jbalfour

In 1996, the Northern Moore Family Resource Center was started to support families by focusing on education for children and improving housing conditions. Its programs have included GED classes, after-school and summer camp programs, financial education, and toys and clothing for children, among others. Under Executive Director Clare Ruggles’ leadership, the Center is currently establishing a low-cost preschool, the Hope Academy, in Robbins, which is scheduled to open in August.

The Raleigh-Durham area’s favorite pork-obsessed Surfabilly band, Phatlynx (pronounced FAT-links), was conceived as a one-off group/performance with as many musicians as possible playing the Link Wray song “Rumble” at the Cave in Chapel Hill. They did that, and had such a good time that they’ve kept going, playing shows and adding songs, some of which aren’t by Link Wray but have the same headlong, low-fi attitude. Phatlynx! explores what keeps these four middle-aged men rockin’ in the face of growing older, having families, and trying to pay the bills. James Balfour grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and now resides in Mebane, North Carolina. He has a BS and MA in appropriate technology from Appalachian State University and currently works in technology support. Among his past video documentary projects is the short film Hope: A Profile of the Northern Moore Family Resource Center. James is also an ardent photographer. Random Gott lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and works at the School of Government at UNC–Chapel Hill. He attended California College of Arts and Crafts and majored in painting. He has held staff positions at the New York Shakespeare Festival, Yale Repertory Theatre, Spoleto Festival USA, and the High Museum of Art. One of Random’s past projects is the short film The Curtis Theatre.