How to see the sunflowers 🌻

Hi y'all.

I saw the sunflowers last night.

Earlier this week, it was unclear if that magic of nature that needed to come together for blooming sunflowers happened in time for this weekend's big event reveal. But as I waded through rows of sunny blooms as the early evening made the light a little more golden, I understood why people love the sunflowers field.

It's admittedly my first sunflower field experience. Last summer, when we were still dreaming of moving here, growing our roots and placing our long-term bets on Raleigh, the sunflowers were just a series of Instagram photos.

Sunflowers, like many plants, have a varied symbolism by culture, but they mean longevity, loyalty and peace.

It feels like Raleigh to me.

To the sunflowers,
Sarah Day

Sarah Day Owen Wiskirchen, Editor & Publisher

📸: Devin Desjarlais Photography

How to see the sunflowers at Dix Park

Here’s a quick guide to finding and seeing the sunflowers at Dix Park — and yes, there are quite a few #DixParkSunflowers in bloom!

HOW TO GET THERE: First, don’t rely on your iPhone directions like I did -- it'll take you too far.

Weekday parking is on Hunt Drive (and the photographer in me loves the golden hour after-work light and less foot traffic). When you turn in from Western Blvd. onto Hunt, you’ll want to look for the soccer fields. That’s where you’ll park on the weekdays. Tip: If you hit Umstead, you've gone too far.

Because you can’t see the sunflowers from the road, you might not think you’re in the right place. But on the opposite side of the parking lot from the soccer goals, you’ll see a path up to the 5 acres of sunflowers.

HOW TO GET THERE THIS WEEKEND: Dix Park will be closed to vehicles for SunFest, so take the shuttle from NC State Centennial campus or bike/Citrix Cycle or walk in.

ARE THE SUNFLOWERS REALLY IN BLOOM?: When I walked the paths, I noticed the sunflowers on the field side closest to the road appear to be most in bloom, while the others are still working on it! (In this photo, you'll see the spots of yellow and people where the sunflowers are most in bloom).

ABOUT DESTINATION SUNFEST THIS WEEKEND: It’s from 2-9 p.m. Saturday and it’s free admission, games and activities (including a carousel, Ferris wheel & live music). Some highlights: Amusement rides for adults and kiddos, bubbles + water play for the little ones, Kid Lab, a scrap exchange for up cycled art, yard games. Also available for purchase: food trucks and local brews. More info.

IT'S ELECTION SEASON FOR THE RALEIGH CITY COUNCIL.
And in case you missed the holiday newsletter, the Raleigh Convergence is approaching coverage by asking you what we should ask candidates to answer. Read more here.

What's next: You won't find links to horse race coverage or campaign donations. Please continue to send me questions you'd like to see candidates answer. Look for pop-up events to solicit more of your questions!

New this week, the News & Observer has a good list of keeping up with the candidates, which they're updating regularly:
Raleigh City Council candidates
Other Wake County candidates
Cary town council candidates

POP-UP DOG PARKS
Raleigh Parks is creating temporary dog parks around Raleigh this summer. This Sunday-Wednesday, it's at Fred Fletcher park. Other sites for future dates include Nash Square and other green spaces. Find info here.

RALEIGH IS A GOOD PLACE TO START A BUSINESS.
Can it be better? Raleigh ranked 8th for WalletHub's latest list, Best Large Cities to start a business, just below our Durham neighbors, but also below places like Oklahoma City and Tampa (and Charlotte).

Unsurprisingly, Raleigh ranks high for business resources. We have a highly educated workforce and growing entrepreneurial ecosystem! But where it's low: In "Business Environment," we rank 40th.

Meanwhile, North Carolina was ranked the third best state for business by CNBC (and they used a Charlotte photo, boo). Raleigh's best categories for this list were economy (ranked No. 1!), access to capital and skilled workforce, and the lowest factors were quality of life, cost of doing business and education.

What do you think of these lists, and lists in general? How might Raleigh be better for starting a business? Hit reply and tell me.

COULD AIRBNB RESTRICTIONS BE AT ODDS WITH STATE LAW?
It's still unclear if a new state law would preempt Raleigh's short-term rentals restrictions (via INDY)

EXPLORE TEMPORARY ART DOWNTOWN
ARTivation is temporary paint or vinyl coverings on empty storefronts in downtown Raleigh, and they're up now. Find a map here.

IMPROVED EXPRESS ROUTES TO NORTH RALEIGH, DURHAM, CHAPEL HILL:
GoTriangle changes effective in early August includes three express routes: A new route to North Raleigh, improved service between Raleigh and Durham (to be more every 15-20 minutes) and expanded hours of service to Chapel Hill. (thanks InBound Raleigh).

Another new route: From the regional transit center to Wake Tech's RTP campus. Maps and more.

CONGRATS TO RALEIGH'S WORLD CUP CHAMPS:
ICYMI, the U.S. women's soccer team won the World Cup and Raleigh was excited. Super excited. Four players on the team are NC Courage players, based here in Raleigh: Crystal Dunn, Sam Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper and Jessica McDonald. Why "equal pay" was the winning chant: Women's soccer team players get about $200K if they win the World Cup compared to the $1.1 million payout for men's soccer team players, according to a CNBC report.

A CLUE TO HOW STANDARD BEER & FOODS WILL APPROACH PAIRINGS:
In an interview with INDY Week: “The places you’re typically seeing are production breweries with a food component in mind,” Ancillary* brewer and Standard co-owner Whit Baker says. “Here, we are brewing beer onsite to pair better with the food. That gives us a lot more freedom to dial in a specific dish or ingredient with food.”

MORE FOOD NEWS...

Chido Taco is opening today (Thursday) on Bale Street and looks seriously delicious. McNeill Point, which will have a new BREW location, is east of Five Points near Wake Forest and Atlantic. Near Mordecai and the North Person Street district, it's an area to watch.

PLUS:
Burial's Downtown Raleigh tap room is expanding.

You can drink beer at NC State sporting events soon!

Noted architect Phil Freelon, who designed the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (and many other buildings in the Triangle and beyond) has died. Read about his legacy.

Hi y'all.

How to see the sunflowers at Dix Park

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