Inside Out Global Art Project

Posted on September 6, 2013 by daddyweekly

If you can spare 5 minutes on this Friday afternoon, I recommend you head over to explore
http://www.insideoutproject.net. This is a global art project, which places large portraits in public spaces. (My words don’t do it justice, go look at the images.) The posters are large, about 3’x4′, and so far 120,000 of them have been posted around the world. Inside Out, which began in 2011, has spawned multiple projects-in-the-project, one of which is InsideOut11M; it tours 20 US cities, one of which is Raleigh. (Yes, this was a long intro to a local event!)

So come to First Friday between 5p and 10p, and get your chance of having your large portrait taken and within minutes posted on the walls of Artspace, with the goal of completely wrapping Artspace in portraits. (Second chance on Saturday afternoon.)

While you’re on that side of town, check out the other nearby First Friday participants, one of which it the relatively new kids boutique nüvonivo on Hargett Street. They have an interesting combination of online business and brick-and-mortar store, and offer a refreshing spectrum of European brands at decent prices.

The image is from Brent Granby, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA.

Not your average 5K…

Posted on September 6, 2013 by daddyweekly

Running a 5K was once cool, but is now sooo 2012. These days, when you run a 5K, you do it in costume. Or barefoot. Or being hunted by zombies. Or, “muddy”:

Mud runs, basically 5Ks with obstacles, mud flats and other accoutrements are all the rage, and now also come in a family version! This Saturday, the Big Muddy Challenge takes place. And while registration has ended yesterday, some race-day spots should be available if you come early. The race is completed as a team of two – one parent and one child, age 6-12. Sounds like a lot of fun!

Not especially geared towards kids, but “for all ages” (kids under 7 run free and strollers are welcome) is a completely different race one week later, the Electric Run. Basically a linear rave, but possibly healthier and more fun, you don as many glow sticks and LED lights as you can find, and immerse yourself in a glowing, flickering landscape with pumping music.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQhChpneq3U]

With all these options – don’t take your kids to a dull, old school 5K!

Raleigh M.A.I.N Event

Posted on August 30, 2013 by daddyweekly

If you’ve lived in Raleigh for a few years, you know that we’re getting ready for the busiest month: Babysitters are booked months in advance, OpenTable.com crashes and pedestrian traffic jams block downtown sidewalks. We used to call it just ‘busy September’, but this year it has become “The M.A.I.N. event“, a cleverly chosen acronym for music, art, innovation and, um, noise. So we’ll focus on the first two, since innovation is focused on grown-up stuff like entrepreneurship, angel funding and venture capital, and the noise, well, we parents have that year-round.

Of the 18 events that make up M.A.I.N, here are the best for families and kids:

The African-American Culture Festival is this weekend on City Plaza, and features a family village, including a stage with kids’ acts.
Hopscotch, a week later, has little to no kids-programming, but draws many fringe activities that make it fun to be downtown for all ages.
On that same Sunday, the Fiesta del Pueblo will have ‘Ninolandia’ for the kids.
Another week later, Sept. 12-15 is dedicated to SparkCon, with many options for kids, from music to street art to circus and fashion shows.
After catching our breath (or attending a few entrepreneur event without kids), we put in the ear plugs and get ready for Capital City Bikefest, organized by Ray Price Harley Davidson, and declared “family-friendly”. If you think kids and bikers don’t go together, read this article. There will be stunt shows and more to excite little vroom vroom fans.
As the bikers are rolling off into the sunset, we seamlessly shift into a quieter kind of noise, as Bluegrass takes over from Sept. 24-28. A whole week of music, trade fair and award show will offer plenty opportunities to bring your kids closer to this genre that is so closely tied to our state.
To round off the month, Marbles‘ birthday party is on 9/28, as is the (re-)opening of the City Museum.

Ready? As the wild things said, “Let the wild rumpus start!”

