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🐦⬛ Grab your binoculars
Help count Raleigh’s birds. | Photo by RALtoday
Charge your phones and grab your binoculars, Raleigh. The annual Great Backyard Bird Counttakes flight this Friday, Feb. 13, and runs through Monday, Feb. 16. The community event invites nature lovers and bird enthusiasts from around the world to go outside, watch, count, and celebrate birds.
Anyone can participate — all you have to do is go outside and observe for as little as 15 minutes. Count all of the birds you see or hear using one of the following tools:
Don’t know where to start? Check out this list of common birds in our area + start in your backyard or any of these parks around Oak City — bird watchers have found rare birds around Dix Park in the past. Bonus: Once you submit the photo for the count, consider sending it our way.
Events
Events
Thursday, Feb. 12
Lunchbox Lecture | 12-12:45 p.m. | City of Raleigh Museum | Free
Craft Night | 5-7 p.m. | Copperline Plant Company | Free
“The Sarafinas, My Way” | Thursday, Feb. 12-Sunday, Feb. 15 | Times vary | Theatre Raleigh | $80+
A person infected with measles visited several public places in North Raleigh while contagious, including O2 Fitness, Everbowl, two Harris Teeter locations, and a Walgreens. If you visited these places, you might have been exposed to measles and should monitor for symptoms through the end of the month.
Civic
Early voting begins today for the 2026 Primary Election at 12 Wake County sites, including five in Raleigh. Check your voter registration status to find your sample ballot + research candidates before you vote.
Sports
Four Canes players will make their Olympic debuts today — Seth Jarvis plays Czechia at 10:40 a.m., Frederik Andersen + Nikolaj Ehlers will play Germany at 3:10 p.m., and Jaccob Slavin and Team USA play Latvia also at 3:10 p.m. Check the Olympic schedule for more info.
Open
Now open: Life Time’s new athletic country club in west Cary with 92,000 sqft of healthy living amenities, like boutique fitness studios, integrated recovery and wellness spaces, nine pickleball courts, and so much more.
Coming Soon
A new business permit has been issued in East End Market for Songbird Smoothie and Cocktail Bar — sounds tasty to us. We’ll let you know what’s next for this space, and keep reading for more East End Market news. (Raleigh Magazine)
Real Estate
This home sits on a spacious .3 acre lot just outside the beltline in east Raleigh with plenty of modern amenities in 1,426 sqft. Our favorite part? The fully insulated office and workshop, complete with its own AC unit. Plus, it costs less than the average home in Raleigh. Meet 1201 Kavkaz St.
Announced
Giorgios Epicurean Market at East End Market is temporarily closed, and according to the Giorgios Group, they’re ready to introduce a new chapter for the European-inspired market. We’ll let you know when it reopens.
Concert
Is “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” still stuck in your head? Grab tickets for Forever K-Pop when it comes to the Martin Marietta Center April 4 with all things K-pop, including covers of BTS, Blackpink, and NewJeans hits.
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Category
History
💌 Vintage valentines
These valentines from the Pope House date back to nearly 100 years ago. | Photos provided by City of Raleigh Historic Resources and Museum Program and the Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum Collection
The Pope House was built in 1901, and its 7,000+ artifacts story the lives of one of Raleigh’s most prominent African American families, including a set of vintage valentines.
Experts aren’t sure if these valentines were sent to or from the Pope family, and the cards have a cute rhyming scheme, similar to modern valentines.
Artifacts like these help uncover more about Raleigh’s history — and the US. Explore more from the Pope House Museum + the City of Raleigh’s various collections using its online database, including more vintage valentines. Plus, these materials are free to access by the public if you want to learn more.
Psst... if you want to see some Raleigh-inspired valentines, check out our Instagram page. True love means driving through both beltlines.
The Buy
In the name of self-care, treat yourself to a little early Valentine’s Day gift. We think you’ll love these five picks, ordered by price.
💸 Under $15: This viral collagen face mask hydrates, evens skin tone, and improves elasticity.
💸 Under $30: A top-rated plush robe that makes every day feel like a spa day.
💸 Under $50: Moroccanoil’s hydrating hair mask leaves hair feeling noticeably softer + hydrated.
💸 Under $75: This pair of freshwater pearl earrings are perfect for every occasion.
💸 Under $150: A cozy cardigan by Barefoot Dreams that’s crafted from the brand’s famously soft yarn.
Seth Jarvis’s hometown friends have made headlines in the past for driving 30 hours from Winnipeg to see him play, and now, they’re en route to Milan to watch him on the ice for Team Canada today against Czechia. That’s some true friendship.
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