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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“Our North Hills gallery is in such an ideal location, with all of the growth around the midtown section of Raleigh, the foot traffic, the visibility and accessibility,” says Nancy McClure, ArtSource’s co-owner. By combining the two galleries, ArtSource is hoping to streamline their award-winning art operations (Metro Bravo “Best Place to Buy Art” four years in a row), make it easier for art lovers to see all available inventory without having to gallery hop, as well as cutting down on gallery staff having to shuttle art between the two locations. In addition, the new location will have a full service framing shop– something that the original North Hills gallery was lacking. “Since opening our North Hills galley in 2005, we have had to send our framing customers over to the Five Points gallery, something which has proved inconvenient for both clientele as well as our staff,” according to Sharon Tharrington, ArtSource’s founder. “We are looking at this expansion in a very positive light, and hope that this transition will continue our history as the best place to view and purchase art in the Raleigh area,” she said.

During the transition, ArtSource North Hills will continue with regular business hours of Monday – Sat, 10am-6pm and Sundays 1-5pm. After May 1st, the Five Points gallery will be available by appointment only until they finally close their doors sometime around June 30. Trying to thin out inventory before the transition, ArtSource Five Points will be offering a sale starting February 1st. A Grand-Reopening & 20th Anniversary Celebration will be scheduled for later in the year, and ArtSource plans on being fully transitioned to the newly expanded space by the end of June 2010.

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This post was submitted by Susanna Pantas.

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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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.

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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?

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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.

• 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.

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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.