Howard Levine, CEO of Matthews-based Family Dollar, was set to appear on Tuesday's edition of "Nightline," talking about the growth of dollar stores and defending the practice of importing cheap goods from overseas.
During the segment, Levine told the interviewer he doesn't mind when he - or his 7,550 stores - are called cheap.
"If somebody told me I was cheap, I would take that as a compliment," Levine said. "That means we are looking for value. That means we don't overpay for stuff."
He also defended the fact that about a third of the goods the company sells are made overseas, much of it in China, as a necessity. "Unfortunately, a lot of manufacturing has gone overseas," Levine said. "They have a cheap way of doing it and consumers accept it. There is no backlash from that so you got to go where you get the value and you got to go where you have the workmanship and the factories to do that."
So, did you see the video? What did you think?
(Editor's note: The show featuring Levine was bumped for extra coverage of a mall shooting in Oregon that happened earlier in the day).
3 Ocak 2013 Perşembe
Family Dollar CEO Levine to ABC's 'Nightline'
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Coal oven pizza coming to Concord Mills
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A new restaurant, Tony Sacco's Coal Oven Pizza, is set to open next year at mega-mall Concord Mills.
The store is in addition to three more locations set to open in Charlotte next year, although details on the other Tony Sacco's restaurants were not immediately available.
The restaurants have anthracite coal-burning ovens that operate at 1,000 degrees. In case you were wondering whether they are actually burning coal to cook the food, the FAQ answers that: "Yes we are! We only burn pure anthracite coal from Pennsylvania. It creates twice the energy per pound as wood, and burns cleaner."
Also noted: Shopping center owner and operator Brixmor Property Group said it has signed leases with two new Sleepy's mattress stores in the Charlotte area. A 10,000-square-foot Sleepy's will be located in the Carolina Pavilion shopping center on South Boulevard, and a 6,150-square-foot Sleepy's will be in the Franklin Square shopping center in Gastonia.
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Frozen yogurt, cupcake shops closing in Dilworth
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Two relatively new food options on East Boulevard are closing this weekend, as Freshberry Frozen Yogurt and Smallcakes Cupcakery throw in the towel.
The neon-accented stores opened in the former Blockbuster location at Kenilworth Avenue and East Blvd. just this summer. I wrote about them when they were first announced in February, which you can read about here.
Sunday will be the last day of business for Freshberry and Smallcakes. There's no word yet on what will be replacing the stores. Owner Nick Smith was out of town Thursday, said a woman at the store.
Smith, a longtime Charlotte franchise owner who opened the city's first Jersey Mike's sub shop and Moe's Southwest Grill restaurants, will be featured in an upcoming Observer store on franchising. He said that the Freshberry/Smallcakes concept is closing due to slow traffic.
That certainly seemed to be the case Wednesday night, when I went by the restaurant on my way home from work. A man in a cowboy hat was spinning LED lights to lure people into the nearly-empty parking lot.
Freshberry was entering an already crowded fro-yo marketplace, with a slew of businesses including Yoforia, Tasty Yo, Pinkberry, TCBY, Cherry Berry, and the Frozen Isle. And directly across the street from Freshberry, on the opposite corner in the Kenilworth Commons shopping center, is Menchie's, a fro-yo franchise that opened last year.
Read more here: http://obswhatsinstore.blogspot.com/2012/02/frozen-yogurt-cupcakes-subs-headed-to.html#storylink=cpy
A Jersey Mike's that occupies the other half of the former Blockbuster building will remain open.
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Vinnie's Grill & Raw Bar closes on South Boulevard
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After 20 years, Vinnie's Grill & Raw Bar has closed up shop at its South Boulevard location.
Former general manager David Luckey said the restaurant's last day of business was Sunday. The closure is permanent, he confirmed.
He said the general economic conditions had caused Vinnie's to struggle. "This economy makes everybody broke," said Luckey, who was helping to clean out the restaurant Thursday afternoon.
There are no plans to close the second Vinnie's location in Mooresville, which remains open, Luckey said.
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What's open on Christmas day?
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For more information, check out a summary of personal finance site GoBankingRates.com's survey of retailers.
If you need a last-last-last-minute gift, some toothpaste, or just to get away from the family for a few minutes on Christmas, there are a few stores that will be open Christmas day itself.
Here's a list of some of the chains that aren't closing:
- Walgreen's
- CVS Pharmacy
- 7-Eleven
- Denny's
- IHOP
- Starbucks
- Waffle House
- McDonald's is reportedly urging its franchised locations to stay open
For more information, check out a summary of personal finance site GoBankingRates.com's survey of retailers.
2 Ocak 2013 Çarşamba
What's open on Christmas day?
