What To Consider About Surrogacy As A Solution To Your Infertility Issues

It can be a long and emotionally draining process to try to start your family when you are dealing with infertility issues. The level of stress that can come with repetitive heartbreak can take a toll on both of you and your relationship. Many couples don’t start to actively search out solutions for infertility until they have tried for many years to conceive a child on their own. When things aren’t working the old-fashioned way, most couples turn to science. Although IVF treatments have been successful for thousands of couples, that isn’t always the case for everyone who tries it. So where do you turn when you have run into so many dead ends in your dream of having a baby? Considering surrogacy may be your next option. Considering surrogacy may be your next option with egg or sperm donors. For more detailed information about the process itself you can consult a surrogacy agency in NC or closer to where you live. In the meantime, you should be thinking about the other aspects of surrogacy that you need to consider carefully before making any decisions.

Are You Ready To Sacrifice Your Dreams of Pregnancy?

When you decide to go with a surrogate mother to help you have a baby it can be a joyful yet disappointing time. Many women are emotionally invested in being able to carry their own child. Your dreams of being pregnant will have to take a backseat to your dreams of having a child.

Even if your child is the product of you and your partner genetically, it can be a challenge for many women to give up their pregnancy dreams. Focusing on the end result of surrogacy instead of the immediate journey helps many expectant parents to keep things in the proper perspective.

Consider All the Options

There are many different options available for couples that want to have a family. IVF treatments are the most popular way for infertile couples to realize their dreams of having a child. Adoption and fostering are other alternatives for couples who are less interested in having biological children but still want to experience the joy of parenting.

Surrogacy has gained popularity in the past decade as the numbers of infertile couples has been on the rise. The process is a long and emotional road but can be very rewarding for all parties involved.

Get Informed

As with any life decisions, you want to be as informed and educated as possible. The conversation surrounding surrogacy has opened up and there are plenty of resources available to learn about the process.

You will need to be prepared for a long journey. A successful surrogate journey can take longer than a year and requires a full commitment from the parents and the surrogate.  Care for you and your surrogate is the focus. Counseling and legal advice are all included in the services that you will find at a clinic. When you work with a professional surrogacy agency, your best interests are at the forefront.

“Family Feud Live: Celebrity Edition” Coming to Charlotte Next Month

Ovens Auditorium will host “Family Feud Live” on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com by phone at 800-745-3000, at all Ticketmaster outlets or at the Bojangles’ Coliseum Box Office located at 2700 E. Independence Blvd. Tickets start at $15 (plus applicable service charges) and are subject to change. A direct link to purchase tickets can be found here.

“Family Feud Live: Celebrity Edition” brings the wildly popular game show to local audiences in this live non-televised version, featuring celebrity team captains. Contestants will be randomly selected to become a member of the on-stage “family” alongside the celebrity team captains. Fans can also win prizes without leaving their seats.

In Charlotte, “Family Feud Live: Celebrity Edition” will be hosted by comedian Alonzo Bodden (“Last Comic Standing”). The celebrities playing as team captains are “Grocery Store Joe” Amabile (“Bachelor in Paradise”, “Dancing with the Stars”) and former Olympian Cathy Rigby (“Peter Pan”).

Student Loan Debt on the Rise: How to Keep School Loans Down

Did you know that student loan debt is currently the second highest consumer debt category? This means more people are going into debt over student loans than they are for a car or credit cards. Of course, going to school is a priority, but it is one very expensive priority.

But, don’t take my word for it, the statistics speak for themselves. There are more than 44 million borrowers who collectively owe 1.5 trillion in student loan debt. Many college graduates owe anywhere from $36,000 to $100,000. When it comes to paying down that debt, new graduates are finding it hard to leave home.

So, what can you do to decrease your student loan debt? Here are a few tips to knock the debt down and pay it off sooner!

Don’t Take Out More than You Need

It is so tempting to take out an extra $1,000 to cover living expenses or bills, but remember everything you take out, you have to eventually pay back. Unless you have interest free loans, your looking at paying back $2,000 just for borrowing $1,000.

