I watched two young girls ride their bicycles down Brookgreen today and race through the intersection with Edgewater without stopping.
What traffic rules apply to bicycles in that situation? This appears to be pretty clear that bicyclists most obey all traffic rules.
In any case, if I were the parent, I'd take away the bicycles until the girls really understood the importance of stopping where there is a stop sign.
A day later, I saw a couple of young kids on bicycles cross a street at a crosswalk --- but mounted on their bicycles and without stopping before crossing. Didn't there used to be rules that children should cross streets walking their bikes? Riding them without stopping strikes me as unacceptably dangerous.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sidewalk grinding service
I understand that the Town of Chapel Hill will come out and grind down any sidewalks that have popped up due to the tree roots.
Benches on the trail?
There are some nice new benches freshly installed on the trail extension that runs behind Scroggs. What are the chances of getting more of them on the existing trail?
Friday, May 23, 2008
Market Street Books at Arts & Letters Community Center
This is the link to the events page for Market Street Books. There are many of them - the events!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Concerts on the Green
I think the merchants association for Southern Village pays for all of the concerts on the Green. We should know more about that, and do a better job of thanking them!
Jaluka Juice
They have reopened on Market Street. Owners appear to have Brazilian roots!
Only open during the week, for now.
Only open during the week, for now.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
"It's boom times for bus service" - News & Observer
Over 600,000 people riding Chapel Hill Transit in April! Look at the increase and think about how much higher we can push that number?
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Farmers' Market
I made my third trip up the hill today to the Southern Village Farmers' Market this season. It is disappointing to see so few vendors; we can only hope the number - and the business for them - increases as the summer approaches.
In order to help those who may not have gone up on a Thursday late afternoon, here is what I wound up buying today:
Basil - $2/bag
Arugala - 2.50/bag
Eggs - $4/dozen
Strawberries - $4/quart (I think that's one of those little containers?)
Peas - $2/pound(don't hold me to that)
This is a great resource to have here in Southern Village and whether you go up to complain about prices or tell them what you don't see, it's in everyone's interest for us all to go.
You may find, like me, that there are always at least a few good things well worth buying!
In order to help those who may not have gone up on a Thursday late afternoon, here is what I wound up buying today:
Basil - $2/bag
Arugala - 2.50/bag
Eggs - $4/dozen
Strawberries - $4/quart (I think that's one of those little containers?)
Peas - $2/pound(don't hold me to that)
This is a great resource to have here in Southern Village and whether you go up to complain about prices or tell them what you don't see, it's in everyone's interest for us all to go.
You may find, like me, that there are always at least a few good things well worth buying!
Orange County Master Plan
Here is the the text of some brief comments on the proposed Orange County Master Plan that I have submitted:
"I have reviewed the updated version of the Orange County master plan andoffer these brief comments in making three recommendations.
The first is that I do not believe that transportation other thanautomobilies ought to be considered "alternative". Rather, I think thatalltransportation modes ought to be considered on the same basis. Anautomobile is one, a bus another, trains, feet, bicycles, etc. None ismore"equal" than any other.
The second is that I believe we should commit ourselves to having asfullyfunctional a sidewalk network in Orange County as we do one forautomobiles. In other words, if we are going to consider comprehensiveplans for how our automobiles and other vehicles get around the county,weshould do the same for people who choose to walk. The current sidewalkroute throughout the county is abysmal and demands and deserve the samelevel of attention as that given to the road system.
The third is that I do not recall seeing in the document a comprehensivediscussion of energy production and use in the county. Perhaps I justmissed it, but I think any master plan today ought to containinformationon energy consumption and on local energy production. Again, I would notuse the term "alternative". Solar energy production, for example,deservesto be treated in exactly the same way as any other energy we producehere.
Thanks for considering these views."
"I have reviewed the updated version of the Orange County master plan andoffer these brief comments in making three recommendations.
The first is that I do not believe that transportation other thanautomobilies ought to be considered "alternative". Rather, I think thatalltransportation modes ought to be considered on the same basis. Anautomobile is one, a bus another, trains, feet, bicycles, etc. None ismore"equal" than any other.
The second is that I believe we should commit ourselves to having asfullyfunctional a sidewalk network in Orange County as we do one forautomobiles. In other words, if we are going to consider comprehensiveplans for how our automobiles and other vehicles get around the county,weshould do the same for people who choose to walk. The current sidewalkroute throughout the county is abysmal and demands and deserve the samelevel of attention as that given to the road system.
The third is that I do not recall seeing in the document a comprehensivediscussion of energy production and use in the county. Perhaps I justmissed it, but I think any master plan today ought to containinformationon energy consumption and on local energy production. Again, I would notuse the term "alternative". Solar energy production, for example,deservesto be treated in exactly the same way as any other energy we producehere.
Thanks for considering these views."
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Town of Chapel Hill Official Website - 2007 Crime Statistics
This is interesting because it shows crimes committed in Southern Village rental apartments compare to other apartment complexes in Chapel Hill.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
V bus in Southern Village
I stood at Edgwater and Brookgreen the other day waiting for the V bus to stop about 2 PM. I looked up Brookgreen at about that time and saw it turning up toward Market St. I walked very fast up to the Park and Ride lot next to the church and the bus was just leaving. He stopped and let me on.
