31 August 2008
30 August 2008
29 August 2008
"California Moves on Bill to Curb Sprawl and Emissions" - NYTimes.com
Don't we all need to understand this a lot better to see if we can even smarter in the development that occurs in Chapelboroham?
"Writer finds solace at UNC" - newsobserver.com
An odd story at a time when newspapers are facing such pressures, but I am sure the subject enjoyed it!
28 August 2008
Water
From OWASA by e-mail:
"Orange Water and Sewer Authority
NEWS RELEASE Thursday, August 28, 2008
OWASA’s lakes rise from 70% to 79% full due to Tropical Storm Fay.
Thanks to rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay, University Lake rose almost 5 feet and water was flowing over the dam Thursday morning.
The much larger Cane Creek Reservoir, which is the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community’s primary water supply, went up 9 inches and is about 5 feet below full.
At the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant in Carrboro, which is about a mile from University Lake, OWASA’s rain gauge recorded 4.8 inches from Wednesday morning to Thursday morning. At Cane Creek, 2.9 inches fell.
Overall, OWASA’s three lakes, including the small Stone Quarry Reservoir west of Carrboro, are 79% full compared to 70% earlier this week.
As the 2007-08 drought intensified a year ago, the lakes were 70% full on August 28, 2007. In the extreme drought of 2002, OWASA’s lakes were only 35% full on August 28th.
OWASA officials emphasized that year-round conservation requirements remain in effect for OWASA customers, and that the utility continues to monitor supply and demand."
"Orange Water and Sewer Authority
NEWS RELEASE Thursday, August 28, 2008
OWASA’s lakes rise from 70% to 79% full due to Tropical Storm Fay.
Thanks to rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay, University Lake rose almost 5 feet and water was flowing over the dam Thursday morning.
The much larger Cane Creek Reservoir, which is the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community’s primary water supply, went up 9 inches and is about 5 feet below full.
At the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant in Carrboro, which is about a mile from University Lake, OWASA’s rain gauge recorded 4.8 inches from Wednesday morning to Thursday morning. At Cane Creek, 2.9 inches fell.
Overall, OWASA’s three lakes, including the small Stone Quarry Reservoir west of Carrboro, are 79% full compared to 70% earlier this week.
As the 2007-08 drought intensified a year ago, the lakes were 70% full on August 28, 2007. In the extreme drought of 2002, OWASA’s lakes were only 35% full on August 28th.
OWASA officials emphasized that year-round conservation requirements remain in effect for OWASA customers, and that the utility continues to monitor supply and demand."
"Newspaper's Woes Hit Journalists' Training Ground" - NPR
We have the makings of the same sort of competition here in Chapel Hill. Why it has never progressed to the same level as in Columbia, MO, I am not sure.
"UNC officials shut out reporter" - Daily Tar Heel
I join the Daily Tar Heel in saying that this meeting should have been open.
Triangle Transit
I expect my local bus service to work every day. Just received this in an e-mail from Triangle Transit:
"Dear Riders,Triangle Transit will not operate bus and shuttle service on Monday, September 1st in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Triangle Transit will resume regular bus and shuttle service on Tuesday, September 2nd. If you have any questions please contact Customer Service at 919-485-RIDE (7433).
Thank you for riding Triangle Transit!"
"Dear Riders,Triangle Transit will not operate bus and shuttle service on Monday, September 1st in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Triangle Transit will resume regular bus and shuttle service on Tuesday, September 2nd. If you have any questions please contact Customer Service at 919-485-RIDE (7433).
Thank you for riding Triangle Transit!"
27 August 2008
26 August 2008
Sidewalk breaks
I was on South Elliott today and needed to cross the street from where Phydeaux now has its new store - and Mina's - to the other side where one finds Great Harvest, the snappy new ABC store, and soon, 3 Cups, among others.
It's a good example of how far down the list pedestrian walker interests find themselves. There is no reasonable crosswalk, and there ought to be many.
What has to happen for this to be implemented?
