IT'S ALMOST ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN RALEIGH!!!!

KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR...

THE RALEIGH ST. PATRICK'S DAY

PARADE AND FESTIVAL

MARCH 12, 2011

STARTING AT 12 NOON

http://www.raleighstpats.org/

Wearin' 'O the Green Festival

When the Parade is over the Festival Begins! The Festival is held on Moore Square in downtown Raleigh, the end of the Parade route. There will be live music and dancing. In addition, there will be a wide variety of vendor booths: Irish Organizations, Irish jewelry and other trinkets, food vendors, children's games and activities. Fun for the entire family!

March in the Parade!

Join us for the 2011 Parade: March 12
Sign-up now to be a parade participant and secure your place in the parade line-up. Groups and individuals are welcome!

Deadline is February 28, 2011

There is a small fee to participate in the parade. All high, middle and elementary schools, bands, public safety marchers, and parade sponsors and non-profit groups are exempt from paying the fee. The fee is $35.00. The parade committee is accepting registrations to participate in the parade from local organizations including bands, sports teams, cheerleaders, dance teams, cultural and ethnic groups, civic groups, non-profit groups, etc. To secure a spot in the parade line-up, please submit your information and once approved you will be directed to pay your fee via PayPal. If you prefer to mail a check you can use this Entry Form and mail it with your check for $35.

The Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee Announces The 2011 Rose of Raleigh Contest

First Place $500
Second Place $250

The Rose of Raleigh is an Irish Heritage essay contest hosted by the Parade Committee and is open to young women of Irish ancestry between the ages of 17 and 23 residing in the North Carolina counties of Durham, Chatham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Nash, Orange, Wake and Wilson.

The Rose of Raleigh contest was derived from the world-renowned “Rose of Tralee International Festival” —one of Ireland’s premier festivals held in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland.

All eligible young women are encouraged to apply.
For more information see the application form or contact Debbie Murphy
The application deadline is February 1, 2011

Understand Your Lease Before Signing It

Signing a lease for a new apartment can be very exciting — and intimidating. You’ll be better equipped to read the lease and catch anything that doesn’t make sense, if you know what to expect. Here are some tips on what can be found in a typical apartment lease.

Who signs the lease?

Every lease is a contract, and as such will name the people who have entered into the contract and are legally bound by it. That should be your landlord, yourself, and any roommates you might have. Any roommate whose name doesn’t appear on the lease isn’t legally liable for rent; if you take on a new roommate after the lease has been signed, you might want to ask the landlord to issue a new lease.

The basics

The landlord should include information about who manages the rental property, including address and phone numbers. The lease should also identify which property is being rented. The lease should also include the specified monthly rent and the amount of the security deposit. It should specify when a rent payment is considered late, and what the penalties are for late payment. It should specify that it applies for a given length of time (say, 12 months) and spell out what happens when one party or the other decides to terminate the lease early.

Some leases will specify how far in advance you need to notify the landlord you need to renew; some will default to a “month-to-month” agreement after the original term runs out. You’ll want to know this well in advance of deciding whether or not to renew.

The lease should include information on penalties if you break the lease, as well as whether you would be able to sublet or find a new tenant if you have to leave, and whether there is an “automatic renewal” clause, in which the lease is renewed unless you give notice by a certain date.

Who fixes what?

Your lease should indicate who is responsible for repairs. Frequently leases make tenants responsible for minor repairs and landlords responsible for major ones, though this may differ depending on your rental management company.

Other items

Your lease may, or may not, include details on the following:

•Pet fees: Many apartment communities require an additional security deposit or rent to have a pet on the property.

•Utilities: You and your landlord should already have agreed on what utility payments you will be responsible for.

•Modifications: The lease may specify that you cannot make significant changes to the property, including painting, replacing carpet or floors, or knocking out walls. If you really want a change to the apartment, you might be able to negotiate this ahead of time. Make sure that any repairs or modifications you agree on verbally are written down in the lease.

Signing the lease

Take the time to read your lease thoroughly and carefully because once you sign, the terms are legally binding. If you don’t understand a clause, ask for clarifications. If you want to make or request changes to the lease, both you and the landlord should initial them.

Save a copy of the final lease signed by you and the owner or manager. This document is the most important document to help you if there’s any disagreement about the apartment or anything related to it.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Moving Pets

Moving isn’t just hard on you.

Packing, moving and unpacking can also take a toll on your pet — especially if have a long way to travel to your new home. Here are some do’s and don’ts for moving with a pet that could help ease the transition.

