RDU On the Rise: 2022’s best new Triangle eats, our vital power grid & your holiday memories
What’s up, Triangle readers?
This is Paola, bringing you this week’s edition of RDU On the Rise!
It’s finally Friday again. And if you can believe it, 2023 is around the corner.
To honor 2022, The News & Observer staff is reflecting on moments and stories we told over the past year that have impacted us. Some touch on personal grief, others on systemic issues and special sparks of joy.
I wrote about my work on “Women and Children First?” a special project on the struggles of being a single mom in the Triangle, and about my personal connection to those difficulties.
You can read my tidbit and my colleagues’ anecdotes on the reporting that captured our minds and hearts in print and online this Sunday. Thank you for supporting local journalism with a subscription.
Now let’s jump into some fun things, plus this week’s news you won’t want to miss!
Holiday memories
To me, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. As I get older, my relationship to the holiday season changes shape and takes on new meanings. Some parts become bittersweet. But the spirit of Christmas still brings me happiness.
I’ve been reminiscing on old memories of holiday recitals. Here I am (pictured below), around 4 or 5 years old, dancing my heart out.
Oh, to believe in Santa again. (I swear I’m not the Grinch.)
Speaking of Ol’ St. Nick, last year we asked readers to submit photos of kids’ photo sessions gone wrong. If you’re in the mood for a smile, check out all the cute snaps sent in.
I’d love to hear about your sweet holiday memories. Tell me your favorite traditions, holiday films or experiences that delight your soul.
Share yours by sending a sentence or two to pperez@newsobserver.com. You can even throw in an old photo like mine.
With that being said, the holidays can be an extra hard time for some.
Here’s how experts say you can check in on loved ones.
Take a look at this series of helpful graphics with advice on specific holiday stressors. Above all, take care!
Do you hear what I hear?
It’s the sound of holiday meal dishes in the sink.
En noche buena (on Christmas Eve), my family loves to roast up a pernil (pork shoulder). Here’s a great recipe to try if you’re curious — or a turkey version — and find more recipes on our website.
Want to avoid cooking up a big meal? Lots of Triangle restaurants are serving up tasty holiday meals. Check out your options to order ahead or dine in.
For those that celebrate, Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah and known as the Festival of Lights) begins at sundown this Sunday, Dec. 18.
Hanukkah is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays. It overlaps with the Christmas season this year.
Don’t know much about it? Get a brief background, plus local events you can attend this month.
Our 2022 Holiday Event Guide is also a great place to find light shows, parades and more!
Are you dreaming of a “White Christmas”? (I love The Drifters’ and classic Bing Crosby renditions.)
Some weather models say there’s a chance of snow on Christmas Day for the Triangle.
If it does snow, it’s not likely to escalate into a winter storm. But you should bookmark The N&O survival guide for an icy day.
Speaking of forecasts, a longtime Triangle meteorologist will share his last one today. Enjoy retirement!
If you want to craft a festive beverage this holiday season — coquito, anyone?— you’ll need to plan ahead and get your liquor before Christmas Day.
Let us help with this list of operating hours for ABC stores in Wake, Durham and Orange counties.
Last, but not least, your holiday party is not complete without the ultimate festive playlist, curated by The N&O Staff and suggestions from RDU On the Rise readers. Listen here, and you can still submit your favorite songs here!
For the foodies
Food and dining reporter Drew Jackson said it best: “It was a good year for eating in the Triangle.”
“Most of all it was a year where many diners returned to the carefree love we left behind, finding the comfort and thrill of a meal out,” Drew writes. I couldn’t agree more.
So before the year ends, we whipped up one more bracket that needs your vote: The 20 Best New Restaurants in the Triangle for 2022.
Act fast, because you’ve had all year to think about this. Vote here to help decide on the top restaurant project!
One more tasty nugget to go: Holiday wishes really do come true because ICYMI, Shake Shack is opening its second Triangle location next week in Chapel Hill. Check out when and where you can grab a bite.
Mind this business
While some local companies announced layoffs this week, others are looking to grow.
Two of the Triangle’s largest employers — Cisco and Lenovo — confirmed job cuts.
Biotech firm Catalent plans to expand its footprint with a new facility — and new jobs — in Research Triangle Park.
And more biz happenings:
Despite a cooling U.S. housing market, Raleigh is expected to outperform most metro areas in 2023.
When will Apple build its RTP campus? The notoriously secretive tech giant won’t say when.
Duke Energy executives answered questions regarding the recent shooting of two electric substations in Moore County that cut off power to tens of thousands of residents.
Durham Tech’s new Center for Workforce Engagement in RTP aims to help local workers access specialized training, especially in the life sciences, pharmaceutical and therapeutics industries.
Two biotechnology companies specialized in developing treatments for rare diseases have merged into one.
In a new report, The N&O explores NC’s vital but vulnerable power grid, and runs through some of the most commonly asked questions to help make sense of what transpired in Moore County.
Other headlines worth reading
Here’s another holiday miracle for you: The price at the pump went down this week. We also reported on NCDOT bringing more lights to Triangle highways.
Check out more stories you may have missed:
A downtown Raleigh neighborhood wants to buy a city-owned parking lot at a discounted price to protect historic homes facing demolition.
The Wake County Animal Center is calling on the community to help adopt animals as they run out of critical space.
YouTube megastar and Greenville native MrBeast brought his epic stunts to downtown Raleigh’s skyline.
A Durham resident waged an emotional battle for the $1 million grand prize on “Survivor.” Here’s what happened.
A satellite headed for space this week represents almost two decades of a UNC-Chapel Hill scientist’s key work.
Spirit of solidarity: The Triangle’s Arab community came together to witness Morocco’s historic World Cup run.
Until next time
That’s all from me! You can call, beep, and reach me to tell me what you thought of this newsletter.
Next week, RDU On the Rise will be hosted by Drew Jackson, The N&O’s food connoisseur and your best source for what’s delicious in and around the Triangle.
You can sign up for our Afternoon Newsletter for a roundup of the latest headlines every weekday, curated and crafted by yours truly. Otherwise, I’ll see you again next year!
Take care, and happy holidays.
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