Round About Apex North Carolina

A Staight Shot: Pittsboro North Carolina

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 17:52:00 +0000

From the lovely town of Apex, North Carolina, "The Peak of Good Living" a twenty minute's drive West straight down 64, across the vast open sky and lake areas of Jordan, over the Haw, and you and your family land in one of the most delightful and surprising towns in North Carolina.

Pittsboro.

There's nothing cooky cutter about Pittsboro.

It's at the center a universe where the past, present and future coexist kicking out gems, and dust, and interesting enterprises and farms.

Come in off 15/501 South, or 64 Business West and you won't notice a whole lot until you get to the Courthouse.

With free street-side parking, on and off the main East/West and Hillsboro/Sanford streets that run North and South, you step into a tiny little town.

Restaurants.
Wine Shops & Wine Bars.
Two Art Galleries
Original Toy Store.
Two and a half Music Stores.
Five Antique and Vintages Stores.
Two Coffee Shops.
A Bakery.
An Old Time Soda Shop.
An Old Time diner-like restaurant.
An elegant Spa.
Fine Used Book and Music Shop.
A Neighborhood Bar.
The largest silk label mill in the World 1/2 mile walk North.
3 Bed and Breakfasts within a miles of the center.
Three thrift stores within a mile.
The iconic restaurant in Justice Motor Works - now called The Pittsboro Roadhouse.
The hippest clothing, shoes and gift store south of New York and West of London.
And an old fashioned co-op new fashioned with fresh local produce, meats, and fine food, indoor and outdoor dining.
And we've only scratched the surface.

Put Pittsboro North Carolina on your Map for Pittsboro First Sunday, or 3rd Saturday PBO Food Truck Rodeos, or Sunday Bands at the Roadhouse, or a weekday shopping spree for UNIQUE, UNIQUE, UNIQUE.

The Best New Year's Eve Events Around Raleigh, NC

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 05:00:00 +0000

This New Year's Eve, do something extraordinary, something you'll remember for years to come.

New Year's Eve with the exceptional big band
sound of the NC Revelers Orchestra

New Year's Eve with LIVE MUSIC

New Year's Eve Blast at the Grove Park Inn with Live Music Sol Fusion in Asheville, NC

One Enchanting Evening - New Year's Eve Gala with the NC Revelers Big Band Orchestra at the Pittsboro Roadhouse in Pittsboro, NC

New Year's Eve Gala 2014-2014 at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences with Live Music by Crush, a DJ and Live Jazz with the Doug Kobs Trio in Raleigh, NC

North Carolina Symphony-New Year's Eve with Tony DeSare in Raleigh, NC

The Avett Brothers at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC

Places to Stay in and around Pittsboro NC, USA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 13:00:00 +0000

The western most point of a newly resided Triangle region in the Triangle area of central North Carolina, Pittsboro is an historic small town with an historic courthouse and an impressive new justice center for Chatham County. It's also the site of a highly publicized major development known as Chatham Park, with decades of new construction homes and centers ahead. If the case for extending the western edge of the Triangle down to Pittsboro was not strong enough prior to Chatham Park, the prospective development sure puts weight on lengthening the Triangle side from Durham, through Chapel Hill to Pittsboro NC.

The history and the new development aren't the reason we're traveling to Pittsboro, North Carolina. It's something else.

Pittsboro has an attractive and charming downtown center, with varied brick buildings, and unique local shops with their own artistic and creative flair. There's food, drink, music, arts, events, gifts, walks, history... Between the historic downtown center just a few blocks wide, and the historic Chatham Mills, once the largest label mill in the United States, there's plenty to delight the interested visitor.

While an easy day trip from Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, Fuquay Varina and Holly Springs, Burlington, Mebane and Greensboro, Siler City, Sanford and Asheboro, some of you will want more than just a day in this darling town.

So what are the places to stay in and around Pittsboro NC?

Bed and Breakfasts in Historic Downtown Pittsboro NC

458 West B & B

The Rosemary House

The Small B and B

Air B and B in Pittsboro NC (zip code 27312)

Air B and B in Pittsboro NC - 22 rentals under $295 in the 27312 (Pittsboro) zip code

Bed and Breakfasts In and Around Pittsboro NC

The Inn at Celebrity Dairy

The Fearrington House Inn

Heartfriends Inn B and B

B and B Country Garden Inn in Apex, NC

See Google Maps with B and Bs listed throughout the Central NC area.

See Bed and Breakfast.com Map of the greater central NC area.

Air B and B in AND around Pittsboro NC

Air B and B rentals all around Pittsboro North Carolina

Hotels AROUND Pittsboro NC

There are no hotels in historic downtown Pittsboro, no active hotels, that is, there was at least one historically, the Blair Hotel.

You will find hotels and motels south, in Sanford, west in Siler City, a luxury hotel at Fearrington Village; east in Apex, and many many choices noroth in Chapel Hill and Durham.

Google Map of Hotels and Motels in Central North Carolina, west of Raleigh.

Siler City Hotels & Motels

America's Best Inn in Siler City NC

Siler City Inn & Suites

Siler City Motor Lodge

Sanford NC Hotels & Motels

Quality Inn

America's Best Value Inn

Days Inn Sanford

Prince Downtown

Hampton Inn Sanford

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sanford

Baymon Inn & Suites Sanford

Comfort Suites Hotel

Palomino Motel

Call In Protest of Governor's Support for Fracking & Legislature's Loose Gas Exploration Legislation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 15:19:00 +0000

On a morning post in Facebook June 4, 2014, a call to action from a friend to call and protest Governor Pat McCrory's endorsement of a wide open gas exploration initiative that tolerates fracking. The legislature has passed legislation that includes making it illegal for Firemen and First Responders, and Doctors to report on any chemicals that may have been involved in accidents. And prevents local governments from blocking fracking work.

"Energy Modernization Act"

Mother Jones Story on the Bill the GOP Pushed to Jail People Who Disclose Fracking Chemicals May 19, 2014

Mother Jones' Story on Making it Illegal to Disclose Chemicals - June 2 2014

The risks of forcing down vast volumes of chemicals in the ground include poisoning our drinking water. No water. No life. Poisoned water. Poisoned life. There are no guarantees when one blasts the toxic chemicals underground. Many of us feel this is selling out our future for temporary economic boons.

Call in your Protest.
Write in your protest.
Be polite. State your opposition and any reasons if you feel inclined.
Stand up and be counted.

Website:

http://www.governor.state.nc.us/contact

Phone Number to Governor to register your opposition:

(919) 814-2000

Statewide Phone Number to Governor

1-800-662-7952

@PatMcCroryNC

Constituent Office

919-814-2050

Pittsboro Roadhouse Fulfilling Promise as Community Centered Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 14:02:00 +0000

Rising from the ashes of a central North Carolina landmark and gathering space, an oasis of arts, music and great food, The Pittsboro Roadhouse had big shoes to fill and a big footprint too.

The General Store Cafe was known throughout North Carolina and probably in Virginia and South Carolina too, and who knows that it wasn't known in New York, Atlanta, Nashville, Boston and San Franscisco, hot- beds of creativity and innovation as they are. When it closed in the devastating fallout of the 2008 Recession, it left a vacuum in the vital creative and farming community of Pittsboro, in Eastern Chatham County. Like a sink hole. Like the death of the ancient magnolia tree in its parking lot. Like when a giant falls.

