Winterizing your Car

I received some very helpful tips for winter and thought I would pass them along to you once again! S


Preparing your vehicle for the winter season is one of the most important keys to safe winter driving. Have a mechanic check the following items on your car before the temperatures drop.
• Battery
• Ignition System
• Lights
• Exhaust system
• Brakes
• Oil Level
• Antifreeze
• Thermostat
• Flashing hazard lights
• Heater
• Defroster
• Tires/tread
• Wipers and windshield washer fluid
Also, be sure to keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal, and maintain at least a half tank of gas at all times during the winter season

6 Tips to Save $$ and Reduce Energy Costs : Tip 2

2. Wash only full loads in your dishwasher (yet another reason to learn to pack them efficiently!), and if you have time, let them air dry by turning off the drying cycle manually—this can save 20% of your dishwasher's total electricity usage.

6 Tips to Save $$ and Reduce Energy Costs : Tip 1

Interested in saving the planet? How about saving $$? These days, the latter seems to be pretty important to everyone. So, thanks to Emily Hsiesh at Shine, I'm going to share 6 tips with you over the next several days to help you do just that. Plus, I think everyone agrees that working to save the planet is a pretty fantastic idea. So, let's get started!!


1. Check this: refrigerators suck up a whopping 20% of your household electricity use. Time to turn them down! Aim for somewhere between 38-42 degrees in the fridge, and 0-5 degrees in the freezer. If you've got an energy saver switch, make sure it's flipped on. Doors should be sealed tight: to test, stick a dollar bill between the gaskets and close the fridge door; if the bill is hard to pull out you're in good shape. If not, it's time to replace the gaskets.





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Garden Tip

Wait to fertilize spring-flowering shrubs and trees until after they have finished blooming. Early fertilization will promote green growth that hides blooms.










Information Courtesy of the NC Cooperative Extension





Visit www.BrittainMehler.com to search for properties surrounding Greensboro, NC!

A Plan for Homeowners in Financial Despair

A new plan has been put forth by the government to help homeowners in need. The big change is that this time it is not merely aimed at those who are facing foreclosure (approximately 7 million people) but homeowners who owe more on their home than it is worth (approximately 11 million people). Funding for the plan will not come from increased taxes but from the "Troubled Asset Relief Program" which already has funds set aside.

Read the full article here: New York Times

Go to www.BrittainMehler.com to search for properties across North Carolina!

Easy Solutions for an Organized Kitchen

Let's face it. Everyone wants a gourmet kitchen with all of the bells and whistles. In real estate it is something so frequently sought after and rarely discovered. But, click on the link below to see a few tips (provided by local chef Reto Biaggi to the News & Record) on how to have a functional kitchen even if your kitchen won't be gracing the pages of Southern Living.

Downtown Greenway

The official ribbon cutting of the first completed section is March 24, 2010. Check it out!! http://downtowngreenway.org/home/

Greensboro's Most Decadent Chocolate Desserts

Are you getting ready for Valentine's Day? If you don't have a significant other with whom to celebrate with, do you love chocolate? Well, The News & Record has compiled a wonderful list of desserts and the restaurants that offer them... including prices!

Click the link below to view Greensboro's Finest Chocolate Desserts!

The Most Decadent Chocolate Desserts Greensboro Has to Offer

7 Reasons to Buy Your Own Home

1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.

2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.

3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.

4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.

5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your fixed-mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will increase.

6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.

7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.

Online resources: To calculate whether buying is the best financial option for you, use the “Buy vs. Rent” calculator at www.GinnieMae.gov.

F.W. Woolworth Co.

As many of you know, the F.W. Woolworth building that sits in downtown Greensboro is the site of an important and historic nonviolent civil rights protest. Greensboro has long awaited the opening of what is now known as the International Civil Rights Museum. If you have ever been to the Smithsonian, you have likely passed by a portion of that infamous lunch counter where the four young men sat in protest.


Remembering the Greensboro Four


Four freshmen from North Carolina Agriculture and Technical College sat down and sparked a movement.

On February 1, 1960, Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, Jibreel Khazan, and David Richmond sat at the segregated lunch counter at Woolworth's in Greensboro. The students knew the counter did not serve African Americans. But they sat down anyway, following through on a plan they discussed for months.

Despite protests and a strong police presence, the students diligently returned to the counter in the following days, each time gaining more supporters to their cause. Five days later, more than 1,000 people packed the store.

Similar protests were held in Winston-Salem, Durham, Charlotte, Raleigh, Fayetteville, High Point, and throughout the South in solidarity with the Greensboro students.

F.W. Woolworths became desegregated on July 26, 1960.

The Greensboro Four, as they are now called, were honored at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, which opened this week. Gov. Bev Perdue and US Senator Kay Hagan were among those celebrating the grand opening.

