September 2008

Via e-mail:

Announcing: the Grand Opening of the new OCDP office, Tuesday, September 2, 5:00 - 7:30 pm, at 121 South Estes Drive, Suite 102 A (just 50 feet from our old office, Suite 103 A), in Chapel Hill. Come socialize with fellow Democrats, sign up for Obama/Biden yard signs (expected by Sept 8), pick up campaign paraphernalia and registration forms, purchase Legislative Breakfast tickets, sign up to be a volunteer, donate to the cause, and enjoy light refreshments.

Coming out of a terrific National Convention, we are unified and have a great ticket, a strong and clear message, and tremendous energy. But the polls show a very tight race, and the choice of a very conservative VP candidate by McCain appears to have re-invigorated the Republican base. We are in for a fight, and North Carolina is in the thick of it. With hard work, Orange County can help carry the state for Obama/Biden, Kay Hagan, Bev Perdue, and other Democratic candidates down the ballot.

This election is crucial: are we as a nation going to continue with the failed policies and status-quo politics of the rich and powerful as usual? Or seize this historic opportunity for Change so that our government actually works, and works for all of us?

Let's get started at our Grand Opening. I hope to see you there!

Jack Sanders, Chair
Orange County Democratic Party 

Panelists:

Lydia Lavelle, Carrboro Alderman and NCCU Professor of "Sexual Identity and the Law"

Ian Palmquist, Director, Equality NC

Yuri Yamamoto, NCSU Professor

“In Covering, Yoshino deftly blends autobiography and legal reasoning to make a case for the profound importance of individualism, autonomy, and self-expression in our conceptualization of civil and political rights. By introducing sociologist Erving Goffman's notion of "covering" — how people are formally or informally coerced into toning down stigmatized identities, even when such identities are known — into the legal lexicon, Yoshino has both broadened and calibrated more finely the way we think and talk about identity politics and civil rights.

Yoshino, who is Japanese-American and gay, draws much on his own identity markers in Covering, but the overall thesis is applicable to any and all people whose identities, for one reason or another, are subject to stigma and who, as a result, are prone to "covering" behaviors. In Yoshino's view, such behaviors — based on differences in race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, etc. — are not only harmful psychologically to those forced to cover, but also morally impoverishing to socially-dominant groups, and threatening to the civil rights of us all. In calling for broad social acceptance of individuality and self-expression, Yoshino challenges us to think more clearly about who we are and about what constitutes true equality, social justice, and human dignity.”

— Peter A. Coclanis
Chair, Carolina Summer Reading Program Committee

Contact:

918-7387, cybrary@co.orange.nc.us

Via e-mail:

Orange Water and Sewer Authority

NEWS RELEASE     September 11, 2008

OWASA invites comments on proposed changes to water conservation requirements

on Wednesday, September 24th at 7 PM
Based on customers’ feedback and experience in the drought of 2007-08, OWASA has drafted and will seek public comments on potential changes to its water conservation requirements.

OWASA staff will host a community meeting on Wednesday, September 24th at 7:00 PM to receive comments and questions from OWASA customers and other interested stakeholders. The meeting will be in the Community Room on the lower floor of the OWASA Administration Building, 400 Jones Ferry Road, Carrboro (near the intersection of Barnes Street and Jones Ferry Road).

“The proposed changes are intended to give customers more flexibility and to put greater reliance on our water rates to encourage conservation,” said Ed Holland, OWASA’s Planning Director.

“One of the frequent comments we received during the drought and various stages of water use restrictions was ‘Don’t tell us how to use OWASA water. Just tell us how much it’s going to cost, and let us decide how to use it,’” Holland said.


Key proposals:

Some of the key changes under consideration are:

ü  Greater flexibility for irrigation of “Public Purpose Athletic and Recreational Fields” and “Public Purpose Botanical Sites” for which OWASA approves a watering plan. Public facilities are now subject to the same irrigation restrictions as private properties.

 
ü  Spray irrigation restrictions would be relaxed for non-turf vegetation such as trees, shrubs and gardens, which are now subject to limits on days of week, hours, etc.  The current spray irrigation limit of 1 inch per week would continue to apply to grass (turf).

 

ü  Drip irrigation, underground hose emitters, soaker hose, hand watering, and other non-spray irrigation would be allowed at any time, duration, and frequency except during a Water Supply Emergency, when all irrigation would be prohibited.  Greater flexibility is proposed because it is impractical to know when non-spray irrigation meets or exceeds the current limit of 1 inch per week (1/2 inch per week under certain shortage conditions).

 

ü  Spray irrigation of turf would be allowed during normal water supply conditions before 10:00 AM and after 6:00 PM three days per week (depending on odd or even address). Spray irrigation is now permitted before 9:00 AM and after 8:00 PM three days a week under normal conditions.

 

ü  Swimming pools could be filled, refilled, or topped off at any time except during a Water Supply Emergency regardless of whether the pool is public or private. OWASA has determined that swimming pools account for a small fraction of outdoor water use. Under current standards, restrictions for pools begin in a Stage 2 water shortage.

 

For more detailed information, including the specific wording of proposed changes, please visit http://www.owasa.org/agenda/UploadedFiles/2008/Parts_08-28-2008/Item11.pdf on the OWASA website to read a report to the OWASA Board of Directors on August 28th, or contact OWASA at 968-4421 or webmaster@owasa.org.

 

Citizens who wish to receive electronic updates on the consideration of changes to the conservation standards and related items are invited to send a short note to webmaster@owasa.org to be added to OWASA’s electronic news list.

 

Process for consideration and action on OWASA’s water conservation standards

 

Sometime after the Sept. 24th community meeting (date still to be determined), the OWASA Board of Directors will make decisions on changes to the utility’s conservation standards and will make recommendations to the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County for changes in their water conservation ordinances.

 

OWASA will publicize the dates of future OWASA Board meetings when the proposed changes in conservation standards will be scheduled for discussion.

 

For more Information:

 

Ed Holland, AICP, Planning Director, 537-4215; e-mail: eholland@owasa.org

 

Patrick Davis, Utility Manager Generalist, 537-4210; e-mail: pdavis@owasa.org

 

Greg Feller, Public Affairs, 537-4267; e-mail: gfeller@owasa.org
OWASA is the community-owned, non-profit public water and sewer agency serving the Carrboro-Chapel Hill community.

 

400 JONES FERRY ROAD, CARRBORO, NC 27510

PHONE: (919) 968-4421; FAX: (919) 968-4464

WEBSITE: WWW.OWASA.ORG;  E-MAIL: WEBMASTER@OWASA.ORG

Meet Michelle Obama at a private fundraising event in Durham.

$1000 per person. $10,000 for a Host reception and photo.

Contact me for more information. graigmeyer(at)gmail.com 

Via e-mail:

The political season is hot, and the Orange County Democratic Party's Legislative Breakfast - 8 AM, October 11, at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill - will be a highlight. Our State legislators will report on the recent legislative session in Raleigh, and Congressman Price will report on what is happening on Capitol Hill. Our big social event of the year, the Breakfast also helps raise money for Party operations during this exciting fall campaign.

Tickets purchased by October 6 are $40. Tickets purchased at the door are $60. Teen Dems and UNC Young Dems tickets are $20 if purchased by October 6. Contact your precinct chair or the OCDP office (919-933-9662, contact@orangedems.com) to purchase tickets. Or mail your check to OCDP, PO Box 3368, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3368. Write"Legislative Breakfast" in the notation.

Anyone who wishes to donate tickets as gifts to party volunteers or to Teen or Young Dems may do so. Large 2008 donations to the OCDP and ticket donations will be noted in the program.

Get your tickets early for this fun and informative event. We hope to see you there.

Jack Sanders, Chair
Orange County Democratic Party


To read this e-mail in your web browser, go to http://orangedems.com/htmls/emailnews9-15-08.html

The ReCYCLEry, http://www.recyclery.info, is celebrating its first 8th anniversary by hosting a fun-filled family-oriented gathering on October 26th that will include food, music, cruiser-style bike rides and more.  Located at the Southern Rail Restaurant near Weaver Street Market, the event will run from 2-6 pm and will welcome hundreds of community members who have volunteered their time and skills, their support, or have benefited from the work of The ReCYCLEry over the past eight years.  All are welcome to join!  Suggested donation per person: $8.

Who:  Community members, bike mechanics, bike-enthusiasts, children and their parents, elected officials, transportation gurus, public health leaders, teachers, and people who will pay the suggested donation just to join us for some free Southern Rail tater tots!

When:  SAVE THE D8! Sunday, October 26th 2-6 pm (The ReCYCLEry will not be open to the public on this day)

Where:  Southern Rail, http://www.sr-nc.com/,   201-C East Main Street, Carrboro, North Carolina,  27510

What:  Guided bike tours around Chapel Hill and Carrboro for all experience levels, light food, beer, music, information about an upcoming bike collection drive though Performance, Volunteer Appreciation awards, and much more.

Why:  The ReCYCLEry is a non-profit organization that provides a creative workspace to connect salvaged bikes with active community members, creates opportunities for skill building and volunteerism, and seeks to increase the use of the bicycle for both transportation and recreation. The group settled it’s current location a couple of years ago, has an advisory board of 6 members, and a volunteer corps of over 400 individuals.  This year, we celbrate 8 years of existence and honor the past while generating support for the future.

A suggested donation of $8 (only $1 per year of existence!) will help fund continuing programs such as our fall Mobile Repair Days where we pack a mini-shop onto bike trailers and ride to underserved communities distributing bikes and teaching basic maintenance.  All donations are tax-deductible and donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated.

The Orange County Commission for Women is co-sponsoring the event with local organizations as part of North Carolina Women United's "Women's Agenda Assembly process."

The 2008 Agenda Assembly marks the 20th anniversary of these events in North Carolina. Across the state, women hear from local experts on issues like health care, education, the economy, equal political representation, immigration and violence against women. Participants discuss the issues, prioritize them, and set the agenda for policies addressed by local and state leaders. It's democracy at its best; your voice will count! Our goal is to include over 100 women in the process this year.

• >What:2008 Women's Agenda Assembly: "Women, Power, Change"
• When: Thursday, October 2, 6:00-9:00pm
• Where: Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill.

Candidates and community organizations are invited to attend and bring information to share. The event is non-partisan.Pre-registration is encouraged. Fill out the form. Distribute the flyer via your networks.

Food served starting at 6:00pm. Speakers start at 6:30pm and include experts from across Orange County and the Triangle area.

Transportation is provided from Hillsborough. Simultaneous interpretation to Spanish also provided. Registration is FREE. Contact Pam Reynolds at 919-960-3875 for more information or to turn in a registration form.

From BolinCreek.org:

The 5th Annual Bolin Creek Festival will be from 11am-5pm, October 4th at Umstead Park in Chapel Hill. Featuring local artist Dale Morgan, music by Club Boheme, Skeedaddle, Project Mastana—passionate Bollywood dance music, and rhythm circles by the Music Explorium. Special activities for children will include the introduction to stream critters and the popular Enviroscape by the Chapel Hill Stormwater Office.

Hello,
I am the local organizer for the Momma for Obama National Rally here in Chapel Hill. On November 1 from 2:30 to 4pm on the Southern Village Green in Chapel Hill, mothers and families across the nation will gather in a demonstration of unity and support for Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden. This Wednesday, October 1, at 7pm, at my house I am hosting an organizational meeting for this rally. I would like to invite anyone from your organization who is interested to attend and/or contact me for more information.
YES WE CAN!
thank you,
Christine Ellestad
101 Buck Taylor Trail
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
919-929-3013