Chapel Hill Campus Takes On Grade Inflation - NYTimes.com

The Dump - NYTimes.com

OrangeChat - Hole in Chapel Hill's Village Plaza sold for $1.65M | newsobserver.com blogs

60 Minutes story on state finances

Tonight's 60 Minutes story raises all sorts of questions for which we should have answers throughout Chapelboroham. One of them is how indebdted is Chapel Hill and every other jurisdiction? The second is how dependent Chapel Hill and the other jurisdictions are on the state?

"Chris Kennedy Expounds on Globalism and Chicago" - NYTimes.com

And for Chapelboroham?

"Shakedown Street by Bruce McCall" - NYTimes.com

"MALL Y'ALL?" - Chapel Hill Library potential move to University Mall

I just submitted this comment on the linked page:

"Perhaps these projections exist, and I will try to make time to search for them on the library's site and/or to ask the library.....

Here is the point I wish to raise:

With the strong growth in "e-books" of all kinds, combined with all of the growth that has occurred in online access to library-type resources, I hope that someone has created some projections on what the use of the library is expected/assumed to be in 5/10, perhaps 20 years? How does present use breakdown and what do experts (and we have so many at the library and informations sciences school at UNC) think will change in the years ahead.

Before getting to the very challenging question of the possible move to University Mall, I think we need to understand really well what a day in the life of the library is today, and what knowledgeable people project it to look like 5/10, perhaps 20 years from now.

Further, I'd like to see the views of knowledgeable people about what the future is for bookstores in Chapel Hill, along with other information/library resources, and the role that the Chapel Hill Library plays and expects to play in the evolution of all of that complex marketplace. This analysis would take into account trends in the use of home, business and other organizations' computers and telecommunications devices to do what the library might otherwise do."

Fearrington

From 2000 til 2009, the Census Bureau reports today that the population 65+ in Fearrington has gone from 72% to 61%.

"Chapel Hill transit bus catches fire on Franklin St." - NewsObserver.com

"megabus US"

About 5 hours to get to Washington, DC from Durham on this bus. They claim free wi-fi and power outlets. Only $5 each way with this offer - ILUVDC.

"Using Waste, Swedish City Shrinks Its Fossil Fuel Use" - NYTimes.com

Why not for all of Chapelboroham?

"Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 Home" - Staples®

I was familiar with this software and had made a note that I wanted to buy it at some point.

Yesterday, I saw a commercial on MSNBC promoting the normally $100 product for about 75. I went to the website - givedragon.com - and started to order it, only to learn that I could not download the software and would have to pay 10 to have it delivered. That made 85.

While trying to do that, I checked on the web and found that it was available on Amazon for 65 with free shipping.

I called the first vendor - seemingly the manufacturer - and she could not give me any compelling reason to buy through them. They offered a free something in addition they claimed was worth 30 but I did not see real advantage for me even with that freebie. There was also a promise of support, but I was not convinced. She did not try to make a strong case, and I thought that a signal that I should go with the cheaper option for the same product.

So I bought it from Amazon.

Just now, I see a tweet from Staples offering me the same version et al for 50! Only for two days, today and tomorrow. I could get it for that price delivered to the store. I imagine that with tax it would be 55 there.

That was enough to consider canceling the Amazon order, but when I checked, I was told that it was being prepared for shipping and could not be changed.

I post it here because it's a great example of how, if you work at it, you can buy locally for the best price. I missed that chance.

"A Map of American Slavery" - NYTimes.com

"A Bicycle Lane Built for Few in New York City?" - NYTimes.com

"In PISA Test, Top Scores From Shanghai Stun Experts" - NYTimes.com

It seems to me that we ought to know exactly where students in our Chapelboroham schools are ranking compared to China and why and what would be needed to decrease the expected gap.

Made in America

The President today, speaking in Winston-Salem, said that we need to work toward a lot more products that bear "three words....Made in America".

Exactly what products and services do we make in Chapelboroham today and what are the prospects for growth? That's not limited to industrial production; it's any product or service. Surely, someone has done a list?

"In Kentucky, Noah’s Ark Theme Park Is Planned" - NYTimes.com

In Chapelboroham, what could we add that would bring us a lot more visitors? Surely, creative minds and good business planning could produce something that is consistent with the diversity of the area, its heritage, etc. It would have to be fun, too. A technology theme park? An educational theme park?

"Some Retirees Opting for Campus Life" - NYTimes.com

CVS special order

I was really impressed this week to go into CVS, order a product that they did not have in stock - at about 5:30 PM and be able to pick it up the next afternoon, about the same time. How many stores offer that kind of service?

"Patient Safety Is Not Improving in Hospitals, Study Finds" - NYTimes.com

"Barbershops With a ‘Mad Men’ Style" - NYTimes.com

"Chapel Hill Library mulls mall decision"

"The Scene | Raleigh-Durham" - T Magazine

Town of Chapel Hill : 140 West Construction

I'd like to see a section of this site devoted to what is happeneing or will happen to adjacent areas. What improvements will we see there? When? How? By whom? We don't live in a town of islands.

"Bike Lanes’ Growth in New York Brings Backlash" - NYTimes.com

"Shop Independent Durham"

"At Home With Patrick Dougherty - Building With Sticks and Stones" - NYTimes.com

"CHill" - Reesenews

"Chapel Hill's business climate has decades-old roots" - Reesenews

"Traffic Roundabouts Spread in U.S." - NYTimes.com

"Traffic Roundabouts Spread in U.S." - NYTimes.com

"Council gets look at U-Square plan" - Chapel Hill News

"Investigations - Attorney general: Open up the personnel files" - newsobserver.com

I hope the ruling gets applied with vigor to people in Chapelboroham who are subject to it. We all have a right to know these things.

"Driving While Sleepy More Common and Deadly Than Thought, AAA Research Finds" - ABC News

It' harder to doze off when you walk, instead of drive.

"Tanger Outlet Centers - Mebane, North Carolina"

Fearrington Village - Facebook

"Online Learning Is Growing on Campus" - NYTimes.com

Note reference to online Spanish classes here at UNC - for freshmen.

"The librarian's tale" - The Economist

What's the Chapelboroham version of this story?

