Archive for January, 2010
Charlotte Arts and Science Council Begins 2010 Fund Drive
January 28th, 2010 Categories: About Charlotte
Charlotte’s Arts and Science Council- or ASC for short, is one of the most successful, if not the most successful independent fund raising group for the arts in the nation. After a decade run of steadily increased funding for the arts, in many years ranking only behind New York City in funds raised, the economic slide and uncertainty led to a dramatic drop in ASC funding in 2009, from $11.2M to $7.2M and the wrenching of budgets began for non-profits across the city.
This year’s goal is $7.3M, running through March 12, reflects the uncertainty still in the economy. However, $2.5M is already pledged from the biggest players in town- Bank of America, Duke, Wells, and they are increasing their support over 2009. That is welcome news.
Here is he Mission and Vision of the Arts and Science council from their website:
Mission & Vision
The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is:
• The community’s chief advocate for arts, science, history and heritage
• A gatherer and steward of public and private community resources
• An investor of those resources in the cultural sector and community
• The strategic planner for the community’s cultural sector
• The public art agent for the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
Mission:
Building appreciation, participation and support for the arts, science, history and heritage in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Vision:
Shaping a vibrant cultural life for all.
Please give generously,
your personal donations start here, business donations start on this page.
Thank you ASC for your excellent work. Good Luck in 2010.
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Help In Haiti
January 15th, 2010 Categories: Everything Else
Haitian Relief-
verified. Ok. There are scammers out there, but here is the easiest and fastest way to donate:
American Red Cross: Text the word HAITI to the number 90999- a $10 charge will appear on your next phone bill, they have now raised over $6M through this text alone! AT and T guarantees an immediate donation to the Red Cross.
Salvation Army: You may donate $5 by texting the word “Haiti” to 45678,these funds will go directly to the Salvation Army
Stop reading start texting 
Save the Children has a huge ongoing relief effort trying to sort out and re-connect children to families, make a donation here
Once again the US armed forces will be on display as a force for good in the world. My son, himself a Navy helicopter pilot, has East Coast pilot friends shipping out of Norfolk as we speak. Lets see what the US and the world can do for these impoverished people.
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The Friends School of Charlotte
January 13th, 2010 Categories: About Charlotte, Charlotte Schools and Education
Friends School of Charlotte
Friends School of Charlotte
The Friends School Of Charlotte- Next Open House February 4, 9:30-10:30 am
The Friends School of Charlotte is a K-3 learning community in southeast Charlotte, an independent private school within the Friend’s tradition, a tradition established by the Quakers more than 300 years ago.
Friends Schools have a tradition of excellence, and are recognized around the country as providing some of the the very best independent education in the world. Friend’s Schools believe in the dignity of each person, that literally there is a “spark of God” within each student, and believe in experiential learning, learning by doing. Students of all faiths and no faith are accepted. Tolerance is another key virtue. All Friends Schools are based on the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and service.
The most recognized Friends School is Sidwell Friends in Washington DC, where many of Washington’s elites send their children… past -Presidents and the current one, President Obama, chose a Friends School, from the many quality private and public schools available. A Friend’s education is recognized as offering much more than just small “e” education, it educates the total child.
What is a Friends School? What is their “model” of education?
Why would you be interested in a Friends School of Charlotte for your TK to early elementary child?
To me the answer has many layers, but it begins with the Quaker philosophy. The Quaker school of Charlotte then borrows effective precepts from various teaching models. It is guided by the Quaker belief there is God in everyone, and that means each child will be a treasured part of the learning community. There is a culture of respect and caring. If you want your child’s mind cultivated, his/her freedom to express her views celebrated, and want him/her to be a lifelong learner, this may be the place.
The school uses the North Carolina Standard Course of Study as it’s core curricula, a “roadmap of learning goals and objective… but not just a surface understanding, students will be encouraged to to seek, dig deep, analyze and interpret.”
Your childs’ education at Friends School of Charlotte will be inquiry based, experiential learning. There is a strong consensus that children learn best by doing, questioning, analyzing and interpreting their learning. Educators call it “constructivist”, learners “construct” their own learning, facilitated and guided by the teacher. Inquiry is the base mode of learning, the interdisciplinary nature makes it relevant to their lives. Studies have repeatedly confirmed students learn best when the construct their learning- they learn if for themselves, and the learning is relevant.
Your kids won’t be learning tons of little factoids, and tested and tested… they will be loved, inspired and treated with dignity they deserve.
Go meet the wonderful teachers and Head of School at the Friends School of Charlotte.
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Brookhaven New Homes Amenities- a Flip Camera Adventure
January 2nd, 2010 Categories: Communities Under 750K, Communities Under500K, Terry's Top Ten New Home Communities
I began shooting homes and communities with my new Flip camera in September- I found these clips rummaging through my computer at the New Year… so I thought I’d share, they are better than I first thought.
Congratulations to Brookhaven home sellers with 12 home sales in the 4th quarter of 2009.
Brookhaven in Matthews, has been a long time favorite- a Terry’s Top Ten, for new homes and resales in the $400-$800K price range
the majority of homes are in the $550-$650K. Building by John Wieland began in the 2004, and became their most successful community of all time. The Amenity center is one of those reasons- short of country club, there isn’t any community in Charlotte with better amenities AND it’s better than many country clubs- have look from the outside.
HOA fee’s? Under $1000 per year. That is not a misprint!
Year End Brookhaven Market Report
John Wieland has all but completed sales here- they are down to their last 10-15 lots, some of which, surprisingly are very good. New prices are ranging from the middle 600’s- $659 to $699.
There are 27 homes for sale in Brookhaven from $334,000 (hardiplank) to $950,000, the median is $569,000.
Terry McDonald
704-351-1519
The McDonald Team, Wilkinson and Associates, Broker
Relocation, Distressed Properties, First Homes, Luxury Homes
Top Team 2006, Top 10 2007, Top Agent 2008
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/terrymcdonald57
http://www.TerryMcDonaldRealEstate.com
http://www.CharlotteCommunitiesOnline.com
Follow me on Twitter @TerryMcDonaldRE
Charlotte’s #1 Video on You Tube- Introduction to Charlotte
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