Jun
09
2010
The 2010 Taste of Charlotte Festival begins this Friday and runs through Sunday. This is the 12th year that this popular event is taking place in Uptown Charlotte. Admission is free. You can purchase coins for food tasting at the festival or on-line.
Some of this year’s participating restaurants include some of Charlotte’s perennial favorites: Amelie’s French Bakery; RIRA Irish Pub; Village Bistro; Cafe Sienna; Dilworth Neighborhood Grill; Wild Wing Cafe; and more!
Entertainment will include live music, dancing, magic acts, as well as all sorts of special activities for kids. Click here for more information about each day’s events.
For the shopper, The MarketPlace by CircleK will provide eclectic, boutique style open-air shopping experience.
Festival times and location are:
Friday, June 11th from 11:00am – 11:00pm
Saturday, June 12th from 11:00am – 11:00pm
Sunday, June 13th from 11:00am – 6:00pm
Tryon Street from Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. to 6th Street
Festival Map
If you are coming down the south side of Charlotte, the Blue Lynx train is a perfect way to travel to the festival and there’s no parking worries.!
Apr
26
2010
Today is National Pretzel Day! Pretzels date back to the 7th century in southern France, where monks would bake thin strips of dough into the shape of a child’s arms folded in prayer… add a little salt, and voila! …the pretzel industry was born. It was called “Pretiola,” Latin for “little reward.” Over time, the word “Pretiola” evolved to become “Pretzel.” ( Although, there are some who believe that pretzels were first baked in Italy. I guess we’ll never know for sure; afterall, it has been 1400 years!)
One of my favorite childhood memories growing up in New York City was soft, salted pretzels sold on what seemed to be every street corner and subway station. And back in the 1950′s they were only a nickel!!! I still love buying a street corner pretzel whenever I’m in New York–it’s my dessert after I’ve had a street corner hot dog! And I try to get over the sticker shock as these pretzels certainly are not a nickel anymore!
National Pretzel Day started 27 years ago in 1983 when a Pennsylvania congressman wanted a special day named for his favorite food. Today, the average American consumes approximately 1.5 pounds of pretzels each year and in the US it’s a $560+ million a year business. There are all sorts of little known facts about pretzels. To read about them, click here.
If you are in the Charlotte metro area, today at Carolina Place Mall in Concord you can get a free pretzel from Pretzelmaker.
Mar
11
2010
It is very important to make a great first impression to the potential buyers of your home. Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it’s not luck that makes that happen. It’s careful planning and knowing how to efficiently unclutter your home that will excite buyers. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an appealing and marketable home.
Get rid of those items that have been sitting around for years without being used or even handled. This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it. Buyers and real estate agents should see your house in its best condition from the very first day it’s on the market.
Here are a few approaches to take to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don’t want buyers scratching their heads and saying, “What is this room used for?”
Another way to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell is to make those minor repairs and best of all, make the house sparkle! Only do one room, or even one small area, at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Your best friend is the trash bag; when in doubt, throw it out. Many find it easier to use boxes to sort items, so you don’t have to find a home for everything as you unclutter. Most important, be quick and decisive when sorting. Tell yourself:
• If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
• Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
• Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.
If you are getting your house ready to sell in the Charlotte, Waxhaw, Fort Mill North Carolina areas, then take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas where you can unclutter your home and let myself, Nina Hollander, your agent help you to get your house ready to sell.
Sep
25
2009
We call it a week, but it’s really 10 days of culinary pleasure.
Ten days of Uptown’s top restaurants each presenting exquisite three-course meals for only $35.
Offerings range from the freshest sushi to the thickest steaks. Now there’s no excuse to miss out, so bring a date, bring your mom, or maybe even just treat yourself to some of the best restaurants Uptown Charlotte has to offer, at only a fraction of the normal price.
