News
Charlotte, NC - BSA PR & Marketing president Dianne Stewart was recently invited to speak at a SynergyStreet executive meeting on Social Networking and the future it holds. The Presentation was marketed like this :
Join 'Our Space" and have a 'Face to Face(book)' with Dianne Stewart, President of BSA PR & Marketing, who will 'Twitter' about the relevance, usefulness, per'Plaxo'ties and the general 'How To' of social networking sites that 'Ping!'
Bring your questions, observations and frustrations and she will get you 'LinkedIn' to 'SynergyStreet' in a great 'MeetUp.'
The talk included a "hindsight' look at a business phenomenon that is leaving those behind who have not joined the world yet, astounding statistics and very important Social Networking etiquette and advice. This 60 minute presentation is available to non-profit organizations free of charge. For more information contact Dianne Stewart at BSA.
Charlotte, NC - An extraordinary chamber music concert at St Peter's on Tuesday September 28, 2010 at 7:30 pm will benefit the 2011 Chamber Music for Teens Summer Workshop. Founder of Chamber Music at St.Peter's and principal cellist with the Charlotte Symphony orchestra Alan Black, will perform with Romanian pianist, Dana Protopopescu, celebrated violinist Rosemary Furniss (wife of Maestro Christopher Warren-Green) and international coloratura soprano, Sally Silver.
For the first time in 2 years Alan Black and acclaimed friends, are back at the beautifully renovated St.Peter’s Episcopal Church sanctuary performing Beethoven's Piano Trio Opus 70 “Ghost”; Rachmaninoff's Trio Élégiaque in G minor, Brahms' Piano Trio in B Major Opus 8 and Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5 for soprano and trio.
Tickets are $30.00 and include a reception after the concert to meet the performers. All proceeds will benefit the Scholarship program for Chamber Music for Teens Summer Workshop 2011. Contact Dianne Stewart for tickets at
704-777-4842 or email di@bsapr.biz
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| Alan Black - cello | Rosemary Furniss - violin | Dana Protopopescu - piano | Sally Silver - soprano |
Charlotte, NC - A Special once-off lecture by South African scientist, author and explorer, Michael Tellinger will speak on the Origins of Humankind, Ancient Civilisations of South Africa and the Evidence of the FIRST PEOPLE some 300,000 years ago, on Thursday 2 September, 2010 at the Charlotte Scottish Rite Auditorium, 4740 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC at 6:30 - 9:30 pm. Tickets $30 at the door.
Long before the Egyptians ever saw the light of day, an advanced civilisation of humans lived in southern Africa, mining gold. These were also the people who carved the first Horus bird, the first Sphinx, built the first Pyramids and built an accurate stone calendar right in the heart of it all. Adam’s Calendar is the flagship among millions of circular stone ruins, ancient roads, agricultural terraces and thousands of ancient mines, left behind by a vanished civilisation which we now call the FIRST PEOPLE.
Where did humankind SUDDENLY appear from around 280,000 years ago? Why has humankind been so obsessed with GOLD since the earliest of time? Exposing the LOST CITY OF ENKI – the largest city ever constructed. Advanced knowledge of FREE ENERGY & SACRED GEOMETRY by the ancients. Evidence that points to the Anunnaki presence on Earth in ancient times.
Charlotte, NC - BSA has been named to provide event planning services for the the Fall Gala for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra on September 23, 2010 at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. The gala will be a celebration and welcome for the new Music Director - Maestro Christopher Warren-Green and his wife Rosemary, to Charlotte. Fabulous auction items will be launched in the first-ever online auction for the benefit of the symphony, prior to the event. Tickets will be available soon. Visit the website here.
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Seen at a recent event for Maestro Warren-Green from left to right : Ms Jennifer Foster, Presenter and Mr Ben Roe, Executive Director, both of WDAV 89.9, Maestro Christopher Warren-Green, Music Director and Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Mrs Catherine Connor, CSO Board Member. |
Charlotte, NC - BSA client Top Notch Nail files made it into two nationally respected magazines this month : Real Simple and the 'green' magazine, Kiwi. See links to the stories here.
