Forbes Names Raleigh Best Place for Business and Careers, Again
For the second straight year, Forbes magazine has named Raleigh as its favorite place for business and careers. The article cites that business costs are 14% below the national average and the labor supply is one of the nation’s most educated (38% college, 12% graduate degree). Our population increased by 2.4%, the nation’s seventh quickest jump.
Other high-ranking NC cities are Durham at #12, Asheville at #26, Charlotte at #37, and Wilmington at #38.
Clinton Coming to Cary, Basketball Traffic Beware
RBC Center traffic could get complicated on Friday afternoon. Former president Bill Clinton will be in Cary on Friday campaigning for his wife. The only announced details so far include a speech at the Cary Senior Center at 5 pm.
Clinton’s favorite team, the 9-seed Arkansas Razorbacks face the 8-seed Indiana Hoosiers in the 9:45pm game at the RBC Center. Don’t be too shocked if the president who attended the 1994 National Championship game in Charlotte makes his way to the arena for the game.
Time Warner To Show All Games In HDTV
Time Warner Cable digital customers are certainly looking forward to Thursday! The regional game on WRAL will, as always, be on cable channel 3. However, check out all of the alternate games in standard definition on Digital Channels 1061, 1062, 1063 and 1064. The high definition broadcasts will be shown on channels 1051, 1052, 1053 and 1054.
Raleigh Ranks #3 for Teeth
Men’s Health Magazine’s April issue focuses on the
best cities for teeth
. Raleigh ranks 3rd on the list behind Madison, WI and Nashville, TN. Charlotte ranked 6th on the list. In the subcategories Raleigh ranked 9th in flossing and 10th in dental visits. Raleigh did not rank in the top ten for fewest teeth extracted or for fluorodated water concentration.
While ranking third is good, we can be #1. If you need a dentist, call my office and make this city better! ( The photo shows a case after I closed the gap between two front teeth .)
Alicia Keys Coming to Greensboro
Alicia Keys
is coming to the Greensboro Coliseum on May 30. The
ticket presale begins on Friday
through Ticketmaster. Opening will by Ne-Yo and Jordin Sparks.
Savoy Now Open
Savoy
, located in the original Fins location on Lead Mine, is Raleigh’s newest contemporary continental restaurant. It features "contemporary cuisine and a large wine list, designed as a multi-course experience influenced by seasonal availability. The chef’s tasting list changes weekly but may include dishes such as pepper seared salmon steak with risotto style butternut squash, filet of beef with shitaki-duxelle stuffed potato and buttered lobster and pan-roasted duck with creamy duck cracklin polenta." (
map it
)
Dean Dome Renovation Ideas
There once was a snowy night back in the year 2000. As two feet of snow fell on the Triangle, the UNC Tar Heels were to face the Maryland Terrapins in the Dean Smith Center. Weather prevented most ticket holders from attending, so all seating was opened to general admission. The the court was surrounded by screaming students and those at the game said it was “magic” as the Heels upset the Terps.
On my twelve-year-old UNC blog, Tar Heel HOOPla , I posted some ideas for renovating the Smith Center shortly after the game. The plans would allow the court to be permanently surrounded by students while appeasing the building’s donors. (I also sent these to Athletic Director Richard Baddour, but only received a polite form letter in return.) As the Dean Dome completes its 23rd season, not much has changed. The building doesn’t allow the team to get the most support possible. It isn’t a lost cause, though. These same ideas could still be applied to give UNC a better home court advantage. Here is that 2000 article:
Dana’s Smith Center Renovation Plans
As UNC plays its 15th season in the Smith Center , the debate over student seating rages on. Both of the times in the 15 years that seating has been changed to “general admission”, the court has been surrounded by students, and the players have responded with a resounding performance. This could become the norm for the Smith Center with some easy improvements.
Clearly N.C. State has shown with their new arena that placing students, the most active and audible fans, around the court creates an intimate, loud setting in a large venue. Simply reassigning student tickets to the first several rows will not suffice as students usually stand for the entire game. Because the lower level descends to the court surface smoothly, the only way to accommodate standing students without obstructing other lower level patrons is to sink the front rows.
