Oh, and there are the protesters. save64.org has put together a blog of absurdities that hinge on one pipe dream: stopping growth. Remember the quote from Shawshank Redemption? “Get busy living or get busy dying.” The alternative to growth in this area is not what we want, so we better handle growth properly. The save64 crowd needs to drive out Capital Blvd from 440 to 540 and see the future of their blessed road unless they enact a proactive plan.

Canes hockey fans who like electronic calendars rejoice! I’ve uploaded the 2009-2010 Carolina Hurricanes schedule in .CSV, .ICS, and Google Calendar formats. This way you can easily port the schedule over to your iPhone, Blackberry, Google Calendar, Outlook, and more!

iPhone /Blackberry/Outlook/Palm Users

• Create a new folder in your in Outlook calendar (Canes10, for example). Use the File | Import and Export… to import from “another program or file”, then “Comma Separated File (Windows)”. This will set up the schedule in your new sub-calendar where you can make whatever changes you want.
• iPhone Users - You are done. Now you can view the Canes’ schedule as its own sub-calender or as a part of all calendars.
• When you are happy with the way the subcalendar looks, change the calendar view to “Events” (instead of 7-day or 31-Day or whatever view you’re using). “Select All” from the list, and drag them over to your main “Calendar” (The Treo and other Palm Handhelds only sync to the main calendar - time for Palm to get with the program on that one!). If you want to keep your sub-calendar intact, use Ctrl-drag instead of plain drag. That will create a copy of each event to the main Calendar and keep the Canes08 calendar in place. Sync your handheld to copy the events to the handheld.
• CSV Files. (right click on the link and “Save As…”)
  • Hurricanes Schedule (Complete) - Download canes_10.csv (version: 7/15/09)
  • Hurricanes Home-only Schedule - Download canes_10_home.csv (version: 7/15/09)

iCal Users

There are two options:

• Use iCalTextImport to import the .CSV version (linked above) of the schedule.
• Download the .ics files and import them into iCal.
  • Hurricanes Schedule (Complete) - .ics file (version: 7/15/09)

Google Calendar Users

Consult the public calendars at the following locations:

• Carolina Hurricanes 2008-2009 Google Calendar

Notes

Calendars are apt to change, so check back occasionally for updates. To determine the version of your schedule, open the note associated with any event, and look for the version number. If your calendar is older than those listed above, simply delete the events in Outlook in your old one and import the events of the newer file. Google Calendar is dynamically up-to-date.

Use at your own risk. I do not accept responsibility for any consequences resulting from errors in the schedule.

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At roughly the size of a parking meter, the digital kiosks (pictured) are always ready to accept a ChargePoint account-holder’s key fob. A simple swipe unlocks the station’s door, revealing a receptacle where electric car drivers can plug in. Once the car is connected (with a user-supplied cable), the station’s little metal door locks down to protect the AC connection from weather, bumping off (like in the laundromat), and vandals disconnecting the cord. During charging the timer on the device’s face counts up the charging time. Should one reach a complete charge, the station automatically stops the charging process. Once the user returns, he or she swipes their fob to disconnect the power and release the security door.

The receptacle door covers an area that actually can hold a portable electronic device, too, so one can charge their iPhone while keeping it locked and secure. The company also reminds customers that their stations are suitable for Segway charging as well.

Currently the system only offers 120V connections, but plans are in the works for a possible 240V connection, though because of Federal Regulations, an SAE J1772 charging interface is more than likely to be the next step.

A local resident was at the charging station with his electric pickup truck he bought from Virginia Power a few years ago. His 26 battery cells live under the bed of the truck, and offer about 50 miles on a complete charge. Charging times varies by connection. 120V connections take “all night” to take an exhausted battery to a full charge while a 240V connection takes about 6 hours to reach a full charge.

Technology has vastly improved since the modification of his truck about a decade ago, however today’s plug-ins still have some work to do. A $100,000 Tesla Roadster has a range of around 250 miles while the upcoming plug-in version of the 2010 Prius is reported to sport only a 12-mile EV range.

Currently the restaurant is not reserving the premium parking spaces in front of these two kiosks to electric drivers. The restaurant may, however, dedicate these spaces to hybrids until demand for the chargers increases.

Charging stations like these are, though, popping up rapidly around the country. Another station in this state will come online later this week, in fact. A representative from NovaCharge, the Tampa outfit that handles the SouthEast installations of this station network, said that the company’s goal is to have a presence in navigation systems and with Google to provide station location information.

