No-Swim Advisory Issued For Lake Norman After 900 Gallon of Raw Sewage Discharged

Charlotte Stories
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No-Swim Advisory Issued For Lake Norman After 900 Gallon of Raw Sewage Discharged

A no-swim advisory has been issued for Lake Norman after roughly 900 gallons of raw sewage was discharged.

According to Lincoln County officials, the discharge was cause by a sewer main brake. The line has now been sealed and testing of the discharge site has commenced.

The spill occurred near 3989 Blue Dory Lane in Denver, which sits in a cove about halfway up the lake on the west side:

The Lincoln County Health Department urging all residents and boaters in the area not to swim or contact the water in in any way.

The advisory will remain in effect until 2 samples come back as having less than 200 millimeters of fecal coliform count.

Since 2020, rents in the Charlotte suburbs are up by 33%

Charlotte Stories
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Since 2020, rents in the Charlotte suburbs are up by 33%

Over the past two and a half years, the rental market has been on a rollercoaster ride, as the pandemic has shaken up the ways that we live and work. As remote has made proximity to the office less of a concern for housing choice, one result has been that the suburbs of large metros have been experiencing notably faster rent growth than the core cities that they surround.

In a new report, ApartmentList.com explore this shift in rental demand away from downtown and toward the suburbs. They found that, since March of 2020, rents have increased by an average 19.8% in the core cities of large metros, while the suburbs of these metros have seen rents spike by 27.2%.
A few key takeaways for the Charlotte region include:
  • In the first year of the pandemic, rents in the city of Charlotte rose by 0.5%, compared to an increase of 5.1% in the metro’s surrounding suburbs.
  • From the start of the pandemic to present, Charlotte rents are up by 27.9%, while the metro’s suburbs have seen rents rise by 33.2%.
  • Among the 39 metros that we analyzed, 33 have seen rent growth in the suburbs outpacing that of the core cities. On average, rent growth has been fastest in the suburbs that sit farthest from the urban core.

For a more in-depth analysis of these trends, check out the full report here.

Ally Charlotte Center Unveils Advanced Data-Driven Art in Uptown

Charlotte Stories
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Ally Charlotte Center Unveils Advanced Data-Driven Art in Uptown

StandardVision was recently commissioned to produce new permanent data-driven artwork for Ally Charlotte Center by Crescent Communities. The engaging, site-specific animation translates demographic, cultural, environmental, and geographic data about the city into digital art, forming a narrative between the recently completed building, its forward-thinking designers and developers, and the Charlotte region.

The company sourced data from both the topography of the city and the landscape of Charlotte’s community to animate and activate the entrance and lobby of Ally Charlotte Center. The immersive digital art installation creates an engaging and technology-forward centerpiece for the mixed-use block. Located in the heart of Charlotte’s transit-oriented Stonewall corridor near the center of Uptown and bustle of South End, the building serves as a new landmark for today’s visitors and employees and the future of this ever-growing metropolis.

Geode is a unique lenticular art piece consisting of 32 custom high-resolution LED digital panel columns—16 on each side of the lobby—connected overhead with a series of linear colored lights. The alternating orientations of these angled digital panels create a subtle, mesmerizing, two-way viewing experience that evolves based on the viewer’s angle, perspective, and elapsed time.

The vision for Geode was inspired by the history and context of the development’s site. The land Ally Charlotte Center stands on today was once a quarry for the City Rock Crushing Company in the early 1900s. The site’s geologic features and past uses inspired the overall design of the building, including the precast concrete exoskeleton grid that wraps the tower’s glass façade. The building’s lobby, the hollow cavity within the rock, includes a pristine central white box lined with the jewel-like digital artwork, an array of vertical digital canvases that feature constantly evolving data-driven art.

Geode leverages meaningful local data which subtly speaks to a progressive and inspiring outlook on the quality of life in Charlotte, NC. The colors selected are intended to both complement their corresponding datasets on a conceptual level and create an overall harmonious palette of evergreen content. Expanding the possibilities of holistic design concepts, StandardVision and Crescent Communities were able to demonstrate how Charlotte city databases can create a contextual and relevant centerpiece of constantly transforming beauty for tenants and visitors alike.

Geode at Ally Charlotte Center serves to unify the broader community and celebrate the region. It paves the way for future-forward concepts as the city experiences growth and enrichment, honoring natural landscapes and the Charlotte community. The progressive digital design welcomes tenants and visitors alike, further activating this iconic block and cultivating accessible public art experiences within the city of Charlotte.

