Jul 7-14, 2009

Jul 7-14, 2009 / Vol. 23 / No. 19

Bank of America trying to gyp taxpayers yet again

Bloomberg news service has an ongoing story, which it’s been updating through the day about our hometown heroes, Bank of America. It turns out that the city’s former gods are trying to weasel out of paying billions of dollars they owe to We the Taxpayers. U.S. Treasury regulators say BofA needs to pay up at…

John Grooms

Vespa of Charlotte’s summer sale

Thinking about getting a scooter? Go to Vespa of Charlotte from now through July 31 and get $500 off any new scooter in stock. ($500 off meaning $300 discount at register and $200 free accessories). Sounds like a good deal to me! 128 West Worthington Ave. 704-373-7400

Kimberly Lawson

On Ozzy and Zakk Wylde

OK, before I get to the subject of Zakk Wylde, here’s a quick question – why is it that you have a hard time understanding any word when Ozzy Osbourne is talking, but when he sings, it’s as clear as day? Even live… you can understand him singing, but when he talks between songs, it’s…

Jeff Hahne

Jeff

alias: NodaVelo passion: Cycling inspiration: My friends and long distances favorite drink: Coca-Cola current city: Charlotte plug: nodavelo.blogspot.com To see more photos by Jasiatic, visit www.createtressphotography.blogspot.com.

Jasiatic

Second stupidest thing of the week

Since we failed to bring you a “Stupid Thing of the Week” last week, we’re presenting two of them this week in hopes that you will forgive us our trespasses, etc. This particular, unbelievably stupid thing comes from Colorado, where federal prison officials have determined that a federal inmate may not read any books by…

John Grooms

Don’t do a Matilda

Hey, Amigos and Amigals. You don’t have to take your money or run Venezuela in order to celebrate Venezuela’s Independence Day. You merely need to execute a teeny border crossing and show up this Sunday at Plaza Fiesta, 3700 Avenue of the Carolinas, in sunny Fort Mill between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Music, dancing,…

Perry Tannenbaum

Are police to blame for pregnant woman’s death?

Yumeka Caldwell, 21, was nine months pregnant and being threatened. She called Charlotte Mecklenburg Police for help. She just happened to live in Timber Ridge Apartments, the scene of a violent shooting that killed two police officers two and a half years ago. According to The Charlotte Observer: Officers had responded to the apartments shortly…

Cheris Hodges

Stupid Thing of the Week: CHA’s dumb new rule

Sorry, we forgot to present a “Stupid Thing of the Week” last week; something about being too excited about July 4 fireworks I guess. Not to worry, though, we have a doozy this week. On Wednesday, the Charlotte Housing Authority announced a new rule. Announcing new rules is one of the CHA’s favorite things to…

John Grooms

Jason Younger

Born in a small, southern town with no stop-light (I know, I know, its every country song you’ve ever heard), Jason Younger, known by most as Younger, grew up listening to a heavy helping of country music, a side of bluegrass, and some southern gospel for dessert. Now, living in the Mooresville area with his…

Web Editor

Jasiatic

Small-city girl, with big-world dreams … Jasiatic was born and raised in Charlotte. After moving to Raleigh and attending North Carolina State for two years, she returned home to finish up her B.A. in African Studies at UNC Charlotte. Always drawn to indigenous culture and beauty, she decided to pick up a camera seriously and…

Web Editor

CNCFW’s final model casting call

Charlotte Fashion Week is having its final model casting on Tuesday, July 14. The casting will be at 6 p.m. at the Blake Hotel. Male and female models of all ethnicities are welcome.  All models need to bring comp cards or photos. Female models should bring two piece bathing suits and be 5’7″ in height…

Aviva M. Cantor

MYK

favorite quote: “First of all, I think ya better watch your tone wit’ me man. I’m Leonard Washington. I don’t get butt naked for nobody.”

