Remember when The Washington Post ran this story last fall? It really irritated local business leaders, not least because it was written by a former Observer reporter, the talented Binyamin Appelbaum. In fact, it still holds a special place in…
"Those Who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it," goes the famous line. With Charlotte's growth on hold, it's time to look back at what we did right -- and what we screwed up.
We know so little about where our food comes from. Why not get some of it closer to home -- your backyard?
Just three years ago, I was an up-and-comer in an up-and-coming city. What the hell happened, to me and to this city?
Charlotte’s favorite chefs take a break for brunch at home -- and dish on their favorite family recipes
Breakfast and I go way Back.You might even say that breakfast helped launch my journalism career (yes, Mom, it's the Golden Grahams' fault). As a wee one, I would scrutinize every word on the back of the cereal box while…
To help you navigate the city's ever-expanding breakfast and brunch scene, we've organized fifty great spots by neighborhood (because when you're just out of your pajamas, you're not in the mood to travel far for eggs).
Man, is it Thursday already? Then it's mos def time for a Music Tuesday. Charlotte has had a great run of shows lately, and that run continues. Here we go... Friday, May 21 Lou Ford with Leadville Social Club Local…
I was all prepared to post this week's Music Tuesday yesterday, i.e. on Tuesday, but then I realized that would be bad form. So I waited until today, Wednesday. Is anyone getting this joke? Huge day of music in Charlotte…
After an inexplicable (even to me!) absence, Music Tuesday is back this week. (By the way, does anyone get the joke that Music Tuesday never actually runs on Tuesday? Or is this funny only to me?) This is a great…
More good stuff on the horizon this week. Let's get to it.Thursday, April 15Todd Snider with Paleface at the VisuliteI discovered Todd Snider in 1994, when, while "finding myself," I was working at a record store in Eastland Mall. The…
Where you least expect it, people are raising chickens
In his first year in the NBA, Davidson hero Stephen Curry has spawned one of the most rabid and unlikely fan followings in professional sports
While I'm waiting for my Center City basketball park concept to catch on (momentum is building ... slowly), I thought I'd offer another free idea to help make this city more interesting.This one is inspired by an article in The…
Missed last week due to some hairy magazine deadlines, but back at it this week. I hope you've figured out that although I call this segment "Music Tuesday," the actual publish day is a bit, um, fluid. Not too many…
Really interesting week of music coming up. No big (or even medium-size) national names on my radar, but two very cool local shows and one black banjo reunion. I'm guessing it'll be the only black banjo reunion I write about…
OK, so for the second week in a row I'm a day late with this. Blame it on other deadlines. But I remain committed to getting the word out on great live music. We may not get to host SXSW…
Job swapping for conception
Reading this month's cover package made me realize all over again that I need to do a better job of exploring our fine parks. Sure, I've strolled Freedom Park, taken a few laps on the burgeoning Little Sugar Creek greenway, and played softball at Park Road Park.
Until Rodney "Sho Nuff" Wallace, there really was no such thing as a professional extreme fighter from North Carolina. Wallace is battling to change that, one kimura arm lock at a time
You've finally thawed from the winter cold and are ready to get outside and enjoy Charlotte's spring weather. Take advantage of the area's (free!) bounty of outdoor awesomeness by hitting up the local parks to run, watch movies, picnic, sunbathe, kayak, fish, and more
Before The Avett Brothers were The Next Big Thing, they were three guys just trying to write a good song, play a few shows, and make a good record. Local photographer Daniel Coston was there
In the midst of a buyer's market, everyone wants to be the person who makes his home purchase just as the market hits its bottom, and then ten years later -- after prices have recovered -- gets to impress friends and family with his tale of real estate deal-making genius.
Welcome to the second installment of Music Tuesdays, in which I recommend a show or three this week that, in my humble opinion, is worth checking out. Let's get to it. Wednesday March 3 Hoots and Hellmouth with Flashbulb Fires…
Tomorrow, Saturday, February 27 is the first-ever Magazine Day. It just might be my new favorite holiday. Magazine Day was dreamed up by a writer and reader named Kevin Smokler. Here's his description of it: "On Saturday, February 27th, ordinary…
I've been wanting to start this for a while, so here goes. My goal: Every Tuesday, post a quick roundup of good live music shows in Charlotte in the week ahead. Charlotte's live music scene has been getting better every…
With rise of blogs and social media, there's an entire subculture of journalism about journalism, which I find annoying -- but strangely captivating. So I've decided to add to it. Let's start with the editor's note that kicks off the…
So hype about how Apple's iPad device will transform magazines -- or rather, how magazines will transform themselves for the iPad -- is starting to build. At a recent conference, WIRED magazine offered a demo of an iPad version of…
