Philip Morris officials announced this week the Concord plant would clase one year earlier than originally planned. Around 1,100 workers still remain at the Concord plant and most will be laid off at the end of July. In July 2007, Philip Morris initially announced they would be closing the Concord plan in 2010. Approximately 2,500 employees worked there at the time. Many have been transferred to the Richmond facility. Philip Morris attributes the earlier plant closing to a decline in cigarette sales brought on by the economy as well as the federal excise tax increase. 04/24/2009

A few weeks back I took my girls to see a movie at The Gem Theatre in Cannon Village in Kannapolis NC. On the way home, we passed this park and decided to stop in and enjoy the day.     James L. Dorton Park located off of Poplar Tent Road in Concord, North Carolina.        It was a beautiful day for sure. People were enjoying the park in many different ways. Some were picnicing, some were tossing a frisbee. There were children kicking around a soccer ball while others were riding bikes. Off in the distance there was a tag football game going on, and in the playground area, girls were flying high on the swingset.             My girls made a beeline for the playset. I guess being 8 and 11 years old doesn't mean you're too old to play on one of these...lol. I sat on a bench watching my kid... 04/24/2009

My husband was out running errands today, when he heard the bad news and called to tell me about it. We all knew that it was coming, but in their 2007 original closing announcement Phillip Morris said they wouldn't be closing their Concord NC plant until the end of 2010.  However, this morning Phillip Morris started notifying its employees that the plant would be closing at the end of July 2009!  1100 good paying jobs will be lost, and it couldn't be worse timing... since the February 2009 Cabarrus County unemployment rate was already 11.2%!  The company cited a decrease in cigarette sales as the main reason for moving up the shutdown date. Phillip Morris said that some employees would be kept on to shut down the plant, which could take into next year and some employees will be transfer... 04/22/2009

Earlier this week, Dunkin' Donuts opened it's FIRST ever hotel location at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord NC, a brand new indoor water park resort.  The new Dunkin' Donuts and Great Wolf Lodge are conveniently located just off I-85, near Concord Mills Mall and Lowe's Motor Speedway. According to the company's website, the Canton Massachusetts based coffee and baked goods chain is embarking on a major expansion effort into larger airport hotels, resorts and vacation ownership locations through the East, Midwest and Southwest regions of the country. It's great to see new businesses opening in Cabarrus County, even in the midst of the economic downturn! 04/19/2009

Great Wolf Lodge, the southeast's first indoor water park, opened in Concord NC on March 31, 2009!  The massive 475,000 square foot structure cost over 100 million dollars to build.  The lodge boasts over 400 guest suites and an 80,000 square feet, four-story tall indoor water park.  The lodge is located just off Bruton Smith Blvd/Concord Mills Blvd, near two of the biggest NC tourist attractions, Lowes Motor Speedway and Concord Mills Mall. Some local residents were disappointed to find out that the water park is ONLY open to lodge guests.  So, if you want to play in the indoor water park, you will have to rent a room. Water park admission is included in the room rental rate. It seems that many NASCAR fans are turning race week into a true family affair... I heard through the grapevine... 04/12/2009

Well, here we go again... another NECESSARY consumer service is going to cost us more, just when the average consumer is having a hard time making ends meet. On Thursday April 9, the Concord NC City Council voted 6-0 to raise the electricity rates of its customers by 9%!  They say that the increase in due to an increase in fuel charges and a change in their contract with Duke Energy.  The city of Concord buys their electricity from Duke Energy at a wholesale rate and resells it to their customers. Supposedly, the rate increase will cost the average household $7 per month.  Even though Concord NC electricity rates are relatively low as compared with many areas across the country, if the price of EVERYTHING keeps going up when incomes are going down and 11.2% of workers are unemployed... ... 04/12/2009