"Storm rips roof off church in Orange" - NewsObserver.com

"Variety Wholesalers, Inc. Business Information, Profile, and History - Pope, Stores, Store, John, Rose, and Carolina"

So does POPE own the Rose's at University Mall?

"La région PACA en Chine capitaliste" - nicematin.com

Here in Nice, we find ourselves in a "market" not unlike the Triangle, or even Chapelboroham itself.

When the President of China scheduled his imminent trip to France, he was offered a chance to see chateaux and other notable places around Paris. He said no, he wanted to visit the Cote d'Azur, the capital of which is Nice.

That announcement sparked a lot of local coverage of how the region here, as we call what is often called a market in the US, interacts already with China and what the plans are for the future.

If the Chinese President comes to the US, will he ask to visit the Triangle or Chapelboroham? I doubt it. Understanding the difference between the two might help insure a lot more success in the future in NC.

"Environ Fair" - Chapel Hill Magazine

I think this magazine ought to think about taking on a new name, Chapel Hill Cheerleader. It would be so much more descriptive, don't you think?

"Roses & raspberries" - Chapel Hill News

I certainly concur with the raspberries award to UNC, but I think there is a response that would be the right one for the University. How about putting the revenues from parking that day into a fund to establish a permanent memorial on the UNC campus to Rob and the entire HOGAN family for all they have contributed to UNC starting with its 200 acres in 1792, and surely NOT ending with the loss of Rob.

Praire Home Companion - "Theatre Locations for Upcoming Events"

I wonder why no theathers in Chapelboroham are participating?

"Expanding repertoires of assistance" - The Carrboro Citizen

What an interesting project!

"Wal-Mart's thinking small" - Marketplace From American Public Media

What are the possibilities in Chapelboroham and what are the implications?

Cellphones

As I stood, waiting for a bus, on 54 near Glen Lennox yesterday, I counted roughly 1 out of every 20 drivers using a cellphone. For every 20 drivers, that's one too many.

Chapel Hill ethics

"Robert C. Hogan Jr. Obituary" - The News & Observer

Rob was a good friend and a great person. What was it that made him so special? What does that mean for Chapelboroham? What can we learn from this tragedy that we can draw from his 54 years of living such a good life?

"UNC Hospitals loses millions in charity care, unpaid treatments" - Daily Tar Heel

"Orange County poverty rate rising" - Chapel Hill News

"Robbers target two Orange banks" - Herald-Sun

Note one of these is in downtown Chapel Hill.

"DUKE LAPTOP THEFTS A HUGE PROBLEM" - Herald-Sun

"Green, incidentally" - Independent Weekly

"About Casbah Durham"

Saturday night bus....

It sure would be nice to have a bus running into downtown Chapel Hill from Southern Village, and other places, on Saturday nights and likely at other non-served times as well.

Imagine the parking challenge that this solves, the chance to chat with neighbors on the bus that this provides, and all of the environmental and safety considerations.

Those of us who enjoy wine with a meal, if that's what we do downtown, can do so without running the risk of an accident on the way home.

Everyone wins, it seems to me.

So why are we not doing this?

"Maya Acuzena" - WUNC

We went to see her last night in a space that is wonderful for such things on the second floor of the building that houses Top of the Hill at Franklin and Columbia Strees. She is a consummate performer, extremely well-spoken and thoughtful, and seemingly a quite exceptional person.

"Rob HOGAN" - CaringBridge

This is the evolving story of a good friend and his amazing response to big medical challenges. His family has been working farms in Chapelboroham for over 250 years!

"Council hears pros, cons of Northside sidewalk" - The Carrboro Citizen

I have changed my view a bit on sidewalks.

Think about the word - sidewalk. It means something on the side, a walk on the side (of the road).

I think we pedestrians all deserve better than that, and we should begin to think more about how we can provide pedestrians with the pedestrian equivalent of both interstates and right down to country roads. Imagine if we were planning Chapelboroham as a fully non private vehicle community. What would those pedestrian routes look like?

"Secret Life of Garbage" - NBC.com

"As L.S.S.I. Takes Over Libraries, Patrons Can’t Keep Quiet" - NYTimes.com

"Manufacturing Makes It Real -- Bus Tour, 09/27 to 10/01/10 -- NC State University Industrial Extension Service"

It is a real shame that this page contains no links to the stories about products made in NC. The whole think assumes too much on the one hand and fails to make the real stories of the products and the people and places behind them on the other. What a disappointment.

And not even a stop in Chapelboroham!

"Learning to Share, Thanks to the Web" - NYTimes.com

Sidewalks and trails of Chapel Hill

It's too bad that there is not a map of Chapelboroham that shows all of the sidewalks and trails. Have I missed one that does? Googlemaps does some of this but it would be nice to have the full map, not just showing routes between locations.

"Stores Scramble to Accommodate Budget-Conscious Shoppers" - NYTimes.com

Triangle Regional Transit Program

"Despite the ban" - The Times of India

"Strong Durham Schools"

A nice idea, in some respects, but the organizers' decision to reject any negative information and only to focus on positive reports, makes this much higher on promotion than on value. "Balanced" would have made so much more sense to me. If they have only rejected 2 contributions so far for being less than positive, what is the risk - with proper review of submissions - of presenting views that include both positives and negatives, and the huge category of not-quite-either that lies between those two!

"Ansel Adams Photo Dispute Has a Reversal" - NYTimes.com

Since we have local involvement in this - Jesse KALISHER - keeping up to date is probably a good idea!

Create a real Chapelboroham?

Recently, French President Nicholas SARKOZY announced the consolidation of many local government structures. The result may be a more streamlined bureaucracy at the local level.

Imagine for a moment that Pittsboro, Hillsborough, Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Durham were all working together as one entity to serve the entire population. Imagine that we established uniformly superb schools throughout the area and that everything from food to transportation was better served in order to cover all needs and interests.

My impression is that competition over sales tax revenues, ego and a number of other factors really mess up the potential that we might otherwise realize and enjoy.

Fore example, imagine a Chapelboroham plan to offer buses and other coordinated transportation options for those wanting to make a shopping trip to COSTCO in Durham....instead of fighting over who gets the next "warehouse". It seems to me that it makes most sense to put it along 15-510 south of Chapel Hill, well-positioned so as to offer people here a chance to use it.

"California Set To Ban Plastic Grocery Bags" - NPR

And in Chapelboroham?

