Monday, April 06, 2009
The Triangle Area Schools and Education
The Triangle Area Schools and Education
Probably one of the biggest perks of living in the Triangle is the educational opportunity the region affords. Beyond many excellent public school systems in the region, there are top-notch independent schools, cutting-edge research universities, and highly rated community colleges.
The Triangle’s unique layout features the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), North Carolina State University (NCSU), and Duke University as the cornerstones, feeding many of its graduates to careers in Research Triangle Park.
The web of knowledge is a large one around here, and we are lucky that we have so many options from which to choose in regard to where we send our children.
Public Schools
The public school systems in the Triangle are consistently ranked among the best in the state as far as end-of-grade test scores and college enrollment. The public systems in the Triangle include Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), Durham County Public Schools (DCPS), Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public Schools (CCPS), and Johnston County Schools (JCS).
WCPSS is the largest public school system in North Carolina as of 2008, with 137,706 enrolled students in 159 schools. It is also the eighth largest district in the United States.
DCPS, the second largest school district in the Triangle and eighth largest in the state, consists of 46 schools. A public school system with two elementary Montessori schools, a health sciences academy, its own school of the arts, and many more offerings, DCPS is a leader in the state for its small high school options.
CCPS is an independent school system that continues to rank at the top of the school systems in the state in measures of student achievement. CCPS recently received a “Gold Ribbon” designation for being one of the nation’s top performing schools by Expansion Management magazine.
JCS is also a rapidly growing system and one that ranks in the top 20 percent of North Carolina school districts as far as test scores. In fact, JCS prides itself on its curriculum and unique programs that help each student achieve success.
“Johnston County Schools offers differentiated instruction, which means that every child’s learning style is addressed,” said Terri Sessoms, public information officer at Johnston County Schools. “Additionally, a Middle College was opened last year to provide an academic program for students wanting to earn their high school diplomas and matriculate to higher education without the extracurricular offerings of a traditional high school. Middle College is located at Johnston Community College, and it is administered by Johnston County Schools’ staff.”
Higher Education
The entities of NCSU, Duke, and the UNC are widely regarded as world-class educational and research institutions. UNC is the oldest public university in the United States, which NCSU is currently the largest public university in North Carolina. Duke, a private school in Durham, recently had its undergraduate program ranked by U.S. News & World Report as eighth best in the country behind the likes of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.
Other colleges and universities in the area include Campbell University, Central Carolina Community College, Durham Technical Community College, Johnston Community College, Meredith College, North Carolina Central University, Peace College, Shaw University, St. Augustine's College, and Wake Technical Community College.
Independent Schools
There are many independent schools that offer parents the opportunity to customize their child’s education by enrolling them in a school that matches their own values and beliefs. Independent schools, although obviously more costly than public schools, are also known for a higher teacher-student ratio and higher college acceptance rates.
The following are just a few of the independent schools in the Triangle.
Cresset Christian Academy
Cresset Christian Academy is a private, Christian, educational institution dedicated to the purpose of fostering students’ spiritual gifts and talents, developing academic skills necessary for college preparation, developing critical thinking skills in students, facilitating computer literacy, encouraging social and personal growth, and developing leadership skills and respect for authority.
“In my 30 years in education, I have not known a school as unique as Cresset,” said Gail Murphy, head administrator of Cresset Christian Academy in Durham. “We are small enough to provide a friendly, family atmosphere and individual attention yet have been able to provide all the benefits you would only expect to find in a very large school! Academically, we have AP & Honors classes and numerous electives. In sports, 85 percent of our upper school students play on at least one of our over 20 sports’ teams. In fine arts, we have strong programs including a yearly musical that is second to none. In the lower school, our students have many special classes including PE, art, choral and instrumental music, Spanish, library, and computer, as well as intramurals. We also have a ‘Wings’ program that includes therapy for students with learning difficulties as well as enrichment for advanced students. Bible study is the foundational part of our curriculum, and our weekly chapels are specifically geared to each of five different age groupings. We are a culturally diverse community dedicated to excellence in the training up of the next generation of Christian leaders.”
