Southeast Tourism Society Recognizes Three Lake Norman Festivities on Top 20 Events

Charlotte Stories
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Southeast Tourism Society Recognizes Three Lake Norman Festivities on Top 20 Events

Visit Lake Norman (VLN) nominated The Amazing Maize Maze, Carolina Renaissance Festival, and Christmas in Davidson to the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Top 20 this year. Each event was selected as a Top 20 Event and will be published on two websites: Southeast Tourism Society and Travel Media Press Room. Travel industry experts select 20 events per month and STS publicizes them throughout the United States. The significance of the nominations is to recognize unique and diverse events, as well as provide well-deserved accolades for the dedicated event organizers and additional media exposure.

This year’s The Amazing Maize Maze, which will be held on weekends from September 7 to November 3, was announced as September’s Top 20 Best Festivals and Events in the Southeast. The seven-acre maze is one of the largest corn mazes in the Southeast region, although it serves as a small fraction of Rural Hill’s immense 265 acres. The maze serves as an excellent team-building exercise and is recommended for any group that wants to enjoy the delightful Lake Norman fall weather.

This year’s Carolina Renaissance Festival, which will be held on Saturdays and Sundays from October 5 to November 24, was elected as October’s Top 20 Best Festivals and Events in the Southeast. The Carolina Renaissance Festival emulates the 16th-century marketplace with non-stop entertainments, arts and crafts, games and rides, jousting knights on horseback, feating and much more. These festivals have allowed people to come together and appreciate the traditions of our diverse community for the past 25 years.

This year’s Christmas in Davidson which will be held on December 5 through December 7, was recognized on December’s Top 20 Best Festivals and Events in the Southeast. Christmas in Davidson is an annual event that takes guest on a journey through the holiday village with shopping, live music, fine foods and a Live Nativity scene. As the largest and most popular Davidson event, Christmas in Davidson is sure to put all in the holiday spirit.

Congratulations to the devoted event organizers that have worked vigorously to bring Lake Norman the best festivals and events each year. These unique, year-round events have provided attendees with everlasting memories and support for the travel industry which bring economic benefits to Lake Norman.

Artful Bra Project & Free Mammogram Screenings At York County’s Center for the Arts

Steve
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Artful Bra Project & Free Mammogram Screenings At York County’s Center for the Arts
The Artful Bra Project is an invitational exhibition featuring one-of-a-kind works of art created by local artists who used the bra as the foundation of their pieces to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Artful Bra Project will be on display in the Perimeter Gallery at the Center for the Arts, 121 E. Main St., Rock Hill, SC, from September 12 – October 27, 2019, and online from October 10 – 27, 2019.
The Arts Council is hosting an online auction of the bras from October 10 – 27, 2019, with proceeds benefiting the Breast Screening Source of York County, an organization that provides assistance to those who do not have insurance, or have insurance that only covers hospital care, and who meet certain income guidelines.
MOBILE 3D MAMMOGRAM SCREENINGS AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Early detection is key. On Friday, October 11, 2019 from 9 AM – 3 PM in the parking lot beside Wells Fargo, 101 E. Main St., Rock Hill, SC, Invision Diagnostics will be on-site with their mobile 3D mammography coach where they will provide mammograms. This event is open to the public.
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT
22 appointment slots are available. Please schedule appointments in advance and complete the required forms through the Invision Diagnostics online portal available at yorkcountyarts.org/artfulbras.
This event is open to the public. Those who do not have insurance and meet the Breast Cancer Screening Source of York County’s criteria may participate in this event. To learn more about the program and to apply for aid, call (803) 493-2716.
More information regarding the Artful Bras Project, the Breast Screening Source of York County, and Invision Diagnostics’ Mobile 3D Mammogram Screenings is available at yorkcountarts.org/artfulbras.
The Arts Council is headquartered in downtown Rock Hill, a state-recognized cultural district. For more information on Arts Council events, contact the Arts Council of York County at (803)328-2787, by email at arts@yorkcountyarts.org, or visit our webpage at http://www.yorkcountyarts.org.

