FYI Serving with Excellence, Dwayne C. Patterson Neighborhood Services Supervisor Community Services Department 919.996.5710 Website: Community Services Homepage<http://www.raleigh-nc.org/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_3… ________________________________ [cid:image001.jpg@01CA4E60.51370E30] Oct. 16, 2009 CAPITAL AREA TRANSIT TO OPERATE STATE FAIR SHUTTLE Avoid the traffic and parking hassles at the North Carolina State Fair by riding Capital Area Transit's (CAT) State Fair Shuttle Service. CAT will offer daily service from two park-and-ride locations and from fixed-route service along Hillsborough Street to the State Fair. The fair begins Thursday and runs until Oct. 25 at the State Fairgrounds. The shuttles will operate every 20 to 30 minutes each day of the fair, including Sundays, and all passengers will be dropped off at Gate No. 1 at the Fairgrounds. The fare will be $4 round-trip. Children below 40 inches tall will ride free with a paying adult. UPASS and GoPass agreements do not include State Fair service. Discounts will be available for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. * Hillsborough Street Shuttle Shuttle service will run 7 a.m. to midnight, except on Thursday when the service starts at 1 p.m. This route will begin downtown on Wilmington and Morgan streets and travel to the Fairgrounds along Edenton and Hillsborough streets. Due to construction, the route will detour at St. Marys Street to Peace Street, take a left on Clark Avenue, another left on Brooks Avenue and then resume onto Hillsborough Street. The shuttle will stop at designated points along Hillsborough Street; look for the blue State Fair signs. Free park-and-ride lots will be available on Saturdays and Sundays during the fair in the State Government parking lots bounded by Edenton, Wilmington, Jones and Blount streets. Exact change will be required to ride on the Hillsborough Street Shuttle. * North Raleigh (Non-Stop Express Service) Shuttle service will run 8:30 a.m. to midnight, except on Thursday when the service starts at 1 p.m. 2912 Wake Forest Road One block south of the I-440 Beltline, follow the green State Fair signs. * WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary (Non-Stop Express Service) Shuttle service will run 8:30 a.m. to midnight, except on Thursday when the service starts at 1 p.m. 201 Soccer Park Drive (off of Chatham Street) in Cary Take I-40 to exit 290 or 291, follow the green State Fair signs. For more information, call the regional GoTriangle customer service line at 485-RIDE or visit the City of Raleigh's website at www.raleighnc.gov/transit<http://www.raleigh-nc.org/transit> MOORE SQUARE DESIGN WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT NOON, OCT. 24 The three winners and honorable mention entries of the Moore Square Design Competition will be announced at noon in Moore Square. Seventy-nine entries were submitted from throughout the nation. A five-member jury reviewed design concepts submitted in the design competition and selected the first-place, second-place and third-place designers. The jury also awarded honorable mention recognition. Prizes will be given to the top three finishers, with first place receiving $6,000; second place, $4,000; and third place, $2,000. The City of Raleigh intends to offer the first-place finisher an opportunity to assemble a team of professionals to participate in the Moore Square master planning process. The master plan team will hone the winning design concept into a schematic design project. The winning designs will be on public display at the Urban Design Center and posted on the City of Raleigh's website at www.raleighnc.gov<http://www.raleighnc.gov/>v/>. Citizens will be given an opportunity to comment on the first-place conceptual design. The City of Raleigh hopes to approve a final design plan for Moore Square by late 2010. The State of North Carolina, which owns the downtown square, will have to agree to the final design before construction could begin. DOWNTOWN SHOWS OFF ITS CREATIVE GENIUS COLLECTIVELY ON CITY PLAZA FOR RWO4 What could be more appropriate for the inaugural gathering on City Plaza than a collection of Downtown Raleigh entrepreneurs showing off their stuff? That's exactly what the Downtown Raleigh Alliance has pulled together for Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A "baker's dozen" of creative merchants will celebrate Raleigh Wide Open4 (RWO4) on the plaza along with the SPCA of Wake County and the Wake County Public Library. The following offers a profile of the participants: Ablutions Spa - Ablutions Spa is a culturally and spiritually inspired line of skin care and bathing accoutrement. Its products are handmade daily in Raleigh from certified organic and naturally sourced ingredients by an esthetician and former spa owner. All Ablutions Spa products are vegetarian, most are vegan, and Ablutions Spa does not perform animal testing. www.ablutions-spa.com<http://www.ablutions-spa.com/> Elizabeth Galeck Photography - Since 1995 Elizabeth Galeck has engaged in the fine art of capturing life's "real" moments; family outings, days at the beach, friendly gatherings, expressive portraits - all candid, all comfortable all real. The art Ms. Galeck will be showing at RWO4 will reflect a different side of her craft; the exploration of a new subject - quiet spaces in North Carolina and beyond. Traveling and capturing vignettes of places she has visited, this type of subject is soothing in contrast to the more energetic day-to-day world of working with children and families. Ms. Galeck transforms her negatives and slides by making Polaroid transfers - some framed in recycled materials and some in modern frames. She also sells her images on printed note cards. In a new endeavor with local jeweler, MoodSwing Studio, the pair has created art to wear - Ms. Galeck's photos framed in a soldered three-inch round necklace using vintage eyeglass lenses as the glass over the photograph. www.elizabethgalecke.com<http://www.elizabethgalecke.com/> The Collectors Gallery - In addition to its permanent presence in the southeast pavilion on City Square, the Collectors Gallery will have a booth for RWO4 that will feature the creations of two of the gallery's jewelers - Sandra McEwen and Betty McKim. Ms. McEwen works with cloisonné enamel incorporating color, light and balance to create abstract and figurative modern jewelry influenced by jewelry of bygone eras. Ms. McKim works in metals creating a variety of collections from light and delicate pieces that use semiprecious stones to fresh and whimsical pieces that incorporate colorful found objects. www.thecollectorsgallery.com<http://www.thecollectorsgallery.com/> Ahpeele - Ahpeele is a husband-and-wife design/screen print company. The pair takes on jobs from all areas of printing techniques. In addition to being printing professionals, the couple makes its own line of clothing. Hiromi Peele produces the concepts, manages the business and sources the clothing. Adam Peele is the artist and printer. The Peele's clothes and art have a positive vibe inspired by Asian culture, nature and life experience. www.ahpeele.bigcartel.com<http://www.ahpeele.bigcartel.com/> Ornamentea - Ornamentea offers fine craft ingredients and classes in metal smithing, beading, felting and jewelry making to both beginners and experienced artisans. With help from the Raleigh Metals Club, Ornamentea will offer a stamped pendant necklace project during RWO4 that allows participants to create in just minutes a custom pendant necklace with their chosen word or initials for just $5. The metal disc pendant will be fun to make and wear and is suitable for ages 14 and up. www.ornamentea.com<http://www.ornamentea.com/> The Handmaidens - The Handmaidens is a collective of eight North Carolina female artists, designers and crafters who create a wide array of unique handmade jewelry. The Handmaidens founded and produces Raleigh's The Handmade Market, a semiannual shopping event that features the best and brightest artists, designers and crafters from throughout the state and beyond. www.thehandmaidens.com<http://www.thehandmaidens.com/> Wake County Public Library - The Wake County Public Library will feature a mini book sale. Library tote bags also will be available for purchase. www.wakegov.com/libraries<http://www.wakegov.com/libraries> The SPCA of Wake County - The SPCA of Wake County is dedicated to creating a more humane community where every adoptable animal has a home. Each year the SPCA finds homes for more than 3,000 animals through its innovative adoption programs and lost-and-found efforts. Stop by the booth during RWO4 to visit some canine friends (some adoptable and some already adopted.) Low-cost spay/neuter information, adoptions information and volunteer opportunities also will be available. www.spcawake.org<http://www.spcawake.org/> Stitch/Holly Aiken Bags - Stitch is the home base of Holly Aiken Bags and pretty little things to make your eyes twinkle. Durable and supremely cool, Holly Aiken bags are a staple to anyone's bag collection. Not