Melissa English can tell a tale of two cultures. She works with it every day.

With the Urban Appalachian Council, she relates to the public the culture of coal miners, farmers, mountaineers, hunters, trappers and fishermen that originated somewhere in the hilly regions, stretching from southeast New York to central Alabama.

As building manager for thePendleton Heritage Center in the East End, she coordinates a mixed culture of blacks and whites, old and young, families and empty-nesters with low, middle and upper incomes.

"As a public information officer and a training coordinator with the council I go into schools, organizations and churches to let people know about the Appalachian culture," she said. "A lot of people here don't know that they are from that culture."

She didn't know she was part of it until she started digging into her own background. When she applied for the job with the council, she was told they were looking for someone with Appalachian heritage.

"At first I thought, well, that's not me, but when I started digging I found out that my family came out of that area. When I told my mother about it, she said, well I guess that explains why I always liked bluegrass music," English said.

The greatest asset she brings to the council and the center is her understanding and appreciation of people, their cultures, music and food.

After graduating from Reitz High School in Evansville, Ind., she spent 15 years as a rock singer with the Stop the Car Band. Having served five years as director of Greenpeace, an environmental group, and anotherfive years with Ohio Citizen Action, a statewide environmental group, she ended up with the council and the center, a position she loves.

"I really consider my time with the band and the other agencies as going to college, because I learned so much about people, music, food, the earth and all the things that really make life so valuable," she said.

She said college, marriage and children are somewhere on her list,. But as of now life for this 34-year-old Northsider is lecturing about Appalachians, and planning meetings to bring people together to appreciate and share their separate backgrounds.

"The main function of the Pendleton Heritage Center is to preserve the heritage of the East End and build for the future," she said. "We do that by producing art and cultural events, providing a place for cultures to meet and by bridging the different facets of this community."

Books on children, crafts, cooking, gardening and antiques will be available at the Harrison Branch library March 14 and 15 during its used book sale. The sale will be 6-8 p.m.

Allen Howard's "Some Good News'' column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.