Carnival cruises from Charleston bring drive-to convenience to Charlotte residents

When Carnival Cruise Lines inaugurates year-round service from Charleston, S.C., May 18, 2010, the charming historic city will become Charlotte residents' closest port of departure for a drive-to cruise vacation.

The 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages to the Bahamas, Key West, Fla., and Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands from historic downtown Charleston's passenger terminal.

According to Marie Mosley, director of leisure travel operations for Charlotte-based Mann Travels, local residents are fond of cruise vacations. So fond, she said, her clients already were willing to drive to the closest ports of departure — Jacksonville, six hours away, or Port Canaveral, eight to nine hours away.

At just 3.5 to four hours distant, Charleston is "considerably closer for our local clients," said Mosely.

While she notes that for the past decade Carnival has sailed a couple of departures from Charleston every year, both the proximity and the expanded range of cruise offerings make it a doubly attractive vacation departure point.

"We're real excited about it, there's a lot of buzz about it here in Charlotte," said Mosely.

Starting May 18, Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages on a variety of departure days from Charleston.

Five-day voyages calling at Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas will depart Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Six-day voyages will depart Saturday and visit Freeport, Nassau and Key West. Seven-day voyages also depart Saturday and will feature Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay and Nassau.

Mosely said that Carnival recently released pricing and availability of cruises from Charleston into 2011 and 2012, and has begun taking reservations for those cruises.

"That means Charleston cruises are really selling," she said. "In addition to the itineraries to the Bahamas and Key West, Carnival also has just announced that next year they are going to Bermuda on six-night cruises from Charleston."

Carnival Fantasy will sail six cruises to Bermuda from Charleston between April and October 2011. The trips will have two days at sea followed by two days docked at King's Wharf followed by two days at sea traveling back to the U.S. mainland.

"Such a wide variety of choices makes Charleston an even more exciting departure point for Charlotte residents," said Mosley.

"Another positive thing about Charleston is it's such a nice city," she said. "It's a destination itself, and we are partnering with several hotels to offer pre- and post-cruise tour opportunities to our clients."

She noted that Mann Travels also is doing its part to enhance the level of excitement and buzz in the Queen City about Charleston cruise departures.

"In May we're launching advertising about the new Carnival Fantasy sailings," said Moseley. "And the week of May 23rd is Fantasy Week, a series of events we're putting on around the city featuring Carnival's mascot, Fun Ship Freddy."

Charlotte's Neighborhood Energy Challenge

The City of Charlotte Neighborhood and Business Services Department is
now accepting applications for the Neighborhood Energy Challenge; a
program encouraging neighbors to join forces to develop innovative and
practical strategies for improving their neighborhoods' energy use.

The program is open to any neighborhood association or homeowners
association in Charlotte that has been established for at least three
months. Up to five neighborhoods will be selected from the entire city
to participate, regardless of location or economic conditions. Those
selected will receive monies from two different pools of funding; one
focused on developing improvements that benefit an entire
neighborhood, such as more bus stops to promote public transit; and
the second to focus on a limited scope of high impact energy
efficiency improvements in households, such as attic insulation, duct
sealing, and weatherization within the five selected neighborhoods.
Applications are due July 31.

Residents interested in applying must register and take part in one of
five pre-application workshops, designed to provide applicants with
detailed information about the program and application process. The
pre-application workshops are scheduled as follows:

Thursday, May 20, 6:00pm-8:30 p.m., Arbor Glen Recreation Center, 1520
Clanton Road

Thursday, June 10, 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Hickory Grove Recreation
Center, 6709 Pence Road

Saturday, June 26, 9:30 a.m.-Noon, Old City Hall, Uptown, 600 E. Trade
Street

Tuesday, July 13, 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Park Road YWCA, 3420 Park Road

Saturday, July 17, 9:30-Noon Old City Hall, Uptown, 600 E. Trade Street

To learn more and register for the workshop, call (704) 353-1130 or
visit http://nbs.charlottenc.gov.