To contact us Click HERE
For more information, check out a summary of personal finance site GoBankingRates.com's survey of retailers.
If you need a last-last-last-minute gift, some toothpaste, or just to get away from the family for a few minutes on Christmas, there are a few stores that will be open Christmas day itself.
Here's a list of some of the chains that aren't closing:
- Walgreen's
- CVS Pharmacy
- 7-Eleven
- Denny's
- IHOP
- Starbucks
- Waffle House
- McDonald's is reportedly urging its franchised locations to stay open
For more information, check out a summary of personal finance site GoBankingRates.com's survey of retailers.
Savvy Spaces furniture stores closing
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"We’ve enjoyed wonderful growth in sales at Savvy Spaces, but in the end, we had to choose between our two brands. As owners, we simply don’t have the time to oversee and properly manage both companies," said Charlie Malouf, in a statement. He co-owns the stores with Jonathan Ishee. They're in the midst of opening a new Ashley location in Raleigh.
Furniture, clocks, rugs, bedding and other goods are all discounted now at both locations, in Pineville and the Northlake area (The Pineville location was in a former Boyle's furniture store). Rugs are 65 percent off, mattress sets over $499 are $100 off, and accessories are 50 percent off.
No final closing date has been set, and an employee said the stores will remain open until they're sold out.
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Savvy Spaces, a pair of furniture stores that opened last year, is closing, the retailer announced last week.
The company is holding a going-out-of-business sale to liquidate current inventory. The owners, who also operate Ashley Furniture HomeStore locations, said they are closing the Savvy Spaces locations to focus on their Ashley Furniture business.
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| Inside Savvy Spaces (courtesy the company) |
"We’ve enjoyed wonderful growth in sales at Savvy Spaces, but in the end, we had to choose between our two brands. As owners, we simply don’t have the time to oversee and properly manage both companies," said Charlie Malouf, in a statement. He co-owns the stores with Jonathan Ishee. They're in the midst of opening a new Ashley location in Raleigh.
Furniture, clocks, rugs, bedding and other goods are all discounted now at both locations, in Pineville and the Northlake area (The Pineville location was in a former Boyle's furniture store). Rugs are 65 percent off, mattress sets over $499 are $100 off, and accessories are 50 percent off.
No final closing date has been set, and an employee said the stores will remain open until they're sold out.
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Kids' Games - Less Than $2.00 at Target
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Head to Target this week, where you can stack coupons to score some classic kids' board games for less than $2 each! These would be perfect for Easter baskets or to keep in the house for birthday gifts!
Spongebob Square Pants, Strawberry Shortcake, Cars Memory Game $7.04, Regular PriceUse $3.00/1 – Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Cootie, or Memory Board Game, Target Coupon – (target.com)And use $3.00/1 – Hasbro Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, Cootie or Memory Game – (hasbro.com)
Final Price: $1.04
Chutes & Ladders $7.04, Regular PriceUse $3.00/1 – Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Cootie, or Memory Board Game, Target Coupon – (target.com)
And use $3.00/1 – Hasbro Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, Cootie or Memory Game – (hasbro.com)
Final Price: $1.04
Cootie $7.79 Regular PriceUse $3.00/1 – Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Cootie, or Memory Board Game, Target Coupon – (target.com)
And use $3.00/1 – Hasbro Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, Cootie or Memory Game – (hasbro.com)
Final Price: $1.79
Candyland $7.79, Regular Price
Use $3.00/1 – Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Cootie, or Memory Board Game, Target Coupon – (target.com)
And use $3.00/1 – Hasbro Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, Cootie or Memory Game – (hasbro.com)
Final Price: $1.79
Scrabble Simon or Yahtzee Flash – $15
Use $5/1 Scrabble Yahtzee or Simon Flash Target store coupon
and use $5/1 Scrabble Flash; Simon Flash, Yahtzee Flash, exp 4/15/2012 (Playsaver 3/25/2012) or printable here
PLUS - Hasbro Card Game – $5.24 - FREE with purchase of Hasbro game $10 or more
Final Price: $5 for both items Battleship – $10Use $3/1 Operation, Battleship, or Twister Game Target printable coupon
And use $3/1 Operation, Battleship or Twister Game
PLUS - Hasbro Card Game – $5.24 - FREE with purchase of Hasbro game $10 or more
Final Price: $4 for both items
*Thanks Totally Target
Head to Target this week, where you can stack coupons to score some classic kids' board games for less than $2 each! These would be perfect for Easter baskets or to keep in the house for birthday gifts!
