Let your voice be heard by finding your favorite hood in the list below and selecting it as the best. Now, if you don’t like any of the neighborhoods on our list, feel free to write in your own choice as a comment below the poll.
Vote as many times as you’d like (hell, even encourage your friends to vote, too). We’ll let folks cast “ballots” until March 19. After that we;ll determine a winner and present a representative (of our choice) from the No. 1 hood with a sexy plaque to display for the rest of the year. Be sure to check this space and the print version of Creative Loafing often to see which hood wins the big prize.
So here’s your chance. May the best hood win!
[poll=2]
This article appears in Mar 5-11, 2008.
I was wonder why your magazine seems to shun or just totally ignores Lulu on Central Ave in Charlotte? Yo’re doing a battle of the hoods and mention Intermezzo who isn’t listed as a Plaza Midwood restaurant (nor is Penguin I believe) and just recently opened, yet Lulu won a few Best Of’s from you and your readers?!
Browsing your site, they seem to generate more comments on the positive the most any other restaurant. I’ve also noted that you don’t ever have them in your print neighborhood section. Seems strange to me, whats up with that?
Can someone who’s pumping up Starmount’s numbers explain what makes it such a great neighborhood??
Well, if you read the Starmount essay, it does mention that it is the largest neighborhood.
Starmount? I’ve never even heard of that. Perhaps I should borrow whatever click script they’re using to pump up numbers.
That said, I moved to NoDa a couple of years ago and will never leave. Great people, good food, awesome bands, artists and even creative panhandlers! All within walking distance plus an easy and green friendly commute to uptown for work, soon to be mass commutable.
As a native Charlottean The Loaf has left some Hoods off the list. Arboretum, Steel Creek, Blakeney just to name a few. I’d also include Matthews, Pineville, and Mint Hill. Now I’m aware that these are considered separate towns, but if you’ve lived here all your life like I have, you’d know that Charlotte has swallowed them whole. As far as I’m concerned they’re now just hoods of Charlotte. If you’re from any of these areas and you disagree, all I can say is that you need to be honest with yourself and accept it. It’s not an insult but a compliment to the small town feel of our growing city. As for Starmount, it is definitely a hood, although it’s been relatively quite over the past 15 or 20 years but maybe the light rail will have a positive effect for those folks. My most found memory of Starmount was Skate Palace. That placed rocked in the 80s. For those who don’t know it was in the large brick building behind Luigi’s on S. Blvd.
I moved to NoDa five years ago and I love the sense of community. I also enjoy walking to restaurants, galleries, and of course Smelly Cat Coffeehouse. NoDa residents have worked hard to create a great neighborhood and we are not finished. There is always something interesting going on.
Plaza-Midwood is what’s up! I’ve been in PM for abut two years now and LOVE IT! It offers great eatery (especially LuLu’s..my favorite), cool shopping, and the best thing….REAL Esatate!!! Though I love PM I do frequent NoDa and Elizabeth. I love all our little hoods’!!
My wife and I moved to NoDa in 2004 after living in Brooklyn for several years. It was the only neighborhood we even considered. Now its time for us to move again and honestly, leaving our hood behind is just about the hardest part of it all. We have made so many great friends and thoroughly enjoyed the vibe and the feeling that there is always a good time to look forward to right around the corner.
Starmount is the “best for the buck.” Consisting of nearly 1,400 homes, Starmount is the largest established neighborhood in South Charlotte. Lots of mature trees, spacious lots and little through-traffic offer residents a quiet, safe and attractive community complete with a neighborhood pool and tennis courts.
Starmount homes were built to last using true pine 2 x 4s, hardwood floors and brick construction. 1,200-1,500 sq. ft ranch style plans make up a great portion of the neighborhood but there are also many split-level, two-story and basement homes pushing 2,400 sq. ft and beyond.
As residential space around the center city and within the 485 perimeter becomes increasingly valuable, Starmount has become a hot-spot for young first-time home buyers and young professionals desiring a “great deal for the money.†Home values continue to rise – currently selling from $120k – 200k+.
I have owned a Starmount home since 1980. I have never been sorry. As Craig said earlier, the homes are solid, full of extras, ridiculously affordable, with large lots and a mature forest and creeks throughout the area. I am an urban homesteader and can grow most of my food on my lot. The neighborhood is diverse with people from all over the world, and I can testify, a great place to raise kids. The people who live here are good folks with good values, looking out for each other and the “hood”. It’s not unusual for their children to move back here when they start their own families and raise the next generation here. We are close to everything that matters, but have none of that traffic actually in our neighborhood. It is safe, clean and relatively crime free. Come check us out- we live in (what was before Creative Loafing anyway) Charlotte’s best kept secret.
I’ve been in Starmount for 2.5 years and I love it. The nearby restaurants are wonderful and the people are friendly. I’m not sure why someone would assume that the numbers are artificial because the neighborhood is the best – and most affordable – place we found in Charlotte. The light rail is an added bonus. I would recommend it to anyone.
We rented a house in NoDa when we first moved to Charlotte about three years ago and looked for a house to buy in NoDa. Within a few weeks, we discovered the homes in that ‘hood were out of our reach, and seemed a little overpriced, considering many were on the same streets as homes that needed to be bulldozed. Our realtor showed a house in Starmount to us, and we fell in love: large, wooded lots; 15 minute commute to uptown; great restaurants within a couple of miles; fantastic, long term neighbors. Our home inspector made a point of telling us that houses aren’t built like this anymore. Starmount can’t be beat for the price, quality, low crime rate, proximity to all points in Charlotte and neighborhood friendliness.
Starmount has a neighborhood pool that has been in operation for 45 years, in addition to normal operations, and a great swim team for the kids, the pool frequently hosts cool events where everyone is invited. You don’t meet many people with their noses up in the air in Starmount, I’ve been here 15 years, can’t think of another place I’d be happier.
this is a reply for “craig”
The largest neighborhood in South Charlotte, Starmount real estate contains nearly 1,400 individual homes that date back to the 50s and 60s, when the neighborhood was first established as a suburb of Charlotte. About five miles south of Charlotte’ s central business district, this district has the distinct advantage of being away from the sprawl in areas immediately adjacent to the urban center, while remaining close to the amenities and services the city has to provide. Being largely residential, it is a quiet and safe place for growing families, children, and senior citizens. Featuring a range of affordable housing, Starmount real estate is attracting tons of consumer interests, making this relatively newly developed area the next up-and-coming suburban neighborhood of Charlotte.
Aside from the potential in property value appreciation, the neighborhood itself is a desirable place to live and do business. Residential properties in general feature generous lots, abundant greeneries, and an eclectic selection of architectural styles. Neighborhood parks provide green spaces and recreation facilities for neighbors to gather, relax, and socialize. There are a number of shopping centers and malls nearby, providing easy access to everyday needs and entertainment options. All in all, with such a diverse range of features, consumers from all walks of life can find something in this district to satisfy their needs. Indeed, the comfortable lifestyle offered by Starmount real estate is now making this part of town more popular than ever.
Starmount Rocks! I am a native Charlottean & I just bought my second house in Starmount. You can buy the same house in Huntingtown Farms or Montclaire for $100k – $150k more – why would you do that?
As for Erik’s theory that we are using a click script to pump up numbers, it seems that if anyone’s finger is permanently on the clicker it is someone from Noda.
We just sold our first Starmount home for $176,000 (1450 sq feet). and bought our second. We wouldn’t move anywhere else if we could afford to. Great quality-built homes with beautiful rolling landscapes in many parts and very low crime of any kind. Our neighborhood also has an extremely energetic neighborhood association leadership team that is 2nd to none. They stay on top of city and neighborhood issues and keep all residents in the loop. We raised our two kids here and have the best friends in the world. And it’s a blast to catch the nearby light rail and go downtown on a Sat afternoon too!!!!
I bought my Starmount home in September, 1978 for $38,500. It is now appraised for more than four times that amount. I raised my two kids here and was fortunate to have their elementary school just two blocks from our house. I have been pleased to see that, as my older neighbors have had to leave their homes, the homes are often sold to young couples or singles who take on the responsibility of homeownership and pride in the neighborhood. The neighborhood has changed over the years, but it has not lost it’s southern charm. The increasing ethnic diversity in the neighborhood has encouraged family-run businesses nearby and brought an interesting international flavor to the neighborhood. I can’t imagine living anywhere else!
Grew up near there in the 60’s and still near there today(Madison Park).A great neighborhood;a nice neighborhood pool with close to 10 acres,an active neighborhood association,close to the light rail and you can still get alot of house for under $200,000.Obviously very near Southpark,Carolina Place Mall,and Ballantyne
Another wonderful aspect of Starmount is that it sits up against the Little Sugar Creek Greenway! We frequently walk to the greenway and enjoy the trail and the park. Starmount’s location and all it has to offer cannot be beat. We feel like we hit the jack pot finding this neighborhood 10 years ago.
The sleeping giant has awakened!!
I just wanted to mention that Starmount is also part of Huntingtowne Farms Park which is in fact part of Starmount. Tennis Courts, Greenway project access, soccer fields and children’s playground make it a great place to relax.
But that’s not important, I love to party and Starmount is so close to everything. All my friends meet at my house because we can decide on where to go at the last minute and its all within minutes of my house; ie uptown, southend, ballentyne, southpark , park road and etc.
I have several friends who have bought homes in Starmount and list gets bigger over time; some wish they bought sooner since prices have gone up rather quickly.
But what makes Starmount the best is that it has not one but TWO light rail stations no other neighborhood can say that!!!!!!!!!! Come game day there is plenty of room on the trains for the 1400 homeowners to cheer the Panthers on.
I see NoDa is in 1st place , But will soon be in Second soon.
Starmount is a great neiborhood to raise kids and meet great friends.
I have lived hear for 6yrs and this place has many hidden treasures , like the pool with it’s live bands and tennis courts , water volleyball and the annual BBQ.
Also the 2 lightrail stations make it so easy to go anywhere . with close shopping to SouthPark And Carolina Place Mall, and the movie theaters at AMC 22 , plus many resturants to choose from .
The only thing I don’t like now is that our secret is out !!!
NoDa I like your Art Hood honestly, But you are messing with people who grew up here in Starmount and returning years after to raise there kids .
