I shop the Harris Teeter at University Mall, and I find it to be a store of very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful employees. I’m sorry that Mme. Henderson has not had the same experience (CHN, Nov. 18, bit.ly/TQmaho).

Many, many times employees in different departments of the store have gone way beyond the call of duty to assist me. I would like to let them all know how much I appreciate their efforts.

Karen Fowler

Chapel Hill

Pretty polite, too

In regard to Carol Henderson’s My View column (CHN, Nov. 18, bit.ly/TQmaho), I don’t know where she’s been shopping, but at the Harris Teeter at University Mall, I have NEVER experienced anything other than polite responses from the staff. In fact, I’ve sometimes been embarrassed when I’ve asked where some item was located and they insisted that they walk me to the proper aisle.

She may have experience problems with civility here, but I doubt it was at the University Mall Harris Teeter, and no, I don’t have any association with that corporation or that store.

Fred Gerkens

Chapel Hill

Let’s support Johnny’s

Johnny’s in Carrboro is moving forward in their petition for re-zoning and it should be approved.

I have met with town staff, spoken with the small but fervent core group of neighbors who oppose the rezoning, and seen the people who come in and out of Johnny’s from morning to late afternoon. I have frequented Johnny’s for over 10 years – especially recently with the new management (who are wonderful!), walking there with my four children ages 3 to 15, friends and family, or biking there to spend a quiet day working on my computer in the sunny, silent back room with local art or enjoying my cup of tea in the warm sun outside.

According to national and local planning experts, changes in zoning are justified in part when, on the whole, they contribute to the overall community plan and vision. This change advances Carrboro’s stated 2020 Vision: “Development throughout Carrboro should be consistent with its distinctive town character (Y2020. 2.42; emphasis added)” Johnny’s is a local business that supports other local businesses, and represents a long-standing community-wide asset.

Some neighbors are opposed because of what might happen in the future, based in part on some events in the past. But it is simply time to move beyond things that happened years ago, put measures in place to prevent these problems as much as possible and not let the fear of a slippery slope close out opportunities.

All I have to do is think of walking there to pick out our Christmas tree on a cold evening in December or letting the kids play tag while I drink a cold soda and have food on a paper plate from a food truck on Friday evening in the evening before the kids’ bedtime. Or I can celebrate the fact that they are now serving Sunrise biscuits! As a neighbor, patron, mom, community member, and local home-owner, I feel Johnny’s is about as ‘Carrboro’ as you can get. The re-zoning petition should be supported.

Maureen Berner

Carrboro

Wonderful writing

As a long time reader of the Carrboro Citizen, I was very pleased to see Mary Sonis’ in the Sunday Chapel Hill News (CHN, Nov. 11, bit.ly/SQPWUA) . Her nature writing is wonderful and especially relevant to me since I also live near Bolin Creek. I hope she’ll be a permanent part of the paper. Thanks so much for making room for her writing.

Bree Kalb

Carrboro

Editor’s note: Mary has indeed joined our My View rotation. You saw her first monthly column.

17 years of service

Gather your friends and family and join Cornucopia Cancer Support Center as we celebrate 17 years of providing the best in non-clinical care to anyone journeying with cancer. Our Birthday Bash is Thursday, Nov. 29, 5-7 p.m. at Cornucopia, 5517 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd., Suite 1000, in Durham.

One of Cornucopia’s founders, Anne Mader of Chapel Hill, will be among the guests. Everyone is invited to enjoy refreshments and hear tributes from participants.

Cornucopia’s mission is to be a place where anyone touched by cancer can find the support and resources to live life to the fullest. Cornucopia accomplishes this by nurturing the mind, body and spirit of those journeying with cancer, their families and caregivers through compassionate touch, movement classes, support, information and resources, all in a non-clinical setting. Information is available online at www.cancersupport4u.org.

Please RSVP by Nov. 26 to 919/401-9333 or rkellogg@cancersupport4u.org.

Lois Boynton

Cornucopia Center

$86K for Alzheimer’s

Close to 1,000 Triangle-area residents joined the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Sept. 15 and united in a movement to reclaim the future for millions. Participants raised more than $86,000 to date to fund Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs.

I was inspired by so many people uniting in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease at Walk to End Alzheimer’s. With funds raised, the Alzheimer’s Association will be able to provide much needed care and support to people affected by the disease as well as fund critical Alzheimer’s research.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s participants did more than complete the 1.2 mile walk; moreover, they learned about Alzheimer’s disease and the association’s critical role in the fight against it. This included information on Alzheimer’s research and current clinical trials, and how to become involved in advocacy. The event also included an emotional tribute to those who have experienced or are experiencing Alzheimer’s.

Donations are accepted for Walk to End Alzheimer’s until Dec. 31. The Alzheimer’s Association encourages individuals to visit alz.org to learn more about the organization and to help reach the goal of $100,000 for this area’s walk event.

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and is now the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. As baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease will rapidly escalate, increasing well beyond today’s estimated 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. In North Carolina alone, there are 200,000 people living with Alzheimer’s.

Lisa Roberts

Executive Officer

Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern North Carolina