By Jim Malone, VOA, Reprinted By The Raleigh Telegram WASHINGTON DC – The recent history of second term U.S. presidents indicates trouble will come at some point. You just don’t expect it to come three at a time with roots both foreign and domestic. But for the moment that is…
By D.G. Martin, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – Here are some important new books you will not learn about on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Bookwatch. Before I explain, let me tell you a little bit about the books. Popular novelist Clyde Edgerton’s “Papadaddy’s Book for New Fathers: Advice to Dads of…
By Gordon and Marcia Mercer, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – “We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty.” — Quote attributed to…
By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – Deep South Entertainment recently announced the lineup for a series of free concerts this summer. Organizers say that the Oak City 7 concert series will once again appear downtown after a successful run last year. For all shows, there is absolutely free admission to…
By D.G. Martin, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – What about North Carolina’s “iron lady”? The recent death of Margaret Thatcher, the steely, hard-working, and effective British prime minister, led to much discussion of her career, and we heard different opinions about her impact on the opening of opportunities for women…
By Gordon Mercer and Marcia Gaines Mercer, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – “Few Prime Ministers have been called upon to change so much. Few have been loathed as much for trying. Few have shown such courage.” — Michael Portillo, “The Guardian” Margaret Roberts Thatcher’s recent death has caused writers to…
By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – With the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on Sunday and with actual artifacts from the famous luxury liner on display in Raleigh this month, a local Irish pub has decided to remember the HMS Titanic with a full course meal featuring items…
By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – A new poll released today regarding the Dorothea Dix facility in downtown Raleigh says that by a two to one margin, Wake County voters favor keeping a deal in place that would create a “central” park on the 306 acre property. The Dorothea Dix…
By Captain Reg Fidoe, Special To The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – Have you ever done a “yacht delivery?” The term “yacht delivery” is used to describe the job of ferrying a boat from one location to another. It can be a good job. After all, if you are doing a…
By Gordon Mercer and Marcia Gaines Mercer, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – “A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.” Thomas Jefferson, U. S. President, 1801- 1809 As the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention recessed…
By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – The City of Raleigh has announced an illustrious group of musicians that will play this upcoming summer season in the outdoor downtown amphitheater that is next to the Raleigh Convention Center. Last year’s lineup included big names like the Beach Boys and this year…
By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – In what must have been an unusual sight to anyone who wasn’t sure what was going on, over 1,550 people recently ran down the streets of downtown Raleigh wearing traditional Irish and Scottish kilts. The March 2nd event was part of an attempt organized…
By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – The City of Raleigh’s largest parade all year long will be held this coming Saturday, March 16th at 12pm noon in downtown Raleigh. The Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day event is the largest celebration of its kind between Washington DC and Savannah, Georgia with…
By Gordon Mercer and Marcia Gaines Mercer, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – “Change is not merely necessary to life-it is life.” Alvin Toffler, Futurist As humans we are naturally curious. People who make predictions for the future enhance television talk show ratings and sell magazines and newspapers. The future is…
By D.G. Martin, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – Are you tired of the partisan divisiveness that is poisoning the political environment of our state and nation? Do you wish that the politicians from the two parties would work together more often on issues of common concern? Me too. Maybe we…
By D.G. Martin, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – North Carolina native Sheri Castle’s new book is a great guide to finding the best seasonal foods in our region. Castle is a popular food writer and cooking teacher who celebrates delicious and healthy home cooked meals made possible by fresh, local,…
By The Raleigh Telegram DURHAM – The highly successful Durham Performing Arts Center recently announced its lineup of Broadway and other shows for next year’s season. The DPAC is operated by the Nederlander group, which is responsible for booking shows and running the theater. The performing arts center has gained…
By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – A rock and roll legend will be stopping in Raleigh this spring. Known for such songs as “Turn the Page,” and “Rock and Roll Never Forgets,” Bob Seger is currently on tour and will be in the Triangle in April. Bob Seger & The…
By Gordon Mercer and Marcia Gaines Mercer, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – Daylight Saving Time: “It impacts diverse and unexpected areas, including agricultural practices, street crime, the reporting of sports scores, energy conservation, television schedules, traffic accidents, voter turnout, and even the inheritance rights of twins.” David Prerau We were…
By D.G. Martin, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” So said Mark Twain after hearing that his obituary had been published in the New York Journal. And many of the more than 1,000 people who attended the Emerging Issues Forum this year are…