Funded by a grant from the US Department of Energy, the Neighborhood
Challenge is one of 17 City of Charlotte projects to receive funding
through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program,
part of the American Resource and Recovery Act. To learn more about
Charlotte's energy strategy, visit the city's economic recovery web
site at www.charmeck.org.

Documentary Explores Challenges in Local Public Schools - Premiere 5/27

Four community organizations have come together to create Souls of Our
Teachers, a documentary film examining the first-hand experiences,
challenges and insights of public school teachers across the Charlotte
area.

Mecklenburg Ministries, Temple Beth El, Communities in Schools and
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools collaborated on the documentary,
intended to be used as a tool to recruit effective teachers to the
most challenging schools; to inform parents and the community about
the importance of active involvement and support for public education;
and to encourage volunteerism in public schools. The powerful half-
hour documentary was produced by Professional Communications, a
Matthews-based video production company.

"Quality public education is in the best interest of every citizen in
this community," said Dr. Maria Hanlin, Executive Director of
Mecklenburg Ministries. "Our hope is that Souls of Our Teachers will
open Charlotte's eyes to the state of our public schools and encourage
everyone—businesses, faith community and general public—to step up and
get involved."

Based on the success of the award-winning Souls of Our Students
documentary (which was released in 2008 and is being used in local
businesses congregations and schools across the country) this new
video provides an honest look at the teaching challenges and unique
opportunities that exist in urban public school education today.

Charlotte's public television station, WTVI, is the media partner on
the Souls of Our Teachers project.

The film premieres at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 27, at ImaginOn and is
open to the public. Space is limited and reservations are required: meckmin@meckmin.org
. In August, the DVD with a facilitator's guide will be made
available to businesses, faith communities, PTAs, community
associations and civic organizations.
# # #

ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Temple Beth El: www.beth-el.com
Communities in School: www.communitiesinschools.org
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: www.cms.k12.nc.us
Mecklenburg Ministries: www.meckmin.org

Maya Angelou's Annual Awards Luncheon in Charlotte to Feature Grammy-Award Winner

Dr. Maya Angelou, world-renowned poet, actress and civil rights
activist, returns to Charlotte for a much-anticipated event honoring
women leaders and raising scholarship money for deserving students
through the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The Eighth Annual UNCF-
Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon will be held at 10 a.m. on
Saturday, June 19, at The Westin Charlotte (601 S. College St.).

The 2010 honorees, who have made significant contributions to their
professions and the community, are: Astrid Chirinos, founder and
president of Diverso Global Strategies; Cynthia Marshall, president of
AT&T North Carolina and Tami Simmons, senior vice president of
corporate philanthropy and environmental affairs with Wachovia.

Jennifer Holliday, a two-time Grammy award winner, and Daisy Spears
Stroud, a retired educator and civil rights activist, will receive the
Maya Angelou/Elizabeth Ross Dargan Lifetime Achievement Award.
Holliday made her professional New York theater debut in 1980 in the
revival of Your Arms Too Short to Box With God. That role led to her
Tony-winning performance in Dreamgirls, and her rendition of that
show's "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" earned the singer-actress
her first Grammy. Stroud is a native Charlottean who took part in the
initial desegregation of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

New to the event is the Excellence Award, which was established to
honor women who have made achievements in various professional
fields. This year's Excellence Award will recognize women in media
from cities throughout North Carolina. Tonia Bendickson, Erica Bryant,
Debbie Kwei-Cook, Fannie Flono, Elsie Garner, Belva Greenage, Fran
Farrer-Nash, Maureen O'Boyle, Colleen Odegaard, Beverly Dorn Steele
and Jeri Thompson are among the Charlotte women who will be
recognized. In addition, an evening performance and conversation with
Jennifer Holliday will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Knight Theater.

"This is one of UNCF's biggest and best fundraisers of the year, and
we are so honored to have Dr. Angelou and all of these outstanding
women join us for an inspiring, fun and quite fashionable event to
support students who want to go to college," said Marilyn Richards,
North Carolina UNCF director.

