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You gotta love comedian Mary Wessling.

“My, how time flies when no one is laughing,” she writes in an e-mail to me.

“But that’s soon to change because I am presenting my next comedy show on Friday, Oct. 23, around 7 p.m. at the Green Bean (341 S. Elm St.) in beautiful downtown Greensboro, North Carolina — home of the Fighting Quakers, Spartans, Aggies, Bennett Women, Pride and GALs.”

Here’s her top six reasons for attending the show:

1. “This show is a fundraiser for Joseph’s House so bring your spare bills and change.”

The nonprofit Joseph’s House (www.josephshouse.net) provides a residential setting for homeless young adults, including those who have aged out of the foster-care system but are still in high school.

2. “This show will feature some of the best comedy a middle-aged broad who works full time can write and perform.”

3. “This show is not recommended for anyone under 16 because research shows most people under that age do not find me funny.”

4. “The lovely establishment where this show will take place features a wide selection of wine, beer, sodas, teas, coffees and water — all at reasonable prices.”

5. “The event will feature some free food and plenty of mingling before and after the show. (Please, minimize the mingling during the show.)”

6. “My best audience so far has been the one that shows up ready to laugh. Don’t break this chain or you will have 22 months of so-so luck.”

Wessling, involved through the community and her Catholic parish in trying to find ways to improve the lives of others, is asking those who can’t make it to consider making a donation directly to Joseph’s House: P.O. Box 7979, Greensboro, NC 27417, or making a purchase at the nonprofit’s thrift shop at 709 E. Market St., Suite 106. (To request executive director Nancy McLean to speak to your group or church, call 389-9880 or e-mail nancy@josephshouse.net.)

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Greensboro native Tia McCollors turned to writing after she was laid off from her job in public relations.

Fast-forward 10 years, and McCollors (www.tiamccollors.com)  has written four novels in the Christian fiction genre. Her latest release, “The Last Woman Standing,” follows the life of Ace Bowers, his ex-wife, and his current girlfriend — the woman who’s trying to play the hand of God to ensure she wins Ace’s heart.

McCollors will visit the Triad to promote “The Last Woman Standing” during book signings Oct. 10: noon-1 p.m., Aspiring Writers Workshop, Vance Chavis Library, 900 S. Benbow Road; 1-3 p.m., book club discussion and signing, Vance Chavis Library; 4 p.m., book signing at Barnes and Noble, Friendly Center, 3102 Northline Ave.

Some of you may remember McCollors, back then Tia Webster, from the Class of 1992 at Northwest High School. She was a cheerleader, student body president, runner on the track team and member of the newspaper staff. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in journalism and mass communication, McCollors’ other books include “A Heart of Devotion,” “Zora’s Cry” and “The Truth About Love.”

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The Rev. Nelson Johnson and his wife, Joyce Johnson, leaders in the faith community, are scheduled to receive the Marvin E. Johnson Diversity and Equity Award from the Association for Conflict Resolution this weekend.

They were nominated “based on their organization of the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the first such commission in the United States, and their history of creating change through diverse aspects of restorative justice,” according to the organization.

Through the reconciliation commission, the Johnsons, founders of Faith Community Church and the Beloved Community Center, have “given voice to the grievances that kept their community moving forward, bringing labor, women’s, civic and religious groups to the table to improve the lives of the disenfranchised,” organizers said.

Last year, the Johnsons were chosen for a “2008 Purpose Prize for Innovation, Extraordinary Social Contribution.”

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The Children’s Home Society of North Carolina might be the first out of the gate this year with Christmas cards.

The nonprofit’s 2009 cards again feature artwork by Cary Savage-Ingram, with the inside message, “May the Holiday Season fill your home with joy, your heart with love, and your life with laughter.”

Each set includes 20 cards with envelopes for $25, which includes tax and shipping.

Information: (800) 632-1400 or www.chsnc.org.

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com