Is there a good forum site for crochet?

Ralvery dot com. It's a community for crocheters and knitted. Also great for patterns.

You should definitely check out Ravelry.com. It's a wealth of information for knitters and crocheters. You can ask questions, find out about yarn, see photos of yarn (to see the colors if you're ordering online), see photos of completed projects, find patterns, figure out what yarn to use for your projects, and so much more. 

Most of the yarn I use comes in hanks and needs to be wound on a winder or by hand. I've used certain yarns that already come in center-pull skeins. I often seem unable to find the center pull and end up using the outside strand. It's no big deal, it ends up being the same in the end. Toward the end of the skein I personally find it easier to wind it by hand into a ball in order to avoid tangles. 

I have my works-in-progress stored in these little plastic baskets that I bought at Five Below. This way I can tote the basket around anywhere I choose to knit, and my ball of yarn (if it is an actual ball and not a 'cake') will roll around in the basket rather than on the floor. These little baskets have gone many places me. I take them in the car on roadtrips. I love them and they work well to contain my project and everything I need for it (pattern, double pointed needles, tape measure, etc.).  Mine look just like this (but are in a cute teal color). 

I've recently used the Bernat Cotton Delux yarn and what you're describing is a property of the yarn - it's not you. It does split easily. A lot of cotton yarn does. It makes it more difficult to work with but I still love the results. And the yarn does pull off the outside as opposed to the center. If that bugs you, you can pick up a small yarn winder at Hobby Lobby (using a coupon of course) and wind it into a little cake where the yarn pulls from the center. Or, you can buy a yarn bowl to put the skein in which keeps it from rolling all over the place and adds just enough tension to free your hands.

And to answer you question about another forum, I agree with the others about Ravelry. It's awesome! There are groups you can join like a beginner's group. Also, when you've mastered the dishcloths, you'll find an amazing collection of patterns for every skill level. Youtube is an awesome resource, too.

If you can't find an answer, don't hesitate to ask here or message me here and I will try to help.

Sherri, do you have information on the yarn sale in NC? Would love the info.

And I used to use a basket for my projects but can't because of our puppies so I now use the top drawer of my great grandmother's chest that sits next to the couch in the living room. Works amazing.

~Sherri~, thanks for the information! Looks like it's about 4 1/2 hours from me. My girls come home from college that week so not sure I will be able to make it as we have to move them out of their apartment but I will still print the info and save the date. Looks fun!!! Thank you!