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By Mariana Byrd

This weekend the travel section of the New York Times published an article titled “The 41 Places to Go in 2011”.  The 41 places tend to be exotic, including Santiago, Chile, Koh Samui, Thailand, Iceland, Milan, London, Loreto, Mexico, Oahu, Melbourne, Australia, Durham, North Carolina, Singapore,....wait, was that Durham, NC?  Our very own Durham in the top 41 places to go in 2011 as named by the New York Times?  Right there, with places like Oahu, Singapore, and Egypt?

Yes, that’s right, Durham, NC is #35 on the list of the top 41 places to visit this year.  I know how much I love this town so it is great to see others acknowledge it as well.  What’s even better is that the NY Times is touting it as a destination, somewhere that you *need* to visit.  Great news for Durham as a whole.

Here is the full list of cities and the write up from the NY Times article on Durham:

1. Santiago, Chile
Undaunted by an earthquake, a city embraces modern culture

2. San Juan Islands, Wash.
Bold-face restaurateurs vie with unspoiled nature. Nature wins

3. Koh Samui, Thailand
A toned-down version of Phuket, heavy on wellness and food.

4. Iceland
Where a country’s hardships are a visitor’s gain.

5. Milan
A reborn cathedral joins fashion-forward galleries and hotels.

6. Republic of Georgia
A rustic ski wonderland on the verge of discovery

7. London
Anticipating the 2012 Olympics, a slew of new hotels and restaurants.

8. Loreto, Mexico
A beach hideaway with sport fishing gets a luxury resort.

9. Park City, Utah
Beyond the film festival, a growing group of top-tier resorts.

10. Cali, Colombia
Cafe culture is on the rise while salsa fuels the night life.

11. The Danube
From Budapest to the Black Sea, new cruises on a storied river.

12. Niseko, Japan
An Aspen emerges in Asia, with luxury to spare.

13. Oahu
Hawaii’s most developed island adds resorts and attractions.

14. Antwerp, Belgium
A new breed of boutiques have made it a fashionista’s paradise.

15. Melbourne, Australia
New hotels plus big-name chefs put Sydney on notice.

16. Tlemcen, Algeria
An ancient Islamic city dresses up for a gala year.

17. Sopot and Gdansk, Poland
Poland’s Baltic coast welcomes party hoppers and soccer fans.

18. Erzurum, Turkey
Skiing in Turkey? A winter sports capital emerges in Anatolia.

19. Hyderabad, India
Dynastic grandeur in the heart of modern India.

20. Manchester, England
An industrial city reinvents its famed musical past.

21. Tallinn, Estonia
The beautiful capital city aims to shed its stag-party past.

22. Fogo Island, Newfoundland
An art colony blooms on remote and rugged shores.

23. Singapore
With new resorts and casinos, the city lets its hair down.

24. Port Ghalib, Egypt
A low-key beach escape with clear water and sea creatures.

25. Whistler, British Columbia
The Olympians are gone. Now it’s your turn.

26. Guimarães, Portugal
A city of youth is fired up by its art scene.

27. Olympic Park, Wash.
Bad weather is good for skiers and storm-watchers.

28. Dresden, Germany
A new museum leads the way to a historic city’s future.

29. Oualidia, Morocco
On a Moroccan lagoon, oysters, flamingoes and no crowds.

30. Zanzibar
On an African isle, luxury lures the après safari set.

31. Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
The ranches beyond a historic village offer a dose of rural chic.

32. Tozeur, Tunisia
Camel racing, souks and eco-lodging in a Saharan oasis.

33. Hangzhou, China
An hour from Shanghai, a historic jewel goes five-star.

34. Iraqi Kurdistan
Safety, history and a warm welcome in a stable corner of Iraq.

35. Durham, N.C.
A downtown turnaround means food worth a trip.

A decade ago, downtown Durham was a place best avoided after sundown. But as revitalization has transformed abandoned tobacco factories and former textile mills into bustling mixed-use properties, the city has been injected with much-needed life. In the heart of downtown, a crop of standout restaurants and cafes has recently sprouted around West Main Street, where low rents have allowed chefs and other entrepreneurs to pursue an ethos that skews local, seasonal and delicious.

