Charlotte NC| The Dish On Charlotte
August 17th, 2008 Categories: Charlotte News and Politics
reprinted from CNN who reprinted this Southern Living article- hope you like it.
Story Highlights
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Culinary school Johnson & Wales University relocated to Charlotte in 2004
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The banking boom brought a diverse market hungry for fine dining
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Uptown serves power lunches by day and buzzing nightlife after hours
By Kim Cross
(Southern Living) — Nibble your way through Charlotte, North Carolina, and you’ll taste the New South. Shining on the Piedmont with a modern skyline and brimming with emerging restaurants, this is a city that savors the fresh and the new.
The outdoor patio at M5, a popular spot in SouthPark 
Charlotte’s emergence on the food radar — a recent and welcome debut — combines fascinating ingredients: a surging urban renaissance, support from the country’s No. 2 banking town, and fresh talent from the newest campus of Johnson & Wales University. This well-respected culinary school’s 2004 relocation from Charleston, South Carolina, cemented Charlotte’s position as the South’s new food city.
The restaurant revolution
You may remember Charlotte as a steak-and-potatoes place, home of the country club rib eye. That was before the banking boom brought an international workforce and a diverse market hungry for fine dining. Sophisticated palates demanded more — and got it.
Now the restaurant revolution is in full force. Take our neighborhood-by-neighborhood tasting tour.
The tasting tour
Uptown: Urban and upscale
Power lunches by day, buzzing nightlife after hours — what a far cry from the old ghost town days.
for more Visit The dish On Charlotte
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Things-To-Do Charlotte, NC| August 15-17
August 15th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News
Exciting things to do in Charlotte, NC this weekend of August!
A Night in the Islands
Friday August 15, 8:00 pm ($5-$10)
Queen City Ballroom (10403-I Park Road)
Love to dance? Experience the Caribbean by learning to dance to the island beat. It cost $5 for a lesson and $10 for the dance which includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Grab a partner and dance this Friday night in Charlotte!
found in The Charlotte Observer
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Smashing Pumpkins
Friday August 15, 7:00 pm ($36-$46)
Ovens Auditorium
Catch the Smashing Pumkins live on stage at Ovens Auditorium with lead singer and front man Billy Corgan as they perform tracks like “1979″ and “Tonight, Tonight.”
found in The Charlotte Observer
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Pan for Gold
Saturday August 16, 10:00 am- 4:00 pm (5 and under free, $4 for seniors, $6 for adults) 
Historic Latta Plantation
Learn about Charlotte’s rich gold mining history and pan for gold at the miner’s cabin! Hourly house tours available throughout the day as well.
found on www.charlottecultureguide.com
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SlamCharlotte Poetry Slam
Friday August 15, 8:00 pm ($10)
McGlohon Theatre
The 2007 national champions of spoken word poetry return with special guest Shihan of HBO’s “Def Poetry Jam” fame.
found in The Charlotte Observer
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Gateway Village YMCA Book Bash
Saturday August 16, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm
Gateway Village Promenade
Get some philanthropy work in this weekend by helping the Gateway Village YMCA in their 7th annual event to collect elementary- school supplies for 1,000 needy children. There will also be games and inflatables.
found in The Charlotte Observer
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Movies in the Park @ Ballantyne
Friday August 15, 8:00 pm (FREE)
Ballantyne Corporate Park sponsored by Crosspoint Church. Watch Eragon (PG, 104 minutes) in the park with the family along with free popcorn and bottled water. There will also be face paintings for kids. To get to the park, follow the signs off John J. Delaney Drive.
found on www.charlottecultureguide.com
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‘Ornament as Art’
Saturday August 16, 10:00 am- 5:00 pm
Mint Museum of Craft and Design
This exhibit at the Mint Museum features 300 pieces of contemporary jewelry. The exhibit is also subtitled “Avant-Garde Jewelry from the Helen Williams Drutt Collection.”
found in The Charlotte Observer
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American Idols Live Tour
Sunday August 17, 7:30 pm
Time Warner Cable Arena
If you were a fan of this season of American Idol, catch performances by David Cook, David Archuleta, and eight other finalists this Sunday in Charlotte, NC.
found in The Charlotte Observer
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Stone Temple Pilots
Sunday August 17, 7:30 pm ($20-$49)
Call the babysitter and head to Stone Temple Pilots this Sunday evening. It is certain to be a night to remember.
found on www.charlottecultureguide.com
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Mark Millar and Tony Harris
Sunday August 17, 2-5:00 pm (FREE)
Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find (1957 E 7th St.)
The artists who wrote the graphic novel “Wanted” as well as executive-produced the recent hit movie will sign copies of their book “War Heroes.”
found in The Charlotte Observer
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It is a strong buyers market here in the greater Charlotte area. Thinking about moving to Lake Wylie? Lake Norman? Or Charlotte? You can quickly compare area prices with the links below, or just give me, Terry, a call at 704-351-1519. I am a Buyer’s Agent specializing in relocations and 2nd homes–and will represent only you.
Charlotte Home Search -By Area
Moving To Charlotte? Like a Good Introduction to the Area?
