Archive for the 'The Charlotte Scoop' Category

Cocoa, Music, and Santa.. . Enjoy Winter Fun in Weddington

December 7th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Real Estate Grind, The Charlotte Scoop

There are so many choices of holiday events going on throughout Charlotte and the surrounding areas.  The Town of Weddington has some attractive alternatives that both you and your children can enjoy as you breathe the crisp, clean and cold winter air.  The Town of Weddington is located about fifteen miles southeast of Charlotte and fourteen miles from Monroe.  Here are highlights of Weddington events going on this week:

1. Bright Lights, Little Town.  The town of Weddington will have their 1st Annual Town Hall Tree Lighting Event on December 8, 2008 at 6:00 pm.  Enjoy coffee, cocoa, cookies, and the company of the friendly Weddington citizens.  Since this is the first year for this event, I’m sure that the town would love a big turnout which can set a precedent for years to come.
2. Musical Melodies.  The Marshville Elementary School Music Machine will present a Christmas concert on December 9, 2008 at 6:30 pm.  Advance tickets are $1 and tickets at the door are $2.  Being a  band member while in school,  I know that the students would love the support of their local community in addition to their family and friends.   
3. Share Breakfast with Santa.  The Weddington Optimist Club will host a breakfast with Santa at the Siler Presbyterian Church’s Fellowship Hall on Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 8:00 am-10:30 am. The breakfast will include all you can eat pancakes, bacon, sausage, orange juice, and coffee.  Tickets are $4.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 3-10.    Bring your camera to take a picture with the special breakfast guest, Santa.  What child or adult as well would not enjoy sharing a meal with Santa?  Santa enjoys the solo midnight milk and cookies snack on Christmas Eve but I’m sure that he would enjoy meeting you for a more nutritious meal and pleasant company.

Weddington has a lot to offer and many of these events could be enduring annual traditions for you and your family.

Spoken by Satyra Riggins | Discussion: No Comments »

Ballantyne Has Booty!?

November 24th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Good stuff we find, The Charlotte Scoop

Are you looking for a hidden treasure in this tough economic time?  The South Charlotte community of Ballantyne has a bevy of budget-friendly and fun activities during this holiday season.

• The Ballantyne Village Theatre is offering a Retro Film Series during this holiday season.  You can enjoy a blast from the past with “The Grinch”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and “Wizard of Oz.”  You and your family can catch these flicks for only $5 (reserved seating) or $7 (unreserved seating).  I think that’s a great bargain for a movie classic, don’t you?

•  If you would prefer an outdoor activity, come enjoy a complimentary horse drawn carriage ride at Ballantyne Village shopping and dining venue on December 4th from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm.  This sounds like a great after dinner treat for couples enjoying dinner at one of the great restaurants at Ballantyne Village. 
•  Run, Run, as fast as you can, you can catch me in Ballantyne.  Come to Ballantyne Resort to view gingerbread houses.  The gingerbread houses are being judged through late November and will then be on display through late December.  Admission is free though donations are encouraged to benefit the Levine’s Children Hospital. The Gingerbread Man is a favorite book in my household thus I know that my family and I will be enjoying this event.

 Thus, you can enjoy the holiday season despite living with this tough economic time.  Who knows maybe you’ll opt to change the way that you navigate the entire year by seeking activities that are both fun and easy on your budget.

Spoken by Satyra Riggins | Discussion: No Comments »

Huntersville, NC-past,present,and future

November 20th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Real Estate Grind, The Charlotte Scoop

Are you looking for a surrounding Charlotte area town that mixes the past, present, and future into a world-class town? Huntersville, North Carolina is your answer.

Huntersville is a town ten miles north of Charlotte with a population of approximately 40,000 people.

Huntersville offers a broad range of housing needs including waterfront condominiums, town homes, and single-family homes. The average housing price in Huntersville during the month of September 2008 was $206,131.80. The average housing price during the month of October 2008 was $285,795.60. Thus, housing prices seem to be faring a little better in Huntersville as compared to the national trend.
THE PAST

Huntersville is the home of Torrance Store, the oldest store in North Carolina. Torrance Store dates back to the 1700s. Huntersville is also the home to seventeen additional historic sites that are within a five mile drive of Beatties Ford Road. You and your children can spend your days exploring this plethora of North Carolina history.
THE PRESENT

Huntersville has world-class retail shopping. Birkdale Village which is on Sam Furr Road includes national retailers like Williams Sonoma, Gap and Ann Taylor Loft.
Lake Norman, a manmade lake with 520 miles of shoreline, has been instrumental in shaping Huntersville’s present. The influx of residents who own and/or rent waterfront vacation properties has brought prosperity and commerce to the Huntersville area.

Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics provides a fun place for families. It includes full aquatic and fitness facilities. The facility hosts regional, national and world-class swim and dive competitions.

There is presently so much to see and do in Huntersville now but what lies ahead?

