Raleigh Roundup: End of the line for Dix, and Link and Rhett aiming for TV (again)

After 154 years, end at hand for Dix

"In the winter of 1856, what was then called the Insane Asylum of North Carolina admitted its first patient, a veteran of the Mexican War suffering from 'suicidal mania,'" writes Michael Biesecker.

"The last patient likely will be admitted at Dorothea Dix Hospital on Friday, marking the impending end of 154 years of continuous operation at the state's oldest mental facility.

"Lanier Cansler, the state's secretary for Health and Human Services, said he doesn't want to close Dix. But facing a looming budget deficit after years of deep cuts, he said he has little choice. ..."

Quirky comedy duo court TV pilot

"Rhett and Link, the small-town comedy duo who found more than a million fans online with their quirky local commercials, will make a pilot TV program for the Independent Film Channel and get a chance at their own weekly show," writes Josh Shaffer.

"The pair - Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal - have built a nationwide fan base from a small brick studio in Fuquay-Varina, mostly by posting their homemade skits on www.youtube.com.

"But a cable TV show would bring larger audiences and greater celebrity to the pair of performers who are still folksy and small-time enough to carry their own equipment and to find actors for their videos in downtown Fuquay-Varina businesses. ..."

Photo courtesy of Corey Lowenstein, News & Observer

Move aside, Cleveland

Raleigh is now the 43rd largest city in America, bumping Cleveland from that spot, based on population estimates, according to Buffalo Business First.

Projected populations are generated by a computer formula that Business First developed in 2000 and recalibrates annually. The formula uses a decade of U.S. Census Bureau data to extrapolate growth trends.

In addition, Durham is now the fourth largest city in the state, bypassing Winston-Salem. The Bull City had 237,214 residents as of Nov. 22, while Winston-Salem boats an estimated population of 234,268. A year ago, Winston-Salem had 229,828 residents, compared to 229,171 in Durham.

Raleigh remains firmly entrenched as the second biggest city in North Carolina. With a population of 426,708, Raleigh ranks comfortably ahead of Greensboro (260,927) but well behind Charlotte (729,781).

The Queen City boasts a No. 18 ranking nationally. Raleigh is 43rd, Greensboro 72nd, Durham 84th and Winston Salem 85th.

Hamilton is AL MVP

Congrats to Raleigh's Josh Hamilton, who yesterday was named the American League's Most Valuable Player in Major League Baseball.

Upon receiving the award, Hamilton reflected on the days "when his career was derailed by drugs and alcohol," according to the AP.

"I would say a 99 percent chance that this would never happen," he said. "I mean, honestly, I think a lot of people would agree with that."

In one of baseball's most inspirational turnarounds, the Texas Rangers outfielder was a runaway winner of the American League's Most Valuable Player award Tuesday. Hamilton received 22 first-place votes and 358 points from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Former Cincinnati Reds teammate Joey Votto was voted the NL MVP a day earlier.

Hamilton overcame eight trips to rehabilitation for addiction to lead the major leagues in batting average (.359) and slugging percentage (.633) and help the Rangers reach their first World Series. He had 32 homers and 100 RBIs despite missing time nearly all of September because of two broken ribs.

After going on the disabled list in 2001 while in the minors, he became addicted to alcohol and cocaine. He didn't play from 2003-05.

"I do reflect. If I didn't reflect, 'I' might start sneaking in there, a little ego might start sneaking in there, and that's one thing I don't want to happen," Hamilton said. "So I do reflect and I think about where I was at my lowest time."

Where to get your Christmas service on?

We asked this last year, but it bears asking again: What Raleigh-area churches offer nice Christmas services? These could be the traditional candlelight services, or maybe even a contemporary concert or play.

From last year's post: Growing up, one of my favorite Christmas traditions was the Christmas eve candlelight service at my Methodist church -- where the lights are dimmed and everyone gets a candle. (Divine Street in the house!) My current church (not Methodist), to my knowledge, does not offer a similar service, even in the days leading up to Jesus' b-day.

My question for all you Ralwegians is: ARE there some nice candlelight Christmas services in the area? If so, when and where? I'd love to know; it'd be a nice thing to which to take the kids.

We found out last year that Westover UMC does one. Not sure if they are planning one this year or not. Also, RaleighRob mentioned the very nice Moravian services -- though Raleigh has but 1 such church.

Any others?

Raleigh's forgotten entryway to get makeover?

There are very few instances where Raleigh's major thoroughfares or arteries are all that inviting. The "marquee" one is driving north into town from S. Saunders Street. You know the one.

