Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon! Come and connect with Charlotte’s cultural and entertainment community in the Center City at the Ritz-Carlton, March 20, 3 – 6 p.m. There will be live music by Rock ’N’ Roll dueling pianists from Howl at the Moon, light hors d’oeuvres, displays and demonstrations by some of Charlotte’s premier cultural organizations such as Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, Arts and Science Council, McColl Center for Visual Art, North Carolina Dance Theatre and more.

Don’t miss the Early Bird Door Prize from Tiffany’s at 3:15 p.m. RSVP by this Sunday, March 15 by sending me an email. There will be a $10 charge per person to secure each reservation, which is required. Casual dress, no jeans please.

This event is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors: Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, Howl at the Moon, McColl Center for Visual Art, North Carolina Dance Theatre, and The Ritz Carlton of Charlotte.

Visit our Facebook page for more info.

photo: Justin Ritchie; view this photo on Flickr

Networking group Staying Ahead Carolina holds its 2nd Annual Get on the Bus Tour: A Social on Wheels, Saturday, June 13, 2-4:30 p.m.  This event is open to the public with proper reservation.  Bus loads at the Lynx’s Scaleybark Station parking lot on South Blvd. The tour is complimentary with a $25 deposit to secure your reservation. 

This is no ordinary tour.  You won’t drown in historical facts. This tour is truly a “social on wheels,” as you take in the rich culture the Queen City has to offer. You will meet new people, sample foods from great restaurants, visit some tucked away spots that you might not have considered, enjoy games, and meet our very own Queen Charlotte on the tour.  You will know where to take friends and guests when you are looking to experience something unique in town.   Email Sabrina Brown at sbrown@StayingAheadCarolina.com if you are interested in joining this fun group.  Space is of course very limited.  RSVP today!  Hope to see you then!

image credit: NCBrian; view this photo on Flickr

Networking group Staying Ahead Carolina is having its Spring Showcase online this Friday, April 3, and you are invited. Businesses and professionals around Charlotte are welcome to share any skills, talents, and business offerings that are in bloom this Spring! Hear the stories of photographers, marketers, attorneys, CPA’s, boutiques, craftsman, etc. in and around your neighborhood, and how they are helping to build a better Charlotte. Everyone has a story, and I would love to hear your story too. All are invited to showcase their talents in this business networking forum! I’ll be moderating follow up discussions and try to build connections among those who participate. 

To take part: go to the Facebook group page and sign up in advance. I’ll post the prompt at midnight, and the first person to respond on Friday, April 3 will receive a gift certificate for a massage. All will, of course, benefit from the conversation. If you don’t wish to participate in Facebook but would like to be a part of the showcase, you are welcome to subscribe and receive the prompt automatically via our blog.

North Carolina Dance Theatre brings to dance some of the best silver screen classics.

“The stars of North Carolina Dance Theatre are sure to shine in A Night At The Movies. Presented in the intimate Booth Playhouse, A Night At The Movies brings together the works of three choreographers – Mark Diamond, Nicolo Fonte and Dwight Rhoden – who are creating dance works inspired by different movies.”

As an added bonus, the $15 ticket offer for A Night at the Movies has been extended to March 6. Hurry and order your tickets today!

If you haven’t yet had a chance to take advantage of the offer, I encourage you to get your $15 tickets now and see live dance for the same price you would spend on a movie and popcorn. I had the pleasure of seeing a preview of the performance and believe this offer is a steal! Free popcorn is also being offered the evening of the performance. The $15 price is for the Thursday, March 12 performance only. (Otherwise the production runs March 5-7 and 12-14.) Use the promo code MOVIENIGHT when you buy tickets online, call 704.372.1000, or visit the Blumenthal Box Office.

For more info and to purchase, visit the NC Dance Theatre’s website.

photo: James Willamor; view this photo on Flickr

It’s hard to imagine there is good news amidst all the negative media reports about our economy; but in fact there is, if you put today’s economic and real estate challenges into proper context.

Buyers

There is tremendous opportunity for buyers to obtain 5% interest rates on 30-year fixed mortgages, and to negotiate home purchases in a soft market within Charlotte. This is truly a rare period.

It is a myth that you have to have perfect credit to purchase a home today. Homebuyers can get FHA loans with a score under 600, the only difference is they have to make a 3.5% down payment. However, first time home buyers in North Carolina can take advantage of, among other things, NCHFA down payment assistance, or apply for the federal $7500 tax credit with a home purchase. Current agreements on the economic stimulus package suggest improved tax credits as incentive for first time home buyers (defined as someone who has not owned for 3 years or more). Some lenders also offer home buyer protection programs, at competitive prices, if someone wants to buy a home but still unsure of his/her job situation.

Sellers

Don’t panic! The media reported Mecklenburg leading the state in foreclosures. What it didn’t mention is we have the largest population in the state and with that the most homeownership. In this context, you would expect we would lead in foreclosures in almost any market climate. Effectually, only 1% of homes purchased last year were through foreclosures. (Keep in mind that foreclosure filings due to a missed mortgage payment are not the same as foreclosures; banks want to avoid foreclosures as much as possible.) Also, if your neighborhood has experienced a loss in value from the time you purchased your home, you may be able to negotiate with your lender a loan modification or short sale approval (where the lender accepts less than what is owed on the mortgage at the point of sale). There is a process of course to each of these efforts, but in many cases, you don’t have to be stuck with an inflated mortgage affected by current market conditions.

Finally, there is more good news. Charlotte is expected to experience continued population growth in 2009, which in the past has always been a good indicator for our economic and real estate growth.

So while the media may continue to paint negative images of our current state, take comfort that you live in an exceptional city.