Charlotte Mayor Dedicating This Friday as ‘Billy Graham Day’

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Charlotte Mayor Dedicating This Friday as ‘Billy Graham Day’

At tonight’s Charlotte City Council meeting, Mayor Vi Lyles is expected to dedicate a day to Charlotte’s ‘Hometown Hero’ – Dr. Billy Graham.

According to the city agenda notes, our mayor will read a proclamation that will officially dedicate March 2, as “Billy Graham Day,” from here on out.

Before he went on to preach the gospel to over 200 million people and council every US president for the past 60 years, Billy Graham was born and raised on a small dairy farm next to what is now the Park Rd. Shopping Center.

His childhood home was taken down piece-by-piece and reconstructed on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library, where his body will lay in repose today and tomorrow for public viewing.

Public viewing times will run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

George W. Bush is planning on paying his respects to Billy Graham at the Library this afternoon at around 3pm. The secret service will be temporarily blocking off the area before and after the former president’s visit.

The World’s Largest Gathering of Standup Paddleboarders Is Coming To North Carolina

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The World’s Largest Gathering of Standup Paddleboarders Is Coming To North Carolina
The Money Island 6.5-mile Race – Courtesy of Emmy Errante and Lumina News
The Money Island 6.5-mile Race – Courtesy of Emmy Errante and Lumina News

West Marine Carolina Cup, the world’s largest gathering of professional and amateur standup paddleboard athletes, is coming to North Carolina’s Wrightsville Beach next month.

The World SUP Tour is a new international series of 11-races across five nations, binding the sport’s biggest standup BOTE paddle board races. Carolina Cup is the second and largest race on the schedule for 2018, following Rincon in Puerto Rico.

The Carolina Cup received more good news last week as its signature event, the 13.2-mile Graveyard Race for the pros, was elevated to 7-Star status – the highest ranking and one of only three races in the world to attain the lucky-7. “This year we’ve got three stand out, standup events,” said Chris Parker of SUP Racer. “The massive Carolina Cup at the start of the season, the epic Gorge Paddle Challenge [OR] in the middle, and the almighty Pacific Paddle Games [CA] towards the end of the year.”

Parker includes the 32-mile Molokai-2-Oahu as an “honorary” fourth major race of the season, “which sets up a ‘Grand Slam’ of four events similar to what we see in the world of tennis.”
The Graveyard Race starting line 2016 – Courtesy of Matt Born, Star-News
The Graveyard Race starting line 2016 – Courtesy of Matt Born, Star-News

Organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club and sanctioned by the World Paddle Association, the West Marine Carolina Cup attracted most of the top professional paddlers in the world in 2017, as well as amateur and elite racers from practically every state in the nation. Almost 1,000 people participated in last year’s races and clinics, based at Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

The 2018 Carolina Cup itinerary, April 18-22, incorporates the renowned World SUP Tour Graveyard Race, a demanding and grueling 13.2-mile ocean and flatwater race; the 6.5-mile Money Island Open Race; the 3.5-mile Harbor Island Recreational Race; the 9-mile, 6-person Outrigger (OC-6) Blockade Runner Flatwater Race; the new 4-person SUP Dragon World Series; and the popular Kids Race for children 7 to 14. Competitors include Olympians, world-record holders, champions, professionals, inflatable paddle board reviews, amateurs, and first-time paddlers.

Workshops on the agenda include one-on-one clinics, World Paddle Association certifications, paddling techniques, racing preparation, equipment selection, flatwater racing, ocean racing, surfski and kayak technique and racing, pre-race paddle tours of local waters, with more to be finalized in the coming weeks.

Clinic instructors from Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Hawaii, California, and North Carolina include iconic professional paddlers Annabel Anderson, Connor Baxter, Candice Appleby, Michael Booth, Sonni Honscheid, Travis Grant, Titouan Puyo, Danny Ching, Dan Gavere, Jesse Lishchuk, Zane Schweitzer, April Zilg, and more.

Thursday, April 19, over 50 suppliers will be open to retailers only, re-opening for retailers and the public on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The expo and demos are free of charge.

