Oct 27 – Nov 2, 2009

Oct 27 - Nov 2, 2009 / Vol. 23 / No. 35

So now Limbaugh’s a judge of maturity?

Mark this one down as yet another example of someone who’s completely lacking in self-awareness; or, maybe he’s just an asshole. Or both. Probably both. I’m talking, of course, about Rush Limbaugh who, yesterday, had the gall to tell FoxNews viewers that President Obama is “immature.” Coming from a man who has made a fortune…

John Grooms

McGarry’s fave candidates wrong about bullying policy

Election Day is tomorrow and will include elections for School Board district races. Current board member Kaye McGarry, whose anti-gay rants while arguing against a new anti-bullying policy won her Creative Loafing Best of Charlotte’s Worst Member of Local Government award, endorsed certain candidates in tomorrow’s election. McGarry and other board members objected to the…

John Grooms

Sale of the day: Cottage Chic

Head out to Cottage Chic, a Dilworth boutique, for their 6th birthday celebration. They’ll be offering 60 percent off select furniture (painted wood furniture, slip-covered upholstery, vintage, etc.) all week long. There will also be a raffle drawing on Saturday, Nov. 7: One person will win a pair of BedHead Pajamas, and one person will…

Kimberly Lawson

Reverse trick or treating family

Shannon Ward knows that what she buys for her family effects other people. That’s why she and her three kids are participating Reverse Trick or Treating this Halloween. Seven year old Glynis, 11-year-old Nathan and 13-year-old Thomas will be handing out cards attached to a fair trade piece of chocolate to people in Ward’s father’s…

Cheris Hodges

Citizen input trumps public servants’ convenience

Someone – make that anyone – in local government needs to get the message that he or she is working for the  people. You know, as in “democracy”? I bring this up because of recent reactions to calls received by the county court system. Some background: My colleague Tara Servatius, during her WBT show, told…

John Grooms

So-Stupid-It’s-Scary Thing of the Week

This week, in honor of Halloween, we’re presenting a Stupid Thing of the Week that’s so stupid, it’s scary. At first, we were going to give the coveted award to two genius burglars in Iowa who wore “masks” that consisted of designs they drew on their faces with a black, permanent Magic Marker. In the…

John Grooms

Line changes at Sullivan’s Steakhouse, more food news

• 50 Applebee’s Restaurants, owned and operated by the Apple Gold Group, will host a Halloween Bash, Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress up in a costume. A costume contest will be held at midnight. “Spooky” drinks will be served. www.AGGrestaurants.com. • Maddi’s Southern Gallery, in Birkdale…

Tricia Childress

Blue jeans, made in U.S.A.

A pair of blue jeans is as iconic as a piece of apple pie. Here’s an interesting feature on the U.S.’s no. 1 producer of denim, Mount Vernon Mills in Georgia. Most U.S. mills shut down years ago, unable to compete with cheap overseas labor. And in another sign of the global economy, the fabric…

Kimberly Lawson

Upcoming: Runway for Ballet

When it comes to The Third Annual Runway for the Ballet, think Project Runway meets So You Think You Can Dance, but for a good cause. This event is a fashion and dance affair benefiting North Carolina Dance Theatre and will exclusively feature fashions from boutiques Black & Blue, eMartini, Scout and Molly’s, and ChezElle…

Web Editor

Sale of the day: Jordanos

Jordanos has moved to The Village at Robinson Farm (Ballantyne Cosmos Shopping Center), and they’re feeling generous, offering 20 percent off purchases. 8440 Rea Road, Suite 100 704-543-8800 www.shopjordanos.com

Kimberly Lawson

Taking a bite into Charlie Huston’s vampire series

The image of the undead bloodsucker has taken a hit in recent years.  The fact of the matter is, vampires aren’t scary anymore, and they’re not dangerous.  The vampire is lusted after, the Twilight series has all but defanged the vamp. It came as a surprise to me back in 2005, when I discovered a…

Chris Deal

Judge FrankenBelk to be ousted?

