In the past two weeks, I’ve twice visited Chapel Hill’s Peace and Justice Plaza: once for an Occupy Chapel Hill-Carrboro event and once for the NAACP’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. rally.
BIG CITY: What does it take to make it to the top?
Regular readers may recall that I have a thing about the proliferation of top lists, specifically those put out by those “with it†news organizations that use them for a quick, cheap traffic boost, branding or both.
LETTER: Support Shelton Station
I am writing in support of the proposed Shelton Station project submitted by Carrboro resident Kenneth Reiter.
LETTER: Reject Shelton Station
I grew up in Carrboro and am the fourth generation of a family with deep roots here.
Phil Blank, January 12, 2012
Illustration by Phil Blank
The dad bite, 1968
I’m of the opinion that the humble snapshot, given enough time, becomes a piece of priceless documentary photography.
FLORA: Feasting on Ocracoke
I am still relishing attending the Sixth Annual Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Association oyster roast, shrimp boil and fish stew fundraiser on the eve of New Year’s Eve.
Occupy moves on
The tents have all come down, the signs have been packed up and Peace and Justice Plaza has been returned to normal, as Occupy Chapel Hill has decided to disassemble its occupation.
Council tables independent Yates review
Following a protest by some 40 residents against the findings of Town Manager Roger Stancil’s report on the incidents surrounding the Nov. 13 raid of the former Yates Motor Co building, the Chapel Hill Town Council voted not to consider a measure proposing an independent review of the events, instead calling for a review by the town’s appointed Community Policing Advisory Committee (CPAC).
Northside property regulations approved
In a move that could shift the changing face of the Northside and Pine Knolls neighborhoods, the Chapel Hill Town Council on Monday voted unanimously to approve regulations intended to limit investor-owned properties in the Neighborhood Conservation Districts.
Accessibility a top priority for Carrboro library
Taking another small step toward a southwest library for Carrboro, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen on Tuesday discussed criteria they’d like to consider in siting a library in town, noting accessibility via public transit, walkability and bikeability as top priorities.
Elementary 11 plans outlined
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district is breaking ground on a new elementary school that it hopes will help alleviate its overcrowding issue.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Forever Forward
This Monday will mark the 25th anniversary of the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a federal holiday.
Holiday closings
Most municipal offices will operate on holiday schedules in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Kinnaird seeks reelection
Sen. Ellie Kinnaird has announced she will seek reelection in 2012.





