N.C. Children's Promise 2009

They have already raised over $500,000.00 today.

AMAZING.

I called in a few hours ago to renew my $12.00 x 12 months donation.

ANY little bit you can donate helps. The NC Children's Hospital turns no child away based on their family's ability to pay for treatment.

Here are my posts from last year about this amazing event and hospital, if you are a new reader!

Google Outdid Google

I <3 Cookie Monster!

Happy Birthday, Sesame Street!

Google celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Sesame Street today.
(Details from HuffingtonPost.com)

Brings back memories, huh?

16th Annual Jingle Ball

I am SO pumped about going to my first Jingle Ball this year! It's just so fabulous, in so many ways. The local young professionals who are organizing this have put together an amazing event... how very inspiring!

Details via facebook/and an email from my friends at DowntownRaleigh.com:

Each attendee is asked to bring an unwrapped holiday gift for a child valued at $20 value or more per person. For those not bringing a gift, admission will be $30 by cash or check at the door. The Capital City Clauses is a federally registered nonprofit corporation, and all contributions are tax-deductible. No one under 21 years of age will be admitted, and photo identification is required.

Come eat, drink, dance and be merry for a good cause! Dress for this event is cocktail/party attire. Please join us and help bring brighter holidays to Wake County children.

Gifts are considered tickets for this event and are your donated gift to the Salvation Army. Each participant will be granted entrance to the 2009 16th Annual Jingle Ball by bringing a new unwrapped toy valued at $20 or more or donating $30 cash or check with all proceeds going directly to the Salvation Army of Wake County.

And a little more from the website, JingleBall.org:The Capital City Clauses are preparing for the 2009 Jingle Ball on Thursday, December 10th. The festivities will take place at Marbles Kids Museum, in downtown Raleigh, from 6:30PM until 10:30PM. Since the first Jingle Ball was held in 1994, we have given thousands of toys and articles of clothing to the needy children of Wake County, and we hope to have our most successful year yet in 2009!

The Jingle Ball's success hinges both on corporate sponsorships and on each attendee's contribution of a toy (or clothing, books, games, etc) of $20 or greater value for admission. Our organization is comprised entirely of volunteers who help with the financing, planning, and executing of the Jingle Ball. All monetary proceeds go toward the event expenses, and all of the toys are distributed to Wake County children.

As our primary goal is to collect toys at the door rather than money, we cannot depend upon the minimal door receipts we collect to finance the event. Therefore, the Capital City Clauses need corporate support to help offset the costs of hosting this event and to ensure its continued success.
Put it on your calendar - hope to see some of you local readers there!

I Voted for Doc

Remember my post back in July on Wine to Water?

As many of you long-time readers know, I'm already a big fan of Amra's and their other establishment, Tobacco Road. This is SUCH a very cool event they're hosting this week.



The charity organization called Wine to Water, as seen on Larry King, raises funds through wine tastings to be able to help 3rd world countries find healthy clean drinking water sources for their villages.

On Thursday July 23, come to Amra's after work or around 6:30 to help support this awesome and worthy cause!

Wine To Water is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit aid organization focused on providing clean water to needy people around the world. Over 1 billion people in the world today lack access to adequate water and sanitation. We are devoted to fighting this epidemic.Wine symbolizes fortune in our society. Our goal is to give the fortunate population an opportunity to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.Well, it appears as if our friend Doc, founder of Wine to Water, has been nominated alongside great company for CNN Heroes.



Be sure to check out all of the entries and vote for your hero!

Here's a great video about Doc's story.
Click here to view it if it doesn't show up for you.

Lincoln Theatre is Adding Liquor to its Lineup!

Downtown Raleigh's Lincoln Theathre - Awesome.
Only serving beer - NOT Awesome.

Just received an email today that they will be adding liquor to their lineup, but now they must become a "members only" club (NC law), so be sure to sign up for their membership/email list online.

This is one of my favorite live music venues in the area because the main level is a bit slanted, so there's pretty much a good view for everyone (which, as you know, is important for those of girls who are 5' 2''). I've seen several shows there including Shooter Jennings (son of Waylon Jennings, better known as the "Fourth of July song" guy), Jason Michael Carroll's album launch party, the Zac Brown Band street concert, etc.


{Images: LincolnTheatre.com and CityVoter.com}

Local Round-Up: The Remedy Diner

Have I blogged about the The Remedy Diner before? Because I've sure tweeted/facebooked it.

Seriously, if you are EVER so lucky as to be in Downtown Raleigh... you must try this place. Good food, good prices, good service.

I don't think I've ever ventured off the breakfast menu, since it's served all day, but the BF has and has enjoyed it. Wait, I've probably had a BLT. That's at least not totally breakfast.

Not only do they have kick ass "mainstream" food, but they also are very impressive with their "alternative" offerings. Plus, I love a restaurant that's confident enough with itself to refer to their vegetarian bacon as "fake bacon".

