North Carolina Wins Platinum Shovel Award For Having The Most Development in America

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The State of North Carolina has just been awarded the coveted 2022 Platinum Shovel award by Area Development magazine for having the most significant investment and job creation projects in America.

The annual award is part of Area Development’s analysis report of economic development projects and trends around the country.

According to the report, “information from all 50 states about their top-10 job-creation and investment projects initiated in 2021. Based on a combination of weighted factors — including the number of new jobs to be created in relation to the state’s population, the combined dollar amount of the company investments, the number of new facilities, and the diversity of industry represented — five states achieving the highest weighted overall scores were awarded Area Development’s Gold Shovels in five population categories: 12+ million, 8+ to 12 million, 5+ to 8 million, 3+ to 5 million, and fewer than 3 million. The runners-up in each of the above population categories were awarded Silver Shovels. This year, two states were awarded our new Platinum Shovel awards in recognition of the fact that they went beyond the Gold standard for job creation and investment.”

“By virtue of the fact that North Carolina’s 10 submitted projects will be responsible for the creation of more than 9,000 jobs and $6 billion in company investment, the state went beyond the gold standard and is receiving our new Platinum Shovel award,” noted Area Development’s Editor Geraldine Gambale.

The Tar Heel State also had two projects recognized as Projects of the Year. Apple’s research and development center in Wake County was recognized as Non-Manufacturing Project of the Year. The project will create 3,000 jobs and invest over $1 billion. Toyota’s first North American electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in Randolph County won Manufacturing Project of the Year. The project will create 1,750 jobs and invest $1.3 billion.

“North Carolina had a notable year in 2021; we announced over 20,000 jobs and over $10 billion in investment. This positive trajectory out of 2021 has led to substantial project wins in early 2022,” commented EDPNC CEO Christopher Chung. “The EDPNC and our state and local partners have worked hard to make this happen, and we appreciate this national recognition.”

To read more about all the winners you can click here.

Money Tips: How to Handle Your Money

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When it comes to our finances, most of us would like to think that we have things under control. But the truth is, for most of us, this isn’t the case. We often find ourselves struggling with money management and trying to stay out of debt. If you’re looking for ways to improve your financial situation, you’re in luck. Join us as we discuss some tips on how to handle your money and stay out of debt.

What Is Successful Money Management?

Money management is the process of knowing where your money is going, making sure you have enough to cover your expenses, and planning for the future. There are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to money management:

  1. Know where your money is going: Track your spending for at least one month so you know where your money is going. This will help you identify areas where you can cut back.
  2. Make a budget: Once you know where your money is going, you can create a budget that allocates your income towards necessary expenses, savings, and debt repayment.
  3. Stick to your budget: Budgeting only works if you stick to it. That means being mindful of your spending and making adjustments as necessary.

There are a lot of great online websites and smartphone apps to help with this too. Take, for example, Mint.com. Mint is a free budgeting app that tracks your spending, creates a budget for you based on your income and expenses, and gives you insights into where you can save money.

What Is Debt?

Debt is money that you owe to someone else. It can be in the form of credit card debt, student loans, a mortgage, or any other type of loan. When it comes to debt, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Interest: When you borrow money, you’re typically charged interest. This is an additional fee that you have to pay on top of the money you borrowed. For instance, if you borrow money without collateral in Sweden, you’ll have to pay back with interest. Upon repaying the borrowed amount, it will be counted once again against your credit limit, allowing you to withdraw further funds.
  • Minimum payments: Most debts come with a minimum payment that you’re required to make each month. This is the minimum amount that you need to pay to keep your account in good standing.
  • Payoff timeline: When you’re trying to get out of debt, it’s important to have a plan. That means knowing how much you need to pay each month and when you’ll be able to pay off the debt in full.

The Benefits of Being Debt-Free

There are plenty of benefits that come with being debt-free. For one, you’ll no longer have to worry about making minimum payments each month. You’ll also save money on interest charges, and you’ll free up more of your income each month. Being debt-free will also give you peace of mind and improve your credit score. If you live in a state like California, consider Americor’s debt relief solutions in California for your financial plan, you can take advantage of their expertise and tailored strategies to effectively manage and reduce your debt.

