Erlenbach is an active member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), a member of the Continuing Education Committee and served from 2008 to 2010 as Real Property Section Chair for the Mecklenburg County Bar Association.
Her community involvement includes Rotary Club of Mecklenburg, for which she was awarded the 2010-11 President's Award for Exceptional Leadership & Devoted Services. She is also a member of the local Civitan Club and served as 2011 Chair of the United Way Campaign Cabinet Committee.
In addition to wills and estates, Erlenbach's primary areas of practice include residential and commercial real estate and business entity set-ups. For more information, contact The McIntosh Law Firm at 704-892-1699 or visit www.mcintoshlawfirm.com.
Clean energy CEO talks energy efficiency
Huntersville-based Lime Energy Co. President and CEO John O'Rourke spoke recently at the N.C. Sustainability Energy Association's annual meeting, sharing his vision for the future of the clean energy economy.
"We know job creation is happening in the clean energy space," said O'Rourke in comments outlined in a recent press release. "According to NAESCO, every $1 million of project value is estimated to create 10 direct jobs in engineering, construction and equipment manufacturing. ... Growth in the number of clean energy programs being improved and installed in North Carolina helps put back blue collar jobs here at home, and Lime has experienced this opportunity first hand."
The annual conference provided a forum for stakeholders to discuss the future of the clean energy economy in the state, which according to the association's recent "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industries Census," shows that N.C.'s clean energy sector employment grew by 10 percent since 2010.
Lime Energy's services include integrated energy engineering, consulting and the implementation of solutions that enable customers to reduce their facility's energy consumption, lower their operating and maintenance costs and reduce their carbon footprint. Learn more at www.lime-energy.com.
Small biz lending gets boost from Piedmont
The U.S. Small Business Administration has awarded Piedmont Bank (a division of Yadkin Valley Bank and Trust) the bronze award for lending for the second consecutive year. Bank officials say the company closed more than $9 million in SBA loans across the market during fiscal year 2011.
Chief Banking Officer Rick Patterson accepted the award on behalf of the bank at the SBA Lenders Conference and Awards Luncheon held late last month in Greensboro. The bank increased its SBA lending by nearly 45 percent in 2011 over the previous year.
"We are pleased to honor Yadkin Valley Bank as a Bronze Award Lender for 2011," said SBA North Carolina District Director Lynn Douthett. "The bank's increase in SBA loans exemplifies their commitment to job creation and small business success."
Piedmont Bank has branches in Cornelius, Huntersville and Mooresville. For more information, visit www.yadkinvalleybank.com.
New store opening for holiday shopping
Just in time to kick that holiday shopping into high gear, a new store with a rather eclectic inventory will open its doors next week in Cornelius.
On Wednesday, Nov. 23, Lake Norman area shoppers can explore Treasures Express, which will carry one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, housewares and wall décor, as well as ladies' and men's consignment clothes, hardware, toys, fishing supplies and tools. Also available will be custom trophies and engraving services.
A grand opening celebration is set for Thursday, Dec. 1, beginning at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and including coffee and doughnuts as well as a raffle for a variety of gift baskets. In addition, the store is now accepting sports equipment and adult clothing items for consignment.
Treasures Express is at 18700 Statesville Road in Cornelius, next to Kids Emporium. For more information, call 704-774-5178 or send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
New art studio, wine lounge opens
Settle in with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee while exploring your artistic talents at Café Elie, now offering art classes for all levels in all media.
Owner and artist Elie Bou Zeidan is the studio's proprietor, specializing in still life works, landscapes and nudes. Bou Zeidan, a native of Lebanon, began to study art at a young age, continuing his education in Italy and France after fleeing Lebanon. He married an American and subsequently moved to Huntersville in 2007.
Plans at Café Elie are to offer monthly art workshops led by famous artists from around the country. Already a favorite is "Ladies Night Out — Sip and Sketch," when women can share wine, cheese and fruit while exercising their creative genius that results in a painting to take home at the end of the evening.
Café Elie is at 20700 N. Main St. in Cornelius. For more information, call 704-728-5554 or visit www.cafeelie.com.
Local Realtor gains national recognition
The Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC) has awarded the Accredited Buyer's Representation designation to Brock Zevan, Broker in Charge and owner of Compass Real Estate Group in Huntersville.
Zevan joins more than 30,000 real estate professionals across the country who have earned the ABR designation, which required him to complete a comprehensive course in buyer representation and an elective course focusing on a buyer representation specialty.
REBAC, founded in 1988 and with more than 40,000 active members, is the world's largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer.
Visit Compass Real Estate Group online at www.mycompassrealestate.com, or contact Zevan at 704-625-0708 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Second Small Biz Saturday in Charlotte
An American Express-sponsored event will be held in Charlotte's South End on the heels of Black Friday, a day the credit card company's officials say was designed to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods across the country.
Small Business Saturday will be celebrated Nov. 26, and is expected to attract 89 million consumers nationwide who plan to "shop small" the Saturday after Thanksgiving, according to the Small Business Saturday Consumer Spend Survey 2011.
Beginning at 10 a.m., activities such as musical performances, raffles and giveaways, gift wrapping stations as well as visits from Santa will be held at four main hubs in the South End including Camden Road, Atherton Mill Market, Sedgefield Shopping Center and Furniture Row.
To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday.
Rock-a-bye baby: sleep safe at LNRMC
The North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation has recognized Lake Norman Regional Medical Center as an Infant Safe Sleep Hospital Leader. The award is endorsed by the North Carolina Hospital Association and the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force, and is made available to all hospitals in the state that deliver babies and care for babies younger than one year.
This designation is given to hospitals that meet one to three of the award's four criteria for the Foundation's Inaugural Infant Safe Sleep Hospital Model of Excellence Award. LNRMC met three markers, including policy, staff training and education, and patient education and modeling. It is one of 15 hospitals in the state that applied for this designation.
Fighting arthritis with better technology
Lake Norman Regional Medical Center announced last week it will be the first hospital in the area to perform MAKOplasty®, a new, minimally invasive partial knee resurfacing procedure used to treat early- to mid-stage osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.
Officials with LNRMC say MAKOplasty®, powered by the RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic system, offers a more precise and consistent result for partial knee resurfacing, and that it will be one of only five hospitals with this technology in North Carolina.
MAKOplasty® patients may experience a shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery and a smaller incision as compared to total knee replacement. In addition, many return to an active lifestyle within weeks of the procedure, which can be performed on either the inner, top or outer compartment of the knee.
The opportunity for early intervention is important, as OA is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
For more information, contact Tara Casper-Vitale, RN, BSN, Orthopedic Nurse Navigator, at 704-660-4164.
— Compiled by Lori Helms
