South Charlotte Living Magazine Sept-Oct 2012

LIVINGLiving the Good Life SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

Priceless

Also Inside: Destination... Oktoberfest

And, How ‘Social’ Is Social Media?

LIVINGSouth CharlotteSouth CharlottePaul Jamison

Jamison Realty and The American

Home Property Management

Real Estate DONE Different

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� sclivingmag.com • SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

FEATURE 8 • Paul Jamison, Jamison Realty, and The American Home Property Management – Real Estate DONE Different

OURHEARTSAREINTHEARTS14 • The Artists Music Guild MATTHEWSALIVE2012SCHEDULE16 • Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works!

DESTINATION18 • Oktoberfest

BUSINESS22 • Business Spotlight on James R. Garden DDS

24 • How ‘social’ is social media?

SOUTHCHARLOTTELIVING MAGAZINEHITSTHEROAD26 • The White Party hosted by Turning Point

THEFATMAN26 • Cosmos Café Ballantyne

SEPT | OCT 2012

Tell us what you think! Let us know what you want to see in future issues!

| CONTENTS |

ABOUTTHECOVERInthisissuewetalkwithPaulJamisonofJamisonRealty

andTheAmericanHomePropertyManagement.Hetells

usabouthisverydifferentapproachtorealestateandhis

clients.Findoutmoreinourfeaturearticleonpage8.

Photoby:LoraynDeLuca.CoverStoryby:NancyMoore.

INEVERYISSUE5 • Nancy’s Notes

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SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012 • sclivingmag.com �

SEPT | OCT 2012

PUBLISHERDavid Simms, Jr.

CHIEFEXECUTIVEEDITORLEADWRITERNancy [email protected]

DIRECTOROFPHOTOGRAPHYLorayn DeLucawww.MamaLucaMedia.com

ARTDIRECTORKatie Kidd

[email protected] - 704-443-8216Judy Berg704-458-7964Bev Martin704-847-6476

SUBMISSIONS&[email protected]

3122-100 Fincher Farm Rd. Suite 216Matthews, NC 28105704-443-8216

www.SCLIVINGMAG.com

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2012Living the Good life

Eachyear,whenautumncomesaround,Isayit’smyfavoritetimeofyear.TheninMarchorAprilIsaythatspringismyfavoritetimeofyear.So,forthenextfewmonths,fallismyfavoritetimeofyear.Ithinkit’sbecauseIwasbornandraisedonMapleAvenueinasmalltownonthecoastofSoutheasternMassachusetts.Foralmosttwentyyears,Itookforgrantedthecolorsoftheautumnrainbowthatwereinmyfrontyardforseveralweekseachyear.Autumnmorningsarecoolandthedayscanberatherwarm.Theairiscrisp,fresh,andhasawonderfulsmell.Thelandscapeisn’tbarrenlikeitisinwinter.And,whilesummercanbebeautiful,sometimesit’sjusttoodarnhottobeoutside!Yep,fallismyfavoritetimeofyear.

Someofmyfavoriteannualcelebrationsareinthefall.First,MatthewsAlive.NoSouthCharlotteLivingMagazineSeptemberissueiscompletewithoutmentioningMatthewsAlive.Thisissuecontainsthescheduleofeventsfortheentireweekend(Friday,August31,throughMonday,September3).Now a shameless plug of self-promotion: As a town official, I’ll beinSaturday’sMatthewsAliveparade.Besuretowave!Also,stopbyourtabletomeetyourSCLMstaffinperson.

Second,atruecelebrationoffall–Oktoberfest!Thismonth’sDestinationarticletravelstoGermanytodiscoverthehistoryofOktoberfestandencouragesyoutocelebrateOktoberfestwithoutgettingonaplane.

JohnKucera,alwaysahitwithourreaders,contributesonceagainwithhisthoughtsonsocialmediamarketing.Speakingofsocial media, if you’re on Facebook, find South Charlotte Living Magazineand‘Like’us!

And, finally, our last issue erroneously credited another photographerinourHitstheRoadpiece.LoraynDeLuca,ourcreativedirector,photographedtheentirespread.ApologiestoLoraynforthaterror.

Allright–gottago.Theleavesareturning,soI’mheadedouttodosomeleafpeepinginmyownbackyard.

ChiefExecutiveEditor,South Charlotte Living

Tell us what you think! Let us know what you want to see in future issues! Q

South Charlotte Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing that does not meet South Charlotte Living standards. Submissions are wel-come, but unsolicited materials are not guar-anteed to be returned. South Charlotte Living assumes no responsibil-ity for information, products, services or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part with-out written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

{ }Nancy’sNotes:


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By: Nancy Moore | Photos: Lorayn DeLuca, Mama Luca Media

Paul Jamison, Jamison Realty, and The American HomeProperty Management

Real Estate DONE DifferentReal Estate DONE Different


When I sit down with Paul Jamison, these words come to mind: He has his hands in everything! Every day is a busy day for Paul Jamison, but he takes the time to sit

down to talk about his businesses, his family, and his projects. I give him permission to talk about himself, which he does reluctantly. Paul would rather talk about real estate and anything to do with real estate. It’s in his blood. Or, as his mother used to say, Paul would come inside the house after a long day outside with half the real estate in the neighborhood stained on his clothes.

Doing what you love and loving what you do

Paul was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has had a winding career path. In order to support a young family and make ends meet, he often worked two jobs. He’s worked as a bouncer in a nightclub, washed dishes in a restaurant, stocked shelves for a bread company, and drove a truck.

