Yvon Chouinard (Founder of Patagonia) is a featured speaker on the Wall Street Journal’s “Forward Thinking”
“Mountain climber, environmental activist and owner of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard is in business to change the way that business is done.”
From the News & Observer - 5.29.08As the warm days of summer roll in, some folks are ready to shuck their shoes
No shoes, no problem
Michael Dodd grew up in Raleigh, played football and baseball at Broughton High School. He went barefoot in the backyard and on family vacations at the beach and enjoyed it, but it wasn’t like his mom was constantly trying to keep shoes on him. Then he went off to college.
Wearing shoes wasn’t an issue early on at Furman University in Greenville, S.C. Until summer.
“Our fraternity house was in Travelers Rest,” says Dodd. (Travelers Rest, for those not familiar with greater Greenville, is a neighboring tourist town at the base of the Blue Ridge mountains.) “I spent several summers down there and we wore as little as possible.”
Upon venturing into civilization, that required some accommodation, he says. But not much.
“We went into stores and restaurants down there without shoes,” recalls the 23-year-old, “because nobody cared.”
Going barefoot quickly emerged from an occasional indulgence into a lifestyle. A lifestyle that required adjustment upon graduation and his return to Raleigh. Again, though, not much.
Todd works at the Great Outdoor Provision Co. in Cameron Village where, as store spokesman Chuck Millsaps says, “We make him wear shoes.”
But as he prepares sportswear for reshelving, a glance at his feet reveals he’s wearing a high-tech descendant of those hippie Barebottoms: Vibram Five Fingers, a kind of foot glove deemed by Time magazine as one of last year’s 10 best inventions. He’s had them for several months now and says they accommodate every activity in his active lifestyle.
Every activity? I ask the five-handicap golfer.
“I haven’t tried them with golf,” he says, warming to the idea. “The only thing [golf courses] restrict are metal spikes.”
from The News & Observer
5.27.08
, Staff Writer
RALEIGH - Residents of northwest Raleigh stayed on the lookout Monday for the bear or bears that traipsed through their neighborhoods Sunday, but there were no further sightings.Law enforcement officials on both sides of the Wake-Durham county line received calls Sunday morning from residents surprised by a furry visitor.
David DeVerter, who lives at Dawn Piper Drive in Raleigh, grabbed his camera when he saw a black bear walk through his side yard, past the white picket fence and down his suburban street.
His photos show a young bear estimated to weigh 100 pounds.
“I’d seen a fox in my yard one time, but nothing like this,” DeVerter recalled Monday. “It was very obviously a bear.”
Black bears are the only bear species native to the state.
Once forced by hunters and farmers into shrinking enclaves in the mountains or coastal swamps, North Carolina’s black bear population is rebounding just as the state’s population is booming. And black bears have expanded their range in the past 30 years.
As a result, bears and people are crossing paths more often. Bears aren’t as ubiquitous as the white-tailed deer, an animal that seems to thrive at the woodsy edge of the suburbs, but sightings of the lumbering creatures aren’t unheard of in the Piedmont, wildlife experts say.
Tom McKemie, who lives about a half mile from DeVerter, saw a bear in his backyard off Indigo Moon Way in Raleigh about 8:30 a.m. Sunday. He was one of those who dialed 911.
“He wasn’t in a hurry, just walking through like he had somewhere to be,” McKemie said Monday. “We see deer like crazy around here, but never a bear.”
Other residents reported seeing a bear in Durham County behind the Wal-Mart store off Brier Creek Parkway, as well as crossing through a nearby cemetery.
Authorities were not sure whether the sightings were of one bear or whether there may have been two bears — a mother and a cub.
McKemie, who saw the photos taken by DeVerter, is convinced he saw a different bear.
“I think my bear was bigger,” he said.
michael.biesecker@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-4698
May 12th - 16th is National Bike to Work Week and is part of the 2008 SmartCommute Challenge. Celebrate with cycling events, free food, prizes, shop discounts, and group rides throughout the Triangle!
Click here for events going on this week
Cycling Resources
GoTriangle.org has helpful information on how to plan your route, pack your gear, cycle safely, and maintain your bike.
Encourage your friends to take the Challenge at SmartCommuteChallenge.org
MULEteam members save everyday! You can bring in coupons from the “National Chains” and we’ll give you an extra $5 back!
» Not a member? Join today, It’s FREE!
The weekly festivities include performances by top bands, featuring bluegrass, back porch, roots, americana and old time music and a thriving Farmer’s Market with fresh local produce, cheese, eggs, baked goods, flowers, honey, organic meat, locally produced wine, hand made arts and crafts and more. Every week, CERES, Saxapahaw’s local quality of life organization sets up exciting events and activities for children including the Famous Zipboat, the Environmentally Engineered Slip-N-Slide, face painting, children’s arts & crafts and a weekly kid’s parade.
Festivities take place every Saturday from 5pm-8pm through the end of August. Admission is free though donations are appreciated, organizers pass around a “Swan Bucket” each week for the band. It’s a beautiful day out! Come On Along!!!
It was great to see our good friends from Larry’s Beans yesterday. They stopped by the Raleigh Shop to brew up some tasty coffee samples during the Get Out More Tour.
Check out their website Sustainability School for “basic facts and the latest tips to blaze a bright future for the planet”
April 15 - May 30
Annual non-profit service campaign that works to reduce traffic congestion & improve air quality in the Triangle. Great Outdoor Provision Co. is proud to be a Bronze Sponsor
August sunrise on Karmen’s Pinnacle, upper Exum Ridge, 2007. David Thoenen (L), Jeff Witt (R). photo by Jim Faber
My hero (and husband) Bill Ferris on a hike with our then 3.5-month-old son, Elliott at the North Carolina Botanical Garden. photo by Jen Ferris
SPRING PHOTO CONTEST - Win Gear from MSR & Thermarest!
We all have our favorite things that make the Triangle special. Here’s your chance to help your favorite businesses and people shine. Thanks for voting!
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Poll?poll=oid%3A166895
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