In order to keep school loans down, only take out the amount you need to cover your school tuition. Don’t take out more. In fact, it may be better if you could skip a loan altogether and make payments directly to the school

Go to a Lower Cost College

In the grand scheme of things, most employers don’t so much care which college you went to. They care that you have a degree and can do the job better than other applicants. You may think going to a Ivy League college will land you a better job, but you also have to think about how much of your pay will be going to school loans.

Instead of choosing a college that is expensive, think about going to a lower cost college in which you can take out minimum school loans. The less you have to take out, the less you have to pay back.

Buy Used Books

Many students will buy books straight from the college bookstore. That’s great if you have the money to do it, but if you have to put those books on a loan, you want to buy used books. In fact, I would recommend not buying books at the bookstore period unless you have to.

You can get your ISBN book numbers and find your books used online for half the cost of what you would pay in the bookstore. Check out Amazon, Bookfinder, or Chegg to buy or rent used books.

Once you are done with your books, you can try selling them back to the school’s bookstore, reselling them online, or renting them out to other students at your school.

Pay While in School

Lots of people work their way through school, and you can too. The more you pay on your school loans while they are in that interest free period, the less debt you will be in when you get out of school.

The great thing about paying school loans while in school is that most loans don’t start accruing interest until you graduate. Even if you can’t afford a lot, you should try to pay at least $25 to $100 a month towards your school loans. Of course, the more you pay, the better off you will be.

Choose Trusted Lenders

Some lenders are known to be scammy, unsafe, and untrustworthy. Always check the Better Business Bureau to see what a lender’s rating is. It is also worth your time to check Facebook pages and reviews.

Additionally, going through companies like Purefy to browse various lenders is a great way to guarantee you will find a student loan that is right for you. Not only do they have a variety of trusted lenders to choose from, but they also provide the best real-time rates you are pre-qualified for.   

Refinance Your Loans

The tricky thing about school loans is that you have to take out a loan to cover expenses on a semester basis. This means that by the end of a 4-year degree, you are looking at a minimum of 8 different loans depending how much your school costs.

Paying on 8 different loans can get confusing. Not only is it confusing, but it gets pricey because instead of paying on one loan with one interest rate, you have several interest rates. Refinancing allows you to combine all the loans into one loan with one interest rate.

When it comes to taking out school loans, do your research and make smart decisions. Check out our article source to help you make the best school loan option for you!

Top 10 Things To Do Around Charlotte This Weekend – 5/24/2019

0

Memorial Day weekend is almost here!

There will be tons of festivals, racing, food, and fireworks!

Here are the top 10 things happening around the Charlotte region this weekend:

#1 25th Annual Speed Street

Celebrating its 25th year, Charlotte’s Uptown Speed Street is one of the largest consumer events in the Southeast. With live musical entertainment, appearances by top NASCAR drivers and celebrities, dynamic exhibits, NASCAR show cars and simulators, fireworks, and STYX – this is an event not to be missed.

For more info click here.

#2 Belmont’s Friday Night Live

‘Friday Night Live’ is an annual concert series in the heart of historic Belmont. Every year, an average of 6,000 people flood the downtown streets to discover new local food and drinks, enjoy live music, dance in the streets, and meet some new friends.

For more info click here.

#3 Coca Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600, 600-mile NASCAR Cup Series points race held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, will be happening this Sunday evening. The event, when first held in 1960, became the first race to be held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

For tickets or more info click here.

#4 The Fast Lane

The Fast Lane will be performing live this coming Friday night at the Knight Theater.

The band has been heralded by the International Press Association. “If you didn’t know better, you’d swear you were really at an Eagles concert!” The Fast Lane has gained the reputation of being the truest sounding Eagles Tribute Band in the world.

For tickets or more info click here.

#5 Freedom Festival

Friday, May 24th 6:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday, May 25th 1:00pm-10:00pm

Location: Harold Rankin Park, Lowell, NC

Rides, food trucks, games, live entertainment, music, vendors, and more!

For more info or tickets click here.

#6 Joyfest 2019

This weekend Carowinds will host Charlotte’s biggest Christian music festival of the year, featuring Travis Greene, Mary Mary, The Official Marvin Sapp Page, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Egypt Speaks, and more.

For more info and tickets click here.

#7 Mint Hill Madness

Mint Hill Madness has something for everyone in the family; delicious food; great music ranging from country to rock; a fantastic family carnival; an arts/crafts fair; an all-American parade; and of course, a spectacular firework show.