“The success of the Carolina Cup is our continued focus on all paddlers from professionals to beginners,” said Mark Schmidt, race director. “Paddlers will have a great opportunity to see and try a wide variety of equipment and ask questions directly to the manufacturers and pros.”

2016 Carolina Cup Elite Champions – Annabel Anderson, New Zealand; Titouan Puyo, France – Courtesy of Robert B Butler
2016 Carolina Cup Elite Champions – Annabel Anderson, New Zealand; Titouan Puyo, France – Courtesy of Robert B Butler
All races, clinics, demos, plus the expo and trade show will originate at host hotel Blockade Runner Beach Resort.
A portion of event funds will benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to protect and restore water quality and critically important natural habitats of the North Carolina coast.

World Equestrian Games Coming To Charlotte Region – Bringing $400 Million Economic Impact

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World Equestrian Games Coming To Charlotte Region – Bringing $400 Million Economic Impact

games-poster_weg-newsNorth Carolina will soon become the official home of the 2018 World Equestrian Games – to be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Polk County. The internationally acclaimed event will take place from September 10th-23rd – it occurs every 4 years, staggering the summer Olympics.

The games will feature the best riders from around the world competing in eight core equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage and para-equestrian dressage, evening, driving, endurance, vaulting and reining.

Riders, fans, and media from over 70 countries will be descending on our state to cover the historic event. It’s now estimated that the event could bring an over $400 million economic impact to the region.

“We’re excited about the impact this event will have on the economic health of the Blue Ridge Foothills region of the Carolinas,” said Sharon Decker, COO of Tryon Equestrian Partners, Carolinas’ Operations.

So far, the World Equestrian Games have been held in an impressive list of major cities, including; Stockholm, Sweden (1990), The Hague, Netherlands (1994), Rome, Italy (1998), Jerez de la Frontera, Spain (2002), Aachen, Germany (2006), Lexington, Kentucky (2010), and Normandy, France (2014).

Charlotte Residents Join Together To Build Benches For Local Bus Stops

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Charlotte Residents Join Together To Build Benches For Local Bus Stops

More than 20 residents and volunteers gathered on Saturday morning to build benches for public bus stops in north Charlotte. Sustain Charlotte organized the event in partnership with the Prosperity Village Area Association to demonstrate the power of residents to make low-cost improvements to their neighborhoods, as well as to advocate for funding of more bus stop amenities throughout Charlotte.

Volunteers spent two hours upcycling wooden pallets into benches, then installed them near a bus stop on Ridge Road. Temporary green and white paint was applied to the sidewalk to make the rider waiting area more visible.

Although bus stops and shelters are not as highly valued by riders as trip speed and frequency, these amenities are very important to riders (Who’s On Board 2016). All CATS bus stops have poles with signs noting which routes serve the stop, but many do not have shelters or benches.

Sustain Charlotte and the neighborhood partners believe that demonstration projects like this one are a powerful way to show government staff and elected officials that people will use bus stops if they are walkable, accessible, and comfortable.

The Ridge Road stop where the benches were installed serves CATS routes 22 (Graham Street) and 53X (Northlake Express). Intense retail and residential development has occurred in the area recently. A new multifamily property across the street is nearing completion. Within ten minutes of installing the benches, a bus rider was seen sitting on one while waiting for a bus

This build event is part of Sustain Charlotte’s Walk2Transit project, funded by TransitCenter. Walk2Transit is an 18-month project using crowd-sourced mapping of bus stops that are hard to walk to, bus stop walkability audits with volunteers, and demonstration projects to advocate for a better waking experience to bus stops across Charlotte.

Thousands Lined The Streets To Watch Billy Graham Come Home

Steve
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Thousands Lined The Streets To Watch Billy Graham Come Home

Yesterday the body Charlotte’s ‘Hometown Hero’ was transported from Asheville to the Billy Graham Library where he will eventually be buried next to the body of his wife, Ruth Graham.

At about 11:25 a.m., the motorcade left the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville and traveled East on I-40 to Hickory, South on 321 to Gastonia, then North on I-85 to Charlotte.

Thousands lined the entire route along the highways and city streets;

The mood in Uptown Charlotte was extremely somber.

