Carrboro, North Carolina

Is Carrboro the most liberal town in North Carolina?

Carrboro: True or False

1) Carrboro Celebrates an annual Dennis Kucinich Day
2) It is illegal to dance on the Weaver Street Market lawn
3) Most real-estate agents in Carrboro are rock musicians by night
4) Carrboro's mayor encouraged bands to put posters on utility poles.
5) Carrboro is a 'bicycle-friendly' community
6)  The Fox News truck avoids Carrboro in fear of being pelted with eggs and rotten tomatoes
7) The streets of Carrboro are deserted between 8 and 9pm weeknights because everyone is home watching Keith Obberman's Countdown
8) Carrboro is in the midst of major changes and will soon be the cultural center of North Carolina.

1) Carrboro Celebrates an annual Dennis Kucinich Day

The answer to #1 is true, sort of. There was a Dennis Kucinich Day, declared during the 2004 elections when Dennis Kucinich visited Carrboro, the only presidential candidate to do so, in history. Mayor Mike Nelson declared that day Dennis Kucinich Day, but that was the end of it. Its not like a holiday or anything and kids still have to go to school.

2) It is illegal to dance on the Weaver Street Market lawn

The answer to #2 is false. Weaver Street Market's lawn is owned by Carr Mill Mall which is owned by some people who did not like the fact that a guy named Bruce was dancing under one of the big trees, and in fact also were bothered by the beautiful young girls who danced with their hula-hoops, which they felt was provocative. (I think you can guess that the owners are probably old, southern conservatives, horrified at the state of society as are many of the large land owners in any town no matter how liberal Carrboro appears to be). But while it is not illegal to dance, sing, or give speeches on the lawn, the fact is that it is private property and they can kick you out for whatever reason they want and if you don't leave you are trespassing which is illegal. Anyway if you want to do any of these things you can sign up the day before for an hour of performance or whatever you want to do within the limits of good taste. I guess it is like having a Free Speech area for demonstrators during President Bush appearances, usually so far from him, the TV cameras and anyone else that you might as well send a nasty e-mail to the white house for all the good it will do.

More troubling may be that people from Carrboro are no longer permitted to tie their dogs up outside of Harris-Teeter while they shop, by decree from the owners of Carr Mill Mall. Now that's cold.

3) Most real-estate agents in Carrboro are rock musicians by night

The answer to #3 is also false though there are several real-state companies in Carrboro who advertise the fact that some of their agents are aspiring rock stars or practicing musicians. But with Chapel Hill's ranks of realtors boasting both Shelly Higgins, a 2nd generation professional jazz singer, and Armond Lenchek who is nothing short of a blues legend, using music to sell real-estate in Carrboro is a stretch. But if buying a house from a musician is important than we would all be buying property at Kinkos and Pepper's Pizza.

4) Carrboro's mayor encouraged bands to put posters on utility poles.

#4 is true. When I was trying to pressure him into making kiosks for displaying posters in Carrboro, like they have in Chapel Hill, Mike Nelson said to go ahead because it makes it look like there is stuff going on in town. He was right too. Now Carrboro looks like the most happening town in North Carolina, which it is and the poles are full of information and shows.

5)Carrboro is a 'bicycle-friendly' community

#5 is somewhat true. At least they claim Carrboro is 'bicycle friendly' on the sign on Estes Drive where the railroad tracks mark the border between Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The only thing is, there is nowhere for bikes to ride on that road without endangering lives and pissing off motorists. So if you are going to have bike-paths, which Carrboro does have for the most part, then you should have them starting at the sign saying the town is 'bicycle friendly' or someone may not survive long enough to experience this friendliness.

6)  The Fox News truck avoids Carrboro in fear of being pelted with eggs and rotten tomatoes

#6 is a total fabrication. But I put it in there in the hopes that it would inspire people to carry eggs and rotten tomatoes with them at all times in case there is an opportunity to use them on Fox News since it is unlikely that President Bush or any of his pals will drive through Carrboro anytime soon.

7) The streets of Carrboro are deserted between 8 and 9pm weeknights because everyone is home watching Keith Obberman's Countdown

#7 I don't know the answer to because I am at home watching Keith Obberman's Countdown. But I bet more people watch South Park and maybe the Daily Show. Most likely though they are at Orange County Social Club.

8) Carrboro is in the midst of major changes and will soon be the cultural center of North Carolina.

Yes but I wish they would hurry so it happens within my lifetime.

Return to North Carolina Travels Index