Plus, last minute Valentine's Day ideas.
 
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60º | Rain | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:05 a.m. | Sunset 5:53 p.m.

 

📈 Here we grow again

Raleigh’s on a hot streak for national recognition to start 2024

A ton of people walking on Fayetteville Street with vendors lining the streets.
Plan ahead for the next big festival in Raleigh. | Photo by RALtoday
It’s no secret that Raleigh is climbing the ladder, and these national publications in charge of rankings, lists, and competitions seem to agree. Check out all the national recognition + headlines Raleigh and the Tar Heel State have made in 2024 from large-scale publications, proving we’re No. 1.

Business

The NC State Belltower.

NC State University ranked as the No. 5 best college in NC.

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Photo by RALtoday

Real Estate

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, these publications are putting Raleigh on the map.
A private dining rendering at Tamasha Modern Indian.

Tamasha opened on Friday, Feb. 9 and is trending on Google.

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Rendering provided by Tamasha Modern Indian

Culture

Along with national rankings, we also have a few trending stories to celebrate.
  • WalletHub named NC as the No. 15 best place for single folks.
  • NC ranked No. 6 on WalletHub’s list of the best states to drive in.
  • The 2024 James Beard Award semifinalists were announced with Ajja, Crawford and Son, Preeti Waas, and Bittersweet all earning recognition.
  • Savannah Miller, the chef de cuisine of M Tempura in Durham, will compete on Bravo’s “Top Chef” Season 21. Manuel Barella, culinary director for the soon-to-open Jaguar Bolera, will also be a competitor on the show which premieres on March 20.
  • As of Friday, Feb. 9, Tamasha Modern Indian was trending in Raleigh on Google... probably due to its highly anticipated weekend grand opening.
 
Events
Monday, Feb. 12
Tuesday, Feb. 13
  • LANY — a beautiful blur: the world tour 2024 | Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 7 p.m. | The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Dr., Raleigh | $75-$130 | Sing along to songs like “Malibu Nights” with this pop duo.
  • Valentine’s Macaron Pop-Up | Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Village District, 2068 Clark Ave., Raleigh | Free | Stop by the Village District for a free heart-shaped macaron at Little Blue Macaron’s Valentine’s Macaron Pop-Up. Enjoy a tasty treat while you shop, or indulge in an assorted box for that special someone.*
Wednesday, Feb. 14
  • Love Potions | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 7-9 p.m. | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville St., Raleigh | $24-$30 | Hear tales of Raleigh’s most famous love stories while you sip on old-fashioned cocktails.
  • Andrea Bocelli: 2024 Valentine’s Tour | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 8 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $98-$450 | Listen to this Italian singer perform a romantic Valentine’s Day show with the NC Symphony.
Thursday, Feb. 15
  • “She’s The Man” Networking & Movie Night | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 6-9 p.m. | Paragon Theaters, 21 Fenton Main St., Ste. 110, Cary | $10 | Join this fun night of woman empowerment featuring a panel on navigating a male-dominated industry, dinner, drinks, networking, and a screening of “She’s The Man.”
Plan a fun week in the 919
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Home

Sun-sational solar savings

A white home with solar panels on the roof, three chrome Tesla batteries on a garage wall, and a group of workers installing solar panels on a pitched roof.
Southern Energy Management is a Certified B Corp that has installed 3,500+ solar systems and 1,000 Tesla Powerwall batteries across North Carolina since 2001. | Photos provided by Southern Energy Management
Take control of your energy with a solar system + Tesla Powerwall battery from Southern Energy Management.

Not only will your energy bill shrink by 50-80%, but you’ll be protected from unexpected outages + rising grid rates.

