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Durham Distillery recognized for their all- natural ingredient gin and liqueurs

"Durham Distillery: Super small, started out doing Conniption Gin and it took me months begging and pleading to get them in our local store. They also have liqueurs with all- natural ingredients that are amazing.”

—"A spirit for NC mixology — Jordan Keiper" Kristi Maier, Yes Weekly

Picnic recognized for its whole hog pork

"Overall, the whole hog pork at Picnic was great."

—"Picnic – Durham, NC" Barbecue Bros

Counter Culture Coffee and training center praised as the best

"We use Counter Culture Coffee, and that's out of Durham N.C. It's the best coffee company in the world."

—"Black Coffee coming in October" Michael O'Hearn, Tryon Daily Bulletin

Chef Ricky Moore and Saltbox Seafood recognized as fresh local seafood with a gourmet flair

"In an unassuming seafood joint just off Mangum Street in downtown Durham, chef Ricky Moore serves up fresh local seafood with a gourmet flair. At first glance, you wouldn’t suspect the modest kitchen contained a talented, globally-trained chef. But at first bite, you’d have no doubt someone special was crafting that food."

—"At the Stove with Chef Ricky Moore" Staff, Bit & Grain

Durham recognized as favorite point in the triangle

"Now that we’ve visited Chapel Hill on our Triangle road trip, the second stop is Durham, NC. Known as the “Bull City,” Durham has a very distinct culture – authentic, down to earth, entrepreneurial – that makes it FULL of one-of-a-kind food, fun and shopping. Truth be told, Durham just might be our favorite point on the Triangle. If you’re making a trip to Durham, this is your guide to Durham, with the best places to eat, stay and play while you’re there"

—"A scoopGirls’ Guide to Durham", Andria Rosell, ScoopCharlotte

Picnic recognized as a top NC barbecue spot

"the menu at Picnic is more diverse than most barbecue joints. There’s excellent fried chicken dredged in smoked buttermilk, blackened catfish, and a burger topped with pimento cheese. There’s a little something for everyone, and lots of menu items that help offset the cost of those heritage breed hogs. The generously stuffed sandwich is still a good deal at $8.95, which includes a side."

- "The new Carolina Barbecue" Daniel Vaughn, TMBBQ

The Kings Daughters Inn sees results from members only deals

"The King’s Daughters Inn, a luxury boutique hotel in Durham, North Carolina, recently utilized Members Only Deals to help drive business for the summer, and in one month saw a 40 percent increase in occupancy rate."

—"Expedia Hotel Partners see big gains with members only deals" Hotel Marketing

Durham recognized for rich history

"Durham is home to Duke University and a major research belt. Outside of college sports games, Durham has a long history with many historical sites nearby. From its rich African-American history to Civil War to tobacco, history runs deep in Durham. After exploring the many museums and art galleries, I would relax at one of the many hotels in Durham, like the Durham Hotel, which has a rooftop terrace and hydro massage shower heads."

—"Hipmunk Hotels: Deep South Hotels in Durham, Palm Beach, Marietta, and More" Katelyn, Hipmunk

Durham craft beers recognized as top triangle picks

"The Durhamer Ale—made with Durham water from the county’s Lake Michie reservoir, local malt from Durham’s Epiphany Malting, North Carolina-grown hops and ale yeast—is available when brewers decide to make it. The beer’s chestnut brown “Burley” color is a nod to the city’s tobacco history, while its taste recalls Southern biscuits flavored with a hint of the sweet, Southern iced tea."

—"In the Raleigh-Durham Area, a Craft Brewing Explosion" Odile Fredericks, Where Traveler

Fullsteam recognized for its Summer Basil Belgian saison

"Fullsteam, out of Durham, N.C., uses local basil for this Belgian saison, which is available in cans in Summer and Fall. Fullsteam has a thing for veggies; they also make a popular Sweet Potato Lager."

