Bojangles’ Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium Merging Into New ‘Bojangles’ Entertainment Complex’

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Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits (NASDAQ: BOJA) and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) announced today they have entered into an agreement to name the campus of Bojangles’ Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium Bojangles’ Entertainment Complex. The 10-year, $2.85 million agreement, which calls for interior and exterior signage featuring the new identity, underscores Bojangles’ deep commitment to the economic growth and development of Charlotte, where the company was founded more than 40 years ago and is headquartered.

“We are elated to have these Charlotte institutions extend their partnership with this naming-rights agreement,” said CRVA CEO Tom Murray. “Bojangles’ values the 63-year heritage of these two facilities in Charlotte, and this new agreement is yet another example of their commitment to our community. We are excited that the sites of so many high-profile sporting and entertainment events will soon be the Bojangles’ Entertainment Complex.”

“Just like that iconic eastside coliseum, Bojangles’ has been proudly serving the Charlotte community for decades,” said Randy Poindexter, senior vice president of marketing for Bojangles’. “Charlotte means a lot to us at Bojangles’. It’s where we started and where thousands of our team members and their families live and work. We’re thrilled to remain a part of the Eastside community and to continue our partnership with CRVA at this new level.”

Bojangles’ has held naming rights to the Coliseum since 2008.  The new naming-rights agreement for the complex was presented to and approved by Charlotte City Council on Monday, Nov. 26. The agreement is expected to go into effect Jan. 1, 2019.  Each facility will maintain its name – Bojangles’ Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium – under the umbrella of Bojangles’ Entertainment Complex and promotion of the venues will include a consolidated website and social media channels.

The announcement comes on the heels of a groundbreaking for the construction of a connector facility between Bojangles’ Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium to give fans and performers a better experience. The new facility will add 35,000 square feet to the complex, including a pedestrian connection for the two venues, space for hospitality, new offices and storage as well as more concessions and public restrooms. The new facility is expected to open in late 2019 / early 2020.

The Charlotte Area’s First Toll Road Officially Opens Today

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The Charlotte Area’s First Toll Road Officially Opens Today

The Charlotte region’s first toll road is officially opening today.

The new Monroe Expressway (aka Monroe Bypass) is an 18-mile stretch of state highway that parallels HWY-74, which starts in Marshville, NC and ends in Matthews, NC, near I-485.

Here is a video flyover of the project, produced 5 years ago when it was first approved;

The purpose of the bypass is to ease the traffic flow between Charlotte and the South Eastern parts of our state, and the eventual plan is to connect one major highway, without any stop lights, from Charlotte to Myrtle Beach.

The new project is now expected to open on November 27 at a total cost of $730 million.

It’s an 18-mile stretch that parallels HWY-74, moving East to West starting in Marshville and ending near I-485.

According to Beau Memory, Executive Director of the NC Turnpike Authority, travel times in the area will be significantly reduced.

“Depending on where people are traveling to and from, our estimates are that it could save folks anywhere from 20 to 40 mins,” Memory commented.

The bypass will have a total of 6 interchanges and 14 electric toll zones, with a total cost of $3.92 to drive the entire length (which is relatively low, compared to the $9.40 Cintra will charge to drive from Charlotte to Mooresville on the new I-77 toll lanes).

You can also save an additional 35% by using an NC QuickPass (click here to sign up).

Once the fees pay off the initial cost of the Expressway the tolls will go away, however, that’s not expected until sometime after 2050.

What are your thoughts on the new Monroe Expressway?

4 Carolina Cities Rank As Having The Largest Apartments in America for 2018

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4 Carolina Cities Rank As Having The Largest Apartments in America for 2018

Renters’ living habits changed over time, as did the floor plans of rental apartments. The average size of a new apartment completed in 2018 in the U.S. is 941 square feet, 52 sq. ft less than the size of an apartment built ten years ago.

Rent Cafe just released their latest study of apartment sizes across the country. According to the study, 4 Carolina cities were ranked as having the largest average apartments in the nation.

