CHARLOTTE EMBRACES DIVERSITY WITH CULTURAL MULTIPLICITY September 21, 2015

Charlotte welcomes people from all over the country, and, in fact, the world, who have made the intentional decision to put down roots in the Queen City!

Diverse business opportunities beckon to people to make Charlotte their home. Along with the obvious nod to Charlotte’s business sector and largest employers in the region like Wells Fargo, Carolina’s Health Care System, American Airlines and Duke Energy; Charlotte offers small and diverse business owners a chance to succeed and grow!

Large companies, like Duke Energy, who maintains specific supplier diversity programs, and Wells Fargo, who has a Bank Enterprise Diversity and Inclusion Council, are hiring and promoting minority business owners. Businesses owned by minorities, veterans, and women can receive supplier diversity certification from: National Minority Supplier Development (NMSDC), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WDENC), Small Business Association (SBA), and the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC).

While business opportunities are a large draw to people of all heritages and backgrounds, Charlotte’s social scene is also embracing a multi-cultural explosion!

Celebrations and cultural activities are in abundance during the months of September and October in Charlotte!

September 15^th-October 15^th is National Hispanic Heritage Month! Hola Charlotte Festival 2015 Charlotte’s Official Heritage Festival will fill Uptown Charlotte on October 3^rd. Enjoy fun Latin culture with music, food and dance!

The Levine Museum of the New South will offer an exciting bilingual, interactive exhibit exploring the ever-expanding role of Latinos in the South on September 27^th through October 30^th 2016. A preview night of ¡NUEVOlution! will be on September 25^th 8pm-midnight. Enjoy the fiesta with music, performances, dancing and giveaways!

Also at the Levine Museum, Voto Latino-Power Summit, a conversation about the importance of the Latino vote on Tuesday, September 29 and on October 1^st, Latino Americans, a PBS documentary film series will be presented.

Mint to Move, a cultural dance night will held at the Mint Museum Uptown on October 9^th, 8-11:30pm. Celebrating Hispanic History Month, there will be live musicians, dance, visual and performance art. On October 17^th, 11am-12pm, the Mint Museum will offer De Colores/Many Colors, an interactive bilingual presentation of music, plays and stories.

The Harvey B Gantt Museum for African-American Arts and Culture is offering a collective of visual arts AfriCOBRA Now: An Aesthetic Reflection. It runs through December 31st. I’m walkin’ for My Freedom: The Selma March and Voting Rights runs October 9^th through December 31^st at the museum. In the exhibit, photojournalist Matt Heron captures the march across Alabama that led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

A Lebanese Festival will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church on September 26^th, 11am-11pm. Enjoy Middle Eastern foods, a silent auction, dancing and Lebanese pastries will be available for purchase.

St. Thomas Aquinas will host a World Feast on October 10^th, 11am-7pm. Ethnic foods will be represented by Nigeria, Philippines, Ecuador, India, Poland and much more!

The Levine Jewish Community Center will have a Family Fun Day on October 10^th from 4-6pm. Enjoy a spaghetti dinner, bingo and family fun!

For a giggle with Jewish twist, BAD JEWS, by Joshua Harman will be performed at the Actors Theater of Charlotte. Described as a “vicious and hilarious brawl over faith, family and legacy” this will be sure to have you guffawing! Shows October 28^th through November 4^th.

For your inner Greek god or goddess, have a Date Night: An Evening in Greece Hands-On Cooking Class with Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen! Friday, October 9^th, 6:30-9pm.

For the prince and princess in you, try an English Tea at the Charlotte Museum of History on October 3^rd, 4-5pm! Sip traditional English tea and delicately munch on scones and such while enjoying a presentation of castles, monuments, and buildings of the British Isles.

Gandhi Park in Charlotte at 700 East Trade Street will be the obvious place for the Unity Fall Festival! On October 10^th, 3-7pm enjoy food, exhibit booths, and entertainment celebrating the life and teachings of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi! Hosted by the Charlotte Asian Heritage association.

