Strawberries, soon!
Author: Valerie
It is almost April, which reminds me of strawberry picking season!
Barbecue Sauce
Author: Valerie
My husband is an out-of-stater and thinks BBQ is anything you put on a grill, but I’m from NC so I know better. If he’s cooking, though, I’m not complaining. A while back I won a bottle of Jim’s Own Homestyle BBQ Sauce, made right here in Durham, and last night the hubby basted it on our, um, grilled food. It’s good… more tangy than the grocery standards, but also sweet. I see there’s a HOT version, too!
Durham One Call
Author: Valerie
The person at the other end of the line at Durham One Call is the most helpful person in town. I wonder what kind of training their people receive, because they really do seem to know it all. Squirrels ate a hole in your trash can and you need a new one? Waiting for your lead test results? Can’t find your tax bill? Dead deer on your lawn? Throw anything their way, and you will receive a tracking number (that you can track online) and the problem is resolved through the magical inner workings of the city. One number, with no digging through a phone book trying to decide if your problem indicates a call to Animal Control, Sanitation, or the Police. Oh, the number: 560-1200.
The Bus
Author: Valerie
The first full summer I was (back) in Durham, with too many kids in my care to fit in a car, I thought we would take the bus up to a pool. Easier said than done…a DATA bus does not go by our neighborhood. This GoTriangle trip planner tool makes it a little easier. Getting anywhere via bus would still fall under “adventure” and not “convenience” but at least I see how it could be done with minimal walking.
Piano Lessons
Author: Valerie
We finally found a piano teacher (apparently it’s hard to start mid-year) at Joyful Noise in Durham (in the Toys ‘r’ Us plaza) in the South Square area. The boy is quite taken with his teacher, and overall the experience has been very positive. Joyful Noise will be expanding soon, and offering more mommy & me classes, more waiting room space, and more practice rooms.
Kid Rockers in Durham
Author: Valerie
Rumblebuss comes from outer space but they “stay in Durham.” A baron, fairy wings, bear bottoms, and real rock music (supposedly for kids, but I caught a groove). The Broad Street Cafe was packed with their pint size groupies last night. (Broad Street holds kid events every Sunday at 4pm, ending in time for bed on a school night. Sometimes music, sometimes crafts; pizza, drinks, pastries, empanadas; comfy couches.)
Harris Teeter Express Lane
Author: Valerie
Since my first child was born I have yearned for everything to be drive-through friendly. Sometimes (okay, always) dragging a napping baby and tired young’un out in the cold wears on the nerves. When the recommendation for Harris Teeter’s Express Lane program flew around the Durham Mothers Club newsgroup, I weighed the service cost of $4.95 (waived the first time) with the time I would save, and the amount of junk I would avoid purchasing on impulse. Sold! A few clicks later, my order was set up for pick-up that afternoon. I am pretty picky about my produce and ingredients, but the woman filling my order did an excellent job. Instead of dragging my sweetly destructive toddler through the store, we sat in the pickup lane and sang songs while the groceries were loaded.
Now if some of our other local favorites would do the same (food co-op? video store? book store?), I bet a bunch of mamas would be very happy.
Radio Online
Author: Valerie
Three major radio stations broadcast out of Durham, and you can listen online!
WNCU 90.7fm LISTEN
WUNC 91.5fm LISTEN
WXDU 88.7fm LISTEN
More Durham News & Media with online links.
Ninth Street Bakery
Author: Valerie
Also found the Ninth Street Bakery bakehouse and cafe today. It’s downtown on Main Street. There’s a big sign; you can’t miss it (even though I managed to for 20 years). There’s still a lot of streetscaping going on down there. Downtown Durham promises to be a destination soon. Wednesday is $1 loaf day. Also available: cookies, muffins, yogurt, soda bottles (Stewart’s, etc.), coffee.
Locopops, Again
Author: Valerie
I must update to say Locopops is open year-round (except for a 3-week break). I wish I had known this when we were Jonesing for a ‘pop back in November! Today: Chocolate Ginger, Strawberries & Cream, and Cookies & Cream. Also on the menu: Mojito, Mexican Chocolate, Plum, Grapefruit Basil, Troup 55 Thin Mint Cream, more! Open daily noon-6pm (until summer hours start).
Durham Dilemma
Author: Valerie
Coming back from Duke Gardens yesterday (coming into shape nicely for upcoming Easter visitors), the kids asked for Cook-Out shakes. On the way, though, we passed Locopops, which is OPEN! Decisions, decisions, but Cook-Out it was. We have to go back to Durham Tire pretty soon for CV joints, and Locopops is right next door.
Durham CodeRed System
Author: Valerie
If you enter your info in the Durham CodeRed System, you will receive emergency phone calls affecting your address, including water contamination and missing children.
Durham Pediatrics
Author: Valerie
We really love the folks at Durham Pediatrics. It would be nice to just stop by sometime and say hi to the friendly receptionist and nurse and favorite docs, and not have to go there in feverish, whiny muscle achiness EVERY OTHER WEEK. Whadda virus season this has been. The only part of Durham we’ve been exploring this week is our living room. But, the weather seems to be shaping up nicely for some park exploration very soon.
Durham Roller Rink
Author: Valerie
Wheels Family Fun Roller Rink opens at 10am on Saturdays. Not as many people that time of day, so it’s a perfect time to work on new moves. They do indeed have skates in toddler sizes, so all of us got on the floor. Two hours flew by in a jiffy! Several tables were already set up with plates and balloons, in preparation for the afternoon birthday parties.
Foster’s Market
Author: Valerie
The cookie collection today at Foster’s Market included ginger snap, chocolate chip with nuts and without, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, and the famous whopper cookie. There are also many imported chocolate bunnies and chocolates imprinted with shamrocks. I did not know that St. Patrick’s Day was a big chocolate holiday, but I’m game!