When I asked if the route had changed, he said, no, that he goes all the way to Highgrove every hour and middle of the day there is never anyone there. So he skipped it for once and sure enough, I appeared!
The NextBus function on the Chapel Hill Transit website worked pretty well; it, of course, is not responsible for the driver! I wonder if I had been at the stop whether the GPS system they use to track buses would have detected that the bus indeed was not coming where I was waiting?
When I asked if the route had changed, he said, no, that he goes all the way to Highgrove every hour and middle of the day there is never anyone there. So he skipped it for once and sure enough, I appeared!
The NextBus function on the Chapel Hill Transit website worked pretty well; it, of course, is not responsible for the driver! I wonder if I had been at the stop whether the GPS system they use to track buses would have detected that the bus indeed was not coming where I was waiting?
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Weekend America: Klezmer Funk Hip-Hop? Abraham Inc.
See 25 May on the Green at Southern Village for another Klezmer group....Magnolia Klezmer Band.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Children and screens
When I was walking to the Farmer's Market yesterday, I passed a window in which a young girl was sitting on the window sill inside, seemingly resting against the screen on that window.
On morning television, I saw a piece about a woman whose very young child had fallen out of such a window, and fortunately was unharmed.
None of the screens of which I am aware on Southern Village dwellings is designed to support any weight whatsoever and it sure seems prudent to remind young kids of this!
On morning television, I saw a piece about a woman whose very young child had fallen out of such a window, and fortunately was unharmed.
None of the screens of which I am aware on Southern Village dwellings is designed to support any weight whatsoever and it sure seems prudent to remind young kids of this!
Woods next to soccer field
I've noticed at least one scooter/motorcycle on the path that runs from the corner of the soccer field through the woods to Dogwood Acres.
No motorized vehicles are allowed on the path through Southern Village and I don't think any ought to be permitted on this more "rustic" path.
It also would be a good idea for more adults to walk back there regularly to make sure nothing is happening there that should not....
No motorized vehicles are allowed on the path through Southern Village and I don't think any ought to be permitted on this more "rustic" path.
It also would be a good idea for more adults to walk back there regularly to make sure nothing is happening there that should not....
Trail from Aberdeen to new park....
I walked down the trail today from Aberdeen hoping to check on progress at the end of it - for the new park. Two things caught my attention.
One was the fact that they have redone the drain for the overflow from the pond in front of Scroggs, but there is still a lot of standing water there. I could imagine a lot of mosquitoes coveting that as home in a short time. It looks to me as though they will have to redo it again, or deal with whatever problem prevented them from getting it right the first time.
Second was the barrier, once again in place, that shuts off the path at the bottom of the Scroggs walkway. Why couldn't they let people walk up the path to the point of the construction instead of closing off the whole thing?
Anxious to get a feel for how the new park is shaping up.....
One was the fact that they have redone the drain for the overflow from the pond in front of Scroggs, but there is still a lot of standing water there. I could imagine a lot of mosquitoes coveting that as home in a short time. It looks to me as though they will have to redo it again, or deal with whatever problem prevented them from getting it right the first time.
Second was the barrier, once again in place, that shuts off the path at the bottom of the Scroggs walkway. Why couldn't they let people walk up the path to the point of the construction instead of closing off the whole thing?
Anxious to get a feel for how the new park is shaping up.....
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Southern Village "Club"
This is the site, apparently, for the Southern Village pool and tennis club, now under new ownership. The site was not working when I tried to access it on 27 April 2008.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
OWASA - Supply and Demand Graphs
It is really impressive to see how much we have reduced water consumption. What is not clear is how this was accomplished. Who reduced use and by how much? Across the board? Key players?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Area Tap Water Has Traces of Medicines - washingtonpost.com
Is OWASA planning to do similar tests here?
Saturday, March 08, 2008
"Police release photo of suspect in ...." - Herald-Sun
The linked story includes a photo of a suspect in the death of Eve CARSON, the UNC student body president. Police contact information is also included.
"Grow a business" - newsobserver.com
"If your love for plants has ever left you dreaming of owning a plant shop, this could be your opportunity to turn pleasure into a business. Bloom -- Where You Are Planted, a garden, gift and home shop in Southern Village in Chapel Hill, is for sale. After five years in business, owner Rena Earnhardt is looking for someone to take over Bloom. Said Earnhardt in an e-mail: 'My lease is up and they wanted me to renew but I don't have the energy for five more years. I have one little girl and she is 12, and I feel like it is an important time to be around.' For more information, contact Earnhardt at 708 Market St. in Southern Village. Or call 942-9880. To visit Bloom online, mosey over to www.BloomNC.com."
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
6.976 million gallons yesterday
This is only at the average level of the last 30 days. We must do a lot better than that!
Monday, March 03, 2008
More water numbers....
Here are the latest numbers:
(March 02, 2008):
6.459 million gallons
(March 01, 2008):
6.439 million gallons
(February 29, 2008):
6.673 million gallons
These last two numbers are especially encouraging. I guess we really do not know if this is the result of the Stage 3 rules or just the result of people focusing more on water usage as a result of the added publicity given to the subject in connection with imposing those new restrictions.
