Midtown Lowdown

Golf Digest – Webb Simpson’s Raleigh

Jason — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:38:38 +0000

My Town: Webb Simpson’s Raleigh

North Carolina hospitality is plentiful in the state’s Research Triangle

PHOTO COURTESY TPC WAKEFIELD

February 20, 2012

Webb Simpson confesses that while there are many facets of his hometown of Raleigh, N.C., that he enjoyed, he probably didn’t take full advantage of them as a youngster living in North Carolina’s capital.

“I was a golf junkie growing up,” says Simpson, 26, who parlayed that interest into an All-American stint at Wake Forest and now a blossoming PGA Tour career that in 2011 took off with two victories and a berth on the U.S. Presidents Cup team. “Pinehurst is only about an hour from Raleigh, so I tended to head there quite a bit.”

Although having moved to Charlotte since turning pro, Simpson remains smitten with his boyhood home. “It was a great place to grow up for sure,” he says.

Moreover, the Raleigh-Durham area, known as the Research Triangle for the high-tech businesses located there, offers some strong golf options, not to mention an array of other attractions that should keep the traveler happy and entertained.

COURSES
I grew up at Carolina CC. It’s in the middle of Raleigh. It’s only about 6,000 yards from the tips, but it’s a great course, a lot of fun. It has five par 5s and six par 3s, and it requires you to hit a lot of different shots. I feel like that’s where I learned how to score because I could get four or five under and try to get eight or nine under. It fostered a mentality for scoring. My mindset on tour today of thinking about making birdies is a direct result of the course I grew up on.

I like Raleigh CC for the greens. It was the last design Donald Ross ever did. They have the quickest and the most undulating greens in the area. They rebuilt the practice facility about five years ago, so it’s a great place to practice and play.

There are a lot of good public-course options as well. Both university courses in the area, Duke University GC and the Finley course at UNC, are worth a look. Also, I spent a bit of time at TPC Wakefield Plantation. It’s where fellow PGA Tour player Carl Pettersson lives. It was a little farther from my home, so I only got there occasionally, but it’s a good layout.

DINING
Mura North Hills is a Japanese fusion restaurant known for its Kobe beef dish and its sushi rolls. Some nights it offers live music. … Piccola Italia is a family-owned restaurant featuring New York-style pizza and traditional Italian dishes. Just about everything is made from scratch, and it has a nice, casual family atmosphere.

For a sports bar there’s Cameron Bar and Grill. It’s in Cameron Village near the N.C. State campus, and it also has a lot of great shops similar to North Hills. It has great food. Try the fried pickles.

WHERE TO STAY
If I were coming to Raleigh and really wanted to experience the city, I would stay in the North Hills area. It’s eight minutes from downtown. The Renaissance Hotel there is fantastic. It has an indoor pool, and next door is the Fitness Connection for working out. The North Hills area is great, with a lot of great restaurants within walking distance and a big movie theater.

DON’T MISS
I’m a sports fan, and we have the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. They play at PNC Arena, which holds a lot of other events besides hockey. It’s the home for N.C. State basketball as well as other shows and concerts.

From a cultural standpoint you might try the Haywood Hall House and Gardens. It’s the oldest house in the original city limits of Raleigh where you can learn about the city’s history.

Last day to RSVP for The Wedding Affair at North Hills

Patrice — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:39:19 +0000

Thursday is the LAST DAY to register to attend The Wedding Affair on Sunday, February 26th at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel.

Attendees have a chance to win $1000 toward a wedding gown from Traditions by Anna Bridal Boutique. Today is also the last day to enter.

All you have to do is:

1. “Like” Traditions by Anna Bridal Boutique on Facebook
2. Post a photo of you and your fiance on their wall
3. Tell Traditions how you got engaged
4. Attend The Wedding Affair

The winner will be announced during The Wedding Affair.

A do-it-yourself body wrap service comes to North Hills

Patrice — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:22:56 +0000

Did you see the episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta (don’t judge me!) where Kim tried to lose some of her pregnancy weight by having her entire body tightly wrapped in a cloth and left to bake for an hour? She looked like a mummy, but lost 6 inches!

Call Planet Beach at 919-571-8826 for pre-install specials.

On March 3rd, Planet Beach Contempo Spa is adding the DO-IT-YOURSELF SlimIt Body Wrap service to their lineup in North Hills. It’s easy:

Apply the desired products for the areas you want to slim down;
Put on the disposable Slim Suit;
Wrap yourself in the SlimIT Thermal Blanket; and
Lie down for 20, 40, or 60 minutes so the heat can help you sweat the pounds away.

Check it out for yourself by calling Planet Beach at 919-571-8826 for great pre-install specials.

Treat Yourself Tuesday – NC State Vs. UNC

Jason — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:24:04 +0000

Big game tonight at the RBC Center!! Treat yourself to a free T-Shirt of the winning team, from Omega Sports! Just predict the final score of tonight’s game on our facebook wall post and whoever is closest will win! Scores must be submitted before the tip-off at 8pm.

Other Omega Sports News

Dragonfly Girlgear Trunk Show

Sat., Feb 25th – 2:00 p.m. North Hills

4120 Main @ North Hills St.

Raleigh, NC 27609

919.420.1913

Pick a Winner: Stop by Omega Sports and see for yourself how great and comfortable Dragonfly girlgear ™ really is. Make sure to register for Raffle Drawings and Giveaways including girlgear cinch bags.