A major highlight of the luncheon is the popular "HAT-ti-tude!"
contest. Many women – adorned in their favorite hats – compete to win
prizes for the best and most unusual headpieces. Patrons also will
enjoy a silent auction with high-end items, including a private lunch
for six at Dr. Angelou's home and round-trip airline tickets coupled
with a seven-day stay for two at the Villas At Sunset Lane, a new
exclusive boutique hotel in Antigua.

During the luncheon, a $5,000 scholarship will be given to a high
school student who will attend a North Carolina UNCF school in the
fall. Additional proceeds will benefit UNCF member institutions,
including the five located in North Carolina: Bennett College,
Johnson C. Smith University, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's
College and Shaw University.

To purchase tickets to the luncheon and the evening performance,
contact the local UNCF office located at 119 East Seventh Street,
Charlotte, N.C., or call 704-377-8625. Information also is available
on the events section at www.UNCF.org.

About UNCF
UNCF – the United Negro College Fund – is the nation's largest and
most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the
community and the nation, UNCF supports students' education and
development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its
39 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance
of minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically black
colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 18 percent of
African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400
programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring,
summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs.
Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges
and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch
of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is
a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at www.UNCF.org.

More Than a Dozen Area Wineries to Participate in Lake Norman Wine and Food Festival

Less than a month after sharing an initial sneak preview of
participating wineries, the number of vintners scheduled to provide
tastings at the Lake Norman Wine and Food Festival has more than
doubled. During the June 5-6, 2010 festival at Kenton Place in
Cornelius, NC, attendees will have an opportunity to experience the
selection and diversity of North Carolina wineries while benefiting
local charitable organizations.

"From Chardonnay to Viognier, the Festival has a little something for
everyone and will include a variety of sweet, semi-sweet, dry and
desert wines. Many of the participating wineries produce only a
limited number of barrels and cater to select area restaurants and
shops. The festival will offer many attendees a glimpse of local wines
that are not widely available," stated Acting Executive Director, V.
Tom Gardner.

To date, commitments have been received from Allison Oaks Vineyards,
Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard and Winery, Brushy Mountain Winery,
Daveste Vineyards, Dobbins Creek Vineyards, Old Stone Vineyard and
Winery, Raintree Cellars Winery, Round Peak Vineyards, Shadow Springs
Vineyard, Shelton Vineyards, Southern Charm Winery, Stony Mountain
Vineyards and Uwharrie Vineyards.

In addition to wine tastings, the Lake Norman Wine and Food Festival
will feature area restaurants and vendors. The event will include a
number of distinct areas including: the Fogle Insurance Group Wine
Tent, wine tastings from local wineries; the Restaurant Galley, small
dishes from local restaurants; as well as a Merchants area, regional
vendors and boutique offerings.

The Lake Norman Wine and Food Festival was founded to benefit local
charities in need and has filed for its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
The festival will be donating proceeds to Angels and Sparrows, Hope
House and the Mooresville Soup Kitchen.

Prospective attendees, as well as vendors, restaurants, and sponsors
can get up-to-the-minute information by
visitingwww.lakenormanwineandfoodfestival.org.

Myers Park Bustling with New Services and Retail

Crosland announces several new retailers and services throughout four
quaint specialty shopping centers in Myers Park. These announcements
are representative of the trend of retailers wanting to locate within
high-quality neighborhoods to make shopping as convenient as possible
for their customers.

"Myers Park remains one of the most desirable historic neighborhoods
in Charlotte and retains attractive demographics with higher incomes
and moderate population density which is appealing to retailers for
site selection," said Charles Thrift, senior leasing associate with
Crosland Investment Services, who represented the property owners on
the transactions, Eastern Federal Corporation and Crosland.
Tranquil Court on Selwyn

Metro Fitness (7,847 sf), an urban, upscale fitness center will offer
members a variety of unique benefits including state-of-the-art cardio
and weight equipment, a full-line of nutritional supplements, a full-
service smoothie bar and small group classes as well as personal
training services.

