Auston Grove Apartment Homes Blog

Are there any fairs better than the state fair? Not in Raleigh, NC.  Carnival rides, great food, kids events and arts and crafts.

Approximately one million people attend the N.C. State Fair each year, making it the state’s largest annual event. The 11-day fair features livestock, agricultural, arts and cultural exhibits, an amusement midway and nightly, nationally acclaimed musical performances, this year’s fair is October 13 to the 23rd at the Raleigh State Fairgrounds.

Pullen and Sertoma Arts Centers are offering the community one incredible arts event, the Fall Art Fair. Visitors can enjoy various art exhibits, sales and demonstrations, along with kids’ arts activities, live music, and much more! The event is free and open to the public; The Fall Art Fair will be held outdoors at Pullen Arts Center on Saturday, October 15th from 10:00am – 5:00pm.

Residents of apartments in Raleigh, NC have plenty of options next this coming weekend.

If you live in an apartment in Raleigh, NC, you have surely made loads of friends and acquaintances and there are plenty of things to do.  But have you heard about the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival coming up in August?

This is one of the best events of the summer so get your tickets soon. This festival is a great day of beer sipping, bourbon tasting, music listening, cigar smoking, and barbeque eating. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy all-you-want-to taste samplings of beer and bourbon. Some of the best barbeque vendors are on-site if you get hungry, all while enjoying seminars in the tasting theater and Live music all day.

There are 40 Bourbons and 60 Beers on Tap. Enjoy, but we do want you to drink responsibly. There's BBQ Galore! Enjoy the great barbeque selection - pulled pork from whole hogs, ribs, brisket, chickens, sausages and any fixin' you could imagine. The portions are heavy and the prices are low. Enjoy Seminars in the Tasting Theater with Master Distillers, Brewmasters, and Pit Masters From the Deep South.  Listen to live rock and blues music and great bluegrass on The Main Stage.

Other fun things will be available like: taking the BBQ Sauce Challenge, The Rare Bourbon Tasting Table and other surprises. There will be four different Pitmasters on-site to show off all their latest tricks and let you taste the BEST. Only in Raleigh!

Do you like to attend music concerts or art gallery openings? Do you enjoy live theater or improv comedy? If these activities are exciting to you, you will want to locate arts and culture opportunities that are convenient to your apartment community.

Read on for suggestions to help you find the creative outlets you are looking for.

Find your “scene”
What brings people who live elsewhere to visit your community? Perhaps people visit your city because of interesting things it offers to see and do. If you look for information tailored to guests of the area, you may discover that you have access to all kinds of creative outlets.

If you enjoy viewing fine art, keep your eyes open for museums and art galleries open for your patronage. Check for show openings or performance art “happenings” to take part in, and frequent your local music store to keep your finger on the pulse of your local music scene. To satisfy your craving for live music, look for everything from small clubs to large arena venues.

Maybe movies or live comedy are more your thing. You may want to investigate the types of cinema available near your home. Perhaps your town has an art-house cinema in addition to a large multiplex theater. Or look for a stand-up comedy club or a theater that specializes in improvisational comedy.

Start your search at home
Start with your computer. Go online and let your fingers do the searching for theaters and concert halls in your area. You might enter your zip code and the type of creative activity you enjoy. You may discover local venues which cater to your interest. Check their online schedules and get an idea of how often they hold concerts or gatherings. Try both general and specific searches: either way, an online search should help you narrow down local options for an artistic night out.

Keep up with local arts and culture
Look for information about arts organizations from local publications and blogs, including your local newspaper’s arts and culture pages. Getting into the habit of regularly checking these sources — such as an art council’s Web site — will both help you find the options of most interest to you and keep you abreast of what’s going on in your artistic community.

Also, visit your chamber of commerce, either online or in person. These organizations are great places to find information about your community, including active arts opportunities. Your city’s chamber should be able to provide current and comprehensive listings of open art galleries, working theaters, and live music venues. Remember to sign up for newsletters from your Chamber, retail stores, or news outlets that will send information to you regarding the kinds of art you are most interested in.

Get involved with the arts
You may wish to start a deeper involvement in a particular area of arts interest. When you visit your local museum, you might stop by the information desk and inquire about groups that meet regularly, for instance, to help you do this.

A community’s commitment to its art and artists can tell you a lot about who lives there. Show your support by finding and attending the arts and culture events that fire your imagination. You are sure to meet like-minded individuals who share your excitement about experiencing the world of artistic expression.

Apartment in Raleigh, NC

Finding the perfect roommate can be challenging, but if your roomie has four legs and eats out of a bowl, then you’ve surely found a friend for life. All the more reason to pamper your apartment pet with the finest luxuries around!

Check out these pet-pampering supplies that will truly show your BFFs (Best Furry Friends) how much they mean to you.

A better bed
You probably spent hundreds of dollars on your own mattress, so why not pamper your pet with the finest bedding around? Invest in a luxurious dog bed for Fido to relax on. The bonus is that he’ll love it so much, he might actually stay off the sofa. Feline friends need a special spot too, so go all out with a hiding hut that gives Princess her privacy.

Homemade treats
Pets spend all day dreaming about treats, so make it worth their wait by feeding them healthy homemade snacks. Pet supply stores stock many varieties of high-end treats, but there are also custom bakeries like Fuzzy Butz that provide baked goods for pampered animals. You can also channel your inner baker and make your own homemade treats for the hound you love. There are dozens of recipes available online – you can even buy specially-shaped dog bone cookie cutters.

In-home grooming
Getting groomed can be stressful for pets. The good news is that mobile grooming services are available in nearly every town, visiting pets at home and leaving them looking super spiffy from the comfort of their own apartments. Companies like Fritzy’s will come right to your door to wash and dry your dog or cat lickety split. Who knew looking good was so easy and convenient?

Spa Day
Everyone loves a day at the spa, so why not treat your pup or kitten to a little pampering? Pet spas have become quite popular and offer a multitude of services such as grooming, teeth cleaning, massage, gourmet meals and photo sessions. Most pet spas also provide overnight boarding, so you can treat your pet to a weekend getaway at the local pet resort the next time you go out of town yourself. They’ll have so much fun living in the lap of luxury that they might not want to come home!

Fashion forward
Grooming and spa treatment sure do make a pet feel good, but what about looking good? Don’t be afraid to deck your dog in the latest finery: pet fashion is a hot topic these days, and you could easily spend more on your furry friends’ duds than you might on your own wardrobe. Hot items include custom jackets, booties, collars and leashes and fancy costumes.

Pet supplies have skyrocketed to a new level of chic, making it easy to pamper your apartment pet. Step up your pet care and your loyal friend will be all the happier. Treats like these will help ensure your pet runs to you every time you walk through your apartment door!

Apartments in Raleigh, NC