According to the North Carolina Employment Security Commission, the February 2009 unemployment rate increased in 99 of the 100 NC counties.  February marked the 13th straight month that the North Carolina unemployment rate increased, statewide February's unadjusted unemployment rate was 11.3%.  This is the highest recorded NC rate of unemployment. When you take a look at the specific numbers of unemployed workers, instead of just looking at the percentages, I think that the reality of how many families are affected by this tragedy really comes to light. For example... in Cabarrus County, where I live and work, there are 82,865 people in the labor force.  Out of this number 9,270 individuals were unemployed and collecting benefits in February, this correlates with an 11.2% unemployment r... 04/11/2009

NO, just Boy Scout Troop 38! After my son's JROTC competition, we headed over to his troop's Spring Camporee at Camp Cabarrus in Concord NC.          BSA Camp Cabarrus Most of the other scouts had been at the camp since the previous late afternoon. So, we had a whole day to catch up on. It didn't take long for my son to get into the swing of things. We arrived in time to help cook dinner. The theme of this camporee was primitive cooking.         The boys had food cooking in holes in the ground, chickens on spits rotating over a fire, cherry pie fixin's in a cantaloupe shell baking over a fire, etc.             I have to say, after watching the food being cooked, I was a little leery of how it was going to taste. My worries were put aside for the food was delicious! Here's my son and fel... 04/03/2009

If you're planning a trip to Cabarrus County or Concord North Carolina you should check out the  Online Visitors Guide. The Online Visitor's Guide was created by the Cabarrus County Visitor's Bureau to provide easy access to vacation planning information on hotels, events, entertainment and NASCAR race visitor information in Cabarrus County.   Cabarrus County is located just north of Charlotte North Carolina and includes the cities of Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Midland, and Mt. Pleasant.  Cabarrus County is the home of Lowes Motor Speedway, NASCAR Race Shops, Concord Mills Mall, zMax Dragway, Dale Trail, Reed Gold Mine, Great Wolf Lodge (Carolina's largest indoor water park) and more.   If you're relocating to the area contact Cheryl for a FREE relocation package.     Cheryl Powel... 03/29/2009

What is a short sale? A short sale is a sales transaction in which the seller's mortgage lender agrees to accept a payoff of less than the balance due on the loan. I specialize in negotiating with mortgage companies on behalf of homeowners who owe their lender more than the current value of their home and are experiencing a financial hardship, requiring immediate sale of their home.  This process is commonly referred to as a "short sale". Here are some FAQs and basic information about Short Sales: •  Do I qualify for a short sale?  If you owe more than the current value of your house and are in some type of financial hardship requiring you to sell your home quickly, you may qualify for a short sale.  Some common financial hardships include: loss of job or diminishing income, relocation,... 03/17/2009

This gorgeous, exclusive gated community features estate homes on large lots.  to see The Enclave real estate currently for sale in Concord. Homes in this subdivision tend to range from $1,225,000 to $2,076,100. Therefore, with Terra Vista Realty’s 1.5% cash rebate, we can pay you from about $18,400 to $31,100 to buy a house in The Enclave through us. Houses in this neighborhood generally range from about 4500 to 7500 square feet. Below is additional information on The Enclave in Cabarrus County, North Carolina... Neighborhood Amenities: Gated Community,Recreation Area,Walking TrailsApproximate Lot Sizes: 2.23 - 2.37 acresBuilders: Metrolina DevelopmentHome Styles: RusticKey Roads: Enclave CIRZIP Code: 28027Plan names: CustomApproximate Homes Sales Annually: 3Schools: Odell Elementary S... 03/11/2009

  There are many reasons to consider moving to the Charlotte area... The weather Cost of living Recreation, etc...     On the subject of recreation, I want to tell you about Rhythm in Effect Dance Studio in Huntersville, NC (www.RhythminEffect.com), just north of Charlotte and west of Concord NC. My daughters have been learning dance there for the past 4 years and we couldn't be happier with their performance. The owners, Miss Tymphany and Miss Michelle, who also teach, are great with the girls and take pride in them as much as the parents do. My younger daughter, Katrina, joined the Competition Dance Troupe this year. We've already seen an improvement in her dance.     Yesterday was their first competition in Charlotte at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) off of Charlottetown ... 03/01/2009