January 26, 2012. A sign went up on the glass doors. The News & Observer posted an article with photographs, and that, as they say, was that.

Except that it led to so many questions. Especially the big one. "What next?"

Who and what will fill one of the largest restaurant spaces in Chatham County?

Will it be a Walgreens? (Apparently that was slated for the Kerr Drug Store space on East Street.) Will it be a fast food restaurant? Another dollar store of one name or another? Not that those are bad, but every town needs a balance of convenience and cool.

This space needed to be cool - to carry forth the goodwill and vibe that the GSC grew and worked on at 39 West Street, the former Chevrolet Dealership owned by the Justice family until just recently. It would also need to be sustainable.

By early summer word was out that Greg Lewis would be reopening a restaurant in the GSC space. So much to do. From cleaning. Refurbishing. Enhancing. Adding design features. Licenses. Hiring. Training. And on the online side, dealing with domains, names, websites, phone numbers, Google pages. Talk about work!

August 17, 2012 was the day. The Grand Opening, following two days of soft launch. Ribbon cutting. Lots of pictures. Open House. Live Music courtesy of Tommy Edwards and friends. Over the next days huge crowds came, excited about the opening, from all over the Triangle. Fantastic. And, who knew such crowds would come. Who knew the whole Triangle was interested. The Pittsboro Roadhouse would have needed a whole catering company to serve the up-swell of guests. What a start!

For Greg Lewis and his wife Maria Parker Lewis, reopening a restaurant in the General Store Cafe space was not about opening a restaurant.

Greg owned and managed a very successful prominent catering company in Cary, NC. He didn't need a restaurant. It wasn't part of the plan. But they did need to know that the cornerstone restaurant in downtown Pittsboro; the cornerstone community space would not disappear. After much discussion, soul searching, excitement and inspiration, they stepped up. It was a considerable risk and challenge and their whole team gave it their all and continue to.

Flash forward from August 2012 to June 2014, just a few months shy of their 2nd anniversary.

Opening a restaurant is one thing. Opening one with all the expectations and hopes that go-along with a community centered restaurant is yet another. Would the new owners and the new team at 39 West Street carry forth the mandate of a community-centered restaurant? Would they live up to the promise?

The Promise of a Community-Centered Restaurant

Be a meeting space for community events.
Support local artists and musicians with opportunities to perform and display their work.
Hold community events.
Host fundraisers for local do-good organizations.
Support the downtown Pittsboro merchants in many ways including attracting visitors to Pittsboro.
Work with stakeholders in the town and the county to strengthen both.
Be a place where friends and families can gather and have a great time.
Hold dances.
Have bands that get people dancing.
Do fun and cool things.

In addition to these promises, Greg Lewis and Maria Parker Lewis have stepped up to join town businesses in continuing efforts to improve the downtown for out-of-town visitors, coordinating meetings with town leaders, and local businesses. Greg Lewis is co-chair of the Pittsboro Business Association along with Kitty Mecham of Liquidamber Art Gallery, Gift Shop and Jewelry Store.

And on top of all of that, starting sometime in June 2014, the Lewis family begins preparing lunches and coordinating delivery to Chatham County elders on Sunday mornings with community volunteers, in coordination with the Chatham Council on Aging.

---

Post by Anora McGaha. This blog, Round About Apex was started April 28, 2008, to record photos, sights and events in central North Carolina in a spontaneous and impromptu way. Since July 2012, Anora McGaha has been the social media and online publicity manager for the Pittsboro Roadhouse on a very part-time contract. However since Anora fell in love with Pittsboro sometime around 2004, she gives a lot of time and attention to the town, and local businesses there. This is not a paid post. This is Anora McGaha, doing what Anora does. And, a follow up on previous posts.

See The General Store Cafe on this blog.

Heirloom Tomato Dinner on August 20, 2013 at 6:30 in the Triangle, North Carolina

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 16:14:00 +0000

Calling all Heirloom Tomato lovers in Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Fearrington Village, Durham and Chapel Hill.

If you've lamented the decline of the tomato ever since it was bred for travel not for taste, then you won't want to meet this occasion where all four courses are made with Heirloom Tomatoes, and, yes, even the dessert.

It's a $25 prix fixe dinner starting at 6:30 on August 20, 2013 at the Pittsboro Roadhouse & General Store in Pittsboro. It even includes a beverage.

Listen to the Roadhouse owner, Chef Greg Lewis, Chef David Carlin of the Pittsboro Roadhouse and Deep Chatham Gardens' Billy Mason talk about the event. That's Greg Lewis on the left, Chef David Carlin in the center, and Billy Mason on the right.

NC Heirloom Tomato Grower, Gentleman Farmer, Billy Mason

The tomato season alas is all too short. The period for having fresh Heirloom tomatoes with their bright juicy flavor is the summer, and then we have to wait another nine or ten months for next years crop.

Greenhouse raised tomatoes look bright red, but few of them taste that exciting taste that comes from real, old fashioned tomatoes.

If you don't know the difference, come find out. Those who do know the difference, won't want to miss this Heirloom Tomato Jubilee Dinner.

August 20, 2013
6:30 p.m.
RSVP requested 919-542-2432
(but not necessary)

www.pittsbororoadhouse.com

Heirloom Tomato Dinner on August 20, 2013 at 6:30 in the Triangle, North Carolina

This post was written and posted by Anora McGaha for the Pittsboro Roadhouse as part of their online publicity. Anora McGaha has tasted the Deep Chatham Gardens' tomatoes and one of the dishes that will be served, and personally knows the value of Heirloom Tomatoes for those who love old world flavor.

Social Media Management Training Starting in Pittsboro NC in March 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:37:00 +0000

After launching their first 42 hour training program in social media management, the Social Media Management Certificate Program which launched at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro, Anora McGaha and Martin Brossman of Martin Brossman & Associates are preparing for two additional courses. Later in March 2013, Anora McGaha will be leading the 2nd course for Martin Brossman & Associates, in downtown Pittsboro at a local business. Email info@getanora.com to get on the waiting list. Come June 2013, Martin Brossman and Anora McGaha will again co-teach the training in Raleigh, this time, most likely as a 10 week, 40 hour course. The training is a rigorous program whose goal is to give participants a strong structure to tackle prospecting for social media clients, proposing different stages of services, developing an initial strategy and a number of other steps towards preparing a detailed plan and being able to setup and manage an ongoing social media program with goals, measurements and creativity. Participants have the opportunity to earn a certificate from Martin Brossman & Associates if they complete all the work, apply what they learn in their social media project, and demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of social media management such that the instructors feel confident in recommending them to a small business client. "We focus on social media management for small businesses (non-profits, organizations, events) instead of large businesses, since the bigger a business is the more specialized their Internet marketing becomes," said Anora McGaha. "The depth of specialization requires years more training and experience to qualify for. Small businesses with smaller budgets are a great place for newer social media managers to build their experience and find their niche."

Need Help with Social Media for Your Business? Training Course Starts March 6, 2013 in Raleigh

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 21:32:00 +0000

If you've been among those who just haven't been sure that Social Media is going to be around long enough to be worth the investment of time and distraction to learn how to use it for your business, you may now be among the last to step up to the plate, but you're not alone. You're in good company. There are many who have been holding out until the end before relenting to the mass hysteria that's surrounded Facebook, and Twitter, and YouTube, and LinkedIn and Instagram and MySpace and.... do you want me to stop?

