The Rockford Restaurant: Triangle Downtowner Magazine, Issue 151

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| THE TRIANGLE’S LONGEST RUNNING MONTHLY | ISSUE 151

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Triangle Dining – The Rockford 10th Annual Best of Downtowner Awards – Voting extended!

From the Publisher Charity Spotlight – The Produce Project The Age of COVID-19: A Time of Help, Hope, and Hustle Crossword Puzzle

Crash S. Gregg Randall Gregg, Sig Hutchinson Brittany Hogin Brian Adornetto Cyndi Harris

Randy Bryant (in memoriam)

ON THE COVER: The new owners and chef of The Rockford Restaurant are proud to continue the legacy of the oldest restaurant in Glenwood South. Their plan is to bring back the friendly customer service and great food The Rockford had been known for. In our humble opinion, they’ve already nailed it. Left to right: Chef Scott Phillips and owners Tony Coulter, Woody Johnson, and Bill Coulter.

Brian Adornetto, Christy Griffith,

Photo by Crash S. Gregg

Writers

Darryl Morrow, Crash S. Gregg,

Peter Eichenberger (in memoriam)

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social media & Madison Callahan print support

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ISSUE 151

This magazine is proudly printed on recycled paper and uses toxin-free, environmentally-friendly, soy ink.

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The new chef and owners of The Rockford – Chef Scott Phillips, Tony Coulter, Woody Johnson, and Bill Coulter – are serious about bringing the iconic restaurant back to its heyday glory (and COVID-19 safety).

By Christy Griffith • Photos by Crash S. Gregg and Christy Griffith As soon as I walked up the stairs, I was greeted by a friendly face who told me to sit at the bar; they offered me a drink and told me Tony would be with me momentarily.

While people-watching and pulling on my Pepsi, I spied a gentleman chatting with an older woman who was confused about where she parked. He took her keys, disappeared for a couple of minutes, and reappeared with her keys and a parking meter receipt. “I moved your car to this space,” pointing to the slip, “and you should be good for two hours. I know the parking downtown can be confusing!” Then this disarmingly charming man turned to me and introduced himself as Tony Coulter, one of the new owners of The Rockford.

The Rockford was once the only bar and restaurant in Glenwood South, before downtown revitalization was a phrase passing anyone’s lips. In 1994, the doors opened, and it has remained an important fixture in the Raleigh dining scene ever since.

In the bathroom, below a framed picture of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, is the phrase Fame is Fleeting; it seems quite apropos with ownership and management changing hands over the years, quality waxing and waning.

The recent purchase of The Rockford by Coulter and husband Bill, Woody Johnson, and Brad Miller (along with a fresh coat of paint) has restored this neighborhood pub to its former glory worth revisiting.

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The BBQ Pork Belly comes glazed in a tangy Cheerwine barbecue sauce, so expertly cooked that the knife in your hand is just to feign decorum.

With a passionate ownership and management team in place, hiring the right chef was an important decision.

“All of us have been entrusted as stewards of The Rockford,” Tony says. “Our mission is to honor the legacy and continue as a place which represents the best qualities of our beloved City of Oaks.” In the early 2000s, Tony and Bill had worked with Chef Scott Phillips in Tennessee. Years passed and after the Coulters moved back to Raleigh, they learned that Scott, coincidentally, had also relocated here.

“Upon buying The Rockford, I reached out to Scott to be our Chef de Cuisine. It was a perfect match. Scott gets it.

His work embodies the essences of The Rockford’s legacy and its future.”

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Chef Scott Phillips’ menu features a handful of the original offerings from earlier menus – expect to see the iconic ABC Sandwich (apple, bacon, cheddar) to reappear on the brunch menu in the future – but his elevated comfort food that fills in the rest of the page is the work of an artist. When asked what his favorite item is, he refuses to answer. “That’s not a fair question.” After eating his food, I understand why.

We started out by trying a few of the Small Plates & Shareables offerings. The BBQ Pork Belly ($15) comes glazed in a tangy Cheerwine barbecue sauce, so expertly cooked that the knife in your hand is just to feign decorum.

I’ve never described BBQ as pretty before, but It’s definitely the prettiest BBQ dish I’ve ever been presented. Perched atop baked beans and topped with a creamy ranch-flavored brussels sprouts slaw, this a dish worth sharing. (But highly recommend not sharing. I mean, coronavirus is real, but honestly this plate is too good to willingly give any of it away even in the best of times.)