in the market for a bag? Stitch has sweet wallets, key chains and arm coasters among its vast array of wares. Plus, all of these vinyl treasures are locally designed and made on Hargett Street in Downtown Raleigh! www.hollyaiken.com<http://www.hollyaiken.com/> The Barkery - Unlike any pet store you have ever visited The Barkery provides the best natural alternative diets, up-to-date nutritional information, cool collars and the wildest toys and gifts for both cats and dogs. Healthy treats for your canine friends will be available for purchase at the Barkery booth during RWO4. www.thebarkerydowntown.com<http://www.thebarkerydowntown.com/> Sweet T, a cakery - Sweet T offers a fantastic selection of gourmet cupcakes and pastries, made completely from scratch and faithfully following old-fashioned recipes. Using only the finest organic and local ingredients, Sweet T cupcakes are as delicious as they are beautiful. The cupcakes can be purchased online as well as at the Moore Square Farmer's Market. During RWO4 Sweet T will be offering a selection of cupcakes, brownies, muffins and pastries along with hot caramel apple cider and whimsical Halloween treats. www.sweettcakes.weebly.com<http://www.sweettcakes.weebly.com/> Annelore's German Bakery - German professional chef Annelore Gstattenbauer brings more than 30 years of culinary experience to the market. Baking authentic German pastries of the finest quality and sophistication and offering genuine Bavarian Lye Pretzels, Annelore's German Bakery is a unique find in the Triangle. Escazu Artisan Chocolates - Escazu Artisan Chocolates is proud to offer quality chocolates, full of character and personality, made entirely from the bean in its Raleigh workshop. www.escazuchocolates.com<http://www.escazuchocolates.com/> La Farm Bakery - Celebrating its tenth anniversary this month, La Farm is a modern bakery that continues the centuries-old baking traditions and techniques that honor the ordinary yet extraordinary boulangeries that once flourished in every little town in France. www.laframbakery.com<http://www.laframbakery.com/> Captive Collective - Captive Collective is Raleigh's creators of "designer" T-shirts. Since 2008, Captive Collective has been making good on its start-up goal; apply original designs to water-based inks that produce a nice soft hand on quality fabrics such as Anvil 100 percent Ringspun Cotton for men and Alternative Apparel for women. Then, just produce a small number of the shirts resulting in a T-shirt treasure! www.captivecollective.com<http://www.captivecollective.com/> ART RALEIGH IS CHARTER SQUARE'S FIRST EVENT Twenty-One Tarheel Artists Offer Their Wares at RWO4 The first-ever use of Charter Square will be to serve as host for Art Raleigh 2009 as part of Raleigh Wide Open4, Oct. 24. (Charter Square is the area adjoining City Plaza that is south of the Bank of America Building.) Artsplosure has recruited 21 North Carolina artists from Asheville to Wilmington and everywhere in between who will offer their creations from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The following contains a brief description of each Art Raleigh's artist's work: Mary-Anne and Bill Collins Raleigh couple Mary-Anne and Bill Collins constructs armatures, using wire, foil and glass that are sculpted with polymer clay. Paint and other embellishments complete the artwork. Zach Chen Zach Chen of Durham creates ceramic art from brownstone clay; hand drawing and carving original designs on the artwork. Larry Favorite Mebane's Larry Favorite crafts ironwood boxes, vases, bowls and sculptures which are inlayed with silver and turquoise. John Furches John Furches of Elkin creates original etchings and aquatints, using handcrafted designs from zinc plates. John Harmon Photographer John Harmon, of Roaring Gap, uses both film and digital cameras to capture his wide range of subjects. Arlie M. Harris Durham's Arlie Harris uses acrylic paint to create original artwork on archival quality canvas and linen. Mark and Kathi Haynes Kathi and Mark Haynes are Raleigh photographers who use Cannon 300 and 400 cameras to showcase their images on Fuji-Crystal Archive paper. Steven Heiner Steven Heiner of Raleigh takes photographs using different single lens reflex cameras and showcases the images on archival paper. Natasha Caine and Stanley Kaczorowski This Wilmington couple creates handcrafted jewelry using cast bases, vintage beads, semi-precious stones and silver. Craig Kassan Carl Kassan uses woodturning in his Franklinton studio, to create wooden sculptures and wall art. Kimberly D. Kearney Raleigh's Kimberly Kearney creates beaded jewelry from binding seed beads, gemstones and other ornamental items. Anna N. Kurtz Anna Kurtz uses ironwood inlayed with turquoise, sterling silver and other stones to create her handcrafted jewelry. She is from Elfland. Keith Martindale Seagrove's Keith Martindale creates ceramic designs from lamps to dishes. Karen Mason Karen Mason uses traditional and non-traditional metalsmithing techniques to create her jewelry in sterling silver, copper, semi-precious stones, netting and pearls. She is from Raleigh Ryan McCord Ryan McCord of Raleigh creates hand-dyed silk scarves featuring original designs. Catherine Murphy Catherine Murphy favors pieces of copper sheet, wire and tubing to fabricate her metal creations. She is from Asheville. Dan Murphy Dan Murphy of Chapel Hill creates metal sculptures and jewelry using various metals including aluminum, stainless steel and brass. Diane Ness Holly Springs' Diane Ness creates unique jackets and vests featuring hand-painted Batik fabric and other decorative materials. Yumi Okita Yumi Okita of Raleigh uses cotton fabric, paint and other decorative materials to create her original design handbags. Eric Paige Using layers of Lucite and metal, bolted together for a multidimensional appearance, Eric Paige creates original sculptures from his Holly Springs' studio. Wendy Pittillo-Rae Wendy Pittillo-Rae of Cary creates jewelry using sterling silver, gold, gemstones and pearls. RWO4: IT'S MUSIC X 18! Yes, Raleigh Wide Open 4's headliner is a Blues legend, but while Delbert McClinton is the piece de resistance, there are 17 others to make your toes tap and your heart sing from 11:30 in the morning to 10:30 the night of Oct. 24. Let's meet each of the acts. HEADLINERS Delbert McClinton ( Main stage on City Plaza - 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.) Delbert McClinton is a three-time Grammy Award-winning artist. His 2001 album "Nothing Personal" and 2005's "Cost of Living" both won Grammy Awards in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category. In 2002, his "Room to Breathe" was nominated in the same category. The quintessential Texas Blues rocker scored his first Grammy Award in 1991 for his duet with Bonnie Raitt, "Good Man, Good Woman." In addition to being a legendary performer, Mr. McClinton is a peerless songwriter, pianist and harmonica player. He released a new 14-track album on Aug. 18 that has garnered widespread, enthusiastically admiring reviews. "Acquired Taste" is Mr. McClinton's 13th album and is described as a juke-joint blend of county soul, masterfully infused with blues, rock and jazz. www.delbertmcclinton.com<http://www.delbertmcclinton.com/> Tao Rodriguez Seeger (Main 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) Tao Rodriguez Seeger is an American contemporary folk musician. He plays banjo, guitar, harmonica and sings in Spanish as well as English. He was a founding member of The Mammals and is the grandson of folk legend Pete Seeger. www.taorodriguezseeger.com<http://www.taorodriguezseeger.com/> PLAZA ACOUSTIC STAGE (City Plaza) Chuck Phillips (11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. to 6 p.m.) For several years Chuck Phillips has been performing with cover bands. While he still does that, he mixes in some of his original acoustic/rock/folk tunes that he began penning two years ago. Mr. Phillips released his first album independently in February 2008. "In Progress" features 10 original songs recorded at home on a laptop with Chuck playing all the instruments. Violinist Patricia Williams accompanied him on "St. John's Ambulance" and David Norwood added his flute to the "Tribute" track. A professionally (not domestically) recorded effort is in the works. www.myspace.com/chuckphillipsmusic<http://www.myspace.com/chuckphillipsm… Eric Scholz (1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.) This native North Carolinian's live performances often win comparisons to a young Bruce Springsteen, Ryan Adams and Jacob Dylan. In 2003 Eric independently recorded and released "Leaving Left" which gained air play on 88.5 FM WMNF in Tampa. In 2006, he completed "Food for Sharks" which received attention in his adopted hometown of Raleigh. www.myspace.com/ericscholz<http://www.myspace.com/ericscholz> Th' Bullfrog (3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.) The old saying "tis truly an ill wind that blows no good" has proved to be true for Raleigh and its adopted son, Th' Bullfrog. Bullfrog grew weary