Dunkin Donuts and Red Cross Joining Forces in NC To Exchange Coffee for Blood

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January is National Blood Donor Month, a time to recognize the  importance of giving blood and platelets while honoring those who roll up a sleeve to help patients in need. To celebrate, Dunkin Donuts is teaming up with the American Red Cross to provide 25,000 vouchers for a  free Medium Iced Coffee and a Classic Donut for Red Cross blood and platelet donors in North Carolina. 

Throughout January, presenting donors will receive a voucher for a free Medium Iced Coffee and a free Classic Donut, redeemable at Dunkin Donut locations throughout the Charlotte region.

As COVID-19 continues to affect everyday life, people may not be thinking about blood donation. However, blood and platelets are needed each day to help patients battling disease and facing the  unexpected. Donating blood is an easy way to care for each other and ensure hospitals have the blood products patients rely on. 

“As the pandemic wears on into the New Year, blood donations remain essential to the health of our communities,” said Angela Powley, Regional Donor Services Executive, American Red Cross. “Our collaboration with Dunkin’ allows us to thank our donors with a special gift this January and helps ensure blood products are available for patients.” 

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. 

President Biden Signs Bill Allowing Completion of $273 Million Kings Mountain Casino Project

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This past Monday, President Biden signed into law the ‘National Defense Authorization Act’, which included the ‘Catawba Nation Indian Nation Lands Act‘ – an act that essentially gives federal protection for the $273 million Kings Mountain casino resort complex.

The Catawba Nation opened a temporary gambling facility this past July with 1,000 slot machines while a legal battle was waged by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (owners of the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort), who claimed the site of the new casino was being built on their land.

“The Catawba Indian Nation Lands Act reaffirms the U.S. Department of Interior’s action recognizing our historical and ancestral ties to North Carolina,” Catawba Nation Chief Bill Harris said in a press release. “Congress, Interior, the State of North Carolina and a federal court have now all confirmed what the Catawba people have said from the beginning – these lands are the ancestral homelands of the Catawba people, and we intend to use them to improve the life of all the people in the community.”

With the official recognition of the Federal Government, the Catawba Nation can now move on to the second phase of the casino resort complex in Kings Mountain, with timing and specifics expected to be announced soon.

Once all phases are complete, the casino will include over 195,000-square-feet with 1,796 electronic gaming devices and 54 table games in the main casino, as well as a 1,500 room hotel, several restaurants with seating for 940 people, and a full concert and event venue.

Here are some newly released images of what will soon be the closest casino to Charlotte:

The facility will be located at northwestern quadrant of the intersection of Kings Mountain Blvd. and I-85 (Exit 5) in Kings Mountain, about 30 miles west of Charlotte:

What do you think about the new casino?

Buyer Demand Remains Strong – Increased New Listing Activity Heading Into Year End

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Home sales around the Charlotte region ticked up in November, rising 2.1 percent year-over-year as 4,604 homes sold, compared to 4,510 homes sold this time last year. Year-to-date sales figures show that more than 54,000 homes have been sold across the 16-county region through the end of November. Though inventory was challenged throughout the year, the low mortgage rate environment along with continued increases in new listing activity has kept sales steady, even at yearend. Sales figures included in this report reflect single-family and condo/townhome transactions only according to data from Canopy MLS.

Pending sales, which signal buyer demand was steady in November, rising 11.9 percent year-over-year as buyers drove 4,751 homes under contract. New listing activity showed seller confidence strong as displayed by an 8.7 percent year-over-year increase or 4,513 new listings last month. The steady rise in new listing activity should help buyers with more choices over the long term.

“Despite low inventory and affordability challenges, home sales continue to show how attractive the region is to newcomers and I don’t see the demand for homes decreasing anytime soon.” said David Kennedy, president of Canopy Realtor® Association/Canopy MLS. ” Rising rents along with inflation’s effect on retail prices, may also have prospective buyers looking at the pros of fixed, consistent mortgage payments and realizing that buying while rates are still low, makes home ownership a strong investment.”

Inventory in November fell 37.9 percent year-over-year leaving 3,639 homes for sale at report time, or 0.7 months of supply, which is approximately 21 days of supply, showing how critically challenged inventory is across the 16-county region.  Last November there were more than 5,800 homes for sale or 1.3 months of supply.

