We Love Durham NC

Durm

Someone recently told me that even though she had lived here 10-odd years, she didn’t know anyone “from” Durham. Someone else this week commented that he didn’t know that the natives (and even some of us naturalized natives) called it “Durm.” Honey, y’all need to get out! There’s so much to see in this town. Check out We Love Durham.

Durham Visitor’s Office

We were a little early for an appointment downtown, so the girl and I stopped in to the Durham Visitor’s building at the corner of Riggsbee and Morgan Streets. I’ve always been curious. It’s not very big inside, but we found a bunch of brochures, a little photo display highlighting parks, science, museums… You can buy clothing with the Durham CVB logos, Jim’s barbeque sauce, Burt’s Bees kits, and more stuff made in Durham. The man at the desk was more than incredibly nice. It’s a welcoming place!

Durham Historical Markers

While I sat at in intersection in Downtown Durham today, I could read the historical marker in front of the Main Branch of the Durham County Library. Apparently it was the first publicly funded library in North Carolina. I wonder how long they’ve had a great children’s room.

Durham Love Yourself Shirt!

Yum! I found the Durham Love Yourself shirt. Thank you, anonymous emailer for the tip. I drove all over Ramseur Street (oddly labeled Ramsuer at one intersection), and found parts of Durham I had not seen before (and I thought I had seen it all!). No fault to the directions on their website–I just forgot to print them & had to go on memory. Very cute shirt in 80s pink and green; will post a photo soon. There were many colors and several styles and sizes. Also picked up a Durham Rocks! in black for hubby. And stickers! Stickers for all my cool friends! I think the clothes area is much bigger than the original Untidy Museum.
There’s a free concert tonight from this Mark Cool guy, 8-10, all ages. Every other Friday.
The boy loved the table o’ potatoheads. Go see.

Turnips

I was just reminded that I didn’t post what I did with those lovely turnips from the Farmer’s Market.

The turnips smelled a little like onions when I was cutting them up, but then I roasted them in the oven with some other root veggies… carrots, onions… and some olive oil and salt/pepper/sage. They tasted so sweet in the end! I love turnips. I can’t believe it took me this long to find out.

Durham Extended Forecast

Before you start thinking it’s hotter than it’s ever been, or colder than it’s ever been, do see this extended forecast for Durham, with historical highs and lows. We’ve had this warm weather in January before, repeatedly.

100 Mile Diet in Durham?

I did explore that 100milediet site. I wonder if there is a list of farmers within 100 miles of Durham? I bet the Durham’s Farmer’s Market is a good starting point for the answer. Will update.

Apparently tomorrow you can get greens, winter squash, beef, turnips (need turnip recipe), potatoes, cheese, chicken, jam, and baked goods. The jam and baked goods might not count if the ingredients weren’t grown locally. Must ask.
Directions to the Winter Market from Sarah Howe’s newsletter:

“The Durham Farmers’ Market Winter Market season offers local farm fresh produce and crafts this Saturday 9:00 - noon indoors at the Central Park School for Children at 724 Foster Street in the block north of the Old Durham Athletic Park, across from Claymakers and Manbites Dog Theatre.”

Durham Food Coop

We finally joined the Durham Food Coop today. (If anyone ever asks me to vote, I will vote to change the name back to the Intergalactic Food Conspiracy.)
I found some locally-grown organic sweet potatoes, fair trade bananas (apparently bananas are one of the top 5 important things to get fair trade), favorite orange karat juice, and fig bars there. We sat in the cafe area and ate a burrito and the fig bars. The kids played in the toy area and looked at books. Oh, bread, we also found some 9th Street bread (which reminds me I need to locate the actual bakery and buy it there). A very nice volunteer showed me the place to order in bulk/wholesale. I enjoyed reading some local (and not-so-local) zines and flyers, too. Who needs blogs when you have zines? ;)

Oh, we also picked up one of the bento boxes (aka Laptop Lunches). You know I’ve been waiting for it. We also found some fun fabric later to make a bag for it. Healthier, less waste-producing lunches, yay!

Interesting link in one of the zines: http://www.100milediet.org/ (yet to be explored)

It’s Birthday Party Month in Durham

Reviewing my list, because it’s time to plan a party. It seems my idea and the birthday boy’s idea are at odds, but I defer.

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What kind of birthday party will your child love? In Durham, there are lots of choices! Here are some fun ideas for your birthday party.

At the Music Explorium, you can make instruments, play rhythm games, listen to stories, and a drum circle. There is even a giant puppet bunny for younger kids. Space provided for serving food, including a kitchen. Call (919) 484-9090 for more information.

The Durham Fire Department will do a demonstration at your child’s birthday party. Wouldn’t that be a hoot for the preschool set obsessed with fire trucks? Sparky the Dog can come as well. Call (919) 560-4242 for more information.

At the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science you can have a party in a room with dinosaur murals covering the walls, and a complete dinosaur theme including a dinosaur dig. Other themes include bugs, magic, and animals, and are appropriate for ages 3-12 years. Call (919) 220-5429 x315 for more information.

If you like music, bowling, and strobe lights along with your fun, try a Mardi Gras Bowling Alley birthday party. The DJ will play music just for the birthday party, and everything goes smoothly with their good planning. Pizza available. Call (919) 489-1230 for more information.

The Scrap Exchange hosts fun, creative birthday parties. The party leader will show kids how to make a couple different take-homes, and then kids are set free to explore several large bins of materials. A rocket? A faux fur purse? Space alien hat? You never know. Plenty of time left over for food, cake, and dancing. Goody bags include a trip through the materials room to create things at home. Call (919) 688-6960 for more information.

For another music and games birthday idea, there’s Chuck E. Cheese. Robot animals on stage, tons of video games, and dancing games. Includes cake, pizza, soda, goody bag, and tokens. Each game only costs one token, and games are easy to win, then you can spend the tickets you win on mementos of your party. Call (919) 493-6084 for more information.

Sports nut? Have a party at a Durham Bulls game and receive admission, hot dogs, ice cream, soda, and a baseball hat. There’s even an on-field parade for party guests! 12 and under only. Call (919) 956-BULL for more information.

Parties at Little Gym are lots of fun! Spend time playing on equipment, singing songs, and marching with friends in the gym. Afterwards, enjoy cake in the party room. Perfect for rambunctious preschoolers. Call (919) 286-1317 for more information.

Borrow a birthday party trunk from the Play House Toy Store to fit your theme: dress-up clothes, dolls, trains, or construction. Call (919) 286-1317 for information.

Wheels is a hidden gem in North Durham that has skating, climbing, go-karts, miniature golf, and skateboarding available. Wheels is great for a roller skating birthday party. Pizza and soda available. Call (919) 598-1944 for more information.

Seven Wonders of Durham

The News & Observer posted a story about the 7 Wonders of the Triangle. When they asked for reader submissions, you know I couldn’t resist doing it We Love Durham-style:

1. The Rocket Building (Giant Green Hot Dog?)
2. Duke Chapel
3. The Durham Freeway
4. Nasher Art Museum
5. Sarah P. Duke Gardens
6. Durham Bulls Ballpark (new? old? you decide)
7. Tobacco Warehouse District

Snowing?

We thought it was snowing in Durham today, but it was just frost dripping down from the trees. I know it is coming.