Nazareth Child & Family Connection Offering A Drive Thru For Barbeque June 5-6

Charlotte Stories
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Nazareth Child & Family Connection Offering A Drive Thru For Barbeque June 5-6

Barbeque lovers will get a chance to enjoy some tasty eats while helping a great cause on June 5 and 6.

Nazareth Child & Family Connection will be hosting drive-thru barbeque meals on their Rockwell campus on June 5-6. The meals, which are $10, will include a barbeque sandwich, two sides, dessert and a drink. There will also be a hotdog meal available for $5, which includes a hot dog, chips, dessert, and a drink.

Proceeds will benefit Nazareth Child & Family Connection.

Originally Nazareth’s 114th Annual Fun Fest was scheduled for June 6, but because of concerns presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was cancelled. Several parts of the Fun Fest were salvaged, though, including the barbeque meals and the raffle for a new 2020 Toyota Corolla SE or $10,000. The drawing for the car/cash giveaway and other prizes will be streamed live via social media channels on June 6.

The barbeque meals, which will be prepared by Big River Smokin’ Q, will be available for pickup at Nazareth’s campus, 725 Crescent Road, Rockwell, N.C., on Friday, June 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturday, June 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Delivery for essential businesses and first responders will be available for orders of five or more or $50 equivalent.

Preordering is encouraged. Orders may be made by visiting www.nazcfc.org or texting BBQ4Naz to 72572.

Also, orders may be made via mail to: Nazareth Child & Family Connection, ATTN: BBQ 4 Naz, PO Box 1438, Rockwell, NC 28138. Please indicate how many meals you would like and if they are to be donated to essential workers and first responders.

Anyone with questions or would like to order over the phone using a credit or debit card should contact Blair Wilson at 704.729.4688 or btrexler@nazcfc.org

Raffle tickets for the 2020 Toyota Corolla SE or $10,000, donated by Cloninger Ford & Toyota, may be purchased by visiting www.nazcfc.org or texting FFTickets to 72572.

The annual Fun Fest car show will be moved to the fall with a date to be announced. All current registrations will be honored for that show. Also, the kids’ zone, vendor show, silent auction and basket auction will be moved to that date.

Leaders Considering Changes To Republican National Convention in Charlotte Due To COVID-19

Charlotte Stories
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Leaders Considering Changes To Republican National Convention in Charlotte Due To COVID-19

The 2020 Republican National Convention (RNC) is scheduled to take place in Uptown Charlotte just 3 months from now. It’s expected to draw more than 50,000 people who will gather at 1,000+ scheduled events in hundreds of locations around our city.

Now, in the midst of the historic COVID-10 pandemic, leaders are questioning what changes might need to be made to keep attendees and our city safe, and even if the convention should still be held in Charlotte.

In a a New York Times article, RNC officials within the White House are rumored to be talking about possibly scaling back the 50,000 people who are expected to gather, possibly even limiting the attendance to delegates only.

Yesterday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar came to Charlotte and spoke about the conference and possible ways to increase testing and protective measures.

“Part of the protocols might involve large-scale testing, and how can we work together to support with any extra surge supplies as well as testing capacity around that,” Azar commented.

Earlier this week, mayor Vi Lyles was interviewed by MSNBC’s Ali Velshi about the upcoming conference and if any changes will be made.

The mayor said:

“We have a contract with the RNC to host this convention, but we also have a commitment to our community that we will keep them safe and well, and that’s where we’re focused.

Our community thought that we’d be talking about protests and security and keeping people safe that way, and here we are fighting the unknown, COVID-19, and so we have to win that fight first.

We can’t go into this with just, ‘Well, we agreed to something in 2018 and we’re going to continue to do it,’ that is not the world today.”

On the RNC’s marketing channels, however, things seem to be moving forward as originally planned:

What do you think about the RNC in Charlotte?

Do you think the convention should be changed or moved in light of COVID-19?

Video of Spontaneous Block Party On Myrtle Beach Strip Goes Viral As Quarantine Lifts

Charlotte Stories
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Video of Spontaneous Block Party On Myrtle Beach Strip Goes Viral As Quarantine Lifts

In one of the most Myrtle Beach things that’s ever happened, a large group of beach goers clogged up the main strip with golf carts and started a spontaneous block party just days after the governor lifted restrictions on hotel reservations and restaurants.

