Raleigh

Community-focused posts

There are 773 posts filed in Raleigh (this is page 55 of 78).

Raleigh’s proposed downtown amphitheatre

My wonderfully pleasant experience at Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre this weekend got me wondering if Raleigh’s proposed downtown amphitheatre could be as good.

Probably not. It turns out that Raleigh is negotiating with Live Nation to run the facility. Live Nation is the company responsible for trashing Walnut Creek. Thus, we can reasonably expect the smaller downtown amphitheatre to be trashy but on a smaller scale.

Perhaps part of Booth Amphitheatre’s charm is that it’s preferred promoter is not Live Nation but Outback Concerts. Since Raleigh and Live Nation can’t seem to hammer out any kind of deal after a year of negotiations perhaps the city would be wise to give Outback a look.

Great civic day!

It’s been an amazing civic day! I began my morning with a meeting at 8 with the police chief and his staff to discuss an increased police presence at a nearby intersection. I’m optimistic about the outcome and think it’s a big step forward.

After work I led another great East CAC meeting, moving items along so that it actually ended ahead of schedule. We heard from a committee I initiated to get help out with CAC matters and I’m extremely proud of the caliber of neighbors who have stepped up to serve. Things are actually getting organized and its making our business run much more smoothly.

After the “drudge work” was done, we held out first “summer social,” with chicken wings provided by our Vice chair’s restaurant. It was thrilling to look around at 30 neighbors happily chatting and getting to know each other as they enjoyed the snacks. It was incredibly fun, and I knew that the bonds and connections that get created will strengthen our community in ways I hardly imagine.

I came home and talked Kelly’s ear off about the whole event. I sat there for a while, staring at the ceiling with a stupid grin on my face, relishing how cool it feels to empower people and watching where it leads.

Zydecopious

The family and I went to see Zydecopious play at Seaboard Music Friday evening. My parents and brother’s family joined us and a bunch of our neighbors for the free show at Seaboard Station next to Peace China. Hallie and her cousin Hadley got the dancing started and by the time the show wrapped up there were dozens of couples dancing to the zydeco music.

The kids had been looking forward to this show for a week because we’ve been talking it up. Travis has played his zydeco CDs non-stop for the whole week. We knew they would love it but I have to say I didn’t realize just how much they’d love it. I’ve never seen happier faces on Hallie or Travis then I did Friday night. Both got time on stage playing the rubboard and tambourine and both clearly relished being onstage.

Now we’ll have to see when we can see them play again. It was a fantastic way to spend a Friday!

Jack Daniels

It turns out the man who was killed by the Amtrak train in West Raleigh the other day was Jack Daniels, longtime owner of Jack Daniels grocery at the corner of Jones Franklin Road and Athens Drive.

I’d never gone in to Jack Daniels but my friends all said it was a very friendly place. Seeing the shop make me smile as I drove by it a few weeks ago. The store was in great shape and seemed to be supporting the neighborhood. It certainly was a fixture.

My condolences to the Daniels family.

The Carolina Mudcats and the messages in music

Last Sunday the family and I enjoyed a day at the ballpark, watching the Carolina Mudcats demolish the Tennessee Smokies 10-2. It seemed like a very family-friendly place, right down to the Mudcats letting all the kids round the bases after the game.

It was almost perfect except for one tiny detail. You see, there are a lot of short breaks in baseball that are routinely filled by music played played by folks in the stadium sound booth. Most of these songs were familiar 80s hits that put a smile on my face but there was one particular rap song that played over and over, making me more annoyed every time I heard it.
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Conn-clusion

Yesterday I gave the last of my GPS talks at Conn for this school year. I went into it thinking it would be like the last one, where the kids were bored and unengaged (I found out later that because I was a bit late, the kids felt denied a free trip to the playground). I also thought I would be tired of hearing myself talk.

Instead it was the best talk I’ve given yet! The kids were engaged and so was I. I got many good questions from the kids, some of which I’d not gotten before. They were practically falling out of their seats to answer them! The thing that really impressed me was when I asked if anyone knew what a sextant was. One young man began explaining how you line up the its two mirrors to get a fix. Wow! It takes a special kind of fifth-grader to know that! Heck, most adults don’t know that. Also. when I mentioned that GPSs don’t work inside, another young man asked how some mobile phones show your position when you’re inside. It was a very good question!

I had to end my talk a bit early as there was a school meeting that afternoon but it turns out I timed my talk just right and was done right on time. Mrs. Jarrett inquired if I would be back next year and I have to say I will. I’ve had a blast talking to Conn students about GPS and look forward to next year!

Raleigh wiki page

Did you know the City of Raleigh has a wiki page? Neither did I until tonight! Apparently it’s been around since last year. Who knew?

Each department seems to have their own Mediawiki installation, which kind of defeats the purpose if you ask me. If you want to see what’s publicly available, visit the Raleigh wiki site and poke around.

Leadership Institute

I was asked to speak yesterday to the city of Raleigh’s Citizen’s Participation Leadership Institute class. Never one to turn down a chance to speak to an audience, I joined two city staffmembers and a fellow volunteer boardmember to describe my role as CAC chair and a member of the Parks board.

Though I arrived a bit late, spoke for too long, and had to leave early, I greatly enjoyed the chance to talk with some of Raleigh’s finest citizens.

Raleigh opposes H1252/S1004

Yesterday afternoon, Raleigh City Council passed a resolution opposing H1252/S1004, the so-called “Level Playing Field Act.” This opposition was mentioned prominently in today’s committee meeting, where I definitely think it swayed opinions.

Here’s the text of the opposition resolution:

A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE CONCERN OF THE CITY OF RALEIGH ABOUT CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF RECENTLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION REGULATING GOVERNMENT PROVISION OF BROADBAND SERVICE AND CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE.

Whereas, Senate Bill 1004 and House Bill 1252, companion bills entitled The Level Playing Field Act, have been introduced in the 2009 Regular Session of the North Carolina General Assembly; and

Whereas, it is possible that the bills do not provide the level playing field implied in their titles for local governments versus private providers; and
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CAC success

I’m back from another successful East CAC meeting. It was a great meeting: actually ended somewhat on time. We’re really getting things done now and it’s a blast to see it all happening.

More later. I’m ready for bed!