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Outlet Mall Becoming China Town

In the most bizarre announcement in area real estate history, WRAL is reporting that plans are on the board to transform the failing outlet mall near the airport into a China town. The mall will include a cultural center, a hotel, restaurants, and businesses that are Chinese with out being “Americanized”. Learn more from the link. Washed-up Morrisville outlet mall to get Chinese makeover (via...

Ben Folds Returning to Meymandi Hall

On March 22 and 23, Ben Folds returns to his old stomping grounds to once again play with the North Carolina Symphony. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 6, at 10am....

Feist Coming to Memorial Auditorium

On Thursday, May 3, Leslie Feist will play Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium. She is on tour supporting her October release, Metals. No word on tix yet....

Railhawks ’12 Calendar Ready for Download

The Carolina Railhawks are returning Cary this summer! I’ve posted their schedule in many different formats for easy downloading to iPhones, Android Phones, Outlook, Google Calendar, and many, many more! The calendars are available in the “Calendars” tab found at the top of the page at Gogoraleigh. Scroll down to “Carolina Railhawks Soccer 2012” and select your desired...

A Revivalry?

The legendary basketball rivalry in the Triangle has always been State/Carolina. However since the Fire and Ice era, State has struggled with its basketball program, and the flower on that rivalry has faded. In the last 17 meetings, UNC has won 16 times. In NCSU era since Georgetown’s Alonzo Mourning “travelled”, State has only beaten the Heels in 11 of the 45 meetings. This year’s NCSU team, while not a factor nationally, has many quality tools and is showing that it can do many right things under new coach Mark Gottfried. With UNC’s uncertainty since the season-ending Strickland injury last Thursday, tonight’s matchup may be one of the most interesting games between the two in decades. It is one of the first times in a while that State fans can enter this game reasonably hoping for a win, and that makes this game a lot more fun. I’ve said all season that State and Carolina will split their regular season series, but I think that State win will come in the second...

Elton John Returning to RBC Center

On Friday, March 16th, Elton John returns to Raleigh’s RBC Center. Tickets go on sale to the public next Friday (Jan 27) at 10am. However the best policy for getting tickets is certainly thru presales which will likely begin on Tuesday....

Red Hot Chili Peppers Put On Hold

Due to a crushed sesamoid bone and a detached flexor tendon in Anthony Kiedis’ foot, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are postponing a portion of their upcoming tour. This means that the January 27 date for the RBC Center has been rescheduled to Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Tickets from the original date will be honored on the new...

Lake Boone Trail Continues Backlog

Three years ago I posted about traffic problems on Lake Boone Trail causing significant backups for morning commuters on I-440. Afterward it appeared that adjustments had been made to the Lake Boone Trail light, but the relief was short-lived. Later I submitted this information to SeeClickFix, but it seems to be to no avail. Yesterday this followup comment was posted to SeeClickFix: It's no secret to anyone that Lake Boone Trail needs serious reworking. However, during my visit to it this morning it seems that synchronizing the traffic lights at the Beltline exit with the one at Wycliff Rd would go a long way to smooth traffic flow. It does not appear that these lights are in sync now so traffic goes in fits and starts, backing up traffic to the east on LBT and also up the off-ramp from the Beltline. What do the folks in the City's Traffic Engineering department say about this? Good to see that someone else is noticing the problem, which really lies with the combination...

Van Halen Coming to Greensboro

On Saturday, April 21, a guitarist who can actually play his instrument comes to the area. In support of their upcoming CD due February 7, Van Halen makes its return to Greensboro Coliseum with the same lineup from the 2007 reunion tour: Eddie, Alex, David Lee Roth, and Wolfgang Van Halen. This will be one of two NC dates, as the band moves on to Charlotte for a show four nights later. While I’m ecstatic that the band has two dates in the state, why would they select Greensboro instead of Raleigh to balance the Charlotte date? Is it because of ticket sales in 2007? As I recall, Raleigh was added to the tour, so by the time we knew about a Raleigh date, we had all traveled to see the band. Additionally, our date was postponed not once, but twice because of Eddie’s treatment, so it’s hard to blame a public for losing confidence that the event will happen. Of course there are other factors (like promoter relationships with venues, the band’s album sales in each MSA, venue size,...

