It’s no shimmer wall, but it’ll do

I had Raleigh’s new shimmer wall on the brain when I walked past the Durham Performing Arts Center last week. The shimmer wall adorns the side of Raleigh’s new convention center, providing an artistic splash on the wall that covers the center’s air conditioning system. So, when I passed Durham’s new arts center last week, I was initially disappointed to see that the side of the center facing the American Tobacco complex was concrete and vacant.

I was prepared to suggest that the city (which funding the $44 million arts center) sponsor a mural contest, encouraging local artists to submit their designs, with the winning one being selected to cover the blah wall. But I contacted city spokeswoman Amy Blalock first to make sure the city wasn’t ahead of me, and it looks like the city already has a plan to hide the concrete. Here’s her e-mail response:

According to Alan (DeLisle, assistant city manager with the Office of Economic & Workforce Development) the South and West sides of the deck will be covered with long banners from the Broadway plays until the development occurs around the deck.  Eventually, the deck will be wrapped with development and you won’t be able to see the concrete.  In the meantime, the banners will cover the concrete.

I’m also excited about the Broadway shows that will be appearing at the Durham Performing Arts Center during it’s debut season. Among them are Rent, The Color Purple and Legally Blonde. The city’s huge downtown investment in this project is about to take off.

And while there are some naysayers who didn’t support the city’s decision to invest so many tax dollars into this project, now that the center is nearly complete, it would be lovely if Triangle folks would come together and support yet another Durham leap into the arts.

A 700-pound crab is sitting on Crabtree Valley Mall

His name is “Jake” and he took up residence on top of the the McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant at Crabtree Valley Mall around 3:30 p.m. today. Jake the Crab is named after one of Bill McCormick’s original seafood restaurants, which had the name Jake in it.

This inflatable crab weighs in at 700 pounds and stands about 17-feet tall, according to a news release from the restaurant. For more on this huge crab, check out Sue Stock’s story in The News & Observer.

So is this a good promotional gimmick to let people know this restaurant is coming to town? Or is it a little too tacky?

Loving this cat could lead to a vampire clown attack

As seen in the window of a bookshop on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.

I forgot to write down the name of the store, so if you know where this is, please post it in the comments below. I think all businesses should be required to have a cat. How awesome would that be (unless you’re allergic or hate them, of course)?!

If Dwight Schrute were in charge of a Christian coffee shop…

These would be the rules.

This poster was hanging at the open mic event Friday held at a church that meets above Adam Cave Fine Art on Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh. The poster is referencing Dwight from the Office, who is big on rules. I had to give props to the clever person who posted this sign. I wish I had taken better notes on what church is located on the third floor of the building and what their mission is. If anyone is aware, please fill me in. It’s an awesome venue, and an interesting pick for a church.

The only other interesting sign I spied during this month’s First Friday festivities was at Father & Son Antiques. The steamy weather kept the retro shop from staying open for the evening’s wandering art seekers. In case you didn’t know, there are artist galleries/studios on the third floor of this shop that seem to always be open whenever the store is open. If you haven’t made it that high up in the business, I’d suggest taking a peak.

Guess who’s not having any fun …

The adult who visits this park:

I saw this sign at a Wake County park in Morrisville yesterday. I know alcohol isn’t typically allowed at public parks. And it makes sense that they wouldn’t want to pick up a bunch of golf balls off the soccer fields or worry about a wayward shot hitting someone for insurance reasons. But no pets?

Neighborhood kid tackles world problems with paper and markers

I took a Sunday drive and came across this sign on a pole on Kittrell Drive in Raleigh. I was encouraged to see this homemade sign on a telephone pole.

In case you can’t tell, the kid who made this is apparently also concerned about the growing obesity epidemic.