Char Grill to open High Point location

Raleigh-based hamburger company Char Grill will open its first non-Triangle location in High Point next week.

"Char Grill will begin serving customers at 1525 N. Main St. in the former location of the Armadillo Grill restaurant after some common setbacks and a few weekends of winter weather delayed the project, said part-owner Scott Hiatt," according to the News & Record of Greensboro.

"Char Grill's menu includes open-flame cooked hamburger steak sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, French fries and milk shakes."

I'm getting hungry just reading that.

A Target/DTR pipe dream?

We've been a big proponent of finding some way to infuse Downtown Raleigh with retail. (Admittedly, we have no great ideas -- but the enthusiasm is there!) There have been some advances in this "field" over the past couple of years, but it remains a chicken-or-the-egg problem: Do you build up retail in hopes that the people will move into DTR to support it? Or do you wait for the residents?

And while I know national chains are often frowned upon, we here at The Society have often thought that there are two national chains that would not only be welcomed in DTR, but would thrive. The first is Barnes & Noble bookstore. The other is Target.

Both are admittedly a long shot; however, it's not beyond the realm of possibility -- especially since Target has announced plans for a "smaller store format for urban markets." Sounds perfect for Downtown Raleigh.

The company, which already operates multi-level, urban stores in markets like downtown Minneapolis (pictured) and Brooklyn, N.Y., did not reveal specific details of what those stores might look like [says the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal].

... Target plans to add fewer than 10 stores this year. The pace of openings for 2011 and beyond will depend on a number of factors, including the company’s performance as well as economic and real estate conditions. Tests for a smaller format in urban markets is slated to begin within the next few years (emphasis mine).

“As we approach each of these growth opportunities, Target will apply the same rigorous financial discipline that we have applied historically, ensuring a returns-based approach and the prudent use of capital,” Target Chairman, President and CEO Gregg Steinhafel said in a statement. “We are excited about the growth potential for Target and believe we have the capital, talent, and right blend of discipline and innovation to deliver meaningful value to our guests and shareholders.”

Maybe someone should start an online, bring Target to Downtown Raleigh petition? Any takers?

(Target Minneapolis photo by cgstock.com)

Hall receives Screen Actors Guild Award

Raleigh native Michael C. Hall won a Screen Actors Guild Award on Saturday night. | People.com

Michael C. Hall had plenty to celebrate Saturday night.

Just a week after winning a Golden Globe for his serial killer star turn on Showtime’s Dexter, the actor was named outstanding actor in a drama series at Saturday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards. And, he told PEOPLE backstage, his cancer is in remission.

“I’m two-thirds of the way through this treatment that already has this thing in remission,” he said. “It’s nice in the homestretch to have this kind of shock of positive energy. It’s a celebration.”

Hall graduated from Ravenscroft High School in 1989. | imdb.com

Raleigh housing holding up well compared to other 'boom' markets

Jason Graves over at Raleigh Real Estate News has taken a look at how the Raleigh-area housing market has compared recently with other so-called "boom" markets (Atlanta, Orlando, Phoenix, etc.). It appears the the Oak City has fared well.

"Raleigh has taken some lumps during the real estate downtown but as you can see in the graph below, our pricing has outperformed the US average, Atlanta and the boom markets of Orlando, FL and Phoenix, AZ. I included Atlanta because of their explosive growth and the fact that they are a leading southern city. I included Orlando and Phoenix because I wanted you to see what Raleigh looks like compared to boom-towns," said Graves.

Raleigh’s TARR Report website touts Wake County’s annual home appreciation to be 3.08%. Home appreciation is defined as an increase in value of a home as a result of an increase in the market. I feel it’s an important factor when buying your first home because saving a 20% down payment can be difficult. It may make more sense to put less money down and build your equity through your home’s appreciation along with the money you pay in equity on your loan.

Wells Fargo chief economist John Silva and Matthew Martin, a member of the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, Va., cited several economic indicators in Raleigh that are slowly moving in the right direction during the recent Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce economic forecast meeting. They are encouraged by positive movement in the housing market, jobless claims and car sales.

