friendlyneighborhoodrealtor-blog

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Raleigh may be in the middle of North Carolina, but that doesn’t mean it lacks for good seafood. I am from a small town outside of Charlotte, population 1800. Every so often, our family would visit a “fish camp.” They were casual dining restaurants where you played arcade games a decade old while you waited, sat in a slightly rickety wooden chair, and were served by someone who asked things like “How’s yer grandpa doin’?��� Since moving to Raleigh, I didn’t think that I would find such an establishment. Mind you, this town is a bit larger, so people aren’t as likely to know you by name. But I wanted to find similar food at a reasonable price with the same rustic atmosphere that reminded me of home. This past Sunday, when looking for places to take my Dad for Father’s Day, I stumbled up on the NC Seafood Restaurant on my Google search. I had heard of it, even driven by it, but never stopped. My dad is picky when it comes to his food and is a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy, but we gave it a shot anyway. Right next to the State Farmer’s Market, you will find a simple restaurant that caters to people who want a quick, cheap meal that doesn’t skimp on the portions. I have been known to clean my plate, but by the time I was full, it didn’t look like I’d made a dent in my popcorn shrimp. I could have easily split the medium plate with another person. The NC Seafood Restaurant serves Calabash style seafood, fried and broiled, caught off of our very own coast that comes in fresh, daily! It is a friendly, casual atmosphere. You walk up to the counter to order your food, and minutes later it is ready. Sit down at one of the many indoor and outdoor picnic tables and slightly rickety chairs that give this restaurant the market/fish camp feel. If you are looking for fancy seafood, this isn’t it. If you are looking for a casual place to eat a LOT of seafood for a low price with friends and family, look no further! NC Seafood Restaurant 1201 Agriculture St. Raleigh, NC 27603 919 833 4661 Like me on Facebook for more postings on Raleigh events, DIY ideas, decor, and housing market info! www.facebook.com/aleisepreslarrealtor

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Attended the VIP event at Ryan Homes' new community, West Brier Townes at Alexander Park. It's located next to LabCorp on TW Alexander. Check out everything that's included with a standard (without upgrades) home. If you are interested in buying a home, let me know!

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Happy Tuesday, everyone! It is time for another blog post from your Friendly Neighborhood Realtor! For WEEKS, I have been wanting to visit the Ansel Adams and Glory of Venice exhibits at the NC Museum of Art. Yesterday, they held the exhibits open free of charge to the public. So, I trudged through the rain (who can turn down free?), jacket over my head from the parking lot into the special galleries building. I dreaded having to hold on to my soaking wet coat....but, to my surprise, they had a coat and locker room available at no charge! As a bit of a photography enthusiast myself, especially landscapes, Ansel Adams is kind of a personal hero of mine. It was wonderful to see so many of his works in one place! I know that a lot of people think that photography is just pointing and clicking the shutter button. Just go see this exhibit. It will be evident that it isn’t that easy. The way Adams went to such lengths to take these pictures, then developed them using a methodology that he developed...just wow. Glory of Venice had pieces that were centuries old...in original frames! In fact, the picture on this post is of an aerial view of Venice drawn in 1500! No Google Earth. No helicopters. This artist drew it without all of that! Anybody who knows me knows that I can’t be still for long. I stared at that picture for at least 5 minutes. You can compare it to the modern-day aerial photograph hanging next to it. Now, I couldn’t tell you if the picture he drew was accurate....but it is so incredibly detailed that I don’t care if the buildings are correct. I did not get to see the rest of the museum since it is usually closed on Mondays. I hope to go back another day!

NC Museum of Art 2110 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh, NC 27607 Tuesday-Thursday 10am-5pm Friday 10am-9pm Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm

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As the weather warms up and the kids get out of school, it is time to take advantage of Raleigh’s many parks. I have driven by Lake Wheeler Park so many times that the other day, I decided to stop in. As a real estate agent, I wanted to know more about my area. But, as an occasional kayaker, I wanted to check out their setup.  Once you turn into the entrance on Lake Wheeler Road, you drive up a winding road into the park. Before getting to the main area, you pass picnic tables, shelters for rent, people fishing, and there are even some houses that back up to the park.  Birthday? Anniversary? Baby shower? Family reunion? There are several rental shelters available. There are even a couple with easy access to a field, so that the kids can run around. Each shelter has a grill and picnic tables, ranging from $9/hr to 30/hr. You don’t even have to take out the garbage! Employees of the park take care of it. Check out the 3rd picture for more information on rental shelters. It is easy to wile the day away at Lake Wheeler Park. If you aren’t careful, time will get away from you and you’ll find yourself feeling parched and hungry after spending time out in the sun. Go to the concession stand for some reasonably priced snacks and drinks!  

There are plenty of activities from which to choose: Fishing? Check.     A NCWRC fishing license is required.           Cost: $2-4/day Boating? (Aside from JetSkis) Check.     Jon boats, rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats are available for rent            Cost: $4-6/hr Playground? Check. Beach volleyball? Check. From dawn to dusk, take advantage of the beautiful weather! Go to Lake Wheeler or one of your nearby parks.

