Local Eco-friendly Startup Set to Publish First Children’s Book

"GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept.2, 2016) — Local eco-friendly startup Fluffmonger, manufacturer of hand-dyed organic plush toys, will publish its first children’s book on Dec. 9, 2016. Printing costs will be supported by a Kickstarter campaign set to begin at 10 am  Sept. 6, and it will run for 30 days. 

“Keeping production local and eco-friendly is Fluffmonger’s top priority,” said Jenny Maj, founder. “I’ve tried to incorporate some of those ideals into my characters, and I’m excited to bring them to a book series.” 

The Kickstarter campaign reflects how important local ties are to Fluffmonger’s mission: If the stretch goal of $15,000 is met, season extension equipment will be purchased for The Edible Schoolyard in Greensboro in order to provide more fresh food for their cooking classes and after-school program.

“Community ties are key to running a sustainable business,” Maj continued. “I’ve received a lot of support from the community here in Greensboro, and I’m glad to be in a position where I can give back.”

Falafel’s Garden, the first in the planned book series, features three Fluffmonger characters as they learn about gardening, friendship, and forgiveness. For more information about the plush toys, the upcoming Kickstarter campaign, or the Fluffmonger characters themselves, visit fluffmonger.com. The campaign itself can be viewed at *.

About Falafel’s Garden

As springtime arrives, Falafel the Llama looks to his friends, an anxious sheep and an epicurean horse, for help planting his garden. The quirky personalities of this group of friends will be sure to make you laugh in this endearing tale of the trials of friendship. The book will be printed in the US on 100% recycled paper.

About fluffmonger®, LLC

Fluffmonger is a Greensboro based business selling handmade organic plush toys and recycled paper greeting cards made by artist Jenny Maj. With a focus on socially and environmentally responsible materials, Fluffmonger provides unique gifts for the eco-minded individual. Fluffmonger was featured as a finalist in the 2015 Martha Stewart American Made Awards."

- A Press Release

Pendergrass Charged with Murder of Missing Girlfriend

Desmond Laquan Pendergrass

"GREENSBORO, NC (Sept. 2, 2016) –Greensboro police arrested a local man yesterday and charged him with First Degree Murder in connection with the disappearance of his missing 26-year-old girlfriend.

Desmond Laquan Pendergrass, 25, was taken into police custody yesterday morning at his High Point residence and charged with the murder of Cree Asia Smith who was reported missing by family members on July 12, 2016.

According to witnesses, Smith was last seen on June 16, 2016 at 2C Huntley Court where she and Pendergrass resided at the time.

Detectives learned that the couple was involved in a domestic dispute immediately before she went missing. Because her disappearance was under suspicious circumstances, Crime Stoppers issued a Missing Person alert for Smith on July 15.

Smith’s body has not yet been found. However, detectives established sufficient evidence through interviews and forensics to charge Pendergrass with her murder.

Police are continuing to investigate, and hope to find her remains in order to bring some closure to her friends and family.

Pendergrass is confined in the Greensboro Jail Central without bond."

- A Press Release

CAROWINDS CLOSED FOR OPERATION FRIDAY, SEPT. 2

Due to this evening’s anticipated weather, Carowinds will be closed Friday, Sept. 2. The park was scheduled to open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. tonight. We will resume normal operating hours Saturday, Sept. 3 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Any tickets purchased for Sept. 2 will be extended for use any single operating day through Sunday, Sept. 11.

For up-to-the-minute Carowinds updates, please visit our website carowinds.com, or follow us via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

South African Theatre Company Brings Intimate O’Neil Play to Triad Stage

"UNCG and Triad Stage bring multi-racial reboot of Eugene O’Neil play Desire Under the Elms September 28 – October 1

(Greensboro, N.C.—Sept. 1, 2016) Triad Stage and UNC-Greensboro’s College of Visual and Performing Arts is proud to be presenting Cape Town-based theatre company Abrahamse-Meyer Productions and their production of Eugene O’Neil’s Desire Under The Elms at Triad Stage’s UpStage Cabaret, directed by Fred Abrahamse.

The production is brought to North Carolina following its performance at the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Festival in September. The Festival is a co-producer of this presentation with the College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean’s Discretionary Creative Activity Fund, the UNCG IPC Kohler Fund, Triad Stage, and the O. Henry Hotel.

UNCG Theatre Professor Denise Gabriel has been producing the event. In 2014 Gabriel was invited to attend the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Festival where she was deeply moved by their production of Yukio Mishima’s The Lady Aoi. This led to discussions with Literary Director Thomas Keith and Artistic Director David Kaplan in which Gabriel ignited the possibility of bringing the company to Greensboro.