“Raleigh has held up better than the rest of the state. You can actually take bragging rights,” he said. “Typically, in past recessions, it was the Raleigh-Triangle area competing with Charlotte for who’s holding up the best. Charlotte has fallen behind this time around.” Read more from Warm forecast issued for local economy.

Knightdale-Raleigh Express now operating

The Knightdale-Raleigh Express (KDX) bus is now operating, giving folks the commuting option from "K-Town" in to Downtown Raleigh during rush hour.

Sponsored by Triangle Transit and using Capital Area Transit buses, the Knightdale - Raleigh Express(KDX) will serve commuters working in downtown and east Raleigh, running weekdays from 6 to 9 am, and 4 to 7 pm [according to the Capital Area Friends of Transit email].

The buses will run fare-free before riders have to start paying on February 5th. Discount fares and passes are available, and many government and private employers provide free or discounted passes to employees. Be sure to find out if your employer offers such a benefit.

The perfect night

For N.C. State fans, it doesn't get much better than this.

Happy birthday, Coach Lowe. And happy (one day later) birthday, T Smith!





(State-Duke photo by Ted Richardson/News & Observer; UNC-Wake photo by Robert Willett/News & Observer)

I-40 among the 50 worst commutes in America

The Daily Beast has ranked the 75 worst commutes in America, and Interstate 40 in Raleigh comes in at No. 50.

The site lists the weekly hours of bottleneck congestion at 45 and cites Westbound, US1/US64/Exit 293 as the worst bottleneck.

Unfortunately, the quote they use as "Buzz" is referring to the western leg of I-40, where a rockslide has hampered traveling into Tennessee.

“You just get so stiff and tired and sore before you get to work,” Wes Evans told The Citizen-Times, referring to the approximately two hours of daily driving added to daily commutes on the I-40—the result of a massive rockslide that has created numerous detours.

The Hollywood Freeway in L.A., with 686 weekly hours of congestion, came in at "No. 1" in this list. East Independence Blvd. in Charlotte clocked in at No. 35, and I-26 in Charleston, S.C., at No. 43, while the I-26 stretch in Columbia is No. 73 and I-95 in Richmond, Va., is 75th.

Michael C. Hall wins first Golden Globe award

Raleigh native Michael C. Hall won his first Golden Globe award Sunday night, taking the honor for best actor in a television drama for his title role in the Showtime series “Dexter.”

Hall, who revealed earlier in the week that he has almost finished treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer, wore a skull-tight hat to hide his bald head. | People.com

In an upset, “The Hangover,” starring N.C. State alum Zach Galifianakis, won best motion picture (musical or comedy), beating “(500) Days of Summer,” “It’s Complicated,” “Julie & Julia,” and “Nine.”

Hall graduated from Ravenscroft High School in 1989.

Michael C. Hall: Web site | imdb.com
280 characters: “The Hangover”

NCSU noted for its liquid antennas

The Economist has an article about N.C. State's Michael Dickey, who has come up with liquid antennas/antennae.

Here's a snippet:

FROM radios and mobiles phones to wireless-networking gear and satellite-navigation devices, antennas are everywhere. Yet, despite their ubiquity, they are delicate pieces of equipment. Civilians, for the most part, take them for granted, but the armed forces know just how easily an antenna can be destroyed in a war zone—with potentially catastrophic consequences. Now, a technology that allows antennas to bend fluidly and “self heal” as they get whacked around in the chaos of war could make using them a great deal easier.

Antennas transmit signals by using an oscillating electrical current in a length of conductive material to generate electromagnetic radiation, such as radio waves. When receiving they do the opposite, transforming electromagnetic radiation passing through the conductive material into electrical current.

The most common conductive material used is copper. This, however, has a tendency to snap with only a small amount of punishment. Michael Dickey, an engineer at North Carolina State University, therefore wondered if a more resilient alternative might be found.

