The number of foreclosure filings in North Carolina this year was 46,363 at the end of September, the N.C. state Administrative Office of the Courts reported today, and are on pace to exceed 2008 filings.

There were 873 September filings reported in Durham, Johnston, Orange and Wake counties. Foreclosure filings increased in Wake and Durham over the previous month.

Durham County had 176 filings in August and 187 in September, while Wake County's filings totaled 527 in September compared to 468 in August.

Foreclosure filings between June and September in the four-county region were up 35 percent from the previous four-month period.

Foreclosure filings in North Carolina totaled 53,961 in 2008.

Don Shula’s appearance last night in Chapel Hill was one of the nicest social events of the year. Not only did he make a few remarks to note the official opening of Shula’s 347 Grill at the Sheraton on Europa Drive, attendees put down enough bids on some Carolina and Miami Dolphin memorabilia and gifts to raise more than $5,000 for the UNC Children’s Hospital.
The restaurant, named for Shula’s record of 347 wins, (still the most ever in National Football League,) is his 29th nationwide since opening his first in 1989. His son, Dave Shula, actually presides over the family’s corporation, but Don and wife Marie still enjoy touring the holdings and making public appearances.
"When I went into coaching, I wanted to be the best. I’m proud getting the most wins, proud of the perfect (17-0) season and back-to-back Super Bowls," he said. "The restaurant business is totally different, but we still want to be the best. We want to serve the best meal in the world and the most satisfied customers."
Shula’s 347 is a hybrid of a sports bar and high-end steak house. Fittingly, Tuesday’s soiree featured a mix of crab cakes, beef filets, prawns, raw oysters and steamed mussels on the half-shell, smoked and soft cheeses, crudités and fruits. Guest were offered a commemorative bottle of Shula's Special Steak Sauce as they left.
Shula’s place atop the coaching pyramid was enough to draw a sizeable number of sporting types to the opening — from UNC coach Butch Davis and his wife Tammy to football alums Ken Huff and Ted Elkins to Lynda Baddour (flying solo for UNC Athletics, since her husband was with the UNC basketball team in Detroit at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge).
Shula’s relationship with Davis goes back to Butch’s time with the Miami Hurricanes. Shula drew applause when lauding Davis, as did master of ceremonies Ron Stutts.
"From 4-8 to 8-4 in one year … that’s pretty good," Shula noted.
There were plenty of reps from the local entertainment and tourism industries among the more than 100 attendees, including Top of the Hill founder Scott Maitland; the Sheraton’s Wes Collins (Director of Sales) and Nitin Khana (General Manager); Anthony Carey, General Manager of the Siena; marketing guru Dave Gephart; and Laurie Paolicelli, executive director of the Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau.

Effects are still being felt from the heavy rains that inundated the Triangle in midweek. Tonight’s football in Hillsborough between East Chapel Hill and host Orange has been postponed before the first drop of rain Friday.
East Chapel Hill (0-1) now is scheduled to play at 7 p.m. Monday at Orange (1-0).
Orange’s field is situated between two concrete stands, which tend to funnel rains into the middle. Significant standing water remained across the playing surface Wednesday, and the field was still thoroughly saturated Friday morning.
"They said they walked out onto the field and sank down to their shins in one spot," East Chapel Hill athletics director Ray Hartsfield said. "They’re worried someone could get seriously hurt."
The JVs will play Sept. 11 in Chapel Hill.
Orange’s decision leaves the county without a game tonight. Chapel Hill High School (0-1) has a bye week; Cedar Ridge (0-1) is at Bartlett Yancey (0-1) in Caswell County; and Carrboro (0-1) is at Burlington Cummings (0-1).

Effects are still being felt from the heavy rains that inundated the Triangle in midweek. Tonight’s football in Hillsborough between East Chapel Hill and host Orange has been postponed before the first drop of rain Friday.

East Chapel Hill (0-1) now is scheduled to play at 7 p.m. Monday at Orange (1-0).

Orange’s field is situated between two concrete stands, which tend to funnel rains into the middle. Significant standing water remained across the playing surface Wednesday, and the field was still thoroughly saturated Friday morning.

"They said they walked out onto the field and sank down to their shins in one spot," East Chapel Hill athletics director Ray Hartsfield said. "They’re worried someone could get seriously hurt."

The JVs will play Sept. 11 in Chapel Hill.

Orange’s decision leaves the county without a game tonight. Chapel Hill High School (0-1) has a bye week; Cedar Ridge (0-1) is at Bartlett Yancey (0-1) in Caswell County; and Carrboro (0-1) is at Burlington Cummings (0-1).