Google Glass: A Different View
[Editor’s Note: Good thing we sent two people to the Google Glass Debut last week, because Tech Columnist Ian Henshaw came back with a very different view than my own.] Read more
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Seeing the World Through Google Glass
Durham, NC — Google Glass, the revolutionary prototype from the Mountain View search giant, made its public debut in Durham, NC last week. I had a chance to try on a pair. I may never be the same again. Read more
Google Glass Coming to Durham
Durham, NC — Google Glass, the iconic prototype from the Silicon Valley tech giant, is having its first-ever public event. It’s at American Tobacco in Durham this Saturday, October 5, 2013.
All About Google Glass
Google Glass is a tiny device built onto a conventional pair of eyeglasses.
Glass sees what you see. It responds to voice commands like “Take a Picture” or “Record a Video.” You can ask Glass a question like “How tall is the Empire State Building” and see an answer projected in front of your eyes.
You can share with others, send and receive messages (hands-free) and translate your voice into another language.
Google Glass Coming to Durham
Google Glass has been surrounded by stratospheric hype since its introduction to the public. A handful of experts have received a pair to try and others have seen Glass at trade shows, industry events and bars in Silicon Valley.
Now, Google is taking Glass on the road to showcase the new technology to the general public. The first stop on their nationwide tour is Durham, North Carolina.
Durham is a natural starting point for the Google Glass roadshow. It’s a city that has embraced technology and entrepreneurship, a city that’s bursting with creativity in the arts, music and dance. It’s a place where people dream big dreams.
I’m On the List!
I heard about the Glass demo yesterday and promptly RSVP’d, thinking we’d do a story on it today. Well, today, the RSVP list is closed.
No idea how many responses they accepted or what kind of madhouse it’s likely to be, but I’ll bring a story.
If you want to try your luck or just hang around to catch a little of the buzz, here’s the event details:
Google Glass Public Demonstration
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Bay 7
American Tobacco Campus
Durham, NC
More Info
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Story by Hal Goodtree. Photo from Google.com/Glass.
Mission Post: A Place for Non-Profits
Durham, NC — Mission Post, recently opened in the American Tobacco District in downtown Durham, unites two powerful and current ideas: co-working and non-profits. Read more
Cary Named Code for America City
Cary, NC — Code for America (CfA) has released a list of 15 cities that will be added to the Brigade Program in 2013 which is great news for the Triangle. Both Cary and Durham have been added and will join Raleigh with Code for America Brigades in the coming year. Read more
Business: American Tobacco Gets Old Bull
Durham, NC – American Tobacco Campus has reacquired the Old Bull Building on Blackwell Street, adding back a historic property to their iconic downtown Durham development.
A Brief History of American Tobacco in Durham
In 1865, Washington Duke, a Confederate prisoner of war, was released from Federal custody. He walked back from New Bern to his homestead in Durham with 50¢ in his pocket. By 1896, his company, American Tobacco, was one of the first 12 members of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Along the way, Duke & Sons helped consolidate the tobacco business. One of the companies they absorbed was Blackwell’s Durham Tobacco, makers of Bull Durham.
American Tobacco abandoned manufacturing in Durham in the mid 1980’s. The old factory became an eyesore. Eventually, Capitol Broadcasting Company stepped in, redeveloping and reopening the property in 2004.
But one piece was missing: the Old Bull building at the corner of Blackwell and Pettigrew.
American Tobacco Gets Old Bull
As reported in the Herald Sun and Triangle Business Journal, an affiliate of Capitol Broadcasting called ATC North Residential has acquired Old Bull and and the Noell building, an adjacent property. The purchase price was $9.5 million.
The first floor of Old Bull is filled with offices. The upper floors are being renovated to contain more than 50 apartments. The Noell building has 17 apartments.
Cary Connection
Why the Durham story in CaryCitizen? Every now and then, it’s good to look around at our neighbors. And while Cary sometimes seemed unnaturally close to Raleigh, Durham has become a lot closer to Cary this year with the opening of the Triangle Expressway.
