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Raleigh, North Carolina: "Inside the Belt Line"

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Raleigh, NC: The City of Oaks

I have called Raleigh, North Carolina my home for 15 years. When I moved here I was aware of all those "Best Places to Live" magazine articles that place Raleigh at or near the top.

However, I choose it because the people reminded me the most of the Iowans with whom I grew up. I could be with that kind of person without the cold bitter winters. I was also attracted to the lush beauty of the place. How wonderful.

I quickly got used to the Iowa like friendliness of the people, after all I grew up with that and it was like coming home.

However, to this day I have not gotten used to the beauty. I still drive down a street or on the Belt Line and marvel at the beauty.

Here I have shown you a picture of the the Acorn that graces the downtown park. At the First Night celebration it is dropped from a height, much like New York's apple.

The first year I was here, I had a yard party at my 1917 vintage bungalow in the Historic Glenwood neighborhood. I invited all the neighbors. I was surprised to learn that one of the guests was the artist who created the Acorn statue. Things like that happen in Raleigh.
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Important!

My Raleigh:

There are many reasons why Raleigh is great, I have posted one link that gives the stats. However, here I am focusing on my Raleigh and why I love it. I am talking about the 'Inside the Beltline' urban forest of trees and culture.
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The Raleigh Sky Line, Amidst the Forest 

What Is 'Raleigh's Belt Line'

I was amazed to find Raleigh's Beltline in Wikipedia. TheBeltline in Wikipedia You can get a description of the roads and geography there.

However, to me the Beltline is the demarcation of the coolest part of a really great city.

But look at the picture, it shows the road which drives around a city, but yet it looks like the country. The trees aren't just there to hide the road, or to shelter the houses from the noise. That is what much of this urban area looks like.

The first time my daughter visited, after her college graduation, she stood on the front stoop, talking to someone and just said, "There are so many trees"! And I lived on Glenwood Avenue a busy and major thorough fare.

The Old Raleigh Neighborhoods

Historic Oakwood
When I first moved to Raleigh, I almost bought here. The houses were great and affordable, but a lot of work. People are buying them and doing an amazing job with renovations.

Oakwood is right next door to old downtown Raleigh where the capital and other government buildings are as well as several museums, art galleries and fine restaurants.

Much of this is old and beautiful, but there is new construction going on. The beautiful old house below will be replaced, but as you can see, not torn down. It is being moved.

The Old Makes Way for The New, But Is Still Preserved This House Sits on Wheels Waiting a Move and the Land Waits for the New 

Blount Street, Raleigh, NC

I have always loved this little building on Blount Street. I love the way that it sets in the middle of downtown, with its butterfly mural. When I first came here the painting was much more vivid. After 15 years, it is fading, but I kind of like that too. Its an old painted lady.

Butterflies on Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 

Cameron Village in Raleigh, NC

Cameron Village is an old fashioned shopping area with a very modern look and stores.

It is not covered, thus feels like the 'downtowns' of old. It is not, however, a 'strip mall'. It is blocks of sidewalks and trees with boutiques, galleries, restaurants and a scattering of chain stores. It really is a village, not just a name.

I don't go to malls, I think strip malls are a blight. I love Cameron Village.

I chose to represent Cameron Village with two videos I did of murals and outside art.
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Glenwood Avenue and Peace Street, Raleigh, NC 

The House Gets Higher: Men Can Now Stand Under It! 10/13/08 

Urban Art of an Old Southern Life Style: the Corner of Glenwood and Peace, Raleigh, NC

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First Fridays, The Art Walk in Raleigh, NC

The first Friday of every month downtown Raleigh opens its doors for the art community. The hub is ArtSpace*, but all the galleries participate. The number of those have increased and the celebration of art is inching its way up Glenwood Avenue and into other areas.

There are bands in the streets, many galleries serve snacks and wine, it is truly a gathering worth going to, month after month.

* ArtSpace is a converted Ford Garage that has been turned into an artist studio. Painters, sculptors and crafts persons work and sell from the building. Most days one can find some artist working and happy to talk about their work.

Art Space, The Hub of "First Fridays" 

Visit ArtSpace Virtually

ArtSapce
There is so much going on at ArtSpace. Artists work, display, and teach classes. There is a theater upstairs for the dramatic arts.

North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC

The NCMA has some of the best exhibits in the south east, including the 2000 extensive collection of Rodin sculptures that brought people from around the world to visit.

