New Resident Solutions of Chapel Hill Presents: Community Connections

Community Connections Businesses Off to a Great Start in 2011

2011-02-01T12:22:00.009-05:00

Community Connections featured businesses continue to experience success in 2011. Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC recently completed construction of Atrium Obstetrics and Gynecology's new facilities at 2615 Lake Drive in Raleigh. The Bikas Building team's Clinic Builder™ division provided turnkey clinic solutions by making sound attenuation, value stream mapping and patient privacy top priorities for Atrium's staff and patients.

In November, Pete Bikas and his crew finished construction of The Barbershop, a Hair Salon for Men, owned by Shannon and Hans Kindsgrab in Cary's Centrum Station at 280-107 Meeting Street. "The Barbershop is a new concept in hair care for men," Bikas says. "It offers a comfortable environment, TVs in each bay, peanuts and a shoulder massage – no other barbershop compares!"

The Barbershop also features a Central Vacuum Experts ultra silent vacuum system, which includes seven VacPan automatic dustpans.

Adding On and Cleaning Up

Speaking of Central Vacuum Experts, the company recently hired Chapel Hill native Joe Norwood as its new sales manager. Joe has extensive knowledge of the Raleigh market, 14 years of experience as a sales manager in new home construction and 13 years of experience with full service hotel management. He brings vast product, design and valuation knowledge to the company, as well as familiarity with high quality vacuum systems, thanks to his work in the hotel management business.

Central Vacuum Experts' parent company, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital, added two new employees to its team last year as well—one of the major reasons the Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce named the company its 2010 Small Business of the Year. The chamber used expansion or job creation as criteria for finalists, and Vacuum Cleaner Hospital was chosen from one of three finalists in the small business category.

Digital Dominance

Carolina Closets Plus has expanded its successful do-it-yourself seminars, run by owner Mike Hoffer, to include a class on how to convert unique spaces, such as alcoves, under-stair closets or other odd-shaped spaces, into useful storage solutions. Those who attend need only bring a picture of their space. During the seminars, they can share ideas with others and browse 5,000-plus ideas in the Carolina Closets Plus portfolio. Visit ClosetDIY.com for more information, or quickly search for it online, since Carolina Closets Plus now dominates Triangle search engines for "do-it-yourself closets."

Crossroads European, a 20-year full service auto repair company specializing in Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Mini Cooper and Volkswagen, recently redesigned its website to include third party certified reviews and a new appointments page. Conveniently located at 5116 N.C. 55 in Durham, on the edge of the Research Triangle Park, Crossroads European has received great feedback from customers who love the 24-7 window of time to schedule appointments.

Triangle TRACKS, a social network serving parents in Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties, is closing in on 1,000 members and has already hosted four contests featuring performing arts ticket giveaways since the start of 2011. Log in just to browse, or sign up for a free membership. Either way, you'll be able to access 2,000-plus links to "tools, resources and activities for Carolina kids" throughout the Triangle.

The Triangle TRACKS Facebook page—a great way to keep up with the social network's blog posts and contest announcements—is now the top referring site for Triangle TRACKS. Fans also have access to top-secret information under the "Fans Only" tab. Check it out!

Look for more new resident solutions soon, as we keep the momentum going in 2011.

Entrepreneurial Creativity Thrives During Slow Economic Times

2010-08-18T10:25:00.008-04:00

As summer winds down, local business owners start planning their fall and holiday sales strategies. This is also when allergy sufferers know their toughest months are ahead. Air purifier sales trend up this time of year at Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill. Owner Tom Proctor is also seeing more interest in HEPA (High Efficient Particulate Arresting) filtration vacuums, which reduce indoor air pollution.

Proctor prioritizes educating customers on the right air purifier and vacuum cleaner to buy - and says bagless vacuums aren't always the right choice. Central vacuums suit allergy sufferers, he says, because no exhaust air recirculates inside your home. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital stocks popular models such as the IQ Air Multi-Gas, which reduces harmful odors and is perfect for individuals who have chemical sensitivities.

Proctor recently addressed what it's like to run a vacuum cleaner business during the recession. You can listen to his comments here.

Another ray of entrepreneurial hope during our current economic recession shines out of Marmalade Skies in Cary, a self-serve frozen yogurt store recently constructed in Centrum Station at 280-103 Meeting Street by Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC.

Marmalade Skies promises creative, tasteful yogurt creations. "Since it's self-serve you can have as little or as much as you want," says Josh Ligon, owner Marmalade Skies with wife Nicole. "Kids love it because they can make it themselves, plus we have over 50 kinds of toppings they can choose from." There's nothing like a bowl full of this creamy, southern style yogurt topped with whatever you want - and free WiFi - to make the recession seem a little less menacing.

Instead of purchasing a new home, homeowners are making the most of what they've got during these tough economic times. One way to do that is to carve out and organize space DIY-style. Carolina Closets Plus of Chapel Hill continues to lead the industry in custom closet installation - and includes do-it-yourself installations - by launching the most comprehensive Closet DIY™ version of its professionally designed closet systems.

“We’re the first custom organization company in the triangle area of Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Wake Forest, Durham and Pittsboro to offer the same professional design and products to customers that prefer to install themselves,” says Mike Hoffer, co-founder and president of Carolina Closets Plus “It’s a great cost savings for people who would like a professional system, where they provide the labor.”

Carolina Closets Plus will offer a DYI seminar August 28 from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Click here for more information.

Crossroads European™ recently launched its annual back-to-college program for students. Crossroads European's skilled mechanics perform a thorough diagnostic examination of each car, and replace suspect parts to give students and their parents car confidence for the coming school year.

Triangle TRACKS™, a social network linking parents to "Tools, Resources and Activities for Carolina Kids," has opened Triangle TRACKS Marketplace, an online shop featuring items created by network members. Products launching the marketplace include Cary Heise's "Stay at Home Rock Star" T-shirts, Lily Bloom's reversible bubble skirts, Jennie From the Block's custom wood blocks and several other creative, handmade products. The Triangle TRACKS Marketplace offers another example of entrepreneurialism creativity continuing to thrive during these difficult economic times.

Check back next month for more news on how local businesses are serving new residents of Chapel Hill and beyond.

Vlogs, Vacuum Canisters and Value Stream Mapping in the News

2010-06-24T10:33:00.009-04:00

In case you haven't noticed, video blogs, aka "vlogs," are popping up on websites everywhere. Social media experts have long touted the importance of business vlogging, and now, it seems, businesses are listening.

Why? Vlogs provide an intimate way for businesses to reach out to customers, simplify step-by-step directions, introduce company leaders and authenticate the company's existence, since scammers are indeed out there.

Carolina Closets Plus of Chapel Hill recently produced 10 installation do-it-yourself videos, which enable customers to save considerable expenses by learning how to install custom cabinets themselves.

The company worked with Business Value Creation and David and Karen Knight of Cyberspaces in Pittsboro to produce the DYI videos, as well as an introduction video. Cyberspaces specialize in video creation that tells a company's story efficiently, with perfect timing, sight and sound to capture a potential customer's mind and emotion. Check it out below.

Closets-DIY 30 sec Intro from Closets-DIY on Vimeo.

YouTube is another way for businesses to increase their vlogging presence (for free). Triangle TRACKS, a social network linking North Carolina parents to "tools, resources and activities for Carolina kids" now has a YouTube presence and plans are underway for the addition of more videos there. Check out Triangle TRACKS introductory video.

Is That a Drum ... or a Vacuum Canister?
Vacuum Cleaner Hospital of Chapel Hill recently responded to an unusual customer request when the drum manager for the band Phish walked in to the store. He wanted to purchase a vintage Electrolux canister vacuum for drummer Jon Fishman to use during one of the band's songs. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital employees not only had the canister, but serviced it for the band as well. So next time you listen to Phish, pay extra attention to any unique drumming sounds. They might just be coming from an old vacuum canister.

Go With the Flow
Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC is nearing completion of Women's Health Alliance-Atrium OBGYN in Raleigh, a clinic featuring Value Stream Mapping that minimizes inconvenience and protects patient privacy. A spa-like design and décor will further enhance the clinic’s calming, organized atmosphere and flow.

Best Bet
CrossRoads European, located off I-40 at 5116 NC Highway 55 in Durham, recently received the 2010 Best of Durham Award in the Automotive Repair Shops category by the U.S. Commerce Association for the second year in a row. Each year, the USCA identifies companies they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category by enhancing the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. Owned for 20 years by Bill Aulicino, Crossroads European Automotive (crosseuro.com) is an independent car repair facility specializing in Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini Cooper and Volkswagen.
We'll post more Community Connections next month. Feel free to recommend local businesses in our comments section.

Better Organization, Cleaner Living and Easier Access

2010-03-24T09:57:00.005-04:00

A Homeworld Forecast 2009 consumer study shows that 65.9 percent of respondents said a closet organizer would be the home storage product they would most likely purchase in the next 12 months. Consider that along with a statistic from The Freedonia

Group showing that demand for home organization products in the United States will increase 4.3 percent annually to $8.9 billion in 2013. Clearly, home organization has become a top priority for homeowners. Carolina Closets Plus in Chapel Hill recognizes the need for do-it-yourself education in this area and will offer “Do It Yourself Closets” seminars on Saturdays, with the first one kicking off April 24. Learn more about the seminars and view 100-plus installation images here.

Central Vacuum Experts of Chapel Hill displayed their new booth at the American Consumer

Shows (ACS) Home Show in February, where do-it-yourselfers roam in droves. The traffic was heavy on Saturday and Sunday. “We got a lot of serious interest from this show,” says Owner Tom Proctor. “We're still following up on leads from it and are very optimistic it will prove successful.”

Spring’s arrival is keeping Central Vacuum Experts’ parent company, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital, busy promoting its registered trademark Essentials For Clean Living® humidifiers. Moist air and drained sinuses become crucial for allergy sufferers this time of year. “The Air-O-Swiss humidifiers have done very well this season, and travel (sized) ones are truly unique in their size and effectiveness,” Proctor says. “Because they produce a large amount of mist, our customers have reported they’re able to sleep better and some have stopped having nose bleeds because of the moist air.” Click here to view the product line®.

Bikas Building of North Carolina recently made the connection between personal health responsibility and patient flow on its new Bikas Building Clinic Builder blog. The latest post highlights Value Stream Mapping that minimizes inconvenience and protects patient privacy in the build out of Women's Health Alliance-Atrium OBGYN. A spa-like design and décor will further enhance the clinic’s calming, organized atmosphere and flow.

Crossroads European continues to ensure a first class customer experience as well by maintaining an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and certification as an Authorized Bosch Service Center. All Bosch Service Centers must pass a rigorous evaluation to be accepted into the program and are frequently inspected to ensure Bosch standards are being maintained.

Make Community Connections Online

Online community connections are being made at an unprecedented rate. CNET recently published a report from Forrester Research showing that online sales are expected to hit $248.7 billion domestically—constituting approximately 8 percent of all retail sales in the United States—by 2014. Chapel Hill-based Turning Point Gallery is one example of a local business prioritizing online community connections. Online visitors will find wide range of artwork from an extensive list of artists on the gallery’s website. Currently, the gallery is experiencing strong public interest in Chinese Paper Sculpture.

Another successful online sale recently concluded at Triangle TRACKS, a social network linking Triangle parents to 2,000-plus “tools, resources and activities for Carolina kids.” Triangle TRACKS worked with 15 local businesses to sell 25 passes containing fun things for kids to do as part of an effort to raise funds for God’s Littlest Angels orphanage in Haiti. HALO passes were sold to “Help Accommodate and Love and Orphan” as part of Triangle TRACKS “HALOs for Haiti’s Littlest Angels” fundraiser. By the end of the two-week sale, all 25 passes were sold and more than $2,000 had been raised. Find out what businesses supported the fundraiser here.

Whether you’re making brick-and-mortar or click-and-order connections, we hope you’ll continue to support your local community. Businesses that reach out to both audiences will enjoy twice the success.

From Brick-and-Mortar to Click-and-Order

2010-01-31T14:00:00.009-05:00

Apple’s recent unveiling of the iPad signifies just another way the digital revolution is transforming business-to-consumer interaction. Demand for a notebook-sized cross between a PDA and laptop is further proof of our desire to access information from anywhere, at anytime. iPads, iPhones, iPods and their peers all make this possible. In response, many businesses are expanding from brick-and-mortar to click-and-order operations.

Take Central Vacuum Experts in Chapel Hill. Google recently named it a “Favorite Place” and sent the company a window sticker with a unique bar code on the lower right corner of the sticker, known as a “QR code.” This instantly connects customers who have smart phones to a mobile version of Google Maps’ Place Page for the business. A “Place Page”is a webpage Google uses to organize all the relevant information about a residential or commercial place: photos, videos, a street view preview, nearby transit, reviews and related websites, for example. You might learn that Central Vacuum Experts’ parent company is Vacuum Cleaner Hospital, and that its tagline is “Essentials for Clean Living.” Or, you might link to information about its third donation of a Riccar canister to Builders of Hope, its upcoming attendance at the American Consumer Show Feb. 19-21, or the indoor air quality benefits of using the company’s products. Google makes this instantaneously possible.

Triangle TRACKS, a social network connecting Triangle parents to “tools, resources and activities for Carolina kids,” operates entirely online to inform parents of Internet-based and brick-and-mortar resources for kids across the region. From bimonthly content updates to contests and newsletters, parents and business owners access Triangle TRACKS’ information online so they can visit the many resources here for kids—from camps and preschools to youth sports leagues and birthday party venues. Right now, for example, Triangle TRACKS is hosting an online contest to award 30 sets of 4 tickets to Broadway Series South’s presentation of “Nickelodeon Storytime Live!” at the Durham Performing Arts Center Feb. 6, as well as one pair of tickets to Carolina Ballet’s presentation of “Cinderella” Feb. 20. Learn more here.

Turning Point Gallery’s recent transition from a Chapel Hill-based brick-and-mortar operation to a virtual online gallery offers proof that no industry remains untouched by digital progress. Owners Jerri and Garry Meldrum are using the gallery’s online presence to attract residential and commercial clients, which makes more in-home and direct commercial office visits possible. Still based in Chapel Hill, the gallery continues to operate with a community leadership perspective.

“All of our chosen artists, no matter how close or how far away they live, are personable and have established a local connection with the community,” said Garry Meldrum. Examples include acrylic painter Simon Bull, who created art for and made numerous visits to Duke University’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center; landscape artist Howard Behrens, who painted nine original works for Duke Gardens; and abstract equestrian and landscape artist Maeve Harris, who relies significantly on the region for equestrian art inspiration. Turning Point Gallery has become one of the nation's foremost Horse Art galleries and Jerri Meldrum is active in local horse rescue.

