Sep 9-16, 2008

Sep 9-16, 2008 / Vol. 22 / No. 28

Founding Floyd member dies

Founding member of Pink Floyd Richard Wright has died at the age of 65. He most recently worked on fellow Floydian David Gilmour’s solo album, On An Island. Sad news for Floyd fans and anyone who was still hoping for a full-on band reunion tour.

Jeff Hahne

Money doesn’t grow on trees

Money really does make the world go round. If you were caught up in that gas frenzy this past weekend — you who you stood in line with tens of cars, waiting to pump gas before the prices went up any higher with Hurricane Ike’s approach — you know this to be true. And now,…

Kimberly Lawson

Listen to Sonic Syndicate’s new album before buying

Thanks to the six-piece melodic metal/hardcore band, Sonic Syndicate and Myspace, you can hear the band’s new album before buying it. The album, titled Love and Other Disasters  is set to be released on Fri., Sept. 19. It will be the Swedish band’s second album on Nuclear Blast Records; a follow-up to Only Inhuman, which…

Anita Overcash

Now announcing MTA winners…

The Metrolina Theatre Association (MTA) Awards…better than the VMAs Spirit Square was the place to be last night; a red carpet led to a reception that led to the McGlohon Theatre, which was packed with members of the local theater community honoring and toasting to their craft. I had the privilege of presenting several awards…

Brittney Cason

No more stolen lunches

I hate it when my lunch goes missing in the company fridge. At my previous job, the entire building shared two fridges in the communal cafeteria. And more than once I’ve had my lunch jacked. Who DOES that?! I’ve often thought of sticking-it to the thief by dousing my lunch in laxatives or hot sauce.…

Priscilla Tsai

Apostrophe Lounge, 9/12/08

Apostrophe Lounge hosted the after party for the Musiq Soulchild concert, which was performed at Amos’ Southend Friday. Photos by Jeaumane McIntosh.

Web Editor

Tales of Charlotte: Episode 1

Presenting the first episode of CL’s brand-new original TV series Tales of Charlotte, which features folks recounting true-life stories about the most bizarre incidents they’ve ever experienced. \\\\\\\\\\

Web Editor

Blindsided

While the world was watching Palin, no one was watching the world. Huge stories took place all week and all we could talk about (me included) is the world’s most famous hockey mom plucked from obscurity and thrown into the limelight. Oil prices are through the roof, Chavez recalled and expelled the US Ambassador to…

Nsenga Burton

Blues, Brews & BBQ, 9/12/08

The Blues, Brews & BBQ festival filled Uptown with the scent of roasted pork this past weekend. National and local BBQ teams competed for best BBQ awards amidst live music, beer tastings, pig races and more. Check out these photos from Tryon Street. Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe Photography staff.

Web Editor

Today’s Menu (9/15/2008)

Earthride Any band lurking in the back alleys of doom rock will inevitably evoke the gods that were Black Sabbath. There are many outfits doing the doom thing but count Earthride among the more choice picks in the crop. The band’s ode to Motorhead, via the throaty vocals, also blasts into the mix while the…

Jeff Hahne

Get your videos on CL-TV

We are looking for readers to create funny, funky, or just plain entertaining Charlotte-centric videos. The video can be about anything related to Charlotte — whatever you think your fellow Charlotte readers would enjoy watching. Just post them to our group on YouTube and we’ll sort through the videos and post the best here on…

Web Editor

Coming to a Starbucks near you

The ‘bux is rolling out a new line of breakfast goodies (wait, can you call nutritious items “goodies”? I don’t think they qualify…). On the menu are: Baked Berry Stella, Apple Bran Muffin, Chewy Fruit & Nut Bar, Multigrain Roll with Spreads, Power Protein Plate and Perfect Oatmeal. Food blogger Rachel Been reviews them here.

Web Editor

Community organizing is real work

(From next week’s issue) Excepting the derision heaped upon trial lawyers and drug dealers, it’s not often that politicians directly insult a profession. But community organizers found themselves in the spotlight recently when speakers at the Republican National Convention took potshots at their vocation. Organizers across the country have responded with vigor to the remarks…

Karen Shugart

Women scorned

A PLACE IN THE SUN: Mary (Meg Ryan, center), her daughter (India Ennenga) and her mother (Candice Bergen) get far away from the big-city scandals in The Women. Claudette Barius / Picturehouse Remake lacks vitality of classic original By Matt Brunson THE WOMEN DIRECTED BY Diane English STARS Meg Ryan, Annette Bening The witty and…

Matt Brunson

Palin doesn’t know shit

Did you see the Sarah Palin interview on ABC? Holy shit, this kind of small-bore ignoramus is the best the Republicans could come up with for a vice president? I almost felt sorry for her. Never mind that she could even contemplate going to war against Russia. Or that she had no earthly idea what…

John Grooms

Golly gosh darn Batgirl

A recent copy of All Star Batman & Robin The Boy Wonder by Frank Miller (he of Sin City fame) was pulled from comic book shelves for being too dirty. The cuss words in the book were too much for some to handle. DC Comics tried to censor the language with black bars, but the…

Natalie Howard

Kanye gets arrested

Well, Kanye West’s temper makes another appearance in the headlines. He was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport yesterday, where it appears he and his manager wrestled a photographer’s camera away and smashed it. See the video. \\\\\\\\\\

Kimberly Lawson

I have no idea who John Sock is. . .

But this is an interesting e-mail, flaws and all: MAKES SOME GOOD POINTS! If you’re a minority and you’re selected for a job over more qualified candidates you’re a “token hire.” If you’re a conservative and you’re selected for a job over more qualified candidates you’re a “game changer.” Black teen pregnancies? A “crisis” in…

Cheris Hodges

Kanye gets arrested

Well, Kanye West’s temper makes another appearance in the headlines. He was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport yesterday, where it appears he and his manager wrestled a photographer’s camera away and smashed it. See the video. \\\\\\\\\\

Kimberly Lawson

Sarah Palin has white woman’s disease

By Oprah Winfrey To all you people who are lighting up the message boards criticizing me for not having Sarah Palin on my show after I endorsed Obama, I have three words: White Woman’s Disease. I’ve taken the time to examine the basketball skills of the two presidential candidates, and let me tell you, there…

Web Editor

Nikko – now serving models

Next week is Charlotte Fashion Week, but there’s fashion every week in Charlotte, thanks to Carolina Fashion TV’s Fashion Wednesdays at Nikko. Sure, Charlotte isn’t N.Y.C., L.A., or even Miami or Chicago – but we’re just as trendy, fashion forward, cultural… and the G.R.I.T.S (girls raised in the south) are just as hot! Fashion Wednesdays…

Brittney Cason

An upside-down house?

Opening to the public on Thursday in Trassenheide, Germany is none other than an upside-down house. It stands as an exhibit, which was created and designed for the Edutainment exhibition company, where Polish partners Klausdiusz Golos and Sebastian Mikiciuk decided to get creative. The house is fully furnished, with all the furniture upside down as…

Anita Overcash

Meaty martinis

A guy named Josh Karpf decided to concoct himself some pork martinis, all made with 100-proof Absolut vodka and some type of pork. Take your pick: sweet dried pork, pan-sautéed ground pork, boiled sweet Italian dinner sausage, or sautéed Spam. “The sausage retained its cooked gray color but its surface appeared muddied, somehow softened. The…

Priscilla Tsai

When in doubt blame the minority

When reports of a rape in Dilworth after the Greek Festival sent shockwaves through the Charlotte community, debate began about illegal immigration. Why? Because the alleged victim of the rape said her attackers were Hispanic. Then today, the Charlotte Observer reports that the “victim” is missing. Full story This case sounds like Susan Smith all…

Cheris Hodges

AC/DC coming to Charlotte

Just saw a posting on the band’s official Web site that states AC/DC will be in Charlotte at Time Warner Cable Arena on Dec. 18 for a stop on their Black Ice World Tour. Tickets will go on sale the weekend of Sept. 20.

