Caution Flag
As a lifelong racing fan and Charlotte native, I wanted to like the NASCAR Hall of Fame. But it just wasn’t honest enough
News + Opinion
Cursed Corner
The corner of Caswell and Seventh streets has always been cursed ... until now
Bully at the Pulpit
While Greater Salem Church went $5 million in the hole and the building itself began to crumble, its pastor, Anthony L. Jinwright, and his wife, Harriet, were accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary and bonuses per year and insisting everything was fine. The congregation believed their leaders, and they are still suffering for their faith
FOX News Meltdown
Rather than reporting sensational news, the on- and off-air talent at WCCB FOX Charlotte has been making it. Personnel shifts, some bizarre and scandalous, have plagued the station for the past year, leaving us to wonder what’s actually breaking over there—stories, or sanity
The Worst of the Worst
We like to focus on what’s great about our town. But everyone knows Charlotte isn’t perfect. Just read any comments section on the Observer’s website and you’ll see that a lot of people have problems with Charlotte—incidentally, you’ll also see…
Power Politics
These are history-making times in the Tarheel state. For the first time since the late 1800s, Republicans rule the state legislature. A hometown politician boasts the highest rank in Raleigh.
Frayed Pride and Fried Pickles: The Story of The Penguin Drive-In
One family built a little restaurant in Plaza Midwood called The Penguin. Three friends reinvented it. A neighborhood adopted it, then a city claimed it. They all thought they owned it. Then, one day last fall, all hell broke loose
Professor Facebook
How the Egyptian revolution made a media star out of an obscure professor at Queens University of Charlotte
Defensive Driving
Car ownership requires that you know the law—sometimes well enough to defend yourself in court
Bang for your Buck
Whatever your home's problem, it's time to fix it. But what renovation gives you the most return on your investment?
The Talented Mr. Talley
Quentin Talley is a slam poet, theater producer, and gifted goofball. He’s using all those talents to help bring this city a little closer together
How to Get Around
Why do Charlotte’s streets always change names? How does the bus system work? What’s the plan for light rail? What’s up with the streetcar? Is our air quality really that bad? What’s the most pedestrian-friendly neighborhood? Are bicycles really allowed to ride three across on the Booty Loop? Anyone who’s ever tried to navigate this confusing city has a thousand questions. We have the answers
2 of my favorite things in the March issue
This is a post I've been meaning to write for a while (in fact, there are several of those, but one at a time). We had a lot of great stuff in the March issue. But two of my favorite…
Hotel, rooftop restaurant coming to old Park condo building
So the rumors are true. Just in time for the DNC, the old Park condo building (that's the shell of a building in Second Ward near the NASCAR HOF) is being redeveloped into a grand mixed-use facility. Plans announced by…
Props to mag contributors Michael Kruse and Mike Giglio
Just wanted to pass along some good news about former and hopefully future Charlotte mag contributors Michael Kruse and Mike Giglio.Readers may remember Michael Kruse for his fantastic, award-winning stories on Stephen Curry and NASCAR, among other excellent pieces for…
Welcome to Hollywood, er, Charlotte
Finally! Some celebrities in the Queen City!
Hey, Smokers! You Cost Too Much
Employers are saving cash by upping the ante on employee health insurance
Best Friends in Life Are Free
Can money buy friends? Our writer ponied up to find out
Drama Queen
This season bold stripes, floral motifs, and splashes of bright color take center stage. They're joined by a supporting cast of sky-high wedges, statement bangles, and wear- everywhere neutrals. We put the spotlight on those fresh trends (and many more) on location at Theatre Charlotte
Swim, Play, Relax and Explore
These six getaways offer something for everyone in your crew — from the wee ones to the adults — and provide a bit of respite from amusement parks and crowded lines. So pack your bags, these vacations are built for families
Hot Links for February 1
Welcome to the second edition of hot links, in which I link to interesting, informative stories from around the Web. Some of them are even about Charlotte.Police watch for sex trafficking ahead of big game - AP This one is…
DNC Comes to CLT: Where Should They Shop?
By now you've all heard the big news... Charlotte has officially been chosen as the site of the 2010 Democratic National Convention. Clearly this could mean really great things for our city's economic recovery and development, and that is wonderful,…
A Dog's Life
Dogs may seem crazy, but when it comes to how to live, they might be on to something
Stumbling Across a Hero
On a nearly forgotten yet historic stretch of Trade Street, there is an eccentric house. Inside lives a somewhat eccentric man, who just happens to be a hero of the civil-rights movement. Meet J. Charles Jones
ReVenture Under Review
Tom McKittrick wants to build a development that gasifies our trash, turns it into electricity, and creates 1,000 jobs at a new green-energy innovation hub. It sounds almost too good to be true
Dangerous Territory
In which I take a chance by writing about my dog
The Southwest Effect
Will Southwest’s arrival at CLT really bring down fares? Not likely
iToy
Toddlers don’t want Barney and Elmo. They want your iPhone
