Swimmers

Were those tadpoles or fish yesterday holding their own swimming against the current in the stream near one of the bridges along the trail running north from Southern Village?

Harrington Bank - FDIC

For anyone interested in more information about the Harrington Bank, here is a link to its FDIC records.

Southern Village HOA - Southern Village News

It sure would be nice to see a report here from someone who attended the 30 March meeting with the police chief.

"Fling yourself into it" - Food & Fitness - News & Observer

More on disc golf.

More pedestrian protection

Also at Southern Community Park are very bright yellow stripes - much larger than I have seen elsewhere - marking pedestrian crossings in the parking lot.

Why shouldn't we ask to have the same thing installed all over Southern Village?

Protecting pedestrians

I noticed at Southern Community Park that they seem to have installed concrete blocks at the front of those parking spaces that are close to a sidewalk. Perhaps this is a new construction standard.

It makes me wonder whether we don't have other places in Southern Village where such addded protection against automobiles might be in order? For example, all along the side of Market Street where the Lumina and Weaver Street Market are located?

INNOVA Champion - #1 in Disc Golf

The answer to my earlier question about the yellow-topped structures in the woods next to Southern Community Park. These are they.

"Cancer patient sees bleak future" - Herald-Sun

We should all ask how this kind of situation might be addressed here in Southern Village before we have to address it. Treyburn is another DR BRYAN project.

"Chain announces plans to build 'hip..." - Herald Sun

I guess this is part of the East54 project? It is to be on the southeast corner of North Hamilton and 54. In any case, much to be learned as DR BRYAN reflects on a possible hotel for Southern Village.

You can see the location of the hotel by clicking on the map on this page.

Fearrington Village Chatter

I question how valuable this blog is for anyone except for those who contribute. There has to be a better way to use this technology.

"Fearrington Village"

Althought the organization is completely different, it would be really nice to see a page like this with short profiles of the key people in Southern Village. John FUGO, the minister at the church, Weaver Street Market manager, president of the Southern Village Homeowners Association, etc. .....

Speakers at Carolina

What a great, apparently new, resource.

"Carolina: Best place to teach, learn and discover"

I suspect that this ought to be required reading for people in the larger Southern Village community.

"North Carolina Cancer Hospital - Construction Cam"

This is going to be a wonderful addition to the greater Southern Village community!

Market Street Books discounts?

Are any of the books at Market Street Books ever discounted?

How to measure?

How do we begin to measure the impact of the economy on Southern Village in all respects - from the people who live, work, study, visit, shop, park, walk, here to the institutions and organizations that call this place home?

Yellow topped metal structures?

What are the yellow topped metal structures that are in the woods next to the Southern Community Park?

"Open Your Home to an Exchange Student" - Southern Village HOA

I followed the link in this item and found very little information about this organization - who runs it, source of funding, etc. In checking further, the only person mentioned - that of the executive director - appears to have died last fall. The organization is not listed in Charity Navigator, or at least I did not find it.

"Recession buster: Gem Theatre offers free movies at 7 p.m. Wednesday" - Kannapolis Citizen

Imagine the possibilities if the Lumina were to do this?

It would be a great community rallying point, good for businesses in Southern Village.

The films and times could be limited to reduce the damage to ticket sales.

In addition, why not have a live person from either Southern Village or Chapel Hill - the president of of the Southern Village Homeowners Association for example or the Mayor of Chapel Hill, or many other interesting people - say a few words about how our community is working to deal with tough times?

Smith Level Road project

I drove over to Carrboro yesterday to learn more about the plans for Smith Level Road improvements around the Carrboro High School and Culbreth Road intersection, down to the bottom of the hill by the elemenatary school.It looks like this will begin in Jan 2011, all other things being equal, and may take 2 years to complete!There will be sidewalks added all along the work route, and I urged them to coordinate with Chapel Hill and Carrboro on filling any resulting gaps.The NC Department of Transportation people, who were very helpful and very well-informed, said that they expected the South Columbia St project to be completed before Smith Level begins. That's relevant to our link in Southern Village with downtown Chapel Hill - if both wind up under construction at the same time. They assured me that this would be coordinated to avoid that happening.

