Foo Man Chew

"This is about the Foo in you. If everyone let the child in them come out, the world would be a better place," declares Foo, (short for Matthew). His New York accent slips through the gnawed cinnamon stick in his mouth and he concedes his roots are in the part of Manhattan "where the hippies are from." Foo had been at the PTA Thrift Shop in Carrboro earlier that afternoon where he purchased the oversized teddy bear -- flopped over his handlebars -- for "a friend with a hole in her heart."

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(photographs taken on Franklin Street between Basnight Lane and Kenan Street in Chapel Hill)

I'm Your Boogie Man. That's What I Am.

"I've heard everything: 'nice weiner! --  I love your weiner! -- can I see your weiner?' Anything like that,"  Anthony says. "It doesn't bother me. I just laugh. I probably hear it a few times a day." The UNC student dons the dog duds a couple of times a week and with earbuds firmly in place, he gyrates, hustles and sidesteps for two-to-three hours at a time at the entrance of Sup Dogs restaurant on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.

"I love making people laugh and now I get paid to do it." he says. "It's really cool. People come up to me all the time and dance with me."

What tunes keep him shuffling his feet? KC and The Sunshine Band on Pandora.

Right on.

(photographs taken on Franklin Street between Columbia and Henderson streets)

Carrboro: As Patient as a Child in a Sweetshop

“Innocence is one of the most exciting things in the world.”

— Eartha Kitt

(photograph taken at Weaver Street Market at Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro)

On the Street: Chasing the Carrboro Sun

"We're just laying in the sun while it's still sunny, before it gets cold," says Jay (in blue plaid) of Carrboro. For several hours, he along with friends Cole and Keenan (pictured above) have been inching down the sidewalk basking in the sunny spots, chasing the Carrboro sun.

(photographs taken off of Main Street on Hillsborough Road in Carrboro)

Street Portrait: Val & Jackie "Wac"

Val (left): "I work and shop and drink and have a radio show. Everything I do -- except sleep -- is in Carrboro. This is a very special place."

Jackie (right): "I was born in Indiana but I grew up in Carrboro. This, was my higher education."

Along with Val, Jackie (a.k.a. "Wac" Stern) hosts The Wacqueline Stern Show where each week the duo interviews a compass of arts professionals: visual, performing, writing, designing, producing...on and on. "We meet the coolest people," Jackie says over a drink at the Orange County Social Club in Carrboro.

The radio show broadcasts live from downtown Carrboro at 6 pm Fridays on WCOM 103.5 FM, Carrboro/Chapel Hill's volunteer radio station. From a 100-watt signal via an antenna at Mary Scroggs Elementary School in Southern Village, WCOM transmits more than 70 live shows each week -- proudly, programs are produced locally.

(photograph taken at Orange County Social Club on Main Street in Carrboro)

Street Portrait: "Local Concern" Tim

"My wife is making scones for my son and she needs cream. She's going to make butter and as a consequence of making butter she makes buttermilk. And the scones require buttermilk...[I come here] really because it's local and you cannot get much more local than this. That's the main draw. There are a number of exemplary farms out here. I am just really proud of Maple View for being such a staple in the area. You can buy Maple View in Mebane and in Pittsboro. That's a pretty nice range for a local concern." - Tim lives in Saxapahaw. He stopped by Maple View Farm Country Store on the way home from a business trip in Raleigh. When I ask what kind of scones his wife plans on baking he replies in jest: "The kind that takes buttermilk. There are two cooks in my house. One is my son, one is my wife. I'm primitive. I grill some."

Maple View Farm Country Store is located in Hillsborough, about 15 minutes from downtown Carrboro. Lollygag on a rocking chair and enjoy the countryside view while savoring the velvety ice cream. Open noon-9 p.m.

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(photographs taken at Maple View Farm Country Store, 6900 Rocky Ridge Rd in Hillsborough)

Street Portrait: Jim & "V"

"I think raising my daughters on my own was the most challenging and the most rewarding. It was fun. I also learned how resilient children are. We get together every Sunday when they're here. I think it is a very rewarding experience.... I got in touch with my feminine side. The first thing I learned was the necessity to multitask, and secondly being able to express my feelings openly," Jim, 55, says. He also inherited his German shepherd "V" from one of his three daughters. "They named him Vegas. I shortened it to V. It's much simpler. I never cared for Vegas either," he admits.