The Benefits of Successful Money Management

By taking control of your finances and learning how to manage your money effectively, you can improve your overall financial well-being. There are many benefits to successful money management, including:

  • Improved financial stability: When you have a handle on your finances, you’re less likely to experience financial instability. This means having enough money to cover your expenses and being able to plan for the future.
  • Reduced stress: Money troubles can be a major source of stress. But when you’re in control of your finances, you can reduce stress and enjoy a more peaceful life.
  • Improved credit score: A good credit score can open up opportunities for you, like qualifying for a loan with a lower interest rate.
  • Ability to save for future goals: When you’re not bogged down by debt, you can start saving for future goals, like buying a home or retiring early.
  • Peace of mind: One of the biggest benefits of successful money management is the peace of mind that comes with it. When you’re not worried about money, you can relax and enjoy your life. As well as protecting yourself with financial peace of mind, you can also protect yourself from legal troubles. If you ever find yourself in a legal situation that could affect your financial future, consulting a Virginia criminal lawyer can provide you with the guidance and protection that you need to safeguard your finances and stop them from getting eaten up by any issues.

How Credit Report Services Can Help You Stay Informed

Your credit report is a record of your credit history. It includes information like your credit accounts, payment history, and credit utilization. Credit report services can help you stay on top of your credit by providing you with regular updates on your credit report. This way, you can catch any errors or signs of fraud early on and take steps to fix them.

What to Do if You Find Errors in Your Credit Report

If you find errors in your credit report, the first step is to contact the credit reporting agency. You can dispute the errors with the credit reporting agency, and they will investigate. If they find that the information on your credit report is inaccurate, they will remove it from your credit report.

Does My Business Need Credit Report Monitoring?

If you’re a business owner, utilizing credit report services for business can be a valuable tool. By monitoring your credit report, you can catch errors early on and take steps to improve your credit score. This can help you get better rates on loans and make it easier to qualify for new lines of credit. Monitoring your credit report can also help you prevent fraud. If you see suspicious activity on your credit report, you can take steps to protect yourself and your business.

Selling Your Home? Bank the Most Of It With These Tips

If you’re looking to pay off a debt you may be asking yourself “how do I sell my home?”. First, make sure your home is in good condition. This means repairing any damage and making any necessary upgrades. Next, research the market value of similar homes in your area so you have a good idea of what your home is worth. Finally, work with a real estate agent to get the best possible price for your home.

Understanding When to Financially Assist Others and When to Refrain

Before offering financial aid to others, it’s essential to evaluate your own financial standing and goals. If offering money will compromise these areas of financial health or goals, other ways can provide support: advice, networking or non-monetary contributions can all provide tangible aid. Remember, generosity should never come at the cost of financial security! When you’re able to do money transfers to Nicaragua, you can send money to your loved ones or donate to reputable charities.

Final Thoughts: Staying Out of Debt

The best way to stay out of debt is to be proactive about your finances. This means creating a budget and sticking to it. It also means being mindful of your spending and only using credit when you can afford to pay it off in full. Finally, it’s important to have an emergency fund so you’re not tempted to use credit if unexpected expenses come up.

By following these tips, you can take control of your finances and improve your overall financial wellbeing. By doing so, you’ll be on your way to a brighter future. Do you have any other questions regarding your financial well-being? Leave us a comment below and let us know. We’re always happy to help!

5 Travel Tips if You’re Flying This Summer

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Taking a plane is still the quickest way to travel long distances in comfort and style, so for summer vacations in far-flung places it’s the only way to go.

Of course there are things you can do to make your life easier when the day of your flight rolls around, so take heed of the following tips if you want to avoid common mistakes vacation-goers make.

Choose direct flights if possible

In the past, you could save a bundle by taking more circuitous routes to get to your final destination, with stop-offs and layovers a frugal move. However, in an era of staff shortages and disruption, flying direct is far more sensible.

Even if a direct route costs you more, it’s a price worth paying unless you are absolutely committed to keeping costs down and you don’t mind the likelihood of delays and outright cancellations hanging over you.