He studied marketing in college and his successful career in advertising began when he was selling 35mm slides. Paul worked all hours of the day, seven days a week. In1988, a few years after Paul acquired Proctor & Gamble as a client, he and a friend established the advertising agency Corporate Creative in Paul’s living room and targeted Fortune 100 companies. Paul moved to Charlotte in 1989 and opened the Charlotte office of Corporate Creative in 1990. Prior to Paul selling his share of the Cincinnati office to his partner in 1995, the company’s two locations had a staff of 27. The Charlotte office, at its peak, employed 24 people and had annual sales of $5.5 million.

It was during his Corporate Creative years that Paul began investing in real estate and developed a passion for it. The natural transition was to get his real estate license and help others buy and sell real estate.

Jamison Realty and The American Home

Paul married his wife Kerry in 1990 and in 1999 they made Matthews home. Living and working in Matthews was important to Paul, so he hung his real estate shingle in 2006 and Jamison Realty was formed shortly thereafter. In 2007, the ‘bottom fell out’ and

many realtors struggled. Not Paul and Jamison Realty – the agency remained a top producer for its size in the Charlotte market and became the ‘go to’ Matthews agency. The first agent Paul hired was Betsy King, who is still with him today. His current staff consists of agents Glenn Kirby, Jim Romanow, Tiffany Schnupp, and Connie Sharma (agent and office manager). Kerry is a professional stager and works with Paul and the agents to ensure that the properties look their best during showings.

Paul recognized early on the benefits of owning investment properties and grew that portion of Jamison Realty. Owning and managing several properties of his own, Paul joined forces with The American Home as senior manager of business development. As Paul says, “I was growing so fast and so were they. We

decided to grow together.” The American Home owns more than 1,000 houses in the Charlotte, Atlanta, GA, and Tampa, FL, areas. The company is buying properties at the rate of 300-350 per month.

From his Jamison Realty office, Paul operates The American Home Property Management (TAHPM) and serves as president of the North and South Carolina regions. His Jamison Realty staff does double duty with TAHPM: Glenn is an area manager and Jim, Tiffany, and Connie are property managers. In addition, TAHPM employs Graeme Bosch as a property manager and Mike Simons, current president of the Matthews Chamber of Commerce, as its field engineer. Steve Komer provides accounting services for each company.

Paul describes the way he does business as grassroots. He’d rather talk in person or via telephone, rather than communicating through emails. He believes that people need to say what they mean and mean what they say.

Real Estate DONE Different

10 sclivingmag.com • SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

Jamison Realty Paul moved Jamison Realty from its former location at 500 West

John Street (more about that later) to Matthews Station and has a fair amount of walk-in traffic. The temperature appears to drop a few degrees when you walk through the door. The ceramic tile floor, muted wall colors, and large tinted windows make the office cool and comfortable. Mike and Glenn are both sitting at their desks and we chat briefly while I wait for Paul (I was early). There’s a large conference room to the left and a kitchenette at the back of the office. Not visible are a large workroom and Paul’s office.

Paul describes how he and his agents approach real estate and their clients as ‘down to earth’ and ‘grassroots.’ In other words, they drill down to the very basic needs of the client and work their way up from there. This approach allows them to develop a relationship with their clients and meet or exceed their expectations.

It also describes Paul. He prefers talking face-to-face or via telephone, rather than communicating through emails. He believes that a handshake is as good as a written contract (although out of necessity he does use contracts) and that people need to say what they

mean and mean what they say. He likes to say, “You get out of life what you put in – if you make the effort, you make it. If not, I don’t want to sit next to you.”

He enjoys providing people with results they didn’t expect. During our meeting long-term tenants came into the office to pay their rent. He steps out to say hello and the husband and wife each gave Paul a hug, something that happens often throughout the day.

Licensed in both North and South Carolina, Paul and Jamison Realty work with residential and commercial buyers and sellers, and commercial clients who are interested in leasing properties. Residential properties are leased exclusively through TAHPM. Paul is HUD certified and has the national designations of Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), and Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR).

The American Home: It’s a win-win for everyone!

It used to be that you’d list your house for sale, usually with your eyes on another one. Depending on the market, your house would sell quickly or it would sit. Eventually, though, (hopefully) it would

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SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012 • sclivingmag.com 11

sell. If you were relying upon the proceeds of the sale to purchase your new house, the delay in the sale may have caused you to lose the new house. If you had the ability to own two houses, you’d also hold two mortgages until your first house sells.

So there you are – in your new house while your old house is sitting empty. You’re making monthly mortgage payments and your homeowner’s insurance has skyrocketed on the empty house. While for some it might not be a financial struggle, for most it is. Either way, it’s stressful. If you’ve left the area, you may have a friend or neighbor driving by the house to make sure everything is all right. You may have left your realtor in charge of that. Again, either way it’s stressful. That’s where property management comes in and makes your life a whole lot easier.

The real estate market has changed. It’s certainly had its ups and downs – especially in the eighties when interest rates were in double digits. Today’s homeowners have a choice between either selling their current house or leasing it to a possible future buyer. Working with a property management company means that the homeowner doesn’t have to worry about who’s taking care of the house. The property management company does it all: collects the rent, acts

as the liaison between the homeowner and the tenant, takes care of the maintenance, etc. In turn, the homeowner has a passive form of income and the tax deductions of home ownership.

Paul and his property managers do more than just collect the rent. They act in the best interest of the owner to maintain the property, deal with problems as they arise, and keep it occupied with quality tenants. Paul explains that there is a very stringent screening process in place to ensure that the best tenant leases the property. Once the homeowner signs the contract, it’s hands off – TAHPM does everything from that point.

