If you're in the Triangle area and are wondering where all that smoke/haze is from, it's not your neighbor's burn pile.  Or a local dump.  Or anything local! In fact, it's quite a ways away!  According to some local sources, there are at least 3 different fires that may be contributing to the local smoky air:  one in Pender County, one in Dare County, and another controlled burn at Fort Bragg. You can read a lot about the fire that's been burning in Dare County at the Alligator National Wildlife Refuge at their Facebook Page.  That fire has been burning since May 5th!  It's contained about 95%, but still burning like crazy. And WRAL of course has great coverage on the local smoke filled air as well. So, stay inside and breathe well!  Or just know that it's a like a great big campfire ou... 06/21/2011

Jones Dairy Road to Re-open late June/early July   Our local Wake Forest residents, especially those living on Jones Dairy Road, will be happy to hear the news.  Your long wait is almost over! According to the Town of Wake Forest, Jones Dairy Road is expected to open in the next month.  That could mean that you can drive across 2 brand new bridges and not have to take a detour to just get home or visit friends! Happy driving, Jones Dairy folks!                     06/16/2011

How Should I Nail Lap Siding (HardiePlank siding)? This is a common question that I hear a LOT.  A LOT.  And it's still debated among siding professional to some degree.  Mostly that debate centers around maintenance, and the expectations of what the homeowner will and won't do.     JamesHardie recommends that the siding be nailed at the TOP, or blind nailed as it's commonly referred to.  You can't see the nails on the siding once it is installed in this method, and thus where the term "blind" nailing comes from.   Visible nail heads in HardiePlank siding is not the preferred method of installation (currently), but it was a very common practice a few years back in my local area. And you will (or should!) have visible nail heads at the bottom of every butt joint in the siding, as the joi... 06/14/2011

If you are looking for a great way to spend Saturday mornings then you may want to head to Historic, downtown Wake Forest NC and visit the Wake Forest NC Farmers Market.  The fresh from the farm and healthy items to be found are: pasture-raised beef poultry pork free range eggs fresh and dried herbs honey, jams and preserves fresh cut flowers baked goods There are always local farmers on hand as well as cheesemakers, soapmakers, crafters and artisits selling their crafts and goods.  The Wake Forest Farmers Market is always the perfect place on Saturday morning to socialize and meet your neighbors as well as support your local economy! You can find the Wake Forest Farmers Market at 110 S. White Street, Wake Forest NC. Saturdays 8:00am - Noon   06/09/2011

Buying a new home can be a daunting task and there is much to take into consderation.  I have a wonderful friend who is a free lance writer that shares some tips to guide home buyers through the process of searching for a builder, lot, etc.  Mind you, these tips aren't from a book or a prewritten checklist - these are her personal observations and tips gained from experience.  Pretty cool, Michelle, pretty cool! If you are thinking about building a new home in Wake Forest NC I would welcome the opportunity to acquaint you with some of the local builders, different areas with homesites available, and optional community amenities.  I can assist you from start to finish!   Every person has an idea of what a "perfect" home is, but trying to communicate that vision is sometimes difficult. Th... 06/08/2011

It is no surprise that Foreclosures made up a huge portion of the inventory of homes for sale in Wake Forest NC last year.  They also accounted for quite of few of the resales in 2010.  The other evening when I was walking my dogs through one of the most popular neighborhoods in Wake Forest, Heritage, and I passed a few homes that I knew were Foreclosures.  It got me to thinking.......while I may know that the homes are foreclosures since I stay on top of the real estate market in Wake Forest NC that others may not.  On the exterior the homes look like any other home on the street.  They have a manicured lawn, a beautiful front porch, maybe a fenced back yard and all the characteristics that you would expect from a home.  Many buyers that I work with started their search by EXCLUDING fo... 06/05/2011

What a great way to cool off, splash around and spend the afternoon! Holding Park Community Pool Opening TODAY!  June 4, 2011 The full summer season kick offs with Holding Park Pool open for Public/Open swims times Monday thru Friday 1:00pm - 6:00pm and 1:00pm - 7:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays.   Holding Park Pool is one of the largest outdoor public swimming pools in the area - the 50-meter pool is open in the summer and offers "open" swim times, swim lessons, lap swims, parent/toddler swims and water aerobics! Admission is very reasonable at only $4 for ages 13 and over, $3 for ages 3 - 12 and $1 for children under the age of 2. You can bring your own cooler with drinks and snacks (no alcoholic beverages or glass containers) or you can visit the concession stand there for a snowcone o... 06/04/2011

