Chili Dogs and Historic Neighborhoods

Chili Dogs and Historic Neighborhoods

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An Update on the Richland Creek Watershed

From a previous post, The Pink Oyster: Wakefield Plantation - Will there be new zoning? the details were highlighted for the re-zoning and protecting the Richland Creek Watershed.

The State has now set a 120-day deadline for the rules pertaining to that watershed. From the article:

"The new rules are designed to protect a possible source of drinking water on the Neuse River at the old Burlington Mills textile plant off Capital Boulevard. Nobody is using the water now, though Franklin County has expressed interest in tapping it."

The arguement has heated up with the Raleigh Officials stating that it makes no sense to restrict certain rights of property owners to protect a water source that is unlikely to ever be used.

The rules, if passed, would make it harder (in some cases impossible) for residents in Wakefield Plantation, Bedford at Falls River and Falls River to build decks or additions to their homes. Over 4900 residents will be impacted with the decision.

To read the article in it's entirety please read here.

Interesting. If you are a resident in any of the affected areas how do you feel about the upcomiing proposal?

A NEW BLOG! Check It Out!!!

What a fantastic opportunity for me!

I have decided to heed the advice of many as well as pursue a lifelong passion of mine which is to delve more into historic properties! Don't fret - Circa Properties is here for a VERY long time and will assist both buyers and sellers whether they are interested in historic property or not. However, as a side endeavor for me, I will concentrate on historic properties.

With that in mind, I have created a new blog that will allow you to journey with me to some of the most fantastic homes of the century as well as guide you through the maze that is purchasing, restoring and maintaining a historic home!

I hope you enjoy and, as always, I am open to any suggestions, comments or ideas of information that you would like to see.

Please visit What's Your Circa and let me know what you think! Don't forget that there are many other avenues that I offer by way of blogs that will help acquaint you with my area and what I do.

• The Pink Oyster - the original and NEVER to be outdone. Ever wonder where the name came from? Ask my son, Liam, he named it and chose the colors so it will NEVER change!


• Life In Wake Forest or Welcome To My Backyard.... - either one will take you to the most informative blog around for everyday life, special events and interesting information about Wake Forest, NC


• What's YOUR Circa? - The newest in a campaign to assist, educate and highlight the value of historic properties!


• Luxury Raleigh Homes - a blog that highlights some of the finest luxury homes that are offered in the Raleigh area as well as news and trends for luxury homes.


• Carolina Dreamin' - Hip City....No Hassles - a Raleigh-centric blog that I have to admit, has been a little neglected lately. What did you expect? I started my own company and had to live life for a little while so - expect that one to ramp up again shortly.

It's been a whirlwind and I am still hanging on for dear life! However, those of you that know me also know that I wouldn't have it any other way.......

~Ciao

Growing Firm Seeking Talented Individuals!

Circa Properties is seeking a small number of the right people only!

Circa Properties is a creative and dynamic Real Estate Web 2.0 firm with simple goals.
#1 - To provide exceptional customer service, superior real estate knowledge, and results beyond our clients expectations.
#2 - To provide an atmosphere where our team members can grow their business, establish their name, be rewarded for their hard work and BE HAPPY!
For our team members we offer highly competitive commission splits! Plans available for both provisional brokers as well as brokers. No desk fees, no franchise fees and no phone duty! We also offer broad Web 2.0 marketing tools to assist you in marketing.

If you are results-oriented, customer service focused and have the ability to multi-task under minimum supervision we want to talk to YOU! If you are seeking a change to an exciting NEW way of doing Real Estate we may just be the company for you! Opportunities are available NOW to join this new company and distinguish yourself as a Real Estate Professional.

For a confidential interview please contact:
Circa Properties
919-649-6128 - direct
info@circaproperties.net

PGA TOUR Comes TO Wakefield Plantation June 2 - 8, 2008

The Rex Hospital is proud to welcome the PGA Nationwide Tour to Wakefield Plantation! This will be the 21st year that Rex Hospital has raised funds for the Rex Hospital Foundation through the game of golf.

