Wow!!! The start of 2008 has been tremendous for Porto Fino in Wake Forest. Already this year there have been over 10 sales. And the sales look like they are heating up not cooling down. The price point is $400,000's to $600,0000s with the bulk in the $400s. Hats off to Ryan, Sales Executive for The Fischetti Group, he has done an amazing job while he's been there but he has been on fire since November of 2007. Great job!Kudos to the builders, their product is so desirable they are sometimes getting multiple offers. They also understand that price is critical in today's market and they have a realistic expectation accordingly.The good news is there are still some outstanding opportunities along with beautiful wooded homesites for pre-sales.If you're in the market for an executive home y... 03/22/2008

Oh my!  While I completely understand the conundrum that the town faces I just can't imagine a summer without the Community Pool at Holding Park!  It is such an iconic landmark and it bustling with activity during the summer! Due to the horrific drought that we have experienced here in the south the Wake Forest town leaders are contemplating NOT opening the pool this summer.  It is a decision that they do not take lightly.  From the article: Wake Forest commissioners said they would decide by May 1 whether to keep the Holding Park pool closed for the summer in an effort to conserve water during the drought. "This is not a decision we approached happily nor with a smile on our faces," Commissioner Peter Thibodeau said. Visit "Drought Puts Wake Forest Pool In Jeapardy" to view the article... 03/22/2008

So, just who is behind some of the exciting things that go on in Wake Forest?  The Wake Forest Cultural Arts Association, of course!  The WFCAA was formed in 1988 to reinforce the positive identity of Wake Forest as a distinct community.  Like so many other parts of the country smaller communities get blended in with their larger counterparts only to lose their individuality.  NOT Wake Forest!  There is still a distinct richness Wake Forest retaines with the help, vision and direction of the WFCAA.  It is their mission to enhance the cultural life of Wake Forest to further enrich the lives of it's residents.  They support numerous art programs and support the local artists. You know all of the events I mention such as Artists Studio Tours, Historic Homes Tours, Autumn Arts Festival, Six... 03/22/2008

Wake Forest has a fantastic library!  It may seem a little small but it is packed with activities and brimming with a thorough collection of books for both leisure reading as well as resource tools for school projects.  Located in downtown Wake Forest it is easily accessible and many neighborhoods are within walking distance. Some great benefits of this library are the wonderful programs that they have for children.  You can register (FREE) for story times (not all require registration) that are geared to all age groups. Baby and Me (ages 6 to 18 months)Tuesdays at 10 a.m.This program is for our tiniest patrons and their caregivers. The program encourages interaction between caregiver and child through songs, fingerplays, baby sign language and short books. No registration is necessary.... 03/21/2008

Wake Forest Holding Park Pool Remains Closed for SummerWake Forest Board of Commissioners and Parks and Recreation Director Susan Simpson have agreed to suspend the operations of town pool. Why? The Raleigh Stage 2 water restrictions would prevent the filling of the pool, although Raleigh is considering going back to Stage 1 water restrictions to allow for summer pool use. Holding Park pool loses about one to one and a half inches of water daily which totals 5,900 gallons of water. The 5,900 gallons of water is wasted water which could sustain 1,652 households for one day. Debbie KomloReal Estate Broker, E-PropColdwell Banker Advantage(919)931-8602http://www.debbiekomlo.com/ 03/21/2008

Eight North Carolina counties are listed on the latest release (March 20, 2008) of the Census Report from the U.S. Census Bureau.  In fact, all but one of the the counties (overall) were in the South or West.  Maricopa Arizona took the top spot with the highest numerical growth in the period of July 1, 2006 - July 1, 2007. Among the Top 10 of counties with the biggest numerical growth was my very own Wake County!  Home to Raleigh.  Wake County showed an impressive 4.9% growth in just 1 year. So, THAT'S why my phone has been ringing off the hook!  Folks, Welcome To My Back Yard....... With all of this growth and activity here you are bound to find a reason to be here!  US Census Bureau News Press Release 03/20/2008

In 2009 Wake Forest will officially turn 100 years old!  This is going to be one heck of a party and you ALL are invited!!!  Every party has to have a theme, right?  Well, the town has come up with a remarkable theme that carries the vision for this town well into the future......."Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Embrace the Future." Plans started developing back in 2006 for the celebration that will start on New Year's Eve 2008.  To get the year long party started Wake Forest will begin with "First Light Wake Forest".  It will be OUR version of the festivities in New York, Los Angeles and other parts of the country.  This will be the first year for our New Year's Eve celebration and given the support of the town and surrounding communities for past events I am confident that thi... 03/19/2008

