What are You Doing for Lunch or Dinner Today??

The Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS® Community Service Committee needs your help to raise money for our annual Project Angel Tree, where we purchase and donate Christmas presents for hundreds, sometimes thousands of children in Wake County's foster program. We are proud to partner with BOCCI ITALIAN TRATTORIA & PIZZERIA, MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL and TEXAS ROADHOUSE in order to raise funds to support this amazing cause!

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Simply visit this link, print the flyer and present it when you dine out at one of the participating restaurants on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7th -- that's TONIGHT! The restaurant will donate 10% of their food sales from October 7th to Project Angel Tree. For more information, click here or contact Priscilla Erwin at priscillae@rrar.com.

PS - Nick and I are going to Bocci because it's in Cary next to Swagger Gifts and I love Italian. Let me know if you want to join us!

Happy Birthday to the SPCA of Wake County!

If you've been thinking about adopting a critter, this would be the weekend to do it!

As I've written here before, I am a fan of the SPCA of Wake County (as well as the county adoption center and the many local organizations that pull from shelters regularly until an animal can be placed in a forever home). Our Delta dog came from the SPCA many years ago :-)

The SPCA Birthday Adopt-a-thon will run Saturday, June 12th from 11:00am-6:00pm, and Sunday, June 13th from 1:00pm-5:00pm.
The SPCA Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center
200 Petfinder Lane (just off S. Wilmington Street and Tryon Rd)
Raleigh, NC 27520

Some of the programs offered at the SPCA that I think are worth noting:

Check out the new SPCA Pit Crew! SO cute. Just look at those sweet faces!


The Saving Lives Spay/Neuter Animal Clinic: Preventing tomorrow's animal suffering today!
Learn more about this low-cost spay/neuter option that is saving thousands of our community's animals from euthanasia.


Keeping Families Together: Resources for pet owners in tough economic times:
* Pet Food Pantry Program
* AniMeals Program (for Homebound Seniors)
* Money Saving Tips for Pet Owners
* Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Services
Find out more about each of the above programs here!

So, who's ready to adopt or donate? :-) Many thanks to the Raleigh Downtowner for sharing this news: http://raleigh2.com/default.asp?smenu=1&sdetail=2428!

PS - You can also vote once per day through July 31st to help the SPCA try to win a $50,000 donation... how easy is that? http://petloversvote.com/

{Images: All images via the SPCA of Wake Co. website at http://www.SPCAWake.org}

Calling All Mommies, Awesome Aunts, and Grand Parents...

As I was thinking about buying gifts for tomorrow’s Jingle Ball (www.jingleball.org), I realized that I obviously don’t do all that much toy buying!

I am wondering if any of you awesome readers have any tips on how to maximize $25.00 in the world of toys?

Since this is such a great cause, I want to try and contribute as much as I can with a $25.00 value of gifts donated, but I don’t want to buy things that will go unused. I know this is probably not the best time of year to try and work some magic for toys, but didn’t know if there were any good options outside of a traditional toy store that I should be looking at.

Or, if there are any toy retailers, who always have a coupon available like Bed, Bath, and Beyond does for household items ;-)

Thank you - in advance - for any tips!

I also emailed this to Sue Stock to see if she has any tips. If she does, I'll be sure to post them here in the comments.

PS - Daddy input welcome, too. Sorry I forgot about that major group!

Breakfast with Santa for a Few Great Causes!

I received a really special email today and can't pass up the opportunity to share this event with readers.

Second Annual Charity Breakfast Buffet with Santa
Saturday December 12, 2009 8-11 am
Spice Street Restaurant, Chapel Hill (Get directions from Google.)

This event is organized by the resident physicians at UNC and this year we are supporting 4 charities: Ronald McDonald House, SECU Family House, NC Food Bank, and Toys for Tots.

Last year we had a great event with over $700, 300 canned goods, and almost 400 toys donated. This year we have a bigger venue, a cheaper price, and an additional charity. Kids can take pictures with Santa (skip the mall lines and prices), make ornaments, and enjoy face painting all while benefiting the community.

Spice Street will make a donation (to the Ronald McDonald House and SECU Family House) for every buffet purchased and we are asking people to bring canned goods or new toys.

Adults $10 and kids $5 including tax and gratuity (cash, check and credit cards accepted)!