If you decide to lease your house, Paul or one of his staff will provide you with a detailed explanation of the process, from what they do to how they find quality tenants. They then research the market and the average cost for the area, and evaluate the house to determine what needs to be done in terms of repairs.

Outside the office

Paul exhibits the same passion for the town of Matthews that he does for real estate. He is the current past president of the Matthews

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Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee, and serves on the board of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. He is also part owner in Pure Taqueria in Matthews Station.

Paul and Kerry have one son, Alex, who is 19, works at Pure, and attends Central Piedmont Community College. Paul also has two sons in Cincinnati – Bill, 31, and Bob, 29, and three grandchildren, Ethan 8, Clara 6, and Haley, 8 months.

Paul enjoys working on old cars and talks about a 1979 Jeep he and Alex restored when Alex was 14. Paul is a licensed pilot and occasionally gets in a game of golf. But it always comes back to real estate, which, in addition to being his profession, is his hobby – Paul and Kerry enjoy restoring old properties.

One of their showcases is the Furr-Jamison House at 500 West John Street in Matthews. Built in 1877 by Julius Grier so his eight children could attend school in Matthews, the house is the oldest in town. When Paul purchased the property in 2007, it had fallen into disrepair. He and Kerry completely restored the house and obtained the designation as a historic landmark by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. The house has won several restoration awards and is a local treasure. Today, the house is leased to the law firm of Garrity & Gossage, who have twice graced our cover. Paul also owns the Dare Steele House in downtown Waxhaw and he and Kerry are in the process of restoring it.

Every Saturday at 2:00 p.m., Paul hosts “Your Real Estate Today” on WBT. A live call-in show, Paul says listeners will never hear anything negative about the real estate market on his show. Instead, in answering listeners’ questions, he’ll provide positive tips

for staging your home before you put it on the market, choosing a mortgage lender, and finding investment opportunities.

It is DONE different

While the slogan, Real Estate DONE Different, might be a grammarian’s nightmare, there’s a reason for it. The approach Paul and his staff take at Jamison Realty and The American Home Property Management is different and they get the job done. Exceeding expectations is what both companies are all about.

If you’re ready to make a change, or you’re interested in investment properties, contact Paul and his staff at 704-846-3663. You can also drop by the office at 110 Matthews Station Street, Suite 1D. There is always someone there to answer your call or greet you at the door.

The Jamison Realty logo has an exclamation point at the end. Now we know why: Paul is passionate about everything that is important to him – his work, his business, his family, and his faith. Look for Paul when you’re driving through downtown Matthews. He’s the guy holding a cup of coffee in one hand and his cell phone in the other with a very intent look on his face.

Photos by: Lorayn DeLuca, Mama Luca Media

(


704-846-DONE

Jamison Realty & The American Home110 Matthews Station St. #1D

Matthews, NC 28105704-846-DONE (3663)

[email protected]

www.myjamisonhomes.comwww.americanhomepm.com

We have thekeys to yournext home.At Jamison Realty and The American Home, we take a different approach to helping clients buy, sell, or lease real estate. Our philosophy is simple: We are “Real Estate DONE Different.” And, we do this through expertise and superior personal service. The “Jamison Realty” name on our door means I am accountable to every client who walks through it.


We here at South Charlotte Living Magazine have some exciting news to share with you. SCLM has partnered with the Artists Music Guild, an

international organization with a local office in Monroe, NC, to spotlight talented people in the entertainment industry and artist community. Each issue will feature a different artist and we’ll alert you to upcoming events of the Guild as well as its members. But, first, let me introduce you to the Guild and some of its members.

David L. Cook

David L. Cook was born into a musical family that dates back to 1885 known as The Cook Family Singers. David’s generation of the group disbanded in 1980 and David went on to become an Emmy-award winning singer/songwriter and comedian. Largely due to his frustration of how poorly artists were being treated and taken advantage of, David called on some long-time friends and associates to put together an organization designed to be a resource for established and fledgling artists. On January 1, 2011, the doors opened to the Artists Music Guild. In less than two years, the Guild has approximately 500 members,

including lawyers, accountants, business managers, and Grammy- and Emmy-award winning writers, musicians, painters, etc.

The Guild’s vision

Richard Kiser, professional musician and president of the board of directors, explains that the goals of the Guild are to provide members with a network of industry insiders to call on for support and professional services, as well as to mentor newcomers by providing them with the tools necessary to develop the business savvy needed to prevent them from being exploited. In an industry where who you know may outweigh your talent and ability, the Guild levels the playing field so everyone is given a fair opportunity.

The Guild also works to develop the talents of children, whether in music, dance, or visual arts. Dylan Locke with The Jefferson Center in Roanoke, VA, has partnered with the Guild on a project called The Music Lab. The Music Lab operated on its own for seven years, until The Jefferson Center took it over in 2009. The Music Lab is very unique in that it provides students in middle and

Our Hearts Are in the ArtsThe Artists Music Guild

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high schools (traditional and home-schooled) interested in the entertainment industry with the opportunity to learn about the music industry from the business side to technology to performance. Thirty to forty percent of the students receive scholarships and no child is ever turned away because of an inability to pay.

The Music Lab works with local, regional, and national level musicians and technicians to mentor the students, which is where the Guild comes in. The Guild and The Music Lab are currently developing a program for the students where Guild members will work closely with the students to develop their skills and talents.

