US News Ranks Charlotte One Of The Best Places To Live In America For 2019

Steve
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US News Ranks Charlotte One Of The Best Places To Live In America For 2019

14701012_709120062573400_259737718498258175_oThe Queen City is now ranked among the top 20 best places to live in America, according to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report. This year, our official rank was #20, two spots higher than our 2018 #22 ranking.

We beat out Dallas at #21, Greenville, SC at #22, and Portland, ME at #23, Charleston at #45, Tampa at #56, and Atlanta at #56.

The publication analyzed the top 100 most populous cities in America, by comparing each one’s quality of life, value, job market, desirability and net migration. This year, Charlotte achieved an overall score of 7.0 out of 10 (for comparison, the #1 city on the list, Austin, TX only scored a 7.6).

They came to Charlotte’s total score of 7.0 by weighting each category as follows:

Job Market Score – 6.9 out of 10
Value Score – 7.5 out of 10
Quality of Life Score – 6.5 out of 10
Desirability Score – 6.6 out of 10
Net Migration – 8 out of 10

The report noted that, “Charlotte has become a place filled with new restaurants to try and events that attract people from all over. It’s a standalone destination area now, no longer living in the shadow of Atlanta or Charleston, South Carolina. Though Charlotte has evolved significantly in the past decade, the transformation is only continuing, as evidenced by the numerous construction cranes across the skyline.”

Please share if you love Charlotte;

Charlotte’s 7th Official ‘Open Streets 704’ Is Taking Over NoDa and Plaza Midwood This Spring

Steve
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Charlotte’s 7th Official ‘Open Streets 704’ Is Taking Over NoDa and Plaza Midwood This Spring

Charlotte’s 7th officials ‘Open Streets 704’ is gearing up to shut down the streets to motorized vehicles and open them to all varieties of bikes, scooters, walkers, and unicyclists. The streets will also open up to dozens of artisans, street vendors, musicians and classes for residents to freely explore.

Open Streets 704 returns to its most popular NoDa-Plaza Midwood route on Sunday, April 28, 1 – 5 p.m. Last Spring, Open Streets 704 saw over 30,000 neighbors wind their way through NoDa, Villa Heights, Optimist Park, Belmont, Plaza Midwood, and Commonwealth.

This Spring’s event will include the following route;

Charlotte’s 7th official Open Streets 704 will feature;

BOOM! Charlotte – Day 3 – NEW

After the success of the BOOM! Charlotte stage at the Fall 2018 Open Streets 704, both committees decided to do it again in an even bigger and better way! Open Streets 704 will take place on the third day of Plaza Midwood’s popular BOOM! Charlotte festival this year. BOOM! Charlotte will bring part of their party of arts and entertainment to the streets, and take over the Arts & Sciences Zone on Commonwealth & Thomas Avenues. Enjoy this part of their great festival for FREE!

Open Streets 704 Collaboration BEER – UPDATE

This was so popular last spring, the beers sold out in at least 3 participating breweries before the streets even closed down again! This year, they’re at it again — 6 breweries along the route will brew a special collaboration beer, each adding its own special twist. And here’s one more twist — Legion Brewing has designated Open Streets 704 as their “Charity on Tap” for the entire month of April. This allows proceeds of a daily beer sale to benefit Open Streets 704. Cheers!

Southminster Stage – UPDATE

We are excited Southminster had so much fun with Open Streets 704 last spring, that they are stepping up their role! Southminster will sponsor a stage for multigenerational fun at N. Davidson & 27th Streets, with art, movement, and music for all ages. They’ll also bring 4 “Trishaws” to share as part of their Cycling Without Ages program, so family members of all ages can enjoy the route together.

CDOT & Sustain Charlotte Demonstration Project – UPDATE

Open Streets 704 is a great time to show cars, bikes, and pedestrians how safe the streets CAN be with street demonstration projects. This time, they’ll paint “Sharrows” on Hawthorne Lane at Kennon Street as part of The Plaza street conversion project. Lane markings will be made clearer, and another “Painted curb” art project will invite participants to share the fun.

Music everywhere! Get up and dance!

Tosco Music Party Stage, Latin American Coalition Stage, DJ Smitty, DJ Spinn,
and Piano music will put a spring in your step along the Wellness Zone. No sitting
still here!

Friends of Open Streets 704 – NEW

An opportunity for everyone who loves this great FREE outdoor event every fall
and spring to support it. Can you be our friend?

Around the Crown 10K – NEW

Sign up for Charlotte’s new landmark road race, or just learn more! Around the
Crown 10k is the first race to shut down the I-277 inner loop around uptown
Charlotte, so runners can get the best views of the Queen City’s crown from the
air. All of the money raised by Around the Crown 10k will be given to Partners for
Parks to support Open Streets 704, their signature event.

