About.com Charlotte, NC

Ritz-Carlton to Build 10-Foot Tall Gingerbread House

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:06:48 +0000

Sure, the Grove Park Inn in Asheville may have one of the most extensive gingerbread house displays, but Charlotte's new Ritz-Carlton hotel just provided Uptown with another surefire holiday tradition. On Friday, Nov. 27 a 10 feet tall by 14 feet wide gingerbread house will be constructed on-site at the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte hotel. In addition to 350 pounds of organic white, brown and confectioner's sugar, 300 pounds of organic bread flour and 100 eggs, design highlights include LED lights and a green "vegetated" moss roof inspired by the eco-minded roof of The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte itself.

So now, when you hit Founders' Hall to see the Bearstein Bears take a walk over to the Ritz-Carlton to check out the gingerbread house. The house will be on display from Friday, Nov. 27 through the holiday season.

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
201 East Trade Street
Charlotte,�NC 28202
704-547-2244

Ritz-Carlton to Build 10-Foot Tall Gingerbread House originally appeared on About.com Charlotte, NC on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 23:06:48.

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What's Open on Thanksgiving Day?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:02:46 +0000

Several years ago I was� knee deep in Thanksgiving Day meal preparations and realized I had forgotten one key ingredient. So off I went mid-afternoon on Thanksgiving Day in search of sour cream. I had just missed the time-frame when most grocery stores were open, so I started hitting convenience stores at gas stations until I found what I needed. Who knew sour cream was so difficult to find? So, to save you similar hassle, here is a list of what's open on Thanksgiving Day should you run out of butter or cranberries.

Harris Teeter ... Stores close at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day
Food Lion ... Stores close at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day
EarthFare ... Stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day
Fresh Market ... Stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day
Bi-Lo ... Stores close at 6 p.m.
Wal-Mart ... Most stores open 24-hours
Rite-Aid ... Stores are open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Walgreens ... Storea are open
CVS ... Stores are open

View Charlotte restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day.

What's Open on Thanksgiving Day? originally appeared on About.com Charlotte, NC on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 00:02:46.

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Charlotte Author Holds Book Signing to Benefit Ellie

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:12:56 +0000

Many in Charlotte are familiar with the story of 8-year-old Ellie Potvin who is battling a rare form of cancer. I have a 7-year-old and have tried to imagine what Ellie's family is going through and just can't do it without fighting back tears. But Charlotte residents are rising to the occasion to Lift Up Ellie and make her time as wonderful as possible.

To assist, Charlotte author John Cunningham is holding a book signing on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 12-2 p.m. at Borders at Stonecrest in South Charlotte with the majority of proceeds going to benefit Ellie's care.

Cunningham never intended to become a writer, but after the birth of his daughter had a story to share. My Girls: Katie and Kelly Changed My Life is a true story of how a man thought he had everything in life and than realized he didn't have anything until he met his wife and his daughter came into the world.

Borders
7836 Rea Rd.
Charlotte,�NC�28277

Charlotte Author Holds Book Signing to Benefit Ellie originally appeared on About.com Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 22:12:56.

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Bobcats Trade for Stephen Jackson

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:42:54 +0000

The Charlotte Bobcats made big news on Monday when they traded for troubled star Stephen Jackson and back-up point guard Acie Law. Jackson, a swing man, is a former NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003. However since then, Jackson's run has been a parade of controversy. Most recently, Jackson had demanded a trade from the Warriors where he had experienced has finest success.

In exchange, the Golden State Warriors received veteran swingman Raja Bell and forward Vladimir Radmonivic from the Bobcats. Bell provided defense and stability but has been hurt for much of this year. Radmonivic provided outside shooting off the bench and should be a nice fit in Golden State.

Jackson immediately becomes the go-to scorer that the Bobcats have been missing. He is not afraid of taking big shots and is a vocal leader. If Larry Brown can connect with Jackson this could be the kind of deal that takes the Bobcats over the top and into the playoffs. "SJax" had 13 points and 9 rebounds in his debut Monday night as the Bobcats beat the Orlando Magic 97-91.

Law was a star at Texas A&M but his career thus far has been quiet. He will be battling for back-up guard minutes.

Charlotte Bobcats Fan Guide

Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Bobcats Trade for Stephen Jackson originally appeared on About.com Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 22:42:54.

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Newest Twilight Movie 'New Moon' Opens Friday

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:12:25 +0000

Last November, I joined the masses to see the vampire/mortal love story of Bella and Edward in the first Twilight movie. And now, I'll be doing it all over again on Friday night to see The Twilight Saga: New Moon. The second movie in the popular Twilight series opens Friday, Nov. 20. Showings begin at midnight Friday (late Thursday evening) at many Charlotte area movie theaters including Stonecrest at Piper Glen Stadium 22 in South Charlotte, which is showing the film on 15 screens at 12:01 a.m.

I learned a few tips after my Twilight outing in 2008 and hope they're useful for New Moon as well.

