The Heat is On !!!

I don't know about you but the humidity and the heat combined has caused a surge of maximum air conditioning in the car. I have been searching for lease purchases for commercial properties and well as residential. One would think that it would be easy; however, there has been a lot of leg work during this process. I feel like I have gone back 25 years when the internet wasn't invented and the real estate agent actually drove around the neighborhoods to find the homes available. Those times have come again especially with some TEMPO 5 difficulties that has hindered many of the real estate offices; and the fact that everything is not on the internet as we would once think.

At last, I have found a home for my new out of town clients. The heat was a deterrent for some of my clients children; I had to bribe with ice cream and snow cones to keep them cool. But it was all worth it because they have settled into a nice air conditioned home!!

NO MORE HEAT at least for now.

Snowed in with Nowhere to GO?

With 6 inches of snow on the ground and school is out. Those parents may be getting a little
restless with the children being in the house all day. Yet, some of you may have been searching the websites with what to do with your kids this week. Yes, I said this week because you know we are in North Carolina with limited machinery.

Here are a few suggestions. The Charlotte Nature Museum has indoor and outdoor trails. You can see live animals like groundhogs, owls and even an insect alley. The hours are 9 to 5 and only $6 admission. Try something different this week.

The Light Factory is in Spirit Square and is dedicated to photography. I attended an Art Exhibit at Armstrong College this winter. I have never been to one and probably wouldn't have gone however my wonderful nephew, Jamal, was graduating. I was amazed of the talent. The art included photography and some film; just like The Light Factory. Maybe those Armstrong students could put their artwork here.

If you happen to be in Gastonia, The Schiele of Natural Museum displays flora, fossils and minerals and fauna which makes our environment eco friendly. This place has live animals, mounted specimens, birds, mammals and reptiles. It may be a great way to give your children a little history on nature.

Speaking of history. The Charlotte Museum of History is a great place to educate your kids as well as yourself about the growth of Charlotte; the "Community Grow" and you may also visit the 5,000 square Difoot rock house, Hezekiah Alexander House; the oldest house in Mecklenburg County.

The most popular museum of Charlotte is Discovery Place. If you a Charlottean and have never been here; then this is a must see. It is mostly hands-on, family-friendly science center. I have gone as a visitor of Charlotte and also as a resident. I can admit that I have gone without my children or nieces and nephews. How many of you have gone without kids??? Yes, I am kid inside. I am never growing up especially if I can go to the wonderful museums we have to offer in the Charlotte area.

So parents, check out the websites and visit one of these powerful museums. You have an excuse, the snow! No school. Why are you still reading this blog? Go Go Go.

COMMON GROUND

Last night my brother treated me to a night out at the Belk Theater. The event was not a surprise, however the EVENT was a surprise. My brother, Lemar, was a DJ during the era of The Temptations. He has been a big fan of music for a long time. He could have gone on "Name That Tune" game show and would have become the national champion. He knows his music!

As we drove down Fifth Street we glanced at the number of people walking Uptown. Lemar is not a permanent resident of Charlotte and was amazed of how many people were walking the streets. We later concluded that there was a Bobcat game and it was Saturday night in a small metropolitan city with things to do from eateries to dance clubs.....to the Symphony!
We were a bit lost because it was raining and we couldn't see the names on the buildings. I knew where the Blumenthal Center was and had been there multiple times. However, I was always a passenger; but not tonight. I am driving and I have a non resident as a co-pilot. Ok, we are definitely lost but not really. We are here; the corner of College and Fifth; but we are confused because we are looking for the crowd of people going into the theater to see the Temptations!

We can't find people that look like us. The viewers are Senior Citizen Majorities walking into the theater.

My conclusion was to go park the car and we can figure out the rest on feet. "I know where I am going!" I am a Trusted Real Estate Advisor! Doggone it I am not LOST!!!
We park at the Hearst Towers. There is a crowd of people in the elevator. Black, white, old and young. This is Charlotte! What a wonderful diverse city. We all get off and 3/4 of the people do not know where they are going. We ALL decided to follow the couple with the mink coat who were walking like they knew where they were going.

We enter the beautiful building that was wonderfully supported by people like Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McColl, The Spangler Family, the Leon Levine Foundation, Pat and B.D. Rogers, M.A. and James Rogers, Richard Osborne and many more. You can check out their website at www.charlottesymphony.org.

We look around to see so many types of people we did not expect to be at a contemporary American pop concert. This group was an original Motown group invented by "The" Berry Gordy. We go to our seats and the crowd is definitely a "Symphony" crowd. I asked my brother was this the crowd he expected. He chuckled and said, "no." I was thinking the same thing. It was a bit uncomfortable at first when the Temptations started singing. We were use to getting up, dancing, clapping and singing. We just sat there and enjoyed the first few songs. Finally Big Sexy (nickname) told the audience to stand up and get involved. To our surprise, everyone stood up in a cheer and danced a bit and even sang a few lyrics! Now we are jamming with the Symphony crowd. The crowd continued to be involved in the concert with the instruction of the group.

Common Ground is what I titled this blog because of our experience. What we thought would be an emotionless concert became a wonderful experience. Charlotte Symphony was to create and engage the community in extraordinary musical experiences.
The brilliance of bringing a classic rhythm and soul group to perform with a classical symphony was one of the best ways to exhibit our diverse city! This is Common Ground to those who have a love for music.

If you ever have a chance to experience this in the future. Please do so with the expectation of greatness. Bring your dancing shoes and your vocal chords because you will be in for a nice surprise, I know I was!!!

Thank you Charlotte for this experience!