Don’t miss the Carrboro Elementary School Fair tomorrow, May 11, 2013, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at Carrboro Elementary School, rain or shine! For over 30 years, this has been one of the best community events in Carrboro, NC, and it just gets better every year!

Last year, the Carrboro Elementary School Fair was held on May 5, 2012, and my daughter, alias “Zoomer” and I couldn’t wait to go! When we arrived, my jaw literally dropped when I saw children sledding down the hill on powdery snow in May! It was easily 90 degrees F and 99% humidity outside, so the only ice I expected to see there would have just been in the form of snow cones. Zoomer was so excited to see the snow because we had such a mild winter here last winter, she did not get a chance to go sledding, nor play in the snow even once. She ran up the hill and was about to hop right onto a sledding disk when all of a sudden she spotted the huge Castle Bouncy House –  her all-time favorite fair activity. So we bought a bunch of tickets that were only $.25 each and started off our fun with some bouncing.

There were over 25 booths and games set up, including: Silly String Fights, a Dunk Tank where children got a chance to dunk their teachers, Miniature Golf, Soccer, Basketball, Dancing, Face Painting, Hair Dyeing, Free Children’s Books, Temporary Tattoos and impressive demonstrations from United Tae Kwon Do and the Bouncing Bulldogs Jump Rope Team, who are 7-time National Champions. Refreshments included typical fair treats like cotton candy, hot dogs, pizza, popcorn and yes, snow cones. Delicious Mexican food was also available. There was a raffle, a silent auction for over fifty different gift certificates and prizes donated by local merchants, and for the first time this year, Carrboro Elementary School teachers auctioned off “Teacher Treats” where students will get to spend time with their teachers away from school and do fun things like grab lunch together, see a movie or learn how to Salsa dance — no homework included!

Fortunately, the rain held off so the Fair was packed with families and participants young and old. Every game was designed to be “A Winner Every Time” so my 3 year-old daughter was actually able to play them all and win prizes. Even with the huge crowd in attendance, the Carrboro Elementary PTA had obviously planned everything out to the very last detail, and with the help of numerous volunteers, the lines were never too long and the festive spirit of the day was contagious. The Chapel Hill/Carrboro Community all came out to have a great time together, and we ran into many friends, several of whom attended Chapel Hill High School with me back in the day, including Erin Baldwin, author of The Big Fun Guide to Tar Heel Country and her two beautiful carrot-topped kids.

All the proceeds earned go directly towards supporting Carrboro Elementary School and its students. Not only is this Fair an exceptionally fun event, but it contributes to our wonderful Chapel Hill/Carrboro Public School System and the education of our local children. So just like all the games at the Carrboro Elementary School Fair, everyone wins!

For more information about the Carrboro Elementary School Fair this year, visit: https://sites.google.com/a/chccs.k12.nc.us/carrboropta

Carrboro Day is today, May 5, 2013 from 1- 6 pm at the Town Commons! (Or Century Center, if it rains.) Now in its 18th year, Carrboro Day is one of the most festive celebrations in a town that knows how to throw a great party. Don’t miss it!

Carrboro Day is held every first Sunday in May from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm in the Carrboro Town Commons (or the Century Center, if it rains), and it celebrates all things Carrboro. The Carrboro Day Philosophy, as adopted by the Carrboro Board of Alderman on December 6, 1994 states, “As Carrboro grows in population and its boundaries expand, its citizens need opportunities to enlarge their circle of acquaintances… Carrboro Day will offer an opportunity for the people to meet and celebrate living together in Carrboro. This day will be modeled after the small town homecomings once common in the United States, and the festivals in Europe, which were started for religious purposes but now have evolved into community celebrations…”

In other words, Carrboro Day it is one big Carrboro Love Fest, full of family fun, live music, old Carrboro stories and historical photos, poetry readings, dancing, interactive field games, crafts, and of course, hula hooping!

The Carrboro Day schedule this year is extra fun and exciting! The ArtsCenter has partnered with the festival, bringing a Spring Craft Fair to the festival that will feature a variety of handmade items for sale by local artists including jewelry, pottery, apparel, accessories, soap, toys, and more! Other highlights of Carrboro Day include food trucks, Friends of the Library Book Sale, family arts & crafts, a Carrboro Garden Club Plant Giveaway, live craft demonstrations, historical presentations, free children’s yoga, and family games. The musical lineup this year is extraordinary, including: The Onyx Club Boys, Youth Talent Show Winners, Gmish, Justin Johnson, and Katharine Whalen, lead singer of The Squirrel Nuts Zippers. A complete schedule of this year’s events can be found here: www.carrboroday.com/schedule2013.html. Please note: No Parking will be allowed within the Town Hall, Town Commons/Farmers’ Market and Laurel Ave. However, on-street Parking is available at Fidelity Street.

My daughter “Zoomer” and I attended last year’s Carrboro Day and we had a wonderful time! Zoomer was barely three years old then, but she really enjoyed the sandboxes, the clown making balloon animals, the bean bag toss, the variety of musical performances, and especially the craft table they had set up for all to enjoy.

What I remember most about Carrboro Day is the feeling of love for our town that saturated the warm, spring air. Everyone who came out to celebrate that day were all smiles and hugs, literally beaming with joy as we all honored this special town, as one unified and proud community. One family I spoke with at the festival were just visiting from South Carolina for the weekend, and told me that because of Carrboro Day, they had just decided to relocate to Carrboro! Clearly, this kind of fun can be a life-changing experience!

So bring your kids, your smile, (hula hoops will be provided), and come play with other revelers who share our love for the Paris of the Piedmont. We are extremely fortunate to live here, and Carrboro Day perfectly exemplifies the many reasons Carrboro, North Carolina has become such a special place in the hearts of its inhabitants, its next-door neighbors in Chapel Hill, and visitors passing through. See you there!

For more information about Carrboro Day, visit: www.carrboroday.com or contact Rah Trost at the Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department by emailing RecParks@townofcarrboro.org or calling (919) 918-7364. 

Maple Spring Gardens, 9812 Allison Road, Cedar Grove, NC

Chapel Hill in April is a colorful wonderland of blossoming flowers and bright green leaves. One of the best ways to celebrate Spring’s renewal is to visit our local farms by taking the 18th Annual Piedmont Farm Tour!

On Saturday, April 27 & Sunday, April 28, 2012 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, thirty-nine farms on the outskirts of town will be opening their doors, well, just their fields to the general public. This is the perfect weekend event for family and friends, and each farm is planning on hosting fun activities for visitors! This is also the perfect opportunity to select a local CSA, as many of the participating farms below are also CSAs. Remember to bring along a cooler (or two!), as many farms will have fresh produce and farm products for sale on site.

For just $25 a carload in advance, ($30 at the farm), you can choose which farms you would like to visit over the two day, self-guided tour. Alternatively, you can spend $10 per car, per farm. Biking groups of two to twenty bikers count as one car. This is a tax deductible donation that benefits the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, a non-profit organization whose mission is dedicated to helping “people in the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic foods by advocating for fair farm and food policies, building the systems sustainable family farms need to thrive, and educating and organizing communities about organic farming.”

Volunteers are welcome, and attend the Farm Tour for free, and get a free T-shirt! If you would like to volunteer, email Fred: fred@carolinafarmstewards.org.

This tour is co-sponsored by Weaver Street Market, where you can purchase Farm Tour Admission buttons in advance and pick up a free Farm Tour Guide booklet at any of their locations. Or you can download the Piedmont Farm Tour Map 2013 (PDF) by clicking here. Click here for: More Information, to view an Interactive Farm Tour Google Map, and to Purchase Buttons Online.

Here is an alphabetical list of the participating farms:

1. Avillion Farm: 4737 Shanklins Dead End Rd, Efland
   Our farm is home to fiber-producing livestock – Shetland, Jacob sheep for wool, Angora goats for mohair and Angora rabbits for angora. Fiber from our livestock is processed and blended into roving for spinning and felting and yarns for knitting and crochet. There will be energetic lambs & goat kids to see and angora rabbits to touch and admire. Watch fiber being spun into yarn by hand and learn how natural animal fibers are produced and processed. See our composting system for rabbit manure. http://www.avillionfarm.com
2. Benjamin Vineyards & Winery: 6516 Whitney Rd, Graham
   Come see the sustainable practices and unique trellising we use to grow Muscadine grapes, as well as French and French hybrid wine grapes. Enjoy a wine tasting in the winery, see our wine-making equipment, and tour the vineyard with the winemaker/grape grower. Shop for jellies, juice, cheeses, wine and wine accessories in our gift shop. www.benjaminvineyards.com
   
3. Boxcarr Farms: 2207 Carr Store Rd, Cedar Grove
   We are a family of chefs, artists, and artisans who started a small farm. We are now entering our third year farming. Our catering business and food truck, Local in Motion, is our way of getting the freshest food from our farm and neighboring farms straight to you. You can visit our farm to see the animals and crops, and then relax while you enjoy the delicious food at tables or bring a blanket for a picnic. (919) 732-9078, www.boxcarrfarms.com
4. Cane Creek Farm / Braeburn Farm: 1203 Longest Acre Rd, Snow Camp
   Situated next door to each other, both farms share many acres of pasture, housing several hundred pigs of multiple breeds, grass-fed New Zealand Red Devon cattle, chickens, ducks, donkeys, goats, sheep, and turkeys. We will have walking tours and hayrides to different outer points so that you can learn about our intense multi-species rotational grazing.  The farm store will be open, so bring your coolers. www.canecreekfarm.us, www.braeburnfarms.com
5. Captain J. S. Pope Farm: 6909 Efland-Cedar Grove Rd, Cedar Grove
   Tour the historic farm that has been in the family for over 200 years and see farming as it was and the evolution from tobacco. Guided tour of the 150 year old farm house focusing on family history and farm life. Lamb Burgers and Lamb Brats will be served each day at noon. A five course wine dinner will be served in the farm house at 7pm on the evening of the 27th. Reservations at (919) 621-1150, www.dorperscedargrovenc.com
   
