While enjoying our sunny July 4th, I was happy to see all the Stars and Stripes proudly flying from porches and overhangs on houses around town. It’s nice that even during this time of unrest and major discord, so many of you (us) are compelled to display our love and respect for our country.
But, in the midst of all these good feelings yesterday, one of my little annoying pet peeves was summoned up for its yearly showcase. It’s like my own personal groundhog.
Many of the folks around town hang their US flag not from a pole, but rather against a wall like in the picture of my house above. Now, those who hang it horizontally always seem to get it right: the union (the blue area with the stars) is positioned in the upper left corner from the perspective of the observer. But, for whatever reason, a large percentage of those who hang the flag vertically get it wrong. Flag etiquette dictates that when the flag is displayed against a wall or in a window, the union should always be positioned in the upper left corner from the observer’s point-of-view. This applies to both horizontal and vertical hanging. In the case of a window, the observer is someone viewing from the street, not inside the building or house.
I don’t know why this is a pet peeve of mine. Maybe it started back when I was attending Boys State in Virginia. My week there just so happened to coincide with the first ruling which legalized the burning of the American flag. The impact of this decision on all of the American Legionnaires running the camp was intense. Seeing the tears well in the eyes of all those older men who had served their country in the most selfless way left quite an impression on me.
Now, before everyone jumps into a debate here, I don’t equate improper display of the flag with burning it. I also am not giving my opinion on whether things like flag burning should be protected or prohibited by law or the Constitution. I just like the idea of flag etiquette and I use it to personally give my respect to a symbol of this great country and all those who serve it.
712 Tucker, the development slated for the block of downtown bound by St. Mary’s, Boylan, Tucker, and Johnson Streets is making a conversion to apartments. The decision is not really a surprise at all, as it was a possibility from very early on and Crosland is more frequently known for their apartment projects than their condo developments. Initially the project was rumored to potentially be half condo and half apartments, then it was publicized as all condo, but the sales team has recently released a letter to prospective buyers that it will become an apartment complex. The project will tentatively be called The Lofts at Glenwood South, a nice change of pace from street addresses, though not much more creative.
Representatives for the project say that the decision to convert has nothing to do with a lack of sales as the price point was a very desirable one for many younger buyers, but it is instead a response to market demands for more rentals in the downtown area. Speaking with other industry leaders proves that this is a widely held view, and that downtown Raleigh actually does not have enough rentals to meet market demand. The Lofts will very likely add a density of younger professionals who cannot yet afford to buy but want to be a part of downtown; this should in turn add more life to the Glenwood South area on non-weekend days.
For those concerned that the project will be Oberlin Court part deux, rest assured it will be the same physical structure, the same finishes, the same amenities, and very likely the same floor plans originally planned for 712 Tucker. Currently there are 179 units planned and there is no word yet on what rental rates will be, though I imagine they will be similar to Oberlin Court. All in all, I think it’s a fantastic move by Crosland and they deserve kudos for responding to the needs of the market.
The “Redbird” sculpture recently installed in Fred Fletcher Park in Raleigh is scheduled for dedication by Mayor Charles Meeker this Sunday, June 10th, at 5pm. The sculpture sits on the grassy knoll by the park’s basketball and tennis courts on the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Washington Street.
The festivities will begin at 4:30pm and will include live music by the Arts Together Pre-school Children’s Chorus, kite flying (first 150 kids get a free redbird kite), and refreshments. After the dedication, there will apparently be a “Redbird” procession which will end at a concert stage on which the Raleigh Concert Band will perform.
“Redbird” was created by Asheville artist Harry McDaniel. While in the picture above it looks like a grouping of giant abstract flowers, viewed from the right angle the red shapes form a bird, the cardinal being our state bird. The funds for this sculpture came from the money generated by the Red Wolf Ramble project, which is certainly good to hear.
Satellite images of Wake County just received an update in the Google Earth application. Based on the state of the construction of the Alexan in North Hills and the state of Fayetteville Street, I’m placing the images in either January or February of 2005. So, not wildly current, but still nice to not have to see the icky roof of the old North Hills Mall roof.
Doesn’t look like the update has made it to the web-based Google Maps, but I’m sure that’ll follow soon. For those who have Google Earth installed, I’ve included the KMZ file below for the view of North Hills. For those who don’t have Google Earth installed, you should give it a try. It’s really quite amazing. I especially encourage the parents out there to do so. My nieces and nephews love me to take them on a “tour” of parts of the world. With the way it flies from place to place, it is a powerful tool for learning all about our world.
And hey, if you need a vacation but can’t get away, just take the occasional Google Earth cyber trip!
Long-time readers may recall that I have a serious shoe addiction that keeps between 20 and 30 pairs of shoes in active rotation. I know some of you ladies out there scoff at such measly numbers, but I don’t personally know another guy with that many shoes. Plus, I have a thing for funky shoes that are quite a ways outside the standard one pair of brown casual shoes, one pair of black dress shoes, one pair of brown dress shoes, and several pairs of athletic shoes in varying states of wear.
This is exactly why Fluevog is my absolute favorite brand of shoe which in turn explains why Firefly is my absolute favorite shoe store ever… Well, that and its awesome owner, Ashley, who I’ll say again is one of the best local proprietors I know.
A couple of weeks ago, Ashley put out a call to local Fluevog owners to seek out “vintage” Fluevogs to display at a month-long exhibit in the store. I, of course, couldn’t resist contacting her about it. But, rather than displaying my oldest pair, we agreed it might be funnier if we displayed all of them… all 11 pairs of Fluevogs I own, all of which remain in active duty.
So, I loaded up a large suitcase this morning and dropped them by the store. I kinda felt like a parent leaving his children at school for the first time… is that weird?
Anyway, if you want to check out my collection and laugh at my expense (don’t worry, I laugh too), or if you would like to see some really, really cool vintage Fluevogs on loan from cool people around the Triangle, be sure to stop by the store between today and the 30th. The opening reception is tonight from 6pm-10pm and all new Fluevogs will be discounted 20% to celebrate the occasion! (Wonder if I’ll buy any… hrmmmm…) If you can’t make it tonight, the sale will continue all weekend.
Perhaps I’ll see you there? I’ll be the guy not wearing Fluevogs.
While enjoying our sunny July 4th, I was happy to see all the Stars and Stripes proudly flying from porches and overhangs on houses around town. It’s nice that even during this time of unrest and major discord, so many of you (us) are compelled to display our love and respect for our country.
But, for whatever reason, a large percentage of those who hang the flag vertically get it wrong. Flag etiquette dictates that when the flag is displayed against a wall or in a window, the union should always be positioned in the upper left corner from the observer’s point-of-view. This applies to both horizontal and vertical hanging. In the case of a window, the observer is someone viewing from the street, not inside the building or house. ![712Tucker[2]](http://www.raleighing.info/WindowsLiveWriter/712Tucker%5B2%5D.jpg)
712 Tucker
Doesn’t look like the update has made it to the web-based 
