Chatham County, NC Blogs

Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:12:52 -0400
From: Doug Nicholas
Subject: Ride for the Land comes to Chatham County on July 11 – Volunteers needed

Triangle Land Conservancy’s annual bicycle tour, Ride for the Land,
comes to Chatham County on July 11.

Ride for the Land changes locations from year to year highlighting TLC’s
different conservation focus areas across the Triangle.  This year Ride
for the Land highlights TLC’s work to conserve Chatham’s beautiful
farms, which is why we subtitled this year’s ride the “Freewheeling
Farmland Frolic.”
300 cyclists will be converging on Pittsboro at 8 a.m. on July 11, then
spreading out across the county following our 30-, 45- and 60-mile
routes through some of the most beautiful land in the Triangle.
Huge thanks to the Pittsboro campus of Central Carolina Community
College for hosting Ride for the Land this year.  Thanks also to Rives
Chapel Baptist Church, The Golf Zone of Siler City, and the Andrew
family of Silk Hope for hosting Rest Stops.
Speaking of Rest Stops, Ride for the Land would be a great opportunity
for Chatham individuals, civic organization or church groups to get
involved with TLC by volunteering to help out at one of our Rest Stops.
We provide everything needed; you provide the support and smiles!  We
also still need some volunteers for registration, pre-ride hospitality,
and post-ride hospitality.  Please contact me by email
(doug@triangleland.org) or phone (919-833-3662 ext 102) to volunteer.
Response to the ride this year has been our strongest yet, and we expect
a 300 rider sell-out.  In fact, we have just a few spots left, so if you
want to ride with us, register today at www.triangleland.org/rfl.

Doug Nicholas
Director of Communications
doug@triangleland.org
833-3662 x102
www.triangleland.org

Triangle Land Conservancy: Growing deep connections between people and the natural world.

Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:25:37 -0400
From: Debbie Roos
Subject: photos Holly Hill Dayliliy Farm

Now is a great time to visit Chatham County’s Holly Hill Daylily Farm – they are open weekends throughout June and July so you have four more weekends to visit!

I just posted some photos from a recent trip on the Growing Small Farms website at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/hollyhilljune09.html

Chapel Hill Magazine recently did an article about Holly Hill which you can see on-line at http://www.chapelhillmagazine.com/blog/2009/6/24/discovering-chatham-holly-hill-daylily-farm.html

It is always fun to visit Jim and there is so much more to see than daylilies – he has folk art, lovely gardens, all kinds of chickens…

Support our local growers and beautify your garden!

Debbie

Debbie Roos
Agricultural Extension Agent
Chatham County Center
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
919.542.8202
http://www.growingsmallfarms.org/

Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:36:35 -0400
From: Debbie Roos
Subject: photos of farm-to-fork picnics

Hi everyone,

I posted a few photos of the recent Farm-to-Fork picnic on Cooperative Extension’s Growing Small Farms website at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/farmtofork.html

You can also see photos from the 2007 picnic with Carlo Petrini.

Several Chatham farms are featured.

Debbie

Debbie Roos
Agricultural Extension Agent
Chatham County Center
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
919.542.8202
www.growingsmallfarms.org

Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:23:31 -0400
From: Mike Fox
Subject: message for chatlisters who post items also for sale on craigslist

If you’re going to mention that your item is on craiglist, you might want to provide a direct link to the craigslist post.

When you say you have, for example, a Honda Accord and we can look on craiglist for pix but you don’t give a link, your potential buyers go to craigslist and search for Honda Accords.  Not only is it annoying to have to wade through 50 other Honda Accords for sale to find yours, but I’m not sure that re making people examine  50 of your direct competitors to find your listing is a good marketing strategy.

Just a suggestion.

Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:32:55 -0400
From: mary
Subject: new post re Chiropractors

I have worked at a Chiropractors office and yes BCBS does cover Chiropractic services if he or she is in network. They have to be credentialed through BCBS.

Every insurance even Medicare covers Chiropractic to some degree if they participate with the company. Dr Hecht and Dr. Taylor in Chapel Hill take BCBS/State. They are in Timberlyne Place.

Mary

Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:28:17 -0400
From: Darcey Moore
Subject: Response to NHS Booster Club

Kathy Morris

I am the current VP for NHS athletic boosters club. NHS Athletic Boosters does not have a phone soliciting campaign going on. We do not solicit funds from local business by phone. We believe in face to face conversations with the business owners in our community to ask for their support of our student athletes. We do appreciate your support in the past. We look forward to a long lasting relationship with our community in the future to help provide the athletes at NHS all the tools they need to be successful.