It's a good example of how far down the list pedestrian walker interests find themselves. There is no reasonable crosswalk, and there ought to be many.
What has to happen for this to be implemented?
OWASA - Supply and Demand Graphs
Yesterday, for the first time in several months, the reservoir level at OWASA dropped below 70% of capacity.
"Carrboro Creative Coworking | North Carolina's First Professional Coworking Space"
This may prove to be a big success but its space is next to a new building that seems to have only a couple of tenants. What's the problem?
Sidewalks
One of my urban interests is sidewalks - where they are, how to use them, who uses them, and how they are designed and constructed.
It struck me yesterday walking from Parking Lot #5 to Carrboro that the sidewalks of Chapel Hill are really quite nice for the most part along that route, but that there is one principal problem when one enters - more or less - Carrboro.
The sidewalks are too close to the road.
Just after I passed Crook's Corner, a bus passed me. Although I was in the center of the sidewalk, had I raised my arm, I could have touched the bus as it roared by.
Is there any Carrboro plan either to widen the sidewalks or to put in a buffer zone between the sdewalk and the curb?
It struck me yesterday walking from Parking Lot #5 to Carrboro that the sidewalks of Chapel Hill are really quite nice for the most part along that route, but that there is one principal problem when one enters - more or less - Carrboro.
The sidewalks are too close to the road.
Just after I passed Crook's Corner, a bus passed me. Although I was in the center of the sidewalk, had I raised my arm, I could have touched the bus as it roared by.
Is there any Carrboro plan either to widen the sidewalks or to put in a buffer zone between the sdewalk and the curb?
25 August 2008
"1M meals, from Fetzer with love" - Daily Tar Heel
This is a great opportunity to involved the larger non-university community.....
24 August 2008
Alley next to Varsity Theater
My wife and I went to a movie on Saturday night at the Varsity on Franklin Street. We parked in the lot behind the theater off Rosemary. The alley that connects the lot to the Franklin Street sidewalk always seesm to be poorly illuminated, not to mention the mostly dark paint that seems to sort of be on the walls. Is there some project afoot to improve the safety and security of that passage? I sure hope so!
Carrboro Music Festival
I can only assume that something more specific about this year's festival will be posted here in coming weeks.
Welcome to the Peck and Artisans Website
I liked the ad I saw from them in the Carrboro Citizen. It read, in part, "How much does it cost to ride the bus from West Main to Whole Foods Plaza?".
Their website, tho, seems a little underused. Perhaps there is more here than appears on first look. Maybe that's why the URL was not in the print ad?
Their website, tho, seems a little underused. Perhaps there is more here than appears on first look. Maybe that's why the URL was not in the print ad?
Townsend, Bertram & Company - Chapel Hill & Carrboro Outdoor Store
I've seen their sale (began, it seems, last Saturday) ad in only one place - the Carrboro Citizen.
Carrboro Creative Coworking | North Carolina's First Professional Coworking Space
This looks like a pretty interesting undertaking....with lots of good information about the initiative on their website.
Eastgate
My wife and I were driving by Eastgate on Friday evening about 9 PM and decided to test out Evos for the first time. We had a couple of milkshakes which struck me as a bit expensive, but the cappucino was especially good. The other - mixed berries - was also quite good. Here is the all important nutrition information.
The first item here is the reaction of another local first time visitor.
We walked around the center looking in a number of windows.
At that hour, Trader Joe's' people were at work cleaning up and apparently doing some restocking. The Loop had a big contingent on young people out on the sidewalk. I made note of the new Carmine's that says it will open next month.
We looked at what is still the skeleton of what I think will become the new Starbucks of that is all on track. It is still listed here as "coming soon".
Bruegger's had closed, TCBY was open, as was Subway and China Chef.
Great opportunities to add a little animation out on one sidewalk or another. I hope something is in the works!
Oh, yes, here is the Eastgate website.
The first item here is the reaction of another local first time visitor.
We walked around the center looking in a number of windows.