of the lashing storms beating up New Orleans. The Crescent City's loss was Raleigh's gain. Th' Bullfrog opened the Pearl Cafe on Hillsborough Street. In addition to the delicious and healthy fare served up with bubble teas, Bullfrog sometimes seasons his servings with his American/Blues/Folk music, dancing and hilarious recollections. www.myspace.com/thbullfrogwillardmcghee<http://www.myspace.com/thbullfro… CHERRY BOUNCE STAGE (14 E. Hargett St.) Sky Larkin (12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.) This oh-so clever indie alternative rock trio was formed in 2005 in the members' native Leeds in Yorkshire, England. In 2008 they released the "Swit Swoo" EP digitally as a covers collection. The band signed to major record label Wichita in 2008 and released its debut single "Fossil, I" in October of last year. The trio's debut album "The Golden Spike" was recorded in Seattle and released in February. www.weareskylarkin.com<http://www.weareskylarkin.com/> Old Avenue (1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.) Old Avenue was created on a cold December day in 2007 right here in Raleigh. The group describes it sound as "a mix of great musicianship, clear vocals, and a little bit of 'funk' to make it interesting!" The five guys have been making lots of noise (all of it good) regionally and have been compared to early Dave Matthews. www.oldavenue.net<http://www.oldavenue.net/> Peggy Sue (3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.) This two-girl/one-guy trio has been tagged with indie nomenclature from post-folk to anti-soul, but elementally the trio is a concoction of acoustic instruments and wry lyricism sung atop chugging gypsy rhythms. The three call London/Brighton their base. www.peggywho.com<http://www.peggywho.com/> The Balance (4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) The Balance is three guys with beaucoup original material, volts of energy and a positive hip-hop message. www.myspace.com/the<http://www.myspace.com/the>balancelive Schooner (5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.) This Carrboro quartet was formed in 2003 with a 4-track project. The two men and two women describe their music as: "disheveled pop that moves from mellow sad-eyed tunes to erratic rock numbers highlighted by boy-girl harmonies and existential lyrics. www.schoonermusic.com<http://www.schoonermusic.com/> Fin Fang Foom (6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) Fin Fang Foom fans are eagerly anticipating Nov. 24, the date the band will release "Monomyth," its first record in six years. The Chapel Hill-based band has been recruiting fans globally for a dozen years. This despite outrageous misfortune: The drummer Peter Enriquez's death in 2004 and guitarist Michael Triplett's near death from spinal meningitis the same year. The harrowing experiences add eerie authenticity to the band's slow-burning, post rock that embraces the human struggle via indie and experimental rock. www.finfangfoom.com<http://www.finfangfoom.com/> The Hood Internet (8:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.) The Hood Internet is a Chicago-based duo specializing in mashups of hip-hop (from the mainstream to the underground) with indie rock. They also run a blog of the same name through which they release their music, a venture that helped them earn notability as a minor Internet phenomenon and hence, the name. Paste Magazine states "the closest analogue to the Hood Internet is probably Girl Talk, a comparison the duo finds flattering, though they have a wildly different style...The Hood men are musical alchemists of sorts, distilling a mixture of indie and hip-hop into....gold." www.thehoodinternet.com<http://www.thehoodinternet.com/> Man Man (9:3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.) Hailing from Philadelphia, Man Man is an astonishingly original quintet which has found the perfect berth for its gypsy-swamp-rock-carny-soul sound at the equally singular AntiRecords, home to such other illustrious iconoclasts as Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Neko Care. www.wearemanman.com<http://www.wearemanman.com/> RALEIGH ROCKS STAGE (Davie Street and Fayetteville Street) The Shucks - (12:20 p.m. to 1:05 p.m.) "Alt-country cowpokes meet the ex-punks in The Shucks, a rootsy Triangle quintet that features the male/female vocal swaps and sugarded harmonies of Billie Karel and Travis Creed on twangy tunes that range from upbeat swings to lazy shuffles." Spencer Griffith, The Independent www.thebalanceban.com<http://www.thebalanceban.com/> The Design - (1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.) Raleigh's own female-fronted, pop-rock quintet, the Design will keep the crowd hopping for the rest of the day! www.thedesignmusic.com<http://www.thedesignmusic.com/> Adam Pitts - (2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.) The list of musicians that Adam Pitts credits as having influenced his honest and energized omni-rock is as lengthy as the list of instruments he plays - guitar, piano, ukulele, ka zoo and mouth organ to name a few. Add to that, he is solid on vocals. www.myspace.com/earos<http://www.myspace.com/earos> River City Ransom - (3:55 p.m. - 4:55 p.m.) River City Ransom is a five-piece rock-and-roll band from Raleigh that plays aggressive indie rock with loud post-punk choruses. www.myspace.com/rivercityransomband<http://www.myspace.com/rivercityrans… Airiel Down - (5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.) Airiel Down is an independent rock band based out of Raleigh that has played more than 200 shows in 20 states in the past 18 months from the east coast to the west coast. This musical barnstorming gained the band radio airplay in North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia. The five guys pride themselves on their hard work, relentless attitude, and high energy live shows. www.airieldown.net<http://www.airieldown.net/> CITY GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY FUNDING The City of Raleigh is accepting grant applications from area human service agencies for the fiscal year that runs from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. The City is seeking applications from agencies that provide human services to Raleigh residents in five target groups: youth, elderly, homeless, persons with disabilities and people with substance abuse problems. Qualified applicants must: · be private, non-profit organizations with headquarters in Raleigh; · have at least one year of recent experience in the delivery of the proposed services to the specified target group or groups; · maintain 501c(3) tax-exempt status; and, · demonstrate sensitivity to the special needs of their clientele. Interested agencies should contact Marionna C. Poke-Stewart at the City of Raleigh Community Services Department, P.O. Box 590, 310 West Martin St., Suite 201, Raleigh, NC 27602; or call 996-6100. Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1. ARTS COMMISSION TO LAUNCH TWO DOWNTOWN PUBLIC ART PROJECTS The City of Raleigh Arts Commission will be unveiling two interactive public art projects, "Zoom Raleigh" and "Horizon Line," in Downtown Raleigh in time for the Raleigh Wide Open 4 celebration on Saturday, Oct. 24. A reception celebrating both projects and an exhibition of the ART-ON-THE-MOVE art designs, will take place on Friday, Oct. 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the City's Urban Design Center and the Fish Market Gallery, both located at 133 Fayetteville St. The free reception will be open to the public. "Zoom Raleigh" a temporary interactive window installation at the Urban Design Center, has been developed under the artistic direction of Patrick FitzGerald, director of the Advanced Media Lab at North Carolina State University (NCSU). "Zoom Raleigh" will enable viewers to actively engage with touch screen technology that explores various historical and current locations in Downtown Raleigh. Through hand gestures, passers-by will be able to manipulate a three-dimensional digital model of downtown, select buildings of interest, and interact with historical photographs, text, multi-media montages, archival materials, and interviews specific to selected downtown sites. Prior to joining the faculty of the College of Design at NCSU, Mr. FitzGerald served as an instructor, artist and manager at the Kodak Center for Creative Imaging in Camden, Maine. His work has been exhibited across the United States and Japan. As director of NCSU's Advanced Media Lab, Mr. FitzGerald's research and teaching span the full range of multimedia production, from digital video to interactive 3-D animation. "Zoom Raleigh" is co-sponsored by the Raleigh City Museum, City of Raleigh Planning Department, American Image Graphics, and Empire Properties. "Zoom Raleigh" will be on view from Oct. 23 to Jan. 1. The second interactive public art project, "Horizon Line," will be a permanent display that employs cutting-edge light technology to create two colorful, interactive and imaginative spaces for pedestrians entering and exiting the City Plaza in the 500 