And there are a lot of great things at North Hills–the shops, restaurants, new Renaissance hotel, live music in the summer, so that’s why we spend 99% of the time talking about them. But today, we wanted to share some of the complaints we’ve heard about the area, and see what you think about them. If you have a complaint, feel free to post a comment here or contact us and let us know what you think.

Lack of Certain Essentials

If you live in North Hills, then you can walk to practically everything you’d need except these places, as noted by some of our readers:

• a post office
• book store
• really good breakfast place
• flower shop

Traffic

Traffic around the area can be unbearable at times, and this is probably the biggest complaint we’ve heard. It can be tough to find a parking spot sometimes during peak dinner and lunch hours. I haven’t had too much of a problem on Six Forks road, but traffic can back up a little there. The good news is that I believe Kane Realty is directly addressing this issue as it moves forward with construction. We’ll see what happens.

Construction/General

Some people just don’t like mixed-use developments. Nothing can really be done about this complaint except to point out that North Hills isn’t just another mall. If you live there, you probably like it, and feel a sense of connection to the area and the people there. Even though there is a lot of construction going on in the area, it should be great when it’s finished in a few years. Though some people will probably still insist that it is ugly or a bad use of land, and people are entitled to their own opinions. What do you think?

Share This

1) How about telling our readers a little bit about Uncle Bob’s Nuts & Kettle Corn

We specialize in glazed pecans, almonds, and cashews. Our Honey Cinnamon Pecans are our signature nut. The comments of our customers say it all: “ taste like a tiny pecan pie”, “ reminds me of Christmas”, “ just like a cinnamon bun”ect. People love this nut! Our Vanilla Cinnamon Almonds and Honey Vanilla Cashews are also crowd pleasers. We also have Hot Buffalo Peanuts for the spicier lovers. Rounding out our offering we have roasted salted cashews and pistachios. All of our nuts that we use are top shelf in quality.

Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn is the best! We get this feedback from many of the people who try it and buy it. I believe in keeping a balance of sweet and salty. People love it this way.

Our nuts & kettle corn are derived from the thought of simple everyday quality ingredients, freshly made in small quantities by hand and have wonderful flavor. Just like I would make for my family. We have eliminated the lengthy chemistry sounding additives, the preservatives and all the colors of the rainbow that end up in so many food products.

In short we make a quality, all natural, fresh and tasty products.

2) When did you get started with this and how did you decide to start?

I began roasting nuts in January of 2006. I was a partner in a Mediterranean grocery and the manager who was trained in nut roasting was released. We had no one to roast the nuts so I said I would do it. I had an adventurous education (ruined a lot of nuts) in nut roasting.

I began seeking out others that had nut businesses in various parts of the United States. They pointed me to high traffic areas like flee markets, farmers markets, festivals, and events. I started going to farmers markets with some success. In the mean time our little Mediterranean grocery was struggling and eventually we sold it but I retained the roasted nuts. So Uncle Bob’s was born last year.

The reason that I continued with it was multifaceted. One reason was that I wanted to recoup the cost of the equipment and another was that I really enjoyed what I did. I saw that it brought joy to people. It also allowed me to be creative and free of the encumbrance that is met in the corporate environment. When I am Uncle Bob there is such an air of happiness and joy out of something so simple.

3) What sets Uncle Bob’s Nuts & Kettle Corn apart from other brands that creat similar food products?

The large snack food producers do not provide what Uncles Bob’s offers in freshness, simple ingredients, highest quality (there is a distinction in nut quality grades). Most other brand with similar food products are about keeping their product as fresh as possible for longer periods of time. This is were the preservatives come into play. Then there are the additives to create fill or the color enhancement which are numerous. The grade of nuts that you find also is never mentioned by these companies. Why? Because what is used mostly is a lower quality nut product, which cost them less to purchase. As I mentioned above we just don’t adhere to this policy. I repeat this is what I believe in: We make a high quality, all natural, fresh and tasty product.

Kettle corn is mostly sold at events/festivals. You will see it on grocery shelves in the autumn and winter months from large snack producers. A good percentage of the local population does not have an understanding of what kettle corn is. We and other kettle corn maker in our area are creating awareness of this product. Our goal is to have Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn on grocery shelves by 2009. Anyone interested?

4) How did you achieve success with your business?

Five words: Plan, Vision, Commitment, Perseverance, Reward

There are many ups and downs to any business (I have been an entrepreneur for 26 years). Being committed to your vision will see you though. Having a business plan with capital going in will also support you. Persevering the roller coaster (or enjoying the roller coaster if you like coasters) will get you the reward. You have to see it to achieve it!

5) Nuts or Kettle Corn? If you had to choose one to sell, what would it be and why?

I take both. Both are needed to succeed. They enhance each other.

6) I’m assuming you are pretty passionate about nuts and kettle corn. How important do you think it is to work at something that you’re passionate about?

