Over 100 Musical Instruments Donated to Mecklenburg County Middle School

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 National Pawn, a North Carolina-based pawn retailer with 19 locations across the state, is donating more than 100 musical instruments and $2,000 to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ Mint Hill Middle School as part of its continued efforts to support music education in North Carolina. National Pawn will present the monetary and instrument donation, including trumpets, saxophones, clarinets, flutes, trombones, drums, guitars, recorders and more, to students for the upcoming school year.

National Pawn has a longstanding tradition of supporting youth music programs in every county that is home to one of its stores, with 2019 marking its ninth annual donation. Since 2010, the company has donated over 3,800 instruments and $68,000 in cash to 25 public performing arts programs in Alamance, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, New Hanover and Wake counties.

Founder Bob Moulton’s strong passion for giving back is fueled by his own experiences. As a child, Moulton loved music and longed to join the middle school band, but was unable due to his family’s financial strains. His mom, a thrifty shopper, eventually purchased a trumpet at a yard sale, which allowed Moulton to live out his musical dreams. He credits his experiences in band with helping him develop both a sense of self and sense of collaboration, which he still uses decades later. As a successful business owner, Moulton is committed to giving back to these North Carolina communities and specifically supporting music programs to help all children enjoy the gift of music and the valuable life lessons it can teach.

“When we first began donating instruments to schools nine years ago, we had no idea just how great the needs in North Carolina schools would be,” said Bob Moulton, founder of National Pawn. “Every year, we are touched by stories from teachers, parents and students themselves about how these instruments inspired a love of learning and sense of community with fellow classmates. It’s an honor to provide Mint Hill Middle School students with these resources, and we look forward to continuing to support these programs for years to come. ”

CEO Dies After Being Shot In Uptown Charlotte

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74-year-old Dr. John Holaday has just passed away in the hospital after being shot in Uptown Charlotte last week.

The shooting occurred last Monday in Uptown Charlotte’s Epicenter. According to police, a fight broke out between 2 individuals and one of the individuals pulled out a gun and shot at the other. Holaday was walking to an Uptown meeting when he was hit by the shot and was then rushed to the hospital with life threatening injuries.

CMPD officers soon arrested 16-year-old Raheem Shacklette a few blocks from the Epicenter for shooting Dr. Holaday. Shacklette is now being charged with murder.

Dr. John Holaday was the CEO of DisposeRx, a company focused on fighting the opioid crisis through the disposal of excess medication.

“Words cannot describe the immense sadness and grief we feel in losing our leader, mentor, colleague and friend,” said DisposeRx President William Simpson. “While we will continue to struggle with the senseless and tragic way in which John died, we will honor him every day in the way that we operate and represent DisposeRx. We are more committed than ever to fulfilling his dreams.”

The next court date for Shacklette is set for the end of this week.

New Law Requires All Local Hospitals To Post All Their Prices Online

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A new federal laws now requires hospitals to post the costs they charge their patients online.

Many who fought for the new law say that the information will allow for more pricing transparency and better-informed patients, but those against the bill say that the posted costs could confuse patients who have medical insurance.

Atrium Health was one of the first healthcare providers in the Charlotte region to post their full list of costs on their website (which can be viewed here).

While the costs will be lower when your insurance company negotiates with the hospital, if you don’t have insurance, your out-of-pocket expense (or soon-to-be medical debt) can become astronomical.

Some of the more surprising costs Atrium charge their patients include;

$30 for 60 grams of Dr. Young’s Butt Paste (sells for $6.69 for 120 grams on Amazon)

$80.50 for 60 grams of 10% Benzoyl Peroxide acme creme (sells for $9.94 for 60 grams on Amazon)

$166,250 for a TLC II Battery Charger System (entire TLC II systems sell used for $1,000-$2,000)

$437,525 for a 5ML injection of Nusinersen (costs $125,000 according to manufacturer)

$1,125,025.85 for a 68 ML injection of axicabtagene ciloleucel (costs $373,000 according to AJMC)

What do you think about the costs hospitals charge? 

What do you think should be done? 

