Parking problems no more. In October, City Council implemented free 2-hour Downtown parkingin certain city-owned decks beginning Nov. 15. Exorbitant parking prices have previously left locals and visitors alike reeling, and although DTR’s popularity peaked this summer, better parking accessibility is a key factor needed to keep foot traffic coming. So, don’t be afraid to book that dinner reservation or buy those concert tickets—parking’s on Raleigh.
🚗 Municipal Building Deck 🚗 Wilmington Street Station Deck 🚗 Moore Square Deck 🚗 Blount Street Deck 🚗 City Center Deck
This rant has been lightly edited for style and space and is not endorsed by Raleigh Magazine.
Dear DOT,
What is the deal with the freaking Beltline? I mean come on!
How and why does this construction project continue to take so long— and look so terrible?! It’s just an endless freaking loop. Pun intended.
Is this some kind of a sick never-ending cycle DOT gets off on torturing weary travelers with? Just go ahead and change the construction signs to “will. never. stop.”; “will close lanes during rush hour and not overnight—sorry not sorry”; “we’re working—on getting hammered.” Add a constant catcall while you’re at it.
And for as many people as are moving here on the daily, by the time construction could be complete, the roads will already be outdated again. I know some of this was built in the ’60s, but is that where your old-fashioned slow-life approach comes from too? And don’t even get me started on Wade Avenue.
Seriously. I’ve been driving this lackluster loop for what feels like six or seven years now. Terribly unsafe. Overgrown. Trash everywhere. Graffiti. Behind schedule. Drainage grates clogged. Uneven roads. Potholes. Constant wrecks caused by terrible pavement. Traffic cones still on the Western Boulevard exchange. What a shit show.
My patience is way gone with this project. Someone needs to be held accountable. I just don’t get why it has taken so long and why it is so screwed up and ugly. You had one job. Dammit all.
—Disgruntled Driver
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What if we told you you could change your city with just $5? Enter our sophomore Give Raleigh campaign, where that’s exactly what you can do—and double your impact.
Until Dec. 15, every donation—whether $5, $10 or some larger amount you have to spare or want for a tax write-off—is being matched by our partner TowneBank/Towne Insurance, up to the first $10K donated.
Making good on Aesop’s proverb that “no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted,” every dollar literally adds up—and galvanizes the generous spirit of Raleighites. “I’ve seen firsthand, over and over again, that Raleigh is a city full of passionate and generous people,” says Nicole Stewart, former Raleigh city councilor and current director of engagement for the A.J. Fletcher Foundation. “When there is a cause they care about, they give what they can to support it. And small dollar donations add up and make a huge difference—especially for our local nonprofits.”
There’s still time to give, to make a difference with just a few dollars—and help us smash the near $25K we raised out of the gate last year. We are so thrilled to use our bullhorn for benevolence as we partner with this year’s trio of local nonprofits touching every age group and innumerable need—Haven House, Healing Transitions and SAFEchild—for a better tomorrow for all of us. It’s giving generous! Donate now at giveraleigh.com.