—"Shrooms, Beets and Carrots: 7 Veggie Beers" Graham Averill, Paste

21c featured in the Toronto Star

"The modern/seasonal Counting House run by executive chef Josh Munchel serves globally minded regional dishes that celebrate North Carolina’s seafood. Think shrimp and grits, chilled Carolina Gold rice and tobacco tuna that gives a nod to the state’s tobacco past.The bar and lounge will keep you happy with craft cocktails, craft beer and broad bourbon and wine lists.There’s a monthly cocktail series in the Vault downstairs."

—"Where design and historic details meet" Jennifer Bain, Toronto Star

Juju recognized for its locally sourced fusion dishes

"Juju Durham is perfect for trying multiple fusion dishes ranging from small bites to larger plates."
—5 Restaurants to Check Out in Durham, NC Catelin Brown, Adventuredaze 

Bull City Burger & Brewery recognized for good food and green technology

"If you are looking for a burger joint that participates in the “farm to fork” movement, keeps the environment healthy using recycled materials and incorporates green technology then Bull City is the place for you. You have the option to build your own burger or hot dog, try one of their specials, eat fries three ways and end your meal with the ice cream of the day which is also made in-house. This is every weekenders dream: burgers and brews all made in the same place!"

—5 Restaurants to Check Out in Durham, NC Catelin Brown, Adventurdaze

Durham recognized for its 'wide variety of high quality food'

"Awarded the title of “America’s Foodiest Small Town” by Bon Appétit Magazine, Durham, North Carolina offers high-quality food across a wide variety of different cuisines."
—"5 Restaurants to Check Out in Durham, NC" Catelin Brown, Adventuredaze

James Huff recipe recognized for unique twists

"James Huff , the talented chef of the newly opened Motto in Durham, N.C., gave me this recipe, which is made with crabmeat, oysters and oyster liquor, and shrimp. James likes to put his own twist on this traditional dish by roasting or grilling the salsa components; this reduces the water content of the Campechana and concentrates the flavor."

—"Short Order: Shellfish Campechana" John Broening, Denver Post

The Duffer Brothers recall Carolina Theatre memories

"Growing up in Durham, North Carolina, the Duffer Brothers nourished their future careers on an early diet of all the books, television, and cinema they could get their hands on. They recalled trips to Durham’s Carolina Theatre with their father to watch adult-skewing films like Amelie and Memento and how they quickly realized they were the youngest attendees by far. They also engaged in a primitive (by today’s standards) form of binge watching."

—"Duffer Brothers On Their ‘Stranger Things’" Clarence Moye, Awards TV

Rose's Meats and Sweets recognized for its next level ice cream sandwich

"In Durham, North Carolina, caramelized miso ice cream is scooped between house-made gingersnap cookies at Rose’s Meat Market & Sweet Shop. The secret? Pastry Chef Katie Meddis makes a thick caramel sauce, then adds miso to the caramel before blending it into an ice-cream base. The thin ginger snap cookies soften slightly when frozen, and the sweet and salty flavor lingers long after your last bite."

—"Sweet Sammich"  Amber Gibson, American Way

Durham recognized for creative and crafty downtown preservation

"Sell historic districts, but sell them well. Don’t try to compete with the suburbs head to head. You can’t. Economically disadvantaged historic areas will need to be creative and crafty. Think a little bit like Durham. Retailers have tremendously complicated needs.The healthiest historic communities are the ones that mix residential with a variety of retail, dry cleaners, hair salons, drug stores as well as chain stores and restaurants."

—"Preservation is a Journey and a Destination" Karen Gardner, The Frederick News Post

Durham recognized as the "cooler cousin"

"Once Raleigh’s avoidable sidekick, this resurrected railroad town is now Raleigh’s cooler cousin. Herein, every time I pass New York’s Penn Station (Amtrak), I know that another groovy walkable downtown is just a train ride away."

—Durham, NC: Mills as Lofts, Food as Craft, Life as Good Bruce Northam, Johnny Jet

World of Fine Wine awards Vin Rouge top rating

"Its insightful wine list spans a staggering compilation of leading producers, emerging and established vintages, by-the -glass options, with larger formats including choices from half the bottle and up. This rating is quite an accomplishment, as it illustrates Vin Rouge’s passion and tenacity when it comes to wine’s sprawling and historical culture."

