Did you know Raleigh has a mounted police unit? 🐴 We didn’t, until we stumbled upon this Nextdoor post earlier this week.
Raleigh Police horses Willow and Ike, spotted in Mordecai | Photo by Charlotte Davenport
The Raleigh Police Department’s Mounted Unit is the only remaining regularly-scheduled mounted police division in the state. The division is considered a special operations unit, and becoming a mounted officer requires more than just an application — first, you must love horses, because their grooming and care is part of the officers’ job. And second, officers must serve in the general service department before applying for a mounted spot. (Curious about opportunities with the RPD? Click here.)
Ike and Officer J.A. Hood + Willow and Officer Dawn Montemurro | Photo by Raleigh Police
Who’s on the force? The mounted unit is made up of two horses and their partners — a.k.a. the officers who ride them. If you see them out and about on patrol, be sure to say hello to: Ike and Willow.
🐴 Ike 18.2 hands tall German Warmblood | buckskin Gelding | 19 years old
🐴 Willow 16.3 hands tall Percheron | black Mare | 14 years old
Horses allow officers to access areas that are inaccessible to motor vehicles, but more quickly and with greater visibility than officers on foot. That’s why you’ll most often see the mounted unit along the Capital Area Greenway trails or at big events where they can facilitate security and crowd control — as well as make a few friends. Mounted unit patrols also provide the RPD with opportunities to connect more directly with the community.
And while we’re on the topic… Did you know NC State is the only university in the state with its own campus-based mounted patrol? You can learn more about those horses and officers here.
True or false: a horse can run up to 55 miles per hour.
Find the answer to our quiz in the Wrap section of today’s email + use the links below to share this conversation with your favorite horse people and city dwellers.
ComingSoon ○ The Chapel Hill-based Loop restaurant is opening its second Durham location at the former Deeluxe Chicken space (1116 Broad Street) — slated for Tuesday, Feb. 2. TryThis: portobello and bacon pizza + a hand-dipped Oreo milkshake. 🥤(Bites of Bull City)
Civic ○ Next Tuesday, Jan. 19, the City of Raleigh will participate in a nationwide memorial for lives lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Organized by the National League of Cities and beginning at 5 p.m., the city will illuminate local landmarks including the Shimmer Wall, Memorial Auditorium, and the Raleigh Municipal Building. 💡 (WRAL)
Coronavirus ○ Yesterday, Gov. Roy Cooper and the NCDHHS announced that individuals aged 65+ are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in our state. Distribution had previously been restricted to frontline healthcare workers and people over the age of 75. Click here to find out where you can get vaccinated in Wake County. 💉 (CBS 17)
Community ○ A new $70 million project will establish fibre-optic internet connections serving Fayetteville + other parts of Cumberland and Hoke counties. MetroNet, an Indiana-based company, will offer gigabit speeds for $60 per month + additional phone and television services. Learn more here. 📥 (TechWire)
Edu ○ Wake County Public Schools will remain remote until mid-February. The Board voted last night based on recommendations from school system leaders and parents — the decision to return to a hybrid Plan B learning system will be re-evaluated on a rolling basis relative to COVID-19 case rates across the district.🎒(WRAL)
Dish ○ After postponing celebrations last week due to COVID-19 precautions, A Place at the Table reopened this week — and is ready to mark its third anniversary. Be sure to stop by today between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. to grab your favorite pastry or lunch item. ProTip: You can also call ahead to order. 🎈
Cause ○ Local nonprofit Activate Good is hosting Dignity Week eventstoday through Saturday, Jan. to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. through charitable work in our community. The organization has created a list ofvolunteer and donation opportunitiesacross the Triangle. 💛 (via Midtown Magazine)
Watch ○ Josh Oakley — the culinary director for Coquette Brasserie in North Hills — is going toe-to-toe with 17 other professional chefs for Season 19 of the show Hell’s Kitchen. Josh is competing for a chance to win $250,000 + a job at one of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants. The first episode premiered last week, but you can catch up here + watch live each Thursday at 8 p.m. on Fox 50. 🔪
2021 is off to an — err, energetic — start. And as this second week draws to a close, we’re thinking we’ve all earned an opportunity to treat ourselves. What we’re saying is, take a weekend-long tour of these sweet spots and report back:
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#MUSTDO
Tech ○ The Friday Nooner | Fri., Jan. 15 | 12 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Each week, GrepBeat Managing Editor Pete McEntegart is joined by Joe Colopy to chat through all of the Triangle’s recent technology news. Tune in via Facebook Live or Youtube. 💻
Film ○ NCMA Film Club: Takeda | Fri., Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Join NCMA staff and special guests for a discussion centered around the documentary Takeda (2017) about Japanese painter Shinzaburo Takeda.
Arts ○ Friday Adinkra — Sip and Paint Workshop| Fri., Jan. 15 | 7–8:30 p.m. | Triangle Cultural Art Gallery, 8320 Litchford Rd. | $30+ | The gallery is hosting a creative workshop where attendees will have the opportunity to paint West African Adinkra symbols. 🎨
Saturday ○ Musicians’ Choice | Sat., Jan. 16 | 8 p.m. | Virtual | $21 | The NC Symphony will perform musicians’ personal favorites — including Mozart’s Oboe Quartet. 🎶 ○ Rainbow Embrace Physical Therapy Info Session | Sat., Jan. 16 | 4–6 p.m. | Virtual | Free | LGBTQ+ people and allies are invited to learn more about the intersectional clinic that provides a safe space for those with concerns about traditional physical therapy clinics.
Sunday ○ Plank n’ Drank Yoga | Sun., Jan. 17 | 12–1 p.m. | Clouds Brewing, 1233 Front Street | $10 | Enjoy a weekly yoga session with an included drink afterward. ○ Living Arts Virtual Dancewave | Sun., Jan. 17 | 11:15 a.m.–1:40 p.m. | Virtual | $12 suggested donation | The Living Arts Collective is inviting people to come together virtually, dance to DJ-curated playlists, and participate in creative discussions as part of the sharing circle.
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
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Quiz: True or false — a horse can run up to 55 miles per hour. Answered: True. The fastest horse ever recorded (a quarter horse) clocked in a sprint at 55 miles per hour. The average horse gallops at ~27 mph, however.
#RALcurrent: What we’re hoping for — Carly is hoping for a relaxing weekend with her family + Erin is hoping she has time to visit some of her favorite local spots this weekend.
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