Jeff Hahne

The Weekender

Friday, Sept. 12 Film Burn After Reading: Brad Pitt and George Clooney are super bffs. Do you think that they can even consider making a movie without one another? The latest Coen Brothers feature plays spy with the duo, and stars Frances McDormand, John Malkovich and Tilda Swinton. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film. Find more in Film.…

Natalie Howard

Fighting back

Finally, Sen. Barack Obama stands up for himself against the Republicans. I’m glad that he finally decided to take a stand because his nice guy act was wearing thin. He and his handlers are so afraid that America is going to “discover” that he is “Black,” and he’ll miraculously lose the presidential race. Guess what?…

Nsenga Burton

Here come the waterworks

The McCain campaign is now very upset that Obama has made a “sexist remark” involving Sarah Palin. On Tuesday, Obama criticized the economic policies of McCain by saying, “You can put lipstick on a pig … it’s still a pig. You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change. It’s still…

Ryan Pitkin

More on the Big Mac Man

If you’re following the story on Dan Gorske, a Wisconsin man who has eaten 23, 000 Big Mac’s from McDonalds for the past 36 years, then the video below might interest you. Someone really needs to give this guy a bite of Indian food or some other eats to take him out of the dietary…

Anita Overcash

Charlotte restaurants reveal their secrets

Ever wish you could get your little paws on the recipe for that bruschetta they serve at Mama Ricotta’s or that “Top Shelf Guacamole” from Cantina 1511? Well, it’s just your luck…those secret recipes are available to all, as are a lot of recipes from top restaurants in Charlotte at Americans Cuisine. Search though the…

Priscilla Tsai

3 Doors Down postponed

It was announced today that 3 Doors Down singer Brad Arnold has been advised by his doctors to take time off to rest his voice. Due to that news, the band has postponed the next seven shows of their tour, including the Sept. 17 show scheduled for Charlotte’s Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The band will make…

Jeff Hahne

Rejected VP picks

Via Big Fat Whale (And congrats to me for making it through a whole post without taking a dig at Palin, though it was hard since the material was ripe with opportunities. Like, for example, how M.C. Skat Kat would be better qualified to potentially lead the free world, as he would at least care…

Natalie Howard

Islamic leader dies at 74

Imam W.D. Mohammed, who succeeded his father as leader of the Nation of Islam but abandoned its teachings of black supremacy and moved thousands of its followers into mainstream Islam, died Tuesday. He was 74. Mohammed died at his home in Markham, Ill., according to a family statement issued late Tuesday by his nephew, Sultan…

Cheris Hodges

More Love Extreme

Charlotte’s Benji Hughes keeps getting the love. He won a few “Best of” awards in the current edition, and his new CD, A Love Extreme, has been given four stars by Rolling Stone. Well deserved!

Jeff Hahne

Remember that fight in Afghanistan?

Finally. Finally, that little war we’ve got going on in Afghanistan — remember that? — is going to get a little attention. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Congress today that improved security in Iraq will give the U.S. military flexibility to do more in Afghanistan in coming months. What took so long? Rep. Ike Skelton,…

Kimberly Lawson

Is it just me?

I knew why GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin looked so familiar to me. She looks just like Peggy Hill from Fox’s King of the Hill. They even have similar stories: They both follow around a dense old man. They both have special needs children. They have the same hair color and outdated style. And…

Cheris Hodges

Madison’s, 9/9/08

Party people from Creative Loafing’s Best of Charlotte 2008 party at the Levine Museum rolled down the street to Madison’s for the after-party on Tuesday night. Music was provided by the local band Simplified. Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe Photography staff.

Web Editor

Thriller?

Creepy, creepy, creepy. And this is not even a Sarah Palin post. We can file this under: EWWW. The New York Post reports that a N.J. business man is auctioning off Micheal Jackson’s size-28 Calvin Klein briefs on eBay today, with a reserve price of $1 million. The briefs were confiscated in 2003 for a…

Natalie Howard

Best of Charlotte party, 9/09/08

Creative Loafing hosted the Best of Charlotte 2008 party at the Levine Museum of the New South on Tuesday night. Food was provided by some of the restaurants that won “Best of” awards, including New South Kitchen & Bar, P.F. Chang’s and Dean and DeLuca’s. Photos by Tricia Gillis.

Web Editor

ODing on Big Macs

How about a break from all the politics and hard-hitting news stuff? A story on MSNBC.com reports a 54-year-old Wisconsin man ate a Big Mac nearly every day since 1972 — 23,000 Big Macs in 36 years. He said it was because of his obsessive-compulsive disorder. 23,000 Big Macs. I wonder how many tubs of…

Kimberly Lawson

Charlotte’s homeless soccer team on ESPN tonight at 9 p.m.

A documentary about the 2006 Homeless World Cup will be on ESPN tonight at 9 p.m. Charlotte’s homeless soccer team played in the cup and are in the documentary, Kicking It. The team has been the source of much local and national media interest. Here’s an article I wrote way back in 2005. Thanks for…

Karen Shugart

Obama cookouts

Obama supporters across the country will have cookouts Saturday. Here’s a snippet from an e-mail sent out by N.C. campaign staff: If you still aren’t sure who you plan to vote for in November, this is a great opportunity to learn more about Barack — who he is and where he stands on the issues…

Karen Shugart

Wonder if it’s true in Charlotte too?

A study by the Houston Police Department show that police officers use tasers on blacks more than any other race. Shocker (pun intended). Full Story If Charlotte Mecklenburg Police did the same type of audit, I’m willing to bet the results would be the same. Or maybe the results would show that CMPD is more…

Cheris Hodges

Buy it now! The Sarah Palin action figure!

What else did we expect when John McCain introduced us to the first VP candidate anyone has ever referred to as “hot”? (I prefer David Letterman’s impression of Palin as “a LensCrafters model,” but maybe that’s just me.) Now, for disheartened Palin watchers and others who are upset that the Alaska guv’s Internet bikini pics…

John Grooms

Sarah Palin loves rapists

I wish this headline was a joke. I sincerely do. But what other explanation can there be when Sarah Palin charged rape victims — victims, not the attackers — $1,200 for a chance to catch the criminals who assaulted them? Details via Feministing.com: A rape kit is a sexual assault forensic evidence kit, used to…

Natalie Howard

Pie Town

Town restaurant on West Trade Street closed and Pie Town has taken its place. The new restaurant features pizzas made with “fresh and organic” ingredients. One of the three partners who opened Pie Town is baking instructor and author Peter Reinhart who has written books on his love for pizza. I am expecting greatness. Check…

Priscilla Tsai

BEST STRIP CLUB

This self-proclaimed “Upscale Gentlemen’s Club” has been mixing the right amount of swank and skank for more than 40 years. Also known as “The Grand Daddy,” Charlotte’s oldest strip club offers all an ogler could want with beer specials and boobies. Gentlemen, start your motorboats. 3221 Wilkinson Blvd. 704-392-9647.

BEST LOCAL COLUMNIST

Tomlinson gets scads of awards, making this a predictable and slightly begrudging choice. Still, his columns are often spot-on, good reads. As the Observer winnows its staff down to a handful of reporters and interns, we hope Tomlinson holds on … even if he has to do a few paper routes on his way into…

BEST MOVIE THEATER (QUALITY OF FILMS)

A repeat winner. In addition to offering a fine selection of art-house fare, we also dig the various retro series they book throughout the year. Dr. Strangelove and Blade Runner once again gracing the silver screen? Yes, please! 14815 John J. Delaney Drive. 704-369-5101.

BEST BUDGET

House-made soups, vegetarian chili and a funky interior have made Lupie’s an important part of Charlotte’s culinary landscape for decades. Chicken and dumplings, a daily special, is still only $6.45. 2718 Monroe Road. 704-374-1232.

BEST JAPANESE

Chef Massa’s foods are exquisitely prepared, and each dish reveals the primary flavor in a big way. One of my favorites is his sleek tataki appetizer: thin folds of melting prime sirloin beneath a ribbon of aioli resting in a pool of ponzu. 1524 East Blvd. 704-333-8118.

BEST FRENCH FRIES

A repeat winner. After our food writer (and BOC judge) Tricia Childress put her foot in her mouth by thinking she was complimenting owner and Frenchman Thierry Garconnet that his French fries tasted Flemish (Mon Dieu!), she came to learn why the humble tater was elevated to this Gallic description. Needless to say, Garconnet’s fries,…

BEST MEXICAN

1511 East Blvd. 704-331-9222; 7708 Rea Road. 704-752-9797.

BEST NEW STORE (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS)

Niche goes north with a new concept store in eclectic NoDa. While the original South End store focuses more on fashion, the Market delivers lifestyle goods like books, magazines and collectible vinyl toys. The store also carries a stellar selection of graphic tees from up-and-coming alterna-brands like Johnny Cupcakes. In a neighborhood full of galleries…

Sweet smell of success

On Creating The Organic Scent and Beauty Line Fields Of Dreams: My scents are blended from essential oils and use no alcohol. My body scrubs are made from coarse cane sugar and blended with oils and nutrients to enrich the skin. Every ingredient serves a purpose. On Creating A Signature Scent: When I create a…

Charity Frederick

BEST LOCAL CHARITY

People are hurting, and no one knows it more — or does more about it — than Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. The Food Bank runs a regional distribution warehouse and branches that supply food and grocery items to over 600 agencies in 14 North Carolina counties, plus five counties in South Carolina —…

BEST THING TO SHOW OFF TO OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS

A repeat winner. Wear out your in-laws with an adrenaline-pumping paddle down the world’s largest artificial whitewater river. If they’re giving you an extra hard time, send them off on the 11 miles of hiking trails without a map or breadcrumbs, and bask in your well-earned downtime with a beer at River’s Edge Bar &…

BEST DIVE BAR

The Thirsty Beaver is the kind of bar a working man might build in his basement, if only his wife would let him. Few frills are to be found here, unless you count the Smokey and the Bandit poster on the wall and the Hee Haw reruns playing on a TV behind the bar. 1225…

LOCAL COLUMNIST YOU’RE SICK OF

Scott, has anyone told you that you write a sports column? It’s not rocket science, dude. Reading a Fowler column is like reading a scolding from your father. And this guy values your opinion? Sort of like the Bush administration values the truth: not much.

