A look at how the Common Core Standards have impacted NC classrooms. The Community Chorus of Elkin performance its annual holiday concert. Southern Supreme Fruitcakes are a NC holiday tradition. And a look at the Christmas tree industry in our state.

Kelly McCullen talks with Larry Larson of Larry's Beans, checks out a "coffee cupping" where customers sample the products in a manner similar to a wine tasting, attends a barista throwdown to see some amazing coffee art, meets barista Andrew Brash, & takes in a "pour over" demonstration as he learns how NC is brewing up big business with coffee.

Visitors to the Walnut Creek Wetland Center learn the importance of preserving wetlands. The Grovewood Gallery showcases the history of textiles & the work of many on-site artists. Mary Linda Andrews of GlaxoSmithKline & Margaret Gifford of Farmer FoodShare talk about the 2013 GSK IMPACT Awards.

The NC Arboretum is preserving our state's native plants in a unique archive. UNC Charlotte researchers use sound waves to aid utility crews. Dr. Elisabetta Politi talks about health habits for the holidays & beyond.

We continue our series of UNC campus profiles with Appalachian State University. We take a look at the future of I-540 as the state moves forward with completion of the toll road. And Elizabeth Hudson gives us a preview of the holiday issue of Our State Magazine.

The Legislative Oversight Committee looks into teacher contracts. NC Board of Education attorney Katie Cornetta discusses the teacher contract plan. The annual Moravian Lovefeast is held at Wake Forest University. Katharine Laidlaw previews the UNC School of the Arts' annual production of The Nutcracker.

Western Piedmont Community College offers 35 programs to students in Burke County. The Gourd Museum in Angier draws visitors from around the world. And Dr. John Lucas is a 2013 NC Award recipient.

Amateur & professional astronomers gather in Chapel Hill for an annual star gazing party. State & federal officials are working to bring water back to the Dismal Swamp. And State Auditor Beth Wood talks about NC's Medicaid system.

We continue our series of UNC campus profiles with UNC Wilmington. Dr. Tom Linden learns how officials are monitoring plant growth at Pilot Mountain State Park. And musician Tift Merritt talks about her latest album & tour - Still Not Home.

How officials are balancing the demands of tourism with preserving the natural spaces at Chimney Rock State Park. We go behind the scenes at the NC Dance Theatre. And author Elizabeth Spencer talks about her new book.