With the vision of establishing an ongoing visitation of international artists to perform in Greensboro yearly, Triad Stage Artistic Director Preston Lane enthusiastically supported this endeavor to be part of Triad Stage and UNCG’s mission for sharing global artistry across communities. This productions follows last year’s production of Welsh artist Robbie Bowen’s solo show Diary of a Madman. 

“I’m thrilled that Triad Stage can be a home to innovative and groundbreaking international theater productions,” said Triad Stage Founding Artistic Director Preston Lane. “Great theater captures the essence of the culture that produces it, becoming a window into a different place. I’m eager to share this extraordinary Eugene O’Neill drama re-envisioned by the acclaimed Abrahamse-Meyer Productions with our Triad audiences.”

About the Show

In Desire Under the Elms, O’Neill explores the plots and themes of Greek tragedy, reimagining classical characters as inhabitants of rural New England farmland. The play was inspired by the tragic love triangle in Hippolytus by Euripides, in which Phaedra, the wife of the Athenian king Theseus, falls in love with and attempts to seduce his son Hippolytus. The play premiered in 1924 at the Provincetown Playhouse in New York City. A film version, starring Sophia Loren, was produced in 1958.

This Abrahamse version has been hailed as “inescapably thought-provoking and extremely enjoyable.” Their presentation of Desire Under the Elms will mark the third Abrahamse-Meyers Production featured on the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Festival season.

Abrahamse-Meyer Productions is a theatre company founded in 2006 by Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer, this is one of a few independent classical theatre companies in South Africa. The small company built up an excellent international reputation, particularly through their innovative productions of the Shakespeare plays.

Their diverse productions include The Tragedy of Richard III (2010), Shakespeare's R&J (2011), A Midsummer Night's Dream (2012) including the South African premières of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, and Tennessee Williams's The Kingdom of Earth (2012 and 2013) and The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore, (both in conjunction with Artscape, 2013), as well as a revival of Noël Coward’s Private Lives. The South African premiere of Desire Under the Elms was at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown and the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town.

Desire Under the Elms will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on September 28 - 29, 8pm September 30, and 2pm, 8pm on October 1 in the UpStage Cabaret at Triad Stage (232 Elm Street). Tickets are currently available through the UNCG or Triad Stage box office. For more information, call the Triad Stage box office at (336) 272-0160 or visit www.triadstage.org.

About Provincetown Tennessee Williams Festival

The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival presents the works of Tennessee Williams, often world premieres, in plays, film, dance, live music, and performance art. We have presented shows from around the world and from different parts of America. We also present new works inspired by Williams.

About Triad Stage

Triad Stage is a professional not-for-profit regional theater company based in Greensboro’s downtown historic district. All Triad Stage productions are created in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina using the best of local and national talent. Triad Stage gratefully acknowledges the support of its Season Sponsors: Blue Zoom, the North Carolina Arts Council, ArtsGreensboro and The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County."

- A Press Release

Weatherspoon and Revolution Mill Announce Exciting Collaboration

September 1, 2016 | Greensboro, NC

"The Weatherspoon Art Museum at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Revolution Mill are excited to announce that they have partnered to present a dynamic painting installation by Raleigh-based artist James Marshall (aka Dalek) inside the newly completed Gallery 1250 located at 1250 Revolution Mill Drive.

Titled Articulate, Marshall’s design was inspired by a desire to both feature the angular geometries found throughout the historic mill building and set off the vibrant red that has been used as the signature color of its renovation. He created a composition in which interlocking and overlapping bands fit together to form an array of rectangles, diamonds, and bisected squares. His use of wall space emphasizes the height and depth of the gallery, while a cool palette of greens and blues contrast with, and give greater definition to, the hot red of the historic industrial duct work overhead.

“Marshall’s installation is stunning” says WAM curator, Emily Stamey. “He not only responded thoughtfully to the space, but used every inch of the gallery walls to dramatic effect.”

WAM and Revolution are working to make this installation the first in a series of ongoing WAMRev collaborations, reflecting a shared commitment to presenting bold and imaginative exhibitions and reaching new audiences.  

WAMRev is located in Revolution Mill’s newly redeveloped Building 1250. The gallery was designed in the center of the floor, with walkways through the space and large glass windows so that tenants and visitors can continually view and experience the art. The 1250 building is just part of the 50-acre mixed-use campus, which is home to artist studios and creative office spaces, and also features a multimedia gallery for film installations, a future café, 142 character-filled apartments, and an outdoor event and performance space named Revolution Docks. 