(March 02, 2008):
6.459 million gallons
(March 01, 2008):
6.439 million gallons
(February 29, 2008):
6.673 million gallons
These last two numbers are especially encouraging. I guess we really do not know if this is the result of the Stage 3 rules or just the result of people focusing more on water usage as a result of the added publicity given to the subject in connection with imposing those new restrictions.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
6.969 million gallons yesterday
We need to understand what the different demands were between yesterday and the day before.
Another big picture item is to understand what are the largest pieces of the "pie" that make up about 7 million gallons/day. How much does UNC use? How much at UNC Hospitals? In what other ways, can the use be broken down into smaller pieces and how can we all watch their day-by-day consumption?
Another big picture item is to understand what are the largest pieces of the "pie" that make up about 7 million gallons/day. How much does UNC use? How much at UNC Hospitals? In what other ways, can the use be broken down into smaller pieces and how can we all watch their day-by-day consumption?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
6.912 million gallons yesterday
Who used so much more water two days ago than yesterday (7.203 million gallons two days ago)?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight
Interesting statistics released today that view overall North Carolina real estate values and trends from a national perspective. See pages 25-26.
Comparing us with Raleigh.....
This from Dale Crisp, DirectorPublic Utilities Department, One Exchange Plaza, Suite 620Raleigh, NC 27602 919-857-4540 today, by e-mail:"We do not publish these numbers, rather we utilize the media to get this information to the public. Since going to mandatory restrictions that totally eliminated lawn irrigation in October, the demand has averaged 40.3 MGD. This past weekend (Fri, Sat and Sun) the average customer demand was 37.3 .MGD - 3 MGD less."
Last weekend, we were above our average demand for the same period. Why? What explains this?
Last weekend, we were above our average demand for the same period. Why? What explains this?
7.203 million gallons
Surely, there must be an explanation from which we can learn a lot as to why this number was so much higher yesterday? Is the consumption being measured accurately?
Monday, February 25, 2008
Last three days, starting yesterday 7.061, 6.833, 6.689 million gallons
That's not the right trendline. Why does this seem to rise each Sunday? What happens in the OWASA service areas on Sunday?
Cannot we mount a concerted effort to reduce this number, starting with Southern Village?
Cannot we mount a concerted effort to reduce this number, starting with Southern Village?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Town Hall Grill
Is this all there is to the Town Hall Grill website? Perhaps with this announcement something more will emerge? Here are two more earlier announcements - ownership change and new manager.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
6.902 million gallons yesterday
There is a need to make this go in the other direction. We used more yesterday than the previous day.....
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
6.830 million gallons yesterday
I hope OWASA can explain why it thinks there are these daily fluctuations. Who used so much more water two days ago than yesterday?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
7.294 million gallons yesterday
That's about 1,000,000 gallons more than 14 February. WHY??????? What was different about 14 Feb than 18 Feb?
Monday, February 18, 2008
SV ponds.....
Our largest Southern Village pond - the one opposite the soccer field - shows the signs of the drought. It is down a considerable distance from its normal level.
The pond in front of Scroggs School, however, seems to be at its normal level.
Why is this so in the midst of th drought? From where does the Scroggs pond water come?
The pond in front of Scroggs School, however, seems to be at its normal level.
Why is this so in the midst of th drought? From where does the Scroggs pond water come?
6.733 million gallons
That's yesterday's number. On 14 February - note below - the number was 6.342 million gallons. Yes, yesterday was a Sunday, but surely, we need to be heading down, not up.....!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Water reduction success stories?
Are there not some stories in Southern Village of individuals, families, businesses......who have significantly reduced water consumption in the last few weeks, months or years? Wouldn't relating those stories help inspire others to do more?
Would this be worth raising among students at Scroggs? Get them monitoring water consumption at home every day? Start first with the school itself?
Would this be worth raising among students at Scroggs? Get them monitoring water consumption at home every day? Start first with the school itself?
Friday, February 15, 2008
6.342 million gallons
That's how much water we OWASA customers consumed yesterday. Why can't we consume even less today?
Conserving water
Why cannot we reduce our water consumption voluntarily even more than we have already? Each of us can do something to use less water in the course of our day.
If we could reduce consumption by 15-20%, we may be able to avoid more restrictive rules at the end of the month. That, it seems to me, is in everyone's best interest.
We should be working as family units, within our workplaces, and between and among neighbors to gently, but firmly, force all of us to use less.
Surely, we can do this!
If we could reduce consumption by 15-20%, we may be able to avoid more restrictive rules at the end of the month. That, it seems to me, is in everyone's best interest.
We should be working as family units, within our workplaces, and between and among neighbors to gently, but firmly, force all of us to use less.
Surely, we can do this!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
"SVHOA Annual General Meeting Summary"
Here are the results from the Annual General Meeting last night.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
OWASA may move to Stage Three on 1 March
Here is the latest from OWASA regarging probable imposition of Stage Three water rules on 1 March.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Regional Transit Infrastructure Blueprint
Here is where you can call the recomendation for a light rail service that would allow us to walk or take the bus from Southern Village to UNC Hospitals and from there be able to take the rail service to Durham, RTP, the airport, Cary and Raleigh. Wouldn't that be amazing?