Charlotte, NC - Linda Bain McKinney, CPC, CTS, and President of Charlotte-based McKinney Personnel Inc., is the recipient of the North Carolina Association of Staffing Professionals (NCASP) Hall of Fame Award for 2010.
Recognized for her exemplary leadership and contributions, McKinney was chosen from over 300 staffing professionals for this annual award.
Known and respected for her reliable service, McKinney has dedicated 34 years in building one of Charlotte’s most successful staffing services. Those who have worked with McKinney over the years praise her ethics, industriousness, and acumen.
Committed to providing Charlotte-area businesses with the most highly skilled and qualified candidates, McKinney is distinguished by her zeal to accomplish success for both client and candidate.
Congratulations to Linda Bain McKinney on receiving this coveted achievement in the staffing profession!
For additional information on NCASP and 2010 Hall of Fame awards
Charlotte, NC - Friend sof Muisc at Queens once gaain present their Summer Serenades concert series with two concerts at the Dana Auditorium at Queen University of Charlotte.
SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010 & SATURDAY JULY 17, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Program for Saturday July 10
Trio Sonata in G minor Georg Philip Telemann
Ars Nova Suite for Woodwind Quintet Noel Scott Stevens
Horn Trio in E flat major, Opus 40 Johannes Brahms
Swannanoa Chamber Players
w/ special guest Peter deVries with David Bell, Clarinet; Lynn Hileman, Bassoon; William Hoyt, Horn; George Pope, Flute; Cynthia Watson, Oboe and Paul Nitsch, Piano
Program for July 17: A Beethoven Bonanza!
Trio No. 4 in B flat major, Opus 11, for clarinet, bassoon and piano
String Quartet No. 14 in C # minor, Opus 131
Septet in E flat major, Opus 20
Swannanoa Chamber Players & the Parker String Quartet
Tickets: $20; free to students & their drivers
Dana Auditorium, Queens University, Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Click here to buy tickets on-line
(For your security, credit card purchases will be taken on-line exclusively, Cash and Check will be accepted the night of the concert)
Complimentary Reception Following Concert
Questions? Call 704 337-2213
fom@queens.edu
www.queens.edu/friendsofmusic
Charlotte, NC - Chamber Music for Teens Summer Workshop presents two Concerts!
THURSDAY JUNE 17, 2010 @ 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM & FRIDAY JUNE 18, 2010 @ 4:00 PM.
VENUE : CHRIST CHURCH, 1412 PROVIDENCE ROAD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28207
The concert on Friday will be followed by a reception. There is no charge for these concerts. Please share this email with friends, family and anyone interested in listening to young people making great music together!
Please call Dianne Stewart on 704-777-4842 if you have any questions.
Charlotte, NC - American Eastern has named Renea Mathews, Director of Business Development & Marketing. Renea has many years experience in the marketing and business development arena. Renea worked with the Charlotte Hornets NBA team from 1988 until 2002, until the team moved to New Orleans. She continued her career in the building industry and related businesses and spends her leisure time running long distance, cooking and reading.
Charlotte, NC - American Eastern has launched a new website. Martha Calkins, President of American Eastern, says, "The new website takes the 22 year old Charlotte-based construction company into the 21st century and enables our clients and sub-contractors ease of access and information at their fingertips."
The website was designed by BSA Pubic Relations and Digital Trooper and uses the state-of-the-art Content Management System and email management program - Morphogine Web Presence.
Charlotte, NC - Jane Ann Maxwell, owner of Maxwell House of Design, has been appointed the new President of the Association of Interior Design Professionals, (AIDP) Charlotte Chapter.
Jane Ann Maxwell is a professional member of the AIDP and brings her visionary skill set to the board with great enthusiasm. Ms. Maxwell says “Our goal is to be the interior design organization of the 21st century utilizing the online world of social media. We are very excited about what is already in place in the Charlotte market, in such a short time,”
The AIDP Charlotte chapter has an active online presence and places emphasis on the group’s meetings. Maxwell is a busy mom of three, with a full time interior design business. She says, “Like anyone in business today, I don’t have time to waste, so we make sure that our meetings are going to have a direct impact on our businesses .” You can find out more about Jane Ann Maxwell at www.maxwellhouseofdesign.com or http://aidpcharlottechapter.com/default.aspx.
