York County’s Underexposed Film Festival Films & Schedule Announced

Charlotte Stories
-
0
York County’s Underexposed Film Festival Films & Schedule Announced

See 66 dynamic international short films at the 2023 Underexposed Film Festival yc (UFFyc). In its tenth season, UFFyc showcases the best in independent filmmaking from around the world with films that are as diverse in storytelling as they are in origin. Running March 22-25, 2023, UFFyc welcomes filmmakers and movie lovers to Dina’s Place in the DiGiorgio Campus Center on the campus of Winthrop University, York County Library – Rock Hill, and The Mercantile’s Burro Alley in Rock Hill, SC.

Established in 2012, the Underexposed Film Festival yc focuses on strength in storytelling, screening films that break down the fourth wall and envelop the audience in the story. Filmmakers often share their experiences during question-and-answer sessions that follow the screenings, giving festivalgoers a glimpse into their vision and process.

2023 UFFyc Details:

Winthrop University | Dina’s Place at the DiGiorgio Campus Center
2020 Alumni Drive, Rock Hill, SC 29733
TICKETS | $8 in advance, $10 at the door
Block A | Hopes & Dreams
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 | 7 – 9 PM
• Swing to the Moon | Animation (France)
• Daddy’s Eyes | Narrative (USA)
• The Realization of Childhood Dreams | Documentary (USA)
• The Pink Jacket | Animation (France, Portugal)
• Warsha | Narrative (France/Lebanon)
• Cabeceo | Narrative (USA)
• Inside The Beauty Bubble | Documentary (USA)
Block B | Duets
Thursday, March 23, 2023 | 7 – 9 PM
• Reverie | Experimental (USA)
• Kiri | Narrative (USA/SC)
• Chaperone | Narrative (USA)
• Ice Merchants | Animation (Portugal)
o 95th Academy Awards Oscar Nominee
• The Bathtub | Narrative (Spain)
• Clones | Narrative (USA)
• Neighbor Abdi | Documentary (Netherlands)
Block D | Emerging
Friday, March 24, 2023 | 3 – 5 PM
• SNAX | Animation (France)
• A Day Without Prohibition | Narrative (Finland)
• The Gift | Documentary (USA)
• The First | Narrative (USA)
• Tribes | Animation (France)
• Egg Man | Narrative (USA)
• What They Left Behind | Animation (USA)
• The Shadow of the Crows | Narrative (France)
Block G | Homecoming
Friday, March 24, 2023 | 7 – 9 PM
• The Better Angels | Animation (Australia)
• Dead Men and Devils | Narrative (USA/NC)
• I AM NOT OK | Experimental (USA)
• The Voice in the Hollow | Animation (Kenya, Tanzania, United States)
• Can’t Nobody Hide | Experimental (USA)
• Flat Earther | Narrative (USA)
• Revelation to the Disembodied | Experimental (USA/NC)
• Grandma’s Hats | Narrative (USA/NC)
• Welcome to Forever | Narrative (USA)
Block H | Double Feature – Jeopardy! And Family Ties
Saturday, March 25, 2023 | 2 – 4 PM
• Rite | Animation (USA/SC)
• The King in Yellow | Puppetry (USA)
• The Interrogation | Documentary (USA/SC)
• Garrano | Animation (Portugal)
• The Button Game | Experimental (USA)
• Got Your Back | Narrative (USA/SC)
• Cabarrus | Narrative (USA/NC)
• Convergence | Experimental (USA)
• The Bus | Documentary (USA/NC)
• Fine Lines | Narrative (USA/NC)
• Night | Puppetry (Germany, Jordan, State of Palestine, Qatar)
• Everybody Don’t Electric Slide | Narrative (USA/NC)
Block I + Awards Ceremony | Last Looks
Saturday, March 25, 2023 | 7 – 9:30 PM
• ANGAKUSAJUAJUQ: The Shaman’s Apprentice | Animation (Canada)
• Sparkle | Narrative (USA)
• The Garbage Man | Animation (Portugal)
• Misophonia | Puppetry (USA)
• The Third Defector | Narrative (France /USA)
The Mercantile | Burro Alley
153 East Main Street | Rock Hill, SC 29730
ADMISSION | Free
Block C | Bold & Beautiful
Thursday, March 23, 2023 | 8 – 10 PM
Outdoor screening | Come dressed for the weather!
• LA TIELLE SETOISE | Animation (France)
• The Call of Water | Narrative (USA)
• Dreaming in Aspect Ratio | Experimental (USA)
• Kesho Pia Ni Siku: Tomorrow is Another Day | Documentary (USA)
• Eyes and Horns | Experimental (Republic of Korea)
• MeTube: August Sings Una Furtiva Lagrima | Experimental (Austria)
• Intersections | Experimental (USA)
• Sierra | Animation (Estonia)
• Fuego | Narrative (USA)
York County Library – Rock Hill | Moore Room
138 Black Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730
ADMISSION | Free • Sponsored by Rock Hill Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Block E | Kids’ Watch Party
Friday, March 24, 2023 | 4 – 5:30 PM
• Swing to the Moon | Animation (France)
• URSA: Song of the Northern Lights | Animation (Norway)
• Rainboy | Animation (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• I am not Afraid! | Animation (Norway)
• Luce and the Rock | Animation (Belgium)