block of Fayetteville Street. Designed by Chapel Hill artists Susan Harbage Page and Juan Logan, the installation of 16 4-foot-by-8-foot LED lighting panels will conceal unsightly electrical utility equipment adjacent to the BB&T and Bank of America buildings on City Plaza. Motion sensors activate as pedestrians pass by, triggering a spectrum of colors and forms that slowly shift in relation to seasonal changes in temperature, creating movement within the surrounding area. Ms. Page's art can be found in many public and private collections, including the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Birmingham, Ala., Museum of Art, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Israel Museum. Ms. Page teaches in the studio art department at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Earlier this year, she completed a series of bus shelters in Charlotte that celebrate the community. The project is called Welcome to Cherry Street. Recently, Ms. Page collaborated with Mr. Logan on an acclaimed installation, Prop Master, at the Gibbes Museum in Charleston, S.C. Mr. Logan, who also teaches in the art department at UNC-Chapel Hill, has created art featured in more than 250 solo and group exhibitions in venues across the country, including exhibitions at the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem. Mr. Logan has just completed designing the plaza in front of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Art and Culture at the Wells Fargo Cultural Campus in Charlotte. The Oct. 23 reception also will include an exhibition of the original designs for the second round of ART-ON-THE-MOVE, a public art project featuring artwork by local artists that is exhibited on the sides of Capital Area Transit buses. The first ART-ON-THE-MOVE was in 2007. For more information about "Zoom Raleigh," "Horizon Line," and the ART-ON-THE-MOVE exhibition, contact the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, 996-3610, or visit www.raleighnc.gov/arts<http://www.raleighnc.gov/arts>ts>. Established in 1977 as the official advisory body and advocate for the arts to the Raleigh City Council, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission holds the distinction of being the first municipal arts commission created in North Carolina. Serving as the leading force to champion the arts with Raleigh citizens and their representatives, the Arts Commission's myriad activities foster, support, and promote the arts in the Capital City. RALEIGH'S CURBSIDE GREASE COLLECTION PILOT PROGRAM STARTS IN NOVEMBER Starting on Nov. 1, the City of Raleigh will provide curbside collection of cooking oil and grease in a pilot program designed to help prevent sewer overflows. Residents in the Capital City will be able to dispose of these products by setting them on the curb along with their garbage, recycling and yard waste. Places of worship in the Capital City also will be able to participate in the pilot program, which will last through the holidays until Jan. 15. The City will collect the unwanted cooking oil and grease at no charge. The service will not be offered to commercial establishments in Raleigh. The goal of the pilot program is to protect the environment by keeping cooking oil and grease out of the City's sewer system and preventing sewer overflows. The collected cooking oil and grease will be converted to biofuels, a renewable source of energy used to power vehicles, heat homes and cook food. The holiday season was selected for the program because of the high amounts of grease usually generated at this time from holiday gatherings. The pilot program will be a joint effort of the City of Raleigh's Public Utilities, Solid Waste Services and Public Affairs departments and Triangle Biofuels Industries Inc. Triangle Biofuels will reimburse the City 25 cents for each gallon of cooking oil or animal grease collected, and convert the material to biofuels. Only animal grease and vegetable cooking oil will be collected at the curb in the pilot program. Motor oil and other petroleum products will not be accepted and should continue to be taken to Wake County's drop-off facilities at 9037 Deponie Drive in Raleigh or 6130 Old Smithfield Road in Apex. Starting on Nov. 1, Raleigh residents and places of worship can call the City's Solid Waste Services Department, 996-6890, to arrange for the curbside collection of cooking oil or grease. The oil and grease must be placed in a sealable and preferably clear container marked as "cooking oil." Examples of containers that can be used are milk jugs, juice cartons with screw-on caps, coffee cans or the cooking oil's original non-glass container. Glass containers will not be accepted. Households will place the containers with grease or cooking oil on the curb on their designated weekly trash collection day after they have called the City's Solid Waste Services Department to arrange for curbside collection of the materials. The City will make arrangements with places of worship to pick up their cooking oil or grease. The amount of cooking oil or grease to be collected from each household or place of worship must be at least half a gallon. City Solid Waste Department vehicles will take the collected cooking oil and animal grease to two large bulk containers provided and maintained by Triangle Biofuels. Only Raleigh households and places of worship will be allowed to participate in the curbside grease collection pilot program. The pilot program will not be offered to residents and places of worship in the six towns served by the City of Raleigh's Public Utilities Department --- Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon. For more information about the City of Raleigh's curbside grease collection pilot program, contact the City's Public Utilities Department at 857-4540. RALEIGH CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL TO HONOR NEIGHBORHOOD RECOGNITION AWARD WINNERS The City of Raleigh Citizens Advisory Councils (RCAC) has named 13 recipients of its annual Neighborhood Recognition Awards. Since 1977, the RCAC has been recognizing significant efforts by property owners, community groups and individuals to enhance the health, safety, and appearance of their neighborhoods. The awards acknowledge unsung heroes who work without thought of praise to make Raleigh's communities better at the grassroots level and in so doing, elevate the quality of our lives and of our city. The RCAC is made up of the chairpersons of the City's 18 Citizens Advisory Councils (CACs), which represent different geographical regions of Raleigh. Recipients of the 2009 Neighborhood Recognition Awards are: · Raleigh City Museum, educational institution, Central CAC; · Bobby Poole, individual contributions, East CAC; · Chad Ingham, individual contributions, Falls of Neuse CAC; · Maggie Bennett, individual contributions, Five Points CAC; · Will Allen, individual contributions, Hillsborough CAC; · Bennie L. (III) and Sandra Overton, residential, North Central CAC; · Friends of Horseshoe Farm, grassroots organization, Northeast CAC; · Jennifer Norris, individual contributions, Six Forks CAC; · Eugene Weeks, individual contributions, South CAC; · Harriett B. Webster Taskforce for Student Success, Inc., educational institution, South Central CAC; · Centennial Parkway/North Carolina State University Campus Development, educational institution, Southwest CAC; · Jo Todd, individual contributions, Wade CAC; and, · Susan Todd, residential, West CAC. The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 21 in Room 304 of the Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. and presentations will start at 7 p.m. All Raleigh residents are automatically members of a CAC, and are encouraged to participate in CAC activities. Each of the 18 CACs meets monthly or bi-monthly, with leadership elected from among CAC members. Anyone interested in participating in a CAC can learn more by calling the City of Raleigh Community Services Department at 996-6100. COUNCIL AMENDS AND ADOPTS THE 2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Raleigh City Council on Wednesday adopted the 2030 Comprehensive Plan after agreeing to make three minor amendments to the document. The first amendment changes the Wilmont/Vann/Lundy Drive area from moderate density to low density residential on the future land use map. The Council also approved an amendment to the Cameron Village area that will allow retail on both sides of Oberlin Road between Clark Street and Everette Street. The amendment requires a lower intensity of use on the west side of Oberlin Road. Finally, the Council approved minor edits to the text of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Element. The Council considered amending the designation of a parcel of land located at Women's Club Drive and Glenwood Avenue that is designated Neighborhood Mixed-Use. However, the Council made no changes. CITY OF RALEIGH AWARDS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR TRANSIT OPERATIONS CENTER The Raleigh City Council voted unanimously Oct. 7 to accept a bid from Brasfield & Gorrie to construct the