Life In Wake Forest.....

Once again Festival Friday will be hosting an incredible night of music and fun for the entire family!

Festival Friday is hosting Christian Music Night this Friday, June 26 from

6pm - 9pm!

This event will be outdoors but should the weather take a turn worry not - it will all just be moved inside! Be sure to catch the opening act Soul Purpose first and then the headliner will be Locusts-n-Honey.  Locusts-n-Honey beautifully mixes soul music, southern rock and Christian music!

Festival Fridays at Festival Park have evolved into an anticipated event on Friday nights!  It provides a safe environment for teens and families to come together and enjoy music and the great outdoors.

Admission for Festival Friday is $0.00.  Yes, it is FREE!

Festival Park is located in historic downtown Wake Forest at 572 S. White Street

Be sure to bring your blankets or lawn chairs and get ready to have a fabulous Friday night under the stars listening to some great music!

Written by:
Leesa L. Finley, Broker, Realtor®
Circa Properties
919.649.6128 - direct and txt msg

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Circa Properties, and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Circa Properties. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.

Learn more about Wake County, Johnston County, Granville County, and Franklin County, North Carolina Real Estate which includes Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Franklinton, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Fuquay Varina, Creedmoor, Clayton and more!

Get Up and Go! has had some wonderful events this month and are capping June off with a fantastic tour of dining options available in historic Wake Forest!

Thursday, June 25th

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Meet at the Municipal Parkiing lot located at 110 S. White Street

The leisurely tour will highlight 12 of historic Wake Forest areas dining options!  The tour will include:

La Foresta

A La Mode

Las Margaritas

Over The Falls Deli

and 8 other fantastic eateries!

Stops will made along the way at certain restaurants for special suprises!!!!

This event is co-hosted by Get Up and Go! and the Wake Forest Downtown Revitalization Corporation.

Written by:
Leesa L. Finley, Broker, Realtor®
Circa Properties
919.649.6128 - direct and txt msg

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Circa Properties, and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Circa Properties. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.

Learn more about Wake County, Johnston County, Granville County, and Franklin County, North Carolina Real Estate which includes Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Franklinton, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Fuquay Varina, Creedmoor, Clayton and more!

It was a wonderful week in Wake Forest, NC this past week and ended beautifully with a gorgeous day for Father's Day!  I hope all of the fathers out there had a fantastic day spending it with loved ones in special and memorable ways!  I know that we did - fishing at Falls Lake - it was relaxing, quiet and a ton of fun.

The upcoming week in Wake Forest, NC has some great events!  Check and see for yourself!

From the Town of Wake Forest website:

Triangle Caregivers Conference
Tuesday, June 23; 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
McKimmon Center, Raleigh
Resources for Seniors, Hospice of Wake County and the Alzheimer's Association - Eastern NC Chapter are teaming up to present the Triangle Caregivers Conference on Tuesday, June 23. The conference, designed for those who care for someone who is in some way incapacitated, will provide respite, resolution and resources. Attendees will have the benefit of a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, lunch, vendor booths and pampering activities. Cost is $5 for caregivers, $25 for professionals and an additional $10 for professional CEU credits. To register, go to www.trianglecaregiversconference.com

Firing Range Training
Wednesday, June 24; 8 am - 5 pm
Police Department Firing Range, behind Flaherty Park Community Center
Residents in the area are advised that the Wake Forest Police Department will conduct firing range training at the police department firing range, located behind the Flaherty Park Community Center. The firing range is utilized by Wake Forest Police officers who require instruction and practice in order to obtain current certification in the use of firearms. This certification is required in order for the officer to fulfill his duties for the Wake Forest Police Department. www.wakeforestnc.gov/residents/police_firingrange.aspx 

Firing Range Training
Thursday, June 25; Noon - 10 pm
Police Department Firing Range, behind Flaherty Park Community Center
Residents in the area are advised that the Wake Forest Police Department will conduct firing range training at the police department firing range, located behind the Flaherty Park Community Center. The firing range is utilized by Wake Forest Police officers who require instruction and practice in order to obtain current certification in the use of firearms. This certification is required in order for the officer to fulfill his duties for the Wake Forest Police Department. www.wakeforestnc.gov/residents/police_firingrange.aspx 

Get Up & Go! Downtown Dining Tour
Thursday, June 25; 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Municipal Parking Lot, 110 S. White St.
Rain or shine, join us for a leisurely stroll through downtown to visit Wake Forest's twelve dining establishments. We'll stop at a few for some special surprises. This event is hosted by Get Up & Go! and the Wake Forest Downtown Revitalization Corporation.

