Cordmaker Field of Dreams Wins at Westminster
The N&O today has a good article describing a Raleigh puli’s triumphant Best of Group (Herding Dog) performance at the Westminster Dog Show.
Beware of Triad I-40 Signage
We’ve discussed interstate highway signage here before. However no situation in this state is as screwy as the signage and routing of Interstate 40 through Greensboro. For decades Interstate 40 proceeded through a narrow section of road in southeast Greensboro westward by Four Seasons, and onward to Winston-Salem. Over the past decade sections of Greensboro’s perimeter highway, I-840, have opened and now offer travelers many new options.
When the southern half of I-840 opened, all west and southbound traffic on I-40 and I-85 (respectively) was routed onto the new road. In recent months, though, only I-40’s westbound route reverted to the old, much quieter highway.
The problem lies with Eastbound I-40 traffic. From the gas farm west of Greensboro, I-40’s east bound traffic is guided onto the new perimeter highway. After skirting south Greensboro, it picks up Northbound I-85 traffic and eventually merges back into the old highway on the east side of Greensboro (near Replacements). From the western gateway the old road is labeled 40-Business, and has a green badge.
There are two important points here. Westbound I-40 traffic is guided to the old highway, while Eastbound I-40 traffic is guided to the new bypass highway. Huh?
Additionally, on the west side of Greensboro, traffic staying on I-40 is instructed to remain in left-hand lanes while exiting traffic (continuing on the old highway) exits to the right. The eventual pathways cross, so the intersection is exactly the same as ours at the Wade Avenue exit on I-40. The big advantage with the interchange’s signage in Greensboro is that only one pathway carries a red and blue interstate badge. The exiting route carries a green badge. Because only one route is clearly marked with a typical interstate badge, it is obvious to drivers which of the two options is correct for staying on the current interstate. A similar situation exists on 421 west of Winston-Salem. Drivers have two options; I-40 (red/blue badge) and 40-business (green badge). For the casual driver, these two interchanges are extremely easy to navigate.
If the DOT insists upon marking the Wade Ave exit with a “To I-440” badge, they should consider renaming I-440 to “40-Business” and applying green badges. This would allow I-40 traffic to clearly understand the difference between the two roads.
Raleigh Ranks #1 for Small Business
Conde Nast Portfolio.com has compiled their
favorite areas for the creation and development of small businesses
, and Raleigh tops the list.
Raleigh ranked relatively low on the sheer number of small businesses, but ranked high in 1-year change in small businesses (starts), small businesses per 1K residents, and 5-year changes in population and employment.
In the list of 100 top cities, only one other North Carolina city made this list: Charlotte at #2.
Fearrington House Promotes Sous Chef
Triangle Business Journal is reporting that the five diamond Fearrington House Restaurant has promoted Colin Bedford to Executive Chef. He will replace Graham Fox whose departure is not being discussed publicly.
Fearrington House is located just north of Pittsboro.
Umstead Earns Five Stars
The
Umstead Hotel
(Warning: Music) in Cary has been
awarded 5-stars be Mobil Travel Guide
. The hotel had previously received the comparable award by AAA. Fewer than 50 hotels nationwide
received the honor
. This marks the first time that The Umstead has achieved the prestigious status. The spa and restaurant were awarded 4-star ratings.
The only other 5-star award earned in North Carolina was by Pittsboro’s Fearrington House, which has won the award each year since 2000.
Fleetwood Mac Coming to Greensboro
Legendary rock bank Fleetwood Mac is going to be in the Greensboro Coliseum on Sunday, April 26. Tickets go on sale to the public on January 26 (10am). However, there is a special presale that runs from tomorrow (Friday) at 10am thru Sunday at 10pm. The password is "HITS"
Nortel Files Chapter 11
One of the local tech stalwarts’ long decline has reached the point where they are shielding off creditors. TBJ has a good story .
Dead Revival
The remaining members of the
Grateful Dead
are hitting the road this spring, and will kick off the tour in Greensboro.
Presale tickets
for the 4/12/09 show will be available thru dead.net on Tuesday (1/13). Official sales for the tour begin on January 23.
The lineup for this edition of The Dead will be "The Core Four" of Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, joined by Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes and RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti (both veterans of the 2004 Dead "Wave That Flag" tour).
"It’s not a concert! It’s a showww" – Dillon Fence’s "Preppie Deadhead"
Wake County Schools Calendar Reminder
Just as a reminder of some old news, Gogoraleigh is your source for downloadable Wake County Public School calendars. The calendars for traditional as well as all four tracks is posted in a downloadable CSV format, which allows users to import the calendars into Treos, iPhones, Outlook, and other calendaring applications. Simply click on the “Calendars” tab above and scroll down to the WCPSS section.
