These North Carolina Cities Ranked Among The Best Cities In America to Drive in

Charlotte Stories
-
0
These North Carolina Cities Ranked Among The Best Cities In America to Drive in

With Americans increasingly using personal vehicles rather than public transportation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2020’s Best & Worst Cities to Drive in.

To determine the most driver-friendly places in the U.S., WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities across 31 key metrics. The data set ranges from average gas prices to annual hours in traffic congestion per auto commuter to auto-repair shops per capita.

Raleigh ranked #2 in the nation, followed closely by Greensboro at #4, and Winston-Salem at #7. Surprisingly, Charlotte even ranked fairly high, coming in as the 27th best city to drive in in America:

Best & Worst Cities to Drive in

Overall Rank
(1 = Best)		 City Total Score ‘Cost of Ownership & Maintenance’ Rank ‘Traffic & Infrastructure’ Rank ‘Safety’ Rank ‘Access to Vehicles & Maintenance’ Rank
1 Lincoln, NE 68.01 4 13 5 83
2 Raleigh, NC 66.25 3 22 8 52
3 Corpus Christi, TX 65.57 11 7 21 79
4 Greensboro, NC 65.33 2 38 30 39
5 Boise, ID 65.08 39 4 3 85
6 Plano, TX 63.77 16 49 9 37
7 Winston-Salem, NC 63.65 1 30 36 91
8 Nashville, TN 62.80 5 16 76 41
9 Orlando, FL 62.79 29 1 93 2
10 Omaha, NE 62.65 15 26 45 48
11 Virginia Beach, VA 62.29 7 81 18 71
12 El Paso, TX 62.20 33 36 6 80
13 Scottsdale, AZ 62.19 49 5 26 29
14 Austin, TX 62.10 22 32 46 18
15 Oklahoma City, OK 61.93 43 14 28 54
16 Lexington-Fayette, KY 61.87 13 41 29 87
17 Chesapeake, VA 61.82 9 74 13 94
18 Lubbock, TX 61.71 10 20 56 74
19 Norfolk, VA 61.09 6 54 53 92
20 Tulsa, OK 60.67 41 6 65 31
21 Jacksonville, FL 60.63 18 8 80 47
22 Wichita, KS 60.52 26 17 55 88
23 Garland, TX 60.48 32 61 35 21
24 Tampa, FL 60.45 57 15 66 3
25 Kansas City, MO 60.30 8 10 87 67
26 Arlington, TX 60.14 30 63 41 19
27 Charlotte, NC 59.84 21 55 51 35
28 Irving, TX 59.82 25 65 24 58
29 Birmingham, AL 59.76 23 3 97 7
30 Buffalo, NY 59.60 27 51 39 65
31 Fort Worth, TX 59.44 36 60 47 23
32 Toledo, OH 59.38 14 24 73 81
33 San Antonio, TX 59.35 31 48 58 24
34 Fort Wayne, IN 59.33 28 44 48 78
35 Durham, NC 58.86 35 43 32 84
