As artist Mauricio Ramirez wraps up his mural in downtown Burlington today -- and let's just say it's a dynamic and stunning achievement visible behind Bella's House on display for Webb Avenue traffic -- I thought it might be a good idea to look at how a mural can help define a downtown area as … Continue reading Murals can visually define a downtown. Denver is one example (photo galleries)
An emerging symbol for transformation in downtown Burlington
Mauricio Ramirez got his first taste of good ol' North Carolina humidity on Thursday. It was just about the hottest September day I can remember -- 97 degrees with humidity registering at about the same number. It was the very definition of "sweltering." For Ramirez, the Chicago-born and based artist selected to create the first … Continue reading An emerging symbol for transformation in downtown Burlington
Public displays of art coming to downtown Burlington
People driving on Webb Avenue past downtown Burlington next week will likely notice something different. Along the back of Bella's House, a consignment furniture store that faces Front Street, an artist will begin crafting a new piece of public art that will the beginning of a three-mural project for downtown. Chicago artist Mauricio Ramirez was … Continue reading Public displays of art coming to downtown Burlington
The bumpy road for Elon’s John Brebbia to the major leagues
John Brebbia became the first Elon University baseball player to make the major leagues since 2008 the hard way. He rode a lot of buses, ate a lot of fast food on the go, saw some parts of the country many never do; and endured being released -- basically told his career was over -- … Continue reading The bumpy road for Elon’s John Brebbia to the major leagues
How old is too old?
The other day I was discussing the film, "Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood" with a friend. When I referenced the scene where the fictional character Cliff Booth -- played by Brad Pitt -- gets into a skirmish with an actor portraying legendary martial artist, actor and philosopher Bruce Lee, my friend responded that … Continue reading How old is too old?
Quentin Tarantino’s Hollywood reality
No one would ever classify Quentin Tarantino as a documentary filmmaker. His sometimes glorious mashups of genres, styles and cultures capped with legendary violence have made him the leading American auteur director. His vision, writing and craft are uniquely his own. Audiences have a strong idea of what they'll see on the screen at a … Continue reading Quentin Tarantino’s Hollywood reality
Colson Whitehead’s ‘The Nickel Boys’ a stunning follow to ‘The Underground Railroad’
The Nickel Boys; By Colson Whitehead; Penguin Random House LLC, 2019; 210 pages. Colson Whitehead doesn't waste words. Among novelists today, he's the ultimate economist in that department. Every short sentence serves a purpose. His stories unfold like a well-worn document that contains untold secrets tucked away in the corner of an old nightstand. He's also on … Continue reading Colson Whitehead’s ‘The Nickel Boys’ a stunning follow to ‘The Underground Railroad’
Helping cancer patients and remembering friends like Don Bolden and Mike Wilder
Last year at this time I was in the middle of the tough two-month process of saying goodbye to Don Bolden, who would pass away quietly on Aug. 2, 2018 after a battle with cancer that lasted a little less than nine months. Don, the editor emeritus of the Burlington Times-News and the man who … Continue reading Helping cancer patients and remembering friends like Don Bolden and Mike Wilder
Apollo 11: ‘The story of a big adventure’
Click here to see a collection newspaper front pages covering the Apollo 11 mission provided by Poynter. Houston, Monday July 21 -- Men have landed and walked on the moon. That was the lede graph in the story published by the New York Times on July 21, 1969. It was a simple statement, clean and … Continue reading Apollo 11: ‘The story of a big adventure’
There’s a new chef in town: Hiring Kyle Wilkerson a coup for Burlington Beer Works
UPDATED, Feb. 17, 2020: Kyle Wilkerson and Burlington Beer Works parted company in late January. --- Kyle Wilkerson got his first look at kitchen operations for Burlington Beer Works on June 25. At the time he was interviewing for the position of executive chef, which would become open in July. Wilkerson, one of the top … Continue reading There’s a new chef in town: Hiring Kyle Wilkerson a coup for Burlington Beer Works
Madison's Avenue 