July 2010 Blog Posts (22)

Tax-Free Weekend in North Carolina is Aug. 6-8

The N.C. Department of Revenue schedules the state's annual sales tax holiday beginning at 12:01 a.m. the first Friday in August, and ending the following Sunday at 11:59 p.m. This year's sales tax holiday is Aug. 6-8.

Tax-free items include: clothing, footwear and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 31, 2010 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Total of 12 Wake County Public High Schools Make Newsweek's "Best" List

As reported by the WCPSS Communications Department:

After being inadvertently left off Newsweek magazine’s Best High Schools list, eight Wake County high schools have been added to the roster following a recalculation of the data.

In all, 12 Wake County Public High Schools are on the news magazine’s list of best high schools in the United States. They are:

Apex

Middle Creek

Cary

Panther Creek

Holly Springs…

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Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 27, 2010 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Triangle TRACKS Marketplace Now Open for Business!

As editor of Triangle TRACKS, I'm excited to announce the launch of Triangle TRACKS Marketplace, a new online shop featuring a small, exclusive collection of products created by members of our online community.

Items being sold in the shop include Cary Heise's "Stay at Home Rock Star" T-shirt, available in black and gray, and three products created by… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 26, 2010 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Museum of Life and Science 'School Days' Initiative to Benefit Local Schools

One of North Carolina's top destinations, the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, is giving back to area schools. Its newest initiative - School Days - offers schools an opportunity to earn $1 for each visitor they send the Museum's way. This shouldn't be difficult since families flock to this popular 84-acre science park, which drew more than 400,000 visitors last year. The… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 26, 2010 at 11:30am — No Comments

Marmalade Skies Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Now Open in Cary's Centrum Station

Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC recently completed construction of Marmalade Skies Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt in Cary’s Centrum Station at 280-103 Meeting Street. "This is the best yogurt I've ever had!" says Pete Bikas, owner of Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC. "I've heard it referred to as 'southern-style' yogurt -… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 26, 2010 at 10:30am — No Comments

Meeting the teacher

Ideas for making your first meeting with your child's teacher a positive experience.

"I tell parents that success in kindergarten is like a three-legged stool—teacher, parent, and child—and if one of those legs is missing—it’s a problem." Renee Griffin, Kindergarten Teacher for 25 years

The big day has arrived. The new outfit is on and the hair is combed (yours and your child’s) and now it’s time to… Continue

Added by Sixty Second Parent on July 26, 2010 at 6:30am — No Comments

Marmalade Skies Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt's Grand Opening in Cary is Saturday - Enjoy Kids' Activities and Delicious Frozen Yogurt

Like frozen yogurt? Come on out to Marmalade Skies Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt at Centrum Station in Cary Sat., July 24 for its grand opening. There will be glitter tattoos, face painting, magic and balloon creations from 2-4 p.m. and henna tattoos and glitter tattoos from 7-9 p.m. Remember, these activities are FREE with a cup… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 23, 2010 at 9:30pm — No Comments

INTRODUCING! All Stars at Dreamsports Center - a special needs class!

Dreamsports Center is pleased to announce our newest program: DREAMSPORTS

ALLSTARS. The ALLSTAR program is for kids ages 4-12 years old who

have a physical or intellectual disability. The ALLSTAR program

will teach developmental skills and build self-esteem through the sports

of basketball, soccer, deck/field hockey, and tee-ball.… Continue

Added by corrie ismaili on July 22, 2010 at 11:30am — No Comments

Buffaloe Lanes Kicks Off Annual Youth Bowling Blastoff in August

Buffaloe Lanes is having its annual Youth Bowling Blastoff coming up in August. These are FREE events for kids to come bowl, receive some instruction and tour the facility (even behind the machines). Parents can also learn about potential scholarship opportunities in bowling for kids.

Below are links to information at each Buffaloe Lanes location (dates and times vary at each location):

Buffaloe Lanes South -… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 22, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments

Town of Cary's Fall Program Brochure Now Available Online

The Town of Cary’s Fall 2010 Brochure is bursting with activities, classes and camps sure to appeal to all ages. Featured events include the Cary Caribbean Festival, the 10th Celebration of Diwali, Howlin’ Good Halloween and handfuls of other holiday events. Other classes and activities focus on self-improvement, foreign languages, pet education, sports and the arts. The Fall Teen Scene and Senior Brochure are also now available.

