by Charles Upchurch photographs by Jillian Clark Ostreophiles might say our primordial beginnings explain the bond between man and mollusk. Somehow, we made it out of the mud. After more than 500 million years, they’re still in it, anchored one to the…
“This is a great place for them to come play. We built this for all children.” –Dionne Lester, volunteer leader of the Sassafras All Children’s Playground renovation at Laurel Hills Park by Jessie Ammons photograph by Ray Black III “It didn’t start…
by Jessie Ammons Tucked behind WakeMed hospital at the end of an unassuming side street stands a stately stone house, a gracious counterpoint to the health care center’s sprawling clinical grounds. “It’s always had a great spirit,” says Diane Smith, whose…
“More than anything, we’re here for the beignets.” –Arlton Cangelosi, Mr. A’s Beignets food truck owner by Mimi Montgomery photograph by Ray Black III If your February plans don’t include a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, you can laissez les…
by Mimi Montgomery Anti-establishment romantics, rejoice! Here’s a Valentine’s Day event just for you – one decidedly more interesting than Hallmark cards and drugstore chocolates. The Love Hangover is a day-after event celebrating love in all its many forms. The heartbroken,…
by Mimi Montgomery Photograph by Jillian Clark You may know her as Kristen Stoneman, but when she steps in front of the turntables, she’s DJ K Stones. The Raleighite and East Carolina University alum has been DJ’ing for 10 years (seven of…
photographs by Christer Berg As Raleigh grows, its downtown cityscape changes daily. Photographer Christer Berg dusted off his 30-year-old Nikon F3 film camera and his medium-format Hasselblad camera to capture our current moment in time and the people making it happen….
by Henry Gargan photographs by Christopher T. Martin At Saint Agnes Hospital on Oakwood Avenue in Raleigh on Nov. 6, 1958, a boy named Everett Ward was born. Nearly 60 years later, he has a rare opportunity: to keep the very place…
by Mimi Montgomery More than 20,000 children in Wake County are affected by or are suffering from trauma, are underserved, and are in need, Shepherd Youth Ranch statistics show. The nonprofit’s mission is to help. The faith-based organization partners children and…
by Burke Koonce photographs by Missy McLamb In September 1976, on the Aldert Root Elementary School playground, there were really only three legitimate male “role models” for first grade boys. Hawkeye Whitney, the star forward on the N.C. State basketball team, was…
by Mimi Montgomery Life often imitates art, but in the case of Lauren Van Hemert’s accessories company Bella Bolsa, it’s the other way around. The Raleighite makes and sells custom handbags with printed fabrics she designs herself, incorporating found objects like…
by D.G. Martin Just where did I learn that local restaurants are where you find real friends and lifelong memories? Maybe it was my North Mecklenburg High School football teammate Tommy Oehler who got me started when he introduced me to…
by Settle Monroe photograph by Christer Berg Connection and community are at the heart of Chris Budnick’s work. Like many of the men and women who come to his organization for help overcoming homelessness and addiction, the executive director of Healing Transitions…
by Liza Roberts photographs by Christopher T. Martin Once upon a time, if you were a college student, you most likely shared a cramped dorm room with a roommate or two, walked down the hall to the bathroom, drank stale coffee in…