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Celebrate Go Skate Day at These Triangle Area Skateparks

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Celebrate Go Skate Day at one of these Triangle area skateparks.

Once considered a pastime for rebels and derelicts, sports like skateboarding, BMX biking and inline skating are becoming more popular among teens and young adults, as well as some adults. So in honor of Go Skate Day, which occurs on June 21, throw on a helmet and some knee pads and check out these local skateparks in the Triangle area where you can learn to ollie or practice your kick flips.

Sk8-Cary

Managed by the town of Cary, Sk8-Cary is located in Robert V. Godbold Park and can accommodate skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX bikers. This expansive park features a 12,000-square-foot street course, ramps, a pro shop, concession area and a covered viewing area. For safety reasons, bikers and skaters can’t use the facilities at the same time, so make sure to check Sk8-Cary’s website to view the complete schedule. Fees to use the park vary and generally depend on whether or not the user is a resident of Cary or a member of the park, but expect to pay around $10.00 per session if you’re not a member.

Where: 2040 Northwest Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27513

Wheels Family Fun Park

A veritable all-in-one park, the 8.5-acre Wheels Family Fun Park has a skatepark that welcomes bikers, rollerbladers and skateboarders. Here, you’ll find a mini half-pipe and a street course with rails, spines and other obstacles. Patrons can also enjoy go-karts, miniature golf, batting cages, video games, a snack bar and Internet. Admission is $5.75 for a two hour session or $7.00 for an all-day pass.

Where: 715 North Hoover Road, Durham, NC 27703

 

The Factory Skateboard Park

Owned and operated by Delicious Skateboard Shop, the Factory Skateboard Park offers 25,000 square feet of skateable space and includes an outdoor concrete park that includes a variety of challenging obstacles like manual pads, ledges, a snake run and bowl. The indoor skate area features two separate areas, one downstairs for advanced skaters, which features a bank, pyramid, six-foot and nine-foot ramps and a seven set stair with a handrail, as well as one for beginners, which includes three-foot banks and quarters, a three set stair, manual pad and ledges. Admission is $8.00 for non-members.

Where: 1839 S. Main St., Building 500, Wake Forest, NC 27587

Chapel Hill Skatepark by Vertical Urge

Located in Chapel Hill’s Homestead Park, the Chapel Hill Skatepark is also the home of the Vertical Urge pro skateboarding shop, where you can pick up the latest gear. Admission to the park is $7.00 for Orange County residents and $8.00 for non-residents.

Where: 100 Northern Park Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Project 58

If you want to skateboard but can’t stand the summer heat, head to Project 58, an indoor skatepark with 10,000 square feet of climate-controlled space. Once you’ve burned off some calories, cool off in the arcade, concession stand or at the espresso bar. You’ll also find a 7,000-square-foot Vertical Urge skate shop at this location.

Where: 7409 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615

Photo credit: iStockphoto/Dizzo

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Father’s Day Events in the Triangle Area

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Spend some quality time with Dad at one of these great Father’s Day events in the Triangle area.

Father’s Day, which occurs this year on June 17, is a day to celebrate that wonderful man in your life. If you happen to be in the Triangle area during this special time, spend some quality time with Dad at one of these great Father’s Day events.

 

Daddy and Me Game Day

For an active and fun Father’s Day, take the whole family and hop, skip and jump over to Crowder District Park to take part in an afternoon of nature-related games. Afterwards, cool off with some refreshments.

When: June 17, 2 – 3 p.m.

Where: Crowder District Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Road, Apex, NC 27539

Dad’s Day Weekend

Celebrate Father’s Day at Marbles Kids Museum, where dad and kids can enjoy special activities like manly mustaches, tinkering with tools and relay races.

When: June 17 and 17, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Where: Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC 27601

Father’s Day Tribute Celebration: Pops for Pops

Enjoy the musical stylings of the Durham Community Concert Band and the Durham Jazz Orchestra as they come together for this free performance. If Dad is a music lover, he’ll love this event.

When: June 17, 5 – 7 p.m.

Where: American Tobacco Campus, 318 Blackwell St., Durham, NC 27701

Father’s Day Hike

Spend some time with Dad and the family enjoying the great outdoors while getting some fresh air and exercise. This hike is perfect for nature explorers of all ages.

When: June 17, 11 a.m. – noon

Where: Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4640 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603

Family Programs: Canoeing with Dad

Moms are welcome to join as Dads take the kids canoeing on the fishing pond.

When: June 17, 3 – 4 p.m.