THE FUTURE

Huntersville has a bright future.
Discovery Place Kids will open in Huntersville in 2009. This regional children’s museum will offer children ages one to seven with the opportunity to learn and play at the same time. Huntersville families who had previously ventured into downtown Charlotte for the children’s museum experience will now be able to enjoy that experience in their hometown.
Huntersville will also experience an influx of retirees. Money Magazine ranks Huntersville as one of the top 20 places in North Carolina to retire.
Would you like to find the past, present, and your future in Huntersville? Does Huntersville sound like your ‘kind of town?” Seek and ye shall find in Huntersville!

Spoken by Donna Johnston | Discussion: No Comments »

Free RE/MAX Client Party! Top realtors in Charlotte will be there.

October 13th, 2008 categories: About Our Realtors, The Charlotte Scoop

Ride in the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon

Spoken by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Wells Fargo Calvary (sort of) to rescue Wachovia. Charlotte too!

October 3rd, 2008 categories: A Charlotte Institution, The Charlotte Scoop

The Calvary arrived in Charlotte today! The Wells Fargo Bank of Sand Francisco announced today it’s own rescue package, buying Charlotte’s Wachovia bank for a more respectable amount. Surely it does not heal all wounds but on first blush looks like a well deserved break for Wachovia employees, shareholders and Charlotte. Maybe the sun will rise versus set on a new friend for Charlotte. Read more here in the Charlotte Business Journal.

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Sun sets on an old Charlotte friend | Wachovia

September 29th, 2008 categories: A Charlotte Institution, The Charlotte Scoop

I just learned through of all things a twitter from Justin Ruckman at the CLTBlog that the weekend rumors were true ~ our old corporate friend Wachovia has been purchased by New York’s Citigroup. Hard to believe this banking behemoth of Charlotte is being fire-sold at $1 a share.

Here are a couple news links
Charlotte Business Journal “Citigroup to buy Wachovia’s banking operations”
Charlotte Observer’s Mary Newsome “How Wachovia sale affects Charlotte’s growth”

**I realize the picture is sunrise ~ but I know that even with this stumble the sun will come up tomorrow over Charlotte…bet your bottom dollar….!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

101 Great things to do in Charlotte NC #83 Phillips Place

August 31st, 2008 categories: A Charlotte Institution, Charlotte Eats, Fun for Grown Ups, The Charlotte Scoop

83. Phillips Place - Fine, upscale shopping opportunities, along with breathtaking landscaping, line the streets at Phillips Place

Once in a while we have a Charlotte attraction that is just too big & too much fun that it merits its own post! Phillips Place is one to those attractions! Phillips Place has it all ~ Rhonda and I are there on average once a week and we have plenty of great memories there! I’ll share a few as we take a tour.

Catch a movie in the beautiful Phillips Place 10 movie theater (we saw the first Harry Potter (Rhonda’s fave) a midnight show!)

One of Rhonda’s and my favorite people Lyn Conger is part owner of Charlotte’s nattiest clothing store Taylor Richards Conger and be sure to check out their new women’s shop TRCW!

We LOVE the roasted Prince Edward mussels (and everything we’ve ever tried) at Upstream ~ we agree its one of the best seafood restaurants ever! Great unsung sushi bar too.

Then its on to the Dean & Deluca Wine Room ~ one of Charlotte’s first and still best ~ sit outside and people watch, once the tress aer dressed in the twinkling white Holiday lights you might even think of Paris (OK it depends a bit on the number of glasses) and yes we have sat outside there in November! Oh and don’t forget the incredible Dean & Deluca Deli across the street — can’t tell you how many quick delicious pre-movie meals we’ve had here and if you love red velvet cake there’s is the best!

Il Posto Osteria is one of the best Italian trattorias you will find ~ high praise since I grew up in New York! I love pasta and had the beat mushroom ravioli ever at Il Posto ~ al fresco dining is a must here!
The Palm Let’s just say if you are looking for a special night out or to entertain an important business client you won’t go wrong. Greta steak, big lobsters and huge portions! Who know maybe you’ll get your caricature on the wall!
PF Chang’s We love the casual, always great Chinese cuisine. My son Ryan picked Chang’s for his first dinner date…aahhhh!
Restoration Hardware Explore, especially fun at the Holidays when they bring in all kind s of cool gadgets — fill your stocking here!
Smith & Hawken  Charlotte is lucky to have this store! Rhonda says it’s “therapy for your green thumb”

Hampton Inn & Suites  Excellent place for intown guests (we put up our wedding party here ~ they almost did not make it to the wedding!), not your average Hampton with great views and a short walk to all of the amenities described here!
Post Park Apartments  Like what you see here? Well why not live right here in Phillips Place — some of Charlotte’s most luxurious apartments Relocating? Why not stay here while you decide where to decide where to buy your Charlotte home!
(101 Charlotte things to do courtesy of NC Tourist Guide)

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

NC Mountains to the Sea Expo Charlotte 9/12~14 2008

August 27th, 2008 categories: Real Estate Grind, The Charlotte Scoop

Charlotte is surrounded by magnificent mountains and gorgeous beaches. And some say right now Autumn is the best time to visit both. The beaches are at their natural and peaceful best and the mountains are exquisite as the brisk breezes and colorful fall foliage kick in! Boone NC is just two hours away and the Charleston beaches are an easy three hour drive!

