http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/ Latest News from the Chapel Hill - Orange County Visitor's Bureau en info@visitchapelhill.org Copyright 2010 2010-07-26T22:26:53+00:00 http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/trolley-to-hit-the-streets-for-august-artwalk/ http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/trolley-to-hit-the-streets-for-august-artwalk/#When:22:26:53Z New to the 2nd Friday Artwalk’s August 13th event, will be free trolley service, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. beginning at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro and making a five mile loop through Franklin Street, the Horace Williams House and various stops. Many of the galleries will have live music and other art related entertainment. This popular once-a-month event brings residents and visitors from all over the Triangle who enjoy the opportunity to see a large variety of artwork during a single evening while socializing with their fellow art lovers. Olde South Trolley Company, based in Kannapolis, NC is donating the trolley to the August 13th to test market demand. Huffstetler purchased and restored one of the original Chapel Hill Trolley’s previously owned by the town of Chapel Hill. The trolley is a 26 passenger-capacity vehicle, air-conditioned for comfort and equipped with a state-of-the-art 6- speaker sound system. The trolley will include a step-on tour guide who will provide trivia and entertainment info on the towns. For details, contact the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, 919-968-2060. Check back for details on the exact route and locations where participants may get on and off the trolley. For the ArtWalk participants for August, visit 2ndFriday ArtWalk. In The Spotlight 2010-07-26T22:26:53+00:00 http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/in-the-news/ http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/in-the-news/#When:17:35:47Z Visitor's Journal 2010-07-21T17:35:47+00:00 http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/plan-your-kid-friendly-activities-with-this-handy-guide/ http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/plan-your-kid-friendly-activities-with-this-handy-guide/#When:20:11:43Z This blog is designed to help you plan your next kid-friendly activity out in the Triangle. “Notes From a Mom in Chapel Hill (A Guide)” is intended to be a resource for parents in the area. I cover the area from Raleigh to Hillsborough, but mostly concentrate on Chapel Hill and Carrboro. I include tips and advice about how to make the most of experiences out and about. I try to keep it up-to-the-minute and practical. Notes from a Mom in Chapel Hill is a guide for parents in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Raleigh, Durham and the surrounding areas. Allison B Carter Citizen's Journal 2010-07-15T20:11:43+00:00 http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/july-is-national-ice-cream-month/ http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/july-is-national-ice-cream-month/#When:21:13:46Z Here’s the scoop on how July became known as National Ice Cream Month in the United States. According to the International Dairy Foods Association, former President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the special month back in 1984. Ice cream is consumed by more people in the United States than in any other country in the world and the third Sunday of the month – this year, July 18, 2010 – has been dubbed National Ice Cream Day. The International Diary Food Association reports that Reagan recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by 90 percent of the country’s population. He urged Americans to celebrate the events with “appropriate ceremonies and activities,” including making their own ice cream. Well, if you’re not into making your own, check out one of the many shops in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough to enjoy the cold, tasty treat. Sit on the front porch at Maple View Country Store or visit their Hampton Pointe or downtown Carrboro locations. Ben and Jerry’s or Franklin Sweets on West Franklin Street or Cold Stone Creamery on East Franklin Street are great options as well. For yogurt, in downtown Chapel Hill, there’s the Yogurt Pump, TCBY at The Shops at Eastgate or the new Orange Leaf Yogurt at Timberlyne Shopping Center. For gelato try Sugarland downtown or La Vita Dolce Espresso & Gelato Cafe at Southern Village. Meadowmont Village has Lickity Split Ice Cream. For something a little different, try Locopops downtown Chapel Hill or Village Plaza or Rita’s “Ice Custard or Cream Ice” at Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro. We all scream for Ice Cream in Orange County. For information about all the above locations, click here on our dining page. In The Spotlight 2010-07-06T21:13:46+00:00 http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/9th-annual-10-by-10-festival-at-artscenter/ http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/9th-annual-10-by-10-festival-at-artscenter/#When:15:02:21Z 10 Plays, 10 Minutes, 10 Actors, Only 10 Bucks! This international festival of new, 10-minute plays brings to the Triangle the very best of the 10-minute format. July 8-25, Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 3:00pm at The ArtsCenter, 300-G East Main Street, Carrboro, NC 27510. For tickets visit ArtsCenter or call (919) 929-2787 ext. 201. From over 550 scripts submitted from all over the world – including Australia, Israel, Russia, and Spain – a panel of theatre artists has selected 10 plays for this production. 10 By 10 2010 features 5 world premieres – including Somewhere Out There by David Rabinowitz. Not only is “Dave” a Carrboro man, he is also a member of the Playwrights Roundtable, The ArtsCenter’s resident playwrights lab. 10 By 10 is, after all, international theatre at its most local. The Playwright Gala is Saturday, July 10 and Meet the Artists is Saturday, July 17. Photo on homepage from one of the ten plays is Julie Oliver and Jenny Wales in “Don’t Eat the Yellow Picasso” by James C. Ferguson. Photo by Lindsay Booth. In The Spotlight 2010-06-25T15:02:21+00:00 http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/a-foodies-paradise-in-Chapel-hill-carrboro-and-hillsborough/ http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/a-foodies-paradise-in-Chapel-hill-carrboro-and-hillsborough/#When:20:28:37Z Click the link below for a list of the dining options in Orange County. The restaurants are listed in alphabetical order by town. Choose from dozens of restaurants in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough. For a complete 2010 visitors guide, click on request literature under the Resources drop down menu above or just call 1-888-968-2060. 