Veggie BLT
Fake bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and chipotle mayonnaise on toasted wheat. 7.50 (sub Vegannise for .50)
Anyways, go and get the Blueberry Cheese pie (empty plate - pictured at right).

Why?

The BF's not a pie eater but these were the words out of his mouth - "I don't really like pie, but that was gooooood." All of the desserts are made by the owners mama. (Yes, I said "mama", this is a Southern blog, after all.)

The Remedy Diner
137 E. Hargett Street
Downtown Raleigh, NC
919-835-3553
www.TheRemedyDiner.com

Don't believe me? Then read the reviews. When I was Googling for this post, I noticed almost all of the reviews have 5 stars - excluding one by a man named "Jim". That is darn near impossible in the restaurant biz.

Toys for Tots and the Wolfpack!

Toys for Tots is a campaign that my family and I have participated in through various groups over the years (for example: the Ray Price Harley-Davidson Toys for Tots Toy Run).

Here's another great opportunity to do a little good while having a lot of fun!

via GoPack.com

NC State head football coach Tom O’Brien expects his players to be champions in the classroom, in the community and on the football field. As part of that effort, the NC State football program announced today that it will be partnering with Coca-Cola and Harris Teeter to collect new toys and donations throughout the 2009 football season to benefit the U.S. Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots campaign.

During each game this season, Coca-Cola will donate $500 to the NC State/Toys for Tots Fund for every touchdown the Wolfpack scores. At the conclusion of the season, representatives from the Wolfpack football program will use the funds to purchase toys that will be donated to Toys for Tots and distributed to needy children. During the 2008 season, Coca-Cola contributed $17,000 for the 34 Wolfpack touchdowns scored.

Coca Cola will also join with Harris Teeter throughout the Triangle to set up drop-off locations for fans to donate toys. From November 5 - December 10, Toys for Tots/Coca-Cola displays with toy-donation bins will be located in Raleigh-area Harris Teeter locations. Fans can drop off new toys to any of the participating Harris Teeter locations (see below for list of locations.)

Football fans in the Triangle will have an additional opportunity to donate to the cause when NC State hosts Clemson at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, November 14. A toy drive will take place in the Wolfpack Fan Zone, located in front of the RBC Center. Coca-Cola and Toys for Tots representatives will be on hand to collect toys in the Wolfpack Fan Zone up until kick-off. Although all toy donations are appreciated, new toys for toddlers ages 2-4 and pre-teens ages 10-12 are needed most. Cash donations will also be accepted at the stadium gates until kick-off, and at the toy donation area in Fan Zone. Fans donating a new toy or a cash gift at the Fan Zone on game day will also receive a free 2 Liter from Coca-Cola and Harris Teeter.Visit GoPack.com/ToysForTots over the season for updates or ToysforTots.org for information at events in your area and how to get involved!

PS - Kudos to game-day beverage Coca-Cola for it's season-long commitment to this program!

I Hate the Cold

Never fails, when the fair makes it to town... it'll get cold! (Usually, it's warm in the the day and cold at night - meaning you have to drag a coat around all day to avoid evening freezing, but it's downright cold in the day already. BOO!)

Just FYI, I heart the NC State Fair. Nick and I will be going at least twice. NEB, Grubey, Mom, Mandy, and I started off the 2009 State Fair last Thursday with Jason Michael Carroll. He had a great opening act - Patrick Davis (@pdmusic).


Friday NEB, Adrianne, and Adrianne's YM (reference: Yankee Manfriend), and I left for Charlotte. We stayed with Bri and Drew (can't wait for them to move to Raleigh!) and Cole and Lindsey met us on Saturday afternoon.






The race would've been great, if I wasn't FUH-REEEEZING. Seriously, I had LOTS o' layers on and was too cold to drink more than 1 Beergarita. Lame.

Here's hoping for warmer weather for Eric Church's show!

A Brittany's Battle Update

I have quite often posted about Brittany's Battle here, so I thought it'd be a great time for an update (via the BBI email newsletter) to let you know about all of the great things that the Coppedge family, their friends, and family are doing in memory of Brittany.


Second Annual Angel Gala
Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 22, 2009, and join us for our 2nd Annual Angel Gala. This year's event will be bigger and better than ever! We will have a light buffet dinner, dancing, silent and on-line auctions and much more.


2009 Free to Breathe
The 2009 annual Free To Breathe event wil be held in Raleigh on Saturday, November 7, 2009, on NCSU's Centennial Campus. We would love to have you come out and support the event. Better yet, lace up those sneakers and join Brittany's Battle! Whether you run the 5K or walk the 1K, come out and celebrate the survivors and honor those who've battled and lost.

Feel free to donate or join the Brittany's Battle team here - thank you for your support in advance!


