Oct
21
2010
It’s only 10 days until Halloween! Have you done your Halloween shopping yet? Halloween spending is expected to go up this year. The National Retail Foundation’s annual suvey on Halloween spending for costumes, candy, decorations projects that the average American will spend $66.28 per person this year as compared with $56.31 last year.
Halloween On-Line Magazine has identified 101 tips and ideas for celebrating Halloween as well as Halloween safety tips for parents, kids, pets, homeowners. Check them out!
If Halloween crafts are your thing or you need a refresher course on pumpkin carving, Halloween On-line Magazine is a great resource for these as well. Check out the great options for Halloween recipes, as well. Download great, free Halloween screen savers for your computer.
Read up on the history of Halloween. Bet you’ll find out all sorts of facts you didn’t know! HalloweenMagazine.com is a fabulous resource on all things Halloween!
Charlotte, North Carolina boasts what is considered one of America’s best and scariest haunted houses–Woods of Terror on Church Street. Need more information about how/where Charlotte celebrates Halloween? Contact Carolinas Realty Partners.
Sep
11
2010
May you always keep the memory of those lost on that day in your hearts and never forget those who are still with us.
Family, friends, and loved ones are the backbone of our happiness. Don’t forget to tell your loved ones how much you care.
God Bless America!
Sep
03
2010
During the Labor Day Holiday we celebrate the achievements of American workers and the contributions they’ve made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. Labor Day weekend also officially marks the end of Summer. Over this Labor Day weekend take a well deserved break, recharge, refresh, and get ready for fall!
Here’s a wonderful video about the history of Labor Day. Enjoy!
Aug
31
2010
The last big summer holiday weekend is fast approaching… here are some tips to keeping your Labor Day holiday weekend safe and fun!
TRAVEL TIPS:
With so many people heading out on the roads to travel to their holiday destination, here are some great tips from America’s Road Team Captains to ensure you travel safely:
Prepare your vehicle for long-distance travel: Check your wipers and fluids. Have your radiator and cooling system serviced. Simple maintenance can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road before you leave your home.
Plan ahead: Before you get on a highway, know your exit by name and number, and watch the signs as you near the off-ramp. Drivers making unexpected lane changes to exit often cause accidents.
Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
Use a map or GPS: Surprisingly, few motorists plan their routes, even when driving through unfamiliar areas. Knowing the road is essential for safe driving – it allows you to anticipate lane changes and avoid a panicked search for directions.
Leave early and avoid risks: Leave early and allow for delays in your travel schedule. Know your limitations: don’t drive when tired, upset, or physically ill. Remember, nothing beats planning, preparation and patience.
Be aware of truck drivers’ blindspots: When sharing the road with large trucks, be aware of their blind spots. If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, the truck driver can’t see you.
And don’t forget that it’s always a good idea to plan for extra traffic. Don’t speed to get somewhere faster. And if you’re going to a Labor Day party where alcohol is served, don’t drink and drive… organized a designated driver in advance.
HEALTH & SAFETY TIPS:
- Stay hydrated: this summer has been hotter than ever. Most likely Labor Day weekend will remain hot. It’s easy to dehydrate on a hot day, especially if you are participating in outdoor activities. Take water with you and drink it.
- Water safety: if you plan on water sports, be sure to have plenty of life preservers and life rings available. Have one preserver available for each person on a boat. Have a cell phone handy in case of emergencies. A first-aid kit on board is a must, as well.
- Don’t get burned: keep plenty of sunscreen on hand and use it! Nothing ruins a weekend holiday more than getting burned the first day out!
- Keep kids safe: always make sure there’s enough adult supervision if young kids are around (especially in and around water).
- Keep food safe: have plenty of ice on hand to keep perishable food cool. Click here for some great barbecue and food safety tips.
Following these few tips will ensure a happy and safe holiday weekend. Happy Labor Day from Carolinas Realty Partners!
Jul
04
2010
Independence Day has always been one of our favorite holidays. It’s a time of friends and family, and an opportunity to celebrate all the things that make our country such a special place.
Happy 4th of July from Carolinas Realty Partners! We hope the rest of your summer is just perfect!
Jul
02
2010
Lots of things happening in and around Charlotte to celebrate during the upcoming 4th of July weekend. Here’s just a small sample of things to do:
- Charlotte Symphony Pops Presents Celebrate America starts off the weekend celebrations with its Summer Concert Series on Saturday, July 3rd. Albert-George Schram will be conducting the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra with a patriotic musical concert and sing-along, which will be followed by a fireworks display. Pack a picnic and enjoy the Symphony under the stars at Charlotte’s Symphony Park in SouthPark! Preludes at 7 p.m.; orchestra concert at 8:15 p.m.
- Town of Waxhaw Celebration: takes place on Saturday, July 3rd and runs from 10am till 10pm. Cost is free. The historic town’s parade will beging at 10:00am in downtown Waxhaw. Evening events will include the Red, White, and Blues Music Festival featuring several bands. Lots of activities for kids. Lots of food. The famous Waxhaw fireworks display starts at 9:30pm. For more information, click here.
