Raleigh's not called the City of Oaks for nothing. With all those oaks come an abundance squirrels. Squirrels can be pesky when they disrupt your bird feeder, or take up residence on your back porch, or worse...  become squatters in your attic!

But in Cameron Village there's a new squirrel in town that's not only cute but classy. This squirrel will shower you with wonderful gifts! The Local Squirrel in Cameron Village is filled with gifts, housewares, tabletops and art that is unique and affordable from local and national vendors. Fulfilling a dream, owner Rachael Pusateri opened the shop on May 7th and follows with a grand opening party planned for June 11th. (Mark your calendar.)

Rachael is a Meredith grad who has earned her stripes. She worked with Moon & Lola founder, Kelly Shatat, in the early days of that business. As an intern for Elie Saab during Paris fashion week, she saw the glory and the chaos of the inside of the couture world. Working for Nordstrom took her through every element of retail and tested her chosen vocation.

"I knew what I wanted, the goal was always to own my own business" says Rachael.

Local artists have created exclusive lines for The Local Squirrel. Anna Cate, who works in original oils, mixed media and prints, has produced a line of contemporary abstracts for the shop.

Nicholas Askew, a local designer, based out to Eure, NC shows that cotton bolls, a soft white lightweight material becomes a part of our everyday lives. From textiles to design cotton can be used in many different ways. Askew will keep The Local Squirrel stocked with beautiful unique wreaths and handmade cotton bundles grown on his family farm. (Nicholas Askew, was seen in last month's Southern Living, and will be in this fall's 2016 Martha Stewart Magazine.)

The Local Squirrel is all about Raleigh tradition with a fresh, new innovative approach. Rachael has curated the shop personally, hand selecting every item for the store. Her goal is to have young women come in and find the perfect girlfriend gift. But at the same time, their mothers and grandmothers shop The Local Squirrel for very special home goods and wonderful decorating essentials. She has selected unique and beautiful items for all generations.

Don't be squirrelly! Go now. Stop by and give Rachael and her staff a warm welcome.

The Local Squirrel - 2012 Cameron St. Raleigh, 27605, Phone: (919) 610-3400

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 1-5pm. Website.

Why only drink Salisbury, NC's favorite fizzy beverage, when you can cook with it, too?
Cheerwine, unforgettable to tourists and irreplaceable to locals, is part of North Carolina's identity. With its deep red color and a fizz that seems to last forever, Cheerwine is an exceptional soft drink. And although we locals have known about Cheerwine for years, we're still as excited about it as that tourist taking a first sip. It might be because there's something so addictive about Cheerwine's tangy cherry flavor.

But Cheerwine isn't just for drinking. After all, a drink that's been around for more than 90 years was bound to find its way into local cuisine, working magic in an abundance of recipes for cakes, barbecue sauces, stews, and baked beans. And no matter what the recipe, its distinctive flavor always manages to stand out.

Cheerwine Ice Cream - This recipe comes courtesy of Chef Chuck Nelson of The Table at Crestwood in Boone. Click Here for recipe.

Cheerwine Baked Beans - This is one of those recipes that sounds strange but is actually  delicious, not to mention easy. Click Here for recipe.

Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market has return on Wednesdays to City Plaza. And with its return, Cheerwine Spareribs is kicking off the season from Rye Bar And Southern Kitchen. Stop by and taste for yourself. The southern beverage does the trick in the marinade and glaze for Cheerwine spareribs. And an impressive trick it is, providing a well-matched complement (at once spicy, savory and sweet without crossing the line into saccharine territory) to pork so tender it needs little effort to coax it off the bone.

The urban  Farmers Market hosts more than 40 rotating vendors that include North Carolina farmers, ranchers, fisherman, nurserymen, bakers, cheese makers, specialty food producers, and craftsman. This season welcomes 10 new local farmers and makers: Alora's Soaps & Stuff, Bluegrass Farm, C.V. Pilson, Homemade Kombucha, Jones Farm, NC Soap Opera Company, Rare Earth Farms, Sweet Peas Urban Garden, The Bath Place, and Treat.

They will also have four downtown restaurants offering grab-and-go lunches: The Pit Authentic Barbecue, Buku, Kimbap, and Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen.

The Market will occur every Wednesday from 10 am to 2 pm through September 28. Come out to enjoy the North Carolina's locally-grown produce, meet your farmers, and enjoy lunch on the go.

Easy Ribs with Tangy Cheerwine Glaze - Use a disposable aluminum pan for this made-in-the-oven recipe. Click Here for recipe.