Quick hits: Wake to drop SAT, ACT; USS Kitty Hawk drops anchor for the last time; and the guy who dropped 'Andy's' theme passes away

Wake Forest to drop ACT, SAT
"In a groundbreaking move, Wake Forest University will no longer require applicants to submit SAT or ACT test scores for admission, school officials [announced on Tuesday]," said the News & Observer.

"Wake Forest will become the only top-30 national university in the U.S. News & World Report ranking to make the standardized tests optional. The policy change takes effect with the freshman class starting in 2009.

"University officials say they changed their policy after reviewing extensive research that shows the tests favor wealthy students and aren't the best predictors of college success. ..."

USS Kitty Hawk says sayonara
"The oldest active ship in the U.S. Navy, the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, made its final departure from Japan on Wednesday to be decommissioned after nearly half a century of service," said the Associated Press.

"The Kitty Hawk, with sailors lining its decks, pulled away from Yokosuka port just south of Tokyo to the cheers of hundreds of schoolchildren and the sounds of brass bands.

"It flew the 'Don't Tread on Me' flag, which designates it as the oldest ship in the Navy.

"The Kitty Hawk, the last conventionally powered aircraft carrier in the Navy, is to be replaced later this summer by the USS George Washington, a nuclear-powered carrier. ..."

'Andy Griffith' composer dies
"Earle H. Hagen, who co-wrote the jazz classic 'Harlem Nocturne' and composed memorable themes for 'The Andy Griffith Show,' 'I Spy,' 'The Mod Squad' and other TV shows, has died. He was 88," according to the Associated Press.

"Hagen, who is heard whistling the folksy tune for 'The Andy Griffith Show,' died Monday night at his home in Rancho Mirage, his wife, Laura, said Tuesday. He had been in ill health for several months.

"During his long musical career, Hagen performed with the top bands of the swing era, composed for movies and television and wrote one of the first textbooks on movie composing. ..."

Cape Hatteras among the nation's best beaches

Last year, North Carolina's Ocracoke Island earned "Dr. Beach's" award for the nation's best beach. A North Carolina beach was not this year's winner (that went to Florida's Caladesi Island), but Cape Hatteras, N.C., made the runner-up list.

Stephen P. Leatherman (an NCSU grad) is known as "Dr. Beach."

"Leatherman, a Florida International University professor ... picked Caladesi Island as the best beach in the 2008 ranking for his annual list, which was released Thursday. Caladesi beat out beaches in Hawaii, along the Eastern Seaboard and in California for this year's honor.

"The runners-up on Leatherman's list of best beaches this year were Hanalei Beach, Hawaii; Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida; Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York; Coronado Beach in San Diego; Main Beach in East Hampton, New York; Hamoa Beach, Hawaii; Cape Hatteras, North Carolina; Cape Florida State Park near Miami; and Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. ...

"Caladesi, which ranked second in Leatherman's rankings in 2007, will now be retired from the list. Most years, he has chosen beaches in Florida or Hawaii as the top-ranked. He broke that trend last year by awarding the top spot to Ocracoke Island on North Carolina's Outer Banks.
..."

New life for Tweetsie

It looks like North Carolina tourist and cultural attraction Tweetsie Railroad can be removed from the "endangered" list.

"Watauga County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to spend $3.15 million to help resolve a land dispute that threatened the future of the theme park between Boone and Blowing Rock," said the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"The train runs across some land it only leases and two minority owners of the property wanted to end the agree and get more money by selling or developing the land.

"The Winston-Salem Journal reported that commissioners will spend the money to buy a minority interest in the land and then lease it to Tweetsie. The family-owned theme park will eventually repay the county's cost, plus interest and expenses. ..."

Charlotte named best place in America to live

Relocate-America.com has named Charlotte the No. 1 place in America to live. Last year's winner, Asheville, dropped to No. 7. Other N.C. places on the list included Cary, Holly Springs, Indian Trail, Raleigh and Wilmington.

"Apparently, there's just something about North Carolina," writes Yahoo Finance. "For the second year in a row, America's best city in which to live lies within its borders, according to Relocate-America.com's annual list.

" 'North Carolina is very active on our radar,' said Steve Nickerson, president and CEO of HomeRoute. 'It continues to get a flood of interest from all over.'

