City of Charlotte Lifts Boil Water Advisory After Historic Water Main Break

Charlotte Stories
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City of Charlotte Lifts Boil Water Advisory After Historic Water Main Break

Charlotte Water has just officially lifted the city-wide boil water advisory after Monday’s massive water main rupture.

According to a press release from the city, Charlotte Water has now tested samples from 260 fire hydrants and 104 other locations and found that the water now meets all required water quality standards.

“I wanted to thank the public for their patience and understanding as Charlotte Water has worked through this historic event,” said Angela Charles, Charlotte Water Director. “We understand this was a challenging time for our customers and we appreciate your support and trust in our system and team. Charlotte Water is reviewing this incident for improvement opportunities including customer communications.”

If you’re still concerned about the drinking water in your home, you can use a drinking water test kit and install a reverse osmosis filtration system if any significant level of contaminants are found.

Junk Doctors Teams Up with Charlotte’s Habitat for Humanity

Charlotte Stories
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Junk Doctors Teams Up with Charlotte’s Habitat for Humanity

Junk Doctors, a NC-based junk removal company is announcing its efforts in giving back to the Charlotte community.

As a junk removal company, they are often dealing with unwanted furniture items and other home goods that could be put to better use, rather than throwing them away at the dump. Through this initiative, Junk Doctors will partner with charitable companies such as Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, donating any gently used furniture and other used goods for members of the Charlotte community who are less fortunate.

“We have partnered with Habitat for Humanity since we opened in 2015. Oftentimes we are picking up furniture that is still in decent condition and Habitat has been a great resource to divert those items from the landfill. We love supporting a charity that not only supports the local community but has a global reach to provide housing for those in need.”

Junk Doctors services range from general rubbish and trash removal to furniture removal, appliance removal, light demolition, and donation pickup services. They perform all the lifting, hauling, and disposal of whatever they are hired to remove.

Charlotte Region Home Sales Dip in September

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Region Home Sales Dip in September

Existing-home sales slipped in September, falling 2.3 percent year-over-year as 5,108 homes sold across the 16 counties that make-up the Charlotte region. Data from Canopy MLS, showed this time last year, there were a little more than 5,200 single-family and condo/townhome sales during the month of September 2020. Month-over-month, sales were down 4.6 percent compared to sales in August 2021.

Buyer activity remains steady throughout the region, as displayed by the 3.9 percent year-over-year increase in pending sales, that showed 5,283 homes under contract during the month versus 5,084 that were under contract this time last year. Contract activity is down 10.5 percent compared to August 2021. New listing activity cooled a bit, falling 3.7 percent year-over-year as sellers across the region listed 5,466 homes for sale compared to 5,675 that were listed in September 2020. Still, year-to-date figures show sales across the region at a healthy level and likely to surpass 2020 sales.

“This past month’s home sales activity is typical for this time of year.” said David Kennedy, president of Canopy Realtor® Association/Canopy MLS. “Buyers and sellers with families and school-aged children generally settle into back-to-school routines and fall activities. So, it’s not unusual to see a slight dip in sales around this time of year. Even though inventory is still critically challenged, there are still opportunities for those looking to buy, as buyer competition tends to be a little less frenzied as we move into the fall, just ahead of the holidays.”

Inventory in September was still challenged and fell 37 percent year-over-year leaving a little over 4,100 homes for sale and 0.8 months of supply, which is approximately 24 days of supply at the current sales pace. Last September there were more than 6,500 homes for sale or 1.4 months of supply.

Tight inventory will continue to impact prices.  Both the median sales price ($335,000) and the average sales price ($388,917) rose 15.9 percent and 11.7 percent year-over-year respectively, while the average list price rose 13 percent year-over-year to $408,619.  This brought the original list price to sales price ratio to 101 percent in September, showing sellers throughout the region getting well over asking price for their homes.

