Charlotte.com: Neighbors of Southern Mecklenburg

Providence Spring wins school grant

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:03 EDT

A national organization has awarded a character education grant to Providence Spring Elementary School in southeast Charlotte.

The $5,000 grant is coming from the Spring Ahead for Education Program and is designed to help the Providence Spring staff build its character education curriculum. In all, 23 schools across the United States received the grant.

Teachers at the school will receive increased training in Socratic seminar, a teaching method named after the Greek philosopher, based on thoughtful dialog rather than memorization. That method us designed to help the staff teach students citizenship, courage, hope, responsibility and the other character traits.

"This is a great opportunity for our school," said Diane Adams, principal at Providence Spring Elementary. "All of our teachers have training in Socratic seminar, and this grant will now allow them to expand their knowledge and continue providing enriching academic lessons for our students."

Sprint, the telecommunications company, sponsors the fund.

Carmel Rd. fire -- it was practice

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:24 EDT

A south Charlotte house caught fire this morning, but it wasn't anything the Charlotte Fire Department couldn't handle.

In fact, a group of firefighters set the house on fire. It's part of a training drill for a group of 18 recruits for the Charlotte Fire Department.

They conducted a burning drill today at a vacant single-story house in the 3600 block of Carmel Road, near Quail Hollow Road.

Charlotte fire Capt. Rob Brisley said today's drill is a way of helping the recruits test the skills they learned in the classroom and at the fire academy. He said no major traffic problems are expected, because a hydrant is located near the house.

The recruits are scheduled to graduate Thursday night and begin work Friday at their respective stations.

Around the Belt

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:00 EDT

Ballantyne area

Ballantyne Resort is offering an ongoing exhibit from Shain Gallery in Charlotte. The exhibit includes works by Chas Fagan, Kim Schuessler, Amy Dobbs, Henry Barnes, Jim Chapman, Connie Winters and more. Artwork is available for purchase; visit the concierge desk or call 704-248-4055 for details.

Matthews

Teen Scene for ages 11-15 will be Friday, 6:30-9 p.m. Crews Road Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road. There will be gym games, movies, video games, sports, food and other activities. Cost is $5 per person. 704-708-4432.

Mint Hill

Residents are expected to roll their garbage to the curb on their regular weekly pickup day. Roll-out garbage containers have been distributed to each home. For details, call call Mint Hill Town Hall at 704-545-9726.

Pineville

Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, has two picnic shelters available to reserve for birthday parties, family reunions, sports banquets, and other special events. To reserve, come by the Belle Johnston Community Center to pay and sign a contract. Cost: $25 for residents, $50 nonresidents.

Also, the regular town council meeting for July has been canceled. Meetings will resume at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12, the Hut Meeting Facility, 413 Johnston Drive.

South Charlotte/ Arboretum area

Barnes and Noble-Arboretum is featuring weekly children's storytime on Thursday starting at 9:30 a.m.

Steele Creek

The concert series at RiverGate retail center continues Saturday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with music by Vanilla Cornbread.

Saving on gas?

For an upcoming story, we'd like to hear how gas prices are affecting your back-to-school transportation plans.

Do you know a teen who is working in an afterschool or weekend job to help pay for gas?

Are you delaying buying a car for your high school-age child because of high gas prices?

Have you decided to use school bus transportation for your child, or organize larger carpools, to save gas money?

Know a student who has decided to park the car and get back on the school bus instead?

Tell us your stories and strategies. Contact us at mynews@charlotteobserver.com, and include your full name and day and evening telephone number.

Online

Keep up with what's going on in your town every day. Neighbors of Southern Mecklenburg staffers frequently write stories online about news and people. Visit: www.charlotte.com/someck.

More inside

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Dining Out 3S

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Home sales 7S

At this camp, he's right in the middle of things

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:44 EDT

An occasional series on summer camp scenes and moments around the southern Mecklenburg region. This installment is from a theater camp.

Did she, or didn't she?

Baxter Bradbury had to, um, go. But just outside the bathroom, he runs into a girl trying to sell him toilet paper – since there's none where he needs it.

Coincidence? Or a con artist in action?

This was one scene during a recent acting camp run by Children's Theatre of Charlotte. It was a week filled with learning lines, theater lingo and fake punches. It all culminates with a final performance on stage at Charlotte Preparatory School, site of the Children's Theatre's south Charlotte satellite.

Baxter is 10 and into comedy – “I like to do humorous stuff” – and wants to see where it takes him. He liked watching “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” before it was canceled.

