One of our friends, Ms. Jamie Brown, with First Charter Bank, is walking in the October 6th American Diabetes Association’s “Step Out To Fight Diabetes” walks. I just gave some money, and I would encourage everyone else to do so, as well!
To contribute, or to see her ADA webpage, click here.
To open an account with First Charter Bank (which I highly recommend - I bank there!) you probably need to talk to Joe Farrar or Ron Keever at the Cary Office. Their office number is 919-793-2540. But before you do that, why not pledge a buck or two?
If you have been keeping up with the Wake County Schools, you know that there has been much ado about year-round schools. Some people love them, some people hate them, and Wake County Schools have tried to force them upon both groups. As we mentioned earlier in the year, a judge’s ruling forced Wake County Schools to make the formerly mandatory year-round schools into a voluntary only plan, which it should have been from the start. Another recent judge’s ruling has made it clear that this also applies to newcomers to Wake County. Their children (your children, probably, if you are reading this BLOG!) can NOT be forced into attending year-round schools when you move to Wake County. Depending on where you move, you may either be on a traditional calendar or you may have to choose between this option and a year-round school. And remember, all the high schools are on a traditional schedule.
Isn’t the liberty to choose between these alternatives much better than being forced into a year-round program? We thought so, too!
I just got back from the Raleigh fireworks display at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. It is always a treat to go, and they outdid themselves this year. The display was great, and the State Highway Patrol and the Raleigh Police Department did their usual great job of handling the traffic getting in and getting out. (And this part brings back some not-so-happy memories of my own former career as a policeman!) And I must say that one of the things I like about this area is the people (generally) drive friendly and the traffic at such an event is not the ordeal that it can be, and often is, in less civilized places. Of course, there WAS one exception to this rule near me, who was playing her music loud and flipping off people who were trying to get in the line of traffic, but her car sported the license plates of a certain northeastern state that is known for high taxes, bad weather, and worse attitudes. There is one in every crowd. But luckily, most of the time, there is only one! I wonder what ever happened to the Raleigh “drive friendly” campaign? I used to see these bumperstickers all the time around here, but not lately. As the commercial said, “enquiring minds want to know.” Maybe we need to hand them out, along with a driving handbook, at the NC / Virginia border…
And I had some time to spend with my six year old son, Eric Jr., today. We went downtown, so that he could see a train go by. While we were waiting for a train to come by, I took a very good look at the Raleigh skyline. (This is a very RARE look, as I am normally going lickety-split on my way to a meeting or something when I go downtown, often with a cell phone going!) What struck me is that Raleigh has been sneaking up on me. What I mean is, I *KNOW* that Raleigh has been growing. Obviously, I think that this is a great thing! And, in my own way, I am helping Raleigh grow, one happy family at a time! But it sure is something that you have to stop and reflect upon to appreciate.
When I got here, in 1983, Raleigh was a great place to live, and it still is! But it is a much different place than when I got here. Raleigh has grown immensely. And it is still growing, like gangbusters! As you look at this pictures, note all of the cranes that are building the NEW Raleigh downtown! If you look over at the right side, you will see our new convention center that is slowly (and expensively, but that is another story) taking shape. And I count three cranes putting up other buildings. What once was a downtown that you went to because you worked at a state office, got a ticket, or wanted to harangue your state representative is now a vibrant downtown of great eating, shopping, and living. Yes, living! Raleigh now has loft condos, and all sorts of other residential options. Why not take a drive (or a walk!) downtown, and see what it is like these days? And don’t forget - I can be persuaded to give a tour if you ask nice…
On this important day, it is my deepest hope and prayer that we can, as a country, continue to honor the noble sacrifices that our veterans have made on our behalf. British writer George Orwell said it better than I can say it: “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” Let’s be honest - in this great country of ours, we have it good. Especially around Raleigh and Cary, we are able to live a very good life! But this good life does not come without a cost. Since Revolutionary War times all the way to THIS VERY MINUTE, our soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and coast guardsmen have put themselves in harm’s way to protect our country. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice, paying for OUR liberty with their very lives.