Block F | Teen Watch Party

Wednesday, March 24, 2023 | 7 – 8:30 PM
• Amateur Operatives | Puppetry (USA)
• The Record | Animation (Switzerland)
• The Nest | Documentary (USA/NC)
• The Shape of the Land | Experimental (USA)
• Youth | Narrative (USA/SC)
Wrap Party | Slow Play Brewing
274 Columbia Avenue | Rock Hill, SC 29730
Catered by Craig Morrow of Live Fire Feasts
Saturday, March 25, 2023 | 9:30 PM – 12 AM
The wrap party is open to the public. Tickets are $25.

Awards will be announced immediately following Block I on Saturday, March 25, 2023. The 2023 awards include: Grand Jury Award; Best Animated Film; Best Documentary Film; Best Experimental Film; Best Narrative Film; Best Puppet Film; Woman to Watch; Cinema Carolina; Best Student Film | Collegiate; and the Terry Roueche Audience Choice Award. The 2023 Cotton Alley Award will also be presented at this time.In addition to the wrap party on Saturday night, festivalgoers are encouraged to go to Player 1 Up, 140 East Main Street, Rock Hill, SC on Wednesday night, Kounter before the screenings on Thursday afternoon, and at the Courtroom at the Tom S. Gettys Center, 201 East Main Street, Rock Hill, SC on Friday night.

TICKETS
UFFyc tickets are on sale now, starting at $8 per block when purchased in advance, $10 at the door. Tickets are available online at underexposedfilmfestivalyc.org and yorkcountyarts.org, by phone at (803) 328-2787, or in person at the Center for the Arts, 121 E. Main St., Rock Hill, SC. Winthrop students are admitted free of charge with valid student ID.

The Charlotte Region’s Second Massive Whitewater Center Opening This Weekend

Charlotte Stories
-
0
The Charlotte Region’s Second Massive Whitewater Center Opening This Weekend

This weekend, Duke Energy will be officially opening the Charlotte region’s second large scale whitewater recreation center to compliment the US National Whitewater Center.

Duke Energy’s new multi-million dollar project, called the Great Falls-Dearborn Development, is restructuring several Catawba River water channels into class 2, 3, and 4 whitewater rapids, building a massive pedestrian bridge to an 650-acre island, installing three canoe and kayak launches, and is in the process of developing an entirely new state park for South Carolina.

“We’re looking forward to sharing these new opportunities with the public,” Duke Energy Recreation Manager Christy Churchill said in a press release. “With improvements like boater access, parking, an interpretive center, trails and, of course, river stretches for novice to experienced canoers and kayakers alike, this area will have a lot to offer the community.”

