Quick hits: School wants a new name, Parkway needs help

Arts school wants a new name
"The N.C. School of the Arts wants a name change.

"The residential arts school in Winston-Salem, a member of the UNC system, wants to be known as the University of North Carolina School of the Arts," said the News & Observer.

"The school, which trains artists for careers in filmmaking, music, dance, design and production and drama, is often confused with magnet schools, and some people think it is a high school, school officials say. Its students range from middle school to graduate school level.

"The name change, which will be considered in May by the UNC system Board of Governors, would change nothing about the way the school operates or how it is funded.

"The last UNC system campus to change its name was UNC-Pembroke several years ago, formerly Pembroke State University. ..."

Parkway needs funds, staff
"Between pavement and people, managing the Blue Ridge Parkway can be a juggling act, according to Superintendent Philip Francis. What the federal government gives, the forces of nature can take away.

"With the official opening today of the new $9 million Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center, the nation’s most-visited national park unit will have its most sophisticated visitors center, complete with auditorium, film, interactive exhibits and information to guide the more than 20 million visitors who use the parkway each year," says the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"But away from the gleaming new center, the parkway is showing signs of age and neglect, problems exacerbated by tight budgets and slim staff.

" 'Taking care of a mountain road is a challenge, with the moisture, the freezing and thawing and the laws of gravity constantly at work,' Francis said. ..."

Quick hits: New fountain for Pack Square, homecoming for Portsmouth

Pack Square fountain gets modern touch with new design
"The Pack Square Conservancy has unveiled the design for a new fountain to be installed as part of the park’s reconstruction.

"Consisting of a massive bronze ring encircling huge boulders, the design was conceived and will be executed by Asheville metal artist Hoss Haley," according to the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"Haley will begin work on the fountain soon and should be finished late this year, the conservancy said.

"Renovations to the square are to be completed by the end of this year, and the entire Pack Square Park project should be finished by summer of 2009, said Donna Clark, spokeswoman for the conservancy.

"The fountain, about 4 feet tall and 20 feet across, will cost $188,980 and will be paid for through a combination of foundation money, private donations and public funds, conservancy Executive Director Marilyn Geiselman said.

"The new artwork will be the latest in a series of fountains that have graced the square since the 1800s. ..."

Outer Banks village homecoming set

"No one has lived year-round in the island village of Portsmouth for decades, but Outer Banks history buffs don't consider it a ghost town," says the News & Observer.

" 'That upsets a lot of people,' said Ed Burgess, head of The Friends of Portsmouth Island. 'It's not a ghost village. It has been restored.'

"The village that once clung to a remote island in Carteret County will be bustling again during a homecoming April 19. As many as 400 people, some of them descendants of former residents, are expected to trek to the island for a day of singing and storytelling, and a re-enactment of a life-saving drill at the village's historic life-saving station.

"The homecoming, sponsored by the Cape Lookout National Seashore and the friends support group, will provide a glimpse of bygone life in the village across Ocracoke Inlet from Ocracoke.

"Before the Civil War, Portsmouth was a thriving port with more than 500 residents and 109 dwellings. But the population dropped to about 14 by the 1950s and to three by the 1970s. Three women who were the last full-time residents reluctantly moved off the island in the early 1970s after a male caretaker died.

"Since 1976, the island has been part of the National Seashore, a 55-mile string of barrier islands. About two dozen buildings are intact. ..."

The Battle of the Furniture Markets

No one will ever confuse High Point, N.C., with Las Vegas, but that doesn't meant that there aren't some folks who prefer the former to the latter. Especially when it comes to the battling world furniture markets.

"When the World Market Center opened in Las Vegas three years ago, the furniture industry gasped: How could little ol' High Point compete with the bright lights of the Strip?" asks the Associated Press.

"But on Monday, when the High Point Market [opened] for its first show of the year, roughly 85,000 industry insiders will once again descend on the heart of North Carolina's furniture industry for the twice-annual home decor trade show that sets the table for what consumers will see in stores next season.

" 'Is Vegas good to have? Sure it is,' said Jerry Epperson, a furniture industry analyst with Richmond, Va.-based investment firm Mann, Armistead and Epperson. 'But I, like most people, don't go to a market to see Blue Man Group or Cirque Du Soleil, or heaven help us, a has-been singer.'

"Yet the owners of the market space in Las Vegas remain undeterred. They held their sixth furniture market in January and will have roughly 5 million square feet of showroom space by July. The group recently unveiled additional expansion plans — with the stated goal of replacing High Point as the home of the world's biggest furniture trade show by 2013. ...

" 'We've got to go where the business is,' said Alex Boyer, a spokesman for Furniture Classics Limited in Norfolk, Va. 'High Point still is, and for the very near future, will be the primary venue for us. But we had to look to Vegas. ... Some of our competitors are there.' ...

"The two cities couldn't be more different. Las Vegas is a convention haven: packed with tens of thousands of hotel rooms, restaurants, high-end shopping, casino gaming, golf courses and sunny weather. Life is a little slower in High Point, a city of roughly 85,000 where hotel and restaurant reservations are scarce during market season.

"While the Las Vegas market touts the city's amenities over High Point's more modest setting, vendors said it will ultimately succeed — and threaten High Point's place as the leading home decor trade show — only on the merits of the business.

" 'Vegas for us is still an unknown,' said Glenn Prillaman, senior vice president of marketing and sales at Virginia-based Stanley Furniture Co., which has 60,000 square feet of showroom space in High Point. 'What's unknown is if our retail distribution base is out there in the kinds of numbers that would drive us to be there.'

The influence of North Carolinians

I came across a year-old-or-so issue of The Atlantic in our breakroom the other day, and I was immediately struck by the cover: a photo of Abraham Lincoln and the headline, "The 100 Most Influential Americans of All Time." After skimming it, I quickly realized that North Carolinians -- or even those with some (possibly tenuous) connection to the Old North State -- have been major players in influencing (a broad word, admittedly) the path of America.

You can view the entire list via the link above; below are how those with N.C. ties fared (and I may have missed a couple).

1. Abraham Lincoln (The Atlantic: "He saved the Union, freed the slaves, and presided over America’s second founding.") There is compelling evidence that Lincoln was not born in Kentucky, but in very western North Carolina (around Murphy, that is).

10. Woodrow Wilson ("He made the world safe for U.S. interventionism, if not for democracy.") Wilson spent a year at Davidson College and lived for a time in Wilmington.

13. James Madison ("He fathered the Constitution and wrote the Bill of Rights.") He also married North Carolina native Dolley Madison.

18. Andrew Jackson ("The first great populist: he found America a republic and left it a democracy.") No matter what the sandlappers say, Jackson was born in North Carolina.

23. Wright Brothers ("They got us all off the ground. ") Our license plates say it all.

50. James K. Polk ("This one-term president’s Mexican War landgrab gave us California, Texas, and the Southwest. ") Polk was born in the state and educated at UNC-Chapel Hill.

No. 2 on the list, George Washington, was an invester in the Great Dismal Swamp area of North Carolina, believing it to hold great development promise, even forming the Dismal Swamp Land Company in 1763. No. 31 on the list, Henry Clay, saw his presidential hopes plummet thanks to his "Raleigh Letter," written underneath a great oak in the City of Oaks. And George Herman "Babe" Ruth's first professional home run was hit in Fayetteville and he was known to fish and hunt in Eastern N.C.

The Atlantic also compiled a list of the Top Living Influentials; two Tar Heels made the list: Billy Graham (11) and Michael Jordan (14).

Quick hits: Two Winston-Salem legends in the news

Maya Angelou celebrates her 80 years of joy and pain
"In the dining room of her elegantly restored Harlem town house, beneath painted clouds on a light blue ceiling, Maya Angelou is asked how it feels to be turning 80.

" 'Exciting! she says with a broad smile, then adds: 'The body knows. The bones don't let you forget.'

"The woman who defies a simple label — Angelou has been a memoirist, poet, civil rights activist, actress, director, professor, singer and dancer — is getting an early birthday gift," says USA Today.

"Two longtime friends and her niece, who is Angelou's archivist, have collaborated on an illustrated book, Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration (Doubleday, $30), a tribute and scrapbook, that will be published Tuesday. ...

"What she does like is to be called Dr. Angelou. Although she never went to college, she has been awarded more than 30 honorary degrees. Since 1981, she has been a professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. ..."

Grier to be honored in her hometown
"Actress Pam Grier will be honored next month during an N.C. film festival.

"The Winston-Salem Journal reports Grier will receive a master of cinema award during the RiverRun International Film Festival in Winston-Salem. The festival runs April 23-28," says the Associated Press.

"Grier appears in the Showtime series 'The L Word.' She's best known for starring in movies in the 1970s.

"Grier was born in Winston-Salem in 1949. Her family later settled in Colorado, where she graduated high school. ..."

Sweet Davidson

It's a lead too easy not to write.

Easter Sunday. Davidson ("Son of David") slays the Giant. And, heck, if I were a sportswriter, I would probably have done the same thing.

The Davidson Wildcats have done the unthinkable. No, not getting to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament; anyone who actually followed them this season knew they were more than capable of that. No, the amazing thing that Bob McKillop's team has done is upstage the UNC Tar Heels in what basically became Carolina's home away from home, the RBC Center. And the Wildcats did it at the same time as the Heels were awing the basketball world with complete beat-downs of Mount St. Mary's and Arkansas. Thorough beatdowns, at that.

What Davidson is showing is that playing good teams makes you better, a novel concept, that.

Davidson's miracle run, in all likelihood, will hit a dead end at some point. But for now they have captivated the country, and have kinda sorta united N.C. basketball fans. Carolina fans were pulling for the team in red, on N.C. State's home court. And McKillop himself admits to stealing ideas from Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams.

