Local Hunters Organizing North Carolina’s 6th Annual Coyote Hunting Tournament

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carolina-coyote-classic-tournament-winnersA group of Charlotte-area hunters have created their own method to solve our region’s growing coyote problem – a statewide coyote hunting tournament.

Over the past couple years, coyote sightings have been increasing around South Charlotte neighborhoods, with reports of pets being snatched, and many parents fearing for their children’s safety.

The town of Tega Cay near Rock Hill has even hired a professional company to come in and set traps to try to deal with their coyote problem, although so far, they’ve only been able to catch 4 coyotes.

43-officially-weighed-coyotesLocal sportsman and owner of 704Outdoors.tv thinks he has the best solution to the problem – a statewide coyote tournament. Next month he will be organizing the 6th annual Carolina Coyote Classic tournament.

The tournament will take place from February 8th-10th and will be held at the Albemarle American Legion. It is open to all 100 counties around North Carolina.

The Grand Prize winner of the 6th annual Carolina Coyote Classic will take home $3,000 in cash and the winner of the Biggest Coyote will be awarded a Predator Hunting Rifle Package with a Sniper Hog Lights Rifle Light Package!

To find out more or to register click here.

What do you think about our local Coyote tournament?

Do you think there is something else that should be done about the growing Coyote population? 

US Open Fat Bike Beach Race Doubling in Size On North Carolina’s Coast in 2019

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Already the largest fat bike beach race on the East coast and named one of the Top-20 festivals and events in 2018 by the Southeast Tourism Society, the US Open Fat Bike Beach Championship is doubling in size in 2019.
“For the past two years the race has been limited to 100-participants,” said Shawn Spencer, Race Director. “We’re expecting a larger field in 2019 and had to raise the cap to two hundred.”
To accommodate the increase, Spencer plans to have two race times, segmenting the elite category from the intermediate and beginner groups, limiting each race to 100-bikers. “The elite racers will have the track alone for the first time,” said Spencer. “The elite, intermediate and beginner races will be more exciting with less congestion on the track.”
The 5th annual US Open Fat Bike Beach Championship will be held March 22-24, 2019, with activities and races based at host hotel Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach. Blockade Runner is expected to reopen in early Spring following extensive repairs due to damages from Hurricane Florence.
“We’ll have some cash prizes this year thanks to our presenting sponsor Alpha Mortgage,” said Spencer. “This will attract a higher number of elite racers.”
“The elite race requires conditioning beyond any other type of sport, plus the mental fortitude not to quit regardless of your suffering. It’s just hard,” said Spencer. “Skill is also needed to manage a fat bike through obstacles and tough terrain.”
“With two months to go, we already have 73 bikers signed up for the races,” said Spencer. “These athletes represent 39 communities in seven states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.” Spencer expects a full slate of 200 bikers in 2019, and is awaiting registrations from Georgia, Florida, Michigan, and California.
2018 Women’s Elite Champion Philicia Marion – Courtesy Karen Pennington
“The return of the last three champions is creating excitement surrounding the 2019 women’s elite race,” said Spencer. Mount Airy’s Philicia Marion (Cycleworks Xpedo Professional Mountain Bike Team presented by Vittoria), will defend her 2018 championship against 2017 winner Zdenka ‘Zoe’ Worsham (Crank Arm Brewing Professional Team of Raleigh), and 2016 champ and “fat bike aficionado” Jesse Piersol of Downington, PA.
The field of women in the US Open Fat Bike Beach Championship has increased from near zero to sixteen-percent over the past four years. The growth rate is expected to continue in 2019.
The competition will be equally fierce in the men’s division with a deep lineup of elite bikers seeking the top-spot. A top contender to watch is 2016 champion Robert “Fear the Beard” Marion of Mount Airy (Cycleworks Xpedo Professional Mountain Bike Team), recovering from a 2017 bike injury.
“Athletes check-in Friday at Blockade Runner Beach Resort to inspect the race conditions,” said Spencer. “Saturday there will be a bike expo on the beach lawn before and after the races, followed by the awards ceremony. Competition includes a two-hour elite race; a 90-minute intermediate event; and a 60-minute race for beginners. Popular obstacles will be on the course this year with fresh surprises to challenge the bikers.”
Sunday features an optional 18-mile social bike ride on the beach from Fort Fisher to Bald Head Island and back.
“It’s amazing and very exciting to see so many people coming together to support the races and our community following Hurricane Florence. We are very grateful,” said Spencer.
The US Open Fat Bike Beach Championship will benefit the Wrightsville Beach Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public parks and amenities for residents and the island’s many visitors each year.

