Raleigh: The Jellyfish City?

I was watching "Spongebob Squarepants" with my daughters the other night (yeah, I know: Father of the Year) and Spongebob and Patrick were doing one of their favorite things: Jellyfishing. I looked away for a second, glanced at a brochure for Plant Delights and saw in the brochure a map of Raleigh.

Then it hit me.

For some time I've noticed that a map of Raleigh resembles ... something. Thanks to immature children's TV and a local nursery's map, I now realize what it is. Raleigh proper is shaped like a jellyfish.














The outline of the Beltline makes up the umbrella (or head) of a jellyfish, with various streets and arteries resembling nematocysts: US highways 1, 401, 264/64 and 70; and I-40, to name the biggies.













(Jellyfish images from wikipedia)

Good news, bad news for Downtown Raleigh

First the good news ...

Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week appears to be a successful venture, according to WRAL.

Savoring Raleigh's restaurant scene is a little easier on the wallet this week. At least 30 downtown restaurants are serving three course meals at set prices from $20 to $30, as part of Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week.

At Poole's Diner, 426 South McDowell St., the delectable delights and the fixed prices have been attracting quite a dinner rush.

“Last night we broke our record for any Wednesday since we opened,” owner and chef Ashley Christensen said. ...

Ian Willis, manager of 518 West on West Jones Street, said the fixed menu price is a “great way to get people in the door and say thank you for your business.”

But the bad news is it may be quite some time before the Dorothea Dix property becomes a park -- if at all.

After working for nearly a decade to close Dorothea Dix Hospital, state mental health administrators now intend to keep a sizable number of staff and patients at the aging Raleigh facility for years[ says the News & Observer].

Lanier Cansler, secretary for the state Department of Health and Human Services, said this week that he plans to move about half of Dix's more than 200 patients to Central Regional Hospital in Butner when it opens fully in October.

But he said Dix will remain open as a stand-alone psychiatric hospital, with its own director and administrative staff. It will no longer serve as a satellite campus for the new Butner facility....

The move to continue operating Dix as a state mental hospital will hamper efforts to turn the more than 300 acres between downtown Raleigh and N.C. State University into a major park operated by the City of Raleigh or a nonprofit foundation.

At least it's not the unitard

My fine alma mater is at it again.

No, it's not overpriced, under-served ice cream again that's got my goat (though I'm still burned up about that). This time it's the Wolfpack's new basketball uniforms. It's (thankfully) not the unitard; but it's not that far from it in its horribleness.

Here's a peek.




We've discussed it before, but State has an unfortunate habit of introducing new things for, seemingly, no better reason than sh*ts and giggles.

There was the First and the Worst, the short-lived unitard (pictured, below, from "Yet Another ...").




There was the infamous "drowning rats" logo several years ago.





There was the unnecessary "updating" of Tuffie -- one of the few logos that didn't need to be updated.


Another good(?) example of this was the Great Third Quarter Song Contest last year. At the time I wrote that "I absolutely love my alma mater, but sometimes it appears that N.C. State University just throws things together without really thinking them through just because someone thought it would be a good idea. The result can be a lame, half-hearted attempt at a 'new' tradition that dies a quick, yet still somehow painful, death." I fully expect these new hoops unis to fall into that trap as well.

And folks also don't seem too happy with the uber-busy Lonnie Pool Golf Course logo, which you can view here: http://www.lonniepoolegolfcourse.com/estore.asp

But the response from fans to the new basketball uniforms have been unanimous ... in their disgust. To wit:

Horrible. Is there anything that our athletic dept can’t screw up?

do they not float sketches/samples around to get some feedback? i can not for the life of me imagine any one person on this earth looking at that and thinking they would look good. pathetic

Get rid of NC and it's great.

In NCSU's defense, the school has done a better job in recent years of getting all sports teams on board with the block 'S' logo.

And in another good sign, several Hillsborough Street businesses are getting together on Wednesday -- the day before the first home football game -- to enjoy the "Ultimate N.C. State Tailgate Party," according to Technician.

Two Guys, Melvin's Hamburgers, Five-O-Clock Sports Bar and the Bowling Alley are collaborating to throw the Ultimate N.C. State Tailgate Party. Starting Wednesday Sept. 2, the night before the first home game against South Carolina, all four locations will be featuring live bands and lots of specials.

According to Lovette, ESPN is rumored to be coming by as part of their gameday coverage to film some night-before, Wolfpack excitement.

