Category: Duly Noted

Timely and notable.

Duly Noted

WRAL: Briggs Hardware returns to downtown Raleigh ↬

I don’t love everything about the DTR renaissance (and the associated somewhat misappropriated faux-activism that goes along with it), but I do love that there are efforts underway to blend old and new.

Her competitive advantage boils down to three unique elements: an in-store handyman, $5 delivery by scooter and listening to what her customers want to see in stock.

“People need to have a key cut, buy nuts and bolts, to fix a leak in a pipe over at the restaurant down the street,” Murray said. She talks to customers and downtown businesses, genuinely interested in what they need to buy in an approach that feels much more like helping people than a business venture.

Great story, I hope it works.

O&F
Duly Noted

Water From This, Water From That

Hot on the heels of that asparagus water brouhaha, the man behind Bulletproof coffee gives us FATwater. Food Republic gives us the rundown:

For almost $4, a bottle of FATwater contains water, two grams of fat and the sweetener xylitol, according to Time. Flavors include berry, lemon, orange and, well, just plain water. The product also comes in water form or as a concentrated gel that you mix into water. You know, for all you DIYers out there.

Food Republic also previously provided a nice rundown of WTRMLN WTR cold-pressed watermelon, which at first sounded like something I would hate myself for loving.

Duly Noted

Raleigh to Host The American Roots Music and Arts Festival

Raleigh’s Walnut Creek Amphitheatre will host the American Roots Music and Arts Festival October 17th and 18th:

“Raleigh has an energy that celebrates the best in music, food and arts, making it the perfect place to launch the American Roots Music & Arts Festival. This incredible line-up headlined by North Carolina’s own Eric Church along with The Taste of Raleigh Food & Brews Celebration will give music fans and the Raleigh community an unforgettable experience,”says Keith Wortman, CEO of Blackbird Production Partners, LLC.

Other notable acts include: Modest Mouse, Sheryl Crow, The Roots (!!!), Willie Nelson (!!!), Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Grace Potter, and more. Tickets go on sale Monday, August 10th.

Duly Noted

A Force Awakens

I’m not the biggest Star Wars fan in the galaxy; in fact, my fandom really only picked up steam with the pre-release hype of the prequels 15 years ago when I was in high school. Paltry as they were, those prequels were enough to spur and maintain more than a passing interest in the franchise and I count myself among the troves of nerds around the world who are excited to see the Force finally awaken.

Thankfully, the age of the modern Internet has given us sites like The Verge to analyze and rehash every possible detail of every nugget of bone that the new stewards of the franchise care to toss our way. This most recent glut of analysis thanks to SWCA and the release of the latest trailer for Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens.

The reaction to the latest trailer seems to be overwhelmingly positive and I’m firmly planted in that camp as well. I’ll offer my analysis of the trailer by echoing the many voices already trumpeting its merits out on the Net. First, there’s the inspired glance into the J.J. Abrams style of filmmaking. There’s a frame-by-frame analysis and a page full of animated gifs of every scene (which might be a lot of fun to review after watching this). And, finally, there’s this deep dive into how the new trailer fits (or doesn’t fit) into the expanded universe. Whew. I’m tired just from linking all of that.

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.