— "2016 World of Fine Wine Winners", World of Fine Wine

Interview with Michael Maller of Vin Rouge

"To me, good wine lists are full of enticing, delicious, food-friendly, authentic wines at fair and varied prices. I think there needs to be a balance of familiar wines, well-known wines, up and coming wines, obscure wines and some geeky wines too. The layout and organization don’t matter as much to me as long as it makes sense and compliments the type of restaurant or bar. It should be obvious that the restaurant takes great care in its wine program while looking at a wine list - it’s usually a sign that they take great care in other things too."

—"Interview with Michael Maller, Vin Rouge North Carolina" Fine Wine

Time Magazine recognized Picnic as a "Top 8 Best BBQ Spot in the Carolinas"

"Pitmaster Wyatt Dickson and farmer Ryan Butler have joined forces to return to barbecue’s roots, with heritage-breed pigs raised for the smokehouse. The distance from pasture to Picnic’s pit is only about 12 miles."

—"The 8 Best BBQ Spots in the Carolinas" Rien Fertel, Time Magazine

NCGLFF recognized as top gay summer event worth traveling to

"The law (HB2) will be on the minds of audiences at the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (Aug. 12-20), which takes place at the Carolina Theater of Durham. Joe Student, the theater’s director of live events, said that he anticipated an outpouring of support from filmmakers and the gay community in Durham, a liberal town where Mr. Student said the legislation has little support. “It’s a nonstarter here,” Mr. Student said in an interview."

—"A Guide to Gay Summer Events Worth Traveling To" Erik Piepenburg, New York Times

King's Sandwich Shop recognized for having a special place in Durham's heart

"McDermott has watched four generations of family pose for a photo in front of the King's sign. He's seen an elderly woman run her hand along the old wooden counter top and say, 'I know I was grown up when I could see over this.' "

—"King's Sandwich Shop" JP Trostle, Our State

Alton Brown calls Mateo's Cheerwine Sangria brilliant

"While on tour we ate our weight at an excellent Spanish tapas joint in Durham, N.C. called Mateo. Truly amazing food and we washed it down with a couple of pitchers of Cheerwine Sangria, which is one of those ideas that’s so brilliant that it actually hurts me to not have thought of it."

— "Cheerwine Sangria" Alton Brown, AltonBrown.com

Durham recognized as "The Foodie Capitol of the South"

"Durham, North Carolina, has one of the most exciting and varied dining scenes of any Southern town, with everything from regional favorites like biscuits and barbecue to taste bud challengers such as beef tendon crackers and black garlic ice cream."

-"Go to Durham — the foodie capital of the South" Jennifer Ceaser, New York Post

Durham recognized as a thriving destination

"In just a few years, the Bull City has morphed from a college town into a full-fledged destination in its own right."

-"Durham, North Carolina travel guide: What to see and do" Jennifer Cunningham, AM New York

Durham's Black Twig Cider House owner and Basque enthusiast Mattie Beason recognized by Food & WIne

"The people of Durham are pretty worldly when it comes to most things, especially food and drink. And Basque people love to have a good time. They celebrate every day with food and drink like nowhere else in the world in my opinion. Who doesn't enjoy a celebration? Durham is no different; put wine in a porron, put cider streaming out of a barrel, shuck oysters on the half shell, serve lots of other Basque treats, and just watch the fun happen."

—"Why Txakoli is Taking North Carolina by Storm" Deanna Gonnella, Food & Wine

Counter Culture's Lem Butler explains "Being a Barista Isn’t a Dead-End Job."

"On a Friday morning at the Counter Culture Training HQ in Durham, NC, he stands behind an espresso machine like it’s a pulpit. In his mid-40s but still rocking long, tight dreads, his even-keeled cadence comes off as warm and charismatic, but just a tad distant. Exactly what you’d want in someone serving you coffee."

—"Being a Barista Isn’t a Dead-End Job, According to the US Barista Champion" Dan Gentile, Munchies

Durham recognized for great bakeries, craft breweries and a beet salad by James Huff, chef of Lucia

"There is a large hipster population here, which means there is a booming farm-to-table movement and great bakeries, wineries, craft breweries and even a distillery that makes Mezcal."