"In the NCAA Tournament, that basketball reality show brought to you by 60 Minutes, the drama reaches such a crescendo that 15 minutes of fame can stretch into 48 hours," writes Lenox Rawlings.

"By then, most Americans tire of the gritty spud sprouts from Southwest Idaho State and start looking for a fresh thrill. Short attention spans usually match the limited staying power of the ’Taters, who flop about seven minutes into the second round.

"A grateful nation considered putting Davidson in the hall of fleeting fame yesterday. The Wildcats fell 17 points behind Georgetown moments after halftime, and shooting star Stephen Curry finally displayed mortal flashes.

"As it turned out, any skeptics gave up too quickly, and perhaps Georgetown started counting to Sweet 16 too early. ..."

"The Wildcats are so corny that they carry stacks of textbooks into the locker room and sing a Neil Diamond song with their fans, 'Sweet Caroline.' After the hand-in-glove show, that’s precisely what Davidson did, right in front of the team’s main booster section with the pep band pumping up the music and drawing North Carolina fans into the refrain. The scene amused [guard Jason] Richards.

" 'We definitely know the words,' he said. 'The whole school knows the words.'

"Right now, the whole basketball world knows about the small school with the big team. Davidson, sweet Davidson."

Quick hits: Say hello to Asheville, but goodbye to 'Kinchloe'

Asheville one of 10 easy spring weekend getaways
"Nestled in North Carolina's Smoky Mountains region, Asheville is showing up on travelers' radars thanks to its dynamic downtown area, lively cultural offerings, thriving arts scene, New Age nuances, and breathtaking mountain scenery," writes ShermansTravel.com. "Architecture buffs delight in the town's Art Deco-influenced buildings, as well as the Biltmore Estate, modeled after a French castle, that ranks as the largest private residence in North America. Shoppers can scoop up fine arts and crafts at local artisan galleries, while nature enthusiasts can foray into the surrounding mountain preserves that burst with colorful wildflowers come spring."

'Hogan's Heroes' star Dixon passes away in Charlotte
"Ivan Dixon, an actor, director and producer best known for his role as Kinchloe on the 1960s television series 'Hogan's Heroes,' has died. He was 76," says the Associated Press.

"Dixon died Sunday at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte after a hemorrhage and of complications from kidney failure, said his daughter, Doris Nomathande Dixon of Charlotte. ...

"Born April 6, 1931, in New York City, Dixon graduated in 1954 from North Carolina Central University in Durham. ..."

Clooney, Zellweger to promote movie in N.C.

"The Facts of Life" aside, George Clooney typically doesn't do bad projects. So I'm giving "Leatherheads" the benefit of the doubt.

The movie, about an early-20th century football team, was filmed in Greensboro, Salisbury and other parts of the Carolinas, opens April 14. Clooney, along with co-star Renee Zellweger, will sally forth to the "Old North State" to promote the film.

The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that Clooney, who directed and stars in the movie, and Zellweger will be in Salisbury on March 26 and in Greenville, S.C., the next day.

"In Salisbury, Clooney and Zellweger will appear about 11 a.m. at the Historic Salisbury Station as part of what they're calling the 'Whistle Stop Express.' In Greenville, S.C., they'll appear about 11 a.m. at The Westin Poinsett Hotel," says the Greensboro News & Record.

Quick hits: N.C. visitors like to spend money, N.C. residents do not

N.C. visitors spent a record amount in 2007

"North Carolina visitors spent a record amount in 2007 – more than $16.5 billion – Gov. Mike Easley announced Monday."

"That was an increase of 7.2 percent from 2006 when visitors spent $15.4 billion," according to WRAL.com.

"Employment in the travel and tourism industry for 2007 also saw an increase of 2 percent compared with the previous year.

" 'From skiing in the winter to an endless variety of summer vacation opportunities, the many wonderful attractions in North Carolina make our state one of the nation’s top travel destinations,' Easley said in a press release. 'Our aggressive efforts to promote tourism are paying off in good jobs and more recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.' ..."

Poll finds support for rail, transit, wider roads

"North Carolinians overwhelmingly say improving public transportation and widening roads are the best ways to deal with traffic congestion, according to a new poll. But they don't like the idea of highway tolls to pay for them," says the N&O.

"The poll, released today by Elon University, found 82 percent support for widening roads and improving public transportation to address traffic congestion. Majorities also favored building more roads (72 percent), increasing park-and-ride lots (73 percent) and adding carpool or high occupancy vehicle lanes (52 percent).

"The poll found strong support for rail systems, including commuter rail in urban areas (72 percent), high-speed trains between the state's largest cities (70 percent) and regional rail (64 percent).

"To pay for regional rail, 67 percent supported extra fees. To pay for work on bridges and roads and other transportation projects, 66 percent supported a $2 billion statewide bond issue. ..."

North Carolina basketball report

The second annual All-North Carolina teams ...

First team
Forward: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
23.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 54.6 2-point shooting,
81.7 free throw shooting

Much more polished than last season, Hansbrough edges Curry and Reid for player of the year in the state.

Forward: Arizona Reid, High Point
23.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 56.1 2-point shooting,
74.6 free throw shooting

Reid is sixth in points and sixth in rebounds nationally.

Forward: Kyle Hines, UNC Greensboro
19.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 56.2 2-point shooting,
62.8 free throw shooting, 3.06 blocks

Hines ranks ninth in the country in blocks.

Guard: Stephen Curry, Davidson
25.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 54.6 2-point shooting,
43.8 3-point shooting, 89.8 free throw shooting

Curry is fifth in the nation in points, and his total shooting percentage (2-point + 3-point + free throw) of 188.2 is better than any season by J.J. Redick.

Guard: Ty Lawson, North Carolina
12.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 58.6 2-point shooting,
81.5 free throw shooting

Nobody is better from free throw line to free throw line.

Second team
Forward: Jonathan Rodriguez, Campbell
20.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 51.8 2-point shooting,
76.5 free throw shooting

Forward: James Johnson, Wake Forest
14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 57.4 2-point shooting,
68.9 free throw shooting

Johnson is the pick over J.J. Hickson of N.C. State, Kyle Singler of Duke, Vladimir Kulianin and T.J. Carter of UNC Wilmington and many, many others.

Center: Kenny George, UNC Asheville
12.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 69.0 2-point shooting,
66.2 free throw shooting, 3.41 blocks

George is 7-foot-7! He also leads the nation in field goal percentage and is seventh in blocks.

Guard: DeMarcus Nelson, Duke
15.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 54.7 2-point shooting,
40.8 3-point shooting, 60.7 free throw shooting

Nelson is the best perimeter player on a team full of them.

Guard: Jason Richards, Davidson
12.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 51.5 2-point shooting,
73.6 free throw shooting

Richards passes to Curry and does it well, leading the nation in assists.

Final rankings
RPI rankings, team (overall record, record vs. North Carolina teams)
WITH whether each team made the NCAA tournament and how

2. North Carolina (32-2, 6-1)
Last week: 2
beat Davidson, UNC Asheville, N.C. State (2), Wake Forest, Duke
lost to Duke

IN: automatic berth, ACC

UNC beat Clemson 86-81 in the ACC tournament final, winning their record 17th conference championship.

7. Duke (27-5, 5-2)
Last week: 4
beat N.C. Central, Davidson, N.C. State (2), North Carolina
lost to Wake Forest, North Carolina

IN: at-large berth

Duke lost to Clemson 78-74 in the ACC tournament semifinals.

35. Davidson (25-6, 11-4)
Last week: 41
beat N.C. Central, Appalachian State (2), Western Carolina (2),
Elon (3), UNC Greensboro (3)
lost to North Carolina, Duke, UNC Charlotte, N.C. State

IN:: automatic berth, Southern Conference

The Wildcats were 23-0 in the conference, including the tournament.

68. UNC Charlotte (20-13, 5-0)
Last week: 86
beat High Point, Appalachian State, Wake Forest, Davidson,
Gardner-Webb

OUT: lost to Temple 60-45 in Atlantic 10 semifinals

100. Wake Forest (17-13, 4-3)
Last week: 87
beat N.C. Central, Winston-Salem State, Duke, N.C. State
lost to UNC Charlotte, N.C. State, North Carolina

OUT: lost to Florida State 70-60 in ACC first round

103. N.C. State (15-16, 4-6)
Last week: 92
beat Davidson, Western Carolina, N.C. Central, Wake Forest
lost to East Carolina, North Carolina (2), Duke (2), Wake Forest

OUT: lost to Miami 63-50 in ACC first round

State closed the season with nine consecutive losses, finishing with a losing record for the first time since 2001.