One man who has taken the debt that we owe these brave men seriously is Dave Milidonis. Through the North Carolina Veteran’s Freedom Park in Cary, he is attempting to build an interactive monument to honor these veterans and to educate future generations about these heroic men and the level of sacrifice that is required of any society such as ours that wants to remain free. Today would not be a bad day to make a donation to this most worthy cause!
In case you have not noticed, we are currently in the midst of combatting a most evil enemy, who most certainly wants to kill us and destroy our liberty, and replace it with a most cruel and evil system: A system, in fact, that would leave no room at all for the “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” that our forefathers pledged their “Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor” to attain. This must not occur. This is why we must continue to fight.
Today is Memorial Day that we take time out from the activities of our normal lives in order to remember these men. (And, owing to the changes that have taken place in our modern age, a few women as well.) So, please, enjoy your liberty today. But, please fly the flag, and please do not forget to say a prayer in rememberance of our veterans and in love for our current service members! If you want to honor them in person, there is a service conducted by American Legion Post 67 today at 10 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery. For information contact the post at 481-4811.
INC Magazine has moved the “Raleigh-Cary” area up its list of the top 20 “Large City Business Boomtowns.” We were 13th best last year, and 7th best this year! (See the Listings)
I must note two interesting things. 1 - We are now a “Large City,” which will come as a surprise to many, though not all. 2. We are getting better! 13 to 7 in one year is not too shabby!
How about we show you why we are such a great area? Drop us a line for a free relocation package, including maps and lots of area info. And how about a tour? If you provide the time, we will provide the transportation and the coffee. And if we like you, we will teach you the secret of the Char-Grill. (Otherwise, we will let you try to figure it out. Locals will know what I am talking about!)
We could use a good rain-soaking from a tropical storm right about now! As long as we get the rain, and not a lot of wind, we ought to be good. The Western part of North Carolina really needs the rain, and it would not hurt us at all! Even though the lakes are full, and we have plenty of water, we are a bit dryer than we ought to be around here.
But when the REAL hurricane comes, as they sometimes do, you want to be ready. Lowes has some good hurricane safety tips:
Generator Safety
Chainsaw Safety
They have some other good FAQs about boarding up windows and such, but that is really for people at the coast. I own a chainsaw and a generator, but that is also because I am a tool-oriented fellow, and not just because of hurricanes. My old generator got trashed in Hurricane Fran in 1996, when I lent it to my in-laws, who live in Topsail Beach. My new one is a hoss, and can power the whole house! I have not had to use it in quite a few years. (Knock on wood…) Speaking of wood, I HAVE had to use my chainsaw a good bit since then, but only because I live in Medfield Estates, which has a LOT of trees, as it is an older subdivision. When I bought my house, the trees had been neglected, and a good deal of pruning and cutting down of dead trees was in order. And no, I did NOT hit the house, the kids, the car, the dog, or anything else important! But, then again, I know what I am doing. Do NOT try this at home, unless you are comfortable that YOU know what YOU are doing! Or call me - I’ll help if I can!
Forbes says that things have climbed 6.3% in the last year in our Raleigh-Cary Market. (Full Article Text) We are listed as the sixth best market in the country - not too shabby! (Raleigh Market Caption)
If you come buy a home here, you are bound to make some equity, as long as it is in a good place. Don’t worry - we can show you where that is!
The May 2007 edition of Black Enterprise Magazine cited higher education, technology and health care as reasons for the exalted ranking, along with the cost of operating a business being 12 percent below the national average.
So, what are you waiting for? Sounds like they are on to something: That something is a basket full of good reasons to move your business to Wake County!
Hotwire has named the Raleigh-Durham area as one of the Top Ten Value Destinations in the US (Number Three to be exact.) Atlanta and Dallas have us beat.
I have nothing against either of these cities, and I have spent LOTS of time in Atlanta (watching my Braves play!) But, overall, I would rather be here! The Braves are great, but North Carolina’s Variety Vacationland puts us over the top, in my book, with the sheer diversity of things to do.