Firing Range Training
Friday, June 26; 8 am - 5 pm
Police Department Firing Range, behind Flaherty Park Community Center
Residents in the area are advised that the Wake Forest Police Department will conduct firing range training at the police department firing range, located behind the Flaherty Park Community Center. The firing range is utilized by Wake Forest Police officers who require instruction and practice in order to obtain current certification in the use of firearms. This certification is required in order for the officer to fulfill his duties for the Wake Forest Police Department. www.wakeforestnc.gov/residents/police_firingrange.aspx 

Festival Friday - Christian Music Night
Friday, June 26; 6 pm - 9 pm
Festival Park, 572 S. White Street
Join Festival Friday on the grounds of Festival Park! In the case of rain, the festivities will move indoors. The event, sponsored by the Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Endowment (GJCAE), is free and prizes will be awarded each Festival Friday night to performers. The point of Festival Friday is to provide a venue every Friday night, free to the public, for local teens to gather in a safe, fun environment and encourage local artists to show off their skills. Area residents are encouraged to bring your lounge chairs, blankets and enjoy.

Community Outdoor Movie Night
Friday, June 26; 8 pm
Stephenson Center at Wake Forest Baptist Church, 12120 Wake Union Church Rd.
The Outreach Team of Wake Forest Baptist Church proudly presents our 4th season of Community Outdoor Movie Nights. Movies will be shown on June 26, July 24 and August 14. All movies are shown under licensing from CVLI. Friday, June 26, join us to watch RV. Bring your blanket or lawn chair, sit back and relax while watching the movie and enjoying free drinks and popcorn.

Wake Forest Farmers' Market
Saturday, June 27; 8 am - Noon
Downtown Wake Forest - Municipal Parking Lot 
The market offers fresh produce, pasture-raised beef, poultry and pork, free-range eggs, fresh and dried herbs, honey, jams and preserves, plus a whole lot more. The Farmers' Market is open from 8 am to noon every Saturday April through November. www.wakeforestmarket.org 

3rd Annual Slam Jam 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
Saturday, June 27; 11 am - 4 pm
DuBois Center Outdoor Basketball Courts in NE Quadrant
The 3rd annual Slam Jam 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will be held on June 27 for youth ages 8-18 who reside in the NE Quadrant. NE Quadrant youth are encouraged to form a team of 3 (same sexes) and fill out a registration form. Registration forms are available at the Olive Branch Church, Wake Forest Baptist Church office and the barbershop off of N. Taylor St. This is a free event that will feature live music, step teams, choirs, food, prizes and more. Contact Austin Shaw at (919) 906-6605 or atshaw@nc.rr.com for more information.

BASF Smile Train Triathlon
Sunday, June 28; 7 am
Heritage Swim Club, Heritage Lakes Drive in Heritage Wake Forest
Join the 2nd running of The Smile Train Triathlon through Heritage Wake Forest on June 29. This is a sprint-distance triathlon comprised of a 250 yard swim at the Heritage Swim Club, a 12 mile bike followed by a 3.1 mile run. 100% of the registration dollars for this race will go directly to The Smile Train, a cleft-lip and cleft-palate charity that provides life changing surgery for children who would under no condition be able to afford the corrective surgery. This is the only triathlon in Wake forest and the only triathlon in the world to benefit The Smile Train. Sign up early as the 2008 race filled weeks before race day. Registration, volunteer information and additional race details are available at www.milesintosmiles.com or contact Rebecca Warriner, race director, at rebeccawarriner@hotmail.com 

  Fidelity Bank is celebrating their 100th anniversary with a charity food drive to benefit the Tri-Area Ministry. The bank will be collecting non-perishable food items from June 1 - 26. To donate, drop off food items at either Wake Forest location (231 S. White St. in downtown or 12202 Capital Blvd. in the Market of Wake Forest). To learn more call (919) 556-2021 or (919) 556-7022.

Charity Food Drive to Benefit Tri-Area Ministry
Now thru June 26
Fidelity Bank Locations, 231 S. White St. or 12202 Capital Blvd.

Summer Horse Camp
Now thru Friday, Aug. 14; 8:30 am - 2 pm
Wildwynn Stables, 401 E. Main St., Youngsville
For more information, contact Geri Bickers at (919) 562-7875.

4th Annual Craft Fair - Crafters Needed
Now until Filled
NC National Guard, 801 Stadium Dr., Durham
The Family Readiness Group that supports the NC National Guard 30th BSBT will be hosting its 4th Annual Craft Fair. Indoor and outdoor spaces are available. We are seeking crafters in all areas (except jewelry and direct sales): quilting/sewing, word working, tole painting, floral arrangements, children's items, home decor, seasonal items, stained glass, etc. Outdoor space is also available for food vendors with all necessary NC permits. Cost is $40 per space. Applications are available online at www.30frgcraftfair.com. Email gmdcnd1@yahoo.com with any questions.

Volunteer Training for Hospice of Wake County
June 22 & 24; 5:30 pm - 9 pm
Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's St., Raleigh
Hospice of Wake County will hold a training session for new and prospective family support volunteers. Volunteer candidates will receive an informative overview of the hospice mission and philosophy as well as the skills and confidence to visit patients in their homes, hospital, nursing home or assisted living facility. Attendance does not obligate participants to continue as volunteers. Volunteer opportunities include patient care, administrative support and fundraising volunteers, speakers bureau volunteers, grief companions and puppeteers. For more information, contact Anne Arndt, Manager of Volunteer Services with Hospice of Wake County, at (919) 719-7116 or visit www.hospiceofwake.org  

Written by:
Leesa L. Finley, Broker, Realtor®
Circa Properties
919.649.6128 - direct and txt msg

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Circa Properties, and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Circa Properties. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.