125. UNC Greensboro (19-12, 7-4)
Last week: 130
beat UNC Wilmington, Elon (2), Appalachian State (2),
Western Carolina (2)
lost to Appalachian State, Davidson (3)

OUT: lost to Davidson 82-52 in Southern Conference semifinals

126. UNC Wilmington (20-13, 2-1)
Last week: 133
beat N.C. Central, East Carolina
lost to UNC Greensboro

OUT: lost to George Mason 53-41 in CAA semifinals

143. UNC Asheville (19-9, 4-2)
Last week: 143
beat Campbell (2), Western Carolina, High Point
lost to North Carolina, High Point

OUT: lost to Winthrop 66-48 in Big South championship

154. Appalachian State (17-13, 5-6)
Last week: 157
beat Campbell, UNC Greensboro, Elon, Western Carolina (2)
lost to Charlotte, Davidson (2), Elon, UNC Greensboro (2)

OUT: lost to UNC Greensboro 63-46 in Southern Conference quarterfinals

200. Gardner-Webb (15-16, 2-2)
Last week: 201
beat High Point, Campbell
lost to UNC Charlotte, Campbell

OUT: lost to Jacksonville 89-80 in Atlantic Sun semifinals

210. Elon (13-18, 2-7)
Last week: 218
beat Western Carolina, Appalachian State
lost to Davidson (3), UNC Greensboro (2), Western Carolina, Appalachian State

OUT: lost to Davidson 65-49 in Southern Conference championship

231. High Point (13-14, 1-3)
Last week: 233
beat UNC Asheville
lost to Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville

OUT: lost to Winthrop 61-53 in Big South semifinals

234. N.C. A&T (11-16, 1-1)
Last week: 215
beat Winston-Salem State
lost to Winston-Salem State

OUT: lost to Delaware State 64-62 in MEAC quarterfinals

255. East Carolina (9-18, 2-1)
Last week: 251
beat N.C. State, N.C. Central
lost to UNC Wilmington

OUT: lost to Tulsa 66-49 in Conference USA opening round

279. N.C. Central (3-23, 1-7)
Last week: 293
beat Winston-Salem State
lost to Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, Western Carolina,
UNC Wilmington, East Carolina, N.C. State

OUT: independent

Saturday: beat Winston-Salem State 60-56

293. Western Carolina (9-21, 2-10)
Last week: 296
beat N.C. Central, Elon
lost to UNC Asheville, Elon, N.C. State, Davidson (2),
Appalachian State (2), UNC Greensboro (3)

OUT: lost to Wofford 58-49 in Southern Conference opening round

312. Winston-Salem State (10-18, 1-3)
Last week: 303
beat N.C. A&T
lost to Wake Forest, N.C. A&T, N.C. Central

OUT: independent

Saturday: lost to N.C. Central 60-56

311. Campbell (9-20, 1-4)
Last week: 311
beat Gardner-Webb
lost to UNC Asheville (2), Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb

OUT: lost to Belmont 75-66 in Atlantic Sun quarterfinals

Another 'C' becoming a 'U'

Wouldn't you just know: I go and buy my dad a Lenoir-Rhyne College sweatshirt, and lo and behold, LRC is changing to LRU.

"The board of Lenoir-Rhyne College has voted to change the school's name to Lenoir-Rhyne University," says the Charlotte Observer. "The new name, which was approved Saturday, 'better reflects the expanded offerings the college is planning to pursue,' said Margaret Allen, associate director of marketing and communications."

The move was recommended by a commission created to examine the possible expansion of the 117-year-old college, she said. The change will take time to implement; officials hope to put it into effect in late August.

Among other initiatives, the school is planning to add academic programs and degrees, launching some major construction and renovation projects and is adding a residential neighborhood with houses for sororities, fraternities and other groups.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Granted, I attended a large state university, but I've always romanticized the thought of the small colleges. To me, Elon University just doesn't carry the same cache as Elon College. Same goes for LRC, my father's alma mater. And I've never gotten over Elon changing its mascot ...

'Fatal Vision' house to be a fatality

According to the Fayetteville Observer, the infamous house where former Army Special Forces doctor Jeffrey MacDonald killed his wife and daughters will be torn down Saturday to make room for a new neighborhood center.

"The house is on Fort Bragg, at 544 Castle Drive in the Corregidor Courts subdivision.

"Picerne Military Housing, the private company in charge of building and maintaining homes on Fort Bragg, has been systematically renovating or demolishing older homes on the post to make room for new homes," said the paper.

The case is legendary in Fayetteville and was made famous across the country in the book “Fatal Vision.”

Colette MacDonald — Jeffrey MacDonald’s wife — and their two daughters, 6-year-old Kimberly and 2-year-old Kristen Jean, were stabbed to death in the early morning of Feb. 17, 1970. Colette MacDonald was pregnant when she was killed.

Jeffrey MacDonald, then an Army captain, told investigators that day that four people dressed like hippies broke into his house and attacked him and his family.

Army investigators linked MacDonald to the murders, but the Army’s version of a grand jury hearing found there was not enough evidence to try him. A federal grand jury indicted MacDonald in 1975; he was free until 1979, when he was convicted of their murders. He is in federal prison and has maintained his innocence for the past 38 years.

A spokesperson said the house, one of 28 to come down, was not targeted because of its notoriety.

North Carolina basketball report

Rankings (results through Monday’s games)
RPI rankings, team (overall record, record vs. North Carolina teams)

2. North Carolina (29-2, 6-1)
Last week: 3
beat Davidson, UNC Asheville, N.C. State (2), Wake Forest, Duke
lost to Duke

The latest installments of the best players in ACC history from Patrick Stevens, The Washington Times’ ACC basketball beat writer, and myself: 1975-86 and 1987-95.

Tom Knott of The Washington Times writes about Tyler Hansbrough.

Hansbrough: 10th in the country in points (23.1)

4. Duke (26-4, 5-2)
Last week: 4
beat N.C. Central, Davidson, N.C. State (2), North Carolina
lost to Wake Forest, North Carolina

41. Davidson (24-6, 11-4)
Last week: 44
beat N.C. Central, Appalachian State (2), Western Carolina (2),
Elon (3), UNC Greensboro (3)
lost to North Carolina, Duke, UNC Charlotte, N.C. State

Monday: beat Elon 65-49 in Southern Conference championship

Stephen Curry scored 23 points as the Wildcats completed a 23-0 run through the conference, including the tournament.

Stephen Curry: fifth in points (25.2)

Jason Richards: first in assists (7.9)

86. UNC Charlotte (18-12, 5-0)
Last week: 94
beat High Point, Appalachian State, Wake Forest, Davidson,
Gardner-Webb

Wednesday: vs. Rhode Island in first round of Atlantic 10 tournament, 9 p.m.

87. Wake Forest (17-12, 4-3)
Last week: 85
beat N.C. Central, Winston-Salem State, Duke, N.C. State
lost to UNC Charlotte, N.C. State, North Carolina

92. N.C. State (15-15, 4-6)
Last week: 83
beat Davidson, Western Carolina, N.C. Central, Wake Forest
lost to East Carolina, North Carolina (2), Duke (2), Wake Forest

State has lost eight consecutive games.

130. UNC Greensboro (19-12, 7-4)
Last week: 139
beat UNC Wilmington, Elon (2), Appalachian State (2),
Western Carolina (2)
lost to Appalachian State, Davidson (3)

Sunday: lost to Davidson 82-52 in Southern Conference semifinals

Kyle Hines: ninth in blocks (3.06)

133. UNC Wilmington (20-13, 2-1)
Last week: 135
beat N.C. Central, East Carolina
lost to UNC Greensboro

Sunday: lost to George Mason 53-41 in CAA semifinals

Vladimir Kulianin: second in field goal percentage (.667)

143. UNC Asheville (19-9, 4-2)
Last week: 131
beat Campbell (2), Western Carolina, High Point
lost to North Carolina, High Point

Saturday: lost to Winthrop 66-48 in Big South championship

Kenny George: first in field goal percentage (.690), eighth in blocks (3.41)

157. Appalachian State (17-13, 5-6)
Last week: 153
beat Campbell, UNC Greensboro, Elon, Western Carolina (2)
lost to Charlotte, Davidson (2), Elon, UNC Greensboro (2)

Saturday: lost to UNC Greensboro 63-46 in Southern Conference quarterfinals

201. Gardner-Webb (15-16, 2-2)
Last week: 206
beat High Point, Campbell
lost to UNC Charlotte, Campbell

Friday: lost to Jacksonville 89-80 in Atlantic Sun semifinals

Thomas Sanders: ninth in rebounds (10.8)

215. N.C. A&T (11-15, 1-1)
Last week: 227
beat Winston-Salem State
lost to Winston-Salem State

Thursday: vs. Delaware State in MEAC tournament quarterfinals
in Raleigh

218. Elon (13-17, 2-7)
Last week: 249
beat Western Carolina, Appalachian State
lost to Davidson (3), UNC Greensboro (2), Western Carolina, Appalachian State

Monday: lost to Davidson 65-49 in Southern Conference championship

233. High Point (13-14, 1-3)
Last week: 238
beat UNC Asheville
lost to Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville

Thursday: lost to Winthrop 61-53 in Big South semifinals

Arizona Reid: seventh in points (23.9), sixth in rebounds (11.0)

Mike Jefferson: fourth in assists (7.0)

251. East Carolina (9-17, 2-1)
Last week: 251
beat N.C. State, N.C. Central
lost to UNC Wilmington

Wednesday: vs. Tulane in opening round of Conference USA tournament

293. N.C. Central (2-23, 0-7)
Last week: 292
lost to Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, Western Carolina,
UNC Wilmington, East Carolina, N.C. State

Saturday: vs. Winston-Salem State, 4:30 p.m.

296. Western Carolina (9-21, 2-10)
Last week: 291
beat N.C. Central, Elon
lost to UNC Asheville, Elon, N.C. State, Davidson (2),
Appalachian State (2), UNC Greensboro (3)

Friday: lost to Wofford 58-49 in opening round of Southern Conference tournament

303. Winston-Salem State (10-17, 1-2)
Last week: 309
beat N.C. A&T
lost to Wake Forest, N.C. A&T

Saturday: at N.C. Central, 4:30 p.m.

311. Campbell (9-20, 1-4)
Last week: 317
beat Gardner-Webb
lost to UNC Asheville (2), Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb

Wednesday: lost to Belmont 75-66 in Atlantic Sun quarterfinals

A nice rendering of Cape Hatteras

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is one of the most recognized lighthouses in the world. Area artist Lin has sketched a wonderful rendering of Cape Hatteras.

"My reference photo (I live four hours from the lighthouse!!! LOL)," she writes on her View From the Oak blog, "showed a sunny summer day, so I thought, also fitting for our predicted showers today, to add a bit of a storm approaching.I'd like to do this again on a larger sheet of paper so I can extend the lighthouse."

Check out more of Lin's sketches and art here.

