Charlotte First Major Food, Wine, and Mixology Festival Kicks Off This Week – Crave Charlotte

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The Queen City’s first official food, wine, and mixology festival kicks off this week on Tuesday, July 21st, and many of the festival events have already sold out.

Crave Charlotte will feature the finest culinary professionals, restaurants, mixologists and winemakers in the city of Charlotte. It will be held in locations across our city from July 21-26, 2020.

“Charlotte has a lot of great culinary talent,” said Darlene Heater, Executive Director of University City Partners and sponsor of Cuisine on the Green. “It is important for us to provide an opportunity to showcase their great work, and bring people together over food and drinks. We hope that this will become a signature event for Charlotte, attracting visitors from out of town to see what we have to offer.”

Here’s a list of all of Crave Charlotte’s events, including those that are sold out:

This week’s festival was initially announced back in February 2020 with plans to hold events in May 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the festival was postponed and adjusted to continue to recognize Charlotte restaurants who now, more than ever, can use more acknowledgement and support. Proceeds from the events will benefit Rivendell Farms of the Carolinas.

The full schedule and more details for Greystar Crave Charlotte and tickets can be found at craveclt.org or facebook.com/craveclt. Event organizers will continue to monitor and adhere to Mecklenburg County and North Carolina health guidelines, which can be found here.

Panthers Owner Creates New Scholarship at Johnson C. Smith University

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David and Nicole Tepper will contribute $250,000 to aid deserving Johnson C. Smith University students as they overcome financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students and their families have been negatively impacted by the loss of jobs during this unprecedented time and many would not have the financial resources to return to school were it not for this generous gift. All of the funds will be used to help students return for the 2020-2021 academic year.

JCSU President Clarence D. Armbrister said the gift will allow students to continue pursuing their dreams of earning a college education while also helping JCSU prevent a decrease in enrollment as the University navigates the operational challenges in higher education at this time. “We are elated the Teppers chose to invest in the students at Johnson C. Smith University,” Armbrister said.

“The donation to the University affirms their commitment to minority students in the Charlotte community and beyond. The continued success of historically Black universities like JCSU is at a critical point,” said Armbrister. “Partnerships like this are essential to sustaining HBCUs which are educating the next generation of leaders in the workplace and in the community. With COVID-19’s significantly disproportionate impact on people of color, these scholarship funds could not have been donated at a better time for our students.”

Scholarship funds will benefit as many as 70 returning students who demonstrate financial need. Establishing the David and Nicole Tepper Scholarship at JCSU demonstrates the Teppers’ belief that providing deserving minority students with access to a high quality, affordable college education is integral to closing the inequality gap.

“Nicole and I have visited Johnson C. Smith and have gotten to know President Armbrister and some of the leaders at the school,” David Tepper said. “This pandemic has put a lot of people in a tough spot, particularly students who are trying to complete their education and earn their degrees. Hopefully, this contribution can help. This institution means a lot to this community and we look forward to building on our relationship in the future.”

The Teppers’ charitable efforts focus on the core beliefs that everyone deserves an education and access to healthcare resources, and that no one should go to bed hungry. David Tepper is the founder and president of Appaloosa Management, L.P. and owner of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and Charlotte’s Major League Soccer team.

Fun Games to Play with Friends When You are Apart

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Staying at home during this Covid-19 period can be tedious, but it shouldn’t stop you from playing games with your buddies. Many video chat options like Zoom, Skype, and Face Time, let you play games and stay connected from the comfort of your home. Even 918Kiss and similar platforms have interesting and engaging content for dull days during a pandemic.

Below are eight entertaining games you can enjoy with your friends wherever you happen to be locked down.

Fortnite

The popular game doesn’t need an introduction—jump in and squad up with your friends anywhere. Use your imagination to build a fort, take out enemies hiding behind walls, and battle to the last man standing. 

Fortnite opens up a world of possibilities where you shape battlefields by developing your personal cover. 

As a bonus, the game is free on Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4, and mobile.

Minecraft

Developed by Mojang Studios, Minecraft is an immensely enjoyable game that lets you explore infinite worlds and build structures, from the simplest homes to the most spectacular castles. Not only is it fun to play, but it also sharpens your creativity. 

