Check This Guy Out: David Thibodeaux

He found me on MySpace and his message is one that can't be ignored. As an actively serving U.S. Marine and part-time musician, this is his clever retort to the Dixie Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice". He's not a once-in-a-lifetime stand-out voice, but as the cousin of a fallen Marine I'm well aware of the dedication that past, current, and all future Marines have to protecting our country and it's citizens and I'm more than glad to support this Marine and his music.

David Thibodeaux on Myspace.

David Thibodeaux on the web.

Here the song "Not Ready to End the Fight" here in it's own stand-alone player.

Vote for Hank!

If there's one thing we Southerners love, it's our dogs. This promotion is a great success all around, no matter which pup is chosen! If you've read all of my previous posts, you may remember me mentioning the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue Group before!

Yay for CarolinaNewswire sending me the info on this and having the opportunity to hopefully help the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue Group (NRGRR) win a great donation!

"Vote for HANK in Firedog Contest
01-09-2008

RALEIGH, N.C. — Hank, a local rescued Golden Retriever is now just minutes away from stardom, fame and fortune – for the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue Group (NRGRR).

Hank, a rescued NRGRR dog from 2006, has been selected as a finalist in Circuit City’s “Find the Next Firedog” Contest. As a result, NRGRR will receive an initial $1,000 donation and an additional $1 for each vote that Hank receives. If Hank wins the grand Prize, NRGRR will receive a $50,000 and Hank will star in a Circuit City commercial.

Hank’s family is very excited for him but knows the real winner is NRGRR who could potentially see a big donation from this contest. Hank is the only Golden Retriever in the contest and the only dog from North Carolina.

To vote for Hank, go to www.firedog.com and look for Hank’s photo in the photo contest or go directly to Hank’s photo at http://207.56.151.5/view/?id=16. From there, you will also be able to see the other dogs in the contest and read details on the rules and prizes. Voting ends on Friday, January 25.

ATTENTION MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA Hank and his family are available for a limited number of interviews. Please call NRGGR at 919-676-7144 or via cell at 919-656-2253.

Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue Inc. (NRGRR) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization staffed by volunteers who are dedicated to helping unwanted Golden Retrievers through rehabilitation and adoption. For more information on NRGRR visit http://www.goldenrescuenc.org/."Don't forget to vote online and forward this on to your friends, family, and dog lovers everywhere!

The Great (Infill) Debate

For those of you who are at all interested in the development of the greater Raleigh area, I'm sure you have not been able to remain in the dark about this issue.

My lovely Asheton Mae sent me a link this morning to New Raleigh's blog where I stumbled upon "Raleigh McMansion Battle Royale".

(Of course, the article Asheton was sending me to was about the closing of Hideaway BBQ... which is just as sad as the rampant growth Raleigh is dealing with right now... put up 1000 new homes, lose another pulled-pork joint. NOT COOL.)

Back on topic, I guess it's time for me to weigh in on this issue. I understand the view of both sides and notably, have great friends on both, but this is my opinion and I'd like to think it's quite humble.

I was just telling my mom and dad tonight, who were talking about one of the $950K+ homes that was just built a fraction of a mile from their southern Wake County home, that I think these builders who are building so many new home communities that are exclusively from the $700's, $900's, $1M, etc. are going to see a bubble burst soon. There are just not THAT many people coming into this area with THAT much money.

Property that was once a nest egg, truly isn't anymore. These properties are being built to current market value that has significantly risen in the past 10 years, so much that I don't think they are going to continue to rise at this rate... they really can't forever.

I applaud the people who are buying nice homes with the intention of retiring IN them, but I firmly believe the ones who are buying NOW with the hopes of retiring FROM THE SALE OF THEM are going to get burnt. That ship has sailed. Sorry, you missed the boat. (Let's not even talk about the investors who are putting themselves into financial ruin to get into these properties they can't afford.)

Try another area all you'd like, but you have got to stop developing the mess out of Raleigh's once charming community and expecting and demanding the local government to bend over backward to give you financial benefits. They are not anti-growth, they are (as New Raleigh says) quality growth. And THAT my friends, is what in the end will truly provide homeowners with the lifetime value we Raleigh natives have come to know and love in this area for many more years to come.