The event will be a recurring event on Fridays before every home game with things planned for away games as well. You can find more information on Facebook by searching for “Ultimate NC State Tailgate Party.”

A Capital Conversation ... with Kathleen Formidoni of blast! PR

We're honored with this edition of 'A Capital Conversation' [see past editions here, here and here] to converse with Kathleen Formidoni, founder of blast! PR, a Raleigh-based public relations firm that works with clients nationwide with a focus on Web 2.0.


Raleigh Philosophical Society: Where did the name for your company come from?

Kathleen Formidoni: When Bryan (my husband and business partner) and I first decided to start our PR agency almost 10 years ago, finding the right name to define our brand was our first course of action. We began naming exercises which really consisted of writing down words that we felt captured who we wanted to be.

There was a lot we didn't know back then but one thing we did know was that we wanted to be fun and different, we wanted to be cutting edge and we didn't want to be a Last Name and Last Name PR agency - BORING! So, we narrowed our selection to words that were energetic and made people smile.

As you can imagine, naming a business can be a very daunting process with many factors for consideration as it relates to finding available web addresses, even 10 years ago. Blaster was our dog, our lovely smiley border collie who made us laugh every day for 13 years. The word blast kept making the cut - over and over. The rest is history.

RPS: What exactly does blast! do?

KF: blast! PR creates and manages strategic PR campaigns for our clients and we ensure that our PR plans help our clients meet their business objectives. Whether it be increasing sales or brand awareness, we leverage communications and public relations to meet those goals and objectives.

RPS: What sets blast! apart from other PR firms?

KF: This is a good question. I believe it comes down to our culture, our people and our approach. We have an awesome team and we treat each other like family -- like sisters with one big brother.

In addition to being amazing people, our staff is extremely driven to perform for our customers. They are very energized and enthused to do the best they can do -- 24/7, 365 days a year.

Since we work as an outsourced communications department rather than a PR agency, our approach also sets us apart. We take the time to really understand each client and, in turn, we are better equipped to represent them to the media. This approach helps us gain meetings, speaking engagements and media exposure.

RPS: Your office is near Moore Square, in the heart of downtown. How long have you had offices there? What changes have you seen in DTR in that time?

KF: Although we started the company out of our house, we've been in the Montaque Building for four years and down on Hillsborough Street for two years before that.

The changes in downtown Raleigh have been tremendous. It's been amazing to see the influx of restaurants and bars along with a strong residential community. The museums are also top notch. I'm so excited about the opening of the Convention Center and I adore the Shimmer Wall - it makes me so happy.

I love walking from my house in Oakwood to the offices and we also enjoy walking our two dogs and son around the city on Saturdays. There is something about downtown Raleigh on a Saturday morning. There is just enough early morning planning and activity to make you feel as though it's going to be a wonderful day. Yet, not so much activity that the energy is frenetic. It's really a small town and very charming.

RPS: What is your background/experience?

KF: I studied zoology and botany in college; I was going to save the condors. But after college I took a job at The Gap whilst I decided what my next move would be (grad school, vet school, etc.).

I got the chance to move from Chicago to Cary in the 90s to manage some of the stores in this fine state. From there, life took over. I ended up working for the Gap for a few years and then worked for a local vet as a technician. At the time, I really needed to pay the bills so I got a job at a local software company. I was told by a good friend that if I entered the company as the receptionist and did a fantastic job, that I could move into sales or marketing. The rest is history.

I've been doing PR now for over 15 years and I love it. I still do love birding and gardening and take time every day to spend time in my garden. I imagine at some point I will get back into that field -- perhaps organic gardening with an emphasis on bringing host plants and insects to your backyard. Sounds like a good book!

RPS: What was it that led you (and thus blast!) to Raleigh?

KF: As stated, I was drawn to the state by warm climate and the job opportunities -- but mostly I wanted a life change.

I moved to Raleigh nearly 10 years ago and just adore the city. Our long-term plan is to have our office and house in the city while also having a beach house. Hopefully within the next 10 years!

RPS: As someone who has lived elsewhere and traveled extensively, what are your feelings in general about Raleigh and the area?

KF: I love it here. As I've said before, it's like a throwback charming city with modern urban amenities. The people are really nice, the city is really beautiful and there is so much to do.

RPS: How do you "sell" Raleigh to your friends and family from out of town? Have any of them drank the "kool-aid," so to speak?

