SEND YOUR KIDS TO ART CAMP THIS SUMMER WHO: Children as young as four through age 18 WHAT: Summer Art Camp WHERE: The Hickory Museum of Art at 243 3rd Avenue NE Hickory WHEN: June 15 to August 21, Monday through Friday with two sessions, morning and afternoon. HOW MUCH: HMA members pay $50 and non-members pay $70.   With so many options to choose from, there's bound to be a class to fit your child's schedule. Young artists can learn more about famous artists in the Stop and Van Gogh class, create fan-trash-tic recycled art in Garbology 101, or clown around in Under the Big Top. Teens have the opportunity to further develop their skills in Fantasy Handscapes by learning classical drawing techniques or get creative in Playing with Food. There are more than 25 classes to choose from! FILL... 05/27/2009

If you're wanting a family-friendly area to raise kids, the Catawba Valley area around Hickory, NC is hard to beat. No matter what the interest of your children, there are plenty of recreation activities to excite them. Hickory offers a great public library system with a huge selection of books, videos and movies in its many branches. The Catawba Science Center, adjacent to the main branch, will keep kids riveted on rainy days. And they always have new displays and presentations to keep kids wanting to go back for more. There are numerous parks within the city limits offering nature trails, water-side walks, playgrounds with the latest equipment, skate parks and public pools. The Greenway is a long community walk that offers great excercise and views. And there are horse-back riding sta... 05/27/2009

OPEN HOUSE Sunday May 31, 2009 from 2 - 4 pm 3716 26TH ST DR NE HICKORY NC $159,900  MLS #9544039  Beautiful brick and vinyl home with three bedrooms and two baths in the Hickory Woods subdivison. This home features wood floors in the kitchen & foyer. The kitchen has great counter space and a large eat in area. The large living room has vaulted ceilings and a gas fireplace. Master bedroom has a nice size closet and an adjoining master bath with double sinks. The wood deck is partially covered and screened in - great for entertaining or enjoying a beautiful spring day. Schools: Snow Creek Elementary School, Arndt Middle School, and St.Stephens High School.  3716 26TH ST DR NE HICKORY NC Click Here to View a Virtual Tour of 3176 26th Street Drive NE Hickory NC ****************************... 05/26/2009

Round up all your antiques, collectibles and old jewelry!  It may be time to cash in. The Treasure Hunters Road Show will be in Hickory starting today (May 26th) through Saturday, May 30th, 2009.  They bring in five experts to value your things and in some cases, may even buy them. Treasure Hunters are willing to pay for nearly all coins, vintage jewelry, instruments and toys made before 1965,  They are also purchasing gold, platinum and silver, as well.  But you can bring anything that you think may be of value and they'll give you their expert opinion on it. The Treasure Hunters Road Show will be held at the Comfort Suites, located at 1125 13th Ave. Drive, SE, Hickory, NC.  Tuesday through Friday, it will run from 9am to 6pm and 9am to 4pm on Saturday.  It's free to attend. So Bring y... 05/26/2009

SOLD 328 13th AVE NW HICKORY, NC $130,000 This excellent home features two bedrooms and one and a half baths.  It has a full basement and unfinished upstairs - great for storage or future bedrooms.  Kitchen has newer appliances.  The house has a dining room that is currently being used as an office but could easily be converted into a third bedroom.  Hardwood floors are in the foyer, kitchen, living room and dining room.  Owner says hardwoods are also under the carpet in the hallways and bedrooms.  Yard features a large deck and a detached 2 car garage with additional work space available.      >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> For more information about REAL ESTATE in the Hickory area - visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com I am a REALTOR specializing in the Greater Hickory, NC Metro are... 05/25/2009

  Are rising energy costs getting you down and making your utility bills go up? Home Energy Solutions can perform a home energy audit and show you how to conserve energy, increase comfort, and improve indoor air quality. Home Energy Solutions offers home performance contracting for a turn key solution to your energy retrofit needs. Common improvements include HVAC duct sealing, air sealing and insulation. Building a new home? Home Energy Solutions offers third party verification for the ENERGY STAR Homes Program and several green building programs. They do plan reviews and perform inspections of framing, moisture protection, air sealing, insulation, and mechanical systems. They test the ductwork and the whole house for air leakage in order to estimate the home's annual energy costs.   ... 05/21/2009