You are invited to become part of the action. In addition to the thrill of playing in the Pro-Am, volunteering and getting up close and personal with the Pros, hosting customers in hospitality suites and watching championship golf ensure a bright future for this Nationwide Tour stop. Not only does the Tournament boast incredible golf as the pros compete for the $500,000 dollar purse, but this premier sporting event focuses the national spotlight on the community, providing significant opportunities for nationwide recognition of corporate partners. ~ From The Rex Hospital Open website

The Rex Hospital Open will also showcase corporate hospitality at it's finest! You can entertain your clients and best prospects at a premier event. Amateur players are given the opportunity to play with a Nationwide Tour professional and receive a variety of VIP treatment, including:

• Premier Pro-Am gift package & accessories
• Clubhouse Valet Parking
• Golf Bag transfers
• Two complimentary clubhouse mealsAwards for first - third team placement
• Commemorative Pro-Am credential and guest badge
• Commemorative team photo with Tour professional
  

The purse for this event is $500,000 with the Winning Share at $90,000.

Event Schedule:

Sunday, June 1 Pro Junior Invitational 9:30 a.m. TPC Wakefield

Monday, June 2 First Tee of Triangle Cup Pro-Am 9:00 a.m. TPC WakefieldGrand Champions Pro-Am 11:00 a.m. Hasentree

Wednesday, June 4 Official Nationwide Tour Pro-Am 8:00 a.m. & 1:15 p.m. shotgun starts TPC Wakefield

Thursday, June 5 First Round, Rex Hospital Open 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. & Noon - 2:00 p.m. tee timesSplit-tee start (#1 & #10)TPC Wakefield

Friday, June 6 Second Round, Rex Hospital Open 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. & Noon - 2:00 p.m. tee timesSplit-tee start (#1 & #10)TPC Wakefield

Saturday, June 7 Third Round, Rex Hospital Open approx 9:00 a.m. TPC Wakefield

Sunday, June 8 Final Round, Rex Hospital Open approx 8:00 a.m. TPC Wakefield

Trophy Ceremony Immediately following play 18th green

*All times tentative and subject to change

For Tournament Information:
Tournament Office:

The Rex Hospital Open

C/O Octagon

SAS Campus Drive

Building T-1Cary, NC 27513

For TPC Wakefield Plantation Information:

Tournament Site:

TPC Wakefield Plantation

2201 Wakefield Plantation Drive

Raleigh, NC 27614

Clubhouse Phone: 919-488-5100

Golf Shop Phone: 919-488-5200

For more information about Wakefield Plantation please feel free to email meor call me direct! There are numerous styles of homes available and one sure to fit any ones price point! I would welcome the opportunity to give you a tour of the area....
National Spotlight on My Back Yard....

NC's Largest Military Parade - April 26th - Raleigh

The largest military parade in North Carolina's history is coming to Downtown Raleigh. On April 26 the Capital City will be the setting of Salute to Our Troops, a day-long show of appreciation to the men, women and families of the United States military.

The festivities will start with a buzz at 10 a.m. with a flyover straight up Fayetteville Street by F-15E Strike Eagle jet aircraft from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. This flyover will signal the start of the parade that will feature:

• Personnel from the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, North Carolina National Guard and each service's reserve group;
• Military bands;
• Drill teams;
• Honor guards;
• Vehicles, including military armored personnel carriers, mobile missile launch systems, medical transport equipment and other tactical assets;
• The USO mobile unit;
• Floats featuring the members of military families; and,
• Marching bands from universities, colleges and high schools from throughout North Carolina (including Raleigh's Athens Drive and Broughton and a composite of approximately 200 student musicians from Wake County high schools).

The parade will head north from the intersection of Fayetteville and Davie streets to the Capitol, then north encircling the state government complex. The end of the parade marks the start of a day-long celebration of the "Salute." The activities include:

• 11:30 a.m. - static display area on Jones Street between Wilmington and Blount streets, of equipment used by the military, including weaponry, armored vehicles, marine rescue, climbing walls and other equipment;
• 11:30 a.m. - at least three NASCAR teams' show cars will be on display in the Halifax Mall area, along with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series show cars for 2008;
• 11:30 a.m. - military personnel and their families will be invited to enjoy rides, games, slides and an obstacle course;
• 11:30 a.m. - center stage will feature musical entertainment provided by the USO of North Carolina;
• 12:00 p.m. - military personnel and their families will be served lunch produced, prepared and presented by the Pork Council of North Carolina and served by volunteers;
• 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and the N.C. Museum of History are open to the public free of charge. Marbles Kids Museum will be open free of charge to military personnel and their families; and,
• 7:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. - the Carolina RailHawks will host the opening night of their soccer season as WakeMed "Military Appreciation Night" will provide tickets to military personnel and their families.