Raleigh NC has become on of the first cities in the nation to BAN garbage disposals in new homes as well as replacing or repairing existing ones!  Any towns that receive their water from the City of Raleigh are also included in the ban.  Such cities are Rolesville, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Zebulon, Wendell and Garner.  This new law becomes effective TODAY and fines are $25,000 per violation! There have been approximately 99 sewer overflows just since 2005 from putting grease and food down disposals.  That waste then filters into the local streams.    For more information on this new law please visit: Raleigh Says Bye-Bye to Disposals Council Approves Ban On New And Replacement Garbage Disposals Raleigh Sends Disposals Down Drain What say you?  From a personal standpoint, I lived in a fi... 03/17/2008

There are many opportunities for kids to play soccer in the Raleigh area!  One of the most recognized is CASL (Capital Area Soccer League).  While I have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING against CASL I was faced years ago with the questions......What if my son doesn't like soccer?How long do I have to commit and what kind of money am I laying out for a fizzling interest?Well, I found an alternative that has worked BEAUTIFULLY and I wanted to share it with you!  Y.A.K.S.!!!  Youngsville Area Kids Soccer - perfect solution!  Over the years (3 years) my family has watched YAKS grow into a phenomenal experience for the kids and parents alike.  They offer several age groups such as:4's & 5's - 10 min quarters/2 min break for subs - 10min halftime 6/7's -10min quarters/2 min break for subs - 10 min halftim... 03/16/2008

Have fun last week?  There was quite a bit going on and enough variety to keep all ages happy!!  Here is your calendar for the upcoming week in Wake Forest...... Morning Art Out - Creating a Secret GardenBegins Friday, March 21; 10:00 a.m.Morning Glory Center for Creative Healing, 523 Wait Avenue, Wake Forest, NCLooking at garden imagery, we will play with pastels, oil pastels, watercolor, collage and dream of gardens within and without. Morning Glory Center for Creative Healing offers Morning Art Out - visual art explorations with resident artist Dawn Marie Rozzo. The sessions are held Friday mornings from 10:00am to noon. The cost is $110 per four-week session and includes in-class materials. Each month we will explore themes and visual media with an emphasis on fun and discovery. For... 03/15/2008

Wake Forest Rolesville High School Marching Band will be holding a fundraising 5K Race. The Race will be held April 19, 2008 at 8:00 am.  The race will start and finish at Wake Forest Rolesville High School. Early packet pickup is April 18th from 5:00 to 8:30pm. Race day registration begins April 19th at 7:00pm. Visit http://wfrhs.wcpss.net/band/WFR_Band_Website/WFR_BAND_HOME.htm for fees and registration forms. My daughter will be running, I will be walking. Hope to see you there.Debbie Komlo  Broker, E-ProColdwell Banker Advantage 03/14/2008

Now is the time. The market has opened up in the Carolinas, especially in Wake Forest. Maybe its the delightful weather; maybe its the quality of homes available; maybe its the favorable interest rates; or maybe its pent up demand.We should never forget most people dream of a new home, yes the "market" conditions may dampen their enthusiam, but the dream still lives, you can fight the sleep but not the dream.One thing has become crystal clear in the current conditions, the home for sale must be a "quality" property. If it is there is tremendous interest. However, if it is not priced right, well it might as well NOT even be on the market. Also, the property has better show "tip-top". If the question the seller has is "Should I fix/replace/redo....etc.....x" the answer is "I would". That'... 03/14/2008

If you have noticed, The Well Coffee Shop has re-opened in its new location, and it looks great. More importantly, the food is awesome. In their new location they can actually prepare food on site, an improvement from their old location. When you go, check out one of their panni sandwiches (yummie).I haven't tried the desserts yet, but boy or bot do they look sinful! That home made apple pie screams out at me during my dreams.(I'll try that real soon).Mark, his wife and incredible staff have really out done themselves. The way they renovated that historic building was fantastic. Creating a drive-thru window while keeping the charm of a historic building was a work of art. Kudos!When you go don't forget to have a cup of coffee. My favorite there is a cafe americano, my wife's is their sk... 03/14/2008

