As I said last week, we're rolling out changes to the North Raleigh News this month, little by little. Today, you will see changes on this page and on page 3N.

First of all, there is no Native Son today. Phil Dickerson is not gone, but in the course of trying to replace his counterpoint, Maureen Duffin-Ward, it became clear that there were too many talented writers in North Raleigh to have only two columnists from the community. Now, we'll have four and each will write monthly.

Speaking of talented writers, allow me to introduce Audrey Mark, whose column will run the second Friday of each month. Mark, 42, grew up in Westchester County, N.Y., attended Northwestern University, and spent time in the Big Apple producing radio and TV ads.

She came here 10 years ago for her husband's job and was a stay-at-home mom for many years before returning to work part-time as a marketing director.

Note that this page is now entitled, "Public Forum" (rather than "North Views.") That reflects the reality that the page has more than just opinion. Page 2N has always been the home for a few features: "What's Up With That?" "Say What?" and "Your 15 Minutes."

Now, a word about those: "What's Up With That?" got a lot of positive reaction from readers -- it will return next week. But in our community feedback session in February, "Say What?" was the least-read feature, and "15 Minutes" was not far behind. In feedback about them arriving via e-mail, comments often are not kind.

So we've replaced them with Bulletin Board, a feature that is like, well, a bulletin board in a coffee shop. Send your notices about awards, lost pets, etc., to our copy editor/page designer, Carol Jenkins. This is also the new (and, thanks to Carol, more attractive) place for neighborhood events that used to run in "Bits & Pieces" on page 3N.

In place of Bits, we've started a column on page 3N by Javier Serna, our growth reporter. He will report on all new development proposals in North Raleigh to help you monitor changes in your neighborhood. To that same end, Stop & Go is replaced by a list of public meetings.

More changes next week!