OC Gymnastics - STOP BULLYING YOUR PATRONS!…read more A follow up to my review of OC Gymnastics: We have been so very disappointed with OC Gymnastics decision to keep money just given to the gym after our daughter made a responsible decision to focus on her swim team obligations and EOG testing rather than exercise her gym time. I was shocked when Aaron Williams, owner of OC Gymnastics, made another poor decision. A call was placed to our house by the gym, after my review, informing us that our daughter would have been allowed to attend Friday gym sessions had I not written my less than glowing review of OC Gymnastics; however now she was uninvited! What responsible business BULLIES a child and her family?!? I highly encourage you all to please take your business elsewhere. Do not let local businesses take legitimate complaints against their business practices out on our children. Tell OC Gymnastics to stop bullying the good families and their children within our community. SHAME ON YOU OC Gymnastics! SHAME ON YOU!!!

Our daughter has been a member of this gym since it's inception, having transitioned from pre-team…read morethrough Bronze and currently Silver. We love the other parents and have developed a great community at OC Gymnastics. The kids always seem to be having a great time and have a super rapport with their coaches. They did really well during the last year's team meets and one of their Bronze teammates even got first place at Regionals for her age division. We're super proud of the girls! Team parents Aaron and Terra Wells have recently purchased the business and we are really looking forward to working with them.

I have been with this location for about 8 months now. My Daughter and I both love it here! The…read morestaff are always so pleasant, and smiling when I enter. I love how every teacher knows my daughter name, and usually have a story to share with me when I come to pick her up in the evenings. I have always felt a relief when leaving my daughter in their care. We recently switched directors(new sheriff in town lol) and honestly I have NOTHING bad to say other than our issue with the daycare being short staffed for a short time. Some things are out of our control, and what we can't control, doesn't matter. She was very informative via email to let us know about the teacher/child ratio. She has definitely worked the kinks out, and I'm sure there is more to come, so patience. We are in with the new....and well you know the rest‍ I welcome Ms.Kaycee with open arms and I truly believe she is going to do great things here. I love new beginnings, and she couldn't have come at a better time! I also can't forget about Ms.Mahasin !!! She is such a beautiful soul! Literally a ray of sunshine in human formShe has always made me feel extremely comfortable from our very first day. My daughter loves her so much and that makes my heart smile because my 1 ALMOST 2 year old is picky with her people. Thank you for simply being the great person you both are. We appreciate you all & keep up the good work!!!

We moved our son here from another preschool and are MUCH happier! This preschool has been…read morewonderful. Their curriculum can easily be tailored to the child so that if they're using an item to teach a lesson and your child's not interested, they can easily substitute something else that your child is interested in. The director and the teachers are fully involved and really seem to care about the children. They have wonderful programs in addition to the regular preschool activities for both the children and the parents. They stayed open late for a Zumba lesson and party for the kids and they've also done "Parents' Night Out" where they've stayed open late and had a get together for the children so the parents can have some time to themselves. I have been extremely impressed with how committed to the children and their education the teachers and director have been and fully recommend Childcare Network #58.

Our family did not have the best experience. Initially my little was excited but then claimed they…read morefeared returning and would cry.

Afton Nature School is a wonderful preschool. ANS was recommended to us by the parent of a current…read morestudent. We toured several preschools, but our tour with Afton was by far the best of them all. The classrooms are bright and open, the teachers are wonderful, and the students are truly exceptional by any standard. Our child was welcomed with open arms by all of them and watching her thrive in this school has been a great joy. The teachers are patient and thoughtful, and the communication with them is open and transparent. Parents are welcome to volunteer, which I was able to do on a few occasions. Watching the kids learn through play and feed on one another's creative energy was incredible. Our experience with Afton Nature School has exceeded our expectations.

Triangle Adult Soccer League (TASL) is great asset to the triangle. Games and teams are…read moreprofessionally organized. Referees are typically fair and keep the game competitive yet safe. I've played in other outdoor and indoor leagues (XL Soccer World, Carolina Sportsplex, Rainbow) and, by far, TASL is the best. With a Spring, Summer Heat, and Fall season you can play outdoor soccer nearly year round. During the winter, take a break or find an indoor league elsewhere. Andy and Donna play a big role in keeping the league organized and they do a fantastic job. There are many divisions (mens, womens, coed, and various age groups and skill levels within those categories). The league can accommodate almost any skill level but finding a team can be difficult. You can register as a pool player but you might not be picked up. If you're a goalkeeper or female then your odds are much better. Also, finding a team might get easier because Andy and Donna are expanding the league by finding new fields and they're also working to build their own soccer park via a partnership with Triangle Soccer Development. I've organized several teams and have found it very rewarding. It can be a bit time consuming and frustrating collecting money but generally I've had great success and it gets easier with experience. As a player and team captain, I find TASL to be a lot of fun.