North Carolina Pride Weekend starts September 28^th. Coco Peru will start the weekend off with the performance of “A Gentle Reminder-Coco’s Guide to a Somewhat Happy Life”. The Queen will entertain you with monologues and songs well known and new! Cocktails at 8:00! Portion of the proceeds will benefit the Crape Myrtle Festival and the Smokin’ Cardinal Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

A Taste of the World is a culinary field trip! Gather at the Van Landingham Estate and take a bus tour to three different restaurants offering international cuisine! The palate hopping takes place on October 1^st.

Davidson College is just 40 minutes from South Charlotte and is hosting a Classical Indian Concert on September 27^th at 3:00pm! The Carnatic violin duo of Ganesh-Kumaresh will perform. This global musical performance will play across genres and will be joined by Sankara Narayanan on mridangam and Trichy Krishnaswamy on Ghatam.

A Khayyam Celebration and Commemoration will be on October 11^th at 3:00pm in the Mint Museum on Randolph Road. The PErsian Arts and Culture Enthusiasts presents live Persian music, dance, art performance and recitation of Khayyam’s poetry!

Communication Italian Style will be happening at J. Sam’s Wine, 4625 Piedmont Row Drive! Italian Conversation: Parliamo Italiano will meet on Sunday, October 11^th, 4-5:30pm.

Eid al-Adha will be celebrated at Muslim Day at Carowinds on September 27^th , 10am to 1pm!

Stammtisch meets every 3^rd Friday! The next meeting will be September 18^th, 7:00pm at Park Place Restaurant in Charlotte. Sponsored by the Austrian Culture Society.

The 40^th annual International Festival will be held on Saturday, October 17^th at UNC-Charlotte! Over 50 nations will be represented with art, crafts, music, dance and, of course, FOOD!

Visit and volunteer at the International House, a provider of direct services for the international community! This amazing, indispensable non-profit has been offering services to immigrants in need since 1981. Conversation hours include, but are not limited to: French, Arabic, Spanish, Portugese, Farci and Chinese!

Charlotte is bursting with international flavor in September and October! Open your mind, tickle your taste buds and go on an international adventure without the baggage fees!

http://www.southcharlotteliving.com

BALLANTYNE IN-FILL COMMUNITIES FULFILL HOUSING DEMAND August 3, 2015

Ballantyne in South Charlotte is one of the most coveted locations for homebuyers.

Great neighborhoods, schools, restaurants, shopping and movie theaters, all within a ten-mile radius, are causing builders in this gorgeous part of Charlotte scrambling to fulfill housing demand.

Home seekers looking for safe, beautiful neighborhoods with upscale homes and apartments will find their wishes fulfilled with several new in-fill communities being built within the Ballantyne area.

Meritage Homes continues to build out Olde Blakeney on Blakeney Heath Road. These single- family homes are priced $469,990 to $594,00. This luxury new home construction has many Energy Star features. There are five home plan options to choose from and one home available for move-in. A new model is open for viewing.Just around the corner, a half-mile away on Bryant Farm Road, Meritage Homes is also building The Enclave at Olde Blakeney. Meritage Homes representatives state that this coming-soon community will be selling at the end of 2015.

Ryland Homes is a busy builder in the Ballantyne area. The Manor at Oakhaven is located on Old Ardrey Kell Road. This charming community will have 38 home sites with range in square feet from 2,800 to over 4,000. Ryland Homes is also offering two new neighborhoods of single- family homes on Providence Road West. Coming in the fall of 2015, Oakhaven will be offering just 18 home sites of elegant home designs with 4 sides brick. Prices will range from t $470,00 to $518,000. Also on Providence Road West, The Estates at Oakhaven is under construction and actively selling. 47 home sites will offer homes with a minimum of 4 bedrooms, three sides cementious siding with Brick or Stone fronts.

