Best Summer Events in Raleigh, NC

Summers are hot in Raleigh, but as the temperature rises, so does the vibe of the city. As you’re planning barbecues and picnics, make sure you schedule some time for popular local events. Here are some of the top summer events in Raleigh that you’ll want to fit into your calendar.

1. Independence Day Block Party
Head to the Neuse River Brewing Company on July 2 for the second-annual Independence Day Block Party. A lengthy list of food trucks will be on hand offering everything from gourmet hot dogs to Maine lobster for sale. Enjoy the food and retail vendors, while you enjoy live music from Midlife Crisis and Heads Up Penny. This is the perfect event to kick off the upcoming Fourth of July festivities!

2. The ‘Works!
Downtown Raleigh is the place to go for the Fourth of July, with a fireworks extravaganza taking place along Fayetteville Street. Festivities start at noon with rides and games for the kids, live music, a beer and wine tent, Circus Maximus, street performers, eating contests and more! You can even have a picnic right on Fayetteville Street! Around 9:30, the sky will come alive with fireworks over the Duke Energy Center.

3. SouthEast Crab Feast
Do you love crab? Then head to Lake Wheeler Park at noon on July 2 for the 7th Annual SouthEast Crab Feast event. Here the Low Country coastal tradition of fresh seafood cooked outdoors is celebrated in style. With your ticket you will enjoy all-you-can-eat fresh Blue Crabs, with a side of fish and chips. The family-friendly event also features live music. Bring your own dipping sauce, or simply enjoy the rich seasonings cooked right on to the crab!

4. Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
The original beer and BBQ festival, the Beer Bourbon & BBQ Festival takes place in nearby Cary at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre on July 28 and 29. With your paid admission you will enjoy all you care to taste samples of beer and bourbon, as well as plenty of BBQ for sale form the on-site vendors. The tasting theater will host seminars about the local brews, and you will enjoy the sounds of live music throughout your visit. Festivities start at 6 on Friday night with a Whole Hog Pig Pickin’, followed by a full tasting session on Saturday at 2.

5. Sunday in the Park
Sunday in the Park is a free concert series that takes place on Sundays throughout the summer at Fred Fletcher Park and Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh. This music series will feature a different genre each week, so you’re sure to find something that matches your tastes. Bring your food, a blanket and your friends or family to enjoy the sounds of jazz, Rhythm and Blues, pop, bluegrass and more! The concerts begin at 6, but come early for the best possible seating. The July 9 concert will feature the four-part vocal jazz ensemble Capital Transit, which performs swing, pop, Doo-Wop and traditional blues for your enjoyment.

Whether you live in Raleigh or just in town visiting, these events are sure to be fun & exciting. We hope to see you there!

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Top Places for Brunch in Durham, NC

In many ways, brunch is the perfect meal. Breakfast lovers can dine on eggs and bacon, while those who have a hankering for a sandwich can get that as well. If you live in a home or apartment in Durham, you’ll find that the community has quite a large number of brunch restaurants for your consideration. Here are some of the best!

1) Elmo’s Diner
If you want home-cooked, you want Elmo’s. Food here is served in typical diner fashion, but you can get breakfast all day. So, any time of the day can be brunch. The food here is southern inspired, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly the waiters get to know your favorite order once you become a regular.

2) Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
Chicken and waffles is a go-to southern brunch faire, and Dame’s is one of the top places to get it, but that’s not the only brunch food you can get here. The Breakfast Buttercup, which features eggs and bacon sandwiched between two waffles, is another popular treat. Of course, you’ll want to taste their Almost World Famous Waffles, and the Shmear at Dame’s is definitely something you need to experience for brunch!

3) Foster’s Market
Foster’s Market is a casual atmosphere with a large selection of muffins, scones, sandwiches, smoothies, and salads. It’s a great option for a lighter brunch meal, and this is a Durham classic that you really need to experience. It opens daily at 7:30, so brunch can be as early as you want it to be!

