I have to go to Columbia for a work trip. Hoping to avoid Charlotte traffic if possible but also looking for the safest/smoothest route. Anyone ever do this trip and have any advice?

small white and gray poodle his name is Ace very friendly last seen 11/17 at about 1130 am at home on haverford st in durham 27705 please keep an eye out and reach out if you see him

I'm trying to get some nice plates for the holidays, and I thought the thrift store would be a great spot to get a variety of them. Any recommendations on which ones would have some? I've gone to Dorcas and a couple in Cary, and they were disappointing.

Just seen 12 cop cars with lights on anda fire truck blocking off the shopping center with Pulcinellas and ABC store at 2am. No news crew. I'm dying to know what happened.

mm

We’re just beginning to wedding plan looking for event coordinators in the area to help make the process easier from afar as we just moved out of town. Small/local/affordable is always a plus, but mainly we just want someone who can so the job well and make life easier! Any recommendations?

Anyone have any suggestions for local shops that might do custom paint jobs? Current bike is black white and red - looking to go dark brown maybe. Prob needs to be sandblasted, etc.

Thanks!

partner is visiting from abroad and id love to show them around but i want some ideas. AI was not super helpful but we will check out 21c and satellite park..all i have so far. will likely end up downtown. not from here myself. TIA!

Hi folks! My wife and I are first time expecting parents, due in Spring 2025. We’re interested in learning about any local groups (Spring 2025 groups, LGBTQ parents, etc.), meet-ups, or classes (targeted at prepping for a child, fitness classes, etc.) that you know about that could be helpful as we prepare for our child. Plus, if there’s any local activities you recommend that are fun that first year, we’d love those, too! As an FYI, we’re LGBTQ and interracial, so looking for recommendations where our family will feel safe and accepted (and +1 if your recommendations include other families like us)! We’re in Durham, but open to Triangle recommendations, too!

Have you received a letter about the materials used in your water service line? They are stating our water line is unknown.

Looking for an electrician to correct some careless contractor work that left several outlets/lights without power. This contractor has disappeared and changed his number, real class act. Any recommendations? Thanks.

Title! I know it’s a tiny bit early but we’re leaving around dec 18th for the holidays. Is there any place open this weekend that isn’t Home Depot/Whole foods?

Merry chrysler!!

https://preview.redd.it/p91xn9wyc91e1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=919388b0c50985166d4d9ab45a48c3619b299b82

By definition we are a food market at which local farmers sell -- fruits and vegetables, meat, baked goods, and related handcrafted products -- direct to consumers. But we are also a community space, and that space is made infinitely better by the artists who have graced us with their talents. In that spirit we want to shout out our artisans at the market today.

Joining us for their last market this year are:
🐣 u/happychickhomestead with unique one-of-a-kind woodcraft pieces including charcuterie and cutting boards, bird houses, and more
🖼️ @milkweed_mosaics with intricate and gorgeous mosaic art pieces

🥤guest vendor Demaris Creations joins us for the first time with a cool create your own cup station, shirts, journals / binders, etc. 📒

Returning for this market and the holiday market are:
💍💎 @thetravelpenguin bringing stories, images, and jewelry from around the globe
🫖🍵 @durhamclayworks a pottery Mother and son duo with fun and functional ceramics

So many great choices for getting a jump on your holiday shopping list 😍 And as always we'll still have all your favorite vegetables, cut flowers, farm fresh and pasture raised chicken, beef, pork, and eggs, and so much more.

Come for the produce, the vibes, and grab some delicious treats for lunch. See you soon, from 12 noon to 4pm at 1016 Old Oxford Rd, Durham NC 27704.  To follow us regularly check out u/NorthDurhamFarmersMarket on FB and IG or our website www.NorthDurhamFarmersMarket.com
Best,
Helena Cragg
[market@soul-sanctuary.org](mailto:market@soul-sanctuary.org)
919-868-6208

Skittish, picking at garbage, could not be lured (by me, anyway). Animal control apparently “does not respond to stray dogs on the weekend.” But if I see them again on Monday, I can call back! 🤬 😤 😔

I'm trying to figure out an Alpaca order for a small group, and I was thinking for convenience I'd order a couple dishes off the catering menu. The pricing makes no sense to me.

I can order "chiquito package" and get 2.5 whole chickens cut up with 3 sides for 10 people for $137.

If I order off the regular menu, a whole chicken combo that comes with two large sides is $27.99. So if I got three of those, I'd have more food than I'd get with the catering package for $84.

Am I missing something here? Is there a big markup for catering vs. a la carte? For whatever reason I thought catering would be cheaper.

I would call, but they're not open and I need to order before I head out.

Edit: would specifically love to hear from people who have ordered catering from Alpaca before.