"A Bike Boom Backlash" - NYTimes.com

KrispyKreme again

For anyone interested, and I hope that's lots of people, here is the nutritional informatoin for what I am told is the full menu at KrispyKreme. Look at it carefully and you will see that a woman can eat almost any one of the items and with that alone, reach the maximum sugar intake recommended by the American Heart Association. A man can indulge about 1.5 or 2 of most things before reaching the parallel limit. I don't expect the cashier at KrispyKreme to be pointing this out to many customers.

"House Tour - Garrison, N.Y." - NYTimes.com

Note the taxes on this house compared to what we pay in Chapel Hill!

KrispyKreme

Governmental Chapel Hill and others seem to have turned out for the opening of the new store in Chapel Hill. If you go to the KrispyKreme website, you will find no nutritional information there on any of their products. I called their corporate office and was told that it would be there "soon". Right. As bad as it is to have the temptation for many of a KrispyKreme in Chapel Hill, I think it's extraordinary bad judgment on the part of our elected people not to be demanding that this be changed on their site and asking them to post it in the store. When I called the store, I was told that they keep it behind the register. If we care about obesity and all of the overweight people among us, we should be urging KrispyKreme to put this information in FRONT of each purchase.

Tolerance in Chapelboroham

Isn't time for a review of how everyone feels in Chapelboroham about tolerating and embracing people whose beliefs are different than our own? Where is the reporter or news organization engaged in reporting that story? It will be too late if we have to wait until someone does something that causes most of us to recoil in horror. Let's understand better, now, what if any problems we have, make sure we know the history, and recommit ourselves to accepting and embracing everyone and everyone's feelings and beliefs about anything religious....or racial.

"Leaving Your Hometown Pharmacist" - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

And in Chapelboroham?

O2 Fitness Clubs

"BBC News - Mexico City bans free plastic bags"

Why aren't we trying to lead on this matter, too? Does it require a law to get to the same place?

NC sweet potatoes - Kroger

I went to Kroger today - the one near Home Depot off 15-501 and wanted to buy some sweet potatoes. Their origin was not indicated so I asked the manager. "USA" was his response. I asked him why they did not carry NC sweet potatoes. He says only what "they" send him. I find that whole picture very disappointing. I bought none.

Sam's Club

Although, I am not a Sam's Club member, I took advantage of their no-member access a week or so ago, just to see what they now offer. I bought a flat of 8 or so peaches that looked good. They were awful. I took the box back today, was offered no apology, was told I should have brought the rotten fruit back with me, but they refunded my money. I told them I sure wasn't going to join after that experience, and the woman at customer relations offered no argument in response!

"Les discriminations se banalisent à l'école, selon un rapport confidentiel" - LeMonde.fr

How are we doing in Chapelboroham on this...in our schools?

"New York Study of Pedestrian Victims Leads to Unexpected Conclusions" - NYTimes.com

What do we know about this in Chapelboroham?

In Health Shift, More Patients Get Pharmacist’s Appointment - NYTimes.com

Is this happening in Chapelboroham?

Aveda Institutes North Carolina, Aveda Beauty Cosmetology School North Carolina, Aveda Institute Chapel Hill, Cosmetology School Chapel HIll. Beauty College North Carolina, Aveda North Carolina, Aveda Chapel Hill

"Produce by ‘Prescription’ Seeks to Address Childhood Obesity" - NYTimes.com

What an opportunity for Chapelboroham!

Glen Lennox

I took one of our cars in for some attention at the BP station at Glen Lennox today. It occurred to me that they, too, may be feeling the effect of the oil spill in the Gulf?

In any case, it was nice to see that Studio 91 is open there, and that they have replaced the disintegrating sidewalk, curb and concrete gutter in front of the bus stop. That's the one that collected a small lake of water that a bus could easily share with anyone waiting at the stop. Now the owners of the apartment complex there can move to replace their brick wall that could replace the pools of water sitting on the sidewalk if they don't act pretty soon. I was also reminded however how loud the noise level is there - just the ambient noise of the cars and trucks, and buses. It's surprising to me that this is not mentioned more often. Once I got on the bus to return to Southern Village, I was reminded how cold Chapel Hill Transit seems to keep its buses. Why?

Case stories?

I wonder if anyone is collecting the stories of businesses and initiatives in Chapelboroham so we can all learn from others who precede us? This would be a lot more informal than a "case" study, but would give us the basic story elements of what someone did, how, and what is happening or has happened.

BP Station Owners Face Long Road to Recovery - NYTimes.com

How are the local BP stations faring?

Chef advisory council?

Why don't we create an advisory group for Chapelboroham made up of chefs cooking in the area? The role of the group would be to advise and comment across the board from infants and schools to supermarkets and restaurants on how we can all eat better in every respect.

Durham Performing Arts Center

My wife and I have been out of town for a while, and only recenlty realized that Norah JONES would be performing tomorrow at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Expecting few tickets, if any, to remain, we decided to check.

I went to the website, and found her concert without too much trouble, but waited, unsuccessfully, for 10 minutes for the interactive seating chart to load. It did not. I then rummaged around on the site, and found the main contact number. We are closed, I was told, and unless you know the "extension of the person", etc., you are out of luck. I left a message for the special events manager as that is the mailbox to which I wound up being delivered. I said that this was not a good way to run things, and that the phone to call if a problem with the interactive "beta" ought to be rea clear. So back to the site I went, and found yet another page that gave me a number to call for tickets and finally reached a person after several press ones and twos, etc. He said that the interactive feature probably was not working because they are sold out.

I asked him why the site did not simply say this up front, and I got a tortured response that surely did not satisfy me.

Some customer interrelationships can be addressed so unbelievably well with just a little simple use of the English language to explain what's happening and if it does not happen, what's next. Why is that so often so hard?

Public Affairs : AA insurance highlights problem of pedestrian and jogger distraction - The AA

We all need to pay more attention more of the time!

"Delhi Police Use Facebook to Track Scofflaw Drivers" - NYTimes.com

Given all of the silly and often ludicrous things that wind up on Facebook, here is one that really makes sense. Peer pressure may be the best enforcer of all. Imagine such a service in Chapel Hill! We all represent one another when we are on the road and there is no reason that each of us should not be able to help the police identify people who are breaking the law and risking our safety and their own. No?

www.WHEC.com - "Study: 9 out of 10 teens admit being distracted while driving"

So, when does Chapel Hill ban the use of electronic devices by anyone driving a motor vehicle here?

