American Express Opening The World’s Largest ‘Centurion Lounge’ At Charlotte Douglas

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American Express Opening The World’s Largest ‘Centurion Lounge’ At Charlotte Douglas

American Express today announced plans to open the fourteenth location in its signature airport lounge network, The Centurion Lounge, at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which will become the largest location in the network.

Opening in 2020, the Centurion Lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport will be located post-security on the top floor of a new expansion at the intersection of Concourses D and E, near the airport’s central Atrium. Spanning more than 13,000 square feet, this location will be the largest in the Centurion Lounge network, and floor-to-ceiling windows will offer sweeping airfield and downtown skyline views. The new lounge will also feature the exceptional amenities found across all Centurion Lounge locations, including complimentary food and beverage from top chefs, mixologists and wine experts, a family room, premium restrooms and shower suites, access to high-speed Wi-Fi, noise-buffering workspaces and more. The Centurion Lounge at Charlotte will also lean into local food, beverage and design influences.

“We are excited to welcome The Centurion Lounge to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 2020,” said Ted Kaplan, Director of Business and Revenue, Charlotte Douglas International Airport. “As the sixth busiest airport in the country, we are constantly seeking ways to improve the customer experience at the Charlotte Douglas Airport. The opening of the Centurion Lounge will fit that bill by providing the Platinum Card and Centurion Members among our 46 million yearly passengers a premier space to relax and take in the sights of Charlotte Douglas before heading off to their next destination.”

Current locations of The Centurion Lounge include New York’s LaGuardia Airport, Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Miami International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Houston’s George Bush International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport. In addition to The Centurion Lounge at Heathrow and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, American Express recently announced new locations coming to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, Denver International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

The Centurion Lounge is the signature lounge program within the broader American Express Global Lounge CollectionSM, which provides Platinum Card Members and Centurion Members with access to the most lounges across the globe compared to other U.S. credit cards, including access to more than 1,200 lounges around the world, in 500 plus cities, across 130 countries and counting.

Charlotte Ranked Among The Top 10 Cities In America For Rent Increases

Steve
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Charlotte Ranked Among The Top 10 Cities In America For Rent Increases

According to a new study, Charlotte now ranks among the top 10 cities in America for rent increases.

The personal finance website SmartAsset ranked the largest cities in the country by comparing their 2017 rent as a percent of household income from their 2014 rent as a percent of household income. The cities with the largest difference, where the relative cost of rent went up the most, ranked first, and the city with the smallest difference ranked last.

The study ranked the Queen City #6, just above Nashville (#7) and below Sacramento (#5).

According to the report, “the largest city in North Carolina has seen rent prices rise recently. From 2014 to 2017, the average rental increased in price by 27%. Incomes, on the other hand, only grew by 11%. Taking those two numbers together, we see rent as a percent of income went up by 3.3%. The good news is that while rent is rising, most residents should not find themselves rent cost-burdened. In 2017, the average rental is worth only 26.3% of income for the average household.”

What are your thoughts about Charlotte’s rental rates? 

New $16 Million Bridge Project Shutting Down Part of 277 For 7 Months

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New $16 Million Bridge Project Shutting Down Part of 277 For 7 Months

For the first half of 2019, drivers around Uptown Charlotte will need to take a little more time for their commutes.

The NCDOT has just started working on a new $16 million bridge project around the inner loop of our city, aimed at repairing and improving 22 city bridges.

According to officials, the project will require one of the two lanes on 277 between 4th and 10th streets as well as the westbound lane coming from Independence Blvd. into I-277 to be shut down until July of next year.

The NCDOT will primarily be installing new driving surfaces on all the bridges over Elizabeth Avenue, 3rd Street, and 4th Street.

NC Groups Partner to Help First Responders and Veterans Affected by Hurricane Florence

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NC Groups Partner to Help First Responders and Veterans Affected by Hurricane Florence

When Hurricane Florence slammed into North Carolina on September 14, 2018, as a category 1 rainmaker, it was clear that damage to the already rain-soaked state would be immense. As the state continues the recovery process, two groups – the Carolina Loggers Association’s Logs for the Cause and NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation’s United2gether – have joined forces with the St. Bernard Project (SBP) to help first responders and veterans impacted by the storm get one step closer to a Home for the Holidays.