Moving pet do’s

Moving pets can be tricky. Can they go in the moving van? (No.) Can I ship them? (Yes.) Can they stay in a hotel? (Depends.) Here’s what you should do when you move with your pet:

•Do plan ahead: If you know you’re moving cross-country and are flying to your new home, make all the necessary arrangements for your pet to fly with you. This means making special accommodations for your dog to be transported, either on the plane in the cargo hold or shipped by a pet transport company like WeMovePets.com. (Small dogs might be able to fly with you as passengers.)

•Do buy a good pet carrier: If you’re driving a long distance or flying, then you’ll need a good pet carrier that will protect your animal during transport.

•Do talk to your veterinarian: He knows your pet well and can advise you on whether your cat is up for major traveling. If needed, he can even prescribe a pet tranquilizer to help calm your animal down, particularly if you have a nervous dog or neurotic cat.

•Do get your pet used to the drive: If your cat never goes anywhere with you, take him on short drives leading up to the move. That way, he won’t spend the entire drive with his claws in your leg, making the trip both painful and dangerous.

•Do change your pets’ collar tags: The day you head to your new home, put the new tags on identifying your new address and new phone number in case the worst happens and you get separated from your pet.

•Do keep pets away from the moving madness: While loading up the moving van, keep them in a quiet place away from all the turmoil.

•Do find a new veterinarian before you move: Having a new doctor in your rolodex might save you precious time. Make sure to have not only the new vet’s phone number, but his address and directions to his office.

•Do comply with local laws. Many municipalities require pets to be registered with animal control in case a collar is lost. Follow the laws once you move, or you could be fined.

Moving pet don’ts

There are many things that can go wrong during a move. Losing or hurting your pet shouldn’t be one of them.

•Don’t wait until the last minute to arrange transportation: Book both of your tickets well in advance of your move.

•Don’t try to transport your pet in the back of the moving van: It’s not safe during the move. Make other arrangements.

•Do call any hotels before arriving to confirm that your pet is welcome: Many hotels do not allow pets to stay in their rooms, though that trend is changing. Consult PetsWelcome.com for pet-friendly hotels that allow animals to stay with their owners.

•Don’t forget to pack a pet travel kit: This kit should include food, a bowl, a leash, medications, and plastic bags to scoop up waste. You may also want to bring toys to provide fun distractions for your pet.

•Don’t feed your animal right before the move: They might get motion sickness.

•Don’t forget the walks: If possible, try to keep up with your animal’s normal routines: Walks, feedings, bathroom breaks. This should help keep their anxiety down from the move activities.

Moving your pet can be fairly easy if you follow some easy pet travel do’s and don’ts.

The Humane Society also has great information on moving with pets, as does the

 American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.



We're hopping excited about our annual Easter Party!

Warm up you cameras and get your egg baskets ready...it's almost THAT time again!

The ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT will be APRIL 2, 2011 this year.

Mark your calendar...the time will be provided soon!!!!!

PRIZES, EGGS FULL OF CANDY, CHIPS & DRINKS 

~Don't miss THE EASTER BUNNY....he'll be ready for pictures on this most fun of days!~

LAST MINUTE ROMANTIC RESTAURANT DECISIONS

The Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
http://www.second-empire.com/

The Mint Restaurant
http://www.themintrestaurant.com/index.html
Join us for Valentine's Day
Monday, February 14th
A Delectable 3 course Menu with Paired wines will be served starting at 5pm.
Call 821.0011 or reserve a table on the web


and My personal favorite!!

MARGAUX'S RESTAURANThttp://www.margauxsrestaurant.com/

Juice and Jazz

Party with a purpose this year at Easter Seals UCP of North Carolina and Virginia’s Juice and Jazz fundraiser on Feb 25 at 6 p.m. at the Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh.

Savor exotic wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres and enjoy live jazz by MPS Trio at this intimate gathering. Proceeds from the event go to help people with disabilities and mental health challenges.

“This is a great after work event with friends but also a wonderful networking event,” said Amy Beros, development manager for Easter Seals.

The Easter Seals aims to create opportunities, promote individual choice and change the lives of people with disabilities by maximizing their individual potential for living, learning and working in their communities.

All proceeds will benefit Easter Seals UCP programs and services in the greater Raleigh area including preschool, developmental education and therapy, residential services, supported employment and training, respite care, foster care services, family support and more.

Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased online at www.nc.eastersealsucp.com/events or by calling (919) 865-8840.