4) Fairview Dining Room
Located at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club, the Fairview Dining Room is an upscale place for brunch. In fact, this restaurant is so upscale that brunch is a three-course meal, and you’ll want to leave the jeans behind in favor of something a little more dressy. You have your choice of meals for your main course, but make sure you leave room for dessert which is to die for!

Yes, the brunch scene in Durham is excellent. The net time you’re looking to dine out around 11 on a weekend, pick one of these restaurants. You will not be disappointed!

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Best Bars in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is well-known for its dining scene, but for those who are looking for somewhere to drink, you’ll find the community serves you well as well. Chapel Hill has a nice list of bars where fun and entertainment are easy to find. If you’re new to the area, or are looking to leave your new apartment to discover a new location for a night out with your friends, then these bars should be on your list.

Linda’s Bar and Grill
Located on Franklin Street, Linda’s Bar and Grill is a place where you can dine on good old fashioned American food while enjoying your favorite drinks. This two-story bar has a game room in the lower level and a dining room on top. Whether you’re there for a game of darts with friends or want to grab a burger and fries for dinner, Linda’s won’t disappoint.

The Cave
Also on Franklin Street, The Cave is located in the oldest tavern in Chapel Hill. Until 2 a.m. every night, you can catch country, folk and rock music being played at the Cave. It has excellent drinks, but no liquor, and some fun drinks for the kids as well. Pinball machines and pool tables make it even more inviting.

Crossroads Bar at the Carolina Inn
The Carolina Inn has recently undergone a massive restoration, and the newly restored building has the historic architecture it was known for, but with modern amenities inside. The Crossroads Bar features rich leather club chairs in a lounge setting surrounded by framed illustrations from Daily Tar Heel. This is a refined space in which to enjoy drinks with friends in a historic Chapel Hill location.

The Crunkleton
If you’re looking for a classic cocktail, the Crunkleton is the place to go. Since its opening in 2008, the Crunkleton has been appealing to both refined business men and college students, who come together over a love of fine cocktails. This unique location gives a shout out to the Prohibition era, when laws mandated drinking establishments required membership. But don’t worry – the lifetime membership is just $5.

As you can see, the bar scene in Chapel Hill is an excellent one, with many choices for residents to enjoy. Take some time to get to know your community, and its drinking establishments, a little better by exploring some of these locations. If you are new to the area and looking for a new apartment community, be sure to check out Carolina Square!

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The 2017 Housing Market: Should I Rent or Purchase?

The jump from renting to buying is a huge milestone in life. Ever since the Subprime Mortgage Crisis of 2008, trends and predictions have flowed about who will buy, when and if Millennials will buy, and how long it will take the market to settle back down. Those interested in buying or renting out property in 2017 will want to look at the financial forecast of the housing market for the coming year. Experts in economics have predicted an overall steady housing market for the next year. While the close of 2016 should not be majorly affected, trending housing demands, the beginning of President Trump’s term, and a hike in interest rates will likely create a slower but still rising year. As always, whether you buy or rent will depend on a few factors, including your age, financial situation, and distance you are willing to move. Here are a few tips as well as explanations of the market predictions that will help you determine whether you should rent or purchase a unit in 2017.

