Cover Story
Government oversight remains ‘grossly inadequate’ in coal-ash waste control
On Sept. 14, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency came to Charlotte to hold one of eight national hearings on coal ash — the toxic stuff left behind after power plants burn coal. With more than 450,000 public comments to sort through, and a Congress bent on shackling the agency’s authority, the EPA has yet…
Big Daddy Love playing potent mountain music tonight (9/24/11)
At The Evening Muse.
Haji Basim’s entrancing, eclectic neo-soul style tonight (9/24/11)
With Yaddatu, Moses, Missing You Dearly and more at Tremont Music Hall.
Mayer Hawthorne & The Country brings feel-good, pop-soul tonight (9/23/11)
At Amos’ Southend.
Lupe Fiasco flexes fearless lyrical muscle tonight (9/23/11)
At Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre.
Burning Streets revive classic punk rock tonight (9/23/11)
With the Dielectrics, The Not Likelys, and Dave Wells at The Milestone.
Meat Puppets bring desert-baked psychedelia tonight (9/21/11)
With The Weeks at Visulite Theatre.
Miniature Tigers sing sunny indie pop tonight (9/21/11)
With Daniel Francis Doyle, Modern Primitives at Snug Harbor.
Today’s Top 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
Foo Fighters react to Westboro Baptist Church picket
Band plays for protesters before Kansas City show.
Jimmy Fallon vs. Zooey Deschanel
Late night host and actress/musician go head-to-head in musical game.
Jobs up in North Carolina, but GOP cuts keep unemployment rate high
As you no doubt remember, the New Bosses of the state legislature ran on a platform of “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs.” House Speaker Thom Tillis even handed out snappy rubber bracelets saying “Think Jobs” to other lawmakers. When critics groused about some of the GOP’s spending cuts (not to mention their focus on social issues such…
Brewer’s Ball, 9/17/11
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery hosted the Brewer’s Ball on Saturday, Sept. 17, to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Best bets in Charlotte comedy, Sept. 19-25
Here are a few of the best places to find comedy events in Charlotte this week.
Sip & Stroll, 9/16/11
Photos from the wine, arts and music festival.
If you willingly live across from a sewage plant, why bitch about a car wash?
City Council is set to vote tonight on a proposal to rezone land at the corner of Tyvola and Park roads for an AutoBell car wash. Some residents of SouthGate condos, across the street from the site, aren’t happy about the proposed rezoning, and with good reasons. The car wash would essentially be plopped down…
Today’s Top 5: Monday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Monday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
Friday Film Review: Drive
Here’s what’s newly covered on the cinema scene.
N.C.’s Sen. Burr says NO to Hurricane Irene relief for N.C.
Here’s something to remember the next time U.S. Sen. Richard Burr is up for re-election: The senior U.S. senator from North Carolina voted against providing disaster relief aid to North Carolina citizens and businesses hurt by Hurricane Irene. The U.S. Senate voted 62-38 yesterday to provide $6.9 billion in emergency relief funds for fiscal year…
Duke Energy CEO admits water needs more attention. Um…duh.
At a Thursday conference in Charlotte, Jim Rogers called water “tomorrow’s oil” — and for good reason.
Theater review: Stigmata
85-minute gem by DC2 Productions.
Phoning the Big “O” will never be the same: R.I.P. Joe Sovacool
Charlotte lost a hell of a guy on Thursday: Joe Sovacool. You probably didn’t know him, but there’s a good chance you’ve talked to him if you’ve ever called The Charlotte Observer newsroom. I worked with Solvacool when I was the Observer’s entertainment editor in the early 2000s. There’s a long tribute to him in…
Gay journalist and anti-gay militant to debate at 4:30 today on Charlotte radio station WBT
On the heels of the N.C. General Assembly’s constitutional anti-same sex marriage amendment on the 2012 primary ballot, two of Charlotte’s foremost advocates for and against LGBT rights will have it out this afternoon.