6. Cedar Grove Windy Hill Farm – NEW!: 1319 Carr Store Road, Cedar Grove
   Come see our scenic and historic farm dating back to at least the early 1800s. You will enjoy meeting our friendly goats (learn about hoof trimming and try your hands at milking). You may see the guineas as they skitter about the farm. Learn about management-intensive pasture-raised cattle, honeybees, blueberries, figs, pears, muscadine grapes, and the 6.48 kW solar array. We are committed to having a sustainable and carbon-neutral farm. Goat milk soap, honey, and lemonade for sale. cedargrovewindyhillfarm@gmail.com
7. Celebrity Dairy: 198 Celebrity Dairy Way, Siler City
   Changes are happening toward Celebrity Dairy’s goal to start an “Incubator Farm”. The irrigation pond site has been cleared and the dam may be under construction (we are writing this in early February). Next will be the location of the communal prepping area and storage of equipment to be shared. If you are needing a place to farm and have a plan, take this as an opportunity to discuss possibilities of being involved in this project with Brit, Fleming or John. (919) 742-5176, www.celebritydairy.com
8. Chapel Hill Creamery: 615 Chapel Hill Creamery Rd, Chapel Hill
   Our contented Jersey cows graze lush pastures in a comfortable, low stress environment. Take a draft horse hayride, see calves kick up their heels,  and watch pigs slurp whey. Taste our cheeses and our new sausages. Bring a blanket and enjoy cheeses as you watch the cows ruminate. Bring a cooler so you can buy cheese and sausage! portiamcknight@bellsouth.net
9. Coon Rock Farm: 1021 Dimmocks Mill Rd, Hillsborough
   Coon Rock Farm is a sustainable family farm providing garden crops and pasture raised antibiotic and hormone free chicken, eggs, pigs, lamb and goat on 55 acres nestled along a bend in the Eno River just outside of Hillsborough, NC. We concentrate on sustainably and bio-dynamically taking care of the land while letting it take care of us. Our vegetables are mostly heirloom varieties and raised without chemicals of any kind. Our animals are pastured raised and grass fed and never given antibiotics or hormones. Our chickens are heritage breeds that provide both meat and eggs and are completely free range. We have cover crops, hoop houses, organic soil, weed and insect management, water saving methods, heritage breed and pastured animals, bees and wildlife habitat. http://www.coonrockfarm.com
10. Dancing Pines Farm: 3606 Buckhorn Rd, Efland
    Come see our small-scale, chemical-free produce farm. Phase two of our new post-harvest structure is complete! We grow year-round with our two hoop houses and sell at the Chapel Hill Farmer’s Market, restaurants, and small-scale grocery stores. (919) 563-3430, www.dancingpinesfarm.com and on Facebook.
11. Eco Farm: 2501 Butler Rd, Chapel Hill
    Come visit our family farm, roam our vegetable fields, pick some strawberries,learn how to inoculate shiitake logs or hang out with our hogs. www.ecofarmnc.com, ecofarmnc@gmail.com,
    eco farm on Facebook.
12. Ever Laughter Farm: 2921 Open Lane, Hillsborough
    Come see our farm developing according to a “permaculture” master plan. In its fifth year, this farm uses sustainable methods to grow a wide variety of vegetables for market year-round. Laying hens rotate on pasture and honeybees enjoy a variety of flowers. An innovative greenhouse keeps transplants (and residents) warm in cold weather by banking solar heat inside the farmhouse. (919) 619-7049 http://everlaughterfarm.com
13. Fickle Creek Farm: 4122 Buckhorn Rd, Efland
    Something for everyone! Eggmobiles, sheep & lambs, steers, pastured pigs, Freedom Ranger broilers, ducks, Great Pyrenees livestock guard dogs, market garden. Self-guided tour on agroforestry, cover crops, grazing animals, and sustainable farming. Gather your own eggs! Food Truck both days. Pork, Beef, Lamb, Chicken, Eggs, and Produce to purchase and take home. Se habla espanol. On parle francais. ficklecreek@gmail.com, http://ficklecreekfarm.com
14. Flat River Nursery & Farm: 1548 Holeman Ashley Rd, Timberlake
    Family farm since 1700s. See greenhouse tomatoes, cukes, bedding plants, hanging baskets, herbs, beneficial insects, and bumble bee pollination. Pick your own strawberries. (336) 364-2460  frn@esinc.net
15. Four Leaf Farm: 6815 Bill Poole Rd, Rougemont
    Four Leaf Farm has 1/4 acre of intensively planted permanent raised beds, two greenhouses, active composting, perennial gardens, plant nursery, a small laying flock, shiitake mushroom logs and a kiwi vine. We will have annual and perennial plants for sale. (919) 644-6535,  fourleaffarm@gmail.com, www.fourleaffarm.org
16. Granite Springs Farm – NEW!: 266 Granite Springs Road, Pittsboro
    We are in our 5th year of growing vegetables and pastured laying hens. Come meet our chickens! Plus, check out our greenhouse, 95 foot long hoop house, and field production. Learn about our delicious oyster mushrooms, grown on straw in bags and suspended in the air! We are forming an intentional agrarian community on our 140 acres. Visitors can learn about the vision and plans for this vibrant new community. (919) 542-2982, Farm@granitespringsfarm.com, www.granitespringsfarm.com
17. Harlands Creek Farm: 97 Plantation Drive, Pittsboro
    National Historic site growing certified organic produce, flowers, herbs, and pasture-raised chicken. Box lunches prepared by Angelina’s Kitchen will be sold Saturday. Order at our website. Also see our greenhouse and two high tunnels. Our “parterre,” a geometric garden, should be in bloom with heirloom bulbs. We sell at the Durham Farmer’s Market and through several CSAs. www.harlands-creek-farm.com
    
18. Herb Haven: 7729 McBane Mill Rd, Graham
    Herb Haven is a 6-acre botanical sanctuary dedicated to the growing, rehabilitation, preservation and usage of over 60 medicinal plants easily grown in the Piedmont. Come visit our large herb garden and apothecary. Learn to incorporate these medicinal plants into your landscape. http://www.herbhaven.com
    
19. Iron Gate Winery: 2540 Lynch Store Rd., Mebane
    The winery is situated on 60 acres north of Mebane.  Visitors will see how an old tobacco farm has been turned into 8 acres of vineyards. Come see our beautiful animals (fainting goats, chickens, Belgian draft horses, barn cats and dogs Bo, Merlot and Sadie.) www.irongatevineyards.com
20. Maple Spring Gardens: 9812 Allison Rd, Cedar Grove
    In business since 1984, Maple Spring Gardens produces over 100 varieties of vegetables, herbs, berries, and cut flowers on what was once a worn-out tobacco farm. Greenhouse, unheated high tunnel and field production. Check out our ginger and shiitake mushrooms and the new solar array to offset some of the fam’s electrical usage.  Produce is sold at the Carrboro and Durham Farmers’ Markets, Weaver Street Market in Hillsborough and through our CSA. www.maplespringgardens.com, On Facebook at Maple Spring Gardens, LLC
21. Millarckee Farm: 6833 Bethel South Fork Rd, Snow Camp
    Millarckee Farm has been growing vegetables organically for 25+ years. The efficient bed/path/crop rotational system has allowed farmers to reduce outside inputs like manure, minerals and gas.
    
22. Minka Farm: 120 Minka Farm Ln, Efland
    There’s always something new at Minka Farm! Self-guided tour about our many animals, pasture management, pond health, our new hatchery, how our new meat goats will control weeds, and more. Don’t forget to tour the orchard! We’ll have chicks to cuddle, calves to admire, and many other animals to meet. Bring a cooler and stock up on dry-aged, grassfed beef! www.minkafarm.com
23. Perry-winkle Farm: 1061 White Cross Rd, Chapel Hill
    Come see fields of sustainably-grown vegetables, cutflowers, pastured poultry in “Egg-mobiles” and “Chicken Tractors” and pigs plowing up organic matter. Check out our Hebel Block passive solar greenhouse, while tasting Chicken Bridge Bakery’s wares fresh from a wood-fired bread oven. perrywinklefarm@aol.com
24. Piedmont Biofarm: Screech Owl Greenhouse, 192 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
    Visit Doug Jones’s year-round vegetable, crop research, and seed production farm, as well as Screech Owl’s hydroponic produce greenhouse.   Doug’s farm features movable catepillar tunnels.  Also see the new solar double cropping — solar panels mixed with shade crop production. Screech is growing salad mix, tomatoes, cukes, parsley and peppers year-round, using used motor oil. Donations of oil welcome. (919) 389-8643, www.piedmontbiofarm.blogspot.com, or Facebook.
25. Pine Knot Farm: 8906 Hester Rd, Hurdle Mills
    Third generation minority farmer raising certified organic vegetables:  sweet potatoes, soybeans, collards, cabbage, kale and turnip greens. Pastured-raised poultry and pork. 20 acres of organic tobacco, sold to Sante Fe Natural Tobacco Company.  (919) 644-3276, leachlinda14@yahoo.com
    
26. W C Breeze Family Farm Ag Ext & Research Center: 4909 Walnut Grove Church Road, Hurdle Mill
    Come see how we grow vegetables and new farmers! Rooted in an 8-week workshop series offered each winter, beginning farmers learn skills and then lease land to start their own farm businesses. Check out our two new hoop houses and meet our enterprising farmers. (919) 245-2050, carl_matyac@ncsu.edu http://www.orangecountyfarms.org/PLANTatBreeze.asp
    