After coaching baseball here for years I have seen friends and families return.
in response to “what’s up NoDa”
you wrote: “I see NoDa is in 1st place , But will soon be in Second soon.”
Did you write this because you took a week off from work and are sitting at home voting for Starmount at the rate of 6 votes per15 seconds?
I say keep your secret. Stepford was a secret for a long time also.
NoDa is a true melting pot of culture, lifestyles, background, and stature. It is 1.7 miles from the heart of the city. It is filled with history that involves the true working class of the people who actually built this city, it is home to many wonderful artists, and it attracts people from all over Meck county as a fun place to hang. I’d never even heard of Starmount until this poll came out. Isn’t it a theater?
hmmmmm just wondering how from 730 pm on a Tuesday night, the vote can go from 11,298 to 11,460 at 1030 pm, all in Starmount’s favor… and then from 1030 pm to 1040 pm that same night, the vote go from 11,460 to 11,521 again in Starmount’s favor.. Noda going down 2% and Starmount climbing 2%… did all of “Starmount” just get home and decide to vote for themselves? lol It looks like the winner will be the person in the hood that cancels out enough of the person in the other hood’s votes….
did Jeb Bush get bannished to Starmount after leaving Florida in 07? cause the voting seems to reflect it… lol
if anyone is cheating, its got to be noda. There are hardly any people living there. Certainly not enough to get the vote as high as it. Most people in Noda are hippies and would rather “smoke” than buy a computer; so I don’t know where the votes are coming from.
What out for the Carpal Tunnel my friends.
so now you are “TEAM” Starmount?
is that how you are voting so quickly in your favor? I thought it might be some sort of machine…. Where is the “voting” center set up? Did you guys send your house wives over to the elementary auditorium to mass vote so that your property values would increase? LMAO By the way, what’s playing at the cinema this friday at 8pm? Any sales going on at the mall? I heard another Starbucks is being built over there… Go back to Stepford… YAY team Starmount!!! lol
Last time I drove thru Noda during broad daylight there was drug deal going down right on the street I turned down – I got the heck out of there quick. The guys hanging on the corner looked like they had all just been released from prison. the area seems to be shrinking rather than growing.
in response to unbiased opinion…
I’ve lived in NoDa over 2 years, I work in NoDa, and I socialize in NoDa. I’ve never seen a drug deal going on in broad daylight. Every area in Mecklenberg has some sort of crime. Starmount’s little section of South Blvd is certainly something to be PROUD of. I saw a drug deal going on at one of your light rail stations… That’s a reflection of the drug dealer, not CATS or Starmount. We have one of the most together, productive, and committed communities in Charlotte. The comment that NoDa is shrinking is about as informed and accurate as you being in an area of NoDa during the daytime witnessing a drug deal. You would have had to have been the one receiving the drugs in order to have been close enough to varify that it was an actual drug deal. Some of our artists and characters have a bohemian look. Some of our bankers dress it down while they’re kicking it. Does this mean they have a prison record? I’d rather hang out with earthy non-conforming artists and musicians than with cookie baking soccer coaches anytime…. See you at the next gallery crawl.. We know you come here to party… LOL
every neighborhood has it’s good and bad. I had never heard of Starmount before this so I checked it out. Seems like a nice neighborhood.
My heart is in NoDa because NoDa accepts ALL. Artist, banker, black, white, Hispanic, married, single gay, straight, We’re all here because we love it. This is a neighborhood that was taken from ghetto to thriving community in just a few years by the love and hardwork of the people who live here.
I plan on visiting all the other neighborhoods and invite all others to visit NoDa. Come down to N. Davidson for one of the crawls on the 1st or 3rd Friday of every month. We’d love to see you, hear about your neighborhood and show you ours. We promise to show you a good time and hope you return the favor when we visit you.
MY FAVORITE PART OF NODA IS SHARING IT WITH OTHERS! I’d love a tour of Starmount and the other areas from the point of view of someone who loves their neighborhood. I’ll show you my neighborhood if you show me yours.
As for the voting and trash talk. It says vote as often as you like, so cheating isn’t really possible. it’s cool to see so many people so passionate about where they live.
in response to NoDaGuy:
Your comment was very well written, very sincere, and extremely eloquent. I agree with you 110%. I want to apologize to Starmount for any comments I made that were less than mature. It certainly makes me feel good to know that there are people out there like me who have a passion for the “hood” they live in. It’s refreshing and gives a person hope. We are all Charlotteers.. All of our hoods touch the hoods that surround it…. maybe we can combine the passion we have for our neighborhoods and create a larger passion for the city and county we ALL live in.
I love what NoDaGuy said about getting to know more about the other hoods. Could this whole contest be the catalyst for neighbors to host neighbors?
Maybe this Summer or Spring we can hold HOOD open houses, one in each hood, so that we can share the place we love with our neighbors?
I love the whole “you show me yours and I’ll show you mine” concept… I like it for the neighborhoods too. LOL Good luck all y’all!
OK, time to weigh in on this conversation. I’ve lived in NoDa for a year and a half and in that time, I have found friends, family and embracing, active citizens. We take extreme pride in our neighborhood and we go to great lengths to make it a better place to live every day. We have association or committee meetings going on practically every day of the week with hundreds of active citizens involved in dozens of initiatives. NoDa was recently recognized as the #1 neighborhood in Charlotte for its community crime & safety efforts by the Chief of the CMPD. We have a Green Team, comprised of neighborhood residents committed to making NoDa a more environmentally friendly place to live. We also have active committees established for beautification, home tours, arts collaboration, family and children, economic development, social events, communications, parks and recreation, welcoming, at-risk youth, the list goes on and on. NoDa even has its own sports teams, organized by residents and sponsored by our neighborhood businesses.
We have a very cool neighborhood newsletter developed and hand delivered by volunteers to every household in the hood, of which, by the way, there are estimated to be over 1,400.
NoDa is an established neighborhood full of people from all walks of life. Many of us work extremely hard at our jobs in addition to our community. Yes, many of us actually have an education and know how to spell and use proper grammar!
NoDa has been a destination of interest for people from all over the country, and it didn’t take a light rail station to get us on the map. Yes, light rail and even greenway are coming straight through NoDa in the very near future, as well as a ton of economic development currently in the works. We all admit, it was a scary place to be 10 years ago, but then, so were many areas of Charlotte that have now transitioned into thriving and desirable communities.
Hats off to people of all neighborhoods who go the extra mile to make Charlotte a better place to live. But, when it comes to active and mobilized communities, NoDa wins, hands down!
NoDaguy – you’re awesome. You hit the nail on the head. I had never heard of Starmount before this competition was brought to my attention. However, it has been neat to learn about that neighborhood, its history and most of all, the passion its residents have for living there and seeing it thrive. I will definitely check out Starmount sometime and hope the Starmount folks will take a ride north to check out NoDa sometime. Charlotte has a lot to offer beyond our little hoods. It is nice to be reminded of that. Go Team Charlotte!
If we do a “show me yours and I’ll show you mine” kind of thing I’ll smoke up a boston butt or two on behalf of NoDa.
Erik,
come to my house, if you have a smoking, oral fixation. I have a butt for you to chew on and a blunt you can enjoy. If you want to know where I live or how to get ahold of me, just come into NoDa and ask anyone in any of the businesses, or other NoDa residents. Just ask them how to find Kenny. Thats the other beauty of NoDa… we know each other and we know about the people who share our community with us. If I went to Starmount and asked someone how to find Erik…. they’d look at me like I was crazy to ask I’m sure…
kenny you need to quit writing and get back to your click voting, click, click click. you can do it kenny, try and out vote all of starmount.
Un bi ass,
If I was click clicking it wouldn’t be against all of Starmount… it would be against you and Erik and your vote program… :0) I haven’t even voted today, but your percentage I see has gone up with your 700 votes in 3 hours. Do you have oompa loompas voting for you? or are your house wives still locked up in that elementary school gymnasium? Guess you’ll all have to order out tonight … LOL
and why not post with your real name? I have a more accurate post name for you than “uniased opinion.” you should try, Silly Man. good luck.
Well I see we kept the peace for about 2 seconds. 1 Charlotte 12+ awesome, proud neighborhoods.
I’m serious about my tour offer—I really want to see some of the other hoods.
I’m sorry I digressed and reacted…
It’s hard to play nice sometimes when snide comments and insults follow genuine expressions of friendship and growth. My bad. :0)
kenny why do you find it necessary to insult others. if you would just stop clicking and think about what you are saying? either you are a 15 year old playing hookie from school -or-you acutally do not live in Noda and just sneak in from the surrounding slums to get your drug fix and look at art. i think its the latter
unbiased…
on THAT note… I should have never let the original NoDa insults drag me to the dark side. Just as I refuse to let YOUR insults cause yet another childish reaction from me. The mud flinging was two sided, unwarranted, and immature. I’m sorry that I was a part of it. Even though there was trash talk and not so nice comments from both sides… I feel that in the beginning there was a bit of sporty fun attached to them. A cute rivalry. Now, the insults about slums and drugs are completely out of hand. These are serious issues that shouldn’t be joked about or taken lightly, no matter what area they are an issue. At this point, I’m wishing you and your hood all the best, sincerely.
I’m sorry to the rest of the forum readers for my part in the insults and trash talk.
We need some fresh blood… Let’s go after Ballantyne!!!!
🙂
LOL Craig… one last post from me… my specific apologies go out to Erik and “unbiased opinion.” Come to NoDa and let me buy you a drink. I’m actually a pretty nice guy, as I’m sure the two of you are. Peace.
kenny, i am afraid you are correct. I retract the comments about drugs and slums. my apologies to all of noda and the readers of this forum, i did not mean for anyone to take them literally but I was wrong to even bring that kind of filth into this discussion.
We will take your offer up this summer for NoDa and Starmount to “Show me yours and we will show you ours”
I will get a hold of the Starmount neighborhood association to put this in the monthly news letter. and coordinate this visit.
Look ,I did not think this would come to alot of bickering LoL, It shows how proud we are as Charlotteteans. I love the NoDa area , the art and diversity of people there. We at Starmount are proud too. Hope to see you soon.
Also hope other Hoods get involved as passinate as we are!!
I’m in! We’ll get you to NoDa!
