Categories
Food The Eater

The Goathouse Refuge Coffee Blends

The Goathouse Refuge, cat refuge in Pittsboro, now offers coffees roasted and blended in Chatham County. Greater Than Good Coffee donates to Oxfam America. Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice.
You can shop online; click on the “register” link and receive free shipping on your next order. All of the coffees produced for the Goathouse Refuge are 100% organic and have fair trade certifications whenever possible.

http://shop.greaterthangoodcoffee.com/main.sc
You can read more about The Goathouse Refuge here.
http://www.goathouserefuge.org/

Categories
Sports

NYT on free throws

NYT: For Free Throws, 50 Years of Practice Is No Help

Basketball in the United States has changed in myriad ways over the decades, from flat-footed set shots to dunks, from crotch-hugging uniforms to baggy knee-length shorts, from the dominance of American players to the recent infusion of international stars.
But one thing has remained remarkably constant: the rate at which players make free throws.

Related: Bobby Plump and Milan in the NYT in 2009. Pretty amazing that.

Categories
Miscellany

Women’s Center benefit wine tasting

The Women’s Center will hold a benefit wine tasting presented by Tina Vaughn of Bonne Soiree restaurant. Participants will taste 13 wines. Proceeds benefit the Women’s Center. Space is extremely limited. 210 Henderson St., Chapel Hill. 6:30pm, Mon., March 30. $45. Reservations: Jenny Bryan, 968-4610 or jbryan@womenspace.org.

Categories
Miscellany

Documentary writing with Duncan Murrell, others

The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke presents a conversation about documentary writing, including what defines the genre, where it’s practiced, and why it makes a lasting impact. Two accomplished long-form writers are featured: Roger Hodge, editor of Harper’s Magazine, and Pittsboro journalist and author Duncan Murrell. Wednesday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Center for Documentary Studies. FREE.

Categories
Miscellany

Democracy NC on activism

Here’s the release from Bob Hall and the gang at Democracy NC on a study of activism in the recent elections:
(link to xls file here)

democracy-nc.org
NC Counties Ranked for Voter Activism;
Both Major Parties Can Claim Victories

North Carolina’s record turnout in the 2008 election made it the state with the biggest increase in voter participation over 2004 and helped Barack Obama win a narrow victory, but a new analysis shows that five of the 10 NC counties with the most intense voter activism favored John McCain.

“The counties that experienced the highest turnout or the heaviest use of early voting did not uniformly line up to hand one candidate or one party a clear victory,” said Bob Hall, director of Democracy North Carolina, the nonpartisan election reform group that conducted the study. “They are the counties where voters of both parties, unaffiliated voters, blacks and whites, and new voters, all get involved. They illustrate why North Carolina will likely be a hotly contested state in 2010 and beyond.”

Categories
Community

Cornucopia House fundraiser

Mary Lawrence, president and CEO of Cornucopia House Cancer Support Center greets the honorary co-chairs of the 10th annual A Chocolate Affaire. Co-chairing were Dr. H. Shelton Earp, director of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (left), and Dr. H. Kim Lyerly, director of Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Mary Lawrence, president and CEO of Cornucopia House Cancer Support Center greets the honorary co-chairs of the 10th annual A Chocolate Affaire. Co-chairing were Dr. H. Shelton Earp, director of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (left), and Dr. H. Kim Lyerly, director of Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Nearly 500 people attended the 10th annual “A Chocolate Affaire” auction and fundraising event on Feb. 8, hosted by Cornucopia House Cancer Support Center. The event raised nearly $60,000 to go towards the Cornucopia House’s free services to support cancer patients. Services include yoga classes, massage therapy, educational forums, lending libraries and more. The total money raised set a record high in fundraising.
This year’s honorary co-chairs were Dr. H. Shelton Earp, director of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. H. Kim Lyerly, director of Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Cornucopia House is an expert in non-clinical cancer support services and its programs complement the services of the hospital-based cancer centers in the Triangle.
For more information go to www.cornucopiahouse.org.