City's state-of-the art transit operations center in southeast Raleigh. The general contractor's bid totaled $20.89 million. The transit operations center will sit on a 23-acre site on the south side of Poole Road just east of the Interstate 440 beltline. The project is being primarily funded by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, also known as the federal stimulus package. City and state funds also will be used on the project. The transit operations center will consist of a 27,400-square-foot, two-story operations administration building, a single-story maintenance facility of 56,000 square feet, a 7,500-square-foot bus wash building, and a two-lane fueling depot building. A bus shelter on Poole Road for riders of Capital Area Transit also will be part of the project. The transit operations center will accommodate 125 buses, with the ability for expansion to 200 buses. Construction of the center is expected to begin late this month, with completion set for the spring of 2011. Brasfield & Gorrie is proposing to subcontract 21.1 percent of the work to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. PLAZA'S LIGHT TOWERS PROVIDE SO MUCH MORE THAN ILLUMINATION Gallucci Created Towers and Bollards The design, the character, the flavor of City Plaza was the focus of a deliberate yet impassioned collaborative effort. The verdict of this five-year collaboration demanded that the plaza eloquently enunciate that Raleigh 2009 is creative, smart, high tech and entrepreneurial. City Plaza, it deemed, must be the natural epicenter of a thriving and vibrant Downtown. The collaborators were the City of Raleigh, the City's design consultant, Kimley-Horn and Associates, and the Project of Public Spaces, a New York-based firm specializing in the analysis and design of public gathering spaces. The design was developed with considerable input from the public and from City boards and commissions at design workshops in the fall of 2006. Design elements of the plaza include flexible seating, an interactive water fountain, planters and trees. The light towers are City Plaza's signature of this special block. The towers are bold -- four 55-foot light towers that integrate LED lights and stainless steel oak leaves. Bollards in the plaza also incorporate the oak-leaf design and lights. While both elements are "art" they also serve a practical purpose. The towers are very adaptable for projection equipment that can provide light for myriad events. The bollards are positioned to control the vehicular traffic that will return to the 500 block of Fayetteville Street October 24 as part of Raleigh Wide Open 4 and the opening of the plaza. Jim Gallucci was chosen to be the City Plaza project artist. Mr. Gallucci is a very well known sculptor working out of Greensboro. While he has taught art at several Southern colleges, including the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of Alabama at Huntsville, he now works full time designing and creating sculptures for public, corporate and residential spaces across the United States. Mr. Gallucci said that the project evolved from modest light panels when he first envisioned the project, and that this evolution continued through the months he fabricated this centerpiece for the city. Mr. Gallucci's contract with the City for the design, fabrication and installation of the towers and bollards is for $2,289,356. The lighting for the towers was designed by Colorlume, Inc. of Carrboro. "I am very honored and excited to be involved in such an important project," Mr. Gallucci said. Why You Know Jim Gallucci Mr. Gallucci's work is familiar to thousands of Triangle residents since we are the home to two of his famous gates. He designed the 62-foot-long functional gate for Marbles Museum. It is called the "Whisper Gate." Sound tubes wind throughout the structure creating a lyrical interpretation of the world while allowing children of all ages to whisper messages through the gate. The City of Raleigh is the proud owner of "Immigrants Gate II" which was first shown at Pier Walk in Chicago in 1997 and subsequently exhibited at various parks in the Midwest. It first came to Raleigh as part of its 2003-04 Downtown Raleigh Sculpture Expo. Later it was purchased by the City. Until recently it has been on exhibit across from the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts on South Street. Last year the gate was moved to Millbrook Exchange Park. CITY'S GETTING READY FOR RALEIGH WIDE OPEN 4 Raleigh Wide Open is the Capital City's yearly celebration of its Downtown that has been established as the center of the Triangle and is emerging as one of the South's very hottest spots. Raleigh Wide Open 4 adds to this annual rite the opening of City Plaza. The City of Raleigh has produced a video detailing the preparations for this wall-to-wall celebration. The video will be shown on Raleigh Television Network cable channel 11. (Please see the schedule below.) Raleigh Wide Open 4 kicks off at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 24 with a parade that will begin at Morgan and Salisbury streets turn right onto Fayetteville and follow "North Carolina's Main Street" through to Lenoir Street, officially opening the 500 block and City Plaza. The $14.8 million plaza was built by Atlanta-based Holder construction Co. The 50-unit parade will include bands from St. Augustine's College, Broughton High School and the Helping Hand Mission. Floats featuring North Carolina State University, the Carolina Hurricanes and Raleigh musicians will be sprinkled along the way. Raleigh's cosmopolitan profile will be glimpsed with participation from groups representing the cultures of Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, The Philippines and Turkey. The parade will conclude by 11 a.m. and that's when the street, with all five blocks open for the first time since 1976 will come alive with 80 vendors offering: · palatable pleasures ranging from fried Snickers to sushi; · a kids' zone; · a beer garden featuring Raleigh breweries; · a wine garden; · a casting call for ABC's "Wheel of Fortune" on Hargett Street from noon to 6 p.m. on the steps of the Wake County Courthouse; · arts and crafts; · Carolina Hurricanes' Alley; · 18 bands on four stages - the Cherry Bounce Stage featuring some of America's very best alternative rock artists on Hargett Street near the 200 block of Fayetteville; · The Raleigh Rocks Stage at Davie Street that will present the very best in Raleigh's home-grown rock stars; · The acoustic stage on the City Plaza; and, · The main stage on the City Plaza that will open with American contemporary folk musician Tao Rodriguez-Seeger at 7:30 and culminate the day-long celebration with Texas Blues King Delbert McClinton consuming the stage at 9:30; and, · Fireworks at 10:30. The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is programming the City Plaza from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a potpourri of Downtown offerings. More than a dozen vendors will inaugurate the plaza representing skin-care products, photography, art, design/screen printing, fine crafts, handmade jewelry, the Wake County Public Library, The SPCA of Wake County, pet wares, gourmet cupcakes and pastries, authentic German baked goods, handbags and every kind of carryall, exquisite chocolates and extraordinary Gaulic baked goods. The first-ever use of Charter Square, the area adjoining the plaza that is south of the Bank of America Building, will be to host Art Raleigh 2009. Artsplosure has recruited 21 North Carolina artists from Asheville to Wilmington and everywhere in between who will offer their creations from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The art includes handcrafted metal collage jewelry, brownstone ceramics, clay figurines, ironwood items, hand-printed etchings and aquatints, wildlife photography, large and bright acrylic works on canvas and linen; original design hand-dyed silk scarves; copper creations, art from aluminum, stainless steel and brass, handcrafted jackets and vests, handbags created from various fabrics and decorated with paint and various materials, Lucite and metal sculptures, and voluminous handmade jewelry in sterling silver, gold, gemstones and pearls. The winners of the Moore Square Redesign Competition will be announced at high noon during Raleigh Wide Open. Mayor Charles Meeker will make the announcement in Moore Square. 'Getting Ready for RWO4' Viewing Schedule October 16 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. October 17 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. October 18 10:30 am., 1:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. October 19 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. October 20 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. October 21 8:30 p.m. October 22 11 a.m. October 23 10 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. October 24 10 a.m. SCULPTURES FROM THREE NORTH CAROLINA ARTISTS SELECTED FOR CITY PLAZA PEDESTALS As part of the new City Plaza in Downtown Raleigh, three North Carolina artists have been selected to exhibit outdoor sculptures for a period of one year, starting this month and continuing to October 2010. The artworks will be installed on three centerpiece pedestals in the City Plaza in the 500 block of Fayetteville Street. The project is called Art on City Plaza. City festivities celebrating the City Plaza opening will take place Oct. 24 as part of the Raleigh Wide Open 4 celebration. A special reception recognizing the new plaza sculptures and three other Fayetteville Street public art projects will take place at the City of Raleigh's Urban Design Center on Friday, Oct. 