“The programmability of the digital technology and its timeless integration within the design allows the lobby to constantly evolve over the life of the building. We hope that our design and implementation of Geode distinguishes Ally Charlotte Center as one of the most unique and innovative lobbies, in support of the vision and goals of both Crescent Communities and Ally Financial. Our team hopes to create an experience that is memorable and leaves both the visitors to and occupants of Ally Charlotte Center, as well as the larger community, both informed and inspired, with a lasting impression and desire to come back to this new destination in Uptown,” said Amy Bezanson, Director of Design, Crescent Communities.

How to Choose the Right Dining Chairs for Your House

Sharon Anderson
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How to Choose the Right Dining Chairs for Your House

Those who enjoy hosting dinner parties are likely to take pride in their dining area. Dining rooms come in a wide range of styles and sizes, each with its layout and furnishings. However, a good dining room must feature comfortable seating for every diner.

If you have a beautiful dining table but no chairs, choosing the appropriate chair for it should be your top priority. By reading on, find out how to choose the best dining chairs for your home.

Getting the Right Dining Chairs

Your dining chairs should complement the scale and design of the table, but they need not match. The following factors should guide your decision:

1. Size

For convenience, your dining chairs and table should be roughly the same size. The standard height for a dining room table is 30 inches, with an average of 28 or 31 inches. When taking measurements, you should factor in the table’s apron and other features.

2. Seat Height

Seat height is another factor to consider while selecting dining chairs. Seat height refers to the measurement from the floor to the top of the seat. Based on this dimension, you can tell if a chair will fit easily under a table.

Think about how big your table is and try out different chairs to find the right seat height for your table. When looking for chairs, it can be helpful to have a small measuring tape with you so you can write down the exact measurements. 

3. Width

Scale is about more than just heights. It’s also helpful if your chairs are the correct width and can tuck neatly under the table when not in use. No matter the table’s design, ensure that your chairs don’t bump into the legs or the base of a pedestal or trestle table.

Also, chairs with arms add a few more inches to the width. For dining rooms with limited spaces, chairs without arms are a good choice, or you can arrange chairs with arms at the table’s head and foot.

4. Arm and Back Measurements

When you sit down, you don’t want the tops of the chair arms to scrape or hit the table’s base or apron. This may break the chair arms and prevent guests from sitting near the table. The height should vary by two inches.

5. Material And Style

Tables and chairs should match aesthetically. Material and style must complement each other without being an exact match. So select chairs that share a design feature with your table. This can be the color of the table legs.

Additionally, you should avoid selecting chairs that are identical in appearance to your table. By adding contrast, you may be able to make the room more exciting and lively while still giving it a sense of order and unity.

Conclusion

Dining rooms come in many different styles and sizes, each with its layout and set of furniture. But a good dining room should have seating that is comfortable for everyone. If you have a lovely dining table but no chairs, use this post as a guide to help you choose the right ones.

References: https://www.wayfair.com/sca/ideas-and-advice/rooms/how-to-choose-the-right-size-dining-chairs-T1082

https://www.ballarddesigns.com/howtodecorate/2017/11/how-to-pick-the-right-dining-chair/

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-choose-chairs-for-your-dining-table-1313436

https://www.livingspaces.com/inspiration/ideas-advice/guides/how-to-choose-a-dining-room-chair

A Guide to Finding the Right Shoes for Any Outfit

Sharon Anderson
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A Guide to Finding the Right Shoes for Any Outfit

Whether you’re a shoe lover or not, shoes are a vital part of your outfit. You must ensure a proper balance between comfort and fashion while not having to blow a hole in your finances. There are several considerations for finding the best shoes for all types of outfits:

Look for a Shop That Screams You

Find a store that meets your fashion style and standards to avoid disappointment. Make sure you are browsing in the right place if you’re looking for a pair of lifestyle shoes. To buy the latest shoes and keep up with trends. 

Consider The Agenda or Event

Knowing the activity or occasion makes lifestyle shoe shopping easier, and you’ll be able to distinguish the appropriate attire. If you’re shopping for shoes for a vibrant party, opt for bolder colors or anything that will make you stand out. If you’re shopping for a formal event, choose neutral shoes because they give off a clean appearance. See this guide to provide insights on how to identify the appropriate attire for different occasions, as well as tips on how to find student discounts by category.

