Mark Johnson Custom Homes Blog

Wilmington home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share with our readers a brand new innovative product that we’ve recently installed in a custom home.

It’s a thermostat called Nest from iPod inventor Tony Fadell’s new start-up, Nest Labs. And like Apple, Nest Labs has taken something you use every day and made it simple and delightful to use.

Nest operates with the same genius wheel user interface as the original iPod, with a digital screen in its center. It connects to your Wi-Fi network, allowing you to control it remotely via an iPhone app or the Web. And its stylish design made of brushed stainless steel is a showpiece.

What makes Nest stand out from other programmable thermostats is that it learns your behavioral patterns and creates a temperature-setting schedule from them. Nest has six sensors that can determine things like when you’re away from home. People with more than one thermostat in one home can use more than one Nest and they’ll all communicate with one another, though each can be adjusted to different temperatures. People with multiple homes can put all of their Nests on the same account.

Nest can get automatic software updates that the company says will let it do things in the future like adjusting temperatures according to current local weather and showing how much money temperature adjustments will save on utility bills.

St. James Plantation home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share with our readers an article courtesy of WECT.com announcing Marvel Studios’ recent decision to film Iron Man 3 in Wilmington. The movie is expected to produce hundreds of jobs for crew members and drive $80 million into North Carolina’s economy.

Governor Beverly Perdue was in Wilmington to make an economic development announcement. Iron Man 3 will officially be filmed at EUE/Screen Gems in Wilmington for the majority of the production.

The film, starring Robert Downey Jr., is expected to attract other stars like Scarlett Johansson and Don Cheadle, according to industry reports.

“We aggressively pursued this piece of business,” said EUE/Screen Gems Co-Owner and COO Chris Cooney. “We negotiated hard, and it paid off.”

Cooney said people thought they were crazy to build one of the largest sound stages in the world during a down economy.

“We constructed that space envisioning a motion picture of the caliber and size of this one,” explained Cooney.  “This film is a game changer – not only for our studios, but for the entire state of North Carolina.”

According to EUE Screen Gems Executive Vice President Bill Vassar, the Marvel executives were enticed to Wilmington by the 25 percent NC film incentive; the size, scope and capabilities of the Wilmington studio lot; and the seasoned local crew base.

“We are as close to a Los Angeles studio as you can get without being in California,” said Vassar.  “We offer Marvel what they need, and they were amazed to find it in North Carolina.”

Vassar said Marvel choose Wilmington to produce Iron Man 3 because the area has a large local crew with experience handling five productions simultaneously.

“This is a special group of people who learned their craft at the knee of their fathers and mothers,” explained Vassar.  “You don’t see this outside of Los Angeles or New York City.”

Vassar assured that the production of Iron Man 3 will not preclude the booking of other simultaneous projects despite it being the largest production to come to Wilmington.

“We will still have stages, offices and production support available to host pilots, series and other films right now,” said Vassar.

The motion picture will take offices in Wilmington in early 2012.

U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan applauded news that Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 3 film will film in Wilmington, NC.  She provided the following statement:

I am focused like a laser on creating jobs in North Carolina, and I am so pleased that Iron Man 3 will soon begin shooting in Wilmington,” said Hagan. “When studios choose to produce their films in North Carolina it means jobs in our state – both jobs related to filming and jobs for the restaurants, hotels, and small businesses in the community. This important decision by Marvel Studios is further evidence of the rich resources North Carolina has to offer America’s film industry – resources in people, locations and expertise.  This film will have an economic impact of $80 million in North Carolina and create hundreds of jobs. Iron Man 3 will be just the newest example of ‘Made in North Carolina’ quality.

N.C. Senator Thom Goolsby (R-New Hanover) responded Thursday to the news that a historically-large movie project – “Iron Man 3″ – will be filmed in Wilmington with the following statement:

There is no better place for this project than Wilmington, and for months I’ve worked with colleagues in the North Carolina Senate and the executive branch to bring it here,” Goolsby said. “I’m thrilled to see the film incentives we approved in the state budget – the budget Gov. Perdue vetoed – being used to create new jobs and boost our local economy. This is an exciting day for North Carolina.

Article courtesy of: WECT.com

Wilmington, NC home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share with our readers a creative Halloween decoration idea from Southern Living Magazine.

We’re officially declaring Mason jars the ultimate multipurpose item. (Sorry, duct tape.) Southerners use them for everything from storing bacon grease to serving sweet tea. And now: as jack-o’-lanterns.

To create your own, paint jars of assorted sizes in desired color of acrylic paint. (One to two coats will do; paint that’s too thick will impede that lantern glow.) Add ghoulish features with black paint or permanent marker, and then spray with a clear glaze for a glossy finish. Pop in battery-powered LED lights and you have one jarringly spooky—and simple!—display.

Courtesy of: Southernliving.com

Wilmington, NC new home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes is a team sponsor of the 2011 Cape Fear Heart Walk which will take place October 15th on the campus of UNCW. The event raises money for research and education efforts of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Our team hopes to see you there!

Cape Fear Heart Walk

Saturday, October 15, 2011 | Event Goal -$175,000

Campus of UNCW – Wilmington, NC | Registration at 9 am | Walk Begins at 10 am

Click Here to Make a Donation

Mark Johnson Custom Homes, a new home builder in Wilmington, would like to share with our readers an article courtesy of NewsandObserver.com regarding Progress Energy’s efforts to assist their customers in paying for charging stations for their electric cars.