What members are saying

Vocalist Kat Williams believes that the Guild provides artists with the tools they need to move to the next level. Business manager Matt Dudney appreciates the fact that the Guild works with artists of all disciplines: dance, theatre, sculpture, and photography, as well as singers, musicians, and songwriters. “It’s important to know that the members of the Guild strive for excellence in themselves and those

they are mentoring,” says Matt. Terri Gibbs, famous for her hit song ‘Somebody’s Knocking,’ notes the importance of being able to rely upon the Guild for professional guidance. She says the doors are open to everyone and that there is no other organization like it.

Heritage Awards

The Guild’s signature event is its annual Heritage Awards held at the Heritage Conference Center in Fort Mill, SC. This year’s awards committee received 12,000 entries and narrowed the selection down to 10-15 nominees in 26 categories. Nominees include Kat Williams for Female Vocalist of the Year, the WBT Briarhoppers for Group of the Year, Union County Arts Council for Educational Organization of the Year, and Terri Gibbs, Barbara Mandrell, and The Platters for Retro Artists of the Year. This year’s Heritage Awards begin with a convention on November 8 and culminate with the awards show on November 10. Tickets are on sale now and are $50 for non-Guild members. If you’re interested in attending, contact the Guild at 615-469-1595. Read more about the Guild online at www.artistsmusicguild.com. (

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Friday, August 31Featuring the Truliant Credit Union All-You-Can-Ride Armband Night$15 for all you can ride!

Texas Roadhouse Main StageTim Clark BandVariety 7 – 8 pmBand of OzCarolina Beach Music 8:30 – 10 pm

Saturday, September 1Featuring the Southeast’s Largest Labor Day Parade at 10 AM in Historic Downtown Matthews!

Texas Roadhouse Main Stage

Rick Hubbard - KazoobieKazoo Pro! 12:30 – 1:30 pmSugar GlyderPop Rock 2 – 3 pmAnthony OrioRock 3:30 – 5 pmOdyssey RoadJourney Tribute Band 5:30 – 7 pmAlter EaglesEagles Tribute Band 7:30 – 9 pm

Home Depot Children’s Stage

Craig StoneMagician 12 pmSteve BroganVentriloquist 1 pmSteve LangleyJuggler 2 pmJolly Roger the PiratePirate Stories & Magic 3 pmClown EZClown Fun! 4 pm

Rick Hubbard – KazoobieKazoo Pro! 5 pm

Woodforest Business BankingCultural Stage

Cara ZaraHula Hoops! 12:30 pmMatthews PlayhouseLocal Theatre Company 1:30 pmMatthews TwirlersBaton Performers 2:30 pmHannibalMagic Performance Art 3:30 pmVeronika JacksonMusical Story Telling 4:30 pmMid-East Magic Dance EnsembleBellydancing 5:30 pm

Sunday, September 2Texas Roadhouse Main Stage

GB & MEAcoustic 1 – 2:30 pmMatt Stratford BandSoul Infused Rock 3 – 4:30 pmAlmost McGrawTim McGraw Tribute 5 – 6:30 pmShenandoahGrammy Award Winning Country Superstars 7:30 – 9 pm


Corky the Magic ClownMagic & Balloon folding 12:30 pmSteve LangleyJuggling & Comedy 1:30 pmRick Hubbard – Kazoobie

Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works! Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works!

Matthews Alive! Festival Entertainment Schedule 2012Ce

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Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works! Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works!Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works! Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works!Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works!


Schedule is Subject to Change. NO PETS PLEASE

Find out more at www.matthewsalive.org


Kazoo Pro! 2:30 pmCraig StoneMagician 3:30 pmSteve BroganVentriloquist 4:30 pmClown EZClown Fun! 5:30 pm


Cara ZaraHula Hoops! 1 pmVeronika JacksonMusical Story Telling 2 pmHannibalMagic Performance Art 3 pmMid-East Magic Dance EnsembleBelly Dancing 4 pmMatthews PlayhouseLocal Theatre Company 5 pm

Monday, September 3Featuring the Kiwanis Labor Day 5K Run. More info at www.matthewskiwanis.com.

Texas Roadhouse Main Stage

Underhill RoseRoots - Americana 11:30 am – 1 pmPUSHHRock 1:30 – 3 pmThe DickensGenre Crossing Variety Act 3:30 – 5 pm


Rick Hubbard – KazoobieKazoo Pro! 12 pmJolly Roger the PiratePirate Stories & Magic 1 pmCraig StoneMagician 2 pmSteve BroganVentriloquist 3 pmSteve LangleyJuggling & Comedy 4 pm


Cara ZaraHula Hoops! 12:30 pmVeronika JacksonStory Telling 1:30 pmHannibalMagic Performance Art 2:30 pmMatthews TwirlersBaton Performers 3:30 pm


Matthews Alive! Festival Entertainment Schedule 2012

Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works! Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works!Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works! Celebrating 20 years of good times funding good works!

Proudly Sponsored by:

100% of festival proceeds benefit your local charities!

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By: Nancy Moore | Photos by: Lorayn DeLuca

DestinationOktoberfest!!


For a few short weeks every year, we can all be German! Despite its name, Oktoberfest begins in September.

This year’s Oktoberfest opens on Saturday, September 22, and runs through Sunday, October 7. Don’t worry if you’re starting the celebration late – you can celebrate this German festival anytime.

What is Oktoberfest and why is it in September?

The first “Oktoberfest,” though it was not called that at the time, was an event to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig (later crowned King and the grandfather of “Mad” King Ludwig) and Princess Therese on October 12, 1810. The Prince arranged for a horse race and invited the people of Munich, Germany. Approximately 40,000 people were present at the Prince’s wedding celebration. He also commissioned all German brewers to develop a new style of beer for the occasion (although beer and food stands were not part of the event until 1818).

