Carrboro, NC

If your kids are foodies and you would love to help them polish their skills while becoming locavores, then this years C'est Si Bon Teen Chefs Residiential Cooking Camp could be just the ticket!

Dorette Stover, the chef owner of C'est Si Bon will offer two sessions this summer, June 22-28 and June 29 - July 3, called Carolina On My Plate, at Fickle Creek Farm in Efland. Aspiring teen chefs from all over the country will combine hands on cooking classes featuring local specialities with field trips to Orange County farms as well as trips to both the Carrboro Farmers Market and the Southern Village Farmers Market.

Celebrity Dairy, famous for its local goat cheese, Cane Creek Farm, local producer of ossabaw pork and Maple View Farms, the counties favorite local ice cream are all on the schedule.

“It’s a great time to buy” isn’t just a boring slogan you keep hearing from real estate agents. It’s also true. Not only are interest rates currently below 5% for the first time in a generation but first time homebuyers or those who have not owned a home for 3 years can qualify for a tax credit up to $8000 for purchases made through December 1st, 2009.

You don’t qualify for the tax credit? The low interest rates alone should entice you to at least think about making a move. Why? Because the combination of the exceptional deals available and low interest rates means you could be getting a home you just recently could only dream about.

Think you’ll wait for ‘the bottom’? Don’t…it’s the combination of price AND payments that makes this a golden opportunity. Let me show you what I mean:

Your Dream Home is on the market today for $400,000. You put down 20% and finance the rest over 30 years at 4.5%. Your monthly principal and interest payment is $1635.

You’d rather wait to see if prices drop further? OK. Six months from now your Dream Home is on the market for $380,000. You put down 20% and finance the rest over 30 years but at 5.5% because the rates, which have been held down artificially by the government, are naturally trending back up. Your monthly principal and interest payment is now $1737!

Would you like to learn more about why waiting isn’t necessarily the best option for you as a buyer OR as a seller? Contact me. I am always available to answer any questions you might have regarding any aspect of residential real estate in North Carolina.

First you're going to watch Carolina win and then you're going to watch Duke lose, right? But what if Carolina loses doesn't win?

You might consider checking out the DSI Comedy Theater in Carr Mill Mall! Tonight at 10 p.m. Carolina comedians will have a shot at beating Duke comedians in the Regional Rival Competition of the 2009 National College Comedy Competition.

And if Carolina wins you can still head to DSI..why not make it a two-fer?

University Lake, located off Jones Ferry Road in Carrboro, will open for water fun this weekend!

Boaters can rent flat bottom boats or canoes for use at University Lake or bring your own. The lake is owned by OWASA, the Orange County Water and Sewer Authority, and supplies our local drinking water so it is no surprise that there are regulations in place to protect it. That’s why you can only use electric motors or elbow power to troll around the peaceful lake. But that shouldn’t stop you from coming out for a peaceful afternoon floating around with a fishing pole. The lake is stocked and open to fishing, assuming you have a valid state license.

There is a small fee for use of the lake, cheaper if you live in Orange County, and life vests are available at no charge. But feel free to picnic, go birding or sunbath as the mood strikes at no charge and the lake provides handicap accessible docks.

The lake will be open Friday through Monday 6:30am to 6:00 pm starting this Saturday until November 8, 2009.

This kind of stuff isn't surprising in Carrboro...in fact it is the depth behind the charm of our little community. It's an easy walk from downtown Carrboro to our sister city of Chapel Hill but it is very likely you won't make it over there once you are surrounded by the people and spirit of Carrboro.

Cliff Collins, owner of Cliff's Meat Market has been chosen to receive the Pauli Murray Human Relations Award . He may be a small town butcher but he embodies the best things about Carrboro. And if you need a fantastic cut of meat he can do that too!