Are you familiar with the New York Times bestselling book and blockbuster hit movie The Soloist?

On November 18th 2009, several of us here at Dickens-Mitchener attended the Urban Ministry Center "True Blessings" Thanksgiving celebration and fundraiser. Wow... what an event! The Author of The Soloist and Columnist for the Los Angeles Times Steve Lopez was on hand to tell the story of how he came to know and become such good friends with the "Soloist" himself Nathaniel Anthony Ayers. The Soloist is the true story of a lost dream, an unlikely friendship, second chances and the healing power of music. Who better to share The Urban Ministry's mission of serving than Mr. Lopez.

Mr. Lopez shared with us his serendipitous introduction to Mr. Ayers while walking the streets of Los Angeles one day and from a distance, being drawn to a man playing beautiful music on a violin. It just so happens, the music he heard was Beethoven's 3rd Symphony and the man was homeless and amazingly... the violin was missing 2 strings .

If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, but plan to, I won't give it away. I'll just say this. Plan to be inspired to reach out to another person in need this Holiday seasn.

As you may already be aware, The Urban Ministry Center is a phenomenal interfaith organization serving the poor and homeless with love and tangible help. Some of the incredible services they provide are including:

-Homeless to Homes: A supportive housing pilot program and Moore Place-Charlotte’s first permanent supportive housing facility (opening 2010)

-Innovative outreach programs including Street Soccer 945, Art Works 945, Community Gardening, Voices of Love Choir and Homeless helping Homeless.

-Lunch 365 Days per year

-Room in the Inn winter shelter program

-Restrooms, Showers, laundry, phones, mail drop, lockers and other essential services

-Counseling and referrals to food pantries, Social Security, Department of Social services and other area providers

-Healthcare services including nurse, podiatrist, physician referral, dentist and prescription assistance.

Watch this 60 Minutes excerpt, YouTube Video:



Watch this Video about the Urban Ministry Center:



Funding: A registered 501 © (3) The Urban Ministry Center relies solely on private contributions from individuals, congregations, corporations and foundations. All contributions are tax deductible.


Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Scott Pridemore
Realtor/Broker
D: 704.602.4258
M:704.562.0792
spridemore@dickensmitchener.com

Well it appears friends and neighbors that the brou ha ha is not over concerning the school board option that was passed Tuesday by the School Board. Today's Charlotte Observer hinted that the new School Board may revisit the vote when they are seated in December. Just when we were all getting used to our current fate... which is at the moment a new home for Dilworth which will be a very strong school with a large base of committed parents. CMS has promised to work with these parents to make the school the best it can be and the excitement denotes that it will indeed happen. Eastover will be back to a reasonable number of students and will still have a strong parent base that made it the hottest ticket in town. A seasoned, experienced staff and a principle with a PhD doesn't hurt matters. All rising 5th graders have the option of staying. A preliminary poll appears to indicate that many of them will remain for their 6th and final year at the best little school in town that once again will be the littlest school in town. I will keep you updated as things develop.


Catharine Pappas
Former PTA President Eastover Elementary
M:704.661.2402
cpappas@dickensmitchener.com

A Vespa in Charlotte is the perfect answer if you want to be environmentally responsible and learn to navigate the city's beautiful streets. Fresh weather, changing colorful leaves and mostly respectful drivers make November in Charlotte, NC a great month to scoot around the city. It is dreamy to ride through this town on a scooter and really see the city and the real estate while using no more gas than can be held in a Hummer's ashtray.

I live 2 miles south of SouthPark, and some of my friends may think that the six miles I drive to go to work is a long trip on a red Vespa but it really only takes me 15 minutes.

Every time, I plan a different route to go back and forth from the office and that is the best way to learn about the city and its neighborhoods. I have a camera in my red Vespa's satchel and I shoot all interesting properties and people that I see while buzzing around.

Next time you see me zooming around on my red Vespa and need a real estate agent, honk!! I can carry a passenger and MLS Sheets!


Michael Donati
Realtor/Broker
D: 704.602.4264
M: 704.641.0456
mdonati@dickensmitchener.com

This spectacular home has been reduced by $470,000 to its current list price of $1,925,000. The house is being sold in its current condition at the new list price or the builder will complete the house with an acceptable offer. The new price reflects an actual reduction of $925,000 from the original list price and is an incredible opportunity.



The house sits on a beautiful 1 acre estate lot with established large oak trees. The builder, Ferrol Edmondson, has been building luxury homes in Charlotte for over 20 years. The floor plan includes large formal and informal living areas which are perfect for entertaining and everyday living. The master suite is located on the main level with his and hers oversized closets that could also serve as an office or sitting room. The upper level includes 4 large bedrooms with private baths and a bonus room. Other features include a stunning circular staircase, four fireplaces with exquisite mantles and a custom stone hood on the kitchen.


Vicky Mitchener
Owner/Broker
D:704.602.4221
vmitchener@dickensmitchener.com

Recently I had the opportunity to attend the North Carolina Realtor Convention in Savannah, Georgia. The weather was beautiful and the scenery was awesome as always. The speakers were very informative and the information we gathered was valuable. One speaker in particular really struck a cord with the audience. I enjoyed his message so much that I attended 2 of his sessions and recognized many of the same faces in the room back for seconds as well.

Jerry Teplitz, J.D., Ph.D spoke to us but he clearly demonstrated how negative thoughts and feelings have a dramatic impact on our physical well-being as well as our energy level and strength. We all know how a stress-filled day can drain us and how a day that, in his words, "makes our heart sing" energizes us. He also have us some very simple tools to combat negatively and change our focus with the goal of being able to live and work more successfully, create positively in the lives of others and even ward off the effects of some illnesses.

I left the seminar with the knowledge that I cannot always control what is going on around me but I can have more control over my reactions to the everyday stresses that we have in our lives. That one change in our thought process can ultimately create richer personal and business experience and give us renewed energy to accomplish anything we decide is important to us.


Paige Moody
Realtor/Broker
D: 704.602.4248
M:704.906.8291
pmoody@dickensmitchener.com