One year later, another horse race took place, this time coinciding with the agricultural show. The horse race was eventually discontinued and the event was moved to late September to take advantage of better weather. The event still takes place on its original site at Theresa’s Fields in front of the city gates and attracts some six million people from around the world (the record is 7.1 million in 1985).

The real deal

Munich is the capital of Bavaria, Germany, and is believed to have been established in 1158. With a population of more than 1.3 million within the city limits, it is the third largest city in Germany, behind Berlin and Hamburg. Almost 3 million people live in the Munich metropolitan area.

There are 14 beer tents at this year’s Oktoberfest. One tent, Schichtl, has been at every Oktoberfest since 1869. Tents serve

beer, food, wine, sparkling wine, nonalcoholic beverages, and even coffee. There are family friendly tents as well. Traditional German entertainment is seen at the tents, with some tents providing a break from the oompahs by hosting rock ‘n’ roll bands. In addition to beer tents and entertainment, there are carnival rides and games. At night Oktoberfest lights up like Las Vegas against a dark sky.

Oktoberfests throughout the world

Interestingly, Cincinnati, Ohio, touts its Oktoberfest as the ‘largest authentic Oktoberfest,’ although the numbers do not substantiate that claim. Cincinnati’s celebration generally attracts 500,000 people, while what is truly the largest Oktoberfest outside Germany is in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, which has grown from 102,000 people to over one million.

Outside of Germany, the longest running Oktoberfest is in Cordoba, Argentina, established in 1963. Oktoberfests take place in such countries as Mexico, Australia, Ireland, Vietnam, and Canada, and throughout the United States in California, Delaware, New Jersey, Texas, Wisconsin, Ohio, Colorado, Utah, and more locally in Hickory, North Carolina, and Helen, Georgia. The first Oktoberfest outside of Munich to be sanctioned by Munich city officials takes place in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Charlotte’s Oktoberfest

The Carolina Brewmasters, a beer appreciation and home brewers club, sponsors an annual Oktoberfest, with all proceeds benefiting chosen charities. What began in 1999 at Independence Park off Seventh Street with 900 attendees has grown to more than 5,000 people taking over Metrolina Tradeshow Expo. This year’s chosen charities are Beds for Kids, Crisis Assistance Ministry, and Matthews Free Medical Clinic. Let’s look at the numbers. In 2001, the Brewmasters donated $1,000 to the Charlotte Trolley. In 2010, the group donated a total of $60,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank, The Humane Society of Charlotte, and The Carolina Raptor Center.

This year’s Oktoberfest is scheduled for Saturday, September 29, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Premium admission tickets are $50, general admission tickets are $35, and designated driver tickets are $20. So what does your admission get you? Premium ticket holders can enter the festival at 1 p.m., giving them time to meet the brewers, brewery representatives, and home brewers. Premium ticket holders also have the opportunity to take a 30-45 minute guided beer tour, which includes educational beer tastings. Designated driver ticket holders receive free food and nonalcoholic beverages at the event at the DD tent on the field.

Brewers come from all over – local brewers from Charlotte, Asheville, and Greensboro, regional brewers from Georgia and South Carolina, national brewers such as Abita, Boston Beer Company, and New Belgium, and international brewers including Dos XX, Heineken, Newcastle, and Trappist Brewery. For more information on attending the Charlotte Oktoberfest, visit the website at charlotteoktoberfest.com.

Celebrate in your own backyard

Can’t make it on the 29th or can’t wait until the 29th? It’s not difficult to host your own Oktoberfest. As with any party, music,

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food, and drink are basic essentials. German music is not difficult to find, either with a CD or through a computer. Serve pretzels with sweet mustard, bratwurst with sauerkraut, warm potato salad, red cabbage, and, of course, apple strudel.

Serve German beers in frosted mugs, pints, or pilsner glasses from such brewers as Weihenstephan, Spaten, and Paulaner. Typical Oktoberfest beers include Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier (wheat beer), Spaten Oktoberfest, and Paulaner Oktoberfestbier.

The beer

A quick note about German beers. Beer is one of the oldest beverages in the world and dates back to at least 6000 BC, with some records showing 7000 BC, and is an integral part of German culture and heritage. The reasons for this are simple: water was unsafe to drink and had to be boiled to consume, and

any food or beverage with the right amount of sugars can ferment due to yeast in the air. The alcohol content in early beers was probably lower than it is today and allowed the beer to be consumed throughout the day. This was done more out of necessity than choice since the water was unsafe and death was almost a certainty because of contamination. Beer was drunk by people of all ages (including children) and all classes and social status.

Weihenstephan is considered to be the oldest brewery in the world. Although the Benedictine monks had been in Weihenstephan for a few hundred years, they didn’t start brewing beer until the year 1040. Spaten began brewing beer in 1397 and at one point was the largest brewery in Munich. The Paulaner monks began brewing their beer in 1634. Many German brewers still follow the “Purity Order,” which was established in Bavaria in 1516, but repealed in 1987. It originally decreed that beer could only be brewed from barley, hops, and water.

As centuries passed, brewers recognized the importance and value of yeast and the law was adjusted to allow the addition of yeast to the recipes. (At the time the law was written, the properties of yeast were unknown. Brewers relied on the wild yeast in the air.) As time went on, and because Bavarian beer was favored over the beer of other regions, German brewers across the country began following the law. Many breweries still live by the Purity Law and demonstrate how something with simple ingredients can be so good.