For more information: https://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/LakeWheeler.html

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Triangle Game Night

When I say “Game Night,” what comes to mind? UNC is playing Duke in basketball? Panthers football game? Maybe even playing games with your family?

Triangle Game Night has brought the nostalgia of board games to the bar. My friend and I went this past week expecting some card games, maybe Charades or Pictionary. I was blown away by the sheer volume of the options! The games took up the whole end of an oblong bar. When we arrived, the group had already began playing The Walking Dead: The Board Game. That game took a solid 30 minutes for 5 people to understand. If it weren’t for their helpful team member who had already played the game, who knows how long it would have taken. Everyone was nice and we were just there to have fun. Nothing bonds a group like trying to figure out a complicated board game!

Events are held Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at various locations throughout the Triangle. They are FREE (yes, I said the magic F word!) However, they will accept donations toward the game fund. Typically, one game is added per month. Check out their link below to plan your next trip, or maybe even book them, and their massive library of games, for a party!

www.trianglegamenight.com

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CycleBar- Alston

*I want to preface this by saying that I am by no means a cyclist, stationary or otherwise.*

CycleBar Alston is wrapping up their 2 week CycleBlast to announce their opening. It’s located on 55, right off of 540. This is not your typical cycling class. They do everything you could think of to make cycling fun.

1) Lights are kept dim to keep the heat down and help you focus on your instructor.

2) Are you one of those people who leeeeeeeans over and peeks at the stats of the person next to you…Then proceeds to silently compete against them…Without their knowledge? CycleBar makes this easier by, occasionally, projecting everyone’s stats on two large monitors.

2) “You want me to ride a stationary bicycle for 50 minutes? I’ll be so bored!”? Fear not! Upbeat, contemporary music is played. The instructor makes commentary and, in the case of Xenia, may even sing along to some of the songs!

3) FREE STUFF! Did I get your attention? Not only do you get a fun class and can borrow your cycling shoes for free…They also provide you with fruits, shower facilities, towels, etc.

4) They have classes for every type of schedule, from the early riser to the after work crowd.

5) After the class, you’re emailed a summary of your stats. I wasn’t expecting it, imagine my surprise!

There you have it, folks! You’ve just discovered another means of making exercise fun! Now go out and reserve your bike at CycleBar Alston!

CycleBar Alston

5022 Arco Corporate Dr, Cary, NC 27519

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Need help with your spring cleaning? DREADING clearing out your closet, kitchen cabinets, your kids' rooms? Contact @spacetoembrace ! Her prices are so reasonable!

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Carmon’s Curl Up and Dye

What kind of environment do you want your regular hair salon to have? If your answer is a cozy place where the mascot is a Yorkie, people are cutting up within minutes of meeting each other, and the prices are reasonable, then check out Carmon’s Curl Up and Dye.

“Punny” name aside (and anybody who knows me knows that I love a good pun), this salon in Garner, NC was recommended to me on NextDoor. Coming from a small town where a $25 haircut is exorbitant, I was determined to find a place that charged less than $30 and didn’t sacrifice quality of the cut or the experience. 

Though I have only had layers added, I do plan on going back to Kim at Carmon’s to get my hair colored. These ladies provided an experience I thought I would only find in a smaller town. Garner may be only 6 miles from Downtown Raleigh, but it hasn’t lost its charm.

Carmon’s Curl Up and Dye (919) 771 - 0800 1411 Aversboro Road Garner, NC 27529

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Thieves Market

Where I am from, you can find places like Thieves Market around every corner. However, in the Raleigh area, the closest thing I could find are places SIMILAR but with higher prices. 

Thieves Market is both a consignment shop as well as a place where individuals may rent booths and display their various knick-knacks and furniture. Yes, the majority of the items are secondhand, but that is exactly what gives them their charm and their character. They are well made and managed to weather the years, the families, the children climbing all over them. For example, I had my eye on a light wood, very sturdy coffee table. It was maybe 3′x3′? How much did it cost, you ask? $29. If I had the space for it both in my car and in my apartment, I would have bought it in a heart beat. Alas, my practicality could not justify the purchase. There was also a kitchen table with matching chairs in good condition for a reasonable price which I don’t remember at this moment. Would you believe that I saw a Marvel themed accent chair??

I realize that I have only talked about the furniture. They also have trinkets, artwork, antique jewelry, etc. There were several cups, plates, even brand new sheet sets for only $20, regardless of the bed size. 

The holidays have been good to the ladies there. However, this means they are in need of items from the consignment side, especially furniture. If you have some pieces of furniture sitting around your home that you have been giving the side eye for taking up too much space, please take them to Thieves Market. People, like myself, would love a chance to purchase them or maybe even do this DIY revitalizing that seems to be the craze now.

Thieves Market 4111 New Bern Ave. Raleigh, NC 27610 (919) 212 - 2100

There you have it, folks: my first blog post. I hope you liked it and continue to come back and check out (Re)-Exploring the Triangle.