An equally divine meatless option is the Cast Iron Mac ($10). I’m partial to the gooey, saucy varieties – not that I’d turn down a baked mac and cheese, but I’d have opinions on it – and this one fits the bill. Presented in a hot skillet, the pasta is enrobed in a cheddar and gruyere sauce, topped with bright roasted tomatoes to cut through the richness, and scattered with buttery croutons for crunch. You could argue that the microgreens garnishing

The delicious marbled rye toasts from Neomonde as a vessel for Pimento Cheese and pickles is an epiphany.

the dish make it a complete meal, but why argue over what makes something a complete meal anyway? Cast Iron Mac, you complete me. And as long as I’m socially distancing myself from everyone, no guilt-laden feelings should come attached to my emotional eating.

To me, pimento cheese is like chili. Everyone makes theirs different, but I love all of them. I love the bottom shelf pimento cheese with big shreds of emulsified product swimming in a mayonnaise-like substance. I love the fancy pimento cheese made with chevre served at swanky bars.

I love all the cheese, and the Pimento Cheese ($9) at The Rockford is no exception. This version has some heat that lingers on the back end from the addition of habanero cheddar – it’s not subtle but it’s also not uncomfortable – and I love every bit of it. Like a roll of toilet tissue in the midst of an international pandemic, the housemade dill pickles atop the pimento cheese are worth fighting over. (Please don’t fight. We’re better than that. Order your own. Stop asking me to share these “shareable” plates. I HAVE FEELINGS TO EAT RIGHT NOW.) The delicious marbled rye toasts from Neomonde as a vessel for cheese and pickles is an epiphany.

Good news, this is also garnished with microgreens so you can check off that side of your MyPlate.gov chart!

The entrée selection is spectacular, and even though there are no dedicated vegetarian or vegan options listed, the kitchen does have Beyond Meat products available and will customize a meal upon request; just ask! (Vegan tacos are offered on the Casual Fare menu.)

The Grilled Pork Chop ($25) is a half-pound, juicy, caramelized, bone-in, picture-perfect example of what a pork chop should look like. It comes atop thick slices of charred zucchini, soaking up those unctuous drippings,

Presented in a hot skillet, the Cast Iron Mac is enrobed in a cheddar and gruyere sauce, topped with bright roasted tomatoes to cut through the richness, and scattered with buttery croutons for crunch.

The Grilled Pork Chop is a half-pound, juicy, caramelized, bone-in, picture-perfect example of what a pork chop should look like.

If I could cook like Scott and I wanted to make someone fall in love with me or feel obliged to do me questionable favors, I would prepare them his Crispy Skin Salmon

and the buttery grilled onion sauce on the plate is ideal for dragging a piece of pork through. It’s topped with a warm tomato relish – the acidity brightens up and puts in consummate balance what might otherwise be an almost too rich dish. And Scott’s secret weapon that I happily found on every entrée I sampled is garlic confit – slow-cooked cloves of garlic in oil that turn sweet and mellow. When Scott sprinkles these over a dish, it’s like he’s blowing kisses to you from the kitchen, and you just want to wink back and say, “I taste what you did there.” And if

shaved fennel, jalapeño, and a creole mustard vinaigrette might even get you favors from government officials.

Don’t overlook the Casual Fare offerings, though.

The Southern Meatloaf ($15) TOUCHED MY SOUL. I was already overstuffed to the point of discomfort, yet I couldn’t put my fork down. This meat-and-three is plated like anything but. A creamy mound of mashed potatoes holds a pile of silky, smoky beer-braised collard greens.

On top of that is a thick slice of southern-style meatloaf blended with bell peppers and onions, tender and moist.

A savory tomato gravy dresses the whole beautiful mess before spicy, crispy Tobasco onions are placed on top. I found myself groaning because I was fuller than a tick on a big dog, but I couldn’t stop myself from continuing to assemble “the perfect bite,” which consisted of everything on the plate and turned out to be very big, irresponsible bites. My tongue was happy, but my pants were not.

The Rockford has a full bar and you’ll find all their signature cocktails for $10. Tony brought us out a dessert drink named Here, Kitty Kitty. (If you have the willpower to resist ordering something by that name, you probably also are the type of person whose pants aren’t unhappy with you.) Made with Hoodoo Chicory Liqueur, Cathead Vodka, and Bailey’s, it’s a creamy, indulgent way to wind down a meal. It went especially well with that night’s chocolate mousse – Amarena Cherry ($8), which I refer to as “million-dollar cherries” because of not only how much they cost, but how good they taste. >>>

Not one, but two simply seasoned leg and thigh quarters of Roasted Chic are stacked upon each other amid a pool of savory garlic jus and a mound of velvety potato puree.

the vegetarian option were eight ounces of garlic confit molded into a pork chop shape, I wouldn’t object.

The Roasted Chicken ($17) tastes like what I imagine Ina Garten would serve to her Jeffrey at a table in the middle of a garden that’s been stylized by guests who were only invited so they could stylize the table. A pool of savory garlic jus floods the plate, and in the middle of it all is a mound of velvety potato puree with not one, but two simply seasoned leg and thigh quarters are stacked upon each other. Bright green sautéed spinach finishes it off to add some earthiness. What’s lost in crispy skin is more than made up for in garlic confit kisses. This is truly comfort food that sounds casual but tastes like Ina was back there with him using the good olive oil.