If you have noticed, The Well Coffee Shop has re-opened in its new location, and it looks great. More importantly, the food is awesome. In their new location they can actually prepare food on site, an improvement from their old location. When you go, check out one of their panni sandwiches (yummie).I haven't tried the desserts yet, but boy or bot do they look sinful! That home made apple pie screams out at me during my dreams.(I'll try that real soon).Mark, his wife and incredible staff have really out done themselves. The way they renovated that historic building was fantastic. Creating a drive-thru window while keeping the charm of a historic building was a work of art. Kudos!When you go don't forget to have a cup of coffee. My favorite there is a cafe americano, my wife's is their sk... 03/14/2008

If you have noticed, The Well Coffee Shop has re-opened in its new location, and it looks great. More importantly, the food is awesome. In their new location they can actually prepare food on site, an improvement from their old location. When you go, check out one of their panni sandwiches (yummie).I haven't tried the desserts yet, but boy or bot do they look sinful! That home made apple pie screams out at me during my dreams.(I'll try that real soon).Mark, his wife and incredible staff have really out done themselves. The way they renovated that historic building was fantastic. Creating a drive-thru window while keeping the charm of a historic building was a work of art. Kudos!When you go don't forget to have a cup of coffee. My favorite there is a cafe americano, my wife's is their sk... 03/14/2008

If you have noticed, The Well Coffee Shop has re-opened in its new location, and it looks great. More importantly, the food is awesome. In their new location they can actually prepare food on site, an improvement from their old location. When you go, check out one of their panni sandwiches (yummie).I haven't tried the desserts yet, but boy or bot do they look sinful! That home made apple pie screams out at me during my dreams.(I'll try that real soon).Mark, his wife and incredible staff have really out done themselves. The way they renovated that historic building was fantastic. Creating a drive-thru window while keeping the charm of a historic building was a work of art. Kudos!When you go don't forget to have a cup of coffee. My favorite there is a cafe americano, my wife's is their sk... 03/14/2008

If you have noticed, The Well Coffee Shop has re-opened in its new location, and it looks great. More importantly, the food is awesome. In their new location they can actually prepare food on site, an improvement from their old location. When you go, check out one of their panni sandwiches (yummie).I haven't tried the desserts yet, but boy or bot do they look sinful! That home made apple pie screams out at me during my dreams.(I'll try that real soon).Mark, his wife and incredible staff have really out done themselves. The way they renovated that historic building was fantastic. Creating a drive-thru window while keeping the charm of a historic building was a work of art. Kudos!When you go don't forget to have a cup of coffee. My favorite there is a cafe americano, my wife's is their sk... 03/14/2008

If you have noticed, The Well Coffee Shop has re-opened in its new location, and it looks great. More importantly, the food is awesome. In their new location they can actually prepare food on site, an improvement from their old location. When you go, check out one of their panni sandwiches (yummie).I haven't tried the desserts yet, but boy or bot do they look sinful! That home made apple pie screams out at me during my dreams.(I'll try that real soon).Mark, his wife and incredible staff have really out done themselves. The way they renovated that historic building was fantastic. Creating a drive-thru window while keeping the charm of a historic building was a work of art. Kudos!When you go don't forget to have a cup of coffee. My favorite there is a cafe americano, my wife's is their sk... 03/14/2008

The Town Of Wake Forest offers NUMEROUS programs for both youths and adults.  Aside from there fantastic athletic programs there are many cultural programs to choose from.  Here is a sneak peek and what your little one can get into..... Preschool Art Class (ages 3-5) Students will learn to enhance social interaction and develop vocabulary through art projects and story-telling activities Cookie Monsters (ages 5-6) Students will learn a new cookie recipe each week Youth Golf (ages 5-11) Learn the basic fundamentals for putting, driving and golf rules. Youth Oil Painting (ages 12-17) Students will learn color compositions and textures. Kids Art (ages 6-8) Students will explore line, color, and composition through many different mediums. Youth Acrylic Painting (ages 9-12) Students will lea... 03/13/2008

DON'T FORGET!!!!!  The Easter Bunny is coming to Wake Forest this weekend!!!!!! March 15th Please make plans to visit Miller Park to join in the festivities.  There are going to be over 5000 eggs hidden with a few special "gold" eggs mixed in.  If you find the "golden egg" you will get a special prize!  The Wake Forest Parks & Recreations Department is co-sponsoring this event with the Wake Forest Athletic Association...and it is FREE! Bring the kids - there will be several "hunts" on March 15th for different age groups: Kids ages 9-12 the fun begins at 1:30pm Kids ages 5-8 start at 2:15pm and children 4years and younger begin at 3:00pm Miller Park is located behind town hall at 401 Elm Street.  The weather on Saturday will hold out until evening so TAKE ADVANTAGE!  Take a stroll in his... 03/13/2008