Ruby Sinreich's blog

In the past here on OrangePolitics, we have discussed whether endorsements matter, and made fun of candidates' yard signs (both of which I hope we will do again this year). Now that candidate websites are becoming more common, the Chapel Hill Herald has started the conversation about whether an online presence makes a difference in local campaigns. (And they have helped me complete the web site listings for the OP Election Guide, thanks!)

For the readers who are not at the Sierra Club's Hillsborough Candidate Forum right now (and that's all of you except for one) I am reporting live from the Battle Courtroom.

I was very disappointed (and a little shocked) to learn that only one candidate in each of the races - Mayor and Town Board - is attending the forum. But it's more understandable when you realize that this is the very first time the Sierra Club has done a Hillsborough forum. Plus this is just not the same political environment as Chapel Hill and Carrboro, where environmentalism is the norm.

Kudos to Town Board incumbent Mike Gehring (in old-timey politician bow tie) and Mayoral challenger Tom Stevens (in 80's modern t-shirt & blazer) just for being here!

I will report more on the forum if anything notable happens.

Any of you who watched The End of Suburbia recently should be ready for this: tomorrow is Car Free Day! If you pledge to go car free on the NC Car Free web site you can win a prize, and everyone is invited to Weaver Street Market to celebrate Car Free Day. (Considering that it's Thursday at 6pm, car-free is about the only way to get to WSM anyway.)

On September 22, 2005, Orange and Durham County citizens in North Carolina will join over 1400 cities and towns throughout the United States and 37 other countries in celebrating World Car Free Day. We'd like you to join the celebration! http://www.gocarfree.com

There will be an event at Weaver Street Market from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Car Free Day (Sept 22) with information about public transportation, carpooling, biodiesel, Village Project Concept Plans for Carolina North, and more!