Johnny’s current zoning is for a retail establishment, which was grandfathered into our 100 percent residential neighborhood. The land use ordinance (LUO) prohibits any change that may negatively impact neighbors. As such, music events and gatherings are a violation of their current zoning.

Several nearby residents have tried to see that these regulations are enforced. The quaint little sandwich and coffee shop is not why the owner has been seeking rezoning. Their current plans are for an outside beer and wine garden with live acoustical music, which could accommodate nearly 100 people. They are promising to contain this music and people noise to their property with a short section of fence and some shrubbery, while providing very limited parking.

From “Johnny’s of 2007-2011” I could hear the crowd noise inside my house, which is nearly 300 feet away, and that noise was not amplified. It has been so pleasant to be able to walk outside or sit on my deck and not hear music, cheering and screaming people since Ms. Halle had a parting of ways with the prior manager. With the newest 2012 Johnny’s, none of us want to go down that path again.

However, once again the same owner and a second round of new managers seem to be having trouble adhering to the town ordinances. This doesn’t bode well for their observing any rules placed on the property in the future. The problems for the neighborhood and the zoning violations, previously began slowly and grew until it was out of control. We are not willing to wait for that to happen again.

Devan Clark

Carrboro

Honor and privilege

I’d like to add my voice to the chorus of support for Johnny’s in Carrboro. I live directly across the street – if anyone is impacted by the activities at Johnny’s, it is my family.

I have had the honor and privilege of getting to know my across-the-street neighbors since moving into 902 W. Main St. earlier this summer. I’m in Johnny’s at least once per day, frequently more often. I spend time meeting my neighbors and listening to vibrant discourse. I purchase delicious food, prepared by brilliant local chef Whitney Dane made from local produce sold by farmers in our area. I pick up staples for dinner.

I get treats for my kids. I buy bagels and gluten-free desserts and sparkling water and cans of pineapple and crayons in the shape of Legos. I’m sure I could find all of those things other places, but I want Johnny’s as my neighbor. Neighbors support each other in times of need and celebrate together in times of joy. We would be less if Johnny’s were gone, of that I am absolutely certain. My recommendation to those who think that Johnny’s is not appropriate for our neighborhood would be to spend a few minutes sitting at the counter and enjoying something delicious. I would love to have a conversation about what the perceived issues are – I am positive they can be resolved with little or no effort on anyone’s part. I’ll see you at Johnny’s.

Lisa D. Smith

Carrboro

Food truck rodeo

This Friday, Oct. 5, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Meals on Wheels is hosting our first Food Truck Rodeo fundraiser in the Carrboro Commons (Farmers Market) area from 4:30 to 8 p.m. We are going to have six popular food trucks, live music, kids games, a silent auction and raffle giveaways!

As 10 percent of the Food Truck sales will be donated to Meals on Wheels we need people to come out and eat (and bid)! Volunteers are needed for pre-event planning as well as for the day of the event. High School students can earn service learning hours!

This will be a big event and we need all the help we can get to make this fundraiser a success! Please contact Lisa Finegan, volunteer chairperson, at Fin5@aol.com

Stacey Yusko

Director

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Meals on Wheels

Survive and thrive

Anyone affected by cancer is invited to a free, community-wide event this Sunday, Oct. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. Survive and Thrive Day will be held at the Friday Center near the UNC-Chapel Hill campus at 100 Friday Center Drive in Chapel Hill. Parking is free.

This fun-filled afternoon includes the inspirational cancer survivorship story by musician Charlie Lustman and the moving Oncology on Canvas display made possible by Eli Lilly. Refreshments will be provided. Survive and Thrive Day is hosted by Cornucopia Cancer Support Center and the North Carolina Triangle Oncology Nursing Chapter. It is made possible in part by a sponsorship from Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer initiative.

Cancer continues to have a tremendous impact on our communities. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 1.6 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2012, and about 52,000 will be in North Carolina. The N.C. State Center for Health Statistics projects that there will be 1,297 new incidents of cancer in Durham County this year, 674 in Orange County and 4,297 in Wake County. Sadly, more than 500,000 Americans are expected to die of cancer this year at a devastating rate of more than 1,500 people per day.

There’s also good news – there are nearly 12 million cancer survivors in America. Please join us Sunday to celebrate with those in our community who successfully battle this insidious disease. RSVP to Cornucopia at 919-401-9333 or by email to info@cancersupport4u.org.

Mary M. Lawrence

President and CEO

Cornucopia Cancer Support Center

Faye McNaull

N.C. Triangle Oncology Nursing Chapter

Bee Peaceful

On Friday, Sept. 21, the children at Montessori Farm School in Hillsborough recognized the International Day of Peace (Peace Day) with the theme “Bee Peaceful.”

Part of the vision of Montessori Farm School is to help children learn the joy of growing their own food, develop compassion for others, and realize the necessity of peace. The school combined these three elements into a Peace Day celebration. The children stamped a bumble bee shape onto clay pendants to create necklaces which they sold along with other art items to fund a donation to Heifer International. Enough money was raised to provide four honeybee hives and four flocks of chicks to families in need.

It was wonderful to celebrate International Peace Day by doing good for others! The child in the photo is Ellie Pittman.

Amanda Haney

Chair

Montessori Farm School Board