EREN TATARAGASI

News

Tex-Mex pervades Chapel Hill

By EREN TATARAGASI | September 20

A new restaurant set to open in November will bring a new twist on an old favorite to Franklin Street. Skis Tortilla Wrap Grill will make its home at 147 E. Franklin St., providing diners with an American twist on the Mexican burrito. "There are no beans and no rice," said owner Bradley Smith. Instead the restaurant will offer grilled tortillas with customers' choice of cheese, meat and other toppings. Smith said [B]Skis will attract a college crowd because the hours have been built around students' late-night schedules.

News

Department expands number of substations

By EREN TATARAGASI | September 13

In an effort to keep an eye on crime and reach out to the community, the Chapel Hill Police Department is opening a fourth substation today at University Square. The opening of the University Square substation, at 133 W. Franklin St., comes two weeks after the opening of a substation in Southern Village. Mayor Kevin Foy officially will open the new space at 11:30 a.m. Police spokeswoman Jane Cousins said it wasn't an increase in crime but a concern about crime that motivated the opening of the new substations.

News

Hookah bar proves popular on opening night

By EREN TATARAGASI | September 12

It was an Arabian Night on Friday on Franklin Street as people wandered into a new restaurant that took them on a magic carpet ride to the Middle East. Aladdin's Grill & Catering, at 153 E. Franklin St., reopened its doors Friday night as a restaurant and hookah bar. "We've expanded it and gotten it a lot nicer," said owner Jamil Kadoura. Although the hookah bar is a new idea to Chapel Hill residents, for California natives, it's just the thing to do. "We're here for the hookah," said grad student Erin Daly. "It's a big thing in California."

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Downtown 'eyesore' brought back to life

By EREN TATARAGASI | August 31

The Wicked Burrito building, long considered a downtown eyesore, is seeing its bright yellows and oranges diluted to a shade more amenable to the Chapel Hill crowd. CarolinaPros Inc., an area nonprofit dedicated to helping former UNC athletes give back to the community, has been working at 214 W. Franklin St. since late July. Although the exterior of the one-time restaurant remains gaudily the same, the interior is adorned with University memorabilia and soon will be filled with volunteers.

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New school bridges high school, college

By EREN TATARAGASI | August 30

Lateasha Shirer is on a mission. The 17-year-old wants to go to a four-year college, and she’s enrolled in Middle College High School to reach her goal. The school, which opened its doors for the first time Aug. 11 on the Durham Technical Community College campus, offers students a chance to experiment with both vocational and college preparatory tracks. Shirer, one of 40 students enrolled in the program, said she decided to attend the school for two reasons:

News

Breweries find beer law tasty

By EREN TATARAGASI | August 29

Local beer connoisseurs will have more options to stimulate their palates, thanks to a new state law. Gov. Mike Easley signed House Bill 392 into law Aug. 13, in effect increasing the allowable alcohol percentage in malt beverages sold and produced in North Carolina. It’s a move that has area breweries eager to experiment. “I very much support the law,” said Robert Poitras, owner of Carolina Brewery, 460 W. Franklin St. “We helped lobby to get it passed.”

News

Hit-and-run bill ready for Easley

By EREN TATARAGASI | August 29

Almost a year after a man was acquitted of charges relating to the death of a UNC alumnus, a new hit-and-run statute is awaiting final approval from Gov. Mike Easley. House Bill 217, known as “Stephen’s Law” in honor of former Tar Heel Sports Network reporter Stephen Gates, passed the N.C. House on Aug. 22 and the N.C. Senate on Aug. 12, both with unanimous votes.

News

Area bookshop may close

By EREN TATARAGASI | April 27

After a little more than three years of operation, a local bookstore has lost its lease and might be forced to relocate or close for good. Branch’s Chapel Hill Bookshop, owned and operated by Kate Branch, has been located in Village Plaza on Elliott Road for about three years. But Friday, Branch found out in a phone call with the store’s landlord, Mark Properties, that the store had officially lost its lease. Because Branch was out of the state in January caring for her sick grandfather, the store fell behind on its rent.

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Candidates likely to spice up race

By EREN TATARAGASI | April 22

Election Day is 200 days away, and for the four Carrboro officials whose terms expire in December, speculation already has begun. The race’s makeup won’t be entirely clear until after the Aug. 5 filing deadline, but it’s clear that candidates will come from a variety of backgrounds — and that some of those hopefuls will look to challenge the status quo. The Nov. 8 election will include the seats now held by Mayor Pro Tem Diana McDuffee, aldermen Jacquelyn Gist and John Herrera, and Mayor Mike Nelson.

News

Nonprofits seek town funding

By EREN TATARAGASI | April 20

Two area nonprofit agencies requested support from the Carrboro Board of Aldermen on Tuesday night for future efforts. The request from Pa’lante and Youth Creating Change, which together form Club Neon, would create an unofficial partnership with the town, using some of the services already offered.