Choosing direct flights has become more sensible, especially in recent times when disruptions and staff shortages are common in the airline industry. Previously, taking circuitous routes with stop-offs and layovers was seen as a frugal move that could save a substantial amount of money. 

However, the likelihood of facing delays and outright cancellations on such routes has significantly increased, making them less appealing. Now, even if a direct route might cost more, it’s often seen as a price worth paying for the added peace of mind and time saved. Moreover, if you are looking for ways to save, there are still methods of finding cheap flights without compromising on the directness of your route. 

Being flexible with your travel dates, booking well in advance, and comparing prices across different platforms can be effective strategies to secure more affordable direct flights.

Check out details about the airport you’re flying to, e.g. Charlotte Douglas International

It’s always wise to do a bit of research into any airport you visit before you arrive, and while the hub you’re flying out of is obviously important in this regard, it’s also helpful to know about where you’re arriving into as well.

Take Charlotte Douglas airport as an example. It’s handy to know things like average wait times, amenities, transfer options and peak periods of use so that you can adjust your plans accordingly.

All you need is a couple of minutes to read through relevant info on an airport, and you’ll potentially steer clear of snags during your journey.

Pack light

Having to check a bag into the hold of an aircraft before a flight, and pick it up afterwards, adds lots of time to your travels in normal circumstances. But with the aforementioned issues impacting the industry right now, it’s better to bring minimal luggage with you and instead just choose a carry-on case that can be taken into the cabin with you.

Part of the reason for this is that there’s a chance that you’ll be forced to take a different flight than the one you originally booked because of over-subscription, so not needing to worry about getting your baggage transferred will be a weight off your mind.

Bring drinks & snacks

Another aspect of air travel to be aware of right now is that airports are encountering staff shortages in their hospitality areas, which means that you won’t have the same level of variety available to you if you’re looking to fuel up before or after your flight.

This means having filling snacks packed with you, as well as a reusable bottle to be filled up at water fountains, is advised. Obviously not every airport is being as badly affected, but it’s not something you should leave to chance.

Arrive early

It’s always recommended that you arrive 2 hours ahead of a domestic flight, and 3 hours ahead of an international flight. But again, in order to account for the likelihood of some aspect of the process getting derailed, if you can turn up even more in advance of your departure time, that’s ideal.

Being able to check in ahead of the rest of the passengers will limit the chance of your seat being taken, and will also mean that if a flight does get delayed or outright canceled, you can act quickly and change your plans with thinking time to spare, rather than in a last-minute flurry.

Final thoughts

This summer, it’s a case of hoping for the best but planning for the worst if flying is on the cards, and you’ll be glad you did all this prep when your vacation eventually kicks off.

7 Healthy Lifestyle Tips For Managing Bipolar Disorder

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Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings. The disorder, also known as manic depression, has been around for centuries and affects millions worldwide. 

Even though one of the best ways to treat bipolar disorder is through programs such as the ones offered by Jackson House and other similar services, there are lifestyle changes you can make to improve your overall health. This blog will discuss healthy lifestyle habits that will help manage the condition and keep it from worsening. So, read on for more information.

  • Eat Healthily

To keep your body healthy, you should eat a balanced diet. That means eating a variety of foods from all the different food groups. The most important thing is to avoid junk food, which can be high in saturated fat and empty calories. You should also make sure to eat enough protein, fiber, vegetables, and fruit—all of these foods are good for you.

You should drink plenty of water every day as well. Doing so helps flush out toxins and waste products from your body. If you don’t, waste buildup inside your body can cause swelling or inflammation, leading to symptoms such as depression or anxiety attacks during bipolar disorder episodes where there’s inflammation happening due to lack of sleep caused by insomnia (lack of REM sleep).

  • Stay Hydrated

The most important thing you can do for your health is to drink plenty of water. While it seems like a no-brainer, many people don’t realize how much water they need daily. Accordingly, adults should consume about eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. But some people may need more or less depending on the climate and other factors, such as their daily activities. 

You should be drinking water before you feel thirsty to avoid dehydration. If you wait until you’re thirsty before drinking any fluids, it might be too late. The symptoms of dehydration include dizziness and fatigue in mild cases, severe headaches, and cramping muscles if left unchecked. 

