Charlotte Online - New Social Networking Site - Launches at Clto.com

Charlotte Online, a new social networking site for the Charlotte area,
has been launched at http://www.clto.com . Charlotte Online
incorporates Twitter feeds, discussion groups, in-depth personal
profiles, and many other features - most of which are not visible
until you register, which is free.

"Charlotte Online is the beginning of what we hope will be a huge
online meeting place for thousands of Charlotte area residents," said
Chief Administrator Buck Lawrimore. "We hope to give all participants
a voice in how this site evolves over time. Right now at the start it
does not have a lot of content - but as more and more people join and
add content, it should be increasingly interesting and valuable."

Anyone interested is encouraged to visit http://www.clto.com and
register for free.

‘Shop with a Cop’ Brings Cheer to Needy Children

CHARLOTTE NC – The Charlotte Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police
will host their annual 'Christmas Shop with a Cop' this coming
Saturday morning (December 20, 2008) from 9:00 – 11:00 am, at the
Target Store located at 8120 University City Blvd.

Seventy-Five area children have been identified through Charlotte
Mecklenburg Schools, area churches, and police officers as needing a
little "extra" help this holiday season. Police Officers, Sheriff's
Deputies and other Law Enforcements Officers will be shopping with the
kids on Saturday to make their day a little brighter.

"Ultimately it benefits the children and their families," says Ben
Pepitone, Lodge 9 committee chair, "but I have to tell you the
officers get a lot out of it too."

The FOP is the largest law enforcement officer organization in the
country and proudly has more than 325,000 members nationwide. Locally
we have more than 1,400 members serving in all areas of law
enforcement in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

"It's with the membership's help and the help of the community we are
able to give back to the folks that need it the most," comments
Skiddie Hurd, Lodge 9 vice-president.

For more information contact: Randy Hagler, President FOP Lodge #9
704-376-3838 (Lodge) 704-609-0890 (Cell)

Timmy Hord Holiday Art In SouthEnd

Estelle's Cafe and Catering in SouthEnd Charlotte will host:

Timmy Hord's Holiday Art Show

of Gaelic inspired tartans and ceramics, and gift size floral and
landscape oil paintings during December of 2008. A drop in artist
reception will begin at 6 pm on Friday, December 5th during SouthEnd's
First Friday Gallery Crawl. While at Estelle's Cafe and Catering,
enjoy a gourmet cheese and fruit course with your $5 Land Of Fire red
or white wines. Estelle's Cafe and Catering is located five short
blocks south of East Boulevard, directly behind EQ3, at the corner of
South Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue. For a menu or directions to
Estelle's Cafe and Catering, click here! To visit Timmy Hord online,
click onwww.hordstudio.com.

WeeBoogie's 'Jolly Holiday' Event in Mooresville Soon

Charlotte, NC- Playgroups USA WeeBoogie's 'Jolly Holiday' Event in
Mooresville!

On December 6th from 2 – 5 pm, parents and their children will be
dancing for charity at ClubFX in Mooresville, North Carolina. At
WeeBoogie, an energetic Disc Jockey will be spinning music under the
mirror ball with thousands of bubbles floating in the air! The ClubFx
dance area is a safe place for families to dance to disco music!

Activities include:
- Dancing to top hits kids love and bubbles
- Performances by the students of Championz Cheer & Dance
- A musical play area created by Kindermusik
- Bounce house supervised by StrollerFit
- Parent mini-massages by Fleur-de-Lis
- Photos by Studio G Photography
- Hula contest supervised by Moore Chiropractic
- Activity and educational learning area by Discovery Toys
- Cupcakes by MJ's Sugar Shack
- Fruit by Edible Arrangements
- Food for snacking
- Raffle, prizes, and more...

WeeBoogie, the music and dance event division of Playgroups USA,
delivers a fun way for families to jump start the holiday season.
WeeBoogie is more than just a great way for parents/caregivers to
enjoy a fun music experience with their children - it's a way to give
back.

Event Information:

Where: ClubFX, 243 Overhill Suite C (exit 36, Hwy150 and Talbert),
Mooresville, NC 28117
When: Saturday, December 6th from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Tickets: $10 advance; $12 at the door

Families are asked to bring juice boxes and/or snack treats to help
provide assistance for A Child's Place. This wonderful organization
works to erase the impact of homelessness on children and their
education through CMS.

If you get your tickets early, you can get 25% off through Wednesday,
December 3rd at www.weeboogie.com. Use coupon code: boogie08.
Get your tickets now!

Playgroups USA and WeeBoogie Contact Information:

Charlotte Griffith, Event Coordinator, WeeBoogie, charlotte@weeboogie.com
, (704) 860-7671
Jodi Van Lom, Co-founder & President, Playgroups USA, jodi@playgroupsusa.com
, (503) 550-3714
WeeBoogie: (http://www.weeboogie.com/home.html)
A Child's Place: (http://www.achildsplace.org/)

# # #

Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte Selling Luminary Kits as Fundraiser

Charlotte, NC—November 19, 2008—The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of
Charlotte is looking for volunteers to sell luminaries and organize
their neighborhoods for the "Light the Night with Love" event.

Neighborhood captains are requested to help spread the word and sell
luminary kits for the event which is scheduled for dusk on Saturday,
Dec. 20, 2008 (rain/wind date is Dec. 21). All proceeds will go to
the RMH of Charlotte. To become a neighborhood captain or order
luminary kits, please call 704-335-1191 or visit www.rmhofcharlotte.org.

Each kit costs $10 and contains 8 luminary bags, 8 candles and enough
sand to weigh them down. Neighborhood captains would be asked to tell
neighbors and friends about the "Light the Night with Love" event by
collecting order forms and funds. All "Neighborhood Order Forms" are
due by 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1.

"We are really relying on our neighborhood captains to make this a
magical night," said Mona Johnson-Gibson, Executive Director of RMH of
Charlotte. "We want to turn Charlotte and the surrounding areas into
a sparkling wonderland. This fund raiser will help our cause and
spread the news that something wonderful will be built on East
Morehead Street."

Johnson-Gibson added luminary kits also make a great gift and can also
be used at other times of the year for special occasions.

The RMH of Charlotte is scheduled to open sometime in 2010 and will
primarily serve children being treated at Levine Children's Hospital
and Presbyterian Healthcare's Hemby Children's Hospital. Located on
the 1600 block of East Morehead Street on land donated by Carolinas
Medical Center, the House will feature approximately 35,000 square
feet of living space complete with 20 to 30 bedrooms (one family per
bedroom/suite), providing more than 10,000 nights of stay each year
for needy families. It is also scheduled to have a family kitchen,
great room, learning center, playground and sitting porch.
Construction will hopefully begin in 2009.

About the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Charlotte
The RMH of Charlotte is an independent 501 (c) (3) charity managed by
a local board of directors which will oversee construction and
operation of the home. The cost of building and operating the RMH of
Charlotte will come primarily from individual and corporate
donations. The RMH of Charlotte will be funded, constructed and
operated by the Charlotte community. The mission of the RMH of
Charlotte is to provide the families of children being treated in area
medical facilities with a safe, affordable and caring "home away from
home." For more information on RMH of Charlotte, visit www.rmhofcharlotte.org
.

Hope Church Partners For Thanksgiving

Hope Church (Charlotte) will be partnering with the Harris Teeter
Grocery Chain on Thanksgiving week to distribute grocery gift cards to
families in need in the Charlotte community. This two month old
congregation sees this as a practical way to fulfill its founding
vision to bring Hope to the Charlotte community. The stories of Hope
will be shared the following weekend in the Sunday morning gathering
at 10am at the Starlight Theater in North Charlotte. www.hopecharlotte.com
407.718.9648

Leon Levine Foundation Gives a Gift of $500,000 to RMH of Charlotte

Charlotte, NC—November 17, 2008—Leon Levine, along with his wife,
Sandra, have established an enviable legacy of philanthropic support
benefiting the people of the Carolinas. That legacy continues with
their support of the future Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Charlotte.

The Leon Levine Foundation will generously donate $500,000 to the RMH
of Charlotte to help with its capital campaign. The announcement was
made by Mona Johnson-Gibson, Executive Director of RMH of Charlotte.
The Foundation will fund the House for the next 5 years with
installments of $100,000 every June.

"We are grateful with the support and generosity the Foundation has
bestowed upon the RMH of Charlotte," Johnson-Gibson said. "The
Levines are an excellent example of outstanding citizenship and
personal integrity, and they have demonstrated an extraordinary
interest in service to the people of the Carolinas."

In return, the RMH of Charlotte will name the House's living room the
Levine Living Room.

"We are very excited to partner with such a strong organization with a
successful commitment to a mission so close to the vision of our
founder," said Tom Lawrence, the Foundation's Vice President. "The
Board of Directors decision to support the RMH was unanimous because
the House will provide a comfortable and supportive home away from
home for families with sick children who are being treated at Levine
Children's Hospital."