KF: I typically tell them about the history of the city -- I think it's interesting that Raleigh was one of the only southern cities that wasn't burned to the ground during the civil war.

In general though, I think Raleigh suffers from brand awareness. If you ask anyone outside the state, most have no idea about our capital. They know about the beaches and they know about the mountains but they don't know much about the state capital. Then, when you talk to folks inside the state, Raleigh often receives the little brother status with Charlotte being the lurking big sister.

Bottom line, once my friends and family spend time here, they are in love. From my father to my sister to my father-in-law, all of them love visiting Raleigh. Thus the reason we are adding onto our house!

RPS: What are there things you'd like to see happen here?

KF: I really think the city made a big mistake by not putting a sports center downtown. I would like to see that. Perhaps a Major League Baseball team or something.

RPS: What do you like doing in your spare time?

KF: I love to spend time with my family and my dogs. I enjoy hiking, yoga, gardening and volunteering in my neighborhood of Historic Oakwood.




More about blast! PR (from its website):
Founded in 2000, blast! PR was named after a border collie named Blaster (1990-2003). Blaster was unconventional, free-spirited and full of energy and the blast! team strives to keep these core qualities embedded in everything we do.

Located in the historic Montague Building in downtown Raleigh, NC, blast! PR is a boutique agency run by a group of professionals to ensure that the same core team works on every client account. The blast!ers are a creative and energetic team with 50+ years of combined experience in public relations, marketing communications and creative strategies.

Our nimble size allows us to cross-pollinate media and analyst relationships, better anticipate needs and craft creative, effective messages that increase awareness and get results.

Areas of expertise include:

• Online advertising/Internet marketing
• Social media/Web 2.0
• Internet technologies
• Email
• Web analytics
• Consumer technology
• B2B products and services
• Search engine marketing/SEO
• Not-for-profit organizations

We serve clients across the country in areas including New York, San Francisco, Austin and Philadelphia.

(Shimmer Wall photo from New Raleigh)

Well, darn

In a time when people are losing their jobs and can't sell their homes, I'll admit that what I'm about to type can come across as trite and petty. And, in all honesty, it is. But it's also because of those current circumstances that make what I'm about to write that much more amplified.

One of the best affordable bargains for years has been the N.C. State-made ice cream at the Talley Student Center. For about a dollar you could get one heaping scoop of terrific ice cream. Two scoops was more than enough for two people to share.

Well, the other day, the family went over to enjoy some ice cream (and to let daddy reminisce about his college days a bit). We discovered that the ice cream prices have doubled; a single scoop is now $2 and a double is about $3.50. Though unfortunate, it's no big deal and not unexpected, considering the economy.

We ordered a single scoop, thinking it would be enough. The scoop that we received may as well have been done with a melon scooper, it was that small. And while the ice cream itself was still excellent, the minute portion + the expanded price = a bad taste in our mouth. We, begrudgingly, have now marked "go to State for cheap ice cream!" on our list of go-to items. We could just as easily go to Baskin Robbins, Coldstone or even McDonald's or Wendy's now.

Sigh.

A wonderful gesture

We've all heard, by now, the tragic story about the death of 6-year-old Ashley Ramos-Hernandez, who was killed by a driver after getting off the bus on North Hills Drive last week. Her parents, Alfonzo and Elena, apparently were employees of the Urban Food Group, which boast Vivace, Frazier's, Porter's and Coquette.

In a letter from Urban Food Group, the company states that this Saturday, "all of Urban Food Group, owners and staff, will be donating their time and money to assist Ashley's family.

-At Vivace and Coquette Brasserie, where Ashley's parents are employed, the service staff has volunteered to donate 100% of their tips and wages from the entire day to the family. Both restaurants will be open from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

-The service staff at Porter's City Tavern and Frazier's Bistro will be donating portions- and in some cases, all- of their tips and wages from the evening's dinner service as well. Porter's will be open from 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., and Frazier's from 5:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m..

-Urban Food Group's owners and management team have been, and will continue to support the Ramos and Hernandez family in their time of need.

If you would like to help, you can do so by simply by visiting any of our restaurants next Saturday.

If you would like to do more, or cannot make it out that night and would still like to make a contribution, simply call or stop by any of our restaurants and ask to speak to the manager. We will be happy to make arrangements for you.

We would like to thank you for your continued support, your patronage, and your assistance in helping Ashley's family cope with this tragic loss.

This is some bull throw

In what looks like an attempt to solve a problem that isn't even there, Wake County is now stating that dogs can no longer accompany their owners outside certain Raleigh restaurants.

