Ole Time Winter Festival

Date:

Saturday, December 1, 2012 - 10:00am

Time:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location:
Downtown Cary on Chatham Street between Harrison Avene and Academy Street and into Ashworth Village

Website:
http://heartofcary.org

Event Description:

In its 9th year, the festival offers arts and crafts, local entertainment, tasty foods, kids zone with Raku Pottery, and Santa with a professional photographer.

 

Read more: http://www.carymagazine.com/social-calendar/event-3344#ixzz2Dd2ekywE

Please email joypike@ymail.com with any questions.

Raleigh Holiday Events 2012

Check out the link below to see what's happening around Raleigh for the Holiday season.

See everything from parades, winterfests & santa visits!

December 2012 Holiday Events

Holiday Sip & Shop at North Hills in Raleigh

Kickoff your holiday shopping with the Holiday Sip & Shop! Enjoy complimentary holiday beverages as you shop til you drop for your home, your loved ones, or yourself.
The more you shop, the more you earn with Christmas Cash. Spend $100 or more and get $25 in Christmas Cash to spend throughout the holiday season, while supplies last.
Stay for the Tree Lighting Celebration where the most magnificent tree in Raleigh will be lit at 6pm. Cast your vote for the best Holiday Window for a chance to win a $100 North Hills Gift Card.
Free rides are available on the Shuttlebug, the electric motorcar, til 11pm.
Click here for more details about Sip & Shop!

Congratulations to

The Porter Family &

The Bahena Family

for winning the

Thanksgiving drawing!!

They will have their pre-prepared meal from Harris Teeter delivered to their homes on November 21st.

In their goody bags will be: a 9-12 lb Turkey / 2lbs green bean supreme / 2lbs mashed potatoes / 1lb turkey gravy / 1lb cranberry relish / 1 dz brown and serve rolls /1 gallon of Sweet tea & a 9" pumpkin pie

We hope everyone enjoys their meals this year!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to all the kids for coming to see us on Halloween!

I wish we could post ever single wonderful picture of all the creative and fantastic costumes we saw. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

If you are interested in hanging a sign on your door to let community Trick-or- Treaters know you are giving out candy, please feel free to stop by the office and pick one up!

It's that time again!

Come by the office dressed as your favorite character and get a goodie bag, a craft and enter into the FREE RAFFLE for your chance to win the DVD movie "The Adventures of Tin Tin"

WHEN: Anytime during business hours between OCTOBER 26th through the 31st
WHERE: The main office at Sumter Square

 Good Times Good Times

Outdoor Movies and your PJ's!

Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the absolutely beautiful night with us to watch "The Adventures of Tin Tin". I think everyone went home with quite a sugar high from all the free candy and drinks, but that's what it's all about!!! We can't wait until next year!!

WE WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT OUR MAINTENANCE STAFF
WORKS VERY HARD TO KEEP OUR POOLS OPEN A BIT LATER IN THE
YEAR THAN OTHER COMMUNITIES.

PLEASE CHECK IN PERIODICALLY, AS WE WILL POST ON FACEBOOK AND THE BOLG WHEN THE POOLS HAVE CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.

HAVE FUN!

 SUMTER SQUARE SUMMERFEST
2012 WAS A BLAST!

Thank you to all who braved the cooler weather to join us. We already can't wait to do it again next year!

Chips and drinks and squirtguns oh my!

We love this party! Snowcones and raffles...plus sooooo many other things to do!

CHECK OUT WHAT WILL BE AT THE SUMMERFEST POOL PARTY!

DATE:

AUGUST 25, 2012

LOCATION:

THE SUMTER SQUARE OFFICE POOL

TIME: 2PM - 5PM

Don't miss our annual pool party!

Dj, music, games, food, snowcones and ice cream & $1000 worth of prizes to give away!

THIS IS A COMPLETELY FREE EVENT!!!!

The Lazy Daze of Summer Make a Comeback

By Cary Magazine

Can you believe it’s the end of August already?