 “We are thrilled to partner with the Weatherspoon in this space”, says Revolution Mill development manager, Micah Kordsmeier. “Developing a creative and inspired campus has always been a central focus of our work at Revolution, and so it’s very exciting to work with such a committed arts institution and to  extend WAM’s reach into new communities surrounding Revolution. It is one of many ways we are engaging with Greensboro’s creative community.”

Articulate will remain on view through the end of 2016, and future collaborative projects are already in the works, featuring contemporary artists representing a breadth of mediums, styles, and cultural experiences.

Learn more about this installation and the WAMRev partnership at www.revolutionmillgreensboro.com/WAMRev or on social media using #WAMRev.

The installation is on display at 1250 Revolution Mill Dr., 1^st Floor
Monday-Friday 11-6; select evening + weekend hours will begin this fall.

###

About the Weatherspoon Art Museum
Mission
The Weatherspoon Art Museum at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro acquires, preserves, exhibits, and interprets modern and contemporary art for the benefit of its multiple audiences, including university, community, regional, and beyond. Through these activities, the museum recognizes its paramount role of public service, and enriches the lives of diverse individuals by fostering an informed appreciation and understanding of the visual arts and their relationship to the world in which we live.

History
The Weatherspoon Art Museum at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro was founded by Gregory Ivy in 1941 and is the earliest of any art facilities within the UNC system.  The museum was founded as a resource for the campus, community, and region and its early leadership developed an emphasis—maintained to this day—on presenting and acquiring modern and contemporary works of art. A 1949 bequest from the renowned collection of Claribel and Etta Cone, which included prints and bronzes by Henri Matisse and other works on paper by American and European modernists, helped to establish the Weatherspoon’s permanent collection.  Other prescient acquisitions during Ivy’s tenure included a 1951 suspended mobile by Alexander Calder, Woman by Willem de Kooning—a pivotal work in the artist’s career that was purchased in 1954, and the first drawings by Eva Hesse and Robert Smithson to enter a museum collection.
In 1989, the museum moved into its present location in The Anne and Benjamin Cone Building designed by the architectural firm Mitchell/Giurgola. The museum has six galleries and a sculpture courtyard with over 17,000 square feet of exhibition space.  The American Alliance of Museums accredited the Weatherspoon in 1995 and renewed its accreditation in 2005 and 2015.

Collections + Exhibitions
The permanent collection of the Weatherspoon Art Museum is considered to be one of the foremost of its kind in the Southeast.  It represents all major art movements from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. Of the nearly 6,000 works in the collection are pieces by such prominent figures as Sol LeWitt, Robert Mangold, Cindy Sherman, Al Held, Alex Katz, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Louise Nevelson, Mark di Suvero, Deborah Butterfield, and Robert Rauschenberg. The museum regularly lends to major exhibitions nationally and internationally.

The Weatherspoon also is known for its adventurous and innovative exhibition program. Through a dynamic annual calendar of fifteen to eighteen exhibitions and a multi-disciplinary educational program for audiences of all ages, the museum provides an opportunity for audiences to consider artistic, cultural, and social issues of our time and enriches the life of our university, community, and region."

- A Press Release

Media Personality Sheryl Underwood to “Take Over” N.C. A&T Radio Studios

"Nationally known comedienne, talk show host and actress Sheryl Underwood is set to take over the airwaves at North Carolina A&T State University’s WNAA studios from 3-5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 2, 2016.

Underwood will dish and deliver the quick-witted and humorous dialogue she is so well-known for, along with music provided by WNAA’s DJ Jimmy Jam. The “Sheryl Underwood Takeover” marks the first time Underwood, who’s syndicated talk show airs every weeknight on WNAA at 10 p.m., has broadcast a live show on A&T’s campus.

While on campus, Underwood will promote her search for “College Reporters” for The Sheryl Underwood Radio Show, in which students will be able to gain significant hands-on experience.

Underwood began her career in comedy during a time in which there were very few successful African-American female comediennes. In addition to her roles as co-host of CBS’s “The Talk,” and host of “The Sheryl Underwood Radio Show,” she is a multimedia entrepreneur, and philanthropist. 

Underwood is the owner and CEO of Pack Rat Productions, Inc.; a national spokesperson for Kimberly-Clark’s DEPEND Underawareness Campaign; the 23^rd International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; and founder and CEO of the Pack Rat Foundation for Education, which raises money to support 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their students.  

Underwood holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a master’s degree in Media Management Mass Communication from Governor State University."

