Olivia Webb

News

Annual Barbecue raises funds for victims, programs

By Olivia Webb | September 26

Two thousand pounds of barbecue for a good cause? Locals didn't have to look any further than the big white tent at the University Mall parking lot this weekend. The Kiwanis Club of Chapel Hill-Carrboro hosted its 18th-annual barbecue cook-off fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. For the $7 ticket price, patrons could help themselves to fresh barbecue, hush puppies and coleslaw, available for dine-in or take-out.

News

Parents, students weigh in on new middle school name

By Olivia Webb | September 19

Orange County's much-awaited new middle school won't open its doors until Fall 2006, but locals already are submitting suggestions for its name on the Orange County Schools' Web site. In a Web survey that ends Sept. 27, community members have the opportunity to fill out a brief form with their ideas for naming the school - which is in late construction phases on a West Ten Road Property in Hillsborough.

News

Locals look for enlightenment

By Olivia Webb | September 16

An ordained Buddhist monk who came to enlighten Carrboro residents offered only one disclaimer. "This is only for people who are seeking happiness," he said. Gen Kelsang Tilopa, a fully ordained Buddhist monk from the Kosala Buddhist Center in Durham, spoke Wednesday night about attaining "a beautiful life through meditation and Buddhist view" at the Carrboro Century Center. Known for his humor, the Scottish-born Tilopa entertained the audience with anecdotes that involved Caribbean vacations, red Ferraris and his youth.

News

Church spreads food, fun

By Olivia Webb | September 12

St. Joseph's Christian Methodist Episcopal Church of 510 W. Rosemary St. in Chapel Hill called the community to "come out and help share the word of God outside of the church walls" Saturday by sponsoring its third-annual Fun Day. Brother Howard "Buddy" Baldwin and Reverend Troy Harrison, St. Joseph's pastor, officiated over a packed lawn of locals who gathered to appreciate free food, fellowship and music at H.W. Baldwin Park on Broad Street in Carrboro.

News

Library garners top honors

By Olivia Webb | November 23

The Chapel Hill Public Library is the best in North Carolina. The 2004 Hennen's American Public Libraries Rating Index ranked the library tops in the state with a score of 783 out of 1,000. North Carolina's libraries are ranked 36th of the 50 states. The rating index uses factors such as circulation, staffing, collection and funding levels in its annual evaluation of the nation's public libraries. Robert Schreiner, head of the Chapel Hill Public Library's board of trustees, said he is pleased with the library's rating.

News

BOCC approves land preservation effort

By Olivia Webb | November 17

The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved Tuesday an agricultural conservation easement on the farm of Ira and Hazel Ward, greatly increasing the amount of land preserved through the county's Lands Legacy program. The farm consists of 120 acres, 112 of which will forever be preserved as farmland by the county, according to David Stancil, director of the Environment and Resource Conservation Department. Stancil said the easement is characteristic of the ongoing efforts of the Lands Legacy program, which seeks to preserve natural areas for future generations.

News

IFC praises Moran's service

By Olivia Webb | October 29

The Inter-Faith Council held its annual membership meeting Wednesday night, taking time to ignore recent controversies and honor one of its own. The organization, which turned 40 last year, commemorated the 20 years of service by Executive Director Chris Moran. President Natalie Ammarell began the meeting with a speech outlining future goals and visions for the service organization. "For IFC, the vision is one of a community that takes on responsibility for the homeless, hungry and at-risk families and individuals among us," she said.

News

County kicks off one-stop voting

By Olivia Webb | October 19

Orange County residents can vote early in these final weeks before the Nov. 2 election, saving themselves - and their political parties - a lot of trouble. A rally to publicize the convenient "one-stop" voting option was organized Monday in front of the Franklin Street post office by the Orange County Democratic Party and the Campaign to End the Cycle of Violence. Their slogan was "Beat Bush, Vote Today." Nine women dressed as the Statue of Liberty waved signs and pumped up a partisan crowd before leading a short march of voters to the Morehead Planetarium.

News

Hillsborough benefit to bolster Ivan survivors in Jamaica

By Olivia Webb | October 11

A Sunday night benefit at Hillsborough's Blue Bayou Club gave locals a chance to directly aid a community that needs their help. The $10 cover charge patrons paid to listen to reggae music and enjoy each other's company will be wired to West End Negril, Jamaica, to help victims of Hurricane Ivan get back on their feet. The benefit was a cooperative effort of several concerned community members, most of whom have traveled to the area and formed lasting friendships with many of its people.

News

Locals find voice on airwaves

By Olivia Webb | September 28

By mid-October, the Carrboro-Chapel Hill area will have a new and innovative voice on the air. Dedicated to "building community by serving the community," Carrboro's newest radio station, WCOM-FM 103.5, held an open house Sunday afternoon during the Carrboro Music Festival. Ruffin Slater, president of the Public Gallery of Carrboro, explained the need for a station like WCOM.