Dawson's what? 'One Tree Hill' picked up for a sixth season

To hear the folks at One Tree Hill talk, the specter of Dawson's Creek has always hung over them.

Until now.

It was announced on Monday that One Tree Hill will be back for a sixth season, effectively matching Dawson's run in Wilmington.

“It’s sort of unimaginable,” Mark Schwahn, One Tree Hill’s creator told the Wilmington Star-News.

"Dawson’s Creek is a huge, big, wonderful show that when you come to Wilmington to make a pilot, you have this spectre of this show looming over you and it seems unattainable to go as long as they would,” Schwahn said.

Locals crew members expressed a relief in knowing that after wrapping the recently ordered six episodes to be filmed for season five, they’ll go on a short hiatus and get right back to work.

Michael J. Hall, a construction coordinator on the show who also worked on Dawson’s Creek, was “a bit surprised” to learn the show had been renewed. He first learned about the sixth season approval when called by the Star-News for comment. He was in New Orleans working on a feature film.

“Yee ha!” he said. “I came here to do a show during the strike and I was unaware that after the strike was resolved, they’d come back and shoot a few more episodes for season five. So I’ll definitely be home for season six.”...

A sixth season for the show, which employs between 125 and 150 locals, is good news for the local economy, said Johnny Griffin, director of the Wilmington Regional Film Commission. In the past, One Tree Hill has spent roughly a million dollars an episode, he said, “If they order 12 or 13 or 22, that’s how much more we’re going to get in the local economy.” ...

The One Tree Hill pick-up is just the most recent good news for Wilmington’s film professionals. HBO confirmed Thursday that an adaptation of the BBC series Little Britain will begin filming here this month.

Best 'sammich' in the state?

KBrew sent along this Esquire link which describes the best sanwiches/wraps/gyros in America. On this list is Chapel Hill's Allen & Sons barbecue sandwich. I just can't fathom that it could be any better than Wilber's, but I digress. (This list also includes McDonald's McRib and Chik-Fil-A's chicken sandwich, for what it's worth.)

What is the best sandwich you've ever had in the Old North State? The aforementioned Wilber's (Goldsboro) takes the crown in the pulled pork category. I'm a HUGE fan of Sunflower's (Raleigh) chicken salad sandwich. Until it closed recently, The Grape's (Raleigh) $15 steak sandwich was one of the best things I had ever tasted. (Perhaps the fact that a sandwich cost $15 led to The Grape's demise?)

Any other votes?

North Carolina basketball report

Rankings (results through Monday’s games)
RPI rankings, team (overall record, record vs. North Carolina teams)

3. North Carolina (27-2, 5-1)
Last week: 3
beat Davidson, UNC Asheville, N.C. State (2), Wake Forest
lost to Duke

At The Washington Times, Patrick Stevens, our ACC basketball beat writer, and I are selecting the best players from each era of ACC basketball. The second installment is 1965-74.

The teams feature N.C. State’s David Thompson and Tom Burleson of the 1974 national champions, Charlie Scott, Larry Miller, Bobby Jones and Dean Smith of North Carolina and Charlie Davis of Wake Forest.

Tyler Hansbrough: eighth in the country in points (23.4)

4. Duke (25-3, 5-1)
Last week: 4
beat N.C. Central, Davidson, N.C. State (2), North Carolina
lost to Wake Forest

44. Davidson (22-6, 9-4)
Last week: 61
beat N.C. Central, Appalachian State (2), Western Carolina (2),
Elon (2) UNC Greensboro (2)
lost to North Carolina, Duke, UNC Charlotte, N.C. State

Davidson, which moved up 17 spots in the RPI, finished the Southern Conference regular season undefeated at 20-0.

Stephen Curry: fifth in points (25.3), ninth in free throw percentage (.894)

Jason Richards: first in assists (8.0)

83. N.C. State (15-14, 4-5)
Last week: 74
beat Davidson, Western Carolina, N.C. Central, Wake Forest
lost to East Carolina, North Carolina (2), Duke (2)

The current issue of Sports Illustrated includes “Over the Top,” an article about out of control college basketball fans. A sidebar, “Pattern of Abuse,” includes Washington, N.C., native Dominique Wilkins, whose first choice as a school was N.C. State.

85. Wake Forest (16-11, 3-3)
Last week: 62
beat N.C. Central, Winston-Salem State, Duke
lost to UNC Charlotte, N.C. State, North Carolina

94. UNC Charlotte (16-12, 5-0)
Last week: 99
beat High Point, Appalachian State, Wake Forest, Davidson,
Gardner-Webb

131. UNC Asheville (17-8, 4-2)
Last week: 154
beat Campbell (2), Western Carolina, High Point
lost to North Carolina, High Point

Kenny George: first in field goal percentage (.713), sixth in blocks (3.75)

135. UNC Wilmington (19-12, 2-1)
Last week: 143
beat N.C. Central, East Carolina
lost to UNC Greensboro

Vladimir Kulianin: second in field goal percentage (.664)

139. UNC Greensboro (17-11, 6-3)
Last week: 151
beat UNC Wilmington, Elon (2), Appalachian State,
Western Carolina (2)
lost to Appalachian State, Davidson (2)

153. Appalachian State (17-12, 5-5)
Last week: 158
beat Campbell, UNC Greensboro, Elon, Western Carolina (2)
lost to Charlotte, Davidson (2), Elon, UNC Greensboro

206. Gardner-Webb (14-15, 2-2)
Last week: 207
beat High Point, Campbell
lost to UNC Charlotte, Campbell

Thomas Sanders: fifth in rebounds (11.2)

227. N.C. A&T (10-14, 1-1)
Last week: 123
beat Winston-Salem State
lost to Winston-Salem State

238. High Point (12-13, 1-3)
Last week: 249
beat UNC Asheville
lost to Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville

Arizona Reid: seventh in points (24.2), sixth in rebounds (11.1)

Mike Jefferson: fourth in assists (7.1)

249. Elon (10-17, 2-6)
Last week: 244
beat Western Carolina, Appalachian State
lost to Davidson (2), UNC Greensboro (2), Western Carolina, Appalachian State

251. East Carolina (8-16, 2-1)
Last week: 262
beat N.C. State, N.C. Central
lost to UNC Wilmington

291. Western Carolina (9-19, 2-9)
Last week: 294
beat N.C. Central, Elon
lost to UNC Asheville, Elon, N.C. State, Davidson (2),
Appalachian State (2), UNC Greensboro (2)

292. N.C. Central (2-23, 0-7)
Last week: 295
lost to Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, Western Carolina,
UNC Wilmington, East Carolina, N.C. State

309. Winston-Salem State (9-16, 1-2)
Last week: 311
beat N.C. A&T
lost to Wake Forest, N.C. A&T

317. Campbell (9-19, 1-4)
Last week: 315
beat Gardner-Webb
lost to UNC Asheville (2), Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb

$1 million pledged to Tryon Palace

Philanthropist Mariam Cannon Hayes (of Cannon Mills fame) recently bequeathed $1 million to New Bern's historic Tryon Palace, site of the first permanent capitol of colonial North Carolina and home to the royal governor.

Hayes died in August at age 91.

"The Tryon Palace money will help build a $60 million historical education center at the facility, palace Director Kay Williams said," according to the Charlotte Observer.

"The gateway in the new building will be named for Hayes' parents, textile magnate Charles A. Cannon and his wife, Ruth, and will feature information about the family's philanthropy. In the 1930s and 1940s, Ruth Cannon helped start the reconstruction of the palace, which had burned in 1798.

"Williams had discussed a donation with Hayes for several years. Construction on the education center will begin in June, and it should open in April 2010 in time for New Bern's tricentennial.

" 'She agreed the project was valuable and wanted to do something to honor her parents' involvement,' Williams said. 'In a way ... (the bequest) is a fitting memorial to her as well. It's a gift to history in North Carolina, her parents and a gift for education.' ..."

Hayes also pledged $3.5 million to UNC-Charlotte, $1million each to Davidson College and Queens University, $500,000 to the Blowing Rock Community Center and $600,000 for the Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast in Concord. She also bequeathed, according to the Observer, $200,000 for a scholarship fund at Cannon School, an independent school in Concord. She forgave the debt on the 2005 sale of a Beechcraft Baron airplane to her nephew, William Cannon Jr.

"And she left her Blowing Rock property, worth an estimated $2.2 million, to the Appalachian State University Foundation.

"She gave her Concord home to the Cannon Foundation. The house, valued at $413,170 according to her estate inventory, was built in 1907 and will serve as the foundation's new home, Executive Director Frank Davis said."

N.C. Aquarium folks feeling a little 'froggy'

Jannette Pippin of the Jacksonville Daily News recently wrote an interesting article stating that the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is celebrating the "Year of the Frog" by "joining in a global campaign to promote amphibian conservation and to make the public aware of a crisis at hand."

According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and its partners in the yearlong initiative, frogs and their fellow amphibians are rapidly disappearing.

"There are 6,000 known species of amphibians in the world. Two thousand to 3,000 of them are at risk of extinction in our lifetime," said Windy Arey-Kent, education curator at the aquarium.

That makes now a good time to be frog-friendly, and the aquarium designated Valentine's Day as Kiss a Frog Day to gear up for a Leap Day kickoff of the Year of the Frog campaign at zoos and aquariums across the country.

All three of North Carolina's aquariums are AZA-accredited facilities and are participating in the campaign. ...

And whether or not you are a fan of the frog, there's good reason to keep them and their fellow amphibians around.

"They are bio indicators, and wherever there are a lot of amphibians, there is a healthy environment," Arey-Kent said. ...