Glen Lennox BP - Chapel Hill

My wife had taken our Honda Accord into a full service station recently and was told that the oil was overfull and that this posed a risk of damage. I took it back to Glen Lennox BP where the oild had last been changed and was told by a mechanic there that while there was more oil than there should be, this posed no risk. I told him that they had to assume responsibility for any damage and he said that they would. It sounded as though they put the 4 quarts of new oil in each time and do not check the level after doing so.
I bought gas there, too, and although I spoke with two people working there, neither said thank you for the business I had just given them at the pump.

Whole Foods - Chapel Hill

When I looked for apricots at Whote Foods, one of the people in the fresh froduce section told me that they have had problems getting apricots and had none oat this time. He said they might get more tomorrow or in coming days, but he was not sure. He also said that their apricots normally come from New York and California; he does not believe that any are grown in NC. This either suggests that we in the US are practically devoid of apricot trees, or that there is an opportunity not fully developed here, or that this 5 year old map is wrong!

Trader Joe's - Chapel Hill

I found today that they do not print their telephone number on the cash register receipt. When I called, the woman who answered said she would check on it.

When I got hom and opened the 2 pound box of apricots that I bought for about 4.50, I found that nearly half of the apricots where either soft or had significant soft spots. When I called, the same woman said she would have someone check all of the remaining boxes on display, and told me that I did not need to bring the apricots back in with me in order to get a refund.

GoTriangle

This website is unnecessarily a pain in the neck.

I just got an e-mail from them saying no bus service on 5 July. Where is that posted here? Why on a day when many people travel does our bus system decide to stay home? It's nearly idiotic if one cares about getting cars off the road.

And I see lots of changes announced in schedules but no answer to the question of how those changes will affect getting to and from RDU from Chapel Hill. The organization needs to be looking at ways to promote the availabilty of such services, if they still will exist, instead of hiding them. The whole set of explanations about what changes and why is byzantine.

"Study Finds That Adults Text More While Driving Than Teenagers" - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com

Urban plan for Nice

This is the proposed urban plan for Nice, France. Do we have something similar for Chapelboroham?

"Cancer du pancréas : une surmortalité près du Tricastin" - La Provence

I wonder if anyone in Chapelboroham lives within 10 kilometers of the nuclear power plant near Jordan Lake?

"Big City - Interest Grows in Arabic Class at Friends Seminary" - NYTimes.com

How many people - in and out of school - in Chapelboroham are studying Arabic or speak it? Whatever the answer, it is not enough.

Monaco Holiday • Transport

Do we have something simple like this for Chapelboroham?

Who regulates taxis and taxi rates in Chapelboroham?

"Compost Startup Helps Restaurants Cut Costs" - NPR

In Chapelboroham?

Cell phones

I wonder how many cell phones are owned by the Town of Chapel Hill and how much we taxpayers pay each year for them and their use?

"The Herald-Sun - Google leaders detail N C economic impact"

The Chapel Hill Mayor's comments are especially interesting. He loves the idea of a company in California handling the advertising, and promoting the sales, for small businesses in Chapel Hill. What is the difference between a company in California making UNC t-shirts and a company in California doing the advertising and promoting? Hmmm, I need to think about that; the answer is not readily apparent. If he likes one, why not the other? Why t-shirts over advertising and promotion? Is the latter beyond the capability of t-shirt printers in Chapel Hill, in the Mayor's view?

"Wood-Powered 'Biomass' Plants Have Critics Barking" - NPR

Where, exactly, do we stand on biomass in Chapelboroham?

"Charter Schools Are Scrutinized in N.Y. Expansion Debate" - NYTimes.com

I wonder how much we know about the charter schools in Chapelboroham? My first question is how many are there here?

"The Associated Press: Govt: About 45 million Americans don't buckle up"

I wonder if we have more or less than our fair share of these scofflaws in Chapelboroham?

Breaking News Videos from CNN.com - "Newspaper survives when others fail"

"Debating Whether It’s a Crime to Rest on San Francisco’s Sidewalks" - NYTimes.com

And in Chapelboroham?

"Patient Money - Grown-Up Cyclists Need Helmets, Too" - NYTimes.com

How are we doing in Chapelboroham with helmets on bicycle riders? My sense is that almost everyone follows this good guidance, but it would be interesting to see if that really is the case. I wonder if anyone has been injured in part as a result of not wearing a helmet? I hope not, but it would be good to know.

"Brooklyn College to Pave Over a Community Garden" - NYTimes.com

How many community gardens do we have in Chapelboroham?

"Chapel Hill and Orange County Visitors Bureau"

I wonder why the people who do this site think that one site is better than many, depending on what interests someone has......?

Chapelboroham

I wonder if anyone has seriously advanced the idea of creating some sort of union among Orange, Chatham and Durham counties. It seems to me that Chapelboroham could be an extraordinary force in so many ways.

Trees

I was curious to know how we are doing in NC with our trees. Do we have more trees than we used to have, or are we losing them? I spoke with knowledgeable state experts on this and learned several things. One, they do not measure ALL of the trees in NC, but cover what they think is about 95% of the total. We probably have more trees here today than we did in the 20s when more of the state was in farmland. In recent years, we may be losing some to development.
The total number of trees in NC is about 15 billion! To make it easy, assume the population of NC to be 10 million. That means we have about 1,500 trees for every person in the state. That strikes me as a real good floor on which we should insist on standing, no?
I wonder how we are doing in Chapelboroham on that point? It would be real interesting to know.

Police incidents

I am now on the list to get an e-mail every day with the Chapel Hill police incident reports for the previous day or weekend. Among other interesting observations are these two: Something approaching a majority of the items occur at addresses on our main thoroughfares in Chapel Hill and....almost every day, the number of incidents is just about the same.