“Every gift given through both the Logs for the Cause and United2gether campaigns between now and January 31, 2019, will go toward SBP’s efforts to rebuild homes for first responders and veterans throughout North Carolina who were impacted by Hurricane Florence,” said Ewell Smith, executive director of the Carolina Loggers Association. “While those affected have long since returned to work, the impact from this storm will be felt for years to come. The logging community in NC – one that was hit especially hard by the storm – is close-knit; we believe in giving back and paying it forward, and helping to kick-start the rebuilding process is the perfect place to start.”

“Recovery is a collaborative effort,” noted SBP co-founder and CEO Zack Rosenburg. “Through this partnership, SBP will be able to provide a predictable path home for disaster-impacted families of veterans and first responders in North Carolina.  This is a great example of Americans rallying together for other citizens during times of great need.  We believe that this partnership is an example of the seldom discussed, but ever-present ties that bind us together.”

“Growing up in Eastern North Carolina and seeing first-hand the devastation of Hurricane Florence was heartbreaking,” commented Paige Keselowski. “Immediately following the storm, we created the United2gether campaign to support first responders in affected areas. Teaming up with the Carolina Loggers Association and SBP USA on the Home for the Holidays program is a great way for us to continue our support of first responders and veterans that are still dealing with the impact of the storm.”

15 NC Summer Nutrition Programs Win Awards

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15 NC Summer Nutrition Programs Win Awards

Summer Nutrition Programs fulfill a critical need in providing nourishment and educational enrichment to children when school is out. Fifteen Summer Nutrition Programs in North Carolina were recently recognized with one of three state-level awards for going above and beyond to serve children.

During the school year, many students rely on the nutritious meals served through the School Breakfast Program, School Lunch Program, and Afterschool Meals Program. But hunger doesn’t take a summer break. N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs, administered by NCDPI’s School Nutrition Services with federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), serve nutritious meals to children up to age 18 living in low-income areas (where 50 percent or more of the students qualify for no-cost or reduced-price school meals). These programs may operate in schools, public housing centers, playgrounds, camps, parks, faith-based facilities, and other sites where students gather during the summer months. Meals are served to eligible children at no cost, and registration is not required.

Last summer, the N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs served more than 5.2 million meals to children and teens at nearly 3,000 locations across the state.

“It takes school and community partners working together to address childhood hunger. The sponsors and sites honored with these awards recognize the crucial need they fill and have truly gone above and beyond to ensure children are well-nourished, ready-to-learn and on the path to success,” said Cynthia Ervin, manager of Summer Nutrition Programs with NCDPI.

School Nutrition Services developed three state-level awards to recognize Summer Food Service Programs and Summer Seamless Option School Food Authorities and program sponsors in our state that are implementing innovative and creative changes to expand their Summer Nutrition Programs:

  • The Rising Star Award recognizes superior first-year N.C. Summer Nutrition Program sponsors that include a menu that promotes a healthy lifestyle and sustainable participation or partnerships. They provide fresh, locally produced menu items, at least one hot meal per week, whole fruit three times per week, water at no cost, and only low-fat or fat-free dairy products. They do not offer any sweet grain treats, such as desserts, but instead focus on and promote healthy choices.

Rising Star Award recipients for 2018 include Baptist Grove Church (Raleigh, Wake County), Carolinas HealthCare System University (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County), and GrowthQuest (Matthews, Mecklenburg County). 519 Church (Apex, Wake County) received an Honorable Mention.

  • The Going the Distance in Innovation Award recognizes returning Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option sponsors in North Carolina that implement innovative concepts and marketing strategies in their summer programs to increase participation.

Going the Distance in Innovation Award recipients for 2018 include Alamance-Burlington Schools, Bertie County Schools, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church (Cary, Wake County), Martin County Schools, and New Hanover County Schools. Washington Outreach Ministry (Shelby, Cleveland County) received an Honorable Mention.