Some Things Never Change

No matter how advanced the digital world becomes, it takes brick-and-mortar to accommodate click-and-order operations. Triangle-based Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC is now the “Clinic Builder of North Carolina” and has just signed new contracts with Women’s Health Alliance p/k/a Atrium ObGyn and Planet Beach. Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC will construct state-of-the-art clinics for both contracts, as it has for all of its health care, medical and veterinarian clients.

On the subject of veterinarians, The Perseus Foundation works with professionals in the veterinarian industry to educate the public and scientific community about the biologic similarity of cancer in pets and people, and to communicate the ways in which comparative oncology is accelerating the treatment and prevention of cancer. Chapel Hill-based Business Value Creation LLC, a company focused on unlocking the value of hidden assets for entities and individual brands using advanced information flow techniques, is beginning an active awareness campaign in the Triangle on behalf of The Perseus Foundation. Look for updates on that in future posts.

Aside from the Internet, talk radio remains a popular venue for verifying credible resources. National Public Radio’s Car Talk recommends Crossroads European in Durham for Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagon work with 4- and 5-star reviews. Of course, there is an online connection. You can view the reviews here.

Photo credits: Google and Triangle TRACKS

Local Businesses Look Forward to New Successes in 2010

2009-12-21T15:44:00.003-05:00

As 2009 winds down, local businesses are welcoming the holiday break but looking forward to the promises of 2010.

Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC in Durham will announce two new healthcare construction projects in January, and Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill has just reduced prices on Riccar and Lindhaus floor models to make room for new models. (These reduced-price floor models will make great holiday gifts.) The store will be open through Christmas Eve, and closes Dec. 25-27.

Crossroads European Automotive in Durham is taking time off for the holidays Dec. 22-Jan. 4, but will return all incoming calls during the break. The staff recommends Dave’s Towing at (919)for anyone who needs such services. 544-7152

Carolina Closets Plus is expanding to Winston-Salem. Co-founder and president Mike hoffer says the company will partner with Granicrete to accomplish the expansion. “We offer Granicrete countertops to all of our clients who want the look of granite that can be customized to any color,” Hoffer says. “We’ve already done business in Winston-Salem and have just been able to secure a showroom to showcase our closet and organization offering. We’re really excited to be able to add another location to our existing areas of business,” which also includes Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Southern Pines, Fayetteville and Greensboro in addition Winston-Salem. The new showroom will open early next spring.

University Mall in Chapel Hill is donning a new interior look this holiday season. Families are also enjoying visiting with Santa and listening to local musicians play holiday favorites while they finish up their shopping. While you’re at the mall, stop by Turning Point Gallery. Nearly everything is on sale.

Triangle TRACKS has a loaded holiday calendar, plus more children’s events to look forward to in January. The ArtsCenter in Carrboro also has plenty of educational fun in store for local youth – art classes, concerts, theater productions, family programs and gallery exhibits, for example. We’ll offer additional details on that next month. You can also find upcoming ArtsCenter events for children on the Triangle TRACKS calendar.

Author Anne Pierce’s “Ships Without a Shore” makes an insightful holiday gift for new parents on your list, and has generated buzz on various parenting blogs. Purchase a copy online here, and check out a few comments about the book here.

We’ll post more information in January on how local businesses serve new residents of Chapel Hill and beyond. Happy holidays!

Fall Celebrations, New Additions and Holiday Preparations Breeze Through Chapel Hill

2009-10-19T21:05:00.008-04:00

Celebrations and new construction projects are coursing through Chapel Hill this month. The 2ndFriday ArtWalk’s network of galleries celebrated their 100th event Oct. 9, surpassing 1 million visitors since the late Karen Shelton, owner of Sizl Gallery in Carrboro, and Garry Meldrum, co-owner of Turning Point Gallery in University Mall and founder of Business Value Creation LLC, held the very first 2ndFriday ArtWalk nine years ago. Just in time for the 101st ArtWalk next month, The ArtsCenter in Carrboro will take over 2ndFriday ArtWalk operations with a mission to invest the brand in the further development of the local arts community.

“Given The ArtsCenter’s mission to nurture the arts through performance, exhibition and education, we certainly embrace the goals of the 2ndFriday ArtWalk to encourage and support the visual arts in all its many forms. We are excited to take the helm of one of the most successful exhibitions in the country,” says Executive Director Ed Camp. “Our vision is to make certain that anyone who thinks of the artistic community in our area thinks of The ArtsCenter as an important part of that community.”

The ArtsCenter is a non-profit organization with a mission of nurturing the arts and creativity through performance, education and exhibition. “We do this in a number of ways across all sorts of artistic expression—from theater to concerts to children's programs to over 170 art classes,” Camp says. For details on how the ArtsCenter achieves this mission, visit www.artscenterlive.org .
During the 100th 2ndFriday ArtWalk celebration, Turning Point Gallery featured 100 pieces of Raku work created by returning Turning featured artist, Joyce Furney of Kansas, who makes spectacular metallic luster raku pottery. Raku is now generally accepted to mean a method of rapid firing and cooling of ceramic ware.

New Additions
Turning Point Gallery patrons and other University Mall shoppers will soon experience the completion of a multi-million-dollar interior renovation project that is expected to wind down in November. It incorporates new lighting, furniture, paint and some flooring; new signs, and the installation of new sculptural art elements. On the western side of the mall, a new modular stage will be added near Dillard’s featuring theatrical lighting, a new sound system and seating areas. Just in time for the holidays!

Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC continues to build business offices, health care facilities, and medical, dental and retail spaces. Recently, the company constructed a different kind of addition by hiring Keith Hill as Project Manager/Estimator and Lisa Herrington to serve as its Director of Business Development. Owner Pete Bikas believes Lisa will bring a passion for problem-solving and exceptional service to the building industry. “Adding Lisa Herrington to our team is creating new insights and opportunities in the health care industry,” Bikas says. “We appreciate Lisa’s contributions.”

Reality Break
Transition from the actual construction and real estate industry to a theatrical one with Deep Dish Theatre’s presentation of “Glengarry Glen Ross,” a play written by David Mamet and directed by Paul Frellick that runs Oct. 23-Nov. 14. This Pulitzer prize-winning comedy focuses on the current tough economic times and a cutthroat sales contest that brings out the worst in a group of unscrupulous real estate salesmen.

Triangle TRACKS has compiled a list of performing arts options for children this fall that extends into the holiday season. From Disney on Ice “Worlds of Fantasy” to Carolina Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” families have plenty of theatrical performances to choose from across the region. View a list and description of the shows at this link.

A number of events posted on the Triangle TRACKS calendar benefit children who attend year-round public schools in Wake County, since many of those families often have time during the week to do fun things together. Students attending year-round school still log the same number of days and hours as traditional-schedule students. However, North Carolina educators haven't ruled out extending the school year. Recent discussion among the North Carolina State Board of Education members to consider extending the school year in terms of days and hours actually subsided due to state budget shortfalls. Anne R. Pierce, author of “Ships Without a Shore” comments throughout her book and in additional writings that the cons of a longer school year out weigh the pros. In a recent blog post she wrote: “Although longer school years and school days might provide a service to some parents and provide more time for ‘information absorption,’ they will come at the expense of childhood development. For, they will come at the expense of family time, downtime and nurturing, all of which are essential to a child’s emotional growth. And, they will come at the expense of opportunities to play, daydream, think and explore, all of which are essential for a child’s intellectual growth.”

Gear Up for the Holidays
Equally important to enjoying holiday shows and other sources of entertainment is holiday shopping. We all have a “clean freak” on our list. Central Vacuum Experts, a division of Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill, has the perfect gift for that person. The extremely quite and high-tech Cyclovac central vacuum system features an electric hose that reveals when the bag needs to be changed or the unit needs to be serviced, and the user can reduce or increase suction depending on the type of vacuuming being done. Central Vacuum Expert’s wool dusters, which extend up to 25 inches, also make great gifts. As the holidays approach and we prepare for family and other houseguests, it’s also a good time to service your current vacuum.

Why not service your car as the holidays and colder weather approach as well? RTP-based Crossroads European employs master technicians who specialize in BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagon and Audi vehicles.
As a new resident of Chapel Hill, count on the New Resident Solutions Community Connections blog to keep you informed of businesses looking out for you, as well holiday happenings in the coming months. As always, thank you for reading and we hope you’ll continue to check back here for our updates.

Recession Investments: Quality Time, Better Homes and Good Health

2009-09-10T21:30:00.011-04:00

An interesting—and not terribly surprising—phenomenon is sweeping across our nation as the economic recession continues. People are spending more time at home—and together. They’re also working harder to improve their personal health.

Improving How We Spend Time Together

A Jan. 31 New York Times article stated that studies show “when a job is harder to find or less lucrative, people spend more time on self-improvement and relatively inexpensive amusements. During the Depression of the 1930s, that meant listening to the radio and playing parlor and board games, sometimes in lieu of a glamorous night on the town. These stay-at-home tendencies persisted through at least the 1950s.”

Clearly, stay-at-home tendencies have returned. One upside of American families not having a lot of spending money right now—or not spending the money they do have—is they are spending more time together. Modern inexpensive amusements may include Internet exploring, playing the Wii, or watching a movie on cable or satellite. Free museum exhibits and activities are also popular and rank among the most widely visited calendar postings on family-oriented social networks, such as Triangle TRACKS. Nearly 50 percent of the site’s unique page views can be tracked to the calendar, indicating the popularity of family friendly events right now.

The benefits of this quality time, especially to young children, are numerous. Anne R. Pierce, author of “Ships Without a Shore” (now in paperback), emphasizes the importance of a loving family environment to a child’s well being.

“Reason, common sense, instinct and the ‘evidence’ all point to the fact that children thrive upon love,” she writes. “And, since their parents are the ones who love them most, it makes sense that time spent with parents makes a huge difference in children’s’ lives.”

Improving Where We Spend Time Together

Another trend resulting from the recession is homeowners’ desire to make affordable value-adding home improvements. After all, it’s hard to compete with affordable, foreclosed and bank-owned properties in this buyers’ market. Making a home marketable makes sense—and cents.

Carolina Closets Plus’ booth at the Southern Ideal Homeshow in Raleigh Sept. 25-27 will display all sorts of ideas for little—and big—value-boosting home improvements. For starters, the company will display European soft-close drawer slides at the show—a standard feature of all home office and drawer installations. “We like to give our customers as many value added features as we can. We don’t add to the price for any of these,” says Co-founder and President Mike Hoffer. “It’s what I would want for my job and I see no reason not to give the same upgrades to everyone.” You can view a YouTube video of how the slides work here.

A space-saving and simplifying home improvement Carolina Closets Plus also offers is the Murphy Desk Bed. “The Murphy disappearing desk bed is one of the best uses of space that I’ve come across,” Hoffer says. “Some rooms are simply not big enough for a traditional Murphy wall bed and a separate desk. This really solves the entire problem.”

Central Vacuum Experts, a division of Vacuum Cleaner Hospital will also host a booth at the Southern Ideal Home Show. Since maintaining a simplified, cleaner and more organized home makes spending time there more enjoyable, sales have picked up on home appliances such as vacuum cleaners. Central Vacuum Experts’ booth will be featuring the Hide-A-Hose central vacuum system that sucks the hose right in the wall for storage purposes. The vacpan (dust pan connected to your central vac) and accessory products will be on display as well as the latest products from brand names such as Miele, Eureka, Dyson, Lindhaus and Sanitaire.

Another benefit of making home improvements right now comes directly from the federal government. President Obama's February 2009 economic stimulus package includes tax credits for homeowners who invest in energy-efficient home improvements. Qualifying garage doors, for example, can net up to $1,500, and you’ll save on your next power bill as well. Learn more about that here.

Improving How We Live Our Lives

Americans also look inward to improve their personal health during difficult economic times. The New York Times article cited above referenced a 2003 paper titled “Healthy Living in Hard Times” by UNC-Greensboro economist Christopher J. Ruhm, who found that the death rate actually falls as unemployment rises, to the tune of a 1-percent increase in the unemployment rate coordinating with a 0.5-percent decrease in the death rate. It seems people experiencing economic difficulties seek to manage what they actually can control, and personal health is one of those things.

Carolina Closets Plus offers a cleaner living program for children’s’ spaces in homes, day cares and other areas, which helps create a healthier environment. “There are a lot of HEPA filter systems on the market but none of them are the quality of the Beam system,” Hoffer says. “It’s made by Electrolux, the world leader in clean air living. It’s so easy to install and provides actual results that we can prove.”

Carolina Closets Plus will come to your home or business and uses a portable laser particulate counter to determine the exact level of pollutants in the air that your family is breathing. “Then, we’ll plug in our portable HEPA system to show you what the difference can be. The results are just amazing and Carolina Closets Plus is the only company in the triangle that can actually prove it to you,” Hoffer says.

Pete Bikas, owner of Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC, a wellness center and clinic contractor, just added a new employee who will assist him with client relations and business development. Lisa Herrington has 15 years of experience in medical and customer relations and she has also written blog posts about how real health care reform starts when people focus on taking better care of themselves. Check the out her posts here and here.

Walk your way to great health at University Mall in Chapel Hill as part of the Striders Walking Club. You may win some great prizes along the way. Join for free at the mall’s Customer Service near Roses. The club meets the third Tuesday of every month at 8 a.m., and walkers can use the mall Monday through Saturday beginning at 7:30 a.m., and Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. The program is being offered in conjunction with the local Seniors Center.

The Chinese maintain good health by eating with the seasons, and Chinese women use plants, herbs, minerals, clays, and flowers to relax and beautify themselves. Art is also an important part of Chinese personal health and mental well being. Turning Point Gallery is displaying the traditional art of Chinese paper cutting right now. The origin of this 3D Chinese paper sculpture is closely connected with the invention of paper during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 221 AD.) The art of paper cutting was on the verge of dying out during the past century as old China experienced successive years of war brought on by domestic turmoil and foreign invasion. Amidst a myriad of changes in their lives, most people had no leisure time to engage in the study of the art of paper cutting. Today Chinese artisans have revived traditional paper art and share it with the world.

American optimists are transforming the recession into a justification for improving the way they live—from time spent with loved ones, to how they care for themselves. Best of all, these life lessons and changes will last much longer than the recession itself.

Signs of a Good Business Communicate “Business is Good” in More Than One Way

2009-08-14T13:03:00.011-04:00

By Elizabeth Shugg

Most business owners agree, “Best of” rewards can make the difference between good and great profits—especially in a declining economy. Crossroads European Auto on Highway 55 in Durham, for example, just won the United States Commerce Association’s 2009 Best of Durham Award in the Automotive Repair Shops Category. Displaying this prestigious award tells customers, “We’re the real deal.”

