Archive for the 'Good stuff we find' Category

hungary? These kids are!

February 7th, 2010 categories: Donna Johnston, Fun for Kids, Giving Back in Charlotte, Good stuff we find, Sunday Inspiration

Every year my kids amaze me on how enthusiastic they are about sleeping in a box and fasting for 30 hours. It is usually cold and raining yet that just energizes them. My kids have a huge heart and soul and Haiti has been especially on their minds. This event is so unique because it is planned and ran by the youth and volunteers.

This year, St. John Episcopal Church is building its box city for the 30 Hour Famine on Saturday, Feb. 27th, 2010. The youth have to raise at least $360 to participate and hundreds do. This is not just for St. Johns but any youth (grades 6-12) that want to help raise money for a good cause while having fun. The 30 hour famine raises awareness for hunger not just around the world but in our city as well. St. Johns youth set records every year on how much money they raise for the 30 hour famine.

World Vision is a well respected 5 star charity that has a mission to feed the hungry. In the aftermath of the devastation of Haiti, the need is there more than ever. Did you know that over 25,000 children die from hunger or hunger related illnesses every DAY? This year at St John’s 30 hour famine the theme is “Western” and yes, I have heard they are going to have a mechanical bull for the kids to ride, Woo Hoo. I am looking forward to the Famine Hoe Down square dance they are hosting. I haven’t done that since I was a kid myself.

All are welcome to join in the fun for $5 or $20 per family and you don’t have to wear the square dancing dress- unless you just happen to have one in your closet…. Want to help, see it in action, donate, spread the word- please do. Click here to see more 30 Hour Famine St. Johns. Do you know of any event going on to raise awareness for hunger? As I am preparing the food for my guests coming over for the super bowl, I realize how fortunate we are. Imagine being so hungry without a kitchen to go to. Click Here to donate directly to St Johns 30 hour famine.

Spoken by Donna Johnston | Discussion: No Comments »

GOOG 411 Easy-Peasy Free Charlotte Info and Phone Numbers

November 4th, 2009 categories: Good stuff we find

OK so maybe you know about Google’s free and easy 411 information service (it’s been around a while). Simply dial 1-800-466-4411 and voila (I like that word) you’ll get the phone number, address and even a follow up text message for any Charlotte business. Try it!

The great thing about GOOG 411 is it’s free, free, free….and while it may not always be perfect – hey if they give you the wrong number it’s not like you just wasted $1+ using the boneheaded phone company 411! Watch the GOOG 411 video here and if you’re feeling really geeky check out all the amazing and not so amazing (hey Google’s big but it’s not perfect) apps in the Google Product website…and if you’re wearing your tin foil hat check out Google Labs while you wait for word from the mother ship!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Halloween Costume Ideas at Charlotte Goodwill

October 28th, 2009 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Good stuff we find, Michael Gibbons

Recently I met Bo Hussey reach him here he is doing some pretty cool things at Goodwill Southern Piedmont (Charlotte). Bo is a smart-bold guy who is using social media tools like YouTube in innovative ways to build brand awareness and expand the Goodwill mission here in Charlotte.

Bo knows Social Media and he is ahead of the curve (for non profits) in using tools like YouTube to get the word out about Goodwill – a perfect example is this video on the best place in Charlotte to get creative about your 2009 Halloween Costume – watch the video and many more here at Goodwill Southern Piedmont channel on YouTube (and then read more about Goodwill’s mission below and on their website! (oh and check out one of my recent Goodwill costumes – Paula Dean meets Julia Child – scary)

“Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston by Rev. Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister and early social innovator. Helms started Goodwill with the idea that people could earn a living collecting donated goods, repairing and selling them – that a job was better than a handout.  “Not charity, but a chance,” he always said.

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont began providing services to people in this region in 1965. The Southern Piedmont territory includes 13 counties in North Carolina and five counties in South Carolina. Locally, Goodwill has a retail store or provides services in eight of these 18 counties: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lancaster, Lincoln, Union and York Counties.