Photo courtesy Balsam Mountain Preserve, Sylva NC

You might wnat to check out the NC Mountains to the Sea Expo coming to Charlotte Friday, Sept 12, Saturday, Sept 13 & Sunday, Sept 14 Open to the Public | Admittance is free.

From the Mountains to Sea Expo press release…
“Targeting the Charlotte area’s homebuyers and investors interested in second-home, retirement and investment opportunities in the Carolina’s most exclusive resort real estate communities, Mountain Property Showcase LLC and Exclusive Land Holdings LLC, are bringing their celebrated “Mountains to Sea Real Estate Expo” to Charlotte. The three-day community-tour weekend will be held Sept. 12 -14, 2008, at the Charlotte Marriott Executive Park at Tyvola Road and I-77. This first-annual Charlotte Expo offers free admission to the general public.
The upcoming “Mountains to Sea Real Estate Expo” in Charlotte is a three-day educational and discovery “home tour road show” event that will showcase up to 24 of the top Carolina and Charlotte area developers and their residential communities located in the exclusive resort lifestyle areas of the Western North Carolina and Tennessee mountains and the Carolina coastal areas.
At the Mountains to Sea Real Estate Expo, potential homebuyers and real estate professionals can compare and shop the various developments without having to spend days or even months driving from community to community searching for the ideal second-home resort location.”

We can not endorse the Expo or vouch for the builders or any of the communities but it looks like a great opportunity to check out several communities at once. Good Luck and of course if you find something that strikes you fancy let us know we’d be happy to do some research and check it out for you!

Here are some of the communites represented:
Hampton Lake (Bluffton, SC), GlenLaurel Preserve (Brevard), Mountain Air (Burnsville), Sugar Pointe (Banner Elk), Reynolds Mountain (Asheville), Sunset Falls at Bald Creek (Waynesville), Wilderness Trail (Banner Elk), The Settings at Lake Rhodhiss (Black Mountain), The Hammocks on Bald Head Island (Bald Head Island), The Lodges at Eagle’s Nest (Banner Elk), Leatherwood Mountain (Ferguson), The Reserve at Sugar Mountain (Banner Elk), Red Tail Mountain (Mountain City, TN), Balsam Mountain Preserve (Sylva), Queen’s Gap (Rutherfordton), Mountain Club at Cashiers (Cashiers), The Cove at Celo Mountain (Burnsville), Vista at Bill’s Mountain (Lake Lure), River Country Estates (Piney Creek), Crestview Mountain (Sparta), and Trillium/Chinquapin (Cashiers).

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

HomeArama 2008 coming to Charlotte’s Palisades…again!

August 12th, 2008 categories: HomeArama 2008, The Charlotte Scoop

The Palisades is one of Charlotte’s most beautiful lake communities. Nestled on the coves of Lake Wylie this planned community played host to the 2005 Charlotte HomeArama. The Charlotte Observer’s Allen Norwood reflects that at the time…“the neighborhood was so new that the entrance road asphalt was still warm and the mortar in the entry monument was still wet.” Well the pavement is cool and the mortar is now set, set for a “best ever” 2008 Charlotte HomeArama October 4-28 at the Ranch at The Palisades! Allen goes on to say…

“The soccer fields and clubhouse are in place in The Palisades, off N.C. 49 above Lake Wylie, he said, and the new Episcopal School is open. The HomeArama site is in The Ranch, a gated equestrian neighborhood inside the 1,500-acre development, and there’s a huge new commercial horse barn that will be available to any horse lovers.

“Galloping trails” ramble through The Ranch, the way 18 holes of green space might twist through a golf course community. Lots are 1 acre and average $340,000. Each lot will accommodate a two-horse stall. Medall said he expects some horse lovers to buy two or three lots to create larger estates.

He expects homes to range from 4,000 to 10,000 square feet – and the three HomeArama houses, the first in the neighborhood, are on the imposing end of that range.” (read the entire article here)

Picture of the main horse barn at the Palisades Ranch

You won’t want to miss this one so mark your calendars and make plans for the premier of the Ranch at the Palisades, TalkCharlotte you apprised of all the details and great info about discount tickets, events and builder profiles! If you’d like to tour HomeArama with one of  us we’d be happy to give you complimentary tickets!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Charlotte’s Cullen lights up the Cube! Olympic Gold

August 11th, 2008 categories: Good stuff we find, The Charlotte Scoop

Charlotte’s own Cullen Jones was part of an astonishing Olympic swimming performance lighting up the cube last night!

Rhonda and I almost turned the TV off but waited to see the most exciting swimming performance ever! And icing on the cake (or I guess polish on the medal) Cullen Jones (far left picture below) lives in Charlotte and trains at our world class Mecklenburg Aquatic Club MAC for short.

To watch the videos here — click on the medals!

Do you have a swimmer? A future Olympian?

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 1 Comment »

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