Thank you to Dr. Qionna Tinney from UNC Hospital for sharing this with me!

PS - I was really excited to find out, when checking out the website, that Spice Street is owned by Giorgios Hospitality Group - family company of a good friend of mine! Many thanks to them for serving as host venue for this event. I'm really looking forward to their new Cary venture - Giorgio - coming this month.

Looks like Nick and I will be having breakfast with Santa ;-)

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!

N.C. Children's Promise - The Final Number is...

...$960,377.72 as of 11pm yesterday!
$1,001,622.01
Updated as of 11:30 a.m. on November 21.

One million plus!!

Ho-ly-cow is all I can say. Over $160K more than last year - bad economy be darned!

I've always said NC people are good people - very good people.

I personally signed up for the $12 x 12 (many thanks to J.J. from QDR for dedicating it to Brittany and Brittany's Battle on-air at 4:30pm yesterday!!) and I want to sincerely thank all of my friends who have done the same. Amber even let me know last night that she passed it all around Carquest Corporate and Lisa S. double-checked to make sure she didn't miss the opportunity to give every month... thank you girls!!

Here's a direct link for any one interested.

$12/month may not seem like you're doing a lot, but $144/year can help families purchase custom strollers for their children who can't sit up in a standard stroller (one of the stories featured yesterday on-air) and provide for the care and treatment of children who are never turned away based on their family's ability to pay or not pay.

NC Childrens Promise - Post #2

There are two things I neglected to include in the previous post, which I wanted to share separately to make sure they get some good attention!

1 - Here's the online schedule for the radio-thon performances (pdf). Jason is on at 5:30pm, sorry for previously noting 3:30pm. The other artists are amazing, too: Heidi Newfield, Darius Rucker, Jo Dee Messina, and more!

2 - I got into quite a few bidding wars (with mom and dad's financial backing - thanks guys!) last year over some of the great auction items. I would love to go head-to-head with any of you over any of these items.

Check it all out!

Turn Your Radio UP Today!

This is one of the few days of the year I'll have the radio on in my office. Wait, that's not 100% true. I listen to XM (ahem - XM Sirius, or is it Sirius XM now?) because there are no commercials.

Back to the point, many thanks to Bryan for reminding me last night that today is the start to 94.7 WQDR's Childrens Promise Radio-thon, one of the most life-changing things you can ever listen to, visit, and support.

I believe Jason is performing at 3:30pm in the lobby for any locals who want to tune in or go check out the event. Here's the email from WQDR about today's event:If 94.7 QDR sounds a little different today, there's a good reason. For more than 18 hours we'll be broadcasting live from North Carolina Children's Hospital in Chapel Hill. It's our 7th Annual "North Carolina Children's Promise" RadioTelethon; that one day a year when we ask you to pledge just $25 to help sick, injured and disabled North Carolina kids.

Anyway, we thought we'd remind you just in case you'd like to make a donation. The phones will be open from 5:00 AM until 11:30 PM today at 1-866-9NCKIDS. Or you can log on to our website www.947QDR.com or www.NCChildrensPromise.org to make your pledge or to bid on some amazing music and sports collectibles we're auctioning off for the cause. This year, we have almost 50 celebrity auction items, including autographed stuff from Toby Keith, Jewel, Chris Cornell, Kenny Chesney, Coach Roy Williams and many, many more.

Even if you can't give us your money, we'd still love for you to listen. It's great local radio for a wonderful cause, and once again this year you can watch us live on Time-Warner Cable and News 14 Carolina.I will no doubt be crying all over payroll today, especially if Mrs. Coppedge or Jason starts telling Brittany's story, and every time they feature a mom and dad talking about their brave children. (Where are the tissues?!?!)

Which reminds me, I do hope everyone will either check out Brittany's Annual Angel Gala this weekend (I'd love to see you there!) or at least check out the eBay auction and consider supporting Brittany's Battle!



If you are planning to attend our Gala this Sunday and have not yet purchased you tickets, you can do so right now by going to our web site.

You can buy a ticket at the door, but buy early and save the money for bidding!

Also don't forget about our raffle for a week's stay at Shell Island in Wrightsville Beach, NC. The drawing will be at the Gala and you do not need to be present to win! Tickets are $50 each and we are selling no more than 100 of them. Buy yours now!

