October brings a bounty of festivals, blockbuster exhibitions, concerts and events, making it the perfect month for a Free Spirit. Auston Grove Apartments would like to share with you the events coming up in October.
 
October =Festober

October is a month for festivals, and Free Spirits have a multitude of events to choose from. Head over to the Raleigh Convention Center to learn about the food, culture, traditions and clothing of some 50 countries at the 26th Annual International Festival (9/30-10/1), and LEGO KidsFest (10/7-9) offers the entire family the hands-on, minds-on fun of LEGO building. Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre has a month filled with international-themed events including: Garba (10/1), a spectacular form of Indian folk dance, the 5th Annual Eid Festival (10/5), commemorating two worldwide festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha and Cary Diwali (10/22), a festival of community and lights focusing on how Indian traditions have influenced other cultures with the theme "Sanskriti - Culture Transcending Borders." October also means Halloween, and Ken’s Korny Maze (9/10-11/14) will test your memory with two-miles of corn-maze fun, and at night stay on the farm for Harvested Farm Nightmare (10/14-15, 10/21-22 and 10/28-29), an experience not for the faint of heart. Appealing to kids of all ages, the Halloween Express at New Hope Valley Railway (10/22-29) takes passengers on a scenic nine-mile train ride, and at the State Farmers Market, the color is orange as pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are displayed during the Great Pumpkin Contest (10/6). Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre then presents its annual Reel-ly Scary Cary Movies Series with The Haunting (10/25), Misery (10/26), Disney’s The Haunted Mansion (10/27), The Blair Witch Project (10/28) and the double feature of Scream and Scary Movie (10/29); the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences hosts Natural History Halloween (10/30) complete with a costume contest and creepy animals. The Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts is the place to be with a diverse roster of events. Spend an evening learning how to connect with man’s best friend as "The Dog Whisperer" Cesar Milan (10/1) showcases his proven canine behavioral techniques, and comedian and actor Mike Epps (10/8) brings his unique blend of comedy to Raleigh. If you haven’t seen a 3D movie on a GIANT IMAX screen you don’t know what you’re missing. This month discover the magic of the movies at the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles watching Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D or Born to Be Wild 3D. Be prepared to have "A Love A Fair" with the North Carolina State Fair (10/13-23). Put the diet on hold and make sure to sample unique fair food like a Krispy Kreme burger, fried Oreos, giant turkey legs or funnel cakes and make sure you have on your walking shoes to explore all of the rides, games, agricultural exhibits and live shows the fair has to offer. Make sure you stay until the end each night when a spectacular fireworks display lights up the night.  Learn more...

Curtain Call

October proves to be a month of jaw-dropping performances and exhibits at many of the area’s cultural centers and from local, professional performing arts groups. The N.C. Museum of Art opens the blockbuster exhibition Rembrandt in America (10/30/11-1/22/12), the largest collection of Rembrandt paintings ever presented in an American exhibition and the first major exhibition to explore in depth the collecting history of Rembrandt paintings in America. Downtown Raleigh’s newest museum, the Contemporary Art Museum, opens its newest feature exhibition Deep Surface (9/24/11-1/2/12), which examines the re-emergence of ornament and pattern. If more visual art is of interest, try one of the area’s newest walking tours, Art Gallery Tours NC, which will take you on a Central Raleigh Gallery Tour (10/1) or a Warehouse District Tour (10/8 & 10/22). The Carolina Ballet dances the premiere of Black and White Swan (9/15-10/2) using both "Black Swan" and "White Swan" in their entirety, with original choreography and featuring four rotating casts of dancers; Dracula: The Masque of the Red Death (10/13-30) returns for a limited engagement and welcomes Tony-nominated Broadway and television star Alan Campbell, who reprises the role of Dr. Seward in Dracula. Lauren Kennedy, a Raleigh native and Broadway actress, stars in the N.C. Theatre production of Evita (10/22-30) about Eva Perón, Argentina’s controversial First Lady. The Raleigh Little Theatre presents the spine-tingling thriller The Woman in Black (10/7-23), Arts N.C. State celebrates the 100th birth year of Tennessee Williams by performing Garden District: Two Tennessee Williams Southern Stories (10/26-30) and Towne Players of Garner perform Harvey (10/14-15, 10/20-22). The N.C. Symphony has a busy month of performances at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts including: Rogé Plays Poulenc & Mozart (10/1-2), Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony (10/14-15) and Zarathustra (10/27-29). Also this month, guests can eat a delicious multi-course meal and listen to an eclectic and intimate performance by members of the N.C. Symphony during the Pub Concert Series at BuKu (10/10). The North Carolina Opera’s season opens with Carmen (10/14 & 10/16), one of the most famous operas of all time, and the Raleigh Chamber Music Guild welcomes Inalare (10/9), a voice/flute/piano ensemble. Learn More...
 