Choosing Shoes: a Shade Darker is Classic

Choose lifestyle shoes a shade deeper than your clothing A cherry-colored blouse and fiery red shoes. A lot of people won’t be able to tell the colors apart. But your reds won’t clash, and you’ll look bomb in that outfit.

Don’t Compete Colors With Your Outfit

It’s important to remember that the color of your shoes ought to match the color of your clothing. Instead of purchasing a pair of shoes in colors you enjoy, go for something that complements your attire. For instance, shoes with solid, strong hues like black or white are practical and match anything in your closet.

Avoid Matching Textures With The Whole Look

Be mindful not to match the materials of your lifestyle shoes and clothing. Instead, choose lifestyle shoes with matching textures and designs, such as velvety or silver, to give your look more substance. The key here is not to simply rely on color but consider the texture to keep the flattering aspect of the outfit intact. 

You can Make Your Fashion Statement.

Well, there are no boundaries in fashion. Overmatching might make you look cartoonish, but a well-chosen combination of complementary colors can defy expectations and reveal a high-fashion appearance. Never mix and match items without first considering their form, color, and material, but don’t let that stop you from exploring your aesthetic.

Choose Comfort Over Anything Else

Despite how good the shoe appears from the outside, you shouldn’t buy it if it doesn’t feel comfortable when you wear it. Pay attention to the footwear’s details, check the quality, and consider how long it will last. Examining the shoe quality guarantees that the item is worth its price, and you’ll have no regrets shortly.

Conclusion

Your shoe preferences and aesthetics speak volumes about yourself and your sense of style. It says more when you can easily choose shoes that complement your attire and, most importantly, give you comfort. Given the variety of clothing and shoe designs available, finding the right balance is crucial to avoiding an odd appearance.

References:

https://mentalitch.com/4-tips-for-finding-the-right-shoe-for-each-outfit/

https://www.glamour.com/story/how-to-match-your-shoes-to-your-outfit

https://ponbee.com/shoes-match-your-outfit/

https://www.complex.com/sneakers/2015/12/rules-for-matching-your-sneakers-to-your-outfit/make-your-own-rules-so-you-can-break-them

How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home to Prevent the Spread of Viruses

Sharon Anderson
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How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home to Prevent the Spread of Viruses

Proper cleaning and disinfecting can prevent the spread of diseases. Please learn to reduce home infection risk to live healthily.

The disease transmission happens through contaminated surfaces and objects inside the house. Because of the transmission, it can infect you and your family members. Besides coronavirus, you must keep your body healthy against viruses like MERS, Swine Flu, and SARS.    

Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting

Cleaning is when you remove visible dirt or dust traces. It is similar to washing a dirty cloth or wiping wooden furniture off before polishing. Your safety depends on how you clean surfaces and objects the right way.

Disinfecting means your priority is killing the germs that may thrive in or on surfaces and objects. A good example is scrubbing the toilet bowl using bleach or a disinfectant solution.

The common disinfection methods include the following:

  • Lighting
  • Heating
  • Chemical use, among others 

How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home?

Clean Surfaces Touched Frequently 

Viruses quickly spread from one person to another caused by respiratory droplets from the infected person. To live healthily, you must frequently clean surfaces you touch. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, touching a surface with the virus may infect you if it touches your:

  • Eyes
  • Nose
  • Mouth

If you get infected, your body easily contracts other viruses like Cold and Flu. To avoid virus infection, be diligent when cleaning commonly touched surfaces at home. 

Use High-Quality Disinfecting Products

For effective disinfection, use high-quality disinfecting products or EPA-registered disinfectant sprays. Before purchasing a product, read the customers’ feedback to help you decide. It is necessary to get a reliable disinfectant product for your needs. 

Ensure to disinfect anything you and your family touch commonly, such as:

  • Telephone 
  • Chairs
  • Tables
  • Door knobs
  • Light switches
  • Faucets
  • Remote controls
  • Drawer pulls 
  • Countertops 

Since the coronavirus still exists, proper disinfection is necessary each day. You can disinfect them at least once weekly for heavy-use surfaces in your kitchen and bathrooms.

Follow the Guidelines for Safe Disinfection    

When using a disinfection product, read the label carefully to disinfect safely. It would help if you had an option that could disinfect different surfaces. 