St. David’s School
St. David’s School, formerly known as St. Timothy’s-Hale School, enrolls students in kindergarten through grade 12. Founded in 1972 as Hale High School, the school graduated its first class in 1973. With the addition of the fifth grade in 1994, the school encompassed grades 5-12. In November 2002, the Board of Trustees voted to add grades K-4 for the fall 2003. In the spring of 2003, the school was renamed St. David's School and was expanded to include all grades on the same campus.
“St. David’s School is an Episcopal school, which offers students in grades K-12 a faith-based, yet academically rigorous curriculum which includes 17 AP courses, an honor code and student honor council, and a 100 percent college acceptance rate,” said Teresa Wilson, director of admissions for St. David’s, which is located in Raleigh. “Students in the Upper School also take courses on ‘The Bible and the Ancient World’ in the ninth grade and a senior seminar in the 12th grade. These courses allow students to explore where their core values and beliefs are contrary to the world at large, or in agreement with it and openly discuss this in the classroom. Our mission statement proclaims that St. David’s school ‘provides challenging opportunities to excel in the vital areas of faith, virtue and knowledge’ that, we believe, prepares our students for college and life.
“St. David’s School offers students small class sizes (St. David’s has a 1:7 faculty to student ratio in the high school), opportunities for independent studies, a senior trip to Greece, other curriculum supporting trips such as a trip to Washington, D.C., for eighth grade students, after they have completed a year’s study of U.S. History, weekly Chapel services, and more personal relationships with faculty and staff,” Wilson said. “Graduation requirements include 80 hours of community service, which makes students aware of the needs of their community.”
Relocation to the Triangle
The Triangle Communities
Welcome to the Triangle! You will soon find that you have made one of the best decisions of your life by choosing to relocate here. An economy that has thus far withstood the financial storm, a quality of life that is unmatched, and fairly-priced real estate are just a few of the assets the Triangle has to offer.
According to Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker, the diversity of the population is also a major driver in making the Triangle one the most wonderfully cultural cities in the Southeast.
“The diversity of our population is one of the leading features that makes the Triangle the interesting, exciting and vibrant place to live that it is,” Meeker said. Meeker was elected to his fourth consecutive two-year term as Raleigh’s mayor in 2007. “I welcome you as a neighborhood if you are considering moving to the area or have recently done so, and I encourage you to immerse yourself in our community. Share with us your culture, your heritage and experiences. Embrace those that we offer. Doing so enriches us all.”
“Enriching” is an appropriate word for what has become known as one of the hottest relocation destinations in the country. The Triangle, including the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Holly Springs, Wake Forest, and even the more outlying region of Chatham County, makes frequent appearances on “best of” lists in the national media. Check out just a few of the recent kudos the Triangle and its cities have piled up over the past few years:
• No. 2 Metro Area Entering Slow Period with Most Positive Momentum (Raleigh), Bizjournals.com,
November 2008
• No. 1 Best City for Doing Business (Raleigh-Cary), Inc.com, July 2008
• No. 2 Best City to Live, Work, and Play (Raleigh), Kiplinger’s, July 2008
• No. 5 Recession Proof City (Raleigh), Forbes.com, April 2008
• No. 1 Best Place to Live in the United States (Raleigh), MSNBC.com, June 2008
According to the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, 96 percent of newcomers who moved to the Triangle area would do so again if faced with same decision. Obviously, this is a strong indicator of just how popular the Triangle is and why visitors often decide to stay.
One big reason that so many people decide to move here is the relatively stable economy. The Triangle never experienced the real estate bubble as many regions did across the country. Even in the current economic climate, unemployment in the Triangle remains lower than the national average. In November of 2008, the Triangle’s jobless rate was 6.1 percent, which is much lower than the state average of 7.9 percent and the national average of 6.7.