The technology is certainly a “chicken and egg” phenomenon. People will not invest in a car they cannot charge away from home while the energy industry doesn’t want to needlessly rollout unwanted technology. However demand for the cars is probably the last stop, and positively will not sell without stations like these being reasonably accessible around the area. Certainly it will be interesting to watch the growth of this new wave of tech.

• Around 50 Solatube daylighting fixtures (pictured) supplemented by on-demand LED lighting.
• Water efficient restroom and kitchen fixtures
• Rapidly renewable materials for insulation and decoration
• Building materials from high-recycled content (such as existing concrete fragments to fill the building’s slab)
• Drought tolerant landscaping
• Education touch-screen in the dining area
• On-site NovaCharge vehicle charging stations

The owner and operator, Ric Richards, bought the store in 2007, but wanted a structure dedicated to “sustainability”, which would result in significant cost and energy savings.

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Other classes are on the July schedule, too. On 7/14 at 7pm, they will hold a free Motorcycle Camping Class. On July 19 at 1pm, they will hold a Wheel Truing class, and on July 25, at 7:30am, they will hold the Cup ‘n Cone Tour. Neither of the latter two events are free.

A massive media project will be growing each day as they travel and outsource part of the project to blog viewers in real time. This should be fun to watch over the next couple of weeks.

Well Done Media Photo Trip

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Saturday’s show with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts is predicting record crowds.  While this is a free show, to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all patrons, the park will not be able to exceed its capacity of approximately 12,000 people.  Arrive early to ensure entrance.

From the office of Deep South Entertainment, co-producers of Downtown Live, below is key information regarding the concert this Saturday.
Weather: The ABC11 Accuweather Forecast for Saturday, July 11th, 2009: Mostly Sunny with a high of 91 and a low of 68!
Date: Saturday, July 11th
Time:  Gates at 1:30 pm.  Music from 2:00 pm until 11pm.
Cost:  FREE
Artists Performing on the Bud Light Main Stage:

• 2:00 PM – Panyelo
• 3:30 PM – Schooner
• 4:30 PM - The Beast
• 5:30 PM - Violet Vector & The Lovely Lovelies
• 6:30 PM - The T’s
• 7:30 PM - I Was Totally Destroying It
• 9:00 PM - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
  Monster Second Stage (All day during breaks) - The Bleeding Hearts

Location:  Moore Square Park, corner of Blount St. and Martin St., downtown Raleigh, NC
Where to Park (courtesy of Downtown Raleigh Alliance):
http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/get-around/parking
Park Anywhere Downtown and Ride the R-Line: (Downtown Live is the R-16 stop)
http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/_files/docs/r-line-map-as-printable-pdf.pdf
Parking, Dining and Bars (courtesy of DowntownRaleigh.com):
http://downtownraleigh.com/maps/lwp-dining-guide.pdf
Family Event:  Downtown Live is a family event.  From 2pm until 7pm there is a huge Downtown Live kids zone complete with inflatables, bouncing houses, slides, and pony rides.  Also, expect visits from many of the area sports teams.  All ages are welcomed at Downtown Live, but you must be 21 to consume alcohol.  If you plan on consuming alcohol, please remember to bring a valid I.D.
What can I bring inside the park?
You MAY bring:
- One bottled water
- Needs for children (i.e. diapers, strollers, etc.)
- Blankets and chairs
- Umbrellas
You may NOT bring:
- Professional recording or camera equipment.  Professional cameras are defined as cameras with a detachable lense.  Small digital and phone cameras are okay.
- Food or Beverage (including alcohol).  There are a wide variety of local food vendors set up inside the park, in additional beer and beverage stations.
- Pets, even if on a leash.  No pets allowed of any kind.
- No coolers, bags, picnics, bikes, rollerblades.
Forget something?:  Fear not, there is a full service Convenience Store set up on site.  ATM’s are also available inside the park next to the Convenience Store.
Don’t Drink and Drive: A full-service taxi stand will be set-up outside the Blount and Martin St. exit of Downtown Live.
Rain or Shine: Downtown Live is a rain or shine event.  As they say in North Carolina: "If you don’t like the weather, stick around 15 minutes, it’ll change."  Us North Carolinians know that throughout the summer stray thunderstorms often pop up out of nowhere.  This may cause a slight delay in the schedule, but the show will go on.  Day of show stay tuned to 96Rock for weather updates.
How can these concerts be FREE? Downtown Live is free because of amazing sponsors.  Whenever you have the option, please support these companies.  It REALLY does make a difference and helps to ensure Raleigh will always be the home of North Carolina’s biggest outdoor concert series; Downtown Live.
Bud Light, 96rock, WTVD ABC 11, ZSpotlight.com, DowntownRaleigh.com, Raleigh Downtowner, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Monster Energy, City Limits Saloon, Social Magazine, LazyDay.com, City Market, Hunter & Associates, TheRaleighLife.com, City Search, Docusource, Dasani Water, Dicky’s Barbecue Pit, Marriott Raleigh City Center, and Taco Bell.
We’ll see you Saturday,
Deep South Entertainment staff