Below are the important guidelines to follow:

  • Follow the product instructions
  • Wear recommended gloves or goggles
  • Keep the surface wet when disinfecting
  • Leave the disinfectant longer to kill viruses
  • Dilute powder disinfectant carefully
  • Do not mix chemicals or products
  • Do not apply on the body or skin  
  • Ensure proper ventilation when indoor 
  • Follow safe disposal
  • Store the chemical away from children or pets
  • Wash hands with soap and water after disinfecting

Practice Virus Transmission Prevention    

All surfaces at home play a huge role in allowing the virus to transmit and spread diseases. If you practice virus transmission prevention through cleaning and disinfecting, it can help eliminate contamination. 

Another effective prevention method is to cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing. Proper hand washing is also important before and after you eat or go to the bathroom. 

Conclusion 

Proper use and disposal of a disinfectant are crucial because of hazardous warnings. You must follow the exact directions before using a home cleaning and disinfecting product. It is essential to prevent the viruses from spreading and kill the germs effectively. 

References

https://theconversation.com/how-to-clean-your-house-to-prevent-the-spread-of-coronavirus-and-other-infections-133912

https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/disinfectants-101-9-things-to-know-about-using-household-cleaning-products-to-prevent-coronavirus-covid-19-spread.h00-159381945.html

https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/cleaning/cleaning-your-home.html#:~:text=To%20disinfect%2C%20use%20an%20EPA,a%20hard%20or%20soft%20surface).

https://www.today.com/home/how-protect-your-home-coronavirus-t175163

 

 

How to Get into Property Development

Sharon Anderson
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How to Get into Property Development

Property development is the process of buying and improving business and land. It can be extremely lucrative, and there are no requirements to get started. It can include creating new homes and remodeling existing buildings to change their purpose. This means changing residential buildings to commercial or vice versa. The key to being successful in property development is to find opportunities where value can be created. It can be an extremely profitable career path for people with an entrepreneurial mindset, but it’s important to know what you’re doing first.

As a property developer, you can work for yourself or for others, and it’s possible to progress in your career as you find greater success. Working for yourself means finding properties at auctions and putting in the work to renovate and redesign. This area of property development comes with risk, as you will often be investing your own money or using bank loans. As a result, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved and to proceed carefully. If you want to have the best chance of success, this guide will help.

Educating Yourself

Although you don’t need qualifications to work in property development, you’ll need the right skills and knowledge to be successful. Property development courses are now available online. By studying such a course, you can gain a better understanding of the property market and how to look for the right opportunities. Educating yourself is always important before taking on any big projects, especially if you’re taking on financial risk to do so.

Through studying, you’ll have a much better chance of finding profitable opportunities and will have a greater understanding of what goes into property development and investing. This is ideal for anyone who is looking to start investing in property for the first time, as well as those who have already worked in the industry.

Decide on Your Scale

The scale at which you start developing property will have a major impact on the financial and time commitment you’ll have to give. If you want to start out developing property as a side project, working just for a few hours on the weekend, your commitment will be far less than someone looking to buy large pieces of land. For smaller projects, you can normally finance them yourselves, but you may need financial backing if you’re looking to take on bigger opportunities.

Additionally, the scale of the project you start will affect whether or not you’ll need to hire contractors. For large-scale projects, you’ll need to hire architects, surveyors and more. On a large scale, property development is more of a full-time job.

Developing Your Time Frame and Budget

Before starting any project, no matter the scale, you’ll want to choose a deadline and budget. It’s important to stick to these, as going over budget or past the deadline could have serious consequences. The budget you choose will depend on the scale of the project and the finances you have available, and this will also affect when it needs to be completed.

When you’re new to property development, it can be difficult to accurately set a budget, but it’s something that gets easier with experience. If you’ve hired contractors, they may be able to provide estimates for you.

Choosing the Location

Location is everything when it comes to developing property. Not only will it affect how easy the construction process is, but it will also affect the final value of the property. Construction projects tend to be easier when they’re close to major population centres, as it means there’s greater availability of materials and labour.

You should also consider the proximity of public transport, as this will affect how viable the property is for both commercial and residential properties. Finally, location will also affect zoning, which will dictate what type of buildings can be constructed there.

Charlotte Nonprofit Launches Largest Cohort To Increase Career Pipeline

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Nonprofit Launches Largest Cohort To Increase Career Pipeline

Local nonprofit GardHouse has reached its latest milestone with the launch of its largest cohort of interns. The Charlotte-based organization recently welcomed 40 students into the program that develops college students of color for employment through work-based learning, career coaching and financial literacy.

“We supported nine students last year, so to see such a large increase in student participants lets me know that GardHouse is on the right track as a training hub for talent,” said Jonathan Gardner, founder and executive director of GardHouse. “We’re happy to provide the resources needed to support our students and reach that next level.”

