Burlington Magazine - Issue 15

1 Burlington Magazine, Issue 15

BURLINGTON MAGAZINE

ISSUE 15

FREE

MAGAZINE

enjoy!

An old-fashioned, client-focused philosophy

Brian Parker Investments, LLC

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CONTENTS

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WELCOME TO BURLINGTON MAGAZINE

COVER STORY

ASK THE EXPERT

COMMUNITY NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS

CULTURE

RECIPE

ASK THE EXPERT

ASK THE EXPERT

HISTORY

BUILDING STEAM IN BURLINGTON

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

TECH SAVVY

Publisher’s Letter

Brian Parker Investments, LLC

Your Feet

Exploring the History of Mardi Gras

What to Expect in Technology This Year

Arduino: Small But Powerful!

You Never Know When You Will Meet Someone Who Will Change Your Life

Short Rib Jambalaya

Travel

Burlington Recreation and Parks

ACC Instructor Awarded State’s Top Honor

ACC Appoints Executive VP Queen on Permanet Basis

Real Estate

Foster’s Shoe Company

5www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

BURLINGTONMAGAZINE

Positive Community Magazines

Cover Photo

Contributors

PCM Staff

PO Box 1369Asheboro • NC • 27204

Web: http://www.burlingtonmagnc.comFacebook: burlingtonmagazineTwitter: burlingtonmagnc

Sherry Johnson, Dr, Todd Hyatt, Jonathan Young, Heather McWilliams, Danny Oakley, David Johnson

Publisher, Sherry B. [email protected]

Advertising Director, Sally Carré336.301.9839

Business Development, David A. [email protected]

Burlington Magazine is published by Asheboro & More Marketing, Inc d/b/a Positive Community Magazines. Any reproduction or duplication of any part thereof must be done with the written permission of the Publisher. All information included herein is correct to the best of our knowledge as of the publication date. Corrections should be forwarded to the Publisher at the address above.

Disclaimer: The paid advertisements contained within Burlington Magazine are not endorsed or recommended by the Publisher. Therefore, neither party may be held liable for the business practices of these companies.

© Asheboro & More Marketing, Inc. 2015

Melody McBride, Flashbacks by Red

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COMING SOON TO DOWNTOWN

BURLINGTON!


Welcometo Burlington

Magazine

Dear Readers,

February has arrived and with it hints of Spring. If you are like me, you are becoming less diligent about your New Year’s resolutions, adding more treats back into your diet and working out less and less. I keep reminding myself that beach weather is around the corner and I need to get back on the stick, so maybe planning a trip will help.

When I was a kid, Spring vacation meant my friends were off traveling the country at Disneyworld or the Bahamas with their parents, while I spent my time getting in the last skiing for the season if we had snow. These days, when it starts getting a little warmer, I think to myself it’s time to take a vacation somewhere tropical!

While there are lots of ways to book travel these days, it’s always a good idea to use a travel agent. They can help you navigate the ins and outs of planning your trip, make suggestions that could save you a lot of time and aggravation, and also get you some cool upgrades that otherwise might not have been available had you booked it at one of those impersonal websites. Starting this month, we will be publishing a Travel Ask the Expert to help you make decisions about your next trip and give you some insider trips and tricks for getting the most out of your vacation.

In my former career, I was a Meeting & Event Planner for Cole Haan shoes and booked a lot of meetings, group and executive travel for my team. I know the business and have recently launched a personalized service for busy people who need a vacation, but don’t have time for all the research and details that come with booking travel. I’m excited to introduce Zero Travel - which stands for zero headaches for you, the traveler.

Speaking of travel, Dave and I recently spent some time in Ecuador and are pleased to announce that we are now international – we have launched Zero Magazine, Cuenca – Living with Latitude with our publisher, Sara Coppler. Cuenca’s only printed English-language publication, it highlights the international lifestyle Cuenca offers a global community. A lifestyle located, specifically, in the environment of zero latitude – where the equator embraces the entire planet. Check it out on Facebook and if you like what you see, plan your own trip through Zero Travel to visit this beautiful country.

Happy Traveling,

Sherry


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Brian Parker

Investments, LLCAn old-fashioned,

client-focused

philosophy Story By Sherry Johnson

Photos By Melody McBrideFlashbacks By Red


Brian Parker started his business career early. He skipped his senior year in high school, entering the University of Southern Florida in Tampa. He excelled in accounting, and learned to read financial

statements. While in college, he started a company that rented refrigerators to college students.After graduation, Brian began working for a manufacturing company at $4 an hour. He learned everything he could about the business, and at the age of 22 became President of the company, which grew to be the largest solar manufacturing business in the world.He also began investing money early in his career, and realized he had a knack for it. In 2000, he decided to turn his passion for helping others into a career, by helping them invest their money. He realized that many of the people that he met with, regardless of their educational background, didn’t have the knowledge to invest their money wisely. Because of this, he spends a great deal of his time educating his clients on the basics of investing. “One of the benefits of working with me is my ability to provide clear, easily understood explanations of financial products and services. The personalized program that I provide is a roadmap working toward a more secure financial future.”Brian feels that it is his responsibility to put his client’s needs before his own and it shows in everything he does. He believes the personal touch is what is missing in most financial companies these days and he has built his firm on this foundation by offering a level of service that is almost unheard of. From his hands-on investment strategies and his willingness to travel across the country at the drop of a hat to assist a client in need, Brian offers an “old fashioned” approach to helping his clients manage their investments.One of the other things that differentiates Brian’s firm from others is he requires no account minimums. “If you are not willing to help people right where they are, you are not doing your job,” he says. He acknowledges that it requires more work, but the results in long-term, loyal clients who refer friends and family members to him make it well worth it. He is proud that many of his clients are multi-generational. “Often I am helping the grandparents with estate planning while at the same time developing a retirement plan for their grandchildren. I get most of my business through word of mouth.”Brian is licensed in many states, and he frequently travels to meet with his clients, making it convenient for them by meeting them where they are – restaurants, hotel lobbies, and their home and sometimes even at his own home. While this was beneficial to many clients, he wanted to be more approachable, having a local office where clients could drive up and stop in to see him.


“If my Mom can’t drive up to the front door, get out of her car and walk into my office, I’m not accessible enough,” stated Brian.In 2014 he began a new regimen, wanting to get in shape and improve his overall fitness. He hired a personal trainer and began working out at the Anytime Fitness location at Alamance Crossing. While running on the treadmill, he would look out the window at the people coming and going from the complex, and stare at an empty frozen yogurt shop across the parking lot. After several months, he began to see the possibilities of opening his office there – one that was convenient and where clients could easily run other errands at the same time.Brian spends all of his time studying trends and what that means to investing, the types of companies to put money into and the potential for growth in certain industries.“When gas prices drop a penny per gallon, it equates to $1 Billion that Americans keep in their pockets and can be put back into the economy. With additional oil supply coming online in the US, gas prices are predicted to stay lower for the foreseeable future. That means Americans will have more disposable income to spend on groceries, clothing, renovating their homes, going on vacation and saving for their retirement.

An overarching theme going into the next few years is people want to be healthier. With 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day, they want to get healthier so they can enjoy their retirement. People are beginning to realize that bigger isn’t better, home sizes are shrinking to become more energy efficient, and many households are becoming multi-generational with parents moving in with their adult children. The health and wellness industry is definitely one to keep an eye on for investing. Better eating habit companies like The Fit Station that offers fresh, healthy portioned to-go meals that taste great and are quick to prepare. It’s the new “fast-food” trend for people who don’t have a lot of time to prepare a meal but want to eat healthy.Technologies utilizing biometrics, platforms using your phone to make purchases at stores like Starbucks, Macy’s and Apple’s own retail stores, even Brian’s running watch are made by companies on the rise. The watch not only measures the distance and speed that he runs, it also keeps track of the temperature and humidity during his workout, calculating how many calories he burns. All of these types of businesses are doing “gangbusters” and this trend is going to continue.While interest rates remain low, your money can’t work for you sitting in a bank earning minimal interest. Brian


does the heavy lifting for you, he knows what’s trending and when to buy it – he looks for value in a company’s stocks and when to purchase at a bargain – buy one share, get one free. He tracks these stocks every minute of every day and gets clients the best investment for their money, based on their comfort level of risk. They make a few $$ on each transaction, but that starts to add up over the course of a year, and clients are very happy with the end results.With 200 money managers to choose from, Brian works with only the top 6 to 10. On average, these managers have returned 17.41% on average for his clients. There are so many people out there that feel that if their money earns 5% they are doing well. 90% of the time the largest asset people own is their 401(k) at work. Most 401(k) s are not being monitored and managed on less than a yearly basis. While it’s a pretty safe bet you will earn more in a 401(k) than if it sits in the bank, most of those funds are watered down with “plain Jane” funds that take little risk, and offer minimal returns. It’s up to the customer to be their own advocate and take charge of their investment vehicles, but many don’t understand the ins and outs. Brian is able to take the pressure off and manage those funds in your 401(k) for you, helping you make smart choices and putting your money to work for

you.Technology also influences investment vehicles, and Brian’s company can get people an income that they can never outlive. There are many different investment vehicles out there, including ones that guarantee your principal and a growth of at least 5% per year. The insurance companies that offer these types of investments are part of a large hedge fund. They have a super computer that calculates the aggregate of their funds going up or down every second and buys and sells accordingly. At the end of the day, these vehicles offer 0% risk to your money. This makes life better for the customer who is on a fixed income and can’t afford any volatility in their money.Brian enjoys the “tight knit, friendly, community” that he found when he moved to North Carolina from Florida. When he isn’t working, he loves playing golf, working out, running, and traveling. Brian’s old-fashioned, client-focused philosophy is certainly welcome in today’s impersonal world. When it comes to something as important as money, Brian says, “I have the time, the patience and a systematic approach to managing it for you.” Call 336.524.6468 to schedule a time to sit down with Brian. The new office is located at 1565 Glidewell Drive, Suite 103, Burlington next to the Verizon Wireless store.

Brian Parker Investments, LLC 1565 Glidewell Drive, Suite 102

Burlington, NC 27215bcpmoney.com336-599-9383

ADDITIONAL NUMBERS

Greensboro, NC - 336-578-1332Charlotte, NC - 704-248-8193Roanoke, VA - 540-904-4485

Richmond, VA - 804-915-7125Charleston, SC - 843-277-1146

Washington, DC - 202-558-2047Tampa, FL - 813-864-7691

St. Petersburg, FL - 727-388-6808New York. NY - 646-688-4488Titusville, FL - 321-747-9233Orlando, FL - 407-574-4980

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Next Financial Group, Inc.

Member FINRA and SIPC.