Southern Community Park
Here is the latest from the Town on the Southern Community Park:
"9. SOUTHERN COMMUNITY PARK
Current Status: Under Construction
Design Firm: OBS Landscape Architects
Construction Firm: Hy Tech Construction
Contract Price: $4,708,000
Anticipated Completion: July 2008
Anticipated Completion Athletic/Soccer Fields: August 2009
The Southern Community Park will be a 72 acre park located south of Southern Village and west of 15-501. The concept plan indicates that the site will be over 50% natural. Most of the developed portions of the site are anticipated to be located adjacent to highway 15-501.
The following has occurred or is ongoing:
The Town Council approved bids for the park that includes the following first phase:
Ø All season Restrooms
Ø 3 complete athletic/soccer fields including fencing and irrigation (but without lights)
Ø Trails, including the extension of the paved Fan Branch Greenway to Dogwood Acres Drive and natural surface trails
Ø 2 picnic shelters
Ø 2 basketball courts
Ø 1 inline hockey court
Ø Play area
Ø Dog park
Ø Site furnishings
Ø Sidewalks
Ø 2 parking lots (162 total spaces)
Construction started in June 2007.
Plant rescue was held the week of July 2-8, 2007.
Clearing and grading complete except for selective areas.
Inline hockey and basketball courts are poured and fenced.
Slabs for picnic shelters poured.
Footings for restroom are under construction
Athletic fields are graded and irrigation systems installed.
Utilities installed.
Installation of curb and gutter 90% complete.
Parking lots 90% paved
Sidewalks 70% complete
Art project is underway
Landscape installation is underway
Fan Branch greenway trail extended past Scroggs School into park site. Trail access to school has been restored. All other trails still closed until construction is complete.
A major issue is how and when to sod or sprig athletic fields during a major drought. We are exploring options for finishing the fields.
Plans for the project can be reviewed in my office. Please make an appointment (919) 968-2787 ext. 214) or email at bwebster@townofchapelhill.org and I will be happy to show you the plans."
"9. SOUTHERN COMMUNITY PARK
Current Status: Under Construction
Design Firm: OBS Landscape Architects
Construction Firm: Hy Tech Construction
Contract Price: $4,708,000
Anticipated Completion: July 2008
Anticipated Completion Athletic/Soccer Fields: August 2009
The Southern Community Park will be a 72 acre park located south of Southern Village and west of 15-501. The concept plan indicates that the site will be over 50% natural. Most of the developed portions of the site are anticipated to be located adjacent to highway 15-501.
The following has occurred or is ongoing:
The Town Council approved bids for the park that includes the following first phase:
Ø All season Restrooms
Ø 3 complete athletic/soccer fields including fencing and irrigation (but without lights)
Ø Trails, including the extension of the paved Fan Branch Greenway to Dogwood Acres Drive and natural surface trails
Ø 2 picnic shelters
Ø 2 basketball courts
Ø 1 inline hockey court
Ø Play area
Ø Dog park
Ø Site furnishings
Ø Sidewalks
Ø 2 parking lots (162 total spaces)
Construction started in June 2007.
Plant rescue was held the week of July 2-8, 2007.
Clearing and grading complete except for selective areas.
Inline hockey and basketball courts are poured and fenced.
Slabs for picnic shelters poured.
Footings for restroom are under construction
Athletic fields are graded and irrigation systems installed.
Utilities installed.
Installation of curb and gutter 90% complete.
Parking lots 90% paved
Sidewalks 70% complete
Art project is underway
Landscape installation is underway
Fan Branch greenway trail extended past Scroggs School into park site. Trail access to school has been restored. All other trails still closed until construction is complete.
A major issue is how and when to sod or sprig athletic fields during a major drought. We are exploring options for finishing the fields.
Plans for the project can be reviewed in my office. Please make an appointment (919) 968-2787 ext. 214) or email at bwebster@townofchapelhill.org and I will be happy to show you the plans."
Morgan Creek Trail
Here is the latest from the Town of Chapel Hill on this project adjoining Southern Village:
"7. MORGAN CREEK TRAIL AND MERRITT PASTURE ACCESS
Current Status: Detailed design
Design Firm: Coulter Jewell Thames
The Morgan Creek Trail will be an extension of the existing Fan Branch Trail that currently serves Southern Village. The trail will continue from the intersection of Culbreth Road and Highway 15-501 to Smith Level Road at the Carrboro Town line near Frank Porter Graham School. This trail will likely require several bridges and underpasses. The project will also include access to the Merritt Pasture.
The following has occurred or is ongoing:
· The Council adopted a concept plan on October 9, 2006.
· Hillsong Church has decided not to lease its parking lot to the Town. This will require that we design a stand-alone parking lot for the project.
· A .2 acre parcel of property was purchased from Duke Energy in September 2007. This will allow us to build a bridge for access to Merritt Pasture.
· Work on detailed design is almost complete."
