Monthly Archives: June 2009

links for 2009-06-11

  • Excerpt:
    "Historically, student enrollment at universities has increased significantly during a recession as young workers who had opted out of school decide to enroll when jobs become scarce. But that dynamic could change this year, Hendricks says. State-funded universities nationwide face severe budget problems, which could lead the schools to drop freshman enrollment to quickly reduce expenses.

    Furthermore, financial aid is declining at many schools during the recession. Students could stay at home and enroll in community colleges to save money for their families or defer college and seek employment to earn tuition money. The final outcome for student enrollment–and the resulting effect on student housing pricing–remains uncertain."

  • Easy credit for families allowed colleges to add expensive services, and jack tuition, without losing too many students. Now that credit is tighter that means families are thinking twice about footing a high tuition bill.

  • Article in the Triad Business Journal on the glut of student housing in the Greensboro market. Seth Coker and Bryan Nelson, current TAA board members, were interviewed for the article.

No Middle Ground for Weather

We seem to have gone directly from severe drought last year directly to over saturation here in the Triad.  We had some wicked storms in Lewisville last night, but apparently it was even worse just a few miles south in Clemmons.  In fact they had to shut down Tanglewood Park for the day today in order to clean up.

As for our humble abode, the rain meant I didn't have to water my newly seeded lawn, but it also pointed out that I need to clean our gutters…badly.

links for 2009-06-10

Some Great Ways to Get Fat in Winston-Salem This Weekend

My friends, if you manage to make it through this weekend in Winston-Salem without gaining, like, 20 pounds, you're made of better stuff than me.  To wit:

  • Twin City Ribfest is being held at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds, June 11-14. In past years this was held downtown, but they've outgrown that space and moved to the Fairgrounds.
  • Edible Evenings weekend being hosted by Smitty's Notes this weekend.  Here's a description from Smitty's email:
    "So, in the spirit of Smitty's Notes, which has developed a tradition of networking and gathering people for dinner and see what cooks up has teamed with The Stocked Pot Cooking School to host three cooking events for friends with Chef Don McMillian and Andrew McMillian. That's right! You get to cook your own gourmet meal.

    On two nights – Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th at 6:30 p.m. Chef Don has put together a great menu and Andrew has selected the perfect wines, all that is missing is you. Sign up today and join the fun, all proceeds go to The Meals On Wheels program right here in the Triad.

    Chef Don will demonstrate recipes from one of his most popular classes, International Chicken dishes, as you will prepare and enjoy, Chicken Saltimboca, Risotto with wild mushrooms and Eggplant and Peaches flamed in Brandy will complete the meal, Andrew has chosen the perfect wine to compliment our evening's offerings. Cost is $49.00 per person. Class is limited to 30 students. Proceeds will be donated to Meals on Wheels.  Sign up today

    That's not all! On Saturday, June 13th there is a Chef and Child Lunch class. Chef Don teaches Chef and Child classes every summer in North Carolina counties. Eager minds quickly pick up cooking techniques when it is taught with fun. Nutritious foods is the real reason for educating our offspring’s in the art of cooking. This  hands-on class covers lunch favorites that are sure to please every young palate. Check out this menu, Easy Bake Lasagna,  Garlic Bread, Fresh Fruit Carvings, Fruit Juice spritzers, Oatmeal cookies. Yes the students will prepare, and EAT the meal. Cost is $29.00 per person. Class is limited to 20 students. Proceeds will be donated to Meals on Wheels.  Sign up today

City Academy

I just got an email announcing that registration is open for Greensboro's next City Academy class.  This looks like a very cool idea and I wonder if Winston-Salem has one.  If not I think it would be a very good idea.  Here's a description from the Greensboro city website:

The mission of Government Works is to develop future leaders and build a better community through the efforts of well informed and civically engaged residents.

Classes use engaging hands-on activities to show how City government affects the quality of life in Greensboro. Class  are held weekly from 5:45-9 pm from September 3 through November 12. Sessions include information on topics ranging from police to economic development to leadership. 

Program components include:

  • Preparation for service on a City board or commission
  • Experiential learning and hands-on activities
  • Thursday evening classes for 11 consecutive weeks at various locations throughout the City
  • Free meals at each session beginning at 5:30 pm
  • Graduation will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting at 5:30 pm

City Academy is free and open to any resident who lives within the corporate limits of City of Greensboro. Twenty-five people representing all council districts and various backgrounds will be selected for the academy. Other selection criteria include:

  • 18 years of age or older 
  • Must attend 80 percent of classes
  • Written statement of desire to participate
  • Preference given to those willing to serve on a board or commission

links for 2009-06-08

You Know You Only Turn 90 Once

My Grandmother turns 90 this month and since that's a rather momentous occassion about 65 of our relatives, representing four generations, gathered at my Aunt's house at Laurel Ridge, near the Eastern Continental Divide and celebrated her birthday in style.  It was a beautiful day in the mountains and we had a wonderful time catching up with some family we hadn't seen in years, sometimes decades.  Best of all, I think Grandmother had the time of her life. 

Grandmother comes from a long line of women who live past the century mark so I figure we'll be doing it again in 10 years. Here's a pic of the bunch of us gathering for the Moravian blessing before we started to eat lunch:

Blessing Before the Meal

Tanglewood Triathlon

What with all the biking that's done on the roads around Lewisville and Clemmons it should come as no surprise that Tanglewood hosted a triathlon this weekend that maxed out in participants in its very first year.  Apparently the 36 North Sprint Triathlon did just that, and a local blogger and his wife did quite well in it.

I like the looks of this event as it's the first triathlon I've ever seen that has distances that I think I could finish.  Of course everyone else would be sprinting and I'd be jogging, floating and coasting, but at least I'd finish.