- A Press Release

Bank of Oak Ridge Accepting Nominations for Guilford County Healthy Champions

Nominations accepted through September 30 at www.BankofOakRidge.com/HealthyHeartChallenge

"Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 – In partnership with the American Heart Association’s Guilford Heart Ball, Bank of Oak Ridge (OTCPink: BKOR) is proud to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the Healthy Heart Challenge.

“Heart disease and stroke are up to 80% preventable, meaning the choices we make in our daily lives reach beyond our own health, they are also reflected in the health of our community. At Bank of Oak Ridge, we are not only dedicated to ‘Banking As It Should Be’, but to ‘Life As It Should Be’,” shares Tom Wayne, President of Bank of Oak Ridge. “The Healthy Heart Challenge allows us to recognize champions in our community that are setting the example of heart healthy living.”

As part of the Healthy Heart Challenge, Bank of Oak Ridge is now accepting nominations for Guilford County men and women who have overcome great challenges to get healthier and inspire people around them get healthier, who have made great strides to improve their health and reduce their personal risk factors, and those who have made heart healthy changes and have managed to maintain that change for the long-term.   

To nominate yourself or someone in your life who should be recognized and rewarded for their heart-healthy efforts, visit www.BankofOakRidge.com/HealthyHeartChallenge or complete a nomination form at any Bank of Oak Ridge location.

One winner will be chosen by committee for each of the three categories – Defying the Odds, Striving for the Summit, and In It for the Distance. All nominees will be celebrated and the three winners will be announced at theHealthy Heart Challenge celebration on November 2, 2016 at Bank of Oak Ridge’s Corporate Center. Winners will receive grand prizes and become the “Faces of Heart Health” in Guilford County for 2017.

In Guilford County, diseases of the heart is the No. 2 cause of death and cerebrovascular disease is the fourth leading cause of death. According to the 2016 Guilford County Data Book, we lost 2,622 residents to disease of the heart and 487 residents to cerebrovascular disease between 2010 and 2014. Nationally, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the United States, accounting for nearly one third of all deaths in the nation. Stroke is the 5^th leading cause of death and a leading cause of permanent disability. The good news – heart disease and stroke are up to 80% preventable. For lifestyle change recommendations, heart disease and stroke prevention information, and ways to reduce your personal risk of heart disease and stroke, visit www.heart.org.

###

About Bank of Oak Ridge

Bank of Oak Ridge (OTCPink: BKOR) is an employee-owned community bank with a mission to provide Banking as It Should Be® by delivering personal attention and convenience for every client. Bank of Oak Ridge has been named Best Bank in the Triad five years in a row, as well as one of the Triad’s Healthiest Employers and Top Workplaces. We offer a complete range of banking services for individuals and businesses. Bank of Oak Ridge is a Member of the FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

Banking Services | ATM Usage Worldwide | Mobile Banking | Online Billpay | Remote Deposit | Interactive Teller Machines | Checking | Savings | Mortgage | Insurance | Lending | Wealth Management

Visit Us | To learn more, visit us during our extended weekday and Saturday hours at one of our convenient locations in Greensboro, Summerfield and Oak Ridge, North Carolina, or call 336-644-9944,or online at www.BankofOakRidge.com.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visitheart.org or call any of our offices around the country.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter."

- A Press Release

National Folk Festival Announces Roster of Returning and New Sponsors for 2016

"Greensboro, N.C., August 31, 2016  — The National Folk Festival announced today its entire list of sponsors for 2016. The 2016 Festival will run in downtown Greensboro from 6 – 10:30 pm on Friday, September 9; from noon – 10:30 pm on Saturday, September 10; and from noon – 6:30 pm on Sunday, September 11. More than 100,000 people attended the Festival in 2015 over the course of the three-day weekend.

“We are delighted to have such a robust group of sponsors partnering with us on the National Folk Festival,” said ArtsGreensboro President and CEO Tom Philion, who leads the Festival fundraising efforts. “Not only have many longtime ArtsGreensboro supporters chosen to support the Festival, but many new organizations have also joined in this effort to provide a FREE, three-day weekend celebrating the roots and heritage of all Americans.”