"7. MORGAN CREEK TRAIL AND MERRITT PASTURE ACCESS
Current Status: Detailed design
Design Firm: Coulter Jewell Thames
The Morgan Creek Trail will be an extension of the existing Fan Branch Trail that currently serves Southern Village. The trail will continue from the intersection of Culbreth Road and Highway 15-501 to Smith Level Road at the Carrboro Town line near Frank Porter Graham School. This trail will likely require several bridges and underpasses. The project will also include access to the Merritt Pasture.
The following has occurred or is ongoing:
· The Council adopted a concept plan on October 9, 2006.
· Hillsong Church has decided not to lease its parking lot to the Town. This will require that we design a stand-alone parking lot for the project.
· A .2 acre parcel of property was purchased from Duke Energy in September 2007. This will allow us to build a bridge for access to Merritt Pasture.
· Work on detailed design is almost complete."
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
OWASA manhole covers
Why do so many of these stick so far up in the air? Whatever happened to the idea of building them flush to the ground? The new ones next to the path from Aberdeen past Scroggs to the new Southern Community Park have several prime examples of this. Why?
Holding pond?
Why is there a "holding pond" next to the trail between Aberdeen and Scroggs? It is filled with blue/green muck at this stage as well as many mosquito larvae awaiting warmer weather. Who is responsible for fixing this?
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
"Town Hall Grill Hires Mike Monaco as New General Manager" - CarolinaNewswire.com
We'll all want to watch for changes in food, service and offerings. There is a big OBAMA event tonight at Tyler's in Carrboro to follow returns of Super Tuesday. Why not - on a day such as this - organize a non-partisan event at the Town Hall Grill to follow results of both parties and all candidates? That would really take us back to the neighborhood bar idea, wouldn't it?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
CVS by bus
There is no easy way to use the Chapel Hill Transit bus system to get to a CVS in the area. Each of the nearest either has no bus (15-501) or one or more transfers - Carrboro and Ram's Plaza.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
Gaudiest holiday decorations award
It seems to me that we already have plenty of homes from which to choose the 2007 gaudiest holiday display in Southern Village. I am hoping that we can come up with an appropriate prize! Feel free to suggest any homes you think are especially dserving of this distinction this year.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Seedlings for 15-501?
The NC Department of Forestry has a great offer on young tree seedlings. Why don't we all get together and buy some for planting in the center strip of 15-501 in front of Southern Village? Crape Myrtle? Dogwoods? Other ideas. Here are just some of what they offer.....
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Jazz Vocalist Susan Reeves: Dynamic, Bluesy, Soulful, Classy, Scintillating swing.
Her concert last night on the Green was marvelous! The only sad part was the small size of the audience.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
V Route, Weekday Schedule | Chapel Hill Transit
This makes it easier to go to Meadowmont, for example, with fewer twists and turns on the UNC campus.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Sunday strolling
In walking around our Graylyn block today, it was nice to see a neighbor with his kids ejoying the play equipment that's recently been upgraded. It was a surprise to see the signs on the construction "fence" - the orange plastic type - around the work being done to extend the paved path to the now-under-construction Southern Community Park. One says "CONSTRUCTION AREA - DO NOT ENTER", but it was the other that got my attention, "AREA UNDER 24 HOUR VIDEO SURVEILLANCE - VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED". Who knows if that's true, but it sure was enough to cause me not to cross the "line"! I also noted that the sale of one of the Graylyn houses has resulted in the removal of (for me) a big eye sore - one of those portable basketball backstops that never seems to move! It will take the grass a while to return, but it sure looks nice to be backstop-less. Another of our neighbors was playing the piano providing a lovely interlude as I walked by his house!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
"Fish can fight malaria mosquitoes" - BBC News
Should we consider stocking our two ponds in Southern Village with these fish - not to combat malaria, but simply to combat the mosquitoes?
Friday, August 03, 2007
"WNYC Radio crowdsourcing project" - CyberJournalist.net
What a great idea to deploy in Southern Village where SUVs seem to outnumber people most of the time in most places.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Best walking routes FROM Southern Village
What are the most interesting walking routes from Southern Village? Suppose you want to walk for an hour or two hours......what are the most interesting hikes from a base in Southern Village?
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Walking to schools
What percentage of students, teachers and others walk or bike, as opposed to drive, to Scroggs and Culbreth schools? In our increasingly obese world, this would be a nice statistic to know and to improve the walking numbers are not impressive.....and if they are impressive, keep them that way!
Radar "gun" for Southern Village
Cars often seem to drive around Southern Village at speeds well above 25 MPH. Wouldn't it be helpful to know for sure so that the police can be notified of chronic offenders? It's hard to estimate car speed from the sidewalk, but I just discovered that the hand-held radar "guns" are not all that expensive. Here is just one for example.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
"Edwards goes carbon neutral" - Gristmill
See reference to one quarter of EDWARDS' campaign headquarters staff (in Southern Village) walking to work. I wonder if the carbon neutral pledge applies to his 4+ million dollar house as well?
Tree mulching
What is the best - most recommended - way in which to mulch around all our trees in Southern Village between sidewalks and curbs? Surely, some approaches must be better for the trees than others. What are the approaches that we should all be encouraged to adopt?
