Asheville music scene hits the big time ...

Locals have always known what a treasure we have here in Asheville when it comes to live music. The variety of live music available in intimate settings is enough to satiate any passionate music lover.

Be it bluegrass, blues, jazz, mountain music, reggae, traditional rock 'n' roll, Asheville's got it all. No Britney Spears here, y'all. Just good ol' fashioned good-time, genuine artists.

Now, the secret is coming out and the world is beginning to learn about the magnetic appeal of Asheville's music scene.

In its next issue, Rolling Stone magazine is naming The Orange Peel as one of the top music venues in the country.

Yes, read that again.

In the country.

Not the east, not the southeast, not in North Carolina. In the country.

Last summer, The Orange Peel hosted a nine-show residency by the Smashing Pumpkins. The Pumpkins performed nine shows in Asheville from June 23 to July 5, followed up by 11 shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco.

Listen up, America. Asheville's got something going on you need to lend an ear to.

Read the Citizen-Times article about the announcement.

Hey, Llama. You know, how about an Asheville tip?

You know, when I think about Asheville, my mind conjures up images of mountains, flowers, colors, breathtaking vistas, hiking, biking, rafting, and, of course, llamas.

OK. I lied. Llamas????

What the heck to do llamas have to do Asheville?

Well, directly, not much.

But, if you're looking for a really cool, backpack-free way to explore the Smoky Mountains near Asheville, you ought to consider a llama in your future.

English Mountain Llama Treks, located just 45 minutes north of Asheville, offers 1-day, 2-day and 3-day guided hikes. For the overnight treks, they supply meals, snacks, drinks and camping gear for your back-woods stay.

No, you don't ride the llamas; they do all the grunt work for you, carrying up to 100 pounds of your stuff. These creatures are easy to lead, and quite often will alert you to wildlife you wouldn't have noticed on your own.

Regardless what length of llama trek you choose, the photos and stories you get to share with friends will be priceless.

It's just one of the many wild and wacky ways to enjoy Asheville and its surrounding beauty.

Mini-me Asheville in Bloom

Witnessing the variety of natural beauty around Asheville doesn't have to take you multiple days of hiking through the wilderness. That is, if you're willing to catch of glimpse of Asheville's flora in miniature.

The North Carolina Arboreteum has created an amazing bonsai collection of plants native to the southern Appalachian region.

In addition to a Mt. Mitchell bonsai (pictured right), you'll find a number native plants in bonsai form, including bullrush, wild columbine, horsetail, foamflower, ebony spleenwort and Allegheny spurge.

You'll also be dazzled by a mountain scene of American hornbeam, dwarf azalea and creeping thyme.

The Arborteum has an ongoing effort to add as many native bonsai as possible, so you'll never know what you may find.

One thing's for sure, though. You won't see anything else like it.

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden is open Monday throughSaturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.