Jasiatic

Sale of the Day: Via Veneto

Via Veneto is having a 40-50% off sale on clothes, shoes, and handbags. Select shoes are marked down to $50 a pair. Clothing brands include Michael Kors, Muse, Isda, and Donna Morgan. Shoe brands include Donald Pliner, Cole Haan, Delman, and Taryn Rose. Handbag brands include Francesco Biasia and Cole Haan. 6815-F Phillips Place Court…

Kimberly Lawson

Today’s Top(less) 5: Friday

Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, July 10, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Date night at Crave. • After hours party at The Men’s Club. • 4-1-1 Fridays at…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Today’s Top 5: Friday

Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, July 10, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Studio Selections Volume II exhibition opening reception at Elder Gallery • KRS One at Amos’ Southend • Friday Night Funnies at City Cafe • Metamorphoses at Carolina…

Anita Overcash

Tagg, he’s it

Tagg Romney, son of robotic presidential candidate and hair products model Mitt Romney, was in town a couple of days ago to check out an offshoot of his Massachusetts wealth management firm, which will open soon in SouthPark. Let’s hope his insights into finances are better than his takes on Charlotte. Romney told the daily…

John Grooms

A different perspective on Michael Jackson

Everyone is tired of the talk of Michael Jackson by this point, but I recently read someone’s blog with a different perspective on the whole thing. It seems like most people were taking a musical genius vs. pedophile stance when it comes to Jackson’s legacy, but if you throw aside any trials and criminal possibilities…

Jeff Hahne

What is ‘Who Shot Ya?’ and who is Jasiatic?

So, you’ve seen Creative Loafing’s new blog ‘Who Shot Ya?’ — but you may be wondering just what the hell it is. Well, here’s the deal … As the blog’s subtitle explains, Who Shot Ya? is a photo blog that features pics snapped by a local underground photographer known as Jasiatic. Pay this blog a…

Carlton Hargro

Shopping for the perfect running shoe

Finding the perfect running shoe is as simple as turning on a computer.  The employees at Charlotte Running Company use technology and knowledge to ensure an ideal running, walking, and shopping experience for each customer. Scott Dvorak, store owner and running enthusiast, opened Charlotte Running Company in 2000 with hopes to give runners and walkers…

Aviva M. Cantor

Financial sleazebaggery: It’s ba-a-a-ck!

This may seem completely unbelievable, but banks are getting back into the business of selling pure junk. Bloomberg news service is reporting that in recent weeks, banks have been “taking so-called structured finance securities and turning them into new debt investments with top credit ratings.” And now, Morgan Stanley is getting set to revive the…

John Grooms

Sale of the Day: Sunglass Charlotte

All summer long, select fashion sunglasses at Sunglass Charlotte are 30 percent to 50 percent off! This sale includes Valentino, Blinde, and other high end sunglasses! 6809-C Phillips Place Court 704-552-7861

Kimberly Lawson

Apostophe Lounge, 7/8/09

Pop Life at Apostrophe Lounge last night was like four parties in one! It included at Media Mixer, a head shot party featuring Jasiatic, a Maxwell listening party, and music from DJ Lamarrous. Check it out every Wednesday at 6 pm. Same place — Apostrophe Lounge. See you there! Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe…

Priscilla Tsai

WTF Wednesdays: Michael Jackson Edition

1. The Michael Jackson Tribute that BET Never Aired Unlike the rest of the universe, I didn’t watch the Michael Jackson memorial service yesterday. Part of me doesn’t want to accept the fact that he is really gone, and another part of me just refuses to get caught up in the media circus. But when…

Nepherterra Estrada

The Cougar convention is coming (pun intended)

Here’s an interesting e-mail I received about a convention in August: Cougars from throughout America are invited to compete for the title of Miss Cougar America at America’s first-ever National Single Cougars Convention, Friday, August 28, 2009, at Dinah’s Garden Hotel, 4261 El Camino Real, Palo Alto CA. Cubs (younger men) in attendance will decide…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Bead Boutique has moved

Check them out in their new and improved location at 1820 Windsor Square Drive in Matthews, across the street from Sam’s Club two blocks from their previous location. They’ve currently got a trunk show going on with lots of semi-precious and more. Bead Boutique 704-845-2848 www.beadboutiquenc.com

Samantha Webster

Wind power, meet Raleigh’s windbags

Yesterday we told you about a Senate bill in Raleigh that would have effectively banned wind turbines in the North Carolina mountains. Considering that energy experts have testified repeatedly that the Appalachians are a perfect locale for generating energy via wind power, the sudden legislative move took many by surprise. Today there’s good news and…

John Grooms

Charlotte’s multi-tasking gem: Jewelry artist Ginger Wagner

There is something special about being able to say that something you own is handmade. It instantly possesses a certain quality unattainable by something you just pick up at the local mall, and it certainly is quite unique. It is no surprise that there seems to be a large surge of jewelry artists popping up…