Where: Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Drive, New Hill, NC 27562

Food Truck Rodeo

If Dad is a foodie, take him down to the Food Truck Rodeo, the largest food truck assemblage in the Triangle area. Featuring over 35 vendors, including ChirbaChirba Dumpling, Big Mikes BBQ and ParlezVous Crepe, there’s something to please every palate. Enjoy music from dub Addis, an African-inspired jam band, in the afternoon.

When: June 17, 2012, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Where: Durham Central Park, 502 Foster St., Durham, NC 27701

Photo credit: iStockphoto/PinkTag

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Let Fido Run Free at Durham Dog Parks

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Durham dog parks are great places to let Fido socialize and exercise.

There are many ways you can show your dog you love him. From bacon-wrapped treats to some extra cheese in his bowl, and from that brand new toy to a new, warm blanket to keep him warm in the cold Durham winter months, you can also show Fido you love him by keeping him healthy and active, which could include daily walks around the neighborhood or trips to the dog park. In Durham, there are several off-leash dog parks that you and your dog can enjoy. Remember to register your dog, follow the rules and regulations, bring extra baggies and have fun. Here are a few of the best pet parks in and around Durham.

Piney Wood Park
Located in the Woodlake neighborhood, this dog park is a favorite among Durham dog owners. Dogs have lots of space to play in this 3-acre park, including separate areas for larger dogs, smaller dogs and puppies, as well as a small training area for owners to work on obedience with their dogs. Piney Wood Park features plenty of benches, including some under the shade so dog owners can stay cool while Fido makes new friends. The water fountain is a hit with the dogs, and your dog can frolic through plenty of grass.
Location: 5999 Woodlake Drive, Durham, NC 27713

Downtown Durham Dog Park
This is a much smaller neighborhood park, located at Roxboro and Elliott streets. There are separate areas for large and small dogs and benches located throughout the park. Downtown Durham Dog Park is maintained by the local neighborhood, and they ask you to remember to pick up all trash when leaving the park.
Location: 422 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27701

Homestead Park
Located just outside of Durham in Chapel Hill, Homestead Park is the ideal park to take your dog out. The open space is loved by the dogs, as it allows them plenty of running space. Additionally, owners can stay cool in shaded areas, and dogs love to play in the rocks, bushes and trees throughout the park. Similar to other dog parks in the area, there are two sections – one for small dogs and one for larger dogs, and plenty of water is available. Additionally, no membership fee is required at this park.
Location: 100 Northern Park Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Northgate Dog Park
One of the best parts about Northgate Dog Park is the amount of regulars. They are friendly and enthusiastic about their dogs, as well as other dog park goers. Once you start going here regularly, you’ll see familiar faces, and your dogs will meet new friends quickly. The park itself is neat, as it is an old baseball field converted into a dog park. There are plenty of places to sit, and there is a lot of room for Fido to roam. The park provides plenty of water for the dogs to share, and there are bags for clean-up throughout. For smaller dogs or shy dogs, there’s a separate area to play.
Location: 400 W. Lavender Ave., Durham, NC 27704

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/happyboarder

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Best Pie Places in America

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Apple Pie

Pie is a classic American dessert - celebrate National Pie Day by having a slice of your favorite.

Ooey-gooey fillings and a crispy, buttery crust are just two of the best things about pies. There is a lot of loving that goes into creating the perfect pie – perfect in taste, not necessarily in the lattice work on top. Pies have the ability to bring up cherished family memories – whether the apple pie tastes just like your grandma’s or the pumpkin pie spice reminds you of your first Thanksgiving with your significant other. Whatever it may be, pie is a classic American dessert. In honor of National Pie Day on Jan. 23, make a stop at one of these pie places in the U.S.

3.14 Pies
The goal of this pie shop for baker Lindsay Doolittle and her husband was simple. They wanted to focus on “transforming pie from an American classic to an imaginative designer dessert.” The pies offer handmade crusts and fillings, produced from organic and all-natural ingredients. The must-try pie is the Blackberry Cabernet Pie, which is only available four months out of the year when the berries are fresh. Nontraditional pie flavors include the Joyful Almond Pie, Andy’s Mint Pie, Nutell of a Pie and the Pistachio Orange Blossom Pie. More traditional pies that will remind you of your grandma’s kitchen include the Southern Praline Pecan Pie and the Great Pumpkin Pie. They change their menu seasonally to highlight the freshest local ingredients. However, some of the pies are available seasonally.
Location: Pickups are available by appointment only. The kitchen facility is located at 654 King St., Charleston, SC 29403.