But a plaque or trophy merely symbolizes what businesses do to merit their awards. The true prize is when customers return for more business—or new ones walk through the door. Successful companies make this happen in a variety of ways.

Branding
Vacuum Cleaner Hospital offers trusted brands and exclusive products.
M iele vacuum cleaners, for example, continue to sell well, despite the economy. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital also uniquely offers Bona’s popular professional line of floor cleaners. The store will host a seminar Sat., Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. on “How to Maintain Your Hardwood Floors.” All of these efforts please Vacuum Cleaner Hospitals’ customers and nourish the company’s reputation.

Testimonials
When Author Anne R. Pierce released her book “Ships Without a Shore” in January 2008—which focuses on the effects of day care and the hyper-structuring of children’s lives with endless activities—parenting specialists praised its message. Pierce displays their reviews on her book’s website for potential readers to see. Transaction Press will release the paperback version of “Ships Without a Shore” Aug. 31, and these testimonials will continue to engage readers and promote Pierce’s book.
Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC provides effective, time tested construction management methods that ensure quality below the slab, in the walls and above the ceiling. What you do see—the finished walls, floor coverings, ceiling, casework, cabinets and counters are finished and/or installed to near perfection. Excellent architectural, engineering and interior design services make it happen and create a clean, crisp, level environment that resonates with other customers in need of this particular type of construction work. Testimonials on the company’s website express customer satisfaction with the company’s work and help bring in more business.

Social Media
Social media applications such as Facebook, Twitter and consumer blogs take word-of-mouth communication to all new levels and in new directions at the speed of DSL. It also increases a company’s need to maintain a polished business reputation and provides a method of direct communication with consumers. One bad review in a previous customer’s blog can go a long way online. On the other hand, one Twitter tweet linking to a positive customer review helps repair the damage.

Many businesses run their own blogs to connect with consumers and clarify their message. This summer, Turning Point Gallery’s foot traffic went up 20 percent and its web traffic doubled due to the gallery’s blog and effective use of other social media platforms. The gallery is currently promoting Pringle Teetor’s newest work on its home page by displaying photos of Teetor’s entrancing, metamorphosing glass-blown creations. Art galleries have the added benefit of offering potential consumers an online gallery of art, which often lures them into the actual gallery and translates into a purchase.

Vacuum Cleaner Hospital communicates with customers via e-newsletter and blogs (such as this one). In the company’s last e-newsletter, employees mentioned the new Eclipse line by Casabella. Will it sell? Time will tell.

Triangle TRACKS, a social network for Triangle parents linking to 2,000-plus “Tools, Resources and Activities for Carolina Kids” sends out a free monthly e-newsletter to subscribers as well as mid-month and end-of-month content updates to members. These updates typically contain links to interesting blogs and calendar events parents have posted during the previous two weeks and enable instantaneous access to this information.

Clearly, a modern business’ success depends on communicating with customers in more than one way—whether through the display of an award, an exclusive product line, a blog post or an e-newsletter. Pretending the Web 2.0 movement is just a fad and will go away ignores this powerful form of direct communication and ensures that the only thing going away … could be the customers.

Open Up Your Little Windows and Enjoy the View

2009-07-09T14:51:00.024-04:00

Durham musicians Mark Weems and Julee Glaub named their traditional Irish and Appalachian band Little Windows after an Irish melody dating back to the 15th Century--a melody that still flows through the North Carolina Mountains to this day.

“The last verse is ‘and watch them Little Windows for the dawning of the day,’” Glaub says. “We wanted to play the role of icon, which is opening a little window into the mysteries and sacred world of traditional song. Little Window is a literal translation for an icon.”
Not surprisingly, little windows to Chapel Hill and the surrounding community are opening up locally and globally—physically and metaphorically. From businesses to blogs, local leaders and innovators are creating views to the good life here—and wiping them clean when smudges appear.

Carolina Closets Plus of Chapel Hill and Raleigh works to enhance customers’ views through physical windows. The company also takes pride in organizing little windows of space in customers’ homes. “Recently, we created a ‘solution for life,’ as our customer put it, when we designed shelving around a window in their small bonus room,” says Mike Hoffer, owner of Carolina Closets Plus in Chapel Hill and Raleigh. “Organizing a small unique space is like having a little window that shines light into a dark corner, making it appear much bigger. Our customers are elated when we come up with great storage solutions for their small windows of space.”

Carolina Closets Plus also fills little spaces with items like Murphy Wall Beds, which fold up into a closet when not in use. “Murphy Beds make them grin from ear to ear,” Hoffer says.

Little Windows That Move

Everywhere you go, people are peering into little windows on their mobile phones. Enterprising business leaders who don’t want their customers to miss a beat are creating mobile-friendly websites that pop up neatly within tiny mobile screens.

Kudos to Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC, which specializes in designing and constructing veterinary, medical and dental clinics, and is leading the way with its Mobile.bikasbuilding.com interface. This small-screen-friendly website offers instantaneous access to the company’s design and construction news, and owner Pete Bikas as well. You might read on your mobile screen, for example, that Bikas and his team just completed an office renovation for Maverick Partners and will soon finish two projects for Diversified Realty developers at Beaver Creek Commons in Apex.

Triangle TRACKS, a social network for local parents linking to nearly 2,000 resources for Triangle kids, offers an iPhone interface so members can keep up with the site’s latest activity when they’re on the go. This simplified iPhone version of Triangle TRACKS loads quickly and efficiently. To access it, members just add “/m” to the end of the URL, so instead of logging on to http://www.triangletracks.com, they simply type in http://www.triangletracks.com/m.
More than 40 million iPhones and iTouches are presently in use, so local businesses like Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC and Triangle TRACKS gain a competitive advantage by offering small-screen interfaces for mobile customers. Perhaps this is also why Twitter, which offers a little window of blog space with room for only 140 characters, has become so popular. The “tweeps” who use it are training themselves to “tweet” news and information using short, content-heavy microblogs—often via their mobile phone.

Little Windows of Art—and Opportunity

University Mall’s recent Scrapel Hill Art contest allowed local artists to forge little—and big—windows of art showcasing not only their creative abilities, but also the beauty of artistically arranging everyday, recycled items.

“One of our main goals was to provide our guests with an opportunity to experience the creativity of local artists,” says Ed Camp, a coordinator of the event. “We’ve been pleased to see how they have interacted with the art, and it’s always great to see them smile. We believe the experience has provided our community with an opportunity to see the amazing talent we have in the area.” You can view the winning entries, created by artists Paul and Ginger Bauer, in the photo accompanying this blog and at ScrapelHillArt.com. The Bauers’ clock creation is currently on display at Turning Point Gallery in Chapel Hill.

Speaking of Turning Point Gallery, the July artist shows there is a little window of opportunity when it comes to perfecting the glazing technique. Award-winning South Carolina potter/sculptor Bob Hasselle’s fine craftsmanship will be on display throughout July at Turning Point Gallery, beginning with an artist reception there Friday, July 10 from 6-9 p.m.

In the 1970s, Hasselle served as head of the sculpture department at the Cincinnati Art Academy, where he launched the ceramics program. His work has also been included in numerous private and public collections, such as the permanent collections of the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Huntington Museum in West Virginia.

Hasselle recently developed a unique process for pit firing. He traps vaporized chemicals and combustibles during the firing, and these settle on the pots to forge unusual patterns on the burnished surfaces, resulting in one-of-a-kind creations every time. This little window of opportunity has enabled Hasselle to create signature masterpieces no one can replicate.

Vacuum Cleaner Hospital of Chapel Hill recently saw a window of opportunity to help feed children in need who are enrolled at Ephesus Elementary’s summer school program, after receiving an email from the school’s PTA reporting that more than 70 percent of the summer school students there are on free or reduced (F&R) priced lunch. Due to changes in the F&R program, those 65 children will not be given breakfast. The school principal determined that for $500 to $600, the school could provide a small breakfast and morning snack of a cereal/granola bar, Go-gurt, a piece of fruit and a drink using already limited school funds. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital donated $100 to this cause, as well as $50 to purchase tickets for five of those children to attend the Shiner’s Circus in November.

Little windows will continue to open in Chapel Hill and around the world. Some offer incredible views; others lead to dark, empty alleys. Whether we choose to stick our heads through or close the shutters largely depends on how much we trust the view being offered. And that’s where good business practices and reliable information can make all the difference.

Communities Connect Through Good Business, Willing Volunteers and Loving Hearts

2009-06-09T07:12:00.004-04:00

Businesses Connecting Hearts

The connection between Chapel Hill and Burma refugees continues to strengthen as local businesses and organizations help make life better for this oppressed group of people, known as the Karen. For more than 50 years, conflict between Burma’s repressive ruling military regime, political opponents and ethnic groups has displaced 3.5 million-plus Karen. In the absence of political progress, there is much we can do to help these and other ethnic groups in Burma.

For example, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital recently donated four vacuum cleaners to Burma refugee families who relocated to the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area, offering further proof that Burma refugees can count on their surrounding community to help them adjust to their new home and life.

Ten middle-school aged children from Burma spent the past year studying together at Chapel Hill High School, learning not only about life in the United States, but also about how they can use art to express their emotions and experiences. The North Carolina Art Therapy Institute, a Durham-based non-profit, offered these children—who once suffered under the hands of Burmese oppressors—an opportunity to express themselves through art in ways they are unable to using words.

The students’ art will be displayed in a show titled “Journeys to a Different Landscape,” now on exhibit at University Mall through June 14 in the former Avenues’ space across from the Print Shop. The North Carolina Art Therapy Institute hosted an opening reception for this exhibit June 7. Learn more about this endearing cause here.

Volunteers Connecting Donations

Just as the Burma refugees need giving hearts and helping hands, so do scores of other charitable foundations. In addition to sponsoring New Resident Solutions “Equinomics” page, Turning Point Gallery’s co-owner Jerri Meldrum volunteers her time to clean stalls and groom rescued horses. She will also help coordinate an Equine Exchange Sept. 3-7. You can participate by checking your barns or your friends’ barns for equine items you no longer need and can donate to the cause. Clean, gently used tack of all types—bridles, blankets, saddles, shoes, boots, books, hats, helmets and more—are needed for this event. Contact Jerri at jerrie@harmonyfineart.com for more information.

Find additional sources of “equinomics” on Triangle TRACKS’ horseback riding page.

Citizens Connecting Art

Chapel Hill/Carrboro’s 2ndFriday ArtWalk, now in its 9th year, features numerous expressions of art displayed by more than 20 participating galleries. During this month’s celebration on June 12 from 6 to 9 p.m., Turning Point Gallery and Tyndall Galleries will display works of fine art and animation. Benjamin Vineyards and Winery will offer wine tastings in each gallery and wine by the glass at their center court kiosk. There will even be a strolling musician and complimentary flowers for the ladies on hand. Learn more about the 2ndFriday ArtWalk here.

Turning Point Gallery’s June show, “East Meets West,” will display 10 new original paintings from Amsterdam’s Chinese painter Wilfred, who blends realism with abstract art. Wilfred learned traditional Chinese painting from his father as a child growing up in China. Later, he traveled the world exploring new ideas for his acrylic paintings, and now he resides and works in Amsterdam. His paintings on display at Turning Point Gallery will feature peaceful landscapes, sophisticated florals, unique boat scenes and majestic cityscapes. Come enjoy the seamless blend of cultures and subjects Wilfred shares through his work. The show begins June 9 and runs through the end of the month. Learn more here.

Chapel Hill and the surrounding community warmly received University Mall’s Scrapel Hill Art competition this past spring, which features works by local artists created of recycled and non-recyclable materials. The art will remain on display through June 30 at University Mall. Learn more here.

Consumers Connecting Businesses

Business success stories are hard to come by during troubling economic times, but Chapel Hill’s Carolina Closets Plus found a way to increase sales by 50 percent.

“Our sales to the Raleigh market have increased over 50 percent due to our new showroom opening at 5215 Capital Boulevard,” says owner Mike Hoffer. “Our customers have commented on how convenient it is to have two showrooms to choose from. Some of our Raleigh customers will use the Chapel Hill showroom because they work over here, and some of our Chapel Hill customers will use the Raleigh showroom. It’s really been a great fit for our service area.”

Carolina Closets Plus features fully designed closets in both locations as well as a full showroom of home technology products from America In Home, which Hoffer owns with partner Bruce Bullings. “It’s a unique concept because we’ve combined a lot of the things that a new homeowner, or a homeowner that’s remodeling, needs. We can offer everything from the network wiring to the Beam central vacuum system to the complete home audio package to the security system—in addition to a complete storage solution.”

Carolina Closets Plus also connects the surrounding community through local swimming groups. Hoffer, head of all North Carolina swimming officials, says there has been a spike in the number of swimmers here due to last summer’s Olympic games. “We have over 7,500 swimmers, coaches and volunteers in North Carolina,” Hoffer says. “That’s a huge number of people that interested in one of the best forms of lifelong exercise there is.” Learn more here.

Social Networks Connecting Parents

Triangle TRACKS links to nearly 2,000 resources for local children, from art lessons to youth sports to birthday party venues. Beyond the site’s resourceful links, Triangle TRACKS also connects parents. Blog posts, Twitter Tweets and email messages keep visitors and members up to date on the latest local events for kids and news about trends, books, performing arts offerings, children’s movies, museum exhibits and more. Log on to www.triangletracks.com to make connections that will enrich and improve life for your kids.

Keep connecting with us each month to stay up to date on how our community is working to make life better for new residents of Chapel Hill—whether they hail from Burma, or the county next door.

Local Businesses Rise to Meet Web 2.0 Standards

2009-05-01T19:49:00.010-04:00

In our information-crazed society, we turn the Internet for 99.9 percent of what we’re looking for. But read-only websites don’t cut it anymore. The Web 2.0 movement has elevated expectations for websites that are up-to-date, quick, interactive and attractive. Anything less is a click away from backtracking to whatever browser the visitor came from.

Beyond Blogs

Blogs are a no-brainer. Most companies run their own or contribute to a community blog (like this one) that helps promote their products and/or services. Social networking websites take blogging a leap forward, however, and make up a large part of the Web 2.0 movement. These online communities consist of Internet users who share common interests, such as hobbies, professions or politics. Many businesses are launching social networks in addition to — or in place of — their main websites to churn up dialogue about their products and/or services, and to facilitate broadcast messaging to those who have joined their site.

Other businesses are starting up as a result of starting out as a social network. Triangle TRACKS (an acronym for Tools, Resources and Activities for Carolina Kids) is a social network for Triangle parents that also links to 1,800-plus resources for local kids. Owner Elizabeth Shugg launched it in April 2008 as a way to share information with other parents about resources for kids, but it has turned into an attractive advertising venue for local businesses targeting parents of school-aged children. Shugg recently launched Charlotte TRACKS, and hopes to experience the same success with Charlotte parents.