Levine Children's Hospital is named in honor of the Levines, who
funded a $10 million gift to jumpstart the Hospital's fund-raising
drive prior to it opening last year. Their foundation also committed
a $5 million challenge grant to start a permanent endowment for Levine
Children's Hospital.

The RMH of Charlotte is scheduled to open sometime in 2010 and will
primarily serve children being treated at Levine Children's Hospital
and Presbyterian Healthcare's Hemby Children's Hospital. Located on
the 1600 block of East Morehead Street on land donated by Carolinas
Medical Center, the House will feature approximately 35,000 square
feet of living space complete with 20 to 30 bedrooms (one family per
bedroom/suite), providing more than 10,000 nights of stay each year
for needy families. It is also scheduled to have a family kitchen,
great room, learning center, playground and sitting porch.
Construction will hopefully begin in 2009.

Leon Levine is the founder and chairman emeritus of Family Dollar
Stores Inc., a Matthews-based discount retail chain with more than
5,000 stores in 43 states. At the age of 22, Levine opened his first
store in 1959 on Central Avenue in Charlotte. He built Family Dollar
into a Fortune 500 company before retiring in 2003.

About the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Charlotte
The RMH of Charlotte is an independent 501 (c) (3) charity managed by
a local board of directors which will oversee construction and
operation of the home. The cost of building and operating the RMH of
Charlotte will come primarily from individual and corporate
donations. The RMH of Charlotte will be funded, constructed and
operated by the Charlotte community. The mission of the RMH of
Charlotte is to provide the families of children being treated in area
medical facilities with a safe, affordable and caring "home away from
home." For more information on RMH of Charlotte, visit www.rmhofcharlotte.org
.

'Augustalee' Is Historic New Name For the Former Village At Lake Norman

CORNELIUS, N.C. –'Augustalee,' a name with deep roots in the history
of the property and the family that lived and farmed there, has been
chosen as the new name for the former Village At Lake Norman project
site, the $500-million-plus, master planned, mixed use development in
Cornelius, N.C.

"We had intended all along to develop a refined, distinctive name for
the project, with the hope of honoring the vibrant history of the
Cooke family, who owned most of the 104-acre site and farmed it for
over 100 years, since before the town of Cornelius existed," said Josh
Rector, Senior Vice President of Cornelius Bromont, LLC, the
developers and now owners of the land. "But we wanted to wait until we
had the rezoning approved and the basic feel of the project planned
before undertaking the branding process. As you can imagine, when
working on a plan of this detail and refinement, we had to prioritize
tasks, and now the name is being addressed with the level of care we
have been dedicating to in every other element of the project."

"The name Augustalee was created after a lengthy process of
researching the rich history of the property, which has been
wonderfully preserved in words and pictures by the current generation
which owned the land," Rector explained. "Our goal was to develop a
name that would be complementary to the Town of Cornelius, fitting
with the culture of the region, appropriate for retail, office,
residential and hospitality, and exemplary of the quality of the
project we are creating. After considering a number of options, the
name Augustalee emerged as the one with the greatest strength and
potential.

"Augustalee is made of the first and middle names of Augusta Lee
Chester Cooke, the grandmother of the generation of Cookes from whom
we purchased the property," Rector said. "She was a very warm, caring
Southern lady. She lived on the farm and took care of her large
family. We chose the name because it conveys the warm, gracious,
Southern hospitality which this project will exude. It has a very
lyrical sound when you say it out loud. We strongly believe that
everyone will enjoy the continued hospitality and character of
Augustalee."

The site is located between I-77 and U.S. 21 on the south side of
Cornelius. A new exit 27, widening of both highways and many other
roadway and transportation improvements are planned by Cornelius
Bromont, who expect to open the first retail stores on the site in
fall 2012. In addition the project will feature luxury residences
above the quality retail, two top-tier national brand hotels on the
main street, extensive Class A office space in multiple buildings,
parks and walking trails, and many other amenities.

"We at Cornelius Bromont have been very busy since we were last in the
news with the completion of our zoning case," Rector noted. "Since
then we have accomplished several major tasks in spite of the downturn
in the economy and the financial stress in the marketplace:

· We have been successful in closing our own financing, allowing
us to purchase the property and commence design of the first phase of
the project

· We have completed schematic design of the project and are in a
pricing exercise currently

· Our Design Team has created dramatic and realistic 3-
dimensional renderings of the Augustalee development from different
angles, which greatly help with understanding how the project will
look when completed

· We have been in negotiations with several major tenants;
leading name-brand hotels; and potential office users

· We have leased space and moved into our new offices on South
Boulevard in Charlotte

· We have continued meeting with transportation authorities at
regional, state and federal levels and have had nothing but positive
feedback from them – our planned improvements will clearly benefit
everyone involved

· All this has provided us more than enough to keep us working
long hours and burning the midnight oil. We could not be more pleased
with all of the excellent work that has been accomplished to date on
the project and the continued progress going forward. We want everyone
in the community to understand how hard our entire team is working to
make this project a reality, and how a project of this complexity
inevitably requires a time-consuming planning and approval process
before construction begins."

Cornelius Bromont, LLC, is a partnership of Bromont Group of
Scottsdale, AZ, and Carlsen Douglas Development of Cornelius. More
information on the project is available at www.corneliusbromont.com
and at www.augustalee.com.

Media Contact: Buck Lawrimore, 704-332-4344, http://www.lciweb.com

Fourth Annual Help the Homeless Walk in Charlotte Scheduled for Saturday Morning, November 22

Charlotte, N.C. – The non-profit A Way Home, Mecklenburg Council on
Homelessness, will host the 2008 Help the Homeless Walk scheduled for
Saturday morning, November 22 to raise awareness for the homelessness
crisis in Mecklenburg County. The event is in concert with the 21st
annual Help the Homeless event in Washington, D.C., a part of the
national effort to raise awareness of the homeless.

Registration for the three-mile walk begins at 8:30 a.m. at 500-A
Spratt Street in front of Crisis Assistance Ministry or participants
can register in advance at www.awayhome.org. The walk will begin at
10 a.m. Other activities and entertainment, as well as a soup kitchen
lunch, will be available to everyone from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on
Spratt Street.

According to Chris Wolf, the executive director of A Way Home, the
purpose of this walk is to heighten awareness of the homeless
population in our region, particularly as we go into the winter months
during these tough economic times.

In its fourth year in Charlotte, the Help the Homeless Walk also
includes The Homeless Services Network that supports our community's
homeless population through outreach services, assessment, emergency
shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and
supportive services intended to help people overcome personal issues
that contribute to their homeless. This network is a coalition of
agencies and organizations delivering services to persons who are
homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and those who have a stake in
the prevention and reduction of homelessness.

"A donation of $10 is recommended for adults and teens to participate
in the walk, said Wolf. "And there is no charge for children under 12
years of age. We also ask that everyone leaves their pets at home,"
he added.

Teams of walkers from different organizations, companies, agencies'
clients and the faith-based community will be participating in the
event. Last year the walk added the "Project Homeless Connect" to help
homeless individuals connect to those services available to them. This
year the program has been expanded by the organization Sisters Act
Incorporated who have recruited individuals to provide dental
assistance, health screenings, haircuts and grooming, as well as
clothing and shoes to assist those who need these immediate services
at the event.

Sponsors to date for the event include: Fannie Mae, Apartment Realty
Advisors, LFS Carolinas, Mercer, Paul E. Finnen & Associates,
SocialServe.com, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Mecklenburg County Parks
and Recreation and Mecklenburg County.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities and participating
in the 2008 Help the Homeless Walk, please contact A Way Home at
704-347-3646 or visit their web site at www.awayhome.org.

Hope Stout's story to be major film; shooting begins in Charlotte region in December

For Immediate Release
November 6, 2008

"Hope's Wish" keeps giving - The most any of us can wish for is to
leave this world a better place for our having been in it. Soon the
world will know how 12-year-old Hope Stout left this world a better
place when she died of cancer in 2003. Her inspirational story is the
subject of a feature-length film to be shot in the Charlotte region
during December and January.
The cameras will start rolling at Bank of America Stadium during the
Panther's home game Dec. 8. Hundreds of local crew members will be
hired, including some who will film Charlotte streetscapes for the
movie's holiday segments. Filming will be on hiatus over the holidays,
then the more dramatic segments will be shot in mid-January when
production resumes. Pre-production, which has begun, editing and
finishing all will be done in Charlotte. Joanne Hock, co-founder of
Charlotte-based Emulsion Arts, has written the original script. The
cast, including some well-known stars, will be announced in a few weeks.

When Rick Eldridge, president and CEO of The Film Foundry, a Charlotte-
based film production company, and head of Independent Producers
Alliance (IPA), moved back to Charlotte 13 years ago, he was
determined to help build the regional industry and support local film
community any way he could.