10 Best Tricks for Having Your Own Home Spa

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10 Best Tricks for Having Your Own Home Spa

Everyday life can be very stressful, which is why we need to unwind every now and then. Indulge yourself and get a real spa experience that won’t cost a fortune. Using our simple tricks, you can easily have a genuine spa experience at your place! Not having enough time? No worries! Just buy essay online and make it!

Remember – you are the most important thing you have. So, give your body all the attention it needs. Take a look at the ten tips and tricks we offer you and immerse yourself in a world of relaxation.

To complement your at-home spa experience, consider incorporating a nourishing heel balm for cracked heels. This specialized skincare product helps rejuvenate and moisturize dry, cracked heels, leaving your feet feeling soft and revitalized, enhancing the overall pampering and self-care ritual.

10 Simple Steps Towards Relaxation

  1. Turn Off All Your Devices

The fact that we are constantly carrying around smartphones and tablets contributes to stress. So, turning off all your devices is an absolute must. If you find it difficult to unplug, you can take a long walk. Since your cell phone is switched off, you cannot listen to music, but you can enjoy the sounds of nature. Clear your mind and immerse yourself in the surrounding harmony.

  1. Create a Harmonious Environment

Make your home spa a really delightful experience for all your senses. Clean your bathtub and fill it with fresh flowers and freshly washed fluffy towels. Turn off the lights and light a lot of regular and scented candles. Also, prepare a beautiful fruit dish with your favorite fruits.

  1. Play Relaxing Music

To really relax and get in the mood, you’ll need to put on some quiet music. It doesn’t matter what it’s going to be – instrumental, classical, or pop. The important thing is that it should help you relax. If you still have trouble relaxing, you can try downloading and installing some relaxation apps.

  1. Give Your Skin a New Life

Fill the tub with warm water and add some good scented bath oil. Get in the tub and try to ‘switch off’ for a moment. The only thing that exists is what happens in the bathroom. If you do not have a bathtub, you may take a hot shower. Cleanse your body from dead skin cells by giving it a good scrub. If you have no scrub, you can make your own one: mix some olive oil with a bit of sugar and lemon juice. Be sure to lubricate your body afterward, so it is really moisturized.

  1. Take Care of Your Face

Your face bears the brunt of the elements. Make a proper exfoliation to get rid of dead skin cells and apply a moisturizing face mask. If you have oily skin, you can make a pineapple mask: mix some pineapple pulp with a little olive oil. Leave the mask on for a quarter of an hour. If you want to give yourself a facial, you can use steam. Steam cleanses your skin in-depth and is easy to use at home. Boil some water and pour it into a bowl. Sit with your head over the bowl, and put a towel over it. Sit like this for about 10 minutes.

  1. Moisturize Your Hair

Do a moisturizing hair wrap when you have your spa day. In the fall and winter, outside air gets drier, which is why your hair can easily become static. If that is the case with yours, you need to moisturize it. Use organic brands that are free of sulfates and parabens.

  1. Give Your Feet Some Love

Remember – you use your feet every day, so they deserve some love and appreciation. Have a foot bath and soften dead skin cells with a greasy foot cream. If you really want your feet to be really moisturized, you can put on a sock after applying the cream.

  1. Make Your Lips Really Soft

Your lips get dry and stingy in winter. Make a lip scrub by mixing some sugar and honey. Gently scrub your lips and finish with a thick lip balm. If it feels too cumbersome, you can also peel your lips with a damp towel.

  1. Finish Off with Luxurious Manicure

Go ahead and give yourself a really luxurious manicure. Lubricate your hands with some good hand cream and your nails with some nail oil. File and paint them with some nail varnish. You will feel fresher right away.

Do not immediately switch on your mobile phone after you have had your spa day. Sit on the couch, read a good newspaper, have some dark chocolate, and enjoy being yourself.

North Carolina’s Road Accidents Among The Highest In The US

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that 1,412 people died in separate car crashes within North Carolina in 2017 alone. Based on the report, 71 of these car crashes took place in Charlotte, with 74 people affected. The same situations are still happening today. This August 2019, 4 people died in a car crash in Wilkinson Boulevard when a speeding motorcyclist named David Wooten collided with a car that was making a U-turn. Wooten and three of the car’s passengers were killed on the spot. The other fatalities include Benjamin Vasquez, Claudia Leann Gray, and Hanna Michele Brotherton.