27. Saxapahaw Village Farm: 6042 Swepsonville-Saxapahaw Road, Graham
    Come see a rainbow flock of heritage hens; follow Jersey cows and two rare breeds of sheep in an elaborate pasture dance. Enjoy dairy calves frolicking alongside their mamas. Hear about the locally milled, organic feed for our layers, broilers and pigs. (919) 525-6027
28. Spence’s Educational Farm: 6407 Mill House Rd, Chapel Hill
    This family-friendly farm features beautiful pastures, horse rides and lots of chickens and goats. See how we grow fruits and vegetables, and take care of our wonderful animals. Visit our woodshop and pottery house. Spence’s embraces a world where we all connect to each other, Nature and our food sources. www.spensesfarm.com
29. The Student Farm at CCCC: 764 West St, Pittsboro
    Visitors will tour vegetable production areas, learn about organic production practices that include crop rotation, cover-cropping and incorporating livestock into the field rotation. Organically raised vegetable transplants will be available for sale. Various on-farm energy production features will be part of the tour. rkoha065@cccc.edu, www.cccc.edu/green
30. Sunset Farms: 6225 N Carolina 49, Burlington
    We are a multi-generational, naturally grown produce and pasture-based livestock farm. We are working with animal and crop rotations to produce a “closed-loop” sustainable farm. Stop by and see free-ranging poultry, intensively-grazed beef, and a wide variety of vegetable crops. (336) 662-5487 http://ncsunsetfarms.com
31. Sunset Ridge Buffalo Farm: 465 Yarborough Rd, Roxboro
    Take a narrated covered wagon tour of scenic rolling pastures where grass-fed buffalo roam. See NC’s second largest bison herd at this seventh generation family farm – mature breeding bulls, cows, calves, majestic symbols of America. Bison lunch on sale at beautiful lakeside gazebo noon to 3 pm. Bring a cooler and purchase dry-aged bison burger, steaks, sausages, roasts and more. (336) 583-6666, buffalojack7@gmail.com, www.SunsetRidgeBuffalo.com
32. Timberwood Organics: 4619 Timberwood Trail, Efland
    Certified organic family-owned farm producing quality produce and herbs since 1989 for sale at the Carrboro Farmers Market, CSA, restaurants, and stores. Delicious homemade breads, snacks, and produce will be available for sale. (919) 563-9464, www.timberwoodorganics.com
33. Transplanting Traditions Community Farm: 2912 B Jones Ferry Rd, Chapel Hill
    Transplanting Traditions Community Farm is a 3 acre educational farm that works specifically with the Karen Burmese refugee community. This farm grows crops known to N.C. but also specializes in tropical Asian crops specific to Burma including many kinds of herbs, gourds, turmeric, ginger and galangal. Come taste ethnic Karen food and buy seedlings for your own garden. (919) 967-9091, KOwensby@OrangeSmartStart.org
34. Turtle Run Farm: 5776 Rumley Rd, Graham
    Raised bed vegetable operation, worm composting demo, cultured alfalfa fertilizer demo, cypress greenhouse, pioneer cabin, spring fed pond, garden plant sale including our delicious tomato “Little Cherokee”, the use-yer-foot handwash factory, and bring or borrow a fishing pole, there are too many fish in the pond. www.useyerfoot.com
35. Two Chicks Farm: 3800 Mallory Ct, Hillsborough (located at end of street down gravel driveway)
    No chickens here, but a small farm built from scratch in our sixth year. We use sustainable practices and grow year round with the help of our hoop houses. We sell fresh and preserved vegetables, including lacto-fermented foods, at several farmers markets. Come see what’s growing and sample some of our preserved vegetables. www.twochicksfarm.com
36. Walters Unlimited at Carls-Beth Farm: 7119 High Rock Rd, Efland
    We are a chemical free farm that has a 100% grass fed beef operation that utilizes mob grazing practices. Our 400 laying hen operation is pasture based. The hog portion is rotated through wooded lots and pasture areas. Both the chickens and hogs are grain fed. We also have catfish in a few ponds that we harvest and filet. Lastly, we have a growing organic/biodynamic produce operation on 1 to 1.5 acres that includes a 2600 sq ft greenhouse. www.waltersunlimited.com
    
37. Waterdog Farm – NEW!: 904 Terry Road, Hurdle Mills
    Come see our beautiful 10 acre farm nestled on the Flat River. You’ll learn how we use sustainable methods to grow native flowers, heirloom produce, and our specialty, herbal teas. Sample unusual herbal teas grown on our farm, as you learn all about them. Rickie, a trained biologist, will lead walks in the forest to the banks of the river. Learn about the relationship between farms, forests, and our drinking water. rickiewhite@gmail.com
38. Wild Hare Farm: 9836 Allison Rd., Cedar Grove
    We raise a variety of beautiful cut flowers, vegetables, and strawberries. These products are sold at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market, to Weaver Street Market, local restaurants and florists. Come see what’s growing in our hoop houses! http://www.wildharefarm.us
    
39. Windy Acres Farm: 7624 Harmony Church Rd, Efland
    Visitors will be able to pet and feed our goats, as well as see our strawberry field and cold weather crops. We use manure and other natural methods for fertilizer and pest control. We will have pork samples from pigs raised on the farm and also samples of homemade pickles. (919) 563-9880, windyacresfarm@mebtel.net, www.ncagr.gov/ncproducts/ShowSite.asp?ID=2529

A few of the many Mini-Masterpieces that will be available for purchase at Through Women's Eyes by Women's Hands.

On March 8, 2013, the Compass Center for Women and Families will be hosting their annual art exhibition and fundraiser from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Top of the Hill’s Great Room in Chapel Hill. Don’t miss it!

Compass Center for Women and Families, was created from the merger of the Family Violence Prevention Center of Orange County (founded in 2000) and The Women’s Center (founded in 1979). This wonderful non-profit organization helps individuals and families prevent and end domestic violence and become self-sufficient. They provide domestic violence crisis services, career and financial education, assistance with legal resources, and adolescent empowerment programs. The organization serves nearly 4,000 individuals from Orange, Durham, Chatham and Wake counties each year.

Each year, Compass Center hosts Through Women’s Eyes, By Women’s Hands, a local art exhibition and sale to raise funding and awareness for their organization. Funds from Through Women’s Eyes, By Women’s Hands play a huge role in Compass Center’s ability to help people in transition. They may be trying to jumpstart a career interrupted by time staying home to raise a family or by job loss; they may need to work through a difficult legal or financial problem, or they may need legal, crisis, shelter or counseling help due to domestic violence. 100% of the proceeds raised at this event go toward supporting the many valuable services and programs provided by the Compass Center that greatly benefit our community.

But this is not your typical benefit — it is one of the most enjoyable parties of the year! I had the pleasure to attend this amazing event last March 2012, and I guarantee you won’t want to miss it. More than 300 people came out to the event last year, and raised more than $50,000 for this worthy cause. Unlike some local fundraisers, which are too expensive for the average resident of the Chapel Hill area to afford, admission to this event is only $50.00. Therefore, the attendees at this party are wonderfully diverse, ranging from community leaders and Chapel Hill business owners, to local artists, single mothers and domestic violence survivors. They are all brought together for one evening of fun, sharing in the same important goal — to end domestic violence in our community and support victims of domestic violence. I met the most fascinating people there, and because this is recognized as “the event of the year,” it really is a “Who’s Who of Chapel Hill and Carrboro,” and the networking opportunities are plentiful. This year, all of the desserts during the Cocktail Reception will be created by local women chefs and they are sure to be one of the highlights of this event.

The best part of this fundraiser is the 200 diverse and captivating works of local women artists that will be featured and available for purchase for just $50.00 each. Women artists across North Carolina were given 5 x 7-inch canvases on which to create their unique contributions, and asked to sign their work only on the back of each piece so the artist remains anonymous. This year, in order to help the community recognize that Compass Center for Women and Families is the new name for the merged organization combining Family Violence Prevention Center and The Women’s Center, they invited artists to incorporate a compass theme into their canvasses this year. “Many did, often in subtle and creative ways. We’re thrilled with all the submissions from area artists,” said Marya McNeish, Development Director at The Compass Center, “and are especially touched by a collection of four canvasses from an artist who is also a domestic violence survivor. Her work speaks to the tremendous potential of healing through art.” 

One of the beautiful paintings donated for the live auction, by local artist Jane Filer .

The festivities will begin with a private sponsors’ reception from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Sponsors will enjoy the lilting jazz tunes of the Ken Broun Jazz Quartet and have first chance to purchase the mini-masterpieces, available for $50.00 each. At 7:00 pm, doors open for the main event: a Cocktail Reception, dancing with Sarah Honer (DJ Fifi Hi Fi!), sumptuous desserts from area women chefs, raffle items — including an iPad, and a live auction, featuring works by renowned local artists Jane Filer, Mary Rountree Moore, and Berkeley Grimball. All proceeds from the canvass sales, live auction, and mini-masterpieces go to Compass Center. “This is a great opportunity for art collectors to purchase the smaller work of an artist they love or for a new art buyer to start a collection,” said Holly Gunning, event co-chairperson. “The mini-masterpieces can also make terrific gifts,” added Gunning.

The Cocktail Reception will be held from 7:00 pm – 10:00 p.m., with valet parking available in front of Spanky’s on Franklin Street. Individual event tickets are available for $50.00. To attend the private sponsors’ reception from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm for the first chance to purchase art, call Compass Center at (919) 968-4610, and inquire about additional sponsorships.

Through Women’s Eyes, By Women’s Hands is one of Chapel Hill’s most festive and fun events, and benefits a wonderful local cause that supports our women, children and families. Bring your sweet tooth and dancing shoes, and prepare for a great evening!

UPDATE: This event is now sold out!

For more information, call Compass Center at (919) 968-4610, or visit www.compassctr.org. Visit www.facebook.com/CompassCenterforWomenandFamilies for sneak previews of pieces to appear at the show. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Compass Center in their mission to help individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency and prevent and end domestic violence.

Since its founding in 1952, the PTA Thrift Shop has been a non-profit leader in supporting our community and our public schools, and it has never once asked for any financial help in return… until now.

This morning, PTA Thrift Shop board members, campaign volunteers, city and school leaders, staff and citizens braved the cold and celebrated the ground breaking for the construction of the new PTA Thrift Shop Carrboro store at 103 Jones Ferry Road. The new building will consist of 14,000 square feet of retail space, a donation and drop-off site, administrative offices, and an additional 8,000 square feet dedicated to lease space, which is already leased at full capacity. A second building will consist of 5,600 square feet of future lease space for restaurants, retail, and office space. There will also be landscaped grounds that create a plaza to serve as a community meeting place and to help beautify and revitalize the neighborhood.

Construction Begins at 103 Jones Ferry Road, Carrboro, N.C.

ABOUT THE PTA THRIFT SHOP

The PTA Thrift Shop is a non-profit resale business operated for the benefit of the Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) of the public schools located in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. It currently has two resale stores in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, North Carolina that sell a wide range of donated goods, from clothing, to books, to furniture at substantially reduced prices. All donations are tax-deductible.

However, the PTA Thrift Shop is so much more than a thrift store — it is a vital resource for our community and our public school system. It is one of the largest private funding sources for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School PTAs, supporting all elementary schools and virtually every club, team, music group and other student organizations in the middle and high schools. Over the last 15 years, they have donated more than $5 million directly to local public and charter schools throughout Chapel Hill and Carrboro, amounting to over $200,000 every year. This money helps schools pay for books, technology, play equipment, supplies, events, field trips and other educational programs. The PTA Thrift Shop also provides in-kind donations to help clothe clients of local social service organizations such as Inter-faith Council, Orange County Department of Social Services, Project Homeless Connect and TABLE. “The PTA Thrift Shop allows IFC to issue free clothing vouchers to our low-income clients for use at its stores. This helps many who struggle to make ends meet. We are grateful for this community service,” says Kristin Lavergne, Community Services Director, Inter-Faith Council (IFC) for Social Service. Furthermore, in partnership with their customers, they supply gift cards for their stores to help families in need in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District.

