Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Sheffield Manor's Paving Completed!
The paving project is finally finished in Sheffield Manor! The main entrance looks so much better with no potholes! Thanks City of Concord!!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Crazy raccoons in Gastonia NC
http://www.gastongazette.com/video/c/1155106715/top-videos/1092795760001/news-fi-tgg
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sheffield Manor's Food Drive
September Food Drive a Big Success
According to Cassie Bornhorst, neighborhood resident and food drive organizer, 212 pounds of food was collected and donated to the Concord Cooperative Christian Ministry.
Thanks to everyone in Sheffield Manor who made a generous contribution!
According to Cassie Bornhorst, neighborhood resident and food drive organizer, 212 pounds of food was collected and donated to the Concord Cooperative Christian Ministry.
Thanks to everyone in Sheffield Manor who made a generous contribution!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Appalachian State University
Can I tell you how much I love this university? My son will proudly graduate on Mother's Day with a degree in Computer Information Systems. What a great present he is giving me!!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Harold E. Winkler Middle School Opens Fall 2011!!
The new Harold E. Winkler middle school is supposed to open fall of 2011!! It is located at 4501 Weddington Rd. in Concord, NC & is right beside Weddington Hills Elementary school. In fact, you enter the same entrance for both schools. It is located on a 45 acre site & the new 2-story school will contain approximately 186,000 square feet. It has a media center, auditorium, cafeteria, gymnasium, 48 classrooms & other school function areas. The school's capacity is 1200 students. There are 2 practice fields, 1 baseball/softball field, football field with a track and concession/restroom bldg.
Sheffield Manor, Concord, NC
Have you been to Sheffield Manor lately? It is a wonderful neighborhood nestled in Cabarrus County off Weddington Rd. There is easy access to I-85 off Exit 54, George Liles Parkway. It is close to Afton Village where there are great restaurants, YMCA, shops, church & medical facilities available. The band, Exit 54 plays at the Wine Room on the 1st Friday of every month in the summertime. What a great time to come out, bring your lawn chair, the kids & have fun!! Also, grocery shopping, more churches & much much more are located nearby!! Drive down a little ways to the Afton Ridge shopping center where the Target, banks, plenty of restaurants are located!!
Sheffield Manor has a wonderful homeowners association that takes care of the neighborhood! There is always something fun going on there! The annual Sheffield Manor pig-pickin is scheduled again this year for June 4th. Fun, games & good food will be had by all!!!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
A Beautiful Saturday To Work Outside!!
Wow, what a beautiful day it will be today to work outside in your yard!!
According to meteorologist, Katie Virtue:
For the Charlotte area.....
Expect plenty of sunshine on Saturday, but the breeze will pick up quite a bit. Winds will gust from the west to 30mph in the Piedmont and over 40mph in the mountains.
Time to clean out the old flowerbeds & prepare them for spring plantings. Don't plant them yet though.....wait until the end of April so hopefully then, it will be warm enough at night not to kill anything.
According to meteorologist, Katie Virtue:
For the Charlotte area.....
Expect plenty of sunshine on Saturday, but the breeze will pick up quite a bit. Winds will gust from the west to 30mph in the Piedmont and over 40mph in the mountains.
Time to clean out the old flowerbeds & prepare them for spring plantings. Don't plant them yet though.....wait until the end of April so hopefully then, it will be warm enough at night not to kill anything.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Charlotte, NC. Among Best Places To Retire
Here's some great info from my fellow blogger, Dave diCecco, thanks Dave!
Yes it is true the Queen city was voted by Forbes Magazine as one of the best places to retire. Charlotte, NC. has so much to offer retirees as well as young professionals and families. When Forbes did the study it based it on certain attributes that made it decide where was the best places for people looking to spend their retirement.
Among the top reasons was the realtively low cost of living in Charlotte. Taxes are reasonable (some people might say they are cheap). Housing prices are relatively low and your purchasing power in Charlotte is at the highest it has ever been.
But, Charlotte also offers a lot of other great reasons for people to retire here. Weather was another factor. Becuase of our location just east of the Mountains and the fact we are far enough inland form the ocean; we do not get the extreme weather other parts of the country experinece. yet we do enjoy a beautiful fall, spring and summer months. The winters here are mild with a spot of cold for approximately 2 weeks every year. Otherwise the weather here is very conducive for outdoors people.
Third reason was activities. Charlotte area is home to 53 public gold courses and 22 private golf courses. In addition there are numerous parks and tennis courts scattered throughout Charlotte. Charlotte is a biker friendly town and has numerous greenways for people to enjoy a stroll through park like settings. In addition Charlotte is home to a professional basketball team (Charlotte Bobcats), Professional Football team (Carolina Panthers) Triple A baseball team (Charlotte knights) and a high end minor league hockey team (Charlotte Checkers).