For more info click here.

#8 Sounds of Summer Concert & Cruise-In

Saturday, May 25th @ 6:00 PM in downtown Centennial Park – 2019 Sounds of Summer Community Concert & Cruise-In Series.

They’ll be featuring live music from “The Blackwater Rhythm & Blues Band”, food vendors, classic cars, and family fun.

For more info click here.

#9 Matthews Food Truck Fridays & Concert Series

Tonight starting at 5pm.

Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade Street

Great variety of gourmet food trucks.
Incredible band lineup.
Craft beer and wine.
Kids’ Activities.

For more info click here.

#10 Memorial Day Celebration at The Whitewater Center

The Whitewater Center will be featuring live music, food, and fireworks this coming Sunday night.

For more info click here.

If you think other events should be on this list or future lists, let us know – Scott@CharlotteStories.com

USDA Just Issued A Recall For 62,000 Pounds of Beef Due To E. Coli Contamination

0

Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a massive recall of 62,000 pounds of raw beef recall due to an E. Coli contamination.

According to a press release, bacteria was discovered during traceback activities performed by FSIS.

“E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism.”

The meat was packaged by Aurora Packing Company, Inc. on April 19th and bear the establishment number “EST. 788”. The packages were sent out to grocers across the country.

The following items are included in the nationwide recall;

The CDC now recommends that consumers throw away or return any meat listed above. Before consuming any questionable meet, be sure to test for E. Coli with at-home testing strips available here.

Veteran-Owned Coffee Shop to Open in Indian Land – Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea

0

South Carolina will soon be home to Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea at 9623 Red Stone Dr., Suite 500. The 2,187-square-foot café is set to open late summer and will offer a globally-inspired menu including premium coffees, teas, pastries, and will also feature a drive-thru option for guests.

Before bringing Sweetwaters to South Carolina, franchisee owner Ryan Harrah, served in the military for the last 22 years. Harrah wanted to bring Sweetwaters’ unique, friendly atmosphere and quality ingredients to the local community.

“I was drawn to Sweetwaters because of their mission, real ingredients, and positive atmosphere,” says Harrah. “I look forward to sharing that positivity with the guests.”

The Sweetwaters’ brand focuses on strong community engagement such as hosting events and partnering with local nonprofits, making it a perfect fit for Indian Land.

The grand opening will include week-long promotions that will be announced on the Sweetwaters facebook and website. The Indian Land opening is one of more than 100 expected to open across the country.

Heat Wave Hazard Issued For Charlotte Region Ahead Of Next Week’s Upper-Ridge Anomaly

0

A massive new weather pattern, called a ‘heat ridge’, will bring some of the highest temperatures Charlotte has ever seen in the month of May.

The phenomena is being caused by vertically stacked ridges of hot air which sink, compress, and heat up under pressure.

Yesterday, the National Weather Service sent out a hazardous temperature alert for the Southeast, warning our region of possible record-breaking high temperatures over the next 3-7 days.

“Upper-level ridging over the Southern Plains eastward to parts of the Southern 
Mid-Atlantic/Southeast and with maximum temperature anomalies in a range from +10 to +15 degree range will aid in producing an area of excessive heat over parts of the Southern Mid-Atlantic/Southeast into the Eastern Gulf Coast/Tennessee Valley Saturday into Wednesday.”

According to Weather Nation, weekend temperatures in Charlotte will be higher than Houston and Miami;

The upcoming heat wave could even break some records for our region.

The hottest May temperatures that Charlotte has ever seen was in 1941 when we saw 3 days where the temperature reached 98 degrees.

According to Weather Underground, next Tuesday’s high is predicted to be 96 degrees (the hottest May temperature we’ve experienced since 1953) – if actual temperatures climb just a couple of degrees higher, we’ll break the ’41 record;

If you’re planning on spending an extended amount of time outside next week, make sure you wear breathable clothes and consider getting a small fan, personal air conditioner, or evaporative cooling towel.

Stay safe out there!

Is it Time to Relax the Gambling Laws in North Carolina?