Extras = Essential

Carolina Closets Plus, located in Chapel Hill and Raleigh, will soon introduce a live video feed from their website at www.carolinaclosetsplus.com that will show the company’s production shop in action. “This will allow our customers to actually watch as their job is being manufactured,” says Carolina Closets Plus Owner and Co-founder Mike Hoffer.

Business owners like Hoffer believe offering customers and Internet users cutting-edge technology like this will help brand, differentiate and verify the uniqueness of their company’s products and services. This, in turn, gives them an edge over their competition.

“I got this idea from a friend of mine in Atlanta, who owns one of the premiere closet companies in that market,” Hoffer says. “It’s a great way to show off more of the differences that an installation from Carolina Closets Plus makes. There are a lot of organization companies out there, but none of them can offer the detail perfection that anchors our business philosophy and mission statement.”

Durham-based Bikas Building of North Carolinas LLC just finished building Details in Chapel Hill, one of only two official Alessi dealers in North Carolina. Alessi makes exclusive and innovative Italian kitchen products, distributes a paperless catalog via its website.

Meanwhile, Crossroads European, an independent automobile repair shop that has served Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill for 18 years, simplifies its business practices by offering an “e-appointment” feature that allows customers to log on and make their appointment via the Internet — no phone call necessary. Crossroads European has a loyal and specific customer-base thanks to offering full service, tools and equipment specific to Volkswagon, Audi, BMW and Mercedes vehicles.

Only Online

Thousands of companies now run completely via the Internet. Flickering Creations, a niche retailer offering a complete line of candlelight centerpieces, decor, gifts, aromatherapy, holiday and special occasion items, and other candle products, uses Yahoo! Small Businesses services, such as the “e-commerce” feature to facilitate online shopping. Businesses who operate totally online make product photography a top priority, since customers rely on the validity of a product’s photo and description to determine their purchase.

Photography is extremely important for art galleries as well, which use the Internet to create online galleries of the art and artists they feature. Turning Point Gallery in Chapel Hill displays a list of 35 artists in alphabetical order and categorizes their art by medium to simplify navigation for visitors. Galleries can also link to online artist reviews right on their website to instantaneously verify an artist’s experience and reputation. Artist Eduardo Lapetina of Chapel Hill recently received a glowing review by the Durham Herald Sun’s Blue Greenberg for his April show at Turning Point Gallery. Lapetina will introduce more new work May 9 at the FedEx Global Education Center at UNC Chapel Hill.

Turning Point Gallery uses various blogs to promote shows and artist, and the gallery is currently showing works collectively titled “A touch of Santé Fe,” featuring art by Reita Newkirk and Alice Griffin. Friends and lifelong artists, Newkirk and Griffen have combined their unique talents and backgrounds to produce collaborative paintings that exalt the natural world and one of its most glorious creatures: the horse.

Conventional Wisdom

Large conventions, such as the April 3-5, 2009 Southern Ideal Home Show in Raleigh, still serve as a highly effective way for businesses to reach out to potential customers. Carolina Closets Plus and Vacuum Cleaner Hospital of Chapel Hill were both at the Southern Ideal Home Show. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital Owner Tom Proctor displayed the Hide-a-Hose vacuum central vacuum product that he says created quite a buzz—literally. “Business from the show has been steady,” he says. “Customers were amazed at how quickly the hose disappears.”

Smart business leaders realize it takes a combination of online and in-person interaction with the surrounding community, and Chapel Hill’s business environment is no exception. New residents of Chapel Hill can use blogs, like this one, to make Internet connections they can also drive to. In this way, the Internet is bringing communities like ours even closer.

Chapel Hill Artists and Businesses Mix, Mingle and Entertain

2009-03-25T20:49:00.008-04:00

By Elizabeth Shugg

Scrapel Hill Art Masterpieces Unveiled April 1

After months of seeking scraps of recyclable trash and artistic inspiration in unusual places, artists competing in Chapel Hill’s inaugural Scrapel Hill Art contest are ready to unveil their creations. The installations are complete—thanks to some help from Pete Bikas of Bikas Building of North Carolinas LLC—and now these unique works of art made from recycled and non-recyclable materials are on view for the public at University Mall. The art will also headline the 2nd Friday ArtWalk on April 10 at 6 p.m.

The Scrapel Hill Art Gala is scheduled for April 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the mall’s Special Event Centre. Organizers are requesting a $25 donation to cover the live music planned for the evening, as well as food and beverages from Spice Street. Vote on your favorite piece for just $1, and receive a voucher good for discount offers from participating University Mall stores. Proceeds from the votes and ticket sales will benefit the ArtsCenter and the Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce’s Green Plus sustainable community initiative.

Check out 16 Scrapel Hill Art’s 16 artists at http://scrapelhillart.com. Chatham County emerging artist Holly Felice is one of them. Her mixed media art incorporates wood, metal, clay, glass or “whatever material tells the best story,” she says. Holly’s Scrapel Hill Art project reflects her dual passions for art and the environment. “I love working with scrap, wondering what it can be,” she says. “It’s inspiring rather than intimidating, because I can experiment without fear of wasting some expensive art material.” (See photo of Holly to the right.)

In conjunction with Scrapel Hill Art, University Mall has invited the Scrap Exchange to host their One Bag Workshop to be held in the mall's Special Event Centre on Saturday, April 11, from 2 until 3 p.m. Space is available for up to 30 children and the event is free. Visit the mall’s customer service center or call (919) 967-6934 to reserve a spot for your child. Learn more about this event and other local activities for children on the Triangle TRACKS calendar at http://www.triangletracks.com.

Turning Point G allery connects with the mall’s Scrapel Hill Arts project beyond sharing its location. The gallery regularly features artists who use recycled or reclaimed materials, like Michael Mertes. His “In Stone Time” collection includes gorgeous, distinctive clocks made with small pieces of scrap stone and reclaimed wood from remodeled churches, old houses or trees that have been struck by lightening. The unique stories behind the materials in the clocks are a part of their intrigue and beauty.

Turning Point Gallery artist Sarah Coppola of Indigo Arts also uses scrap glass for her clay and glass jewelry. Each unique pendant or pair of earrings contains glass that has been melted down from items such as old beads, broken bottles or scrap glass from a stained glass studio. Sarah adds texture in the clay on each piece with objects such as napkin rings and kitchen utensils. Blending different types of glass with different textures produces exclusive, wearable art.

Local Businesses on Display at the Southern Ideal Home Show April 3-5

Chapel Hill’s Central Vacuum Experts, a division of Vacuum Cleaner Hospital, will celebrate its 14th year of participating in the Southern Ideal Home Show at the N.C. State Fairgrounds April 3-5. Stop by booths 2621 and 2613 in the Exposition Center to see the company’s debut of Hide-a-Hose, a central vacuum hose stored in the wall. Customers demanded it and Central Vacuum Experts delivered by becoming a Hide-a-Hose dealer. Homeowners who may have been reluctant to install a central vacuum in the past because of its 30-foot hose will find Hide-a-Hose easier to use than any other vacuum. Just pull enough out of the wall inlet to reach the area you want to vacuum, then, when you’re done, the hose is literally sucked back into the pipe located in the wall.

Central Vacuum Experts will also display the Vac Pan, a toe-kick-operated dustpan, which is growing in popularity among homeowners who have installed a central vacuum. The company also installs MD central vacuums, which are known for their quietness and made here in the USA.

Chapel Hill’s Carolina Closets Plus and American In Home Owner Mike Hoffer will display a dynamic booth at the Southern Ideal Home Show for visitors to explore. Hoffer says many of his customers who are moving into new homes or remodeling the homes they currently live in are looking for the most efficient use of their space. “Its even more important in these economic times to really utilize your space properly,” he says.

A recent survey by the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals found that almost 40 percent of people surveyed plan to either remodel or build a master bedroom closet, garage, home office, pantry or laundry room this year, due in part to consumers wanting to enhance their home’s value and increase its competitive edge on the market.

Carolina Closets Plus has been installing closets, home offices and garage systems longer than anyone in the Triangle. “We're seeing a real need for quality, well designed office space because people don’t want to buy something at a furniture store or discount store that really doesn’t fit their needs.” Hoffer says.

Good Envy

Competition can lead to envy. But sometimes, envy can be a good thing. Durham-based Bikas Building of North Carolinas LLC has completed the Massage Envy at Oberlin Court in Raleigh, the third location for R&R Clinics, LLC, which is owned by Keith and Sandy Rogers. It opens April 10 and joins locations in Apex and Cary.

If you’re contemplating commercial construction, give owner Pete Bikas a call. He’ll be happy to provide you with a quote for your medical, dental, business, retail or restaurant space. Architectural, engineering and design services are also available. Visit http://www.bikasbuilding.com to learn more.

Deep Entertainment

Chapel Hill never lacks entertainment, and Deep Dish Theater Company is often the source of it. “Flash Fiction,” a series of short stories, will premiere at Deep Dish Theater Friday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is a suggested donation of $5 or a non-perishable food item, with proceeds benefitting the Inter-faith Council’s Food Bank, which is headquartered in Carrboro.

“Flash Fiction” will be curated by Dr. David Carr, who will join Deep Dish actors in reading a variety of stories linked by their brevity. Other participating actors include Margaret Jemison, who appeared in the Deep Dish production of “State of the Union,” and Ashley Quinones, from last year’s production of Sarah Ruhl’s “The Clean House.”

“On one level, these evenings are an exploration of story-telling, and in the pieces that David has collected, the story is boiled down to its most essential components,” says Deep Dish Artistic Director Paul Frellick. “It should be a fun and fascinating event.”

Learn more at www.deepdishtheater.org. Tickets will be available at the door only.
That sums it up for April but check back next month for another generous helping of community connections from your friends at New Resident Solutions of Chapel Hill.

Simple Pleasures Rule in Chapel Hill

2009-03-02T12:44:00.009-05:00

Local Business Solutions Come to the Economic Rescue

Vacuum Cleaner Hospital, Carolina Closets Plus, Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC, Scrapel Hill Art of University Mall, Turning Point Gallery and Triangle TRACKS bolster low consumer confidence with local connections and solutions.

By Elizabeth Shugg

Consumer confidence dropped to 25 in February—its lowest level in more than 41 years. A survey from The Conference Board research consortium in New York confirmed the drop. Just to put that in perspective, consumer confidence was at 100 in 1985!

When you consider household wealth shrank by $5.6 trillion from the end of 2007 until the third quarter of 2008 (source: Wall Street Journal), it’s clear many consumers lack confidence in the economy because they lack money to put in it! The recession impacts what we buy, how we spend our money and where we shop. Prudence rules.

The Silver Lining

The silver lining for consumers during an economic recession is that simple pleasures and investing in local businesses rule. Clean and comfortable surroundings, home cooking, home theaters and video games offer ways to cut costs but maintain happiness. A Jan. 31, 2009, New York Times article titled, “Recession Can Change a Way of Life,” reports that “in today’s recession, we can also expect to turn to less expensive activities—and maybe to keep those habits for years. They may take the form of greater interest in free content on the Internet and the simple pleasures of a daily walk, instead of expensive vacations and N.B.A. box seats.”

Consumers are also limiting expenditures to repairs whenever possible, instead of buying new. That’s why repair companies made Associated Content’s list of businesses that could actually make money during the recession.

Chapel Hill’s business community has weathered economic downturns in the past and understands how consumers feel. Local businesses offering repair services, such as Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill (rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau) helps keep homes clean and comfortable for less with vacuum tune-ups and replacement parts.

“Our service manager has over 18 years experience and he takes great pride in restoring your vacuum to its original factory fresh condition,” says Owner Tom Proctor. “Most repairs are under $60 and can lengthen the life of your vacuum by several years.”

Spending $60 on a vacuum repair is much more appealing than spending $360 on a brand new one. But, if your vacuum is beyond repair, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital also offers great prices on quality products “you can hand down to your children 15 years from now,” Proctor says. “In these tight economic times, you can't afford to buy a cheaply made vacuum only to have it break in a year or two.” At the rate our economy is going, that might be something your children will greatly need—and appreciate! Visit www.vacuumhospital.com to view the company’s product line, which includes quality cleaning supplies.

Art offers another way to enjoy life’s simple pleasures during a down economy. Scrapel Hill Art is a project started by University Mall and the Town of Chapel Hill Public Arts. Next month, the Scrapel Hill Art Contest and Exhibition at University Mall opens and will feature works created with recycled and non-recyclable materials. Visit http://scrapelhillart.com to read about the individual artists and their community connections. Scrapel Hill Arts will also soon be a major part of the 2ndFriday Artwalk.

Turning Point Gallery is sharing its connection to art and artists with the community as well. Artist Maeve Harris and gallery owner Jerri Meldrum are actively involved in horse rescue projects, and Turning Point Gallery has a significant national reach as one of the country’s top horse art galleries. Turning Point Gallery’s artists don’t limit their community outreach to horses. Artist Simon Bull is working with the gallery to present a joint fundraising program in support of local dog rescue projects.

All Work and Plenty of Play

Carolina Closets Plus of Chapel Hill recently completed a custom design for a combined kids play and work space. The work-from-home trend continues and may expand during the recession, as laid-off employees look for new sources of income or take contracting positions they can manage from home. Carolina Closets Plus’ unique design makes keeping an eye on the kids while getting a little work done effortless and fun for everyone involved. Check it out, and contact Carolina Closets Plus to design your home office/play space today.

Stress Relief

Recessions create stress. Stress weakens health. That’s why many consumers are willing to pay for products and services that reduce stress during tough economic times. A deep massage from a company like Massage Envy in Apex and Raleigh, which were both built by Chapel Hill’s Bikas Building of North Carolina, LLC, goes a long way toward lowering stress and therefore preventing mental and physical ailments.

Fun is another great stress reliever. Children may not understand the recession, but they do feel the impact of stressed parents and fewer FUN funds. Triangle TRACKS, a local parent resource site and social network, links to 1,800-plus resources for children, from museums and schools to camps and parks. Free is the name of the game during tough economic times and Triangle TRACKS offers some great ideas for a FREE, FUN time at this link.

Stay positive and cherish the simple pleasures in your life during this difficult economic time. Local businesses and resources are available to make life easier as we respond to this recession the way Americans always do: by bouncing back!

Art Uplifts Us During Difficult Times

2009-02-05T09:59:00.006-05:00

By Elizabeth Shugg

A new year offers the promise of new dreams—whether professional, spiritual or emotional. But our nation’s economic woes have squelched the means to make many of those dreams come true—for now.

Don’t despair. Look to your community’s creative resources to lift and renew your spirits. There are plenty throughout Chapel Hill and surrounding areas that continue to offer inspiration.

University Mall’s Scrapel Hill Art contest, scheduled for April 2 through June 28, will feature works of art created by 15 carefully chosen artists who will use recycled and non-recyclable materials to celebrate and inspire imagination and creativity within our community. A steering committee represented by public arts officials, waste management, recycling businesses, art gallery and independent artists chose the artists who will compete in this juried, inaugural contest.

Turning Point Gallery in Chapel Hill will showcase the work of experienced potter Sylvia Coppola during the 2nd Friday ArtWalk Feb. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Feb. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. Coppola, a potter of 32 years, is known for incorporating her love of texture from weaving and basket making into the art of pottery. She will demonstrate handbuilding Feb. 13 and wheel throwing Feb. 14. Turning Point Gallery will also offer a free mini pot created by Coppola for every $100 of her pottery purchased.

Another of Turning Point Gallery’s featured artists, painter Maeve Harris, was recently featured in New Homes and Ideas magazine, which included words of wisdom from Turning Point Gallery owner Jerri Meldrum about selecting art for a home.

Aspiring young artists can journey into creative expression via art lessons and camps located throughout the Triangle. Visit Triangle TRACKS’ Art and Music link for an exhaustive list of instructors and programs. While you’re there, check out Triangle TRACKS’ newest addition: a group of TRACKers who will blog regularly about subjects such as education, youth sports, trends, family dining and health.

Check back next month for ways you, as a new resident of Chapel Hill, can make connections throughout your community.

KEEPING HOLIDAY MAGIC AND LOCAL BUSINESSES ALIVE

2008-12-22T17:07:00.007-05:00

By Elizabeth Shugg

No matter how hard we plan for the perfect holiday home, party, dinner or gift list, chaos often rears its complicated head. We say yes to one more responsibility than we have time for, add a few more gifts to our list, and pencil in one more party. We find ourselves thinking back to our childhood and longing for that magical, responsibility-free holiday experience. How did it slip away so quickly?

The truth is, we can experience holiday magic again through a child’s eyes. The Triangle hosts a wide range of holiday events you can do with your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or family friends. Visit Triangle TRACKS and click on the “Calendar” page to access a list of holiday events planned for the area. Take a break from the shopping, baking and volunteering to help shape memories your children will cherish for the rest of their lives.

You can also create holiday magic for a child who won’t experience it without your assistance. Even during tough economic times, communities answer the call to help our brothers and sisters in need in various ways during the holiday season. From the Salvation Army’s comforting collection bell, to coat drives and grocery bags filled with holiday foods you can purchase and then donate, there are many ways to make this special time of year a little brighter for those in need.

A new local organization, Dream-2-Reality, collects “Dream Tree” holiday gifts for at-risk children and hopes to help make their dreams come true year-round, since need doesn’t end during the holiday season. Visit the Triangle TRACKS Charity page for a list of local charities you can contribute your time or treasure to.

Bright Horse Farm & Art Studio in Pittsboro is still accepting applications for half-day and full-day winter break camps being held Dec. 22-Jan. 2. Because Bright Horse Farm & Art Studio offers all-weather facilities for year-round experiences indoors and out, campers are able to enjoy the horses and take art lessons during the winter months. Call Kim at (919) 929-1568 to reserve your child’s seat.

Recreationally speaking, several Chapel Hill swimmers under the age of 18 attended the Junior National Swimming Championships at the University of Texas Aquatics Center in Austin, Texas Dec. 10-14, which showcases the fastest youth swimmers in the country. “The time standards are extremely fast,” says Mike Hoffer, owner of Chapel Hill-based Carolina Closets Plus who also volunteers as a local referee and sponsors the New Resident Solutions swimming page.

Chapel Hill girls attending the meet were Carly Smith, Zoe Gan and Dania Marinshaw. Luke Hoffer represented the Chapel Hill boys. All of these swimmers attend Chapel Hill High or East Chapel Hill High and come from two of the local year-round swimming teams: North Carolina Aquatic Club and Duke Aquatics. You can view the meet results at this link.

For more information about year round swimming in Chapel Hill, visit the teams’ websites:
North Carolina Aquatic Club
Chapel Hill YMCA
Duke Aquatics

LOCAL BUSINESSES PERSIST

Carolina Closets Plus recently introduced new “soft close” hinges from the Blum Blumotion Hinge System for all doors. These hinges are typically used on high-end kitchen cabinets. "This is just another way for us to show our mission of detail perfection for our customers,” Owner Mike Hoffer says. “We’re making this a standard feature on all installations because it makes the job turn out just that much better. The best part is that it doesn't cost anything extra."

A soft close feature slowly closes your door when it approaches the cabinet frame. It operates hydraulically so there is no slamming sound when the door shuts. You can see how these hinges operate in the Chapel Hill or North Raleigh showroom. “This new hinge is fabulous! It really makes a difference. It works much better than the little bumpers that always fall off of the cabinets,” says Beth, a Chapel Hill resident.

Our country’s current economic troubles haven’t prevented several new businesses from opening in the Triangle. Bikas Building of North Carolina, LLC recently completed construction of a new Massage Envy in Apex’s Beaver Creek Commons. Pete Bikas and his team also started construction on a Raleigh Massage Envy in mid-December, and should finish it by the end of February. Bikas Building of North Carolina, LLC worked on projects for University Mall, The Family Doctor and Durham Pediatrics in December. Give Pete a call at (919) 493-9452 if you need to update or improve your commercial space.

Speaking of University Mall, the management there recently selected 16 artists to participate in the 2009 Scrapel Hill Art contest. These artists have until Jan. 15 to present their proposals, which must outline how they will create 2D or 3D works made from clean scrap and non-recyclable materials. Three top place winners will be announced during a gala ceremony April 23, 2009, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

And speaking of Massage Envy, a massage is just what you’ll need as you wind down your holiday shopping, then pick it up again in January when everything goes on sale! One great gift idea—whether you’re shopping for this year or next—is Mieles' New Upright vacuum cleaner, available at Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill. Miele’s new upright features excellent suction control, an attachment hose that stretches for easy reach, a 38-inch cord and seamless transition from bare floors to carpet. The body swivels so the vacuum can reach any angle. Come by the store to check out Vacuum Cleaner Hospital’s special introductory pricing on the Miele upright, and be sure to ask about the FJM canister bag special while you’re there!

Holiday cheer-turned-chaos doesn’t stop the traditions we uphold, the parties we attend, and the time we cherish with family and friends. New Resident Solutions’ member businesses wish you a holiday season and 2009 filled with memory-making experiences and friendships. Be sure to visit us again next month for a fresh edition of 2009 community-connecting news.

PLUG IN TO CHAPEL HILL TECHNOLOGY AND HOLIDAY CONNECTIONS

2008-11-23T10:06:00.010-05:00

By Elizabeth Shugg

Modern Medical Marvels

Next time you step into a medical clinic, lab or wellness center, look around. New technology surrounds you. Patient files link instantaneously to international databases, digital X-rays facilitate immediate diagnoses, and 3D optical imaging enables meticulous views of coronary arteries and other small spaces.

Spas are in on the action, too. Many offer Wi-Fi access; relaxation rooms with images, lighting and sounds that encourage sleep; Swedish, deep tissue and hot rock massages; and new treatment options like biofeedback technology, hydrotherapy and light therapy.
Sounds great, but these modern medical marvels don’t pop up overnight. They require experienced builders who possess the technological know-how to upfit existing space or build new facilities that accommodate complex data systems, high-tech machines, green technology and efficient people-flow patterns.

Durham-based Bikas Building of North Carolina, LLC is no stranger to this work. In recent months, Pete Bikas and his team completed four X-ray room projects for Duke Medicine and urgent care facilities requiring the conversion of ‘wet’ X-ray units to digital, which also necessitated new electrical systems, cabinets, floors and paint.

At Wake Orthopaedics in Cary, Bikas installed an overhead beam system to support an X-ray machine trolley. Lead walls, a new electrical system, new flooring and fresh paint were once again on the to-do list. Bikas and his team also enlarged a room to accommodate a new X-ray machine at the Raleigh Wake Orthopaedics office on New Bern Avenue. With every X-ray project, lead walls must be installed for X-ray containment.
The list goes on. Harps Mill Medical, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Wake Forest Medical, Atrium OB/GYN in Raleigh, Massage Envy in Durham, Cary, Raleigh and Apex, and other Triangle businesses continue to choose Bikas for medically oriented, technological upfits and new construction. Another reason to choose Bikas Building of North Carolina, LLC: the company uses low VOC products (Volitable Organic Compounds), which keep the air clean and fresh.

“Overall the most challenging aspect of work is the occupied remodel,” Bikas says. “We have to make sure that dust does not fly, noise is kept to a minimum, and the project is coordinated and on time.” Bikas Building of North Carolina’s focus on those “little” details are obviously making a big impression.

Scouting Community Impact
Camping made a big impression on Chapel Hill Cub Scouts this fall. During the weekend of Oct. 3-5, Pack 820 camped at Singletary Lake near Elizabethtown. Cubmaster Tom Proctor, who owns Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill, says more than 65 cubs, parents and siblings attended and participated in activities such as canoeing, swimming, a nature hike, and a presentation from the camp ranger about the history of Singletary Lake’s plants and animals. Everyone enjoyed skits, singing around the campfire and, of course, S’mores!

Pack 820 will also participate in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. Each scout will carry his own decorated flag in the parade. For more information, visit www.pack820.org or contact Tom Proctor at (919) 942-6522.

Speaking of Christmas …
Chapel Hill’s Deep Dish Theater will present “The Christmas Letters” Dec. 6-14, a one-woman play adapted from the Lee Smith novella. Barbara Bates Smith, who performed her adaptation of Lee Smith's "On Agate Hill," at Deep Dish in May, returns to perform in this beloved holiday story told through a series of family letters. Enjoy musical accompaniment from Jeff Sebens on hammer dulcimer. Each performance will be followed by a talk with Barbara Smith and Jeff Sebens.

Lee Smith will attend the Dec. 12 performance and chat with the audience afterwards. She will also autograph copies of her books in the Deep Dish lobby, which include the New York Times bestseller “The Last Girls,” the ever-popular “Fair and Tender Ladies,” “Oral History” and three collections of short stories.

For tickets or additional information, call Deep Dish Theater at (919) 968-1515 or visit www.deepdishtheater.org. Learn more about Barbara Bates Smith at www.barbarabatessmith.com.

There are plenty of holiday activities scheduled for Chapel Hill children, too. The Museum of Life and Science’s newest traveling exhibit, Holiday Springs and S prockets, consists of innovative mechanical artwork from New York-based artist and sculptor Steve Gerberich.

Gerberich set up the Santa and His Flying Reindeer exhibit in a University Mal l windowscape will be featured in the 2ndfriday ArtWalk on Dec. 12 along with the annual Wild Horses windowscape at Turning Point Gallery and the Festival of Trees, an annual University Mall charity event that supports The Arc of Orange County.

Gerberich’s Holiday Springs and Sprockets is on view at the Museum of Life and Science through Jan. 5. Click here to access a special admission discount from Triangle TRACKS, a local parent resource and social networking website linking to 1,800 Triangle resources for children. While you’re there, check out the Triangle TRACKS calendar for additional holiday events scheduled for children in the area.

We’ll have more next month, so check back for the latest information on how you, as a new resident of Chapel Hill, can stay connected to your community.

Staying Positive, One Success at a Time

2008-10-24T14:54:00.013-04:00

By Elizabeth Shugg

The country’s shaky economy hasn’t thwarted success in Chapel Hill. Carolina Closets Plus put on a prize-winning performance at the September Southern Ideal Home Show Sept. 26-28 with a 3rd place finish in the “best booth under 200 square feet” competition. The company also unveiled its newest line of home technology products during the show: home audio/video, security, structured wiring, central vacuum and indoor air purification.

“The show was great because we got to show off our newest addition to the plus in Carolina Closets Plus: home technology,” says Owner Mike Hoffer. “The home technology products fit perfectly with our existing closet business because (installation) can be done while building or remodeling.” You can learn more about Carolina Closet Plus’ new product line and showroom at www.carolinaclosetsplus.com.

Turning Point Gallery welcomes an international success story to Chapel Hill Nov. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon, when artist Simon Bull visits to meet fans and sign giclees. Bull will enhance the “Family Tree Edition” of “Morning Star,” and personalize your giclee with a small original on the reverse side. Learn more here.

During this event you’ll also have an opportunity to contribute to the Society for t he Prevention of Cruelty to Animals by commissioning a Simon Bull portrait of your dog with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the SPCA. Your portrait will be delivered to you during the holiday season.

Turning Point Gallery also claims another success: bragging rights as the exclusive Triangle dealer for artist Maeve Harris, whose paintings are influenced by natural and organic forms, rendering beautiful expressions of color and light. Harris uses a variety of inks and pigments to reveal a focus on the medium itself, and integrates traditional subject matter, such as horses, with contemporary styles and techniques. Learn more here.

As the holidays approach, don’t forget about University Mall’s “It’s All About Giving” event. Come out Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. as local charities and non-profits sell $5 tickets entitling ticket holders to big discounts and door prizes from University Mall stores.

University Mall has also extended a helping hand of success to victims of Hurricane Ike in Texas. Purchase a bouncy ball for a donation of $25 or more to help the mall fill its display case. All donations benefit hurricane relief efforts, and will receive an extra special welcome during the upcoming holiday season. You can stop by the University Mall customer service desk for details.

For more information about these events, visit www.universitymallnc.com or call (919) 967-6934. Also, be sure to check out our Green Ambition Blog this month to learn all about University Mall’s juried inaugural Scrapel Hill Art Contest and Exhibit.

Speaking of the holidays, our region offers plenty of holiday entertainment for children this time of year. Visit Triangle TRACKS’ event calendar at www.triangletracks.com to view more than 80 different children's events between now and Dec. 31.

Remember, a positive attitude foils failure during this time of economic uncertainty, so keep your chin up and New Resident Solutions will keep you connected to your flourishing community.

Harvest Chapel Hill's Bounty

2008-09-23T16:40:00.017-04:00

The stars have aligned over North Carolina to match fall weather with fall’s arrival—a rare occurrence in this part of the country. Crisp temps, school bus sightings and wafts of pumpkin spice herald the season’s onset, as college students trek across the beautiful University of North Carolina campus to attend class and meet up with friends. No doubt, there’s plenty of autumn bounty to harvest in Chapel Hill this fall.

Harvest Outdoor Experiences

One way—perhaps the best way—to enjoy fall in this region is on horseback. “The ponies and horses really enjoy meeting new faces and going different places,” says Cindy McWilliams, Equestrian and Facility Manager at Bright Horse Farm and Art Studio in Pittsboro. “We use the whole farm as a riding lesson venue. Trail rides across the 30-acre farm are regularly included in lessons.”