These sponsors are new for 2016:

·      BB&T: Sponsoring the N.C. Folklife Area

·      Duke Energy: Dance Pavilion Co-Sponsor

·      North Carolina Education Lottery: Dance Pavilion Co-Sponsor

·      Downtown Greensboro, Inc.: Festival Trolley Sponsor

·      Mickey Truck Bodies: Volunteer program Sponsor

·      ITG Brands

·      Allen Tate: VIP Viewing Area Sponsor

·      Ben & Jerry’s: Creamy Frozen Dessert Sponsor

·      Kona Ice of Greensboro: Icy Frozen Dessert Sponsor

These sponsors are returning in 2016:

·      VF Corporation: Wrangler Stage

·      Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina: Lawn Stage

·      City of Greensboro

·      Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau

·      Action Greensboro and Its Supporting Foundations, including

o   Joseph M. Bryan Foundation

o   Cemala Foundation

o   Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation

o   Phillips Foundation

·      North Carolina Arts Council: N.C. Folklife Area

·      Cone Health: Wellness Sponsor

·      PNC Bank: N.C. Arts Marketplace Sponsor

·      Guilford County

·      Lincoln Financial Group

·      National Endowment for the Arts: Fabric of Freedom

·      AJ Fletcher Foundation: Fabric of Freedom

·      Deuterman Law Group: Festival Mobile App Sponsor

·      Foothills Brewing Company: Craft Beer Co-Sponsor

·      Natty Greene’s Brewing Co.: Craft Beer Co-Sponsor

·      Lincoln Financial Foundation: Fabric of Freedom

·      McDonald’s: Family Stage Sponsor

·      Weaver Foundation

·      Wells Fargo: Family Area Sponsor

·      The Carroll Companies: Artist Sponsor

·      Guilford Merchants Association: Info Booth Sponsor

·      NC by Train/Amtrak: Transportation Sponsor

·      Pepsi Bottling Ventures: Beverage Sponsor

·      Senn Dunn Insurance & PURE Insurance: Opening Reception Sponsors

·      O.Henry & Proximity Hotels: Hospitality Partners

·      AT&T North Carolina: Artist Sponsor

·      Bank of America: Artist Sponsor

·      Craft Insurance: Artist Sponsor

·      North Carolina Folklife Institute

·      All-State Restaurant Equipment

Media sponsors for 2016 include:

·      News & Record

·      Our State magazine

·      Capitol Broadcasting Company

·      iHeart Media

·      Fox 8

·      WFDD

·      UNC-TV

·      WBRF

·      Guilford County Women’s Journal

In-kind sponsors for 2016 include:

·      All-State Restaurant Equipment

·      Caffey Distributing

·      Carolina Theatre

·      Greensboro Grasshoppers

·      North Carolina Folklife Institute

·      PTI Airport

·      The Printery

·      Replacements, Ltd.

·      R.H. Barringer

·      Tech Triad

Approximately 300 artists—musicians, dancers, storytellers, and craftspeople—will take part in the National Folk Festival, with more than 40 different musical groups performing on eight outdoor performance venues throughout downtown Greensboro.

To learn more about all these artists, their traditions, and their stories, please visit nationalfolkfestival.com/performers and connect with the Festival on social media:

·      #NCFolkFest

·      Twitter: @NtlFolkFestNC

·      Instagram: NationalFolkFestNC

·      YouTube: National Folk Festival NC

# # #

About the 2016 National Folk Festival: Co-produced by the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) and ArtsGreensboro, the National Folk Festival is celebrating the second year of its three-year residency in downtown Greensboro in 2016. The FREE, three-day event is America’s longest-running festival of traditional arts. nationalfolkfestival.com

About the National Folk Festival: Since it was first presented in St. Louis in 1934, the National Folk Festival has celebrated the roots, richness, and variety of American culture. Championed in its early years by Eleanor Roosevelt, it was the first event of national stature to present the arts of many nations, races, and languages on equal footing. An exuberant traveling festival that embraces the diverse cultural expressions of the American people in the 21st century, the National Folk Festival is FREE to the public, and is produced by the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) in partnership with communities around the country.

About the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA): The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) is one of the nation’s premier non-profit cultural organizations dedicated to the presentation and documentation of folk, tribal, and ethnic arts in the United States. Founded in 1933, it is the nation’s oldest producing and presenting organization with such a focus. Its programs celebrate and honor deeply rooted cultural expressions—music, crafts, stories, and dance passed on through time by families and communities as well as by tribal, ethnic, and occupational groups. The NCTA stresses excellence and authenticity in presenting artists to the public in festivals, tours, concerts, media programs, exhibitions, recordings, and other activities, and works in partnership with communities across American to establish new, sustainable traditional arts events that bring lasting social, cultural, and economic benefits. www.ncta-usa.org

About ArtsGreensboro: With an annual budget of approximately $3.5 million, ArtsGreensboro is a catalyst for innovation to build recognition and support for the arts. Through its ArtsFund-supported grant programs, the 17DAYS Arts & Culture Festival, the Levitt AMP Greensboro Music Series, I HEART ARTS Month, and other opportunities including the National Folk Festival, ArtsGreensboro is driving the health and vitality of our community by supporting arts education, celebrating the diversity of Greensboro, and driving economic impact through excellence in arts programming. artsgreensboro.org"

- A Press Release

Greensboro College Names Anna Peluso Assistant Professor of Health Sciences

Anna Peluso, Assistant

Professor of Health Sciences

"GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Greensboro College has named Anna Peluso assistant professor of health sciences.