Thank you for your support

Harvey Skinner
Northwood High School
Head Softball Coach
Boosters Club VP

Also, NHS Boosters will provide written receipts in person when a donation is given.  Please contact us if you have any other problems or questions.  Thank you.

Darcey Moore President, Booster Club

Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:49:55 -0400
From: Kim Calhoun
Subject: PBO Community House Looking Good: Let’s Dance!

I was delighted to hear (and see thanks to the link with photos) about the new renovations at the PBO Community House.

I really look forward to enjoying the beautifications at the next PBO Community DANCE Jam on AUGUST 22nd (we’ve been organizing these all ages Dances at the Community House every other month since November).  Hope to see ya’ll there!

And, on SEPTEMBER 6th, I’ll be offering a Partner Massage Playshop at the PBO Community House (details in a separate message).

Thanks to all who are helping in the efforts to provide a welcoming space for the community to come together, celebrate, and share!

Happy Summer~
Kim Calhoun

p.s. I found out that way back when my dad, Ronny Calhoun, was in high school, he would drop my Grandma Margie at the PBO Community House for guitar lessons.

It would be interesting to hear all the stories (and pictures) about how this building has been utilized through the years.

Chatlist #3448
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:23:23 -0400
From: “Paul Horne
Subject: Pittsboro Community House Improvements

The Pittsboro Parks Blog has a few new posts about renovations at the Pittsboro Community House:

http://pboparks.blogspot.com/

Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:10:02 -0500
From: Tom Glendinning
Subject: Driving

This controversial topic has raised comments.

The NC driving regulations were changed to accommodate drivers who drive slowly in the left lane.  It is now legal to pass on the right, whereas this move was not permitted years ago.  Legislators and patrolmen throwing up hands saying ‘problem solved.’

However the habit is justified, driving in the left lane is discourteous, unsafe and, should I say, passive-aggressive.  But, then, that is the nature of NC driving habits in general.  I agree with John Grimes on his solution.

On the other hand, the drivers who speed, tailgate and pass without safety precautions are more dangerous.  The speed of traffic along 15-501 before four lances was 55 mph.  Now, travelling 60 is slow.  And both of these behaviors appear to be OK with troopers.

Driving in midwest and northeastern states is much more pleasant and safe, even if the speeds are high.  Drivers do yield without tailgating or flashing lights to cars travelling faster and approaching from behind.  There is a courtesy afforded on four lanes and Interstates.

As to Meg’s comment on offensive posts, we are also ‘hosts’ here.  We no longer need approval to be here.  We are Americans, taxpayers, workers and citizens of Chatham and N.C.  Your forebearers sold the land to us.  This friction is the result of differences in social mores, interraction norms and, yes, driving habits.

The only issues I present is for everyone to be more courteous, safe, and considerate on the road, at public meetings and on this chatlist.

Tired of the Cold WOWAH, the recent upleasantness,

Tom Glendinning

Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:18:44 -0400
From: Mark Stinson
Subject: My Daughter

My daughter Chelsie was accepted to UNCG. She graduated as an Honor Graduate, North Carolina State Scholar with Beta club and Avid under her belt and participation in volleyball and soft ball from Chatham Central High School. She was one of only 15 students in the senior class to do so this year.

I have never pushed her to get good grades. I simply taught her that a good education will open doors for her  through her entire life. An education is an investment no stock market crash will reduce or wipe out. If your educated you have the tools you need to survive and adapt to ever changing situations. I taught her that there are always possibilities and she did all the hard work. She stayed up all hours of the night studying and pushing herself to excel in school and become educated to a level where she could progress to a higher education in college. She did this all on her own and she has received several scholarships with  a full ride through college. All I have to do is fill in the gaps and see she has the things she needs her scholarships wont cover.  I am so very proud of her.

Every parent is proud of their child and we all brag on them but what makes her so different is she went from being average in school to well above average on her own. My oldest son soaks up stuff like a sponge with a 100 average in Biology but Chelsie doesn’t she is like the rest of us in the respect she has to struggle and work so hard to achieve what others come by easily. This is why I am so very proud of her. She uses 100% of her abilities to better herself and always has time for others. As a parent you want your child to have every chance in life to be happy. I’m not so worried about her as I know she has the tools she needs to survive.  There are other kids out there that didn’t make it to the top 15 that worked equally as hard and from a parent that has seen what’s possible I am as proud of them too.

Its one thing to applaud the ones that are at the top but sometimes its the ones in the middle that have shown the most advancement and dedication. Its the students that went from a barely passing grade to B’s and C’s with hours and hours of dedication that will always do well in life.  These kids know and appreciate the benefits of their hard work and are not afraid to put enormous effort into succeeding.  Its those same work ethics and dedication that will carry my daughter far in life.  I am so very proud of her and I love my little girl more than anything. She is a young woman now but will always be my little girl to me

I had to brag ,, I just couldn’t help myself !!!