Spongebob Square Pants, Strawberry Shortcake, Cars Memory Game $7.04, Regular PriceUse $3.00/1 – Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Cootie, or Memory Board Game, Target Coupon – (target.com)And use $3.00/1 – Hasbro Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, Cootie or Memory Game – (hasbro.com)
Final Price: $1.04
Chutes & Ladders $7.04, Regular PriceUse $3.00/1 – Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Cootie, or Memory Board Game, Target Coupon – (target.com)
And use $3.00/1 – Hasbro Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, Cootie or Memory Game – (hasbro.com)
Final Price: $1.04
Cootie $7.79 Regular PriceUse $3.00/1 – Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Cootie, or Memory Board Game, Target Coupon – (target.com)
And use $3.00/1 – Hasbro Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, Cootie or Memory Game – (hasbro.com)
Final Price: $1.79
Candyland $7.79, Regular Price
Use $3.00/1 – Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Cootie, or Memory Board Game, Target Coupon – (target.com)
And use $3.00/1 – Hasbro Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, Cootie or Memory Game – (hasbro.com)
Final Price: $1.79
Scrabble Simon or Yahtzee Flash – $15
Use $5/1 Scrabble Yahtzee or Simon Flash Target store coupon
and use $5/1 Scrabble Flash; Simon Flash, Yahtzee Flash, exp 4/15/2012 (Playsaver 3/25/2012) or printable here
PLUS - Hasbro Card Game – $5.24 - FREE with purchase of Hasbro game $10 or more
Final Price: $5 for both items Battleship – $10Use $3/1 Operation, Battleship, or Twister Game Target printable coupon
And use $3/1 Operation, Battleship or Twister Game
PLUS - Hasbro Card Game – $5.24 - FREE with purchase of Hasbro game $10 or more
Final Price: $4 for both items
*Thanks Totally Target
Summer's No Fun When Your AC Unit Dies..
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..Summers. Normally they can be enjoyable; time in the sprinkler or pool, warm weather, lots of outdoor fun with the kids, a tall glass of iced tea. No, not this summer. It's been the hottest summer in Fayetteville, since I can remember. It's so hot, we've spend many a day inside cooling off and letting the 105+ humid days roll by, praying for a nice long fall to not skip us again this year.
And then, one day, as luck would have it, I am sitting in the den when my breaker box starts making an on and off buzzing or humming noise, the lights begin to flicker and I am like "great, we have an electrical issue, wonder how costly this is going to be".
After isolating it to the breaker controlling the air conditioning unit, we replace the breaker switch, just to learn it wasn't the problem. So instead, to avoid a risk of a possible fire (I guess, I don't know it didn't sound too nice, don't want to take my chances), we turn the a/c off and wait until morning.
So, at this point, I am not sure who to call. The A/C is running fine, but the breaker box wants to sound like it's going to burst when it's on. Do I call an HVAC tech or do I call an electrician? hmmm, I think a while..
I call a random electrician here in Fayetteville, I explain my problem, tell him I replaced the breaker switch, tell him it's ONLY when the a/c comes on and the lights flicker the box makes a loud noise. I ask, "honestly, do you think this is an electrical issue or an hvac issue". He tells me, "it's electrical". I ask what is fee to diagnose the problem is, he tells me "$75 service fee and then $69 an hour to fix it". I tell him "okay, come on by".
He shows up, he and his assistant turn my oven burners on the highest heat setting EVER, leave them on and my smoke alarm goes off and my house smells like death. After a while he turns it off, does more testing with a meter at the breaker box then says, "let me try the a/c" - which is what i told him it was to begin with mind you! After that he says, "it's your ac" I say, "I know, so is it something on your end you can fix"? He says, "no you'll need an hvac tech". okaaaaay?? Did I not just ask him this? Did he just waste 20 minutes to test my oven which isn't even on the same circuit as my a/c to tell me what I told him on the phone?
So I feel kind of "duped" and when I am ready to pay I am expecting to pay the $75 service charge. Only he tells me $95!? I mean, I am all for paying the $75 because he came out, but why am I being charge $20 for 20 minutes?! NOTHING was fixed! There was no electrical issue, $20 is a lot to me. Anyway I don't say anything and pay it, but I can't help but feel totally blind sided and taken advantage of. I semi want to tell the world who the company was, but am hesitant. AND the kicker?! He has me make a personal check out TO HIM, not the COMPANY? He must be the owner..but very shoddy, to take advantage of apotential client and know the problem isn't electrical but weazle your way in to get 95 bucks..YOU'RE WELCOME sheister!! But do know you won't get reference in the market I work in :)) Bad call for you!
Moving along, we called our usual a/c guy, who will come today to diagnose it, which is a $65 service charge..part of me thinks it is going to be a pricey part, and the unit is old, I pray he can fix it for the time being, but I feel it is going to need a new unit.