You've felt you didn't have time. And you were right, to a point. Until you hear how Martin Brossman talks about time.

Are you starting to think differently?

Until now, you've ignored all the other invitations to learn, but now you see that people are gaining traction, building allies and collaborations, even increasing their sales and getting new business ideas as a result of the interaction online (and in person, of course, that value never goes away).

Now you're ready.

Where do you start?

If you have the stamina for weeding through hundreds of thousands of blog posts and video clips on YouTube, then just start with your questions. Where to start with Social Media? How do I use Facebook for Business? Which social media sites can I ignore for now? What do I need to use for my florist business? Or quilting business? Or fitness instructors? Or home cake baking business? Or home decorating business? Or .... You can search on Google.com or YouTube.com and see what comes up.

Or, if it's overwhelming, which it totally can be - and has been many times, even for someone like me who has spent the better part of the last five years of my life doing research and writing on the Internet, you might find yourself happiest either in a one on one coaching relationship, or in a course.

Right now, on March 2, 2013, you have an opportunity to jump for - for a most amazing low price - you can take a 6 class training with one of the best known small and micro business trainers in North Carolina, the inimitable Martin Brossman, at the North Campus of Wake County's Wake Tech Community College. It starts March 6th and runs for 6 evenings, once a week.

Martin Brossman has been teaching across North Carolina for going on 7 years now, working with people of all backgrounds and experience levels, learning how to most effectively inspire hundreds of people in acquiring this new knowledge, skillset and experience to strengthen their businesses and ability to earn a living.

This training will be the course you need to get up and running. And, if you like it and decide you want to go farther with social media management, it's the course you'll need to be read for the Social Media Management Certificate Program that Martin Brossman and Anora McGaha teach, and will be teaching this summer in Raleigh, NC.

So here's what you need to know:

Google+ Invitation

Wake Tech starting March 6th for 6 weeks – 3 hr a class . A total of 18 hours of training for only $145.00 - 1st 10 people get a printed version of the 40+ page book (others get ebook).

When: Wednesday Mar. 6,13,20,27th – 06:30PM-09:30PM (in Bldg E / room 480) and Apr. 3,10th – 6:30PM-09:30PM (in Bldg D / room 255)

It’s all about relationships! On the ground and on the web. This is a long-standing mantra in the business community. We know that building strong and loyal relationships help a business to get started and to grow. This is where social media can help in ways that we may never have dreamed were possible. And the good news is that it doesn’t take massive sums of marketing dollars to make it effective. The effective use of social media is a perfect fit for small business owners and entrepreneurs who usually have little discretionary cash for promoting their businesses in the early days. This course will provide participants with basic knowledge about a variety of social media tools and how to use them most effectively:

Free local directories like Yelp, Google Local, Trip Advisor and location sharing sites like Foursquare;
social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Google+; and mobile marketing.

Class time will include computer basics and how to set up accounts for these online tools.
It will also include on the ground (in person) referral marketing techniques that drive real revenue to your business.

Based on real world success from over 7 years of work. Small business owners and entrepreneurs usually have little discretionary cash for promoting their businesses. – but social media can help! This course will provide participants with basic knowledge about social media tools and how to use them most effectively.

What Others Say…

“I have attended Martin’s training a number of times now. Each time I come away with an enormous amount of usable information and advice. He is wealth of knowledge and a down to earth communicator whose enthusiasm is contagious. I highly recommend attending any of his classes”.

This class is designed to be a multi-day class or a full day highly intensive class.

Where: North Campus - 6600 Louisburg Rd, Raleigh NC, 27609 starting in room 480 in Building E

How to register.

Go here and you to read the write-up:
http://entrepreneurship.waketech.edu/using-social-media-to-supercharge-your-business

Watch this video to see how to register:
http://youtu.be/2m7fjNGzj_Y -
Registration number 99841

Or, just click here to Register for the class directly from here:
Use the Registration number 99841.
http://www.waketech.edu/programs-courses/non-credit/register-online?search=Using_Social_Media_to_Supercharge_Your_Business

Call me with questions 919 847-4757.

Prepare Yourself with Social Media Training in North Carolina

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 20:05:00 +0000

Martin Brossman & Associates is offering its very first comprehensive social media management training program, at bargain basement rates, through the Continuing Education program of Central Carolina Community College.

For under $300, you will get 14 classes, 3 hours each, taking you from start to advanced social media concepts and practice from January through April, on Monday nights 6 - 9 pm.

Anora McGaha has been managing social media and Internet marketing for local micro and small businesses in the Triangle area of North Carolina (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) since 2008. And Martin Brossman has been using social media and training people on social media for business success since 2006. He has taught throughout the state of North Carolina, and is know for his dynamic teaching style.

Together, Anora McGaha and Martin Brossman have developed this 4 part Social Media Management training program, as well as an online program on the advanced aspects of being a Social Media Manager.

Registration opens on December 5, 2012

(919) 545-8044

Set your phone or online calendar to call on the 5th, because there is limited seating for this thorough how-to course in how to market your business, non-profit or cause online.

Who should take this class?

Students who want to be more competitive in the job market.
Marketing students who want to get practical know-how on how to manage a social media plan for a customer.
Marketing professionals who haven't yet crossed over, or who want to get a refresher.
Micro business owners and solo-professionals who need to get better at marketing online.
Creative professionals - artists, musicians, writers, potters...
Anyone who really wants to learn who to grow a micro or small business online

What will you learn?

How to set up and manage ongoing content creation and interaction online
How to integrate your online marketing with your traditional marketing
How to manage your time
How to develop a work-flow
How to find and generate relevant and interesting content
How to handle digital photographs and basic enhancements
How to add text to images and when to use them
What each different social media platform is good for
How to decide what to put your attention to
How to measure your results
How to monitor your online reputation
How to use a smart phone to keep up with your online content
What mistakes not to make
Basic strategies to prevent common mistakes
How to define, plan, develop and run a social media program (content) for a business

What qualifications are needed?

You will need easy access to a computer and the Internet for your weekly assignments (5 hours minimum a week)
You'll want to know how to open a browser (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and search Google
Ideally you're comfortable with email and have at least one social media account, like Facebook
You're motivated to learn. We have a lot to pass on to you to ensure that you can use this information to significantly benefit your livelihood.
You're willing to do a project based on creating and managing online content, and present your project to the class in April.
You understand English well-enough to follow the class lectures and discussion on Internet and Business related concepts

Registration opens on December 5, 2012

(919) 545-8044

Tell us more about the Social Media Management Training Program

Simply put, Anora and Martin will distill everything they've learned over a combined 10 years of experience so you can have a running head start.

Part 1 is 3 classes that fall under Beginning Social Media for Business which includes core marketing concepts for business.
Part 2 is 3 classes under Intermediate Social Media for Business.
Part 3 is 3 classes under Advanced Social Media for Business.
Part 4 is 5 classes under Being a Social Media Manager.

Why did you put beginning and advanced classes all in one course?

We decided to include the full program from the beginning, because that was the only way we could assure the students that they would be prepared for the Advanced Social Media and the Being a Social Media Manager part. It all builds on what comes before. When you're developing a strategy and then a plan for a business, you need to know all kinds of things, including, what user names to use for social media accounts, and what the repercussions are of different choices.

