Raleigh,Cary, Wake County Blog and Relocation Information
Sep. 5, 2008 - Henry's Gelato in Cary - A real treat
One of the things I love about where I live now is the proximity to great restaurants, shops, and other local businesses.
One of my favorite treats on Friday night after a movie or just for fun is located right here in Cary NC off of Cary Parkway in the Preston Walk shopping center called Henry's Gelato. I featured Henry's Gelato in my newsletter last month and had a chance to sit down for a quick visit and talk with Henry about his business. Henry traveled to over 50 countries sampling the different flavors of Gelato before perfecting his technique and purchasing his Gelato machinery in Florence, Italy. Henry's success has helped him expand his business to two new locations - the first in Southern Pines and the 2nd in North Raleigh opening later this year.
Every single gelato I've had from Henry's just melts in my mouth! Henry has over 85 flavors are available and up to 24 of your favorite flavors offered in at any one time. The gelato is handmade fresh every day with the purest ingredients. Henry also mentioned that gelato has 1/3 the calories of regular ice cream and custard. It sure doesn't taste like it though!
So, if you're out and about and want a real treat choose Henry's Gelato!
Henry has a saying inside his restaurant that says, "Mundi Gelato E Corri Nudo". Do you know what that means? If not you'll have to drop by Henry's and ask him yourself!
Sep. 3, 2008 - Coming Soon - Jordan Lake Music Festival
I was out last week with some friends of mine that want to build a Lake House near Jordan lake(the Army Corps of Engineers won't allow anyone to actually build on the Lake) and I stumbled upon an event that is coming up that I thought I'd share with you.
If you're looking for inexpensive entertainment the Jordan Lake Music Festival, on October 4th and 5th in Apex, may just fit the bill. The event is being held to raise funds to clean up Jordan Lake and costs only $20 for a one day pass and $40 for a 2 day pass.
There will be 5 stages and 18 performers, not to mention an art show, children's activities, and plenty of food and dance. The music will be varied including Bluegrass, Ragae, Folk, Jazz, Latin, and more.
For directions to Jordan Lake Farm in Apex click here
Sep. 1, 2008 - Raleigh Convention Center Opens This Friday
Join me for the grand 2-day celebration in downtown Raleigh this Friday. It's all a part of the $1 Billion investment in the transformation of Raleigh. At the center of the transformation in downtown Raleigh is the opening of the Raleigh Convention Center.
*Video compliments of the Raleigh Convention Center.
The celebration has been tapped as Raleigh Wide Open. Street entertainment, food booths, live music and fireworks are just part of the fun planned for the outdoor festival. Entertainment highlights include Arrested Development and Chuck Berry on Friday. On Saturday Lou Gramm of Foreigner and Soul Asylum will perform live.
Besides the entertainment this is a culmination of years of planning. Around the Convention Center are thriving shops, cafes, museums, galleries, and plenty of hotels. Across from the convention Center is our very own 4 Theatre Performing Arts Center.
The convention center itself is fascinating. A $221 Million project. The Center includes a total of 500,000 Square Feet, a 900 Car Parking Garage, All-Wireless tech savvy center, incredible ballroom and much more. Just watch the video for details.
One of the most dramatic changes to the new downtown center is the $1M Shimmer Wall donated by Cree & Associates. I hear that people almost wreck the first time they see it driving by it. During the Grand Opening Celebration the Shimmer Wall will be completely lit up.
The Convention Center is just one more statement that our city has truly made the transition to a city that has it all.
Aug. 19, 2008 - Things to do with the kids in the Triangle
My only sister, Jennifer, is coming to visit this week with her two little boys all the way from San Antonio, TX. Since I only have one daughter that's seventeen I thought I might need to check around to find out Things to Do with the Kids in the in Triangle. I'm a bit rusty in this department other than advising my clients where to visit while they are in town. One of the things I really like about the Triangle is that there are so many things to do outdoors, especially in the summer time. It's time to plan my week with the boys. It's going to be tough keeping up my business, visiting, and entertaining but it will be worth every minute.
Cary
Bond Park is located just around the corner from my home off of High House Road. This stop is definitely on my list. There is a great place to have a picnic in the Kiwanis Shelter. Our next stop will be a trip to the Lazy Daze playground. And, then we'll head over to the paddle boats, sailing, and canoes. 919-469-4100.
Monkey Joes in Cary looks like another cool place to go to with the kiddies. It's in Cary near crossroads. Great for the little ones and birthday parties
Dog park and Sk-8 Cary skateboard park. I take my dog Maggie to the Cary Dog Park off of Maynard next to Godbold Park on a regular basis. Admission is $40/year and great fun for kids and your pets. Sk-8 Cary is a full fledged skate park for skateboarders!