  • The Superior Site Award recognizes a N.C. Summer Nutrition Program sponsor or site for going above and beyond to gain and maintain participation from the local children and community.

Superior Site Award recipients for 2018 include Adelphia CDC (Cove City, Craven County) in partnership with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Carolinas HealthCare System University (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County), Fairview Community Garden in partnership with Orange County Schools, Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church (Cary, Wake County), Hillcrest in partnership with New Hanover County Schools, The SPOT (Wilson, Wilson County), Wake County Human Services in partnership with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Whiteville High School in partnership with Whiteville City Schools, and Hillcrest Apartments in partnership with the YMCA of Western North Carolina and Asheville City Schools.

All SFAs and sponsors are encouraged to consider applying to the North Carolina awards as applicable. Sponsors may be self-nominated or nominated by a third party such as a community partner.

Additional information regarding the state-level awards and N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs can be found on the NCDPI, School Nutrition Services website. Citizens and organizations interested in getting involved as a sponsor, site, activity provider or volunteer should contact NCDPI Summer Nutrition Programs Manager Cynthia Ervin.

North Carolina Woman Hospitalized After Being Attacked By A Group of Pit Bulls (Video)

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North Carolina Woman Hospitalized After Being Attacked By A Group of Pit Bulls (Video)

Yesterday morning a woman in her mid-60s was taken to the hospital after a pack of mixed pit bull terriers attacked her as she was walking down a sidewalk in Winston Salem, according to police.

The woman was attacked around 10am on East Sprague Street on Winston Salem’s South Side.

A security camera on a nearby home captured footage of the attack;

When a nearby neighbor heard the cries for help and saw the attack, she quickly ran to the rescue and scared away the dogs.

“I hear someone screaming. I wasn’t sure if it was around the house in this area or where, but the screaming was, ‘Help me! Help me!’ — very weak sounds,” the neighbor said. “The lady was laid down in the driveway, four dogs around her biting. So I run to her immediately. I was screaming, ‘Get out. Get out.’”

The neighbor then called 911 and the woman was rushed to the hospital.

According to authorities, the woman suffered severe bites to her head, arms, and legs.

Winston-Salem police quickly searched the area and found 11 dogs on the loose, all originating from a home in the 1200 block of Sprague Street.

All the dogs have been transferred to Forsyth Animal Humane Society and their owner, Kenneth Byrd, has been charged with assault inflicting serious injury in connection to the incident. He is now facing $3,700 in fines and possible prison time.

Charlotte Might See Its First Snowfall This Coming Weekend

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Charlotte Might See Its First Snowfall This Coming Weekend

It’s time to start stocking up on milk and bread– the Charlotte region is about to see its first snowfall of the season!

Meteorologists with Accuweather say that a storm traveling across the country this week will likely reach the eastern United States by the weekend, bringing with it heavy amounts of rain and snow.

“The exact track and timing of the system once it reaches the East will influence what weather impacts will be felt for residents from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.”

According to NOAA, there is now about a 10-20% chance of Charlotte seeing snow this coming weekend;

If it doesn’t snow, we’ll certainly be seeing a cold and wet weekend – roads will likely turn icy at night, especially in the mountains;

Charlotte’s 10-Day Forecast via Weather Underground

If you moved here from Ohio or New York (like myself), you may be rolling your eyes, but if you’re from Florida or California, you might need to make some changes to prepare for the coming winter temperatures.

To prepare your car, top off all your fluids, especially your oil, power steering fluid, and antifreeze. You’ll also want to check your tires and make sure your air pressure is over 32 PSI.

To prepare your home, make sure to drain all fountains and exterior water fixtures. Always let at least one of your faucets drip to avoid freezing pipes. Consider buying a humidifier if you’re sensitive to dry air. If you have an older home with older windows, investing in some shrink film insulation will save you a ton on your heating bill.

To prepare yourself, buy some thermal gloves, a warm hat, and a winter jacket. If you’re going to spend any length of time outside, you may even want to consider buying an electric heating jacket.

If you have a pet – make sure to read our article about how to keep your furry friend warm!