Additionally, they are Green Plus Certified through the Institute for Sustainable Development, and keep almost 300 tons of non-sellable items out of the landfill each year. Their upcycling business model and recycling efforts have received national acclaim, and they often donate unsellable yet reusable items to organizations like The Scrap Exchange. Since 2008, they have recycled over 133 tons of metal. In 2010, the PTA Thrift Shop received the 2010 Progress Energy Sustainable Business of the Year Award and in 2011, was a finalist for the North American Sustainable Enterprise Awards.

“Our school district is growing, and to honor our mission we want our contributions to keep pace was with, as well as to continue our award-winning recycling program and to serve as an affordable retail store offering quality gently used items,” said Barbara Jessi-Black, PTA Thrift Shop Executive Director.

Executive Director Barbara Jessie-Black & Aaron Nelson, Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce President & CEO

Another important, yet more subtle, outcome of the PTA Thrift Shops’ success is its ability to eliminate the stigma of shopping for second-hand goods. Through their community spirit and generosity, they have managed to unite the diverse Chapel Hill-Carrboro community, breaking down socio-economic divisions. They attract customers and supporters from all cultures and backgrounds. In fact, it has always been trendy to shop at the PTA Thrift Shop. The unspoken “rule” in town, when in need of any item, is to “check the PTA Thrift Shop first.” I have many friends who visit there on a weekly, if not daily, basis. When they hold their semi-annual, 3-day $3.00 per Bag Sale, it is completely mobbed without any elbow-room to spare. Many an amazing piece of clothing in my wardrobe has been proudly scored at the Thrift Store, and I have donated countless items, as well.

One reason that supporting the PTA Thrift Shop is a cause near and dear to my heart is thanks to a personal experience thirty years ago. It was 1982, and the World’s Fair was being hosted on the other side of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Knoxville, Tennessee. My sixth grade teacher at Ephesus Elementary School, Mr. Zimmerman, had a dream to take our entire class on a field trip to experience this historic event. The funds, however, were non-existent for something that extravagant. But he was determined, and set up a volunteering partnership with the PTA Thrift Shop. Every Saturday for months, each student in our class spent all day sorting donations, folding clothes, stacking books, cleaning furniture — whatever was needed. Mr. Zimmerman created a huge chart to hang on our classroom wall, tracking our service hours and subsequent money raised. By May, when the World’s Fair finally opened, we had our funding, and off we went on an educational adventure I will remember fondly for the rest of my days. But it was not just the trip itself that was so meaningful. We all learned a valuable lesson in giving back and serving our community. Yes, we received something in return — a wonderful trip. Nevertheless, we contributed our time and energy earning those service dollars in a meaningful way, and that was the true reward that has inspired me to give back to my community ever since. I expect most students who have attended the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School System could share a similar story about how the PTA Thrift Shop has significantly benefitted their lives in some way.

Aaron Nelson, Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce President & CEO with Valecia Jones, PTA Thrift Shop Operations Manager

GIVING BACK TO THE PTA THRIFT SHOP

In the 61 years that the PTA Thrift Shop has been in operation, it has never once asked the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community for monetary donations and it has not had the need to host fundraisers of any kind. Now worth $1.4 million, this non-profit organization raises money through donated items for the sole purpose of giving money back to the community. Years ago, they outgrew their space and were in desperate need to expand their facility. The previous structure that housed the store had not been renovated since 1989, and was in such a state of decrepitude that building a new building was much more cost-effective than renovating the existing space. The new building will provide almost twice as much retail space as they now have, which means more customers and sales. More retail combined with revenues from leased space equals greater donations to schools. The final structures will have a green footprint that incorporates both LEED construction standards and the Town’s sustainability standards. It will also create more jobs to boost the local economy, as well as provide an economic boost for our local construction industry. The PTA Thrift Shop plans to retain their 30+ staff and add new jobs to accommodate the bigger space.

An artistic representation by Weinstein Friedlein Architects of the newly redesigned lot at 103 Jones Ferry Road.

The PTA Thrift Shop is an essential local institution on which we have come to depend — as consumers, as participants in the public schools, and as community members. “The contribution from the PTA Thrift Shop is an awesome benefit! I wouldn’t want us to find out what would happen if we didn’t have it,” says Deshera Mack, Principal of Rashkis Elementary. This is a cause that is worth every penny, and they need our help.

HOW TO DONATE TO THE PTA THRIFT SHOP

The PTA Thrift Shop is on a mission to raise the $1 million necessary to complete their new building project, and for the first time, they need the financial support of our community. They have already raised $400,000 and are working hard to raise the rest needed for their Building Campaign. The non-profit is offering a variety of giving options to support the project, including a $12 x 12 campaign (a donation of just $12 for 12 months), brick pavers that will be placed in the entrance way of the new store, as well as interior and exterior naming opportunities.

They are also hosting a Hard Hat Bash on Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at The Great Room of Top of the Hill located at 100 East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Ron Stutts from WCHL will be emceeing this fun, fundraising event. Live music will be provided by Six Pack Cadillac and a silent auction will be held. Tickets are $50 a person and $80 a couple, and include one drink ticket per person. If you would like your ticket purchase to go toward a Chapel Hill-Carrboro public school’s PTA Thrift Shop Community Building Campaign credit, please indicate such in the “Add Special Instructions to the Seller” field of the PayPal checkout page. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit: http://ptathriftshop.org/hardhatbash.shtml

Financial donations can be made with checks payable to:
PTA Thrift Shop Building Campaign
and mailed to:
Barbara Jessie-Black, Executive Director
PTA Thrift Shop Executive Offices
115 West Main Street, Carrboro, NC 27510

Donations and pledges can also be made securely online at: www.ptathriftshop.org/building campaign. Contact the PTA Thrift Shop to make financial donations using life insurance, bequests, multi-year pledges, appreciated stock, property, and other tangible items by calling (919) 942-6565  or by emailing: ptathriftshop@bellsouth.net. Every little bit helps, so no amount is too small.

At the very least, keep supporting the PTA Thrift Shop by shopping there, donating your gently used goods to them, and spreading the word about this wonderful organization. They also welcome volunteers to help in the store itself. We are a stronger community thanks to their tireless and selfless contributions and they deserve our support. For more information about the PTA Thrift Shop, locations and hours, visit: http://ptathriftshop.org

The first time I saw Elaine O’Neil’s work, I was waiting to check out at A Southern Season. The line was long, and although I did not want to lose my place, I was helplessly drawn towards this depiction of Chapel Hill, North Carolina hanging on the wall with the force of a strong magnetic pull. Whenever the subject of a work of art is Chapel Hill, I am naturally attracted to it. But that was not why I was so instantly intrigued. From a distance, I could not figure out what made this painting look so unique. As I approached the picture to get a closer look, the detail in the textures was impressive, the color palette beautifully bright and bold, and those tiny, meticulous stitches… wait, stitches? I could not believe my eyes. The entire piece was sewn cloth, also known as textile collage. I was amazed and impressed. Soon afterward, I was seeing “Elaine O’Neils” all over town — at Kidzu Children’s Museum where I take my daughter “Zoomer” to play, at UNC Hospitals’ Orthopaedic Clinic at the Ambulatory Care Center when my mother broke her wrist last April, while dining one evening with friends at 411 West, and even when I went to get a mammogram at UNC Hospitals’ Cancer Center, there were Elaine O’Neil’s large-eyed, smiling characters in the waiting room, making me smile.

"A Southern Season" from A Southern Season, University Mall

"Stringing Beads" at UNC Hospital's Cancer Center Mammography Waiting Room

CAPTURING THE ESSENCE OF CHAPEL HILL

O’Neil’s work always makes me smile, which is this artist’s intention. “I try to make a piece look the way you feel when you are at a place you have a connection to,” says O’Neil. “I want the viewer to smile when they see my work — to feel happy, remembering fond times, tastes or experiences.” As a devoted Chapel Hillian, O’Neil’s work resonates with me on so many levels. There are many local artists who use Chapel Hill, North Carolina as their muse and subject of their work. However, very few express the spirited nature that reflects the heart and soul of our town as beautifully as Elaine O’Neil. Her ability to portray the energy contained in a seemingly static scene is phenomenal. O’Neil tunes in to the hidden qualities of each place she portrays, deliberately listening for its pulse and sensing its underlying movement. Then she manages to successfully translate that feeling in her work with acute sensitivity and utmost respect.

Her fondness of the Chapel Hill area certainly helps her process, too. “My husband and I first visited Chapel Hill in 1994,” O’Neil remembers. “We had three young sons and were thinking about making a change. We instantly fell in love with the village of Chapel Hill and the amazing beauty of the UNC campus. We could envision our boys growing up here and being a part of this community. We made an offer on a home the summer of 1996 and moved here before school started.” The town of Chapel Hill itself is where O’Neil finds her inspiration for her artwork. “I love this place!” exclaims O’Neil. “The spirit and energy of people learning, educating, helping and nurturing is all around us and makes us feel good that we live in such a positive place. I try to convey that feeling in my work. I choose places to depict that are local favorites, have an interesting story, are unique architecturally, have a long history, serve great food or provide a service to the community, and places that capture the feel of Chapel Hill.”

FROM SEWING TO TEXTILE COLLAGE

Elaine O’Neil grew up in Maine under the tutelage of two master seamstresses who greatly influenced her love of sewing: her grandmother and mother. “My mother was a Home Ec teacher. She taught me how to sew and helped me when sewing was frustrating. She and my grandmother were both amazing seamstresses and we always had a closet full of fabric. I spent many hours pouring over the fabric colors and textures, choosing the right fabrics for my projects. I entered lots of sewing competitions as a girl, and after a brief year studying agriculture in college, changed my major to textile design.” After high school, O’Neil attended Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science and it played a key role in developing her passion for textile collage. “‘Textile’ was a great school,” O’Neil reflects. “We learned all aspects of textile production, from spinning and dying yarns to weaving, knitting, printing and non-woven fabric production. We learned textile marketing, management of mills, color science, and finishing of fabric.”

Combining sewing with textiles was an obvious next step on O’Neil’s path to becoming the artist she is today. The art of textile collage involves selecting swatches of colored fabric, cutting them out into shapes, and sewing them together to create a composition. It is a tedious, time-consuming process that requires meticulous seamstress skills, as well as artistic sensibilities such as composition, color, texture, rhythm, perspective and movement. The playfulness of O’Neil’s compositions masks the complexity and intricacies of the technique. ”My artistic process begins with the simple, pure memories of childhood,” explains O’Neil. “I strive to conjure up the essence of those good times and capture them through whimsy and color, stitching them together with a sense of humor and delight. My process begins by approaching each textile collage with a simple sketch. Then through snips and cuts, my scissors, like a painter’s brush, slowly reveal the image. Layer upon layer of fabric, stitched into place using a variety of colors and textures, brings the piece to life. In each piece I create, my hope is to evoke a kind of pleasure and delight, when life is simple, sweet, and full of endless possibilities.” Each piece O’Neil creates has anywhere from two to seven layers of fabric throughout it.

FINDING HER ARTISTIC VOICE

Many artists struggle to find “their voice” at first. Professional artists, dealers and gallery owners would agree that it is important to have a recognizable style within your body of work that is true and unique to you. Additionally, it should be one that appeals to a population of potential buyers, if your intention is to make a living from it. An Elaine O’Neil collage is unmistakable, even at a distance. Certain abstractions founded in realism are consistent throughout her work, including bent and twisted edifices, angular trees, crescent moons, happy dogs or other animals, and the huge eyes and big smiles on her characters’ faces. “My style is quirky, with lots of color and texture and movement,” O’Neil states. “I think my style did evolve over time, although the roots of it were always there: the spiky pine trees, the ever-present moon and the tilting and leaning buildings. It just happened, though, I didn’t try to make it happen. The great thing about being an artist is that you can create your own rules and do things that please yourself first. I find it much more fun to have the bell tower tilt than to have it perfectly straight up and down. Some other people might do it another way, feel another. I have tried an abstract style — very much inspired by Matisse’s cut-outs. Matisse is my very favorite artist! Those pieces are very freeing to create and it’s enjoyable to do something very different from my usual style.”

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Having the right materials on hand and a functional work-space or studio are essential for any artist. O’Neil’s first sewing machine growing up was a Singer. She has been through several sewing machines since then. “My parents gave me a Bernina sewing machine as a graduation present from college. I put many thousands of ‘miles’ on that!  My next machine was a Viking and I loved that, too. It wore out and now I have an Elna.” The thread she uses is shiny satin, and her fabrics are purchased locally at Thimble Pleasures located on 225 South Elliott Road in Chapel Hill and also at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store in Durham. “People often give me fabrics from left over projects, upholstery, curtains, or other items. I have also bought garments and used that fabric if the color/texture is just right and I can’t find it otherwise,” says O’Neil. “Choosing the fabric color palette is really great fun. I think it is kind of instinctive, but it also depends on what colors I have in my bins. So sometimes, I must make a pleasing palette considering what my options are. I love color and am not afraid of bold, intense color. If I’m struggling to put a group of fabric colors and textures together, I head straight for Thimble Pleasures to get some new choices.” The backing/stabilizing fabric for each piece she creates is usually something fairly stiff like a cotton duck or twill.

Elaine O'Neil's In-Home Art Studio

Her in-home studio is extremely organized and full of natural light. O’Neil shares her tips to creating a productive work environment: “Think about how you work, and come up with areas or places where different ‘steps in the process’ happen. I have a few designated places where I do certain things: my counter where I design, sketch, lay out fabrics and cut, an ironing area and my sewing area, and my computer/business area. It works well to have specific places where things get done and it also makes me move around, not stand or sit in one place all day.”

BECOMING A FULL-TIME ARTIST

Making the transition from the workforce to full-time artist, with motherhood thrown in, can be challenging to say the least. Elaine O’Neil was patient in getting where she is now, and divided her time between the studio, earning income, and her family. “When our kids were home, it was a great job to have. When they were in school, I was in the studio. When they were home, I did Mom stuff. I have always been able to forget the sink full of dishes or the fact that I need to vacuum, and head into the studio. I know the housework will get done, but studio time doesn’t happen if you don’t make it. Now that they are all in college or otherwise, I have the whole day to do my work, so it’s much different now.” For those artists who would love to be in O’Neil’s “full-time artist shoes,” she has this to say: “I guess my advice would be to do what you love and to be brave! It’s hard to put yourself out there and show your work — it’s such an act of bravery! You must also conquer the fear of marketing yourself. Meet and talk with other artists — become a part of the community. It does take time to become a full-time artist — for years, I supplemented my art sales by sewing slipcovers and draperies. The day I said, ‘No more slipcovers!’ was a fantastic day!”

O’Neil has exhibited her work in galleries up and down the East Coast, as well as in the mountains of North Carolina. She regularly creates custom commissions, and has created pieces for clients in Russia, England, Greece, Italy and France, as well as many states in the United States. Her work is publicly held by many colleges, hospitals, and businesses, and has been featured as the cover art of several books and publications. She has also illustrated two children’s books. Most recently, she spent over a year sewing the illustrations for Goodnight Carolina, a children’s book by Missy Julian Fox and Marie Myers Lloyd celebrating the town of Chapel Hill.

 A TYPICAL DAY OF WORK

Like most artists, O’Neil prefers to work in concentrated blocks of time, rather than breaking it up over hours here and there throughout the day. “I need a solid block of time. I go into my studio around 8:30 or 9:00 am and try to come out at dinner-time. I’m driven and will spend hours in my studio, and sometimes I don’t come out until my husband comes in to make me stop at 10:00 or 11:00 pm.  I like doing what I do very much, but when my hands throb and ache I know I need to take a break — otherwise I probably wouldn’t leave the studio!” O’Neil rarely takes a break between projects. A quick jaunt in the fresh air is all she needs to recharge and then she gets right back to it. “I am a runner and like to do that, or take our dogs for a walk — something that involves moving outside. When I finish a piece one day, I start another the next day. It’s a completely different thing to start a piece than to finish a piece, so it’s exciting to begin again.”

GIVING BACK

Elaine O’Neil is very involved in supporting the Chapel Hill community. She is always looking for ways to contribute her creativity to the town that inspires her. “I donate a lot of work to the community. I think it’s important because I want to give to this community that I love so much. It also ends up being beneficial to me, since some people who attend those events may become future clients. This past year, I donated work to FRANK, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Rape Crisis Center, SECU Family House, and Triangle Youth Ballet. I also worked with Dana McMahan on a children’s book called Grandma Elf’s Letter Sweaters, and proceeds from the sale of that book go to the SECU Family House,” says O’Neil. Additionally, O’Neil has created a 2013 calendar called Luv This Place featuring scenes from throughout the state of North Carolina, and a share of the proceeds benefits the N.C. Cancer Hospital. Calendars are available for purchase at A Southern Season (in store and on-line), Flyleaf Books, Thimble Pleasures, McIntyre’s Bookstore, Quail Ridge Books, NOFO, N.C. Craft Gallery, FRANK, and Be Our Guest.

My personal favorite Elaine O'Neil collage – The Horace Williams House where my husband and I got married.

UPCOMING SHOW AT CROOK’S CORNER

Crook’s Corner is one of Elaine’s favorite restaurants, is the subject of several of her collages, and is the site of her upcoming show that will feature seventeen illustrations from her latest project, Goodnight Carolina. It will be held in the restaurant located at 610 West Franklin Street,  Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Thursday, January 24, 2013 from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm. Snacks and wine will be provided, and the authors of Goodnight Carolina, Missy Julian Fox and Marie Myers Lloyd will be available for book signings. All seventeen pieces will be for sale, so now is your chance to own the illustration from your favorite page of the book! For more information about Goodnight Carolina, read The Chapel Hill Recorder article: “Goodnight Carolina.”

WHERE TO PURCHASE AN “ELAINE O’NEIL”

Considering her amazing talent, the time-consuming and arduous labor involved in creating each piece, and her popularity locally and abroad, many of Elaine O’Neil’s original pieces are surprisingly still priced under $1,000.00, some even under $600.00. I guarantee buying her work now would definitely be a sound art investment, because they will not stay this affordable for long. If this is still out of your price range, O’Neil sells various-sized prints, framed or unframed, and even note cards for $15.00, perfect for the financially strapped fans like myself. These are available at A Southern Season, located in University Mall. O’Neil is also available for commissions, and can even work from photos of favorite places or pets. I also guarantee that having an Elaine O’Neil grace the walls of your home will make you smile every time you pass by it.

For more information about Elaine O’Neil and to purchase her beautiful textile collages, visit: www.elaineoneil.com .

When I first moved back home to Chapel Hill, North Carolina from New York City a few years ago, I asked around for recommendations for a good hair salon. When I lived here previously, Lori from The Beehive in Carrboro, North Carolina was my stylist, but she sold that salon in 2006 and I no longer knew any other stylists in town. Some did recommend The Beehive, but the overwhelming majority said, “Amy-Jae at Syd’s!” Several friends also mentioned that they take their children to Syd’s Hair Shop for haircuts, as well, which tipped my favor their way. As a parent of a pre-schooler, any place that is kid-friendly gets a big thumbs up from me. I made my appointment with Amy-Jae Crawford and was thrilled with the results. That was over two years ago, and my daughter and I have been happily patronizing Syd’s ever since.

My daughter "Zoomer's" first haircut, with Amy-Jae Crawford, April 26, 2012.

SYD’S STYLIST AMY-JAE CRAWFORD

Amy-Jae Crawford is one of the three original owners of Syd’s and she is everything you want in a sylist. Most importantly, she is skilled at her craft. She has been cutting hair for 21 years, keeps up with current hair and fashion trends, and often travels the country doing hair shows, teaching classes and hosting workshops. I have really thick, yet fine hair, so my haircuts require a lot of thinning, and she wields that razor blade masterfully.

The second most important quality in a stylist is listening to the client. I usually have a specific idea of how I want my hair to look, and Amy-Jae has always patiently honored my requests to the letter. I have had many stylists in the past who have forced their own vision for my hair on me. Once in Brooklyn, New York I came out looking like a drag queen wannabe, which was not my intention. That would never happen at Syd’s, unless of course, that is the look you are going for.

Amy-Jae is also helpful if you want a new look and need suggestions. Last fall, I had been growing out my hair for about six months and was thinking of going really short again, but was not sure about the style. Amy-Jae took me over to the numerous hair magazines they have on display in their waiting room, and we flipped through the pages together until I found an example of a cut I liked. She agreed that it would be flattering on me, and would work with my “wash-and-go” approach to hair care. She proceeded to give me that exact cut, and then she showed me how easy it was to style it. It looked amazing, and I am still getting compliments on my hair wherever I go.

The third quality that I find important in a salon is the atmosphere. Personally, I am more comfortable visiting the dentist than going to a hair salon. There is something really intimidating and anxiety-producing about sitting in a chair staring at yourself in front of a mirror while someone takes scissors to your hair. The conversation is often forced and awkward, and I never know how much style input from me will be accepted or tolerated. Additionally, because I have had some disappointing cuts in my day, I am always nervous about how the cut is going to look once it is finished.

Walking into Syd’s, however, I feel right at home. I am always greeted with a big smile from the receptionist, and the waiting area’s big sofa and chairs are comfy. Syd’s attracts a clientele of all ages, ranging from kids, to UNC students, to forty-something townies like me, and retirees, so it is easy to fit in there. Once in the chair, Amy-Jae is a great conversationalist and always puts me at ease. We are both from Chapel Hill, so we share a lot of mutual friends and experiences. Also, our daughters are about the same age, so we always trade pre-schooler eating and sleeping tips — mine eats, hers sleeps. It feels more like I am having an outing with a fellow Mommy-friend than getting a haircut. When Amy-Jae cut my daughter “Zoomer’s” hair for the first time for her first ever haircut, Zoomer felt equally as comfortable. Syd’s has booster seats and special kid-friendly, colorful capes for little ones, and Amy-Jae had Zoomer laughing and smiling the whole time. The best part about finding Syd’s is that I no longer have to worry about how my haircut will turn out, which is a huge relief. Amy-Jae gets it right every time!

AMY-JAE FINDS HER PATH, WHICH WAS THERE THE WHOLE TIME

Before opening Syd’s in 2001, Amy-Jae took a little while to find her calling as a stylist. In 1984, her family moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina from Greencastle, Indiana when her father got a job in Research Triangle Park at IBM. After graduating from Chapel Hill High School in 1991, she attended Appalachian State University, where she first began cutting hair in her dorm room for friends. She then transferred to UNC-Charlotte, and then to Durham Tech, and finally to UNC-Chapel Hill where she majored in Anthropology. When she started her spring semester at UNC-CH, the job market for Anthropologists looked bleak. However, throughout her collegiate re-locations, the one thing that remained consistent was her side-business cutting hair. “I realized what I was doing in my kitchen or on my porch was a career I hadn’t considered,” Crawford says. “I had been cutting my friends’ hair since freshman year in my dorm & my mother was a cosmetologist before having me. It made sense to me to pursue this career. So glad I did it! Thank goodness I have a job I love. There’s nothing I’d rather do!”

Crawford enrolled in Leon’s Beauty School in Greensboro, North Carolina and she worked in a salon in Greensboro, North Carolina immediately after hair school. “The school owned a chain of salons,” Amy-Jae says. ”It wasn’t the best fit, so I apprenticed with a wonderful stylist/mentor named Angela Wood before moving back to Chapel Hill and getting a job at a salon in downtown Chapel Hill where I worked for almost five years before I made the leap to opening Syd’s.”

OPENING SYD’S

In the summer of 2001, Amy-Jae and her co-workers Bradford Scott and Erin Corry decided it was time to open their own hair shop in Chapel Hill. Amy-Jae reflects, “We all had the desire to create something that was our own and to open a place that cared about the stylists and employees. We wanted an amazing work environment that filled a void in town for clients and patrons.” It is one thing to want to start your own business, but actually going through with it certainly takes guts, hard work, and the right philosophy. “If you want to start your own business, you can’t be afraid to fail,” says Amy-Jae. “In fact, accepting that failure was a very real possibility probably helped me. I would just have to do something else if this didn’t work out, but I would do my best to succeed. 9/11 happened one week after we opened. You don’t always get second chances to realize your dreams. Take the risk, but have backup plans. And plenty of parking.”

They found the perfect spot right at 108 West Rosemary Street in downtown Chapel Hill, that over the years housed numerous businesses, including a computer career matching business and a bar called Kirkpatrick’s and The Shack. Once a location was selected, choosing the name came easily. “We wanted a business name that was androgynous, and a place that was laid back, a little rock-n-roll, and a one word name,” says Amy-Jae. “I thought of Sid from Sid Vicious, and Erin suggested spelling it with a “y” so it could be either gender. And we thought it could also be your uncle, someone you’d visit. ‘I’m going to Syd’s.’ A place you’d want to hang out.”

The most difficult aspect of getting up and running were the extensive building repairs needed to turn this run-down building into their vision which is now Syd’s. “The biggest challenge was getting all the renovations finished!” explains Amy-Jae. “We signed the lease and opened for business in six weeks! We had friends, family and partners help us do all the demolition, construction, plumbing — everything. The large front area was three separate rooms. The floors were carpet with five layers of linoleum underneath. We were hairdressers, but determined and capable and willing to work hard. Boy, was it hard! But, we were ready and willing to do whatever it took to get open and stay open.” So far, they have been open and successful for eleven years! Two of the original three owners, Amy-Jae and Brad, are still at Syd’s working behind the chair. The third, Erin, returned to her native Rhode Island and that is when current co-owner Amy Testerman came on board.

Two notable features that were also added is their iconic gas pump on their front lawn, and the “Many Earths” mural that was painted on the west wall of Syd’s by local muralist Michael Brown in 2002. The gas pump was their submission to the town for their business sign, and it was originally supposed to be red. Initially, it was not well-received by the “powers that be” of Chapel Hill, but it was approved as long as it was painted green, not red. Joe Mcvey, husband of Syd’s previous co-owner Erin, made the gas pump. Scott Nurkin painted the flames, which ended up making the sign look more red than green anyway. Michael Brown submitted two ideas to Syd’s for the mural, and they decided on the “Many Earths” design.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY & BEYOND

Since its opening, Syd’s has been dedicated to fundraising for local, national and international causes based on need. “When catastrophes happen, that may decide where the money goes,” Amy-Jae explains. “Our support of many local charities is on-going. When folks need an item to raffle or auction off, they can count on us to contribute. We have special places in our hearts for kids & animals & cancer-fighting or awareness-raising organizations. Fighting hunger or supporting shelter residents also are important causes we like to raise awareness for by donating money, time or services. We always, as hairdressers, felt a desire to do more for charities. We are often so busy behind the chair working & realized we could combine the two. The stylists love working fundraisers. They donate their day off & 100% of proceeds are donated. If you have time and a product or service, you can raise a lot of awareness & money!” With the help of Syd’s, over $10,000 has been raised for charities, including: Paws4Ever, TABLE, Piedmont Wildlife Center, National Audubon Society, Greater New Orleans Foundation, Japan Disaster Relief, Rock Against Cancer, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Grab your 2013 Fundraiser Syd's Wall Calendar while supplies last!

Their latest fundraising effort comes in the form of a 2013 wall calendar. These calendars can be purchased at Syd’s for $20.00, and all proceeds benefit TABLE and Paws4Ever. This is the second year in a row that Syd’s has sold a wall calendar, and last year the calendars alone raised $944.00 for these two local causes. “The calendar idea had been thrown around as a joke for years. Then it came up again more seriously. Courtney Plaster deserves the credit for this project’s fruition. This year’s concept is Through the Decades. We are showcasing popular hair styles from 1900-2010.” The photos are amazing and fun, and it is an easy way to contribute to and support our community.

Additionally, Syd’s is one of our local hair salons that supports organizations who collect donated hair. They participate in Locks of Love, Pantene Beautiful Lengths, and others. If you are interested in donating your hair to one of these causes, Syd’s has print-outs in baggies available explaining the requirements of each organization, what they need to do, and where to send the hair. Information about these programs can also be found on their own individual web sites.

THE SECRET TO SYD’S SUCCESS

Syd’s Hair Shop has been awarded one of the best salons by Independent Weekly readers in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and won the best salon in 2011 and 2012. They have amassed an impressive loyal following and they have earned it. “We always felt everyone deserved a great, affordable haircut without pretentions or attitude,” Amy-Jae says. ”Hopefully this is what we’ve achieved. Our staff are, hands down, some of the most talented, kind, genuine and thoughtful individuals alive. We think they are just fun to be around. Everyone is unique in personality and style, and we all respect and get along with each other, so I think that folks sense this and feel comfortable and included.”

For anyone else out there who has the desire to open their own salon, here is some advice from Amy-Jae that you would be wise to heed: “To succeed in hair you have to train, educate, practice, be disciplined, ask questions, work, love, and create. Realize what happens in your chair is transformative, and not just aesthetically. Cutting, coloring, and transforming the hair transforms the attitude of its owner. It is about making people happy, and helping folks understand their hair and themselves and accepting it. People want great haircuts, but need relationships. They want both from you, and this is important to realize. And you are only as good as your last haircut.”

Syd’s Hair Shop truly lives up to their slogan, “Making hair fun since 2001.” If you want a great, affordable haircut, definitely pay them a visit. However, I recommend booking a month or so before you really need a cut or color, because their open slots fill up quickly. There is always a waiting list available if your coiffure needs are urgent, but they are worth the wait!

Syd’s Hair Shop is located at 108 West Rosemary Street in downtown Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and is open Monday-Saturday. For more information, or to book an appointment online, visit: www.sydshairshop.com or call (919)-942-7606.

The Standard Restaurant and Bar, located at 403 West Rosemary Street, definitely lives up to its mission of offering affordable gourmet cuisine. Not only is it delicious, reasonably priced, and family-friendly — it is owned by three Chapel Hill native siblings!

This evening, my husband Doug, my three year old daughter “Zoomer” and I had the pleasure of dining at The Standard Restaurant and Bar for the first time. They recently celebrated their one year anniversary, and if our wonderful experience there was a typical one, I expect they will be celebrating many future anniversaries for years to come. It is located in what I still refer to as “the Tijuana Fats building, where Henry’s used to be,” although it has been renovated to the nines and hardly resembles the dark and dank ambience of the old Fats. The only recognizable feature from years past is the beautifully carved heavy wooden front door, which I myself have pulled open countless times over the last 35 years, and it greeted me like an old friend.

The Main Dining Room at The Standard

THE AMBIANCE

The interior of The Standard is an eclectic mix of high-end diner stainless steel tables and chairs, hand-made benches that serve as comfy booths, and modern spot lighting that is remarkably welcoming. There is a lounge area in the back with sofas that would be perfect for a gathering of friends, and a refurbished patio perfect for warm summer nights — or in the case of this year, warm winter nights. The wall decor changes every month, as they feature the work of local artists in collaboration with the 2ndFriday Art Walk, without taking any commission for helping to sell it. This month’s artist is Brian Mergenthaler, who won third place at this year’s Festifall for his sculptures made from recycled mechanical objects. Even if you just stop by the restaurant to see his work, it would definitely be worth a visit. But I highly recommend you stay for dinner.

The Back Lounge and Outdoor Patio at The Standard

OUR VISIT

We arrived to dine at the early hour of 5:30 pm, that is a time typically reserved for parents of pre-schoolers whose bedtime is 7:00 pm. Our Zoomer is at the age where sitting still for an entire meal is challenging to say the least, so the other benefit of eating so early is that there are usually few other patrons in attendance to disturb when she gets antsy and acts, well, like a three-year-old. Co-owner Annie Williams seated us in the uninhabited lounge area in the back, which allowed Zoomer to safely explore her surroundings while we waited for her pizza to arrive, which did not take long. She also gave Zoomer two coloring books and a whole pack of crayons, so we knew our young daughter was more than welcome at their establishment, which is always appreciated.

Before we made our reservation, (which is not required), I had given the owners a heads-up that we were all vegan, and they were more than happy to accommodate us, and prepared an amazing three-course meal that was not on the menu. It was so delicious, I think it should be added to the menu. Vegans and non-vegans alike would definitely love it. The first course was the mixed greens house salad with sliced grapes, tomatoes, grilled purple shallots, and roasted sunflower seeds with a mild vinaigrette dressing. Zoomer ate all of our grapes immediately, but the one I tried before they were all gone was pleasantly complimented by the tart dressing, and I honestly have never had more flavorful, fresh tomatoes.

The second course was a veggie and panko breadcrumb-stuffed portabella mushroom cap that was grilled to perfection. It was plated with a roma tomato dipping sauce and drizzled with truffle oil that Zoomer enjoyed eating like soup. They also offer portabella cap burgers or black bean burgers for $9.00, which I cannot wait to try on our next visit.

Our final course was a homemade black and green olive, cheese-less personal pizza for Zoomer, which she devoured, and a vegetable Wellington for Doug and me that they created just for us. The crispy yet tender dough was wrapped around a mélange of grilled veggies and avocado spread, that mimicked the paté usually served with the more traditional beef Wellington. The tomato sauce was a perfect compliment to lighten this rich entreé and its presentation was gorgeous.

AFFORDABLE GOURMET

After finishing our meal and feeling full and satisfied, I wondered how The Standard was able to craft such amazing dishes without the usual high price tag that comes with them. The “amazing dishes” part is easily explained. Their head chef is Jaime Gonzalez who was the chef at our local gourmet restaurant La Residence during its peak. When I asked co-owner Nick Williams how he managed to woo such a culinary genius over to The Standard, he replied, “We went to Chapel Hill High School together,” which is usually how questions like that are answered among us locals. That was the only explanation I needed. Us CHHS alums are a tight bunch! The affordability is what this restaurant strives for. “A lot of people that do gourmet, well, it’s just extremely pricey,” explains Williams. “And we have found ways to use high-quality ingredients and not rob you, so to speak.”

Nevertheless, do not let the gourmet presentation and caliber of the food lead you to believe this is a fancy, stuffy venue. It is, in fact, the opposite. The Standard has a very relaxing atmosphere, and no jacket and tie are required here. They specialize in comfort foods like specialty pizzas, sandwiches and salads, and offer three different kinds of fries or tater-tots to go with them. The varied menu options are anything but standard, however, with unique pizza toppings like figs and quince jam, and sandwiches that feature goat cheese mousse and black garlic aioli sauce. Their beer list is extensive, which includes rare local craft brews. Every dish is made fresh to order, which is how they can be so accommodating with dietary restrictions and preferences. It is not surprising that this year they won “Best New Restaurant” in the INDY Best of the Triangle 2012 competition.

The Standard Owners (l-r): Katie, Nick & Annie Williams

SIBLING COLLABORATION

The three owners of The Standard are a team of two sisters, Annie and Katie Williams, and their brother, Nick Williams, all born and raised in Chapel Hill, N.C. Nick began his restaurant tenure at Henry’s Tapas Lounge, managing their catering, and fell in love with the location. He always had an affinity for cooking and seeking out craft beers, and at one point, tried to buy Henry’s from the owner Lance, which did not pan out. Therefore, when FUSE closed its doors in 2011, Nick jumped at the chance to start his own restaurant there, and enlisted his two sisters to help. Annie, a recent graduate of economics from UNC-Chapel Hill had been a waitress and bartender at Top of the Hill for six years, so she brought with her even more restaurant experience, and with her economics degree, helps manage the books and handle the paperwork. Little sister Katie manages the restaurant and waitresses, as well, helping complete this culinary power trio. Although I personally cannot imagine running a restaurant with my own siblings, it is obvious that these three get along really well the minute you meet them.

When FUSE vacated the premises, the building was literally crumbling and in shambles, so overhauling it was an enormous and costly project. They did much of the work themselves and many friends volunteered to help. Local vendors were brought in as much as possible to create what is now a completely renovated interior that is sparkling clean and refined. On our way out the door, as we were leaving The Standard to return home, my daughter exclaimed, “This is what is called a beautiful restaurant, Mommy!” And truly, it is.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS

The Williams’ connection to the town of Chapel Hill goes back to the 1940′s when their grandparents moved here, and their mother attended Chapel Hill High School when it was located where University Square is now. They strongly believe in supporting our local economy and pride themselves on using grass-fed, hormone-free ground beef purchased right down the road at Cliff’s Meat Market in Carrboro, N.C. Additionally, their bread comes from Pittsboro, N.C. and their eggs are from Hillsborough, N.C. They are working on becoming even more “farm to fork” and are looking to use local farmers for their vegetable and mushroom supply, as well. Along with their dedication to local vendors, they are also involved in supporting local causes. They have hosted benefits for Engineers without Borders, are presently collecting Toys for Tots in collaboration with the UNC-Chapel Hill MAC Program. Also, tomorrow, on Sunday, December 16, 2012, they are hosting Sunday at the Standard, a fundraiser for Volunteers for Youth as they celebrate their 30th Anniversary. To honor the occasion, The Standard will be serving a special Volunteers for Youth pizza, with 30% of the proceeds donated directly to Volunteers for Youth. This is a cause near and dear to their hearts because all three Williams siblings are graduates from the Volunteers for Youth mentoring program and clearly benefitted greatly from the support they received there.

FUTURE PLANS & EVENTS

Now that they have become established in town, the Williams’ will be expanding their offerings, including a Family Night on Tuesdays, which offers a free pizza with the purchase of an entreé. They will soon be adding a jazz night and/or jazz brunch, a 1stFriday Art Walk that will feature local children’s art work, and a “Build Your Own Pizza” family pizza night where children can make their own pizzas. They are also working with Volunteers for Youth to offer discounts to VFY mentor and mentee pairs when they visit the restaurant. They are also planning on expanding their menu by adding more vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options in the near future.

LOCATION & HOURS

The Standard is located at 403 West Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill, N.C. right across from Mitchell Lane. There is no parking on site anymore, but the UNC parking lot right next door on the other side of the fence and across the street is available and free after 5:00 pm, and there is also parking on the street. Along with their unique and delicious fair, another special feature is that they are open seven days a week from 5:00 pm, and serve their full menu until 2:00 am. It is the perfect venue for an after movie or theater dinner, and UNC students will find they have a healthier late night option other than Time Out for their past-midnight-after-party hunger pangs. Their wide-screen TV’s also make it a great place to watch UNC basketball and football games. It has also been personally kid tested and kid approved by the Largent family, so grab those young ones of yours and share a pizza or two together! I expect this will now become one of our regular haunts, and my daughter has already asked us if we can go back for dinner tomorrow night.

For more information and for updates, visit http://thestandardchapelhill.com, follow them on FaceBook or follow them on Twitter: @TheStandard403. For reservations, call (919) 918-3932.

My 30th Birthday at Torero's, with my soon-to-be husband Doug Largent, May 18, 2000.

A CRAVING IS BORN

My affinity for Torero’s Mexican Restaurants goes back twenty years. My boyfriend’s mother, (now my mother-in-law), had a coupon for a new Mexican restaurant that had just opened on the access road in front of what was then South Square Mall in Durham, N.C. We rarely traveled as far as Durham in those days, but we were up for an adventure, and hey, we had a coupon. Throwing caution to the wind, we decided to check it out. Upon sitting down at our table, we were greeted with an unlimited basket of hot tortilla chips and delicious homemade salsa. I ordered spinach enchiladas covered in a mild, green tomatillo sauce, served with Mexican rice and refried beans. The portion was gigantic, the service was fast, friendly and attentive, and the food were delicious. I have been completely hooked ever since.

From that moment on, every special occasion in my life was celebrated with a meal at that Torero’s — birthdays, getting a new job, getting promoted at said job, friends visiting from out-of-town, getting accepted to design school, becoming engaged, completing my SCUBA certification requirements, graduating from N.C State College of Design — just to name a few. It was simply a given that every important event I experienced would be commemorated with a trip to Torero’s. It was also my restaurant of choice if I simply wanted a meal out, and even served as therapeutic comfort food during tougher times. Suffice it to say, I practically lived there, and every waiter new my order by heart. My last dinner in town before my husband Doug and I moved to New York City in 2000 was spent there, with a big “Bon Voyage” blowout, surrounded by our family and friends that we were to leave behind as we embarked on the adventure of our lives.

La Taqueria Mexican Restaurant, 14th Street, New York City, circa 2004.

THE SEARCH

Upon arriving in Manhattan, I set out to find “my Torero’s” there. I thought, surely, on an island of almost 20,000 restaurants, and nick-named  ”Restaurant City,” I could find a decent Mexican Restaurant. New York City, by its nature, is a city of extremes, and Mexican Restaurants are not exempt from this dichotomy. They offered either very expensive gourmet Mexican food like Rosa Mexicano, located in our neighborhood of Chelsea, or served up cheap, greasy taqueria take-out, comparable in taste to the not-so-haute cuisine of Taco Bell. I was determined not to give up, as my mission became more and more an obsession. Using Zagat as my guide, I spent night after night dining in Mexican restaurants all over the city, only to leave full yet disappointed, discouraged and unsatisfied. Those restaurants, that were somewhere in between the $14.00 guacamole and a $1.00 bean taco, did not even come close to the deliciousness found at my hometown Torero’s. Additionally, spinach enchiladas were non-existent and refried beans were unheard of. My mission quickly became futile, and I sadly grew resigned to the reality that The Big Apple, a city that was famous for “having everything” was severely lacking in one crucial feature — Mexican culinary delights.