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Polic Department, both Vasquez and Brotherton were not wearing their seat belts. These situations led the state government to launch the “Speed A Little, Lose A Lot” campaign to prevent another death on the road due to over-speeding. Fatal crashes can be prevented by remembering several road safety tips.

Check All Safety Features When Buying New Or Used Cars

Whether you are purchasing a new or used vehicle through a car loan or personal savings, you must always inspect all the safety features first before making the deal. Based on a report from a survey, there are more safety features nowadays that should be present in a car to ensure your safety. These features include the adaptive cruise control (ACC) system that can be activated during an impending collision. The car must also have the Automatic Emergency Braking system.  It will allow the car to brake on its own when a driver cannot react as quickly as possible. A rear-view camera is also needed to allow the driver to see what is behind the vehicle at all times. It would also help if you will get car insurance for added protection for you and the vehicle. Get a car insurance quote for North Carolina from Motor1 to make sure you get the best coverage.

According to AutoPay Car Loans Review for 2019, those who are applying for car loans can avail of guaranteed asset protection (GAP) insurance. This will cover the loan amount in case of a total loss due to accidents and other related incidents. Because of this, you will no longer have to think about paying for your car loan while spending on your medical expenses during a car accident.

Always Keep The NC Traffic Rules in Mind 

Aside from maintaining a safe driving speed and wearing the seat belt, there are several rules in North Carolina that you must always follow. For example, motorists must always honk their horn whenever a pedestrian tries to cross against a light. When the pedestrian chooses not to stop after the driver blasted his horn, the vehicle needs to stop to allow the pedestrian to cross. The state also requires all traffic to stop whenever school bus loads or unloads children. Also, you must always remember not to attempt taking a right turn at an intersection when the red arrow is flashing, unless you see a sign that allows you to do it.

These are just some of the rules that are made to keep both the drivers and pedestrians safe from any possible road accidents. The state implements these to lessen the number of fatal car crashes. By remembering these tips, you will reduce the risks of encountering a road mishap while driving in North Carolina and across the country.

What to Do After a Car Accident

The road accident rate in North Carolina is not something to be proud of because it reflects the state’s regulation of road safety policies and traffic laws. That’s why it’s crucial to know what to do if someone’s injured in the accident to ensure safety and legal compensation for the victim. It will also involve identifying applicable sanction or punishment for the one at fault. 

So, what do you need to do after a car accident? 

  1. Seek Prompt Medical Intervention

Call the emergency hotline or 911 right after a car accident, most especially if you or one of your passengers sustained serious physical injuries. Even minor injuries need medical consultation. By seeking prompt medical intervention, your injuries are properly documented for claims purposes. 

  1. Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

Call your personal injury attorney to know the applicable steps you have to do after a car crash, like contacting the insurance company. While minor road accidents don’t usually require legal intervention, you want to ensure that you’ll get properly compensated for your car damage.

On the other hand, a serious car crash would warrant prompt legal intervention to ensure that all evidence is preserved and documented for claim filing purposes.

  1. Take Pictures or Videos 

In any personal injury case, presenting substantial evidence is crucial to attaining the maximum compensation for your loss. Taking pictures and videos of all vehicles involves, traffic signs, and witness interviews would make a difference in the successful outcome of your case.

Conclusion 

In North Carolina, most drivers of the reported car accidents were not wearing seat belts. With the current status of road safety in North Carolina, motorists should be given reinforcement of traffic laws and safe driving practices. 

If someone got injured in a car accident, legal consultation should be considered to follow the correct procedures in filing a claim for maximum compensation.

 

Earthquake Struck Indian Trail Yesterday Morning

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An earthquake struck Indian Trail yesterday morning at roughly 4:30 am, according to the USGA.

The epicenter of the quake was located at 35.089°N 80.586°W, about 3.4 miles under the surface;

Earthquakes have been increasing in frequency around the Charlotte region over the past few years. Last year, we saw a 4.4 magnitude quake hit Decatur, TN, and a couple months ago, a 2.6 magnitude quake rocked a small town just north of Charlotte.

