Important News for our Disabled Vets

Public Service Announcement

SUBJECT: Property Tax Exclusion for Honorably Discharged Disabled Veterans and Their Surviving Spouses

Beginning on or after 1 January 2009, 100% permanent and total service connected disabled veterans will be entitled to property tax homestead exclusion under G.S. 105-277-1C as well as those veterans in receipt of benefits under 38 U.S.C. 2101.

The exclusion is for the permanent residence owned and occupied by an owner who is a North Carolina resident and who is an honorably discharged disabled veteran or unmarried surviving spouse of an honorably discharged disabled veteran. The first $45,000.00 of appraised value of the residence is excluded from taxation. An owner who receives exclusion under this section may not receive other property tax relief.

For more information please contact the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs at 252-331-4741.

Is Lowe's Home Improvement out of the Military Discount Business?

I have been contacted be several readers regarding the Lowe's Home Improvement store in Elizabeth City discontinuing its Military Discount. I contacted Lowe's corporate office here North Carolina for comment.

What has been your experience with our local Lowe's?

Lowe's Public Relations, 704-757-9210

Elizabeth City Coast Guard MWR Nets $39,000.00

On the heels of a very successful "first ever" mega concert on a Coast Guard Base, Elizabeth City's Morale, Well-Being and Recreation Division made a cool 39K profit from their efforts in hosting the Lynyrd Synyrd concert this past September 13th.

The concert held at the base and open to public was a first of its kind for the Coast Guard. The logistics and security aspects of opening the base the to general public were new to the Coast Guard and met with more than a little trepidation.

The base MWR Director, Mr. Tony Buero who also serves as the regional MWR Director for North Carolina Coast Guard saw the concert as an opportunity to bring the same level of recreation and entertainment to the men and women of the Coast Gaurd as is routinely enjoyed by their larger sister services Army and Navy.

The concert was attended by over 8,500 guests with zero incidents and no arrest. The base attributed the success of the concerts on all fronts to an incredible amount of planning that included drawing on the resources of local and state law enforcement as well as local officials.

The only snag in the entire event was one the base had actually planned for or against depending on you look at. The band Lynyrd Skynyrd has long been know to use the confederate flag as a prop and on some album covers. Mr. Buero engaged the promoter as did several layers of command to ensure that the confederate flag would not be displayed by the band. The base communicated this concern both in writing and orally on myriad occasion's. Sadly even though this issue had been well vetted, the promoters commitment fell short and the band indeed displayed confederate flags with the Lynyrd Skynyrd logo on them for sale in the band owned concession area.

What will the base to with 39K? Captain Carol Bennett, Commanding Officer at the base has authorized the purchase of another new unit of temporary lodging for the base MWR lodging program. Last year Buero replaced two 20 year old single wide trailers with two brand new state of the art, 2 bedroom, 2 bath prefabricated homes. The proceeds from the concert allowed Buero to accelerate the purchase of the next replacement home by two years. The base expects to accept delivery of a new 3 bedroom unit in late January to early February 2009. The base will then have 3 more 20 year old units still to replace.

The rental units are part of the recreation and lodging opportunities available to the men and women who serve our country. The Coast Guard Morale, Well-Being and Recreation program in Elizabeth City is the hands down leader in MWR modernization said one Coast Guard Officer.

3 Amiegos Voted Elizabeth City's Best Mexican Restaurant

The final votes are in on our on-line poll of best Mexican Restaurant in Elizabeth City. 3 Amigos located at 605 S Hughes Blvd, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, (252) 331-6500 came in Number 1.

We conducted an on-line poll of our readers recently to find out which of our local Mexican Restaurants was the best. 3 Amigos came in at number one with #2, 3, and 4 not even close. El Parian, Mamacitas and Taco Bell were included in the poll.

“Wonderful Winter” Set for Port Discover’s Toddler Time Thursday, December 18

Elizabeth City, NC — What happens to the world around us during the winter months? Toddlers will learn about animal adaptations and the changes in the winter during the Toddler Time, Wonderful Winter, Thursday, December 18, 10:00 am. Children will get to be amateur archeologists on a frozen treasure hunt and conduct experiments with snow and ice.