BRING IT! LIVE: The Dance Battle Tour Coming to Charlotte

Charlotte Stories
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BRING IT! LIVE: The Dance Battle Tour Coming to Charlotte

After three acclaimed touring seasons, the hit TV series “Bring It!” is back again live on-stage Sunday, July 7, 2019 at 8 p.m at Ovens Auditorium. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at StubHub.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, or at the Bojangles’ Coliseum Box Office located at 2700 E. Independence Blvd.

The 2019 summer tour will feature an all-new interactive show with hotter-than-ever performances inspiring fans of all ages in an evening packed with motivation, inspiration and formation.

VIP packages are available at all price levels. The deluxe VIP package includes premium seating, a souvenir tour program and photo opportunity. The add-on VIP package includes a souvenir tour program and photo opportunity and can only be purchased if accompanied by a valid ticket to the live performance. Limited supplies are available.

For more information or tickets click here.

America’s First House Cat Museum Recently Opened in North Carolina

Charlotte Stories
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America’s First House Cat Museum Recently Opened in North Carolina

americas-first-house-cat-museumThe American Museum of the House Cat has recently opened in North Carolina – an extensive collection of all things house-cat related.

The collection includes: Fine “picture art” going back to the late 1800’s, modern art, folk art, rare advertising art, cat poster art, art glass cats made by the finest glassmakers of the world, vintage and antique toy cats, many of which are automations from the 1890’s, vintage advertising, where cats are used to sell items, advertising clocks and storefront or window display items, etc.

For the last 35 years, Harold Sims’ (known to many in Western North Carolina as ‘Cat Man’) collection filled most of the rooms in his home, as well all of his garages and outbuildings and halls of his home.

The museum location in Jackson County is at: The Gateway to the Smokey Mountain National Park, the nation’s most visited park on a major highway (US 441) leading to Atlanta GA to the south, and to Cherokee, Harrah’s Casino, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg TN to the north.

Here’s a video of a tour of the new American House Cat Museum;

The museum will help the cat shelter by giving all profits to the Catman2 Cat Shelter.

Renters In Charlotte Now Need To Make At Least $22/Hour To Afford A 2 Bedroom Apartment

Steve
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Renters In Charlotte Now Need To Make At Least $22/Hour To Afford A 2 Bedroom Apartment

A new study by ApartmentList.com has just been released that analyzes median rents in 100 of the largest U.S. cities and the minimum income required to afford them.

Their results were based on calculating the minimum gross income required to rent an average priced apartment in each city without surpassing the recommended 30% threshold, then comparing this income to the actual median household income for the same location.

Charlotte landed almost directly in the middle of the results at #54, just slightly more expensive than Dallas, TX and slightly less expensive than Glendale, AZ;

 

Their study also found that

  • The actual median household income in Charlotte is $60,064. To rent a median-priced 2-bedroom in Charlotte, one will need an annual income of 44,960 to avoid becoming cost-burdened
  • Hourly wage recommended to rent a median-priced 2-bedroom in Charlotte is $22/hour.
  • The actual minimum wage in Charlotte is $7/hour.

What do you think about Charlotte’s rental prices? 

Another Round Of Powerful Thunderstorms Hitting The Carolinas Today

Charlotte Stories
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Another Round Of Powerful Thunderstorms Hitting The Carolinas Today

The Spring storm season is officially here. Yesterday the Carolinas were hit hard with several waves of powerful thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.

According to the National Weather Service, the Charlotte region will likely see another round of powerful thunderstorms sweep through our area this afternoon and evening;

Yesterday’s powerful thunderstorms produced some damaging hail and many downed trees and power outages across our region.

The new cluster of storms are now moving through Georgia and will hit the Carolinas starting late this morning into the afternoon and evening.

According to Weather Underground, the highest percentage of rain in Charlotte will be around 2pm;

Charlotte’s MillBridge Honored as 2019 Community of the Year

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte’s MillBridge Honored as 2019 Community of the Year

MillBridge, a residential master-planned community by Landeavor, has been named the 2019 Community of the Year by the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte. The recognition was announced at the Association’s Major Achievement in Market Excellence (MAME) Awards on Thursday evening.

“We continue to receive some of the highest accolades in our industry for MillBridge,” states Adam Lorry, principal and co-owner of Landeavor. “I attribute its success as one of the top communities in all of the southeast to the vision and strategic plan developed years ago following our purchase of the community.” Landeavor purchased MillBridge in 2011 and, during its tenure, has recorded over 700 new home sales. MillBridge topped the Charlotte market in single-family home sales in 2018 according to findings by Metrostudy.