0

Gambling laws in America can be a minefield to navigate. Federal laws govern some aspects, while state laws are in charge of others. North Carolina, as part of the so-called Bible Belt, has some of the strictest gambling laws, as many of its state laws are governed by the social and moral values of the strong religious communities. But many of these laws are hundreds of years old, and as social values evolve, rules should too. Otherwise, you end up with some rather weird old laws still hanging around.

Pressure for change first began rising in the 1960s and 70s, but while other states relaxed their gambling laws, North Carolina was one of the last to do so. The first Indian casino didn’t open its doors until 1997, years after others began to appear in neighboring states. And it was another ten years before the state introduced its own lottery – almost half a century after the first began in New Hampshire. But that lottery has proved hugely successful, helping to fund the local schools and contributing as much as 5% of the state-wide education budget. If legalized gambling were regulated in such a way that profits were taxed – meaning they would help fund communities, education and the upkeep of local buildings and roads – North Carolina could find revolutionizing their laws very profitable indeed.

Currently, options for legal gambling within the state are few and far between. Limited to the Indian casino, lottery and a few low-prize bingo games, people are heading into neighboring states like Georgia and Virginia to get their fill of poker, blackjack and roulette. And this is where some of the laws stop making sense. If bingo is so terrible that it is outlawed, why make exceptions for non-profit organizations? Currently, the only bingo licenses that are issued in North Carolina are to charities and non-profit organizations who can run the games to raise money. It’s a popular choice, showing that there is local demand for such entertainment.

In the United Kingdom, where it is legal, bingo is a popular social event. Many towns and cities play host to large bingo halls, pubs and universities run regular bingo nights. As well as this, online bingo in the UK is a huge hit, especially with the under 30s. The industry is heavily regulated by a central government organization – the Gambling Commission – who are responsible for issuing bingo licenses to companies. In order to obtain a licence, the company must adhere to a strict set of rules regarding customer welfare and taxation. And this is where the country benefits from this hugely popular and successful game – bingo profits are taxed at 10%. Last year the 644 licenced premises declared a total gross gambling yield of almost £700 million. With the taxes from the profits going straight back into the treasury to be spent on education and healthcare, it’s easy to see why the UK government have backed regulated, legalised gambling. The government of North Carolina could similarly benefit from their example.

Of course, those figures don’t take into account the remote sector. The online gambling and bingo industry has grown massively over the last decade, as new technology has allowed for the development of large scale, simultaneous games. A change in modern lifestyle also means that the demand is there for entertainment that can be played anywhere; while commuting to and from work, on a lunch break, or relaxing at home. There are hundreds of online casinos and bingo websites out there, each with different designs, games and communities, to cater for the wide variety of players.

With the US laws on internet gambling hovering in a grey area, and no one seemingly willing to risk making a bid for full legality, the government are missing out on a piece of a huge industry. The global online gaming industry is predicted to have grown to $60 billion dollars by the end of next year, and unless its use is taxed and regulated, none of that money will be going back into US coffers. And that’s a big part of the pro-legalisation argument. Many residents in North Carolina argue that they enjoy bingo and other gambling games, and they should be allowed to partake if they want to. Much like consuming alcohol or smoking cigarettes, they believe that people should be able to make informed choices about what they want to do with their spare time, or spend their money on.

The other side of the argument focuses on the bad habits that gambling can form. Gambling addiction is a real problem that affects millions of American citizens, and many feel that legalising gambling everywhere will cause millions more to spiral out of control. There is also a strong religious and moral opposition to gambling, which is the reason so many states along the Bible Belt are so steadfastly against legalisation. However, perhaps the first step would be to legalise online gambling. Moral objectors wouldn’t have to be subjected to watching large casinos and bingo halls being built in their town, and households can use internet filters to block access to the sites. That would enable those who want to engage with bingo to be able to do so, and keep it out of the sight of those who don’t.

Whatever happens with America’s gambling laws over the next few years, recent events have shown us that no change is ever set in stone. But legalised gambling isn’t an issue that’s going to go away, and as the industry continues to grow, it can’t be ignored for much longer. North Carolina could hugely benefit from introducing gambling regulations that would bring a slice of the profits back into American soil.