While cities in the South East still have spacious apartments, the sizes have been decreasing overall and prices have been going up.

According to the data, over the past decade the average rent for new apartments went up by 28%;

What do you think about our current apartment sizes and rental rates?

Top 10 Best Cyber Monday Deals on Amazon For 2018

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Top 10 Best Cyber Monday Deals on Amazon For 2018

Post-Thanksgiving day savings continue today on what many economists think will be the biggest online shopping day of the year – Cyber Monday 2018.

Amazon is now, by far, the biggest online retailer for crazy Cyber Monday deals, but sometimes it’s hard to find quality products that truly are being sold at a deep discount today.

We’ve sifted through Amazon’s massive amount of Cyber Monday deals, and cherry-picked the top 10 deals of 2018;

#10 Armitron Diamond Watch, $23 (regular $50)

#9 Toshiba 32-inch HD Smart LED TV, $129.99 (regular $180)

#8 Olee Sleep Gel Infused Mattress, $320 (regular $400)

#7 Eton Radio & Bluetooth Speaker, $71 (regular $100)

#6 Sofia Vintage Area Rug, $88 (regular $157)

#5 Cosco Folding Chair (4-pack black) $43 (regular $69)

#4 Haven Outerwear Parka Puffer Coat, $34 (regular $85)

#3 Echo Look, Hands-Free Assistant with Alexa, $50 (regular $200)

#2 DJI Spark Camera Drone, $359 (regular $599)

#1 Sony A7IIK Camera W/ 28-70mm Lens, $998 (regular $1,739.33)

 

You can browse hundreds of other deals on Amazon’s Cyber Monday deal page here.

The Most Discounted Charlotte Stores for Black Friday 2018

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The Most Discounted Charlotte Stores for Black Friday 2018

With Black Friday sales starting earlier and many retailers offering even deeper price cuts this year, the personal-finance website WalletHub has released a new report on 2018’s Best Stores for Black Friday.

WalletHub surveyed nearly 10,000 deals from 35 of the biggest U.S. retailers’ 2018 Black Friday ad scans to identify the stores offering the biggest discounts in various product categories such as “Appliances,” “Jewelry” and “Toys.”

Best Places to Shop on Black Friday

Retailer 2018 Avg. % Discount by Retailer 2017 Avg. % Discount by Retailer 2016 Avg. % Discount by Retailer 2015 Avg. % Discount by Retailer
Belk 68.9% 62.8% N/A 59.5%
JCPenney 65.1% 66.3% 62.8% 68.0%
Stage 62.1% 60.8% 62.8% 63.9%
Kohl’s 60.8% 66.3% 58.1% 66.7%
New York & Company 54.5% N/A N/A N/A
Payless ShoeSource 50.3% N/A N/A N/A
Dick’s Sporting Goods 49.9% 35.1% N/A N/A
Macy’s 48.7% 45.6% 63.4% 56.0%
Fred Meyer 45.3% 43.9% 49.7% 45.3%
Shopko 45.2% 55.9% 55.6% N/A
Sears 42.9% 50.1% 43.9% 41.7%
Office Depot and OfficeMax 42.6% 34.5% 43.0% 42.8%
Lenovo 40.1% N/A N/A N/A
Meijer 39.8% 32.4% 33.8% 39.1%
Kmart 37.9% 35.8% 28.6% 50.1%
Target 34.8% 36.2% 28.6% 37.3%
Stein Mart 33.0% N/A N/A N/A
Staples 32.0% 32.3% 33.1% 34.4%
BJ’s 31.0% 32.1% 32.0% 30.6%
Walmart 29.9% 34.2% 32.6% 30.1%
Microsoft 29.9% N/A 29.3% N/A
Jet.com 29.4% N/A N/A N/A
Amazon 29.3% 36.8% 24.7% 25.8%
Best Buy 28.7% 30.0% 33.2% 33.5%
Newegg 28.4% 28.3% N/A N/A
Academy Sports + Outdoors 28.0% N/A N/A N/A
HP 27.5% 34.0% 28.5% N/A
Dell Home 27.4% 29.3% 35.7% 35.3%
Costco 25.1% 21.9% 25.4% 19.5%
Harbor Freight 23.5% 22.5% 62.6% N/A
Big Lots 22.9% 24.1% 23.5% 27.1%
Sam’s Club 22.3% N/A 28.3% 24.9%
Ace Hardware 21.9% 21.5% 27.7% 34.2%
Gander Outdoors 18.0% N/A N/A N/A
True Value 16.3% 32.8% 31.9% N/A
All Retailers 37.0% 37.1% 39.0% 40.2%