Progress Energy is now offering North Carolina customers home charging stations for plug-in electric cars at little or no cost.

The Raleigh-based utility announced that it is accepting customer applications for grants that will cover up to $1,500 of the cost of purchasing and installing a charging system suitable for electric vehicles such as the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf.

“We anticipate the $1,500 will cover the full cost of the equipment and installation for the vast majority of customers,” said utility spokesman Scott Sutton.

Progress is providing the charging equipment under a federally funded research project designed to help it better understand how the 240-volt chargers will impact the electric grid. Charlotte-based Duke Energy launched a similar program earlier this year.

Progress customers who receive the charging equipment from the utility will have to pay for the electricity needed to charge their vehicle.

A total of 150 Progress Energy customers in North Carolina and  South Carolina will receive grants for the charging equipment. Progress Energy will own and maintain the equipment until the research project ends in April 2013. At the conclusion, the utility will transfer ownership to the customer.

Applications are being considered on a first-come, first-served basis. North Carolina customers of Progress Energy can apply online. The program will be open to South Carolina customers once it is approved by state requlators.

Article Courtesy of: NewsandObserver.com

Landfall home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to remind our readers to change their clocks this weekend…it’s time to “spring forward”.

At 2 a.m. on March 13, 2011, groggy Americans will turn their clocks forward one hour, marking the beginning of Daylight Saving Time!

Informative Fact:

Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii and the territories of Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa are the only places in the U.S. that do not observe DST but instead stay on “standard time” all year long. And if you’ve spent any time in the sweltering summer sun in those regions you can understand why residents don’t need another hour of sunlight.

Wilmington custom home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share the following information about Frank Deals with those of you located in the Wilmington area.

1 CARD + UNLIMITED DISCOUNTS & DEALS + PARTICIPATING LOCAL BUSINESSES =

Launched in January 2010, Frank Deals was established to connect consumers and businesses by way of the “Frank Card”. Consumers are rewarded for presenting their Frank Deals card when making purchases; businesses are rewarded by receiving new and frequent patrons from the Frank Network. Most importantly, Frank Deals is active in our community, helping local organizations like the American Cancer Society raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. For more information or to get involved, visit www.frankdeals.com.

MJCH is not compensated from Frank Deals. We appreciate the value they provide our local area.

Wilmington, NC home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes encourages anyone in the Wilmington area to attend Monty’s Home Pet Expo taking place this Sunday, February 27th from 11:00am – 4:00pm at the Schwartz Center, Downtown Wilmington.

Monty’s Home Pet Expo is the largest indoor pet event in the area! Allowing more than 70 pet related vendors to showcase a huge variety of pet items and services. Be sure to visit the Silent Auction, offering hundreds of items for bid.

Call 910.259.7911 for more information.
Cape Fear C.C. Schwartz Center
610 N. Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
www.montyshome.org/expo.htm

Wilmington, NC builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes encourages those in the Wilmington area to attend “Hidden Battleship” this weekend onboard the Battleship North Carolina. This is one of several events planned for the Battleship’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

In 1960, the Navy announced its intentions to scrap the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA (BB55).  On this news, two Wilmingtonians, James S. Craig, Jr. and Hugh Morton developed a plan of action to save the ship.  With their valiant efforts along with thousands of citizens and countless school children in raising funds, the BB55 would be able to come to the state whose name she held.

 On October 2, 1961, the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA was moored in her present berth across from downtown Wilmington.  Later that month on October 12, she was open to the public for all to view. 

 Now, as we move into 2011, the Ship gets ready to celebrate her 50 years of being part of the wonderful legacy and state of North Carolina. Visit www.battleshipnc.com for a list of events taking place.

Hidden Battleship: Join us for a unique, behind-the-scenes tour of un-restored areas of the Battleship. The four-hour tour consists of small groups with guides. Guests explore the bow (officers’ country and boatswain locker), third deck (Radio II, brig, after gyro, storage rooms, ammunition handling, Engineer’s office, torpedo area), Engine room #1, the refrigerator compartments, and climb inside the fire control tower to the top of the ship. The Azalea Coast Radio Club will be in Radio II to explain their work on the ship’s radio transmitters.

$45/$35 for Friends of the Battleship. You must be 12 years or older to participate. Wear comfortable, warm clothing and sturdy, rubber-soled shoes; bring a camera, but no large backpacks. 8:30am-12:30pm & 1:30pm-5:30pm. Registration and payment required by Thursday, Janaury 13. For more information call 910-251-5797 ext 3006 or 3026.
Battleship North Carolina
#1 Battleship Rd
Wilmington, NC 28401

Custom home builder Mark Johnson encourages those in the Wilmington, NC area to attend a once in a lifetime experience! Wilmington, NC native and the most popular member of the Harlem Globetrotters, Meadowlark Lemon, is holding a Harlem’s All Stars two-day event on August 27^th and 28^th, 2010!

Beginning at 7pm both nights, Meadowlark Lemon’s Harlem All Stars, including Hollywood Brown and Pee Wee Harrison, will compete against local area basketball coaches (including UNCW, CFCC and the Sea Dawgs) on Friday night and against the crewmembers of the USS Gravely on Saturday night.

A portion of the event’s proceeds will establish scholarships for Cape Fear Community College’s student athletes. Both nights’ events will be held at the Schwartz Center at Cape Fear Community College and tickets can be purchased online in advance for $30 or $40 at the door. For more information, view the Facebook Event Invitation, call (910) 350-1211 or email info@mccoll-associates.com. We hope to see you there!