Peluso comes to Greensboro College from the University of Pittsburgh, where she had been a graduate student researcher with the Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center since August 2013. She also had been an independent personal trainer in Pittsburgh since 2012.

Previously she was a sales representative for Ferring Pharmaceuticals and had worked as a student physical therapist, an aquatic-development instructor, a graduate student assistant, and a strength and conditioning specialist.

She holds B.S., M.S., D.P.T., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Pittsburgh.

Greensboro College provides a liberal-arts education grounded in the traditions of the United Methodist Church and fosters the intellectual, social, and, spiritual development of all students while supporting their individual needs.

Founded in 1838 and located near downtown Greensboro, the college enrolls about 1,000 students from 29 states and territories, the District of Columbia and seven foreign countries in its undergraduate liberal-arts program and four master's degree programs. In addition to rigorous academics and a well-supported Honors program, the school features a 17-sport NCAA Division III athletic program and dozens of service and recreational opportunities."

- A Press Release

The Walker Center presents Kellie Pickler on September 16

"WILKESBORO, N.C. – Kellie Pickler kicks off the 2016-2017 Walker Center Season on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, singing her hits, including “Red High Heels,” “Small Town Girl,” “100 Proof,” “I Wonder,” “Things that Never Cross a Man's Mind,” “Don't You Know You’re Beautiful,” “Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You,” and “Best Days of Your Life.” This performance is sponsored by Hardee’s.

Kellie Pickler was born in Albemarle, North Carolina, and then raised by her grandparents after her mother abandoned her at a very young age. She graduated from North Stanly High School where she was a cheerleader and beauty queen.

In 2005, Kellie was selected for “American Idol” and headed to Hollywood. While she finished sixth in the contest, Kellie had won the hearts of country music fans worldwide. Kellie gained many more fans when she and her partner, Derek Hough, wowed the judges on season 16 of “Dancing with the Stars.” She and Hough won the competition!

An active supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and many other charities, Kellie has said, “Happiness has been about surrounding myself with positive people who love me, inspire me, and lift me up. If I take in positive energy, then that's what I put back out into the universe.”

A limited number of tickets are available for this performance. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Walker Center Box Office at 336-838-6260, email walker.boxoffice@wilkescc.edu or visit www.walkercenteronline.org. And be sure to follow the Walker Center on Facebook.

Tickets are available to purchase for each of the Walker Center’s season shows. On Fri., Oct. 28, 2016, the Walker Center welcomes Ernie Haase & Signature Sound with J. Mark McVey. They will present their “Inspirations of Broadway” project. “Christmas with The Celts” will usher in the holiday season at the Walker Center on Fri., Dec. 2, 2016. This presentation is described as “ancient meets modern" and includes unforgettable, heart-stirring Irish and Scottish Christmas carols. The Walker Center presents the legendary country duo The Bellamy Brothers on Fri., Mar. 10, 2017. For 40 years, the Bellamy Brothers have been crafting honest, heartfelt songs that connect with millions of listeners around the world. Taylor Hicks makes a stop at the Walker Center on Thurs., April 6, 2017. Hicks is one of the most beloved and popular “American Idol” winners of all time. And, the Annie Moses Band returns to the Walker Center on Fri., May 19, 2017, by popular demand, presenting “The Art of the Love Song.”

The John A. Walker Community Center is dedicated to being this region’s primary venue for cultural experience and to serving as the preferred gathering place for meetings, receptions, conventions, banquets and parties for our community.

The Walker Center and Wilkes Community College are 100% Tobacco Free.

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC continues to build on a strong history of meeting the educational needs and cultural interests of our students, community and workforce. WCC prepares learners for success in a dynamic world."

- A Press Release

High Point Attracts Top Entertainers to Benefit NC Children

Jim Quick and Coastline, 14-time winners, Entertainer of the Year

"HIGH POINT, NC ­- Two of the top Mid-Atlantic bands will entertain in High Point on Friday, Sept. 9 to benefit children in need of adoption and foster care services.

Jim Quick and Coastline, 14-time recipients of the coveted CAMMY Entertainer of the Year Award, and Sleeping Booty, a favored funk, rock, R&B, and hip-hop dance band, will headline the 8th annual Ilderton's High Point Beach Music Blast.