This was Baxter's second tour at a summer theater camp since classes let out at Covenant Day School in Matthews, where he's a rising fifth-grader. His plans included attending a third camp, too, this one based on the Broadway smash “Wicked.”

Aside from occasional bouts of nerves, acting is fun, Baxter says. Next on his agenda: auditioning for a production.

“I would like to do one really soon. I haven't been in any play, and I would like to be in one.”

Horne to celebrate her 100th birthday

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:13 EDT

Hattie Maddox Horne of Pineville will celebrate her 100th birthday Monday.

She was born in the Tennessee mountains and grew up with five brothers and two sisters. She later moved to Gastonia, where she married George Horne. They raised six children there and in Bessemer City.

She now also has 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

She attributes her longevity to “the good Lord,” love from her family and her spirited little dog, Chang Lee King.

She lives at the Pineville Rehabilitation and Living Center. Vanessa Willis

College Notes

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:01 EDT

UNC Charlotte

Richard McDevitt has joined UNC Charlotte as director of marketing services for university relations and community affairs.

McDevitt is an award-winning creative director and marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience. He has worked with Bank of America and Central Piedmont Community College, and has managed his own agency.

McDevitt will design, coordinate and evaluate the effectiveness of university-wide marketing initiatives to expand and enhance UNC Charlotte's reputation. He will work with the public relations, community affairs and materials management departments to oversee relationships with vendors and connect with other external partners to market the university.

McDevitt earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Appalachian State University and has taken post-baccalaureate classes at UNCC.

Bei-Tseng “Bill” Chu, professor and chairman of the department of software and information systems, will become interim dean of UNC Charlotte's College of Computing and Informatics on Aug. 1.

Chu joined UNCC as an assistant professor of computer science in 1988 after completing his Ph.D. at the University of Maryland-College Park. He has held a number of administrative positions as the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering transitioned to the College of Computing and Informatics.

His areas of specialization include enterprise integration, information privacy and security, electronic commerce and computer integrated manufacturing.

Chu will replace Mirsad Hadzikadic, who is taking a year's leave to attend the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. When Hadzikadic returns, he will establish the N.C. Complex Systems Institute to advance UNCC's agenda in the applications of computing to broad issues in defense, intelligence and society.

A national search will be conducted to recruit a permanent dean of the College of Computing and Informatics.

Johnson C. Smith

University

Johnson C. Smith University has a new division for student services, the Division of Enrollment Services and Student Success.

Formerly called the Division of Student Affairs, the new division will bring together all university functions that directly serve prospective and enrolled students.

Departments in the division include student activities, student support services, counseling and testing center, residence life, health services, religious life, judicial affairs, financial aid, admissions and the registrar.

A national search will be launched to fill the position of vice president of the new division by January 2009.

Queens University

of Charlotte

Bill Nichols has been appointed the new vice president for campus planning and services at Queens University of Charlotte.

He previously was associate vice president for facilities planning.

Nichols will serve on the president's senior leadership team, managing the development and implementation of the campus master plan. Nichols also will chair Queens' safety and security and sustainability councils and oversee the university's auxiliary operations such as its campus services, dining services, bookstore and Oce Service Center.

Nichols joined Queens in June 2005 and brings more than 30 years of architectural experience to his new position.

Nichols received a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Virginia in 1972. He has been the president of the American Institute of Architects North Carolina Chapter and the N.C. Architectural Foundation and was accepted into membership of the Association of University Architects in 2006.

Charlotte

School of Law

Charlotte School of Law students Stratford Kiger and Amanda Raflo, both of Charlotte, were awarded summer internships with Legal Services of Southern Piedmont.

Legal Services of Southern Piedmont provides legal assistance in civil matters to low-income persons in the Charlotte area and in west-central North Carolina, its Web site says.

Kiger is a graduate of Myers Park High School with a bachelor's degree in sociology from Salem College and an MBA from UNC Charlotte.

Raflo, also a graduate of Myers Park High School, received a degree in elementary education from UNC Chapel Hill.

‘Catch the Reading Bug!' is drawing children into books

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:49 EDT

Rising Bain Elementary School first-grader Riley Pierce loves to play, but this summer she's also been reading, thanks in part to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library's “Catch the Reading Bug!” summer reading program.

In addition to playing outside, swimming, and other summer activities, Riley and her big brother, Zack, have made quite a few trips to the Mint Hill branch library courtesy of their mom, Melissa Pierce.