Order your tickets in advance using Fandango. This will guarantee you a ticket for your desired showing should sell out. Fandango also lets you print your ticket out at home which allows you to walk right to the ticket podium, bypassing box-office check-in.
Plan to arrive at the theater a solid 45 minutes prior to showtime to avoid a seat in the dreaded first row.
Go in teams to the concession stand so no one loses a place in line.

Enjoy the film!

Photo: � Summit Entertainment

Newest Twilight Movie 'New Moon' Opens Friday originally appeared on About.com Charlotte, NC on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 00:12:25.

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Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Reads at Queens

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:00:02 +0000

Queens University of Charlotte professor Elizabeth Strout was awarded the Pulitzer Prize last spring for her short story collection Olive Kitteridge. Strout will read from her collection in a special event at Queens on Thursday, Nov. 19 at Dana Auditorium. The event begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

The collection of 13 linked stories that compile Olive Kitteridge center around a teacher, Olive Kitteridge, and her neighbors living along the coast of Maine.

Strout is a faculty member for Queens' low-residency MFA in Creative Writing program and lives in New York City. She is also the author of Abide with Me, a national bestseller and Book Sense pick, and Amy and Isabelle which won the L.A. Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction and the Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize. She has also been a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, The National Book Critics Circle Award, and the Orange Prize in England. Her short fiction has been published in a number of magazines, including The New Yorker and O: The Oprah Magazine.

Queens University of Charlotte Dana Auditorium
1900 Selwyn Ave.
Charlotte, NC 28274

Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Reads at Queens originally appeared on About.com Charlotte, NC on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 11:00:02.

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Weekend Picks

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:17:42 +0000

Every weekend, there is no shortage of activities in the greater Charlotte area. Here are a few top picks for this weekend.

South Pacific
Set on a tropical island during World War II, South Pacific is considered by many the finest musical ever written. Tickets start at $25.
Friday Nov. 13-Sunday Nov. 15 at Belk Theater. For tickets call 704-372-1000

Southern Christmas Show
Usher in the holiday season with a trip to Charlotte's annual extravaganza.
Through Nov. 22 at the Park (formerly the Merchandise Mart)

Myers Park High School Battle of the Bands
Support rising local talent in this concert to benefit the Academy of Fine Arts McClintock Outreach Program at Christ Lutheran Church.
Friday, Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church. 4519 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC 28270. Tickets $5.

Photo: Southern Christmas Show

Weekend Picks originally appeared on About.com Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 23:17:42.

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Charlotte's First Gastropub Open for Business

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:09 +0000

The British concept of a gastropub seems relatively simple. You take an establishment that is primarily known for libations and put the emphasis on quality food. British-born famed Charlotte restaurateur Tom Condron has got it down pat with The Liberty which opened its doors Oct. 27, 2009 in the same location of McIntosh's Steaks & Seafood which closed its doors earlier this year. My husband and I visited The Liberty this past weekend and had a great time sampling some of the 20 beers on tap and enjoying a nice dinner.

Guide Review: The Liberty

Charlotte's First Gastropub Open for Business originally appeared on About.com Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 11:00:09.

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I-485 Scheduled for Completion by 2015

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:16:42 +0000

There is one gap in the I-485 highway that needs to be constructed for the loop around the city of Charlotte to be completed. And in a press conference Monday morning, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue said plans and funding are in place to finish construction of the highway and finally close the I-485 loop. The unfinished section of the loop sits between NC 115 (Old Statesville Road) and to the west of I-85 in northeast Charlotte. The cost to construct the new eight-lane freeway is estimated at $220 million.

Gov. Perdue said contractors will help pay the cost of completing the I-485 loop. According to the Charlotte Observer, construction on the 65-mile loop around the city began back in 1988 and was supposed to be completed by 2003.

More about Charlotte's Outer Loop Project

Map: North Carolina Department of Transportation

I-485 Scheduled for Completion by 2015 originally appeared on About.com Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 00:16:42.

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Weekend Picks

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:20:32 +0000

Every weekend, there is no shortage of activities in the greater Charlotte area. Here are a few top picks for this weekend.

North Carolina Dance Theatre's Innovative Works
This annual performance showcases original works by choreographers Uri Sands, Dwight Rhoden, Sasha Janes and Mark Diamond.
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, 7:30 p.m. at Booth Playhouse

Star Wars In Concert
This unique multi-media event features music from all six of John Williams' epic Star Wars scores.
Saturday,� Nov. 7, 7 p.m.� at Time Warner Cable Arena

14th Annual Rural Hill Sheep Dog Trials
More than 1o0 Border Collies compete in activities throughout the weekend. This event also features activities for the entire family.
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7-8, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Carolina Renaissance Festival
Travel back to 16th century Europe and live the live of the artisans at this annual Charlotte event.
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7-8, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Weekend Picks originally appeared on About.com Charlotte, NC on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 00:20:32.

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