What if I'm not a beginner? What if I have been using Social Media for business for a while already?

Some of what you hear will be repetition and it will reinforce what you already now
Some will be new, because there is just so much to know, and so many changes
You will be able to help others in the class of may not be as comfortable with the material
You will be able to design a project that advances your knowledge and reflects your experience
You may be able to contribute your insight and experience, helping all of us
You can use the class time to write down questions you have on other topics, or brainstorm about future social media activities

Central Carolina Community College has another Social Media Certificate Program. What's the difference?

Central Carolina Community College is offering 2 different Social Media Certificate Programs

The Social Media Management Certificate Program taught by Anora McGaha and Martin Brossman in 14 classroom sessions in the spring semester through Continuing Education at the Pittsboro campus.
The Social Media Marketing Certificate Program, an online program with five courses over two semesters (spring and fall) as a Curriculum based offering.

How important are Social Media Certificate Programs? What kind of weight do they hold? Are they recognized anywhere?

First, certification is different than a certificate program. Certification is managed by and recognized by a professional body or association, like Project Management Certification. Social media does not have a professional body managing the profession. These are not "certification" programs.
Certificates are given for completion in a course of study, as documentation of study.
How much weight do certificates hold? Really, the weight comes from the confidence, knowledge and experience you bring to the table. It's what you have embodied that will determine the value of your studies.

Registration opens on December 5, 2012

(919) 545-8044

Why are you teaching Social Media Management?

Martin Brossman has a mission to help North Carolina's economy from the ground up, from you and me, by helping us gain the skills to be more successful in all aspects of our lives, including work.
Anora McGaha has a mission to help the people she works with to be more productive and efficient. Communications is her specialty, especially writing.
There has been a huge shift in our world between the development of the Internet, and the proliferation of mobile phones. We now have a "2nd Life" through the Internet, and all aspects of life are getting represented online. It's a new language, includes many new subcultures, and has greatly altered the way businesses communicate - towards more disclosure, more interaction, more feedback. It's critical that everyone get on board, just as critical as it's been to make sure everyone learns how to read and do math.

Is your class hands-on?

The Social Media Management training program at Central Carolina Community College's Continuing Education will be hands-on in the sense that you will have to practice and develop a social media strategy, plan and program for homework. But we will not have you doing the online work in class. There is a lot we need to convey in this training program, and we felt the most effective way was to have lecture and dialogue in class, and have you do the hands on part on your own.

Will we have Internet Access in class?

We are hoping that we as instructors will have good Internet connection during class so we can demonstrate things live for you. We are asking that students not access the Internet during class in order to ensure that everyone stays on the same page.

What's better: In person classes, in person computer labs, online classes with live webinars or online classes with no live webinars?

Honestly, it's about what works for each individual person.
For some of us, if the teachers are dynamic and passionate, there's nothing like a live class.
For others, if they don't have their fingers on a keyboard and eyes in front of a monitor, trying everything out, they get bored.
And for yet others, they prefer being in the quiet of their own home setting, watching a live webinar with a headset on, for the best audio setting and excellent visuals on the computer monitor in front.
Yet others will prefer not having anything live. They can forward or replay the videos if there are videos, and otherwise, just read everything they need to know.
We're very excited about holding in-person classes because we're passionate about this subject, and passionate about empowering students in the area of their own interests, to be able to follow their dreams and goals. We like to make sure we answer questions, keep it relevant to all our students, and provide a life-changing positive experience.

Registration opens on December 5, 2012

(919) 545-8044

Day Trips in the Triangle Area of North Carolina: Pittsboro

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:28:00 +0000

For a great day trip in the Triangle, plan a trip to downtown Pittsboro, North Carolina.

Whether you're from out of town, out of state, or another country, you'll want to catch one of the quaint and thriving little towns less than an hour from most places in the Triangle. You'll find some of the old, some of the new, some of the classic, and some of the contemporary. Plenty of spots to shop in, plenty of spots to rest and wet your whistle. Just a lovely place to spend half a day or the whole of a day.

From Raleigh Durham Airport 45 minutes drive
From RTP 35 minutes drive
From Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, 30 minutes drive
From Carrboro, 25 minutes drive
From Duke University East Campus Durham, 45 minutes drive
From SAS Institute, 45 minutes drive
From Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, 45 minutes drive
From Fearrington Village, 17 minutes drive

From 15 / 501 South:

Historic home with wrap around porch and magnificent oaks

Stop at the Chatham Marketplace to see a local cooperative grocery store, and pick up a glass of sweet tea or cup of coffee. Walk over to the Oak Leaf Restaurant and take a look at the menu.

Continue down Hillsborough Street south and notice the variety of homes on the left and the right, especially as you get towards downtown. You'll see the French Connection on the left with a zoo-ful of painted animals.

The French Connection

Downtown Pittsboro is full of unique and delightful stores, from antiques, to little spots for coffee, to fine arts and crafts. You'll want to walk up and down both sides of the two block area in downtown Pittsboro.

You can park on either side of Hillsborough Street, or on one of the cross streets for free, there are no meters.

The new Pittsboro Roadhouse & General Store

Or you could drive to the courthouse circle, turn right and park in the Pittsboro Roadhouse parking lot, and from there explore downtown Pittsboro, and finish up by having your lunch or dinner at the newly opened Pittsboro Roadhouse & General Store.

The freshly renovated restaurant space at 39 West Street.
Previously the General Store Cafe, now
The Pittsboro Roadhouse. Parking in front, on the street,
and in lot across the street.

While there, pick up a souvenir in their gift store. Some of their custom blend coffee. Suki's Herbal Teas. A piece of North Carolina pottery.

There's a brand new used bookstore in town. The eclectic coffee shop Davenport & Winkleperry's which is an usual and spacious spot to rest and get something to drink as you explore downtown. Liquid Amber has exquisite art and gifts and is worth a visit. We've yet to catch the bakery when it's open as it closes in the afternoon, so if you're there when it's open drop in.

The thrift store, Second Bloom, is beautifully managed with quality items at unbelievable prices, all going to a good cause. New Horizons Trading Company has great gifts, and very trendy clothes and shoes. There's a neat toy store, Pittsboro Toys.

The Joyful Jewel is an arts and fine crafts gallery with a rich variety from all local artists. Another beautiful store that is a joy to walk through. In the afternoon, sunlight pours through the front windows of the store, shining the inside with the colored stained glass pieces and sun catchers. Shop local and support local artists and crafts people.

We'll add more pictures and stores over time.

Be sure to check store hours, as several of the stores are open unusual hours. Bizu the jewelry store is open by appointment only. The bakery is open in the mornings. Beggars and Choosers, the antique store at the corner of Hillsborough and Hwy 64 is only open Fridays and Saturdays, and Sunday afternoon on First Sunday only.

And always take note of First Sunday in Pittsboro. That's the day merchants are open on Sunday afternoons and vendors have crafts for sale on the streets. It's always fun and a great time to meet the merchants and learn about what's happening.

Come spend a day in downtown Pittsboro.

Whether you cross over the Haw River, or Jordan Lake, coming to Pittsboro is a day in a small town in the country side, at the crossroads of 64 and 15 /501.