Many were in tears as the motorcade approached, and one man started playing his guitar and leading the crowd in one of Billy’s favorite songs, “Amazing Grace”.

Hundreds more parked their cars and stood in honor as the motorcade made its way down Billy Graham Parkway to the grounds of the Billy Graham Library;

Franklin Graham then led other family members behind the casket as it was brought inside to the Graham family’s original dairy farm home (reconstructed from its original location off Park Rd).

On Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 26-27, Dr. Graham’s body will lie in repose on the grounds of The Billy Graham Library for public viewing (the casket will remain closed). Public viewing times will run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

There will be no on-site public parking for these two days. All public parking will be accommodated at the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center located at 7100 Forest Point Blvd., and at the Charlotte Business Valet, Lot 2 at 5613 Wilkinson Blvd. Complimentary public shuttle buses will run continually from these lots to and from the Graham Family Homeplace. The last shuttle will depart the parking lot 30 minutes before the public lie in repose closes.

Funeral

A private funeral service will be held on Friday, March 2 between 12:00 p.m. and 1:30pm under a tent outside the Billy Graham Library. President Trump, along will all other living US presidents have been invited to attend the funeral.

Officials are planning for a total of 2,300 people to attend the funeral. The reverend’s son, Franklin Graham, will give the message, and several other family members will also speak.

Dr. Graham will be buried beside his wife, Ruth, at the foot of the cross-shaped brick walkway in the Prayer Garden, on the northeast side of the Billy Graham Library.

Charlotte Ranked #1 City in America For Female-Owned Business Growth

Steve
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Charlotte Ranked #1 City in America For Female-Owned Business Growth

The Queen City was recently ranked as the #1 city in America for female-owned business growth, according to a new report by American Express.

The report analyzed the total growth of businesses started and owned by women around the country and found that women are starting an average of 849 new businesses per day, up 3% from last year. American now has 11.6 million women-owned businesses that employ almost 9 million people and generate $1.7 trillion in revenue per year.

“We’re encouraged to see the amount of female-owned businesses in the U.S. has more than doubled in twenty years,” said Susan Sobbott, President of American Express Global Commercial Payments. “Championing women-owned businesses strengthens our economy, individual communities and helps inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs.”

According to the report, the top cities for women-owned business growth from 2002 to 2017 were:

  1. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro area, NC/SC
  2. San Antonio, TX
  3. Austin, TX
  4. Indianapolis, IN
  5. Riverside, CA (tie)
  6. Salt Lake City, UT (tie)

The Charlotte region saw a growth of 241.6% for businesses owned by women over the past 15 years. We had a total of 30,932 businesses in 2002 and that number increased to over 105,700 businesses today.

Our city has already recently been ranked one of the Top Cities in America for Women in Tech and Forbes recently noted that Charlotte is home to 3 of the most powerful women in America.

Are you a businesswoman who recently moved to Charlotte? What has your experience been since moving here?

False Reports of A Shooting Cause Mass Panic At Concord Mills Mall

Steve
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False Reports of A Shooting Cause Mass Panic At Concord Mills Mall

This evening at about 7pm, a fight broke out between two girls inside of the Concord Mills mall.

A minute after the fight started, someone shouted that someone had a gun and panic ensued.

Here is the raw cell phone video of the incident;

@highoff.miiah vs idek #concord #shooting #fights

A post shared by Thatrichkidgeorge@gmail.com (@newwavekyngs) on

Rumors then quickly spread that there was a shooting inside of the mall.

The mall was then briefly put on lockdown while some people hid inside of stores and others were evacuated;

According to the Concord Police Department, there were several reports of gunfire inside the mall, but they have not been able to find any evidence and are now labling the reports as false.

At about 7:30pm this evening, they sent out the following tweet;

at 8:15pm they announced that the mall is still open and no one was injured from the false reports of gunfire;

No arrests have yet been made surrounding the fight or reports of gunfire.

CMS Reported Finding 19 Guns Last Year – The Highest Number in 10 Years

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CMS Reported Finding 19 Guns Last Year – The Highest Number in 10 Years

As our nation continues to mourn the deaths from another tragic school shooting, a new report reveals some disturbing data about CMS school district. Last year, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools discovered a total of 19 guns on campuses around our region – higher than any other district in our state and any of the prior 10 years.

