BEER. 'Nuff said.

There's a lot to like about Spring.  The flowers, the warmer temperatures, the beer.....

The beer?

In case you haven't noticed, North Carolina is now one of the top craft beer states in the nation - both in production and..mmmm...consumption.  If you want to get a glimpse of the scene, check out "North Carolina Craft Beer and Breweries" by Erik Lars Myers, who I got to interview when I guest co-hosted "My Carolina Today" this week on NBC-17.

http://www.amazon.com/North-Carolina-Craft-Beer-Breweries/dp/0895875713

There's a slew of beer festivals coming up, including a new one this weekend that Alli will be at.  Here's a list of a few that are worth checking out!

Peppers Chili Brewfest, Mar 31 at Koka Booth in Cary: http://www.chilibrew.com/

World Beer Fest, April 14th at Moore Square in Raleigh: http://allaboutbeer.com/gather-for-beer/world-beer-festival/raleigh-nc/

NC Beer and Band Fest, May 12th at Lincoln Theatre: http://lincolntheatre.com/schedule.htm

Here's to beer!!!

Foster
Radio 96.1

We're TV Stars! (And Excited About It, Too.)

Foster and I have had the privilege this week of being co-hosts with Valonda Calloway and Sharon Delaney on My Carolina Today on NBC-17.  Both of us are good at being radio hosts.  I can't speak for Foster, but I am certainly NOT good at being a TV host.

I've been on the show since Monday, and today's my last day.  Yesterday, I had no idea I was supposed to read the TelePrompTer.  Guess what?  I was.  Poor Valonda had to cue me in the middle of a segment, just like the amateur I am. 

It's hard work being on TV; it's hot, you have to wear lots of makeup, and my hair always looks terrible. Sharon and Valonda always look awesome and it's intimidating!   These ladies work hard to make My Carolina Today fun and interesting.  They write all their own copy, try to think of fun guests, and their producer, Kim, is always in their ear telling them to stop Chick Chatting and move on!  And, through it all, the entire staff couldn't have been more awesome, funny, and understanding that I have no idea what I'm doing.

I'll give you a little hint about my last show today:  I'm gonna eat Loco Pops and snuggle a puppy named Hailey.   Pretty much the best. Job. Ever.

Foster takes over from me tomorrow and Friday.  I hope he's better on the TelePrompTer than I am.  And, NBC 17?  If you ever need a co-host to be awkward, I'm your girl.

Alli


Check out NBC 17's My Carolina Today here.

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What were YOU doing in 1997?

A lot of people thought I was crazy in the summer of 1997.  That was the year I decided to leave a job in San Francisco for my first Program Director gig in Buffalo, New York.

My San Francisco friends sure couldn't understand why I would leave paradise for the frozen tundra, and frankly neither could Buffalonians who always asked me "Why would you move here?" when I told them where I was from.

But alas, as a guy in his mid-20s, 1997 was a fun time for me and a fun time for music.  Festivals like H.O.R.D.E. and Lollapalooza still traveled America, and radio was dominated by bands like Everclear, Sugar Ray, and Marcy Playground.

They say everything comes back around, so perhaps it was inevitable that the "Summerland Tour" with Everclear, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Lit, and Marcy Playground would come to fruition 15 years later - and it will make a stop at Raleigh Amphitheater.  While it's true that none of those bands will likely ever make it in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, their music does take me back to a happy time.  I imagine the night of July 14th when it stops here will be like that for many of you as well.

Foster
Radio 96.1

What is this...San Francisco??

My flight from New York to RDU on Monday was almost diverted to another airport because the fog was so thick.

The fog?

You don't exactly think of fog when you think of the Triangle, but it's been around a lot lately - and there it was again this morning, soupy as ever.

My wife says she heard the more fog there is, the less severe the thunderstorms are.  That's an especially good thing for me - our house was struck by lightning a few years ago, and I'd be okay if that never happened again.

So....sound the foghorn!!

Foster
Radio 96.1

Now I Know What I'm Getting My Dad For His Birthday

That was easy.  Well, DPAC made it easy for me.  I love a good musical, as I detailed a few weeks back with my Addams Family blog.  DPAC is bringing in Jersey Boys next fall, as part of their Broadway Series.  I'm pretty excited because now I won't have to get my dad anything but tickets to the show for his birthday.  Hooray!

If you don't know, Jersey Boys is a musical based on Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.  They're from, uh, New Jersey.  Get it, Jersey Boys?  Anyway, the musical contains all this awesome music and more that I grew up with.  Not only did my dad play these songs in the car when we went on trips, but what girl hasn't been out at a club on a Saturday night and sang along to "Oh What A Night" while clinking her glasses with another girl, dancing and singing along?  That alone brings back memories for me.  Oh What a Night, indeed.  Oy vey.