Star Gazing: Meet soccer star, Cindy Parlow Cone. Cindy was a 4-time All-American on the UNC women’s soccer team, which won three national championships during her playing career. She twice won the Hermann Trophy as the top female college player (1997and 1998) and was the ACC female athlete of the year in 1999. She was a starter on the US team which won the 1999 World Cup, scoring two goals. She was also a member of the World Cup team in 2003 and of the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympic teams. She is currently director of girls U15-U18 soccer for Triangle United.

Enter for a chance to win lunch with Cindy Parlow at the Q-Shack before the North Hills trunk show. No purchase necessary. Register here: http://tiny.cc/yygnv

Whalebone Urban Surf – Vitamin A Swim Event

Jason — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:49:35 +0000

March 1st, 5-8pm

Whalebone Urban Surf

Omega Sports – Dragonfly Girlgear Trunk Show

Jason — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:38:01 +0000

Sat., Feb 25th – 2:00 p.m. North Hills

4120 Main @ North Hills St.

Raleigh, NC 27609

919.420.1913

Enter for a chance to win lunch with Cindy Parlow at the Q-Shack before the North Hills trunk show. No purchase necessary. Register here.

Liles Clothing Studio

Jason — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:53:37 +0000

Trend Report: Color is Back!

Duckhorn Wine Dinner at Ruth’s Chris

Jason — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:23:03 +0000

Ruth’s Chris

Food this good deserves wine to match. Join us Thursday, March 1st at 6:30pm and become a true wine-country insider as you enjoy a delightfully innovative 5-course menu, paired perfectly with amazing wines from Duckhorn Wine Company.

$125 All Inclusive. Seating is limited! For reservations please call 919.791.1103

St. Patrick’s Day Block Party @ WOB

Jason — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:48:14 +0000

Join World of Beer for their First Annual St. Patricks Day Block Party! It’s kicking off at noon and they are taking over the whole patio! Bring the whole family and come out to enjoy great Irish Beer, good times with friends and a St. Patricks Day to remember. Drink Good Beer Not Green Beer! Come get some Irish in ya!

Extensive Irish Beer Draft Line Up

Live Music

Food Vendors

Bounce House for the Kids

Cotton Candy Machine too!

Cameron Clothing Co. – Spring and Summer Collections

Jason — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:51:32 +0000

Spring and Summer Collections

In full COLOR at Cameron Clothing Co.

New from; Lafayette 148 New York, Nina McLemore, Belford, Vitamin,

Elliott Lauren, Special Occasion, Jewelry, and much, much more

View North Hills Raleigh – Directory in a larger map

2012 Midtown Events

Jason — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:30:34 +0000

It’s that time of year!! Midtown events is gearing up for their 2012 season and here’s what they have in store for you!

North Hills Kids

April – August

Midtown Farmers’ Market

April – November

Midtown Music: Beach Music Series

April – August

Triangle British Classic Car Show

May 19

SPA Shag Competition

May 19

Midtown Race Series

June 3, November 18

Art Week at North Hills

June 4 – 9

4th of July Celebration

June 30

Midtown Music: Emerging Artist Series

August – October

American Cancer Society Walk: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

October 6

American Diabetes Association Walk: Step Out” Walk to STOP Diabetes

October 20

Halloween and Fall Festival Celebration

October 27

Free to Breathe walk: Lung Cancer Awareness

November 3

Christmas Tree Lighting and Celebration

November 17

Midtown Music: Beach Music Series

Jason — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:15:40 +0000

April 12 – August 9

Thursdays from 6 – 9pm

The Commons

This concert series has grown to become a favorite Thursday evening activity, drawing patrons from all across the state to North Hills to enjoy the most famous beach bands around. With the best band line-up yet, season 5 is sure to be a fantastic one!

2012 Schedule

Presented by Rex Healthcare, WRAL.com, and Out & About

Sponsored in part by UGL Services, Bud Light Lime and Kona

View All 2012 Events

Midtown Farmers’ Market

Jason — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:55:19 +0000

April 21 – November 17

Saturdays from 8am – Noon

The Commons

Back for its’ fifth year at North Hills, this growers only market has become a community staple. It allows local residents to support North Carolina Farmers every Saturday, from April – November, while enjoying a fabulous selection of produce and homemade goods, live music, and programming.

Follow the Midtown Farmers’ Market on Facebook

Presented by:

View All 2012 Events

North Hills Kids

Jason — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:30:01 +0000

April 2 – August 31

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9am – 1pm

The Commons

North Hills Kids is a community where children are able to come and learn together, get exercise, and enjoy a fun, relaxed environment. They enjoy the activities & programs with other children and their parents while becoming familiar with the surrounding businesses at North Hills.

View All 2012 Events

Midtown Race Series

Jason — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:00:20 +0000

Midtown Race Series

June 3, November 18

Sunday, 8am – 3pm

Parking lot between JCPenney and Lassiter Mill

The Midtown Race Series is in its first year and is providing races that have yet to be seen in Midtown Raleigh. There will be races for runners of all levels, including a 5K, 10K, and a half marathon.