I have no idea what a new unit will run for a just under 1300 sq. ft. home with existing duct work. I'm sure it's 3k+ and to be honest that exhausts both my savings and credit line.
(SIGH)..ooooh a/c, why couldn't you wait to take your final sputters towards fall. Why during the hottest summer in God's Green earth when times are already tight must you decide it's time to commit suicide.
If by chance an hvac tech happens upon this post and lives in my area, and wants to qoute me for a new unit, I'd be more than happy to consider it.
As it stands, I have a migraine, I want to cry and my luck just comes in the worst assortment.
THANK GOD I have been doing well with couponing..or else I'd really barely get by. Well, so much for budget remodels, more issues have suddenly sucked me dry of money.
It really is, waaaaaaaaaaay to hot for the a/c to be down :((
And then, one day, as luck would have it, I am sitting in the den when my breaker box starts making an on and off buzzing or humming noise, the lights begin to flicker and I am like "great, we have an electrical issue, wonder how costly this is going to be".
After isolating it to the breaker controlling the air conditioning unit, we replace the breaker switch, just to learn it wasn't the problem. So instead, to avoid a risk of a possible fire (I guess, I don't know it didn't sound too nice, don't want to take my chances), we turn the a/c off and wait until morning.
So, at this point, I am not sure who to call. The A/C is running fine, but the breaker box wants to sound like it's going to burst when it's on. Do I call an HVAC tech or do I call an electrician? hmmm, I think a while..
I call a random electrician here in Fayetteville, I explain my problem, tell him I replaced the breaker switch, tell him it's ONLY when the a/c comes on and the lights flicker the box makes a loud noise. I ask, "honestly, do you think this is an electrical issue or an hvac issue". He tells me, "it's electrical". I ask what is fee to diagnose the problem is, he tells me "$75 service fee and then $69 an hour to fix it". I tell him "okay, come on by".
He shows up, he and his assistant turn my oven burners on the highest heat setting EVER, leave them on and my smoke alarm goes off and my house smells like death. After a while he turns it off, does more testing with a meter at the breaker box then says, "let me try the a/c" - which is what i told him it was to begin with mind you! After that he says, "it's your ac" I say, "I know, so is it something on your end you can fix"? He says, "no you'll need an hvac tech". okaaaaay?? Did I not just ask him this? Did he just waste 20 minutes to test my oven which isn't even on the same circuit as my a/c to tell me what I told him on the phone?
So I feel kind of "duped" and when I am ready to pay I am expecting to pay the $75 service charge. Only he tells me $95!? I mean, I am all for paying the $75 because he came out, but why am I being charge $20 for 20 minutes?! NOTHING was fixed! There was no electrical issue, $20 is a lot to me. Anyway I don't say anything and pay it, but I can't help but feel totally blind sided and taken advantage of. I semi want to tell the world who the company was, but am hesitant. AND the kicker?! He has me make a personal check out TO HIM, not the COMPANY? He must be the owner..but very shoddy, to take advantage of apotential client and know the problem isn't electrical but weazle your way in to get 95 bucks..YOU'RE WELCOME sheister!! But do know you won't get reference in the market I work in :)) Bad call for you!
Moving along, we called our usual a/c guy, who will come today to diagnose it, which is a $65 service charge..part of me thinks it is going to be a pricey part, and the unit is old, I pray he can fix it for the time being, but I feel it is going to need a new unit.
I have no idea what a new unit will run for a just under 1300 sq. ft. home with existing duct work. I'm sure it's 3k+ and to be honest that exhausts both my savings and credit line.
(SIGH)..ooooh a/c, why couldn't you wait to take your final sputters towards fall. Why during the hottest summer in God's Green earth when times are already tight must you decide it's time to commit suicide.
If by chance an hvac tech happens upon this post and lives in my area, and wants to qoute me for a new unit, I'd be more than happy to consider it.
As it stands, I have a migraine, I want to cry and my luck just comes in the worst assortment.
THANK GOD I have been doing well with couponing..or else I'd really barely get by. Well, so much for budget remodels, more issues have suddenly sucked me dry of money.
It really is, waaaaaaaaaaay to hot for the a/c to be down :((
Happy Fall Y'all!
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I don't often post photos of my children much anymore. Much to my dismay, my website has been mirrored and copied a few times (not sure why, it's not even one of the very top sites on the web). But needless to say, it still peeves me a bit. - Not to mention having to file copy right complaints - which tend to be tricky when the creepy person stealing your information has a .ca domain :( Shame on you! - You really should be ashamed of yourself for taking my work and copying my entire website. The things I do are special to me, and it's a shame you take credit for them.