Each day Jim walks "V" three miles through downtown Carrboro. What he relishes most is connecting with people along his route. "It gives you a sense of humanity. The diversity of people here economically, socially, educationally, everything....It's pretty cool."

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(photograph taken near Main and Greensboro streets in Carrboro)

Street Portrait: "Spotted Dog" Seaja

"I started here right after 9-11. There was a guy who ended up working here who transplanted from [New York City] because he just couldn't be there. He didn't go to work that day because he had a hangover. That was the day everyone in his company was killed. If you are drinking and missing work, it's not good. He became a waiter here. He came here to kind of chill. One thing that Linda does -- she's an owner, she's a good person, cool -- she hires people with the way they approach the job. Most people only hire the ones with the most experience." - Seaja is a waitress at The Spotted Dog Restaurant & Bar, located in the "flat-iron" building shimmed between Main and Weaver streets in Carrboro. She lived in Carrboro for many years but has recently moved to the most western side of Saxapahaw.

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(photographs taken at the Spotted Dog Restaurant & Bar, 111 E Main Street in Carrboro)

Street Portrait: "Sacrificial Poet" CJ

"Create safe spaces for our people to share their stories. I needed that myself. I needed it my whole life. I'm a black man and in the world people look at me and there is an assumption. And it doesn't acknowledge I can be anybody. It's not a curiosity, it's a fear. It's important for me to tell my story just like young people who get typecast."

CJ is the co-founder of Sacrificial Poets, a spoken word poetry arts education organization that uses the power of poetry to empower youth and transform lives. Sacrificial Poets serves as a conduit for those who might not be heard in their everyday lives. Founded in 2005 (formerly the Chapel Hill Slam Team), the organization serves elementary, middle, high-school and college-aged youth across the state via performances, poetry workshops and innovative arts education curriculum. Each year Sacrificial Poets selects six youth to participate in the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival where young poets and spoken word artists convene among peers to learn and perform. The festival has been featured on HBO, MTV an NPR.

(photographs taken at Johnny's Gone Fishing, on Main Street in Carrboro)

"No days off" Garrett

"I don't always wear my hair like this," says Garrett. "It's a lot more breezy and just cooler than wearing a hat over it." The 22 year-old is on Franklin Street looking for a bite to eat on his way to work. He's wearing a black Jimmy John's t-shirt and carrying a matching visor. Garrett has three restaurant jobs: Weathervane (server), BIN 54 (expediter) and Jimmy John's. And "never" gets a day off. He's planning on heading back to university to study sports management after getting back on his feet.

"Went two years and pissed away an academic scholarship," he says. "I didn't go to class. I didn't realize how I messed up. I'm very fortunate to be able to go back to school."

What was his parents' reaction?

"[My parents] don't want me working three jobs for the rest of my life."

(photograph taken near Franklin & Mallette streets in Chapel Hill)

"Gypsy" Kaya

 Freight trains or hitchhiking. "That's exactly how I determine where I end up next," says Kaya.

Rail or thumb is how Kaya travels. Her latest pit stop on the road to everywhere is Chapel Hill. "It's alright here. It's a sweet little town. I like the youth, the healthy lifestyle. This place has a vibrance," she says as she paces around a tree on Franklin Street.

The striking 22-year-old with a carefree attitude emigrated with her family from Jamaica to New York City when she was seven. She started roving the country on a whim, oftentimes with a friend, always with her kitten Niah. Kaya picked up the exhausted stray kitten during a stint in Charleston, South Carolina and keeps her on a leash. "She was hiding from the rain," she says.

Kaya's goal is to be self sustainable while on the road. And admits she's not always in touch via email or Facebook, or with family. "I don't think anyone can keep up with the fact that I'm constantly moving... I'll continue traveling forever."

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(photographs taken near the corner of Franklin/Colombia streets in Chapel Hill)

"Street Artist" Christopher

Eyes squinting, Christopher is holding up his phone in front of a yellow street can streaked in black spray paint. "I was taking a picture. I never do that. It's always gone so fast." He points to the outline of a flower on the pavement. The cylindrical can takes on the form of the flower's seed head. "I painted this. Like the flower is budding. It was spontaneous. I just like to include what's already there...I used Rustoleum."