While I can respect that homebuilders would like the city to account for where these increases in infill costs are being used (I believe they've risen 250% with no significant accounting of where the extra money is going), I do not sympathize with them any more than that. They are by far some of the biggest individuals and businesses profiting from the growth in this area, I think they are MORE than capable of helping to preserve a great quality of life here without spoiling it for future generations and lifetime homeowners.

I whole-heartedly agree with this next quote from New Raleigh and encourage you all to make yourself aware of the situation (especially if you currently, or ever plan to, call Raleigh home) and cast your own vote.

"The infill-standards opposition group, a.k.a. Raleigh developers and nest-eggers, claim that the “effort by Councilmen Thomas Crowder and Russ Stephenson is part of an overall anti-growth message.” These council members and others who support them are not “anti-growth,” they are PROPER-growth. They are RESPECTFUL-growth. And they are QUALITY-growth. These are the people that understand that something must be done to control the entities that are trivializing and de-valuing the established history and foundations of Raleigh’s unique character."

That's the end of my soapbox. I rarely have them, so I think I'm due one every now and then. :-)

Target Turns Woe Into Wonder

My dad read this to me yesterday morning when we were opening gifts. It made my day!

Target turns woe into wonder

News & Observer, The (Raleigh, NC) - News B6
Kathryn Their, The Charlotte Observer
Published: December 25, 2007

Jody Schwandt, executive director of the Mooresville Soup Kitchen, got the call at 8:30 a.m. Christmas Eve.

Would the soup kitchen like some food? Not just some food, but every frozen food item at the SuperTarget in Mooresville -- from pork loins to chicken to vegetables and frozen dinners.

It needed to be taken quickly. A computer malfunction had shut the store's entire freezer system, including storage walk-in freezers in back and display cases out front.

Schwandt and folks from First Baptist Church, which houses the soup kitchen, cobbled together a volunteer crew Monday to load, haul and sort the food.

The group twice filled two 18-foot-long commercial trucks lent by church member Randy Marion, owner of area car dealerships. Volunteers also made one trip in the church van with a trailer behind it.

"If it's frozen and they sell it at Target, we got a little bit of it," said Joe Cullen, the church's Baptist Men director.

Most of the food will stock the soup kitchen's freezers for weeks to come. Food that the soup kitchen can't use was distributed to families in need from other area churches.

Morrows Chapel United Methodist Church took frozen waffles for the Sunday breakfasts it serves to churchgoers without enough food at home.

"By thinking pretty quick," Cullen said, "[the store] was really able to bless a lot of people at Christmas time."

Donate ECU Hawaii Bowl Tickets to the Troops!

If I can't go to Hawaii to see a bowl game (isn't it sad that ECU was my only hope to go to a bowl game this holiday vacation?), I want to make sure someone gets to enjoy it who truly deserves it!

From the ECU Athletics Email List:
"This Tuesday is your last opportunity to help send our military service men and women to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, Sunday, December 23. Many dedicated service members are stationed in the Pacific area and the East Carolina Pirates, as an extension of our regular season Tickets For Troops campaign, will be providing a number of tickets through donation to the five branches of the military.

Pirate fans who donate tickets through Tickets For Troops will receive a commemorative 2007 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl ticket for their donations. You may contribute to the effort by calling 1-800-DIAL-ECU or through our online Ticket Donation.

PLEASE HURRY! The donation deadline is set for 5:00pm, Tuesday, December 18, in order to allow delivery and distribution to our troops. More than 2,000 tickets have been donated by your fellow Pirates, and every ticket that is purchased for donation by this deadline will be included!

Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl officials are cooperating with the United States Pacific Command to identify deserving marines, sailors, soldiers, airmen and their dependents who are not traveling home stateside for the holidays.

As the Pirates prepare for their clash against Boise State in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, please consider purchasing tickets to help send local Hawai'i-based military personnel and their families to Aloha Stadium to cheer for the Pirates. Thank you for your continued support of Pirate Athletics, and for helping us paint the holidays PURPLE for our troops in the islands!

GO PIRATES!

Pirate Football
East Carolina University
Phone: 252-737-4570
Fax: 252-737-4646

Quick Link: Online Purchasing Page

United States Redneck Special Forces (USRSF)

This is a good one... thanks Aunt Sandra for sending it along :-)

The Pentagon announced TODAY the formation of a new 500-man elite fighting unit called the United States Redneck Special Forces (USRSF)

These southern boys will be dropped off into Iraq and have been given only the following facts about terrorists:

1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don't like beer, pickups, country music or Jesus.
5. They are directly responsible for the death of Dale Earnhardt.

