Reading Nerds Unite!
Eggers, who many have called the J.D. Salinger of his generation, will be reading from his newest novel, What is the What, next Saturday, October 27. The book tells the story of the lost boys of Sudan.As an English major…
News + Opinion
Designer Alexis Bittar comes to Charlotte
You'd recognize Bittar's work from the pages of Lucky, W, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle (his Lucite bangles have been a major hit in the fall fashion spreads this year). His pieces are classic with a refreshing coupling of sleek materials—fresh…
New Peak Fitness in Ballantyne is HUGE
The 40,000-suare-foot Ballantyne location, which isn't open yet, is one of the most impressive gyms we've seen in town. Located on Ardrey Kell Road, the space boasts, among the usual cardio/groupfitness/weight training areas, conference rooms, a concession area, and, what…
New yoga apparel stores!
Looks like Charlotte is fast becoming a hotbed for yoga/Pilates-wear. Around the corner from our office in South End Breathing Room recently opened. Yogis might find a familiar face there—Carolyn Klimas, an instructor and founder and fashion designer at Peaceful…
BofA's Ken Lewis Is Going for the Jugular
That's where the jugular line came from. According to the article, at a managers meeting earlier this year in New York, Lewis said "This is the time I think we could go for the jugular, really be disruptive and take…
Worth the Waste
Blount begins his route at 6:30 a.m. and it's a full day's work. The county estimates that only 43 percent of local residents recycle at home. - Chris EdwardsReggie Blount has seen some strange things inside the red recycling bins…
A Night of Special Effects
A high-tech cake of gravity-defying construction by Cake Expressions by Lisa emitted clouds of gas while slowly revolving on a turntable. Logan and Danny looked at the shimmering curtain of silver tinsel, wondering what would happen once they walked through.…
Bank vs. Bank
Charlotte is known as the Queen City. Frankly, it should go by Bank Town.If it weren’t for the two big banks and their friendly rivalry (and you know who we mean), Charlotte wouldn’t be Charlotte. But unless you’re one of…
Recognize this Guy?
Light Blue ShirtNot Carolina blue, but executive blue. Ironic nod to the fact that you are in no way a blue-collar worker. Avoid the white collar/blue shirt combo. It is so 1989.Black, Pleated Dress PantsBecause pleats add ten pounds and…
Adopting to Change
About twenty dogs are usually available for adoptions through project HALO. - Chris Edwards.Man’s best friends took over the lawn on Birkdale Village’s main street on this particular Saturday as part of Project HALO’s monthly Adoption Day. Volunteers brought a…
Good Interest
Bank of AmericaTotal giving nationwide for 2006$200 millionTotal giving in North Carolina for 2006$18,142,854Funding prioritiesAffordable housing, education, and human servicesNotable recipientsUnited Way of America, Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, The National Urban League, The National Council of LaRaza,…
Observer: Has It Come To This? Also, Don't Miss Mike Collins in Oliver!
Apparently so. The skyline atop today's front page: "Win Van Halen Tickets | Where to Get Free Stuff." Seriously? I thought I was reading the back of the cereal box for a second. (OK, OK, we did run a contest…
This Is Panther Town!
I don’t know how the Touchdown Club selects its speakers but Harris was an obvious good choice. As most of you are aware, there are thousands of Steelers fans living in Charlotte. Why? I don’t know. Please feel free to…
Music in Your Backyard
I first met Daniel about a decade ago. He was shooting someone at the old Jack Straw's (Drivin' and Cryin', maybe?), and I was there for the music. I was also working here, and we needed freelance photogs. I introduced…
Observer and N&O Collaborating More
According to the N&O's ombudsman (a position the Observer does not have), that is starting to happen, kinda. The papers are running more of each other's stories, which requires collaboration to keep out of each other's way. Look for more…
Cartoonist, Prophet
In 1996, in an interview for Charlotte magazine, former Charlotte Observer editorial cartoonist Doug Marlette made one of the funniest—and most astute—observations regarding two American cities I had ever heard. After fifteen years in Charlotte, in 1987 Marlette moved to…
The Holler
There are stands of old-growth trees in the surrounding forest. You are nothing but an overrated, feathered noisemaker, Mr. Nighthawk, Nightjar, Goatsucker, or whatever you call yourself. I’m going to pluck you and roll you in cornmeal and flour, then…
The New Retro
Classic ChicCLASSIC CHIC: Interior designer Barrie Benson created the retro setting of the Pooles’ master bedroom, which highlights the forties-esque look shown here: Alberta Ferretti long hair wool coat in beige, $2,300, and Proenza Schouler straight flannel pant in umber,…
The Panthers Should Be Mean
The coolest thing about this luncheon is that each table gets a Panther player or coach as their guest. This creates a lot of suspense and anticipation. Everyone is sitting there hoping they get Jake Delhomme or Steve Smith or…
We Slam the Best
SlamCharlotte recently won first place at The National Poetry Slam 2007 held in Austin, Texas, beating out seventy-five other teams. Made up of Bluz, Bethsheba, Mike Simms, Carlos Robson, Da Minista, Paul D, and team manager Inkera, they performed twelve…
Farm to Fork
Thanks to area chefs and farmers, you can sample local grass-fed beef, asparagus, and microgreens on more than two dozen menus. And the list is growing.Photographs by Chris EdwardsFifteen years ago, when Sammy and Melinda Koenigsberg tried to interest Charlotte…
Special K
Running the trail at the Whitewater Center kicked my butt.On my last hike, I fell head first while skipping along a trail on Looking Glass Mountain in the Pisgah National Forest. Not graceful. So when I approached the trail for…
The Schools Report
Go to any town or city in America and you’ll likely find people complaining about at least one thing: their public school system. It could very well be that most school systems across the country aren’t doing a very good…