During the ten years we lived in New York City, Doug and I would head back home to Chapel Hill about four times a year. To avoid traffic on I-95 South, we would often hop in the car after I left work and drive straight all night long, arriving in Chapel Hill at dawn. Every time, Doug’s Mom would have bags of Torero’s take-out waiting for us on her dinner table — the perfect treat for us road-weary-Mexican-food-deprived travelers. Before heading back to Gotham City, I always made sure to dine at my beloved Torero’s one more time, knowing it would have to last me at least three months until our next trip home.

TORERO’S COMES TO TOWN

During one of our trips back to North Carolina in 2005, I made a wonderful discovery. A branch of Torero’s had just opened up at Plantation Plaza (now Carrboro Plaza) in good ‘ol Carrboro. I was over-the-moon excited! I simply could not believe my good fortune that there was finally a Torero’s right here in town. Now whenever I needed my “great Mexican food fix” when I returned home for a visit, I no longer had to battle the traffic on Highway 15-501 and venture all the way to Durham.

In the fall of 2009, when Doug and I were trying to decide whether to move back home to Chapel Hill or not, I made a very extensive list of pro’s and con’s for both N.C. and N.Y.C. I wrote “Torero’s” in big letters, with a few exclamation points for emphasis, on the pro-N.C. side of the chart. Ghenet, a superb Ethiopian Restaurant in Brooklyn, N.Y. was listed on the pro-N.Y.C side. Since we did finally land back in Chapel Hill, (well, Carrboro), in the spring of 2010, clearly Torero’s won out. Now, thankfully, my nine hour commute to great Mexican food has been cut down to just a five minute drive.

Torero's Mexican Restaurant, Durham, N.C.

Soon after getting settled back in North Carolina, the Carrboro Torero’s became my new home away from home. I still often patronize the Durham Torero’s, as well. In early 2010, it expanded by relocating to the old On the Border building at Oak Creek Village Shopping Center off of Highway 15-501. It is a mile closer to Chapel Hill, the food is still excellent, and there is rarely a wait for a table. It is so much bigger now, I have a different waiter every time. But the service is fast and attentive, and when the owner is there, he still greets me like a close “amiga.” They have also just added an all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner buffet, as if the huge portions they give for a regular meal are not gargantuan enough. However, the Torero’s in Carrboro (now called Munchies Mexican Grill) always feels much more intimate, and they always know my order by heart the minute I walk in.

Like mother, like daughter, “Zoomer” loves eating at Torero’s just as much as I do. Actually, the first time we took her to a restaurant, when she was just seven weeks old back in 2009, was at Torero’s. Her very first meal in a restaurant, at 14 months old and right after we moved back home, was at Torero’s. Along with the plentiful yummy options available, Torero’s is very kid-friendly. Crayons and a coloring page kid’s menu are supplied upon entering, and we often take advantage of their “Kid’s Eat Free” days. (Sunday & Tuesdays in Carrboro, Monday-Thursday in Durham.) Even though it is already really well-priced, especially for the huge portions they serve, coupons are easy to come by, and they also offer a 25% student discount to students from all neighboring colleges, so be sure to bring your student ID with you if you qualify.

Now that we living back in the land of Torero’s, our family tradition of marking special occasions there lives on. We celebrated Zoomer’s 2nd Birthday there, and spent Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and my Birthday enjoying the same spinach enchiladas I first tried and fell in love with twenty years ago. The only difference is, now that I follow a vegan diet, I always ask them to “86″ the cheese and sour cream, add extra guacamole, and request the lard-free vegetarian rancho beans instead of the refried beans. Even without the dairy and fatback, it is still as delicious as ever!

Trunks filled with 6,000 books to be delivered to Book Harvest and into the hands of children who have no books at home.

Today, Tuesday, November 27, 2012 is officially known as “Giving Tuesday,” a national day of giving that celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations. “Giving Every Day” is an even better idea.

“Giving Tuesday” is a great tradition, but each and every day is an opportunity to give something back to your community. If money is tight, often your time or skills are actually much more valuable. I recently volunteered my minivan and just two hours one morning to help Book Harvest deliver six thousand books into the hands of our local children who have no books at home. I also redesigned the VolunteersforYouth.org web site for Volunteers for Youth pro-bono, as my way of helping support their wonderful organization. You might be surprised how just a little help goes a long way. I encourage you to find a local cause that is near and dear to your heart, and help in any way you can, whenever you can. It strengthens our community, making it an even better place in which to live. Giving back is fun, rewarding, and makes you feel more connected to your community, too. Happy Giving!

Here is a list of some of our many our local non-profits, in and around Orange County and the Triangle Area. (If you would like your non-profit, or your favorite non-profit, added to the list, please email: info@chapelhillrecorder.com.)

A Ban Against Neglect (ABAN) 

A Helping Hand

Ackland Art Museum

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program of NC

Alamance-Orange Prison Ministry

American Heart Association, Triangle Chapter

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

America Reads

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Inc.

Animal Protection Society of Orange County

AniMall Pet Adoption and Outreach Center

Apostolic House of Prayer, Inc.

Aqueduct Conference Center

The Arc of Orange County

Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)

The ArtsCenter

Benevolence Farm

Better Business Bureau of Eastern NC Inc.

Big Brother Big Sister

Binkley Baptist Church

Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate

Book Harvest

Botanical Gardens

Boys & Girls Club of Eastern Piedmont

Burwell School Historic Site

Caramore Community, Inc.,

Carnivore Preservation Trust

Carolina Biodiesel, LLC

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

Carolina Outreach Foundation

Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department

Carrboro United Methodist Church, Inc. & Childcare Center

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce

Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools – Community Schools Program

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Meals on Wheels

Chapel Hill Carrboro Mothers Club

Chapel Hill/Carrboro YMCA

Chapel Hill Public Library Foundation

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation,

Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership

Chapel Hill Fire Department

Chapel Hill Garden Club

Chapel Hill Service League

Chapel Hill Training-Outreach Project, Inc.

The Charles House Association

Chatham Chamber of Commerce

Childcare Matters

Child Care Services Association

Children’s Cooperative Play School

Christ Community Church 

CLAWS,Inc.

Cleft Palate Foundation

Club Nova Thrift Shop

The Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Free Teenagers of Chapel Hill & Carrboro

Coalition for Peace with Justice

Community Home Trust

Community Independent School

Communities In Schools of Orange County

Communities in Schools

Compeer of Orange County

Cora Food Pantry

Cornucopia House Cancer Support Center

Council for Entrepreneurial Development

Deep Dish Theater Company

Delta Sigma Pi

Diabetes Sisters

Dispute Settlement Center of Orange County

Duke School

Durham Technical Community College

East Chapel Hill Football Touchdown Club

The Educational Foundation, Inc.

El Centro Hispano

El Futuro, Inc.

Emerson Waldorf School

The Emily Krzyzewski Family Life Center

EmPOWERment, Inc.

Executive Service Corps of the Greater Triangle, Inc.

Extraordinary Ventures

Family Support Network of North Carolina

Family Violence Prevention Center of Orange County, Inc.

Fearrington Cares

The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina

Freedom House Recovery Center

Friends of the Chapel Hill Public Library

Friends of the Chapel Hill Senior Center

Friends of the Downtown

Friends of Triangle Seniors and Food Assistance

Girls on the Run of the Triangle

Girls Rock NC

The Great Human Race

Greater Chapel Hill Association of REALTORS

Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce

Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

Green Plus

Guatemalan Student Support Group

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity Restore

Health, Hoops & Hope

Healthy Carolinians of Orange County

Heavenly Minded Enterprises, Inc.

A Helping Hand

Hillsborough Exchange Club Program for the Prevention of Child Abuse

Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce

Horace Williams House

Inter-Faith Council for Social Service

IntraHealth International

Ipas

Junior League of Durham & Orange Counties

Kidzu Children’s Museum

Leadership Triangle

Love Chapel Hill

Mandala Adoption Services

MDC, Inc.

Meadowmont Community Association

Medical Foundation of North Carolina, Inc.

Mental Health Association of Orange County

Montessori Community School, Inc.

Morgan Creek Foundation 

Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

Mud Pie Planet

N.C. Federation of Business & Professional Women Club Foundation

NC High School Athletic Association

N.C. Prevention Partners

NC Therapeutic Riding Center (NCTRC)

New Hope Camp and Conference Center, Inc.

New Voices Foundation,

North Carolina Botanical Garden

North Carolina Rail-Trails

North Carolina Symphony

Nourish International (UNC-CH)

Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America

OE Enterprises Inc.

Optimist Club of Chapel Hill

Orange and Chatham Alternative Sentencing, Inc.

Orange Congregations In Mission (OCIM),

Orange County 4-H

Orange County Family Resource Centers

Orange County Literacy Council

Orange County Partnership for Young Children

Orange County Public Health Reserve Corps

Orange County Rape Crisis Center

Orange County Red Cross

Our Children’s Place

Partnership for a Sustainable Community 

Paws4Ever

People of Faith Against the Death Penalty (PFADP),

The People’s Channel

Piedmont Health Services, Inc.

Pine Knolls Community Center

Play Street Soccer

PORCH (People Offering Relief for CH-Carrboro Homes)

Preservation Society of Chapel Hill

Project Compassion

Project Rush Hour

PTA Thrift Shop

PTA Thrift Shop of Carrboro

Rainbow Soccer, Ltd.

Regional Transportation Alliance

Relay for Life

Research Triangle Park

Robert and Pearl Seymour Center

Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)

SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals

SEEDS

Shared Visions Foundation

SKJAJA Fund

The Small Business Center

Small Business & Technology Development Ctr.

Southern Environmental Law Center

Special Olympics Orange County

Speak Up! Toastmasters

Spence’s Farm

Stand up for Kids

Summit House Triangle

TABLE

Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Dept

Triangle Community Foundation

Triangle Impact

Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, Inc. (TROSA)

Triangle United Way

Triangle Youth Ballet

Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill

UNC-CH Dance Marathon

UNC General Alumni Association

UNC Hospitals

UNC-TV

UNC Health Care

Voices Together

Volunteers For Youth, Inc.

Wesley Campus Ministry at UNC

The Women’s Center

WUNC Radio 91.5 FM

Young People Institute