Corrosion of Conformity Playing Lincoln

On Saturday, March 3, CoC returns! Playing the Lincoln Theatre in downtown Raleigh, Corrosion of Conformity will be supporting their self-titled CD (coming 2/28). Torche, Valient Thorr and A Storm Of Light open....

2012: The Endangered List

Now that we are done looking in the rearview mirror, it’s time to focus on the year ahead. Each year new ideas and businesses bloom while other find themselves caught in inescapable traps. Some fall prey to bad locations, others to market redundancy, poor product, or poor service. Others are just obsolete. In 2012 there will be some surprising big box store closings. There has been a concerted effort in previous years to buy local and shun the big boxes. However in 2012, larger market forces instead of grassroots organizations will probably be what shuts the doors for some of these outlets. Here is a look ahead at the list of retail and restaurant businesses that have an aura of danger according to this one man’s senses (in no particular order, and no wishes associated): Best Buy Kmart Salsarita’s Taco Bell Dillard’s A.C. Moore Jibarra or Cantina South OfficeMax and Office Depot Cinelli’s (North Hills) QShack (North Hills) Fresh...

Broughton Band Featured in Tournament of Roses Parade

Tomorrow morning (Monday) the Broughton Band will take another long-awaited step into the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. The Golden Regiment first marched this parade in 2008 and ever since rumors have floated about the actual retirement date of the band’s director, Jeff Richardson (“JR”). It was this second shot for which JR held out, and it was completely worth the wait, according to JR. After becoming active in the hosting process of the parade in recent years, the band was invited to not only return to the parade, but to march in the parade's coveted final band slot. JR’s retirement is for real, this time, however, as his replacement will take the reins on February 1.. The parade will be aired from 11am to 1pm. While NBC is the more prominent network covering the event, HGTV (TWC Channels 1350 and 350) blows NBC’s coverage away year after year. Not only is their commentary about the craft of each float superb, they also show the marching bands for more...

2011: Best of the Year

As another year draws to a close, it is always nice to reflect upon what changes Raleigh saw and consider their long term impact. It was another slow year, coupled with another business project for me (that gobbled about 90% of my free time since summer started). Hopefully we’ll see more fun stuff in 2012. Here are the Top 40 stories of 2011: RDU Terminal 2 Phase II Opens Scotty McCreery Wins American Idol Raleigh Hosts NHL All-Star Game Business and Building Losses - This is the first year in the blogging era when significant losses impacted Raleigh, losing several people, buildings, businesses, and identities: Lorenzo Charles, John Baker, Bart Ritner, Jolly's Jewelers (130 years old), Tyler House, Fosters/Nelsons, “Hudson” Belk, Wachovia, Restoration Hardware, Blockbuster Video (most stores), Amedeo's North, Borders, Cold Krispy Kreme in City Plaza, Chockey's, Duck & Dumpling, The Diner; The Brewery, The Ballantines building in Cameron Village, 1720...

Get Bowled Over with Gogo’s Football Calendar

With the bowl season in full swing, it can be difficult to keep up with the voluminous offering of bowl games. Never fear! gogoRaleigh has your ticket with a Google Calendar of all bowl games. The events include time, bowl name, and TV listing, so you can quickly plan your viewing this week. Have fun! gogoRaleigh Bowl...

Pour House Going “1989” Friday Night

Have a yearning for what life in the Triangle was like in 1989? Head to the Pour House as the revived The Veldt and The Connells will play. The real question is: a) will anyone young enough to not remember the CCCP be in the audience and b) know the words to CCCP? I’ll give ‘em a price. (maybe this time The Veldt will actually SHOW for a gig they $%^&ing BOOKED…but I’m not one to hold a grudge...for...

Tilted Kilt Coming to North Raleigh

Arizona-based chain Tilted Kilt is coming to the former Cooker and Taste of Thai location in North Raleigh. After a careful review of the Celtic-themed restaurant and pub, they are obviously obsessed about two things…and maybe the food....

Vesuvio’s Coming to Peachtree Market

Vesuvio’s a casual Italian restaurant based in Roxboro, is set to open the newest restaurant in North Raleigh’s Peachtree Market. The restaurant will take the space formerly occupied by Bear Rock Café, Atlanta Bread Co., and CD Superstore. It difficult to tell if the menu (.pdf) will feature low-cost items such as pizza, stromboli, hot subs, etc or if the focus will be on nice dinner entrees. We’ll see in the...

