Categories
Miscellany

Carrboro Board of Aldermen agenda 2/16/10

7:30 Tuesday at Carrboro Town Hall
Link to agenda items.

CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings
2. Request to Set a Special Meeting of the Board of Aldermen
3. A Resolution Giving Staff Direction on the 2010 Legislative Breakfast
4. Request to Set a Public Hearing on an Ordinance Amending the Carrboro Land Use Ordinance Provisions Related to Natural Constraints Mapping for Determining Open Space Requirements and Other Miscellaneous Procedural Requirements
5. Town Code Amendment Related to Parking Along Roberson Street
OTHER MATTERS
1. Request for Board Approval of a Banking Services Contract

Categories
Weather

Road update from Carrboro

Carrboro Public Works crews started plowing off
accumulated snow on arterial and collector streets this morning (2-13-10)
at about 3:00 am and treating with salt/sand as necessary. Temperatures
fell several degrees below freezing at about this time. Many secondary
roads with accumulated snow were also plowed off. As of this writing
(8:00 am) temperatures are beginning to rise, but hovering near the
freezing mark and motorists should be cautious.

The Town of Carrboro, NC Public Works Web Site is available at the
following location:
http://www.townofcarrboro.org/pw/default.htm

Categories
Community Weather

HK on J postponed

This from the organizers:

Due to severe weather conditions that have been forecasted for North Carolina, the 4th Annual HK on J (Historic Thousands on Jones Street) has been postponed until February 27, 2010.

Categories
Weather

Maybe, also, who knows?

The amount of snow we get looks like a total crapshoot. Here’s an excerpt from the forecast discussion via NWS:

WHILE FEEL FAIRLY CONFIDENT ABOUT AMOUNTS ACROSS THE SOUTH…NOT SO CONFIDENT ACROSS THE FAR N-NW. DUE TO THE SOUTHERN TRACK OF SYSTEM AND BEST DYNAMICS OCCURRING TO OUR SE…WILL SEE A DEFINITIVE CUT-OFF OR GRADIENT IN PRECIP AMOUNTS SOMEWHERE OVER THE NORTHERN PIEDMONT. BELIEVE THAT AMOUNTS DEPICTED ACROSS THE NW PIEDMONT ARE WORSE CASE SCENARIO. CLOSER TO RALEIGH/TRIANGLE…WILL LIKELY SEE A SHARP GRADIENT IN SNOW AMOUNTS FROM AN INCH OR SO AROUND FALLS LAKE TO CLOSE TO 3 INCHES NEAR HOLLY SPRINGS AND FUQUAY-VARINA.

Categories
Arts & Music

Gimme Five! Reid Johnson of Schooner

schoonerDeparting from its lofi beginnings as a four-track project by lead singer/songwriter Reid Johnson, Schooner‘s music has blossomed since its 2003 debut.  Through their growth, the band (currently: Reid + Billy Alphin, Chris Badger, and Maria Albani) has ostentatiously dreamed up arrangements that alternately tap into a sort of swooning shoegaze Americana and a bratty thrash at the edges of modern college rock.  The lyrical compliment has remained equally as adventurous.  Languid one minute and ferociously sincere the next, tunes like “Trains and Parades” and “Pray for You to Die” are addictive as much as they are elusive.

On their newest EP, Duck Kee Sessions, the Schooner crew ups the ante once more, retaining the woozy vintage undertones but adding spooky pop vibe.  They’re also giving it all up, donating all the proceeds from their new tunes to the totally worthy cause of fighting cancer with CyTunes.org— a website built to honor their dear friend and local music fanatic, Cy Rawls.  Though Cy may have lost his battle with brain cancer, the music community has rallied around his memory to offer up exclusive downloads to raise money for cancer research.  The Duck Kee Sessions is the latest, but definitely not last, offering and it’s available for download right now. You can also join Schooner (+ The Popular Kids [comedy by the Rosebuds’ Kelly Crisp], VeeLee, and Erie Choir) for a release party on Feb 19th at the Pinhook.