Goodnite Mark

Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:06:35 -0400
From: Laura Young
Subject: Re: Chatham Chatlist #3445 Poison Ivy

I had a very bad experience with poison ivy.  It looked like I had 3rd degree burns,  My mom bought me 4 quarts of honey suppposedly made from poison ivy.  I still get it occasionally but not nearly as severe.  I also take Vitamin C and Bioflavinoids when I expect to be exposed or have been exposed.

If  it works to use honey or milk from any animal who consumed our local poison ivy, it would be another reason to buy local.
Laura

Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:29:00 -0400
From: Donna Kelly
Subject: that chiropracter isn’t participating in their network

While I also have a number of concerns about Blue Cross I did want to clarify a point made in the last chat list.

If Blue Cross won’t cover the treatment by a local chiropracter it’s because that chiropracter isn’t participating in their network.  This is true for any type of doctor, most Blue Cross plans only have in-network coverage. Until very recently Blue Cross had the lowest reimbursement rate of any insurance plan for chiropracters, even lower than Medicare, and requires them to belong to a network that takes a percentage of that reimbursement. So that may explain why some local chiropracters don’t participate with Blue Cross.

Dr. Edward C. Raymond at Chatham Chiropractic Center in Pittsboro does participate with Blue Cross and has many Blue Cross patients, including State Health Plan patients.

Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 10:19:46 -0400
From: Victoria Thomas
Subject: State Plan is Self-Funded

Unfortunately, health care is costly and confusing.  The main reason our costs are so high is that 80% of the issues we face are Preventable. Obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes (90-95% are type 2). Lifestyle is the cause.

What most folks may not realize is, the state health plan is self-funded. Which also means the states sets the design of the plan.  If generic drugs are required -The state designed that as part of their plan.  If local chiropractors treatment is not covered, that is part of the state design.

The traditional (not self-funded) BCBS plans do cover local chiropractors and well as any drugs the docs prescribe – generics or otherwise. In addition, BCBS also offers free generics through June.  And any generic drug for BP, cholesteral, congestive heart failure or diabetes is free indefinitely.  The goal being to keep people taking their meds and stay healthy.  Subscribers can also visit a licensed dietician, or nutritionist for Free – 6 visits.

So the issue of what is covered or not is actually with the State, not BCBS.

Victoria Thomas
Forrester & Associates
Employee Benefits and Consulting

Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:44:44 -0400
From: Joy Hewett
Subject: Blue Cross and local health care?

Blue Cross is the required health insurer for state employees, yet it won’t cover the treatment by? local chiropracters who contribute to the local economy and it requires generics that are not regulated as well as prescription drugs. Instead, our required contributions to this big insurance company go to:

a. pay the CEO a million dollar bonus

b. pay Ms. Easley’s enormous salary at NC State before she got fired due to scandal

c. pay for PR to try to defeat the national health care plan.

If we had sliding scale clinics in the counties, we could have everyone receiving basic health care, and Chatham county nurses and medical assistants and doctors being employed. Insurance companies, even when they claim to be “not for profit” become profiteers taking money from local coffers.

Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:17:34 -0400
From: Kathy Morris
Subject: “School Booster”  rip-off?

Has any other local business owner experienced a problem with this outfit?

Some time ago,   I was called by someone claiming to represent Northwood High School,  asking if I wanted to place an ad on their 2009 Spring Sports Poster.    I’ve done similar local advertising in the past,  but I explained to the caller that times were tight and I was not interested this time.

Not long after,   I received a letter from “School Booster Co”  asking me to approve my ad before their printing deadline.    I called the number on the letter and told them that I had not placed an ad and did not wish to change my mind.    They apologized for their mistake and agreed to “cancel the order”.

Then,  several weeks later,   I got a bill from them for an ad.    I threw it out.   Now,  I’ve gotten a  pestering notice about my “unpaid account”.    I called again,  and was told by someone in heavily accented English that the account would be cancelled.    I asked to have that in writing,  no later than Friday (June 19).    She asked for my fax number and promised I’d get a written notice.    Today’s  the 19th;   I’ve received nothing.

This sounds like one of two things:   Either this is a legitimate company who does a sorry job of keeping up with orders  (if so,  why in the world is Northwood dealing with an outfit from Albuquerque, NM to solicit ads from local businesses??),    or it’s a ripoff outfit who’s matching up high schools and local businesses out of a phone book or some online directory.   Either way,   it’s soured me on responding favorably to /any/ telephone solicitation for advertising,  even if it claims to be  for something local that I’d otherwise be willing to support.

Kathy Morris
February Associates, Inc.

Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:42:49 EDT
From: Kathy Gaddis
Subject: Sue Wilson she is great

www.SueWilsonDulcimer.com

Sue Wilson is great , She plays for some very special people at Careview Resthome in Snow Camp , we love her and the music is superb, her music  is outstanding ,You want be disappointed.

Kathy Gaddis

Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:38:57 -0400
From: leela ellis
Subject: Left Turns on 15-501

As you drive along 15-501 between CVS and Pittsboro, count the number of exits to the left.  There is a WHOLE BUNCH OF LEFT TURNS.

A driver who needs to turn left, has to drive in the left lane in order to do so.  And yes, that driver has to slow down before making the turn.  One of the things I really like about Chatham County is that most folks are very aware of this, and are kind and make the necessary lane adjustments.

Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:30:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jenn
Subject: M/D comment

Meg,

That just went too far! You want to talk about other people offending you. What goes around comes around and you shouldn’t even be on or read the chatlist. I can’t believe you would even say something like that period. This is a free country and that is wonderful but there is also a thing called common courtesy towards others. It is people like you that are the problem. You are generalizing and discriminating against others and it’s just not right. People are people, I don’t care what color or where you are from. Some are jerks and some aren’t. Yes, I am originally from up north and I have been here for 9 years with my husband who is from here. I pay taxes just like anyone else and have the right to say what I want, but I do have respect for others unlike you. If you have such a problem with yankees you can come hang out at my house! You may just change your mind.

Jennifer Ryan

919-663-0866 call me anytime to hang out!!!!

Meg wrote: ” As far as there not being a M-D line in heaven, for the sake of my dear departed grandma, I hope you are wrong.
She would surely choose hell over mingling with Yankees, even in paradise.”

From: Meg Miller
Subject: Who said anything about Mason/Dixon?

Actually, I don’t remember referring to the M-D line or saying where “you folks” originated.  I’m referring to the people who decide to come here, for what ever reason, and then complain about it.  They can be from Katmandu for all I know.  It doesn’t matter what direction they came from.  It is rude to go anywhere, like we Americans tend do all over the world and expound that, for whatever reason, where you came from does something better.<br>Adapt, accept or go back where you find things more to your liking.  That was my message to “you folks”.<br><br>As far as there not being a M-D line in heaven, for the sake of my dear departed grandma, I hope you are wrong.<br>She would surely choose hell over mingling with Yankees, even in paradise..

Just setting the record straight,
Meg

Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:09:30 EDT
From: Jones Park
Subject: Clarification and then no comment

I believe my comments about First Citizens were misinterpreted.   If you are traveling and the credit card  accepts your charges, then  why not let you know if there is potential cancellation, especially if you are  someone who has always paid on time.

May I suggest for fun, an  afternoon at the new Branch, listening to the blathering explanations  people receive to their questions. It is a good afternoon’s laugh and laughing  is good for the soul in this economy.  Quality service always depends  on the individual on the other side of the telephone, desk, or cash  register and hopefully the person being served will be  respectful. Kindness and good will should extend even in  banking.

J

Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:56:13 -0400 (EDT)
From: carole henry
Subject: 15-501 driving

Not only do they think the speed limit is suppose to be the minimum speed, they tail gate cars going 60 mph and over in the left lane.  All kinds including woman with children in the cars, speeding and tailgating at high speeds while talking on the phone as well as texting.

You should see them, where it says reduced speed at Cole Park Plaza intersection. (45mph)  They can not seem to compute it in their little brains. Now, can you all imagine these same drivers with one or more drinks in them.

The shame of it is, when you go the speed limit AND stay in the right lane, you risk these morons rear ending you because they are not paying attention to what they are doing.

You have to ask yourself why they are doing it. Not because they get were ever they are going faster as with each light, there they are. Its because there are no consequences and they have a total disregard for others on the road.  There is a large dump truck that constantly runs the red stop light turning north onto 15-501 at the corner of the Harris-Teeter shopping center in the am. One of these days, he is going to do it to someone who is texting and doing 70mph. Have seen cars swing around him making the cars in the left lane have to brake. This is the norm. Sad isn’t it, when we have an oil problem and oil men who love to take advantage of people wasting this counties resources to up the price of gasoline. Why not make a profit off stupidity.

C

Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:29:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jennifer Gillis
Subject: Need a time out?

People, people, people. . .what flew up your britches??!! Really, it’s getting to the point that a person has to put on a suit of armor before reading the chatlist anymore. Can’t we get back to requests and recommendations instead of all these mean-spirited recriminations? Sheesh!! Go on, drive in the left-hand lane to the nearest place that accepts Plentys and have yourselves a big ol’ mixed drink, for goodness sake.

Jennifer