It's game week!

Apologies for not posting last week. I was on vacation.


Deservedly, a lot of attention of late has been focused on the ongoing NCAA investigation of UNC-Chapel Hill's football program. The Dark Cloud Tar Heels open the season in Atlanta on Saturday in a made-for-TV clash with SEC power LSU.

Overshadowed somewhat is the fact that N.C. State opens its 2010 college football season on Saturday. The Wolfpack will host Western Carolina (not quite as sexy as LSU -- no offense, Catamounts); State is looking to rebound from a couple of disappointing seasons. And coach Tom O'Brien knows the pressure is on.

"The only thing we do is work hard and try to put a football team together to go out and have a winning season and go to a bowl game," O'Brien told the News & Observer. "That's what our goals are, and that's what we're working toward."

Here are some other Pack-related links of interest as we head for a 6 p.m. Saturday kickoff.

-Russell Wilson in 'game mode' (ACCNOW)

-State still has questions (N&O)

-LB Manning back at full speed (N&O)

-RB Washington looking for increased role (WRAL)

-Kickoffs are (thankfully) deeper (ACCNOW)

-State season tickets not sold out for first time in a LONG time (N&O)

-Is Nate Irving's remarkable comeback being overshadowed? (Riddick & Reynolds)

(Photo of Manning by Ethan Hyman, News & Observer)

2nd Cooke Street Carnival coming up October 16

Last year's inaugural Cooke Street Carnival was a great success. This year's version, to be held Saturday, October 16, will no doubt top last year's. As we wrote last year, the east Raleigh block party with music, food, beer, costumes and art that was so well attended during the same time as the State Fair "is a testament to the planning and enthusiasm of the neighbors. It certainly looks like it's a 'new' Raleigh tradition."

The 2009 version was a success, according to New Raleigh, "donating over 500 pounds of food to the Eastern and Central NC Food Bank and having over 1,000 visitors."

Considering all of the work put into the event so far, this year could be bigger and lots more fun. More info to come but be sure that there will be lots of great local music, food vendors, art, retail vendors, kids entertainment and more. The date is Saturday October 16th and the time is from 1-8pm.

Check back at NR (or here) for more information to come.

Superchunk covered

Finally, someone has covered Superchunk over at the Onion AV Club's Undercover. The band that chose the Triangle legends' "Detroit Has a Skyline" is Cymbals Eat Guitars.

We thought that Superchunk's "Detroit Has A Skyline" would be one of the last songs to go--and that it would take a particularly rocking band to do it justice. Of the final three songs, it made perfect sense for New York's Cymbals Eat Guitars, who stopped by the office the day before playing a blistering set at Lollapalooza. ... Cymbals' performance was easily the loudest Undercover yet; thankfully most of our neighbors had gone home when they stopped by.

Enjoy.


Cymbals Eat Guitars cover Superchunk

Hooray for Hillsborough Street! Now what?

The renovations to Hillsborough Street are now completed, although it seems like it took forever (probably because we've been talking about the need to re-do H-boro Street for a decade or more).

Hopes are high that the street, after more than a decade of revitalization plans and intense debate, scores a high-enough grade to become a vibrant hub of commercial activity - and a spruced-up gateway both to downtown and to the Glenwood South entertainment district.

"This needs to be a home for everybody," said Nina Szlosberg, a University Park resident and one of the leading community advocates for the street's renovation. "If downtown is the heart of the city, Hillsborough Street is the spine."

The early returns are very positive. People are optimistic that the revamped Hillsborough will do wonders for both businesses and N.C. State University.

"When school is gone, plus the construction, it was really bad," said Fredy Alvarez, manager of the El Rodeo Mexican restaurant.

El Rodeo has been losing money for months and nearly closed for good, but the return of students this weekend boosted business, he said.

"Yesterday was the busiest day that we have had in the last year and seven months," Alvarez said.

One improvement: It appears to be safer for students and bikers and pedestrians.

"Driving the new Hillsborough Street is pretty sweet, and walking it is sweeter still," writes Bruce Siceloff.

It's still a busy street. Some of the changes will take getting used to. The jury is still out on that quirky, twin-ring roundabout at the Bell Tower.

And some people will argue that shifting from four to two lanes of traffic is the opposite of progress.

But mostly, it's much nicer now.

"Psychologically, it feels safer and much more walkable," said Michael Harwood, NCSU's former university architect, who worked with merchants and city officials during a decade of planning for the makeover. "And it's much more friendly to be on the street."