Chapel Hill - "In the Region - New Jersey - In Newark, Housing for Artists and Others" - NYTimes.com

Chapel Hill has a reputation for great eating, excellent restaurants and many choices. How many people work in all of those places? How many live near where they work? Wouldn't it make a lot of sense to be looking at ways that we could bring that into better alignment? How about a place that focuses on housing for people who work in that field, somewhere along Franklin Street? Instead of some of the other odd initiatives that don't seem to be doing very well. What we know is that we have many, many food workers and they need a place to live. How about we focus on connecting those two dots?

"Boulder, Colo., a Magnet for High-Tech Start-Ups" - NYTimes.com

We spend a lot of time and money trying to attract new businesses to Chapelboroham. Witnees today's meeting in Chatham with yet another new plan to do just that.
I wonder if we lack focus in doing this.
Would it be better to think about where the proverbial hockey puck is headed, pick an "anchor" of sorts and really pursue it hard. If successful, then work to attract other people and businesses here who could feed off that first one in a logical manner. In other words, use the principles of the web's interconnectivity to try to achieve something similar on the ground.
Consider a field like the "news". Who could we attract here that could turn this into a media center in the way several countries in the Middle East have attempted to do? Maybe news gets expanded to media.
Consider medical information. Who could we attract that would make this the global center for digital medical information?
Surely, there is a long list of others. We need, it seems to me, to set up a priority list and then start with choice number one - go after that organization - and if successful, then flesh it out with other. If not successful, move down the list.
Who and what do we most want to attract here? What do we want Chapelboroham to be known for around the world?

Greenways Inc

I'd love to see one of these pedestrian plans for ALL of Chapelboroham.

"Pittsboro Parks Blog"

Obesity

I wonder where one turns to see statistics and trends for obese and overweight people of all ages in Chapelboroham. This seems like an important enough subject that we all should be able to follow those statistics on a regular basis -- and know all that is being done to reduce them either faster or at all. That includes all of our schools, from day care/pre-K through university. See this for Orange County.

"List of countries that ban cellphone use while driving"

We sure are behind the rest of the world in Chapelboroham. WRAL reports tonight that Wake County has cited only two people since the law took effect banning texting while driving.

Chapel Hill Town Council

I occasionally will watch some of the Chapel Hill Town Council meetings on cable television. It's not great theater, but it is helpful to see the Council members in action, or at least staying awake!
What has struck me is how empty - as in one or two people only - is the meeting room other than the Council and staff.
What are the statistics on public attendance at Town Council meetings over the years?
What do we know about how many people are watching some or all of the meetings on cable?

"Breathalyzer Tests for Pedestrians?" - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com

I suspect we have this problem now and again in Chapelboroham, no?

"The State Unveils a Cancer Map" - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com

Let's see one of these for Chapelboroham, too!

"A ‘Solar Map’ of New York City" - Green Blog - NYTimes.com

Do we have a solar map of Chapelboroham?

Wi-Fi use?

I noted the other day that the Town was promoting the free Wi-Fi service in various places downtown. I think I saw this on the Town's cable channel.
What statistics are available to show actual use of that capability?

"UNC-Chapel Hill Continuing Education: What's the Big Idea?"

I was planning to attend a couple of these programs, as they looked really interesting. Alas, that will not be possible as the entire program has been canceled due to lack of participation (which I learned from the Friday Center staff person responsible for this program).
Something is wrong with this picture, I think, given the importance of this subject to all of us in North Carolina. Why would this slip so far down the priority lists of so many potential participants?

"Education - Uruguay's Plan Ceibal: What Happens When *all* Students and Teachers Have Their Own Laptops"

What's the gap between the number of students in Chapelboroham and the number who have ample access to an internet-connected computer?

The Nature Conservancy in North Carolina - North Carolina Home Page

Some comments that I passed on to the Nature Conservancy this week about their website:

"For what it’s worth, I took a look at your website again just now. Here’s a suggestion --- I think it would benefit immensely from a short item of 3-500 words on the first page for the NC chapter that sums up who you are, what you do, and why it’s important. 300 words would be better than 500, but what the site lacks for me as a visitor is a first stop that pulls together the various pieces scattered about from the menu choices on the left. Without overdoing the suggestion, I’d also make sure that someone there was in charge of those words and that they include text that could be updated with new developments so that the piece does not look like something someone wrote years ago and then forgot about it."

Sidewalks

When I went to the Carrboro Farmers' Market on Saturday, I parked on the opposite side of the firehouse and walked back to the Market. A sidewalk is being built along the street more or less on the western side of the firehouse.

Normally, I would say just bravo!

But look at it, and ask yourself who came first and who should have priority - people or cars? I defy anyone to predict that people will actually walk this serpentine route.

Imagine if the sidewalk were put in place first, and the cars and parking had to work their way around it! That's where I think the priority ought to be!

No Phone Zone pledge

"Distracted driving: Legislature takes on texting" - ajc.com

"ABC7 teams up w/ Oprah for No Phone Zone Day" - abc7.com

We need this 365 days/year!

"Pro-Pedestrian Law Passes Illinois Senate, Heads To Quinn’s Desk" - theexpiredmeter.com

I am not sure what the law is in NC on this point, but this strikes me as very good policy. We ought to do this well or better. And we need even more crosswalks, in part to slow down traffic!

"Makeover Seeks to Tame Rockville Pike in Maryland" - NYTimes.com

I'd love to see the master plan for making all of Chapelboroham a giant walkable community, instead of a automobile community with occasional sightings of walking people.

54

Two traffic cirlces on 54 in the section where it is also 15-501 would go a huge distance toward reducing the unnecessary traffic backups that we see near the Catholic school and the main turn off to go into the UNC campus. Imagine if cars basicaly were always merging and rolling, and never stopping; that's the value of the traffic circle if engineered well.

BE-cycle Nice : livraisons rapides et écologiques" - France 3

Does anyone provide this service in Chapelboroham? This seems to be a national chain. Do we have such an operation in the US?

"Briefcase" - Herald-Sun

"Yelp Makes Changes to Appease Small Business Owners" - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com

"Carrboro Yoga Company"

"Banning Texting in Truck Raises Other Questions" - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com

"Chatham courthouse teetering; but artifacts saved" - Chatham County - NewsObserver.com

"Courting Google, City Fathers Turn to Silliness" - NYTimes.com

Chapelboroham has a lot of competition!

Three shopping notes

It's interesting, at least, that Walmart has eliminated all of their self-checkout lines. One employee told me that it was because of maintenance issues - they kept breaking down. I bet there are other reasons and it may be a local option question.