On the art front, Bright Horse Farm and Art Studio has added Mary Scroggs Elementary in Chapel Hill to its after school art program, and the Chapel Hill YMCA art program kicked off with 26 students—including at least 40 percent who returned from last year or from one of the summer programs. The Pittsboro YMCA, Woods Charter School and Horton Elementary will also join the locations where Bright Horse Farm and Art Studio’s Art Director Kim Greene will offer her unique brand of guided art lessons.

School field trips to the farm are being scheduled, and Bright Horse now offers teacher workday and school holiday camps for all local public and private schools. Visit www.thebrighthorse.com for dates and themes being offered during the 2008-2009 school year. “We're planning a very special camp series for Chatham County and Chapel Hill/Carrboro schools, who have a winter break Jan. 19, 20 and 21,”Cindy says.

Harvest Humanity

“The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service.” As the holidays approach, Chapel Hill’s University Mall takes this Henry Wadsworth Longfellow quote to heart. “It’s All About Giving,” on Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., offers the entire community an opportunity to give to local charities and non-profits while receiving big store discounts and winning door prizes. During this event, charities and non-profits will sell $5 tickets that entitle ticket holders to great offers from University Mall stores. For more information, visit www.universitymallnc.com or call (919) 967-6934.

Other upcoming events at University Mall include the Chapel Hill Service League’s Giving Tree Kick Off on Nov. 5 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. You can also meet UNC Women’s Basketball Coach Sylvia Hatchell and the Chapel Hill Service League’s dedicated volunteers during this event.

On Nov. 22 at 9 a.m., enjoy Breakfast With Santa at University Mall. Santa will arrive via the Chapel Hill Fire Department’s Carolina Blue Fire Engine.

And on Dec. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m., The Arc of Orange County’s Festival of Trees Gala will take place in Storehouse at University Mall. This fundraiser features a wintry wonderland of 30 holiday trees that have been custom decorated by local designers. Those who attend will meander through a magical forest of enchantment and enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. Proceeds from a silent auction of all displays will benefit The Arc, and the exhibit will be open throughout the weekend. Bidding begins at $500 for the trees and $100 for the wreaths, and winners will be notified Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Learn more at www.arcoforange.org.

Cub Scout Pack 820 in Chapel Hill recently gave back to their community by participating in the statewide “NC Clean Sweep” Sept. 20, which officially takes place Oct. 4. The pack participated a few weeks early because they will be camping at Singletary Lake the weekend of Oct. 4. Singletary Lake is located near White Lake in Elizabethtown. During this trip, parents and cubs will stay in cabins and prepare their meals in the dining hall. If your son is interested in joining, visit www.pack820.org or contact Tom Proctor, owner of Chapel Hill’s Vacuum Cleaner Hospital, at tom@vacuumhospital.com.

Triangle TRACKS recently added a Charity TRACKS page at www.triangletracks.com/notes/Charity_TRACKS. On this page, you’ll find plenty of ways your family, company or organization can get involved with a number of local charities. Just visit Triangle TRACKS and click on the Charity TRACKS link, then on the various organizations to learn more. While you’re there, check out the other links and consider joining Triangle TRACKS' social network so you can post forum topics and blog entries.

Triangle TRACKS was recently spotlighted on the Ning Blog. Ning, the platform used by Triangle TRACKS, periodically highlights popular websites using the Ning platform.

Harvest Nature’s Beauty

Turning Point Gallery celebrates nature in a one-man show Oct. 10 with Sculptor Jason Ramsay Clark’s “Rhythms in Nature” series. Inspired by the rhythms and forms Clark observes in nature, this series consists of 28 abstract organic pieces that marry natural hardwoods and industrial steel. This engages the viewer to contemplate what happens when two disparate elements work together toward a greater good. Learn more about Clark and his sculptures here.

Harvest Good Health

Pete Bikas, owner of New Resident Solutions member Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC in Durham, believes spas, workout facilities and other types of wellness centers must offer a look and feel that will bring clients back again and again. His company’s extensive experience building out or retrofitting these spaces gives the facility owner a distinct advantage in the market. Go to the Turnkey Wellness page on his website at http://bikasbuilding.com/turnkeywellnessf.html

Bikas Building of North Carolina just finished a Jenny Craig at the Renaissance Center in Durham that will open Sept. 29, and the company will start construction on a Massage Envy at Beaver Creek in Apex at end of this month.

Harvest Home Improvement

Carolina Closets Plus in Chapel Hill has expanded to Raleigh. Mike Hoffer, co-founder and president of the company, has opened a beautiful new showroom at 5215 Capital Blvd. in Raleigh about one mile south of I-540. With the addition of this new showroom, Carolina Closets Plus is now able to offer structured wiring, home security, beam central vacuum, home audio/video and whole house HEPA air purification.

Hoffer has also announced a new partnership with Murphy Beds Of America, the original manufacturer of the wall bed system. Check out this space-saving horizontal wall bed in both showrooms, and learn more about the Carolina Closets Plus expansion at www.carolinaclosetsplus.com.

Both Carolina Closets Plus and Vacuum Cleaner Hospital will exhibit at the Southern Ideal Home Show in Raleigh Sept. 26-28. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital will be in the Exposition Center at the State Fairgrounds. The company will display the Silentmaster Power Units from MD Manufacturing; the VacPan, a popular 'electric' dustpan; and the new Bona hardwood mop, which dispenses cleaning solution directly from the mop with the pull of a trigger on the handle to make hardwood cleaning a breeze. Learn more at www.vacuumhospital.com.

As you settle into your new home this fall, take time to explore the Chapel Hill community and all it has to offer. Order a pumpkin spice latte from one of the local coffee shops and stroll through the town’s beautiful fall colors. New Resident Solutions of Chapel Hill will continue to update this blog to keep you informed of what’s going on, so you can continue to connect with your community.

Global Victories Unite in Chapel Hill and Beyond

2008-08-25T07:02:00.001-04:00

By Elizabeth Shugg

As the 2008 Olympic Games in China come to a close and the athletes return home,
Turning Point Gallery of Chapel Hill is extending the celebration of Chinese culture and folklore Sept. 12 during the 2ndFriday ArtWalk with “Moonlight Madness,” an art event commemorating the Chinese Moon Festival.

International artist Simon Bull returns to Turning Point Gallery Nov. 14 and 15 to remarque new releases at special prices purchased now through the Moonlight Madness event, as part of an effort to launch a new Angels Among Us fundraising program for 2008-2009. Three years ago, Bull worked with Turning Point Gallery to help Sherry’s Angels—a fundraising support team for Angels Among Us—raise $40,000 for brain tumor research funds. Click here for the full story. Bull and Turning Point Gallery hope to bring home the gold again for this important cause.

Deep Dish Theater Company’s 2008-2009 season offers a great sampling of international culture as well. Artistic Director Paul Frellick says this season will feature work from four of the theater’s most acclaimed playwrights. “From the revolutionary plays of Italy’s Carlo Goldoni and Russia’s Anton Checkhov, to the contemporary work of the Pulitzer Prize-winners Wendy Wasserstein and August Wilson, our audience will have the chance to encounter four of the most distinctive and resonant voices ever heard on stage,” he says. View Deep Dish Theater’s 2008-2009 season line-up here.

A Humbling Cause

More than 9,000 Olympic athletes representing 203 countries participated in the 2008 Olympics. Burma contributed six. In 1988, Burma’s military regime put an end to pro-democracy protests then irrationally held an election in 1990. The result was a victory by the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of General Aung San, a leading independence figure assassinated in 1947.

According to the National Review Online, “The government put Suu Kyi under house arrest, suppressed her party, loosed thugs upon democracy advocates, and closed the universities. Despite periodic hope for a more moderate course in Rangoon, the self-styled State Peace and Development Council always returns to repression.”

Not surprisingly, Burmese refugees have been forced to flee their homeland in fear of persecution by Burma’s ruling military junta for participation in pro-democracy movements. Chapel Hill and Carrboro are home to more than 300 Burmese refugees who have many needs—from housing and medical care, to employment and cultural adaptation. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital of Chapel Hill wants to help by providing reconditioned vacuum cleaners to new refugees in the area. If you’re interested in providing a used vacuum cleaner or volunteering your help, contact Flicka Batement at fbateman@nc.rr.com or (919) 967-8358.

Be sure to check out the new and discounted products at Vacuum Cleaner Hospital as well, like this M.D. Manufacturing Central Vacuum.

Equestrian Excellence

As the American Olympic equestrian team took gold in the stadium jumping competition Aug. 18, Bright Horse Farm and Art Studio in Pittsboro created memory-making equestrian moments for day campers through interaction with gentle, well trained horses in activities designed to enhance self-confidence, teamwork and problem solving. Campers spent the rest of the day with Art Director Kim Greene, who offered art instruction in a wide variety of media.

“Summer camps were a great success this year,” says Bright Horse Equestrian and Facility Manager Cindy McWilliams. “Parents commented on how much their children changed through their week-long adventure in experiential learning. One girl returned for the whole summer, having enjoyed her first week so much.”

New horses, like “Inky” the Appaloosa and “Deby” the thoroughbred mare, joined Bright Horse’s summer staff, and the clay studio’s kiln and pug mill cooked up fantastic creations. The fun continues. Fall’s revitalizing weather and beauty provide the perfect atmosphere for riding lessons. Be sure to take that opportunity by the reins before available spaces fill up. Kim Greene will continue offering clay classes every Saturday in the clay studio through fall and winter, and she will teach after school classes at the Chapel Hill YMCA and at Woods Charter School in association with the Pittsboro YMCA.

Bright Horse Farm corporate team development workshops and retreats are also available and will be led by new affiliates Renee Potere, Peter Metzner and Sheila Dempsey. Workgroups can enjoy a half-day session or stay overnight to experience the team-building benefits of working with equine specialists. “Bright horses really shine when they team up with adults!” McWilliams says.

Winning Work Environments

Team building is just one component of creating an ideal workplace. Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC also considers the necessary physical features. Below, the Austin Business Journal assesses what it takes to construct a productive, healthy work environment.

“The physical environment in which we work has a far greater impact on our psyche than most realize. Environmental features such as lighting, temperature, noise, privacy, color and even issues related to security all have a profound impact on the productivity, satisfaction and health of employees. It affects communication, efficiency and effectiveness of the organization as a whole. It can even affect the potential for renting or selling space." —Austin Business Journal

Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC works with clients to retrofit and build out health clinics, wellness centers, restaurants and other businesses offering this ideal physical environment. Learn more here.

Spacious, organized closet space also contributes to an ideal working environment—no matter what the industry. Carolina Closets Plus of Chapel Hill is expanding to serve the Raleigh-Cary market with a brand new showroom at 5215 Capital Boulevard, just south of I-540. This new showroom, set to open Oct. 6, will also accommodate an expanded product line. Structured wiring, home security, beam central vacuum, home audio/video components, and whole-house HEPA air purifications will all be available to customers in the new showroom.

Carolina Closets recently promoted Mark Sharpe to general manager and is partnering with Murphy Beds of America, makers of the new horizontal wall bed on display during the Southern Ideal Home Show. Carolina Closets Co-founder and President Mike Hoffer will also display this wall bed in the new showroom.

By the way, if you enjoyed watching Michael Phelps at the 2008 Olympics, try year-round swimming. Mike Hoffer has been involved in Chapel Hill’s swimming scene for over 15 years. Contact Mike at mike@carolinaclosetsplus.com for more information about getting involved in Chapel Hill swimming, and click here for some swimming basics.

As a new resident of Chapel Hill, community connections such as these can acquaint you with all the area has to offer. New Resident Solutions’ member businesses remain dedicated to serving and connecting you with the community around you—a winning combination worthy of Olympic gold.

WINDS OF CHANGE

2008-07-22T18:17:00.000-04:00

Tropical breezes stir our emotions this time of year. We often find ourselves saying hello to new families who move to Chapel Hill, and goodbye to old friends who must leave. Vacations and projects wind down, and children get set for a new school year.

Art often elicits the same stirring effect on our senses, transitioning us from one change to another. It may evoke a range of emotions, just as hurricane winds blow randomly across the region. Other times art soothes our minds, as though we are in the calm eye of the storm.

Acrylic artist Erik Zwezerijnen, one of Turning Point Gallery’s five headlining artists for August, says art is freedom. He uses it to unleash his creative vision on canvas. Sculptor Jason Ramsey Clark’s “Rhythms in Nature” series features 28 abstract organic pieces that marry natural hardwoods with industrial steel. Clark deconstructs the wood into 1-inch segments, then reconstructs it with offsets followed by shaping, sanding and 10 coats of finish—all while still retaining the wood’s original grain.

Mai Shang’s fine line oil paintings capture serene waterscapes on canvas, and Bob Haselle’s pit-fired pottery, currently part of six museum collections, features unique imprints of vaporized chemicals and combustibles. Tanner Jensen’s mixed media equine art, also on view at Turning Point Gallery through August, depicts earthly, spiritual and metaphorical elements of the horse.

Local children can easily follow in Jensen’s footsteps by attending summer camp at Bright Horse Farm & Art Studio in Pittsboro, where campers not only ride, but learn to draw horses. Summer camps run through August, with morning hours devoted to teaching interactive horse skills and afternoon sessions focusing on art. Art Director Kim Greene teaches children how to draw horses, dogs, tropical scenery and American Girl Dolls, among other subjects. Adults can get in on the fun, too. Cindy McWilliams, MLA, Bright Horse Equestrian and Facility Manager, is teaching afternoon adult watercolor classes at Chapel Ridge. Learn more here.

The boys of Cub Scout Pack 820 will also be one with nature’s elements during an October trip to Lake Singletary near White Lake in southeastern North Carolina. Looking ahead, the pack will travel to Charleston, S.C. in January to spend Martin Luther King Jr. weekend aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown. Visit the pack’s new website at www.pack820.org for information on joining, or contact Tom Proctor, owner of Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill, at tom@vacuumhospital.com. You can also find well over a thousand links to local resources for children at www.triangletracks.com.

Ease Into Change

If you’re settling into a new community, Great Earth Vitamins’ spa escape on Sat., July 26 at 9 a.m. can ease the transition. Experience the Optimal Skin Care System from Japan, a paraben-free, fragrance-free, water-based system providing maximum moisture and immediate results. Licensed esthetician Barbara Carr will offer anti-aging skincare tips as part of the class, which will be held in Great Earth Vitamins' Meadowmont Village store. Class size is limited, so call (919) 338-8168 to register.