Dr Dickey put together a team of electrical and chemical engineers and, together, they started looking at metals and metal alloys that are soft at room temperature. The best mix they came up with was an alloy of gallium and indium. This had all the electrical properties that antennas need to function, but was much more flexible than its copper equivalent. Indeed, it was more than just flexible. At room temperature it was actually liquid, and thus flowed when deformed, rather than breaking.

The result, as they report in Advanced Functional Materials, is an antenna that can be housed in variety of covers, appropriate to different uses. Rigid casings will make the antenna more solid and rubber ones will allow it to stretch like an elastic band.

(Image from NCSU)

10 from Raleigh make Cox's list of fave restaurants

The N&O's Greg Cox has listed his 24/25 (Fin's was on the list at one point) restaurants in the Triangle, and 10 reside in Raleigh with more than half of those being downtown.

Heron's is Cox's favorite restaurant. As VarmintBites points out, there are some new additions to the list this year, including Heron's.


"Others new to the list include Poole’s Downtown Diner, the Fearrington House, Second Empire, and Watts Grocery. ...

"This is a solid list and serves as a guide to the best of the best in the Triangle. One can argue about a restaurant here or there, but in the end, Cox does a super job helping his readers find the best places to eat.

"For a geographic breakdown, of the top 24 restaurants, 10 are in Raleigh, 4 are in Chapel Hill, 6 are in Durham, 2 in Cary, 1 in Pittsboro and 1 in Hillsborough. Raleigh only has one of the 'Best Bargains,' interestingly enough."

Here is the list.

Top Restaurants

Herons (Restaurant of the Year)

18 Seaboard

Bloomsbury Bistro

Bonne Soirée

Elaine’s on Franklin

Fairview

Fearrington House

Four Square

Frazier’s

Il Palio

J. Betski’s

Lantern

Magnolia Grill

Margaux’s

Maximillians

Nana’s

Panciuto

Poole’s Downtown Diner

Saint Jacques

Second Empire

Vin Rouge

Vivace

Watts Grocery

Zely & Ritz

Top Newcomers of the Year

Busy Bee Cafe

Chef & the Farmer

Coquette

Cypress on the Hill

Dos Perros

Gravy

Queen of Sheba

Revolution

Sitti

Super Wok

Top Bargains

Allen & Son

China Palace

Neal’s Deli

Neomonde

Rockwood Filling Station

Sandwhich

Skipper’s Fish Fry & Market

Taqueria La Vaquita

Toast

Udupi Café

Michael C. Hall recovering from cancer

Raleigh native Michael C. Hall has cancer, but he said he has almost finished with treatment and the disease is in remission. | People.com

Hall plans to attend Sunday’s Golden Globes with wife and “Dexter” co-star Jennifer Carpenter. He is nominated for best actor in a television drama for his role as Dexter Morgan, a forensic analyst and serial killer.

Hall graduated from Ravenscroft High School in 1989.

Michael C. Hall: Web site | imdb.com

Red is out of the music biz, into restaurants

Noticed the "Red's" sign was painted over just yesterday. I must've missed it earlier.

After almost five decades in the nightclub business, Red Hughes says he's out.

The owner and proprietor of Red's Beach Music, Hughes is known throughout the community for his business and his outgoing personality. Over the years he has moved his club half a dozen times. He first operated a nightclub in Kinston before coming to Raleigh in 1980.

Red's started in Raleigh in a spot on Capital Boulevard and ended there, too.

Workers painted over the white letters on the bright red building at 1505 Capital Blvd. last week.

Hughes is about to open up a restaurant, just up the road a bit, at 10012 Capital Blvd. in Wake Forest called Red's Grill & Bar. Red's will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and specialize in "broasted" chicken, which has been marinated and cooked under pressure. It will open in a month or two.

"I'm looking forward to what I'm doing," he told Stock. "I'm going to have real good food."

The missus and I took shagging lessons at one of Red's previous locations. Are there any beach music venues left in Raleigh?

