by Todd Cohen photograph by Robert Willett “Doing the right thing isn’t always safe,” says Joe Schmidt, 43, founder of Audacity Factory, a Raleigh nonprofit that applies business-world techniques to “world-changing” ideas in order to address underserved areas of humanitarian need. Launched…
by Tony Avent illustration by Ippy Patterson At some time in most gardeners’ lives, they become enchanted with violets. Some with well-behaving violets, and others with the less-stellar members of the clan. I, for one, have always had a tenuous…
text and photo by Scott Huler Do you ever get the desire, now and again, to sneak off, to slip away somewhere clandestine? Don’t you want to go down a back alley? An alley: an atmospheric cave of brick and…
by Jessie Ammons At this point in August, the pool is old news. Why not enjoy the last days of summer alfresco at the North Carolina Museum of Art instead? The Museum Park has a handful of must-see new outdoor works…
photograph by Tim Lytvinenko “I couldn’t really live without music. You just make time for it.” – Wade Smith, criminal defense lawyer Wade Smith knew he loved music when he co-founded Raleigh’s oldest string band 50-odd years ago, but he never…
by Jodi Barnes I want to write a love poem but we have Wallace Stevens’ Final Soliloquy. If I had a more fitting way to say I love you how would that change the shawl we’ve made, our lucky…
by Todd Cohen photographs by Juli Leonard For people with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities, the simple tasks that are second nature to most can be a struggle. At a special program in Raleigh, horses help people with disabilities to develop balance,…
by Settle Monroe Her smile grows slowly, almost creeping its way to fullness as she remembers her life many years ago. She leans across the table, as if to let me in on a secret, recounting the days of juggling…
by Andrew Kenney photographs by Nick Pironio There’s one photo that tells you everything that’s important to Chesson and Amanda Hadley. At its center is a baby, fair-haired little Hughes. He’s sitting contentedly in a huge crystal trophy, white baby shoes kicking…
by Todd Cohen photographs by Juli Leonard Larkin Andreaus is that rare 15-year-old who knows who he is, where he comes from, and where he’s headed. And he has made it his mission to bridge those divides between past, present…
by Anna Long Time to get your green on: St. Patrick’s Day is here. The annual celebration that began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international excuse for overindulgence. Celebrations across the globe…
by Liza Roberts photographs by Nick Pironio “I like to work in small spaces,” says the artist James Marshall, as he shows a visitor into his North Raleigh garage. At first it’s not clear where that space is, because a shining…
by Mary E. Miller Maybe it wasn’t the starring role, but she did have 27 lines. She’d won the comic relief. And in middle school – as for the rest of life that comes after, that’s something worth owning, I…
by CC Parker photograph by Robert Willett I admit it: I chuckle at Segway tours. Lined up like ducks. Helmeted. All leaning forward, slightly bow-legged, intent on their mission… and what is that mission? And yet, there I was, on…