The museum is an archival center and teaching facility devoted to the international struggle for civil and human rights. The museum celebrates the nonviolent protests of the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins that served as a catalyst in the civil rights movement.

Click http://www.sitins.com/ to learn more about the Greensboro Sit-ins.




Source: David Young

2nd ANNUAL BRUNSWICK STEW COOK-OFF

BRUNSWICK STEW COOKOFF RESCHEDULED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER



Shallotte, NC – The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce has rescheduled the Brunswick Stew Cook-Off that was to be held this Saturday, January 30. The new scheduled date for the Brunswick Stew Cook-Off will be February 6th 10-4pm at Rourk Woods in Shallotte (same location). Due to the current weather forecast for Saturday, the committee determined it was the only option for the event. “We were hoping to have the event this weekend, but with the projected weather forecast, it is going to prevent us from having the Brunswick Stew Cook-off. We cannot ask for the community to come out to an event in this type of weather” said Cathy Altman, President of the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce.

But what a great way to kickoff Super Bowl weekend! The Brunswick Stew Cook-off is perfect for the entire family and will feature Brunswick stew tastings, a kid’s area, a beer garden, live music by Jaded Mayberry, local crafters, super bowl party giveaway, food vendors and much more! Admission to the event is FREE; however, you must purchase tasting tickets to try the delicious stews. Tasting tickets are $5.00 for 6 delicious tastings. There are four contestant categories: Restaurants, Media, Nonprofits, and Individuals. Event attendees will be able to vote on their favorite stew for the People’s Choice Award 11:00am until 2:00pm, but you can taste until all the stew is gone! An official judging panel will take place from 10:00am until 11:00am that will include D.A. Rex Gore, Sheriff John Ingram, Reporter Casey Roman, Writer Jo Ann Mathews, and 103.7 Morning Show Host Bryan Keith. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top winners in each category, and the overall top stew contestant. The event will kick-off with music from 103.7 The Bone, and then live music will be performed by local band Jaded Mayberry from 12:00pm until 4:00pm. Kids will enjoy a bounce house, clown and complementary cotton candy! For ages 21 and over, a beer garden will be located next to the clubhouse. Enjoy other delicious foods such as barbeque, ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, chicken, and much more. The event will also include a local vendor section with fresh produce and North Carolina crafts, including baskets, pottery, jewelry, pet accessories, soaps, candles and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a super bowl party giveaway including the use of a 50” tv to watch the big game, catered food, cooler full of goodies, NFL Jersey signed by Mark Rypien, beer from Budweiser, and other items that will make your super bowl party the best in the county!

Visitors to the event can find free parking inside the Rourk Woods Development. Rourk Woods is located at 4700 Sugarberry Drive, Shallotte, NC. Directions from Wilmington: Follow 17 South for approximately 28 miles, Turn left on 17 Business/Main Street, Turn left onto 179/Village Road, Rourk Woods is a little over a mile on the right. Directions from Myrtle Beach: Follow 17 North into North Carolina, Turn right onto 17 Business, Turn right on Sellers Street, Turn right on 179/Village Road, Rourk Woods is on the right.

No outside food or drink, no pets, shirt/shoes are required. Event sponsors: Rourk Woods, Shallotte TDA, R.A. Jeffreys Distribution Company of Wilmington, 103.7 The Bone, Brunswick Beacon, South Brunswick Magazine, ATMC and WECT. For more information call 910-754-6644. *Please note that details are subject to change.

5 Common Mistakes Made By First Time Home Buyers

1. They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal.

2. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.

3. They don’t find the right agent who’s willing to help them through the homebuying process.

4. They don’t do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller.

5. They don’t think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years

Winter Weather Advice!

As you know, we're about to be hit with some very bad weather so I thought I would pass along this advice so that you are sure to be prepared.

Many folks west of us that have been hit by this storm are struggling in the cold without power. We could experience the same problems. The weather is forecast to dip down in the teens which can really make things worse. Here's a short list of things to do before we get hit...

• Disconnect outside water hoses and shut off water to outside faucets.
• Find and tag the main water shut off in your house in case of freezing pipes. When they thaw, broken pipes can lead to a huge mess.
• Keep garage doors closed to reduce draft in the home.
• Remove snow build up from awnings and roof.
• Close all storm windows and apply plastic film to older leaky windows.
• Disconnect your electrical appliances if there is a power outage. When power is restored, surges are likely to damage them.
• If power goes out, do not use a non-indoor approved heating devices and keep your generator outside where there is plenty of ventilation.
Two more important tips...
• Please do not go out into the weather if you can help it or drive the roads before they are safe again.
• Bring our furry friends inside. It's going to get very cold this weekend.
I hope you and your family have a safe weekend without problems!

Looking for a house to Rent in Greensboro, NC? What about a Rent to Own??