The farmers’ market favorite Scratch Bakery has a brand-new storefront for its seasonal homemade pies that include chestnut cream pie and buttermilk sweet potato pie. At the cafe-cum-grocery Parker and Otis, the menu features sandwiches made with freshly baked bread from nearby Rue Cler and locally roasted java from Durham’s Counter Culture Coffee. And at the sophisticated Revolution, squash tamales, mascarpone gnocchi, and tuna with wasabi caviar rotate through the seasonal menu.
— INGRID K. WILLIAMS

36. Kosovo
Mountains, medieval architecture and unexpected night life.

37. Pingyao, China
Ming architecture is intact as contemporary culture takes root.

38. Salonika, Greece
Out of the country’s economic woes, a new wave of artists.

39. Okinawa, Japan
A ‘Japanese Amazon’ with some luxury thrown in.

40. Budapest
A scene pops up in abandoned buildings, and glamour rises.

41. Miami
Big-time music arrives in a town known for beaches and art.

• 104617 (Jordan High: Help update worn-out classrooms and ignite community support)
• 104425 (NC School of Science and Math food drive).

posted by Ashley St. Clair

The holiday season conjures images of hot toddies and fireplaces, festive dinners with friends and family. We like to think of the holidays as a warm, safe, and spirited time. And with a few simple—yet oftentimes overlooked—precautionary measures, we can each help to ensure that our holiday season is in fact safe for our families and our neighbors.

Note: The Durham Police Department offers free home security surveys to identify security weaknesses and can provide suggestions for how to increase the natural surveillance of your home and make your house less inviting to a burglar. Call 560-4404 for more information.

☞ HEADING OUT OF TOWN

● Avoid advertising that you will be away.

● Consider using at least two timers for turning on lights inside your home. This will give the appearance that it is occupied.

● Put exterior lights on photoelectric switches to activate them at dusk.

● Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in your driveway periodically.

● Don‘t forget to have mail, newspaper, and deliveries stopped (or picked up by a neighbor).

● Leave a key and your contact information with someone you trust; don't hide a key outside - burglars know all of the "good hiding spots."

● Lock up ladders, tools, and recreational equipment.

● Do not keep large amounts of money in your home.

● Make sure your windows are locked and secured, that you use deadbolt locks on exterior doors, and that you pin sliding glass doors for added security. Burglars will only spend approximately sixty seconds trying to break into a residence.

● Cut back your shrubbery so that it doesn't obscure the doors and windows of your home.

☞ GOING OUT FOR THE EVENING

● Turn on lights, the radio, or a TV so that it looks like someone‘s home.

● Be cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave.

● Don‘t display gifts where they can be seen from outside your home.

● Upon your return, if anything looks suspicious, don’t go inside. Call the police from a neighbor’s house or cellular phone.

☞ TAKE HOLIDAY INVENTORY

● The holiday season is a good time to update—or create–your home inventory. Take photos or make videos of items, and list descriptions and serial numbers. Keep the photos or videos in a secure place for future reference. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims much easier to file. Make sure that things like TVs, DVDs, VCRs, stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, sport equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office equipment and power tools are on the list. Check it twice!

☞ IF YOU ARE SHOPPING

● Stay alert and be aware of what‘s going on around you at all times.

● Park in well-lit areas, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and place all shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.

● Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check, or credit card whenever possible.

● Carry wallets in front pockets and purses close to your body.

● Pay attention to people walking in front of behind you. Be particularly observant when you are in crowded areas such as malls and stores, as places with large crowds are favorites for thieves and pickpockets.

● When shopping with children, teach them to go to the store clerk, information center, or security guard if you get separated.

☞ PROTECTING YOUR VEHICLE

● Always lock your vehicle and store all items out of sight. Breaking into a seemingly empty car isn‘t worth a thief‘s time.

● Always lock your car and check it before you walk away.

● If you take packages to the car but plan to return to the store or mall, drive to a new location. Criminals can be on the lookout for unsuspecting shoppers who simply drop their purchases into the trunk and then return to keep shopping.

● When returning to your vehicle (or home) have your keys in your hand ready to open the door.

● Most vehicles are equipped with factory car alarms; if you become startled or approached unwanted, push your vehicle‘s panic alarm. It may prevent an unwanted situation from escalating.