While Bella Monica is undoubtedly a family, strip-shopping center setting, with its menus of pizza and delicious lasagna, Gravy is a different story. This restaurant is urban casual, geared less toward families and more toward young adult diners and business clientele.

The menu is easy, but not simple. There are three main sections to the menu: pastas, baked dishes, and higher-end entrees. The pasta section is the most interesting, presenting eight different sauces/dishes with four different meats and Portobello optional additions. This means that this easy section of the menu actually contains 48 different combinations.

The Oven Baked portion of the menu brings expected popular favorites such as lasagne and ziti, but also contains an interesting take on scampi: shrimp with grilled polenta, olives, capers, and tomatoes. The Entrees section contains a dish each for seafood, veal, chicken, and steak. Of course there are obligatory salads and appetizers to boot.

We began with salads. The Grilled Apricot and Burrata Salad was fantastic. It has mixed greens, spiced pecans in addition to the delicious grilled apricot and burrata (a creamy mozzarella), with a mild balsamic dressing.

The Romaine salad was a different story. On paper this looks like a winner, with its guanciale (unsmoked Italian bacon), anchovies, fresh shaved parmesan, and croutons. Unfortunately it has the worst Caesar dressing I’ve ever encountered. Perhaps when the recipe called for 1 teaspoon of garlic, the chef put in 50 tablespoons? It is so overpowering that it ruins the palate for not only the rest of the meal, but the rest day and more. A trusted friend who dined on a separate occasion described this salad as “inedible”. I only wish I had quit on it early.

The salads are served with bread that has been smeared with extremely garlicky pesto, then topped in the oven for crispness. While the bread is good and the accompanying olive oil is outstanding, the pesto also knocks one over with garlic.

We moved on to the pastas and enjoyed them. Norma (pictured above), with its eggplant, red sauce, and pecorino on rigatoni was very good. The sauce is a strong, mildly acidic sauce, but had much depth of flavor. Even better was the Vodka sauce with chicken (pictured below). Its pink sauce is mildly spicy and a fantastic blend served on perfectly cooked tagliatelle for a change.

I also tried the Puttanesca with sausage which was good. It featured olives, capers, and anchovies in a spicy, dark red sauce on rigatoni. While heavy, the sauce did not overshadow the delicious sausages.

The restaurant is located in the former Riviera location on Wilmington Street. The renovations performed were mainly cosmetic, but whoever the designer was did an excellent job visually. I really love the combination of tan, beige, purple, and fern green with accents of red being used here. Also excellent are the bathroom doors which are wood, but have giant, contrasting stained “M” and “W” features. Unfortunately nothing was done to reduce the restaurant space’s ambient noise. One of the common complaints with the Riviera was that it was Raleigh’s loudest restaurant, and Gravy is no different. On a Saturday night with a full house, it is extremely difficult to hear your dining partner and your server.

The wait staff at Gravy is excellent. There is a noticeable sense of urgency in their step, though we never felt rushed. The menu was clearly explained, and drinks were refreshed appropriately.

I want to pull for this restaurant. I really do. Empire Properties has taken risks to bring some very interesting projects to give downtown Raleigh much-needed character. However the hours after eating at Gravy two times were miserable. I don’t want to feel like Garlic Man, so why should I choose to eat at a place that makes me feel this way? I am hearing some of these complaints from my friends, and I’m afraid that if they cannot get the garlic and noise issues taken care of, Gravy will be another wasted effort in that space’s history.

In other news, assembly is going smoothly on the plaza’s pavilions and light towers. As seen in one of the photos, the towers have a brushed chrome finish and will be topped with swirly metal masses with triangular hoods.