A lot of real estate agents run away screaming from people who are looking to rent homes. And, to be candid with you, I don't blame them. Many people don't understand how real estate agents make their living and typically they are paid nothing for helping renters. That means they are putting in a lot of time and effort, taking time from other clients, etc. without any hope of receiving compensation. But, sometimes a person has no other option but to rent. If you need a place to rent or know someone that does, check out this house. It is in a fabulous neighborhood- and I mean fabulous. Do you know what else is fabulous? We will even consider a RENT TO OWN situation!! It is the best of both worlds!! Email me if you have any questions!

Looking for a house to Rent? What about a Rent to Own??

A lot of real estate agents run away screaming from people who are looking to rent homes. And, to be candid with you, I don't blame them. Many people don't understand how real estate agents make their living and typically they are paid nothing for helping renters. That means they are putting in a lot of time and effort, taking time from other clients, etc. without any hope of receiving compensation. But, sometimes a person has no other option but to rent. If you need a place to rent or know someone that does, check out this house. It is in a fabulous neighborhood- and I mean fabulous. Do you know what else is fabulous? We will even consider a RENT TO OWN situation!! It is the best of both worlds!! Email me if you have any questions!

For Rent: 3BR/1BA Single Family House in Greensboro, NC, $975/month

Southern Lights Returning this Spring!

Southern Lights Bistro will reopen this spring.

When the restaurant closed last year, co-owner John Drees bid farewell to the old location, confident he would reopen the restaurant that had retained a loyal following for almost 25 years. Today, Drees is a happy man.

"I'm excited. We've made a turn," says Drees.

After months of speculation, and the possibility of a change in the restaurant's name, Drees announced today that he will definitely reopen Southern Lights Bistro at 415 Lawndale Drive, the former home of Roosters Gourmet Market & Gifts.

He says the menu will feature daily fish and chicken items in addition to lots of old favorites

New Jobs for North Carolina

Husqvarna to Add New Headquarters and 160 Jobs in Charlotte
Husqvarna, a global leader in outdoor power equipment, will double its Charlotte workforce with the opening of a new North American headquarters. Husqvarna plans to add 160 workers over the next three years and invest $2.75 million in the project.
“This decision by a top international company such as Husqvarna shows what trade magazines have long said – that Charlotte is among the nation’s best places to live and do business,” Perdue said. “I will continue working aggressively to create opportunities across the state that put our people to work.”
Husqvarna is based in Sweden and employs more than 15,000 workers in 42 countries. It is the world’s largest producer of chainsaws, lawn mowers and other gas-powered garden equipment such as trimmers and leaf blowers. Its products are sold in North America under many brand names including Husqvarna, Poulan, PoulanPro, Weed Eater, Dixon, Gardena and Jonsered.
The company plans to consolidate its Consumer Outdoor Products subsidiary currently headquartered in Augusta, Ga., with its Professional Products headquarters in Charlotte to form one North American headquarters in Charlotte. While salaries will vary by job type, the overall average annual wage for the 160 new jobs will be $79,453, not including benefits. That is significantly higher than the Mecklenburg County average of $48,776.
Under the terms of the JDIG, the company is eligible to receive a grant equal to 55 percent of the state personal income withholding taxes derived from the creation of new jobs for each of the nine years in which the company meets annual performance targets. If Husqvarna meets the targets called for under the agreement and sustains them for nine years, the JDIG could yield as much as $2.5 million in maximum benefits for the company.
For more information about Husqvarna, including job opportunities, visit www.husqvarna.com and click on “Husqvarna Group” at the top of the page.




Source: Office of Governor Bev Perdue

Energy Efficiency Projects Get Funding Across NC

“Main Street” Energy Projects Approved for Recovery Funding
More than $330,000 in federal Recovery Act funds have been awarded to eight North Carolina “Main Street” communities to help with energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. The grants are the first distribution of money from the North Carolina Energy Program for the state’s Main Street initiative.
“North Carolina continues to use recovery funds for job creation and energy efficiency,” said Gov. Perdue. “These grants will provide service jobs for local businesses and help local communities save money on utility bills.”
The Main Street initiative seeks to boost economic development in small towns, including those in rural areas that have been designated by the N.C. Commerce Department’s Division of Community Assistance. A second round of grants is expected to be awarded during the first quarter of this year.
The North Carolina Energy Office, in partnership with the N.C. Main Street Center, awards grants to eligible local governments and/or nonprofit downtown revitalization organizations for projects totaling no more than $250,000. Grants are awarded to Main Street communities for energy audits and planning and policy work to support long-term sustainable changes for energy efficiency.
Local matching funds must be committed for implementation of grant awards on the basis of a minimum of one non-federal dollar for every one federal dollar from the N.C. State Energy Program Main Street Grant Fund.
Click here for the list of “Main Street” projects approved for funding in the first round.