“We have received several awards for our community in the past, which is why it’s so rewarding to be recognized for the strengths that allow us to provide a unique small-town feel for our residents,” states MillBridge Marketing Manager, Kelley Archer. “Given the booming and competitive market in and around Charlotte, this award really says a lot about our community here in Waxhaw.”

Through the MAME Awards program, the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte honors builders, developers, remodelers and associates who have made a significant and creative contribution in residential marketing. This marks the second time in three years that MillBridge has been selected as Community of the Year by the Association (2017 and 2019, the award cannot be received by the same community in consecutive years). Due to its array of resort-like amenities including its pool pavilion, full coffee bar and movie theater, MillBridge was presented the Community Amenity Package of the Year award in 2014 and 2016 as well. MillBridge was also recognized for Best Community Signage at this year’s award ceremony.

ZZ Top Coming To Charlotte On Their 50th Anniversary Tour

Steve
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ZZ Top Coming To Charlotte On Their 50th Anniversary Tour

The iconic bearded rock band ZZ Top has just announced their upcoming 50th-anniversary tour. They’ll be traveling around the country with fellow rock legends Cheap Trick and Lynyrd Skynrd.

Their tour will start in Ridgefield, Washington on August 16th and end in West Palm Beach on October 20th, stopping at Charlotte’s PNC Arena on October 6th.

Here are all of ZZ Top’s stops on their official 50th anniversary tour:

ZZ Top – 50th Anniversary Tour Dates
8/16 – Ridgefield, WA – Sunlight Supply Amphitheatre*
8/17 – Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Casino Theater
8/20 – Yakima, WA – Yakima Valley SunDome
8/21 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste. Michelle*
8/23 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre**
8/24 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion**
8/25 – Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles Amphitheatre*
8/27 – Santa Barbara, CA – Arlington Theater
8/28 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU*
8/29 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre*
9/01 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre*
9/04 — Milwaukee, WI – BMO Harris Pavilion”
9/06 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre*
9/07 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre*
9/08 – Sterling Heights, MI–Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom Hill*
9/10 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights*
9/11 – Burgettstown, PA – KeyBank Pavilion*
9/13 – Ocean City, MD – Ocean City BikeFest
9/14 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion*
9/18 – Boston, MA – Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion*
9/19 — Wamtagh. NY — Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater*
9/21 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica*
9/22 – Louisville, KY – Champions Park
10/05 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek Amphitheatre*
10/06 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion*
10/09 – Charleston, SC – Volvo Cars Stadium*
10/11 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee – Event Center*
10/12 — Manchester, TN – Exit 111 Festival
10/13 – Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Amphitheatre*
10/15 – Augusta, GA – The James Brown Arena*
10/16 —St. Augustine, FL — St. Augustine Amphitheatre*
10/18 — Estero FL – Hertz Arena*
10/19 – Tampa, FL – MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre*
10/20 — West Palm Beach, FL — Coral Sky Amphitheatre*

* with Cheap Trick
**with Lynyrd Skynyrdch

ZZ Top first formed in Houston in the late 1960s. They released their first studio single in 1969, “Salt Lick”, and their first full-length hit album, “Tres Hombres,” in 1973. The album spawned one of the band’s biggest hits of all time, “La Grange,” and it established ZZ Top as an exciting new band in the blues-rock realm. Throughout the rest of the 1970s, ZZ Top achieved one success after another and became one of the biggest acts in mainstream rock.

Tickets are now available on StubHub.com and at all box office locations.

9 Ways to Protect Yourself with these Self Defense Classes in Charlotte

Vanessa Infanzon
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9 Ways to Protect Yourself with these Self Defense Classes in Charlotte

aikido-of-charlotte

I come from a long line of nervous people who think about how to protect themselves in almost every situation, real or imagined. From an early age, I have been taught to be aware of my surroundings. I think about escape routes; I carry pepper spray and a Maglite flashlight. I took a self defense class a long time ago, and after doing the research for this story, I see a refresher course in my near future.

There are several companies in the community offering one-time and on-going self defense classes. They are serious about what they are doing and have a genuine interest in helping people protect themselves. In some cases, they have a personal history with being attacked and want to make sure that this doesn’t happen to others.

“WAR” – Women’s Awareness Response

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Irwin Carmichael teaches a self defense class based on his interviews with criminals. This is a free 35-minute seminar offered to community organizations like churches, schools and businesses. Carmichael also offers a two-hour class, twice a year, that focuses on five attack scenarios.

Website: Martial Arts Training Institute
Phone: (704)391-9999
Address: 9306 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville
Cost: Free community seminar with at least 20 participants; $40 for two-hour class

Fight Like A Girl

Fight Like A Girl offers one-two hour classes on awareness and prevention each month. Their instructors focus on physical and escape techniques, and how to handle someone with a weapon. Everyone is welcome: men, women and children.