Bonus: Duke Energy’s new PowerPair rebate gives eligible homes up to $9,000 back on a new solar + battery system. Combine that with the existing 30% Federal Tax Credit to save half of the total system cost.
Get a free Solar + Battery Assessment today
News Notes
Pets
  • The Dix Park dog park will reopen tomorrow, Feb. 13 at 1800 Umstead Dr. after briefly closing to let the grass rest and recover. Bonus: If you’re looking for dog-friendly businesses, we’ve got a guide for that.
Closing
  • The Triangle Business Journal reported Lori+Lulu announced in an email to customers that it will close April 1 in the Village District. The laid-back boutique’s lease is up, and the store won’t be renewing — grab some digs during close-out sales.
Open
  • Durham’s Brightleaf Square just welcomed a flavorful new restaurant. Out of Sanford, Fonda Lupita opened its second location with a rotating menu featuring homemade Mexican cuisine like gorditas and menudo. (Eater Carolinas)
Closed
  • Ashworth Drugs, Cary’s oldest downtown pharmacy + hotdog stop circa 1957, closed its doors on West Chatham Street. The store will reopen on Feb. 21 to sell its remaining inventory. Under state law, patients have to be moved to another pharmacy in the event of closure — Ashworth patients’ info + prescriptions will move to Walgreens. (The News & Observer)
Arts
  • Raleigh Arts is looking for 8-12th grade Raleigh students to express how they would protect streams from water pollution through a video or drawing/painting. The Capture it! Stormwater Arts Contest will have two category winners receive a $500 prize — the application deadline is Friday, Feb. 23.
Development
  • The Dix Park team has been hard at work transforming three 100-year-old stone houses into a visitors center, office + education space, and public restrooms on the property. Check out the progress and stay tuned for a ribbon cutting in late spring.
Travel
  • Getting to the airport early to make your flight try RDU’s expansive dining, drinking + shopping options? Some of our favorite reasons to arrive at Raleigh-Durham International Airport early: live music and dining at Whiskey River, coffee and baked goods at La Farm, market-style shopping at Root & Branch. Explore more dining + shopping options.*
Finance
  • Discover a brighter financial future with Money Pickle, your gateway to personalized financial advice. Connect with vetted financial advisors, handpicked to provide fiduciary guidance that directly aligns with your goals for investments, retirement, and beyond. Schedule your complimentary video consultation.*
Cause
  • Did you know that one donation has the potential to save up to three lives? Share the love this February when you donate blood at your community blood center, The Blood Connection. Make an appointment online or find a donation center near you.*
 
Seasonal

💝 Don’t forget your Valentine

Last-minute local ideas for Valentine’s Day

A couple cheersing two champagne flutes on a rooftop.
Stop by The Willard Rooftop Lounge to sip on cocktails while overlooking the city. | Photo by Anna Routh Barzin, provided by The Willard
There’s no dodging Cupid’s arrow — Valentine’s Day is here. Whether you’re celebrating your friendships or sugaring up your sweetheart, we’ve got last-minute Valentine’s Day ideas that will have you loving love.

Pick up a thoughtful gift

Go stargazing

  • Dorothea Dix Park | 1030 Richardson Dr.
  • Fred Fletcher Park | 820 Clay St.
  • The Willard Rooftop Lounge | 9 Glenwood Ave. | Bonus: This rooftop bar is hosting its next stargazing event with the Raleigh Astronomy Club on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Psst... don’t forget to check these six events to celebrate Valentine’s Day, date night ideas + local spots to buy flowers.
Even more last-minute ideas
The Buy

The Buy 2.12.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Beats Studio Buds, because you deserve an earbud upgrade. The Beats buds use active noise canceling technology for an immersive sound experience. Bonus: They’re sweat and water resistant, aka your new best gym buddy.
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The Wrap
 
Cat George in a black turtleneck sweater

Today’s edition by:
Cat

From the editor
I want to wish The Blind Barbour a happy eighth anniversary. We stopped into this speakeasy-style cocktail + whiskey bar on a whim one night and enjoyed a few delicious spirits. I tried (and loved) the PimmBall Wizard — the bartenders were super knowledgeable and loved talking shop. This spot is truly a hidden gem.
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