“Continued migration into our market heightens the need for inventory,” Kennedy said.  “A continued uptick in sales prices reflects a buyer’s need to outbid their competition for limited housing options. Interest rates will remain historically low in order to offset the rising sales prices, thereby allowing the ongoing monthly mortgage payments to remain relatively affordable for some, but not all buyers, particularly first-time and workforce buyers.”

Homes are still selling quickly.  September 2021 sales data showed days on market until sale averaged 16 days compared to 30 days on market in September 2020.

Canopy Realtor Association provides monthly reports on residential real estate market activity for the Charlotte Metro region based on data from its subsidiary, Canopy MLS. The Charlotte Metro region, which this report is based on, consists of the following 16 counties: Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties in North Carolina; and Chester, Chesterfield, Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.

Easiest Tips for Storing Lawn Equipment for the Season

Sharon Anderson
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Easiest Tips for Storing Lawn Equipment for the Season

Winter is just around the corner, so you may want to start preparing your lawn equipment for hibernation. Failure to properly store your lawn equipment during the long and frigid winter months may lead to damage, or possible engine failure, when spring comes around.

Furthermore, if you notice any minor defects or issues, you should not put them off until the last minute. Make the necessary repairs before the winter arrives.

Here, however, our focus will be on easy-to-follow storage tips that you can use in order to ensure that your lawn equipment is ready to go when winter ends.

Properly Service All of Your Lawn Equipment

Store your lawn equipment before the snow hits, as snow will complicate matters. You should service and clean your devices at an engine repair establishment in your area. Or, you can do it yourself if you are so inclined.

Blowers and lawn mowers can cost several hundred dollars to replace, so you should try and service them when you have the time.

Keep it Waterproof and Clean

If you want to avoid extensive water damage, then you should dry off your lawn equipment before putting it in storage. In addition, you should only use breathable materials when you are storing your smaller lawn supplies.

Wool or cotton work well for packing lawn equipment, and make sure that everything is sealed very tightly in order to prevent water seepage.

Find a Proper Storage Place

If you want to adequately protect your precious lawn equipment, then you need to choose the ideal storage spot. Outdoor storage can get the job done in some cases, albeit a sheltered/indoor facility will usually be more effective.

Sheds or garages can be used in order to house your lawn supplies, and using a tarp may provide additional insulation. Water can even cause certain appliances to rust, so optimal storage is paramount.

You may also want to try and find a self-storage facility in your area. Storage in Etobicoke is very important due to our notoriously long and cold winter. Etobicoke-based storage facilities are climate-controlled, so your lawn equipment will be kept at room temperature throughout the winter.

Practice Proper Lawn Mower Maintenance

First, you will need to empty the gas tank. You will also need to change the oil of the unit. You should remove the mower blades and set them aside, as they are very sharp. Proceed to gingerly clean the mower and all of its components and attachments.

The spark plug and battery should be disconnected. You will need to protect the lawn mower and all of its components from moisture damage. Engine maintenance is also a must if you want your lawn mower to be fully functional for many years.

Once your lawn mower has been fully inspected, cleaned, and maintained, you can store it in your storage facility until the winter is over.

Properly Store Other Lawn Equipment

It is essential that you remove the oil and fuel in order to prevent burning yourself or potentially starting a fire. You should take the time to thoroughly clean the equipment from top to bottom. The blades will also need to be meticulously oiled and lubricated.

Remember to store your other lawn equipment and appliances in a dry area. Lawn equipment should never be stored with gasoline that is untreated.

Organize Your Equipment

You should find the stablest way to organize your lawn equipment when you are ready to go. The timeline of their utility is also something that you need to strongly consider. 

Your tools should be kept elevated. In other words, refrain from simply leaving your lawn equipment on the floor. Tools can be very delicate, so play it safe and properly organize them in order to prevent any possible damage.

Winter is Coming

If you want to ensure that your lawn equipment will be ready for action when the winter season ends, you will need to properly store them. You will save quite a bit of money in the long run when you take the time to properly maintain and store your expensive lawn equipment.