The Museum Park, described below is amazing.

The Museum is technically just outside the Beltline, but is essentially very much the inner city.
North Carolina Museum of Art
"The Museum Park consists of 164 acres of woodlands, open areas and streams filled with trails and monumental works of environmental art. The combination of an important art museum and a large natural area offers a rare opportunity to explore art and ecology together.

The Park was developed from a former farm that was part of a now-relocated state prison. Outdoor activities range from concerts and festivals in the Joseph. M. Bryan, Jr., Theater and John Deere Green

near the Museum to nature study and contemplation of art projects in the woodland preserve.

The Park is a laboratory for experimentation with environmental art and ecological restoration, a place for a quiet walk of discovery and a bridge to connect the broadest possible audience with artistic and environmental issues of the future. Planning and policy are developed with the invaluable assistance of the Partnership for Art and Ecology between the Museum and the College of Natural Resources of NCSU.

The Museum Park is free and open daily, including holidays, from dawn to dusk."

August Rodin at the North Carolina Museum of Art

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The Red Wolf Ramble in Raleigh, NC

Red Wolf Ramble Extraganza
"This was a family-focused, temporary exhibit which opened in September 2001 and closed mid-April 2002. The Raleigh Red Wolf Ramble (RRWR) generated unique excitement and enthusiasm all over Raleigh because of the whimsical, comical, imaginative visions of the artists involved. The City Council endorsed the installation of sculptures on city property and provided seed money, which was repaid through the very successful wolf auction on April 5, 2002.

Over 100 red wolves were placed throughout the city in public parks, major pedestrian thoroughfares, shopping centers, small businesses and downtown area locations. Each fiberglass form provided a canvas which North Carolina artists enhanced with paint and three-dimensional add-ons. Artists were selected through an open call as well as an invitation process."

From the "Red Wolf Ramble" 

See the Entire "Red Wolf Ramble"

The first book listed here has beautiful photos of every interpretation of the wolf for the Red Wolf Ramble. They used to be all over the "inside the Belt Line" area, but now most are gone, but you can see them in this wonderful book.

Rex Hospital still has its wolf in the front lobby.
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Any Purchase Here Will Contribute to Heifer International: The Pay It Forward Entrepreneurial Charity

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The North Carolina State Wolfpack! 

One of Raleigh's True Treasures

Kay Yow has been the NCSU Wolfpack basketball coach for over 35 years. She is in the Naismith Hall of Fame, has been assistant coach and then head coach for two USA Olympic Gold Medal winning teams. She has done all this while fighting breast cancer, three times. She is currently in active battle against the disease.
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Dorton Arena: The Skating Venue for the 1999 International Special Olympics and Home of the Carolina Roller Girls, It Graces the 

The North Carolina State Fairgrounds

Raleigh is an urban and sophisticated community. As I have shown, inside the belt line is replete with art, education and culture.

However, the University has an agricultural department as well as a Veterinary School. Thus we find cow pastures within the city.
The State Fair Grounds
The fairgrounds is the home of a weekly flea market that is acres of antiques, bargains and crafts. It is open every Saturday and Sunday, except for October when it is closed for the State Fair.

It also contains extensive areas for horse shows and other animal/hobby related things.

Dorton Arena, one of the most unusual buildings on the grounds is the home of the Carolina Roller Girls among other groups. It was the skating venue for the 1999 International Special Olympics and once housed Raleigh's semi pro Hockey team, before the Hurricaine's, the Stanley Cup winning professional moved to town.
The State Fair Grounds
The fairgrounds is the home of a weekly flea market that is acres of antiques, bargains and crafts. It is open every Saturday and Sunday, except for October when it is closed for the State Fair.

It also contains extensive areas for horse shows and other animal/hobby related things.

Dorton Arena, one of the most unusual buildings on the grounds is the home of the Carolina Roller Girls among other groups. It was the skating venue for the 1999 International Special Olympics and once housed Raleigh's semi pro Hockey team, before the Hurricaine's, the Stanley Cup winning professional moved to town.

Third Place and Lilly's Pizza, the Independent Hub of Five Points 

Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina

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Visit My Salon

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Did You Enjoy Your Visit to Raleigh? Grab a Slice from Lilly's, a Cup of Coffee from Third Place, Take a Table and Tell Us What

I would love to hear what you think. Stop in a see us some time!