If possible, drink at regular intervals throughout the day instead of just once every few hours (e.g., 9 am – 10 am – 12 pm – 2 pm). Doing so will help keep your body in balance, even better than irregularly spaced drinks would. Also, try adding lemon juice or mint leaves for flavor options that aren’t as boring as plain old water all by itself.

  • Learn To Manage Stress

Learning to manage stress can be one of the most important things you do for your bipolar disorder. Stress can be an exacerbating factor in your bipolar disorder, causing or worsening symptoms. So, it’s crucial to learn how to manage stress so it doesn’t take over your life. 

Take a break from work or other activities and enjoy some downtime. Take a walk outside or go out with friends for dinner instead of sitting at home thinking about work or stressful situations. Meditate, do yoga, listen to music—do whatever works best for you. 

  • Get Enough Sleep

You need seven to nine hours of sleep each night to feel rested, refreshed and energized. If you’re having trouble sleeping, several things can help: 

  • Make your bedroom as dark and quiet as possible so that it’s easier for you to fall asleep at night. 
  • Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning. It will help maintain your body’s natural sleep cycles and stabilize your mood. 
  • Don’t nap during the day because it could interfere with getting a good night’s rest later in the evening (naps are also discouraged for people with bipolar disorder because they may worsen manic symptoms).

If you still have problems falling asleep or staying asleep even after making changes in your environment, talk with a doctor about medications that might help improve how well you sleep.

  • Exercise Regularly

Another thing you can do to manage your bipolar disorder is to exercise regularly. Exercise has been shown to increase energy, improve mood and self-esteem, and reduce anxiety and depression. It can also help you sleep better at night. If you’re feeling sluggish because of your bipolar disorder or medication side effects, try adding exercise to your daily routine. 

Exercise is not just for people who want to lose weight; anyone can benefit from it. Keep in mind that the benefits of physical activity depend on the type of activity performed and how much time is spent doing it. For example, running five miles daily may be more beneficial than walking one mile every other day. It is because running will result in more calories burned than walking would. But if your goal is to gain simple health benefits rather than weight loss, then either activity is wise for you to try. 

  • Plan Your Day

One of the best ways to keep your bipolar disorder in check is to build a routine. If you have regular, set times for taking your medication, eating healthy meals, and getting enough sleep, it will be easier on you than if you have no schedule. 

It’s especially true if you’re prone to experiencing mood swings because they happen when they happen, and that’s not always at convenient times. But with a consistent schedule in place, these types of upsets are more likely to be kept under control.

  • Take Your Medication As Prescribed 

Your medication works best when you take it as prescribed by your doctor. Take it on time every day and try to avoid missing doses. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember (if it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose), but if it has been over four hours since your last dose, skip the missed one and continue with your usual schedule. But if you forget more than one dose in a day and cannot get back on track with all of them within a few days, call your doctor immediately.

Conclusion 

There are many things you can do to manage bipolar disorder, but one of the most important is to make sure that your lifestyle is healthy. Lifestyle changes can help you feel less stressed, more energized, and more in control of your emotions—all of which can help you manage the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder more effectively. Here are some tips for living a healthier life with bipolar disorder.

Pop-Up Experience in Charlotte Channels Nostalgic Taste of Home

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Rice-A-Roni’s multi-city Trolley Tour is making its way to Charlotte this weekend (July 9-10).

You will have the opportunity to taste Rice-A-Roni’s newest Heat & Eat flavors including Chicken and Beef and a new product, while supplies last, and possibly receive limited product coupons.

The Trolley will make stops at the following locations on the respective dates below:

  • Saturday, 7/9: Concord Mills @ Sea Life & Circus Flip (8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC 28027) from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, 7/10:  Romare Beardon Park (212 Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202) from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

To make an impact in the community, Rice-A-Roni will also provide a monetary donation and Rice-A-Roni and Pasta Roni products to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.

Charlotte’s 10 Worst Restaurant Health Scores in June 2022

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Even though the Charlotte region’s restaurant selection continues to grow, so does our population, and some restaurants are taking advantage of this growing customer base by letting their health standards slide.