In fact, you can extend the lifespan of your lawn mower and other lawn accessories by several years by performing routine inspections and repairs. If you are not comfortable doing the work yourself, you can drop them off at a local hardware repair shop.

A self-storage facility in Etobicoke will provide peace of mind, knowing that your lawn equipment will remain in pristine condition throughout the entirety of the winter. You also won’t have to worry about your lawn equipment being stolen or vandalized, thanks to 24/7 CCTV surveillance, individual alarm systems, deadbolt locks, and state-of-the-art motion sensors.

Source:

Prepare Your Belongings for Winter Storage | Tips | Access Self Storage (accessstorage.ca)

 

Let the Uproad App Be Your Toll Payment Account

Sharon Anderson
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Let the Uproad App Be Your Toll Payment Account

If you use toll roads a lot, you might like Uproad as it makes transponders and cash payments unnecessary. This app is free and available in Google Play & App Store.

Uproad initially launched in California and is now live in 17 other states – Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. You can use Uproad to pay for tolls in almost all states with toll roads, and on over 175 tollways.

With hundreds of toll agencies operating in different states, this app can become your one-stop solution to pay tolls, estimate your trip costs, and save money by avoiding fines or toll violations.

Uproad is easy to use: each time you pass a toll, you get a notification with the estimated pricing. The toll agency then takes a quick picture of your license plate as you go through the toll, and creates a toll bill.  Once the agency confirms the toll amount, it’s paid automatically using your account balance funds or credit card linked to your account.

You can set your account to auto-refill, so you’ll never have a low balance. This way, you won’t have to worry about late payments. And here’s the best part! Uproad accepts more payment options than toll agency payment systems or other mobile tolling apps. You can use Venmo, PayPal, credit cards and debit cards.

Once you’ve installed this app, just add a vehicle, and you’ll be able to start using Uproad the next morning. If you live in California or Texas, your vehicle will be activated with local tolling authorities immediately.

With Uproad, you save time, effort, and sometimes money since they have lower toll rates than cash rates for some roads. Since Uproad sends all payments to toll agencies on time, you’ll avoid fines or fees that some agencies charge for mailing a paper bill to you.

Among other convenient features, you’re able to track business and personal expenses separately. You can also calculate the price for your drive with their built-in Trip Calculator before you even hit the road.

Uproad makes your trips more cost-efficient and easy. Download it on Google Play or App Store today and start driving tomorrow!

7 NBA Players with the Highest Vertical Jumps in History

Sharon Anderson
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7 NBA Players with the Highest Vertical Jumps in History

The National Basketball Association (NBA) first came to light in 1949 and has maintained its position throughout the decades of being one of the most prestigious sporting leagues with the power to create superstar players and blow up up-and-coming rookies. This article focuses on players who have made history through their impressive jumping abilities, which is essential for predicting the future of basketball. For more information, check out NBA player futures. 

Michael Jordan- 48 inches 

Starting off strong is the legendary Micheal Jordan, who is known throughout the world as the greatest basketball player of all time. The player lives up to his nickname “His Airness” by demonstrating a whopping 48 inches vertical jump throughout his career. Various big brand endorsement deals added to Jordan’s extensive media coverage, with him soon being known as a global cultural icon. The player has won six championships with the Chicago Bulls, winning his first NBA championship with the Bulls in 1991. 

Darrell Griffith- 48 inches

In spite of his popular nickname “Dr. Dunkenstein”, Griffith never won a slam dunk contest during his career. More of an underdog within the jumping game, yet the player matched Jordan during his NBA career for the Utah Jazz. Having demonstrated his ability to reach 48  inches, Griffith was spotted while playing basketball for the University of Louisville. 

