“Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan Set for Raleigh Appearance
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Have you ever wished your dog was better trained? Or do you have a difficult dog that seems too aggressive, scared, compulsive, lazy, or just plain untrainable? Then plan to be at the Progress Energy Center Raleigh Memorial Auditorium on October 1, 2011, for an appearance by Cesar Millan, star of the hit TV series “Dog Whisperer” on the National Geographic channel. Before you give up on that animal, listen to what Cesar has to say — both you and your dog are likely to benefit. In fact, Cesar has helped many people realize that they, and not their dogs, are a big part of the problem.
About Cesar’s Approach
If you’ve ever seen the show, then you know that Cesar’s method is to rehabilitate both the dog and the owner. Like many other couples, dogs and their owners aren’t always well matched. Cesar seeks to redefine their relationship, so that it’s beneficial to each of them. Cesar’s tutelage is calm, but assertive. Viewers of the show discover that it’s often the owner who needs more training and guidance than the dog. With great patience, Cesar transforms both the dog and the owner, recreating their relationship in terms both can live with.
A Last, Best Hope for Some Dogs
Cesar often is the last hope for dog owners, many of whom see euthanising their animals as the only option. He works with dogs and their owners, usually in and near their homes. For the most difficult cases, he often takes the animals to his “Dog Psychology Center for Power of the Pack” for training. At the center, there can be as many as 50 dogs whose only alternative once was death. His resident dogs actually assist Cesar in rehabilitating his newer charges.
Cesar’s Philosophy
Cesar believes that dogs need mental stimulation and exposure to new things to be truly fulfilled. He works with both owners and dogs to find ways to exploit dogs’ most basic, natural instincts, and to bring out the best in them. For example, walking your dog gives you a great opportunity to bond with the animal. Play sessions are even more effective because owners can challenge their dogs in a positive way that will enrich both their lives and further deepen the bond. A productive play session has a focus that includes a mental component, along with the simply physical act of playing. This helps to channel the dog’s energy in a meaningful way.
To bring out the best in both you and your dog, don’t miss Cesar Millan’s appearance in Raleigh.
“Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro to Appear in Raleigh
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Hey foodies! Have you ever wished you could bake cakes and decorate them like the pros? Do you need some inspiration for that special occasion dessert? Then plan to be at the Progress Energy Center Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh, NC on Friday, November 4, 2011, for an appearance by renowned pastry chef Buddy Valastro, star of the popular TLC television series, “Cake Boss.”
Buddy’s Roots: Family and Carlo’s Bakery
Buddy’s decidedly brash style and remarkable talent have catapulted him into nation-wide popularity. Now on tour, Buddy brings his one-of-a-kind approach for producing elegant and unique showpiece cakes to audiences everywhere. An accomplished, 4th-generation baker, Buddy was born in Hoboken NJ. Eventually taking his place in the family-owned Carlo’s Bakery, Buddy has nurtured and expanded the business with delicious confections and great customer service. Buddy apprenticed under the watchful eye of his father, himself a master baker. Together, the Valastro team of father and son dreamed of expanding the bakery far beyond its humble roots in Hoboken.
Dreams Do Come True
When Buddy’s dad died, leaving him to run the bakery with the help of his family, Buddy’s talent really began to shine. Using the perfect combination of old world recipes with all the newest baking techniques and equipment, Buddy has taken Carlo’s Bakery far beyond his father’s dreams. Himself an accomplished decorator and sugar artist, Buddy now operates from his new bakery, a 10,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility. His award-winning confections have been featured prominently in bridal and baking magazines, and the bakery has been the subject of articles in newspapers like the New York Times. He’s also appeared on “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “The View,” and the HBO hit series, “The Sopranos.”
A True American Success Story
Today, Buddy often is asked to demonstrate and share his skills at venues all over the country. He’s created one-of-a-kind artistic cake masterpieces for innumerable events, large and small. At the heart of Buddy’s craft is his commitment to producing high-quality products using time-honored methods — a decidedly modern take on traditional cakes and pastries. His generous, ebullient spirit is evident in his baked creations. Though he’s sometimes outspoken, Buddy’s heart is big. His appearance in Raleigh is certain to be highly entertaining. An event not to be missed!
For a Fresh Experience, Visit the Raleigh, NC Farmer’s Market
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If you’re looking for a unique experience that will net you the best fruits and vegetables the Raleigh area has to offer, be sure to visit the region’s remarkable farmer’s market. Featuring a 30,000 square foot building where local farmers sell fresh produce, plants, and related speciality items, the market offers an incredible variety of produce and plants.
Shopping Galore: Browse the Market Shoppes
The Market Shoppes are a separate venue located in a climate-controlled 15,000 square foot building. There, you’ll find the more of the best produce the area has to offer, along with a great range of extras, including North Carolina wines, meats, cheese, bakery items, crafts, and even custom picture framing. The Market Shoppes are a wonderful place to find specialty items like hard-milled, scented soaps, and lotions that are perfect for the skin.