The event was captured by King Yari, who was eating lunch at a nearby restaurant. In his Facebook post, Yari commentes;

“This happened today while enjoying lunch at Beach House Bar & Grill, a flashMOB of mopeds, golf carts, motorcycles, people, music and no social distancing.🤦🏾‍♂️”

As of this morning, the video has already been shared over 18,000 times and viewed over 763,000 times:

The dance party took place in the middle of the day on Sunday, May 17th, just 6 days after the governor began lifting restrictions for the state:

As of this morning, South Carolina has 9,381 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 416 deaths. Myrtle Beach’s Horry County has 333 confirmed cases and 21 confirmed COVID-19 related deaths.

Does North Carolina Have an Attractive Cost of Living?

Carol Failla
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Does North Carolina Have an Attractive Cost of Living?

When you are trying to choose somewhere to live, there are plenty of considerations you need to make. You have to consider safety, facilities, location, career prospects, schooling, health, and quality of life. All of these things differ from state to state, so it is essential to assess them when you are trying to make the best possible choice. You have to consider what it takes to find the right place to live, and to try to get the best possible cost of living moving forward. The cost of living is something that needs to be a massive consideration for you, and this is something you need to make sure you get right moving forward as much as possible. 

Now, one of the most attractive states to live in for a lot of people is North Carolina, and this is largely to do with its location and history. But, one of the key questions you have to ask is whether or not this is a state with an attractive cost of living. Don’t forget, moving home is an expensive venture, and you want to make sure you are in a state that has an affordable cost of living as much as possible. Let’s take a look at the cost of living in North Carolina so that you can assess if this is right for you. 

Housing 

Housing is one of the biggest costs for any individual or family, and this needs to be one of the major considerations when you are planning to move somewhere. Well, this is also one of the things that makes North Carolina such an attractive state for so many people – the cost of housing is very affordable. Indeed, the median home price comes close to around $175,000, however, cities like Charlotte represent the more expensive end of the state’s property market. Here, you can find a home for a median price of around $225,000, which is cheaper than the median national average. Renting is also an attractive choice here, with a studio apartment available for $740 per month, and a two bed costing around $900. These, again, are comfortably below the nationwide average for property, and this is something that you need to keep in mind when assessing the cost of moving to North Carolina. 

Job Market

It is also hugely important to consider the job market, as this is something that directly affects and is affected by the cost of living. You need to be earning proportionate to what you have to pay to live, and this is why it is important to find a good job with fair pay, and without too much stress and trouble. With a tech-boom, and a strong economy, North Carolina is a wonderful place to find a job these days. Some of the key sectors in the state to consider pursuing a career in include energy, biotech, finance, and education. There are ample career paths to consider, and this is something to look into when you are trying to improve quality of life, and work on the cost of living as much as possible. 

Food

Food is something else that plays a massive part in deciding where you are going to live and figuring out the cost of living. There are a lot of elements that you need to assess when you look into the cost of buying food in a particular city or state. The cost of buying food and groceries in NC is slightly below national average, which makes it an attractive proposition for families. And it’s not just grocery shopping, you also want to know that there are great choices for foodies wanting to eat out in places that are affordable. Well, Asheville is one of the best places in the entire country for cuisine, and this is definitely helping to fly the flag for North Carolina, especially when it comes to the cost of food. 

Driving

Another thing you need to keep in mind when you are looking at the cost of living in North Carolina is the cost of driving. Now, there are a few elements to this, and you need to know what you’re dealing with. First things first, the price of a gallon of gas here comes in at around $2.71, which is below the national average of $2.90. And you will also be happy to hear that North Carolina insurance rates for vehicles rank among the best in the entire country. They are capped, which means that insurance companies actually need to drop their prices in order to stay competitive. You want to be able to drive comfortably and safely across the state whenever you need to, and this is a great place to achieve that. 

When you are trying to assess whether a move would be right for you, it is so important to do as much as possible to try to live as well as you can. There are many factors to keep in mind, and it is clear that you need to assess the cost of living to see if the place is affordable for you. There is no sense in living somewhere if you are struggling to make ends meet and trying to focus on doing as much as possible to get things sorted. So, you are going to have to think about the right ways of doing this. North Carolina represents a very attractive cost of living, and is great for retirees too, so you should definitely check this out as your next place to live.

Where Did the Term ‘Jackpot’ Originate From?

Robert Tilman
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Where Did the Term ‘Jackpot’ Originate From?

Many people dream of one day winning the elusive jackpot – that big bonus that rewards the player thousands of dollars in prize money. From casinos and sportsbooks to lotteries and scratch cards, jackpots have become a common theme in everyday life.

There are many different types of jackpots in the world, ranging from a few hundred dollars to the multi-millions. Some games have set jackpots that never change while others have progressive jackpots the increase over time. In many countries around the world the lottery jackpot rolls over if nobody wins, resulting in prizes in the hundreds of millions! 

