Happy weekend, Durham! In today’s happening-today edition: Goats clearing tiger rescue grounds, a community Juneteenth celebration, and Hamilton + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Preventing tragic accidents: A memorial of 50 empty shoes in Durham honored children who died in hot cars, as Safe Kids Durham County and fire officials urged North Carolina drivers to check backseats -- see the backseat reminder.
Closing the digital divide: North Carolina launched its second Digital Opportunity Survey, asking residents about internet access and skills, as NCDIT and NC State’s Friday Institute advance nearly $700 million ARPA-funded broadband projects statewide -- learn how to take part.
A peaceful land-clearing twist: Carolina Tiger Rescue brought in 32 goats from Goats on the Go Raleigh-Durham to eat invasive plants, avoiding engine noise and herbicides while giving tigers a spectacle, separated by fencing -- see the goat cleanup.
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Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Local swing sanity saver: Brad Clayton's PuzzleDuck Golf is run by a PGA Master Professional who actually explains the why, then gets you working through lessons, schools, clinics, or online coaching... and there’s an indoor simulator for stormy days. If your game’s gone feral, this is your reset.
Crave-worthy Creole fix: Skip the same-old and let Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen handle dinner... Think gumbo, jambalaya, muffuletta, beignets, even smoky brisket, all from a team that started as a beloved food truck and now cooks like they’re feeding friends. It’s cozy, vibrant, and extremely hard to order just one thing.
Close-to-home exhale: Craving a quick reset this week without a long drive, Ward's Farm Campsite sits right on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail as a simple walk-in spot for locals, with quiet tent pads, a communal fire pit and shelter, and just enough off-grid vibes to make your group chat jealous.
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04 — Our recommendations
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🥾 The Return of Hike Club! @ Eagle Spur Trail | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Grab your hiking shoes and join the rebooted Hike Club for a flat five-miler on Eagle Spur Rail Trail to Jordan Lake with a mix of queer folks and allies. Watch for roots and maybe eagles, carpool for the small lot, then lunch nearby.
🤝 Turn the Page: A Day of Community @ Durty Bull Brewing Company | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Queerolina is taking over Durty Bull with a free, community-powered Juneteenth celebration by day, and an unapologetic Alt-Pride after dark. Expect BIPOC and queer vendors, family-friendly moments, burlesque and drag, then a DJ-fueled dance party. It’s remembrance, resistance, and sweat, so pace yourself.
🧬 Lineage Tracing & Community Storytelling Workshop @ Phoenix Square Hayti | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Dig into your roots at a four-part lineage and community storytelling workshop, right on time for Juneteenth. A certified genealogist from Branching Out Ancestry leads, Concerned Black American Citizens hosts, and you figure out who that cousin at every reunion is, no DNA kit required.
🎶 Concert: Venetian Vespers Music @ Duke University Chapel | Saturday (6/20) at 8:00 PM – Think you know your Monteverdi? Duke Chapel hosts a Venetian Vespers service with period instruments, polished soloists, and psalm settings that culminate in Carissimi's eight-part Magnificat. It is free, parking's in the Bryan Center Garage, and the acoustics do the holy lifting.
🧘 Yoga @ Zinc House Winery & Brewery | Sunday (6/21) at 11:30 AM – Trade the treadmill for vineyard views and roll out your mat at Durham’s Zinc House Winery for outdoor yoga with Sharon MacGregor of Serenity Farm. A gentle, all-levels flow, then linger for bubbly, coffee, a food truck bite, and perfectly respectable Sunday loafing.
🎮 Durham Geek and Grub Market (Gaming Edition) @ Durham Armory | Sunday (6/21) at 12:00 PM – Swing by the Durham Armory for Geek and Grub’s Gaming Edition, a free market with 40+ vendors, food trucks, and special guests. Kids can hunt for prizes while you sample the Geek Tavern’s mocktails, browse collectibles, and nostalgically argue which controller ruined your thumbs.
🎭 Hamilton @ Durham Performing Arts Center | Sunday (6/21) at 7:30 PM – DPAC hosts Hamilton, the genre-bending musical that turns the founding era into razor-smart theater with hip hop, heart, and history. Yes, the one your kids know by heart, but it hits different in person, and the applause does too. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Durham report Weather forecastToday — High: 89°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. West wind 1 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 95°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 0 to 8 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. This house is wildThis 5,000-square-foot home off Guess Road puts space and convenience front and center, just 10 minutes from downtown. Four finished floors offer room to spread out, from quiet sitting areas to a basement built for entertaining. The huge primary suite, screened porch, peaceful backyard, and oversized two-car garage with storage add plenty of everyday appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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