Many reports indicate that significant increases in employment, earnings, personal income and retail sales are projected over the next 15 years. Part of the reason the economy has stayed so strong, according to Meeker, is because it is highly diversified.
“[The Triangle’s] has no weak spots and that is unique,” Meeker said. “But if I had to choose just one unique asset, I would choose its diverse economy. This area has as sound an economy as is possible in this time of severe economic stress. Whether it’s research, technology, pharmaceuticals, education, medicine, government, or the arts, this is the place for the committed professional to launch their career.”
To help those committed professionals launch or even re-launch their careers the Triangle offers many nationally renowned institutions of higher learning.
Colleges and universities in the area include Campbell University, Central Carolina Community College, Durham Technical Community College, Johnston Community College, Meredith College, North Carolina Central University, Peace College, Shaw University, St. Augustine's College, and Wake Technical Community College.
The Triangle also offers an impressive array of public school systems. The counties of Wake, Orange, Johnston and Durham, and the independent system of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, have traditionally been ranked near the top of the state’s pubic school systems.
The dynamic combination of Research Triangle Park (RTP) and all of the feeder institutions, especially Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, provide an economic engine that attracts business and industry from across the globe.
In fact, even during the recent economic downturn, many companies are still expanding their facilities at RTP. The region’s growing high-technology community includes such companies as IBM, SAS Institute, Cisco Systems, NetApp and Credit Suisse First Boston. In addition to high-tech, the region is consistently ranked in the top 3 in the U.S. with concentration in life science companies. Some of these companies include GlaxoSmithKline, Biogen Idec, BASF, Merck & Co., Novo Nordisk, Novozymes, and Wyeth.
Healthcare is also a big draw to the Triangle, as the region has cutting-edge medical centers and research universities, as well as many fine hospitals and smaller facilities that provide Triangle residents access to quality healthcare.
Just a few of the larger healthcare facilities that serve the Triangle are Duke University Health System, UNC Health Care, WakeMed and Johnston Health.
The Triangle offers every possible cultural activity you can imagine throughout the year, from art galleries, museums, indoor and outdoor concert venues, a planetarium, and theater productions. Plus, the North Carolina Symphony and the North Carolina Ballet offer top-notch entertainment.
Sports fans will be elated about the Triangle because it’s home to both collegiate and professional teams. The area is college sports fan’s dream, as the teams of N.C. State, Carolina, and Duke are blood rivals and passion runs especially high for the sports of basketball and football.
In fact, the schools’ men’s basketball teams have won a combined nine national championships in NCAA Division I play. North Carolina holds four titles, Duke holds three and N.C. State holds two. Because Atlantic Coast Conference foe Wake Forest is just two hours away in Winston-Salem, many refer to the college hoops scene in North Carolina as “Tobacco Road.”
Minor league baseball is also big in the Triangle as two local teams have a big following. The Durham Bulls, made famous by the Kevin Costner movie “Bull Durham,” along with the Carolina Mudcats, a class AA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, usually play host to packed crowds on weekends in the summer. Also, the RBC Center in Raleigh is the home ice for the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. And, for NFL fans, the Carolina Panthers are only a two-hour drive away in Charlotte.
If you prefer to be a part of the action, the Triangle is a virtual playground for those who like hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and water skiing. And many towns and cities throughout the region have Parks and Recreation Departments that maintain parks, swimming facilities, community centers, and soccer and baseball fields.
For shopping, many of the state’s largest shopping malls are located in and around the Triangle. Raleigh’s newly built Brier Creek and Triangle Towne Center, along with a redone North Hills mall and the venerable Crabtree Mall, have lots to offer the weekend shopping warrior. Don’t forget to check out Durham’s Brightleaf Square and the Streets at Southpoint along with Cary’s Crossroads Plaza and the Cary Towne Center. Each of these popular malls has something unique to offer even the most discriminating shopper.