We moved here about a year ago and are very happy. The neighborhood is safe, everyone takes good care of their houses and there are community parties if you want to get involved in that sort of thing. I had never heard of Starmount until our realtor told us the name, but I really like it and I’m glad we moved here. Once nice thing is that at community events, there are people of all nationalities, so it’s easy for people of all cultures to make friends.
keep the great comments coming Diana. but its the vote that counts and we are on top of that.
I think South End is the clear winner. We’re just too immersed in all our culture and things to do to get on this site and vote!
Its interesting to read the bickering back and forth. The Starmount and NoDa areas are very similar. NoDa just has one up on the art galleries. Both offer diversity and genuine fun. These hoods are concerned more with the real issues and family than “keeping up with the Jones'”. Either hood deserves to win!
This vote that’s now in the tens of thousands… gave me an idea for next year… if we could get 2 or 3 sponsors to match the amount of votes… one vote = one dollar… maybe all this passion for our “hoods” could be paid forward to a local charity or two? This town is so full of banks…. surely they could see a need to give to the community around them…. There are also many wonderful worth while organizations who need financial help. It would be like a BEST OF THE HOODS (carpal tunnel) charity vote-a-thon….
Then, all this voting would have more meaning than a friendly rivalry or a bunch of passionate people who refuse to give in… :0)
IF THERE’S ANY BANK EXECS READING THIS > IT”S NOT TOO LATE TO PLEDGE!!! :0)
kenny, perhaps you can share some of your voting techniques. You are doing a great job buddy!
Nodaboy… when I vote, I vote with my fingers and mouse… old fashioned I know, but… I’m old school. :0)
the other thing is… I quit smoking cold turkey 2 weeks ago after 28 + years. When I have a craving I vote…
I moved here from Seattle to Charlotte, having never seen the city ever before in 2006 and moved into a sublet place in Starmount. We were completely planning on finding a permenant house to buy in Ballantyne or somewhere like that, but fell in love with Starmount. We love the mature trees, the huge lots the houses are on, the way the houses are built and the neighbors. Actually, the Doofuses a couple of doors down are the real reasons that we stayed. LOL! We love the kind hearted neighbors and the proximity to lightrail. I even heard that the band Tesla once lived in our neighborhood in the 1980s. Wow… what history…just kidding. Seriously, it really is the best place to be for the dollar.
CO TOES!!! ALICE!!!!
We moved to Charlotte 8 years ago and were only going to stay 18 months (work assignment). After buying in Starmount and getting to know the people, we knew we are here to stay. As for a melting pot, with 1400 homes, I believe we are the biggest in the area. Our community works together improving our look with monthly clean-ups, social events and gatherings all through the year. Having a community pool is also agreat way to meet new people and build a sense of community. Starmount reaches out to new neighbors with a welcome packet full of information to make the move easy. I have never lived in a more accepting neiborhood in my live. You can see that as you walk down the streets and are greeted with a hello. NoDa come and vist us if you can get through all that trffic.
I’ve lived in and out of Starmount for going on 40 years, yeah I’m getting old. I moved to Charlotte in 1969 when I was 10 years old.
Now I am raising my son in Starmount in the same house I grew up in and can’t think of anywhere else I would rather live.
The neighborhood has gone through alot of changes over the years but it is rich in friends and warm community atmosphere.
The Swim Club is the biggest draw in my opinion as it continues to grow and has alot of community support. We have many social functions which promote family and good fun.
NoDa people are more than welcome to come check out some of our parties and events. The website for the calendar of events is http://www.starclaire.com. Come and see what we have to offer.
Honestly, Starmount sounds like a lovely place. It actually sounds a lot like NoDa in some ways. Ironically, we have 1400 ish homes, neighborhood clean ups, a green team, 2 pools, the most beautiful YMCA in North Carolina, free live entertainment approx 42 weekends out of the year, 8 restaurants and cafe’s within 3 blocks, 10 art galleries, a book store, 8 places to order cocktails with friends, (one of those being the newly renovated DOG bar where your best friend can join you while you socialize.. WOOF), 6 specialty shops, two wine bars, 2 venues for live entertainment that are jam packed EVERY weekend, a half a dozen parks, and a standing room only FUN FUN FUN gallery crawl every first and third Friday of every month.
Funny thing about the traffic you mentioned mr trusty… NoDa is able to sustain my personal life as well as a thriving business. I really don’t HAVE to leave NoDa unless I want to branch out. When I do leave NoDa, I just pop on down North Davidson and am quickly in the heart of downtown. North Lake Makll is only a 13 minute easy drive, and I usually park in front of my destination when I’m parking here. So, good luck Starmount. There’s a bunch of us here who are sincerely looking forward to the hood tour exchange during the summer. If anything, I want to see the area that has so many people SO passionate about where they live. :0) this rivalry between us has been a blast. I admire you all.
why is there no one from starmount voting?????????
Come one people I cant do it all by myself. KEEP VOTING
concerned… you sound like ME yesterday….. hey all y’all in Starmount and NoDa… don’t leave this up to one or two people… get involved.. VOTE!!!!
There hasn’t been a fun rivalry like this in Charlotte in YEARS! KEEP VOTING
Starmount will come back , We got a Tarheel Game to watch!!
Where are the votes for Plaza Midwood? Re: No Da/Starmount, No Da has some good restaurants, but Starmount has a better name for their hood.
GO TEAM NoDa!!! Wooo Hoooooo!!
NoDa ROCKS!!! Damn, I love it here! You all make me proud!
I love NoDa so much, I get teary eyed just thinking about it. It’s a wonderful place to live. And with LightRail coming, all the new development planned, and the staggering community involvement, it’s only going to get better! *weeping with pride*
NoDa Lauren…
the thought of you weeping makes me weep. :0) I’m sending you a hug between votes… the sense of community I’m feeling at this moment is awe inspiring… shoot… now I am weeping……
At what point does self interest override my natural inclination towards honesty?
Yeah, I will take PMs from anyone who wants to hear my story, which I am tentatively titling “8 Months in NoDA” or “What the Hell Happened to the Crap I Had Out On My Porch” or “How I Learned to Love Answering the Door With a Pistol In My Hand” or maybe “Who’s In My Backyard Now” or perhaps “So THAT’S What Crack Smells Like ….”
just kidding 🙂
What was that earlier comment about NoDa not being in 1st place for long? :0)
……… As for home prices and best for the buck….
I bought my home in NoDa in January of 2006 for $171,000. In Feb of 07 I had it reappraised at $230,000. I’m about to add on 1100 square foot of single level home on my HUGE lot. My home will then be in the 375,000 range.. I would say good investment… “best for the buck,” what do you think Starmount? It’s amazing to be part of a community that is growing so quickly with such amazing focus. Better get into NoDa while you can!
Starmount is way more affordable than NoDuh. If you don’t want to pay 300,000+ for a small house, come to Starmount. NoDuh has too many hippies and yuppies. Starmount is much cooler.
In watching the comments go back and forth, why a couple of people in Starmount insist on attacking the character of the people in NoDa? hippy this, drug that, yuppie, etc…. The people of Starmount haven’t been insulted. The comments about Starmount from the opposition were about “a Stepford feeling” “theater this” “never heard of Starmount before” and “the mall”. Seems that Starmount’s comebacks are always attacking the character of the people in NoDa. Isn’t this about the “hoods” and about what the “neighborhood” has to offer? I don’t believe this was set up as a forum for people bashing. Just wondering out loud…. May the best hood win.
i think NoDa started the attacks. They are portaying Starmount as some boring cookie cutter hood. Which its not!!
And since when was being a hippie or a yuppie a bad thing? Unless you thinks it is?
Your arrogance is very insulting “never heard of starmount” how many times do we have to say its Charlotte’s best kept secret.
Noda will be a nice place to live 10 years from now when it might get a light rail station and be relatively safe.
But his poll is about the current neighborhood of the year. It’s not about what Noda might be 10 or 20 years from now, lol.
Good Luck. you’ll need it!
it looks like Starmount is gonna need the luck. just another observation….
When you live in the BEST HOOD, you don’t need LUCK. :0) Good luck next year Starmount!
I guess some people don’t have a life other than pumping up the results by just sitting here all day clicking up the votes. lol
I love my neighborhood! We’re mid twenties ex punk rockers who wanted a neighborhood with a little personality. I live on a cul de sac in starmount with my husband and kids. We’ve lived here two years so far and we couldn’t have made a better decision. My kids can play out in the street and we can ride the lightrail to discovery place on the weekends. My neighbors are fantastic and we just love it here. I also like that I can walk down the street without being stabbed in the gut. That’s pretty rock solid.
You’re right mrstarclairemom… team STARMOUNT has done an amazing job… LMAO just not good ENOUGH. It’s amazing how a couple of you are so detached.. you insult us for doing what you’ve been doing since the beginning… you wish us luck and tell us “you’re going to need it” while we’re ahead by 14%… Do you even READ the forum? it’s amusing at best. This has been a fun excercise. But seriously, you make fun of us for spending time to vote… but do the math sweety… there have been 45,600 votes cast… Starmount can claim 42% of them to date. 42% of 45,600 is 19,152… and you’re making fun of NoDa for voting? If you were ahead you’d be praising Starmount and it’s dedicated people. Since you’re NOT, then we in NoDa have nothing better to do than vote… double standards, yes. A reason to be bitter… not so much. Personally, the 19th of March couldn’t come fast enough. I’d love for this competition to be done with. Remember, a competition isn’t fun when there is none. I under-estimated Starmount. I know now that I’ll take the time to discover your hood. You all are a force to be reckoned with for sure. :0)
So, why am I all of a sudden being bashed by you Kenny. And don’t call me sweetie, I don’t swing that way.
All I’m saying is for the numbers of occupants in the neighborhoods, the votes are sure immense.
I’m not bashing you at all. I thought you were a female, I almost called you Claire. so, sorry about that. But do you not get it? you make comments about us, and end them with “LOL.” and when we respond similarly, you call it bashing?
since you’re not READING the comments that YOU yourself wrote…this in particular, which YOU typed.
“I guess some people don’t have a life other than pumping up the results by just sitting here all day clicking up the votes. lol”
how do you expect someone to respond? 1800flowers? When you make snide remarks against us, it’s cool. When we respond, it’s bashing. Maybe you need to test Starmount’s tap water.