36 Gilbert, AZ 58.82 62 41 7 98
37 Madison, WI 58.81 47 45 11 95
38 Atlanta, GA 58.66 46 11 91 5
39 Mesa, AZ 58.65 59 37 16 70
40 Chandler, AZ 58.28 63 18 27 96
41 Laredo, TX 58.18 34 67 15 100
42 Dallas, TX 57.96 24 57 71 20
43 Columbus, OH 57.79 20 50 77 38
44 Indianapolis, IN 57.61 19 47 81 42
45 St. Louis, MO 57.59 12 33 99 4
46 Reno, NV 57.31 70 19 22 64
47 Louisville, KY 57.00 40 52 57 57
48 Houston, TX 56.70 37 76 61 13
49 Las Vegas, NV 56.59 76 2 69 9
50 Pittsburgh, PA 56.11 50 73 52 16
51 Cincinnati, OH 56.07 42 34 89 11
52 Tucson, AZ 55.85 44 21 86 59
53 St. Paul, MN 55.84 54 79 37 50
54 Baton Rouge, LA 55.13 45 39 88 25
55 Colorado Springs, CO 54.92 64 66 38 69
56 St. Petersburg, FL 54.84 52 25 83 45
57 Phoenix, AZ 54.78 53 31 74 76
58 Memphis, TN 54.44 17 27 100 62
59 Irvine, CA 54.32 88 28 1 27
60 Minneapolis, MN 53.75 65 80 33 49
61 Bakersfield, CA 53.69 73 23 43 46
62 Henderson, NV 53.61 87 9 19 75
63 Glendale, AZ 53.55 60 35 72 73
64 Anchorage, AK 53.53 48 87 42 99
65 Milwaukee, WI 53.14 56 68 68 61
66 Albuquerque, NM 52.78 38 29 96 56
67 Cleveland, OH 51.59 51 85 84 14
68 Aurora, CO 51.32 61 90 59 60
69 Riverside, CA 51.16 80 58 23 32
70 Anaheim, CA 51.12 84 75 17 6
71 Miami, FL 51.08 72 53 95 1
72 Chula Vista, CA 51.05 96 46 2 43
73 Hialeah, FL 50.76 55 83 92 22
74 Fremont, CA 50.71 82 82 4 30
75 Fresno, CA 50.70 78 40 31 82
76 Denver, CO 50.20 67 86 63 40
77 Portland, OR 50.09 69 70 79 36
78 Jersey City, NJ 49.67 68 96 50 34
79 Santa Ana, CA 49.62 100 72 10 8
80 New Orleans, LA 49.40 74 62 64 90
81 Long Beach, CA 48.64 89 78 20 10
82 San Diego, CA 48.46 95 56 12 12
83 Boston, MA 48.01 66 94 49 97
84 North Las Vegas, NV 47.93 91 12 75 86
85 Sacramento, CA 47.85 92 64 34 15
86 Washington, DC 46.98 58 91 90 68
87 Baltimore, MD 46.43 71 77 94 63
88 Honolulu, HI 46.23 94 69 40 28
89 San Jose, CA 45.75 83 88 25 93
90 Stockton, CA 45.75 81 59 67 89
91 Seattle, WA 44.77 86 84 60 55
92 Newark, NJ 44.74 75 98 78 17
93 San Bernardino, CA 44.07 93 71 70 72
94 Chicago, IL 43.60 79 99 54 33
95 Los Angeles, CA 42.44 99 89 44 26
96 New York, NY 42.33 90 100 14 51
97 Detroit, MI 40.34 77 93 98 53
98 San Francisco, CA 39.55 97 95 62 66
99 Philadelphia, PA 38.67 85 97 82 77
100 Oakland, CA 38.16 98 92 85 44