WHO: Hickory Furniture Mart WHAT: Memorial Day Sale WHERE: 2220 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory, North Carolina 28602 WHEN: May 22-25 -  Friday & Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 1-5pm, Monday 9am-6pm Enjoy special savings and discounts throughout the Mart over this 4 day weekend. With over 100 showrooms, representing over 1000 lines of furniture, you'll find everything you need in home furnishings under one roof. Combine your shopping trip along with your family gatherings this holiday weekend   *******************************  The Hickory Furniture Mart is a unique mix of over 100 factory outlets, stores, shops and galleries offering home furnishings, accessories, lighting, art, fine rugs, fabrics and much more.  To learn more about the Hickory Furniture Mart Click Here or call 1-800-462-MART ****... 05/21/2009

  Titanic is based on the true story of the great ship's maiden voyage from departure in Southampton, England to the sinking in the Atlantic by an iceberg. The show touches on issues such as class, immigration and mankind's vulnerability in the face of nature. The story follows passengers and crew members who actually existed and were aboard the Titanic back in 1912.  Titanic is a modern classic American musical theatre that is sure to move and inspire. Winner of five Tony awards, including Best Musical, this glorious show demonstrates that the grandeur and the tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic serve as a tribute to the human spirit and the frailty of life. Mainstage May: 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31 June: 4, 5, 6, 7 Thursdays at 7:30pm Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm Sundays at 2:30pm Ti... 05/19/2009

Price Reduced to $159,900 MLS# 9544039 3716 26th Street Drive NE Hickory  Beautiful brick and vinyl home with three bedrooms and two baths in the Hickory Woods subdivison. This home features wood floors in the kitchen & foyer. The kitchen has great counter space and a large eat in area. The large living room has vaulted ceilings and a gas fireplace. Master bedroom has a nice size closet and an adjoining master bath with double sinks. The wood deck is partially covered and screened in - great for entertaining or enjoying a beautiful spring day.        Click Here to View a Vitual Tour   Schools: Clyde Campbell Elementary School, Arndt Middle, St.Stephens High School     To search for homes for sale in Hickory and the surrounding area - visit my website www.MikeKellyJr.com 05/19/2009

Everyone seen the infamous trailer parks of the nation.  They come in all shapes and sizes, from the dressed up to the...well, NOT so dressed up, let's say.  Single-wide mobile homes have always had a bit of negative press about them.  Enter double-wides and triple-wide homes to "up the standards" so to speak.  But even those get the, "it's a mobile home" syndrome going, too. Well, now Clayton Homes as introduced a new design that may make the whole "mobile home" syndrome disappear.  With the introduction of their new line, the "I-House" more people may consider switching their thinking on the subject of manufactured housing. The I-House is truly a "Green" (or for those starting to loath that word, we can use "energy-efficient") home.  Standard features include such things as bamboo flo... 05/17/2009

What: Catawba County Volunteer Fair When: Monday May 18 from 2 to 7 p.m.  Where: Catawba Valley Community College's Multipurpose Complex  Hosted by:  Catawba County United Way, Catawba County Chamber of Commerce and the Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley   Others: Participating agencies and organizations include: • Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry • CVCC Basic Skills Program • Project Potential • Parakaleo (part of Dayspring Ministries) • Centro Latino • Exodus Homes • Humane Society of Catawba County • Sipe's Orchard Home • Young Men of Integrity • Catawba County Public Health • Catawba Science Center • Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley • Catawba County Chamber of Commerce • Catawba County Parenting Network • AIDS Leadership Foothills-Area ... 05/17/2009

For Information About 2011 Swinging Under the Stars Downtown Hickory NC Click Here   WHO: Hickory Jazz Orchestra WHAT:  Tribute to the Big Band Era WHERE: Downtown Hickory - Union Square WHEN: Sunday May 24 from 7 - 10pm On the Sunday night of Memorial Day Weekend, Swingin' Under the Stars returns for the second year with a Tribute to the Big Band Era. The Hickory Jazz Orchestra, an 18-piece big band orchestra will play all of your favorite hits from the era. The concert is planned on Sunday night of Memorial Weekend (May 24) from 7pm to 10pm in the Flag Court of Union Square. Put on your dancing shoes and grab your favorite partner for an evening of swing dancing on Union Square.Reserved seating will be available at $10 per chair or you have the option of bringing your own chair to thi... 05/17/2009

WHO: Calling all Generation X Music Lovers WHAT: Laser X Show WHERE: Millholland Planetarium at the Catawba Science Center WHEN: May 15, 2009 at 7:00, 8:30, and 10:00pm LASER X Gen X laser show with a compilation of bands from the 90s alternative scene like Rage Against the Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, Garbage, White Zombie and more. The total running time of the show is 47 minutes. The Millholland Planetarium uses an AVI SkyLase full-dome laser system, enabling CSC to offer dynamic laser light shows, bringing you modern pop, alternative, holiday and classic rock presentations like you've never experienced before. SkyLase has three lasers, each with a pure, solid core made of elements like lithium or garnet. Electricity is pumped through the element, exciting electrons in t... 05/06/2009

