Chris Fitzsimon When last we checked in on the disaster in North Carolina called mental health reform, things weren’t going so well. Families were struggling to find services for loved ones with mental illness, two state hospitals were scheduled to close even though admissions were up and a new hospital is already overbooked and it…
Exile on Jones Street: 12/06/07
The Guv gets it Affix blame, if you would, firmly with the campaign class — the pollsters, consultants and money folks — and shame to the candidates who listen to them. I’m talking about the reaction of our gubernatorial candidates to a ruling that allows undocumented immigrants the opportunity to a community college education in…
Letters to the Editor: 12/06/07
Thank you note EmPOWERment, Inc. would like to thank everyone who made our Build-a-Home Fundraiser on Nov. 13 such a success. The Carolina Inn provided an elegant setting and spectacular food as we celebrated EmPOWERment’s 11 years of service through affordable housing, community organizing and grassroots economic development in Orange and Chatham Counties.
Community Briefs: 12/06/07
Senior theater The Prime Time Players company will present two one-act plays geared for a senior audience on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center at 2551 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill. “Life Begins at Eighty†is a play by local writer Charles Stern…
Community Calendar: 12/06/07
Special Events Mark Hewitt Pottery Holiday Kiln Opening – Sat, Dec 8, 9am-5pm; Sun, Dec 9, noon-5pm. For directions, visit www.hewittpottery.com or call 542-2371. Coalition for Peace with Justice – Open house fundraiser with door prizes, items for sale. See the new office and resources available. Sat, Dec 8, 2-6pm. 1821 Green St, Durham (near…
Obituary – Paul T. Baker
Paul Thornell Baker, Emeritus Evan Pugh Professor of Anthropology at The Pennsylvania State University, died on Thursday, November 29, 2007, at the age of 80 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Baker was a pioneer in the field of physical anthropology and human population biology and ecology. He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight…
Another wild aster for your garden
By Ken Moore We’ve finally had some killing frosts and winter is beginning to settle in. This is the season we are accustomed to being the hosts of garden mums, Chrysanthemum x morifolium, with their neon-like orange, yellow and red colors, as well as the quieter colors of pink and white of Sasanqua Camellia, Camellia…
For landfill’s neighbors, 35 years is enough
 Photo by Robert Dickson Aerial view of the Orange County Landfill and the Rogers-Eubanks Road community. Rogers Road runs diagonally in the foreground. Editor’s note: This story is the third in a series that examines issues related to environmental justice and to the fight of the Rogers and Eubanks roads community to be relieved…
Carrboro nonprofits host community open house
Photo by Robert Dickson Executive Director of People of Faith Against the Death Penalty Stephen Dear (second from left) shows visitors around the nonprofit’s office. By Susan Dickson Staff Writer Community leaders, elected officials and members of the public filled the Douglas Building Tuesday evening for the first joint open house of all five of…
Recently: Holiday magic at Emerson Waldorf Faire
 By Valarie Schwartz Magic happens regularly at the Emerson Waldorf School, but it’s been a few years since the holiday magic going on this week has stood on its own. “It was combined with the Fall Faire, but that got to be too big, so we’ve moved it back to the Christmas season,†said…
Carrboro scientist presented North Carolina Award
UNC researcher Darrel Stafford, whose work has led to breakthroughs in the study of coagulation and its regulation, was among nine individuals presented with the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor. Stafford, who has lived in Carrboro for 20 years, was presented with the Science award in a ceremony in Cary Tuesday night….
Town passes anti-lingering ordinance
By Kirk Ross Staff Writer After a lengthy discussion, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen last week passed an anti-lingering ordinance meant to curtail activity near a day labor pickup site at the corner of Davie Road and Jones Ferry Road. The board voted four to one to approve the ordinance, which was requested by police…
Electrical fire displaces apartment residents
By Susan Dickson Staff Writer An electrical fire at Berkshire Manor Apartments displaced 12 residents on Sunday night. No injuries were reported. Carrboro firefighters responded to the fire at the apartments, located on NC 54 Bypass, at 9:15 p.m. and found smoke coming from the roof of building G of the complex and a large…
News Brief: Pet pictures with Santa event
The Orange County Animal Shelter will host a “Pictures with Santa†event on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at PetSmart on Witherspoon Boulevard in Durham. Pictures of pets with Santa are $9.95, or $8.95 with a PetsPerk PetSmart card. Proceeds will benefit the Orange County Animal Shelter.
News Brief: Fundraising scams
Over the past few months, the Chapel Hill Police Department has received several complaints of misleading fundraising being conducted in the name of local law enforcement. If you are considering making a charitable donation please consider the following tips: • Don’t give to charities you’ve never heard of without first checking with the Better Business…