Close the damn post office already!
Please! Someone put the U.S. Mail, and us, out of our dysfunctional, codependent relationship.
CD Review: Primus’ “Green Naugahyde”
Album is the band’s first studio effort since 1999’s “Antipop.”
Today’s Top 5: Friday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Division of Water Quality awards more than $200K in federal Clean Water Act grants
Yea for clean water!
Today’s Top(less) 5: Friday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
Dharma Lounge, 9/14/11
Photos from the regular kick-ass Le Bang party.
Weekender, Sept. 16-18
Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend.
The SUITEst Bachelorette Party: I’ll bring the penis-shaped straws
On Friday night, Sept. 16, I’ll be hosting the biggest bachelorette party ever at Suite. No, I’m not getting married … but I am a genuine bachelorette. We deserve a celebration too, like, “Congrats for not marrying the wrong guy” or “Good job for not settling!” So, this is a bachelorette party for everyone —…
How embarrassing can Charlotte be in just one week? Let us count the ways.
Three serious Charlotte missteps in one week: a conflict of interest, funny NASCAR Hall of Fame numbers, and a Bank of America labor boo-boo. And we didn’t even have to include Rep. Sue Myrick’s terror-rific 9/11 freakout.
Opening Friday
Movies to check out this weekend.
NC State students pack President Obama’s speech, hope for economic relief
Hope in one hand, shit in the other … see which one fills up first.
Today’s Top 5: Thursday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Thursday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
Theater review: The Music Man
Theatre Charlotte captures the confrontation between a spellbinding conman and a skeptical wallflower in its current revival.
Whisky River, 9/13/11
See all them young folks with the black Xs on their hands? Yeah. That’s the mark of a good college night
Rabid Foxes running rampant in Lake Norman, or are they Cougars?
The news reported that Cornelius Police responded to two incidents involving rabid foxes recently. Living in Cornelius myself, I couldn’t help but wonder — did they mean cougars? Because there sure are a lot of them running around up here. Or, did they mean me?! A younger, not as all mighty version of a cougar.…
North Carolina GOP reaches for “historic” idiocy
Yesterday, several GOP lawmakers and supporters called the General Assembly’s passage of a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage “historic,” or “an historic event.” N.C. voters must approve the amendment in May for it to become part of the constitution. It was historic, all right, in all the wrong ways. In the middle of an…
Sarah Palin had a one-night stand with a retired NBA player?
New book claims Sarah Palin slept with former Hornet, Glen Rice.
Amy Winehouse’s final studio recording released
Duet with Tony Bennett entitled “Body and Soul.”
Free frozen yogurt today
Yoforia celebrates its grand opening at the EpiCentre.
Style Stalker: Tatia Swain
Tatia Swain, 23, shows how she mixes vintage with modern pieces in this episode of “Style Stalker.”
Swig: How to make Dressler’s Queen City Martini
Bar manager Brian Lorusso shows us how to make the deliciously sweet drink.
Crawl Space: Mark Doepker
The local artist gives us the inside scoop on his style and why he’s driven to draw people.
‘A Day of Beauty’ with Dr. Robert Graper, cosmetic surgeon
Want to see what it takes to permanently tattoo your eyeliner on?
Hog shit!: Google, Duke Energy and pig poo
Well, it is widely produced in our state …
Today’s Top(less) 5: Wednesday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
Meet the neighbors at UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte Center City Building holds an open house this Saturday.
“Psycho Sue” Myrick makes video debut at BlueNC
Yesterday we reported on Rep. Sue Myrick’s decision to stay away from 9/11 observances due to her belief that Iranians might be gunning for her. The folks at BlueNC picked up on that blog post and created the text-to-movie piece below. Myrick — or a representation of her in a, er, really interesting outfit —…
In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play opens tomorrow
“It’s always funny when people have orgasms on stage,” — Chip Decker, Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte.