As technology has progressed, gambling has moved online and now many people play at digital casinos. Websites like casinosx.com host detailed lists of online casinos where players can find all the best jackpots.

But where did the term jackpot originate from?

Way back in the late 1800s, gamblers used to play a version of poker called “Jacks or Better”. The game is similar to five-card draw poker, except that each player must have at least a pair of jacks or better to open betting in the first round. Essentially, this means that any hand that could beat a pair of tens would be good enough to start betting.

Once someone has opened the betting then the rest of the players can match, raise, or fold – irrelevant of their hand’s value. If nobody in the group of players has jacks or better, then the entire hand is re-dealt. Once all the cards are dealt and all betting rounds have finished, players can now show their hands. However, unlike in normal poker, a player must have at least three-of-kind or better to win. If nobody has three-of-kind or better, then all the money in the pot stays and a new round starts.

A three-of-kind hand isn’t very common in poker so it happened fairly often that rounds went by without anybody winning. If nobody won a round for several games, the pot would grow and grow. Eventually, this big central pot became known as the ‘jack pot’. This is where the name came from and was the first ever example of a progressive jackpot in gambling.

Modern day

Nowadays, the term jackpot has been co-opted by casinos and applied to a wide range of games. Funnily enough, it is seldom used in poker these days and is most commonly attributed to the big prize on a lottery or slot machine. Casinos, lotteries, scatch cards, and bingo halls all around the world now use the term jackpot to refer to any big prize. It’s often seen in advertising, promotions and competitions for everything from cars to holidays.

People even use the term colloquially to describe a new job with a big salary or when they do well in the stock market. Suffice it to say, if something is described as the ‘jackpot’, it’s probably going to be something good.

So next time you take your chances on a big jackpot win, remember the poker players of the old days trying their best to get three-of-kind. If you want some more interesting poker trivia, read about why the last card in Texas Hold’em is called ‘the river’.

First Case of Serious MIS-C Disease Reported in North Carolina

Charlotte Stories
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First Case of Serious MIS-C Disease Reported in North Carolina

North Carolina has just reported its first case of MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children), a potentially deadly condition connected to COVID-19.

According to the press release, “MIS-C is not contagious, but children with these symptoms could have COVID-19 or another infection that may be contagious. Parents and caregivers should take precautions to prevent spread, and health care providers will use infection control precautions when treating your child.”

 

The first case of the rare MIS-C was reported in late April in England, but since then, it’s been rising at an exponential rate around the world as COVID-19 continues to spread.

Most patients who have been diagnosed with MIS-C have a fever that lasts for several days, and other common symptoms including:

  • Irritability or decreased activity
  • Abdominal pain without another explanation
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Rash
  • Conjunctivitis (red or pink eyes)
  • Poor feeding
  • Red, cracked lips or red, bumpy tongue that looks like a strawberry
  • Swollen hands and feet, which might also be red

Call your child’s doctor or 911 immediately if your child has a persistent fever plus any of the above symptoms.

Allied Universal to Host Virtual Job Fair in Charlotte

Charlotte Stories
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Allied Universal to Host Virtual Job Fair in Charlotte

Allied Universal is about to hire more than 25 security professionals for a special detail team in Charlotte.  Former law enforcement, corrections, military and/or security industry experience is required.

The company will be hosting a virtual job event on June 2 from 9 to 11 am.

Allied Universal employs a virtual interview process where applicants can complete the company’s online application from the comfort of their home through highly advanced video interviewing technology. Using a smart phone or computer with camera, applicants are invited to click on this link on Tuesday June 2 between 9 to 11 am to be matched with a hiring manager to discuss employment opportunities in the security industry. Applicants can also apply anytime online at this link.

“Our clients, and the public at large, rely on us to keep our communities and businesses safe and secure especially during these challenging times,” said Steve Jones, Chairman and CEO of Allied Universal. “Our security professionals play a pivotal part ensuring facilities can continue business as usual and other businesses that had to close, can rest assured that their assets will remain protected.”

For full time positions, company benefits include medical and dental coverage, life insurance, 401(k), holidays and more.

Comprehensive national job listings are available at: https://jobs.aus.com/.

Charlotte’s Oldest Movie Theater Will Not Be Reopening After COVID-19 Restrictions Lift

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte’s Oldest Movie Theater Will Not Be Reopening After COVID-19 Restrictions Lift

Charlotte’s oldest movie theater has just announced that it will not be reopening after the COVID-19 restrictions lift.

According to a statement from the owners, the historic Manor Twin Theatre in Myers Park will be permanently closing its doors. Manor first opened in 1947 and was taken over by Regal Cinemas in 2005 who continued its legacy of showing less mainstream films.

