We Love Durham NC

Library Show Afternoon

We caught two free shows at the library yesterday afternoon. The first was a Science Magic show with Dr. Elwell and his assistant Mike. We saw a Cartesian diver, a “clock” reaction of iodine and starch, a “stoplight” reaction caused by shaking a liquid, DNA from a strawberry, blue and red dyes extracted from grape soda, and dyes that reacted to acids or bases. The kids were sufficiently convinced that magic was happening, but also want to try the experiments at home. If you click the links above, it will tell you how some of the “magic” happens.

(Ms. Elwell told us if we liked this, to check out the Destiny Bus from UNC that comes around once a month. Dates are not set for 2008-2009, but the next one is in August. I also recommend books by Janice VanCleave.)

After a short intermission to walk over to Harris Teeter with our friends to get a dragon cookie, check our blood pressure, and zoom around in the rocket cart (I also bought an onion to go with squash for dinner), we walked back to watch the next show from Bright Star Children’s Theatre based out of Asheville.

The company’s costumes were primarily handmade, and brilliant. When Sadie the caterpillar came onto stage, several toddlers screamed at the strange realistic creature. Other characters were a grumpy roach from the Bronx, a British ladybug, a peppy sunflower, and of course The Beautiful Thing that Caterpillars Become. The story was about overcoming bullies, feeling great about who you are, and not judging people by what they look like.

We biked home, happy with a fun afternoon. A block from home the Boy ran slam into the back of a parked pickup truck. No broken bones this time, and amazingly both the bike and truck were also unharmed. Bless his heart.

Squash and crockpot for dinner. Early bedtime. Great day had by all!

Char-Grill Durham

Is that a Char-Grill sign in the new Hope Valley Commons center?
Am I right that this is the first Char-Grill outside of Raleigh/Cary?

Pick Your Own Blueberries

This morning we went to Herndon Hills Farms on Barbee Road to pick blueberries. They don’t spray the blueberries, making it a safe kid-fun activity.

The blueberries were plentiful and ripe. I believe there are more than one variety of blueberry growing in the area. When we would go to Blueberry Hill past Hillsborough, the blueberry bushes were as tall as trees & even I had a hard time reaching the higher branches. The Herndon bushes are short–nicely accessible to the little ones.

Blueberries are $2.50/pound. I also bought a fat cucumber for $1, sliced into some vinegar for dinner. On the other half of the fields were Muscadine grapes that we’ll have to investigate in the fall. A sign indicated there were blackberries, but I didn’t see them.

There’s a tall electric fence (7000 volts!) to keep out deer. The farmer said it is turned off during picking. I was curious about bird control with all those juicy berries, and she said they’ve installed 2 speakers in the fields to broadcast sounds of hawks screeching followed by sounds of little birds crying out. It is working, she said, but the birds will learn it’s a trick and they’ll have to employ new strategies.

Their current schedule is Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 7am to noon, but it may change, so call first… 544-3313.

Free Chicken Sandwich

If you dress up like a cow and go to the Hillsborough Road Chik-Fil-A on July 11th, they will give you a free chicken sandwich.

C’mon, kids, let’s do a craft!

Pigging Out

Who thought a pig eating could be so cute?

Munch Cam at the North Carolina Museum of Life & Science

Fundraiser for Local Family

Visit the myspace page

“[There will be] a fundraiser on Sunday June 8th 2008 for Arden & Adam Mills and their baby. Arden is a teacher at Hope Valley Elementary and she tutors at the Hill Center in Durham. Her 10 month old baby, Jack, has severe brain damage as a result of a rare condition called Microcephly and the medical expenses have been extraordinary. Adam stays home with Jack because he requires full time care because he is blind, he suffers from seizures as well as other developmental issues.

The event is on Sunday June 8, 2008 from 12-6pm at the Friendly Civitan Club located at 2510 Glendale Avenue, Durham, NC 27704.

There will be live music - jazz and acoustic rock by David Attaway & Austin Hillhouse and folkmusic by Willie Painter & Scott Laird

BBQ plates provided by Billy & Kelli Cotter - Owners of “Toast” Restaurant … $10.00 a plate (with drinks).

Even if you can’t come but you want to help - You can buy raffle tickets– $5.00 each - You can buy them from me just let me know. Prizes include a 2 night stay at the North Raleigh Hilton, $75 gift certificate to Pop’s, $75.00 gift certificate to Rue Cler, Gift certificates for massages and facials and an I Pod Shuffle. We have more items being donated each day. You do not need to be at the event to win.

This will be very kid friendly with a little carnival set up to the side for the kids to enjoy with face painting, bean bag toss, big bouncy house, etc…..”

Contact emily.white@dpsnc.net for further info.

Chillin at Brightleaf

As Jessica commented the other day, Amelia’s at Brightleaf Square has added gelato to their dessert offerings. The chocolate hazelnut is perfect–thanks for the tip!

Mapleview Ice Cream in Durham

Broad Street Cafe has significantly expanded their menu. My eyes focused directly on the addition of Mapleview Ice Cream.

Taqueria la Vaquita

When we stopped at the Taqueria la Vaquita on Chapel Hill Street (yes, the one with the cow) for some fast food this weekend, the Girl broke the “don’t order chicken at the seafood restaurant” rule of restaurant dining by insisting on a hot dog. We discovered that the hot dog is not a kid menu item, being smothered with ketchup, mustard, onions, red (bell) peppers, and jalapenos. She opted for a PB&J at home. (It was really tasty, even if scorchingly spicy, and reminded me of old Wienerschnitzel days.)

The chicken zincronizadas with two dip sides… mole and green salsa I think… might be my new favorite.

Magic Mushroom

Josh Lozoff is providing tableside magic at the Mellow Mushroom at American Tobacco in Downtown Durham on Fridays from 7-9pm. We just missed it tonight, though I will say the Funky Chicken (the Durham location special combo–jerk chicken, sausage, and onions on a pesto base) has its own magic going on.

Signs report that the river running through ATC is filled with reclaimed water. We wondered what that meant.

Coffee Shop Reopens

I hear the old Sips coffee shop in Rockwood on University Drive has reopened with new owners. The Sips sign is still outside, but it has a new name, Morning Star Gourmet Coffee & Tea Co. Sounds like it’s still a kid-friendly spot, with juices, snacks, and storytime, in addition to coffee, bubble teas, etc. for the adults.

No Plastic Bags at Whole Foods

As Ginny pointed out, Whole Foods no longer offers plastic bags. The default is paper bags, but they really want you to bring your own bag, with an incentive of 10 cents per bag. That rebate could pay for a nice Chico bag (available locally at the Museum of Life & Science Butterfly House shop for $4.95) in short order.

Also… and we haven’t been to the Durham Whole Foods in a little bit, so this may not be a very recent development… the whole crowded bread, olive bar, beer, and wine area is gone in favor of an expanded hot and cold prepared foods slash salad bar setup. We were on a milk & bread run this evening, but I look forward to exploring that soon.

New at Locopops

The downtown Durham location of Locopops has reopened as of this week. There is only one size now, medium, and it is $2. I have a chocolate Earl Grey waiting for me in my freezer.

We visited Major the bull and saw some city workers setting up for Earth Day tomorrow.

Loud Feast

Flocks of cardinals–flocks, I tell you–have descended on our yard, gathering fallen seeds and juicy insects for their little ones. It’s a loud feast; last night the girl had to cover her ears to go to sleep.

Quick, Put out those Fajitas!

For dinner, El Rodeo was demanded. It was extra fun when a patron’s fajitas set off the fire alarm (no sprinklers, thank goodness) and the fire department showed up.