Like fine wine, the water is divine – Article from Raleigh News and Observer
By LiveOakHomes | February 15, 2010
When it comes to liquid refreshment, some like it soft and easily palatable.
Others like it with a hint of salt.
But when it comes to her own drinking water, Diondra David of Nottingham Drive likes it simple.
“Water should be pure, clean,” David said. “It should be fresh. And it should be tasteless.”
David describes Cary’s water that way.
Which only bolsters the town’s latest distinction.
The North Carolina chapters of the American Water Works Association and Water Environment Association, at a recent taste test, gave Cary and Apex the title of best-tasting drinking water in the state.
The towns, which share a water facility, were crowned at the N.C. AWWA-WEA 89th annual conference in mid-November.
The southwest Wake County plant bested 26 other utilities across North Carolina in the 2009 Best Tasting Water competition, according to judges who cleansed their palates with crackers between tastings.
Folks in both towns are taking the distinction to heart.
Kevin Ghiold and Brad Thompson, both students at N.C. State, enjoyed some of Cary’s award-winning water while dining at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in the Crossroads Plaza shopping center on Monday.
“I’m picky about my water,” said Ghiold, who noted his parents are environmental geologists who use water filters in their home. “This water is pretty good.”
In Apex, lifelong resident Robin Bridgers slurped up water from a fountain at KX Fitness.
“This is the peak of good living,” Bridgers said. “… I’ve never been afraid to drink the water in Apex. I’ve been drinking it all my life.”
Cary-Apex plant’s director, Kelvin Creech, said the title boosts the towns’ images.
“It’s great for publicity – and bragging rights,” Creech said. “That’s just the way it goes.”
Steve Brown, Cary’s director of public works and utilities, said last year’s win marked the second time the Cary-Apex plant topped the list.
According to the group’s Web site,Cary-Apex tied Fayetteville for first place in 2005.
Other Triangle utilities to win the contest include the Orange Water and Sewer Authority, which earned top honors in 1988, 1989 and 2003.
Durham won twice, in 1999 and 2006.
‘Swish it around’
Creech said the contest is strictly controlled and works much like a wine tasting.
He said participating utilities are required to submit samples of their water in two-liter containers that are unmarked, save for a tag that can be easily removed.
“It keeps it all anonymous,” he said.
A panel of five judges then tastes each of the samples in succession, Creech said. “They take it and swish it around,” he said. “Then they take unsalted crackers to cleanse their palate.”
Creech said it’s difficult to know exactly what appeals to each of the judges, who average out their respective scores to determine a final winner.
Lindsay Roberts, director of the NC AWWA-WEA, did not return phone calls seeking comment about the water competition.
Creech said he figures the success of the Cary-Apex plant might be linked to the installation of a new water treatment system that infuses ozone into the water.
He said ozone eliminates unpleasant tastes and odors in water that are often attributed to algae.
jordan.cooke@nando.com or 919-460-2609
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The Landings at Neuse Crossing
By LiveOakHomes | February 5, 2010
Live Oak Homes presents the beautiful “Chadburn” plan in The Landings community, a Northeast Raleigh location.
Priced at $285,900, the Chadburn’s unique two-story design includes a split staircase that carries you from the upstairs to the foyer or the kitchen. This feature would normally only be found in houses priced in the $500k range. This home also features a two-story formal living room and foyer and a 1st floor suite.
Come visit this great community and see what you’re missing.
Best regards,
Linda
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Make Mackintosh Your Destination
By LiveOakHomes | February 3, 2010
Make Mackintosh Your Destination
Located in the heart of North Carolina in Burlington, Mackintosh is situated conveniently on the I-40/I-85 corridor. This makes it the perfect location for folks who commute to the Triad or the Triangle for work and play.
Mackintosh is just 15 minutes from Greensboro and approximately 40 minutes from Research Triangle Park. The community is convenient to Alamance Regional Medical Center, downtown Burlington, Elon University and Alamance Crossing Shopping Center. The elementary school, Highland Elementary, is within walking distance as well as The Growing Years Learning Center. The Lake Mackintosh Marina and a new 78-acre city park and sports complex are nearby as well. And golf courses, there are about a dozen within a 15 minute drive!
So come see us! Let us show you our new homes and the community of Mackintosh.
-Laura @ Mackintosh
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Staying Fit & Having Fun at Mackintosh
By LiveOakHomes | January 25, 2010
I am missing the warm weather! These few days in the 50’s made me wish for summertime and got me thinking about the amenities at Mackintosh. The clubhouse has a large activity room on the main level that is perfect for small or large gatherings and you feel right at home. Upstairs is a fitness room that is open for residents from early in the morning until late at night. The residents have key cards to use at their convenience. The play pool is a sight unto itself and when the water works are running, man, you miss your childhood!