I agree with everything Phil said in his excellent review from 2010. TASL are even bigger and…read morebetter three years later. In addition to their formal competitve leagues in the Spring and Fall seasons, they offer organized but informal rec games (8v8, one ref, no one keeps score, plenty of touches), training opportunities, and even opportunities for pickup games. Andy has moved on to other opportunties but his replacement in the office, Kirsten Nicholas, has a corporate training background and is helping the organization to ensure all players, captains, and refs are well educated about both the letter and spirit--which is to say, good sportsmanship--of the game. And the admin tech is much-improved from 2010 (for example, captains no longer have to collect money as they did when Phil wrote his review as the League takes care of that online). They have also partnered closely with the Railhawks to the benefit of both organizations. And the refs are much better managed and improved in quality compared to three years ago. TASL provide a great way to get some exercise, enable you to meet people you otherwise might not have, promote an atmosphere of comeraderie, and, in their modest way, consistently do more than you would expect to enhance the experience of life in the Triangle.

It was the first time signing up for a Race 13.1 half marathon series, so I didn't know what to…read moreexpect. They're a relatively new race series that have set up shop in various race cities across mainly in the central and Eastern Time zones. I thought that I should give them a try, especially when it's a half marathon. A little surprised that there's no previous reviews posted on Yelp for Race 13.1 Raleigh, but there are previous photos for Race 13.1 but for Fayetteville, NC, not in Raleigh. It's kind of weird and disappointing, but what can you do really? I entertained the notion of racing a half marathon in Raleigh, NC as an integral part of my own personal goal of running a half marathon in all 50 states, especially when I've done a marathon in all 50 states already. I love new goals and the extensive traveling, so I was like, why not grab North Carolina for my 50 states half marathon goal in 2016? Race 13.1 series is a growing brand with some name recognition there, which is how I got to choosing this race. They kind of operate like Competitor and the Rock n Roll marathon race series, in that they tout themselves as being awesome and superior to other races out there, promising a great experience to everyone. Then they offer bonus bling aka finisher medallions to those participants who do 3 or more races in a calendar year within their series. They operate in 11 states right now, but surely as the years go by, they may be in more and more places as popularity in the half marathon distance continues to grow and mature. For me, it was just another half marathon event for me in a growing list of achievements that started back in 2007 with my first half marathon and first marathon. Pretty cool on where life takes you when running leads the way. Race 13.1 Raleigh sets up shop at the 4120 Main at the North Hills shopping mall complex, at least in the 2016 edition of the race. I The race venue is the surrounding areas that included bike paths at Shelley Lake Park, which was very picturesque, scenic, and beautiful. Running around a lake and shaded bike trail / walking path was quite nice and very quiet. You never know a race was going on there, unless you are a local, who happened to know what was going on that day or are a participant in the race. Race 13.1 offers their signature headline half marathon, as well, as offering a 10km and a 5km race distance. There was the long out and back from mile 6 to mile 11, which I didn't particularly enjoy, but it was scenic and quiet to tend to my thoughts. While I was out there, I met up with a dude who was sort of struggling and I ended up chatting to him. Turns out he was doing his very first half marathon event and he had gone only 10km this far, so it was inspiring to see him go 13.1 miles for the first time. We both made it, of course, but the weather conditions were borderline warm hot and the hills didn't make it seem anything but easy. We had to work those miles to get to the finish line, which we did. Race 13.1 registration fees are reasonable for a half marathon, averaging around $50-$65 per person. Everything is usually online registration nowadays, so they do accept major credit cards, which is always a great thing. They did offer late registration at packet pick up, which was at the Omega Sports store inside the North Hills mall complex. Not too shabby, but all I cared about was finishing and getting another half marathon under my belt. I believe right now, it's 28 half marathons so far and just 5 states for my 50 states half goal. There is plenty of parking for race morning. The race advises participants to park inside the underground parking garage, which I did, arriving around 5:30am for 7:15am start to secure prime parking. You never want to be that guy or gal to a race and there's no parking to be found. Better to have that piece of mind rather than scrambling around that morning. For what its worth, this race has plenty of hills to be shared with everyone. Be wary of the weather conditions, since it's in early June and can get warm really fast, even though the morning temps can be a soothing low 60's. It can climb up fairly quickly. The finisher medals were nice and quirky. I don't mind it, although the cardinal was kind of cute in a way. While I've race in better venues, I did enjoy the mile around the lake front here at the Shelley Lake Park. The bike / walking trails that serve half of the course miles were safe and you would only have to worry about those rogue cyclists who think they own the road when they zip by you at a fast clip. I'd rate the Race 13.1 as a 3.5 stars, bumped up to 4.0 stars. Scenery was great, but please try to have less hills! Maybe move race day to early May so that it'll be in cooler weather? Just a thought though. Race more! Support local! B-

