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.

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........

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

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 4

Wow - we received some MUCH NEEDED rain last night! Hopefully it will continue through today. While it won't make my Open House easier (later this afternoon) we desparately need the rain!

Here are some pics from last night. I am surprised that they turned out at all given the rain, darkness (lot's of subdivision without street lights) and general operator shakiness trying to take pics, keep my assistant (8 yr old) involved, shift gears and avoid accidents because I am sitting awkwardly in the middle of an intersection! HAHA

Enjoy the pictures and I will try and get to Brier Creek Country Club area tonight. If not, it will be another area along the I-540 corridor as I make my way back from the airport to Wake Forest!

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

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 2

Well, folks......here are the pictures from last night! Absolutely gorgeous homes!

Santa's helper? Well, I lay claim to him - the best assistant I ever had!

Enjoy.....

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

So many events, so little time!!!!!

Happy Holidays, everyone!!!

The season is definately upon us - that is blatantly clear as I see the shoppers in the stores (ya'll need to be a little nicer to your fellow shopper!), the jammed parking lots (ya'll need to have a little more patience!), the houses trimmed with lights (yes, there is a Griswald in my neighborhood!) and the reindeer antlers on the cars (okay - that one is kinda cute!).

There are so many events happening in Wake Forest and Raleigh that I thought I would be sure to list a few for you in case you don't have the time to research them yourself! Yes, I know that baking cookies, stringing lights, buying presents and singing Carols (yes, the city is rampant with "Carols" singing....watch for them!) takes time!!

• The Nutcracker - A stunning performance by The Carolina Ballet.
• Wake Forest Farmers' Holiday Market - downtown Wake Forest
• Tinsel Town - Koka Booth Amphitheatre
• North Pole Party - Marbles Kids Museum
• An Evening With Elves - Marbles Kids Museum
• The Raleigh Ringers Holiday Show - Meymandi Concert Hall

Well, those are just a few! Please be sure to click on the links above for more information and ticket information. I hope that you take the time to explore a little more of what Raleigh and the surrounding area has to offer - we are so lucky!!!

Back to baking cookies....

Flour covered shucking......

Light Rail...Are You In or Are You Out?

If you haven't heard about it or read about it yet here is an article from WRAL regarding Charlotte and their new light rail system.....

Charlotte's Light Rail Service Debuts To Big Crowds....

From the article...

System officials expect North Carolina's first light-rail line will handle
9,100 passenger trips on an average weekday in its first year. On Saturday, it
handled 34,000 trips in the first four hours, exceeding capacity of 25,000 trips
in that period. there were some 60,000 trips by evening.

So, what about Raleigh? Are we next on the list for light rail transit between Raleigh and Durham? Here is the latest proposed map for the route between Raleigh and Durham.

Would you take light rail if it were available in Raleigh? What are your thoughts?

Mass transit shucking...

2007 Raleigh Christmas Parade

Wow - where has this year gone????

The 63rd Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade is happening next weekend! Can you believe it? Unfortunately, my family and I have missed it the last few years but NOT THIS TIME! We can't wait.

The parade starts at 9:30am and lasts about 2.5 fun-filled hours! Check out the link for the parade route......there are still some sponsorship opportunities available! WRAL also has some additional information available!

Holiday shucking.....

Wakefield Plantation - Do You Know What Goes On There?

I had the opportunity this past weekend to work with a wonderful couple moving from the New York area. They are very concerned about social activites and do not want to be in a neighborhood where there is nothing to do. We explored the different clubhouses at Wakefield Plantation and gathered much information on membership levels and activities.

I thought I would share some of the information for those of you that already live there and those of you that are contemplating a move there. I will not quote prices (as they are always subject to change) but will detail what each membership level entitles you to:

Charter Resident:
Membership Deposit Refundable Monthly Dues
Membership Deposit Non-refundable Monthly Dues
~ Clubhouse privileges for Member and family, including social, swim, tennis and full golf.
~ Access to TPC network of Clubs around the US.
~ Guest privileges include bringing or sending up to one foursome to the TPC at Wakefield Plantation per day.
~ Guest privileges include bringing or sending up to one foursome to any Club within the TPC Network.
~ Thirty day advance starting time reservation.
~ Special "extended family" guest fees.
~ Unlimited practice facility privileges and one locker in either the gentlemen's or ladies' locker rooms.
~ Payment option available.