2008 – The Year In Review
The year 2008 will most likely be best known for its financial crisis and its election, however it was chock full of many other fascinating stories. While the nation was taking a financial and emotional beating, Raleigh remained a buoyant market, full of growth and opportunity. Compiled below are the top 100 stories that shaped 2008 for Raleigh. The list appears in reverse order of importance (“Convention Center Opens” was the most important event of the year…). While each person could create their own permutation of this list, it is still fun to review and remember the busy year that was 2008.
- Convention Center Opens , Shimmer Wall Wakes
- RBC Completes/Dedicates Tower
- Garbage Disposer Ban Overturned
- RDU Opens Terminal 2
- Marriott Convention Hotel Opens
- 2008 Ends Exceptional Drought , Water Restrictions Continue Despite Excess Water
- Canes Fire Laviolette, Bring Back Maurice
- U-verse Goes Live in Raleigh , Time Warner Rolls Out HD Channels
- North Hills East Revised Plans Submitted
- Soleil Redesigns
- N&O Reorganizes Local Coverage , Major Changes
- Josh Hamilton Almost Wins HR Derby , Makes SI Cover
- Durham Opens Performing Arts Center and Strong Lineup
- Blount Street Commons Breaks Ground
- Waverly Sold To Distant Firm
- Raleigh Unveils New Comprehensive Plan
- Jones Leaves NCT
- Reynolds Tower Approved, Gets Financing
- Tom Suiter Signs Off
- Yamaguchi Wins “Dancing With The Stars”
- Holly Park Renovates , Plans Trader Joe’s
- Chick-Fil-A Files Site Plan for Cameron Village
- Sheri Leaves WRAL Morning Show
- City Plaza Begins Construction
- Raleigh Woman Wins Mrs. America
- West Tower Opens
- Raleigh Hosts NCAA Tournament Action, Curry Amazes
- Van Halen Plays RBC Center (Eddie Amazes)
- Sitti Now Open
- New Restaurants Planned for Cameron Village
- Moshakos To Revive Former Pine State Office
- Flemings, McCormick & Schmick, and Brio Open at Crabtree
- GSK Assigns RTP as Sole HQ
- Broughton Gets (Back) 150+ Parking Spaces
- Riviera Closed
- Capital City Grocery Closes
- Yancy’s Closes , Replaced by The Oxford
- Annuals Played on Conan , Ryan Adams Played Letterman , Ben Folds Played Conan , Ed Mitchell Appeared on The Today Show , Tift Merritt on Leno
- Coquette Opens in North Hills
- Jibarra Moves Downtown
- Cameron Village Corner to be Redeveloped
- Solas Opens on Glenwood
- Powerhouse Plaza Announced
- Captrust Tower Construction Begins
- Raleigh Gets Downtown Amphitheater Supplies
- Chef Rameaux Dies
- Council Approves Edison Project , ( more )
- Jimmy V Classic Returning to Cary
- Mez Opens
- Raleigh’s Nutty Brainstorm
- Chuck Berry Plays Raleigh Wide Open , Raleigh Wide Open 3 Celebrates Convention Center During Storm
- Hall of Fame Concert Comes to Cary
- Canes Unveil Third Uniforms
- Beltline to Lose “Inner” and “Outer”
- Longbranch Closes
- Raleigh Couple Wins “Biggest Loser”
- Angus Barn Wins Wine Spectator Grand Award, Again
- 222 Glenwood Opens
- Ashley Christensen Featured in Bon Appetit
- Lafayette Gets Extension
- Clayton Bypass Opens One Year Early
- Wake County Unveils Justice Center Plans
- Bobby Flay Came to the N.C. State Fair
- Shucker’s Sold, Moving
- Summerfield Suites Coming to North Hills East
- Third Train to Charlotte Coming
- BB&T To Replace North Hills Office
- Kiplinger Ranks Raleigh #2
- Jack Boston Dies
- Webb Simpson Ranked As #1 (golf) Amateur
- Raleigh Hosts Spy Conference
- Tookies Closes on Six Forks
- Cameron Bar & Grill Opens
- Gianni & Gaitano’s TTC Location Closes, No-Go for Glenwood
- CAM Has New Design
- Boylan 615 Redesigned
- Waraji Downtown Stalls
- Downtown Segway Tours Begin
- Smithereens Playing First Night
- WRAL To Test MPH Mobile DTV Device
- Ruth’s Chris Opens in North Hills
- Wiggles Make RBC Center Debut
- Prime Only Downtown Closes
- CBS Drops Packer (not local per se, but still great news)
- 111 Seaboard Canceled
- Foster’s Reopens in Cameron Village
- Martin St. Pizza Opens
- Comboland Radio Up on 365
- Hook Up Closes
- Flying Biscuit Coming To Cameron Village
- Red Palace Closes
- Cherry Closes
- Village Tavern Coming to North Hills East
- Crabtree Place Goes Back to Drawing Board
- Mixed Use Project for East Downtown Approved
- Carpenter Ads Showing Up
- Forbes Names Raleigh Best Place for Business and Careers, Again
- Harmon’s Floating House Featured in Architectural Record
- Carvers’ Creek Closes
- Raleigh Pinata Now On Sale
2008 Ends Exceptional Drought
The year 2008 was one of the wettest on record in the state of North Carolina. Many areas of the state entered the year with “Exceptional” drought conditions, the most severe category defined. Rainfall was so bountiful in 2008, though, that only a few western counties are currently experiencing one of the first two of the five drought categories.