First, two quick follow-ups to blogs from yesterday: 1. In last night’s mayoral debate, John Lassiter didn’t stick by his idea to roll back part of 2006’s property tax hike, but he did eagerly wear the mantle of Lower-Taxes Man, shoring up his base of support among the GOP faithful. Anthony Foxx, on the other…

John Grooms

Bruegger’s Bakery-Café to open in Epicentre

Bruegger’s Bakery-Café will open on the second floor of the EpiCentre, 210 East Trade Street, in November. From Wednesday, November 18 through Friday, November 20, the store will have raffles, giveaways and special promotions including $0.99 bagels with cream cheese, $2.99 Herby Turkey sandwiches and three bagels for the price of $1. The first 50…

Tricia Childress

What? Still no Halloween costume?

OK, seriously. It’s Thursday, two days before Halloween, and you STILL don’t have a costume ready? Sigh. What am I going to do with you? This is it. This is my LAST post to help you come up with a costume. First, a recap from previous posts. • Tips for looking fierce or frightening this…

Kimberly Lawson

Carolina Romance Writers Workshop

Like writing romance novels? Here’s an event for you: The Carolina Romance Writers will be holding their monthly meeting and workshop on Saturday, November 7, at the Hickory Tavern, 9010 Harris Corners Parkway, Charlotte, NC (704-921-4466). Sign-in begins at 11 am and the program runs from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, with a break for…

Priscilla Tsai

Children’s clothing gets cultural with Hola Baby

To many people, clothes are not just the rags of cloth you drape across your body to protect you from the weather and cover up the essentials. No, the clothes you wear make statements, from “I only got three hours of sleep and I don’t give a crap” (baggy sweatpants, inside-out T-shirt and a hoodie,…

Kimberly Lawson

Upcoming events from the Levine Museum

I’m back on the bus with Staff Historian Tom Hanchett for the 4th annual New South BBQ Bus Tour on Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7. We will visit several ethnic restaurants to eat their take on barbecue: Vietnamese barbecue at Ben Thanh; Salvadoran papusas at El Pulgarcito; Trini jerk barbecue at Taste of…

Tricia Childress

Sale of the day: Handpicked

Head out to Handpicked to check out their semi-annual monogram sale. Take 20 percent off their complete line of monogram jewelry and gifts. 1721 Kenilworth Ave. 704.334.2037 8040 Providence Rd., Suite 600 704.541.1431 9844-A Rea Rd. 704.405.9780

Kimberly Lawson

Maf

favorite body part on a woman: ” I inspect each woman individually, whatever looks best on her.”

Jasiatic

ESPN is killing me with BP3

ESPN is a fairly hip network. Their on-air talent make an effort to stay current with their  slang and with tons of production staff still in their 20s, its no wonder you hear so much new music on The Worldwide Leader in Sports. Kind of like long snappers, music beds on TV are generally unnoticed…

Mike McCray

Yanks in Series: Order is restored

I don’t care what anyone says, it’s a great day. Yes, the economy is still in pitiful shape with some economists now predicting even worse times ahead; Obama is getting us sucked deeper into the Afghan quicksand; and Sen. Droopy Dog (I-CN) is threatening to torpedo health care reform. Today, at least, none of that…

John Grooms

Lassiter launches the ‘T Bomb’

Yesterday, GOP mayoral candidate John Lassiter called for rolling back all or part of 2006’s 9-percent property tax increase. It was a simple comment and wasn’t expressed with any more urgency than usual, but it was the equivalent of a bomb being thrown into the room. If Lassiter wins the mayoral race, his position on…

John Grooms

On the line at Cantina 1511, Dream Dinners and Global

• Cantina 1511, 1511 East Boulevard in Dilworth and 7708 Rea Road in Stonecrest Shopping Center, is offering a $7 weekday lunch menu for the fall. Menu items include Tacos Dorado – three white corn tacos stuffed with crab, shrimp, scallions, lime and valentina sauce, deep fried and served with Mexican crema and shredded cabbage;…

Tricia Childress

Sale of the day: Sur La Table

All Halloween items at Sur La Table are 50 percent off. Need a Spider Web spatula? A Skull potholder? Head out to Sur La Table at Southpark Mall or check out their online store here. Also, this Saturday at 11 a.m., they’ll be having a Halloween Brownie demonstration. Stop through for a free brownie. Yum.…