It's going to be a great time, though.  And you can win tickets to the show by liking us on Facebook and telling us about "Oh What A Night" you had--the greatest night of your life.  We're picking a winner a day to win a pair of tickets to opening night of Jersey Boys at DPAC this fall--and one grand prize winner's gonna get a season pass for the Broadway Series there, too.  Click here to like us on Facebook.  We can't wait to hear about your life's greatest night!


To see DPAC's full list of Broadway shows for the 2012-2013 season, click  here.

Alli


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Who Has It Better Than Us?

The kids were putting their shoes on this morning, when my wife yelled out, "DROP EVERYTHING! COME OUT HERE NOW!  HURRY!  COME, QUICK!"  We all started running towards the garage, mostly because we were terrified of what we might find.  To our surprise, we saw this:

As my 6-year old son told me to go drive towards the pot of gold, I was reminded that life is pretty darn good. We live in the best place in America, the Wolfpack AND the Tar Heels are in the Sweet 16, and a glorious rainbow welcomed the first day of Spring.

Who has it better than us?

Nobody.

Foster
Radio 96.1

I'm Tired Today, But It Was Worth It.

Before I moved to Raleigh, I worked with a guy who loved music.  When I told him I was moving here, this is what he had to say:

"Oh!  That's where the Cat's Cradle is! That place is legendary!"

Well, Chuck was close-- the Cat's Cradle isn't in Raleigh, it's in Carrboro--but it IS legendary.

I love going to places like the Cat's Cradle.  I love what I like to term, "down and dirty rock clubs."  I just feel so cool when I'm in there.  I have seen so many great bands there--all of them smaller acts on their way up, like Fitz and the Tantrums.  (YouTube them.) 

But the best thing that I like about a place like Cat's Cradle is that it's got a vibe you can't get at an arena or in a stadium.  Everyone is pressing to the stage, wanting to be closer to the magic of the music on stage.  It's hot, sweaty, there's dancing, people step on your feet.  You're in the moment, caught up in the vibe, you're having the time of your life.  And that's how I feel every time I go there. 

Last night, I went and saw a British band named Gomez at the CC.  (Again, YouTube them.  Indie fans, if you're not already aware, you will thank me.)  It was amazing, not just because there are three incredibly talented singers and five mind blowingly amazing musicians on stage, but because the vibe was there, again.  I was right up in the front, singing along, watching the crowd to the same.  Here are a few shots I took at the show:

These pics are of Ben Ottewell and Ian Ball, two of Gomez frontmen.  You know what I love?  At a big place, you can never get this close.  But at the Cat's Cradle, you can. And THAT is why I love a good, down and dirty rock club.



To see the Cat's Cradle's list of upcoming shows, click here.



Alli



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RIP RBC Center

I know it's a little melodramatic to recant memories of an arena when it's just a name change, but since the joint was called the RBC Center on June 19, 2006 and it's not called the RBC Center anymore, well....I'm flashing back for a moment.

The Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup run in 2006 was perhaps the greatest thing I've ever been a part of.  The heavily favored Canes lost the first two games of the opening series to the Montreal Canadiens.  Game 2 was a 6-5 double overtime nailbiter that most (me included) thought would be the nail in the coffin.  But it was Coach Peter Laviolette's decision to go with unproven 22-year old rookie backup goalie Cam Ward that propelled the Canes to four straight wins in the series.

With all that momentum, the Hurricanes completely dominated the New Jersey Devils, starting with a 6-0 shutout in Game 1 and never looking back.

And then....the Sabres.

Even Hollywood couldn't recreate the drama of that 7 game series, five games of which were decided by one goal.  There were the belligerent Buffalo fans, the nightly jokes making fun of Buffalo on the Jumbotron, the lawn parties in front of the arena, and yes, there was the Cane Vic.

To say it's my favorite radio promotion of all-time is a gross understatement - it was magic.  We found an old white Crown Victoria and spray painted it red ourselves in a Carolina Ale House parking lot.  We drove it all around the Triangle to have listeners sign it, and then we drove it to Buffalo for one of the road games where, believe it or not, it was not destroyed.

It was destroyed by our own fans outside the RBC Center, after the Stanley Cup win over Edmonton - the game during which every fan stood up for the entire game.  It seemed appropriate - better to have our fans do it than Buffalo fans.

To this day, it's by far the #1 thing people remember most fondly about 96rock- that we switched our name to 96.1 The Cup (complete with new logo, website, and banners) for the run and that darn car.

Here's hoping the PNC Arena brings its own special memories.

Foster
Radio 96.1

Who You Callin' Ugly?

This picture appeared today attached to an article in the News and Observer. 

It's credited to a man named Richard Usanis, so I'll give credit where credit is due.

The funky building pictured above is of the American Institute of Architects Center for Architecture and Design.  It's on Peace Street in Downtown Raleigh, and it was voted the ugliest building in town. 