Resources:

Visit Pittsboro - Pittsboro Siler City Convention and Visitors Bureau

Shop Pittsboro and their Town Map (Not all businesses are listed)

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day trips near Apex, day trips near Cary, day trips near Raleigh, day trips near Morrisville, day trips for antiques, day trips near RTP, day trips near RDU, places to visit in the Triangle, destinations in central North Carolina, original art and crafts in North Carolina, best shopping for local art,

Art Show Artist Reception June 29, 2012 at Page-Walker, Cary NC

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:22:00 +0000

Beginning June 29 and ending August 27, 2012, the Page-Walker Arts and History Center at 119 Ambassador Loop in Cary will feature a unique art quilt exhibit titled Narrative Threads.

Sponsored by the Professional Art Quilters Alliance-South (PAQA-S) and Sharon Elizabeth Wood, the quilts are mixed media creations, combining the art quilting expertise of Alliance members with words from NC writers.

The idea behind the exhibit evolved from an inspiration shared by Sharon Elizabeth Wood, a creative writing coach and consultant, Jana Lankford, President of PAQA-S, and Antoinette Brown, an Association member.

Mrs. Brown recruited member-quilters who were then matched with writers recruited by Mrs. Wood to establish at least 15 collaborative pairs. Each quilt being exhibited represents an artistic expression unique to the pair who created it.

To launch the show, the public is invited to an Artist Reception on the evening of June 29 at Page-Walker from 6-9 pm. Refreshments will be served, and collaborating writers and quilters will be present to meet the public and discuss the quilts.

The quilts will be available for sale at the end of the exhibit.

For information on the collaborative process or related quilting or writing classes, please contact the organizers. For information on PAQA-S, please visit their website at www.artquiltersouth.org.

For media inquiries please contact: Sharon Elizabeth Wood at sewood@earthlink.net; or Antoinette Brown at

Abbrown47@gmail.com.

Change at the General Store Cafe in Pittsboro, NC

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:18:00 +0000

Change isn't comfortable.

But these times are not ordinary; and uncomfortable doesn't begin to describe it.

Definitely not since 2008.

Change has come in millions of jobs lost, category 5 storms, droughts and bankruptcies.

Rough times. Hard times. Bad times.

2008 is the year we awoke to knowing things had changed, late in 2008, September 2008, when we knew there was real trouble. Sh** out of luck, trouble. He** in a handbasket trouble. Could never have imagined it would get this bad - kind of trouble.

The Black Bird Bar - The expanded area

and performance center of the Pittsboro

General Store Cafe

2008.

But Vance and Joyce Remick, the operating managers of the General Store Cafe (GSC) in Pittsboro (since 2002), had begun growing the GSC in 2006. They'd had the vision and the track record of growth to make a reasonable decision. The courage to act on it in 2007 and to complete the expanded space in 2008. The Blackbird Bar, included a giant back area for a stage, bar, sitting area, dining and dancing.

Who knew that our American world was about to dive into the worst times since The Great Depression of the 1930s?

Only the lucky can foresee changes for the good and the worse in our local economy, much less the greater world economy. The rest of us, just ride as we ride, with what comes before us, guessing, risking, trying, and handling what we can handle, as we can, with whatever information we gather, whatever insight and instinct we trust.

The business world is harsh on any who don't land in Lady Luck's lap for a smooth ride, as if brilliant business acumen were responsible for every success. Lady Luck seems to pick favorites, but not really. She's fickle. Her favor is random. And you'll lose her attention just as quickly as you found it. And when you're not in favor, only then will you start to understand that it's not your fault for the bad times (and you weren't the God of the good times).

Not everyone can be perfect all the time. None of us, no organization, no community, no person has a perfect record. (Some are real good at PR though, so you might never know all the imperfections that hide behind the public message.)

The General Store Cafe's rough ride, these last couple of years, has come to an end, for now, for the owners of the past decade. We hope this time will bring peace and a chance to regroup to the wonderful, community-minded people who led the cafe and who worked there.

Some of us imagined we might have done better, but none of us can walk in another's shoes. So let's let what's been, be, and shift our attention. Let's take the higher path. See the view from the mountains, from the sky, like the view of Erick Davis' vast vista mural backdrop for the performance center in the GSC.

As an artist and writer, witness on the sidelines, I can ignore the business scorecard that focuses only on the win or the loss, looking at the black and white story of the numbers. I can ignore the times when I too was critical, which we all can be, especially with all the online places to register our opinions and experiences. The good fight has been fought and lost. Now it's time for reconciliation.

We, the creative and resourceful community in Pittsboro, Chatham County, in the Triangle, RDU and all of central North Carolina can now step back and shift our view.

Let's refocus on what's important here, on what matters in the long term. Let's remember the vision and courage of the Remicks, and their investment partners. Let's point out the amazing events and memories that arose in the expanded space; acknowledge what a vital community center the General Store Cafe became, and, can still be.

Notice of the January
26, 2012 Closing

Just over 3 months ago at this writing, the General Store Cafe closed, January 26, 2012. The News & Observer took pictures. A sign went up on the glass windows of what started as the Justice Motor Co.

Just as Vance hoped would happen, new investors did step up. The Lewis', regulars at the General Store Cafe, are very familiar with its legacy as a well-loved community hub for music, art, fellowship, fundraising and food. They are stepping out in faith, just like those who came before them in this healthy food and store vision that turned into the GSC as we've come to know it.

The work has begun to prepare the restaurant, for its new incarnation.

It will be different.

And different can be hard, at first.

But it's their investment. Their risk. Their responsibility now.

They'll be the new shepherds. Still in difficult times. Still needing to find the right balance, the right business model, to inspire us to spend our smaller stash of disposable income in the new General Store Cafe when it reopens this summer.

And for us, uncomfortable that an era has ended, uncertain of how we'll feel about a new look, new owners, and who knows what other changes, we have to make some room, allow for differences, and trust, that they will be finding a way to make us happy, so we will return and be part of the renaissance of our General Store Cafe.

Can we do that? Can we be grateful that the General Store Cafe will return, changed, but ready to excite us and give us good food, entertain us and keep visitors coming into Pittsboro's center. Can we honor our sense of loss with stories and photos celebrating all that has been good, so very good?

Let's raise a glass, and offer tremendous appreciation to the past shepherds of the the community space that is the General Store Cafe, privately owned, privately run, but a vital center of all that is good and joyful in the downtown center of Pittsboro.

Here's to...

Elizabeth Anderson and Mimi Pearson

Richard and Becket McGough

Vance and Joyce Remick, and their investment partners

Thank you each for shepherding the space and place that we now know as the General Store Cafe. Thank you for carrying it forth through to the new millenium, through the Great Recession of 2008 - 2011 (if it has indeed ended)!

And, let us raise a glass to the new owners, that they find a working business model that allows the General Store Cafe to thrive again. Welcoming musicians, artists and local farmers to share their wares. Welcoming the whole community to enjoy comfort, company and collaboration in the food, drink, arts and music that will again grace the GSC space and the center of Pittsboro, North Carolina.

Here's to the General Store Cafe! We've missed you and can't wait till you're open again.

---

Written by Anora McGaha upon learning that the General Store Cafe would re-open again under new management: to summarize the history; acknowledge the sense of loss and discomfort that comes with change; and to honor those who came before, held the flame and now have passed it on.