Triangle, N.C. shut out of (potential) World Cup host sites

Well, it was a long shot at best. But the 18 locations in the United States that will host World Cup games in either 2018 or '22 have been set, and the Triangle nor Charlotte have made the cut.

The U.S. World Cup bid committee has announced the following cities as sites to host games should American win a bid for the '18 or '22 games: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

Says SBI, "[a]ccording to U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati, the final list of cities average a stadium capacity of around 78,000, with the possibility of 5,000,000 World Cup tickets available for either a 2018 or 2022 tournament. That would be 33 percent bigger than in 1994, when fewer games were played."

Former Pack player Bennerman has clothing line

Cam Bennerman was quite the stylish basketball player for N.C. State. So it's no surprise that he has shown a flair for style off the court.

Today, Bennerman is the owner and creator (or cre8tor) of LiKuid Nation clothing, based in Greensboro.

To be honest, I don't know what half this means, but LiKuid Nation is apparently "dedicated to the artsy, hip hopping, skate boarding, sneaker craving connoisseur who is thirsty for something different and exclusive at an affordable price!

"LiKuid Nation specializes in high end urban wear as well as exclusive sneaker customization. Every design cre8ted is made exclusive and we guarantee that due to our ‘Durty Duzen’ system which allows for only 12 pieces to be made per design at a single time until re-released."

There you go. Best of luck to Mr. Bennerman!

Playboy: Man-Mur Barber Shop gives good trim

Playboy has named Raleigh’s Man-Mur Barber Shop one of the top 10 barbershops in America.

In its January/February issue, the magazine listed the barbershop seventh as part of a four-page story called “A Cut Above — Playboy’s Ultimate Real Man’s Guide to Grooming 2010.”

Aidan Gill for Men in New Orleans is ranked first, followed by shops in Los Angeles, two in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and then Man-Mur, which is listed ahead of shops in Cambridge, Mass., Seattle and Cherry Hill, N.J.

Man-Mur is located at 2708 Hillsborough Street across from North Carolina State University.

One error the magazine made was misprinting the shop’s phone number. The correct number is (919) 832-4170.

Pictures of the shop were not included in the magazine, but pictures of Tara Reid were.

Capital Club 16 to give Downtown a go

TBJ's Amanda Jones reports that the former Champa Thai Cafe spot, located at 16 W. Martin St., will soon be another restaurant, led by an executive chef from a NYC German restaurant.

Jake Wolf and his wife, Shannon, have leased the spot on the ground floor of the Capital Club Building at 16 West Martin St. The couple plans to open a restaurant and bar called Capital Club 16 by April.

Wolf, who recently relocated from New York City to the Triangle, traveled the world to fulfill his culinary ambitions after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. He has cooked in kitchens from Atlanta, to Munich, Germany, and most recently was head chef at Zum Schneider in New York City’s East Village.

Wolf says that he and his wife, who worked as a television producer in New York, have been talking for years about returning home to North Carolina and opening their own restaurant. Both husband and wife grew up in the Southern Pines region. Jake Wolf’s father, Larry Wolf, was director of tennis at Pinehurst Resort for 14 years.

...

Downtown Raleigh is proving to be a magnet for new restaurants, but not all succeed. In 2009, 24 restaurants and bars opened in downtown Raleigh while 14 closed their doors in the district, according to data from the Downtown Raleigh Alliance.

Wolf’s Capital Club 16 restaurant, which is unaffiliated with the private Capital City Club in the Progress Energy Building on Fayetteville Street, will focus on American foods with a mix of his German specialties, French classics and other European food influences.

Bowman has been Durham's fiercest cheerleader

Residents of Durham and Raleigh may enjoy bickering back and forth about which city is better (and sometimes it can get nasty), but the Bull City's greatest champion over the years has been Reyn Bowman, who recently retired as the CEO of the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau.

A City Council proclamation called him "a fierce defender of Durham's image and brand."

Bowman's efforts have impressed some as quixotic. Since 1998, he has campaigned to include Durham when airlines announce destinations. Instead of "Raleigh," he prefers "Raleigh-Durham International Airport."