Attire is business / church appropriate.
There will be a full service cash bar available.For those of you not in the area, here's how you can still help!Ok, so you don't live in Raleigh or even NC for that matter ~ You don't have to miss out on the Gala fun! Be sure to check out our auction on ebay! We have some great stuff from the country music community for you to bid on including items from Jason Michael Carroll, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Rodney Adkins and many more. There is also some items from the NASCAR community and even something from a Gold Medal Olympian!

The store is now open and there will be a few more items added, so keep checking back! Bidding will end at midnight this Sunday, November 23rd. So visit our ebay store and bid on some great stuff for a good cause!We miss you Brittany!!!

Altar Ego - November 22nd

Hope to see some of you NC people at this :-)



Join Tre Bella and Dress for Success Triangle NC for a Fashionable Evening

If you are looking for the latest styles in daywear, resortwear, eveningwear, or bridal fashion, look no further than “Altar Ego…An Event All About You.”

Durham-based Tre Bella Bridal, known for exceptional quality bridal gowns, is hosting the fashion show from 6:30-10 p.m., November 22, 2008, at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh.

Pat Nathan, founder of Dress for Success Triangle NC, will emcee the event. The event will feature wedding event ideas, hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, and culminate in a fashion show at 8 pm.

Couture bridal gowns by Angel Sanchez, Junko Yoshioka, Lela Rose, and Manuel Moto will be modeled. Triangle boutiques featured will include Lucky Mi of Chapel Hill, Scout and Molly’s of Raleigh, and Za Za Zsu.

Attendees will be eligible for gifts and swag bags featuring a signature Tre Bella necklace.

Tickets will not be sold on site, but can be purchased online for $35 at www.trebellabridal.com/altarego.htm or at the following stores:

• Lucky Mi
• Scout & Molly’s of Raleigh
• Tre Bella Bridal
• Tre Bella Gifts
• WALK, a Scout & Molly’s Shoetique
• Za Za ZsuDrop off an accessory or career clothing donation to Dress for Success Triangle N.C. prior to the event and receive a coupon for 10 percent off the ticket price. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org/trianglenc for drop off locations.

I'm Very Disappointed...

...in blogland right now.

People offer up a free preppy item, something monogrammed, etc. on their blog and folks comment from miles away and throw comment counts in to the hundreds.

A Southern Accent, a fellow semi-local blogger, graciously offers to:

"I thought I'd try something a little different. For every person that leaves a comment on this post, I'll contribute a dollar to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, up to $100"And she gets a mere 28 comments? Really?

Lame.

Do a little bit of good karma duty today and 1: go comment on her fabulous "give-to" (instead of "give-away") and 2: repost! (If you're not into reposting, that's fine... but at least email friends and family members who might appreciate the gesture!)

Restore my faith in people a little, won't ya?

If You Need a Reason to Visit Chapel Hill

Because yes, some of us in Rah-town definitely require a good reason to do so.

UNC's Pi Phi 5K

When: Saturday Nov. 15th from 10am-11am
Registration is at 8am and the race starts at 10am.

Where: UNC Chapel hill

What: The Eve Carson Memorial 5k for Education is a race through the UNC campus in memory of former student body president Eve Carson. Proceeds from this event will benefit the following educational causes: The Eve Marie Carson Memorial Junior-Year Merit Scholarship, First Book, Clyde Erwin Elementary School in Onslow County.

Registration is $15 and includes a shirt.

Please visit educationforeve.com for more information!Totally worth the drive. (Even more so if you're already close to Chapel Hill!)

If you're not a walker/runner, they are also holding a book drive! I hope to see some of you there :-)

Great News on the Country Music Front

For those of you who are listening to XM Radio (specifically: Highway 16), you may already know this as I heard it just this morning. (And during Jason's weekend visit to the Opry, which aired on Nashville 11, he also mentioned that this was coming!)

Jason's releasing "Where I'm From" at the end of this month and his new cd is coming out in March!
-via text message from my sisterThat is SUCH good news. If you haven't heard his latest single, check it out. I promise you'll love it. (If you don't, you suck. Just kidding... sort of.)

AND WQDR is once again having the Halloween Harvest Ball to benefit the SPCA (confirmed with QDR lead-chick, Lisa McKay) and other local friends of our furry friends.7th Annual
QDR Halloween Harvest Ball


(via WQDR and Kevin F. of City Limits at the last TEIP event)

From the site, "10 bucks gets you in to party with NC boys The Lost Trailers, Crystal Shawanda and country rocker Mark Chesnut.

ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS total in the costume contest split between 3 winners. Doors open at 8pm... you must be in the house by 10pm to have a shot at the costume contest."It's about to get real country up in here!

Catch a 'Canes Game - Fight Cancer

Sounds good to me!

Catch a Canes Game and Support Komen at Hockey Fights Cancer Night!
(Read the email online)

Purchase discount tickets to the November 2nd Carolina Hurricanes game vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs at 5:00pm. A donation will be made to Komen NC Triangle for each ticket sold.

Be sure to stop by the Komen table on the concourse for important education materials, fun give-aways and information on the June 13th 2009 Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure!

Wear your pink or your Race t-shirt and help us cheer on the Canes while we raise funds for the cure. A special Public Service Announcement featuring the Hurricane’s players’ wives will be shown during the game.

In order for proceeds from your ticket purchase to come to Komen, please follow the instructions for purchase on the link below. For additional information and to purchase tickets, go to http://hurricanes.nhl.com/ext/tickets/HFCN_komen.pdf.I mean, what else were you going to be doing on a Sunday afternoon?!

Have a Holly Raleigh Christmas

I'm no kind of in the holiday spirit yet, but one of my fabulous sorority sisters is helping to coordinate this for her agency, so I wanted to make sure everyone has a chance to put this on their calendars (it's also on my google calendar!):

(official site)Supporting Events
November 6th, 7-10pm
CD Release Party
Hear the music at Tir Na Nog
Please join us for great music, food, prizes and the big guy...Santa!
218 S Blount St, Raleigh NC
www.tirnanogirishpub.com

November 22, 12-5pm
The Shops at Seaboard Station - Open House
Get started on your holiday shopping an pick up a copy of the CD!
121 Seaboard Dr, Raleigh NC
www.seaboardstationshops.com

Tank and Delta Have a Quick Request...

Could you please take a view seconds to vote for this great local organization that's helping their furry friends?

Please help dogs and cats in Raleigh and the Triangle by voting for a wonderful organization called Independent Animal Rescue (IAR) in America's Favorite Animal Shelter contest.

IAR rescues cats and dogs in danger of euthanasia, and brings them into foster homes until they can be adopted. The contest winner gets $10,000 to save the lives of more animals! In the last week, IAR has moved up from 97th place to 23rd, and your votes can make sure we climb all the way to #1.

It only takes a minute to vote for IAR on the contest website:
http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70100/

Thank you from the group of NCSU students who volunteer for IAR.

We'll be forever grateful for your votes! Please forward this email to more Wolfpack friends and ask them to vote for IAR. Thanks again for your support!

Find out more about IAR:
http://www.animalrescue.netSloppy Kisses & Wagging Tails,
Tank & Del

Good Morning Teachers!

I know quite a few of my regular readers are some of those wonderful, patient people that we call "teachers" - this is for you all!

In the last 24 hours, two things have come across my inbox from two very wonderful girls that I'd like to share that I think teachers everywhere will enjoy.

Please feel free to email this post or simply link to it and pass it along to any of your fellow teachers who can benefit from either!

First: a good laugh.

An email from my BFF - the new Mrs. Helms!

Kids Are Quick
____________________________________

TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America.
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who found America?
CLASS: Maria.
____________________________________

TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
__________________________________________

TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
____________________________________________

TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
__________________________________

TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
__________________________________________

TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
_______________________________________

TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with 'I.'
MILLIE: I is..
TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, 'I am.'
MILLIE: All right... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'
_________________________________

TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand...
______________________________________

TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
______________________________

TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, sir. It's the same dog.
___________________________________

TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacherNow, the second thing: a great resource!Lisa S. sent me this email yesterday and said:


(http://www.donorschoose.org)

"It is a website, where teachers put in their projects for their classes, how much the class needs to complete it, when they do the project, the take pictures and send thank you notes.

And some of the stuff is so inexpensive. You can sort it by NC and it is always low income schools. Apparently teachers spend $1billion nationwide a year of their own money (which I know, my Mom use to do it all the time)."Skip the $5 Starbucks today in honor of your favorite teacher :-) I have quite a few sorority sisters who've chosen that path... and I love them all for it!