Crime prevention tips courtesy of The Durham Police Department, the Hope Valley Neighborhood Association, and the Old West Durham Neighborhood Association

 

By Lou Perron

People often ask me about cracks they have discovered in their foundation.  Before I go further, I need to make a disclaimer --  I am not an engineer.  That said, I did study structures and materials as part of my architectural training, and have been involved with many repairs over the years.  I’ve learned what to look for – and when I need to bring in an expert.

First of all, what’s a foundation?  When you start building a house you dig down below the frost line to undisturbed ground.  At this point the soils are compacted so nothing should budge.  Then a trough is dug and filled with concrete to create a “footing.”  This is a wide continuous base on which the foundation is built.

When you see a crack it’s important to determine where it is and how severe it is.  In order to figure out whether it’s a big deal, you need to know what kind of foundation system you have.  For this article I’m going to talk about “pier and curtain wall” foundations.

This type of foundation is most common in the pre-1950 houses in Durham’s in-town neighborhoods. These foundations are made with a series of supports or “piers,” which are located at intervals of about 6 to 8 feet along the perimeter of the house and in the corners.  Most often the piers are made of a double layer of brick.  In addition to the piers at the perimeter, there will also be a series of free standing piers in the center of the house. These piers are usually 16”x16” and are designed to support the floor, wall and roof loads.

In between the piers are one brick thick walls called “curtain walls.”  It is not meant to support the house, but is just there to close in the basement or crawlspace, keep it dry and keep out the critters.

With this kind of foundation, the main cause for concern is when there’s a crack in a pier, parts of the pier have moved or if the pier is missing mortar between the bricks. When the piers can’t do their job, the curtain wall may end up doing it, even though it wasn’t designed to do this.  This can cause cracking or bowing.  This is generally only an issue if there’s a problem with the piers.  As long as the piers are secure, then cracks or even bowing in the curtain wall are usually cosmetic.  A mason can easily fix this.

The thing to be worried about is a major crack in a pier.   Then it’s a good idea to call in an engineer. While many homeowners or buyers feel this is just an additional expense, the cost is small considering that foundation repairs can mount into the thousands and tens of thousands of dollars.  An engineer can tell you if the crack you’ve found is a major problem and identify cost-effective solutions.

Why not just call a foundation contractor?  While there are some very good foundation contractors, there is an inherent conflict of interest when you ask a contractor to provide you a solution as well as do the work.  No matter how honest the contractor, they have a financial interest in recommending an expensive solution, even when there’s a less expensive solution that will solve the problem.  When you hire an engineer, they work for you, and have no stake in the cost of repairs.

Also, most contractors are not structural experts. I’ve noticed a tendency toward overkill that sometimes doesn’t even solve the problem.  I’ve had an engineer out to look at work that cost thousands of dollars but still didn’t fix the problem. The engineer just shook her head.

So if you notice a crack or sagging, don’t get caught up in foundation hysteria.  Take a deep breath.  Ask your broker to recommend a licensed structural engineer.  Have the engineer look at your foundation and identify any structural problems.  If your engineer believes repairs are warranted, ask her to recommend a specific solution, in writing.  Then have contractors bid on the work.

Your small investment in the services of an engineer could save you thousands of dollars.  It’ll also give you peace of mind and confidence when you sell your home.

The first of a potential 700 Durham residents who applied for the Neighborhood Energy Retrofit Program(NERP) will soon begin saving money on their energy bills.  The program seeks to increase energy efficiency by at least 20 percent through home upgrades, which will reduce homeowners energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.   Upgrades will include sealing air leaks in ductwork, installing programmable thermostats, and adding insulation.

" Once we have those 700 homes completed, the program will ultimately result in reduction of more than 2,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, making a significant impact on Durham's environment, "  Tobin Fried, manager of the Durham City-County Sustainability Office, said in a news release.

Neighborhoods participating in the program so far include:  Colonial Village, Duke Park, East Durham, Fisher Heights, Frenchmans' Creek, Hillside Park, Lakewood, Lochhaven Hills, Morehead Hill, Newhal Village, Northgate Park, Parkwood, Spring Valley, Trinity Park, Tuscaloosa Lakewood, Watts Hillandale, and West End

In addition to the retrofits, residents will receive education on do-it-yourself energy efficient projects as well as how to pay for more upgrades through grants, rebates and tax credits.  "This program is designed to get neighbors talking to each other about energy efficiency and helping one another to reduce energy use even after the grant money is gone,” Freid said.

