Have a merry Raleigh Christmas!

... and a safe, happy and productive 2011!

Raleigh among best cities for babies

In its November issue, Parents magazine listed the top 90 cities in America for babies. The Capital City came in at a very good No. 23. In the list of "best small cities," Raleigh came in at No. 11.

Parents used "pediatric experts and mommy bloggers" to help them determine 35 important factors for young families to consider when moving with baby. "If info wasn't readily available, we dug it up, calculating what your taxes will be, the odds of having a sex offender on your block, even the number of baby swings in the parks. We gave the 100 biggest U.S. cities a letter grade in five categories." The grades Parents used were:
A-- Awesome
B--Very Good
C--Not Bad
D--Below Average
F--Terrible

Raleigh received the following grades in five categories:
Child Care: A-
Family Safety: B
Fun for You and Baby: B
Infant Health: C+
Money Matters: C

Raleigh Roundup: WakeMed getting into DTR and more

The News & Observer had an article about WakeMed's intent to open a Downtown Raleigh facility.

WakeMed is preparing to open a primary care physicians' practice in downtown Raleigh, betting that it can attract workers and the swelling population of residents.

Wake County's largest hospital system expects to open its City Center Medical Group next month at 150 E. Davie St. The practice will occupy street-level space in 2 Progress Plaza, one of Raleigh's newest developments, that became vacant last fall when Iatria Day Spa closed.

"We've heard from residents that this was a void that needed to be filled, so they don't have to drive everywhere to get basic services," said David Diaz, CEO of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. "We obviously hope that it succeeds."

This the just the latest in some new retail/business moves in the area.

Restaurant Red Monkey will be opening at 4325 Glenwood Ave. (Suite 2079) in the near future. It is scheduled to take up about 2,500 square feet at the location.

The Raleigh Sandwich Shop is planned for 215 S. Wilmington St. after a $250,000 renovation.

'moodle ncsu' is Raleigh's top Google search for 2010

Google has released the top searches items for various cities across the United States for 2010. Below are the top 10 for Raleigh.

I must be totally out of the loop; what does "moodle" mean?

1. moodle ncsu
2. ncsu gmail
3. ncsu dining
4. my pack portal
5. rex hospital jobs
6. wake tech blackboard
7. ncsu library
8. movies raleigh nc
9. the pit raleigh

Downtown Raleigh to get a Hampton Inn

Sources say that there is a Hampton Inn hotel planned for Downtown Raleigh, near Glenwood South.

The hotel is expected to approach 80,000 square feet. Not sure when it is expected to begin construction or to open.