Ask the ExpertYour Feet

Flat feet are a common ailment many people suffer from, even children. This is why when you’re shopping for new school shoes for your children, or shoes throughout

their lifetime, you should always make sure there is a proper amount of arch support to prevent an abnormal collapse of the arch. Collapsed arches cause the soft tissues and joints in the foot and ankle to become strained. This results in pain and eventually affects the functionality of your child’s foot.

To help determine if your child is showing signs of flat feet, the podiatrists at Triad Foot Center say you should look for these early signs:

1. If your child is under the age of 5, it is normal for them to have a flattened arch. But by age 5, the arch should start to form and be recognizable.

2. Look at the back of your child’s heels. Do they turn outward and the Achilles tendon bow with it? If so, this might indicate formation of flat feet.

3. Is foot, ankle or knee pain a common complaint after activity, or is your child awoken in the middle of the night because of these pains?

4. Have you noticed your child suffering from early leg fatigue or clumsiness as a result of activity?

5. Do you have flat feet? If the parents have flat feet there is a good chance your child will develop them, too. This condition is hereditary.

If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, we advise you to make an appointment with a podiatrist to have your child’s feet evaluated. Early detection is the key to treating this condition and preventing long-term pain. Don’t wait to see if the problem corrects itself, because chances of improvement decrease the longer you wait.

To make an appointment with one of the podiatrists of the Triad Foot Center to have your child’s feet evaluated, please call our office or visit www.triadfoot.com to request an appointment.

Does Your Child Have These Symptoms of Flat Feet?

Dr. Hyatt is a native of Burlington, North Carolina, and graduated from Greensboro College. He received his medical degree

from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. His residency training was

completed at the University of Maryland Medical Center and Veterans Medical Center in Baltimore. At the Veterans Medical Center, Dr. Hyatt specialized in vascular disease and surgery as

well as wound healing. Dr. Hyatt then completed a podiatric surgical residency

at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital where he specialized in reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. He is Board Certified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of

Podiatric Surgery.

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Recreation & ParksRecreation & Parks

CommunityNews

Summer Day Camp registration began Monday, February 2!

Choose from 7 locations across Burlington & Elon for 10 weeks of summer excitement for your child. Learn more about summer programs for children and teens at www.BurlingtonNC.gov/youth. Week long Specialty Camps are also available!

TOPSoccer is a program for all ages who have a physical or mental disability.

The cost is $10 (insurance), registration is February 2-23 at BRPD located at 1333 Overbrook Road. The season is each Tuesday and Thursday, 6-7pm running from

March 17-April 30. This program is geared toward player development rather than competition. For more information please contact Jordan Wood at 336.222.5030 or

visit usyouthsoccer.org/programs/topsoccer/. If you are interested in volunteering for this program, please contact Jordan Wood by February 23.

Adult spring softball registration began Monday, January 26th

and ends Friday, April 10. Coach's meeting is March 19 at 6:30 pm, practice starts March 23 and games begin April 13.

Looking for hardworking, dedicated people to officiate youth soccer!

If you are interested in becoming an official or are a certified official looking for extra money, please contact Mike Cooper at 336.222.5030.


Youth Baseball/Softball Registration Runs From March 2-April 3.

Our program is for girls and boys ages 5-18. Registration is taken online or in person at 1333 Overbrook Road, Burlington. We no longer take registration over the phone. If your child is new to our athletics program, a copy of the birth certificate and proof of address is required and registration has to be completed in person. Our office is open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.

FREE U14 soccer clinic hosted by Elon's men soccer team!!!

Event will be Saturday, March 7, 2-4 pm at Belk Track/White Field. Go to http://www.ci.burlington.nc.us/Admin/www.boys.elonsoccercamps.com to register.

Basketball tournament March 14-15! Peewee-Intermediate leagues. $125 team entry fee. Three game guarantee. Awards for 1st and 2nd place. Tourney to benefit Williams HS and YMCA. For more information or to register, contact Lance Poole at 919-225-7134.

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The NC Community College System (NCCCS) has given John Neathery,

Alamance Community College instructor, its highest award as the top community college instructor in North Carolina.

This is the first time that an instructor from Alamance Community College has been honored with the North Carolina Excellence in Teaching Award. North Carolina has 58 community colleges and each nominates an instructor for consideration. ACC has had a few instructors in the past who reached the regional level of competition.

Neathery earned the state’s top honor following an interview process at the regional and later state level. Neathery will receive a cash award from the NCCCS and additional state recognition.

Neathery has taught at ACC since 2003. An instructor since 1997, he graduated with honors from Appalachian State University (ASU) where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in sociology. He also earned an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) post-graduate degree in Higher Education Teaching, with a concentration in Criminal Justice.

“For me, there is nothing more professionally rewarding and gratifying than helping my students achieve their goals--whatever their academic, career, and life goals may be,” said Neathery, who uses a variety of activities to stimulate the learning environment that may include donning an Ironman mask to illustrate social deviance, or analyzing musical lyrics

ACC INSTRUCTOR AWARDED STATE’S TOP HONOR

CommunityNews

to introduce concepts such as crime, poverty, and family.

Cathy Johnson, Vice President of Instruction, said, “John has always been innovative in his approach to his sociology classes. He finds creative ways to incorporate methods of teaching that will capture students’ attention and keep them engaged in the material he is presenting.”

“Mr. Neathery always keeps class interesting by bringing in humor, he uses props that make us think outside the box, and he challenges us to examine our social world,” said student Amelia Jones, who nominated Neathery initially at the local level.