GardHouse partners with Charlotte-area small businesses and nonprofits to provide paid internships at roughly $20 an hour and span 16 weeks — organizations include the Latin American Chamber of Commerce and 100 Black Men of Charlotte, among others. Since its inception in 2019, GardHouse interns have garnered more than 1,200 internship hours. The organization also offers financial literacy workshops for students throughout the academic semester led by corporate partners such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Ally and Commonwealth Charlotte.

Gardner founded the organization after learning that over the last five decades, college students of color are twice as likely to be unemployed after graduation compared to their white counterparts. Gardner was also motivated to provide a solution after reports showed Charlotte ranking last in upward economic mobility.

GardHouse plans to welcome 70 interns into its 2023-24 cohort. In the coming weeks, the organization will host three virtual interest meetings for business owners and nonprofit leaders to learn how becoming an employer partner can benefit interns and employers. Sessions will be held on the following dates:

  • Thursday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. to Noon
  • Thursday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to Noon
  • Thursday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m. to Noon

Those interested can register here.

Top 5 Fall Festivals Happening Around Charlotte This Year

Charlotte Stories
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Top 5 Fall Festivals Happening Around Charlotte This Year

Fall is finally here!

As the leaves continue to change color and shops and restaurants pump out pumpkin spice everything, it’s time to grab your friends, lace up your boots with the fur, and find some fried turkey legs.

In no particular order, here are the top 5 biggest fall festivals happening around Charlotte this year:

#1 Renaissance Festival

The Carolina Renaissance Festival is taking place over 8 consecutive weekends this October and November (each Saturday and Sunday).

If you’ve never been, it’s basically a massive open air 16th century European style town with live outdoor theater, circus entertainment, arts and crafts marketplace, jousting tournaments, a medieval food, and more.
It was first launched in 1994 with six acres of exhibits, attractions, and entertainment, and has since grown into a 25 acre theme park filled with charming cottages and castles, kitchens and pubs, and a most unusual collection of people powered rides and games of skill.

#2 University City Wine Fest

The award-winning University City Wine Fest is returning this year, taking place on October 22 in the heart of University City at Armored Cow Brewing Co.

This year’s festival will feature over 50 different wines, ciders and brews. Attendees will experience four hours of access to sample local, regional, national and global wines and drinks while enjoying live music and access to local small business vendors.

For more information click here.

#3 Taste of Charlotte Festival

This weekend the Taste of Charlotte Festival is “Bigger, Better, and on the Field”!

The Food Lion Taste of Charlotte Festival returns October 7-9. You’re invited to join us for a weekend of food, music, and fun in the heart of Uptown Charlotte at Truist Field, home of the Charlotte Knights. Taste of Charlotte is the area’s largest outdoor family festival, featuring tasting restaurant samples with entertainment for all ages. Admission to the festival is free.

For more information or food tickets click here.

#4 Lincoln County Apple Festival

The Lincoln County Apple Festival attracts more than 80,000 visitors to charming downtown Lincolnton every October.

It’s the 50th anniversary of this massive apple-themed festival, with games, arts and crafts, and more apples and apple-related products than you can imagine.

For more information click here.

#5 2022 Highland Games

Clover’s annual Highland Games | Feis Chlobhair is a unique and cultural event celebrating the ancestral ties of Clover, SC to the British Isles.

This event hosted at New Centre Park Ampitheate is an opportunity to encourage the growth of the shared heritage by showcasing individuals who practice Scottish and Scots-Irish athletics, arts & crafts, music, and traditions. From this event, it is Clover’s hope to instill and inspire the younger generation to keep traditions alive.

For more information click here.

CMPD Asking For Public’s Help In Finding Missing 11-Year-Old Girl

Charlotte Stories
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CMPD Asking For Public’s Help In Finding Missing 11-Year-Old Girl
via CMPD

CMPD is asking for help in finding a missing girl last seen in her East Charlotte home.

11-year-old ​Jennifer Velasquez-Cruz was last seen on Friday, September 30, 2022, at approximately 6 am in her home off Oak Valley Lane.

She was last seen wearing blue shorts, a white and yellow hoodie, and black shoes. Jennifer has dark brown hair, brown eye, stands 5′ 0″ tall and weighs approx. 110 lbs.

If you have any info on her whereabouts call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

For more information and the updated status, you can refer to report # 20221001-0019-01.

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