Huntersville Fire Department Urging Residents Not To Block Roads By Parking On The Street

Steve
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Huntersville Fire Department Urging Residents Not To Block Roads By Parking On The Street

Yesterday afternoon, the Huntersville Fire Department posted a stark warning to all residents after they were significantly delayed in helping a local family due to residents parking on both sides of a narrow street.

After the incident, the HFD posted the following message to their Facebook page;

“This afternoon our Stations 2, 4 & MEDIC responded to a Carbon Monoxide call with a family of four suffering from CO symptoms. As our fire engines responded, they came across this street, in a neighborhood, blocked by cars parked across from each other. The parking prevented our trucks from reaching the scene, requiring our fire engines to back up all the way out of the street and utilize another side street to access the patients. This delayed our response to a family in need. We sounded the sirens and the horns, but no one came out to move their vehicles. This is not a good thing and really troubles us…please help us, help you.

We requested Huntersville Police Department to respond to the scene and address the parking.#OneTownOneTeam“

Please be sure that there is always room for emergency vehicles before parking your car on the street.

Please spread the word!

Unsilent Night Public Art Event To Premiere in Charlotte

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Unsilent Night Public Art Event To Premiere in Charlotte

A musical parade performed in urban cities, Unsilent Night, will premiere in Charlotte on Thursday, December 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Shoppes at University Place. A musical composition created by Phil Kline is performed by event attendees through the form of a cassette, CD or mp3. Participants should dust off their boomboxes, CD players and other portable sound systems for this musical stroll around the Boardwalk in University City.

“We are excited to bring this signature holiday event to Charlotte,” said Darlene Heater, Executive Director of University City Partners. “The Boardwalk in University City is a beautiful urban space to project the sounds. I look forward to hearing and seeing our community come together for a not-so-silent night.”

Phil Kline’s public sound sculpture, Unsilent Night, was first revealed in 1992 in New York City. Kline composed a multi-track electronic piece that was 45 minutes in length. He gave several individuals one of four tracks and asked them all to hit PLAY at the same time. The sound so beautiful, the gathering so unique, the public art event spread to major cities across the country and eventually overseas. Today, the piece is complete when individuals simultaneously play one of four tracks on cassette, CD, mp3 or mobile devices and blast each through a roving swarm of boomboxes and speakers carried through city streets. The outcome is a luminous soundscape that University City hopes to make an annual tradition.

In addition to the musical production during Unsilent Night, attendees can also enjoy mulled wine for purchase from The Wine Vault, and visits from The Grinch and other storybook characters. Participation is free. More information can be found on Facebook under “UCity Unsilent Night 2018” or directly here.

Trump Administration Approves Seismic Blasting Off Carolina Coast

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Trump Administration Approves Seismic Blasting Off Carolina Coast

The Trump administration has just approved 5 separate permits for the use of seismic airgun blasting off of the Carolina coast for the purpose of surveying potential offshore oil reserves.

According to OCR.org,

“The surveys are conducted by trawling arrays of airguns behind a ship which explode every 10-15 seconds. The noise permeates the seafloor and the signal that reflects back is deciphered to portray the substrates below.

These surveys can often be heard thousands of miles from the source and are known to disrupt whales and fish in various ways, including killing them.”

Here is an audio recording of an underwater seismic blast;

“The sound itself, every 10 seconds, is as loud as a grenade and they happen 24 hours per day, seven days per week for many months on end,” commented Amy Armstrong, Executive Director of the SC Environmental Law Project.

According to Armstrong, the relatively new process is having significant on fishing communities. “It drives fish away from their feeding grounds and from the areas fishermen go to harvest commercial or recreational fish,” she said.

The SC Environmental Law Project is now representing 16 coastal Carolina towns and organizations in a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration in an attempt to stop the testing from moving forward.

The American Petroleum Institute, however, has stood by their ocean surveying process, claiming that it does not adversely affect marine populations.

According to their most recent statement:

“In the words of the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), ‘there has been no documented scientific evidence of noise from air guns used in geological and geophysical (G&G) seismic activities adversely affecting marine animal populations or coastal communities.”

What are your thoughts on seismic blasting and potential oil drilling off the Carolina coast? 

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