http://blogs.wncn.info/smartcity Smart Living in the Triangle Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:30:02 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en With all of this talk about the possibility of an economic recession, all of us are keeping a close eye on the economy and our own personal finances right now. My friend Allison told me about this new web site she is using that is what she calls a “FREE ... http://blogs.wncn.info/smartcity/2008/09/30/time-to-manage-that-money/ Sept. 15 was chosen as the kick off date because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18. Although a little earlier, another Latin American country, ... http://blogs.wncn.info/smartcity/2008/09/17/celebrate-hispanic-heritage-this-month/ This weekend I judged my first beauty pageant, the MISS/MRS NC Beauties Pageant in Raleigh. I have been a contestant in pageants before, but never recognized the challenges that judges face when holding the future of these women’s pageant careers in your hands. Pageants are serious business. Although some think of pageants ... http://blogs.wncn.info/smartcity/2008/09/10/nc-women-braved-the-bad-weather-in-hopes-of-becoming-the-next-missmrs-nc-beauties/ Her name was Bimini and her skin was as smooth as fresh hot dog out of water. She was a mammal alright, but not like you and I…she was a dolphin! You've heard the mysterious legends and fascinating facts about dolphins.  This Labor Day weekend, I traveled to Miami and ... http://blogs.wncn.info/smartcity/2008/09/03/i-kissed-a-girland-i-liked-it/   On the prowl for a green job or volunteer organization to be a part of? Looking for some green love? Simply looking to connect with eco-minded folks around the Triangle? If the answer is "yes" to any of the above, I have the event for you!  As eco-consciousness expands across the globe, green networking ... http://blogs.wncn.info/smartcity/2008/08/25/greenies-unite-all-shades-of-green-welcome/ This week, I found a bright red ALERT on my doorstep warning me that CASA with funding from the City of Raleigh and Wake County is attempting to purchase George’s Mews Apartments (corner of Washington St. and Glenwood Avenue) to convert it into subsidized housing. It’s in the heart of ... http://blogs.wncn.info/smartcity/2008/08/18/why-my-neighborhood/ A co-worker asked me what I am doing this weekend. I said that I would be celebrating my birthday along with my mom's (our birthdays are one day apart). No big deal, just dinner and a night out at a relaxed rock n' roll bar in downtown Raleigh with my ... http://blogs.wncn.info/smartcity/2008/08/08/last-chance-to-celebrate-my-20-something-birthday/ I learned about an interesting new trend in fuel efficiency as I was chatting with my friend, Jim Grosslight, today. Jim is a partner of Peak Automotive Restoration. They are experts in the preservation and restoration of classic autos and they customize new cars. One of the many perks of ... http://blogs.wncn.info/smartcity/2008/08/06/drive-or-glide/ My little sister came to visit me from Florida this past weekend. She's eighteen, so I was a bit nervous that she would be bored out of her mind! Last time she came to visit was atleast four years ago. I remembered that she loved Vic's Pizza (best pizza in ... http://blogs.wncn.info/smartcity/2008/07/26/tourist-in-my-own-back-yard/ The first Viva Raleigh Festival is set to take place tomorrow, July 19, from 2:30-7:30 p.m. at Moore Square in Downtown Raleigh. The City of Raleigh and a committee of city residents have worked tirelessly to plan the Viva Raleigh Festival. With this event, they hope to inform, integrate, empower and ... http://blogs.wncn.info/smartcity/2008/07/18/celebrate-diversity-at-viva-raleigh-festival-this-weekend/