The Pentagon expects the problem in Iraq to be over by Friday.

Gal to Gal Foundation’s Virtual Walk

This was featured in the Wednesday edition of the Little Black Book Buzz in D.C. I'm an instant fan!

Gal to Gal Foundation Virtual Walk

So far they have raised $83,955 for Stage-4 breast cancer patients. Absolutely amazing. Here is a brief description of the program from "Betty" in D.C.: "If you aren’t already taking part in the virtual walk created by Design-her Gals, it’s fun and it’s only $3 to participate and create your gal! 6,000 gals, including mine with coiffed hair and a pink track suit (I am my mother’s daughter after all) are walking across the country raising funds for Stage IV breast cancer patients. These funds, distributed through the Gal to Gal Foundation, benefit women living in this critical stage of the disease. Today the gals are walking through the Twin Cities after having hoofed it down the East Cost and back up through the bayou and God’s country before heading for the north again.

Design-her Gals uses their light-hearted yet, personally empowering stationary to shine a positive light on the darkness of stage IV breast cancer. The website’s openness to breast cancer patients and all the associated symbols, (head scarves, stubble, pink-ribbon borders, etc...) is a tribute that reflects the difficult and challenging road these individuals and their families must travel. So c’mon boots... start walking! Catch up to us... I’ll see you in Texas!" Skip the Starbucks, save your $3.00 and join me on the virtual walk!

SPCA Fundraiser at Seaboard Station

As some of you may know, Nick and I adopted our first puppy from the SPCA Pet Adoption Center just outside of Garner. Delta has been a wonderful addition to the whole Jeffries (and Jackson!) families ever since.

I encourage you all to enjoy this event and stop by the Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center and visit with the pups, kittens, bunnies, and more! Take one home with you if you have the room and extra love to give!

Down by the Tracks VI
121 Seaboard Avenue, Raleigh

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23
For years, Down By The Tracks brought you downtown for great live music and cold beer for the great cause of supporting the SPCA. The event has grown with Seaboard Station's business district. Come see the renaissance of Seaboard for yourself and bring your dogs, friends, and family.

Bring your leashed pets to the sixth annual DOWN BY THE TRACKS, a block party benefiting the SPCA and presented by the Shops at Seaboard Station and friends. This year's event will feature live music from two great Triangle area bands, DBTT's crowd favorite The Soul Searchers and newcomers Buffalo Theory.

You will also find a silent auction, the "Best Dog Costume Contest", food vendors and FREE BEER. Come explore the new businesses of the Seaboard district like Capital City Grocery, Seaboard Fitness, Ace Hardware and favorites like Seaboard Imports, Galatea, and redpin.

To make an bigger financial impact for the SPCA, the Shops at Seaboard Station and friends will be charging a $5 cover charge for everyone attending with kids 12 and under free.

Date: Sunday, September 23, 2007
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Celebrate NC Wines!

Just passing this along from the NCSU Alumni Association eNewsletter... looks like a fabulous event!

The NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is hosting Celebrate North Carolina Wines on Sunday, Oct. 7, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the JC Raulston Arboretum.

The event will feature tastings from a number of North Carolina wineries, demonstrations of wine and food pairings, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Proceeds will benefit NC State viticulture and enology research and the JC Raulston Arboretum.

For more information, contact Autumn Keck at autumn_keck@ncsu.edu or 919-513-3826. For complete details, visit the Celebrate North Carolina Wines’ Web site.

Summertime in Raleighwood

Raleigh, Ruff Raleigh, Rallywood, Raleighwood, R-Town - whatever you want to call it - is pretty much one of the main reasons I grew up to love living in the south. In my 22 years, I've watched it grow into one of the best places in the nation to live.

The edge of town is far enough out to offer suburban comforts and enough "country" to remind you that you are in fact living in the south and the city itself is a haven of cool things happening almost every day. (I'm going to do my best to feature some of these here when I can, especially since the closing of Raleighing.com.)

I saw both of these featured on the Raleigh Chronicle (which, oddly enough I was introduced to by my ECU cousin Lindsey who hails from Wilmington, NC) and am really excited to be able to share them here. Although they're a bit similar to Buckhead Raleigh (yes, I'll be posting about Buckhead soon!), I think they are unique enough to give them a Lil Lisa plug anyways.

