Ford Craven, GREEN ECOBROKER

I caught the word yesterday that one of our communities local media outlets, The Concord Standard and Mount Pleasant Times, has shut its doors. After the 24th publication of its 5th volume, this quais-popular newspaper which emphasized the Christian religion and made obituaries more personal and has been an outlet for real estate advertisiments is another casualty of the recession. And also a casualty of the times. Readership among all print media is down considerably becasue of the turn towards Interent news outlets and blogs. Why read the paper, or subscribe, when the news comes straight to your phone? I don't know either.

This effect is also being seen in Real Estate specific publications such as The Real Estate Book and Centralina Homebuyers Guide. It is obvious the toll of lack of advertising has had on these publications. You can put the same month from a year ago beside the most recent issue and see the difference.

It should be very obvious to you now that internet advertising and placment is where its at. Good luck and safe driving on the Super Information Highway. There is a lot more traffic now and it's only going to increase.

I know we Realtors are always out and about in our community. We are the eyes. We aren't locked ina cubicle like so many in todays sociaety. That is why I felt the need to post this entry. Earlier this Fall, a man walked into Sun Drop Bottling Company on Branchview/Hwy 3 in Concord, NC and murdered 2 people in cold blood. One worked there and the other was applying for a job. This man got away and we are now searching for him. Last I checked there was a $75,000 reward for his capture. Please help our community get justice! Thanks you!

The attached composite is of an individual of interest that was seen first at the front door of Sun Drop before the doors were unlocked. Several individuals who witnessed an individual walking across Hwy 3 west on Cabarrus Ave after the incident were shown this composite and collaborated that this was similar to the individual they saw.

Contact the Concord Police Department at 704-920-5000 if you have any information.

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Contact: Deborah Clark, Public Relations Manager
Phone: 704-920-5204
Email: ClarkD@ci.concord.nc.us

The Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce has set out to help stimulate the local economy this holiday season, and hopefully forever, by promoting $hop Cabarrus. $hop Cabarrus is being promted through the Chamber via their website and mass emails to their network. It is obviously promoting the idea that you should shop local for Christ mas this year. And why not? We all should be shopping local all of the time. No need to hire a plane to travel around the world so that special someone can have a table cloth from Budapest or a blowfish lamp from Japan. Just go to the chamber website to find the most up to date discounts and offerings available. Merry Christmas!

Here are the latest offerings:

Company Name Offer to Chamber members

The Village Fudge.............................10% discount if you mention you're a Chamber member at time of purchase

Bear Rock Cafe................................10% discount on holiday catering orders-mention you're a Chamber member

Balance Wellness Center..................Buy 4 gift certificates, get 5th one free - until Christmas

Ruckus House.................................Corporate Partnership rates to employees of Chamber members - Call for explanation and identify yourself as a Chamber member for more information.

Merle Norman Cosmetics..................20% off all services (pedicures, manicures, etc.) and 10% off retail sales

Whittington Appraisals......................$25 off all residential real estate appraisals ordered by Chamber members

CabarrusNow.com .....................Advertise in our magazine 6 issues consecutively - receive 10%

Ben Mynatt ................................Additional $200 discount on National GM Red Tag Price thru 1/5/09. If you purchase a pre-owned vehicle you will receive a one-year maintenance plan.

The Sign Market...............................10% discount on any banner, sign or other advertisement graphic during holiday season

PrimePay.........................................20% discount and 1st month free payroll processing

McNulty Chiropractic & Acupuncture...Complimentary Consultation and Exam to all Chamber Members and families

Wayne Brothers, Park Creek..............10% discount - Phase 2 on all lots and $1,000 toward closing cost by end of the year. Closing must be by end of January 2009.

Invision Family Eyecare......................25% Holiday discount for Chamber members on a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses - mention that you are a Chamber member when you visit.

Cielo Salon & Spa...............................Offers Chamber members $10 off color service, $5 off facials, $10 off spa package-free make-up application and lessons...mention your Chamber membership when you make an appointment.

Ivory Nicole's Floral Gallery.................Offers Chamber members 10% off floral arrangements through Dec. 31st...this will exclude wire out orders.

Harvest Catering...................................Offers Chamber members 15% off all gift baskets, food gifts and holiday catering - minimum of $150 - mention you are a Chamber member when ordering.

Auld Golf...............................................Offers Chamber members a 5% discount - mention you are a member before purchase.

Piedmont Dance Theatre .....................Discount to Chamber members who identify themselves for the Nutcracker performance on Friday, Dec. 12 - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 13 - 2:00 p.m. Call 704-932-8888 for discounted tickets.

The Mecklenburg Times.......................Offering a $25 gift card to a restaurant for a years subscription to Chamber members only...(restaurants are Capitol City Grill, Morton's Steakhouse or McCormick & Schmick's).

Let your clients know about the 2008-2009 Leaf Collection Schedule. It can be found in PDF form on the City of concord website located at http://www.ci.concord.nc.us/. This is a good way to stay in front of your clients both past and present.

And I have to mention this since I am in the process of "greening" my lifestyle. Why not suggest to your clients that they collect their leaves and take them out to a friends wooded property or land to dump them. They can reuse the bags multiple times during the fall. Just a thought!

And the incentives keep growing! C.P. Morgan is offering $15,000 in Flex Cash for closings costs or options on new homes in Drummond Village. Drummond Village is off Stokes Ferry Road and offers $2300 to $5000 square foot homes, ranch or two story and has twenty different plans to choose from!

Check out other Charlotte and Cabarrus Incentives by searching GROUPS for Cabarrus Builder Incentives or Charlotte Builder Incentives!