Today’s Top 5: Wednesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Tell N.C. senators: Reject anti-gay-marriage amendment
The Hicks-In-Suits Hatefest continues in the General Assembly. The House of Representatives passed the anti-gay-marriage amendment yesterday, sending it to the Senate, where passage is not certain. If the amendment passes the Senate, N.C. voters will decide in the May 2012 primary election whether to add the amendment to the state constitution. The Senate is…
Farm friendly weekend tours
The Know Your Farms: Charlotte Area Farm Tour will go down Sept. 17-18.
How Bank of America’s turmoil affects you
No need to worry, everything will be fine … eventually.
Best bets in Charlotte comedy, Sept. 13-18
Here are a few of the best places to find comedy events in Charlotte this week.
Delirium: A Fashion Show, 9/10/11
The looks showcased at this event definitely pushed the creative envelope. In doing so, they remind us: fashion is art
BBQ & Blues Festival, 9/10/11
Check out photos from the savory event.
NC General Assembly hates the gays
“State constitutional amendment that would ban marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships and other relationship recognition for same-sex couples” moves forward.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
Capsule reviews of films playing the week of Sept. 14
BRIDESMAIDS Bridesmaids can’t maintain a high level of hilarity over the course of its 125 minutes, but when its game is on, it ranks among the funnier endeavors of the past few years. Judd Apatow is one of its producers, and the film certainly falls in line more with his brand of product — raunchy…
Weekly horoscope (Sept. 14-20)
Virgo The Virgin (Aug. 22-Sept. 22) This is a fine weekend for travel and activities concerning the law, education or the Internet. Open your mind and your arms wide to accept expansion. Meanwhile, on the home front, you need more time to think about an issue concerning close friends or family. Your mind says one…
Citizen Kane, superhero flicks among new home entertainment titles
CAPTAIN AMERICA (1990). No, this isn’t the Captain America that recently lit up the box office; that version isn’t due on DVD and Blu-ray until later this year. This also isn’t the serial from the 1940s (already out on DVD) nor the 1979 TV-movie (due on DVD, along with its sequel, on Oct. 18). Rather,…
Where to find it: Kafta skewers
Grilling on skewers is popular throughout the world. Metal and wood skewers come in a variety of lengths, sizes and flexibility. One recent trend is to use flexible metal skewers, which solve two problems. First, a bendable skewer takes less space in a refrigerator; thus, foods can marinate while on the skewers. Secondly, these skewers…
Drive: Wheel of fortune
Walter Hill, a fine writer-director who knows a thing or 12 about helming testosterone-tinged flicks with an existential bent about them (Hard Times, The Warriors, The Long Riders, Undisputed, many more), once orchestrated a solid little film in this milieu called The Driver. Made in 1978, it starred Ryan O’Neal as a taciturn professional whose…
Friendly, savory Che Gaucho Argentine & Urguay Grill
Ruben Aguilera owned a restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before opening Che Gaucho Argentine & Uruguay Grill, a parrilladas, last year in a nearly hidden shopping strip off Old Pineville Road. The setting is shoestring-budget basic: flags of Argentina and Uruguay obscure the front windows, a scattering of functional bare-topped tables are just enough to…
3 questions with Barbara D’Ambrosio, baker
For individuals with food allergies, having a unified family dinner can be quite a difficult task. That’s why Charlotte’s own “thoughtful baker,” Barbara D’Ambrosio, wants to help families have something to eat without having to label every shelf per person. Four years ago, she started her own baking business, The Thoughtful Baker, LLC, making gluten-free…
The Hot Gates reinvigorates Jason Scavone’s songwriting style
Jason Scavone’s voice is soaked with excitement and anticipation. His hurried tone sounds as though he’s talking to me while on the phone in the middle of an afternoon jog. He’s a bit more chatty than he was the first time we talked in 2007 about his Charlotte band The Noises 10. It could be…
9/11 Victim 0001: Father Mychal’s message
