We're planning some changes to the North Raleigh News section (you'll hear more about that later) that will begin next month. But one change requires preparation from you, our readers.

One of the new features we'll start is something called "rants and raves." In this feature, readers can tell about experiences that annoy or inconvenience them or, on the other hand, fill them with joy.

This feature should be a lot of fun. And -- who knows? -- by shining a light on those who make the world a better place, we may encourage such behavior. And by exposing those who make our lives difficult, we may shame them enough to clean up their act.

A good example of a rant would be the employee of the Wal-Mart at 6600 Glenwood Avenue who I met earlier this month at the store's front door. I remembered late on a Wednesday night that I didn't have food for the kids' lunch for the next day. But knowing that Wal-Mart stays open until midnight, I dashed to the store.

"Sorry, sir, we're closed," the employee said when I approached the store -- at 11:50 p.m.

I wasn't the only person locked out; about a half dozen people who had arrived on time did not get in. Almost everyone pointed out that it wasn't quite midnight. To all he had the same canned (and nonsensical) response:

"Sorry, we're closed."

To that employee (and whatever supervisors approved his action), I give a well earned "rant."

On the other hand, a woman named Kathy who worked at the Renaissance Faire last weekend deserves a "rave." I took my kids to the fair, and they wanted to do a "dragon egg hunt." But when we went to the area where the hunts were supposed to be held, no one was there. At the information booth, we were told the hunt had been canceled due to lack of demand. (Rain had driven fair attendance way down.)

Cold and wet, we left the fair. But a volunteer must have seen the disappointed look on my kids faces and told Kathy, who came and found us -- she actually followed us out to the car and caught us as we were about to drive away.

She brought us back into the fair and hastily arranged a dragon egg hunt. My kids left with lots of candy -- and smiles on their faces.

You can post rants or raves at share.triangle.com/rantsandraves or send them directly to us at NRNews@newsobserver.com.

Be sure to include your name.