In case you missed it:

BIG MAN OFF CAMPUS: That giant poster of Dean Smith (and one of Michael Jordan) in the new Tobacco Road restaurant at East 54 has gotten the town's attention. Is it a sign? Is it art? Tammy Grubb has our story (repeated in today's N&O for readers who don't get the CHN). (Link here)

ARTSCENTER REBOUNDS: Back in the black, the ArtsCenter's latest financials are good news. But longtime concerts director Tess Ocana Mangum is out of a job after new director Art Menius decided the department had been losing money long enough. We have two stories. (Link here)

FIRE INSURANCE SAVINGS: Residents in the New Hope Fire District got their bonus checks early this year, when improvements in the fire department lowered their homeowners insurance. Find out how much in Tammy's story.  (Link here)

UNC professor Michele Berger joins our My View lineup with a column called "The Queen grows up." Welcome, Michele. The president of the Occoneechee Council says the Boy Scouts makes safety its top priority. And in Sunday's letters, readers sound off on traffic hazards, school redistrcting and whether the Carrboro Board of Aldermen is engaging in social engineering. Hmmm ...

As always, tell us what you think at editor@newsobserver.com. And, thanks for reading,

Mark