The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President
Lecture by author and journalist Taylor Branch
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010
Reception at 5 p.m. | Program at 5:45 p.m.
Wilson Special Collections Library, UNC-Chapel Hill
Free and open to the public
Information: liza_terll(a)unc.edu, (919) 962-4207

I have reviewed a lot of letters sent to the Chapel Hill Town Council about whether or not the Town should move forward on expansion of our Library.  Letters fall on either side of the issue, but in letters against expansion, I see a theme.  Writers often want it known that they are a fan of books, but they don't want to pay more taxes toward making more available to Library users.

At last night's Chapel Hill Town Council meeting a decision was put off regarding the Town Manager's recommendation to move forward and issue the voter-approved bond for the Library expansion.  There were two major issues.  First, the anticipated operating expenses for the expanded Library would result in a tax rate increase of $0.0113.  This would add about $34 to the tax bill of a homeowner with an appraised house value of $300,000.  Second, several Council members were concerned about moving forward until Orange County commits to a more equitable funding of the Library since 40% of the users and 40% of the circulation is by Orange County, non-CH residents.

A "tweet up" is like a meet up, but it gets twittered about more than blogged. ;-)

The Community Technology Forum will feature a panel of guests led by UNC journalism professor Paul Jones who is also the director of ibiblio, an information software program.

Other panelists include Carrboro Creative Coworking Founder Brian Russell and WCHL’s own Sales & Marketing Coordinator Molley Buckely.

So, if you are looking to meet the people you follow online in person, exchange ideas about the uses of Twitter, or just want to know what the Tweet everyone’s Twittering about it, drop in on the Carrboro Tweet Up. It’ll start at 6:30 p.m. February 19th at the Century Center in downtown Carrboro. Dallas has chosen the Twitter book and All A Twitter for recommended reading. People ages 16 and up and all Chapel Hillians are invited.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. until approximately 12:00 noon. Presented by the Chapel Hill Jaycees, the parade this year promises to be a celebration of our community spirit.

We encourage all entries to have a holiday theme and awards will be given for Best of Parade, Most Original, Best Holiday Theme, Most Creative, Best Scout Troop. Our winners put a lot of thought and creativity in their entries and that is what makes this holiday parade so special!

From Linda Convissor:

Saturday marks the end of the home football season with Carolina kicking-off against the University of Miami Hurricanes at 3:30 p.m.

Just prior to kickoff, four Marine F/A-18 Hornet jets will fly over Kenan Stadium.  The F/A-18s are part of the VMFA-122 squadron known as the 'Werewolves', and are based out of the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina.  One of the pilots is UNC alumnus Captain Benjamin Apple, class of 2003.

Monday, Nov. 2, 2009
Reception at 5 p.m. | Program at 5:45 p.m.
Wilson Special Collections Library, UNC-Chapel Hill
Free and open to the public
Information: liza_terll (at) unc.edu or (919) 962-4207

In his book, Liberalism, Black Power, and the Making of American Politics, 1965-1980, author Devin Fegus returns to the era of Johnson, Nixon, Carter, and Helms and challenges us to see familiar political developments through a new lens. He will speak about his book and research Monday, Nov. 2 at 5:45 p.m. at UNC's Wilson Library. The program is free and open to the public. A reception will begin at 5 pm.

Fergus is assistant  professor of modern United States and African American history at Vanderbilt University. He was a 2007 Fellow of the Southern Historical Collection at UNC's Wilson Special Collections Library and his book draws upon research conducted there.

"This is a local event,” Mayor Kevin Foy said in an official Town video. “If you can walk to Halloween, you’re invited. If you can’t, don’t come.”

Wow. Watch the Youtube clip. Lame.

(3 min 15 sec) CUE CREEPY MUSIC and Watch Mayor KEVIN FOY DISAPPEAR INTO A MISTY FOG CLOUD. REALLY? Really Chapel Hill? You can't make this Homegrown Halloween initiative "cool" with special effects or rationalization. Limiting the growth of events like Halloween hurts the "Brand" of our Town and ultimately has a negative effect on our Local Economy.

Drop by the Century Center tonight on the 2ndFriday Art Walk for an exhibit of new oil paintings by wonderfully talented artist Steve Silverleaf.

WCHL is reporting Bruce Stone's official announcement that he's closing the Varsity theater.   He provided them a written statement that's likely to appear shortly in the newspapers as well.

Some excerpts regarding the film industry and Stone's situation with the Varsity:  "This is a business decision, a bottom-line decision. . . . The Varsity especially has been struggling for over two years, with no prospect of an upturn any time soon. . .  with the summers being especially difficult... Our landlord has been understanding and supportive throughout our tenure."

Of particular note, however, are his comments about the downtown situation: