Category Archives: North Carolina

March 1, 2011 · 7:36 pm

John Edwards Is Out of Sight, but Not for Long – NYTimes.com

The next chapter of this sad saga is yet to come….

This is an unending soap opera….

Almost a Shakespearean tragedy…

Or at least, a modern “Dynasty”….

Or probably more like “Flamingo Road”….

Over the past few weeks, people in this tight-knit university community have not seen much of John Edwards.

They used to. He would hang out on a metal stool at Bowbarr, a short walk from the environmentally friendly condominium complex where he moved after details of an extramarital affair sent him from the family home.

He would swing into Crook’s Corner, a legendary Southern restaurant, for an order of fried oysters to go, talking to anyone around and looking like the polished but approachable Democratic presidential candidate he once was.

After his estranged wife, Elizabeth Edwards, died of cancer in early December, the chef at Crook’s Corner, Bill Smith, would slip in an extra dessert for their children.

“We all just feel for him, no matter what he’s done,” Mr. Smith said. “And you know there is more to come.”

That “more” is the possibility that a federal grand jury in Raleigh could soon hand up an indictment against him in a case centering on campaign finance practices.

One issue is whether Mr. Edwards knew that some of the millions of dollars given by at least two wealthy donors was being used to help support — and hide, some contend — Rielle Hunter, the campaign videographer with whom he had a prolonged affair, and the daughter they conceived.

The money used to support Ms. Hunter could be considered campaign contributions if prosecutors can show that Mr. Edwards helped orchestrate donations for that purpose, or that he knew the money would be used to keep the affair hidden so it would not hurt his 2008 presidential candidacy.

Much More:   John Edwards Is Out of Sight, but Not for Long – NYTimes.com.

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Filed under Justice System, North Carolina, Politics, The South

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February 28, 2011 · 7:53 pm

Raleigh No. 3 in Gay Parents – NewsObserver.com

This kind of blows the old Jesse Helms image of North Carolina to hell…

Thank God!

From the Raleigh News and Observer:

Raleigh is one of the highest-ranked metropolitan areas in the nation for gay parents. Nearly one-third of the same-sex couples who live here are raising children under the age of 18.

The American Community Survey says Raleigh has the third-highest percentage of same-sex couples with kids among metro areas that have a population of more than 1 million. San Antonio is first, with 33.9 percent of same-sex couples raising children, and Jacksonville, Fla., is second, with 32.4 percent.

Southern cities tended to rank high in the survey, which was conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and used population and housing data collected between 2005 and 2009.

Gary Gates, a senior research fellow at UCLA Law School, said he thinks the traditionally conservative South has more gay parents because people in the region tend to come out later in life, often after marrying and having children in heterosexual relationships.

Some cities with the highest concentrations of gays, such as San Francisco, aren’t ranked that high when it comes to same-sex couples with children, Gates said.

Ian Palmquist, executive director of Equality North Carolina, a gay rights organization, was not surprised to hear Raleigh ranked so high.

“Gay people from the more rural communities move to the Triangle because it is much more friendly and more supportive,” he said. “We know there are many same-sex couples raising children in North Carolina.”

Palmquist added that the same things that make North Carolina appealing to heterosexual couples also make it a good choice for same-sex couples.

via Raleigh No. 3 in gay parents – Family – NewsObserver.com.

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Filed under Gay, North Carolina, Politics, Social Commentary, Social Justice, The South

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February 25, 2011 · 6:30 pm

Ocracoke Island Journal: Jimmy Creech, the Methodist Church and Gays

It’s no secret Ocracoke Island is one of my favorite places.  We go every year.  It has the kind of tolerance and mutual respect for others that one generally sees in places that are either very big or very small.

This is an interesting article about one of its former citizens from Philip Howard’s blog.

Thanks to my friend Madonna for sending this to me…

Jimmy Creech was pastor of the Ocracoke United Methodist Church from 1973-1981. His impact on the church and community was profound and lasting. While Jimmy served his Ocracoke congregation he was also active in the volunteer fire department, promoted local musical gatherings, participated in variety shows and theater productions, organized an active youth group, helped sponsor cooking classes in the parsonage, and contributed to numerous other civic and community projects.

After leaving Ocracoke, Jimmy served other churches in North Carolina, and in Nebraska. In 1984, a member of Jimmy’s congregation came out to him as gay and announced he was leaving The United Methodist Church because of its policies toward lesbian, gay and bisexual members. Increased knowledge of these issues in the church and society transformed Jimmy’s life and ministry. He began to publicly challenge the church’s teachings and policies about homosexuality and to advocate for the full inclusion and acceptance of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the church and society. Eventually Jimmy’s ordination was revoked in 1999 for performing same-sex unions.