Some of the most common reasons for low scores were food handlers not washing their hands properly, contaminated food containers, and improper food temperatures (many restaurants are starting to use infrared thermometers to avoid this).

These were the top 10 worst inspection scores in Charlotte for June, 2022;

#10 Cilantro Noodle

2001 COMMONWEALTH AV, CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Scored 91.5 (A) on 6/23/2022

They had the following violations;

  • Observed no employee health policy available during inspection.
  • Observed food debris in hand sink near dry storage.
  • Observed hand sink near freezer without paper towels.
  • Observed multiple dishes stored as clean with food debris.
  • Observed rice in the walk in coolers cooling from last night above 41 degrees.
  • Observed chicken on the hot line below 135 degrees F.
  • Observed cooked broccoli, cut cabbage, pork belly, head cheese and ham above 41 degrees.
  • Observed canned mushrooms in prep top and walk in cooler with dates of 6/15 and 6/14 which exceeds the 7 days.
  • Observed opened whole milk, coconut milk and half/half without dates.
  • Observed lettuce in prep top without a time label.

#9 Haymaker

225 S POPLAR ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28202
Scored 90.5 (A) on 6/17/2022

They had the following violations;

  • Observed raw ham in walk in cooler stored above carrots, French toast batter with eggs over ready to eat items.
  • Observed dish machine at the bar at a chlorine concentration of 0ppm.
  • Observed one of the prep units with multiple items above 41 degrees F (see chart).
  • Observed chicken wings (6/06), grits (6/8), mushroom stock (6/10), and cut melons (6/10) more than 7 days old.
  • Observed no date mark on blanched fries, chicken, cooked grains, and pork shanks in walk in cooler.
  • Observed tobiko with no date mark.

#8 Gus Sir Beef

4101 MONROE RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Scored 90 (A) on 6/6/2022

They had the following violations;

  • Observed no signed employee health agreements available for employees currently working in facility.
  • Observed employee pre-washing and loading soiled utensils into dish machine and then removing and putting away clean utensils without washing hands.
  • Observed house made tartar sauces cooing in prep line reach in unit at 55f at 11:55 still at 54f at 12:40.
  • Observed line drawer unit holding raw hamburger steak, raw fish, raw chicken and commercially prepared cooked potato wedges all above 41f.
  • Observed significant buildup on equipment throughout back of house areas including but not limited to cooking equipment/stove top, interior of holding units, interior of WIC, fryer units, plumbing fixtures, and more.

#7 Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse

16516 NORTHCROSS DR., HUNTERSVILLE NC 28078
Scored 89.5 (B) on 6/17/2022

They had the following violations;

  • Observed priority items during my inspection: not following TPHC, cold holding, labeling chemicals, handwashing procedures.
  • Observed food handler wash their hands and then recontaminate their hands by turning off the faucet with their cleaned hands.
  • Observed rice and noodles either cooled from the day before or more above 41F in the walk in cooler.
  • Observed cooked noodles and rice with dates I was unable to read.
  • Observed TPHC for the rice and noodles did not have a time sticker.
  • Observed PIC unable to find written procedures for the rice and noodles TPHC form.
  • Observed spray bottle not properly labeled.
  • Observed floors equipment under equipment and hibachi cooking station in need of cleaning.
  • Observed dry storage floor in need of cleaning.

#6 Cook Out #39

4321 SUNSET RD, Charlotte NC 28216
Scored 87.5 (B) on 6/17/2022 (rescored to a 96.5 on 6/24/2022)

They had the following violations;

  • Observed PIC and 2 food employees wash hands and turn off faucet with bare hands.
  • Observed food employee BHC lettuce and putting it out for use.
  • Observed unwashed tomatoes over pickles.
  • Observed bbq sitting in the hotwell, food employee explained they put it in around 8:15 at 42-67-112F. (3 batches)
  • Observed cheese stacked too high at 44F, and ground beef in the cold drawer at 48F.
  • Observed facility using TPHC for lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, shredded cheese, coleslaw, quesadillas all on time.
  • Observed flies in the kitchen area.
  • Observed 3-comp sink overflowing, it overflowed 3 times since EHS was in the building.