Although Goodwill has grown in the past 100 years, we cannot rest while so many people still need our services. The demand for Goodwill’s employment and training services continues to increase as a result of the changing economy. This increasing demand magnifies Goodwill’s need for donations. Last year, Goodwill received more than 875,000 donations of clothing, household items and furniture totaling more than 54 million pounds from the Southern Piedmont region of North and South Carolina.”

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 1 Comment »

I just wanted the price, I didn’t want to speak to a real person!

October 21st, 2009 categories: Charlotte Real Estate & More, Good stuff we find, Homebuyers Charlotte

Have you ever been driving around and come upon a home for sale that you’re interested in…and there it is the agents name and number right there on the sign -  so you dial the nu…..you hesitate…WAIT….you think “Do I really feel like a sales pitch right now — all I want is the info, the number of bedrooms, does it have granite countertops, what’s the PRICE! I’m not ready to buy (yet) and I sure don’t want to end up on some “hot” lead list or worse to be pestered mercilessly by an underworked real estate agent!

I think we’ve all felt that way at times (even as an agent I don’t like to be pitched or pushed) sometimes I just want to do things, check things out on my timeline, my pace.

Well what if there was a service (there is) that would allow you to call about any house for sale in Charlotte, any house NOT just REMAX houses – call any Allen Tate, Keller Williams, Helen Adams, Cottingham/Bissell, etc – and get not some but all the info you need without ever talking to an agent! (more on that secret below**)

REMAX EXECUTIVE is rolling out Voicepad in Charlotte.
In two easy steps:

1. Call this number 704-367-4444 (from any phone, home, cell, smartphone or not)
**You can choose to activate your service through a REMAX agent or just use the number

2. Put in the street address and…
(no special codes or mumbo jumbo)

….Voila You will hear all of the details about the home INCLUDING THE PRICE (I highlight price because with other text/info systems the agent will typically not give you that info forcing you to call the agent for the price and (a sales pitch)

So no doubt Voicepad is an awesome service for the homebuyer – you have full access to full info on every home in the Charlotte MLS literally at your fingertips. But here’s the rub….FULL DISCLOSURE when you use VoicePad to call about a property – an agent will be advised of your call – and you’re sure to get a call (maybe more than one) from that agent.

UNLESS….and here’s the SECRET

Let me ACTIVATE the service for you first – By activating the service (all I need is  your email & phone number) when you call about a property I will be the agent who gets the “lead” (no one else will know you called about the property, not even the listing agent) So together we can decide how to communicate — if you want to me follow up that’s fine and if not that’s fine too! This way you get all the information on ANY listing and you do not have to speak to an agent ~ until you’re ready to speak with an agent!

So what do I (my teammates Betsy, Blake, Donna, Jackie and Rhonda) get out of this? Maybe nothing. We are providing our clients with this free service in the hopes that it will help you in your Charlotte home search and that when it comes time to visit specific homes you will call on us for our expertise and help. We know people like to check things out on their own (we’re the same way) we hope with Voicepad you’ll feel less pressured and that your efforts will be more productive and fun!

If your interested is setting up your own Voicepad please drop us an email right here ~ and please let us know if you are already dealing with a REMAX agent so we can get you to the right person!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Think Outside the Socks.

September 24th, 2009 categories: Good stuff we find

I don’t usually do this but this company seems so neat and fun and I know that this time of year many of you are looking for fun gift ideas. I rave about Seth Godin and he raves about Little MissMatched and even wears their mismatched sox from time to time. So enjoy and remember if sometimes things don’t work out perfectly (like sox) that may be just fine! “Think outside the Socks”

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Charlotte, It’s A REALLY BIG World Out There

September 17th, 2009 categories: Good stuff we find

Surfing a bit this morning and stumbled upon Chai Pilgrimage (gorgeous photos) reminds me, you?  It’s a REALLY BIG world out there – Charlotte is home but it’s only the beginning…

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 2 Comments »

Is Your Charlotte Home Search Missing Something?