Do you agree with the rankings?

Charlotte’s Newest Farmers Market to Open in University City

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Charlotte’s Newest Farmers Market to Open in University City

University City Partners announces the opening of University City Farmers Market this fall at the lake at Shoppes at University Place. The only farmers market in University City, shoppers will find fresh local produce, food preparation programs and live entertainment. The Market will open every Saturday in October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors will include some of Charlotte’s best local farmers, artisanal food makers and pop-up chefs.

“We are delighted to offer a first-class farmers market for our community of more than 175,000 residents,” said Darlene Heater, Executive Director of University City Partners. “We asked them what they’d like to see more of in University City and a community market, as well as more programs, were top priorities. It being at the lake, the town center, makes it highly accessible and set against a gorgeous backdrop. It’s going to be something special.”

University City Farmers Market will support local farmers and entrepreneurs. The farmers selected use organic practices to help steward the earth, while producing and sourcing some of the freshest and most nutritious food available in North Carolina. Visitors will find seasonal vegetables and fruits, pasture-raised egg and meats, as well as artisanal food and natural beauty-care products.

University City Farmers Market will feature live music and local chef demonstrations. This fall, visitors can expect to find live musicians and DJs offering bluegrass, R&B/soul, hip hop, pop and other genres. Chef Lisa Brooks and Erique Berry will cook tasty treats from items you can find at University City Farmers Market. The food demos will focus on quick, healthy family-friendly dishes. All demonstrations and music performances will practice social distancing in accordance with Mecklenburg County and North Carolina State guidelines for the health and safety of all visitors. Similarly, capacity will be limited for shoppers to increase social distancing. Guests are encouraged to access the market by riding the LYNX Light Rail, walking or biking on the Barton Creek Greenway, or parking at Shoppes at University Place, 8929 JM Keynes Drive.

More details about University City Farmers Market can be found at univcitymarket.org.

Factors to Consider While Buying Latest Mobile Gadgets

Russell Hudson
-
0
Factors to Consider While Buying Latest Mobile Gadgets

On average, people spend at least five hours a day while tapping on their phone screens. With rapidly evolving technology, a big pool of options has originated and opened a vast range of smartphones to choose from. They are no longer used just for communication only. Almost all daily tasks can be done by a mobile device. It is easily accessible anywhere, anytime. People use mobile phones for a wide range of purposes. One’s interests may not be the same as other interests.  Therefore, various companies have designed many smartphones which makes the task of choosing one, a very difficult one. To ease this dilemma for you, we have curated a list of factors to consider while buying the latest mobile gadgets. 

Display

The size and sharpness of the display should greatly determine the choice of a smartphone. For those who spend hours surfing on their phones require a larger and sharper resolution. A resolution of 1920 x 1080p or 2560 x 1440 Quad HD resolutions are ideal options for screen display. Also, take into consideration the size of the display. If you continuously stream long videos and movies, then its best to go for gadgets that have a larger screen. At the same time, consider the handiness of the device, with a very large screen, it becomes bulky and is prone to slip out of the hands. There are great gadgets guides available for you to review before choosing, check them out here with this link https://www.gadgetsspy.com/.

BUILD

The body of the phone plays a major factor in considering what device you are about to purchase. If you are someone a bit clumsy who keeps on dropping your phone, then a device having a metal build-up is a great option to go with. with a glass, appealing and aesthetic as it maybe will most likely shatter the moment it falls from even a few feet, a metal build-up, with a good case may keep your smartphone resistant to such damages. 

Camera

People tend to believe the more pixels, the better the camera quality. This is somewhat true. More pixels translate into the formation of sharper and clearer images on the big screen while fewer pixels can create a blurred image. If you are a photography freak then spending a little extra to have a more desired quality of the camera on your phone is the way to go, most phones don’t have a great camera. Besides pixel quality, look out for other factors like ISO levels, and auto-focus speed. 

Memory

Every smartphone has two types of memory, one that determines the speed and smoothness of operation and the other which is responsible for storing apps, images, and other data. For the amateur user, a smartphone with 2GB RAM and 16 to 32GB ROM should be enough. But if you’re more dependent on your device for daily tasks, than perhaps go for a device with a 4GB RAM with at least 64 GB ROM, for downloading large files, multitasking, and other elaborate functions.  

Processor

If your day to day usage of a phone involves abundant photo and video editing activities or playing games, then a faster processor is what you need for a smoother experience. The processor speed is generally measured in Gigahertz. Look at the specifications of the gadget and find the processor speed that fits your needs. The higher the speed the faster the processor works. This is a crucial parameter that should be taken into consideration before buying any mobile gadget, as you don’t want to get stuck while working on an important project.

Security

Most mobile gadgets these days come with face lock and fingerprint sensors. This helps in keeping up with security protocols, confidential information, and documents. A phone holds your most important information. So, it becomes important to look for safety provisions provided in a smartphone before buying it. Face lock and fingerprint sensors are advanced ways of security which are found in most of today’s modern smartphones. 