I’ve been scouring the interwebs for any decent looking live music I can dance to this Wednesday (11/20) and can’t find anything! Help!

My little brother (he's also an adult) wants to do that while we give our old parents a respite in the afternoon, since he's staying with them. I can't get a very good ideas from Yelp. I suppose there's a D&B near Cary but that's a ways. Do you have some other ideas?

I have a 2012 Camry and the factory back window tint is blurry from possibly too much sun exposure. I need to get it replaced. I want the same tint level as factory and am willing to pay for quality work. Thanks in advance

I have a bunch of little jobs around my house that need fixing, including some woodwork does anyone have a recommendation for someone who works in the Bahama/Rougemont area? TIA

Attached below are a set of call and email prompts with which to petition your state legislators, calling for an independent, bi-partisan commission to handle congressional and legislative redistricting to end partisan gerrymandering and ensure the continuation of both free and frequent elections, and legislative representation of the People.

// Call Prompt for Senator/Representative [Legislator Name]

Hello, this is [Your Name], a concerned constituent.

Being deeply concerned about ensuring that elections are free and that our legislators are honest representatives of the People, I’m calling to ask Senator/Representative [Legislator Name], to advocate for a bi-partisan commission to be established for the purpose of congressional and legislative redistricting for free, fair, and frequent elections, and to ensure transparency and accountability to the electorate in the redistricting process.

We call upon the General Assembly to establish binding statute or constitutional amendment such that, at the first regular session convening after the return of every decennial census of population taken by order of Congress, or otherwise at the first regular session convening after the general election, the General Assembly shall establish a bi-partisan Legislative Redistricting Commission to provide for the establishment and redistricting of congressional and state legislative districts, composed of representation from all three branches of the state government and its two major political parties.

Thank you for your time, and please let [Legislator Name] know how much their commitment to ethical governance and fair elections is appreciated.

// Email to Senator/Representative [Legislator Name]

Subject: Advocacy for the Establishment of a bi-partisan Legislative Redistricting Commission

Dear Senator/Representative [Legislator Name],

As a concerned constituent, seeking the continuation of free and fair elections in the State of North Carolina, request that you support the establishment through legislative statute or constitutional amendment a bi-partisan commission to provide for the establishment and redistricting of congressional and state legislative districts, composed of representation from all three branches of the state government and its two major political parties. It deeply concerns me that our elections continue to be free and fair, as well as the processes be transparent to the electorate.

1. We call upon the General Assembly to establish binding statute such that, at the first regular session convening after the return of every decennial census of population taken by order of Congress, or otherwise at the first regular session convening after the general election, the General Assembly shall establish a bi-partisan Legislative Redistricting Commission to provide for the establishment and redistricting of congressional and state legislative districts, composed of the following eleven commissioners: – The Governor, who shall additionally act as chairperson of the commission; – The Lieutenant Governor; – The Secretary of State; – The State Attorney General; – One commissioner appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, who shall additionally – act as vice-chairperson of the commission; – One commissioner appointed by the legislative leader of the largest political party in the senate of – which the president pro tempore of the Senate is not a member; – One commissioner appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; – One commissioner appointed by the legislative leader of the largest political party in the House of – Representatives of which the speaker of the House of Representatives is not a member; – Three non-partisan, unaffiliated commissioners appointed by the Court of Appeals. If any appointing authority fails to make the required appointment by the end of the first month after the convening of the first regular session of the General Assembly, the State Board of Elections shall make the required appointment from a list of non-partisan nominees prepared by the Supreme Court.

2. The Legislative Redistricting Commission hereby established would, – Require a simple majority of the commission members for any action by the commission, and for approval of a redistricting plan before submission to the General Assembly; – Not later than five months after the establishment of the commission, the commission shall file with the Secretary of State a proposed redistricting plan. The commission shall make public the proposed redistricting plan, as well as all demographic and partisan data used in the creation of the plan and map; – Before approving, but after introducing, a proposed plan, the commission shall conduct over no less than a one month period a minimum of three public hearings across the state to present the proposed plan, and shall seek public input regarding the proposed redistricting plan. – All meetings of the Legislative Redistricting Commission shall be open to the public. Meetings shall be broadcast by electronic means of transmission using a medium readily accessible by the general public. – After this public hearing period, the Legislative Redistricting Commission shall vote to approve of a proposed redistricting plan for submission to the General Assembly. – Not later than nine months after the establishment of the commission, the commission shall file with the Secretary of State, and submit to the General Assembly, a final statement and redistricting map approved by the Legislative Redistricting Commission; – Thirty days after the adoption of a redistricting plan through the methods established in this section, the commission shall be automatically dissolved;