Rock n’ Roll Fantasy

It’s Rocktober in Greater Raleigh, and no matter your musical tastes, there is a band and venue for you. The Raleigh Amphitheater is "Bringin’ the Getdown to Downtown" with Bud Light City Fest featuring Rusted Root (10/1), LIVE’s Ed Kowalczyk (10/8) and Vince Neil of Motley Crue (10/22). Also at the Raleigh Amphitheater in October: Dayglow (10/7) and Darius Rucker (10/21). Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre hosts the Fall Foliage Bonanza Concert featuring Vaughan Penn, Shoot To Thrill, Vickie Shaw, Monika Jaymes, Jennifer Corday & Reverbnation (10/2) benefiting the LGBT Center of Raleigh, and Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek welcomes Chris Brown and his F.A.M.E. tour featuring Kelly Rowland, T-Pain and TYGA (10/1). Pinecone presents The Good Lovelies (10/6) and Hot Rize (10/9) at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, while the N.C. Museum of Art welcomes N.E.D. (10/1). The N.C. State Fair is known for its concert line-up, and this year is set to be a rockin’ good time. Get your tickets early for Craig Campbell (10/13), Skillet (10/14), Easton Corbin (10/15), Tift Merritt (10/16), Steel Magnolia (10/17), George Jones (10/18), David Nail (10/19), Dionne Warwick (10/20), Newsboys (10/21), Kansas (10/22) and Kellie Pickler (10/23).  Learn More...
 
Game Time

Touchdowns, hat tricks and amazing fall hikes are just some of the activities an Adrenaline Junkie can find in Greater Raleigh this month. The N.C. State University Wolfpack football team takes on Georgia Tech (10/1) and Central Michigan (10/8) at Carter-Finley Stadium, while Saint Augustine’s College tosses the pigskin with Winston-Salem State University (10/8) and Johnson C. Smith – homecoming (10/22). The NHL Carolina Hurricanes start the 2011/2012 season by hitting the RBC Center ice against the Lightning (10/7), Bruins (10/12), Senators (10/25) and Blackhawks (10/28). The October weather is perfect for a walk along the Raleigh area’s 152 miles of greenway trails or renting a kayak or canoe at Crabtree Lake. You can even try stand-up paddle boarding on Lake Johnson with Triangle Glides or view some fall foliage at the N.C. Museum of Art’s Art Park, the largest art park in the country. Learn More...

Lessons of the Past

The State of North Carolina has a rich and diverse history, and the best place to learn about the people, places and events that create the history of this great state is at the N.C. Museum of History’s largest exhibition to date, The Story of North Carolina (ongoing). The exhibition traces life in North Carolina from its earliest inhabitants through the 1830s. Part Two of the exhibition, which tells the state’s story from the 1830s to present, opens in November. The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences celebrates National Fossil Day (10/12) and Chemistry Day (10/15). If you’re interested in household staples of the past, Yates Mill Historic Park, Wake County’s last remaining grist mill, offers Mill Heritage Tours (Sat. & Sun.) and Corn-Grinding Tours (10/15-16). The AIA Triangle Homes Tour (10/1) returns to the Raleigh area for the second year showcasing Six Homes, Six Architects and Six Experiences in this one-of-a-kind look into some of the most unique and sustainable homes in the area. Learn More...
 
Nature’s Bounty

Don’t miss out on stocking your pantry with leafy greens, sweet potatoes, broccoli and squash (all available this time of year) at one of the area’s local farmers markets in City Plaza (Wed.), North Hills (Sat.), Western Wake Farmers’ Market (Tues. /Sat.) and Apex (Sat.). Discover the variety of food in downtown Raleigh with a Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tour or Triangle Food Tour; each of these walking tours gives participants to sample signature dishes and talk with the owner/chef at some of the area’s most celebrated restaurants. Discover some of the best brews around on a Beltline Brew Tour (Sat.) or taste at your own leisure at Big Boss Brewing Company Taproom, Lone Rider Brewing Company or Aviator Brewing Company, and if wine is your drink of choice, Chatham Hill Winery, Cloer Family Vineyards and Adams Vineyard and Winery offer tours and tastings. Learn More...