A fee of $5.00 per family and reservations are required. Program is for 3 – 5 year-olds and parents or guardians must accompany the child.

Port Discover is located at 613 East Main Street, Elizabeth City. Port Discover’s hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Programs can be arranged at other times for special groups. For more information call 252-338-6117 or www.portdiscover.org.

Port Discover is a community-based, non-profit organization, established to enhance the public’s understanding and enjoyment of science through engaging programs, activities, and exhibits. Elizabeth City State University along with the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce initiated the project that has attracted broad community support, including Elizabeth City Morning Rotary, College of the Albemarle, Albemarle Hospital, Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools. Port Discover is also a member of the NC Grassroots Science Museum Collaborative.

Charlotte Underwood Named Director of the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

(Elizabeth City, NC, Dec. 11, 2008) – The Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) has named Charlotte Underwood director of the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (ECACVB), the Authority announced today.

"Charlotte Underwood brings to the job a wealth of marketing, sales and community relations experience that will bolster the work of the Convention & Visitors Bureau," said TDA Chairwoman Maureen Donnelly. "Her enthusiasm for the area and all that it has to offer will only enhance Elizabeth City’s reputation as the 'Harbor of Hospitality.' " [read more]

Events: Christmas Gift-A-Rama at the Arts of the Albemarle Gallery

November 17 - December 31, 2008
Christmas Gift-A-Rama
Arts of the Albemarle Gallery
10:00 am - 5:00 pm, weekdays
Admission: FREE
AOA Gallery: 252-338-6455

The Arts of the Albemarle (AOA) is located downtown, one block from the waterfront where those traveling by boat receive free docking on the Pasquotank River.

AOA, established in 1969 became a registered non-profit arts council in 1980. In the 80's PAC purchased the historic Sharber Building where the retail Gallery, the School of Visual and Performing Arts and Encore Theatre Company call home. Previously known as the Pasquotank Arts Council, the Board of Directors changed the name to Arts of the Albemarle in November of 2007.

Mission Statement

Arts of the Albemarle invites our community and visitors to experience the arts, music and culture of the region through diverse performances, exhibitions and educational programs.

Vote Elizabeth City's Best Mexican Food

I had reader send me an e-mail about what characterized as a very unpleasant visit to a Mexican Restaurant in Elizabeth City last week. So, today we kick off our first poll in search of the best Mexican Food in Elizabeth City.

Take the poll in the right side bar.

Senior military spouses offer lessons learned

By Karen Jowers - Staff writer Posted : Thursday Nov 20, 2008 14:57:23 EST

Prolonged, continuous deployments and their effects on military families need to be seriously addressed in the coming year, said the wife of the Chief of Naval Operations, the wife of the Army chief of staff, and other senior spouses who participated in a panel discussion Nov. 18.

The spouses had more advice for those following in their footsteps:

• On job searching: Build networks and talk to those who have jobs. Pam Allen, wife of Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen, who said she has gotten jobs through chatting with other people at parties and other social functions.

Read the entire story here!

The North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs is here to help veterans

The North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs is here to help veterans, surviving spouses, widows/widowers, and dependent children file and process claims. Here are a few of the services we help you or file for you:

(1) Service Connected Disability Compensation Claims, (Service Connected is accomplished by showing that the condition began during service(incurrence), or that a pre-existing condition was made permanently worse than it would have otherwise been(aggravation), or by the application of certain statutory presumptions.

(2) Non-service Connected Disability Pension;

(3) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation;

(4) Death Pension;

(5) Burial Benefits;

(6) VA Medical Care;

(7) Loan Guaranty;

(8) Vocational Rehabilitation;

(9) Veterans’ Education Assistance;

(10) Dependents’ Education Assistance;

(11) Debt Management;

(12) Appellate Processes.

In our area contact local County Veterans Service Officer or the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs, 1023 US 17 South, Suite 2, Elizabeth City, NC, or you may call 252-331-4741., for more detailed information.