Oct 13-20, 2009

Oct 13-20, 2009 / Vol. 23 / No. 33

Observer offers buyouts to “most newsroom staffers”

The Business Journal reports that The Charlotte Observer offered a voluntary “buyout” program to many of its employees this morning. The new cuts come on top of previous fairly severe cuts in staff. The new buyouts will, according to the BizJournal story by Erik Spanberg, include “most newsroom staffers.” This development doesn’t mean there’s a…

John Grooms

Line changes: New items at Harper’s, The Liberty’s menu and more

at SouthPark and Carolina Place are featuring Wagyu meat from Rock Horse Farm in Morganton. Menu items include Wagyu Sliders (3 for $10); Caramelized Onion Wagyu Burger with Gruyere ($11); and an Iron Skillet Wagyu Meatloaf ($14). Frankie’s Italian Grille, a sibling restaurant to Lone Star, Sullivan’s Steakhouse and Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse chains,…

Tricia Childress

It’s Thank You, France Day

We delved into history last week to cover the NASCAR Hall of Fame picks, and today we go back farther in time, to the beginnings of the United States. Today is the anniversary of the surrender of Gen. Cornwallis to Gen. George Washington at Yorktown, Va., in 1781, which led to negotiations for U.S. independence.…

John Grooms

Erin

inspiration: “Big thinkers and dreamers that make their thoughts and dreams a reality.”

Jasiatic

Meet the slimeball McCrory’s been pimping for

Remember those anti-health care reform “rallies” at which Mayor Pat McCrory was the main speaking attraction? They were organized by an outfit called Americans for Prosperity, a front group for various conservative corporate interests (NC GOP honcho Art Pope is on AFP’s board of directors). The group is headed by longtime GOP operative Tim Phillips.…

John Grooms

What are you doing this weekend?

I’ll be at the NASCARnival, but I’ll be missing out on a lot in Charlotte this weekend while I drink and watch people drive. My party picks for this weekend … FRIDAY: Lil Gaga will be at BAR Charlotte. Yes, I just promoted a party at BAR Charlotte. But there’s a little Lady Gaga performing!…

Brittney Cason

Stupid Thing of the Week: NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee choices

I don’t follow NASCAR a lot, but I am a history buff, so I took some interest in who would be picked as the original class of inductees in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Much has been written already about driver David Pearson being left out of the first five inductees, but something else struck…

John Grooms

Trunk show: Cordani at Step By Sloan

Aren’t the boots to the right just so stylish? And they look mega comfy too. Hmmmm … I see a boot purchase in my future! Head out to Step By Sloan today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to check out the Cordani trunk show. And luckily for you, designer and owner Michael Ciccia will…

Kimberly Lawson

Ryan Bingham tonight at the Muse

It’s funny the ways you can stumble upon new music. A good buddy of mine is from Houston. When we lived together here in the Elizabeth neighborhood, he subscribed to a magazine called Texas Monthly. For a while after he moved out, we’d still get the issues in our mailbox. Bored one day, I decided…

Jeff Hahne

Sale of the day: Velocity Sneaker Boutique

All sneakers will be 15 percent to  50 percent off, plus, all New Era 59FIFTY caps will be $25 and all Shirtgame Tees will be $10.  They carry brands such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok, PF Flyers, Jordan, Converse, Pro-Keds, K-Swiss, Tretorn, Saucony, New Balance, G-Shock, New Era, & Nooka. Head out to the University area…

Kimberly Lawson

Four questions for N’Dambi

We caught her on the phone recently and chatted her up about a number of topics — from music to her now-famous nude photos in Marc Baptiste’s coffee table book Beautiful.

Carlton Hargro

Satan denied an NFL team

We’ll have more tomorrow on NASCAR’s picks for the first batch of inductees into the sport’s Hall of Fame. It’ll be part of our Stupid Thing of the Week, just to give you an idea. Today, though, our sports division is pleased to look into Ragin’ Rush Limbaugh, the Evil Overlord of the right wing,…

John Grooms

More free shit!