Well, I believe if I’m not wrong here by READING the comments. Your own Erik kinda started the whole thing with “Starmount? I’ve never even heard of that. Perhaps I should borrow whatever click script they’re using to pump up numbers.” Hmmm
And if you had been READING yourself, you might have caught the MR in front of starclairemom. Guess you never saw the movie. MrMom
I personally live in Madison Park,(since 1984) I joined the Starclaire Pool about 8 years ago , with my daughter, could have not met nicer people! All welcoming freindly people, with community love. I work in sales and I’m all over town, but I do work near the NoDa, personally if I have to get out of my car to make a call, I pefer to do that in Starclaire! I guess No Da is a real Rags to Riches story, glad you could clean yourselfs up, Starclaire stay Classly! The way you started and the way you have been for over 40 years! Love you guys!
Mr. Mom, I loved that movie… excuse me for being so ignorant that I couldn’t decipher your name. I commend you for being a stay at home dad. People who live outside the box without conforming to the expectations of society are amazing. I personally have Multiple Sclerosis and qualify for gov assistance, but refuse it and do the best I can working out of my home. It feels good to be slightly different. Honest question, as I am now slightly more confused, is it Starmount? or Starclaire? When we seemingly insulted you by asking where is Starmount? and stating that we’ve never heard of it other than the theater.. it was a true statement. Your own people said that it was Charlotte’s best kept secret. But we were chastised for not knowing anything about it? Your hood is certainly NOT a secret anymore. As I said earlier, it has suddenly become a place that I am very interested in learning about. What’s a good place in Starmount for Sunday brunch? If you come to NoDa, my favorite is Solstice Tavern. $4.00 Bloody Mary’s and mimosas, eggs bene, flap jacks, breakfast wrap… very reasonably priced. I’d love to expand my outlook and discover a new place or two in Starmount. I’m not bashing, this is a sport event to me. It’s like a high school debate. I love a good debate. Competition is just that, nothing personal, simply sport. You know that if you were ahead right now you’d be gloating. If we were behind right now, I’d be more bitter than you could ever be. It’s all fun people! None of us are going to MOVE once the results are in. It aint over til the fat man sings on the 19th.
It really makes me happy to have the support of Madison Park and Montclaire. We are all in this together. I have several friends who live in both areas from Wedgewood, to Seacroft, Londonderry, Emerwood and even the new Park South Station development on Archdale.
We are all one community, your comments are inspiring keep them coming and don’t forget to put up a few votes for Starmount. Starmount’s recognition in this vote in a plus for the entire area!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, the way it all works out is we are boardering another hood called Montclaire. When Starmount and Montclaire were rolling, a few key community leaders decided to begin an Athletic Association. Hence, Starclaire, which at one point was the largest Athletic Association in Charlotte and surrounding areas. Our football program which began it all was second to none.
Our Swimclub has the same moniker. We are very proud of our neighborhood. Alot of us have been living here for a long time. As a matter of fact, alot of kids that grew up here have moved back into the ‘hood’ and raising there own families.
We have been a well kept secret, but with the growth of the Light Rail and now this, we won’t be for long.
Wow, as far as a Sunday Brunch thing, I really couldn’t tell you much on that as that’s not my thing. There are alot of choices around here. Maybe someone more into to that can enlighten us as to a good place to go.
But all of you from NoDa are more than welcome to come check us out this Spring with the opening of the pool and the events to come. You can check out our social calendar on http://www.starclaire.com and make your own decision as to what you would like to attend.
Mr. Mom, thanks for that… I just found you guys on my Charlotte map… you are pretty much where Arrowood meets South Blvd.? What are the houses like? One of my friends here in NoDa grew up there. Her father still lives over there. He loves it, she prefers NoDa. The funny thing is, if you look at the stats in Creative Loafing, the two hoods statistically are similar. pop noda = 2834/starmount = 2743
… num housing units noda = 1275/starmount = 1,103…. area acres noda = 576/starmount = 566.
I suppose that it’s the flavor of the hoods and the individual experiences that support any one person’s passion for that area. I also have a farm in Wilkes County and have been living in Charlotte for 7 years, renting in different areas until purchasing in NoDa 2 and a half years ago. I must say, I hated coming down to Charlotte from the farm until I ate at Cabo Fish Taco one night, and fell in love with NoDa and the people and the flavor. Who knows what would have happened if I would have discovered Starmount first. I’m glad I found NoDa and the amazing people in the hood. My partner and I have never felt so welcome and safe. My handicap has never been an issue here, my 8 year domestic partnership is embraced, and my vocation as a designer and conceptual architect fits right in to NoDa’s recent growth. Maybe this helps explain my passion for NoDa and quite frankly, my obsession with this stupid contest. :0)
You can be nice when you want to be Kenny, but its not going to work. This is still a battle and the people of Starmount and the surrounding areas are going to send us over the top 🙂
Come down to Starmount we have the best Tacos in the town from real authentic Mexican owned restaurants. You go to fish taco joints we go to real TaquerÃas.
But there is a Taco Bell near by which should be what you are acustomed too, lmao
Keep Voting Starmount!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well…. I’m just going to have to laugh off the personal attacks from this point on…
this one was oh so clever though….
“But there is a Taco Bell near by which should be what you are accustomed too, lmao.” ….. Is the writer’s strike still on? LOL.
Of course it’s a battle. I’m fighting just as hard as you are. But that doesn’t mean that during the battle we can’t have a few civilized conversations. If you win this battle, I will be the first one to congratulate you.. I will be pissed off, I will feel bitter, I may even cry… but I will personally go to Starmount and stand on the street corner of your choice for an hour holding a sign that says, “Starmount is the best hood in Charlotte” and shake anyone’s hand who wants to gloat over a fair and square win. You guys are way too determined for me to think that you winning couldn’t happen. So, let the battle ensue. And if you met me Starunited… you’d probably think I was a nice guy. Ask anyone who knows me..(cept my ex-wife) Sincerely…. good luck all y’all.
No you di’n’t! Let’s not even begin to get personal about neighborhood restaurants. You want authentic Southern? Try Chicken Box. You want authentic Mexican? Try Taqueria Guadalajara‎ on Tryon or Taqueria La Unica on Central – just a hop away. Authentic Jamaican? Addie’s. Pee in your pants good pub grub? Solstice Tavern. Believe me, I could go on and on. Bring it, with your Taco Bells and your McDonald’s and your corporate franchise land.
Kenny is a good guy and if you haven’t figured it out, definite local color! HEY STARMOUNT: If I’m driving down there to check out the area, what is the best place to start, what are the neighborhood boundries and what is the number 1 must see?
NoDa is easy to figure out. Start at N Davidson & 36th, then just start walking around. Grab a cup of coffee, visit the shops, meet the neighbors.
“Pee in your pants good pub grub” – Solstice needs to put that on their menu.
Next to the Mayor Charles WIngs
noduh Lauren and Noduhguy how bout you pick up Kenny and take him out for a cup of coffee and a taco, he has been locked down his voting bunker for days now. Even prisoners get to spend a hour in yard.
I’m sure he is very hungry 🙁
Thanks NoDaguy.. :0) and Erik, I’ll recommend that to John and Jeff at Solstice when I’m eating brunch there today. :0) this is getting good. Love all y’all!!!
We’re not allowed to give Kenny sugar or caffeine.
starmount untied.. you so clever! and ur use of grammur and speling hopefully is not a exampull of the learnin you got in starmount.. yee-haw. rock the trailur dude… keep it up as a shinin exampull of ur area.
Come join me at Solstice Tavern in a few… I’ll take a break while the rest of the amazing people in NoDa continue the vote. Don’t hate the people cause they’re more determined. I’m sure when the dust settles you’ll be fine, starmount united.
my grammer is fine Kenny, really dude get some sleep, you’ve at this too long. When you wake up it will be all over.
starmount united dude… I’m not voting DUDE… the rest of NoDa is. I’m actually just tuning into this site every now and again for the comments and a quick giggle. DUDE, maybe you should wake up while it’s still going on.. LOL
“my grammer is fine Kenny, you’ve at this too long.” you’re right, perfect articulation. Guys, let go of the bitterness, it’s not pretty.
On another note. I want to send a shout out to Plaza-Midwood. They are holding onto their 1% and not letting it slip. That’s hot. 28205, Represent!
really Lauren… I LOVE Plaza Midwood. I think I’ll start voting for them from this point on. Their hood ROCKS!!!
Oh my god, Kenny please don\’t vote for plaza-midwood they will be in second place before you know it. I really wish I had access to your voting machine program.
What does the hood with the most votes get anyway?
Starmount united… every vote I have cast has been by my own hand…. Your envy is honestly ugly. All you have as ammunition is false accusations. Can you not leave the bitter comments out of this? Once again, because you’re not in first place, I’m cheating? Your aggression towards me is misdirected. I’m not your worry, ALL of NoDa is. I do have to thank TEAM Starmount for the idea of getting our voters organized. I’m just one guy in a wonderful neighborhood. This isn’t about Starmount verses “Kenny.” Catch ya in a few hours… I’m going for a fab brunch at Solstice. I’ll be the guy with a severe limp and a blond beard NOT voting… LOL
The Starmount Association has really dropped the ball on this one. Where are the troops???
Kenny, please don’t put words in my mounth. I’ll hand it to you. You have a good way of acting like the victim in all of this. But people can see through your fancy talk.
Good try buddy. You have made more accusations in one comment than I have made the entire time on here.
Nothing personal though, its all in good fun.
Agreed superdelegate. Don’t give up. Just spread the word!!!!!
and my thanks to the super organized and amazing NoDa neighborhood association.. you go people!!! You make a guy proud.
and starmount united… I’m having fun with all of this,,, no offense taken… I just don’t like being accused of something I haven’t done. I’m working hard at this, THATS what I’m guilty of, nothing more. AND, I’m not smart or even clever enough to put words into someone’s mouth or make what THEY have typed into something else. As I said, I’ll be glad when this is over.. lol
So, Kenny. Where will the Trophy go?
Starmount: Same question.
After all this work I gotta see this sucker no matter who wins.
