Melissa Polce

Public Library announces Novello Festival of Reading Sept. 26-Oct. 31, 2009

The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County presents the 19th annual Novello Festival of Reading. The popular festival brings book lovers and authors together for a celebration of books and reading. Great events are included for both children and adults during the celebration that runs from Sept. 26-Oct. 31.

This year Novello will feature nationally renowned author and columnist Christopher Buckley. And as always, the beloved Carolina Writers' Night will showcase local and regional writers. A special event with Clyde Edgerton will include both his music and his books, while WordPlay Saturday moves indoors to continue its tradition of literary fun for kids and families. Other new highlights include two events by youth authors and an event for genealogy fans.

Although the number of events is limited this year due to budget constraints, we're sure that attendees will enjoy the outstanding lineup of participating authors and programs. Novello would not be possible each year without the support of local sponsors including contributors such as TIAA CREF, The Charlotte Observer, BB&T, Clariant Corporation, Foundation For The Carolinas, Morgan Stanley, Piedmont Natural Gas and others.

Novello Festival of Reading Schedule of Events

Tickets go on sale Sept. 1. Free events do not require tickets, however seating is limited. Check http://www.plcmc.org/novello on September 1 for details. Unless otherwise noted, all events will take place at ImaginOn located in uptown Charlotte at 300 E. Seventh Street. ImaginOn is easily accessible from the LYNX light rail line.

New! Novello Children's Author Event
Saturday, Sept. 26, 1 p.m., FREE
Tomie dePaola, a highly recognized children's author and illustrator of more than 200 books, will join us for a special book signing. His books include Strega Nona, 26 Fairmount Avenue, and Meet the Barkers and have won both the Caldecott Honor Award and the Newbery Honor Award. Co-presented by Black Forest Books & Toys.

A Novello Evening with Christopher Buckley
Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m., $20
Christopher Buckley is a best-selling American humorist and the author of Thank You for Smoking, Supreme Courtship and Boomsday. His newest book - Losing Mum and Pup: a Memoir about the tragicomic year in which both his parents died - is a frequently requested book at the Library.

WordPlay Saturday
Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., FREE
This popular youth event moves indoors for some interactive family-friendly activities and features four outstanding children's authors: Chris Raschka, Bryan Collier, Grace Lin, Jimmy Gownley and outstanding young adult author, Coe Booth, known for her very realistic urban fiction for teens.

New! Novello Children's Author Event
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 4 p.m., FREE, South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road, Charlotte
Children's and young adult author Nancy Krulik of "Katie Kazoo" series fame will join us for a special program and book signing. Krulik is the author of more than 150 books, including three New York Times bestsellers, and is a well known biographer of Hollywood's hottest young stars. Co-presented by Black Forest Books & Toys.

Carolina Writers' Night
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m., FREE
We'll celebrate 2009 Novello Literary Award winner Cow Across America and author Dale Neal in an interview with newsman-turned-novelist Robert Inman (Dairy Queen Days, Captain Saturday, and others) They will be joined by Ed Southern (Sports in the Carolinas: From Death Valley to Tobacco Road) and Charla Muller, whose 365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy landed her on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and the "The Today Show".

A Story, Story Night with Jim Weiss
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m., FREE
Jim Weiss will bring storytelling alive with his special brand of entertainment magic. Whether it's fairytales or Shakespeare, Greek mythology or Sherlock Holmes, Weiss weaves skillful storytelling with a love of literature and an understanding of what it takes to leave audiences entranced. A great show for kids of all ages (including adults!)

A Novello Evening with Clyde Edgerton
Friday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m., $35
One of North Carolina's favorite authors, Clyde Edgerton and his band, the Rank Strangers, will provide the audience with a Novello evening unlike any other. Edgerton is the author of The Bible Salesman, Raney, Lunch at the Piccadilly and many other bestsellers. Readings, story songs, food and fun are all rolled into one wonderful evening. For a sample of Edgerton's work visit the Public Library's Web podcast: http://www.plcmc.org/readers_club/podcasts/author_cEdgerton01.mp3

A Novello Morning with Genealogist Margaret M. Hofmann
Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., FREE, Aldersgate, 3600 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte
The Public Library and the Olde Mecklenburg Genealogical Society together present Margaret M. Hofmann, whose writing includes abstracts of land patents, state land grants, court records, and abstracts of wills. Hofmann will share her secrets for finding and using these types of resources to help with genealogical research.

Relocating To Charlotte, Let Me Help!

