Harris Teeter

The Harris Teeter computer thinks that we have either "decreased" or "stopped " our shopping at their stores. So they sent us coupons today offering $20 total on $100 of purchases. On the one hand, the $20 is nice, but on the other, it is still a little spooky to think of how many computers are hard at work following, analyzing and now acting on personal information about us!

National Do Not Call Registry

Today, I got a call from (Credit) Card Services, Dallas, TX (214-245-0885) promoting a credit card consolidation service. Our number is on the FTC's Do Not Call list and so I filed a complaint with the FTC about this on a very easy-to-use form linked above. In the event that this firm is targeting numbers in this area, this may be a useful thing for others to do as well.

Murders in Chapel Hill?

With so much attention being given to the apparent horrific murders of young people in Newark, NJ, I wonder how many murders there have been in the CHCHP area this year? I doubt it is zero, but whatever number above that it is, perhaps we should go back and take a little more time describing those lives that were lost. Who were these people? What was it that made their lives special? What were the specific circumstances - as best known - that brought those lives to an end?

Bonne Soiree

It is surprising to find a restaurant without a website anymore. Such is apparently the case with Bonne Soiree in Chapel Hill and I will ask them when I got there tonight why they do not have one.

Morning and evening outings today

This morning, I had to drop something off at a doctor's office in Chapel Hill. What was nice about that was how committed the nurse was there to dealing with the problem at hand. That could happen anywhere, but the fact that it is "remarkable" says something all by itself.

It was surprising to find that the CVS in the shopping center opposite EastGate (next to Food Lion) does not open until 9 AM. More positive was the clerk - or maybe manager - pointing out a new item at the store for kids "of all ages".....a little pocket antibacterial spray. For 1.99, it was a great deal. It's been a while since an employee in one of thos chain stores has recommended anything to me. It was a nice touch.

At Staples, there was more good news. I could not find a chair "pad" that I needed among those on display. After buying some other things, the employee went to the back, crawled on his stomach to check the label on the box, and produced exactly what I needed. He carried it to the cash register and I was on my way.

This evening, we go to the Azure Grille in Meadowmont for dinner with friends. I used the power of their website and my connection to it to print out the summer menu (nice to see something like this really kept up to date), the wine list, and the dessert list so that my wife and I can have a look before we get there. It is too bad that the page of specials was empty, and they need to provide some better tips on how to print pages; only the first page prints for me.

Map of 2007 Orange County candidates

I can only assume that the flags on this map reflect where they live; it is not at all clear.

"Dining cars bound for Carrboro" - Chapel Hill News

It looks from a distance as though they are hard at work!

National Night Out

None of the towns in CHCHP are registered here. I wonder why that is the case? There is probably more to the story..... Well, it looks like there is something, but this is the only information I found.

"Chapel Hill Restaurant Reviews, Doctors, Bars, Salons, Dentists and More" - Yelp

"Reinspecting Bridges" - The New York Times

The US Department of Transportation has not included any bridges in the CHCHP region among the 450 requiring reinspection because they are similar in design to the one that collapsed in Minneapolis.

"Chapel Hill pushes healthy lifestyle" - News & Observer

"Robbers Continue Crime Spree in Chapel Hill" - abc11tv.com

Where were these nine?

Friends of Bolin Creek

Another great resource!

Farmers' Markets

We have a number of Farmer' Markets in CHCHP. How are they doing? The one on Thursday in Southern Village seems to be getting smaller. Is it viable? Are the others successful? What are the trends? What can we all do to help?

Trees

How many trees do we have in CHCHP? Who's keeping track. I thought of this in seeing all of the trees cut down for the Southern Community Park. See what some cities are doing here.

Bus routes

I wonder how often the Chapel Hill bus routes change? Wouldn't be a great add-on to their site to be able to offer general comments about new or changed routes, and specifically to comment on changes that would improve individual routes?

Taking the bus from Southern Village to Carrboro

Walking from Carrboro to Southern Village

Sam W Hitt Medicinal Plant Gardens

I stumbled upon this garden while waiting for a bus yesterday. Every place is rapidly getting its own webpage or more! I wanted to know more about the garden and who was Sam HITT. Clearly someone was expecting I and others might be interested.....

"Pozen stocks plunge on news of delay" - News & Observer

This is a Chapel Hill-based business.

Studio 91 wine bar?

There is a sign in their window in Meadowmont saying their wine bar is now open. Nothing here yet on their website.

American Tobacco Trail

The Trail is referred to often as being in the Triangle, which it is, but how can one WALK from Chapel Hill to the Trail? What is the shortest distance and and best route to do this? Or a bus? This News & Observer story says that the Trail will "connect the Triangle" and reports that the Trail may be finished in summer 2010.

Local at Whole Foods

Whole Foods plans to feature its local products:

"Friday, August 3rd
It's Local! a Celebration of North Carolina4:00–7:00pmStop by and sample the wonderful local produce, seafood, cheese, breads and beer, among other items which North Carolina has to offer. We will be showcasing growers and producers whose products are featured everyday, all year long in our store.
Saturday, August 11th
It's Local! a Celebration of North Carolina11:00–3:00pmStop by and sample the wonderful local produce, seafood, cheese, breads and beer, among other items which North Carolina has to offer. We will be showcasing growers and producers whose products are featured everyday, all year long in our store.
Friday, August 31st
It's Local! a Celebration of North Carolina4:00–7:00pmStop by and sample the wonderful local produce, seafood, cheese, breads and beer, among other items which North Carolina has to offer. We will be showcasing growers and producers whose products are featured everyday, all year long in our store."

Great Harvest Bread Co - New Owners

This just received in a broadcast e-mail from the owners, announcing a sale of the business:

"It is with mixed emotions that Joan and I announce the sale of our Great Harvest Bakery to Martin and Rebecca McCorkle.
Most important to you is that Great Harvest in Chapel Hill will remain Great Harvest and continue to strive daily to give you the best bread in the Triangle while maintaining a high standard for community involvement.
The final closing of the sale and transfer of operations to Martin and Rebecca is scheduled for the 14th of August.
Martin and Rebecca started their training four weeks ago, but Joan and I will assist them for at least one week to ensure a smooth transition.
It’s very difficult for us, the Krueger’s, to find the words to express our gratitude for your support over the last 5 years. Like any thriving business, Great Harvest is nothing without you. We plan to continue to live in Chapel Hill for the foreseeable future. I will be looking for other employment just so Joan doesn’t have to put up with me around the house.
Other than that, our “retirement plans” are wide open."

Fresh Market coming to Chapel Hill

Fresh Market will be replacing the Harris Teeter on Route 54, opposite Glen Lennox. If you want to see what's coming, there is one in Cary, and two in Raleigh - here and here.