"Scroggs family donates to school"

That's very nice, and it benefits the whole community, at least indirectly!

Smith Level Road public hearing - 9 March 2009

Smith Level Road project

Frank Porter Graham Elementary School - FPG Home Page

Another one of those places within an easy walk of Southern Village!

"Southern Community Park Is Now Open"

This is dated, but wanted to be sure it was linked here. I am not sure if ther are any updates....

"Chapel Hill could replace grass fields with turf" - Daily Tar Heel

I wonder how this will be implemented at Southern Community Park?

"Fire laws close off trove of N.C. history" - News & Observer

Since this is within easy walking or bus distance of Southern Village, it is our neighborhood library!

"Despite Downturn, Americans Flock to Movie Theaters" - NYTimes.com

I wonder if the Lumina is sharing in this?

Harrington navigates recession, sees mortgage lending increase

This is an interesting interview, but I wonder why there are no recent news items, press releases, or newsletters on the Harrington Bank site? I wonder where one can learn from independent sources how this bank is really doing. It may or may not be as reported in that interview if what we have seen from other banks is any guide.

"Bohemian Sprawl Hits the Limits in Los Angeles" - NYTimes.com

Anything to be learned here for Southern Village?

Chapel Hill Jobs (NC) | SimplyHired

I wonder what the statistics are for Southern Village? How many people have jobs that are based here in Southern Village? What are the trends?

Real Estate Blog - Southern Village in Chapel Hill - Eat and Shop after a Day at Jordan Lake

Just happened to run across this....

"Southern Village Apartments crime and safety information."

It would be nice to see a rundown, with a similar map, with all of the police incident reports for 2008, at a minimum.

"What's a walk score?" - How Stuff Works

The next time you need something at Weaver Street Market, why not walk to the store instead of driving your car?

"Bomb threat clears Pit" - Daily Tar Heel

This is surely close enough to Southern Village to merit a mention!

"Setting the course for campus safety" - Daily Tar Heel

Well worth a read by people living in and around Southern Village.

2008 Business of the Year Award Winners

Market Street Books!

Hotel rooms in Orange County

Ths says - a year ago - that there were 1,400 hotel rooms in Orange County.

Canadian visitors to NC

Hotel occupancy rates

"Three People Charged With Armed Robbery - Chapel Hill" - MyNC.com

This alleged crime occurred within 3 miles of Southern Village.

"Pedestrian killed on N.C. 54 Bypass" - heraldsun.com

This is both very sad and very close to Southern Village. Given the number of pedestrians killed here in traffic accidents, we all need to be more careful, much more careful whether walking or behind the wheel. Anyone who drives around here while talking on a cellphone, for example, ought to stop. It's a stupid thing to do that endangers yourself and all those around you.

"Your house is worth more. How does it feel?" - newsobserver.com

"Campaign Spotlight - Use the Muscles Between Your Ears, Gym Urges" - NYTimes.com

This comes from an advertising agency in Durham. It's a message that O2 Fitness might want to consider using in reaching out to prospective members in and around Southern Village.

"New Model For Sprawling Malls: Cut Down On Cars" - NPR

Even Southern Village is far too focused on cars. I cringed when I heard and saw comments relating to the hotel issue that focused on Southern Village resident concerns over lost parking. Autos here ought to be for people who have physical impairments that limit their walking ability. All others should walk everywhere. If that happened, I bet we'd be talking about adding park benches instead of parking spaces.

Solar Tech South

It appears that the building opposite the southern entrance to Southern Village is finally occupied. Solar Tech South is the name on the front, and I just called their number - 919-960-6015.

Ed WITKIN, who answered the phone, said they are moving here from Main St in Carrboro.

Website is in process.

They hope to open in Feb.

We talked about opportunities for Ed to introduce Solar Tech to Southern Village. I mentioned the annual Southern Village HOA meeting in February, and he said they hoped to do some educational programs in their building once they are fully up and running.

Lowes Foods

For those who shop at Lowes, I see that they say they are now open 24/7.

County Line Plaza

This is what has been proposed for the land that has been cleared at Smith Level and 15-501 by the owner, Lee-Moore Oil Company. As far as I know, no drug store or bank - or other retail - has been identified.

