"We're going to look at everything we're doing and (ask), 'are we making smart decisions?'" Moon says of his consulting arrangement with Keith Moyer, former publisher of the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Fresno Bee. "We're looking for relevance in news, both in print and online."

Moon, former publisher of USA Today, says he's spent some time talking with Lake Normanites about his new purchase. What are folks saying about the paper?

"Everybody I've spoken with knows the publication," Moon says.

Yeah, but what are they actually saying about the publication's reporting?

"Anybody and everybody has a different view on what they'd like to have covered," Moon says.

Moyer, whom Moon said will travel to the Lake Norman area from his Minnesota home about once a month, will likely be more direct in his assessments of the paper and Moon's other newly acquired papers, the Denver Weekly, Mooresville Weekly and Mountain Island Monitor.

The four-publication package was recently acquired by Moon from Carolina Weekly Newspapers Inc., led by Charlotte resident Alain Lillie.

Lillie purchased the original Herald and Mountain Island Monitor in 2008, adding them to his other weekly newspapers in Union County, the Mint Hill area and south Charlotte.

After establishing a foothold in the Lake Norman area, Lillie began an ambitious expansion into other lake-area markets, launching the Mooresville Weekly and the Denver Weekly, while shutting down less successful publications such as his University City Weekly.

Lillie said in mid-December he had entered discussions to sell the papers to Moon so Lillie could spend more time with his family, while also saying he plans to add two new papers to his company's holdings.

Moon, meanwhile, says he's continuing to shop for a home in the Lake Norman area while maintaining his residence in the Nashville, Tenn., area.

Moon says the deal to buy the papers from Charlotte-based Carolina Weekly Newspapers was finalized Dec. 30. He declines to reveal the price.

— John Deem

Chamber to install Salzman as chairman

Jack Salzman, owner and president of Lake Norman Chrysler Jeep Dodge will serve as chairman of the board of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce for 2012. His Cornelius dealership, which employs more than 80 people, has been the number-one volume new vehicle Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership in the Carolinas since Salzman purchased it in 2003.

He was named the chamber's Robert T. Cashion Business Person of the Year in 2006.

Salzman will officially take over the reigns of the Chamber's board at its annual awards banquet on Thursday, Jan. 19 from Robert Reed, who chaired the 850-plus member Chamber in 2011.

North Carolina Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lew Ebert will be the event's keynote speaker.

While Salzman has spent the better part of his career in automobile sales, he holds a Juris Doctor degree from Nova Law School and a business administration degree from Auburn University.

Salzman has been an active supporter and sponsor of local community programs including Cornelius Parks and Recreation events as well as the annual "Big Day at the Lake."

Salzman says his goal is to increase the opportunity for Chamber business member employees to play a more active role in the business association.

"While I am excited we have approximately 850 businesses participating in the chamber, we need to make sure the employees of our businesses have an opportunity to take advantage of the great seminars, outstanding training, networking opportunities and discounted savings we have in place with our retailers and service businesses," Salzman says.

He says the first steps toward that end will include an overhaul of the Chamber's Web site (www.lakenormanchamber.org) and expansion of the e-mail distribution list the Chamber uses to notify members of programs and events.

"As the owner of one of our region's largest retail businesses, I understand the Chamber must focus on taking care of the members of our Chamber of Commerce today and help grow their business," says Salzman.

"If we deliver on our promises, and nurture and grow existing business, we will see increased economic activity and a business climate that will positively impact our region."

"It has been a challenging three years for our businesses," says Chamber President Bill Russell. "Fortunately, we are seeing a modest increase in real estate closings and retail sales and there is every indication we are headed back in a positive direction."

Queen's Feast returns Jan. 20

The semi-annual Queen's Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week will return for its Winter 2012 outing from Friday, Jan. 20, through Sunday, Jan. 29. This winter's promotion features a record 101 participating restaurants, 17 from the Lake Norman area.

Charlotte Restaurant Week is a regional promotion during which numerous upscale restaurants offer a prix fixe, three-course (or more) dinner for $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity). Restaurants represented in the promotion stretch across many neighborhoods of Charlotte and around the area including Matthews, the Lake Norman area of both northern Mecklenburg and southern Iredell counties, Concord, Belmont, Gastonia and Fort Mill, SC.

The previous Charlotte Restaurant Week in July 2011 generated approximately 90,000 dinners and an estimated economic impact of more than $4 million in revenue for the 92 participating restaurants.

The Winter 2012 Queen's Feast will feature a dozen first-time restaurant participants, including Bernardin's at Ratcliffe in downtown Charlotte; Campania Cafe in Davidson; Fern, Flavors from the Garden in Plaza-Midwood; Waldhorn Restaurant in Pineville; Yama Asian Fusion in SouthPark; Jeffrey's Restaurant in Mooresville; Osso Restaurant & Lounge in the North Carolina Music Factory; and La Paz in the Metropolitan, plus several others.

"We are very pleased to have achieved two significant benchmarks in the young life of Charlotte Restaurant Week with this winter's promotion," says Bruce Hensley, president of Hensley Fontana Public Relations & Marketing, which owns and handles turnkey execution of the event.

"We've reached 100 participating restaurants for the first time, and joining us as the presenting sponsor of the Winter 2012 Queen's Feast is Carolinas Medical Center, which is committed to improving the health and wellness of our community by promoting smart food choices as part of a healthy lifestyle."

Some Queen's Feast restaurants will once again extend an exclusive offer to AAA members via the AAA Show Your Card & Save program. Diners presenting a current AAA membership card while dining in those restaurants during Queen's Feast will have the opportunity to purchase a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant for $25. The gift certificate will not be redeemable during Queen's Feast, and other restrictions may apply.

To see a list of restaurants participating in the AAA Show Your Card & Save exclusive member offer, diners should visit www.CharlotteRestaurantWeek.com and click on "AAA Special Offer."

Reservations during Queen's Feast are highly recommended. Reservation links and contact information for all participating restaurants can be found at www.CharlotteRestaurantWeek.com.

Participating restaurants in the Lake Norman area include 131 Main, Alton's Kitchen & Cocktails, Campania Cafe, Choplin's, Dressler's, Epic Chophouse, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse, Jeffrey's Restaurant, Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse, Kobe Hero, The Melting Pot, Mickey & Mooch, North Harbor Club, The Prickly Pear, Red Rocks Cafe and Sushi @ The Lake.

Child care center hosts family event

A grand opening celebration is planned this weekend for The Learning Experience (TLE), now enrolling at its newest child care center location at 16604 Old Statesville Road in Huntersville.

The event will be held Saturday, Jan. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will feature a "winter wonderland" theme for the festivities. In addition to opportunities to tour the new center, families can enjoy refreshments, face painting, balloon animals, games, a bounce house and the chance to meet the center's mascot, Bubbles the Elephant.

There will also be a raffle worth one month of free child care as well as opportunities to win gift baskets provided by sponsors including Valeria Salon and Spa, Sweet Cakes, ATA Karate and Wild Wing Café.

Group tours of the center will occur throughout the event, allowing interested parties to preview its video-monitored classrooms, a safe and secure outdoor play area and "Make Believe Boulevard."

"Opening a day care just seemed like the perfect fusion of both being a business owner and spending time with my kids," said franchise owner Jamie Workman, whose own children are enrolled at the center.

"(TLE) provides an accredited curriculum, enrichment activities, a stimulating environment and teachers with the education and experience to provide the best learning experience for your child."

The grand opening celebration is free and open to the public.

For more information about TLE in Huntersville, call 704-274-9496 or send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

General contractor adds staff, award

J.D. Goodrum Company has hired Tim Schuetz as project superintendent. Schuetz will assist in managing new construction and renovation projects for the company's growing portfolio.

In addition, Business Leader of Charlotte has honored Jennifer Orman of J.D. Goodrum, as a 2011 Women Extraordinaire award recipient. Business Leader honors the top women leaders of the South through its Women Extraordinaire awards. Award winners must be influential leaders within their companies or businesses, with an extraordinary impact on its economic success and forward-thinking strategies.

J.D. Goodrum Company is a privately owned, Cornelius-based general construction company, specializing in commercial construction for over 25 years. It is owned and operated by founder David Goodrum and partner Jamie Yoxtheimer.

AdvantaClean earns 2012 kudos

Huntersville-based AdvantaClean, a nationwide franchise company specializing in emergency water removal, air duct cleaning and mold remediation, has earned a spot in Entrepreneur magazine's 2012 Franchise 500, its annual ranking of America's top franchise opportunities. AdvantaClean's ranking is number 257 overall, the company's second appearance on the list, up from number 291 in 2011.

Companies making the Franchise 500 are evaluated on objective factors including financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system. Additionally, several notable franchise superlatives — top home-based, top low cost, top new, fastest growing, and top global — are awarded to deserving companies. With 66 franchise units in the U.S., AdvantaClean nearly doubled its number of locations, which earned a spot among the 'Fastest Growing' franchises for 2012. The fastest-growing rankings are based on the number of new units added in the United States and Canada over the last year. Because the franchise can be run from home and only needs minimal employees, the indoor air quality franchisor also ranked among the 'Top Home-based' franchise opportunities.

Jeff Dudan, founder and CEO, piloted the AdvantaClean franchise program in 2000, awarded the first units to third party owners in 2006, and eventually made franchises available to the general public in 2008. The company is headquartered in a 22,000-square-foot facility in Huntersville. For more information, visit www.advantaclean.com.

— Compiled by Lori Helms