Even though CMS accounts for roughly 10% of the total enrollment in North Carolina, we accounted for about 20% of the guns discovered on school campuses.

According to North Carolina’s 2016-17 Annual Report of School Crime and Violence, Garinger, Mallard Creek and West Charlotte high schools each reported finding 3 guns last year, Rocky River High found 2, and eight other schools found 1 each, including; Ashley Park PreK-8 School, Crestdale Middle, Hopewell High, Huntingtowne Farms Elementary, Palisades Park Elementary, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology, Randolph Middle and Winget Park Elementary.

The report also noted that, while guns on CMS campuses increased last year, guns on all NC campuses actually decreased from the prior year;

One of the most alarming stats from this past year is that elementary students brought in the second highest number of guns to their schools, a far higher percentage than any prior year;

CMS Superintendent Clayton Wilcox has noted that many parents may be unaware of the gun discoveries, as CMS does not notify families about found guns unless there’s a direct threat to their kids.

In light of the recent report and the Feb. 14th school shooting in Florida, Wilcox has just ordered a comprehensive review of CMS’s entire safety system and related policies to find any weak spots or needed changes.

What do you think should be changed at CMS?

Charlotte Just Opened Its First DNA Testing Fitness Center

Steve
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Charlotte Just Opened Its First DNA Testing Fitness Center

Hype Fitness, Charlotte’s first DNA-testing fitness and lifestyle center just opened in the heart of Myers Park. The 2,000 square foot industrial-chic facility takes a radically new approach to getting the results people want for fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle goals – DNA testing.

Nutrigenomics, the study of the effects of food on gene expression, is one of the fields at the forefront of research and represents the fundamental basics of optimal health. Genetic testing gives the trainers and coaches at Hype a deep understanding of how certain exercises and diets uniquely affect their client’s body functions.

Hype Fitness is the first facility in Charlotte to bring an all-inclusive nutrition and fitness program based on  DNA testing that focuses on 4 factors measured :

1. Fitness
2. Nutrition
3. Performance
4. Behavior

From your DNA test results a personalized fitness and nutrition program is created to get you the best results specifically for you and what your body needs.

Here are a couple recent reviews from Hype clients;

“The genetic profile report provided information about much more than just weight loss, as that section of the report actually only made up a couple of pages of all of the information I was presented with. I now had the answers to things like what kind of exercise my body best responds to, or the most optimal caloric intake for my body to be able to release weight with. It presented me with reasons for any cravings or aversions I may have to foods. Beyond food and exercise, I now had information based on my genetic make-up about the amount of sleep I require.

My continually decreasing numbers on the scale are not a result of losing temporary water weight or muscle degeneration from lack of nutrients. I have been shedding fat. I feel healthy and energized. Surprisingly, I don’t feel like I’ve been dieting. Or denying myself at all for that matter. I am seeing RESULTS. I can’t say that it’s effortless, but with the genetic report and Tracey and Nancy’s help it has been easy.” – G.F.

“For years I have tried to gain muscle mass and build endurance. Always falling short I decided to try the DNA testing at Hype Fitness. When I received the results I realized through the performance and fitness results what I was doing wrong. After changing my strength training and cardio around the DNA results I have finally gained 5 lbs muscle mass and am able to complete a 10k in the top 5% of my age range. The test results are in-depth and allow you to learn what you need to be doing to change, modify or start the correct fitness and nutrition program for you.” – Don

Interested in learning more? Check out Hypecharlotte.com, contact Tracey Angiuoli at 980-859-7868, or stop by their main facility at 2318 Crescent Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28207

 

Top 10 Biggest Fishing Tournaments Coming To Charlotte Area Lakes This Spring

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Top 10 Biggest Fishing Tournaments Coming To Charlotte Area Lakes This Spring

fishing-tournaments-around-charlotteThe weather is starting to warm up on all the lakes around Charlotte, meaning fishing tournament season is upon us!

