It's pool time!

For everyone that has been waiting for the pool to open so that you can jump in during the hot days, its only two weeks away! I know everyone I have talked to in Ashley Forest is so excited about the opening. I walk daily with my dog past the pool and they have started setting up tables and chairs-yahooooo! I know I am so psyched for this but I want to bring up a serious note.

For all that have received the CAS (homeowner's letter) dated on April 6, 2010- it gets a little scary when reading about two drug related transactions happening in the pool parking lot! I was very unaware of these happenings and it really scares me. I know that NO ONE in our neighborhood wants to feel unsafe or uncomfortable! A lot of parents are now questioning allowing the kids to play on the nice play set that has kindly been provided by Ashley Forest. So what do we do?

We look out for our neighbors- we make sure that we are taking an active stance of protecting our community. How doe we do this? Who knows- other than use your senses. Remember to be aware and observant of everything that is going on! Be involved with people around you. The more you get to know your neighbor, to more safe you will feel living where you live- plus you will be able to go and ask for some milk, sugar, etc!

Long story short- lets look out for each other- lets take care of our neighborhood and bring it back to the safe, fun place!

Duke wins ACC 2 times in a row! Love our local teams!

Pictured left is Duke senior Jon Scheyer. He was so excited about winning again he told reporters that he would/could do it a 100 times over. He said that it never gets old for him. His love of the sport is obvious- but next stop is the NCAA tourney.

Scheyer shot 3-pointer with 18 seconds left to defeat Georgia Tech. This earned the Blue Devils their second consecutive ACC Tournament title, 65-61 Sunday afternoon at the Greensboro Coliseum.

The top-ranked Blue Devils did indeed win to improve to 29-5, but hours later they started over at 0-0 after the NCAA Tournament field was announced.
Duke earned the No. 1 seed in the South Region and will open play Friday in Jacksonville, Fla., against either Winthrop or Arkansas-Pine Bluff, who will meet in the play-in game Tuesday in Dayton.

While Duke has triumphed on the ACC level the past two years, none of the Blue Devils’ current players have made it past the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

“We’ve got to switch gears and get ready for the NCAAs,” Duke junior Nolan Smith said. “That’s already on my mind.

“Winning a championship is the best feeling, and I’ve never won the NCAAs, so I can only imagine how that feels.”

Restaurants add Happy Hours to boost bottom line!

The casual dining industry could use a stiff drink. And so, it hopes, could you.

It's rolling out Happy Hours with bargain prices on booze and appetizers in the midst of an industrywide slowdown.

While places such as T.G.I. Friday's have long offered Happy Hour-type deals, some of the more prestigious places — includingThe Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang's andRuby Tuesday— have recently latched onto Happy Hours as a way to attract new business from a recession-weary public that's eating out less.

"It's all about butts in seats," says Sandy Beall, founder of Ruby Tuesday.

In December, Ruby Tuesday began charging $5 all day for bar drinks (vs. up to $8), and began selling most Happy Hour appetizers at a $2 discount.

"Everybody is looking for a deal," says restaurant consultant Howard Gordon. Restaurants and bars like them because they lure traffic at hours (often 3 to 6 p.m.) when business typically is slow.

Others chains in the mix:

•Cheesecake Factory. After 31 years, the chain just began to roll out its first Happy Hour. It'll be in most locations by March 18. "We've all been hit by the economy," says Mark Mears, marketing chief. "We have to be sensitive to those with less discretionary income."

The Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the bar area. Some 16 appetizers are available, and specialty cocktails are $5 each. That includes a margarita (normally $8.95) and Hot Spinach and Cheese Dip (normally $10.50).

•P.F. Chang's. In January, the chain went national with a Happy Hour promo that it had previously tested in parts of Oregon and Arizona. The promo offers drinks and appetizers priced at $3 to $6 from 3 to 6 p.m.

•Morton's Steak House. The fine-dining chain rolled out Power Hour in the bar area in 2009. Bar Bites such as sliders fetch $5, and beer is $4. "It allows guests to drink and eat for around $25," says Edie Ames, president.

Tired of the RTP traffic to and from work?

Sick of sitting in traffic to and from work? NCDOT has the solution!

(This article piece was taken by the News and Observer dated Sunday Jan.30,2010 )

“The state Department of Transportation will start work this spring on a long-sought project to ease congestion at one of the Triangle's worst rush-hour pinch points: the cramped interchange of Interstates 40 and 540 near Research Triangle Park.

The DOT is about to award C.C. Mangum of Raleigh a $7.6million contract to add an outer lane that will ease morning backups on westbound I-540 and westbound I-40. The added lane will start on I-540 just south of the Pleasant Grove Church Road overpass, continuing into the exit collector lane and the off-ramp onto westbound I-40, ending at the Page Road exit. The lane should be completed by December, DOT said.”

Whoooo hooo! So glad that in the near future are going to be able to have a easier drive to and from work!

XOXO

Go Realty Girl

Ashley Forest is the H.O.T place to live!!

Welcome to the Ashley Forest Blog!!!

Ashley Forest is close by to almost everything, right? We have the best of both worlds! Our central location allows us to be part of the Raleigh AND Durham worlds! But do you ever wonder what is actually going on? What events are happening? What are the best places to eat? Cool places to hang out? Places for our children to be entertained? If you are like me, a resident of Ashley Forest- I seem to only go to the same restaurants in Brier Creek time after time because it's comfortable.

What have we been missing out on??? Well that is where I come in. As a resident of Ashley Forest, I am committing to you all to let you know what is going on in our neck of the woods along with the best places to eat, play and relax. I will be YOUR resource for all things happening in Ashley Forest and surrounding areas!!

Best,

Lindsay Alteri

Go Realty Girl

Rolling Meadows Drive

www.gorealtygirl.biz