That means one Cary tradition is back for the 36th time: the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival!

This Saturday, August 25, the streets of Downtown Cary will be chock full of artists, vendors and entertainers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For those who want to stake out the artists to hit first, or those who can’t make it, a “virtual festival” online gives the opportunity to preview wares from each artist, along with a directory of contact information to facilitate direct purchase after the festival.

A few new details are in place this year, including a scavenger hunt for “Little Jerry.” Five plush dolls, named after Lazy Daze founder Jerry Miller, will be hiding throughout the festival. Each doll will have a card that proves you found him, and attendees who find all five Little Jerry dolls can register at the information tent to win a prize.

A chainsaw sculpting competition will put artists head to head in a battle to represent the themes of “North Carolina” and “Summertime” with their works. Carving will take place all morning, and judging will be at 3 p.m.

Also new is a greener way to dispose of food scraps and paper goods. The Town of Cary has teamed with the Spruce program and Zero Waste Today to place compost receptacles at the festival to divert waste from landfills.

As always, cultural arts groups and performance artists will be featured throughout the day on multiple stages. Kid’s World offers activities and hands-on fun to the younger crowd, and everyone can find something tasty from one of many concessionaires on-site.

Free parking is available at the Cary Town Hall Parking Deck, located on Wilkinson Avenue between Cary Town Hall and the Herbert C. Young Community Center, and at Cary Towne Center mall, serviced by a free shuttle bus. Handicapped parking is available at Cary Town Hall beside the railroad tracks, at the Cary Elementary School entrance on Kildaire Farm Road, and at the First United Methodist Church (access from Walker Street). All of these locations are approximately one block from the Festival area.

Read more: http://www.carymagazine.com/social-calendar/lazy-daze-summer-make-comeback#ixzz24P2sG8X7

Keep in mind the office pool will be closed on Friday, August 24, 2012 in preparation for the SUMMERFEST POOL PARTY on Saturday. The pool behind the pre-school should be open unless inclement weather prevents it.

We wanted to let everyone know that we found a Mongoose bike alone on the property. If anyone would like to claim it, please call Joni with a description today or tomorrow. Thanks!

SUMMERFEST POOL PARTY 2012

Join us for the biggest party of the year!

SUMMERFEST 2012

If you miss this one, you're missing out on

$1000 worth of raffle prizes

Cooper's BBQ

Snowcones

Ice Cream

and a DJ that plays pool games &

music for 3 hours straight!

Location: Sumter Square Office Pool

Date: August 25, 2012

Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm

DON'T MISS IT!

Unfortunately the office pool will be closed until further notice.
We have been experiencing gross negligence from our residents in regards to following pool rules, which in turn continues to cause the closing of our pools.
The office pool is presently closed because someone last night took/lost a skimmer cover. This important piece of seemingly innocent plastic is regulation. If it is not there, the pool cannot be open.
Due to the fact we must try and track down a new piece that matches the old one, the pool must remain closed until the piece is found.

On a side note:
Our second pool was closed again yesterday due to residents bringing children into the pool wearing only diapers. This causes loose waste to enter the pool..which in turn causes the pool to be closed for the entire next day.
We have been very easy going when it comes to the pool, but unfortunately, due to persistent rule breaking, we must start to crack down.
*NO STREET CLOTHES

*NO DIAPERS-LITTLE SWIMMERS ARE A GOOD ALTERNATIVE

*ONLY 2 GUESTS PER APARTMENT

*ALL GUESTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A LEASEHOLDER

*POOL PASSES MUST BE PRESENTED BY ALL INDIVIDUALS AT THE POOL

*NOBODY UNDER THE AGE OF 16 MAY SWIM ALONE

*ALL CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT LEASE HOLDER OR BABYSITTER OVER THE AGE OF 18 WITH THE PROPER POOL PASSES

*ALL POOL EQUIPMENT IS OFF LIMITS

*SHOWERS MUST BE TAKEN BEFORE ENTERING THE POOL

*NO HORSEPLAY/FLIPS/OR RUNNING

*NO BICYCLES OR PETS ALLOWED IN POOL AREA

LETS KEEP OUR POOLS A HAPPY AND ENJOYABLE

PLACE TO KEEP COOL THIS SUMMER!