So, no matter what you are looking for in a place to relocate, the Triangle is sure to meet your every desire. From a stable economy and job opportunities to housing to healthcare to recreation and entertainment options, everything for you is waiting here. Come join the residents of the Triangle and help us continue to carve out an excellent quality of life.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tea Parties in NC
TEA PARTIES ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA TO PROTEST GOVERNOR PERDUE'S
PROPOSED TAX HIKES!
Governor Beverly Perdue recently proposed steep tax increases amounting to $680 million in her budget proposal intended to stimulate North Carolina ’s bruised economy.
AFP- North Carolina is very excited to join hands with the many grassroots activists across the country to protest not only Governor Perdue's tax hikes, but all federal bailouts, spending sprees, so-called stimulus packages, earmarks and fiscal irresponsibility in national, state, and local governments.
Please attend one or more of these events and help us spread the word. Our economic freedom is under attack and we must fight back. All of the events below are free and open to the public. (If you are having an event and we don’t have it listed, please email us at info@afpnc.org)
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2009
Raleigh
12:00-2:00 pm
NC State Capitol (east side) downtown Raleigh
Free Lunch for the first 150 people who attend. Rain or shine.
Register online here.
Date: Saturday, April 4, 2009
Charlotte
11:00-1:00pm 35.2176 -80.8389
Marshall Park, Second and McDowell Streets, 28204
Need info? info@afphq.org
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Wilmington
5:30 pm
Wilmington Tea Party on the Cape Fear River: “Taxation Without Representation”
Protest at the waterfront by the Federal Building in Wilmington. Federal Building is located at N. Water Street between Market and Princess.
Then, the Tea Party will march to City Hall for a City Council meeting at 6:30 pm. One item on the agenda is a public hearing for the annexation of Monkey Junction area.
City Hall is at 102 N. 3rd Street, Wilmington, NC 28402
Register online here.
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Edenton
5:00 pm
Edenton Courthouse Green ( Chowan County)
Note: The Edenton Tea Party was one of the earliest organized women’s political actions in United States history. On October 25, 1774, Mrs. Penelope Barker organized, at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth King, fifty-one women in Edenton, North Carolina. Together they formed an alliance wholeheartedly supporting the American cause against “taxation without representation.”
This event will include Revolutionary war re-enactors to celebrate the famous Edenton Tea Party. This is a once in a lifetime event to celebrate our past and protect us from a future of debt and high taxes.
Please register today here.
Read more about the history of the Edenton tea party here.
Date: April 15, 2009
Raleigh
Note: Two Raleigh Tea Parties on this date—different times and locations—attend both!
4:30-6:00 pm (tentative)
Federal Courthouse. New Bern Avenue across from the Post Office
6:30pm - 8:30 pm
NC State Capitol at One East Edenton Street (east side)
Register online here.
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Asheville
4:30 pm
Sidewalk in front of Asheville City Hall and Buncombe County Courthouse
Non-partisan Movement to Repeal the Pork!
Email: erikafranzi@mac.com
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Greensboro
12:00-1:00 pm
Center City Park, downtown Greensboro, between Elm and Davie streets
More details here.
Register online here.
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Charlotte
2:00pm - 4:00 pm
City Hall Lawn
600 E. Trade Street
Charlotte , NC
E-mail: charlottetaxdayteaparty@gmail.com
Register online here.
Dallas Woodhouse
State Director
Americans for Prosperity
Friday, March 13, 2009
Obama Plan.....New Refinancing Program
Obama Plan ............... New Refinancing Program.
Yesterday I wrote the first of two parts on the Homeowner Affordability & Stability plan that was released by the Obama administration on Wed March 4th. Which contained two major parts they hoped would have an impact on assisting homeowners with troubled mortgage. The first part of the plan which I blogged about yesterday is a modification program that Servicers will offer to borrowers with high debt-to-income ratios or who are at risk of foreclosure. The second part of the plan which I am blogging about today, a refinance program for existing Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans.