Ice House I used to take my daughter here when she was little. It's very close to Jellybeans and Bullwinkles. 919-460-2756
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve - A great place to take a quiet and peaceful stroll through the wilderness, right in the heart of Cary. 2616 Kildaire Farm Road 919-469-4601
Railhawks Soccer Games. The Triangle has its very own professional soccer team. They play at the Wake Med Soccer Park in Cary from May through July. Maybe I'll be able to take the boys next year. 201 Soccer Park Drive in Cary.
Chapel Hill
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center Educational and entertaining programs for all ages that teach and explore the science of the universe. 250 E. Franklin St. 919-962-1247
Durham
North Carolina Museum of Life and Science is one of our personal favorites! They have a butterfly house, lots of real animals and of course, a museum packed full of fun things to do! The Butterflies are released in at 11am and 3pm. The butterfly conservatory is the largest on the East Coast. My sister's boys will love the daily feeding of spiders, poison dart frogs and others fed their daily meal. 433 Murray Ave 919-220-5429
Durham Bulls If you want an inexpensive night out for your family, head to the park. There is plenty of entertainment in between innings and things for kids to play on during the game - rock climbing wall and big puffy slide to slide down. The tickets are inexpensive and the game is, well, just your regular all American baseball game.
Raleigh
Adventure Landing Miniature Golf, Laser Tag, Go Karts, Arcade, and Batting Cages. Capital Blvd 919-872-1688
JC Raulston Arboretum Part of the North Carolina State University, this eight-acre garden contains a wide variety of cold hardy temperate zone plants. 919-515-3132
Pullen Park A great place for young kids with a beautiful old carousel, a train that goes through the park, a kiddie boat ride, and even paddle boats on the pond/lake. There's also a little concession area. It is spacious with lots of open space for running, playing ball, etc. There are two large playgrounds & several picnic pavilions, too. Adjacent to Pullen Park is and Arts Center that often has displays and Pullen Pool (indoor, year-round aquatic center.) 4301 Beryl 919-831-6468
Frankies Fun Park Jellybeans Super Skate Center This is great fun for the middle school crowd. Also a big hit for Birthday parties. There are two locations in the Triangle. One in Cary and the other in Raleigh.
Lake Johnson Park I personally like to jog around this lake but it's a bit too long for the boys. Lake Johnson has plenty of other amenities including boating, picnic shelters, and a consession are for us to cool off from all of the fun in the sun. 4601 Avent Ferry Road 919-233-2121
Marbles Kids Museum i s a hands-on, interactive destination that inspires children to be creative thinkers, active learners and confident individuals in today's world. There are five galleries, two outdoor areas, and plenty of activities. Let's not forget about the IMAX Theatre which is the only 3D capable IMAX theatre in North Carolina. I plan on taking the boys to see Bugs! which is playing. They'll love it! I'm not sure I'm ready for "bugs" in 3D. Raleigh 201 E. Hargett 919-834-4040
State Capitol - One of the claims to fame of the North Carolina State Capital Building is that it is the most haunted of all state capitals. Today it's the home of our governor's office. 1 E. Edenton 919-733-4994
Umstead State Park Sandwiched between downtown Raleigh and the airport, this oasis of green features a stand of 300+ year-old hardwood trees, more than 32 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, camp sites and lots more for nature lovers. There is an entrance off of Harrison Avenue and another one on Glenwood Avenue. 8801 Glenwood Ave 919-571-4170 Marbles Kids Museum is a hands-on, interactive destination that inspires children to be creative thinkers, active learners and confident individuals in today's world. There are five galleries, two outdoor areas, and plenty of activities. Let's not forget about the IMAX Theatre which is the only 3D capable IMAX theatre in North Carolina. I plan on taking the boys to see Bugs! which is playing. They'll love it! I'm not sure I'm ready for "bugs" in 3D. Raleigh 201 E. Hargett 919-834-4040
North Carolina Museum of History The trip to the History Museum will be the educational stop of our trip. The museum focuses on pre-Colonial to the present-day with an emphasis on sports, folk life and women's issues. 5 E Edenton 919-715-0200
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences off of West Jones Street in downtown Raleigh. Free Admission. The boys just love dinosaurs. The museum has the only-known fossilized dinosaur heart, some of the most complete dinosaur skeletons in the world, and much more. This museum is also free!!! 919-733-7450
I'm off to plan out the schedule. I hope I make it through the weekend!
What a difficult task - Pick just 5 things to do in the Triangle area
I wouldn't have said that when I moved to the Triangle in 1991 but the Triangle has come a long way in such a short time and our area has so much to offer. The Triangle area is now consistently receiving national attention as one of the Best Places to Live for its revitalization of the downtown Raleigh & Durham areas, consistent job growth, highly educated workforce, major universities, cultural activities, great nightlife, and much more.
