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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Arts / Today's Top Five / News Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Oct. 28, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• KMFDM at The Fillmore
• Jewel at Knight Theater
• The Crucible at UNC-Charlotte
• Howl-O-Ween Bash at Halo
• Mix at Six, featuring Simplified at Ballantyne Village
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Boomer with Attitude / News The Family Research Council: Family values to hate by
Posted By John Grooms on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 6:01 PM
One of the biggest weasel nests in America can be found at the headquarters of the Family Research Council, a “religious right,” socially conservative group, originally formed by James Dobson of Focus On The Family, and designed to lobby for “traditional family values.” The group may have topped itself yesterday.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the administration’s intent to “establish the nation’s first national resource center” to help communities that provide services to elderly LGBT citizens. The FRC immediately let it be known that Obama & Co. shouldn’t spend that money since, according to FRC, homosexual senior citizens probably don’t exist. Why not? Because “homosexual conduct” makes them die early.
From the FRC: “Given the risks of homosexual conduct, few of these people are likely to live long enough to become senior citizens! Yet once again, the Obama administration is rushing to reward a lifestyle that poses one of the greatest public health risks in America.”
And the FRC's statement supports family values how? Hello?! It’s the 21st century — do these knotheads honestly think there are no LGBT folks in their families, even if it’s their extended families? You don’t even know where to begin to refute such blatant, willful ignorance and blind cultural hate. All I know is that I feel sorry for anyone in these guys’ families who’s even a little bit different.
Boomer with Attitude / News CMS school assignments: The CL guide
Posted By John Grooms on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Trying to keep up with the changes in schools and school assignments these days is almost a full-time job, except for the part of a job where you get paid. CMS administrators have been trying to keep everyone except the East Meck parents happy, shifting students from one school to another, and changing the focus of individual schools, but it’s all confusing. Luckily for you, we’ve done the footwork for you and here is our complete list of upcoming changes in CMS schools for the 2010 school year:
• Eastover Elementary remains a neighborhood school;
• Myers Park High stays just as it is since heaven forbid that those parents should have to compromise about anything;
• Myers Park Traditional will become Super-Traditional, complete with paddling and uniforms made of itchy burlap;
• North Meck High becomes Speedway High, an automotive magnet school;
• Dilworth Elementary becomes a local foods & gardening magnet school;
• Steele Creek Elementary switches to the Fort Mill school system;
• Collinswood Elementary trades places with the Sorbonne;
• Barringer Academy becomes a meat-and-three restaurant;
• Piedmont Open Middle is divided into 20 mobile schools that will ride around the county all day;
• East Meck High becomes a Halloween Haunted House in autumn, a meth lab in spring;
• Nothwest School of the Arts becomes a talent agency/bistro; and
• West Meck turns into a militia camp run by history teachers.
• Hope this helps — happy schooling (or moving)!
News / Biz Billions of dollars in health-related damages not included in price of energy
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Maybe we should get big polluters to fund health care reform? You know: Two birds. One stone.
From Chemical and Engineering News:
Fossil-fuel-based energy production, mostly from coal and oil, causes $120 billion worth of health and other non-climate-related damages in the U.S. each year that are not figured into the price of energy, says a National Research Council report released last week.The dollar amount is primarily based on health impacts and premature deaths of nearly 20,000 people annually that result from air pollution generated by coal-fired electric power plants and motor vehicles. Specifically, the report looked at damages caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide, particulates, and nitrogen oxides.
Using life-cycle analyses, the study finds that nearly all of the $120 billion in damages is due to electricity generation ($63 billion) and transportation fuel production and use ($56 billion), says Jared L. Cohon, committee chairman and president of Carnegie Mellon University. The remaining $1 billion is due to heating. But the total is conservative, he continues, because it does not reflect the impact of climate change, harm to ecosystems, or the effect of toxic air pollutants, such as mercury or lead.
Most of the $63 billion in damages attributed to electricity comes from coal-fired power plants, which produce half the nation’s electricity. Nearly half of these damages come from emissions by 10% of the dirtiest coal plants—the U.S. has some 406 such plants. The report also finds that although natural gas generates 20% of U.S. electricity, it contributes only about $1 billion in health and non-climate-related damages.
For transportation, the report finds that damages total some $56 billion from vehicles and motor fuels over their full life cycles, from extraction to refining to use in a vehicle. Most of the damage costs come from extraction and production, and only one-third are due to motor vehicle operation.
The 19-member report panel of economists found that damages from corn-grain-based biofuels are similar to or slightly worse than those from gasoline because of energy needed to produce and convert corn to fuel. But for ethanol from cellulosic feedstock, the damages drop.