 

Key Stats

  • Belk has the highest overall discount rate at 68.9 percent, whereas True Value has the lowest at 16.3 percent.
  • The overall average discount for Black Friday is 37 percent. Consumers should aim for this discount amount or higher to avoid Black-Friday traps. Macy’s coupons have been consistently fair and dependable.
  • The “Apparel & Accessories” category has the biggest share of discounted items, 28.03 percent of all offers, whereas the “Consumer Packaged Goods” category has the smallest at 1.62 percent.

Amazon.com is the best online retailer for Black Friday deals – this year they’re running huge discounts on select products for 5 full days during “Black Friday Week“.

You can view the WalletHub’s full report here.

Belmont and McAdenville Dominating Charlotte’s Christmas Light Battles This Year

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Belmont and McAdenville Dominating Charlotte’s Christmas Light Battles This Year

From wintry streetscapes, to glowing gardens, to every home in a small town lit up, Belmont and McAdenville will be offering the best Christmas light shows around the Charlotte region this year. 

In addition to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s lavish Holidays at the Garden celebration and McAdenville’s transformation into the renowned Christmas Town USA, the town of Belmont will also be adding several new light shows this year. 

Said Jim Hoffman, chairman of Belmont Tourism Development Authority, “Belmont is known for its southern charm, but we’re quickly becoming known as a place for families and abundant activity as well. That is displayed fully at Christmastime. Whether it’s experiencing the wonder and awe of a million glowing lights at the Garden or it’s becoming steeped in the nostalgia of historic Belmont’s brick-lined sidewalks or McAdenville’s Christmas Town traditions. Or even if it’s going quite contemporary by donning a big white beard for the first Santa Hustle downtown this December, there is something for everyone, from near or far, here in Belmont during this joyful time of year.”

The jolly fun begins in late November across the Belmont area. At DSBG, experience “A Mile of a Million Lights” at this year’s Holidays at the Garden, which opens Nov 23. Bigger and better than ever before, this event features more lights than years past including new lights of fire and ice in the perennial gardens. Explore the nearly 400-acre venue’s winter wonderland with a towering orchid tree, model train displays, Children’s Discovery Trail of activities, live music and holiday shopping opportunities. Make it an evening to remember with some roasted marshmallows over a crackling fire, some hot cider and a visit with the big man, Santa Claus. The event continues through Jan. 6.

Christmas Town USA lives up to its moniker beginning Nov. 30 when the city’s lights start to sparkle nightly following the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. McAdenville, just three miles from Belmont, welcomes thousands of worldwide visitors each year since its 1956 debut. Its noncommercial holiday display is brimming with nostalgia – street-lined lit homes, more than 375 decorated trees, 200 shining lamppost wreathes, chiming Christmas music, a life-size Nativity scene and a large gleaming lake fountain, reflecting its brilliant colors along the water. For more than six decades, this globally renowned tradition has warmed hearts even on the coldest of North Carolina nights. Christmas Town USA and its accompanying festivities – including the annual Yule Log Ceremony, a spectacle since 1950 – will shimmer through Dec 26.