North Carolina basketball report

Rankings (results through Sunday’s games)
RPI rankings, team (overall record, record vs. North Carolina teams)

3. North Carolina (26-2, 5-1)
Last week: 4
beat Davidson, UNC Asheville, N.C. State (2), Wake Forest
lost to Duke

A mea culpa followed by some self-promotion:

I lost my notes on Tyler Hansbrough, both on his play during the UNC-N.C. State game and how it was received by Mike Patrick and Jay Bilas. The dog ate my homework, and I’ll try to do better next time.

At The Washington Times, Patrick Stevens, our ACC basketball beat writer, and I are selecting the best players from each era of ACC basketball. First up is 1954-64.

Hansbrough: eighth in the country in points (23.4)

4. Duke (23-3, 4-1)
Last week: 3
beat N.C. Central, Davidson, N.C. State, North Carolina
lost to Wake Forest

Duke followed its first ACC loss of the season with another.

61. Davidson (20-6, 8-4)
Last week: 66
beat N.C. Central, Appalachian State, Western Carolina (2), Elon (2), UNC Greensboro (2)
lost to North Carolina, Duke, UNC Charlotte, N.C. State

Davidson, undefeated in the Southern Conference, moved ahead of State and Wake Forest this week, but the state of basketball in North Carolina isn’t good if the No. 3 team is 61st in the RPI rankings.

Stephen Curry: fifth in points (25.3), ninth in free throw percentage (.900)

Jason Richards: first in assists (8.0)

62. Wake Forest (16-9, 3-3)
Last week: 61
beat N.C. Central, Winston-Salem State, Duke
lost to UNC Charlotte, N.C. State, North Carolina

74. N.C. State (15-12, 4-4)
Last week: 60
beat Davidson, Western Carolina, N.C. Central, Wake Forest
lost to East Carolina, North Carolina (2), Duke

Technician, State’s student newspaper, did not produce a spoof of North Carolina’s student newspaper — a long-standing tradition on the date of the State-UNC basketball game in Raleigh.

As sports editor at Technician in 1993-94, let me make my feelings clear on this: It’s lame.

99. UNC Charlotte (15-11, 5-0)
Last week: 94
beat High Point, Appalachian State, Wake Forest, Davidson,
Gardner-Webb

143. UNC Wilmington (18-11, 2-1)
Last week: 140
beat N.C. Central, East Carolina
lost to UNC Greensboro

Vladimir Kulianin: second in field goal percentage (.667)

151. UNC Greensboro (15-11, 5-3)
Last week: 159
beat UNC Wilmington, Elon (2), Appalachian State, Western Carolina
lost to Appalachian State, Davidson (2)

154. UNC Asheville (15-8, 4-2)
Last week: 131
beat Campbell (2), Western Carolina, High Point
lost to North Carolina, High Point

Kenny George: first in field goal percentage (.706), fifth in blocks (3.95)

158. Appalachian State (16-11, 4-4)
Last week: 143
beat Campbell, UNC Greensboro, Elon, Western Carolina
lost to Charlotte, Davidson, Elon, UNC Greensboro

207. Gardner-Webb (14-13, 2-2)
Last week: 222
beat High Point, Campbell
lost to UNC Charlotte, Campbell

Thomas Sanders: eighth in rebounds (11.0)

223. N.C. A&T (9-13, 1-1)
Last week: 186
beat Winston-Salem State
lost to Winston-Salem State

244. Elon (10-16, 2-6)
Last week: 239
beat Western Carolina, Appalachian State
lost to Davidson (2), UNC Greensboro (2), Western Carolina, Appalachian State

249. High Point (10-13, 1-3)
Last week: 232
beat UNC Asheville
lost to Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville

Arizona Reid: eighth in points (23.1)

Mike Jefferson: third in assists (7.1)

262. East Carolina (6-16, 2-1)
Last week: 258
beat N.C. State, N.C. Central
lost to UNC Wilmington

294. Western Carolina (8-18, 2-7)
Last week: 283
beat N.C. Central, Elon
lost to UNC Asheville, Elon, N.C. State, Davidson (2),
Appalachian State, UNC Greensboro

295. N.C. Central (2-23, 0-7)
Last week: 284
lost to Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, Western Carolina,
UNC Wilmington, East Carolina, N.C. State

311. Winston-Salem State (8-15, 1-2)
Last week: 316
beat N.C. A&T
lost to Wake Forest, N.C. A&T

315. Campbell (9-16, 1-4)
Last week: 307
beat Gardner-Webb
lost to UNC Asheville (2), Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb

Biltmore tops the list

Asheville's Biltmore House topped the list of most-visited museums and historic attractions in the state last year, according to a survey conducted by Carolina Publishing Associates. (Thanks to the Triangle Business Journal for the snippet.)

"The Asheville estate saw 1.12 million visitors in the year. It was the only state attraction to top the 1 million mark."

Coming in at No. 2 was Discover Place in Charlotte, with 792,500 visitors. The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro was No. 3 with 752,000 visitors. The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences ranked No. 4 with 694,800 visitors. And Fort Macon State Park's 620,000 visitors earned it the No. 5 spot in the survey.

The Matthews-based Carolina Publishing Associates publishes the annual Carolina Heritage Guide.

North Carolina basketball report

Rankings (results through Sunday’s games)
RPI rankings, team (overall record, record vs. North Carolina teams)

3. Duke (22-2, 4-1)
Last week: 2
beat N.C. Central, Davidson, N.C. State, North Carolina
lost to Wake Forest

All five of Duke’s starters fouled out in their loss to Wake Forest.

4. North Carolina (24-2, 3-1)
Last week: 3
beat Davidson, UNC Asheville, N.C. State
lost to Duke

North Carolina is down to its third-string point guard because of injuries to Ty Lawson (5.7 assists) and Bobby Frasor (2.1 assists). Quentin Thomas (32 assists, 18 turnovers in five games) is now the starter.

In literature, a protagonist is often haunted by an image, an object, a weakness. The thing haunts him, follows him and becomes a part of his fate.

For the Tar Heels, it’s injuries to their point guards:

Dick Grubar, 1969
Phil Ford, 1976 and 1977
Kenny Smith, 1984
Steve Hale, 1985
Derrick Phelps, 1994
Lawson, 2008

60. N.C. State (15-10, 4-3)
Last week: 47
beat Davidson, Western Carolina, N.C. Central, Wake Forest
lost to East Carolina, North Carolina, Duke

Big game this week: UNC at State, Wednesday at 7 p.m.

State has two chances to make the NCAA tournament: win out and win one more game in the ACC tournament or win the ACC tournament.

61. Wake Forest (16-8, 3-2)
Last week: 94
beat N.C. Central, Winston-Salem State, Duke
lost to UNC Charlotte, N.C. State

Jeff Teague had a dream, an awesome dream.

66. Davidson (18-6, 7-4)
Last week: 64
beat N.C. Central, Appalachian State, Western Carolina (2), Elon (2) UNC Greensboro
lost to North Carolina, Duke, UNC Charlotte, N.C. State

Stephen Curry is shooting 56.3 percent from 2-point range, 42.2 from 3-point range and 90.3 from the free throw line for a total shooting percentage of 188.8.

For some perspective, J.J. Redick shot 180.5 in his senior season. In the NBA last season, only Steve Nash (192.9) shot better.

Curry is fifth in the country in points (25.6) and ninth in free throw percentage.

Jason Richards: first in assists (8.1)

94. UNC Charlotte (14-10, 5-0)
Last week: 89
beat High Point, Appalachian State, Wake Forest, Davidson,
Gardner-Webb

131. UNC Asheville (14-7, 4-2)
Last week: 90
beat Campbell (2), Western Carolina, High Point
lost to North Carolina, High Point

Kenny George: first in field goal percentage (.706), fourth in blocks (4.00)

140. UNC Wilmington (17-10, 2-1)
Last week: 164
beat N.C. Central, East Carolina
lost to UNC Greensboro

Vladimir Kulianin: sixth in field goal percentage (.653)

143. Appalachian State (15-10, 4-4)
Last week: 126
beat Campbell, UNC Greensboro, Elon, Western Carolina
lost to Charlotte, Davidson, Elon, UNC Greensboro

159. UNC Greensboro (14-10, 4-2)
Last week: 168
beat UNC Wilmington, Elon (2), Appalachian State
lost to Appalachian State, Davidson

Kyle Hines: 10th in blocks (3.00)

186. N.C. A&T (9-11, 1-0)
Last week: 175
beat Winston-Salem State

222. Gardner-Webb (12-13, 2-2)
Last week: 230
beat High Point, Campbell
lost to UNC Charlotte, Campbell

232. High Point (10-11, 1-3)
Last week: 229
beat UNC Asheville
lost to Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville

Arizona Reid: eighth points (23.4), fifth in rebounds (11.2).

Mike Jefferson: third in assists (7.2)

239. Elon (9-15, 2-6)
Last week: 251
beat Western Carolina, Appalachian State
lost to Davidson (2), UNC Greensboro (2), Western Carolina, Appalachian State

258. East Carolina (6-14, 2-1)
Last week: 237
beat N.C. State, N.C. Central
lost to UNC Wilmington

283. Western Carolina (7-17, 2-6)
Last week: 278
beat N.C. Central, Elon
lost to UNC Asheville, Elon, N.C. State, Davidson (2),
Appalachian State

284. N.C. Central (2-21, 0-7)
Last week: 276
lost to Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, Western Carolina,
UNC Wilmington, East Carolina, N.C. State

307. Campbell (9-15, 1-4)
Last week: 286
beat Gardner-Webb
lost to UNC Asheville (2), Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb

316. Winston-Salem State (7-14, 0-2)
Last week: 222
lost to Wake Forest, N.C. A&T

Former UNC leaders not down with 49ers football

UNC Charlotte -- the fourth largest university in the state at around 17,000 students or so (and growing) -- wants to offer football as a sport by 2012. Former UNC system presidents C.D. Spangler and Bill Friday don't think that's such a good idea.