“EFC is proud to have been a part of the long legacy of the Manor theater, first as operators and more recently as landlord,” said Josh Page, COO of Eastern Federal, “I know Regal will do a great job of serving Charlotte’s art community in its other venues.”

Regal currently operates 4 other theaters around Charlotte.

What do you think about Manor Twin’s closing? 

Charlotte Overtook San Francisco To Become The 15th Biggest City In America

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Overtook San Francisco To Become The 15th Biggest City In America

Charlotte has officially entered the prestigious list of ‘The Top 15 Most Populous Cities’ in America, pushing San Francisco down to #16 in the process, according to new estimates by the US Census.

Between July 1st of 2018 and July 1st of 2019, Charlotte added an estimated 13,200 new residents (36 new residents every day), bringing the total population within the city limits to 885,708.

Over the past 10 years, Fort Worth and Charlotte pushed Indianapolis and San Francisco out of the Top 15 list:

The 15 Most Populous Cities on April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2019
April 1, 2010 July 1, 2019
Rank Area Name State Name Total Population Rank Area Name State Name Total Population
1 New York city New York 8,175,031 1 New York city New York 8,336,817
2 Los Angeles city California 3,793,139 2 Los Angeles city California 3,979,576
3 Chicago city Illinois 2,695,652 3 Chicago city Illinois 2,693,976
4 Houston city Texas 2,095,517 4 Houston city Texas 2,320,268
5 Philadelphia city Pennsylvania 1,526,012 5 Phoenix city Arizona 1,680,992
6 Phoenix city Arizona 1,446,691 6 Philadelphia city Pennsylvania 1,584,064
7 San Antonio city Texas  1,326,161 7 San Antonio city Texas 1,547,253
8 San Diego city California 1,301,929 8 San Diego city California 1,423,851
9 Dallas city Texas  1,197,658 9 Dallas city Texas 1,343,573
10 San Jose city California  952,528 10 San Jose city California 1,021,795
11 Jacksonville city Florida  821,750 11 Austin city Texas 978,908
12 Indianapolis city (balance) Indiana  820,457 12 Jacksonville city Florida 911,507
13 San Francisco city California  805,184 13 Fort Worth city Texas 909,585
14 Austin city Texas  801,829 14 Columbus city Ohio 898,553
15 Columbus city Ohio 789,018 15 Charlotte city North Carolina 885,708

 

The Census also notes that the South and the West have been dominating the population game, with a continued population shift being seen from the North East to the South and West.

“Among the 15 U.S. cities or towns with populations of 50,000 or more as of April 1, 2010, that had the largest numeric increases since 2010, eight were located in the South, five in the West, and one each in the Northeast and the Midwest. Phoenix, Ariz., tops the list of the 15 largest numeric gainers with an increase of over 234,300 people or an average of 25,330 people per year between 2010 and 2019,” the report notes. “Aside from New York, New York, and Columbus, Ohio, the other cities making up the list of the largest numeric gainers were located in the South or West.”

What do you think about Charlotte’s new ranking? 

Governor Cooper Announces Move to ‘Phase 2’ – Allowing Restaurants, Bars, and Churches To Reopen

Steve
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Governor Cooper Announces Move to ‘Phase 2’ – Allowing Restaurants, Bars, and Churches To Reopen

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has just announced that our state will be transitioning into “Phase 2” of the ‘Safer at Home’ order.

“North Carolina is using the data to guide our decisions about when to lift COVID-19 restrictions, and overall our key indicators remain stable,” said Governor Cooper. “Safer At Home Phase 2 is another careful step forward, and we have to continue taking this virus seriously to prevent a dangerous spike in infections.”

The governor’s new ‘Executive Order No. 141‘ effectively lifts the ‘The Stay at Home Order’ in Executive Order No. 138 and allows for restaurants, salons, and pools to reopen at 50% max capacity. It also allows for indoor gatherings of 10 people and outdoor gatherings of 25 people.

The new order also includes the following exemption:

“Worship, religious, and spiritual gatherings, funeral ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, and
other activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights are exempt from all the
requirements ofthis Executive Order and Executive Order Nos. 121 and 138, notwithstanding any other provision ofthis Executive Order or of Executive Order Nos. 121 and 138.

The undersigned strongly urges that entities and individuals engaging in these exempted
activities follow the Recommendations to Promote Social Distancing and Reduce Transmission, avoid exceeding Emergency Maximum Occupancy in the places where they meet, and avoid holding Mass Gatherings.”

You can read the entire Phase 2 order here.

What do you think about the new order? 

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