Riley's already logged 13 hours of summer reading, her brother a few more. And the program continues until Aug. 6, so they're sure to reach their goal of 20 hours.

Riley and Zack are just two of the 1,205 children signed up so far for the summer reading program at the Mint Hill branch.

Of those, 300 are halfway to their 20-hour goal, and 150 more have completed the program.

For each hour read, participants mark a space off their “Buggy” reading record.

At 10 hours, they are awarded a “bug cube,” similar to a Rubik's Cube but with insects, or a Book Buck.

At 20 hours they are awarded a water bottle or another Book Buck.

At the end of the program, children who chose Book Bucks will turn them in to the branch, and the money the Book Bucks represent can be used to buy books for community centers in less advantaged areas of the county.

Geri Sponaas, youth services manager at the Mint Hill Branch, says substituting Book Bucks for prizes is a way to encourage children to read and give back to their community.

Teens also are reading this summer with 333 signed up for the program at Mint Hill, the third largest number of teen participants in the system.

They have to read 25 hours to complete their program, but Sponaas says the prizes make it worth it.

At 15 hours, they receive a book sack; and at 25 hours, they receive a flash drive as well as a coupon for $5 worth of printing at the library. (A black and white sheet normally costs 10 cents and a color sheet is $1.)

Seventy-three Mint Hill teens have finished the program.

So what is everyone reading?

Sponaas says with teens the answer is easy: the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer and the two “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” books. In fact, the Twilight series is so popular that adults also are reading: There are 346 people requesting the system to hold the three-book series.

Younger kids are also reading the Wimpy Kid series as well as Junie B. Jones books, “Magic Tree House” books and “Spiderwick Chronicles.”

As for Riley, Junie B. Jones is her series of choice, and any book she's currently reading about Junie B. is her favorite. Last week it was “Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in Her Pocket.”

Sponaas says the number of children participating in summer reading in Mint Hill is up more than 50 percent from last year.

“Our number is way up for several reasons. We have so many more people moving into the Mint Hill community; but, more importantly, I believe that gas prices have helped out as well,” Sponaas said. “More people are staying in town and looking for a place that is fun and convenient for their kids. That's the Mint Hill library.”

New rules on recycling

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:50 EDT

Some businesses in town will have to separate and recycle corrugated cardboard and office paper they used to throw away.

As of July 1, the town became part of Mecklenburg County's Solid Waste System. The Matthews town board voted last month to make that move.

At their meeting Monday evening, commissioners passed a resolution giving the county permission to enforce the Source Separation Ordinance that is a part of the Solid Waste System.

The ordinance will affect businesses that produce 16 cubic yards or more of waste each week.

Those companies will have to obtain a separate container to discard waste paper and cardboard, and will have to contract with a private waste hauler for periodic pickup or deliver it to a recycling center themselves.

Bruce Gledhill, Director of Solid Waste with Mecklenburg County, says his department will take a look at area businesses and if they are filling two eight-cubic-yard containers each week, that company will have to look closer at its trash.

If it turns out they are generating 500 pounds or more of waste corrugated cardboard or office paper, they will be required to recycle.

“We really don't know how many businesses will be affected,” Gledhill said.

Ralph Messera, Matthews Public Works Director, says most businesses that will qualify are already recycling.

Gledhill says an education campaign will be held prior to enforcing the recycling ordinance in January.

It's an ice cream outburst fit for a zing

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:25 EDT

Hazelnut, pralines and peach brandy, oh my!

The Ballantyne Resort's new Epicurean Ice Cream Socials are a far cry from a drippy cone of soft-serve. Gallery Restaurant Executive Chef Kirk Gilbert has created an upscale menu with taste profiles that zing.

Flavors include a kid-friendly bowl of natural vanilla ice cream drizzled with warm fudge, cherries and whipped cream; chocolate- and Grand Marnier-flavored ice cream with marinated strawberries in an orange rosemary reduction; hazelnut Frangelico with warm ganduja ancho chili chocolate sauce; brandy peach with spiced pecans and a praline caramel sauce; green tea with ginger, mango and guava syrup; and Calvados with Granny Smith apple and thyme compote. Each dish is $6.50.

Karen Martin of the Bissell Cos. and Ray Eschert, founder of the Ballantyne Breakfast Club, met me there and we caught up on area news over big dishes of ice cream. My favorite was the Frangelico.

The socials are in the main lobby Tuesdays through Saturdays in July and August, 3-5 p.m.