BEST VIDEO/DVD RENTAL SELECTION

A repeat winner, year after year after year. Netflix is a movie lover’s godsend, yet even that online rental outfit occasionally lacks an alternative or classic title in its oversized inventory. Yet there’s a good chance that VisArt will carry a copy of the film in question, as one of our BOC panelists happily discovered…

BEST LATE-NIGHT

With its fried pickles, barbecue and martinis, the Penguin always makes the cut for grazing in the dark. 1921 Commonwealth Ave. 704-375-6959.

BEST INDIAN

With more Indian restaurants opening each year, this category is extremely competitive. But Tamarind, the latest venture by veteran restaurateur Bhupen Engineer, builds on old taste memories and does it well by employing Indian chefs to cover the geographically diverse menu. 6420 Carmel Road. 704-541-8222.

BEST FRIED CHICKEN

A repeat winner, again and again. The national press has now proclaimed what we all knew: The best deep-fried chicken in town is at Price’s. The chicken dinners (seafood and barbecue, too) are packaged in cardboard boxes that are almost as famous as their contents. Cash only, so don’t bring the plastic. 1614 Camden Road.…

BEST CLOTHING STORE

Get the boutique experience sans the snootiness and sticker shock at this friendly South End shop. You’ll find fun, affordable clothes and accessories that you won’t see in other Charlotte stores. Eileen keeps her inventory fresh and retail prices low (under $100), so you can buy the latest trends without selling your soul. 1800 Camden…

Counting down to comedy

Tootie Ramsey is back in boarding school! Jack Tripper gaily returns! Al Bundy rides again! It’s not merely the magic of syndication or Nick at Nite. It’s those Robot Johnson renegades teaming up with Collaborative Arts, bringing you the full live studio audience experience of Sitcoms Live! Three episodes of classic sitcom TV will be…

Perry Tannenbaum

View from the Couch

BABY MAMA (2008). With Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler and other man-children routinely hoarding the screens in our nation’s multiplexes and living rooms, here come Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to remind audiences that girls just want to have fun. Indeed, the Cyndi Lauper hit of that name is granted its own karaoke-set scene, and its…

Matt Brunson

BEST MEMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

A repeat winner. One of the top possible replacements for Pat McCrory — if Mayor Fratboy wins his bid for governor — Foxx is a conscientious, likeable councilman whose positions haven’t swayed merely because he sees a mayoral run in the distance. When McCrory last year distilled our city’s social ills down to the stereotype…

BEST NEW BUILDING/ATTRACTION

With lawsuits keeping construction in limbo, it’s hard to say when this multi-million dollar mixed-use monstrosity will be finished. But developer Afshin Ghazi promises big things for the future “entertainment hub” of Uptown Charlotte, including a hip hotel from Starwood, a five-screen all-digital movie theater, and an 18-lane bowling alley. While the legal dust settles,…

LOCAL HERO

As bank employees get pink-slipped while executives get golden parachutes, Moore’s message rings especially clear. Moore, the Bank of America shareholder and frequent banking industry gadfly, has for years criticized the lavish robber baron-esque compensation given to banking executives like recently deposed Wachovia CEO Ken Thompson. A wealthy man himself, Moore’s put his money where…

BEST CONCERT VENUE (LARGE)

The two sold-out dates of The Black Crowes aren’t until November, but that’s a great sign of the quality of acts that are coming through the NoDa venue. In addition to getting the big names, they’ve also remodeled the place — a VIP section, bigger floor space thanks to taking out some chairs, and nice…

BEST-LOOKING BAR STAFF

Where’s the best place in Charlotte to find modelesque man meat? The half-naked bois of Scorpio, of course! Gay, straight, bi, curious, or appreciative of moving art, you have to admire the bartenders of Charlotte’s hottest gay club, who pour drinks as fast as sweat rolls down their muscular arms and Greek-god-inspired chests. We’d order…

LOCAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION

In 2008 alone, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers have shot four people, while another died after being Tasered. Within the last decade, I.A. has investigated 20 nonfatal shootings by police officers. More recently, the deaths of Aaron Winchester and Darryl Wayne Turner have made headlines and incited anger in many Charlotte residents. Winchester was shot by police…

BEST FILM SERIES

Here’s what’s been happening with the 2-1/2-year-old NoDa Film Festival since we started working on the previous year’s Best of Charlotte issue: Last June, the outfit presented The Art of Animation, featuring (among other treats) rare Looney Tunes shorts, the Oscar-winning Wallace & Gromit gem The Wrong Trousers, and Jan Svankmajer’s brilliant, puppet-animated oddity Alice…

BEST RESTAURANT WINE LIST

A repeat winner. Longer than some entertainment sections, this wine list reads like the pages of a wine auction booklet, where in fact many wines have been acquired. You’ll find Holy Grail boutique winery bottles with sky-high prices. 4725 Piedmont Row Drive. 704-552-5502.

BEST HAMBURGER

The Big D offers ground chuck (and one Kobe) burgers of at least six ounces, which can be constructed to taste. Featured combinations include the Carolina burger with (bean-filled) chili and cole slaw, which, needless to say, can become a rather messy affair. When the Big D is packed, parking is a premium. 1626 East…

BEST SHOE STORE

The chic, sophisticated atmosphere and funky, wallet-friendly brands like Naughty Monkey make this Uptown boutique the perfect sanctuary for a little sole searching. Treat your feet to Lunch & Stilettos every second Wednesday of the month with free hors d’oeuvres and 10 percent off all shoes. 136 Brevard St. 704-332-SHOE.

Out my back door

Elizabeth Bradford is the centerpiece of Christa Faut Gallery’s 20th year celebration. She’s an appropriate choice. Christa Faut is celebrating the dawning of her third decade of dealing art, a business which is lucky to last five years, showing an artist who has been on the art world radar since Ronald Reagan left office. Bradford…

Scott Lucas

Tarrus Riley’s Jamaica juice

Take a jigger of reggae. Pour in a shot of Rastafari. Shake well. Stand back and wait for the explosion. Rastas and reggae have been a volatile cocktail since the 1970s when Bob Marley, who didn’t invent either, popularized both. Last year, up-and-coming reggae Rastaman Tarrus Riley added a new element to the mix –…

Grant Britt

WORST MEMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Sure, politicians lie. The public has come to expect it, but our mayor, who’s doing something that he said many times that he wasn’t going to do, lied both to the city and his own political party. McCrory, who holds the local record as the mayor who’s been in office the longest, won his seventh…

MOST MISSED OLD BUILDING

Another piece of Charlotte history bites the dust. After more than 40 years, the legendary retro diner at 101 E. Independence Blvd. (now Charlottetowne Avenue) was torn down last fall to pave the way for more CPCC parking. Scarfing down a late night bite at Athens was like a rite of passage for partygoers. Bankers,…

LOCAL ZERO

What else is Johnson going to do wrong? First, he gets a free arena which most people here didn’t want. Then he charges an arm and a leg for tickets; parks his over-priced, losing team on a cable network no one can see; dumps the Charlotte Sting; gripes every month or so that not enough…

BEST CONCERT VENUE (MEDIUM/SMALL)

It’s small and dark, but the booking at the Plaza Midwood venue has been consistently impressive since they opened last year. They’ll pack the house with locals like The Noises 10, The Sammies and Babyshaker but still find room to let the big names come through — Nicole Atkins, The Pink Spiders, Benji Hughes —…

BEST PLACE OPEN UNTIL 2 A.M.

When you’ve finished jammin’ to Phish at the Neighborhood Theatre or groovin’ to some singer-songwriter at The Evening Muse, there’s no better place to go than Solstice Tavern. The funky NoDa-based bar offers you a chance to rest your feet and throw some solid food inside your beer-filled stomach before you hit the sack. And…

LOCAL ISSUE YOU’RE SICK OF

Crime has been an issue in Charlotte for years, but never has it gotten so much attention. Not until those damned criminals stopped ripping off people in North, West and East Charlotte and headed into Dilworth did Charlotte’s upstanding citizens start to give a damn about crime. But are the rest of us supposed to…

BEST ART GALLERY

This isn’t a lifetime achievement award, though this gallery deserves one. Hodges Taylor is Charlotte’s longest surviving gallery — 27 years, or two centuries in art gallery years. They have survived through the ages and are reborn annually, through the grit, vision and the good eyes of co-owners Dot Hodges and Christie Taylor. New artists…

BEST BEER SELECTION

No surprise at this repeat BOC winner. With more than 70 beers on draught and 150 beers by the bottle, the Saucer’s selection is out of this world. Beer specials six days out of the week also make it a great value — the perfect place for a pint. If you live in South Charlotte,…

BEST SOUTHERN COMFORT FOOD

A repeat winner. The Brazelle family is known for their buttery cornbread and well-crafted renditions of Southern, Gullah and Low Country dishes. 214 N. College St. 704-342-4222.

BEST ITALIAN

Owners Kerwin Astudillo and Fernando Campoverde are not Italian, but their food is. Extraordinarily flavorful risottos can be found here. 2418 Park Road. 704-333-3062.