— "Broening: Roasted Baby Beet Salad with Pickled Shallots" John Broening ,The Denver Post

Mateo Bar de Tapas recognized byTravel & Leisure

"I wasn’t expecting landlocked Durham to have some of the best seafood I’ve ever tasted, but Durham’s Mateo, the first solo venture by chef Matthew Kelly, was a knockout. Everyone around you will be ordering foxy-looking patatas bravas—fried wedges of potatoes served with aioli—but you also want to order the seafood salad, a bowl brimming with chilled scallops, shrimp, octopus, clams, and calamari, all brightened by an eye-opening sherry vinaigrette."

—"10 Things You Have to Eat and Drink in the South Right Now" Alex Van Buren, Travel & Leisure

Durham venues recognized as welcoming terrain for Moogfest

"Moogfest drew over 7,000 ticketed attendees to its first year in Durham, selling out the highest priced VIP categories, with some 40,000 enjoying the free programming and concerts. Festival organizers have already announced its dates for next year: May 18-21, 2017, once again in the welcoming tech-terrain of Durham, NC."

—"Moogfest comes to Durham NC" Renee Wright, Examiner

Durham recognized as a city that supports atypical entrepenuers

"After considering five locations including Atlanta and Washington, D.C., his team chose Durham for what he calls a combination of dense minority population and a high regard for entrepreneurship."

-"Inside A Growing Movement Of Coworking Spaces For Atypical Entrepreneurs" Sean Captain, Fast Company

City of Durham and Moog partnership recognized as impressive

"If Moog’s legacy is the friendly ghost of the festival, Durham is making the most of his haunting. The city’s enthusiasm boils over at times, with circuit board graphics on the pavement bearing slogans like “America’s most tolerant city” but coming from Toronto, a city that’s struggling to figure out how to be supportive (or even tolerant) of live music, I find the partnership between city and festival impressive."

-"What Canadian music festivals can learn from Moogfest" Kristel Jax, Chart Attack

Durham recognized as America's latest and greatest craft beer destination

"Just as Bull Durham reflects its niche habitat, Durham's breweries reflect the city's growing landscape. In the case of Durty Bull, literally: The bar is made of reclaimed wood from demolished houses down the road, as Durham clears the way for more housing developments. The state is a hotbed of recent political spotlight, and more than 30 breweries banded together to create a "Golden Rule Saison" as a response to the controversy."

—"We're Here, We're Beer, Get Used To It" Abby Reisner, Tasting Table

Rolling Stone recognized the circuitry felt in Durham during Moog

"Durham's hotels, theaters, pubs, open-air spaces and YMCA cages were crackling with circuitry."

—"Moogfest 2016: Was It Actually the Future of Music?" Christopher R. Weingarten, Rolling Stone

Moog is a good fit for Durham

"It was also the first time Moogfest has been located in Durham, after previous stints in New York City and then in Asheville, North Carolina, the hometown of the Moog company but a more remote location. That fits nicely with Durham, which is positioning itself as an East Coast alternative to Silicon Valley and Austin, and there were faint echoes of South by Southwest."

— "Moogfest 2016: A Futurism Weighted With History and Trepidation"David Graham, The Atlantic

Durham recognized as a highlight of the USA

"From the sprawling mountains of Asheville to the Coastal port of Wilmington, the Carolinas are abundant with sights and experiences. Meander Durham's Duke University gardens, unwind in the Outer Banks and indulge on the Barbecue Trail."

—"Land of Many Wonders, Highlights of the USA" Veda Gilbert, Horizons

The Art of Cool Festival recognized as America’s Best-Kept-Secret

"The Art of Cool Festival in Durham, North Carolina blends the best of jazz, hip-hop, alternative and cutting-edge dopeness with panel discussions that explore blackness in entertainment and America."

