An autopsy report released Wednesday confirmed that Eve Carson, former UNC student body president, was shot at least five times with two weapons. According to the report, it appears Carson held her hand over her face as the shooter fired a shotgun that sprayed birdshot through her hand and into her temple. More »

The hours of operation for branches of the Orange County Public Library System were reduced starting July 1. Changes include:
• The Carrboro Library at McDougle School will be closed on Mondays. In addition, Tuesday-Thursday hours have been reduced to 5-8 p.m.;
• The Main Orange County Public Library’s Saturday hours have been reduced to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and
• The Cedar Grove Library will be closed on Saturdays, and Monday-Thursday hours have been reduced to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Other hours not noted have not been changed. For more information, visit www.co.orange.nc.us/library/orange or call 245-2525.

University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir are open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for fishing, boating and more on July 4. University Lake will also be open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday and Cane Creek will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Both are alcohol-free facilities. Small private boats without gasoline engines may be used but must first be checked by a lake warden and should be cleaned beforehand. For more information, contact Eric Barnhardt for Cane Creek at 942-5790 and Bob Glosson for University Lake at 942-8007. OWASA’s offices will be closed July 4.

UNC will launch a new botany program that hopes to mingle nature with technology. The curriculum is called BOT 2.0 and will combine botany and environmental conservation with social computing and information management. Part of the course itself is delivered through Web 2.0 blogs, wikis, Facebook and MySpace, while the other part is delivered through hands-on training in the field. The invitation-only program will include 17 students from Alamance Community College, N.C. Agricultural and Technical State, N.C. Central, N.C. State University and UNC-Chapel Hill and starts late this month.
The program was created by Jane Greenberg and Alan Weakley of UNC with the help of a $192,000 grant from the National Science Foundation and seeks to improve learning retention by more actively involving students.

A partnership of Chatham County organizations will receive about $200,000 from the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the federal Environmental Protection Agency to restore and protect the Rocky River and Tick Creek watersheds.
The Watershed Education for Communities and Officials Program at N.C. State University will work with Chatham residents to improve water quality.
The partnership includes Chatham County’s Environmental Resources Division, the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service-Chatham County Center, Chatham County Soil & Water Conservation District, N.C. State University and the Rocky River Heritage Foundation.
For information about the program, contact Christy Perrin at Christy_perrin@ncsu.edu or 515-4542.

by Catherine Rierson
Staff Writer
A modest crowd gathered last Sunday evening for ChathamArts’ Potluck in a Pasture at Bill Dow’s Ayrshire Farm in Pittsboro, the oldest certified organic farm in North Carolina, to share savory dishes of homegrown ingredients and to support local art.
Guests enjoyed a farm tour; a buffet spouting with such homemade dishes as corn risotto, cucumber salad and berry cobbler; and a meet-and-greet with local artists, and were given original recipes and unique growing tips from those on the forefront of organic farming.
“I think agriculture is its own kind of art, and when there’s a chance for people to see what’s going on with it, I’ll fall for it,” Dow said. More »

by Ken Moore
Staff Writer

Right now I celebrate the native trumpet vine, Campsis radicans. Some folks call it trumpet creeper or cow-itch vine. There are likely other names associated with this common weedy vine with bright-orange, tubular flowers that are guaranteed to attract hummingbirds. Keep an eye out for the occasional peach- or yellow-colored variations. The flowers seem to hang in the air, singly or in clusters, at the tips of long stems reaching down from varying heights, be it low fence posts or abandoned barn chimneys.
One of my favorite specimens is a vine on a utility pole on Weaver Dairy Road between Carol Woods and Timberlyne Shopping Center. That vine-covered pole looks like a mop-headed giant having a bad-hair day when it’s covered with those orange flowers reaching out all around.
Equally dramatic is the trumpet vine-covered privet hedge in front of Peck and Artisans Studio between Auto Logic and Akai Hana restaurant in Carrboro. Owner Tim Peck is sophisticated enough to allow it to creep onto his building.
I am fortunate to have one that sprouted at the base of the tall cedar post on which my mailbox is mounted. It’s now reached the top, and is sending orange flowers out from way up high as well as having some lower-reaching stems to tickle the postman at the letter box.
My very favorite urban specimen trumpet vine is the robust one along the front driveway on Rosemary Street just opposite Padgett Station. I enjoy watching it produce flowers for weeks during these long, hot, dry, summer days. More »

by Jordan Timpy
Staff Writer
The white walls inside the Beehive Hair Salon are now decorated with brightly painted canvases, detailed embroidery and other interesting works of art submitted to the Beehive Art Challenge.
The contest spanned the month of June, giving participants time to create their own unique artistic representation of the classic beehive hairdo. All ages were encouraged to get creative, with prizes for all submissions.
From the 17 entries of various size, medium and style that were received, seven top winners were chosen for display inside the shop for the month of July. Additionally, the top three winners received gift certificates to the salon: $100 for first place, $75 for second and $50 for third.
All submissions will be put on display for the 2ndFriday Artwalk on July 11 from 6-9 p.m.

by Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
This year’s Festival of the Eno “critter” says a lot about the river this three-day event celebrates.
The 2008 logo – the mayfly – is more than just an insect design for a t-shirt. The mayfly can be found in the Eno River, which is a good sign of the health of the water.
“Mayflies don’t tolerate high levels of pollution,” said Maddiey Straubel, assistant coordinator of the festival. “The fact that they’re lurking about in our river means we’re doing a pretty good job of keeping our river clean.”
The Eno River Association, started more than 40 years ago to protect the Eno River, sponsors the Festival of the Eno at West Point on the Eno City Park in Durham. This year’s festival is the 29th, and festival coordinators expect over 30,000 visitors.
“It’s great for the money it brings in [for the Eno River Association], but we really look at it as a community event and a way to spread our message,” Straubel said.
The festival features more than 100 performers and features craft demonstrations, dance workshops, a sustainable home and garden expo and canoe and kayak rentals.
The festival hosts a children’s area as well, with storytellers, puppets, a giant chess set, hands-on clay, games and more. Kids can also learn about water health and participate in macroinvertebrate catch and release.
A wide variety of food will also be available.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets at the gate are $15 for a one-day pass or $35 for a three-day pass. Children 12 and under and seniors over 65 are admitted free.
Free parking is available at Durham County Stadium at 2700 N. Duke St. Shuttle buses will run continuously to and from the festival.
For more information, visit www.enoriver.org.