“We are extremely proud of John’s accomplishments,” said Dr. Algie Gatewood, Alamance

Community College President. “He is an outstanding faculty member who goes out of his way to ensure the success of students. John's classroom leadership is indicative of the high quality of faculty and staff we have here at ACC. And this is of utmost importance as the College positions itself as a leader in preparing students for four-year college transfer and 21st century jobs.”

Established in 1985 by the State Board with financial support from R.J. Reynolds, the Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes full-time teachers who exemplify the highest standards of instruction and professionalism in the classroom and who consistently demonstrate excellence in service to their colleges and communities.


Scott Queen, who has served as Executive Vice

President on an interim basis since June 2014, has

been appointed to the position on a permanent basis

by Alamance Community College President Dr. Algie

Gatewood.

Queen had filled the position vacated by Dr. Gene Couch, who

accepted the presidency of Virginia Highlands Community

College.

ACC APPOINTS EXECUTIVE VP QUEEN ON PERMANENT BASIS

“I am honored to serve the College in this capacity,” said

Queen. I have been training for this opportunity for 15 years.”

A graduate of ACC, Queen has been with the College since

1999 serving as both adjunct and full-time faculty, Distance

Learning Coordinator, Business Administration Department

Head, Associate Dean for Business Technologies, and now as

Executive Vice President.

“During the past eight months, Scott has done an outstanding

job in the interim role,” said Dr. Algie Gatewood. “He

continues to work effectively with faculty and staff to

increase enrollment and to improve student success, which

are paramount to the success of ACC. I am a tough grader

with very high expectations and he has passed.”

Queen’s contributions to the College as Executive Vice

President during his interim tenure include:

• Instrumental in crafting and co-presenting a presentation

to the Alamance County Commissioners that resulted in

a 5-0 vote to fund the College’s new Advanced Applied

Technology Center

• Played a significant role in planning the College’s recent

reorganization

• Instrumental in the implementation of the College’s

Strategic Plan

• Exercised essential leadership in working with colleagues to

navigate the challenges of the recent fire in the automotive

building

A former recipient of the W. Ronald McCarter Excellence

in Teaching Award, Queen has been recognized for teaching

excellence in both the Computer Information Technology

and Business Administration Departments. He is currently

pursuing a doctoral degree in Community College Executive

Leadership from Wingate University.


Mardi Gras is best known as a raucous event that takes place in New Orleans, LA and other areas around the world in January and February. Fat Tuesday, the final day of Mardi

Gras, can occur in March depending on the calendar year and how it corresponds to the Christian liturgical calendar. While Mardi Gras may be legendary for scantily clad costumes, delicious food, overflowing spirits, and many acts of debauchery, many people -- particularly non-Christians

Exploring the History of Mardi Gras

-- may not know what the celebration is truly all about.

Roots of this holiday actually lie in the Christian calendar. Mardi Gras is supposed to serve as the last day in a period of merrymaking that historically takes place during the Carnival season. For many Christians, that Carnival period starts with the Epiphany, or when it was revealed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, which occurs a few days after Christmas. The tradition of the King's Cake, or a cake

Culture


baked with a coin, bead or plastic baby doll inside, that is common during Mardi Gras, has its origins in Epiphany celebrations. The "King' symbolizes the Christ child. Fun and good cheer continue during the next month, and the merrymaking eventually reaches its pinnacle on Mardi Gras. The actual name "Fat Tuesday" comes from the tradition of slaughtering and feasting upon a fattened calf on the last day of Carnival. To the very religious, Mardi Gras is also called "Shrove Tuesday," from "to shrive" or hear religious confessions before Lent.

Many may wonder why good times must end on Mardi Gras and not continue thereafter. That's because Christian Mardi Gras is the final day before Lent begins. Lent is a period of 40 weekdays that, in the Christian Church, is devoted to fasting, abstinence and penitence. The traditional purpose of Lent is to prepare believers for the annual commemoration of how Jesus gave up his life for his followers, and the miracle that was His Resurrection, and his eventual ascension into heaven. Participating in the Lenten season is a practice that is common to the many sects of Christianity, including Catholics, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists. It has also slowly gained favor with other denominations that have historically not participated in Lent.

Don't forget the food this Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is a celebration many people look forward to. A carnival in which revelers are known for losing their inhibitions, Mardi Gras has many traditions beyond just enjoying a beverage or two. Cuisine is equally as important to any worthwhile Mardi Gras party. This year, wow your guests on Fat Tuesday with the following recipe for "Short Rib Jambalaya," from Eula Mae Dore's "Eula Mae's Cajun Kitchen" (Harvard Common Press).

Short Rib Jambalaya (Makes 8 to 10 servings)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 pounds pork short ribs, cut into 2-inch pieces 3 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon Accent seasoning 2 teaspoons Tabasco brand pepper sauce 11/2 cups chopped yellow onions 1/2 cup chopped celery 3 garlic cloves, peeled 1 cup seeded and chopped bell peppers (green, red and yellow mixed or

just green) 3/4 cup canned seeded and chopped tomatoes 4 cups water 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves 1/2 cup finely chopped green onions (green and white parts) 3 cups raw long-grain white rice

1. Oil a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven with the vegetable oil and place over medium-high heat. Season the ribs with 2 teaspoons of the salt, 1/4 teaspoon of the black pepper, the Accent, and 1 teaspoon of the Tabasco. When the oil is hot, add the ribs and cover the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally and scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the meat is evenly browned, about 45 minutes. 2. Transfer the ribs to a platter and drain off all but 3 tablespoons of the fat in the pot. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally and scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the pot, until they are soft and slightly golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the celery and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the bell peppers and cook, stirring a few times, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and return the ribs to the pot. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Add the water, cover and simmer for 30 minutes longer. Add the parsley, green onions and rice. With a spoon, stir to submerge the rice in the liquid. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and 1 teaspoon Tabasco. Stir to mix, cover and cook until all the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes. 4. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for about 5 minutes before serving.