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Urban Design Center is located at 133 Fayetteville St. at the Hargett Street intersection. The sculpture artists selected are William Donnan of Franklinville, Hanna Jubran of Grimesland, and Adam Walls of Red Springs. Artist applications were received from across the state and reviewed by a panel comprised of representatives from Artspace, Visual Art Exchange, and the City of Raleigh Arts Commission. The three selected artists will be installing their sculptures at the City Plaza on Monday, Oct. 12 beginning at 12:30 p.m. "Visual Art Exchange is excited to help showcase North Carolina artists in the new center of downtown," said Sarah Powers, executive director of Visual Art Exchange (VAE). VAE, in partnership with Artspace and the City's Arts Commission, is sponsoring the outdoor sculptures. "It is wonderful that the city is providing this opportunity for public art on the plaza," Ms. Powers added. The three works of art selected vary in style, materials, and size. Mr. Donnan's sculpture, "Bow," is a reinforced cement sculpture, 10 feet, 6 inches high and weighing 1,000 pounds. "In the case of 'Bow' I was trying to take a simple human gesture and interpret it as a study in balance and grace," Mr. Donnan said. "By using massive rock forms held up by a delicate bone form I am ... giving the viewer the feeling that the sculpture is only temporarily at rest." Hanna Jubran's sculpture "Opposing Forces" is painted steel that is 14 feet high and weighs 1,300 pounds. "This sculpture is from a series of works that deals with the concept of the four elements --- earth, water, fire and wind," he explained. "It expresses the cycle of life, growth and continuum through the interplay of shape, form, space, and colors." Mr. Jubran has exhibited his work and is in collections around the world, including Argentina, Mexico, Latvia, Finland, and Germany, Japan, and Israel. Notable commissions include the "Monument to 100 Years of Aviation" in 2003 at Kitty Hawk. Mr. Jubran received his master's degree in fine arts from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. He teaches art at East Carolina University. Adam Walls' piece, "Toy Defense," is 7-foot-high high sculpture of painted steel and tires. It weights 1,700 pounds. "I am incredibly inspired by pop culture items such as toys, comics, and science fiction," he said. "My sculpture entitled 'Toy Defense' is obviously derived from these influences. 'Toy Defense' allows a space for the viewer-participant to engage with it by becoming part of the piece in much the same way that I wanted to play with my action figures as a child." Mr. Walls has exhibited his work throughout the South. In addition to this series of colorful and playful sculptures, which he calls "Toys," he also fabricates large geometric steel sculptures and works in wood and ceramics. Mr. Walls received his master's degree in fine arts from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. He is currently head of the sculpture program at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke. Established in 1977 as the official advisory body and advocate for the arts to the Raleigh City Council, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission holds the distinction of being the first municipal arts commission created in North Carolina. Serving as the leading force to champion the arts with Raleigh citizens and their representatives, the Arts Commission's myriad activities foster, support, and promote the arts in the Capital City. For more information about the Art on City Plaza project, contact the Arts Commission's public art coordinator, Jerry Bolas, at 831-2414 or Gerald.bolas@ci.raleigh.nc.us<mailto:Gerald.bolas@ci.raleigh.nc.us>; or visit www.raleighnc.gov/arts<http://www.raleighnc.gov/arts>ts>. VOLUNTEERS TO BE MARKING STORM DRAINS OCT. 17 Raleigh residents may see new accoutrements to their neighborhood storm drains soon. The City of Raleigh Stormwater Division is partnering with the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation to sponsor a storm drain marking event on Saturday, October 17. More than 100 volunteers will be covering parts of north Raleigh, Oakwood, downtown and east Raleigh to glue plastic discs on the storm drains. The discs have "No Dumping, Drains to the Neuse River" printed on them and serve as a reminder that what gets put down the drains does not end up at a treatment facility but pours directly into the Neuse River. Elaine Whitford, who is coordinating the event with the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation, said that volunteers will also be distributing door hangers to certain neighborhoods as well. Residents who are interested in joining the effort can contact the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation by calling 856-1180 or by email at Elainew(a)neuseriver.org. DOWNTOWN WIFI NETWORK AVAILABLE SOON Raleigh residents will soon have another reason to visit downtown Raleigh. The City's free, outdoor public WiFi network will be available on Oct, 23 for those looking to get online, just in time for the grand opening of the City Plaza and the Raleigh Wide Open 4 celebration on Oct. 24. The Wi-Fi service will be provided by the City of Raleigh in cooperation with the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. It will be available for downtown business professionals, visitors, or shoppers. Getting access to the Internet will be easy and convenient in designated outdoor public spaces, including the City Plaza, Fayetteville Street, Nash Square, Moore Square, the Raleigh Convention Center area, the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, and other public spaces. The WiFi network will be for outdoor use only. Also, in order to ease bandwidth demands, the City will place limits on downloads while on the network as well as the length of time users can be connected. Users will be responsible for maintaining their own firewall and anti-virus software. For more information, visit www.raleighnc.gov<http://www.raleighnc.gov/>v/>. CITY OF RALEIGH TO SEEK PUBLIC INPUT ON DRAFTING NEW DEVELOPMENT CODE Beginning Oct. 19, the City of Raleigh will hold three public listening sessions and a series of stakeholder meetings to kick off the process of drafting a new development code for the Capital City. The citywide public listening sessions and stakeholder meetings will allow citizens to learn more about the process of updating the development regulations, ask questions and provide input. Comments will be collected and compiled for the public record. PUBLIC LISTENING SESSIONS The public listening sessions will be held: · Monday, Oct. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at North Raleigh Church of Christ, 8701 Falls of Neuse Road; · Wednesday, Oct. 21 from noon to 2 p.m. at All Saints Chapel, 110 S. East Street; and, · Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Meymandi Concert Hall lobby at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, located at 2 E. South St. All three sessions have the same program format: A brief presentation will be followed by breakout table discussions on the City's current zoning and subdivision code, suggested changes, and questions about the new code development. Each table will report out to the larger group before adjourning. For event planning purposes, attendees should RSVP to NewCode@ci.raleigh.nc.us<mailto:NewCode@ci.raleigh.nc.us>. Indicate which session you plan to attend. On-site registration will begin half an hour prior to the start of each session. STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS The stakeholder meetings will take place at the Raleigh Urban Design Center in Suite 100 at 133 Fayetteville St. The purpose of the stakeholder meetings is to focus on and gather topic-specific information to be used in developing a draft of the new development code. Following is the schedule of stakeholder meetings: October 19 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Affordable Housing 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Development Services Advisory Council 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Land Use Attorneys October 20 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Developers, Builders, Realtors 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Board of Adjustment, Historic Districts Commission, Appearance Commission 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Raleigh Citizens Advisory Council 5 p.m.