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Our "neighbor", John EDWARDS
Today's Chapel Hill News carries an opinion column by one of the Chapel Hill (NC) Town Council members, Laurin EASTHOM. In it, she attempts to respond to an article in the (Raleigh) News & Observer about US Presidential candidate John EDWARDS. Ms EASTHOM contends that we should ignore EDWARDS' new, very large house here in Chapel Hill and the report by the N&O that EDWARDS does not say hello to a local business owner across the street from the new home - that has the highest assessed value of any home here in Orange County. She says that we should look to other wealthy US presidents and all the good works they have done for the poor, starting with Franklin ROOSEVELT.
I am afraid that she misses the point. It's a question of judgment.
Mr. EDWARDS keeps exercising very bad judgment as he demonstrated on Meet the Press today. While he says now that his vote for the Iraq "war" was wrong, he continues to say that he would have voted for the action even today if the "war" had been managed better. He simply does not have the knowledge of other countries and cultures, and especially the Middle East to be President, in my view. Further on that point, he said that he ignored evidence to the contrary on Weapons of Mass Destruction at the time. The judgment that he made at the time of that vote, the time that it took him to admit he made a mistake (more than two years) and the judgment he still applies in saying better management would have resulted in him still voting the way he did all say to me that he does not have what it takes to by my President. This all comes in the wake of a couple of things. One was the visit here last week of some people from Northern Europe who had never been to NC previously. They were struck by the absence of poverty. It also comes in the wake of a rough calculation that what the President is asking for Iraq and Afghanistan over the next two years amounts to about 10,000 USD for each citizen of those countries. If not 10,000, then it is a very healthy sum. And this comes along with a story in the same Chapel Hill News, adjacent to Ms. EASTHOM's piece that talks about the trials and tribulations of a small family restaurant (average meal $7, the N&O reports) only a few miles from Mr. EDWARDS' new home. The story reports that the restaurant "more times than not, ...is operating at a loss". Mr. EDWARDS and Ms. EASTHOM both know that all politics are local. Walt's Grill is about as local as it gets for both of them. Finally, on top of all that is an invitation to a fund raiser for EDWARDS at the home of D.R. BRYAN, the developer of Southern Village. The invitation seems to be looking for contributions at the levels of $500 and $1,000. Where will that money go? Much of it will probably go for EDWARDS' staff and more fund-raising. Ms. EASTHOM says we should look not at EDWARDS' house, but at what he has "done in his work,is currently doing in his campaign, and will continue to do for all Americans as he proactively tackles the complexity of poverty in America". Ok, so let's see what John EDWARDS has done in Chapel Hill, with his neighbors and others to deal with the poverty here that our European visitors did not see. He may have done a lot, and many of us would like to know so we can appreciative. I hope he will share this with us. In the meantime, imagine what might happen if he took all the money donated for the lunch on 9 Feb and created a fund that turned the contributions into meal tickets redeemable at Walt's for those in our town and county for whom an occasional free lunch might make a huge difference. That would give the so-far missing strength to Ms. EASTHOM's words about "actions" that her words now lack. And, most important, it would wind up being one of the actions to put on Mr. EDWARDS' "very good judgment" list. He needs all he can find.
I am afraid that she misses the point. It's a question of judgment.
Mr. EDWARDS keeps exercising very bad judgment as he demonstrated on Meet the Press today. While he says now that his vote for the Iraq "war" was wrong, he continues to say that he would have voted for the action even today if the "war" had been managed better. He simply does not have the knowledge of other countries and cultures, and especially the Middle East to be President, in my view. Further on that point, he said that he ignored evidence to the contrary on Weapons of Mass Destruction at the time. The judgment that he made at the time of that vote, the time that it took him to admit he made a mistake (more than two years) and the judgment he still applies in saying better management would have resulted in him still voting the way he did all say to me that he does not have what it takes to by my President. This all comes in the wake of a couple of things. One was the visit here last week of some people from Northern Europe who had never been to NC previously. They were struck by the absence of poverty. It also comes in the wake of a rough calculation that what the President is asking for Iraq and Afghanistan over the next two years amounts to about 10,000 USD for each citizen of those countries. If not 10,000, then it is a very healthy sum. And this comes along with a story in the same Chapel Hill News, adjacent to Ms. EASTHOM's piece that talks about the trials and tribulations of a small family restaurant (average meal $7, the N&O reports) only a few miles from Mr. EDWARDS' new home. The story reports that the restaurant "more times than not, ...is operating at a loss". Mr. EDWARDS and Ms. EASTHOM both know that all politics are local. Walt's Grill is about as local as it gets for both of them. Finally, on top of all that is an invitation to a fund raiser for EDWARDS at the home of D.R. BRYAN, the developer of Southern Village. The invitation seems to be looking for contributions at the levels of $500 and $1,000. Where will that money go? Much of it will probably go for EDWARDS' staff and more fund-raising. Ms. EASTHOM says we should look not at EDWARDS' house, but at what he has "done in his work,is currently doing in his campaign, and will continue to do for all Americans as he proactively tackles the complexity of poverty in America". Ok, so let's see what John EDWARDS has done in Chapel Hill, with his neighbors and others to deal with the poverty here that our European visitors did not see. He may have done a lot, and many of us would like to know so we can appreciative. I hope he will share this with us. In the meantime, imagine what might happen if he took all the money donated for the lunch on 9 Feb and created a fund that turned the contributions into meal tickets redeemable at Walt's for those in our town and county for whom an occasional free lunch might make a huge difference. That would give the so-far missing strength to Ms. EASTHOM's words about "actions" that her words now lack. And, most important, it would wind up being one of the actions to put on Mr. EDWARDS' "very good judgment" list. He needs all he can find.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Superb program - Market Street Books
Excellent program this evening at Market Street Books!