Last call for outdoor pools

Posted on August 30, 2013 by daddyweekly

Chavis Pool is already closed, and Lake Johnson and Ridge Road will do so in a few days. But the good news is that annual maintenance at Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center is over, and despite the hot weather, we can start the winter season, at least from a pool perspective.

Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center with water slide, river, vortex, toddler area, volleyball and basketball

Back to School Safety Event (Sat 9-12)

Posted on August 23, 2013 by daddyweekly

Many kids head back to school next week, some of the for the first time. To learn and re-learn all the traffic safety topics, head out to Leesville School where the Back to School Safety Day will be hosted. From Bike Rodeo, to Traffic Safety, to Helmet Fitting, to Air Quality Safety, everything will be there, even food trucks.

August 24, from 9a-12p.
Leesville Road Schools, 8401 Leesville Road, Raleigh, NC 27613

Photo by USAG Vicenza.

Benefit for the Saturday Market (Sat 9:30a-1:30p)

Posted on August 23, 2013 by daddyweekly

A visit to the Saturday Market often marks the beginning of the weekend for us. What has started as a food truck and a farm table a couple years ago has become a steady and year-round fixture in our Boylan Heights neighborhood.

The food truck(s) rotate, so it is always a surprise what you find. Captain Poncho and Chirba Chirba are among our favorites. You can always find coffee and sweets, and for “real groceries”, the LoMo Market has a wide variety of fresh vegetables, baked goods, meat, dairy and sometimes seafood.

For the kids, a visit to market is almost as cool as a visit to a farm. Besides the chicken coops, which are the main draw, it is interesting to see what is growing in the garden, watch a train maneuver through the Boylan Wye, or just run around.

This Saturday, a special Benefit event is taking place. You’ll need tickets ($10/adult $5/kid), and will get roasted pork, sides, drink and beer.

To me, the Saturday Market is probably the most authentic Farmers Market we have around, and it is well worth a visit even if you live further away.

Curious George or the Lorax? (tonight or Sunday)

Posted on August 16, 2013 by daddyweekly

We’re going through an intense Curious George phase at our house, so this caught my attention: Curious George himself will visit Barnes & Noble in Cary tonight, and read on of his books with the kids.

George is scheduled to appear at 7pm at the Cary Commons Barnes & Noble. There will be stories and photo ops.

If you are more a Dr. Seuss family, you’ll get your turn on Sunday. Note, however, that you need to register today at 919-3874342. At Harris Lake County Park, the Lorax will show the kids some Truffula Trees (strangely similar to our common Longleaf Pines), and take the kids on a hayride. This is $5/family.

Curious George by youngdoo, used under the CC BY-NC license.

Kick-off to Kindergarten (Sat 9-5)

Posted on August 16, 2013 by daddyweekly

A big milestone is approaching for many in the coming weeks: The First Day of Kindergarten. While many children are used to a day-time setting away from home, Kindergarten with its structure, rules and even homework will still be vastly different.

To help with preparing for this transition, Marbles devotes an entire day to future Kindergarten kids, with playful exposure to the new things: There is school bus time, a pretend cafeteria and, well, even recess needs to be practiced!

There are some activities available all day long, and some that follow a schedule; check Marbles’ website for details.

This is all offered for free to all families who are currently preparing for this big step.

Marbles kick-off to kindergarten

Firetruck Parade (Sat noon)

Posted on August 9, 2013 by daddyweekly

Every industry has its trade show, and so do the firefighters. But unlike other industries, where booths filled with sales people and presentations by subject matter experts dominate, the firefighters know how to put up a decent parade.

In fact, the fire truck parade is on the same level as the annual holiday parades, well attended, and very interesting. Here is a video from last year:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqP0SoOpDeQ]

The parade starts promptly at noon, and will probably not last for too long, so it pays to be there before 12. The parade route is down Fayetteville from the Capitol, and then hops over to Salisbury, passes the Convention Center (another good viewing area) and ends in a static display in front of the Performing Arts Center, where all the trucks can be viewed from up close.

Engineers Day at Museum of Life and Science (Sat 10-4)