- Nights of Fire at Carowinds Park: Sunday, July 4th a one-of-a-kind fireworks display launched from the top of the Carolina Skytower. Carowinds guests can spend a day of fun in the 108-acre theme and water park, topped off with the state-of-the-art, computer designed and controlled pyro-musical fireworks show. The computer produces a brilliant and thrilling show, firing shells in precise time to music with an accuracy of 1/100th of a second. Show begins at 10:00pm and is free with park admission. Free admission to the park for military personnel.
- Red Rock, Whitewater & Bluegrass Celebration: begins at 2:00pm on Sunday, July 4th at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Lots of food, music, and fireworks.
- Charlotte Knights Skyshow: one of the largest fireworks displays in the southeast takes place at the Charlotte Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, SC right after the baseball game.
- Red, White, and Boom: on Sunday, July 4th is Uptown Charlotte’s celebration at Memorial Stadium starting at 6:00pm and with fireworks starting at 9:30pm. For kids (young and old), there’ll be balloon artists, tug of war, sac races, watermelon eating competition and more. For more information click here.
- Fireworks At Lake Wylie: There is nothing quite like fireworks over water. Enjoy the scene over Lake Wylie which straddles North and South Carolina just south of Charlotte. Buster Boyd Boat Landing S.C. Hwy. 49 at Lake Wylie, on Sunday, July 4th at 9:30 p.m. Best of all, it’s free!
Carolinas Realty Partners wish you a happy and safe 4th of July holiday!
Jul
01
2010
Here are some great tips to keep your Independence Day weekend fun, but safe!
If you are entertaining and planning to grill outdoors, follow these tips:
- Never grill indoors! And keep the grill away from trees, the house, campers and tents, and enclosed areas.
- Keep children and pets away from the grill. Don’t leave the grill unsupervised.
- Use long-handled tools.
- If coals are already ignited, don’t add starter fluid.
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions when using your grill.
Some fireworks safety tips:
- Keep water handy.
- Don’t let small children handle fireworks.
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions and wear eye protection.
- Don’t throw fireworks at people, pets, cars, etc.
- Stay at least 500 feet away from professional firework shoes.
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place and where children and animals can’t get hold of them.
Carolinas Realty Partners in Charlotte wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend!
Jun
28
2010
Did you know that automobile traffic is expected to increase 17.1% this coming weekend for the 4th of July holidays? Did you know that the National Safety Council has named the 4th of July holiday the “deadliest” due to lots of travel, alcohol, and fireworks?
In North Carolina, state troopers will be on the lookout for the following this week right through the holidays:
- Speeders. so try to stay within speed limits. Troopers and police will be particularly vigilant for speeders who appear to have been drinking.
- Texters. New laws in North Carolina prohibit texting while driving. For your safety and that of others don’t do it! Police will not be kind if they catch you!
There’s also a new traffic law in North Carolina that requires you to move over one lane if you see police, fire, ambulance lights on the side of the road. If you can’t move over one lane, you need to significantly slow down. This law has been in effect in many states, but is relatively new here and lots of drivers are not aware of it. Again, troopers and police have their orders to keep their eyes peeled for violations.
Here are a few tips to keep your travels safe this coming weekend and weekend:
- Allow extra time for your trip. With all the cars on the road, it makes sense to allow for delays on the roads, rather than driving recklessly and/or speeding to get somewhere on time.
- Be more vigilant and aware of traffic conditions around you when on the road. Drive responsibly. Use caution in work zones.
- Be well rested and alert. It can help to make stops to re-energize.
- Keep equipment in your car for “on-the-road” emergencies.
- Always buckle up.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Don’t let your gas tak get too low.
- Clean your windshield and car lights. Don’t forget to turn those lights on if you after the sun sets and if you are driving in bad weather.
If you follow these simple tips, your holiday travel should be a safe and pleasant experience!
For more information about the Charlotte area from Carolinas Realty Partners, click here.
Jun
20
2010
We may not shower him with praise
Nor mention his name in song,
And sometimes it seems that we forget
The joy he spreads as he goes along,
But it doesn’t mean that we don’t know
The wonderful role that he has had.
And away down deep in every heart
There’s a place that is just for Dad…..
Author Unknown
Jun
14
2010
Today is Flag Day… you’ll be seeing lots of flags proudly flying at many Charlotte area homes. One of my fondest memories is marching in the Flag Day parades throughout the 1950′s in New York City, first as a Brownie and then as a Girl Scout. When I got old enough, being selected to carry the flag was always a great honor!
Flag Day is a day when all Americans celebrate the flag by showing respect for the flag and its makers and its designers.
The original U.S. flag was authorized by Congress on Saturday, June 14, 1777. It had 13 stripes – 7 red and 6 white – that represent the original 13 colonies. There were 13 white stars in a blue field representing a new constellation. Since the birth of our country, the American national flag has changed some 27 times between 1777 to 1960. Click here for a great history of Flag Day and pictures of how our flag has changed since 1977. If you are looking for great children’s activities for Flag Day, click here.
So even if your town doesn’t have a parade today for Flag Day… celebrate the occasion by flying your own flag!
It’s only 10 days until Halloween! Have you done your Halloween shopping yet? Halloween spending is expected to go up this year. The National Retail Foundation’s annual suvey on Halloween spending for costumes, candy, decorations projects that the average American will spend $66.28 per person this year as compared with $56.31 last year.