If I could cook like Scott and I wanted to make someone fall in love with me or feel obliged to do me questionable favors, I would prepare them his Crispy Skin Salmon ($23).

Each component not only works well together but is incredibly strong on its own; herby olive oil polenta and a chickpea & mushroom hash would play second fiddle to no one if only the best salmon I’d ever had wasn’t in the orchestra: the skin is crackling, the flesh is buttery. There is no hint of chalkiness like the overcooked buffet-style salmon of years past. This is salmon that will get you all your favors. The addition of ISSUE 151

If you want a drink for dessert, try the Here, Kitty Kitty.

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What does this mean for you? It means you should check out their website (www.therockfordrestaurant.com) or Instagram (@the_rockford) and see what they are offering for take-out options. It means you should order lots of food and share pictures with your friends and let them know that there is really good food that they don’t have to cook, just waiting for them to order. Keep supporting your neighborhood restaurants so they will have the capital to reopen when we get the all-clear. “We anticipate returning to normal operations once we can safely do so. Our regular menu will again be offered, with ever-changing dishes based on the seasons and culinary trends,” said Tony.

As long as exceptionally delicious food is trendy, The Rockford should have no shortage of loyal patrons.

The Southern Pecan Bread Pudding – equal parts buttery and toothsome – is served warm swimming in a boozy bourbon caramel sauce.

One thing that has remained a constant on The Rockford’s menu is the Southern Pecan Bread Pudding ($9).

It’s not going anywhere, or heads will roll; once you take your first bite, that much will be clear. The bread pudding – equal parts buttery and toothsome – is served warm swimming in a boozy bourbon caramel sauce that despite being designed as a delivery system for sugar, is amazingly not cloying in the least. My pants don’t care about that, though. They are mad as hell.

So, by this point, unless you’re waking up from a medically-induced coma, you know that The Rockford, along with every other restaurant in this state, has been forced to close its dining room to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (If you are waking up from a coma, OMG DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING! GO STRAIGHT HOME AND DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HOUSE!) You can currently continue to enjoy Scott Phillips’ culinary brilliance, even

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The Amarena Cherry chocolate mousse

if only one of the items featured in this profile (Cast Iron Mac) makes an appearance on the temporary take-out and delivery menu. As Tony sadly told us, “Unfortunately, we’ve had to lay off our staff, except for Scott. We’ve reduced our ingredients (and consequently menu) to reduce waste and spending. We’re utilizing curbside pick-up, third-party delivery services, and selling gift cards to keep some money coming in.”

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The Rockford Restaurant 1/2 Glenwood Avenue Raleigh, NC 27603 919.821.9020 $$ www.therockfordrestaurant.com www.instagram.com/the_rockford

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ith the statewide “stay at home� order in effect until at least the end of April, we’ve decided to extend the deadline for voting in the 10th Annual Best of Downtowner Awards to give our readers more time to vote for their favorites throughout the Triangle.

We truly appreciate all the great recommendations each and every year on where to find the freshest sushi, best burger, exercise spot, where to adopt a new furry friend, or that go-to place for weekend brunch. Your votes help to promote all the great places to dine, drink, shop, and visit throughout the Triangle, which we’ll present in the upcoming 9th Annual Best of Downtowner Awards issue.

The Downtowner Awards are about promoting local and

you, our loyal readers (PS. we love you guys!). We are truly grateful to be able to live, work, and play here and truly enjoy showing off all the great locally owned businesses that make the Triangle a great place. We’ve added a few new categories based on your suggestions from last year’s Awards, including your favorite local Distillery, Coolest New Building (and most Blah New Building), where to buy awesome T-shirts, Juices & Smoothies, and more.

Ready to vote?! Remember, being a locally-owned business ourselves, we support the heck out of local business in our Best of Downtowner Awards by not allowing chains or national brands in our results, so be sure to only vote for local businesses. We’re glad to see a few other magazines in

the area have finally followed our lead and are doing the same with their contests. Check back in our Best of Downtowner Awards issue for all the winners!

We’ve added some demographic questions to help us learn more about you and as our way to say Thank You, we’re giving away 100 Downtowner t-shirts and over $500 in restaurant gift cards to randomly chosen voters. We’ll contact you by email if you’re a winner!

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Head over to www.TriangleDowntowner.com, click on the CLICK HERE TO VOTE banner at the top of the page, and tell us all your favorites. Good luck and happy voting!

