UPDATE NOV. 14, 2019: The vote by shareholders concerning the future of a planned $1.2 billion merger of two large newspaper corporations is underway today, according to this story in the Burlington Times-News, one of newspapers impacted by this deal. I expect it to be approved, which will combine GateHouse Media (New Media) and Gannett … Continue reading Updated: Concerned about the death of local news
About Alamance County
Meeting neighbors downtown for coffee
The first, First Tuesday Downtown Coffee Talk -- downtown Burlington's version of Elon University's College Coffee -- went pretty much as expected. A crowd of 30 was predicted to attend the initial 9:30 a.m. event at the Historic Depot downtown and that's almost exactly what we got. It was a nice mixture that included city … Continue reading Meeting neighbors downtown for coffee
Making the most of . . . making
To say that Ben Harris is interested in creating things would be a massive understatement, like saying the Grand Canyon is just a hole in the ground or that "Game of Thrones" developed something of a following. He's truly passionate about creating, innovating, tinkering, educating and, well, making. It's his life's work. It led him … Continue reading Making the most of . . . making
Bringing downtown together for coffee and community
Several weeks ago I was part of a discussion about how to raise the profile of downtown Burlington. We talked about spreading word around the Triad region. We talked about getting the message outside the city limits into neighboring cities and towns a well as Alamance County. But we kept coming back to one nagging … Continue reading Bringing downtown together for coffee and community
Building a new downtown for Burlington a block at a time
In March of 2013, which now seems like eons ago but in fact is only a fraction of time when the universe is considered, a consultant was hired to take a look at Burlington's downtown, make a few notes and then come back with a report about how to, you know, make it decent. In … Continue reading Building a new downtown for Burlington a block at a time
Updated: What’s on tap at Burlington Beer Works
UPDATE ON APRIL 4, 2019: Burlington Beer Works will begin offering sampling flights today. Four 5.5-ounce pours for $7. Yay! Time to get some samples! About a week and a half ago, on March 16, Burlington's much-anticipated downtown brewpub took part in a street festival held to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, or rather St. Patrick's … Continue reading Updated: What’s on tap at Burlington Beer Works
Let it flow at Burlington Beer Works
It was just after 2 p.m. on Friday (March 15, 2019) and Tracy Schmidt is in the middle of a conversation with Sharon Dent. They are on the second floor in the new Burlington Beer Works microbrewery and restaurant overlooking Front and Main Streets in downtown Burlington. Schmidt, the general manager, and Dent, president of … Continue reading Let it flow at Burlington Beer Works
Saving and expanding Burlington’s downtown bookstore
Burlington will keep its downtown bookstore after all. Let me be the first to say, "Yay!" Some might remember that back in December I wrote about the looming departure of Persnickety Books, a used bookstore on Davis Street. The closing, set for this winter, was a shame because the enterprise is a successful one. And, … Continue reading Saving and expanding Burlington’s downtown bookstore
Burlington: Where the sidewalks end and development begins
Two items on today's (Feb. 7, 2019) Region section page of the Burlington Times-News got my attention. One was the print headline: "Council tables townhouse decision." Online the headline on the same story is: "Again, Burlington Council holds off on Garden Road development." Under either headline I'm bitterly opposed to this project and I'm glad … Continue reading Burlington: Where the sidewalks end and development begins
Getting reoriented in downtown Burlington
One of the things I miss about working in downtown Burlington is actually being a part of the fabric of what's there. When I worked at the newspaper office on South Main Street I would take daily walks stretching from City Park to the depot. Starting when I returned to Burlington from 15 years on … Continue reading Getting reoriented in downtown Burlington
Madison's Avenue 