The Carolinas have been known to experience the occasional damage-causing earthquakes.

According to USGS.gov, “The largest earthquake in the area (magnitude 5.1) occurred in 1916. Moderately damaging earthquakes strike the inland Carolinas every few decades, and smaller earthquakes are felt about once each year or two.”

Did you feel yesterday morning’s quake? 

McCaffrey and Allen Break More Records During Yesterday’s Win Against The Jaguars

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Yesterday was another record breaking game for 2 key Panthers players; Kyle Allen and Christian McCaffrey.

Our 34-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars made Allan the second undrafted quarterback in NFL history to win his first 4 career starts. He finished yesterday’s game with 181 total passing yards and a 56.7 completion percentage.

While Allan technically led the team to the win, McCaffrey was undoubtedly the MVP of the game. His 84-yard touchdown run set a new record for longest run in franchise history, and after piling up 237 yards, McCaffrey is now on pace to shatter the NFL’s single-season all-purpose yards record set by Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson 10 years ago.

Here is a full recap of yesterday’s win;

Free Dental Clinic Coming To Charlotte – Planning On Treating Over 1,000 People

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People around the area who don’t have access to dental care for financial or other reasons will soon have access to free dental care on October 18 and 19 from 6am-6pm at the Bojangles’ Coliseum.

Thanks to hundreds of dental patients who are volunteering their own time, Charlotte residents who badly need dental care will be receiving tooth extractions, tooth fillings, dental cleaning, limited number of partials, and repair of false teeth.

The event is being organized by The North Carolina Missions of Mercy (NCMOM), an outreach program of the North Carolina Dental Society.

According to the group’s website, “All patients will be taken into the Bojangles Coliseum where they will be numerically banded. After this banding has been completed patients will then be sent through several stations such as Patient Registration, Medical Screening, X-Rays, Patient Education and Triage and then escorted to the appropriate area for treatment.”

To find out more information or to volunteer click here.

Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails Opening This Month In Charlotte’s Gold District

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Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails, opening on October 18, will offer seasonal New-American small plates made from locally sourced ingredients and a bar menu with imaginative craft cocktails, shrubs and sodas, and a thoughtfully curated wine list. These expanded offerings, and a play on the South’s rich history of spirits, position Lincoln Street as the perfect counterpoint to its sister restaurant next door, Craft Tasting Room & Growler Shop. 

“We hand-selected our chef, mixologist and their teams based not only on skill, but also on creativity and passion for their craft,” said Dan and Alyson Davis, owners of the restaurant. 

With a minimalistic midcentury nostalgic style and hunger for all things local, the Davis’ custom designed details and furniture with North Carolina craftsmen including a live-edge walnut bar, partition and oversized barn door. Also, wraparound antique mirrors, oil-rubbed steel accents, feature walls, and exposed brick further embody Lincoln Street’s character and juxtaposition between the modern and natural. 

The 3,000-square-foot space features wraparound banquette and lounge seating for 90 guests on the main level. The rooftop, which holds an additional 28 guests, has an unobstructed view of Uptown, banquette and high-top seating, and a live, Ligustrum tree. 

Lincoln Street is located at 1320 South Church Street (at the intersection of South Church and Lincoln Streets). 

Visit www.lincolnstreetkitchen.com for more information. Instagram: @lincolnstreetkitchencocktails; Facebook: @LincolnstKitch; Twitter: @LincolnstKitch. 

How Much Money does the NCAA Make in a year?

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Every time a new college football and basketball season begins, a common question is asked. Should the NCAA pay its athletes? It’s a question that draws mixed reactions throughout the country. And for as long as the NCAA makes millions and fails to pay players, it will continue to be asked. Check out MoneyBrighter.com to learn how to start an LLC in 6 simpler steps.

In this article, though, we delve deeper to find out how much money the NCAA makes and how it’s spent. 

$1 Billion Total Income

The NCAA made a huge milestone in 2017 after earning $1.06 billion in revenue for the first time in its existence. More than two-thirds of the money ($761 million) came from men’s college basketball tournaments. That figure would later rise to over $869 in the 2017/18 season.