Wake Forest NC offers such a diverse mix of homes.  Whether you are searching for a first time home that is easy on your budget, a grand, luxury home or a townhome to call your own you can find it here in Wake Forest NC! I have a section on my website, www.WakeForestHouseChick.com, with a section devoted specifically to the various neighborhoods in Wake Forest NC.  The list of neighborhoods is broken down by price point which should help you navigate to just the ones you want to explore.  Each neighborhood post also includes current Wake County School assignments, amenities offered within the subdivision and some examples of the type of homes that you can find. I am continually updating www.WakeForestHouseChick.com with new neighborhoods each week for the most comprehensive resource for... 06/01/2011

Six Sundays in Spring is a wonderful FREE outdoor concert series in Wake Forest NC and this Sunday is the last of series so you won't want to miss it! This Sunday, May 29, bring the family and your friends to E. Carroll Joyner Park for a Blues music filled afternoon with Ironing Board Sam!  The concert starts at 5pm so be sure to get there early with your blanket to find that perfect spot. For more information regarding E. Carroll Joyner Park please be sure to visit my website to learn about this park and many other parks in Wake Forest NC. Add a little more fun to you Memorial Day Weekend AND I'll See you Sunday!"E. Carroll Joyner Park" 05/28/2011

My wife and I frequent a local burger joint in the Wake Forest/Raleigh area that we really enjoy:  Spinner's Grill in Raleigh, Wakefield Commons, next to the movie theater.  If you like good burgers and fries, this is the place for you! They even play fun music, thus "Spinners", in relation to vinyl albums that used to spin on a turn table.  I guess you could still say that for CDs today since technically they spin as well, but I think the term is more exclusive to the old vinyl records.   Anyway, on one of my recent visits, I was looking at the mural of the Rubik's Cube.  Having messed with one or two in my lifetime I enjoyed the mural. (And yes, I've taken stickers off and moved them to "solve" it when I was younger.  Don't judge, you know you did it, too.  Heck, I even took them apar... 05/26/2011

First, let me say this is one of the coolest photos of a Space Shuttle I've ever seen.  I've not seen it from this perspective before, as I cannot defy gravity for very long.   When I first saw this photo, I thought it was a rocket.  But it's Space Shuttle Endeavor from above the clouds, way far away!  You don't want to be too close to something packed with explosive fuel travelling about 17000 miles an hour. There was a shuttle training aircraft that took this photo shortly after the launch, and so this is a public domain photo.  You can read more at the Astronomy Picture of the Day, which is a website I go to daily.  Lots of cool pictures relating to astronomy topics everyday. And if you're into other things of astronomical intrigue, I recommend SpaceWeather.com and their subdomain Sa... 05/25/2011

How to make a saw bench / cut board One of the most crucial tools that we have for cutting is the saw board, also called the cut board.  It has two sides, and is actually both!    It holds the mitre saw (yes, I prefer the Olde English spelling for that, instead of miter; it just looks better!) in place and allows the material to slide easily back and forth for the cuts.  This is especially useful for lengths that are longer than 8', with crown moulding (see?  Olde English again!) and other trim.             It also flips over and makes a cut board for using with a circular saw, as seen here.     So, that's great and all, but how do you MAKE one?  It looks simple, and it is, but it can be a little confusing to make one.  So here are some simple instructions to make your saw bench / cut b... 05/24/2011

On a recent weekend trip to Boston we were going to see a play that my wife wrote about 12 years ago.  The play was put on in a small theatre, but really well done and enjoyable! On the flight up, I saw this sign on the plane.  It made me laugh.  See if you can figure out why before you scroll down.   I didn't realize it was against airline policy to break a lit cigarette in half, so I'll stop doing that now.     05/17/2011

Search all Wake Forest Homes for Sale There are so many wonderful neighborhoods in Wake Forest, Heritage Wake Forest, for example. Get to know the area that is close to the theaters, museums and restaurants of Downtown Raleigh or explore the peaceful areas surrounding Falls Lake or the numerous hiking, biking and walking trails. Visit our website and learn about this fantastic Raleigh area community. Search all Wake Forest Homes for Sale, and Search all Raleigh Homes for Sale or anywhere else in the Triangle area by using the links below. These home searches are Always up to date and Always easy to use! If you'd like to set up your own Raleigh home search with your specific requirements, it is very easy to do. Give us a call with all of your questions. We are here to help. View Heritage... 05/16/2011