Also, the resort's Gallery Restaurant's Cooking School has rescheduled the “Exploration of Eastern Cuisine” class to Saturday.

The Ballantyne Resort is at 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway. Details, or to register for the class, which costs $65: 704-248-4000.

Eat for the horses

On Monday, 25 percent of dinner proceeds at Township Grill will go to a horse rescue group called USERL.

It's part of the restaurant's weekly fundraisers for community service groups.

The Monday night event will also feature a raffle for two passes to the new Hard Rock amusement park in Myrtle Beach.

Township Grill is at 10400 E. Independence Blvd.

Tomato Tasting Day

Saturday is Tomato Tasting Day at the Matthews Community Farmers' Market.

Customers can nibble tomatoes with names including Jaune Flamme, Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, Mecklenburg, Celebrity, Goliath, Gold Nugget, Sungold, Carbon, Thessaloniki and Green Zebra. There also will be traditional varieties including Better Boy and Beefsteak.

A cooking demonstration will be presented by Adam Reed, chef-owner, Sante restaurant, Matthews. Music will be provided by classical guitarist Luis Rowe of Matthews.

Bluegrass musicians Trent and Dwight Moody of Briarhoppers fame will perform. And the craft demonstration will be rug-hooking by Donna Matera.

The market is downtown on North Trade Street. It opens at 7:15 a.m. Details: matthewsfarmersmarket.com.

Gift's worth unsettled

Reader Cindy Ozark called to ask whether her gift certificate to Under the Grape became worthless after the wine shop at Ballantyne Village closed suddenly.

Owners Barb and Henry Tyree have not returned calls for comment. But they sent an e-mail to customers that said they plan to relocate in the Ballantyne area and would announce details soon.

The Village management office is trying to help me get an answer for Ozark and other readers who might be in the same situation. Stay tuned.

Boardwalk Billy's party

Boardwalk Billy's is gearing up for its 8th anniversary party Aug. 23.

The restaurant recently hired artist Ryan Singleton to create new murals in the bar area to prepare for the event. Stay tuned for details.

Billy's is on Sardis Road North.

Moms are cultural gourmets

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:25 EDT

A group of moms at the British American School in south Charlotte are celebrating the school's international community through food.

The International Gourmet Moms group dines at different ethnic restaurants about every six weeks to learn about other cultures.

“A few of us had gotten together with our kids and were talking about how a lot of our families speak another language at home,” says member Jessica Garcia.

“We thought it would be fun to share each other's cultures.

“We rotate taking turns selecting a new restaurant and usually select places none of us has been to yet.”

About a dozen moms of now rising first-graders show up at each gathering, and the teachers are invited, too.

“It's a way we can further build the community of our school,” Garcia says.

The first outing was to Gran Havana, a Cuban eatery on Albemarle Road.

Since then, they've gone to Ethiopian, Honduran, Indian and Mexican restaurants.

“Tamarind on Carmel Road was a big hit,” Garcia said.

“The food and service were wonderful, and it was probably our most memorable experience.”

She also said the Ethiopian restaurant was an adventure.

“We didn't have utensils to eat with, so it was about opening our minds and being willing to try new things,” she says.

Ah, Paris: The language, the architecture

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:33 EDT

A group of students from southern Mecklenburg recently traveled to Paris and the Loire Valley in France along with some of their parents and teachers.

“A strong focus of the trip was architecture, art and language emersion,” said Debbie Dunn, a housing and interior design teacher from Ardrey Kell High who helped lead the trip.

Ardrey Kell, Butler, East Mecklenburg and Providence high schools were represented.

Among the places they visited: Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Chartres Cathedral, Chambord, Normandy Beach and the Louvre. They completed a walking tour of the Arch de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees and the Palace de la Concorde.

“During free time students spent time shopping in the outdoor markets, conversing with locals and snacking on baked goods from the patisseries and street vendors,” Dunn said.

Church gives riders a nudge

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:34 EDT

As more south Charlotte commuters park their gas guzzlers and hop the bus, CATS is issuing a friendly reminder:

If you use the park-and-ride lot at Matthews Presbyterian Church: Please stay off the grass.

Soaring gas prices have prompted more commuters to gobble up park-and-ride parking spaces, including creative ones on the grass. The park-and-ride lot serves commuters on routes 27 and 65X.

It seems a few commuters started migrating to the cleared grassy patch on the church grounds on 207 W. John St. after the church tore down a small home it owned on the property, according to Pastor Bill Pederson.