"HomeRoute is the real estate firm that operates Relocate-America.com, a source of community information and real-estate resources for those who are relocating. Each year, the site ranks the top 100 places to live in the country.

"Areas need to be nominated on the site in order to be eligible for the list; more than 2,000 were nominated this year, Nickerson said. Special efforts are made to prevent spamming campaigns from influencing the results, he added. ..."

Here are the top 10 in Relocate-America's 2008 list:
1. Charlotte
2. San Antonio, Texas
3. Chattanooga, Tenn.
4. Greenville, S.C.
5. Tulsa, Okla.
6. Stevens Point, Wis.
7. Asheville
8. Albuquerque, N.M.
9. Huntsville, Ala.
10. Seattle, Wash.

Quick hits: Wine and boat recovery efforts

Northwest N.C. grape growers hope this season will make up for last
"North Carolina's vineyards, many of them in the Yadkin Valley, expect a full growing season a year after the Easter freeze of 2007 destroyed 50 percent of the crop," writes the Winston-Salem Journal.

"But the effects of the freeze on the vines could be lasting, agriculture officials say.

" 'We will see recovery. It's just, if you look carefully at vines, in places there will be some that aren't growing quite as strongly as others,' said Sara Spayd, a grape specialist at N.C. State University.

"The freeze hit in April 2007, just as many vines in the region broke their first bud. Grape growers had hoped that many of their vines would bud a second and third time to bear fruit. For chardonnay, the loss was 80 percent to 90 percent. The white grapes were more affected than the reds because some white grape vines had already broken bud when the freeze hit and were most vulnerable, Spayd said. ..."

Monitor in good shape, but threatened
"The wreck of the famed Civil War ironclad USS Monitor off the North Carolina coast is in good condition, but still faces threats, according to a report released Wednesday," writes the Associated Press.

"The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, which surrounds the shipwreck 16 miles off Cape Hatteras, is threatened by corrosion, strong currents, hurricanes, high water temperatures and highly salty water, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

" 'For a shipwreck that is more than 140 years old, the wreck is in pretty good shape,' said David Alberg, superintendent of the sanctuary.

"The report found that the sanctuary has also become a productive artificial reef. Black sea bass, oyster toadfish and great barracuda live nearby, and coral and sponges are abundant on the ship's iron surfaces. Alberg said the sponges and coral help protect the ship from corrosion. ..."

Photos of history

Most Americans (and especially North Carolinians and Ohioans) recognize the photo from December 17, 1903 of the Wright brothers' "plane" gliding a few feet above the ground with Orville Wright lying down on the flyer and Wilbur on the ground nearby.

"That picture has struck awe and inspiration in generations of aviation enthusiasts ever since," writes News 14 Carolina's Heather Moore.

According to Moore, Outer Banks lifesaver John T. Daniels took a now famous picture of the first flight on December 17, 1903.

This week is the 100th anniversary of when most of the world first saw proof of flight from Kitty Hawk. It was, after all, five years after the first flight, but up until May of 1908, there hadn't been any published pictures of flight.

Most North Carolinians know the story of the Wright brothers. While the Daniels picture was the first taken of successful flight, it was not the first picture that went public. The world didn’t get a chance to see aviation in action until several reporters and photographers secretly saw a later flight, in May of 1908.

“As far as the world is concerned, the 1908 flights were much more important than the 1903 flights,” said Larry Tise, Wilbur and Orville Wright Distinguished Professor of History at East Carolina University. “Until 1908 nobody had seen the Wright brothers fly and suddenly in May of 1908 at Kitty Hawk, they were viewed by seven reporters who got the story, got a photograph, and sent it out across the world.”

The 1908 Wright flyer was also different from the 1903 machine.

“In the 08 flight, they weren't lying down, they were sitting up,” explained Tise. “In the 08 flight they controlled the plane basically with a stick which would become the way planes were controlled. Also in 1908 for the first time, they carried a passenger. On May 14, 1908 was the Wright brothers’ first passenger flight.”The Charlotte Observer was the first newspaper to publish a story about the Wright brothers flying. However, when newspapers allacross the world published the first pictures of flight, the Wright brothers became instant international celebrities.