Battery life

Battery life is as important as any factor to consider while buying the latest mobile gadget. If you are a user who spends more than six hours on the phone, a battery of at least 3000mAH is ideal. On the other hand, a standard battery of 2000mAH is good enough if you just need to get by.  

Operating systems

Operating systems play a significant role in determining quality experience while using a mobile gadget. Before buying a mobile phone, brush up on your knowledge about operating systems that are available on each gadget. The latest versions of operating systems allow you to use the latest technology and applications that might not be supported on older versions. There are currently two major operating systems to choose from, Android and IOS. Except for Apple, most mobile gadgets run on the Android operating system.

Cost

There is no use for buying the latest Apple iPhone and spending around a ton of money if all you are going to do with a phone is make and receive calls. Some mobile companies create a lot of hype about the price of their phones when they simply aren’t worth that amount of money. Therefore, it is very important to match the cost of a mobile gadget with its features before buying it. But if you want a higher quality of a display, camera, and storage, then the price range will for sure go up.

Other features

Some other important factors to consider before buying the latest mobile gadgets are stereo speakers, wireless charging, headphone jack, and 5G support. Stereo speakers enhance the video streaming experience. Also, faster network experiences are around the corner. So, consider choosing a gadget that supports the fastest networks available.

There are a variety of options to consider from the above-mentioned factors. Hopefully, this guide will help you do your research keeping in mind all your needs before buying a smartphone. Consider all these factors before investing in the latest mobile gadgets and pick the best one for you. 

2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff – What Are the Winning Predictions?

Scott Ayers
-
0
2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff – What Are the Winning Predictions?

As the 2020 NASCAR season heads into the climatic 10 race playoff, the sixteen qualified drivers will be gunning for glory. But fourteen of them will need a spectacular set of circumstances to overcome the two drivers who have utterly dominated the season to date. Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin have been at it tooth and nail this year, with 13 wins shared between them – Harvick with 7 and Hamlin with 6. But, while it looks as though one of these two will win the playoff, NASCAR always throws up surprises, and some inside the sport has some predictions for possible dark horses among the chasing pack.

Let’s take a closer look at the potential winners and losers for this year’s NASCAR playoff.

Kevin Harvick

Widely regarded as an all-time great, with 56 wins in his Cup series career, and over 300 top ten finishes. At 44 he is a veteran stock car racer, having competed in the sport since the late 1990s, and in the Cup series since 2001, winning the championship in 2014. 

This season he has amassed seven race wins including back to back victories in the Michigan doubleheader. His year began consistently enough, with a 5th place in the Daytona 500, and a top ten presence in the other races before the pandemic postponed the season. Upon resumption, though he has looked in a class – almost – of his own, and is tipped by many to win the playoff, including Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Denny Hamlin

A three-time winner of the Daytona 500, including this year’s event, Denny Hamlin looks to be the only real contender to take the fight to Harvick in the playoff. A further flurry of dominant victories at Darlington, Homestead, Pocono, and Kansas put him, along with Harvick, in a virtually unassailable position. 

Not to mention that the two leaders are in the two best cars we’ve seen this season – it would take a series of blunders, mechanical failures, or an act of God to derail them both. Hamlin may just be the outsider going into the playoff, but he has proven himself to be a strong and consistent driver, with speed to spare.

Best of the rest – 2020 Championship

While the season has been dominated thus far by Hamlin and Harvick, there is plenty of talent in the rest of the 16 strong fields. For fans who like a flutter, betting on drivers head to head may add some extra excitement to proceedings given the dominance of the leaders. 

The Championship is still up for grabs, and it is impossible to write off Kyle Busch, despite his lack of wins this season. The defending champion has had a lousy run of things, with the best showing of fourth place at Texas, despite being run onto the grass, damaging the car. 

Ryan Blaney has a great record at Phoenix, the site of the Championship race, and Earnhardt Jr has tipped him as a dark horse with the potential to cause an upset. 

Martin Truex Jr is another name on the lips of pundits – a popular fan favorite with 27 career Cup series wins under his belt. 