"Denser zoning coming" - chapelhillnews.com

"Holly Springs development steams ahead in rocky economy" - WRAL.com

This story and this earlier one may be worth considering as we consider how best to improve the economic health of the community that includes Southern Village. DR BRYAN has been a major force in that community as well.

Where do they take the leaves and what does Chapel Hill do with them?

How does Chapel Hill dispose of the leaves that it collects from gutters, as it is doing in Southern Village this morning? Are they composted? Reused how?

Holiday Hours at places to eat at UNC

Tar Heal Café

Another within easy walking distance of Southern Village.

Friends Cafe : Health Sciences Library - UNC-Chapel Hill

A reasonable walk from Southern Village.....

Pazzo and other eating places - urbanspoon.com

It's interesting to see the feedback that appears here for the eating places in Chapel Hill. Starting with Pazzo!, here are the ratings (% positive):

Pazzo! 77%
Merlion 74%
Town Hall Grill 73%
Merritt's 72% (on South Columbia)
La Vita Dolce 72%
Weaver Street Market 66%

Jaluka is at 100% with only 3 people voting.

The new Subway does not pop up, and they either never had or deleted Citrus.

Trail by soccer field

Isn't getting to the point where we can accept the need for a paved trail around the soccer field so as to stop the erosion of the hill over which some number of people continue to walk?

Aerators?

It looks like two electric-powered aerators have been added to the pond across from the soccer field and another in the pond in front of Scroggs. Is that right? Did "we" consider solar power for them?

Daily Tar Heel box and other publications

We have only one Daily Tar Heel box in Southern Village, as far as I know. It is at the bus stop next to the Park and Ride lot beyond the church. Why don't they put one on Market Street, too? It's a very good newspaper serving a big part of our extended community.

"dufus" - whoever he or she may be - pointed out in the comment that there is a box with the others across from Weaver Street Market. Thanks to her/him for pointing that out.

I'll finish this list another time......

At the old Citrus, one may still be able to pick up the Independent.

At the bus stop for the Park and Ride lot, there is the Daily Tar Heel and the Carrboro Citizen, plus a couple of others.

Across from Weaver Street Market are these:

Daily Tar Heel
Carrboro Citizen
Independent
The New York Times
Herald-Sun
News & Observer
Southern Neighbor
[Will add the others]

Inside O2 Fitness are the Independent and I think Southern Neighbor as well.

Plum Spring Clinic building

The for lease sign seems to be gone at the building formerly occupied by the Plum Spring Clinic. Does that mean the space has been leased/sold? The Plum Spring Clinic signs have been taken down as well in the last couple of days.

At the Ackland - Ackland Art Museum

The Ackland is less than an hour's walk, or a short bus ride, or if you must, a short drive. Clearly a part of the larger community close at hand around Southern Village.

"Merritt's Store & Grill - Chapel Hill"

Walking....

A very big part of Southern Village's attractiveness to me is its walkability.

I got thinking about what I could walk to "do" here.......

+ Walk up anytime to Market Street or the Park and Ride lot and pick up a free copy of the Daily Tar Heel, the Independent and or the Carrboro Citizen.

+ Walk up to Market Street and buy anytime from a vending machine a copy of The New York Times, the News & Observer or the Herald-Sun (especially when they fail to deliver these to our driveway).

+ Walk to UNC campus.

+ Walk to the Ackland Art Museum!

+ Walk to O2 Fitness.

+ Walk to see flowers, a friend, a game on one of the fields.

+ Walk to the Lumina and watch a movie.

+ Walk to La Vita Dolce or Weaver Street Market and have a coffee whenever they are open.

+ Walk to La Vita Dolce, Weaver Street Market, Pazzo!, Merlion, Jaluka or Town Hall Grill and have lunch, and in several of those, dinner as well.

+ Walk to Merritt's out on South Columbia and have a meal or buy some of their food and other offerings.

+ Walk to church if you are of that faith and choose to do so.

+ Walk to the bank if you are a customer or choose to use any of its services.

+ Walk in the hope of saying hello to a neighbor, and if very lucky, with his or her dog in tow .... or being towed by

What else to add?

Notes on the new park

When I walked around the new Southern Community Park Wednesday, I made a couple of notes....

