Contested elections
Things were looking dull in this year’s municipal elections — at least that’s what some folks thought. But the idea that no one should have an unchallenged stroll to re-election was at least some of the impetus behind a number of those who decided to seek public office. The result was a lot more discussion and give-and-take. If you were paying attention, you learned a lot. If you weren’t, it was at least entertaining. More »

Chaining wrong
In response to Mr. Stern’s letter of December 12, I am outraged that he thinks that a chained dog might be perceived as “spoiled.” There is no difference between his dog and the hunting dogs that he claims are the ones who are being abused. This issue is not due to the transgressions of a few. More »

Chapel Hill – John Allen Bryant (“JB”) died on December 12, 2007 at UNC Hospital.  JB served in the US Navy and was a surgical assistant in the Department of Vascular Surgery at UNC before he became ill. More »

Burlington – Roger C. Downs, Sr., 89, of Burlington, NC died at Alamance Regional Hospital on Wednesday, December 19, 2007.  Born in Arlington, MA and a graduate of Harvard University, Mr. Downs served in the US Army and spent his career in management with Burlington Industries as Vice-President of  Manufacturing.  He was a member of Civitan International, the Burlington  Rotary Club, and the Burlington Mediation Group. More »

This from Chapel Hill Police:

Suspicious Individuals Going Door-to Door

The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating numerous reports of individuals going door to door representing themselves as workers of a construction company doing work in the neighborhood. The subjects are reported as being well dressed and polite when speaking with homeowners. The subjects have told residents that they are making notification of scheduled work so homeowners will not think it’s suspicious and call the police.

Should you encounter anyone going door to door we recommend the following:
• Do not allow the subjects to enter you house.
• Notify Police immediately by calling 911.
• Attempt to get a description of the individuals (Race, Sex, Age, Clothing)
• Get a vehicle description and license plate number if possible.
• Note where you last saw the subjects and which way they were traveling.

Basal leaf rosettes of Cardinal Flower must have winter sunlight. Photo by Ken Moore.

By Ken Moore

Have you checked on your Cardinal Flower lately? You are likely thinking, “Hey, this is the holiday season and Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis, blooms in the late summer. This is the season for holly and mistletoe and hoping for snow.”

But think back to the late-summer brilliant red of Cardinal Flowers and the hummingbirds so attracted to them. If you are a gardener and you’ve been challenged in keeping Cardinal Flower through the winter, now is the time to give a little holiday attention to those plants.

More »

By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer

Long before she came to work for Margaret Murta and Mary Corcoran, Barbara Clark – the Pittsboro housekeeper accused of fatally beating her former employers – had preyed on elderly people.

Clark, 41, has been accused of attacking Corcoran, Murta and Rebecca Fisher, 77, in a Galloway Ridge apartment on December 5, after the women confronted her about stolen checks. She was charged with two counts of murder after Corcoran, 82, and Murta, 92, died from injuries sustained during the alleged beating.

The elderly population is too often targeted by criminals, and older people must know how to protect themselves, said Art Englebardt, an officer with the community services division at the Chapel Hill Police Department.

More »

During the holiday season, with more people leaving town, home break-ins become more common. But there are simple things homeowners and renters can do to protect their homes, according to the Carrboro Police Department.

“The main thing that I would stress, if you’re going to be away … is to keep your house looking like it’s lived in,” said Paul Atherton, community services officer with the Carrboro Police. “You don’t want to give the impression that it’s an empty house.”

More »

Editor’s note: This story is the fifth in a series that examines issues related to environmental justice and to the fight of the Rogers and Eubanks roads community to be relieved of what they allege to be an undue burden. To read the stories in this series and for other resources, go to www.carrborocitizen.com/main/rogers-road 

By Taylor Sisk
Staff Writer

Over the past few months, many in Orange County have been engaged in a discussion concerning environmental justice.

Community members have asked: “Is it right to demand that a neighborhood that has borne the unpleasant consequences of our county’s landfill for over 35 years now be the location of yet another solid-waste facility?”