Samantha Webster

Sale of the Day: Sloan & STEP by Sloan

Sloan and STEP by Sloan are having a 50% off spring merchandise sale on clothing, shoes, and handbags. Clothing brands include Diane von Furstenberg, Trina Turk, Ella Moss, Splendid, and BCBG Max Azria.  Shoe brands include Michael Kors, Cole Haan, Giuseppe Zanotti, Dolce Vita, and Cordani.  Handbag brands include Kooba, Botkier, and Tano. Sloan 1419…

Kimberly Lawson

2 NC Dems oppose abortion in healthcare bill

Two North Carolina Democrats have joined 17 other conservatives from their party in opposing coverage for abortions in the health care reform bill being hammered out this summer in Congress. Reps. Heath Shuler and Mike McIntyre signed on to a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi detailing their objections to including abortion in the bill’s…

John Grooms

McDonald’s to have electric car charging stations?

I am still deciding whether to accuse McDonald’s of blatantly pandering to the green consumer or applaud them for one of their most recent initiatives to open what it bills as the “first green restaurant” in Cary, North Carolina on July 14th. It has the potential to be industry changing, or also just another joke…

Web Editor

Ladies: Respectful before sexy

I know I will probably step on some toes with this article, but it’s not my job to be a cheerleader. My job is to provide the information that will allow you to maximize your personal and professional life. So, at times I have to call some people to the carpet. Today, it’s the ladies.…

William Wilson

Alexzenia Davis

Alexzenia Davis, a native of Brooklyn, New York, began her career as a freelance journalist spotlighting up-and-coming artists and entrepreneurs. Now, with a new location, fresh outlook, and crafted skill, she will embark on a new journey with Creative Loafing. Davis has worked with SOTAC Magazine, Nitram Knarf Magazine, and has seen her work published…

Web Editor

O’Reilly’s wisdom re: Michael Jackson

Pardon me for using an outdated term, but “outdated” is the theme here: If there’s a more clueless square than Bill O’Reilly in this world, I don’t want to know about it. Yesterday, O’Reilly showed his deep ignorance and lack of affinity for his own nation’s culture, and how it has changed since the days…

John Grooms

New stores opening up at Concord Mills

If you’ve been looking for a Coach Factory store or a Lego store, soon all you’ve have to do is shoot up 85N to Concord Mills. The 4,520 square-feet Lego store will open at the end of July across from the Nike Factory store. It will include a Lego Education Center, which will offer classes…

Kimberly Lawson

Upcoming: Huntersville Vintage fashion show

Head out to Crave Dessert Lounge (500 W. 5th St.) on July 8 at 6 p.m. to check out Huntersville Vintage’s first fashion show. Models courtesy of The E Agency. Come check out the fashion show, then sample the tasty desserts, while enjoying 1/2 price martinis all night. No cover charge or admission fee.

Kimberly Lawson

Lake Norman Comedy Zone welcomes Kurt Green

You can watch comedian Kurt Green in action in the video below. But, be warned. It’ll probably make you want to go check out his live performance tonight at Lake Norman Comedy Zone in Galway Hooker. And you should! It’s only 10 bucks. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Anita Overcash

Today’s Top (less) 5: Tuesday

Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, July 7, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • All You Can Eat at Vinnie’s. •South of the Border Tuesday with $3 beer at Uptown…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Whatever Works hardly works

It’s a fact that several of Woody Allen’s movies have found him paired on-screen with women decades his junior (Mira Sorvino, Tiffani Thiessen, Mariel Hemingway, etc.). But with Whatever Works, it appears the 73-year-old filmmaker finally drew the line and elected to pair 21-year-old Evan Rachel Wood with someone closer to her own age. So…

Matt Brunson

Bourdeaux whites: Blends have more fun

Picture a winery lab lined with brimming beakers. A racy sauvignon blanc white wine in one, an earthy sémillon in another. Like mixing up a monster martini, winemakers blend single-varietal wines together to find their signature cocktail. The painstaking process adds complexity to the final product and squeezes maximum flavor out of a vineyard. Getting…

Taylor Eason

Family style: Villa Francesca

Center City is by far the best descriptive name of the urban middle of Charlotte. When the pretentious-sounding Uptown beat Downtown 20 years ago, I was surprised because, geographically speaking, the core of the city is not the highest hill. This is the Piedmont, after all: multiple foothills. But the “in-the-know” people were dead-on to…