... Wake County food safety officials, citing their interpretation of state rules, have started telling restaurants that canines are no longer allowed at outside tables[ says the N&O].

Jon Garrison, owner of Lilly's Pizza, a Five Points restaurant named after a dog, said the crackdown will run his customers off. He said the rule had not been enforced since the restaurant's 1993 opening.

"We've never had an issue," he said. "Not a single dog fight or complaint from a customer."

Lilly's was recently told about the change, and Frances Breed love, Wake's food sanitation section chief, said her employees will soon be notifying other restaurants about the rule, too. Officials are reacting to a list of pet-friendly restaurant patios published Aug.12 in The News & Observer.

Miranda Greene, 28, of Raleigh, enjoys having her 7-year-old Westie, Shadrach, as a regular dining companion. "I specifically go to Lilly's because the food's good and my dog likes to hang out there," she said. "It's one of the things that gives Raleigh character, especially downtown Raleigh."

Tom Ashton, 54, of Raleigh, and his wife, Mandy, often go to restaurants just because they can take their 2-year-old goldendoodle, Charlie. They were at The Third Place coffee shop, next door to Lilly's Pizza, on Wednesday afternoon with Charlie.

Ashton noted that larger cities from Chicago to Paris allow dogs not only outside restaurants but inside, as well. In 2007, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance that licensed restaurants to allow dogs inside.

The good folks at New Raleigh have more on the subject (in a post titled, "WTF? Wake County to Ban Dogs on Restaurant Patios").

Sometimes it amazes me the rules that we “interpret” not for the good of our society, but for the satisfaction of officials and “regulations”. The latest is directed at dogs and the health hazard they create by hanging out on local restaurant patios.

Work appears to have resumed on Blount Street

Blount Street Commons, a redevelopment project that seemed DOA just a few weeks back appears to have been given a new lease on life.

New townhomes are getting closer to being completed; a new through street is finished; and there is more than just a hint of activity there. (Even the Blount Street Commons sign is up again.)

The N&O has more today.

Dave Servoss, president of Vanguard Homes, said his company plans to complete its initial section of Blount Street Commons, a six-block project that calls for up to 495 condominiums, townhouses and single-family homes to be located just north of the governor's mansion.

Vanguard is building 24 units as part of the first block of the development. Work on those units stopped for several months after Vanguard and its parent company, Anderson Homes, sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. ...

Before filing for bankruptcy, Anderson and Vanguard faced lawsuits and liens on their properties from building suppliers, contractors, a marketing firm and a security system company. ...

At the peak of the housing boom, Anderson and Vanguard employed 66 people and built 350 homes a year in more than a dozen communities. ...

Blount Street Commons is being developed by the Florida developer LNR Property. Prices for some of the six historic houses in the development will range from the high $200,000s to more than $1 million.

Last week, LNR announced that the Bailey-Gallant historic house had been sold to Legacy Construction Group. Servoss said Vanguard has sold one of its Blount Street Commons units and has another under contract.

Peter Rumsey, a Prudential York Simpson Underwood broker who is working with LNR, said Blount Street Commons sales have been slowed by the economy. But he said the project's location on the edge of downtown makes it unique.

RTP a model

By now, we've all heard the horror stories about how bad things have gotten in Detroit over the years (and ramped up in recent years). Detroit is, quite frankly, broke. And a recent Globe & Mail article states that the city could be "forced into the municipal equivalent of bankruptcy in October."

Well, this article states that Michigan may look to the South for a wonderful economic development model: Research Triangle Park.

"But Detroit and Michigan haven't given up. Along the university research corridor – named in hopeful imitation of North Carolina's technology triangle – billions of dollars from government and private foundations are financing research in new technologies at state universities in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Lansing. The principal focus is on alternative-energy research and, increasingly, on adapting automotive technology to biotechnology.

" 'Basically, if you can make a hood, you can make an elbow,' explains Nancy Cappola, who works with an entrepreneurial development program at Detroit's Wayne State University. ..."

Good luck to the Motor City.

Goodnight's is bringing it

Sorry for the lack of posts of late. Was on vacation for the past week.

Here's a quick tip of the hat to Brad & Shannon Reeder, who have done wonders with bringing wonderful comedic talent to Raleigh's Goodnight's. I'm constantly excited to open up one of their "Guess who's coming?" emails. Some of the biggest names in comedy have for years made their way up the showbiz ladder by performing at Goodnight's. But these days some of the biggest names are coming back to play Raleigh.