#5 7-Eleven

2932 MT HOLLY-HUNTERSVILLE RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28214
Scored 87.5 (B) on 6/3/2022 

They had the following violations;

  • Observed no vomit kit/plan on site.
  • Observed no PT at front HS.
  • Observed soda nozzles at the front with build-up on them, on the inside screen (near the slushie machines)
  • Observed a box of pizza, on the floor, at 60F.
  • Observed fruit flies in the reach in cooler with the ice build-up.
  • Observed black build-up at the mop sink.

#4 Cottage Restaurant 

1704 HARRIS HOUSTON RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28262
Scored 87.5 (B) on 6/21/2022

They had the following violations;

  • Observed employee food sitting on shelf over flip top cooler.
  • Observed employee place opened can of soda on prep table next to the cutting board.
  • Observed raw chicken over opened containers of sauces in WIC.
  • Observed food debris on container and pan stored as clean.
  • Observed chicken at 46 F, shrimp at 46F, and lettuce at 50 F.
  • Observed foods throughout the facility with no date mark.
  • Observed cleaner bottle under grill area with no label.
  • Observed flies throughout kitchen.

#3 Las Meras Tortas

14601 STATESVILLE RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28078
Scored 87 (B) on 6/20/2022

They had the following violations;

  • Observed employees handling food boxes that were delivered, using the phone and taking trash and boxes outside and not washing their hands upon coming back inside or before donning gloves and changing tasks to food preparation.
  • Observed torta bread roll directly on the prep cooler wire shelf and an employee bottle of water in the ice machine.
  • Observed 2 – 5 gallon containers of salsa verde at 74 F that was prepared yesterday and was not properly cooled. Also observed a 4-6 inch deep pan with Cochinata – pork at 54 F in the center of the pan. Pork was cooked yesterday and was not properly cooled.
  • Observed steak 125F and refried beans 129F in the front steam table.
  • Observed deli ham and sliced cheese in between 42 and 45 in the top of the flip top 3 door prep cooler.

#2 American Deli

7309 E INDEPENDENCE BV, CHARLOTTE NC 28227
Scored 86 (B) on 6/30/2022

They had the following violations;

  • Observed PIC state his certification had expired.
  • Observed temperature at sink to be 87 degrees.
  • Observed one of two installed water heaters to be turned off.
  • Observed unwashed vegetables stored above buckets of celery, cheeses.
  • Observed frozen fish outside of bags in freezer intermingled with bread products.
  • Observed raw chicken wings stored in large white bin uncovered inside the walk-in cooler.
  • Observed microwave oven with food debris accumulation and living insects inside.
  • Observed shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sliced American Cheese, swiss cheese, ham, turkey, cooked corn beef flounder, tilapia, raw chicken wings all measuring over 41 degrees.
  • Observed cut lettuce in five gallon container without date label. Staff said it had been cut Monday.
  • Observed items in prep unit without date marking.
  • Observed old windex bottle with what food handler stated to be chlorine solution. Bottle label still showed Windex.
  • Observed working container of cleaner without label.
  • Observed bottle of Tylenol stored over front handwashing sink next to a bottle of mayonnaise.
  • Observed wound bandages stored above food prep table.
  • Observed tooth brush and toothpaste stored on cart next to hand wash sink.

#1 Egg at Davidson Cafe

231 GRIFFITH ST, DAVIDSON, NC 28036
Scored 85.5 (B) on 6/23/2022

They had the following violations;

  • Observed no PIC present to begin inspection.
  • Observed no person in charge during inspection, main handsink in kitchen inoperable, no employees with CFPM, multiple priority violations, inconsistent handwashing/glove use, no active managerial control displayed in facility during inspection.
  • Observed employee drinks stored on prep surface, directly next to cutting boards on prep table during inspection.
  • Observed employees using bare hands to make sandwiches and toast at prep line.
  • Observed main handsink in kitchen turned off due to a plumbing leak.
  • Observed can opener spike with buildup on food contact surface.
  • Observed interior white baffle wall of ice machine with significant black buildup, in need of cleaning.
  • Observed grits holding at 122F in hot steam table, employees stated they have been having issues holding temperature at steam table.
  • Observed 2x cold holding prep units holding TCS foods above 41F

If you’d like to monitor health scores or do a quick search for a restaurant you’re about to eat at, check out North Carolina’s health inspection database here.