After perusing the publication, it becomes apparent that this area has an excellent food scene; so much so that 50 items really doesn’t cover the whole story! There is no mention of Scott Howell, George Bakatsias, the Greek Festival, Fins, 42nd Street, Fiesta Grill, An, Goodberry’s, and Chapel Hill Food Group. That’s not a criticism of the publication, however, just a statement about how good things really are in this area. My only criticism is the inclusion of Allen & Son BBQ, which is quite possibly the only inedible pork I’ve ever encountered.

Great job, Andrea!

Progress Energy Carolinas has signed an agreement with Southern Energy and NxGen Power to build, own and operate a 1.3-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) array and sell the output to Progress Energy Carolinas for distribution to its customers. The proposed PV array would be located on City of Raleigh property at the Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant (NRWWTP).

The project, which was approved by the Raleigh City Council, will be the first utility-scale solar power project located on local government property in North Carolina. This is also the fifth and largest solar array project announced by Progress Energy Carolinas, bringing the total amount of solar-generated electricity scheduled to be purchased by the company to more than 5 megawatts. 

“We are committed to aggressively and responsibly pursuing renewable energy resources, such as solar power, as part of a balanced approach to meeting our region’s growing energy demand,” said Lloyd Yates, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy Carolinas. “This project continues our long history of partnering with local communities, and we are pleased to help advance this innovative technology.”

The Raleigh City Council voted unanimously July 7, 2009, to authorize city staff to begin negotiating a lease agreement with Southern Energy and NxGen Power for about 10 acres at the NRWWTP, located at the northwest corner of Brownfield and Battlebridge roads. No city capital investment will be required for this project. The lease agreement will return to the Raleigh City Council for a final vote later this year.

The proposed solar PV array is expected to come online in early 2010 and will generate about 1.7 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1,300 tons annually. This is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions from the use of about 140,000 gallons of gasoline. 

“We have seen solar go from an extreme idea to something homeowners, homebuilders, businesses and now even cities and government leaders are recognizing as a viable mainstream option,” said Bob Kingery, co-founder of Southern Energy. “As a local company that started in Raleigh in a living room in 2001, we are humbled to have the opportunity to partner with our home city at the ground level to help advance their sustainability initiatives and increase the availability of renewable energy in our state.”

Southern Energy, based in Morrisville, recently completed developing and installing two other megawatt-size solar arrays in the state. It is developing this project with financing partner NxGen Power, based in Charlotte, creating a wholly North Carolina-based project. Southern Energy anticipates creating 13 to 15 new local jobs through the construction phase of the solar array.

Michael Byrnes, president and chief executive officer of NxGen Power, said, “North Carolina has a unique opportunity to lead the Southeast in renewable energy implementation and innovation. We are proud to partner with the City of Raleigh, Progress Energy and Southern Energy to help forge the way.”

The city and Progress Energy Carolinas, which is headquartered in Raleigh, have already partnered on several “green” initiatives. These include installing energy-efficient LED streetlights and preparing the city for electric vehicles through the NC Get Ready project.

“Advancing our sustainability is a top City of Raleigh priority,” Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker said following the council’s approval to pursue a lease agreement. “I am delighted that we can partner with Progress Energy, Southern Energy and NxGen Power to advance this technology and reduce carbon emissions.”

In 2008, Raleigh’s Public Utilities Department, which already leads many of the city’s sustainability efforts, started investigating solar PV generation and determined the NRWWTP site was a potential location for an array. This was done with the assistance of Mike Nicklas of Innovative Design, an internationally known and environmentally sensitive architectural firm based in Raleigh and the winner of the city’s 2009 Pioneering Environmental Award.

The city invited several experienced solar power developers to provide a project bid in response to Progress Energy Carolinas’ request for renewable energy proposals, issued initially in November 2007. The company’s request is designed to meet the requirements of North Carolina’s Renewable Energy and Efficiency Portfolio Standard, passed in 2007. After an extensive evaluation process, Progress Energy Carolinas accepted Southern Energy’s proposal.   

About Progress Energy:

Progress Energy, headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 250 energy company with more than 21,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $9 billion in annual revenues. The company will observe a century of operation in 2008. Progress Energy includes two major utilities that serve 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and Florida. Progress Energy is the 2006 recipient of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Award, the industry’s highest honor, in recognition of its operational excellence. The company also is the first utility to receive the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder’s Award for customer service. Progress Energy serves two fast-growing areas of the country, and the company is pursuing a balanced approach to meeting the future energy needs of the region. That balance includes increased energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company’s Web site at www.progress-energy.com.

