Rooted in the Mountains conference will integrate Western and Cherokee ideas

“Rooted in the Mountains,” a conference that explores the intersection of Western and native traditions that’s now in its eighth year, will take place at Western Carolina University on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 28-29, and includes a trip to the sacred site of Kituwah, the Cherokee “mother town.”

The consequenc­e of waste: Buncombe’s discarded problem is piling up

From the Get It! Guide: A close look at the trash collected in Asheville was shocking — 26 percent of our waste is compostable matter, 18 percent is recyclable and 56 percent is true waste, fit only for the landfill. With the city alone producing over 22,000 tons of trash a year, what is the cost of all that waste. And what is it going to take for us to reduce it?

Tales from the Trail: Walking Appalachia from Georgia to Maine

Since its initial construction in 1937, 15,524 people are said to have completed the thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail — “2,000-milers,” they’re called. Inspiration behind embarking on such a physically and mentally challenging journey varies from person to person, but deep down it satiates core human needs for renewal and a reconnection with nature.

Video: WCU’s marching band in the Macy’s Thanksgivi­ng Parade

If you turned on your TV for some holiday festivities yesterday, you may have seen a familiar sight — all the way from New York City! Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band led the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in front of an estimated 3.5 million spectators and another 50 million at-home viewers.

Smart bets: Mountain Heritage Day

Break out the candles! Western Carolina University celebrates its 125th year during the 40th annual Mountain Heritage Day festival, a free event to recollect WCU’s rich history. Two stages and a dedicated dance floor will host clogging team performances and concerts (including Grammy Award-winner David Holt), and more than 100 vendor booths will sprawl into […]

Details: The public hearing on fracking in WNC

Concerned or excited about the prospect of increased oil and gas development in Western North Carolina? The North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission has scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 12 in Cullowhee and welcomes your feedback on proposed rules that could help pave the way for hydraulic fracturing – also known as ‘fracking’ – […]

MFA BFA RAD: A pop-up exhibition of new works by 18 WCU students

The exhibition, which opened Friday, April 25, is up through this Friday, May 2 at The Tannery, a studio and gallery space off of Old Lyman Street in the River Arts District. It was organized independently of the WCU art program and co-curated by MFA candidates Tonya Anderson and Laura Sellers. Its featured works offer a cross section of the department’s breadth.

This weekend on a shoestring

The weather’s getting nippy, but it’s still a great time to get out and check out some events that won’t break the (piggy) bank. From winter gardening and holiday shopping to local authors and uplifting musical performances, this weekend’s got everything you need to lure you out of the house on the cheap. And as always, leave us a comment if you’ve got any more low-cost events you’d like to share.