In March, Duke University Press will be releasing Jimmy’s new book, Adam’s Gift, the story of his defiance of the church’s official position.

via Ocracoke Island Journal: Jimmy Creech.

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February 23, 2011 · 7:52 pm

I Love My Congressman…

How many people can say that?

I’m so glad Brad Miller is my Congressman…He is truly an outstanding Representative for our District.

That’s why I have to focus my criticisms on nearby Congressmen who are truly losers like Robert Hurt, Virginia Foxx and Howard Coble…

Here is Brad addressing Congress on the deficit, spending priorities and the Republican irresponsibility:

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Filed under Greensboro, North Carolina, Politics, The Economy

February 20, 2011 · 1:58 pm

Bert’s Seafood Grille to close March 12 : News-Record.com

Bad news from the local restaurant scene…

Bert’s is/was one of the local standouts. I took innumerable out of town business guests there and everyone always loved it.

Bert’s was also always one of our personal favorites, but it just seemed out of the way once they moved to West Market Street.  Amalfi Harbor closed and the Brazilian place-who’s name escapes me-moved.  That area just seems to be bad news for restaurants…

Location. Location. Location.

If Bert’s were still here in the ‘hood, I somehow think they would have made it…

GREENSBORO — Bert’s Seafood Grille, an upscale seafood restaurant, will close March 12.

Owner Mary Lacklen cites a grim economy, among other things, for her decision to close the 23-year-old business, which is also at the end of its lease.

The West Market Street restaurant is a multiple winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence and the Triad’s Readers Choice Award for Best Seafood restaurant.

via Bert’s Seafood Grille to close March 12 : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad’s most trusted source for local news and analysis.

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Filed under Food, Greensboro, North Carolina, Style

February 17, 2011 · 8:19 pm

ISS – ‘Respect my Vote’: Backlash grows against voter ID push

This is just another back door way to suppress Democratic voters…

And if the GOP is so worried about  cutting spending, this is not a cheap initiative…

Emphasis is mine….

When Republicans launched campaigns in 20 states this year for laws requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls, they likely saw it as a chance to score a quick political victory on one of their favorite causes.

But the GOP’s urgent and coordinated push is encountering growing resistance, led by citizens who fear they could be disenfranchised by new barriers to voting, as well as election officials who balk at the price tag of a costly new government program.

This week in North Carolina, voting rights advocates — holding signs reading “Stop Photo ID, Respect My Vote” — descended on the legislature to oppose a bill Republicans plan to introduce next week.

The diverse group reflected the range of N.C. voters who could be affected — seniors, students, the disabled and low-income and homeless citizens who may not have photo ID cards. Rep. William Brisson (D) called the measure a “slap in the face” to his largely rural district in Bladen County:

“It involves about 35 percent of my voters. These are people who still feel like they are part of this world and want to vote, even though they are in long-term care homes and might not have photo IDs. These are people this is just a direct impact on.”

via ISS – ‘Respect my Vote’: Backlash grows against voter ID push.

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Filed under North Carolina, Politics, The South

February 13, 2011 · 12:18 pm

Decision on Indicting Edwards Coming Soon

Waiting for the next chapter in this sad soap opera….

Former Sen. John Edwards “testified earlier this week in a civil lawsuit his former mistress brought against a former aide over a purported sex tape involving the politician and mistress,” WRAL-TV reports. “No details have been released about Edwards’ deposition, but it could be of interest to federal investigators looking into possible criminal activity involving campaign funds during his 2008 presidential run.”

The station has also reports that “the criminal case is wrapping up, and federal prosecutors could announce whether they will indict Edwards on criminal charges in late February to early March.”

via Decision on Indicting Edwards Coming Soon.

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Filed under Media, North Carolina, Politics, The South

February 5, 2011 · 11:06 pm

I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me By a Young Lady from Rwanda

 

Just a reminder, my partner Steve Willis returns to the stage as an actor this week in “I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me By a Young Lady from Rwanda.”

I say this play in Chapel Hill and would recommend it even without the special connection.

Details below:

 

 

 

Time
Thursday, February 10 at 7:30pm – February 13 at 3:00pm
Location The Little Theatre, Bennett College for Women
More Info
The Bennett Players present the Triad premiere of I HAVE BEFORE ME A REMARKABLE DOCUMENT GIVEN TO ME BY A YOUNG LADY FROM RWANDA, a play by Sonja Linden, Thursday through Saturday, February 10-12, at 7:30pm; and Sunday, February 13, at 3pm.

Advance reservatrions are not required. Tickets will be sold at the door: $10 (Adults), $5 (Bennett employees, alumnae, and non-Bennett students), and $2 (Bennett students).