At that hour, Trader Joe's' people were at work cleaning up and apparently doing some restocking. The Loop had a big contingent on young people out on the sidewalk. I made note of the new Carmine's that says it will open next month.
We looked at what is still the skeleton of what I think will become the new Starbucks of that is all on track. It is still listed here as "coming soon".
Bruegger's had closed, TCBY was open, as was Subway and China Chef.
Great opportunities to add a little animation out on one sidewalk or another. I hope something is in the works!
Oh, yes, here is the Eastgate website.
23 August 2008
22 August 2008
Rita's Water Ice Franchise Company
What's the story on Rita's Ice in Carrboro? The "coming soon" sign has been there a long time.
Informed electorate
Combine these numbers (news readership trends from Pew) with the numbers to the left (also from Pew) and then apply them to these and what do you get?
McCAIN posters, stickers?
As I walk and drive around Chapel Hill, I see an increasing number of OBAMA signs and stickers...not a huge increase, but a steady one. In all honesty, I have yet to see a McCAIN poster or sticker anywhere. Yesterday, I spied a bumper sticker with the word McCAIN in bold letters. I thought, "finally, one brave soul!". Alas, in small print underneath it said something like "four more years of BUSH".
I am personally a strong OBAMA supporter, but this community, and all communities need to have a debate with those of varied political views in order for our system to work right. Majority, not unanimity is what we need most!
I am personally a strong OBAMA supporter, but this community, and all communities need to have a debate with those of varied political views in order for our system to work right. Majority, not unanimity is what we need most!
21 August 2008
"23% of young adults not registered to vote" - newsobserver.com
How many in Chapelboroham? How do we all - as a community - try to convince the holdouts to get registered and to vote?
18 August 2008
17 August 2008
16 August 2008
"The Future of Energy and the Environment in North Carolina" - UNC School of Government
For anyone interested in the environment in North Carolina this looks to be a must read!
15 August 2008
14 August 2008
13 August 2008
"Specialty Coffee Roasters Brew in New York" - NYTimes.com
Note reference to Durham's Counter Culture Coffee.
"Franklin Street to gain new tenants" - Daily Tar Heel
The renovation is positive but the lack of any tenants to announce is not.
12 August 2008
Triangle Transit carrying more and more passengers
Here is the release that formed the basis for a short item yesterday on WUNC:
" JULY 2008 RIDERSHIP TOPS 100,000 � SETS NEW RECORD
Research Triangle Park, N.C. (August 11, 2008) � Ridership on Triangle Transit hit a neww record in July.
During July 2008, Triangle Transit’s bus and shuttle service recorded ridership of 108,284. It marks the first month of ridership over 100,000 and helped to boost the month’s ridership 50.2% over July 2007. Ridership one year ago was 72,103.
“We’re pleased to see that public transit is making a difference,” said Triangle Transit Board Chairman Sig Hutchinson. “With fuel prices continuing to fluctuate, more and more people are choosing to help their budgets and give transit a try. Our service improvements, including the recent addition of service in Wake Forest, are having a positive impact.”
This is the fourth straight month of ridership gains. Ridership in April rose 20.5% over April 2007 with 83,926 riders. May’s ridership topped 85,652 for a gain of 14.5% over May last year. During June 2008, Triangle Transit’s bus and shuttle service recorded ridership of 97,172, an increase of 30.2% over June 2007’s ridership of 74,622.
A person in the Triangle can save more than $8,000 per year annually by taking public transportation, according to a new analysis of gas prices in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). According to APTA’s “Monthly Transit Savings Report” a person can save an average of $670 dollars per month based on a gas price of $3.856 as reported by AAA on Friday, August 8.
Triangle Transit connects people and places in a way that is reliable, safe, and easy. Bus service is available to Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Hillsborough, RDU International Airport, The Research Triangle Park, Raleigh and Wake Forest. In addition to vanpools, ridematching and paratransit services, Triangle Transit provides resources for commuters and hosts GoTriangle.org, the convenient on‑line resource for public transportation information in the Triangle.