I believe everyone gets to have something in life that they are passionate about. In a career we spent most of our awake quality hours. I prefer to spend these hours in a way that I am juiced about and have passion in. It is very important to me to experience this passion, as I believe it effect how my life is seen from within and lived out. I love to succeed in the business world!

7) Besides your business, what else are you passionate about?

I am passionate that people get to see how great they are and how they can express this in their lives. To see people empower themselves. To see them fly!

8 ) How has the current economic situation affected your business? What changes have you had to make, if any?

My business has been affected, as people are more careful in their spending. I have been creative in trying different approaches in our selling with some things working and some not. I consider what works as my intellectual property as I have paid for the education.

9) What do you think about the North Hills area and the Farmers Market?

North Hills is a great area for people, families, and business. To me it has an eclectic flair and is a desired place to live and shop. Kane Realty and Duke have done a great job with the North Hills Farmers Market. The site selection is wonderful with it being located in the village green area. The music and the selection of vendors work very well. I can only see an upside to this Market going forward.

10) Who is someone that you look up to in the business world?

I look up to my grandfather Napoleon Menard as my business inspiration. He was an uneducated factory worker who became bed ridden for over a two-year period due to illness and having a family to support. In his time of disability he began to consider what he would do once he became well. He decided he wanted to be a salesman.

When he became well enough to work he set out to be that salesman and was rejected numerous times. He finally found someone to give him the opportunity. He became a very successful salesman in the clothing industry. From there he began to buy overstocked and unsellable apparel from various stores. He opened a business in the basement of his home selling the clothing at a discounted price. People told that he was foolish and to stop wasting his time and energy. He had a different vision that they could not see. He became extremely successful at his business. He bought other business that people were failing at and turned them into profitable ventures that he would give to his children.

Napoleon also had a desire to enrich his community. He poured himself out for people of the city of Fall River, Mass. that their lives too would be of quality. He was written of in a book of that city as a man that shaped the community for the better.

11) What keeps you awake at night?

I sleep very well!

12) If you had all the money in the world, what would you be doing right now?

I would be philanthropist. I would also set up experimental self-empowerment workshops to give people the tools for them to see their great gift of who they are.

Thanks to Bob for providing us with some great insight and thoughts. Check out Uncle Bob’s Nuts & Kettle Corn next time you visit the Farmer’s Market here.

Share This

See below for some pictures from the music on Friday. What do you think about the music series so far? Are these the type of bands that you’d like to see? Would you rather have jazz or country or some other type of music or more of a mix? Leave a comment and let us know what you think, and we’ll work with Kane to try to make it happen (North Hills Buzz is a sponsor of the music series).

Erik Smallwood will be performing on Friday. Come out and enjoy the music!

Share This

North Hills Buzz: Your MySpace page says you first came together in December 2007. How did everyone in the band meet and start playing together?

Old Avenue: Originally, Sean and Jason were in a band, Thaxton’s Place, with a few other guys freshman year of high school. At the same time Mark was in a band, Wake Up David, with a few other guys from another school. The two bands came together mid freshman year. They played on and off for about a year or so and went through a few other members and singers. In December 2007 Kendall, who was also going to Cardinal Gibbons High School, was added to the band. A few weeks ago we acquired a new singer, Greg Sullivan, to make the band what we are today.

NHB: How did you get hooked up with your new lead singer, Greg Sullivan?

OA: We were in need of a singer and we had a few try-outs for some but they weren’t what we were looking for. Kendall’s brother, Andrew, suggested Greg Sullivan who he knew through his high school years at Cardinal Gibbons. We invited him to a practice and he was a perfect fit.

NHB: Who were some of your favorite artists growing up?

OA: Dave Matthews Band, OAR, Hootie & the Blowfish, Matchbox 20, Dr. Dre, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Who, Moe., John Mayer, Jack Johnson, The Beatles, Bob Marley

NHB: What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?

OA: Back in the day when Space Jam was in the theatres

NHB: Who are some of your favorite bands now? How have these bands influenced Old Avenue’s sound?

OA: Dave Matthews Band, OAR, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Dispatch, State Radio, Ingrid Michaelson.

NHB: I really like how the saxophone is blended into your songs. Talk about how you’ve made it fit so well into some of your songs, such as “Miss Summertime.”

OA: Different songs have different feels so it’s important to change playing styles to fit the song. Greg says, “I’m just glad he isn’t terrible.”

NHB: What do you think of the local music scene in Raleigh? How do small music series such as this one and larger events like Raleigh Wide Open affect the music scene here?

OA: Raleigh is a great place to play for a band like us. You have to start playing small venues and work your way up. Events like Raleigh Wide Open and shows at North Hills really help with exposure because every time you play those, you get a new audience to win over. We hope to continue playing many shows around Raleigh and also start traveling to other states for various shows and events.

NHB: What is your favorite place to relax in Raleigh? In North Carolina?

OA: We are big fans of hangin’ out by water and so Lake Gaston is always a fun place to go to and just relax. In Raleigh though, we like hangin’ out at Cloos’ Coney Island in Mission Valley, which is Mark’s dad’s restaurant.