-6 p.m. Environmental October 21 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Raleigh Transit Authority, Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Land Planners, Architects, Engineers, Surveyors October 22 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Stormwater Management Advisory Commission, Environmental Advisory Board, Tree Conservation Task Force 10:30 a.m-11:30 a.m. Business Groups 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Schools, Hospitals, Government For more information and to register to attend the stakeholder meetings, email NewCode@ci.raleigh.nc.us<mailto:NewCode@ci.raleigh.nc.us>. Please indicate which session you plan to attend. The goal of the City of Raleigh's new development code is to prepare development regulations that address contemporary development and zoning practices that are easily understood by administrators, the public and the development community. The new code will support goals and policies in the City's Comprehensive Plan, which was recently conceptually approved by City Council. The new code will address all elements of the City's zoning and subdivision ordinance, in addition to other regulations cross referenced in the entire development ordinance and applicable policies. Areas of key concern to be incorporated into the New Code include: · Creating regulations that provide a means of implementing the policies and goals of the newly released Comprehensive Plan; · Creating regulations that address market trends, incorporate best practices and address contextual issues throughout the City; · Removing or amending outdated standards; · Consolidating uses or user groups; · Creating clear definitions and terminology; · Providing graphics and illustrations to supplement written regulations; and, · Crafting regulations that provide for effective enforcement capacity. It is expected to take about 18 months to draft a new development code. The City plans to hold additional public meetings to gather citizen input. In compliance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Raleigh honors requests for accommodations at public meetings for individuals with disabilities. Requests can be served most effectively if notice is provided at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. To request special accommodations, call the City of Raleigh Public Affairs Department at 996-3000. For more information about the development code process, visit the City of Raleigh's website at www.newraleighcode.com<http://www.newraleighcode.com/>m/>, or call the City's Planning Department at 807-8480. Interested parties may also leave a message at 516-2669. Calls will be returned within 24 hours or the next business day. PUBLIC HEARING SET TO DISCUSS CONDITIONAL USE ZONING PROCESS On January 19, 2010, the Raleigh City Council will hold a public hearing to discuss a proposed text change to the City's conditional use zoning process. At Wednesday's Council meeting, the City's planning staff was directed to review the 25-year history of the process and draft a text change. The proposed text change will require that the neighborhood meeting for rezoning petitions take place prior to an applicant's submittal of the petition and include other benchmarked dates regarding submittal of conditions. The January 19 meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber. RECYCLING DROP OFF CENTER BEHIND THE BRENNAN STATION SHOPPING CENTER IS CLOSED The City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services Department recycling drop-off center located on private property behind the Brennan Station shopping center at 3005 Brennan Drive is now closed. The Solid Waste Services Department staff is working diligently to locate a new recycling drop-off center in the vicinity. In the interim, residents are welcome to use one of the other drop off sites or any of Wake County's convenience centers<http://www.wakegov.com/recycling/residents/wheretorecycle.htm>tm>. City of Raleigh Drop-Off Centers: · Jaycee Park<http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=35.798928,-78.6… at 2405 Wade Avenue · North Boulevard Plaza<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=364948384394… at Mini City on Capital Boulevard - behind the Taco Bell, adjacent to Food Lion · Solid Waste Services Administrative Office<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&… at 400 W. Peace Street (7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday only) · City of Raleigh Yard Waste Center<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&… at 900 North New Hope Road (open Mon. through Sat., 7 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. only) · Sam's Wholesale Club<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=1521635952437… at 2537 S. Saunders Street · Habitat Wake ReStore<http://www.habitatwake.org/> at 2420 Raleigh Boulevard (open Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Closed Sun. and Mon.) · EcoLube<http://www.ecolubeusa.com/locations.html> at 4901 Atlantic Avenue - (open Mon. through Fri. 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. only) All items with a cord but no printing cartridges. Wake County Convenience Centers: · 10505 Old Stage Road<http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=10505%20Old%20Stage%20Road…,%20NC>, Raleigh · 6025 Old Smithfield Road<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=6025%2…e=UTF8&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr>, Apex · 266 Aviation Parkway<http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=266%20Aviation%20Parkwa… Morrisville · 3600 Yates Mill Pond Road<http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=3600%20Yates%20Mill%20Pond… Raleigh · 8401 Battle Bridge Road<http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=8401%20Battle%20Bridge%20R… Raleigh · 3913 Lillie Liles Road<http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=3913%20Lillie%20Liles%20Ro… Wake Forest · 9008 Deponie Drive<http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=9008%20Deponie%20Drive,%2… Raleigh · 2001 Durham Road <http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=2001%20Durham%20Road%20-%20NC%2098%20Wake%20Forest,%20nc> Wake Forest · <http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=5216%20Eagle%20Rock%20Road%20Knightdale,%20nc> 5216 Knightdale - Eagle Rock Road<http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?address=5216%20Eagle%20Rock%20…p=27545&zoom=6>, Knightdale · 5051 Wendell Blvd.<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geoco… (US 64 Business Hwy) Wendell NEW LAW IN NORTH CAROLINA ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO RECYCLE PLASTIC BOTTLES Raleigh residents should get into the habit of recycling plastic bottles. Beginning Oct. 1, a new state law will ban plastic bottles from being disposed of in North Carolina landfills. The intent of the law is to encourage people to recycle the plastic bottles. Capital City residents can put the plastic bottles in their City-issued recycling bins. "This is a wonderful new law," Linda Leighton, waste reduction specialist for the City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services Department, said of the new law. "A great number of our residents would willingly comply and keep plastic bottles out of the landfill, if we make them aware of the new law." Ms. Leighton pointed out that since 1991 it has been illegal in North Carolina to put aluminum cans in landfills. Currently the average Raleigh resident recycles 384 pounds each year. The goal of the City's Solid Waste Department is to increase that number to 451 pounds per year by 2012, Ms. Leighton said. The ban on placing plastic bottles in the landfill should help. In addition to plastic bottles, the City of Raleigh's curbside recycling program collects: · newspapers and all inserts; · magazines and catalogs; · white paper, including junk mail; · corrugated cardboard; · paperboard, chipboard and paper tubes; · steel food cans; · aluminum beverage cans; · aluminum foil and trays that are free of food debris; · plastic beverage rings; · glass food and beverage containers; · gable top cartons; and, · aseptic (drink) boxes. These items -- along with ink jet and toner cartridges and cell phones without accessories --- can also be taken to any of the City's seven recycling drop-off centers. Unless otherwise noted, the drop-off centers are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The recycling drop-off centers in Raleigh are located at: · Jaycee Park, 2405 Wade Ave,; · Mini City Shopping Center, 4510 Capital Blvd, behind the Taco Bell and adjacent to Food Lion; · Solid Waste Services Administrative Office at 400 W. Peace St. (7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday only); · Brennan Station Shopping Center at the intersection of Creedmoor and Strickland roads. The drop-off center is located behind the shopping center off of Brennan Drive. Follow the large white water tower; · City of Raleigh Yard Waste Center, 900 N. New Hope Road (open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. only); · Sam's Wholesale