David Weekley Homes will be offering award-winning homes in the community of Waverly. Located at the intersection of Providence Road and Ardrey Kell Road, the 90-acre community will offer town homes and single family homes. The neighborhood will include a combination of European, traditional and craftsman architecture.

Upscale apartments in Ballantyne are also in high demand. Builders are filling the need with fill-in communities of high-end rentals. Element South’s 281 units will be completed in early 2016. Located on Marvin Road, these one, two and three bedroom apartments will start at $895.00 for studios. Legacy 521 offers new one, two and three bedroom apartments on Lancaster Highway just 5 minutes from Ballantyne. Roof top patios, fitness center and clubhouse will enhance your social and active lifestyle. Prices range from $1,050-$1,775. A few apartments are move-in ready in the first completed building. Reserve your new home by July 31st and receive half off your first month’s rent! Leasing offers are 10-Month, 11-Month and 12-Month.

Solis Ballantyne is a planned mixed-use community on the corner of North Community House and Bryant Farms Road. The community plan includes 194 units of upscale apartments and retail space.

Ballantyne is a much-desired beautiful South Charlotte Community. Builders are fulfilling the demand for homes with thoughtful in-fill communities nestled in this choice area of the Queen City.

Southcharlotteliving.com

BEAUTIFUL, BUSTLING BALLANTYNE IS NATIONALLY NEWSWORTHY July 11, 2014

 

 

Ballantyne is a not only locally regarded as a wonderful place to live; recently, the 28277 zip code was nationally recognized as the Number 2 Most Moved-into Zip Code in the Country!

Welcomemat Services, a company that provides information to local businesses seeking to reach new residents with direct-mail packets, recently released a report revealing that the Ballantyne, specifically the 28277 area, had 594 move-ins from May 4 to May 31. Charlotte’s University Area ranked 6^th in the country.

Welcomemat was originally founded in Ballantyne Corporate Park in 2003!

Ballantyne Corporate Park is one of the many reasons that this booming area of South Charlotte is so popular.

Ballantyne Corporate Park is a 535-acre office and business community. Beautifully designed by principal developer Bissell Companies, Ballantyne Corporate Park is home to multiple global, national and local headquarter operations, including Insurance giant MetLife. Surrounded by parks, restaurants, bike paths and neighborhoods, Ballantyne Corporate Park is nestled in as part of the Ballantyne community.

Ballantyne residents, both new and long immersed, are not surprised at the new ranking.

Ballantyne enjoys being known as an area to live, work and to play; often described as an Edge City. The South Charlotte Area, which includes Ballantyne, is highly respected, with 12 excellent public schools and a large selection of private school options. Being an Edge City not on a body of water, Ballantyne residents enjoy a full 360-degree choice of travel with the convenience of easy access to the 485 outer loop.

Proximity to Uptown, local hospitals, restaurants, shopping, greenways and schools creates a suburb that allows families the peace of tree-lined neighborhoods without giving up travel convenience to other bustling business and entertainment areas of the city.

There are over 30 restaurants at the main Ballantyne intersection and over 200 restaurants and retail stores within driving distance. Ballantyne is pedestrian and bike friendly, welcoming everyone out into the lovely Southern sunshine!

Ballantyne’s mid to high-range beautiful houses, townhomes and abundance of apartments are a fit for all life styles!

 

 

southcharlotteliving.com

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTHERN TRADITION EMBRACING THE FAITH September 7, 2012

Charlotte, North Carolina has done an amazing job of enfolding wonderfully historic traditional ways with an ever changing, globally diverse population. New Charlotteans and Southern natives can enjoy a burgeoning art scene, a buzzing Center City, beautiful tree-lined streets and neighborhoods, great schools and over 700 places of worship.