Spud Webb- 46 inches

Known in NBA history as one of the shortest players to play professional basketball, Spud Webb’s accomplishments are even more impressive when considering his jumping capacity. 46 inches is a phenomenon for someone of his build, and Webb gained his slam dunk victory in 1986. After beginning his career with the Detroit Pistons, Webb then played six seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. Following that, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings. Known as a secret weapon among teams, Webb was a starter 1992-1995 and set history in motion by challenging stigmas around player height. Since his debut, there have only been two players shorter than him within the NBA. In education as in sports. To get to the next level you have to try hard and jump as high as possible. This is common to NBA Players and college or university students. In order for a student to make the jump to the next level, he or she must prepare and pass an excellent research paper or essay. But sometimes there is no time for that at all. That’s why it’s better to use a professional service like collegessaywriter.com to be sure of the result and efficiency. The approach is the same as the best players in the NBA.

Zion Williamson- 45 inches 

Developing a near-mythical view of his abilities as an athlete, Zion Williamson is a rising star within the professional basketball game. The young power forward has already gained national attention for his ability to score impressive slam dunks during his high school career. Not only that, but Williamson has also demonstrated a respectable 45-inch vertical jump. The player wasted no time and is the fourth-youngest NBA player to be selected to an All-Star game. 

Shannon Brown- 44.5 inches

Another respectable jump comes from Shannon Brown. The direct reserve for Kobe won two NBA titles with the LA Lakers. Following his recruitment from Michigan State University,  Brown was the 25th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.  

Andrew Wiggins- 44 inches 

Despite being Canadian, Wiggins has been selected number one overall in the 2014 NBA Draft and was heavily recruited in high school. The player demonstrated a massive 44-inch vertical jump with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wiggins played his first five seasons with Minnesota and was the second Canadian to be selected number one overall in the NBA Draft.

LeBron James- 44 inches

Completing the list with an impressive, star-studded career within the LA Lakers is LeBron James. James is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, and has been compared to the likes of Michael Jordan. Numerous endorsement contracts are another appeal of the media making James similar to Jordan. With a record of 11 consecutive first-team selections and a jumping capacity of 44 inches, James is the only NBA player with three franchises and has been named an All-Star 17 times. 

In terms of NBA championship, James has four to his name, and his team, the Los Angeles Lakers are tied with the Boston Celtics on 17 each.

As the 2024 NBA finals beckons, he and his Lakers team are in with a shout and they have a good chance of adding another NBA title to their trophy cabinet.

For those sure of the chances of LeBron and his pals at the Lakers and willing to back them on a sportsbook, there are other incentives aside from the chances of winning their bets.

Some of these incentives include NBA betting promotions that are available on several betting sites in the United States.

Are any of these players your favorite? If you like them very much or you have friends who like NBA players, you can customize some pins, medals, and challenge coins as gifts to increase the friendship between you. They can carry these souvenirs with them or keep them as collections at home to show support and love for NBA players. Not only will these memorabilia help them recall their favorite stars, but they will feel the glamor and passion of basketball again. To find out more, please go website.

To summarize, NBA players have continued to demonstrate their impressive capabilities on and off the court. Consistently setting records and maintaining reputations, players are great depictions of athleticism. We’ve covered NBA jumping records of the past, now go check out the future predictions with the link above.

How To Keep Your Car Well Managed

Charles Brown
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How To Keep Your Car Well Managed

How to keep your car well maintained is something that all car owners need to learn. It’s not just something that you do once in a while, but rather something that is a must if you want to have your car last as long as possible. It doesn’t matter if you own an SUV, sedan, or any other type of vehicle, it is crucial that you maintain your car well so that it will remain in good condition. Just like any other mechanical device, your car needs maintenance in order to function properly and last for a long time. 

Keeping up with car maintenance is not difficult, but there are several important factors that you need to keep in mind when doing so. One of the most important factors is the type of car you own. There are different types of car maintenance including battery maintenance, transmission maintenance from Southwest Performance Parts, engine maintenance, and many more. Keep yourself up to date on the details of each type so that you can be sure you know what to do to keep your car in excellent condition. 

