FOODIE NEWS. Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week
Photo courtesy of Taverna Agora
is October 2–8. Participating restaurants will offer specials not offered at any other time. The event includes 24 restaurants with a variety of cuisine specialities. Close to 90% of the restaurants are locally–owned and independent, making downtown Raleigh a destination for unique food experiences. Mandolin, located at 2519 Fairview Road in Raleigh, will begin offering Sunday dinner beginning October 8, and Saturday Brunch beginning October 21. Make a reservation here.
FESTIVAL SEASON. Triangle Oktoberfest takes place at Koka Booth Amphitheatre on Friday, October 6, 5–10 p.m. and Saturday, October 7, noon–8 p.m. Enjoy 40 German and seasonal beers, traditional Bavarian foods, live music and more. The event benefits Apex Sunrise Rotary Club, Meg’s Smile Foundation and other health, hunger and humanity causes.
TRUE CRIME. Take part in an historical true crime author talk and trolley tour around downtown Raleigh with authors and Oakwood Cemetery historians Bruce Miller and Robin Simonton on Saturday, October 7. The tour runs from 4–6 p.m. The authors will discuss their latest publication, “Life and Death in High Places: A True Story of Family, Scandal, and Homicide.”
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS. The North Carolina Museum of History kicks off its Tar Heel Troubadours music series with The Blue Ridge Girls on Friday, October 6 at 7 p.m. The series is a celebration of Americana, roots, bluegrass and traditional music performed by artists from, or living and working in North Carolina. There are nine concerts in the series, including a performance by two-time Grammy winner Jim Lauderdale on December 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online.
The outdoor Bluegrass Festival at historic Moorefields near Hillsborough is Saturday, October 7, 1–6 p.m. Area bands Pickard Mountain, The Carolina Cutups, Nixon Blevins and Gage, The Bathtub of the South and Vintage Blue will perform on the house’s reconstructed front porch. Lawn seating tickets are $15 per person, $10 for ages 13–17, and free for ages 12 and younger. Guests are asked to bring chairs and blankets.
HOLIDAYS AHEAD. Tickets for Holiday Express at Pullen Park went on sale Wednesday, October 4, and have already sold out. The event runs from Wednesday, November 29–Friday, December 15, 5:30–9 p.m. Tickets cost $16 and are limited to eight per household. Tickets for the light show are for specific train times. Free parking is located at the coliseum parking deck on the North Carolina State University campus.
FOR PET LOVERS. Wake County Animal Center has launched Fall Community Pet Days to help families provide care for their pets and keep them in their homes. The events take place 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at four locations on Sunday, October 15; Sunday, October 29; and Sunday, November 12. Pet owners can obtain information about finding and securing affordable pet food and supplies, as well as free or low-cost veterinary services, including $5 rabies shots, free microchipping and additional vaccines. Wake County Animal Center is also celebrating National Pit Bull Awareness Month during October with a reduced adoption fee of just $25 for pit bull-type dogs during the entire month—a significant discount from the regular fee of $95. View the adoption gallery here.
CANCER SUPPORT. Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, The Streets at Southpoint will be turning center court (near Nordstrom) pink with donations benefiting the Pretty in Pink Foundation. Visitors can pick up free materials to learn more about breast cancer.
ZERO Prostate Cancer celebrates prostate cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and families with its local run/walk event at North Carolina State Campus (Lake Raleigh, 2300 Main Campus Drive) on Saturday, October 21 at 7:30 a.m. The race is part of a national event series that shows support by raising funds and awareness. The event features local eateries and vendors, entertainment, activities for kids and more. Since 2014, Prostate cancer has shown a yearly 5% increase in advanced–stage diagnoses per year.
FALL FESTIVAL. Falling for Local takes place at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh on Saturday, October 7, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. The market and festival features more than 100 local vendors and makers, along with more than 50 food trucks and North Carolina craft beers and ciders. Enjoy live music, kids entertainment and a pumpkin patch with 2,000 free pumpkins.
SPOOKY FLICKS + SIPS. Unscripted Durham is celebrating spooky season by turning its rooftop pool deck into a “dive-in” theater from 6–9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday this month. Enjoy festive scenery, spooky cocktails, Halloween-inspired snacks and cool October nights on the rooftop with cult-classic films. Movies scheduled for this weekend include “The Addams Family” on Friday, “The Witches” on Saturday and “Donnie Darko” on Sunday. Spooky sips include The Witches Brew (prickly pear, gin, citrus, Lillet Blanc, soda), The Trick (rye, banana, crème de cacao, sweet vermouth, lemon) and The Time Warp (tequila, Midori, lime, agave, triple sec, black salt). Also, every Tuesday–Thursday, 3–8 p.m., Unscripted Durham will show episodes of “The Twilight Zone” and host a Halloween party on Saturday, October 28, 1-6 p.m. with a DJ, costume contest and more.
Spooky season has arrived and Jujube is creepin’ it real with their Corpse Reviver cocktail, which features London Dry Gin, Lillet Blanc, orange liqueur and freshly squeezed lemon juice with a Black Brandy Cherry garnish. The Corpse Reviver cocktail will be available for the month of October, so sip it while you can!
TALKING POINTS. The Poe Center for Health Education hosts Guy Talk: Parent/Trusted Adult & Son Workshop on Saturday, October 7, 9–11 a.m. The talk will equip boys with accurate age-appropriate information designed to help with healthy growth and development. Workshop topics include changes during puberty, the reproductive systems, proper nutrition and hygiene, and online safety. Tickets are $30 per pair.
Also, the Poe Center for Health Education, located at 224 Sunnybrook Road in Raleigh, will host a Muffin Mystery cooking camp on Monday, October 9, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Campers ages 10–15 will lead a tasty STEM experiment as they use the scientific method to prepare and experiment with making blueberry muffins. They will also learn how food substitutions and the impact on food flavor and texture. Registration costs $25 and includes all baking materials and lunch.
GRAND OPENING. Fresh International Market (10341 Moncreiffe Road, Raleigh) will host a grand opening on Saturday, October 7. Enjoy discounts, promotions and live entertainment. The grocery store offers a wide selection of Asian groceries and ingredients, ready-to-eat meals and desserts from various cultures.
TOP EMS HONORS. Wake County Emergency Medical Services’ Internal Paramedic Program, which prepares emergency medical technicians for jobs as paramedics, has earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. It’s the first time an EMS system in North Carolina has received the honor. The program provides current EMTs with classroom instruction, practical lab sessions and clinical experiences.
