Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010

Let's muse about Midtown together

Welcome to this space.

It is dedicated to Midtown Raleigh, a geographic area best defined by its people, its places, its things, its history, its traditions, its victories - and defeats, and its dreams.

To us, it's home; a place that grows strongest when you understand and nurture its landscape, and embrace chances to marvel at its blooms and till its rough spots.

I'm delighted to be your tour guide. Together, we'll explore Midtown, moving here - and over there, too! - telling the stories of people who are shaping the community, events that make a difference and interesting slices of life. When we connect, we build. When we build, we grow. When we grow, we thrive. When we thrive, we improve. When we improve... well, life stays good.

And home gets sweeter.

So, stop by here on Sundays. And do more than read. Help me navigate our community. In this place, share your stories; make decisions and plans; settle in and connect; take action and celebrate; and grieve and love.

I want us to get to know each other and help you get to know each other as neighbors; the ones who wave as you meet, greet or pass - and those standing as vessels of our past, present and future; from the green and eco-chic to the stately and down-home-grown.

I'll go first.

I'm North Carolina-born and Raleigh bred; a product of both Wake County public and Raleigh city schools. I drove a school bus back when 17-year-olds could, entered UNC-Chapel Hill a year before Michael Jordan left to go pro, and studied intricacies of communications alongside ESPN's Stuart Scott. A graduate program at the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications groomed me some more.

My newspaper career started here at The News & Observer and The Raleigh Times. Another offer took me to South Carolina as a crime reporter in Spartanburg, and I adventured many more years in Columbia at The State - South Carolina's largest daily - covering everything from education and youth issues to welfare reform and urban sprawl. I wrote a column back then, too, focused on one of our sister state's fastest growing suburban communities.

My husband's career relocated our family - we're parents of a pre-teen daughter - to Greensboro in 2002. A hiring halt at the newspaper there led me to freelance in attempt to follow an oft-quoted mantra in this business: "Write well and write often."

The experience unveils a journalist better able to tune a sharp ear to communities, and the people and places in them, hoping to spark conversation, inspire progress and empower community.

Raleigh became home again in 2006 after Daddy's second heart bypass surgery. He'd cared tirelessly for Mama since a stroke debilitated her independence in 1991. It was my turn to look out for him.

When he died in September 2007, I became deeply entrenched in the Sandwich Generation, a term that generally refers to women who simultaneously care for aging parents and rear our own children. I, however, recognize that my family's along for the ride; condiments just as sandwiched as me.

That's my full-circle. Now, let's explore living in Midtown together.

Feel free to suggest people to feature, places to go, experiences to share.

I can't wait to hear from you.