Former North Carolina Stuntman Became the Force Behind a Hit TV Show Building Unique Toys

Steve
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Former North Carolina Stuntman Became the Force Behind a Hit TV Show Building Unique Toys

People often find themselves in jobs where they know they don’t want to be for years to come. Yet many of those people are unsure what to do about it in order to move forward in the direction of a career of their dreams. For one former stuntman, he didn’t sit idly by and wish for a position he would be passionate about. Combining his passion for car shows that stemmed from his childhood with his ingenuity, he was able to take steps to create a career path that led to him having a hit television show building unique one-of-a-kind custom hot rods and cars for adults.

“I had to realize that being a stuntman wasn’t a long-term career. It was too hard on my body,” says David Ankin, inventor and star of the hit show ToyMakerz. “I decided to turn my passion into a career that I could grow in and others could also enjoy. Creativity is something that helped me get started in this field and remains a constant. Now the challenge is constantly coming up with something new and unique.”

Ingenuity, which is having the ability to be clever, original, or inventive, is what has propelled Ankin to the top of his field. But it’s not something that came to him overnight. In fact, he has been on the path since he was a child. Growing up without a lot of money, he wasn’t able to go out and buy the latest toy or car. But he also didn’t want his vehicles to look just like everyone else’s. That motivated him to learn to build his own. With his father as his inspiration, he hung out at his shop and watched in awe at the things that his dad could do.

As a child, Ankin also spent a lot of time being dedicated to bike and car shows. In fact, his idea of a vacation was working late into the night for six weeks to get ready for a bike or car show, then traveling halfway across the country and meeting up with other fabricators. When he wasn’t doing that, he was struggling to get his car or bike ready to win a race. At the end of the day, the factors that really influenced him on his journey are the industry itself and all the people and fabricators who no one will ever meet.

Today, his ingenuity has led to his company, ToyMakerz, where the toys are made, and has also been turned into a hit television show, where people can tune in and see him work his magic. Here are 5 ways that ingenuity can help fuel your business:

  1. Gets you noticed. With your business being set apart by being original, it will help get you noticed. People have become immune to everything being the same and they crave things that are different or stand out from the crowd. Whether it’s a restaurant, clothing line, or something else, being different will open the doors to a whole new audience.
  2. Helps with longevity. Those business leaders who are unique will be in a better position to roll with the punches. They don’t mind adapting and changing as the market demands. Rather than close up, they will be able to keep re-inventing themselves in order to keep thriving.
  3. Fuels decision making. Being able to come up with creative solutions to problems will help take a business to the next level. Those with ingenuity are not afraid to put their ideas out there, no matter how out of the box they may seem. Ultimately, that’s exactly what is needed to help grow their business.
  4. Offers drive. Business leaders with initiative have drive and determination. They are not afraid to take risks and they don’t wait around for someone else to make something happen. They come up with their own unique plans and put them in action to keep moving forward.
  5. Helps carve out opportunity. Whether fueled by your childhood passions or noticing what is missing in your city and wanting to make improvements, those with new ideas will create their own opportunity. They find a way to make things happen in the business world.

“The journey hasn’t been short or easy,” added Ankin. “It started as a childhood dream and has evolved over time. I happened to come across the right location to set up shop in Reidsville, NC, where the town and the people have been so supportive. Then, using ingenuity, I started assembling my team to help me grow my vision of ToyMakerz, and it’s still evolving today.”

ToyMakerz partnered with Source Digital to develop an app, which is helping fans connect with the show. Enhancing the viewer experience with new digital brand integrations, the ToyMakerz app lets fans connect with the cast, score exclusive deals on anything they see on the screen while they are watching the show live, and share pictures of their own rides!

The third season re-airs on Sunday mornings at 9am ET/8am CT, August 18th on HISTORY®. Catch up on past episodes here on Amazon.

NC’s Massive “Brew and Choo” Festival Will Feature Music and Craft Beers on Trains

Charlotte Stories
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NC’s Massive “Brew and Choo” Festival Will Feature Music and Craft Beers on Trains

This weekend, the North Carolina Transportation Museum will be hosting a massive craft beer festival, featuring food trucks, live music, games, and plenty of trains.

Their annual ‘Brew and Choo’ festival will include at least 11 local craft breweries, including 2 new one-of-a-kind brews that will only be available aboard train rides at the event.

The festival will charge $5 for ages 21 and up and will be free for anyone under 21.