Son of Martin Sr and brother of fellow racer Ryan, he comes from a good racing pedigree and has had a solid season to date. 

In terms of those who are vulnerable to elimination from the round of 16, pundits have earmarked Aric Almirola, Austin Dillon, Kurt Busch, and William Byron, despite Byron taking a win during the season – he has talent but is inexperienced when it comes to the sharp end of the year. 

The NASCAR playoff is bound to be exciting, despite the result being down to the two strongest drivers of the year. Stay tuned, because in this wild racing series anything can happen.

The Most Famous Lotteries in Japan

Rebecca Carter
-
0
The Most Famous Lotteries in Japan

Lottery in Japan dates back to the 15th century when shrines and temples used it for fundraising purposes and money for upkeep. Up to date, people still purchase lottery tickets in pursuit of big prizes that are guaranteed. Advancements in technology have revolutionized the way people buy tickets. Now you can use your device to purchase tickets online from the most popular national lotteries in Japan through live casinos. Surprisingly gambling is prohibited in Japan, but certain rules allow locals and tourists to participate in the famous lotteries. People from all over the world can participate in these lotteries. Although Japan does not make tax winnings from these lotteries, your country of residence still has the right to tax your winnings. That is if your government taxes winnings from lotteries.

Where to Get the Most Famous Lotteries in Japan

So, which are the most famous lotteries in Japan, and how can I play them? Where can I get them? Are they legitimate? Calm down, finding the best lotteries in Japan is easy, but finding the best live casinos can be tedious. However, thanks to the reviews we post here at FukuroCasinos, getting the best live casinos is now easier than ever. Live casinos are now stemmed in the game since the majority of the people prefer casino live. At FukuroCasino, you will find reviews of the top most rated and trusted live dealers in Japan. You can safely purchase your ticket online without the risk of theft. Here are some of the most famous lotteries in Japan.

Loto 6

Japan Loto 6 started back in October 2000 and rapidly became popular from its enormous prizes. Today, this national lottery guarantees you chances of winning prizes worth up to ¥600 million. All you need to do is choose six numbers from a guessing range of 1-43. Loto 6 has a starting jackpot worth ¥200 million. There is a rollover jackpot with a cap of ¥600 million. The jackpot is won when you match all the six numbers with the winning combination. And if you are not lucky enough, there are still other prizes when you match five to three numbers. An additional ball is drawn from the same pool to determine the second prize winner. This lottery is drawn twice a week; on Mondays and Thursdays. One ticket costs 200 yen and has seven slots to place your chosen numbers. The additional slot is meant to be a bonus.

Loto 7

Loto 7 is like Loto 6, except that the biggest prize you can win is a mouthwatering ¥1 billion. This is approximately €8.5 million. This is the largest lottery jackpot offered in Japan. When purchasing a ticket, you have nine slots to arrange your seven choice numbers and an additional two for bonuses. The starting jackpot is won by matching seven numbers with the winning combination, and it is worth ¥600 million. The jackpot can roll over to ¥1 billion. You can still win other prizes where the second prize is won by matching six plus an additional number chosen from the same pool. Loto 7 draw is played every Friday. 

Japan Mini Loto

Although Japan mini loto is the smallest on the list, it still leaves marks in many hearts. Japan mini loto is drawn every Tuesday and has a set prize of about ¥10 million. It was first introduced in Japan in April 1999, and to play, you must match five numbers of your choice with the winning combination. A ticket has six slots where you choose five and a bonus slot. One number from the same pool is chosen to decide the winner of the second prize. The guessing range for Japan mini loto is 1-31, and due to this, the odds of winning are very high, which results in multiple winners. Any money that remains is shared among the winners. The Japan Mini Lotto is among the famous lotteries in the country.