  1. Consider Your Location to Buy. Ask yourself: Where are you willing to move? Housing price is all about location, location, location. Some cities are seeing higher demand and rising home prices while towns on the fringes slowly develop. If you are looking for a home in a particular area, it is best to consult an experienced realtor in the field who knows the area. Many people find realtors through word of mouth, but there are also websites that will match you with a realtor. A realtor who knows the area will match your needs with the best prices and will be able to give you financing tips that will suite you. If you are more open to locations out of the city or state, you might find more prime options. Housing markets in cities like Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Richmond, Virginia; Tampa, Florida; San Diego, California, and many more are attracting investors and might be good options to find a home. If you are willing to move out of state, research different cities to determine which lifestyle is right for you, and whether the job market is growing or stable in your field of work (unless you are flexible on that term).
  2. Stick to a Budget. The 2008 Subprime Mortgage Crisis sobered up the public as well as the banks and federal government about affordability. If you feel in over your head about mortgages, fixed interest rates, and what your monthly budget can sustain in this rising market, then it is wise to consult with your realtor. Again, a realtor should be able to simplify the terms based on your income and expectations. It is easy to fall in love and romanticize your life in the beautiful new home you just saw, but don’t be fooled: if it is out of your budget along with your other monthly expenses, you need to keep looking. Your local bank can also advise you. They can inform you on what they can lend you at a certain interest rate.
  3. Consider the Financial Risk. Once you already know your budget, you can create a more accurate assessment on whether you should continue to rent or buy a home. It will not be worth it to buy if you are not financially secure. Although it is predicted that home buying will rise in 2017, that does not mean you are ready. It is predicted that Millennials, for example, are likely to settle down in large numbers in the coming years, but that does not define your individual needs at this moment. Some people fear that if they continue to rent, it may be a poor investment decision. But in the end, it may actually be the best in the long term.
  4. The Benefits of Renting. Since the Recession, young people have become more mobile and more educated. Renting means that at the end of the lease you can choose to leave on a whim. If you are not financially able to own a house, that doesn’t mean you are not financially stable enough to travel or relocate. The flexibility that renting offers can allow you to try different lifestyles or adjust in case you lose or try to change your job. Eventually, when you are financially prepared and satisfied with the pros and cons of the area you wish to live, then the time to settle down will come. However, do not pressure yourself—all things come in good time. If you do choose to rent, be wary of fraudulent schemes; with the rise in tenancy, con artists have jumped on the bandwagon. When a prospective landlord asks for your social security number and other important information, make sure they’re running their credit check through certified companies like Transunion SmartMove services. This will help you avoid scams and keep your personal information protected.
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Coming Soon to Durham County…

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Every three years, the Durham County Department of Public Health completes a health assessment for the entire county, which includes an opinion survey. The survey is conducted at randomly selected households throughout the county.

The information collected is used to help community members and organizations set health priorities and to help inform programming needs for nonprofits, government agencies, and hospitals in the area.

The Durham County Department of Public Health will be conducting surveys throughout the county on Thursday, October 6th through Saturday, October 8th and will be conducting a survey among Hispanic and Latino households on Thursday, October 13th through Saturday, October 15th.

Please help spread the word throughout the community, letting your friends and neighbors know that we may be coming to their homes to collect information for the health assessment.
Everyone is encouraged to participate so their opinions are taken into account when identifying and planning for our community’s health priorities in the future.

Volunteers helping with the survey will be wearing neon blue t-shirts with the Durham County Department of Public Health logo on it and will also have a letter from the County confirming that they are a volunteer.

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5 Tips For Spotless Home Every Home Seller Needs To Know

When staging a house for selling, its appearance plays a key role in influencing the rate at which potential buyers make a decision. Nobody admires a smelly, ugly, stained house with items lying all over. This can be a total turn off to any would be buyer. Also, many buyers want a home that looks as if it is ready for occupation. They do not want to engage in a lot of restorative work or undue cleaning. Prepping your house for sale doesn’t have to be costly. On the contrary, you can apply the following 5 tips to create a pristine home that can attract even the perfectionist of a buyer.

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  1. Cull the Clutter
  2. This is one way of freeing most of the space in your home so that prospective buyers can concentrate on the important details of the house. Free up the counters, shelves, drawers, and closets of the excess items. If you have many things occupying these areas, the buyer is only going to view these items and not what they are supposedly buying. Your personal belongings will act as distraction for would be buyer. You can sort the items and pack them in boxes, give out or ask a relative to keep them for you.

    You can also pack your personal belongings. When a prospective buyer is viewing a house, make them imagine their life in the new home. However, if you crowd the house with your personal items, it is hard for them to begin identifying with the new place.

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  3. Conduct a Thorough Cleaning
  4. Let a prospective buyer find your house spotless, just as it would look after detailed spring cleaning. Use the following ideas to tackle different areas.