"The airport name [is] incredibly confusing," he said in a December interview.

For example, in 1995 Bowman rushed to correct ABC's brass when the network promoted a "Good Morning America" broadcast as coming from "Raleigh-Durham" when it was actually done from the Duke Chapel quad.

"We spent a good time explaining to them it wasn't 'Raleigh-Durham,'" he said at the time.

Although Bowman's job was promoting Durham's hospitality business, he spent a lot of his time correcting misconceptions and misrepresentations.

I've dealt with Bowman on several occasions, and you will not find a more passionate advocate for a city than him. I'm sure there are some in Raleigh (and even in Durham, I suppose) that have bristled over the years at what may be perceived as a "Hey, don't forget about us!" mentality, but there is little doubt it has worked. It's fair to say that Durham's reputation has gone from being one of a crime-ridden, racially-divided community to one of the New South's best places to live, work and play. And, in many categories, Durham has surpassed Raleigh -- no small feat.

Reyn Bowman has been an integral part of this transformation.

Conventional wisdom holds that Durham has an image problem. On Bowman's watch, the bureau applied statistics to show that, in fact, not only Durham residents, but also most of those in adjoining counties and even far afield actually had "positive" or "very positive" impressions of thecity.

In December, Bowman and his successor, Shelly Green, gave the City Council a survey showing that 76 percent of North Carolinians had a positive image of Durham, higher than the figure for Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Greensboro or Raleigh.

Even in Wake County, 68.7percent of respondents thought well of Durham.

Some of his efforts on Durham's behalf were "aggressive," Bowman said, even "pretty over the top." Some people, Durham Mayor Bill Bell said, "say he's overzealous, but we need persons like that."

Congratulations on a job well done, Reyn. Enjoy retirement.

Update on RailHawks' future

Contributor KBrew noted that we had 666 posts here at the Society. I'm not superstitious, but we can't be having that now, can we? So, in order to get us over that evil hump, here's an update on the Carolina RailHawks' future.


Exactly which league the RailHawks play in 2010 got a little bit clearer today.

The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) announced it will oversee a second division league this year, temporarily ending a dispute between the United Soccer League (USL) and the North American Soccer League (NASL).

The Hawks were one of several teams that had left USL for the upstart NASL.

"The USSF last week refused to sanction either the USL or NASL, saying both were unable to meet the minimum requirement of eight viable teams," according to the AP.

"The second division this year will have two six-team conferences, with Austin, Minnesota, Portland (Ore.), Puerto Rico, Rochester and Tampa Bay in the USL Conference, and Baltimore, Carolina, Miami, Montreal, St. Louis and Vancouver in the NASL Conference.

"The agreement announced Thursday is for the 2010 season only. The USSF said it will develop new standards for second division leagues."

Of course, Portland and Vancouver will be moving on up to Major League Soccer in the coming years.

SBI has stated that, as of yet, there "are no details yet on how the league will operate, or who will run it."

And MLSRumors notes that there could be hope for a relegation/promotion system in the future.

Keep your eyes on the road: Krispy Kreme Challenge set for Feb. 6

The sixth annual Krispy Kreme Challenge will descend on downtown Raleigh on Feb. 6.

Beginning at the NC State Belltower, each runner runs 2 miles to the Krispy Kreme store located on Peace St. in Raleigh. After downing a full dozen of the famous Krispy Kreme doughnuts, the runner must run the 2 miles back. All in one hour.

And, of course, you must try not to puke. Good luck with that.

Purdue provost set to lead State

A longtime Purdue University administrator is expected to be named the next chancellor at N.C. State University [ says the N&O].

William "Randy" Woodson, Purdue's current provost, is the top choice of UNC President Erskine Bowles and will likely be hired Friday morning by the UNC system's Board of Governors, four university and government sources confirmed.

Seems like a good choice. Purdue and State are similar institutions with very similar missions.

Purdue is in central Indiana and, like NCSU, is a large, public, land-grant university. Woodson has been Purdue's chief academic officer since May 2008; prior to that he spent four years as dean of the agriculture school there. He began his Purdue career in 1985 as a horticulture professor.