Currently, over 375 homeowners have applied for the program. Applications are still being accepted for homes that meet the program criteria in the identified neighborhoods.  To be eligible, the homes must be single-story, 2,000 square feet or less,, and be free of unvented combustion appliances, such as some gas hot water heaters, stoves or furnaces that could leak carbon dioxide back into the home.  Residents who are interested can apply online at  www.DurhamNC.gov/NERP or call (919)560-7699.

By:  Mary Rae Hunter

As many of you know, in my former life I was an elementary school teacher in both the Durham and Chapel Hill Public School Systems.  As an elementary school educator, I was constantly trying to figure out ways to get valuable resources directed towards my classroom. Each month, I would spend a great deal of my  personal paycheck to provide the children with materials and experiences that would last a lifetime.  It was very difficult on the small school budget that I was provided to supply the resources needed so as to create an exciting, challenging, and inspiring classroom for eager, bright, young minds.

That is why I got so excited about providing books for the Durham Public School (DPS) children in the BookMark program.  At UDR, we were able to provide hundreds of books to children in the DPS System.  We now have another opportunity to help get resources to one of the Durham Public High Schools.  Jordan High School is participating in a competition to win a $50,000 grant from Pepsi.  Project Refresh Jordan (PRJ) is a collaborative fundraising effort of students, teachers, parents, alumni and staff working to improve the learning environment at C. E. Jordan High School (JHS).  Since Augst 2010, they have raised over $6,000 through direct donations and sales of PRJ rubber bracelets.

If they are successful at receiving this substantial Pepsi grant, they will be able to provide the school with the following: $11,000 for 20 Science Tablets, $24,000 for 67 12X4 White Boards, $13,000 for 100 student desks, and $2,000 for labor and installation of the materials

The application has now been successfully submitted!  Everyone in the Durham County Community needs to "VOTE" everyday to get this grant awarded to JHS.  Voting will run from December 1st through December 31st.  The instructions for voting will be easily accessible on the following facebook page.  Instructions will soon follow..... http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Refresh-Jordan/153025811400896?v=wall

Everyone please support this cause and get online to vote!  This is a terrific opportunity for our community's teachers and young students at Jordan High School.

Some real estate and staging professionals say home owners can still add a few decorations for the holidays when selling a home and buyers will appreciate it too. Holiday decor can lighten moods and warm up interiors, so you don’t have to swear it off completely because you’re afraid of offending those who don’t celebrate, they say.

Opening the front door and see lights and the Christmas music playing with some cinnamon smells, all of this says "welcome, come in and stay awhile."

6 Principles to Holiday Staging

The key to holiday decorating is to keep the decor high quality and color-coordinated.  So if you plan on staging a home for the holidays, here are some important things to keep in mind.

1. Don’t overdo the holiday cheer.

When Santas start to outnumber the rooms in the house, you may want to start being more selective in what you display.  “If it is ‘cute,’ it stays packed,” says Joanne O’Donnell.

The same staging principles apply during the holidays: Don’t overwhelm the space with clutter.  “For every holiday decor item put on display, temporarily pack something you keep out all the time. That way you can avoid over-decorating,” says a staging pro.

Instead of a large Christmas tree dominating the living room, you might opt to have a smaller tree display on a table top -- particularly if the space is small. Your decor doesn’t have to be super-sized or scattered everywhere: Mix in small centerpieces on dining room tables, bookcases, bathroom sinks or end tables -- simple touches such as pine cones or ornaments in a glass bowl.

You also might want to have home owners rethink hanging those Christmas stockings from the fireplace too, since when you are selling a home, you want buyers to notice and appreciate the permanent features of the home and if your fireplace is almost impossible to see because your stockings are blocking the view, then buyers will not appreciate this focal point for what it is.

2. Add splashes of holiday colors.

How about some holiday red? Psychology research on color responses has shown that warm colors, such as red, can increase excitement and energy in those viewing it. Pops of seasonal colors -- such as red or green -- add festive cheer to a home too and can be as simple as just adding a red everyday throw to the sofa or adding poinsettias throughout the home.

It doesn’t have to be bold holiday statements: Add greenery to fireplace mantels or as a base for the dining room table centerpieces. Or another holiday favorite: Bows and ribbons can add splashes of color -- tie them around candles, wreaths, and basket handles throughout the house for extra pops of color. Don’t underestimate the power of neutral palettes too in your holiday decor, such as silvers and classic whites.

