Anne in Raleigh has a question about Raleigh's new downtown convention center, which includes a very cool wall that, with the aid of a gentle breeze, looks like a huge oak with its leaves and branches rippling in the wind. Anne?

"... I do have some questions about it. 80,000 little squares of metal ... has this wall been given the wind tunnel test? What happens if we should be so unfortunate as to get another 'Fran' like in 1996? Can you imagine those 80,000 metal squares flying through the air headed for YOU?! Ouch! Hope the liability insurance for the Convention Center takes that into consideration."

Clarification for you newcomers: Fran was a hurricane that roared through these parts 12 years ago.

Anyway ... Shimmer Wall during blustery periods: Artwork or municipal menace?

Carol earns her wings

Every time you hear a bell in Bedford Falls of "It's a Wonderful Life" fame, someone earns wings. Similarly, every time you kvetch to CIO you get your wings.

At least that was true for Carol, who wrote in despair last week because she was rebuffed in her efforts to score free hot wings at two Raleigh KFCs because it was hotter here than in Hell (Michigan).

The offer wasn't quite so simple, as the smallish type at the Colonel's online site indicated. For instance, you had to register online to receive a voucher for the wings. And it had to be hotter than Hell in your hometown for five days in a row. And you had to be one of the first 500 to register every day.

Stuff like that.

Anyway, KFC wrote promising to send Carol some hot wings.

CIO: Satisfaction guaranteed. Eventually.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.