Eileen Earnhardt

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Triangle Mayors OK Tax Hike for Transit

By Eileen Earnhardt | November 26

After two years of discussion and meetings, the mayors of Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Cary and Durham created a proposal Friday to help alleviate the Triangle's transportation problems. The coalition collaborated with the Regional Transportation Alliance, a nonprofit organization created in association with the chambers of commerce of all the constituent towns in 1998 by community and business leaders working to create transportation solutions in Research Triangle Park.

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23 Restaurant Closes Doors Temporarily

By Eileen Earnhardt | November 25

A Chapel Hill restaurant owned by a well-known University alumnus closed for an unspecified period of time Thursday. Restaurant management said Michael Jordan's 23 -- which opened three years ago -- closed down for renovations but declined to comment on reasons behind the restaurant's closing. Peter Klein of Cornerstone Management, the firm that handles 23's marketing, said there is no date set for the business's reopening. "They're temporarily closed. They're going to try some new concepts," he said. "They're waiting to see what happens."

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Wine Bar Brings Bar, Pool to Its Basement

By Eileen Earnhardt | November 19

On Wednesday, the West End Wine Bar goes underground. The Cellar, located where the West End Wine Bar formerly stored its wine, has been transformed into a basement bar serving eight beers on tap, wine and a small menu. It also will feature a jukebox and pool tables. The West End Wine Bar, at 450 W. Franklin St., now consists of three floors: the ground level, rooftop and cellar.

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Local Currency Now Used at 100 Locations

By Eileen Earnhardt | November 19

The PLENTY, the local currency made for Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Hillsborough and Pittsboro, is now accepted at 100 locations, which, proponents say, will add to the currency's credibility and will attract more consumers. NCPlenty is a nonprofit agency directing the creation and implementation of the currency. The organization recently announced its achievement of having 100 member venues accept the PLENTY.

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Eating Out Helps Out Hungry, Homeless

By Eileen Earnhardt | November 12

A trip to a local restaurant today can be fulfilling for the heart as well as the stomach. Restaurants Sharing V (5) plus V (5) Percent is an annual fund-raiser that started in 1989. Participating restaurants donate 10 percent of their gross receipts from one day to the Inter-Faith Council to help fund its homeless shelter. Eating today at any one of the 74 participating restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner will contribute to the cause.

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Chapel Hill Firefighters Receive Award for Commitment

By Eileen Earnhardt | October 29

Firefighters risk their lives every day as part of the job, helping the victims of the fires they fight. That same determination applies when one of their fellow firefighters is hurt. The Chapel Hill Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 2580, was recognized for its commitment and generosity last week in Charlotte at the International Association of Firefighters Annual Convention. The Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of North Carolina presented them with the Local of the Year Award.

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Literacy Council Event Raises Money, Awareness

By Eileen Earnhardt | October 14

Literacy Council Event Raises Money, Awareness By Eileen Earnhardt Staff Writer Local authors, students and other community members attended the Orange County Literacy Council's annual fall fund-raiser Sunday at the Carrboro Century Center. Borders Bookstore, Carrburritos and Holiday Inn Chapel Hill sponsored Celebrate Literacy, which featured readings by three N.C. authors, refreshments, a silent auction, a raffle and jazz music.

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Holiday Parking Could Be Fee-Free

By Eileen Earnhardt | October 9

Shoppers come to Franklin Street for its trendy boutiques and funky shops, a virtual paradise for the shop-a-holic. This year, the Chapel Hill Town Council, led by Town Council member Bill Strom, might make that experience even more heavenly by suspending parking fees for part of the holiday season. Strom said the idea came to him from the owner of Cerebral Hobbyists, a local retailer who thought the suspension of fees could help the business community. Strom said he agreed local merchants could benefit from this measure. "It's an important retail week," he said.

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Police to Lessen Halloween Restrictions

By Eileen Earnhardt | October 1

Every Halloween, Franklin Street turns into a madhouse of masquerade and revelry.

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Third School Still In Planning Stage

By Eileen Earnhardt | September 26

The Orange County Commissioners held a joint meeting Monday with the Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools boards of education to discuss the problems both systems are facing. The meeting was held in part to further an initiative by the two school systems to collaborate and make use of programs offered at individual schools. One proposal would allow students to attend classes not offered by the schools in their respective system. Officials said they are in favor of collaboration.