Arts & Culture

It’s Friday, the end of the work week. This evening, a lot of people will head over to their local “watering hole” for relaxation with friends.   In North Carolina a growing number of people are opting for a home-made beer, a craft beer. Micro-brew-style pubs are steadily opening.  But in order to keep growing, they’re hoping for a tax break from Washington.

Pickles, possums and fleas will help bring in 2012 across rural North Carolina.

Jeff Tiberii: The city of Mount Olive expects more than 2,000 visitors for its 13th annual pickle drop tomorrow night. A thirty-pound wooden flea will drop in Eastover to commemorate the New Year. And in the Western reaches of the state a live possum will be lowered, not dropped, 18 feet inside of some Plexiglas. Clay Logan is the organizer of the alcohol-free, family-oriented event.

As 2011 winds down, Morning Edition host Eric Hodge speaks with Freddy Jenkins and Keith Weston of Back Porch Music about some of their favorite folk and acoustic music of the year.

Keith chose Sarah Jarosz and New Found Road Live.

Freddy picked Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch.

We also lost a number of artists this year

Here's some of note:

Kwanzaa is underway and the Town of Cary will observe the holiday with a celebration Thursday. Kwanzaa is held each year from December 26th through January 1st in honor of African-American culture and heritage.

The Salvation Army has been faced with record need this holiday season.   And some everyday citizens are meeting that need with donations that sparkle.