This Charlotte Charity Has Raised Almost $1 Billion In Just 2 Years

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One of the fastest growing charities in the nation is located right hear in the Queen City. The Foundation for The Carolinas was originally founded in 1958 “as a catalyst for charitable good, connecting individuals, companies and organizations to needs and philanthropic opportunities” throughout the greater Charlotte region.

In their first 55 years, they built their endowment to an impressive $908 million, but in the past 2 years alone, they’ve almost doubled that number. According to a March 24th press release on their website, they had over $1.68 billion total assets at the start of this year.

The size and frequency of its donations are even more impressive. In 2015, they gave out 14,532 grants and hosted a record setting 2,492 charitable funds. They’re now ranked No. 2 in the United States for total giving and No. 9 for total endowment size.

carolina theater skyscraperThe organization has found incredible success through creative donation solutions, including; accepting donations of real estate, percentages of businesses (specifically fast-food restaurants and gas stations), and even large foreign currency gifts.

New donors have also been attracted by the success of recent large scale initiatives, such as; project LIFT (raising graduation rates on the city’s west side), A Way Home endowment (stabilizing housing for low-income families), and the Economic Opportunity Task Force (working to improve economic mobility among Charotte’s poorest residents).

They’ve also started work on the historic Carolina Theatre – a $39.8 million renovation project that will also feature a new high-rise hotel.

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Charlotte Approved A New 5-Story Mixed-Use Development Called ‘NoDa Station’

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A massive new development was approved by the Charlotte City Council for NoDa. “NoDa Station” will be a 5-story, 180 apartment development with ground floor retail space – possible for some new restaurants, shops, and maybe even a new brewery.

The building will sit directly behind the Cabo Fish Taco, Solstice Tavern, and The Evening Muse;

new noda station development

The plans call for the demolition of an old warehouse and The Rat’s Nest – a vintage clothing, toys, and game store that sits directly beside the Evening Muse.

Eller Capitol Partners will build the new “NoDa Station”, and have already committed to installing at least $20,000 in new public art around the site.

What do you think about this new development and the continued growth of NoDa?

Rock Hill Man Arrested After Calling 911 And Asking “how many legs does an octopus have?”

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69 year old John Dargan Barron (AKA “Crazy Horse”) of Rock Hill was just arrested Wednesday night for calling 911 and asking “how many legs does an octopus have?”.

After making several prior calls to 911, Rock Hill police went to Barron’s home where they found him “grossly intoxicated”, according to the police report.

john-dargan-barron-rock-hill-arrestPolice then told Barron not to call 911 again unless it was an emergency…about a half hour later, Baron called 911 and asked if the Russian alphabet was the same as the English alphabet. Police then proceeded to drive back to his home to arrest him.

When they walked into the home, officers found him unclothed from the waist down. After being put in the back of the patrol car, Baron tried to resist by lodging his foot under a passenger seat, according to the police report.

Baron is now facing charges of unlawful use of 911 and resisting police.

According to one of his neighbors, Barron has a history of unusual behavior.

He even recently announced his intentions to run for President of The United States with this hand-written public declaration, hung on the clothes line of his home (posted on Facebook by his neighbor):

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His public declaration reads: “Crazy Horse For President – Don’t Need Government “The People Rule” ”

North Carolina Man Drives 650 Miles To Listen To Cubs Win The World Series With Late Father

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Over 50 years ago, Wayne Williams Jr. and his dad made a promise that when the Cubs made it to the World Series, they would watch the game together. Unfortunately, Wayne Sr. passed away about 36 years ago without witnessing the Cubs every make it to the big game.

In spite of his father passing away, and in spite of the fact that Wayne Jr. had moved to North Carolina years ago, he decided to make good on the pact. He packed up his Cubs jersey, and his memorial “W” flag, got in his car, and started the 650 mile drive up to Greenwood Forest Lawn Cemetery just south of Chicago in Greenwood, Ind. to listen to the championship game on the radio with his dad.

“We had a pact that when the Cubs make it to the World Series, we are going to listen to the game together,” commented Wayne Jr..

Wayne Sr. was a veteran of World War II in the United States Navy and was buried in Greenwood south of Chicago off Interstate 65.

He was devastated when the Cubs lost a major division lead in 1969 and if he hasn’t died in 1980, “(the playoff loss in) 1984 would have done it.”


“My dad and I had kind of made a pact that when – not if – the Cubs made the World Series, we would watch the games together,” Wayne Jr. remarked.