Sport's Club Resident:
Initiation Fee: Monthly Dues:
~ Club privileges for member and family, including social, dining, swim and tennis.
~ Access to swim, tennis programs, including swim teams, tennis leagues and access to 9 hole golf course and fitness center.
~ Access to Clubhouse social events, such as Grill Nights, Holiday Brunches, Wine Tastings, Etc.

Social:
Initiation Fee: Monthly Dues:
~ Club privileges for member and family, including dining and social activites.
~ Access to clubhouse social events, such as Grill Nights, Holiday Brunches, Wine Tastings, etc.

I hope this helps in making your decision as to which membership is right for you! With each level there is plenty to explore in Wakefield Plantation! Let me know if I can answer any questions.

Shucking at the TPC.....

World Beer Festival Coming To Raleigh.......

Well, I would know! :)

The World Beer Festival was just recently in Durham, NC and is now scheduled for April, 2008 in RALEIGH! If you missed Durham (I did) DON'T miss Raleigh! Brewmeisters from all over the country and world will be showcasing some of the finest and unique brews available. Check out the link for ticket information (sold out VERY quickly for Durham), list of suds purveyors, and tentative schedule of events! Hope to see you there!

World Beer Festival

Hops and Barley shucking.....

OPEN HOUSE! Last weekend of the 2007 Parade of Homes!

Linville, Raleigh - I cordially invite everyone to visit my open house at 11229 Conley Cove Court on October 13 and October 14 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

I will be holding this exquisite home open both Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th. Come tour one of the most luxurious homes currently on the market! Hope to see you then! Please mention that you saw my OPEN HOUSE mentioned here on The Pink Oyster to be registered to win a free gas card!

Property information

PODCASTS! PODCASTS! GET YOUR PODCASTS HERE!!!!!

Just a reminder! Please visit my podcast page

Raleigh Homes For Sale

for all of the latest podcasts on some of the greatest homes available in the Raleigh area! I will be continuosly adding homes as they are listed and updated as they go under contract. I hope you like the podcasts and if you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to pass them on.

Honestly, who thunk up the whole "podcast" name?

Just some old-fashioned shout-out shucking going on.................

Updates and Information on New Falls of Neuse Projects

I have many clients and friends in Wakefield Plantation that are curious as to the projects surrounding New Falls of Neuse Road. Progress has escalated dramatically over the road extension and that raises a few questions thoughout the neighborhood. I thought I would find as many links as I could to help answer some concerns and curiousity.

Falls of Neuse Corridor Plan

Neuse Detour is Topic of Hearing Today

Residents, Firefighters Worry over Proposed Bridge Detour

Bond Referendums

If you come across any interesting articles or news related to the project please feel free to share!

Just doing a little research shucking......

New Raleigh Link to Share

One of my blog readers was kind enough to share a link with us. Unfortunately, when you click the link it doesn't work. With a little research I was able to find the correct link and I wanted to pass it along. Some great stuff!

Share Your Raleigh

Informative shucking.....

Thanks to Jim Tobin for the link!!!

2007 Parade of Homes right around the corner.....

The 42nd Annual Parade of Homes is about to begin! What an extraordinarily exciting time! Builders will showcase the best of the best! Homes all over Wake County will be on Parade this year and I have been fortunate to preview some of the finest while under construction - simply breathtaking! The builders have pulled out all of the stops this year and the 2007 Parade will prove to be the best so far.

The following link is available to the public for previewing Homes that will be on Parade. Also, be sure to check out the News & Observer for the special Parade of Homes Preview that will be published September 29, 2007.

As always, should you have any questions regarding any of the homes that you see please feel free to contact me. I can help you with directions, builder backgrounds and prior accomplishments, private tours and detailed information!

