Your holiday weekend starts NOW!

From your team at West Village Apartments , we would like to wish you and your families a happy and safe Labor Day weekend! We hope it’s filled with friends, fun and LAUGHTER!

As a reminder, our office will be CLOSED on Monday, September 3 in honor of the holiday!

Come on over... stay a while

It’s Labor Day Weekend and who better to spend it with than the Durham Bulls? The Bulls have planned a weekend filled with fun, family friendly events starting TONIGHT and running all the way through Labor Day! Take a look for yourself:

• Thursday Night Family Feast: Hot dogs, french fries and popcorn for everyone in the family just $1. Plus, bring a new or slightly used book to the box office in exchange for a ticket to the game!
• Friday Fireworks with special guests Tom and Jerry: Lovable characters Tom and Jerry will be joining the Bulls on Friday for an all-star fireworks display.  Bring the whole family and get your picture taken with Tom and Jerry.
• Saturday Night Fireworks: If you missed the fireworks and friends on Friday, come on Saturday for the same great night.
• Sunday Kids Run the Bases: The last Pepsi Kids Run the Bases is this Sunday. You also have one more chance to get a picture taken with Tom and Jerry!
• Labor Day Baseball: Nothing to do on Labor Day? How about an afternoon of baseball? The Bulls bring the season to an end with a special game at 1:05 pm.

We hope to see you there!

Demetri Martin Sept. 11

There are so many new events coming up in Durham I can barely contain my excitement for them all!

If you are looking for something fun to do in Durham within the next few weeks, I’ve got the scoop on the latest and greatest events that are awaiting your eager ticket sale! With so much going on, it will be hard to choose with one you’ll attend. Or, go for them all and pack the end of your summer with a handful of great performances!

Here’s what’s going on in your neck of the woods:

• Brad Paisley @ Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion – August 28.
• Adam Lambert’s GLAM NATION TOUR @ Memorial Auditorium – August 28.
• Natalie Merchant @ Durham Performing Arts Center – August 30.
• REO Speedwagon and Pat Benetar @ Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre – September 2.
• Lewis Black @ Durham Performing Arts Center – September 10.
• Demetri Martin @ Memorial Auditorium – Sept 11.

So many events, so little time!

You Can Do It Wallet!

Dear too-light-for-comfort wallet,

I’d like to address an important issue with you. I promise it will only take a moment. Now don’t take this the wrong way but you’ve been too-light-for-comfort lately and I’m not very happy about it. I know you jump at the opportunity to follow me out for dinner or a show, but quite frankly you’ve looked better. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, just because there’s a new store opening in town, it doesn’t mean you should open on up and let the bills fly! Show a little self respect! There are so many great ways to stay plump and heavy without staying home. Lucky for you I have come up with a simple action plan to get you a much-needed make over!

First, we’re going to sign you up with the Half Off Depot – Durham.  Don’t worry, there’s NO time commitment and it’s completely free! They will send you daily coupons and discounts on the best restaurants, venues and shops in Durham. I know how happy it makes you to get out and about and I would never want to take that away from you. So, we’re going to make a compromise! If you find a great deal from one of the Half Off Depot e-mails, you can go out and earn that discount! This way you can still spend that much-loved time out having fun, but you’ll stay plump and pretty. It’s a win-win situation.

Alright, now the first step is admitting you have a problem.

Go ahead…

GOOD! I’m do proud.

Step number two… Half Off Depot HERE WE COME!

Jack Johnson... don't miss him!

Sorry to disappoint all you foodies, but this isn’t a post about food.

This is a post about the one and only Jack Johnson coming to Durham… THIS WEEKEND!  On Saturday August 21, Jack Johnson will be bringing you a concert you don’t want to miss at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion. Jack Johnson is a singer, songwriter, surfer, director and all-around cool guy. His relaxing melodies and smooth voice made him a fast favorite in the music world, where he has released seven top selling albums. His most recent release, To The Sea, is said to be his best album yet as well as the title and inspiration of his current tour. Hear new songs from the album and all of your old favorites.

Tickets are on sale now but act fast because it’s sure to be a packed house. The show kicks off at 7:00 pm so get there with plenty of time to find your seats and settle in. After all, with Jack Johnson, it’s all about kicking back and enjoying the ride!

Have your cake... and eat it all!