Another important factor to keep in mind is the amount of miles driven. How often you drive your car will determine how often the maintenance will have to be done. For example, if you only drive your car a couple of times per month, you don’t have to worry about it very much. However, if you drive your car every day, then you have to make sure it is maintained properly. It can be expensive to replace your engine if it is too neglected. 

The exterior of your car is subject to the elements. Any dirt or mud that gets embedded will eventually start to rub off on the exterior. This can result in cracking. To prevent this from happening, it is wise to occasionally wash the car. You should also use a detailing product on it regularly to keep it clean and to avoid cracking. 

If your car has a leather interior, it will need to be cleaned more often than an auto that has vinyl seats. Cleaning leather will keep it looking great and prolong its life. The interior is also prone to wear and tear. Learn some basic tips on how to keep your car well maintained so that you can enjoy it for many years to come. 

When cleaning, always use mild soap and warm water. Never use a harsh cleaner because it may damage the finish on your finish. When drying off the exterior, it is wise to use a detailing spray to help seal and protect it from further damage. A detailing spray will also keep bugs and other items out of the area. You may want to ask the dealer or person who installed the car what type of spray they recommend. 

The engine should be inspected at least once a year by a mechanic. It’s vital that it is not damaged or the spark plugs. Also make sure that tires are changed regularly. 

It’s also important to pay attention to the fluids in the car. They include the transmission fluid, brake fluid, oil and more. There are warning signs that something is wrong with one of these fluids and it should be addressed immediately. For example, if you feel noises when starting your car, have the fluid checked out. Learning how to keep your car well maintained should be part of your overall plan to care for your vehicle. 

If you are worried about your car, then you should look into having it inspected. Find a company that is licensed and offers warranty repairs as well. Find out what the cost will be and whether or not they do it. You should also find out how soon you can expect them to arrive. You should also inquire about any available discounts for ongoing maintenance. 

Keep an eye out for worn parts such as brakes, tires and hoses. If you notice any wear and tear, then they need to be replaced immediately. As tires are a vital part of your car because they are responsible for protecting your car’s wheels and keeping your car’s ride level smooth, you should define the importance of selecting the right tires. There are many tire brands available and each of them has its own qualities. First of all, it’s important to ask a professional mechanic or read reviews from different auto blogs or guides before purchasing any type of tire. For example, if you want long-lasting tires for your car you can try Yokohama tires, which are known for being very durable, and also offer a great selection of tires for a variety of different vehicles. So to know all the features and uses of them you can read the Yokohama tires review, through which you will make a better decision. This is the most inexpensive way on how to keep your car well maintained. It is also the most convenient since you won’t have to haul a car to the shop because of the weather. 

If you are driving a Volkswagen and wondering how to keep it well maintained, it requires the same attention as mentioned above. If you are wondering, “Which VW Golf is most reliable?” This is a great question but to keep a car reliable you need to focus on the longevity of the car. Its transmission, the engine, tires, etc all contribute to how well or how reliable the car is. 

Some maintenance is necessary on your car each year. Some examples are oil changes, which must be done regardless of the mileage of the car. When you follow these tips, you will be doing your part to keep your car in good condition.

Do You Know What The Difference Is Between Men’s Vs Women’s Glasses?

Sharon Anderson
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Do You Know What The Difference Is Between Men’s Vs Women’s Glasses?

Have you ever noticed that sometimes you can go into a shop to put on eyeglasses and then find that they suit your frame at all? If you’ve ever been in this perplexing scenario, you’re not alone. It’s common for you to struggle to identify whether a pair of glasses is for men or women. The thing is, there are differences between men’s and women’s glasses.

A lot of people, including you, can’t tell the difference between men’s vs women’s glasses. Even though you do find glasses that are unisex, you still want to ensure that you pick a pair that will enhance your facial features as best as you’d like to. If you don’t want to be confused the next time that you choose your pair of glasses, you should keep on reading.

What are the Main Differences?