Duke Energy will be working with S2O Design, designer of Charlotte’s U.S. National Whitewater Center, and HDR Engineering to build 2 new bypass channels, with the longest one being about 1 1/2 miles. The new channels will gradually dissipate the reservoirs released energy using switchbacks and a series of progressively challenging waves. Each bypass will use notches and gates to regulate the water flow.

Public access to Duke Energy’s Great Falls enhancement project will officially open this coming Saturday, March 18th, 2023, at the Nitrolee Access Area.

The short bypass reach area is scheduled to will begin flowing this coming May.

For more information on the specific recreation flow releases, you can visit duke-energy.com/lakes.

The 2023 Pokémon Regional Championships Are Coming To Charlotte This Month

Charlotte Stories
-
0
The 2023 Pokémon Regional Championships Are Coming To Charlotte This Month

The 2023 Pokémon Regional Championships are coming to Charlotte the end of this month.

Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and video game players from throughout the region will compete at the Charlotte Convention Center for up to $65,000 in scholarships and prizes, including the coveted title of Pokémon Regional Champion and valuable Championship Points that count toward a potential invite to the 2023 Pokémon World Championships.

The family-friendly competition will provide great interview opportunities and visuals of the packed convention hall, highlighted by intense head-to-head battles and an energetic crowd of family, fans, and supporters cheering competitors on.

The tournament will take place between March 24–26th at the Charlotte Convention Center (501 S College St in Uptown).

You can find out more info or register for the tournament here.

Charlotte Residents Spending $231/month on utility bills, and $2,115/month on all household bills

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Charlotte Residents Spending $231/month on utility bills, and $2,115/month on all household bills

A new report has been released that examines how much Americans spend on utility bills (including electric, gas, water & sewer, and waste & recycling) each month. The report, which looks at utility bills from both a local and national perspective, found the following:

  • Utility bills in Charlotte: $231 spent per month.
  • Utility bills in North Carolina: $271 spent per month.
  • National Average Monthly/Annual Cost: $328 spent per month; $3,936 spent per year
  • Percent of U.S. Households: 78% of U.S. households pay Utility bills
  • Average Annual Cost per U.S. Household: $3,070 per year*
  • Total Utilities Market Size: $399 billion spent per year
  • Percent of Annual Income: Utility bills amount to 6% of consumers’ income per year

In addition to the above, the report noted specific household bill pay data for Charlotte that looks at total amount spent per month, and breaks down bill payments into ten different categories, including utilities, auto loans, cable bills, and more. For example:

  • Monthly bill amount in Charlotte: The average household pays $2,115 a month for the 10 most common household bills.
  • Rank in North Carolina: Charlotte is the #18 most expensive city in North Carolina for household expenses.
  • Charlotte’s monthly bills compared to North Carolina and national averages: The household expenses in Charlotte, on average, are 5.6% higher than the national average of $2,003, and 15.6% higher than the state average of $1,829.

What are the Top-Rated “Paint My Life” Companies?

Sharon Anderson
-
0
What are the Top-Rated “Paint My Life” Companies?

The question might arise as to why in our modern times when there are so many digital ways to capture memories, people still are using “paint-my-life” companies to create custom portraits for themselves. The main reason why it is still popular is that an art portrait painting is much more than a digital image. An art portrait is also more than just a painted “photo-shop” picture.

With an art portrait painting, the artist not only depicts the physical likeness of the person or group of people but also captures the expression and emotions of the people.

In this article, we’ll advise you on how to find top-rated Paint My Life companies and provide you with more detail regarding one of the top companies. But first, we’ll discuss what could be on your personalized painting and then look at what a Paint My Life company should be able to offer you.

What can “Paint my Life” Painting Include?

Literally, anything, including all your favorite memories, can be converted into a Paint My Life portrait. If you can recall your feelings and circumstances of a special occasion and you have one or more photos of the occasion, a skilled artist will be able to create an original My Painted Life work of art. An exciting aspect is that you can add anything to the painting or combine different photos.