Many have responded, “No.”

More »

By Valarie Schwartz

A clan of turkey vultures came callin’ Sunday afternoon. Enjoying the cold, gusty, brilliant weather, the white undersides of their wings shone like aluminum with the waning sun glimmering upon them as dozens gathered overhead.

Watched while in flight, the birds, which can have 6-foot wingspreads, glide gracefully and effortlessly among the thermals, whether searching for food or simply enjoying the ride and community.

The air show produced a far different reaction than the repulsion upon seeing a turkey vulture along a roadside rising in wobbly takeoff from a carcass feast, its red bald-like head appearing comical as well as grotesque.
The allure of nature, making even the lowly turkey vulture a gift to behold, delivered the metaphor required for focusing on this time of year. With only a change of perspective, the holiday season, like the turkey vulture, makes hearts rejoice — and cringe.

More »

Carrboro

Paintings by Stephanie Smith – Family rendering acrylic paintings. Through Dec 23, East End Gallery at The ArtsCenter. Artist’s reception: Fri, Dec 14, 6-9pm. 300-G E Main St, Carrboro. 929-2787, www.artscenterlive.org
Paintings by Peg Bachenheimer and Catherine Carter – Through December at Provence Restaurant, 203 W Weaver St, Carrboro. www.pegbachenheimer.com

Chinese Red Glazed Pottery by Ben Owen III - Through Dec 31. NC Crafts Gallery, 212 W Main St, Carrboro, 942-4048, www.nccraftsgallery.com, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 1-4pm.

Super Awesome Holiday Family Show – Bright, starry, and really special! Through 14-Jan 7 at Wootini, 200 N Greensboro St, Carr Mill Mall, Carrboro. Opening reception: Fri, Dec 14, 7-11pm.

More »

Thursday Dec 20

Blue Horn Lounge: Tain Collins. 9pm

The Cave: Jim Watson’s 22nd Annual Christmas Show. 8:30pm. $5

Cat’s Cradle: Slick Rick with Connie Price & The Keystones, Percee P and DJ Haul. 9:30pm. RSVP.

General Store Café: Tony Galiani Band. 8pm.

Nightlight: Calico Haunts, Brandon Herndon, Gambling the Muse. 9:30pm. $5

More »

UNC News Services

In projects ranging from representing victims of domestic violence to providing income tax filing assistance, students at UNC are continuing a tradition of public service in North Carolina with the help of Seagraves Service Grants.

The Carolina Center for Public Service recently presented the grants to eight student organizations to support public service projects addressing identifiable needs statewide. The projects, detailed below, are in keeping with UNC’s longstanding commitment to public service and engagement.

More »

The Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors last week awarded nearly $7 million in contracts for construction of a reclaimed water system, the utility announced. Reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater that meets state standards for certain non-drinking uses.

The new system will enable the use of reclaimed water from OWASA’s Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant instead of drinking water at several chilled water plants on the south side of the main campus. The chiller plants help cool air and equipment in buildings on the main campus. The university is also designing its new genomics building to use reclaimed water to flush toilets.

More »

Special Events

The Eno River State Park will host several events this holiday season. The first is a Christmas Hike at Occoneechee Mountain scheduled for Saturday, December 22 at 1 p.m. Visitors to the park also will be able to bird watch on Saturday, December 29 at 9 a.m. And on Tuesday, January 1 at 2 p.m., the Eno River Association hosts a New Year’s Day Hike at the Eno River State Park. Call 383-1686 for more information and to RSVP.

Umstead State Park will host “A Walk in a Ranger’s Shoes,” a 1.5-mile hike with a ranger who will discuss natural processes and park management. The hike is Saturday, January 12 at 3 p.m. Reservations are required; call 571-4170. And on Sunday, January 20 at 2 p.m., Umstead State Park will host “Basic Land Navigation,” and will teach skills in using a map and compass.

More »