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Holy Cow! - BurgerFi Comes to the Triangle

In the immortal words of Bart Simpson, "Don't have a cow, man."  Good advice in most cases.    However, when your taste buds are screaming, "Where's The Beef?", it's time to give in to your carnivore instincts.  Besides, we're suckers for anything you can eat with our hands ... like a good hamburger.  Sorry Chic-fil-A!

Grass is Greener:  BurgerFi focuses on all-natural, grass-fed beef. They do this because it tastes  better, and it's better for you- with no chemicals, and no additives.  And rather than offering a  supporting menu with "No Frills" options, they offer specialty items like Kobe beef hot dogs, gourmet toppings, delectable desserts, craft beer & wine, and an overall focus on a healthier menu selection. Oh, and they also have very cool, techno soda machines.

Cool Atmosphere, But What About Taste?:  You know something is different when you get your first "branded bun".  The patties are handmade (jagged edges) and offered stacked burgers (single, double, triple) in fixed or build-your-own combinations.  Does grass fed beef make a difference?  Well, they were mighty tasty but you are the ultimate judge.  The french fries and onion rings were crisp and are also offered with several toppings.  For drinks you can get real Coca-Cola�, Fanta� Orange and Sprite� made with cane sugar in Mexico, Boylan� Sodas, fresh squeezed lemonade, or you can go freestyle with the Coca-Cola Freestyle� Machine.  For dessert, check out their thick, rich, and delicious frozen custards (shakes, cups, & cones) with toppings galore or old-fashioned floats and cows.  They will even make you pints to take on the run.  Menu

Earth Angels: Each BurgerFi store is built according to environmentally sustainable best practices, and  includes earth-friendly elements like chairs that are made from recycled Coke bottles, tables made out of compressed recycled wood, and large fans that use 66% less electricity. BurgerFi maintains a low carbon footprint, and maintains strict recycling programs for oil, cardboard, bottles and cans.  Thus, you can feel better about their low carbon footprint ... while you are downing a few carbs yourself.  Oh well, life was meant to enjoy!

To Bee or Not To Bee

It's All about Convenience - Gifts You Can't Wait to Give!            

You're lucky to be in the company of greatness.  Mom snuggled you like the softest cable-knit sweater, your hairstylist created a new you (and you can actually replicate what she did), and your college roommate (she models on the side) taught you the value of a leather jacket.   This holiday season, For Your Convenience has gifts as good as their gifts.  Whether cozy, refined, or edgy, there's something for every lady on your list.

For Your Convenience a gift boutique recently opened in Five Points at 233 Bickett Blvd. (close to Wine & Design). You'll find a great mixture of jewelry, lighting, gifts, accessories, vintage furniture, fabrics, wallpapers, home decor, specialty beers and wines, frozen food, appetizers, fresh produce and practically the kitchen sink.

Flare to Wear - Costume rationale jewelry galore for your go-big-or-go-home mindset. There's drool-worthy Vintage Collection of costume jewelry.  Baubles range from the Victorian era to the '80s. Organized brilliantly, you can easily score covetable finds.

Chanel the Real Deal - Come to a Chanel Trunk Show this Tuesday, December 11th from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Shop for beautiful vintage, one of a kind Chanel button jewelry made by a California jeweler. Party with drinks and refreshments while  shopping these on-of-a-kind finds.

Wine, Dine, Recline - If you don't have the chops to cook dinner, the freezer if full of surefire winners... Elizabeth Womack's soups, casseroles, lasagna's (even gluten-free) meals stay stocked and are ready for pick-up on your way home. Or feel free to request a particular dish or soup by contacting Elizabeth with your special orders. Email: ewomack@nc.rr.com or phone: 919-796-9387.

Wine slushies are in! Come by and get a box. Pair it with some Five Points Baking Company Cheese straws and a wine tumbler and give the perfect holiday gift! Add a fine bottle of their select wine for an even better bang.

Slick Picks - Grabbing another's gift almost feels like a cheat, but we think you'll find one of a kind painted furniture, art, and services from the Painted House Studio super unique and fun just for yourself.

Brite Lite- If these hanging lights and lamps inspire you to redecorate a room or two, then let Zandy Overcash, Interior Designer give you some consulting advise. She's full of bright ideas!

Your Southern belle bestie has monograms on her mind. Hang it around her neck or serve them up on trays and drink-ware.  The monogrammed acrylic gifts are top quality and very affordable with a quick turn-around time as well. 

The Santa Clause Co-workers/neighbors/book club pals are bound to ambush you with unexpected presents. Gift 'em back with unique gifts from For Your Convenience.  It's a wonderful life, isn't it?  