It is freely available on the Xbox Game Pass. You can play alone or with friends—eight members can join the game and build in Creative Mode. Survival Mode lets you mine deep into the earth, make weapons, and fend off deadly mobs.

Jack Box Games

A sequence of rib-tickling games to help you beat the COVID-I9 boredom, you can play new questions or come up with your own. In Trivia Murder Party, you can face-off with a trivia-obsessed killer in a deadly quiz show. 

Bring seven friends onboard, then brainstorm and answer questions that keep everyone on their toes until a winner emerges.

NBA 2k20

If you were a fan of the real NBA, this virtual game will keep you engaged as you wait for the season to resume. Practice shooting or play against your friends in online stadiums.

Access the game free on Xbox Game Pass or get it on digital marketplaces at $30 for physical versions on Xbox One, PC, Switch, and PS4. 

Sea of Thieves 

Go on a global adventure and explore beautiful beaches and captivating reefs. Awaken your inner pirate and chart your course for hidden treasures in a treacherous world. From sailing the rough seas and fighting to exploring islands and looting, Sea of Thieves recreates a real pirate experience. 

Bring your friends aboard and battle it out to steal hard-earned pirate loot. 

It’s freely available on Xbox Game Pass, and it is $50 on PC and Xbox.

DRL Simulator

If you are into high-intensity racing games, DRL simulator will sweep you off your feet. It’s a premier FPV racing game-cum-simulator in high-intensity drone races. 

DRL features the tracks that real drone racing pilots use with new contests added each season. You can freestyle or face your opponent’s drone in real-time multiplayer mode for riveting action scenes.

House party

A face-to-face app that connects you with the seven friends via video call, House Party lets you play several games, such as Trivia, Quick Draw, Heads Up, Chips, and Guac.

Monopoly

Monopoly is now online, too. You play the bots, but it’s much more fun to take on your friends. Build homes, trade land, win auctions, and laugh. The virtual game is as gripping as the physical board game. 

With the above list of online games, your virtual hangout will be just as entertaining as your last in-person games’ night. Who says the COVID-19 period can’t be fun?

Great Ways to Connect with Friends while Being at Home

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COVID-19 hasn’t just kept us home—it has denied us in-person contact, leaving entire communities feeling lonely and anxious. Here are six creative ways to catch up with family and friends during a time of social distancing.

Setup Online Dates

Hearing the voices of friends and family over the phone is good, but it’s even more powerful and fulfilling when you see each other’s faces. Just like you would plan to have a coffee date with friends or co-workers on the weekend, you can still meet up online.

Send a Zoom invite or a Google Hangout link that people can open on their smartphones, tablets, or laptops. Everyone can drink whatever they have on hand, and you can all spend time together virtually, safe but connected.

Start A Book Club

Choose a book that you all enjoy reading and meet up to discuss it. A book club not only gives you a reason to meet up online, but it encourages reading to fill up your alone time. If you do not have a particular title, you can always buy it online or borrow it virtually from a digital library.

Use Social Media For Good

During a pandemic, we find ourselves spending more time online. Take the opportunity to communicate with friends and family through social media. Share experiences of your daily life and encourage others to stay safe by prioritising their health.

Social Distance Workouts

Self-quarantine shouldn’t be a justification to ignore your wellbeing. A workout routine can improve your immune system, but solitary exercise can be a lonely affair, and it is often difficult to stay motivated. Thankfully, video chatting and social media make it easier to engage in connected workouts.

You can set up a common workout time with a friend or loved one. The workout could be anything from yoga or weightlifting to cardio and martial arts drills. The most important thing is to do it together with a friend, or five. You can all motivate each other in real-time and hold each other accountable to push harder in those home-based workouts.

Multiplayer Gaming

Online gaming provides a fantastic way to stay connected with friends while you relax. The choice of play-offs is vast enough to keep you going for months (even years), from chilled games, like Minecraft, to cooperative strategy games, like Jackbox.

Online casinos are responding to COVID-19 and self-isolation by offering your favourite sports virtually, like horse racing. You can play with friends and other enthusiasts from across the globe as if you were together in the same room. 

Casino online games also offer a great way to pocket some change while stuck at home.

Learn a New Skill

While social distancing and staying healthy are the priorities, you also have a fantastic opportunity to increase your skill set across any digital platform. Consider learning something new, like cooking, sewing, graphic design, or creating music with a loved one or a group. 

There are millions of free tutorials on YouTube and other online platforms to keep you interested and connected to friends and family whenever you are stuck at home.

Simple Solutions to Romancing Your Partner

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Everyone loves to have a little romance in their life, and when couples first get together, there is usually a lot of romance. However, as time goes on and you settle into your daily life, the romance can end up taking a back seat. This is often because of other commitments that take over such as looking after a home, raising a family, and focusing on your career.

While all of these things are important, it is vital that you still make the effort to be romantic with your partner. There are lots of ways in which you can do this, and many of these methods will not break the bank. When it comes to your physical relationship, you can often spice things up with products like adult toys such as anal toys. However, when it comes to the romantic side of your relationship, you need to think from the heart. 

In this article, we will explore a few simple ways to add more romance to your relationship.

What You Can Do

There are various ways in which you can be more romantic in your relationship, and it is well worth doing this in order to help keep the magic alive. Some of the things you can plan are:

A Romantic Picnic

One very simple and wonderful romantic gesture is to plan a romantic picnic for your partner. You can whisk them off to a local place of natural beauty where you can both relax, enjoy good food and great company, spend quality time together, and watch the world go by. This gives you a chance to escape together and enjoy nature, sit and unwind, and enjoy one another’s company. It is also a very affordable way to be romantic.

A Lovely Meal at Home

Another thing you can do in order to be romantic is to surprise your partner with a wonderful home-cooked meal. Even if you are not very experienced when it comes to cooking, you can look up romantic recipes online that are easy to follow. You can create the perfect setting and atmosphere, and you will be able to choose from indoor or garden dining depending on the weather. Make sure you add the finishing touches with soft lights and romantic music, or fairy lights if you dine outside.

A Weekend Away

If you have a little more time and a slightly bigger budget, you could arrange a surprise weekend away. You do not have to go over the top when it comes to splashing out – a romantic camping break is affordable and means you can enjoy adventure, excitement, nature, and some quality time away together. You can also look at other options such as a city break, some time at the beach, or a few days at a lakeside cabin among other things.

These are just some of the ways in which you can be more romantic with your partner, and this can then help to add some magic back into your relationship.

How Has Sports Betting Changed In Light Of The Recent Pandemic?

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Going into 2020, the sports betting arena was abuzz with increasing legalisation and record revenues. Then came Coronavirus, and everything went haywire. 

The pandemic shut down businesses, curtailed interactions, and cut short livelihoods. Sports betting was not spared by the COVID-19 pandemic, either.

Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 threw the entire 2020 sporting calendar into disorder. It led to professional sports leagues hastily suspending the season to restrict the transmission of the virus and protect its players. 

With the deferral of the major college and professional sports leagues, it’s not hard for anyone to guess the impact of this virus on the sports betting industry and related fields. 

Punters could not bet on sporting events if there weren’t any taking place, and the casinos and bookmakers felt the pinch as the world cowered.

Sports Cancellation

Summertime is typically full of exciting sporting events and activities, and enthusiasts find themselves spoilt for choice in a normal season. No event survived, from grand slam tournaments and PGA tours to the gruelling slog of the Tour de France cyclists, and what would have been the next Olympics in Japan. The packed sports calendar had a lot to keep sports enthusiasts going, and it all disappeared behind masks and sanitiser sprays.

In the weeks following the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns in most countries, the industry cancelled significant sporting and entertainment events. These cancellations led to a decline in sports betting with bookmakers struggling to find markets on the few remaining sports events due to the coronavirus concerns. 

Some games were returning by the second half of 2020, but the betting industry may never be the same. 

Closure Of Brick And Motor Casinos

Land-based casinos took a hit in returns as the virus continues to affect traditional gambling markets. The pandemic had not just halted organised sports; it has forced casinos, sports betting parlours, bingo halls, and other related establishments to shut down entirely. 

The closure was in line with government-directed lockdowns that were put in place to mitigate the virus’s spread. 

