Today’s National Cheeseburger Day – How To Score Free Burgers (and Pancakes)

Charlotte Stories
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Today’s National Cheeseburger Day – How To Score Free Burgers (and Pancakes)

Happy National Cheeseburger Day!

The following burger joints are taking advantage of today’s national “holiday” by offering free and discounted burger deals to all Charlotte residents (with the exception of IHOP, which is offering free pancakes today);

Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries: Anyone who downloads the My Hwy 55 app can get half-off all burger combos from 5 p.m. to close today.

IHOP: Today, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.you can get a free stack of two buttermilk or pumpkin spice pancakes with any Ultimate Steakburger and a side.

Moo and Brew: Show the following Instagram post to your server and you can build a custom angus cheeseburger for $5 today only:

Red Robin: Recieve a Gourmet Cheeseburger and Bottomless Steak Fries for $5.

Ruby Tuesday: The chain is giving out coupons for a free burger with purchase of an entree for anyone who signs up for their mailing list at www.rubytuesday.com/CheeseburgerDay2018.

Guardians of Rescue Need Assistance Rescuing Animals in Hurricane Florence’s Path

Charlotte Stories
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Guardians of Rescue Need Assistance Rescuing Animals in Hurricane Florence’s Path

Many people find it difficult enough to get themselves and their family evacuated when a hurricane is headed their way. Add to the stress that they may have pets and often times they simply have no idea what to do with them, opting to leave them behind. Guardians of Rescue are now on the ground working nonstop in Wilmington, North Carolina and surrounding areas to help rescue the many animals that were left behind. The rescue group is assisting the Pender County Humane Society. The city has been hard hit by the hurricane and is now completely cut off as all roads leading into it have been flooded.

“We’ve helped rescue animals in many hurricanes, but this one has to be one of the worst hurricanes to get access to the animals in need,” explains Robert Misseri, president of Guardians of Rescue, an animal rescue organization. “So many animals were left behind. We are getting calls about dogs left in kennels in backyards that are completely flooded, cats on rooftops, and horses in flooded fields etc.”

Many animals have already been rescued with many more still waiting to be. The rescue group has been getting many phone calls from people who have left behind animals or who have seen animals in dire situations in need of help. Road closures all around the area are making it extremely challenging and dangerous to reach the animals in need, but the group continues on, making as many rescues as possible. Guardians of Rescue are asking the public to assist in the rescue efforts to help make the mission a success. They need financial assistance, volunteers, pet food, and medicine.

It’s important that those with pets know what to do if a hurricane were to become a threat. Here are some tips pre and post hurricane situations to keep in mind:

  • Have a plan in place. Important to have a plan so you know what you will do if a hurricane becomes an issue. Be sure that you know where local shelters are that will accept pets, locate pet-friendly hotels and boarding houses outside of your evacuation area, or have a list of friends or family outside the area who you could call on for assistance.
  • Get your pet microchipped. If your pet were to become lost from you during a hurricane it’s important that you have them microchipped so they can be reunited after the storm is over. Those with large animals, such as horses or livestock, should make sure they all have identification, evacuate the animals whenever possible, and ensure they have food and water if they must be left behind.
  • Have an emergency kit. Your emergency kit should have any medication your pet needs, food, water, a leash, sanitation items (litter box, trash bags, etc.) and a carrier. Also, have a picture of your pet in the kit so that if you become separated you can use it to help locate them again.
  • Leaving them behind. While for many people it is unfathomable to leave a pet behind during a hurricane, some people feel they have no choice but to do so. If you feel you have no other option than to leave your pet behind, do not confine them to a room or crate. Let them have the ability to move about so they can try to seek out safety, and be sure to leave plenty of food and water.

“What we are seeing out here is nothing short of heartbreaking,” adds Misseri. “We are doing everything we can to help these animals who are in desperate need of being rescued. We need the help of the public to provide the support that is needed to make this mission a success. It’s something we can’t do alone.”

Guardians of Rescue has a goal of raising $80,000 to help with the animal rescue from Hurricane Florence. If every person reading this donates just $5 it will be easy to reach that goal. Those wanting to help support their efforts can log online to make a donation: https://guardiansofrescue.networkforgood.com/projects/58524-disaster-respon%20se-hurricane-florence.

Moving Images From Hurricane Florence’s Devastation of The Carolinas

Steve
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Moving Images From Hurricane Florence’s Devastation of The Carolinas

Hurricane Florence has officially dissipated.

While some feel that it was over-hyped, the fact is that thousands of Carolina residents lost everything in the storm, for some, even their lives.

The Associated Press is now reporting 32 confirmed deaths in the Carolinas (24 from North Carolina) from Hurricane Florence causes, and that number is only expected to rise as floodwaters continue to flow through next week.

