Photos: Bill Milligan / Visite North Carolina

Thoreau said in Walden, “the silence is something positive and to be heard,” and Rachel Carson said, “it was a spring without voices” in Silent Spring. They seem to be talking to me while I slowly climb the mountain. I can relate to both because, on one hand, I enjoy the silence and the cicadas are singing desperately and too loud, but, on the other hand, I wish to listen the birds sing. “No Parking.” “Do No Block the Gate.” “Tow Away Zone.” Trespassing by the side is the onl

Rachel Carson (1907-1964) died without knowing the positive results her last book Silent Spring had in the United States of America and all over the world. She lived long enough to suffer the attacks of her opponents who accused her of being not only disloyal, but radical, hysterical, non-professional, and even sympathetic towards communism. However, she did not enjoy fame and recognition. Timing also played against her in the Cold War years when anything said or written coul

New Hanover County is located in the heart of southeastern North Carolina. Its pristine beaches and Cape Fear River attracts tourists from all over the United States and internationally. Unfortunately, industrial and animal farm pollutants have taken their toll on its ecosystem. Recently hurricane Florence exacerbated the pollutant situation with overflow from several contaminated sites, affecting local agriculture and the security of our future food supply. This essay seeks

Oh sacred herbs that nurture my body and soul Oh infusions, teas and tinctures lifesavers on turbulent waters and winding roads Oh Mother Nature my hips thank you for the stinging needle the taste so foul even with Stevia but it lifts me up from the depression Arthritis. Oh Valerian and St. John’s Wort you two have been the perfect relief for those long nights of rapid heart beating future, extreme weather, climate change Insomnia. Oh Camomile and Lavender! without you two I

Ear Snacks with Andrew & Polly Gaby my granddaughter and I have been listening several Ear-Snacks podcast. Our favorite ones so far have been Episode 16, 17 and 18, which are Animal Teeth, Taking Care of Teeth and Human Teeth (which have been very helpful at night time when Gaby gets impossible while I’m teaching her to brush her teeth with her electric toothbrush). She now sings the songs of those particular 3 podcasts, but we’re moving to others, like the Lion’s Whisker. We

Hola amigos! This is my final project for the Audio Documentary class of ASU. It's about a 100% real experience with ASU timber sports team (audio is not the best all the time). At the end we approach the new concept and the new term born in our university, Silvicology. On Saturday the 6th of October, 2018, the timber sports team from Appalachian State University participated for the second time in the Annual Intercollegiate John G. Palmer Woodsmen's Meet. This is the second

Piles of clothes used to make me real furious As I watched them slowly overtake my home was so pissed seeing clean piles all over Huge piles of dirt and sweat from afar Belching aromas of midday basketball Sneakers scattered with their cheesy smell And these infamous dirty socks rolling it all. Son and husband try to hide them from me Smelly, unwanted piles of assorted sins I couldn’t help but to see them with disgust If left alone rapidly converting into rust Commotions and

Conversation with my peer Rivera about the Timber Sport Competition in which ASU's timber sports team participated recently; sustainable tourism, sustainable development, climate change... Gracias Rivera! #peersstudentsmedia #studentsappalachian #stateuniversity #appstate #podcast #media #studies

AmaTierra is more than retreat center located in a beautiful rural mountain in Costa Rica. The eco-lodge owners Jill and Bob Ruttemberg have created a paradise for the nature lovers and agroecology practitioners, besides offering the best wellness treatments and yoga retreats to those who seek peace and joy. I'm grateful to my partner in life Dr. Bill Milligan for giving me this beautiful present... one week per year at AmaTierra nurtures my soul and recharges my energy! Spec

Grandma "abita"(me) drove five hours from Boone to Wilmington to be a part of Gabriella Montero's birthday celebration. The super hero party took place in the best pre-kinder of town, the Cape Fear Community College Child Development Center. "Papi" Chris Montero and girlfriend Jorie organized the event this year, and uncle Raúl Sojo took and designed Gaby's photo on the cake. Special thanks to the principal of CFCC CDC Leslie King, Miss Frankie, Miss Jess, and Mr. "abito" Bil

La primera novela de Raúl Sojo Montes, publicada en Venezuela por Oscar Todtmann editores, recibió aguas bautismales en la Altamira Libros de Coral Gables en Miami el pasado jueves 8 de junio a las 7 pm. Dentro de los tiempos que nos ha tocado vivir con la actual situación de nuestro país, esta fue la ocasión propicia para que público, periodistas, lectores y poetas se encontraran en un ambiente cálido y fraternal donde departieron y degustaron el agasajo ofrecido por Il Vapo

El cineasta vasco Aitor Oñederra, autor de I Said I Would Never Talk About Politics -uno de los cortometrajes más aplaudidos del recién finalizado 22 Festival de Cine Cucalorus de Wilmington- nos acaba de enviar una gran noticia. Su obra de 10 minutos 31 segundos, cuyo título traducido al español es “Dije que nunca hablaría de política”, ha sido preseleccionada para ser candidata a mejor cortometraje de animación en la 31 edición de los Premios Goya, a celebrarse el 4 de febr

La tecnología, la creatividad y el mecenazgo se unirán en la Connect Conference del 22 Cucalorus Festival, con renombrados inversores e inventores que ofrecerán charlas, paneles y talleres sobre biotecnología marina, emprendimiento social y crowdfunding. Algunos de los invitados son Louis Foreman (CEO, Edison Nation), Brett Martin (CEO, CastleBranch), Stanfield Gray (Dig South) y Eva Doss (The Launch Place). Otras innovaciones que no nos podemos perder en esta fiesta cultural

Las calles de Wilmington se llenan de arte, música y color con el Cucalorus Festival ¡Este miércoles 9 de noviembre comienza la gran movida cinematográfica! Las calles de Wilmington estarán de fiesta. Y no es para menos, pues durante cinco días el mundo de la gran pantalla tomará el centro histórico de la ciudad, con grandes estrenos y propuestas innovadoras no solo de la gran pantalla, sino también del campo del emprendimiento, la tecnología y el patrocinio de ideas novedosa

Los aficionados a la historia tendrán la oportunidad, este sábado 15 de octubre, de conocer la experiencia de Fort Fisher durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, en una completa programación que se ofrecerá al público desde las 9:00 de la mañana hasta las 4:00 de la tarde. En este evento gratuito y para todas las edades, militares y civiles que formaron parte del personal de Fort Fisher en la década de 1940, contarán y reflexionarán sobre la vida de quienes sirvieron en esta impor