+ Why is the grass all brown? Is that normal for playing fields of this sort in the winter? Will that happen each year?

+ Why are there so few bleachers for the fields?

+ Why do those OWASA manhole covers have to be so far above the grass level? They sure are ugly. In addition to them, there are some other pipes of some sort sticking out of the ground along the path; they seem to be "finished" and I fear they wil be sticking out as they do for many years to come.

+ What are the preliminary plans for extending the trail further south? It simply goes from asphalt to straw right now. Is something on a map somewhere showing what planners hope we'll have one day?

+ What is the hoped for use of the dog area on the other side of Dogwood Acres Drive? It is such a large space; is the vision that it will be overflowing with dogs at certain times? Why has it not atrracted more already?

+ Do we have a master schedule somewhere of all the games that are scheduled for 2009 on the Southern Community Park fields and the soccer field by the tennis and swim club?

Rest rooms in the park

What will the rules be on using the new restrooms that are part of Southern Community Park? Perhaps they will be posted along with some indication of which door is which!

I guess the park has not officially opened yet.

"Citrus - Southern Village Business For Sale" - BizQuest.com

"Southern Village: So Long Six Stories"

"Keats's "Poems" is Library's 6-millionth volume"

What a phenomenal resource for us who live here!

Morgan Creek trail

"- Easement to OWASA for Morgan Creek Trail: The Council authorized an easement to OWASA in order to relocate the sewer line to benefit the Morgan Trail Project. The project is proposed to be a 10 foot wide concrete trail that would be an extension of the existing Fan Branch Trail. The first phase is intended to begin at the Fan Branch Trail near Culbreth Road and end just east of Kingswood Apartments. A natural surface trail would extend from the main paved trail on the north side of Morgan Creek and provide pedestrian access to Merritt Pasture. A bridge over a small tributary on the east side of Highway 15-501 would provide direct access to the pasture. "

Speed tables - Dogwood Acres Drive

"7. Dogwood Acres Drive to Receive Speed Tables
Speed tables and related warning signs will be installed on Dogwood Acres Drive on Monday, Oct. 20, at Southern Community Park, which is under construction and nearly completed.
The traffic tables will be installed beginning at 9 a.m. in the section of the road within the park boundaries. There may be some travel delays as the crew installs the tables. Work should be completed in one day. When the speed tables are installed, people who drive on Dogwood Acres Drive should adjust their travel speeds.
The Council authorized the speed tables in order to slow traffic and maximize pedestrian safety as part of the park development plan. Located south of Southern Village and west of Highway 15-501, Southern Community Park is scheduled to open later this fall.
The park will become the 11th and second largest park (after Cedar Falls Park), covering 72 acres with more half the land remaining in a natural state. The $4.7 million park project features three athletic/soccer fields, two basketball courts, an inline hockey court, a two-acre dog park, a meadow area, trails, a play area, and a disk golf course. The project was funded by Orange County, Chapel Hill, and a North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant.
For more information, call the Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department at 968-2784."

"Brunch hideaway" - The Eater 10/9/08

Note the item about Citrus.

"Mac McCorkle, Political Consultant for Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue, to speak at Town Hall Grill’s “Village Voice”"

"Chapel Hill, NC – October 1, 2008 – Mac McCorkle, Political Consultant for Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue and 2008 Democratic Nominee for Governor, will be speaking on behalf of the Lt. Governor on October 6, 2008 at Town Hall Grill in Chapel Hill as part of the Village Voice political forum.

Town Hall Grill, located in Southern Village in Chapel Hill, N.C., launched the bipartisan community issues forum, “The Village Voice,” in June and has featured political candidates William (BJ) Lawson, Republican candidate for U.S. House District 4 and Ellie Kinnaird, six-term NC State Senator, District 23.

Mac McCorkle will be speaking at 5:30pm on October 6th at Town Hall Grill on the covered patio. Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to reserve a seat using the online reservations form at http://www.thetownhallgrill.com/.

The Village Voice is sponsored by The North Carolina Center for Voter Education, NBC TV-17 and MyNC.com.

For more information, please visit http://www.thetownhallgrill.com/ or contact Sandy Andrews of Hummingbird Creative Group at sandy@hummingbird-creative.com or (919) 854-9100, ext 307.

