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.

New Years Eve Celebration in Raleigh NC

New York may have the "Ball" drop, Los Angeles may have the party at Les Deux, and South Miami Beach has the Skybar at the Shore Club.......in Raleigh we have First Night!

First Night Raleigh has grown immensely over the last few years and this year is sure to be the best yet! This year there will be live performances by Tiff Merritt, Jason The Juggler, and Killer Filler! just to name a few! In addition to the grown-up entertainment there is a ton of activities for the kids as well!

In addition to the "Acorn Drop" at midnight there will be an earlier celebration with the Acorn dropping at 7:00pm for the younger ones in the crowd that may not make it to the magical hour. The schedule of events is a comprehensive list of all of the activities for First Night 2008.....

If you purchase your tickets early you can get a $3 discount.....pleasse be sure to visit the site for participating ticket outlets......

Have fun, be sfae and DON'T drink and drive!!!! Designate a driver....

Resolution making shucking....

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 8

Durant Trails - It was awesome! It had to be one of the most decorated areas that we have seen yet! There was one picture that I wanted really bad for on here and it just didn't turn out - Santa on a Harley! Pretty awesome!

Enjoy the pictures and be sure to catch the new ones tomorrow - Only 4 more days left!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com