The growing diversity of Charlotte’s religious landscape is evident in the south Charlotte’s Ballantyne area’s own little circle of faith. In an eight mile radius Ballantyne has Hope of Israel Messianic, Covenant Baptist Church, Light of Christ Church, South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church and St. Matthew Catholic Church. Amazingly, St. Matthew has become the largest Christian congregation in Charlotte – unheard of in this former “Bible Belt” stronghold of just a decade or two ago! Further,  south Charlotte has the largest Jewish population in the Carolinas. Shalom Park located on Providence Road, is home to Temple Beth El (reform) and Temple Israel (conservative) and is also home to “the J”, a recreation center enjoyed by people of all faiths. Additionally, there are approximately 5000 Muslims living in Charlotte, North Carolina, a significant number of whom live in south Charlotte area despite the fact that no permanent Masjid (Muslim center of worship) close by. Recognizing this gap, South Musalla was established in 1995 in a rental miniature golf retail space to have Friday Khutba & prayers.

Fortunately, religious diversity in Charlotte has created a community of tolerance and understanding. A more than decades old interfaith relationship is shared with Temple Beth El, Myers Park Baptist Church, and three years ago, came to include Ash Shaheed Mosque, as they hold the “Families of Abraham” Dialogue throughout the year. This dialogue offers participants an opportunity to share, compare and appreciate their own faith while learning more about the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths.

And what better way towards understanding than through the arts? The Families of Abraham Photographic Narrative, which explores the commonalities among Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths, has traveled and been exhibited at museums and colleges in North Carolina and around the country and is now on display at the must-visit Levine Museum of the New South (www.museumofthenewsouth.org) through September 9, 2012.
Led by project director and curator Eleanor Brawley, a team of eight local photographers followed eleven Jewish, Christian and Muslim families from the Charlotte area for one year, documenting their faith practices and daily lives.

Charlotte gladly welcomes newcomers into its Southern fold with outstretched arms filled with tree-lined neighborhoods fulfilling the economic, aesthetic and spiritual needs of all residents.  To learn more about our fine Southern, increasingly diverse, community, please contact one of our wonderful agents at Bon Maison Properties 704-541-2500 or visit our website www.southcharlotteliving.com!

POLITICAL ROYALTY WITH A ROYAL PAIN August 30, 2012

This long time Charlottean swoons with appropriate southnerness when receiving a gift certificate for a day at the Ballantyne Spa.

Sitting in the massage chair with my feet contentedly immersed in bubbles, looking out over the beautiful PGA golf course and watching with disbelief as golfers DELIGHTFULLY brave the 98 degree heat to play the 18^th hole is one of the many pleasures of living in South Charlotte.

Late August has the Spa abuzz with the expectation of political “dignitaries” staying at the hotel and lodge during the DNC.  Indeed, the presence of uniformed police and very “secret service” looking people seem to be all about the complex. It is being said that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are coming to our beautiful south side during the DNC.

No doubt the estimated 35,000 people, hundreds of news media and the President himself descending on Charlotte for the 2012 DNC will be impressed with our beautiful city and our especially beauteous south side, but what about our traffic?

We are, of course, extending our Southern hospitality to the dignitaries, and our manners certainly extend to our traffic. No cacophony of car horns blaring in our fine city. But, we do have our fair share of congestion and we do expect the usual I-485 traffic jams as we make our way from the burbs to center city. The more than 35,000 people added to the population will create a traffic nightmare for locals.

Traffic delays, detours and road closures have our many uptown banks and corporations telling employees to work from home and avoid the city altogether. Great solution! Except for South Charlotte, specifically Ballantyne, will now have the headache and pain of traffic delays, detours and road closures. What’s a suburb working girl to do?

Be prepared! Smile and do a southern waltz through that darn nasty commute.

We love our visitors and are honored to be hosting the DNC.

Here is the latest to prepare South Charlotteans for September 3^rd-7^th.

•Eastbound passenger vehicle thru traffic will be permitted on Ballantyne Commons Parkway
between Johnston Road and North Community House Road all day Monday and Tuesday, except for commercial motor vehicles.