BEST HOT DOG

A repeat winner. Providing a dog fix to Charlotteans for 82 years. 309 W. 4th St. 704-332-1786.

BEST STEAK HOUSE

6000 Fairview Road. 704-556-1115; 222 S. Tryon St. 704-338-9444.

BEST HAIR SALON

Charlotte hasn’t always been known as a place that embraced African-Americans who wore natural hairstyles. Indeed, many used to believe that rocking a ’fro or some dreadlocks made it tough to land a job in Banktown. But these days, people feel free to embrace process-free styles … and that makes Lockstar the right salon at…

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

Trash-Talking Tenant: A 51-year-old landlord said he was threatened by a tenants as he tried to evict her. She said, “I’m going to kick your ass! I’ll move when I feel like it.” She then said, “Bad things are going to start happening to you and your property.” The landlord wants to woman out immediately.…

Victoria West

PUBLIC OFFICIAL MOST IN NEED OF TASERING

Or, The Shameless Public Bigotry Award. When CMS initiated a new anti-bullying policy, McGarry led the charge against it, saying the policy could lead to “an aggressive, pro-homosexual agenda in classrooms,” whatever that means. Not content with proving her homophobic bona fides once, McGarry doubled down in April when she wanted CMS to excuse sensitive…

WORST EYESORE

If you frequent Uptown daily, you probably don’t even notice the construction hot spots anymore. But look up into the sky and you’ll see those huge, gawky monsters of steel, precariously moving beams over our heads, threatening to slip up and send death our way. We suppose construction cranes are signs of progress, but they…

BEST ACTIVIST (INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP)

Ngongang is woven into the fabric of civic involvement here in Charlotte. A native Charlottean, he’s the Charlotte Outreach Coordinator for GenerationEngage, a nonpartisan youth civic engagement group that connects young people to their local government on several levels. In an interview with CL, Ngongang stated, “I want to make giving back cool, making it…

BEST CONCERT OF PAST 12 MONTHS

It’s difficult to pick just one because rarely do two of our music critics wind up in the same place. From the one-of-a-kind performances at the Sound + Vision Festival at Neighborhood Theatre to the almost-otherworldly Zakir Hussain performance at Belk Theater; from Radiohead’s Charlotte visit at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre to The Flaming Lips’ shocking…

BEST PLACE OPEN AFTER 2 A.M.

Let’s hear it straight from the mouth of one of our judges: “One Saturday night, I wanted to check out a nightclub, but I was exhausted. So, I took a disco nap. Sadly, I didn’t wake up until 1:30 a.m. My evening was a bust, right? Wrong! I headed over to the Uptown nightspot HOM…

BEST ART EXHIBIT

Six artists painted a portrait of the Catawba River, the life blood flowing through our backyard. The river provides energy, recreation and hydration for us, and we treat it like a redheaded step-mule. This show gave the river a face — beautiful and besmirched — and infused our endangered watery stretch with the presence, and…

BEST COCKTAIL SELECTION

There’s no place like it. Not only are their creative concoctions totally sublime and super strong, but you can sip them in one of several Swingers-meets-Sex-and-the-City loungy areas, like the über hip bamboo garden. Try the Kama Sutra or Champagne Mojito or — yes! — the now-legal-in-the-U.S. absinthe. 116 W. 5th St. 704-375-3737.

BEST GOURMET/SPECIALTY FOOD STORE

A repeat winner. The only difficulty you’ll have visiting Tommy George’s outstanding shop filled with homemade pastas, Italian wines, breads and groceries is getting out of the small parking lot onto Providence Road during rush hour. 1528 Providence Road. 704-364-2622.

BEST EUROPEAN (OTHER THAN ITALIAN)

Tria Terra is exactly the kind of restaurant most neighborhoods should want: A small mom-and-pop, or brother-and-brother in this case, operation where the owners are present, prices are affordable, the food is consistently well-executed, the service is professional, and the atmosphere is low-key. Plus, this place gets better with each visit. 7707 Pineville Matthews Road.…

BEST ICE CREAM

With 14 percent butterfat, this ice cream is a reminder of past times when we walked to local shops and didn’t worry about the fat content. The best flavor here is the Mackinaw Fudge, a superlative classic fudge stripe. Waffle cones are made on site. 14835 John J. Delaney Drive. 704-369-5250.

BEST HEALTH CLUB

A repeat winner. The Sarah Belk Gambrell Fitness Center at the YWCA remains one of the city’s best kept secrets. Affordable monthly fees cover the use of their state-of-the-art exercise equipment, heated indoor pool, an outdoor fitness trail and all of their classes, including yoga and Pilates. Take a tour and get a free guest…

Cathedral ceiling

I’d close my blinds, but my laziness outweighs my confidence that there are actually people outside interested in my half-nakedness. I actually believe they wouldn’t really see me without looking twice anyway, and by the time they did their second take I would be somewhere else, skirting around at another vantage, ducking and dodging. Because…

CL previews upcoming shows

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11 Mudphonic Hailing from Austin, Texas, the blues rockers Mudphonic have an organic feel surrounding their sound. The groove isn’t forced and the funk checks in often. There’s the southern rock edge with drawl-drenched songs like “Yonder Funk” expanding their take on Texas blues. Mudphonic are currently on the road in support of…

BEST USE OF TAX MONEY

We couldn’t resist. LYNX’s high ridership has proved a resounding rebuttal to the knuckle-dragging naysayers who couldn’t get out of their cul-de-sacs long enough to see that Charlotte is ready for mass transit.

BEST HOTEL

Cities like Miami and New York are famous for trendy boutique hotels. In Charlotte, we don’t have many of those funky little spots, but we do have The Blake. Of course, aside from being a great location, folks haven’t always heaped praise on the hotel. But recent renovations have transformed the Blake into a lavish…

BEST INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE

A repeat winner. Beyond stocking an ever-rotating collection of new and used titles, the folks at RealEyes are also dedicated to promoting literature — and reading in general — through the Charlotte Literary Festival, which the shop coordinates every year. 3306 N. Davidson St. 704-377-8989.

BEST CLUB FOR MUSIC

Most Charlotte nightclubs are content with just playing standard pop and/or hip-hop tunes, but since opening to the public during this past year, HOM has garnered a reputation for going against the musical grain. With a semi-regular team of local DJs like D.R., Buddy, That Guy Smitty and Johnnie Davis (among others), and visits by…

BEST RADIO STATION

Thank God for satellite radio. Have you listened to broadcast radio lately? Every FM station has too much talking and not enough music. Fortunately, Sirius XM satellite radio provides the tunes — if you can’t find something that pleases your ear, you’re probably deaf. There’s an Elvis station, a station that plays the hits of…

BEST PUBLIC ARTWORK

Aluminum sheets appear to ride the wind as they rise from the sidewalk on College Street to the second story balcony of the EpiCentre. The canopy above the escalator is part of the eccentric and lyrical work of Benjamin Ian Parrish, proprietor and grand metals alchemist of Steel Designs of Charlotte. This sheets-in-the-wind street level…

BEST DRINK SPECIALS

Five single dollar bills. One massive pitcher of cold, refreshing brew. Sounds simple enough to us. 1921 Commonwealth Ave. 704-375-6959.

BEST BREAKFAST

Located in a corner of a historic Plaza Midwood building and still offering counter service, John’s serves a traditional Southern breakfast: country ham, homemade biscuits (made by owner Jimmy’s Greek mother), liver mush and even scrambled pork brains. Or, if you prefer, plain eggs over easy. 1518 Central Ave. 704-333-9551.

BEST MEXICAN (TRADITIONAL)

A repeat winner. Their weekend special is lamb barbecue made the traditional Mexican way: a splayed whole sheep cooked over a wood-burning fire (they use a gas grill) and covered with maguey cactus leaves. The result is spectacular and served with house made corn tortillas, chopped cilantro, onion, quarters of limes and two types of…

BEST WINGS

For those seeking a wing fling, this joint offers no less than 33 different flavors. And we’re not talking about mild variations on the same themes: Options here include Bubba’s BBQ, The Pollo Loco Wing (with a honey-lime-cilantro taste), The Red, Hot & Bleu Wing (with the blue cheese cooked right in), and the aptly…

BEST YOGA INSTRUCTOR/SCHOOL

Yogis drive from all over the city to strike a pose at this popular Central Avenue studio. Vinyasa classes for all skill levels and specialized workshops offer something for everyone. And all classes are heated (the better to bend you with, my dear). After you’ve sweated your ass off, rehydrate and nosh on complimentary snacks…

Your weekly horoscope

Virgo the Virgin: (Aug. 22-Sept. 22) A significant person in your life may be erratic and unwilling to cooperate with your plan. You could quarrel over it, but it may not be worth the struggle. You discover a mental error. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Fix things and move on. Health is good. For…

Vivian Carol

More metal, Viking-style

Everybody knows the Vikings were ridiculous party animals, and were it not for that Norman Conquest thing we’d all likely know that first-hand — at least those of us whose ancestors hadn’t had their skulls used as drinking cups. For now, though, you’ll have to make do with recreations like Slashin’ Bash’s “The Resurrection,” the…

El Diablo

BIGGEST WASTE OF TAX MONEY

What’s the point of paying for a Planning Committee when the city usually goes ahead and allows developers to do whatever the hell they want anyhow? It’s a situation that probably rates as the city’s saddest joke.