So as a result, I have decided to be persistent with water marking my images. (which I hate) :(
Anyway, here are a few photos of my children that I took with the new studio lighting. I must say, it makes a difference :)) I will, however, purchase some higher wattage bulbs for my umbrella lights!
We have been enjoying the fall (even though some days the temperature still gets hot and humid).
So far this October, the kids have visited a local (very busy) pumpkin patch, picked pumpkins at a local farmer's market and went on to harvest the pecans and grapes from our backyard. - I am hoping to plant pumpkin seeds next so that next year we will have our very own mini pumpkin patch :) Can you imagine the fun that would be??
(Below: Ethan showing off the grapes and pecans he picked in the backyard today.)
(Below: MiMi showing off one of her pecans from the yard)
(Below: Just an image of a grape cluster growing the the back yard.)
As some of my readers know, I have a slight Gymboree obsession, however, I will only shop with sales or gymbucks for the most part. Over the summer and during the last huge online sale they had, I gradually built up this collection and decided it would be perfect for MiMi's school photos. What do y'all think??
(Below: A whole lot of cherry!! Gymboree's cherry line makes for a great back to school girl's outfit!)
What else is new as far as the house is concerned? Well, little progress. Still waiting to complete the den flooring - I guess as time and money allows, but right now with the holidays fast approaching and being on a budget, it looks like the den will have to wait. It's come a long way, baby, with a lot of time and love - why not a little longer? ;) - It will happen! And, when it does, you'll be the first to see!! Bless! <3 p="p">
I don't often post photos of my children much anymore. Much to my dismay, my website has been mirrored and copied a few times (not sure why, it's not even one of the very top sites on the web). But needless to say, it still peeves me a bit. - Not to mention having to file copy right complaints - which tend to be tricky when the creepy person stealing your information has a .ca domain :( Shame on you! - You really should be ashamed of yourself for taking my work and copying my entire website. The things I do are special to me, and it's a shame you take credit for them.So as a result, I have decided to be persistent with water marking my images. (which I hate) :(
Anyway, here are a few photos of my children that I took with the new studio lighting. I must say, it makes a difference :)) I will, however, purchase some higher wattage bulbs for my umbrella lights!
We have been enjoying the fall (even though some days the temperature still gets hot and humid).
So far this October, the kids have visited a local (very busy) pumpkin patch, picked pumpkins at a local farmer's market and went on to harvest the pecans and grapes from our backyard. - I am hoping to plant pumpkin seeds next so that next year we will have our very own mini pumpkin patch :) Can you imagine the fun that would be??
(Below: Ethan showing off the grapes and pecans he picked in the backyard today.)
(Below: MiMi showing off one of her pecans from the yard)(Below: Just an image of a grape cluster growing the the back yard.)As some of my readers know, I have a slight Gymboree obsession, however, I will only shop with sales or gymbucks for the most part. Over the summer and during the last huge online sale they had, I gradually built up this collection and decided it would be perfect for MiMi's school photos. What do y'all think??
(Below: A whole lot of cherry!! Gymboree's cherry line makes for a great back to school girl's outfit!)
What else is new as far as the house is concerned? Well, little progress. Still waiting to complete the den flooring - I guess as time and money allows, but right now with the holidays fast approaching and being on a budget, it looks like the den will have to wait. It's come a long way, baby, with a lot of time and love - why not a little longer? ;) - It will happen! And, when it does, you'll be the first to see!! Bless! <3 p="p">
1 Ocak 2013 Salı
How does Columbia Heights look on OpenStreetMap? Help out!
To contact us Click HERE
Being a guy who likes maps, I have been using OpenStreetMap a fair amount recently. Basically it's Wikipedia meets Google Maps, an editable map that anyone can use and anyone can change. Don't see your house on there? Add it! Your favorite bar is missing? Put it on there.
It's pretty fun, and a great resource too -- unlike Google Maps, everything on there is licensed under Creative Commons, meaning anybody is free to use the data as long as they attribute it. It's a fun resource for just browsing around too.
So check it out, and see if you can add anything! Maybe you've been to some other town and can add some things there too?
Being a guy who likes maps, I have been using OpenStreetMap a fair amount recently. Basically it's Wikipedia meets Google Maps, an editable map that anyone can use and anyone can change. Don't see your house on there? Add it! Your favorite bar is missing? Put it on there.It's pretty fun, and a great resource too -- unlike Google Maps, everything on there is licensed under Creative Commons, meaning anybody is free to use the data as long as they attribute it. It's a fun resource for just browsing around too.
So check it out, and see if you can add anything! Maybe you've been to some other town and can add some things there too?
Abandoned apartment building at 1483 Newton finally moving towards development
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It's a Christmas miracle! I received an email from Councilmember Jim Graham saying that 1483 Newton Street NW, the long-abandoned apartment building at right, is finally moving towards getting redeveloped.