Planning to open mid-August, Metro Fitness will focus on functional
training for small groups and individuals to create a unique member
experience in the stylish facility. Fitness classes such as spinning
and kettlebell will be available. Professionally-trained staff
including high-level Crossfit-certified instructors will be available
to assist members in reaching their fitness goals. Membership pre-
sales will begin in late May. "We really felt there was not a fitness
club in the area with this type of focus," said co-owners Darlene
Malecki and Denis Abood.

Salon P (1,253 sf), a local, full-service hair salon plans to relocate
to Tranquil Court mid-May. Offering services ranging from shampooing
and organic straightening to cut and colors and waxing, this salon is
focused on sustainable products and practices. The salon offers the
best in hair care for adults and children and utilizes unique and
natural professional products such as Kevin Murphy, Peter Coppola and
Fairytales.

"Myers Park is my neighborhood," said Preston Henderson, owner. "I
started here 21 years ago as an assistant, and I am thrilled to
operate my own salon in an area that I love surrounded by my
supportive clientele."
The Villa

Old Dog Clothing (569 sf), which specializes in custom-made clothing
for men and women as well as custom-made leather and upholstered
furniture is relocating from Phillips Place and plans to open in
August. Old Dog Clothing provides its custom furniture services to
individuals as well as businesses such as hotels and country clubs.
The Villa is a lovely two-story retrofitted home anchored by
Acquisitions and Something Classic and offers a unique shopping
environment totaling 13,931 square feet.
Colony Shops

Rococo Antiques and Interiors (1,300 sf), which opened in March,
specializes in interior design services as well as provides an
assortment of antiques, art work, chandeliers and accessories for
purchase. Colony Shops is located directly next to Tranquil Court on
Selwyn and is anchored by Sterling Manor Antiques and Bicycle Sport.
Manor Shops on Providence

Pure Barre Charlotte (2,104 sf) which opened its first North Carolina
location at Manor Shops on Providence in early April is a premier
studio offering Pure Barre classes. Manor Shops is a popular 20,134
square foot shopping center anchored by Manor Theatre and Panera Bread.

Pure Barre, a total-body workout that employs yoga, ballet and
Pilates, is designed to lift your seat, tone your thighs and burn fat
utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements. Pure
Barre Charlotte offers several 55-minute classes each day. These
classes are taught by professionally-trained instructors who
participate in on-going training throughout their careers.
"The response of the Charlotte community has been overwhelming," said
owner Bratschi Johnston. "Prior to opening, I received more than 200 e-
mails from people who have heard about Pure Barre from friends in
other cities. They wanted to know how soon they could sign up for our
fantastic classes."
About Tranquil Court on Selwyn

Tranquil Court on Selwyn is a mixed-use development comprised of two
buildings on a 2.73-acre site at Selwyn and Tranquil avenues. The
commercial component, totaling approximately 63,000 square feet, is
located within a five-story building adjacent to the Tranquil Court
residences. The commercial building includes class-A office space for
small- and medium-sized businesses above retail. Pedestrian-level
retail will feature boutique shops and dining offerings. The 104
luxury residences include studio, one- and two-bedroom condominiums
ranging from 562 to 1,419 square feet. For more information, visit
tranquilcourt.com.
About Crosland LLC

Founded in 1937, Crosland is one of the most prominent diversified
real estate companies in the Southeast and is recognized as a leading
community builder. Its expertise in retail, multifamily, office, land
development and general contracting enables it to be an innovator in
multi- and mixed-use development.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Crosland has offices in Raleigh,
Orlando, Tampa and Nashville, and develops, builds and manages
properties in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and
Virginia. The privately held company's asset portfolio and current
projects have a market value exceeding $1 billion. For more detail,
visit crosland.com.

7 For All Mankind in Charlotte Opens First Store in Charlotte

On May 7th, 2010, luxury denim-lifestyle brand, 7 For All Mankind,
will open its first branded retail store in Charlotte. The new store,
the brand's 24th, will be located at The SouthPark Mall – Charlotte's
premiere shopping destination.