Final Verdict

Lottery in Japan is a culture. Although gamblers live in a grey zone, where gambling in Japan is illegal, the lottery is legal; the lottery has rapidly grown over recent years. With live casinos, you can easily purchase tickets online. Live dealers are readily available in the market, and choosing a dealer can be daunting. Reviews come in handy, and FukuroCasinos we give you the best content. We have the top most rated online casinos based on customer ratings and feedback. You don’t have to fall into the hands of conmen, head over, and read about your choice’s casino.  

Japan’s lotteries guarantee you mega prizes, imagine winning ¥1 billion by just matching numbers. Loto 7, without a doubt, is an accident away from making you rich. And if not the top prize, you can get the other prizes which are still worth your effort.

3 Key Discussions That Will Help Young Adults Be Successful

Charlotte Stories
-
0
3 Key Discussions That Will Help Young Adults Be Successful

As a parent, it goes without saying that you want your older children to be successful as they venture out into the world.

In order to help set up the young adults in your life for success, it is important to teach them a number of important lessons and skills. Here are three ways you can help prepare your kid for the future.

Teach them about budgeting

One of the best lessons you can teach your young adult is how and why to create a budget. Explain how budgeting will allow them to create a spending plan for their money — one that lets them be in charge of every dollar that they make, and help ensure that they will have enough money to pay their bills every month. In order to teach them as effectively as possible, ChrisHogan360 suggests speaking to your young adults in their “native language,” which involves all things digital. Rather than busting out paper and pencil to teach about budgeting, download a free app like EveryDollar and go over how the app will help them create and track their first budget in less than 10 minutes. If your young adult has a job, you can use his or her actual income and bills as part of this lesson, so he or she can see how eating out every night and getting pricey coffee drinks may not be such a great idea.

Talk about the importance of life insurance

Chances are good your young adult already knows about car insurance and health insurance. However, he or she might not have heard much about life insurance. Explain the role life insurance plays, and how it can be used to replace income when someone passes away. To help get a deeper understanding of this topic, USAA offers an in-depth explanation of life insurance and how it can provide security for your family’s financial future. If yours is a military family, point out how USAA offers a number of benefits for you and your children, and that it is never too early to look into this type of policy.

Assure them that it’s okay to fail

Young adults may worry that they don’t measure up to the expectations of others. This can prevent them from trying new things that are out of their comfort zone. To help encourage your children to “go for it” in life and set whatever goals they wish, Very Well Family suggests redefining what it means to fail. Instead of thinking about “failure” as a negative, talk about how it can be a positive thing and an opportunity of sorts. By trying things and possibly failing at them, young adults will learn valuable life skills including the importance of sticking with something they want to do. 

Remind them that just because something does not go easily or well the first time, does not mean they will never succeed. Use a role model from their own lives as an example; for instance, basketball star LeBron James has missed plenty of shots in his lifetime, but he never lets it stop him from going back out on the floor and doing better the next time.

Guiding Your Young Adult to Success

These three lessons are not “one and done” types of discussions. To really bring these topics home for your young adults, they will need to be talked about on a number of occasions. But by speaking with them as much as you can about money, life insurance and not being afraid to try new things, you will be well on your way to helping your older children prepare for and enjoy a successful future.

Tips for Better Kayaking

Richard Norkum
-
0
Tips for Better Kayaking

Kayaking isn’t just an adventure, its full of wonderful perks to be enjoyed. From mental stability to physical fitness, kayaking is a master of all. Kayaking is a lot more than just a sport or a workout. The thrill of a kayaking adventure depends on various factors such as your experience, the weather conditions, the water flow and so on. It can be a life changing experience when done with proper supervision. But a simple mistake can jeopardize the whole experience for you, and you might not want to hold a paddle ever again. To make your kayaking experience safe and a little more exciting, here are some tips and tricks to followed.

●A good paddle

An important prerequisite for kayaking is a paddle. Paddling a kayak may become tiring after a day or two. A paddle which is accurately sized and light in weight is something you must choose very carefully. Using a heavy paddle may be a tedious task, especially for beginners. There are plenty of affordable paddles in todays market. You can choose a great paddle by investing a couple of hundred bucks and you will definitely find something that correctly suits your needs. The length of the paddle and its shape are other crucial parameters to be kept in mind while buying a paddle. You should do some research of your own before buying as it greatly determines the quality of your kayaking experience.