Facebook: Fight Like A Girl Charlotte
Phone: (704)806-8017
Address: 2020 Remount Road, Suite E100, Gastonia
Cost: $30

fight-like-a-girl

Starks Training Institute, Inc.

Dan Starks has more than 20 years experience as a personal safety expert. Classes for Concealed Carry and Safety and Awareness are offered monthly. In his three-hour class, Starks teaches how to use an aerosol product, OC Pepper Foam, to protect yourself. Specialty classes for corporations, realtors, mall walkers and other groups are available.

Website: Starks Training Institute, Inc.
Phone: (704)392-SAFE (7233)
Address: Classes held at various locations
Cost: $150-$220

Kinchen Marial Arts, LLC

Master Cliff Kinchen teaches two-hour seminars, open to the community. Class covers legal considerations, awareness, prevention, defense and technique practice. Students in high school and above, receive a self defense tool as part of the class.

Phone: (704)237-0015
Address:  18535 Old Statesville Rd, Ste B, Cornelius
Cost: $40
  kinchen-martial-arts

Aikido of Charlotte

Learn awareness, assessment and action in a two-hour self defense class open to men, women and children, 8 years old and up. Instructors cover practical scenarios such as grabs, strikes, hair grab, date-rape and attacks from behind. Classes are taught by Sensei Dennis Main, 6th Degree Black Belt, Certified Senior Instructor and Sensei Jonathan Weiner, 4th Degree Black Belt, Certified Senior Instructor.

Phone: (704)931-8751

Address: 10230 Hickorywood Hill Ave, Suite A, Huntersville
Cost: $25

aikido-of-charlotte-2
 

Fit to Fight

Fit to Fight follows the Krav Maga curriculum, an Israeli style of self defense. It is ideal for dangerous and unexpected situations.

Website: Fit to Fight
Phone:(704)814-0300
Address: 9129-135 Monroe Rd., Charlotte
Cost: $20 for a two class trial, continued participation requires membership

fit-to-fight

Charlotte Women’s and Kid’s Self Defense

Lynn Gorski teaches several self defense classes: Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) classes for women and teens, nine-hours and three-hours; Resisting Aggression Defensively (radKIDS) for girls and boys, ages 5-12 years old, eight-hours and two-hours.

Facebook: Women’s and Kid’s Self Defense
Phone: (704)708-9137
Address: 17214 Lancaster Highway, Suite 301, Charlotte
Cost: $70 for nine-hour RAD, $30 for three-hour RAD, $60 for eight-hour radKIDS, and $20 for two-hour radKIDS

Master O’s Black Belt World

At Master O’s Black Belt World, Women’s Self-Defense Classes are offered from 12-12:50 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 11:00 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays.

Website: Master O’s Black Belt World
Phone: (980)225-7455
Address: 17214 Lancaster Highway, Suite 301, Charlotte
Cost: $10

hatcher-systemaBYOB: Be Your Own Bodyguard

In the BYOB class at Hatcher Systema, Roy Hatcher teaches participants to be aware of their limitations, and he gives them the tools to get out of uncomfortable situations. Workshops are held at various locations around Charlotte. Join Charlotte meetup group to get latest information.

Website: www.hatchersystema.com
Phone: (704)905-5123
Address: 717 Atando Avenue, Charlotte
Cost: Free

Photos: Fight Like a Girl, Snookysmiles Photography, Jaime Kahn, Rae Images, Sandy Lawrence, Lynn Gorski

North Carolina Ranked as Having America’s 12th Cheap Car Insurance

Steve Peters
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North Carolina Ranked as Having America’s 12th Cheap Car Insurance
With average annual car insurance premiums on the rise, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its 2019 report on the States with the Cheapest & Most Expensive Car Insurance.

To determine the cheapest car insurance options in North Carolina and the U.S. overall, WalletHub obtained 206,974 quotes across 47 states.

North Carolina’s Ranked 12th in the nation for Cheap Car Insurance, with the following companies ranking as the cheapest in our state:

  1. GEICO
  2. Progressive
  3. AllState
  4. Liberty Mutual
  5. The General

The Tar Heel state ranked just behind Wisconsin and just ahead of Kansas in the report;

Source: WalletHub

Other Key Findings:

  • 54 million Americans say they don’t understand their car insurance.
  • 75% of drivers say they want the best car insurance, not the cheapest coverage.
  • 14% of people say they would not buy car insurance if not legally required (millennials are 2X more likely than boomers to agree).
  • 71% of people say it’s unfair for gender to be a factor in car insurance pricing, and 65% feel the same way about credit scores affecting car insurance costs.
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