Ruby Sinreich's blog

Orange County lost two different creative venues this week. You probably heard about the Carolina Theater in downtown Chapel Hill. Last night was their final showing of films. This great loss means even fewer options for alternative films, fewer cozy venues downtown, possibly less locally-owned businesses, and certainly more control over what we see and hear by large multi-screen theater chains.

Today is also the last day of business at the Main Street storefront of Temple Ball Gallery/De La Luz performance space. Although less people were impacted by De La Luz, the performances and other events they hosted were quite unique and not like anything else you could find in town. For example, there are precious few places where a handful of Tibetan Buddhist monks could set up shop for over a week to painstakingly create a sand mandala, where a struggling 'zine publisher could host their Weird Movie Night, and where some incredible jazz, funk, and rock bands could really tear down the house.

For those unfamiliar with it, the Orange Water And Sewer Authority Board of Directors is considered by many to be the most powerful non-elected body in Orange County. Members are appointed by the elected officials of the various government bodies. According to a recent announcement from OWASA:

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen, Chapel Hill Town Council and Orange County Board of Commissioners recently made four appointments to the OWASA Board of Directors.

• Mr. Mac Clarke of Chapel Hill, who began serving on the OWASA Board in 2003, was reappointed.
• Ms. Terri Buckner and Mrs. Laura Sandvik were appointed by the Carrboro Aldermen.
• Ms. Marge Anders Limbert was appointed to the OWASA Board by the Orange County Commissioners.

Ms. Buckner has served on Carrboro's Transportation Advisory Board and Environmental Advisory Board. She is now Vice Chair of the Chapel Hill Information Technology Committee and a volunteer researcher for the local Community Initiative to End Homelessness.

In today's Chapel Hill News, Fearrington Village Resident Lola Spritzer wants to have her cake and eat it too. She moved out into the country not because she couldn't afford living in town, but because she "loved the rural-like atmosphere of Chatham County." And yet now she "can't accept" the inconvenience of having to drive 30-minutes to get what she needs.

We moved to this area 10 years ago because we loved the rural-like atmosphere of Chatham County. But growth is inevitable. So it is with a great sense of loss that I accept the upcoming housing developments, the increase in population and the denuded two-lane country road that was once U.S. 15-501.

What I don't accept is the long-distance driving we face week after week. Wal-Mart, if the rumor becomes a fact, would be just down the road. So considering the high cost of fuel and the wear and tear on the car, I'll swallow my reservations, ignore the barbs from my friends and enjoy the convenience
- My View, Chapel Hill News, 7/20/05