The 2,100 square foot space is located in the Southpark Mall, situated
in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina. This luxury shopping
destination is also home to other high-end brands such as Louis
Vuitton, Neiman Marcus and Hermes. Customers will be able to shop the
brand's full assortment of women's and men's denim and sportswear,
footwear and eyewear. 7 For All Mankind will continue to offer its
clientele premium shopping services such as on-site tailoring,
refreshments, personal shopping and appointment selling.

The Southpark store will feature design characteristics similar to
other 7 For All Mankind retail locations but it will also uphold a
regional feel. This store design concept focuses on clean
architectural lines and industrial elements. The space will feature
galvanized steel pipe fixtures that line the perimeter walls, white
washed plywood fixtures, and a fireplace fixture clad in Siberian Oak
wood planking. A vintage Pucci decorative pendant will be suspended
over the chic seating area that includes a pair of vintage "Penta"
chairs in steel with original leather-trimmed canvas.

"We are very excited to have a branded presence in Charlotte, and we
look forward to providing the city's shoppers an excellent retail
experience. Southpark Mall is a top shopping destination, with high
traffic and a clientele who loves and appreciates luxury, making it a
perfect partner for the brand. It is an A-Plus shopping center and we
feel quite confident that 7 For All Mankind fit in well to its already
excellent designer boutique line-up," said Aaron Battista, VP of
Retail at 7 For All Mankind.

7 For All Mankind's premium jeans literally exploded onto the scene in
2000, quickly earning critical acclaim and an immediate following for
its innovative use of fits, fabrics, and finishes in denim. During
the past decade, 7 For All Mankind has become both an established
modern classic for its sophisticated fits as well as a leading
trendsetter for its newest fashion washes and designs, collaborating
with many prominent designers including Pucci, Zac Posen, Azzedine
Alaia, The Great China Wall, and Evan Yurman. Redefining the fashion
landscape by merging the worlds of denim and couture, 7 For All
Mankind's fashions continue to make headlines, often featured in many
of today's premier lifestyle and celebrity publications including
Lucky, Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, People,
InStyle, Life & Style Weekly and InTouch Weekly.

7 For All Mankind at The Southpark Mall is located at 4400 Sharon Road
in Charlotte, North Carolina. Beginning on Friday, May 7th, the store
will be open Monday through Saturday from 10am until 9pm and Sunday
from 12:30pm to 6pm.

About Seven for All Mankind, a division of VF Contemporary Brands, Inc.

Seven For All Mankind, a division of VF Contemporary Brands, Inc. is
the world's premiere brand of luxury denim-lifestyle products.
Founded in 2000, the Los Angeles based denim brand launched the
premium denim craze due to its now famous "fit". The brand continues
to focuses on innovation in fabric, fit and finish. The multi-
category brand features denim, sportswear and accessories collections
for both men and women. Products can be found in freestanding Seven
For All Mankind boutiques, on-line at 7forallmankind.com, luxury
department and specialty stores in over 80 countries worldwide. Seven
For All Mankind is a wholly-owned subsidiary of VF Corporation. For
more information about VF, please visit their website: www.vfc.com.
For more information about Seven For All Mankind, please visit: www.7forallmankind.com
.

Registration opens for Heart of a Champion Day

Student-athletes at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) are now able
to register online to receive free sports screenings during Heart of a
Champion Day on Saturday, June 5. The third annual event is a
partnership between CMS and Levine Children's Hospital, Carolinas
Medical Center (CMC), Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute and
OrthoCarolina.

Rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders may complete the necessary forms,
including a medical history, by visitingwww.heartofachampionday.org.
Registration will close on May 31 or when enrollment reaches 2,000
students, whichever comes first. The screenings will take place at the
Carolinas College of Health Sciences on CMC's campus, 1200 Blythe
Boulevard.

During Heart of a Champion Day, students will receive a free general
sports screening, musculoskeletal check and a vision examination. The
screenings are unique because they also include an electrocardiogram
and an echocardiogram to check for heart conditions that could
potentially cause sudden death during athletic competition. Neither of
these heart tests is part of a routine athletic screening and does not
eliminate the risk.