While we’re on the subject of relaxing spa experiences, Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC is in the design stage of constructing a Massage Envy at Oberlin Court in Raleigh. The company will also start a Jenny Craig project at the beginning of August. Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC is also sponsoring New Resident Solutions Health & Wellness page.

Another way to get organized as you settle into your new home is to create a home office or redesign your closet space. Carolina Closets Plus in Chapel Hill has just added several new wood grain finishes to enhance the company’s home office and closet organization design choices. “We stay on the cutting edge of what we can offer our clients,” says Owner Mike Hoffer. “This new finish (serene cherry) is selling tremendously and matches perfectly with many cabinet designs that have recently come onto the market.”

So newcomers, we invite you to embrace Chapel Hill’s experiences, emotions and environment. New Resident Solutions pledges to continue connecting you to resources that will ease your mind and transition into the community.

SUMMER SERENITY

2008-06-23T16:28:00.000-04:00

Summertime means poolside fun, beach vacations, and for kids, unstructured playtime. After a school year filled with scheduled activities, free time is a most welcome change.

In “Ships Without a Shore: America’s Undernurtured Children,” Anne Pierce underscores the importance of free time for kids. She writes in her book, which currently has a 5-star rating on Amazon.com, that today “we see children for whom time is not something open ended and full of possibilities but rather something chopped up—into TV and computer time, ‘activities’ time, athletic “training” and academic “enrichment” time. Time, as life, is something to be coped with.” Rather, Pierce says, free time should take a slower pace and enable children to release their imagination, express their creativity and expend their energy.

For these reasons and more, free time also helps diminish childhood stress, which is sadly becoming a problem for many children across America. You're probably visiting this blog because you've already checked out New Resident Solutions of Chapel Hill. And since moving to a new home is a top childhood stress trigger, many kids benefit from psychological counseling to help ease the transition, especially if that child has already experienced instability due to other factors, such as divorce or death.

Triangle TRACKS, a website consolidating resources for children across the Triangle, offers links to nine articles on detecting, treating and preventing childhood stress in its June Linkzine. The site also links to several well-known psychologists and mental health specialists in the area.

Creative Downtime

There’s no better place for children to express their creativity and enjoy the outdoors than Bright Horse Farm and Art Studio’s tranquil countryside setting in Pittsboro. Through August, kids can experience a variety of no-pressure horse riding camps and art lessons at Brighthorse Farm and Art Studio. Morning hours are devoted to teaching children interactive horse skills, while afternoon sessions focus on art.

During the various camps scheduled throughout the summer at the farm, Art Director Kim Greene teaches participants how to draw horses, dogs, tropical scenery and American Girl Dolls, among other subjects. She also focuses on the great masters of art and teaches the children how to work with clay. Greene’s studio now accommodates a kiln for ceramic art and a pug mill for preparing clay, which enables children to get right to work since less prep is needed. Learn more here.

Turning Point Gallery is celebrating creative expression with a children’s art contest July 4-11. Since the gallery’s featured artist for July is Helena Fann from South Africa (by way of Dubai), who is known for her spectacular fish paintings, the gallery seeks 2D undersea pictures in any media no larger than 8 by 10 inches. The contest is open to two age groups, 3-5 and 6-8, and the gallery will award a prize to the winner of each group, as well as an overall prize of an original painting by Helena.

Turning Point Gallery continues to feature the artist Wilfred through July 3. Wilfred began watercolor painting at age 7 and is a true inspiration for young artists. Click here for more information.

Birding is another way for children to enjoy the outdoors. The Jordan Lake Educational State Forest, home to a large mixture of wildlife—including birds of prey, songbirds, deer, beavers and flying squirrels—was designed to be an outdoor classroom for all ages. Email jordanlakeesf.dfr.@ncmail.net for more information.

Moral Guidance

Scouting organizations are known for using the outdoors to help turn young boys into morally strong men. Cub Scouts Pack 820 in Chapel Hill recently sponsored a spring bike ride on the American Tobacco Trail and also plans camping trips and other outdoor activities for the scouts throughout the upcoming year. If your son is interested in joining, contact Tom Proctor, owner of Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill, at tom@vacuumhospital.com.

Tom’s pledge to good morals doesn’t stop with his devotion to Cub Scouts. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital donated 5 percent of their sales June 5 and 6 to long-time customer Sandra Theard and her son, Michael, who have been struggling financially ever since their home was destroyed by fire in March 2007. The Theards currently live in a small camper trailer because they had no home insurance. To make matters worse, Sandra was recently diagnosed with a recurring brain tumor that will require surgery, and she has no health insurance to pay for it. If you’re interested in making a direct donation to the Theards, contact Patti Yunker at RBC Centura Bank in Carrboro at (919) 918-4330.

Teaching children good morals, such as those Scouting organizations emphasize, need not come packaged with stress-triggering activities and expectations. Most kids can handle one or two enjoyable activities, as long as they are blended with a generous helping of free time.

Click here to check out the latest entry of New Resident Solutions’ Green Ambition Blog.

CONNECT WITH CHAPEL HILL’S YOUNGEST RESIDENTS, Part 2

2008-06-01T19:50:00.001-04:00

By Elizabeth Shugg

Last week the Community Connections Blog celebrated New Resident Solutions members who are nurturing children’s talents. This week we discuss how members are cultivating children’s values and growing bodies.

Nurturing Values

Goldworks Fine Jewelry owner Wren Hendrickson’s 10-year commitment to Southern Appalachian Young Friends (SAYF), a statewide Quaker youth program that hosts weekend-long, year-round retreats for students in 7th through 12th grade, offers proof of her dedication to inspiring today’s youth. SAYF will use their end-of-year graduation June 12-15 to celebrate the children’s experiences and lessons learned as they move on to work or college.

Recently named “Best Jewelry Store in Chapel Hill” by readers of the Chapel Hill News, Goldworks Fine Jewelry now offers art glass from Mayauel Ward, whose lampwork paperweights are collected throughout the United States, Hong Kong, England and Germany. Mayauel recently added floral vases, floral perfume bottles and torchwork paperweights to his line. Learn more here.

Vacuum Cleaner Hospital owner Tom Proctor reaches out to Chapel Hill’s youth as a leader for his 7-year-old son’s Cub Scout den, and the company’s Jody Witt has joined a group of women who crochet hats and mittens for preemies at Duke and UNC hospitals. These women also knit inflammable wool hats for U.S. solders in Iraq.

Central Vacuum Experts, a division of Vacuum Cleaner Hospital joining New Resident Solutions, recently heard from one of its largest veterinary customers, Wally Diehl. Wally asserts that no customer “is harder on their central vacuum unit than I am.” He praised how hard Vacuum Cleaner Hospital’s units work all day, and said installations were handled professionally and timely. Learn more about Vacuum Cleaner Hospitals expansive product line here.

Nurturing Bodies

Vitamins play an important role in nourishing children’s growing bodies. Great Earth Vitamins offers an extensive line of premium supplements for children. Owners Gene and Rose Wolf also spent many years nourishing their sons’ minds by homeschooling them. Learn more on our Homeschooling in Chapel Hill page, which the Wolfs sponsor.

Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC is also looking out for children’s health needs by sponsoring our upcoming Health and Wellness page. In addition to constructing brand new state-of-the-art health facilities, Pete Bikas and his team specialize in retrofitting old buildings into high-tech outpatient clinics, offices, X-ray rooms, health care facilities and medical laboratories for physicians, dentists, veterinarians and other health care professionals across the Triangle. Bikas Building is currently constructing a Penn Station East Coast Subs and Massage Envy facility in Raleigh.

Youth sports strengthen children’s bodies and reinforce the importance of good sportsmanship. Carolina Closets Plus supports youth swimming by managing New Resident Solutions’ Swimming in Chapel Hill page. Recently, 650 of North Carolina’s fastest swimmers age 8 to 25 attended the 15th annual North Carolina Aquatic Club’s “Meet on the Hill” at UNC Koury Natatorium, where numerous records were broken and several Olympic trial cuts were achieved. Carolina Closets Plus offers an update on that event here. You can view the meet’s results here.

By the way, Carolina Closets Plus’ Installation Manager Mark Sharpe recently attended a three-day course in Weeke BHP 200 machine maintenance. This woodworking machine is networked to the company’s 3D computer drawing software and ensures exact computer modeling and precision cutting. Owner Mike Hoffer calls it the “best thing since sliced bread. We can now make anything that we can design.” Learn more about the Weeke BHP 200 here.

Sturdivant’s Tire & Auto supports local youth baseball at Carrboro, Cedar Ridge, Chapel Hill, East Chapel Hill and Northwood high schools by making annual donations to each school’s baseball program. Over the last four years, Sturdivant’s Tire and Auto raised $8,500 for these schools. This year’s donation totaled $2,560. Three of these high schools made it to the state playoffs this year, and several seniors have received baseball scholarships to local colleges. Sturdivant’s Tire and Auto is also sponsoring a local T-ball team at White Cross Recreation Center, and the company raised $2,000 for Chatham and Orange counties’ Relay for Life this spring.

Connect to additional local youth sports leagues across the region via Triangle TRACKS’ Sports & Recreation TRACKS page.

New Resident Solutions News

New Resident Solutions uses the Internet to make connections between new residents of Chapel Hill and community leading businesses in a variety of ways. From the Community Connections and Green Ambition blogs, to regular online press releases and event publishing efforts via social networking directories, Business Value Creation is ensuring that these member businesses pop up quickly during keyword searches. This is a newcomer/small business win-win.

Expanded New Resident Solutions page sponsorship opportunities will soon be available. Each page can accommodate a maximum of 10 170x80 pixel sponsorship buttons. For $75, New Resident Solutions members get 5 buttons with button seniority, which allows members to choose where the buttons appear on our website. Members will also be included in our blog copy. Associate members can also purchase 5 buttons for $75, but may or may not be included in our web copy.

Check out this month’s Green Ambition Blog to learn how our members are making environmentally friendly business choices.

Connect With Chapel Hill's Youngest Residents

2008-05-21T14:26:00.000-04:00

By Elizabeth Shugg

Some of Chapel Hill’s newest residents can’t drive, vote or open a checking account, but they play a vital role in weaving the community together. Our children represent youthful innocence, hope and happiness. Understandably, their needs intensify when they encounter new surroundings. As John W. Whitehead wrote in “The Stealing of America” in 1983, “Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.”

Author Anne R. Pierce offers a stinging critique of current child-rearing practices in her book, “Ships Without a Shore: America’s Undernurtured Children,” and extols the importance of adult role models in children’s lives. “Children learn how to be mature and responsible through the predominant influence of adult role models. Absent that dominant influence, they tend to acquire those traits which allow them to function in a chaotic world… Rather than developing the traits that would allow them to relate maturely to another human being, they are forced to learn about human relationships from their immature peers.”

Thus, adults nurture the circle of life and ensure a better future for mankind when they tend to a child’s mental, physical and emotional needs.

Anne was recently interviewed by Dr. Alvin Jones, who broadcasts on WCBQ-WHNC-AM, out of Oxford, N.C. Dr. Jones has interviewed hundreds of professionals and celebrities--from Dr. Laura to Dionne Warwick.

Not only do many New Resident Solutions members have children of their own, they connect with children outside their immediate family through charitable services and volunteer efforts. We’ve launched a New Kids & New Moms page to offer more information on the various ways in which our members mentor children. Moms new to the area will also benefit from the resources on this page.

Nurturing Talents

New Resident Solutions’ newest member, Bright Horse Farm and Art Studio in Pittsboro, offers children and adults a unique opportunity to blend horses with art. Nestled in Chatham County’s picturesque countryside, Bright Horse Camps for children begin June 2 and extend through Aug. 22. Equestrian Director Cindy McWilliams focuses on equestrian experiences during the morning camp hours, and Art Director Kim Greene teaches art lessons in the afternoon. You can view pictures of the farm here. New Resident Solutions Horses in North Carolina page also offers additional equestrian information for the region.

Art recently made a “Lasting Impression” on several Chapel Hill children who attended Turning Point Gallery’s recent reception for Washington-based painter Maeve Harris and Colorado-based sculptor Wayne Salge. (See below photo.)
In June, gallery owners Jerri and Garry Meldrum will offer more opportunities for children to connect with art when they profile acrylic artist, Wilfred, who was born in Shanghai and currently resides in Amsterdam. Wilfred is living proof that children can benefit from art at an early age. He started watercolor painting at the age of 7, and attended art schools in China and Hong Kong, where he began his modern contemporary work. Learn more here.

Local playhouses, such as Deep Dish Theater Company and Playmakers Repertory Company also nourish children’s minds. Carolina Cleaners handles all of the dry cleaning for both of these theaters, as well as costumes from 12 additional playhouses across the country. (By the way, now is a great time to save a little gas money by signing up for Carolina Cleaners’ pickup and delivery service.)

Search for additional ways to nurture your children’s talents though Triangle TRACKS, a portal website created by former Fifteen501 magazine editor Elizabeth Shugg that consolidates all of the resources for children across the Triangle. Through this site, you can access an extensive directory of camps, education resources, youth sports leagues, birthday party venues, museum exhibits and much more.

Stay tuned for part 2 of “Connect With Chapel Hill’s Youngest Residents,” which we’ll post next week. You’ll learn how New Resident Solutions members are also nurturing children's values and growing bodies.

New Resident Solutions News

New Resident Solutions uses the Internet to make connections between new residents of Chapel Hill and community leading businesses in a variety of ways. From the Community Connections and Green Ambition blogs, to regular online press releases and event publishing efforts via social networking directories, Business Value Creation is ensuring that these member businesses pop up quickly during keyword searches. This is a newcomer/small business win-win.

Expanded New Resident Solutions page sponsorship opportunities will soon be available. Each page can accommodate a maximum of 10 170x80 pixel sponsorship buttons. For $75, New Resident Solutions members get 5 buttons with button seniority, which allows members to choose where the buttons appear on our website. Members will also be included in our blog copy. Associate members can also purchase 5 buttons for $75, but may or may not be included in our web copy.

Check out this month’s Green Ambition Blog to learn how our members are making environmentally friendly business choices.

Connect With Baby Boomers, Donald Trump, Rescued Pets and Much More

2008-04-18T23:04:00.001-04:00

April 2008

Sperling’s BestPlaces recently named Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill the country’s third most romantic region for Baby Boomers. That explains the health construction boom.

From assisted living facilities to “healthcare villages” complete with doctor’s offices, fitness centers and restaurants, the love generation’s aging demographics are revolutionizing health construction to the tune of a 14-percent health facility construction increase nationally between now and 2012.

Pete Bikas, owner of Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC in Durham, recently expanded his capabilities so he and his team can retrofit existing facilities to meet new health technology demands. That includes state-of-the-art outpatient clinics, offices and medical laboratories for physicians, dentists, veterinarians and other medical professionals.