If sports are not for you; Charlotte offers numerous musuems, art gallaeries, and is home to the Daniel Stowe Botantical Garden. In addition there is rarely a weekend where you can not find an event going on at one fo the many parks throughout Charlotte from arts and crafts to wine tasting. there is somethign goign on just about all the time for soemoen in Charlotte.
The last reason they gave Charlotte a high mark was the medical care. Charlotte has one of the top medical systems in the United States. With two major hopsital groups (Carolina medical Center and Presbyterian Hospital) positioned throughout Charlotte and numerous doctors and specialists in charlotte; healthcare is one of the fsatest growing areas of Charlotte right now.
Forbes magazine realized what so many people have realized for years. With the low cost of housing and the ample acitivites, coupled with the mild climate and the great emdical care....Charlotte is truly a Queen city for retirees.
Yes it is true the Queen city was voted by Forbes Magazine as one of the best places to retire. Charlotte, NC. has so much to offer retirees as well as young professionals and families. When Forbes did the study it based it on certain attributes that made it decide where was the best places for people looking to spend their retirement.
Among the top reasons was the realtively low cost of living in Charlotte. Taxes are reasonable (some people might say they are cheap). Housing prices are relatively low and your purchasing power in Charlotte is at the highest it has ever been.
But, Charlotte also offers a lot of other great reasons for people to retire here. Weather was another factor. Becuase of our location just east of the Mountains and the fact we are far enough inland form the ocean; we do not get the extreme weather other parts of the country experinece. yet we do enjoy a beautiful fall, spring and summer months. The winters here are mild with a spot of cold for approximately 2 weeks every year. Otherwise the weather here is very conducive for outdoors people.
Third reason was activities. Charlotte area is home to 53 public gold courses and 22 private golf courses. In addition there are numerous parks and tennis courts scattered throughout Charlotte. Charlotte is a biker friendly town and has numerous greenways for people to enjoy a stroll through park like settings. In addition Charlotte is home to a professional basketball team (Charlotte Bobcats), Professional Football team (Carolina Panthers) Triple A baseball team (Charlotte knights) and a high end minor league hockey team (Charlotte Checkers).
If sports are not for you; Charlotte offers numerous musuems, art gallaeries, and is home to the Daniel Stowe Botantical Garden. In addition there is rarely a weekend where you can not find an event going on at one fo the many parks throughout Charlotte from arts and crafts to wine tasting. there is somethign goign on just about all the time for soemoen in Charlotte.
The last reason they gave Charlotte a high mark was the medical care. Charlotte has one of the top medical systems in the United States. With two major hopsital groups (Carolina medical Center and Presbyterian Hospital) positioned throughout Charlotte and numerous doctors and specialists in charlotte; healthcare is one of the fsatest growing areas of Charlotte right now.
Forbes magazine realized what so many people have realized for years. With the low cost of housing and the ample acitivites, coupled with the mild climate and the great emdical care....Charlotte is truly a Queen city for retirees.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Spring Into Window Cleaning!
It is officially spring. I guess it's time to start cleaning those windows. If you're just washing the winter grime from the outside of the windows, try this: add 1 cup of sudsy ammonia & 1 cup of white vinegar + 2 tablespoons of alcohol to a bucket of warm water. Fill another bucket with clean water. Wash windows with solution & rinse with clean water. Wipe window dry with clean, lint-free cotton rag. Avoid newspaper because it can stain white vinyl. For tougher jobs, try CRL Sparkle Cleaner & Stain remover & CRL Sprayway Glass cleaner. They're available online & maybe Lowes. Happy washing!!!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Happy Absolutely Incredible Kids Day!
Did you know today is Absolutely Incredible Kids Day???
As a parent, I am going to take full advantage of being the author of this page to exercise my bragging rights and to let you know that my kids are absolutely incredible!
(Wow! That felt pretty good.)
If the paragraph above doesn't give you a good impression of the meaning and purpose of this day, then you probably don't have kids...yet. When those offspring do arrive, you will most certainly use this special day to profess how incredible your kids are.
Did you Know? "Kids" are baby goats. Does that mean this day is really about incredible goats!? .......Nah!
Celebrate today by letting your kids know how good they are, and how much you love them.
As a parent, I am going to take full advantage of being the author of this page to exercise my bragging rights and to let you know that my kids are absolutely incredible!
(Wow! That felt pretty good.)