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Fine Dining with a French Quarter Flare

20% off curbside take out available from 5pm to 8pm, Mon-Sat 919.380.0122

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if dining , wine charit o ou al business ashion, terest t sity s, rucks, f cs of inhigh den ell w i t p t s h o d a t g o From i . e l m r l h e e g g h h n i t t the Publisher a h o i d r e d rs. W n o T u l o e r , h a e t v e T s i s d t e s a i i o s t r i o y c n p b a u s m n s ea usy com feature writte local he bmagazine articlesotos by ur ent with s and ph ont l author oca hese are certainly strange and difficult times we’re living in. Since our last issue, we’ve gone from being mildly concerned about the virus to closing all restaurants and bars, cancelling all in-person events, and banning public gatherings. People are wearing masks to the grocery store, staying at home other than venturing out for essentials, and keeping their distance from others while standing in line, walking about, and everywhere else in general. Those on the front lines, both medical and otherwise – nurses, doctors, caregivers, grocery store workers, cashiers, mail carriers – are the few who are still out there every day, while others lucky enough to still have a job work from home, with many others furloughed, left without a job or income to survive. We are living in a different reality, along with almost everyone else around the world.

A lot of friends and colleagues don’t realize that I’m also a real estate agent (my ad is on the back page of this issue). To help where I can, I’ve decided to donate 50% of my commissions from any referrals during these trying times to local charities. Just a few I personally recommend are the Women’s Center (which helps women and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless), the NC Hospitality Worker’s Relief Fund (started by Ashley Christensen and the Frankie Lemmon Center in

conjunction with the NCRLA to help workers who have lost their jobs due to closings), and several others that do so much for those in our community. If you are thinking about selling your home or are looking for a new one, please call me at 919.828.8888 or email hello@callcrash. com. Together, we can help make a difference.

Please stay safe out there by staying at home and limiting your exposure. Try to keep in contact with seniors who may need a hand going to the store, walking their dog, or other tasks. Tell front line workers you appreciate their hard work. Order take out when possible to help the hospitality folks. Be sure to read through the Help section of our Triangle COVID-19 article for ways you can help out, many of which from the safety of your home.

I sincerely hope things have started to change for the better by the next time I write this column for our May issue.

Cheers,

Crash S. Gregg Publisher, Triangle Downtowner Magazine • 919.828.8000 Residential & Commercial Real Estate Broker, 919.828.8888

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ur as . l oca

C H A R I T Y

S P O T L I G H T

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By April Stroth

uring these difficult times of pandemic and quarantine, we have seen both the necessity for and an inspiring surge in compassion and sharing – be proud Raleighites; your heart is showing! One such nonprofit dedicated to helping others is The Produce Project. This organization has been making an impact through an innovative fresh produce sharing model that assists Raleigh families experiencing food insecurity. They’ve been around for five years, making a big difference with a small team in the face of tremendous need. Their concept is simple: “Eat good. Do good.” But under the hood is something unusual and genius in its simplicity.

Most every retail model uses the bulk-buying business model. Buy lots of something direct from the manufacturer so it’s super cheap, mark it up 300%, then sell it to customers for The Produce Project founder, Mike Shumake a profit. The Produce Project begins a little differently – they drop the big mark up. Customers pay only $18 for a share and get what would usually cost $50-$60 at a typical grocery store.

Most families can’t use all the provided produce before it goes bad, so when customers stop by to pick up their weekly box, they may place what they can’t use or don’t want into donation A week’s worth of donated produce for local families bins. “Take what you want and leave the rest” is heard often at The Produce Project.

This innovative practice generates about 1,000 pounds of fresh produce that The Produce Currently, in response to the COVID-19 epidemic, The Produce Project has already Project donates free every week. The recipients of the donated produce range from veteran’s families, local families experiencing food insecurities, and most recently, hospitality staff who begun a relief program to provide produce to service industry workers currently unemployed.

Thanks to Allison Jordan and her efforts through TradeMark Properties, funding has been have been laid off. provided to cover 100 free shares every week There’s very little markup on the produce for service industry friends in need. The so customers get a great deal and the business Produce Project is in direct contact with local model generates produce for donation instead business owners to identify those most in of big profits. What little profit is made is applied need, and more businesses will be joining the to various expenses like boxes, truck gas and program in the next few weeks. maintenance, and a very small administration Other than the amazing value The stipend. The produce donations come from Produce Project provides, Volunteer four sources. Produce Project patrons can Coordinator Marcus Johnson says it’s the donate any unwanted produce, as previously gratitude and joy he experiences when mentioned. As volunteers sort cases of individuals and families pick-up their produce produce into equal shares, any overage of bulk that gives him the most satisfaction in this purchases are donated. In addition, patrons labor of love. He enjoys curating the weekly can also purchase a share to donate for just haul from wholesalers at the State Farmers $15. At the end of the pick up days, if anyone Volunteers help to sort all the produce for each week’s shares Market, educating the public, sharing recipes, chooses not to pick up their share, it’s also placed into the donation bins. This is how The Produce Project generates produce for local and seeing the expressions of surprise when patrons arrive. Aside from excellent customer service, Marcus is most proud of and inspired by the fresh, quality produce donated to those organizations that serve families, seniors, and those experiencing homelessness.

