Tag Archives: Durham

September 15, 2014 · 9:25 am

Picture of the Week: Biscuits & Coffee in Durham

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Wicked Biscuit at Cocoa Cinnamon

This week’s picture was actually taken last Sunday. My wife and I headed over to Durham to grab some coffee and tea at Cocoa Cinnamon. It is one of my favorite coffee shops and we enjoy sitting outside among their patio tables and people watch. This past summer food trucks have started showing up at the shop for “Sunday Brunch” and while the trucks tend to rotate, one of the regular trucks you can find there on Sunday is the relatively new Wicked Biscuit truck. I didn’t get the opportunity to try a biscuit on this visit (we were on our way to the park) but I plan to do so very soon. In the meantime you can track the truck to find out where they will be by following them on twitter at @WickedBiscuitCo.

Cocoa Cinnamon ~ 420 W. Geer Street – Durham, NC

I couldn’t possible share about Cocoa Cinnamon without at least one coffee picture! On this visit I tried their Middle Eastern Iced Coffee. Their menu describes it as a slow and cold brewed iced coffee brewed with cardamom, rose petals and vanilla bean. I found it delicious and I highly recommend it if you are looking for something a little different the next time you want an iced coffee. Cocoa Cinnamon is a great community space and one of my go to places in Durham. To keep tabs on their latest offerings and things going on at the shop follow them on twitter at @CocoaCinnamon.

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September 3, 2014 · 1:54 pm

Keeping My Eye on Fall Triangle Events 2014!

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View of Center for Architecture and Design Building on Peace Street

This is a quick list of some fun events coming up this Fall in the Triangle. It is by no means an exhaustive list, and feel free to leave a comment below if you have something you think I should include. This list includes several events I’ve either enjoyed before or have recently caught my eye and I hope to attend this time around.

September

October

Recurring Fall Music Series

 

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June 2, 2014 · 4:04 pm

10th Annual Beaver Queen Pageant Saturday June 7th

passing judgement on best beaver tails

Past Pageant Queens Passing Judgement on Best Beaver Tails
Photo courtesy Aaron Zalonis Photography

The 10th Annual Beaver Queen Pageant, a free and fun event, will be held on Saturday, June 7th in the meadow at Duke Park (Acadia at Knox Street) in Durham. Pre pageant activities will begin at 4pm, and the pageant will start at 5pm.

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Dancing Unicorn
Photo courtesy Aaron Zalonis Photography

The Beaver Queen Pageant is one of Durham’s marquee events and is rich in the history and culture of the community. Started in 2005 by members of the Duke Park neighborhood in order to protect beavers from a potentially harmful road construction project; it has grown into a large scale event that attracts hundreds of people from all over the Triangle who are interested in protecting wetlands and want to give a helping hand to beavers. It is a free, family-friendly beaver ‘beauty pageant’ that is a creative outlet for both the contestants and the audience.

Frank Stasio

MC Frank Stasio of NPR
Photo courtesy Aaron Zalonis Photography

As with every pageant there are the gowns, the interview, and the talent shows- no swim suits since all beavers are slippery swimmers! The judges are anything but impartial as the audience ‘bribes’ them to support the performer they like the best, adding to the entertainment value of the event. WUNC’s Frank Stasio will serve as emcee for the third straight year.

Crowd in the Meadow at Duke Park
Photo courtesy Aaron Zalonis Photography

This annual event in Duke Park is a hit with kids of all ages due to the outrageous costumes and audience engagement. More than just being fun, it honors diversity, supports community, promotes creativity, and adds to the uniqueness of Durham. Food trucks on site will include Only Burger, Sympathy for the Deli, Pie Pushers, and The Parlour. There will also be a Locopops cart and a Scrap Exchange booth where people of all ages can make their own beaver tails!

The Judges

The Judges
Photo courtesy Aaron Zalonis Photography

The purpose of the spectacle is to raise awareness of our community’s waterways and pockets of nature, and to raise money to help protect and restore these precious resources for all to enjoy. The Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association (ECWA) is grateful for the support it has received from the Pageant over the years.

Bulltown Strutters

The Bulltown Strutters
Photo courtesy Aaron Zalonis Photography

ECWA encourages community involvement with Ellerbe Creek and the land alongside it, through workdays, nature hikes, and outreach into schools and neighborhoods that border the creek. Long-term goals for the organization include creating an interconnected network of trails and nature preserves linking downtown to Falls Lake, restoring water quality and habitat in Ellerbe Creek, and creating spaces for people in the community to enjoy.