Separately, I was curious in checking out of Weaver Street Market to know how many people walked out of the store with a printed receipt in their hands. The Market person who checked me out said that she thinks it is more of less 50/50. I will ask again. There is a lot to be learned from that choice, I think.

I have purchased several items recently at Home Depot that I was not able to use once I got them home. The no questions asked return policy there is very impressive; no one ever challenged me on my good faith returns. I wonder if most stores in Chapelboroham have a similar approach. For me, it adds to customer satisfaction but whether it makes me shop at Home Depot more often is not clear to me.

"http://www.indyweekblogs.com/triangulator/2010/03/15/pedestrian-bridge-to-be-hoisted-wed-over-durham-freeway/"

"Town of Chapel Hill : Event Calendar : Google Fiber for Communities Public Forum"

I wonder what it says about all that there may be 900 people on a Facebook page related to this application but only 3 or 4 people showed up to speak at the "forum"?

"The Herald-Sun - The democracy of sidewalks"

Great editorial, but we need more sophistication in approaching the challenge of a pedestrian network for Chapelboroham. Imagine if we were starting only with that and cars came second!

If so, I bet we would have avoided most of what this map shows.

It would be great to see this map cover the rest of Chapelboroham as well.

Sales

It's interesting to look at current sales in Chapelboroham (for free loyalty card holders):

Spend $80 at Harris-Teeter and save 10
Spend $75 at Staples and save 10
Spend $40 at Ace and save 10

"By Law, Trains Slipping Silently Through Towns" - NPR

"Former Edwards Aide Avoids Jail" - NYTimes.com

It's not often that a Pittsboro-datelined story appears in The New York Times!

Durham dental clinic - NC Dental Society

This is open only two days - 12-13 March.

"Twongo - Up to 55% off Award-winning Salon Kroma"

Has anyone signed up for this? Does it deliver value?

Pothole at Walmart

There is a deep pothole at the front of a parking space between Walmart and Best Buy. My car slid into it today.

Now, how does one report such a thing? To Walmart? To Best Buy? To the owner of the shopping center? Who is that?

Composting equipment

Why do so few places in Chapelboroham carry a full line of composter and composter tools?

"Driven to Distraction - Distracted Driving in Ambulances and Police Cruisers" - NYTimes.com

"Goodwill drops Governors Village site" - Chapel Hill News

I'd like to know more about this, but what I read here worries me about a "not in my backyard" approach that is wholly inconsistent with how would look at this if the proposal were to come to Southern Village.

"Texting While Driving: Put The Thumbs Away" - NPR

North Carolina deserves great praise for having banned texting. Now, two things have to happen. We all need to reinforce the existence of the law to friends, colleagues and any time we are a passenger in another vehicle. Second, the police need to work as hard as they can to make sure that the law is followed. The former is probably going to be much more effective than the latter.

"Google Maps Adds Directions for Cyclists" - Gadgetwise Blog - NYTimes.com

It will be worth checking if this applies to Chapelboroham and where things stand in terms of pedestrian directions. I think they are already there, but good to check!

"Meet Deirdre Haj" — North Carolina Public Radio WUNC

"Metrics - A Banking Battleground" - NYTimes.com

We seemed to be colored with a highly competitive color on this map.

"Chapel Hill radical dies at 88" - Orange County - NewsObserver.com

Use of sidewalks?

I wonder if anyone keeps track of sidewalk traffic? They sure do for roads; what about sidewalks?

Sidewalk addition on 15-501

It's nice to see the work starting on the stretch of sidewalk that will run from Subway (across the street from CVS) to the Park and Ride lot for UNC some distance to the north.

While that is a plus, I cannot help but wonder who will use it.

I have always been a fervent sidewalk supporter, but I fear that too many have been constructed for reasons that don't relate to the likelihood of getting people to walk on them. And why does it have to be so close to the highway?

Northern Ireland safe driving laws

Why don't we have all of these in place here!

"Changing sign law ‘a can of worms’"

Chapelboroham Tree Bank?

With all of the discussion about trees, I wonder if there is not an opportunity to create a Chapelboroham Tree Bank. What I mean is that we have in Chapelboroham today X number of trees. That's our account balance.

If we make a withdrawal through the cutting down of trees anywhere by anyone for any reason, the tree cutter is responsible for going to the "Bank" noting this and then using the software that could be included to locate the type and location of potential tree planting to make up for the cuts?

Bringing Google to Chapel Hill

It's fascinating to see the decision taken to apply for this before there is any evidence of probable use! There may be a great deal, but I question all of the work that will be done by the Town of Chapel Hill (and for those who live in Carrboro, there, too) and UNC to put an application together before the evidence of need and probable use has been collected. It looks like a big team of people and that's a lot of government time being used and diverted from other work.

"Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC to Apply for Google Fiber for Communities


Posted Date: 3/3/2010

The towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have teamed up to apply for Google's ultra-high speed Internet project. A strong application will depend on identifying community resources that can contribute to the Google effort and enthusiastic community support for the project.

On Feb. 10, Google announced the initiative to deploy and test fiber optic networks that will deliver Internet services at a speed of 1 gigabit per second, which is more than 100 times faster than the speeds available to most Americans today. The communities selected by Google will be "testbed" communities that will help the company demonstrate the new capabilities enabled by faster and better broadband access.

Google will pay for the construction and operation of the networks and will charge customers competitive rates for the service. Besides the great benefit to business, economic development and the home user, ultra-high speed bandwidth will enable new consumer applications, as well as medical, educational and other services.

An inter-jurisdictional team is preparing the competitive application that is due on March 26. Team members include Ken Pennoyer, Dwight Bassett, Bob Avery, Sabrina Oliver and Catherine Lazorko from the Town of Chapel Hill; Andy Vogel, James Harris and Matt Efird from the Town of Carrboro; and John Streck, Linda Convissor and Shannon Tufts from UNC-Chapel Hill.



Residents, businesses, and community and University groups are encouraged to provide input through an upcoming public forum and an online survey, by joining the Bring Google Fiber to Chapel Hill & Carrboro NC Facebook group and may also provide input directly to Google. Learn more at www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/overview

• Joint Public Forum - A Joint Public Forum is being planned for 7 p.m. Monday,

March 15, at Chapel Hill Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., to receive public comment regarding community interest in the fiber optic trial and how residents would use an ultra-high speed Internet network.

