Smiley Pool Visits UNC

The PhotoNight speaker series at UNC brings world-renowned photographers to the School of Journalism. Tuesday kicked off the first one of the semester.

Smiley Pool is an award-winning photojournalist with photography just as intriguing as his name.


He has covered tragedies from 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina. Here, he captured the a lone house that survived the devastation left by Hurricane Ike. (Sept. 14, 2008/ Gilchrist, Texas.)



Pool has captured seven Olympic games on film.



Pool has traveled across the globe to tell stories through a visual medium. He has also been part of human rights projects, like the Baylor Pediatric AIDS Initiative, and worked with video as well as photography.


Smiley Pool spoke about his career path and the ups and downs of the world of photography. After the presentation, students could ask questions and get advice about the industry.

PhotoNights are free to attend and usually take place on the last Tuesday of the month.

Change of beats

My apologies about the update lapse.

The blog will switch modes a bit in the coming months. I will no longer be strictly reporting on the Hillsborough area.

However, keep your out for upcoming events coverage and political commentary for the Triangle community right here!

Last Fridays in Hillsborough starting up again

Hillsborough residents gear up for Last Fridays which take place August through September in downtown Hillsborough and attract crowds from near and far.

“Last Fridays is something we do as a family during the warmer months,” said David Irvin, a 42-year-old Hillsborough resident. “It’s one of the great things about living here, seeing your friends and neighbors while enjoying some great music.”

Elizabeth Read, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough said that she has seen the event grow exponentially over the years.

“This will be our 12th season of Last Fridays and I remember at the first one there were only 100 or so people, but now it is in the thousands,” said Read.

Last Fridays take place over a four-block area around the King Street and Churton Street intersection. The event features live music, an art walk, vendors, and other community activities.

The Hillsborough Art Council sponsors the free concert series and the art walk. Armand Lenchek and Bluesology featuring Will McFarlane will be the headlining musical act.

Local restaurants feature take-out menus so that attendees may eat and socialize out on the lawn.

Weaver Street Market has a band playing on their lawn during last Fridays as well. John Howie and the Sweethearts will be April’s performer.

The town will also hold a pie contest with “celebrity” judges such as Mayor Tom Stevens.

The flavor of the month is chocolate and after the best chocolate pie is awarded, slices will be available for sale as a fundraiser.

Hillsborough Presbyterian Church will sponsor the Decatur Streets Dixie Land Band in front of their church on East Tyron Street.

A live wax museum will take place at the Orange County Historical Museum from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and students from Grady Brown Elementary School will be dressed as famous historical characters and attempt to be as still as possible for observation.

“Last Fridays is one of my favorite parts of living in this town,” said Jim Stuart of Hillsborough. “I have never seen another town consistently put on something so great.”