Burlington Magazine, Issue 1620

Ask the ExpertTravel

Thanks to the bevy of online booking sites just a few keystrokes away, many would-be vacationers have taken to planning their own

vacations. But travel agents still provide valuable services that savvy travelers know can make the difference between an ordinary getaway and one that travelers remember for the rest of their lives. The following are a few of the many benefits of working with a travel agent when planning your next getaway.

• Experience: Many travelers want to explore foreign countries or cities they have never visited when going on vacation, and planning such excursions can be a daunting if not intimidating task. Many travel agents specialize in certain countries or regions of the world, and their experience can remove the stress and intimidation from planning an overseas adventure. Even travelers who are not leaving the country can benefit from the services of a travel agent who can share information gleaned from past clients about places to visit and places to avoid within a given city.

• Support: Travelers who book their own trips via online booking sites or other faceless agencies may have no one to look to for help should something go awry on their trip. But travel agents can be a go-to source should something go wrong with a reservation. Travel agents routinely work with hotel chains and touring groups, and they no doubt have already handled every type of

problem travelers may encounter on their trips. That sense of support and security can help travelers rest easier should anything go wrong.

• Perks: Travel agents often have access to perks that travelers who go it alone are not privy to. They may be able to arrange for room or car rental upgrades at no additional cost or get their clients reservations at exclusive restaurants. These perks can turn an ordinary trip into the best vacation of your life.

• Time: Planning your own vacation is a time-consuming process that can seem like a second job. If you go that route, you should expect to spend hours looking for the best deals and the must-see places to visit while simultaneously figuring out how to get from point A to point B and so on.

• Trends: Even if you do all of your own exhaustive research, travel agents will still likely know more about your potential destination than you will. If you want a truly unique trip, then lean on a travel agent who’s in the know about the latest trendy hotels or luxury offerings at destinations across the globe.

Many people are tempted to plan and book their own vacations, but travel agents are an invaluable resource for travelers who hope their next trip proves to be the vacation of a lifetime.

The Benefits of Using a Travel Agent

As a Meeting & Event Planner for Cole Haan,

Sherry oversaw all corporate travel for the company. She worked with top tier hotels and resorts planning sales

meetings, trade shows, and special events around the country. Through Zero Travel, she uses her years

of experience to help clients plan their perfect getaway.

If you are planning a destination wedding,

honeymoon, cruise, or family vacation, let Zero Travel help you make the

most of your trip.

Zero Travel336.257.8579zerotravel.us


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Ask the ExpertReal Estate

Can a Comparative Market Analysis Help You?

To get an estimate of how much you should list your property for, you can request a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). A CMA is an informal estimate of market value, based on sales of comparable properties in your area. It generally takes into account various aspects of your home, including size, features and annual costs. Reviewing comparable homes that have sold within the past year, along with the listing or asking price on current homes for sale, should help you determine a fair sale price for your property.

CMAs can include homes that are currently for sale and those which have recently sold. They can cover areas as narrow as one or two streets surrounding your home, or as broad as an entire subdivision.

The CMA is an informative tool, but like any tool, it doesn’t work by itself. For this

reason, the CMA will always need to be interpreted by a professional.

Remember, too, that Comparative Market Analysis is also used as a buying tool; real estate agents will typically share CMA reports with their clients as they consider buying homes in an area or neighborhood. Just as you can use the CMA to ask the highest possible price for your home, buyers can use it to roughly determine if your home is being listed at a fair market value.

Price it right

When you’re ready to sell, don’t make the mistake of overpricing. It could prove costly if it slows down the sale or makes other homes look like a better value.

If you overprice your home, you could easily disappoint buyers who will compare your home to other homes within the same price range. Plus, you may eliminate a pool of potential buyers who are shopping for homes priced closer to your

Can a Comparative Market Analysis Help You?

Heather McAndrew and her husband fell in love with Central NC, moved here in 1983 and raised two daughters. As the overall real estate team leader, she

spearheads the management, marketing and financial operations of the local Keller

Williams Triad to Triangle real estate team. Her emphasis is listing property,

working with Sellers, Buyers and referral clients, negotiating contracts and coaching team members. As a Realtor and Broker for over 20 years, she built her business through referrals from years of satisfied

clients. By using her expertise, she delivers performance, not just promises.

Keller Williams Triad to Triangle Real Estate Team

800-388-9304 Cell: 336-269-2112

[email protected]

Holiday Home Safety Tips:

Heather McAndrew and her husband fell in love with Central NC, moved here in 1983 and raised two daughters. As the overall real estate team leader, she spearheads the management, marketing and financial operations of the local Keller Williams Triad to Triangle real estate team. Her emphasis is listing property, working with Sellers, Buyers and referral clients, negotiating contracts and coaching team members. As a Realtor and Broker for over 20 years, she built her business through referrals from years of satisfied clients. By using her expertise, she delivers performance, not just promises.

Keller Williams Triad to Triangle Real Estate Team800-388-9304 • Cell: 336-269-2112 • [email protected]

A special thank you to our clients, friends and family that have helped our business grow in 2013. We could not have had such a successful year without your support. Wishing you much happiness this holiday season!