Tricia Childress

MUSIC: KRS One at Amos’ Southend

Whenever I hear music critics or fans refer to Lil Wayne as the “greatest rapper alive,” I immediately think: “Have they never heard of KRS One?” The founder and former head of Boogie Down Productions and a freestyle mastermind, KRS One has been holding down the true tenants of hip-hop since the early 1980s and,…

Carlton Hargro

I’m on a boat … on Lake Norman

It’s Saturday and I’m sitting at home writing my column … a nightlife column nonetheless. Why? For starters, because I’m actually in Charlotte this weekend, but mainly because the best nightlife is on the weekdays … and in the summer the parties happen before dark. Cason-Point: Lake Bash XIX on Lake Norman at Ronnie Stephens’…

FILM: The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog

The film series “The Master of Suspense: Alfred Hitchcock Classics” continues with a screening of 1927’s The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog. Hitchcock had already directed a couple of films before helming this silent feature, but this is the movie that was commonly called (even by the Master himself) “the first Alfred Hitchcock…

Matt Brunson

Roger Clyne’s music blends numerous styles

Pinpointing Roger Clyne on your musical map is no easy task. Your GPS will lead you to his Arizona home easily enough, but searching for the roots of his sound will have you wandering all over the country. Although there is a Southwestern flavor sprinkled lyrically and sonically throughout his music, Clyne doesn’t want to…

Grant Britt

FOOD: Queens Feast

I hope your bellies are prepared for Queens Feast: Summer 2009, better known as Charlotte Restaurant Week. The popular annual dining event gives folks the opportunity to eat more (a three-course dinner) for less ($30 per person) at participating upscale restaurants in the Q.C. and surrounding areas. For those of us who are struggling during…

Anita Overcash

CD review: Bill Noonan

The Deal: Former leader of the Rank Outsiders releases sophomore solo effort, The Man That I Can’t Be, on Catawba City Records on July 21, 2009. The Good: The album opens up with the rockabilly-style, Elvis-sounding tune, “Road 99” before going more honky tonk with “Down Again.” He ventures into country folk territory with “Money…

Jeff Hahne

EXHIBIT: Shipwreck! Pirates & Treasure at Discovery Place

Ahoy, there, all landlubbers and pirate enthusiasts! The Shipwreck! Pirates & Treasure exhibit is dropping anchor at the Discovery Place and there’s exploring to be done. Start your adventure by learning about some of the most dramatic shipwrecks of all time and learn what it takes to be a shipwreck explorer. The exhibit features a…

Kate Robinson

CL previews upcoming concerts (July 8-14)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 Dylan Gilbert Charlotte’s true gem in the indie scene, Dylan Gilbert is on his way to making his name familiar to the world’s lips. Having already captured the heart of the East Coast, Gilbert has accomplished more in his lifetime than some musicians can even fathom. His young tenacity and fearlessness in…

MUSIC: The Offspring at Uptown Amphitheatre

You don’t really have to “keep ’em separated” … The Offspring that is. The California group that formed in 1984 and blasted into popularty in the early ’90s with songs like “Come Out and Play” and “Self Esteem” (from their hit album Smash) is still at it, though not with all original members. The band’s…

Anita Overcash

CD Review: Regina Spektor’s Far

The Deal: 29-year-old singer’s fifth studio effort continues down the anti-folk pathway. The Good: Spektor’s latest effort opens with the fun, upbeat “The Calculation,” before slowing down a bit into “Eet.” Her vocal gymnastics continue on this second track – she uses a style that comes across as a toned-down yodeling. The song also allows…

Jeff Hahne

MUSIC: Sam Quinn and Japan Ten at The Evening Muse

The heavily bearded (unless he has shaved due to summer heat) Sam Quinn (formerly of the everybodyfields) and Japan Ten are bringing their folk laden melodies back to the Q.C. The Knoxville-based group will perform at The Evening Muse and you can expect a romp of a show, as Quinn cracks jokes between songs rather…

Anita Overcash

CD Review: Mos Def’s The Ecstatic

The Deal: Mos Def takes a step away from the big screen and drops an album actually worthy of someone with his skill set as an MC. The Good: The album is well-produced – it’s almost hard to describe, but it just sounds good. Beyond just beats, the album is musically impressive pulling from rock,…