The "Salute to Our Troops" is being organized by the North Carolina Bankers Association. "We felt that it was not only appropriate but long overdue to show our thanks to the men, women and families of the U.S. military for all they do for our country," said Thad Woodard, the association's president and CEO. "Let's show our pride in what it means to be Americans as well as North Carolinas from the nation's most military friendly state."

Please don't miss this opportunity to show your appreciation and support of all the men, women and families of the military! Be sure to check out their website for more detailed information on parking and events: Salute the Troops NC

Always something happening in My Back Yard....

Wakefield Plantation - HOA Too Strict? You decide.....

Well, another story has come across the wire regarding a Homeowners Association and their reign over a neighborhood. For those of you local it comes as NO surprise that we are experiencing one of the worst droughts on the record books! Those of you out of the state? Trust me - it is a daily topic of discussion among residents!

Wakefield Plantation is a 2,200 acre development in North Raleigh. It is a mixed development community that encompasses condos, townhomes, cluster homes and single family homes that range from the low $200's up to $5,000,000. Some of the community amenities include TPC golf courses, tennis courts, community pools and many other recreational facilities. Wakefield Plantation prides itself on being aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Common areas are constantly maintained, pruned and groomed.

There are restrictive covenants that the residents of Wakefield Plantation must abide by. They address many items such as what kind of fence you can install on your property, where you can park your vehicles, etc. For the most part, these restrictive covenants help the community maintain it's conformity. However.....

Wake County has started encouraging the use of rain barrels of homeowners to capture rain to then be reused for purposes such as landscaping. One current resident of Wakefield Plantation decided that rainbarrels would be a water conserving effort that he and his family could utilize to do their part during this drought. Michael Dadian purchased and installed 8 rain barrels on his property in February. Just this past Friday David learned that most of his rain barrels will need to be removed. Why?

“To maintain the visual impression, especially from the street, for our
community,” Greg Barley, with the Wakefield Plantation Homeowners Association, said of the reason behind the rain barrel limit. (to read the entire article please visit WRAL)

This puzzles me in light of a few other recent decisions that impact Wakefield Plantation such as Wakefield Plantation - Will there be new zoning? It would seem according to that decision that the purpose of re-zoning is to protect the water supply of the Neuse River at the old Burlington Mills textile plant.

While I can argue for HOAs and against HOAs, I personally think that, in light of the current drought, restrictions should be somewhat relaxed IF it is to conserve water. Here is another post that came out a few months ago regarding HOAs and water - Please file this under "You Gotta Be Kiddin' Me!"

Where do you stand on HOAs? I would love to know - again, there are great arguments both for and against.......

Conservatively shucking.....

World Beer Festival Update - TICKETS ON SALE TODAY!

It's Almost Time! This event was HUGE last year and this year proves to be just as exciting! The World Beer Festival makes it's stop in Raleigh on April 26, 2008.

This is the LARGEST celebration of domestic and international beers in the Southeast - there will be over 300 beers from 150 breweries. And, you know what? This years funds will benefit the Downtown Raleigh Alliance - what a great cause.

Tickets for this massive even will go on sale TODAY! General admission is $40 and VIP tickets are $75. With the VIP ticket you will get food, special beers and more. Tickets are limited. There are two sessions available which are Session I - 12pm - 4pm and Session II - 6pm - 10pm.

Local entertainment will be:

• Main Stage 1st Session12:00 - 2:00 Brooks Wood Band(Pop, Rock) / 2:00 - 4:00 Jah Creation (Roots Reggae, Dub, Rock)


• Main Stage 2nd Session6:00 - 8:00 Ascella Vega (Rock) / 8:00 - 10:00 The High & Mighties (Rock, Raggae, Ska)


• VIP Tent 1st session Sean Aitken


• VIP Tent 2nd session Shane Bullis

Numerous vendors will be out - just to mention a few are Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Draughthouse, Blues BBQ and many, many more! Restaurant vendors include The Pit, The Weeping Radish, Raleigh Times Bar and Restaurant and quite a few more delicious choices will be there to tempt you!

Be sure to check out the World Beer Festival Website for the Beer Tasting Line-ups and more information for this exciting event.

Just a little taste of what goes on in My Back Yard....

A little suds and shucking....

NC Hwy 98 Road Project - How Will It Impact Wakefield Plantation

Progress is being made for the 1.5 mile extension of Hwy 98 from US1 to Thompson Mill Road. A few of the highlights of this project are:

• This project is 1.55 miles in length.
• Work involving lane closures, narrowing lanes, and/or stopping traffic will not be permitted between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• This project will include a re-alignment of Falls of the Neuse Rd and Old N.C. 98.
• A new intersection will be constructed with Old N.C. 98.
• This project will tie in with N.C. 98 just west of Thompson Mill Rd.
• Wakefield Plantation Drive: A new connection to the Bypass will be constructed away from traffic.