WHO: City of Hickory International Council  WHAT: International Spring Fest WHERE: Union Square in Downtown Hickory WHEN:  Saturday, May 9 between 10 a.m.  - 5 p.m.    Union Square in Downtown Hickory will be full of international dancing, cuisine and fun activities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.  The festival is free and song and dance from Asia, Europe and South of the Border will take place on the main stage.  Tempting delicacies from Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Southeast Asia are sure to  satisfy every taste. Origami from Japan, Henna hand painting from South Asia, crafts from around the world, clowns, magicians, slides, wall climb, bungee jump, dunk tank, K-9 Police Unit, Hickory Public Library's Paws to Read program, face painting, and more will ensu... 05/05/2009

Saturday, May 2 10:00am at Hickory High School It's America's favorite walking event! When you walk, you give hope to the families of babies born too soon or sick. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the serious problems that threaten our babies. We've been walking since 1970 and have raised an incredible $1.8 billion to benefit all babies.   The March of Dimes uses 77 cents of every dollar you raise in March for Babies to support research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And your funds are used to bring comfort and information to families whose baby was born too soon, or sick.  Hickory High School 1234 3rd St., NeHickory,... 05/01/2009

Historic Victorian home near downtown Hickory. William H. Wilfong House built in 1890 stayed in the family until 2002, when it was purchased and thoroughly renovated. This home won the Historic Preservation Award from the Hickory Landmark Society in 2003 for the impressive restoration by the current owner. It is currently being used as residential, but is zoned commercial. This landmark building would make a great office, retail location or restaurant.     For more information about this home visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com  To search for homes for sale in Hickory and the surrounding area - visit my website www.MikeKellyJr.com         04/29/2009

I'm sure that you've heard the old saying that there are three things that sell a home, "Location, Location, Location."  I'm going to let you in on another little secret.  It AIN'T SO!  Sure, location is a prime factor in the sellability of your house, but even a bad location can be overcome.  The following 3 things are the Real secrets to getting your property sold. PRICE The price of the property is the single most important aspect of getting your home sold.  If the home is priced correctly for the area, the market and it's condition, then it will sell.  It's as simple as that.  What makes pricing difficult to do correctly is that several factors make it hard to determine sometimes what a person would be willing to pay.  For example, you may have a nice 3 bedroom, 2 bath home that com... 04/29/2009

$105,900  6187 Timberlane Terrace Great two floor condo with three bedrooms and two full baths. The home features a newly updated kitchen with new appliances, cabinets, counter tops and tile floor. This home has a spacious open floor plan. The bathrooms have been upgraded with new tile floors and new fixtures. Sit on your private patio area as you enjoy grilling and eating outside.  The complex has multiple common areas that are very well maintained.       Conveniently located off of Grace Chapel Road minutes from Route 321. Schools: Granite Falls Elementary, Granite Falls Middle School, South Caldwell High School.   View the Virtual Tour Flyer - Click Here To search for homes for sale in Hickory and the surrounding area - visit my website www.MikeKellyJr.com   04/27/2009

 Brick Ranch with Basement on Over One Acre $175,000 1724 2nd Avenue NW Hickory, North Carolina 28601 Unbelievable three bedroom three full bath brick home with a basement is located in NW Hickory close to highway 321. This house has an amazing combination of square footage, lot size, character, quality workmanship, and landscaping. There are two fireplaces and period style moldings. It has hardwood floors exposed and  under carpeting.  The back of the home features a wrap around driveway to the two car garage and a large covered porch. The walk-up attic is also unfinished with tons of room for storage and a cedar closet. Home has been well maintained and cared for over the years. Schools: Longview Elementary School, Grandview Middle, and Hickory High Schools.   View the Virtual Tour Fl... 04/27/2009

Okay, okay, just switching Internet browsers won't actually make your Internet connection faster, but it will definitely seem like it does.  I'm not a real big tech guy, so I can't say exactly how Firefox does it, but pages load A LOT faster on Firefox then on good ol' Internet Explorer. I've been using Firefox for a couple of months now and simply love it.  Besides the faster surfing, it has some really cool features that IE lacks.  Personally, I really like the fact that you can easily create your own link bar at the top.  Makes it very easy to get to those most used sites (like Active Rain!). If you haven't made the switch yet, I'd suggest that you download Firefox and give it a try.  I think you'll like it, too.  Hey, it speeds up load times so much, now I can even read Active Brad'... 04/22/2009