Haven House
Building strong young people and bright futures for five impactful decades, Haven House’s legacy is one for the books. Empowering youths ages 6–24 who are homeless; in crisis; or having difficulty at home, school or in the community to understand, work through and overcome challenges, the local safe haven is the place for vulnerable youth to find their way—and find the help they need. “Haven House served over 1,500 youth last year—a 25% increase from the year before—reflecting the urgent and growing needs in our community,” says Haven House Chief Executive Officer Michelle Zechmann. “The Give Raleigh campaign is vital to meeting those needs by helping us reach more young people. … Every donation, no matter the size, is about coming together to provide hope and a brighter future for all.” havenhousenc.org
EVERY DONATION MAKES AN IMPACT
$5 💰
One meal for a youth (10–17) at Wrenn House
$10 💰💰
One pair of athletic shorts for intervention program
$25 💰💰💰
One day of outreach and basic needs for youth experiencing homelessness
$50 💰💰💰💰
One hour of crisis counseling to youth and/or their families
Healing Transitions
At the core of every community is its people—all of them. And Healing Transitions is a beacon of real community for all Raleighites via its “Recovery for All” MO: Always open. Always free. Always everyone. Always another chance. Always community. And no matter who we are or how it begins, we all come to the same realization that we’re powerless to control addiction alone. Thankfully, there’s a way to prevent from-OD-to-RIP. “Healing Transitions is committed to making essential, effective recovery services accessible to everyone—especially those who are homeless, uninsured and underserved,” says Healing Transitions Executive Director Chris Budnick. “To eliminate barriers, we offer all of our services completely free of charge. This means every single donation—no matter the size—plays a critical role in our mission. When we say every dollar matters, it’s because it helps us continue saving and transforming lives—and the impact doesn’t stop there. It ripples out, touching families, friends and the broader community. It’s our neighbors’ support that makes this possible.” healing-transitions.org
EVERY DONATION MAKES AN IMPACT
$5 💰
One meal
$10 💰💰
Average prescription
$25 💰💰💰
Day of service on campus
$50 💰💰💰💰
24-hour stay in nonmedical detox
SAFEchild
Safety is not a birthright. But it should be. And they don’t teach parenting in school. But, fortunately, bringing healthy families to the forefront is SAFEchild via its roster of support and education services you won’t find anywhere else. In short, in a world where access is everything, SAFEchild is changing—and saving—lives. “We are the place for parent education and support, children’s medical evaluations when there is suspected abuse, and school-based programs in every Wake County public elementary school, plus several charter and private schools,” says SAFEchild’s Executive Director Cristin DeRonja. “We are that safety net for children and families in Wake County. Every dollar means so much to us… to be able to provide life-saving and life-changing services to children and families. And every dollar raised through Give Raleigh to ensure SAFEchild’s mission can thrive is critical to the health of the community.” safechildnc.org
EVERY DONATION MAKES AN IMPACT
$5 💰
Child care for a family attending SAFEchild parenting classes
$10 💰💰
Medical gown for a child seen in SAFEchild’s Advocacy Center
$25 💰💰💰
Funny Tummy Feelings programming for a Wake County first-grade classroom
$50 💰💰💰💰
Parenting classes, meals and child care for three Wake County families in SAFEchild classes
Spread the love across the bar community! You cannot repeat the same bar more than three times. If the same bar is voted on in more than three categories, the entire vote will be disqualified. Voting closes at midnight on Dec. 1, 2024.
Raleigh clearly has a funny bone. Long before comedy clubs and stand-up was popular outside NYC and LA, our hometown had a history of bringing in improv and laughs. Think you know the Cap City’s sillier side? Raleigh comedy is calling—brush up on your facts!
1. The legendary Goodnights Comedy Club opened in 1983 on West Morgan Street. Which iconic comedian did not take the stage at the original intimate venue?
a. Robin Williams b. Jerry Seinfeld c. David Cross d. Ellen DeGeneres
2. Raleigh just has such a nice ring to it. Despite being called *Raleigh* Improv, where does the comedy club actually reside?
a. Garner b. Apex c. Cary d. Fuquay-Varina
3. Which NC comedian made an appearance in Office Christmas Party alongside Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston as an overly yappy taxi driver?
a. Fortune Feimster b. Jeanne Robertson c. Mamrie Hart d. Jacqueline Novak
4. “Indiana Jones wears one!” NC comedian Zach Galifianakis of The Hangover and Between Two Ferns was just one credit shy of graduating from which local university?
a. Shaw University b. William Peace University c. UNC Chapel Hill d. NC State University
a. Hardee’s b. K&W Cafeteria c. Smithfield’s Chicken ’N Bar-B-Q d. Biscuitville
6. The town of Mayberry featured in NC comedian and actor Andy Griffith’s The Andy Griffith Show is based on which NC small town?
a. Hendersonville b. Manteo c. Mount Airy d. Hillsborough
7. Apparently, laughter really is the best medicine. University researchers studied the effects of laughter using blood samples from students watching which NC funnyman’s stand-up routine?
a. Zach Galifianakis b. Jon Reep c. Gallagher d. Duncan Trussell
8. We all gotta start somewhere. Which iconic Raleigh venue was originally established as the largest A&P grocery store in 1936?
