‘Blood’ To Be Filmed In N.C.
The N&O has a
story today
(on page 4B) revealing that the movie version of the novel
Blood Done Sign My Name
will be filmed in North Carolina. The story is based on the Timothy Tyson novel involving memoirs of a 1970 racial killing in Oxford. The mayor of Oxford, Al Woodlief, said that his community welcomes the film crew, and delights at the opportunity to teach a history lesson.
“And besides, maybe I’ll get to hang out with Gwyneth Paltrow.”
(correction: this comment was made by the book’s author)
Oh boy. Another opportunity for Hollywood to portray the South as a bunch of racist hicks. To be sure, the storytellers in this movie will have no intention of highlighting the mayor’s point that “Oxford has changed very much in 30 years.” Instead they will blur fiction, stereotypes, and history with the present. Complete with bad southern accents, the movie will deliver a hit piece that will do irreparable damage to the reputation of Oxford. Poised to thrive from the fruits of being an outlying Raleigh community, the town, instead, will languish as transplants avoid the town stereotyped by Hollywood (all because of the actions of a few). Thanks a lot, Mayor Woodlief.
Google Street View Includes Raleigh
Raleigh is now a city covered by Google Maps’ Streetview feature! Simply view Raleigh in Google Maps and click on the "Street View" tab to see the area. Comment here and let us all know anything interesting you’ve found.
Raleigh Named #2 for Bargain House-Hunters
Forbes Magazine has published a list of the top 10 Best Cities For Bargain Hunters . Raleigh, with only one foreclosure per 319 households, made the list at #2. Charlotte was ranked #4 while Richmond came in at #9.
Metro’s Who’s Who
Raleigh”s Metro Magazine recently compiled a list of 10 fellow citizens who are making a difference. The list is unexpectedly diverse and is a good read. Unlike many Who’s Who lists, this one is extremely selected and portrays many creative, energetic people.
UNC Tops Kiplinger List of Values
Kiplinger magazine’s February 2008 issue features a story on the best values in public colleges and UNC Chapel Hill tops the list. They credit the $2.3 billion fund-raising campaign as a key to reducing the tuition burden on students. Other state schools making the list are NCSU at #13, Appalachian State at #27, UNC-Wilmington at #36, UNC-Asheville at #40, and UNC-Greensboro at #68
984 Overlay Brews Again
Remember the days back in 2001 when the utilities commission was planning 10-digit dialing and an overlay area code for the Triangle? Well, it’s back. The growth of cell phones, OnStar, security systems, and other objects demanding more cell network numbers is gobbling up all of the available 919 numbers.
TBJ has a good story
covering this and explains why the issued died for a period.
NC Named #3 for Business
The newest rankings are in from Chief Executive magazine and we’ve moved up from last year’s #4 ranking to the #3 spot for business. We wearned a B+ for both "Taxation and Regulation" and "Workforce Quality" and an A- for "Living Environment". Texas and Nevada ranked #1 and #2, respectively.
"Our State" Magazine’s 75 Things We Should All Do
The new issue of
Our State
magazine features "75 Things Every North Carolinian Should Do." They’ve published a
.pdf version of the fun-looking list
complete with links and/or addresses and phone numbers. Maybe I’ll put a copy in my car!
Unfortunately one of North Carolina’s best-kept secrets didn’t make the list; the massive blimp hangar at Elizabeth City ( map it ). The website discoverec.org describes the treasure as:
Lighter-than-air ships have had a major impact on Elizabeth City’s history and economy. It is not uncommon to see Monster.com, Sanyo, Fuji Film, and other blimps flying high above the city as they make their way to the US Naval Blimp Hangar. Visitors wishing to tour the facility will get the opportunity to learn about the Navy’s lighter-than-air history in Elizabeth City as well as view the company’s plant. Tours are held on Wednesdays at 3PM and run 30-45 minutes. All tours need to be arranged ahead of time.
What would have made your list?
Raleigh Ranks As Third Most Wired City
Forbes Magazine has released its 2008 survey of America’s most wired U.S. cities , and Raleigh ranks #3. The list is based on the percentage of internet users with high-speed access, access to public hot spots, and variety of ISPs.
Raleigh Ranks #9 For Jobs
Forbes Magazine ranked Raleigh as its 9th best city for jobs in America , a list the city topped in 2007. The list is compiled by equally weighing five data points for each of the US’ biggest 100 cities. Raleigh ranked 54th in Median Household Income, 22nd in Unemployment, 23rd in Income Growth, 46th in Cost of Living, and 19th in Job Growth. Atlanta, #4, was the only other southern city in the top 10.
Recent Stories
- North Carolina Loses The Great Teacher February 9, 2015
- City Lays Markings for Currituck Obstacle Course February 4, 2015
- History Making Heels and Wolfpack Prepare for Battle January 14, 2015
- 25 Predictions for 2015 January 5, 2015
- Raleigh’s 10 Biggest Stories of 2014 January 2, 2015
- 2014: The Rain Year January 2, 2015
- Tupelo Honey Sets New Casual Standard December 1, 2014
- 2013 Predictions. A Look Back November 18, 2014
- Wicked Taco Bringing Fresh-Mex to Western Blvd November 17, 2014
- DOT Unveils I-440 Widening Plans November 12, 2014
- County Power Shift Brings Major Changes to Raleigh’s Future November 5, 2014
- Jarrett Bay Store Coming to Crabtree September 25, 2014
- FirstWatch Coming to Glenwood Avenue September 9, 2014
- Big Shindig Releases Set Times September 5, 2014
- Appearance Commission to Review Residence Inn September 3, 2014