Words can’t express the pain many are feeling, but perhaps the following images can give a small glimpse into the eyes of the hurting;

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AO Tablesetter @f3nation_official

A post shared by F3Carterico (@f3carterico) on

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Long day of driving around southeastern #northcarolina covering the ongoing flooding from #hurricaneflorence. I spent a couple of hours in the small town of #Pollocksville talking with residents and rescuers, both volunteer and #uscoastguard (from Memphis, Tennessee). In the time I spent there the water rose more than two feet, indicating the risks of this storm have not ended. Kyle Speelman and Rob O’Brien helped Mrs Hanson, 88, across the flood to a truck waiting to take the elderly woman to the hospital in #newbern to treat a broken neck. Rob and his wife Katie O’Brien returned to the region after evacuating to West Virginia. They bought a small boat and enlisted the help of Kyle to join the army of volunteers working in the region. #floods #naturaldisaster #climatechange #heros #heroines #onassignment #thisisamerica #river #photojournalism

A post shared by Wil Sands (@wilsands) on

Florence Drops Over 30″ of Rain – The Most In The History of North Carolina

Charlotte Stories
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Florence Drops Over 30″ of Rain – The Most In The History of North Carolina

Hurricane Florence has just broken our tropical cyclone state rainfall record, and there still may be more heavy rain to come in Florence’s slow crawl across our state.

The CoCoRaHS network near Swansboro, North Carolina, has reported a storm total of 33.90 inches of rain through Sunday morning.

This new record now tops the long-held tropical cyclone rainfall record for our state, previously held by the 24.06 inches rainfall record in Southport, NC during Hurricane Floyd in September 1999.

North Carolina now holds the 3rd highest state record behind Texas, Florida, and Alabama;

Florence also set a number of other rainfall records around our state over the past few days, including a 1-day rainfall total of 6.12″ in Charlotte;

Did you experience power loss or flooding during Florence?

Travel Advisory Issued For Charlotte Region Due To Flooded Roads

Charlotte Stories
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Travel Advisory Issued For Charlotte Region Due To Flooded Roads

The North Carolina Department of Transportation issued a statewide travel advisory as floodwaters from Hurricane Florence continue to rise.

The advisory reads;

“Due to flooding in southern and eastern NC and potential landslides in the west, NCDOT advises that motorists not travel through NC. Several sections of I-95 and I-40 are flooded.

Travel should be completely avoided in areas south of US 64 and east of I-73/I-74. As the situation is rapidly changing NCDOT is doing our best to report these closures but recognizes that we are not yet aware of all closures, therefore we advise not to travel in these areas.”

Union County saw some of the worst flooding in our region, with many roads becoming completely impassable;

Emergency crews were called to several areas to rescue stranded residents;

Here in Charlotte, the only major roads to completely flood were Marvin Rd. and Weddington Rd. in South Charlotte;

and Addison Drive off Randolph Rd. in East Charlotte;

Charlotte also saw dozens of parks, parking lots, and greenways overflow with water over the past few days;

Before you drive, please check NCDOT’s latest flooded road list here.

Visit http://CharlotteNC.gov/Emergency for more information on City and County services affected by Tropical Depression Florence, as well as important safety information. You can also Text CHARMECK to 888777 for Florence Updates.

State of Diversity and Inclusion: The Blueprint for Minority Business Growth

Toraine Lee
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State of Diversity and Inclusion: The Blueprint for Minority Business Growth

As an aspiring black entrepreneur and Charlotte, North Carolina native, I identify firsthand with the challenges minority entrepreneurs face in the business community. I also know the talent, dedication, and vision they need in order to reach their dreams. Without question, lack of access to training and capital are the principal reasons why opportunities are held from minority entrepreneurs. Consequently, small business growth within the black community stymied.

To begin to address the issue of a more united business community, I am introducing a revolutionary campaign to promote diversity and inclusiveness in the Charlotte business community. The 7-0-4 Plan – a community-based project – is founded upon five guiding economic ideas to foster entrepreneurship. To initiate a dialogue on how to spark minority business growth and to build a stronger, more diverse business community, I propose the following:

  • Develop an entrepreneurial workshop to offer prospective businesspeople a six-month course on how to launch a small business.
  • Create an incubation program to offer a group of novice entrepreneurs a focus of mentoring, networking opportunities, angel investing, and other resources to transform their raw materials of ideas into fully, formed job generating businesses.
  • Create substantial alliances between black organizations to nurture entrepreneurial stability and economic growth among small business
  • Create an economic development plan to address the following: incubation program, green economy, new growth industries, raising capital, initiative programs, and entrepreneur attainment for the youth.
  • Utilize Beatties Ford Road corridor project  to spark black-owned businesses and private development in retail, housing, restaurants, and amenities.

There is a spirit of entrepreneurship in the community that needs to be nurtured and energized. I am personally committed to a viable consensus on how to spark minority business growth and to build a stronger, more diverse business community. With the browning of America and an increasing borderless business environment, diversity will steadily become a way of life not just from 9 to 5 but from 5 to 9 as well. As our differences become a welcome part of a more dynamic business community, and world, we will not just talk about inclusion but live it.