The Produce Project is still very much a “pilot program” and founder, Mike Shumake still most in need.

Several local business owners, including Mike Reid from Havana Deluxe and Darren envisions an education program in local schools, aiming to develop “student entrepreneurs” using the current model providing access to healthy food and hands-on learning. Students will Bridger from The London Bridge Pub, as well as commercial developer Hoffman and be taught to run a real business that provides inexpensive, local produce to families, teachers, and Associates, have been extremely generous in helping The Produce Project stay in business.

To order shares, donate, or volunteer with The Produce Project, please visit www. the community. The program design will also incorporate gardening and agriculture education.

Mike explains that the goal is to bring relevance to the curriculum, something he feels is lacking produceproject.org. The Produce Project is located at 18 Seaboard Ave, Suite 120, just north in the educational system. “We don’t need to teach students that higher education debt and a of downtown Raleigh. Volunteers are always needed on Wednesdays and Thursdays between cubicle for 30 years is the only option for success. I’d like students to experience a successful, 11:30am and 2pm. Share pick up hours are 3pm to 8pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays (you can choose which day you’d like to pick up). hands-on business where they can apply what they learn and follow their own passions.”

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Overflowing Hands and Rocky Top Catering have a goal to distribute meal packs every Monday and Thursday to children who are currently out of school and often go without meals.

Two of the Bella Monica crew providing dinners to UNC Rex Heathcare heroes.

Knock Knock…Who’s there? Taking temperatures at NOFO to insure the safety of their customers and staff.

The Age of COVID-19: A Time of Help, Hope, and Hustle

By Debi Dulany

All the while making our voices heard to those we need help from during the many months to come. Every day we will chisel away at this colossal boulder until there is only a small pebble that we can tuck away as a reminder of what we achieved, together, against impossible odds.

Each day forward, we can choose to inspire ourselves and others to do the right thing, the neighborly thing. Of course, there will be days that are better – or worse – than others. We may feel normal or happy to be alive, or we may feel defeated. Maybe we’re just plain exhausted from constantly fighting for that sense of normalcy and solid footing. But we realize that everyone is fighting. Everyone is scared. We are not alone in this, even if we are physically isolated. And from forced change comes new ideas, new friendships, new innovations, reinventions, and creative solutions. Showing ourselves and our community what we’re really made of in “The Age of COVID-19: A Time of Help, Hope, and Hustle.”

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or a lot of us, the first few minutes of every morning as we slowly wake up, roll over, and have a good stretch... everything seems normal. Then reality sets in. We get a nervous feeling in the pit of our stomach as we reach for the remote, turning on the TV to find out what is the state of our world today. We start a fresh pot of coffee, and as the rich aroma fills the air, our minds get a little sharper, and we begin to take in the morning news. As we drink down those first sips, the voices from the TV fade into the background and we begin contemplating, “What are we going to do now?” Our minds drift to the myriad of new complications added to our lives that swiftly and unexpectedly arrived on our doorstep, literally. This is not a visitor we can just send packing when they have overstayed their welcome. This unwelcome “guest” - Coronavirus - which is here to stay indefinitely, will change our lives forever as we know it, along with the rest of the world.

This new reality has set in, where the city is eerily quiet except the unnerving sound of occasional sirens day and night, in contrast to regular hustle and bustle of downtown.

We are lost deep in thought. It is at this moment that we decide to choose what it is that defines us from this day forward. We ask ourselves, “What are we truly made of?”

Who can we count on these days? How do we go about facing these drastic changes, while overwhelmed with anxiety for what the future may bring?

And then out of the corner of our eyes, we notice people smiling on TV. Why are people smiling when the world has basically come screeching to a halt? We lean in to hear what’s being said as the news unfolds. The segment is highlighting the many uplifting and positive stories of kindness and generosity popping up daily throughout our community.

This is what may better define us as friends as neighbors, as a city and a state, and even as a country and a world.

We see stories of selfless gestures and community outreach to ease the loneliness and anxiety of isolation

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and fear. Inspirational stories that show the true “art of the hustle” when times are tough. Lifesaving stories where communities and citizens come together to feed the city and provide countless nonstop efforts of support for our frontline workers. Stories of community members generously giving back any way they can to provide financial assistance to our local businesses and neighbors. Stories of professionals offering free business and financial consultations, helping those impacted to navigate through this tumultuous time.

All the while, we see these gestures of support welcomed with the deepest gratitude. As we know, caring enough to make an effort, no matter how big or small, means so much to people in need.