Club, 2537 S. Saunders St.; and, · Habitat Wake ReStore at 2420 Raleigh Blvd (open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Sundays and Mondays). For more information about the City of Raleigh's recycling programs, including how to obtain a recycling bin or order an additional bin, contact the City's Solid Waste Services Department at 996-6890 or visit the City's website at www.raleighnc.gov/recycling<http://www.raleighnc.gov/recycling>ng>. HEARING SET FOR TEXT CHANGE TO SEDIMENTATION CONTROL PROGRAM On Tuesday, October 20, the Raleigh City Council will hold a public hearing to discuss possible text changes to the City's Sedimentation Control Program. The public hearing will be held at the 6:30 p.m. council session. If approved, the text change would: · Increase the current soil erosion control design standards to a 25-year storm level; · Increase the detention requirements during construction to a tiered system for controlling a higher level of runoff during construction; · Limit the duration of grading permits to two years with a one-time extension of six months; · Require construction site operators with disturbed areas of one-acre or more to submit the information that is required for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permits to the City of Raleigh; · Establish a tiered system for land disturbing activity permit fees ranging from $200 per acre to $600 per acre based on the size of the site; · Decrease the amount of days required for general site stabilization from 21 days to 14 days; · Decrease the amount of days required for slope stabilization from 21 days to 7 or 10 days depending on the steepness of the slope; and, · Increase the design standards for settling efficiency of sediment control devices from 70 percent to 85 percent. The public hearing will be held in the Raleigh City Council Chambers, Avery C. Upchurch Government Complex, 222 W. Hargett Street. TEXT CHANGE ADDRESSES DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS; PUBLIC HEARING SET FOR OCT. 20 The Raleigh City Council, on Sept. 15, approved TC-5-07 and authorized a public hearing on TC-12-09 on Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m. TC-12-09 proposes to allow increased floor area ratios (FAR) for Office and Institution (O&I) zoned office buildings that are not located adjacent to low-density residential developments; and expands the list of performance standards which allow all O&I-zoned office buildings to increase their FAR by proposing new environmental design standards. The amended version of TC-5-07 as approved by the City Council retains the portions of the text change which are non-substantive to development regulations. It corrects minor errors found in the code during the drafting of the proposed ordinance. Portions of the text change that had proposed to allow a development's land area, zoned O&I-1, to be devoted to both residential density maximums and floor area ratio (FAR) maximums were removed. The Comprehensive Planning Committee will consider revisions to TC-1-08. the text change was amended so it would not eliminate the building lot coverage requirements for office uses within the O&I districts, as originally proposed, but to allow the existing building lot coverage maximums to be doubled when certain performance standards are met and when the property is not located adjacent to a low-density residential development. DAILY BEAST" NAMES RALEIGH-DURHAM AMERICA'S SMARTEST CITY Raleigh-Durham came in first in The Daily Beast's inaugural ranking of America's smartest cities. The publication wrote: "Raleigh-Durham has just about every intangible useful in attracting and developing a smart populace; It's a university hub, including two of the nation's elite schools (Duke and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), and those schools led to one of the nation's great technology incubators (Research Triangle Park). On top of that, Raleigh, as the state's capital, attracts engaged political minds as well. The ranking compared the nation's 55 metropolitan areas that have a population of greater than 1 million. The evaluation criteria was divided; half for education and half for intellectual environment. The education half measured how many residents had bachelor's degrees (35 percent weighting) and graduate degrees (15 percent). No credit was given for attending either undergraduate or graduate school. The environmental half had three parts. They were nonfiction books sales (25 percent) the ratio of institutions of high education that impart intellectual vigor to a community (15 percent) and the percentage of eligible voters who cast ballots in the last presidential election (10 percent). The remaining top ten smart cities are: 2 - San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose; 3 - Boston; 4 - Minneapolis-St. Paul; 5 - Denver; 6 - Hartford-New Haven; 7 - Seattle-Tacoma (tie); 7 - Washington, D.C. (tie); 9 - Portland, Ore.; and, 10 - Baltimore. North Carolina's other two metropolitan areas were ranked 16th (Charlotte) and 37th (Greensboro). FOLLOW THE CITY VIA TWITTER! Looking for the most up-to-date information from the City of Raleigh? Follow your local government via Twitter! Twitter is a free service that allows you to "follow" people or subjects via short, frequent updates. The City of Raleigh now offers Twitter users the opportunity to stay informed about the latest news and breaking events. To join in, visit www.twitter.com<http://www.twitter.com/> and get started with a few simple steps. Once you have an active account, you can elect to "follow" any of the City's twitter accounts. Currently, the City maintains the following accounts: · RaleighGov - This feed features links to any news releases and alerts issued by the City of Raleigh; · HillsboroughSt - This feed features frequent updates to the Hillsborough Street Roundabout projects; · RaleighParks - This feed features any news and information related to the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department; · CORTraffic - This feed features scheduled road closings due to construction or road races in the City of Raleigh; and, · RW911 - this feed features traffic accidents reported to the Emergency Communications Center. To follow any of these, simply choose "Find People" from your Twitter home page and type in the account name you are interested in and then click "follow." It's that easy. DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC ALERTS The following street closings will affect traffic patterns downtown over the next several weeks. This listing will be continuously updated so bookmark this page or check back often. OCTOBER · Traffic will be affected on Oct. 17 from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. for an event. The group will gather on the Halifax Mall. At 7:30 p.m. they will enter onto Wilmington Street at Lane Street, proceed north on Wilmington Street, right onto North Street, right onto Blount Street, right onto Morgan Street, left onto Wilmington Street, right onto Davie Street, right onto Fayetteville Street, left onto Morgan Street, right onto Salisbury Street, right onto Edenton Street, left onto Wilmington Street and proceed back to Halifax Mall. · Traffic will be affected on October 17. The 200 block of Cooke Street will be closed from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. · PARADE: Traffic will be affected downtown on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. for a parade. At 10 a.m., the parade will enter N. State Street, turn right on Glascock Street, right on Delaney Drive, right on Milburnie Road, right on Boyer Street, right on Tarboro Road, left on Oakwood Avenue and right on State Street. · ROAD RACE: Traffic will be affected downtown on Oct. 25 for a road race. This event will require the 300 block of Hillsborough Street and the 00 block of Harrington Street to be closed from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. · On the evening of Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, several streets will be closed for Raleigh Wide Open 4. Look for more information on www.raleighnc.gov<http://www.raleighnc.gov/>v/>. · ROAD RACE: Traffic will be affected on Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. for a road race. The 300 through 500 blocks of Centennial Parkway between Oval Drive and Achievement Drive will be closed. · ROAD RACE: Traffic will be affected downtown on Oct. 25 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a road race. The 200 block of Clark Avenue between Woodburn Road and Daniels Street will be closed. · Traffic will be affected on October 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The 100 block of S. East Street will be closed. · Traffic will be affected on October 31. The 1500 block of Pineview Street will be closed from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. FOR MORE CITY OF RALEIGH NEWS, VISIT THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT WWW.RALEIGHNC.GOV<http://www.raleighnc.gov/>v/>. “E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized City or Law Enforcement official.”