2010 Orange County Dining List.pdf Dining 2010-06-15T20:28:37+00:00 http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/celebrate-independence-day-in-orange-county/ http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/celebrate-independence-day-in-orange-county/#When:16:04:50Z At the Carrboro July 4th Celebration, enjoy a variety of musical performances, entertainers, face painting, games and a juggling Uncle Sam on stilts. The excitement begins on Weaver Street Lawn with at costume contest. Decorate your bike or wagon for the traditional Main Street parade to Town Hall where you can party the day away with Carolina Beach Music Awards winners. A musical menu includes the best of 60’s Oldies, Classic Rock, 70’s Disco, Carolina Beach and today’s hottest new songs. Performers include Sea-Cruz, one of the Southeast’s top entertainment groups. Enter in the 2nd annual Pie Eating Contest. Pre-Event starts at 9:30 am at Weaver Street Market. In Chapel Hill, picnic on the lawn of the Horace Williams House and enjoy patriotic music by the Village Band, and free ice cream from 1 to 3 pm. For more information, call the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill at (919) 942-7818. Celebrate your independence with a special Fourth of July Edition of Fridays on the Front Porch at The Carolina Inn. This event will feature two sets of live bluegrass music by Big Fat Gap, a southern picnic buffet, drink specials, and comfortable seating on the shady front porch. Fun for the entire family! No cover charge. Music is 2pm – 4 pm and 5 pm – 7 pm. Celebrate Independence Day with the spirit of New Orleans Jazz and The King Rippers on the stage at the Village Green in Southern Village. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating, and can bring a picnic or purchase food from any of the Southern Village food establishments. The 7 pm concert is free. Finally, the Town of Chapel Hill’s Fireworks Celebration is at Kenan Memorial Stadium on the UNC campus. This fun-filled event offers something for the whole family with live entertainment, interactive children’s activities, and a magnificent fireworks display. Gates open at 7 pm with entertainment from “Juggle Boy”, Magic Mike and Paint Savvy. The event features live music by rock group Big Sam Band. Gates open at 7 pm and music begins at 8 pm. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30 pm. Fireworks are viewable from inside the stadium ONLY. Patrons are encouraged to arrive when the gates open for the best seats. The first 8,000 people to the stadium will receive a free glow necklace from Grace Church. Due to ongoing renovations to Kenan Stadium, available seating is on the North Side ONLY (opposite from previous years). Public access to the Stadium will be through Gates 1, 2, and 5 ONLY. Recommended parking for event patrons is the Craig, Jackson and Cardinal Parking Decks off of Manning Drive. Ram’s Head Parking Deck off Ridge Road is CLOSED to public parking. Disability parking available along Stadium Drive. Parking also available in downtown Chapel Hill parking lots 2, 3, 5, and the Wallace Parking Deck, just a short walk over to the stadium from Downtown. In The Spotlight 2010-06-14T16:04:50+00:00 http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/unc-football-season-kicks-off-in-september/ http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/unc-football-season-kicks-off-in-september/#When:22:48:30Z The 2010 Football Season begins for the UNC Tar Heels September 4 vs. LSU in Atlanta. Carolina’s first home game is September 18 versus Georgia Tech. Other home games are October 2 – East Carolina University, October 9 – Clemson, October 30 – William & Mary, November 13 – Virginia Tech and November 20 – Duke. Make sure you have your tickets and lodging reservations in Orange County for an exciting home schedule. Homecoming Weekend is October 29-31. The theme is Carolina Homecoming 2010: Take It All In. There will be mixers, tailgate parties, homecoming parade, the Bell Tower Climb and much more. If you haven’t been back to Chapel Hill in a while, you’ll find lots of new restaurants and fun activities to explore. Also, a warm Tar Heel welcome goes out to William & Mary Fans. Click on the lodging page Orange County Accommodations and make your reservations today. For game tickets visit http://www.tarheelblue.com Visitor's Journal 2010-06-01T22:48:30+00:00 http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/totally-enthralled-with-carrboro/ http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/totally-enthralled-with-carrboro/#When:19:07:17Z I am from Wisconsin and I am totally enthralled with Carrboro and Chapel Hill. My cousin attends UNC and lives in Carrboro and I love to park my car when I arrive and walk everywhere. It’s hard to find towns like Carrboro anymore. The area is filled with quaint coffee shops, locally owned restaurants, galleries, and open lawns on which to sit and people-watch; have a cool refreshment and take in the Carolina breeze. There’s always music in the air and kids sitting next to adults, old, young, all nationalities and sexual orientations. I feel as if the town is a snapshot of America. I hope to retire there one day. Citizen's Journal 2010-06-01T19:07:17+00:00 http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/weaver-street-market-celebrates-22-years/ http://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/entry/weaver-street-market-celebrates-22-years/#When:15:09:49Z Twenty-two years ago, Weaver Street Market opened as a cooperatively owned grocery store in Carrboro. To celebrate this anniversary, the Co-op will offer raffles, free birthday cake, tastings and gather owners and customers for a photoshoot. Enjoy day-long specials of a regular cup of coffee for 75 cents and Weaver Street Market cookies for 50 cents on Monday, June 21. On Thursday June 24, owners and customers are invited to be a part of the picture by gathering on the lawn in Carrboro for a giant photoshoot – potentially over 10,000 neighbors and friends. Everyone is welcome; the photo will be taken at 7 pm. All week long enjoy tastings, balloons, and every time you shop at any WSM location enter a drawing for a gift basket filled with locally produced goodies. Winner will be chosen at random from all the entries on Monday, June 28. Cake will be served at the Southern Village location on Tuesday, June 22, from 5-7 pm and at the Carrboro location on Wednesday, June 23 from 5-7 pm, and at the Hillsborough store on Thursday June 24 from 5-7 pm. For more information visit http://www.weaverstreetmarket.coop. Visitor's Journal 2010-06-01T15:09:49+00:00