If you are planning to move to the Triangle area of North Carolina or your kids are considering attending one of the many universities in the area, I'm here to help you with a few things to do in the area. With that said, it's time to visit the Triangle Area.
Tracy Santrock's Top 5 Things to do in the Triangle
1. Visit one of the three Major Universities in the Area - A visit to the Triangle would not be complete without a visit to one of the three major universities in the area. North Carolina State University in Raleigh, Duke University in Durham, or the University of Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill. UNC-Chapel Hill is nestled in the quaint college town of Chapel Hill and the college is one of the top public universities in the country. A stroll down Franklin Street, a walk through campus, and a slice of pizza at Peppers Pizza downtown would make any tourists day complete. Duke Universities' gothic style campus is reminiscent of the Ivy League schools in the Northeast. While visiting Duke don't miss out on Duke Gardens, the Duke Chapel, or attendance at one of the many Blue Devil athletic events during the school year. NC State, home of the Wolfpack, is a public university known for it's outstanding Engineering programs. The campus is conveniently located in the heart of Raleigh close to downtown. With those visits out of the way I feel smarter already! There is no shortage of brain power in this area!
2. Take a tour of one of the many Triangle Museums - There are three you don't want to miss in the area in particular. Each of the choices will not disappoint. If you're in Durham visit the Museum of Life & Science which is a family friendly museum, bosts a 3-story tropical conservatory and a daily butterfly release for the children. If your on a budget the North Carolina Museum of Art is home to over 5,000 pieces of Art and us free to the public. Ackland Art Museum, at the base of the Univeristy of North Carolina, is considered to be one of the best small museums on any campus. If the kids are in tow go to downtown Raleigh to Marbles Kids Museum.
3. Spend some time outdoors -With four distinct seasons, over 222 Days of Sunshine, and an average temperature of 58 Degrees it's hard not to enjoy some time outdoors on your visit. Whether your plans are for a short jaunt or a long hike in one of the many state parks in the area no visit would be complete without some time outdoors. Here are a few of my favorites in the area-Pick one. Duke forest, Umstead Park, Eno River State Park, or the American Tobacco Trail. Umstead Park would be my top pick with over 30 miles of jogging and biking trails and a fanstastic central location make this park a step above the rest.
4. Play a round of golf -With over 100+ area golf courses to choose from it's tough not to have a great golf experience. If you're up for the best of the best head 50 minutes away to Pinehurst and challenge yourself on the famous Pinehurst #2 Golf Course. My local favorite is the Washington Duke Golf Course because I really enjoy dining at the Fairview Restaurant afterwards.
5. Don't forget the nightlife. What's a visit to any town without a night out on the town? Each of the Triangle Towns now has a great downtown nightlife. If your young and want the college atmosphere I recommend the nightlife in Chapel Hill. Downtown Durham, in the old Tobacco district, has a number of great choices. The NEW Downtown Raleigh has several restauraunts, bars, and fabulous venues. My favorite night on the town has to go to Chapel Hill with fabulous restaurants, charm, character, and excitement.
I hope you can see why I love to call the Triangle home! It's an active and thriving area with lots of choices. We hope you make it hear soon.
If you are thinking of relocating to the Raleigh-Cary NC area I'd love to help you find the perfect home. Visit my website at www.TriangleNCHomes4Sale.com for additional details and a free Relocation packet.
Duke Chapel Photo & Umstead Park photo courtesy of Flickr.
Nov. 17, 2007 - Seagrove Pottery Festival - November 17th and 18th Only
If you like North Carolina Pottery you are in for a treat - The26th Annual Seagrove Pottery Festival is taking place tomorrow and Sunday in Seagrove, North Carolina. Since I live in Cary I wrote about taking a daytrip to Randolph County to visit the potteries, the Zoo, and the Richard Petty Museum in Seagrove Pottery and the Ashboro Zoo - A Raleigh Daytrip and Exploring North Carolina in the Fall with the Kids. This year I recommend a visit to The26th Annual Seagrove Pottery Festival.
I've always wanted to visit the potters in ACTION!! Seagrove is home to over 100 potters and each year they are kind enough to display their skills at the pottery fest. One thing that most North Carolina residents don't realize is that the best potters from the Carolinas have learned their trade through many generations of pottery making. I am also intrigued by the "folk" pottery tradition that has deep roots tracing back to the mid-18th century. The tradition grew up in Seagrove where folk potters still use local clays; ash, salt and alkaline glazes; and wood-fired kilns. It's really a throw back to another generation. Folk pottery designs include face jugs to butter churns to vases.
So what are face jugs anyway? Potters in Colonial America made moonshine jugs with ugly faces. The ugly faces were used to ward off evil spirits. I just love them.
Click here for more information on the potters and participants. Click here for details on the event. Seagrove is just an hour and fifteen minutes from Cary and an hour and a half from Raleigh.