In 2009, more than 1,200 students were screened and some 65 were
referred to physicians for further evaluation before being cleared to
participate in sports. Conditions discovered included a number of
heart irregularities, elevated blood pressure, post-concussion
syndrome, uncontrolled asthma, overuse injuries, and vision problems.

Supported with funding provided by Carolinas HealthCare Foundation's
annual Cupid's Cup 5k race, Heart of a Champion Day will be staffed by
more than 400 volunteer doctors, clinicians, nurses and other
community members. It is believed to be the largest, most
comprehensive screening of its kind in the United States.

Navitat Canopy Adventures Coming to NC Mountains May 15

BARNARDSVILLE, N.C. - NAVITAT CANOPY ADVENTURES opens May 15,
bringing a world-class canopy zip line tour to the mountains of
western North Carolina.

NAVITAT showcases the breathtaking natural beauty of a serene mountain
cove, located just 20 minutes north of downtown Asheville, N.C. The
canopy tour course is entirely tree-based and features 10 zip lines
ranging from 120 to 1,100 feet in length -- including one that sends
guests soaring 200 feet above the forest floor.

Our guests can expect an authentic canopy tour experience with
spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, said Ken Stamps,
Managing Partner of NAVITAT CANOPY ADVENTURES. It s exhilarating and
educational, and unlike any outdoor adventure you ll find in the
Southeast.

Guests begin their NAVITAT experience at the Welcome Center where they
meet their guides, go through a 20-minute orientation session and gear
up. Then, they ride in rough terrain vehicles up the mountain to the
start of the custom-designed course, learning along the way about the
natural and cultural history of the area. At the top, guests are
trained in proper zip line techniques before starting the course.

Two highly skilled Canopy Guides lead each group of eight guests
through a series of artfully-constructed zip lines, sky bridges,
trails, rappels and platforms high in the treetops. Guides handle all
equipment, and guests are attached to a redundant safety system at all
times while off the ground.

When you visit NAVITAT, you re in really good hands, said General
Manager and Partner Dylan Burt. Our guides are trained by industry-
accredited experts, and they are required to continually train while
they are working here.

NAVITAT is a member of the Association for Challenge Course
Technologies (ACCT), which is accredited by the American National
Standards Institute. The company adheres to and exceeds all ACCT
standards for construction, operations and training.

Bonsai Design Inc., a leading canopy tour installer in the country,
designed the NAVITAT course. The design is entirely tree-based and
uses no poles or other structures to support the platforms and course
features.

We ve taken great care in designing this course, said John Walker,
NAVITAT partner and president of Bonsai Design Inc. We ve used state-
of-the-art techniques and sustainable practices to build a course that
fits into the landscape, disturbing it as little as possible.

The course is situated in Moody Cove, a 240-acre tract of forestland
just north of Barnardsville. The site is home to forests of hardwoods
-- some more than 100 years old -- native and rare plant species,
streams and mountain wildlife. NAVITAT is leasing the property from
the McDarris family, who has owned the land since the mid-1800s.

We searched more than 300 properties when we were considering where
to build our course, said Managing Partner Ken Stamps. In Moody
Cove, we found the perfect home. It truly is a special place, and we
are so honored that the McDarris family has welcomed us. Now, we can t
wait to share it with our guests.

NAVITAT tours begin May 15 and run daily, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
through Nov. 28. Reservations are required. Regular tour price is $85
per person for adults, and $75 per person for children ages 10-17.
Weight restrictions apply. Tours last approximately 3 hours. Visit www.navitat.com
to book your tour and learn more about grand opening discount
specials.

