Here are some of the stories you will find in the August/September 2008 issue of Triangle East Magazine:

Back-to-School Fashion
Heather Green
Back-to-school cool has taken on a whole meaning this season. Plaids aren't just a fad anymore, flower power is blooming brighter than ever, hoodies are super hot and blue jeans are still the staple of any cool school outfit.

But you don't have to spend a fortune on fashion to get the latest looks for your kids. With Triangle East's fashion "dos," we'll take those summer duds and turn them into back-to-school fashions you'll fall for!


See the fashion with more photos of our back-to-school photo shoot

Focus on Children:
It's All About Me: Tween and Teen Spa
Dena Boyette Coward
When it comes to birthday parties with themes, you could say Macy Worley, 9, and her little sister, Meagan, are connoisseurs. They have experienced the gamut: inflatables, Build-A-Bear and even Barney and Baby Bop, but this year, they are kicking back and taking it easy. This year, "it's all about them" as they head off to It's All About Me in Clayton for a little pampering.

For mom Tracie, it's the answer to a prayer because it means no worries or hassles. "This is the best — this is a no-stress birthday party."

Before, it was days of cleaning the house, making decorations, lining up entertainment and making goodie-bags before the guests arrive. This year, she turned everything over to the staff at It's All About Me. All Worley had to do was bring cupcakes. "This is just great. No running around, no cleaning." All mom has to do is take photographs while her daughters and Macy's five buddies get manicures.

See tween-inspired mani's and pedi's from the photo shoot at It's All About Me

Community Profile: Smithfield and Selma
Kerry Watson Garner
Chris Johnston loves to go downtown — downtown Smithfield, that is. As the executive director of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corp., Johnson makes it his business to give the Smithfield merchants — well, more business.

Established in 1984, the DSDC was formed to promote the merchants of Johnston County's seat and bring more folks to town. And with as much history as Smithfield has, that only adds to the downtown district's value.

Man on the Street: See what Smithfield and Selma folks love about their towns.

Eat Local! Organic Food Subscriptions
Kati Knowland
Where was that potato grown? When was that squash picked? What was that cow fed?

More and more often, people in the Triangle East area — and around the world — are asking themselves those very questions. And the answers, or lack thereof, are drawing people out of supermarkets and onto farms in search of fresh, local, organic food.

"People are looking for more connection to their food," said Tom Kumpf, "and they're more aware of the impact their choices have on the environment."

Farmers like Kumpf, who owns and operates Double-T Farm in Garner, help people to make that connection through community-supported agriculture, or CSA, programs.