A new red-brick median runs down the center of Hillsborough, and the sidewalks are brick, too. Parking spaces line both sides of the street, with coin-or-credit-card pay stations to be activated in the next week or so.

Cars and bicycles now share a single lane, 16 feet wide, in each direction. Later this fall, the city will add stripes and signs to mark the outside 5 feet for bikes.

...

Officials say the main reason they tackled Hillsborough Street was to make it safer for walking. For years, it was one of North Carolina's nastiest spots for pedestrian crashes. NCSU students were among the frequent jaywalkers on Hillsborough, and not always nimble in the dash across four lanes of traffic.

"Our students didn't always use the crosswalks when they ran back and forth to the businesses on the other side of the street," said Marilyn Stieneke, the planning and communication director in NCSU's finance and business office.

Now - even if they ignore the new crosswalks, with push-button signals gently beeping - pedestrians will have an easier time crossing safely. The brick medians are pedestrian islands in the traffic stream.

Instead of negotiating four lanes of cars at once, you'll worry about one lane at a time: Look to the left, cross to the median, then wait while you look to the right for cars coming in the opposite direction.

The one suggestion I would make is to put a fountain or a statue or art inside the roundabout(s) not unlike DuPont Circle (pictured) in D.C. This diagram appears to show "something" in the Pullen Park Pedestrian Gateway of Hillsborough Street, but it doesn't seem clear to me. Maybe someone more familiar with the project can fill us in on what -- if anything -- is planned for inside the roundabouts (besides flowers).

I understand you don't really want an "attraction" to lure people to play Frogger with traffic to get to a piece of art or a fountain, but it just seems like here's a perfect opportunity further spruce up the area.

(D.C. photo from virtualtourist.com)

State's first student: Walter J. Mathews

Caption: Bill Friday ’41, then president-elect of the UNC System, talks with the last surviving graduates of the class of 1893, Sam M. Young (1893) and W.J. Mathews (1893) during Alumni Weekend in May 1957.


Many folks who grew up in North Carolina have heard of the name Hinton James, the man who walked from Wilmington to Chapel Hill to be the first student to enroll at the University of North Carolina. For his efforts in being the first student at the nation's first state university, James has a dorm (and a wikipedia page) named in his honor. (Apparently students even dress up like him sometimes.)

However, how many people know the name Walter J. Mathews? I honestly didn't until yesterday, when I saw a painting of the man at the N.C. State Alumni Association's offices.

Mathews was the first ever student at what would become N.C. State University. Apparently he was an Asheville native who in 1889 made the trek to enroll at then-N.C. A&M. (No word on whether he walked or took a train to Raleigh.)

As far as I can tell, Mathews is acknowledged with said painting and the annual Mathews Medals at State, given to "graduating NC State seniors who have built a campus legacy based on leadership and service to their alma mater during their time on campus." And that's it. As far as I can tell, there's no building named in his honor on campus.

Those of us who went to State should know the name Walter J. Mathews. Chalk it up as yet another way that State College sometimes does a poor job of telling its story or celebrating its history.

(Photo from Special Collections, NCSU Libraries)

Gibbs: Obama's ascent began in Reynolds Coliseum

GoPack.com's Tim Peeler has a great profile of N.C. State alum and former Wolfpack soccer player Robert Gibbs, now the White House press secretary. You can read it here.

Here's a snippet or two.

Of all the amazing things that have happened to Robert Gibbs since he graduated from NC State and began his wandering ascent from journeyman political aide to one of the top advisers to President Barack Obama, nothing was more special than the night of May 6, 2008.

That night, sitting in the basement of Reynolds Coliseum, Gibbs celebrated with his boss a pair of big primary wins in Indiana and North Carolina. The victories over rival Hillary Clinton effectively clinched the nomination for Obama in the historic primary battle to nominate either the first African-American or the first woman candidate for United States president on a major party ticket.

"I can't tell you how amazing it was, that night, to be there in a special place where I spent so much time during college," Gibbs said. "It was the perfect setting."

All that has followed - from Obama's victory over John McCain in 2008 to the inauguration three months later to the day-to-day life in the most powerful office in the world - really began that evening for Gibbs, when Obama took the stage, celebrated his two critical wins and briefly flashed the wolf hand sign on there on the floor of Reynolds.

And ...