As I stated yesterday our Executive Vice President at McCue Mortgage, Kim Neilson and others are still assessing the details of the Homeowner Affordability & Stability plan to determine our next steps, but in the mean time we are trying to provide a summary of its major points so that it might help other to better understandable it. So here we go:
The second part of the plan is a refinance program for existing Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans. Fannie Mae is offering two different programs:
The Refi Plus Program that requires the servicer of the loan to be the originating lender.
The DU Refi Plus Program (DU is the Automated Underwriting System for Fannie Mae) that allows any lender using DU to originate the loan as long as the existing loan is a Fannie Mae loan.
Freddie Mac requires the servicer of the loan to be the originating lender. Some specifics of the program are:
Existing mortgage must currently be a Fannie or Freddie loan.
Existing loan may not be considered ineligible (must get an Approved/Eligible from DU). Ineligible loans include existing mortgage loans that received a DU Expanded approval (EA).
Maximum LTV for 1-2 unit properties is 105% and require an appraisal.
Maximum LTV for 3-4 unit properties is 80% and also require an appraisal.
No maximum CLTV.
Existing mortgage must be current and have acceptable mortgage payment history. No minimum FICO score is required although borrower must meet bankruptcy and foreclosure requirements. In addition, borrower must demonstrate credit worthiness.
Rate and term refinance only (No Cash Out) - purchase money seconds MAY Not be included.
Loan level price adjustments (points) will apply (determined by credit score on credit report)
MI required (same coverage factor of existing loan) for mortgage loans that had original LTV’s greater than 80%.
DU Refi Plus must receive Approve/Eligible and will not be available until April 4. Income and employment verification is required.
Refi Plus is a manual underwrite and requires verbal verification of employment. Lender must determine that the borrower has a reasonable ability to repay the mortgage based on current information provided by borrower.
There it is in a nut shell. I actually have higher expectations for this part of the plan then I do for the Loan Modification part. This part of the plan stands a chance to actually help those who have good credit and have little to no equity in their property. But I do not see it doing anything for those who are in areas that property values have taken a noticeable hit, and 105% LTV is not going to do anything for them. Also this does offer a second option to FHA which will allow a borrower to go to a 96.5% LTV on a No Cash Out Refi.
While I think that this plan might actually help a few people, but it will be a source of false hope for many more. As I ended my last post, the purpose for providing this information is so that those who read it may have a better understanding of the "Homeowner Affordability & Stability Plan", and help them come to their own conclusion.
Yesterday I wrote the first of two parts on the Homeowner Affordability & Stability plan that was released by the Obama administration on Wed March 4th. Which contained two major parts they hoped would have an impact on assisting homeowners with troubled mortgage. The first part of the plan which I blogged about yesterday is a modification program that Servicers will offer to borrowers with high debt-to-income ratios or who are at risk of foreclosure. The second part of the plan which I am blogging about today, a refinance program for existing Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans.
As I stated yesterday our Executive Vice President at McCue Mortgage, Kim Neilson and others are still assessing the details of the Homeowner Affordability & Stability plan to determine our next steps, but in the mean time we are trying to provide a summary of its major points so that it might help other to better understandable it. So here we go:
The second part of the plan is a refinance program for existing Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans. Fannie Mae is offering two different programs:
The Refi Plus Program that requires the servicer of the loan to be the originating lender.
The DU Refi Plus Program (DU is the Automated Underwriting System for Fannie Mae) that allows any lender using DU to originate the loan as long as the existing loan is a Fannie Mae loan.
Freddie Mac requires the servicer of the loan to be the originating lender. Some specifics of the program are:
Existing mortgage must currently be a Fannie or Freddie loan.
Existing loan may not be considered ineligible (must get an Approved/Eligible from DU). Ineligible loans include existing mortgage loans that received a DU Expanded approval (EA).