Come see the homes we have available in Mackintosh and I will take you on a tour of the clubhouse & fitness room I will make sure you see the amazing pools. I can’t wait for summer!
Laura @ Mackintosh
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Live Oak Homes Joins Granite Falls Communities Builder Team
By LiveOakHomes | January 22, 2010
Granite Falls Communities consists of three “lifestyle” neighborhoods located in the heart of Rolesville, minutes from I-540 and Triangle Town Center in Raleigh and numerous shopping and entertainment options in Wake Forest. Beautifully designed, quality built homes await families and individuals at Granite Falls Communities in the neighborhoods of Granite Ridge, a townhome community featuring homes ranging in size from 1,250 to 1,781 square feet and priced from the high $130s; Granite Crest, a single family home community featuring homes ranging in size from 2,238 to 3,090 square feet and priced from the high $220s; and Granite Falls, a single family home community featuring homes ranging in size from 2,800 to 5,000 square feet and priced from the $330s.
Commercial/retail space, an elementary school, extensive walking trails, open space, and the exciting 60,000+ square foot Granite Falls Swim and Athletic Club complete the community. State-of-the-art exercise equipment featuring individual entertainment units, fitness classes for every level, including aerobics, Pilates, yoga, and cycling, and programs for kids and teens name only a few of the club’s many exciting amenities. A family favorite is the impressive year-round Aquatic Center, which includes an indoor 8-lane, 25-yard saline competition pool. The Aquatic Center’s outdoor recreational pools are complete with a slide, “sprayground,” lazy river, and cabana. Year-round aquatic programming includes swimming lessons, water aerobics, USA Competition New Wave Swim Team, Granite Falls Gators summer swim team, and lifeguard training.
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Come Visit the Parks at Mackintosh on the Lake
By LiveOakHomes | January 18, 2010
Mackintosh on the Lake, a New Home Community in Burlington, NC, offers many amenities. One of the best kept secrets is the Pocket Play Park in Avalon. You really don’t find it unless you are riding around the neighborhood and just happen by this wonderful corner.
Located in the heart of Avalon & Newbury, this play park provides entertainment for all ages. It is fenced and bordered by evergreens on two sides for a beautiful backdrop. The Castle-like appearance has drawn many children to climb, slide or swing away the day. Benches are provided for parents or older siblings to rest after the younger children have worn them out!!
Many neighbors walk with their strollers or have their children ride their bicycles or tricycles to the park after dinner for a quick swing or slide down the sliding board.
Come visit our available homes and while you are in the neighborhood make time to play at our Pocket Park in Avalon. Hope to see you there!
-Laura @ Mackintosh
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Olive Chapel Park
By staff | December 24, 2009
Over the past few months, the team has accomplished a lot at Olive Chapel Park in Apex. Most of the common areas have been landscaped and we are near completion for many homes. The tennis court is complete, and the clubhouse and pool should be complete in January.
CityGate has listed two homes: a charming townhome with a first-floor master bedroom and an elegant single family home with a walkout basement. Even before these homes were listed and prices were set, we had met with prospective homebuyers and neighbors who had driven by just to see all the activity on the site. If you are in Apex, stop by and say hello.
- Brian
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Website Alpha Launch
By staff | November 4, 2009
It’s an exciting time for neighborhood developers, and we’re proud to be in the thick of things here in North Carolina.
So much excitement has greeted our activity that we’ve decided to launch our website a little earlier than planned. Soon, you’ll be able to search our homes and neighborhoods across the state. We’re aiming to set a new standard in affordability and value for the dollar. That’s not idle talk. We did mention it’s an exciting time to be in real estate. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, we’ve decided to launch an “alpha” version of our site so people can get acquainted with our business and our people.
We’ll roll out new features of the site in the next few weeks. In the meantime, look around and get in touch if you want more info.
Thanks for visiting!
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Triangle Voted Best for Business in U.S.
By staff | October 26, 2009
Fast Company magazine has scored the Triangle as the the Number 1 area in the country for business.
What’s the Triangle? It’s the region of North Carolina located between Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Wake Forest, Cary, Hillsborough and Holly Springs are other attractive Triangle communities.
The Triangle boasts the state capitol (Raleigh), some of the nation’s premier universities (UNC, Duke and NC State), high-tech mecca Research Triangle Park (home to IBM, Cisco, Red Hat and Cree), the Carolina Hurricanes, concert halls, museums, parks and a vibrant cultural scene. Read the rest of this entry »
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Another Test Post
By staff | October 26, 2009
We’re kicking the tires and getting ready to road test the new blog. We’ll use this channel to publish news, features and special info for homebuyers in North Carolina.
Bookmark us!
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