Another nice one is if you're driving east on Western Boulevard toward downtown, right past WRAL. (You can see the RBC tower sticking up over the trees along that stretch.) Capital Boulevard is "meh" (but they're working on it). Wade Avenue is OK, as is Glenwood. TSnow has addressed some sign issues in the past regarding Glenwood, which you can view here.

Perhaps the "worst" of all the major entry ways into the Capital City is New Bern Avenue. Fortunately, it perhaps has the most potential: nice, older residential areas; a diversity in establishments; a drive past one of the area's major quality of life draws (that would be WakeMed); and a nice view of the downtown skyline. It also has a kickass "Welcome to Raleigh" sign.

But it obviously need some aesthetic help.

Help is on the way ... maybe.

From the Midtown Raleigh News:

City staffers are floating future makeovers to a busy stretch of New Bern Avenue that could include new sidewalks and other amenities to draw businesses and accommodate pedestrians and public transit. ...

"I'm glad they're doing it, and I want to make sure the stakeholders in the community have more of a role," said Dan Coleman, chairman of the city's South Central Citizens Advisory Commission.

Much like the city's recent planning on a section of Capital Boulevard that leads into Raleigh's downtown from the north, the study is very preliminary. City planners hope residents, community leaders, businesses and prospective business owners will help craft ideas to spruce up the area.

"I don't know that we'll have specific projects, but we can at least package and present opportunities," said Martin Stankus, a senior planner with the city. "A big part of it at this point is just getting public participation. "This is the first impression you get when you're entering it. First impressions make a difference."

New Bern Avenue is the major corridor into downtown from the east. At Swain Street, New Bern is one way to the east, and East Edenton Street goes west.

It's one of the busiest bus roads in Raleigh, said Martin Stankus, a senior planner with the city. And the road has a significant amount of pedestrian traffic, with Wake Med and nearby Enloe High School and St. Augustine's College. Those areas have distinctly different neighborhoods, some of which have undergone recent renovations to single-family homes.

Stankus said priorities could include new sidewalks, because much of the area has none, and ways to improve the quality of stormwater runoff. He said several merchants along the corridor have left or gone out of business. The shopping center at the corner of New Bern and King Charles has several vacant spots. Some who own businesses in the shopping center are nervous changes to the area could affect their businesses.

"I like them making the appearance better," said Anthony Banks, who owns Community Cab, located in the shopping center. "You have a question of if they make improvements, what's going to happen to your lease agreement. Everybody will have concerns."

Hibernian named best Irish pub in N.C.

Raleigh's Hibernian Pub, which was one of the pioneers in building up the Glenwood South "scene," has been named the best Irish bar in North Carolina in a U.S.-wide competition run byIrishbeerfinder.com and Strangford Lough Brewing Company (SLBC).

A phenomenal 11,000 bar reviews were received in the search to find the ‘Best Irish Bar in the USA.’ The competition lines opened on Monday 4^thOctober and only a week into the contest, due to an overwhelming response, the closing date was extended by a week to Sunday 31^st October.

“The search to name the ‘Best Irish Bar’ in North America was very popular and thousands of Irish bar patrons submitted passionate reviews for the Irish bar which they thought deserved the prestigious title. With over 2,900 Irish bars listed on the site Irishbeerfinder.com was the perfect platform for customers to submit glowing Irish bar reviews and support their bar in the running for the title. The response to the competition was staggering and it emphasises how highly people value their local Irish bar,” commented Emma McCarey, Marketing Executive for Irishbeerfinder.com.

Irish bars across North America rallied their fans to support them in this enthralling ‘Best Irish Bar in the USA’ competition that went right to the wire. Croagh Patrick’s Pub located in Willoughby, Ohio received over 3,000 bar reviews and received an overall rating of 5 out of 5 and was crowned as the ‘Best Irish Bar in the USA’. Reviews said the bar is “a great place to meet with friends,” has “great food and great beer and great atmosphere!” and is “the best pub in Willoughby”. Close behind in second place was O’Neal’s Irish Bar located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who received 2,966 reviews and in third place was Bub’s Irish Pub located in Germantown, Wisconsin who received 1,231 reviews.

St. Aug going bowling

Congrats, Falcons!

The Saint Augustine's College football team has accepted an invitation to play in the Pioneer Bowl, which will be held Dec. 4 at 17,000-seat A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Ga., at 1 p.m.. This is the first bowl game and postseason contest in recent memory for the Falcons, who were 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the CIAA during the regular season. The eight victories tied a school record for the Falcons, who finished second in the CIAA Southern Division. An opponent has yet to be determined.