Anora is a frequent visitor to the General Store Cafe. Wrote a blog post about it early that fateful September 2008. Helped Terry Dorsey with one of the Guardians of Angels fundraisers in September 2011 for a new animal adoption center. She is a friend of Mariah Wheeler and The Joyful Jewel, of Cathy Edwards, a member of the band Trilogy that performs at the GSC, and is also a friend of one of the GSC new owners, Greg Lewis, a past client of hers. This story was independently conceived of and written by Anora, to offer another view during the transition; knowing of the loss from the owners' perspective and the artists' perspective, of the vision and hope the new owners hold, and of the anticipation for a re-opening from a patron's perspective.

Click here to see the history summary and links related to the General Store Cafe.

---

Art and Music in Downtown Pittsboro

Until the GSC again re-opens as the hub for music and one of a half dozen places to find creative and cool art in downtown Pittsboro, be sure to stay connected with the rich variety of events led by stores and community organizations.

Find music events and art at The Joyful Jewel, and Liquid Amber Gallery and Gifts. Enjoy food and gifts for sale the First Sunday of most months and at the Chatham Marketplace. See the "Shop Pittsboro" events listing. Check out also the health and well-being related events at The Pittsboro Center for Natural Medicine, and The Joy of Movement Center. And add your comments if you know of other event listings and sites in the town.

[Updated 5/3/2012]

History of the General Store Cafe in Pittsboro, NC

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:38:00 +0000

Here's quick history of the General Store Cafe in Pittsboro, NC, drawn from various blog posts, and online websites. (No original research done, just drawing from what others have shared.)

"Originally owned by two prominent women in the Pittsboro/Chatham community, Elizabeth Anderson and Mimi Pearson, the store opened as a natural foods grocery on May 12, 1979, in the Hall-London House on the corner of Thompson and Hillsborough, a few blocks north of its present location. A year and a half later it relocated to a space in the Blair Hotel Building on the traffic circle, where it resided until 1994, and for several years operated as a combination natural foods store and consignment shop." (From North Carolina Ramble.)

"In 1994 Mimi, now the sole owner, moved the store to its present location, previously a Chevrolet dealership. Within its high ceilings and massive glass facades, she created an expansive but inviting atmosphere; and by adding a kitchen and dining room for the cafe she prepared the store to serve lunch for the first time. In 1999, Mimi retired and sold the store to Richard and Becket McGough. Richard and Becket slowly phased out the natural foods grocery element of the store, focusing on the café. In April of 2002, they sold the café." (GSC MySpace)

The cafe was sold to a group of owners. "Two of the owners, Vance and Joyce Remick, managed and kept the café alive as a community center by supporting local artists, musicians, and non profits. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night home town musicians took the stage, often to a standing room only crowd. The café's Burrito Bash, was held the first Monday of each month to help raise money for different local non profit organizations. " (GSC MySpace) [Edits reflect change to past tense.]

Photo of the former glass mural on the eastern side of
the General Store Cafe painted by Eric Davis.

For years the side of the GSC that faced the courthouse, was brightened by a folksy glass mural which effectively kept the burning eastern sun off the tables and guests within, and celebrated some of the area's creative spirits.

Painted by muralist Erick Davis, who also painted in the scenic panorama in the back of the GSC, this side glass mural pictured the the view from 15/501 South facing the Courthouse, with shops on the left, where the Joyful Jewel now joins a delightful assortment of stores, and the shops on the right, and across from that the corner where the General Store Cafe is. Overlooking the courthouse and the whole scene is Pam, Clyde and Michael, and two musicians with a sax and bass in the upper right. A description of the three larger than life white portraits follows:

"Pam Smith, owner of Beggers & Choosers, a Pittsboro Vintage Boutique - one of the Triangle's greatest storehouses of acquired merchandise. In this very structure Pam has, for 27 years, amassed and peddled the rare treasures of others.

"Nationally recognized artist Clyde Jones of Bynum. Clyde is well known as the creator of whimsical "critters" that he fashions with his chainsaw and decorates with found objects. . "Clyde Critters" have been exhibited in many important galleries including the Washington DC Smithsonian Institution and the North Carolina Museum of Art. His critters are often sold or raffled off to raise money for charity, but otherwise, he prefers to give his creatures away. His "Haw Creek Critters" have been exhibited all over the world, from the Great Wall of China to the Smithsonian Institute to area barbecue restaurants. The General Store Cafe has not only Critters but also 2 chairs he has painted butterflies on for us that are displayed in our deli area.

"Michael McCormick, aka White Buffalo Spirit. Michael, a Pittsboro resident, has given generously of his time, artistic talents, love of learning and history, and compassionate outlook on life to improve the cultural, educational, religious, and general quality of life in our community for many years. Numerous local organizations have benefited from Michael's enthusiasm and love of volunteer service." (GSC Website Gallery.)

The landlord took the glass mural down on April 23, leaving a number of people disheartened with the loss of a cultural feature of the town.

I am reminded of the spiritual practice of Tibetan monks who spend days intricately designing mandalas in sand, exquisite creations representing hundreds of hours of delicate mindful work, only to whisk it away in seconds, as a practice of realizing impermanence, a feature of reality that is secondary only to interdependence, in Buddhist teachings.

Erick's mural of the Chatham county country side on the back side of the Black Bird Bar will remain a highlight of the new General Store Cafe. If you haven't seen it up close, when the Cafe opens again, take a look up close and see what you notice that you hadn't seen before.

Links to stories about the General Store Cafe in Pittsboro:

Hopeful for New Investors for the General Store Cafe by Laura Oleniacz

Highlights Chatham Chatlist

April 2007 Interview with Vance Remick by Gene Galin (Video)

Rooting for the anchor by Luan Harmeson 2/1/2012

General Store Cafe to Close its Doors Today 1/26/2012 by Jay Walden

General Store Cafe Closes 1/26/2012 (Photos)

Artsy Pittsboro Cafe Closes 1/27/2012 by Anne Blythe

Memories of the General Store Cafe 1/26/2012 by Vespertine

My Pittsboro General Store Cafe Passages 1/30/2012 by Doug Lorie

The Pittsboro General Store Cafe could be a landmark... 10/2011 by Lynn Hayes

Spotlight: Pittsboro 9/6/2010

Pittsboro's General Store Cafe 9/2008 by Anora McGaha

100 Year Old Holly Tree Cut Down in Pittsboro 9/2008

General Store Cafe images on Google

GSC on MySpace

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The General Store Cafe will be re-opening the summer of 2012 under the same name.

---

Examples of Past Fundraisers
(from The General Store Cafe website)

Saturday February 26 8-1 am		Skatepark Fundraiser! $10 Cover

Tuesday March 1 6-9 pm		Chatham Habitat for Humanity and Family Violence & Rape Crisis Services


Tuesday May 3 6-9 pm		CARE's 8th Annual Burrito Bash

Tuesday June 7 6-9 pm		Burrito Bash for the Sewage Sludge Action Network (SSAN)

Tuesday September 13 6-9 pm		Burrito Bash for Haw River & Clean Jordan Lake

Saturday September 24 7-10:30 pm		Fundraiser for Guardians of Angels

Tuesday October 11 6-9 pm		Burrito Bash for Dogs Off Chains & Triangle Wildlife

November 1 6-9 pm		Burrito Bash for Paperhand Puppets $12 in Advance, $15 at Door
--- [Updated 5/3/2012]

My Favorite Gift Shop in Raleigh: Affordable Chic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:54:00 +0000

My favorite gift shop in Raleigh, "My Raleigh Boutique" as their web address says, is Affordable Chic. I was introduced to it through my business partner and colleague, Martin Brossman, and was amazed at the "Aladdin's Cave full of treasures" feel of the store.

