The weather could not have been any better. Kids were playing and parents were laughing-it was a great day of carefree fun!!

The Kids Petting Zoo

Streets of people and color

Live Music for all to enjoy

Kids Fun Zone

I thought that getting gas before 7:00 am would be easy. Apparently 30 other people thought the same thing. They had police men out there directing traffic around the gas station. All this with the school buses full in force.

I sat in amazement as people grew angry at other drivers. There was nothing any one could do to make the process any faster. So why yell...at 7:00 in the morning.

I had my friends daughter in the car with me and throughout the chaos of traffic, she said the most simple statement. If everyone would be patient and wait their turn, this would go faster-then i can go to school.

Do people really think yelling is going to help-we are all in the same situation. We all need gas and we all hate the prices of gas right now. DEAL WITH IT!!! Arguing at the pumps are not going to fix anything-so smile the next time you are there, say thank you to the cashier and move along.

Plus, be grateful you can get gas so you can get to work, others can't.

North Carolina Artist Profile: Amy Wald of Chimney Rock Bark and Twig

Some great North Carolina artists and artisans attend the large craft fairs in the Raleigh area.

One of those artists is Amy Wald, of Chimney Rock, NC. I really enjoyed visiting her booth at the Lazy Daze arts and crafts festival in downtown Cary, NC just a few weeks ago.

Amy Wald creates unique rustic furniture and accessories, the most notable of which is framed art like this painting of a bear.

Amy creates the frames and partners with the paintings of other local artists.

Amy's company, Chimney Rock Bark and Twig, is becoming well known in natural crafting circles.

"I started making these pieces when we were building our log home. I couldn't find anything like the pieces I had seen in books or in the Adirondack lodges, but at a price that a non-lottery winner could afford. I made a few pieces for my own home," said Amy.

"As I was working on them, two things happened. Others asked me to make pieces for their homes, and I realized that I really had fun making them. I started out doing a few custom pieces, moved into galleries, and did a few shows. Now I am hooked!"

All Amy's pieces are created using materials that have been carefully dried.

The frames and other items are then hand sealed to protect and enhance the natural beauty and appeal of the bark, burls and twigs.

Amy gathers her materials on the 50 acres of woodlands that she and her husband live on. They collect in the winter to make sure the bark stays on the twigs and store them to dry for at least a year. They use a natural pesticide to make sure no unwanted guests take up residence.

Amy and her husband also work with a few excavators/tree removal people who call her when they are taking down great trees.

All pieces are hand-made originals and no two are alike.

Amy works with a group of local artists (Lake Lure Artists) , as well as a few great wildlife artists that she has met at shows. She buys only from these 8-10 artists at this time, but she's always on the lookout for new talent to partner with. All pieces must be originals.

Chimney Rock Bark and Twig also takes custom orders for furniture and photo frames.

So if you're looking for something really unique, for decorating your home or a great gift, contact Amy Wald at Chimney Rock Bark and Twig, 828-625-1805, or by email at barkandtwig@bellsouth.net

Amy will be in just two more shows this year: Matthews, NC on Sept 27th/28th, and Lake Lure on October 18th/19th.

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Its that time of year again!! The Annual Hilltopper Fall Festivalwill be October 4, 2008. Festivities start at 9:00 and end at 5:00 pm.. This is a great opportunity to spend the day with the family and see what the of Rutherfordton has to offer. See you on Main Street.

We live in the mountains, a"sweet spot" for for Eco Development and Communities and for people who make choices for quality of life.....

Just one look at our view-sheds says more than a thousand words in that regard. The Asheville area mountains, the valleys, the streams and waterfalls are natural gifts in-which to delight.

(photo is of the AMAZING waterfall at Asheville area Three Creeks Eco-Community)

And not only a sense of place announces itself, but, equally many say, a sense of community.

During difficult days and uncertain times, how good it is to be able to connect with such gifts. The uncommon blessing of neighborliness and verve, prevails here, despite the challenges.

Was it only yesterday that a friend remarked, " Aren't we glad we live in interesting times?"
To which I replied, with a glimmer and a grin, "You bet!'

Possibly we have inherited a "can-do" attitude that comes with the magical blend of our mountain heritage; the indigenous peoples , the Scots-Irish highlanders, the singers and dancers and craftspeople whose legacy is written into the Land. I I feel refreshed with pure possibility when I stand in the mists of the waterfall, or look out on the local harvest of organically-grown produce and the happy faces of the families who provide food for our tables.

Like the Big Laurel River,a beautiful," intact example of a healthy high mountain riparian ecosystem" where children play and churches baptize , and fisherman, paddlers, and grandparents converge, it feels to me, even more today than yesterday, that Asheville holds the promise of welcoming celebration of life to all. No wonder then that Asheville is the "Sweet Spot" for Eco Development and Communities I am proud to represent and love to visit.

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(*)/'(*) .......... ............and always remember that " poets are soldiers that liberate words from the steadfast possession of definition." -Eli Khamarov ....... We are in a sustainable world, so grab hold of your Muse... dream that world... and make it happen!. ......................... .............

Asheville the "Sweet Spot" for Eco Development and Communities. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved

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