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Renee Infinger-

Union County Sports Camps for the Summer

Looking for something to keep the kids occupied this summer?

UCSA Camps may be just what you have been looking for.The summer camps will provide professional instruction for Baseball, Football, Basketball, Speed Training, Batting Cage as well as body conditioning to help your child be even better next year on the playing field.

In addition to the training, there is also time to play video games and hang out in a 20,000 sq. ft facility during open gym time. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and enhance your skills before the games begin in the fall.

There are several options for the summer camp. The camps run for 12 weeks and can be purchased for the entire summer or just for one week.


Summer Camp Options Weekly Rate
1/2 Day - 7AM-12PM $75
Full Day 7AM - 6PM $100

Please register online or call 704-989-4273. For more information, log on to http://www.unioncountysports.com/

Wordless Wednesday

Photo by Ethan Burnette

Going Green can Save Green

Everyone is Talking about Going Green these days. According to the January issue of Carolina Country, there are many items that can qualify for incentives.

Investing in renewable energy and using energy efficient appliances and products can stimulate the economy and can also earn tax credit dollars for yourself. In 2009, the Recovery and Reinvestment Act , which was signed in February will add tax credits on the 2010 tax returns as long as the projects were completed in 2009.

A tax credit actually lowers your taxes dollar for dollar instead of a deduction which lowers your taxable income. All tax information should be verified before the work is done or the appliances are purchased.

Some of the projects that qualify are:

Exterior Windows and Doors, Skylights
Storm Windows and Doors
Metal Roofs, Asphalt Roofs
Insulation
Central A/C
Air Source Heat Pumps
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Water Heater ( electric heat pump)
Water Heater ( solar)
Biomass Stoves
Photovoltaic Systems
Small Wind Energy Systems
Fuel Cells


A few guidelines:
The tax credit includes cost of equipment and original installation costs.
Must be for taxpayer's principle residence
Maximum for 2009 and 2010 for all improvements combined is $ 1500 ( check exceptions)
For tax purposes, the Manufacturers Certification Statement and receipt are generally required.
New home construction cannot claim credits for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC non- solar water heaters.

All information should be verified by an accountant, or other detailed information on federal energy -related tax incentives
State tax information can be found at http://www.dsireusa.org.

USDA Loans in Union County NC

USDA loans are a great way to buy a home these days if you don't have money for a down payment.These loans come directly from or are backed by USDA. They have better terms that FHA or conventional loans.

The rates are lower and there is $ 0 down financing. A lot of people don't have the 20% downpayment that is required for a conventional loan.
USDA loans are the only zero money down loans that are available to those who haven't served in the military.

Who qualifies for these loans? These loans used to be called "farmers loans". Just about anyone who is looking to purchase outside of a major metropolitan area can benefit from a USDA loan. You have to qualify using a couple of factors:

  • County and zip code
  • Your current income and credit history
  • Number of dependents that you can claim


There are a lot of areas in Union County, NC that qualify for this type of loan. A couple of the subdivisions that I have found are
St. Johns Forest, Cureton, Quellin, Deer Creek, Hermitage Place and Goldmine Acres.


For more information to identify eligibility or to speak with a qualified loan officer, please contact me.

National Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month and November 14th is World Diabetes Day.


Diabetes is a disease that affects many parts of the human body. Diabetes is a potentially life threatening disease that can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputation.

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Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin . Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise are probable causes of diabetes.

Pre-diabetes occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 57 millions Americans who have pre-diabetes in addition to another 23.6 million with diabetes. Type 1 diabetes results in the body's failure to produce insulin, which is a hormone that allows glucose to enter the cells of the body and fuel them.

Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance ( a condition where the body fails to properly use insulin) combined with insulin deficiency.


  • 24 million children and adults in the US have diabetes
  • 57 million Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes
  • 1 out of every 3 children born today will face a future of diabetes unless research finds a cure
  • 30 minutes of exercise a day can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 40%

On a personal note: I watched my dad struggle with diabetes which he developed after his first quadruple bypass until his death last year. Diabetes can also keep wounds from healing so amputation can occur as a result of diabetes. Toward the end of his life, doctors were talking about amputating his leg because he had scaped his foot on the bed at the hospital.