Scratch Bakery
Only using the freshest and finest ingredients, Durham’s Scratch changes their menu year round. However, a pie that is available all year long is the Shaker Lemon Pie, which combines macerated lemon slices that give the filling a marmalade consistency. Scratch offers more than pie, so you can stop in for a focaccia and take a small chocolate salt pie home, which is big enough for two to enjoy. The crust is flaky and delicate, and the filling is not too sweet. Some of the seasonal flavors include the Heirloom Apple Pie made with a sesame streusel and a Chestnut Cream Pie.
Location: 111 Orange St., Durham, NC 27701

Achatz Handmade Pie Co.
A Michigan specialty, Achatz Handmade Pie Co. uses over a million pounds of Michigan fruit each year in their pies. The most notable pie is the Michigan 4-Berry. It is one of the best selling, and it is loaded with fresh Michigan tart cherries, blueberries, Marion blackberries and raspberries. They also sell traditional pies such as pecan, pumpkin, French silk, coconut cream and German chocolate. If you’re looking for a savory pie, Achatz has that, too. Try the broccoli and cheddar quiche or the seafood pot pie. In addition to being the tastiest pie place in Michigan, they offer great deals that blow the competition out of the water, and the customer service is second to none.
Location: There are eight locations throughout Michigan, including the Ann Arbor store located at 2643 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

The Original Fried Pies
What’s better than a pie? One that you can hold in your hand. What’s better than a hand-held pie? One that is fried. Enter the made-from-scratch fried pies from the Original Fried Pie Shop located in Oklahoma. The shop got its inspiration from the owner’s grandmother, who created the hand-held pies for the ranchers in the fields of Oklahoma’s Arbuckle Mountains. Pie flavors include apricot, apple, cheery, peach, pecan, chocolate cream, coconut cream, lemon and vanilla. If you’re stopping through for breakfast, try the sausage, egg and cheese pie or the bacon, egg and cheese pie. You can even create your own pie mixing and matching any of the fruit and cream flavors.
Location: There are several locations in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. The original location is located at U.S. 77. Davis, OK 73030.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/diane39

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Must-See Destinations in Downtown Durham

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Duke University in downtown Durham

Those living in downtown Durham apartments will love strolling the gorgeous campus of Duke University.

As the fifth-largest city in the state of North Carolina and the 85th-largest in the United States, Durham is a vibrant, fast-growing Southern city. Whether you’re new to the “Bull City” or are a long-time resident, check out this list of some of the must-see destinations near downtown apartments in Durham.

For Fine Arts Fanatics: North Carolina Central University Art Museum
Why: An important teaching resource and cultural attraction near downtown apartments in Durham, the NCCU Art Museum contains one of the most prominent collections of works by African-American artists, as well as featuring five special exhibits a year that have included lithographs by Nelson Mandela and photographs by leading civil rights-era photojournalist Alex Rivera.
Where: 1801 Fayetteville St., Durham, NC 27707

For Outdoorsy People: West Point on the Eno
Why: Located just six miles north of downtown apartments in Durham, this 404-acre natural and historic park stretches along the scenic Eno River. Take a hike on one of the park’s many trails through the woods, canoe down the Eno River or enjoy a picnic on the grounds. The Amphitheatre at West Point often has live music and performances.
Where: 5101 North Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27704

For “Shopping Is My Cardio” Types: Brightleaf District
Why: The Brightleaf District is North Carolina’s first commercial district to make the National Register of Historic Places. Spanning nearly three blocks near downtown apartments in Durham, the district features a number of specialty stores and restaurants in turn-of-the-century tobacco warehouses.
Where: 905 West Main St., Durham, NC 27701

For Sports Lovers: Durham Bulls Athletic Park
What: Home to the Durham Bulls minor league baseball team, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park is a 10,000-seat park known for its towering bull sign. An intimate ballpark with seats that allow every fan a great view of the field, the park features five restaurants where fans can take a break from watching a game to enjoy a great meal.
Where: 409 Blackwell St., Durham, NC 27701

For Scenic Walks: Duke University Campuses
Why: Spanning over 8,600 acres in Durham, Duke’s three contiguous campuses easily offer some of the best scenery in the city. Stroll amongst the striking Gothic architecture on the West Campus and stop in the ornately constructed Duke Chapel, one of the tallest buildings in the county and one of the university’s most recognizable buildings. The East Campus features buildings constructed in the Georgian architecture style. While on campus, make sure to visit the 55-acre Sarah P. Duke Gardens, beautiful public gardens.
Where: Duke University, Durham, NC 27708

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/uschools

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