Charlotte, NC - The Association of Interior Design Professionals, (AIDP) has opened a new chapter in Charlotte, NC. The AIDP is a relatively new national organization, which celebrated its first anniversary in January 2010. The AIDP was formed to offer a fresh approach to design organizations. The AIDP believes using the Internet and Social Media is the next wave of communicating with the design client. Today’s design client does hours of research before choosing a designer. The AIDP taps into that trend, while maintaining the highest educational requirements and business standards in the industry.
Their mission statement is to Promote, Partner and Prosper. A collaborative approach to design, vendors and the trade gives the AIDP a unique niche in the world of design organizations. The Charlotte Chapter is under the leadership of Jane Ann Maxwell, of Maxwell House of Design, is its current President. Wanda Horton, of Interior Concepts by Wanda, is the chapter’s Vice President and Communications Officer; Davetta Moore, of Davetta Moore Designs, is acting Past President and is a National Board Member; Marianne Parker, of Elite Designs, is a National Board Member and CEU Specialist, Mary Santini, of M. Santini Interior Design, is the Secretary/Treasurer.
You can find the AIDP Charlotte Chapter at http://aidpcharlottechapter.com/default.aspx and on Facebook and Twitter. The AIDP Charlotte Chapter offers monthly meetings, events, workshops and CEU opportunities. Members of the interior design industry are invited to apply for membership.
Charlotte, NC - The 11th annual Oscar Night America in Charlotte, will be held at Mez & EpiCentre Theaters this Sunday March 7, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available online at www.onacharlotte.org and will benefit the programs and services of United Family Services. Call Dianne Stewart at 704-777-4842 fro more information and ticket bookings.
Charlotte Observer's 'Scene & Heard' Social Editor and fabulous gala and party expert, Olivia Fortson, gives BSA high praise! Click here for her endorsement.
Charlotte, NC - Oscar Night® America is back! Go to www.onacharlotte.org for all the details and to book your tickets.
United Family Services is presenting the Official Oscar Night ® America party at Mez & EpiCentre Theaters on Sunday March 7 , 20 10 from 7 pm - 12 pm . The Guest ticket price is $75 per person with VIP tables of 8 available for $1500 and Deluxe VIP parties for $1500 for 8 guests .
This exciting and glamorous event will host 300 - 400 of Charlotte's 'movers and shakers' to an evening of entertainment and fun to benefit United Family Services with a direct feed from Hollywood of the Oscars telecast, on the EpiCentre Movie Screens, while guests are treated to drinks and array of food and snacks during the evening, while watching the show in the comfort and luxury of the Movie theaters .
Fox News Rising crew will be in attendance to film the party and a fabulous silent auction will also be part of the evening. Mez has closed the venue to the public and so this will be a private and exclusive party for those attending.
Donations from Oscar Night® America will directly benefit United Family Services? programs and its Shelter for Battered Women. United Family Services provides hope and solutions for people in crisis.
Charlotte, NC Charlotte-based IT Managed Services and Project Management company, Waypoint Solutions Group and Carolina Computer Network Solutions, have announced that they have merged their businesses into Waypoint Solutions Group effective from January 2010. In its 10th year of business, Waypoint now has four service centers in the United States : Its headquarters in Charlotte, NC, and offices in Miami, FL, Greenville, SC and Freehold, NJ.
President of Waypoint Solutions Group, Dan Wilson, said, "We are pleased to welcome Carolina Computer Network Solutions President Nathan Vari, on board as our Director of Business Development. Carolina Computer Network Solutions had similar business activities and we felt that it made good business sense to merge our operations." "Nathan's experience as an entrepreneur in a tough economic climate, has brought invaluable expertise into the new business development area, for our company", added Wilson.
Carolina Computer Network Solutions founded by Vari in 2005, had developed a customer base that was synergistic with that of Waypoint's and so it was a good fit for both organizations. "I am extremely proud to now be associated with a company of the caliber of Waypoint, and know that my CCNS clients will be too," said Vari of the merger.
