Go HERE to read last week's review.

Durham County Sheriff Mike Andrews issued this statement today:

“Upon assuming this office, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of North Carolina, and I am committed to upholding that oath. I recognize that Amendment II to United States Constitution provides that ‘the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed’ and that Amendment IV provides that ‘the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated...’”

“I am aware of the executive orders issued by President Obama and of his proposals for legislative action to impose stricter gun control regulations. None of the executive orders direct any action be taken by county sheriffs, or other members of local law enforcement.

"Citizens who are concerned about the President’s legislative initiatives, whether they support or oppose them, should remember that they will require action by Congress in order to be implemented. Contact with your representatives, in Congress and the Senate, is the most effective way to make sure your views are understood and included in the legislative process. Persons who are not sure who their representative is after the most recent redistricting may find out by going to the following website: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members.

Durham's Parker and Otis reopens tomorrow (Feb. 7th) at 7:30 a.m. Stop by and grab a coffee or lunch or whatever you have been missing.

The restaurant, coffee bar and shop had closed after a fire in late December. Go HERE to read our earlier story.

There are lots of ways to measure traffic problems. By one national measure, the Triangle area doesn't have much of a problem.

The Texas Transportation Institute's annual Urban Mobility Report finds that the average driver in the Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area, population 1.14 million, wastes 23 hours in traffic jams and delays each year. That may sound bad. But, compared to the situation in other cities, it's good.

In fact, this number gives the Raleigh-Durham the least rush-hour congestion of all the 47 metro areas that have at least 1 million residents. Less congestion than lots of smaller cities, too -- including Greensboro, Knoxville, Columbia and Charleston (SC), Baton Rouge, Oklahoma City, Richmond and Albany. While Raleigh-Durham ranks 40th in population, it ranks 83rd in rush-hour delays.

Who's worst? Washington, D.C., where the average driver loses 67 hours in traffic jams every year. Charlotte comes in at 25th worst, with 40 hours of delays.

Documents:

Go HERE to read Greg's annual selection of the Triangle's best restaurants.

If you love to dress fashionably but can't stand the thought of paying department store prices, be sure to check out the upcoming Dress for Success sale at Durham's Northgate Mall.

Take a look at the prices:
Suits: $10.
Pants and skirts: $4.
Tops, handbags and shoes: $3.
Jewelry: $2.
New designer labels: 90 percent off retail.

Besides the great prices, you'll be helping Triangle women in need.

The two-day sale, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9 and 10, is a fund-raiser for the Triangle affiliate of the Dress for Succcess organization, which helps disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, support, and career development tools as they search for work.

Four Triangle-based food and beverage companies were honored in the third annual Good Food Awards competition.

Durham's Fullsteam Brewery won for its first frost beer. Raleigh's Escazu Artisan Chocolates won in the confections contest with its dark chocolate basil ganache. Alamance County's Blessed Earth Farm won in the pickle category with its summer squash curry relish. And the Hillsborough-based Farmer's Daughter Brand won in the preserves contest with its rosey strawberry rhubarb preserves.

Congratulations to all the winners.

The Good Food Awards are an annual competition that recognizes tasty foods and beverages made by socially-responsible and sustainable food producers.

To see the complete list of winners announced last weekend, go to goodfoodawards.org.

Southern Living magazine is giving a lot of love to the Triangle in its February issue.

Durham is one of 10 Southern cities in the running to be named "Tastiest Towns in the South. Asheville is the only other North Carolina town on the list.

Here's what the story says about Durham: "North Carolina's Triangle has long been fertile ground for enjoying the region's rich bounty. From Scratch Bakery to Watts Grocery, where much of the meny is raised, caught, smoked, pickled or cured within a two-hour radius, Durham is brimming with spots that passionately support local businesses."

The public can vote daily between now and Feb. 28. (Each vote is a chance for the voter to win $1,500 toward a trip the winning city.) The "Tastiest Town" will be revealed in the magazine's May issue. To vote, go to goo.gl/LXa4V.

Also in the February issue, Chapel Hill's The Crunkleton is named as one of the best bars in the South. To see the entire list, go to southernliving.com/bars.

Go HERE to read the review.

A new dinner series has launched to help raise funds for beginner farmers and new food entrepreneurs in North Carolina.

It is called Funds to Farms
and here is how it works: diners pay $15 at the door for a buffet meal and listen to presentations from five people seeking funding for their farm or food business. The diners will vote on which person should get a micro-grant. That person will take home the money raised from ticket sales and donations at the door.

These dinners are a collaboration between The Abundance Foundation, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and Slow Money NC.

The first dinner will be 7-9 p.m. Jan. 27 at Fullsteam Brewery, featuring soup and salad from Vin Rouge Bistro and Piedmont Restaurant and bread from Ninth Street Bakery. Plus, Fullsteam will be donating $2 for each pint sold of their new beer, Cackalacky Ginger Pale Ale, at its launch party from 3-5 p.m. Jan. 27.

And if you would like to be one of the five applying for a micro-grant, applications are due Jan. 16.

For tickets or information, go to fundstofarms.com.