Proceeds from the Beach Music Blast go to Children's Home Society of North Carolina, founded in 1902 with the mission to promote the right of every child to a permanent, safe, and loving family. Last year CHS served more than 20,000 children and families who needed assistance in North Carolina.

"I was adopted myself, so this event holds a special place in my heart," said Dana Bett, lead singer of Sleeping Booty. "We love playing for this great cause and raising awareness of Children's Home Society of North Carolina. It will be a blast!"

Gates open Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Mendenhall Transportation Terminal in downtown High Point. Stage activities begin at 6 PM and continue until 11 PM. Free parking is available with food trucks providing convenient menu options for the entire family. Bring lawn chairs and blankets - but leave the coolers and pets at home.

Lead singer Dana Bett of Sleeping Booty

Advance tickets are available online through Sept 8 at $15 each and tickets at the gate will be $20. There is no admission charge for children under 12. Tickets are available online here.

"Every dollar we receive supports adoption, foster care, family education, family preservation, family finding, and teen pregnancy prevention programs," said Brian Maness, President and CEO of Children's Home Society NC.

The High Point Beach Music Blast also celebrates the 90^th (yes, ninetieth!) anniversary of presenting sponsor Ilderton Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram.

"We thank the community and many sponsors for making a difference," said Maness."

- A Press Release

HPU Welcomes Say Yes and First Generation Scholarship Recipients

"HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 30, 2016 – High Point University awarded five Say Yes Scholarships to Guilford County Schools students for the 2016-17 academic year, including two scholarships dedicated to students who are the first in their family to pursue a college degree. The scholarships cover full tuition, fees and books for four years. While the national Say Yes Scholarship program is new to Guilford County, this is the seventh year HPU has awarded First Generation Scholarships, for a total of 14, four-year scholarships awarded so far. HPU’s Class of 2020 recipients are Douglas McCollum, Kayla Quick, Emily Yacuzzo, Mary Hannah Shinn and Natalie Lucas. Douglas McCollum is a Say Yes Scholar and First Generation Scholar who grew up in the city of High Point. He’s a graduate of High Point Central High School, where he participated in JV basketball, track, the International Baccalaureate Program and served as president of the Poetry Club. He’s also a skilled Ju-Jitsu athlete. “This scholarship allows for a great start to my future,” says McCollum, who plans to study communication at HPU. “It’s such an enormous blessing for my family and myself. I look forward to embracing all HPU has to offer, and also imparting strengths I possess to help with its already staggering and impressive growth. I’m just one student, but the opportunities are endless.” Kayla Quick is a Say Yes Scholar and First Generation Scholar and a graduate of Southwest Guilford High School. She was a varsity cheerleader during her time at Southwest, as well as a member of the Beta Club, the National Honor Society, Chorus, the Baking Club and a service learning ambassador. She has also volunteered her time for the Miracle League of High Point, the Ronald McDonald House and served as a reading buddy at Shadybrook Elementary School. She plans to study psychology and criminal justice at HPU. “I realized the amount of opportunity, greatness and beauty of this school,” Quick said about her choice to attend HPU. “I know I’ll graduate with skills for the real world and be prepared.” Emily Yacuzzo is a graduate of Penn-Griffin School for the Arts, where she played flute in the concert band, was a member of the theatre program, the Art Club, Beta Club and the National Honor Society. Through the concert band, she and her team members traveled to play music for students with special needs at schools throughout the Triad. At HPU, she’ll major in political science. “The scholarship allows me to be successful and go to a very prestigious school,” Yacuzzo says. “The opportunities at HPU will ensure I find a job in the field I want. I’m most excited about the interesting classes I’ll take.” Emily Lucas graduated from Penn-Griffin School for the Arts and served as the co-president of the Ukulele Club while focusing her studies on classical guitar. She played in the school’s guitar ensemble, which performed for a variety of groups, including people battling cancer at High Point Regional Hospital and residents at Adams Farm Living and Rehabilitation. She also volunteers at a number of local festivals. “This scholarship allows me to start my life fresh and focus on finding a good job,” Lucas says. “I’m excited about meeting new people and creating myself in such a great environment.” Mary Hannah Shinn graduated from Weaver Academy in Greensboro. She was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the National Art Honor Society. She served as a docent at the Greensboro Natural Science Center, was a volunteer soccer coach and cheer coach at Cheer Elite All Stars. “I will be a biology major, and I’m most excited about the experiences I will have and the learning opportunities I will have throughout my time here,” Shinn says." - A Press Release

White House Initiative on HBCUs Announces Third Class of All-Stars

"Two North Carolina A&T State University students have been included in the 2016-17 class of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) All-Stars.