Those first public pictures were later lost, until recently.

Horwitz discovers N.C.'s true religious differences

USAToday live blogger Tony Horwitz is currently dispatching his "Live from ..." reports from the Great State. (You can read his accounts here.) So far he has researched the Lost Colony, seen just how rural (and wide) North Carolina is, and his latest installment (as of noon on May 14, 2008) had him approaching a very contentious subject.

Barbecue.

"All across North Carolina, there are roadside signs depicting very big men clutching very big pigs. This state may be a Baptist stronghold, but its true religion is barbecue," writes Horwitz.

"There are other food cults in the South, like chili in Texas," says John Shelton Reed, a sociologist at the University of North Carolina. "But barbecue has the most sects, and fundamentalists." ...

We tuck into moist piles of pulled pork, seasoned the eastern North Carolina way, with a sauce of vinegar and red pepper. Farther west in the state, the sauce has just a touch of tomato. Dale [John Shelton's wife]concedes such differences may seem slight, "but it's heresy if your taste strays from the region you're in." John adds: "Part of barbecue's appeal is that it's so intensely local. It's the closest we have to wine, you drive 100 miles and it changes."

Sandburg expansion bill heads to president's desk

The home site of poet and author Carl Sandburg in Flat Rock is closer to being expanded. A bill authorizing the expansion of the Carl Sandburg Home Historic Site and a new visitor center there is headed to President Bush's desk after passing the House, according to the Hendersonville Times-News.

The Consolidated Natural Resources Act passed the House on Tuesday. The bill had previously cleared the Senate and now heads to President Bush's desk for approval.

"The Sandburg Home is an important part of both our heritage and our economy in Western North Carolina," said U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, who co-sponsored the bill in the House. ...

The legislation authorizes the historic site to expand on its western boundary if land becomes available from willing sellers. The National Park Service supports the expansion, wanting to prevent development from encroaching on the park. The bill authorizes the acquisition of up to 115 acres. Up to five of the acres would be for the visitor's center and an expanded parking lot.
...

The land around Connemara, the name of Sandburg's home, is gorgeous, and the entire site is probably one of the least-known of the state historic sites. The home is left pretty much how Sandburg lived; it's a snapshot in time.

Sandburg won two Pulitzers, one for his Abraham Lincoln biography and one for The Complete Poems of Carl Sandburg.

N.C. Symphony to travel to smaller communities

I remember in I believe third grade cramming the entire elementary school enrollment into a musty, humid gymnasium in Harnett County to hear the N.C. Symphony perform. Although the experience didn't turn me into a young classical music fan, I obviously remembered the event. (Of course, it was an "assembly," which meant time away from class.)

Now the N.C. Symphony, which reportedly visits 30-40 counties in the state a year, is looking to bring their music to the more rural and remote areas of the state.

"The new project will send soloists and small ensembles to local community colleges and public schools to offer performance and instruction, depending on how interested people there are," says the News & Observer.

"The initiative, which [was] publicly announced Wednesday, is a partnership between the symphony and the state's community colleges. It will be paid for with about $170,000 in U.S. Department of Education money, which is expected to cover costs for one year. ...

"The symphony hopes that new pockets of classical music fans might be unearthed in areas that have not had large enough audiences to support performances of the full 69-member orchestra, and also new benefactors might step forward to make those concerts possible. ..."

Experts: Smokies could be 'hub' of eco-tourism

A regional conference on sustainable tourism recently stated that the Great Smoky Mountains National park could be the "engine to propel new eco-friendly tourism for gateway communities in Tennessee and North Carolina," according to the Associated Press.

That's both an opportunity and a challenge for such communities as Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Cherokee, N.C., and for the country's most-visited national park itself.

A National Geographic Traveler survey of "sustainable destinations" ranked the Smokies second to last among 55 national parks in the U.S. and Canada in 2005, citing "terrible traffic, vista-choking haze, invasive species and crowded trails." Some 9.2 million visitors come to the Smokies annually. ...

U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne told a news conference before addressing the conference Monday that record new federal spending has been authorized for the national parks, including the Smokies, that will help with routine operations and special projects.

