By Jon Sullivan
Carrboro Commons Writer

It seems like no matter which town you live in, there is a Web site that has something to do with it. Most often there is a town Web site providing government services. Other times, it is a local news provider getting a leg-up in the changing face of publishing media.

Carrboro has both of these things and more, which is not very surprising in itself. What’s amazing is how many other Web sites there are and how much diversity and variety come from their pages. After looking through most of them, the real surprise comes from the openness, the opinions, and the downright strangeness of some of them.

The “It’s Carrboro” Web site, providing humorous songs and videos created by locals Brian Risk and Billy McCormick.

One of the most oddly amusing Web sites dedicated to the Carrboro area is put out by locals Brian Risk and Billy McCormick. The Web site, www.itscarrboro.com, is not just a community Web page where people can post events and find the school lunch menu… well ok… it’s not that at all. Instead, it’s a Web site where you can listen to, watch and download the local hit song “It’s Carrboro!”

The lyrics to the song pay homage to the community that residents know and love. Plus, the video stars dancing residents, yelling locals and community hot spots. If you like the song a lot, you can even download the exclusive “It’s Carrboro!” ring tone.

Brian and Billy have been putting out stuff like this for a while. Some people may have seen the YouTube video of Brian and Billy walking, singing and playing a strange-looking guitar from Carrboro to Chapel Hill. If not, it’s on the Web site too.

If music isn’t your thing, how about frisbees? www.CarrboroUltimate.org provides news and schedules for local pick-up games open to people of all skill levels. You can watch highlights from the Fall League, sign up for a midweek game, or register to play for the fall. The Web site also features photos and brief bios of current players that include some quirky nicknames. If you haven’t gotten your local frisbee fill, you can even visit the site’s store where Carrboro Ultimate Frisbees and T-Shirts are sold.

An example of the Carrboro T-Shirts provided at Cafepress.com (from their Web site).

Speaking of T-Shirts, there are several Web sites that are selling them, specifically to Carrboro residents who practice blue politics. One such site is Cafepress.com, or more specifically, www.cafepress.com/bluetowns/851204. Here you can find T-Shirts with slogans ranging from “Carrboro Liberal,” to, “Carrboro Doesn’t Have Room for Hate.” The site also features bumper stickers, pins and magnets featuring celebrated phrases and political standings of the Liberal Carrboronian.

For those who just like to walk around Carrboro and visit places, a virtual tour of the area is offered at www.CarrboroWeb.com. By clicking the Virtual Tour Link on the left, one can navigate through streets and view almost all the shops and restaurants Carrboro has to offer. It isn’t like virtual reality, but the site could sure be handy if you’re invited to a place you’ve never heard of before and need to get there in 10 minutes.

Besides all these sites, there are several other things online sure to catch your Carrboro fancy. Carrboro has an extensive article on www.Wikipedia.org that provides history and background on the beloved town. Carrboro is also listed on many sites as one of the most liberal towns in America, with statistics, facts, and demographics sure to please any wanna-be historian. The most interesting of these types is a site called epodunk.com. By going to
http://www.epodunk.com/cgibin/genInfo.php?locIndex=19164, you’ll have more than enough facts for your enjoyment.

Finally, if you really want to see a local in action, look up “War Sucks! Let’s Party Carrboro” to see a strange man in a black suit… jacket…. Kimono-like thing get a question from one of your neighbors. Citizen’s of the town who want Nancy Pelosi to be president will love it.

All in all, Carrboro seems not only to be physically diverse, but electronically as well. So no matter where you are, you’ll never be too far from home.

So, what are your favorite Carrboro Web sites? Post your comments below.