The panel could not tightly tie down climate-change impacts, and the report finds a wide range of damage costs due to carbon dioxide emissions—between $1.00 and $100 per ton. Considering the size of U.S. CO2 emissions, this works out to $7 billion to $700 billion in annual damages from greenhouse gas emissions.
In related news: Coal companies spend big to influence climate change bill and Coal industry protections drafted into climate change bill
Film / Film News / News This Week's DVD Releases
Posted By Matt Brunson on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Following is a list of some major DVD releases debuting today. For a complete list, go to www.amazon.com.
Point 8 Blog / News Queens University brings the publishing world to Charlotte
Posted By Jeff Jackson on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Apologies to the fine offerings of the Novello and Charlotte Literary Festivals, but the most exciting literary event in town is being presented by Queens University.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, the Queens MFA program in creative writing is hosting a conference that brings the cream of the publishing world to Charlotte. The two panels focusing on magazine and book publishing are a must for all local writers and anyone curious about the mechanics of the publishing world.
The magazine panel promises insights into how literary and commercial periodicals work at the highest levels. The impressive list of participants includes top editors from The New Yorker, Paris Review, Tin House, and Antioch Review, as well as the International Creative Management agent who handles serial non-fiction sales.
The book publishing panel tackles how manuscripts get accepted for publication and the current state of the industry. It includes editors from Riverhead Books and Henry Holt, alongside top literary agents such as Peter Steinberg from The Steinberg Agency, Chris Parris-Lamb from The Gernert Company, Anne Edelstein from Anne Edelstein Literary Agency, Tina Wexler from ICM, and Amy Williams, co-founder of the McCormick & Williams literary agency. Both panels will include question-and-answer sessions with the audience.
The magazine panel begins inexplicably early at 9:30 a.m. The book panel starts at 4 p.m. On the plus side, Queens has generously opened both these events to the public for free. They will be held at the Sykes Auditorium and moderated by Queens MFA Chair Fred Leebron.
Schedule:
Friday, Nov. 6: MFA Alumni Panel on Editing — 4 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7 : Panel on Magazine Publishing — 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7 : Panel on Book Publishing — 4 p.m. (All events are at the Sykes Auditorium)
For more info/preview see: http://www.charlotteviewpoint.org/default.aspx?viewpoint=110&objId=117.
Official Calendar: http://www.queens.edu/upload/CulturalCalendar_Fall09.pdf
Also @ Queens: The Queens MFA program in creative writing is perhaps one of the best kept secrets in town.
They also host exceptional public readings throughout the year, including an upcoming reading by recent Pulitzer Prize Winner Elizabeth Strout on Nov. 19. (See: http://www.charlottecultureguide.com/event.php?id=6849)
News / Biz Fat is Phat
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Where's the Q.C.'s club for fatties?
Move over, it's Saturday night at Club Bounce and people are bouncing onto the dance floor in a big, big way.These are big, big people, all dressed to the nines and many tipping the scales at 250, maybe 300 pounds.
That's because this expansive nightclub a couple blocks from the Pacific Ocean, with its flashing lights, friendly atmosphere and wall-rattling hip-hop sounds, caters specifically to fat people.
That's right, fat people. Not just any fat people, either, but fat people who are proud to call themselves fat people. People who joke that they are part of the new Fat is Phat movement.
"Self-conscious? No! Not at all," laughs Monique Lopez, a curvaceous woman of 23 as she arrives in a tight, black dress and heels. "I was like, 'I'm going to Club Bounce tonight. I'm going to wear my shortest skirt.'" (Which she did.)
The movement for equal rights for plus-sized people is nothing new of course. The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, with chapters around the country, was founded 40 years ago. A nonprofit group, it advocates that everyone be treated equally regardless of size, arguing that we don't live in a one-size-fits-all world.
But what has been slower coming, fat advocates say, are places like Club Bounce, where people who might have some trouble getting past the velvet ropes at other night spots because of their size are made to feel like they fit right in.
Read the rest of this Associated Press article on Yahoo! News.
Here's some video from Club Bounce:
News Global cooling hype untrue
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 10:38 AM
There are some folks in our world who prefer to ignore science and cling to the droolings of drug-addled talk show hosts and Faux News. If you ask them, global warming is a myth and the planet is actually cooling. Not so says scientists. This decade — the one we are currently living in — will go down as the hottest in recorded history.
So, why do people choose to believe the far-right, pro-big business bologna? Good question. Besides the fact that so many people from that segment of society not only believe but repeat anything their propaganda machines say — to the point of being known as "ditto heads" -- my best guess is they don't want to accept the fact that they're in some way responsible for ruining their children's future. Not only that, they don't want to take responsibility for cleaning up the mess humans have created.
For the rest of us, though, we'll stick with real — not lobbyist funded — science and we'll do what we can to reverse the damage our species has caused.
