by Heidi Reid | Jul 16, 2024 | 2024, Do, July 2024/August 2024
Snake bites in NC are on the rise—here’s how to protect yourself.
The snakes are slithering in North Carolina. Almost 257 snake bites were recorded in the first six months of 2024 (!), with North Carolina Poison Control already predicting 2024 to be the busiest year for bites overall, breaking the 2020 record of 733. Summer is prime season for NC’s venomous snakes—copperheads, cottonmouths, Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, timber rattlesnakes, pigmy rattlesnakes, Eastern coral snakes—and the spike in snake bites can be attributed to the extreme heat, as the limbless reptiles seek food and water resources in periods of droughts.
With that said, it’s time to slither into action and equip yourself with the know-hows of identifying venomous snakes, handling bites and staying one step ahead of these sneaky serpents. Here, some pro tips to keep you ssssafe during the summer.
How to Identify Venomous Snakes
- When it comes to spotting copperheads, look out for light brown to reddish-brown scales and those telltale hourglass markings.
- Keep an eye out for triangular heads and vertical pupils—the significant features of venomous snakes.
- Rattlesnakes boast a segmented rattle on their tails and a chunky body sporting diamond-shaped bling.
- Cottonmouths, aka water moccasins, are typically dark-colored with a white-lined mouth that they flash when feeling sassy.
- For coral snakes, remember the golden rule: “Red touches yellow, kill a fellow; red touches black, friend of Jack.” It can be a real lifesaver!
What to Do If You Get Bit
- If a snake decides to give you a love bite, first things first: Keep calm and dial emergency services.
- Keep the affected limb still and low (below the heart) to help slow the venom’s spread.
- Strip off any tight clothing or jewelry near the bite site as the swelling kicks in.
- No ice, no tourniquet—those are a snakebite’s worst enemies. Just let the professionals handle it.
- Resist the urge to play doctor—do not try sucking out venom or playing with knives near the wound.
When and Where Venomous Snakes Are Most Prevalent
- Venomous snakes like to hang near water, rocks and forests.
- Be extra cautious around tall grass, debris piles and any place a sneaky snake could be hiding. They’re masters of disguise!
- Fun fact: Babies are not more venomous than their elders, they just pack a smaller punch.
by Heidi Reid | Jul 9, 2024 | 2024, Do, July 2024/August 2024
It’s a live music summer! Here’s who’s coming to town.
Raleigh is breaking more than heat index records this summer (!), as the demand for live music is at an all-time high. To boot, Red Hat Amphitheater has a record-breaking lineup, with 51 concerts and counting on the cal—NTM five sellouts so far (looking at you, Khruangbin and Chappell Roan). And Coastal Credit Union Music Park, The Ritz and other local venues aren’t being left behind, with a wave of big names coming to grace the City of Oaks in the coming months.
If this news is music to your ears (*wink, wink*), browse these artists from various genres making their way to Raleigh this summer—and secure your tickets ASAP. Happy concert-going!
Country
7/13
The Hoots, Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard
7/27
Sam Hunt, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
8/10
Marren Morris, The Ritz
8/17
Dan + Shay, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
Indie
7/15
Tennis Courts, The Pour House
7/19
The Connells, NCMA
7/20
Two Door Cinema Club, Red Hat Amphitheater
8/3
Cage The Elephant, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
8/13
Still Woozy, Red Hat Amphitheater
Pop
7/24
Lobby Boy, The Pour House
8/12
Joshua Bassett, Red Hat Amphitheater
8/16
Tate McRae, Red Hat Amphitheater
Rap
7/26
PARTYNEXTDOOR, The Ritz
8/7
SiR, The Ritz
Reggae
7/25
Root Shock, The Pour House
7/26
Dirty Heads and Slightly Stoopid, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
Rock
7/12
The Ultimate Doors, Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard
7/31
The Band CAMINO, The Ritz
7/31
The Doobie Brothers, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
8/9
Train and REO Speedwagon, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
8/10
AWOLNATION & Neon Trees, Red Hat Amphitheater
by Heidi Reid | Jul 8, 2024 | 2024, Buzz, July 2024/August 2024
From locally owned restaurants and bars to direct destinations, here’s what’s rolling out at RDU.
If you’ve been browsing (or booking!) flights in between meetings at work, you’re not alone (shh, we won’t tell!). And RDU is taking notice. ICYMI, the airport set a new passenger traffic record in May thanks to over 1.4 million travelers (!) flying through—outpacing April by 10.5%. And the fastest-growing Top 50 airport in the U.S. isn’t slated to slow its roll anytime soon, with a constant rollout of new nonstop flights, runway updates and restaurant debuts keeping pace with frequent fliers.
Here, the lowdown on nonstop flights that have gone wheels up this year, plus deets on a slew of highly anticipated eateries to nosh at before embarking on your jet-setting dreams. Bon voyage!
New Nonstop Flights
Boston (BOS) | Frontier Airlines
Miami (MIA) | Frontier Airlines
New York (LGA) | Frontier Airlines
Tampa (TPA) | Frontier Airlines
Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) | Frontier Airlines
San Diego (SAN) | Breeze Airways
White Plains, New York (HPN) | Breeze Airways
Albany, New York (ALB) | Avelo Airlines
Milwaukee (MKE) | Frontier Airlines
Burlington, Vermont (BTV) | Breeze Airways
Syracuse, New York (SYR) | Breeze Airways
Portland, Maine (PWM) | Breeze Airways
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) | Lufthansa
Panama City, Panama (PTY) | Copa Airlines
Mexico City, Mexico (MEX) | Aeromexico
New Food and Beverage Ops
Already Open
Beyu Caffe | Terminals 1 & 2, pre-security
Black & White Coffee Roasters | Terminal 2, Gate C1
Lonerider Brewery | Terminal 2, Gate C7
Coming Soon (fall 2024–spring 2025)
Adios! (by Oscar Diaz) | Terminal 2
Bobby’s Burgers (by Bobby Flay) | TBD
Bond Brothers Taproom and Kitchen | Terminal 2
Bongiorno & Son | Terminal 2
Butcher’s Burger & Bar | Terminal 2
Conniption Cocktails and Cuisine | Terminal 2, opening fall 2024
Crawford’s Genuine (by Scott Crawford) | Terminal 2, late August
Dunkin’ Donuts | Terminal 2
Guy’s Pizza Joint | Terminal 2
Half Moon Empanadas, Terminal 2
Raleigh Beer Garden | Terminal 1
by Heidi Reid | Jun 28, 2024 | Buzz, July 2024/August 2024
Raleighties make plans to nudge DTR in the right direction.
It’s clear Downtown Raleigh is changing—whether you think it’s for the better or worse—and Raleighites are rolling up their sleeves to ensure NC’s crown jewel is moving in the right direction. To wit, city leaders and a swath of small business owners and residents met at Crank Arm Brewing’s recent Revive & Thrive public panel to workshop plans to up the area’s allure for businesses and patrons alike.
Out the gate, parking is a major deterrent for would-be Downtowners—but attendees were astounded to find there are already some 7,000 free evening and weekend parking spots in DTR (see “Parking Problems”). Though much more can be done to improve parking access, including a consideration for the first two hours free.
Beyond parking, viability and safety concerns were also assuaged. Despite rumblings that DTR is losing its cool factor, 1.5 million unique patrons frequented and 14 new businesses bowed last year alone, with many more in progress—not to mention the 4,500 new residents expected to move into the 3,000 units hitting the market in the next year. Moreover, after a last-summer surge, major crimes are down by 22% in DTR and 50% in Moore Square—and trending further downward. Still, many residents and business owners are hoping for better reinforcements than statistics when looking to the future.
“I’ve seen a focus on Downtown since last year—because we did see trend lines going in the wrong direction, and now with that focus, trends are going in the right direction,” said Councilwoman Dr. Jane Harrison during the panel discussion. Here, the city’s top talking points for reviving Downtown.
- Continuing to promote safety: Crime rates may be down, but the job is far from done. “In terms of public safety, we have to have holistic solutions for people in need,” said Harrison. “We are putting together an alternative crisis response unit for folks struggling with homelessness, substance abuse. … We have a duty to help them.”
- Accessible transportation: According to Harrison, DTR doesn’t necessarily need more activities or festivals, but better ways to get to them. “I want to be able to get where I want to go easily and safely, and how we get around here is still a quagmire,” she maintained. “I am making a choice between Cary, Durham and Downtown, and how [I] get there motivates my choice.” City Council is also currently deciding if parking in city decks will be free for the first two hours on weekdays.
- Spotlight culture and entrepreneurship: Upgrading spaces with public art, shedding light on local musicians and performers, and circumventing barriers for first-time business owners emphasize diversified offerings. More murals, a block party and even a residency for international musicians was thrown in the ring.
- Public realm maintenance: “If the experience is poor, people will respond by not coming back,” emphasized Downtown Raleigh Alliance CEO and President Bill King. Public spaces—from trash cans and playgrounds to shade structures and plazas—could be more inviting and better maintained.
by Heidi Reid | Jun 28, 2024 | July 2024/August 2024, Stuff
Get your summer fix in with peaches, Pilates and short shorts.
Get in that shopping state (!) of mind and “stand out for good” via Altar’d State, set to open a new locale in North Hills next summer stocking its signature picture-perfect dresses and ’fits. @altardstate
Life’s a peach indeed thanks to The Peach Truck’s local pop-ups rolling out boxes of ripe peaches, fuzzy fruit-themed gifts and a signature cookbook to put your fresh fruit to use (hey, charred peach margarita!). It doesn’t get sweeter than this. @thepeachtruck
Gents, short shorts are the garment to be sporting this summer (see: Paul Mescal). Stay stylin’ —or just embrace that “5 o’clock on a Friday” feeling—with the perfect cut at Crabtree’s newly opened Chubbies. @chubbies
Hotties do Pilates. Kick your vices and get in shape via Miami-based studio JETSET Pilates—soon to bow its first NC outpost in Smoky Hollow—with a full-body Reformer workout that will leave you beat… in the best way. @jetsetpilates
Woof, there it is! Treat Bark Obama to a trim, walk or pet sitter at Woofie’s recently opened Northwest Raleigh location repping resources from a mobile spa sesh to bed & biscuit overnight care. Bone appetit! @woofiesofnwraleigh
Unbox magical moments at Miniso, an uberpopular Chinese biz bringing color and nostalgia to Crabtree with accessories, toys and decor. Because “life is for fun!” @minisounitedstates
Reaching for new heights? Take your fitness goals next level—and flex your mind and spirit—with an authentic Heights Pilates class in the heart of Boylan Heights. @heightpilates
Fit check! RIW’s recently opened YoBa Studio takes a new approach to functional fitness, offering Barre, yoga, strength training and cardio—because fun and effective workouts shouldn’t be a stretch (!). @yobastudio