"This has been something disturbing to both of us," Spangler told the Charlotte Observer.

The decision is ultimately up to the university, but would probably require support from the "UNC Board of Governors because student fees are capped at 6.5 percent and in increase would be required to fund a football program."

Spangler said he and Friday have been reluctant to address university matters specifically, but that the football issue is important enough for them to speak up.

Spangler said he wanted to wait until the faculty meeting to talk about why he opposes football at the 61-year-old university, which has studied starting a team for the past year.

But Friday said college sports are becoming more about entertainment than education.

He said Thursday that he wants to present information from Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics reports on how high-level sports affect colleges and universities. He said he won't choose a side, but wants to make sure the faculty is informed of the potential cost of a football program on academics and other programs.

"The problems with college sports today are rather enormous," Friday said Thursday. "The commission is trying to make sure that the facts about this be known. That has not been the case in all too many instances up until now. There are campuses having to disband other sports to pay for the football and basketball programs."

Quick hits: State dog does well and State to build plug-in cars

State dog hits the big time
"With nary a wild boar in sight, the sturdy Plott hound pranced beneath the New York City lights this week, its first appearance in the Westminster Kennel Club dog show," writes the News & Observer.

"The state dog of North Carolina, the Plott hound has a long history here, as the breed originated in the mountains in the 1750s. Named after the brothers who bred them, the Plott was designed for hunting boar and bear.

"But the country's largest dog registry, the American Kennel Club, did not add the breed to its rolls until 1998, said AKC spokeswoman Lisa Peterson. It took until 2007 for the breed to meet the AKC's criteria to be fully recognized. As part of the process, the breed needed 300 registered dogs with a three-generation U.S. pedigree. ..."

NCSU to house plug-in hybrid car program
"North Carolina State University will soon be home to a technology program aimed at advancing the use of plug-in hybrid vehicles," according to NBC17.com.

"Gov. Mike Easley announced the creation of the Advanced Transportation Energy Center on Tuesday. University officials will partner with Duke Energy Corp. and Progress Energy Corp., and Easley said General Motors Corp. may also join the program.

"Easley said the program will focus on developing better batteries and lighter vehicles so that cars can run only on electricity. Duke and Progress will help develop a grid so that people can plug in their cars while away from home. ..."

Utah lawmakers take shots at N.C., other Southern states

I realize that it's sort of second nature for Americans from one state to make fun of other states. Virginians pick on North Carolinians; North Carolinians pick on South Carolinians. (Do North Dakotans and South Dakotans go at each other as well?) There are, of course, those states that seemingly everyone picks on in one form or another: West Virginia. Mississippi. New Jersey. California.

The most embarrassed I've ever felt for another state, though, was at a national conference for local government associations when folks from Pennsylvania were describing their state as "Pittsburgh in the west, Philly in the east, and Alabama up the middle." That was not a compliment to the good people of Alabama (some of whom were in the audience).

I say all this to illustrate that it is common practice to rib one another about our respective states. Nothing wrong with that ... unless you're an elected state government official who happens to do this in public. For no good reason, mind you.

That's what has happened lately in the great state of Utah, according to the Associated Press.

If "any state should be sensitive to the problem of bashing another's reputation based on stereotypes, it ought to be Utah," writes the AP.

"But three weeks into their legislative session, lawmakers here have questioned the patriotism of Alabama and North Carolina on the floor of the House and have mocked Arkansas as an illiterate state on the Senate floor."

Utah state Sen. Darin Peterson, R-Nephi, "couldn't resist taking a seemingly irrelevant shot at Arkansas on Jan. 31 as he summed up discussion on a bill about the use of vehicles by Department of Corrections employees.

"Peterson was being corrected by Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, that his bill had a fiscal note, but no fiscal impact.

" 'Thank you for that. But you know, as they say in Arkansas, literacy ain't everything,' Peterson said as several of his colleagues nervously laughed along."

Arkansas' education system was not the only education system in the South to come under attack from Utah lawmakers, though.

In a debate Friday over whether the House should pass a resolution encouraging school districts to give students Veterans Day off, Rep. Ken Sumsion, R-American Fork, suggested Utah's schools were more patriotic than their Southern counterparts.

Sumsion said that when he lived in Alabama and North Carolina, he was offended that school districts there didn't give students Memorial Day off, suggesting they declined to do so because of lingering resentment from the Civil War.

"Having been raised in Utah and kind of taught by my family to respect that day for what it stands for, I was really offended and taken back," Sumsion said. "Well, if you understand the history of where Memorial Day comes from, then you might understand what the issue was in these districts."

Memorial Day was declared an official holiday in May 1868, three years after the war ended and more than two years before the last Southern states were readmitted to the Union. ...

Still, it's not uncommon for Southern school districts to recognize Memorial Day as a holiday. That includes many districts in North Carolina, a state with some of the nation's largest military bases and numerous Memorial Day observances.

I, for one, am pleased that the AP pointed out the vast amount of support that North Carolina provides to the nation's military. Should we pay more attention to Memorial Day? Perhaps. But that's not for someone in Utah to decide.

North Carolina basketball report

Rankings (results through Sunday’s games)
RPI rankings, team (overall record, record vs. North Carolina teams)

2. Duke (21-1, 4-0)
beat N.C. Central, Davidson, N.C. State, North Carolina

Mike Krzyzewski has 796 wins, 106 short of Bob Knight’s record of 902. Krzyzewski is due to break his mentor’s mark sometime in January 2012.

But during an interview with ESPN’s Jay Bilas last week, Knight made it clear that while he had resigned from Texas Tech, he has not retired.

3. North Carolina (22-2, 3-1)
beat Davidson, UNC Asheville, N.C. State
lost to Duke

Here’s the deal with Tyler Hansbrough and Roy Williams: If Hansbrough, a mouth-breather from Poplar Bluff, Mo. (pop. 17,000) who is two years older than the other players in his class, and Williams, a lunatic on the sidelines who peppers his speech with such homespun phrases as “dadgummit” and “frickin,” were at N.C. State, they would derided as stereotypical in-bred hicks.

At Carolina, it’s considered cute. Hansbrough is a gritty, gutty player. He’s Psycho T! Williams is a discipline of Dean, born and bred right here in North Carolina, coaching the public school of record in his home state. Isn’t it cute?

Not really.

47. N.C. State (15-8, 4-3)
beat Davidson, Western Carolina, N.C. Central, Wake Forest
lost to East Carolina, North Carolina, Duke

Cardiac Pack, anyone?

State has won or lost four ACC games by a total of 10 points, beating Miami by two, Florida State by three, Wake Forest by two and giving one away to Georgia Tech by three points.

64. Davidson (16-6, 6-4)
beat N.C. Central, Appalachian State, Western Carolina (2), Elon (2)
lost to North Carolina, Duke, Charlotte, N.C. State

Stephen Curry is fifth in the country in points (25.0), and Jason Richards leads the nation in assists (8.1)

89. UNC Charlotte (14-8, 5-0)
beat High Point, Appalachian State, Wake Forest, Davidson,
Gardner-Webb

90. UNC Asheville (14-5, 4-1)
beat Campbell (2), Western Carolina, High Point
lost to North Carolina

At 7 feet, 7 inches, Kenny George is the tallest player in the country, and he’s learning to live with his size.

George ranks second in the country in field goal percentage (.708) and third in blocks (4.42).

94. Wake Forest (14-8, 2-2)
beat N.C. Central, Winston-Salem State
lost to UNC Charlotte, N.C. State

126. Appalachian State (14-8, 4-2)
beat Campbell, UNC Greensboro, Elon, Western Carolina
lost to Charlotte, Davidson

164. UNC Wilmington (15-10, 2-1)
beat N.C. Central, East Carolina
lost to UNC Greensboro

168. UNC Greensboro (13-9, 3-1)
beat UNC Wilmington, Elon (2)
lost to Appalachian State

175. N.C. A&T (8-10, 1-0)
beat Winston-Salem State

229. High Point (9-10, 0-3)
lost to Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville

Mike Jefferson is second in the country in assists (7.3), and Arizona Reid is fourth in rebounding (11.2).

230. Gardner-Webb (11-13, 1-2)
beat High Point
lost to UNC Charlotte, Campbell

237. East Carolina (6-12, 2-1)
beat N.C. State, N.C. Central
lost to UNC Wilmington

251. Elon (7-14, 1-6)
beat Western Carolina
lost to Davidson (2), UNC Greensboro (2), Western Carolina, Appalachian State

276. N.C. Central (2-21, 0-7)
lost to Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, Western Carolina,
UNC Wilmington, East Carolina, N.C. State

286. Campbell (9-13, 1-3)
beat Gardner-Webb
lost to UNC Asheville (2), Appalachian State

278. Western Carolina (6-16, 2-6)
beat N.C. Central, Elon
lost to UNC Asheville, Elon, N.C. State, Davidson (2),
Appalachian State

322. Winston-Salem State (6-12, 0-1)
lost to Wake Forest, N.C. A&T

Quick hits: App State looks to Hickory, 'Tank' looks to give back

Appalachian State ponders Hickory campus
"Catawba County and Appalachian State University leaders discussed additional educational opportunities in the Hickory region, including the concept of a satellite campus, during a meeting last week," wrote the Hickory Daily Record.

"The hour-long discussion involved Appalachian’s Chancellor Ken Peacock and Chief of Staff Lorin Baumhover. The meeting centered on bringing more programs to area institutions now partnered with Appalachian, according to Catawba County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Kitty Barnes.

" 'I think what (Appalachian and Catawba County leaders) are looking at is incremental building on what we are already offering,' Barnes said.

"Appalachian now offers a range of classes through the Hickory Metro Higher Education Center, oversees operation of the new North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies and plans a teacher’s school at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, along with a nursing school at Western Piedmont Community College and Technical Institute. ..."

