Neighborology Blog Entries - Charlotte, NC @ Neighborology

Economy Puts Life in Perspective: In These Challenging Times Giving Puts It All Into Perspective

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Time are hard. Everyone is saying it. Haven't yet felt it? Perhaps, you are still doing well and want to give back to the community as a thanks to the universe for your good fortune. Well, now is your change.

Thought I would post here about a great organization that makes a real difference in the Charlotte area. While many have heard of them, perhaps, there are some who haven't or those who want to learn more.

The organization which I am speaking about is Crisis Assistance Ministry. Located just outside downtown Charlotte, NC. Crisis Assistance Ministry focuses on helping those in financial crisis. If you haven't already done so, check out their website at http://www.crisisassistance.org or check out their you tube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWKkFb5fqqI

In these harsh economically challenging times, it is important to remember that most people are just a pay check away from needing the services that Crisis Assistance Ministry provides. Although to a large extent the Charlotte area has been insulted from the economic woes that plague the rest of the nation, the economy ultimately causes a domino effect when high prices result in stretching what was already a tight budget.

You might be asking how can you help. Well, at Crisis Assistance Ministry there are various avenues for you to assist them in providing these essential services. For instance, if you want to volunteer, go to the Crisis Assistance Ministry page on Idealist.org http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Org/9858-236 or check out the Hands On Charlotte page http://www.handsoncharlotte.org/. Among the volunteer opportunities available are Emergency Financial Assistance volunteers who assist by interviewing clients regarding their financial crisis. Volunteers are also needed at the Home Essentials store, the only free store in North Carolina. Volunteers are needed to sort donated items so that they can be ready to be placed on the well-organized shelves for distribution to those in financial crisis in Charlotte. If you feel the calling to donate funds, you can also do that at the Crisis Assistance Ministry Website (http://www.crisisassistance.org)

If you are looking for an opportunity to give back to the community, Crisis Assistance Ministry is a great find your niche. Why not be productive and help those in need simultaneously. As Mohammad Ali said, "Service to others is the payment you make for your space here on earth." Let's give back to the community right here in Charlotte.

J Astete-Lewis
http://www.webfullcircle.com

HandyPerson

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Does anyone know of a reasonable, reliable, good handyperson that will install ceiling fans?

New Retail Shops

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Does anyone know what type of retail shops are coming at Eastfield & Ellenwood? I think the area is going to be called Shops at Edison Square.

Five, Fun, FREE Things To Do With Kids In Charlotte

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Here's my dilemma.
I'm cheap and I'm pathologically practical.
I also have two small children who need and deserve exposure to stimulating and fun experiences.

My son, Liam (2) and daughter, Kendall (6 mo), are home with me two days a week as I run a video production business out of our third-floor office. You'd think it was easy to entertain two little humans, for a few hours a day, twice a week. But, the backyard gets old quick. As does our tiny neighborhood park.

Weekly jaunts to Discovery Place, Chuck E Cheese and various museums exhausted our entertainment budget too quickly. So, I set out to find places in Charlotte where we could spend some quality family time without spending a lot of money...or any money at all!

Here are my top five. Enjoy!

1. Airport picnics: EASY and FREE! Pack a light picnic lunch for the kids and head to the runway overlook at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. The planes take-off and land right in front of you. Shady trees with picnic tables or benches closer to the runway. Off Old Dowd Road near the intersection with Besser Drive.

2. US Nat'l Whitewater Park: Sit on rocks, right at the water's edge, and wave to rafts full of people splashing by! Precision kayakers are also great to watch as they navigate the Olympic-level whitewater course. Food is available on site, but it's just as fun to pack a picnic and find a spot on the well-kept grounds around the course. Walking trails hug the entire perimeter of the course. 820 Hawfield Road, Charlotte, NC 28214 704-391-3900 http://www.usnwc.org

3. Latta Park/Dilworth: This neighborhood park in historic Dilworth is a hidden treasure off of South Blvd near Southend. Great walking trails along a rambling creek, shady trees over an ample playground area (with recycled rubber flooring, awesome!) and, best of all, a gated fountain that makes hot summer afternoons much easier to bear! From Interstate 277 in Charlotte take Exit 1E, South Boulevard, and go south away from the city. Go 0.4 of a mile to a left turn at East Park Avenue. Stay on East Park Avenue for four blocks to marked roadside parking spaces on the right. Park in the marked spaces and proceed down the small hill to the creek running through the center of the park. Clean, plenty of trash cans, abundant picnic locations.

4. Freedom Park: Bigger and better known than Latta, it's just as clean and inviting. Ample green space for kids to run around, a huge playground that includes a long row of swings, a sand pit with hand-operated cranes for scooping, an authentic steam engine gives kids the chance to see what the view from a locomotive is like, walking trails criss-cross the entire acreage and you can always sit and enjoy watching the native waterfowl frolic in the pond. 1900 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 704 432-4280

5. The new LYNX light rail service: Okay, I know, it's only 9.6 miles from start to finish, but, my son never gets tired of sitting at the window watching south Charlotte wiz by! Adults do have to shell out a whopping buck-30 ($1.30) for a one-way ticket, but kids ride free. Compared to Chuck E Cheese...$2.60 for a roundtrip on a Sunday afternoon is practically free. http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/LYNX/home.htm

Please share YOUR fun and free family entertainment ideas!