Tickets for the Pioneer Bowl are $20. They go on sale Wednesday (Nov. 17) at noon in the cashier's office. Details on fan bus packages will be announced.

The Pioneer Bowl is the only NCAA sanctioned bowl game involving HBCU athletic conferences and is one of only three sanctioned bowl games in Division II. The bowl contest features teams from the CIAA and SIAC.

It's for the kids

My wife and daughters (they are almost 4 and 2) made it over to the N.C. Museum of Art this morning. They were pleasantly surprised when a staff member approached them and handed them an art tote "filled with a map to find 5 different pieces of art," said my wife. "Once we found the art, we opened up the kit and learned about the piece of art. Very cute. All free."

According to the museum's visitor guide (PDF), this is called Tour-in-a-Tote. The museum also offers these family activities: Be a Color Catcher ("Look closely to discover how artists use color in surprising ways") and Are You Game? ("Explore different galleries as you collect cards you can use to play a game at home.").

I may be wrong about this, but I don't see the Prado or the Louvre doing this kind of stuff. What a great way to get kids interested in art.

Architect Bell featured in national press

Architect Dick Bell was in Raleigh recently visiting his daughter when he just so happened to pick up a copy of Landscape Architect's October issue. Featured in the issue were his drawings of the N.C. State University Student Plaza, aka, "The Brickyard."

Bell's work was featured in the magazine's centennial issue.

“I had no idea,” he said. “I was truly surprised and honored.”

The Design section spotlights landscape architecture projects that embraced modernist design, rather than European-inspired formalism or classicism. Three blocks long and one block wide, The Brickyard’s flowing, curvilinear design exemplifies the modern aesthetic in landscape architecture and has become an iconic gathering place for NC State students, faculty and visitors since it was competed in 1970.

Concurrent with the appearance of his design in Landscape Architecture, Architects + Artisans.com posted an article entitled “A Life In Landscape Architecture” on October 26.

“New Yorkers may claim Frederick Law Olmsted as their own, and Virginians might cling to the gardens that Charles Gillette once molded and shaped, but North Carolinians today can embrace their own living icon of the landscape architecture profession,” wrote A+A editor Mike Welton with staff writer Cheryl Wilder about Bell and his career, which began in the 1950s and continues today.

In the A+A article, Bell names The Brickyard as one of his favorite projects among over 2000 projects he has completed. A+A also notes:

“When [Bell] was inducted into the 2008 Raleigh Hall of Fame, the non-profit group noted that he’s driven by a single professional mission: ‘To leave a little beauty behind wherever I go.’ Over a long and successful career, that’s the very least he’s achieved.”

Raleigh's Henderson to be featured on UNC-TV

Raleigh's Bill Henderson will be featured on an upcoming UNC-TV show, North Carolina's WWII Experience. The show will be broadcast on Tuesday, December 7 at 8 p.m.

Henderson, a born-again Christian and member of Raleigh First Assembly of God, is the author of a book about his experiences in World War II.

Click here for more on the program.

A little cupcake competition

Watch out, Cupcake Shoppe?

According to sources, Franklin, Tenn.-based Gigi's Cupcake Bakery & Cafe is working on opening a new location at 1028-236 Oberlin Road in Raleigh.

A look at the map looks like it's in Oberlin Court.

No news on when it's expected to open.

Amy Sedaris, crafts and googly eyes

The Onion's AV Club has Q&A with Raleigh native and comic/actress Amy Sedaris (sister of the other famous former Raleigh native named Sedaris). You can read the entire thing here. She apparently has a new book about crafts. Yes, crafts.

Here are some of the highlights. She even manages to reference her home state.

The A.V. Club: You were on Letterman a few weeks back, and you said you were sick of crafts. It must be a great time to be promoting a book about crafting.

Amy Sedaris: I know! And then everyone’s like, “Oh, we want to come over and craft with Amy!” “Craft with Amy” means you can help me fold my laundry, you can help me paint a wall. I just want to do projects, like, use people to do things for me. I don’t want to craft anymore.

...

AVC: It seems like a large part of this book was an excuse for you to dress up.

AS: I know. I love costumes. My dream growing up was always to have my own costume and prop shop. And I save all my costumes. And then when I did the Dolly Parton video [for “Better Get To Livin’”], I met Adam Selman, who’s a costume-maker, and we hit it off immediately. And then I roped him into this project and he made all the costumes, which I love. And also the tricks of the trade, like using cork to make charcoal smudges on your face when I did the hobo—all that stuff is crafty. How to make a Jesus beard. So I really got into the characters in the book.