If the paragraph above doesn't give you a good impression of the meaning and purpose of this day, then you probably don't have kids...yet. When those offspring do arrive, you will most certainly use this special day to profess how incredible your kids are.
Did you Know? "Kids" are baby goats. Does that mean this day is really about incredible goats!? .......Nah!
Celebrate today by letting your kids know how good they are, and how much you love them.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
MARDI GRAS 2011
WHEN IS MARDI GRAS 2011?
Mardi Gras 2011 falls on Tuesday, March 8. Mardi Gras, “Fat Tuesday”, is the last day of the Carnival season as it always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Most visitors will plan to arrive no later than Saturday, March 5, 2011 in order to enjoy an extended weekend of festivities.
Mardi Gras 2011 falls on Tuesday, March 8. Mardi Gras, “Fat Tuesday”, is the last day of the Carnival season as it always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Most visitors will plan to arrive no later than Saturday, March 5, 2011 in order to enjoy an extended weekend of festivities.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Happening In Charlotte
2011 CIAA Complete Schedule Of Events
CIAA Tournament 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- 2011 CIAA Tournament - Charlotte, NC
February 28 - March 5, 2011
Time Warner Cable Arena - TWCA
Charlotte Convention Center - CCC
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
What Are You Thankful For?
I am thankful for my family & friends! Also, thankful for all my real estate family & friends!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
To Prune or Not to Prune Is A Very Good Question????
According to Nancy Brachey of the Charlotte Observer, it is time to prune most evergreens from now until midspring. This is the best growth spurt of the year for hollies, boxwoods, laurels, ligustrums, cleyera and other evergreens.
If you prune now, the plants will come down to the height & shape you want. Most evergreen hollies can be heavily sheared to create a uniform hedge. But laurels and boxwoods are best pruned by thinning selected, wayward stems. Cut the steam back to the main branch.
Most roses benefit from pruning in late winter because they bloom on new growth. Pruning stimulates this and creates a better looking plant. Their new growth starts to appear in late winter. Knock Out shrub roses should be pruned back to 24 to 30 inches tall, keeping a roundish shape. A butterfly bush can be cut well back because it produces vigorous new growth that bears flowers in summer.
Tt is not time yet to prune flowering shrubs such as azaleas, forsythia, rhododendrons, pleris, loropetalums & other flowering shrubs as well as most garden hydrangeas & gardenias that bloom in early summer because their bloom buds are set. Major pruning should be done when flowers begin to fade. Happy gardening everyone!
If you prune now, the plants will come down to the height & shape you want. Most evergreen hollies can be heavily sheared to create a uniform hedge. But laurels and boxwoods are best pruned by thinning selected, wayward stems. Cut the steam back to the main branch.
Most roses benefit from pruning in late winter because they bloom on new growth. Pruning stimulates this and creates a better looking plant. Their new growth starts to appear in late winter. Knock Out shrub roses should be pruned back to 24 to 30 inches tall, keeping a roundish shape. A butterfly bush can be cut well back because it produces vigorous new growth that bears flowers in summer.
Tt is not time yet to prune flowering shrubs such as azaleas, forsythia, rhododendrons, pleris, loropetalums & other flowering shrubs as well as most garden hydrangeas & gardenias that bloom in early summer because their bloom buds are set. Major pruning should be done when flowers begin to fade. Happy gardening everyone!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Blue Ridge Mountain Vacation Rentals in Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Great resource for mountain rentals!!
Blue Ridge Mountain Vacation Rentals in Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Blue Ridge Mountain Vacation Rentals in Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Calling All You Clay Aiken Fans!!
He's performing tonight at the Belk Theatre at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Elisha Baker Charged With 2nd Degree Murder - Finally!!!
Finally after four months into the investigation, Elisa Baker is being charged with murder but neighbors are not satisfied. Still, some in the community like Eddie Mitchell don't feel the charge is strong enough. Mitchell lives across the street from the Baker home in Hickory and attended Monday’s news conference to hear the charge firsthand. “I feel I don’t know all exactly the details, but I think it should be first degree murder,” said Mitchell. Residents had a similar reaction a few miles away at Jesse’s Diner. Clara Mathe has followed the case since the beginning and said she believes Zahra's father Adam Baker should also be held responsible for her death.
“There are many details about the case we in Hickory are just assuming--things we don't know, all the details--but we're appalled at what happened,” Mathe said.
While neighbors in Hickory wait to see how this murder charge will play out in court, Mitchell said he's not sure any punishment that may be handed down will be enough to bring justice for Zahra.
Elisa Baker will make her first court appearance since the charges were announced Friday.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Happy Hoodie-Hoo Day Everyone!!!