The owners were relatives who inherited it after the owner died, but they couldn't agree on whether to sell it or what, meaning it just sat, got more run-down, and collected tax bills. That delay, which seems to be as long as anyone can remember, resulted in them owing more than $130,000 in back taxes, which they did pay off, the property getting taxed at the higher, blighted tax rate of $10 per $100 assessed value, rather than $1 per $100, and finally getting threatened with condemnation. The place was apparently also a place crooks used to look through stolen merchandise.
But finally in the case of 1483 Newton, the owners came to their senses.
I've written about 1483 Newton many, many times before, and it's an interesting, if frustrating, saga. I guess you can't do much to force people who don't want to do anything. Thanks to the ANC, DCRA, and Jim Graham for keeping on this.
I've long been an opponent of abandoned buildings (see the Abandoned House Watch series) -- they mean that building can't be used for something useful like housing or businesses, they mean the city can't collect tax revenue there, and they're eyesores -- and as above, they can be havens for crime, too. But abandoned buildings can always be saved -- the abandoned first house on my blog's masthead, for example, is now a nicely renovated building with residents.
But that requires all of us to help. If you see an abandoned or derelict building, please report it! The more reports, the better. And it never hurts to email Jim Graham and tip me off about it, so I can see if I can dig up anything on it.
It's a Christmas miracle! I received an email from Councilmember Jim Graham saying that 1483 Newton Street NW, the long-abandoned apartment building at right, is finally moving towards getting redeveloped. Peter Bonnell of Urban Investment Partners informs me that on December 21 they went to settlement on this longstanding nuisance property. This is good news! It has been a very long struggle by the neighborhood, ANC, and myself to get this property back into productive use. We are not there yet, but this is surely a critical step.As you may recall, 1483 Newton has long been in a bee in my bonnet (if I wore a bonnet) -- it's a big building that could be potentially very nice (see its neighbors at right) but has long been abandoned.
The owners were relatives who inherited it after the owner died, but they couldn't agree on whether to sell it or what, meaning it just sat, got more run-down, and collected tax bills. That delay, which seems to be as long as anyone can remember, resulted in them owing more than $130,000 in back taxes, which they did pay off, the property getting taxed at the higher, blighted tax rate of $10 per $100 assessed value, rather than $1 per $100, and finally getting threatened with condemnation. The place was apparently also a place crooks used to look through stolen merchandise.
But finally in the case of 1483 Newton, the owners came to their senses.
I've written about 1483 Newton many, many times before, and it's an interesting, if frustrating, saga. I guess you can't do much to force people who don't want to do anything. Thanks to the ANC, DCRA, and Jim Graham for keeping on this.
I've long been an opponent of abandoned buildings (see the Abandoned House Watch series) -- they mean that building can't be used for something useful like housing or businesses, they mean the city can't collect tax revenue there, and they're eyesores -- and as above, they can be havens for crime, too. But abandoned buildings can always be saved -- the abandoned first house on my blog's masthead, for example, is now a nicely renovated building with residents.
But that requires all of us to help. If you see an abandoned or derelict building, please report it! The more reports, the better. And it never hurts to email Jim Graham and tip me off about it, so I can see if I can dig up anything on it.
SoberRide, free taxi rides home at night, continues through New Year's
To contact us Click HERE
I wrote about this a couple weeks ago, but it's still going on and may be a big help for people on New Year's: the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, with the help of a lot of sponsors, has started up SoberRide, where you get free cab rides home at night (say after a NYE blowout.) Much better than trying to drive non-sober or stumble your way home.
Basically, you just call 1-800-200-TAXI and a cab will give you a free ride, up to $30, starting December 14 to January 1 between the hours of 10pm and 6am. Take a look below (and here's the full flyer.)
Basically, you just call 1-800-200-TAXI and a cab will give you a free ride, up to $30, starting December 14 to January 1 between the hours of 10pm and 6am. Take a look below (and here's the full flyer.)
What's going on for New Year's Eve in the neighborhood? Here's our rundown
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New Year's Eve is upon us, and a lot of local spots are doing things -- or not doing anything, in some cases. Here's what I've managed to find:
- DC Reynolds is doing nothing! Sometimes this is a good thing if you don't want a crazy, expensive evening. No cover, no dress code, etc., and a New Year's Day brunch.
- The Red Derby is also a good bet for a low-key evening. I've ended up there a few NYEs. They're also going to have a Hair of the Dog Brunch on the 1st.
- Likewise with Kangaroo Boxing Club, no cover.