...and the winner is Furrah Gnawsett-Majors

2012 Queen Furrah Gnawsett-Majors
Photo courtesy Aaron Zalonis Photography

10th Annual Beaver Queen Pageant
Date: Saturday June 7th
Time: 4pm (pre-pageant fun) 5pm (pageant begins)
Location: Duke Park in Durham (Acadia at Knox Street)

Photos used with permission from Aaron Zalonis Photography. Visit his 2012 Beaver Queen Pageant photo album on flickr here.

 

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May 23, 2014 · 11:55 am

Smashburger Durham Giveaway!

Smash Burger Durham 7

Smashburger!

I’m happy to share that the news that the new Smashburger location in Durham’s Lakeview Pavilion is providing Triangle Explorer readers a chance to win two FREE dinner entrees. To enter simply leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite burger topping or milkshake flavor. You can also enter by sharing this post on twitter using the hashtag #ExploreSmashburger or by sharing it on facebook. The winner will be randomly chosen next Friday May 30th at noon and notified via email.

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BBQ, Bacon, & Cheddar Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Smashburger has a wide selection of fresh, never frozen Certified Angus Beef burgers “smashed” on a 400-degree flat grill to sear in the juicy flavor and served on toasted artisan buns. They have more than just burgers too, offering tender grilled chicken sandwiches and fresh-tossed signature salads, and handspun Häagen-Dazs shakes. They also offer a variety of irresistible sides including rosemary and garlic–seasoned Smashfries, Haystack Onions and Veggie Frites (flash-fried and seasoned carrot sticks and green beans).

You can read my full review of the from back in March here.

Smashburger – Durham
2608 Erwin Road – Durham, NC (map)
Website: http://smashburger.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smashburger
Instagram http://instagram.com/Smashburger
Twitter: @SmashBurger

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May 15, 2014 · 1:32 pm

Fullsteam Brewery – Durham, NC

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I’m a big fan of the Triangle beer scene and one of my favorite local places to enjoy a pint is Fullsteam Brewery in Durham.  The brewery was opened by Sean Wilson, known as the “Chief Executive Optimist”, in a former 7Up bottling plant on Rigsbee Avenue back in 2009. It’s described as a “plow to pint” operation with a mission to craft the distinctly Southern beer that celebrates agriculture by using local seasonal ingredients while  fostering relationships with local farmers.


To me Fullsteam is much more than just a great brewery. When I visit the taproom the first thing that comes to my mind is community.  On any given visit you will find the space alive with activity and conversation. During the day you are likely see large groups of friends, families with their kids, and people with dogs gathered at the large communal picnic tables inside the spacious interior. As the day transitions into evening the crowd shifts over to primarily adults and all of Rigsbee Avenue seems to come to life.


I’ve enjoyed my fair share of pints sitting at one of the many orange tables inside.  There are also a few tables outside along the sunlit alley and two more tables out front in the area where the food trucks usually set. Check out With so much seating it easy to find a spot to sit and relax with your beer and food. Fullsteam is also simply a great spot to just sit back and people watch. There is a small stage that plays host to music on occasion on weekends, but for the most part the brewery serves as a community gathering space – a place for conversation over a good beer.


The beer offerings at the bar a very diverse and range from classics like a traditional American IPA to seasonal southern beers inspired by local agriculture like a sweet potato lager and a “Hogwash” hickory smoked brown porter. Fullsteam is know for making some interesting brews and they even feature beers from other local breweries on a few “guest taps”. Beers are available by the pint, half pint, tasting flights, and they even do growler fills.


As you first enter the brewery through the large red warehouse door you pass through a fun room filled with several classic arcade games along with a pinball machine and ping pong table. I think this room captures the youthful spirit of the brewery and further galvanizes the communal atmosphere.  On a given week the taproom plays hosts to events like belly dancing, trivia and yoga. There is even a run club that meets there each Wednesday.


Whether you are a casual beer drinker or a diehard craft beer enthusiasts I highly recommend a visit to Fullsteam during your next visit to the Bull City. Check out there event calendar before heading over to find out what is going on in the taproom and what food trucks will be parked there that evening. If you are thinking of heading over tonight (5/16) they are holding their Summer Basil release party starting around 6pm.

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Fullsteam is open Mon-Thurs: 4 p.m. – midnight, Friday: 2 p.m. – 2 a.m., Saturday: noon – 2 a.m., Sunday: noon – midnight. Drink local and support NC beer and agriculture!

Fullsteam Brewery
726 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham, NC 27701
website: http://www.fullsteam.ag
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullsteambrewery
twitter: @fullsteam
instagram: @fullsteambrewery

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