North Hills Buzz » Featured

A North Hills Olympic Experience

Jason Peck — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:09:11 +0000

Lake Placid, Sarajevo, Calgary, Albertville, Lillehammer, Nagano, Salt Lake City, and Turin are all places that hosted the Winter Olympics since I was born (not to date myself or anything). And I have only been to one of them, Lake Placid. Although to be honest, I went there in 2001 and in the summer. This year I’m adding another city to my list – Vancouver, the host of 2010 Winter Olympics.

This year is different though because I have found a way to join in the fun without leaving Raleigh, spending lots of money or dealing with the crowds. And all I have to do is to spend a day or two at North Hills.

So far I worked out the following itinerary:

I’d check into the new Renaissance Raleigh North Hills. I’ve heard lots of great stuff about their rooms (flat-screen TVs in the bathrooms were mentioned most often) and been looking for an opportunity to stay there.

Since I would have about 3 hours between the check-in and the Opening Ceremony, I thought I might use hotel’s complimentary pass to Gold’s Gym next door. I’d spend half an hour on a treadmill while imagining myself training for a cross-country race at Whistler Olympic Park.

My next stop would be at one of the two spas at North Hills – Natural Body Spa & Shop or Von Kekel Salon Spa. Both offer massages – something I would definitely need after my work-out – as well as facials (no, those don’t make me a better athlete, just a better-natured person).

With the Opening Ceremony only a few minutes away, I would stop by the Fox & Hound Restaurant for their Alpine Burger. The place boasts 28 TVs, 11 of those being big screen; so chances are good for me to catch the beginning of the Ceremony if I’m running late.

With the Games officially open, it’s time to celebrate. In keeping with the theme – sports and winter – I’m going to stop by Ben & Jerry’s, conveniently open ‘til 10pm on Fridays. Back in my room, I’d reflect on the day’s events, make myself a promise to make it to Sochi, Russia in 2014 and enjoy the hotel’s ultra-comfortable (or so I’ve heard) bed complete with luxury linens.

What do YOU plan on doing for this year’s Winter Olympics?

About the Author: Yelena McManaman of OneClickVA is a Social Media Specialist, helping small business owners implement their social media marketing strategist for measurable results.

Can’t Make It to Vancouver

So far I worked out the following itinerary:

Share This

Medical Supply Drive To Benefit Haiti Continues

Jason Peck — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:38:19 +0000

Due to overwhelming support, North Hills will continue its medical supply drive through Friday, Jan. 22. A donation area is located between Learning Express and LensCrafters. North Hills is working collaboratively with Horne Memorial United Methodist Church (HMUMC) in Clayton, N.C. for Haitian relief efforts. North Hills will serve as a collection location for supplies that are needed immediately in Haiti (see list below). With missionaries and medical personnel from HMUMC already located in Haiti, there is an effective plan in place for disseminating the collected items upon their arrival. They will be continually collecting and shipping to Haiti.

WHO: North Hills and HMUMC Medical Supply Drive

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 20 to Friday, Jan. 22 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

SUPPLIES REQUESTED:

Plastic or fiberglass casting
Suture 3-0,4-0 nylon
Suture instrument kits
Betadine
4×4 dressing
Roll gauze
Web roll for casting
Saline IV and irrigation
Injectible pain medication
Injectible antibiotics IV and IM Rocephin, Ancef, Kflex
External fixture
Tools to put the in (tool boxes)
Traction bows and pins
Blankets
Sheets
Towels
Wash clothes
Food
Tarps
Health kits, which should include specific items*:

o     1 hand towel (15” x 25” up to 17” x 27”)

o        1 wash cloth

o        1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)

o        1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)

o        1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)

o        1 toothbrush (single brush only in original wrapper; no child-sized brushes)

o        1 large tube of toothpaste

o        6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages

o        *Note: All items should be placed inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag. No other items should be included in the Health Kit.

WHERE: North Hills between Learning Express and LensCrafters. North Hills is located at the corner of Six Forks Road and the I-440 beltline. Please bring much needed medical items. This event will occur rain or shine.

CONTACT: If you would like to volunteer to help collect items this weekend, please contact us at info@northhillsraleigh.com.

Share This

New Tenants Announced Today

Jason Peck — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:09:48 +0000

Today, Kane Realty Corporation announced new tenants at North Hills in Raleigh, N.C. Many of these businesses will be located within the $1 billion expansion at North Hills that to date includes more than 700 residential units, 500,000 square feet of office space, nearly 1 million square feet of retail space, 229 hotel rooms and more green space.

Kane Realty welcomes the following new tenants and/or expansions of existing tenants:

BeyondBlue Interiors: relocating from Cary’s ArboretumPiola: new restaurant concept to Raleigh
Varsity Men’s Wear: relocating from Crabtree Valley Mall
ArtSource Fine Art & Framing Gallery: expanding its current North Hills space closing its ArtSource location in Five Points
dilly dally at Oh Baby!: expanding its current North Hills space and closing their North Raleigh store

Tenants that have already been announced for the expansion, opening in 2010 include:

Bruegger’s
Harris Teeter
Henry’s Fine Italian Gelato
131 Main Restaurant
Midtown Nail Spa
Salon Blu
Zoë’s Kitchen

What do you think about these new tenants? Which ones are you most excited about?

Share This

Tree Lighting Holiday Celebration on Saturday at North Hills

Jason Peck — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:45:50 +0000

It’s that time of year again. I don’t know about you, but I’m pumped!