About Mac McCorkle
Pope “Mac” McCorkle has worked as a policy and research consultant to political candidates, state governments, and various organizations for the past decade. He is now the Principal of McCorkle Policy Consulting in Durham, North Carolina. In his prior capacity as a lawyer with the Raleigh firm founded by former U.S. Senator Terry Sanford, McCorkle served as outside counsel to the North Carolina Association of Educators and also specialized in election law and other administrative legal matters.

In 1992, McCorkle joined the Raleigh law firm of Everett, Gaskins, Hancock & Stevens. There he served as a legal and legislative counsel to the Low-Wealth Schools Consortium and continued his litigation and administrative law practice. As a campaign issues consultant, McCorkle most recently worked with the 2000 U.S. Senate campaign of Mel Carnahan, as well as the campaigns of North Carolina Governor Mike Easley and Missouri Governor Bob Holden.

McCorkle’s clients include the campaigns of Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Governor Mike Easley, Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue, and Congressman David Price.

About the Village Voice - A New Kind of Old Political Forum

Town Hall Grill, located in Southern Village in Chapel Hill, N.C., launched a bipartisan community issues forum, called “The Village Voice.” The purpose of the forum is to provide people with the opportunity to engage with political leaders in a comfortable, thought provoking dialogue regarding current issues in a “town hall” style format.

About Town Hall Grill

Town Hall Grill is a bar and grill offering an eclectic menu that infuses Southwestern flavors. With 14 different types of beers on tap and an array of liquor available, Town Hall Grill is the best full bar just outside of Chatham County.Located in Southern Village, Town Hall Grill is a place where sports fans, friends and family can meet to enjoy a delicious meal, watch the big game on one of many HDTV's and have a great time. The consistently fantastic food, diverse menu, unique drinks and friendly, professional staff make frequenting Town Hall Grill a pleasure every time."

"300 E. Main project OK’d" - Daily Tar Heel

The role of the potential hotel in Carrboro, and the debate surrounding that issue, ought to be very instructive for Southern Village as we think about the best use of the parking lot on Market Street.

"Three arrested for Chapel Hill and Durham robberies" - Daily Tar Heel

Avery Hall is only a little over 2 miles from Market Street in Southern Village.

"Carrboro Music Festival Venues Schedule"

2.5 mile radius circle around Market Street

This is what 2.5 miles looks like when drawn as the radius of a circle around the center of Market Street in Southern Village.

"Singers showcase banned music" - Daily Tar Heel

Events like this one are well within 2 miles (i.e., 45 minute maximum walk) of Southern Village.

We don't think about that often enough in Southern Village, I believe.

I attended. Anyone else from Southern Village in the 50 or so people who were there?

"UNC Chapel Hill Police"

This page from UNC Public Safety includes "Breaking News" when there is some related to UNC, and of likely interest to people living or working in or around Southern Village.

"Community Design Commission Agenda" - Town of Chapel Hill

Here is the agenda for the Commission's review of the Market Street parking lot concept plan.

"Trop de pharmacies ?" - France 3 Méditerranée

This is an article in French talking about complaints that in southeastern France the area known there as the PACA region, there are simply too many pharmacies. This is not a problem from which we suffer in Southern Village, or is it? Our closest pharmacies - other than a few homeopathic/natural items at Weaver Street Market (anything I am missing?) - are CVS at Cole Park Plaza, Rite Aid in Glen Lennox, CVS in Carrboro and the independent pharmacies in Chapel Hill. Am I missing anything else in the area? Here is the list from a Google Maps search:

Categories: Pharmacies, Photo Finishing Retail

CVS/pharmacy‎ - more info »
11314 Us 15-501 North, Chapel Hill, NC - (919) 929-5664‎
2 reviews - Write a review
"I can actually say say that thier pharmacist saved my husband's life. I went ..."
CVS Pharmacy: Carrboro‎ - more info »
100 N Greensboro St, Carrboro, NC - (919) 929-0329‎
Write a review
Rite Aid‎ - more info »
602 Jones Ferry Rd # G, Carrboro, NC - (919) 942-0933‎
1 review - Write a review
CVS/pharmacy‎ - more info »
200 North Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC - (919) 929-2181‎
1 review - Write a review
CVS Pharmacy: Front Store‎ - more info »
300 N Greensboro St, Carrboro, NC - (919) 929-7306‎
Write a review
Sutton's Drug Store‎ - more info »
159 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC - (919) 942-5161‎
6 reviews - Write a review
"You can eat here, too! Sutton's is a great old-fashioned drug store on Franklin Street--the kind ..."
Institute of Pharmacy: Pharmaceutical Association‎ - more info »
109 Church St, Chapel Hill, NC - (919) 967-2237‎
Write a review
Eckerd‎ - more info »
1218 Raleigh Rd, Chapel Hill, NC - (919) 968-3777‎
Write a review
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy‎ - more info »
CB#7360Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7360
Added
Write a review
Carrboro Family Pharmacy‎ - more info »
104 Nc Highway 54 # J, Carrboro, NC - (919) 933-7629‎
Write a review

"Tucson Man Harvests Rainwater" - NPR

Can we do better in Southern Village collecting rainwater instead of relying entirely on OWASA? I am sure we can.

"Builders of Hope" moving offices to Southern Village

This organization is about to move its offices into the building where John EDWARDS campaign headquarters had been housed. It looks to me that they do some really interesting things, and I am anxious to learn more about what they do. There is a good deal of information on the website for those of us who want to know more of the story!

Subway on the verge of opening

I stopped in today to meet the owner of the new Subway on Market Street. He is Abdul ALMASRI and he has been working with Subway for about 10 years, previously in Raleigh and now he and his partner have a second Subway on Jones Ferry Rd in Carrboro. The place looks nearly finished and he may open for business as early as tomorrow; if not, in coming days!

Today - 18 Sep - I see that the Subway has an OPEN sign out front.

New stage structure coming....

If you are on Market Street, you will see that the aluminum structure that supported the movie screen at the end of the Green is no longer there. According t John FUGO, it is about to be replaced with a more permanent steel version that will solve some of the production problems encountered with the aluminum version. The music and movies will continue!

"8 charged in Orange slaying, kidnapping" - heraldsun.com

This is a very sad story no matter how you look at it.

The reason I have added it here is that it has a connection to the alleged rape of a woman in Southern Village in 2006, as explained in the story. I had not focused on the name of the accused at the time.

I feel like I have a small connection to the story as we have been customers at Minton's garage on Rte 54 for many years.

Let's hope that justice in this tragedy is meted out fairly.

See also this story in the Daily Tar Heel.

"The Platform: First Run Movies"

How will this impact The Lumina?

The environment

How are we doing as a community in respecting the environment? What grade would Southern Village get, both the commercial area, and all the other components of the community, perhaps even including the new Southern Community Park? When I saw some lights on, unnecessarily, in one of the buildings on Market Street, it made me wonder. When I see people putting out for garbage that which can and should be recycled, it disappoints me. When I see all of the big cars riding about our roads with only one person in them, I am outraged. How do we pressure all of us to do better?

"Google Maps"

The link here is set to Google Maps at Market Street in Southern Village. One of the features there that I only discovered today is the ability to seek directions by walking. In checking a couple of destinations, I see that the routing is quite different for the trip by car than for the walking route. For those who value the walking accessibilty of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, this could be a useful tool.

Social networks

With so many social, internet-based, networks operating today, is any one of them tying Southern Village residents together better than the others?

"Performance Artist Writes 'Mother on Fire'" - NPR

This is interesting for someone like me without kids at Scroggs. It ought to be interesting to those who do as well.

It prompts me to wonder about the number of kids who live in Southern Village, or within a mile or two of Scroggs who go to a non-public school instead.

Just what is it that prompts their parents to leave the public school system and enroll their kids in a private instituion?

Is it a matter of religion?

Ego?

Dissatisfaction with Scroggs?

Every kid is exceptional in the eyes of her or his parents. That's not sufficient reason for me to comprehend why public schools are good enough for most, but not good enough for some who can afford to send their kids elsewhere.