If, for instance, your favorite photo of you and your bride on your wedding day has been taken against a terrible background, the artist can use the photo and perhaps a photo with the flower arrangement on the day and create an original beautiful painting.

Your precious paintings for life can include portraits of yourself, your special friends and family members, and memorable moments such as your graduation day, to only name a few possibilities. The portraits can also include your pets as either the only subject of the painting or with you.

Find the Right Top-Rated Company

Many art studios and independent artists nowadays advertise online that they can produce My Painted Life portraits. Unfortunately, not all of them deliver top-quality work. We recommend you use an online company that uses skilled and qualified artists and guarantee quality by offering a reasonable return policy and a money-back option.  

If you search online for “Paint My Life Companies” or “Paint My Life Artist”, you will find lists of possible companies. To decide which company to use, look carefully at their website to see what they offer and what guarantees are given.

A top-rated Paint, My Life company should be able to assist you regarding the composition and other details of the painting and offer you certain services. The company’s artist must understand what the “feeling” is you want to convey with the portrait and, with that in mind, assist you in deciding on the composition of the painting. The company or artist should also advise you regarding the canvas that will be used.  

Usually, companies provide oil My Painted Life paintings, if you’re looking for different types of painting art, such as watercolor or pencil, a reputable company should be able to provide them in addition to oil, and if you have a particular style in mind, the company should assign an artist proficient in that specific style to create your painting.

What Top-Rated Paint My Life Companies Usually Offer and Guarantee

  • The gallery should offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Many companies offer their customers a 365-day money guarantee and a 365-day return policy if the artwork encounters “technical” problems like color changing.
  • The gallery should also be able to refer you to previous and current customers, which you can contact. 1st Art Gallery, HandmadePiece, and Paintyourlife, for instance, have thousands of happy customers.

A Reputable Company that is the Top-Rated Paint My Life Company

In principle, all three offer the service that we’ve discussed above and have hundreds of satisfied customers, but the first one that comes to mind is 1st Art Gallery.

1st Art Gallery

The first Paint My Life company I want to highlight is the 1st Art Gallery. This is an established and very reputable company producing My Painted Life work of art. For nearly 20 years already, 1st Art Gallery has been making it possible for people around the globe to acquire museum-quality Paint My Life portraits. It offers free worldwide shipping and has online customer service that is available 24/7.

1st Art Gallery believes that its artists offer more to clients than just the best quality. Its artists turn any photograph – or combination of photographs – into original My Life Paintings and succeed in conveying the “feeling” you require. You can also ask for a specific style in which the Paint My Life painting should be done. The Gallery offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with your portrait painting. If you are satisfied, the Gallery provides a lifetime warranty.

Although all its artists are classically trained artists and exceptional artists in their own right, 1st Art Gallery’s prices for the works of art are often lower than most of its competitors. While 1st Art Gallery has several competitors, the online gallery has its very own approach to creating artwork by incorporating artists’ innate skills and the latest technological advancements. 

Conclusion

If you use a reputable Paint My Life company to create personalized portraits of your memorable times, beloved family, friends, and pets, you are preserving the memories for generations to come. The bottom line is that you have to use a top-rated company such as 1st Art Gallery.

South Carolina Ranked Among 2023’s Least Federally Dependent States in America

Sharon Anderson
-
0
South Carolina Ranked Among 2023’s Least Federally Dependent States in America

With the tax filing deadline drawing near but some states receiving far more in federal aid than they pay in taxes, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released updated rankings for 2023’s Most & Least Federally Dependent States.

This report illustrates the extent to which states are independent economically. In order to identify which states most and least depend on federal support, WalletHub compared the 50 states across three key metrics: return on taxes paid to the federal government; federal funding as a share of state revenue; and share of federal jobs.

South Carolina came in as the 7th least federally dependent state in America and North Carolina was ranked as the 37th.