For specific lane closures please see the Construction Fact Sheet provided by the NCDOT.

Rocky shucking going on.....

Down The Drain.....NO MORE!

Raleigh NC has become on of the first cities in the nation to BAN garbage disposals in new homes as well as replacing or repairing existing ones! Any towns that receive their water from the City of Raleigh are also included in the ban. Such cities are Rolesville, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Zebulon, Wendell and Garner. This new law becomes effective TODAY and fines are $25,000 per violation!

There have been approximately 99 sewer overflows just since 2005 from putting grease and food down disposals. That waste then filters into the local streams.

For more information on this new law please visit:
Raleigh Says Bye-Bye to Disposals
Council Approves Ban On New And Replacement Garbage Disposals
Raleigh Sends Disposals Down Drain

What say you? From a personal standpoint, I lived in a first floor unit in a condo years ago. My upstairs neighbor was constantly putting grease down the drain. If I could tell you how any times I came home to a nasty, smelly, disgusting mess on my kitchen floor because of the dodo upstairs. It was not pretty!

Wake Forest Kid's Carnival - March 11th - 16th!

• Every year The Wake Forest Police Department holds a "Kid's Carnival"! All the funds raised support The Wake Forest Police Department's youth programs which include:
• D.A.R.E. program
• Police Explorer Program - more information on this program in upcoming post!

We went last year to the carnival and it was so much fun! There are games, rides and very yummy carnival food like funnel cakes, hot dogs, snowcones and much, much more!

This years Carnival will be held from March 11th - 16th. Hours will be 5pm - 10pm Tuesday through Friday, Saturday from 1pm - 10pm and on Sunday from 1pm-8pm. The carnival will be held in the parking lot of the Home Depot - plenty of room!

There is an "unlimited ride" bracelet available for purchase for $15 and is only "useable" Tuesday and Saturday afternoon. $2 discount coupons are available at Wake Forest Town Hall and the Wake Forest and Wakefield Quiznos restaurants.

So, when you venture to Home Depot over the next week to get your home improvement supplies be sure to stop by the carnival - be a kid - HAVE FUN!!!!

Is Now The Time To Buy A Home?

Well, there's your answer! There is such a variety of homes on the market right now - assortment of styles and the prices are great! Below are statistics for Wake Forest - with a 15 month supply there is sure to be a home for you!

Active Listings:

*January Statistics run through February 15, 2008

There were 1336 active listings for the month of January 2008* which includes townhomes and condos. In comparison, there were 961 actives listing for the month of January 2007 (which were computed through February 15, 2007). A substantial increase of 39% is noted.

Closed Listings:

There were 87 closings for the month of January 2008 (computed from Jan. 1 - Jan. 31, 2008) in Wake Forest. Of those closings 17% had a price point of $400,000 or higher. The supply of homes in Wake Forest has jumped from a 7 month supply in the last report to a staggering 15 month supply. Wake Forest currently has the HIGHEST absorption rate in Wake County.
Average days on market for Wake Forest for the month of January was 111.

Additional Statistics: The top 2 subdivisions for listings in all of Wake County were located in NoRa and Wake Forest. They are Heritage (146 listings) and Wakefield Plantation (94 listings). There were 862 closings for ALL of Wake County for Jan. 08 compared to 1431 closings in Jan. 07.

And You Thought You Had To Go To New Orleans for Mardi Gras......

Mardi Gras - Meet Wake Forest, NC!!!!

The third annual Mardi Gras Masquerade will be held Saturday, February 23rd. This black and white formal has been wildly successful in the past and the momentum has just propelled it to the next level!

This year's entertainment will be the Emily Rich Band and our own local, Freddy Greene. Tickets are available for purchase at $55 per person with proceeds benefiting Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club. Hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and Hurricane cocktails, rich desserts and King Cakes will be available.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at The Old Magnolia Trading Company, The Cotton Company and the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce.

Wakefield Plantation - Will there be new zoning?

If you live in Wakefield Plantation then you have seen the proposed re-zoning signs as well as the signs protesting it.