●Ready to get wet

You going to get wet on your kayaking experience. One. Even if you don’t make a mistake, you are sure to get wet kayaking because of paddling motion, not to mention possible weather conditions. So, make sure you have the proper clothes, made up of synthetic fabric as cotton clothes tend to absorb more water and remain damp. Also, don’t forget to wear reliable sandals or water shoes. In addition, always pack a pair of dry and fresh clothes if you are going overnight or on a long trip. Not having enough clothes might change your damp up your experience into a terrible one.

●Using the Dry sack

A dry sack can be used to pack dry clothes, eatables for yourself and your pet if you plan on bringing one, and other essentials that need to stay dry. Unfortunately, most kayakers using their dry sack in the wrong way.

Here’s the correct way to pack the dry sack:

Stuff the sack up to two-third of the sack. Press the air out while holding the top together. Afterwards, fold the top rim of the sack downwards for at least three times. Finally buckle the sack and clip it in the appropriate direction. Check if it buckled and sealed tightly so that it doesn’t roll out into the water.

●Learn basic paddling strokes

Learning to paddle the simple and most basic paddling stroke helps make your kayaking trip faster and more easy going. It’s important to put in the time in practicing your technique. It will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable, surely you don’t want to miss out on some easy tricks that can make your kayaking experience a bigger adventure. Sometimes it can be best to learn how to do all this with a kayaking guide, there are also great online resources out there you can find, you can find more here, https://www.kayakerguide.com/ .

●Practice paddling with a friend

Like the saying says, “Two heads are better than one”. It’s ok to be nervous and uncomfortable in the water. Practicing paddling with a friend helps build up your confidence and makes learning even more fun. If you don’t have someone with a kayak to paddle with, then there are plenty of clubs and groups you can visit to learn and practice the art of paddling.

●Invest in a PFD

A personal flotation device is a must when kayaking. Invest in a life jacket that meets your fit and size. Make sure you can move your arms, and that it is a comfortable fit.

●Know the river

It’s extremely important to study river before you set off kayaking. Knowing the potential dangers of the rivers and the hazards that may be caused by it should be cleared up in your mind before planning your adventure. If you are planning to head out into the sea, make sure to have abundant knowledge the sea. Not having the proper education and instructions may be lead to serious consequences like injuries or even worse, death.

●Using a whistle and hand gestures

The sound of crashing water in turbulent rivers can be loud, so loud that your fellow kayakers may not hear you. Study and learn hand signals, whistle blows and paddle signs. It is very important to familiarize yourself with those signals to avoid any unnecessary dangers.

Kayaking is an amazing sport, by following these tips, we hope you can learn to enjoy it properly, and safely, follow instructions and safety guides, use the appropriate tools, and don’t forget to have fun!

New Blockbuster Christmas Movie To Be Filmed in Charlotte – Studio Asking For Paid Extras

Charlotte Stories
-
0
New Blockbuster Christmas Movie To Be Filmed in Charlotte – Studio Asking For Paid Extras

Charlotte is about to be the home of a new blockbuster Christmas movie.

The casting company that staffed The Hunger Games, Sleepy Hollow, and Homeland just announced that a new Christmas movie is about to start filming right here in the Queen City.

If you’d like to be considered as one of the movie’s paid extras, you can submit the following to CLTextras@gmail.com with heading being your Age, Ethnicity, Gender, and City/State where your reside:

** 2 CURRENT photos/snapshots. 1 Headshot/Close up photo. Should not be wearing a hat or sunglasses). 1 Full Length photo. These photos can be taken with a cell phone and should accurately reflect your current hair length and color, facial hair status for men.