Wake Forest NC Homes Market Report - April 2011 Wake Forest, NC is both looking good in the Real Estate market and DOING good for the community and local hospitals.  Now through September the Wake Forest Wakefield Rotary Club is raising money to support the Rex Healthcare Foundation cancer programs by hosting monthly golf tours at the TCP Wakefield Plantation.  Tee times are at 2 with a shotgun start... whether you're an expert or a novice golfer, be sure to join in the fun and support this great cause!  Fore more info check out their website.   If you're considering moving to Wake Forest, NC or even if you're planning on selling a home in Wake Forest, NC, it's important to have the right information. Our market report will give you a good overview of how detached homes for sale in Wak... 05/14/2011

You can search all homes for sale in Heritage Wake Forest or anywhere else in the Raleigh or Triangle area by using the links below. Always up to date and Always easy to use! Search all Heritage Wake Forest Homes for Sale For more information about Heritage Wake Forest Homes for Sale, visit our website. It is this month's featured neighborhood on the home page. Friends, family or guests will enjoy this neighborhood and amenities such as the golf course, multiple swimming pools with a water slide, lazy river, tennis, hiking, biking, walking trails, neighborhood parks, and even a pond with fishing pier. Search all Heritage Wake Forest Homes for Sale with 3+ bedrooms Search all Heritage Wake Forest Homes for Sale with 4+ bedrooms Search all Heritage Wake Forest Homes for Sale with 5+ bedro... 05/05/2011

Greycliff New Home Community Wake Forest New Homes   We've discovered another great Triangle area community you might enjoy.  Looking to build a new home in Wake Forest, NC? Check out these available lots in Greycliff, courtesy of several realty groups, including Howard Perry & Walston/Greycliff. Stanton Homes helps make it easy to find the right place to build your new home, by putting together information on great new home communities, lots and land throughout the Triangle area.  All information per MLS, and current as of posting date.    Greycliff is an established new home community located in Wake Forest, a short distance from Raleigh and the RTP. Greycliff offers new homes on beautiful wooded acreage lots. These gorgeous 2+ acre lots are just minutes from Falls Lake State Park rec... 05/04/2011

Search all homes for sale over $450,000 in Heritage Wake Forest or anywhere else in the Raleigh or Triangle area by using the links below. Heritage Wake Forest is a wonderful neighborhood that will completely take you by surprise. You will feel instantly at ease and relaxed You will also be impressed by the selection of quality, custom builders. Take a stroll around the walking trails and fishing pond or swim in the crystal clear pools. If golf is more your style, you won't be able to wait to get out on the fairways of this award-winning course! Always up to date and Always easy to use! Heritage Wake Forest is a fantastic community with a very relaxed feel, an award winning golf course, hiking, biking and walking trails, two pools a fishing pond with pier and multiple parks. Search all ... 05/01/2011

Unlike many of you that live in say Canada or Alaska, it's Spring down here in North Carolina.  Has been for many months, and last week all the green leaves on the trees came out. So in honor of Spring, and to show you extreme Northeners what you can look forward too when the snow melts, here are some pictures of what's blooming in my back yard.  Some of them remain unidentified to me, so if you know what it is, let me know!  The ones I know I titled, so put your cursor on the pics to find which are which.   We'll start with the whites:     Then the purples/pinks (with some white):     The fourth one is interesting:  it only opens in the mornings, and it's actually quite purple to the eye.  The camera shows it as a blue, though.  I'd love it if anyone could tell me what that one is!    ... 04/29/2011

Sherron Farms Wake Forest New Home Community  Build a Custom Home in Wake Forest   We've discovered another great Triangle area community you might enjoy.  Looking to build a new home in Wake Forest, NC? Check out these available lots in Sherron Farms, courtesy of Fonville Morisey. Stanton Homes helps make it easy to find the right place to build your new home, by putting together information on great new home communities, lots and land throughout the Triangle area.  All information per MLS, and current as of posting date.   Sherron Farms offers new homes on beautiful wooded acreage lots. These gorgeous 1+ acre lots are just minutes from Falls Lake State Park recreation and activities. Sherron Farms is a small custom homes community located in Granville County, a short distance from Ral... 04/29/2011