Household Electronics Recycling

January 10, 10:00-2:00 unwanted electronics items including televisions and computers will be accepted at no charge. As you are aware electronics are a major source of pollution at our landfills so now is a great time to dispose of these items in an enviormentally friendly manner.

Drop of location will be the Craven County Agricultural Building parking lot located in the Industrial Park.

2008 Coming to an End-better days ahead

2008 is coming to an end soon and I am looking forward to 2009. I am optimistic about the upcoming year for many reasons. I cannot help but believe that the below 5% interest will start to have a positive effect on the housing market over the next 12 months. Hopefully we will see a reduction in inventory to to the attractive rates. This will have a positive effect across the entire economy as the housing industry affects some many different businesses.

My biggest concern is that as Americans we all need to wake up and stop living over our heads. We have to much debt and need to start saving for the future.

My 2009 New Year Resolution. Excercise and reduce debt. And yes it has been a dificult year but we made it through it, well almost, just a few more days. At any rate Merry Christmas and I hope 2009 will be a good year for you.

New Bern's Tryon Palace wins national recognition

Located in historic downtown New Bern the Tryon Palace was the colonial mansion for the governor of North Carolina. New Bern served as the capital until the late 1770's when the capital was moved to its present location in Raleigh. Go to http://www.newbern-nc.info/New-Bern-history2.html for more New Bern History.Eventually the palace was destroyed in a fire. In the 1950's the palace was rebuilt on its origional foundation and today is one of the top tourist attractions in the south.

For many years the Palace has gone all out during the Christmas holidays with decorations and Christmas cheer. Recently the Tryon Palace was named as one of the top 7 places in America to find holiday cheer. From Dec.1 through the first week in January the palace is wrapped in garlands and old fashioned wreaths bearing apples and pine cones. Staff members dress in period costumes creating a realistic colonial period setting. Christmas productions add even more spirit resulting in a fun and cheerful filled December.

8 good reasons to list your house for sale now.

1. Folks looking during the holidays are often more serious about buying.
2. There are usually less homes for sale during the holiday and therefore less competition.
3. Home inventory typically increases during January meaning more competition.
4. Homes show better when they are decorated.
5. Buyers are often more emotional during the holiday and often will make quick decisions.
6. Buyers have more time to shop for homes during the holidays.
7. Some buyers must buy before the end of the year.
8. Many jobs transfer during January and make their buying decision in Dec.

Bring it home West Craven High School

Tomorrow night is the biggest game in the long and storied career of Coach Clay Jordan. The 3A state football championship will be held in Winston Salem and regardless of the outcome all of Craven County and Eastern NC is proud of the West Craven Eagles.

AWESOME- That is all I can say.

The West Craven Eagles pulled of any incredible victory Friday night in the 3A state semi finals. Brett Mooring threw a touchdown pass with just 34 seconds remaining to win a thriller 22-19.

Next Saturday will be the state finals. Go Eagles.

Tonight is a big night for the West Craven Eagles. They are going to Rocky Mount for the NC semi finals 3A football playoffs. A win here puts them in the finals.

Undefeated this year the Eagles, led by quarterback Bret Mooring, have showned true grit in their battles against some tough teams. Good luck Friday night.

Plastic grocery bags.

A recent editorial in the New Bern Sun Journal says we should just say no to plastic bags when we shop. I agree.

As a board member of our Tri County Regional Solid Waste Authority I consider plastic bags a tremendous challenge to our ability to effectively dispose of waste.

The bags are virtualy impossible to keep contained as garbage transfer vehicles make their way to the landfill resulting in plastic litter scattered throughout the county. The estimated life of a plastic bag is hundreds if not thousands of years. Being lightweight even those that make it to the dump are easily picked up by the wind and distributed to forrest, ditches, streams, and eventually the rivers. I spend a lot of time on the water and see plastic bags floating and partially submerged where ever I go.

Demand paper the next time you shop. The little additional costs is certainly worth it to the enviroment. What say you?

Hey-what are you waiting for?

I have been in this business a long time and believe the next 6 months will be a great time to buy a home, that is if you need one. Interest rates are low and prices are more reasonable than they have been in years.

History has shown that a home is a very sound investment over time. No one knows what prices will do, some say they will continue to drop, others say they have bottomed out. Fact is no one knows, but I would venture to guess that rates have the potential to go up at any time. So if you are in the market don't try try to time the bottom and miss out on attractive interest rates.

New Bern NC comes alive

New Bern NC really comes alive in October. Sure, there is a lot of things going on year around, but October really rocks. The following are just a few things going on as there are to many to mention individually.

• October Fest
• Mum Fest
• Architectural walking tours
• Downeast folkart concert series
• Haunted Evening Historical Drama
• Ghostwalk
• Much activity with the 2 downtown civic theaters
• Free admissions to the Tryon Palace gardens
• African American Historic downtown walking tour.
• Neuse River Bridge Run
• Quilt Show
• Jarman Opry Theatre
• Jazz on the Trent
• North Carolina Symphony
• Chili Fest
• Coastal Carolina Agricultural Fair
• Fall Home Show

With all this hapenning it is no wonder New bern is considered one of the top places to visit in October.