Plus, where to find spring flowers
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51º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:25 a.m. | Sunset 5:17 p.m.
 

Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin dishes about Raleigh

6 questions with Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin
The Mayor speaking at an event.
The mayor has been a Raleigh resident for 30+ years. | Photo provided by Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin is a longtime Raleighite, five-term at-large Raleigh City Council member, and was elected as the Mayor of Raleigh in 2019. We sat down to ask the mayor six pressing (read: fun) questions about the City of Oaks. Keep reading for her favorite local appetizer, where she hikes with her pups, and which developments she’s looking forward to.

Which major Raleigh projects are you most excited to see completed?
  • Bus Rapid Transit — The Wake Transit Plan is something we’ve been working on for ~10 years. When I served on the advisory board, we made BRT a major focus, and it’s finally happening. And we were recently awarded $77.8 million from the Federal Transit Administration for BRT along Wilmington Street, connecting downtown to Garner.
  • Conlon Family Statepark — I’m really excited about this. Quite frankly, that has been such a contaminated site, a dead zone. It’s going to be fun to see it come to life.
  • The Seaboard Station project is also coming alive and really creating, along with Smoky Hollow, a very walkable community.
What’s the last thing you did locally?

I recently cut the ribbon for Tap Yard. Zack Medford opened that up, making it very kid-friendly and pet-friendly. They actually have a doggy beer. It’s made with peanut butter and chicken broth. Jack Bauer [one of the mayor’s dogs] scooped that up; he loved it.

What is one thing you wish people knew about Raleigh?

I think one big thing, and I hear this all the time from entrepreneurs who have moved here from San Francisco and New York, is that they always say everyone is so nice here. And I think that’s the key to Raleigh. We are collaborative. We are connectors.

Click the button below for the mayor’s favorite place to hike with her pups and her favorite spot to nosh on gnocchi.
3 more questions with the mayor
Poll

What is one thing you wish people knew about Raleigh?
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Events
Tuesday, April 11
Wednesday, April 12
  • Live Music | Wednesday, April 12 | 6-9 p.m. | 10th & Terrace, 616 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh | Free | Listen to local artist Ann Meadows perform with views of downtown.
Thursday, April 13
  • Puff, Puff, Paint | Thursday, Apr. 13 | 6-8:30 p.m. | The Burnt Pot Hemp Cafe, 8604 Falls of Neuse Rd., Ste. 105, Raleigh | $50 | Relax with hemp-infused drinks and learn some beginner acrylic painting skills with Leitner Studios; this event is 21+.
Friday, April 14
  • Rooftop Storytime | Friday, Apr. 14 | 10-11 a.m. | The Willard Rooftop, 9 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | Free | Local children’s book author Rebecca Wheeler will lead this family-friendly storytelling event.
  • Mt. Joy | Friday, Apr. 14 | 8 p.m. | Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh | $48-$58 | See this five-piece indie rock band perform downtown.
Saturday, April 15
  • Civil War History Hike | Saturday, Apr. 15 | 10 a.m. | Dorothea Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Dr., Raleigh | Free | Explore Dix Park’s rich Civil War history.
  • Geek and Grub Market (90s Edition) | Saturday, Apr. 15 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Mordecai Historical Park, 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh | Free | Shop from 50+ geeky vendors, eat tasty food, play giant games, and participate in fun competitions.
  • North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit | Saturday, Apr. 15 | 7 p.m. | WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Dr., Cary | $15-$150 | Come cheer on the North Carolina Courage as they take on the Washington Spirit.*
Tons of fun events this way
Click here to have your event featured.
HomeTrust Bank
 
