North Carolina’s Historic Scout Camp Reopens as Family Friendly Camp-Resort

Steve
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North Carolina’s Historic Scout Camp Reopens as Family Friendly Camp-Resort

When the Girl Scouts of America put Camp Golden Valley in Bostic up for sale in 2010, many locals were worried about what would become of the North Carolina icon. Now, families from across the region can enjoy everything that has made this hidden treasure special for generations of campers.

Located just over an hour from Charlotte, Camp Golden Valley is receiving re-energized life as a member of the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ family. With a focus on family fun and affordable family vacations, campers can enjoy an unparalleled lineup of amenities such as canoeing/kayaking, fishing, trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, tennis/basketball courts, volleyball, Lazer Tag, a brand new interactive water playground with water slides and a pool, arts & crafts, a jumping pillow, mini golf, a playground, and a calendar filled with planned activities and themed weeks throughout the year.

The Camp-Resort also offers premium accommodations featuring luxury treetop cabins with spectacular views, group lodges with all the comforts of home, full hook-up RV sites, and premium tent sites.

For those looking for something truly unique, luxury glamping tents offer families a one-of-a-kind overnight experience paired with spectacular lakeside views. For those really looking to enhance their experience, personal hot tubs can be delivered directly to cabins and campsites, just in time to relax under the stars.

Even with the addition of new and exciting amenities and accommodations that are synonymous with the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ brand, the spirit of Camp Golden Valley is still felt across the entire 600+ acre property. From the cabins to the waterfront, the same elements that defined the camp experience for decades play a significant role in its
reinvention.

“We are committed to preserving the history and integrity of the camp,” said Zach Bossenbroek, CEO of Northgate Resorts. “There’s something magical about this camp that’s hard to explain, but you feel it the moment you arrive. We don’t want to lose that.”

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort will celebrate its grand opening on Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-27). The weekend will be filled with family-fun activities including the brand-new Water Zone, going on “Hey Hey” Wagon Rides, canoeing and kayaking on the lake, as well as pickleball and volleyball tournaments. Two weeks later (June 7-9), the Camp-Resort will honor its history with Scouts Honor Weekend, where guests will learn the official Girl and Boy Scout motto and greetings, get back to nature with a hike, get creative with arts & crafts, and more.

To learn more about all the amenities, accommodations, and full calendar of events at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Golden Valley, please visit campgoldenvalley.com.

America’s Favorite Tight-End Just Gave Atrium $2.5 Million For A New Pediatric Center

Steve
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America’s Favorite Tight-End Just Gave Atrium $2.5 Million For A New Pediatric Center

This week, the Levine Children’s Hospital announced a massive new $2.5 million gift to build a new pediatric cardiac center in Charlotte.

The gift was given by America’s favorite Tight End, Greg Olsen, who announced the gift following his organization’s HEARTest Yard Golf Tournament.

“While most know Greg Olsen as a Pro Bowl Tight End for the Carolina Panthers, we at Levine Children’s know him and his wife, Kara, as visionary leaders and champions in the fight against pediatric congenital heart disease,” said Stacy Nicholson, MD, president of Levine Children’s.

The Olsens initially started the HEARTest Yard Initiative in 2012 after their son TJ was diagnosed with a severe congenital heart defect.

According to the Atrium Health Foundation, the new ‘HEARTest Yard Pediatric Cardiac Center’ is now scheduled to open in late 2020 and will be housed in the Medical Center Plaza building adjacent to Levine Children’s Hospital. The building will be renovated over the next several years to accommodate an array specialty outpatient services offered by Levine Children’s.

SC Senate Approves $115 Million Tax Bill To Move Panthers Operations To South Carolina

Steve
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SC Senate Approves $115 Million Tax Bill To Move Panthers Operations To South Carolina

Yesterday afternoon the South Carolina Senate officially passed massive new tax legislation that would offer the Carolina Panthers a total of $115 million in tax breaks to move the team’s headquarters and training facilities over state lines.

According to SC Senate Bill 655, “The Carolina Panthers are interested in a new indoor practice facility to replace an outdoor practice facility currently located near Bank of America Stadium in downtown Charlotte, NC. The Panthers are considering moving their football operations to South Carolina. The team is interested in moving the team’s headquarters and training facilities to either York or Lancaster County based on media reports. The move would involve 150 or more employees, coaches, players, team executives, offices, parking, and the team’s other departments.”