Market Imports: A Beautiful and Unique Venue
Market Imports is a large 2-acre site that features unique architectural elements, along with interesting items from all over the world. Why not casually stroll the area and enjoy the wares of the many vendors, such as fountains and water features, iron and stonework, decorative flower pots, trellises, teak, and hand crafted furniture?
Great Food: Restaurants in the Raleigh Farmer’s Market
For a quick bite, the Market Grill is open for breakfast and lunch. There’s also a seafood restaurant serving the freshest fish and shellfish prepared quickly and simply. A third restaurant specializes in fresh country cooking for breakfast and lunch.
Things to Do: Special Events at the Market
In July, don’t miss Peach Day, and its delicious dessert contest. Watermelon Day comes in August, with a competition for the biggest of these delectable fruits. Also, the popular “Weekend Gardener” radio show broadcasts live from the Market. Keeping with the seasonal theme, in September there are separate days devoted to celebrating grapes, apples, and sweet potatoes, along with an annual sale of beautiful day lily plants. Kids will love the Great Pumpkin contest in October, and discriminating cooks should plan to attend events devoted to collard greens and pecans in November.
Heart of the Market: Helping Local Farmers
The Raleigh Farmer’s Market is part of a network of similar venues owned and operated by the state of North Carolina. The network exists to serve the state’s farmers, whether small or large, by providing clean, well maintained, and modern facilities in prime areas that are inviting and attractive to buyers and sellers alike. A regional attraction not to be missed!
A Great Day Trip in the Raleigh, NC Region: The Haywood Hall House
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There’s no doubt that there’s a rich architectural heritage in North Carolina. With ante-bellum mansions, as well as interesting and unique buildings from every era, the region has plenty of places to explore. One such place is Haywood Hall, a wonderful house surrounded by lush, well-maintained gardens.
Haywood Hall House: Background
John Haywood was North Carolina’s first elected state treasurer, and Raleigh’s first mayor. He built this classic frame home in 1799 for his family. The house features Federal-style architecture, and was owned by his family until 1977, when both the building and furnishings were acquired by the National Society of the Colonial Dames (NSCDA), by way of the will of Mrs. Mary Haywood Fowle Stearns. Mrs. Stearns stipulated that the property be used for the “enjoyment of the community,” and her gift was intended to promote a greater understanding of the history of both North Carolina and Raleigh. Admission to the site is free.
Haywood Hall House: History
Haywood Hall remained in the Haywood family for over 175 years. The last owner, Mrs. Mary Haywood Fowle Stearns, who died in 1977, left the house to The National Society of Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) in North Carolina. In accordance with the instructions of her will, Haywood Hall has been put to adaptive use for all to enjoy, and its mission is to promote greater understanding of the history of North Carolina and of Raleigh, the state’s capital city.
Haywood Hall House: Provenance
The house was the first to be built within Raleigh’s city limits. It’s the oldest house on its original site in the city. There were a number of outbuildings on the site, including servants’ quarters, barn, kitchen and smoke house, gazebo, and privy. At Haywood Hall House, you’ll find a remarkable collection of family portraits, period furnishings, and an interesting doll collection. The house is on the National Park Service’s Nation Register of Historic Places, and also is an officially-designated North Carolina state historic site. Finally, it’s accredited by NSCDA Museum Properties.
Be sure to visit this beautiful property, which is truly a gem in the Raleigh-Durham region.
Crowder District Park: An Ideal Blend of Recreation and Education
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Families looking for an outdoor experience that both teaches and inspires are sure to find Crowder District Park in the Raleigh, NC region a perfect destination. Crowder District Park came into existence by way of a generous donation 33 acres of prime land by the late Doris Pierce Crowder of Durham. The park has a staff of naturalists who offer hands-on programs about the environment, covers 33 acres, and has a well-developed and well-maintained system of trails.
Crowder Pond and the Gardens
Some of the sights you’ll see along the way are Crowder Pond and beautiful gardens. Crowder Pond is a good example of an aquatic habitat, and is a base for the park’s water quality education programs. The gardens can be found along some of the trails, and each has a distinct focus or purpose. For example, there’s a bird garden, a prairie garden, a theme garden, and the always-popular butterfly garden. This garden is planted with species of plants that are known to attract butterflies, and is a great place to get inspiration for creating your own backyard butterfly habitat. The theme garden changes every year. This year, the theme was chosen by school children, and features plants and flowers that appeal to the senses.