NFL star helps 'feed the children'
"Hundreds of Fayetteville children and their families now have food and supplies thanks to some hardworking football players including one local player who has made it to the NFL," says News 14 Carolina.

"E.E. Smith High School's football team tackles community service projects like any other task, by working together as a team. On Wednesday, they were joined by a special alumnus, Demarcus 'Tank' Tyler.

" 'I'm blessed to have the opportunity to come back and give back to my community,' said Tyler. 'You know, I've got to stay grounded and remember where I come from to move forward in my future.'

"Tyler has partnered with an international nonprofit group to help needy families in his hometown. There's 25 pounds worth of food in some of the boxes that were given out Wednesday and toiletries in others. Altogether, 'Feed the Children' plans to help out more than 400 families in just Wednesday’s one distribution. ..."

'Toilet paper flowers' a problem in Blue Ridge Mountains

According to an email from the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, visitors to Graveyard Fields, the "most popular visitor destination south of Asheville, have created a phenomenon of "Charminus floribundum," or toilet paper flowers.

As such, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Parkway Foundation have begun a water quality study.

"Visitation to this destination has compromised water quality due to lack of facilities and poor sanitation practices," says the email. "A task force of planning professionals and park managers are working together to address this and other identified issues that are compromising the natural loveliness of the area."

Click here for a website for the project.

'Sir Robin (Clay Aiken) bravely ran away'

Clay Aiken has admitted recently that he thought Monty Python was a person, not the legendary British comedic troup.

Aiken has been forgiven, apparently. After all, he has scored the role of "brave" Sir Robin in Broadway's "Monty Python's Spamalot," the play based on the great movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

"One of the reasons that it intrigued me was that it was so different," Aiken told the Associated Press. "Nobody I think would have expected me to show up in 'Spamalot.'"

Aiken, 29, has taken over the role of Sir Robin, the cowardly knight that [Eric] Idle once played on film and David Hyde Pierce originated when the Tony Award-winning musical debuted in 2005.

"I think I'm probably just like the character -- kind of chicken, afraid of everything and likes to sing. This particular character becomes a knight because he really just wants to sing and dance. He's so surprised when he finds out there's fighting involved. That kind of silly stupidity? -- yeah, that's me."...

Associate director Peter Lawrence says Aiken has been no idle diva; the singer asked to be treated like any other company member and has been surprisingly fearless.

"Clay really surprised me. When you meet him, he's this sweet kid from North Carolina with an accent. And you think there's no way he can do Cambridge material. And then he does," says Lawrence. ...

Aiken, who got a degree in special education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, was teaching grade school kids with autism before he tried out for "Idol" in Atlanta. He was a former member of the Raleigh Boys Choir, and occasionally sang at weddings and at church.

"There's not really a market in North Carolina to sing for a living. There's not that career path for people. So I never really assumed or had any dreams or aspirations to sing," he says.

That changed in the seventh grade when his mother took him and a friend to a local production of the musical "Big River," starring Martin Moran as Huckleberry Finn.

"It was the first time ever that I looked on stage and saw people -- you know, adults -- singing. And I thought, 'Wow, wait a second. You can actually sing for a living?' " he recalls. "From that point on, I kind of allowed music to be a part of my what-I-want-to-be-when-I-grow-up scenario." ...

A high-tech search for the 'Lost Colony'

From The Virginian-Pilot (via the Greensboro News & Record):

"... In the quest for the Lost Colony, the vanished 1587 English settlement on Roanoke Island, archaeologists have conducted numerous explorations in Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, digging and surveying and scanning and scoping.

"But they've never used high-tech radar tomography that can produce 3-D images out of data collected from 6 feet, more or less, under ground.

"The refined technology, which can also use sound and light waves, gained early fame when inventor Alan Witten used it to help locate fossils from a 120-foot-long dinosaur — called 'seismosaurus' — in the late 1980s in New Mexico. The find was fictionalized in Michael Crichton's 'Jurassic Park.'

" 'This is fantastic, cutting-edge technology,' said Eric Klingelhofer, vice president of the First Colony Foundation, in a telephone interview. 'I am eager to see the findings and then compare them with what we know of the archaeology of the site.' ..."

As am I. Any North Carolinian educated in its public schools knows the story of the "Lost Colony." The N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh recently completed an incredible look at the story, mostly from the point of view of John White's magnificent water colors.

Just what happened to the colony will probably never be decided, no matter what kind of technology we now have. But it is quite a mystery. Were the colonists just simply killed? Did they assimilate into Native American culture (and become the Lumbees or perhaps the inhabitants of Crusoe Island?) One legend has it that Virginia Dare, the first European child born in the New World and the namesake of this group, became a white deer.

The 'Dawson's Creek' effect

I'll fess up: I watched "Dawson's Creek."

Apparently, I wasn't alone. During it's run, the show about four angst- and hormone-filled youths from Capeside, Massachusetts, became the WB's signature TV show. And though the show's been off the air for several years now, fans still descend on Wilmington, N.C., the place where the show was actually filmed.

"I call it the 'Dawson's Creek' phenomenon," Connie Nelson of the Cape Fear Convention Center and Visitors Bureau told the Wilmington Star-News.

Over spring break in 1999, "we got hundreds of calls from people who wanted to know where Mollye's Market was, where Dawson's house was," she said. The visitors bureau soon published a Frequently Asked Questions sheet for the show. "We still put it out and people still pick it up," Nelson said.
...

Among the locations made famous:
— Hell's Kitchen, 118 Princess St.
— Water Street Restaurant, 5 S. Water St.
No "Dawson's Creek" pilgrimage is complete without a stop by the fish house Dawson's family owned, Leery's Fresh Fish. The building still looks just like it did when all the characters stopped by for a bite to eat after their high school classes. Water Street Restaurant can be spotted often through the show's early seasons.
— University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 S. College Road
— Hewlett's Creek
So where, exactly is Dawson's Creek? Well, there's no such place. All those beautiful sunset shots of Dawson standing on his dock among the marsh grass were actually filmed along Hewlett's Creek, best viewed from Pine Grove Road between Masonboro Loop Road and Holly Tree Drive. Dawson's house was an actual private residence along the water. But it's not open for tours.
— Dockside Restaurant, 1308 Airlie Road, Wrightsville Beach
When Dawson and friends go to The Icehouse for a few beers, they are sitting inside a downtown bar called The Icehouse. But when the cameras pan from the bar to the outside where blue water sparkles and boats pass, you're actually looking at a view from Dockside Restaurant at Wrightsville Beach. The water is the Intracoastal Waterway.
...

Quick hits: 'Journeys' for N.C. schoolchildren, women

Textbook series aims to take N.C. students on captivating 'Journeys'
"A new series of social studies textbooks involving North Carolina State University faculty members aims to take elementary and middle-school students on a journey to explore their state, nation and world," according to a news release from N.C. State.

"North Carolina Journeys is a textbook series designed for fourth- through seventh-grade students developed by faculty members from N.C. State's College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS), as well as other scholars and educators from across the state. The series also includes an eighth-grade text written by North Carolina scholar Pamela Grundy. The series takes students on a literal journey across North Carolina and beyond by highlighting key people, places and events in the state's history, while emphasizing North Carolina's connections to the global world.

" 'The series is custom-built for North Carolina,' says Dr. Jim Clark, professor emeritus of English at N.C. State, who was involved in the textbook project. 'It emphasizes reading and assessment – especially the end-of-grade tests and the North Carolina writing assessments. It also addresses the needs of students who are not native English-speakers.' ..."

Blue Ridge Mountains among best quick, affordable vacations for women
"From yoga retreats in Mexico to grand tours of India, dozens of women-only travel companies have made it possible for women to be in their own element while exploring the world. Not every woman has weeks of vacation time at her disposal or the money to travel overseas, though. Luckily, there are plenty of short, affordable women-only tours in the U.S. that promise empowerment, relaxation, and adventure for a fraction of the cost—and time commitment—that other more far-flung trips require," writes USA Today. ...

"After falling in love with backpacking during her six-month journey along the Appalachian Trail in 1996, Melody Blaney started leading wilderness trips for both men and women. In 2001, however, she came to the conclusion that many of her female clients had better experiences in women-only groups, so she co-founded Wildside Adventures for Women with fellow outdoorswoman Patti Landovek.

" 'It was amazing to me the difference between the dynamics on the co-ed trips and the women-only trips,' says Blaney. 'Women were much more relaxed and would take risks or challenge themselves in ways they wouldn't do if men were present.'

"The company now annually runs about 30 two- to five-day backpacking, kayaking, and biking trips around the U.S. designed to help women become comfortable in the outdoors without having to spend a lot of money. ..."

North Carolinians could stand to be healthier

Perhaps it's the state's historic ties to tobacco. Or maybe it's because of the barbecue, hush puppies and gallons of sweet tea. But for whatever reason, too many North Carolinians still use tobacco and remain far too inactive and fat, according to a report card grading health and prevention measures.

The report was released recently by N.C. Prevention Partners. It stated that the state's overall grades were unchanged from the last report card, issued in 2005.

"Despite some improvement in cutting smoking, the overall numbers did not change enough to raise the state above a 'C' grade in that subject," said the News & Observer. "And the news was worse in diet and nutrition, areas that again each garnered 'D' grades."

The good news is that tobacco use among middle and high school students is way down, and most of the state's hospitals are tobacco free. The bad news is that the "percentage of adults who are obese or overweight increased, and senior citizens and high school students showed no improvement. And there are few signs of change. Fruit and vegetable consumption among youths was actually down, despite unprecedented public attention to healthy diet in recent years. 'We're at the bottom, and unfortunately the trend is worsening,' said Meg Molloy, executive director of N.C. Prevention Partners. ..."

Click here for the complete article.