Kimberly Lawson

The Family Research Council: Family values to hate by

One of the biggest weasel nests in America can be found at the headquarters of the Family Research Council, a “religious right,” socially conservative group, originally formed by James Dobson of Focus On The Family, and designed to lobby for “traditional family values.” The group may have topped itself yesterday. Health and Human Services Secretary…

John Grooms

The return of Chris Brown + mixtape Weezy

Chris Brown is apparently done wearing big bowtie’s on CNN and taking a break from highway garbage collection, to do the thing he did so well before he went after Rihanna like a spider monkey. His new video, “I Can Transform Ya,” with Swizz Beats and Lil Wayne seems better suited for the Transformers 3…

Mike McCray

Maria

passion: “Discovering Truth through the practice of yoga – living it, loving it, teaching it.”

Jasiatic

CMS school assignments: The CL guide

Trying to keep up with the changes in schools and school assignments these days is almost a full-time job, except for the part of a job where you get paid. CMS administrators have been trying to keep everyone except the East Meck parents happy, shifting students from one school to another, and changing the focus…

John Grooms

Sale of the day: The Red Door

OK ladies, Halloween is a mere four days away. If you STILL haven’t found a costume, head out to the Red Door to check out their selection. They’ve got tons on sale. 5301 E. Independence Blvd 704-566-8898 200 W. Woodlawn Rd Suite I 704-523-5332

Kimberly Lawson

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Web Editor

Charlotte-area Halloween parties, events and more

Updated. Here are a few of places to find Halloween events in Charlotte — from costume parties to concerts and more. Look for more events coming soon! (photo taken at last year’s CarnEVIL at Amos’ by Jeff Hahne) Wed., Oct. 28 • Howl-O-Ween Bash at Halo Hosted by Pet P.A.L. S of Humane Society of…

Web Editor

Comic book review: Justice League of America No. 38

Justice League of America No. 38 Published by DC Comics. Written by James Robinson. Pencils by Mark Bagley. Inks by Rob Hunter. The Deal: Writer James Robinson and artist Mark Bagley begin their stint on the Justice League, which stars a rather sparse-looking team that’s fronted by the injured heroine Vixen. The Good: This issue…

Carlton Hargro

Meet your new subprime lender

There was great joy recently in Charlotte as builders began pulling permits again to build new single-family homes in September and there was an uptick in the sale of low-end housing stock. Much of it, the Charlotte Observer reported last week, is being driven by first-time homebuyers looking for homes that cost less than $130,000…

Marat/Sade aims for the jugular

It’s been over 20 years since Marat/Sade has been staged in Charlotte. Part of the long-extinct Experimental Theatre Project, that Marat/Sade was rather barebones, staged in the Discovery Place lecture hall. My most vivid memories of the show are the trepidations I felt in bringing my daughter to see it. My worries were groundless. She…

Perry Tannenbaum

Lassiter and Foxx: a new vision for Charlotte

While mayoral candidates Anthony Foxx and John Lassiter don’t mind talking about Mayor Pat McCrory and his Charlotte legacy, of course, they’d rather discuss their vision for the future. Here are edited excerpts from recent conversations with the candidates. Democrat Anthony Foxx: On growth: “My vision is to activate our community to move forward economically…

Mary C. Curtis

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

That’s Deep: A 51-year-old woman called police after being threatened by a known suspect. The man called her three times and stated, “Bitch, I know you are with that nigga. The next time your mama sees you she is gonna be shoveling dirt on you.” OK, will someone tell this guy that funerals are handled…

Ryan Pitkin

Divine dance at McGlohon

In its four fall seasons, the Charlotte Dance Festival hasn’t exactly evolved into a lean, mean publicity machine. On a day when even attempting to get a seat for the headline entertainment at the grand opening of the Gantt Center proved foolhardy, there were no such difficulties at Spirit Square for the festival’s culminating event,…

Perry Tannenbaum

Horoscope for Oct. 28-Nov. 3, 2009

Scorpio The Phoenix (Oct. 23-Nov 20) You must gather all your energy together to accomplish an important task at this time. The initiation of the goal may have begun last winter but now it materializes and demands definite and clear intentionality of purpose. Scorpios are strong and you will manage. For All Signs: Last week…