The Observation Deck
The park also has an observation deck that provides a great view of the pond and the surrounding wildlife habitats. Unfortunately, due to its small size, the pond isn’t suitable for fishing, which is prohibited. Other features in the park include the paved Outer Loop Trail that winds along the edge of the park for about eight-tenths of a mile. This is a very scenic trail that passes by the bird garden, the prairie garden, the theme garden, and the heron shelter. The Inner Loop Trail, circles the pond, and passes along the boardwalk. The trail also includes the observation deck, and is about three-tenths of a mile in length.
Picnic Areas and Playgrounds
There are three covered picnic shelters, each with a charcoal grill and playground access. The open play area is a great place for kids, and features a baseball backstop and a sand volleyball court. Entrance to the park is free. Currently the reaches as many as 200,000 people of all ages through its education and outreach programs.
Crowder Park has been in operation since 1998, and is a noteworthy destination in the region.
Blue Jay Point County Park: Plenty to Do and See
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The Raleigh, NC area certainly doesn’t lack attractions and events that are family-friendly. Sometimes, though, you just want to slow things down, and enjoy a quiet day in the park. The perfect place to relax and enjoy a beautiful natural setting is Blue Jay Point County Park. This is a 230-acre site that’s full of things to do and see. It also has about 3 acres reserved for playgrounds, play fields, an environmental education center, and an overnight lodge.
About Blue Jay Point
Blue Jay Point is a peninsula that’s bordered on three sides by pristine Falls Lake, the primary source of Raleigh’s drinking water. The park has an extensive 5-mile network of hiking and walking trails. There’s even an interactive walking experience available on Azalea Loop, where you can pick up an informative guide that corresponds to numbered posts along the trail. Blue Jay Point also is connected to the state’s popular Falls Lake Trail, offering extended hiking opportunities. Be aware, though, that mountain bikes are not allowed on the park’s trail system.
Gardens and Study Pond
Another attraction within the park is the gardens and study pond. There, visitors can get ideas for creating their own backyard wildlife habitats, complete with native trees and plants. The gardens and pond are the staging area for many of the park’s other environmental education programs. The main environment focus, though, is at the Blue Jay Center for environmental education. The center houses several interesting and inspiring exhibits, including one that focuses on the area’s water resources, like the Neuse River basin and the Falls Lake watershed. The exhibits aim to education and inform, and to spur visitors to act to preserve these valuable resources.
Blue Jay Center
Blue Jay Center features two unique indoor classrooms, as well as the Nature Discovery Room, where visitors can get an in-depth look at the natural habitats found in the park. There are plenty of fishing opportunities in the park as well, making it a great place for informal bank fishing. It’s important to note that all North Carolina inland freshwater fishing regulations apply, including the requirement for everyone over the age of 16 to have a fishing license issued by the state. Also, be aware that no collection, removal, or release of any animal, plant or mineral material is allowed in the park.
For an informative and entertaining excursion, make Blue Jay Point County Park a preferred destination.
Raleigh’s Cultural Heritage: Carolina Ballet
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Did you know that the Raleigh region is host to one of the top ballet companies in America? Carolina Ballet has won many accolades, national and international, helping to fulfil its mission to enrich the quality of life in Raleigh and in vibrant suburbs like Cary. Carolina Ballet is dedicated to performing world-class professional ballet that uplifts, enlightens and entertains a wide range of audiences in the region, and beyond.
Carolina Ballet’s Mission and Goals
This ballet company is committed to presenting traditional ballets crafted by legendary masters. It strives to recognize new talents by commissioning works from innovative choreographers. The ballet also has a strong educational component, which seeks to raise awareness in current and future audiences with programs for school-aged children, along with other outreach activities. Carolina Ballet’s commitment to excellence is reflected in activities that are designed to attract, develop, and retain highly talented dancers, and the artistic personnel that supports them. Known for its fiscally responsible management and enlightened board of directors, the company has created a perfect, but delicate balance, between art and economic reality.
The Company’s Season Highlights
With a carefully crafted schedule of performances designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences, Carolina Ballet performances range from Stravinsky’s classic Firebird to Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. For younger audiences, there are productions of Pinocchio and The Ugly Duckling. The classic Carmen is on tap as well. Innovative performances of Monet Impressions and Dracula round out the schedule.
About Carolina Ballet
The company has blossomed under the deft guidance of artistic director Robert Weiss, along with sound management, and strong, deep-rooted community support. These factors have converged to make Carolina Ballet an important contributor to the quality of life in the Raleigh region. Weiss is an energetic leader who has presented more than 72 new works in Carolina Ballet’s first 12 seasons, more than any other ballet company in the United States, except for New York City Ballet. The 13th season promises to be spectacular, with five world premieres by Weiss, along with principal guest choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett, and principal dancers Timour Bourtasenkov and Attila Bongar.
Information about becoming a subscriber is available by calling the Carolina Ballet box office at (919) 719-0900, or online at www.carolinaballet.com. There are many benefits to being a subscriber, including the opportunity to purchase tickets for performances before they go on sale to the public.