News Notes
Community
  • Starting this week, the City of Raleigh will begin making upgrades to all nine downtown parking decks. Some of the new features include live 24/7 support, expedited entry and exit, and large ADA compliant screens. Motorists will be able to access decks throughout the project with completion slated for summer 2024.
Coming Soon
  • Durham is getting a new hangout spot. The Common Market, a Charlotte-based convenience store, deli, and bar, is opening its first Triangle location in June on Green Street near Elmo’s Diner. The layout includes a split-level concept with a coworking area, outdoor patio, and funky decor. (INDY Week)
Try This
  • Think you could turn one of our newsletters into a poem? Spread your creative wings with our poetry contest. The rules: Craft a 75-word or less poem using the words that appeared in our Wednesday, April 5 newsletter. Submit before Sunday, April 16 for a chance to be featured in RALtoday.
Cause
  • Skate Raleigh’s fundraising event benefiting the Conlon Family Skatepark is happening this Sunday, April 16 at Raleigh Union Station. The evening will feature BMX performances, art auctions, food, and music in support of Raleigh’s first skate park. Tickets start at $40.
  • Make a PAWS-itive impact. Help save a life + help animals in need by donating blood with The Blood Connection. In honor of National Pet Day, all donors receive $30 in rewards. After you’ve saved three lives with your donation, consider donating your rewards to local humane society groups. Find a donation location.*
Biz
  • Raleigh-based biotech startup Oncotect has developed a cancer screening test for dogs. The urine test indicates a dog’s risk level for cancer and can yield results within a few days. The test costs ~$199 and is currently being used by 30 animal hospitals, most of which are located in the Triangle. (Axios Raleigh)
Number
Plan Ahead
  • Music on the Lawn will return to the Heights House Hotel on Thursday, April 27 with a performance by the local bluesy band Duck. Bring a blanket or chair to spread out on the lawn and enjoy food trucks, an outdoor bar, lawn games, and live music. Tickets are $10.
Today Is
  • Today is National Pet Day. Celebrate your fur babies with our brand partner, Hannah Chloe Co. From bandanas to bows, your adorable pet will appreciate these gifts. Shop now.
Travel
 
Seasonal

🌷 Where to find spring flowers in bloom

Where to find spring flowers in bloom
RAL-RaleighRoseGarden-April23
The roses at Raleigh Rose Garden are starting to bloom. | Photo by RALtoday
Natural fragrances are filling the air as azaleas, tulips, and pansies pop up around the City of Oaks. So take a deep breath in — unless you haven’t taken your allergy medicine — because Raleigh is in bloom. Here’s what’s blooming in our favorite gardens.

JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh
  • In bloom: Camellia japonica, edgeworthia + magnolia
  • Summer blooms: Lilium, dahlia + hydrangea
  • Bonus: Don’t miss the Raulston Blooms plant sale happening on Saturday, April 29.
Pullen Park, 520 Ashe Ave., Raleigh
  • In bloom: Cherry blossom + tulips
  • Summer blooms: Flowering trees + zinnia
Sarah P. Duke Gardens, 420 Anderson St., Durham
  • In bloom: Flowering crabapple, mountain witch alder, viburnum, peach blossom, azalea + magnolia
  • Summer blooms: Lily, coneflower, dogwood, hydrangea + sunflower
The Raleigh Rose Garden, 201 Pogue St., Raleigh
  • In bloom: The first few roses of the season + flowering trees
  • Summer blooms: More roses
WRAL Azalea Garden, 2619 Western Blvd., Raleigh
  • In bloom: Azalea, camellia, tulips, dogwood, edgeworthia, forsythia, magnolia, viburnum, hellebores + daphnes
  • Summer blooms: Hydrangeas + bog sage
  • Pro tip: Peak azalea season is typically in late April.
The Wrap
 
Cat George in a black turtleneck sweater

Today’s edition by:
Cat
From the editor
When the mayor and I chatted through Zoom, we both couldn’t help but show off our sweet, but clingy, pups who were lingering around our feet. I think my dog, Tucker, and Jack Bauer, would be best friends. They are both big fans of Tap Yard’s doggy beer and love a good walk around Fred Fletcher Park.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check off items on your Raleigh spring bucket list.
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