I love finding gifts for family, picking out a Christmas Tree (only losers use fake trees), putting up lights, going to Holiday parties and listening to Christmas Music (Trans Siberian Orchestra is great for this).

North Hills is getting into the spirit, too.

Their Holiday Open House is Thursday, November 21 from 6pm-8pm. On Saturday, November 21st, there will be a ton of great festivities at North Hills, starting at 3pm with Ice Skating on the Commons, crafts for the kids with Mrs. Claus, and miniature pony rides.

Throughout the evening there will be Horse and Carriage rides, a trackless train and appearances by elves, Frosty, Rudolf and Victorian Carolers. Special guest, Pam Saulsby will introduce Santa Claus for the lighting of the tree at 6pm.

Here’s the full schedule of events for the holiday celebration on Saturday

**Bring a camera! Children will have a chance to sit on Santa’s lap after the lighting of the tree. Activities will continue until 7pm.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Visit the holiday greens market for garlands, wreaths and other festive decorations for the holidays
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.- Ice-skating on the Commons Lawn, crafts and miniature pony rides
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Enjoy horse and carriage rides, train rides, elves, Frosty, Rudolf and Victorian Carolers
4 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.- Caroling around the tree and musical entertainment
5:40 p.m. to 6 p.m.- Special guest WRAL-TV anchor Pam Saulsby will introduce Santa Clause for the tree lighting

Photo opportunities with Santa will be held immediately following the tree lighting.

Share This

Happy Halloween!

Jason Peck — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:21:55 +0000

Happy Halloween!

Here are some of the activities going on tomorrow here at North Hills.

Halloween Activities

Arts and Crafts: 8 a.m. to noon
Pumpkin Painting: 8 a.m. to noon
Kiddie Costume Contest: 10 a.m.
Pet Costume Contest: 10 a.m.
Bluegrass music from Tims Family Band: 10 a.m. to noon
Trick-or-Treating throughout participating North Hills stores: Noon to 6 p.m.

I hope you’ll be having a fun and safe time tomorrow night. What are you (or your children) dressing up as this year? Let us know in the comments and feel free to send any pictures to webmaster@northhillsbuzz.com!

Share This

Free WiFi at North Hills Raleigh!

Jason Peck — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:49:34 +0000

Today, Kane Realty announced that North Hills is now offering free wireless Internet access for shoppers, diners, residents, hotel guests and employees–pretty much anyone who comes to North Hills. About 370,000 square feet is equipped for WiFi.

“Offering free Internet access at North Hills helps us offer a unique visitor experience that distinguishes the community,” said John Kane, Kane Realty Corporation chairman and CEO. “Our goal is for North Hills to be a one-stop shopping, dining, working, living and playing destination. With the addition of WiFi, we’re making it even more convenient for people to stay connected to the things that are important to them while they enjoy North Hills.”

Looks like North Hills beat downtown Raleigh to the punch (free WiFi is coming there in the Fall). I think this is a great initiative, and remember thinking earlier this year when people were talking about the free WiFi in downtown Raleigh that we should have this at North Hills as well.

I’ve always been a fan of working at Panera Bread because of their free WiFi, but I look forward to being able to work in other places now. How will this change where you work (and maybe eat) at North Hills?

Share This

North Hills $1 Billion Expansion Featured on NBC 17

Jason Peck — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:58:30 +0000

Despite the tough economy, North Hills is poised for huge growth. Check out the video below for a segment from NBC-17, which dicusses the $1 billion expansion of North Hills across Six Forks Road. As we’ve mentioned before, the area will be a mixed-use development featuring retail (250,000 square feet), offices and residential living. We’re also excited about the green space they’ll have for people to enjoy relaxing and more live music and entertainment.

In the video Raleigh’s planning director, Mitchell Silver, says, “As we look to the future, we want to have more places like North Hills throughout the city because it reduces the need for people to drive.”

That is probably true for people who live there, but I’m not sure if that is true overall–with all the great things happening in the area, more and more people are driving here. Until the city gets a bus or metro to/from downtown Raleigh and other places, I’m not sure this will change.

What do you think?

Share This

Brooks Wood at Mura on Thursday Nights

Jason Peck — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:31:33 +0000

Brooks Wood is a cool dude who happens to also play some good music. You can hear some of his songs on his MySpace page. Or if you’re going to be over at North Hills on Thursday nights anyway for the Midtown Music Series, you can stop by Mura afterward and listen to Brooks Wood while getting some dinner and drinks. He plays at Mura every Thursday night from 7-10pm through June. He’s moving to New York City in July, so go see him while you still can.

Here’s a video of Brooks Wood at Mura from last Thursday.

The man can sing and play. He’s also on Twitter, if you want to follow him there.

Share This

Video and Pictures from the Triangle British Classic Car Show

Jason Peck — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:10:36 +0000

I enjoyed checking out the cars at the 13th annual Triangle British Classic Car Show on Saturday at North Hills. There were some awesome cars from makers such as Austin-Healey, MG, Lotus, Triumph and a few others. Check out a few videos and pictures I got from the event.

[View with PicLens]

Share This

Video from A Walk for Wishes Fashion Show

Jason Peck — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:44:41 +0000

On Friday night the “A Walk for Wishes” fashion show took place outside of Vivace and The Spectacle. You can see the recap here, but see below for video from the event. Click here for pictures of the event.

Footage of the female models strutting their stuff

An interview with Chalon Carter and Suzanne Sutter, who is the President and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina
-my camera skills weren’t very good during this one, but it’s the words that matter, right…

Some thoughts about the event and the Make-A-Wish Foundation from Wick Morgan (owner of The Spectacle)

Share This