Most Federally Dependent States

Rank  State Total Score  State Residents’ Dependency  State Government’s Dependency 
1 Alaska 83.18 3 2
2 West Virginia 76.02 1 9
3 Mississippi 71.31 7 5
4 Kentucky 70.95 5 10
5 New Mexico 69.73 2 17
6 Wyoming 64.23 24 1
7 South Carolina 59.86 6 27
8 Arizona 58.86 13 6
9 Montana 57.77 14 7
10 Louisiana 57.46 22 3
11 North Dakota 55.91 4 35
12 Indiana 55.34 9 19
13 Maine 54.25 11 12
14 Alabama 53.48 10 16
15 South Dakota 52.22 29 4
16 Vermont 50.13 19 11
17 Missouri 44.13 28 8
18 Oklahoma 41.60 15 31
19 Pennsylvania 41.10 20 22
20 Idaho 40.57 23 15
21 Rhode Island 39.65 31 13
22 Tennessee 37.94 26 18
23 New Hampshire 37.39 41 14
24 Maryland 36.36 16 36
25 Michigan 34.67 27 24
26 Hawaii 33.25 8 50
27 Oregon 33.23 25 30
28 Arkansas 33.18 40 20
29 Texas 32.71 39 21
30 Minnesota 32.29 17 42
31 Connecticut 30.45 18 44
32 Virginia 30.38 12 46
33 Georgia 30.30 35 28
34 Florida 30.20 30 32
35 Ohio 29.12 46 23
36 Nebraska 29.05 42 26
37 North Carolina 28.43 37 33
38 Wisconsin 27.89 21 40
39 New York 27.27 44 29
40 Colorado 25.18 36 34
41 Nevada 23.45 38 37
42 Delaware 22.23 50 25
43 Iowa 19.28 32 43
44 Massachusetts 17.32 48 38
45 California 17.27 45 41
46 Illinois 17.05 47 39
47 Kansas 15.70 34 47
48 Utah 14.96 33 48
49 Washington 14.63 43 45
50 New Jersey 8.41 49 49

Notes: *No. 1 = Most Dependent
With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that state, where a rank of 1 represents the most dependent for that metric category.

Charlotte Lighting ‘Controlled Burn’ This Morning

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Charlotte Lighting ‘Controlled Burn’ This Morning

The Mecklenburg County Natural Resources staff has just announced that they will be setting another fire in Northwest Charlotte at the Latta Nature Preserve as part of a fire-preventing controlled burn.

The county sent out an alert noting that residents may see smoke around North Charlotte today between 11am and 2pm this afternoon:

“Mecklenburg County Natural Resources staff are conducting a controlled burn today beginning around 11 am at Latta Nature Preserve. Smoke will affect air quality in the downwind area for 2-3 hours. To reduce your exposure to smoke, stay indoors or avoid areas of heavy smoke.”

For more information on Mecklenburg County prescribed burns visit: meck.co/RXfire

This Week’s Massive Nor’easter Produced Eerie ‘Sparking Cyclone’ And Destroyed Outer Banks Homes

Charlotte Stories
-
0
This Week’s Massive Nor’easter Produced Eerie ‘Sparking Cyclone’ And Destroyed Outer Banks Homes

A recent satellite view of a massive nor’easter storm off the North Carolina coast gave us a stunning display of a rare ‘sparking storm’. NASA detected the phenomenon using their Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) on the GOES-East Satellite, which detects and records lightning over the Americas through near-infrared wavelengths. They were able to compress six hours of the storm’s development into a 12 second video.

You can see the “sparks” from the massive storm in this 12 second clip (6-hr time-lapse of the storm):

The storm was predicted to bring damaging winds, 8-12 feet breaking waves, and coastal flooding to the Outer Banks. Unfortunately, its waves caused an 1,100-square-foot house in Rodanthe to collapse into the ocean, where it was broken apart by the heavy surf.

The debris trail it left spread across 21 miles of beaches in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Additionally, dunes near the Pea Island Visitor Center were breached, affecting traffic on the highway.