I Don't Do "Scary"

"I don't do 'scary'."

Those were my exact words to my favorite group of hooligans in our weekly "so what are we doing this weekend" group gmail conversation. However, because I'm almost always a good sport (assuming it's not 7am), I'm still most likely going to do all of the spooky local things that my friends are SO excited about.

This - the Horrow Show in Snow Camp, NC - terrifies me with the website alone. (My friends and boyfriend are sure going to enjoy watching me jump and scream every 10 seconds.)

Aside from that show, G105 is also hosting a list of Halloween events in the Triangle. Anything else that should be included? Let me know... my friends will thank you, I'm sure.

PS - Be sure to check out one that's for a GREAT cause!Raleigh Jaycees to Hold Annual Haunted House Oct. 17-Nov. 1; Proceeds to be Donated to Area Charities

Raleigh, NC – Alert! A prison break has occurred at the old Possum Creek Penitentiary and the escaped living-dead prisoners are being corralled and will be put into a new prison, currently being built at 6234 Glenwood Avenue, at Pleasant Valley Promenade. Tours of this new prison begin on Oct. 17.Boo! (See you there - I'll be the running running back to the safety of the car!)

Hard Rock <3

I really want to go to this Three Doors Down benefit and I've never been to Biloxi, so I figure... why not?

As I was checking out Hard Rock's accommodations website, this caught my eye:

From the website: "Two select 'Pink Sheets' guestrooms at each hotel will be outfitted in special pink-hued Sleep Like A Rock bedding, with 25% of the nightly rate benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation."Cool, huh? I think so. I'd so request the pink rooms. (Too bad they can't turn every room pink for the promo!)

Ok Triangle Ladies...

I expect to see you ALL here!

I hope that all of you Raleigh readers can come join this great event. I can't wait to meet you there, if you do make it!

Party with skirt! and Dress for Success

Update: We’ll be giving away some great prizes at our event! Tickets, jewelry, gift certificates...watch this space for more info!

The most awesome party ever happens this month, and you are so invited. skirt! has teamed up with the Triangle chapter of Dress for Success to hold our first-ever skirt! After Work event.

What is it? A skirt drive to benefit Dress for Success.

What should I bring? Skirts, of course! But we’ll also be accepting jewelry, scarves, belts, and other interview attire.

Where? The gorgeous, delicious 518 West Italian Café on Glenwood South.

When? 5:30 til 7:30pm. Tuesday, September 30.

Why? Because it’s a benefit for an amazing women’s cause, a chance to meet the skirt! team, as well as some of the men and women who have appeared in our issues. Oh, and did we mention we’ll be giving away prizes?

How much? It’s free to get in, and the signature skirtini will be $5 for those of you with donations. Other drinks will be regular price.

If you’re wondering what a skirtini is, this is where you come in. We’re currently running a recipe contest for the signature drink of skirt! Is the skirtini sassy, light, and fruity? Dry and witty? Or rich, elegant, and chocolate-y? You decide!

Come up with a recipe for the ultimate skirtini, and enter it here. The winning beverage will be christened The skirtini, and will be served at our skirt! After Work events every month, starting with Skirts for Success on September 30. See you there! And get mixing!Be there or be boring!

Exciting News for Wolfpackers & V Foundation Supporters

Thanks for the email scoop to my favorite V Foundation volunteer, Aunt Deb!

Jimmy V Golf Classic returning to Triangle
from WRAL.com

"The Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic is returning to the Triangle in 2009, with the golf tournament being held at the new N.C. State course and other events designed to highlight the fundraiser.

The classic started in Cary in 1993 and has raised millions for cancer research, organizers said. It moved to Pinehurst in 2007 and 2008.

The event will be Aug. 12-16, 2009 and commemorates former N.C. State basketball coach Jim Valvano. Valvano’s final season at State was in 1990 and he died of cancer in 1993.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research will introduce several new events to coincide with the annual golf tournament and black tie gala, including a V Wine & Spirits Celebration, a concert, and a cancer symposium at the new Raleigh Convention Center, organizers announced.

'We felt it was important to return the Classic to the Triangle where it started,' said Nick Valvano, CEO of The V Foundation and brother of the late coach."Be sure to click through to read the full story with lots of great info.

While you're at it, visit the V Foundation's official website and sign-up to volunteer your time and talents with any of their great event throughout the year!