I personally love NODA, it has the feel of a small town. The neighbors all say HI and there are alot of independant arts going on which makes it ever changing and the lack of corporate domain. Only a human state of well being and wanting to give back to the community. That’s what makes NODA
I just wonder if we are going to see this in tomorrow’s publication of the Observer. 😉
just keep voting Mr Mom
good job Starmount…. it is now 745 pm on Sunday. Since I left for brunch, there’s been 1426 votes casted and Starmount has gone up a percent. We had a team NoDa meeting at Solstice Tavern. bring it on Starmount! We’re ready for you. LOL!!! By the way, insult me ALL you want Starmount. If you need a scapegoat, I’m honored to be yours. I’m actually flattered that you blame me for your short comings. SUCH an honor. good luck and BRING IT ON!!
All in fun… quite frankly.. I don’t even care about being PC at this point. We’re winning… YAY!! I’m hoping that when we win we can display our “token” at the Evening Muse for every neighborhood meeting.. ( you all earned the right) and the rest of the time, let it travel through NoDa to our many venues of fun… Canvas Monkey, Cabo Fish Taco, The Boulevard, Boudreaux, Boudreaux Bar (Sanctuary), Smelly Cat, Dolce Vita, Salvador Deli, Neighborhood Theatre, the Dog Bar, Wine Up, Center of the Earth Gallery, Green Rice Designs, Solstice Tavern, Real Eyes Bookstore, Savy Realty, Pure Realty, Addies Jamaican Cuisine, The Rat’s Nest, Sunshine Daydreams, Johnston YMCA, Rennaissance Cleaners, South Side Seafood, Beet Gallery, The Vanilla Muse Concepts in Design, and every place I neglected to mention… THAT’S NoDa… That’s us…
BRING IT!!!! OH YES.. SHE DID!!!
Im sad for the bitter envy, and I want Starmount to know… while you were so concerned about me…. The REAL amazing people of NoDa were doing what THEY do best… pulling together, and growing, and representing, and voting, and loving, and showing the kind of pride that makes a neighborhood shine. I am nothing in this neighborhood… just a character. The hood I live in speaks for itself, in volume. Even though some people in Starmount think I orchestrated NoDa’s involvement in this contest… I didn’t. I wish I was half as good as any one of the people who actually make this neighborhood great. I’m just one of the loudest and most annoying. To the nice people of Starmount whom I’ve had a meaningful conversation or two, I look forward to meeting you, and I look forward to learning more about your wonderful neighborhood. To the others who want to bash, insult, lash out … who can’t deal with losing… who can’t admit defeat… you can… KISS – MY -ASS! :0) LOL LOL LOL
Congradulations, Kenny is the new NoDuh mascot, lmao
Many people in Starmount don’t use computers. Wait till the write in votes are counted!
starmount untied… you spelled Kenny right, AGAIN.. but fell short with the rest… it’s “Congratulations”… and it’s “NoDa”… get it right you envious ass… LMAO DUDE… you’re only embarrassing yourself AND your hood. and I was already NoDa’s mascot… long before this competition… and I’m proud to be the quasimodo of NoDa. The poor people who live here are stuck with me. You’re just an ass. Pity, that.
Write in votes? This is getting ridiculous… are you for real?
If you need straws to grasp… let me sell you a few.
There you go with the name calling again. And this is not a spelling bee contest; get over it Kenny. Maybe I am too busy voting to care about spelling and punctuation I pity you.
Other than being a Mascot, you are also the human spell checker; very admirable, lmao again
starmount united… I’m shocked that I’ve even let you get to me… If you’re so frickin sure of yourself… why not put out what I did… how bout if WE win this contest… you stand on one of OUR corners with a sign that says NoDa is the best hood in Charlotte? If you agreed to that I’d respect you. Lets make it MORE interesting. I’ll dress up in any legal outfit you want if you win.. and stand on the corner for an hour as I said earlier. a chicken? sure… a gorilla, sure… a french maid? bring it on… I’m a man of my word. Can you match me on that? Put your balls where your mouth is. Back up your area. Get off my dress man. Let me tell you something too. If YOU win, the people in MY hood will make me stand in Starmount shaking your hands. THEY know me. Starmount… whether you win or we win.. I honestly look forward to meeting most of you.
They ought to call you Kenny “Amuse”; you are too funny. You seem very eager to stand out on a corner somewhere; is there a past life you are not telling us about.
“Put your balls where your mouth is” I’m not even going there but the thought of it disgusts me.
We don’t talk like that in Starmount; if you lose you got to let us wash your mouth out with soap before we put out on the corner.
They ought to call you Kenny “Amuse”; you are too funny. You seem very eager to stand out on a corner somewhere; is there a past life you are not telling us about.
“Put your balls where your mouth is” I’m not even going there but the thought of it disgusts me.
We don’t talk like that in Starmount; if you lose you got to let us wash your mouth out with soap before we put you out on the corner.
idiot
Just for the record; a comment like that Kenny deserves no answer.
I’m not surprised. Ironically all your commments when they are boiled down to their true nature result in simple name calling.
You are better than that, I know it.
Guys it’s all good boil it down
everyone is proud of their hood no losers here… just very proud to live where you live!
nothing wrong with that!
starmount united… you are right. I’m void of class. I guess that means we can hang together. I simply got tired of being nice. Why should I be nice when I’m constantly under attack? No apology from me but, my last 3 comments were written by Bloody Mary. CHEERS!!! lol
go NoDa..! go NoDa..! go NoDa..! go NoDa..! go NoDa..! go NoDa..! go NoDa..! go NoDa..!
You guys are AMAZING! keep up the good work and the voting!
go NoDa..! go NoDa..! go NoDa..! go NoDa..! go NoDa..! go NoDa..!
(honestly… I haven’t voted since Saturday. THIS IS GREAT!!)
Kenny, have you tried ‘zingzang’ bloodymary mix. it actually bites back a little, lol. As peanut says “it’s good, it’s good, it’s gooood!”
Mr Mom…
So funny… I have 3 Dalmatians. One is named Peanut.
I also have the most amazing Bloody Mary recipe, mine of course. I never do this but something about you makes me want to. You’re such a nice guy. here goes…
a shot and a half of vodka, 2 shakes of Thai peanut sauce, 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, 1 shake of creamy Caesar dressing, 1 shake of chipotle Tabasco sauce, 6 twists of fresh ground pepper, 1 shake of lemon pepper, 1 shake of Worcestershire sauce, 2 squirts of lemon juice, and finish with v8 juice.. ( regular or sodium free if you drink and still worry about health..lol). Shake it with ice and dress it with 3 green olives and a celery stalk. PERFECT bloody mary whether you drink it in NoDa or Starmount…. :0)
I’d love to buy you lunch or make you a bloody mary sometime Mr Mom.
oh, and when I said “I never do this” I meant share recipes… I have control issues… LOL
Kenny the muse es muy loco
Wow, I’ve been away from the computer these past couple of days and it took me a while to catch up on all of this back and forth between the hoods. Kenny, you ARE amusing (that’s why I love you) and I can’t think of a better mascot for our hood. Starmount, Kenny has a point about the insults and bitterness you keep returning when he honestly reaches out to you. It bothered me when I read it so much I was almost tempted to post a comment similar to Kenny’s “idiot.” LOL, Kenny you crack me up – I also appreciate your respect for the English language and thank you for not slaughtering it on this forum, unlike others. Don’t let them get to you. They are being petty and, as you said, just bitter that they are LOSING. Stay the course on the high road, Kenny. You’ve been doing a good job of it (and anyone who knows you knows this is an amazing personal feat). I don’t hold the occasional “idiot” comment against you given what you’re getting from Starmount. …and THANKS for the Bloody Mary recipe! GO NODA!!!
Starmount and NoDuh … a close race? SouthEnd has 0% votes and Plaza Midwood 1% This doesn’t seem right.
Go Starmount! We’re coming on strong!
What? The correct spelling is NODA.
Doesn’t Starmount sleep?? Last night NoDa was in the lead 56/43. This morning, we’re nearly tied at 50/49.
NoDa: PLEASE VOTE.
Starmount: PLEASE SLEEP!
Lauren, we are just early risers.
Like … no duh, Starmount. I know it’s spelled n-o-d-a. LOL. Thanks.
Actually, I was online VERY late last night casting a few votes and noticed that for every 1 vote I cast, about 10 more were cast at the same time. Starmount’s % was rising before my eyes. Early risers? Night owls? OR, automated script? I think the latter. Not cool, you guys. Not cool.
What is automatic script?
Sorry “what?” I was just being funny. What neighborhood are you from?
All I know is that Starmount is formidable as a competitor. It’s as I said earlier when we pulled ahead… Too early to dance a victory dance with Starmount around. You horrible, persistent people had me up ALL night voting..LOL I’m quite impressed by your surge in votes. I have a bad back now, carpal tunnel syndrome, blurred vision, and I’m extremely bitchy. I can’t wait for this to end. :0) The outcome could be anything at this point.
I am in huge distress, and my fingers are also hurting. Kenny, I say WHEN WE WIN tomorrow – you owe me a “most amazing Bloody Mary”!
I don’t know about an automated script but i do know, we have a few “vampires” in the hood, lol.
Lauren and Shannon… you know I’m right beside you clicking away. No matter whether we win or not, I’ll owe you a bloody mary. I’ll also owe a couple of decent Starmounters a drink. If anyone from NoDa is reading this, I hope you’re voting…
Starmount ROCKS!!!!!!
Don’t underestimate the Starmount pride!
GO STARMOUNT!
We Have meetings also Guys!!
Starmount!!!
TOGETHER WE SHALL RIDE AND RIDE WE SHALL!!
It isn’t over til it’s over… and I don’t think any of us should underestimate any of us… The pride in these two hoods is obvious. lol anyone know what time the voting ends? I’m hoping midnight….
Starmount!!
Together we shall ride and ride we shall!!!
GO NODA!!!! woo dee hooo hoooo
If it’s not at midnight – I call shenanigans!
P.S. I think I’ll be much better at video games when this is over!
Hey Creative Loafing… after this lets have a bloody mary contest… MAY THE BEST BLOODY MARY WIN!!!
Remember … tomorrow March 19 at midnight … all voting ends!
Don’t worry Tim, Starmount Steve and I are on board and voting.
We were up late last night, lol.
Go Starmount . . . KEEP VOTING!!!!
