It's time for the 2nd annual SummerFest, the free festival that celebrates and promotes healthy living. It's happening at Battleship Park this Saturday, 8/26, 9:30am-4:30pm. You won't find any soda or fried food, but there will be many other things to eat-and do. There are three main aspects of this festival: the vendors, the Singer/Songwriter Showcase, and the International Street Food Challenge.

Art in Bloom Gallery in downtown Wilmington is displaying an art double feature, two collaborative exhibits. One of these is Making Masks, a collection of masks created by wood artist, Dave Klinger, and painter/collage artist, Elizabeth Darrow. It's a whimsical exhibit, featuring 26 masks that came into existence without clear intention by the artists--instead, they surprised each other (and themselves) throughout the creation. The Closing Reception for the exhibit is this Friday, August 25, which is 4th Friday Gallery Walk, 6:00pm-9:00pm.   

We've heard from the astronomers about the great solar eclipse of 2017, but what about their forerunners, the astrologers? Astrologers aren't part of the mainstream scientific community these days, but the practice is as old as the stars. I spoke with Kimberly Logan about what this eclipse means for people in her realm. She's a Reiki Master, licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist, Astrologer, Tarot reader, and more. Listen above, or read the extended transcript below. Find out more about Kimberly's practice at her website.

13 Reasons Why – first a book, then a Netflix series, tells the story of Hannah Baker, a high school student who dies by suicide.  But before she carries it out, she creates old-school cassette tapes – each one telling the story of a particular person who hurt her which add up to the 13 reasons why she decided to die.  They’re various injuries, small and large, including her rape by a classmate.   

With the region’s latest heat wave and the tropical soup that’s spawned Hurricane Gert and three other potential systems in the North Atlantic, it’s hard to think about getting outside and planting anything that isn’t zoned for a humid, subtropical climate. 

But fall will be here before you know it, and in southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina, fall is a great time to plant.  We find out why on this edition of CoastLine from our experts, and we hear about the latest garden trends, but most importantly, we get your gardening questions answered.

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich is in town this week. She’s here to talk about GenX, and has brought a film crew of 15 with her to document her efforts. Last night, she spoke at UNCW’s Lumina Theater.  The forum was short on science, and long on cheerleading.

The Landfall Foundation's 18th Annual Art Show opens today at the Nicklaus Country Club in Landfall. There are nearly 500 pieces of 2-D and 3-D art in the show from 110 artists. All the work is for sale, and the show is open for just 3 days: Thursday, 8/17-Saturday, 8/19, 10:00am-7:00pm. I spoke with the Foundation's President, Marilyn Gunther, about the art--but first, about the money. 

Author Anne Clinard Barnhill published her latest novel, The Beautician's Notebook, in April. Anne has published short stories, a memoir, and two historical novels. She says books like this one are her real work-humorous and poignant. Listen to our short interview above and read an extended interview below. Information about all of Anne's writing can be found on her website and her facebook page.