— "RECAP: Okayplayer Experiences America’s Best-Kept-Secret, The Art Of Cool Fest!" Okayplayer, Kevito

Our State Features Durham Food Trucks

"Do the stripes on this converted mini school bus look familiar? But of course: They’re the pink, cream, and brown of that brick of Neapolitan ice cream you ate as a child. Owners Vanessa Mazuz and her husband, Yoni, serve up seasonal specialty flavors, as well, like sweet corn with berry swirl in the summer, and butternut squash come autumn. Everything in your cone or in your dish is made from scratch, including sundae toppings."

—"Photo Essay: Keep on Truckin’" Staff, Our State

Tasting Table Features New Counter Culture Headquarters

"Counter Culture's new headquarters are more like high school study hall rather than homeroom. The 24,000-square-foot roastery is where you go to learn about coffee, not numbly check in before the day begins."

—"Behind the Counter," Annu Reisner, Tasting Table

Alley 26 Bar Owner Featured on Food52

"Angostura Aromatic Bitters is the quintessential multi-tasker. It works wonders in whiskey drinks like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan, balancing the sweetness of the sugar or sweet vermouth."

—"Why Angostura Aromatic Bitters Might Be the Only Ones You Need," Food52, Shannon Healy

Forbes Features Durham Cohousing Community

"Alice Alexander, executive director of the Cohousing Association of the United States, says talk among friends is often how cohousing communities get started, including the Durham Central Park Cohousing Community in North Carolina, where she lives. Durham Coho, as it is know, isn’t just for older people — one of the community’s aims is intergenerational living — but Alexander has advice for 50- or 60-somethings who want to explore cohousing as a way to live in their older years: Get started now."

— "The Pros and Cons of Living With Friends in Older Age," Denise Logeland, Forbes

Durham recognized as a hip and energetic destination

"Durham is a hip, energetic destination—whether or not you cheer for the Duke Blue Devils. Re purposed commercial buildings and factories like the Golden Belt, a former textile mill that now houses artist studios and galleries, make the city feel like a mini Brooklyn.

—"Destination: Durham, North Carolina" Caroline C. Kilgore, Atlantic

Mateo recognized by Alton Brown as best tapas bar in the U.S.

"Mateo in Durham NC is the best tapas bar in the US."

--Facebook, Alton Brown

Soon to open Black Twig Cider House recognized as a “a truly Basque 'txotx'”

“As far as I know, it will be the first restaurant in the US where you will get up from the table to fill your glass directly from the barrel, the same way it's done in the Basque Country,”

-"A Basque style cider house in North Carolina will serve fast casual dining and “a truly Basque 'txotx'” Staff, euskalkultura.com

Durham recognized as one of the state's most attractive urban landscapes

"Durham is adapting to popular culture by welcoming funky hotels, hip lounges serving craft cocktails, and small boutiques that are quickly filling up the once-abandoned streets."

-"7 Reasons to Visit Durham, North Carolina" David Duran, Fodor's

Durham recognized for its annual events and festivals

"Durham has several events and festivals each year, which will keep you entertained during your stay in the city. Apart from cultural expos, art exhibitions, and jazz festivals, Durham is home to the annual Bull Durham Blues Festival. This two-day festival in September celebrates blues music with a line-up of international and national artists."

—"Hipmunk Hotels: Unique Events and Festivals inthe Deep South from Durham to Chattanooga"Joey Thompson, Hipmunk

Fortune recognized 5 Tech Startups to Watch in Durham, N.C.

“The old tobacco town of Durham is ablaze with tech know-how, home to companies large (IBM IBM 0.30% , EMC EMC 0.34% ) and small. Many are part of ­American ­Underground, a community by the former campus of the ­American ­Tobacco Co.”

—"5 Tech Startups to Watch in Durham, N.C." Richard Morgan, Fortune

Durham recognized for addressing diversity problems in the start-up sector

"Of the companies to come out of American Underground in 2015, for instance, about 30 percent are led by women and 22 percent are led by minorities. That’s significantly higher than most (admittedly fuzzy and tech-focused) estimates elsewhere for either group, which put the share of female-led ventures below 20 percent and the share of minority led-ventures below 10 percent." 