PLEASE SEE YOUR RESIDENT HANDBOOK FOR THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Be sure to join us on July 4th for our Annual Ice Cream Social.

TIME: 12:30pm to 1:30pm

We'll have everything from Freezepops to Frozen Snicker Bars. Come and get it while it lasts!!

Congratulations to The Ramirez Family on winning the Summer Beach Giveaway!

The Ramirez's walked away with $200 worth of goodies to enjoy while at the beach this year!

Enjoy!

We want to remind everyone that vacate notices are required per your lease agreements.
If you are in a current lease, you are required to submit, in writing and signed by all lease holders, a 60 day notice.
If you are on a month-to-month status, only a 30 day notice is required.

If you have questions at any time, we would be happy to advise in the matter of submitting a proper vacate notice.

Thank you,
Sumter Square Staff

We have changed the date of our annual

Summerfest 2012 Pool Party until

August 25, 2012.

This will allow ALL of our residents to join in the festivities, as Ramadan will be over the 18th!

We look forward to celebrating this community time with everyone!

Thank you to all of our wonderful residents for beign with us at Sumter Square!!

Congratulations to Paula A. for winning our Memorial Day contest!

We were looking for pictures of our residents enjoying the amenities at Sumter Square, and Paula submitted the prize winner! We loved the fact she showed the combination of our beautiful grounds and one of our playgrounds here at the Square.

Paula won a Kodak Playtouch Video Camera for winning!

We thank everyone for participating and look forward to many more picture contests in the future!

Due to a beautiful Memorial Day, our folks enjoyed the pools all day yesterday, which requires them to rest for today. Please expect both pools to be closed today...then up and running for tomorrow!

The pool by the office will be closed until late afternoon. Please use the pool behind the preschool for the day. Note: both pools will close if we get rain today.

http://www.artsplosure.org/

THE RALEIGH ARTS FESTIVAL

MOORE SQUARE & CITY PLAZA

FOOD, FUN & ART

MAY 19-20 

For our Photographers at Sumter Square!

We are looking for some great pictures of our residents enjoying the amenities at

Sumter Square Apartments!

WIN A Kodak PLAYTOUCH Video Camera

for BEST PICTURE!

Take some pictures playing by the pool, at the playground, walking the trails or using the fitness equipement...etc.

Take some digital pictures and send them to our email at sumtersquare@druckerandfalk.com.

With any submission, you must state:

“I, (your name), agree to allow Sumter Square & Angel Court Apartments, and their representatives, to use of the pictures I am submitting on websites & marketing materials.

TYPE YOUR NAME

Call Joni for more details if you'd like to know more!

The pool next to the office will be closed today until about 1pm. Please note that the pool next to the daycare is OPEN!

SUMMER BEACH GIVEAWAY

Summer Giveaway

Be sure to come by the office 

and enter to win an entire beach fun package!

$250 Worth of Beach Fun!

• 2 Beach Chairs
• 6 Foot Beach Umbrella
• 48 quart Cooler
• 2 booie boards
• Giant SquirtGun
• Package of 8 small squirtguns
• Beach Tote
• 4 Beach Towels
• Diving Rings
• Drink Pitcher
• 4 Fun glasses
• Sandcastle deluxe set
• 2 water squirt toys
• frisbee
• 2 swimming worms
• Sunscreen for adults & children

Drawing: June 11, 2012

One entry per household, or 1 entry per roommate.

FREE TO ENTER!

OUTDOOR MOVIE

The annual Outdoor Movie has been scheduled for this year!

DATE: September 15, 2012

RAIN DATE: September 22, 2012

TIME: 6:30pm

LOCATION: Sumter Square Apartments VolleyBall Court & Picnic Area

ANNUAL SUMMERFEST POOL PARTY

The annual Summerfest Pool Party

has been scheduled!

DATE: August 11, 2012

TIME: 2pm-5pm

LOCATION: Community Office Pool

Games & Music

Raffles & Prizes

Waterslide (pictured above)

Snowcones

Food from Cooper's BBQ

Join us for the biggest party of the year at

Sumter Square Apartments!

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Thank you to all of our wonderful residents for joining us once again for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. It was a beautiful day for it...we can't wait until next year aleady!

The anticipation-waiting for the easter bunny to come out!

 An Easter Bunny parade (ages 0-5)

Searching through 3000 candy filled eggs for the prize eggs!

 Pictures with the Easter Bunny

See many many,more pics on our facebook page!

IMPORTANT RESIDENT BULLETIN

As many of you know, we have had numerous issues with our internet service provider, Capital Broadband, for quite a long time.


Our company has been in litigation for over a year trying to resolve this issue, but as of yesterday we were told that a resolution could not be made.

What this means for you, is as unfortunate as it is, there will no longer be free wireless internet service offered at our community.

We apologize to our customers that were able to use the service without any issues and to the customers that hung in there throughout all of the trails and tribulations in relation to the service.

We recommend calling another internet service provider, such as Time Warner Cable.

Again, we apologize for the inconvenience and terribly short notice, as we only just found out yesterday. A formal letter will be sent to all of our residents as soon as possible.

We have a Winner!!!

Congratulations to Kelvin & Glenda for being the closest guess of "Marshmallow Bunnies in a Jar!" There were 165 in the jar and they guessed 167!!! They won a 16.1 megapixel Sony camera for there awesome guess!

Power Outage Reported

The power may be out in buildings 24 & 25 for short period of time due to the city working in the area...bear with them and the power will be working again soon!

The Easter Egg Hunt is tonight...Monday the 2nd @ 5pm!!!!! Bring your baskets and meet us at the office!!

NEWS FLASH FOR SUMTER SQUARE RESIDENTS

Unfortunately, due to illness and the impending rain all day on Saturday, we will be postpoing the Easter Egg Hunt that was scheduled for March 24, 2012. We will inform eveyone of our raindate when it is chosen.

Have a great weekend!
Sumter Square Staff

Want to see the Carolina Rollergirls?

CHECK OUT THIS DEAL!

http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/45/deals/260712-two-carolina-rollergirls-tickets

For more information about the Carolina Rollergirls...check out this link:
http://www.carolinarollergirls.com/

North Carolina’s First Name in Roller Derby
The Carolina Rollergirls are the original Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) league of North Carolina. Formed in January 2004, it has been our mission to bring an alternative sport to North Carolina while training for national roller derby competition. The league operates as a non-profit 501c3 organization and is run for the skaters, by the skaters, with the support of numerous sponsors and volunteers. The Carolina Rollergirls are smart, strong and amazing women who work tirelessly to build and be a part of a successful league and roller derby community.

The Carolina Rollergirls are comprised of Ph.D.s, Master’s Degrees, attorneys, business women, architects, artists, teachers, students, and mothers, all of whom commit many hours a week to practice and physical training. When not on skates, practicing or playing roller derby, league members can found doing volunteer work. Skaters, volunteers and sponsors alike commit endless hours for the advancement of the league and the sport of roller derby.

The league is made up of home teams who compete against each other as well as inter-league teams that compete against leagues from other cities. The inter-league teams consist of the Carolina All-Stars and theCarolina Bootleggers; both teams travel to other leagues for play. These inter-league travel teams take the top skaters and match them up against other WFTDA teams across the nation. The Carolina All-Stars versus a visiting roller derby team is the main event at home double headers which are played at Dorton Arena.

Doing Roller Derby Right
Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby is not the derby of the past; the track isn’t banked and we’ve dropped the wild theatrics and crazy antics. Staged fighting has been replaced with hard hitting take-outs and perfectly executed booty blocking. Carolina Rollergirls’ fast-dodging jammers are too hungry for points to slow down for silly acrobatics. That doesn’t mean roller derby has gotten soft; the hits get harder and harder every season, and we like to show off our talent every chance we get!