On Dec. 1, Belmont welcomes a new holiday event to town – the Festival of Trees. This inaugural seasonal celebration will light up historic downtown as the city’s businesses and nonprofits decorate trees throughout Stowe Park and nearby Main Street, including within and outside the Historic District’s shops. This new holiday tradition shines brightly through Dec. 31. It helps illuminate two of the city’s finest annual traditions – the Christmas Tree Lighting at Belmont City Hall on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m., to feature a candlelight ceremony and Christmas carols, and the Belmont Christmas Parade on Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m., marching through historic downtown with festive delight.

As the merry month nears its end, another inaugural event takes its starting position – the first Santa Hustle 5K and Half Marathon. Participants are invited to dress the part with Santa hats and beards as they run through historic downtown Belmont on Dec. 22. An epic afterparty with, of course, candy and cookies awaits at the finish line. Fun for the entire family, a one-mile Rudolph Run welcomes kids to join in the day’s festivities.

“Belmont is blossoming with activity and it’s wonderful to see inaugural events also blooming alongside long-standing traditions holiday season,” said Ted Hall, president of the Chamber of Commerce. “With businesses decking the halls and our communities pulling out all the seasonal stops, we’re ready to welcome guests from around the world to experience our sweet southern hospitality during this beautiful and bright time of year.”

NCDIT Urges Cautious Use of Email over Holiday Season

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NCDIT Urges Cautious Use of Email over Holiday Season

The North Carolina Department of Information Technology is advising people to carefully monitor solicitations and other communications they receive during the coming holiday season.

Cybercriminals often take advantage of people’s generosity and distractions during the holiday season to gain access to their data, said State Chief Risk Officer Maria Thompson. She encourages people to remain vigilant and to follow good cyber hygiene at home and at work.

“Criminals often pose as volunteers or charitable organizations in an attempt to steal your private data or your money,” Thompson said. “Also remember to check on your elderly loved ones. They are often an easy target. Everyone should be careful when giving money or sharing information online even when working with what may seem like a well-established organization.”

To help stop cybercriminals:

  • Carefully look at email and web addresses. Cybercriminals will make them look as legitimate as possible, often using variations of spellings. The URL may have a different domain – such as .net or .com – when it should be .gov instead.
  • Do not click on links in emails from anyone unless you know and have verified the sender of the email.
  • Take time to look at the sender’s email address. Do not click on any links until you are certain the organization is real. Check the organization’s website for its contact information and use sites such as www.charitynavigator.org to verify a charity organization.
  • Change your password immediately if you believe you were the victim of a scam.
  • Do not use public WiFi to do your shopping. However, if you do, ensure you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) as an added layer of protection to your communication.
  • Check your bank account for suspicious transactions, even those of small amounts.
  • Make sure your all anti-malware software is up-to-date and that you have enacted the anti-phishing software provided by your email client.

For more information on holiday frauds and scams, or to report any, please contact the North Carolina Consumer Protection Division in the Attorney General’s Office by visiting ncdoj.gov or by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM toll-free within North Carolina.

CDC Issues New Lettuce Recall, Urging People To “stop eating and throw away all romaine lettuce”

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CDC Issues New Lettuce Recall, Urging People To “stop eating and throw away all romaine lettuce”

Just months after Romaine Lettuce was announced safe to eat again, this morning the CDC sent out an emergency statement urging all Americans to immediately throw away all traces of the plant.

The statement noted that “consumers who have any type of romaine lettuce in their home should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick,” and added, “retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until we learn more about the outbreak.”

At least 32 people across 11 states have already been infected with a new strain of E. coli, resulting in 13 hospitalizations so far.

According to the CDC’s latest press release:

“As of November 20, 2018, 32 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 11 states. A list of the states and the number of cases in each can be found on the Map of Reported Cases page.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 8, 2018 to October 31, 2018. Ill people range in age from 7 to 84 years, with a median age of 24. Sixty-six percent of ill people are female. Of 26 people with information available, 13 (50%) were hospitalized, including one person who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.

Illnesses that occurred after October 30, 2018, might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill with E. coliinfection and when the illness is reported. This takes an average of two to three weeks.”