"7 p.m. We're celebrating Southern culture in our favorite way: with an evening of books and food. Marcie Cohen Ferris and Bill Smith will discuss and sign their popular cookbooks, Matzoh Ball Gumbo: Culinary Tales of the Jewish South, and Seasoned in the South: Recipes from Crook's Corner and from Home, and chef (and contributor to Cornbread Nation 3) Sheri Castle will prepare samples from both books. Both cookbooks were on the New York Times list for best of last year."
"7 p.m. We're celebrating Southern culture in our favorite way: with an evening of books and food. Marcie Cohen Ferris and Bill Smith will discuss and sign their popular cookbooks, Matzoh Ball Gumbo: Culinary Tales of the Jewish South, and Seasoned in the South: Recipes from Crook's Corner and from Home, and chef (and contributor to Cornbread Nation 3) Sheri Castle will prepare samples from both books. Both cookbooks were on the New York Times list for best of last year."
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Epicurean - News & Observer
Nice review of Citrus!
"In Chapel Hill, the breakfast offering at Citrus is, shall we say, a bit more sophisticated. Executive chef Marcos Lucera, who owns the restaurant with partner Tom Meier, whips up an eye-opening offering that includes chorizo con huevos, Cordon bleu omelet, banana and candied pecan pancakes with praline sauce, and a positively bistro-esque hash of fresh and smoked salmon. Coffee is freshly ground, and juices freshly squeezed.
The Citrus lunch menu is similarly impressive, with options including Scottish cold-smoked salmon salad, open-faced shrimp salad sandwich on toasted focaccia, and grilled beef tenderloin with horseradish mayo on demi-baguette. Lucera cleverly echoes the restaurant's name and cheery decor with a citrus theme recurring throughout the breakfast and lunch menus -- the orange custard batter in French toast, for instance, and a twist on the classic salade Nicoise featuring pan-seared scallops and a lemon-feta vinaigrette.
Citrus is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. It's a little hard to find, in the residential section of Southern Village. But it's definitely worth seeking out."
"In Chapel Hill, the breakfast offering at Citrus is, shall we say, a bit more sophisticated. Executive chef Marcos Lucera, who owns the restaurant with partner Tom Meier, whips up an eye-opening offering that includes chorizo con huevos, Cordon bleu omelet, banana and candied pecan pancakes with praline sauce, and a positively bistro-esque hash of fresh and smoked salmon. Coffee is freshly ground, and juices freshly squeezed.
The Citrus lunch menu is similarly impressive, with options including Scottish cold-smoked salmon salad, open-faced shrimp salad sandwich on toasted focaccia, and grilled beef tenderloin with horseradish mayo on demi-baguette. Lucera cleverly echoes the restaurant's name and cheery decor with a citrus theme recurring throughout the breakfast and lunch menus -- the orange custard batter in French toast, for instance, and a twist on the classic salade Nicoise featuring pan-seared scallops and a lemon-feta vinaigrette.
Citrus is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. It's a little hard to find, in the residential section of Southern Village. But it's definitely worth seeking out."
Epicurean - News & Observer
Nice review of Citrus!
"In Chapel Hill, the breakfast offering at Citrus is, shall we say, a bit more sophisticated. Executive chef Marcos Lucera, who owns the restaurant with partner Tom Meier, whips up an eye-opening offering that includes chorizo con huevos, Cordon bleu omelet, banana and candied pecan pancakes with praline sauce, and a positively bistro-esque hash of fresh and smoked salmon. Coffee is freshly ground, and juices freshly squeezed.
The Citrus lunch menu is similarly impressive, with options including Scottish cold-smoked salmon salad, open-faced shrimp salad sandwich on toasted focaccia, and grilled beef tenderloin with horseradish mayo on demi-baguette. Lucera cleverly echoes the restaurant's name and cheery decor with a citrus theme recurring throughout the breakfast and lunch menus -- the orange custard batter in French toast, for instance, and a twist on the classic salade Nicoise featuring pan-seared scallops and a lemon-feta vinaigrette.
Citrus is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. It's a little hard to find, in the residential section of Southern Village. But it's definitely worth seeking out."
"In Chapel Hill, the breakfast offering at Citrus is, shall we say, a bit more sophisticated. Executive chef Marcos Lucera, who owns the restaurant with partner Tom Meier, whips up an eye-opening offering that includes chorizo con huevos, Cordon bleu omelet, banana and candied pecan pancakes with praline sauce, and a positively bistro-esque hash of fresh and smoked salmon. Coffee is freshly ground, and juices freshly squeezed.
