Fun Things to Do this Weekend in the Triangle

Here are some interesting things to do in our area this weekend (and beyond).  Of course, this is only a small sample -- there is something for everyone in our area! Get on out there & have some fun!

Friday, 2/24/12

Come to Historic Downtown Apex and stroll the shops or have dinner.  Afterward, stop by the Common Grounds Coffee Shop, enjoy some of their delicious locally homemade desserts & fresh brewed coffee or tea.  There will a great band playing a mix of acoustic American & Folk Rock music:

The Soul Patches

Friday, Feb 24     8 - 10 PM

Common Grounds Coffee Shop

VocalMotion to perform this Weekend

They sing, they dance, and they’ve been making music for 20 years. For many of the members of VocalMotion, a show choir sponsored by SAS, the musical group is like a family. VocalMotion will be celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year. The group will celebrate with a stage show that features the best songs from previous seasons — with a few new twists!
Read more: Apex Herald

VocalMotion’s performances are Thursday and Friday, Feb. 23 and 24, at 7 p.m.; two shows on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m., in the Building V auditorium on the SAS campus. SAS is located in Cary on Harrison Avenue near the I-40 interchange. Performances are free and open to the public. For directions or more information about VocalMotion, visit www.vocalmotion.org or call 677-8000, ext. 43236.

North Carolina Symphony: Rachmanioff-Piano No. 2

Friday, Feb 24 8:00p

at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts: Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh, NC

Raleigh Spring Home Show

Starts Friday, Feb 24 7:00a and runs through the weekend.  Check out site for times & information.

at Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC

Hosted by American Consumer Shows at Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, USA for 3 days, the Raleigh Spring Home Show will become a major place of attracting professionals from architecture & designing industry. Here exhibitors will successfully tap new opportunities in the international marketplace. read more

Big Something

Friday, Feb 24 10:00p

at The Pour House Music Hall, Raleigh, NC

Winners of the Home Grown Music Network's 2010 "New Band of the Year" award, BIG Something is an alternative rock group with a BIG groove. A tight six-piece ensemble that brings arena sized grooves to every stage they play. This is funk, fit for the future, featuring crystalline synths, wailing saxes, and guitars that shred established musical boundaries.

·       SATURDAY, 2/24

The Halle Cultural Arts Center hosts

Raleigh Little Theatre's STORYTELLERS TO GO!

presentation of A Rollicking Tale of Blackbeard! Pirate of the Carolina Coast by Judy M. Dove 

Saturday, February 25  2012

2 pm (Doors: 1:30pm)

FREE-Limited Seating

 Ahoy! Blackbeard is going on a treasure hunt and needs your help! Join the infamous pirate of the Carolina coast as he retraces his steps with the help of Shelley, a Loggerhead sea turtule, in search of his crew, his ship - the Queen Anne's Revenge, and his hidden treasure. Along the way you will meet some of the people he knew and get a glimpse of North Carolina's 18th century coastal history. With puppets, a sea chantey, and a wild pirate dance, this play is appropriate for all ages!

Body Mind Spirit Expo

Saturday, Feb 25 10:00a to 7:00p

at North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC

Located at the NC State Fairgrounds, Kerr Scott Bldg, the expo offers holistic exhibitors and free lecturers from across the nation. Get your aura photo taken, receive a relaxing massage, purchase quality nutritional supplements. From ancient healing traditions to new age technology in the holistic field, we guarantee to educate and entertain your body, mind and spirit. read more

SUNDAY 2/26

Oyster and Wine Fest

Sunday, Feb 26 2:00p to 5:00p

at SIP...A WINE STORE, Cary, NC

Dock to Door, The Clever Vine, Sour Grapes & Centerba present the 1st annual Oyster & Wine Fest.  Dock to Door is bringing the raw oysters, clams & smoked fish, Sour Grapes & Centerba pouring wines.  There will be plenty of fun -- live music, presentations on sustainable fishing, wine & seafood pairings , goat cheese tasting. 

Price: $40.00 or $20.00

Phone: (919) 467-7880

Age Suitability: 21 and up

How Does Your Vegetable Garden Grow?

Sunday, Feb 26 2:00p to 4:00p

at Crowder District Park, Apex, NC

Join a Wake County Extnesion Master Gardener to learn helpful hints on how to plant a successful vegetable garden.  The workshop will provide information for the novice gardener.  The topics cover soils, site selection, water sources, fertilizing, composting, pests and diseases, what to grow, how to grow, harvesting and a few other topics for the beginner.

Pride:  FREE!