"Although I can't shoot every film here, I try to as much as
possible," Eldridge said. His current release "Running the Sahara,"
which he co-produced with Matt Damon, was filmed in Africa. "However,
this is very much a Charlotte story. The people of Charlotte who
rallied around Hope and her wish are the same people who have rallied
around the film. And the movie will let the world know how thousands
of people were touched by Hope's wish that Charlotte's Make-A-Wish
Foundation grant the wishes of all 155 of the other terminally ill
children on its list."

Beth Petty, director of the Charlotte Regional Film Commission, said
that Charlotte has all the locations and talent needed for this
project. Petty leveraged those assets to recruit movies, such as "The
Patriot," "Talladega Nights" and "Leatherheads," among others.

"We are very appreciative of Rick Eldridge, Bert Hesse, Joanne Hock
and all the other film industry professionals who have chosen to call
Charlotte home," Petty said.

Executive producer Bert Hesse of Charlotte-based film production
company Synthetic Fur, has been working closely with Hope's parents,
Stuart and Shelby Stout, for the past three years to bring Hope's
story to the big screen. He and Eldridge are committed to using the
film as a vehicle to expand Hope's dream of fulfilling other
children's wishes through the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the family's
non-profit, the March Forth with Hope Foundation.

The producers also are working closely with Carolinas Medical Center
to shoot on the floor on which Hope died. Since that floor is being
renovated, filming would not disrupt patient care. The Charlotte
production companies are partnering with Dean River, a production
company based in Los Angeles with which Eldridge worked on "The
Ultimate Gift," to produce the film.

20th Century Fox is handling the theatrical and DVD releases.
PorchLight Entertainment will be the international distributor. The
producers say they plan to release Hope's Wish in time for the 2009
holidays.

OnlineNewsTimes.com Launched By Charlotte Firm To Aggregate Top National News

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Online NewsTimes has been launched by Charlotte marketing and public relations firm Lawrimore Communications Inc. as a free service to help people stay informed of up-to-the-minute national and world news headlines.

"Online News Times (http://www.onlinenewstimes.com) aggregates top story headlines and summaries from Google, Yahoo, CNN, ABC, Fox News, E! and many other sources so that busy people can get their 'news fix' in a matter of seconds," said Lawrimore Communications president Buck Lawrimore.

"We are producing Online News Times as a companion to our Charlotte Area News website, which focuses on news from print and broadcast media in the greater Charlotte area, as well as local weather, sports and related features."

OnlineNewsTimes.com generates news content by using RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds from leading online news sources. In addition original news releases sent to the site by companies and public relations firms are reviewed by experienced editors and selectively published on the site as well.

Lawrimore Communications Inc. is a full-service marketing, public relations and communications agency founded in 1979. More information on the company is available at http://www.lciweb.com .

Elliott Davis, LLC, Names Chief Marketing Officer

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 31, 2008 – Elliott Davis, LLC, one of the
largest accounting and business advisory firms in the Southeast,
recently named Denise Reis as chief marketing officer. She will
report directly to Rick Davis, managing shareholder of the firm.

As chief marketing officer, Reis will lead firmwide targeted growth
initiatives focused on increasing the firm's industry go-to-market
strategy and enabling its client servers to continue offering
unparalleled products and services to current and new clients. She is
responsible for setting direction and applying best practices to
marketing and business development programs across the firm's 10
offices in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia. In
addition, she will play a significant role in the recruiting process,
working closely with the firm's chief human resources officer in the
development of campaigns and programs to attract and retain
professionals for the firm.

Reis has more than 15 years of sales and marketing experience,
including 10 years spent marketing accounting, tax and consulting
services to emerging and middle market companies in a variety of
industries. Her specializations include marketing and sales, research
and strategy, and corporate communications.

Prior to joining Elliott Davis in September 2008, Reis served as
marketing director for the Carolinas Practice of RSM McGladrey, and
marketing manager for the South Market Circle of Arthur Andersen.

"Our new marketing leadership and structure will allow clients and
prospective clients greater access to our full-range of services and
depth of industry knowledge, and reflects our commitment to serving
clients' business needs," said Rick Davis, managing shareholder.
"Denise's experience and business development knowledge will provide
new insight. We are excited to welcome her to the Firmwide Operations
Team."

Reis earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's
degree in public administration from Florida International University
in Miami, Fla. She is a member of the American Marketing
Association's national and Charlotte, N.C. chapters. Reis is based in
the firm's Charlotte, N.C. office.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Photo attached.
ABOUT ELLIOTT DAVIS, LLC
Since 1925, Elliott Davis has been the accounting and business
advisory firm that helps emerging and middle market clients
continually improve their financial management. Today, Elliott Davis
is one of the largest accounting and business advisory firms in the
Southeast, and among the top five companies awarded as "2007 Best
Places to Work in South Carolina." Elliott Davis has 50 shareholders
and 400 employees in 10 offices throughout four Southeastern states.
Elliott Davis' affiliates include Elliott Davis Capital Partners, LLC,
a regional investment banking firm; Elliott Davis Technology
Solutions, LLC, a leading full-service network integration and
security provider; Elliott Davis Wealth Management Services, LLC,
which helps individuals achieve personal financial goals by providing
planning, investment, insurance and brokerage services.
The firm is a member of The Leading Edge Alliance, an international
professional association of independently-owned accounting and
consulting firms based in the U.S., and is strategically aligned with
LEA Europe and LEA Asia Pacific, a worldwide network of 300 offices in
80 countries around the globe.
For more information about Elliott Davis and its services, visit www.elliottdavis.com
.

Charlotte-based Organica Deluxe Signifies New Standard For Eco-Friendly Luxury Gifts

CHARLOTTE, NC, October 29 - Organica Deluxe (www.organicadeluxe.com)
has opened its virtual doors and is committed to setting the standard
for eco-friendly luxury gifts. The online boutique features
gorgeously green gifts and products exquisitely packaged in a
responsible manner promoting a sustainable economy. Although in its
infancy, this unique company has already attracted the attention of
celebrities and the NY fashion industry, most notably as Purveyor of
Flowers for the Organic and Fair-made Sustainable Fashion Exhibition
at NYC Fashion Week in September '08.

Organica Deluxe gift boxes contain eco-friendly products including
organic food and wine, Veriflora flowers, organic spa from France and
organic baby items. The gift boxes range from $35-$410 and the site
makes it easy for eco-savvy shoppers to find the perfect gift,
categorizing by Occasion, Price, Recipient and Item.

Equal care and attention is placed on product packaging. Organica
Deluxe utilizes the unusual practice of single box delivery for most
of their gift packages, serving to reduce paper consumption by more
than 50% and eliminating thousands of pounds of additional landfill
waste every year.

The beautiful aqua boxes contain tissue wrapping paper made from 75%
post consumer recycled paper and completely biodegradable cornstarch
peanuts. Organica Deluxe also purchases carbon credits to help offset
the transportation of each gift sent.

Beyond the company's core principles of sustainability, fair trade and
support of eco-oriented product production, the Organica Deluxe team
links support for an important cause to one of their gift boxes,
donating a percentage of proceeds on all sales of that package to a
chosen charity.

Organica Deluxe Corporate Gift program has the perfect eco-friendly
luxury gift for all corporate needs including holiday and will create
a custom package tailored to meet each client's specifications.

"We created Organica Deluxe to meet the needs of the consumer who
enjoys the finer things in life but also wants to lead an eco-friendly
lifestyle," said Jane Hunter, co-founder and president of Organica
Deluxe. "Our gifts have care built into every component and we are
deeply committed to fulfilling our mission of providing gifts that
support natural sustainability while also offering an uncompromising
sense of aesthetics."

For more product details visit www.organicadeluxe.com. Additional
product information is available at info@organicadeluxe.com or
1-800-272-0546. Product samples and high-resolution images available
upon request.

About OrganicaDeluxe.com:
Organica Deluxe is an online eco-friendly luxury boutique serving
customers throughout the continental United States and is committed to
delivering the finest products in the most responsible and attractive
manner. Founded in 2008, just one Organica Deluxe gift box supports up
to 15 eco-friendly businesses across various industries including
organic farmers, artisans and manufacturers.

Lawrimore Communications Creates Dynamic Website For Gaston County Economic Development

Lawrimore Communications Creates Dynamic Website

For Gaston County Economic Development

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A dynamic new website, www.Gaston.org, has been
created for the Gaston County Economic Development Commission (EDC) by
Charlotte marketing agency Lawrimore Communications Inc.

"We asked for a new website with a fresh corporate look, and that's
what we got," said EDC Executive Director Donny Hicks. "There is a
full-screen flash movie on the home page, dozens of high-quality
photos, a search function across the top, an online database of
available properties, and many other state-of-the-art features. We are
very pleased."

"We designed the site to have a look and feel similar to the websites
of some of America's leading corporations, as well as to meet the
needs of site selection consultants, whom we interviewed for enhanced
understanding of what they are looking for," said Lawrimore president
Buck Lawrimore. "We feel this website gives a deeper understanding and
more positive impression of economic development opportunities and
resources in Gaston County than anything we've done before."