Smoking Costs the Average North Carolina Smoker $1,421,995 Over a Lifetime

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With the economic and societal costs of smoking totaling more than $300 billion a year and rising, the personal-finance website WalletHub just released its report on The Real Cost of Smoking by State.

The new report calculates the potential monetary losses — including the lifetime and annual costs of a cigarette pack per day, health care expenditures, income losses and other costs — brought on by smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.

North Carolina was ranked as the 3rd most expensive state in America to be a smoker;

Source: WalletHub

The Financial Cost of Smoking in North Carolina (1=Lowest, 25=Avg.):

  • Out-of-Pocket Cost per Smoker – $88,235 (Rank: 3rd)
  • Financial-Opportunity Cost per Smoker – $971,032 (Rank: 3rd)
  • Health-Care Cost per Smoker – $145,527 (Rank: 14th)
  • Income Loss per Smoker – $205,306 (Rank: 11th)
  • Other Costs per Smoker – $11,895 (Rank: 25th)
  • Total Cost Over Lifetime per Smoker: $1,421,995
  • Total Cost per Year per Smoker: $27,882

For more info, you can read the full report here.

The Top 10 Charlotte Zip Codes To Invest In

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According to the Carolina MLS (multiple listing service), Mecklenburg County saw home values increase by 5.3% over the past year.

While some zip codes saw a decrease in home values (28206 saw a 45% drop in home prices), most neighborhoods saw solid gains.

The following is a list of the top 10 zip codes with the highest price increases over the past year;

hickory grove neighborhood#10 28215 (Eastway – Hickory Grove)

This area saw a 10.70% price increase with medium home prices at $128k at the end of the year.

Neighborhoods in this zip code didn’t see too much redevelopment, but several new home neighborhoods were constructed just east of Hickory Grove on either side of 485.

#9 28213 (Hidden Valley – University City South)

Growth in this sector could largely be due to the new light rail, as the Lynx Blue Line Extension cuts through the heart of 28213 on its way up to UNCC.

Home prices here grew by 14.2% year over year with the medium price increased to $165k.

steele creek homes#8 28278 (Steele Creek)

The Steele Creek area (from the South Carolina line up to the Airport all along Lake Wylie) saw impressive growth numbers of 15.3% considering the higher price points.

The area ended the year with a medium home price of $265,246.

#7 28209 (Sedgefield – Park Rd. Shopping Center)

This region has some drastically different neighborhoods – some homes in the Collinswood neighborhood (southwest corner of 28209) are in the high $100s, while several new pocket communities around Freedom Park are priced into the millions.

The third highest price area on our list saw an increase of 16.2% and an overall year-end median price of $290,500.

#6 28262 (Mallard Creek – University City North)

home prices in CharlotteThis is true Charlotte suburbia, including many of the neighborhoods just north of UNCC.

This zip code saw a home price increase of 16.9% with a medium price of $156,000 at the end of the year.

#5 28211 (Cotswold – Foxcroft)

The highest price zip code on our list saw an average price increase of 22%. With an ending median home price of $430,000, prices in this area increased by almost $100,000 in just 12 months.

#4 28205 (NoDa – Plaza Midwood)

home prices in Charlotte nodaPerhaps our most visited zip code on the list, this region includes Amelie’s French Bakery in the Villa Heights neighborhood, NoDa’s eclectic arts district, and the equally funky Plaza Midwood, as well as the Charlotte Country Club and the Bojangles’ Coliseum.

Prices here increased by an average of 23.8% to a median price of $216,700 (this number would be much higher if the zip code only included Plaza Midwood and Noda).

#3 28217 (Yorkmont – Renaissance Park)

The major attractions of this zip code include the Billy Graham Library and the world-renowned  Renaissance Park disc golf course.