• School Buses and CATS buses are excluded from the above restriction.

• Residents and guests only of Camden Ballantyne will be allowed limited vehicular access to/from their community throughout the week via Summit Commons Blvd (East Gate Only) from westbound Ballantyne Commons Parkway.  Access from eastbound Ballantyne Commons Parkway is unrestricted until approximately 9:00a.m. on Wednesday, September 5.

• Residents and guests only of Ballantyne Country Club will be allowed limited vehicular access to/from their community throughout the week via Ballantyne Forest Drive accessed from westbound Ballantyne Commons Parkway.  Access from eastbound Ballantyne Commons Parkway is unrestricted until approximately 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 5.

• Tenants and guests only of Ballantyne Corporate Park Harris and Premier Buildings, the Aloft Hotel, and Dana Radar Golf School will be allowed limited vehicular access to their respective parking lots from eastbound Ballantyne Corporate Place.

• Tenants and guests only of 13777 Ballantyne Corporate Place (Office Building), 13520 and 13510 Ballantyne Corporate Place (Bank of America Offices), 13515 Ballantyne Corporate Place (SPX Offices), 13320 Ballantyne Corporate Place (Balfour Beatty Construction Site) will be allowed limited vehicular access to their respective parking lots from eastbound Ballantyne Corporate Place.

• Ballantyne Hotel guests, visitors, and employees should access the hotel from Johnston Road beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 3, 2012, ending on Friday, September 7 at approximately 12:00 p.m.

So, buckle up and enjoy the ride, Y’all!  And if you want more information about ALL THINGS CHARLOTTE, please give a call to one of our own “secret agents” at Bon Maison Properties!!  704-541-2500  www.southcharlotteliving.com

“SPEED STREET” – that Wild & Crazy Race Week Has Begun! May 20, 2012

Yes, people, in the south, NASCAR is King (and the official sport of the state of North Carolina!).  If you’re new in town, it’s high time you increase your NASCAR know-how.  And this week, our own Charlotte, North Carolina is in the NASCAR spotlight – yes, it’s RACE WEEK!  The week kicked off with last night’s Sprint All Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord (just to the northeast of Charlotte for you super newbies!). This relatively light-hearted competition just netted Hendrick Motorsports’ driver Jimmie Johnson (in the #48 Lowes car – a fact you will soon commit to memory if you’re going to be a FAN!) a cool $1million paycheck (see http://www.thatsracin.com/#navlink=navdrop for all the details).  And the big race is yet to come, the Coca-Cola 600, being run this Sunday, May 27th, again at CMS.  It’s the biggest NASCAR event in the Charlotte of the year – and the longest race (600 miles, thus the name!).  With attendance of around 100,000 people, it’s relatively easy to still secure tickets – just go to http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com for all the great info!

And more popular than many spring flings & festivals, this weekend’s (free!!) Speed Street Festival in downtown Charlotte sponsored by Food Lion really does have something for everybody – great food, live music with some of your (and/or your kids’!) favorite country and pop bands, appearances by NASCAR drivers and more!

For all the event information, including event scheduling, suggested parking and transportation info (remember the Lynx!), and general faq’s, see http://www.600festival.com.  It’s a good time, and you’ll really feel a part of the southern scene!  Also, the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum (www.nascarhall.com) will be wide open for business as well – make it a part of your entire NASCAR experience!

So join the fans, enjoy the rush of NASCAR racing, and Start Your Engines!!!

Back to School Shopping? Get Ready for TAX-FREE Weekend!! July 22, 2011

 Hello South Charlotte Newcomers!  It’s Maureen again…

Already I’ve noticed a lot of serious back-to-school shopping on my few ventures out into “the stores” (as you may remember, I’m the one who hates to shop!).  Well, you new North Carolina (and South Carolina!) residents – do yourselves a big favor and save some of those hard-earned dollars to spend on Tax-Free Weekend, just two weeks from today, August 5-7, 2011. 