Roller derby requires skill, strategy and fearlessness. It is a game is a fierce competition, charged by a daredevil attitude and a willingness to hit your friends. We may be a mischievous crew of fun loving ladies, but when the whistle blows, playtime is over and the battle begins.

The Carolina Rollergirls are proud members of the Womens Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), which we helped form in 2004. Since joining WFTDA the skaters of CRG have and continue to work tirelessly with other roller derby leagues across the nation to standardize and promote national roller derby competition.

The Carolina Rollergirls skates in the Eastern Region and have consistently shown our league is a force to be reckoned with as we have continued to be in the top ten roller derby leagues for every ranking quarter and opinion poll since 2006.

Roller derby is a sport for women who play life by a different set of rules. We’re proud, hard-working, independent-minded women who get the job done. Our skaters are saucy, energetic vixens who are ready to get down and derby.

Roller Derby! Live
Fans are an important part of the roller derby experience and the Carolina Rollergirls love to see your faces! Since our game is played on a flat rink surface, our fans are able to be a part of the action. The CRG skaters are fast, hard-hitting and loaded with attitude; and you can see it up close and personal.

The Carolina Rollergirls bouts are held at historic Dorton Arena on the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds are located at the intersection of Hillsborough Street and Blue Ridge Road. Check our Schedule Page for the next game and other exciting Carolina Rollergirls roller derby events.

Local Lovin'

By Cary Magazine

If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day in North Carolina, why not celebrate with North Carolina?

The Produce Lady, a program that advocates bolsering the state economy by purchasing locally grown foods, has collected a list of treats from right here at home that will make your Valentine smile — and feel a lot more personal than a drugstore box of chocolates.

“There’s a common misconception that local foods — particularly fruits and vegetables — are not available during the winter, especially here in North Carolina,” says The Produce Lady co-director Leah Chester-Davis. “In reality, several farmers markets are open through the winter months, and local foods are available year-round.”

For starters, North Carolina has more than 100 wineries, and nearly three-quarters of them are in the Piedmont. Attend a Valentine-themed event, plan a trip to tour a winery, or just pick up a bottle to toast the evening.

Oodles of farms, farmers markets, nurseries and other agriculture producers sell gift items, from roadside stands to pick-your-own farms. Pick one item, or bundle several of your favorites into a personalized package.

The Produce Lady’s recommendations include gourmet pastas from Boone-based The Pasta Wench; pecans from Elizabeth’s Pecans (dark chocolate, orange crème and even jalapeno are among the choices); the namesake product from Farmers Roasted Soynuts; and sweet potato crackers in five flavors from Polka Dot Bake Shop in Charlotte.

Beyond the edible, learn a bit about state history with a romantic getaway to Old Salem or Biltmore Estate.

Learn more about The Produce Lady program at theproducelady.org.
Read more: http://www.carymagazine.com/features/local-lovin#ixzz1lu3sPQZk

REMINDER

The large laundry room located under the on-site preschool is closed for complete renovation between FEB 6th & FEB 10th!

We are super excited to get all new washers & dryers!!!!

Please note that there is a laundry mat located only minutes down the road near the Harris Teeter

Free Wine Tasting this weekend!!

Each month we put together a six-pack of wines that offer great value and discount 'em by at least 20%, while also introducing you to a few of our favorites, new finds and under-the-radar gems. This month, Sir Walt's Six Pack includes some great options for the bone-chilling Spring-like weather we're suffering through enjoying this 'Winter.' Read about the wines here.

This Saturday's Free Tasting

~ Deluxe Tasting w/Nile Zacherle ~

1:00 - 4:00pm

This Saturday, we're excited to have our great friend Nile Zacherle in house during his trip to Raleigh for the Triangle Wine Experience, an event that supports the Frankie Lemmon School. The TWE is a charity wine auction that we've volunteered at for a number of years, and this year we'll have several more lots up for auction that you should keep an eye out for if you're at the gala. Not going to the gala? Then be sure to come to the shop between 1:00 and 4:00 to meet Nile and sample a variety of the awesome wines he makes at David Arthur Vineyards, Montagna and under his own micro-production label, Zacherle Wines.