Learn more about Wake County, Johnston County, Granville County, and Franklin County, North Carolina Real Estate which includes Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Franklinton, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Fuquay Varina, Creedmoor, Clayton and more!

For those of you that are not familiar with the Raleigh area let me just say that we have VERY strict sign laws.  You are only allowed a certain number of signs per property, strict requirements on directional signs and Open House signs are also heavily monitored. 

If you do not follow the sign laws you can get fined - I know, it happened to me over 2 years ago. 

Here is an article that came out today regarding the possible modification of sign requirements/laws.  You can be sure that I will be following this closely!

From WRAL.com:

Real estate agents ask Cary to relax open house rules

Cary, N.C. - Real estate broker Brenda Carroll has a new listing in Cary that she is trying to sell, but a Town of Cary ordinance is making her job tougher, she said.

She would like the town to relax its rules regarding open houses and open house signs. Town leaders said they are open to exploring the possibilities, and they have asked staff to review the ordinance.

Cary allows two open houses per house, per year. Carroll said she would like that cap lifted. Also, real estate agents and homeowners can put up no more than three directional signs to point prospective buyers to an open house. That can be tough in a large subdivision, Carroll said.

"What if you have a home that needs four (signs)? Are you supposed to break Town of Cary laws by putting up the fourth? Or are you supposed to not have an open house?" she said.

Town rules also state that open house signs can only be displayed on Saturday and Sundays. Real estate agent Rich Murray said he would like to see them allowed on Fridays.

"Then it allows more exposure. So as people come home on a Friday evening, or if they're out running errands, it gives them that exposure," he said.

If agents put up too many open house signs, Cary staff takes them down. The agents could also face fines.

Cary council member Julie Robinson said the real estate agents' concerns are valid.

"I think it's a very fair question in an economy like this," she said.

The rule's intent, according to Robinson, is to reduce sign clutter. The council is asking staff to come up with some alternatives. Their ideas will be presented in the next couple months.

"We're open to looking at things, you know. Every once in a while, policies need to be amended and adopted," Robinson said.

Current market data shows Cary homes sell the fastest in the Triangle with an average of 55 days on the market. Raleigh houses take around 80 days to sell. Homes in Durham take more than 100 days, on average.

Cary business owners complained to the town in May about sign restrictions placed on them as well.

• Reporter: Renee Chou
• Photographer: Greg Hutchinson
• Web Editor: Kelly Hinchcliffe

BodyWorks for Ladies will be hosting a Member Yard Sale on Saturday, June 20 from 8am - Noon!  There will be tables set up in the parking lot - be sure to get there early to explore all of the treasures for sale!

While you are there take a few minutes to check out BodyWorks for Ladies!  It is a wonderful full service fitness center offering everything from Personalized Fitness Plans to Yoga and Pilates Classes!

BodyWorks for Ladies is located at 1976 S. Main Street in Wake Forest

Triangle Town Center is a great place to shop, eat, and catch a great outdoor concert this summer! 

Concerts at the Commons have some wonderful groups this year!  Coming up on June 19th is Chairman of the Board!  The event starts at 5pm and the music begins at 6pm.  Get there early and visit some of the fantastic restaurants that line the Commons!  There's Champps, Montana Teds, California Pizza Kitchen and so many more!

Here is the calendar for Concerts at the Commons 2009:

June 19th - The Chairmen of the Board
June 26th - Sugar
July 3rd - Time Machine
July 10th - The Embers
July 17th - Craig Woolard
July 24th - Johnny Orr
July 31st - Crush
August 7 - The Breakfast Club
August 14th - Lounge Lizards
August 21st - Magic Pipers

Concert at The Commons-Festivities:
*Food and Drinks
*Prizes and giveaways

Written by:
Leesa L. Finley, Broker, Realtor®
Circa Properties
919.649.6128 - direct and txt msg

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Circa Properties, and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Circa Properties. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.

Learn more about Wake County, Johnston County, Granville County, and Franklin County, North Carolina Real Estate which includes Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Franklinton, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Fuquay Varina, Creedmoor, Clayton and more!

The Finley's discovered a great little hidden pond yesterday afternoon.  I am almost embarrassed to say it is only 1/4 mile from our home.  We took Tug for a walk yesterday and met quite a few new friends while there!  Liam met some new friends and joined in fishing, Tug enjoyed the lake and Jon and I enjoyed the scenery!

Forgotten Pond is located within Heritage in Wake Forest NC.  They have several pavillions with benches making afternoon picnics wonderful!  Benches line the pond, there is a turtle observation deck and a wonderful pier for fishing!  Check out our afternoon - it was peaceful,fun and definately worth a return trip!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Written by:
Leesa L. Finley, Broker, Realtor®
Circa Properties
919.649.6128 - direct and txt msg

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Circa Properties, and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Circa Properties. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2009.