Sidetrack Brewpub: This place BY FAR has the the BEST view of Raleigh in town. According to Raleigh Chronicle, their opening has been pushed back but I'm excited to give them a try when they do finally open their doors. I pass this place everyday coming into Buckhead and it's exciting to know something will be taking shape there soon. Check out their website to stay updated on what's coming up for them.

Big Boss Brewing Company: I've never been here before but I also found it mentioned in the same Raleigh Chronicle article as above. Their website seems to be down at the moment, but I'm going to put this on my list of places to check out over the next few weeks and see if I can't get an udpate in here.

Energy Neighbor Fund Addresses Year-Round Need

Another tid-bit from the City of Raleigh May/June 2007 Newsletter:

"The Energy Neighbor Fund is Progress Energy's program for providing assistance to customers in need. The fund helps cover home energy bils, whether the homes are all-electric or use gas, coal, oil, wood or kerosene for home heating. In NC, the fund also helps support Operation Fan Relief, which provides fans during summer months to the elderly and other individuals with special needs.

Donations are collected from employees and customers and, through its foundation, Progress Energy contributes up to $500,000 per year in grants to support the program. The funding is allocated by state social service agencies to community organizations for distribution locally. Recipients must be living at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level and be experiencing a household crisis such as unexpected medical bills, loss of job, etc. The administrative costs of the program are absorbed completely by Progress Energy, so all donations go to help those in need."

I'd gladly include an extra few dollars with my energy bill each month... they should make that an option when paying your bill online :-D

Note: I spoke too soon... "Sign up online to give a monthly contribution. Complete the information on the form to add a set amount to your monthly bill for the Energy Neighbor Fund." I'm signed up now, you should too!

Recycle Your Old License Plates

I'm what Marshal Cohen calls a "light-green" kind of girl. I'm very adamant about recycling what I can but I still like to drive a SUV or gas-guzzling truck. Hey - you can't tow a boat with a Prius.... at least I don't suggest it.

In light of NC's new license plates... I'm passing along this recycling opportunity from my City of Raleigh May/June 2007 Newsletter:

"NC's vehicle license plates are getting a makeover by the NC DMV. DMV is replacing existing plates with an updated version. The oldest plates are being replaced first.

Owners receiving new plates are encouraged to take their old plates to license plate agencies for recycling. Raleigh DMV offices are at the following addresses:

DMV HQ's: 1100 New Bern Ave., 715-7000
West Raleigh: 3231 Avert Ferry Road, 816-9197
Holly Park Shopping Center: 3070 Wake Forest Road, 872-2815
N. Raleigh River Place Commerce Center: 9701 Capital Blvd - Suite 100, 570-1016"

Now, I'm not criticizing... but wouldn't it have made more sense to include an envelope that people could have sent their old ones back in postage free (think: Netflix) ... which I believe would increase the amount that actually get recycled? (Not to mention, now people without insurance are just going to be able to get these extras in their hands and drive around with invalid plates...)

Oh well, recycle those plates anyways y'all!

American By Birth...

...Southern By the Grace of God.

Southern Pride and American Pride often go hand-in-hand. With the 4th of July (one of my MOST favorite holidays) quickly approaching, I thought I'd share this great way for anyone to show their American Pride.

The folks over at AmericanFlags.com are giving away their 3' x 5' polyester American flags for free and only charging $6.00 shipping in honor of Flag Day. I don't think anyone has ANY excuse not to take them up on this deal and fly it proudly. Thank you to my July issue of Real Simple magazine for publicizing this!

Click here to go straight to this promotion!

Memorial Day

What means a weekend at the beach or a few days of grillin' and chillin' with friends has a whole new meaning for many of us this year after the loss of my cousin Henry.

Here are a few more ways to help support our troops and some articles in the N&O that I thought were well written...

Doing Good
Best Buy helps the Fisher House connect troops and their families and can use your donations.
Operation Homefront supports the families of those currently serving.

Opinions Worth Considering
State Fans Read This - Bell Tower has veteran seeing red.
A place where memory lives
They gave all
This One Really Sums It Up - Taken for granted

Polar Plunge Audio Slideshow & Articles

Polar Plunge Audio Slideshow

Check out The Technician's (NCSU's student newspaper) audio + photo commentary on this past Saturday's Polar Plunge!

Read the the full story to see comments from Pi Phis as well!

And finally, the News & Observer's coverage of the event can be viewed online here!