The City of Raleigh has proposed to rezone approximately 5,000 acres in North Raleigh which includes Wakefield Plantation, Bedford and Falls River. Why? To protect the water supply of the Neuse River at the old Burlington Mills textile plant off of Capital Blvd. The targeted area runs north-south between N.C. Highway 98 and Durant Road and east-west between Falls of Neuse Road and Capital Boulevard. It is in that area that you find some of the largest subdivision in the area. One could go so far as to say mega-subdivisions.

The impact of the propsed rezoning would include homeowners having to comply with the stormwater requirement if they wanted to add a deck or pave a driveway. Also, homeowners can capture stormwater by building rain gardens, sand filters and other devices to manage stormwater. They cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, but on the lower end for individual homeowners. There are a few more restrictions and implications tied to this proposed rezoning. If you would like to lean more The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at 222 W. Hargett St. in downtown Raleigh. For more information, go to www.raleighnc.gov/planning and click on Z-003-08 Richland Watershed.

Wake Forest Arbor Day Poster Contest! Deadline - Jan. 18!

• Attn all kids in Grades K-5!!!!

Once again this year Wake Forest will have their Arbor Day Poster Contest. The theme for this years contest is "Trees are Terrific...inside and out!". The contest is sponsored by the Wake Forest Urban Forestry Advisory Board and members of the Board will judge the posters. Posters will be judged on creativity, artwork and depiction of this years theme. There will be four categories which are:

• Best picture
• Most Creative
• Honorable Mention
• State Entry

The winner for each category above will receive a $50 U.S. Savings Bond. For more information please visit the contest rules and be sure to check out the Wake Forest Arbor Day Celebration scheduled for March 13th where the poster contest winners will be recognized!

Get those creative minds working, grab your poster board and start designing!! My son participated last year (didn't win) but had a blast creating his poster!

Wake Forest or Raleigh? Or is it both? Projected annexation....

I lived in Charlotte, NC years ago and I sold real estate there as well. I remember vividly taking buyers out to show them property and one of their main concerns were, "We want to be in the county and not the city." I told them each and every time that the home they were purchasing was "county" at the time but there was no guarantee that would last. Charlotte slowly became synonymous with Mecklenburg County. And, to that end, the line between Rock Hill, SC and Charlotte, NC became VERY vague!

Well, I noticed here in Wake County a similar pattern that started years ago. An article just out points to even more annexation by Raleigh. City lines between Wake Forest and Raleigh are already becoming obscure. There is one light on Capital Blvd where if you stand on one side you are in Raleigh and if you stand on the other side you are in Wake Forest. Parts of Wakefield Plantation are Raleigh and others are Wake Forest. Heck, you can have a physical address of Wake Forest but a mailing address of Raleigh. It all can be very confusing!

They latest projection targets these areas:

"The areas being eyed for ETJ inclusion are as follows:

• 2,079 acres between the Neuse River and Rock Quarry Road along Auburn-Knightdale Road
• 2,058 acres between Mitchell Mill, Watkins and Buffaloe roads
• 975 acres between Louisburg Road and the ETJs of Wake Forest and Rolesville
• 665 acres off Capital Boulevard near the Wakefield Plantation development
• 150 acres off Louisbury Road and Blackley Lake Road
• 73 acres off Old Milburnie Road"
  The above was taken directly from an article that can be read in it's entirety on WRAL.com

So, with this new growth what will happen to the infrastructure? What impact will it have on natural resources such as water? How will this expansion affect the school system? The road infrastructure? Public services?

I will say that Raleigh has done a much better job of handling growth than Charlotte did years ago. While there are the typical growing pains and the "you can't please everyone" syndrome Raleigh seems to be planning much better and taking smaller steps at a time........

So, What does Raleigh NC and Brad Pitt have in common?

An investment firm!!!

I am sure that many of you have already read the news about Brad Pitt and his efforts to rebuild portions of New Orleans. Specifically, the Lower 9th Ward. His organization "Make It Right 9" and more specifically "The Pink Project" are stunning examples of a global focus on bringing us all together and helping people to rebuild not only their physical homes but in the process, their lives.

An astounding team was formed that is comprised of Graft, an architecture firm based in Los Angeles, William McDonough, a green design expert and Cherokee, an investment firm here in Raleigh NC. With these visionaries at the helm and the support and donations from those all over the world I am sure that this project will be the first of many and will become the blueprint by which all future efforts will be based.

I implore you to visit Make It Right 9 yourself to lean more about the project and ways that you can help. This truely is a movement that transcends all socio-economic, racial, gender and nationality boundaries.