Seeing these stories of hope helps us keep a positive attitude toward the future and hopefully allows us to see the light shining at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Motivated by acts of kindness and generosity, we realize we may have the strength to help ourselves. And along this characterdefining journey, we can lend a hand to our neighbor too.

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A Time of Help

Help comes from many sources: government, local businesses, community organizations, friends, and neighbors. In the past few weeks, list after list have been created, full of useful links, government and community sources for help, business info, crisis lines, and much more.

Here are just a few of the ones we found useful.

• One of our favorite non-profit fundraising organizations, Band Together, has created a new page on their website called “Help from Home”, which culls an extensive list of local non-profits and charities helping those in our community. The list is complete with each organization’s mission, funds/items needed, and how you can volunteer or contribute. Visit www.bandtogethernc.org and click on the Help From Home link on the popup.

• Activate Good (specifically Amber Smith) has been promoting good deeds since 2013, and now, more than ever, they need good-hearted volunteers. On their website, visitors

Children in Historic Oakwood enjoyed a “bear hunt” through their neighborhood, finding stuffed bears at 129 different homes.

Photos by Jackie Twisdale and Meghan Melo.

Local restaurateur Ashley Christensen is involved with several local efforts to raise money for hospitality workers left without jobs or income.

can find a wide variety of opportunities to give back to their community, with many kid-friendly activities. Kindness calls (and mailing kind letters) to seniors and sewing masks for healthcare heroes are just a few of the items listed. There’s also a page for specific remote volunteer needs, with the specific number of volunteers needed and details on how to get involved. Visit https://activategood.org/covid19 • Giving Raleigh a Hand was created by local firm Brasco and is a wealth of information on organizations and businesses that can use a hand during the pandemic.

From relief funds to medical supply needs to food banks to virtual artist markets, it’s all in there. You can also find links to business resources, ways to donate to frontline workers, a cool t-shirt designed to look good and do good, and an extensive list of places to shop, order take out, and experience virtually, all from your computer. Kudos to the guys that put all this together. www.thinklocalraleigh.com.

A Time of Hope

If the level of interaction and caring between the members of our community says anything about how great a city and region are, then we’re certainly living in one of the most caring places anywhere, and that alone brings us plenty of hope for the future. We’ve included just a few of the good things happening around us below.

• What started as a fund for Triangle restaurant workers quickly grew into something much larger, helping furloughed hospitality workers across the entire state. Local restaurateur Ashely Christensen initially partnered with the non-profit organization The Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center to start the Triangle Restaurant Workers Relief Fund. Garnering attention and funds quickly, the NC Restaurant and Lodging Association worked with the Center to rename and relaunch the program as the NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund, now a state-wide resource to provide fast access to cash grants for North Carolina restaurant and hotel workers immediately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to provide qualified applicants with $500 to help

with the immediate expenses faced by many who have suddenly found themselves out of work. Tens of thousands of restaurant and hotel employees are now facing significant financial hardships as businesses curtail services in efforts to encourage social distancing and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. More info at www.ncrestaurantrelief.com.

• Several local restaurants pooled resources to work with Feed the Soul, a response fund for healthcare heroes from the NC Healthcare Association. The organization provides hundreds of local meals to healthcare workers.

A few local establishments involved so far are Ashley Christensen Restaurant Group, Panciuto, Trophy Brewing, Capital Club 16, and Happy + Hale. Learn more at https://www.ncha.org/feedthesoul.

• Raleigh-based Coastal Credit Union Foundation announced that it would provide a community relief package, in the form of $500,000 in unrestricted grants, to several area non-profits. These grants will be used to provide community assistance in response to the COVID19 pandemic. “It was important to us that we make these funds unrestricted,” said Chuck Purvis, Coastal’s President & CEO. “The situation is fluid, and the community needs are changing rapidly. The response needs to be just as nimble, and we have complete confidence in our nonprofit partners to decide how to use the money the best way possible.” The package includes a $100,000 grant to the newly-created NC Restaurant Relief Fund. Coastal’s Foundation is also supporting the following local nonprofits, among others: Families Together, Inter-faith Food Shuttle, Meals on Wheels of Wake County, Triangle Family Services, Urban Ministries of Durham, and the United Way Rapid Response Fund.

• In the past seven weeks, the non-profit Bridge the Gap Mission has grown 500% from helping about 100 families a week with food to providing 1200 meals a day, five days a week. Bridge the Gap is dedicated to improving the ISSUE 151

quality of life for low-income and disadvantaged residents of the Southeast Raleigh area. While helping provide for immediate needs like clothing and household items, they also offer educational programs, activities, and organized special events that aim to enhance community involvement with the goal of building pride and self-initiative. The work with other community advocates and networks to identify new resources and partnerships that will help in achieving their goals. Learn more on their website www.bridgethegapmission.org with more current info about current efforts on their Facebook page.