Train rides will include two seating options;

  • Coach seating for $12, including a souvenir glass, snack, and craft brew samples.
  • Table seating for $15, including a souvenir glass, light appetizers, and craft brew samples.

The museum is located at 1 Samuel Spencer Drive in Spencer, NC, about 30 miles Northeast of Charlotte;

You can find out more about the festival on nctrans.org.

Frontier Airlines Is Giving Away Free Round-Trip Flights To People With These 2 Last Names

Steve
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Frontier Airlines Is Giving Away Free Round-Trip Flights To People With These 2 Last Names

Frontier Airlines has just kicked off a new promotion to celebrate the start of their “Green Week” by giving away free round trip tickets (up to $400 in value) to anyone with the last names of Green or Greene.

The company notes that, “Green isn’t just the color of our logo, it is the way we do business. Recognized as an industry leader in airline fuel-efficiency by The International Council on Clean Transportation.”

According to their website, the specific terms and conditions of the deal are as follows:

“Individuals with the last name Green or Greene will be eligible to receive refunds for one way or round trip nonstop domestic travel on August 13, 2019. Flights must be booked on flyfrontier.com. Individuals who are eligible for this promotion will be refunded for round trip flights if both segments of travel are purchased on one PNR, the first segment departs between 12:00AM and 11:59PM on August 13, 2019, and the return segment arrives by 11:59PM on August 20, 2019. Eligible participants will receive a full refund, up to $400.

Promotion is applicable only to individuals with the last name Green or Greene, their immediate families (spouses, parents, children and siblings and their respective spouses) are not eligible for this promotion if their last name is not Green or Greene.

Refunds will be rewarded to to the original booking contact person by September 15, 2019.

Eligible participants in this promotion must have documentation that Green or Greene is legally their last name.”

You can find out more info and book your free flight here.

Here’s How The Carolinas Rank In Terms Of Real Purchasing Power of $100

Steve
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Here’s How The Carolinas Rank In Terms Of Real Purchasing Power of $100

What can $100 buy you these days? Turns out, that question largely depends on where you live.

The relative value of $100 can vary by up to 35%, depending on what state and county you’re shopping in.

The tax foundation’s report ranks each state’s purchasing power of $100. North Carolina was ranked #18 in the nation and South Carolina was ranked #12 for the highest real value of $100.

State Real Value of $100 Rank
Mississippi $115.34 1
Arkansas $114.29 2
Alabama $113.90 3
South Dakota $113.64 4
Kentucky $112.74 5
West Virginia $112.49 6
Ohio $111.98 7
Missouri $111.86 8
Oklahoma $110.99 9
Tennessee $110.86 10
Iowa $110.74 11
South Carolina $110.50 12
Nebraska $110.38 13
Kansas $110.25 14
Indiana $109.41 15
Louisiana $109.41 16
North Dakota $109.29 17
North Carolina $109.05 18
Georgia $108.70 19
Idaho $107.07 20
Wisconsin $107.07 21
Michigan $106.27 22
Montana $106.16 23
New Mexico $105.26 24
Wyoming $103.95 25
Arizona $103.73 26
Texas $103.52 27
Utah $103.09 28
Maine $102.99 29
Minnesota $102.46 30
Nevada $102.35 31
Pennsylvania $101.83 32
Rhode Island $101.32 33
Oregon $101.01 34
Florida $100.91 35
Illinois $99.30 36
Vermont $98.81 37
Delaware $98.14 38
Colorado $98.04 39
Virginia $97.47 40
Washington $96.34 41
New Hampshire $95.06 42
Alaska $94.61 43
Massachusetts $93.37 44
Connecticut $91.91 45
Maryland $90.66 46
California $88.97 47
New Jersey $87.34 48
New York $86.43 49
Hawaii $85.62 50
District of Columbia $84.67 —

Several counties in North Carolina have an even higher purchasing power than the state of Mississippi at $116.70, while Charlotte’s metro area brings our state average down with a purchasing power of $106.80 as well as Raleigh’s metro with a purchasing power of $104.30. The Virginia Beach metro area (which crosses into North Carolina) had the lowest purchasing power in our state at $101.60.

South Carolina’s non-metro areas had the highest purchasing power in the nation at $119.90 (Mississippi’s non-metro areas have a purchasing power of $119.80).