2009 Zacherle Riesling, Carneros, California ($25.99)

2010 David Arthur Vineyards Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California ($52.99)

2009 Zacherle 'Las Tres Hermanas' red blend, Sonoma, California ($30.99)

2007 Montagna 'Tre Vigneti' Cabernet, Napa Valley, California ($59.99)

All tasting wines are 10% off by the bottle,

15% off by the six-pack (mix or match)

Wednesday, February 8th

5:30 - 7:30pm

Free Tasting w/Soter Vineyards

As always, we'll be open late for First Friday

Save The Date: Monday, February 13th

Matt Bettinger of C. Grace will be serving up a variety

of delicious wine-based cocktails

Cary to Host U.S. Olympic Table Tennis Trials

By Alyse Leininger

Cary will get a taste of Olympic glory in early February as the host for its first-ever Olympic trials in table tennis.

The U.S. Olympic Trials will be held February 9-12, with 39 registered qualifiers competing.

The top eight finishers (four men and four women) will be invited back to Cary for the North American Olympic Trials on April 20-22. The U.S. competitors at those trials will face off against the Canadian table tennis representatives, and the winners will head to London for the summer 2012 Olympics.

Table tennis may not be frequently associated with the world of professional sports because of its alter ego of Ping-Pong, a game that teenagers and college students have adopted as their own. But watching these Olympic-caliber table tennis stars is nothing like playing it in your garage.

One of 26 sports featured at the Olympic Games, table tennis has a strong following internationally, particularly in parts of Asia and Scandinavia. More than 19 million Americans also play table tennis.

The Triangle even has two USA Table Tennis sanctioned clubs, including the Cary Table Tennis Association, which is one of the hosts of the Olympic Trials. Cary is also the home of the Cary Cup, an annual table tennis tournament that draws competitors from around the world, which gave Cary a boost in the host city selection process.

The event will be open to spectators with the purchase of a ticket, starting at $5 for Feb. 9, $10 for other single days, or a four-day ticket package for $30. The trials will be held at the Bond Park Community Center, which the event organizers are hoping to fill with spectators. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Olympic Table Tennis Trials website, www.cary2012.com.

Cary Magazine is proud to sponsor the table tennis Olympic trials in Cary.

Read more: http://www.carymagazine.com/social-calendar/cary-host-us-olympic-table-tennis-trials#ixzz1kbTmBbYA

Like to go out for a fancy Dinner on a Budget? Check this out!!!

What is Triangle Restaurant Week (#TRW)?

TRW is a weeklong celebration of culinary excellence designed to incorporate the entire premier Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding area Restaurants. Restaurants will be offering a special fixed price, 3-course meal each and every day they are open* during the event. Due to varying restaurant operations, not all restaurants can/will adhere to appetizer, entree, dessert format

2012 Dates:
January 23 – 29 
June 4 - 10, 2012

Prices
$15 Lunch (optional)

$20 or $30 Dinner

***Price is for each person and does not include beverages, tax or gratuity***

Tickets
No special passes, tickets or coupons are required.

Diners may simply visit their favorite participating restaurants throughout the week to enjoy the special prix fixe dinner menus.

We do however, strongly encourage patrons to reserve seating in advance via the TRW website or by calling the restaurants to guarantee seating.

Reservations
Although not necessary, reservations are strongly recommended! There is no guarantee of seating for Walk-ins. Make reservations via the OpenTable.com link under the restaurant profile (if applicable), or call the restaurants directly to avoid crowds.

Cooks for Books

By Nancy Pardue

Live chefs … local celebrities … and a community focused on boosting education.