Already been through this year have been the likes of Jon Lovitz and Norm Macdonald. Coming up soon will be John Pinette, D.L. Hughley, Tim Wilson, Charlie Murphy and Craig Shoemaker. Be sure to get over to Goodnight's and enjoy this Raleigh institution.

Why can't we have one of these?

"Downtown Winston-Salem will soon be the home of a movie theater," says the Greensboro News & Record.

"Aperture Cinema will showcase independent, foreign and art-house films in two 80-seat movie theaters in the Chatham Building at 311 W. Fourth St., Lawren Desai, the movie theater's majority owner, said Thursday.

"The theater will focus on award-winning films. The majority of them will be first-run films."

Actually, sounds like the Rialto, which, while technically not *in* downtown Raleigh, is fairly close for the urban-dwellers. Still, a theater in DTR Proper would be fantastic.

''This is a big part of downtown that was missing," Lawren Desai, the owner of the W-S theater, told the newspaper.

NeighborWoods program honored

We've pimped the city's NeighborWoods program here before, and I obviously think it's one of those great examples of how government can do great things. (And there are plenty of such examples, by the way.)

Others have noticed The NeighborWoods program is among six winners of the 2009 N.C. Urban Forestry Awards, which were recently announced.

NeighborWoods "won the outstanding project merit award, and Mary Silliman of Apex won the outstanding individual grand award. The annual program of the N.C. Division of Forest Resources recognizes cities, towns, organizations, businesses and individuals for work to protect and enhance community forests and raise awareness about the importance of urban forestry projects.

"Winners were selected by a panel that included urban forestry staff members of the N.C. Division of Forest Resources and members of the N.C. Urban Forest Council. Entries were judged for effect, quality, innovation and the degree to which the work serves as an example for others to follow. The winners also may be nominated for the National Arbor Day Awards program."

Congrats to NeighborWoods, the city of Raleigh and Silliman.

'This place looks cool!' or 'THIS place is one of the best places to live?'

Society contributor TSnow touched on this subject a little over a year ago when he snapped some photos of a moss/fungus-covered "City of Raleigh" sign on Glenwood Avenue.

At the time, T wrote ...

Now I'm not for spending public money just to spend it and there are many more important projects that need to be addressed but can't we come up with some funds to replace these? We are, as the sign says through the muck, "The Capital City," we top many "best of" lists, we are renown for technological advances and research, we are one of the fastest growing areas in the country and we greet our visitors with this!?

He brought up at the time an excellent point: the inconsistency and head-scratchiness (I think I just made up a word) of Raleigh's "welcome to" signs. But another issue is also in need of discussion: Raleigh's "entrances." One of my favorite local blogs, Raleigh Art Architecture & Urbanism, broached this subject recently.

When defining a city, the sense of arrival is crucial, not only does it signify the arrival itself but it defines the boundaries of a city. The first impression plays a significant role in shaping our opinions of each city as a place and helps to inform us about its identity.

The site then does an analysis of the "sense of arrival into downtown Raleigh from the southeast. (McDowell Street / NC Hwy 50)."

The McDowell St. corridor offers us the signature view of the Raleigh skyline. While different than that from the Boylan bridge, it is unquestionably one of the City's best. The road, while busy, seems more like a parkway than a highway with it's winding path and well landscaped median. In the distance a city of Raleigh sign marks the arrival.

I would argue that it is not just "the signature view" but "THE signature view" of Raleigh. But what about other "entrances" into Raleigh? I, for one, love the old stone sign that leads east into downtown on New Bern Avenue, but it's not exactly a picture-worthy entrance into downtown. Granted, with the sprawl that has occurred over the years, we're not going to have iconic images coming in from the north, south, east or west at every main artery. Apparently, folks are working on Capital. And a Riverwalk could be cool.

But as TSnow stated, Raleigh "needs to rethink welcome sign placement as well. ... I think a great spot would be on Wade Ave. between I-40 and Edwards Mill Rd. (the RBC Center.)" He even suggests a design competition at the NC State Design School or amongst local architect firms to "get something from the 21st century."

Any thoughts on what could be done about Raleigh's various entrances and/or signage?

(Downtown image by RAA&U)

Some beer news

First, a shout out to the good folks at BarleyTalk, a local blog "devoted to beer and beer happenings in the Triangle."