Raleigh Region Rated as One of the Top 6 Places for Business and Careers
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July 2011 – According to Forbes.com, Raleigh NC tops their list of places with the most jobs and lowest cost of doing business. The annual list, entitled “Best Places For Business And Careers,” is a result of an evaluation of 200 metropolitan areas, which includes key factors like current and projected job growth, living and business costs, income growth, projected economic growth, and educational attainment. In fact, the Raleigh region tops the Forbes list, thanks, in part, to its high level of entrepreneurial activity and strong educational infrastructure. Other factors that influenced the rating include business costs that are 18% below the national average and a well-educated work force, 42% of which has a college degree. These factors combine to make the Raleigh region a very attractive place for large employers like Progress Energy and First Citizens Bank.
Reasons for the Region’s Success
People are flocking to Raleigh, and suburbs like Cary, in significant numbers. The net migration rate to the region has been the second highest in the US over the past 5 years. It doesn’t hurt that Raleigh is the state capital, so there are plenty of secure public-sector jobs available as well. When creating the ranking, Forbes also considers quality of life issues like recreational opportunities, cultural activities, and crime rates. Educational opportunities also are factored in, and this helped the region rise to the top of the ranking, due to the large number of highly ranked colleges and universities, including University of North Carolina, Duke University and North Carolina State. In addition, the Raleigh area has a strong and vibrant primary and secondary public education system.
Look to the Heartland
In recent years, recession has wiped out more than 9 million jobs in the US. Many of those jobs will never return, so any region that’s actively creating new jobs has a distinct advantage. Raleigh is one of those areas. Over 80% of the listings in the Best Places for Business and Careers list are located in the nation’s heartland, which seems to be thriving while traditional centers like the east and west coasts, along with large cities like New York and Los Angeles, continue to decline. The Raleigh area has an active and flourishing cultural life as well. The Progress Energy Center Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, the Raleigh Little Theater, the North Carolina Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of History, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and many more contribute a strong dimension to the region.
With so much to recommend it, the Raleigh area is a great place to live and work.
Booth Amphitheater: A Remarkable Outdoor Venue in Cary, NC
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If you’re considering relocating to the Cary, North Carolina region, you should know that there’s a virtually endless list of things to do and see. So when you make a trip here to house hunt, be sure to ask your Cary, North Carolina realtor about some of the major attractions in the area, one of which is the extraordinary Booth Amphitheater.
Booth Amphitheater is a unique regional outdoor attraction for arts and entertainment events. It’s located in a tranquil park-like setting sprinkled with hardwood and pine trees. Symphony Lake adds a serene presence to this beautiful venue. The amphitheater holds about 7000 people with both lawn and deck seating available.
The North Carolina Symphony calls Booth its home in the summer months. The casual atmosphere is a radical departure from the formal music hall ambiance. The amphitheater blends seamlessly with the natural setting to create a unique audience experience. The season at Booth runs from April through October. There’s an eclectic mix of programs and performers, including “moonlight movie nights,” a family favorite.
In late November, the amphitheater is transformed into “Tinsel Town,” a winter wonderland that includes an outdoor rink for ice skating. Skate rentals are available on site.
“Preferred” parking costs $10, but there are plenty of free spaces available as well. Lawn chairs and blankets are permitted and chair rental is available for $5. Guests can bring along a bottle of factory-sealed water and there’s a unique “Virtual Cafe” where guests can order food on line and pick it up on site.
Booth Amphitheater is truly a jewel in the crown of the Cary, NC region that every realtor in Cary, North Carolina is proud to mention to newcomers.
Arts and Entertainment in Cary, North Carolina: The Cary Players
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If you’re new to the area or considering a move to Cary, North Carolina, you should know that there are activities for every taste in the region. So when you’re looking for real property for sale in Cary NC, why not take the time to find out more about some of Cary’s unique attractions? A good example of a home-grown cultural institution is Cary Players.
Formed in 2001, Cary Players is community theater where everyday people from the area can audition for and perform in theatrical productions. It’s mission is ” to provide the citizens of Cary and surrounding areas with the means by which they may develop, enhance and showcase theatrical talents.” The organization also seeks to enrich and enlighten “social and cultural experiences via a diverse offering of excellent theatrical productions.” Cary Players is a patron-centered enterprise that seeks to inspire and uplift those who attend its productions.
One of Cary Players’ recent productions is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare, performed in Bond Park’s Sertoma Amphitheater. Set in an ethereal enchanted wood, the play is a romantic comedy that has something for everyone. Cary Players ambitious undertaking of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays underscores the company’s excellence and dedication.
For home-grown talent and superior entertainment, be sure to take in a performance by Cary Players. If you’re new to the region and seeking Cary NC real property for sale, why not consider auditioning yourself? It’s bound to be an amazing experience!