Copies of all three program brochures can be…

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Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 22, 2010 at 9:51am — No Comments

N.C. Department of Public Instruction Releases Preliminary Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Results for "No Child Left Behind" Law

From the WCPSS Communications Department:

July 21, 2010 - The NC Department of Public Instruction today released the preliminary results for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the federal "No Child Left Behind Law" (NCLB) for schools. With the data currently available, 92.85 percent of the total AYP targets (3,420 out of 3,683) for the Wake County Public School System were met. Sixty-one of 159 Wake County Public School System schools met the AYP standard by reaching their… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 21, 2010 at 11:27am — No Comments

Broomball Play-Off This Saturday at Polar Ice House

Just in from Polar Ice House:

Now is your chance to prove to parents everywhere that brooms are good for more than just sweeping. Polar Ice House is hosting a fun-filled open house event this Saturday afternoon at the Garner location to celebrate the otherwise boring cleaning tool. Everyone who stops by will be able to skate for free, enjoy free food from the snack bar, complimentary face painting and hockey lessons to prepare for a game of broomball.

There will be… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 21, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments

Get Your FREE Queso All Day at Moe's Southwest Grill July 21

Just passing this on to those of you who love Moe's Southwest Grill's queso. Here's the press release sent out by the restaurant's PR agency:

Moe’s Southwest Grill, the fast growing, fast-casual burrito chain with over 400 locations nationwide, is celebrating its tenth anniversary by giving each guest a free six ounce cup of its famous Queso at all locations all day on July 21 – no strings attached; no purchase… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 19, 2010 at 11:00am — No Comments

Carolina Hurricanes Oct. 1 Exhibition Game FREE to the Public; Tickets Offered at Various Promotional Events

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that the Oct. 1 exhibition game will be FREE to the public. Tickets will be distributed at promotional events being held throughout the summer. The next event will be Fri., July 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crabtree Valley Mall. Other events will be held July 29 at the Rocky Mount Music Series and July 31 at Raleigh Wide Open.…

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Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 18, 2010 at 6:30pm — No Comments

First Gentleman Robert Eaves Presents "Take a Closer Look" at N.C. State Parks and Recreation Areas July 23-25

On July 23-25, Celebrate North Carolina will team with the North Carolina state parks and state recreation areas to present “Take a Closer Look,” an opportunity to discover and learn during free park ranger-led programs at 39 locations statewide (www.celebrate.nc.gov). The Celebrate North Carolina Initiative of First Gentleman Robert Eaves looks at North Carolina’s past and to her future.

“We are fortunate that North Carolina… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 16, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Ticketmaster's Kid's Entertainment Guide Offers News on Upcoming Kids Shows

I just stumbled across Ticketmaster's Kid's Entertainment Guide, which offers information on all Ticketmaster-associated children's performances circulating throughout the country. Just click on a show then look at the list of the performance's dates and locations. I've also added this link to our Creative TRACKS page, where you'll also find links to local dance, music and art… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 16, 2010 at 11:30am — No Comments

Save $5 Off Tickets to The Wiggles "Wiggly Circus Live!" Aug. 15

Just received this from Broadway Series South:

The Fab Four from down under are back with this year’s most anticipated family event. It’s the smell of “Hot Poppin’ Popcorn”! It’s the excitement of a “A Big Big Show”! It’s The Wiggles “Wiggly Circus Live!” Tour. Join The Wiggles, Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog and all the Wiggly Dancers as they bring all the excitement of the big top with a wiggly twist right to Raleigh! Shows are Aug.… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 16, 2010 at 11:00am — No Comments

Wake County Public Schools Release Preliminary End-of-Grade Test Scores; Improvement 'Across the Board'

WCPSS is reporting that preliminary North Carolina End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) test scores for 2009-10 show improvement "in virtually every subgroup of students in the Wake County Public School System, and also show a closing of the achievement gaps between white, African-American, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students at several grade levels. Additionally, 85 percent of students taking EOC tests passed those exams."

View the test scores categorized by grade… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 16, 2010 at 10:51am — No Comments

Free Week of Stroller Strides classes, July 19-24th!

Stroller Strides of Raleigh is offering free classes for the whole week of July 19-24th, for anyone who is new to Stroller Strides.

Classes offer a full body workout (including cardio, strength training, and ab work), plus songs & fun for the kiddos.

Bring:…

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Added by Jennifer Kedrowski on July 10, 2010 at 4:01pm — No Comments

The 2010-2011 School Year Begins at Year-Round Schools Across Wake County

Source: WCPSS Communications Department

Transportation Patterns Change with the Opening of New Schools

Drivers should be prepared for changing transportation patterns caused by the opening of new schools and the return of school buses to the roadways transporting students to 49 year-round elementary and middle schools with the new school year beginning July 9.

In many cases, schools will be slightly shifting schedules to start the new school year.… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Shugg on July 10, 2010 at 2:30pm — No Comments