Home prices saw an impressive 26.3% increase to finish the year at $111,000.

home prices in Charlotte elizabeth#2 28204 (Elizabeth – Cherry)

Did you know there’s a neighborhood in Charlotte called ‘Cherry’? If you’ve ever been to the midtown Trader Joes, chances are you’ve been there – it’s that little neighborhood on the other side of Kings Dr.

Prices here increased 28.5% to an even $300,000 – perhaps the streetcar did some good after all?

#1 28208 (West Blvd. – Freedom Dr.)

This zip code is by far one of the most diverse with home prices ranging from under $30k to over $500k – prices in this sector are almost directly correlated to the distance from Center City.

In just 12 months, this zip code saw a median price increase of 70% to finish the year at $110,500.

What zip code do you think would be the best to invest in?

Wegman’s Now Hiring 475 Employees For Its First North Carolina Store

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Wegmans has just announced they’ll be hiring 475 employees for their first ever North Carolina store.

The new 104,000 square-foot grocer, bakery, and fresh market will be located in Raleigh’s Midtown East Shopping Center near the intersection of I-440 and Wake Forest Rd.

The company said hiring and training are now underway for positions including; customer service, management, chefs, bakers, and line cooks.

The legendary northeastern grocer was recently ranked the #1 in the country (just in front of #2 Publix).

“Wegmans is recognized as one of the country’s best places to work year after year because we offer flexible scheduling, competitive pay, industry-leading benefits, and a family-like environment with many different career opportunities all under one roof,” commented Store Manager Hallie Johnston. “We’re committed to hiring good people who are passionate about food and ready to learn and grow with us.”

Until the new store is completed, the closest Wegmans to Charlotte is in Fredericksburg, Virginia – about 230 miles north.

Wegmans is also planning on opening new stores in Charlottesville, Virginia, and two stores in the Richmond, Virginia, area soon. The company currently has 88 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia.

You can now apply for any of the open positions for their first North Carolina store here or call 984-960-5588 for more information.

CIAA Tournament Will No Longer Be Hosted in Charlotte

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CIAA Officials have confirmed that the historic tournament will no longer be played in Charlotte after 2020.

The historic tournament, which first started in 1946 and has been hosted in Charlotte since 2006, will be moving to the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

Even though 8 out of the CIAA’s 13 schools are located in North Carolina, attendance figures have continued to decline over the past few years. Additionally, violence and crime often spiked while the tournament was in town (last year over 100 shots were fired during a shootout between 2 rap entourages).

Local businesses and rideshare drivers will be the hardest hit. Every year, tens of thousands flock to our city to watch the tournament, stay in our hotels, and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on food, drinks, and entertainment.

This year’s tournament will be held in Uptown Charlotte from February 25th through March 2nd.

What are your thoughts on the tournament leaving Charlotte? 

North Carolina Ranked The 3rd Best State In North America For Relocations

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North Carolina has just been ranked as one of the top states in North America for its net migration pattern according to Atlas Van Lines, one of the largest moving companies in the world.

Atlas’ new report crunched the data from 71,092 Interstate and Cross-Border Household Goods Relocations from January 1, 2018 through December 15, 2018.

“It is integral for not only the moving industry, but also our nation, to track domestic and international migration patterns to better understand why and where individuals are relocating,” said Jack Griffin, Chairman and CEO of Atlas World Group. “These tangible insights for people, companies and industries can serve as important factors in influencing business and personal growth.”

North Carolina was ranked the top in the south and the #3 state in the country. Nevada ranked #1 in America for the first time, and the remaining top 10 states were fairly spread out across the country. Professional movers from California, Texas, Florida, and several others reported balanced numbers of inbound and outbound moves.

Here are the top 10 inbound and outbound states in America, according to Atlas;

INBOUND:

  • Nevada (67.8 percent)
  • Idaho (66.2 percent)
  • North Carolina (62.6 percent)
  • New Hampshire (57.3 percent)
  • Tennessee (57.2 percent)
  • Oregon (57.1 percent)
  • Washington (57.0 percent)
  • Alabama (56.5 percent)
  • New Mexico (56.0 percent)
  • Washington D.C. (55.7 percent)

OUTBOUND:

  • West Virginia (61.7 percent)
  • Wyoming (61.4 percent)
  • Illinois (61.2 percent)
  • New York (61.0 percent)
  • Connecticut (59.9 percent)
  • Louisiana (58.2 percent)
  • Nebraska (58.1 percent)
  • Kansas (57.4 percent)
  • South Dakota (56.9 percent)
  • New Jersey (56.7 percent)

You can read more on Atlas’ full report here.