The bill goes on to list out about a dozen changes to the existing statutory tax break law that would creatively allocate a minimum of $115 million in tax breaks for the Charlotte-based team.

SC Governor Henry McMaster sent out a tweet shortly after the bill was passed, saying that his state is “committed to creating the most competitive business environment in the world so that South Carolinians can benefit from jobs created by great organizations like the @Panthers.”

If the bill becomes law, the Panthers are planning to purchase up to 200 acres in Rock Hill off I-77 between Dave Lyle Boulevard and Eden Terrace for a massive new development project.

Courtesy of the Carolina Panthers

According to Panthers officials, the new project will feature an orthopedic sports medicine facility employing about 200 people and a hotel with at least 150 rooms and space for conferences. It also could attract a new corporate headquarters and several residential projects.

A few minor points of the new bill will be hashed out by House and Senate members later this month, after which it’s expected to pass the House and be signed into law by the governor.

Top 10 Places For Mother’s Day Brunch in Charlotte

Steve
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Top 10 Places For Mother’s Day Brunch in Charlotte

We should celebrate Mom every day! But the ‘official’ day to celebrate is almost here!

If you haven’t already, it’s time to make those dining out plans.

Based on online reviews, and Mother’s Day specials, here are the best 10 Mother’s Day brunch spots in Charlotte:

#10 Tupelo Honey Cafe

Shoo Mercy pancake with fried chicken is the way to go….but the biscuits & gravy with fried chicken is a close 2nd…you can’t really go wrong with any of their fried chicken dishes.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER @TUPELOHONEYCAFE #SUNDAY #BRUNCH #CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATO #PANCAKES WITH THE ALMIGHTY #BACON

A PHOTO POSTED BY ART. FOOD. SPORTS. (@THIS_IS_CHARLOTTE) ON

#9 300 East

300 East especially excels when it comes to their brunch menu. You can’t go wrong with the French toast with bacon. Thick slices of bread covered in deliciousness. They use real maple syrup and the bacon is on point.

ain’t she a beaut?

A post shared by Taylor Kraus (@krausie__) on

#8 Café Monte

If you’re looking for a gourmet brunch, this place is hard to beat. Make sure to get the beignets – they’re worth every single calorie!

#7 The Flying Biscuit

Their biscuits are truly incredible and the Southern Scramble is on point – scrambled eggs, turkey bacon and collard greens with cheese – you can’t go wrong.

LATE BRUNCH🍳. #THATCHEESETHOUGH #A2FCHARLOTTE

A PHOTO POSTED BY DANIA ALSHAFEI (@ALWAYS.DANIA) ON

#6 Crispy Crepe

Order the cookie butter latte for your drink and the Mediterranean crepe if you want savory or the Nutella and strawberry crepe if you want something sweet.

You gotta go to this place ASAP! #crispycrepe

A post shared by eli Crowder (@elijah.crowder_) on

#5 Georges Brasserie

This place has one of the best brunch buffets in the city, without a doubt. I’d recommend trying the salad, salmon, prime rib, shellfish, bacon, eggs, and hash browns, at a minimum.

Feasting! #happyeaster

A post shared by mclambj1212 (@mclambj1212) on

#4 Terrace Restaurant

This place has ranked among the top brunch spots in Charlotte for years, most of their food is incredbile, but their Red velvet waffles are to die for.

#3 Bistro La Bon

Whether you order a meal on Saturday, or feast on their Sunday buffet, you can’t go wrong with brunch at Bistro La Bon. The shrimp and grits with a side of bacon is my favorite.

ALWAYS DOING THE MOST @BISTROLABONCLT🍾 #CLTURE #CLTUREFOOD #BRUNCHLYFE #QC

A PHOTO POSTED BY BRANDON W. SABI 🎹🎥 (@WABISABI_NC) ON

#2 Rusty Bucket

A relatively newcomer to the Charlotte brunch scene, they just opened their first Charlotte location in South Park about a year and a half ago, and they just started serving brunch a couple months ago…but it was worth the wait. Their Braised Short Rib Hash and Chicken & Waffles are truly unforgettable.

Mother’s Day Brunch begins at 11 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m. – no reservations are necessary, unless you have a party of eight or more.