North Carolina basketball report

Rankings (results through Tuesday’s games)
RPI rankings, team (overall record, record vs. North Carolina teams)

4. North Carolina (18-1, 3-0)
beat Davidson, UNC Asheville, N.C. State

Tyler Hansbrough, who is 22 years old, was born in 1985. Other players born in 1985: Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Al Jefferson, Josh Smith.

6. Duke (15-1, 2-0)
beat N.C. Central, Davidson

Mike Krzyzewski, with no player taller than 6-foot-8 averaging more than 15 minutes, is using the Phoenix Suns’ fun-and-gun offense. One of Krzyzewski’s assistants with USA Basketball: Suns coach Mike D’Antoni.

36. N.C. State (12-5, 3-2)
beat Davidson, Western Carolina, N.C. Central
lost to East Carolina, North Carolina

Les Robinson fact: Robinson was 5-7 against North Carolina, his second-best record against any ACC school. He was 6-7 vs. Clemson.

69. Wake Forest (12-6, 2-1)
beat N.C. Central, Winston-Salem State
lost to UNC Charlotte

79. UNC Asheville (10-4, 4-1)
beat Campbell (2), Western Carolina, High Point
lost to North Carolina

83. UNC Charlotte (11-6, 5-0)
beat High Point, Appalachian State, Wake Forest, Davidson, Gardner-Webb

92. Appalachian State (10-6, 2-2)
beat Campbell, UNC Greensboro
lost to Charlotte, Davidson

99. Davidson (10-6, 5-4)
beat N.C. Central, Appalachian State, Western Carolina (2), Elon
lost to North Carolina, Duke, Charlotte, N.C. State

126. UNC Greensboro (10-6, 2-1)
beat UNC Wilmington, Elon
lost to Appalachian State

149. N.C. A&T (4-9, 0-0)

182. UNC Wilmington (11-8, 2-1)
beat N.C. Central, East Carolina
lost to UNC Greensboro

198. East Carolina (5-8, 2-1)
beat N.C. State, N.C. Central
lost to UNC Wilmington

246. High Point (5-8, 0-3)
lost to Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville

252. Gardner-Webb (7-11, 1-2)
beat High Point
lost to UNC Charlotte, Campbell

258. Elon (6-10, 1-2)
beat Western Carolina
lost to Davidson, UNC Greensboro

276. Campbell (7-9, 1-4)
beat Gardner-Webb
lost to UNC Asheville (2), Appalachian State

310. N.C. Central (1-21, 0-7)
lost to Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, Western Carolina, UNC Wilmington, East Carolina, N.C. State

313. Western Carolina (4-12, 1-5)
beat N.C. Central
lost to UNC Asheville, Elon, N.C. State, Davidson

317. Winston-Salem State (5-9, 0-1)
lost to Wake Forest

Marsalis, N.C. Symphony to record together

It was announced on Tuesday that the N.C. Symphony and saxophonist (and Durham resident) Branford Marsalis will go "into the studio" together, so to speak.

Marsalis will be featured on the first of two CDs the orchestra will release, said the News & Observer.

"The second disc, as previously announced, will be recorded with young acclaimed pianist Yevgeny Sudbin, who is in town for concerts with the orchestra this weekend. The recordings will begin next week in closed sessions with the artists at Meymandi Concert Hall," said the paper.

The Marsalis disc, which is expected to be released in about a year, will feature American composers, including world-premiere recordings of three works. Among them will be “Escapades” by John Williams, who re-crafted the piece for Marsalis from music he wrote for the Steven Spielberg film “Catch Me If You Can.”

Marsalis performed “Escapades” in his first appearance with the orchestra in February 2006. At the time, Marsalis told The News & Observer that he was increasingly branching out from his jazz career into symphonic music as a challenge to his skills.

The saxophonist, who has lived in Durham for several years, performed again with the orchestra last year, and in June he joined the symphony’s board of trustees. He recorded classical albums in 1986 and 2001.

The Sudbin CD is expected to be released in two years. Russian-born Sudbin, 28, will record piano concertos by Russian composers. The Daily Telegraph of London has called Sudbin “potentially one of the greatest pianists of the 21st century.” He has an exclusive recording contract with BIS Records, which will produce these two discs. ...

Quick hits: Rail in N.C.'s future, but sandbags are not

N.C.'s future rides on trains
"Just a few weeks ago Congress, for the first time in 32 years, increased vehicle fuel economy standards.

"Just a few weeks ago in Mecklenburg County, residents voted overwhelmingly to keep a tax to help pay for improved mass transit.

"And just a few weeks ago, the Association of American Railroads released a report that 2007 was the U.S. railroads' second best year ever for total volume, intermodal traffic and revenue -- and oil hit $100 a barrel.

"People and businesses in this country and North Carolina are beginning to think differently about our transportation future," writes Scott Saylor of the North Carolina Railroad Company in a special piece to the Charlotte Observer. "Travel and shipping delays caused by crowded, dangerous highways, environmental pollution from exhausts, and soaring energy costs are weighing on public opinion and the political process. ..."

Sandbags no longer to hold back ocean along N.C. coast
"A state decision to enforce a coastal regulation requires property owners along the North Carolina coast to remove sandbags from land threatened by the creeping Atlantic Ocean," says WRAL's Bill Leslie.

"State officials argued that the implementation of the regulation only honored the intent for sandbags to be temporary guardians against the Atlantic. But homeowners said the loss of the protection of sandbags will ensure the destruction of their homes, many of which are retirement investments.

" 'This is going to be catastrophic for the homeowners, for the state, for everybody,' said Yogi Harper, the owner of both a beach house protected by sandbags and a business that installs them. ..."

New rules to protect coastal waters

New rules by the Environmental Management Commissioner will better protect North Carolina's coastal waters from pollutant-laden stormwater runoff.

The changes are an effort to strengthen a lax pollution-prevention program and keep waters open to shellfishing and swimming, according to the News & Observer.

Existing regulations allow subdivisions and businesses to be built so densely in coastal areas that they overwhelm the land's capacity to filter oil, mud, fertilizer and chemicals washed during heavy rains from roofs, roads and yards. As a result, the acreage of coastal waters closed to shellfishing has increased about 13 percent in the past two decades, state data show.

"It's become more and more apparent coastal stormwater is the biggest contributor to the degradation of water quality, and our rules have been inadequate," said Ernest Larkin, a member of the Environmental Management Commission.

The rule changes for the 20 coastal counties call for new developments to build wider buffers along waterways. The current requirement is 30 feet, and that is increased to 50 feet for new development. Buffers such as grass, shrubs and other vegetation slow runoff. The new rules also require more projects to go through a review process and builders to install well-designed stormwater controls.

"It's a major step forward to protecting coastal waters," said Jim Stephenson, a representative of the N.C. Coastal Federation, an environmental group that has pushed for the changes.

Read the entire article here.

Three from the Old North State (two from Asheville) among T+L's 500 Best Hotels in the World list

The Inn on Biltmore Estate (Asheville), Richmond Hill Inn (also Asheville) and Fearrington House Country Inn (Pittsboro) are three of the top 500 hotels in the world, according to the "global team of reporters and editors" at Travel + Leisure magazine. This is the sixth year that the magazine has compiled such a list.

T+L "has culled the 500 highest-rated hotels from our World's Best survey, identified what differentiates them from their competitors, sussed out the best rooms to book—and determined what services, amenities, and perks not to miss. It's this year's definitive hotel guide, and it's just for you."

Ashevile (kinda sorta) has its own flag

This is what I get for procrastinating.

A couple of months ago, some businesses in Asheville put together an unofficial Asheville flag contest. Oh, there were some doozies. But I'm having trouble finding the really good ones (and by "good" I mean "hilarious") since I rested on my laurels and didn't blog about it until today (AFTER the contest has ended, I might add).

Anyhoo, Jack Moon of Fairview designed the winning flag, seen here.

Moon's banner, "featuring a view of both the city’s skyline and mountains, wound up with the most votes in the contest, which was sponsored by Asheville Pizza and Brewing and radio station WWNC-AM/570," writes the Citizen-Times. "More than 27,000 online votes were cast in the contest to determine six finalists, with another 2,000 or so choosing the winner, Asheville Pizza co-owner Mike Rangel said.

"... Rangel plans to put the flag into production, and offer it for sale. He dreamed up the idea in hopes that area residents would raise the flag at out-of-town festivals and concerts to promote the city."

Quick hits: N.C. in good shape financially. Global TransPark ... that's another story

N.C. economy among the best in the nation
"Despite a turbulent economy nationwide, experts say North Carolina’s economy will grow in 2008," says News 14 Carolina's Tim Boyum. "The housing crisis will likely dominate headlines again this year according to those at the annual economic forecast forum in Research Triangle Park on Wednesday.

"If you're looking to sell a home in 2008, economists say you may want to wait six months or more.

" 'I am looking at a bottoming out sometime in the middle of the year and then some improvements in the second half,' said David Seiders, a member of the National Homebuilders Association. 'But as a year as a whole the numbers in total will be lower than 2007.' ..."

Tough picture drawn for TransPark
"While its revenues and tenants are gradually increasing, Kinston’s Global TransPark must make much greater progress to pay off its multimillion-dollar debt and avoid bankruptcy, according to a report released Wednesday by the State Auditor’s Office," writes the Jacksonville Daily News.

"The GTP’s governing body, the Global TransPark Authority, currently owes more than $32 million — including interest — to the North Carolina Escheat Fund. The loan’s 'maturity date' was extended to Oct. 1, 2009.

" 'The current amount of operating cash held by the Authority is not sufficient to pay the balance due to the North Carolina Escheat Fund and as such, substantial doubt about the Authority’s ability to continue as a going concern exists,' auditing firm Cherry, Bekaert and Holland LLP of Raleigh stated in its summary. ..."