Each state program awards scholarships at various levels; check with your participating ESA chapter for information on specific state award levels. ESA awards a total of $10,000 in scholarships to deserving students – a first place award of $7,500 and a second place award of $2,500.

Awards are based on a combination of academic achievement, national test scores, extracurricular participation and the essay. In addition to completing the application and submitting the appropriate documentation, each student must write an essay explaining “What it means to me to have my parent or guardian involved in securing our community.”

This year’s award for North Carolina was awarded to Mary Greene from McDowell county who exhibited all the necessary qualities in a exemplary student demonstrating all the characteristics of a fantastic student and scholar.

The first place winner of each state’s program is automatically considered for the national ESA Youth Scholarship Program awards.

Congratulations and Best of luck to Mary as she Advances to the National level of the Scholarship Competition

Get to know Andy Felton, owner of Neuwave Systems! 

Q:Where are you from ? Tell us about your time at NCSU?

A: Born and raised in Raleigh. Graduated from NC State in 1991 with a BA in Political Science.  Time spent in college was awesome! Wish I could do it again.  Joined Lambda Chi frat where I enjoyed all the brotherhood and intramural sports.

NC State University Fraternity Symbol

Q: What got you into the audio visual Business?

A: After graduation I met a guy named Johnny Hudson while cleaning fish on a dock in Morehead City. We had been fishing in the gulf stream and had a nice catch to clean. Johnny, who is an avid fisherman, struck up conversation.It turns out Johnny is a sales manager for ADI Distribution. I was looking for my first post graduate employment and would show up at Johnny’s office the next
Monday. The rest is history. I worked for Johnny for 10 years and later started Neuwave in March 2003.

 

Andy got his start on a fishing boat and passes on his work ethic to his sons from an early age

 

The Neuwave team was honored to host the 1^st annual care council fundraiser to benefit the Sass-a-fras Foundation which helps handicap children have access to “all-play” play grounds.  “At Sassafras All Children’s Playground, our Mission is to create a playground for children of all abilities by harnessing the cooperative energy, spirit and resources of the Triangle community.”

“Sassafras All Children’s Playground, in partnership with the city of Raleigh’s Parks and Recreation department, is the restoration of the city’s one-of-a-kind playground that gives kids, no matter what their abilities, the chance to play, imagine and soar.”

 Check out this video for more in depth look at this worthwhile organization.

Sass-a-fras

Local breweries Lonerider and Aviator were there with tapped brews for tasting along with Raleigh favorite Clyde Coopers BBQ.  Other CARE council members contributed with homemade side dishes. 

Debra Fogelsong from 1^st Choice Cabinetry who helped plan and attened the event had this to say

 “ The CARE fundraiser at Neuwave was our first fundraiser, and it went GREAT! The beer tasting event was to raise money for Sassafras. Sassafras is an all children’s playground. We had wonderful weather and a good turnout for the pig picking and silent auction. It was fun and successful! http://sassafrasplay.org Is a great place to learn more about what Sass-a-fras does.”

Neuwave Sales Director and CARE council member, Mark Masters, was honored to offer the Neuwave Showroom as the venue for this event shared this insight regarding the outcome of the event.

“The CARE Council event was a huge success. We were able to raise over $1000 for the Sas-a-fras foundation and everyone had a great time.”

Big thank you again to everyone who came out to this awesome event!  We are eager to continue making a difference with all the endeavors and upcoming events that CARE has planned.

Last year at CEDIA (our industry conference), we went searching for a middle tiered multi source audio solution to replace Russound.  Russound was a great product, but the cost of a whole house audio solution was in line with Home Automation that included Audio, Video, and Lighting. (as well as much more).  We looked at Sony’s Home Share product, we looked at Speaker Craft, and finally we stumbled across SONOS.  That was it!