Monday afternoon, Gibbs sat in his expansive office in the West Wing of the White House, just across the hall from the Roosevelt Room where the Presidential Cabinet meets and eight or nine steps away from the Oval Office. For a place of such importance, it was oddly quiet, only perhaps because the President was in Austin, Texas, giving a speech. Gibbs smiled quietly while looking through a 1992 NC State soccer media guide, seeing the young faces of his aging teammates and friends. He laughed liberally when talking about his college days, and again when he was asked about the famous incident at the 2004 Democratic National Convention when he gave up his necktie to his boss just before Obama gave the speech that brought him to national prominence: Was he really trying to be helpful, or just trying to rid his wardrobe of the light blue tie?

Known to be charming, loquacious and bulldog tough, Gibbs tries to handle his duties calmly, with a needed flash of anger and passion every now and then.

Over at the NCSU alumni blog is more from the Q&A. (Note the NCSU Soccer t-shirt on Gibbs' desk.) Peeler asks Gibbs about the stress of the job.

How long can you do it?

One of the first days I drove into work, coming in and seeing the South Lawn, I looked over and there is the White House. I remember telling myself if I ever drove in here and didn’t think “Wow, I work at the White House,” that would be the perfect day to give somebody else the chance to do this. Regardless of your political party, regardless of how you came or got here, if you don’t have a tremendous respect for the people who sat in this office or worked in this White House for two different centuries . . . if that ever gets really lost on you, you should go back out and give somebody else a chance. I haven’t reached that day yet.

(Photo by Roger Winstead)

Downtown Raleigh BBQ wars

On the cusp of The Pit being honored yet again comes word that Dickey's barbecue chain has picked a location for a Downtown Raleigh establishment ... VERY close to Raleigh icon Clyde Cooper's. Dickey's looks to be going in the old Pharoah's spot -- almost right across the street from Cooper's.

GMW Carolina, Inc that locally owns and operates two area Dickey’s Barbecue Pit locations in Cary and Durham has signed a lease to expand into Raleigh. The location will be on 170 East Davie Street in the Progress Energy building between City Market and Fayetteville Street. The location is expected to open this fall and will include breakfast on weekdays, a unique menu item at many Dickey’s locations and the first location for North Carolina.

“It is really exciting to be part of the continued growth and revitalization of downtown Raleigh,” said Gregory Woloszczuk, President GMW Carolina. Maureen Woloszczuk partners with her husband, Gregory, making up GMW Carolina, Inc., said she is equally excited about the business’ persistent and rapid growth. “We were excited to be part of the Downtown Live Series last year working with Curtis Media’s 96 Rock as well as the good folks at Deep South Entertainment,” Maureen Woloszczuk, Vice-President GMW Carolina stated. “Since we supported the downtown events including a few of the festivals last year, many people encouraged us to expand downtown. Well, the timing is right and Raleigh is such a clean and nice looking city. We are happy to be able to give folks more choice in barbecue.” ...

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is also located at 200 Crossroads Blvd, Cary and 5318 New Hope Commons Drive, Durham. Both locations are locally owned and operated by GMW Carolina, Inc.. For more information on Dickey’s and GMW Carolina, Inc. contact Maureen Woloszczuk at maureen@gmwcarolina.com or visit www.dickeys.com.

The first Dickey’s Barbecue opened in 1941 in Dallas, TX. The original location is still open for business and Dickey’s Barbecue is still owned and operated by the Dickey Family. Dickey’s only began franchising in 1994, now there are over 120 locations in 30 states. Even today, Dickey’s still slow smokes all of their signature meats overnight in every restaurant.

What do you think about the close proximity of BBQ joints downtown? And speaking of DTR, don't forget to take the "Would you like to see Target come to DTR?" survey.

Would you like to see a Downtown Raleigh Target?

My studious wife has put together a quick survey that asks that question (above). She is seemingly traveling to North Hills about 4 times a week, and is always saying that she thinks that a downtown Raleigh Target would be a great success. Hell, we'd probably almost keep it in business ourselves!

So please take a moment to click on the link below to take the survey. (And forward to your friends.) It really is unscientific. But who knows? Maybe there will be such a groundswell of interest that Target will have no choice but to put a store downtown somewhere. One can dream, right?

If you'd like to take the survey, click here. Oh, and you can only take the survey once and unfortunately cannot see the results. We will gladly publish the results in a few weeks or so.

Fayetteville Street is 'arguably a model' for repurposing pedestrian malls

NextAmericanCity is profiling several city centers, and the latest profile is on Raleigh. Specifically, the online article takes a look at the renovated and reinvented Fayetteville Street, saying it is "now arguably a national model for how a former pedestrian mall can be reconditioned into an active and useful street."

