Archive for June 23rd, 2008

Charlotte NC’s 10 Not So-Secret (and free) Cures for Summer Boredom!

June 23rd, 2008 categories: Charlotte Living

Mom, I am sooooooo bored! Uh Oh…here we go third day of summer and…

Lucky you, if you happen to be in Charlotte NC here are 10 (not so secret and free) cures for the Summer I’m bored blues! (And they’re not just for Summer!)

From Michelle Crouch at the Charlotte Observer, “10 fun and free ideas for fighting summer boredom” (visit this link for the article and details)

1. Airport Overlook Park. Pack a lunch and come here to watch the planes take off and land at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport.
2. The Mint Museum of Craft + Design. It’s free on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pick up the family guides and scavenger hunts at the front desk, and don’t miss the kid-friendly, hands-on activities on the mezzanine level.
3. Crowders Mountain State Park. About 25 miles west of Charlotte, this park will challenge the experienced as well as the novice climber.
4. Public spraygrounds. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s five spraygrounds feature nozzles and spouts that spray water for children to run through and frolic under.
5. ImaginOn. This uptown magnet for family fun is part children’s theater/part library and it’s always free.
6. Family Day Sundays at the Charlotte Museum of History. The museum, which is always free on Sundays, offers a glimpse into local colonial life and has changing exhibits.
7. The Energy Explorium at Lake Norman. Located at McGuire Nuclear Station, the Explorium features hands-on exhibits and interactive games designed to introduce kids to the wonders of electricity and nuclear power.
8. Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctuary. Connect with nature at this nationally recognized, three-acre sanctuary in the heart of the city.
9. Northlake Mall kids’ play areas. At Northlake Mall’s Warner Bros. Looney Tunes Play Area (across from Dick’s Sporting Goods on the lower level), kids can climb, crawl and jump on their favorite Looney Tunes characters.
10. Mecklenburg Park and Rec Programs. From fishing to birding, kayaking to outdoor movies, Mecklenburg’s Park and Recreation Department has dozens of fun, free programs and festivals for kids and adults alike. www.parkandrec.com.

And please let us know if you find any other secret places to JUST SAY NO TO BOREDOM!
….and you know we could always use a few young hands to stuff envelopes! (just kidding, well not really) Tell us your secret Charlotte summer boredom places…

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

What if I want to talk to a Charlotte Realtor, now? Here’s a secret!

June 23rd, 2008 categories: Buying your Home, Our Charlotte Realtors

We’ve all been there voice mail prompt hell…If you’d like to sell your house please press 1, if you’d like to just listen to more of this great music please press blah…blah…blah…

Well what about the 10th call to your real estate agent? You already know who you’re calling — I JUST WANT TO LEAVE A MESSAGE!!!!

Well there is a better way thanks to the Charlotte Observer’s Rob Pegoraro for these secret tips to help cut through those “Hello my name is…” prompts.

“The total time wasted by these instructions, which play after a person’s recorded greeting, could add up to millions of hours a year. Has anybody ever done anything after hearing the leave-me-a-message greeting but, you know, leave a message?” But if you want to skip the welcome and message options….“If you’re calling an AT&T subscriber, pressing “0” will usually let you start recording your message right away;with a Sprint customer, press “1”; for a Verizon user, use the asterisk key; and when phoning a T-Mobile subscriber, hit the number key.”

So when you want to reach the Charlotte Premier Realty team (a little quicker) here ya’ go — when you’re ready to talk, we’ll listen!

Rhonda Gibbons 704-651-6551 skip the greeting (press * once – Verizon)

Jackie Stutts 704-517-2594

Blake Garvin 704-763-0907

Betsy Mayer 704-840-7948

Donna Johnston 704-517-3925 (Skype her instantly at Donna.Forrest)

and check out this BONUS link for more tips on getting to speak to a human at Bank Of America, Capital One Visa, the Social Security Administration and others!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »