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Tuesday, November 3, 2009
News Today's the day
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Drop your excuses and get to the polls. Not sure where to cast your vote? Find out here.
Not sure what to expect? Create your sample ballot here, print it out and take it with you.
Still not sure who to vote for? Check out CharMeckVotes.org.
Further reading: Mayoral candidates make last push for voters
Boomer with Attitude / News Virginia Foxx: Health care reform worse than terrorism
Posted By John Grooms on Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Every time Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina launches one of her wacked-out rants, you think she's topped herself, but here she goes again, reaching ever greater heights of pure goofiness. Foxx has become one of Congress' top entertainers, and by "entertainer" I mean "bizarre granny figure," through her speeches in which she has touted the notions that Pres. Obama wasn't born in the United States.; healthcare reform means senior citizens will be “put to death by their government”; and that “there are no Americans who don’t have health care.” Give Foxx credit, though, she always ups the ante in her nutcase sweepstakes. Now, she's gone onto the House floor to declare that she and everyone in her district are living in fear (which, along with anger, seem to be the only two emotions rightwing extremists like Foxx have left at their disposal), and that health care reform is a more terrible threat to America than "any terrorist right now in any country.” Um, thanks for that valuable insight, Congresswoman; maybe next time remember to take your meds before giving a public speech.
Arts / Today's Top Five / News Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Nov. 3, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Gemini at Lake Norman Comedy Zone in Galway Hooker
• Thomas Friedman at Davidson College
• Hymns at Snug Harbor
• Karaoke at Fox and Hound in Huntersville
• Interpreting Wabi-Sabi exhibition at Hodges Taylor Gallery
Monday, November 2, 2009
Arts / News White-colored art at Ciel Gallery
Posted By Anita Overcash on Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 6:23 PM
If it’s this cold in the fall (although as I write this, the temperature’s expected to be in the low 70s — screwy North Carolina weather), it crosses my mind that perhaps Charlotte will have a harsh, snowy winter this year. That in mind, Ciel Gallery’s latest exhibition, titled Winter Whites, is coming just in time. The exhibition will feature predominantly white-colored art — by 33 artists — created by a mix of mediums, from mosaics to photography and paintings to clay works. The opening reception is on Nov. 6, from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a coat, as you might get cold. Exhibition continues through Jan. 9, 2010.
News Tell the EPA what you think of the Q.C.'s stormwater flooding problem
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Now's your chance to speak your mind.
Are you sick and tired of flood warnings every time it rains? Then tell the Environmental Protection Agency how Charlotte's persistent flooding problem affects you. You've got until Dec. 30 to submit your comments.
What's the problem with stormwater?
According to the EPA, "Generally, as sites are developed, less ground area is available for rain to soak into, which increases stormwater volume. This stormwater flows across roads, rooftops and other surfaces, picking up pollutants that then flow into waterways." They also say, "Developed sites, such as subdivisions and commercial shopping centers, can significantly alter the hydrology of land can have a negative impact on receiving waterbodies."
Translated, that means all of the concrete and asphalt in our city is a problem. Water doesn't soak into those impervious surfaces, it rolls off -- fast -- and overburdens our streams and creeks, causing flooding. And, let's not forget that all of this flooding creates a giant mess, frustration and massive property damage and emergency service bills.
On the flip side, green space, like lawns and gardens, not only soak up much of the water but also the pollutants the water's picked up, like oil and rubber residue from tires.
Now, you should know, this "public comment" period is really intended for the development industry and local governments ... which isn't very "public" if you ask me. How are they going to know the true impact of stormwater flooding if they don't hear from the people?
So, speak up. It is your right to do so. Let the EPA know how Charlotte's frequent floods affect your life and livelihood.
All you have to do is e-mail your comments to OW–Docket@epa.gov. Be sure to put "Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2009–0817" in the subject line.
From the summer of 2007:
From the summer of 2008:
From the summer of 2009:
Boomer with Attitude / News So now Limbaugh's a judge of maturity?
Posted By John Grooms on Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 2:47 PM
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 doing mature things like making fun of Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s Disease and repeatedly making jokes around the word “anal,” it was a breathtaking example of personal cluelessness. No wonder so many people think Limbaugh talks out of his ass.
Arts / Today's Top Five / News Best bets in Charlotte comedy this week, Nov. 3-8
Posted By Debbie Millwater on Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 2:01 PM
As the headline suggests, here are a few of the best places to find comedy events in Charlotte — from stand-up to improv to sketch comedy and more. For a complete listing of all comedy visit www.CharlotteComedyLIVE.com.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
* Stand-Up Comedy at Lake Norman Comedy Zone at 7 p.m.
Nationally touring headliner Frankie Paul.
Galway Hooker ~ 7044 Kenton Dr., Cornelius ~ 704-895-1782 ~ $10
Thursday, Nov. 5
* NoDa Stand-Up Comedy Showcase at Prevue Music Hall at 8 p.m.
