Burgaw’s Osgood Canal Greenway and Urban Trail

From the Star-News:

"About a year ago, the town was awarded a grant from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund of $423,500, provided the town match that in cash or in-kind contributions to the project. The project is supposed to be completed within three years, but Chad McEwen, the town’s planning administrator, said extensions can be sought if funds aren’t available.

The 8-foot-wide greenway path stretching three-quarters of a mile was finished last month.

The greenway starts at Wallace Street, runs south beside the canal, crosses roadways and connects with the sidewalk at Fremont Street.

“It’s going to be limited to nonmotorized recreation – bikes and pedestrians,” McEwen said.

When completed, the project will encompass a two-mile network of greenways and sidewalks, along with a minimum of six parks, including one on Wilmington Street with a picnic shelter and playground equipment."

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$8000 Home Buyer Tax Credit extension?

It looks like the $8000 Home Buyer Tax Credit is likely to be extended. From Realty Times:

Quick passage by the House last week of a bill extending the $8,000 home buyer tax credit next year for military, diplomatic and intelligence personnel serving overseas increases the odds that Congress will agree to an extension, maybe even an expansion, of the entire credit program well into 2010.

The White House is also signaling that it sees the overall tax credit program -- currently set to expire November 30 -- as an important element in cutting the unemployment rolls and stimulating new jobs next year.

After an economic policy strategy meeting last week in the Oval Office involving President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, congressional aides said Democrats generally support an extension of the housing credit.

Reid already has made clear he wants an extension. He is co-sponsoring a Senate bill that would do so for six months.

EXIT Burgaw Class Photo

exitburgawseptember2009sm, originally uploaded by Watts4.

Like our kids, it's time for the new school class picture!

Dana and Watts in the Greater Wilmington Business Journal

The latest issue of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal has a nice mention about Dana Scalisi and Watts Carr taking new Broker-in-Charge positions:

Burgaw Depot

The Star-News has a good read and links to info about the Burgaw Train Depot and its renovation:

The last train left this station in 1986, but it’s poised to become a community hub once again.

Besides the warehouse, now being readied for use as an event and meeting space, work is under way for a commercial incubator kitchen, where entrepreneurs can rent space to concoct new products for sale.

The depot’s renovation is 75 percent complete.

In 1986, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s also part of the state’s Civil War trail system.

The project’s renovation has an estimated price tag of $1 million, and $740,000 has been spent so far. Retired architect Johnny Westbrook, who spend his childhood in Burgaw and now owns Burgaw Antique Place, has been overseeing the project.

The Burgaw Area Chamber of Commerce has relocated to the former baggage room, and in lieu of rent, Donna Best-Klingel, the chamber’s executive director, will oversee the depot’s day-to-day operation. Any inquiries about renting the facility should be made to the chamber at 259-9817.

Landscaping on the Cheap

Tired of paying for landscapers or tired from doing it yourself? CNNMoney.com has some tips to help the home landscaper DIY on the cheap. And be sure to read through the Lifehacker comments for this article as well, the ever-vigilant commenters put in their $.02 and go into more detail. Like abhowell:

"Cheaper than putting landscaping paper under the mulch is to lay down thick layers of wet newspapers. Fill up a wheelbarrow with water and put in newspapers in whole sections. After they've soaked up some water, lay them down on your flower bed and then cover with mulch. The newspaper will keep new weeds from sprouting up and it will break down over the course of the season. Works like a charm!"

photo by ArtemFinland