Race 13.1 is really does a great job... I've run both Raleigh races and Wilmington. They say that…read morethey provide 'Big Race Perks with a Local Race Feel' and I think they do just that. Their customer service is better than any other race I've ever experienced. You can actually call them and talk to someone on the phone!

The owner is experienced and so genuine! This place has caring staff and is a fun, well-rounded…read moreenvironment for children to learn and grow!

it's great that the Seymour center was donated by this family. The center houses many activities…read morethat don't exist . This is a senior center for 55 and older, it is paid by tax payers funds through Orange County NC. Don't be surprise when you arrive , it's run more like a senior daycare. 90% of the population is Asian. if you plan to use any of the equipment good luck, it is over taken. I suggested a number system. At three it is over run by children on equipment, when I addressed this, which are mostly staff related? Don't you have to be 55.? No this a community Center. so bring your children at three go down the stairs and use the equipment. open to all. Good Luck

Most comprehensive program development way beyond any other area senior center. Ethnic eclecticity…read moreis profound, with large ethnic communities interacting with each other during major cultural celebrations. Program array is extensive beyond expectation, clearly listed for the day (some 25 or more on a daily updated page on the wall as you entered. Friendly accomodating support staff througout. Daily subsidized inexpensive lunches ($1.00 donation for locals). Out of county membership allowed. Program Booklet unparalelled. Preregister where required, some walk in. Physical building is large with handicap access throughout. Many helpful services in addition to activity programs, like taxes, voting etc. Take a program booklet and be astounded and feel welcomed. I lived locally and moved away yet maintaned an active membership.

"Each of us only has the same 24 hours to work with....it is what we do with it...in pursuit of…read morehappiness that is precious....don't waste it! It all plays into living the life we were meant to live. No one else can tell you what that is...how to get it....or how to maintain it. The best we can do is make choices that move us in that direction but not waiting for some mythical magical time to achieve it. We need to find a way to appreciate the small wins each and every day." I'm turning 50 this year, have 4 kids (18, 17, 10, & 5), have always worked full time (40+ hours, aside from very short maternity leaves), and am "annoyingly" ever present and involved in my kids' day-to-day/hour-to-hour lives. However, I've just recently "celebrated (still waiting for my "pass" despite very meticulous planning)" my 200th session at ISI and haven't been this consistent in prioritizing myself (but still for the greater good of family, friends, and work) since college. If you think you don't have time, you do. If you think you can't afford it, you can. If you think you can't do it, you can. It's all just a matter of choice...nothing simpler, but also nothing more difficult than admitting it's a choice of whether or not you prioritize yourself...period. It's about putting your oxygen mask on first because you're of no good to anyone (to all those wives, significant others, mothers, daughters, workers who think you don't have time or think that everyone else's needs is of greater value than yours) if you don't take care of yourself. WARNING: ISI IS NOT A JUDGEMENT-FREE ZONE!!! You will be judged as committed every time you show up. You will be judged as resilient every time you crawl, shuffle, literally drip drip drip sweat on the way to the next block...and still follow the coaches' prompts through the finisher. You will be judged as not being prideful when you skip, lose motivation/focus, and come back...as it's never about failure but about how you react to failure (unless it's literally muscle failure which the coaches gauge as success - can't sit? awesome! can't brush your hair? success! feel those legs trying to get up or down the stairs? well-done!). Iron Sharpens Iron...I wouldn't have it any other way! Well, actually, it's painful to hear and grueling to go through but it's been the most fulfilling challenge I've ever undertaken with the most committed, down-to-earth, caring, hilarious, and motivated people (coaches, staff, and fellow members) I've been blessed to meet. True story / divine intervention: I was about to quit when a dear friend said, "I know someone who goes to ISI and he's a beast...I could never work out where he works out...but you go too? You're not thin?!?!?" EXACTLY! We all work out together (even if we can't make the same sessions) and she's going to be sporting new bikinis in a few weeks. Do you whatever it is...but do great as you're worth it!!! ISI has been a true blessing to my physical, mental, social and financial health. PLEASE COME AND BE JUDGED...for the special person that you are and let your light shine for all the world to see!!!