The Gaston County EDC is one of the Carolinas' leading economic
development teams, with a full-time staff of seven and responsibility
for personally developing two high-quality business parks, Gastonia
Technology Park adjacent to Gaston College off Highway 321, and The
Summit At Court Drive adjacent to the Gaston Memorial Hospital
complex. In addition the Commission recruits new business prospects to
the county and helps existing businesses expand.

Lawrimore Communications is the Charlotte Region's most experienced
economic development marketing agency, having served most of the
counties and numerous cities in the Charlotte Regional Partnership for
over 20 years. The firm also serves small to mid-sized businesses,
manufacturers and other government organizations. More information is
available at http://www.lciweb.com.

[Media Contact: Buck Lawrimore, 704-332-4344, Buck (at) Lciweb.com]

Charlotte Condominiums Win "Community of Distinction" Award

Latta Pavilion Condominiums Win
"Community of Distinction" Award

CHARLOTTE, NC - The North Carolina Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) has selected the Condominiums at Latta Pavilion Owners Association, Inc., as the State's 2008 "Community of Distinction," in the category of small townhome/condo.

The CAI cited Latta's achievements in five areas as the basis for its decision, including the Association's (1) successful resolution and settlement with the community's developer, (2) ongoing capital improvements, (3) continuous service improvements, (4) sound fiscal condition, and (5) excellent communications and community unity.

"We are pleased to receive this award, as it recognizes our efforts to manage the Association in a professional manner," said Association president Larry Tilson. "By working as a team, we have managed to overcome a number of construction-based issues in an amiable manner with the community's developer, continued to improve the physical property and services to residents, and maintained a high level of communication with our members. We have also managed our finances in a fiscally conservative manner, aided by the fact that we have two CPAs on our Board.

"We believe Latta Pavilion is a great place to live," Tilson added. "Its prime location in Dilworth allows easy pedestrian access to a wide variety of shops, restaurants, entertainment, recreation and health care resources. It is also minutes from uptown, SouthPark and the growing midtown area."

---###---

(Media Contact: Buck Lawrimore, 704-332-4344,
Email: Buck (at) Lciweb.com)

131 MAIN Adds Wine Bar And Private Dining Room To East Boulevard Charlotte Restaurant

131 MAIN Adds Wine Bar And Private Dining Room

To East Boulevard Charlotte Restaurant

For Immediate Release

CHARLOTTE, NC – A new wine bar and private dining room have been added to 131 MAIN's restaurant at 1315 East Blvd., Charlotte. 

"The wine bar is designed to emulate an authentic Napa Valley wine bar," said 131 MAIN CEO Joe Douglas. "It's very warm, comfortable, with a lot of stained wood, exposed brick and a '50s-style broken tile floor. The bar top is made of hammered copper. We're installing authentic wine barrel heads from Napa Valley, and have special Wine Keeper units to preserve and serve wine by the glass."

The wine bar has bar-height seating and tables, as well as couches and chairs in a living-room type setting. It's designed to seat 50 comfortably. Hours are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays, and until midnight on weekends.

"We felt that there was a void in the Dilworth-Myers Park area for a nice wine bar like this," Douglas explained. "We believe it's a great amenity for the community, where many upscale professionals and couples live, as well as for Latta Pavilion, the mixed-use development where it's located. It's also a complement to 131 MAIN and will provide additional traffic."

The wine bar stocks an eclectic mix of about 36 different wines from noted wineries around the world, which may be purchased in small glasses, larger glasses, and bottles, as well as flights. A flight is a series of similar red or white wines that allow the customer to experience the different tastes and flavors.

"Our menu was chosen to complement the wines, and vice versa," said COO Mike Vaughn. "We did a lot of research on pairing them, and our servers and bartenders will be able to guide guests toward good combinations. With our menu items priced in the $6 to $13 range, a guest can enjoy a light meal or dessert with several wines for a very pleasant yet affordable experience." 

Simultaneously 131 MAIN has also completed and opened a private dining room adjacent to the main restaurant space. "We can now offer our guests a nice private dining room that accommodates up to 36 people seated," Douglas said. "It's fully audiovisual-capable, including wireless Internet access, for business meetings or presentations. Guests can order off the regular menu or have special meals prepared with sufficient advance notice."

For more information, visit www.131-main.com or call 704-896-9007.

Media Contact: Lawrimore Inc., http://www.lciweb.com or 704-332-4344

Charlotte Marketing Firm Provides PR for WSN Software

Lawrimore Inc. Provides Public Relations For WSN Software

CHARLOTTE, NC - Charlotte marketing firm Lawrimore Inc. has been retained to provide public relations services for WSN Software of Cameron Park, CA, developer of a new online business directory script.

Since the first release of WSN Links in August 2002, the WSN suite of PHP/MySQL scripts has expanded steadily, said Paul Knierim, creator of the software. The WSN Gallery media gallery was added in 2003, a discussion forum was added in 2004, an article directory in 2005, and a classified ads script in 2007.

Now the latest addition is WSN Directory, "aimed squarely at the needs of online business directory owners," he noted. "Compared to other PHP/MySQL categories, there are relatively few full-functioning business directory scripts available online.

"People have been running business directories by adapting tools like WSN Links for years," Knierim explained, "but this move saves people a lot of time by providing a tool customized to the purpose. It gives undivided attention to the special needs of business directory owners."

"We chose Lawrimore Inc. to assist us with promoting this product because its president, Buck Lawrimore, suggested some enhancements of our popular WSN Links program to make it more appealing to websites needing a business directory script," Knierim added 

WSN Directory, online at http://www.wsndirectory.com, comes equipped with all the components to help a business directory function most effectively:

·      Google maps help visitors find and browse their local businesses

·      Visitors can search for listings with a select number of miles of their zip code or postal code

·      A slideshow helps people explore a listing

·      Ratings and reviews help them verify the experiences of other customers

·      Pages are search-engine friendly, making it easy for results to rank high in search engines

·      An automated setup script sets up WSN Directory in seconds, and updates are also automated with one click

 

"WSN software is built around the principle of ease of use and full customization," Knierim said. "It can be translated to any language, all HTML output can be edited via templates, and the PHP code can be easily extended without making upgrades difficult. Whether it's a restaurant reviews site or a yellow pages site, WSN Directory is well equipped to help it succeed."

For more information on the software product, visit www.wsndirectory.com or email Knierim at contact@webmastersite.net. 

For more information on Lawrimore Inc., visit http://www.lciweb.com.

Outdoor Water Use Allowed Two Days Per Week

On September 24, 2008, the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory
Group (DMAG) met to review regional water/drought conditions and
discuss whether to recommend changes to Stage 3 water use restrictions
along the Catawba River Basin.

While most of the drought monitoring criteria remains at Stage 3, DMAG
members from North Carolina and South Carolina acknowledged we've
gotten significant relief from the recent rains, and our surface water
supply is healthy as we enter a wetter, cooler time of year. Given
that the fall planting season has arrived (when more frequent
irrigation is necessary to sustain new turf, flowers, trees and
shrubs), the DMAG agreed it would be acceptable if cities chose to
temporarily amend their local restrictions to allow twice-per-week
outdoor water use through November 2008.

Based on today's recommendations from DMAG and Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Utilities Director Doug Bean, Charlotte City Manager Curt Walton has
authorized a temporary amendment to water use restrictions for
customers of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities. Effective at 12:01 AM on
Thursday, September 25, 2008, the new rules are as follows:

Lawn watering, residential car-washing and pool/fountain filling are
permitted no more than two days per week, according to the following
schedule:
* Customers with odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays &
Saturdays.
* Customers with even-numbered addresses may water on Thursdays &
Sundays.

The amended restrictions will expire at midnight on November 30, 2008.
The temporary change comes following the latest rainfall and water
conditions update:

* Catawba lake levels are normal for this time of year, and the
Charlotte region received about 15 inches of rain during the past 60
days (about one-third of our normal average annual precipitation). We
are ahead in rainfall for calendar 2008.
* The U.S. Geological Survey Drought Monitor status has improved
across most of our river basin. While Mecklenburg County's rating
improved from 'severe' to 'moderate' drought last week, a small area
of the basin remains in 'severe' (or Stage 3) status.
* Stream flow & groundwater levels, while slightly improved, still
show Stage 3 drought conditions - a reminder that even with all the
rainfall we've seen in recent weeks, the Catawba region continues
making up for a historic 17-inch rainfall deficit from 2007.

Despite the lingering drought conditions, Duke Energy's data shows one
extra day of water use at this time of year could help sustain new
plant growth without significantly impacting current lake levels or
downstream flows. During its meeting the DMAG emphasized any amendment
to restrictions must be temporary, because our regional drought
response plan requires all four criteria (lake levels, drought
monitor, stream flows and groundwater) to meet Stage 2 conditions
before the DMAG may formally recommend easing restrictions at the
local level.

Charlotte utility officials emphasized that restrictions enforcement
will continue, and we will quickly revert back to one-day-per-week
water use if drought or water supply conditions worsen at any point.