To search ALL currently available real estate listings and homes for sale in Cabarrus County, Concord North Carolina and surrounding areas, visit The Powell Team - Property Search Website.  When you are ready to contact a Realtor, I'd appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  As a Real Estate Broker, Realtor, and Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) with more than 9 years of new construction and residential real estate experience, I have the knowledge and dedication that you are looking for. Contact me today for one-on-one professional help and advice!  You can also access many other helpful real estate tools on our website, such as: Search Foreclosure & Preforeclosure Properties in Concord NC and the across the US.  FREE Personal Home Search Website, custom designed and up... 02/28/2009

The 1st-time homebuyer real estate market has remained relatively strong in the Concord NC area, even though the market as a whole has slowed.  The number of home buyers in the market seems to have increased substantially since the government announced its modified 1st-time homebuyer tax credit details.   If you are a 1st-time homebuyer looking for an experienced agent who will help you through each step of the homebuying process, give me a call!  I love working with 1st time homebuyers!! I get a lot of questions about the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, so here are the details... Article Posted Feb. 25, 2009 on www.irs.gov  WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service announced today that taxpayers who qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit and purchase a home this year before Dec.... 02/26/2009

Very well maintained FULL BRICK ranch on 1.01 acre lot! 3 Bedroom 2 Full Baths Sunroom with ceiling fan is heated and cooled Spacious Great Room with vaulted ceilings and new carpet 3/2009 Ceiling fans in all Bedrooms, Great Room, Sunroom & Kitchen Ceramic tile in foyer & baths Water purification system Attic fan with thermostat keeps your attic cooler and reduces AC costs Security system NEW ROOF 2/2009 Attached 1 car garage Attractive lattice storage shed 1.01 acre level lot with relaxing garden in back yard Located on cul-de-sac street with no thru traffic Public Schools: Charles E Boger Elementary, Northwest Cabarrus Middle, Northwest Cabarrus High ALL APPLIANCES INCLUDED... Refrigerator, range, washer & dryer! Price Reduced to $159,900  SOLD! MLS#: 862704     For more information o... 02/16/2009

Well, the snow has stopped (thank God). I admit that it makes everything look pretty and clean, but I still would rather have no snow at all! Granted, I got out on the Golf Course (behind the house) and did my share of sliding down the snow covered hill along with the kids (that was fun). Lastly, I like how the snow formed, what appears to me as, halos on the heads of St. Anthony and baby. I should be thankful that we got as little snow as we did. Up north, it would have been 3 feet instead of 3 inches! : )   02/04/2009

 These are for you, Debe. I didn't want you to miss out on all the fun! Snow in our front garden. So far it has accumulated on the grass and landscape. No snow on the streets yet. Poor Saint Anthony with baby...they are already starting to get covered with snow. Oh, I hope it melts fast!! 02/03/2009

  This photo was taken from out front of my house in Concord, NC. As you can see, dark clouds are approaching. This is the same sky 5 minutes later. Very ominous!! Very dark!! Keep in mind, the time was 4:00 in the afternoon. It is now 11:00 pm and it's snowing. Yep, snow in the south!! Yee ha!     02/03/2009

I looked up in the sky just past my home and saw this. Apparenty, a whole lot of planes flew by, releasing a stream of exhaust (at least I think that is what causes this). Over the years I have seen this in the sky but not so many in such a close area. What gives?   01/29/2009

Concord Chief of Police Merl Hamilton has been named president of the N.C. Association of Chiefs of Police. The association is made up of more than 200 police chiefs from across the state. Hamilton was elected to this office at the association's annual conference on January 13 in Durham. Hamilton has been Concord's police chief since June of 2001. Before that, he worked at the Hickory Police Department for nearly 20 years.  01/23/2009