#1 Famous Toastery

This place is a legend in Charlotte, it was originally called ‘Toast Cafe’ before expanding to several locations throughout the Charlotte region. It’s even been named as one of the best future restaurant chains in America by CNBC. They do pretty much everything on the brunch menu incredibly, and they can cook your eggs at least 20 different ways.

Where are you planning on getting brunch this Sunday? 

This Past Weekend’s Untappd Beer Festival Washed Out From Rain and Poor Planning

Charlotte Stories
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This Past Weekend’s Untappd Beer Festival Washed Out From Rain and Poor Planning

Charlotte’s inaugural Untappd Beer Festival, marketed as the ‘biggest beer festival in Charlotte’s history’, left many ticket holders dry and angry.

A little less than an hour after the festival started, rain from the forecasted thunderstorm began falling.

Organizers rushed everyone under cover due to the weather;

Many people pointed out that even though they were expecting rain that day, the festival organizers did not have any breweries set up inside;

About 3 hours later, Untappd finally started letting people back in;

but most of the 12,000 ticket holders never got the memo;

The next day they posted the following statement regarding what happened;

Immediately after posting their public statement, attendees of the festival started commenting their complaints, many saying that the issues went far beyond the bad weather;

The biggest complaint was that they sold far too many tickets;

The other big complaint was the size of the glasses given out;

Perhaps the only highlight for many of the thirsty, tired, and wet attendees was the ‘giant-inflatable-beer-can-football’ game that spontaneously erupted;

Did you go to Untappd festival?

How was your experience?

If you’re looking for a solid beer festival that’s proven itself year after year, check out next week’s South End Hops Fest.

Tickets to the hops fest are about half as much as Untappd, and they’ll likely be featuring more local breweries on tap (also, the forecast is showing 80 degrees and blue skies for the day of the festival).

You can see everything they’ll be offering at southendhopsfest.org

‘Winter is Here’ This Month in Charlotte at Discovery Place’s Adult Only GOT Event

Charlotte Stories
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‘Winter is Here’ This Month in Charlotte at Discovery Place’s Adult Only GOT Event

The weather may be warmer, but winter is officially here at Discovery Place Science as the Museum’s adults-only Science on the Rocks event celebrates all things Game of Thrones on Friday, May 17.

With just days to go before we finally learn who will win the Iron Throne, our watch begins as guests are invited to wander the Museum with their favorite nobles while enjoying specialty food and beverages, including House of Targaryen chocolate rum truffles, a White Walker cocktail, and John Snowballs mini donuts. Visitors can try their hand at archery with the most menacing GoT characters serving as the targets. They will have the opportunity to protect Bran as Hodor in a “hold the door” tug-of-war challenge and can even see if they are able to defend the Night’s Watch with a catapult at The Wall. And, of course, everyone will have a chance to drink and know things.

The event is Friday, May 17, from 5-9 p.m. at Discovery Place Science. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door. Guests must be 21 or older.

Charlotte Saw Its 50th Murder of 2019 – We’re On Pace To Become 22nd Deadliest City In America

Steve
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Charlotte Saw Its 50th Murder of 2019 – We’re On Pace To Become 22nd Deadliest City In America

A Charlotte woman was stabbed to death yesterday morning under a bridge just north of Uptown.

According to police, the incident occurred in the 800 block of North College Street, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.

The murder became Charlotte’s 50th of the year, compared to just 15 at this time last year.

Our city is now on pace to see almost 50% more murders than we did last year and to become the 22nd deadliest city in America.

According to the Major Cities Chief’s Association, Charlotte saw a total of 85 homicides last year, making us the 31st deadliest city in America for 2018 (in terms of homicides per capita). At 10.1 murders per 100,000 residents, we were just marginally safer than Tampa, FL (at 10.3 per 100,000), Fresno, CA (at 10.7 per 100,000), and Houston, TX (at 11.7 murders per 100,000 residents).

If the 2019 murder rate in Charlotte continues at its current pace (and the murder rates for other cities remain the same), we would jump up 9 places to become the 22nd deadliest city in America, ending the year with 139 total murders at a rate of 16.2 murders per 100,000 residents – higher than Jacksonville (at 15.3 per 100,000), Albuquerque, NM (at 13.4 per 100,000) and Oklahoma City (at 12.5 per 100,000). We would be just slightly safer than Atlanta (at 16.7 per 100,000), Washington, DC (at 17.0 per 100,000), and Oakland, CA (at 17.1 per 100,000).