For some reason this time of year always triggers my sweet tooth. I don’t know if it’s the approach of the most sugar-filled children’s holiday of the year or if it’s the anticipation of end-of-the-summer gatherings that gets me craving sweets.  And not just any sweets, the best sweets in Durham, Mad Hatter Bakeshop sweets! YUM. Just thinking about it sets my sugar senses a twitching.

Mad Hatter Bakeshop and Cafe is my favorite spot in town to get the best cakes, pies, cookies and other baked goods. Not only that, but they have a vast selection of savory lunch, dinner and brunch items for those of you with a less prominent sweet tooth.

The sweet aroma of cheesecake, pound cake, fruit tarts, pies and more hit you instantly as you walk in the door. With their friendly staff and high quality ingredients, you will feel right at home at Mad Hatter.  Have an event coming up? Let Mad Hatter take care of your catering needs! From breakfast and boxed lunches to pastries and platters, they’ve got you covered. If you haven’t been it’s time to let your sweet tooth lead you! It’s right down the road from West Village at 1802 W. Main Street. Swing by today… but be warned, you may get hooked!

Gilbert, Author and Inspiration

No, there’s not a new sweepstakes that gives you an all-expense-paid trip around the globe with the lovely Julia, but you can watch HER journey in her latest film, Eat Pray Love, out today.

In the film, Roberts takes on the roll of real-life world traveler Liz Gilbert. Based on the autobiography and #1 New York Times Bestseller, Eat Pray Love follows Gilbert through her eye-opening and invigorating journey of finding one’s TRUE self post depression and divorce. On the outside, Liz Gilbert’s life seemed like something most women would wish for with a husband, beautiful country home, successful career and the world at her fingertips. But behind the picture perfect facade, Gilbert was facing confusion and panic at her desire for a different life.  This is the story of how Gilbert leaves everything behind to spend a life experiencing both worldly and divine pleasures of Italy, India, and Bali. With such an inspirational, vibrant and emotional story, how would it NOT be made into a major motion picture?

Eat Pray Love is out TODAY in theaters everywhere. If you haven’t seen trailers yet beware. The minute you see one you will be hooked!  Once you get the itch to eat, pray and love, head over to Phoenix Theaters 10 and grab your tickets today!

True art is in the eye of the beholder!

Durham is a city filled with art and creativity so we thought we would base our latest poll on just that… ART.

What is your favorite form of art? Are you a classic painting fan, a performance fan or do you prefer more modern forms of art like graphic design and mixed media? Let us know by voting on the poll to the left. If we have left your favorite off the list, let us know by commenting back on this post with the art form that tickles your fancy!

Northgate Awaits You!

It’s one of the best weekends of the year in North Carolina… and you don’t even need a ticket to attend!

Back to school shopping? This is the weekend to do it!

Need a new laptop? THIS is the weekend to do it! Why you might ask???

It’s the North Carolina Tax FREE Weekend and if you aren’t out shopping yet, you are already wasting valuable time!  At the strike of midnight last night (or this morning rather… whichever you prefer) the tax free weekend kicked off. All weekend long, up until 11:59pm on Sunday, August 8, you can forget about paying sales tax! BUT, it’s not on everything (wouldn’t THAT be nice!). There are a few “requirements”, as it were, so I’ve provided you with a list of the things you can get the exemption on!

• Clothing, footwear, school supplies under $100
• Sports and recreation equipment under $50
• Computers under $3,500
• Computer equipment under $250

So many great possibilities, all you have to get out there and SHOP! Why not give Northgate Mall a visit and stock up on everything you need without the hassle of paying sales tax!

Ever since middle school, the Goo Goo Dolls have held the top spot in my all time favorite bands.  I love their haunting melodies, heartfelt lyrics and ever changing style. This is one group that has produced more enchanting albums than any other performer; for me at least. Most times when you buy a CD there are a few key songs that you really love, the majority are pretty good and you sometimes get that one that slips in that you ALWAYS skip over. With the Goo Goo Dolls, every song falls into the “REALLY LOVE” category. I can say that about very few groups.

Not only is their music alone worthy of praise, but their live performance is mind blowing! No matter where you are seated, they have the ability to make you feel like you are up on stage with them. It’s quite amazing.  Now’s the time to experience it for yourself. The Goo Goo Dolls will be performing at the Raleigh Amphitheater on Monday, August 9 at 6:30 pm. Special guests Switchfoot and The Spill Canvas will open what is sure to be an amazing show. Get your tickets now before they sell out!

Here’s my favorite Goo Goo Dolls song, just to get you in the Goo Goo mindset!