About Waypoint Solutions Group:
Waypoint Solutions Group was founded in 2000 by Dan Wilson. It provides 24/7 customer focused, customizable IT Managed Services and Project Management, and serves small, mid-sized and large customers in the transportation, military, medical, legal, accounting and retail markets. Waypoint has completed projects for a wide list of clients including CSX, Dubai Ports World, DP World Americas, Horizon Lines, Partners In Care, all around the world. Waypoint has enjoyed steady growth since its inception and was recently recognized as a premier managed service provider and named to the MSPmentor 250 by industry voice MSPmentor and Nine Lives Media Inc.
For more information on this release contact :
Dan Wilson, President
Waypoint Solutions Group
704-246-1717 x 100 or
Nathan Vari, Director of Business Development
Waypoint Solutions Group
704-246-1717 x 102
Photo Caption from left to right : Ron Rivieccio, Vice President, Dan Wilson, President, and Nathan Varithan Vari, Director of Business Development for Waypoint Solutions Group.
Photo : Courtesy of Waypoint
Visit www.waypointsg.com
The next fashion night will on Friday March 26th and Friday April 30th, respectively.
By Deanna Valeo, NMLO #91421
Loan Consultant with Cunningham & Company Mortgage Bankers, The Valeo Croy Team
Following hot on the heels of the mortgage meltdown in the last 2 years, home owners are still reeling from all the changes and uncertainly in this industry. In order to further protect the consumer, the federal government’s Department of Urban Development (HUD), has instituted a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) document that is required by law, to be completed by the lender prior to official loan application. This is to ensure that the borrower does not get any unexpected surprises when they get to the closing table. The law came into effect on January, 1, 2010 and requires that the GFE closing costs and rates quoted be nearly identical to those on the final HUD Settlement Statement.
Contained in the GFE are fees that have Zero tolerance for change: origination charges, which include, what was previously referred to as the origination fee; discount points; lender fees such as application, commitment, wire fees, and/or processing fees. In addition, there can be no more than a +10 % discrepancy at the closing table for certain fees : the closing attorney or agent’s total fees; the lender’s title insurance policy and the owner’s title insurance policy.
If either of these tolerances are exceeded the lender has to eat up this charge and pay the borrower the difference.
Borrowers, and especially first time home owners need to take note of this, as some lenders are now providing a ‘work sheet’ for clients who have not yet found a property they wish to buy, while they ‘shop around.’
Lenders are not legally obliged to provide the GFE until there is an actual property being financed. Some buyers may confuse this ‘work sheet’ with the new GFE document. This ‘work sheet’ does not guarantee that the estimate they are given will be applied, and they run the risk of it not protecting them. Borrowers need to ask for this GFE in its new form so they can be confident that the rate and fees that they are given, will be honored at the closing table.
On the flip side, the loan officer needs a certain amount of information in order to quote accurate rates and fees which under the new law cannot be provided until the borrower’s acceptance of the GFE. Furthermore, if anything changes with regard to the borrowers income, employment situation or assets, the GFE immediately becomes void.
With this new law now in place, buyers need to be very particular about to whom they give their mortgage business to, for the following reasons:
· The GFE is now a legally binding contract between the lender and the customer
· The rate on the GFE is time sensitive (most will only guarantee 1 second to 1 hour for the rate quoted, unless it is formally locked in)
· The estimate includes a time limit for all settlement charges as well. The borrower must agree to the terms within 10 days in order to lock them down. In the meantime, the rate could have changed if it wasn’t locked in. The lender cannot lock in without an accepted GFE. So this can result in a Catch-22 situation.
· Once you agree to lock the origination charge and discount fees (points) this cannot change unless the loan does not close before the lock expires (you will have to get your supporting paper work in and the inspections done quickly). Like Appraisal, Tax Service, Flood Certification, Up Front Mortgage Insurance, Mortgage Insurance rates and Pest Inspection.
· Title Insurance, Owner’s Title Insurance, and Attorney fees may not increase more than +10% from the promised fees shown on the GFE. These fees are quoted from specific providers identified and disclosed by the lender. The lender may have selected a provider with high fees. This doesn't mean that this will be the final fee, if the borrower selects a different provider. The fees disclosed for the identified providers cannot go up, but it's acceptable that they can go down.
· There are certain fees the borrower can "shop" for, such as structural inspections and a survey. If the lender does not name the services, they are not held to the final fee when the settlement statement is prepared.
