THURSDAY THEME SONG: DOWNTOWN

Mom and I thank Hootin Anni for sponsoring

Last Sunday, January 1, 2012, Mom and Dad decided to take a

trip to a far and distant land, Downtown Raleigh. To check out some of the new and exciting things happening, art work, new buildings etc.  Dad worked in Downtown Raleigh for 33 years and avoids it like the plague now.

Sunday was a holiday and there were no crowds.  Mom had her camera.  She had an Aha moment and thought these will be great for Thursday Theme Song. We hope you enjoy it Downtown vocals Petula Clark

When you are alone and life is making you lonely
You can always go, downtown
When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know, downtown

Mom tok this picture from the end of Fayetteville Street looking
down.  She liked the shapes of the sphere and the triangle on the RBC bldg.

The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles
Forget all your cares and go
Downtown,
The structure below is one of 4 light towers in the entertainment mall.  We haven't seen them
at night but they certainly are pretty.  They are made of stainless steel with embossed oak leaves and acorns...(Raleigh is called the City of Oaks)

Downtown, things'll be great when you are Downtown,
No finer place for sure,
The peeps study this work of art for some time...they think maybe the top section is supposed to be an Eagle...

Please click on the video below, if you'd like to hear Ms. Clark sing while you look at the rest of the pictures .



Don't hang around and let your problems surround you

There are movie shows,(and museums) Downtown

Maybe you know some little place to go to

where they never close, downtown

This is the older section of our Musem of Natural Sciences

Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova

You'll be dancing with them too

Before the night is over

Happy again,

Downtown

Maybe you'll find somebody (gorgeous Newfie Puppy) kind

To help and understand you

Somebody who is just like you

And needs a gentle hand to guide them along

So maybe I'll see you there

We can forget all our troubles

forget all our cares and go

DOWNTOWN

Chorus is repeated here

This picture was taken looking down from the older section toward the new additions

which includes this gigantic sphere which is called the Daily Planet.

The director of the Museum  says "there is nothing (that we know of) like the Daily Planet

anywhere.  Through high speed internet the Daily Planet will connect to every school in North Carolina so

children all over the State can receive a quality science experience. "

This last picture is of another piece of very orange art...

the peeps aren't sure of it's significance!!

Mom says beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

N. C. Museum of Natural Sciences Info.

Founded:1879

Annual visitors 2010-11: 709,222

Annual Budget: $11.7 million in state appropriated funds; 2 million to 3 million from the museum

foundation

Employees: 106 permanent staff, 60-70 part-time or temporary staff

47 new staffers are being hired for the Natural Research Center.

As always, Mom and I thank you for stopping by to visit us today.

Hugs Madi