The Point Launches 12 Days of Christmas Contest for Local News Readers

The Point, a weekday newsletter service that delivers a quick morning read of the things you need to know to get your day started in the Triangle (current events, politics, sports, weather and local entertainment), is kicking off a 12-day contest on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, awarding readers with truly local gifts and experiences - and a new chance to win each day.

Contest prizes include local coffee shop gift cards, apparel from local brands and retailers, and even concert tickets. Prizes will be announced each weekday in the morning newsletter sent to subscribers and readers will have until 11:59 p.m. to register at the unique link provided to win.

To get in on the first day of reader giveaways - and to get a reminder for each of the following 11 prizes - register at http://www.ReadThePoint.com to receive The Point direct to your email inbox on Monday morning.

Make a Difference this Holiday Season

Seriously y'all, it takes very little effort to do good things. And hey, you might even get to attend a party and see some folks you love in the process!

Tonight - Thursday, December 2nd, 7:00pm (like head there in the next hour) ;-)
4th Annual Downtown Santa Ball
The Downtowner Magazine is proud to sponsor our Downtown Santa Ball on Thursday, December 2nd, from 7-10pm in order to help children in need and to provide what might be the only gift they receive this holiday season. We’re pleased to have MeetandCompete.com as a co-sponsor for our fourth year. 100% of proceeds and all gifts will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County. The event will be held at the Union Tavern located in the Depot building of the Warehouse District (directions below). Just bring a gift and enjoy amazing Downtown Raleigh and free beer and wine. Support the Union by purchasing other spirits!

Thursday, December 9th, 6:30pm
Jingle Ball 2010
Get your holly on at this year's Jingle Ball... and be sure to get there early. Suz and I got there last year as the food was finished and the open bars dry. So we donated, mingled, and headed over to Landmark for a few drinks. Couldn't complain though, because I was stoked to see the turnout continue to increase for yet another year! I would say that was a mighty successful Thursday night!

Thru December 18th
Donate at ANY local Toys for Tots collection point... get the local details at http://raleigh-nc.toysfortots.org/ or find your own local Toys for Tots details (for all of you non-Raleigh folks) online at toysfortots.org!

All December
Need stocking stuffers or gifts? For just $13.95 you can get a terrific gift and help Soroptimist International of Raleigh, NC with local service projects that benefit women and girls. Auto Bell Car Wash will donate 50% of each Full Service Car Wash coupon purchased. The coupons have NO expiration date and are honored at all 61 locations around the Triangle and the Southeast. To purchase, contact Joyce Rothchild at 919-518-1093 or by email at jrothchild@soroptimistraleigh.org.

Got more locally awesome ideas for me to share? Send 'em on and I'll list in a jiff! Email: ncsulilwolf@gmail.com.

Add This to Your Christmas List

I was debating whether or not to blog about this, but it's gotten a TON of attention on my facebook... so apparently the people approve!



My question to my twitter/facebook friends was this, "Do you think my Tarheel boyfriend would kill me if my car played the NC State fight song when I unlock the doors?"

The press release I read about the Motor Mouth includes the following:

"Looking for the perfect gift that someone will enjoy long after the holiday season is over? Look no further than Motor Mouth, the product that can turn anyone's car or truck into a personal broadcast system. The product, which gives individual vehicles a unique ringtone so owners can tell the world what they are passionate about, is available in several sound series including hunter and sportsman, specific colleges, auto racing, barnyard, holiday and several others."

"Sounds available include: Sportsman Series: wild turkey (NWTF Licensed), duck commander, wild boar, goose, deer, duck and elk. Sports fans can enjoy the "Start Your Engines" race series or baseball, while the lifestyle series offers holiday sounds, barnyard animal sounds, horse sounds and hound dog sounds. The company also has exclusive rights with NC State University, East Carolina University, West Virginia University and University of Tennessee to market the sounds unique to those schools, including the school's fight songs."After several "likes"' and amusing comments on facebook, it appears that boys AND girls are a fan of this. I imagine people would have a fit over it in the parking lot at the NCSU vs. UNC game this weekend.

I personally don't need to attract any more wildlife than necessary (the deer are everywhere this year, drive safe!), but I do like the selection they have and think my car should play the NC State Fight Song... or maybe something NASCAR (I prefer "Boogity, Boogity, Boogity" over "Start your engines", but I guess DW has that trademarked!).

If you are so inclined, you can check out their website.


{PS} This blog post was not endorsed or sponsored by Motor Mouth, nor am I employed by them - I just thought it was kinda cool. Lucky for them, huh?

Great Giveaway for You Southern Chefs

I received some delicious responses to yesterday's post about Natty Light Chicken and cooking with beer.

In honor of that, I'm posting a fantastic giveaway that everyone would be crazy not to enter themselves into!

My favorite local gift and decorative accessories boutique, Swagger Gifts, has been hosting a Facebook Friday of the Week (see former giveaway items here) for a few months now where each Friday something special in the store will be given away to one (sometimes even two) lucky commenters who are fans of Swagger Gifts' page on facebook. The winner is randomly selected and then posted to Swagger's blog (which also, is SO worth following).

This week's giveaway is a monogrammed "Big Wood Board" cutting board. They are PHENOMENAL.

All you have to do to be entered to win is leave a comment directly on the photo on facebook. It's THAT simple.

While you're on Swagger's page, you should obviously click on "Become a Fan" so that you get an update every week when Swagger offers up a new great giveaway.

Biased much? Sure. But when you win a kick butt gift, I bet you'll be thankful for my bias. :-)

PS - Regina and Randall, I'm formerly calling you girls out to enter to win because the sample photo has a "R" on it... how much more appropriate could it get?