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Today’s Email Announcements

1) Christmas in July Craft and Bake Sale at the Senior Center, July 14-15

Join us for our first Christmas in July Craft and Bake Sale at the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 14-15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Handmade crafts, pottery, bake goods and more will be for sale.  Call 828-265-8090 with questions.

2) Award-Winning Novelist, Playwright Jim Grimsley to Speak at ASU on July 16

Jim Grimsley, known for his work as a novelist and playwright, will speak July 16 at Appalachian State University.

His talk, sponsored by Belk Library and Information Commons, begins at 3:30 p.m. in room 114 in the library. The event is free and the public is invited. A reception and book signing will follow his presentation.

His book “How I Shed My Skin: Unlearning the Racist Lessons of a Southern Childhood,” published in April by Algonquin Books, has been called “a powerful meditation on race” by former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey, and “a sensitive memoir that probes the past to discover what and how Grimsley learned about race, equality and democracy ‘from the good white people’ in his family and community,” according to Kirkus Reviews.

Grimsley also is the author of the science fiction novels “The Ordinary” and “The Last Green Tree,” and the dark comedy “Forgiveness.”

His other novels include “Winter Birds,” a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award; “Dream Boy,” winner of the Award for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Literature; “My Drowning,” a Lila-Wallace-Reader’s Digest Writer’s Award winner; and “Comfort and Joy,” a Lambda Literary Award finalist.

He has written 11 full-length and four one-act plays, including “Mr. Universe,” “The Lizard of Tarsus,” “White People” and “The Existentialists.” A collection of his plays, “Mr. Universe and Other Plays,” was published by Algonquin in 1998, and was a Lambda Literary Award finalist in drama.

Grimsley has been playwright-in-residence at 7Stages Theatre of Atlanta since 1986 and was playwright-in-residence at About Face Theatre of Chicago from 2000-04. In 1988 he was awarded the George Oppenheimer Award for Best New American Playwright for his play “Mr. Universe.” He was also awarded the first-ever Bryan Prize for Drama, presented by the Fellowship of Southern Writers in 1993 for distinguished achievement in playwriting.

A native of eastern North Carolina, Grimsley is a member of the faculty at Emory University.

3) Hidden Gems Available at Holy Cross Rummage Sale, July 16-18

With a little time and effort, residents can track down some treasures during the rummage sale at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, located on Highway 194 in Valle Crucis. The sale begins on Thursday, July 16, and runs until Saturday, July 18. The sale is open each day from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Admission is free.

There will be lots of rummage to rummage through at this sale, including books, toys, clothing, linens, household items and furniture.  The basement of the church has overflowed into the adjoining floors with items for the sale.

One of the most popular features of the sale is the way items are marked down each day. On Thursday items are sticker price, but on Friday they are 50% off and on Saturday items are discounted 75%.  Some customers come each day to try and grab bargains.  As the time left in the sale becomes shorter, the church offers up other deals.

A tent is set up for bigger pieces of furniture as well as tables of free stuff.

Collectors and other shoppers are known to show up early for the first day, so there will be muffins, coffee and other items for sale, too.

Good-quality objects not sold during the three-day event will be given to a charity in Boone to be sold there. This event is sponsored by the Episcopal Church women and all proceeds from the sale go to local needs and scholarships.

Holy Cross Episcopal church is located at the intersection of NC 194 and Dutch Creek Road in Valle Crucis.  Look for the stone church with the red door.   For more information about the event, call the church at 828-963-4609.

4) Upcoming Performances at Heritage Hall in Mountain City

Heritage Hall is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the area with quality entertainment at affordable pricing. Most tickets are $10 advance and $12 at door. Most youth seats are $5. For tickets, or reservations, call 423-727-7444 and leave a message. The Box Office is open on Tuesday – Friday, 12 – 2 pm at 126 College Street, between Sr. Center and JC Schools Central Office.  For more information visit heritagehalltheatre.org.

Sat., July 18, Blue Highway At the 20-year mark, Blue Highway is indisputably one of the most esteemed and influential groups in contemporary bluegrass. The band’s eleven exceptional albums and compelling live performances give proof to the stellar reviews, Grammy nominations, and numerous awards earned by the band since it first took the stage on December 31, 1994. That first performance featured the same musicians that comprise Blue Highway today, making their 20th anniversary all the more remarkable. With a deep bench of virtuosic songwriters, vocalists and instrumentalists, Blue Highway’s hallmark is an unwavering commitment to the ensemble, the “democracy of the band” that makes Blue Highway a powerhouse. With eleven highly-acclaimed albums to its credit, Blue Highway has garnered two Grammy nominations, a Dove Award, topped the Bluegrass Unlimited radio charts, and won numerous International Bluegrass Music Association awards. Refusing to coast on past glories, Blue Highway continues to push its music to new levels of accomplishment. Artfully balanced between tradition and innovation, it remains in the forefront of contemporary bluegrass music (bluehighway.com). Tickets $20 Adv/$23Door  Sponsors: Danny Herman Trucking, Mountain View Nursery & Landscaping, The Final Touch

Sat., August 1, The Paris Dance Troop & Second Act Performing Company Song and dance numbers performed by a seasoned cast with members’ ages ranging from 60 to 82.  Guests will delight in the agile choreography and Las Vegas style costuming and glitter.  Music is chosen from Broadway numbers, jazz, oldies clogging, tap, country, rock n’roll and other popular music.Past performances included a star studded night at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the Morongo Casino & Resort, Palm Springs, the Henry County Performing Arts Center, North Georgia State Fair to name a few.Wholesome entertainment for all ages that have thrilled thousands of people  This talented group brings energy, excitement and an evening not soon to be forgotten.” Sponsored by  The Tomahawk Newspaper