For more information, visit www.triangletransit.org or call (919) 485-RIDE."
" JULY 2008 RIDERSHIP TOPS 100,000 � SETS NEW RECORD
Research Triangle Park, N.C. (August 11, 2008) � Ridership on Triangle Transit hit a neww record in July.
During July 2008, Triangle Transit’s bus and shuttle service recorded ridership of 108,284. It marks the first month of ridership over 100,000 and helped to boost the month’s ridership 50.2% over July 2007. Ridership one year ago was 72,103.
“We’re pleased to see that public transit is making a difference,” said Triangle Transit Board Chairman Sig Hutchinson. “With fuel prices continuing to fluctuate, more and more people are choosing to help their budgets and give transit a try. Our service improvements, including the recent addition of service in Wake Forest, are having a positive impact.”
This is the fourth straight month of ridership gains. Ridership in April rose 20.5% over April 2007 with 83,926 riders. May’s ridership topped 85,652 for a gain of 14.5% over May last year. During June 2008, Triangle Transit’s bus and shuttle service recorded ridership of 97,172, an increase of 30.2% over June 2007’s ridership of 74,622.
A person in the Triangle can save more than $8,000 per year annually by taking public transportation, according to a new analysis of gas prices in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). According to APTA’s “Monthly Transit Savings Report” a person can save an average of $670 dollars per month based on a gas price of $3.856 as reported by AAA on Friday, August 8.
Triangle Transit connects people and places in a way that is reliable, safe, and easy. Bus service is available to Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Hillsborough, RDU International Airport, The Research Triangle Park, Raleigh and Wake Forest. In addition to vanpools, ridematching and paratransit services, Triangle Transit provides resources for commuters and hosts GoTriangle.org, the convenient on‑line resource for public transportation information in the Triangle.
For more information, visit www.triangletransit.org or call (919) 485-RIDE."
11 August 2008
10 August 2008
"Colleges peddle bikes to car - loving students" - NYTimes.com
What other programs like the one mentioned here at Duke do we have in Chapelboroham?
"Secret Cold War bunker vacant in Chatham" - News & Observer
The nice thing about local history is that it gets written every day - both about what's happening and what happened "then"!
"Celebrate Sun Gold tomatoes" - News & Observer
There are so many great tomatoes at the Farmers' Market and so short a season to enjoy them!
"Hot Stuff" - News & Observer
This mentions favorably a firm at the Pittsboro end of Chapelborham. It's Kerala Curry.
09 August 2008
Durham Saves Water
I have not checked to see if this is linked from the OWASA site, but it should be.....
"Whole Foods Market® Voluntarily Recalls Fresh Ground Beef" - Whole Foods
This applies to North Carolina as well.
It's remarkable to me that Whole Foods does not put a mention of this on its website's home page. Instead, I had to click on pressroom and find it there. How many people routinely check the press releases on a website?
Oh, on checking again, I see that this item is one of several that appear at the bottom of the home page, in rotation with other "news" items. Whole Foods ought to rethink how they communicate really important information compared to far less important stuff.
It's remarkable to me that Whole Foods does not put a mention of this on its website's home page. Instead, I had to click on pressroom and find it there. How many people routinely check the press releases on a website?
Oh, on checking again, I see that this item is one of several that appear at the bottom of the home page, in rotation with other "news" items. Whole Foods ought to rethink how they communicate really important information compared to far less important stuff.
07 August 2008
Food Lion owner
06 August 2008
newsobserver.com | Off the beaten bites
There's a mention here of Evos in Eastgate and Noodles and Co. that has opened first in Durham but is reported to be coming to the Wicked Burrito building in Chapel Hill soon.....
05 August 2008
Saint James Cathedral - Rush Hour Concerts
Is there a place for something like this somewhere in Chapelboroham? Is it already here? See how NBC covered its story tonight.
03 August 2008
newsobserver.com | Growth is missing the buses
The picture of the Raleigh bus system is not an encouraging one. How would a similar story look if written about Chapelboroham, or any portion of it?
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