Behind a rather plain exterior, with fading gray signs, lies a shiny, ever changing, delight filled gift and furniture store. It looked like it might be one store width, but in fact, it's two stores wide, with a wonderfully large delivery drive through on the side.

What delighted me? The savvy and supportive staff, Sallie, Dianne and Leah. The rich colors. The choice of vintage, antique and new. Jewelry, paintings, furniture, chandeliers, lamps, books, baby booties, umbrellas, cards, teas and chocolates, monogramming gifts, free gift wraps... It combines the best of a Hallmark gift store, an antique store, a used furniture store, a jewelry shop, a women's boutique, a little of the TJ Maxx/Home Goods, and the cool boutiques in Cameron Village. (Affordable Chic would fit in great at Cameron Village, though that would challenge the "affordable" part of "Affordable Chic's" reputation.)

With a half dozen vendors continually delivering new treasures and exchanging out the old, as well as Affordable Chic's own special items for sale, the store changes weekly.

I found out they have events, like their spring customer yard sale in April, and a half dozen other events throughout the year. Affordable Chic makes one want to have a monthly home decorating and self-reward budget - oh but wait, isn't that what we all have? (I vaguely remember I used to have one when I was a corporate employee, 6 years ago now!)

I was excited to be chosen to create a new website for Affordable Chic, and wish I could spend ten to twenty hours a month updating the photos and content. Helas, as the French say, the content is indicative only, as there are 100 times more gifts and home furnishings and furniture in the store than you'll see on the site. But it should give you a good taste.

Affordable Chic was just such an unexpected find, hidden as it is, in a suburban part of Raleigh, in aptly named Hidden Valley Plaza (even though it's hardly a valley, more like a hillside). The rich variety of gifts and home decor and furnishings was exciting and made it hard to keep my wallet in the pocket so to speak.

Shop local. Shop friendly. Shop knowledgeable. Shop fun. Shop where you have the best selection.

Vietnam Veterans Raleigh at the Charlotte Motor Speedway

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:22:00 +0000

A day long Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration was held in Charlotte at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday March 31st. The LA Times reported 62,500 attendees, including 2000 motorcyclists.

Apex resident, author and supporter of many, Nancy Stolfo-Corti, an employee of Sunstone Medical in Raleigh, wanted to share Sunstone Medical's wheel chairs for veterans to use during the day. When she called the organizers to offer to bring dozens of wheel chairs down, they said they'd just been wondering how to handle that. A prayer answered. (And if you know Nancy Stolfo-Corti, as many in the Triangle area of North Carolina do, you'd know she does that quite a lot.)

Nancy Stolfo-Corti had worn a wrist band over 40 years ago for a POW/MIA in Vietnam. She was very moved to be there for this long overdue welcome home for the Vietnam Veterans. She created this commemorative video on Animoto with some of the photos she took at the Homecoming Celebration.

Here are a few of the pictures she took.

The great day had a a tragic ending. Many of the visitors had left already, and traffic was backed up getting out of the speedway area. Several motorcyclists were riding on a steep part of the speedway. Nancy said she looked over there worried, and the next thing she knew, one motorcyclist fell and hit another motorcycle, and there was an explosion. She didn't have a radio to call for help and ran to another truck ahead of hers and asked them to call for emergency help. The link leads to the news story about the death of two of the veterans. A sad end to an important day.

See the Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration photos in the Gallery at the Charlotte Motor Speedway website.

Wake County Growing, Growing, Growing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:04:00 +0000

People have been migrating to central North Carolina in droves. Early magazine reports citing Cary NC as one of the best cities in America to live put Cary NC on the map and made it a destination for many, from all across the US.

Graph and data compiled by Anora McGaha from the sources listed, and added below for live links.

Live links to data sources:

1960 - 1990 data from Census.gov

*Derived from actual data for 1960 - 1990, and 2010.

** From the WakeGOV.com site Population Estimates and Projections. WakeGOV.com estimates that in 2014 Wake County population will reach 1 million, and 16 years later in 2030, almost 1.5 million.

For more information about population growth in the state, see these sites:
CLR Search: Here comparing Cary NC growth with Raleigh NC growth
The NC Office of State Management and Budget: NC growth compared to US growth
2010 Census Interactive Population Search for North Carolina

There's More to the Story of a New Area Code

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:05:00 +0000

Recently we were reminded that a new area code is being added to the Raleigh, North Carolina area this spring. WRAL reported on this: Starting in April, April 30, 2012, new phone numbers will have the "984" area code. And, starting March 31, all calls in the area will need to use the area code in front of the number, this was optional until now.

The City of Raleigh website explained: "The growing population in central North Carolina and addition of devices that require a phone number is exhausting the available numbers in the 919 area code." (See their site for an excellent outline of what this means for dialing, and information about it not changing any rates.)

We're writing about this for a different reason than practical use. We writing about this news because this little technical shift in the phone numbers and dialing in the Triangle region of North Carolina now means that some history will be encoded in the phone numbers.

When someone tells you their area code is "984", you'll know the number is new since April 30, 2012, and it's a possibility that they are new to the area.

Likewise, when you're talking with someone in the area, and they tell you their phone number, like the nurse at the doctor's office I just called, and they say the number without the 919 area code, you know this person has been in the area for a long time. People who have moved to North Carolina from more populous locations that have used a 10 digit phone number for a long time, automatically added the 919 area code when passing along their number, whereas "locals", or people from here, just say the 7 digit number.

See who shares their phone number as 7 digits, and who shares theirs as a 10 digit number as you meet people.

Which Hope Church Are You Looking For? Apex and Cary have Several

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 14:18:00 +0000

On Old Jenks Road in Cary, right beyond a new little shopping plaza with a gas station at the corner and the Wake Zone Espresso Coffee shop at the north end, there used to be one church by the name of Hope, Hope Chapel. www.hopenc.org

Hope Chapel's logo
www.hopechapelnc.org

With a spring green logo on its website and the A-Frame sidewalk sign on display on Sunday mornings, Hope Chapel has a large building set off from the street at 6175 Old Jenks Road. Sunday mornings, they have volunteers welcoming guests and answering questions at the corner, very helpful in a community which continues to have a huge influx of people: Cary's population increased 65% from 2000 to 2010, and Apex's population increased 95%.

Every year Hope Chapel hosts the huge Apex Spring Fling, a family fun event free for all that draws many thousands. In 2012 the Spring Fling will be on March 24.

Across the street from Hope Chapel, between Wake Zone Espresso and Salem Street Elementary School, there's a wonderful little walking park with two ponds, Salem Pond Park. You'll see Canadian Geese and other ducks, bluebirds, (and altogether too many red ants, so be very careful walking your pets and children there.) We take occasional walks there.

On Sunday mornings, in 2011 we began to notice another Hope church with a portable flag and welcome staff. A church unrelated to Hope Chapel, with the word "Hope" in its name, had started Sunday services in the Salem Street Middle School, just behind Salem Street Elementary School.

Hope Community Church has 3 campuses
in the greater Raleigh area, including one
currently at Salem Middle School.