Senior public relations major Niyah Brooks and third year mechanical engineering doctoral candidate Paul McGhee are among 73 students from across 63 HBCUs named to the 2016 HBCU All-Stars, which includes undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

“Being nominated for the 2016-17 White House HBCU All-Stars for North Carolina A&T State University was one of the most honorable and exciting opportunities I've ever received,” said McGhee. “I’m an active leader, scholar and supporter of the community, university and the rest of the world, striving to bring out the best in everyone that I have the honor to cross paths with.” 

HBCU All-Stars are recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in academics, leadership and civic engagement.

Throughout the next year Brooks and McGhee will serve as ambassadors by providing outreach opportunities and communicating with other students about the value of both education and the White House Initiative as a networking source.

"Now that I have been appointed as [an] HBCU All-Star, I will be tasked with serving as a liaison between N.C. A&T and the White House,” said Brooks. “I will spread awareness of initiatives that are important to me. I really want to focus on the "It's On Us" initiative, which aims to reduce sexual assault on college campuses. I also want to promote the importance of voting to my peers."

Using social media, relationships with community-based organizations, and sessions with industry professionals, Brooks, McGhee and all other HBCU All-Star ambassadors will share proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to achieve their educational and career potential. They will also participate in the White House HBCU Week Conference, national and regional events, and webinars with Initiative staff and other professionals on a range of disciplines that support a spirit of engagement and personal and professional development.

“During the course of one academic school year, the 73 All-Stars will distinguish themselves as exemplars of the talent that HBCUs cultivate and as noble ambassadors of their respective institutions,” said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. “The Initiative is looking forward to working with this third class of All-Stars and is confident this opportunity will allow the Initiative to meaningfully connect with HBCU students and advance academic excellence at their schools.”

“Our goal is to provide a unique opportunity for these talented students that exposes them to critical national conversations and thought leaders. No doubt they will make their mark and represent their campuses well,” said Deputy Under Secretary of Education and Acting Executive Director White House Initiative on HBCUs Kim Hunter Reed.

The All-Stars were selected from over 300 students from 24 states, the District of Columbia, Ghana, Nigeria, and the Virgin Islands."

- A Press Release

Transgender Superhero and Triad Comic store take on HB2 in September

"Winston-Salem, NC -- This September, a transgender Superhero will join the fight against North Carolina’s discriminatory ‘Bathroom Bill.’

Triad-based comic shop Ssalefish Comics has commissioned an exclusive edition of Alters #1, the first issue of a brand new comic book series published by AfterShock Comics written by Paul Jenkins (Wolverine, Hellblazer) and illustrated by Leila Leiz. This exclusive, limited edition comic book features a special cover drawn by Richard Case wherein costumed transgender vigilante Chalice makes a bold stance against North Carolina’s HB2, by ripping down the gendered bathroom signs in front of a public restroom and replacing them with unisex bathroom signs.

Ssalefish will debut the exclusive edition of Alters #1 at their Winston-Salem store during a special signing event at 12-3pm. on Sat., Sept. 17. Jenkins and Case will be there to sign copies of the book and answer questions from fans. 

Bret Parks, owner of Ssalefish Comics, says his store will donate 10% proceeds from the sale of the book to Equality NC to aid in their real-world fight against HB2.

A North Carolina native, Parks believes HB2’s targeted discrimination against the LGBTQ community has made a negative impact for entrepreneurs across the state. And while he seldom mixes politics with business, this was one instance where a public response was necessary.

“I felt a bit helpless until Aftershock Comics and Paul Jenkins requested a conference call with me to discuss Paul's new book Alters,” Parks said. “ I believe I can show my support for ENC and take a jab at HB2 but in a way that still allows readers to enjoy Alters as a great story with a unique cover!”

Since Alters was first announced in June, the book began generating national headlines in the New York Times, NBC News and CBS News for challenging readers with an unconventional superheroine in a genre that was once dominated by less-than-diverse cis white male superheroes like Iron Man or Batman. Like many of her superpowered peers, Chalice has the power to fly. But rather than hide one secret identity from her friends and peers, she must maintain two. 

Outside of her life as a costumed superhero, Chalice is also Charlie Young, a male college student who is beginning to transition to a female, a secret she has yet to share with her family.

Copies of Ssalefish Comics’ exclusive edition of Alters #1 are available for $10 each, and signed editions of the book can be pre-ordered at http://ssalefishcomics.bigcartel.com/.

Ssalefish Comics is located on 3242 Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem. You can also visit their website at www.ssalefish.com."

- A Press Release