A musical salute
We have long taken pride in our music community, and for good reason. It’s something for which we’ve been known for decades, and the institutions that have grown up as a result – our music clubs, record labels and studios – have put us on the map as a place that honors its own and their kindred spirits around the world.
The other night, the music industry tipped its hat in our direction once again, handing Grammy awards to the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Arcade Fire.
You may remember the Chocolate Drops when they first started getting together. They made their debut at The ArtsCenter and have been a steady presence around here ever since, including a gig at the McDougle cafetorium entertaining attendees of the annual Community Dinner.
The trio, who won the Grammy in the Best Traditional Folk category, draws inspiration from the black string bands that started disappearing from the Piedmont in the 1920s. Guiding them on their journey was Mebane fiddler Joe Thompson, an official national treasure, who still draws a bow in these parts.
The big celebration on Grammy night came at the very end of the show when Arcade Fire beat out Lady Gaga, Eminem and Katy Perry for Album of the Year.
Arcade Fire, you may recall, played a raucous get-out-the-vote show at the Carrboro Town Common during the 2008 presidential campaign. The Suburbs, their award-winning record, is on Merge Records, which was founded in Chapel Hill and spent its early years in Carrboro in a cramped suite of offices upstairs in the 100 block of East Main Street. The national press, which clearly wasn’t ready for this kind of thing, keeps calling Merge a tiny label. Around here, we think they’re a pretty big deal.
Big ideas
In the end, the big idea of moving the Chapel Hill Public Library to University Mall proved unworkable. And while it stirred up a lot of interest and fuss, it should not discourage those charged with thinking big from doing so.
The process was far more transparent than similar previous endeavors, another aspect that should be applauded.
The library move may not have worked, but the lessons learned have been helpful as the town looks ahead to other potential partnerships for services and facilities.
Do some good
Thinking about our water supply always helps jog the memory that OWASA customers have the opportunity for one of the easiest ways to help their neighbors in need.
OWASA’s Blue Thumb program helps out residents who are unable to pay their water bills. The funds for the program are drawn from other OWASA customers who have agreed to have their water bills rounded up to the nearest dollar.
It’s never going to cost you more than 99 cents a month, a rather small price to pay to make a difference. All you have to do is check the box for the Blue Thumb program on your water bill.