By Captain Reg Fidoe, Special To The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – Did you ever wonder how mariners know where the International Navigation Rules apply? Is it once you are in international waters? Is it when you reach the three-mile limit? Or is it simply when you are operating in the…
By Gordon Mercer and Marcia Gaines Mercer, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – “Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.” C. S. Lewis, 1898-1963 C. S. Lewis, author of the much loved children’s classic series “The Chronicles of Narnia,” taught English literature…
By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – According to the Carolina Hurricanes, former National Hockey League player and Raleigh business owner Bates Battaglia will star on the upcoming season of the TV show “The Amazing Race” on CBS. Battaglia is a well known former hockey player who played from 1998 to…
By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, you don’t have to drive very far or spend a lot of money to have a great time. There are plenty of high-end romantic hotels in the Triangle that fit the bill, even if you don’t stay…
Submitted, Reprinted By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – When local artist and World Traveler Georges Le Chevallier was named as one of only four recipients nationwide to a Travelocity Travel for Good Grant to journey to Tanzania to volunteer on education, health, and social services initiatives in the community, he never imagined how much…
By Zack Hill, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – Consumers across the country are voicing concern at the growing practice of retail stores where they scan driver’s licenses for routine purchases and exchanges. A Target customer at one of the new stores in Cary near Cary Parkway told The Raleigh Telegram…
By Gordon And Marcia Mercer, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – “If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.” Will Rogers, Cherokee, Cowboy and American Humorist, 1879-1935. The great westward migration, the building of the railroad and a thriving nation’s demand for beef spawned…
By Captain Reg Fidoe, Special To The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – Wouldn’t it be nice if there was perfect harmony among boaters on the water? After all, for many of us, our boats are a refuge from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. At a minimum, boating should…
By D.G. Martin, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – What should a public figure do when caught in a mistake or telling a lie? Any experienced political advisor will urge, “Stop lying, tell the truth, and get the whole story out in one fell swoop.” Further lying or delay in telling…
By Steve Gusdorf, The Raleigh Telegram GREENSBORO – Justin Bieber brought his “Believe Tour” to a sold-out Greensboro, North Carolina crowd on Saturday night January 19th. Backed by more production than seen in his previous Greensboro appearance as well as lots of dancers, DJ’s and pyrotechnics, Bieber performed material from…
By Lois Alley, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – Some members of the Republican-controlled NC General Assembly are proposing a new tax on services in the state that would add as much as eight percent to fees charged by barbers, lawyers, auto mechanics, window washers, landscapers, healthcare providers, and most other…
By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – Local NC State University student and Garner native Scotty McCreery has announced some initial date for his new headline tour. The “American Idol” country star released the information via his Facebook page and said that more dates will be announced. McCreery has been immensely…
By D.G. Martin, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – What was the best Christmas present? For me, it would be something a family member made, like the pictures and the book my granddaughters made and gave to me last month. Or, maybe it would be the certificate for “free violin lessons”…
By NCDCR, Reprinted By The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH — After two years of investigation of what was a planned rental property, the oldest dated house in North Carolina has been identified in Edenton. Preservationists with the N.C. Historic Preservation Office, architectural historians with the Architectural Research Department at Colonial Williamsburg…
By Dorothy Lewis, The Raleigh Telegram DURHAM – A scientific phenomenon is storming through the Triangle this week, electrifying the Durham Performing Arts Center, and leaving a path of intrigue in its wake. Former American Idol contestant, Constantine Maroulis has shockingly transformed his own identity into a man possessed of…
By The Raleigh Telegram CARY – Local filmmaker and adventurer Allan Smith survived a terrifying but unique experience this past summer as he filmed an expedition trying to make a record climb to the top of Mt. Everest. By the end of the summer, 10 people had died on the…
By Gordon and Marcia Mercer, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – “The more you praise and celebrate….the more there is to celebrate.” — Oprah Winfrey Christmas has come and gone in the Raleigh area. New Year’s Day has come and gone. Even the fiscal cliff has come and gone, for the…
By D.G. Martin, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – They “disfranchised us, and now we intend to disfranchise them.” It sounds like what North Carolina Republicans might have said behind closed doors while they were gerrymandering legislative and congressional districts to assure their party’s continuing dominance. However, the words came from…
By D.G. Martin, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH – How are the North Carolina Democratic Party and the National Republican Party alike? That is easy. Both lost elections this fall and do not know what to do about it. It is particularly humiliating for North Carolina Democrats. They have to face…
By Captain Reg Fidoe, Special To The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH - Have you ever said “Boy, am I pooped?” If you have, was it due to a heavy sea breaking over your stern? Probably not! Although, you could become tired if such an event repeated itself over and over again. But…