Great music, a great cause, and now five greatly perplexing questions:

1. If your band were an incarnation of Madonna, which would it be?

Chronologically it would be “Like a Prayer” but “Borderline,” “Holiday,” and “Lucky Star” are my favorite songs, therefore I’d have to go with the original article “Madonna.”  Plus she was involved with Basquiat at the time for crying out loud.

theduckkeesessions2. What made you/when did you decide to release the newest Schooner music on CyTunes?

After having this EP recorded and sitting around waiting to be released, I felt like CyTunes would be the most meaningful place for it.  I was good buddies with Cy; we used to play basketball together and do sketch comedy in “The Popular Kids” comedy troupe that would perform at Kings Barcade.  Giving the music to a cause felt right, especially after working with a sweetheart like Jerry Kee on the recording.

3. Describe the last dream you can remember.

I keep having the same theme going on lately where instead of walking I’m able to jump and float/swim through the air.  I can hop up on a roof, over a tree, etc, but can’t seem to move terribly quickly.  Every time it happens I can’t decide if it’s a frustrating condition, or if it’s an amazing skill–all I know is that I’m the only one operating by these rules.  Analysis is appreciated.

4. Who/what might be a few inspirations or influences that might really surprise people?

Not sure if these would necessarily surprise people, but I’m a Reggae fan, I dig on some Don Ho, and I like noise/anti-structured music, most notably when it is created by acoustic instrumentation.  Also, being an NC State fan is a big influence as it teaches you the meaning of loss and suffering.

5. What did you dream of being when you were a kid? (How ’d that turn out?)

reidminussoundWhen I was a kid I’m pretty sure I wanted to either be a professional baseball player or draw for a living.  When I was about 11 years old I got hit in the head by a wild pitch, therefore ending the “don’t think too much at the plate” era and thusly my amazingly promising baseball career (not sure if dry humor comes across in print).  I pursued the drawing thing some, taking some design classes at NCSU, but I was way too ADD to commit my life to such an immersive course of study.  However, I’ve been playing music forever and writing since I was a teenager, so I think I’ve got a pretty good thing going.

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Be sure to stop in round about this time next week because you never know who’ll be up next.  And if you make it out to the show on the 19th (and you really should) by all means give Reid a high five if you see him.

Categories
Miscellany

PDF version of today’s Citizen now up!

Here’s the link: http://www.ibiblio.org/carrborocitizen/print/citizen021110.pdf

Categories
Arts & Music

Advance Notice: The Week in Happenings 2/8-14

Much to do. Much to see.  Potential for heart warmth or ache mid-week for our Heels and at the end of the week for ourselves when that holiday I dare not name makes everyone a little crazy.  Here’s hoping for happy hearts and making it out to as much of this madness as possible.

Mon – 2/8

  • Soihadto / It is Rain on my Face @ Local 506 – Soihadto features the lead stylings of none other than Ace of Cakes master goofball Duff Goldman. Worth it. $8

Tues – 2/9

  • Galactic / T Bird and the Breaks @ Lincoln Theatre – $20 adv / $25 day of the show

Wed – 2/10

  • UNC vs. Duke Live on the Big Screen @ Local 506
  • The Small Ponds / Laura Cortese @ The Cave – The Small Ponds are Caitlin Cary (founding member of Whiskeytown, Tres Chicas) and Matt Douglas (singer and songster for The Proclivities). This is I think enough said. $5
  • Holy Ghost Tent Revival / The Woes / The Moneynotes @ The Pour House – $6 adv / $8 at the door

Thurs – 2/11

  • Simplified / Cool Kid Collective @ Local 506 – $8 adv / $10 at the door
  • Brandi Carlile / Amy Ray’s Rock Show @ Cat’s Cradle – Apparently this is sold out, but if you’ve ever seen the Brandi Carlile Band take it on the road you know it would be worth standing outside to wait for unused tickets. $25

