Articles

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Wildlife of the Rocky River: the spiny softshell turtle
   June 27, 2013
Crystal Cockman
The Rocky River is home to some interesting critters you don’t see in other parts of the central N.C. Piedmont. One distinctive species is the Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle. (Photo: J.D. Bricken)   Read more


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Waxhaw looks to future for N.C. 16 plan
   June 26, 2013
Mary Newsom
WAXHAW – The question came from the audience during a presentation about the future of N.C. 16 through this fast-growing Union County town. “If we do all this, will we still be considered a small town?” (Graphic: Lawrence Group) Read more


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A year later, were tornado lessons learned?
   June 24, 2013

With tornado and storm season on us, what lessons were learned in the year since a sudden tornado blew through Harrisburg and eastern Mecklenburg County, injuring four people and destroying six homes? And what’s been rebuilt? (Photo: Melissa Currie) Read more


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Hydrangeas, summer’s coolest flower
   June 19, 2013
Ruth Ann Grissom
On the cusp of summer, just when I begin to dread the onset of unrelenting heat and humidity, a cool and soothing vision appears in our forests and yards – the blooms of native and Asian hydrangeas. (Photo: Ruth Ann Grissom) Read more


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For Charlotte trees, is it one step forward, two steps back?
   June 18, 2013

Charlotte’s tree canopy faces new threats. For instance, as the group TreesCharlotte was planting some 4,000 trees last year, billboard companies were cutting down almost 5,000 in Charlotte. (Photo: Nancy Pierce) Read more


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Learning, again, why plans sometimes fail
   June 14, 2013
Mary Newsom
You’d think I would have known better. I’ve been writing about growth since before they called it Smart Growth. That’s why last week’s regional planning exercise made for an eye-opening glimpse of the real world. (Photo: Melissa Currie) Read more


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ISC Newsletter June 2013
   June 13, 2013

In order to keep friends and supporters of the Institute for Social Capital informed of its work, we’re pleased to share with you this newsletter, which will be published quarterly and shared with community leaders, university faculty and other friends of the institute.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Please join us for our RE-...

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Snapping turtles on the move
   June 12, 2013

Kevin Dick
Have you been seeing more turtles than usual on your morning commute lately? If you’ve been driving this spring on rural highways in North Carolina, you might have detected a surge in turtle activity, especially snapping turtles. (Photo: Karen Winstrom) Read more


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With data, numbers can’t speak for themselves
   June 12, 2013

In 2007, Shamrock Gardens Elementary in east Charlotte was showing big improvements, and after years of being listed as a school that could be taken over by the state for low performance, it was close to coming off that list. Then suddenly test scores plummeted. What happened? (Photo: Nancy Pierce) Read more


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Is there a ‘right’ density? One expert says no
   June 11, 2013
Martin Zimmerman
Density is important in making neighborhoods walkable, but other things are, too, says author Julie Campoli. Her new book helps readers recognize them. (Photo: Used with permission, Julie Campoli © 2012) Read more