10.02.2023

Today’s Forecast

83º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:10 a.m. | Sunset 6:57 p.m.

Go big or gourd home

Try this: RALtoday’s 2023 pumpkin carving contest

A large pumpkin in front of a dog wearing a pumpkin on his head.

City Editor Cat’s dog Tucker might have to join the competition. | Photo by RALtoday

Carve some time into your schedule. We’ve got a festive contest for you to take part in this spooky season — the RALtoday Pumpkin Carving Contest.

Whether you planned to carve a pumpkin this season or not, this is your excuse to run to the nearest pumpkin patch or garden store, pick out your perfect pumpkin, and get creative. Don’t forget the carving kit.

The rules + details:

Create your own pumpkin masterpiece; carve, paint, shave, use stickers, or get creative in a way that is fun for you.

To make a submission, take a picture of your pumpkin + submit it here, along with a name for your art, a short description, your name, and your email address. Submissions are open through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15.

While traditional pumpkin carvings and designs will be accepted, bonus points will be awarded to original and locally-themed designs. (Think: local landmarks, businesses, and icons.) Any submissions with offensive language or artwork will not be accepted.

Finalists will be selected by our team and announced in our newsletter on Friday, Oct. 20. These finalists will go head-to-head for the chance to be crowned best jack-o’-lantern of 2023 — you, our readers, will be the ones to vote — and the winner will be announced on Friday, Oct. 27.

Want some pumpkin art inspo before you get started? Here are a few no carve ideas as well as some pumpkin carving pro tips.

Submit your masterpiece here

Events

Monday, Oct. 2

Ashnikko | Monday, Oct. 2 | 7 p.m. | The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Dr., Raleigh | $87 | Listen to this rapper perform hits like “Slumber Party” and “STUPID.”

Tuesday, Oct. 3

Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift | Tuesday, Oct. 3 | Times vary | Merrimon-Wynne House, 500 N. Blount St., Raleigh | $40-$50 | Enjoy this multi-sensory musical experience and ode to Taylor Swift under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Wednesday, Oct. 4

Artspace Open Studio | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | Times vary | Artspace, 201 E. Davie St., Raleigh | Free | Kiddos five and up can enjoy a free self-guided art-making activity.
Raleigh Night Market | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | Times vary | City Market, 306 Parham St., Raleigh | Free | Shop locally made goods, enjoy live music and entertainment, grab bites from food trucks, and a drink from the bar.
Stargazing at The Willard: Saturn Returns | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Willard Rooftop, 9 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | Free | Look to the skies to view Saturn through telescopes with Raleigh Astronomy Club + sip on a celestial-inspired cocktail special on the roof.

Thursday, Oct. 5

Business Expo | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 5:30-8 p.m. | City Club Raleigh, 150 Fayetteville St., 29th floor, Raleigh | $0-$95 | Professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators are invited to learn about products + services and make new contacts among other business professionals in the Club and the Triangle area.
NC Courage World Cup Panel | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 7 p.m. | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $50-$75 | Raleighites will hear directly from players about the experience of representing their countries in the World Cup, plus a meet-and-greet with several players + a silent auction.*

Start your week on the right foot

Click here to have your event featured.

Theater

Sing your heart out to “BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical”

Presented by a RALtoday Partner

Elena Ricardo as Carole King plays the piano on stage.

The musical will guide viewers through the powerful legacy of Carole King’s songwriting prowess. | Photo provided by the North Carolina Theatre

If you’re out on the road feeling lonely, and so cold, all you have to do is call my name and I’ll be there on the next train. Aside from being the theme song to arguably the first show we re-watch every fall (read: Gilmore Girls), “Where You Lead” is one of the classic hits you’ll see performed in the award-winning hit show “BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical.”

Running Tuesday, Oct. 10- Sunday, Oct. 15, the musical chronicles the life of extraordinary songwriter Carole King — from her humble beginnings to her chart-topping success.

With music and lyrics by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, and a book by Douglas McGrath, the Tony Award-winning musical brings to life the golden age of pop music in the 1960s, and features fan-favorites like “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Natural Woman,” and more.

Snag your seat to the show

News Notes

Development

The Weld broke ground last week at the intersection of Lake Wheeler Road and Hammel Drive at Dix Park. Led by Mack Real Estate Group and SLI Capital, this $700 million mixed-use project includes two 20-story buildings and is expected to be complete by the summer of 2025.

Edu

Last Friday, Wake County Public School Systems’ new Superintendent Robert Taylor was sworn in. Taylor will help steer the 161,000-student system, which is the 15th largest in the nation. (WRAL)

Arts

New art is coming soon to the City of Oaks. SEEK Raleigh, an experimental public art program presented by Raleigh Arts, announced its 2023-2024 selected artists. These artists will get to display temporary pieces throughout the community, so stay tuned for upcoming projects.

Community

The LGBT Center of Raleigh wants you to be part of it’s website and promo materials. The nonprofit is hosting a Community Photo Shoot on Saturday, Oct. 7 at a downtown Raleigh location. A light dinner will be provided and photos will be available on the center’s website after the event. Sign up.

Pets

Wake County Animal Center launched a Fall Community Pet Days program to offer care assistance to pet-owners. Every other Sunday now through Nov. 12, families can take advantage of low-cost veterinary services like $5 rabies shots, free microchipping, and additional vaccines. Plan ahead for the next session.

Ranked

Howdy, neighbor. According to Neighbor, a storage locator website, Raleigh is the No. 9 most neighborly city in the US. The City of Oaks was recognized on the list for its recent population growth, bringing more newcomers to the area. Other data like voter turnout, volunteer work, and low crime rates were also considered.

Eat

Calling all air fryer aficionados. Here’s a simple way to step up your salad game with a crispy tortilla shell bowl.*

Finance

One platform is unlocking the $1.7 trillion “billionaires asset class” for everyday investors. Introducing Masterworks, an award-winning platform for investing in blue-chip art. Investors have benefited from 16 sales with returns including 13.9%, 27.3%, and 35.0%. Interested? RALtoday readers can skip the waitlist and join.†*

† Past performance is not indicative of future returns; investing involves risk. See disclosures masterworks . com/cd

Coming Soon

🍝 Pasta + provisions? Count us in.

Figulina to bring pasta + provisions to former Humble Pie space

Here’s to hoping for lots of pasta nights in Figulina’s reimagined space. | Photo by RALtoday

Raleighites were rightfully upsetti to learn about Humble Pie’s closing, but we have your silver lining: Figulina. Headed by former Poole’s Diner Chef de Cuisine David Ellis and backed by Chef Ashley Christensen + Elm Partners, this pasta and provisions concept will open in the esteemed Harrington Street restaurant space.

Ellis, a Stoke-On-Trent, England native, wants to highlight NC’s vibrant harvest and farming community with pasta as his vessel by framing each menu with the season.

The restaurant plans to have a pasta production room where guests can watch the pasta making process and Ellis wants to eventually expand to offer take home pasta, group classes, and retail items like pottery.

“I am also beyond excited to see another independent restaurant set roots in downtown Raleigh,” Christensen said in a press release.

Your City Editors can’t agree more.

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The Wrap

Cat George in a black turtleneck sweater

Today’s edition by:
Cat

From the editor

Have you been to Big Dom’s Bagel Shop in downtown Cary? I went yesterday morning and the Asiago bagel was delicious. We strolled through downtown after enjoying our breakfast with a fresh brewed coffee in-hand and it was glorious. The popular spot is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until sold out.

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