet and perform with some musicians I might not have had the opportunity to otherwise. Having studied, poked and prodded Sylva’s little microcosm of a music scene over the years, I’ve attended many more shows than I’ve actually participated in, something most of my closer friends have graciously tolerated me whining about somewhat incessantly. “Oh, woe is me, always a bridesmaid, never a guitarist...” it would go, ad infinitum, with much eye-rolling and self conscious gnashing of teeth. “If only I could get out there and play some rock and roll, then everybody would know I wasn’t totally full of... myself.” I mean, Mark Knopfler was a music writer back in the day, and he doesn’t suck, right?

By Linda Watson • Guest Columnist

Recently, a member of my family was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease at Duke University. This diagnosis came after a nightmarish struggle to obtain proper diagnosis from local and regional physicians, all of whom (without exception) diagnosed her as having an anxiety disorder, prescribing anti-depressants. These medications only made matters worse and did nothing to advance a careful and thoughtful diagnosis.

By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer

Entire half hours dedicated to finding a parking space. Cars backing into each other. Employees and customers with nowhere to park. The parking situation in Bryson City is reaching crisis levels, and local business owners are pleading for the town to help them.

By Joe Hooten

As I was barreling down Interstate 40, racing to make it to Asheville in time to see the fifth concert in a nine-show residency put on by the Smashing Pumpkins at one of the South’s finest venues, the Orange Peel, I hesitantly reached into my glove compartment to find my map. I slowly unfolded the aged paper with some lingering anxiety and felt compelled to double-check to see if my favorite mountain metropolis was still there.

By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer

Canceling the public hearing on the North Shore Road couldn’t shake the unwavering determination of almost 125 people who packed a Swain County courtroom Monday night to share their thoughts and opinions on the issue.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has known it needed a new visitors center on the North Carolina side of the park since the early 1980s. Finally, it appears the nation’s most-visited national park is going to get one, and the communities surrounding the park should be glad the time has finally come.

By Arthur Hancock • Guest Columnist

With 70 percent of Americans now disapproving of the way George W. Bush is doing his job, maybe a little soul-searching on the part of the now-disillusioned Bush supporter is in order. “How could I have ever voted for this guy?” seems a good starting point. More specific questions might include, “How could I have ever imagined Bush to be capable, honest, compassionate, Christian and in his right mind?”

By Michael Beadle

More acid rain and invasive insect pests. Fewer trout in mountain streams. More “code red” days with poor air quality and less visibility.

These are some of the dangers threatening the Great Smoky Mountains National Park if efforts aren’t made now to curb toxic chemicals from spewing into the earth’s atmosphere.

By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer

A proposed project by Ingles to expand its Waynesville store and add a gas station suffered a setback after parts of it were soundly rejected by members of the Community Appearance Commission.