Spaß haben (sounds like ‘shposs hobbin’), meaning, have fun!

Get out the lederhosen and dirndls, brush up on your polka and yodeling, drink a pint or two of a good German beer, and have fun. That’s what Oktoberfest is all about. Enjoying family, friends, good food, and, of course, good beer. (

Experience Germany in your Kitchen!We have asked some friends for their most authentic German dishes. Recipes below courtesy of Kathy Hudspeth, who, coincidentally, is pictured, along with her husband, Jim, in our “Hits the Road” article (p. 27, second row, second from the left).

Wiener SchnitzelThis can be made either with veal or pork. True German wiener schnitzel is made with pork. 1 pound pork tenderloin1 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon white pepper2 tablespoons lemon juice1/4 cup flour2 eggs, beaten1 cup dry bread crumbs3 tablespoons butter2 tablespoons vegetable oil1 lemon, cut into wedges

Rinse meat and pat dry then pound the meat very thin. Cover with flour, making sure to shake off excess. Turn meat in egg. Season the schnitzel with salt and pepper and lemon juice. Turn meat in the breadcrumbs and shake off excess. Cook in frying pan about 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with lemon wedges.

German Potato Salad3 cups red potatoes diced 6 slices bacon

1 small onion, diced 2 tablespoons (reserved) water 1/4 cup German vinegar 3 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon parsley

Place the potatoes in a pot with skins ON and just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. Drain, and set aside. When cool, remove the skins (or you can leave them on). Place the bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until browned and crisp. Remove and set aside. Add onion to the bacon grease, and cook over medium heat until browned. Add the vinegar, reserved water that you boiled the pota-toes in, sugar, salt, and pepper to the pan. Bring to a boil then add potatoes and parsley. Crumble half the bacon into the mix. Heat through, transfer to a serving dish. Crumble the remaining bacon over the top and serve warm.

The following recipe comes courtesy of Bev Martin, one of our sales representatives. This recipe was from Bev’s sister-in-law’s mother whose friend brought it from Germany written in German and in Ger-man measure. Through “trial and error” the ladies “Americanized” the recipe. It has been enjoyed by many over the years.

German Marble Cake 1 cup butter2 cups sugar1 teaspoon almond extract4 cups flour4 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon salt1-1/3 cups milk3 eggs, separated 3 tablespoons cocoa3 tablespoons sugar3 tablespoons milk Beat egg whites. In another bowl cream butter add sugar gradually. Add egg yolks and almond extract and mix well. Sift flour, baking powder and salt and add alternately with the 1-1/3 cup milk to butter mixture. Gently fold in beaten egg whites. Take out 1/3 of the batter and add the remaining cocoa, sugar, and milk. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan alternat-ing white and chocolate batter. Cut through batter with a knife for marble effect. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.



I am a people person. I love getting to know people and discovering what makes them who they are. I’m fortunate that, for the most part, I don’t often have to ask a lot of questions; people talk to

me. My role in the magazine has afforded me the opportunity to meet many interesting men and women. Everyone has a story to tell. Some-times it’s predictable, other times it’s not. Dr. James (Jamie) Garden falls into the latter category.

Dr. Garden and his practice were our featured cover story in August 2010, when we were still known as Matthews Living. It was the first time I’d met him and I was surprised at how much ‘fun’ was in the office.

The personal touch

The lobby area is warm, inviting, and relaxing. It’s large enough to feel comfortable, but not so large that the staff is yelling across the room for the next patient. There’s a walled children’s play area where younger patients can watch a movie or play video games while they wait their turn. Before walking through the etched glass door, patients can look at several autographed photos of celebrities, some of whom are standing alongside Dr. Garden. Pink, Adam West, Billy Joel – Dr. Garden’s personal photos and a glimpse into his personal life.

A native of Syracuse, New York, Dr. Garden graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1985 and established his own dental practice in Syracuse. He later bought an existing practice and owned it for 14 years, until relocating to Matthews in 1999. Dr. Garden purchased the last available lot in Plantation Office Park (across from the Siskey

YMCA on Weddington Road). He built the 3,000 square foot office from the ground up.

The four operatories each have their own distinct theme. There’s the Antique Toys Room, with the board game “Mystery Date” and a 1964 Johnny Seven One Man Army Gun. The New York Room has New York Yankees memorabilia and one wall is a print of the 1932 pic-ture, “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper.” The Movie Room is decorated with a hand-painted move reel across the walls and lots of movie posters and photos. The Nostalgic TV Room celebrates television shows of the50s, 60s, and 70s. The two hygiene rooms feature hand-painted murals of the human mouth from the inside out. There is so much to look at in every room that time passes quickly and reduces the apprehension of being at the dentist.

New faces and big news

Since our last visit with Dr. Garden, he’s added two new staff mem-bers. Dana Cowart is a dental assistant from Virginia Beach, VA. She’s been with the practice for five months and has called Charlotte home for 12 years. The newest member is another Syracuse native, Jo-Lyn Khoury, who is the practice’s scheduling coordinator. He also has a col-league, Dr. Tim Richards, visit with patients one day a week (Wednes-day), which helps reduce the appointment wait time for patients.

Longevity is key in Dr. Garden’s office. Jennifer Purkey, the prac-tice’s administrator, has been with Dr. Garden for ten years. Dental hygienists Janet Duffy, Tamara Gertzman, and Margaret Eaves and have been with the practice for ten, nine, and seven years, respectively.