Melissa Polce, Broker www.MyRelocation2Charlotte.com mjpolce@kw.com 704-450-4335

Block Island, RI Sunrise, Yup...Be Jealous

If you are lucky enough to take a true vacation while in this crazy business of Real Estate, you typically will still bring the blackberry...that is what I do and it stinks...I wish I could just turn the thing off completely, but, I feel like if that certain seller can't get to me, I have failed them...what is worse is...when you are married to a Mortgage guy and he brings his too...lets just say if we can do 80% vacation and 20% work...it's a good thing!

I felt like I was in another world, only traveling to the Island Library if I needed a computer...they make it hard for you not to give in and Relax on the Island...but we still fielded phonecalls, texts and problems...but on a limited time frame...we took walks around the Island without them...that was crazy because I have become so dependent on that Lifeline...I wondered in the back of my mind if I was doing something wrong...if someone needs me, I still have 4 more miles of trails to walk before I can get back to you... but bikes to ride, fish to be eaten, roosters to hear and miles of beach to run and historic sites to see.

But Look...I am glad we forced ourselves, a few times we looked at each other and said...PUT THE PHONES DOWN...or was that our families looking at us like, ENOUGH ALREADY. Glad I went, we will go again next year, (BTW if you have never gone to Block Island, RI, make it a point to go there at some point...think Lobsters and Oceans & Bikes, Horses and Bluffs...Oh My!) as it has been a family tradition on his side for 17+ years...who knows, maybe next year we'll even leave the BlackBerry's behind at home...well, MAYBE

Melissa Polce, Broker Realtor

www.MyRelocation2Charlotte.com

mjpolce@kw.com 704-450-4335

A Darn Good Comedy Show in Charlotte!

For people who actually moved here or were here in the mid-late 90's(there I go showing my age again), you must remember The Perch? It was a Rated R, Comedy Sketch Troupe set in a now Commonwealth Area Restaurant, a description:

Detail: The Perch Theatre has been cheerfully offending Charlotte since 1994. Comedy sketches showtimes are 9pm, 11pm, & 1am on Friday and Saturday nights. The 9pm show is non-smoking. The Talking Baby Talk Show is every Thursday at 9:30pm. Performances are rated R for verbal content.

Funny Stuff, if you were up at that hour of the Thursday or Saturday night shows! They even served wine and beer but you felt like you were in your own friends house! They have a new home and new name, and if you get a chance, go see them, it's a Charlotte Staple Everyone Should Go And Do!

Robot Johnson show details http://robotjohnson.com

Who are we?

We're a sketch comedy group based out of Charlotte, NC. We're influenced by the likes of Kids in the Hall, SNL, The State, etc. And we're out to rule the world. We'll start with comedy, though. If you haven't seen us perform, you can check out one of our sketches or musical numbers over on Youtube. Our show is Rated R... for a Reason.

When and where are we performing?

We are currently changing venues and will update the show details as they become available.

Again: THE SHOW IS RATED R FOR CONTENT. Seriously.

Who loves you us?

This is an important question, because it lets us talk about us. Pride is our second favorite sin. Anyways, here's some of the press on us of late

• Charlotte Magazine. Conversation with Sean Keenan.
• Charlotte Talks Comedy in Charlotte. (WFAE 90.7), an audio discussion on the state of comedy in Charlotte w/ our venerable leader, Sean Keenan. Link goes to their archived mp3 of the show.

Melissa Polce mjpolce@kw.com 704-450-4335

www.MyRelocation@Charlotte.com www.ExclusiveHomesofCharlotte.com

It's about time...just when you think you can't get any more hot sticky days in Charlotte, the right of passage or signal to cooler weather finally arrives...Carolina Panthers Games!!! While this is just a pre-season game tonight, you will still need to watch those pennies, follow these quick tips and if they make the playoffs, that extra dollars you save now, will buy you a bigger ticket later on!

Parking...You Are Gonna Have to Pay(unless you have a pass or someone gave you a pass or live direct in the city)this is not really a problem, if you are willing to walk, even 6 blocks, there are plenty of parking lots that only charge $5 per car, a steal when you think the ones most close to the stadium charge $20+. Check out this site and print out the page from

http://www.aboutparking.com/bank-of-america-stadium.asp

I want to say we always park in the Parking Building off of 6th Street, but I hear the lot on 7th(where Rock Bottom is)also is at $5, that walk is quite a bit longer than the one Parking Building off of 6th but, if its nice out...who cares.

