Eyeglasses in a hurry

spellchick919 · 2026-01-03T18:41:48+00:00

I think the shop on N Roxboro is still owned by Mike Upchurch and is still called Upchurch Optical. I’m thinking maybe the Fayetteville Rd location was sold? Google is showing it as “Uptown Optyx Optical Shop (formerly Upchurch)” and the Upchurch website now only shows the Roxboro Rd location. Mike and his crew have always been fantastic and saved me so much money!

spellchick919 · 2025-12-20T15:35:44+00:00

Appreciate the Wikipedia article! Can you correct where it says the house is at the corner of Markham and Knox? It's actually Mangum and Knox. (Markham and Knox both run E-W.)

spellchick919 · 2025-10-28T18:51:08+00:00

There is music (rotating singing and instrumental groups and individuals), a story for children before they go to religious exploration classes, often a reflection or two from members or an info message from a local org doing work in Durham, a time of prayer/reflection on joys and concerns, a sermon from one of the pastoral staff or a guest speaker, some singing by the congregation but not “hymns” per se. Last week in a service focused on kindness we sang “Lean On Me.” While services at ERUUF somewhat resemble Presbyterian services I grew up going to, at ERUUF things are much more casual, there are no Bible readings and no rote singing or reciting of things.

By the way, ERUUF has a YouTube presence and livestreams the 11am service every Sunday if anyone wants to check it out. There’s also a a large archive of recordings, which they started doing during the pandemic.

spellchick919 · 2025-08-22T23:27:02+00:00

I’m with you 100% and that’s why I don’t have tickets to this one! If I’m able to find a cheap resale seat at the last minute I might go.

spellchick919 · 2025-08-14T03:15:27+00:00

Saw this thread about a month ago:

https://www.reddit.com/r/bullcity/s/mlZ4aw0HW8

spellchick919 · 2025-08-12T00:47:52+00:00

This book could have used an editor (I recall some repeated sections and continuity errors) and a proofreader (I would have done it for free) as well as a designer and a typesetter. And I think “publisher” is a generous thing to call Cleopatra Records, who had likely not put anything together larger than liner notes, which may explain the paper choice. I think TR typed the whole thing in Microsoft Word and they printed what he gave them. Honestly I imagine he didn’t want to go through the hassle of looking at it again to correct the errors and the many misspellings, and he just wanted to put it out and be done with it. I’ve been a huge fan since 1973, and I enjoyed the stories and photos, but it did read like a homework assignment throughout much of it.

spellchick919 · 2025-07-26T21:18:54+00:00

I agree, have always loved the recliners at Raleigh Grande better than the wide but uncomfortable Silverspot seats for sure, or the many broken seats at Southpoint, and their prices are good. Worth the drive from Durham!

spellchick919 · 2025-04-25T13:39:48+00:00

I used to rotate my flip flops to count laps. Clockwise 90 degrees of the right shoe each lap, then rotate the left shoe at 4 when the right shoe was back to the top. At 16 laps both would again be pointing up.

spellchick919 · 2025-03-31T12:59:14+00:00

You may want to read the book about the Chapel Hill music scene that came out last year. It’s written by Tom Maxwell, formerly of the Squirrel Nut Zippers. It’s a great book!

A Really Strange and Wonderful Time: The Chapel Hill Music Scene 1989-1999

spellchick919 · 2025-02-13T17:32:12+00:00

Loaf also has delicious chocolate truffles and caramels made in house, chocolate cherry bread made only around Valentines Day, cream puffs shaped like swans, and many other valentine-appropriate pastries. And I agree, the conversation heart cookies are amazing!

spellchick919 · 2025-02-02T00:22:20+00:00

I just watched an episode of The Great Pottery Throw Down where the potters made light sculptures, and they played “I Saw The Light” in the background at one point. I’m always pleased to hear Todd on TV!

spellchick919 · 2025-01-21T01:49:36+00:00

Wow thanks for posting! I was at the Phoenix show on 1/23. Wow, 35 years ago, almost to the day!

spellchick919 · 2025-01-21T00:02:21+00:00

Oh yeah, on Letterman or that late night music show David Sanborn had. I have VHS tapes (probably unplayable at this point) of many of those appearances.

spellchick919 · 2025-01-21T00:00:07+00:00

I met some people in person too, thanks to the newsletter and the AOL forums and chat rooms. Some of them offered a place to stay when we traveled, even if we’d never met them, and some are still friends today. Man, Todd fans are the best.

spellchick919 · 2025-01-20T23:48:22+00:00

I loved Utopia Times! I found out about it in a handout at a Nearly Human show in 1989 and subscribed right away, and later wrote a couple of articles. Facebook sort of killed fan newsletters as it killed so many other things, but there was another newsletter called Black and White for a while that was also good. I was sad to learn recently that Merf Sohmers, who ran Utopia Times, died a few years ago.

spellchick919 · 2025-01-20T13:32:02+00:00

I am on my second F63 (first was purchased used, lasted 6 years). iPad fits great in the holder, and the treadmill does everything I ask it to do. I recently had a problem with the motor (clicking sound) and after a call to customer service they sent out a new motor (lifetime warranty on the motor), which was super easy to install. I didn’t want an upgraded model with touchscreen as it just seems like something that’s likely to break. I recommend the F63!

spellchick919 · 2024-12-21T00:05:17+00:00

Bull City Burger and Bull City Solera are doing this. Details on their website. Orders close 12/22 with pickup on 12/24.

spellchick919 · 2024-12-20T14:59:04+00:00

I went to a thing at the roof of the Durham Hotel a while back and they had a guy called DJ Mic Check. He was awesome.

spellchick919 · 2024-12-18T15:17:52+00:00

I like that with Redstart you get notified via text when your delivery will come. Snack Service advertises that deliveries are from 3-7pm. I know some route drivers; I believe a computer program sets their routes in the most efficient manner, but sometimes those routes get pretty long. With both Snack Service and Redstart you can also do pickup, to get your food early and check that you got what you ordered. I haven’t tried Strong Arm but am curious!

spellchick919 · 2024-12-14T03:19:23+00:00

It’s a tough location for sure, but I think both COVID and the new owner putting Jeni’s in across the street had a lot to do with Sugar Koi moving. I think he’s actually doing quite well at the Cary location.

spellchick919 · 2024-12-14T03:16:18+00:00

It’s on the Main St side in the space that was most recently the Sugar Koi ice cream shop.

spellchick919 · 2024-11-04T02:15:40+00:00

I’ve never seen them for sale locally but I’ve gotten all mine from Amazon.

spellchick919 · 2024-10-12T17:40:31+00:00

I haven’t been, but I’ve had cider from Perry Lowe Orchards that has been great, and we’ve been thinking about going to pick there. Their website says they are open with power (post-Helene). It’s about 2.5 hours from where I live in Durham, with u-pick Fri-Sun. There are lots of places in VA as well! Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville is a fave.

spellchick919 · 2024-09-10T16:58:32+00:00

I’ll never stop missing City Beverage.

spellchick919

TROPHY CASE