The Earth is still warming, not cooling as some global warming skeptics are claiming, according to an analysis of global temperatures by independent statistics experts.The statisticians, reviewing two sets of temperature data, found no trend of falling temperatures over time. And U.S. government figures show that the decade that ends in December will be the warmest in 130 years of record-keeping.
Global warming skeptics are basing their claims on an unusually hot year in 1998. They say that since then, temperatures have fallen — thus, a cooling trend. But it's not that simple.
Since 1998, temperatures have dipped, soared, dropped again and are now rising once more. Records kept by the British meteorological office and satellite data used by climate skeptics still show 1998 as the hottest year. However, data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA show 2005 has topped 1998.
Read the rest of this Associated Press article here.
Oh, and in related news: CPCC is getting some big money for an energy center. See, those in the know are are taking action working to create jobs. Meanwhile, the ditto heads ... well, they're still nodding.
Further reading: Energy Department aid for scientists on the edge
Arts / Today's Top Five / News Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Oct. 27, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Reduced Shakespeare Company: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare(abridged) at Booth Playhouse
• Vivian Girls at Milestone
• Tilted Kilt Tuesday Comedy Series featuring Just June with Joel Reyes at Tilted Kilt
• Dimeji Onafuwa: The Significant Line at RedSky Gallery
• Trivia Night at Lebowski's Grill & Pub
Monday, October 26, 2009
Arts / News Best bets in Charlotte comedy, Oct. 26-31
Posted By Debbie Millwater on Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 4:22 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.
Monday, Oct. 26
* Laugh-A-Latte Open Mic at 8 p.m.
Featuring comedy, live music, and a DJ.
PJs Coffee & Lounge ~ 210 E. Trade St. ~ Free
* Careless Open Mic Stand-Up Open Mic at 9:30 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.)
Join host Mike Buczek for this new open mic featuring no language or time restrictions.
Aposotrophe Lounge ~ 1440 S. Tryon St. ~ No cover
Tuesday, Oct. 27
* Stand-Up Comedy at The Lake Norman Comedy Zone at 7 p.m.
Nationally touring headliner Gemini.
Galway Hooker ~ 7044 Kenton Dr., Cornelius ~ 704-895-1782 ~ $10.
* Tilted Kilt Tuesday Comedy Series at 7 p.m.
This week Just June with Joel Reyes.
Tilted Kilt ~ 13230 Carowinds Blvd. ~ No Cover
* Taboo Tuesday Stand-up Open Mic at 9 p.m.
Stand-up Comedy Open Mic. This show is Rated R. No content or language restrictions. Comics, last call for sign-up at 9:30 p.m. All comics get five minutes. Special guest hosts Johnny Millwater and Joe Phoenix.
SK Net Café ~ 1425 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ $2
* Tone X and Friends at 9:30 p.m.
Tone X and Chris Robinson host.
Skandalos ~ 5317 E. Independence Blvd.
Thursday, Oct. 29
* 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
* 3 White Guys & A Black Dude Stand-up Showcase at 9 p.m.
A night of alternative stand-up comedy hosted by Steve Forrest. Featuring Jon Williams, Justin Morgan, Dan Weeks and Joe Pettis.
Cans Bar ~ 500 W. Trade St. ~ $10
* Habitual Ritual Presents Haloweelarious III at 10 p.m.
NoDa's premiere sketch comedy troupe, Habitual Ritual, bring to you this very special annual presentation. With house band Crackers and Snackmeat.
Cabo Fish Taco ~ 3201 N. Davidson St. ~ $10
Friday, Oct. 30
* Stand-up Comedy at Alive in NoDa at 8 p.m.
Stand-up comedy with nationally touring comedian Johnny Gemini.
Alive ~ 2909 N. Davidson St. ~ Reservations 704-930-2200 ~$15
* Charlotte Comedy Theater Improv at 8 p.m.
Short form shows similar to Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Prevue ~ 2909 N. Davidson St. ~ $10
* mitOsis presents Halloween Eveill at 11 p.m.
This 2 man improv team hits the stage bringing you fast paced improv comedy. With Crackers and Snackmeat.
Carolina Actors Studio Theatre ~ 1118 Clement Ave. ~ $10
Saturday, Oct. 31
* Charlotte Comedy Theater Improv at 8 p.m.
Chicago-style long form improv comedy.
Prevue ~ 2909 N. Davidson St. ~ $10
To join Debbie’s mailing list (just one e-mail a week, I promise), e-mail DebbieMillwater@Gmail.com with the Subject Line “Subscribe.”
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The State of North Carolina vs. pimento cheese 2
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Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
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McCrory caught in a lie 2
He claims to have mingled with the Moral Monday crowd. Trouble is, no one's ever seen him.
