Caution: heavy traffic
It was a relief to hear that a strong emphasis will be placed on downtown parking during the board of aldermen retreat later this month. As the board will tell you and as anyone trying to place a vehicle within the confines of the town’s blocks during a busy evening, the parking situation is growing more frustrating by the month. More »

 Steve Peha and Margot Carmichael Lester

No matter what gains we make in education, the Achievement Gap haunts us. If the Gap seems intractable, it’s because of the way we perceive it as a single phenomenon applying broadly to large groups within our society. In reality, academic achievement is more meaningful in individual contexts, and the Achievement Gap results from other gaps representing individual differences in how children experience school. The key to closing the Gap is closing those gaps. More »

Chris Fitzsimon

The pundits and press are still weighing in about the latest gubernatorial debate: a discussion between the four Republican candidates moderated by WRAL-TV’s David Crabtree.

The debate covered the usual ground, education, immigration, transportation, taxes, leadership and not much news was made with one notable exception. It was the first appearance of Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory in a televised debate. More »

Randy Dodd

This question is somewhat of a mantra for me these days.  You see, I’ve been fortunate enough to land within the friendly confines of the Bolin Creek Watershed Restoration Team.

The BCWRT has manifested at least in part because state and federal environmental agencies have confidence that we locals have the wherewithal to do something that other citizenry may not be as ready to tackle: restoring creeks so that a balanced and healthy aquatic ecosystem can thrive. More »

Special Events

• Join members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War and Iraq Veterans Against the War and VVAW National Coordinator Barry Romo as he talks about the upcoming historic event— Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan. Fri, Jan 25, 6pm. Carrboro Century Center, 100 N Greensboro St. Free. Visit www.vvaw.org/events for more info. More »

Carrboro High School will hold a Mini College Night on January 24 at 6:30 p.m. Participating colleges include High Point University, Western Carolina University, UNC-Charlotte, East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, North Carolina Central University, Salem College and others.

The event will be held in the Carrboro High Café Commons.

The Parent-Teacher-Student Associations of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and East Chapel Hill high schools will sponsor a Parenting Healthy Teenagers Forum on February 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Chapel Hill High School Hanes Auditorium. More »

PAGE-CHCCS, a parent advocacy group for academically gifted students in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, will meet January 24 at 7 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Public Library.

The group plans to discuss gifted education, advanced classes and other AG issues in the school district. Carol Horne, the district’s coordinator of Gifted Programs, will make a brief presentation and receive parent feedback.

The meeting is open to the public. For more information, contact Dabney Grinnan at dabneygrinnan@nc.rr.com.

David Brooks (23) of the Carrboro varsity Jaguars reaches for the basket during the matchup against the Northwood Tigers on Friday, Jan. 18 in Carrboro. Brooks led the Jaguar scoring with 32 points, including four 3-point buckets.  The Jaguars lost the game 62-73. Photo by Georg T Gordon

Haley Hegedus (25) of the Carrboro varsity Lady Jaguars releases a shot during the game against Northwood on Friday, Jan. 18 in Carrboro. Northwood won, 56-34.

By Frank Heath
Sports Columnist

Maryland dealt UNC a dose of reality this past weekend, aggressively wrangling an 82-80 win over the Tar Heels at the Smith Center. For Carolina, this ended dreams of an undefeated season and bumped the Heels from the No. 1 spot in the country down to No 5, right behind hated rival Duke, in the latest AP basketball poll. More »

The Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department is sponsoring a Basketball Challenge on Sunday, February 10th.  This event has players competing against one another in a variety of basketball skill events. Age group categories include 9-10 and 11-12 male and female. The fee is $12 per player.  Registration is being accepted at the Recreation Department, 100 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro.  Pre-registration is required.  For more information, please contact the Recreation Department at 918-7364.

The Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department is accepting volunteer coach’s applications for the 2008 Youth Baseball Program and for the 2008 Youth Girls Volleyball Program. More »

Carrboro

• “Are we friends?” Photography by Joanna Welborn & Mark Pettit.  – Jan 3-30. Center Gallery, The ArtsCenter. 300-G E Main St. 929-2737, www.artscenterlive.org.
• Earth Drawings and Soft Sculpture by Jyoti Duwadi – Jan 3-30. East End Gallery, The ArtsCenter. 300-G E Main St. 929-2737, www.artscenterlive.org. More »

Thursday Jan 24

• Blue Horn Lounge: Bill West. 10pm
• Cat’s Cradle: Virginia Coalition, Brooks Wood Band. 8:30pm. $12
• The Cave: Left On Cates, Modena, Expire.
• General Store Café: Bo Lankenau & Friends. 8pm
• Local 506: Max Indian, Jeff Crawford, Brother Henry. 9:30pm. $6

More »