Charlotte Among the Top 10 Up and Coming Cities for Women in Business

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Charlotte Among the Top 10 Up and Coming Cities for Women in Business

With International Women’s Day coming up, TFF released a study to predict which major US cities will offer more to women in business over the next decade, based on a study of recent key business trends.

The study analyzed the data based on six criteria, including; women in executive positions, gender pay gap, female owned business, future job growth, population growth, and economic growth.

North Carolina proved really strong, securing two of the highest spots in the report, including Raleigh at #2 and Charlotte at #8:

Do you think Charlotte is a top city for women in business? 

Best Online Casino Games People Can Learn Fast

Charles Brown
-
0
Best Online Casino Games People Can Learn Fast

Are you looking for a way to unwind and have some fun without the hassle of strategizing or thinking too much? Look no further than online casinos! With a plethora of games to choose from, there’s something for everyone. But if you’re someone who prefers simple gameplay over complex rules, we’ve got you covered with our top picks of the best online casino games for people who don’t like to think. Get ready for some mindless entertainment that will keep you hooked for hours on end!

Solitaire
Solitaire is the perfect game for people who don’t like to think too much. All you need to do is match the cards in the right order and you’re good to go. The best part about playing solitaire online is that there are no rules to follow, so you can relax and enjoy the game without having to worry about making any mistakes.

Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the oldest and most popular casino games. The objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand by having a higher total than the dealer without going over 21. Blackjack is a simple game to understand, but it can take a lifetime to master. The basic strategy for blackjack is to always hit if your hand totals less than 17, always stand if your hand totals 18 or more, and to always split aces and 8s.

There are many different variations, but the basic rules remain the same. Online blackjack is a great game for people who don’t like to ponder too much because it is easy to learn and doesn’t require a lot of thinking. However, it does require some strategizing and decision-making, so it is still a challenging game for those who want to be challenged.

Roulette
If you’re looking for an online casino game that doesn’t require much thinking, roulette is a great option. The rules are simple: place your bets on where you think the ball will land on the spinning wheel. You can bet on a single number, a range of numbers, or even whether the ball will land on a black or red number. Then just sit back and watch the wheel spin! If the ball lands on the number you chose, you’ll win your bet.

Roulette is a great game for people who want to relax and have some fun without having to think too much. And with so many different ways to bet, there’s plenty of room for strategy if you’re feeling competitive. So why not give it a try today?

Slots
Slots are often seen as the domain of people who don’t like to think too much while they’re gambling. That’s because slots require very little strategy or thought on the part of the player. You simply spin the reels and hope that you hit a winning combination.

However, there are some people who enjoy playing slots because they find the simplicity refreshing. If you’re one of those people, then you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of great online casino games for you to choose from. 

How to find the best online casino games for you

There are a few things to consider when looking for the best online casino games for you. First, what type of casino games do you like? Do you prefer slots or table games? There are a variety of different casino games available online, so you should be able to find something that you like.

Second, what is your skill level? Are you a beginner or an experienced player? If you’re a beginner, it’s probably best to start with some of the simpler games such as slots. If you’re more experienced, then you might want to try some of the more challenging table games.

Third, how much money are you willing to spend? Casino games can be expensive, so it’s important to set a budget before you start playing. Once you’ve determined how much money you’re comfortable spending, then you can start looking for casinos that offer the types of games that you’re interested in and that fall within your budget.

Fourth, read reviews of online casinos before playing. There are a number of websites that offer reviews of different online casinos. Reading these reviews can help you get an idea of which casinos offer the best experience and which ones to avoid.

Finally, when you find an online casino that looks promising, take some time to try out the different games offered. This will help you get a feel for the site and decide if it’s the right place for you to play your favorite casino games.

Conclusion

Playing online casino games can be a great way to pass the time for those who don’t like to think too much. We hope that this article has provided you with some useful information on the best online casinos and the games they offer, as well as helpful tips on how to choose a game that is right for you. Each of these casino games have their own unique appeal and appeal to different players depending on their preferences, so make sure to take your time in selecting one that suits you best!

1...430431432...1,318Page 431 of 1,318