The church removed the home with the intention of creating more parking spaces for both churchgoers and Charlotte Area Transit System. But the church later learned the property is still zoned residential and not rezoned for a parking lot. So, to abide by Matthews codes, Pederson said the grassy area is remaining clear, and the parking-spaces plan is on hold.

CATS receives the church parking slots for free, according to spokeswoman Jean Leier. The church has about 70 parking spaces, and donates about 40 to the weekday park and ride as a community service and out of concern for the environment, Pederson said.

And commuters have been respectful of the arrangement, he said. Whenever the church leaves notices on cars asking drivers to move elsewhere on certain days to accommodate funerals, all drivers comply, he said. Another longtime church member said a commuter gives an annual donation to the church in appreciation.

Last week, fewer were parking on the grass, Pederson said. On Thursday morning, it was just one car.

He credits CATS with getting the word out, as the agency has reminded riders of the 65X that there's another park and ride less than two miles away, at 9614 Independence Pointe Parkway, with 304 spaces.

As more south Charlotte commuters park their gas guzzlers and hop the bus, CATS is issuing a friendly reminder:

If you use the park-and-ride lot at Matthews Presbyterian Church: Please stay off the grass.

Soaring gas prices have prompted more commuters to gobble up park-and-ride parking spaces, including creative ones on the grass. The park-and-ride lot serves commuters on routes 27 and 65X.

Last week, fewer were parking on the grass, Pederson said. On Thursday morning, it was just one car.

Community Calendar

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:03 EDT

Monday

Blood Drive:

Community Blood Drive. Make an appointment or walk-ins welcome. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 3 p.m.-7 p.m. 704-716-4650. Morrison Family YMCA Ballantyne, 9405 Bryant Farms Road, Charlotte. 704-716-4650. www.ymcacharlotte.org

Terrific Twos:

A special program for you and your two-year old to enjoy stories, songs and more. 9:30 a.m. 704-416-5400. www.plcmc.org. Morrison Regional Public Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd., Charlotte. 704-336-2109. www.plcmc.org

AARP Driver Safety Program:

Are you over 50 and want to refresh your driving skills? Come to this free course sponsored by the AARP. 10 a.m. Free. St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte. 704-543-7677. stmatthewcatholic.org

Dinner out to help the Rescue Horses:

USERL (US Equine Rescue League) will be holding a fundraiser at Township Grill. USERL volunteers will be serving as your greeters, wait staff and busing tables for tips and 25 percent of the sales5 p.m. 704-531-4877. www.userlcpnc.org. Township Grille, 10400 E Independence Blvd, Matthews. 704-847-2480.

Wednesday

Family Tales:

A fantastic time for families to enjoy books, songs and more. Ages 2-5.10:30 a.m. Free. 704-416-5400. Morrison Regional Public Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd., Charlotte. 704-336-2109. www.plcmc.org

Kelly Mullen:

9 p.m. Yellow Rose At Touchstone, 9217 Baybrook Ln, Charlotte. 704-542-2033.

Thursday

Mother Goose is on the Loose:

Nursery rhymes come alive through picture books, rhythm and music. For children of all ages. No registration required. 10 a.m. Free. 704-416-4800. Independence Regional Public Library, 6000 Conference Drive, Charlotte. 704-568-3151. www.plcmc.org

Teen Writers Night:

Join our ongoing group. 6 p.m. Free. 704-336-7823. Morrison Regional Public Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd., Charlotte. 704-336-2109. www.plcmc.org

Friday

Help Box Out Hunger, Be A Cereal Giver:

Enjoy activities for all ages and helpSecond Harvest Food Bank fight hunger. The goal is to collect 10,000 boxes of cereal10 a.m. Free (donation of a box cereal or $4 voucher). 704-295-3282. Park Road Shopping Center, 4201 Park Road, Charlotte. 704-295-3000.

Mr. Nigel's Music and Friend Story Time:

For toddlers to pre-schoolers. 11:15 a.m. Free. www.josephbeth.com. Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 4345 Barclay Downs Drive (SouthPark Mall), Charlotte. 704-602-9800.

Blakeney Summer Concert Series On The Village Green:

Enjoy the sounds of jazz, acoustic, blues and R&B every Friday and Saturday night. 7 p.m. Free. www.shopblakeney.com. Blakeney Village Green, Ardrey Kell and Rea Road, Charlotte.