Starmount, admit it. 2nd place is good enough for “the best kept secret in Charlotte.” Be happy with it – you’ll get a little bit of the recognition you think you deserve. But for NoDa, nothing will please us but 1st – because we stand for truth not for pumped up numbers.
If I get one of Kenny’s bloody mary’s I’ll keep voting too! Nothing like the promise of booze for motivation!! 🙂
Feelin like a yoyo contest here, lol
I’ll schedule a bloody mary party, and we’ll invite the press..LOL
Carlton, is it against the rules to use a program to cast votes automatically? Your article says vote as many times as you’d like. We, in NoDa, have refrained from doing this because we’d like to win the honest way. But, if this isn’t against the rules, we’ll go ahead and start using the same tools as our Starmount competitors. Just let us know what is acceptable and what is not.
Thanks!
Don’t worry NoDa. You always have next year to be the best neighborhood. Although, I doubt you would win that year too.
Lauren, why is it so hard for you to believe our numbers? We obviously have many people that love our neighborhood too. Maybe it is time to accept that fact and stop trying to blame us for cheating.
Same goes for you Shannon. We know how to use computers to cast a vote just like the people in NoDa.
Shannon, what are you talking about? If ya’ll aren’t voting as many times as you like, then how do you account for over 36,000 votes from NoDa? Didn’t realize you had so many people living out there. Doesn’t reflect that in you census polls.
Are you crying? There is no crying in voting.
my hand is tired… :0)
I grew up in Montclaire which is the adjoining neighborhood. I was on the Starclaire swim and tennis teams for years. Aside from the easy access to parks – Starmount is a great neighborhood. And James, I remember Skate Palace. I used to go there all the time in the 80s too.
As I said in the original article, vote as many times as you’d like. Ultimately, we don’t want to restrain anyone’s neighborhood pride.
I went to skate palace in the 70’s, it was a great place to hang out.
Let’s change NODA’s name to NOWAY because Starmount is kicking ass & taking names (and the first one is Kenny)!
Don’t pick on Kenny, he’s the one with the Bloody Mary Bar 😉
LOL about crying. No, not crying… yet! 🙂 My suspicion of Starmounters using a program to post votes automatically came from seeing the numbers rise at a constant rate all night long. My hat is off to you all if you have that many people in your neighborhood staying up all night to cast votes in this competition. AND, now that we have pretty much been given the green light by Carlton to vote however we deem necessary, let the automated scripts be unleashed!!
See you all at the finish line. (I’ll be drinking a bloody mary)
NoDa Shannon,
Clearly if you read the article you would have known that we could vote as many time as we wanted. That’s we Starmounters did because we believe in the neighborhood. There was no need to feed Carlton your sour grapes.
Wow. Not sure why there can only be one great place in Charlotte. Do you think New York or San Francisco have only one cool neighborhood within city limits? I hope at some point we can say Charlotte has 20 hip neighborhoods that all offer something new and unique. Call me crazy but I would like more things to do on the weekend.
One question. I do not actually know where Starmount is located-can someone fill me in?
I think using automated scripts or whatever you call it . . . is cheating 🙁
Ok Shannon, I’ll be looking for you. I’ll be the one carrying the cheese. I do believe it will go better with the Bloody Marys than that whine you are having.
And who is using scripts?
4000 votes in less than 30 minutes?
Hmmmm.
Next year they should code the page so that you have to authenticate to submit your vote. This would help eliminate those using scripts.
How bout that suggestion for next year?
who’s ass are you kicking DIVA? lol By the way, I’m the top DIVA in Charlotte. and thanks Mr.Mom… The first bloody mary has YOUR name on it.. :0) I love this though.. YOU GO NODA!!! I go into a meeting for 2 hours and come back and you all pulled us forward. You people are AMAZING!!! Thanks Lauren, Erik, Shannon, Craig, Rob, Mike, Ryan, Hollis, Chad, and those of you NoDa peeps I haven’t mentioned. You all make a guy proud. I LOVE NODA!!!
But lets not slack off NoDa.. Starmount is truly a strong force. The minute we slack off they’ll pull ahead. GO NODA!!!
It’s okay, all in good fun, guys. I thought it was cheating too, but Carlton’s reply confirmed there are no rules. I never said it was cheating to vote multiple times – obviously we have all been doing that. I thought it might have been against the rules to use an automated method of posting votes, but Carlton has confirmed that it not the case. So, why don’t we all vote as many times as we’d like by whatever means we would like? No whining, no cheating, no hard feelings. It’s not “May the best neighborhood win” – it’s more like “may the neighborhood with the most votes in the end win.” That’s all it comes down to. Plenty of cool hoods are not represented on this blog.
What really makes me sad is that Plaza Midwood lost their 1%. They are one of the best neighborhoods in Charlotte, for real. And we are glad that they are our next door neighbors.
I agree with NoDa CK. I have always loved Charlotte and all of it’s individual parts. This contest is making me very bitter towards “certain neighborhoods.” I think this has gone beyond friendly competition, and maybe Creative Loafing will think of a less divisive competition next year … like which neighborhood has more live music shows per week or has the best fish tacos. 😀
We have plenty of tacos off of South Blvd 😉
Carlton..
is it midnight this evening (Tuesday going into Wednesday)? or midnight ending the 19th..(Wednesday going into thursday)
wow, that looks like a record to me. 9471 votes in a couple hours. And you accuse us of using an automated script for voting?
We’re no longer accusing anyone of script voting since the powers-that-be have already sanctioned it.
I’ll be honest. I’m using a script now. But I’m also pointing and clicking… and the pointing and clicking raises the numbers much faster. Humans beat machines!! w00t.
they are using some automated voting program, I don’t think it’s a coincidence they always seems to maintain a 10 point lead. Even when we catch up it goes right back to a 10% difference almost immediately. Shame on you NODA
George…
I have been using my own hand since the beginning of this competition. Don’t accuse us of doing what you have been doing… honestly. My human hand way of voting is much faster than any “voting” machine. Last night Starmount went from 43% to 50% in a matter of hours… All I had to do today to get ahead again was make some phone calls and send out emails to our NoDa list. Don’t be bitter. I’ll admit, I’ve been nervous about losing this whole time. If we do, we do…. but if we do, I’ll know that I have played fair this entire contest, even though I have been Starmounts dart board all along. I stayed up the entire night try to combat Starmounts continuous 20 and 40 votes per minute. Had I not, you would have caught up to us LONG before you did. I applaud you guys. You play a good game. But I play fairly and honestly. It’s clear that either hood can win as their passions are equal. Be proud of keeping up with us. I’m proud that we have with you. A couple of you chime in with neener – neener- neener’s when you pull ahead, but when we pull ahead… it’s sour grapes. This is all in fun.
and George.. don’t “SHAME ON US” lol. I’m starting to think that Mr.Mom is the only resident in Starmount with any class or sense. Mr. Mom… I honetly hope that you will home school your kids. They’ll benefit more from your intelligence than our school system.
No shame, no cheating. As Lauren said, it has been sanctioned by the powers that be. The funny thing is, we were doing it by the book until someone in Starmount obviously automated their voting overnight to close a huge gap during hours when most people were sleeping. You call us cheaters for responding by first checking that is would be okay to do and then giving you a taste of your own medicine? The huge increase in NoDa votes is due to 2 things: 1) tons more people in NoDa got on board today with this competition, and 2) we are now allowed to automate our voting with a clear conscience. Unfair? Not really. Starmount people can do the same thing we are doing – and, I believe they have all along. We are just now responding in the same fashion. Did someone say Starmount would be bringing the whine to go with the cheese and bloody marys? Looks like you’ve got enough to go around. GO NODA!!!!
OH my God!! They want to kill Kenny!! You bastards! LMAO
…and here comes Plaza Midwood pulling up the rear!
GO PLAZA MIDWOOD!!!! 3% now… GO PLAZA! GO PLAZA!! That would be the story… while everyone else is bickering… Plaza Midwood sneaks up from behind and WINS THE RACE!!
Show me where it said you can you use an automated voter. I don’t see it.
I’m all for Plaza Midwood being counted. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: 28205, Represent!
NoDa Lauren,
It’s a shame you feel bitter toward “certain neighborhoods.” I invite all NoDaoans to see the neighborhood from the eyes of a native. I’ll treat you to lunch on Cinco de Mayo at La Taquera or visit the best independent music store in Charlotte – Manifest Discs and many more places. Obviously, we are all passionate about our community and its that passion that makes Charlotte a great place to live – no matter what neighborhood you live in.
I’m not bitter… I’m looking forward to the vote being over so I can take a trip over to Starmount and check it out. I probably won’t wear a t-shirt that says “Kenny” on it, but I’m intrigued to see Starmount.
LOL, OMG I hope they don’t kill Kenny!! Go Plaza! I agree, it would be a trip if Plaza pulls up at the last minute and beats both of us. Kenny, no traveling south of Uptown without protection. 🙂 NoDazens, Unite!
Actually, I have no special programming code to vote differently than anyone else. I am voting the same way everyone else is, on the voting page provided by Creative Loafing. Nothing fishy going on here, except maybe some Fish Tacos! Go NODA!!
Okay, I was quitely voting for the past 2 days with no comments. But the Southpark comment about killing Kenny is just funny!
NoDaguy… I’m chuckling too.
WOW… right now it’s looking like it may be, NoDa first, Plaza Midwood second, and Starmount third. 28205 is the zip with the ZAP!! Your premature victory dance only motivated a neighborhood TRULY united. GO NODA!!! NoDa rocks the vote…
This Plaza Midwood thing is cracking me up, up to 5% now!
I think it’s hilarious… and slightly ironic. At this rate they might even beat NoDa… GO PLAZA!!!
Only one with a premature victory dance is NODA.
Just goes to show… you can’t stop voting til the end. This could go any way. Keep voting NoDa!
I know a lot of people voting in Starmount and nobody is using an automated script that I know of..I love Starmount – we moved here 30 years ago and don\’t want to move anywhere else..It has been a great place to raise our kids and convenient to everything we need. As somebody else said we have lots of kids that grew up here and that as adults have moved back with their families which says a lot for the \
Hey !, Don’t Blame Starmount for Cheating , Remember Manifest Music has a lot of dedicated customers and Creative Loafing readers , not tomention many bands that play here and in the Starmount Hood . Don’t Sleep till the end . Our e-mail is Huge.