"This drought has reminded us to use only the water that we need, and
to waste nothing," said Maeneen Klein, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities
Water Conservation Manager. "We're encouraging citizens to conserve
all the time - regardless of the weather. And as long as the drought
remains with us, we need folks to keep following the water
restrictions that we have in place."

CUSTOMER REMINDERS: Your watering day ends at midnight. Additional
details about restrictions and water conservation tips are available
at www.cmutilities.com. Customers may also dial 311 or 704-336-7600
for more information.

131 MAIN Adopts Ronald McDonald House Of Charlotte As Corporate Charity, “Welcome Home Moose”

131 MAIN Adopts Ronald McDonald House Of Charlotte

As Corporate Charity, "Welcome Home Moose"

CHARLOTTE, NC – 131 MAIN Restaurant, a growing chain of upscale casual
restaurants based in the Charlotte area, has adopted the new Charlotte
Ronald McDonald House as its corporate charity and held a "Welcome
Home Moose" event as a benefit/fund raiser for the M2 Foundation as a
kick-off.

"We are very grateful to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community for our
success, and we want to give back to the community by supporting some
local causes," said Joe Douglas, CEO of Captiva Restaurant Group,
parent company of 131 MAIN Restaurant. "Some years ago I personally
experienced the great value and caring service of a Ronald McDonald
House in Chicago, and now our company has decided to use our resources
to help it get established in Charlotte."

The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte is scheduled to open in 2010
and will primarily serve families of children being treated at Levine
Children's Hospital and Presbyterian Healthcare's Hemby Children's
Hospital. Situated in the 1600 block of East Morehead Street on a lot
donated by Carolinas Healthcare System, the House will feature
approximately 35,000 square feet of living space complete with 20 to
30 bedrooms (one family per bedroom/suite), providing more than 10,000
nights of stay each year for families experiencing challenging times.
Details at www.rmhofcharlotte.org.

"Our main support venue for Ronald McDonald House will be coordinating
the use of our WBT Radio airtime in an effort to bring awareness to
their cause and goal of building their new house," Douglas explained.
"Muhsin has agreed to be a local spokesperson for Ronald McDonald
House of Charlotte, so we hope to coordinate our efforts with Moose as
well as other local personalities supporting this great charitable
cause."

Captiva Restaurant Group launched 131 MAIN Restaurant (http://www.131-main.com
) in Cornelius in 2004 and has already expanded to East Boulevard and
Ballantyne in Charlotte. Locations in other Carolinas cities are now
in the planning stages.

"Our concept of upscale casual dining, with a somewhat limited menu of
excellent food and friendly service, has been a big success," Douglas
said. "We are grateful to the people of Charlotte and the Lake Norman
area for our growth, which in turn has given us the resources to help
others." Chris Carlsen, CFO, and Mike Vaughn, COO, are partners with
Douglas. Vaughn and Douglas have been friends since their college days
at Florida State University, while Douglas and Carlsen own a local
commercial real estate development company together.

The M2 Foundation was started by Muhammad in 1999 and is dedicated to
"motivating all of its members, typically young men in the sixth
through twelfth grades, to reach their full potential. M2's goal is to
develop healthy and productive members of the community and society as
a whole," said Foundation executive director Nicole Holtz. "We provide
members with private academic tutoring, life skill workshops, global
view program and spiritual development. As a reward for good behavior,
good academic standing and meeting other M2 requirements, members are
taken on an annual Educational Spring Break chaperoned personally by
Muhsin and other male mentors. M2 plans on involving its members and
parents as volunteers and support for families who visit the RMH." For
more information, see www.m2foundationforkids.com.

---###---

Media Contact: Buck Lawrimore, Lawrimore Communications Inc.,
704-332-4344, http://www.Lciweb.com

Charlotte's FlowCon Introduces Total Authority Valve™ To U.S. and Canada

FlowCon Introduces Total Authority Valve™ To United States and Canada

CHARLOTTE, NC – FlowCon Americas is introducing its Total Authority
Valve™, a pressure-independent dynamic balancing valve for commercial
HVAC systems, to the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Developed by the company's home office in Denmark, the Total Authority
Valve™ was designed especially for multi-circuit HVAC systems that
typically include multiple fan coils, radiators and heat pumps. It can
also be used in limiting the flow to individual heat exchangers or
domestic water tanks.

"We call this the Total Authority Valve™ in the Americas because it
has total authority over the flow into crucial components of a
commercial HVAC system," explained Howard Rozendal, manager of FlowCon
Americas' Charlotte headquarters. "It keeps the flow rate constant
regardless of fluctuations in pressure or temperature, and instantly
compensates for pressure fluctuations caused by other valves in the
system opening or closing. It also helps maintain a constant
temperature so that the entire system works at optimum efficiency.

"Because the FlowCon Total Authority Valves™ are externally
adjustable, the desired maximum flow rate can be easily changed while
the system is operating," Rozendal added. "This does not require the
system to be shut down or rebuilt to replace a control valve, again
saving time and money for the owner."

Other key features of the valve include:

• 51 distinct flow rate settings per valve size and control range

• Accuracy: Up to 99.8% accurate in a system wide application

• Tamper-proof, because the adjustment control is operated by means of
a special FlowCon key

• Pressure and temperature measurement plugs available for verifying
operating pressure differential range.

• Double union end connection with a wide selection of end fittings,
or double flange connection for ease of installation.

FlowCon was founded in 1987 with headquarters in Denmark. It also has
offices in Singapore and Dubai. The company is 100 percent focused on
dynamic flow regulation and pressure independent temperature control.
Details at http://international.flowcon.com (on the website the
product is called by its European name, FlowCon SM). FlowCon Americas
is available at 704-599-4700.

Susan Walker's Novel Way To Present Her Political Campaign Message

Charlotte, N.C. – Susan Walker is running for Mecklenburg County
Commission At-Large and is trying to create a point of difference in
the minds of voters between her platform messages and the other at-
large candidates. To roll out her campaign, she is introducing herself
to the community with the welcoming sight and sound of an ice cream
truck throughout towns within Mecklenburg County the weekend of
September 13 and 14.

"The challenges in Mecklenburg County government are quite complex,"
she said. "But, to deliver my fresh approach in providing solutions
to tough government issues like jobs and the economy, education and
human services, I'm using a soft approach to initially be seen, heard
and remembered with a favorite all-American food, ice cream," she
laughed.
In grappling with difficult issues as a future commissioner to affect
positive change, Walker has carefully prepared herself for the job by
educating herself on the issues, meeting with a wide variety of
business and community leaders and opening dialogue doors to begin
consensus-building among government, non-profit and business
enterprises. "I'm prepared to get to the heart of the issues that
challenge Mecklenburg by working closely with others," she stated.

Her twenty-five year background in corporate sales and in raising
three children single-handedly provide Walker with both transferrable
skills and problem-solving ability as well as an empathetic
perspective in understanding those in our community who are
vulnerable. In addition to her career and raising her children to
become independent adults, she remarried in 2005 to Mike Walker,
changing her name from Susan Krepelka to Susan Walker. Recently, she
and Mike Walker welcomed a new grandchild into their blended families.

Among her accomplishments are training, competing and completing an
Ironman triathlon at the age of 46. "I am well-seasoned in taking on
big challenges, setting goals and seeing the challenges through to the
end. That triathlon took endurance and the rigorous discipline to
swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles then run a complete marathon all at one
time. My goal-setting ability and achieving results, my energy level
and can-do attitude are other advantages that I would bring to the
county as an elected official of the people," she explained. For many
years, Walker was ranked as one of the top runners in her age group in
the Charlotte area.

Walker has volunteered for the school system, acted in local
commercials, supported Community Theater in Matthews and served as a
member of the Mecklenburg Republican Party and the Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Republican Women's Club. She is a graduate of Penn State
University with a degree in Speech Communications.
As a resident of Mecklenburg County for the past twenty years, Walker
provides professional accountability, a solid work ethic and the
ability to problem solve and build consensus with others. These
traits make her astute at providing input into the annual county
budget, setting the county property tax rate, and assessing and
establishing priorities on the many community needs related to health,
education, welfare, mental health and the environment.

When the Walker ice cream truck visits towns throughout Mecklenburg
from Matthews to Davidson, to deliver ice cream and her campaign
message, Walker hopes voters will remember her fresh approach to
government issues in this growing community and her desire to serve as
county commissioner-at-large.

For more information about Susan Walker's campaign, visit www.electsusanwalker.com
.

CharlotteAreaNews.com Features New “Charlotte On Twitter” Service

CharlotteAreaNews.com Features New "Charlotte On Twitter" Service

For Immediate Release

CHARLOTTE, NC – CharlotteAreaNews.com, the online news aggregator website, has launched a new "Charlotte on Twitter" feature page. The page shows the latest real-time postings (tweets) on Twitter.com that reference "Charlotte" or "Charlotte NC" in some way.

