Hello from the RDU airport, where the neon signs are up for the anticipated Crawford Genuine and the now-open Black & White Coffee Roasters is a welcome change from the former Starbucks on the other side of security. ✈️
Speaking of journeys, it’s been six months since y’all joined me with Just Bring Yourself! We’ve collectively kicked the tires, and I appreciate y’all giving this – and me – a shot.
It’s time to unfold a new section of the roadmap, and reroute from where it’s not working.
Frequency: Even after the summer, I’ll keep the frequency to two main newsletters/month. This will give me more time to create the best possible editions.
Premium content: The first edition of the month (this one!) will include a two-month rolling planner (the To Do List) for paid subscribers only.
This is not an events roundup. It’s a curated list with researched tips, like how to access single-game Canes tickets 24 hours earlier than general sales, or when to book your fall mountain trip based on fall leaf color estimates. It’s worth paying for!
+ the kids: TBH, I spend a lot more time talking to people on a pool deck during swim team practice than shaking hands in business casual. I’m starting a sub-newsletter for parents like me who want to find more community + actionable news for people with littles. This will be monthly with more details to come.
Sign up by toggling on ‘+ the kids’ in your account settings. If you don’t, you won’t receive it!
Thanks for hanging out with me and sharing it with friends who will enjoy this newsletter.
Now arriving: The news. —Sarah Day
STORYLINES | How the future is developing now
Future of Red Hat Amphitheater
Red Hat Amphitheater, which the City of Raleigh owns and runs, is one of Raleigh’s most-loved venues. But it needs to move so the Raleigh Convention Center, also owned and operated by the city, can expand.
The conversation happening now:
Many in the Downtown Raleigh business community, as well as Raleigh Magazine, want to see the venue move a short distance to a proposed site nearby, south of Lenoir Street.
Central to pushback is the plan’s closure of South Street. Community advocate Carmen Cauthen outlined her concerns for longtime residents getting around, the history of the Black community — and the community engagement process.
Dix Park’s master plan includes an amphitheater, but Downtown Raleigh Alliance president Bill King says the economic impact would be far less. [Axios]
If Raleigh loses Red Hat Amphitheater, Live Nation bookers told the News & Observer that Raleigh could lose out on some acts altogether, skipping over Raleigh (and Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre).
What’s next: The city council must approve the move.
PNC Arena plans + MLB aspirations
The Carolina Hurricanes have a new CEO, Brian Fork, and president, Doug Warf, who will be significant players in the future of PNC Arena and its surrounding development. [Raleigh Magazine]
That includes an updated home for the Canes, and renderings of the PNC Arena upgrades show new curb appeal.
The first phase of development around the arena includes retail, restaurants, offices, hotel, apartments (with a small percentage reserved for affordable housing). [RalToday]
The new leaders, like Canes owner Tom Dundon, are in strong support of bringing a MLB team to Raleigh, relocated or new. [Axios]
THE NEWS DIGEST
If headlines were conversation pivots
Have you tried to go from Raleigh Iron Works to Dock 1053? It’s unsafe for pedestrians. So far there’s talk, but no solutions in the works. [N&O]
Speaking of people who feel on pause — families (and private school leaders) hoping for private school vouchers funded by the state are still waiting. [WUNC]
[bark bark bark]: Did you hear there’s a new dog park in Southeast Raleigh? It’s at Roberts Park.
Good bluegrass news! IBMA’s bluegrass festival may be in its last year in Raleigh, but PineCone announced a new bluegrass festival for Oct. 3-4, 2025: Raleigh Wide Open.
(For your former New Yorker friends): NY-style Union Station Deli & Catering is opening in the Downtown Raleigh train station this month.
A planner’s planner
To do list for August and September
A curated list to make the most of your time in Raleigh + Cary.
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