I get where the voters are coming from.  But do I think it's ugly?  Nah. Do I think it totally doesn't fit in with the stately buildings of William Peace University across the street, or the genteel bungalows and Victorian homes of Oakwood that is only feet away?  Yes.

But I get where the AIA was coming from when they designed this modern beast.  It is a sharp, angular, fancy-pants building that shows they think forward.

The only problem?  It's in a neighborhood where everything is backward. And I mean that in the nicest possible way:  Oakwood and the surrounding area is my favorite place in town.

Alli


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Keep your politics out of the doctor's office!!!

I had to drop off my wife at the doctor's office today for a routine outpatient procedure and when I picked her up 90 minutes later, she had this to tell me:

"The doctor told me he watches PBS.  But he said he sure as heck isn't giving a penny to PBS because it's run by liberals".

Exsqueeze me?  I baking powder?  She said she didn't respond because he was the one holding a giant needle.

Trust me when I tell you I don't care which side of the political fence you're on.  Plus, especially in an election year, political discourse is bound to pop up anywhere, anytime.

But from the doctor??? Isn't there some sort of doctor-patient no spin-zone rule?  Well there should be.

I'm not going to tell you the name of the doctor - but I will tell you he practices in Cary and has a giant needle.


Foster
Radio 96.1

This Is What Joy Looks Like.

Is it old-hat for some teams to be invited to the NCAA Tournament every year?  Probably, who knows.  Carolina and Duke rarely miss out on the fun every March, but I hope they still get excited to go--even though it's usually expected that they will.

I can pretty much guarantee, though, that last night on Selection Sunday, no one at Duke or Carolina reacted quite the way the North Carolina State Wolfpack did when they heard their name called.









Joy.  Pure, unabashed joy of a team that hasn't been to the Tournament since 2006, a team that has worked hard, had a great season and almost squeaked out a victory against Carolina this past Saturday afternoon.  N.C. State didn't act here like it was old-hat for them to be picked to join the party; they were truly excited, happy, and glad to see their hard work pay off.

I get chills every time I watch this. To me, that is what college sports is all about.




Alli

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It's A Basketball Weekend: On The Court, And The Courtroom

I grew up in New Jersey.  And everyone knows most people in NJ are Duke fans.  This is not to say that I, in particular, am a Duke fan.  It's just to say that I grew up watching a lot of Duke basketball. 

I vividly remember watching the 1991 NCAA National Championship game with my dad.  After all, Bobby Hurley was from NJ, his dad coached at St. Anthony's (which had a killer nationally ranked team that had played my high school's team that year.)  Hurley was a standout from that game, as was Christian Laettner, who went on to be the only college player drafted to the 1992 Olympic "Dream Team" and had his number retired by Duke that same year.  My dad and I sort of bonded over that game, and ones before it.  I knew all the players, knew how the game worked.  We were a Blue Devil household that year, and it was really fun.

Here's a picture of me in '91--my apologies for my friend Traci's acid wash. 

Now, relax, Wolfpack and Tarheel fans.  The point of this blog is not to tell you that I have come out as a Blue Devil fan.  I love you all equally. (Truthfully, I won't take sides here because I don't want anyone to egg my car.  Also, because I no longer really understand basketball, but that's an entirely separate blog.)  It's to tell you how dismayed I was today to see this article on Deadspin.com:

Is There Anyone Who's NOT Suing Christian Laettner And Brian Davis?

Ruh Roh, folk hero.  

 It was interesting reading the things Deadspin and other media outlets have to say about Laettner and his former teammate and now partner, Brian Davis.  I guess I sort of caught up on what they've been up to.  What do you think of Laettner and Davis' troubles?  Love Duke or hate Dook, it's still sad to see a guy who was once their shining star having so many troubles.  The whole thing is just sort of sad to me.

This Sunday, a documentary will air regaling Duke's Back-to-Back NCAA championships in 1991 and 1992.  TruTV will air Duke 91 & 92: Back to Back at 8 pm.  That's channel 44 for you TWC subscribers.  Laettner and his teammates those years will be regaled.  (Both Laettner and former Blue Devil Grant Hill are producers. )  And they should be: those were legendary teams.  They even made me, a 17 year old girl, want to hang out with her dad for an entire month.

Happy March Madness, kids.

Alli

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Dragging My Feet All The Way To The Pump

Every single day, I'm glad that I got rid of my huge, gas-guzzling Buick before I moved to North Carolina.  That thing was draining my bank account and me and I got rid of it in favor of something that had a gas mileage over over 8 miles per gallon.  But now, with the gas spike, I'm dreading going to the pump again, wondering how much farther I can go on what little gas I have.  It's become a game for me.  I've found myself seeking out gas stations by checking on the internet first and figuring out the best priced one near me. 