BEST MUSEUM

The Mint wins again this year on the strength of its recent schedule. Exhibits include Quiet Spirit, Skillful Hand: The Graphic Work of Clare Leighton; Contemporary, Cool and Collected, 61 established and emerging artists from collections within a 350-mile radius of Charlotte; and Jiha Moon: Turbulent Utopia. Here’s a more sedate cauldron of excellence. Less…

BEST CHAIN BOOKSTORE

One of our panelists used to just visit Joseph-Beth at SouthPark Mall because it’s one of the few stores that sells Time Out New York. But then he discovered that — on top of all the great books, CDs, DVDs, cards and more for sale — the store also pulls recipes out of its stock…

BEST CLUB FOR DANCING

Sometimes, you want to hit a swanky Charlotte nightclub, find a sexy something and get laid. But when you just wanna throw on a pair of acid-washed jeans and dance like no one gives a damn, take a trip to the Breakfast Club. The Uptown hot spot’s unpretentious vibe can make even the snootiest nightcrawler…

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY

At a time when most local FM radio stations have abandoned covering local news, it’s nice to have a reporter like WFAE’s Lisa Miller on the job. Listeners don’t exactly know when Miller will appear on air (usually between episodes of nationally targeted NPR shows), but whenever she steps to the microphone, you’re sure to…

BEST GALLERY CRAWL

A dead heat finish for the only two bona fide art crawls in town. NoDa boasts Center of the Earth Gallery, street musicians, Green Rice Gallery, The Evening Muse, Hart Witzen Gallery, Boudreaux’s Louisiana Kitchen and the big haunted house on the corner formerly known as the Mellow Mushroom. South End has Joie Lassiter Gallery,…

BEST LUNCH

Chef Jon DuBay punches up Southern cuisine, taking it, at times, from the ordinary to the sublime. Even simple compositions at lunch become flavorful. The added bonus in this quirky spot, an outgrowth of a wildly popular folk art gallery, is that you can shop while you eat. 16925 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville. 704-987-7762.

BEST MEXICAN (CHEF-DRIVEN)

Owner Frank Scibelli has developed a kind of Rick Bayless love for regional Mexican cuisine, and it shows with the care of many of the dishes prepared in his cantinas. 1511 East Blvd. 704-331-9222.

BEST TACO CART (OR TRUCK)

Visiting the Sweet Union Flea Market is like going to an open air market in a small Mexican village. The Taqueria VeraCruz truck (usually located near the highway) makes a mean barbecue lamb torta (sandwich) with slices of avocado and tomato, and sensational tacos — either flour or corn tortillas. On your way out, buy…

BEST SEAFOOD

200 S. Tryon St. 704-377-0201; 4335 Barclay Downs Drive. 704-442-5522.

BEST AUDIO/VIDEO STORE

A repeat winner. This big box has long been a best bet for quality electronics at competitive prices. With the addition of a Midtown location in the past year, it’s now even easier to get the latest gadgets. Gearheads who haven’t gotten hold of a Wii can play with the store’s sales floor demo to…

Film Clips

Current Releases BOTTLE SHOCK To lay it out in terms that both an oenophile and a cineast would understand, if Sideways is the cinematic equivalent of an unopened bottle of the 1945 Mouton-Rothschild, then Bottle Shock figures to be akin to a plastic cup filled with 2007 Boone’s Farm Country Kwencher. The movie’s catchy, based-on-fact…

Matt Brunson

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Remember the excitement when Gorman was hired? Do you feel any better about CMS now? Didn’t think so. We’ve seen more snafus than we can review here, but our recent favorite is the plan to reduce spending for “administrative costs” by dumping a ton of school librarians. Pete, it’s simple: Reduce your bloated administrative staff…

BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN CHARLOTTE

With a gallon of gas costing more than a movie rental, it’s no wonder that this locale near the light rail has become a hotbed for homeowners and apartment/condo/townhouse renters. At $2.60 for a roundtrip ticket (and only $1.30 for seniors and kids), it’s a train hop, skip and a jump to the many restaurants…

BEST USED BOOKSTORE

A repeat winner. See Best Independent Bookstore. 3306 N. Davidson St. 704-377-8989.

BEST KARAOKE

Sure, karaoke is corny as hell. But if you find yourself forced to take a trip via taxi, karaoke is a hilarious way to while away the time it takes to arrive at your destination. Billy Rivera runs the service, and we’re sure he’s a hero to all the drunk nondrivers — and bad singers…

BEST RADIO SHOW

WFAE’s daily talk show Charlotte Talks, hosted by Mike Collins, isn’t the hippest program on the air, but you can’t deny its reach. No, the show doesn’t play the hottest tunes, but whenever Collins talks to local or national personalities, or discusses a pressing issue, you can be sure that thousands of folks will tune…

BEST LOCAL ARTIST

Baldwin has graced Charlotte with his talent forever, but as with Hodges Taylor Gallery, this is also not a lifetime achievement award. Baldwin is the kind of master photographer who manages to traverse genres seamlessly, without playing to the crowd and without losing himself. There’s a piece of the artist in every portrait, landscape, dumpsite,…

BEST BRUNCH

Sure, you could go for the beer or even the pre-October fest parties (like we need to practice?), but CIA-trained chef-owner Thomas Meier creates a not-to-be-missed spread on Sundays, which includes an outstanding German dessert station. 12101 Lancaster Highway, Pineville. 704-540-7047.

BEST LATINO (OTHER THAN MEXICAN)

This Dominican eatery offers exceptional mofongo, garlic-flavored mashed plantains. Even better are the seafood offerings: reinvigorated seafood paella and an exceptional octopus salad. 5230 South Blvd. 704-529-3599.

BEST LOCALLY MADE FOOD PRODUCT

If your only experience with one of the Southern food groups — pimento cheese — has been the soulless processed cheese variety, look for Suzie Lowe’s locally made Augusta’s Original Pimento Cheese at Harris Teeter, Reid’s and Surroundings, a gift shop in south Charlotte. It’s almost as good as granny’s. Also available online: augustascreations.com.

BEST COMPUTER STORE

A repeat winner. Probably the best thing about the Apple store is that it sells the new iPhone 3G. OK, and maybe the customer service reps actually take the time to help you figure out those darn Macs. But really, it’s all about the new iPhone 3G. 4400 Sharon Road. 704-364-2205.

What’s up with all the weird names?

What’s up with all the weird-ass names — OK, “nontraditional” names — people are giving their kids these days? We no longer even blink when we’re introduced to toddlers, teens or 20-somethings named Kaelyne, Mackenzie, or Fontina, despite the cheesy connotations. We have a woman running for vice president with kids named Track and Trig.…

THEATER: Forget the laugh track

Who wouldn’t want to be in the audience of a real, live sitcom? Well, if you just got done screaming “Me, me, me,” then Collaborative Arts (The Charlotte Shakespeare Festival) has got your fix with its newest show Sitcoms Live! Directors James Yost, Meghan Lowther, and Patrick Tansor will present a different TV sitcom episode…

Anita Overcash

DUMB IDEA OF THE YEAR

Supporters of football at UNC-Charlotte mean well, but starting up the program is simply too expensive, too distracting from the school’s growing academic profile, would bring an inordinate jump in student costs, and, in any case, wouldn’t produce a winning team for God-knows-how-many-years. Let this bad idea die, guys.

BEST PRE-GAME HANGOUT DOWNTOWN

This pub is a local favorite conveniently located in stumbling distance from both the Time Warner Cable Arena and Bank of America Stadium. Fans taking the light rail or looking for affordable parking will find F&H a convenient pre-game meet-up spot. With plenty of TVs and its cozy, traditional tavern interior, you may be tempted…

BEST LOCAL AUTHOR

If you like well-written, intelligent, and witty mysteries, this UNC-Charlotte adjunct prof is someone you should know. Mark de Castrique sets his stories in his native western N.C. — his latest, Blackman’s Coffin, features author Tom Wolfe and the Biltmore estate — but he deserves a far wider, national readership.

BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE

Tucked behind the strip mall façade of Park Road Shopping Center, Sir Ed’s is the perfect place to break the ice without breaking the bank. Fine dining fare at affordable prices in a warm, intimate atmosphere sets the perfect stage to woo your potential soul mate. You can tell the kids how Mom and Dad…

BEST LOCAL TV NEWSCAST

CL staff once felt safe to walk around Charlotte without a Glock — until we switched to WSOC Channel 9. Murders, robberies and crime alerts galore! Exactly what we need to be: scared. Who needs coverage of the city’s political or cultural issues when you can show live Skyzoom footage from some minor shooting? None…

BEST VISUAL GUMBO

If friends come to town and I want to show them how uncorporate Charlotte can be, I take them to the very corporate-sounding McColl Center for Visual Art. This place is a piece of what Charlotte aspires to be — international, inventive, unsettling and challenging. Invited Artists-in-Residence and Affiliate Artists are painters, sculptors, jewelry designers,…

BEST BARBECUE

A repeat winner. This family restaurant may be the only place in town — maybe the region — where diners can actually watch and smell pork slowly cooking in a barbecue pit. If you like — or know — what outside brown is, Old Hickory is your kind of place. 6538 N. Tryon St. 704-596-8014.