The Citrus lunch menu is similarly impressive, with options including Scottish cold-smoked salmon salad, open-faced shrimp salad sandwich on toasted focaccia, and grilled beef tenderloin with horseradish mayo on demi-baguette. Lucera cleverly echoes the restaurant's name and cheery decor with a citrus theme recurring throughout the breakfast and lunch menus -- the orange custard batter in French toast, for instance, and a twist on the classic salade Nicoise featuring pan-seared scallops and a lemon-feta vinaigrette.
Citrus is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. It's a little hard to find, in the residential section of Southern Village. But it's definitely worth seeking out."
Thursday, December 07, 2006
ShipOnSite people
The two men who run ShipOnSite are John and Mike. Their cute little dog is Winston.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
"Realtime" Chapel Hill buses
This is a fabulous service. I have it linked to the V line, but you can pick any of the routes that serve Southern Village. Pick your stop and the software tells you when the next bus will be at that stop and the predicted times for the next several buses as well. The idea is that this insures that you will be able to time your trip to the bus stop knowing that the bus will be there at the time shown. This story on National Public Radio about a positive trend toward more people riding commuter buses reminded me to check the relatively new Chapel Hill "Realtime" service.
Citrus newspapers and magazines
Bravo to the Citrus owners for providing customers with a great selection of newspapers and magazines every day! They are on the table in the entrance hall so you cannot miss them.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Citrus people
I had breakfast today at Citrus with some friends. The very nice person who waited on us was Amanda T.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Marrakesh people
I stopped in Marrakesh today and realized that I had not noted the names of the two owners. For those interested in associating names with faces in some of the local businesses, they are Redouane and Christine KHALDI.
Monday, November 20, 2006
"belonging the film"
Another new arrival in Southern Village. See the address here on Market Street.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
outside.in — 27516
This is a new site that allows you to focus on news and commentary from various website and blogs connected to a specific zip code. When you clik on the link it should take you to the page for 27516.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
10 year assessment?
Southern Village has been around now for about 10 years. Could you imagine an evening - say at the Lumina - devoted a review of those 10 years, and some discussion of where we might like to see the community and its environs go in the next 10 years? This is not a Home Owners Association kind of event - but rather a "community" review of where we've been, where we are, and what we see in the future. People from Dogwood Acres, UNC, Carrboro, etc. would be invited to join us. Any interest?
Weekend evening bus to Chapel Hill?
Why not explore with the Chapel Hill Transit people the idea of providing one or two buses each Friday and Saturday night from Southern Village to downtown Chapel Hill? Leave at 6 or 7, return at 10 or 11. That would allow people of all ages to enjoy downtown, not worry about having a glass of wine or two with dinner, and eliminate the parking challenge. Worth pursuing?
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Monday, September 04, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
"Small theater owners find niches" - News & Observer
The Lumina owner, Bill PEEBLES, is mentioned here.....
Friday, April 14, 2006
"Atlanta Community Offers Amenities of Earlier Age" - National Public Radio
Another new urbanist community - this time in Atlanta.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Around the edges....
Southern Village has no wall around it. It is not a so-called "gated" community.
Instead, anyone is free to come into Southern Village via the three vehicle entrances, and the several pedestrian paths.
There are a number of things that "we" need to address in Southern Village because we live here, are members of the homeowners' association, etc.
That is not, however, the only way that someone is linked to Southern Village. You don't have to live here.
You might attend or be a member of the church. Your kids might go to the day care center. Other kids might attend Scroggs school. You might come to the Lumina, eat at the restaurants and cafes, shop at Weaver Street Market, etc.
Each time I drive into the "main" entrance - the northern one on 15-501, I think it is very odd that there is a gap in the sidewalk between the new one on 15-501 and the beginning of sidewalk in Southern Village.
I think the same thing when I see us undertake no other efforts to recognize that the Southern Village community is a lot more than the homeowners' association. We ought make more of that opportunity, it seems to me.
Instead, anyone is free to come into Southern Village via the three vehicle entrances, and the several pedestrian paths.
There are a number of things that "we" need to address in Southern Village because we live here, are members of the homeowners' association, etc.
That is not, however, the only way that someone is linked to Southern Village. You don't have to live here.
You might attend or be a member of the church. Your kids might go to the day care center. Other kids might attend Scroggs school. You might come to the Lumina, eat at the restaurants and cafes, shop at Weaver Street Market, etc.
Each time I drive into the "main" entrance - the northern one on 15-501, I think it is very odd that there is a gap in the sidewalk between the new one on 15-501 and the beginning of sidewalk in Southern Village.
I think the same thing when I see us undertake no other efforts to recognize that the Southern Village community is a lot more than the homeowners' association. We ought make more of that opportunity, it seems to me.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
"New Jersey Homeowners Fight Aesthetic Rules" - National Public Radio
This sure sounds a lot like some number of issues occasionally debated in Southern Village. Here is the full text of the court decision.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Zillow
This site debuted today. Quite an amazing tool to inquire about neighborhood real estate values!
Election results?
No doubt the results of the elections and other business coming out of last night's Southern Village Home Owners Association Annual General Meeting will appear here?
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