Age Suitability:  18 and up

Event Website

Tuesday, 2/28

Learn to identify frog and toad calls at workshop

I recall beautiful spring evenings up north listening to the “peepers” - those tiny little frogs that sing at night.  What kinds of frogs do we have here?  The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is calling all folks with two good ears, one free evening, and an interest in learning more about frogs and toads to participate in a Calling Amphibian Survey Program (CASP) workshop.

The workshop, which is $15, will be held at Camp Agape in Fuquay-Varina on Feb. 28 from 5 to 9 p.m. Participants will start the workshop by learning frog and toad call identification techniques and CASP protocols before heading outdoors to put their newly acquired listening skills to the test.

Read more: Apex Herald

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! ARE YOU IN LOVE?

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Are you in love…. with your home and/or mortgage?  

If you’re not, you should be!   

If you’re renting, it’s not easy to love a place you cannot personalize so you can truly call it your home.  And, there definitely no love from your landlord as rental prices continue to grow higher & there is no end in sight. 

You’ve heard it all over the news, but here are some real numbers to back up the fact that now is the best time in history to buy a home! 

Hot off the press:  here are the latest rates effective today:

	Interest Rate %	Discount Points	Origination Fee %	APR %
30 Yr Fixed Conventional	3.875	0.00	0.000	4.040
15 Yr Fixed Conventional	3.325	0.00	0.000	3.464
7/1 Yr Jumbo ARM	2.99	0.00	0.000	3.137
Agency  5/1 ARM 30 Yr	2.50	0.00	1.000	2.750
Agency 7/1 ARM 30 Yr	2.750	0.00	1.000	2.979
30 Yr FHA VA - Fixed	3.750	0.00	0.000	3.85

 
I remember when I purchased a home 22 years ago; I was thrilled to get an 8% rate.  That seems obscene now, doesn’t it? 

Want to take advantage of these phenomenal rates?  Give me a call – I have the perfect team in place to help you get the most home for the best value.  My rental clients continue to tell me how shocked (and thrilled) they are to learn how much more home they can get for the same or less than what they are paying in rent.   

In the meantime, be sure to give an extra hug to your loved ones on this special day.  I’ve heard said that we need four hugs a day to stay sane, eight hugs a day to stay healthy, and twelve hugs a day to really grow on.  Be sure to give and get your MDHR (minimum daily hug requirement).  Kisses are bonus!

What to Do this Weekend

As a Realtor, my job is not only to help you buy & sell real estate, but to keep you informed on what’s going on in our community.   

Looking for something fun & interesting to do in our area over the weekend?  Here are a couple of suggestions.  There’s a little something for everyone. 

Friday, February 10  8:00 PM 

In the mood for some foot stomping, knee slapping music?  THE DUHKs will be at the Progress Energy Center – Fletcher Theater at 8:00 PM.  Their music has been described as a fusion of traditional bluegrass, folk rock, Afro-Cuban jazz, Celtic, gospel & soul.  Certainly sounds eclectic, but they say it gives them creative freedom to explore the full range of roots music from around the globe.  They have won numerous awards, including a Grammy nomination in 2006 for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Group or Duo.  For information, contact Phyllis Buffaloe 919-664-8302.  Tickets & additional information is available at:  www.pinecone.org 

Saturday, February 11   2:00 – 4:00 PM

Come on out to the Halle Cultural Arts Center in downtown Apex for HOOPLA!  http://www.apexnc.org/halle#Events  What is all the HOOPLA?  It is a hula hoop contest for hoopers of all ages & levels of expertise.  A great way for families to come in from the cold, get a little exercise & have fun.  Bring your own hoop if you have one.  There will be prizes, cupcakes, lemonade, & it’s FREE!  Ira David Wood of the Raleigh Theater in the Park will be there to judge the hoopers & give out the prizes.  This is also the launch party for the book, “Peggy Noodle, Hula Hoop Queen”.  Apex resident & author, Dolly Dozier (www.DollyDozier.com) and the illustrator, Monica Wyrick will be on hand for a reading and to sign books.  

Saturday, February 11   6:00 – 10 PM

For all you oenophiles --  Adams Vineyards in Willow Spring www.adamsvineyards.com is holding a Valentine’s Dinner & Dancing from 6 to 10 PM.  Featuring dinner, live music by the Carolina Island Boys and dancing this certainly sounds like it would be fun.  Cost is very reasonable:  $35/person - $60/couple.  Reservations are required.  Call Joyce Adams at 919-567-1010 for more information.   

These are just a few of the many things to do right here in our own backyard!  Know of something else going on that you would like to share – please post in the comments section below

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