Rise Of Online Casinos

Sports-betting companies began exploring alternative ways to keep their businesses afloat while keeping customers entertained. Bookmakers like SBOBET offered punters other online casino games, including live dealer casino games, online poker, scratch cards, and bingo, providing feasible substitutes to sports betting. 

Reduced Revenue

The cancellation of major sporting events, like the NBA, NFL, XFL, NCAA, and MLS left stadiums empty, and some casinos closed indefinitely. As government travel restrictions and COVID-driven fears of public gatherings mounted, it put pressure upon the stock prices of casino companies worldwide.

Sports betting companies spend billions on marketing and other avenues hoping to profit from punters in various sports. Those companies were now counting losses as they tried to keep their businesses afloat. 

The turn of events was especially challenging for physical sportsbooks that owned large retail outlets, all of which were shut down by governmental emergency restrictions.

Conclusion

The sports betting industry has been through unprecedented challenges, and the spread of COVID-19 continued as 2020 waned. No one could say with certainty when normal sports activities would resume. 

All that betting companies can do is respond to the pandemic with flexibility and creative problem-solving to mitigate the financial impact. It’s a whole new world.

How Have Casinos Adapted To The Coronavirus Pandemic?

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The Coronavirus pandemic transformed how people around the world live, relate to others, and conduct businesses. Many industries and organisations around the world suffered enormous financial losses. One such industry is gambling, which, like the hospitality industry, was deeply impacted by the rise of Covid-19.

Following the rapid spread of the virus, the majority of sports leagues and events worldwide were cancelled or postponed indefinitely. The face of the industry changed considerably. It saw many casinos close their doors, retrench employees, downsize operations, and sell real estate.

Although some sports started returning midyear, and casinos were reopening, the betting industry impacts were still widespread and continue to evolve. Coronavirus forced primary stakeholders to implement extraordinary changes in the way they do business.

How Casinos Adapted To COVID-19

Governments put in place new guidelines that casinos needed to observe before reopening. Every business, including casinos, needed to take steps to provide a safer environment for their employees and guests, especially regarding public health factors. 

Casinos redesigned entire gaming floors to operate differently and provide more personal space between patrons, for example. 

Some of the elements addressed by casino operators before reopening include training, screening, cleanliness, physical distancing, and protective personal equipment (PPE).

Employee Training

Casinos began investing in employee training to know how to recognise, respond to, and report cases of COVID-19 while on the property. Some establishments increased educational signage to remind customers to maintain social distancing, wear masks, and sanitise their hands regularly.

Employee And Customer Screening

Casino establishments also took it upon themselves to check their guests’ and employees’ health. Some establishments have incorporated non-invasive temperature scans and thermal cameras at the entrance, screening and turn away those exhibiting any signs of COVID-19. 

It is all in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus so that business can return to normal.

Cleanliness

Casinos also placed hand sanitisers at all entrances and contact areas. Players and dealers wanting to engage in table games were required to wash their hands with soap and water, as all card games were played with minimal contact to limit the potential spread of the pathogen.

Physical Distancing

Casinos reminded their employees and guests to maintain a distance of at least six feet apart. Most establishments also changed their slot machine layouts and the number of seats per table limit. These measures were all in light of maintaining a safe distance between people in closed areas.

Use Of Personal Protection Equipment

Since coughs and sneezing were the main transmission vectors, compliant casinos provided all their clients with face masks upon entering the establishment. Some casinos are also turned to using disposable gloves as added safety precautions to curb the spread of the virus.

Even with this personal safety equipment in place, customers and employees needed to keep washing their hands regularly with soapy water and avoid touching their faces. 

The New Normal

Thankfully, there is a digital alternative to all the fuss. Casinos operators like จีคลับ are slowly changing to the “new normal” by providing other varieties of wagering activities online. It includes the assimilation of virtual sports into their offerings. 

The changes allow gamblers to enjoy their favourite pastime from the comfort and safety of their home without the risk of infection or the stress that accompanies the unknown.

Kanye West Just Held His First Presidential Campaign Rally in Charleston SC

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Kanye West just held his first official US presidential campaign rally for the upcoming 2020 election.

