Raleigh Homes Realty

Residential real estate in Raleigh, N.C.

Snow: Now You See It, Now You don’t

Aahh…..this is how we like it.  Yesterday evening we enjoyed a beautiful snowfall.  But now, the very next morning, the streets are just damp and there are only traces of white on surfaces and dotting the grass.  Even better, our only snowfall this winter started falling on the eve of President’s Day, lessening the distress about the morning commute and the anxious speculation about whether schools would be open or closed.

Yeah, yeah, go ahead and laugh that there’s a long list of schools and businesses  that are starting on a two-hour delay though there’s hardly a flake in sight.  Our workweek is forecast to end with three seventy-degree days.  It seems like we really have the best of both worlds this week:  The beauty of snow and the glory of open windows and a fresh breeze.

That’s Life in Raleigh.

Six More Weeks of Winter? No problem.

It’s hard to believe that yesterday was Groundhog Day 2012.  Sir Walter Wally, Raleigh’s groundhog, predicted six more weeks of winter for us.  Really, Wally? Here in Raleigh in the winter of 2011-2012, I don’t think we’ve had six weeks of winter-like weather yet. Our snow total for the entire season sits at 0.0 inches, the thermometer hit 70 more than once in the last week, my heating bill actually makes me smile, and it’s starting to look like spring everywhere.  Daffodils and forsythia are in full bloom, trees are budding and flowering, the air is sweetly fragrant, some insects are back, and so are the birds.  There was even a flock of robins checking out my garden today.  On the down side, my yard is starting to look like I need to pull out the mower already.  Nah, it’d be a shame to mow down those  buttercups that are out there.

I’ll gladly take six more weeks of this kind of winter.

That’s Life in Raleigh.

We’re the American Idol Capitol

North Carolina is bursting with all kinds of talent.  You need look no further than American Idol to see just how true this is.  What singers have come out of North Carolina?  We proudly lay claim to Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington, and now Scotty McCreery, America’s favorite baritone teenager.

Not only do these talented singers come from North Carolina, but we love them, too!  Each week during the 2011 American Idol season, there’s been a Scotty party in Garner for watching Idol with other Scotty fans.  Free food, craft activities, and members of Scotty’s family have all been a part of these Idol evenings.  The crowds grew each week and the parties eventually had to be moved from the Historic Garner Auditorium to the gym at Garner High, where Scotty attends high school when he’s in town, and eventually overflowing that space, too. There’s billboards and signs all over town proudly proclaiming Garner to be Scotty McCreery’s hometown.

Talent, pride, and enthusiasm combine to make a place and its people successful. Go, Scotty!

That’s Life in Raleigh.

Raleigh Loves Bicycles

The City of Raleigh has been rewarded with Bicycle Friendly Community status in recognition of Raleigh’s commitment to promoting bicycling as healthy, fun transportation and investing in infrastructure necessary to make our city more bicycle-friendly.

This outstanding recognition comes as a result of the Raleigh City Council following the recommendations of the new Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission last fall and approving $1.35 million in bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects.  There are 22 projects throughout the city that will be completed over the next two years.  They include miles of new sidewalks and on-the-street bicycle lane striping.

So hop on your bike and check out our friendly community!