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN

The Turks managed to spread their savory dishes through the Mediterranean basin, deep into the Middle East, and now in south Charlotte. The lamb shish kabobs are marvelously tender. Go for the mezes (small plate starters) and stay for a cup of Turkish coffee — the ultimate third-act gratification for any java lover. 8652 Pineville…

BEST PLACE TO BUY CDS

Aside from patrons being able to give a local business some love by avoiding the big box stores, Lunchbox has also been an outlet for bands that are passing through (and the shows are all ages). They buy and sell CDs, DVDs and vinyl, and although they may be small and indie-focused, they can get…

Civic events in Charlotte

Mecklenburg County Justice and Public Safety Task Force Wednesday, Sept. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Government Center, 600 East 4th St., conference room 267, www.charmeck.org. Mecklenburg Evening Republican Women’s Club Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m., Captain Steve’s Seafood Restaurant, 8517 Monroe Road, www.meckgop.com. Domestic Violence Advisory Board Wednesday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m., Hal Marshall…

SPECIAL EVENT: When pigs fly

“Do I smell BBQ?” That’s what you’ll be asking when Charlotte Center City Partners presents its 6th annual Blues, Brews & BBQ. Piggies will be smokin’ up the air, as vendors prepare their barbecue creations to perfection. Judges will decide which dish tastes the best. In addition, there will be those must-have fixin’s, along with…

Anita Overcash

THE WHERE’S WALDO? AWARD

Since The Charlotte Observer revealed Morrison’s legal exploits, the transit tax repeal effort tanked, and he bailed on his school board bid, Morrison has been oddly silent. Will he return to the spotlight? We’re all for second chances, but it seems that those who crow about government inefficiencies and misdeeds might want to keep their…

WORST INTERSECTION

Specifically, that point where motorists coming down off the I-77 South ramp suddenly find themselves staring at the long lanes of cars on I-485 South, wondering if any driver already firmly rooted in place down in the “parking lot” will be kind enough to let them squeeze into a vehicular mess that doesn’t ease up…

BEST NEW BAND (FORMED IN LAST 12 MONTHS)

According to our old pal Webster, when used in adjective form, the word “mongrel” means “not pure.” Well, CL is here to tell you that these guys are about as genuine as you can get, despite their crossbreeding of genres. Individually, Jeff Clayton (vocals), Mike Hendrix (guitar), Mad Brother Ward (guitar), Jimmy King (bass) and…

BAR WITH HOTTEST MEMBERS OF OPPOSITE/SAME SEX

Never take a date to HOM. Trust me. While you’re sipping a caipirinha with your lover, you’re bound to spy one of the club’s taut, exotic, caramel-skinned, ebon-haired bartenders or servers sauntering about the place with drinks or vittles in hand. And you’re bound to find yourself looking too damn long, and then … smack!…

BEST LOCAL TV ANCHOR

Boisvert delivers a crisp, involving newscast as News 14’s weekday morning anchor, and deserves more recognition. A Boston native and former weekend anchor for WSOC-TV (we won’t hold it against him), Boisvert comes across as an actual human being rather than the typical well-coiffed cardboard cutout TV newsguy. He’s also a fine writer, as proven…

BEST THEATER COMPANY

A repeat winner. Anybody who is serious about theater — not roadie-hat, T-shirt or souvenir theater, but the genuine article — is at least considering a subscription to the 2008-09 season at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. They came up all aces in 2007-08, and their upcoming lineup — including Lieutenant of Inishmore, Rabbit Hole, Evil…

BEST EVENT BARBECUE

The local troops continuously surprise me with the quality of their products. While Boy Scout Troop 33 at Sardis Presbyterian Church has become renowned for its outstanding (and now hard to get if you don’t order early) barbecue, another troop, BSA 355 at Sharon United Methodist Church (in SouthPark), produced outstanding Western and Eastern styled…

BEST STEAK HOUSE

Ruth’s offers thickly cut steaks and chops oozing with fatty, rich flavor — even if sitting in a pool of sizzling butter. 6000 Fairview Road. 704-556-1115.

BEST PLACE TO BUY DVDS

Some places offer new DVDs; other stores only sell used ones. Here’s the cool thing about Manifest: The choice is all yours. Their inventory of both new and used is sizable, so depending on your budget, you can go for the pristine or the prudent. An added bonus is that store credits for trade-in DVDs…

Grapes of wrath

I’ve been compared to Andy Rooney several times in my life, my incessant, trenchant observations noted by high school teachers and friends alike. I haven’t figured out if that’s a compliment, but at least he’s funny (to me) and has sold a lot of books. In a tip of the glass to 31 years of…

Taylor Eason

THEATER: Southern charm

It’s nearly time to head over yonder to Carolina Actors Studio Theatre, as it presents the new musical/play Foxfire. This time it’s gettin’ down to the nitty-gritty with a country-feel from the bluegrass music of the Stony Lonesome Boys to a good ol’ aging mountain home with its stubborn inhabitant, Aunt Annie (she isn’t gettin’…

Anita Overcash

THE MARIE ANTOINETTE PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR

Never let it be said that United Way doesn’t give back to the community. In addition to the $21 million it doled out to local nonprofits last year, the charity awarded its CEO Gloria Pace King with a $1.2 million compensation package. Board leadership said officials worried that, without the eye-poppingly increased retirement fund payments…

BEST FESTIVAL

Most festivals cater to specific audiences (the Novello Festival of Reading and the Charlotte Literary Festival for bookhounds, the Charlotte Film Festival for movie lovers, etc.), but is there anybody — young, old, black, white, liberal, conservative, gay, straight, innies, outies — who doesn’t enjoy visiting this annual event that began back in 1978? Held…

BEST LOCAL BAND/ARTIST

The band’s take on Americana and folk gets infused with a good bit of rock ethic and rhythms that can give you goose bumps. As the crowds grow, the local shows are getting more sporadic, and they recently paid thanks to fans with a free, packed Neighborhood Theatre gig. Catch ’em on the cheap while…

BEST POOL HALL

A repeat winner. Locals love EB for the cheap beer and free pool (free to members and drinking customers, that is) in an unpretentious setting. The windowless, bite-sized building is basically one big smoking section, but if you can get past that, you’re gold. 1400 Central Ave. 704-342-2663.

BEST LOCAL TV METEOROLOGIST

Udelson doesn’t get the weather predictions wrong a lot, and in this town, that’s saying something. If Steve says it’s going to rain, then damn it, it’s going to rain. And thanks to him, many people put on sunscreen before hitting the golf links. Udelson is so good that WSOC’s marketing department uses him in…

BEST LOCAL ACTOR

On the strength of his recent portrait of Richard III, the best Shakespearean performance we’ve seen here in many a year, West moves to the head of Charlotte’s woefully winnowed pack. Although he continues to be shunned at Children’s Theatre, West can no longer be pigeonholed as a comedy eccentric. Dominant strains in the West…

BEST COFFEEHOUSE

Many of the skilled baristas are J&W students who take coffee seriously. 800 W. Trade St. 704-333-4077.

BEST RESTAURANT FOR VEGETARIANS

Granted, Zada’s is not all-vegetarian, but it is remarkably vegetarian-friendly, and that means a lot in this meat-eating town. Their breakfast menu (served all day) offers soysage and black beans for your protein needs, organic tofu for your scramblers and a completely meat-free omelet that doesn’t scrimp on the flavor. Lunch fare includes hummus wraps…

BEST SEX PARAPHERNALIA STORE

Don’t let the “Video” in the title fool you; this place offers much more than outmoded VHS cassettes. In addition to an extensive selection of DVDs, this shop (which, with its long aisles, is laid out more like a grocery store than anything else) also stocks lingerie, literary material (books and magazines for all tastes),…

Which cat rules the urban jungle?