He would succeed James Oblinger, who resigned last June amid questions over his role in the hiring of former first lady Mary Easley. James Woodward, the former UNC-Charlotte chancellor, has served as NCSU's leader in the interim and has been a steadying force.

I would LOVE to see Woodward stay in Raleigh in some capacity. He's earned it. Then again, he's also earned the right to retire.

"Randy is, I think it's fair to say, universally respected and liked here and it's a significant loss for us, and a big gain for you," said Michael Dana, a professor in Purdue's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. He has known Woodson since 1985, when Woodson first came to the university.

Woodson's talent and charisma are so obvious that he rocketed up the career ladder at Purdue, seldom being able to settle into a new role long before being plucked for a higher post, said Dana.

Woodson is particularly skilled at the delicate job of forging consensus among headstrong academics, said Dana.

"He's very good at bringing these strong personalities together and taking their input and making everyone feel like they're on the same page, whether it's about hiring decisions, new departments, or whatever," he said. "And he values people's opinions, but isn't afraid to make a decision."

Best of luck, new Chancellor, sir!

Cantina 18 to open in March

The aforementioned Cantina 18 from Jason Smith is scheduled to open in Cameron Village in March.

Smith, who is the genius behind 18 Seaboard, will open this Mexican restaurant near Noodles & Co.

Downtown farmer's market to move to City Plaza

According to news from the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, the downtown farmers market, formerly held at Moore Square, will instead be held this spring and summer at City Plaza.

The market will open on Wednesday, April 14 at 10 a.m. A new website is underway. Interested "vendors, volunteers, and potential partners should contact
Hallie Mittleman at Halliemittleman@downtownraleigh.org or call 919.821.6979."

Yeah!

The smoking ban is in effect, y'all.

North Carolina's new smoking ban drew decidedly different but predictable reactions as patrons dined and drank in public restaurants and bars on the first smoke-free weekend. ...

"If you're a nonsmoker, like me, it's great," said Ginger Mullins, a hair and makeup artist from Cary who was having a drink at Bogart's American Grill. "Even when a restaurant had a nonsmoking section, you could smell it. It will be nice to go out in public and come home and not smell like smoke."

Not surprising, not everyone is happy with the ban. How 'bout you, Michelle Gunton of Youngsville?

"I don't go to bars often, but when I do I like to have a cocktail and enjoy a cigarette," she told the N&O. "Plus, it's cold outside. No one wants to walk outside and smoke. ..."

Tough, uh, toodles.

State Rep. Jennifer Weiss, who co-authored the no-smoking bill, and officials with the N.C. Division of Public Health and the Wake County Tobacco Free Coalition gathered Saturday for a lunch celebration of the ban at the Abbey Road Tavern & Grill in Cary.

The tavern stacked its old ash trays and hung a banner that displayed a picture of a cigarette with an X across it and the words "We can all breathe easier."

"I think we will lose a few customers but gain a lot more," Mikki Wareham, the restaurant's manager, said Sunday. "But it's been two days now, and I haven't heard any complaints."

Antiques Roadshow Raleigh begins Monday

Last Summer PBS's Antiques Roadshow came to the Raleigh Convention Center marking the 3rd North Carolina stop (Durham 1997 & Charlotte 2003) in the 13 year history of the very popular show. The broadcast premier is set for Monday the 4th at 8pm on WUNC. In all there will be 3 episodes featuring the Raleigh appraisals as well as trips to area locations to discuss local history and crafts. Episode #2 will be next Monday the 11th followed by the finale on the 18th.

Two records were broken during the Raleigh visit. Over 34,000 ticket requests were submitted for the available 3,200 pairs shattering all previous marks and, if you haven't heard, Raleigh is now home to the highest appraisal in the show's history. A conservative auction estimate of $1.07 million. What is it? No spoilers here.

Did anyone get the chance to go? Any nouveau riche R.P.S. readers out there?