Several large fishing tournaments are now planned for March, April, May in all of the Charlotte area lakes, including; Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, Lake Wateree, and Lake Hickory.

fishing-tournaments-charlotte-area-lakes

Here are the top 10 biggest upcoming fishing tournaments in the Charlotte region (click on the titles for more info to each tournament):

#1 Carolinas Bass Challenge

Lake Wylie – March 3rd

The upcoming Lake Wylie Tournament is the second of four North Carolina series events, adding to stops on Lake Norman, Lake Hickory and High Rock Lake through this coming May.

Carolinas Bass Challenge events are team fishing tournaments where anglers can compete in pairs or solo. They feature a first place guarantee of at least $8,000. First place at the Carolinas Bass Challenge Classic will earn a team $50,000.

fishing-tournaments-around-charlotte2#2 The Carolina Anglers Team Trail

Kerr Lake – June 2-3

This multi-event tournament has several smaller events that have smaller payouts, and all which feed into larger events with the organization spanning both Carolinas and Virginia.

The next qualifying round will be on March 11th, then March 25th, and April 18th, and the final on Lake Wylie will be held on April 22nd. All events launch from Buster Boyd Access Area.

#3 Borderline Top 50

Lake Wylie

Tournament entry fee’s will be $60 per event totaling $300.00 for the entire season. There will be 5 events including the final.  A membership fee of $35 per person is required. Membership however, will be closed at 50 team depending on demand. A substitution fee of $35 will also be required. There is an optional side pot of $25. Boat numbers will be drawn at the ramp the morning of the tournament.

#4 Carolinas Bass Challenge – South Carolina

Lake Wateree – March 18, 2018

Last year the CBC – Lake Wateree Tournament awarded Joey Bramlett & Barry Holloman a first place price of $10,550.00 with their 24 lbs of total fish and their biggest fish weighing in at at 7.86 lbs.

#5 Second Annual Charlotte Area Fishing Tournament

Lake Norman – March 25th 2018

Payouts will be given to the Top 7 boats and to Big Fish in the following amounts:

Big Fish: $500 • Top Boat: $1,000 • 2nd Boat: $500 3rd: $350 • 4th: $300 • 5th: $225 • 6th: $175 • 7th: $125

Friday March 24th, 2018 • Registration/Meeting 7:30pm – 8:30pm – Bass Pro Shops – 8181 Concord Mills Blvd. / Concord, NC 28027 Saturday, March 25th, 2018 • Boats in water by 7:00am

#6 39th Annual Shrine Club Dogwood Bass Tournament

charlotte-fishing-tournamentLake Norman (Queens Landing) Saturday April 7th, 2018

Open to everyone – Entry fee $100 per team – Plus Big Fish $10 per team- (optional)

All proceeds will benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children

Total prizes (*Based on 100 Boats):

*First Prize – $2,500.00*

*2nd Prize – $1,000.00*

*3rd Prize – $750.00*

*4th Prize  –  $500.00*

*5th Prize –  $200.00*

*6th Prize – $150.00*

*7th Prize  through 10th Prize – $100.00 each

#7 Carolinas Bass Challenge – North Carolina

Lake Hickory – April 15, 2018

The last time Lake Hickory hosted a CBC tournament, they drew a record crowd of 173 Teams. Darren Sigmon and Brian Huffman took home first place with their total haul of 24lbs and a big fish weighing 7.86 lbs – they took home a total of $14,000 for their first place winnings.

#8 Big Bass Tour

Lake Norman (Queens Landing) – May 6-7, 2018

Over $100,000 in prizes and payouts.
2-day entry fee – $160
1-day entry fee – $110

#9 ABA – Ram Truck Open Series

Lake Wylie – May 6, 2018

$200 registration fee – $5,000 minimum payout guarantee for 1st place. Other prize money and places will be determined by number of participants.

#10 Bass Fishing League Tournament – South Carolina 

Lake Wateree – May 13, 2018

Chris Marshall of Forest City, North Carolina took first place from the BFL tournament on Lake Wylie earlier this month, catching five-bass weighing 22 pounds, 9 ounces, and winning a total prize pool of $6,237.

Have you ever been to any of these tournaments? 

Tell us about your experience in the comments below! 

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