— "Is a Different Kind of Silicon Valley Possible?" Gillian B. White, The Atlantic

Silicon Valley tech workers relocate to Durham for lifestyle benefits

“When it’s time to raise a family, Durham, North Carolina, and Huntsville, Alabama are among the top cities for technology jobs and both have significantly lower costs of living than Silicon Valley.”

—"3 Reasons Tech Workers Are Fleeing Silicon Valley" John Boutnott, Entrepreneur

Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club recognized for its maximum luxury

"Arriving at Durham’s Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club feels like the end of a fairy tale, or maybe a game of “Dungeons & Dragons”: If you make it safely through the (Duke) forest, you are greeted at the castle’s entrance by a pair of alabaster lions, friendly ones. They wear wreaths around their necks; a small child is climbing on the back of one of them. Smiling valets usher you inside, where you will enjoy meat and grog."

— "Guests Get The Royal Treatment at The Washington Duke Inn" Wendy Brenner, Our State

The Economist recognizes Durham's success as a city

"Nuvotronics is part of a cluster of high-tech firms that has increased Durham’s GDP per-person by 28% since 2001. By the same measure, North Carolina as a whole grew by just 3% over the same period. Durham’s success reflects an emerging trend: high-flying cities, and the successful firms they contain, are detaching from the rest of the economy."

—"America’s most successful cities, states and firms are leaving the rest behind" Economist

Picnic recognized as "Next Generation 'Que"

“Hundreds of roadside barbecue joints dot the highways intersecting the heart of North Carolina, where pork is king and tomato, and vinegar-based barbecue sauces rule the day. In February, pitmaster Wyatt Dickson, Chef Ben Adams, and farmer Ryan Butler launched the newest addition to the North Carolina BBQ Trail, with their new and much-anticipated barbecue joint, Picnic, in Durham.”

—"NEXT GENERATION ‘CUE AT PICNIC" Staff, The Local Palate

Big Spoon Roasters recognized by Teen Vogue for their nut butter bars

“Most commercial nut butters are made with hydrogenated vegetable oils, which are why it’s best to go with brands like Big Spoon Roasters, whose products not only taste fantastic, but are actually good for you.” 

—"Energy bars better than Starbucks" Teen Vogue

Durham recognized as perfect balance between a small-town feel with big-city conveniences

"Thanks to its proud and diverse residents and their tendency for tapping into North Carolina’s heritage to inspire the Durham of today, the city has become a progressive hub for new and exciting traditions in food, art, and entertainment, all with the past in mind."

—"DURHAM, NC CITY GUIDE" Sabrina Smelko, Design Sponge

Durham recognized for its beautiful parks

“As one of the most popular cities in the state, Durham NC has become well-known for its perfect blend of city and small town life. Although the population is over 250,000 people, Durham has been able to maintain the close-knit feel that many people love. If there’s one way residents love to get out and enjoy their city, it’s by spending time at local parks.” 

—"The 5 Most Beautiful Parks In Durham NC" Camille Moore, Hously.com

Durham recognized as a city on the rise

"Durham, North Carolina may seem like the little brother to cities like Raleigh and Charlotte in the Tar Heel state but, it’s a young and trendy city on the rise with its booming startup presence, hipster vibes, and damn good beer."

-"MICRO GUIDE: DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA" Jesse Jernigan, The Manual

Durham's Delta Rae recognized for their diverse musical capabilities

"It is impressive how Delta Rae is gaining popularity without being an over-produced and marketed group. They are a true force in the music industry as they popularize a genre that is becoming more relevant every day. The cohesion of their instrumentals and vocals proves that Delta Rae is a force to be reckoned with."

—"The Folk Rock of Delta Rae" Hannah McKeen, Entertainment Monthly

Durham 21C recognized for its unique historical design

"I love thinking about them as architectural sites — cutting away, revealing, adding, subtracting, working from the inside out. There are also things about them that would never make sense now that you can appreciate on their own terms, like the fabulous silver-leaf ceiling outside the elevator banks in Durham."

—"Deborah Berke Makes a Night at a Museum a Reality" Shivani Vora, NY Times

Picnic recognized as urban BBQ with small town tradition

“It’s [the menu] a bit overwhelming. Dickson chuckles when I tell him that if it’s OK, I might stick to the pulled pork sandwich and the hush puppies and maybe the creamy mac and cheese. But the menu, he points out, includes Brunswick stew. The description right below it has two words only, and it is the perfect embodiment of this entire barbecue-gone-country-gone-city phenomenon. It says, simply, Old-school!”

- "Country Hog, City Hog" Adam Lucus, Our State

Picnic promises authentic barbecue

“Barbecue Man” Wyatt Dickson and chef/partner Ben Adams have teamed up with Green Button Farm’s Ryan Butler to open PICNIC, a modern roadside barbecue joint located in Durham, North Carolina. Here,  authentic whole hog barbecue—smoked slowly over oak—will share the plate with Adams’ seasonal Southern sides and desserts.”

—“ Dickson and Adams Team Up to Open PICNIC in Durham” Staff, Full Service Restaurant

Durham Artist Shirlette Ammons Recognized for Her Many Talents

Durham, North Carolina-based shirlette ammons is master of the backslash—that is to say she’s a poet/musician/activist. One of those busy few with a message and method who seems to find time in the day the rest of us assumed a fable Beyonce’s team imagined.

—“Shirlette Ammons on collaborating with Indigo Girls & Meshell Ndegeocello for “Language Barrier” Anne Alexander, After Ellen

Seventeen signs you're from Durham, NC

“Durham, North Carolina is unlike any other southern small town. A town of over 200,000 thousand somehow has a small town feel. From its little, crunchy downtown area full of independently owned restaurants and shops to its vast beautiful woodlands and fields, Durham, North Carolina is the place to live. Here are some signs that you’re from the Durham a.k.a the Bull City.”

—"17 Signs You're From Durham, North Carolina" Emma Westlund, The Odyssey

Durham recognized as a historic modern city

“A city rich with history and bustling with contemporary culture, living in Durham NC puts you in a thriving economy set among natural beauty.

—“ Living in Durham NC: A Historic Modern City”  Alan Woods, Movoto            

Sarah Foster recognized for her award winning cookbook

“Sara Foster serves up more than 150 recipes, sharing with readers the dishes that have kept diners coming back to her Durham, N.C., eatery that she opened in 1990.The award-winning cookbook author and restaurateur continues the tradition of soulful yet simple, seasonally inspired cooking, where tradition meets modern.”
 

—“Cookbooks | Food for Thought.” Bob Howard, The Atlanta Journal

Cameron Indoor Stadium recognized as a unique college arena experience

“The secret to the team’s box office success does not lie with any single player, or even with the school’s legendary coach, Mike Krzyzewski. Rather, the charm of Duke’s basketball emanates foremost from the unique experience of attending a game in Cameron Indoor Stadium – one of the last arenas in big-time college sports that remain truly a college arena.”
 

—"The Charm Of Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium Is That It Still Feels Like A College Basketball Arena" Marc Edelman, Forbes

Durham recognized as premier Southern travel destination

"Enjoy the Southern hospitality and a high concentration of great food in North Carolina with a visit to Durham. This rapidly growing city seems to be in a perpetual state of construction but now is the time to visit for a taste of small town charm before it gets any bigger."

 

—"5 Under-the-Radar Vacation Alternatives to Tourist Favorites" Amber Gibson, Make It Better

The Durham Hotel recognized for its interior design

" Really, the star of the show, the pièce de résistance, its magnum opus — those colours, those colour-blocked graphical hues. Shine a light to North Carolina, The Durham Hotel has arrived."

—"Colour my world, The Durham Hotel arrives in resplendent hues at mid-century former bank" James Davidson, We Heart

Durham recognized for its boutique hotels

"From its roots in the tobacco and textile trade, Durham has blossomed into a city that welcomes technology and culture while retaining its historic character. Now, two new boutique hotels downtown have opened their doors so visitors can savor the many distinct flavors of this dynamic Southern city."

—"Two new boutique hotels open in downtown Durham" Odile Frederics & Beth Shugg, Where