• Public Survey - A survey has been posted at www.surveymonkey.com/s/QLM5QST. The survey is being used to gauge public opinion for the project and to receive ideas and comments for the application. Survey questions were taken from the Google Request for Information guidelines."

Walking "trails" at UNC

In case you were wondering....here are some trails around the campus.

"BOG to launch search process" - Herald-Sun

My thoughts on all this as I expressed them to a "BOG" member over the weekend:

"As I understand it, he will leave UNC at the end of 2010 or whenever y’all select a successor.

In France, where you may recall I spend a great deal of time, we are constantly debating how many roles government officials can play. In Nice, where we have our home, our Mayor is an extraordinary guy, having grown up in the public housing of Nice and having become one of the most astute and articulate politicians whom I know in either country.

But, he serves concurrently as Minister of Industry in the SARKOZY government AND as Mayor of Nice. Yes, there are advantages for Nice, but I have told him on a number of occasions that it’s a little like thinking you can drive an automobile and talk on the phone without being distracted from your driving. It’s impossible.

Likewise, one cannot be the fulltime Mayor of Nice and French Minister of Industry without devoting less than 100% - a lot less – to one job or the other.

Having watched BOWLES’ interview this evening on the NewsHour with Jim LEHRER, I am fully convinced that you and the other governors face the same quandary with the two roles he is now playing.

To be fair to the people of North Carolina, he should either resign immediately as UNC system president or you should tell him he gets to choose between that and the co-chairmanship of the commission….or he accepts at least a 50% cut in his compensation as UNC president until a successor can be found.

Sure, it’s nice to see him appointed to this important post, and I am sure he and Alan SIMPSON, with whom I worked on a number of issues when in DC, will do great things. But once past that good news piece of this, there is the bad news that the UNC system will, without question receive less of his attention than he was engaged to give it.

Either he needs to step down entirely, accept reduced compensation, or you need to find a successor immediately, interim or otherwise.

I am not sure yet how hard I will press this point publicly, and I wanted to share it with you directly before I take any other action to advance this position."

"Survey: Munich has Europe's best public transportation; Paris, London lag" - USATODAY.com

Imainge where Chapelboroham would have ranked, had it been included!

"Leading Scholar’s U-Turn on School Reform Shakes Up Debate" - NYTimes.com

I think there is a need to get more people with no direct family stake in the school system involved in the discussions and debate. My own view, consistent with Dr. RAVITCH's new view, is that school policy is a matter for all of us, not just for activist parents with kids in school.

"Driven to Distraction - Electronic Billboards Called Another Driving Distraction" - Series - NYTimes.com

Do we have any of these in Chapelborham?

"Tea Party Patriots"

I am not sure if this is the main "Tea Party" group - its website.

In any case, for this group, they seem to have a number of groups ostensibly in Chapelboroham.

"Advertising - Lowe’s Puts New Emphasis on Customer’s Wants" - NYTimes.com

Is this how Lowe's customers feel here in Chapelboroham where we have at least two if not three Lowe's stores.....?

"Join us for big name speakers performers other notables" - Herald-Sun

I hope UNC will reach out even more aggressively to invite the rest of us in Chapelboroham to attend events and participate in activities on the campus.

"Generation B - Independent Drugstores Seek Own Rx for Survival?" - NYTimes.com

Someone needs to do a really good story on chain drug stores v. independents in Chapelboroham. We don't know what we don't know.

Downtown Chapel HIll lighting

I guess there have been a lot of discussions about better downtwon lighting in Chapel Hill. Last night, when we attended a concert at Memorial Hall, I was reminded of how dimly lit so much of the heart of downtown is.

Surely, there ought to be a way to capture more of the Carolina sunshine to power more lighting all over downtown with solar lights? I wonder what the status of research might be on that idea as opposed to ideas that involve using a lot of energy or require purchasing very expensive low electricity-eating lights.

Has the Town sought proposals on this?

Jazz concert at UNC

We attended a fabulous jazz concert last night at UNC's Memorial Hall. Very few other people joined us.

Can't we work harder, somehow, to make this more of a success? Surely there ought to have been a way to bring more people to this event - possbly for less money each - but to expose a much larger audience to superb local talent in the UNC Jazz Band and other performers, including Jason MARSALIS.

"Lowe’s Results Beat Expectations" - NYTimes.com

It sure would be nice to be able to bring this down to the Chapelboroham level. That's a problem with all of the chain operations, whether they be big box, or not. We never know how the place in our "neighborhood" is really doing.

"One-Third of U.S. Without Broadband, F.C.C. Finds" - NYTimes.com

How are we doing in Chapelboroham?

How do people here really make use of their internet connections - of all speeds?

"University of North Carolina Greensboro to Offer 3-Year Degree" - The Choice Blog - NYTimes.com

"Nasher Museum Blogs"

"Stories From Around The World..." - CBS News Video

Imagine all of the stories to be told here in Chapelboroham. Everyone does have a story to tell, and we do a really poor job of giving everyone a chance to tell theirs.

"Colorado State University Embroiled In Concealed Carry Dispute" - NPR

What are the rules at UNC?

If this is correct, and if there are no rules in place.....? It seems to be correct.

I have sent an e-mail to the public safety department at UNC to ask them how the law is applied on campus.

"Fixing Footwear" - American Profile

We have at least one great story to tell in Chapel Hill about this line of business - Lacock's, and perhaps others in Chapelboroham.

"Thief Takes Greyhound Bus From Maintenance Garage" - NYTimes.com

Couldn't hjappen in Chapelboroham, could it?

"Square Feet - In Des Moines, the Downtown Revival Is a Team Effort" - NYTimes.com

"Simon Property Group in Bid for General Growth Properties" - NYTimes.com

Is Southpoint the only shopping center in Chapelboroham potentially affected by this?

"The McClatchy Company - McClatchy Announces 10 President's Awards for Journalism Excellence in 2009"

The N&O coverage is as valuable in Chapelboroham as anywhere in the state!