On this winter day, people go out at noon, wave their hands over their heads and chant "Hoodie-Hoo".
It is a day to chase away winter and bring in spring. After all, everyone in the northern hemisphere are sick and tired of winter at this point and a little crazy being cooped up inside all winter and not seeing the sun.
It is a day to chase away winter and bring in spring. After all, everyone in the northern hemisphere are sick and tired of winter at this point and a little crazy being cooped up inside all winter and not seeing the sun.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Happy Friday Everyone!
Today in Charlotte, NC, the temperature is expected to be around 78 degrees! What a great day to wear your favorite flip flops! You might want to get a pedi today!!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Do You Want To Rent Elvis Presley's House?
Want a place fit for a rock & roll king? This former home of Elvis Presley can be yours to rent for only $25,000/month. This home features 4 br & 5 ba with 5367 sq. ft. on a private estate of 1.18 acres. This home is ready for your blue suede shoes!!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Time To Get Growing On Spring Lawn Care
According to Nancy Brachey with the Charlotte Observer, mid-February is a great time to start thinking about your lawn. Midwinter lawn renewal is best done between mid-February and early March, just as the fescue lawns begin to emerge from the semidormancy of the coldest weeks of winter. You can do some reseeding and fertilizing this winter which should get the lawn to a good state. You can even work on bare spots to bring them from brown to green. It's better to limit seeding to bare spots and thin areas this time of year. Major reseeding should take place between mid-September and mid-October. If you already have good grass, do these things:
1. Fertilize the lawn no later than mid-March. If you have crabgrass, use preventer by March 20. However, do not put this preventer on parts of the lawn where you sow fresh seed. It will kill the young grass too. 2. Work on the bare spots. Dig them up a few inches, clear out stray weeds, roots & rocks, then sprinkle grass seed on top & tamp it down gently. A thin layer of soil sprinkled on top will help keep the seeds in position. Don't forget to water these spots regularly in absence of rain. 3. Mow your fescue grass at the highest level, about 3 1/2" or so. Fescue is an upright grass that benefits from high mowing, not scalping. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful yards!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Home Prices Expected to Rise in Charlotte
Forbes: Home Prices Expected to Rise in Charlotte
A recent report from Forbes.com lists Charlotte at #2 in its list of cities that have the most potential for home prices to rise in the long term.
At this point, it’s clear the subprime contagion won’t be contained in the next year, based on the acceleration of home price drops and foreclosures nationwide. But when the bad vintages of loans finally come off the books, the cities where prices are expected to rebound are largely those with vibrant economies.
“The logic is pretty straightforward,” says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com. “People will spend as much on housing as their income will allow them. House prices are very closely tied to household income over the long run when you look at business cycles.”
This means that recovery is likely in the cards for even the hardest-hit spots. Cities such as Atlanta and Colorado Springs, Colo., may be reeling from high defaults and foreclosures, but from 2007 through 2012 their economies are expected to experience 2% and 1.6% average annual job growth. That means more in-migration and more money in the economy, factors that help businesses grow and profit — and put more money in residents’ pockets.
As local economies grow bigger and more dynamic, land values increase because the value of what can be produced on that land increases. When land prices go up, home values go up.
A recent report from Forbes.com lists Charlotte at #2 in its list of cities that have the most potential for home prices to rise in the long term.
At this point, it’s clear the subprime contagion won’t be contained in the next year, based on the acceleration of home price drops and foreclosures nationwide. But when the bad vintages of loans finally come off the books, the cities where prices are expected to rebound are largely those with vibrant economies.
“The logic is pretty straightforward,” says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com. “People will spend as much on housing as their income will allow them. House prices are very closely tied to household income over the long run when you look at business cycles.”
This means that recovery is likely in the cards for even the hardest-hit spots. Cities such as Atlanta and Colorado Springs, Colo., may be reeling from high defaults and foreclosures, but from 2007 through 2012 their economies are expected to experience 2% and 1.6% average annual job growth. That means more in-migration and more money in the economy, factors that help businesses grow and profit — and put more money in residents’ pockets.
As local economies grow bigger and more dynamic, land values increase because the value of what can be produced on that land increases. When land prices go up, home values go up.
Monday, February 14, 2011
3 More Reasons to Love Dark Chocolate
As if you need another reason to eat chocolate! We know dark chocolate is one of a number of foods containing antioxidant-rich compounds known as flavonoids, which have been shown to improve heart health. Well, three studies now show that eating dark chocolate has even more health benefits. Here’s the scoop:
Reason 1: Dark chocolate can decrease blood pressure and lower the risk of developing diabetes in healthy individuals.
Reason 2: Dark chocolate may be an anti-inflammatory.