Holiday Stress

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

The holidays are here once again. Its a time of family gatherings, gift giving, sharing and stress. The reason our stress levels rise up around this time every year is because we have the wrong idea about what Christmas really means. We bombard ourselves with having the right decorations, christmas trees, buying gifts left to right, writing, addressing, and stamping christmas cards, and cooking. Christmas is so commercialized that many of us are driving into more debt by spending excessively when we don't have to, all the while still paying off credit card debts from last year or the year before. We just keep piling on more pressures than anyone can take. Actually, Christmas is the season to celebrate Jesus Christ by appreciating life and being thankful for what been given to us regardless of circumstances. In return, helping adults & children who are in need of clothes, food, toys, and shelter. Giving what you can (money) to credible charities. Buying presents for someone doesn't have to be expensive either. Its the true gentle thought that counts.

The BCS Standings

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

I'm sorry, but I truly am still floored over the way the standings ended up.

Missouri on top?! BC at 11th?! Viriginia Tech at 6th?

Yeesh. Honestly, I thought this was BC's year, but like a typical Boston team, they almost never fail at letting you down just when you think they're actually going to make it.

Of course, with the Sox winning two World Series Championships in this decade and the Patriots [much to my sadness] doing so well, then maybe it's just Boston College that really sucks and I can no longer blame a mysterious curse for our downfalls.

VT and BC game. This Saturday. Prediction: BC 20, VT 17

We shall see....

xo
Rachel

Fall

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

I love this time of the year. I love the cool crisp air and the wind how it blows my hair.
The best thing about fall are the leaves. I feel like I am surrounded by a rainbow. My favorite color of this fall rainbow is red. I love how it grabs your attention and makes you aware of the beauty that is fall.

Neighborology profiled on About.com!

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Check out what About.com had to say about Neighborology!

"Neighborology.com (props to them for a very cool name). This site is abuzz with features. They have forums, a section for photos, chat, local reviews and blogs, all accessed by way of a stylish user interface. Users create a home, which is basically a personal page. Then you can interact with others in the site. You can also create private communities for you and your pals. That's just a cursory review of the site. Anyone ever used the site? If so, let us know what you think."

Why don't you leave a comment and let them know what you think of Neighborology:

http://apartments.about.com/b/2007/11/08/social-networking-with-neighbors-part-deux.htm

Greetings to one and all

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Hello Charlotte Neighborology community. There's not much here now, but I hope to bring you more of Charlotte through my eyes. Stay tuned!

Earth Fare coming to Rock Hill next summer!

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

I don't know about you, but I'm excited:

Earth Fare to open Rock Hill store next summer

The wait for a new grocery store in the old Harris Teeter on Cherry Road will stretch on for a few more months but an end is in sight.

Earth Fare says it has signed a lease at Winthrop Commons and expects to finish renovations sometime next summer. Though a June opening is possible, July or August is a more realistic target, said Troy DeGroff, Earth Fares director of sales and marketing.

More at the Herald:
http://www.heraldonline.com/109/story/175596.html

Wal-Mart coming by the Concord Mills Mall

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

What do you guys think of the new Wal-Mart that is coming to the CC Mills Mall area? I personally think it is going to have a negative impact on the area

New Feature

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

By popular request, we have added a new feature! You now have more options to customize the display of your Home Welcome page. You can now hide items (e.g. blog, forum, etc.) and change the number of items you wish to display.

Please let us know if you have any other feature requests!

Have any suggestions or comments?

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Hi everyone! Do you have any suggestions or comments about how to improve Neighborology? Please let us know. We always love to hear from our users. Use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page to send us a private message or leave your comment below.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Charlotte Housing Market Report for September

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Here we are - courtesy of REALTOR Reflections magazine (November 2007). The latest report on residential sales trends for the Charlotte area. Yes, it is November, but it takes time to compile data, so the September report is the most current.

Click here to see their report.

For more detailed reports, we have several on Top Charlotte Agent that have been broken down by area, and include information on the average sales price, and how long homes are remaining on the market before being sold.

Charlotte's Fall Color Show

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

As many long-time Charlotteans know, fall color in the North Carolina mountains can be pretty spectacular. This past weekend I took a trip up I-77 to play some golf at Olde Beau Golf and Country Club, and then tour some vineyards - yes, we have vineyards in North Carolina.

The weather was nothing short of spectacular - mid 60’s - and the mountain views were wonderful! The golf course is at 3200 feet, with awesome views and the greenest grass I’ve seen in months (with our drought situation and all . . .). We enjoyed our round and I think I spent more time taking pictures than actually trying to play well, which may explain all of the lost balls.

On Saturday we toured some of the NC Vineyards, and also ventured up into southern Virginia for a few tours. What we learned was that you can’t judge a book (or vineyard) by it’s cover (or external appearance). Some of our favorite wines were from the small, out of the way vineyards.

With the amazing weather, clear skies, and beautiful fall colors - it doesn’t get much better!