I've been using various apps that help find the cheapest.  Now, I see that ABC 11 has gotten in on the act: 

You can link to their cheap gas page here.  It gives you a map of the Raleigh area and prices are updated hourly.



Or, if you're an on-the-go sort, you can grab apps for your phone, like Gas Buddy or Fuel Finder.   Either way, though, no matter how much you're going to spend--don't forget that it could be worse.  You could be driving my old Buick.

Alli


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How important is the ACC Tournament?

When I lived in Detroit, Tigers Opening Day was the holiday.  The office literally shut down and we all went downtown - not necessarily to go inside Comerica Park, but just to hang out in the bars around the stadium so we could be part of the vibe of the start of baseball season.

When I moved to Raleigh in 2003, I was told "ACC Friday" was the holiday.

The word was that people left the office that day, went to bars around the Triangle, watched the ACC Tournament, and took the rest of the day off.  

These days though, on the eve of the start of this year's tourney, I can't help but feel that it's just doesn't have the same meaning as it used to.  (I know, don't tell that to NC State - they could use the automatic bid).

Is it just me, or is the ACC Tournament still our "holiday"?

Foster

Radio 96.1

Pat, I'd Like To Buy A Vowel.

While perusing a local news website, I saw this:

That's right, people.  Wheel of Fortune is bringing its "Wheelmobile" to Raleigh and parking it in the middle of the St. Patrick's Day Parade next weekend.

I think I could kick some serious butt on Wheel, but I think I would probably get into trouble.  I mean, do they make you buy those vowels when you clearly do not need to?  Why would I want to spend my money on A,E,I,O,U, when I already know the answer?

Some other questions I have about the Wheel:


Why do we need Vanna when the letters just light up and don't need to be turned anymore?

 Is Pat's hair real?



So, it's my plan to try out for the show next Saturday.  If you're in Fayetteville, they'll be at Crown Coliseum the day before.  I probably won't get very far--but it won't be for lack of buying a vowel.

Alli

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Yes, Blockbuster still exists

Last night, my son and I popped into the Blockbuster Video store on Capital Blvd. in Raleigh to pick up "Raiders of the Lost Ark".  Admittedly, shopping at Blockbuster in the era of Netflix and Hulu kinda feels like stepping in a time machine these days - but I still miss Tower Records, so what can I tell ya.

Anyway, my 6-year old spotted a Mario and Sonic video game for the Wii and asked if we could rent it - and for 99 cents, I figured "what the heck".   What surprised me wasn't the cheap 99 cent/night price tag, but the notation at the bottom of my receipt: "Own this game for only $9.99 more."

I'm all about used video games.  If my kids (ok, or me) want something for the Wii, I'll wait 2 years and at least a half price discount to get it.  But this particular game (a Summer Olympic-themed game) was a good one and I'm pretty sure I saw it used for at least double the price at Game Stop.  It's selling new for $41.00 on Amazon.  So I'll go ahead and buy the game at Blockbuster - and maybe there's a market for them in the video game business if they are willing to undercut Game Stop.  The movie rental business is certainly a tough road.

Foster
Radio 96.1

But, What If It's Not The Same?

I stopped at McDonald's on the way to work yesterday morning.  While waiting to order my coffee, I saw this sign and got super excited:

The Shamrock Shake is here.  In Raleigh. 

This excites me to no end, not because I have a penchant for minty tasting milkshakes.  It means my childhood has made it to Raleigh.  I had no idea when I first moved here that the Shamrock Shake was a regional thing.  I just (naively) thought that every February through March, McDonald's sold some green thing that was supposed to taste like a mint milkshake.  But up until this year, the Shamrock Shake was an anomaly in the Triangle.  There are websites dedicated to places you can find the Shake, like this one.  Southerners who are aware of the Shake's reputation have been searching far and wide.  And now, it's here.  In the Triangle.  Well, at least at the McDonalds on Trawick at New Bern and at the one on Trawick at Capital.  That's where I've seen the sings.

I haven't tried it yet.  Because, what if it's not as good as it was when I was a kid?   Foster tells me to ask them to put half a chocolate shake in, half Shamrock Shake and do the chocolate mint route.  I have heard varying reports on the all-mint.  What say you?  Have you had one?  Is it worth my two bucks to try to see if childhood tastes the same?


Alli


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Need to get outside. NOW.

Alli and I are dyin' over here.  

The Spring Fever is electric, infectious, and is showing no signs of slowing down.  The good news: we get to come to work for a great radio station every day.  The bad news: probably like you, we're looking out the window at a sunny 80 degree day and pining for an adult beverage on a patio somewhere.

Which brings up the question: What's the best patio in the Triangle for a beer?

We're in Raleigh, and a few that come to mind include:

Mellow Mushroom
Napper Tandy's
Carolina Ale House

Across the Triangle, where do you go to get the cure for Spring Fever?

Foster
Radio 96.1