Charlotte’s ‘Holiday Bachelor’ Going Viral After Posting Thanksgiving Date Packages

Steve
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Charlotte’s ‘Holiday Bachelor’ Going Viral After Posting Thanksgiving Date Packages

Charlotte’s own ‘holiday bachelor’ is now going viral after offering to accompany “any single ladies out there this holiday season who don’t want to spend another year listening to their mother ask them

‘when are you going to finally meet a nice man and settle down?'”

Although he wasn’t serious when he first posted it, he’s now reconsidering after the flood of responses.

“It started off as a joke but as I keep getting these messages, then like if something works out, it can be legit,” Joseph told NBC Charlotte.

In an interview with Spectrum News, he said, “I mean, if the right person contacted me I’d be down. Like I said, I need a place to go for Thanksgiving dinner. If there’s a right girl out there and you kind of want to shut your parents up then, I’d be happy to do so.”

As of 10am this morning, Richard has already received over 1,000 messages requesting his services all around the greater Charlotte region.

Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte Receives $5 Million Grant From Jeff Bezos

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Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte Receives $5 Million Grant From Jeff Bezos

Today, The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte received a $5 million Day 1 Families Fund grant to launch a robust access-to-employment program and expand shelter options for families.

The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, through its programs and efforts at the Center of Hope, is recognized as a leader in the fight to end homelessness. The Center of Hope has implemented national best practices such as low-barrier sheltering; utilizing a housing-first model; and offering on-site wrap-around services such as a health clinic, substance abuse treatment, and a Boys & Girls Club.

“This investment from Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos and the Day 1 Families Fund here in Charlotte – and across the nation – is going to make a tremendous impact in supporting families experiencing homeless,” said Major Larry Broome, area commander for The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte. “We are immeasurably grateful for this partnership in our aim to end homelessness, one family at a time.”

“Ultimately, our goal, with the help of this grant, is to reduce the demand for emergency shelter in our community,” said Broome. “We will be able to enhance our existing services, including the addition of housing navigators to help clients identify and apply for housing. We will also be able to add more robust programs, including GED classes, job training, resume building and more, to help our shelter clients increase their income.”

“One vital aspect missing in our community is dedicated shelter space to serve intact families,” added Deronda Metz, The Salvation Army’s director of social services. “These funds will allow us to evaluate our capital needs and determine an actionable plan for serving these families.”

The Salvation Army has a long, storied history of serving Charlotte’s homeless population, and as a result, it has been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally as a leader.

“This funding allows us to add even more strength to what we currently do for families and the flexibility to do much more, including collaborations across our community to tackle the deep-rooted, systemic problems that keep people in poverty,” said Metz. “We know we cannot end family homelessness on our own, but we can end homelessness for one family at a time and give them hope for the future.”

The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte is one of 24 nonprofits to receive the first Day 1 Families Fund grants, totaling $97.5 million. Recipients from around the country include: Abode Services, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, Community of Hope, Community Rebuilders, Crossroads Rhode Island, District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH), Emerald Development & Economic Network (EDEN) Inc., FrontLine Service, Hamilton Families, Heartland Family Service, Housing Families First, JOIN, LA Family Housing (LAFH), Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS), Primo Center for Women and Children, Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA), SEARCH Homeless Services, Simpson Housing Services, The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, The Salvation Army of Greater Houston, UMOM New Day Centers and Urban Resource Institute (URI).

Founded by Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos, the Bezos Day One Fund consists of two programs: the Day 1 Families Fund that provides grants to nonprofit organizations fighting homelessness, and the Day 1 Academies Fund that will fund and build a network of pre-schools in low-income communities across the country. The Day 1 Families Fund’s vision comes from the inspiring Mary’s Place in Seattle: no child should sleep outside. A small group of expert advisors provided input to the Bezos Day One Fund team to select these organizations. The Day 1 Families Fund will be awarding grants annually. For more information, visit www.BezosDayOneFund.org/Day1FamiliesFund.

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