Pittsboro Journal

On Friday morning, December 12, it was announced that Phillip Little is the 2008-2009 Piedmont Triad/Central Region Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made at Northwood High School with the Class of 2009 as an audience. Little’s family, some Northwood staff, Board of Education members, and central office staff were also in attendance as the announcement was made.

Great tradition. Great days. Exciting plays. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium celebrates another great day and kicks off a new tradition when the stadium hosts the inaugural EagleBank Bowl on Saturday, December 20th, the first-ever bowl game in the Nation’s Capital. The Wake Forest University Demon Deacons take on the Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy in the historic matchup.

The Toyota Land Cruiser earned a “Very Good” overall rating in tests of four luxury SUVs priced above $45,000 for the December issue of Consumer Reports. The Land Cruiser ranks seventh overall in the category.

Cell-phone service has become significantly better, judging by the results of Consumer Reports’ annual survey in which 60 percent of readers were completely or very satisfied with their service. Cellular satisfaction had previously been among the worst services Consumer Reports rates – now it is closer to the average.

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Consumer Reports released a new application for iPhone and iPod Touch users. Available for free at iTunes, the ConsumerReports.org application features expert tips and buying advice aimed at helping shoppers make better purchasing decisions.

Have an interest in gardening? The Town of Pittsboro would love to form or work with existing area garden clubs to help us enliven our public spaces including the Community House, Town Lake Park, the Town Hall and our water treatment plant.

Four Atlantic Division schools - Boston College, Florida State, Maryland and Wake Forest - had three players selected by the 67 voting members of ACSMA. Clemson, Virginia and North Carolina landed two players apiece on the All-ACC team.

With Black Friday just days away, Tod Marks, Consumer Reports’ shopping expert and author of the Tightwad Tod blog, is sharing some advice that can help shoppers get a better deal or even save them a trip to the store on one of the most hectic shopping days of the year.

The Web is supposed to make shopping simple. Click, click, click and before you know it, that sweater, bag, or box of T-bones is at your doorstep. When it works, it’s like magic but, when it doesn’t, you can end up surfing endlessly. The November 2008 issue of ShopSmart reveals seven online shopping sites that will help you save thousands and find the real deals fast.

Members of the Chatham County Charging Champions 4-H Livestock Club participated in beef and dairy competitions at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh, Oct. 16-26.

The ChathamArts Gallery exhibits the work of over 90 Chatham County artists. As the holiday season is fast approaching, the gallery will showcase items that would be great for giving as a gift or keepsake. The show is titled “100 under $100”.

Thirty-five home games, including home ACC series against NC State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Boston College, highlight the Duke baseball team’s 2009 schedule, released Friday by head coach Sean McNally.

Welcome to tobacco-free Central Carolina Community College. Well, not quite yet but its coming. As of Jan. 1, smoking, chewing and any other tobacco use will be out at the college; clean air for everyone will be in.

The Chatham County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) and The Center for Community Self-Help are pleased to announce the establishment of the Chatham Loan Fund to help finance loans to entrepreneurs in Chatham County. The revolving loan fund is capitalized, in part, by Chatham County government.

According to a new poll featured in the November 2008 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, women are willing to switch brands of over-the-counter medications (68%), milk (67%) and eggs (67%) to save money, but only 29 percent say they would change their brand of pet food.

The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Sunday all of its game times and TV networks for November 29.

The Chatham County Board of Education met at J.S. Waters School on Thursday, November 13, for a regular session.

With gas prices soaring, Consumer Reports’ latest analysis of owner costs shows that drivers can save anywhere from $500 to $4,250 over a five year ownership period by choosing selected hybrids rather than similar conventional gasoline–powered vehicles.

A new Consumer Reports study of owner costs shows that choosing a reliable three-year-old car instead of a new one can save drivers thousands of dollars over the first five years. In many cases, that’s enough to pay for all the gas used during that time.

On Thursday morning, November 20, the J.S. Waters School faculty and staff were astounded to find forty-seven cases of food and five cases of water at the front entrance of the school. An attached note read, "Help for tornado victims, Thanks, Unknown 82nd Airborne Paratrooper."