· The GFE will only show the amount of borrowing costs, it does not show the monthly payment or the amount needed to close. Both of these are shown on the loan application but you can’t see that, until you have accepted the GFE.
· The new GFE does not reflect any upfront (earnest money deposits) or seller paid closing costs. These are to be found on the HUD.
· Home Owner Association transfer fees, property (flood, wind, hail) insurance, property taxes, are other fees that a lender can only estimate, as a cost at closing.
· The HUD dictates that tax stamps or transfer fees (this is like sales tax on a retail purchase in a store) are a buyer's charge. In NC, this fee is customarily a seller's expense unless otherwise specified in the contract. Typically new construction builders will require the buyer to pay this tax. In NC, this is considered an exception. Some lenders disclose this fee which can make total closing costs, appear even higher.
Buyers need to understand the difference between the old-style ‘good faith estimate” and the new GFE. In the past it was just that – an estimate – now it’s legally binding with the lender. In the past, this document was often abused by unethical lenders who low-balled their quotes to get a borrower to commit, and once the buyer got to the closing table, it was way too late to back out of the deal, even if the numbers had been changed.
This GFE does not inform the buyer what he needs to bring to the closing table to close the deal, but a professional loan officer will provide this information in good time to avoid any last minute unpleasant surprises.
The Valeo Croy Team members will be glad to answer your questions on this new law and how it impacts the home owner. Contact us at www.valeocroyteam.com
A sample of the new GFE can be found here.
Please visit and sign up to our new 'Plog' entitled "PR In's and Out's" with the topical theme of "Never believe your own PR!" Would love to hear your views and comments.
Charlotte, NC - The annual Oscar Night® America to be held at Mez at EpiCenter on March 7, 2010 in uptown Charlotte, will benefit United Family Services. Says Event Producer, Dianne Stewart, "We are delighted to be supporting the United Family Services with this exciting event, in these critical economic times."
The event will feature a night of 'Who's-Who' of Charlotte celebrities, great food, exotic cocktails, unusual silent auction items, official Oscar® show programs and commemorative posters, fabulous goodie bags, and a live HD feed from the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, televised live by the ABC affiliate in Charlotte, WSOC TV. The complete Oscar® presentation will be shown in the luxurious cinemas at Mez Theater's.
Tickets are $75.00 per person and VIP Tables are available upon request for 10 guests at $1000.00. Bookings can be made at www.onacharlotte.org or 704-777-4842.
On Sunday, March 7th, 50 cities around the US will host official Oscar® viewing parties during the 82nd Academy Awards® ceremony. Only one charity party in a given media market may participate in ONA. Events are entirely produced by local nonprofit organizations, with the active participation of the local ABC-TV affiliate station.
"Especially in these difficult financial times, supporting local charities is essential. We're very happy that Oscar® Night America serves as a successful and fun way for people around the country to help make a difference," said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis.
Since its inception in 1994, the program has generated nearly $27 million in funding for a wide spectrum of charitable organizations – every cent staying within the community where it was raised.
The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Charlotte, N.C. - Friends of Music at Queens presents Trio Solisti on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 8:00 pm in the Dana Auditorium, in the E.H Little Fine Arts Center on the Queens University of Charlotte campus (corner Selwyn and Wellesley Avenues)
Tickets are available on-line at www.queens.edu/friendsofmusic or call 704-337-2213 for reservations. Tickets are $15.00. FREE to students of all ages from any school. There is a free concert preview talk at 7:00 pm.
Hailed as "the most exciting piano trio in America" by The New Yorker Magazine, Trio Solisti is comprised of three brilliant instrumentalists - violinist Maria Bachmann, cellist Alexis Pia Gerlach and pianist Jon Klibonoff.
Trio Solisti has earned a reputation for its passionate, committed, and adventurous performances, marked by exquisite individuality of expression and seamless ensemble playing.
Saturdays' concert program includes :
Rachmaninoff’s Trio Elegiac in G minor
Brahms’ Trio No 2 in C major, Op 87
Turina’s Trio No. 2 in B minor, Op 76
Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
Friends of Music is a volunteer organization that has sponsored and presented chamber and other music genre events in Charlotte for 25 years. Visit www.queens.edu/friendsofmusic for more information