Chili cookoff
Infinity Biodynamic Farm will host a Chili Cookoff to raise money for the Cedar Grove Community Crossroads Project. The project aims to raise money to restore a historic Cedar Grove home as a community grocery co-op. The Cookoff takes place Saturday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the barn and will also feature an arts & crafts sale, music and other food.

Entry in the competition is $25, first prize is $300. All chili ingredients must be local or organic. All meat must be pasture raised. Entry forms can be found at http://infinitybiodynamicfarm.org/application.aspx.

Infinity Biodynamic Farm is located at 1600 McDade Store Rd. in Cedar Grove, up 86 past Hillsborough.

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Carrboro High School to stage first production
Carrboro High School drama students will stage their first production, “Curious Savage,” tonight (Thursday), Friday and Saturday.

The production, directed by Brooke Linefsky, is a comedy written by John Patrick.

The performances will be held at 7:30 each night at the East Chapel Hill High School Auditorium. Tickets are $7 and will be available at the door.

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Tax educator volunteers needed
The Board of County Commissioners is seeking volunteers to serve on the Orange County Local Revenue Options Education Advisory Committee for the May 2008 tax referendum.

In this year’s state budget, the Legislature gave counties the option of a 0.4 percent land transfer tax or a quarter-cent sales tax increase to compensate for money taken away from counties in a deal to make the state pay for Medicaid.

The 20-member advisory committee will provide the public with information regarding the tax options by developing educational materials and planning informational meetings.
Interested Orange County residents can apply online at www.co.orange.nc.us or request an application by calling 245-2125.

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By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen gave the go ahead for the next phase of planning for the new northern fire station on Homestead Road.

After a presentation Tuesday night at Town Hall of a rough building design and site layout by Ken Newell, architect with Stewart, Cooper and Newell, the board approved moving ahead with construction drawings.

If the station stays on the current schedule, construction could start as early as next summer. With a budget of $2,749,703, the station is the largest town project since the construction of the Main Street fire station. The station is being constructed on a narrow 1.6-acre parcel being leased from the university at $1 per year.

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By Jack Carley
Staff Writer

Fire caused an estimated $350,000 in damage at F & F Automotive Inc. on Weaver Street last Thursday, November 8, according to the Carrboro Fire Department.

Fire trucks arrived at the building around 7 p.m. to find that a car inside the building was ablaze and fire was spreading through the building. No injuries were reported.

Four fire engines and 21 firefighters had the fire under control in about ten minutes while Carrboro police directed traffic.

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By Chris Fitzsimon

Race and economics and inequality

Two major reports released this week paint a disturbing picture of the economic disparities between African-Americans and whites and highlight the stark contrast in the progress of the two races in the last 40 years.

A study from the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute for Private Enterprise at UNC finds that African-Americans contribute almost $45 billion to North Carolina’s economy through the purchases they make and the taxes they pay.

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By Kirk Ross 

Barring any calamities, pressing federal mandates, acts of God or other compelling reasons to reassemble, the Legislature is not due back in Raleigh en masse until noon on Tuesday, May 13.

By then, the candidates for Council of State and the federal and state legislative slates ought to be sussed out. And, given the tilt toward a front-loaded presidential primary season, that race will be in full gallop as well.

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By Jock Lauterer 

At Sutton’s, Marty Ravellette’s daily morning hangout, the late Carrboro landscaper and motivational speaker liked to read over stories journalism students had written about his life. “This kid got it,” he used to say of a piece he liked. Photo by Jock Lauterer

I always wanted to write a story about Marty Ravellette, but never imagined I’d be writing a footnote to his obituary.

When Marty Ravellette, 67, of Carrboro died Monday, he left behind not only a loving family but also a veritable fan club of friends who are heartsick over his untimely death. And the fact that his demise came with him at the wheel — a fact of which he was so proud — makes his passing all the more poignant.

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Marty Ravellette of Carrboro passed away early Monday November 12, 2007 at UNC Hospital. He was 67.

The son of the late Ernest D. Ravellette and Laurene Frohreich, Mr. Ravellette was preceded in death by his son Marcus Ravellette.

Mr. Ravellette is survived by his wife, Maree Ravellette; a daughter, Nancy Jo Neilsen of Florida; three grandchildren, Marcus Neilsen, Aaron Neilsen and Ayanna Wade; brother, Robert Ravellette; sisters, Edith Stellmaker, Barbara Furry.

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Beth Altshuller Kurtz, 47, of Carrboro, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 11, 2007. She was a former employee of Lowes, and a resident of Carrboro.

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Melba Davis Ward, 88, of Carolina Meadows, Chapel Hill, died unexpectedly November 7th, 2007 at UNC-Hospitals.

The middle daughter of seven children, Melba was born in Bladen County to Rachel Maxwell and Wade Davis on June 22, 1919. She grew up in White Oak, NC and Chapel Hill and graduated from Hardbarger’s Business College in Raleigh. While working on the UNC campus, Melba met and married the late Bernice Lee Ward of Chatham County.

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Dell Hilliard, 42, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at UNC-Hospitals.
Dell was a wonderful husband, son, brother, uncle and friend to many. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and everyone who knew him was very lucky.

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Isabel Patterson (Pat) Eaton died on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at her home in Chapel Hill. For those who knew her, Pat was a most engaging woman – even when her words were sharp and her stage whispers reached the balcony. Pat had a deep vein of tenderness that could be overshadowed by her sometimes cranky, complaining manner. But, when her shy smile emerged and her voice softened, Pat warmed one’s heart with  her appreciation for the care and attention shown her.

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By Erik Ose

Joe Herzenberg

With Joe Herzenberg’s death, North Carolina has lost one of its most caring, kind and generous lights.

I first met Joe in 1990, as an undergrad. We shared mutual interests in progressive politics, the local political scene and voter registration. Joe was thrilled at the idea of trying to re-awaken the sleeping student vote at UNC. He encouraged me at every turn to make it happen.
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Special Events

Bluegrass Experience 36th Anniversary Show – Double feature with Tommy Edwards & Friends Christmas CD release party. Fri, Nov 16, 7pm at The Barn at Fearrington Village. For ticket info, visit www.chatamarts.org or call 542-0394.

Alternative Christmas Market - Handicrafts, services & food items benefiting local & global causes of human rights, disaster relief, sustainable development & promotion of local arts. 9am-1pm, Sat, Nov 17, and Sun, Nov 18. United Church of Chapel Hill, 1321 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill. 942-3540, www.unitedchurch.org.

Potluck Dinner & Open-Mic – 30th Annual. 5pm, Thanksgiving Day at The Cave. 452 1/2 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill. www.caverntavern.com.

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