** Your Name, Phone (prefer cell), Age, City/State you reside, Height/Weight, Complete Clothing Sizes, Description and location of any visible Tattoos and Piercings (Please include if you have an artist release for tattoos), Color/Make/Model/Year of vehicle you drive in case need it for filming as well.

** You can include any additional information you feel we may need to know. Examples could be -real medical, musician or stand in experience.

Today they company added they they are also looking for photo doubles for the leading roles in the film:

Please help spread the word!

The Carolinas Rank Among The Hardest Working States in America

Charlotte Stories
-
0
The Carolinas Rank Among The Hardest Working States in America

With Americans working an average of almost 1,800 hours per year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic but fewer people having jobs this year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2020’s Hardest-Working States in America.

In order to determine where Americans work the hardest, WalletHub compared the 50 states across ten key metrics. The data set ranges from average workweek hours to share of workers with multiple jobs to annual volunteer hours per resident.

South Carolina ranked #20 and North Carolina ranked #21 on the list.

Hardest-Working States in the U.S.

Overall Rank* State Total Score ‘Direct Work Factors’
Rank		 ‘Indirect Work Factors’
Rank
1 North Dakota 72.85 1 40
2 Alaska 65.14 2 10
3 Wyoming 61.92 4 14
4 Texas 61.22 3 30
5 Nebraska 59.52 7 6
6 Oklahoma 56.81 5 24
7 Colorado 56.56 9 15
8 Virginia 56.40 11 7
9 Maryland 56.18 13 2
10 Hawaii 55.30 8 28
11 South Dakota 54.82 6 42
12 New Hampshire 54.07 14 4
13 Kansas 52.69 10 33
14 Georgia 51.22 12 36
15 Tennessee 49.38 15 34
16 Iowa 48.95 16 31
17 Utah 48.78 30 1
18 Minnesota 48.44 23 8
19 Indiana 47.84 21 16
20 South Carolina 46.58 17 38
21 North Carolina 45.63 24 23
22 Montana 45.27 35 3
23 Louisiana 45.25 18 46
24 Vermont 45.22 22 35
25 Maine 45.16 34 12
26 Delaware 45.14 28 20
27 Wisconsin 44.98 33 13
28 Arkansas 44.52 20 47
29 Idaho 44.02 32 18
30 Nevada 43.82 25 37
31 Alabama 42.82 19 49
32 California 42.79 31 32
33 Missouri 42.70 26 44
34 Washington 42.55 40 11
35 Florida 41.44 29 45
36 New Jersey 41.24 37 26
37 Massachusetts 41.01 39 19
38 Kentucky 41.01 36 29
39 Pennsylvania 40.98 43 9
40 Illinois 40.79 38 22
41 Arizona 40.04 41 17
42 Mississippi 39.37 27 50
43 Oregon 39.05 47 5
44 New York 39.03 42 25
45 Connecticut 37.51 44 27
46 Ohio 36.46 45 21
47 Michigan 33.88 46 43
48 Rhode Island 32.97 49 41
49 New Mexico 32.08 48 48
50 West Virginia 30.04 50 39

“Baby Lives Matter”, “Your Body, Your Choice”, and “BLM” Painted Near Charlotte Planned Parenthood

Charlotte Stories
-
0
“Baby Lives Matter”, “Your Body, Your Choice”, and “BLM” Painted Near Charlotte Planned Parenthood

An unapproved mural was painted on quiet street in Charlotte that read “Baby Lives Matter”, then was quickly painted over with other messages reading “Your body, your choice,” and “BLM”.

Activist Tayler Hansen posted an image on Twitter last weekend that seems to indicate that he was in the process of painting the mural.

The full mural was completed last week in front of the Planned Parenthood facility on South Torrence Street in Charlotte’s Cherry Neighborhood.

WBTV took a photo of the painting in their helicopter before it was painted over.

The message was then painted over with the phrases “Your body, your choice,” and “BLM”

CMPD is now investigating the unapproved paintings.

What do you think about the messages?

1...837838839...1,318Page 838 of 1,318