Categories
Weather

I’m melting…

img_19242

We’ve been getting periodic sun breaks since mid-morning. But the warmth of the sun and temps rising to just above freezing are causing the snow to start melting. And that means the threat of black ice later tonight and early tomorrow is very, very real.

Beginning at sunset and extending through tomorrow’s morning rush hour, drivers, bikers and pedestrians should be on the lookout for icy patches on roads and sidewalks.

AAA Carolinas has tips for driving in wintry weather on its website, www.aaacarolinas.com.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration offers these tips for walking on ice and snow:

* Take short steps and walk at a slower pace so you can react quickly to a change in traction.
* If you must walk in the street, walk against the traffic and as close to the curb as you can.
* Be on the lookout for vehicles which may have lost traction and are slipping towards you. Be aware that approaching vehicles may not be able to stop at crosswalks or traffic signals.
* Wear bright clothing or reflective gear at dawn, dusk or dark, as dark clothing will make it difficult for motorists to see you.
* During the daytime, wear sunglasses to help you see better and avoid hazards.

Categories
Weather

Black ice advisory issued

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for black ice in effect from 6 pm this evening to 9am Tuesday.

Recent snowfall has resulted in wet and slushy roadways across much of central North Carolina. Temperatures will struggle to Reach freezing this afternoon, and will quickly drop well below freezing after sunset. Low temperatures on Tuesday morning are expected to drop into the lower to mid teens across the entire area. As a result, any water, snow or slush on area roadways will quickly turn to ice around or shortly after sunset this evening and remain that way through rush hour Tuesday morning.
A winter weather advisory for black ice means that treacherous road conditions are expected. Travel in the advisory area is strongly discouraged from sunset this evening through mid to late Tuesday morning. If you must travel, exercise extreme caution while driving — especially on bridges and overpasses. Allow for extra time to reach your destination and avoid sudden stops or accelerations.

Categories
Weather

Business hours updates

Here’s what’s open, for now:

Carrboro Coworking: Contact Brian if you plan to come in. He may close early.
Weaver St. Market: So far, they’ve announced that the Hillsborough store will close at 6pm, and the Southern Village location could close around 7pm, “depending”. No word on the Carrboro store yet. Update: Weaver Street folks checked in and they’re going to stay open until 9 p.m. after all.
3 Cups: Is open.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA: closed for the day

In other news, Orange County announced that urban recycling and haz mat collection is canceled for today.

If your enterprise is open today, and/or closing early, post here or email margot@carrborocitizen.com.

Categories
Miscellany

What’s at Market

Check out what’s at the Carrboro Year Round Farmers’ Market:
Tulips, daffodils, irises, lettuce, hydroponic basil, chard, spring onions, pac choy, flour, onions, garlic, arugula, beets, broccoli, watercrest, cabbage, carrots, winter squashes, cauliflower, collards, fresh herbs, kale, leeks, mustard greens, salad greens, spinach, sweet potatoes, turnips, turnip greens, winter squashes, pecans, herb and vegetable starters, NEW chicken-sausage, maple sausage, smoked ham, smoked ham hocks, liverwurst, lamb, bacon, chicken, eggs, cow’s milk cheeses, breads, doughnuts, tortes, pies, cakes, jams, and relishes

Spring Hours Begin: Starting Saturday, March 14th our hours change to 7am-Noon at the Farmers Market!

Categories
Food

Spicy Winter Sweet Potato Soup

Recipe Provided by Market Customer: Debra Turner

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves chopped garlic
• 1 ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 ½ cups water
• ¼ cup peanut butter
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped *
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped *
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
Saute the onion and garlic in butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until the onions are light brown. Stir in the spices and cook to release their flavors for about 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth, peanut butter, water, and sour cream. Add sweet potatoes and carrots. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer until the vegetables are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat, and puree until smooth. Serve with a garnish of cilantro on top.

Spring Hours at the Market: Starting Saturday, March 14th our hours change to 7am-Noon!