Low inventory amidst rising demand continues to cause prices to rise. Both the median sales price ($354,000) and the average sales price ($409,327) rose 22.1 percent and 17.4 percent year-over-year respectively, while the average list price rose 13.4 percent year-over-year to $398,779.  This brought the original list price to sales price ratio to 100.1 percent in November, as sellers received well over asking price for their homes.

The overall sales pace was brisk throughout November, as days on market showed homes averaged 20 days on market until sale, compared to 26 days on market this time last year.

One of America’s Largest Shooting Ranges Is Located Just West of Charlotte

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According to the National Rifle Association, the Foothills Public Shooting Complex (just west of Charlotte) is now the largest shooting range in the Southeast, and one of the largest in America.

The entire complex includes three 50-yard pistol ranges, two skeet/trap and pistol ranges, a 250-yard rifle range, a 3-D archery range, training classrooms, armory, visitors center, and gift shop.

The $3.5-million project was built through a partnership between Cleveland County (providing 82 acres of land), and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (providing $1.9 million in public funding).

Charlotte Stories was given access to their drone flyover video of the entire complex;

They are located just outside of Gastonia in Cherryville, NC at 

Foothills Public Shooting Complex

You can find out more on their Facebook page here.

What do you think of the new complex?

 

3.3 M Earthquake and 3 Aftershocks Just Rocked South Carolina

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A significant 3.3 magnitude earthquake rattled South Carolina yesterday afternoon, followed by 2.5, 2.1, and 1.7 magnitude aftershocks.

According to the USGA, the quakes had epicenters roughly halfway between Lugoff and Elgin, SC – all about an hour south of Charlotte.

Earthquakes have been increasing in frequency around the Charlotte region over the past few years. Last year, we experienced the largest earthquake in over 100 years when a 5.1 magnitude quake hit Sparta, NC, and since then, dozens of aftershocks have continued to rattle our state.

According to USGS.gov, “Moderately damaging earthquakes strike the inland Carolinas every few decades, and smaller earthquakes are felt about once each year or two.”

Did you feel the quakes? 

Teen Charged With Attempted Murder of Officer After This Morning’s East Charlotte Shooting

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A Charlotte teenager is now being charged with the attempted murder of a police officer after a violent encounter this morning in East Charlotte.

According to CMPD, the incident occurred at about 7:20 am this morning when police received a call about a car break-in at the Woodland Estates Apartment complex off Winged Elm court, just south of Albemarle Rd.

When officers arrived, they spotted who they believed to be the suspect of the break-in and a foot chase ensued. The suspect shot a firearm at the police while running away from them and hit one of the officers. The officer returned fire but did not hit the suspect.

The CMPD officer who was shot was taken to Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was apprehended and is now being charged with robbery and the attempted murder of a police officer.

CMPD Deputy Chief Coerte Voorhees gave a media interview this morning describing the incident in more detail:

Since the officer discharged his weapon, CMPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is conducting an investigation, as is standard procedure. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave.

Mecklenburg County Residents Among Top Earners in North Carolina

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A recent analysis by financial technology company SmartAsset identifies the places in North Carolina where residents earn the most money. The study analyzes data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Five-Year American Community Survey to determine the counties with the highest earners. These rankings are a contributing factor in an overarching study on the places with the most purchasing power.

For a look at how the leading counties in North Carolina compared, check out the table below:

Rank County, State Cost of Living Median Income Median Income Index
1 Wake, NC $46,205 $80,591 48.92
2 Union, NC $46,688 $80,033 48.45
3 Orange, NC $43,784 $71,723 41.57
4 Currituck, NC $43,047 $69,964 40.12
5 Cabarrus, NC $40,999 $67,328 37.94
6 Chatham, NC $41,220 $67,031 37.69
7 Mecklenburg, NC $41,401 $66,641 37.37
8 Camden, NC $43,473 $64,572 35.65
9 Durham, NC $39,835 $60,958 32.66
10 Iredell, NC $39,490 $60,955 32.66

 

The full study results, methodology and interactive map can be found here: https://smartasset.com/mortgage/cost-of-living-calculator#northcarolina/median-income

The PGA Championship Is Returning to Charlotte For The Second Time in History

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The PGA of America has announced that the legendary PGA Championship will be returning to Charlotte for the second time in history. One of the world’s 4 major golf tournaments will be returning to Quail Hollow Club once again in 2025, according to a press release from the PGA.

