Asheville’s Economic Progress is a Shining Beacon in NC

By Katie · Comments (0)

Friday, May 17th, 2013

When a city lands a spot on Forbes Magazine’s coveted list of Best Places for Business and Careers list like Asheville, North Carolina did in 2012, it’s a pretty special event. Asheville continues to grow economically with an unemployment rate almost a full point lower than the national average making it a great place to start a new business.

Economic Indicators

Description: Asheville NC Growing Economic Outlook

Image via Flickr Kolin Toney

According to the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County, in February of 2013, the unemployment rate dropped to 6.8 percent—the national average rate is 7.6 percent. Other economic indicators attracting new businesses include an increase in retail trade up 11.2 percent from 2012 and the leisure and hospitality industry up 11.3 percent.

Residents are enjoying Asheville’s prosperity as well with an increase in new home sales of 49.7 percent. The city’s economy also indicates the need for new homes with residential building permits up 52.4 percent from 2012. Read More→

Things To Do Memorial Day Weekend in Charlotte 2013

By Katie · Comments (0)

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Here is a great list of things to do Memorial Day weekend in Charlotte and surrounding areas!

Food Lion Speed Street 600 Festival May 23 – 25

Known as the world’s largest race festival and celebrating NASCAR’s heritage in the Charlotte area, this annual event features entertainment and family oriented fun for all ages. FREE!

Memorial Day Trail Race and Celebration at the US National White Water Center Saturday, May 26

Kick off Memorial Day weekend with a challenging 5 or 8-mile race through the USNWC trail system. The races will be followed by a Memorial Day celebration that includes entertainment, food, drink, fireworks and live music. Read More→

What You Missed at the Beach, Blues, & BBQ Festival in Monroe, NC

By Katie · Comments (0)

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

A couple of weekends ago, we headed out to the 4th Annual Beach, Blues, and BBQ Festival in Monroe, NC to show our support for Hometown Heroes. Since I have never been, I had no idea what to expect, except of course that there would be some serious BBQ eating going on!

Before we even saw what was happening, we could hear the music and smell the BBQ! As we rounded the corner we saw our very own HomeTown Heroes selling tickets to the BBQ! All proceeds from the sales of BBQ went to help all the kids of Hometown Heroes!

Walking through the sea of people, it was really difficult to decide which BBQ to sample. With each purchase you received 5 tickets for 3 oz samples of BBQ…How the heck am I supposed to decide which BBQ to try out??!!

As we walked around, we heard The David Michael Band performing – They could ROCK! I must see if they play anyplace local, I have to see then again!

There were lots of kids games and rides.

“Touch a Truck”

And even some tractor showing it’s skills lifting a basketball off something.

Or maybe it was a backhoe? Who knows, I am not a farmer…I can’t even keep a houseplant alive. Read More→

Today’s Greatest Performers and Why You Need to See them Live Now!

By Katie · Comments (0)

Saturday, May 11th, 2013

Whether you like rock, pop, country, classical, or something in between, there is a concert made for you. Concerts give artists the opportunity to improve and engage with their guests—something you can’t get from simply listening to their music. So, take a look at some of the greatest performers in 2013 and why you need to see them live.

Paul McCartney’s Out There Tour

Description: Paul McCartney

Image via Flickr by darrioferrini

Paul McCartney started his career as a singer in The Beatles, but has done several albums and collaborated with numerous artists since. His “Out There Tour” is three hours of music covering albums from his entire career. McCartney’s long music career makes his concert appealing to a wide range of listeners.

P!nk’s Truth About Love Tour

Description: P!nk CD

Image via Flickr by jm3

One of the greatest women in music, P!nk is touring in 2013 to promote her album, “The Truth About Love.” Her music is a cross between Janis Joplin and Madonna and she always brings a powerful show that will keep you on your toes. There’s no denying how popular P!nk is, as she has sold over 40 million albums and 70 million singles worldwide. Don’t miss your opportunity to see her perform live.