Downtown Raleigh used to be a real nine-to-five place, the sort of American inner-city that managed to attract a fine lunch crowd but a much smaller group for dinner, and an even tighter circle for anything after that. Like the central business districts of many state capitals, North Carolina’s was plagued by its almost overwhelming reliance on office workers, its few residents, and its decided lack of street life.

Part of the problem, it seemed, was the presence of a pedestrian mall at the center of the city on Fayetteville Street. Much as in other U.S. cities, Raleigh planners had assumed that moving cars off the city’s main drag would improve quality of life and expand business, but the result was unfortunately frequently the opposite. By the early 2000s, the Fayetteville Street Mall was downright dour at night. ...

Four years later, the new street has become a wild success, at least considering the number of people I noticed using it day and night. There are many pedestrians at all times of the day, both walking and sitting, enjoying what is clearly a well-designed space. The reconstruction required the complete refashioning of the street, including new sidewalks, improved benches, and rethought landscaping. ...

Grant Meacci, now the UDC [Urban Design Center]’s director, is convinced by the value of a transformation. “It’s one place,” he said, “that is more recognizable than any other street in the city.” His colleague at the UDC, planner Elizabeth Alley, agrees. “Even folks that don’t live downtown, they come downtown,” she said. And that’s not to be taken for granted in a sprawling southern metropolis. “The big thing is that it proves Raleigh can be an urban place.” The street’s new look is good enough to make it a big attractor for people throughout the region. ...

Alley says that many national property investors are looking into buying land adjacent to the street. When the UDC was working with the developers of a new Marriott hotel, “they told us they had to have a Fayetteville Street address,” she said. Two thousand residents have moved into the nearby area since 2002.

Chucky Brown working on a book

George Cox, over at Raycom's N.C. State page, has a piece on Wolfpack basketball legend and NBA journeyman -- and all-around great guy -- Chucky Brown. You can read it here.

Even though former Pack star cager Chucky Brown never moved his family from Cary, N.C. during his NBA playing days and after his retirement, he worked elsewhere afterward – coaching in the NBA Developmental League.

Last season the former North Brunswick High School standout from Leland, N.C., who was recruited by the late Jimmy Valvano, was the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers Developmental team. He commuted back and forth from Los Angeles to Raleigh on weekends to be with his family. After serving as an assistant in that league for several years, Brown earned his stripes to become the head coach of that Lakers squad.

He’s back home in Cary with his family permanently this winter. His new goal is to pursue a college coaching job as an assistant or a head coach.

As Cox writes, Brown would be a valuable asset to any college program. His enthusiasm for life and his work ethic would be fantastic intangibles on the recruiting trail.

In the meantime, Brown is reportedly working on a book about his early days in New York, his time playing under Jim Valvano, and his "long playing career" in the NBA with a dozen teams.

(Image from NBA.com)

I don't really get it, but it sounds really neat

NCSU getting a 'Technology Sandbox'
From the N.C. State University alumni blog:

D.H. Library is already home to a playground of sorts with Xboxes and Wiis in the Learning Commons. Now, it’ll add what it’s calling a Technology Sandbox. Thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the library will open a 1,700 square-foot technology center this fall that’ll feature two Microsft Surface tables and an 8-foot-by-3-foot touch-screen display wall. ...

David Hiscoe, NCSU Libraries’ director of communication strategies, told Library Journal:

The technology center will facilitate research for NCSU students and faculty. NCSU’s College of Natural Resources, for example, will pursue a research project in partnership with the Library of Congress, involving mashing up state and local data with geographic images to help guide government policy and research. . . .

Engineering, veterinary medicine, and design students . . . may use the screens to visualize blueprints or 3D models. One existing app allows forestry students to place a piece of wood on a tabletop screen, triggering images of the wood’s microscopic components

See a preview below.

Great news for new mid-day Amtrak train

Some 10,000 more passengers enjoyed North Carolina's Amtrak service in June than during the same period in 2009 -- presumably because of the new mid-day, Raleigh-to-Charlotte choo-choo. (That new service began June 5.)

Says this report: "During its first month of operation, the mid-day service helped increase June ridership on the Piedmont trains by nearly 200 percent vs. June 2009 from 5,258 to 15,426, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The new service is expected to attract 43,000 new passengers in its first year.

"Overall for the period between October 2009 and June 2010, Piedmont ridership is up 26 percent at 65,956 vs. 52,347 during the comparable year-ago period."

Hey, the All-Star banner is up!

I know, I know: I'm late to the game. But it's such a nice day outside today that I took a little stroll down to Fayetteville Street and snapped this photo. (Oh, and believe me: I know there are better ones out there; just felt like getting into the game.)