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- 🌳 E.O.’s Athletic Club Coming to Downtown Durham
🌳 E.O.’s Athletic Club Coming to Downtown Durham
Jordan Parker
July 17, 2025
Good morning Durham!
We’re excited about a new Hawaiian restaurant bringing fresh island flavors to the Triangle (check it out here) and the grand opening of Switchyards, Durham’s newest creative community and co-working space (details here). Some businesses are still recovering from Tropical Storm Chantal (read more), and here’s how you can help support them as they rebuild (learn more).
-Jordan Parker
In this issue:
Bettina Umstead Returns as School Board Chair
LRB Provisions Brings Gourmet Sandwiches to Walltown
E.O.’s Athletic Club Coming to Downtown Durham
Bettina Umstead Returns as School Board Chair
The Durham Public Schools Board of Education voted on July 8 to reinstate Bettina Umstead as chair for the 2025-26 school year, replacing Millicent Rogers after a 6-0 vote. Umstead, who led the board from 2020 to 2024 and served as vice chair in 2019-20, steps back into the role amid shifting alliances and ahead of major district challenges, including transportation woes and funding pressures.
Unanimous Chair Election: Umstead secured all six votes, while Rogers only received two (including her own) in the initial chair ballot.
Seasoned Leadership: Having chaired the board for four years, Umstead brings institutional knowledge as the district tackles meet-and-confer implementation and state funding shifts.
Vice Chair Compromise: A 3-3 tie for vice chair between Joy Harrell Goff and Rogers was broken when Goff withdrew, installing Rogers in the secondary leadership post.
LRB Provisions Brings Gourmet Sandwiches to Walltown
Durham chef Amanda Orser, a fine-dining veteran of Magnolia Grill and Littler, is opening LRB Provisions this August in a former Dog House hot dog stand in Walltown. The lunch-focused spot will feature elevated sandwiches, smoked meats, and seasonal specials.
Menu Highlights: House-made pastrami, smoked trout, al pastor pork, vegetarian pastrami, confit chicken, and weekend brunch boxes with smoked fish and bialys.
Nod to the Past: A rotating hot dog special every Thursday pays homage to the building’s Dog House history.
Lunch-Only Hours: The 550-square-foot takeout shop will run Thursday–Monday, 11 am–3 pm at 2009 Guess Road.
E.O.’s Athletic Club Coming to Downtown Durham
The owners of Kingfisher and Queeny’s, Sean Umstead and Michelle Vanderwalker, are opening E.O.’s Athletic Club this fall in the former Beyu Caffe space at Five Points. The sports bar will aim to be a welcoming spot for all fans — with a strong emphasis on featuring women’s sports.
Inclusive Sports Viewing: Vanderwalker promises 50% women’s sports on TVs, reflecting the WNBA and women’s soccer surge.
Classic Bar Fare: Expect New Jersey-style thin pizzas, Italian sandwiches, wings, salads, and loaded baked potatoes, plus handcrafted cocktails on draft and pitchers of margaritas.
Community Connection: The bar will feature 25 TVs and a bartop epoxied with Triangle youth sports photos, which the owners are currently collecting.
Candidate Filing Open for Durham’s 2025 Elections
The filing period for Durham’s 2025 municipal elections is open through Friday, July 18 at noon. Several key local seats are on the ballot this fall:
Mayor of Durham
City Council – Wards 1, 2, & 3
Where to File: Candidates must file in person or by mail at the Durham County Board of Elections (3825 S. Roxboro St., Suite 101).
Key Election Dates:
Primary Election: Tuesday, October 7
General Election: Tuesday, November 4
Voter Registration Deadline: Friday, October 10
Meet Roquefort
“Roquefort is an absolute gem. He is incredibly friendly, playful, and confident. He loves meeting new people and knows how to charm them with affectionate headbutts and sweet meows. He prefers a gentle touch and will get even more affectionate as you get to know each other. He purrs like a motor and loves to give little cat massages every day. He is content to sleep near you if you are busy with something but will excitedly follow you around your home when you are up and about. He has enough personality to fill a home and would love a chance to prove it.”
King Nobuyoshi Godwin: Artist to Have a Good Day Exhibition
5 Points Gallery
Thu, July 17, 5pm
Vibrant, number-filled paintings by autistic artist King Nobuyoshi Godwin celebrate peace, unity, and friendship in this joyful exhibition.
Third Friday Durham Art Walk
CCB Plaza & Downtown Galleries
Friday, July 18, 6pm
An evening of art, live music, and local shopping in downtown Durham.
Book Harvest’s Summer Block Party
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Sat, July 19, 1pm
A free family festival with magic shows, live entertainment, and thousands of free culturally inclusive children’s books to take home.
Vegfest Expos Food Fest
Durham Armory
Sun, July 20, 12pm
Eat your way through food trucks, cooking demos, and local vendors at this plant-based food festival.
PLAYlist Concert Series: Bia Ferreira
Durham Central Park Pavilion
Fri, August 1, 6:30pm
Brazilian singer-songwriter Bia Ferreira blends funk, reggae, and soul with powerful social justice messages in this free outdoor concert.
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