September 14th, 2009 categories: Communities, Good stuff we find

Talk about a needle in a haystack! Did you know right now there are over 19,000 homes (& 3889 condos) for sale on Charlotte’s Multiple Listing Service (better known as MLS) Did you know many popular websites only let you search a portion of the homes! Do you know what you’re missing?

As you well know the internet has brought some powerful tools to home buying and selling. In fact you have many of the same tools once reserved for licensed real estate agents – You too have the power and this is a good thing! Keep in mind though that depending on the website you use some of the tools may be limited – Nothing worse than thinking you’re seeing all the properties that fit your parameters!!
Make sure the search tools (websites) you use are:

1. Powerful – yet easy to use
2. Comprehensive – are you seeing everything that’s available?

I’d like to suggest our newest feature at TalkCharlotte — you can now search Charlotte homes by map (Google) — this makes it super easy to set up (and change) your search features and see not just WHAT your search brings up but WHERE it is – if you’re like me I want to see on a map just where the home is! And once you find an area you like you can then see other homes nearby. How close is the school? how close is the YMCA, the shopping center etc. Of course because you’re using TalkCharlotte you;re getting a direct feed from the Charlotte MLS so you’re seeing 100% of the homes, townhomes and condos for sale in Charlotte!

Here’s an example of what you can do with our new map search! Get started with your own search right here MAP SEARCH

Charlotte Ballantyne Area / 3 bedroom / 2 bath / $200-300K

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Charlotte North Carolina Turns 18!

July 2nd, 2009 categories: Charlotte Real Estate Trends, Good stuff we find, Raintree

Woohoo Charlotte Happy 18th! The Charlotte Observer reports today that Charlotte, North Carolina is now the 18th largest city in the United States.

I’d like to add that we are number one in another category:
Number One: Fewest people who say they want to move/relocate somewhere else!

I can’t tell you how many people we talk to who are itching to move to Charlotte from Michigan, Florida, New Jersey, New York…and mostly California! That’s not to say they’re aren’t great, incredible things in all those cities**  but for overall quality of life Charlotte is winning out!  **remember I’m a 1979 transplant from Scarsdale, New York. I Love New York city but would prefer to visit.

In the last year I’ve had one person say they wanted to move from Charlotte (good reason – they missed family)

So the good news is Charlotte continues to grow 2.7% in the last year! If you’re in the mood to join that number here are some really fantastic homes in the Raintree golf community in South Charlotte just to whet your appetite!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

“Mommie are we going to have to move?”

May 27th, 2009 categories: Foreclosure, Good stuff we find

I was ready to write a very different post when I came upon this story of a fellow Realtor & blogger Ryan Rockwood who wrote a book about foreclosure…for children! It hit me like a ton of bricks (I have two kids Ryan 17 and Emily 15) Wow you don’t hear too much about how all this financial upheaval is impacting the most precious and innocent…our kids.

I don’t know Ryan personally but he is an active blogger, a smart guy and I think you should check out his book and his blog here. He talks a lot about distressed property and the foreclosure market and even though he’s in Rancho Palos Verdes CA you’ll learn a lot!

But back to the subject at hand, Ryan has written a book entitled Mia’s Home available on Amazon — it’s a kids book that does what a kids book is supposed to do — explain all this complicated mess in plain terms so kids too can understand, experience and learn from a very tough real-life situation . Ryan has also set up a website www.childrenofforeclosure.org with a lot more information.

As unpleasant as this subject is…it is equally that important. So if you, a friend or family member are in this situation I hope you’ll find Ryan Rockwood’s mission and book helpful. We are going to get through this but we will have to get through it together all of us even the most innocent of all!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 2 Comments »

Just in case you have not seen Susan Boyle, the British songbird!

April 19th, 2009 categories: Good stuff we find, Sunday Inspiration

Even if you’ve seen this I hope you’ll give another listen here and you might enjoy this earlier recording I found of Susan’s magnificent  Cry Me a River.

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

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