The nonprofit Garner Educational Foundation will hold its second annual Cooks for Books fundraiser on Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at Garner TV & Appliance on US 70 West, offering a star-studded night of fun and fine cuisine.

“Celebrity chef Elise Johnson, the 2011 Cooks for Books champion and star of Cooking With Elise, and other noted chefs will work in Garner TV’s fabulous show kitchens,” said event chair Amy White. “We’ll match the chefs with local media personalities Ken Smith and Elizabeth Gardner of WRAL-TV, ABC 11’s Barbara Gibbs and Don ‘Big Weather’ Swenneker, and NBC 17’s Sharon Delaney and Bill Reh.

“Those who attend not only get to enjoy the cooking competition, but also get to engage with — and eat with — the celebrity hosts. And the best part is that the money goes to the Garner Educational Foundation!”

Judges reprising their roles from last year are Jeffrey Bane of the N.C. Chefs Academy, Jeff Hadley of the Wake Tech School of Culinary Arts, and Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams.

Three live kitchens will be in operation at Garner TV, with competition between the three networks on a signature entrée of their choice. Attendees will have the chance to sample and vote on the entrees, as well as enjoy other complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

Each popular vote for an entrée will cost $1 and attendees may vote as many times as they’d like. Awards will be presented for the popular vote and an official judges’ vote coordinated by the N.C. Chefs Academy.

Also, businesses, non-profits, schools and individuals may submit a signature dessert for judging in the Garner: It’s a Sweet Place to Be Dessert Challenge. Entry fee is $25.

Garner Educational Foundation, begun in 1990, serves all 11 Garner area public schools. Cooks for Books, GEF’s only fundraiser of the year, drew more than 350 people in 2011 and raised $15,000, monies earmarked for literacy enrichment programs.

“Literacy is crucial to success in school and life,” said GEF Executive Director Mary Lib Perry. “We are helping children gain the tools and knowledge that will empower them long after they have graduated from our schools.”

Tickets for Cooks for Books are $25 or two for $40; a VIP pass including one-hour exclusive access to the chefs and celebrities is $40. Tickets are available at Garner TV & Appliance, the Garner Chamber of Commerce, Bingham Law Office, or at the door.

For more information, contact Amy White at singforHim@nc.rr.com or (919) 201-1211.

Read more: http://www.carymagazine.com/triangle-east-magazine/cooks-for-books#ixzz1kPKpcn4o

Gotta Dance?

By Nancy Pardue

So … how are you doing with those New Year’s resolutions?

If the gym turns out not to be your thing, don’t worry — you can dance your way to fitness!

Convinced you have no rhythm? Worried about looking awkward?

Don’t be, says Christy Wood, owner of Christy’s DancExplosion in Garner, http://www.christysdancexplosion.com/ .

“For those willing to stick it out and keep going because they are enjoying themselves, the rewards can be great,” Wood said, including a sense of accomplishment, new friendships and fun.

“Dancing is a great way to be more physically active,” she said, “and the vast array of dance styles means that dance can be enjoyed by everyone.

“Physically, dance improves flexibility, builds strength, increases endurance, boosts brain power and reduces stress and tension. Socially, dance contributes to higher self confidence and a positive outlook.”

Christy’s DancExplosion is home to adult clogging classes, with adult ballet and line dance classes new for 2012.

And local dance-for-fitness offerings include classes via Garner Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources; see listings for information.

“The best way for an adult learner to begin is to look for a dance style that interests you, research your options and take action,” she said. “Most people feel more comfortable in a group setting when starting something new. A studio setting is a safe, nurturing and properly equipped environment where fellow dancers offer support and encouragement, work toward common goals and celebrate acquired skills and accomplishments.

“Invite a friend to share the experience with you, take it gradually and enjoy yourself!”

A new year, a positive new you … as in you absolutely, positively can dance.

For more try-something-new ideas, see http://www.carymagazine.com/triangle-east-magazine/try-something-new.

Read more: http://www.carymagazine.com/triangle-east-magazine/gotta-dance#ixzz1iheYZECu