Archive for August, 2008

101 Great things to do in Charlotte NC #83 Phillips Place

August 31st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Living, Real Estate News

Great things to do in Charlotte NC

83. Phillips Place – Fine, upscale shopping opportunities, along with breathtaking landscaping, line the streets at Phillips Place

Once in a while we have a Charlotte attraction that is just too big & too much fun that it merits its own post! Phillips Place is one to those attractions! Phillips Place has it all ~ Rhonda and I are there on average once a week and we have plenty of great memories there! I’ll share a few as we take a tour.

Catch a movie in the beautiful Phillips Place 10 movie theater (we saw the first Harry Potter (Rhonda’s fave) a midnight show!)

One of Rhonda’s and my favorite people Lyn Conger is part owner of Charlotte’s nattiest clothing store Taylor Richards Conger and be sure to check out their new women’s shop TRCW!

We LOVE the Charlotte restaurants especially roasted Prince Edward mussels (and everything we’ve ever tried) at Upstream ~ we agree its one of the best Charlotte seafood restaurants ever! Great unsung sushi bar too.

Then its on to the Dean & Deluca Wine Room ~ one of Charlotte’s first and still best ~ sit outside and people watch, once the tress aer dressed in the twinkling white Holiday lights you might even think of Paris (OK it depends a bit on the number of glasses) and yes we have sat outside there in November! Oh and don’t forget the incredible Dean & Deluca Deli across the street — can’t tell you how many quick delicious pre-movie meals we’ve had here and if you love red velvet cake there’s is the best!

A few more great Charlotte Restaurants in Phillips Place

Il Posto Osteria is one of the best Italian trattorias you will find ~ high praise since I grew up in New York! I love pasta and had the beat mushroom ravioli ever at Il Posto ~ al fresco dining is a must here!
The Palm Let’s just say if you are looking for a special night out or to entertain an important business client you won’t go wrong. Greta steak, big lobsters and huge portions! Who know maybe you’ll get your caricature on the wall!
PF Chang’s We love the casual, always great Chinese cuisine. My son Ryan picked Chang’s for his first dinner date…aahhhh!
Restoration Hardware Explore, especially fun at the Holidays when they bring in all kind s of cool gadgets — fill your stocking here!
Smith & Hawken Charlotte is lucky to have this store! Rhonda says it’s “therapy for your green thumb”

Hampton Inn & Suites Excellent place for intown guests (we put up our wedding party here ~ they almost did not make it to the wedding!), not your average Hampton with great views and a short walk to all of the amenities described here!
Post Park Apartments Like what you see here? Well why not live right here in Phillips Place — some of Charlotte’s most luxurious apartments Relocating? Why not stay here while you decide where to decide where to buy your Charlotte home!
(101 Charlotte things to do courtesy of NC Tourist Guide)

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Charlotte home prices showing signs of life

August 30th, 2008 categories: Market Trends

As we have said before the Charlotte residential real estate market never got white hot..

like so many markets around the country ~ we have been lucky to have a steady mix of people relocating to Charlotte and an equally steady cadre of developers..one of our favs! So while this news is welcome it is not all that surprising ~ yes things have been slower but people are selling and buying homes in Charlotte at a steady pace. It is a very good time to buy in Charlotte!

Ripped from the Headlines courtesy of  the Charlotte Observer, read Stella Hopkins’ full article here.

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Friday Fly Fun or How to swat one!

August 29th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Living

On my way to grab some coffee today I heard this story on NPR radio about why its so darn hard to swat flies. (I hate flies, spiders and snakes BTW) How do they know the swatter is coming? How do they move so fast ? Do they think it through, or is it instinct? Well low and behold Michael Dickinson and Gwyneth Card have been working pretty hard to find the answers and what they found (Insect Flight, Michael Dickinson: Current Biology 8/28/08) is pretty darned interesting.

There is a good reason flies escape…they dance!  “They perform an elegant little ballet with their legs,” says Dickinson. “They move their legs around to reposition their bodies so that when they do jump, they will push themselves away from the looming threat.” Who knew? So there you have it, read Joe Palca’s NPR article here and watch the amazing stop action videos (click on the fly over there>)
…so next time you might just outwit that fly! Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

101 Great things to do in Charlotte NC #86~84

August 29th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Living

86. The Comedy Zone - Live Comedy Venue that features local, national, and international talent every weekend.

85. Richard Childress Racing Museum – The excitement of NASCAR Winston Cup racing can be found at the Richard Childress Racing Museum.

84. Pit Crew U and 5 off 5 on – Drop in on the school that is training the best pit crew in NASCAR. The school offers a basic eight-week program, Pit Crew U, followed by an optional advanced-level course, called “5 Off 5 On: Race Team Performance.” The term “5 off 5 on” refers to a tire-changer’s duty: Five lug nuts come off, five go on.

(Charlotte things to do courtesy of NC Tourist Guide)

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Southern Women’s Show 2008 | Food fashion & fun | Charlotte 9/18~9/21

August 28th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Living

Southern Shows is a Charlotte institution. I know! I went to high school with current President David Zimmerman and worked at the shows during high school for the legendary (and really classy & nice) Charlotteans Robert and Joan Zimmerman founders of the company (David’s parents). By the way the Zimmermans are also reknown for their family & friends Christmas Grog parties which were lavish enough to spawn a “teen” Christmas party with the leftovers! 

The Zimmerman family continues to put on some of the most amazing & fun lifestyle shows in the country the Charlotte Southern Women’s Show (here in Charlotte 9/18 (and eleven other cities) & the Christmas Show are awesome!

What you may not know is the Zimmermans and crew also host three of the most impressive home renovation and garden shows ~ if you are building, remodeling or planning your dream home you don’t want to miss this!

• Southern Spring Home & Garden Show  coming March 4~8 2009
• Southern Ideal Home Show  Charlotte Merchandise Mart  9/5~9/7
• Southern Kitchen & Bath Show  Charlotte Merchandise Mart  9/5~9/7

Enjoy the shows and make sure you save the date for the Christmas Show ~ the strudel is to die for!

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

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