by Kyra O'Connor | Jul 15, 2021 | July/August 2021, Web Exclusive
WEB EXCLUSIVE Celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 18 while supporting a great cause.
So if you needed yet another excuse to go grab a cone on Sunday… now you have one. Scoops for Stu!
Make this year’s National Ice Cream Day (July 18) a little sweeter by snapping a ’Gram for a good cause.
Sisters Taelor and Sydni Scott are continuing their #ScoopsForStu social media campaign to honor their dad, ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott, who—naturally—loved ice cream.
Scott, who passed away from cancer in 2015, was a champion for cancer research, especially to improve the outcomes for minorities disproportionately affected by the disease. In his memory, the V Foundation and ESPN established the Stuart Scott Memorial Research Fund, with grants directed to research on racial disparities in cancer outcomes and general cancer research led by scientists from underrepresented groups.
The social media campaign aims to raise money and awareness of the Stuart Scott Fund, and who doesn’t love ice cream?! So grab a scoop (peep our local faves here) and snap a photo with the hashtag #ScoopForStu. And consider donating to the fund (here). What could be sweeter than ice cream and beating cancer?
by Kyra O'Connor | Jul 6, 2021 | July/August 2021, Web Exclusive
WEB EXCLUSIVE GoRaleigh, GoDurham, GoTriangle and GoCary passengers will continue to be able to ride the bus fare-free through June 30, 2022—an extension of the fare suspension that started in March 2020 in an effort to ease financial burdens for frontline workers and community members during the pandemic.
The announcement comes in part of the transit agencies’ decision to not include any fare revenue in the budgets prepared for the 2022 fiscal year, which starts July 1, 2021, and runs through June 30, 2022.
“As we finally start to emerge from this pandemic, our transit agencies see this as an opportunity to do something good for the community while we also welcome back riders and attract new ones,” said GoTriangle President and CEO Charles E. Lattuca in a news release. “We’ll bring even more value to the federal money as we use it to expand equity and impact our community in a positive way.”
The transit agencies also hope that continuing the lifted fare will encourage Triangle residents to take advantage of the many activities, local businesses and more that have now fully reopened—despite any financial obstacles—as well as help avoid congestion and address climate change.
“The transit providers in our area are suspending all fares for the next year to ensure that our residents can access jobs, health care, education and other opportunities regardless of their financial situation while maintaining their safety as well as that of our operators,” added Michael Parker, chairman of the GoTriangle Board of Trustees. “We are looking forward to welcoming all residents of the Triangle onto our vehicles.”
Riders will still be asked to wear masks on public transit up until at least Sept. 13, and all federal safety guidelines regarding cleaning, masks and social distancing will continue to be followed as well. Ride on, Raleigh!
by Kyra O'Connor | Jun 30, 2021 | June 2021, Web Exclusive
WEB EXCLUSIVE Join the Capital Cycling Club with a wheelie fun race this Fourth of July.
“Baby you’re a firework.” Shoot across the Holly Springs/Fuquay-Varina area through Capital Cycling Club’s 28th Annual Firecracker Ride to celebrate America’s birthday—and afterward, treat yo’self to a brew and some food at the afterparty (because you’ll most definitely deserve it!).
Riders will have the choice to take a 30- or 60-mile route, with all proceeds going to the Greater Carolina’s MS Society. Since 2012, CCC has raised over $100,000 for the society. A little exercise that benefits a great cause before the rest of your Independence Day celebrations? Well may the Fourth be with you. A win-win.
“The ride and the routes are just beautiful roads that the riders go through,” says event Chair Anne Bari. “It’s a real chance to connect with the community—a great combination of a lot of different people with a lot of different passions and talents that come together to put on a great event.”
The afterparty at Carolina Brewing Company (also the starting and ending point of the rides) will feature music; food from Chirba Chirba, Beefy Buns and more; and cold beer (the brewery is donating 10% to the MS Society for every beer sold) that not even the newest rider will be two tired to enjoy. Jim Palistrant, rider and treasurer of CC, says that the afterparty is one of his favorite parts of the event (naturally).
“That’s when everyone comes together,” says Palistrant. “If you’re faster, or a slower rider, it doesn’t really matter. You get together and you swap war stories, trade wise, have a cold drink and just have a great time connecting on a personal level with your cycling community.”
“Ignite the light, and let it shine,” y’all. Map, registration and more info here.
by Kyra O'Connor | Jun 30, 2021 | July/August 2021, Stuff
If you’re outdoorsy in that you like reading on the beach, peep our roundup. Here, Quail Ridge Books dishes their top summer reads.
One Last Stop, by Casey McQuiston
“Escape the pandemic timeline with this quirky romantic comedy and its lovable diverse cast of characters. August and Jane’s time-slip romance is interspersed with pancakes, drag shows and decades’ worth of clues about Jane’s identity. If you liked Red, White & Royal Blue, you’ll enjoy this one too. And just a little suggestion: Try making the Su Special at home—it’s worth it.”—Kaley Lowman, bookseller
The Baddest Girl on the Planet, by Heather Frese
“Now here’s a fun and clever read you are destined to enjoy. The self-proclaimed baddest girl on the planet, Evie Austin, happens to live on Hatteras Island. Known as ‘Easy Evie’ in high school, now-single-mom Evie is trying to pull her life together. Her honest reflections on mistakes made, a maybe-not-so-terrible childhood, and—strangely—Mike Tyson, showcase a fresh voice in fiction writing.” —Peggy Mulqueen, bookseller
Early Morning Riser, by Katherine Heiny
“A heartwarming novel with a small-town vibe that sparkles like wine sipped with friends under backyard fairy lights—I never wanted it to end. Here is your summer escape, so read s-l-o-w-l-y.”—Abbe Townshend, kids manager
Broken (in the best possible way), by Jenny Lawson
“Jenny Lawson is a treasure to the mental health community, akin to Allie Brosh, using her sense of humor to provide comfort and support to those with similar struggles. Both insightful and delightful, Broken (in the best possible way) will have you rippling with laughter on nearly every page. It already stands out as 2021’s nonfiction must-read.” —Amber Brown, assistant GM
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, by Grady Hendrix
“Hendrix sees this novel as, essentially, his mom vs. Dracula—played less for laughs and more for scares, it balances the creepy with some surprisingly touching and observant writing about parenthood. A scary love letter to moms everywhere.” —Jon Thomas, bookseller
by Kyra O'Connor | Jun 29, 2021 | Buzz, June 2021, Web Exclusive
WEB EXCLUSIVE Raleigh municipal elections will now take place in 2022, giving city council members and the mayor one additional year in office.
Raleigh’s municipal election will now take place Nov. 8, 2022—rather than fall 2021—as a result of the passing of State Bill 722, which will become a law without Gov. Roy Cooper’s signature. Cooper did not sign off on the bill, noting a need for more open discussion and public input on the topic before becoming a law.
Raleigh is among more than 30 other municipalities across the state of North Carolina to be affected by the bill. Under the new law, mayors and council members, including Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, will continue in their roles until successors are elected in 2022—giving them a whole extra year in office.
At the request of Raleigh City Council, an amendment was also added to the bill that permanently moves Raleigh’s municipal election to even years (think: 2022, 2024), similar to presidential elections, and changes the election method to plurality, rather than runoff.
The election postponement was caused by delays in getting the U.S. Census Bureau data (largely caused by the pandemic). Because cities and towns with district-specific races, such as Raleigh, couldn’t redraw their districts without census data, elections were postponed.