Try repeating colors from room to room and using similar ribbons, ornaments, patterns or decorative items that can add to the consistency of your holiday look. But when bringing in holiday colors, be careful not to clash with your home’s current color scheme. For example, if turquoise is the room’s dominant color, you might want to hold off on adding bold holiday reds; try silver instead.

3. Stage for the senses.

Christmas music -- mixed with holiday scents -- has been shown to boost people’s attitudes in retail stores and increase their likelihood of wanting to visit them.  For scents, pros recommend adding a pot of mulling spices or cider.  But if you’re going to include a holiday scent just don’t forget the music.

4. Keep the tree simple, yet elegant.

The Christmas tree will likely be your biggest decor piece so it needs to make a statement. Use a string of 100 lights for every foot of tree. In other words, if you have a 7-foot tree, use at least 700 lights (she prefers the white twinkling ones).

5. Give a holiday impression from the curb.

You needn’t be able to view your outdoor holiday lights from space, Clark Griswold, to show your holiday spirit. Twinkling clear, white lights (preferably non-blinking) tend to be the favorite among staging and real estate professionals for classy holiday curb appeal that adds a glow to your listings at night.

6. Remove decor after the holidays.

Christmas in July isn’t for everyone, so in general, wait to decorate for the holidays until after Thanksgiving and be sure your home owners remove all holiday decor promptly by New Year’s.

With gratitude from Melissa Dittmann Tracey

by Jessica Sadler

Saturday was a great day for Durham with the usual Farmer's Market, the Troika Festival with its concerts and craft show, and perhaps most inspiring: the Cleveland-Holloway home tour. My husband and I walked over to the tour after a stop at Daisycakes and had a fantastic time. We were able to see the home that B. Wallace designed for Charles Davies. Were peaked in on Adrian & Keith's progress and saw the beautiful renovation that Ken & Erin Gasch made. We also said hello to Lou Perron as he held open the home that his clients recently bought. From the looks of it the turnout was fantastic and it was great to see all the progress in the neighborhood over the last year. Thanks to the organizers and the great hosts.

By: Mariana Byrd

Today, Tuesday, November 2, 2010, is the day to get out and vote.  The 20 million dollar street bond referendum is up for a vote today.  The city of Durham would like to borrow $20 million to repave 150 miles of streets.  The $20 million would come in the form of a property tax increase to a total  0.76 cents per $100 property valuation.

Supporters of the referendum say now is the time to borrow the money as construction costs are lower and the worst streets need to be repaved now before they get in worse shape and cost more money to repair in the future.  In addition, City Hall says that this will be the last time Durham asks to borrow money for street repairs (as published by Jim Wise, staff writer of thedurhamnews.com on 10/2/10).  Only time will tell if that statement is true.

Those who oppose the street bond wonder why the city has to (a) borrow money to fund basic infrastructure, and (b) borrow more money when Durham is already in debt.  Others question whether the 20 million dollars can be better used elsewhere.

If you would like to find out which streets are on the proposed bond before voting check out this link: http://gisweb.durhamnc.gov/durhammaps/operationgreenlight/viewer/index.html.  There is also more information on the referendum on Durham City’s website.

All of these decisions, ballots, and referendums affect us and the city that we love, so make sure to get out and vote today.

By: Courtney James

This year has brought about two changes in environmental regulation that are sure to effect owners of older homes.

Underground Oil Tanks:

As of July 1, 2010, all property owners with leaking home heating oil tanks are now eligible for 100% reimbursement of cleanup costs from the Leaking Petroleum UST Cleanup Funds.  Prior to the change, property owners had to prove tank ownership; otherwise, a $5,000 deductible and 10% co-payment were required.  Now all property owners are elgible for 100% reimbursement of necessary and reasonable cleanup costs.

Lead Based Paint:

Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

To protect against this risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

EPA requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certified by EPA and that they use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices. Individuals can become certified renovators by taking an eight-hour training course from an EPA-approved training provider. Learn how to become an EPA certified firm and where to take a training course near you.

Contractors must use lead-safe work practices and follow these three simple procedures:

Contain the work area.

Minimize dust.

Clean up thoroughly.