“From nostalgic patriotic parades to community festivals with firework displays to myriad planned and spontaneous raft- up (boat) parties on Lake Norman, there truly is something for everyone here in the greater Lake Norman area this 4th of July. Get out of your home, save gas and have a great time!”  I wrote this three years ago and it is still just as true this year.  So, here is the run down on Lake Norman’s 4th of July festivities 2011:  

Saturday, July 2nd at 11:00am the 7th Annual Troutman Independence Celebration Parade  will be held on a 3-mile route from the Iredell County Fair Grounds ending at the Troutman Elementary School.  (Highway 21).If you want to experience a slice of true, old-fashion, small-town Americana, this is a must attend parade.  The streets are lined with flags, yellow ribbons and folks of all ages, many with signs honoring our military past and present.  The parade itself  has over one hundred entries including floats with United States Veterans from all of our wars, military units, WWII Vehicles, local clubs and civic organizations, beauty queens and just about any thing you can imagine including at least one John Deere Tractor!  This year they are honoring Purple Heart recipients as their Grand Marshals.  And they will have a special recognition of World War II Merchant Marines.  New this year the parade is followed by  the Town of Troutman’s Independance Celebration festival “ending with a breathtaking fireworks display!

 For the younger crowd, on Saturday, June 25th, Vinnie’s Raw Oyster Bar  is holding their popular annual bikini contest (it’s not too late to enter!). VIP Tables available.

Celebrate our country’s freedom at the Lowe’s YMCA’s Summer Celebration on July 3rd for one of the biggest, baddest Independence Day fireworks show in the area. 20,000 people are expected to gather at and around the Y for family fun, music, food vendors and – of course - FIREWORKS!   The celebration will kickoff at 4pm with activities for the kids including inflatables, face painting, games, and balloons.  Lowes Home Improvement is also providing ” Build and Grow” building kits for kids and families to work on together.  At 8:30 the Peninsula Baptist Church will present a flag ceremony which will be followed by the fireworks at 9:30pm. The event is free and open to the public but all proceeds from sponsors and vendors will benefit the Lowes Community Support Campaign.

The Town of Huntersville will be hosting their 9th Annual Fourth of July Celebration on Monday, July 4th from 10:00am – 1:00pm at Birkdale Village…a family-friendly celebration! Activities include a parade, a bike decorating contest, a water fight between the fire stations, childrens’ arts and crafts, face painting, a clown bounce, music, food and “A whole lot of fun!!!”.  For more details: 704.895.8744

The Town of Davidson will hold their annual Fourth of July Celebration on Sunday, July 3th from 5:15 – 8p.m.  Festivities include their annual small-town parade.  All are invited to “patriotically dress their bicycles, wagons, pets and strollers” and participate by meeting at Davidson Town Hall and lining up by 5:15pm.  Da Throwback Band will perform at The Concert on the Green beginning at 6pm.  Music and games for all ages will be set up on the Village Green and a children amusement area will be available for a $5 admission.  There will be no fireworks this year.  More information: 704.892.7591.

The Town of Cornelius will also be celebrating on July 4th in a “laid back” family-friendly way.  Starting at 6:30pm, families can play games, dance and picnic at this casual patriotic presentation.  At 6:30pm: Acoustic Soulution,  kids can ride the trackless train, concessions, Coca-Cola activities including touchscreen Coke games, wii games, free product samplings and more!  At 8:30pm the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader will be shown on the blimp screen.  Located at the Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.  704.892.6031 ext 160.

Just Confirmed: Fireworks displays are officially planned for Queens Landing on Lake Norman on Saturday, July 2nd. They are billing this “the largest fireworks celebration on the lake!” Fireworks are expected to begin at around 9:15pm.  For more information:  Queen’s Landing Website 

If you want to party, The Sandbar is always a lot of adult fun. Their party runs from 1:00pm – 9:00pm on July 4th.  For more information from their 2009 event: LKN Social.    Where is the Sandbar? Here are the  directions  to the Sandbar.  Be sure to check out LKNfun.com where you will find a great list of celebrations at our many restaurants and bars.

Coca Cola 4th of July Festival at the U.S. Whitewater Center: ” The Coca-Cola 4th of July Festival is the biggest event of the year with 3 consecutive days of free live music and fireworks. The weekend-long celebration will begin on Saturday, July 2 and conclude on Monday, July 4″.  Free!
 