- Blue Banana will have no cover and a DJ, plus free champagne at midnight, or a $40 open bar. More info here.
- The Pinch at 3548 14th Street NW has a live blues band, Johnny Grave and the Tombstones, and no cover. Here's the Facebook event for it.
- Meridian Pint has a $45 prix fixe dinner with complimentary craft beer toast, and reservations are recommended. More here.
- Room 11 will be serving their normal menu, plus some holiday extras like Hoppin' John, truffles, caviar, and a lot more. Sounds tasty.
- Wonderland has a $5 cover with free champagne of beer (i.e. Miller High Life) toast at midnight and New Year's Day brunch.
- Acre 121 has a $10 cover and party favors, plus a live bluegrass band, the Family Hammer. Info here.
- Pete's Apizza is closing at 9 pm.
Immigrants' arrests put firms in spotlight: Fourteen illegal immigrants were found in a Verizon contractor's van this week in Virginia Beach.
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Byline: ChrisFlores And Mike Holtzclaw
May 9--VIRGINIABEACH -- Verizon Communications has been using an army of contractors toaggressively replace its old phone lines with an expensive fiber-optic systemin Hampton Roads and nationwide.
The company's mainVirginia contractor doing this work -- Greensboro, N.C.-based Ivy H. Smith Co.-- was caught by Virginia State Police with 14 illegal immigrants in a vanduring a routine traffic stop Monday in Virginia Beach.
The detainment ofthe illegal workers sheds light on a question frequently facing majorcorporations today: Are businesses responsible for the hiring practices oftheir contractors? Verizon isn't the only party that will need to answer thisquestion for federal immigration investigators.
Ivy H. Smith,which has an office in Norfolk, is one of 28 subsidiaries of publicly tradedDycom Industries. Virginia state regulators have been dealing with complaintsfrom cable and gas companies about Ivy H. Smith and its contractors digging upcable lines for more than two years.
As problems mountedwith Ivy H. Smith and other Verizon contractors, Fairfax County tried to helpits residents. One of the promises that Verizon made was to ensure "eachwork crew would have one individual that can effectively communicate inEnglish."
Mike Netherland isassistant special agent-in-charge for the U.S. Immigration and CustomsEnforcement, or ICE, office in Norfolk. He said the illegal immigrants were alladult males, 12 from Mexico and two from El Salvador. They were riding in a vanowned by Ivy H. Smith.
Netherland saidICE had begun "actively investigating the employer" but said hecouldn't comment further on that matter. A woman who answered the phone at IvyH. Smith said the company had no comment.
Verizon said itregularly reviewed the performance of its contractors and had terminated somein the past. Verizon is reviewing this incident with Ivy H. Smith.
A state policespokesman said officers pulled the van over for a registration violation onInterstate 264 and found the 14 men in the vehicle.
Upon receiving thecall from state police, Netherland said, ICE determined the immigration statusof the men and then took them into custody to begin the process of deportation.He said the detention and removal section of ICE was now handling the matter,waiting to see whether the men will accept deportation or fight it.
"Individualscan stipulate to the order of removal, or they can challenge their removal andappear before an immigration judge," Netherland said. "These men arebeing detained pending those proceedings."
Based on previousICE cases, Verizon is unlikely to face any repercussions unless Ivy H. Smithsays it was specifically asked to hire illegal workers.
"It is thecontractor who is liable for the work force because they're vouching to thecompany that is hiring them that the work force is authorized," said PatRiley, an ICE spokeswoman in Washington.
There's a highburden to prove that a company knew its contractors were using illegal workers,but it happens occasionally. ICE reached a settlement with Wal-Mart afterdocuments surfaced showing the company knowingly hired cleaning contractorswith illegal workers.
The question ofVerizon's supervision over its Virginia contractors was raised two years ago byCox Communications in Northern Virginia. Cox was more concerned that Ivy H.Smith contractors were cutting cable lines while digging and repairing themwith tape.
A Cox executivesaid at the time that Ivy H. Smith officials said Verizon had 1,500 contractorsdoing this work and that they were paid for each foot of cable buried. Coxcomplained that this gave the contractors an incentive to try to move quicklywithout repairing lines.
The problems havecontinued into Hampton Roads and were bad at first in Virginia Beach. ButVerizon and Ivy H. Smith have improved quite a bit since the Northern Virginiaproblems, said Thom Prevette, the Cox spokesman for the region. "They'veadhered to, and abided by, a lot of our joint agreements we've workedout," Prevette said.
Under fire fromWall Street for the cost of the mammoth undertaking, Verizon has said in recentyears that it's working to reduce the costs of installing the lines.
The work inHampton Roads started in Virginia Beach about two years ago. Then Verizon begandigging in Newport News, where it started selling television service two weeksago.