Aug. 20, 2007 - Lazy Daze in Cary -Coming Up August 25th!! Don't miss it!!
Have you ever been to Lazy Daze in Cary? If you haven't you've been missing out for the past 30 years. Each year the festival has grown and now attracts over 60,000 visitors in downtown Cary. I don't think I'll make it because I have an out-of-town buyer coming to visit but I've been several years in the past.
Don't miss the areas best arts and crafts, food, and entertainment. The festival also features entertainment on two stages, a variety of food, and civic group exhibits. Over 400 vendors from 18 states will be participating. I've even heard they are adding a beer garden for the adults. I know you've heard me talk about Rankings. Lazy Daze ranked 30th in the Nation for Classic & Contemporary Craft Shows by Sunshine Artist Magazine.
Aug. 20, 2007 - Annual Festivals in Durham - Fun For The Family
Durham has always been a mulit-cultural town. It's time to get the word out about all of the neat things to do in Durham. I thought I'd write today about some of the cool things to do annually in Durham. We've missed most of these events this year but you can mark your calender for next year!
1. Duke Children's Classic - This is an annual celebrity golf tournament held at the end of May. 2007 marked the 34th year. The festival is renowned and attracts some top celebrities including Gerald Ford, Arnold Palmer, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Jay Leno, Michael Jordan, Dinah Shore, and Jeff Foxwothy.
2. Bimbé Festival - In West Africa, Bimbe is a harvest festival, during which villagers gather to give thanks and praise. In Durham, Bimbe is a celebration of the diaspora and its cultural underpinnings from the Mother Continent. The three-day festivities in June each year feature gospel, reggae and rap music, storytelling, dance performances, arts and crafts, and street-side fun.
3. American Dance Festival presents the most cutting-edge modern dance companies in the nation, and the world, in concert, as well as a full palette of special events and classes for dance students, dance educators, dance historians, and just plain fans. The festival lasts for 6 weeks from early June to mid-July. The 2008 season will run for six weeks from June 5–July 19, 2008.
4. Festival for the Eno - Largest fourth of July get together in the State. This event features over one hundred performers on five stages, Tours, Demonstrations, Storytelling, Workshops, Exhibits, and Readings on the banks of the Eno River.
5. Bull Durham Blues Festival - Largest blues gathering in the state for over a decade. This one takes place September 6th, 7th, and 8th (you haven't missed it yet) at the Durham Athletic Park. The festival features some of the best and most well-known contemporary blues artists today.
6.Centerfest – Hosted by the Durham Arts Council is one of North Carolina's largest street festivals with two-days of visual and performing arts on the streets of historic downtown Durham. This year’s festival takes place September 15th and 16th, 2007.
7. World Beer Festivalfeatures more than 300 Beers and 130 World-Class Breweries in one place at one time! It is held at the Historic Durham Athletic Park in early October. This year’s festival will take place October 6th. There will be ocal restaurants on hand and different bands playing throughout the day.
8. Taste of Durham Food Festival will be held at a new location in 2008 on May 24th at the Imperial Center in downtown Durham. The annual food festival features samples from the best restaurants in Durham and great live music. Here is a link to the map of the venue.
9. Full Frame Documentary Film Festival is one of the United States’ premier documentary film festivals. The event takes place over the course of four days each spring at the Carolina Theatre. It opened in 1998 and has grown tremendously since then. The festival is renowned for its presentation new documentaries as well as panel discussions, seminars, question and answer sessions and the overwhelming support it has garnered from movie makers as well as the general public.
Next year I'll post pictures of all of these wonderful events.
Welcome to my blog on Raleigh-Cary and the Triangle area of NC Real Estate. Here you can read current information on the Triangle area including neighborhood profiles, school information, taxes, market conditions, and even find things to do in the Triangle.
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Henry has a saying inside his restaurant that says, "Mundi Gelato E Corri Nudo". Do you know what that means? If not you'll have to drop by Henry's and ask him yourself!
TX. Since I only have one daughter that's seventeen I thought I might need to check around to find out 
919-872-1688
3D capable IMAX theatre in North Carolina. I plan on taking the boys to see Bugs! which is playing. They'll love it! I'm not sure I'm ready for "bugs" in 3D. Raleigh 201 E. Hargett 919-834-4040 
Related Posts
I've always wanted to visit the potters in ACTION!! Seagrove is home to over 100 potters and each year they 
are kind enough to display their skills at the pottery fest. One thing that most North Carolina residents don't realize is that the best potters from the Carolinas have learned their trade through many generations of pottery making. I am also intrigued by the "folk" pottery tradition that has deep roots tracing back to the mid-18th century. The tradition grew up in Seagrove where folk potters still use local clays; ash, salt and alkaline glazes; and wood-fired kilns. It's really a throw back to another generation. Folk pottery designs include face jugs to butter churns to vases.
Click 