"This is a great way for Charlotte area people to get a feel for what Twitter is all about," said Buck Lawrimore, president of Charlotte Area News. "We use a special web script to monitor and display messages about or from Charlotte. It's very interesting to see the wide variety of messages, which change often."

The special "Charlotte on Twitter" page is located at http://www.charlotteareanews.com/twitter.php .

Twitter is a fast-growing free Internet service that allows people to post brief messages, limited to 140 characters at a time, as well as "follow" each other, or anyone that interests them, by subscribing to their Twitter posts. Increasingly Twitter is being used by large corporations, news organizations, national leaders and others who want to participate in the on-going "conversation" that Twitter enables worldwide.

For example at the recent opening Olympic ceremonies in Beijing, many attendees posted "tweets" about what they were observing, allowing anyone interested to follow the messages in real time.

"Twitter can be a powerful marketing tool if used skillfully," Lawrimore said. "Our parent company, Charlotte marketing firm Lawrimore Inc. (http://www.Lawrimore.com), is constantly exploring cutting-edge ways to use the Internet to promote our brand and our clients' brands online."

CharlotteAreaNews.com, a public service of Lawrimore Inc., displays news feeds from all major Charlotte area news media, as well as sports, weather, webcams, and national news from Google and Yahoo.

Lawrimore Inc. helps business, government and nonprofit organizations increase their sales and profits through a wide variety of creative marketing and strategic consulting services.

WBTV Talks About Pilot TV Show With David Golden of Robot Johnson

CHARLOTTE – David Golden, writer and performer with comedy troupe
Robot Johnson (www.robotjohnson.com), appeared on WBTV News at Noon
recently and gave an interview with John Carter. Golden discussed the
group's current run at the Duke Energy Theatre, during which Robot
Johnson will film a half-hour long pilot for national television. The
interview segment also featured the television debut of two of the
troupe's Youtube videos, "Hemmons Discount Store Fixtures" and "Live at
5."

"We strive to be the best and funniest thing in Charlotte," says
Golden. "We want to make sure that our show is entertaining before you
spend your dollar on it."

Robot Johnson is Charlotte's premier sketch comedy troupe, giving the
Queen City good humor by bad people. Shows are Friday and Saturday
nights at 8:00 and 10:00 pm, running July 11th through August 2nd at
the Duke Energy Theatre, part of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
at Spirit Square. For more information, please visit
www.robotjohnson.com or call 704-640-ROJO (7656).

Whiting-Turner Selected As Construction Manager For The Village At Lake Norman

Whiting-Turner Selected As Construction Manager
For The $516-Million Village At Lake Norman

CORNELIUS, N.C. – The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company has been
selected as construction manager for the $516-million Village At Lake
Norman, a mixed-use development in Cornelius, N.C., north of Charlotte.

"Although Whiting-Turner advised us in the early stages of project
planning, we felt a full review of our options was important before
awarding the construction management responsibility," said Josh Rector,
senior vice president of Cornelius Bromont, LLC, the project developer.
"After considerable due diligence, we feel confident our selection of
Whiting-Turner is the best choice for meeting our needs, and look
forward to working with the company on this substantial project."

Founded in 1909 in Baltimore, Whiting-Turner, with offices across the
U.S. including Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C., is ranked fourth in the
nation by Engineering News Record in domestic general building
construction. The firm is recognized as one of the nation's leading
mixed-use community builders, including such landmark projects as
CityPlace in Florida, Crocker Park in Ohio, and Rockville Town Square
in Maryland.

Whiting-Turner's Charlotte office, managed by Tim Stevens, has served
as the construction manager of such high-visibility projects as:
• Concord Mills, one of the Carolinas' largest shopping malls,
including the simultaneous realignment of Speedway Boulevard around the
project
• The new Dell manufacturing facility in Kernersville, in excess of $50
million, built in six months
• The current renovation of Monroe Mall in Monroe, N.C.

"Whiting-Turner has superior capabilities to build both our mixed-use
Village and several miles of I-77 widening, as well as a new Exit 27
intersection, simultaneously," Rector said. "Our goal is to complete
construction in three years, starting in the fall of 2009, which will
be quite a challenge. But we are making plans and getting approvals so
that work can begin as intended."

The 2.2-million-square-foot Village At Lake Norman will be located on
104 acres south of Westmoreland Road in Cornelius, bounded by U.S. 21
on the east and I-77 on the west. It will include approximately 810,000
square feet of Class A corporate office, 655,000 square feet of
high-quality retail/restaurant space, two hotels totaling 350 rooms,
and 400 luxury residences. Online at http://www.corneliusbromont.com.

Whiting-Turner maintains a 5A-1 Dun & Bradstreet rating and a bonding
capacity of $4 billion. The firm is financially independent and
without debt. Details at http://www.whiting-turner.com.

---###---

Media Contact: Buck Lawrimore, Lawrimore Inc., 704-332-4344,

http://www.lciweb.com

FlowCon Brings Balancing Valves To U.S. & Canada Via New Charlotte NC Headquarters

FlowCon Brings Dynamic Balancing Valves
To U.S. & Canada Via New Charlotte NC Headquarters

For Immediate Release July 14, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – FlowCon International, a leading European
manufacturer-distributor of flow control valves for commercial heating
and air conditioning systems, has launched its line of AB automatic
balancing valves from new headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., serving the
United States and Canada.

The new North American operations, known as FlowCon Americas, LLC, is
led by Howard Rozendal, an experienced veteran of the HVAC (heating,
ventilation, air conditioning) industry. The new headquarters is
located at 10430-K Harris Oaks Blvd. in Charlotte.

"Our automatic balancing valve is unique because it is externally
adjustable," Rozendal said. "Unlike other balancing valves which have a
fixed GPM (gallons per minute) and have to be removed from a shut-down
system if a change is needed, ours can be changed externally to one of
40 different flow rates by simply turning a control valve with a
special key.

"What this means for the building owner or contractor is that when the
needs of building tenants change, the cost and ease of changing the
flow rate is extremely low compared to other flow control products," he
explained.

Other features of the FlowCon adjustable valves include:
• Automatic balancing so the desired flow rate is achieved automatically
• Dynamic balancing, meaning the flow rate is maintained as each valve
compensates for pressure fluctuations in the system
• Field adjustable – flow rate can be changed instantly using a special
secure key
• Reduction of branch or "partner" valves so fewer valves are needed
per system
• Accuracy to plus or minus 2 percent
• Pressure and/or temperature measurement plugs are available for
verifying conditions of the heating/cooling water in the system
• Multiple connections are available for different system configurations

"Initial discussions with several leading U.S. and Canadian
manufacturers and distributors have been very promising," Rozendal
said. "We believe that the unique qualities which made FlowCon the
preferred balancing valves Internationally will soon also make them the
preferred choice in North America.

FlowCon was founded in 1987 with headquarters in Denmark. It also has
offices today in Singapore and Dubai. The company is 100 percent
focused on dynamic flow regulation and pressure independent temperature
control. Details at http://international.flowcon.com. FlowCon Americas
is available at 704-599-4700.

--###--

(Media Contact: Buck Lawrimore, Lawrimore Communications Inc.,
704-332-4344, http://www.lciweb.com/ High-res product photos of the
attached image are available upon request.)

Forum to look at regional business opportunities in defense/security industry

Robert Walker, former acting secretary of the Army, will
discuss business trends and opportunities in the defense industry at
the Charlotte Regional Partnership's July 16 Investors Forum, "Defense
and Security Sector: Implications and Opportunities for the Charlotte
Region." The forum will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Central Piedmont
Community College Harris Conference Center.
 
"As we focus on our core strengths in manufacturing, headquarters/back
office, distribution/logistics and technology operations, the
defense/security sector is emerging as being ever-more critical to our
future economic well-being," said Ronnie Bryant, president and CEO of
the Charlotte Regional Partnership.
 
Bryant said that the global aerospace and defense market is forecast
to increase 12.5 percent by 2012, with the defense segment being the
most lucrative. It accounts for 75 percent of the market by value, and
the Americas share of that is more than 53 percent of the global
market by value. Charlotte-based Goodrich and French-based engine
maker Turbomeca both have regional facilities that supply systems and
services to the defense industry.
 
Following Walker's remarks, there will be a panel discussion on
the competitive challenges and advantages of the defense/security
sector for the Charlotte region.

Lisa Owen, vice president and general manager, of BAE Systems-Tensylon
High Performance Materials, and James Thagard, application
manager-life protection at DSM Dyneema Group, will serve as panelists.
 
Future CRP forums will analyze the healthcare/life sciences and
energy/environment sectors, the two other areas the Partnership is
targeting in its business development efforts.
 
A nonprofit, public/private economic development organization, the
Charlotte Regional Partnership markets the 16-county, two-state
Charlotte region. The CRP creates opportunity for job growth and
investment, connects regional resources and people with businesses
considering Charlotte USA, and supports its regional partners.
Additional information is at www.charlotteusa.com.
  