• Overflowing Hands, a Raleigh-based non-profit with a mission to serve children around the world, is partnering with Rocky Top Catering to feed hungry kids in Wake County during the school closings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 2, more than 2,500 meal packs were given directly to parents and kids in their mobile home parks, apartment communities, and neighborhoods. The organizations strategized with local school principals and members of the Wake County School Board to distribute well-balanced, hearty comfort food.

Rocky Top’s team creates delicious and nutritious meal packs that provide a hot supper with four to six servings.

“In Wake County, there are approximately 51,000 students who depend on free and reduced lunch programs provided by the schools,” said Chandler Ellis, executive director of Overflowing Hands. “Through our efforts, we are helping to provide healthy meals to many kids who otherwise might go hungry.”

Overflowing Hands and Rocky Top Catering have a goal to distribute meal packs every Monday and Thursday while children are not in school. Rocky Top is donating its talent, trucks, and supplies, so the cost of each meal is just $2.00.

Overflowing H ands i s c oordinating f ood d istribution, volunteers, and fundraising. Overflowing H ands n eeds $10,000 per week to provide 2,500-plus meals to hungry kids in Wake County every Monday and Thursday. To make an online donation, follow the Donate link from their website, www.overflowinghands.org. C ontributions c an also be made by checks payable to Overflowing Hands, Inc. and mailed to 1500 Briarwood Place, Raleigh, NC 27614. (content from SLR). > > >

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• Artists rely on clients who appreciate and purchase their work. With galleries and studios closed, no live music being performed, no events to DJ, no comedy shows to attend, and no dance shows, local artists are severely impacted financially by the pandemic. The NC Artist Relief Fund was created to support the creative individuals experiencing financial crisis. This collaborative fund is a collaboration between Artspace, PineCone, Theatre Raleigh, the United Arts Council, and VAE Raleigh, with over $43,000 donated so far. Sadly, over $1M has been reported in losses from 801 artists across the state. This figure sounds high, but it’s barely over $1200 per artist. Multiple local relief funds have been started around North Carolina. The NC Artist Relief Fund is dedicated to helping artists in Wake County and all parts of North Carolina not served by another local fund. 100% of donated funds will go directly to NC musicians, visual artists, actors, DJs, dancers, teaching artists, filmmakers, comedians, and arts presenters. To donate or learn more, visit https://vaeraleigh.org/artist-relief-fund.

• If there’s anything that gives us hope, it’s children, and seeing smiles on tiny faces amidst everything going on in the world is heartwarming. Residents of Historic Oakwood and other neighborhoods saw “bear hunts” for children being posted on social media and decided to hold their own. In Oakwood, Meghan Melo helped to organize a bear hunt with 129 families participating with teddy bears and other stuffed animals hiding in plain sight throughout the

neighborhood. Meghan’s Oakwood neighbor Eric Fletcher created a Google map, and another neighbor created a tally sheet that children used to mark off bears during their “hunt,” making sure to stay a safe distance from other parents and children along the way. Meghan said her three children had a ball finding all the bears and it was a welcome respite for little ones who had been out of school and home for weeks. Any excuse to go out for a healthy walk is a good excuse, especially when there are friendly bears involved.

A Time to Hustle

With all of the local restaurants closed by mandate from the Governor, many have had to hustle to implement online ordering, curbside pick-up, and delivery options, while retail shops and businesses have had to create virtual stores, webinars, online training, and anything else they can come up with to reach customers and keep some amount of revenue flowing. We found several great resources online for lists of restaurants, shopping, and business services. If you are financially able, please patron these businesses to make sure they can remain open through these trying times and make it to the other side with us. Their business existence now depends solely on the kindness and diligence of others.

• Miss the bustle and variety of eating and shopping in downtown Raleigh? Fear no more as the Downtown Raleigh Alliance has curated a list of downtown restaurants offering take out, curbside pick-up, and

Chef Brian Adornetto What you want, When you want it, The way you want it!

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delivery, as well as shops offering online shopping. Visit https://bit.ly/dra-takeout for the restaurant list and https://bit.ly/dra-shopping for retail suggestions. They also have a list of locations in downtown for groceries and other essentials, https://bit.ly/dra-grocery.

• WRAL-TV5 is great at putting together community lists and their compilation of local businesses offering takeout, curbside pick-up, delivery and online options is no exception. Unfortunately, there are quite a few franchises and chains on this list, it’s still one of the most extensive ones available online. https://bit.ly/wral-takeout • Shop Local Raleigh also has a list of all locally owned restaurants offering curbside pick-up, take out, and delivery options plus breweries and bottle shops, although it’s not quite as inclusive as the one from WRAL. https://bit.ly/SLR-takeout We hope things have changed for the better by the time our next issue is in print and if so, it is in large part due to all the great people and organizations we have here in Raleigh and across the Triangle. A huge thank you to everyone who has committed time, labor, love, donations, and their hearts to help others in this unprecedented time of need. We simply cannot thank all of you enough. Please stay safe, be kind to those around us, be there for those who need it, and be strong for yourself, your family, and your community. Hopefully, we’ll all come out on the other side, together. #staysafe

AESTHETIC STARTS 75. Prod 76. Not necessarily against ACROSS 77. Dr. Zhivago’s 1. Billy Joel’s “___ to girlfriend Extremes” 4. Islamabad’s country, 79. Ballad’s end?