Our trail

When the trail opens to the new Southern Community Park, we will be privileged to have a wonderful stretch of path for walking, running, bike riding, etc. What are the plans to continue the trail south? To the north, with the Morgan Creek project, it is a little more clear where it may go, including the planned work on South Columbia Street. Plans to the east? To the west?

Mushrooms

Where did the mushrooms come from that seem to be sprouting all over Southern Village? All the rain? Any health concerns? Any dangers to children or pets?

"Shopzilla - Comparison shopping online"

How do we bring a tool like down to the level of Market Street in Southern Village? How do we make the power of the web work harder for the merchants and businesses of Southern Village?

"Southern Village plan seeks 6-story 'anchor'" - newsobserver.com

"Miles of Aisles for a Gallon of Milk? Not Here" - NYTimes.com

Opportunity or threat for Southern Village?

Fordham Boulevard

Here is Town Council Member Sally GREENE's report on discussions last night at the Town Council meeting. The potential work to be done on Fordham Boulevard will affect all of us in Southern Village - as drivers on the that road, as walkers and bikers in the area, and - most important - as people concerned about our making wise and environmentally supportive choices about our transportation infrastructure.

"2. The 2035 Long-Range Transportation Plan. Federal regulations require the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) to update the Urban Area Long Range Transportation Plan every three years. The plan includes all roadway, transit, bicycle and sidewalk improvements that are anticipated for a minimum period of 20 years. Our plan for 2035 is approaching a completion date in December of this year. For the staff report, seehttp://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2008/09/08/2/2-staff_memo.htmWe are now in the public comment period. Please see the following write-up by George Cianciolo, chair of our Planning Board, for details of upcoming opportunities to make your opinions known.http://tinyurl.com/6ddmqhThe way the plan works, there are several options proposed for ways to respond to the projected growth in population and traffic: (1) intensive highway, (2) intensive fixed guideway, (3) intensive multimodal, and (4) moderate multimodal. A topic of last night's Council discussion focused on Fordham Boulevard, which, as we all know, is terribly congested at the moment; and as development continues in Chatham County, this road is tending to become even more of a freeway. Please, note that the "intensive highway" option anticipates a widening of Fordham Boulevard, all the way down to the 15-501 exit toward Pittsboro, to six lanes. In my view, this is not a desired outcome! Already we know that Fordham Boulevard has the effect of splitting parts of our community in two. Thanks to the efforts of the Fordham Boulevard Safety Committee, we have identified a need for a pedestrian bridge near the Manning Drive intersection, and that project remains a priority for the Council.If this is an issue that's important to you, please make your opinion known through one of the venues identified in George's posting above. The earliest opportunity is today at the Chapel Hill Public Library, 4-7 p.m."

"Maintenance Activities at Merritt Pasture"

This is an agenda item from yesterday's Town Council meeting regarding Merritt Pasture, one of the places that makes Southern Village and its environs so attractive. We should all be familiar with what is happening there. Thanks to Council Member Sally GREENE for calling attention to this.

Cars on the street

I've noticed a lot of people in Southern Village parking their cars in front of their houses instead of in their driveways or garages.

There is, of course, nothing "illegal" about this, but I think it takes a lot away from the neighborhood. That said, D.R. BRYAN often parks his truck in front of his house, so I can hardly argue that the designers intended to keep all cars off the street....but I hope everyone will think about how much nicer the street looks without cars parked on it, at least those drivers who seem to have adopted the street as the default parking place.

"All posts tagged 'newspapers at the belted goat'" - Fearrington Village Chatter

Can't we say the same thing about several places in Southern Village?

"1 Bag at a Time"

This site was on the tag that came with the new Weaver Street Market shopping bags that have been given to members and sold to others. There is a lot of good information here, and I certainly hope that other businesses in Chapel Hill will follow Weaver Street Market's wonderful example. Next move for WSM is to eliminate all plastic bags unless the customer pays, let's say, $.50/each.

Dog drops

As I walked our lovely trail today up toward Culbreth, I passed mound after plastic mound of dog dumps that some owner or owners had collected in plastic bags and left at the markers intended to tell people not to leave their dog drops behind them. That's about as disrespectful as anything I can imagine; if I encounter anyone dropping off a bag, I'll follow them home and deposit their dog's doo at their home in the manner earned by their disregard for others. That's a promise.