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Friday, June 27, 2014
Culture Question the Queen City: The City of Churches' crime-ridden past
Posted By David Aaron Moore on Fri, Jun 27, 2014 at 10:36 AM
Editor's note: We recognize how quickly Charlotte has changed over the years, so here's us trying to preserve its story. In this series, local author David Aaron Moore answers reader-submitted questions about unusual, noteworthy or historic people, places and things in Charlotte and the surrounding metro area. Submit inquires to davidaaronmoore@gmail.com.
You write about murder and crime fairly often in your column. Is it a personal fascination, or are the statistics of the Queen City really all that bad? Kenneth Johnson, Charlotte
- Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room/Charlotte Public Library
- During much of the 20th century, Charlotte was rife with murder and other criminal activity.
First Drip First Drip (6/27/14): State signs toll-road contract, more
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Fri, Jun 27, 2014 at 9:26 AM
The state Department of Transportation has signed off on a contract that will bring toll roads to I-77 between Charlotte and Mooresville. One study said a one-way toll could reach as much as $20 by 2035.
A former employee has brought an employee discrimination lawsuit against Catawba County District Attorney Jay Gaither. Whitney Shaffer alleges that Gaither made sexual advances and intimidated her with the things he said. "Gaither, who is married with four children, told WBTV that Shaffer resigned after alleged inappropriate behavior on her part. Shaffer's attorney, John Buric, disagrees: 'I think it is about a woman who was working for a man in a very powerful position who we believe abused the position that he is in.'"
Almost 400 people have died from an Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia this year. The World Health Organization calls it the worst outbreak ever.
A 12-year-old boy from Detroitwas found in his parents' basement after having been missing for 12 days. "Officers had searched the home on at least three occasions since then, but stumbled across the boy apparently hiding behind boxes and a large plastic drum Wednesday afternoon. There was some bedding, soda bottles and cereal nearby, but police have said they do not believe the boy was in the basement area the whole time."
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Friday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Fri, Jun 27, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 27, 2014 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Lindsey Stirling at The Fillmore
* Play Date at Tempo
* Whiskyfest at Whisky River
* Dinner & Bikes at Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum
* Step Into Summer Fashion Show at Bubble
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Film / Film News Opening Friday
Posted By Matt Brunson on Thu, Jun 26, 2014 at 2:00 PM
- Ten Furlongs
- 50 to 1
50 to 1 - Skeet Ulrich, Christian Kane
Obvious Child - Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy
Transformers: Age of Extinction - Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci
News Controversial I-77 toll-lanes project close to being a done deal
Posted By Jerry Klein on Thu, Jun 26, 2014 at 12:20 PM
If you happen to be one of the thousands of Charlotte-area drivers who spend an inordinate amount of time stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-77, and think there might be some relief on the way, well, think again. The truth is that you've got only a few days left to speak up before a contract is signed that, according to some analysts, will not only most likely fail to improve the situation, but will hit you in the pocketbook dearly, as well.
With that prospect, what's intriguing is that there hasn't been much in the way of a general public outcry about this yet. Instead, the region's first-ever "toll-lanes" construction project has caused a rather bitter split between what are otherwise political "bosom-buddies."
The I-77 high-occupancy toll-lanes project is due to become a signed, public-private deal by the end of the month, as North Carolina finalizes a preliminary contract with the Spanish construction firm Cintra Infrastructures S.A., in which existing carpool lanes on I-77 would be converted into what have been dubbed, in other states, "Lexus Lanes," meaning that only those willing and able to pay a sometimes hefty toll are allowed to use them, bypassing the rest of the still-clogged traffic. In this case, a $665 million project will stretch from Charlotte to Mooresville, and according to N.C. Department of Transportation projections, could cost $20 for a round-trip ride. But by the year 2035, that same trip is expected to rise to $20 - one way.
Arts Charlotte Rail Trail receives major grants
Posted By Anita Overcash on Thu, Jun 26, 2014 at 11:11 AM
Grants are the building blocks for most projects - after all, you gotta have money before you get to thinking too big. This week, we learned that Charlotte Center City Partners' project, the Charlotte Rail Trail, has received a $412,000 grant from ArtPlace America - a collaborative of national and regional foundations that's coupled with donors and institutions to provide grants for city projects, which shape communities with artistic and cultural assets.
Charlotte was the recipient of one of 55 grants awarded for 2014. (Woo hoo! Go Charlotte!) But, that's not all. They also received an additional grant of $20,000 from Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Foundation for the Carolinas.
So, what does this mean for the Q.C.? It means we're getting the money to make things happen (*fingers-crossed* Here's hoping for even more!). Those planning the Charlotte Rail Trail - a 3.3 mile trail that will connect neighborhoods like Sedgefield, Southside Park, Brookhill, Dilworth, Wilmore, South End to Uptown - want it to be comprised of public art. They are currently prepping for a number of different projects (temporary and permanent) to be implemented by one artist who will spearhead and assist in guiding other artists in their commissioned works.
According to Charlotte Center City's website, the Rail Trail vision is that it "will become the place to discover cafés and bars, explore galleries, see artists at work, stumble upon an impromptu concert, stroll with your family, or relax on a bench and watch the city come alive around you." Now, doesn't that sound nice?
Watch the vid below for a glimpse at the Charlotte Rail Trail project:
First Drip First Drip (6/26/14): Bank of America to lay off 540; McCrory, Tillis introduce spending bill, more
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Thu, Jun 26, 2014 at 10:20 AM
If you've got friends who work at Bank of America, now's a good time to check in on them. BofA issued layoff notices yesterday to 540 employees who work at the mortgage unit in Gateway Village.
The U.S. plays Germany today in the World Cup. Reading this at work? Guess you missed U.S. head coach Juergen Klinsmann's handwritten get-out-of-work note. "I understand that this absence may reduce the productivity of your workplace, but I can assure you that it is for an important cause," he wrote.
Gov. Pat McCrory and House Speaker Thom Tillis have teamed up to save the day. Or, at least, they think they have. Yesterday they introduced a separate budget bill - separate from the ones the House and Senate have introduced, respectfully - to cover big issues like teacher pay raises and more money for Medicaid. "McCrory and Tillis sought to downplay the divisions even as they acknowledged a difference in opinion on how to tweak the budget. Both pivoted to appeal directly to the public in this election year, a move designed to pressure the Senate to support the new education-focused spending bill."
Two top Veterans Affairs officials have resigned; the changes are a part of an effort to "rebuild the trust of American veterans' trust" after it came to light that thousands were receiving poor medical care and experienced long waits for appointments. "Just this week, the Office of Special Counsel - an independent investigative agency - found 'a troubling pattern of deficient patient care' that it said VA officials were aware of but downplayed. That included canceled appointments with no follow up, contaminated drinking water and improper handling of surgical equipment."
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Thursday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Thu, Jun 26, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 26, 2014 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Artpop Celebration at Bubble
* Alejandro Escovedo at Visulite Theatre
* The Bachelor Casting Call at Suite
* Reception for Zimsculpt at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
* The Story of Collage in America: From Picasso to Bearden at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Arts Theater review: 42nd Street
Posted By Perry Tannenbaum on Thu, Jun 26, 2014 at 3:00 AM
Part of the reason we can "hear the beat of dancing feet" so clearly up at Duke Family Performance Hall these days is the discreet mics taped to the floor of the stage. What the electronics are subtly amplifying is the admirably drilled ensemble of the Davidson Community Players performing the bodacious production numbers of 42nd Street. All those dancing feet are covered with tap shoes, so the herd is heard in one glorious stampede after another choreographed by Emily Hunter. Getting them so together on such complex routines in no way parallels the sudden overnight success of Peggy Sawyer, the iconic Allentown heroine of this tap-crazy musical.
- Credit: Davidson Community Players
- Kevin Roberge and Sierra Key in 42nd Street
We are talking about keen eyes and ears from Hunter combining with weeks, if not months, of sweat-filled, dedicated workouts by more than 30 tappers - and marvelous to relate, we are talking about community theatre. DCP's summer home on the Davidson College campus is a rather large stage to fill, yet director Melissa Ohlman-Roberge and her cast manage to deliver the showbiz bustle and exultation that Harry Warren's music calls for. Anna Sartin's set design hints colorfully at the glitz, and heading a seven-person band from the keyboard, John Smith has the tempos and the dynamics perfectly grooved.
There are faint echoes of Shaw's Pygmalion in the simple storyline. As important as it is to have a Peggy who is bursting with raw talent, it's also crucial to have a charismatic, monomaniacal Julian Marsh pressuring Peggy and molding her into an American idol. We come close enough with Sierra Key as Peggy. She doesn't quite have it all when she walks in - too late - to an audition of Pretty Lady, the show Marsh hopes will make him king of the heap once more on Broadway. Key has exactly what it takes: she can already do it all, but not with the confidence and panache that are the essence of stardom.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Comic Afterthoughts The Pull List (6/25/14): HeroesCon cosplay
Posted By Andy Smith on Wed, Jun 25, 2014 at 1:46 PM
Just because Charlotte nerdy jewel HeroesCon is over, it doesn't mean that the comics have stopped flowing. On the contrary, several books from writers and artists who attended the con are coming out this week. And even though our Title You Can't Miss didn't have any attending creators, it did have a great cosplayer to represent it.
Mike Dickens, of Greensboro, came as Saga villain Prince Robot IV with an impressive costume, complete with a working screen. Saga #20 hits shelves this week, so consider this a visual reminder to check it out. A lot of love went into the making of this one.
Speaking of love, one thing you may have missed from HeroesCon: Attendee Kirk Kiefer proposed to his girlfriend during the Sex Criminal Sunday panel. He even got the comic's creative team, Chip Zdarsky and Matt Fraction, in the action. Read the full story on Kiefer's blog, here.
