I wrote this at about the time the film "Bull Durham" celebrated its 10th anniversary in 1998. The baseball film comedy just turned 30 in June so it's time to share it again. A big chunk of the popular movie starring Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon was filmed at minor league ballparks and other locations … Continue reading That time Susan Sarandon visited Graham
About Alamance County
Thanks to the county for honoring an important promise
A few years ago, back when I was a newspaper guy and someone seen as worth talking to about important stuff in the community, a group from the Alamance Friends of the Library asked for a sit-down at the Burlington Times-News office. I had no idea what they wanted to discuss but I was more … Continue reading Thanks to the county for honoring an important promise
The leadership to make Alamance County competitive in the modern world
A couple of weeks ago, Alamance-Burlington Board of Education member Brian Feeley made this observation on his political Facebook page: One penny. A one-cent raise to the property tax rate will avoid forced school budget cuts at a time when our county is growing. Someone I respect recently joked that “political leadership” is an oxymoron. … Continue reading The leadership to make Alamance County competitive in the modern world
Deja vu all over again for the county budget and education spending
Tim Sutton told me once that he wasn't too concerned about what his legacy as an elected county leader might be. He simply didn't care. It was an interesting statement that could be taken multiple ways. I have spoken to the longtime Alamance County commissioner dating back to his pre-elected office days -- when he … Continue reading Deja vu all over again for the county budget and education spending
Unlucky seven: The demise of Company Shops Co-op
I saw the headline on Twitter this afternoon and had two immediate thoughts. First. "It's a damn shame." And second, "I knew it." The headline? "Company Shops Market shutting down Sunday." It's a damn shame. Here's how the story on the Burlington Times-News website reads so far. It's a breaking news item and I expect … Continue reading Unlucky seven: The demise of Company Shops Co-op
The separation of law enforcement, justice and politics
The two least surprising pieces of news out of Election Day in Alamance County were the following: First: Incumbent District Attorney Pat Nadolski lost to challenger and one-time colleague Sean Boone in the Republican primary. And second: Subsequently Nadolski was not immediately available for comment about it. Absolutely no politician wants to talk to the … Continue reading The separation of law enforcement, justice and politics
A county politician’s education karma; or, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Lashley
I know Bill Lashley. I don't know him well, but I have spoken to him several times over the years. He's always unfailingly polite and often complimentary when I have encountered him. He is engaging, doesn't mind a laugh and is friendly to passersby the times I've watched him at Fourth Fridays in downtown Burlington. … Continue reading A county politician’s education karma; or, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Lashley
Remembering April 1, 1993, when a shooting spree rocked Burlington
Update on Aug. 11, 2019: The New York Times today published a telling story that examines the lives of recent mass shooters in the United States. No one is surprised that all are men, but also nearly all expressed anger or hatred toward women in a variety of ways to friends, via internet chat rooms, … Continue reading Remembering April 1, 1993, when a shooting spree rocked Burlington
Words and ideas from elected leaders really do matter
Friday morning as I prepared to leave for work I checked my Facebook newsfeed. I usually gaze for a few minutes at it and the Twitter feed to see what might have happened overnight. Could be news, sports, commentary or mainly just plain everyday human crap disguised as thought. Lately there is way too much … Continue reading Words and ideas from elected leaders really do matter
It’s time to honor legendary musician Joe Thompson who linked past and future
They call it the Joe and Odell Thompson Legacy Project. There is something so right about it. In fact, it might be the rightest thing I've read about in a while. What was presented to Mebane city leaders Monday night and reported in the Burlington Times-News was an overview of the Joe and Odell Thompson … Continue reading It’s time to honor legendary musician Joe Thompson who linked past and future
Madison's Avenue 