“We had an incredible Championship – for spectators and players alike – in 2017 at Quail Hollow Club, and we can’t wait to return in 2025,” commented Kerry Haigh, the PGA’s Chief Championships Officer. “It is a spectacular layout for a major championship that rewards quality play as well as providing strategic challenges that test the best players in the world.”

In 2017, the Quail Hollow Club joined Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (1936) and Tanglewood Golf Club of Winston-Salem (1974) as the only North Carolina venues to host a PGA Championship.

The 2025 PGA Championship at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club will be played in the month of May, but exact dates for the tournament have not yet been determined.

5 Ways to Liven Up Your Home Dinner Party

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It can be hard to get together with family and friends, no matter how much you cherish them. With the world as it is and between home, school, caring for children and elderly parents, family gatherings can seem fleeting and infrequent.

When you get together with friends and family, you’ll want something that you can all remember.

So here are five ways to liven up your home dinner party to make those memories extra special.

1. Order the Best Ingredients

The best-cooked meal is only as good as the ingredients. So when you’re preparing a meal for a special occasion, make sure you source the best quality ingredients you can find.

Look for the freshest produce and make things from scratch rather than buying ready-made products. Opt for locally-sourced food, herbs, and spices and avoid industrial-farmed meats to ensure you get the best quality. Why not splash out and go for a live lobster delivery or other freshly-caught fish delivered locally to impress your friends?

2. Make the Fanciest Cocktails

Sure, you can settle for making a gin and tonic or a glass of white wine as an aperitif for when your guests arrive. Or, you could consider something a little more exotic, such as pink tequila. 

Get your cocktail shaker out and whip something up that you’d expect at a 5-star hotel, like a strawberry daiquiri, a dry martini, or a pineapple sunrise.

Don’t forget to serve up your creation in your fanciest glassware to add that extra bit of excitement to the tasting experience.

3. Put Your Culinary Skills to the Test

You can’t impress your friends at a dinner party without making impressive food, so pull out all the stops and whip up a stylish dish fit for a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Choose a recipe that suits lots of servings so your guests can have as much as they like. Your focus should be on the presentation as much as the taste.

Don’t panic if you’re not a master in the kitchen — there are plenty of tasty recipes you can make that don’t demand extensive culinary expertise.

4. Make a Family Favourite

While your friends and family will be impressed with your culinary skills, there’s nothing better than a family favorite.

Make something your whole family will love, whether it’s your mom’s old recipe for your favorite chocolate cake or the roast meal you always had as a family when you were growing up.

You’ll be sure to put lots of smiles on faces as you rekindle old memories of times spent together.

5. Organize a Performance

You’ve now reached the end of the meal. Your guests are full up to the eyeballs with your wonderful cooking. Now it’s time to round off the night with something special.

Organize a fun performance that all your guests will appreciate, such as live music, dancing, a karaoke night, or a quiz night.

Maybe you’re a talented singer or dancer, or you have a talented colleague or neighbor. Invite them round for a performance your whole family can join in with that’ll make the evening a night to remember and have your family singing all the way home.

Final Thoughts

Remember, ultimately, your dinner party is about making your friends and family happy, and everything you organize should have this in mind.

It’s difficult to please everyone, so it’s best to come up with a range of options people can choose from, including some firm family favorites.

Finally, don’t forget to plan ahead! Not all your ingredients will be available in the local supermarket, and some recipes will require an overnight marinade, so make sure you leave yourself enough time, so you don’t end up rushing around on the day.

Modern Millionaires’ Lead-Flipping Course Review

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The Modern Millionaires is a training program designed to teach you how to flip leads and make money online. 

The course promises to reach anyone, be it a complete beginner or an experienced internet marketer. And while I’m sure there is some good stuff in here… is Modern Millionaires worth your hard-earned cash? 

Is it really dropping knowledge or just blowing smoke? Read on this Modern Millionaires review if you want to find out!