Happy Birthday, Scotty!

Here are the weekly updates from the Zebulon Chamber:

Monday, October 3, 7 to 9 pm

• United Arts Council public meeting for the Arts in East Wake
• St. Eugene Catholic Church in Wendell, 608 Lions Club Road

• United Arts Council public meeting for the Arts in East Wake
• Zebulon Town Hall, 1003 N. Arendell Ave

• ZCOC Board of Directors meeting, Chamber building

• United Arts Council public meeting for the Arts in East Wake
• Zebulon Town Hall, 1003 N. Arendell Ave

• United Arts Council public meeting for the Arts in East Wake
• Knightdale Town Hall, 950 Steeple Square Court

• FREE Senior Movie Day at Zebulon Community Center, 823-0432

• Rally for Ally fundraising event for Allison Himmel, daughter of BHC Automotive owner Rob Himm; click here for details

• ZUMC Fall Festival - BBQ, auction, crafts, baked goods, and more - 121 W. Gannon Avenue in Zebulon

• Whitley Park Music Series continues with The Clay Pigeons
• Bring the family to 601 N. Wakefield for the FREE event!

The triangle has garnered more than its share of national accolades in the quality-of-life and business-climate categories over the years.

Now Businessweek.com has dubbed Raleigh simply "the best American city."

Businessweek.com based its ranking on 16 criteria, including the number of recreational amenities, strength of the local economy and the education level of the population.

Raleigh edged out Arlington, VA and Scottsdale, Ariz., for the top ranking.

New York ranked 14th, Chicago finished near the rear, in 75th place out of 100.

In lavishing praise on Raleigh, the magazine mentioned the usual highlights, like Research Triangle Park (not in Raleigh, but close enough). Then there are three world-class universities - N.C. State University, UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University - only one of which is physically in Raleigh.

Raleigh got bonus points for a great State Farmers Market and its good air quality.

The city has also "been home to an array of celebs including Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi, Dexter star Michael C. Hall, and singer Clay Aiken (whose dog was even named Raleigh)."

Businessweek.com counted 867 restaurants, 110 bars, 51 museums and 12,512 park acres.

That's right; 51 museums. That's one museum a week for an entire year with a weekend to spare.

View original Article

Apartments in Raleigh, NC

Recently AARP published an article about cities that keep you younger than your chronological age. Raleigh made the list. In fact, it is number eight!

We are proud of our city here are Auston Grove. So if you are thinking of relocating, and you want to look and feel younger than your years, consider looking at apartments in Raleigh, NC.

RealAge.com's list of the 10 "youngest" cities in America looked at metropolitan areas with such healthy lifestyles that on average their residents are physically at least two years younger than their chronological age — and many are years younger than that.

Sample information from 1,000 men and women in each of the 50 largest metropolitan areas was used to come up with the 10 "youngest" cities, based on the health of their residents.

Weather played a factor in some of the cities ranked, but not all of them. What makes more of a difference is living in cities with good public transportation and where it's easier to get to places by walking.

For more information on living in Raleigh and about Auston Grove Apartments, contact us.

The Raleigh- Durham area has thriving biotech and pharmaceutical industries, lots of local arts festivals and college sports

The Raleigh area has made a name for itself in the tech and biotech industries in part thanks to Research Triangle Park, a business campus located mostly in Durham County.
 
A relatively low cost of living helps the area stand out from pricier parts of the country.

Durham is home to beautiful botanical gardens, and North Carolina has great professional and college sports teams.  Raleigh has wonderful museums, restaurants and night life. Annual summer arts festivals and age-old college sports rivalries keep the city active all year round.
 
CNN Money has ranked Raleigh and Durham in the top 100 cities to Live and Launch. Are you relocating to North Carolina? Look at apartments in Raleigh, NC.

Not that we need to give you any more reasons to check out apartments in Raleigh, NC if you are considering moving here. But, we thought we would list some of the awards the City of Raleigh has been given in 2011 alone! And remember, these are only SOME of the awards….