Sonos fits our business perfect because we do a lot of retro fitting as well as new construction.  It really works in both environments, but it can thrive in a retrofit.  It allows the homeowner to put speakers anywhere in the house with out having to run wire all the way back to the Stereo Equipment!  It relies on Sonos Net, a wireless protocol that transmits the source wirelessly through your home to each “Zone Player”.  Each zone player is a small amplifier that actually powers the speakers in the room and streams the source simultaneously.  The sound is great, the speed is phenomenal, and best of all it takes 10 minutes to set it up.  We actually mailed a system to a high profile client (Ex NFL Coach who has to stay in New York during football season to do the Sunday pre game show) who is not the most patient person, and we were able to walk him through the set up in less than 15 minutes over the phone!  His reaction….”This is awesome!”

So, now that you know how it works, you are probably asking, what type of music can you stream wirelessly throughout the house?  The answer, anything you want.  The main device is plugged into the Internet, which gives it access to any radio station, Pandora, Rhapsody(my favorite), and your iTunes library.  It also has an audio in so you can plug in your CD player or Cable box if you want.  It is truly amazing.  You can create play lists, favorite stations, and each zone player can play a separate source so you can have an endless amount of sources playing at the same time, or you can link the whole house up to play the same thing.

Finally, if you have an iPhone or Droid there is a free app that makes your phone the controller of all of your rooms of music.  Check out this VIDEO for a quick walk through.  Finally a music system that fits the needs of the person on the go.  Enjoy life but Love your music!

As promised here are the pros and cons with 3D.  Lets start with the Pros since the list is shorter.  First and foremost the technology is really cool.  If you have seen it at your local Electronics store the Picture depth and quality is better than I imagined it would be.  Second, with sports it brings a whole new dimension (no pun intended) to life.  Finally, if you are a Gamer you will love 3D, I just hope the glasses fit over your ear piece while you are playing Halo or Call of Duty online.  One quick benefit I wanted to list is that there are models available that have the technology built in, but you don’t have to buy the emitter and glasses until you are ready.  The price of the TV is in line with similar models from last year, and you can choose when to adopt the technology and not have to buy a new TV.

The Cons list is long but I will cover the most important.  First is Content.  There is not nearly enough content available right now to justify buying 3D.  Companies like Sony, are trying to push out content as fast as possible but the sales have not lined up just yet.  Until multiple TV programmers and Blu Ray discs become available you will struggle to find a good time to use the technology.  The second and most important con is the glasses.  Unless you plan on putting the TV in a media room that is used for movies and entertainment, you will not want to use the glasses during an average evening.  They are bulky and cumbersome, and hurt your eyes after a while.  Finally, I think consumers feel a little bit hurt with 3D.  Just when we all get used to Blu-Ray, HD and 1080p, companies are going to try and get us to buy all new gear to make 3D work.  This is the worst offense of all and I think it may set the TVindustry back a year or two.

Welcome to Neuwave System’s Virtual Home. Neuwave Systems is the areas leading provider of professional audio/video equipment and services. We specialize in system design and installation for home entertainment technology; integrating today’s best solutions to into your home.

Neuwave Systems has been on the cutting edge of technology since 2003, bringing our clients custom solutions for any environment, be it a new house or remodel, board room or reception area, security or home theater. We offer personalized design, service, in house support and maintenance; all at affordable prices.

We not only meet, but strive to exceed client expectations! For this reason we have a reputation for excellence with Homeowners and Business Leaders across the triangle for all of their audio/video needs. Weather you’re looking for a Flat Screen, Home Automation System, Home Theater, Whole House Audio, Security System, or Lighting Control; Neuwave Systems is the answer to every A/V question.

Today’s complex world of technology demands top quality delivery of information to address each client’s needs to ensure the most reliable and efficient system. Quality, Simplicity, and Reliability- these are the keys to success! With over 50 years of experience and relationships with the best equipment providers in the world Neuwave Systems provides the ultimate value. We serve Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Durham, Greensboro, Winston Salem, and the coastal areas. We look forward to doing business with you!