Ivy H. Smith'sparent company, Florida-based Dycom, specializes in doing contract work withtelecommunications companies. Verizon's building boom has become the key tomaking Dycom the company it is today.
For the yearending in July 2005, Dycom received 25 percent of its revenue from Verizon --by far its largest customer. The previous year -- before Verizon startedbeefing up its fiber optics -- Dycom received only 3.7 percent of its revenuefrom Verizon.
Byline: ChrisFlores And Mike Holtzclaw
May 9--VIRGINIABEACH -- Verizon Communications has been using an army of contractors toaggressively replace its old phone lines with an expensive fiber-optic systemin Hampton Roads and nationwide. The company's mainVirginia contractor doing this work -- Greensboro, N.C.-based Ivy H. Smith Co.-- was caught by Virginia State Police with 14 illegal immigrants in a vanduring a routine traffic stop Monday in Virginia Beach.
The detainment ofthe illegal workers sheds light on a question frequently facing majorcorporations today: Are businesses responsible for the hiring practices oftheir contractors? Verizon isn't the only party that will need to answer thisquestion for federal immigration investigators.
Ivy H. Smith,which has an office in Norfolk, is one of 28 subsidiaries of publicly tradedDycom Industries. Virginia state regulators have been dealing with complaintsfrom cable and gas companies about Ivy H. Smith and its contractors digging upcable lines for more than two years.
As problems mountedwith Ivy H. Smith and other Verizon contractors, Fairfax County tried to helpits residents. One of the promises that Verizon made was to ensure "eachwork crew would have one individual that can effectively communicate inEnglish."
Mike Netherland isassistant special agent-in-charge for the U.S. Immigration and CustomsEnforcement, or ICE, office in Norfolk. He said the illegal immigrants were alladult males, 12 from Mexico and two from El Salvador. They were riding in a vanowned by Ivy H. Smith.
Netherland saidICE had begun "actively investigating the employer" but said hecouldn't comment further on that matter. A woman who answered the phone at IvyH. Smith said the company had no comment.
Verizon said itregularly reviewed the performance of its contractors and had terminated somein the past. Verizon is reviewing this incident with Ivy H. Smith.
A state policespokesman said officers pulled the van over for a registration violation onInterstate 264 and found the 14 men in the vehicle.
Upon receiving thecall from state police, Netherland said, ICE determined the immigration statusof the men and then took them into custody to begin the process of deportation.He said the detention and removal section of ICE was now handling the matter,waiting to see whether the men will accept deportation or fight it.
"Individualscan stipulate to the order of removal, or they can challenge their removal andappear before an immigration judge," Netherland said. "These men arebeing detained pending those proceedings."
Based on previousICE cases, Verizon is unlikely to face any repercussions unless Ivy H. Smithsays it was specifically asked to hire illegal workers.
"It is thecontractor who is liable for the work force because they're vouching to thecompany that is hiring them that the work force is authorized," said PatRiley, an ICE spokeswoman in Washington.
There's a highburden to prove that a company knew its contractors were using illegal workers,but it happens occasionally. ICE reached a settlement with Wal-Mart afterdocuments surfaced showing the company knowingly hired cleaning contractorswith illegal workers.
The question ofVerizon's supervision over its Virginia contractors was raised two years ago byCox Communications in Northern Virginia. Cox was more concerned that Ivy H.Smith contractors were cutting cable lines while digging and repairing themwith tape.
A Cox executivesaid at the time that Ivy H. Smith officials said Verizon had 1,500 contractorsdoing this work and that they were paid for each foot of cable buried. Coxcomplained that this gave the contractors an incentive to try to move quicklywithout repairing lines.
The problems havecontinued into Hampton Roads and were bad at first in Virginia Beach. ButVerizon and Ivy H. Smith have improved quite a bit since the Northern Virginiaproblems, said Thom Prevette, the Cox spokesman for the region. "They'veadhered to, and abided by, a lot of our joint agreements we've workedout," Prevette said.
Under fire fromWall Street for the cost of the mammoth undertaking, Verizon has said in recentyears that it's working to reduce the costs of installing the lines.
The work inHampton Roads started in Virginia Beach about two years ago. Then Verizon begandigging in Newport News, where it started selling television service two weeksago.
Ivy H. Smith'sparent company, Florida-based Dycom, specializes in doing contract work withtelecommunications companies. Verizon's building boom has become the key tomaking Dycom the company it is today.
For the yearending in July 2005, Dycom received 25 percent of its revenue from Verizon --by far its largest customer. The previous year -- before Verizon startedbeefing up its fiber optics -- Dycom received only 3.7 percent of its revenuefrom Verizon.
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