• Top 50 Late Night Dining Restaurants in the Nation (Solas Restaurant Lounge & Roof, Raleigh) - OpenTable, August 2011
• #4 Among Top 100 Places to Live in 2011 (Raleigh) - RelocateAmerica, July 2011
• Best Barbecue Joints (The Pit, Raleigh) - AOL Travel News, July 2011
• One of the Coolest Small Cities in America (Raleigh) - GQ, July 2011
• #2 Next Big Boom Town (Raleigh-Cary) - Forbes, July 2011
• #21 Among 2011 Top 25 Arts Destinations - Mid-Size Cities (Raleigh) - AmericanStyle Magazine, July 2011
• #1 Among Best Places for Business and Careers (Raleigh-Cary) - Forbes, June 2011
• #7 Best National Hockey League Franchise (Carolina Hurricanes, Raleigh) - ESPN The Magazine, June 2011
• #14 Among 2011 Best Cities for Job Growth (Raleigh-Cary) - Forbes, June 2011
• Best New Public Golf Course for 2010 (Lonnie Poole Golf Course at North Carolina State University, Raleigh) - North Carolina Golf Panel, May 2011
• Six Best New Museums in North America (N.C. Museum of Art, Raleigh) – AirTran GO Magazine, May 2011
• Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community (Raleigh) – League of American Bicyclists, April 2011
• #7 Top Metro for Small Business (Raleigh-Cary) - Portfolio.com/bizjournals, April 2011
• #3 Best Labor Market for Young Adults (Raleigh-Cary) - Portfolio.com/bizjournals, April 2011
• #3 America’s Cleanest Cities (Raleigh-Cary) - Forbes, March 2011
• 50 Best Hospitals in America (Rex Hospital, Raleigh) - Becker’s Hospital Review, March 2011
• Two of America’s 100 Best Beer Bars (Busy Bee Café and The Raleigh Times Bar, Raleigh) - Draft Magazine, January 2011

Brain Tumor 5k

Saturday, October 22, 2011
Registration 8am - 5k & 1m Fun Run - 9am

Fred G. Bond Metro Park
Kiwanis Shelter,
801 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27512

5K Run/Walk
1 Mile Family Fun Run

Register or Donate online:
www.BrainTumorEvents.org/Raleigh

*Registration Fee: $20 per person; $25 per person after 10/07/11 through day of event
(Fee includes: Entry fee, Bib Number, Event T-Shirt, Breakfast & Finish Medal)

Miles for Hope
501(c)(3) non-profit organization
1684 N Belcher Road, Clearwater FL 33765
727-781-HOPE (4673)
Info@MilesForHope.org

Download the Flyer - click here

If you live in a home or apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina, here's a great hurricane awareness check list  to look at.

Secure Your Home

• Put freestanding objects inside
• Plan for your pets. Make sure you have pet food, collar and leash and crates, if necessary
• Designate a safe room with no widows or exterior walls.

• Keep emergency phone numbers by the phone; include out-of-state contacts for family members.
• Assemble an emergency preparedness kit (enough supplies for three to five days) with bottled water (one gallon per person per day), battery-operated radio or TV with extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight and packaged snacks. Remember to include baby supplies and food, manual can opener, hand sanitizer or wipes, and extra house and car keys.
• Gather all necessary prescriptions and medical supplies to take at a moment's notice.
• Place all important documents -- including your insurance policies -- in a waterproof bag to take with you. Include documents like wills, deeds, birth and tax records, and marriage certificate, proof of residence, home photos, and driver's license and vehicle registration. Include house and car keys
• Take cash and change
• Listen to media broadcasts, especially paying attention to any calls for evacuation
• Call 311 (Emergency Evacuation Assistance) if a family member needs special care.

• Flood and windstorm insurance are not automatically covered by renters insurance.
• Take photos of your home before the storm.
• Take camera to take photos of damage.

For all of the parents of our Auston Grove middle school students, we want to remind you that East Wake Middle School is replacing Carnage Middle School.  This is effective for this school year,  2011/2012. East Wake Middle School is a fun and exciting middle school and all of you kids should have a great school year!

Your middle schooler will be able to participate in all kinds of different clubs, or stay active on the student council. And, don’t forget picture day at your new Middle School is on September 2!

Good luck, have a great school year and Show Warrior Pride.