Want to win a Downtowner T-shirt? Email us a photo of your completed puzzle to 80. Wax collector abrr. xword@welovedowntown.com. We’ll pick a random winner each month. Need a hint?

83. Dickens character 7. Sound booster Visit www.triangledowntowner.com and search for xword for the answer key. No cheating! 10. French brandy 85. Pretentious 87. “Adam and ___”, 16. Mumbai dress painted by Tintoretto 18. Tea server 88. “You betcha” 19. ___ Lama 89. Dental discomfort 21. Worst, as an 93. Battle in the excuse 22. Painter’s challenge American Revolution 97. Branch 25. Garfield’s vice 100. Litigant president 101. Biblical pronoun 26. Goddess of 102. Weapon supply wisdom and war 27. Act like a wounded 104. Rap doctor 105. Flower or eye part finger 107. Iago’s wife 28. Carrier 109. Many an office 30. Picked has one 31. It towers over 112. “Matrix” actor Reeves Taormina 117. Atmospheric prefix 32. Puts forward 118. Deplete 36. Swing around 120. Unspoiled 40. “Chicago” lyricist 42. Rat-Pack member 121. Channel 126. Where many 45. Compass point works are hung 48. Ole Miss rival 129. Playwright Norman 50. Bob Dylan song 130. Hike 52. Chocolate trees 131. Part of le 53. L.A.’s Getty printemps Center, for one 55. “Jealous mistress,” 132. On bended ___ 133. Sri Lanka, formerly to Emerson 134. Dark and 57. Digital photos, for feminine (Chinese) short 58. Air-conditioning gas 135. ____ gow poker 59. NY concert venue 136. Slip a cog 66. Recipe DOWN measuremnt. abbr.

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5. Dada notable 6. Nautical measure 7. Fictional password user 8. Statesman in a Warhol series 9. Picture of a star 10. Enduring literary work 11. Canoe equipment 12. Clock standard, abbr.

13. O.T. book 14. The Sun Devils of the N.C.A.A. 15. NYC’s Rockefeller, for one 17. Summer coolers 19. Grime 20. Makes up (for) 23. Change machine input 24. Common pronoun 29. Med. test result 33. ___ pickle (jam) 34. Tic-___-toe 35. Mainstay 37. Weight abbr.

38. Emirates, for short 39. Outback runner 41. Dundee hillside 43. Disturb 44. Australian stock exchange, abbr.

45. Miscalculates 46. Milestone 47. Rock music style 49. Pacers and Ramblers, e.g.

51. Object 53. Fore’s opposite 54. Agency concerned with kid’s health 56. Color 60. Get __ of yourself 61. Put a new price on 62. Iridescent substance 63. Advantage 64. Triumphant shout 65. Mass. peninsula

68. Computer list 69. Broadly 72. Decide 73. Bumps 76. End of a warning 78. These may be fine 80. Mark permanently 81. White as a sheet 82. A whiskey 83. State confidently 84. Opinion piece in a newspaper 86. Hamelin critter 87. Environmental watchdogs 90. Arles assent 91. Over, poetically 92. Three way 94. Fashion line 95. Groove-billed ___ 96. Singapore inhabitant 98. Salad tid-bit 99. Come-ons 103. Fabrication 106. Humorous piece 108. Sheikdom of song 110. Word with book or message 111. “What’s that?”

113. “CHiPs” co-star Estrada 114. Nickname for the Red Sox’s Adrian Gonzalez 115. Frisco gridder 116. Family name at Indy 119. MTV’s “__ My Ride” 120. Roman 8 121. Car co. bought by Chrysler 122. Actress ___ Dawn Chong of “The Color Purple” 123. Encouraging word 124. Night school subj.

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Residential & Commercial Real Estate – Buy/Sell/Invest Proudly donating 50% of all commissions to local charities.

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Paying it forward. During these difficult times of the

coronavirus, there are many of our friends and neighbors who need our help. To do what I can, I’ve decided to donate 50% of my commissions to local charities, such as the Women’s Center, NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund, or any other local charity of your choice. I would be honored to help you find or sell your home, and together, we can make a difference in our community. Please call or email and we can get started today.

Call, text or email to tour this home, shop for other homes, or for help selling yours!

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