And probably the most important part of all:

We had the opportunity last month to attend the ribbon cutting for the new NC Cancer Hospital on the campus of UNC in Chapel Hill. The hospital is magnificent!! We toured several areas - including the children's ward and the Resource Center. We are blessed to have such a wonderful facility in our state.

We were very pleased to be able to present the Patient and Family Resource Center with another donation from Brittany's Battle - thanks to all of you! We were very moved when we were told that our last donation is being used to have wigs made for teenage cancer patients. As you can imagine, their choice for wigs is often limited.
Amazing! It is so moving to read about the great things the hospital is being able to do as a result of the contributions that BBI has been able to make... thanks to the support of so many great people.


{Pic: My sister - Mandy, Brittany, and Amber enjoying Sweet Summertime... I think they had just graduated from high school. To put it in perspective, my "little" sister graduates from college this spring!}

Local Round-Up: Downtown Raleigh Happenings

If you're not a regular reader of some of my favorite Raleigh blogs (RalCon, BeRaleighBlog, NewRaleigh.com, GoGoRaleigh.com, etc.) then some of this just might be new to you!

First up, we're getting an outdoor ice skating rink!

Outdoor Ice Rink Coming Downtown this Winter

"This year, December 4th will not only mark the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree, but will also welcome the opening of a downtown outdoor skating rink as part of “Winter Fest”.

The rink is going to be part of the new City Plaza, and will be nestled between the Bank of America building and where the delayed Charter Square will go.

Tickets will be a very reasonable $6, which includes skate rentals."

www.RaleighWinterfest.com
Wow - I'm absolutely wow-ed by this. Can't wait to check it out! Here's hoping NEB (the loving nickname given to Nick by my sorority sisters, for "No Expression Boy" - they consider it a feat to capture him smiling on camera) doesn't need stitches in his chin after... like the last time we went ice skating!


Next, we're also getting WiFi!
Downtown Raleigh Getting Wifi on October 23rd

"As speculated last week and promised back in March, Downtown Raleigh will indeed be getting Free Wireless Internet access on October 23rd, just in time for Raleigh Wide Open and Cherry Bounce."
Woohoo! Say hello to working via laptop on your favorite patio (or rooftop) come spring!

Happy Halloween!

I couldn't find this on YouTube to embed, but check it out on facebook.

PS - Don't turn your volume up all the way... or you're very likely to scare the crap out of yourself like I just did! ;-)

Raleigh Kid Post

I want to go here soon!



The details:

Raleigh City Museum

Address: Located in the historic Briggs Building at 220 Fayetteville Street in Raleigh, N.C. 27601

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm | Saturday 1pm to 4pm | Open First Fridays 6pm-9pm | Closed Sunday & MondayDarn, I feel like Sunday afternoons would be the PERFECT time to spend an hour (or more) catching up on my Raleigh history.

The best part?Admission is free and no tickets are required for entrance to the museum. For information, please call 919-832-3775.Yay for fun (and free) stuff to do!

Favorite {Country} Songs of the Week: Week 3

I have been terrible at keeping up with this mini-series (you know how life just gets away from you in the summer and then all of a sudden, it's fall?... yeah), but here's a little update on my current playlist!

Steve Azar - You're My Life (video | iTunes)

This song doesn't get a lot of airtime, but it's amazing.
Carrie Underwood - Cowboy Casanova (video | iTunes)
This is my current windows down, radio UP song!
Carrie Underwood - The More Boys I Meet (iTunes)Hilarious. Pure hilariousness - and SO true.

"Cheap date, bad taste, another night gone to waste
Talking about nothing in so many words
It's not like I'm not trying
'Cause I'll give anyone a shot once

And, I, I close my eyes
And, I kiss that frog
Each time finding
The more boys I meet...
the more I love my dog!"
Miranda Lambert - White Liar (video | iTunes)

Is that a cameo from Jamey Johnson in the video???
Michelle Branch - Sooner or Later (video | iTunes)
I've been a Michelle fan for YEARS, love her move to country (which we first saw with her as a member of The Wreckers.
Tim McGraw - Southern Voice (video | iTunes)
If you're a serious country music follower (and I mean SERIOUS), then you probably heard about the drama with the greatest hits album. I'm really looking forward to his all new album coming soon!
Ok that's it for now. Any songs that I'm missing that should make the cut next time?

Fantasy Football

This is for Nick and Joey... or more so, Adrianne.

All you girlfriends and wives out there who are already competing with Sundays and Mondays - enjoy.



Click here to watch online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtVWia5B5vM

PS - If someone from FX happens to stumble upon this blog... it was a pain in the ass trying to help promote your new show for you (the website was impossible to find, I couldn't grab the video code from there, and the branded YouTube page is all kinds of broken). Just FYI. (Sorry, marketing kid rant.)