2nd...the tickets...if you dont already have tickets and you pay more than $5-10 bucks tonight...Shameful, maybe for a pre-seasoner I will pay $25 for Club Level, if you are willing to wait for the Kick-Off...you will SCORE! Quite honestly, it's the last few minutes that decide the game...who cares about the first 5-10 minutes anyhow? (Girl's perspective only-I'm sure)...Lastly, for in season, take a check at the stadium layout, this will help you when you are buying tickets from those nice people who want more for their Nose Bleed Tickets than they are worth.

http://www.panthers.com/stadium/stadium-diagram.html

This year will be hard for me, I always used to prefer the closet to the field and paid accordingly(if tickets weren't given to us for some reason or another)but...I have found a new way to watch CLUB LEVEL if you want to splurge, here is the way to do it, watch from the luxury seats or stay inside at the Bar/Lounge and watch on all the monitors, a treat, I have lucked out and paid anywhere from $50-90 a ticket....these babies usually cost 200+, and if you go this route, you are probably gonna have to stay to the end, my husband likes that!

That's it...good luck and Have Fun, Save some cash along the way...Go Panthers!

Melissa Polce, Broker mjpolce@kw.com 704-450-4335

www.MyRelocation2Charlotte.com www.ExclusiveHomesofCharlotte.com

Keeping it real

When it comes to decorating your home this fall, comfortable yet contemporary is the new vibe

By Kim Cook
Associated Press Posted: Friday, Aug. 21, 2009Where fashion goes, home decor is never far behind.

And this fall, home retailers continue to take cues from decades past, such as '60s and '70s styles ranging from loose and relaxed to sophisticated and worldly.

"The perfect-home look is over," says Deborah Needleman, former editor-in-chief of Domino magazine. "It is so not of this moment. We're living in a freer time in terms of design and style. You can simultaneously love modern design, rustic pottery, some piece you picked up on the side of the street - all these things can live happily together in your home."

Watch for country-style furniture; cottage print textiles; farm animal motifs; quilts as wall hangings and throws; folk art and faux general-store signage as wall art; flour-sack pillow covers; baskets and hooked rugs.

This isn't throwback decor, with armies of ducks marching across the kitchen wallpaper or plaid ribbons festooning every chair; the vibe is comfortable, yet contemporary. The floral prints are updated, and graphic prints are bold.

Wisteria has some striking game boards, unique replicas of old weather vanes and a variety of colorful quilts. Pottery Barn also stocks a quilt collection, as well as crewelwork pillows, galvanized steel serveware and cool repro signage.

Americana is big. You'll see the flag and other patriotic symbols rendered in faux-vintage painted wood, distressed cotton and painted tin. The colors of the warmer months take on a deeper tone, so the lilac becomes plum, and the sunny yellow is now ochre. Burnt orange and deep crimson remain important hues.

If there's such a thing as American Boho, then its sister must be Global Boho: Russian folk prints, needlepointed rugs, Moorish motifs, hammered silver Thai vases, handcrafted pottery and exotic Asian furniture.

Homegoods has been touring the East Coast this summer with a mobile home full of style ideas. They recently set it up in Manhattan; Needleman was on hand, admiring colorful silk pillows, faux croc trays, and other eclectic, luxurious yet affordable furnishings. She's teamed up with the retailer on a fun "Stylescope" - an online quiz that helps you define your own style. Hers, she says, is Bohemian Classic.

"A Bohemian look is a reflection of its owner's particular tastes and interests, and also I think, an appreciation of the best of what other cultures have to offer," she says.

Textures are prominent this fall: faux reptile, suede and hammered tin. Crate & Barrel has several embroidered floral rugs and pillows worth considering, as well as slubby cotton curtains reminiscent of barkcloth.

The '70s were also mad for all things Mexican; now we see beautiful Mexican-style ceramics showing up in stools and decorative items. In fact, ceramics of every sort are important; you'll notice lots of interesting craft in lampshades, vases and trays.

In the '60s we were hipsters, in the '70s we were disco fans. We'll see some of the groove and the glamour of these eras now and through the holidays, with metallics, glass and fur playing a role. Black and white furnishings stay strong, with shots of purple, sapphire, lime and chrome yellow. Look for clear Lucite tables, shag rugs, patent leather and steel furniture, and lots of white.

Finding a few beautiful, affordable things that will make a home happy and comfortable is what modern home decorating is all about. And this season, the style range is as wide as it's ever been, so have fun.

Melissa Polce mjpolce@kw.com 704-450-4335