Maximum LTV for 1-2 unit properties is 105% and require an appraisal.
Maximum LTV for 3-4 unit properties is 80% and also require an appraisal.
No maximum CLTV.
Existing mortgage must be current and have acceptable mortgage payment history. No minimum FICO score is required although borrower must meet bankruptcy and foreclosure requirements. In addition, borrower must demonstrate credit worthiness.
Rate and term refinance only (No Cash Out) - purchase money seconds MAY Not be included.
Loan level price adjustments (points) will apply (determined by credit score on credit report)
MI required (same coverage factor of existing loan) for mortgage loans that had original LTV’s greater than 80%.
DU Refi Plus must receive Approve/Eligible and will not be available until April 4. Income and employment verification is required.
Refi Plus is a manual underwrite and requires verbal verification of employment. Lender must determine that the borrower has a reasonable ability to repay the mortgage based on current information provided by borrower.
There it is in a nut shell. I actually have higher expectations for this part of the plan then I do for the Loan Modification part. This part of the plan stands a chance to actually help those who have good credit and have little to no equity in their property. But I do not see it doing anything for those who are in areas that property values have taken a noticeable hit, and 105% LTV is not going to do anything for them. Also this does offer a second option to FHA which will allow a borrower to go to a 96.5% LTV on a No Cash Out Refi.
While I think that this plan might actually help a few people, but it will be a source of false hope for many more. As I ended my last post, the purpose for providing this information is so that those who read it may have a better understanding of the "Homeowner Affordability & Stability Plan", and help them come to their own conclusion.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
While relaxing this morning, out on the Lake.........Fish?
While relaxing this morning, looking out on to the lake..I saw a real big fish jumping out of the water. Now this is a sight quite common if you are on the coast or in the sound, but this morning in Abbott's Creek Cove. Well needless to say I was a bit taken back and thinking to myself, if I was a fisherman I would go down and wet my hook!
What a beautiful morning it is down here at High Rock Lake today. The seagulls are swooning over the Great Pond and have been for weeks now. We are scheduled to have some warm temps here this weekend so I imagine the boat traffic will pick up today. We have been experiencing some Cold Temperatures lately so I wonder does that blast the Global Warming theories! HaHa! Still we don't know who will sign the contract for the Lake and that does have quite alot of homeowners and Lake enthusiast sitting on the edge of their seats.
What a beautiful morning it is down here at High Rock Lake today. The seagulls are swooning over the Great Pond and have been for weeks now. We are scheduled to have some warm temps here this weekend so I imagine the boat traffic will pick up today. We have been experiencing some Cold Temperatures lately so I wonder does that blast the Global Warming theories! HaHa! Still we don't know who will sign the contract for the Lake and that does have quite alot of homeowners and Lake enthusiast sitting on the edge of their seats.
Sales of homes here on the lake have been steady but there is a "sitting on the fence" mode that we are thinking will pass soon. The home sales will be picking up soon as there are great deals this year like we haven't seen in the past 2 years. The market has been correcting itself in NC as a whole, whether anyone would like to face those facts or not, the facts don't lie. If you don't have to sell right now, I would recommend you don't because I do believe after some of this credit stagnation flushes, you will see prices increase tremendously out here. We are one of the few lakes in NC you can actually build a waterfront homes. Still there are some draw backs to this lake. The main one I have addressed: We need a River Keeper that cares about the eco system and will maintain the Pond at levels that will be condusive to nature and it's wildlife habitats. We believe this will happen soon.
Still, this is one of the most peaceful places on earth. A true hidden treasure. Please join us sometime and see what our Lake has to offer you and your family. Best fishing in the country for Bass.
For information and Listings:
Direct - 336-798-7733
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Happenings in Raleigh March
March 2009
Put a little 'spring' in your step this March with an affordable visit to the Raleigh area and experience the sights and sounds of numerous festivals, exhibits, cultural performances and more!