Legendary Chelsea FC Coming To America to Face Off Against Charlotte FC

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6-time premier league champions Chelsea Football Club has just announced plans to cross the pond to take on the newly minted Charlotte Football Club at Bank of America Stadium.

London-based Chelsea FC is one of the most successful European teams in the 21st Century, having won every major football competition they’ve played in.

“Charlotte is a soccer city and to host Chelsea FC, one of the biggest clubs in the world, for an international friendly this summer is an incredible opportunity to showcase our region as a soccer hotbed. We’ve always said we wanted to bring the best talent and teams around the globe to Bank of America Stadium and this delivers on that promise,” said Charlotte FC President Joe LaBue in a press release. “It is also an excellent opportunity for our players to play against the top competition in the world, and to continue to showcase our Club on a global stage.”

The game will be played on July 20 with a7:30pm start time.

Tickets will go on sale next Wednesday on the FC Series website here.

North Carolina’s Largest Battery System Now Operating at Duke Energy Substation

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The future of battery storage took a big step forward in North Carolina recently as Duke Energy began operating the largest battery system in the state.

In the city of Asheville, a 9-megawatt (MW) lithium-ion Samsung battery system is operating next to a Duke Energy substation in the Shiloh community. With a total cost of less than $15 million, the project will primarily be used to help the electric system operate more efficiently. It will provide energy support to the electric system, including frequency regulation and other grid support services.

Battery storage offers many benefits to customers. Duke Energy has plans to invest $600 million for 375 MW of energy storage across its regulated businesses.

“Energy storage will play a significant role in how we deliver energy to customers now and into the future as we act to reduce carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president.

Duke Energy has more than a decade of experience with battery storage. At one time, the company’s 36-MW battery system next to the company’s Notrees Wind Facility in Texas was the largest battery operating in the United States. It remains one of the country’s biggest.

Here is a time-lapse video of the construction of the giant battery:

North Carolina Has the 7th Best State Economy in America

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The personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Best & Worst State Economies.

In order to determine America’s top economic performers, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 key indicators of economic performance and strength. The data set ranges from change in GDP to startup activity to the share of jobs in high-tech industries.

The Tar Heel state ranked #7 overall.

Economic Performance of North Carolina (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

  • 8th – Change in GDP
  • 19th – Startup Activity
  • 10th – % of Jobs in High-Tech Industries
  • 23rd – Change in Nonfarm Payrolls
  • 28th – Government Surplus/Deficit per Capita
  • 21st – Unemployment Rate

State Economy Rankings

Overall Rank  State Total Score  Economic Activity  Economic Health  Innovation Potential 
1 Washington 73.83 3 7 2
2 Utah 71.33 2 1 10
3 California 70.30 1 31 3
4 Massachusetts 67.28 6 35 1
5 New Hampshire 58.86 18 13 4
6 Colorado 58.84 13 6 9
7 North Carolina 56.83 14 12 11
8 Georgia 56.54 5 15 24
9 Oregon 55.86 15 23 7
10 District of Columbia 54.74 9 14 13
11 Tennessee 54.61 4 5 38
12 Texas 54.16 8 9 23
13 Idaho 53.57 22 2 16
14 Florida 52.68 10 3 33
15 Michigan 52.57 16 40 5
16 Maryland 50.65 25 36 6
17 Arizona 50.64 17 19 20
18 Montana 49.61 12 10 34
19 Minnesota 49.04 23 18 17
20 Virginia 47.15 27 16 22
21 New York 47.12 11 50 21
22 Indiana 46.44 21 20 30
23 New Jersey 46.24 19 51 12
24 Iowa 46.12 24 21 26
25 Connecticut 45.10 38 43 8
26 Nevada 44.77 7 32 44
27 Wisconsin 44.25 43 17 18
28 Delaware 43.68 34 29 15
29 Nebraska 43.60 29 8 36
30 South Carolina 42.36 20 27 39
31 Missouri 41.38 33 28 28
32 Illinois 41.13 26 41 29
33 Pennsylvania 40.48 31 48 19
34 Alabama 40.24 32 25 35
35 Kansas 39.78 40 26 31
36 Rhode Island 39.19 37 39 27
37 South Dakota 38.70 42 4 47
38 North Dakota 38.41 46 11 37
39 Ohio 38.09 30 46 32
40 New Mexico 38.07 44 49 14
41 Vermont 37.99 48 30 25
42 Kentucky 36.03 28 37 46
43 Arkansas 35.88 35 22 45
44 Maine 35.37 36 34 42
45 Wyoming 34.38 39 24 49
46 Mississippi 32.19 41 47 43
47 Oklahoma 31.32 50 38 40
48 Hawaii 30.59 47 33 50
49 Louisiana 29.39 45 44 48
50 Alaska 27.61 51 45 41
51 West Virginia 26.10 49 42 51

