The long-awaited downtown amphitheater will take a giant step toward becoming a reality tomorrow. City Manager Russell Allen will ask the City Council for a $1.6million appropriation for construction of a 4,200 seat amphitheater in the empty lot that once was home to Sir Walter Chevrolet, adjacent to the Raleigh Convention Center. LiveNation will operate the facility with the intent to bring 15 to 20 shows during the summer. For more information see WRAL’s story.

The only real question that remains is whether or not the Boylan Heights community will be tolerant of the city’s newest venture toward progress.

The January 2010 issue (p. 72) of Car & Driver magazine has named Raleigh to its “10 Best Drivers’ Cities in America” list. Factors such as frequency of sunny days, car ownership costs, and annual road salt use factored into the ratings.

I take issue, though, with the article’s commentary about the area. The two points made are that we are in the “heart of NASCAR country”. Wile WIR, Rockingham, and Level Cross are within 100 miles, the number of NASCAR fans per capita here is likely much lower than author Andrew Smart surmises. (are those tracks even on the NASCAR circuit?)

He also notes the drive-in theater in Henderson, an hour away. Just how many Raleigh people have actually driven an hour to get to the Raleigh Road theatre??

Carolina Hurricanes Center Brandon Sutter is featured in this week’s In The Crease column by Pierre McGuire. The column praises Sutter’s consistency and improvement this season, which is rare considering McGuire never has anything nice to say about the Canes, even when they are skating with The Cup. (the article appears on p. 38  in the 11/30/2009 issue of Sports Illustrated)

One of stand-up comedy’s giants, Larry Miller, will be coming to Charlie Goodnights on January 29 and 30. Miller’s three decades of stand up comedy stand for themselves, but Miller has also had a strong acting career, starring in movies such as “Pretty Woman”, “Waiting for Guffman”, “Necessary Roughness”, and TV shows such as “Mad About You”, “Law and Order” and others. He’s a regular on the late night talk show circuit, as well. This show is rated R.

On the weekend beginning January 7, Charlie Goodnights fires up a stupendous winter lineup with Greg Giraldo. Tickets are now on sale.

On Saturday, February 6, the World’s Toughest Rodeo will make its return to the RBC Center. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster.

January 4 is your opportunity to skate with the Carolina Hurricanes this year. The event takes place on the RBC Center ice, and allows fans to skate along side their favorite players. Tickets are $75 and available through Ticketmaster.

Raleigh on Ice presented by Warté Designs, will be hosting the Carolina Hurricanes and collecting gently used or new coats to give to Raleigh Rescue Mission. On Sunday, November 29, the Carolina Hurricanes will host events at North Hills from 2pm until 5pm to include a visit from Stormy the Hurricanes mascot, a community hockey clinic, appearances by the Storm Squad, the Carolina Hurricanes slapshot booth, and promotional item giveaways.

On New Years Eve Charlie Goodnights is hosting one of stand-up comedy’s heavy hitters, Bobby Collins. He’ll be doing three shows: 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30, and tickets are now on sale.