Fri – 2/12

  • NC Comedy Arts Festival
    • @ Local 506: Comics and Chords  -> Comics: Chris Fox (Greensboro, NC), Trent Bowles (Raleigh, NC), Ghuffran Ali (Chicago, IL), Carolyn Castiglia (New York, NY) / Chords @ 10:00: Proof (John Walker, Greg Eyman, Jeramy Lowe, Mike Salmon) and The Torch Marauder – $10
    • @ Cat’s Cradle: featuring Edie Brill and Mike MacRae – $13
  • UNC-CH MFA Collaborative Art Show featuring Multi-media Installations / Videos / DJ’s! @ The Nightlight – $FREE! (runs 6-9 pm)
  • Demolition String Band / The Moaners / Pneurotics @ The Cave – $5
  • Drive-By-Truckers @ Lincoln Theatre – $22 adv / $25 day of the show / $40 two night pass

Sat – 2/13

  • Carolina Brewery 15th Anniversary Show featuring  The Mugs / Graveyard Fields / Butterflies @ Local 506 – Here’s your chance to catch our friend Josh Kimbrough and his band of Butterflies in action with the added bonus of hearing the newly formed Graveyard Fields and Carolina Brewery’s Brewmaster Jon Connolly’s rockin’ rag tag of southern rockers The Mugs. $7
  • Mardis Gras at the Pinhook! featuring The New Town Drunks / The Kinksmen / The Squares / Children of the Horn + a dance party @ The Pinhook – $5
  • Drive-By-Truckers @ Lincoln Theatre – $22 adv / $25 day of the show / $40 two night pass

Sun – 2/14

  • The Foreign Exchange @ Cat’s Cradle – $20 for individuals / $18 each for couples purchasing a pair of tickets
  • Wanda Jackson / The Lustre Kings @ Berkeley Café – Here’s your chance for Valentine’s Day With The Queen Of Rockabilly, an honest to God Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, and one hell of a lady. $15 adv / $15 day of the show

And?

Categories
Miscellany

PDF version of today’s Citizen now up!

Here’s the link:

http://www.ibiblio.org/carrborocitizen/print/citizen020410.pdf

Categories
Arts & Music

Gimme Five! Josh Kimbrough of Butterflies

nothingspersonal

When his band Mortar and Pestle went bust, Josh Kimbrough decided that instead of taking some deserved time off, he’d channel his feelings into a batch of new songs.  So Kimbrough harnessed his chops and gathered his friends and launched Butterflies, a band whose music aims for some balance of college rock accessibility and acoustica living room sincerity.

Butterflies’ sole full length (to date), Nothing’s Personal, is an promising collection of tunes that showcase the band’s range.  The plaintive quality of Kimbrough’s songwriting and the tight-knit instrumentation brought by his full-time (Ross Connolly/TJ Maiani) and sometime (Katie Zickefoose/Bobby Britt/Joe Norkus) band-mates makes it clear that the title is but only wishful lying.  Nothing may be personal, but these songs definitely are.

As are the five toughest questions Kimbrough may have ever faced:

1. If your band were a book, what would it be?butterflies

I hate to do this, but my answer is a movie, not a book: A Few Good Men. Right now Butterflies is operating as a three piece, and I’ve got to tell you, TJ Maiani and Ross Connolly are unusually good men. After I’ve had a press pot of coffee, I’m not so bad myself. If you’ve missed Katie Zickefoose (keyboard) or Bobby Britt (fiddle) since we’ve scaled down to a triangle of testosterone, I can assure you that those two will be gracing our new record. We are working on it as you read this!

2. When was the moment you knew Butterflies was really going to work out?

Every time we find an excuse to pick up our instruments and make noise together, Butterflies is a success.  Other than that, I try not to think about whether it’s working out. There’s no time for that. Hopefully I’ll be able to look back once it’s over and have that moment.  That’s not to say I plan for it to ever end, but I also remember swearing to myself that I would never stop skateboarding, collecting basketball cards, and going to Toys “R” Us.

3. Describe the first time you ever wrote a song.

I was a little guy with a mini Casio keyboard and a supportive Dad. Having written songs for his jazz-fusion band in the 70s, my dad was a choice source for advice when I was inspired to write my first song. To get me started, he told me that a chorus is usually a general mantra or saying. I used the exact example he gave me and based the verses off of that. The keyboard was set  to banjo mode, which sounded nothing like a banjo. My Dad has taught me lots of songwriting tricks over the years.