One Direction’s Take Me Home Tour

Description: One Direction Boy Band

Image via Flickr by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer

Boy bands have always found their place in the music scene, but One Direction is different because they first found fame on the 2010 British television competition, the X-Factor. Now, they have reached the top of the charts and created a huge teenage fan base. One Direction is touring in 2013 to promote their album, “Take Me Home.” Cute guys, an awesome band, and great music make this a concert you don’t want to miss. One Direction is better live than on CD. Read More→

Top 6 Tricks to Get The Best Deal When Purchasing a New Car

By Katie · Comments (0)

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Shopping for a new car can get pricey, but if you’re smart about it, you can find better deals to help you receive a new car at a price that you can afford. Use the following guide to help you get the best deal when purchasing a new car.

1. Watch For Promotional Deals

Image via Flickr by The Toad

If you keep on the lookout, it’s not going to take long before you run across a promotional offer that will allow you to buy an affordable car. For example, you might take note of various commercials or advertisements featuring fair prices and loan rates, or you might add your name to different dealerships’ email lists to stay on top of the latest sales.

2. Trade In Your Car

If you’re not going to use your old car when you purchase a new one, then you can save money by trading in your car. For example, if you’re shopping for Sheridan Nissan Wilmington Delaware new cars, you can sell your old car to the dealer to drop the price of the new car.

3. Shop in December

One of the best ways to save on a brand new car is by shopping at the end of the year. The prices are lowest at this time because this is when the newest models are coming out, and dealers are trying to make more space for the new vehicles. Even if you’re not getting the latest and greatest, you’ll still be buying a car that’s fresh and all your own. Read More→

Puppy Play Time at Petco

By Katie · Comments (0)

Monday, April 29th, 2013

Hi!

I am Minnie… a 5 month old Cocker Spaniel and found myself in a new house with Rosie, Chloe and the rest of the family! I have had a lot of new adventures, but one of my favorite things to do is go to Puppy Play Time at Petco!

I get to meet new friends.

Run with my friends.

Play with my friends. Read More→

The Chains of Marley Book Review

By Katie · Comments (1)

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Recently I had the opportunity to review the book, The Chains of Marley, by local Charlotte author Charles Cabler. Mr. Cabler takes us down a path of showing us the importance of contributing to the welfare of mankind, using Jacob Marley, the ghost who visits Ebenezer Scrooge in the Charles Dickens novella, A Christmas Carol, as an example. Mr. Cabler wants to show us it is not all about ME ME ME, sometimes, you have to help your fellow citizens, in order to have a fulfilled life. Jacob Marley, the business partner of Ebenezer Scrooge spent his whole life hoarding what he was earning. Treating his family, friends (if he had any) and employees with no compassion, respect or kindness. After he dies, he visits Ebenezer Scrooge…and you know the rest, Scrooge ends up seeing how life could have and would have been and could be…All because he changes the way he treats people.

The Chains of Marley is an excellent book for anyone to read. I think it would be especially helpful for those going through any sort of “tough” spot in their life. Life has not been fun or easy for me in the last few years. I have struggled so much with the loss of my Mom, the grief of myself and family members, the loss of my day job, and then the loss of Maggie. However, through it all, I have tried really hard to be nice. I try to help people all the time, because I KNOW it makes me feel better. But sometimes, you hit a point where you look to the sky and go, “Really God? I try so hard to be such a good person…I do not understand why all of this is happening to me…I can’t be nice any more…I give up.” And that happened to me…I felt like I could no longer be nice. Read More→

Tickets for the Beach, Blues, and BBQ Festival – Monroe, NC May 4th

By Katie · Comments (0)

Thursday, April 4th, 2013

Monroe’s 4th annual Beach, Blues & BBQ festival will take place May 4 in Downtown Monroe starting at 11 a.m. Enjoy the music of The David Michaels Band, On the Border Eagles Tribute Band and The Catalina’s. There will also be rides, food, arts, craft vendors, “Touch-a-Truck” and the New City Scholars desert competition. This year we are proud to announce the addition of two non-profit organizations that will benefit from this event. Hometown Heroes will be taking over the “BBQ Cook Off Competition” and hosting a “BBQ Tasting” and Safe Alliance (Formerly United Family Services) will be hosting a Corn Hole Tournament as a fundraiser for their organization.