About Southern Energy:

Southern Energy, based in Morrisville, N.C., is a leading sustainable energy company delivering energy efficiency, green building and turn-key solar services to homeowners, homebuilders, companies and government agencies across the Southeast. Southern Energy’s two-part mission is to have a measurable impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, and to build a sustainable triple-bottom-line company. Southern Energy employs a team of about 50 sustainable energy professionals working from offices in Morrisville, Charlotte and Greenville, S.C. SEM is consistently recognized as an industry leader both locally and nationally, and was among a handful of companies in the U.S. to earn the National Energy Star Partner of the Year award three years in a row in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Southern Energy was also recently presented with the 2009 City of Raleigh Market Transformation Award. For more information, visit www.southern-energy.com.

About NxGen Power:

NxGen Power, LLC is a developer and operator of renewable energy facilities. NxGen Power utilizes strategic partnerships and institutional investors to help utility, government, school and commercial customers meet their renewable energy goals without the upfront cost. The company works to educate and to provide customers the opportunity to harness the power of the sun through the use of solar energy and other innovative technologies. NxGen Power is changing the dynamic of energy use by building clean, sustainable, distributed generation facilities and producing power where the power is being used. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. For more information, visit www.nxgenpower.com.

About the City of Raleigh:

The City of Raleigh provides the complete range of governmental services including police and fire protection, transportation services such as transit and street construction and maintenance, a comprehensive solid waste and recycling program and a vast array of environmental services, water and sanitary sewer services, parks, recreation and cultural services that make Raleigh ubiquitous among  America’s “best cities” lists. Raleigh Public Utilities Department not only serves Raleigh with water and sewer service but also the Towns of Garner, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon.

Marley will be here July 16^th to give an illustrated talk about his world travels in pursuit of artful butterflies and insects. Mingle with Chris and other guests for an interactive discussion about his work, inspirations and technique. There will be wine, light hors d’oeuvres and a glimpse into this artist’s passion for the living world.

The event will take place on Thursday, July 16^th from 5:30-7:30pm. Space is limited and tickets cost $35 per person. Call 919-447-4065 by July 14^th to reserve your spot.

As part of the event, The Umstead Hotel and Spa is offering a special rate for all Art + Nature Lecture attendees of $129. To make a guestroom reservation, call the hotel (919-447-4050) and mention booking code “BUGS0709”.

Marley’s exhibit will be on display through mid-August, and art tours are available upon request.

The menu (warning: music) features sandwiches and salads inspired by “a world of cultures”. Prices generally hover in the $7 to $9 range for lunch, and jump a few dollars at dinner. I haven’t gotten a chances to dine there, but I will surely try their grilled ham & cheese, shrimp po’boy, and American Southwest grilled chicken sandwich. In the meantime I’ll try to figure out the meaning of the restaurant’s name, and the literal use of “c” instead of “sea”. (I’m an idiot)

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• Boomerang
• Biography
• Fine Living
• Fox Movie Channel
• Hallmark Channel
• National Geographic
• Noggin
• Showtime
• TMC
• TruTV

When tuning to one of these channels mid-show, a window pops up and offers users a chance to watch from the beginning. Start Over is completely independent of one’s DVR functions, so it does not include fast forward functions the DVRs possess.

The service is likely to not only roll out to other channels soon, but will probably eventually become the “cloud DVR” service that will replace today’s DVRs. This would simplify TWC’s user equipment operations as well as allow them to placate Hollywood by giving TWC the power to inhibit fast forwarding through commercials. Users would benefit because they wouldn’t have to worry about storage space or remembering to record shows in advance. They will just be able to pick shows from menus. Users also wouldn’t have to exchange equipment at the TWC office. The premium cloud DVR service could simply be activated over the network.

• Thu, Oct. 15: Jason Michael Carroll $5
• Fri, Oct. 16: Third Day $15
• Sat, Oct 17: Kellie Pickler $10
• Sun, Oct. 18: Nat & Alex Wolff $10
• Mon, Oct. 19: Jamey Johnson $5
• Tue, Oct. 20: The Temptations $10
• Wed, Oct. 21: Julianne Hough $5
• Thu, Oct. 22: TBA
• Fri, Oct. 23: Jeremy Camp and Tenth Avenue North $10
• Sat, Oct. 24: Blake Shelton $10
• Sun, Oct. 25: Eric Church $5

Ticket charges are in addition to general admission to the State Fair. Tickets will be available on August 3 at 10am. Advance ride tickets are also available on line.