4. Who/what might be a few inspirations or influences that might really surprise people?

Most members of Butterflies have a healthy appreciation of 80s punk rock. Minutemen, Black Flag, and Fugazi would be in this category. We are definitely inspired by the DIY culture that took root in that time period. Our sound, however, is probably more influenced by the first couple waves of bands that tried to sound like those bands.

5. What did you dream of being when you were a kid? (How’d that turn out?)

I wanted to be an architect when I was a kid. I thought it would be a unique and practical way to exercise my creative instincts. I did not follow that dream. That’s so sad. Now I feel like I’ve let my childhood self down. We can’t end this on a bad note, though. Here’s a daily affirmation Stuart Smalley style: You know what? I think this is the best interview I’ve ever done. And you know what? I deserve it! [turns to mirror] Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and, doggonit, Butterflies is playing Local 506 on February 13th!

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Even if he did skirt the first question, you heard the man, go check out Butterflies live at the 506 on Feb. 13th!  And give Josh a high five when you see him!

Categories
Arts & Music

Advance Notice: The Week in Happenings 2/1-7

Apparently, it’s the week for benefits and orchestral performances and tough decisions. Oh and Sunday you’ll just have to figure out something to do on your on.  Something tells me there’ll probably be something on television…you know like a House marathon or something.*

Mon – 2/1

  • Sound Painting Orchestra Residency @ The Nightlight – First installment of a four Monday series featuring the SPO and their exploration of the improvisational composition process…or something wild and musically educational like that.  – $FREE!

Tues – 2/2

  • Citizen Cope @ Cat’s Cradle – $22 adv / $25 day of the show / $40 pass for Tues & Wed

Wed – 2/3

  • Citizen Cope @ Cat’s Cradle – $22 adv / $25 day of the show / $40 pass for Tues & Wed
  • The Bootlegs / Fluff Chick @ Local 506 – $FREE!

Thurs – 2/4

  • Haiti Benefit featuring Chatham County Line, A Rooster for the Masses, Filthybird, The Hotwires, Roger Gupton, The Debonzo Brothers, and Andy Bilinski @ The Pour House – $12 suggested donation

Fri – 2/5

  • Embarrassing Fruits / Secret Message Machine / Brambler Ramblers (members of Inspector 22, Waumiss, and Kingsbury Manx) @ The Nightlight – $5
  • Organos EP Release Party featuring Birds and Arrows and Ye Old Shoppe @ The Pinhook – If you recall, I’ve already featured and sung the praises of Organos AND Birds and Arrows. Now’s your chance to catch both in action at one of Durham’s best venues.  It couldn’t be a clearer opportunity, if I’d of planned it myself. – $5
  • WKNC Double Barrel Benefit featuring Max Indian, Bellafea, VeeLee, and The Light Pines @ The Pour House – $7 adv / $9 at the door

Sat – 2/6

  • Bob Marley Birthday Bash featuring Mickey Mills and Steel, Jamrock, dub Addis, Truth and Rights, Joel Keel, and DJ Ras J @ Cat’s Cradle – $15 adv / $20 day of the show
  • Sinful Savage Tigers / Mandolin Orange / Ox Magnolia @ The Cave – $5
  • Dylan vs. Petty for Haiti featuring Big Fat Gap, Birds and Arrows, Gambling the Muse, It Is Rain On My Face, Mandolin Orange, Mary Johnson Rockers, The Pneurotics, Semi-Formal @ Local 506 – $5 minimum donation
  • WKNC Double Barrel Benefit featuring Roman Candle, Spider Bags, Midtown Dickens, and The Tender Fruit @ The Pour House – $7 adv / $9 at the door

*God, how I wish it really was a House marathon.

Categories
Community

Franklin McCain on the events of February 1, 1960

A couple of years back, one of the Greensboro Four explained the day to a group of students at Rashkis Elementary School.
Sorry about the shaky camera.