See www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/sales_holiday.html for details regarding state specifics!

You are lucky to have landed in one of 17 states that offers some sort of tax-free shopping opportunity for various goods.  North Carolina offers two important tax-free times, including a weekend in November to save sales tax with appliance purchases, but for those of you getting your little people ready for a new school year, those of you shipping your darling teen off to college, or any of you looking to make a purchase of a new computer, computer supplies, sports equipment, or even clothes and footwear, it may be worth holding off for a couple of weeks!

 http://singleparents.about.com/od/taxfreeholidays/qt/NC.htm 

And yes, I know what you’re thinking – “they just eliminate the up to 8% tax instead of having sales of 15-40% off on items – what fun is that?”  Not so!  Fortunately, it’s been my experience, as a consummate bargain diva, that both sales and no tax offers are in place all around town!  Believe me when I say it takes A LOT to get me out to a store with a smile on my face!!  My favorite back-to-school shopping experiences on tax-free weekend have been at the Apple Store in Southpark Mall www.apple.com/retail/southpark/map/ – yes, three times now I have waited in the (long!) line in early August with other parents of soon-to-be college freshmen, just to save the $100+ on tax for their nice but pricey laptops – and they used to throw in a free iPod to sweeten the deal – now they have a $100 gift card offer:  

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/campaigns/back_to_school?cid=AOS-US-KWG-BTS11 

(p.s., have your student bring their school i.d. for all the best deals!).

In NC, in addition to the items noted above, all school supplies and “instructional materials” will also be tax-exempt during the weekend of August 5-7.  South Carolina’s exemption includes clothes, school supplies, and computers, and some miscellaneous items including linens – GREAT to pop over the border and head to the stores (both left and right) on Dave Lyle Blvd. in Rock Hill  (Exit 79 off I-77 S) for all your dorm supplies!  TJMaxx, Target, Ross, Belk, JCPenney, and more!

So, stay cool, have fun, and shop away in those air-conditioned stores the first weekend this August!

Ladies NEW to CHARLOTTE – Just for You! February 12, 2011

Maureen wants you to know…

… that there is a special program for women new to the Charlotte area that kicks off this week!  This program is affectionately known as “Moving on After Moving In” and is a several week scripturally-based study and sharing group which acts as a big Southern Welcome to Charlotte! This program was the brain child (no, heart child) of Susan Miller, whose husband’s job in the hotel industry resulted in 14 moves during the first part of their married life!  When she finally found herself moving from Grits to Guacamole (the telling name of one of the book’s early chapters!), i.e., from her beloved South to the desert of Arizona, she was inspired to write a book outlining the spiritual journey she found herself living out.  This fabulous book, After the Boxes are Unpacked, Moving On After Moving In, has touched the hearts of many who read it during the “Moving On” program.  Next Wednesday, February 16th will mark the 11th set of Moving On sessions to take place at St. Matthew Catholic Church www.stmatthewcatholic.org.  Our parish has ministered to over 250 newcomers since the Spring of 2006, and many in the group have found deep friendship and renewed spirituality from fellow participants and sharing in both the succinct words of Susan Miller and the comforting scriptural passages contained in each chapter.   This Moving On class is available at other places of worship in south Charlotte, including Calvary Church, Church at Charlotte, and Harrison United Methodist Church in Pineville.  For more information about Moving On class locations and descriptions, as well as incredible resources to calm the just-moved heart, please visit Susan’s www.justmoved.org website.  There you can find links to the contact information for the other program locations mentioned, “meet” and contact the Just Moved team, or just order the book (and another one of her hits, But Mom, I Don’t Want to Move!) for your own use at home. 

For additional information about the Moving On program at St. Matthew Church, feel free to give me a call (704.605.5444) or shoot me an email at maureen@southcharlotteliving.com.

Thanks and once again, WELCOME NEWCOMERS!!