Bikas Building, New Resident Solutions’ newest member, will also sponsor our upcoming Health and Wellness page—further proof that Pete is looking out for Chapel Hill’s health facility needs.

Turning Point Gallery Connects With … Donald Trump?

What do Turning Point Gallery and business icon Donald Trump have in common? Good taste in art, of course. The gallery’s upcoming “Lasting Impressions” show will feature paintings from Seattle, Washington-based painter Maeve Harris (photographed below) that also appeared on the set of Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice.” Harris discusses her painting on YouTube here. You can also learn more about at Turning Point Gallery's website her here.

“Lasting Impressions” will elegantly blend Harris’ expressions of color and light with Johnstown, Colorado-based sculptor Wayne Salge’s focus on shape, line and form. Learn more about Salge here.

Both internationally known artists work by concentrating on their medium first, then allowing a concept to emerge. Turning Point Gallery will host a reception for Harris and Salge May 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. during the 2nd Friday ArtWalk.

Shop for Unique Crafts—and Adorable Pets

Thirty local crafters will host “Crafts on the Green in Chapel Hill’s Southern Village” May 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. to benefit 2PawsUp, a Raleigh-based, non-profit animal rescue organization. The show will feature handmade art and adorable, adoptable pets from 2PawsUp, which travels across North Carolina rescuing animals on “death row” rather than taking them in from individual people.

2PawsUp currently fosters over 80 dogs and cats in need of loving homes. Participating artists, all of whom share a love of pets, will donate a portion of the show’s proceeds to 2PawsUp.

Learn more about the craft show here. New Resident Solutions of Chapel Hill’s member businesses are proud to sponsor a Pet Adoption in the Triangle page featuring 2PawsUp. Be sure to check it out.

While we’re on the subject of animals, click on over to New Resident Solutions new Birding page to learn about different bird species; migration patterns; bird watching hotspots; birding clubs, destinations and festivals; and tips for involving children in birding. Make contact with avian experts and learn about land conservancy projects in the Triangle, which help preserve local bird species.

Spring’s Common Ground: Flowers, Cleaning and Sports

Spring flowers bloom on and in Martie Negri’s “Morning Glory Vessel,” shown here. Negri says of her work, “Flowers accompany our rites of passage and carry deep symbolic meaning: they are collections of individual gestures, an expression multiplied, a gathering for remembrance.” See Negri’s floral interpretations on glass for yourself at Goldworks Fine Jewelry, and learn more about her work here.

Dry clean and store wool clothing away for the summer at Carolina Cleaners, but keep your Wool Shop duster from Vacuum Cleaner Hospital handy year-round. These dusters possess amazing cable-like strength with wool fibers that can bend more than 20,000 times without breaking. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital, also sells a variety of vacuum bags and filters, dusters, hardwood floor cleaners, central vacuum services and other products for spring-cleaning your home.

Sturdivant’s Tire and Auto takes spring sports seriously. The company will participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in May. They also support Carrboro, Cedar Ridge, Chapel Hill, East Chapel Hill and Northwood high schools’ baseball programs with $500 donations to each school. In the last three years, Sturdivant’s Tire and Auto raised $6,000 for this purpose. A portion of all tire sales during February, March and April will go into this fund.

Sturdivant’s Tire and Auto is currently promoting a $500 Michelin giveaway through May.” Enter to win at WCHL.com. Every Friday during WCHL’s Morning News with Ron Stutts and again during Live at Five with Jeff Hamlin, a winner from the online entrant pool will be announced, and that winner will become eligible for the $500 grand prize giveaway.

Supplement—and Organize—Your Quality of Life

Family-owned Great Earth Vitamins now offers a free nutrition class covering everything you need to know about good nutrition—including a group of nutrients just discovered during the last decade. Classes take place most Thursdays at 6 p.m. in the store. For more information and to reserve your space, call (919) 338-8168.

Carolina Closets Plus will host a free seminar April 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. in their showroom, located at 1705 Legion Road in Chapel Hill, that will focus on home office design and organization. “Designing Your Home Office” features expert advice from interior specialist Terry Woodfin and a $300 free interior color consultation giveaway. Click here to view sketches and photos of a completed Carolina Closes Plus home office.

The seminar will also include a talk on how to start a home business and a CAD drawing competition for a free home office design and 25 percent off construction materials. Seating is limited, so call Carolina Closets Plus at (919) 942-3418 or email bob@carolinaclosetsplus.com to reserve your spot.

Organize your children’s social life with Triangle TRACKS, a new website created by writer and editor Elizabeth Shugg that consolidates thousands of links for Triangle parents. “T.R.A.C.K.S.” is an acronym for “Tools, Resources and Activities for Carolina KidS. The website is a product of parenthood and an accumulation of resources resulting from years of children’s birthday parties, games, youth sports, museum exhibits, parks, concerts, camps, clubs, education experiences and much more.

All of New Resident Solutions’ member businesses remain committed to extending a helping hand to those who may never walk through their doors. They know service and outreach not only strengthens their bonds with the community, but also builds the community’s strength as a whole.

Community Connections

2008-03-20T12:53:00.000-04:00

By Elizabeth Shugg

As winter blows out of Chapel Hill today, New Resident Solutions members celebrate the effervescence of spring through blossoming business strategies and budding community connections.

Kick a Tire—or Four!

Our newest member, family-owned and operated Sturdivant’s Auto and Tire on Highway 54 in Chapel Hill, has provided quality car care since 1969, when Larry Sturdivant opened the business as Larry’s Alignment Shop. Over the years, Larry established a reputation for honesty and integrity among longtime customers and new residents of Chapel Hill. In 1987 his nephew, Terry Sturdivant, took over the family operation to continue his uncle’s notable work.

Right now, Sturdivant’s Auto and Tire has a special offer for you: log on to WCHL.com and enter to win prizes from Sturdivant’s Tire and Auto. Every Friday during WCHL’s Morning News with Ron Stutts, a winner from the online entrant pool will be announced. This person will automatically become eligible to win a $500 gift certificate toward the purchase of four new Michelin tires.

Sturdivant’s Auto and Tire strengthens its connection to the surrounding community by supporting local high school baseball programs and sponsoring New Resident Solutions’ high school baseball page.

Cultivate Space

In our February blog, we mentioned Goldworks Fine Jewelry owner Wren Hendrickson’s 10-year commitment to Southern Appalachian Young Friends (SAYF), a statewide Quaker youth program that hosts weekend-long, year-round retreats focusing on health, spirituality, community and service for students in 7th through 12th grade. This month, SAYF kids are participating in a Georgia-based “Cultivating Space” program. Click here to learn more about the program.

Carolina Closets Plus at 1705 Legion Road in Chapel Hill will also be offering advice on how to cultivate space during two upcoming in-store seminars. The first seminar, scheduled for April 27 from 1 to 5 p.m., focuses on how to build a home office. Carolina Closets Plus will offer complimentary food, demonstrations, advice, and a drawing for a free home office plan and design. The second seminar will take place June 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. and offer advice on getting organized. Enjoy more complimentary food, advice, drawings and a book signing (TBD) during this event.

Carolina Closets Plus is the largest custom closet, home office and garage organization company in the area, and boasts the largest closet organization showroom in North Carolina. The company has served the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area since 1985 and actively supports Chapel Hill’s youth swimming scene. Click here to view a summary of the 4A State Swimming Championship results, which were held Feb. 8 and 9 at UNC-CH’s Koury Natatorium.

Spring Clean Your Clothes and Home

Carolina Cleaners in Chapel Hill recommends having them pick up all of your wool garments for a spring-cleaning before you store them away for the summer. If wool clothing isn’t cleaned first, protein stains from foods and drinks may create a “mini-cafeteria for insects,” says Carolina Cleaners’ owner Charlie Nelson. This results in insect-damaged wool fibers, which may turn into holes when exposed to dry cleaning solvent. Many customers think the dry cleaning equipment creates the holes.

Carolina Cleaners sells moth-proof bags with cedar-scented interiors for $2.25. Better yet, Carolina Cleaners will dry clean your garment then store it in a moth-proof bag for you until October 1. You’ll pay only the cost for the bag and dry cleaning—storage is free. (And you’ll be amazed at how much closet space this frees up.)

In addition to providing a comprehensive menu of dry cleaning services and expanded pickup and delivery route service, Carolina Cleaners carefully hand washes delicate fabrics, such as the 1948 flag shown in the accompanying image.

Carolina Cleaners continues to support the Triangle Area Nanny Group (TANG) through New Resident Solutions. TANG provides links and updates to nanny services available throughout the region. Learn more here or email TANG’s Founder and President Tracey Chipps at tang@nc.rr.com.

Vacuum Cleaner Hospital just celebrated its 22nd anniversary and offers a variety of vacuum bags and filters, dusters, hardwood floor cleaners, central vacuum services and other products for spring cleaning your home. Owner Tom Proctor values community service and supports local youth as his son’s den leader for Cub Scouts. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital also donates reconditioned vacuums to charities and organizations such as the Rape Crisis Center and Habitat for Humanity.

Pamper the Body and Soul

Great Earth Vitamins in Chapel Hill’s Meadowmont Village now offers in-store seminars on Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m. that focuses on “Sugars That Heal.” Learn how to restore balance to your immune system, slow down or even reverse the aging process, fight the effects of stress and toxins, and discover missing nutrition links that can lead to extraordinary health and mental clarity. For more information or to reserve your space at an upcoming seminar, call (919) 338-8168.

Great Earth Vitamins supports local youth by promoting and connecting residents to community home-schooling efforts. Owners Gene and Rose Wolf, who home-schooled their sons Lee and Allen, offer links to helpful home-schooling resources here.

Turning Point Gallery in Chapel Hill’s University Mall will present new works by Alamance County metal sculptor Ruffin Hobbs during an April 11 reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Learn more here. Turning Point Gallery continues to connect with the community through its support of Duke’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center Angels Among Us annual walk/run, which takes place April 26. Two Duke University employees who each lost a family member to a brain tumor founded Angels Among Us to raise funds for the Duke Brain Tumor Program.

Chapel Hill’s Wild Bird Center, an excellent resource for backyard bird watching and feeding supplies, sponsors community bird walks twice a month. Owner Cynthia Fox has scheduled an upcoming bird walk March 22 at Duke Gardens starting at 8 a.m. Learn more about the bird walks and Cynthia’s bird feeding tips here.

Check Out Our New Growth

As spring blooms, New Resident Solutions is cultivating site growth with the launch of our “Green Ambition” blog. NRS members have found plenty of ways to go green, and we think you’ll enjoy learning more about out their green products and strategies each month on our blog.

New Resident Solutions is also reaching out to our region’s robust equine industry. We’ve launched a Horses in North Carolina page to offer industry and legislative updates for new residents of Chapel Hill and surrounding areas who support the equine industry. Its thriving forward progress has spilled over to artistic expression. Turning Point Gallery recently held a private luncheon and 2ndFriday Artwalk reception honoring Tennessee artist Nan Jacobsohn, known for her horse sculptures. View her artwork here.

We’ll blog again in April with more updates on New Resident Solutions for Chapel Hill. Feel free to post comments—we’d love to hear from you.

Connect with Chapel Hill's Youth, Culture and Creatures

2008-02-11T09:44:00.000-05:00

By Elizabeth Shugg

Great communities claim citizens who invest in local assets and interests-from sponsoring youth programs to supporting cultural entertainment venues.

We’ve launched this blog to show members of New Resident Solutions that good deeds flow generously in Chapel Hill, Durham and surrounding areas. New residents find their neighbors’ benevolence infectious, and experience a desire to join in the efforts. By doing so, they strengthen their bond with the community.

Local Youth Connections

Carolina Closets Plus, serving the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area since 1985, actively supports Chapel Hill’s swimming scene. New residents interested in swimming lessons, lap swimming venues, water aerobics classes, competitive swimming teams, scuba training or just relaxing in the pool can connect directly to New Resident Solutions’ swimming information page.
For the last 10 years, Goldworks owner Wren Hendrickson has served on the steering committee for Southern Appalachian Young Friends (SAYF), a statewide Quaker youth program that hosts weekend-long summer retreats focusing on health, spirituality, community and service for students in 7th through 12th grade. SAYF programs promote peaceful conflict resolution and consist of support teams and mentors who uphold the importance of community responsibility and encourage leadership for the next generation. The retreats cost $25 and are held at the Friends Meeting House in Chapel Hill. Click here to learn more about SAYF, and here to learn more about Hendrickson’s custom jewelry store Goldworks, located in Chapel Hill’s University Mall.
Vacuum Cleaner Hospital’s Tom Proctor also supports local youth by lending a hand to Cub Scout Pack 820 in Chapel Hill for special events like the Pinewood Derby, which took place Feb. 9 at Triangle Church on Barbee Chapel Road. The top three fastest cars advance to the Orange County District Pinewood Derby event on March 1 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Chapel Hill. Learn about Vacuum Cleaner Hospital’s extensive product line here.
Congratulations to Great Earth Vitamins in Chapel Hill’s Meadowmont for its recent nomination as the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year. Great Earth Vitamins supports local youth by promoting and connecting residents to local home-schooling efforts. Owners Gene and Rose Wolf, who home-schooled their sons Lee and Allen, offer links to helpful home-schooling resources here.

Cultural Connections

Carolina Cleaners in Chapel Hill and Carrboro supports cultural entertainment by discounting dry cleaning services for local theaters like Deep Dish Theater Company and Playmakers Repertory Company. Charlie Nelson, owner of Carolina Cleaners with wife Patricia, says these “deep discounts” show their “deep commitment” to local theaters. The Nelsons also support the Triangle Area Nanny Group, whose members frequently enjoy Carolina Cleaners’ expanded pickup and delivery route service.
Turning Point Gallery in Chapel Hill’s University Mall also promotes local cultural awareness as a founder of the 2ndFriday Artwalk. Nearly 80 2ndFriday Artwalks have been held during the last six years with growing community involvement and national interest. This popular monthly event offers residents the opportunity to see a large variety of artwork during a single evening while socializing with fellow art lovers. Learn more here.

Creature Connections

Turning Point Gallery connects with community supporters of the region’s growing equine industry on March 14 when gallery owners Jerri and Garry Meldrum will host a private luncheon featuring guest speaker Nan Jacobsohn, known for her coil-built horse sculptures. Turning Point Gallery will display her sculptures during the 2ndFriday Artwalk that evening.
Chapel Hill’s Wild Bird Center, an excellent resource for backyard bird watching and feeding supplies, sponsors bird walks twice a month. Wild Bird Center owner Cynthia Fox has scheduled upcoming bird walk March 8 at Duke Gardens, starting at 8 a.m. Learn more about the bird walks and Cynthia’s bird feeding tips here.