If you don’t mind unisex glasses, then that’s okay. But, if you love to look feminine or macho based on the glass frame that you choose, then these common differences should be beneficial for you.

1. The size of the frames

If you want to know whether someone was born male or female, you should take a look at their facial features. According to studies, men and women have a physical makeup that ensures that they have different facial structures. This means that there are many things that are designed to be gender-specific for this reason. This is the case with your eyeglasses. They are generally designed according to the facial features of men or women, depending on who will wear a pair, they might have a longer bridge or a shorter one.

2. Shape of the frames

If the size of your frame doesn’t convince you that your eyeglasses can be designed for a specific gender, then you should consider looking at their shape. When you look at the frames that are designed for men, you’ll notice that they tend to be more square-shaped. Conversely, women’s glasses tend to be more oval-shaped or rounder. They even have common shapes such as cateye styles. These are designed to give their faces a softer look.

3. The color of the lens

Color is usually the most common way that you can tell if something is designed for men or women. Even though this perception is flawed because nowadays, more men wear colors that were traditionally associated with women, some designers still use it as a differentiator. If you look around you now, you’ll notice that the reds, pinks, and purples are generally worn by women. On the other hand, you should notice that the surrounding men prefer to wear darker colors like navy, black, and even gray. The fact is that the designers behind each frame tend to target stereotypical personalities when they’re designing their products.

Unisex Frames to Choose

If you’re someone who doesn’t mind having subtle differences in your frame, then these common unisex trends can be a good choice for you.

  • Cateye glasses
  • Aviators
  • Angular eyeglasses

In summary, you should be fine with wearing either frame. But, if you’re particular about your features and want a feminine or macho look, then knowing these differences should be helpful to you in the future.

These are the Best Value Colleges in North Carolina

Charlotte Stories
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These are the Best Value Colleges in North Carolina

SmartAsset released a study on the colleges and universities that give students the best return on their investment. The study weighed five metrics: scholarships, starting salary, tuition, living expenses and retention rate.

According to the study, these North Carolina schools ranked the highest overall:

Rank School City Avg. Scholarships and Grants Avg. Starting Salary College Tuition* Student Living Costs Student Retention Rate College Education Value Index
1 Duke University Durham, NC $49,026 $72,300 $55,695 $18,644 98% 72.95
2 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC $16,164 $56,600 $8,987 $14,824 96% 66.41
3 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC $10,061 $58,600 $9,101 $14,876 94% 63.60
4 North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC $8,607 $54,000 $6,612 $11,524 79% 59.79
5 Appalachian State University Boone, NC $8,114 $48,100 $7,364 $11,830 88% 52.88
6 Wake Forest University Winston Salem, NC $37,534 $61,500 $53,322 $18,316 94% 48.06
7 East Carolina University Greenville, NC $8,192 $49,400 $7,188 $14,484 82% 45.01
8 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC $7,295 $53,600 $6,853 $16,841 83% 44.93
9 Winston-Salem State University Winston Salem, NC $8,294 $47,900 $5,904 $14,230 78% 42.62
10 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC $5,476 $45,900 $3,926 $13,779 78% 40.00

 

You can find additional details on the study, including the methodology, interactive map and a list of the top schools in each state here.

Charlotte Water Main Ruptures – Boil Water Advisory Issued For Multiple Zip Codes

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Water Main Ruptures – Boil Water Advisory Issued For Multiple Zip Codes

One of Charlotte’s largest water mains ruptured yesterday, causing low to no water pressure in tens of thousands of Charlotte homes.

The break occurred off Remount Road yesterday evening evening at around 5pm. The main serviced several zip codes, including the areas north to Brookshire Boulevard and I-85, east to WT Harris Boulevard and Monroe Road, west to the Catawba River, and south to the SC state line.

The City of Charlotte has issued a boil water advisory until tomorrow (according to Charlotte Water, “if you did not experience a loss of pressure or water, your water is safe to drink”).

Here is a short video showing the immense pressure of the water main break:

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