Mike Kelly Jr. Real Estate Team Hickory NC Real Estate

Everyone is invited downtown to Union Square, tonight from 5:30 - 7:30 to shop and visit the wonderful shops that are decorated for Christmas. This evening is sponsored by the Downtown Hickory Development Association. They will be hosting this event again on Thursday December 18.

Events will include: wagon rides around Union Square sponsored by BB&T, Suzuki School of the Arts adult ensemble performing inside Shoppes on the Square, interactive motor skills development through a fun obstacle course sponsored by the Little Gym, carolers, and of course Santa will be there.

Convergys Coproration is hiring customer service representatives for its Hickory call center. They expect to employ 500 people by late 2009. The call center that is in the former Joann Fabrics building, on 7th Street SE (behind Home Depot), already employs 300 people. They provide customer care and billing services. Most of the customer service positions are full time and the average pay is about $9.50 per hour. Once hired, Convergys provides five weeks of training in a classroom.

For more information you can call 1-888-484-4473 or check out their website www.convergys.greatjob.net

For more information about Hickory NC check out my blog and website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

Catawba County Animal Services staff will hold a "Home For The Holidays" Adopt-athon at the Animal Shelter, located adjacent to and behind the Justice Center off Highway 321 Business in Newton, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2008. Animal Services staff will spotlight animals that are suitable for adoption, and provide the public with an opportunity to have pets vaccinated for rabies and a chance to learn more about training for dogs.

Highlights of the December 13 Animal Adopt-athon will include:

• A rabies vaccination clinic

• Basic obedience dog training class from 11 a.m. until 12 Noon

• A visit from McGruff The Crime Dog

• A raffle for gift certificates to local restaurants and dog gift baskets with such items as shampoo, collars, combs and treats, with funds raised to go to an Animal Shelter Expansion Fund.

• Free leashes to those who adopt a pet, and "treat bags" with animal-related information inside, measuring cups for food and toys

• Displays by different vendors of products for pets.

The County is also continuing a shelter volunteer program, and will be asking anyone who is interested in volunteering to work at the shelter to indicate their interest during the event.

For more information on the December 13 Animal Adopt-athon at the Catawba County Animal Shelter, you may call Catawba County Animal Services at 828-464-7686.

You can also visit their website http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/es/animal.asp for more information about helping animals in Catawba Valley.

For more information about Hickory NC visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

You can save money and improve the comfort of your home if you increase the moisture content in your home. People are most comfortable at a relative humidity between 40-60%. In the winter the air inside your home is constantly recycled through your heating system which makes the air become very dry. This dry air can create dry itchy skin, chapped lips, dry eyes, static electricity and other uncomfortable conditions.

The drier air increases the rate of evaporation of body moisture from your skin. Most people react by turning up the thermostat. The result is that you burn extra fuel trying to maintain a warmer temperature and the air will continue to become drier. It is important in the winter to try to add moisture to the air. Studies have shown that if you maintain humidity in your home around 50% you can adjust your thermostat by as much as 5-7 degrees. There are many options to adding humidity to your home, including whole house and portable humidifiers.

For other great eco-friendly ideas visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

The Catawba County Tax Office is preparing to follow a new law passed by the North Carolina General Assembly that will provide property tax relief to certain homeowners. To qualify to receive the break residents must either be 65 years of age or older totally and permanently disabled or disabled veterans.

A qualifying owner must be a permanent resident of Catawba County and either age 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled, with an annual income not exceeding $25,600. A property owner who think he or she is qualified must apply for this exclusion, but only needs to apply one time.

Residents have until June 1, 2009 to apply at the Catawba County Tax Office. You can call the tax office at 828-465-8436. You can visit the tax office at the Government Center in Newton or visit the website at, http://www.catawbacountync.gov/

For more information about Hickory NC visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com