...

AVC: Do you ever try to sell any of your crafts?

AS: Yeah. Sometimes I make these little zodiac cards for people for their birthday. So say your birthday is April 15, I’ll get out my birthday book and write down the strengths and weaknesses on a piece of construction paper, and surround it with some tinfoil stars. I sell them for a dollar.

AVC: Do you put googly eyes on them?

AS: No, it’s just the stars. Really plain. That’s the good thing about Simple Times. Whenever we were working on the book and doing all the sets and stuff, we would say, “Simple times test!” and then we would start to take away all the flavor, because poor people are always punished for not having any money. So we would take away the thing that gave it the extra pizzazz, and just make things easier. And I still do that today. If I’m making a card for someone, I’ll be like, “Simplify it,” and just make it as simple and uncomplicated as possible. And it always looks better.

...

AVC: Do you make crafts for your own home? Looking through the book, I have this mental image of your home as being full of crab-claw roach clips.

AS: The roach clip, I do have. [Laughs.] And if I save a tomato can and I cover it with foil, I think there’s nothing prettier than that. There are some crafty things in my apartment, but it’s not overload. I do have some cardboard trim that I made for my shelves, and that’s why I put that in the book. My sister Gretchen makes great stuff, so I keep anything she makes me.

AVC: Do you make her anything in return?

AS: Yeah, I’ve sent her a few things, and she likes them. She made a lot of stuff in the book, and she made it really fast. She works a lot with nature. So she really took over my nature chapter, and the chapter about losing a pet. She has a lot of painted rocks and stuff she sent me. She’ll send me turkey feathers out of the blue, and I’m like, “What the hell am I supposed to do with these?”

AVC: How does she get those?

AS: She has her ways. She lives in North Carolina and she works for the parks. She designs the parks.

AVC: Is she tackling turkeys and stealing their fathers?

AS: [Laughs.] Yeah, these bug-infested feathers arrive in my home. I’m like, “No thank you.” But nowadays, these mega-craft stores make it so easy for people, where they just buy the kit, and then all they have to do is add a hinge or paint it. And I think that’s cheating. I think it’s really all about going to hobby shops if you need to, or making stuff up at home, and thinking quick on your feet. I don’t understand these big scrapbooking or big craft stores. I just don’t get that at all. I try not to go there for my supplies.

RailHawks' championship quest falls just short

The Carolina RailHawks made some franchise history this season by scoring its first playoff goal, winning its first playoff game and winning the division for the first time. But Coach Martin Rennie's squad couldn't get past a determined Puerto Rico Islanders to win the USSF D2 championship. The Islanders won the two-game series 3-1 in aggregate. More than 5,000 fans came out to WakeMed Park to see the last game of the season.

"Over the two games, we really didn't perform at the level we had been performing," RailHawks coach Martin Rennie told the Cary News. "A lot of damage was done in Puerto Rico. It was always going to be hard coming back from [down] two. But coming back from three [goals] was even harder."

The RailHawks had their chances, but Islanders' goalkeeper Bill Gaudette had the answer all of them, save for a Tom Heinemann goal in the 10th.

"It hurt us letting that third goal go in," Heinemann said. "We're a great team and we made a great run."

In the 12th minute, Heinemann's blast deflected high off a Puerto Rico defender and on top of the netting.

Kupono Low's free kick in the 23rd hit the top of the crossbar. Floyd Franks blew a close attempt on a rebound in the 35th, sailing it into the parking lot behind goal.

In the 57th and 58th minute, RailHawks midfielder Daniel Paladini powered two shots on goal that were knocked away only after diving attempts by Gaudette.

Paladini had a free kick in stoppage time that was also deflected at the last minute by Gaudette, compelling the all-league player to congratulate the Islanders' keeper after the game.

"I just told Gaudette right now [that] he saved them," Paladini said. "He was picking stuff out of the corners that should've gone in."

The RailHawks subbed in speedy forwards like Gregory Richardson and Tiyi Shipalane, but to no avail.

It was the first time Carolina had ever advanced to the Division 2 championship in their four years of existence. The RailHawks won the NASL Conference championship after a 13-9-8 regular season.

But the sting of the loss was too much at the time for Rennie to enjoy how far his team had come in his second year at the helm.

"It'll take some time to reflect on it," Rennie said. "But the goal wasn't to get to the final it was to win the final. ... It's certainly painful to lose it and I just want to take it all in so it hurts a lot, and so that it motivates me even more in the future."