The rally was held at the Exquis Event Center in Charleston, SC this evening. The event started at about 5pm when Kanye walked in wearing a bullet-proof “security” vest and the numbers “2020” painted on his head.

You can watch today’s entire rally on Facebook here (no professional cameras or mics were set up during the rally):

The controversial rapper initially announced he was running for President on Twitter, although many thought this was a joke:

The following week, he confirmed in an interview with Forbes that he was indeed serious about running for President on a third party ticket – “The Birthday Party”.

This past Wednesday, the New York Magazine published an article saying that West had dropped out of the race, just one week after his announcement, but clearly given today’s campaign rally in Charleston, he is very much still attempting to run.

So far, Kanye is on the presidential ballot in Oklahoma, and is now asking people to sign a petition to get him on the South Carolina ballot on kanye2020.country.

What do you think about Kanye’s campaign for president? 

Buying a Used Car: What to Take Into Account

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Even though there are some fluctuations, the market for used vehicles is vivid. In general, demand is constant. That is why if you are considering buying a vehicle from a previous owner, this is a good opportunity to save some money. However, popular markets attract indecent people who are trying to make money on naive buyers. What’s more, there are certain risks associated with the technical state of a vehicle you are about to acquire. That is why we have prepared some tips that can help you choose a car that won’t cause you trouble.

The More Information — The Better 

As always, the more you know, the better it is. As soon as you estimate the budget you are ready to spend on a vehicle and choose a manufacturer and model, search the Internet to find the feedback of people who used to own this car. Are they satisfied? Be sure that they are describing the model of the same manufacture year, this matters a lot. If you like to, you can buy import cars, we at Vin’s Automotive can help you out because parallel importing cars is what we do best.

Then, start interrogating a vendor. If you have read something that raises doubts or concerns, feel free to ask these questions. It is also crucial to get VIN info that will provide you with all the main technical aspects of a vehicle under consideration: year of production, country of origin, transmission type, model, car body type, etc. For this, you just need to have a VIN that you can decode to sell your car that doesn’t run.

Live Inspection

After the collection of all the information about a car under consideration, it is time to check it in real life, as second-hand cars may be prone to problems. Before you head, consider hiring someone who can help you out, otherwise, you risk missing some important features that are crucial in terms of the state of a vehicle and its further servicing. Here are the main parts you should definitely pay attention to:

  1. The state of metal exterior parts: the condition of the paint and lacquer, availability of rotten parts. To be sure that the car body is not rusted, it is necessary to have a look at the door sills. They are among the parts that begin to rust in the first place. Also, a professional can help identify if any of the car parts have been replaced and repainted. In this case, there are questions to ask.
  2. Internally, it is necessary to check the state of the wheel and pedals. The more they are worn, the more the vehicle was in use. It is also important to check the mileage of used cars in el cajon. Does the state of these parts coincide with the mileage data? 
  3. The state of software and internal assemblies that can be checked through connecting a PC with a special program that will read out the information from an onboard PC.

Getting a used vehicle is a good chance to save. However, for this deal to be profitable, it is necessary to invest some time and money into investigations and examination of a car. Otherwise, you can acquire an automobile requiring too many investments.

Catawbas Announce Official Groundbreaking Of $273 Million Casino 30 Miles West of Charlotte

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The Catawba Indian Tribe has announced the official groundbreaking of a $273 million casino near Charlotte.

Catawba Chief Bill Harris confirmed yesterday that the new Kings Mountain Casino will hold a groundbreaking ceremony this coming Wednesday.

The massive facility will include a 195,000-square-foot casino with 1,796 electronic gaming devices and 54 table games, as well as a 1,500 room hotel, several restaurants with seating for 940 people, and a full concert and event venue.

It will be located at northwestern quadrant of the intersection of Kings Mountain Blvd. and I-85 (Exit 5) in Kings Mountain, about 30 miles west of Charlotte:

This past March, the tribe held a press conference where they unveiled the renderings for the 195,000 square-foot casino that will eventually be run by Delaware North, which manages sports and entertainment venues in addition to casinos.

The Catawba Tribe plans on opening the new casino sometime in late spring or early summer of 2021.

What do you think about the idea of a casino being built so close to Charlotte?