The play is directed by Beth Ritson, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Speech at Bennett and features senior Theatre major, Tarshai Peterson (from Washington, DC), and Steve Willis, Associate Professor of Theatre and Speech and Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Bennett.

Simon, a British poet (played by Willis) meets a young Rwandan woman, Juliette, (played by Peterson) who has survived the 1994 genocide. As Juliette struggles to write a first-hand account of her tragic experience, the play becomes a story about the healing power of writing and friendship that crosses cultural barriers.

 

 

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Filed under Entertainment, Greensboro, History, North Carolina, Politics, Theatre

January 29, 2011 · 11:12 pm

Paper Lantern Theatre presents “End Days”

I really enjoyed tonight’s sold-out performance of “End Days” as presented by The Paper Lantern Theatre Company at Triad Stage’s Upstage Cabaret here in Greensboro.

The production is beautifully acted and directed.  The play itself has some problems.  It’s over-written, a little repetitive, in places, and I think would play better if cut to a 90 minute play with no-intermission.  Also, it has the episodic/skit structure that is so popular with younger playwrights who were raised watching television.  However, it still makes for a very enjoyable evening in the theatre.

It’s the extremely talented cast and artful direction that really make it work.

If it’s not sold out for the last performances,  I would recommend you see it.

I also applaud Paper Lantern for doing so many new plays here in the Triad.  They are a great addition to our  theatrical community.  Paper Lantern consistently provides people here with a chance to see plays that made some noise off-Broadway, but would not normally have been done here in the past.  And they do them all very well…

I wish them a long and successful life!

More info from GoTriad.com:

Triad Stage presents Paper Lantern Theatre Co’s production of End Days by Deborah Zoe Laufer, January 19-30 at Triad Stage’s UpStage Cabaret, 232 South Elm St, Greensboro.

End Days marks Paper Lantern Theatre Company’s two-year anniversary. In this rapturously funny play, Deborah Zoe Laufer addresses the question, If the rapture was indeed on its way this Wednesday, which of your close ones would be saved…truly saved? Variety describes End Days as “…a satirical dark comedy with a moral edge.”

Sixteen year old Rachel Stein (played by Cheryl Koski) is having a bad year. Her father (played by Lee Spencer) hasn’t changed out of his pajamas since 9/11. Her mother (played by Amy daLuz) has begun a close, personal relationship with Jesus (played by Matt Palmer). Her new neighbor, a sixteen-year-old Elvis impersonator (played by Chris Raddatz), has fallen for her hard. And the Apocalypse is coming on Wednesday. Her only hope is that Stephen Hawking (played by Matt Palmer) will save them all.

via Paper Lantern Theatre presents End Days by Deborah Zoe Laufer | Paper Lantern Theatre | Triad Stage–Upstage Cabaret | PERFORMING ARTS | Gotriadscene.com.

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Filed under Entertainment, Greensboro, North Carolina, Theatre

January 12, 2011 · 6:58 pm

Coble seeks repeal of light bulb standard- News-Record.com

With all that’s going on in the world, one of Greensboro’s Congressmen can’t focus on anything but light bulbs.

As I’ve said many times, the Republicans can only look backwards…

The idea here is to save energy and lower electric bills, but Howard doesn’t seem to get that…

Could be because he’s a 15 watt bulb in a 100 watt socket…just not bright enough…

GREENSBORO — U.S. Rep. Howard Coble is among those urging colleagues in Congress to turn off the lights on a controversial provision of the 2007 energy bill.

The Greensboro Republican is a co-sponsor of a bill to repeal what some refer to — erroneously — as the incandescent bulb ban. Texas Reps. Joe Barton and Michael Burgess and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, all Republicans, were the original sponsors of the repeal measure.

The legislation is a long way from passing, but it is in keeping with Republican pledges to roll back laws they see as interfering with personal freedoms.

“It seems to me the Congress and the government is inserting its oars in waters where it doesn’t need to go,” Coble said Tuesday, adding that people ought to choose which kind of light bulb they want to use for themselves.

“This ought to be a personal decision rather than being an edict from on high.”

The 2007 bill sets energy efficiency standards for light bulbs. It doesn’t specifically ban incandescent bulbs, but it would phase out the cheap, 50 cents-a-piece, single-filament model based on Thomas Edison’s century-old design.

The rationale behind the bill had to do with cutting down the energy Americans use by making lighting fixtures more efficient. Rather than ban possession or use of any one bulb, it prohibits retailers from selling the less energy-efficient models, phasing in the new rules between 2012 and 2014.

via Coble seeks repeal of light bulb standard : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad’s most trusted source for local news and analysis.

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Filed under Energy, Greensboro, North Carolina, Politics, The Environment