Mike McCray

Gin Phillips mines rich material in The Well and the Mine

In her debut novel, The Well and the Mine, Gin Phillips writes about a woman tossing a baby down a well and a family struggling with both the after effects of this particular event and the harsh realities during the Great Depression. Phillips, who resides in Birmingham, Ala., graduated with a degree in political journalism…

Anita Overcash

Firsthand health care tales

It was a pleasant surprise last week to see the number of discussions generated by our column on health care reform (or more to the point, health insurance company villainy). It’s a mark of just how much health care reform is on people’s minds that we received a higher than normal number of e-mails, I…

Fight Club: Fistfuls of testosterone

Sixth rule of Fight Club isn’t in the script. It was decreed on opening night of the current Citizens of the Universe production, tucked behind a corrugated row of cheapjack office suites off Central Avenue, in a grungy parking lot flanked by a loading dock and some railroad tracks. The sixth rule was spontaneously proclaimed…

Perry Tannenbaum

Judging Sonia Sotomayor: Nomination ignites pride and stereotypes

The confirmation hearing for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor is set to begin on July 13, putting her on a path to possibly be named the first Latina judge on the highest court in the land. But since her name was first announced, she’s been the subject of discussion, debate and scrutiny; discussion,…

Cheris Hodges

Among the best: The Rainmaker

When I first watched The Rainmaker as a kid, I remember wishing that Lizzie would run away with Bill Starbuck, the bombastic charlatan who bilked her family and unlocked her womanhood. Hey, he was Burt Lancaster in the movie! Would you want Kate Hepburn to spend the rest of her life with Wendell Corey and…

Perry Tannenbaum

A message to Gov. Sanford: “Take a hike!”

Gov. Mark Sanford is a lame. Initially, I resisted writing about this scandal because there is nothing new or interesting about a cheating politician. It is old hat and anyone who still thinks that politicians do not have affairs like the rest of the population is on that stuff. I believe that what happens in…

Nsenga Burton

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

Sweet Nothings: A 21-year-old woman called police after being threatened continuously by a known suspect. The woman told officers that the suspect called her 172 times in a span of 42 minutes. I swear these callers get faster every week. The suspect stated, “I know your address, and I will burn your house down and…

Ryan Pitkin

The Charlotte jobs engine sputters

The unthinkable, the truly unfathomable, has finally happened. It appears that Raleigh has now passed Charlotte as the jobs engine of North Carolina. For years, Wake County had been gaining but never got close enough to make us sweat. By 2008, a tough year for us, Mecklenburg still held a 6,000-job lead over Wake County.…

Weekly horoscope: July 8-July 14, 2009

Cancer The Crab: (June 21-July 21) The eclipses of this 18-month series will bring attention to your partnerships. What is your pattern in Significant Relationships? What needs to be repaired or improved? How might you contribute to a fuller, richer life for yourself as well as the important persons in your life? It is crucial…

Vivian Carol

THEATER: Shear Madness

Performances of the comedic, murder mystery Shear Madness ended not too long ago, but yet it’s back. If you goofed around and didn’t make it to see a performance at Stage Door Theater the last round, you’ll have to during this one. Having seen the show twice with different cast members, I’ve been throughly impressed.…

Anita Overcash

Do The Right Thing, Knowing among new DVD reviews

DO THE RIGHT THING (1989). An out-and-out masterpiece, Spike Lee’s best movie also remains the most penetrating film ever made about race relations in these United States. On the hottest day of the summer, in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, Italian-American Sal (Danny Aiello) runs a pizza joint whose employees consist of his two sons…

Matt Brunson

Public Enemies: Mob mentality

Moviegoers hoping that Public Enemies would have been the film to save the summer season from its own worst impulses will be disappointed to learn that the Michael Mann production, while hardly part of the problem, is certainly no solution. A classy motion picture whose individual moments are greater than the whole, this period gangster…

Matt Brunson

Capsule reviews of films playing the week of July 8

ANGELS & DEMONS Angels & Demons, the follow-up to the international smash The Da Vinci Code, feels like nothing more than a cross between a Frommer’s travel guide and a scavenger hunt, as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon hits all of Rome’s holy hot spots gathering up clues as if they were empty Dr. Pepper bottles…

Matt Brunson

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