The race is not the only competition at Lowe’s Motor Speedway this weekend … there’s also the National Tailgating League’s Cornhole tournaments.

Brittney Cason

Motown vs. Def Jam: Who had a better first 25 years?

Tuesday night during VH1’s Hip-Hop Honors, Def Jam, the legendary hip-hop label and event honoree, was referred to as the Motown of Hip-Hop. A fitting description considering that both labels have been the face of black music for the last 50 years, placing it squarely in the forefront of American culture. Both championing the cause…

Mike McCray

Product review: Hudson Jeans

Product Line: Hudson Jeans • Triangle Pocket Stretch Boot Cut: I am usually not one to wear a thinner stretch material jean. However, in the case of Hudson, I made an exception. The wash is perfect, the stitching, even better. And guess what? The stretch provides movement without giving out after a few wears. As…

Catherine Horgan

What if liberals helped North Korea?

God bless him, Rev. Franklin Graham is giving stuff away left and right. First, Rev. Billy’s boy gave away 55 percent of his $1.2 million in salaries after the press revealed that he was receiving full-time pay from both of the organizations he’s affiliated with. “This calling was never based on compensation,” said Graham, whose…

John Grooms

Video tour of Fire My Desire Boutique

Fire My Desire Boutique is a lingerie store located in the University area for “easy access” for college students. In fact, those who can present a valid college ID even get a little discount. And heads up if you’re still looking for a Halloween costume (like me!): Sexy costumes are on sale. Options include sexy…

Kimberly Lawson

Compelling stories from Jerusalem women

When women come together, we can do anything. But maybe that’s the feminist in me talking. Partners for Peace is a nonprofit organization that provides a public platform for the voices of Israeli and Palestinian women working for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. One of their initiatives, the “Jerusalem Women Speak: Three Women,…

Kimberly Lawson

Sale of the day: Huge Gigantic Very Big Book Sale

Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries for a huge community book sale to support the Library’s purchase of needed new books and materials. Peruse almost 30,000 fiction, nonfiction, children’s, and young adult books. The sale will be open to the public today through Oct. 17, from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at Arysley Town Center, Charleston Row. 98% of…

Kimberly Lawson

Opening Friday

Art & Copy – Documentary; Lee Clow, Mary Wells Law Abiding Citizen – Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler More Than a Game – Documentary; LeBron James, Romeo Travis The Stepfather – Dylan Walsh, Sela Ward Where the Wild Things Are – Max Records, Catherine Keener

Matt Brunson

Hell’s Kitchen casting call

Johnson & Wales University is hosting a Hell’s Kitchen casting call this Friday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. This event is open to the public. Fox News Rising will broadcast live from the campus.

Tricia Childress

Finns to make U.S. conservatives’ heads explode

Here’s an idea for a new, fun, national hobby: making right-wingers’ heads explode. Not literally, but you know how red-faced, spittle-launching mad the likes of Limbaugh & Co. get when they hear about the latest “liberal outrage”? *That’s what I’m talking about. It’s not hard if you try, since one thing most conservatives share is…

John Grooms

15 Short Film Festival coming soon

The 15 Short Film Festival — started by Ryan Walker, Antonio Diaz and Keith Whatley in 2006 and taking place in its third year at The Evening Muse on Sun., Oct. 18 — is a little like a box of chocolates, in that you never know what you’re gonna get. Nineteen short films — lasting…

Anita Overcash

Nobel explanation makes sense

Now it really does seem like the right choice. Members of the Nobel Peace Prize committee yesterday explained their award of the Peace Prize to President Obama, and I have to say that what they said made sense. Like a lot of people, my first reaction to Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize was “Huh?”, and I…