Charlotte’s Historic Hosiery Mill Is About To Be Completely Redeveloped

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte’s Historic Hosiery Mill Is About To Be Completely Redeveloped
via White Point Partners

One of Charlotte’s last vacant mill buildings is about to become a massive new 43,000+ square feet mixed use development.

The Chadbourn Mill, which sits at the corner of Jordan Pl. and N. Brevard St., operated as a female hosiery mill from the early 30s into the 70s.

FCP Co. purchased the property for $4.4 million and partnered with Charlotte’s White Point Partners to redevelop it.

They plan on making 40,000 square feet of office space and at least 3,000 square feet of retail space, including a new restaurant.

White Point Partners also recently redeveloped Charlotte’s hot new Optimist Hall, which now includes a massive food hall and a state-of-the-art Duke Energy innovation center.

What do you think about the redevelopment of all of our mill buildings?

How Commercial Cleaning Can Benefit Your Business

Sparky
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How Commercial Cleaning Can Benefit Your Business

When it comes to the cleanliness and orderliness in your commercial space or building, hiring a commercial cleaning company brings tons of benefits. For example, a clean space can attract more customers and investors in your company by positive first impressions upon entering your business establishment. Also, remember that a clean and fresh office or workplace also increases employee productivity. 

In this post, you’ll learn how commercial cleaning services can benefit your business. It’ll help you make the right decision when choosing one to maintain the cleanliness of your company. 

Commercial Cleaning Services Promote Cost-Effective Solutions 

Overhead and administrative costs can drain away from your profits. Instead of hiring an in-house cleaning team, hiring a commercial maintenance company is better. 

From a financial perspective, it’s practical to hire commercial cleaners. It’s because you eliminate paying premium salary rates relying on employees and supervisors to clean your business premises. Cardiff commercial cleaners charge lower to keep your offices clean.

Commercial Cleaning Services Reduce Liability Risks

There are risks involved in asking your employees to clean your offices, such as slip and fall accidents. Don’t allow your core employees to do cleaning jobs. Leave it to the hands of professional cleaners who know how to operate cleaning tools and devices. 

Commercial cleaning companies have liability insurance to cover you. It means that you won’t be responsible for paying hospitalization or medical bills if a cleaner met an accident while cleaning your premises.

Commercial Cleaning Services Allows You to Focus on Your Business

Instead of hiring your in-house cleaners which require direct supervision, it’s best to hire from a third party. In that way, you can focus more on your business, like strengthening your sales and marketing strategies. 

While professional cleaners maintain the cleanliness of your desks, floors, and product stands, you focus your mind in thinking of meaningful ways to make your graphic design stand out, such as your signage, business logo, store layout, window displays, and product packaging. 

Commercial Cleaning Services Promote Healthier Work Environment

You won’t expect your employees to empty trash bins, bring trash bags, scrub toilets, or vacuum the carpet. Leave all of these tasks to a professional cleaner. Don’t expose your employees to cleaning jobs because cleaning requires safety gear and equipment, too. You’ll only expose your employees to harmful contaminants and chemicals that can lead to sickness and absenteeism. 

If you want a healthier work environment, hire a commercial cleaning New Orleans company. In that way, you won’t compromise the health of your employees and your business. A professional cleaner knows what cleaning agents to use on various surfaces. They also use protective gear, such as gloves, and follow safety precautions when handling chemicals. 

Commercial Cleaning Services Provide Expert Services 

Professional cleaners have undergone training on how to clean different office spaces using the right tools, equipment, and procedures. Aside from that, a cleaning company has a consistent supply of toilet paper, hand soap, trash bags, sanitizers, paper towels, feminine products, and hand towels. Cleaning supervisors perform inventory and quality checks from time to time to ensure that you won’t run out of cleaning and toiletry supplies. 

Here are the services offered by cleaning services:

  • Floor Cleaning Services: Vacuuming, tile cleaning, carpet cleaning, power washing 
  • Window Cleaning Services: Window washing and treatments 
  • Janitorial Services: Dusting tables and cleaning restrooms

Make Your Employees and Tenants Happier Hiring a Commercial Cleaner 

If you own a commercial building and you want to attract good tenants, hiring a commercial cleaning company will ensure that your tenants and staff are happy. Your carpets will be regularly cleaned. All common areas will remain fresh and clean, inviting a positive mood, and promoting a good landlord’s reputation. 