Presbyterian Hospital July 4th Spectacular  (Red White and BOOM!) will offer a spectacular fireworks display at the Memorial Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. From 4:00pm to 10:00pm on July 4th.  There will be plenty of “family-friendly activities including watermelon eating contests, sack races, tug-of-war and more!”  Live music.  At 9:30 p.m., one of the area’s biggest and longest fireworks displays begins so come early and bring a blanket.

Finally, if you want to have your own, legal, fireworks display, in past years they have set up a stand where they sell fireworks at the corner of Williamson Rd. and Brawley School Rd. about a week before the 4th. 

Have fun and be safe!

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Step aside Evian, Perrier, SanPelligrinio and Fiuggi!  Did you know that right here in our own town of Huntersville, located down a long country road off of Beatties Ford, is the Midas Spring, a “natural resource comparable to the best springs in Europe, which are prized for their health-giving benefits”? 

 We all know that water is good for us but how often do we just grab whatever bottled water on sale not knowing that all waters are not the same?

“Each mineral water has a particular content, created by the minerals it leaches from the surrounding rock in the underground aquifer where it resides” according to owner Joe Liburdi.  “Midas Spring Water is especially good since it has a very low chemical content but is rich in a few important elements.  It is considered a light mineral water….but it does have some minerals, and just the right ones at it turns out.” He offers Magnesium as an example as some research shows Magnesium can cut the risk of heart disease and may even help ADD! 

       The History of Midas Spring Water

According to legend, it was the Catawba Indians who first discovered this natural spring.  Then, in 1871, John Williamson Sample (raised on the Latta Plantation) purchased the spring and created what is said to be “the oldest company in Mecklenburg Co. NC with continuous service since 1871 and one of the first bottled water companies in the country.”  Over the years stories spread of the medicinal value of Midas water; from cured kidney stones, to longevity to curing a deathly ill Indian who had been left by it’s shore to die.

Today the 52-acre Midas Spring property is owned and run by Joe Liburdi and his son Gianni Liburdi who is quick to point out how favorably Midas Spring Water compares to popular American and European waters.

During my recent visit I was fortunate to meet Doug Green, production manager, who gave me a tour of the production rooms and explained more about their mineral water.

 Midas Spring Water is sold in 16.9 oz single serving bottles and 4-gallon containers and can be purchased at local health food stores like the Home Economist in Davidson, Earth Fair and  nearby resorts and restaurants. 

However, I highly recommend that you visit their store at the Midas Spring:  9831 Beatties Ford Road in Huntersville. (Open Monday – Friday.  Call 704.392.2150 for hours).   You can buy cases of single serving bottles or their 4-gallon bottles. 

Once you taste it you will be hooked!

The Midas Spring Water Website  has the Nutritional Facts , a Midas Comparison Chart as well as many links to news and magazine articles that provide some fun and fascinating history about Lake Norman’s very own spring water.

I must admit I am extremely impressed with Simonini Builders.  Not only are they one of the few Lake Norman home builders to be breaking ground on a new, upscale housing development, but they are tackling this difficult Lake Norman real estate market by creating a community incorporating an acknowledgement of todays pricing and a design plan and vision clearly focused on the future with an important memory of the past.  

The Preserve at Robbins Park was designed blending the 19th century concept of a “preferred neighborhood bordering a capacious public park” with “the luxury of in-town living with a Lake Norman address”.

Why is The Preserve at Robbins Park Extraordinary?:

• They offer a “balance of a ”commitment to preservation of nature with the tranquility of a home“
• Their designers envision a community with true “neighborly connections” but still offering personal privacy
• The proximity to woodlands, public fields and natural habitats yet close to shopping and services
• There will be 100 Energy Star and Earth Craft certified “Green” homes.  To my knowledge this is the first “Green” housing community in Lake Norman! 
• Pricing, which starts in the $620,000′s, incorporates Simonini’s Company new pricing policy:  “One Builder’s Reaction to Looking for the Bottom”.  A White Paper written by Simonini home builder’s CFO William Saint and well worth the read, this policy reflects a home builder that truly gets it.  They understand home buyer’s reluctance to buy now as all indications are that prices will continue to fall.  Their response?  Instead of negotiating prices their current pricing reflects a 10% decrease from last year’s and their “Why Wait Guarantee”. “Simply put, should the Case-Shiller price index for Charlotte show a decline greater than 10% within a year of your purchase, we will refund the amount above 10%, up to a total decline  of 15%.”  I must say I am impressed with Simonini’s proactive approach to today’s economic challenges!

According to Holly Gantt of Simonini Builders, ther have started taking reservations for Phase 1 (There are 4 phases) and they will be releasing the first 12 homesites at pre-construction prices.

There are 7 different models/floorplans ranging in price from $620,000 – $834,000 and size from 3281 square feet to 4670 square feet. 4 of the 7 home designs will have the Master Suite downstairs.  6 of the 7 designs offer 3-car garages and finished Media Rooms.  4 of the sites in Phase 1 will have basements.  Lot sizes will be about .21 acres

The Preserve at Robbins Park reflects the future of Lake Norman Housing and Development.  From being “Green” to design features that consider the trends in elements desired by home owners, this is certainly not just another Lake Norman housing community.

If you want more information, I have all of the building specifications and the price lists or visit the Simonini Builders website or contact Holly Gantt at their new sales office in the Harborview Shopping Center across the street from Robbins Park.

Look for my upcoming article on the “green” details incorporated in The Preserve at Robbins Park!

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This past week the Mooresville-South Irdell Chamber of Commerce launched a new program “Buy Local, Invest in Your Community” in an effort to raise awareness to the need,  especially during these financially challenging times, to support our local business.

Today I am launching my own effort to support our local businesses in the Lake Norman communities by creating a new weekly feature here on Lake Norman Real Estate:  Business of the Week.  Each week I will write an informative article about one business in our community including pictures, links and contact information so that all of my readers can support this business.

I have quite a few stores and restaurants that I would like to feature but I am also inviting you to submit your favorite local business or even your own business.  The only rule it that it must be owned, operated and located in Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrills Ford or Terrell.  Either email me the information or leave it in the comment section.

These are tough times for everyone, even in our normally thriving Lake Norman communities.  It’s not just about housing and real estate anymore.  I have friends and clients in all kinds of businesses and industries that are struggling and I want to help!  By all of us working to support each other we CAN make a difference!

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Ferrucci’s Market in Cornelius: Now That’s Italian Lake Norman!

Lake Norman Has Gone to the Dogs…and Cats!

Historic Downtown Mooresville: New Shops, Restaurants and Art Galleries!

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Birkdale Village is a true destination for so many different people in the Lake Norman area. For someone like me who every-once-in-a-while wants to get a California “fix”, I go because of its upscale shopping, restaurants, theater and overall ambiance. But, it also attracts myriad young families with strollers and business people coming to network at the Starbucks or one of the great restaurants Even our local NASCAR drivers frequent the restaurants. Unlike anywhere else in Lake Norman or even Charlotte, Birkdale Village truly offers the best of the urban village concept! 

A 52-acre mixed-use development, Birkdale was patterned after the wonderful feel of New England seacoast towns. It is a place to go just to sit at Starbucks and relax, meet with friends, watch a movie, enjoy some great food or do some serious shopping.

But, it is also a place to live! There are 320 1 to 3-bedroom luxury apartment homes located for the most part above the shops on Main Street. Community amenities include a luxurious clubhouse with fitness and business center, pool with grill area and private parking.

There is a wonderful adjacent community of single-family homes, also called Birkdale Village, where there are currently 65 active listings ranging in price from $219,000 to $659,900.  

One of the big attractions for moms and little ones is their beautiful fountain made for playing in and running through….a great way to cool down on a warm summer day!

The upscale Red Rock Cafe, Bar and Bakeryis a favorite hangout of NASCAR drivers but there are other great eateries like Brixx Pizza, Cafe Mia, Dresslers, eeZ Fusion Sushi, Maddi’s Southern Bistro, Fox and Hound, Odoba Mexican Grill and Corkscrew Wine Shop and Bar and the new Tapas Restaurant.

 There are 47 stores from Barnes & Noble Bookstore to Ann Taylor Loft, Williams Sonoma, Chico’s, Gap and Gap Kids, Banana Republic, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Maddi’s Gallery, Pier 1 Imports, Victoria’s Secret and some awesome children’s stores. And, there is a 16-screen movie theater.

Imagine living in such a charming village and being able to walk to just about everything…especially in this time of high gasoline costs. There is nothing else like it in Lake Norman!

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