Modern Millionaires’ lead-flipping methodology

The lead-flipping system is a part of the Modern Millionaires training program, and is actually the business you’ll be building if you decide to join the program. 

Their lead-flipping methodology is really easy and simple to understand. They sell high-quality leads that businesses need to get more clients.

Now, what really separates them from everybody else is the fact that they sell leads as a service, not as a product.

How does Modern Millionaires’ lead-flipping method work?

It’s actually pretty simple: 

You generate leads for local businesses and sell them to the relevant business. That means that instead of a traditional salesperson going out there to sell services and products to customers, lead flippers use the Internet and social media platforms to get in touch with potential clients and provide them with information they need. 

However, unlike traditional salespeople who offer their own services or products, lead flippers don’t sell anything themselves but simply pass on information to local businesses.

The amount of money that you can make depends on your skills as an entrepreneur, your experience and your ability to network with other people in the industry. The most successful agents, like Abdul Samad and Chance Anthony (both founders of The Modern Millionaires program) have made millions of dollars in profits by working just 10 hours per week.

In general, lead-flipping businesses are attractive because it’s easy to start and maintain them. 

You can operate from home and manage your business during evenings and weekends. And unlike typical freelance work, you don’t have to compete against others for jobs or worry about being replaced by a machine or a computer program.

Modern Millionaires Course Review: How to get started 

The Modern Millionaires course takes you from A-Z and covers everything you need to know to start generating leads.

The program is packed with valuable information, hands-on advice and tips that reveal how to generate leads for local businesses using Google Adwords and Facebook Ads. It makes it really easy to follow along, whether you’re new to lead generation or have some experience already.

The video course breaks down into four modules:

Module 1—Introduction: 

In this module, you’ll learn about who the brains behind Modern Millionaires are and what their goals are for the course. They will also tell you a bit more about themselves, their experience and why they decided to start creating videos. This module is a good introduction to the program and gives you a high-level overview of what’s to come.

Module 2—How To Get Your First Client:

In this module, you’ll learn how to find your first client using the Modern Millionaires’ cold email templates, and how to choose the right one for your business. You’ll also get +70 hot local niches to help you narrow down your business right from the start, and start building your agency site.

Module 3 (A, B &C)—How To Get Your First Lead: 

In this module, you will learn how to create an effective offer that people can’t say no to. You’ll be shown how to drive traffic using Google AdWords, Facebook Ads and other platforms that harness the power of pay-per-click advertising.

Module 4—How To Close The Deal: 

In this module, you’ll learn about lead nurturing and follow-up techniques as well as how to scale and automate your business once you’ve consolidated it. This part of the course provides valuable insight into how you can use modern marketing techniques to keep the zeros rolling into your bank account. 

Is The Modern Millionaires the right program for you?

The Modern Millionaires training program is for you if you’re a motivated entrepreneur who wants to build a solid, easily scalable online business.

You need to be willing to invest the time and effort required to learn how to build a business from scratch and become successful. So this course is not for anyone looking for an easy, fast way to make money online. It’s a work-in-progress with no shortcuts.

Modern Millionaires is also not for you if you want to promote or sell any of our products or services. They created it so they could teach people how they built their businesses, but they offer no help or support for specific products or services that you might wanna sell. 

The only thing this Modern Millionaires program is going to do is help you build your own lead-flipping business – one step at a time – by showing you exactly what works and what doesn’t work.

The Bottom Line On Modern Millionaires

The Modern Millionaires training program features a step-by-step training course that teaches you not only how to make money through lead flipping, but also the best way to scale this business into an online business that brings in six-figure revenue.

The content of the Modern Millionaire’s course is very well structured and easy to follow. I’m a very visual person and I like to see things in action, so I especially enjoyed the videos that show the real numbers and how they work.

Now, while the techniques shown in the training program are simple and easy to understand, it is imperative to take your time and grasp all that is being taught.

Trial and error is what leads most people to success when it comes to making money online. 

There are no shortcuts. It takes time for most people to learn how to make real money with an internet business. 

The good thing about Modern Millionaires though, is that it teaches you a solid method for building a lead generation business, and once you get the hang of it, it can run on autopilot and generate revenue for you in the same way as any other high-profitable business would do. 

You just need to be willing to put in the work at first so that your lead-flipping machine can pay itself off later on down the road!