In the 2016/17 season, the NCAA also made $60 million through marketing endorsements and nearly $130 million from tickets. Although the total income crossed the one billion mark, it paid back over half of the money to colleges. 

More than 1,100 institutions allow their students to participate in the 24 sports and three divisions the NCAA runs. In return, the college athletic association paid the institutions $200 million to invest in their sports programs.

The best-performing colleges also got rewarded with $160.5 million shared based on each team’s performance. The remaining chunk went to lawsuit settlements ($209 million) and injuries incurred while participating in NCAA tournaments ($70 million). 

$900 Million March Madness

Last season’s March Madness recorded a 37% decline in viewership. Nonetheless, the brackets are still the biggest source of NCAA revenues, with an estimated income of $900 million. Most of the money came from TV rights signed with Turner Broadcasting and CBS Sports.

The two sports networks paid the NCAA $10.8 billion to broadcast all college sports event throughout the country for 14 years. In 2016, they again extended their contracts for more eight years having paid the NCAA an additional $8.8 billion. 

In the 2018/19 season, the NCAA invited 68 teams to participate in March Madness. All the teams shared $220 million paid out by the college athletic association. Conferences also earned a portion of the money. 

The NCAA pays conferences $1.7 million for each game played during March Madness. That means any team that makes it to finals earns their conference at least $8.3 million. 

To small brackets that make their way to the final four, generating their colleges over $5 million can boost them significantly. In fact, some colleges make over 70% of their income from sports tournaments through March Madness. But for the major conferences, college basketball money is only a small percentage of what they generate.

$8.5 Billion Betting Explosion

Now that online sport betting is legal in multiple US states, America is experiencing a betting explosion. About 47 million people wagered $8.5 billion in March according to a recent report by the American Gaming Association.

Don’t get it wrong. Americans have always gambled on sports. In fact, the Super Bowl has always attracted millions of dollars in bets each year for the past two decades. The AGA report also showed that nearly $4 billion of its $8.5 billion estimates came from bets wagered on foreign betting websites.  

That means Americans are not yet convinced that they should try the now legally operating gambling websites. If you are one of 47 million frequent bettors, you should probably consider using betting sites licensed to work in the US.

They are safer, provide hundreds of betting markets and often offer better customer support. But before you bet, compare betting odds for NCAA games. You can earn more profits when you wager on a bookie offering the best odds.

The Battle between Schools and Conferences

People who argue against paying college athletes occasionally point out that not all schools benefit from NCAA money. And true, some conferences use up payments from the NCAA to cover operational costs. That means they send nothing to the schools sponsoring athletes, in turn making it impossible for schools to pay athletes.

You could argue the NCAA could make an effort to ensure all institutions get a piece of its mega revenues. But then again, the college athletic body claims it spends 96% of its income back to conferences and schools.

Speaking of schools, some institutions earn more than others every year. The University of Louisville regularly earns over $20 million from NCAA sports each year. The University of Arizona also makes $15 million-plus on a good year.

With that in mind, some conferences and colleges earn significant amounts of cash and some who sponsor their athletes to NCAA games but earn nothing in the end. Of course, the NCAA uses a performance-based model to make payouts. So, there’s always a chance to earn more money by investing in quality athletes and better sports programs.

Athletes versus the NCAA

Starting in 2023, college athletes in California will be able to hire agents and make endorsement deals with brands throughout America. Most professional athletes believe it’s an important milestone in helping college players earn from their talents.

Predictably, the NCAA opposed California’s move. The NCAA believes an efforts to help college athletes make money off their talents could upend the amateur nature of college sports. Governor Gavin Newsom also believes more states, including New York, Florida, and South Carolina could be headed in a similar direction.

Although the new rules will apply to all sports played in college, most of the money comes from football and basketball. The laws will also protect players from being punished by their colleges in case they earn endorsements. However, community colleges won’t benefit from the policy.

To Conclude

The National College Athletic Association now makes over $1 billion yearly. But as it admits, it pays back 96% of the money to conferences and schools. The well-known conferences earn the biggest chunk of the cash, with Louisville and the University of Arizona making more than $40 million last year. The small colleges make much less money, and they spend it all in their sports programs.