  • Sylvestermouse Aug 10, 2011 @ 10:50 am | delete
    I have been to Raleigh a few times, but I think I learned more about the city right here :) Angel blessed on this "back to school" bus tour week.
  • Jimmie Apr 8, 2011 @ 11:48 am | delete
    I grew up in Apex, so we spent lots of time in Raleigh museums.
  • mbgphoto Apr 8, 2011 @ 7:51 am | delete
    Nice lens on Raleigh...looks like a great place to live or visit. Blessed and added to my United States Travel Angel Lens.
  • raphaelo Apr 8, 2011 @ 5:26 am | delete
    Raleigh is so wonderful city. I've never known about it before. Thanks for sharing. 5 stars for you. Have wonderful times .. dearest Margo :)
  • Irenemaria Apr 8, 2011 @ 2:56 am | delete
    Two acorns were talking and one says: Confidentially my dear - I think I am going to have an oak! =D
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Many Unique and Valuable Opportunities for Higher Education From One End of Hillsbourough Street to the Next

North Carolina State University with its ACC Wolfpack (2 NCAA Men's Basketball Championships) is the most well known school in Raleigh, but there are also two all women's colleges and two traditionally African American Colleges.
Peace College
Peace College is an all women college that is over 150 years old and thriving.
St Augustine College
A traditionally African American College
Meridith College
An all women's college that admits men to some graduate programs.
Shaw University
Shaw University, founded in 1865, is the first historically black college of the South. Shaw is a private, co-educational, liberal arts university affiliated with the Baptist Church. The University awards degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
North Carolina State University
The school of Veternary medicine is a boon to animals lovers, but the university has many outstanding programs.
Wake Tech Community College
This provides vocational training, a two year college as a bridge to four year degrees and learning opportunities for the entire community.

Raleigh, a Perenial Top 10

Raleigh, a Top 10 Place to Live
Here are the stats as to why Raleigh makes so many top 10 lists. I have chosen to talk about my personal reasons, what is important to me, but wanted you to have the facts that most people want to know.

People Blogging About Raleigh

Kemp's walk-off single helps Vanderbilt rally past NC State 9-8 in NCAA's ...
NC gives $336M in tax breaks to businesses; opponents say that could have ...
NC budget fight likely more about GOP differences
Staten up 1 in North Carolina
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About Margo Arrowsmith

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Table of Contents

  4. My Raleigh:
  6. The Raleigh Sky Line, Amidst the Forest
  7. What Is 'Raleigh's Belt Line'
  8. The Old Raleigh Neighborhoods
  9. The Old Makes Way for The New, But Is Still Preserved This House Sits on Wheels Waiting a Move and the Land Waits for the New
  10. Blount Street, Raleigh, NC
  11. Butterflies on Blount Street, Raleigh, NC
  12. Cameron Village in Raleigh, NC
  13. Glenwood Avenue and Peace Street, Raleigh, NC
  14. The House Gets Higher: Men Can Now Stand Under It! 10/13/08
  15. Urban Art of an Old Southern Life Style: the Corner of Glenwood and Peace, Raleigh, NC
  16. First Fridays, The Art Walk in Raleigh, NC
  17. Art Space, The Hub of "First Fridays"
  18. Visit ArtSpace Virtually
  19. North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC
  20. August Rodin at the North Carolina Museum of Art
  21. The Red Wolf Ramble in Raleigh, NC
  22. From the "Red Wolf Ramble"
  23. See the Entire "Red Wolf Ramble"
  28. The North Carolina State Wolfpack!
  29. One of Raleigh's True Treasures
  30. Dorton Arena: The Skating Venue for the 1999 International Special Olympics and Home of the Carolina Roller Girls, It Graces the
  31. The North Carolina State Fairgrounds
  32. Third Place and Lilly's Pizza, the Independent Hub of Five Points
  33. Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina
  36. Visit My Salon
  37. Did You Enjoy Your Visit to Raleigh? Grab a Slice from Lilly's, a Cup of Coffee from Third Place, Take a Table and Tell Us What
  38. Many Unique and Valuable Opportunities for Higher Education From One End of Hillsbourough Street to the Next
  39. Raleigh, a Perenial Top 10
  40. People Blogging About Raleigh
  41. Get Your Free Report: "How to Hire An Affordable Home Health Team"
  42. Changing the Guard Blog
  43. About Margo Arrowsmith

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Margo Arrowsmith received the "Lens of the Day" Twice

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