Keep windows, garages and sheds locked; and don't forget to use deadbolts.

Use timers to turn on lights and a television or radio.

Maintain at least a foot of space between a burning candle and anything that can catch fire.

When hanging lights outdoors, avoid using staples or nails which can damage wiring. Use UL-rated clips or wires instead.

Don't overload electrical circuits with holiday lighting; unplug your tree and outdoor lights before going to bed.

Don't leave a spare key in a "hiding place." Burgulars know where to look.

Lock your power box with an electricity authority lock (lock to which you and the electric company have a key) so that your home security alarm system cannot be cut off from the power supply.


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home’s true market value causing you to lose customers during the crucial first weeks that your home is on the market. And the longer your home stays on the market, the more buyers may begin to reason that there is something wrong with the property.

Avoid a “price high then drop” strategy-you run into the risk of buyers believing that the home has flaws-or that you are desperate to sell. If you accept a bid at an inflated price, your buyer may face financing problems, because an overpriced house will not appraise for the selling price.

It’s a good idea to hire a real estate appraiser for an unbiased estimate. Then consult with a real estate professional who can help you determine true market value based on a comparable market analysis. The key is to work with your real estate professional to price right and create a strategic marketing plan that creates excitement from the start.

Sellers: protect yourself and your home

Never allow random house-hunters into your home unescorted. A serious buyer will be working with a real estate professional or should be willing to contact your agent to schedule an appointment. Also, always lock your valuables away before an open house. Many people will be walking through your house and it is impossible to monitor all of the areas of your home at the same time.

A CMA contains valuable information on several recent sales, including: • How long each property stayed on the market.

• How close the sale price was to the asking price.

• Notes comparing each home to yours-number of bedrooms and baths, approximate square footage, sizes of major rooms, amenities such as fireplaces and pools, age of the home, property taxes and more.


History Foster’s Shoe CompanyBy Walter Boyd

In 1889, 29-year old John Royal Foster, a native of Alamance County’s Union Ridge community, came to Burlington and started a general store in a brand new, one-story brick building at 321 South Main Street. At first he sold a wide variety of merchandise, but

over the next ten years he began to specialize in men’s furnishings (clothes, shoes, hats, and related accessories). At some point after 1900, however, he dropped everything but his shoe line and began to sell women’s shoes as well

In about 1899, Foster enlarged his original building and added a second floor to house a store room and the dental office of Dr. John H. Brooks. Dr. Brooks’ dental office and Charlie Sellers’ photography studio (located on the second floor of the Isaac N. Walker building next door) were accessed by an iron staircase located between

the two buildings.

While most merchants failed during the nationwide depression that lasted from 1893 to 1899, John Foster survived and thrived because he was sincere, unassuming, and honest, and was liked and trusted by everyone in town. Another reason for John Foster’s success is that he hired good people. One of his first employees was 25-year old Sidney Anderson “Sid” Horne, who started on September 1, 1893 at a salary of $75 per year (which presumably did not include commissions). Sid soon became as well-liked as his employer. Another salesman who started working there after 1900 was Walter Allen Mebane, who later married Foster’s niece, Lena Garrison.

Sid Horne rose quickly in Foster Shoe Company and became president when it was incorporated in 1906.

Foster Shoe Company Shoe Sale


Walter Mebane was vice-president, and John Foster was secretary-treasurer.

In mid-October 1919, Walter A. Mebane left Foster Shoe Company and formed Mebane Shoe Company with John Andrew Hall, a local shoe wholesaler. They bought out the stock of D. M. Moore & Sons, a men’s clothing and shoe store located at what is now 138 East Davis Street, but moved to what is now 341 South Main Street in 1927.

John Foster retired in 1927. He sold his business to Sid Horne and his son Harvey, along with 20-year old Ernest Alexander Holt. They kept the original name although John Foster continued to own the building. Unfortunately, he didn’t enjoy a long retirement. He was diagnosed with kidney cancer around June 1933 and was soon confined to his home at 518 East Davis Street. He died on June 24, 1934 and was buried in Pine Hill Cemetery.

When John Foster’s heirs sold the building at the end of 1937,

Walter Boyd is the legally recognized official unofficial historian of Burlington. Boyd is a historical consultant for numerous media projects in and about Alamance County. He is also a member of the Gallery Players and has appeared in many plays at the Paramount Theatre. He is currently writing a comprehensive history of the city of Burlington.Walter Boyd

Foster Shoe Company moved to what is now 132 East Davis

Street, where it remained until it closed around the end of the

twentieth century. After Sidney Horne’s death it was operated

by his son Harvey and then his grandson Bob.

The original Foster Shoe Company building at 321 South Main Street has housed a variety of business since 1938. It is now home to Main Pointe Dancewear, owned by Elon native Leah Davis, who was friends with John Foster’s nephew and niece, Jimmie Foster and Mary Lee Foster, both of whom lived in Elon.

Main St., Burlington, circa 1904

Foster Shoe Company, circa 1904


Arduino is a simple microcontroller board and open source development environment that allows you to make computers that drive both functional and creative projects alike. A popular platform for DIY projects, an Arduino

microcontroller is the foundation of literally thousands of projects created by Makers worldwide!

Most descriptions you’ll find on the web for Arduino are vague and that’s partially the point. It has been called the Swiss army knife of electronics or the glue connecting parts for interactive projects. Limor Fried of Adafruit Industries has been quoted as saying, “its best described with examples,” and there are a number of them popping up in Burlington, if you know where to look. Last year, the Haunted Train at the Burlington City Park used an Arduino to randomly change red and yellow LED lights for a camp fire effect. The Burlington Mini Maker Faire brings exhibitors

that have Arduinos running everything from 3D printers to sound activated lighting.