What to Do in Charlotte When You Have Out-of-Town Visitors

Whether you’ve lived in Charlotte for years or have just moved to the city, at some point you’re bound to have some out-of-town visitors. If you’re at a loss for what to do when your friends or family comes to town, below are several ideas for what you can do together.

Visit Nature Sights

For natural beauty, one of the best sights to see is Lake Norman. The lake is a large man-made, freshwater lake located just outside of Charlotte. It’s the perfect spot for relaxing and enjoying the view, but there are also plenty of sports in the area. Some of the most popular sports include fishing, boating, water skiing, tennis, lawn bowling, and golf.

While touring the nature sights around town, entertain your guests with some local movie trivia. Plenty of movies and TV shows have been filmed in Charlotte over the years. For example, Dirty Dancing was filmed at Lake Lure just outside of Charlotte, and The Hunger Games was filmed in and around Charlotte.

Go to a Museum

NASCAR is big in Charlotte, and because of this, it’s the home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. There are famous race cars of years past on display, interactive exhibits for people of all ages, race car simulators, and so much more.

If you’re more into history and art than race cars, there are a lot of options. There’s the Levine Museum of the New South, which is a museum on post-Civil War Southern history. And if you love airplane history, there’s the Carolinas Aviation Museum. As for art, there’s the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Mint Museum Randolph, which has a wide variety of ancient and ceramic art. But these selections listed aren’t the only museums in Charlotte, so be sure to do some research to see what all of your options are before you make any plans.

Go on a Hike

There are plenty of hiking opportunities in and around Charlotte. Surrounding the city are not one but several national forests. Depending on how far you want to drive, some of your options include Chattahoochee National Forest, Nantahala National Forest, Pisgah National Forest, Cherokee National Forest, and Uwharrie National Forest. Many of these forests are known for their beautiful waterfalls, if that’s a selling point. These are also great locations for water sports and camping (if you want to add more to your hike).

Spend the Night In

Sometimes, you just want to stay in for the night — especially after a long day of adventuring around town. In that case, have a game night with your family or friends. Before they visit, make sure you have a few popular options on hand, such as Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, and Scrabble (or whatever games your visitors like). Game nights are fun, relaxing, and a great way to catch up with loved ones you haven’t seen in a while — and show off how you’ve brought your Monopoly skills up a peg or two since they last saw you.

Not into a game night? Have a movie night or binge your favorite TV show together. If you want to spend more time catching up, try cooking or baking together. No matter what you decide on, you’re sure to have a good time.

Go Out to a Nice Restaurant

Charlotte has grown significantly in recent years, and many great restaurants and cafes have opened up in the area like The Fig Tree (fine dining) and Zinicola (Italian). You’re sure to find a wide variety of great Southern food and international cuisine, so don’t skip out on the best local spots in favor of a popular restaurant chain.

Get Tickets for a Game

There’s no doubt that Charlotte loves their sports teams. Depending on when your guests visit, try to get tickets to a game. If you can, see the Panthers or Hornets during the season. If you or your guests are into minor-league sports, get tickets to the Charlotte Knights or the Charlotte Checkers. Additionally, Charlotte is also home to NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 race and the Wells Fargo golf championship. There are plenty of options to choose from — your guests may even want to plan their trip in advance around one of these events.

Belmont’s Legendary “Friday Night Live” Happening This Weekend

0

One of Belmont’s most popular series of the year is happening this Friday night with everyone’s favorite Journey tribute band – Trial By Fire.

‘Friday Night Live’ is an annual concert series in the heart of historic Belmont. Every year, an average of 6,000 people flood the downtown streets to discover new local food and drinks, enjoy live music, dance in the streets, and meet some new friends.

This year’s Friday Night Lives will feature:

  • May 24, Trial By Fire (Journey Tribute Band)
  • June 7, Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot
  • June 21, 20 Ride (Zac Brown Band Tribute)
  • July 4, JAVA Band — hosted on a Thursday in conjunction with the annual Red, White and Belmont celebration and featuring fireworks to follow

All concert events kick off at 6 p.m. with a DJ followed by scheduled bands at 7 p.m., running through 10 p.m. each evening. The city’s streets close off to vehicles at 2 p.m. each concert day.

Check out more information at http://cityofbelmont.org/439/Friday-Night-Live-Concert-Series