  • Bathrooms: use baking soda to shine a grungy toilet bowl or bathtub. All you need is to sprinkle a generous amount of it on the tub or toilet bowl. Wait for about 20 minutes then scrub with a scourer or toilet brush. After you rinse, your bathtub or toilet bowl will sparkle just like it is new.
  • Grout: get rid of stubborn grime from grout lines by applying powder oxygen bleach and allowing it to sit for about 15 minutes. Then, use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the surface and rinse with clean water.
  • Countertops: it is important to identify the right cleaning agent and method for the kind
    of material that makes your countertops. Some materials react to harsh cleaning methods and require to be dealt with gently. For instance, you cannot apply strong acidic cleaners on natural stone surfaces like those made of limestone as the acid will pit the stone.

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  • Tend the Backyard and compound
  • This is a grand way of improving the aesthetic appeal of your home. In any case, buyers are sure to notice the compound before they tour the interiors of your house. In this case, spare some time to mow the lawn, prune the fences, and water any plants in the compound.

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  • Forget Not the House’s Exteriors
  • Like the kempt compound, this also goes a long way in increasing your house’s curb appeal. Consider scrubbing the windows, pressure washing the cladding, cleaning the gutters and so forth. Also, consider pressure-washing the sidewalk and pavement. You can easily bring your windows to sparkle by spraying them with a homemade cleaning solution then wiping with an old newspaper. Make your solution by mixing 50% of distilled or white vinegar and 50% of clean water.

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  • Consider Pocket-friendly Improvements
  • Some surfaces may not sparkle even after endless cleaning. This could be because they have outlived their useful time. Do not waste time scrubbing. Instead, think of some improvements you can make that won’t cost you a lot. For instance, you can hide ugly marks on the walls by applying a fresh paint or improve the appearance of your hardwood floor by refinishing. Other things you should consider are installation of a new front door, tile re-grouting, mulching, and so forth.

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    Beverly Jenkins is proud of her staff at The Tidy Maids house cleaning service in Raleigh, NC. She has 24 years of experience in house cleaning, customer service, and business operations. She knows all the tips and tricks and do-it-yourself hacks when it comes to cleaning and her clients’ homes are the best proof for that.

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    SUCCESS

    JWE Logo

    J Weeks Entertainment wants to personally invite you to our upcoming production “SUCCESS” which will be premiered at the Durham Arts Council in Durham, NC on July 23rd, 2016.

    Briefly, our production SUCCESS is a compelling play that uncovers the true perceptions of how as a society we measure success and the challenging issues of how we must choose to either conform to the status quo set by others, or choose our own path in life.

    We believe that patrons who come to see this play will be empowered with information; for some their perspective will be challenged and many will see themselves or someone they know in these characters.

    Wear your finest and join us for this black tie affair complete with a red carpet, photographer and one-of-kind backdrop.

    We will see you there!

    Date:
    July 23, 2016

    Time:
    6:00 PM Red Carpet
    7:00 PM Show Begins

    Location:
    Durham Arts Council
    120 Morris Street
    Durham, NC 27701

    success

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    Luxury Living, Inside and Out

    When you think about luxury living, there are a few things that typically come to mind. Updated bathrooms, granite or quartz countertops, high-end kitchen appliances, hardwood floors and an open floor plan are just a few of the things that are at the top of the list for most people. While these details do make a home beautiful and feel more lavish, these are not the things that bring a family together and help you create lasting memories with one another.

    homes near raleigh

    Holding Village, a new community in Wake Forest, has recognized the need to deliver even more to residents. Located on property that was once a dairy farm years ago, Holding Village was developed with an emphasis on bringing people together and getting them back outside. We all spend too much time on our phones, in front of the television and at the computer. As a breath of fresh air, Holding Village is striving to bring back the traditional way of living.

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    This new home community in Wake Forest, NC is making it easy for families to get active and spend time outside together. Holding Village features over 35 acres of open space, four parks, nature trails, a lake and a pool pavilion. Whether you are interested in fishing, kayaking, running or simply watching the sunset, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the beauty of nature in Holding Village.