Charlotte’s Newest 2-Story Starbucks in South Park Will Serve Beer and Wine

One of the nicest Starbucks in Charlotte is about to be built in South Park, just south of the intersection of Sharon and Fairview roads (according to an August 14th press release):

new 2 story starbucks in charlotte

Charlotte’s first stand-alone two-story Starbucks will serve locally sourced craft beer and wine in addition to Starbuck’s new evening menu (including savory sandwiches and mac and cheese).

The site is already being prepared for the new 2,400-square-foot building, which will be at the entrance of South Park’s new Sharon Square, a mixed-use community developed by Pappas Properties and Allen Tate Company.

charlottes 2 story starbucksThe new two-story Starbucks will include a sprawling loft for meetings and working on free wifi. The store will also featuer outdoor seating and a drive-thru for those in a hurry.

“This Starbucks, in such a prominent and accessible location, will be a tremendous addition for all of the SouthPark area as well as Sharon Square. We are thrilled that they plan to serve craft beers and wines in addition to their coffees and teas,” commented Brian Roth, vice president of marketing for Pappas Properties, in a statement.

Starbucks is now planning on opening their new 2 story South Park location toward the beginning of 2017.

The new Sharon Square development will also be home to the regional headquarters of SunTrust Bank.

Top 10 Things To Do In Charlotte This Weekend

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This weekend is going to be incredible!

There will be tons of live music, plays, festivals, and fall activities.

Here are the top 10 things happening around the Charlotte region this weekend:

#1 Jeff Dunham Live

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Jeff Dunham will be performing live tonight (11/3) starting at 7:30pm at the Spectrum Center.

Jeffrey “Jeff” Dunham is an American ventriloquist, producer, and stand-up comedian who has also appeared on numerous television shows, including Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents, and The Tonight Show.

For more information click here.

#2 South End Gallery Crawl

Historic South End’s next gallery crawl is happening this coming Friday (11/4) starting at 5pm.

Charlotte Magazine recently named the South End Gallery Crawl as the “Best Artsy Place to Take a Date.” Charlotte’s biggest and oldest gallery crawl typically sees between 10 and 20 art galleries, design centers, and coffee shops participate, offering free food, live music, and some of the best art in the city.

For more info click here.

#3 First Date in Charlotte

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Featuring a set hand-crafted and designed exclusively for the Charlotte production, FIRST DATE tells the story of when Aaron meets Casey and a casual drink turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner. Can this couple turn a dating disaster into something special before the check arrives? There will be several show times throughout this weekend at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

For tickets or more info click here.

#4 3rd Annual 100 Word Film Festival

The third 100 Words Film Festival returns to Uptown Charlotte’s McGlohon Theater on November 4th and 5th, 2016.

For more info or tickets click here.

#5 Urbean Pop-Up Market

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The Urbean Pop-Up Market is coming to the 7th Street Public Market on Sat, Nov 5th, filled with unique and inspiring hand-made crafts and clothing from all over the Charlotte region.

For more information click here.

#6 Strange Brew Festival

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For the second year in a row, the Unknown Brewery will be hosting their Strange Brew festival with music, food trucks, and some of the most unique beer concoctions you can imagine.

Fore more info click here.

#7 Veteran’s Day Parade

Charlotte’s annual Veteran’s Day Parade is happening this coming Saturday in Uptown Charlotte starting at 11am on North Tryon Street.

If your organization would like to participate in the parade, you can fill out an entry form at Carolinas Freedom Foundation – 2016 Veterans Day Parade’s site.

For more information click here.

#8 Carolina Renaissance Festival

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The annual Carolina Renaissance Festival continues this weekend. There will be tons of shows, arts and crafts, games and rides, jousting knights on horseback, feasting and so much more! Time travel to the greatest party since Camelot!

Click here for more info.

#9 Tour North Carolina’s Best Fall Colors

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This may be the last weekend that colors will be on display in our state. The blue ridge parkways is at peak stage at medium elevations, and the lower elevations around North Carolina are just now starting to show color.

Check out our Top 10 Best Places To See Fall Colors Around North Carolina list here.

#10 Charlotte Hornets Vs. Indiana Pacers

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On Monday night, two of the most legendary basketball teams of all time (we may be biased) will be facing off in the Queen City starting at 7pm at the Spectrum Center in Uptown.

Tickets are now only starting at $5 each – click here for tickets or more info.

If you think other events should be on this list or future lists, let us know – Scott@CharlotteStories.com

Charlotte Pizza Hut Employee Shot And Killed Armed Robber In Self Defense

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This past weekend, a Pizza Hut employee shot and killed an armed robber during an attempted burglary in West Charlotte, according to a CMPD report.

Officers arrived at the Pizza Hut at 3215 Freedom Drive at around 2am on Sunday morning to find Michael Renard Grace with a gunshot wound.

