Sunday, January 25, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Out with the old…

…in with the new

February rings in a new age of television viewing.   So, if you took the plunge and upgraded to one of those beautiful flat-screen high-definition televisions, what the heck are you going to do with that old set you’re no longer using?

• Whatever you do, don’t dump it in a landfill.  Because they contain lead, TV tubes can pose environmental and health risks.  
• Mecklenburg County has four full-service drop-off centers. To find the location nearest you, go to www.wipeoutwaste.com.
• Pay it forward.  Drop your unused set off at The Salvation Army (1011 Central Ave.).  Check out their donation valuation guide.  Very helpful when you like to write off donations on your taxes.
• If your old set is history, Crisis Assistance Ministry’s drive-through drop-off area at 500-A Spratt St. is also another great place to give.

Just in case you’re curious about this TV, keep reading below…

With a resolution that is approximately twice as much as conventional HDTVs, a 175-degree viewing angle and an anti-glare filter, this Samsung 58-inch widescreen plasma HDTV makes watching television a picture-perfect experience day or night.  Even the decorator in the house will be blown away by Samsung’s exclusive Touch of Color design.  This high-definition set really is a work of art in itself.   Retails for $3,197 at Queen City Audio Video Appliance.

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Retail reviews, Going "green" | Print | No Comments »

Sunday, December 14, 2008 by Planet Janet.

With a resolution that is approximately twice as much as conventional HDTVs, a 175-degree viewing angle and an anti-glare filter, this Samsung 58-inch widescreen plasma HDTV (Model PN58A650) makes watching television a picture-perfect experience day or night.  Even the decorator in the house will be blown away by Samsung’s exclusive Touch of Color design.  This high-definition set really is a work of art in itself.   Retails for $3,197 at Queen City Audio Video Appliances.

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Retail reviews | Print | No Comments »

Sunday, December 7, 2008 by Planet Janet.

The following is an article I wrote for SouthPark Magazine about luxury gift giving for the holidays.  Even though I can’t afford a Hermes Birkin purse (Retails for $39,100), it sure was fun to research how the other half shops!

Luxury+giving-SPM-Dec08FINAL.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Retail reviews | Print | No Comments »

Thursday, July 10, 2008 by Planet Janet.

Finding the right place for a kid’s birthday party at the right price can be quite a feat.  Add the stress of coming up with an original idea, and plenty of parents are at a loss. Here’s some fun stuff you can try around the area.Ideas under $100
• Throw an “American Idol” slumber party. Borrow a karaoke machine and watch as the children sing the night away.  “American Idol” party favors, such as microphone piñatas and customized banners, can be purchased from CelebrateExpress.com.
• Celebrate with a firehouse party. The Charlotte Fire Department surprised partygoers at Daniel Lewyn’s third birthday party at CameronWood in southwest Charlotte.  The excited kids toured the fire truck and posed for pictures, as Gail and David Lewyn furiously snapped photographs. As long as they aren’t on a call, many of the local fire stations will happily swing by to hand out sticker badges. To learn how to book a visit, call Fire Information:  704-336-2441.
• Ruh-roh! Lisa Pool of Fort Mill. S.C., threw a Scooby-Doo party for son Jonathan. Each member of “The Gang” was served graham cracker “Scooby snacks” in a personalized dog bowl. The hostess created monogrammed dog collars from ribbon and foam tags. They capped off the festivities with a find-the-bone game.
• Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, is a short 35-minute drive from uptown. Activities include: Hayden’s Carousel, Hurley Train Station, mini-golf, paddle boats, Hurley Water Plaza, The Petting Barn, The Nature Center, The Cheerwine Aquarium and a handicap-equipped playground. Lots of picnic shelters. Details: www.dannicholas.net.

Ideas under $200
• Earth Fare, 12235 North Community House Road, Charlotte, in Ballantyne, offers birthday parties and cooking classes catered to your little chefs. Children prepare and then devour their own food. Prices vary; 704-926-1201. SouthPark location is scheduled to open in mid-August.
• Latta Park Sprayground, 601 East Park Ave., Charlotte, in Dilworth; and Veterans’ Park Sprayground, 2136 Central Ave., Charlotte.  Kids can run around in fenced-in water-spray areas. The picnic shelters have grills and can be reserved for $100 by calling 704-353-1238.
• Celebrate with Homer and the Charlotte Knights at Knights Stadium, 2280 Deerfield Drive, Fort Mill, S.C. $195 provides reserved seats for 10 kids and two adults, special recognition atop the dugout with Homer, and an hour at a birthday table, where a personalized cake and soda are provided.  Guests get a Knights souvenir.  Call Rebekah Leveille at 704-357-8071, ext. 2168.
• (NOW CLOSED) AirPlay Kids, 3700 Avenue of the Carolinas, Fort Mill, S.C., is becoming popular with south Charlotte and Fort Mill moms. Located next to Carowinds in The Crossroads Mall, “The Inflatable Play Zone” has open play hours all year and can be rented for private parties. Unlike other inflatable play places, AirPlay Kids closes to the public during party times. Prices range from $155 to $285. It’s closed at the moment because the mall is being remodeled but scheduled to reopen in the fall; 803-802-7050.

Ideas over $300
• Invite eight to 10 “young ladies” to a traditional tea party at La-Tea-Da’s, 1942 E. Seventh St., in Elizabeth. For $300, attendees receive a manners lesson and scavenge the dress-up trunk for the perfect outfit, hat and jewels. A full tea menu, birthday cake, printed invitations and thank you cards included. Other party packages are available; 704-372-9599.
• Balloons Over Charlotte, 7984 Graham Road, Denver, gives thrill-seekers a bird’s-eye view of the Lake Norman area. Flights depart at sunrise and one and a half hours before sunset and last about three hours. Dan Stone is an FAA-certified pilot who has been flying balloons for more than 25 years. Flights are limited to six people, and tickets cost as little as $165 per person; 704-896-5241.

Top picks
• EAST MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Let the kids “climb the walls” at Inner Peaks Climbing Center, 9535 Monroe Road, Suite 170, Charlotte; www.Inner-Peaks.com.
• WEST MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Embark on a rafting adventure at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, 820 Hawfield Road, Charlotte. Cap it with a party catered by its professional staff; www.usnwc.org.
• NORTH MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Hop on a horse-drawn wagon at Lazy 5 Ranch in Iredell County, 15100 N.C. 150 East, Mooresville, and come face to face with 750 animals from six continents; www.Lazy5Ranch.com.
• SOUTH MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Thrill rides and family-friendly rides abound at Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte. If the weather is steaming hot, party guests can splash the day away at Boomerang Bay Water Park; Carowinds.com.

Posted in MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Retail reviews, Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »