Chapel Hill recently posted a survey about the future of its 4th of July celebration. They want to know: should they continue using fireworks or should they switch to drones? I’m on team drone. Here’s why: I miss the show in Kenan Stadium For decades, fireworks in Chapel Hill were in Kenan Stadium. But in […]
How to give public comment on North Carolina’s State Transportation Improvement Program, 2026–2035
North Carolina State’s Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is “a 10 year State and Federal-mandated plan that identifies the construction funding for and scheduling of transportation projects throughout the state.” Last week I received notice that NCDOT was “requesting community input” (actually, a 45 day public comment period is required) on its 10-year STIP via a […]
What’s happening in Chapel Hill and Carrboro: Week of July 1
📚 A symposium on the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act will be held July 2 at the Chapel Hill Public Library. Register online for a full day of conversation and fellowship about the most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction. 🎆 Fireworks are Thursday at Southern Village Community Park and we have all […]
After 30 years, Chapel Hill’s missing concrete hippopotamus is returning to North Carolina
Last December, Allen Baddour shared a story about a mysterious concrete hippo statue that stood proudly in a tributary of Bolin Creek, before it disappeared. The story captivated the community, and even made the local news: It’s been gone for almost 30 years exactly. But now, we’ve learned, the 1000-pound concrete hippo is on the […]
July 4 2024 in Chapel Hill and Carrboro: How to get to fireworks and the parade, and where to park
It’s time, once again, to celebrate America. Here’s what’s going on in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Parade and community reading of Frederick Douglass Essay Each year, Carrboro celebrates the 4th of July by holding a people’s parade – with prizes! – and an annual community reading of the Frederick Douglass essay “The Meaning of July […]
Continuing to monitor traffic on N. Greensboro Street
Last April, I wrote a piece about drivers speeding along N. Greensboro Street. As I noted, it’s hard to make safety changes, in part, because our town doesn’t control these roads – NCDOT does. I’ve still been observing the intersection at N Greensboro at Shelton Street and wanted to note some recent incidents. Keep in […]