Toraine Lee is a blogger at www.The704PlanMovement.com. He can be reached at @torainelee or via email at torainelee@gmail.com. To find out how you can get involved to make a better Charlotte, visit www.The704PlanMovement.com or join the conversation at the cause’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/The704Plan. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @704Plan.

Major League Bocce Ball Is Now Registering Teams in Charlotte

Charlotte Stories
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Major League Bocce Ball Is Now Registering Teams in Charlotte

A new twist on an old game is now expanding here in the Queen City. Major League Bocce has just announced they’ll be starting 3 new divisions around the city of Charlotte in Montford, NoDa, and Southwest Charlotte.

According to their website, Major League Bocce was first founded in Washington, DC, and “was originally known as the DC Bocce League. After several years operating the DC Bocce League to great success, the founders put together an expansion strategy to bring bocce to cities beyond the DC area. In 2011, the team launched Major League Bocce in Philadelphia. Three years later, the League landed in Charlotte.”

Major League Bocce is now registering teams for their 3 new Charlotte-area leagues.

Click here to find out more or to sign up for a team.

Over 10,000 Charlotte Residents Now Without Power From Hurricane Florence

Steve
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Over 10,000 Charlotte Residents Now Without Power From Hurricane Florence

Hurricane Florence is now on day 3 of causing flash floods and damaging winds across the Carolinas.

The downgraded category 2 storm (currently a tropical storm) first made landfall late Thursday night near Wrightsville Beach. While the storm hasn’t been as dramatic in terms of wind speed and structural damage as Hurricane Hugo or Matthew, it has already taken 5 lives, and over 360 people have had to be rescued from the town of New Bern, NC.

While the major section of the storm hasn’t reached us yet, the Charlotte region has already been seeing pockets of flooding, downed trees, and some widespread power outages.

Over 10,000 customers in Mecklenburg County have already lost power;

The power outages have primarily been caused by large tree branches and even some trees falling on power lines;

According to the Duke Energy power outage map, there are currently 546,992 customers without power in the state of North Carolina (as of 8:24am);

Gov. Roy Cooper is still urging residents to be cautious. In a recent statement, he said the worst might be yet to come and urged residents who had evacuated not to return home yet. He said forecasts predicted that the Cape Fear and Lumber rivers would rise “as high or even higher as in Hurricane Matthew,” which flooded similar parts of the state two years ago. “If the storm hasn’t reached you yet, it’s coming,” he said.

Some of The Worst Damage Hurricane Florence Has Caused So Far (Video)

Steve
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Some of The Worst Damage Hurricane Florence Has Caused So Far (Video)

Hurricane Florence is now on day 3 of causing flash floods and damaging winds across the Carolinas.

The downgraded category 2 storm (currently a tropical storm) first made landfall late Thursday night near Wrightsville Beach. While the storm hasn’t been as dramatic in terms of wind speed and structural damage as Hurricane Hugo or Matthew, it has already taken 5 lives, and over 360 people have had to be rescued from the town of New Bern, NC.

We put together this video from some of the most intense footage we found from around the Wilmington area;

Gov. Roy Cooper is still urging residents to be causious. In a recent statement, he said the worst might be yet to come and urged residents who had evacuated not to return home yet. He said forecasts predicted that the Cape Fear and Lumber rivers would rise “as high or even higher as in Hurricane Matthew,” which flooded similar parts of the state two years ago. “If the storm hasn’t reached you yet, it’s coming,” he said.

According To Zillow, Charlotte Ranks High For Outsiders and Low For Residents

Katherine Miele
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According To Zillow, Charlotte Ranks High For Outsiders and Low For Residents

charlotte-skyline-elizabeth-sunset-facebookZillow.com recently released a study about where people are searching from homes, and where they currently live while searching.

Among the worst ranked are Washington, D.C., Miami, Detroit, Houston and Chicago, where outsiders aren’t interested and residents want out.

Charlotte ranked above average for our interest from outsiders, but way below average for the interest of our current residents:

zillow-where-people-want-to-live-small

While there are far more outsiders looking for homes in Charlotte than people who already live here, a majority of those outsiders seem to be coming from nearby towns.

According to Zillow’s report, “when people conduct home searches and look at homes outside of their area, they typically look in adjacent metros or states. This is especially true in the southern states of Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.”

These were the top 10 markets looking at homes in the Charlotte area:

  • Greensboro: 6%
  • Raleigh: 4.7%
  • Wilmington: 3.3%
  • Greenville, S.C.: 3%
  • Florence, S.C.: 2.9%
  • Bluefield, W. Va.: 2.9%
  • Columbia: 2.4%
  • Greenville, N.C.: 2.3%
  • Tri-Cities, Tenn.: 2.1%
  • Nashville, Tenn.: 1.8%

How do you think Charlotte could improve its image among current residents? 

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