Project #1
Project #1 focuses on placing students around the basketball court. To date there are two popular solutions floating around. One plan, Project 1a, involves replacing the current collapsible seating in the first 11 rows with lower-rise collapsible seating. Given that the 12th row (the first row of permanent seating) patrons should not have their view obstructed by standing students, there should be a drop-off of 43″ from the 12th to 11th rows. This will allow patrons to see over rowdy students that are up to 6′2″ tall. The first row of permanent seats, unobstructed, would become a premium seat location. This new seating would seat students exclusively, so the quality of the chair is not important. Seat width can be as narrow as the seats upstairs, too, since students won’t be using these seats as much as paying patrons.
While Project 1a is a fairly inexpensive solution, it substantially compromises the students’ view. If the current collapsible seating was removed, there would be a wall about 96″ high just in front of the 12th row. After accounting for a 43″ drop, the new collapsible seating could only be 53″ tall. Given those dimensions,11 rows of collapsible seating would only provide an 8.8 degree rise from the floor. While this is almost 50% steeper grade than the current configuration at N.C. State, 8.8 degrees is still too shallow to enjoy the game to the fullest. Also, these seats would be decidedly inferior to those currently in place for non-basketball events.
Project 1b replaces the collapsible seating with the best overall aesthetic and functional solution. In this plan the collapsible seating and Smith Center playing surface would be removed and the floor would be excavated 82″ down. A new floor and collapsible seating would be installed. This new, lowered section of collapsible seating would ascend not at the current 15 degree angle, but at the 20 degree angle seen in the permanent rows of the lower level. Keeping this 20 degree angle is essential to preserving the views of the students and the ticket-holders in those seats for non-basketball events.
In either plan the permanent aisles would not be confluent with the new fold-back seating, so the aisles would have to be reconfigured in at least 4 places so that students in lower rows could access the concourse. While the removal of the existing fold-back risers and the reconfiguration of a few aisles would remove several seats, the new seating arrangement would put nearly 2800 students in the first 11 rows lining the court providing the rowdiest, most intimidating home-court atmosphere in the nation.
Projects 2, 3, and 4 outline several ideas concerning the addition of luxury suites to the Smith Center. While luxury suites can ease UNC’s budget, they also can offer some incentives for lower level patrons to give up the seats affected by Project #1.
Project #2
Project #2 involves replacing the current suites and seats under the second level overhang with luxury suites. These suites would be replete with 8 leather seats overlooking the playing surface, a countertop for bar and food service, a television, and a private bathroom. Fifty-two such luxury suites could be placed with ease in the Smith Center. (
seating map
) There would be two non-adjoining suites at the top of sections 127, 126, 125, 124, 121, 118, 117, 116, 113, 110, 109, 108, 107, 104, 101, 100, 133, and 130. Single suites would top sections 123, 122, 120, 119, 115, 114, 112, 111, 106, 105, 103, 102, 132, 131, 129, and 128. Each suite would need to be about 15 feet deep (from the back of the second row of leather seats to the concourse door).
In order to accommodate the addition of the suite, approximately five rows (Z, AA, BB, CC, DD) of current seating would need to be removed (shown in grey).
Project #3
Project #3 involves the construction of a “halo” ring of luxury suites. Due to the design of the Smith Center, the only way to achieve this is to essentially build a structure resembling a ring of Kenan Stadium press boxes. These suites could actually be as large as desired, but are portrayed in the illustration as being 15′ deep. These suites would contain all the amenities mentioned in the lower level suites, but also would have a private concourse and elevator service to the Bowles Room. As shown in the diagram, about 3 rows of current seating (rows W, X, and Y) would be sacrificed to the 2 rows of leather luxury seats.
Clearly the view from a halo box is inferior to all others in the arena, so some incentives would need to be offered. First class wait service and food of the quality level of the Carolina Club would be offered. Halftime and final game statistics would also be delivered to each suite. Pampering the patrons in the halo boxes is an absolute must, though, in order to fill such suites.
Project #4
Project #4, the most aggressive plan, focuses on placing luxury suites in the bottom of the upper level. Certainly the edge of the upper level is a cherished view, and these such suites would be even more cherished.