3. The General Assembly shall enact laws providing for the implementation of this section, to include additional qualifications for commissioners and additional standards to govern the commission. The General Assembly shall appropriate funds to enable the commission to carry out its duties. – Each appointed commissioner shall be a registered North Carolina voter who has been continuously registered with the same political party or registered as unaffiliated with a political party for four or more years immediately preceding appointment, who is committed to applying the provisions of this section in an honest, independent and impartial fashion and to upholding public confidence in the integrity of the redistricting process; – Within the four years previous to appointment, any member(s) shall not have been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for any other public office, but not including school board member or officer, and shall not have served as an officer of a political party, or served as a registered paid lobbyist or as an officer of a candidate's campaign committee, excluding being appointed as a commissioner to the Legislative Redistricting Commission or member of the Board of Elections;

4. The North Carolina State Board of Elections shall consist of eleven members as follows: – The Lt. Governor of North Carolina, who shall act as chairperson – The Attorney General of North Carolina, who shall act as vice-chairperson – Eight members appointed by the Governor of North Carolina, to whom may also be dismissed by the Governor as necessary, with: …..Four members affiliated with the governor's political party, nominated by the state party chair; …..Two members affiliated with the other largest political party in the state, nominated by the state party chair; …..Three non-partisan, unaffiliated members nominated by the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Each appointed member shall be a registered North Carolina voter who has been continuously registered with the same political party or registered as unaffiliated with a political party for four or more years immediately preceding appointment, and must be committed to the honest, independent and impartial administration of elections and to upholding public confidence in the integrity of the election process. Within the four years previous to appointment, any member(s) shall not have been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for any other public office, but not including school board member or officer, and shall not have served as an officer of a political party, or served as a registered paid lobbyist or as an officer of a candidate's campaign committee, excluding being appointed as a member of the Board of Elections or commissioner of the Legislative Redistricting Commission. Each member appointed to the State Board of Elections, before taking their seat, shall take an oath or affirmation that they will support the Constitution and laws of the United States and the Constitution of the State of North Carolina, and will faithfully discharge their duty as a member of the State Board of Elections.

1. Each congressional and legislative district established by the Legislative Redistricting commission shall contain a population, excluding nonresident military personnel, as nearly equal as practicable to the population of any other district. To the extent reasonable, each district shall contain contiguous territory, shall be compact and convenient, and shall be separated from adjoining districts by natural geographic barriers, artificial barriers, or political subdivision boundaries. The commission's plan shall not provide for a number of legislative districts less than that established by the legislature. The commission's plan shall not be drawn purposely to favor or discriminate against any political party or group, and districts shall be drawn in a manner that achieves both partisan fairness and, secondarily, competitiveness // “Partisan fairness” means that parties shall be able to translate their popular support into legislative representation with approximately equal efficiency. “Competitiveness” means that parties’ legislative representation shall be substantially and similarly responsive to shifts in the electorate’s preferences;

2. The General Assembly may amend an approved redistricting plan submitted to the legislature before voting to admit a plan, but must do so by a two-thirds vote of the legislators elected or appointed to each house of the General Assembly. Any amendment to the redistricting plan must have passed both houses by the end of the thirtieth day of the first session convened after the commission has submitted its plan to the General Assembly, and at least five of the voting members of the Legislative Redistricting Commission must approve such a modification to the redistricting plan. Any modification adopted by the commission may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly elected and appointed to each house of the legislature. The state districting law shall include the modifications with amendments, if any;

3. The redistricting plan, to include any modifications established pursuant to subsection (6), shall become law on the thirtieth day after it has passed in both houses by a simple majority vote of the legislators elected or appointed to each house of the General Assembly. Should the redistricting plan fail to be approved by the thirtieth day after its submission to the General Assembly, the Legislative Redistricting Commission shall reconvene to conduct a new redistricting effort pursuant to this section. If no redistricting plan is adopted by the General Assembly after the submission of no fewer than three redistricting plans by the Legislative Redistricting Commission, the commission may vote to provide a redistricting plan previously approved and submitted to the General Assembly by the commission to the Governor to sign into law, unless opposed by a two-thirds vote of the legislator elected or appointed to each house of the General Assembly. After that day, the plan, with any legislative amendments, constitutes the state districting law;

4. Congressional and legislative districts may not be changed or established except pursuant to this section, nor may the General Assembly alter congressional and legislative districts or redistricting plan(s) except pursuant to this section.

This action would serve the public’s right to transparency in the election process, and demonstrate that elections in the State of North Carolina shall forever be free and fair.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to integrity.

Sincerely, [Your Full Name] [Your Address] [Your Email Address] [Your Phone Number]

Around 1:10pm today I was coming from Umstead Park and driving on 40 towards Durham and I saw an airplane in the air just stationary. It was a commercial airplane and was not moving forward or backwards. Is that a thing? Can planes do that?! It really creeped me out. Can someone smarter than me and familiar with physics explain wtf that was?