Discover many events featuring hot deals and special offers that you can only take advantage of in Raleigh.
March Madness
March Madness in Greater Raleigh encompasses a lot more than basketball; it is a month made for sporting enthusiasts, no matter what team you cheer for! N.C. State University takes to the court for games against ACC rivals Maryland (3/1) and Boston College (3/4), while female athletes from across the country descend on the RBC Center for the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Regional Tournament (3/28, 3/30). The Carolina Hurricanes take on NHL rivals the Calgary Flames (3/6), New York Rangers (3/9), New Jersey Devils (3/18), New York Islanders (3/20), Washington Capitals (3/21) and Ottawa Senators (3/25). The Carolina RailHawks don't officially start the soccer season until April, but fans can catch an early match at Cary's WakeMed Soccer Park during the New England “Community Shield” Match (3/14). Lace up those running shoes—downtown Raleigh hosts the St. Patty’s Run Green 8K (3/8), the area's first sustainable "Race without a Trace," and the 27th Annual Run for the Oaks 5K (3/14) attracts more than 900 runners each year. Learn More
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Performing Arts
What does a car that can fly have in common with beach music and literary greats like Tolstoy and Shakespeare? They all are part of Greater Raleigh’s incredible calendar of performing arts this month. Carolina Ballet pays homage to two literary geniuses in Tolstoy and Shakespeare: Masterworks in Motion (2/26-3/1), while Raleigh Little Theatre recreates a classic African-American fable in Wiley and the Hairy Man (3/13-3/29). Love, loss and sacrifice is told by the N.C. Theatre with performances of the Tony-award winning Miss Saigon (3/21-3/29), and Broadway Series South presents family favorite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (3/31-4/5). Pinecone presents the Dan Tyminski Band & Tony Rice Unit (3/11), and the N.C. Symphony takes a journey down the Carolina Coast with a program of early American gospel, blues and beach music - Blue Skies and Golden Sands (3/27-3/29). Learn More
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Festivals
Festivals abound in March with events taking place throughout the Raleigh area. The UniverSoul Circus (3/11-3/15) returns to Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek, while the Woman's Club of Raleigh Spring Antiques Show and Sale (3/13-3/15) offers outdoor accessories, period furniture, folk art and more. Celebrate Persian New Year (3/17) and India Fest (3/28-3/29), both at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Downtown Raleigh turns green celebrating shamrocks, pots of gold and leprechauns at the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival (3/14), and Cary hopes for wind during the 14th Annual Kite Festival (3/28). Learn more
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Are you a buccaneer or a landlubber, a lass or a scallywag? Learn about pirate-speak along with the legacy of infamous rogues of the high seas, from ancient times to the present. Intriguing artifacts, legends and history will bring their ruthless adventures to life at the N.C. Museum of History's special exhibit Knights of the Black Flag (3/6-7/6). This is an interactive exhibit showcasing the largest collection of artifacts ever assembled from Blackbeard's famous ship—the Queen Anne's Revenge. After the exhibit, head over to North Carolina's only 3D IMAX theatre at Marbles Kids Museum and discover the creatures that call the sea their home in films like: Wild Ocean 3D and Under the Sea 3D.
The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences brings out giant snakes, tiny turtles and more during the 14th Annual Reptile and Amphibian Day (3/14). This annual event features dozens of exhibits and activities highlighting reptiles and amphibians, many native to North Carolina. Enjoy the first signs of spring on 164 acres of trails, woodlands and open areas at the Museum Park at the N.C. Museum of Art, and explore the people that make up the Raleigh area's history during Portraits of Raleigh: Images of a City and Her People at the Raleigh City Museum Learn more
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Hometown Discoveries - Wake Forest
Monday, February 16, 2009
Financial Makeover with Dave Ramsey
Recommend this more than anything I have read this year!
My Total Money Makeover is a subscription site helping discover financial peace by walking them through Dave Ramsey's baby step process for dumping debt and building wealth.
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