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Charlotte Real Estate|July Home Sales Report 2008
August 14th, 2008 Categories: Buy A Charlotte Home
Charlotte Home Sales fell 29% in July, Prices off 5% for the Area, Compared to July 2007
In the 15 County area covered by the Carolina MLS, home sales continued their roughly 30% decline over 2007 sales accompanied by average cost per square foot price reductions of 5%. Median home prices fell further at 7%, reflective of purchasers attitude spending a bit less for their home than last year. As expected, Days on Market as measured in the MLS (an admittedly less than reliable number) is up 20%.
This summary is just that– its composed of many sub-markets, as you can see below, some are doing much better, and some are worse. There are even “sub-markets” within these broader sub-markets, so any Home Buyer, before making an offer MUST compare a home of interest to its neghbors when evaluating an offer price.
| 2007 | 2008 | Change, July ‘07- July ‘08 | ||||
| Area | # Sales | Avg CPSF | # Sales | Avg CPSF | # Sales | Avg CPSF |
| Lake Norman | 147 | 167 | 101 | 172 | 31.29% | 2.99% |
| Lake Wylie | 50 | 153 | 33 | 137 | 34.00% | -10.46% |
| Union County | 330 | 122 | 249 | 123 | 24.55% | 0.82% |
| Cabarrus County | 255 | 103 | 167 | 97 | 34.51% | -5.83% |
| Iredell County | 211 | 135 | 149 | 129 | 29.38% | -4.44% |
All data comes from the Carolina MLS, but is not provided by them
This is a microcosm of the national markets as well- while the trend is down, there are many “up markets” and the Standard and Poor Case Shiller Report cites Charlotte as the best major market in the US.
Clearly the MLS (Days On Market) DOM figures are unreliable at best, but homes are staying on the market, by the averages, longer, and just in the last few months we’ve seen a bit more movement on price-but nothing dramatic. And dramatic changes here are Not (IMHO) coming, check out my reasoning in this post, Charlotte- More Good Years Ahead.
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It is a strong buyers market here in the greater Charlotte area. Thinking about moving to Lake Wylie? Lake Norman? Or Charlotte? You can quickly compare area prices with the links below, or just give me, Terry, a call at 704-351-1519. I am a Buyer’s Agent specializing in relocations and 2nd homes–and will represent only you.
Related Links
Charlotte Home Search -By Area
June 2008 Home Sales Report
A Waterfront Beauty at Reflection Pointe
Moving To Charlotte? Like a Good Introduction to the Area?
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Davidson NC- College Town Living Minutes from Lake Norman
August 13th, 2008 Categories: Lake Norman Real Estate
by Kelli Robinson
I’ve always enjoyed college towns. The mix of people, places, and things creates a cultural hub that’s fun to explore. Davidson, NC, located off of Interstate 77 exit #30, is no exception. The town gets its name and personality from Davidson College, a small liberal arts college in the heart of downtown. What’s neat about the Town of Davidson is the fun it offers everyone.
The kids and I visited the town last week and again today. I had read about a cool sandbox park that I thought they would enjoy, and they definitely did. Caldwell Green Tot Lot is an enclosed grassy area with a huge sandbox that is partially covered with a canopy. Despite the heat, my son and daughter dug tunnels and built castles for almost an hour.
After a picnic in the shade, I treated them to milkshakes at The Soda Shop on Main Street. Every small town Main Street has its resident diner; and Davidson is no exception. Opening in 1951, the restauant’s claim to fame is the variety of milkshakes and real fountain sodas. The burgers, sandwiches, and homemade sweet potato chips aren’t too bad either!
This week the Davidson Public Library hosted an event, Northern Folktales on the Green, to kick off its summer reading program. Stories, crafts, and songs were the main attractions, as well as people dressed in 16th century European attire. My daughter enjoyed the stage performers, and my son enjoyed making a medieval wishing wand. By the way, the Village Green is literally a greenspace located at the center of town along Main Street. It plays host to events throughout the year, including Concerts on the Green and Art on the Green.
This summer the Town of Davidson has organized a Farmer’s Market that operates from May until October. The Davidson community has an earthy, grassroots feel to it, likely a reflection of the liberal arts college. It was only a matter of time before a Farmer’s Market found it’s way here.
Speaking of the college, don’t overlook the opportunity for wonderful - and inexpensive! - entertainment a college campus can offer. If you don’t follow college basketball, you missed this year’s Cinderella story of the Davidson Wildcats, who made an impressive appearance at the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in March. My husband and I took the kids to a game this past winter and had a blast. If art or the performing arts is your passion, the college offers music, plays, and art exhibits for the public at reasonable prices.
If you’re in the mood to explore new territory on a summer-fall Saturday, try the Town of Davidson. Check out the Farmer’s Market. Lounge on the Green in the Adirondack chairs provided. Browse the unique shops, and enjoy lunch at one of the Main Street eateries. If you still have room for dessert, a Soda Shop milk shake or Ben & Jerry’s sundae hits the spot. Then take a walk around the picturesque campus. Sounds like a nice outing to me!
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