That’s right Tim, I’m on the way home to start voting big time!!!
George…. may I have this dance?
The fact that everyone commenting thinks that sitting in front of a computer – forsaking all other important tasks in life – and click/vote/refresh-ing over and over is somehow more honorable than using your mind to arrange for your computer to vote for you while you have some freetime to make dinner for your family … just blows my mind.
For the record, my script votes maybe 5 times a minute – and I still have to keep an eye on it b/c sometimes it just stops. I’d love Plaza-Midwood’s script!!! LOL
Lauren,
You are setting a bad example to your children by cheating. Nothing in life is worth anything unless you earn. Having a computer vote for you is lazy and unethical.
Maybe Kenny can teach you some eithics, he is an outstanding guy and knows that part of the value of of winning something is that hard work you put in.
LMAO I’ll bet anyone right now that Plaza Midwood wins… and BTW PMidwood… the thing where I stand on a corner with a sign is only if Starmount wins… I know too many people in the midwood hood. :0)
I know a lot of people voting in Starmount and nobody is using an automated script that I know of..I love Starmount – we moved here 30 years ago and don’t want to move anywhere else..It has been a great place to raise our kids and convenient to everything we need. As somebody else said we have lots of kids that grew up here and that as adults have moved back with their families which says a lot for the “hood”. we are very family oriented and have a great neighborhood pool and association that are very active. Lauren you have taken all the fun out of this with the automated scripts you said you are using so I wont be bothering anymore. STARMOUNT ROCKS AND IS NUMBER ONE IN OUR BOOK!!! So we stay the best kept secret in Charlotte – not a bad thing!!
I’m gonna change my name to Gloria just to make this more fun… I never thought I’d be sick of hearing my own name. I honestly think that I went beyond Carpal Tunnel and into just plain numb.
Lauren..you have taken all the fun out of this…obviously Starmount wasnt using automated scripts…my friends and family are no longer voting.
If Noda wins, there should be a Big Asterick by their name for using Scripts.
Their were no scripts by Starmount. I busted my ass for 6 and 1/2 hours straight last night.
Seems like NODA is RIDING DIRTY!!
If scripting is involved ,then it is’nt fair .
I will put my one vote in and refresh to vote again and feel good about it .
Starmount do the same weather we win or lose we still rock and see you at the pool!!
Thanks for telling me that twice, Luv! I believe that you haven’t used a script, but I don’t for one second believe that no one in Starmount has – and I don’t feel that it is against the spirit of the competition anyways.
Well I sure am glad that I’ve taken “Gloria’s” place as as the local dartboard for now. But I don’t feel dirty or shamed, and I’m more than happy that you feel the need to give up.
Luv Starmount, I’m sorry but the delusion that you hold that Starmount had 10 people NOT sleep last night, and voted by hand is a little silly. Lauren hasn’t taken the fun out of anything. her 5 votes per minute is a drop in the bucket. This has become an all out BATTLE. It’s obvious that everyone is pulling out everything they can to win. The passion is real, the winner of the battle isn’t even close to being determined. But honestly, with 110,000 votes.. It’s probable that a substantial percentage of them for all 3 of the leading areas were automated. Don’t kid yourselves. Last night at midnight the total vote was 57,991. Star had 42% and noda had 59%. at 10am the total vote had climbed to 64,513 and 8 percent of the vote was in Starmount’s favor. I stayed up all night voting by hand to combat the over night votes.. they were coming in VERY quickly. Whenever you guys are behind you accuse us of cheating… whenever we are behind we accuse you of cheating.. It’s a battle people, a battle being fought on computers. I prefer making my hand and butt go numb to automation. Keep up the good work NoDa!!
NODA IS RIDIN DIRTY
Starmount Steve.. envy is ugly. NoDa rides with it’s head held high. It’s only hyelping us that you’ve all but given up. Plaza Midwood is coming up the rear rather quickly. lol
Is the contest up tonight (in 2 1/2 hrs) or in 26 1/2 hrs?
If Plaza Midwood wins this, I think I may get that Bloody Mary at Zada Jane’s lol.
Ranger.. he never clarified earlier when I asked.. the verbage above says until March 19 and not THROUGH March 19th. I’m hoping it’s tonight though.. I’m tired. lol We can have that bloody mary at Zada Janes (great spot) or at Brian’s new bar.. I think it’s called the Thirsty Beaver. Brian the NoDa boy who owns the Rat’s Nest.
here’s what just came out on the CL web site………………………….
Battle of Hoods … the end is near!!!
March 18th, 2008 by Carlton Hargro
Remember … tomorrow March 19 at midnight, all Battle of the Hoods voting ends! Get your votes in before it’s too late!!!
Vote here
Anyone in Starmount that believes no one in their hood is using a script is just plain naive. You can call it what you want, but cheating it is not. That was confirmed by the monitor of this competition. Walking away because your scripts can’t match up to ours? I would say that is very Starmount of you, but that would be an uninformed statement since I’ve never been to Starmount nor even heard of it before this little competition…
ah – so 26.5 hours left. i think plaza-midwood will win by then. talk about a dark horse!
…that doesn’t mean we can give up, NoDa!
well… I’ll be clicking away til midnight on the 19th then….
I’ve worked too hard to give up now. and I have too much pride in my hood.
If we\’re done at midnight, we might hold. If not, we\’re done – I have no more bandwidth.
Holy Crap, I really do think Plaza Midwood will win this thing! LOL! Well, I’d rather lose to them if I had the choice. Kenny, get that bloody mary bar ready, we’re gonna need a drink by tomorrow night!
Someone there is even more of a nerd than I am. Show yourself!
Speaking of drinks, my nerditude may have been beaten. However, I’m making a pergola tomorrow to grow my own hops. Any homebrewers out there?
In my best Kenny voice: Challenge me, b*tches!
HAHHA!! I almost wish Starmountaineers were still here to slow down Plaza-Midwood. (Never thought I\’d say that!)
Habitual Ritual Comedy
Free Show
March 27th 10-2a.m.
W/ Live House Band
Crackers and Snackmeat
@
Cabo Fish Taco
N O D A
this is all too comical…
my right nad is about to fall off….. my computer just spit venom at me because of somwe virtual memory crap.. ( I guess I have too many windows open) and my eyes hurt…
lol BTW nad = hand
Oh, Kenny, I needed that laugh. Vote ’til your nads fall off! Go NoDa!!
NoDa… VOTE VOTE VOTE until your nads fall off lmao. BTW someone wake up Dilworth and Cotswold (or pluck their heads outta their WELL… Voting is just so Not them I guess…)
Kenny, I know a good doctor buddy
OMG Plaza Midwood has launched an ATTACK… Time to enlist help…
KENNY WAKE UP. USE YOUR OTHER HAND!!!
Looks like Elizabeth has joined the race. It could be any hood at this point. 22 hours to go! Kenny, start using your other nad!
who killed KENNY????
someone in midwoody turned on their computers cruise control for autovote i do believe….
It’s not against the rules if they have. Elizabeth is gaining ground quickly too. At the rate the ticker is being moved there is no way they are not automating their voting (as many of us have done as well). May the hood with the most voters using the best voting methods win!
Kenny must be nursing his nads. OMG, Creative Loafing Battle of the Hoods killed Kenny! You bastards!!
NAME CHANGE for the article: “The Battle of the Hood Computers” lol
So this is what your american are all about. Talking bad to each other. Maybe you should use this voting system for your presidential election!
OMG I feel like I woke up in a shoe shop. I’m sorry all y’all. I had been up since Sunday morning. At midnight, I was falling asleep voting. I even voted for Plaza Midwood a couple of times by accident. Now Elizabeth? This all is too funny. NoDa ROCKS!! love y’all. We held our own. 16 hours to go!!!!
Well, it looks like the clear winner will be Noda. I stopped voting yesterday afternoon. I know longer feel inspired to continue with this “contest”.
Too much backstabbing and cheating seems to be going on here and I just as soon not be associated with it.
Kenny, no I don’t home school my kid but I am associated with education at a higher level. It has however been a pleasure talking with you on here as I cannot say the same for some of your neighbors as well as some of mine. I will probably be chastised for that comment, but so be it.
Have fun with the “competition”
Mr. Mom,
Honestly, the pleasure has been mine. I owe you a bloody mary, and I’d love to come to Starmount to deliver. If you ever want to get ahold of me, just go to Solstice Tavern on North Davidson.. drop me a note there. Address it Kenny. Give it to the bartender.. I’ll get it. It’s a great pub/restaurant also, if you’ve ever been there. Try the Krazy Kenny Wrap. Best wrap on the menu. Once this is over, give me a week. I’ll drop a note at that music place in Starmount for you. It will say Mr. Mom on the envelope. I enjoyed this competition. I also hate that it had bad tones to it. Starmount cetainly got MY attention. and I guess it’s true what they say. All is fair in love and war. Peace!!
My prediction for the finish line: 1. Plaza Midwood, 2. No Duh 3. Starmount. That seems about right, doesn’t it?
and Jana, we already DO use this method for our presidential election… it’s called the electoral college, super delegates, the caucus, and primary. Just as unbelievable. Just as lop-sided.
LOL it’s so funny..
even at a time like this… Erin has to throw in the “no-duh” dig. Pretty amazing coming from a 4th place holder at 14%. The constant flow of venom is almost scarey. Noone can predict the outcome. It’s obvious now that ANYTHING can happen. How bout a hand shake for a job well done Erin?
Wow…Elizabeth was not on anyone’s radar at midnight. Six hours later they had ~20%. That works out to around 10,000 votes/hour during a time when most folks are sleeping. This contest is clearly about where the geeks live. Let’s all try to see the humor in this! Regardless of who wins, isn’t it great that so many people are passionate about where they live! I love NoDa but I respect any hood that shows spirit (shout out to Starmount).
it’s amazing what a bunch of hippies, yuppies, nerds, artists, and gays can do when they stick together… LOL and y’all know who I’m talking about.
Well done NoDa. : )
OMG Kenny – You’d better be calling me a nerd and not a yuppie – so help me God!