Note: 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 best conditions for that metric category.

For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-economies/21697

NASCAR Playoffs to Return to North Carolina in October

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The Charlotte Motor Speedway track will be the venue for a Round of 12 playoff race in October as the NASCAR series for 2022 reaches its dizzying climax.

The complex in Concord, North Carolina played host to the Coca-Cola 600 race back in May, as it has done since 1960, and that edition broke NASCAR records for the longest ever race as Denny Hamlin of the Joe Gibbs Racing team prevailed in a time of 5:13 across an arduous 619 miles.

That was the second win of the season for superfast driver and NC burger joint owner Hamlin, who had earlier prevailed at the Toyota Owners 400 race in Virginia. However, the 41-year-old is still a long way back in the driver’s standings, with, at the time of writing on July 5th, Chase Elliott leading the way on 624 points.

Unsurprisingly, Elliott leads the way in the sportsbooks’ NASCAR odds at +500, although he is closely followed on +600 by WISE Power 400 winner Kyle Larson and +800 chance, Ross Chastain, who triumphed in both the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix and the GEICO 500.

There are still eight regular-season races to be contested before the playoffs get underway in September with the first Round of 16 race at the Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.

Queen City Set for Royal Rumble

With the schedule shaping up as it is, there’s every chance that Charlotte will play a key role in determining the destination of the NASCAR Championship in 2022. The Concord venue is considered to be one of the premier racetracks in the United States and has hosted NASCAR action for more than six decades.

It has welcomed other forms of racing too, but it’s NASCAR that attracts the most attention and draws the most spectators to the city: around 100,000 crammed into the bleachers for the Coca-Cola 600 earlier this year.

The track is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, and their president Marcus Smith said: “This event, I like to say, it’s not growing old. It’s growing more legendary. It’s just one of those things now that for generations — we’re on the fourth generation of fans that are coming to the Coca-Cola 600. What a special thing.”

It was with great sadness that the All-Star Race was moved from Charlotte to the Texas Motor Speedway track in 2021, although that venue in the Lone Star State is not short of critics – perhaps Charlotte, which hosted the All-Star jolly uninterrupted between 1987 and 2019, will be called upon once again to take on hosting duties in the near future.

Cashing Checks in the Bank of America

The next time that the NASCAR series rolls into North Carolina, there will be just five races remaining in the season. Therefore, the Bank of America Roval 400 will surely play a key role in determining who will land the title, especially so given that a number of drivers with genuine championship chances have performed well in Charlotte before.

Chase Elliott, the favorite to win NASCAR 2022, has twice prevailed on the Roval circuit, while track specialist and defending champion Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, and Martin Truex Jr have also taken the chequered flag in first place in the Queen City.

Add into the mix Chase Briscoe, the Ruoff Mortgage 500 winner who broke the Charlotte lap record in the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series 2018, and it can be said with some confidence that the Bank of America Roval 400 will be one of the most fiercely-contested races of the season.

So, if you are in town on October 9th, you are guaranteed entertainment a-plenty if you head down to the Motor Speedway track.