John Grooms

Sneak a peak at Fall 2009 Cabi collection

Tonight, check out the Fall 2009 Cabi collection at The Kingston from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. The 85-piece collection is described as 50 percent edgy, cool, smart, rocker chic and 50 percent elegant timeless and sophisticated. Price range $38-$158. Enjoy appetizers and beverages. The Kingston 1700 Camden Road (Info via Stiletto Girls MeetUp)

Kimberly Lawson

Upcoming: Afribbean Fashion Show

On Sunday, Oct. 25, head out to UNCC for a fashion show you won’t want to miss out on. Forget the Ed Hardy T-shirts and the skinny jeans, the Afribbean Fashion Show will highlight styles and designers from Africa and the Caribbean. Tickets are only $10 in advance and can be purchased here. Click here…

Kimberly Lawson

Upcoming: Fashion & Style Industry Mixer

Next week, head out to Urbana City Spa and Tea Bar (16836 Birdkale Commons Parkway, Huntersville) for a fashion-forward fun time. Stylish networking will be involved. From Charlotte Style Mag’s site: Calling all designers, models, stylists, photographers, writers, boutique owners, restaurateurs, chefs, fashion publicist, fashion marketing executives, interior designers, and other chic professionals and business…

Kimberly Lawson

Live Nation offers 2-for-1

Live Nation is offering a 2-for-1 ticket deal today only for a variety of shows coming to The Fillmore. Among the shows are: Oct. 15 — Blues Traveler, Simplified (rumored to be sold out) Oct. 20 — Queensryche, Lita Ford Oct. 23 — Blue October Oct. 28 — KMFDM Nov. 4 — Dethklok, Mastodon Nov.…

Jeff Hahne

Blynk Organic turns 1

Blynk Organic is celebrating their 1st birthday next week with a series of events and specials. (Blynk is located in the lobby of 200 S. Tryon Street.) Check out the happenings below: mon, oct.19th – all day: free coffee tasting of blynk coffees tues, oct. 20th – 9:30 – 11:30 am: free tea tasting with…

Priscilla Tsai

Health insurers’ ‘stupid blunder’

The health insurance industry may have cut its own throat yesterday with its last-minute claim — the day before a crucial Senate committee vote — that health care reform would “force” them to double the cost of premiums. The timing of the announcement, and revelations that the insurers’ claim is based on a study by…

John Grooms

Steve Martin delivers a wild, crazy opening night at the Knight

Steve Martin came to Carolina with a banjo on his knee, and it turned out to be the perfect way to open Charlotte’s new cultural campus on the 400 block of South Tryon Street. A full house at Knight Theater, studded with VIPs and at least one mayoral candidate, greeted the actor-comedian-playwright-director-essayist-banjo picker enthusiastically last…

Perry Tannenbaum

MUSIC: Third Eye Blind

A colleague recently found himself in a flame-war with a representative of Third Eye Blind because he Twittered that “their limp brand of alterna-rock” and “mook” fans had soiled his tenure as a record-store clerk in the late ’90s. (Fact: I suffered similar 3EB trauma working in a record store during that unfortunate era.) But…

John Schacht

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

Now You Tell Me: A 21-year-old woman called police twice in one day following arguments with her estranged husband. During the first call she only told officers that they had an argument and she was a little worried about her safety. She then talked to the man on the phone, and he said if she…

Ryan Pitkin

COMEDY: Kathy Griffin at Ovens Auditorium

Whether she is mocking celebrities — and she does a damned good job … anyone seen her new Kate Gosselin impression? — or doing pure stand-up comedy, actress/comedian Kathy Griffin is bound to get some heated reactions in addition to the laughs. This year, the fiery redhead released both her second comedy album, Suckin’ It…

Anita Overcash

Weekly horoscope: Oct. 14-20, 2009

Libra The Scales (Sept. 22-Oct. 22): Relationship(s) to children and lovers flow well at this time. On another front, a situation is right in front of your nose that pressures you to find your center of gravity and maintain your equanimity. Things are changing within your family that confront you with a new reality. For…

Vivian Carol

Why do songs get stuck in your head?