In order to accommodate a suite in this prime location, a massive overhaul of the Smith Center would have to occur. Because rows E, F, and G and the vomitories would be removed, a separate, third level concourse for rows H through Y would have to be built over the current concourse. Stairways, restrooms, and concession stands would be placed in exterior additions to the existing Smith Center structure.
The second level suites would get their own concourse which would overlook the first floor (existing) concourse. These suites would have four rows of luxury seating, accommodating 32 patrons. Because the upper level ascends at an unbroken 34 degree rise, there would be an uncovered portion approximately 14′ 7″ deep. Some privacy could be offered by mounting an awning (shown as a heavy read line) at the end of the suite’s ceiling. Two private restrooms may be needed in these suites.
Certainly the Smith Center is one of the finest college venues in America, however some improvements could make the Heels more formidable at home. Clearly what is best for the team is placing the students around the court. As we saw in UNC’s game against Maryland and in all of N.C. State’s home games, students give a major boost to the team.
While surrounding the court with students will make games more lively, those holding seats on the first 11 rows will have to be displaced. Surely there will be resistance to reassignment from some Smith Center donors. However plenty would minimally sacrifice their seat location in the name of improving the arena’s atmosphere. It is time for everyone involved to do what is best for the University.
‘Project Lightspeed’ to Bring High Speed Data
I just saw this interesting post in a Raleigh area forum where someone was wishing for Verizon FIOS service here:
You are in luck (kinda). I work for AT&T and we are currently working on a project called “Project Lightspeed” which I believe will be FTTC (Fiber to the curb) Where FIOS is FTTP (fiber to the premise) which is a touch faster but not by much. FTTP is ALOT more expensive than FTTC though. AT&T is also working on U-VERSE which is T.V. over your phone lines, so watch for that also. They are rolling U-VERSE out in other areas of the country (such as Atlanta) before it will be offered here.
RDU Not So ‘Miserable’
A new report by U.S. News & World Report is out ranking America’s airports. RDU ranks 10th out of 47. The survey accounted for flight delays and crowded planes. On average 77.8% of flights were on time and the airport was at a 75.3% full load. See the other airports’ statistics here .
Schoolkids Records To Close in Chapel Hill
Schoolkids Records, Chapel Hill location, will be closing it’s doors in March, 2008. It may be coincidence or not….but after 33 1/3 years, this long playing music retail institution will be closed. All Triangle retail business will be handled in the Raleigh location, which is located at 2712-100 Hillsborough St., while it still maintains a retail presence in Athens, Ga.
The business climate for music retail has changed so drastically since our beginnings, but so has the concept of locally owned businesses. We are faced with many more obstacles, that even 6 years ago were virtually not present. For all those in the Triangle area, who have supported all the Schoolkids Records location throughout the years and especially those in the Chapel Hill area, we would like to extend our many thanks and kudos for helping to keep this institution alive for so many years.
We would especially like to thank the University of North Carolina, the Cat’s Cradle, Local 506, WXYC, WXDU and The Merch, for their continuing support of our Chapel Hill location through the years. Now as we begin to flip the LP to side 2 of our existence, our goals have not changed nor has our commitment. We just hope that music retail will always be a part of your shopping experience, now and in the future.
Raleigh’s New Catch Phrase: "I’m Thirsty"
Raleigh currently finds itself in the “worst-ever” drought, and has thus implemented
Stage 2 water restrictions
. Falls Lake is
essentially barren
and discussion has started about limiting new water connections and encouraging water conservation through means such as non-potable water systems.
The normal annual rainfall amount for Raleigh is around 42″ (there are many different published numbers out there.) Over the last 365 days, we’ve gotten 35″ of precipitation, a 17% deficit. This is a deficit level that has stayed constant for several months now.
To see how we got here, it helps to look at the rainfall totals per month of 2007.