Vivian Carol

Live Review: Tom Wopat

There aren’t too many types of music that Tom Wopat won’t dip into. Before last week’s engagement at Booth Playhouse, the one-time Dukes of Hazzard heartthrob had last appeared in town as Billy Flynn in the touring version of Chicago. When not on the road with Broadway musicals, Wopat has moonlighted in Nashville, releasing country…

Perry Tannenbaum

The William Castle Film Collection among new DVD reviews

LAND OF THE LOST (2009). The surprising thing about Land of the Lost isn’t that it contains several hearty laughs; the surprising thing is that it contains any laughs at all. After all, Will Ferrell vehicles are increasingly becoming known for their inability to generate honestly earned guffaws, as the comedian generally calls it a…

Matt Brunson

Is ‘roid rage real?

Following the 2007 murder-suicide involving pro wrestler Chris Benoit and his family, many asked if this was a case of ‘roid rage. However, nobody seems to question whether ‘roid rage actually exists. What’s the straight dope? — Bart Zimmer You know, there was a time, back when Cadillacs had fins and people sang along to…

Cecil Adams

Good Hair: The root of the matter

Like most odysseys, Good Hair begins with a single, simple question. “Daddy, why don’t I have good hair?” the little girl asks of her celebrity pop. And armed with that disturbing query, Chris Rock sets off to make a movie that turns out to be endlessly fascinating and funny. Along with director Jeff Stilson, Rock…

Matt Brunson

The war condolences Obama won’t send

U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Chancellor Keesling died in Iraq June 19, 2009, from “a non-combat related incident,” according to the Pentagon. Keesling had killed himself. He was just one in what is turning out to be a record year for suicides in the U.S. military. In August, President Barack Obama addressed the Veterans of Foreign…

Amy Goodman

Neighborhood heroin patrol

Black-tar heroin!! In every neighborhood!! The headlines screamed last week about Charlotte’s incredibly large, huge, really, really big increase in heroin use. The police chief worried, the sheriff fretted, and the mayor, as always, practically vibrated with excitement. And with good reason. Heroin deaths in Charlotte have more than tripled (!!) this year, to a…

Astro Boy: Not quite a blast

Superheroes are known for showing up on the scene just in the nick of time, but in the case of Astro Boy and his big-screen debut, it’s clear that his arrival comes too late to really matter. The star of both comics and television as well as an early model for anime, Astro Boy has…

Matt Brunson

Mayor Pat leaves the building

It was the perfect Charlotte fall day: lots of sunshine, no humidity and a civic event. After months of construction and low-level grumbling from put-upon business owners, Elizabeth Avenue was about to officially open. It was the kind of day especially beloved by one man who has come to mean Charlotte. Tieless and smiling, he…

Mary C. Curtis

Taste wine like a pro

Wine tasting brings all senses to the forefront, except maybe the ears. But I’ve begun salivating at the pop of a Champagne cork so I’m thinking they might count, too. To truly assess a wine, professionals must factor out all other external noise — dog barking, food wafts, a woman’s scurrilous perfume — and focus…

Taylor Eason

Candidates offer closing arguments on their mayoral bids

By now, you know the two men vying to be Charlotte’s next mayor. Councilmen Anthony Foxx and John Lassiter have been out in front of the city trying to get your vote. But do you know why these men actually want to be mayor of Charlotte? Over the last few months, Creative Loafing has spoken…

Cheris Hodges

Arthur Avenue preserves Italian culinary heritage

I needed a sfogliatelle fix. I’m not Italian, but I spent my high school years outside Manhattan, in northern Jersey, so many of my friends were Italian-American. After school, their moms replicated favorite down-home dishes. Visiting these kitchens was like winning a first-class plane ticket to some Italian port city like Naples or Genoa. Buying…

Tricia Childress

THEATER: The Woman In Black

Theatre Charlotte’s latest production comes just in time for Halloween. The Woman In Black, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill’s book, is a haunting act that tells a man’s story of a ghost he once saw. But this ghost, known to spook the area where its baby was once killed, isn’t one you want…

Anita Overcash

My favorite week is race week

Race week is my favorite week in Charlotte. Not just because I have supported my writing habit over the past few years by coordinating NASCAR commercials and working on the show 3 Wide Life, but because of the NASCAR nightlife. Cause when the NASCARnival comes to town, Charlotte becomes a fun house. Just last Wednesday…