Reason 3: Dark chocolate may keep you feeling fuller, longer.
Enjoy but don't overindulge!
Reason 1: Dark chocolate can decrease blood pressure and lower the risk of developing diabetes in healthy individuals.
Reason 2: Dark chocolate may be an anti-inflammatory.
Reason 3: Dark chocolate may keep you feeling fuller, longer.
Enjoy but don't overindulge!
Friday, February 11, 2011
10 Tips To Protect Your Home While Away On Vacation
Happy Friday everyone! With spring break fast approaching, here are 10 tips to protect your home while away.
1. Turn down your thermostat, but don’t shut it off. You shouldn’t set your thermostat any lower than 55 degrees in order to protect your pipes from freezing.
2. For our northern friends, arrange for snow removal in your absence in case there’s a storm while you are away. Massachusetts law requires residents to clear their own sidewalks and walkways six hours after a storm takes place and you’re not off the hook if you are out of town.
3. Make sure to hold the mail and newspaper. If you can’t have someone pick it up every day, it’s a sure giveaway that nobody’s home and can be a green light for burglars.
4. If possible, leave a key with someone you trust, preferably a neighbor and have them keep an eye on your home while you’re gone. Make sure to offer returning the favor and thank them with a gift when you return.
5. Unplug all electronics that don’t need to used like the television, coffee maker, and home computers.
6. Lower the temperature on your water heater.
7. If you can, leave a car in the driveway and use timers to turn on outdoor and indoor lights to give the impression that someone is home. Leaving the porch light on the entire time you’re gone is a bad idea. If you don’t have a timed light, you can leave an interior light on for the duration of your trip as long as you can’t easily notice it during the day.
8. As excited as you may be to go on vacation, avoid advertising it over Facebook and Twitter. Also, keep this in mind while posting updates from your cell phone on vacation.
9. If you have access to one, place all your valuables in a safe or safe deposit box.
10. Remember, if your house is on the market, you can ask your REALTOR® to stop by and check in. While you’re on vacation, it’s a great time for showings because you won’t have schedule conflicts.
1. Turn down your thermostat, but don’t shut it off. You shouldn’t set your thermostat any lower than 55 degrees in order to protect your pipes from freezing.
2. For our northern friends, arrange for snow removal in your absence in case there’s a storm while you are away. Massachusetts law requires residents to clear their own sidewalks and walkways six hours after a storm takes place and you’re not off the hook if you are out of town.
3. Make sure to hold the mail and newspaper. If you can’t have someone pick it up every day, it’s a sure giveaway that nobody’s home and can be a green light for burglars.
4. If possible, leave a key with someone you trust, preferably a neighbor and have them keep an eye on your home while you’re gone. Make sure to offer returning the favor and thank them with a gift when you return.
5. Unplug all electronics that don’t need to used like the television, coffee maker, and home computers.
6. Lower the temperature on your water heater.
7. If you can, leave a car in the driveway and use timers to turn on outdoor and indoor lights to give the impression that someone is home. Leaving the porch light on the entire time you’re gone is a bad idea. If you don’t have a timed light, you can leave an interior light on for the duration of your trip as long as you can’t easily notice it during the day.
8. As excited as you may be to go on vacation, avoid advertising it over Facebook and Twitter. Also, keep this in mind while posting updates from your cell phone on vacation.
9. If you have access to one, place all your valuables in a safe or safe deposit box.
10. Remember, if your house is on the market, you can ask your REALTOR® to stop by and check in. While you’re on vacation, it’s a great time for showings because you won’t have schedule conflicts.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Today is Umbrella Day
Today, February 10th is Umbrella Day! Fortunately, today here is Concord, NC, we do not need to use it. On rainy days, we are sure glad someone was smart enough to invent it. Celebrate Umbrella Day in a couple of ways. First, make sure you have one handy. Second, use it or walk around with it.
Can you think of any other use for it? Make it a great Umbrella Day!!!
Can you think of any other use for it? Make it a great Umbrella Day!!!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Great News for Home buyers & Sellers!
According to Bloomberg Businessweek........Homebuilder executives and economists predict a post-Super Bowl bounce in demand for residential construction as Americas turn their attention from football to another national pastime - house hunting.
A revival in demand for new houses may bolster a U.S. economy that is 19 months into a recovery.
Spring is a popular time to buy because house hunters often want to have their home finished by July or August before the start of the school year in September.
That is great news for everyone!
A revival in demand for new houses may bolster a U.S. economy that is 19 months into a recovery.
Spring is a popular time to buy because house hunters often want to have their home finished by July or August before the start of the school year in September.
That is great news for everyone!
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