North Carolina Build.com

Have a GREAT time at the Parade!

Leesa

Awestruck shucking.......

And The Drought Goes On.....

The picture says it all.....the drought continues to worsen. Raleigh City leaders have met and the outcome is grim unless the rain starts to fall. It was announced that Raleigh has only a 4 month supply of water left. One statistic from the article below indicates that "Raleigh's water supply at Falls Lake was at about 42 percent of its capacity......."

Restrictions that have been imposed are helping but without substantial and sustained rainfall to help bring lake levels back up the restrictions could get even tighter.....

Raleigh Water Customers Have 4-Month Supply Left......

Conservatively shucking......

Out with the old, in with the new....

Hhmmm, just a few short weeks ago I had a fantastic couple out with me looking at properties. They were from the Chicago area. At one point, the wife spoke up and asked if Raleigh was following the current trend of tearing down old homes to build new which was the case in her father's neighborhood in Illinois area. I answered no and that I was very proud of how Raleigh is big into protecting and preserving older neighborhoods and that it wasn't very common here. Shortly after that there was an article in the News and Observer to quite the contrary. I was quick to email that link to them and let them know that I mis-spoke. Well, several weeks later there is yet another article regarding "infill". Apparently it wasn't enough for me to say I was srong - now I have to admit that I was REALLY wrong.....hey, I can do that!

588 New Homes Replace Teardowns...

Humble shucking.........




Workers intentionally drop three trees on top of a house being demolished to make way for a larger house.
Staff photo by Chris Seward

Raleigh's "Green" efforts pay-off!!!!

"Raleigh has the potential with some of the initiatives it has undertaken and some it's developing to become the most green community in the Southeast," said Tom Jensen, who oversees the Cool Cities program for the N.C. Sierra Club, on Wednesday.

Fabulous quote from a great article highlighting Raleigh's efforts to combat global-warming.......Click on the link for the full article. Also, take a look at the articles sidebar - among the other cities is Wake Forest and Hillsborough for 2007!

Raleigh Called Cool In Fight Against Warming

Eco-friendly shucking....

Don't Stand So Close To Me....

It's a tight fit! Here is an article out just today regarding the enrollment numbers for Wake County Public Schools. Wow - according to the article we have moved into the 19th spot for the Biggest U.S. district....More students just keep on coming.

Wake Adds More Than 5,600 New Students

One thing that I have noticed that "new-comers" are not aware of is that Wake County Public Schools encompass ALL schools. Wake County is not broken up into districts. If the school is in Apex - it is Wake County, Raleigh - Wake County, Wake Forest - Wake County. It can be a bit confusing for people looking to potentially move to the area. If you have questions regarding the school district and how it is made up I can certainly help you with links and useful information - just let me know!

Ever-expanding shucking.....

Please file this under "You Gotta Be Kiddin' Me!"

Honestly, I have read some really stupid items in the papers and I have heard some really bad stories (and good, to be fair) about Homeowners Associations but this pretty much tops them all! I have read the story 4 times now to be sure that I read it correctly. Again, for those of you that are not local - we are in a SERIOUS DROUGHT! It is just PITIFUL to drive by the lake and see the level. The City of Raleigh and surrounding towns (including Wake Forest) are doing their best to place restrictions on homeowners and businesses to help preserve the little water that we do have left. Then, some arrogant, self-indulgent, affected, and imperious HOA Board from left field, decides on this. If said HOA Board reads my blog, feel free to contact me.....how pompous can you be? Seriously? You are going to use "my" water to serve your selfish needs? Exactly what purpose are you trying to serve? Should I live in your community I would welcome your directives and then turn around and sue you for MY fines from the city and sue you to have MY water turned back on. With this being published in the paper and your names out there I would be very worried about the little white trucks with the City emblem on them driving by your house. Puhleeze.....

Pink Oyster faithfuls.......read on and you decide! I, obviously, have made my decision.

Grass Must Be Green, HOA Decrees....

Uugghh.......incredulous shucking.....