Speaking of beer, this article focuses on North Carolina's growing reputation for having great breweries. ("North Carolina: We're not just known for wine anymore!")

Welcome to the revolution. North Carolina is the craft beer state of the South.

Right now, as you read this, there are 42 breweries operating across the state with at least a half-dozen expecting to open by year’s end. In the big cities of Tobacco Road. And in far-flung places such as Farmville and Holly Springs and Jarvisburg, a pinprick of a place in northeast North Carolina where the idea of a craft beer pub was born.

The City of Oaks is also well represented, thanks to (off the top of my head) Big Boss. I'm sure there must be others.

Hooray, beer!

Raleigh Curios-city: Harrelson Hall

This is the fourth in a feature that (hopefully) sheds the light on some of the more, uh, unique aspects of Raleigh. Know of something that Raleigh has that no other place does -- be it a building, a organization, a group or whatever? Then tell us about it!

My guess is that if you attended N.C. State University in the last, oh, 30 years or so, then the odds are great that you had at least one class in Harrelson Hall, the round building with window-less classrooms. The first class I ever took at State was a M-W-F 8:05 a.m. in Harrelson. And though it mostly holds math and foreign language classes, I had several history classes in the building.

Harrelson was named for John William Harrelson (1909), the first alumnus to serve as N.C. State's president. It was the first cylindrical building on a university campus. Yeah.

Unlike many other buildings on State's campus, there doesn't seem to be much of a love-hate relationship between people and Harrelson. As far as I can tell, most everyone hates it.

Everyone "that went to NCSU is familiar with it and has some sort of opinion on it–usually negative," says our good friend John Morris at Goodnight, Raleigh! "The folks I work with were no exception."

Even architects are in on Harrelson bashing. This post from Brutalist Architects:

Let's just run down a quick list of idiotic decisions that went into its design and construction:

1. Ugly as sin.

2. Wheelchair access is provided by a single long spiral ramp that goes from the top floor all the way to ground level.

3. All interior hallways are perfectly round concentric circles broken by symmetrical straight spokes, with no identifying landmarks (such as painting different quadrants varying colors) to find the room you're looking for.

4. Didn't properly account for weight of the building so that the planned 10-story building only has 4 usable floors, and even then it's still slowly sinking into the ground; there's a growing crater under the building where you walk to the stairs and aforementioned wheelchair ramp.

Hard to argue with any of those complaints. Of course, the sinking story has always also been linked to the fact that it was allegedly a Georgia Tech grad, not a State one, who designed Harrelson. So there.


Any other Harrelson stories you'd like to share?

(Images from University Archives, Goodnight, Raleigh! and Google Earth)

Uh-oh: High expectations for State football

It's getting about that time to start focusing on college football around these parts. (One month to go, apparently.) And since "these parts" mostly refers to Raleigh, we'll focus on Raleigh's team, the N.C. State Wolfpack.

As usual, there are some good news/bad news aspects to the 2009 version of Tom O'Brien's team. First, the GOOD:

-High expectations

-QB Russell Wilson: "He's the most dangerous quarterback I saw last year," said Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, "and he might be the most dangerous in the country."

-Depth. "So in his third season, football coach Tom O'Brien appears finally to have solved the most frustrating problem from the end of predecessor Chuck Amato's tenure," wrote Ken Tysiac. "In fact, a look at N.C. State's depth chart shows that as camp starts today, the Wolfpack doesn't have a lot of glaring deficiencies after going 6-7 with a loss to Rutgers in the Papajohns.com Bowl last season."

Now, for the BAD:
-Already the "injury" bug has begun hitting.

-High expectations: To put it mildly, NCSU sports rarely do well when the spotlight is shining brightest and people actually expect them to excel. I guarantee you if you surveyed 1,000 Pack fans and asked them what their No. 1 concern was heading into the season, 990 of them would say something along the lines of "well, I just KNOW something bad is going to happen" and the season will be a disappointment. If you think Cubs fans are insufferable, then you haven't met the regular Pack fan. (I know; I'm one of them.) After all, the Pack is "your Atlantic Division favorite." Gulp.

At the very least, the '09 State squad will be entertaining to watch, and should be in every single game. And if you're into self-mutiliation, eating your own or enjoying train wrecks, then here are a number of fan sites/blogs to check out. Happy fatalism!

-Backing the Pack
-Yet Another N.C. State Sports Blog
-StateFans Nation
-Pack Pride
-Wolfpack Wire
-GoPack.com