Special discounts available
NAVITAT is offering special tour discounts to celebrate its grand
opening May 15.
GRAND OPENING SPECIAL: Anyone who books a tour that takes place
between May 15 and May 28 receives a 20-percent discount on the
regular tour price.
LOCAL TUESDAYS SPECIAL: Throughout the season, residents of western
North Carolina who book Tuesday tours receive a 20-percent discount on
the regular tour price.
N.C. ARBORETUM MEMBER SPECIAL: Members of the N.C. Arboretum in
Asheville, N.C., can show their Arboretum IDs and receive a 10-percent
discount on the regular tour price throughout the season.
GROUP DISCOUNT SPECIAL: Throughout the season, groups of eight or more
receive a 10-percent discount on the regular tour price.

Charlotte Vet Launches New In-Home Pet Euthanasia Service

As more and more people regard their pets as family members, the
decision to "put them to sleep" at the end of their lives or because
of incurable illness becomes increasingly difficult.

Now a Charlotte veterinarian, Dr. Julie Reck, has launched a new in-
home pet euthanasia service called Home Farewell
(www.homefarewell.com). To help people make the difficult decision to
end their pet's life, she has also published a new book, "Facing
Farewell – How and When to Decide Euthanasia for Your Pet" (www.facingfarewell.com
). She'll be signing copies of her book and answering questions at the
Pet Expo at Cabarrus Arena in Concord on May 8.

"I had numerous requests for in-home euthanasia while in a private
small animal practice in Charlotte," she explained. "My husband Matt
and I formed Home Farewell to serve pets and their owners throughout
the Charlotte area. While it is a difficult calling, I am truly
dedicated to relieving animals' suffering in the comfort of their home
or bed."

A recent client, Gloria Shamblin, recounted her experience this way:
"When faced with the best way to put an end to my cat Flower's 48
hours of increasing suffering that had become unbearable, I knew that
taking her to the animal hospital, with its deafening cacophony of
barking dogs, meowing cats, telephones, and strangers' voices, made
more frightening by the smells and the 15-minute trip in the car, was
only an option of last, desperate resort. Through my veterinarian, I
eventually found my way to Dr. Julie Reck and her pet euthanasia
service called 'Home Farewell.'

"She was in my home in less than an hour, calming me, examining
Flower, comforting us both," Shamblin continued. "She examined Flower
and discussed with me her findings. There were no time constraints
that would be found in a crowded vet's office with emergencies
waiting. I could be fully present without inhibitions or constraints.
From Flower, there was no crying, no wild-eyed fear or desperation,
and this freed me from guilt. We were home and love was in this
quiet, familiar place."

"Being at home allows the owners and other family members to express
their feelings freely," Dr. Reck explained. "Naturally there are often
tears and crying. Many people would not feel free to let go at a vet's
office. The emotional release helps the healing process, so we feel
it's a good thing that our clients are free to do that with us."

Unless the owners prefer to handle burial or cremation themselves, Dr.
Reck takes the deceased animal from the home to a local cremation
service, which later returns the pet's ashes to the owners.

Dr. Reck was drawn to animals at an early age. She was born into a
family dedicated to serving the U.S. Army and moved approximately
every two years of her childhood. "Frequent moving and painful
goodbyes with friends, made the family's four-legged members one the
few constants in my childhood," she recalled. "Strong relationships
with our family's collies and horses taught me the importance of the
human-animal bond."

The time she spent with animals in her childhood inspired her to
become a doctor devoted to helping animals. Upon graduating high
school, she enrolled at Virginia Tech where she pursued a degree in
veterinary medicine. Her hard work was rewarded with an early
acceptance to Virginia Tech's College of Veterinary Medicine. She was
the second youngest student accepted in the history of the college.
She received her doctorate in veterinary medicine in May 2007.

"After receiving my degree, I searched the country for an ideal area
to practice veterinary medicine," she said. "Born in Georgia, I felt a
strong connection to the South and chose Charlotte. I began my career
practicing small animal medicine and surgery in a local vet clinic. In
March 2009, I was given the opportunity to work with the Humane
Society of Charlotte in the mornings. This frees me up to provide Home
Farewell services in the afternoons and early evenings."

More information about Dr. Reck, Home Farewell, and her book can be
found at www.homefarewell.com.