By Nancy Moore

Business Spotlight on...JAMES R. GARDEN, D.D.S.

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Cosmetic & Family Dental Center of Matthews Still Delivering a One-Two Punch


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Cindy Prokay has been a dental assistant with Dr. Garden for nine years. Carol Elkins, who sometimes answers the phone and is at the front desk, has been with the practice for ten years.

The big news! When I met Dr. Garden two years ago, he said that he stays in shape by lifting weights and boxing. At that time, he said, he didn’t take boxing too seriously and did it mostly to stay in shape. Well, things have changed and in January 2011, Dr. Garden began training five days a week at Dyme Boxing in Charlotte. After eight months, he had lost 25 pounds and won two bouts in August of 2011 at the 11th Annual Ringside Masters’ Tournament in Kansas City. He credits the great coaching team at Dyme and his family’s support for his victories.

What else is new?

Fresh out of the crate is Dr. Garden’s new CEREC Bluecam. He’s had a CEREC in his office for quite some time, but the Bluecam is the latest in advanced technology. He said that patients won’t notice much of a difference, but the end results will be superior. Patients who need a crown (or two) will visit the office one time and leave with a perfect tooth. The Bluecam can capture images of all of the patient’s teeth, one tooth at a time, in less than two minutes.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Garden, call Jo-Lyn at 704-845-5583. And, as I said two years ago, tell him a Red Sox fan sent you. (


As a business owner, I am bombarded with social media this and/or social media that, etc., etc., and how, getting on board the social media train, would increase my business revenue.

I often wonder if there is some special key or code that unlocks all the additional revenue(s) that social media is supposed to deliver? I have listened to other business owners and traditional media extoll the benefits of social media and how I simply ‘HAVE’ to be on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest and numerous other sites in order to grow my business.

I ask myself these two very basic and important questions: What’s in it for me (and my company) and why should I care? Then I pose the really difficult question, “How do I know exactly how devoting all of this time and energy to social media is paying off for my company in increased revenues?” Well therein is the reason for this article.

Over the past year I have spent quite a bit of time updating my Facebook page on a regular basis. I pay attention to the ‘Likes’ and try (as we all are told) to get more ‘Likes.’ (For non-Facebook users, ‘Likes’ are other Facebook members who visit my Facebook page and click on a button that says they ‘Like’ my business.) I’m not sure why, maybe because it appeals to my competitive nature, but I’m determined to have as many ‘Likes’ as I can obtain. But how does this benefit my company? Have I seen a distinct rise in revenue that I can directly attribute to social media and the time spent on maintaining and updating? Is there a way to capture and analyze the true impact and effect of social media on my company? Until recently I would have answered those questions with a “no.” Unless a customer or

client specifically tells me that they joined my company or used my services because of Facebook or Twitter, I would have no idea, method, or manner to track that revenue. Not anymore. I’ve come across a handy new tool that can indeed help me determine whether or not my social media efforts and my website are able to deliver increased revenue and customers.

The product is Voucher Valet (http://www.vouchervalet.com) and it’s the brainchild of local entrepreneur Darryl Parker (Parker Web). Darryl and his team developed an application that works with a business’s Facebook page and website to create customized gift certificates, which can then be emailed, downloaded to a smart phone, or simply printed and redeemed at the participating business. The amazing part is that the business retains 100% of the revenue purchased and gains access to a self-populating database of customers! This is a tool that specifically identifies revenue from social media while building a target market for additional sales.

To illustrate, let’s assume you need a last minute gift for a business client. You also happen to know that your client enjoys a particular Italian restaurant but you don’t have time to go over and purchase a gift card. You log onto said Italian restaurant’s Facebook page and see the gift certificate logo. You place your order, use your credit card, pay the convenience fee, and print the gift certificate for your client. Transaction complete. But let’s look at it from the restaurant’s point of view. If the restaurant didn’t have the icon on the Facebook page – you would not have purchased the product because you don’t have time to travel to the place of business. This additional sale via

By: John Kucera, Owner of Carolina Trade Exchange

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Business owners:


social media would not have taken place. The owner of the restaurant now knows that you like his establishment, has your email address for future marketing and promotions, and can stay in touch with you. For business owners – imagine the possibilities! You can change promotions on your website and social media sights, you can gain new customers and new sales that you would have not had previously, you can track that these sites and your efforts are now paying dividends and exactly how much they contribute and best of all you have a listing available to you for future marketing and sales efforts of customers you already know ‘like’ your business or service.

I am always looking for ways to save time, increase my productivity, and track the results. In this case I think I’ve really found a product and service that fills my needs. I’m able to change my promotions as much as I want and see which works best for my clients. Maybe you would be interested in doing the same thing! I would say check out the Voucher Valet website and see if this tool can work for your company. It’s one more way to compete and differentiate your company and your services. I’d love to hear your results! (

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The 2nd annual White Party, hosted by Turning Point, a shelter for victims of domestic violence located in Mon-roe, NC, was held on Saturday, July 21, 2012, at The Club at Longview in Waxhaw. Ticket prices varied based on the level of sponsorship, with attendee tickets priced at $60.

The White Party is so named because guests must wear white, but color accents are acceptable. All proceeds bene-fit Turning Point (a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status), the only domestic violence shelter for women and children in Union County, and one of the largest in the Southeast. Along with dinner, drinks, dancing, and en-tertainment by Francis Nazzaro – The Sinatra Experience – guests participated in a silent auction. Last year’s White Party raised approximately $5,000. This year’s event ap-pears to have raised close to $20,000. The event is open to the public and tickets must be purchased prior to the event.

