Consider the truffle...

I admit I knew nothing about truffles except that, for some reason, they're expensive. But after reading an article in the North Carolina Farm Bureau magazine (March/April issue) I now know that truffles are underground mushrooms that grow between the roots of trees, best on hazelnut and filbert tree roots. According to this article, truffles have a "unique taste" and a "very distinct aroma" that make them so appealing, even to the point of "addictive".

Truffles grow well in North Carolina because of our moderate climate and adequate soil. Other Mid-Atlantic are also ideal because the trees need distinct seasons (including 90 days of dormancy), but since the harvest season is from December to February, the ground can't be frozen or covered in snow for extended periods.

Truffles grow best in well-drained soil that is not nutrient rich but has a high pH. Research has shown that soil quality is not as important as the pH.

And did I mention they're expensive??? The average price for a pound of truffles is (are you sitting down?) $800. The truffle grower featured in the article said demand for his truffles is between 500 and 1000 pounds per week. Amazing.

Feeling wired?

Really no surprise since Raleigh has just taken the top stop in Forbes Magazine's ranking of "Most Wired Cities"---this was a big leap from last year's No. 15 spot. Brooks Raiford, head of the N.C. Technology Association, was quoted in the Forbes article as saying that the region's highly educated and relatively higher-income population is "fertile ground" for high broadband demand and use.

Here's the list:

America's Most Wired Cities

1. RALEIGH
2. Atlanta
3. Seattle
4. San Francisco
5. Washington
6. Colorado Springs, Colorado
7. Denver
8. Baltimore
9. Orlando, Florida
10. Portland, Oregon