According to the police report, three people entered the restaurant and were in the process robbing the business when an employee shot his personal firearm and knocked Grace to the ground.

Investigators found a handgun at the scene which they say was being carried by Grace during the robbery.

The two other robbers fled the scene and have yet to be found.

Pizza Hut released the following statement following the shooting:

“The local Pizza Hut franchise is fully cooperating with the Charlotte Police Department as they continue their investigation, but want to stress that the security of its staff is of utmost concern. They are providing support to the team members involved to ensure their health and well-being following this incident. The employee involved in the shooting has been placed on a leave of absence following further review.”

Since the Pizza Hut employee was acting in self defense, and had a valid concealed weapons permit with a legally obtained firearm, it’s unlikely that he will face any criminal charges.

If you have any information about the robbery suspects, police ask that you call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a CMPD Homicide Unit Detective.

City of Charlotte Now In Stage 1 Drought – Water Restrictions Have Been Implemented

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The city of Charlotte is now officially in a stage 1 drought.

Our region has not seen rain in 25 days, and Charlotte leaders have just decided to place our city under a Stage 1 drought status, meaning cutbacks from the city, and voluntary water restrictions for residents and local businesses.

Charlotte Water released the following video highlighting their recommendations for residents and businesses:

Charlotte Water is now asking residents to: 

  • Only irrigate on Tuesdays and Saturdays between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. if you must irrigate
  • Limit landscape watering of no more than one inch of water per week, this includes rain
  • Conserve all water use indoors and outdoors
  • Refrain from outdoor water use during the day (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to reduce evaporation losses
  • Refrain from filling pools
  • Only top off swimming pools on Thursday and Sundays, between 6 p.m. until 6 a.m.
  • Do not wash vehicles at home, use commercial car wash locations that recycle water instead
  • Refrain from residential power washing

And they’re asking businesses to:

  • Educate employees and customers about water conservation practices
  • Discontinue operation of fountains and other ornamental water features that do not sustain aquatic animal life
  • Consider alternatives to car washes for fundraising activities
  • Repair known water leaks and increase plumbing inspection frequency
  • Reduce car washing frequency

During a similar drought last year, Charlotte residents followed similar restrictions and successfully dropped the city’s water usage by 7%.

Please spread the word:

Teenager From Gastonia May Cost Hillary Clinton The Election

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teenager-from-gastonia-ncOn September 21, 2016, a 15-year-old girl came forward to the Daily Mail with sexually explicate text messages and pictures from Anthony Weiner (We just discovered that the girl is a sophomore in a Gastonia high school – we can’t reveal her name for safety reasons).

The scandal quickly turned into a full scale federal investigation, leading to a seizure of Weiner’s computer equipment and electronic communications – including communications from his wife, Huma Abedin (who happens to be the vice chairwoman of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign).

During the FBI investigation, agents found a stockpile of new emails related to Clinton’s controversial private email server.

On Oct. 28, 2016 FBI Director James Comey sent a letter to congress, stating that the FBI will be reviewing emails found during the Weiner investigation to see if they will add any additional incriminating evidence or charges to the bureau’s investigation into Clinton.

This FBI letter then caused hundreds of media outlets to publish articles along the lines of, “FBI reopens Clinton probe after new emails found in Anthony Weiner case“.

These articles and news reports, along with the increased fear that Clinton may be arrested, caused her poll numbers to plummet. In the beginning of October, Clinton had a commanding 10 point lead over Trump – as of yesterday, Trump was actually polling 1 point ahead of Clinton, and now with the election just a few days away, it’s unknown if that trend can be reversed.

USA Today noted that even though the FBI’s move could have been seen as a political move, they really had no choice. “Imagine the uproar had Comey kept mum and word of the Weiner-related inquiry leaked out even closer to Election Day. If Clinton wins, she’ll be able to point to the FBI director’s letter as further refutation of Trump’s bogus assertion that the election is rigged against him. She might even want to thank Comey.”

It seems ironic that although numerous sexual scandals and comments destroyed Trump’s reputation over the past year, this latest sex scandal from Gastonia may actually result in him winning the election.

 

Donald Trump Is Coming To Concord NC This Week

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Donald Trump rally concord ncDonald Trump is about to return to the Charlotte region this coming Thursday evening. The Republican presidential candidate just announced plans to hold a rally at the Cabarrus Arena, located at 4715 Highway 49, doors will open at 1pm and the rally will start at 4 pm.

For more information or tickets click here.

President Obama will also be visiting the Charlotte region this week – he will be visiting Charlotte along side Hillary Clinton for the second time on her campaign trail.

Both candidates are now packing their schedules with as many tour stops as possible before this Saturday’s election.