What’s the deal with getting a song stuck in your head? Why does it happen, especially if it’s a song you don’t like or don’t even know well? Yet all you can think about is that stupid tune. Please enlighten me; I’m getting really sick of “Tainted Love” running circles through my brain. — Meg…

Cecil Adams

The Wizard of Oz, Monsoon Wedding among new DVD reviews

DRAG ME TO HELL (2009). The face of horror in modern cinema is, sad to say, torture porn, where sadism is exhibited with alarming regularity and imagination is only employed when the scripter conjures up gruesome new ways for characters to die. Because of this lamentable trend, it’s easy to sing the praises of this…

Matt Brunson

Capsule film reviews for the week of Oct. 14

BIG FAN Robert D. Siegel, who wrote the original screenplay for last year’s superb drama The Wrestler, now makes his directorial debut with a picture that shifts the spotlight from the sports arena to the stands. Big Fan’s protagonist is Paul Aufiero (Patton Oswalt), who considers himself nothing less than the New York Giants’ most…

Matt Brunson

The Boys Are Back: Meet the parent

Clive Owen is one of those extremely talented actors whose movies rarely make a lot of money, be they good (Children of Men), bad (Derailed) or indifferent (King Arthur). The Boys Are Back, a low-key melodrama that’s based on a memoir by Simon Carr, promises to follow suit, with Owen’s star turn not enough to…

Matt Brunson

Lt. Choi won’t lie for his country

Lt. Dan Choi doesn’t want to lie. Choi, an Iraq War veteran and a graduate of West Point, declared last March 19 on “The Rachel Maddow Show,” “I am gay.” Under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” regulations, those three words are enough to get Choi kicked out of the military. Choi has become a…

Amy Goodman

Top five pet peeves about restaurant wine service

I consider myself a fairly patient person, especially when it comes to service in restaurants. I, along with millions of others, toiled in commercial kitchens and dining rooms across the country, and certainly understand the often horrific treatment endured by smarmy scumbags masking as diners. But enough is enough. I must kvetch about wine service…

Taylor Eason

Latta Arcade celebrates 95 years

Long-time Charlotte residents joke, half-heartedly, that Center City is devoid of architectural examples from various periods, since many of those buildings which once stood so grandly along the streets have been imploded. Those granite pillars greeting visitors to Rock Hill, S.C.? They use to reside on South Tryon, in front of the even grander Masonic…

Tricia Childress

I’m no female Tucker Max

Someone recently told me I am the female Tucker Max. You know, the author and inspiration behind the book-movie I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. “Are you calling me an ass-chasing asshole?” I responded, trying to figure out if I should take it as a compliment or not. “No … you’re a writer that…

A headstone for Nappy Brown

Nappy Brown knew how to put a song over. Performing his raunchy hit “Lemon Squeezin’ Daddy,” he’d charm the pants off the ladies with his voice, before launching into a raunchy strip tease culminating in a wild, stage floor-humping exhibition that left audiences and performer breathless. Although rooted in gospel, Napoleon Brown Culp was in…

Grant Britt

THEATER: Almost, Maine

Love is in the air with Davidson Community Players’ latest production, titled Almost, Maine. The play, which takes place in the mystical (and cold!) town of Almost, revolves around the love affairs of nine different couples — falling in and falling out of love. But don’t go thinking all negative. Though the show plows into…

Anita Overcash

2nd Annual Breastival heads to Snug Harbor on Oct. 17

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and it’s hitting Plaza Midwood in style this year — on Oct. 17 to be exact. There are plenty of events to check out and a good number of them have live music. Fuel Pizza will have live music in its parking lot, in addition to tinting the pizza…

Jeff Hahne

THEATER: Sordid Lives

Queen City Theatre Company’s latest production isn’t supposed to be charming. If it was, that’d be a big problem, since charm and white trash don’t exactly mesh together. Instead, the show, titled Sordid Lives, is a black comedy about the economically and socially disadvantaged folks, sometimes refered to as “white trash.” In the play –…