Hope Community Church has several locations they call campuses: Raleigh, Holly Springs, and in October 2011, they started services at this Apex location, their West Cary Campus. Hope Community Church's logo is shown here to the right. On the flag and the A-Frame sidewalk sign that stands at the drive way to their West Cary Campus location at 6150 Old Jenks Road Apex, NC, the logo is white with a bright red background on the flag.

Hope Community Church is non-denominational and independent.

Hope Chapel is a foursquare gospel church.

So if you're headed out on Sunday morning to attend a new church with the word "Hope" in its name, and you haven't been there before, take a few extra minutes online and find out which one is the one you want to go to.

Hope Chapel has the spring green logo and is at 6175 Old Jenks Road, in an independent building set off from the road. It also has a pre-school associated with it, Hope Chapel Pre-School.

Hope Community Church has a white logo with a red background, and is at 6150 Old Jenks Road, and is held in the Salem Street Middle School, set behind the Salem Street Elementary School. See their helpful map.

Social Media Training in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:40:00 +0000

Social Media Training in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2012

Tired of lemons? We help bring color and inspiration to
your social media planning. We've seen amazing results,
find out what you need to do to help you and your business.

There are many people in central North Carolina with experience and success in using social media. The challenge is in finding the right match for you, who you feel comfortable with, trust and want to spend time learning from.

Right now Social Media Training in Raleigh is dominated by out of state or out of town firms. We'd like you to have the choice of learning from people in your home town, who can get to know your business, and help promote you as you learn from us.

Martin Brossman and Anora McGaha have a strong track record in training and coaching others, and unparalleled integrity. Ask anyone who knows us, and that's what you'll hear.

We wrote Social Media for Business in July of 2011, as a thorough overview of the Internet for social media marketing for business. Short, interesting, to the point chapters.

Now we're starting up training in Raleigh again. In class. In webinars. In tutorials or small groups. Whatever setting best suits you, we are ready to help.

Our first class is Foundations of Social Media and Grass Roots Marketing.

Monday January 23, 2011
The Center for Excellence
6 pm - 9 pm

Price: $95
Discount: Email anoramcgaha@gmail.com if you're an inside919 member for your discount.

Click this link to Eventbrite to register and pay.

What other training are you looking for?

We're getting ready to launch a number of other courses, depending on the numbers who are interested. In particular, we're very excited about offering Social Media Management training program. Please contact us to indicate your interest.

Find Martin Brossman on LinkedIn and Facebook and Twitter.
Find Anora McGaha on LinkedIn and Facebook and Twitter.

(Why on so many sites, each site has it's own culture and community. If done well, we do not post the same exact content at the same exact time on each community. Variety works. Culturally appropriate content works. Context-relevant content helps.)

Contact Martin Brossman at (919) 847-4757 and leave a message.

Contact Anora McGaha at 919-741-9449 and leave a message. We'll get back with you as soon as possible.

Martin Brossman and Associates are training local business people and professionals on Social Media in Ralaeigh. Local businesses supporting local businesses.

Change

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:19:00 +0000

Change is the order of the day, the week, the month; it's the order of our times. The only order.

New roads are in progress.
147, Technology Highway has a toll. 540 is stretching further South by the week.

Stores and restaurants are opening and closing.
At the shopping center at Apex Peakway and 55 South, one sandwich store closed down, and now a Subway has started up. At the corner of High House and Cary Parkway, we now have a Mellow Mushroom restaurant, the hip popular chain of restaurants. But every restaurant that has been in that spot for the past 8 years has not lasted long. We hope it will work for Mellow Mushroom.

And on the Internet, change is even faster. Facebook seems to be making changes weekly, and LinkedIn and Twitter seem to be changing in ways that borrow features from each other. It makes it hard to get really comfortable, when all of a sudden things have been moved around and the look has changed. Interesting yes. Comfortable no.

2VSRVXZ85FXC

Triangle Musicians Continue Songs of Peace Events

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:11:00 +0000

On Friday October 28 at the St. Francis of Assisi Church on Leesville Road in Raleigh, musician and live wire Diogenes Ruiz produced another rich musical event. This time with:

Jewel Song with Rev. Farrunnissa Rosa,
David Patrick Bryan, and
William D. Burton

Diogenes Ruiz has done several Songs of Peace events delighting guests with the warm relaxing spirit of the music.

This event was a fundraiser towards a non-profit to promote sacred music and jazz.

Saturday night, October 29, 2011, Diogenes and William D. Burton will be playing in Cary at the Business Networking Center.

Keep up with Diogenes by following him on Twitter @DiogenesRuiz.

Friday 9/23/2011 The Joyful Jewel in Pittsboro: Poetry & Creativity

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:47:00 +0000

Poetry & Creativity: An evening of poetry on Friday September 23, 2011 at 6:45. Ten poets will read a poem or a few and talk about how their creative process works, exploring the question, where do poems come from.

Come early and browse the rich variety of North Carolina arts and crafts at The Joyful Jewel. Reserve a seat, this event will be full.

The Joyful Jewel, 44-A Hillsborough Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Phone: 919 -883-2775
Parking on street. Wheel chair accessible.

Triangle Musician Created "Prayer for Peace" Video for 9/11 and Peace

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:34:00 +0000

Triangle musician, artist and creative Diogenes Ruiz, the "Music Go To Guy", created a serene photo video with his own guitar and acoustic composition dedicated to 9/11 and Peace.

Which peace image do you like most?

Share it with your friends. Comment on YouTube.

Dogs and Cats in Chatham County Have New Champion: Guardians of Angels

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:01:00 +0000

Help raise money for the new Guardians of Angels Adoption Center for cats and dogs. Come to the Saturday 9/24 event at the General Store Cafe in Pittsboro. $20 per person, or $30 a couple. Great music. Great people. Great place. Great cause.

Dogs and cats in Chatham County North Carolina have a new champion.

For all the wonderful resources created for dogs and cats to give them shelter and keep them alive, fed and warm, there are still too many dogs and cats falling through the cracks. There's only so many spaces in shelters, and only so much money budgeted.

But we can do more.

We need to do more.

And Guardians of Angels is going to do more.

Dogs and cats in Chatham County have a new champion in Guardians of Angels. Eager to add additional resources to the community of resources that exist.

Guardians of Angels is set to create a new center for dogs and cats, puppies and kittens in Pittsboro, an Adoption Center.

Follow us on Twitter @GOAPittsboro. Like us on Facebook. Bookmark our website Guardians of Angels.

Speed Camera on 540 West south of RDU Airport

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:13:00 +0000

Returning home from a day trip to the mountains around Boone, North Carolina, my son and I took 540 West from 40 East and a sudden bright flash of light lit up the car as we drove under some kind of structure over the road.

Experienced with speed camera's from the Washington DC area,, my son knew right away what it was. But I had not heard a word about use of speed cameras on highways, only cameras in urban areas at intersections.

Quick research online showed mention of a speed camera being tested on 540 West near RDU airport.

A few days later, heading East on 540, I had the chance to examine the overpasses we drove under (as much as we can do at 60 plus miles an hour) and noticed the cameras, not on the overpasses, but instead on a metal structure over the highway, not one that cars drove over, more like a structure meant to post signs over the highway. There were a number of cameras visible from the other side of the highway.

So what we don't know yet is whether or not the cameras are just being tested, or if my son will get a ticket.

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Speed Camera on 540 West south of RDU Airport