Raleigh was one of the areas entering 2008 with an “exceptional” drought. Rainfall in 2008 totaled 50.7 inches; 8.5 inches (20%) over the area’s average. At the end of the year, Falls Lake, Raleigh’s primary water reservoir, stood at 252.15 feet above sea level; 8 inches above the lake’s “Normal Operating Level”. That level would be higher were it not for the Army Corps of Engineers mandatory spill to facilitate flood control. (The lake actually reached 253′ at the beginning of May).
Still, the City of Raleigh continues water restrictions in a time of abundance. Residents are relegated to odd/even watering days, however hand-held hose use, including vehicle washing and pressure washing are now allowed on all days (See the attached chart for details).
In the twelve years since Hurricane Fran, Raleigh has averaged 2.7 inches of rain above its normal average. In only 4 of the 12 years has Raleigh come up short with rainfall. Here is a breakdown of recent, post-Fran rainfall by year.
|
Raleigh 12-Year Rainfall
|
|||
| Year | Rainfall (in.) | Surplus (in.) | Surplus (%) |
| 1997 | 40.03 | – 2.17 | – 5% |
| 1998 | 49.71 | + 7.51 | + 18% |
| 1999 | 48.86 | + 6.66 | + 16% |
| 2000 | 43.05 | + 0.85 | + 2% |
| 2001 | 35.25 | – 6.95 | – 16% |
| 2002 | 47.15 | + 4.95 | + 12% |
| 2003 | 49.57 | + 7.37 | + 17% |
| 2004 | 47.05 | + 4.85 | + 11% |
| 2005 | 37.56 | -4 .64 | – 11% |
| 2006 | 53.69 | + 11.49 | + 27% |
| 2007 | 35.81 | – 6.39 | – 15% |
| 2008 | 50.70 | + 8.50 | + 20% |
| 12-yr Average | 44.87 | + 2.67 | + 6% |
The City of Raleigh is currently renovating and expanding the watershed used before Falls Lake’s construction. In February of 2010, the Dempsey Benton Water Treatment Plant will open and enable Raleigh to handle projected growth thru 2018.
Resources
New Lighting for Pedestrian Bridge
Last week public and private sector leaders toasted the new lighting for the beltline’s pedestrian bridge (next to the Wade Ave. intersection). The bridge is now adorned with 120 LED light fixtures in addition to additional LEDs installed within the columns of the bridge. The project was made possible by Cree, ETG, Lumux, the N.C. Museum of Art, Raleigh Parks and Recreation, Colorume’s Colorlume’s Jeff Brown, and the NCDOT. Check it out the next time you pass by at night.
State Employee Salaries Published Online
The Charlotte Observer has obtained the salaries for 108,207 of the state’s public servants . It is astonishing how many state government employees make well over $100,000 per year, well above the median annual household income of $56,150.
Recent Stories
- North Carolina Loses The Great Teacher February 9, 2015
- City Lays Markings for Currituck Obstacle Course February 4, 2015
- History Making Heels and Wolfpack Prepare for Battle January 14, 2015
- 25 Predictions for 2015 January 5, 2015
- Raleigh’s 10 Biggest Stories of 2014 January 2, 2015
- 2014: The Rain Year January 2, 2015
- Tupelo Honey Sets New Casual Standard December 1, 2014
- 2013 Predictions. A Look Back November 18, 2014
- Wicked Taco Bringing Fresh-Mex to Western Blvd November 17, 2014
- DOT Unveils I-440 Widening Plans November 12, 2014
- County Power Shift Brings Major Changes to Raleigh’s Future November 5, 2014
- Jarrett Bay Store Coming to Crabtree September 25, 2014
- FirstWatch Coming to Glenwood Avenue September 9, 2014
- Big Shindig Releases Set Times September 5, 2014
- Appearance Commission to Review Residence Inn September 3, 2014