Join host Mike Buczek as he brings you this weekly stand-up showcase featuring Charlotte's best up-and-coming stand-up talent.
Prevue ~ 2909 N. Davidson St. ~ No Cover
Friday, Nov. 6
* Charlotte Comedy Theater Improv at 8 p.m.
Short form shows similar to Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Prevue ~ 2909 N. Davidson St. ~ $10
Saturday, Nov. 7
* KEM and Friends Def Comedy at 8 p.m.
An evening of def comedy with Kem and his friends.
Ovens Auditorium ~ 2700 East Independence Blvd. ~ Ticketmaster 800-745-3000 ~ $45.50
Sunday, Nov. 8
* Chuckleheads Improv Fundraiser for Victoria Foundation at 7 p.m.
Victoria Martinsen is a 6-year-old who is battling cancer. Money raised by this event goes directly to Victoria and Victoria's family. For more information, visit www.helpvictoria.org.
Sandtrap Bar & Billiards ~ 1923 Westinghouse Blvd. ~ Proceeds go to charity
To join Debbie’s mailing list (just one e-mail a week, I promise), e-mail DebbieMillwater@Gmail.com with the Subject Line “Subscribe.”
Arts / Today's Top Five / News Today's Top 5: Monday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Nov. 2, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Film screening of Psycho at ImaginOn
• Find Your Muse Open Mic at The Evening Muse
• Speak A Latte at PJ's Coffee & Lounge
• The Monday Nite Allstars at Double Door Inn
• Karaoke at Dixie's Tavern
Boomer with Attitude / News McGarry's fave candidates wrong about bullying policy
Posted By John Grooms on Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 1:37 PM
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 new anti-bullying policy because it included a list of differences for which students may not be bullied or harassed, which would need to be considered equally with bullying that didn’t result from any of those differences. The policy makes it clear, however, that CMS outlaws bullying against anyone, period, not just students whose “differentness” would place them on the list.
I e-mailed two of the candidates Ms. McGarry endorsed, Susan Walker in District 5 and District 1’s Rhonda Lennon, to see how they feel about combating bullying in CMS schools, and noting that Ms. McGarry had voted against the new policy.
Rhonda Lennon, who, like McGarry, has been very active in the north county’s efforts for less-crowded schools, at first replied that she wasn’t sure why McGarry voted against the bullying policy (despite the issue having dominated school board news for a couple of weeks), and would get back to me. Later that day, she replied that she had “concerns that the only ones protected in the official bullying policy are the protected classes and the policy doesn’t cover the ENTIRE population ... I would have worked hard to make sure that our policy protect all students and not just the protected classes. I have witnessed bullying between 2 students of the exact same race, religion, and socioeconomic status — but under this policy the victim would not be protected. That is a great concern to me.”
These are similar arguments to those made by board members who opposed the policy, and they are equally inaccurate. Here is the entire policy, which specifically states, “The Board prohibits any and all forms of harassment or bullying on Board property or at Board-sanctioned events" (our emphasis); and specifies that freedom from harassment or bullying "includes, but is not limited to, freedom from harassment or bullying based on. . .[the list begins]” (again, our emphasis).
District 5 candidate Susan Walker answered our e-mail, saying she “would hope to eradicate bullying from our schools,” and that “I am not necessarily offended by the expansion but do have to question just how expansive the list needs to be. It could go on forever. At some point, common sense needs to prevail and administrators need to forbid any human vs human disrespect.” Which, if the candidates will read the actual policy, they will see is exactly what it was set up to do.
Biz / News FORTUNE: Charlotte best place to launch a small business
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 12:27 PM
FORTUNE Small Business Magazine and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation recently listed the Queen City as No. 7 on their list of "best places to launch a small business." (Raleigh, by the way, is No. 3 on the top 50 list.)
Of course, we already know "Charlotte's Got a Lot" -- don't we? Who wouldn't want to work and live here? We've got great weather and we're close to both the mountains and the ocean. We've got big business in and around Uptown and a bright 'green' alternative energy future ahead.
FORTUNE did point out our lack of public transportation as a weakness, but that's no surprise either.
FSB Editor Jessica Bruder writes, "Historically, fast-growing small companies have led the U.S. economy out of recession. And according to our latest [FSB/Zogby International] poll, nearly half of all small business owners would consider moving if doing so would help their companies.... Location matters more than ever before. The Great Recession redrew the map of America."
Further reading: (Micro)business is booming: Small businesses gather to help each other grow (The Mecklenburg Times)
Check out Charlotte in 40 Tweets. You'll need to watch this twice -- once to catch the snarktastic Tweets and once to see the sights.
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New Mint exhibit showcases Debora Arango
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Question the Queen City: Who set fire to the nightlife? 3
From 1971 to 1976, 17 nightclubs in Charlotte burned to the ground. Who did it?
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The Hangover Part II: Buzz kill 7
No use crying over spilt sequel.