For Your Convenience: 233 Bickett Boulevard, Phone: (919) 856-8560. Store Hours: Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sun: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm.  

Bring on the White Christmas!

Tis the Season for Giving - CT Weekends will contribute 5% of all regular price purchases on Monday & Tuesday, Dec. 10 & 11 to Dress For Success - Suits for Self-Sufficiency. And Monday & Tuesday, Dec. 17 & 18 to Interact.

Shop CT Weekends in Cameron Village: 437 Daniels St., Raleigh, 27605, Phone: 919-787-9073, Email: ctweekends@aol.com.

Enloe HS Student Council is busy at work planning for their 8th annual Charity Ball benefiting of Wake County. The event will take place on Saturday, December 15th from 7 to 11 in the evening at Marbles Kids Museum and will feature Shine Cover Band. There will be a drink bar with $1 nonalcoholic beverages for sale and a dessert bar filled with delicious delights. All proceeds go to the charity; InterAct provides safety, support, and awareness for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault. They provide a variety of services including counseling, shelters, community education, and 24 hour crisis lines. In honor of Enloe's 50th anniversary, we are hoping to raise $50,000 for this worthy cause and help families all over the county. Please consider contributing to the event by purchasing a ticket NOW online at http://enloestuco.com/ or making a donation at  http://www.enloestuco.com/apps/donations/ Please help these students reach this goal!! 

 Courtney L. Bell Jewelry Trunk Show at Lavender & Lace this Saturday, Dec. 15th - Courtney Bell makes each piece of jewelry by hand, often incorporating vintage brooches and chains.  She uses high quality sterling, gold filled and plated components along with seashells, many of which she finds on North Carolina beaches.  Combining art with nature, each piece of her jewelry is one of a kind.  

 Mark your calendars to attend Trunk Show at Lavender and Lace on Saturday, December 15th from 11am to 4 pm or Saturday December 22nd from 11am to 4pm.  Or call for an appointment. Phone: 919-696-8262, Email: courtney@courtneybelljewelry.com.   Website  

The Insiders - Would you like to know the activity in your neighborhood, specific to your home?  Sign up for automated email reports of homes for sale in your neighborhood, prices of recently sold homes as well as overall market stats for homes comparable to your specific home.  This report includes interactive maps, charts and home details.  You can choose to receive the email every 2, 4, or 8 weeks, or just view it one time. Want to Get IN the Know for the real estate market in your neighborhood?  Sign up for your free report. Click Here 

Kenna Custom Painting, Inc.  is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believehow quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website. 

Join My Blog Simply-Refined: I can help you with your Holiday Decor! I am an Interior Designer that can inspire and help you with your designs and decorating needs.  I have been designing and decorating homes for over 20 years.  I worked in Miami for most of my career, but now live in the Triangle.  (I grew up in the Triangle and have always loved the Tar Heel state.)   

Call  Zaytoun Interiors if you're finally ready to decorate or re-decorate your home or office.  What's your style?  If you're not sure, I can help you tap into your inner self and find what makes you want to come home again.  Website, Email, Phone: 305-793-8510.  

In Memory of David Shannon - Chi Phi has partnered with five other UNC fraternities to fully fund and build a Habitat for Humanity home in Chapel Hill beginning in January 2013.

Your support will be crucial to the success of the 2012/13 Brothers project and in fulfilling the dream of home ownership for a deserving Chapel Hill family. Not only will the project provide a new home for a family in need, but it will bring many members from different fraternities together to accomplish this goal.

This year's Brothers project is dedicated to the memory of a lost fraternity brother David Shannon. David was a freshman from Charlotte, who died in an accident this fall. David was an enthusiastic new member of Chi Phi who became very involved with the Brothers project at the start of the year. He raised the most money of any new member, and he very enthusiastically worked at the New Member Blitz Build in September. In just a short time at Carolina, David demonstrated his commitment to service and leadership, and we are very proud to honor his legacy through this year's project: Brothers for David

Chi Phi has committed to raise $78,000 to sponsor the construction of the Brothers for David home. They need your donations to make this project a success.  All funds raised will be used to help pay for the costs of construction materials and contracted labor for the home they will build this spring.

Please make a contribution on the secure online giving page: Click Here.  

Or, you can make a gift by check (with Chi Phi on the memo line) to:

                     Habitat for Humanity of Orange County

                     88 Vilcom Center Drive, Suite L110

                     Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

(All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law)

Did You Know?  For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain. Please support our local business!  This is what The Beltline Buzz is all about.   

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