Preview Ford Focus Electric on Saturday

Tomorrow (Saturday) the McDonald’s at 1299 Kildaire Farms Road will host a special visit from Ford with its 2012 Ford Focus Electric, the company’s first ever all-electric passenger car. The event runs from 11am thru 3pm, so UNC fans will need to budget their time wisely. The Cary McDonald’s opened in July 2009 with the restaurant’s first electric charging station, and the Dec. 3 event will showcase a newly upgraded CT 2000 Level II version. Other activities planned include free products from Burt’s Bees, holiday crafts, face painting and balloon art as well as a raffle to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Durham. Raleigh is one of the first U.S. markets slated to receive the Focus Electric in 2012. Ford recently recognized the city for being among the 25 EV ready markets in the U.S. The Focus Electric initial markets were chosen based on several different criteria including existing hybrid purchase trends, utility company collaboration and local government...

Jolly’s Closing After 130 Years

Today WRAL reported that one of Raleigh’s oldest retail business will shut its doors. Jolly’s Jewelers opened its doors in 1881, but Frank Jolly Ragsdale is retiring, according to the report, and the business will close. I have mixed emotions here. I was always a big fan of Ragsdale’s brother-in-law, the late Jerry Young, and followed him from Jolly’s in North Hills Mall to his own store in Cameron Village. He sold that store to Rocky Mount’s Clyde Bailey, and it still remains an excellent store. In the face of Cameron Village’s shift toward more chain retailers, Ragsdale moved Jolly’s to a showcase location in the new North Hills as one of the center’s first tenants. The location was highly visible and made a great statement about both the quality of shopping in North Hills and the center’s dedication to local retailers. However the interior of the store always felt awkward and cold, and I only entered one time. Emotions aside, it is easy to believe that the...

Red Hot Chili Peppers Coming to RBC Center

David Menconi just reported that on Friday, January 27, the Red Hot Chili Peppers will return to the RBC Center. Reports are that the Peppers were good on the last tour (in stark contrast the the incredibly awful concert at Walnut Creek in ?2000? when the Foo Fighters blew them out of the water. Whatever happed to that “Taste The Pain”, Fugazi-covering band we loved so much, anyway?). Missing: a great rock band from 19 long, long years ago....

No Mo – Canes Pull Trigger

Today the Carolina Hurricanes released coach Paul Maurice. The first and third coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, going 384-391-145 with the team for 920 games. Word is that Kirk Muller will be the new hire coming later...

Joel Lane Hosts “Colonial Christmas”

On Saturday, December 3, 2011, the Joel Lane Museum House will present “A Colonial Christmas” Open House. The house will be decorated with traditional greenery and will reflect the very different way in which colonists and early Americans celebrated the Christmas holiday. Information about the house and grounds will be offered by costumed docents; re-enactors will demonstrate scenes of 18th-century life; the sounds of live music will fill the air; and other interpreters will entertain children using colonial games and crafts through the “Hands-on History” program. The event runs 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and admission is free (donations requested)....

Worlds Toughest Rodeo Returning to RBC Center

On Saturday, January 21, the Worlds Toughest Rodeo will come to the RBC Center. Tickets are on sale and range from $15 to $90....

City of Raleigh Collecting Used Cooking Oil, Grease

From the City of Raleigh website: Looking for a way to get rid of all that cooking oil and grease left over from your Thanksgiving dinner? You can take advantage of the City of Raleigh’s curbside grease collection program. For the third consecutive year, the City of Raleigh is collecting used grease and oils from residences and places of worship in the Capital City during the holiday season. To arrange for curbside collection of these materials, call the City’s Solid Waste Services Department at 996-6890. The department is closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday but is open the rest of this week including Friday. The City of Raleigh is collecting the unwanted grease or cooking oil at no charge. The collected grease is converted to biofuels by Triangle Biofuels Industries. The goal of the curbside grease collection program is to protect the environment by keeping cooking grease out of the City’s sewer system and preventing sewer overflows. In order to be...

Lady Antebellum Coming to Raleigh

Mark your calendars! On Friday, June 8, Lady Antebellum will play an undetermined venue in Raleigh....