Commercial Cleaning Services Help You Protect Your Investment

Your office furniture, carpet, appliances, and equipment are expensive investments. That’s why proper care should be carried out at all times to avoid costly repairs or replacements. A cleaning mistake is not an excuse. That’s why hiring a professional is the best decision you can make to protect your property. 

Scheduled cleaning services after work hours will help ensure that every surface is cleaned. All work areas should be clean and organized the next morning. Your employees will surely feel more inspired to work in a clean and good-smelling office.  

Conclusion

Hiring the right commercial cleaning company will help you manage your business. You’ll be more focused on the business aspect than worrying about the cleanliness of your work environment or business establishment. Attract more visitors, customers, clients, and potential investors on your business by giving them an excellent first impression.

Chick-Fil-A Bringing Mac and Cheese To The Carolinas

Steve
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Chick-Fil-A Bringing Mac and Cheese To The Carolinas

Chick-Fil-A has just announced it will be adding mac-and-cheese to their menus in select cities in 6 new states across the country.

According to The Daily Meal, the fast food chain first introduced the side in Nashville in 2017, then expanded it to select cities in Texas, Maryland, Tennessee, and Georgia last year.

The new comfort food side will now be added to menus later this month in:

Baltimore, Maryland
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
Houston and San Antonio, Texas
Nashville, Tennessee
Phoenix, Arizona.

The new side is a baked blend of macaroni noodles, cream, and their own special 3-cheese blend.

So far, the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive;

Charlotte Girls Learn STEM Skills at Project Scientist Expedition

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Girls Learn STEM Skills at Project Scientist Expedition

Although women fill nearly half of all jobs in the U.S., they hold less than 25 percent of STEM jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Yesterday, Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, and Project Scientist worked together to address the gap. Ingersoll Rand, and its strategic climate brands, Thermo King® and Trane®, hosted the Project Scientist STEM Academy on its Davidson, N.C. campus for more than 80 girls ages 4-12.

The Project Scientist girls are from towns around Charlotte and are from diverse backgrounds with 40% receiving a scholarship to attend the Project Scientist STEM academy. During yesterday’s interactive experience, the girls completed hands-on projects including engineering and assembling solar lights to send to children in energy impoverished areas like the Dominican Republic.

“To achieve diversity and gender parity in STEM careers and fill the talent pipeline with capable and experienced professionals, we have to teach girls from all backgrounds that they can grow up to be anything they want, and it’s important to start young,” said Sandy Marshall, Project Scientist Founder and CEO. “Thanks to partners like Ingersoll Rand, Trane and Thermo King who support our mission, girls can see real women using STEM to solve problems and make the world a better place,” said Marshall. “They can see wonderful career opportunities that await in STEM.”

The Project Scientist girls learned about climate-friendly technology powering Trane heating and air conditioning systems that cool people at home and work; and witnessed how to efficiently power the Thermo King transport refrigeration units that keep perishable foods and medicines safe during transport. The girls also toured a virtual reality lab and participated in a 3D printing process to see what is inside of a compressed air system used in manufacturing processes like car assembly and food production.

“The experiences the Project Scientist girls engaged in demonstrate the transformative, innovative and exciting nature of a STEM career,” said Katherine Cipkala, senior cyber security manager at Ingersoll Rand and company champion for Project Scientist. “It is important to expose girls to positive STEM experiences early and keep them engaged throughout their education. Programs like Project Scientist fuel the future workforce, and are in line with our 2030 sustainability commitments for people and citizenship to provide women and girls with unique educational experiences.”

The company’s engagement with Project Scientist are in line with its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, which it announced in June upon accepting the World Environment Center’s 35th Annual Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development. The company designed these commitments to:

  • Meet the challenge of climate change including reducing customer carbon footprint from buildings, homes and transportation by one gigaton1 CO2e– equivalent to the annual emissions of Italy, France and the United Kingdom combined.
  • Transform its supply chain and operations to have a restorative impact on the environment including achieving carbon neutral operations and giving back more water than we use in water-stressed areas.
  • Increase opportunity for all, strengthening economic mobilityand bolstering the quality of life of our people including gender parity in leadership roles, a workforce reflective of our community populations, maintaining livable market-competitive wages and broadening community access to cooling comfort, housing and food.
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