From my house in Cary (near the YMCA), American Tobacco is 19 minutes away (exit 12B off NC -147). That’s closer than downtown Raleigh.
I know this because I spent much of the spring and summer helping produce the new website for American Tobacco.
When Cary looks at historic redevelopment, it can look for no better example than what Capitol Broadcasting has done in downtown Durham. The reacquisition of Old Bull is another step in the right direction.
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Historic engraving of Old Bull from Durham County Library. Contemporary photos by Hal Goodtree.
Weekend Events: Cary and Beyond
Cary, NC – It’s the height of the summer with weekend events across Cary and the Triangle. Read more
July 4th in Cary and Beyond
Cary, NC – Music, fireworks and ole time family fun, that’s what’s on tap for July 4th in Cary, NC and across the Triangle.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Wind Down Wednesday – 6pm – 9pm with area band Black & Blue in Waverly Place’s Promenade area. Part of the free family-friendly summer concert series. There’s a playground for the kids and carts set up selling beverages and food. Restaurants line the area with open air cafe dining that looks out on the action.
Independence Eve at Sertoma – Bond Park, 6:30 p.m. Performance by the Applause! Cary Youth Theatre touring troupe at 6:30 p.m. and the Cary Town Band at 7:30 p.m.
July 4th Celebration at Bond Park
The fun starts at 7:30 AM with a fishing tournament for all ages.
At 10:30 AM, there’s the Parade in the Park. Come at 10:0 and decorate your bike, trike, stroller, wagon or stroller.
At 10:45 a.m. there’s a Canine Talent Show.
And at 11:15, family contests including donut eating, Lakeside Olympics, Watermelon Eating, Seed Spitting, Water Balloon Toss and Sidewalk Decorating.
More Info: Fourth of July in Bond Park
July 4th at Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Gates open at 3 PM for the July 4th celebration at Koka Booth in Cary.
50 Foot Ferris Wheel – One highlight of July 4th at KBA will undoubtedly be the 50 foot ferris wheel overlooking Regency Lake. Get there early to avoid a line.
Model Boat Regatta – Courtesy of the Capital Model Boat Club. Starts at 3 PM.
There’s also an Ice Cream Eating Contest sponsored by Lumpy’s Ice Cream, a frozen t-shirt contest, Watermelon eating contest, magician, face painter, and more.
Cary Town Band takes the stage at 5:45 followed by the North Carolina Symphony. It all wraps up with a 4th of July fireworks display, Cary-style.
More Info: Fourth of July at Booth Amphitheatre
Across the Triangle
If you’re up for an adventure across the Triangle, consider some of these July 4th celebrations in the area.
July 4th Pancake Breakfast – Morrisville, Fire Station #1, 8:00 – 10:00 AM. Traditional Independence Day Pancake Breakfast, prepared by the Morrisville Fire Department. More info: Town of Morrisville
Apex Olde Fashioned 4th of July – Downtown Apex, 9am-1pm. Carnival Games, Jugglers, Inflatables, Clowns, Karaoke by Skid Rowe and more! Decorate your non-motorized wheels for Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels at noon. More info: Town of Apex
American Tobacco July 4th Celebration – Starts at 5 PM on the lawn in front of the DPAC for 3 hours music, food trucks, zips lines and more. Around 8 PM, the doors open at Durham Bulls Athletic Park (the Bulls vs.Norfolk Tides) for a fireworks extravaganza, Durham-style. More info: American Tobacco on Facebook.
The ‘Works – Fayetteville Street area, Downtown Raleigh, 12 Noon – 1 PM. 6 hours of daytime music, bounce houses, hot dog eating contest, sportbike freestyle riding and fireworks after dark. Raleigh-style. More info: RaleighConvention.com/Works
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Photo: Madeline.
Tech Events in the Triangle – June ’13 Edition
Story by Ian Henshaw, Managing Partner of TechnologyTank.org. Photo by Hal Goodtree.
Cary, NC – Here is a quick summary of Technology events coming up in in June and July. Read more