My friend Selda and I were at Whisky River last Tuesday, which happens to be its college night — the most opportune night to have a bikini contest. Hence the reason it was the scene of Boots and Bikinis, Round 3. We took a moment to people-watch the completely packed bar and couldn’t help but…

FESTIVAL: All that jazz

The 17th Annual Sunset Jazz Festival is bringing local jazz artists, like bassist Ron Brendle of Freebop Funk-tet and flutist Micheal Porter of Porterhouse. Also scheduled to appear are Sweet Dreams, The Fuzz Band and Eric Darius. Jazz enthusiasts this is your moment. A blanket or lawn chair might serve you well through the day,…

Ryan Pitkin

BEST ENVIRONMENTALIST MADISON AVENUE CAN BUY

From fawning New York Times coverage to acceptance by a few of the more staid environmental groups, Rogers is the golden boy of those who wish to canonize energy execs for their ostensible concern about the environment. Never mind that Duke Energy is one of the country’s biggest polluters — Rogers’ PR machine has earned…

BEST PLACE FOR OUTDOOR EXERCISE

Paddlers and rafters relish this one-of-a-kind attraction right in Charlotte’s backyard on the banks of the Catawba River. If you don’t take well to water, they have a lot to offer land lovers, too, with a climbing center, Eco Caching (go to the center’s Web site at www.usnwc.org to familiarize yourself with this concept), a…

BEST LOCAL SONGWRITER

Hughes’ status as “Best Kept Charlotte Secret” has been eighty-sixed with the release of A Love Extreme. Some worried that synths and programmed beats would dilute Hughes’ material, but they haven’t — a testimony to the strength of his songs, where light and dark balance comfortably, and everyone from The Fab Four and Ray Davies…

BEST BOWLING ALLEY

This AMF Center’s restaurant offers laneside service, so you don’t have to interrupt your hot streak to nab those nachos. Unless you’re a leaguer, the best reason to come here (besides those killer shoes) is their Xtreme Bowling. On Friday and Saturday nights from midnight to 2:30 a.m., they “spare” no expense with the black…

BEST LOCAL TV SPORTS ANCHOR

A repeat winner. ESPN’s Stuart Scott started something ugly when he incorporated slang into his sports reporting. He created a bunch of copycats that sound worse than an 80-year-old rapping, as they try to inject street prose into talking about sports. Just tell us the damned score already! But Little has his own style: He…

BEST LOCAL ACTRESS

As Charlotte’s go-to comedienne for snappy cameos and supporting roles, McClellan hasn’t seen a starring role since 2005 when she was Affleck in the zany Matt & Ben. Recent howlingly funny triumphs have included her Madame Zeroni in Holes, That Grace in Junie B. Jones and a slew of cameos in Natural Selection. Local directors…

KARAOKE

1936 E. 7th St. 704-347-1918.

BEST TAKEOUT

A repeat winner. The eatery’s fragrant Gaeng Panang curry is the best in town. 1412 East Blvd., Suite C 704-347-8886.

BEST SUSHI

A repeat winner. OK, so the rolls seem smaller and the prices higher since the move next door. Clearly, the ambiance is the show stopper (while the self-proclaimed “sexy sushi” moniker is silly). But quantity of patrons often goes hand in hand with better and fresher tasting sushi. 325 Arlington Ave. 704-370-0100.

BEST JAPANESE

8500 Pineville Matthews Road. 704-543-8899; 8601 University Executive Park Drive. 704-549-9966.

BEST PLACE TO FIND A PRESENT FOR SOMEONE

A repeat winner. Don’t go to Paper Skyscraper unless you’ve got a couple of hours to kill. Also, don’t go if you’re extremely clumsy: There’s so much merchandise in there to peruse — from the kitchen corner complete with sushi sets to the naughty corner with suggestively shaped candies — we wouldn’t want you to…

The family man takes a leap

The August 1987 article in the Chicago Tribune ran under the headline “The Family Man Takes the Leap.” It was about U.S. Sen. Joe Biden’s first run for the presidency. In it, the reporter recounted the most trying time in Biden’s life. In December 1972, just weeks after Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate…

EXHIBIT: Blast from the past

Having already viewed the exhibition A Day In Pompeii while it was on display at the Science Museum of Minnesota, I am rather thrilled about its stop at Discovery Place. I have only three words for you: Go see it. This exhibition tells the story of the ancient Roman city Pompeii before the catastrophic eruption…

Anita Overcash

BEYOND ANNOYING AWARD

We don’t know why TV news stations everywhere have lost their minds over “special” weather technology, but we do know how “especially” irritating it is for that BEEP-BEEP-BEEP sound to blare in the middle of a favorite show, just to let us know a storm’s on the way — not to mention the times shows…

BEST PLACE TO GET BACK TO NATURE

Get in touch with your inner eagle while learning about birds of prey at this fascinating conservation facility located inside the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Stroll along one of the nature trails with a self-guided tour and be sure to go on a weekend for a presentation of live raptors. With children 5 and under…

BEST LOCAL MALE VOCALIST

Vocals are an integral part of the Hirsute One’s appeal; imagine these songs with a Jack White nasal squeal (for instance) and the magic vanishes. A Love Extreme proves his croon works well with pop, and few can inject melancholy into a ballad better than Hughes. Alternate votes: Scott Weaver, Paleface, Mike Hendrix.

BEST DOWNTOWN BAR

A repeat winner. This Irish pub has become a staple on the Uptown scene. And it’s the real deal, built with parts from actual pubs in Ireland. Belly up to the Victorian bar, which dates all the way back to the early 1800s. Get a perfectly poured Guinness and feast on traditional Irish fare with…

BEST LOCAL TV NEWS REPORTER

Watson’s reporting has earned him scads of national accolades. But what most earned him recent attention was his reporting on Gloria Pace King’s whopping $1.2 million compensation from United Way of Central Carolinas (see The Marie Antoinette Philanthropist of the Year in the City Life section). We don’t know if it will result in any…

BEST PERFORMING ARTS GROUP

A repeat winner. Showering us with excellence at the highest artistic level, with a summer incubator up at Chautauqua in Upstate New York, N.C. Dance Theatre continues to astonish and reload. Year after year, NCDT stands for exciting new choreographies, brilliant new dancers and a galvanizing educational presence at its NoDa HQ. Aspiring dancers can…

BEST SEAFOOD

Folks from New Orleans know seafood. So it’s not surprising that this outcropping of a Big Easy chain (if two locations constitute a chain), offers fabulous seafood gumbo and deliciously indulgent finfish dishes. 525 N. Tryon St. 704-716-3467.

BEST SMOOTHIES

A repeat winner. After 12 years in the business, this locally owned operation is keepin’ it fresh. Specialty blends like the Carolina Colada and Second Wind make a healthy liquid lunch or midday treat. Juice it up with an energy pack for that extra boost to get you through the day. 1408 East Blvd., Suite…

BEST PET SUPPLY STORE

Spoil the “kids” with hypoallergenic treats and eco-friendly tug toys at this South End purveyor of all-natural pet products. See Spot socialize on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at Yappy Hour, complete with complimentary doggie daiquiris. The Café also caters, so think of them for your next pawty! 1447 S. Tryon St. 704-588-3647.

Reincarnation

I often joke that when I die, I want to come back as a white woman. Yes, you read correctly, a white woman. Not Gandi. Not Martin Luther King Jr. Not Sojourner Truth. Not Tupac. I want to return as a white woman. Why? Well because white women have privileges that a black woman will…

Nsenga Burton

ART: Metal— morphosis

To some, it might just look like a wacky-shaped dust collector, but true art lovers can appreciate abstract sculptures (like the one in the photo), which was created by James Rosati. His new exhibition titled Simple Lines, Complex Form features sculptures and works on paper. It will be on display at Jerald Melberg Gallery through…

Anita Overcash

BEST LOCAL ATHLETES

The superstar swimmers represented not only the best of the Queen City, but the best in the entire country as they went to the blocks in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. Gangloff, who had previously won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics, competed in the 100m breaststroke, where he placed eighth. Jones, the…

BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE-WATCH

A repeat winner. Leather. Body paint. Nipples covered with electric tape. Fishnet stockings galore. It’s not just eye candy, it’s gourmet-whipped (oh, do we mean whipped!), chocolate- and candle wax-covered eye candy spread on a platter of supple flesh and bound by the best spiked dog collars money can buy. And it’s yours for the…

BEST LOCAL FEMALE VOCALIST

Sure, it’s actually a quartet of female voices, but each one is as strong as the other and their harmonies melt together with ease. Their spot at the FemmeFest drew a large crowd to the Visulite, with plenty of people singing along.

BEST SPORTS BAR

For sports fanatics, good things come in cable packages. With 14 TVs covering everything from football and baseball to college basketball, they’ve got your game. And having the most kick-ass wings ever and 12 beers on tap doesn’t hurt. 1600 Montford Drive. 704-525-3663.

BEST LOCAL NEWSPAPER REPORTER

As a freelancer for the Post, Singleton is an engaging writer who’s comfortable with features and hard news. Post editor Herb White recommends her stories about school desegregation, but she’s also garnered praise for breaking stories that raised questions about inconsistencies in dropout rates at Myers Park High School.

BEST REP IMITATION

They only took 18 seasons to develop their highly refined ineptitude, but Charlotte Philharmonic’s Board of Directors actually surpassed Charlotte Rep’s for cluelessness, cravenness and utter disregard for the artists and art form they were supposed to be fostering. Like Rep, their shrewd deficit-reduction strategy was to cancel programming — studying how to raise money…

BEST DRINK SPECIALS

9005 J.M. Keynes Drive. 704-503-7427; 1636 Sardis Road North. 704-841-8688.

BEST PIZZA

Everyone knows that the true test of a pizza is how it tastes the next day out of the fridge. The New York pizzas from Hawthorne’s always score high marks. 1701 E. 7th St. 704-358-9339.