SPECIAL EVENT: Dr. Cornel West

Dr. Cornel West (Princeton University professor, author, activist and more) is a heavy thinker devoted to pondering big issues, usually related to race, democracy and human rights. As a result, he’s written more than 18 books, including his newest, titled Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, A Memoir. Don’t miss West when he visits…

Anita Overcash

Dhani Harrison establishes own path with Thenewno2

Listen to Thenewno2 — pronounced, “The New Number Two” — and you’ll hear a bluesy electro rock that is both simplistic and catchy. There’s a bit of an English accent in there that you can’t quite place — maybe the voice sounds a little familiar, too. Keep listening and you get sucked into the music…

Jeff Hahne

SPECIAL EVENTS: Top 5 Halloween events

Like always, this Halloween, a hefty amount of events are happening at various venues across the Q.C. Listed below are five picks definitely worth checking out. For more, visit our Happenings section or check out www.clclt.com/halloween for an updated list of spooky events to attend. • Carnevil 2009 — Live performances by Lilith Deville and…

Anita Overcash

CD review: Randy Smith

The Deal: Former singer for 8084 releases solo debut Bittersweet. The Good: Randy Smith’s solo album is definitely a showcase of his vocals — after all, it’s his name on the CD. The album opens up with “Learning 2 Live,” an upbeat rock tune with the Mint Hill resident’s Steve-Perry like vocals at the front.…

Jeff Hahne

FESTIVAL: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Día de los Muertos, better known as Day of the Dead, isn’t a Halloween-related event, even though it may sound like it. Rather, the holiday — which originated in Mexico — is an upbeat celebration (despite the melancholy of death), in which family and friends gather to remember deceased loved ones. During this day, it…

Anita Overcash

CL previews upcoming concerts (Oct. 28-Nov. 3)

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28 KMFDM Strap on your ear goggles and lace up your lipstick-red Doc Martens: KMFDM is back! (Again?) Yes, the kinda-sorta-legendary (or just long-running?) industrial pranksters (whose name, in fact, is unfortunately not an acronym for Kill Mother Fucking Depeche Mode, as was the story back in the day) are once again on…

FILM: Psycho

The Main Library’s fall film series, “The Master of Suspense: Alfred Hitchcock Classics,” continues with a screening of the legendary director’s best picture. For better or worse, 1960’s Psycho is considered in many circles to be the granddaddy of the modern slasher flick. But whereas the contemporary crop revels in death and dismemberment, Hitchcock’s audacious…

Matt Brunson

CD Review: The Flaming Lips’ Embryonic

The Deal: Latest studio album from Oklahoma group is more than an hour of music via 18 tracks. The Good: From the opening notes of The Flaming Lips latest album, you can instantly tell it’s going to be different from what you’ve heard before. The band had gone a bit commercial – literally – on…

Jeff Hahne

MUSIC: Hymns at Snug Harbor

I considered taking a break this time from pimping the music of Hymns, native NCers (now calling Brooklyn home), but then they released their pimpalicious Appaloosa EP this summer. The five tracks solidify their ’60s psych-twang roots (think Kinks/Exile Stones) while expanding into soul and The White Album terrain with such aplomb you wonder if…

John Schacht

CD Review: Khaled’s Liberté

The Deal: Celebrated Algerian Rai singer returns after a long break from recording. The Good: Khaled is flexing his musical muscle while going organic on his newest disc, Liberté. He has set aside synth pop that drizzled into some of his past recordings while returning to Rai roots on this outing with Egyptian orchestral strings…

Samir Shukla

THEATER: Get to Know the Show: South Pacific

Wanna get the story behind the Broadway hit South Pacific (which is slated to hit Belk Theater Nov. 10-15)? Check out the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Education Institute’s Get to Know the Show series tonight, as folks with the Carolinas Asian Chamber of Commerce Charlotte and the Mecklenburg County Veterans Services come together on a…

October ends, but domestic violence continues

As I wrote in this space a few weeks ago, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Now, the beauty of an “Awareness Month” is that important issues, like domestic violence, are highlighted and discussed in ways that do not necessarily happen during other times of the year. It is an opportunity to go all out…

Nsenga Burton

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