Do you have any pictures you’d like to share? Send any pics you may have to webmaster@northhillsbuzz.com and we’ll feature them here with a one sentence bio and link back to your website if you’d like.

Our first contributor of snow pictures is Daniel Hendley, a hobbyist photographer trying to put everything into motion to one day be able to make a living doing what he loves–taking pictures. Some of the thumbnails below appear not to be working, but click on them and the full image should show…sorry about that.

[View with PicLens]

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As a matter of fact, when I think about the places my family frequents, I think of weekly routine rather than special occasion. I frequently work out of Panera Bread, meet with friends at Starbucks, and take my family out for a weekly ice-cream treat at Ben & Jerry’s on the Commons. And I challenge anyone to call Chik-Fil-A and Five Guys expensive!

For now I reserve shopping at some of the NH boutiques for when I win the lottery. But after countless shopping trips to NH Target, I feel I can find anything in that store with my eyes closed. Ditto for JC Penney. Learning Express turned out to be a surprisingly affordable place for quality toys, especially since we got on their mailing list and started getting discount coupons.

Then there’s the whole thing about entertaining at North Hills. Well, it’s winter time now and things are a bit slow. But come summer, we’ll be driving to NH every Thursday evening to enjoy free Beach Music Series concerts. There are also lots of free family-friendly events hosted throughout the year, including Halloween and Christmas at North Hills.

As I thought about it some more, I remembered the many times we invited our out-of-town guests for an evening out at North Hills without worrying about breaking our entertainment budget.

What are your favorite budget-friendly places and things to do at NH?

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.

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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.

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Turns out, you might be a workshifter if you work out of coffee shops, book stores, airport lounges and hotels as much as you work from your office or your home.

Telecommuting and working from home are mostly great. Except on the days when your Internet connection is mysteriously slow, installers are busy putting kitchen cabinets in or, say, you run out of coffee. Or on the days when your non-telecommuting office-mates have a pizza party or pull an April Fool’s Day prank on the boss and send you a grainy webcam video of it. Or when you realize that the most-used dress items in your closet are sweats and T-shirts.

When either of these happens and the cabin fever sets in, you know it’s time to get out of the house and work elsewhere. I usually head off to Panera Bread Bakery or to one of the two Starbucks’ at North Hills. All three of these places attract quite a crowd of like-minded telecommuters and entrepreneurs.

Neither of the places is particularly quiet and that’s ok if your main goal is to get out of the ho-hum of your daily routine and the loneliness of working from home. If change is what you’re looking for – change to where, how, and when you work – then work shifting is worth a try. Just keep in mind these handy tips:

Arrive Early… or Late – but not during peak time for your chosen location – early morning for a coffee shop or lunch time for cafés such as Panera Bread. This way, you’ll have a choice of sitting (next to an electrical outlet) and quieter surroundings. Besides, some places limit their Internet access during peak hours.

Have a To-Do List – work shifting is all about change and disruption of your established routine. To maintain focus and productivity, make sure you have clear goals and a to-do list in front of you at all times. Along the same lines, you might want to maintain at least some of your typical workflow to help you get in the zone.

Come Equipped – a laptop is a must and so is a cell phone (don’t forget to let others know which number to call or, better yet, set up call forwarding). Other nice-to-have hardware includes a spare laptop battery, an iPod, earphones, and a power strip. This last one just might make you into a super-hero at an electrical outlet-deficient place. Time-tracking, project management, instant messaging and remote desktop software will help you get work done and keep you connected with your clients, employees and co-workers.

Be Realistic – some things are better suited for office environment. Calling clients from a crowded and noisy café is not ideal and neither is dealing with highly proprietary documents. Access to an outlet might not be available right away and yes, you might run out of battery power. There will be more interruptions and distractions, including standing in line to get your food. On the other hand, faced with a threat of a dead battery or lunch crowd, you just might finish your tasks in record time.

Enjoy the Experience – Have a bagel and scan through the local paper before starting work. Spend lunch time window shopping nearby boutiques or sitting outside and people-watching. Have a drink or ice-cream after you’re done working. If you’re in North Hills, arrange for your family to meet you after work and go to the movies or, if it’s summer, enjoy an outdoor concert.

Do you work shift? Tell us about your experience working outside of your typical setting.

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. She enjoys asiago cheese bagels with veggie spread while blogging and workshifting at Panera Bread in North Hills.

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USO of N.C. will collect items for veterans and their families to enjoy at CAPTRUST Tower during the ceremony. Requested donations include food, furniture, small appliances, storage containers, electronics, cleaning supplies and entertainment items.

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 – Veteran’s Day – Rain or shine
10 – 11 a.m.

Note: Should it rain, the flags will not be flown but the ceremony will continue.

WHERE: Corner of Park and Market Street and Front Street in the North Hills expansion off of Six Forks Road in Raleigh

Coming from I-440 on Six Forks Road, turn right onto Front Street into the new North Hills development. The five, 30-foot flag poles will be on the left outside CAPTRUST Tower.

WHY CARE?

• According to Census 2000 data, more than 13 percent of North Carolina’s population is comprised of veterans.
• Miss North Carolina International Julie Tesh is an avid USO supporter and will participate in the Veteran’s Day ceremony.
• Several employees of Kane Realty Corporation, the developer of North Hills, are former members of the U.S. military and will attend the event.

This month, a significant portion of the $1 billion North Hills expansion begins opening for residents, tenants and guests. The flags will fly outside one of the most recently completed developments, CAPTRUST Tower

The completed North Hills expansion will include:

• 1 million square feet of office space
• 250,000 square feet of retail space
• 1,800 residential units
• 800 hotel rooms
• 3 new parks

For more information on the USO, visit www.uso-nc.org

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You can also enjoy extended shopping hours though December.

Special store promotions and events:

• With the purchase of $100 or more, receive two free tickets to see “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” on Dec. 1 at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts’ Memorial Auditorium
• Enter for a chance to win $500 in “North Hills Christmas Cash”
• Sip complimentary hot chocolate and hot apple cider
• Enjoy strolling carolers and Christmas tunes while you shop

·         Pick up a copy of the November/December Midtown Magazine to receive “Midtown’s Holiday Shopping Card at North Hills.” Midtown Magazine is available at newsstands throughout North Hills. The shopping card is good for discounts at participating North Hills shops and restaurants. Shopping cards are valid through Dec. 31. A partial list of participating tenants and discounts is at http://www.northhillsraleigh.com/news/main/?p=1484.

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This post was submitted by Patrice.

Anyone been to Fox and Hound for this? Would love to hear your thoughts and see some pictures.

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This post was submitted by Norton Newton.

THE TAMS
North Hills Concert Series – Free
Thursday, April 30, 2009

It was colder and overcast with the morning beginning long-sleeved at least but later in the day the sun worked its way through the haze and pushed the temperature up to the shorts and short sleeve season we are trying to move into.

And just in time for THE TAMS, Live at the Free North Hills Concert Series.

The excitement begins the moment you score a much sought after parking spot, walk your way through the mini-city that is North Hills past all the stores and sidewalk café eateries to hit the main plaza where the people gather and the beer flows as the music kicks off.

Immediately the beverage lines form and grow like the grass coming up from the re-awaked Earth so after I queued up and worked my way to the front I paid with tip in advance to the friendly bartender which allowed me to just step up to the side of the tent, smile and wavy my empty can koozie and be instantly reloaded.

The back-up band does the first set warm up, there is a lull in the action then out comes THE TAMS in their white pants, shirts, hats with turquoise vests and ties. The open dancing area immediately fills with people crowding to the front, the band is bouncing, the stage is bouncing and the crowd goes pogo right along with them.

The age range of these Events are from one end of the scale to the other, there were a few way little kiddies at the head of the stage that security cleaned out in a sweep-up operation, kind of like the witching hour being reached in a bar when it’s time for some to exit stage left.

The Tams are showmen and what a show they once more put on. Continually dancing with choreographed moves in tandem with all on stage and they involve the party crowd in front of them like so few do.

There is one primary lead singer but four different players took their turn to pump the crowd with the mic and The Tams make sure that all there are a part of the entertainment. The mic was passed down to a guy in the crowd that wailed away some lyrics in a song knocking it out of the park, the mic was repeatedly held out to the audience and there were no shy people in attendance with all doing their best singing renditions, even yours truly and the only thing I usually sing to is a bar of soap.

At one point it was requested to have a “white guy” jump on-stage and with crowd and beer encouragement all of a sudden there he was in the dancing line of swinging black guys and as much as he tried to keep the rhythm he could not remain in sync and the lead singer commented, “Yep, he’s a white guy” but that never slowed him down.

THE TAMS:
“Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me”
“What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am”
“I’ve Been Hurt”
“Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy”

Covered:
The O’Jays – “I Love Music” …Any Kind Of Music.
General Johnson – “Carolina Girls” …Best In The World.
Sly and the Family Stone – “Going To Take You Higher”
The Temptations – “SHOUT” (the crowd went ballistic)
Jimmy Buffett – “Margaritaville”
O’Jays – “Love Train”

From the stage the lead singer shouted,
“I’m about done, do you want one more? Two More? Three More? Alright, here we go!”

The plaza has a Chick-Fil-A and there walking through the crowd was the Chick-Fil-A mascot cow so we had literally partied till the cows came home.

…Lee Odom

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This post was submitted by Lee Odom.

Advertise With Us and Get Noticed.

North Hills Buzz is always looking for partners, advertisers and sponsors who are the right fit for our audience–people who live, work and play in North Hills. You’ll receive access to our upscale and educated audience and we can help you get your message out via our presence on social websites such as Twitter and YouTube. We have a variety of options available from banner ads to featured directory listings, and we’re always willing to work with our partners on individual packages to help maximize exposure and ROI. Contact us for more information and to receive our media kit.

This week, our sponsors and advertisers include Raleigh Comprehensive and Cosmetic Dentistry, Smith’s Nursery and Highway 24 Media.

*photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaredchapman/482538719/

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Raleigh Comprehensive and Cosmetic Dentistry offers a broad range of dental services in a relaxed environment. They emphasize excellence in all that they do, both on the job and in the community. They pride themselves in offering the very best, including convenience, when it comes to good dental health and improving your appearance and well-being.

Smith’s Nursery is a family owned wholesale nursery and produce farm that has been operating in Johnston County, North Carolina for over 20 years. During the spring and early summer they have an exciting strawberry, blueberry and blackberry season. They are also a vendor at the Midtown Farmers’ Market (Saturdays from 8am-12pm, starting April 11) and are giving our readers a discount on their strawberries. Click here to download and print out this coupon and bring it with you to receive $1 off a bucket of strawberries.

Highway 24 Media helps businesses generate influence and engage their customers through new media and social networking platforms and resources. They specialize in audience research, content strategy, promotion strategy and influencer outreach to help businesses fully utilize new media. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. are great, but unless they’re properly integrated into your overall marketing initiatives, you’re not taking full advantage of them. In today’s world, content and participation are marketing. Highway 24 Media can help you understand how to do this correctly.

We’d Love To Help You Get Your Name Out.

Contact us for more information about advertising with us and supporting our growth. Or you can visit our advertising section to learn more about what we offer and download our media kit.

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Russ Thompson is a great accoustic guitarist/songwriter, and he’s been playing music in the Raleigh/Durham area for the past six years. You can hear some of his songs on his MySpace page.

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