Turning Point has been in existence for 26 years and shelters an average of 25 women and children each night in an 11,000 sq facility that accommodates 42. The shel-ter is never understaffed and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Women and children are re-ferred to the shelter by local police departments, hospitals, social service, schools, and health departments. There is no charge for the stay, which, depending on the situation could be up to three or four months. Turning Point relies upon grants, private donations, and sales from two con-signment stores. Known by the name, “Second Chance

Boutique” by Turning Point, one store is located at 2447 Old Charlotte Highway in Monroe while the other is at 27292 Waxhaw Parkway in Waxhaw. Both stores are open 10-5, Monday through Friday, and 10-4 on Saturday. Women who are being sheltered can get clothes for them-selves and their children at no charge. Oftentimes, women and their children arrive at the shelter with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing.

Turning Point Executive Director Naomi Herndon says that the four major goals of the organization are: to shel-ter women and children who are in danger or who want to get out of a violent life and don’t have the means to do so on their own; to empower women to become indepen-dent and self-sufficient; to work with children of domestic violence to break the cycle; and to raise awareness in the community.

To make a difference and help break the cycle, visit one of their boutiques, or to make a donation call 704-283-9150 or visit their website at www.turntoday.net. (

The White Party

Photos by: Lorayn DeLuca, Mama Luca Media

By: Nancy Moore


The Four ShieldsNavigating the Stages of Life’s Transitions

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experience, with a $25 dis-count for students & women over 60. Non-refundable $100 deposit will hold your space.

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The Four Shields, based on the ancient medicine wheel of native cultures, mirrors the growth cycles of all of life. This is an initiatory experience designed to assist each participant to mark changes and

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Taking the summer off made me realize I needed a fun night out. I wanted to go somewhere I had never been. I’d heard about Cosmos Café

Ballantyne located at 8420 Rea Road, Charlotte, on the corner of Rea Road and Williams Pond Lane, and decided to give it a try.

When my companion and I arrived, we could see a patio for outdoor dining while listening to a live band. A few tables were occupied and everyone looked like they were enjoying the warm weather and music. We decided to eat inside where it was cool. As we approached the door it was opened by one of the staff and the hostess, who was very friendly, immediately greeted us and guided us to our table.

Walking into Cosmos, the bar area with its sizable round bar and the tables that surround it, are visible. Guests at the bar were laughing while they enjoyed their drinks and their bartender, who looked as if he kept them engaged and happy. The decor is retro-modern with a lot of dark woods with silver metal accents and shapes. Each table is covered with a white linen tablecloth and single candle. There’s a DJ playing a good assortment of well-known music. We appreciated that the music wasn’t so loud that we had to yell to be heard. It was the perfect background music. Softly lit, the atmosphere was casual and slightly upscale. There were people wearing suits, business casual, and jeans. Our server, Kevin, came over as soon as we were seated.

He gave us two menus, a regular dinner menu and a

sushi menu. The drink menu was already on the table and, based on Kevin’s recommendation, my companion ordered a cherry limeade martini, while I went with a Kentucky sidecar. The cherry limeade was sweet and tangy, and very good. Kevin compared the taste of the Kentucky sidecar to a Long Island iced tea. Since I occasionally enjoy a good Long Island iced tea, I ordered the sidecar. It was very tasty and I’ll admit that I had more than one.

My companion and I ordered calamari as our appetizer, which was golden brown and tender. It was paired with a sweet and spicy Asian inspired sauce that was different and delicious. For dinner, my companion had sweet chili salmon, while I opted for the crab cakes. The food was artfully placed on the plate and it looked almost to good to eat (almost). The salmon was served with three lightly browned white rice rounds topped with fried broccolini spears crisscrossed like an x. The salmon rested in the bottom triangle of the x. The salmon was tender and the sauce was sweet and smoky from the chili. The broccolini was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and along with the rice made an excellent compliment to the salmon. The crab cakes were served with mashed potatoes and seasoned mixed vegetables. The crabmeat, and there was a lot of it, was very buttery and sweet, and blended nicely with the breadcrumb mixture. Mashed potatoes can be tricky at restaurants. They never seem to be as good as homemade, but not these. They were seasoned and reminded me of my mother’s mashed potatoes – mashed with lumps and butter and cream. The mixed vegetables were lightly seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper, and were tender and fresh.

The Fat Man goes to Cosmos Café!

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The Fat Man Steps Into the Microcosm of Cosmos Café Ballantyne


The Fat Man goes to Cosmos Café!

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Kevin cleared our dinner plates and we ordered a vanilla crème brulée for dessert. Once it arrived we broke through the lightly caramelized sugar crust to the sweet and creamy vanilla bean filling. It was so sweet and cool, and was the perfect ending note to a wonderful dinner.

Kevin was very attentive and helpful all night. He made sure our glasses were never more than half empty. He answered our questions and it was clear he knew the menu. He came over often enough to make sure we were well taken care of, but not so much that we felt like we were constantly interrupted. He is the kind of server you’d request on your next visit.

Overall the experience at Cosmos Café was terrific. It’s the kind of place that would be fun for a night out with the gang, dinner for two, business dinners, or just to unwind after work. The food, drinks, service, and atmosphere all fit together to make a great experience. In the end it comes down to this: Would I come back? That is without a doubt a yes. And I’ll ask for Kevin.

Cosmos Café Ballantyne

8420 Rea RoadCharlotte, NC 28277

Phone: 704-544-65268www.cosmoscafe.com

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South Charlotte Living Magazine Sept-Oct 2012

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