NHB: If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be?

OA: Of course “The Cobblestone EP” by Old Avenue but a close number 2 is “Crash” by Dave Matthews Band

Share This

Emerging Artists presented by North Hills Buzz

North Hills Buzz will be the presenting sponsor of the new Emerging Artists music series here at North Hills! The series began last week and will run every Friday in August from 6:30-8:30pm. Assuming the series is successful, it will continue through September and maybe longer.

As I mentioned a few days ago, this free music series will feature up-and-coming local bands and artists from this area. Music styles will range from rock and pop to alt and reggae. TimSmith Band, which has its roots in reggae, ska and soul, will play here tomorrow night (over at the Commons, by the movie theater).

Stay tuned for more information about this music series. We’d really like to involve YOU in the development of it so contact us with any thoughts/feedback/ideas you may have.

In other exciting news…

North Hills Buzz Teams Up with Sponsor an Exotic

We’ve teamed up with Sponsor an Exotic to put our logo on their Lotus Elise, in order to increase awareness for our website and brand. Sponsor an Exotic offers an elite mobile branding solution for businesses based in the Raleigh area. Their specialty is drawing attention to businesses and brands through the use of flashy sports cars. This is something unique that offers opportunities to tie in with the website such as….

Buzz a Lotus Photo Contest

The Lotus Elise (with our logo on it) will be out and about at North Hills in the coming weeks, starting today (Friday) for the Emerging Artists music series. Take a picture of you and the Lotus with the North Hills Buzz logo showing, send it in to pictures@northhillsbuzz.com,and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $100 North Hills gift certificate. We’ll feature the pictures that are sent in on a page here, so you can show your friends. If you’d rather upload the picture to Flickr and tag it as “buzzalotus” (minus the quotes) you can enter the drawing that way. Take as many pictures as you’d like, but only entry per person please.  The contest will run through the end of August.

Come check out the music from TimSmith Band and the Lotus from Sponsor an Exotic and have a good time on Friday night. Take some pictures (such as the one below), and you might even win something.

Share This

Story From WRAL.com

President Bush will arrive in Raleigh today at 4:30pm for a private event to raise money for Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory’s gubernatorial campaign. The fundraiser will take place at  John Kane’s home. Kane is the chairman and CEO of Kane Realty Corporation, which had led the redevelopment of the North Hills area in Raleigh.

According to WRAL.com, more than 100 people are expected to pay at least $4,000 to attend this private event.

Read the whole story here: http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/3076404/

Share This

Walking around North Hills in the spring is nice, and there are some great places to eat outside.  A few of our favorite places are:

• Cinelli’s
• McAlister’s Deli
• Hot Point Cafe

What is your favorite place to eat outside around here?

Share This

It looks like many of you (48%) feel like Harris Teeter should get rid of the birds, but others thought the birds should be allowed to stay (38%) or didn’t care at all (14%).

Does anyone have any suggestions for our next survey? Let us know by commenting on this post.

Share This

This is a guest post by Teri Saylor, a Raleigh-based freelance writer and blogger who writes the local Miss Congeniality blog. Visit her at http://misscongeniality.wordpress.com or terisaylor@hotmail.com

North Hills Raleigh is known for its great restaurants, upscale shopping, and arguably the best Target in town. There’s a cinema, and even condominiums. Soon the complex will be home to a fabulous new Renaissance Hotel.

But did you know that North Hills is also a Mecca for health and fitness?

A major destination for Saturday morning marathon runners, Panera Bread Company provides sustenance for haggard, carb-deprived souls after early Saturday morning runs of up to 26.2 miles.

But that’s not all. Flanking Panera are a U.S. Fitness store featuring training equipment and a GNC shop, full of helpful vitamins and fitness supplements.

You may try a session on a treadmill at Gold’s Gym.

Gold’s is not your style? Check out Body Chic, an alternative method for reducing fat and cellulite.

REI can map your path to exploring the great outdoors. Stock your own fitness regimen at Omega Sports.

After a session at Gold’s or biking on your REI mountain bike, re-energize with a healthy dose of Keva Juice, featuring smoothies made of fresh and fruity ingredients.

After running, biking, strengthening, and burning fat, soothe those aching muscles with a relaxing massage and spa treatment from Aveda Von Kekel Salon Spa or Natural Body Spa and Shoppe.

Not interested in being a participant? Grab your buddies and head over to the Fox and Hound to sip a cold beverage and enjoy sports on the big screen.

North Hills touts itself as having something for everyone.

For sports and fitness nuts, outdoors-lovers, or armchair quarterbacks, it’s definitely a happening place to be.

Share This

“Is Raleigh Midtown a good name for the North Hills area?”

The results are in, and it appears that 57% of you said that Raleigh Midtown is a good name for this area.

So what about those of you who said you didn’t think Raleigh Midtown is a good name? What about this name don’t you like?

Share This