Wow… this has been interesting! Cheers to all the spirit from everyone. I need to see if I still have a job 🙂
:0) Thanks Erin… Honestly…. I’m so impressed by Starmount people, Starmount spirit, and Starmount show of force. If I lived in Starmount I’d be proud of my peeps. I would venture to say that your secret is no longer a secret and you’re gonna be getting a lot of attention from the rest of Charlotte. You guys have been a formidable opponent. It’s been an honor running next to you. Come hang with us in NoDa for gallery crawl sometime! There’s a “flavor” for anyone. Solstice Tavern (amazing place, and amazing food served until closing) Dolce Vita (amazing wine bar), Boudreaux, Boudreaux Bar (Sanctuary).. and amazing art being displayed in our fine galleries. But, don’t restrict your visits to the gallery crawls. There’s much to see and do on any day. All you have to do is park your car and walk to everything. GOOD JOB STARMOUNT.
lol.. no Lauren, you’re more like a stunning, branded, hippie, nerd wife.
I wouldn’t be surprised if some of you tried or possibly even hacked the voting site.
I guess that would be fair too?
It’s amazing that 220,000 votes took place between 5pm (75,000)yesterday and 11:30 (295,000) today. Obviously some individuals have absolutely nothing else to do or they have a wonderful program to up the votes.
If Starmount can’t win, we may decide to back one of the other hoods and Pledge our 14% to them.
We can be the Decider.
Starmount Steve, are you serious?? Please, enough of the cheating accusations! I thought we had established that someone in Starmount set the precedent for automated voting. NoDa refrained from this until we felt the need to respond. We checked with the powers that be and got the green flag and went ahead with simple automation of voting through the regular voting page provided by Creative Loafing. No hacking, no cheating, no manipulating. I don\’t think I want to drink any of the whine you are making from those sour grapes in Starmount. Get over it!
Starmount delegate… pledge your votes? be the decider? one of the OTHER hoods? are you insane? lol The other hoods that involved now in this race have voted more than NoDa and Starmount have TOGETHER in the passed 2 weeks.. and you’re STILL so bothered that we’re winning that you can’t let your hate go? I’m beginning to think that it’s not about STarmount winning… but for some of you it’s simply about NoDa NOT winning. Let it go. I’m still voting.. BY HAND.. It ain’t over til my ex wife sings.. I admit I’m obsessed with NoDa winning this, but you’re obsessed with hating NoDa and the good people who live there.
I gotta think that Starmount Delegate is just joking….pledging delegates, the “decider”….yeah they’re just joking.
(I HOPE)
If not, well then I declare myself the lone Superdelegate and count for one-fifth of the deciding vote!
I have to say I am very proud of starmount for not cheating.
It not is very apparant who has been using scripts to vote all along; especially NODA.
It is also clear that Starmount voted ethically and played fair. Obiviously if we so good at cheating why did we just stop. The truth is we never used scripts and if someone did it certainly wasn’t in such a organised malicious way.
The contest was about who has the best neighborhood and community support and NOT which neighborhood has the most cable modems and best scripts programs.
When this all over let’s have a fishing contest . . . Starmount will bring the poles and the rest of you would probably bring dynamite and call it fair, lol.
It’s a shame this contest could not have been measured on Individual enthusiam rather than processing speeds and cheap acusations.
I’m not mad just dissapointed that the honest voters in all neighborhood wasted their times.
And George, you’re right. It IS about the best hood in Charlotte, NOT the best kept secret. Clearly, no matter how the destination was reached, the best hood is in fact NoDa. AND, if you believe that Starmount’s votes were all cast by hand, you’re as crazy as you sound. I can honestly say that every vote I have cast has been by my own hand. NoDa clearly has overcome the worst past and the worst reputation. Bank of America was fined for what they called “red lining” NoDa for years. They wouldn’t give loans out to property owners in this area. Much of the growth was paid for out of home owner’s own pockets. We have taken an area that was all but in shambles, and forgotten by the rest of the city, and we embraced it’s history and artists. We then rebuilt what you referred to as “slums,” into a thriving community with an intelligent voice, a heart of it’s own, and neighborhoods and businesses to be proud of. The people in NoDa are like no others. If we win this contest, it will be a true win, because we truly ARE the best “hood” in Charlotte.
GO NODA!!!!
“When this all over let’s have a fishing contest . . . Starmount will bring the poles and the rest of you would probably bring dynamite and call it fair, lol.”
Actually, I prefer fishing the way the Mayans did way back when… by dumping buckets of narcotics in the water and waiting for them to float to the top.
Yeah, Kenny! You said it in a nutshell. NoDa has overcome much more than most neighborhoods in Charlotte, especially any hood south of 277. Starmount has nothing on NoDa in terms of diversity of any kind. Our neighborhood is primarily comprised of people who did not grow up in this area, but came to Charlotte from all over the country and identified with NoDa in a way that they couldn’t with any other part of this city. NoDa feels like home to many of us – moreso than the homes we left to come here. It is also a culture shock to many of us and a very welcomed one. We fight every day to make our hood a safer, cleaner, more beautiful and exciting place to be. We are proud of what we have accomplished – this community has been transformed like a Phoenix rising out of the ashes. We have good reason to have great pride in our hood. I have no doubt in my mind that if this competition were truly restricted to one vote per person, NoDa would still win by a landslide, hands down. You guys really have no idea how much support NoDa has in this contest, do you?
I don’t really care how much support NODA has shannon
I predict this will end in a West Side Story type fight at the induction ceromony (in NoDa) … but with more finger snapping and dancing!
Like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8R9GiLImSw
Shannon you make me laugh;the only kind of support you have is
Tech Support for your computers, lmao
Elvis.. You crack me up man. When I first met you I had NO IDEA that you have such a sharp sense of humor… I’m cracking up.
here’s a video of me tomorrow morning.. Substitute NODA for Baltimore.. substitute me for Tracy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjss4dErY9c
here’s another good video of the battle between NoDa and Starmount..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecdZpYLyGI4&feature=related
Stamount Forever… you spelled STARMOUNT wrong.. is the spelling a secret too? lol
I’ve had fun with all of this, honestly. Wish some of you wouldn’t be so ugly about things.. and yes, my foot is starting to tap a little.. I just want to dance. No hard feelings to anyone in Starmount from me.
Yeah, c’mon. It’s all in good fun. We’re allowed to have some neighborhood pride, aren’t we? Elvis, LMAO, fingers snapping, let’s rumble!
I WILL be posting the victory dance video at 10pm….
ok.. I know this is a little tacky to start… but I can’t help myself…. click on THIS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8iCp5U8BUw
and this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQEaI-wkUYY
oh… and this one too.. LMAO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubrg8hRq7KU
please… someone stop me!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdX_OBUeHb4&feature=related
This is Elvis’s fault. I didn’t even think about video links until he posted one!!
HONESTLY.. this video is a TOUR of NoDa done by Savvy Realty. It’s really good. Anyone wanting to know more about NoDa, check this out.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1vJszGWLeg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1vJszGWLeg
OK, I think I may need to confiscate your computer after that last poodle video, Kenny. But, LOVE me some Monty Python ministry of silly walks – especially set to that music, LOL!
Wow, that’s cool there is a video of the hood, but it doesn’t show the greatest part – the booming night life and crowds usually walking the streets for gallery crawls and other events. It must have been filmed in the middle of the day when most people were at work. Still cool though!
we have four hours left… and honestly… ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!!! The video links are a way to lighten up the mood for the final 4. Especially the poodle excercise video. It’ll be wierd not being able to have this forum.. I’ll actually miss it. I’m already missing some of the Starmount peeps. Maybe, there’s been some new friends made… and new hoods discovered.. SO… IF we win, I’ll post the ACTUAL victory video at midnight. Good luck all y’all… I mean it.
another great video tour of a house in NoDa. Savvy has it going on! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WJ9vRvGUA8
I grew up in STARMOUNT 1978 on.
Great place to be a kid– Plenty of wooded space, creeks, playgrounds. Interconnected neighborhoods and more than one way out/in the hood. (only misfortune to my current hood, but otherwise very similar to starmount back then).
Easy drive to malls and other attractions. Wish I lived there still– if its nearly same type hood as back in the day.
Back then, low-middle to middle class, and we used to call it White Harlem as a result. Doesn’t make as much sense now as it did then.
Hope the secret of this hood is not out to much.
here’s one of Starmount.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmgoC9Sp4v4
Hey.. I just got a call from CAT Taylor, artist, tattoo artist.. bartender, friend. He’s at Solstice right now. I may go over there around 11pm to wait this out. Anyone else in NoDa, come have either a “well we tried” drink.. or a “HELL YEAH we won” drink at Solstice tonight.
hey all y’all… not going to solstice tonight… seizure time. Must be the built up stress. I’ll be here at the house shake-rattlin-and rollin. GO NODA!
Where are the blog entries from Plaza and Elizabeth?
Kenny, sweetie, please take it easy. We’ve got this in the bag. See you in the hood. Let’s talk victory dance when you’re feeling better, K?
ok it’s 1159pm.. 4 minutes to go… Here’s NoDa’s official VICTORY VIDEO. Watch it.. it’s a good way to end this whole contest. I’m so tired. I’m also so proud of all of NoDa. The best hood won. Great job Starmount, Plaza Midwood, and Elizabeth. Starmount, I honestly will be taking a trip out there to see y’all. Your hood sounds great. Mr Mom, check the music store next week.
CONGRATULATIONS NODA!!! YOU DID IT. HERE IS OUR VICTORY DANCE!!! http://youtube.com/watch?v=7cMD4p2HfEo
it’s over.
320,542 votes cast…
NoDa 53%
Plaza Midwood 19%
Elizabeth 16%
Starmount 13%
Every hood counts.. Charlotte ROCKS!
Here\’s the official announcement of the END…. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/theclog/2008/03/20/battle-of-the-hoods-its-over/#comment-4491
re: ‘Where are the blog entries from Plaza and Elizabeth?’
I’ve been watching. I guess we’re not as orgainzed as the other hoods! Thanks to the NoDa folks for the props. PM is a great spot.
Also, “best” is very subjective and vague. A single mom in Ballantyne and DINKs in NoDa would both have great reasons for saying their hood is the best.
Regaridng the Urband Explorer piece. How could you leave out The Visulite Theatre under the Elizabeth section? Also John’s Coutry Kitchen is in Plaza Midwood, not Elizabeth. As for Lupies…well that is in Grier Heights, not Elizabeth either.