Yesterday CMPD Police Chief Kerr Putney, CMS superintendent Clayton Wilcox, and Charlotte Community Relations Executive Director Willie Ratchford held a joint press conference to talk about the increasing violent crime in our city.

Police Chief Putney said the solution has to be more than investigations and arrests.

“I wish we could arrest our way out of it. We’d have done so already. That’s not the case,” Chief Putney noted.

The leaders all agreed that the solutions must be more focused on prevention and community involvement. They named several new city and county initiatives that will be launched to better equip leaders and citizens with conflict resolution and mediation.

“We should all understand that community safety is not solely the responsibility of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department,” commented Willie Ratchford. “Community safety is the responsibility of the police department and all citizens — all residents of Charlotte-Mecklenburg working together to make sure that we all have a secure future.”

What else do you think can be done to reduce violent crime in our city?

York County Planning Once-In-A-Lifetime ‘Secret Dinner’ Experience

Steve
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York County Planning Once-In-A-Lifetime ‘Secret Dinner’ Experience

Come with us on a culinary adventure – destination unknown! The Arts Council of York County invites you to an evening of gourmet food, curated performances, and contemporary art in a secret location that will be only revealed to ticket holders in the days leading up to the event. You won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience – the SECRET DINNER!

Adventure is worthwhile in itself. – Amelia Earhart

Whispers on the wind have turned into the buzz around town. On Saturday, May 18, 2019, diners will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 7 PM followed by a gourmet meal in a secret location at 7:30 PM. Throughout the evening, distinctive works of art created by regional artists especially for the occasion will be on display and are up for auction. This will be a night that everyone will remember!

Individual tickets for the Secret Dinner are $125 for members of the Arts Council, and $150 for the general public. Tickets must be purchased in advance through Sunday, May 12, and are available online at yorkcountyarts.org, by phone at (803)328-2787, and in person at the Center for the Arts, 121 E. Main St., Rock Hill, SC. Sponsorships are available. For inquiries, contact the Arts Council directly.

The Arts Council is headquartered in downtown Rock Hill, a state-recognized cultural district. For more information on Arts Council events, contact the Arts Council of York County at 803-328-2787, by email at arts@yorkcountyarts.org, or visit our webpage at http://www.yorkcountyarts.org.

150 Volunteers To Build Outdoor Learning Lab For Charlotte Students This Weekend

Charlotte Stories
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150 Volunteers To Build Outdoor Learning Lab For Charlotte Students This Weekend

This coming Friday (May 10th), more than 150 volunteers will work side-by-side to build an Outdoor Learning Lab at Governors’ Village STEM Academy in Charlotte, NC. Made possible by a $100,000 grant from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas, Governors’ Village students will soon have a dynamic new Outdoor Learning Lab where teachers can lead exciting and engaging outdoor experiential lessons that add relevance, purpose, and real-world meaning to every subject.

The finished outdoor classroom will have seating areas, whiteboards, raised vegetable and flower beds, a weather station, earth science stations, rain barrels, animal and insect habitats and more.

This “Big Dig” event is spearheaded by Out Teach, a national nonprofit that coaches and inspires teachers to unlock student performance with the power of outdoor experiential learning.

Once the new learning lab is complete, Out Teach will provide years of training and professional development and coaching to show teachers how to use each different feature to improve instruction and deepen student understanding.

Woman Discovered Dead Inside Submerged Car in Lake Wylie – Police Suspect Homicide

Charlotte Stories
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Woman Discovered Dead Inside Submerged Car in Lake Wylie – Police Suspect Homicide

Belmont police are now investigating a homicide after a woman was discovered dead inside a submerged car in Lake Wylie.

On Sunday morning, at around 1am, a nearby witness called the police and told them they heard a loud noise and saw a vehicle in the water near the Seven Oaks Bridge on South New Hope Road

When officers arrived, they found 61-year-old Delia Aldridge Rick dead inside the vehicle.

According to police, Rick was arrested in 2014 for accessory to the murder of 41-year-old Brian Dale Jones. She was released from prison in 2017.

A county-wide homicide investigation is now underway by the Gaston County Police and Belmont Police Departments.

If you have any additional information, please call Detective Angela Spataro with the Belmont Police Department at 704-829-4082 or CrimeStoppers at 704-861-8000.

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