The 23-year-old from Raleigh has been living in Carrboro about three months. He is boyish and farouche, which to some, might contradict his appearance: relaxed threads, a slim 1980s skateboard and a matchstick in his left ear. He's in town to "check out the scene"...and leave his mark.

Does he know this is destruction of property? To him, it's art. Has he been caught? "Not yet, knock on wood."

But as we talk, a dark cloud emerges overhead... and he does talk about getting caught again, but this time not by authorities.

"I was hoping to get caught in the rain," he says. "It feels nice."

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(photographs taken off of Greensboro near the railroad tracks in Carrboro, note: Christopher gave his approval to publish on this site)

"Film Lives On" Richard & Dee

Richard is taking in Chapel Hill through a tourist lens. He's a photography teacher from Vancouver, Washington who is in town with wife Dee visiting their sons and grandchildren. Coincidentally, the duo has a penchant for exploring college towns documenting architecture, landmarks and exhibits and are eager to check out the Charles Kuralt Learning Center* at UNC.

"Everyone is a photographer if they think about it," Richard says.

"Or has a phone," Dee adds.

Any photography advice? "Bring an extra photo card...and buy a spare film camera. This shift to digital photography has thrown me for a loop. I tell my students that they get more out of film...Film isn't dead."

"That's his slogan," Dee says, conceding she's heard this line several times before. "Film isn't dead."

*The exhibit of Emmy & Peabody award-winning journalist Charles Kuralt is on view at the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Kuralt delivered the CBS "On the Road" series in the late 1960s as part of a Walter Cronkite segment. The Wilmington native attended UNC from 1951-1954 and was once editor of The Daily Tarheel. He died in 1997 at the age of 62 and is buried in the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery on the UNC campus next to his wife Suzanna. Prior to Suzanna's death in 1999, she donated the contents of her husband's Manhattan office to the school. Kuralt's office, which donned oriental rugs, Emmy & Peabody awards, and a brick fireplace, is meticulously recreated in Carroll Hall.

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(photographs taken on Franklin & Henderson streets)

"Wiggle & Hop" Kelly

From Burlington via Durham, Kelly is in town for a doctor's appointment and decides to stick around. "It's eclectic here. More of the open-minded cities in North Carolina," she says of Carrboro. "This is more progressive than anywhere else other than Asheville. There's actually culture here as well."

Kelly is a music junkie who swings from the Grateful Dead to her latest hook, electronic music. "I dig it and I love to dance. I can dance right now. I'm going to see Beck on Friday and I'm about to lose my shit over it!"

Her signature move? "I wiggle and hop. I call it the hippie jam dance. It's like becoming a tree. It's repetitive and I like it."

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(photographs taken on Lloyd and Main streets Carrboro)

Street Portrait: Tyler & "Cruisin'" Charles

Tyler (left) is from Virginia beach. His mother moved here for a job. Charles (right) is from Chapel Hill, born and raised.

The two are often together. "I make sure he does get what he need. Everybody needs somebody. I choose him. He's trying to make something of himself."

Tyler, 19, would like to get a truck so that he could get a job and save some money. He yearns to be a photographer one day. He recently was kicked out of his mother's apartment. "It was just time to go," he says then looks over at Charles and grins: "He my daddy, I guess you can see. He took me off the street. He provide."

Like Tyler, Charles has aspirations. Tyler jokes Charles is headed to a retirement facility.

"Ha!," Charles tosses his head back. "Ain't going to be in a retirement home. I got one more year. Take me a cruise."

"To where?" I ask.

"Wherever it's going to take me... All I know it's gonna be seven days and seven nights."

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(photographs taken on Franklin street between Columbia and Henderson streets in Chapel Hill)

"Cool in General" Allison & Preetha

Someone on Main Street catcalls from a car. Allison (left), 20, looks over her shoulder and simpers. She and Preetha (right), 21, seem to have shared many of these goofy moments. They were suite-mates at UNC-CH freshman year, and have remained close friends. "I couldn't get rid of her," Allison quips.