Anita Overcash

CL previews upcoming concerts (Oct. 14-20)

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14 O.A.R. Pardon me for not jumping on the bandwagon for these guys. They’ve been around since 1996 and haven’t impressed me once with their generic brand of rock that seems to appeal to some jam-fans – the band’s shows are taped and traded – as much as the college crowd. Needless to…

FILM: Spellbound

The Main Library’s Alfred Hitchcock summer film series was a big hit, which is why a second, fall series, dubbed “The Master of Suspense: Alfred Hitchcock Classics” is happening now in Wachovia Playhouse at ImaginOn on Monday nights. The series kicked off with 1946’s Notorious and it continues this week with a screening of 1945…

Anita Overcash

CD Review: Mike Doughty’s Sad Man Happy Man

The Deal: Former front man of quirky ’90s band Soul Coughing continues down the acoustic, solo path. The Good: While his fourth solo album is stripped down to mostly just Doughty and an acoustic guitar, his lyrical wit remains intact. If you’re familiar with his previous work, you’ll be happy with this latest offering. He…

Jeff Hahne

MUSIC: Tom Wopat

Actor/singer Tom Wopat — better known as Luke Duke from The Dukes of Hazzard in his younger days — is one busy dude. Since his role as “Luke Duke” he’s starred in an array of stage performaces, including Chicago (with performances at Belk Theater), 42nd Street and Glengarry Glen Ross. For his latest project he’s…

Anita Overcash

CD Review: Múm’s Sing Along to Songs You Don’t Know

The Deal: Quirky chamber pop from Icelandic collective. The Good: Oh, Iceland, with your collapsing currency, “Black Death” liqueur and runic-friendly alphabet – is there no experimental pop you won’t encourage? Múm (sounds like ‘moom’) play second banana to fellow countrymen Sigur Rós (both are forever in Bjork’s shadow), but used to fish the same…

John Schacht

THEATER: Basic Training at Stage Door Theater

Kahlil Ashanti is one tough cookie, so to speak. Of course, I’m basing this off of his one-man act, titled Basic Training, which visited Charlotte last year during its first national tour. The show is based off of true events from Ashanti’s life, including his army experiences — most notably with a hardcore drill sergeant,…

Anita Overcash

A tepid mayoral pick

Welcome, dear readers, to another thrilling episode of “Ask Boomer With Attitude,” live from Charlotte, where you can play a part in the near-collapse of the world economy and still walk away with a hundred million bucks. One of the questions this week is made up; maybe you can spot it. Dear BWA: If you…

Comic book review:Sweet Tooth No. 2

Sweet Tooth No. 2 Published by DC/Vertigo. Story and art by Jeff Lemire. The Deal: So far, it seems like this comic is a post-apocalyptic-flavored tale of a young human/deer boy trying to survive with the help of a tough stranger. The Good: The success of Sweet Tooth hinges on the comic’s strong characterization. Writer/artist…

Carlton Hargro

Celebs aren’t role models

Everyone, please repeat after me: “Celebrities are not role models.” Take a deep breath and say it again: “Celebrities are not role models.” What does that mean for you exactly? It means you’re going to have to be the role model for your child that you seek in so-called stars. I cannot believe that David…

Nsenga Burton

Impressive new Afro-Am center opens this month

There’s a thought-provoking catchphrase often spoken at events and initiatives that focus on diversity. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” This month, Charlotte’s African-American community takes a big seat at a big table when the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture opens at the Wells Fargo Cultural Campus…

Jarvis Holliday

Mortgage bailout 2.0

And you thought the bailouts were over. Turns out, we’re just getting started. In less than a year, Washington’s Democratic leaders have set the country on a course to another multibillion-dollar bailout by doing exactly what they faulted former President Bush for allowing on his watch. It wrecked the housing market then. No telling what…

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