The body bag marked “Victim 0001” on Sept. 11, 2001, contained the corpse of Father Mychal Judge, a Catholic chaplain with the Fire Department of New York. When he heard about the disaster at the World Trade Center, he donned his Catholic collar and firefighter garb and raced downtown. He saw people jump to their…
Far right has no rational case against same-sex marriage
If the New Bosses of the General Assembly have their way this week, we’ll all be voting next year on a state constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriages in North Carolina. Yes, same-sex marriage is already against the law here. The GOP, though, says its anti-gay prejudice must be enshrined in the constitution or…
Show us the jobs, Mayor Foxx
When is someone going to ask Mayor Anthony Foxx about the jobs lost on his watch? Tim Newman wants to know, and so do I. “Hey Mayor Foxx when you create a job call me… otherwise go to the place you deserve… that would be Hell,” someone posted on Newman’s Facebook page. At least that’s…
Rewind to 9/11/01: The Guys
Over the past 10 years, reacting to 9/11 has often meant nothing more than reacting to terrorism: tightening security, warring on terror, or — most predictably — acting terrorized. But for those who lived close to the Twin Towers or the Pentagon, and for those who lost friends, family, or co-workers, the impact has been…
Anthony Foxx, Charlotte’s Democratic mayor, touts first-term leadership
When Anthony Foxx became mayor of Charlotte in 2009, he inherited a city with a declining economy and a rising homeless population, but with its lowest crime rate since 1994. In the two years since his election, some things have gotten better. The crime rate not only remains low, but it is now the lowest…
Exhibit: The Night Time Is the Right Time
The third exhibit in The Light Factory’s “In Our Own Backyard” series, focusing on the work of artists who live in or have some sort of connection to Charlotte, will feature photography by Jim Herrington and Mitchell Kearney. Kearney’s photographs of musicians (such as the pictured photo of Frank Zappa) have appeared on covers of…
Traveling through time in Scott Weaver’s space
If you ever happen to visit Scott Weaver’s one-bedroom rental apartment in Plaza Midwood, watch out for the coffee table in the front room — otherwise, you’ll be sure to trip over it. And not just because the glass-surfaced table seems to float above the hard-wood floor. No, you’ll be distracted by the lemon-colored walls…
Exhibits: Chris Hayman and Francis Livingston
Hidell Brooks Gallery showcases two new exhibits by artists Chris Hayman and Francis Livingston. Livingston’s Paint & Texture includes mostly dramatic landscapes and illustrations, while Hayman’s Composition of Elements sticks to vivid abstract designs like the pictured work, titled “Domino.” Exhibits continue through Oct. 29. Hidell Brooks Gallery, Ste. 130, 1910 South Blvd. 704-334-7302. www.hidellbrooks.com.
Style Stalking Megan Poplin
What could be better than being a part-time model when you love fashion? Whether Megan Poplin is in front of the camera or not, the brunette beauty always rocks a runway-worthy outfit. She tries to incorporate her weakness for high-waisted pants, lace and sheer material, backless and asymmetrical pieces into every look. Poplin says she’s…
Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files (Sept. 14)
Typo: A cashier at a local Compare Foods called police after catching a counterfeiter whose methods were creative, if not exactly effective. The suspect attempted to pay for his groceries with a 100-dollar bill. After looking at the bill, the cashier noticed the man had simply printed 100 on a five-dollar bill. You may see…
Why does everybody get so worried about radiation levels in milk?
We keep hearing in the news about radiation levels in milk and whether they’re high enough to be a concern. Your recent column about the safety of nuclear power also mentioned contaminated milk. But nobody explains why contamination is a big issue with milk but not with potatoes, chicken, or water. I always thought radiation…
Raleigh’s Hopscotch Music Festival turns two
From regional acts like the Rosebuds, rapper King Mez and Charlotte’s Yardwork to heavy-hitters such as the Flaming Lips, this annual Triangle fest is fast becoming a preeminent national indie-music event.