Preetha, who is from Connecticut, studies environmental health science and volunteers at the Carrboro Farmers' Market. Allison, who is from Charlotte, is studying communications-English-history. But that was not her original choice.

P: "Alison wanted to be a director. She knows a lot about tv shows. A lot of recommendations. Told me new shows I should try. She got me watching Fringe and I love it."

A: "I forgot! TV and movies are essentially all I talked about...Preetha volunteers an impressive amount as you can see by her shirt (reads Carrboro Farmer's Market). Very involved in the community and I admire her immensely.... Preetha is sweet. The base of sweetness."

P: "Allison is funny and a REALLY good storyteller."

When they first met they were more reserved than they are today, Allison remarks. What made them less reserved? "College. You widen your horizons," she says, then adds, deadpan: "Plus we're both really cool in general."

(photograph taken on Main Street between Lloyd & Rosemary streets in Carrboro)

"Peace & Love" Michael

Michael calls himself a drifter.

He's from Hillsborough and says he was dropped off in Carrboro by a parent. The 18-year-old spends much of his time "floating around" and hanging out with friends. Today he's in town to meet a couple of buddies for a concert: Distort the Fluff. "It's distorted psychedelic music. People think it's off beat, but it's kind of the point of it. It's pretty good. A lot of people don't like it because it's really grimy music. A lot of people think it's really shitty. But my friend plays in the band so I'm going to support him."

He is walking down Main Street in Carrboro puffing on a cigarette when I meet up with him. Michael is friendly in a soft-spoken way and quick to oblige. Says most folks are swift to pass judgement when they see him.

"I get a lot of sour faces. I guess I look sketchy. It's just my style. But I'm really friendly. I'm about peace and love."

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(photographs taken on Main Street between Lloyd & Rosemary streets in Carrboro)

"Hugger" Jett (service dog) & Gwen

Disposition: He is calm in public, but when he is not working "there is a freak on the other side that you have to unwind," says Gwen.

Age: 6 years. Jett has been with Gwen for 4 years. He was adopted from a shelter and went through 14 months of intense training. "He is very smart..he taught me."

Pet Peeve: "Being left by himself. He likes to go everywhere."

Favorite Eats: Kibble and cat treats. "He goes into restaurants so he can't have people food."

Sleeps: In bed with Gwen.

Best trick: "He gives hugs. He climbs on you and leans on you."

Could he be pet? "As long as he has the vest you do not pet him. It's actually a federal law not to pet a service dog. (Gwen chuckles) You would not want your seeing eye dog distracted when you are trying to cross the street."

(photographed near Weaver & Greensboro streets in Carrboro) 

"Eccentric Curmudgeon" Gary

"Say cheese and condoms!" Gary says through his mischievous grin as I snap his photo. "See, by the time you say condoms they're already smiling."

Worked on me. Except I was the one behind the camera. "Is that your line or did you get that from someone?" I ask.

"That's mine. You know every once in a while a little freezer opens up in the brain and something leaks out. Sometimes it leaks onto the floor. This one I was able to catch and it stuck."

Gary, 66, is a jovial man with a kooky sense of humor. He is missing his right eye from a golfing accident (ball shot through his eyeglass lens into his eye). The accident seems to have left him with an uncanny Popeye expression when provoked. As he straightens the bric-a-brac at Surplus Sids where he works, he pauses to pose in a portfolio of positions: the cool guy, "The Thinker" by Rodin, the "I told you so" look.

"When you become my age you can get away with a lot of shit. The only reason I decided to get older was to be an eccentric curmudgeon," he says, matter-of-factly.

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(photographs taken outside Sids Surplus on Main Street in Carrboro)

Street Portrait: "Weird Anywhere Else" Lexi & Leroy

Packs in tow, Lexi and Leroy walk to the shelter on Rosemary Street for breakfast. "We're celebrating our anniversary," Leroy, 26, jokes. They wear their groovy urban style with confidence, revealed as they pose for pictures -- mouths agape, tongues out, arms gnarled around each other. I ask the couple if they envision life outside Chapel Hill, and Leroy says with open arms and head cocked: "Whatever the world brings me."

Lexi, 19, is a bit more risk averse: "I can't imagine being anywhere else. It would be weird living anywhere else but here."

(photograph taken on Rosemary Street and Pritchard Avenue)