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    After spending a day at the lake or on the nature trails, what better way to unwind than in a brand new home. Holding Village is proud to offer homes that are both luxurious and inviting. Even better, you have lots of options when it comes to choosing exactly what style and floor plan you want. Three of the top homebuilders in the Wake Forest area have home plans available in the Holding Village community. John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, Ashton Woods and Drees Homes have designed and built exceptional homes that can be customized to meet your specific needs and lifestyle.

    With fabulous amenities, luxurious homes and top-notch builders, Holding Village is the premier place to be when it comes to new homes in Wake Forest.

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    The 4th Bull City Vegan (Chef) Challenge

    The 4th Bull City Vegan (Chef) Challenge is launching in downtown restaurants this April. A total of 15 Durham restaurants are participating (most of them downtown) and some of them might surprise you! We have Saltbox, The Federal, Parker + Otis, Guglhupf, etc. just to name a few.

    It’s super fun! and not just for vegetarians and vegans, but people who like creative meals created by awesome chefs. Basically, during the month of April these restaurants add a vegan dish to their menus and you try them and vote on the best one. The Indy did a piece on it and the challenge has also been featured in the N&O and nationally by VegNews and Ecorazzi!

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    http://www.indyweek.com/food/archives/2016/03/07/fifteen-durham-restaurants-to-participate-in-aprils-bull-city-vegan-challenge

    http://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/mouthful-blog/article65664737.html

    http://www.ecorazzi.com/2016/03/09/durham-north-carolina-is-getting-its-own-vegan-cookoff/

    http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=7587&catId=1

    Our theme is #planetprotein since April is Earth day/month and…we love protein! There are also fun dessert participants like the forthcoming Rise, Parlour, and Monuts (the latter for the launch week).

    Hope you enjoy supporting the restaurants! There are prizes to be announced for participating, too.

    For more information and to see all the creative, tasty meals being offered – please check us out at:

    https://www.facebook.com/bullcityvegan/

    The Bull City Vegan (Chef) Challenge Team

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    Why Durham, NC is the Best Place to Live for March Madness

    March Madness. With brackets upturned and the sweet 16 here, there’s no better time to live in Durham. In fact, with Duke in Durham and UNC close by, and both of these teams holding their own in the tournament this year, Durham is the ideal town for those who go crazy for March Madness. And this year’s success is no fluke. These teams are consistently among the top, and a home or apartment in Durham puts you near them all.

    A Duke fan, left, and a North Carolina fan cheer during the Boston College versus North Carolina semifinal Atlantic Coast Conference basketball tournament game Saturday, March 11, 2006, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

    Consistently Performing Teams Make Durham Residents Proud
    Whether you are cheering for the Tarheels or the Blue Devils, you can be certain that your team will probably perform well. Historically, both of these teams have made strong showings each March in the NCAA tournament, so you can be proud of your favorite team. But be careful with just how crazy you go. Rivalries can run strong in Durham, so you might have some friendly over-the-fence banter with your neighbors once you choose a side!

    A Number of Locations for Viewing the Tournament
    March Madness isn’t just about basketball. It’s also about friendship and camaraderie. During the tournament, sports bars offer specials to draw in spectators, and this is a great way to experience the games. One reason that Durham is so appealing as a March Madness town is the large number of bars and other establishments that will showcase the tournament while offering excellent dining experiences and an environment that brings people together around the game.

    Catch a Game During the Regular Season
    Before March Madness hits and the teams head out to the tournament location, you can catch them in person at UNC or Duke easily from your home in Durham. The close proximity of both of these campuses allows you to experience the thrill of cheering your favorite team to victory during the regular season.

    Not many communities can boast two exceptional teams within close proximity and a friendly, sports-loving population. There are many reasons to love Durham, but during March Madness season, basketball is certainly one of the best!

    Like what you read? This article was posed by Trinity Commons at Erwin, a luxury apartment community in Durham located across the street from Duke Medical Center.

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