"Obama Selects Heads of His Deficit Panel" - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com

"Buy Triad First's Blog"

"Wi-Fi Turns Arizona Bus Ride Into a Rolling Study Hall" - NYTimes.com

What do students in Chapelboroham do with their portable computers? Where? What do they access? Homework? I doubt it. Prove me wrong!

"TIME WARNER CABLE LAUNCHES PROMOTIONS ON DEMAND" - Time Warner Cable - Carolinas

Potholes on 15-501/54

Why, exactly, are there so many potholes on 15-501/54 in Chapel Hill? That road was relatively recently resurfaced. Who or what is responsible and who pays to fix them all? How much?

"Partnership For a healthy Durham"

"Slumburbia" - Opinionator Blog - NYTimes.com

"Do School Libraries Need Books?" - Room for Debate Blog - NYTimes.com

This sure raises a huge issues affecting our libraries, both in schools and in the community.

"Pittsboro Journal - Pittsboro News from the Chatham Journal"

"Chapel Hill tour proposed" - Herald-Sun

Time Warner Cable

They are running some compelling television ads for people or actors who say they work for Time Warner Cable. It's impressive.

Today I called - 1-888-890-7515 - to ask about the cost of converting to digital cable. We get just the basic service that includes the news cable channels.

The first problem was that the agent could not find out account. It took almost five minutes for him to track it down.

Then he wanted to answer a separate question, but finally answered my query. What I wanted to know was simply what it would cost - because after promotions expire, this is where we may be - to upgrade to digital cable (instead of 57/mo, it would be 76.95) . If we added HBO? Another 11/month.

Then I asked what it would cost to get Universal Sports. He asked two people, spent time searching and said he could find nothing about that channel. While he did this, I searched for Universal Sports and on their site found the search for where carried. It told me that we could get Universal Sports on channel 218. It is not marked as such on Time Warner's website and this was new to the agent who could not verify what I found.

Finally, I asked about any French channels. He said he was half French and was sure there was none. I asked how we put in a request to add it. He did not know. He switched me to customer service. He did not know either, but started checking. He came back and said I should start a peittion and send it with signatures to Time Warner! No guidelines or procedures. I hung up.

There sure is a huge gap between their commercials and my experience. I'd take some of that money now going to those commercials and invest it in dealing with issues like these.

--

I called back the next day to learn more. This time, the system seemed to recognize me.

My first question was about HBO. Apparently there are 18 HBO channels. If you add HBO to digital cable for 11/mo, you are able to look at any of them, although an HD television may be needed in some cases. I was assured that the 3 listed in the daily TV listings - HBO, HBO Family, HBO2 - would all be available to us without any new television sets.

Then I asked the most important question. What happens to the promotional rates they offer at the end of the promotion term, which seems to be either 12 or 24 months? The answer is that they go to whatever the current regular rates are at the time. What this approach seems to do is to soften the blow of the increase - as noted above from 57/month to 88/month over a one or two year period. That's not to say that it is not worthwhile, but that's how it works.

Of course, the agent on the line wanted to press me for more, and I ticked him off by insisting that I get answers to my questions and not his sales pitch.

"On College Campuses, a Shortage of Men" - NYTimes.com

Starbucks Coffee Company

It appears that there is no local page for Starbucks. I had never looked before, but apparently this is operated like a giant machine that spits out only a few items, all the same, regardless - in this case, of where the item lands.....except, I am sure, for price.

Great Harvest Bread Co. - About Us

"For Students at Risk, Early College Proves a Draw" - NYTimes.com

How does this program relate to Chapelboroham?

"CVS Profit Rises on Increased Pharmacy Sales" - NYTimes.com

I wonder where we rank in the CVS world - are the stores and services they provide here especially profitable, not so, inbetween? With all the "pharmacy" competition we see here, one could reasonably assume that this is a good place to do that sort of business.

Miel Bon Bons - About Us

Southern Season - About Us

Carr Mill Mall - About Us

Carrboro Coffee Company - About Us

Time Warner Cable (Carolinas) - About Us

Nowell's - About Us

I'll add some of the "About Us" pages for Chapelboroham institutions from time to time. Every one of them has a story to tell about itself and some do it far better than others.

School closings

I think something is very wrong with school management and policy when a storm such as last weekend's leads to the closing of schools for a week (in the case of Orange County schools). Not only do the students lose out but the rest of us do as well since we foot the bill through our taxes to make up the days lost. What does this teach students?

"Cary, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex - Bicycles and Service - The Bicycle Chain"

It's odd to me that they have a Facebook page and this website and yet nowhere do I find a link to this article.

"Diane Lea - Uptown Attitude In Downtown Carrboro"

"Tanger Outlet releases names of more stores" - News-Record.com

"Stores and Stories" - The Herald-Sun

"A Chocolate Affaire" - Cornucopia House

"New grassroots effort in Wilmington wants people to 'Do it Downtown" - StarNewsOnline.com

UNC Healthcare

"Solar energy office opens" The Herald-Sun

What are the chances that solar technology is going to leap ahead leaving current technology in the dust bin? It seems to me that there is so much room for efficiency improvement that radical changes are nearly inevitable. When will that moment arrive?

"In Cost Dispute, U.S. Halts Airlift of Haiti Quake Victims" - NYTimes.com

Can't we reach out from Chapelboroham and pay for more people to come here for medical care?

"Museum Cafes Morph Into Fine Dining Establishments" - NYTimes.com

Are we making all of this combination of art and eating that we can in Chapel Hill? Durham seems to be doing a lot better, no...with the cafe at the Nasher?

"All Up In Your Business" - dailytarheel.com

"Welcome to Saffron:Restaurant & Bar"

This is apparently the same people who have announced that they will open a Saffron restaurant at East54 in Chapel Hill. Wouldn't you think they would make some mention of this news somewhat prominent on their website? The person who responded to my phone call said it was there somewhere, behind a "door", I think he said. Perhaps someone with sharper eyes than mine can find it?

"East 54 development to open within the month" - dailytarheel.com

Independent Weekly - indyweek.com

UNC School of Law - law.unc.edu

A Daily Tar Heel story on the website.

Daily Tar Heel - dailytarheel.com

"Mayors learn town hazards" - dailytarheel.com

"The future of the library" - socialmedian

"One for the Books -- and the Community" - The Chapel Hill Magazine Blog - Chapel Hill Magazine