I don't actually have a big problem with Raleigh Downtowner Magazine. They serve a specific niche that just happens to mostly be about white people with some cash, so I've tended to lump them in with Raleigh's ongoing campaign to "Get White People Downtown," which seems to be going pretty well.
But it's not like they don't care about people of color or poor people per se. In fact, a recent print issue that is also available in .pdf form is a pleasant surprise with a cover story focused on "9 for the Needy" plus stories about some of the cooler businesses around the area.
Oh, snap, it's the return of Peter Eichenberger (as RD's "Senior Writer") who provides the intro to an article by Chris Moutos focused on the following local service organizations:
Wee Care Children's Enrichment Program
Loaves and Fishes Ministry, Inc.
Meals on Wheels of Wake County
They also have an additional list of worthy organizations at the end of the article. If you think that's a good thing, as do I, I'd encourage you to contact them in support of creating a dedicated directory page on their website:
Telephone: 919.821.9000
Email: office@raleighdowntowner.com
In addition to 9 for the Needy, this issue promoted a number of businesses which make Raleigh cooler than not, from NoFo Cafe to a Hillsborough assortment to Five Star.
Since I'm focusing quite a bit on racial issues in my writing at Raleighwood, NC, I'd like to make a special note that, beyond what may well be a great restaurant, Five Star has a great nightclub at which I've spent my last two New Year's Eve celebrations. Both times Five Star had the most interesting and comfortable mix of races and ethnicities that I've experienced in Raleigh.
In the past, Five Star has hosted Blacklisted every First Friday with no cover and no dress code. I haven't been on those nights but I imagine it's quite a bit of fun and I've been very impressed by their dj's in the past. Blacklisted's various web points of presence are currently outdated but I imagine the party continues.
Credit where credit's due:
Publisher Crash Gregg interviews Robert Weiss, Artistic Director for the Carolina Ballet. I'm not the biggest fan of ballet but you can't have a real city without a real ballet and they've done pretty darn well for themselves.
Surprise find:
Melissa Santos profiles Krav Maga Raleigh. I don't know Ken Richstad and I never assume a teacher is good based on their own abilities since teaching is an art of it's own but, if he's good, it's well worth a look. Krav Maga is the real deal, i.e., it's not about the belts, it's about the abilities.
I've been looking for a martial arts teacher and I'll let you know if I take the free intro class. Check his site's links page for some other solid looking local schools. It's always a good sign when people link out.
Cool. I did not realize Peter had returned to the fray but I'm thinking this might work. RD's approach has the potential to rein in Peter's wilding out tendencies while they get a good writer who has something to say and gives a damn. Plus, Peter's love of Raleigh and the people of Raleigh is sincere, in case you've wondered in the past.
That might be a surprisingly nice fit and this would be a fine issue even without Peter's contributions. Guess I'll have to break down and go check out some more recent issues of Raleigh Downtowner Magazine since I'm now at least a couple behind!
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