Charlotte Knights vs. Buffalo Bisons:

7:15 p.m. www.charlotteknights.com. Knights Stadium, 2280 Deerfield Dr, Fort Mill.

Summer StageFest at Providence Day School:

"The Three Little Pigs," 7:30 p.m. July 25, 2 p.m. July 26. $6. 704-364-0081. Providence Day School, 5800 Sardis Road, Charlotte. 704-887-7041. www.providenceday.org

Campfire:

Join McDowell Nature Preserve for an evening of stories, laughs, fun, and marshmallows around the campfire8 p.m. Free. 704-504-1014. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

July 26

Charlotte/Queens City Rams Golf Tournament:

17th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament sponsored by the Charlotte/Queens City Rams Alumni Chapter. 8 a.m. $65. 704-532-0983. Charles T. Myers Golf Course, 7817 Harrisburg Road, Charlotte.

Public Kayak Trip:

Learn the basics with experienced and patient instructors before hitting the water for a guided tour. All gear is provided. 12 and up. 9 a.m. $12. 704-504-1014. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

Stream Hike:

Cool down and discover salamanders, crawfish, water pennies and more as we explore the Four Seasons Creek! Comfortable water shoes are encouraged. Program meets at McDowell Nature Center. 2 p.m. Free. 704-588-5224. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

A Tribute to Roy Orbison:

Roy Orbison tribute artist Tony King will perform along with guest singers. 6 p.m. $12 for show only. 704-545-6618 or 704-847-8911 for reservations. Jonathan's of Matthews, 10630 Independence Pointe Parkway, Matthews.

Tots, kids can learn a new language

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:25 EDT

Across south Charlotte, children as young as a year old are learning Spanish and French with help from Baby Lingual.

Christina Vogel owns the private tutoring business, which offers one-on-one and group lessons for tots and older children.

Vogel's mother lived in Spain and taught Vogel the language when she was very small, she said. She majored in Spanish in college and taught it for eight years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, private schools and day cares before starting the new business.

They now have three tutors who offers lessons in south Charlotte.

“Young children learn foreign languages the same way they learn English, through play and exploration,” Vogel says. “It's still ‘Here's the star, the star is blue, this shape is a star,' but in the target language instead of English. And all of the science shows that it's easier to learn a foreign language the younger you are.”

Lessons start at $40 for a private, 45-minute lesson. Prices vary for group lessons.

For details: 704-881-4165 or www.babylingual-south.com.

Tenderly, Carter restores old, downtrodden cash registers

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:53 EDT

There was a time – long before the advent of credit cards – that sales transactions were accompanied by the reassuring ding of a bell as a wooden cash register drawer opened to receive money, signaling the completion of the sale.

These ornate machines, manufactured from the late 1890s, have long since been replaced by computerized ones that keep a lot of records for the retailer, but lack the physical appeal and romance of the older ones.

Al Carter has devoted much of his retirement to restoring and collecting such machines. Throughout his home in Providence Plantation, vintage cash registers – some of inlaid wood, some of ornate brass – dot the décor. By scouring flea markets and ads and attending swap meets, he has amassed a huge collection. It is a passion that has grown over the years.

Downstairs in his home are shelves housing the more than 130 machines he has found and/or refurbished. Some he collects; some he sells.

Carefully moving his hands across the body of a register, Al explains the unique features of each. One is a bar machine with two drawers designated for “beverages” and “food.” One of the oldest, manufactured by Kruz, a company in New York, is distinguished with a dial that has amounts on it, facilitating the opening of the cash drawer. Another has a clock on the side enabling the employer to know when employees arrived.

Some are small; others are large with many drawers and features. Some are brass; some are of nickle-plated brass. A few have logos of soft drink companies such as Pepsi or Coca Cola on them.

Carter gets the old machines, painstakingly takes them apart, refurbishing what he can, replacing old parts when necessary, and buffing them to a shiny countenance. The excitement, he says, “is to see what the finished product looks like from what you start with.”

Sometimes the search for parts takes time, but almost everything is available somewhere.

He has a collection of parts that he sells to others in the same work.

Al has catalogued every machine on cards and referenced to a catalog.

He belongs to a national cash registers collectors club. Based in Dayton, Ohio, where National Cash Register, the largest manufacturer of cash registers, was located, three times a year the members, who come from all over the country and some foreign countries, meet to share and swap.

For further information about his collection or to locate a register or part, Al Carter can be contacted at 704-589-8284 or online at aljoy@carolina .rr.com.