Top 10 Restaurants in Concord, North Carolina

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Concord is really becoming a contender for having some of the best restaurants in the greater Charlotte region.

They have a number of dedicated family establishments that have been passed down for generations, as well as some newer eateries with unique takes on everyone’s favorite dishes.

Without further delay, here are the top 10 best restaurants in Concord;

#10 Andele! Mexican Restaurant

best restaurant in concord ncKicking off our list at the #10 spot is Andele Mexican Restaurant is a family-owned eatery specializing in some of the region’s best Mexican food.

They have a very colorful interior with vibrant dishes and bowls. Their chori-queso is one of the best things on the menu – a creamy mixture of cheese and sausage, a perfect concoction for tortilla chips. As for a main dish, try the chilaquiles Mexicanos — corn tortillas with chicken, house sauce, and cheese — or the chile relleno dinner- and don’t forget to finish everything off with some fried ice cream.

Andele Mexican Restaurant, 1096 Concord Pkwy N, Concord, NC

#9 2 Gals Kitchen

2 Gals Kitchen first opened in 2013 in Concord. They have a truly unique and charming interior w/ lofty ceilings and large windows. Locals love their veggie delight sandwich, which includes havarti cheese, and a sweet onion spread. Their tuna melt with pepper jack cheese is also pretty incredible. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am-3pm.

2 Gals Kitchen, 80 Union St S, Concord, NC

Havana Carolina Cafe best restaurant in concord nc#8 Havana Carolina Cafe

This is a truly family-owned establishment serving some of the best Cuban sandwiches anywhere in the Carolinas with pork, ham, Swiss, mayo, mustard, and pickles all on Cuban bread, but what’s even better than their Cuban, is their locally famous specialty plate called lechon – it includes roasted pork marinated in mojo sauce and served with rice, black bean potage, fried sweet plantains, and a Cuban dinner roll; and guava cheesecake – the perfect ending.

Havana Carolina Café, 11 Union St S, Concord, NC

#7 Ellie’s Coffee Shoppe

Yes, we’re including a coffee shoppe on our list, but trust us, their food is incredible!

Perfect for that late lunch or early dinner gathering spot with a few frinds – Ellie’s menu is bursting with tasty sweet and savory options, with something to suit many tastes. For something sweet, the pancakes, french toast and various pastries like cinnamon rolls, scones, muffins and more are always a good choice. Savory morning options include the croissant sandwich with eggs, cheese, and choice of breakfast meat and biscuits and gravy. The lunch side of the menu includes grilled sandwiches, Mexican plates, paninis, salads, plus some vegetarian choices.

Ellie’s Coffee Shoppe, 37 Union St S, Concord, NC

breakfastime best food in concord#6 Breakfastime

Breakfast is served everyday from 6am-3pm at Breakfastime – and it’s some of the best breakfast you’ll find in Concord (besides what your mom cooks up).

From savory deliciousness to sweet delights, the menu has it all with something for everyone. For those wanting breakfast and lunch, try the breakfast burger, which features a six-ounce burger topped with cheese and an egg. They also have some incredible banana fosters pancakes, and amazing biscuits smothered with milk or sausage gravy – oh, and you have to try their feta omelet.

Breakfastime, 1170 Copperfield Blvd NE, Concord, NC

 #5 Gianni’s Trattoria

Check out Gianni’s Trattoria if you want the place that only locals know about. Their located in the heart of historic downtown Concord. Chef Heather Stadler finds the freshest and most seasonal ingredients available from local farmers and distributors, as well as unique items imported from Italy, creating a memorable meal you won’t soon forget. From Mama’s classic meatballs and spaghetti to the oven-roasted duck breast with a Black Mission fig-orange port wine reduction sauce, roasted potatoes, and seasonal veggies, the menu has tons of great options.

Gianni’s Trattoria, 16 Union St S, Concord, NC

gateway to athens concord restaurant#4 The Gateway To Athens

If you love Greek food, or if you’ve never had truly authentic Greek food, you have to check this place. Both their dine-in and carry out offerings come with high praises from locals and visitors. Their slouvaki and house-made tzatziki sauce are truly out of this world!

Their open from 11am-9pm Monday-Saturday and from 12pm-3pm for lunch on Sunday.

The Gateway To Athens is located at 360 Exchange St NW Ste 107 Concord, NC

#3 Aroma Indian Cuisine

Check out Aroma Indian Cuisine if you want some truly authentic Indian food.

Their award-winning chefs create highlights such as dahi vada, or fried lentils served with a special yogurt sauce; the paneer burji dosa, which is a rice crepe filled with cheese, mustard seeds, and curry leaves; and goat khorma, or curry. Aroma is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.

Aroma Indian Cuisine, 8455 Pit Stop Court, Concord, NC

speedway club restaurant in concord#2 The Speedway Club

If you love NASCAR and good food, you gotta check out The Speedway Club Restaurant – delicious food and an incredible view of the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Some of their most popular dishes are the fish and grits, which includes blackened salmon with orange hominy grits and seasonal vegetables; the Cherry Coca-Cola beef brisket served with succotash and roasted potatoes; and the rigatoni pomodoro with a variety of veggies. They’re open for lunch weekdays and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Membership is required, but you can visit once for free.

The Speedway Club Restaurant, Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC

#1 The Smoke Pit

This is one of the newest restaurants on our list (they opened in 2014), but most people would consider them one of the best eateries in the Concord region. They’ve already amassed a ton of accolades and awards – this BBQ joint is a true meat lover’s paradise, with a menu brimming with melt-in-your-mouth meats and sandwiches.

They truly excel at their hickory-smoked pulled pork, sweet potato fries, and fried okra. The Smoke Pit is open every day except for Sunday.

The Smoke Pit, 796 Concord Pkwy N, Concord, NC

What’s your favorite restaurant in Concord?

Justin Timberlake Was Just Spotted At Charlotte BBQ Joint

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The youngest member of the boyband ‘NSYNC’ and platinum-selling solo pop artist Justin Timberlake was just spotted at one of Charlotte’s most popular BBQ Joints.

Plaza Midwood’s ‘Midwood Smokehouse’ just posted a picture of the star this afternoon when he stopped by for a bite to eat.

The picture has already been like over 1,000 times and shared over 200 times;

It does seem fitting that JT would be spotted eating some Carolina BBQ, as he’s now on his global ‘Man of The Woods Tour‘.

He’ll be performing live at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center on Tuesday, January 8th from 07:30 PM–10:30 PM

You can still buy tickets for tomorrow night’s show on StubHub.com here.

Snowstorm Could Be Heading To The Carolinas This Weekend

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If you’re a heavy milk and bread consumer, you may want to start planning your grocery trips now – a new winter storm is brewing.

A large cold front is now developing west of the Carolinas which will be bringing freezing temperatures and potential snowfall this coming weekend.

Weather Underground is now forecasting about a 35% chance of snow on Saturday and Sunday morning with lows in the upper 20s for the Charlotte area;

According to the National Weather Service, we could see over an inch of total precipitation over the weekend;

If you moved here from Ohio or New York (like myself), you may be rolling your eyes, but if you’re from Florida or California, you might need to make some changes to prepare for the coming winter temperatures.

To prepare your car, top off all your fluids, especially your oil, power steering fluid, and antifreeze. You’ll also want to check your tires and make sure your air pressure is over 32 PSI.

To prepare your home, make sure to drain all fountains and exterior water fixtures. Always let at least one of your faucets drip to avoid freezing pipes. Consider buying a humidifier if you’re sensitive to dry air. If you have an older home with older windows, investing in some shrink film insulation will save you a ton on your heating bill.

To prepare yourself, buy some thermal gloves, a warm hat, and a winter jacket. If you’re going to spend any length of time outside, you may even want to consider buying an electric heating jacket.

If you have a pet – make sure to read our article about how to keep your furry friend warm!