Robot Johnson to Film National Pilot at July 26th Performance

CHARLOTTE – The Robot Johnson Show (www.robotjohnson.com), Charlotte's
premier sketch comedy troupe, will film its Saturday, July 26th
performances at the Duke Energy Theatre in Spirit Square for a national
pilot. If picked up, the pilot would be the first national television
show ever produced in the Queen City.

"I suppose that it's the hip young thing to downplay success for comic
effect, but in all actuality this is pretty huge," says David Golden,
writer/performer with Robot Johnson. "An opportunity like this is what
we've been working towards for a year with this troupe, and for more
than a decade with this group of people."

The July 26th performances are part of Robot Johnson's "Audience
Favorites" weekend, comprised of audience-selected sketches from
McGlohon Theatre and the troupe's first run at Duke Energy. Both the
8:00 and 10:00 pm performances will be recorded, with the best material
and crowd reactions edited together to form a single half hour-long
pilot. Chuck Bludsworth, local filmmaker, writer, and longtime friend
of Robot Johnson, will be directing the pilot.

Robot Johnson is Charlotte's premier sketch comedy troupe, giving the
Queen City good humor by bad people. Shows are Friday and Saturday
nights at 8:00 and 10:00 pm, running July 11th through August 2nd at
the Duke Energy Theatre, part of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
at Spirit Square. For more information, please visit

www.robotjohnson.com or call 704-640-ROJO (7656).

Duke's Tony Almeida to chair Charlotte Regional Partnership board of directors

CHARLOTTE, NC - Tony Almeida, vice president of business relations and
economic development with Duke Energy Carolinas, will become chair of
the Charlotte Regional Partnership board of directors for the
2008-2009 fiscal year that begins July 1.
 
Other members of the Partnership's leadership team are: Humpy Wheeler,
first vice chair; Landon Wyatt, partner with Childress Klein
Properties, second vice chair and Business Development and Marketing
Advisory Committee chair; Pete Acker, president and CEO of Carolinas
Medical Center-Lincoln, treasurer; Jeff Kane, senior vice president,
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Charlotte Office, Audit Committee
chair; Alan Dexter, partner with Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein,
Planning and Performance Review Committee chair; Robert Van Geons,
executive director of Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission,
Economic Development Advisory Committee chair; Steve Luquire, CEO of
Luquire George Andrews, immediate past chairman..
 
Ronnie Bryant is president and CEO of the nonprofit, public/private
economic development organization that markets the 16-county,
two-state Charlotte region. The CRP leverages regional resources to
create opportunities for long-term growth, job creation and investment
in Charlotte USA. Additional information is at www.charlotteusa.com.

A nonprofit, public / private economic development organization, the
Charlotte Regional Partnership allocates and leverages regional
economic development resources to sustain and enhance the economic
growth, vitality and global competitiveness of the Charlotte region.
 
 

Charlotte’s ClubFurniture.com Provides Furniture For New “The Baby Borrowers” Reality TV Show on NBC

Charlotte's ClubFurniture.com Provides Furniture
For New "The Baby Borrowers" Reality TV Show on NBC

For Immediate Release 06-19-08

CHARLOTTE, NC – Sofas, chairs, coffee tables and other furniture
provided by ClubFurniture.com of Charlotte will "star" in a new reality
TV show premiering this Wednesday, June 25th at 9 p.m. on NBC, called
"The Baby Borrowers."

The highly entertaining show reveals what happens to five teen-age
couples as they take care of someone else's baby, then toddlers,
pre-teens, teen-agers and finally aging seniors. "I had no idea this is
what it took" is a comment heard frequently in various forms from the
struggling teen "parents." Like the hugely popular "American Idol," the
basic format for the program started on TV in the UK, where it drew
large audiences.

NBC describes "The Baby Borrowers" as "a unique social experiment that
takes five teen-age couples on a rollercoaster ride of adult
responsibility, allowing them to experience parenting firsthand.
Desperate to have their own life and family, our lovebirds are thrown
in at the deep end. They're given real houses and real
responsibilities, the most important of which is to look after children
from a range of age groups. . . . In the end, will these couples be
able to cope with the pressures of parenthood or will they break?"

The five couples will "live" in five new homes in a cul de sac in
Eagle, Idaho. Producers of the show contacted Charlotte's
ClubFurniture.com because of their track record providing quality
furniture for other TV shows including NBC's "The Apprentice," Fine
Living TV, TLC TV and other programs.

"This is very exciting for us and we think the show is going to attract
a wide range of audiences because it is so entertaining," said Darrin
King, president of ClubFurniture.com. "People who live in North
Carolina can get special satisfaction in knowing that much of the
furniture was made right here in our state. We're proud of the fact
that most of the manufacturers who work for us are located here in the
furniture capital of the world."

ClubFurniture.com was started by brothers Darrin and Jeff King selling
North Carolina Furniture direct to consumers online. As demand grew,
they've established relationships with leading US furniture
manufacturers, expanded their website and provided home furniture
products to thousands of customers nationwide for more than 10 years.

"We're family owned and take pride in providing very personalized
service for all our customers," Jeff King said. "This leads to a high
level of customer satisfaction, which is extremely important to us."

For more information, visit http://ww.clubfurniture.com or call
1-888-378-8383. The NBC promotion page is

http://www.nbc.com/The_Baby_Borrowers/

###
[Media Contact: Buck Lawrimore, Lawrimore Inc., 704-332-4344,
www.lciweb.com.]

HomeAid Charlotte's Board Members Announced

 HomeAid Charlotte's Board Members Announced
- Under the Tutelage of Home Builders Association of Charlotte New
Non-Profit Aids the Local Homeless Population -
 
Charlotte, N.C. - Operating under the Home Builders Association of
Charlotte, HomeAid Charlotte was recently established as the 19th
chapter of the national organization, HomeAid.  HomeAid Charlotte's
mission is to build or renovate dignified housing for temporary
homeless families and individuals by working with other non-profits in
the community dedicated to helping the homeless. 
 
The Home Builders Association of Charlotte selected the following
individuals to serve as leaders in establishing and governing HomeAid
Charlotte:  President: Elliot Mann, Standard Pacific; Vice President:
Tom Ingram, David Weekly Homes; Treasurer: Mark Baldwin, Home Builders
Association of Charlotte; Secretary: Andrea Berenfeld, Lennar Homes;
Directors: Larry Burton, Newland Communities; Michael Hinshaw, Hinshaw
Properties; Bob Kardos, Toll Brothers, Inc.; Dean Kellum, John Wieland
Homes; Shawn King, Bonsal American, Inc.;  David Parler, Wachovia Bank;
Chris Pinckney, National Gypsum; John Shea, Shea Homes; Steve Windell,
Bank of America; and Libby Currier, Executive Director, HomeAid
Charlotte
 
"We have pledged the initial operating funds to HomeAid Charlotte for
2008 and provide them with office space," said Mark Baldwin, executive
vice president of the association.  "With homelessness escalating in
our community at such an alarming rate, we wanted to be part of the
solution in working with other non-profits who serve the homeless," he
continued.  "That's why we hired Libby Currier to become the executive
director of the program and to work closely with the community and the
newly-formed volunteer board of directors to carry out their mission
and policies."
 
"By partnering with other non-profits helping the homeless, HomeAid
Charlotte allows our association's members an opportunity to do what we
do best – build with an added benefit of giving back to our community,"
said Baldwin.  "For every dollar invested in HomeAid Charlotte, we
estimate this contribution results in an average of $2 to $3 of in-kind
labor and materials."  
 
HomeAid Charlotte's national partners locally include Bank of America,
National Gypsum, Pro-build, as well as Sakrete of North America. The
national builder partners who helped launch HomeAid Charlotte through
their local divisions are: Beazer Homes USA, David Weekley Homes, John
Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, K. Hovnanian® Homes, Lennar
Corporation, Shea Homes, Standard Pacific Homes and Toll Brothers.

In the near future, HomeAid Charlotte will announce its plans for its
first project in the community.  The organization is working closely
with the Homeless Services Network and care providers of the homeless
to become a viable solution to aid our community's homeless population
in need of temporary shelter as they become self-sufficient.
 
Each national HomeAid chapter is a 501(c) (3) charitable, non-profit
organization and is sponsored by a committed, local building industry
organization.  Today, because of the generosity and dedication of many
in the home building industry, HomeAid is one of America's largest
providers of shelter for the temporarily homeless. 
 
Established in 1945, the Home Builders Association of Charlotte's
members include builders, developers, trade contractors, lending
institutions, real estate companies and building-material
manufacturers, suppliers and distributors.  To learn more about HomeAid
Charlotte and the Home Builders Association of Charlotte, visit their
web site at www.hbacharlotte.com.
 