BEST MILKSHAKES

This Carolina chain takes the shake with its diner nostalgia, dirt cheap prices and more than 40 flavors, from fresh banana to peanut butter fudge. Add to the equation that you can combine any of the flavors and the possibilities are virtually endless. Various locations.

BEST BIKE SHOP

A repeat winner. Whether you’re a serious cycler or just like the way you look in spandex, the experienced staff will help you find what you need to enjoy your ride. Several locations make it convenient to most of the metro area. 311 Gilead Road, Huntersville. 704-766-0111; 2916 Selwyn Ave. 704-335-0323; 8914 Pineville Matthews Road.…

Making plans

Charlotte-Mecklenburg women have a chance to set policy that will make women’s lives easier. North Carolina Women United, a coalition of women’s advocacy organizations, along with the Mecklenburg County Women’s Commission, is scheduled to host a conference Sept. 17 that will focus on access to health care; civic participation and equality; economic self-sufficiency; and violence…

Cheris Hodges

DANCE: Hip-hoppin’

Do the guys in BREAK! The Urban Funk Spectacular need some V8 juice? No, I don’t think so. The group is obviously liking the this-way, that-way, all around spins and acrobatic moves that they do. Having already performed with artists like Janet Jackson, P-Diddy and Whitney Houston, these guys have got their hip-hop dancing pegged…

Anita Overcash

CHARLOTTE’S SEXIEST MAN

Maybe it’s the voice that makes him sexy. Or maybe it’s his bad-boy look. Or maybe it’s the fact that we think Brotha Fred could go all night long. After all, he does work the early morning shift as the host of 96.1 The Beat’s morning show AM Mayhem and works late-night as co-host of…

BEST GOLF COURSE

Sure, this award always goes to fancy country club golf courses, but who generally plays there besides the wealthy? And since these guys are the only ones who can easily afford gas these days, we’re not exactly feeling charitable toward their ilk or their hobbies. So in the currently divisive spirit of this great country,…

BEST CLUB/PARTY DJ

The soul/hip-hop DJ duo known as The Fresh Catz seemingly came out of nowhere to become one of the dopest wax-spinning crews in Charlotte. Although they don’t have a regular residency at a local nightclub yet, the pair has played a handful of near-legendary sets at Loft 1523. The secret of The Fresh Catz’s success…

BEST GAY/LESBIAN BAR

A repeat winner. Much like its sexually charged zodiac namesake, Scorpio is the sign to watch out for on a late night: The dance floor is a swimming mass of movement, the bar serves drinks with the right amount of sting, and the energized, inventive drag queen shows will crack the veneer of the toughest…

BEST LOCAL MAGAZINE

Begun by M. Scott Douglass in 1996 as the 40-page upstart Main Street Rag Poetry Journal, “The Rag” has grown in size, quality, looks and influence. Now a nationally respected literary magazine, MSR features fiction, photography, essays, interviews and graphics, providing a needed outlet for writers in these days of publishing world cutbacks. In addition,…

BEST NEW SPICE OF LIFE

It’s that new Hispanic thing that’s been percolating ever since Theatre Charlotte gave a reading-stage performance of Anna in the Tropics — in Spanish! — last summer. Since then, we’ve had Eta Carina and Orquestra Carolina at Grand Central Ballroom, sparked by Iliana Ramirez and “West” Bolz. Those Latin Nights were in the fall and…

BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS)

Eating locally is the sea change of American gastronomy, and Southern cuisine, whether new or old, has become trendy. Homegrown chef Chris Edwards and wife Sue have reinvented themselves in their New South Kitchen and returned to their Piedmont culinary roots. Here, you can enjoy Edwards’ twist on old favorites, from a playful Redneck Cheese…

BEST DELI

A repeat winner. Owner Lee Katz piles the meat high on his quintessential cold cut sandwiches. Those from northern Jersey flock here for their Sloppy Joe fix (not a Manwich; a N.J.-styled Sloppy Joe is ham, coleslaw, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing on rye). 8045 Providence Road. 704-543-4666.

BEST APPETIZERS

Enjoy a crisp Spanish cava with fried sardines, or albondigas (veal and pork meatballs), or even a slice of the ubiquitous tortilla (Spanish omelette). Perfect. 2400 M Park Road. 704-335-8444.

BEST HARDWARE STORE

This category usually comes down to Lowe’s, Home Depot … Home Depot, Lowe’s. Forget that. We need the real hardware — as in 12 inches of hard “wood,” steel rings, rope braided into a whip, and the right outfit to wear while properly handling all your favorite tools. For all your nailing, plowing and screwing…

Charlotte Bestsellers List

1. 365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy by Charla Muller with Betsy Thorpe 2. A Rare Breed of Love by Jana Kohl 3. The Shack by William P. Young 4. Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton 5. Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs 6. Loving Frank by Nancy Horan 7. The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef…

Like it hot?

SEPT. 12-13 — Blues, Brews & BBQ. Piggies will be smokin’ up the air and vendors galore will line the streets to sell their best barbecue creations, as Charlotte’s Center City presents its 6th annual Blues, Brews & BBQ. In addition, there will be more food and those must-have fixin’s, along with beer sampling, games,…

Anita Overcash

CHARLOTTE’S SEXIEST WOMAN

Let’s be honest: Big Mamma D doesn’t exactly look like the wafer-thin ladies who supposedly serve as models of sexiness in America. But by championing sensuality through her own House of Burlesque troupe, she comes off as the sexiest thing walking the Queen City. Be sure to check out one of her events — which…

BEST BAR/RESTAURANT PATIO

Everybody knows your name (Drunkie) at this chill, no-frills Plaza Midwood neighborhood hangout. Hey, it’s good enough for Bill Clinton, who stopped in for lunch before a speaking engagement at the VFW. And let’s not forget the dog-friendly deck, killer jukebox and ping pong tables with stadium seating. Did I mention that Clinton ate there?…

BEST LOCAL BLOG

So BlueNC.com is a state blog, not a local one. But it has a heavy Charlotte presence and many Charlotte-based bloggers. It’s the best progressive blog that’s not completely Raleigh-centric, OK?

BEST MOVIE THEATER (QUALITY OF PRESENTATION)

A repeat winner. Screening woes we’ve experienced at other theaters — including split images on-screen for minutes at a time, loss of sound during crucial scenes and, oh yeah, a mouse running around a near-empty auditorium (and eventually settling down on a seat before being shooed away) prior to a film’s start — make us…

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

The Central Avenue bar has cultivated a faithful following since opening in January. With cheap PBR tallboys and free pretzels, the Beaver is the sort of bar where the owners pick up guitars to play a few Johnny Cash covers in between bartending and changing the paper towels in the bathroom. 1225 Central Ave.

BEST SPLURGE

A repeat winner. Chef and owner Bruce Moffett’s deference to locally grown food is well known, and his kitchen achieves tastes that are breathtaking. Fortunately for those who love Moffett’s food, but have a hard time getting a table, he and his brother Kerry are opening a new space soon. 7822 Fairview Road. 704-364-5755.

BEST CHINESE

The Cheng brothers, natives of Taiwan, have been working in the upscale Chinese restaurant biz in Charlotte for two decades. At Tomi, they craft dishes that are finely composed, precisely cooked and taste exactly as they should. This is not all-you-can-eat, crank-it-out-on-the-buffet-line Chinese food. If you know little of Taiwanese cuisine, an ancient island with…

BEST DESSERTS

Although Salara serves other savory items, the sensational desserts created by Chef Bill Foltz, such as the blueberry fritters, are tasty riffs on traditional favorites. 14825 John J. Delaney Drive, Suite 160. 704-369-5282.

BEST BREAKFAST

4736 Sharon Road. 704-553-8364; 915 Charlottetowne Ave. 704-372-7099.

BEST WINGS

2132 Ayrsley Town Blvd. 980-297-7000.

Review of Green Lantern No. 33 and 34

Published by DC Comics. Written by Geoff Johns. Pencils by Ivan Reis. Inks by Oclair Roberts. The Deal: It’s the last two months’ worth of Green Lantern comics, continuing the “Secret Origin” storyline that seeks to detail some of the, uh, secrets about Green Lantern’s origin. The Good: I’ve said it before, and I’ll say…

Carlton Hargro

BEST NEW SLOGAN FOR CHARLOTTE

This city’s official slogan is “Charlotte’s Got A Lot.” But what the hell does Charlotte have a lot of, other than pollen? That’s why our slogan is better. When Coyote Ugly wanted to move to a different location in Center City, people got mad. But that was nothing compared to the firestorm that Hooters faced…

BEST NEWCOMER TO THE CHARLOTTE SCENE

You may remember him as the kooky FOX weatherman who dressed up like a snowflake or flower to give a more animated version of the forecast. His weather reports were more like stand-up comedy routines. But like many media celebrities, Mathis had a stint in rehab. Now he’s sober and hosting FOX Morning Rising, and…

Protesters and bystanders jailed

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Government crackdowns on journalists are a true threat to democracy. As the Republican National Convention meets in St. Paul, Minn., this week, police are systematically targeting journalists. I was arrested with my two colleagues, Democracy Now! producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, while reporting on the first day of the…

Amy Goodman

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