The 48 story building will begin showcasing some of it’s lighting capabilities, which includes 2 minute shows at the top of every hour beginning at 8pm tonight.

According to the Charlotte Observer, “the lights will display a default white setting from 30 minutes before sunset each evening until after the final show at midnight. The lights will come on again at about 5 a.m. for the morning commute, then turn off after sunrise.”

If you’ve been around Charlotte for any length of time than you know that this won’t be the first building to be lit of with a variety of different lights and colors, but I believe it might be the first one that has the ability to create motion with the lights.

To read more about this exciting new feature of uptown Charlotte, visit http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/08/17/1628169/duke-building-light-shows-start.html#ixzz0wtYnUQIm

It is located in downtown Rock Hill, and the days are filled with events and fun.

Check out their website for more www.christmasvillerockhill.com

According to the Charlotte Observer’s event section:

Blues, Brews & BBQ is a competition and festival that features blues music, an array of beer samples, and some of the best barbecue anywhere. Interactive cooking demonstrations and contests are featured all day. This festival celebrates the best of the southern cuisine and southern music. Food, music, entertainment and more!

To get the complete story on this event be sure to check out the Blues, Brews & BBQ website!

It seems as if Thomas Currence, the owner of Currence Family Restaurant in Chester SC for over 15 years is taking the belief that ‘it’s better to give than to recieve’ to heart.  Facing 21% unemployment rate in Chester SC, Currence has decided to close his restaurant for all but 3 days of the week in order to encourage his patrons to visit other restaurants.

According to the story in the Rock Hill SC Herald,

“There’s a lot of weak in this city right now,” Currence said, noting how plant closures and the resulting unemployment have put a tangible weight on the collective shoulders of Chester County that’s drained the community of its spirit.

If being closed three extra days during the week will help others get more business, even just a little — and therefore help turn around the economic misfortune — Currence believes it will be worth it.

Personally, I think it’s fantastic that someone like Thomas is putting his beliefs into action. There’s a lot of talk these days about helping those that really need the help and it’s very rare to see someone actually take action like what he’s doing.

My hats off to Thomas and I’d say if you’re in Chester, definitely go visit him and help him out on the 3 days a week he is open!

Location
Tega Cay is poised on the shores of Lake Wylie, a mere 20minutes south of uptown Charlotte, North Carolina
Tega Cay enjoys close proximity to other major cities as well.  Columbia, South Carolina is 82 miles away.  Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina is 155 miles; Charleston, South Carolina is 185 miles; and the cities of Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia are less than 250 miles away.

Climate
Tega Cay has a humid subtropical climate.  The city experiences four distinct seasons, although the variation between the seasons is not as extreme as in other parts of the US.

Taxes

South Carolina has one of the lowest per capita tax rates in the country according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census

Recreation
Tega Cay has its own 27 hole, championship daily-fee golf course with pro shop.  There are eight lighted tennis courts for year round play.

The new Beach Club offers an eight lane Jr. Olympic pool, children’s wading pool with raining umbrella, a sandy beach, volley ball, picnic facilities, gathering room and fitness room for fun year round.

A marina provides covered and uncovered boat slips.

Tega Cay has two lighted ball fields that can accommodate a number of team sports.

The Tega Cay Athletic association coordinates sports activities for younger residents including T-ball leagues, Little League, soccer, softball, football and a swim team.

A spacious new golf clubhouse and event pavilion accommodates all sorts of special events and business functions.

City Services
Tega Cay residents are protected by the city’s own 24-hour Police Department and Fire and Rescue Department.

Local schools called classes off for the day and many businesses opened late.  While it wasn’t the biggest snow storm we’ve ever experienced here in Rock Hill SC, it was enough to cause some problems such as power outtages, traffic accidents, and parents wondering what to do with their kids for the day.

Here’s  a quick list of tips for dealing with the occasional snow and/or ice we get here in the Rock Hill SC area.

Winter Driving:

• Slow down
• Don’t tailgate
• Allow more distance than you think you’d need when stopping
• Pay close attention to areas in the shade because this is where ice is likely to form
• Stop slowly – if you have ABS brakes, simply hold the pedal down firmly.  If you DON’T have ABS brakes, pump the brake slowly

Keeping Warm in the Cold:

• Dress in several layers and wear a waterproof/windproof outer shell
• Wear a hat to conserve body heat and keep your feet and hands dry
• Avoid over-exhursion

Coping  Without Power:

• Stay away from downed power lines or anything touching a downed power line
• Don’t stand under ice-laden power lines
• Don’t open freezers or refrigerators more frequently than necessary
• Never bring a charcoal grill or stove indoors for heat or cooking as the CO gas can be deadly

Anyway, I’ve posted several reviews of some great local restaurants my husband and I have found, but I’d like to know what you think.

What are some of your favorite, small, hometown restaurants in either Rock Hill SC or Fort Mill SC?

What do you like about them?  What’s your favorite dish?  Are the prices reasonable?

Leave your comment below and share your thoughts and chances are I’ll pass along your recommendation to my clients, prospects, fellow real estate agents, and readers of my blog.

Thanks in advance for your help!

According to David Zimmerman, president of Southern Shows, which puts on the Southern Christmas Show each year, “The windows there are very competitive. The stores try to outdo each other every year. They’re so elaborate. It’s a shame they’re up for only a few weeks.”

Well, Charlotteans will have another 11 days to view these elaborate Christmas displays as this year’s South Christmas Show runs through November 23.

For more information about these displays and this year’s show, visit http://www.charlotteobserver.com/477/story/306096.html

We saw an ad in one of the local circulars for a Cuban restaurant and since my husband spent 2 years living in Central America, he has a thing for all latin food.  When he saw the ad he proclaimed, “We’ve got to check it out!”

So after running a few lunchtime errands together, we set off to find this little Cuban joint.  Unfortunately, we couldn’t remember the exact address, but knew it was on Cherry St. in Rock Hill.  After just a few minutes of driving up Cherry St., we got lucky and stumbled upon the place, Carlo’s Cafe.

The restaurant has a very distinct Carribean feel and with only 10 or so tables, it’s a very cozy atmosphere.  We were immediately seated and upon looking at the menu, saw a full array of authentic cuban options.

I settled on the roast chicken and my husband had the fried stripped beef.  Both came with fried plantains, which we absolutely LOVE, and black beans and rice.  The food was delivered very quickly and as we’d hopped, it was hot and delish!

Overall, the prices were very reasonable, especially if you get the lunch specials which change every day and are only $5.99.

To finish things off we split a Tres Leches, which is a traditional latino dessert that literally means 3 milks.  The way I describe it is a soggy cake, which when you understand how it’s made makes sense.  It’s basically a white cake that has a mixture of 3 different types of milk poured over top of it.  It’s then topped with a light frosting and whipped cream.

In a nutshell, Carlo’s Cafe on 1998 Cherry Rd in Rock Hill, SC is a fantastic little cuban restaurant and one I whole-heartedly recommend if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary.  I don’t recall whan their hours are, but you can read reviews from others right HERE.

Go check it out.  You won’t be disappointed!

http://aaa.opisnet.com/index.aspx

As I’m typing this, the cheapest fuel in the Rock Hill, SC area is Raceway 976 on Cherry Road.  They came in at $3.309/gal.

This handy little tool lists all the gas prices in the area, so if you’re hoping to find something on your way out of Rock Hill, or even Fort Mill SC, this weekend, be sure to check here before filling up!