There are plenty of practical uses, too. There are tons of tutorials from automatically watering plants based on a moisture sensor to ringing your doorbell with a motion sensor. With a minimal amount of electronic and programming knowledge anyone can connect nearly any sensor to an Arduino and automate or control nearly any device. The only limitations are the cost of the parts and your imagination! Want to send a tweet when your favorite website is updated? There’s an add-on board for that. Can it be used as a satellite in space? Yes… yes it can. http://www.ardusat.com/

Arduino, pronounced any way you can muster, started out as the brainchild of Hernando Barragan, a Columbian student studying at the Interactive Design Institute in

Building Steamin Burlington

Layout of the LED tutorial with the Sparkfun inventor’s kit

ARDUINO Small but Powerful!Photos and Story by Danny Oakley


Italy. While the use of a microcontroller for interactive projects had been well established for decades, he wanted a cheaper and simpler way to learn electronics and software programming for creative people. With the help of 5 developers, his senior thesis “Arduino – The Revolution of Open Hardware,” sparked a revolution by reducing what would have cost $100 to build in 2004 to a $30 Arduino prototype created by Massimo Banzi in 2005.

While there are a number of different types of Arduinos to choose from, the Arduino Uno is great for most projects and is usually sold with most starter kits. It may not be the fastest model, but it has more processing capability than NASA used to send astronauts to the moon. The Arduino starter pack at Adafruit.com and the Arduino inventor’s kit at Sparkfun.com are personal favorites, because both companies have great tutorials and foster online communities that are willing to help regardless of skillset. If you just can’t wait for your Arduino to arrive in the mail, RadioShack carries an Arduino starter kit, along with individual boards and accessories.

All 3 starter kits begin with how to connect your Arduino to a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer by installing the Arduino software and uploading an example of code known as a sketch to the board. They follow similar tutorials for connecting and controlling an LED light and work their way through connecting and controlling various sensors, motors, and other devices. Each tutorial first focuses on how to connect the wires of each device and has a sketch prewritten to upload. Once successful, the tutorial challenges you to make changes in the code to see how it impacts the reading from the sensor or the reaction of the motor. Before long, you’ll realize you can piece together these building blocks by taking the sensor and part of the code from one tutorial and the motor and code from another tutorial to make your own project. After a while, wires will be connected all over the place leaving you with a thirst to take your Arduino to the next level.

Add-on boards, known as shields, will remove wiring for common electronic setups that can be stacked on top of the Arduino to directly connect them. The Ethernet Shield lets you connect Arduino through the internet to twitter or email. It can even run its own webserver where you can turn on lights over the internet. The open hardware culture has kept Arduino growing over the last 9 years with different models and stackable shields as people collaborate and create prototypes quickly. There are shields for the Arduino Uno that let you connect to higher voltage motors, play MP3s from an SD card, stack a gamepad with built in joystick, and display text or photos on LCD screens. Most shields will also come with an example sketch to get started and many can be stacked together to combine options.

The next time you’re wondering how to pull together a Halloween prop, trim time off gardening, or text fantasy football stats, Arduino has you covered and with new models getting cheaper there’s never been a better time to learn how to use one.

Thank you note from ArduSat for donating to an ArduSat Project Example of a AddonShield

Don’t Monkey Around!! Call Sally today at 336.301.9839

This is what happens when you DON’T advertise in Burlington Magazine!!






Special Tribute

You Never Know When You Will Meet Someone That Changes Your Life.

One of my first days in Cuenca, Ecuador although I was suffering from altitude sickness and wasn’t really interested in eating, I had stopped in to San Sabas, a restaurant that

is popular among the international crowd to people watch. A lady came in wearing tie-dyed pants, a tank top, and little bells around her ankles. At first, her behavior seemed rather bizarre. I watched her flit here and there much in the same way a hummingbird dances from flower to flower – she seemed so carefree. She had obviously eaten at this restaurant quite a bit because the waitress knew what she wanted without having to take her order. Although many people were looking at her as if she was disturbing them in some manner, she didn’t seem to notice or care. I was intrigued.

Without saying a word, she invited herself to sit down at my table and struck up a conversation. She said her name was Shelia Felker and that she liked my watch. I felt a little uncomfortable at first, but I soon warmed up to her friendly demeanor. She asked me if I had any plans and since I didn’t, she invited me to tag along with her while she went about her daily routine. I mentioned I wasn’t feeling that well because of the altitude sickness and she said she knew just what I needed. We left the restaurant and walked to one of the local markets. There she instructed me to buy some coca leaves to chew on to help with the altitude sickness. I

also bought some lozenges made from the same leaves, and “dragon’s blood” which she suggested would help with a lot of things. Dragon’s Blood, is a resin produced from the red sap of the rattan palm tree (its color gives it the dramatic name). I hadn’t had a chance to visit an ATM since I arrived and was running short on cash, but she lent me the money without giving it a second thought.

Upon leaving the market she took me to a cathedral where she bought me a tea that had been blessed by the nuns that live there. We purchased candles and went inside the church and lit them after saying a little prayer. This was a new experience for me because I was not raised catholic, nor am I very religious. For the rest of the day, we walked around the city and she showed me a lot of things that I wouldn’t otherwise have found on my own. Around 3:00 pm, she said she was tired and needed to go home. We said goodbye and I thanked her for taking the time to show me around. I left not knowing if I would ever see her again.