Village at Lake Norman Issues News Update

A new issue of the Village at Lake Norman Email Newsletter is available
online at:

http://www.corneliusbromont.com/news/updatejune3.html

If you would like to receive future issues directly, we encourage you
to sign up at:

http://www.corneliusbromont.com/news.html

Best regards,

Buck Lawrimore

Cornelius Bromont Completes Purchase Of Property For The Village At Lake Norman

Cornelius Bromont, LLC, Completes Purchase
Of Property For The Village At Lake Norman

For Immediate Release May 19, 2008

CORNELIUS, NC - Cornelius Bromont, LLC has completed the purchase of
104 acres in Cornelius and Mecklenburg County, to be the future site of
the Village of Lake Norman. The project is part of an overall mixed
use development that involves construction of office, residential,
retail and hotel facilities.

In addition the developers plan to construct about $80 million in
roadway improvements, including the widening of I-77, a new Exit 27 at
Westmoreland Road, widening of U.S. 21, a new flyover bridge taking the
realigned Bailey Road across I-77, additional roadway construction west
of the interstate, intersection and signal improvements, and more. The
roadway improvements require further approvals by local, state and
federal highway officials, which are currently being pursued by the
developers and their team.

On-site construction will include retail space, Class A office space, a
250-room full service hotel with banquet facilities and a 100-room
boutique hotel, as well as high-end residences above retail.

Cornelius Bromont has partnered with the BUILD Fund of America to
provide mezzanine financing for the project and Fifth Third as an
additional lender. The amount of the purchase was not announced.

"We are very pleased to have passed this important milestone," said
Josh Rector, project manager and Senior Vice President for Cornelius
Bromont. "We are now proceeding to complete the engineering and
architectural plans, and most importantly the necessary transportation
improvement approvals. Members of our team are also talking with
several potential tenants. We hope to begin physical construction by
the end of 2009."

"This is such a great opportunity for the North Carolina building
trades," said Tim Nichols, Director of Marketing at Labor-Management
Fund Advisors, LLC, the real estate advisor to the BUILD Fund of
America. "The Village at Lake Norman is just one example of how the
BUILD Fund of America invests back into the jurisdictions from where it
receives funding. Not only is this a great opportunity for union
members in the area to invest in such a lucrative project, but they and
their families will also be able to patronize and enjoy the Village at
Lake Norman for many years to come."

About Cornelius Bromont, LLC

Cornelius Bromont, LLC, is a partnership of Bromont Investments of
Scottsdale, AZ, and Carlsen Douglas Development of Huntersville, NC.
Both firms have over 30 years experience in real estate and commercial
development. Bromont has won national awards for the design and quality
of its buildings. More information on Cornelius Bromont is available at

http://www.corneliusbromont.com.

About the BUILD Fund of America

The Building Union Investment and Local Development ("BUILD") Fund of
America is a commingled real estate fund that provides pension funds
the opportunity to diversify their existing stock and bond portfolios
with to-be-built institutional quality real estate projects located in
their jurisdictions. The mission of the BUILD Fund of America is to
earn competitive market-driven returns by investing in to-be-built or
significantly rehabilitated real estate projects that increase market
share for union labor and signatory contractors. The BUILD Fund of
America, which includes investments by U.S. labor union members,
requires that union labor be used to construct the project. Therefore,
this project is expected to create a significant amount of jobs for
union labor and contractors. Details at www.LMFA.com.

----------###-------

Media Contact: Buck Lawrimore, Lawrimore Communications Inc.,
704-332-4344,
http://www.lciweb.com

Robotic Comedienne Takes More Stoic Role in Shakespeare Classic

CHARLOTTE – Meghan Lowther, cast member with Robot Johnson
(www.robotjohnson.com), has been cast in the role of Benvolio in
Shakespeare on the Green's production of Romeo and Juliet. The
tragicomic turn is nothing new for this comedienne, who's been featured
in plays like The House of Yes, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress and
The Expanding Sky with companies like BareBones Theatre Group and
Chickspeare.

Romeo and Juliet will play June 5 – 27 at The Green Uptown, located
adjacent to Three Wachovia Center. For more information please visit

www.collaborativeartstheatre.com.

Robot Johnson is Charlotte's premier sketch comedy troupe, giving the
Queen City good humor by bad people. Shows are on Friday and Saturday
nights at 8:00 and 10:00 pm starting May 16th at the Duke Power
Theatre, part of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. For more
information, please visit www.robotjohnson.com or call 704-640-ROJO
(7656).

N.C. Business Leader Launches Fishing Lodge in Patagonia

'Patagonia Fishing Hosts' Launched In Argentinian
Fisherman's Paradise By N.C. Business Leader and Local Guides
For Immediate Release May 2008

The Andes-backed rivers and lakes around Cholila in the Patagonia area
of Argentina are considered by experienced fly-fishing insiders to be
the angling paradise of the Western Hemisphere.
In Cholila decades ago, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid escaped to
a rural shack, far away from the reaches of U.S. lawmen. Today
fly-fishing enthusiasts from the U.S. and northern Latin America escape
the pressures of the urban world and stay in a few remote lodges like
the one recently opened by a North Carolina retired business executive
and Patagonia fishing guides.
They call their operation Patagonia Fishing Hosts
(http://www.patagoniafishinghosts.com) and their lodge the Carrileufu
Valley Lodge.
"This gives people the chance to experience first-hand the legendary
Patagonian fly fishing dreams," said founder John B. Bell Jr., an
experienced angler, retired CEO of John Boyle & Co. in Statesville, NC,
with numerous business interests worldwide. "With crystal-clear lakes
and flowing rivers surrounded by the beautiful Andes mountains, the
area around Cholila looks a lot like Montana 70 years ago – beautiful,
natural and unspoiled. And the fish are abundant in these waters which
are just minutes from our lodge."
Bell is a longtime member and supporter of both Trout Unlimited and
the Federation of Fly Fishers, who have endorsed his enterprise. "This
is the essence of great, great fly fishing," he declares
enthusiastically. "Always catch and release. World class guides, new
equipment, lots of smart and hungry trout, streamside 'gaucho lunches,'
plus fine dining and wine, Argentine style, at the end of each
rewarding day."
Carrileufu Valley Lodge is a rustic, fully furnished retreat that
accommodates a maximum of 10 guests at a time to ensure a high level of
personal service. It has five double rooms each with a private bath, a
full kitchen, an authentic Patagonian chef, a fireside gathering room,
and many other amenities.
"This is truly a fisherman's lodge," Bell said, "patterned after some
of the best in Montana, Wyoming and Quebec, although thoroughly
Argentine at heart. Fishing activities include overnight float trips,
spring creeks, plus a great selection of lakes and rivers. Trout
species include book, brown, rainbow and landlock salmon.
"Carrileufu Valley Lodge offers a unique location that greatly reduces
travel time from the lodge to select fishing water," Bell noted. "You
will see lots of fish and wildlife in this area but very few people
besides your fishing group.
"Cholila is easily accessible by air and vehicle, usually flying
through Buenos Aires to Bariloche or Esquel. And as a convenience for
our guests, we offer transportation from the airport to the lodge,
including beautiful scenery along the way."
A number of avid U.S. fly fishermen fish in Montana and other northern
areas in May through September, then move down to Patagonia to fish in
its warm months, November through April, Bell explained. "Our new lodge
helps create an endless season for North American and European fly
fishermen."
Patagonia Fishing Hosts is managed in Cholila by Pancho Panzer, an
experienced, college-educated Patagonian fly-fishing guide, who is
fluent in English. Panzer's team, all bilingual, includes other
professional guides, skilled cooks, and a full maintenance staff.
A typical Patagonia Fishing Hosts package includes six fishing days
and seven nights of lodging, for about $4,000 dollars US each person,
sharing a room with another fisherman, and sharing a guide. Air travel
is additional. Guests can request individual rooms and guides for
additional cost.
Cholila has a romantic history. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
escaped U.S. law enforcement by living there for years in the early
1900s – until their ill-gotten money started running low and they had
to return to "work," robbing more banks. Some believe they were killed
in a shoot-out, and others believe they escaped and lived to a ripe old
age. Their cabin is 20 miles away from the Carrileufu Valley Lodge.
Other area attractions include:
- Museum "LeLeque Estancia," about one hour driving distance from the
lodge, featuring artifacts and information about Patagonia history
- The old Patagonia Express train, which rides a very narrow track
through the mountainous country, powered by a smoke-blowing steam
engine
- El Bolson's famous artisans fair an hour away
- Bird watching for beautiful flamingos and condors
- Horseback riding and hiking in the many trails around the area
"A trip to Patagonia is a total experience," Bell concluded. "Absorb
the culture, the food, the friendly people, and their beautiful country
and, of course lots and lots of great fishing."
For more information, visit http://www.patagoniafishinghosts.com or
call Pancho Panzer at 0054-2945-1553332.
----------------####---------------
Editors: Attached is a photo of Carrileufu Valley Lodge.
For more information and additional high-res photos of Patagonia
fishing,
contact PR Representative Buck Lawrimore,
Lawrimore Inc., Charlotte NC, 704-332-4344, http://www.lciweb.com