That includes a $1.5 million boost for the Smokies that will provide, beyond pay increases and the like, some 55 new seasonal rangers. In addition, new federal money to match private donations will provide $340,000 to the Smokies for exhibits for a new visitors center in Cherokee, preservation funds for historic cottages in the Elkmont district and podcasts aimed at tech-savvy young people, some of the first in the park system.

"Americans love their parks. They realize there are certain things that governments should do - (such as) provide for ongoing maintenance to the operations. That is the expectation," Kempthrone said. "But they realize that government cannot do all things. And so here is this opportunity where the government is saying, 'We would like to partner with our citizens.' "

Click here for the rest of the article.

Submarine 'North Carolina' arrives in Wilmington

The new nuclear-powered submarine "North Carolina" arrived at the state port in Wilmington on Monday, "beginning a week’s worth of special events leading up to its commissioning Saturday," writes the Star-News. "After that event, the 377-foot vessel will officially carry the same name as the battleship that sits across the Cape Fear River from downtown Wilmington – USS North Carolina."

The submarine "North Carolina" cost a mere $2.5 billion to construct.

Click here for a photo gallery.

Asheville an 'easy spring getaway'

Asheville has been listed by ShermanTravels as one of 10 easy spring getaways, "guaranteed to put some spring in your step, whether winter has left you craving sun or snow."

"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," says Shermans. "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. ..."

Quick hits: Catawba River is the most endangered and jazz legend loved Charlotte

(Sorry for all the 'Quick hits' of late. Just too much going on.)

Catawba River called 'most endangered'
"The Catawba River, beset by growing water demand, drought and what critics say are failed policies to protect it, is the nation's most endangered river, an environmental group says.

"American Rivers, a Washington-based advocacy group that has turned out most-endangered lists since 1986, put the Catawba at the top of its 2008 list to be released today," according to the News & Observer.

"The group accused Carolinas decision-makers of 'sucking their rivers dry' to continue development as a historic drought lingers over the Catawba basin. Neither state, it said, has a long-term water plan to ensure the river survives future growth.

"But public officials say the Catawba, the subject of detailed studies and the beneficiary of new conservation efforts, has been far from ignored.

"The amount of water pulled from the Catawba is projected to more than double over the next 50 years, one of those studies shows. Charlotte's chief water supply, Mountain Island Lake, could struggle to meet demand during a severe drought by 2048. ..."

Music legend held Charlotte close to his heart
"When George Butler was a boy, sports often stood in the way of his piano lessons. It got him into trouble only once: During a piano recital, he forgot the notes to a Scarlatti sonata, and launched into some boogie-woogie.

"What a scolding he got from his parents and teacher," writes the Charlotte Observer.

"As it turns out, the Charlotte native was playing the right music.

"He became a legendary record producer, the brains behind the careers of such jazz greats as Harry Connick Jr., Earl Klugh, Terence Blanchard and the Marsalis brothers, Wynton and Branford.

"On April 9, George Butler Jr., who grew up on Charlotte's Beatties Ford Road, died in a California hospital after a long illness with Alzheimer's disease. He was 76. ..."

Quick hits: Bobcats should stick around a while. Young smokers? Maybe not

Contract binds Bobcats to Charlotte
"Bob Johnson may be disappointed by Charlotte's lukewarm reception to his basketball team, but the Bobcats and the city appear stuck with each other for some time," says the Charlotte Observer.

"Johnson complained this week that Charlotte's corporate community isn't buying enough of his most expensive club seats and suites, and that he's losing money on the four-year-old NBA team.

"But Johnson, the team's majority owner, said he won't sell or move the team -- and acknowledged that his arena deal with the city makes leaving virtually impossible.

"Details of the controversial arena contract suggest that Johnson received one of the best deals in the NBA, but he also is anchored to Charlotte for years. ..."

N.C. teen smoking rates hit all-time low
"Teen smoking rates in the Tar Heel State are at all-time lows. Recently released results from the 2007 North Carolina Youth Tobacco Survey show smoking among middle school and high school students is down significantly since 2003," says News 14 Carolina.

"... It is a movement that is spreading across the state. According to survey figures, the number of teen smokers in North Carolina has dropped by 34,000 in the last four years.

"More than 7,500 middle school and high school students took part in this year's survey. They came from 191 schools from more than 70 school districts across the state. ..."

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. ..."