Month | Rainfall | Normal | Variance |
Jan | 3.12 | 3.48 | -10% |
Feb | 1.74 | 3.69 | -53% |
Mar | 3.52 | 3.77 | -7% |
Apr | 3.88 | 2.59 | +50% |
May | 1.43 | 3.92 | -64% |
Jun | 4.46 | 3.68 | +21% |
Jul | 4.94 | 5.17 | -4% |
Aug | 0.91 | 4.02 | -77% |
Sep | 2.22 | 3.19 | -33% |
Oct | 4.66 | 2.86 | +63% |
Nov | 0.48 | 2.63 | -82% |
Dec | 4.45 | 3.24 | +37% |
TOTAL | 35.81 | 42.24 | -15% |
The first half of the year’s problems essentially came from May’s shortage. The other months cancel each other out. The second half of the year boiled down to August’s deficit. The 365-day 15% deficit is big, but not as big as other Southern cities . Atlanta was 37% below normal while Charlotte, Birmingham, and Tuscaloosa had deficits of 34%, 47%, and 54%, respectively.
Looking at a bigger picture, the 10-year window, we see that even with this deficit, Raleigh’s rainfall has been quite normal.
Year | Rainfall (avg=42″) | Variance |
1998 | 49.71 | +16% |
1999 | 48.86 | +14% |
2000 | 39.34 | -7% |
2001 | 35.25 | -19% |
2002 | 47.15 | +11% |
2003 | 49.57 | +15% |
2004 | 47.05 | +11% |
2005 | 37.56 | -12% |
2006 | 53.69 | +22% |
2007 | 35.81 | -17% |
Total, Avg | 443.99, 44.4 | +6% |
(2/18 Note: The 2007 variance of -17% is based on an average of 42″ while the first table’s year-long variance is calculated based on a 42.24″ average)
The table clearly shows that while we had two anomalous deficit years, we’ve had 6 years with more than 10% surplus rainfall. In fact, 2007 was preceded by a particularly wet year. Where was the hype machine during those years? If we were to look at a 30-year or 50-year window we’d see that variances like we are experiencing are quite normal, and that they are canceled out without much delay. In other words, it will rain. Conserve now but be patient. A comment at the weather.com article cited about stated:
This is La Nina electrics. The cold anomalies in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean mean that displacement currents from global and regional lightning do not run along the tropics as efficiently and couple there with Walker circulations or WPAC storms . . . These currents, particularly from the American thunderstorms, are then more likely to flow to the either coupled events which are low impedance, such as a cold core storms this time of year or a tropical storms in the Atlantic during the hurricane season. These cold core storms do not produce as much rain in the north Gulf and tropical storm season conditions were more conductive just north of Venezuela this season, and that relatively speaking took away from displacement currents powering any cloud organizing electrics in the Gulf of Mexico this year. But it did bring us to cat 5s within weeks of each other. Don’t worry, the electrics conditions will be changing soon.
Reviewing the rainfall totals, though, shows that we’ve had deficits in the teens before, but why is it different this time? Our water shortage and restrictions have more to do with reservoir levels than with raw rain totals . Raleigh has experienced much growth during this 10-year period but has not increased its water capacity. We weren’t able to take advantage of the surplus years because we have a water capacity problem, not a rainfall problem. Far bigger cities are making do with much less water. Los Angeles normally gets 14.77″ of rain per year while Phoenix gets 7.66″, and Seattle gets 37.19″ of annual rainfall. We should be able to handle a 35″ rainfall year without all of the emotion and theatrics.
Help is on the way! The city of Raleigh is constructing the Dempsey Benton Water Treatment Plant and Reservoir at Lake Benson. The plant will open in 2010 and will mark a return to using Lake Benson for drinking water. A third plant is planned for the Little River area in eastern Wake County. It will be completed by 2025.
Until then, the City of Raleigh should use reasonable means to conserve water within the context of the reservoir’s status. If we have a surplus of water and are spilling it over into the Neuse, there is no logical reason that citizens should not use city water for routine property maintenance and entertainment.
Mary J. Blige & Jay-Z Coming to Greensboro
Saturday, April 5 is when Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z are coming to the Greensboro Coliseum. The tickets go on sale to the public on Saturday at 10am, however the presale is currently going on and ends Friday at 10pm. Click here and enter the password "music".
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