Fortunately, I ran into her again a few days later and we spent another delightful afternoon doing much of the same. During our second meeting she told me she likes to offer free hugs and broke out a sign that read “abrazos gratis”. She walked into the middle of the park and stood there with her sign. People would see the sign, smile and give her a hug. Kids would run up to her and hug her - she seemed to really treasure each and every one. I never

Shelia Felker and “her kids”.

By Dave Johnson


participated, but I really enjoyed watching the happiness she brought to people’s lives with a simple hug.

Our relationship was hit or miss. The only times we hung out were the times I would run into her on accident. I don’t think she ever gave me her phone number and she told me she never answered her phone anyway. The few afternoons I spent with her while in Ecuador made a lasting impression on me. She introduced me to so many people. If she didn’t like someone, she made no bones about it but the people that she took time to speak with were the “good ones” and, like me, fortunate to know her.

One afternoon, I was having lunch with some new friends and she came into the restaurant with three of the shoeshine boys that worked in the local parks. She sat them down at a table and ordered lunch for them. Before they could eat, she made them wash their hands. After lunch, she bought them each a piece of cake. When the cake arrived their eyes became big as saucers and their smiles huge. Shelia said goodbye to the boys and left without having any lunch herself. Watching the boys laugh and enjoy their cake made my day. I later found out that she often does things like that for many of the poor children in town.

Honestly, when I stopped seeing her periodically, I didn’t think anything of it. When Sherry arrived in Ecuador, I wanted her to meet Shelia, but we were so busy I never got a chance to introduce them. As it turns out, Shelia hadn’t been out and about anyhow because she had been sick.

I got back to the States and I am ashamed to admit I still didn’t give her much thought. Getting back into my daily life and catching up on things after being gone for almost three months demanded most of my attention. Periodically, I would see what was going on with the network of people I had met in Ecuador on Facebook. It was there I found out Shelia was really sick and in ICU at the local hospital. No one seemed to know for certain why she had fallen ill but carbon monoxide poisoning seemed to be the culprit which, apparently, led to her having a stroke. At first the prognosis seemed positive, but then things took a turn for the worse and she passed away.

While I didn’t know her that well, her death hit me especially hard. Normally I am a very positive and upbeat person, but I was going through some hard times of my own when I arrived in Ecuador. In the words of Austin Powers, I’d lost my “mojo” and I was hoping to get it back. I realize now that Shelia entered my life when I needed a fresh perspective. Her positive attitude and smile were infectious and I am a better person having known her. Now that she is gone, I think about her often. She was a ray of sunshine and the world was a better place because of the number of lives she touched with her “abrazos gratis.”

Our world could use more Shelias and more abrazos gratis.

Shoeshine boys waiting for their lunch

Shelia buying school supplies for the kids in the community that could not afford them.

Shelia with her “abrazos gratis” sign.


TechSavvy

As technology continues to evolve, devices are being used in ways that might have seemed impossible as recently as a couple of years ago. Several industries have begun to institute changes that reflect the population’s growing reliance on technology. Many airlines now offer Wi-Fi service for passengers, and retailers have worked with vendors to provide mobile applications that facilitate buying via smartphones and tablets. Many feel the future of technology will revolve around merging the real and virtual worlds. Over the next 12 months, the following technologies figure to gain more steam:

• On-demand computing: Reliance on desktop and laptop computers continues to dwindle as tablets and smartphones grow in popularity. The Pew Research Center reports that 58 percent of Americans have a smartphone, while 42 percent own a tablet. These gadgets allow for immediate connectivity for gaming and streaming television and video.

• Mobile consumerism: Retailers are continually revising their offerings to consumers in an effort to cater to mobile users. Many businesses now boast websites that are optimized for tablet use, while others have developed apps that work in conjunction with traditional websites or as stand-alone services.

• 3D printing: Consumer analysts say 3D printing will reach a tipping point in the next several years. As the demand for 3D printing increases, the cost of 3D printing devices will fall and make them even more accessible to the masses. For those unfamiliar with 3D printing, the technology allows a user to make a 3D manipulated object from a digital file. The printer lays down successive levels

of material, usually a polymer plastic, to form the end product. Reproducing a digital file via 3D printing can take anywhere from minutes to days.

• Energy management information systems: Analysts expect companies to place a greater emphasis on energy management in coming years as a means of reducing energy consumption.

• Cloud computing: Cloud computing involves large groups of remote servers networked together to allow centralized data storage. Instead of data saved to a hard disk or drive in a home or business, it is stored to a drive that runs through the Internet. People may be surprised at just how much data actually is stored in the cloud. It’s what enables a user to access a file from work at home or finish playing a game that began on a computer or a mobile phone. Businesses are increasingly bypassing internal servers and software in favor of cloud-based options. The cloud is prolific, but it still is expected to grow more.

• The Internet of things (IOT): This concept involves using the Internet in ways that allows objects to send and receive data. Examples of embedded computing devices can include biochip transponders on farm animals, sensors built into vehicles, heart-monitoring implants, and thermostat or lighting systems that enable remote monitoring. According to Gartner, Inc., an American information technology research and advisory firm, there will be around 26 billion devices on IOT by 2020.

Technology continues to evolve and affect the way the world operates. Each year brings new information and services that can have profound impacts on how people live and do business.

What to expect in

technology this year

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Burlington Magazine - Issue 15